Edward Knight's Family
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Elizabeth Austen, later Knight, continued.
'... sweet verbena, the lazy cawing of rooks in the tall elm trees and the song of blackbird and thrush, the faint rich smell of potpourri in old vases and bowls, old-fashioned chintz covers and curtains and, through the door which almost always stood open to the library – the scent of hot-house flowers from the conservatory beyond, and the song of many birds whose carefully tended cages hung on its walls.
A fit setting for my beautiful old lady!
But how shall I find words to describe her or do justice to the unconscious fascination she exerted over anyone who had to do with her? I can see her now, walking about her dressing-room with light, quick steps or sitting in her own particular armchair – her beautiful hands, with their old fashioned diamond, pearl and turquoise rings, busy with some soft piece of knitting, destined for one of her many children or grandchildren; or tending her flowers in the conservatory, and the beautiful golden canaries which lived there and had their nests, and brought up families of young ones year after year under her careful management; for whatever she did was perfectly done and the management of her house was always a wonder to me! No one, not even her own children, knew ...'
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