“I am incapable of telling; but if fifty pounds—” she began.
“My check shall be yours tomorrow, so that you may be sure to hold your tongue,” he said, taking Molly’s note, and turning away to seek counsel with his parents.
They had just come in from some fashionable revel, and recoiled in alarm at his haggard, agitated looks.
When he had told them all, they declared that Florine was doubtless in the right. The letter had been a blind to keep him in London while Molly fled to America to join John Keith.
“She has loved him all the time, and she has found out that your wealth will not console her for his loss,” Mrs. Laurens said, bitterly.
“As to her having English relations, that is all bosh, of course,” said Cecil’s father. “If she had had them, we should have heard of them before.”
No one had ever thought of Sir Edward Trueheart in connection with poor Molly. No one had ever credited her with having respectable relations.
“I shall follow her by the next steamer, and let John Keith beware if I find him in company with my faithless wife!” Cecil Laurens exclaimed, furiously.
He kept his word; but, as no steamer sailed for a week, he was detained in London six days longer. So that, when he went, at last, his parents and sisters went with him, as had already been arranged. Doctor Laurens alone of the family remained behind.
A bitter note from Cecil and a letter from his mother had duly informed him of Molly’s flight.