Chapter Eighty Six.
Still Later.
With mingled emotions do we bring our tale to a close. Some of its scenes may have given pain; while others, it is to be hoped, have been suggestive of pleasure.
And with like mingled emotions, must we part from its conspicuous characters: leaving some with regret, others with gladness.
There are those of them whose after fate cannot fail to cause pain. Perhaps more than all that of Julia Girdwood.
It is told in three words: a disgust with all mankind—a determination never to marry—and its consequence, a life of old maid-hood!
She still lives it, and who knows that she may not like it? If not now, when her mother takes departure from the world, leaving her to the enjoyment of a million dollars.
But Mrs Girdwood has not done so yet; and says she don’t intend to for a score of years to come!