The Heir Expectant

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 Excerpt: ... to believe that he meditated instant departure from the house, but an instinct of lawyer-like prudence restrained him from committing himself to so extreme a measure, and he staid. Nevertheless, though he staid, he did not in the slightest degree unbend from the rigidity of his bearing--gazing steadily into space as Mr. Frisby approached to pay his respects to Mrs. Waters, and only intensifying the fixity of his gaze for the amiable smirk directed in passing towards himself. So freezing was his mien, that Austin, who had hitherto considered it his duty to introduce his guests to each other and set them talking, absolutely dared not make an attempt in that direction in the present instance. For a few moments a grim silence pervaded the room--the silence of a thunder-charged atmosphere--when, to the infinite relief of the master and mistress of the house, if of no one else, another arrival took place which had the effect of reviving the suspended buzz of conversation. "Miss Egerton and Mrs. Waddilove." At sight of her friend's well-known face, the distressed hostess felt wonderfully fortified. There was something in Olivia's presence so intrinsically bracing and reassuring that she would have found herself strengthened by it even apart from the fact that the heiress was a person whom all her other guests would esteem it an honor to be asked to meet; but no doubt this fact was not without its value. The party was.now complete--that is to say, nobody else was expected, and a group of six ladies and six gentlemen were ready to take their places at the dinner-table. Nobody else was expected,, for the old friend of the family, John Thwaites, who had been their most frequent guest in bygone days, had not been included in the list of invitations. Mrs. Wat...