He suggested to Mrs. Hudson, in consequence, that she should spend the
autumn in Switzerland, where she would find a fine tonic climate, plenty
of fresh milk, and several pensions at three francs and a half a day.
Switzerland, of course, was not ugly, but one could not have everything.
Mrs. Hudson neither thanked him nor assented; but she wept and packed
her trunks. Rowland had a theory, after the scene which led to these
preparations, that Mary Garland was weary of waiting for Roderick to
come to his senses, that the faith which had bravely borne his manhood
company hitherto, on the tortuous march he was leading it, had begun
to believe it had gone far enough. This theory was not vitiated by
something she said to him on the day before that on which Mrs. Hudson
had arranged to leave Florence.
"Cousin Sarah, the other evening," she said, "asked you to please leave
us. I think she hardly knew what she was saying, and I hope you have not
taken offense."
"By no means; but I honestly believe that my leaving you would
contribute greatly to Mrs. Hudson's comfort. I can be your hidden
providence, you know; I can watch you at a distance, and come upon the
scene at critical moments.
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