Volume I Part 2 (2/2)
Clapp says, it is a wretched plan.”
”I hope Charles may succeed; he is a fine boy; and I shall be very sorry, for Patsey's sake, if he turns out badly. She is very anxious about him, I know.”
”They have been so fortunate, with the rest of the family, that, I hope, they will be able to keep Charlie straight. I see Miss Patsey is talking to Mrs. Taylor; they are old friends, perhaps.
Do you know anything about these Taylors?”
”Nothing but what my husband told me. He is a merchant in New York, and very rich;--made his money quite lately; and the business-men think a good deal of him.”
”He seems to have a great deal to say for himself. Have you called on Mrs. Taylor?”
”We were there yesterday. She is a quiet, plain woman. The young man is good-looking, but very shy and awkward. The daughter seems very lively.”
”Yes, and she is quite pretty, too. She will be a belle, I dare say.”
”I hope Mrs. Taylor will send her younger children to Patsey's school.”
”I wish she may; it will be a good thing for Miss Patsey, and make up her dozen. You know, she will not take more than twelve, as she keeps the largest room in the house for her mother.”
”How kind and faithful Patsey has been to her step-mother! Just as she is, though, to everybody else; and she does it all in such a quiet, consistent way. I am glad to see her here to-night--she enjoys a little society, once in a while; and yet no one can persuade her to go out, except Miss Wyllys.”
”She has come in honour of her pupil's birthday, I suppose. You know, Elinor Wyllys was her first scholar. By-the-bye, do you know what I heard, the other day? They say, in Longbridge, that Mr. Hazlehurst is engaged to one of the young ladies here; though, to which, my informant did not say.”
”There is no truth in it, you may be sure--they are too much like brother and sister, to think of it. Besides, Mr. Hazlehurst is going abroad, shortly.”
”I did not know that. Where is he going?”
”He told my son, yesterday, that he was going to Europe, for two years, to take care of his brother, Mr. Robert Hazlehurst, who has never recovered from the fall he had last winter; and the physicians have ordered him to travel.”
At that moment the ladies were joined by Miss Agnes.
”I hear, Miss Wyllys,” said Mrs. Bernard, ”that Mr. Hazlehurst is going to Europe. He will be very much missed, at Longbridge.”
”Yes, we shall miss him, here, very much,” replied Miss Wyllys; ”Harry has been with us more than ever, this summer. But, his brother is not in a state to travel alone, nor fit to take care of his wife and children, who go with him; and, although the plan is a sudden one, and interferes with Harry's law-studies, yet his friends all think a visit to Europe may be a great advantage to him.”
The ladies agreed that it was a very good arrangement, and some inquiries were made as to Mr. Robert Hazlehurst's health; and a discussion of bruises and falls, nerves and dyspepsia, followed.
Soon after, the quadrille broke up.
”Well, Miss Jane,” cried Mrs. Bernard, as several young people drew near, ”I hear that your sister, Mrs. Robert Hazlehurst, is going to Europe; if I were you, I would not be left behind.”
”I should like to go very well,” said the beauty, in a languid tone; ”but, I shall be at school, in New York, next winter.”
”Oh, that is a pity! I am sure, you could learn all you want to know, much better, in Paris. Don't you think she ought to go, Mr.
Hazlehurst?”
”Certainly, ma'am; everybody should go to Paris, if they have a chance.”
”Miss Jane would be such a charming addition to your party.--Two young people together, you would enjoy yourselves more, and make it pleasanter for your friends.”
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