urged these matters on me, I would very likely have spent my life in
indolent enjoyment. Without the one drop of bitter in my cup, in the
sufferings of Jane and Elsie, I never could have felt the
responsibilities of wealth. I should have made a fine picture-gallery
at Cross Hall, and probably acquired a name as a man of good taste, but
the higher objects of life would have been lost sight of."
The farewell address to his constituents was next written and read,
with genuine sorrow on both sides. The farewells at Cross Hall were
taken, and the establishment broke up; but Susan (the housemaid), when
she heard that the master was going to Australia, with the purpose of
marrying Miss Jane, begged to go with Peggy Walker's family, in hopes
of being engaged in the service of the best master and the best
mistress she ever saw. And her request was acceded to.
Next came the journey to London, and the preparations for the voyage,
and the hardest task of all--the parting from the friends and the
objects he had so much at heart there.
He had written a full explanation of his conduct to his coadjutors in
London on his resigning his seat; and, though there was no reproach,
there was a great deal of regret, for there was not another man either
able or willing to take the part which Francis had purposed to hold for
any number of years in which he might be in Parliament.
Chapter XIV.
Meeting
Jane Melville was very much surprised at the extraordinary news that
Elsie wrote to her with regard to Mrs. Peck's revelations to herself
and Mr. Brandon. Though she was quite prepared for a very interesting
letter on their own private affairs, she felt this touch her still more
nearly. She was sorry that Elsie had written to Francis on the subject
without consulting her, and that she had to wait a whole month before
she could assure him that this confession made no difference in her
feeling of regard and affection towards him, or in her pride in his
career, saying that she hoped he was now satisfied that he was the son
of honest and loving parents, though unknown ones; rejoicing that he
had got quit of such a mother as Mrs. Peck; and expressing the pleasure
with which she read his speeches, and her interest in the objects with
which he had in a measure identified himself. She tried to think that
all was with them as before, and that, though no longer his cousin, she
might continue to be his affectionate and sympathizing friend.
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