“It shall be done, madam, as speedily as possible. Do not let this unfortunate business cause you any anxiety. Be of good cheer, and look hopefully to the future. Remember you are surrounded by friends who are deeply concerned in your happiness and future welfare. You will, I am sure, do me the justice to believe that I have your interest at heart, and that at all times you may rely upon, not only my advice, but upon my warmest and most disinterested friendship.”
“I do not doubt it, Mr. Chicknell,” said Aveline, drying her eyes. “And so you know now your course of action. Accept my best thanks.”
They shook hands, and the lawyer took his departure, very well satisfied with the result of the interview.
In the course of a few weeks the divorce was obtained without opposition on the part of Gatliffe, and Lord Ethalwood felicitated himself upon the fulfilment of the crowning wish of his life.
CHAPTER LXXXVII.
PEACE’S DISCHARGE FROM PRISON—THE RETURN HOME.
We must pass over the period of Peace’s incarceration as a convict, and take up his history from the time of his discharge.
As the long looked-for day began to approach the prisoner, as is usual in such cases, was permitted to grow his hair.
Three months’ permission is given for this purpose; the regular once-a-week “clip” is no longer insisted on, as the prisoner has become what in common parlance is termed “a permission man.”
As the weeks pass by the hair grows. Peace had never at any time an abundant crop, and at this period he was nearly bald. Nevertheless, the few straggling hairs he had left were suffered to grow their full length.