She went to call Annie, wondering if all her life-long she would have to be subject to his caprices in this way, and feeling more sad than she could express.
In less than an hour, under the nimble and experienced fingers of Mr. Dalton and Annie, every article was packed, the trunks strapped, and labeled, and ready for the porter to take down in the morning.
Then the weary girl crept into bed, feeling more friendless and alone than ever before, and wept herself to sleep.
She had been forbidden to communicate with Mr. Tressalia regarding their departure, and she did not know whether she should ever meet him again, and it seemed such a shabby and unkind way to treat a friend who had sacrificed so much for her. She had been forbidden to hold any further communication with Madam Sylvester, for whom she was beginning to feel a strong affection, and all this by a man selfish and domineering, and determined to bend her to his lightest will.
She knew that she could refuse point-blank to obey him if she chose—she could go her own way and he his; but if she did this she would cut herself loose from every hold upon the old life, and from every natural tie—she would not have a friend left in the world, while Mr. Dalton would also be left alone.
Every day she was conscious that her affection for him waned more and more, but for her mother’s sake she could not quite bear the thought of leaving him without any restraining influences; besides, if she should pursue any such course, she would take away all his means of support, for his ten thousand was slipping through his fingers like water.
She never stopped to reason that this might be the very best thing she could do—that if he stood in a little wholesome fear of losing his present share of her handsome income, he would not be likely to domineer over her quite to such an extent. But the future looked darker than ever to her, and her heart was very sad and depressed.
At five o’clock the next morning Mr. Dalton came to arouse her and her maid, and as soon as she was dressed he sent her up a tempting little breakfast, with a word to take plenty of time and eat all she could.
This he had accomplished by heavily feeing one of the waiters the night before, and the steaming cup of rich chocolate, the broiled chicken done to a turn, the eggs and delicate toast, really formed an appetizing meal.
With all his selfishness and the determination to bend Editha to his own will, Mr. Dalton always liked to have her fare well, as well as dress richly and becomingly.