A Life's Eclipse
Book Excerpt
They hurried down to the grounds, mother and daughter watching from the window, and in those few minutes a great change came over Mary Ellis's face. It was as if it rapidly altered from that of the happy, careless girl, who went singing about the house, to the thoughtful, anxious woman. Even her way of speaking was different, as she turned quickly upon her mother.
"What was father so angry about last night?" she said. "Did he have a quarrel with poor Mr Grange?"
"Well, hardly a quarrel, my dear. Oh, it was nothing."
"But he said he was sorry he spoke so harshly to him. Mother, you are keeping something back."
"Well, well, well, my darling, nothing much; only young men will be young men; and father was put out by his vanity and conceit. He actually got talking to father about you."
"About me?" said Mary, flushing, and beginning to tremble.