Only he could not quite understand this idea of Mr.
Bellairs'.

He could imagine anybody, even Percy, being so far carried away by Lucia's beauty as to forget prudence for the moment; but he could not help but feel that it was improbable that Percy would have gone so far as to propose to Lucia unless he were sure she would say yes.

Why, then, had she not said yes?
Next morning the last farewells had to be said--the last look taken at the old home.

Night found father and son far on their way to New York, and Maurice's eagerness all renewed by this fresh start upon his quest.
There was little of novelty in the journey or the voyage.

There were the usual incidents of winter travelling--the hot, stifling car--the snowy country stretching out mile after mile from morning till night--the hotels, which seemed strangely comfortless for an invalid--and then the great city with its noise and bustle, and the steamer where they had nothing to do but to wait.
And, at last, there was England.