The Mysterious Key And What It Opened - Chapter 4

He's a handsome lad, and one any woman might be proud to call her son," said Hester to Bedford, the stately butler, as they lingered at the hall door one autumn morning to watch their young lady's departure on her daily ride., ,"You are right, Mrs. Hester, he's a fine lad, and yet he seems above his place, though he does look the very picture of a lady's groom ¹," replied Bedford approvingly., ,So he did, as he stood holding the white pony ² of his little mistress, for the boy gave an air to whatever he wore and looked like a gentleman even in his livery. The dark-blue coat with silver buttons, the silver band about his hat, his white-topped boots and bright spurs, spotless gloves, and tightly drawn ³ belt were all in perfect order, all becoming, and his handsome, dark face caused many a susceptible ⁴ maid to blush and simper as they passed him. "Gentleman Paul," as the servants called him, was rather lofty and reserved among his mates, but they liked him nonetheless, for Hester had dropped hints of his story and quite a little romance had sprung up about him. He stood leaning against the docile ⁵ creature, sunk in thought, and quite unconscious of the watchers and whisperers close by. But as Lillian appeared he woke up, attended to his duties like a well-trained groom, and lingered over his task as if he liked it. Down the avenue he rode behind her, but as they turned into a shady lane Lillian beckoned ⁶, saying, in the imperious tone habitual ⁷ to her, "Ride near me. I wish to talk.", , ,"How nice. Let us rest a minute here, and while I eat a few, please pull some of those flowers for Mamma. She likes a wild nosegay better than any I can bring her from the garden.", ,Lillian ate her nuts till Paul came to her with a hatful of late flowers and, standing ⁹ by her, held the impromptu ¹⁰ basket while she made up a bouquet ¹¹ to suit her taste., ,George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。,His father gave him a pony as a Christmas present.他父亲给了他一匹小马驹作为圣诞礼物 。