“She would be as likely as not to fall headlong in love with the first strolling gypsy that crossed her path,” he ruminated as he looked at her critically, “and then it would end in a divorce suit, or worse, if anything could be worse. I almost believe the girl is right. A creature of her fiery disposition should not have her hands tied in matrimony without her heart has been won by the man she marries. I hope all will be well; I can only hope it.” And as he looked thoughtfully out of the window, a premonition of coming evil seemed to sweep over his heart.
Suddenly he joined Mrs. Bryson, saying:
“I have a plan to suggest which I think you will approve of. Jess ought to be sent away for a few weeks where she will see something of the world, and when she sees how well Mr. Dinsmore compares with the generality of men, and learns by meeting them that they are not such heroes as her vivid, romantic imagination has caused her to believe them to be, she will be more—well, more satisfied with the future a kind fate has laid out for her.”
“Your plan is a capital one, sir,” replied Mrs. Bryson, “but I know of no place that I could send her to.”
“While we have been on this subject, the very place, an ideal home, has occurred to me. Some few years ago, when I lived in New York, I had a partner, a Mr. Trevalyn, who would be glad to receive her beneath his roof on a visit, if I requested the favor. He has a charming wife, and a daughter, Queenie, who cannot be so very much older than Jess. Would you like to go and visit this New York family, my dear?” he asked, turning to Jess.
“Oh, yes, indeed!” exclaimed the girl, eagerly, her face dimpling over with an eager smile. “All my life I have wanted to see what New York was like. I’d love to go under one condition.”
“You must let me know what it is before I can decide as to that,” said Mr. Abbot, quietly.
“Well, I wouldn’t like them to know that I was an engaged girl if I went there. I wouldn’t like them to know there was such a man as Mr. Dinsmore; nor one word of that crazy will.”
“Why should you wish to conceal the fact of your betrothal?” asked the old lawyer, wonderingly; adding: “Most young girls are more than eager to proclaim such a fact, my dear.”
Jess laughed, saying: