She
had dedicated herself to a high purpose, but for the moment it was
impossible to get on with the noble work. The mere business of life
had to be proceeded with, and though the situation was absorbing it
receded now and then until, looking at her Aunt Rose, she was reminded
of it with a shock.
She looked often at her aunt, finding her more than ever fascinating.
She tried to see her with the eyes of Francis Sales, she tried to
imagine how Rose's clear grey eyes, so dark sometimes that they seemed
black, answered the appeal of his, yet, as the days passed, Henrietta
found it difficult to remember her resignation and her wrongs in this
new life of luxury and pleasure.
She woke each morning to the thought of gaiety and to the realization
of comfort and the blessed absence of anxiety. Her occupation was the
getting of enjoyment and she took it all eagerly yet without greed,
and as she was enriched she became generous with her own offerings of
laughter, sympathy and affection. She liked and looked for the
brightening of Caroline and Sophia at her approach, she became
pleasantly aware of her own ability to charm and she rejoiced in an
exterior world no longer limited to streets. Each morning she went to
her window and looked over and beyond the roofs, so beautiful and
varied in themselves, to the trees screening the open country across
the river and if the sight reminded her to sigh for her own sorrows
and to think bitterly of Aunt Rose, she had not time to linger on her
emotions.
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