“Britomarte! my dear, dear Britomarte, you will come home with me to Erminie? Don’t wound me by refusing! Say that you will come,” urged Justin, when he was left alone with Miss Conyers.
“No, no, no! not this evening, for the world! For this evening you and your sister should meet alone,” she earnestly replied.
“To-morrow, then?” he inquired.
“Yes! to-morrow I will see Erminie.”
As every one was now leaving the cars, they arose from their seats and went out. Lieutenant Ethel met them with a carriage.
“Where, then, shall we take you to-night?” questioned Justin, as he handed Britomarte into her place.
She named the hotel where she wished to stop. And Justin gave the order to drive there.
On arriving at the house, he took care to secure a good room for Miss Conyers; but not until he was on the point of taking leave of her did he hand her her pocketbook. And he was relieved to see that, without examination, she put it in her pocket.
Then he bade her good-night, and re-entered the carriage and drove to the house of that clerical friend to whom he had written to prepare Erminie for his arrival. He did not leave his carriage, lest his friend should detain him too long from his sister. He merely sent in a request that the Rev. Mr. Sales would come out and speak to him for a moment.
And when that gentleman came out, full of wonder and welcome and warm congratulations, Justin eagerly inquired if he had received his letter and delivered the inclosure to its destination.