Sweet-Brier (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. 1889. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. THE RECTOR AND HIS SISTER. AFTER the fire at Charlie's uncle's house one of his cousins was found to have taken a fatal cold, and suddenly died, which sad event postponed Mabel's wedding until after Easter. Just as this misfortune happened Miss Cameron the governess was called home to England by the illness of her brother, so that Mrs. Bestwick found herself compelled to make a change of plans. "I have a suggestion to make," said Mabel to her mother when they were alone. "Let us bring out Phyllis--I could be of so much service to her in society this winter--and send Wilhelmina to Mademoiselle Auber. Let both girls come to the table more frequently at dinner S3--I think they must learn more by observation than by precept." Mrs. Bestwick objected at first. "Phyllis was rather young," she said, "and as for Wilhelmina--why, Mabel, do you know I find her peering into Flaxwood's closet, and asking him questions " "Yes, curiosity is so alive in both of them that the best thing we can do is to gratify it." Mabel prevailed, as she always did. It must be remembered that Mrs. Bestwick had her own life to live. She was a very fashionable favorite in society, always giving dinners and balls when she was not going to them, and having also a household of thirty-five servants to arrange--a little State in itself to govern--so that she must be forgiven if she paused to consider. Phyllis, however, was just then thinking of other things. Mrs. Bestwick had arranged with the Rev. Mr. Wickham to attend to her religious education, and to prepare her for confirmation. She had joined his class of catechumens and had become interested in her work. The Rev. Mr. Wickham was a small, pale man, with a bald head, and a beautiful smile, and a magnetic manner, and was the p...