The Missing BrideSouthworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
General
The Missing Bride
Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
Fiction
The next morning, the old gentleman took Marian into his library, told
her once more how very little surprised, and how very glad he was that
instead of writing, she had come in person. He then made her acquainted
with certain documents, and informed her that it would be necessary she
should go up to London, and advised her to do so just as soon as she
should feel herself sufficiently rested. Marian declared herself to be
already recovered of fatigue, and anxious to proceed with the business
of settlement. Their journey was thereupon fixed for the second day from
that time. And upon the appointed morning Marian, attended by the old
clergyman, set out for the mammoth capital, where, in due season, they
arrived. A few days were busily occupied amid the lumber of law
documents, before Marian felt sufficiently at ease to advise her
friends, the Holmeses, of her presence in town. Only a few hours had
elapsed, after reading her note and address, before she received a call
from Mrs. Holmes and her father, Dr. Coleman, a clergyman of high
standing in the Church of England. Friendliness and a beautiful
simplicity characterized the manners of both father and daughter. Rachel
entreated Marian to return with her and make her father's house her home
while in London. She spoke with an affectionate sincerity that Marian
could neither doubt nor resist, and when Dr. Coleman cordially seconded
his daughter's invitation, Marian gratefully accepted the proffered
hospitality. And the same day Mr. Burney bade a temporary farewell to
his favorite, and departed for Liverpool, and Marian accompanied her
friend Rachel Holmes to the house of Dr. Coleman.
* * * * *
We may not pause to trace minutely the labors of love in which Marian
sought at once to forget her own existence and to bless that of others.
A few events only it will be necessary to record.
In the very first packet of Baltimore papers received by Dr. Holmes,
Marian saw announced the marriage of Angelica Le Roy to Henry Barnwell.
She knew by the date, that it took place within two weeks after she
sailed from the shores of America. And her anxiety on that young lady's
account was set at rest.
After a visit of two months, Dr. Holmes and his lovely wife prepared to
return to the United States. And the little fortune that Marian intended
to settle upon Edith and Miriam, was intrusted to the care of the worthy
surgeon, to be invested in bank stock for their benefit, as soon as he
should reach Baltimore. It was arranged that the donor should remain
anonymous, or be known only as a friend of Miriam's father.
In the course of a few months, Marian's institution, "The Children's
Home," was commenced, and before the end of the first year, it was
completed and filled with inmates.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THURSTON.
After a stormy passage in life comes a long calm, preceding, perhaps,
another storm. I must pass rapidly over several years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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