It has glorious memories. It is very much impoverished now, and
it will be all in dust and darkness; but there the best blood and
brains, aye, and hearts of Ireland, used to come. There came Grattan,
and Burke, and Flood, and Lord Charlemont. And there came poor Pamela
Fitzgerald and her Edward. All that was beautiful and witty in the
Ireland of those days moved through the rooms which you will find dark
and dusty."
She broke off for a moment and looked straight before her, as though she
saw visions, and when she looked up at me again her dear eyes were dim.
"If things had been otherwise," she went on, "we need not have shut up
the house, with only Maureen's sister, Bridget, to look after it.
Still, Mary Champion will see to your enjoyment, Bawn; and I am
surprised to find how many people yet remember me in Dublin. You are
sure of a hearty welcome for your grandfather's sake and mine from the
old friends. You will make your own way with the young. But now, since I
have letters to write, Bawn, and they must be long ones, supposing you
go yourself this afternoon and call on Lady Ardaragh and the Chenevixes.
You can have the phaeton and drive yourself. And you can leave cards for
me.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88