A Group of Noble Dames

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Thomas Hardy. A Group of Noble Dames

PREFACE

DAME THE FIRST – THE FIRST COUNTESS OF WESSEX. By the Local Historian

DAME THE SECOND – BARBARA OF THE HOUSE OF GREBE. By the Old Surgeon

DAME THE THIRD – THE MARCHIONESS OF STONEHENGE. By the Rural Dean

DAME THE FOURTH – LADY MOTTISFONT. By the Sentimental Member

DAME THE FIFTH – THE LADY ICENWAY. By the Churchwarden

DAME THE SIXTH – SQUIRE PETRICK’S LADY. By the Crimson Maltster

DAME THE SEVENTH – ANNA, LADY BAXBY. By the Colonel

DAME THE EIGHTH – THE LADY PENELOPE. By the Man of Family

DAME THE NINTH – THE DUCHESS OF HAMPTONSHIRE. By the Quiet Gentleman

DAME THE TENTH – THE HONOURABLE LAURA. By the Spark

Отрывок из книги

King’s-Hintock Court (said the narrator, turning over his memoranda for reference) – King’s-Hintock Court is, as we know, one of the most imposing of the mansions that overlook our beautiful Blackmoor or Blakemore Vale. On the particular occasion of which I have to speak this building stood, as it had often stood before, in the perfect silence of a calm clear night, lighted only by the cold shine of the stars. The season was winter, in days long ago, the last century having run but little more than a third of its length. North, south, and west, not a casement was unfastened, not a curtain undrawn; eastward, one window on the upper floor was open, and a girl of twelve or thirteen was leaning over the sill. That she had not taken up the position for purposes of observation was apparent at a glance, for she kept her eyes covered with her hands.

The room occupied by the girl was an inner one of a suite, to be reached only by passing through a large bedchamber adjoining. From this apartment voices in altercation were audible, everything else in the building being so still. It was to avoid listening to these voices that the girl had left her little cot, thrown a cloak round her head and shoulders, and stretched into the night air.

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‘I am your humble servant, sir,’ he said. ‘I have read your letter writ to my wife and myself, and considered that the best way to answer it would be to do so in person.’

‘I am vastly honoured by your visit, sir,’ said Mr. Stephen Reynard, bowing.

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