"Alas! the enterprise has been a most unfortunate one for him!" returned Ellen, a cloud passing over her countenance. "I understand his noble disposition so well, that I am convinced he deeply feels the defeat of Ossore."
We must observe that the news of our hero's success at Estella had not yet reached England.
"It will be a happy day for us all," said Mr. Monroe, after a pause, "when Richard once more sets foot in his own home—for I love him as if he were my son."
"And I as if he were my brother," added Ellen;—"yes—my brother," she repeated, with strange emphasis upon these words.
On the following morning, a few minutes before ten o'clock, a post-chaise stopped at the gate of the parish church of Hackney; and Mr. Greenwood alighted.
He was pale; and the quivering of his lip denoted the agitation of his mind.
The clock was striking ten, when a hackney-coach reached the same point.
Greenwood hastened to the door, and assisted Mrs. Wentworth and Ellen Monroe to descend the steps.
As he handed out the latter, he said, in a hurried whisper, "You have the pocket-book with you?"