登陆注册
5363100000116

第116章

In going down from the church to the Small House Lily Dale had all the conversation to herself. During some portion of the way the path was only broad enough for two person, and her Major Grantly walked by Lily's side, while Grace followed them. Then they found their way into the house, and Lily made her little speech to her mother about catching the major. 'Yes, my dear, I have seen Major Grantly before,' said Mrs Dale.

'I suppose he has met you on the road. But I did not expect that any of you would have returned so soon.' Some little explanation followed as to the squire, and as to Major Grantly's walk, and after that the great thing was to leave the two lovers alone. 'You will dine here, of course, Major Grantly,' Mrs Dale said. But this he declined. He had learned, he said, that there was a night-train up to London, and he thought that he would return to town by that. He had intended, when he left London to get back there as soon as possible. Then Mrs Dale, having hesitated for two or three seconds, got up and left the room, and Lily followed. 'It seems very odd and abrupt,' said Mrs Dale to her daughter, 'but Isuppose it is best.' 'Of course, it is best, mamma. Do as one would be done by--that's the only rule. It will be much better for her that she should have it over.'

Grace was seated on a sofa, and Major Grantly got up from his chair, and came and stood opposite to her. 'Grace,' he said, 'I hope you are not angry with me for coming down to see you here.'

'No, I am not angry,' she said.

'I have thought a great deal about it, and your friend, Miss Prettyman, knew that I was coming. She quite approves of my coming.'

'She has written to me, but did not tell me of it,' said Grace, not knowing what other answer to make.

'No--she could not have done that. She had no authority. I only mention her name because it will have weight with you, and because Ihave not done that which, under the circumstances, perhaps, I should have been bound to do. I have not seen your father.'

'Poor papa,' said Grace.

'I have felt that at the present moment I could not do so with any success. It has not come of any want of respect either for him or for you. Of course, Grace, you know why I am here.' He paused, and then, remembering that he had no right to expect an answer to such a question, he continued, 'I have come here, dearest Grace, to ask you to be my wife, and to be a mother to Edith. I know that you love Edith.'

'I do indeed.'

'And I have hoped sometimes--though I suppose I ought not to say so--but I have hoped and almost thought sometimes, that you have been willing to--love me, too. It is better to tell the truth simply, is it not?'

'I suppose so,' said Grace.

'And therefore, and because I love you dearly myself, I have come to ask you to be my wife.' Saying which he opened out his hand, and held it to her. But she did not take it. 'There is my hand, Grace. If your heart is as I would have it you can give me yours, and I shall want nothing else to make me happy.' But still she made no motion towards granting him his request. 'If I have been too sudden,' he said, 'you must forgive me for that. I have been sudden and abrupt, but as things are, no other way has been open to me. Can you not bring yourself to give me some answer, Grace?' His hand had now fallen again to his side, but he was still standing before her.

She had said no word to him as yet, except that one in which she had acknowledged her love for his child, and had expressed no surprise, even in her countenance, at his proposal. And yet the idea that he should do such a thing, since the idea that he certainly would do it had become clear to her, had filled with a world of surprise. No girl ever lived with any beauty belonging to her who had a smaller knowledge of her own possession than Grace Crawley. Nor had she the slightest pride in her own acquirements. That she had been taught in many things more than had been taught to other girls, had come of her poverty and of the desolation of her home. She had learned to read Greek and Italian because there had been nothing else for her to do in that sad house.

同类推荐
  • 西岳华山志

    西岳华山志

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 颜元集

    颜元集

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 礼法华经仪式

    礼法华经仪式

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 还丹歌诀

    还丹歌诀

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 吴医汇讲

    吴医汇讲

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 名门危情:首席的独宠

    名门危情:首席的独宠

    许慕秋的人生,以八岁为界。八岁之前,她是许家刁蛮任性的大小姐许弯弯。八岁之后,她是梁西泽手上最有用的棋子,是名动荣城的名媛许慕秋。一场大火,她失去双亲,他失去双腿。八岁到二十岁,她的世界,住满了一个叫梁西泽的人。她爱他,从不掩饰。“梁西泽,我这一生,只会爱你一个人。”他坐在轮椅上背对着她,声音冷漠如斯,“弯弯,我养了你十二年,名义上来说,你应该叫我梁叔。你所谓的爱情,在我眼里,只是个笑话。”二十岁生日那晚,她费尽心思地印上了梁西泽女人的标签。第二天,她和沈立轩的婚讯,出现在了新闻头条之上。宣布这条消息的,正是与她温柔缱绻的人。
  • 活地狱

