Lavinia

by Rhoda Broughton

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. ... CHAPTER X "Les joies ne sont que les afflictions en robe de fete." The kitchen-garden spreads itself out to the sun like a dog stretched basking before the fire. Upward it slopes; its ripe red walls, its espaliers, and wine-coloured and yellow spring flowers running up the hill; house and stables, church tower, and promise-making trees, at its foot, and with an appleorchard, and a smaller cherry one, as a crown for its head. The apple-orchard represents, as yet, only promise too; but the hurrying cherry blossom spells performance. Lavinia, standing on the sunny mid-path, with a bundle of bass-matting, with which she has been training a young hop round a pole, lying on the ground beside her, has just raised herself from her knees to admire the rich red look that makes the cherry trees blush. She knows it to be due to the young leaves which to-morrow will have disappeared in the storm of white. They will be bridal to-morrow. Bridal/ She repeats the word over to herself. This is the 28th of April. On precisely this day month, she will be bridal too. The thought, apparently, is not one that invites dwelling upon, for she turns back to her bass-matting and her hop; and, in so doing, becomes aware of a figure--that of Mrs. Darcy--climbing the gravel walk towards her. Mrs. Darcy's visits to Lavinia are much rarer than Lavinia's to Mrs. Darcy; partly because she is a good deal busier, and partly because she does not like Rupert. The first reason is naturally the only one allowed to appear in the relations between the friends. "To what am I indebted for the honour of this visit?" asks the girl, with playful formality. Her friend's answer is not quite so ready as usual; yet her wiry slimness cannot be breathed by so gentle a hill. "Miss Brine has...

82 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1902

About the author

Rhoda Broughton was a popular British (Welsh) novelist and short story writer.