Isabel was to spend this Xmas with the Morningtons, who with with the exception of Harry1, were to return to Europe in February. It was very rough weather, and Isabel had much such a journey as that to Elm Grove2, and was in a very similar condition to what she had been on that occasion. On her arrival at Eastwood, Ada embracing her exclaimed "Oh! here you are at last my own darling Isabel, I have been watching for you all day, papa was sadly afraid of accidents this stormy weather, and Bob kept bringing such dreadful accounts of trains being snowed up, that he nearly frightened me to death. Papa has been to the depot3 three times, and Harry twice, and missed you after all. But do come and warm yourself dearest, for you seem half frozen," she continued as she hurried Isabel into the cosy4 little breakfast-room, where the bright fire was indeed a pleasant sight on such a bitterly cold day.
"We met with several disagreeable stoppages, but nothing worse" replied Isabel, her teeth chattering5 with cold. "I am sadly chilled with this piercing wind, Oh! this is nice" she added going to the fire, "and it is so very pleasant to be at 'Eastwood' once more."
"Why here is Isabel I declare," cried the impulsive6 Lucy, as she bounded into the room, "how delightful7, you will help me to arrange the gim-cracks on the Xmas tree, won't you my pet," said the merry girl as she threw her arms round her friend, and hugged her unmercifully.
"To be sure I will, when I recover the use of my fingers," returned Isabel laughing.
"Well, I don't want you to come now, for if I am a little madcap as papa says, I'm not quite so unreasonable8 as that," Lucy answered, seating herself upon an ottoman. "Here I am your humble9 servant to command what orders for your slave, most noble Isabel of Leicester. You have but to speak and I obey."
"Do be sensible Lucy and let mamma know that Isabel has come," said Ada reprovingly.
"I go," answered Lucy with mock gravity, "to usher10 my illustrious mother to the presence of the noble Isabel of Leicester."
"Oh! Lucy, just the same nonsensical," laughed Isabel.
"Alas11, I fear that it will be the same to the end of the chapter," sighed the incorrigible12 Lucy as she left the room. She soon returned bringing the other members of the family with her, and Isabel received a very warm welcome. She could not help shedding tears of happiness and gratitude13, when Mrs. Mornington embracing her said, "ever look upon this as your home dear child, whenever you like to come you will always find us glad to see you," and Mr. Mornington added in his kindly14 tone "yes, yes, always remember Isabel my dear, that while I have a roof over my head, you have still a home, and kind friends to welcome you."
On being conducted to her room, she found the best was given her as of old; it was evident that her altered circumstances made no difference at Eastwood.
Happy days were these which Isabel spent with her dearest friends. Bob's party went off with great eclat15, and the perfect success of the Xmas trees was owing to Isabel's tasteful arrangement.
The Ashtons arrived on New Year's Eve, for Ada was to be married on twelfth day. Lady Ashton was very much surprised to find how very partial the Morningtons were to Isabel, they consulted her on all occasions, and her advice was almost invariably taken. This annoyed Lady Ashton extremely, and she often succeeded in vexing16 her, and making her feel very uncomfortable. But Lady Ashton's disagreeable behaviour did not annoy Isabel so much as at Ashton Park. Here among her best friends, she could even think of herself as a governess without experiencing the same degree of mortification17 as formerly18, but she was still very sensitive upon that point.
Lady Ashton had noticed that her nephew, The Honorable Arthur Barrington was very attentive19 to Miss Leicester, this raised her ire, and she was determined20 to prevent it--she resolved to put a stop to it, so seeing him seated next Isabel at dinner, she asked her across the table how her little pupils were when she left them, and if Mrs. Arlington had granted extra holidays, as she could scarcely get back by the end of the usual Xmas vacation."
Isabel grew scarlet21 as she replied "that they were quite well when she left them, and that she did not return until the first of February."
Lady Ashton was gratified to see that she was successful so far. Isabel was no longer the same attentive listener to all Arthur's stories of marvellous adventures, (for she was both hurt and angry, as the question was evidently intended to annoy--for as Emily had come to Eastwood with the Ashtons, Lady Ashton had later intelligence from Elm Grove than she could possibly give) and Arthur finding her pre-occupied, transferred his attention to Mabel Ainsley, so that Isabel was left to the mercy of a queer old gentleman who sat next her on the other side, who was exceedingly deaf, and stuttered dreadfully. Nor did Lady Ashton's evident satisfaction tend to make her feel more at ease, so that she was heartily22 glad when this to her most tedious dinner was over. But she had a worse attack to endure, for when the ladies reached the drawing-room, Lady Ashton said in the most annoying tone, "I should not have mentioned your pupils if I had had any idea that you would have been so painfully affected23 by my doing so, at the same time rest assured my dear Miss Leicester----."
"Pray don't mention it Lady Ashton," replied Isabel coldly, "any apology is quite unnecessary."
