One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

One of Our Conquerors
CHAPTER XXIX
SHOWS ONE OF THE SHADOWS OF THE
WORLD CROSSING A VIRGIN’S MIND
NASTA AND HER MAID were brought back safely through the
dusk by their constellation of a boy, to whom the provident
ladies had entrusted her. They could not but note how short
her syllables were. Her face was only partly seen. They had
returned refreshed from their drive on the populous and orderly
parade—so fair a pattern of their England!—after discoursing
of ‘the dear child,’ approving her manners, instancing
proofs of her intelligence, nay, her possession of ‘character.’
They did so, notwithstanding that these admissions were
worse than their growing love for the girl, to confound established
ideas. And now, in thoughtfulness on her behalf,
Dorothea said, ‘We have considered, Nesta, that you may be
lonely; and if it is your wish, we will leave our card on your
new acquaintance.’ Nesta took her hand and kissed it; she
declined, saying, ‘No,’ without voice.
They had two surprises at the dinner-hour. One was the
card of Dartrey Fenellan, naming an early time next day for
his visit; and the other was the appearance of the Rev. Stuart
Rem, a welcome guest. He had come to meet his Bishop.
He had come also with serious information for the ladies,
regarding the Rev. Abram Posterley. No sooner was this out
of his mouth than both ladies exclaimed:
‘Again!’ So serious was it, that there had been a consultation
at the Wells; Mr. Posterley’s friend, the Rev. Septimus
Barmby, and his own friend, the Rev. Groseman Buttermore,
had journeyed from London to sit upon the case: and, ‘One
hoped,’ Mr. Stuart Rem said, ‘poor Posterley would be restored
to the senses he periodically abandoned.’ He laid a
hand on Tasso’s curls, and withdrew it at a menace of teeth.
Tasso would submit to rough caresses from Mr. Posterley; he
would not allow Mr. Stuart Rem to touch him. Why was
that? Perhaps for the reason of Mr. Posterley’s being so emotional
as perpetually to fall a victim to some bright glance
and require the rescue of his friends; the slave of woman had
a magnet for animals!
Dorothea and Virginia were drawn to compassionate sentiments,
in spite of the provokeing recurrence of Mr.
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