登陆注册
33144900000006

第6章 A GOOD BEGINNING(2)

"I see," she said aloud, laughing to herself. "Iam not your master, and you rebel. Nevertheless, I'll conquer you, my fine brute."Seating herself in the grass, she began to pull daisies, singing idly the while, as if unconscious of the spirited prancings of the horse. Presently he drew nearer, sniffing curiously and eyeing her with surprise. She took no notice, but plaited the daisies and sang on as if he was not there. This seemed to pique the petted creature, for, slowly approaching, he came at length so close that he could smell her little foot and nibble at her dress. Then she offered the clover, uttering caressing words and ****** soothing sounds, till by degrees and with much coquetting, the horse permitted her to stroke his glossy neck and smooth his mane.

It was a pretty sight -- the slender figure in the grass, the high-spirited horse bending his proud head to her hand. Edward Coventry, who had watched the scene, found it impossible to restrain himself any longer and, leaping the wall, came to join the group, saying, with mingled admiration and wonder in countenance and voice, "Good morning, Miss Muir. If I had not seen your skill and courage proved before my eyes, I should be alarmed for your safety. Hector is a wild, wayward beast, and has damaged more than one groom who tried to conquer him.""Good morning, Mr. Coventry. Don't tell tales of this noble creature, who has not deceived my faith in him. Your grooms did not know how to win his heart, and so subdue his spirit without breaking it."Miss Muir rose as she spoke, and stood with her hand on Hector's neck while he ate the grass which she had gathered in the skirt of her dress.

"You have the secret, and Hector is your subject now, though heretofore he has rejected all friends but his master. Will you give him his morning feast? I always bring him bread and play with him before breakfast.""Then you are not jealous?" And she looked up at him with eyes so bright and beautiful in expression that the young man wondered he had not observed them before.

"Not I. Pet him as much as you will; it will do him good. He is a solitary fellow, for he scorns his own kind and lives alone, like his master," he added, half to himself.

"Alone, with such a happy home, Mr. Coventry?" And a softly compassionate glance stole from the bright eyes.

"That was an ungrateful speech, and I retract it for Bella's sake. Younger sons have no position but such as they can make for themselves, you know, and I've had no chance yet.""Younger sons! I thought -- I beg pardon." And Miss Muir paused, as if remembering that she had no right to question.

Edward smiled and answered frankly, "Nay, don't mind me. You thought I was the heir, perhaps. Whom did you take my brother for last night?""For some guest who admired Miss Beaufort. I did not hear his name, nor observe him enough to discover who he was. I saw only your kind mother, your charming little sister, and -- "She stopped there, with a half-shy, half-grateful look at the young man which finished the sentence better than any words.

He was still a boy, in spite of his one-and-twenty years, and a little color came into his brown cheek as the eloquent eyes met his and fell before them.

"Yes, Bella is a capital girl, and one can't help loving her. I know you'll get her on, for, really, she is the most delightful little dunce. My mother's ill health and Bella's devotion to her have prevented our attending to her education before. Next winter, when we go to town, she is to come out, and must be prepared for that great event, you know,"he said, choosing a safe subject.

"I shall do my best. And that reminds me that I should report myself to her, instead of enjoying myself here. When one has been ill and shut up a long time, the country is so lovely one is apt to forget duty for pleasure. Please remind me if I am negligent, Mr. Coventry.""That name belongs to Gerald. I'm only Mr. Ned here,"he said as they walked toward the house, while Hector followed to the wall and sent a sonorous farewell after them.

Bella came running to meet them, and greeted Miss Muir as if she had made up her mind to like her heartily. "What a lovely bouquet you have got! I never can arrange flowers prettily, which vexes me, for Mamma is so fond of them and cannot go out herself. You have charming taste," she said, examining the graceful posy which Miss Muir had much improved by adding feathery grasses, delicate ferns, and fragrant wild flowers to Sir John's exotics.

Putting them into Bella's hand, she said, in a winning way, "Take them to your mother, then, and ask her if I may have the pleasure of ****** her a daily nosegay; for I should find real delight in doing it, if it would please her.""How kind you are! Of course it would please her.

I'll take them to her while the dew is still on them." And away flew Bella, eager to give both the flowers and the pretty message to the poor invalid.

Edward stopped to speak to the gardener, and Miss Muir went up the steps alone. The long hall was lined with portraits, and pacing slowly down it she examined them with interest. One caught her eye, and, pausing before it, she scrutinized it carefully. A young, beautiful, but very haughty female face. Miss Muir suspected at once who it was, and gave a decided nod, as if she saw and caught at some unexpected chance.

