Part 20 (2/2)
”It was natural no doubt, and Arthur could be so winning, he always was a favourite with the ladies.”
”Oh well, he is a nice fellow you must admit.”
”I don't deny it, I always liked him very much, but still I think that sort of thing, is not right, but he always was impetuous, never considered anything, but just acted on the spur of the moment, and he is very soft hearted” he added laughing. ”I wonder if the old gentleman knows it.”
”Your mother was always ambitious for him, don't you remember how afraid she was about Isabel” asked Ada.
”Yes, and the daughter of his tutor does not come up to the mark.”
”I should think her own daughter's child might at all events.”
”But she never regards her in that light, never will I fear.”
”Somebody wishes to see you Sir, very particularly please,” said Thomson.
”Who is it? Thomson.”
”Don't know I'm sure Sir, she would not give any name, but is very anxious to see you, I said you were engaged, but she replied I that she must see you to-night, it was very important.”
”What sort of a person is she?” asked Ada.
”A lady madam, quite a lady I should say, only in trouble, she says she knew master in America.”
”I must see her, I suppose, where is she.”
”In the study, sir.”
The stranger was standing by the fire-place, as he entered she made an impatient gesture for him to close the door, then threw herself at his feet pa.s.sionately imploring him to help and protect her, and throwing aside her thick vail, disclosed the features of Louisa, but so altered that he was perfectly shocked and amazed. He could scarcely believe that the haggered emaciated being before him, was indeed the pretty, impulsive, fiery, Louisa, but such was the case, and anger, compa.s.sion and indignation filled his heart, as he listened to the recital of her misfortunes.
As the reader is already acquainted with a portion of Louisa's story, we will not repeat it here, but only record such circ.u.mstances as have not appeared in these pages. On arriving at her grandfather's she encountered a storm of angry abuse, and was driven from the door with a stern command never to return, as she had forfeited all claims upon him, and might die in a ditch for all he cared. She managed to get about a mile from the house, and then overcome with fatigue and misery she sank down exhausted.
How long she remained there she had no idea, when she recovered she was among strangers, who were very kind. She had had a brain fever, and was in the hospital When asked for the address of her friends, she replied that she had none. But afterward she remembered that her Uncle Charles had always been kind to her, and had occasionally procured her little indulgences from her stern, cold-hearted, grand-mother, and that it had been mainly through his interference that she had been sent to school.
She therefore determined to seek his aid, and accept a small loan from the doctor, to enable her to do so, long and weary had the journey been, and she implored Charles not to send her away. She knew she said that it would not be for long, and entreated him to let her die in peace.
Charles a.s.sured her that she should want for nothing, and commended her for coming to him, and expressed in no measured terms his disapprobation of his father's cruel conduct, but was abruptly silenced by Louisa falling senseless on the floor. His violent ringing of the bell, brought not only the servants, but Ada also, to his a.s.sistance; medical aid was quickly procured. That night her child was born, and when morning dawned, Louisa lay still and cold in that last long sleep from which no mortal could awake her. Sleep in thy marble beauty, poor little Louisa, and perhaps that sad fate may soften the hearts of thy cruel grandparent. Oh not as it has been fulfilled did the dying Evangeline understand the promise made with regard to the little Louisa. Oh how often was the stillness of the night broken by the bitter sobs of the desolate little orphan whose aching heart sought for love in vain. Then can we wonder that when this lonely one, did find one to love, that she should willingly listen to his persuasions in hopes of a happy future, rather than endure any longer such a cheerless existence.
In the early morning a violent knocking at the hall door brought Thomson from his gossip with the other servants.
”Is there not a lady--a widow lady, staying here?” inquired an old gentleman in an agitated voice, while the cab driver beat his arms on the pavement. ”Is not this Mr. Ashton's?” he added, as Thomson hesitated. Thomson answered in the affirmative, and the old gentleman continued, ”Is the lady here? Can I see your master? answer me quickly don't be so stupid.”
”A lady came last night but, but,” stammered Thomson ”she,”
”Is she here now, I say,” he cried angrily.
”Yes sir, but--
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