A long private conversation with Mr. Wallingford, resulted in an earnest invitation for the travellers to make their headquarters at his country seat, while in Great Britain. But this, though urged by her brother to accept, Gertrude steadily declined. All she would do was to spend one day in the beautiful retreat so exactly to her taste, before she hurried Edward away to London.
When the time for sailing came, she acknowledged to herself, it was none too early, for her own happiness, to bid Sir Jones adieu. A few more weeks passed in his society would make it difficult for her to adhere to a decision which in her case she knew to be right.
Contrary to her expectations, when she went on board the steamer for New York, she found Mr. Radcliffe awaiting them; and when she expressed her surprise at finding him there, a merry glance thrown at her brother, convinced her it was not an accident. She wondered a little at his manner of bidding her adieu, not at all as if he considered it, as she did, a final parting; but when he said in her ear, with a hopeful smile:
"Another year and I intend to be speeding over the waters," the vivid blushes that dyed her cheeks, proved to her lover that she was aware he had not abandoned his design.
[CHAPTER XXII.]
FATHER AND SON.
THE wedding of Mr. Wallingford and Miss Gilbert was over; and the happy couple were on their wedding tour. They were to be absent till August; and Gertrude was both busy and happy in superintending the enlargement of Rose Cottage. Little Paul, at first almost frantic in his joy at seeing her once more, now followed her lovingly about, only fearful lest she should again depart.
One morning, on opening her letters, she found an envelope, post marked, "Philadelphia." She had wondered for a week why she heard nothing; for it was time Mr. Dudley should arrive, if he sailed at the time he expected; but now her heart almost ceased to beat. Seizing her boy by the hand she flew to her chamber, shut and fastened the door and sat down to read.
The address was in the chirography of his sister Anna, now Mrs. Ridley; but the letter was traced by a feeble hand and contained these words:
"Through the favor of the Friend who has promised to lead me safely to the end of my journey, I reached home two weeks ago; but I have been too much exhausted to notify you of my arrival according to your request."