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By degrees the episode with Edmond Willowes seemed but a fevered dream, and as the months grew to years Lord Uplandtowers' friendship with the people at Chene which had somewhat cooled after Barbara's elopement revived considerably, and he again became a frequent visitor there.
Lord Uplandtowers, though not yet thirty, had chuckled like a caustic fogey of threescore when he heard of Barbara's terror and flight at her husband's return, and of the latter's prompt departure. He felt pretty sure, however, that Willowes, despite his hurt feelings, would have reappeared to claim his bright-eyed property if he had been alive at the end of the twelve months.
In three or four days a rather shabby post-chaise drew up at the door of Chene Manor-house, at sound of which the tender-hearted baronet and his wife ran out as if to welcome a prince and princess of the blood. They were overjoyed to see their spoilt child return safe and sound though she was only Mrs. Willowes, wife of Edmond Willowes of nowhere.
The house is small and out of the way; but it will do for a young couple for a while. 'If 'twere no bigger than a summer-house it would do! says Barbara. 'If 'twere no bigger than a sedan-chair! says Willowes. 'And the more lonely the better. 'We can put up with the loneliness, said Barbara, with less zest. 'Some friends will come, no doubt.
Every moment she dreaded to hear footsteps which she ought by law to have longed for, and a voice that should have been as music to her soul. But Edmond Willowes came not that way. The nights were getting short at this season, and soon the dawn appeared, and the first rays of the sun. By daylight she had less fear than in the dark.
The mutilated features of Willowes had disappeared from her mind's eye; this perfect being was really the man she had loved, and not that later pitiable figure; in whom love and truth should have seen this image always, but had not done so. It was not till Lord Uplandtowers said roughly, 'Are you going to stay here all the morning worshipping him? that she roused herself.
Few persons had lost their lives, owing to the superhuman exertions of some of the audience in getting out the senseless sufferers; and, among them all, he who had risked his own life the most heroically was Mr. Willowes. In re-entering for the fifth time to save his fellow- creatures some fiery beams had fallen upon him, and he had been given up for lost.
He said at length, 'I fear 'tis Edmond Willowes. 'Who's he? 'By G that's bad mighty bad! said Lord Uplandtowers, throwing himself back in the chaise in frigid despair. They despatched emissaries in all directions; one by the Melchester Road, another by Shottsford-Forum, another coastwards.
Lord Uplandtowers knew now where the statue of young Willowes was. One night, or rather in the smallest hours of the morning, he missed the Countess from his side. Not being a man of nervous imaginings he fell asleep again before he had much considered the matter, and the next morning had forgotten the incident. But a few nights later the same circumstances occurred.
Still less did she say that she felt a certain strangeness in awaiting him, the weeks they had lived together having been so short by comparison with the length of his absence. Slowly drew on the time when Willowes found himself well enough to come home. He landed at Southampton, and posted thence towards Yewsholt.
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