Nothing so connected as this history came to the ears of Mrs.
Brownlow or her children. That evening they only heard fragments,
much more that was utterly irrelevant, and much that was inexplic-
able, all interspersed with inquiries and caresses and intent
listening for Allen. Elvira might not have acquired brains, but she
had gained in sweetness and affection. The face had lost its
soulless, painted-doll expression, and she was evidently happy beyond
all measure to be among those she could love and trust, sitting on a
footstool by Mrs. Brownlow's knee, leaning against her, and now and
then murmuring: "O Mother Carey, how I have longed for you!"
She was not free from the fear that Lisette and Gilbert could still
"do something to her," but the Johns made large assurances of
defence, and Mr. Wakefield was to be called in the next day. It must
be confessed that everybody rather enjoyed the notion of the pair
left at Saratoga with all their hotel bills to pay, and the wedding-
dress on their hands, but Elvira knew they had enough to clear them
for the week, and only hoped it was not enough to enable them to
follow her.
Fragments of all this came out in the course of the evening. Allen
did not come home to dinner, and the other young men left the coast
clear for confidences, which were uttered in the intervals of
listening, till after all her excitement, her landing and her
journey, Elvira was so tired out that she had actually dropped
asleep, with her head on Mother Carey's knee, when his soft weary
step came up the stairs, and perceiving, as he entered, that there
was a hush over the room, he did not speak.
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