"I am sure I hope we have done right in telling about the marriage,"
said Miss Webster, looking at Miss Eliza for comfort.
"I am sure I hope so," replied Miss Eliza, in an apprehensive tone.
"But you see he cast such aspersions on May?"
"It would have roused anyone to defend her--but still--"
"What do you think, dear Eliza?"
"I think it would be as well if Mr. John Temple knew that we were
almost forced to tell the truth. Do you think you could write to him,
dear Margaret?"
"Yes, if I knew his address. He usually stays at the Grosvenor, but
then he said they were going to-day to the seaside, you remember?"
"But he might have left his address at the Grosvenor. I think I would
try, dear Margaret. Let us ask Jane where he directed the cab to drive
to last night when he left here?"
Jane was accordingly summoned to the dining-room, as she had carried
poor May's portmanteau down to the cab when John Temple had left
Pembridge Terrace the evening before.
"He said the Grosvenor, ma'am, I'm nearly certain," Jane answered to
her mistress' inquiries. So after the maid had left the room, Miss
Webster decided to write to tell John Temple of Mr. Churchill's visit
and its consequences.
"DEAR MR. TEMPLE," she began, somewhat nervously. "Sister Eliza and
myself have been somewhat upset this morning by receiving a visit from
Mr. Churchill, your sweet young wife's father. He had heard she was
living with us, and had come to seek her, and was very anxious to learn
the truth about her. And he said some things--made some remarks--that
neither sister Eliza nor I could hear unmoved. In fact, we were almost
forced, in defense of your dear wife, to tell him that you were married
to her, and this seemed a great relief to his mind. But we begged him
still to keep the secret, if he thought it would injure you at all with
your uncle, Mr. Temple of Woodlea Hall. But to our great joy he told
us that he had seen your uncle on the subject, and that he had said he
would gladly welcome dear May as his nephew's wife. I need not tell you
how delighted we were to hear this, as Mr. Temple's sanction seemed the
one thing wanting to your great happiness.
"With our united love to your dear wife, and best regards to yourself,
I remain sincerely yours.
"MARGARET WEBSTER."
This letter was delivered to John Temple during the evening, as he sat
alone and desolate, in his great remorse and pain.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
MR. CHURCHILL'S NEWS.
Early on the next morning after Ralph Webster had left May at St.
Phillip's Hospital, he called there to inquire after her, and saw his
friend the house surgeon, Doctor Brentwood.
"You have come to ask after the poor little woman you brought here last
night," said the doctor, as he shook Webster's hand. "Well, I'm sorry
to say I can't give a very good account of her. She has had a bad,
restless night, and is very feverish this morning."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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