FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113  
114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   >>   >|  
e, and the fleeting Spirit, directed by them, looks upward to the realms from which these heaven-born passions have been permitted to descend on earth, to cheer us through our weary pilgrimage. What, then, had Admiral De Courcy to support him in his last moments?--A good conscience?--faith?--hope?--love?--duty?--or even sympathy?-- Wanting all, he breathed his last. But, let us-- Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all; Close up his eyes, and draw the curtains close. And let us all to meditation. The vicar affixed seals upon the drawers, to secure the remainder of the property (for the example of the old nurse had been followed by many others), and, having given directions for the funeral, returned to his own home. The second day after the admiral's death, a carriage and four drove furiously up the avenue and stopped at the entrance door. The occupants descended, and rang the bells with an air of authority; the summons was answered by several of the male domestics, who were anxiously looking out for the new proprietor of the domain. A tall man, of very gentlemanlike appearance, followed by a mean-looking personage in black, walked in, the latter as he followed, proclaiming the other to the servants as the heir-at-law, and present owner of the property. By this time the whole household were assembled, lining the hall for the visitors to pass, and bowing and curtseying to the ground. The vicar, who had expected the appearance of these parties, had left directions that he might be immediately acquainted with their arrival. On receipt of the information, he proceeded to the hall, and was ushered into the library, where he found them anxiously awaiting his arrival, that the seals might be withdrawn which had been placed upon the drawers. "Whom have I the honour of addressing, sir?" said the vicar to the taller of the two, whom he presumed, by his appearance, to be the superior. "Sir," replied the little man, in a pompous manner, "you are speaking to Mr Rainscourt, the heir-at-law, of this entailed property." "I am sorry, truly sorry, sir," replied the vicar, "that from not having been well informed, you should be subjected to such severe disappointment. I am afraid, sir, that, the grandchild of Admiral De Courcy will have a prior claim." The two parties started from their chairs and looked at each other in amazement. "The grandchild!" replied the little man--"never even heard that there
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113  
114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

appearance

 

property

 

replied

 
arrival
 
directions
 

drawers

 
parties
 

Admiral

 

grandchild

 

Courcy


anxiously
 

acquainted

 

personage

 

walked

 

immediately

 
proclaiming
 

ground

 

visitors

 

lining

 
assembled

household

 
receipt
 

expected

 

servants

 

present

 

bowing

 

curtseying

 
addressing
 

subjected

 

severe


disappointment

 

informed

 

entailed

 

afraid

 

amazement

 

looked

 

started

 

chairs

 

Rainscourt

 

awaiting


withdrawn

 

proceeded

 

ushered

 

library

 

honour

 

pompous

 
manner
 

speaking

 

superior

 

presumed