Tales of the City by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Faction Paradox
Publisher: Obverse Books
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

HIGHBURY

Helen Angove

A gentleman should be allowed to consider a library a place of refuge: a room where he can have the reasonable expectation of temporary retreat from the distractions of domestic life and the interruptions of the fairer sex. It so happened, however, that the Misses Maitland had been in occupation of the library for the past half-hour. Anxious to improve their minds, they were engaged in the creditable and becoming exercise of drawing up a reading list.

‘This one!’ cried Sophia. ‘Regard the title!’

She had removed from the shelf a calf-bound volume. ‘The Human Species: a Spotter’s Guide, by Dr Melicia Clutterbuck,’ she read. ‘I am certain Papa could find nothing objectionable in this one.’

‘But it is Papa’s library,’ replied her elder sister. ‘He would not have anything in his own library that he would consider unsuitable. But what of Mamma?’

‘Oh! Mamma will not object if Papa does not.’

‘But the refinement of your mind, Sophy! You would not wish to be thought coarse.’

Of the two sisters, it was Miss Maitland who was usually considered the greater beauty. She was tall and well formed, with a fair complexion. Miss Sophia, on the other hand, had freckles and red hair, yet her figure had a pleasing elasticity and her face an animation wholly lacking in that of her sister. In character they were as little alike as they were in appearance, but both were generally considered good-natured, accomplished young women.

‘I hardly know what I wish for!’ replied Sophia, throwing herself down onto the settle. ‘It is all very well for you, Maria. Your life will change soon enough, and there will be variety and enjoyment enough for you. I am to remain here in Highbury District, and be dull.’

‘It is by no means certain that my marriage will take place so soon as you imagine,’ replied Maria. ‘John has not yet concluded his business in the Romuline, and there is no guarantee that it will be finished soon.’

‘How can you be so calm!’ cried her sister. ‘I am sure I should not be so, in your place. Although if Papa has his will, I never shall be in your place. How am I to meet young men if Papa will never allow us to travel?’

‘There is Captain Wainwright. Mamma would not have invited him to stay had she not believed him in every way to be a respectable young man.’

‘Captain Wainwright is a very pleasing young man, I am sure, but I do not see how I could attach myself to a man who has swim bladder and gills, be he ever so eligible. Besides, he is looking to purchase an estate here, and I would not wish to be settled in Highbury all my afterlife.’

‘Mr Davenport, then.’

‘Captain Wainwright’s friend?’

‘The same. He has no gills.’

‘Is he of independent means?’

‘I believe so.’

‘His appearance is not without distinction. I shall consider the matter.’

‘But we are not here to gossip. We should be reading,’ said Miss Maitland, taking the book from the hands of her younger sister.

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