Over he went headlong to Hillside to insist on seeing her,
but to encounter a succession of stormy scenes. Mrs. Fordyce was
the most resolute, but was ill for a week after. The old Rector was
gentle, and somewhat overawed Griff by his compassion, and by
representations that were only too true; and Parson Frank, with his
tender heart torn to pieces, showed symptoms of yielding another
probation.
The interview with Ellen was granted. She, however, was intrenched
in obedience. She had promised submission to the rupture of her
engagement, and she kept her word,--though she declared that nothing
could hinder her love, and that she would wait patiently till her
lover had proved himself, to everybody's satisfaction, as good and
noble as she knew him to be. When he told her she did not love him
she smiled. She was sure that whatever mistakes there might have
been, he would give no further occasion against himself, and then
every one would see that all had been mere misunderstanding, and
they should be happy again.
Such trust humbled him, and he was ready to make all promises and
resolutions; but he could not obtain the renewal of the engagement,
nor permission to correspond. Only there was wrung out of Parson
Frank a promise that if he could come in two years with a perfectly
unstained, unblotted character, the betrothal might be renewed.
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