The Soldier's Wife — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. extremity of France hundreds of miles away ; and thus there was every reason to induce the Lonsdales to fix themselves where they had first set their feet on the French shore. A néat, comfortable, and convenient house ‘was taken at a very low rent, everything being excessively cheap in France at the time of which we are writing—namely, the close of the year 1834. Sixty or seventy pounds furnished the house comfortably ; and they took possession of their new abode. It wasa happy day for them when they just established themselves in the domicile they had fitted up in the town of Ca- lais; for they had everything to cheer them. and nothing to throw a damp upon their spirits or make them dread to look into the future. There was not even now the one subject of ap- prehension to arise like a cloud in the midst of the otherwise clear heaven of their happiness ; but that heaven was altogether cloudless now! Lonsdale had some circulars printed and dis- tributed ; and these soon produced their elfect. Ife retained the name of Robinson,—not_ be- cause his sense of security was complete,—but because he naturally wished to destroy as much as he could, the possibility that his identifica- tion with the deserter Lonsdale should be even suspected, lest it might injure him in his pro- fessional avocations. Pupils crowded in upon bim; and in the course of a few weeks he had as many as he could accommodate. The school was now larger than it had been in Finsbury ; and although his terms were lower, yet consi- deripg the number of his scholars and the cheap- ness of the country in which he was living, his profits were not diminished. 50 soon as they were thus comfortably set- tled, Lucy reminded Frederick of his promise that she should be allowed to write to her fa- ther; and he at once besought her to do so. she asked him whether any concealment need be practised in respect to their place of abode, and whether he would advise that the letters should be dispatched elsewhere to be posted ! ifer husband at once declared that he saw no reason for any such reserve, as the utmost in- jury which Mr. ‘Davis could now do him, would be to take measures to spread a report in Calais who he really was: but he did not for a mo- ment apprehend that Lucy’s father would mani- fest any such petty spite towards him; or even ii he still felt bitter, would incur the trou- ble and expense of such a vindictive proceed- ing. Luey accordingly penned the following letter :— “Calais, December 17th, 1834. “My dear father, “ After so long an interval of silence, it may he that the sight of my handwriting will not prove altogether unwelcome to you. In this hope at least do Itake up my pen. You wil perceive that we are settled in Calais, where I ain happy to inform you that through the —— der my dutiful regards acceptable. And now, dear father, may I entreat that you will pen me a few lies in acknowledgment of this letter, and to convince me that with the lapse of time you have learned to think less harshly, lesa severely of your daughter? It would be an infinite source of joy to receive sich an assur- ance from you. Do not therefoie, I conjure you, treat this letter with silence: but pray et me hear from you, if it be only a single line at your earliest convenience. ‘This, dear fa- ther, 1s close upon the Christmas season of the year—a period when animosities sbould. be smoothed and conciliatory feelings should su- persede them. Can you not—will you not, show that you appreciate the truth of this in respect to my husband?—for 1 is with pride and satisfaction that I can assure you, dear father, he has proved a most kind, a most lov- ing, and a most affectionate husband to me, and also a fond parent towards our child. “Trusting, therefore, that you will answer mein a strain which will fill my heart with rejoicing, I subscribe myself, dear father, “Your very affectionate daughter, ett vex. “P.S. Have the kindness to address me as Mrs. Robinson; for on account of reasons to which I need not more particularly allude, we are known in Calais by that name.” Lucy showed this letter to her husband, who approved of the tone in which it was written: and a fond caress testified the gratitude he felt for the manner in which his beloved wife ha‘ alluded to himself. The letter was duly posted ; and Lucy, calculating how many days must elapse ere she would receive a reply, buoyed herself up with the hope that at least by Christmas Day the wished-for response would arrive; and she could searcely think so exceed- ingly ill of her father, notwithstanding his past couduct, as to suppose that he would refuse to address her in a strain of kindness. A day or two atter the letter had been de- spateched, a whispered rumour reached Frede- rick’s ears that an English gentleman and his wite, who had recently arrived in Calais, and who passed by the name of Seagrave, were en- during the bitterest privations in the one room which served as their lodging; and that being unable to pay their rent, they even stood the chance of being expelled from that last refuge of their destitution. The generous hearts of Frederick and Lucy were immediately touched by this report; and they resolved to go te- gether and visit the distressed couple. It was evenlng when the circumstances were men- tioned to them; and they lost no time in set- ting out upon tkeir expedition of charity. The weather was pretty cold: a strong north-west- erly wind, blowing from the sea, swept through the streets of Calais like a hurricane; and the noble industry of my excellent and well-beloved| lamps suspended to the cords stretching across husband, our prospects are most flattering. The intelligence has reached me that you are|that are rung violently. married, my dear father; and in the sincere hope that this alliance is contributing to your happiness, do I offer you my congratulations. ‘ e : ‘ ; . To my mother-inlaw [ hope that you will ren- the thoroughfares, swayed to and fro like bells As Frederick and Luey drew their ample cloaks all the more closely around them, they experienced a still deeper interest in the couple whom they were about to visit; for the reflection was naturally (EO) CONNICLOOOKS