Village Belles. a Novel (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. 1833 edition. Excerpt: ...left behind with Mr. Russell. "He had joined them," she said to herself, " without being wanted by any body, and now had completely broken up the party." "Had not we better walk faster?" said she, gently dragging him forward as she spoke: "they will be out of sight presently." But no: Mr. Russell hung heavy on hand. "We cannot keep up with them," said he composedly, "and I dare say they will wait for us at the bottom of the slope." "Oh, don't trust to that," cried Rosina eagerly, "for I know the Hollands's donkey of old, and when it once takes to trotting on Heeley-heath, it never stops till it reaches the foot of White-thorn hill. "In that case," replied Mr. Russell, " there is still less chance of our keeping up with them; so you see, Rosina, it was a lucky thing I fell in with you, or you would have been left to yourself." "No, that 1 should not, I am sure," cried Rosina, indignantly tossing her chin. "Don't you think," resumed she, again endeavouring to impel her companion a little faster, "that we had better try to gain the slope at any rate, before they are out of sight, that we may see which track they take?" "Oh " continued Mr. Russell, "I know my way to the brow of the hill perfectly well." "But I am not so sure that mamma does," interrupted Rosina. "If she loses her way," replied he drily, "we are not answerable for it; since she has run away from us, not we from her. However, we shall all meet at our journey's end, I make no doubt." Rosina could not help letting her lips betray that note of impatience which can only be imperfectly implied on paper by the syllable...