Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter xxix. what no one expected. My story is finished, for my purpose has been set forth. May it be accomplished! Yet, for some of my readers who require it, I will gather up the few stray threads that remain. Osmund had taken rooms in London, to which he went up not only in the season, but also whenever anything of interest was to be seen. It did not require Lady Gorton's knowledge of the world to foretell that he would be lionized. He was simply run after by every one, and the centre of the deadest of dead sets; but mammas at last began to be rather annoyed. He was so very agreeable to all, but to no one in particular, and sometimes seemed to make more love to the mother than to the object of her desire. They began to think at last that he might be laughing at them, he was so persistently obtuse. Every one knew that he went very often to Hill Street; and the Hon. Alicia first had the honour of being supposed to be favoured; but this would not hold water for any time, so nobody knew what to think. Osmund spent much time in the galleries and at his club, and few guessed that his visits were not wholly on account of his old friends, nor those to Cadogan Place entirely to improve his acquaintance with Lady Neild; but of these last the world was not fully aware. In the autumn he gave a garden-party at The Nest. All the neighbourhood was there, and found plenty to amuse and gratify all tastes in the gardens and museum, as well as in the rooms of the great house, all of which were in full array for the occasion. It was a hot afternoon, and the cool rooms were pleasant, but towards evening the guests came out of doors, and deserted them. Two large parties, under the guidance of Lord Gorton and Charlie, started to inspect the farms. Some...
