And in spite of herself Golden felt that she heartily despised the woman whom she should have loved in spite of all her faults because she was her mother. But some strange and subtle fascination drew her nearer and nearer to Richard Leith.
Her anger and scorn which she had tried to foster at first began to dissolve in spite of herself into a yearning and sorrowful tenderness.
[CHAPTER XXXIII.]
Several weeks went by, and Golden wondered very much if the Desmonds had returned to the city, and if the lady still held her unjust suspicions and jealousy against her.
She often wondered as she looked at Richard Leith's stern, set face, why Bertram Chesleigh had written to him, and for what object.
One day she heard Mrs. Leith remark to her husband that she had seen Mr. Desmond driving in the park alone that morning.
"He looked pale and dejected—quite unlike himself," she added, "I wonder if his handsome wife and little daughter are at the seaside yet."
"Did you not know," said Mr. Leith, "Mrs. Desmond and Ruby have gone to Europe with Chesleigh."
"Gone without her husband," cried the lady. "How strange! Do you not think so?"