Belgravia Volume 46 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...the breach between her and Maurice; but Mr. Calthorpe was as gracious as if there had been no breach, and as if there had never been any interruption of the familiar intercourse he had been accustomed to hold with her as the oldest friend of her father. He was conscious of both circumstances, however, as well as of their cause, and he was secretly chuckling to himself at the prospect of the surprise he had in store for the proud lady. He had much satisfaction in thinking that he would presently show her how easily she and her fortune could be dispensed with by his son, and how greatly she had wronged him. 'I am delighted to see you looking so remarkably well, my dear Miss Cuthbert. Upon my word, I think the air of London agrees with you better than that of Hollyford.' 'And I am delighted that you have been able to come, Mr. Calthorpe; I was so much afraid that you might be engaged.' He had not observed a momentary glance of slyness on her part as he entered, and he did not detect the twinkle of mischievous fun in her eyes when she spoke with natural cordiality. 'Of course, my engagements are numerous--too numerous, ' he said with the air of a man who has resigned himself to the martyrdom of his own popularity, adding gallantly: 'but when you summon me, everything else must give way.' 'Thank you, it is very good of you to say so. But you know it is a long time since you visited us.' 'That is true; dear me, how time does fly I sometimes wonder if the great magician Science, amongst his other marvels, has not played us a trick and put some electric force into the wheels of Time, so that we find ourselves at the end of life before we are quite conscious that it has begun. But there, time is only an agreeable topic for the young; beauty is a topic for all ages. ...