Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-01-02
CHAPTER XIV.

The momentOus Friday comes at last,
and about noon Mona and Godfrey
start for the Towers. They are not,
perhaps, in the eNuberant spirit that
should be theirs. considering they are
going to spend their Christmas in the
bosom of their family-at all events. of
Geotfrey's family. which naturally for
the future she must acknowledge as
hers. They are indeed not only silent,
but responding, and as they get out of
the train at Greatham and enter the
carriage sent by Sir Nicholas to meet
them, their hearts sink nearly into
their boots and for several minutes no
words pass between them.
To Godfrey perhaps the coming or
deal bears deeper shade; as Mona
hardly understands all that awaits her.
That Lady Rodney is little displeased
at her son S marriage she can readily be-
lieve, but that she has made up her
mind beforehand to dislike her, and in
tends wagiug with her war to the knife,
is more than has ever entered into her
gentle mind.
is it long drive, Geoff?n she asks,
presently, in a trembling tone, slipping
her hand into his in the old fashion.
About six miles. | say. darling,
keep up your spirits; if we don't like it,
we can leave, You know. But'-allud-
ing to her subdued yoice-"dont be
imagining evil"
Il don't think I am" says Mona;
but the thought of meeting people for
the first time makes me feel nervous.
Is your mother tail, Geoffrey?"
Very"
And severe-looking? You said she
was Ike YOU
"Well, so she is; and yet I suppose
our expressions are diSSimjlar Look
here" SAYS GeOtfreY, suddenly, as if
compelled at the last moment to give
her a hint of what is coming. q want
To tell you about henry mother l
mean; she IS all right. you know, IN
every way, and very charming in gen L
nj, but Just ut first one might imag lie
her little difficult"
Whats that?" asked Mona. Don't
speak of your mother as if She were
chrOmatic scale"
Il mean she seems 4 tritle cold. I'M
friendly, and-er-that,n says Godfrey.
Perhaps it would be a wise thing for
you to make up your mind what you
will say To her on first meeting her. She
Will come up to you, you know. and
give v0u her hand like this taking
- es | know" says Mona, eagerly
interTuptiug him. And then she will
put her arms round me. and kiss me
just like this" suiting the action to the
word.
Like that Not a bit of it." saws
Godfrey, who has given her two kisses
for her one: you mustn't expect it.
She isn't in the least like that. She
Will meet YOU probably as though she
saw you yesterday, and say. How dye
TO? I'm afraid you've had a very long
aud cold drive And then you viii say
-
\ pause.
Yes, l shall say anXiously.
ou-wilI-SaY-" Here he breaks
down ANONYMOUSLY, and confesses by
his inability TO proceed that he doesn't
il the least know what it is she can say.
4 know says Mona, Frightening,
and putting on an air so different from
her own usual unaffected one as to
strike her listener with awe. Il shall
say, OH thanks, quite too &wfully
much, don't YOU know but Godfrey
and | didn't find it a bit long, and we
were warm as wool all the time"
At this appalling speech GeOffrey's
calculations fall through. and he gives
himself up to undisguised mirth.
If you say all that" he saws, there
will be wigs ON the green; that's Irish,
ism t it, or something like it, and very
well applied. too. The first part of your
speech sounded like TCsole or Brough,
I'm not sure which"
We'll. il ,rdS III theatre heard it.