But the captain, with a glance at his daughters, said lightly,
"And nothing for me?"
"I think she hoped to see you, Captain, but doubtless her letter
explains everything. Did you know the old Madam is dead?"
"No! You don't say so. And is that why Lord Duncan--"
The Traveler shook his head. "I am a good deal in the dark about the
particulars, but I learned something of the drift of affairs from the
husband's own lips. I know he repented deeply of yielding such
implicit obedience to that proud old woman's wishes. But she ruled all
of her kin with a rod of iron. And to such a nature as Lady Moreham's
the constant restraint, the sarcastic comments, and the vigilant
training to which she was subjected, must have been terribly irksome.
I can at least vaguely understand it, and I have her permission to ask
you for her side of the affair."
"Yes," assented the captain. "Well, well I am glad the embargo is
removed. It was that separation that the old dame insisted upon, which
broke her heart. It was bad enough to be so completely cut off from
all her own family, but when her husband, himself, consented that she
should be banished for a season, to be properly molded and made over by
Mrs. Poinsett, while he traveled in foreign lands, it was the last
hold. She never could grip her anchor to any faith in God or man, for
a time, and I think she hated everybody--at any rate everybody in the
aristocracy."
"And we thought her proud of her rank!" murmured Faith.
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