Three Sisters; Or, Sketches of a Highly Original Family (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1884. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Did it never frighten him, that ceaseless tick? Hastily the girl walked on, then stopped again at a large house, muttering as she did so, "I must accept it, after all. It will be more anyway than the pittance I earn here. Oh, that I were a man " CHAPTER VII. IN WHICH MISS SMYTHE-SMYTHE APPEARS IN A NEW LIGHT. "Is Miss Smythe at home?" "Yes, miss; walk in." Elizabeth did as directed, and sat down. She did not choose the chair nearest the door, nor did she sit down on the utmost edge of the chair she selected, but if the reader wishes to know what were her feelings, they were precisely those which are commonly written on the faces of such individuals as choose the seat nearest the door, and sit down on the utmost edge thereof. A la Denbigh, she had thrown herself with much seeming ease into an arm-chair, and there sat, to all appearances lost in the study of a landscapepainting facing her. "Glad to see you, Miss Denbigh. Keep your seat. So you've made up your mind to accept the engagement I spoke of. You've found out you can't get on at home, it seems. Well, I'm sorry for it, very sorry. But it's what I always said." And Miss Smythe rubbed her hands. We all feel a grim satisfaction at what we "always said" coming true, though it were the saddest thing in life, and our hearts the kindest. Miss Smythe was not a cruel person, but she "always said" the worst would happen; therefore it was not unnatural that she was constantly appearing cruel, her prophecies not unfrequently being verified, on which occasions she invariably rubbed her hands and begged you to remember her anticipation of the agreeable event. Elizabeth said nothing. "I may not have said so to you, Miss Lucy." (Miss Smythe always called Elizabeth "Miss Lucy.") "I have said so over and over again to your p...