The arrival of a
carriage with the stately subject of his deliberations, who from her
elaborate costume had seemingly been to some kettledrum or private
reception, speedily put an end to his doubts. As the door opened to
admit her, I saw him cast one look at her heavily draped person, with
its snowy opera-cloak drawn tightly over the sweeping folds of her
maize colored silk, and shrink back with what sounded like a sigh of
anger or distrust, and without waiting for the closing of the door
upon her, turn toward home with a step that hesitated no longer.
The fourth day to my infinite chagrin, I was sick and could not go
with him. All I could do was to wrap myself in blankets and sit in my
window from which I had the satisfaction of viewing him start as I
supposed upon his usual course. The rest of the day was employed in a
long, dull waiting for his return, only relieved by casual glimpses
of Mrs. Daniels' troubled face as she appeared at one window or
another of the old-fashioned mansion before me. She seemed, too, to
be unusually restless, opening the windows and looking out with
forlorn cranings of her neck as if she too were watching for her
master. Indeed I have no doubt from what I afterwards learned, that
she was in a state of constant suspense during these days.
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