Jennie hurried with all speed to London and took the first train thence for Buckholme. The thought uppermost in her mind was as to what her reception by Clarence’s father would be, and her first question after greeting her husband was:
“Where is your father, Clarence?”
“Gone to seek Bertha, dear,” he answered, wearily, “but I hope a kind Providence will prevent his ever finding her.”
“Amen,” exclaimed Jennie, reverently.
CHAPTER X.
“LA GRANDE PASSION.”
After Jennie’s departure, the Countess gave herself up entirely to the pleasure which she found in the company of her young guest.
“I knew your father, Oscar Renville, I may say, intimately. It was after the death of your mother, but my husband was then living. I was in Corsica when your father died. I would gladly have taken you as my own, for I must confess that when my son was born I was very sorry he was not a daughter instead. It was only a short time ago that I learned Mr. Glynne had adopted you.”
“No,” said Bertha, “he never adopted me. He is, or rather was, my guardian.”
“Has he more than one child?”
“Only one son, Clarence. His father wished him to marry me, but although Clarence was always kind to me—really the best friend I had at Buckholme—he never proposed to me. I thought several times that he was on the point of doing so, but I can see now why he did not.”