Brownie had fully recovered, and was getting stronger every day.
She really grew quite attached to the old lady when she became better acquainted with her, and found her, with all her oddities, a much more congenial companion than either Mrs. Coolidge or Isabel had been.
She read a great deal, and practiced several hours a day, so that the time slipped by until Lady Randal and her family came down to Vallingham Hall, the advent of which was to open a new era in Brownie Douglas’ life.
CHAPTER XXVI
“AND YOU WILL BE MY WIFE!”
The events contained in the last two chapters Brownie related in substance to Adrian, as they sat together upon the rock where he had first discovered who she was the night previous.
“I suppose you know Miss Isabel is engaged to Sir Charles Randal,” Adrian said, when she had concluded.
“Sir Charles Randal! No!” replied Brownie, growing pale at the intelligence.
“What! you have been an inmate of their family so long, and not know of this important circumstance.”
“I saw but very little of the family while I was at their house in London. I was with Lady Ruxley constantly, and scarcely went out until we came down to West Malling, which we did a month before the family at the Hall; and we have not seen much of them since, but live very quietly and pleasantly at the villa.”
“It is too bad, for Charles really deserves a better fate,” said Adrian, with a clouded brow.