Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. II.djvu/191

 least for a few days.

"No one had called during my absence; there was no letter or message left for me, so that I too could say,—

My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.'

They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.'

"Like Job I felt now that—

All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.'

Yea, young children despised me.'

"Still I was anxious to know something about Teleny, for terrors made me afraid on every side. Had he gone off with my mother, and not left the slightest message for me?

"Still, what was he to write?

"If he had remained in town, had I not told him that, whatever his fault might be, I should always forgive him if he sent me back the ring."

"And had he sent it back, could you have pardoned him?"