'" Here Blanche paused
for an appreciable moment; and then she added--"Well, I must say, I have
never seen anything so lovely as Mrs. Vivian's influence. I hope mamma
won't be disappointed in it this time."
When Bernard next saw the other two ladies, he said to them that he
was surprised at the way in which clever women incurred moral
responsibilities.
"We like them," said Mrs. Vivian. "We delight in them!"
"Well," said Bernard, "I would n't for the world have it on my
conscience to have reconciled poor Gordon to Mrs. Blanche."
"You are not to say a word against Blanche," Angela declared. "She 's a
little miracle."
"It will be all right, dear Bernard," Mrs. Vivian added, with soft
authority.
"I have taken a great fancy to her," the younger lady went on.
Bernard gave a little laugh.
"Gordon is right in his ultimate opinion. You are very strange!"
"You may abuse me as much as you please; but I will never hear a word
against Mrs. Gordon."
And she never would in future; though it is not recorded that Bernard
availed himself in any special degree of the license offered him in
conjunction with this warning.
Blanche's health within a few days had, according to her own account,
taken a marvellous turn for the better; but her husband appeared still
to think it proper that they should spend the winter beneath a brilliant
sun, and he presently informed his friends that they had at last settled
it between them that a voyage up the Nile must be, for a thoroughly
united couple, a very agreeable pastime.
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