It was August when Alice returned home. As soon as her father learned
that she had become engaged to Montrose, he sent for her. Now that the
mouse had entered the trap there was no need for the girl to remain in
London and spend money. Mrs. Barrast was sorry to lose the companionship
of Miss Enistor, not only because she liked her as much as one of her
shallow nature could like any one, but for a more selfish reason. With
Alice departed Montrose, and although he did not go immediately down to
Cornwall, he scarcely came near the house in Hans Crescent. Thus Mrs.
Barrast was deprived of the many presents which she loved to receive.
However, she had done very well, and made the best of her loss, since
the girl's visit, because of Montrose's love-making, had not been
unprofitable to her. Mrs. Barrast was very affectionate when Alice
departed, and made her promise to return when she became Mrs. Douglas
Montrose. Alice readily consented, for though Amy was vain and selfish,
yet the fact that the love-romance had taken place beneath her roof made
the girl regard her as a most excellent friend. All the same she was not
sorry to return to Cornwall, as she was weary of the frivolous London
life.
In the railway train Alice became quite depressed. She was coming back
to dreary Tremore, to her father's uncongenial society, and perhaps to
the unpleasant attentions of Don Pablo. But on this latter point she
was reassured by her father's letter. Although he had not quite
consented to the marriage with Montrose, and would not consent until he
had seen the young man, yet, in the face of his half-approval, he
certainly would not allow her to be troubled by Don Pablo. Certainly the
Spaniard had great influence with the squire of Polwellin, and might not
be inclined to surrender the girl whom he desired to make his wife. But
Douglas, as Alice reflected, would soon be on the spot, and he would
deal with Narvaez, if the old man became troublesome. On the whole,
therefore, even though matters were a trifle unsettled, Alice concluded
that the new life would be better than the old. At all events she would
not be quite so lonely, and that was something. Of course Dr. Eberstein
had predicted trouble, but also he had agreed to come down when the
trouble arrived. This comforted the girl not a little, as she had the
greatest confidence in Montrose's friend. Why, she could scarcely say,
as she knew next to nothing about him. But his mere look, let alone the
touch of his hand, was enough to make her feel strangely brave and
happy. If Don Pablo was all evil, Dr. Eberstein was all good. Yet why
one should be this and the other that, Alice could not tell. Doubtless,
as Douglas had suggested, Eberstein could have enlightened both on this
point. But he had not done so, and beyond warning them that they could
count upon his help in the trouble which was surely coming, he had said
very little. Therefore, these two young people had to walk by faith, and
very bravely did so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account