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Updated: June 1, 2025
We will serve our Master together, and not death itself can separate us now. One more scene before we leave the four sisters. Nannie is the conspicuous figure in it. She has been brought to Jasmine Cottage, and it is the eve of Elfie's marriage. The girls were gathered round her in the cosy bedroom that had been prepared for her, and they were full of mirth and happiness.
It was true that the room was very close, rather medicinal, and not improved by Miss Gould's perfumes; but there was an alacrity about Elfie's movements, and a vehemence in the manner of her rejection of the said essences, which made her governess not think her case alarming, and she left her to the care of the young cousins, while trying to make up for her incivility by courteously listening to and answering her grandfather, and consuming the tea and sweet-cake.
For a moment Laura stood speechless; then, with a loud cry, she broke down and burst into hysterics: "Elfie! Elfie! Don't go now! Don't leave me now! Don't go!" Her visitor stood hesitating, with one hand on the doorknob. Laura went on: "I can't stand it. I can't be alone. Don't go, please, don't go!" She fell into her friend's arms, sobbing. On the instant Elfie's hardness of demeanor changed.
I granted the request impatiently. Elfie's restless desire to be always doing something, instead of amusing me, as usual, irritated me now. The interest that I had once felt in the charming little creature was all gone. An innocent love was a feeling that was stifled in the poisoned atmosphere of my mind that night. The money I had with me was mostly composed of notes of the Bank of England.
But the next day brought a letter that decided Elfie's fate. She opened it with a grimace at the handwriting. 'Now what does Cousin James want to say to me! Do you think he has heard of our misfortunes? She read on, and her face grew thoughtful. Instead of handing it over to any of her sisters to read, she left the room with it in her hand.
Elfie's only answer was by a look somewhat like that he well remembered on shipboard he had thought was angel-like, a look of gentle sorrowful wistfulness, which she did not venture to put into words. It had not for that the less power. But he did not choose to prolong the conversation.
'Ay, but the lark that rises with his song, and the flowers that turn their faces to the sun, or soft refreshing showers, don't find it difficult to delight themselves in the air and sunshine. I think, Miss Elfie, you are one of the Lord's dear children, are you not? Elfie's face flushed; then sitting down in a low chair, she rested her head against Nannie's knees. 'Yes, she said softly.
She opened her casement, and the fresh spring air fanned her cheeks, and brought her scents of the sweet country round her. She came downstairs to breakfast radiant; not even Elfie's sunny face could eclipse hers. 'It's delicious! she exclaimed; 'I am longing to explore the garden. Is it as well stocked with fruit and vegetables as the advertisement led us to expect?
"Look at that young girl the blonde with white plumes coming this way escorted by the man with the smooth face and gray hair! Surely she is not an habitué of this joint!" The lawyer laughed as he quickly drew Elfie's attention to the new arrivals. "Really, old chap you're so green you're funny! Don't you know who she is? Why that's Laura Murdock the cleverest of them all!"
"I have only to behave quietly," I thought to myself, "and I shall persuade her to go on deck again." My lamp was burning as I had left it; my traveling-bag was on the table. Still holding the child, she stood, pale as death, waiting for me. Elfie's wondering eyes rested inquiringly on my face as I approached them.
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