doration. At parting she accompanies him to the door, and he embraces
her tenderly, and yet one is not repelled. It is the love of the lost
Arcadia--serious and innocent."

Finally, we went with them one morning to the American Chapel in the Rue
de Bern, and they were united in our presence and that of Monsieur, who
was indescribably affected.

After the completion of the ceremony, he presented Monsieur Wash with a
package.

"It's papers as I've had drawd up fur Esmeraldy," he said. "It'll start
you well out in the world, an' after me and mother's gone, there's no
one but you and her to have rest. The Lord--may the Lord bless ye!"

We accompanied them to Havre, and did not leave them until the last
moment. Monsieur was strangely excited, and clung to the hands of his
daughter and son-in-law, talking fast and nervously, and pouring out
messages to be delivered to his distant friends.

"Tell 'em I'd like powerful well to see 'em all, an' I'd have come
only--only things was kinder onconvenient. Sometime, perhaps"--

But here he was obliged to clear his throat, as his voice had become
extremely husky. And, having done this, he added in an undertone:--

"You see, Esmeraldy, I couldn't, because of mother, as I've swore not to
go back on. Wash, he wouldn't go back on you, however high your sperrit
was, an' I can't go back on mother."

The figures of the young couple standing at the side, Monsieur Wash
holding his wife to his breast with one strong arm, were the last we saw
as the ship moved slowly away.

"It is obscurity to which they are returning," I said, half
unconsciously.

"It is love," said Clelie.

The father, who had been standing apart, came back to us, replacing in
his pocket his handkerchief.

"They are young an' likely, you see," said Monsieur, "an' life before
them, an' it's nat'ral as she should have chose Wash, as was young
too, an' sot on her. Lord, it's nat'ral, an' I wouldn't have it no
otherways."

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Esmeralda, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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