Beechcroft at Rockstone

Beechcroft at Rockstone

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beechcroft at Rockstone, by Charlotte
M. Yonge (#29 in our series by Charlotte M. Yonge)
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Title: Beechcroft at Rockstone
Author: Charlotte M. Yonge
Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5156] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on May 18,

2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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BEECHCROFT AT ROCKSTONE ***

This Project Gutenberg Etext of Beechcroft at Rockstone by Charlotte
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BEECHCROFT AT ROCKSTONE
by
Charlotte M Yonge
CHAPTER I.
A DISPERSION

'A telegram! Make haste and open it, Jane; they always make me so
nervous! I believe that is the reason Reginald always will telegraph
when he is coming,' said Miss Adeline Mohun, a very pretty, well
preserved, though delicate-looking lady of some age about forty, as her
elder sister, brisk and lively and some years older, came into the room.
'No, it is not Reggie. It is from Lily. Poor Lily! Jasper---
accident---Come.'

'Poor dear Lily! Is it young Jasper or old Jasper, I wonder?'
'If it were young Jasper she would have put Japs. I am afraid it is her
husband. If so, she will be going off to him. I must catch the 11.20 train.
Will you come, Ada?'
'Oh no; I should be knocked up, and on your hands. The suspense is
bad enough at home.'
'If it is old Jasper, we shall see in the paper to-day. I will send it down
to you from the station. Supposing it is Sir Jasper, and she wants to go
out to him, we must take in some of the children.'
'Oh! Dear little Primrose would be nice enough, but what should we do
with that Halfpenny woman? If we had the other girls, I suppose they
would be at school all day; but surely some might go to Beechcroft.
And mind, Jane, I will not have you overtasking yourself! Do not take
any of them without having Gillian to help you. That I stipulate.'
Jane Mohun seemed as if she did not hear as these sentences were
uttered at intervals, while she stood dashing off postcards at her
davenport. Then she said, on her way to the door---
'Don't expect me to-night. I will send Fanny to ask one of the Wellands
to come in to you, and telegraph if I bring any one home with me.'
'But, Jane dear--'
However, the door was shut, and by the time Miss Adeline had reached
her sister's room, the ever-ready bag was nearly packed.
'I only wanted to say, dear Jane, that you must give my love to dear
Lily. I am grieved---grieved for her; but indeed you must not undertake
anything rash.' (A shake of the head, as the shoes went into their neat
bag.) 'Do not let her persuade you to stay at Silverfold in her absence.
You cannot give up everything here'
'Yes, yes, Ada, I know it does not suit you. Never fear.'

'It is not that, but you are much too useful here to drop everything,
especially now every one is away. I would willingly sacrifice myself,
but--'
'Yes, I know, Ada dear. Now, good-bye, and take care of yourself, and
don't be nervous. It may mean only that young Japs has twisted his little
finger.'
And with a kiss, Miss Mohun ran downstairs as fast and lightly as if her
years had been half their amount, and accomplished her orders to
Fanny---otherwise Mrs. Mount---a Beechcroft native, who, on being
left a widow, had returned to her former mistresses, bringing with her a
daughter, who had grown up into an efficient housemaid. After a few
words with her, Miss Mohun sped on, finding time at the station to
purchase a morning paper just come down,