The Quinceys

Chapter I

It is believed that an accomplished young lady, with all her genius and intellect, can have nothing to envy to the silliest and simplest of her sex. It is commonly thought that once she has acquired a certain grace in her manner of speaking, walking, and remaining silent when present in society, and has spent years honing her mind, there can be absolutely nothing to make her envy anyone inferior to her in judgement.

However, as any other widespread belief, this is quite wrong. Many a girl in the village of Redding was accomplished, to say the very least. And yet, the lack of fortune in many families prevented these girls from ever settling well. Miss Magali Quincey, at nineteen, was everything these girls envied: beautiful, sharp-minded, good-humoured, well-bred and, above all, very rich. Miss Quincey, however, was not from Redding and before even settling in a nearby estate, was completely oblivious to what was awaiting her there. Miss Quincey had a brother nine years her elder, and soon after having inherited his father's fortune, Edward Quincey had decided to buy an estate of his own. Not that they were in lack of one- their childhood home of Berminster Abbey remained in Devonshire, and not a foot was to be set upon it before one of the young Quinceys settled down with a wife or a husband of their own.

The arrival of these two siblings had much been talked of at Redding, and their purchasing Rushmore Park had created much excitement as it was the largest estate surrounding the village. This, naturally, had motivated the neighbouring young ladies and their mothers, for Edward's being single provoked great expectations among these families. Had Edward Quincey been an old man and Magali his wife, the attention directed to them would not have trespassed that of expected civility from their neighbours. However, this was not the case, and the very day they set foot in their new home, flocks of neighbours eagerly called upon them in the morning. Dozens of gentlemen, came and went, remaining a half hour each at least, and each of them "had at least one single daughter, very accomplished indeed, and it would be a great pleasure to have Mr. and Miss Quincey to dinner some day".

Edward, being of an easy-going and sympathetic disposition, warmly obliged and thanked each one of them. Miss Quincey stood close by, and spoke very little. This however, was easily dismissed by every visitor, for Edward was the master of Rushmore and it was not expected of the young lady to intervene. Miss Quincey was glad of the attention her brother seemed to attract, and could not wait to meet these many young girls that had been very subtly mentioned to them by their guests.