She became at length convinced, that the accomplished nobleman accidentally picked up in Newport, and afterwards entertained by her in her Fifth Avenue house in New York, was either no nobleman at all, or if one, had returned to his own country under another travelling name, and was there fighting shy of her acquaintance.
It was but poor comfort that many of her countrymen—travellers like themselves—every day called upon them; among others Messrs Lucas and Spiller—such was the cognomen of Mr Lucas’s friend, who, also on a tour of travel, had lately arrived in England.
But neither of them had brought any intelligence, such as Mrs Girdwood sought. Neither knew anything of the whereabouts of Mr Swinton.
They had not seen him since the occasion of that dinner in the Fifth Avenue house; nor had they heard of him again.
It was pretty clear then he had come to England, and was “cutting” them—that is, Mrs Girdwood and her girls.
This was the mother’s reflection.
The thought was enough to drive her out of the country; and out of it she determined to go, partly in search of that title for her daughter she had come to Europe to obtain; and partly to complete, what some of her countrymen are pleased to call, the “Ewropean tower.”
To this the daughter was indifferent, while the niece of coarse made no objection.
They proceeded upon their travels.