And his feet stumbled not, nor was he aware of anything around, until the Earl met him at the park gates and touching him said reverently—
“Father, you are close to the highway. Have you seen Annie?”
“I have just left her.”
“She is further from us than ever.”
“Richard Hyde,” he answered, “she is on her way to God, and she can rest nothing short of that.”
CHAPTER XIV — “HUSH! LOVE IS HERE!”
On the morning that Hyde sailed for America, Cornelia received the letter he had written her on the discovery of Rem’s dishonourable conduct. So much love, so much joy, sent to her in the secret foldings of a sheet of paper! In a hurry of delight and expectation she opened it, and her beaming eyes ran all over the joyful words it brought her—sweet fluttering pages, that his breath had moved, and his face been aware of. How he would have rejoiced to see her pressing them to her bosom, at some word of fonder memory or desire.
There was much in this letter which it was necessary her father and mother should hear—the Earl’s message to them—Hyde’s own proposition for an immediate marriage, and various necessities referring to this event. But she was proud and happy to read words of such noble, straightforward affection; and the Doctor was especially pleased by the deference expressed for his wishes. When he left the house that day he kissed his daughter with pride and tenderness, and said to Mrs. Moran—