The flush of triumph was still upon Mrs. Branston;
and this unexpected victory, brief and sudden in its occurrence, like
most great victories, was almost a consolation to her for that
disappointment which had stricken her so heavily of late.
Adela Branston welcomed her visitor very graciously; but Gilbert had no
time to waste upon small talk, and after a hasty apology for his untimely
intrusion, dashed at once into the question he had come to ask.
"John Saltram was with you yesterday evening, Mrs. Branston," he said.
"Pray tell me the purpose that brought him here, and anything you know of
his plan of action after leaving you."
"I can tell you very little about that. He was going upon a journey he
told me, that evening, immediately indeed; a most important journey; but
he did not tell me where he was going."
"I think I can guess that," said Gilbert. "Did he seem much agitated?"
"No; he was quite calm; but he had a resolute air, like a man who has
some great purpose to achieve. I thought him looking very white and weak,
and told him that I was sure he was too ill to start upon a long journey,
or any journey. I begged him not to go, if it were possible to avoid
going, and used every argument I could think of to persuade him to
abandon the idea of such a thing. But it was all no use.
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