"
"Oh, a Sister of Charity! Perhaps the one that nursed me. Admit her, by
all means."
The Sister came in. She had a large veil on. Sir Charles received her
with profound respect, and thanked her, with some little hesitation,
for her kind attention to him. She stopped him by saying that was
merely her duty. "But," said she, softly, "words fell from you, on the
bed of sickness, that touched my heart; and besides I happen to know
the lady."
"You know my Bella!" cried Sir Charles. "Ah, then no wonder you speak
so kindly; you can feel what I have lost. She has left England to avoid
me."
"All the better. Where she is the door cannot be closed in your face.
She is at Baden. Follow her there. She has heard the truth from Mr.
Oldfield, and she knows who wrote the anonymous letter."
"And who did?"
"Mr. Richard Bassett."
This amazed Sir Charles.
"The scoundrel!" said he, after a long silence.
"Well, then, why let that fellow defeat you, for his own ends? I would
go at once to Baden. Your leaving England would be one more proof to
her that she has no rival. Stick to her like a man, sir, and you will
win her, I tell you."
These words from a nun amazed and fired him. He rose from his chair,
flushed with sudden hope and ardor. "I'll leave for Baden to-morrow
morning.
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