The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 30

Christine chatted passionately with her neighbour, forgetting her bad mood for a while, but feeling the amorous gaze of poor John Tiley. And the village gossips had already discussed it and decided that the next to walk down the aisle would be the middle Glowford and "John, who is madly in love with her."

Catherine had been a little sad all day: she was worried that she and the congregation would miss vespers today, which would be a great sin.

On his return from Rivershold to London, Viscount Wilworth left it the same day: business called him to Europe, where he remained until July, and, tired, exhausted by the sea journey to England, he returned to his hometown, to his home. When the Viscount had slept and cleaned himself up, he decided not to waste time and to get on with the business that had accumulated during his absence. The very next morning, on entering his study, the lord saw a stack of letters and telegrams lying on the desk, sent by Mr. Morris. The Viscount had forgotten Walsingham and poor Cassie while travelling in Europe, surrounded by new people, cares, and pretty ladies of the court, but as he looked at Mr. Morris's letters he smiled, and was overcome with a desire to know what had happened at Walsingham during his absence. The Viscount settled himself in his broad armchair and read letter after letter, strictly in chronological order: Mr. Morris had a good, cheerful style, and it was a most entertaining and informative matter to read his description of the events that had taken place in the village. The Viscount was particularly interested in Miss Cassandra's health. Soon, having dealt with the letters, he turned to the telegrams, familiarising himself with them in chronological order.

The first telegram read: "Patient is much better today so I have allowed her to get out of bed and take a little walk in the garden."

Later, "Miss Cassandra is perfectly well and runs about like a naughty child. Her complexion is fine."

Later, "It is raining. The ward is feeling well. The Glowford house flooded, and the family are sleeping in a neighbour's hayloft. I am very sorry for the girls."

Here the viscount sighed regretfully, and a wave of sincere sympathy for the poor Glowfords overwhelmed his heart.

Later, "The rain continues unabated, but none of the Glowfords are ill. The family continues to sleep in the hayloft."

"We must help them at once, we must do something for them! – The Viscount decided, horrified at the conditions in which the parson, Miss Catherine, Miss Christine, and the lovely Cassie found themselves. – And this must be the way it always is when it rains at Walsingham, but the stubborn parson won't accept any help! He would think of his daughters!"

The Viscount was extremely unhappy at this distressing situation of the Glowfords, and felt much distress at the thought of Cassie, who required careful care and warmth, getting cold at night, sleeping on a stiff haystack. But Lord Wilworth found the strength to continue reading the telegrams.

Later: 'Miss Cassandra has had her fill of green apples today and her stomach is cramping. The local boys inform me that she and Cassie raided the baker's apple trees."

Later: "Miss Cassie is full of vigour and health."