She knew
she had but little influence over him at present; but she would not doubt
or waver in her hope that patience and love might work him right at last.
She meant to get some employment--in teaching--in needlework--in a shop--no
matter how humble--and be no burden to him, and make him a happy home, from
which he should feel no wish to wander. Her chief anxiety was about her
mother. She did not dwell more than she could help on her long absence from
Frank; it was too sad, and yet too necessary. She meant to write and tell
him all about herself and Edward. The only thing which she would keep for
some happy future should be the possible revelation of the proposal which
Mr. Buxton had made, that she should give up her engagement as a condition
of his not prosecuting Edward.
There was much sorrowful bustle in the moorland cottage that day. Erminia
brought up a portion of the money Mr. Buxton was to advance, with an
entreaty that Edward would not show himself out of his home; and an account
of a letter from Mr. Henry, stating that the Woodchester police believed
him to be in London, and that search was being made for him there.
Erminia looked very grave and pale. She gave her message to Mrs. Browne,
speaking little beyond what was absolutely necessary. Then she took Maggie
aside, and suddenly burst into tears.
"Maggie, darling--what is this going to America? You've always and always
been sacrificing yourself to your family, and now you're setting off,
nobody knows where, in some vain hope of reforming Edward.
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