Amanda Grange & Jacqueline Webb Read Online Free Page A

building had its effect on them and they went quietly inside.
    As they did so, she noticed the effect Beth had on everyone they passed. Without ever trying, Beth managed to charm people. They looked at her quiet, self-assured figure and felt the goodness she radiated. Coupled with her undoubted beauty, it entranced them, young and old. And yet Beth was unaware of it.
    William looked around him with interest, while John’s eyes searched for any display of weapons the museum might have. Laurence, for once overawed, held Jane’s hand, and Margaret followed on behind as Edward led them to the Rosetta Stone.
    â€œYou seem to know your way,” said Darcy.
    â€œI have seen the Stone before,” said Edward.
    â€œHow long has it been here?” asked William.
    â€œThirteen years,” said Edward. “Colonel Turner brought it to England when the French surrendered to the English in Egypt. He presented it to the king, and the king said that it should be put in the museum.”
    â€œI should like to see the site of the battles,” said John. “Colonel Fitzwilliam has told me all about Aboukir Bay and the triumph of our armies. I wish we could go to Egypt,” he added wistfully.
    They arrived at the Stone. Beth, who had shown little interest in the proceedings, was captivated by the hieroglyphs.
    â€œLook at the beautiful pictures. That one looks like a bird,” she said. “And that one looks like a shepherd’s crook.”
    â€œIt looks like a lot of squiggles to me,” said Laurence. “If it’s been here for thirteen years, why hasn’t anyone found out what it says yet?”
    â€œBecause the language is very different from anything we are used to,” said Edward.
    William took out a notebook and started copying the hieroglyphs, but Edward said, “There is no need for that. I have a print of them in my bags. I will give it to you when we return to the house.”
    Elizabeth was as intrigued as the children. The Stone seemed very exotic and she could almost feel the heat of the desert as she looked at it. How wonderful it must be to travel, to see the pyramids and deserts, to float down the Nile and smell the unfamiliar scents that permeated that strange world!
    â€œI will have to leave you here for a while,” said Edward. “It is time for my meeting with Sir Matthew.”
    As Edward was about to leave them, Darcy took him to one side.
    â€œDoes Sir Matthew know you are the son of an earl?” he asked.
    â€œOf course,” said Edward. Adding, with a sudden smile, “How else do you think I managed to arrange an interview with him?”
    â€œI suppose it would do no good to warn you that he is only interested in your family’s wealth and status, not your enthusiasm?” asked Darcy. “Expeditions cost a great deal of money to pursue, and scholars are always short of funds.”
    â€œNo good at all,” said Edward. “Just as it would do no good for you to warn him that I am not just interested in his knowledge, but that I hope to persuade him to take me with him when he returns to Egypt.”
    He bowed and withdrew, leaving the Darcys to wander the room and exclaim over the strange treasures housed in the museum. There were Greek vases, marble statues, and even an Egyptian mummy, which delighted Laurence. John, meanwhile, was more interested in the collection of medals, and William perused the collection of books.
    All was going well until Beth, looking around her, said, “Where is Margaret?”
    Elizabeth looked round and realised that her youngest daughter had strayed.
    â€œShe went over there,” Laurence said.
    He pointed in the direction of an antechamber and then immediately lost interest in his smallest sister as Darcy pointed out a ferocious-looking sword. But Elizabeth and Beth went in search of Margaret.
    The antechamber was darker than the main rooms, without any windows, which rendered it