The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 15
"How deeply they are hanging on to their ruins! – thought the count with a sneer. – How these poor people love their church! You bet, in such poverty there is nothing else to cling to than faith."
– You do not wish it to be torn down? – he asked the parson with a faint smile.
– Absolutely! Our church is our everything! – He exclaimed fervently, fearing that the lord would indeed tear it down.
– Colin, don't be a sacrilegious man," said Viscount Wilworth gravely to his friend. – 'Spare no expense and restore the church.
– 'You have three daughters, Reverend? – suddenly asked the earl.
– 'Yes, three, sir,' the parson answered him, not understanding what this had to do with the church.
Viscount Wilworth glanced suspiciously at his friend, surprised at how often the latter brought up the conversation about the Glowford sisters.
"Did that peasant girl fascinate him so much?" – he thought, and his heart filled with displeasure: the Count of Draymore was a well-known London hustler, and anything was to be expected of him.
"I wish that village girl would not fall into his net!" – mentally wished the viscount, finding the Earl's behaviour quite disapproving.
– And they are unmarried, as I understand? – He wished to know as much as he could about Christine Glowford.
The pastor, however, did not suspect any mischief; he even thought with gratitude that the lord might find his dear daughters worthy suitors.
– Unmarried, sir," he answered.
– Why not? As far as I know, country girls marry at a rather early age. Your wife should consider their fate.
– Mrs. Glowford has sadly passed away. God called her to His favour when my eldest daughter was nine. Emma was a worthy woman.
– How long ago was this?
– Seventeen years ago, sir. She died in childbirth.
– I'm sorry, Reverend, and I give you my sincere condolences. But why don't you marry your daughters yourself?
– The eldest Catherine won't leave the house. She's the lady of the house and takes care of Cassie. My other daughter, Christine, has had many offers, but for some unknown reason has turned them down. And Cassie … I don't think it's necessary to explain.
"Poor Cassie! What will happen to her when her father and sisters pass away? No one will marry the poor girl… She will die," thought Viscount Wilworth sympathetically.
– I am sorry to intrude into your conversation, but I would like to offer your youngest daughter a course of treatment: there is a well-known psychiatrist in London who can help Miss Cassandra in her mental development, – the Viscount offered from the bottom of his heart, sincerely wishing to help the girl.
– Thank you, sir, but Cassie doesn't need any treatment. I cannot go against God's plan," the parson replied sullenly.
– But who will take care of her after your death? – The viscount asked unhappily, unpleasantly surprised at the pastor's obstinacy.
– Catherine will always be by her side. And in the Lord I trust. He will never forsake my Cassie," he replied with the most determined look, for he did not like the conversation with the Viscount.
– Drink your tea, reverend," said the Count kindly; he had noticed the wrinkles in the parson's brow, and had decided to occupy his mind with another conversation, for he had got all he wanted to know about Christine. – But let us return to the restoration of the church. I will call an architect from London tomorrow to draw up a plan of restoration, and we will restore your much-loved church, and then we will take care of your houses, which are in a terrible state.