"Aiken, Joan - Wolves of Willoughby Chase 01 - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Aiken Joan)

She permitted Bonnie to lead her toward the apart-
ments of her parents, having first locked up several
drawers in which she had deposited papers, and
placed the keys in a chatelaine at her belt.

Bonnie, whose indignation never lasted long, danced
ahead cheerfully enough, pointing out to her com-
panion the oubliette where Cousin Roger had slipped,
the panel which concealed a secret staircase, the
haunted portico, the priests* hole, and other features
of her beloved home. Miss Slighcarp, however, as
she followed, wore on her face an expression that
boded little good toward her charge.

At length they paused before a pair of doors
grander than any they had yet passed, and Bonnie
inquired of the attendant who stood before them if
her parents were within. Receiving an affirmative an-
swer, she joyfully entered and, running toward an
elegant-looking lady and gentleman who were seated
on an ottoman near the fireplace, exclaimed:

"Papal Mammal Such a surprisel Here is Miss
Slighcarp, come a day earlier than expectedl"

Miss Slighcarp advanced and made her salutations

to her employers.

"I regret not having come up to London to make
arrangements with you myself," said Sir 'Willoughby,
bowing easily to her, "but my good friend and man
of business Mr. Gripe will have told you how we are

The Wolves.of Willoughby Chase 15

situatedЧon the eve of a departure, with so much
to attend to. I had been aware that we had a distant
cousinЧyourself, ma'amЧliving in London, and I
entrusted Mr. Gripe with the task of seeking you
out and asking wliether you would be willing to un-
dertake the care of my estates and my child while
we are abroad- My only other relative, my sister Jane,
is as perhaps you know, too frail and elderly for such
a responsibility. I hope you and Bonnie will get on
together famously."

Here Miss Slighcarp, in a low and grating tone,
told him the story of the hairbrush and the Jug of
water, omitting, however, her unprovoked assault in