Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling StoneReid, Mayne
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Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling Stone
Reid, Mayne
Adventure stories; Dime novels; Fiction
I cannot remember that either Olliphant or I spoke on seeing one
another. Each was too much surprised at meeting the other. And yet
neither of us thought, there was anything strange in the circumstance.
Let those, who can, explain the singularity of our sentiments at that
encounter. I cannot, and therefore shall not make the attempt. The
attention of both of us was soon called to Martha, who had recovered
consciousness.
"I thank God!" she cried out addressing me, "I thank God, Rowland, you
have returned. You see, he has come back!" she continued, placing her
hand on the broad shoulder of `the Elephant.' "I knew he would. I told
you he was certain to come; and that it was not possible for him to
deceive me. This is my brother, Alex," she added, turning to Olliphant.
"He wanted me to leave you; but don't blame him: for he did not know
you, as I did. I've seen hard times, Alex; but the joy of this moment
more than repays me for all."
It was some time before Olliphant and I had an opportunity of
communicating with each other: for Martha seemed determined that no one
should have anything to say but herself.
"What fools we have been!" exclaimed Olliphant, as soon as his
sweetheart gave him a chance of speaking. "Had you told me that your
name was Stone, and that you had a sister in Sydney, how much more
pleasure we should have had in one another's society! You have nearly
missed finding your brother; and either you or I have nearly lost your
sister by keeping your name a secret. I know that for a man to talk to
others of his family affairs is not strict etiquette; but the rules of
that are often made by those who are only respected because they are
unknown; or rather, because nothing concerning them can be told to their
credit."
"You and I have been friends," continued the Elephant, still addressing
his discourse to me. "Why should we have cared for etiquette? We ought
to have acted independently of its requirements. Depend upon it, that
open-hearted candour is ever preferable to secrecy."
I assured Olliphant, that I was convinced of the truth of this doctrine
by late events; and that it was also my belief, an honest man has very
little on his mind that need be concealed from his acquaintances.
The scene that followed was one of unalloyed happiness. It ended in the
determination--that we should all three at once proceed to Melbourne;
and that Olliphant and Martha should be married at the same time that my
brother was to be united to Miss Morell.
It was ludicrous to witness the change, that had suddenly taken place in
the sentiments of Martha. She no longer offered the slightest objection
to leaving Sydney; but on the contrary, declared herself delighted at
the prospect of going to Melbourne--a place, she said, she had been long
desirous of seeing!
During the evening, the little slavey, Sarah, came over from the
milliner's shop, with a bundle of sewing materials--which Martha was
required to make up immediately.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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