I leave here to-morrow, and when my sister comes I suppose the
sternest British propriety will be satisfied."
She smiled.
"I suppose so, too. And Sir Barnard has not even left me a
mourning-ring? Well, I have so much less to be grateful for. The old
servants were all remembered, I hope?"
"All of them. I will say good-night, mademoiselle; I have much to attend
to. I shall hope to find you well when I return."
What a strange fascination her beauty had! I remember it with a shudder.
Her face haunted me all night; I could not forget it.
The following morning I returned to London. I had yet to break the news
of our fortune to Clare, and make arrangements for our journey to Crown
Anstey.
People who wish to be philosophers tell you money is nothing. Certainly,
as far as the spiritual and higher, holier interests of life go, it is
not; but as far as this world is concerned, it is almost everything. I
had been poor and friendless in London, and then it had seemed to me a
desert; now I had money, it was another place--bright, cheerful, every
one kind and friendly. I seemed to float in sunshine; the very air
around me was elastic, full of hope; every step was a pleasure.
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