"And remain with us for the winter?"
"If you shall continue to wish it, and if I can find a builder,
decorator, and upholsterer whom I can send down to Brudenell Hall, to
make the improvements, and whom I can trust to carry out my ideas."
The lady's heart leaped for joy! It was all right then! he was willing
to leave the neighborhood! he had no particular attractions here! his
affections were not involved! his acquaintance with that girl had been
only a piece of transient folly, of which he was probably sick and
tired! These were her thoughts as she thanked her son for his ready
acquiescence in her wishes.
Meanwhile what were his purposes? To conciliate his mother by every
concession except one! To let her depart from his house with the best
feelings towards himself! then to write to her and announce his
marriage; plead his great love as its excuse, and implore her
forgiveness; then to keep his word and go to Washington, taking Nora
with him, and remain in the capital for the winter if his mother should
still desire him to do so.
A few moments longer the mother and son remained in the drawing room
before separating for the night--Mrs. Brudenell seated on her sofa and
Herman walking slowly up and down the floor. Then the lady arose to
retire, and Herman lighted a bedroom candle and put it in her hand.
When she had bidden him good night and left the room, he resumed his
slow and thoughtful walk. It was very late, and Jovial opened the door
for the purpose of entering and putting out the lights; but seeing his
master still walking up and down the floor, he retired, and sat yawning
while he waited in the hall without.
The clock upon the mantel-piece struck one, and Herman Brudenell lighted
his own candle to retire, when his steps were arrested by a sound--a
common one enough at other hours and places, only unprecedented at that
hour and in that place. It was the roll of carriage wheels upon the
drive approaching the house.
Who could possibly be coming to this remote country mansion at one
o'clock at night? While Herman Brudenell paused in expectancy, taper in
hand, Jovial once more opened the door and looked in.
"Jovial, is that the sound of carriage wheels, or do I only fancy so?"
asked the young man, "Carriage wheels, marser, coming right to de house, too!" answered the
negro.
"Who on earth can be coming here at this hour of the night? We have not
an acquaintance intimate enough with us to take such a liberty. And it
cannot be a belated traveler, for we are miles from any public road."