This letter came under cover to her mother. It cheered Odalite up for days.
But again her spirits sank.
At length her health began to suffer, and then her parents took into consideration a plan that had been discussed a month before. This was to leave the plantation under the competent direction of their long-known overseer and their family solicitor, and to take a furnished house in Washington City for three years, during which time they could place their two younger daughters at a good finishing school, and introduce their eldest into society.
It was Mrs. Force who had first proposed the plan, and it was she who now recurred to it.
“You know, dear Abel,” she said to her husband, while they were sitting together one morning in her little parlor, “you know that two considerations press on us now—the health of Odalite and the education of Wynnette and Elva. I really fear for Odalite, and so does Dr. Ingle, if she should be permitted to remain in this neighborhood, where everything reminds her of the distress and mortification she has suffered. Odalite must have a thorough change. And no better change can be thought of for her than a winter in Washington. The gay season is just commencing in that city, and with all that we could do for her there Odalite would be sure to improve. Think what a contrast Washington in its season—Washington with its splendid official receptions, its operas and concerts, every day and night—would be to the secluded life we all lead here. And especially what a contrast in the conception of Odalite, who will see the city for the first time.”
“I appreciate all that; but, my love, your simple wish to go to the city would be quite sufficient for me,” said the squire.
Mrs. Force turned away her head and breathed a sigh, as she often did at any especial mark of love or trust from her good husband.
“I should not express the wish on my own account, dear Abel. I have always been well content with our retired life and your society alone. I spoke only for the children’s sake. I have told you why Odalite needs the change, and now I wish to tell you how our residence in Washington will benefit her younger sisters. Wynnette and Elva must go on with their education. We would not like to engage a stranger to come and take charge of them here, just after such a public event as that of the broken marriage, even if we could get one to replace Natalie Meeke, or suit us as well as she did, which I am sure we could not. Nor, on the other hand, could we consent to send our children away from us. So I see no better plan for them, as well as for all, than that we should all go to Washington, where we can give our Odalite the social life that she so much needs just now, and where we can enter Wynnette and Elva as day pupils in a first-class school.”
“My dear, I see that you are right,” said Mr. Force. “You are quite right in regard to the wisdom of going to Washington, so far as the benefit of our children is concerned; nor do I see any hindrance to our leaving this place without our care. Barnes is an invaluable farm manager, and Copp is as capable an agent as any proprietor could desire. We will leave the place in their care. We can go at once, or just as soon as you can pack up. If we cannot secure a furnished house at once we can go to a hotel and stay until we can get one.”
“But—what shall we do with Mrs. Anglesea?” demanded Mrs. Force, in sudden dismay as the vision of the lady from Wild Cats’ arose in her mind’s eye.