The Obsession of Victoria Gracen by Grace Livingston Hill

Author:Grace Livingston Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charles River Editors

CHAPTER XII

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IT WAS IN THE COSY library that she awaited them, a big easy chair apiece in readiness, and plenty of cushions piled luxuriously on the couch. The fire on the hearth was blazing cheerfully, and a great platter of molasses candy in delicious golden squares that Molly had made the night before stood alluringly in the broad window-seat. Miss Gracen’s own little reading-chair was placed at just the right angle where the light from the bay window would come over her left shoulder, and she could see the occupants of the three big chairs. The book lay innocently under a pile of religious papers, and even Dick did not suspect its presence as yet

Dick’s pleasant whistle could be heard up-stairs in his room. He was beginning to feel quite at home in that big new home of his. He had been out among the horses with Hiram after dinner, and wandered about the place a little; and now he was up-stairs exploring some of his father’s books and pictures.

His aunt fancied that already his face seemed to have lost some of its hard, defensive look, and his eyes were glad when he looked at her and smiled.

On the piano in the parlor Miss Gracen had collected all the hymn-books in the house. She would get the boys to sing a little while, she thought, as she hovered about the rooms, putting a touch here and there as though she were expecting grand company. Somehow she was as eager as a child over a party. She wanted the place to look pleasant and attractive to them all, not only for her boy’s sake, but for the sakes of them all; and how strange it was that a few days ago she had no interest whatever in any of them! Was it because they had each given her a bit of a glimpse into their hearts, and she had seen the restlessness and longing, and really wistful looking out to life for something more than it had as yet given them?

It wasn’t in nature that they should notice the big bronze bowls of red and gold chrysanthemums that stood on mantel and table; yet she touched their bright masses happily, and looked about on the pleasant rooms with a hope that it might seem good to the boys. What would Lydia Bypath think now, if she could see how interested she really was in those terrible boys?

She walked the length of the great parlor, and drew aside the costly curtains of frostlike lace to look out. The sun was shining, and the world held that autumn-gold look in the atmosphere. It was almost too pleasant to expect the boys to care to come indoors. Perhaps, after all, they would not come. She wondered a little at the twinge of disappointment this thought presented to her mind. Yet even as it passed, and while she yet stood looking out the window, she saw them coming down the street; and there were three

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