Bessie - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872. Excerpt: ... 212 CHAPTER XL "II"R. DE LUSIGNAN came back the next-L'J-morning. I found him in the dining-room when I went down, and started back as our looks met. His face was haggard and worn, and there was written deep upon it a settled gloom, a meaning of bitter and anxious thought, which showed that neither the purpose nor the result of his journey had been of a pleasant nature. I stood in some doubt before him, stammering a welcome which he did not heed. "Any news, Bessie?" he asked. "Mrs. Henry is not yet come back," I answered. By the way in which he heard me, it was plain my guardian was aware of the fact, but it was plain too he attached no importance to it. The journey of Elizabeth bore no other meaning for him than the light and frivolous motive she had chosen to give it. "Harry is very well," I pursued. His face brightened. "Yes, he is--I have seen the little fellow; he looks wonderfully well. By the way, what lady is that he talks about?" I should have preferred not speaking of Miss Dunn, but, since that could not be, I thought it best to be cool and careless. "Oh, that is Miss Dunn," I said quietly. "And who is Miss Dunn?" he asked, impatiently. I have never been able to avoid being pushed in a corner, and of course, once I am there, I must needs surrender at discretion. I therefore gave my guardian an account of Miss Dunn, in which, thanks to a few pertinent questions, nothing was omitted. Mr. de Lusignan heard me with marked attention, but when I had no more to tell, turned from me with a careless "Oh! that is Miss Dunn, is it V' which was wholly at variance with the meaning of his face. I looked at him, and was but half deceived. "And what does Mr. Herbert say to Miss Dunn V he asked, turning his back to me, and looking out of the window into the cour...