“A good sign, Hampton,” Doctor Lawrence whispered, as he took his leave about ten. “Patience, and all may be right yet.”
“Doubt it,” muttered the lawyer, as he returned to the drawing-room, to stand chattering till the ladies said “good-night” to him, and Gertrude crossed to where her betrothed stood with his back to the fireplace.
“Going?” he said. “Good-night, little woman—good-night.”
He bent down smiling and kissed her, and this time she did not dash upstairs to her bedroom to bathe her cheek, but walked up slowly and thoughtfully, oppressed as it were by a strange sadness which made her look hurriedly round as if in search of some trouble or danger hovering near, and in place of sobbing wildly with horror and disgust, she sank upon her knees at her bedside to pray that strength might be given her to carry out her desires, and in that attitude she unwittingly dropped asleep.
Chapter Nineteen.
A Business Interview.
As the ladies left, the old lawyer glanced at his companion, and then drew his watch from his pocket and began to wind it up.
“Example is better than precept,” said his companion, drawing the handsome gold presentation-watch from his pocket, and winding it in turn.