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Their mother had died some years previously, leaving them to the care of their father, Hosmer DeVere, at one time a talented actor in the legitimate drama. But a throat affection forced him to give up his acting and, at the opening scene in the first volume, we find him and his daughters in rather straitened circumstances, living in a second-rate apartment house in New York.
"Oh, an amusing incident that occurred last night. I happened to see a part, and easily drew the rest out of Mr. Frazer by adroit questioning, for, I assure you, it made me curious." Mr. Frazer was the purser, and the one who had stood talking with Captain Hosmer when Hope ran out to him, the night before. "What is it?" asked both girls in a breath, and the traveler added, with a laugh,
She had clasped her hands spasmodically together, at Grégoire’s words, trembling with horror of what must be their meaning. “May be he arrested him,” suggested the girl. “I hope so. Come; let’s go to bed: there’s no use staying out here in the cold and dark.” Hosmer had left the sitting-room door open, and Thérèse entered.
She felt what capability lay within her of rousing the man to new interests in life. She pictured the dawn of an unsuspected happiness coming to him: broadening; illuminating; growing in him to answer to her own big-heartedness. Were Fanny, and her own prejudices, worth the sacrifice which she and Hosmer had made?
First of all Mom has capitulated, which word means she couldn't stand the strain any longer, worrying so about Matilda going hungry for lack of sewing to do to earn food for the three of them. So she and some of the other ladies sent out a bundle, and I've got another down at the door right now, to carry over to the Hosmer cottage."
Lafirme, during their short conversation, had deplored her inability to procure more than two servants for her; and Fanny could not understand why it should require so many to do the work which at home was accomplished by one. But she was tired very tired, and early sought her bed, and Hosmer went in quest of his sister whom he had not yet seen.
The party broke up at a late hour, though the Duplans had a long distance to go, and, moreover, had to cross the high and turbid river to reach their carriage which had been left on the opposite bank, owing to the difficulty of the crossing. Mr. Duplan took occasion of a moment aside to whisper to Hosmer with the air of a connoisseur, “fine woman that Mrs. Worthington of yours.”
Now, if he had borrowed my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, there might be some reason; but Hosmer was very independent about money, and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet what could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh! it drives me half mad to think of, and I can't sleep a wink at night."
He was in present negotiation with a person who wanted to rent the house, furnished; and just as soon as he could arrange a few business details, and Fanny could gather such belongings as she wished to take with her they would go. “You seem mighty struck on Dave Hosmer, all of a sudden,” remarked Mrs.
Pardon me for dragging it to such a length. I don’t see why I should have told it after all.” Thérèse had remained perfectly silent; rigid at times, listening to Hosmer often with closed eyes. He waited for her to speak, but she said nothing for a while till finally: “Your your wife is still quite young do her parents live with her?” “Oh no, she has none. I suppose she lives alone.”
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