Forbes. Curiosity about that
letter was Miss Monro's torment. What could they have had to write to
each other about? It was a very odd proceeding; although the
Livingstones and Forbeses were distantly related, after the manner of
Scotland. Could it have been that he had offered to Euphemia, after all,
and that her mother had answered; or, possibly, there was a letter from
Effie herself, enclosed. It was a pity for Miss Monro's peace of mind
that she did not ask him straight away. She would then have learnt what
Canon Livingstone had no thought of concealing, that Mrs. Forbes had
written solely to give him some fuller directions about certain charities
than she had had time to think about in the hurry of starting. As it
was, and when, a little later on, she heard him speak of the possibility
of his going himself to Rome, as soon as his term of residence was over,
in time for the Carnival, she gave up her fond project in despair, and
felt very much like a child whose house of bricks had been knocked down
by the unlucky waft of some passing petticoat.
Meanwhile, the entire change of scene brought on the exquisite
refreshment of entire change of thought. Ellinor had not been able so
completely to forget her past life for many years; it was like a renewing
of her youth; cut so suddenly short by the shears of Fate. Ever since
that night, she had had to rouse herself on awakening in the morning into
a full comprehension of the great cause she had for much fear and heavy
grief.
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