    活地狱

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 汉末将星传

    汉末将星传

    天下大势,乱极入治,治极而衰,持续了数百年的汉王朝也终于走向了衰亡,值此天下将乱之际,天现异象,辽东人士殷魁在机缘巧合下识破天机,并预言数十年后必有英杰起于梁沛之间,他的话预示着乱世的到来,还有无数即将活跃在那个时代的将星们。多年之后,乱世已然来临,人人皆不能独善其身。一个名叫郭嘉的年轻人,为了寻找能终结这个乱世的明主,而四处游历。
  • 蜀山风情画(下篇)

    蜀山风情画(下篇)

    喻老大上山猎熊,遭熊报复,一命呜呼;粉棠花为葬夫,将女儿花娘卖给曾府。秀才娘子与卢大棒私通,被秀才之子所杀,团总汪三槐趁机霸占了秀才娘子。小毛牛自荐去曾府扮祝寿金童,带花娘逃走被抓,花娘被卖入宫保府。为寻花娘,小毛牛误入宝月寺学得一身武艺。粉棠花因酒失身嫁给曾二少爷;小毛牛回家探亲打伤汪三槐之兄,走投无路为粉棠花所救。汪三槐私设关卡,民怨沸腾。黑衣女子闯关,打伤多名团丁;汪三槐惊遇“追杀令”。
  • 傲娇萌妻太腹黑

    傲娇萌妻太腹黑

    (甜宠文,温馨治愈系,男女主双洁,互相信任满满,狗粮遍地。不打脸,略圣母,喜欢就戳。)放眼整个帝国,谁敢让宋少爷吃瘪?答案是苏稳。宋钦尧在遇到苏稳之前,从来都不知道什么叫做一见钟情。在遇见苏稳后,他明白了,爱一个人,就是无时无刻想靠近她,对她好。“稳稳,为什么不喝粥?”“我怕你在粥里下毒。”“稳稳,为什么不睡觉?”“我怕半夜被你偷袭。”“稳稳,你有被害妄想症吗?”“我有被你害妄想症,宋钦尧,你为什么这么不正经!”“没办法,别人都在装正经,我只好装不正经。”苏稳:你为什么对别人那么冷淡,对我却不一样。宋钦尧:傻瓜,你值得拥有最好的我。(本故事纯属虚构,如有雷同纯属巧合)书友裙:207654339
  • 另一时空的我们

    另一时空的我们

    怎么捡张海报就到了另一个时空?什么?就为了一份巧克力,我们要闯关?说好的黄金圣斗士呢?怎么全部是女生?不是打架?闯关类型各式各样?我……
  • 陌路相逢

    陌路相逢

    本书收作者中、短篇小说5篇,讲述了一件件情感故事,希望能让读者们有所感悟。
  • 兔儿岭

    兔儿岭

    本书主要讲民国十八年、八百里秦川遭百年不遇的大旱,赤地千里、饿殍遍野,兵荒马乱、盗匪四起。良家子弟墩子父母双亲死于保安团长罗玉璋之手、孤儿虎口逃生、含愤远走他乡,不料途中误入匪巢。兔儿岭上,年轻貌美的压寨夫人雪艳救墩子逃离匪窝。热血男儿终究抢杀恶人,报了杀父之仇,却又被人利用,最终难逃非命……
  • 妖神在唐朝

    妖神在唐朝

    传说每隔数年繁星如雨,红光汇聚,就是时间之门打开之时。陈墨无意之间被红光所伤,穿越成为李淳风的弟子,和师兄弟们一起热血江湖。
  • 宁海将军固山贝子功绩录

    宁海将军固山贝子功绩录

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。