The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 16

Suddenly the butler entered the drawing room.

– Yes?" the Count addressed him.

– Miss Glowford is here, sir," the butler said in a slightly dismissive tone.

– Show her in," said Lord Draymore, thinking that it was the lovely Christine he had in mind.

– She refused to come with me, sir, but said she had an urgent need to see her father, the Reverend Glowford," said the butler politely.

– Oh, I must be urgently needed in the village! – exclaimed the parson, leaping to his feet and wringing his jewelled hat in his hands. – Thank you, your Lordship, for your time. – He bowed respectfully to the landlord.

– You needn't thank me, reverend, I'll accompany you," the Count offered him politely, rising to his feet.

– Oh, no need, sir! – The parson was embarrassed.

But the Count only smiled and pointed with his hand to the door.

This embarrassed Viscount Wilworth: he had guessed his friend's thoughts, so he also went to escort the parson to the door of the great hall.

As Lord Draymore had hoped, and Viscount Wilworth had no doubt, Christine Glowford was waiting for them in the hall: she was as beautiful as she had been on that occasion, and she was not spoilt by her old, shabby, grey dress, nor by her coarse clogs, as dusty as her father's shoes. Her long, wavy hair was loose and framed her pale, thin face beautifully. The girl looked very embarrassed, and when she saw the Count of Draymore, she lowered her gaze bashfully to the floor, well aware of the impression her beauty was making on the Earl. But Christine was really excited. She went up to her father and looked anxiously into his face.

– Ah, father! Hurry! Cassie has got much worse, and she's calling for you! – she said excitedly. – I borrowed a horse from a neighbour to come and fetch you!

The parson immediately became agitated, and his heart trembled.

– I will send my physician to you at once," said the viscount, who was watching the scene.

"Pretty! Pretty!" – thought Lord Draymore, looking intently at the excited and embarrassed face of the girl.

Viscount Wilworth left the hall and hurried after the doctor.

– What a pity! I hope your sister will soon recover," said the earl, looking at Christine with ill-concealed admiration.

The girl turned her beautiful eyes upon him and blushed.

– Thank you, sir, you are very kind," she murmured, surprised and delighted that the Count had addressed her.

– Come, Christine, there is no time to lose! – The pastor said hastily to his daughter, and taking her by the hand, went towards the large front doors. At the door he stopped and thanked the Count once more for his kindness.

– It is my duty, Reverend, to help the poor," he replied, wanting to make a good impression on the beautiful Christine.

She turned round and smiled at him with a smile full of embarrassment.

The parson was so puzzled by Cassie's condition that he paid no attention to the admiring glances exchanged between the Count of Draymore and his daughter Christine.

The Glowfords rode out of the landlord's huge, luxurious house, mounted the old, shabby horse waiting for them at the gate, and the horse trotted discreetly to Walsingham.

Viscount Wilworth had hoped that his physician would go with them, so when he saw that they had not waited for him, he felt slightly annoyed.