They started on their long journey across England by rail, and
everything went well till they got into Wales, when Winifred's stupor
seemed to be broken into by the familiar scenery; her wits became
alive again. Then an idea seemed to seize her that she was pursued by
me, as the messenger bearing my dead father's curse. The appearance
of any young man bearing the remotest resemblance to me frightened
her. At last, before they reached Bettws y Coed, she had escaped, and
was lost among the woods. Shales had made every effort to find her,
but without avail, and was compelled at last, by the demands of his
business, to give up the quest. He had returned on the previous
evening, and my mother had enjoined him not to tell me what had been
done, though she seemed much distressed at hearing that Winnie was
lost, and was about to send others into Wales in order to find her,
if possible. Shales, however, had determined to tell me, as the
matter, he said, lay upon his conscience.
On getting this news I went straight home, ordered a portmanteau to
be packed, and placed in it all my ready cash.
Pages:
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253