The City of Three Spires (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. 1883 Excerpt: ...as soon as the service was over; no doubt, to prevent Maud having the pleasure of talking to the Vicar about the churches of Minsterley, and feeling moreover, probably, much ashamed of her own conduct on the evening when Canon Burton had come over to preach, which no doubt she thought would thus be recalled to Mr. Deane's remembrance. So Maud soon found herself in her own room at her aunt's, unpacking her things, with a melancholy recollection of the joyous feelings with which she had taken them from their places to arrange in her box, previous to her going to Dudley. But she instantly, with her usual practical good sense, felt that she had too much to be grateful for to justify any of the depression she would have experienced, had her visit to her old home been otherwise than the foretaste it was of the time when she would return to it for ever. Of course, after the happy days she had passed, the monotonous routine of her usual life in her aunt's house would fall very flat; but, after she had once fairly returned to it, she would find it far less so than before, in being able to live those happy days over again, and in feeling that every day brought her nearer to her escape from the present, and her enjoyment of the future. Besides, there were little bright gleams now and then, even in the monotony of her dull life, which would be all the brighter for that resplendent light of the future which had power to irradiate even her darkest hours. The first of these green spots in her lonely path would be the annual festival held in the parish on All Saints' Day, to commemorate the Dedication of the Church. The services were of the most jubilant character: and the old women of the almshouse, as well as all the choir and other officials of the church, were entertai...