To the
declaration of her mother that Ellis was doomed by inheritance to
the life of a drunkard, she replied:
"Then he will only the more need my love and care."
Persuasion, appeal, remonstrance, were useless. Then Mr. Birtwell
interposed with authority. Ellis was denied the house and Blanche
forbidden to see him.
This was the condition of affairs at the time Mrs. Birtwell became
so deeply interested in Mr. Ridley and his family. Blanche had
risen, in a measure, above the deep depression of spirits consequent
on the attitude of her parents toward her betrothed husband, and
while showing no change in her feelings toward him seemed content to
wait for what might come. Still, there was something in her manner
that Mrs. Birtwell did not understand, and that occasioned at times
a feeling of doubt and uneasiness.
"Where is Blanche?" asked Mr. Birtwell. It was the evening following
that on which Mr. Ridley bad been taken to the Home for inebriates.
He was sitting at the tea-table with his wife.
"She is in her room," replied Mrs. Birtwell.
"Are you sure?" inquired her husband.
Mrs. Birtwell noticed something in his voice that made her say
quickly:
"Why do you ask?"
"For no particular reason, only she's not down to tea."
Mr. Birtwell's face had grown very serious.
"She'll be along in a few moments," returned Mrs. Birtwell.
But several minutes elapsed, and still she did not make her
appearance.
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