Elvira's one wish had been to visit San Ildefonso again. She had a
strong yearning towards the lovely island home which she gilded in
recollection with all the trails of glory that shine round the
objects of our childish affections. Lisette always promised to take
her, but found excuses for delay in the refitting of the yacht, while
she kept the party wandering over Europe in the resorts of second-
rate English residents. No doubt she wished to make the most of the
enjoyments she could obtain, as Elvira's chaperon and guardian,
before resigning her even to her brother. At last the gambling
habits into which her husband fell, for lack, poor man, of any other
employment, had alarmed her, and she permitted her party to embark in
the yacht where Gilbert Gould acted as captain.
They reached the island. It had become a coaling station. The bay
where she remembered exquisite groves coming down to the white beach,
was a wharf, ringing with the discordant shouts of negroes and cries
of sailors. The old nurse was dead, and fictitious foster brothers
and sisters were constantly turning up with extravagant claims.
"Oh, I longed never to have come," said Elvira; "and then I began to
get homesick, but they would not let me come!"
No doubt Lisette had feared the revival of the Brownlow influence if
her charge were once in England, for she had raised every obstacle to
a return.
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