"
"As one has to do most times," said Jock. "Well, I suppose it is
better for one in the end than having it all one's own way. And
Evelyn is a generous fellow, who deserves anything!"
"So, Jock, as we can do Bobus no good, and know besides that nothing
could make it right for his hopes to be fulfilled, we must throw
ourselves into this present affair as Cecil and Essie deserve."
"All right, mother," he said. "There's not stuff in her to be of
much use to Bobus if he had her, besides the other objection. It is
the hope that he will sorely miss, poor old fellow!"
"Ah! if he had a better hope lighted as his guiding star! But we
must not stand talking now, Jock; I must take her to Church quietly
with me."
To Cecil's consternation, his military duties would detain him all
the forenoon of the next day; and before he could have started, the
train that brought John back also brought his father and mother, the
latter far more eager and effusive than her sister-in-law had ever
seen her. "My dear Caroline, I thought you'd excuse my coming, I was
so anxious to see about my little girl, and we'll go to an hotel."
"I'll leave you with her," said Caroline, rushing off in haste, to
let Esther utter her own story as best she might, poor child! Allen
was fortunately in his room, and his mother sprang down to him to
warn him to telegraph to Cecil that Colonel Brownlow was in
Collingwood Street; the fates being evidently determined to spare her
nothing.
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