Indeed it was her first real peaceful repose since her
flight had been planned, nor did she come down till half-past ten,
just when Mr. Wakefield drove up to the door, and Jock had taken pity
on Allen, and set forth to undertake Sir Samuel for the day. Mr.
Wakefield was the less surprised at the sight of the young lady,
having been somewhat prepared by her telegraphic inquiry about Allen,
which he had not communicated to the Brownlows for fear of raising
false expectations.
There was a great consultation. Elvira was not in the least shy, and
only wanted to be safely Mrs. Allen Brownlow before the Goulds should
arrive, as she expected, in the next steamer to pursue her vi et
armis. If it had depended on her, she would have sent Allen for a
special licence, and been married in her travelling dress that very
day. Mr. Wakefield, solicitor as he was, was quite ready for speed.
He had always viewed the marriage with Allen Brownlow as a simple act
of restitution, and the trust made settlements needless. Still he
did not apprehend any danger from the Goulds, when he found that
Elvira had never written a note to Gilbert in her life. Nay, he
thought that if they even threatened any annoyance, they had given
cause enough to have a prosecution for conspiracy held over them in
wholesome terror.
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