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thoroughly gone into. Such women (as they were called) were few in New York, those driving their own carriages still fewer, and the appearance of Miss Fanny Ring in Fifth Avenue at the fashionable hour had profoundly agitated society. Only the day before, her carriage had passed Mrs. Lovell Mingotts, and the latter had instantly rung the little bell at her elbow and ordered the coachman to drive her home. What if it had happened to Mrs. van der Luyden? people asked each other with a shudder. Archer could hear Lawrence Lefferts, at that very hour, holding forth on the disintegration of society. He raised his head irritably when his sister Janey entered, and then quickly bent over his book (Swinburnes Chastelardjust out) as if he had not seen her. She glanced at the writing-table heaped with books, opened a volume of the Contes Drolatiques, made a wry face over the archaic French, and sighed: What learned things you read! Well? he asked, as she hovered Cassandra-like before him. Mothers very angry. Angry? With whom? About what? Miss Sophy Jackson has just been here. She brought word that her brother would come in after dinner: she couldnt say very much, because he forbade her to: he wishes to give all the details himself. Hes with cousin Louisa van der Luyden now. For heavens sake, my dear girl, try a fresh start. It would take an omniscient Deity to know what youre talking about. Its not a time to be profane, Newland. . . . Mother feels badly enough about your not going to church . . . With a groan he plunged back into his book. Newland! Do listen. Your friend Madame Olenska was at Mrs. Lemuel Strutherss party last night: she went there with the Duke and Mr. Beaufort. At the last clause of this announcement a senseless anger swelled the young mans breast. To smother it he laughed. Well, what of it? I knew she meant to. Janey paled and her eyes began to project. You knew she meant toand you didnt try to stop her? To warn her? Stop her? Warn her? He laughed again. Im not engaged to be married to the Countess Olenska! The words had a fantastic sound in his own ears. Youre marrying into her family. Oh, familyfamily! he jeered. Newlanddont you care about Family? Not a brass farthing. Nor about what cousin Louisa van der Luyden will think? Not the half of oneif she thinks such old maids rubbish. Mother is not an old maid, said his virgin sister with pinched lips. |
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