Page:Eliot - Daniel Deronda, vol. II, 1876.djvu/201

 still longed for Gwendolen her heart might be softened by trouble into love, so that they could by-and-by be married. And the romance had turned to a prayer that she, Anna, might be able to rejoice like a good sister, and only think of being useful in working for Gwendolen, as long as Rex was not rich. But now she wanted grace to rejoice in something else. Miss Merry and the four girls, Alice with the high shoulders, Bertha and Fanny the whisperers, and Isabel the listener, were all present on this family occasion, when everything seemed appropriately turning to the honour and glory of Gwendolen, and real life was as interesting as "Sir Charles Grandison." The evening passed chiefly in decisive remarks from the Rector, in answer to conjectures from the two elder ladies. According to him, the case was not one in which he could think it his duty to mention settlements: everything must, and doubtless would safely be left to Mr Grandcourt.

"I should like to know exactly what sort of places Ryelands and Gadsmere are," said Mrs Davilow.

"Gadsmere, I believe, is a secondary place," said Mr Gascoigne; "but Ryelands I know to be one of our finest seats. The park is extensive and the woods of a very valuable order. The house