The serene Waddie, whose life was happy gentleness, whose toil had been done for him by fortune and by feminine energy, had no occasion to look to the past for causes of present exasperating characteristics. He had inherited the family mildness, and though he decorated his social station, he was not one to have assumed it. He acknowledged his obligations to his wife. He had thus ignorantly fulfilled the destiny of his race.
Clara gave the legend her full adhesion; but nothing was said in this conclave of the Tory sutler, or the Revolutionary sergeant.
Diana was missed, but the name of her hostess was not mentioned. There was no reason why Miss Sullivan should be talked of among strangers; no one knew of that incident of Mr. Waddy’s Return where she had appeared and played so important a part, nor that he would be pleased to see and thank his preserver.
In the morning, the whole party went to Newport. Thither all the actors of our drama are centering. It is strange by what delicate links of influence life is bound to life—what chances of seemingly casual meetings and partings determine history!
Pallid went with his master; also a fast pair that Tootler had purchased for Mr. Waddy, who meant to be both charioteer and cavalier.
CHAPTER XIV
PROTECTIVE SCANDALS AND OTHER DIVERTING HUMOURS
OF A FASHIONABLE WATERING-PLACE
ONCE upon a time, by a chance of history, a small man was thrust into greatness of place.
Moulded in putty for a niche, he tottered and crumbled on a pedestal.