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Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924

"The Head of the House of Coombe"

Where had the child lived before the addition had been
built? Thought and actual architectural genius only could have done
this. Light and even as much sunshine as London will vouchsafe,
had been arranged for. Comfort, convenience, luxury, had been
provided. Perfect colour and excellent texture had evoked actual
charm. Its utter unlikeness to the quarters London usually gives
to children, even of the fortunate class, struck Mademoiselle Valle
at once. Madame Gareth-Lawless had not done this. Who then, had?
The good Dowson she at once affiliated with. She knew the excellence
of her type as it had revealed itself to her in the best peasant
class. Trustworthy, simple, but of kindly, shrewd good sense and
with the power to observe. Dowson was not a chatterer or given
to gossip, but, as a silent observer, she would know many things
and, in time, when they had become friendly enough to be fully
aware that each might trust the other, gentle and careful talk
would end in unconscious revelation being made by Dowson.
That the little girl was almost singularly attached to her
nurse, she had marked early. There was something unusual in her
manifestations of her feeling. The intense eyes followed the woman
often, as if making sure of her presence and reality. The first
day of Mademoiselle's residence in the place she saw the little
thing suddenly stop playing with her doll and look at Dowson
earnestly for several moments.


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