Anthony Trollope

The Small House at Allington Anthony Trollope

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. 1900 Excerpt: ...eyes than those for which they were intended. But, as he sat alone, during the small hours of the night, almost repenting of his sin with true repentance, he declared to himself that he did not care who might read them. They should, at any rate, be true. Now they had been read by her to whom they VOL. rr.--10 A I v in had been addressed, and the daughter was standing before the mother to hear her doom. "Tell me all at once," Lily had said; but in what words was her mother to tell her? " Lily," she said, rising from her seat, and leaving the two letters on the couch; that addressed to the daughter was hidden beneath a handkerchief, but that which she had read she left open and in sight. She took both the girl's hands in hers as she looked into her face, and spoke to her. " Lily, my child!" Then she burst into sobs, and was unable to tell her tale. " Is it from him, mamma? May I read it? He cannot be " " It is from Mr. Crosbie." " Is he ill, mamma? Tell me at once. If he is ill I will go to him." " No, my darling, he is not ill. Not yet;--do not read it yet. Oh, Lily! It brings bad news; very bad news." " Mamma, if he is not in danger, I can read it. Is it bad to him, or only bad to me? " At this moment the servant knocked, and not waiting for an answer, half opened the door. " If you please, ma'am, Mr. Bernard is below, and wants to speak to you." " Mr. Bernard! ask Miss Bell to see him." " Miss Bell is with him, ma'am, but he says that he specially wants to speak to you." i Mrs. Dale felt that she could not leave Lily alone. She could not take the letter away, nor could she leave her child with the letter open....