“Oh, no; papa, dear. We will go home to mamma, if you please,” said Odalite, who, amid all her grief, noticed the pale and worn look on the patient face that told of his silent suffering.
“Very well, my dear. I only thought it would divert you,” he replied.
They drove from the docks to the Adelphi, where Mr. Force paid their hotel bill, took up the little luggage, and, with his daughter, drove on to the railway station, and caught the express train to London, a tidal train that connected with the Ostend night boat.
They reached Ostend the next day, and before night arrived at Baden-Baden, where they were received with gladness by their family, who did all that was possible to cheer the spirits of Odalite and raise her hopes for the future.
They all remained in Germany until the first of November, and then set out to spend the winter on the banks of the Mediterranean.
Their first halting place was Genoa, where they waited letters from Le.
The letters arrived at length, bringing good news. Le was assigned to the man-of-war Eagle, bound for the Mediterranean! Bound direct for Genoa!
Then, in perfect content, they settled down for the winter.
The earl’s health was certainly improving in the mild air of sunny Italy, and his spirits were rallying in the society of his relatives, so he also decided to remain in Genoa.
Before the end of November the Eagle was in port, and Midshipman Force hastened to see his friends at their house on the Strada Balbi.