Constance's First Morning at the Lodge-The Departure Constance studies with Agnes and Georgie-She carefully Georgie, Constance, and the New-comers-Constance is affronted and vexed that her Father's Home is let to Manufacturers-Agnes goes with her Mother to the The Sisters visit Nellie-She takes them into the old wing of the Abbey-Conjectures about the Lost Will— Nellie shows them her Sketches-Agnes is astonished Nellie describes her Riding with her Father-She pities Constance much-She persuades her Father to send the Piano which belonged to Constance down to the Lodge-Constance's Pride-Mrs. Walton's Remon- Mrs. Walton finds fault with the conceit displayed by Con- stance-Nellie takes up the idea that the Lost Will might be Found-She makes a vigorous Search for Search in the old-fashioned Furniture-Nellie's respect for Ancestry-She keeps her Plan a Secret-Early Work -Constance goes in Nellie's Carriage to see Mrs. THE LOST OR, THE ABBEY AND THE LODGE. CHAPTER I. Agnes and Georgie Walton and their Friend Constance-A Picnic in Fern Valley-The Missing Cousin from AustraliaSome Account of him. F we go to our Fern Valley to-morrow, mamma,' said Agnes Walton to her mother, 'may we not ask Constance to go with us?' 'Are you sure, dear Agnes,' replied her mother, 'that Constance likes and enjoys your country expeditions? The last time she joined us, when we spent the day at the Fall, I thought that Georgie, at least, would have been happier without her.' You 'I think I should, mamma,' said Georgie. know Constance is always full of what I call fine 99 A fancies; and sometimes she will enter into none of our fun, and says this thing is not ladylike, and that is like a schoolboy, till she quite provokes me.' 'I do not remember, Georgie,' said her sister, 'that Constance refused to join in anything that day, excepting getting up into the old yew tree that mamma might have a little hunt for us; and it certainly was true that the rough bark and the ivy would most likely have spoiled her nice muslin frock.' 'Oh, Agnes,' replied Georgie, don't you remember she would not run down the lane in time to get into the farmyard to see the cows milked, and would walk gently and slowly, so that the gate was shut; and then she would not let me shout loud enough to make Jenny hear! Besides, Agnes, she need not have said, Getting into trees may do very well for you with your strong cotton print frocks ;" as much as to say, "I never wear such things."' Mrs. Walton smiled at the indignant tone in which Georgie said this. It was that little speech that affronted you, I suppose, Georgie,' she said. 'Altogether, you are not so fond of Constance as Agnes is.' 'She thinks so much of herself, mamma,' Georgie answered, 'because she lives in the Abbey and we live in the Lodge, and because her mamma is Lady Constance, and you are only Mrs. Walton; and I do not agree that she is so much better than us.' |