Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/291

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
MILLMOUNT.
287

upon their style of face. In going out of church the respectful salutation of the tenantry and of the villagers was acknowledged stiffly; there was little relaxation of the countenance accompanying the slight bend of the head. "I don't think I'll like them at all," she confided to her husband. On Sunday evening the young Squire and his family were the subjects of discussion, and Jessie led Mrs. Copeland on to tell all she knew of Lady Eveline Darlington. It was not much, for the Copelands had not gone to Stan.more till after Lady Eveline's second marriage, and they had only heard that it was a low hurried match, which had given great and just offence to the family. They believed that the young Squire's mother was dead many years ago, and that the children she had so cruelly deserted never heard her name mentioned by their grandfather or their aunt who had superintended their education.

Jessie kept her knowledge in the background; only with her husband did she consult as to what would be likely to occur if she brought Amy's relationship forward. George was as doubtful as herself on the subject. He saw a happy life before Amy as Allan's wife, and he was not strongly attracted towards the young squire, and still less so towards his sister. Amy's