And cheats us with fair words, only to leave us,
A mockery and a jest, maddened, confused,
Not knowing friend from foe.”
Viola grew frantic with secret impatience of her life. She decided to fly from her embarrassments by seeking change of scene, as advised by the thoughtful physician.
A trip to the South was at first projected, but suddenly Viola changed her mind and decided to go abroad. She wanted to put the whole width of the ocean between herself and every haunting reminder of the past.
She asked her father if he could accompany her; but he frankly said that nothing was more impossible, although nothing would have pleased him better.
“You see, my dear, I can not desert my post,” he explained. “This year of 1896 will witness the presidential campaign, and I must be, as ever, in the thick of the political fight. My party will need me, and I must remain at the post of duty, much as I would love to accompany you. Can you not make the tour chaperoned by your aunt and a maid?”
Mrs. Herman, who was timid and nervous, cried out in alarm that she would as soon be asked to cross the river of Styx as the dangerous Atlantic. No, no; Viola must take some one else. She was getting too old to go junketing about the world, and would rather stay at home and keep her brother comfortable.
Viola was discomfited at first, then a bright thought flashed into her mind.
“Why, there is Mrs. Maxwell!” she cried. “The dear old lady is quite alone in her little cottage, because Mae went away yesterday to make a long visit to some country relations.”