This was the occasion on which fair dames
who came on pillions sent their bandboxes before them, supplied with
more than their evening costume; for the feast was not to end with a
single evening, like a paltry entertainment, where the whole supply of
eatables is put on the table at once, and bedding is scanty. The Red
House was provisioned as if for a siege; and as for the spare
feather-beds ready to be laid on floors, they were as plentiful as
might naturally be expected in a family that had killed its own
geese for many generations.
Godfrey Cass was looking forward to this New Year's Eve with a
foolish reckless longing, that made him half deaf to his importunate
companion, Anxiety.
'Dunsey will becoming home soon: there will be a great blow-up, and
how will you bribe his spite to silence?' said Anxiety.
'Oh, he won't come home before New Year's Eve, perhaps,' said
Godfrey; 'and I shall sit by Nancy then, and dance with her, and get a
kind look from her in spite of herself.'
'But money is wanted in another quarter,' said Anxiety, in a louder
voice, 'and how will you get it without selling your mother's
diamond pin? And if you don't get it...?'
'Well, but something may happen to make things easier. At any rate,
there's one pleasure for me close at hand: Nancy is coming.'
'Yes, and suppose your father should bring matters to a pass that
will oblige you to decline marrying her- and to give your reasons?'
'Hold your tongue, and don't worry me.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138