A soft rustle behind her made her look around, and, seeing Lucia, she bowed, half turned, as if for another glance at the picture, and said, as if involuntarily, "How beautiful it is! May I ask if it is an ancestor, Miss Beaufort?""It is the likeness of my mother" was the reply, given with a softened voice and eyes that looked up tenderly.

"Ah, I might have known, from the resemblance, but I scarcely saw you last night. Excuse my *******, but Lady Sydney treated me as a friend, and I forget my position. Allow me."As she spoke, Miss Muir stooped to return the handkerchief which had fallen from Lucia's hand, and did so with a humble mien which touched the other's heart; for, though a proud, it was also a very generous one.

同类推荐
  • 古今笑史

    古今笑史

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 赤雅

    赤雅

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 玉台新案

    玉台新案

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 缁门崇行录

    缁门崇行录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 八识规矩通说

    八识规矩通说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 淡淡的烟火如此如醉

    淡淡的烟火如此如醉

    在一个夏天的午后,某个非正式地上班族女孩再去往仓库拿东西的时候,却不小心被一个陌生人说是自己的男朋友,从此刻开始,她的爱情也在这场奇遇中展开了。
  • 请多多理解我

    请多多理解我

    学生梁雨高中三年的心路历程,经历过来自老师和同学的打击,也有过抑郁难熬的阶段,在一高毕业后,为了治愈破碎的精神,她决定成为一名高补生。
  • 狂者为王

    狂者为王

    金钱下,他把生命视为土粪,成为了举世无双的雇佣兵,他的实力让战场上的的敌人畏惧万分。就跟我来书中读一读这个故事吧。
  • 大家都喜欢的安同学

    大家都喜欢的安同学

    安同学,多金、漂亮又深情。狂野男孩喜欢她,奶油小生喜欢她。大家都喜欢的安同学,除了一个人例外那个人,就是她自己。
  • 桃运系统

    桃运系统

    华陶,一个在表姐的婚介所打工的普通人,意外获得了一个名为桃花的系统,从此了不得了,不但能给人牵线搭桥,成功后,自己还能增加魅力值,了不得了不得啊!............大龄剩女,爸妈催婚怎么办?找华陶!大龄剩男,父母骂街怎么办?找华陶!离异少妇,追寻真爱的花痴少女,挺着大肚子想泡少女的成功男士,都怎么办?去知心婚姻介绍所找华陶啊!可让人郁闷的是,女性们貌似对华陶格外的感兴趣。............“我叫华陶,万万没想到,我的存在,让全世界充满爱!”桃运来了,你的我的他的她的,告别单身!让光棍节去屎!
  • 绝世天娇之萌妃莫跑

    绝世天娇之萌妃莫跑

    她,本该是冥界最尊贵的公主,却在母亲胎中就被陷害,失去一魂。出生后,一魂回归,她却身处陌生的世界。他,本是矜贵无情的凰域至尊,却只倾心于她,从此,他所有的温柔和呵护都给了她。“九九,我会护你一世无忧的。”“为什么是一世呢?难道下一世你就不护我了?”她不解。“傻瓜。”他宠溺地摸着她的头,“我们又不会死,何来下一世?”
  • 槐树在唱歌只有我听见

    槐树在唱歌只有我听见

    没有人听过树唱歌,初中生尹竹轩听到了;不但听到了,还被一颗老槐树拐带进异次元了!你问他有什么感想?他说:“我只想做一个平凡的学生,考考试,念高中,这就挺好。”但是,你们看他那口是心非的样儿!
  • 大佬她拿了妖女剧本

    大佬她拿了妖女剧本

    她,一缕孤魂,被困于茫茫白云之上。好不容易逃离出去,却莫名其妙穿到一女子身上,从鬼变成了人。脚踏实地的感觉难得叫她感念起做人的好来。可是,为什么人人称呼她妖女?也罢,妖女就妖女,那也比当个孤魂野鬼要强。人人喊杀,妖女也是不好当。傍个神兽,舍命抢颗凤凰蛋,破壳长大后竟是只黑漆漆的“乌鸦”!唯一庆幸,某个大佬默默伸出了大长腿,终是一招得靠山,变作妖女鬼见愁啊……
  • 极品废材,亿万男神倾侧

    极品废材,亿万男神倾侧

    一个现代神偷,然而穿越到了玄灵大陆,被上天选中成了神女,刚穿越到玄灵大陆的她,是一个满脸胎记没有灵力的废材,然而是谁拯救了他呢
  • 拜见我的仙女姐姐

    拜见我的仙女姐姐

    逆天成神,踏破虚空。是宿命既定的安排还是人定胜天的逆袭?是顺势而为还是逆流而上?看我如何征战八方。世间万众皆臣服在我脚下!唯我独尊……有我在,何人敢放肆?