Fortunately Lord de Mowbray was at the moment absent, and as
the question of the controverted inheritance was a secret to
every member of the family except himself, the name of Gerard
excited no invidious sensation in the circle. Sybil was
willing to please and to be pleased: every one was captivated
by her beauty, her grace, her picturesque expression and sweet
simplicity. Lady de Mowbray serenely smiled and frequently
when unobserved viewed her through her eyeglass. Lady Joan,
much softened by marriage, would show her the castle; Lady
Maud was in ecstasies with all that Sybil said or did: while
Mr Mountchesney who had thought of little else but Sybil ever
since Lady Maud's report of her seraphic singing, and who had
not let four-and-twenty hours go by without discovering, with
all the practised art of St James', the name and residence of
the unknown fair, flattered himself he was making great play
when Sybil, moved by his great kindness, distinguished him by
frequent notice. They had viewed the castle, they were in the
music-room, Sybil had been prevailed upon, though with
reluctance, to sing. Some Spanish church music which she
found there called forth all her powers: all was happiness,
delight, rapture, Lady Maud in a frenzy of friendship, Mr
Mountchesney convinced that the country in August might be
delightful, and Lady Joan almost gay because Alfred was
pleased.
Pages:
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690