"I've been thinking for some time that I made a mistake in going to Chicago; and perhaps if I don't succeed in making a good thing of this patent business I shall never go back."
It only needed this, to confirm Edward in his opinion of Paul. He was wanting in perseverance. "'Unstable as water thou shalt not excel,'" his father had frequently quoted to him, when he wished to leave college to go into mercantile business, or any where that he saw a prospect of rapidly accumulating a fortune.
During his visits to Chicago, Mr. Wallingford had learned that his brother-in-law was not considered as established in that city;—that he talked openly of going to Rochester or some place farther East. He bid Paul adieu at the wharf with a belief that it was the lawyer's intention to abandon his wife for some years.
In January Gertrude went to New York city, where her brother had engaged board for her and Marion who had promised to pass the rest of the winter with her friend. Here the best teachers were provided for the ardent scholar; who was bent on improving every hour of her husband's absence in fitting herself to ensure his respect. Constant employment was necessary to her happiness, else memory carried her back to the parting with Paul, so cool and careless on his part;—while she wept and clung to him as if she were never to see him again.
Once a month he had promised she should have a letter from him informing her where to direct to him.
For three months he kept his word. His letters were short, and one was addressed to Edward, requesting him to forward some documents necessary to his success; but they were more kind than his wife had looked for, and her spirits rose accordingly. She gained both strength and color in these quiet days; reminding Marion when she came on, of the bride when she first saw her.
In the third letter Paul told her to direct next to Paris, where he should remain till the first of the year; after that he should be travelling, and she must not be worried if she heard nothing for some months. He omitted in his haste to mention that Mr. Curtis and himself had joined a party of Americans and were intending to travel with them for the rest of the winter; and that Mr. Jackson, (who with his wife, and a younger sister were members of the party) having turned out a mere fortune hunter, found it very convenient to have some one to play the agreeable to his wife; and relieve him from a duty already become irksome.
This was the last they heard of the travellers for many months; and knew not therefore where to direct letters.
In May there was news for him; for on the first of the month when the fields were expected to be green, and the flowers in profusion, all of which the lateness of the season prevented, a second little blossom came to gladden Gertrude's anxious heart.
This was a boy, strong and resolute, who bid fair to fight his way in the world. Without a moment's hesitation his mother called him Paul, thereby proving, that however her husband regarded her, the affection she had professed for him remained in all its force.