" Ernest was little likely to do
this, so the pair went in peace. I believe it was Bill who had blacked
her eye, and she liked him all the better for it.
From one or two little things I have been able to gather that the
couple got on very well together, and that in Bill she has found a
partner better suited to her than either John or Ernest. On his
birthday Ernest generally receives an envelope with an American
postmark containing a bookmarker with a flaunting text upon it, or a
moral kettle-holder, or some other similar small token of recognition,
but no letter. Of the children she has taken no notice.
CHAPTER LXXVIII
ERNEST was now well turned twenty-six years old, and in little
more than another year and a half would come into possession of his
money. I saw no reason for letting him have it earlier than the date
fixed by Miss Pontifex herself, at the same time I did not like his
continuing the shop at Blackfriars after the present crisis. It was
not till now that I fully understood how much he had suffered, nor how
nearly his supposed wife's habits had brought him to actual want.
I had indeed noted the old, wan, worn look settling upon his face,
but was either too indolent or too hopeless of being able to sustain a
protracted and successful warfare with Ellen to extend the sympathy
and make the enquiries which I suppose I ought to have made.
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