Cousin Kate Read Online Free PDF Page B

gaily: 'Why, ma'am, when I couldn't find you in the parlour I made up my mind to it that I had dreamt the whole!' She saw Sarah's worried expression, and said, with a droll look: 'Oh, faithless one! I'll never forgive you! Or shall I? Yes, perhaps I shall! I can't tell. Aunt Minerva, Tom has procured a hack for you, and it is waiting in the yard.'
    'Then you shall escort me to it,' responded Lady Broome, rising, and holding out her hand to Sarah. 'I'll take my leave of you, Mrs Nidd. I daresay it may be impossible for you to get away, but if you can contrive to do so I hope I need not tell you that you will be welcome at Staplewood?'
    'No, my lady,' replied Sarah, with a slight curtsy. 'Oh, dear me, no!'
    Lady Broome then preceded her niece out of the kitchen. Five minutes later, Kate came back, her eyes dancing, and her cheeks aglow. She clasped Sarah round the waist, and hugged her. 'Oh, Sarah, I've thrown my cap over the windmill, and whether I'm glad, or whether I'm sorry, I don't know, but I think I'm glad! To own the truth, it has been a struggle to know how to support my spirits, for the very thought of another situation as governess sinks me into gloom! Particularly now, when you have petted and cosseted me so much. Yes, but I'm a little frightened as well. How shall I go on in such a house as Staplewood seems to be? The Astleys' was nothing to it, I feel sure! There will be a butler, of course, and - do you think, footmen?'
    'Not more than two,' answered Sarah decidedly. 'That's supposing there's an under-butler, which it's likely there will be. The housekeeper, her ladyship's dresser, the stillroom-maid, and four of five housemaids: that's all that need concern you, miss, for it's not to be expected that you'll have much to do with the gardeners, nor the grooms. When are you to go?'
    'Tomorrow! At least, I am to join my aunt at the Clarendon tomorrow.' She put up her chin, allowed her eyelids to droop, and said languidly: 'I shall be spending the night at the Clarendon, Sarah: be good enough to pack my trunk!'
    'You may be sure I will!' replied Sarah grimly.
    'You will not!' cried Kate, abandoning her haughty pose.
    'Indeed and I shall! Now, give over, Miss Kate! Who packed your trunk when you went to the Astleys, pray? I must get up your best muslin, too - which reminds me that you need to put fresh ribbons on it!' She bustled across the room to the dresser, and took her purse out of one of its drawers. 'Take this, love, and go and buy yourself some! Dinner won't be ready for above an hour yet, so you've plenty of time.'
    Kate put her hands behind her back, vigorously shaking her head. 'I'll go, but I won't take your purse. I have a great deal of money in my own - so much, in fact, that I shan't grudge the expense of a hack to Bedford House!'
    'Did her ladyship give it to you?' demanded Sarah. 'No, I saved it!' said Kate, laughing, and backing to the door. 'No, Sarah, no! I've had too much from you already. Keep some dinner for me, won't you?'
    She vanished through the doorway, and was not seen again until nearly five o'clock, when a hack deposited her in the yard, laden with packages.
    'Well!' said Sarah. 'A fine time to come home to dinner this is, miss! And what may you have been wasting your money on, if you please?'
    'I haven't wasted it - at least, I do hope I have not!' replied Kate, spilling her parcels on to the kitchen table. 'That one is for you, and this is a pipe for Joe, and - oh, goodness, where is the snuff box I bought for Mr Nidd? It isn't that , or that - oh, I put it in my reticule, to be safe! Tell me, Sarah, do you think Joe will like—Why, Sarah'! —'
    'I can't help it,' sobbed Sarah, from behind her apron. 'To think of you flinging your money away, and you with so little! Oh, you naughty girl, how could you? Didn't you buy nothing for yourself? Oh, I can't bear it!'
    'But of course I did! Ribbon trimmings, just as you bade me, and - oh, all manner of things, to furbish me up a trifle!' said