"Well, I think the honest, straightforward, and therefore best course,
would be to seek an interview with the parents of the young lady, tell
them frankly your feelings toward her, your hopes and purposes, and leave
it with them to say whether you shall go without speaking to her."
"They will take me for a fortune-hunter, I fear," he said, the color
mounting to his very hair.
"I think not; but at all events, I should risk it. I do not pretend to
know Elsie's feelings, but if she cares for you at all, it would be
treating her very badly indeed, to go away without letting her know yours;
unless her parents forbid it.
"There, I've said my say, and will not mention the subject again till you
do, but leave you to consider my advice at your leisure."
Lester did so during the next week, which was the last of the six of
enforced quietude, and the more he pondered it, the more convinced was he
of the soundness of his aunt's advice, and at length he fully resolved to
follow it.
Mr. Travilla had called frequently at Fairview, since his accident, always
inquiring for him, sometimes coming up to his room, at others merely
leaving kind messages from himself, wife and family, or some dainty to
tempt the appetite of the invalid. Eddie had been there, too, on similar
errands; but there was never a word from her whose lovely image was ever
present to his imagination.
* * * * *
Enna was recovering; was now able to sit up and to walk about the room.
There was partial restoration of reason also. Elsie's prayer had been
granted, and though still feeble in intellect, Enna had sense enough to
comprehend the plan of salvation, and seemed to have entered into the
kingdom as a little child. She was gentle, patient and submissive; very
different, indeed, from the Enna of old. Elsie rejoiced over her with joy
akin to that of the angels "over one sinner that repenteth."
* * * * *
Elsie's children were full of content and happiness in having mamma again
at leisure to bestow upon them her wonted care and attention; her husband
also, in that he was no longer deprived of the large share of her sweet
society, which for weeks past had been bestowed upon Enna.
"Let us have a quiet walk together, little wife," he said to her one
lovely summer evening, as she joined him in the veranda on coming down
from seeing her little ones safe in their nest; "suppose we call on the
Lelands. Lester, I hear, is talking of going North soon, and I believe
contemplates a trip to Europe."
"And I have never seen him yet to thank him for saving our darling's life;
and Enna's too. Yes; let us go."
Lester and his aunt were alone in the drawing-room at Fairview, when their
visitors were announced.
There seemed a slight air of embarrassment about the young man at the
moment of their entrance; but it was quickly dispelled by the kindly
warmth of their greeting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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