It would be pleasant to remain
with Jim and "the little woman," in their new enterprise and their new
house-keeping; but we must return to the city, to follow the fortunes of
one who, if less interesting than those we leave behind, is more
important in the present stage and ultimate resolution of our little
drama.
Soon after Mrs. Dillingham's departure from the city, Mr. Belcher missed
her. Not content with the position in which he had left his affairs with
her, he called at her house three days after her disappearance, and
learned that the servants either did not know or would not tell whither
she had gone. In his blind self-conceit, he could not suppose that she
had run away from him. He could not conclude that she had gone to
Europe, without a word of her purpose breathed to him. Still, even that
was possible. She had hidden somewhere, and he should hear from her. Had
he frightened her? Had he been too precipitate? Much as he endeavored to
explain her sudden disappearance to his own advantage, he was left
unsatisfied and uneasy.
A few days passed away, and then he began to doubt. Thrown back upon
himself, deprived of the solace of her society, and released from a
certain degree of restraint that she had always exercised upon him, he
indulged more freely in drink, and entered with more recklessness upon
the excitements of speculation.
Pages:
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531