Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/298

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290
THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.

self great pleasure to continue the acquaintance so happily begun here. I believe the living is a remarkably good one; but I am afraid you will find coals rather dear, I know Lord Chesterton was giving 28s the ton, when we were giving only 26s, and butcher's meat was dearer the last time I was there, than it was with us, but that might have been accidental. In all other respects it is a delightful residence."

Janet had said nothing, she gave a start when Lord Chesterton announced Mr. Greydon's preferment, and turned pale as she thought "he is going away." She did not know that his thought was, "will she go with me?" But the next moment she found that her hand was taken and pressed between his, and though she pretended to believe that she had held it out to him in an attempt to wish him joy—a pleasing persuasion stole over her that her bonnet was not unbecoming, that Miss Simpson was at least five and thirty, and heiress as she was, that Mr. Greydon did not care about her. "At all events," she