He never lost the hope of meeting her again, and from time to time he
renewed his search for her, though all uselessly--he studied the daily
papers with an almost morbid anxiety lest he should see the notice of
her death--and he would even await each post with a heart beating more
rapidly than usual, in case there should be some letter from her,
imploring forgiveness, explaining everything, and summoning him once
more to her side. He found a true and keenly sympathizing friend in Sir
Philip, to whom he became profoundly attached,--to satisfy his wishes,
to forward his interests, to attend to his affairs with punctilious
exactitude--all this gave Neville the supremest happiness. He felt some
slight doubt and anxiety, when he first received the sudden announcement
of his patron's marriage,--but all forebodings as to the character and
disposition of the new Lady Bruce-Errington fled like mist before
sunshine, when he saw Thelma's fair face and felt her friendly
hand-clasp.
Every morning on her way to the breakfast-room, she would look in at the
door of his little study, which adjoined the library, and he learned to
watch for the first glimmer of her dress, and to listen for her bright
"Good morning, Mr.
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