Alvin did not mean for Eweretta to follow her example. The kind look in the girl’s eyes as she had spoken those memorable words which showed him what Divine forgiveness could mean had worked a miracle in Alvin. He was reclaimed to human feeling by being taught that he was a man still, recognized and treated as a man. For the first time he had felt that he was not despised, and his heart had opened in a tide of affection and generosity.
If Alvin failed to understand Eweretta, she was even more of a riddle to Mrs. Le Breton.
“I shall call you ‘mother’ now,” Eweretta had said to her, after briefly explaining her changed conditions, “and I will try to be as a daughter to you.”
Mrs. Le Breton’s ideas of a daughter were, to begin with, full confidence. This Eweretta withheld.
Apparently the girl’s one idea was to bury the past, and take her place in the household as if really the girl Aimée whom she personated. She evidently had no intention of brooding and moping. She asked her uncle for a piano, which was immediately purchased at Hermitage’s in Robertson Street. She also accompanied both Mrs. Le Breton and her uncle on their excursions into Hastings, and showed an interest in her clothes. She was behaving in every way as a normal young woman.
But Mrs. Le Breton felt her own life very considerably brightened by the change.
So this is how it came about that “Miss Le Breton” was seen on the Parade, listening to the band.
CHAPTER XVIII
PHILIP SITS IN JUDGMENT
“Philip will get his book out before mine if my publishers don’t look sharp,” grumbled Mr. Burns to his sister.
Philip had ridden over on his hired mare Soda, and had had tea at Hawk’s Nest, and ridden back directly afterwards.