A Fireside Book
by Charles Benjamin Tayler (9781443295598)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3EVENING THE FIRST. ' Dut a smooth and steadfast mind, Gentle thoughts and calm desires, Hearts with equal love combined, Kindle neverdying fires." Thomas Carew. The party assembled in the drawing-room, having found the hall a little too airy this intensely cold night. Lady Clarice had put in a claim that she might be the first to read her story; but when the evening came sbe confessed that she had still more than half to write. Several of the party were ready with their contributions, but the modest Mrs. Fairfax was requested to begin. " I must forewarn you all," said Lucy, smiling as she opened the pretty little volume, in which she had written her tale, "that my amusement for this evening is rather of a melancholy character; but we are a very happy party, and I will let you into a secret, all will end well, and you know ' All's well that ends well.'" " Rather of a melancholy character," said LadyClarice, repeating Lucy's words, and sinking languidly back in her chair. " My dear, it can't be too melancholy for me. Don't you agree with me, Mr. Seymour?" Her looks rather than her words expressed the question she wished to ask, for they turned a sidelong glance to a vacant seat next her, and that glance conveyed an invitation. Mr. Seymour heard not, or seemed not to hear till he had quietly seated himself next to Grace; then very politely he turned to Lady Clarice. " Pray begin at once, dear Lucy," she said, almost pettishly, PATIENCE. Patience was an only child, but a poor un- portioned orphan. Her mother, a weak and gentle creature, had been a distant cousin of the lady, or, according to the fashion of then speaking, of Dame Egerton; at whose marriage she was taken, as a sort of humble friend of the bride, into the family of Sir Ralph Egerton. This charity of Dame Egerton...

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