She talked of waiting for her husband's consent; but she
will scarcely do that when she knows her grandfather's precarious state.
I shall go to Queen Anne's Court after I leave you, to ascertain if there
has been any letter from her to announce her coming. She is a complete
stranger in London, and may be embarrassed if she arrives at the station
alone. But I should imagine her husband would meet her there supposing
him to be in town."
Mr. Fenton stayed with his friend about an hour after this; but John
Saltram was not in a communicative mood to-night, and the talk lagged
wearily. It was almost a relief to Gilbert when they had bidden each
other good-night, and he was out in the noisy streets once more, making
his way towards Queen Anne's Court.
CHAPTER XX.
DRIFTING AWAY.
Gilbert Fenton found Jacob Nowell worse; so much worse, that he had been
obliged to take to his bed, and was lying in a dull shabby room upstairs,
faintly lighted by one tallow candle on the mantelpiece. Marian was there
when Gilbert went in. She had arrived a couple of hours before, and had
taken her place at once by the sick-bed. Her bonnet and shawl were thrown
carelessly upon a dilapidated couch by the window. Gilbert fancied she
looked like a ministering angel as she sat by the bed, her soft brown
hair falling loosely round the lovely face, her countenance almost divine
in its expression of tenderness and pity.
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