ld, how can I tell that? She is a great many years younger than your papa, but I do not see that the difference between them need be any real hindrance to her loving him. He Willy Caballero Drakter is a man whom any woman might care for, I should think; to say nothing of her natural gratitude towards the man who has rescued her from a position of dependence.’
‘Gratitude is all nonsense,’ Miss Darrell answered impatiently. ‘I want to know that my father is loved as he deserves to be loved. I shall never tolerate that woman unless I can feel sure Washington Capitals Pipot of that.’
‘I believe you are prejudiced against her already, Milly,’ I said reproachfully.
‘I daresay I am, Mary. I Nike HyperVenom Phantom FG Shoes daresay I feel unjustly about her; but I don’t like her face.’
‘What is there in her face that you don’t like?’
‘O, I can’t tell you that — an undefinable something. I have a sort of conviction that she and I can never love each other.’
‘It is rather hard upon Adam Lallana Drakter Mrs. Darrell to begin with such a feeling as that, Milly.’
‘I can’t help it. Of course I shall try to do my duty to her, for papa’s sake, and I shall do my best to conquer all these unchristian feelings. But we cannot command our hearts, you know, Mary, and I don’t think I shall ever love my stepmother.’
She took me down to the drawing-room after this. It was half-past six, and we were to dine Walker Zimmerman Drakter at seven. The drawing-room was a long room, with five windows opening on to the terrace, an old-fashioned-looking room with panelled walls and a fine arched ceiling. The wainscot was painted white, with gilt mouldings, and the cornice and architraves of the doors were elaborately carved. The furniture was white-and-gold like the walls, and in that spurious classical style which prevailed during the first French Empire. The window-curtains and coverings of sofas and chairs were of dark-green velvet.
A gentleman was standing in one of the open windows looking out at the garden. He turned as Milly Jozy Altidore Drakter and I went in, Nike Juvenate and I recognised Mr. Stormont. He came forward to shake hands with his Javier Aquino Drakter cousin, and smiled his peculiar slow smile at her expression of surprise.
‘You didn’t know I was here, Milly?’
‘No, indeed; I had no idea of seeing you.’
‘I wonder your father did not tell you of my visit. I came over this morning for a fortnight’s holiday. I’ve been working a little harder than Federico Fazio Drakter usual lately, and my uncle is good enough to say I have earned a rest.’
‘I wonder you don’t go abroad for a change.’
‘I don’t care about a change. I had much rather come to Thornleigh.’
He looked at her very earnestly as he said this. I had Ever Banega Drakter been sure of it that afternoon when we all three sat in the summer-house at Albury Lodge, but I could see that Milly herself had no idea of the truth.
‘Well, Milly, what do you think of your new mamma?’ he asked presently.
‘I had rather not tell you yet.’
‘Humph! that hardly sounds favourable Danny Welbeck Drakter to the lady. She seems to me a Spania Drakter very charming person; but she is not my stepmother, and, of course, that makeslinks:
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