It was the lonely boy who had spoken, and now he stood there with a smile that was more touching than tears could have been.
Britomarte’s pity moved for the friendless lad.
“Yes, my boy, I will bid you good-bye, and pray God to bless you, and to bring you back to us safe!” she said, taking the lad’s hand, stooping and pressing a kiss upon his brow.
Justin saw it all; but not a shade of jealousy clouded his own mind. He understood Britomarte too well.
“God bless you for that, noble woman!” he whispered. “I will look after the lad as though he were my younger brother, or yours.”
And these were Justin’s parting words to Britomarte.
While he was leading his men on to the boat, Britomarte and Erminie returned to the carriage, where they sat watching until the few remaining companies embarked, and the boat got up her steam, and steamed away from the wharf.
Even then they continued to watch the boat as long as she remained in sight.
And finally they gave the order to drive back to the parsonage. When they arrived, Erminie tried to persuade Britomarte to alight and go in; but in vain. Miss Conyers felt that she needed the solitude of her own chamber.
“Go in, dear Erminie. Elfie and her father will cheer you up this evening. To-morrow I will come to you,” she said, embracing her friend, and then drawing her veil over her face and turning her steps homeward. Britomarte reached her boarding-house and opened the front door, which admitted her immediately into the neat little parlor where the landlady and her daughters were seated at tea.