And by morning he knew that it would be a surrender of himself to
his lower nature, and the evil spirit behind it; while, by facing
the worst that could befall him, he would be falling into the hand
of the Lord.
CHAPTER XXIV--AFTER THE TEMPEST
'Nor deem the irrevocable past
As wholly wasted, wholly vain,
If rising on its wrecks at last
To something nobler we attain.'
LONGFELLOW.
All the rest of the family were out, and I was relieved by being
alone with my distress, not forced to hide it, when the door opened
and 'Mr. Castleford' was announced. After one moment's look at me,
one touch of my hand, he must have seen that I was faint with
anxiety, and said, 'It is all right, Edward; I see you know all. I
am come from Bristol to tell your father that he may be proud of his
son Clarence.'
I don't know what I did. Perhaps I sobbed and cried, but the first
words I could get out were, 'Does he know? Oh! it may be too late.
He may be gone off to sea!' I cried, breaking out with my chief
fear. Mr. Castleford looked astounded, then said, 'I trust not. I
sent off a special messenger last night, as soon as I saw my way--'
Then I breathed a little more freely, and could understand what he
was telling me, namely, that Tooke had accused Clarence of
abstracting 20 pounds from the sum in his charge. The fellow
accounted for it by explaining that young Winslow had been paying
extravagant bills at a tavern, where the barmaid showed his
presents, and boasted of her conquest.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216