Page:Austen Sanditon and other miscellanea.djvu/55

 Rh dinner. But the Sands and the Terrace always attracted some; and the Tide must be flowing—about half-Tide now. He longed to be on the Sands, the Cliffs, at his own House, and everywhere out of his House at once. His Spirits rose with the very sight of the Sea and he could almost feel his Ankle getting stronger already. Trafalgar House, on the most elevated spot on the Down, was a light elegant Building, standing in a small Lawn with a very young plantation round it, about an hundred yards from the brow of a steep but not very lofty Cliff, and the nearest to it, of every Building, excepting one short row of smart-looking Houses, called the Terrace, with a broad walk in front, aspiring to be the Mall of the Place. In this row were the best Milliner’s shop and the Library—a little detached from it, the Hotel and Billiard Room. Here began the Descent to the Beach and to the Bathing Machines, and this was therefore the favourite spot for Beauty and Fashion. At Trafalgar House, rising at a little distance behind the Terrace, the Travellers were safely set down, and all was happiness and joy between Papa and Mamma and their children; while Charlotte, having received possession of her apartment, found amusement enough in standing at her ample Venetian window, and looking over the miscellaneous foreground of unfinished Buildings, waving Linen, and tops of Houses, to the Sea, dancing and sparkling in Sunshine and Freshness.

 

When they met before dinner, Mr. Parker was looking over Letters. ‘Not a Line from Sidney!’ said he. ‘He is an idle fellow. I sent him an account of my accident from Willingden, and thought he would have vouchsafed me an Answer.