Our stay was not prolonged. Before we came away, Mrs H--also invited
us to call again; but I noticed that this invitation, when given, was
not intended to be heard by her husband.
"Little Rose is at school," said she, "and you must come to see her.
She is always talking of you. When she hears that you are in London,
she will be wild to see you."
After our departure, my companion, who already knew my address, gave me
his; and we separated, under a mutual agreement to meet soon again.
There was much, in what had just transpired, that I could not
comprehend.
Why had Cannon not told me that Mr H--and his family were in London,
before taking me to see them? Why had he pretended that he was going to
introduce me to some of his London friends? I could answer these
questions only by supposing, that he believed I would not have
accompanied him, had I known on whom we were about to call.
He might well have believed this--remembering the unceremonious manner
in which I had parted from his friends, at the time we visited them on
the Yarra Yarra. But why should he wish me to visit them again--if he
thought that I had no desire to do so?
This was a question for which I could find no reasonable answer. I felt
certain he must have acted from some motive, but what it was, I could
not surmise. Perhaps I should learn something about it next day, during
the visit I had promised to make to Jessie. She was artless and
confiding; so much so, that I felt certain she would tell me all that
had taken place, since that painful parting on the banks of the Yarra
Yarra.
Long after leaving the house in Saint John's Wood, I found occupation
for my thoughts. I was the victim of reflections, both varied and
vexatious.
By causing us to come together again, Fate seemed to intend the
infliction of a curse, and not the bestowal of a blessing!
I asked myself many questions. Would a further acquaintance with Jessie
subdue within my soul the memories of Lenore? Did I wish that such
should be the case?
Over these questions I pondered long, and painfully--only to find them
unanswered.
Jessie H--was beautiful beyond a doubt. There was a charm in her beauty
that might have won many a heart; and mine had not been in different to
it. There was music in her voice--as it gave utterance to the thoughts
of her pure, artless mind to which I liked to listen. And yet there was
something in my remembrance of Lenore--who had never loved me, and who
could never be mine--sweeter and more enchanting than the music of
Jessie's voice, or the beauty of her person!
Volume Three, Chapter XXV.