Nichol readily accompanied him, and with the
exception of a tendency to irritation at little things, exhibited
much of the good-natured docility of a child. Martine took him to
a hotel, saw that he had a bath, put him in the hands of a barber,
and then sent for a clothier. When dressed in clean linen and a
dark civilian suit, the appearance of the man was greatly
improved. Hobart had set his teeth, and would entertain no thought
of compromise with his conscience. He would do by Nichol as he
would wish to be done by if their relations were reversed. Helen
should receive no greater shock than was inevitable, nor should
Nichol lose the advantage of appearing before her in the outward
aspect of a gentleman.
Martine then planned his departure so that he would arrive at
Alton in the evening--the evening of the day on which he was to
have been married. He felt that Mr. Kemble should see Nichol first
and hear the strange story; also that the father must break the
news to the daughter, for he could not. It was a terrible journey
to the poor fellow, for during the long hours of inaction he was
compelled to face the probable results of his discovery.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197