XXIV. The Same Night—The Fir Plantation

           

           AmongthemultifariousdutieswhichBathshebahadvoluntarilyimposeduponherselfbydispensingwiththeservicesofabailiff,wastheparticularoneoflookingroundthehomesteadbeforegoingtobed,toseethatallwasrightandsafeforthenight.Gabrielhadalmostconstantlyprecededherinthistoureveryevening,watchingheraffairsascarefullyasanyspeciallyappointedofficerofsurveillancecouldhavedone;butthistenderdevotionwastoagreatextentunknowntohismistress,andasmuchaswasknownwassomewhatthanklesslyreceived.Womenarenevertiredofbewailingman’sficklenessinlove,buttheyonlyseemtosnubhisconstancy.

           Aswatchingisbestdoneinvisibly,sheusuallycarriedadarklanterninherhand,andeverynowandthenturnedonthelighttoexaminenooksandcornerswiththecoolnessofametropolitanpoliceman.Thiscoolnessmayhaveoweditsexistencenotsomuchtoherfearlessnessofexpecteddangerastoherfreedomfromthesuspicionofany;herworstanticipateddiscoverybeingthatahorsemightnotbewellbedded,thefowlsnotallin,oradoornotclosed.

           Thisnightthebuildingswereinspectedasusual,andshewentroundtothefarmpaddock.Heretheonlysoundsdisturbingthestillnessweresteadymunchingsofmanymouths,andstentorianbreathingsfromallbutinvisiblenoses,endinginsnoresandpuffsliketheblowingofbellowsslowly.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 209 из 522