American fiction -- 20th century; Divorce -- Fiction; Married people -- Fiction; Rich people -- Fiction
profile was almost in a line with his vision. While he looked his
heart gave a bound, for he suddenly recognized that the young woman
next to her in the gay, attractive bonnet was she for the sight of whom
his soul was yearning.
After leaving Constance on the day of their eventful interview, Mrs.
Wilson had conceived the plan of presenting her with a new bonnet and
jacket. These she brought with her to Lincoln Chambers a little before
church time, and placed with her own hands on the surprised recipient.
Pleased at the æsthetic progress of her ward, she seized this
opportunity to promote it, and also to cater to her own generous
instincts at a time when to indulge them was not likely to cause
offence. Though astonished, Constance accepted without demur these
welcome additions to her toilet, and the donor had the satisfaction of
beholding how admirably they became her. Besides, Mrs. Wilson had on
the tip of her tongue and was eager to communicate the plan which she
had been working out since they separated, and which she imparted to
Constance as soon as they were in her brougham on the way to church.
"I have been carefully considering your affairs, my dear, and, in the
first place, you are to do nothing for the next six months but get
well. I shall insist upon looking after you. You promised me,
remember." She paused as though she half expected to encounter
opposition to this project, and, though her ward revealed no
insubordination, she added the argument which she held in reserve:
"For, having deprived you by its counsel of the means of support, it is
the Church's duty, and my privilege as a disciple of the Church's
cause, to watch over you until you are able to provide for yourself.
At the end of the six months, when your eyes are strong again, I wish
you to become my private secretary."
On the way from her house she had pictured to herself the astonishment
and delight which such an unexpected and splendid proposition must
necessarily inspire, and she could not refrain from stealing a sidelong
glance at Constance in order to observe the effect it would have on her.
"Your private secretary?"
Mrs. Wilson felt rewarded by the incredulous bewilderment conveyed by
the interrogatory, and hastened to explain her benefaction. "It seems
almost the interposition of Providence in your behalf," she added.
"Last evening--and I was thinking of your noble resolution at the
time--my secretary came in to inform me that she was engaged to be
married, and to ask me to be on the lookout for someone else. 'The
very place for Constance Stuart,' I said to myself at once. 'What
could suit her better? And what an admirable arrangement it will be
for me!' For, after refusing Mr. Perry's offer, I take for granted
that, even when your eyesight is restored, the continuance of your
present business relations would be out of the question."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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