All nature
dreamed in the peaceful, even fall. On the sea, white sails were
flitting afar, and the swift steamers passed grandly on toward
their distant havens. There was a group gathered in the splendid
gardens of Edgemere as General Wragge gallantly advanced,
The silver-haired veteran graciously surrendered his command, as
he aided his guests to alight. "This is to be 'Bride's Hall,' and
not a 'place of arms'! You are now joint commanders, and so make
the best use of your three days liberty! I give up my sword!"
That night, while Nadine Johnstone sat in a heart exchange
of confidence with Justine Delande and the fair woman--no longer
Berthe Louison--while Flossie Murray was playing hostess with Mrs.
Wragge, General Wragge, Major Hardwicke, Captain Anstruther, and
the now full-fledged Benedict, Eric Murray, gave some pithy parting
counsels to Jack Blunt, "Gentleman Jack," of the London Swell
Mob. "Only a mere fluke, and, our desire to save a family needless
pain, protects you," said Hardwicke. "These five hundred pounds
will enable you to reach America. I venture to advise you to avoid
landing on English soil hereafter! You certainly owe something
to your plucky, dead comrade, who generously lied, even in death,
to save you from transportation!" With a sullen brow, Jack Blunt
departed the next morning on the Granville steamer, and, only when
in the safe hiding of Etienne Garcin's Cor d'Abondance did he dare
to breathe freely.
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