"I think," he said, "that
Armine is partly feeling the change from invalidism to ordinary
health. He does not know it, poor fellow; but it is rather hard to
give up being interesting."
Caroline saw the truth of this when Armine showed himself absolutely
nettled at his brothers, on their arrival, pronouncing that he looked
much better—-in fact quite jolly, an insult which he treated with
Christian forgiveness.
Bobus had visited Belforest. His mother had never intended this, and
still less that he should walk direct from the station to Kencroft,
surprising the whole family at luncheon, and taking his seat among
them quite naturally. Thereby he obtained all he had expected or
hoped, for when the meal was over, he was able, though in the
presence of all the family, to take Esther by both hands, and say in
his resolute earnest voice, "Good-bye, my sweet and only love. You
will wait for me, and by-and-by, when I have made you a home, and
people see things differently, I shall come for you," and therewith
he pressed on her burning, blushing, drooping brow four kisses that
felt like fire.
Her mother might fret and her father might fume, but they were as
powerless as the parents of young Lochinvar's bride, and the words of
their protest were scarcely begun when he loosed the girl's hands,
and, turning to her mother, said, "Good-bye, Aunt Ellen.
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