Thelma (Volume 1); A Norwegian Princess a Novel

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1887. Excerpt: ... BOOK II. THE LAND OF MOCKERY. CHAPTER I. There's nothing serious in mortality: All is but toys.--Macbeth. I Think, said Mrs. Rush-Marvelle deliberately, laying down the Morning Post beside her breakfast-cup, I think his conduct is perfectly disgraceful! Mr. Rush-Marvelle, a lean gentleman with a sallow, clean-shaven face and an apologetic, almost frightened manner, looked up hastily. Of whom are you speaking, my dear? he inquired. Why, of that wretched young man Bruce-Errington! He ought to be ashamed of himself! And Mrs. Marvelle fixed her glasses more firmly on her small nose, and regarded her husband almost reproachfully. Don't tell me, Montague, that you've forgotten that scandal about him! He went off last year, in the middle of the season, to Norway in his yacht with three of the very fastest fellows he could pick out from his acquaintance--regular reprobates, so I'm told--and after leading the most awful life out there making love to all the peasant girls in the place, he married one of them, --a common farmer's daughter. Don't you remember? We saw the announcement of his marriage in the Times. Ah yes, yes! And Mr. Rush-Marvelle smiled a propitiatory smile, intended to soothe the evidently irritated feelings of his better-half, of whom he stood always in awe. Of course, of course! A very sad mesalliance. Yes, yes! Poor fellow! And is there fresh news of him? Read that,--and the lady handed the Morning Post across the table, indicating by a dent of her polished finger-nail the paragraph that had offended her sense of social dignity. Mr. Marvelle read it with almost laborious care--though it was remarkably short and easy of comprehension. Sir Philip and Lady Bruce-Errington have arrived at their house in Prince's Gate from Errington Manor. Well, my dear? he...