Dropping weakly upon a chair, she added her sobs to those of
Fanny, which had begun to break plaintively upon the tragic silence.
Margaret raised her glance from the floor, in a kind of wistful
leave-taking, to us who looked on and pitied her.
"Indeed, sir," began Mr. Cornelius softly, rising and taking a step
toward Mr. Faringfield. But the latter cut his good intention short,
by a mandatory gesture and the harshly spoken words:
"No protests, sir; no intercessions. I am aware of what I do."
"But at midnight, sir. Think of it. Where can she find shelter at this
hour?"
"Why," put in my mother, "in my house, and welcome, if she _must_
leave this one."
"Thank you, Mrs. Russell," said Margaret, in a stricken voice. "For
the time being, I shall be glad--"
"For all time, if you wish," replied my mother. "And we shall have
your things moved over tomorrow."
"By the Lord, sis," cried Ned, with a sudden friendliness quite
astonishing after the part he had taken, and to be accounted for only
by the idea that had struck him, "here's a blessing in disguise!
There's a ship sails next Wednesday--so I found out this evening--and
damn me if you sha'n't go to London with me! That's the kind of a
forgiving brother I am!"
She had utterly ignored his first words, but when he reached the
point, she looked at him thoughtfully, with a check upon her
resentment. She made no reply, however; but he had not missed her
expression.
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