Dominic Penterne (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. 1888. Excerpt: ... 12 CHAPTER II. When the two guests arrived at the house the sun which shines on all things was shining on Miss Cushby. This lady, who was neither descended from a distinguished house nor was heiress to anything in particular, had become companion to Mrs. Penterne in the days Avhen she was Mrs. Broomielaw, and had lived since then, as before, chiefly on the wealth of her suspiciousness. It is perhaps difficult for a lady of Parisian experience to fully and properly suspect a provincial Englishman, but Miss Cushby's ingenuity and practice had succeeded in attributing, at various times, to the Rev. Horace Bargo almost every crime which lies within the deceiver's compass. The desire to marry Madge Broomielaw for her money; to marry his cook for perverseness in that he was a man; to marry Miss Cushby in order to be rid of her--all these desires Miss Cushby had used as motives round which she "wove imaginary wicked lives of the quite harmless vicar. The intention to become a Presbyterian, a Jesuit, a professed Nothingarian, she put into his mind on drowsy Sunday mornings, when warming her slippers by the fire--she had not energy to put a woman there. She shook hands with Sir Harold and bowed to Mr. Bargo. "I am charged with apologies for you," said she, lookiug sharply at them from her little, darkgrey eyes. Ci Mrs. Penterne is so indisposed she has not risen. You must allow me to take the head of the table. The master of the house is abroad somewhere. I do not think we need wait for him." "Is Madge down? is she well?" asked Sir Harold. "My charge "--(Miss Cushby always spoke of Madge as her charge)--"walked out early this morning. She has not returned yet." And with that Miss Cushby pursed her lips, and looked suddenly at the vicar. The good man, who knew noth...