Abigail's Cousin Read Online Free PDF Page A

they lived,
and how long Sarah estimated the journey would take. Sarah was once
again taken aback though pleased with her candour and openness.
    There was something else playing on
Sarah's mind since she had got to know her cousin better. She
employed her father as an opening gambit:
    "Mister Hill,
your father, seemed a very discerning man. How came he to acquire
all those manuscripts and books which all too sadly had to be sold.
And the pictures! Knew you of the Holbein? Lord! I made a bid, but
a thousand guineas was far beyond my meagre means."
    Lady
Marlborough's comment had saddened Abigail and Sarah bit her lip in
consternation that the subject still caused pain. She was surprised
therefore to be asked:
    "What were my
father's debts that a thousand guineas needs must go towards them.
Were all his debts paid?"
    Her directness discomfited Sarah but she
pressed on : "Your
father's sad death, coz, followed by the passing of your dear
mother," here she paused dabbing her eyes and querulously
added:
    "Your family
is free of debt. Have no fear! Creditors must answer to me as I am
executrix of your family's estate."
    Abigail looked perplexed saying: "Pardon
me cousin. I had no idea the Jennings and the Hills were so
clo se. Mother never
mentioned it."
    Sarah could no longer remain seated and
got up to walk to the window. As she did so she wondered whether
her newly acquired bustle was crumpled and then noticing Abigail
looking at her with the
same quizzical mien, said:
    " It was your brother Sidney, my dear. He gave me power of
attorney, before he left."
    Her
countenance clouded over: "Ah, Sydney!" she whispered, "That
explains a lot. Where is he, by the way, cousin?"
    Sarah replied
reluctantly: We managed to secure a position for him with the
Godolphins, as footman, I think." To change the subject Sarah walks
to the bookshelf, pointing to a row of books and said: "These books
are from your father's library. I bought a job lot."
    Abigail got up
and fingered the spines then looking to her hostess with the
observation: "I thought to recognise some of them. I'm pleased they
have a good home."
    "Yes," said
Sarah as if to deprecate Abigail's praise, "we rescued them from
the auctioneer. He would have burnt them, I'm sure. I bought the
whole bookshelf for ten guineas. A bargain, eh!"
    She went on to
read a few titles out: "Plato, Pliny, Plutarch, Prior... Lord me! I
know none of them." Then she mentally jumped to another purchase,
adding: "Bought also a harpsichord, for a song. I wonder he had
time to play."
    "He bought it
for me, on my twenty-first birthday," croaked Abigail sadly almost
in tears.
    Sarah was, once again, taken aback. Her
mother had wanted her to learn the harpsichord but thinking back
she recalled her girlish impatience, and neglect of the instrument
in favour of dancing, singing, conversation and fooling around, and
here was her lowly cousin not only able to play but having a
harpsichord bought for her. Now it was hers, Sarah's. Despite all
the advantages she had as Lady Marlborough, this plain, lowly woman
could do something s he
could not.
    Were Sarah a contemplative person, capable
of examining herself introspectively, she might, at some future
date, look back wondering when her cousin's loyalty wavered. It
would not have been a sacrifice to deprive herself of this
instrument and present it to her cousin,
especiall y after this
plea from Abigail:
    "It was the
only possession I ever treasured of dear father. Yet I would gladly
have surrendered it to rescue my mother's...." She did not finish
as sobs choked her preventing her speaking.
    Sarah said as
though to comfort her: "You can play the harpsichord, cousin,
whenever you've a mind to, and who knows, when you have a home of
your own." She could not bring herself to give up the instrument
not realising the cost of such a gesture might have spared her much
anguish, later. There was a scratching at the door and Abigail
rose, looking at Sarah, as though they shared a