His jaunty evening dress,
all weather-stained and dirty, added to his forlorn and disreputable
appearance; but most of all--deepest of all--was the impression she
received that he was not long for this world; and oh! how unfit for the
next! Still, if time was given--if he were placed far away from temptation,
she thought that her father's son might yet repent, and be saved. She took
his hand, for he was hanging back as they came near the parlor-door, and
led him in. She looked like some guardian angel, with her face that beamed
out trust, and hope, and thankfulness. He, on the contrary, hung his head
in angry, awkward shame; and half wished he had trusted to his own wits,
and tried to evade the police, rather than have been forced into this
interview.
His mother came to him; for she loved him all the more fondly, now he
seemed degraded and friendless. She could not, or would not, comprehend the
extent of his guilt; and had upbraided Mr. Buxton to the top of her bent
for thinking of sending him away to America. There was a silence when he
came in which was insupportable to him. He looked up with clouded eyes,
that dared not meet Mr. Buxton's.
"I am here, sir, to learn what you wish me to do. Maggie says I am to go to
America; if that is where you want to send me, I'm ready."
Mr. Buxton wished himself away as heartily as Edward. Mrs. Browne's
upbraidings, just when he felt that he had done a kind action, and yielded,
against his judgment, to Maggie's entreaties, had made him think himself
very ill used.
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