A Bloodsmoor Romance by Joyce Carol Oates Read Free Book Online Page B

Malvinia continued hotly, “not that they are forbidden, but that they are degrading. Nay, I shall not think—yet—yet—”
    Several of the sisters exclaimed at once this young lady’s name: and it might have been observed, how visibly poor Deirdre shrank back, out of apprehension, that, in Malvinia’s outburst, she might again figure. Whereupon, with admirable alacrity, and poise, Constance Philippa turned to Samantha and inquired: “Not months, then, until the new mechanism is perfected; but—perhaps—”
    â€œYears,” Samantha lowly intoned.
    Again there was a strained silence, the which was broken by Samantha’s postscript, in a somewhat more casual voice: “Of course, as I have said, I may well be mistaken.”
    â€œIn any case,” Octavia murmured, “it is not anyone’s fault—it cannot be anyone’s fault—I scarce know, of what we are speaking, save that it is no one’s fault and, surely, not to be laid at the feet of anyone here, amongst us. ”
    â€œOf whom, pray, are you speaking?” Malvinia inquired, with a show of startl’d incredulity. “Your words are most ill-considered.”
    â€œI mean only—I mean—it was my intention—alas, why does my tongue trip over every other word today!—and I am so very, very warm—and quite unhappy— Indeed, Malvinia,” Octavia said, in a tremulous, hushed voice, “I believe it altogether unnecessary, for you to speculate aloud, and to vex yourself, with the possibility of my engagement. Please do not concern yourself with that eventuality again, Malvinia. You are cruel, in pretending to be kind. ”
    â€œI was not aware,” Samantha said, “that Malvinia pretended to be kind. Did I, perhaps, misunderstand a word or two, in the course of the past several minutes?”
    â€œHow very odd a thing to say!” Malvinia exclaimed. “Are you in alliance against me? You and she, sharing a bedchamber, and a bed—” (This reference being in regard to the fact that Samantha and Deirdre enjoy’d, in the Octagonal House, a common room.) “Nay—it is most unfair.”
    The impetuous Samantha then said: “ You are most unfair, Malvinia! If we are poor—and I do not say that we are—it is surely not Deirdre’s fault—nor is it Father’s—and, in any case, one would have to be uncommonly ignorant, not to know that poverty is but a relative state: for there are innumerable families, in Bloodsmoor alone, beside whom we are quite wealthy, indeed!”
    Malvinia snapped open her fan, and fanned herself energetically, and said: “You need not sermonize me, Miss! You are very much mistaken, to attempt to sermonize me! ”
    â€œDear sisters, please,” Octavia pleaded, “ please do not quarrel, on this wonderful day. We all know that poverty, and wealth, and any secular condition, are of very little significance, set beside Our Heavenly Father’s abiding love for us; and the love of our dear Father and Mother, here on earth and—”
    â€œI believe I will go home,” Samantha boldly said, groping about for her mislaid gloves. “Octavia, you may make my excuses to Mother; simply tell her that I became faint, and hurried away home.”
    â€œThat is impossible,” Octavia cried. “You will not go anywhere on foot, unaccompanied, and in your new dress—alas, what would happen to your beautiful train alone! Nay, Constance Philippa and I cannot allow it.”
    â€œI shall do what I please,” Samantha said. Her small pale face was aglow with feeling, and her green eyes fairly flashed; yet, once she had caught up her gloves, and squeezed them on her hands, she did not rise from her chair, but remained sitting—as if a great weight suddenly pressed upon her.
    â€œFancy such a notion!” Malvinia marveled, staring the while at her sister, and