England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Love stories; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
"In the meantime, our departure from England seems to be the wisest
course that we can adopt. As long as this woman lives she will say again
of me what she has said already, whenever she can find the opportunity.
My child might hear the reports about her mother, and might be injured
by them when she gets older. We propose to take up our abode, for a time
at least, in the neighborhood of Naples. Here, or further away yet, we
may hope to live without annoyance among a people whose social law
is the law of mercy. Whatever may happen, we have always one last
consolation to sustain us--we have love.
"You talked of traveling on the Continent when you dined with us. If you
should wander our way, the English consul at Naples is a friend of my
husband's, and he will have our address. I wonder whether we shall ever
meet again? It does seem hard to charge the misfortunes of my life on
me, as if they were my faults.
"Speaking of my misfortunes, I may say, before I close this letter, that
the man to whom I owe them is never likely to cross my path again. The
Van Brandts of Amsterdam have received certain information that he is
now on his way to New Zealand. They are determined to prosecute him if
he returns. He is little likely to give them the opportunity.
"The traveling-carriage is at the door: I must say good-by. My husband
sends to you both his kindest regards and best wishes. His manuscript
will be quite safe (when you leave London) if you send it to his
bankers, at the address inclosed. Think of me sometimes--and think of me
kindly. I appeal confidently to _your_ kindness, for I don't forget that
you kissed me at parting. Your grateful friend (if you will let her be
your friend),
"MARY GERMAINE."
We are rather impulsive people in the United States, and we decide on
long journeys by sea or land without making the slightest fuss about
it. My wife and I looked at each other when we had read Mrs. Germaine's
letter.
"London is dull," I remarked, and waited to see what came of it.
My wife read my remark the right way directly.
"Suppose we try Naples?" she said.
That is all. Permit us to wish you good-by. We are off to Naples.
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