"
"Do you like her better than Elvira?"
"Of course I do," most emphatically. "Mamma, she loves Sir Kenneth
of the Leopard as much as I do."
Mrs. Evelyn was satisfied. While Sir Kenneth of the Leopard remained
the object of the young ladies' passion, there was not much fear of
any nonsense that was not innocent and happy.
No news of the bag. Janet was disposed to go back herself or send
Delrio, but Sir James declared this impossible; nor would the Evelyns
consent to disturb the plan of the journey, and disappoint those who
expected them at Engelberg on Saturday by waiting at Paris for
tidings. Janet in vain told herself that she was not under their
control, and tried to remain behind by herself with her maid. They
had a quiet, high-bred decisive way of taking things for granted, and
arranging for her and she found herself unable to resist; but
whenever, in after times, she was unpleasantly reminded of her loss,
she always charged it upon them.
Otherwise the journey was prosperous. Elfie was on the terms of a
saucy pet with the General, and Babie's bright, gentle courtesy and
unselfishness won Mrs. Evelyn's heart, while she and Sydney were as
inseparable as ever.
In fact Sydney had been made free of Jotapata. That celebrated
romance had been going on all these years with the elision of several
generations; because though few members of the family were allowed to
see their twenty-fifth year, it was impossible to squeeze them all
into the crusading times; and besides the reigning favourites must be
treated to an adventure with Coeur de Lion.
Pages:
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470