Her own people have
betrayed her and you. She has made me promise two things: to find out
who told the admiral, and--"
"Well?"
"The second thing I have to do--Well, that is a secret between me and
that unhappy woman. She is bad enough, but not so heartless as you
think."
Sir Charles shook his head incredulously, but said no more; and soon
after fell asleep.
In the evening he woke, and found the Sister watching.
She now turned her head away from him, and asked him quietly to
describe Miss Bella Bruce to her.
He described her in minute and glowing terms. "But oh, Sister," said
he, "it is not her beauty only, but the beauty of her mind. So gentle,
so modest, so timid, so docile. She would never have had the heart to
turn me off. But she will obey her father. She looked forward to obey
me, sweet dove."
"Did she say so?"
"Yes, that is her dream of happiness, to obey."
The Sister still questioned him with averted head, and he told her what
had passed between Bella and him the last time he saw her, and all
their innocent plans of married happiness. He told her, with the tear
in his eye, and she listened, with the tear in hers. "And then," said
he, laying his hand on her shoulder, "is it not hard? I just went to
Mayfair, not to please myself, but to do an act of justice--of more
than justice; and then, for that, to have her door shut in my face.
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