She will
always be welcome here, and it will be a consolation to you to know
she will never want anything." Mrs. Allen shook her silk dress out a
little, and offered Mrs. Broad a glass of wine. Her feelings were a
little flustered, and she needed support, but she refused.
"No thank you, Mrs. Allen. I must be going."
CHAPTER XXII--THE ORACLE WARNS--AFTER THE EVENT
It is no part of my business to tell the story of the love-making
between George and Priscilla. Such stories have been told too often.
Every weakness in her was translated by George into some particularly
attractive virtue. He saw nothing, heard nothing, which was not to
her advantage. Once, indeed, when he was writing the letter that was
for ever to decide his destiny, it crossed his mind that this was an
epoch--a parting of the ways--and he hesitated as he folded it up.
But no warning voice was heard; nothing smote him; he was doing what
he believed to be the best; he was allowed to go on without a single
remonstrant sign. The messenger was despatched, and his fate was
sealed. His mother and father had held anxious debate. They
believed Priscilla to be silly, and the question was whether they
should tell George so.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295