To go to his
secretary, and to find no gold pieces in its cash-drawer; and to his
bank-book, and find no surplus credit there, gave the squire a feeling
of blank amazement and heart-sick perplexity. He felt that such a change
as that might prefigure other changes still more painful and frightsome.
Charlotte inclined to the same opinion as Julius, regarding her
brother's sudden flight to Florence. She concluded that he had felt it
impossible to congratulate his sister, or to simulate any fraternal
regard for Julius; and her knowledge of facts made her read for "sick
friend" "fair friend." It was, indeed, very likely that the beautiful
girl, whose likeness Harry carried so near his heart, had gone to
Florence; and that he had moved heaven and earth to follow her there.
And when his own love-affairs were pressing and important, how was it
likely that he could care for those of Julius and Sophia?
So, at intervals, they wondered a little about Harry's peculiar
movement, and tried hard to find something definite below the surface
words of his short letters. Otherwise, a great peace had settled over
Seat-Sandal. Its hall-doors stood open all day long, and the August
sunshine and the garden scents drifted in with the lights and shadows.
Life had settled down into such simple ways, that it seemed to be always
at rest. The hours went and came, and brought with them their little
measure of duty and pleasure, both so usual and easy, that they took
nothing from the feelings or the strength, and gave an infinite sense of
peace and contentment.
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