“‘A girl’s fate is supposed to be decided when she is married, but that does not take into account the possibility of her desertion by her husband,’ I replied, but without any bitterness of feeling.
“‘No,’ he admitted, very gravely—‘no, because such possibilities are as exceptional as they are tragical. But take courage, Elfrida. As I was your brother’s truest friend and brother, so I will be yours, to remain near you, to guard you and assist you as long as you may need me.’
“‘Thank you, Angus! Oh, thank you! I am glad that all my family and friends are in the Canaries, since it is so good for them to be there. And I am glad—oh! so glad that you are here, Angus! I do not feel quite alone and helpless now that you are here. It is very good of you to say that you will remain near me until something is settled. But will not your doing so interfere with some of your previous engagements?’
“‘Not with any,’ he replied. ‘I am an idle man. And even if it were not so—even if I were over head and ears in business—I should let all go in order to be of service to my dear friend’s sister in her need. And believe me, Elfrida, I find the greatest happiness in serving you.’
“His generous devotion moved me to tears. I thanked him in the most earnest words at my command.
“The week passed, and no letter came from Saviola. I was not disappointed, for now I scarcely expected to get one. I reconciled myself to my fate as a forsaken wife all the more cheerfully for my child’s sake, who would be thus saved from the baleful effects of his father’s evil example.
“The week passed, and though no letter came from Saviola, no word on the subject was spoken between Anglesea and myself.”
CHAPTER XXXII
A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
“Anglesea watched me closely, as if in anxiety to see how much this suspense and uncertainty might affect my health and spirits. And I think he was surprised and pleased to discover that I was not distressed by the situation.
“It was on the eighth day after my letter had been dispatched that the subject of that letter was first mentioned. It was I who first spoke of it.