"You mistake my meaning Miss Leicester," replied Lady Ashton stiffly, "I am not aware of having anything to apologize for," she added with a contemptuous little laugh, "I was about to say" she continued, "that the sooner you overcome this feeling the better. You ought not to be ashamed of earning an honest living----."
"Nor am I ashamed of it," replied Isabel with dignity, "at least I hope not."
"I am glad that you qualify your denial, as your crimson24 cheeks both now and during dinner are ample proof that I am right. But (as I was about to say, when you interrupted me so rudely) from my observations, I thought it high time that Mr. Barrington should be reminded of your position, as I know that his father would never allow him to marry a governess, of course it is no disgrace to be a governess, still, it is not from that class of persons that Arthur should choose a wife."
"I'm afraid that you have taken unnecessary trouble, Lady Ashton," returned Isabel, "I am convinced that my position is of no consequence to Mr. Barrington, any more than his is to me. I assure you that you have made a great mistake."
"It is nonsense for a girl in your circumstances to pretend such indifference25, I am not deceived, I know that you would be only too glad to make such a match, and he is just foolish enough to take a fancy to a pretty face. But I warn you not to encourage him, as it will only end in misery26 to you both, as Lord Barrington would never consent."
"Really, Lady Ashton, I do not know what right you have to insult me in this manner, I cannot permit it," said Isabel, and then with dignified27 composure she crossed the room to Ada, who was scarcely less annoyed than herself, at Lady Ashton's unprovoked attack.
This little scene had afforded no little amusement to the party generally, tho' all agreed that it was too bad of Lady Ashton, and very ill-natured.
Lady Ashton, however, had miscalculated the effect of the course she had pursued, for Arthur Barrington was annoyed at her interference, and being really good-natured he was even more than ever attentive to Isabel, and endeavored as much as possible to atone28 for his aunt's disagreeable behaviour, while Isabel (being convinced that Lady Ashton had nothing to warrant her conjecture29, but her own surmises30,) made no alteration31 in her manners. She found him a very agreeable companion, and imagined that he too found her society pleasant, as indeed he did, beautiful, accomplished32, and good-natured, how could she be otherwise than attractive. But Lady Ashton's chagrin33 knew no bounds, and she told Isabel that she should certainly let Mrs. Arlington know how very unfit a person she was to have the care of her daughters. She had always been surprised at her having such a very young person, but she had heard that it was out of charity, but there was such a thing as carrying that much abused virtue34 too far.
Stooping lower over her tatting, Isabel only smiled at the harmless threat, for whatever her failings might be, Mrs. Arlington was not over ready to believe evil of any one, and seldom did so without due cause. Moreover, she was not easily influenced by others, and her decisions were usually just. But the hot blood suffused35 her cheeks as Lady Ashton concluded. Fortunately Lucy entered the room, and then her ladyship was or appeared to be deeply engaged with her book, as having before been worsted in a combat of sharp speeches with that young lady, she by no means wished for a renewal36 of hostilities37.
Isabel was invariably made low spirited by one of Lady Ashton's ill-natured attacks, especially so to-day, as the insults she had received were particularly painful, being both unfeeling and uncalled for. However, upon retiring to her own room at night, she found upon the dressing38 table a letter, the contents of which soon dispersed39 all gloomy thoughts, and Lady Ashton's rudeness was quite forgotten.
Louis, her own dear Louis, wrote that he would return in the early spring. My uncle he said, has or is about to purchase for me a practice in H----, so that I trust dearest, the period of your teaching will not be of long duration, as there will then be no cause to delay our union. I already in perspective, seem to see you my own dearest, presiding over my bright fireside in H----, the joy of my heart, and the good angel of my home.
I trust that you have made no arrangement with Mrs. Arlington but such as can easily terminate upon a short notice. I would not advise your taking any steps at present, as my uncle does not say positively40 that the purchase is absolutely made. But at all events you may depend upon seeing me in the early spring, as I have his orders to return.
The darkest hour is just before dawn. She had been so truly wretched an hour ago, and now how radiantly happy she was. Ah, with what sweet visions of a bright unclouded future did she fall asleep, to dream of her loved one far away, soon to be distant no longer.
When Isabel descended41 to the breakfast-room next morning, she looked so bright and happy, that Lady Ashton could account for it in no other way than that Arthur had proposed, and that she had accepted him, so she taxed him with it accordingly. Arthur was excessively amused, and so archly evaded42 giving a direct answer, that she became the more convinced of the truth of her own surmises, and grew so wrathy that Arthur fearing that in her anger she might annoy Miss Leicester, at length assured her that she need be under no apprehension43, as nothing was farther from his thoughts.
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1
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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7
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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8
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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9
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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10
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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11
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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13
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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15
eclat
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| n.显赫之成功，荣誉 | |
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vexing
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| adj.使人烦恼的，使人恼火的v.使烦恼( vex的现在分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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37
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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39
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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41
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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42
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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43
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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