His behavior had been somewhat remarkable, and the hope that time would
explain it had not been realized at the end of August.
About three weeks before Sophia's marriage, Harry suddenly wrote to say
that he had obtained a three months' furlough, in order to go to Italy
with a sick friend. This letter, so utterly unexpected, caused some
heart-burning and disappointment. Sophia had calculated upon Harry's
fine appearance and splendid uniform as a distinct addition to her
wedding spectacle. She also felt that the whole neighborhood would be
speculating upon the cause of his absence, and very likely infer from it
that he disapproved of Julius; and the bare suspicion of such a slight
made her indignant.
Julius considered this to be the true state of the case, though he
promised himself "to find out all about Mr. Harry's affairs" as soon as
he had the leisure and opportunity.
"The idea of Harry going as sick-nurse with any friend or comrade is
absurd, Sophia. However, we can easily take Florence into our
wedding-trip, only we must not let Charlotte know of our intention.
Charlotte is against us, Sophia; and you may depend upon it, Harry meant
to insult us by his absence."
Insult or not to the bride and bridegroom, it was a great disappointment
to Mrs. Sandal. To see, to speak to Harry was always a sure delight to
her. The squire loved and yet feared his visits. Harry always needed
money; and lately his father had begun to understand, and for the first
time in his life, what a many-sided need it was.
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