2005-Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Author:Susanna Clarke [Clarke, Susanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Literary, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical, Magic & Wizards, Contemporary Fiction
ISBN: 1582346038
Amazon: B003RRXXMA
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Published: 2010-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

“You are Mr Strange?" asked the lady in the red gown.

“I am, madam."

“This is most fortunate. Mr Drawlight was just explaining to me why you and I could never meet."

“It is true, madam, that until tonight circumstances did not favour our meeting. Mr Drawlight, pray make the introductions."

Drawlight muttered that the lady in the red gown was Mrs Bullworth.

Strange rose, bowed to Mrs Bullworth and sat down again.

“Mr Drawlight has, I believe, told you of my horrible situation?" said Mrs Bullworth.

Strange made a small gesture with his head which might have meant one thing or might have meant another thing or might have meant nothing at all. He said, “A narration by an unconnected person can never match the tale told by someone intimately concerned with the events. There may be vital points which Mr Drawlight has, for one reason or another, omitted. Indulge me, madam. Let me it hear from you."

“All?"

“All."

“Very well. I am, as you know, the daughter of a gentleman in Northamptonshire. My father's property is extensive. His house and income are large. We are among the first people in that county. But my family have always encouraged me to believe that with my beauty and accomplishments I might occupy an even higher position in the world. Two years ago I made a very advantageous marriage. Mr Bullworth is rich and we moved in the most fashionable circles. But still I was not happy. In the summer of last year I had the misfortune to meet a man who is everything Mr Bullworth is not: handsome, clever, amusing. A few short weeks were enough to convince me that I preferred this man to any one I had ever seen." She gave a little shrug of her shoulders. “Two days before Christmas I left my husband's house in his company. I hoped – indeed expected – to divorce Mr Bullworth and marry him. But that was not his intention. By the end of January we had quarrelled and my friend had deserted me. He returned to his house and all his usual pursuits, but there was to be no such revival of a former life for me. My husband cast me off. My friends refused to receive me. I was forced back upon the mercy of my father. He told me that he would provide for me for the rest of my life, but in return I must live in perfect retirement. No more balls for me, no more parties, no more friends. No more any thing." She gazed into the distance for a moment, as if in contemplation of all that she had lost, but just as quickly she shook off her melancholy and declared, “And now to business!" She went to a little writing-table, opened a drawer and drew out a paper which she offered to Strange. “I have, as you suggested, made a list of all the people who have betrayed me," she said.

“Ah, I told you to make a list, did I?" said Strange, taking the paper.

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