Through Devious Ways, Chapter I-III [pp. 550-564]

~6o T/trougk Devious Ways.
we are near you. He has changed, nity. I went, and received a cordial
Nellie, don't you think?" as his corn- welcome from Mrs. Auvergne, who
panion extended her hand in silence. was all that her brother had described
Then, as I greeted her, a single " wel- her, and more.
come home" fell from her lips, and "So this is Mr. Moray," she said,
that was all. as Fred introduced me. "I have
No change in her. The same pure, heard of you so frequently that I
truthful eyes; the old-time sweetness know you already. And Helen has
in her voice and smil&; the old-time sometimes mentioned you."
charm about her still. As I looked The evening passed pleasantly. As
at her, and heard her speak, I realized we were about leaving, our hostess
how vain had been the delusion that warmly invited me to renew the visit.
prompted me to seek peace and dis- "Come soon, and as often as you
enchantment within the sphere of her like," she said; "we shall be always
influence. Once, during a pause in pleased to see you."
the music, she asked my opinion of Inconsistently enough, I departed
the singer. I must have appeared from my proposed line of conduct in
constrained and awkward; for I have so far as to accept her invitation. It
a half recollection of muttering some was lonely sitting in my bachelor
indistinct answer. I left before the abode those long winter evenin~gs;
peffon~ance was over. I did not care and, after five or six weeks' acquaintto court misery-my present situation ance, I had called so frequently at
was deplorable enough-and I was Mrs. Auvergne's as to feel more at
anxious to get away from Fred's per- home there than anywhere else in
tinacity, which I knew would assert New York. I did not think much of
itself if we went in company from the the future, of the difficulties that must
music-hall. arise when another member of the
Afterward I steadily resisted all so- family should resume her place in the
licitations from Armitage to call at his circle; or, if P did, I was wise or foolsister's; although he often expressed ish enough not to anticipate thern~~
a desire to introduce me. However, Meeting Mr. Auvergne near home
having met him one day in company one evening, he brought me nolens
with his brother-in-law, I promised vofrns in to tea. We found his wife
the latter gentleman to call at his resi- in the parlor, with her three charming
dence. Not to have done so would little girls, who had become great
have made my conduct appear eccen- friends of mine, and who knew me
tric and ridiculous. About dusk the under the title of "Uncle Fred's
next evening Fred came in. brother."
"Come to Auvergne's with me to- "Something for you, Laura," said
night," he said. "Walter has gone Paterfamilias, as he threw a letter into
to Baltimore on business, and Helen her lap.
with him. She intends spending the "From Helen, is it not?"
winter with some relatives there. "Yes; excuse me, Mr. Moray, while
Laura is alone, and may be we could I glance over it. I always give Hed~eer her up. I am sorry Walter and len's letters two or three readings.
Nellie are absent; but you'll get ac- She is growing quite dissipated.`I
quainted with the best little woman in have been to three parties this week,'
the world." she writes;`mud~ against my incli There was no help for it. The pre- nation, you will imagine. But Maud
sent, too, afforded the best opportu- and Alice lead such gay lives that