A minute's sleep might rob her of her joy and declare to
her in the moment of waking that it was all an hallucination. It
was not that he was dearer to her, or that her condition was the
happier, because of his position and wealth; but that the chance of
his inheritance had lifted him so infinitely above her! She thought
of the little room at home which she generally shared with one of
her sisters, of her all too scanty wardrobe, of her daily tasks
about the house, of her stepmother's late severity, and of her
father's cares. Surely he would not hinder her from being good to
them; surely he would let the young girls come to her from time to
time! What an added happiness it would be if he would allow her to
pass on to them some sparks of the prosperity which he was
bestowing on her. And then her thoughts travelled on to poor Larry.
Would he not be more contented now;--now, when he would be certain
that no further frantic efforts could avail him anything. Poor
Larry! Would Reginald permit her to regard him as a friend? And
would he submit to friendly treatment? She could look forward and
see him happy with his wife, the best loved of their neighbours;--
for who was there in the world better than Larry? But she did not
know how two men who had both been her lovers, would allow
themselves to be brought together.
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