"
That was in the main all that could be extracted from Elvira, though
it was brought out again and again in all sorts of forms. It was
plain that Janet had been very reticent in all that regarded herself,
and Elvira had only had stolen interviews, very full of her own
affairs, and, besides, had supposed Janet to intend to return with
her. Both wrote; Elfie, to announce her safety, and Caroline, an
incoherent, imploring, forgiving letter, such as only a mother could
write, before they went out to supply Elvira's lack of garments, and
to procure the order for the sum needed for her passage. Caroline
was glad they had gone independently, for, on their return, Babie
reported to her that her little Ladyship was so wroth with Elfie as
to wonder at them for receiving her so affectionately. It was very
forgiving of them, but she should never forget the way in which poor
Allen had been treated.
"I told her," said Babie, "that was the way she talked about Cecil,
and you should have seen her face." She wonders that Allen has not
more spirit, and indeed, mother, I do rather wish Elfie could have
come back with nothing but her little bag, so that he could have
shown it would have been all the same."
"A comfortable life they would have had, poor things, in that case,"
laughed her mother, "though I agree that it would have been prettier.
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