The Absentee eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 393 pages of information about The Absentee.

The Absentee eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 393 pages of information about The Absentee.
such feelings be wasted?—­No; give them again to expand in benevolent, in kind, useful actions; give him again to his tenantry, his duties, his country, his home; return to that home yourself, dear mother! leave all the nonsense of high life—­scorn the impertinence of these dictators of fashion, by whom, in return for all the pains we take to imitate, to court them—­in return for the sacrifice of health, fortune, peace of mind, they bestow sarcasm, contempt, ridicule, and mimickry!’

‘Oh, Colambre!  Colambre! mimickry—­I’ll never believe it.’

’Believe me—­believe me, mother; for I speak of what I know.  Scorn them—­quit them!  Return to an unsophisticated people—­to poor, but grateful hearts, still warm with the remembrance of your kindness, still blessing you for favours long since conferred, ever praying to see you once more.  Believe me, for I speak of what I know—­your son has heard these prayers, has felt these blessings.  Here! at my heart felt, and still feel them, when I was not known to be your son, in the cottage of the widow O’Neill.’

‘Oh, did you see the widow O’Neill? and does she remember me?’ said Lady Clonbrony.

’Remember you! and you, Miss Nugent!  I have slept in the bed—­I would tell you more, but I cannot.’

’Well!  I never should have thought they would have remembered me so long!—­poor people!’ said Lady Clonbrony.  ’I thought all in Ireland must have forgotten me, it is now so long since I was at home.’

’You are not forgotten in Ireland by any rank, I can answer for that.  Return home, my dearest mother—­let me see you once more among your natural friends, beloved, respected, happy!’

‘Oh, return! let us return home!’ cried Miss Nugent, with a voice of great emotion.  ’Return, let us return home!  My beloved aunt, speak to us! say that you grant our request!’

She kneeled beside Lord Colambre, as she spoke.

‘Is it possible to resist that voice—­that look?’ thought Lord Colambre.

‘If anybody knew,’ said Lady Clonbrony, ’if anybody could conceive, how I detest the sight, the thoughts of that old yellow damask furniture, in the drawing-room at Clonbrony Castle—­’

‘Good heavens!’ cried Lord Colambre, starting up, and looking at his mother in stupefied astonishment; ’is that what you are thinking of, ma’am?’

‘The yellow damask furniture!’ said her niece, smiling.  Oh, if that’s all, that shall never offend your eyes again.  Aunt, my painted velvet chairs are finished; and trust the furnishing that room to me.  The legacy lately left me cannot be better applied you shall see how beautifully it will be furnished.’

’Oh, if I had money, I should like to do it myself; but it would take an immensity to new furnish Clonbrony Castle properly.’

‘The furniture in this house,’ said Miss Nugent, looking round.

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Project Gutenberg
The Absentee from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.