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Yonge, Charlotte Mary, 1823-1901

"The Three Brides"

m., disposed for a few
Christmas amusements."


CHAPTER XVI
The Drive To Backsworth

She was betrothed to one now dead,
Or worse, who had dishonoured fled.--SCOTT
The party set out for Backsworth early in the day. It included
Julius, who had asked for a seat in the carriage in order to be able
to go on to Rood House, where lived Dr. Easterby, whom he had not
seen since he had been at Compton.
"The great light of the English Church," said Rosamond, gaily; while
Anne shuddered a little, for Miss Slater had told her that he was
the great fountain-head of all that distressed her in Julius and his
curates. But Julius merely said, "I am very glad of the
opportunity;" and the subject dropped in the eager discussion of the
intended pastimes, which lasted beyond the well-known Wil'sbro'
bounds, when again Julius startled a Anne by observing, "No dancing?
That is a pity."
"There, Anne!" exclaimed Rosamond.
"It was out of kindness to me," said Anne: and then, with a
wonderful advance of confidence, she added, "Please tell me how you,
a minister, can regret it?"
"Because I think it would be easier to prevent mischief than when
there has to be a continual invention of something original.


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