Kate Gearey; Or, Irish Life in London (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. 1853. Excerpt: ... old year, the life of Josephine Bradshawe had also ebbed away. Not one that was present refused to bend the knee or to join in that last touching service; and when it was ended, Lord Lindore alone exclaimed, "I grudged her to her God; I opposed myself to His will; He has taken her to Himself, and in His own way." They have silently dispersed; a short hour's bustle and confusion; they have decked her with fair flowers; another brief space, and Kate Gearey kneels alone in that lighted room, telling her beads by the inanimate form of her best, her only friend. CHAPTER XVIII. THE CONCLUSION. Before I throw aside my pen, a few words concerning the fate of the principal actors of this drama of real life may not be altogether unacceptable. Besides, I am told it is not quite the thing to drop so unceremoniously the acquaintance of people who, it is to be presumed, have by this time created some degree of interest in the breasts of my readers. This chapter of my tale, then, like one of the old comedies, will merely contain the last speech and parting bow of those who have figured therein. The death of Josephine was of course deeply and sincerely regretted by her own immediate circle. The double bereavement of Lord Lindore, and his permitting his niece to be interred in a Catholic cemetery, caused much speculation both amongst his private friends and his political party; indeed, by the latter it was currently reported he would shortly swell the ranks of Popery, and many were the results prophetically anticipated from this great apostasy. It did not take place, however; he is still as earnest in the cause of ragged-schools and proselytizing as ever; he is just as much with his friend Mr. Melford as before; and as the latter is now in Parliament, it is supposed some ...