But if he gained favour with his fellows, there was another
quarter, one which had become even more vital to him, in which he
lost it. Ettie Shafter's father would have nothing more to do
with him, nor would he allow him to enter the house. Ettie
herself was too deeply in love to give him up altogether, and yet
her own good sense warned her of what would come from a marriage
with a man who was regarded as a criminal.
One morning after a sleepless night she determined to see him,
possibly for the last time, and make one strong endeavour to draw
him from those evil influences which were sucking him down. She
went to his house, as he had often begged her to do, and made her
way into the room which he used as his sitting-room. He was
seated at a table, with his back turned and a letter in front of
him. A sudden spirit of girlish mischief came over her--she was
still only nineteen. He had not heard her when she pushed open
the door. Now she tiptoed forward and laid her hand lightly upon
his bended shoulders.
If she had expected to startle him, she certainly succeeded; but
only in turn to be startled herself.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235