Read Online Henry Tilney's Diary (9781101559024) by Amanda Grange - Free Book Online Page A

I must admit that I find them all very exciting.’ Then, recollecting himself, he said, ‘But I must not intrude any longer.’
    â€˜You are not intruding,’ I assured him.
    â€˜Will you not join us?’ asked Eleanor.
    He looked delighted, but then decorum got the better of him and he said sedately, ‘If you are sure . . .’
    â€˜We are,’ said Eleanor. ‘We would like nothing better than some new company, would we not, Henry?’
    I was quick to echo Eleanor’s sentiment, saying that we would be glad to have him join us.
    He looked quietly pleased and took a seat.
    â€˜Forgive me for saying so, but you do not seem like one of my brother’s friends,’ said Eleanor.
    He was embarrassed.
    â€˜I . . . uh . . . I am not exactly his friend, I think it would be more accurate to say that . . . well, to put it frankly . . . that is to say . . . I know him because . . . well, he owes me money.’
    â€˜And he has invited you here in lieu of paying you, I suppose,’ said Eleanor with a sigh.
    He blushed and fiddled with his cravat.
    â€˜My rent being unpaid on account of the loan, which he finds himself temporarily unable to repay, he said it was the least he could do. He invited me to stay for a month, at the end of which he assures me he will be able to meet his obligations.’
    â€˜Frederick grows worse,’ said Eleanor.
    She looked at Mr Morris with a sympathetic eye, and with something else besides. It was curiosity and liking and perhaps even admiration, for his face had a certain interest to it and his manner, if hesitant, was engaging.
    â€˜I am very sorry that you have been inconvenienced,’ I said, determined to make him feel welcome, ‘but for my own part I cannot regret it. Frederick’s error has brought us a true companion, and for that we must thank him.’
    Eleanor smiled at me and mouthed the words, Well done . And indeed the poor fellow needed them, for he was uncomfortable – as who, in his position, would not be?
    The conversation seeming likely to die, Eleanor said, ‘And where have you got to in A Sicilian Romance ?’
    I was pleased to see her animation and thought that, if Morris could enable her to overcome the sad memories that were attached to the book, then so much the better.
    He opened it and showed the place.
    â€˜Ah, only a few pages behind us,’ I said. ‘My sister and I are reading the book also. Pray, catch up with us and then we can read on together.’
    I wondered whether Eleanor would object, but after opening her mouth slightly she closed it again.
    When he had reached the place we ourselves had reached, he began to read aloud:
    â€˜The nuptial morn, so justly dreaded by Julia, and so impatiently awaited by the marquis, now arrived. The marquis and marchioness received the duke in the outer hall, and conducted him to the saloon, where he partook of the refreshments prepared for him, and from thence retired to the chapel.
    â€˜The marquis now withdrew to lead Julia to the altar, and Emilia was ordered to attend at the door of the chapel, in which the priest and a numerous company were already assembled. The marchioness, a prey to the turbulence of succeeding passions, exulted in the near completion of her favourite scheme. A disappointment, however, was prepared for her, which would at once crush the triumph of her malice and her pride. The marquis, on entering the prison of Julia, found it empty!
    â€˜His astonishment and indignation upon the discovery almost overpowered his reason. Of the servants of the castle, who were immediately summoned, he enquired concerning her escape, with a mixture of fury and sorrow which left them no opportunity to reply. They had, however, no information to give, but that her woman had not appeared during the whole morning. In the prison were found the bridal habiliments which the marchioness herself had sent on the preceding night, together with a