But under that blessing,
it was John's steady, faithful strength and care that enabled the
restoration to take place.
"My dear child's loving
"MOTHER CAREY."
CHAPTER XLII. DISENCHANTED.
Whatever page we turn,
However much we learn,
Let there be something left to dream of still.
Longfellow.
It was on a very cold day of the cold spring of 1879 that three
ladies descended at the Liverpool station, escorted by a military-
looking gentleman. He left them standing while he made inquiries,
but his servant had anticipated him. "The steamer has been
signalled, my Lord. It will be in about four o'clock."
"There will be time to go to the hotel and secure rooms," said one
lady.
"Oh, Reeves can do that. Pray let us come down to the docks and see
them come in."
No answer till all four were seated in a fly, rattling through the
street, but on the repetition of "Are we going to the docks?" his
Lordship, with a resolute twirl of his long, light moustache,
replied, "No, Sydney. If you think I am going to have you making a
scene on deck, falling on your husband's breast, and all that sort of
thing, you are much mistaken! I shall lodge you all quietly in the
hotel, and you may wait there, while I go down with Reeves, and
receive them like a rational being.
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