CHAPTER VIII.
FATHER SOMERVILLE GATHERS THE THREADS
TOGETHER.
Sara had a short visit on the following morning from Father Somerville, paid ostensibly for the purpose of telling her his arrangements, and asking if Avice could be ready by a certain hour on the following day.
‘Yes,’ replied Sara; ‘if you will be at the Bergisch-Märk’sche station at the hour you mention, Miss Wellfield and my servant will meet you in ample time.’
Somerville’s countenance changed a little.
‘Surely there is no need for you to inconvenience yourself by parting with your servant,’ he began.
‘Allow me to judge what is necessary. Miss Wellfield will not leave me except under my maid’s care, who will see her to her brother’s house, and can then return to me.’
He bit his lips and apologised, saying that no doubt Miss Ford was perfectly right.
In the evening, despite her protestations against it, she was made to go to the Wilhelmis’. Luise ‘made a point of it,’ and Sara, weary of striving, and wishing also to avoid painful conversation with Avice, who insisted upon having all kinds of messages given for Jerome, who she was sure would be dreadfully disappointed if she presented herself to him without such proofs of affection—Sara, sad and spiritless, went about eight o’clock to the big house in the Königsallée.
All the beautiful rooms were thrown open: there was talking and laughing, music and dancing going on. As Sara entered, looking pale and indifferent, but splendidly handsome, as usual, in her cream-coloured cashmere and pale roses with glossy leaves, Luise Wilhelmi came dancing up to her, looking sparklingly beautiful, and glowing with life and excitement. She was followed of course by her gigantic Max, smiling, handsome, devoted, ineffably happy, as usual.