The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 92: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE EVIL GENIUS. 81 Mrs. Linley’s resolution flashed on him in her weary eyes—the eyes which, by day and night alike, had known so little rest. She rang for her maid. ‘‘ Tell your master I want to speak to him.” The woman answered, ‘‘ My master has gone out.” The doctor watched the mother’s face. No sign of hesitation appeared in it—the one thought in her mind now was the thought of the child. She called the maid back. ‘Order thx. carriage.” ‘‘ At what time do you want it, ma’am?”’ ‘At once!” ‘ CHAPTER XVII. THE HUSBAND. Mrs. LINLEY’S first impulse in ordering the carriage was to use it herself. One look at the child reminded her that her freedom of action began and ended at the bedside. Two hours at least must elapse before Sydney Westerfield could be brought back to Mount Morven; the bare thought of what might happen in that interval, if she was absent, filled the mother with horror. She wrote to Mrs. MacEdwin, and sent her maid wth the letter. Of the result of this proceeding it was not possible to entertain a doubt. Sydney’s love for Kitty would hesitate at no sacrifice; and Mrs. MacEdwin’sconduct had already answered for her. She had received the governess with the utmost kindness, and she had generously and delicately refrained from asking any ques- tions. But one person at Mount Morven thought it necessary to investigate the motives under which she had acted. Mrs. Presty’s inquiring mind arrived at discoveries; and Mrs. Presty’s sense of duty communicated them to her daughter. ‘‘There can be no sort of doubt, Catherine, that our good friend and neighbor has heard, probably from the servants, of what has happened; and (having her husband to consider—men are so weak!) has drawn her own conclusions. If she trusts our fascinating governess, it’s because she knows that Miss Wester: field’s affections are left behind her in this house. Does my ex- planation satisfy you ?” Mrs. Linley said, ‘‘ Never let me hear it again!” And Mrs, Presty answered, ‘‘ How very ungrateful!” The dreary interval of expectation, after the departure of the Calriage, was brightened by a domestic event. Thinking it possible that Mrs. Presty might know why her husband had left the house, Mrs. Linley went to ask for informa- tion. The message in reply informed her that Linley had re- ceived a telegram announcing Randal’s return from London. He had gone to the railway station to meet his brother. Before she went down-stairs to welcome Randal, Mrs. Linley paused to consider her situation. The one alternative before her was to acknowledge at the earliest opportunity that she had assumed the serious responsibility of sending for Sydney Wes- terfield. For the first time in her life Catherine Linley found COMNICLO© Ss (CE) mn