About three weeks before Sophia’s marriage, Harry suddenly wrote to say that he had obtained a three months’ furlough, in order to go to Italy with a sick friend.  This letter, so utterly unexpected, caused some heart-burning and disappointment.  Sophia had calculated upon Harry’s fine appearance and splendid uniform as a distinct addition to her wedding spectacle.  She also felt that the whole neighborhood would be speculating upon the cause of his absence, and very likely infer from it that he disapproved of Julius; and the bare suspicion of such a slight made her indignant.

Julius considered this to be the true state of the case, though he promised himself “to find out all about Mr. Harry’s affairs” as soon as he had the leisure and opportunity.

“The idea of Harry going as sick-nurse with any friend or comrade is absurd, Sophia.  However, we can easily take Florence into our wedding-trip, only we must not let Charlotte know of our intention.  Charlotte is against us, Sophia; and you may depend upon it, Harry meant to insult us by his absence.”

Insult or not to the bride and bridegroom, it was a great disappointment to Mrs. Sandal.  To see, to speak to Harry was always a sure delight to her.  The squire loved and yet feared his visits.  Harry always needed money; and lately his father had begun to understand, and for the first time in his life, what a many-sided need it was.  To go to his secretary, and to find no gold pieces in its cash-drawer; and to his bank-book, and find no surplus credit there, gave the squire a feeling of blank amazement and heart-sick perplexity.  He felt that such a change as that might prefigure other changes still more painful and frightsome.

Charlotte inclined to the same opinion as Julius, regarding her brother’s sudden flight to Florence.  She concluded that he had felt it impossible to congratulate his sister, or to simulate any fraternal regard for Julius; and her knowledge of facts made her read for “sick friend” “fair friend.”  It was, indeed, very likely that the beautiful girl, whose likeness Harry carried so near his heart, had gone to Florence; and that he had moved heaven and earth to follow her there.  And when his own love-affairs were pressing and important, how was it likely that he could care for those of Julius and Sophia?

So, at intervals, they wondered a little about Harry’s peculiar movement, and tried hard to find something definite below the surface words of his short letters.  Otherwise, a great peace had settled over Seat-Sandal.  Its hall-doors stood open all day long, and the August sunshine and the garden scents drifted in with the lights and shadows.  Life had settled down into such simple ways, that it seemed to be always at rest.  The hours went and came, and brought with them their little measure of duty and pleasure, both so usual and easy, that they took nothing from the feelings or the strength, and gave an infinite sense of peace and contentment.