The Curate's Discipline Volume 1

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. 1867 Excerpt: ..."Then I must take you down with me to Elmsley." "Ten miles from Philip! No, my place is here. I don't mind having a nurse to help, but I must stay with Philip." " You never made me angry before, Magdalene," said Mrs. Marchdale, impatiently; " but you are very nearly doing it now. Why, who on earth is this? Oh! it must be Monsieur Pierre." Monsieur Pierre was delighted to be thus recognised by une grande dame like the lady who addressed him. Grande dame every inch of her Catharine Marchdale looked in that poor chamber just then. He politely intimated that having no further engagement for that day, he had returned at once from M. Gree, to whom he had been sitting, to see if he could assist mademoiselle; and, then, with some empressement, he offered Magdalene a large nosegay of wallflowers and daffodils. She rose, and placed the flowers in two cracked vases, which stood on the mantelpiece, so that Philip could see them. She had aired the room, with the doctor's sanction, while Monsieur Pierre had been away; and now these simple flowers completed the change she had wrought both in its atmosphere and its appearance. She seemed so thoroughly at home, had evidently so taken possession of the place with such a firm intention of remaining in it, that Mrs. Marchdale felt completely at a loss how to deal with her. After a little consideration, she turned to Monsieur Pierre, and asked him if there was any room where she could speak to mademoiselle, as she had much to say to her, and a long conversation might disturb the invalid. Monsieur Pierre was puzzled. His own chamber was even smaller and poorer than Philip's; neither was it in a fit state for a lady to enter. At last he bethought himself of the unoccupied rooms on the first...