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Page 39
The Doctor looked inquiringly, but Sir Horace said no more. At last he
went up to the Doctor, and asked if Helen was expecting the arrival of
the miniature? Dr. Sherman replied, she knew it was safe, but was
quite uncertain when it might arrive.
"Then my dear sir, would you trust me with it till to-morrow morning?
when I will restore it at an early hour," I would not ask, but for
very particular reasons, connected it may be, of much moment to that
dear girl: if as I strongly suspect, I have seen that miniature
before, there is a secret and very minute spring, which I could not
well ascertain without my glasses. Believe me, my dear Doctor, I have
very cogent reasons for my request, and I feel no common interest in
Miss Willoughby: but we are attracting the notice of those people I am
staying with, who are not at all friendly disposed towards her; in
fact, they have done all in their power to prejudice me against her.
The Doctor marvelled much at the request; but readily acceeded to
it--and then both he and Sir Horace Mortimer, joined in the general
conversation.
When the little party broke up, Sir Horace Mortimer undertook to be
Helen's escort, and offered her his arm. Miss Falkner having come with
him, quietly took the other. When they reached Helen's abode, which
was in the way to Falkner Villa, at parting, Sir Horace requested
permission to call and see her at an hour he named next day, and she
promised to be ready.
"Will you send your young brother for me? I have heard much of him;
and must make his acquaintance."
"Oh," said Miss Falkner, "we are going to call at the cottage
to-morrow, and I will be your guide. We have long been intending to
pay a visit to Miss Willoughby, mamma is anxious to apologize for some
little misunderstanding." Helen tried to speak, but her words could
find no utterance, in reply to the impertinent speech of Miss Falkner,
but shaking Sir Horace warmly by the hand, she bowed and went into her
home.
At breakfast Miss Falkner told her mother, that as Sir Horace
Mortimer, had made an appointment to visit Miss Willoughby; they could
avail themselves of his escort, and go with him. This I beg leave to
say, though apparently the thought of the moment, was a _preconcerted_
proposition: but one which Sir Horace declared impossible! as he had
particular business with Miss Willoughby, at which none but Dr.
Sherman, and Mrs. Cameron could be present. This was spoken so
decidedly, that no further opposition was made to his wish to go
alone.
But both mother and daughters were sadly puzzled. Conjecture was rife
among them the whole morning: at last they came to the conclusion that
he had made up his mind to propose for Helen--it must be so, else why
Dr. Sherman and Mrs. Cameron present?--this point, therefore, was
settled--at least with the Falkners, of her acceptance of him, a rich
East Indian, oh there could be no doubt of that. And the elder Miss
Falkner could breathe again, since she was free to captivate Mr.
George Mortimer, with whom she was desperately in love. Thus do vain
and silly people jump at conclusions and thus is half the business of
a country town, or village, settled without any concurrence, or even
knowledge of those most concerned.
The request of Sir Horace Mortimer set Helen wondering, and certainly
deprived her of some hours sleep. His peculiar manner and his ardent
gaze, too, recurred to her mind, as she lay thinking on the subject.
She was completely puzzled, he was a perfect stranger whom she had
never before seen, nor he her, what could it mean? Would not some have
concluded he was in love with her, but a man old enough to be her
father! Such an idea never entered her head: in fact she could make no
probable guess, so she determined to make a virtue of necessity, and
wait quietly, till he came. Early the next day, she sent for Mrs.
Cameron, and told her of the appointment Sir Horace had made, and as
she thought it more than probable, the Falkners might accompany him,
as they spoke of doing so over night, she wished her friend to be with
her. But we have already seen that Sir Horace had decidedly expressed
his determination to go alone. Mrs. Cameron was equally perplexed with
Helen, as to his object. She thought perhaps he had mistaken Helen's
likeness, to some one he was attached to in his early years, and
applying her favorite well-founded maxim and belief in an over-ruling
Providence, made up her mind, that however the mistake might be; it
would end in the orphans finding a sincere friend in the Baronet or
the rich Nabob, as the people termed him.
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