After this little preamble ensued a full and sensible account of Ludmilla’s situation and sufferings at the circus, and the history of her escape, demonstrating (to the writer’s own satisfaction) that there was no other means of securing the poor child.
Of course the blow to Geraldine was a terrible one.
“We have lost him,” she said.
“That does not follow,” said Clement. “It is quite plain that he does not mean to cut himself off from us, and America is not out of reach.”
“It is just the restless impatience that you warned him against. As if he could not have taken her to the Hendersons.”
“She would not have been safe there, unless acts of cruelty could have been proved.”
“Or to us, out here.”
“My dear Cherry, imagine his sudden arrival with such an appendage! I really think the boy has acted for the best.”
“Giving up Oxford too!”
“That can be resumed.”