Bernard was in the greatest distress and anxiety about her, and sought for her in every possible way, by advertising, through the police, by telegraphing, and when he returned from Reigate by a personal interview with Mr. Earnshaw, who said that he had told her that any claim she, Miss Doris Anderson, had on Miss Earnshaw could not be considered at all by him, for he had nothing to do with it, and could not see his way to do anything to help her.
Bernard said strong words, and looked with exceeding anger upon the wealthy man who had just inherited the great house. But the warmth of his feelings only hastened his own departure, for Mr. Earnshaw requested his servant to show him out with all speed.
And nowhere in London could Bernard discover a trace of Doris Anderson, though he sought for her diligently and with care.
Bernard was a true Christian, possessing earnest faith, otherwise he would have been perfectly overwhelmed by these sad reverses of love and fortune; as it was, although he was very unhappy, hope never quite left him, and in this, his darkest hour, he was able to trust in God and take courage.
CHAPTER VI.
DORIS ALONE IN LONDON.
Most men in a brazen prison live
Where is the sun's lost eye,
With heads bent o'er their toil, they languidly
Their lives to some unmeaning task, work give,
Dreaming of nought beyond their prison-wall.
But often in the world's most crowded streets,
And often in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life.
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
Doris felt quite stunned when she found that her friend Miss Earnshaw was dead, and that Mr. Earnshaw, the heir, refused to recognise any obligation to be kind to one whom she had loved. Night though it was when Doris arrived in London she hurried to Earl's Court Square in a cab, for she knew not where else to go. It seemed to her most fortunate that Miss Earnshaw's house was lighted up, little knowing the reason for it. And then the shock of learning the sad news of the sudden decease of her old friend was great, and the cold and almost rude behaviour of Mr. Earnshaw, who would have nothing to do with one whom he looked upon as a protégée of his late cousin's, gave poignancy to her distress.
"THE SHOCK OF LEARNING THE SAD NEWS WAS GREAT."