In about
a twelvemonth the letter came; Maurice was devoted to his wife, and
great on the point of domestic felicity. Then Fernande went into her
oratory and prayed. What do you think was the substance of her prayer?"
"That she might go mad or die," was the quick answer: it came from Flora
Bellasys.
"How good of you," Guy said, "to let me finish that long story, when you
knew it by heart."
I think no ear but his and mine caught the whisper--"I never read or
heard of it till now."
He bent his head in assent, as if the intelligence did not surprise him
much, and then spoke suddenly,
"Charley, will you make an observation? You have been displaying that
incontestable talent of yours for silence long enough."
Very seldom was Forrester taken by surprise, but this time his reply was
not ready. There was an embarrassing pause, broken by a _Deus ex
machina_,--the butler announcing that Mr. Bruce had arrived, and was in
the drawing-room.
CHAPTER XI.
"And now thou knowest thy father's will,
All that thy sex hath need to know:
'Twas mine to teach obedience still--
The way to love thy lord may show."
From that dark distant corner I heard a sigh, ending in a nervous
catching of the breath, and then a muttered word unpleasantly like an
oath, as Forrester sprang to his feet.
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