She will tell you a piteous story of how she has been
entrapped and carried off from home, if you will listen to her. You
had better not; it only encourages her unfortunate delusion."
Mrs. Oleander shrugged her broad shoulders. She was an old woman of
strong mind and iron resolution, and nothing in the way of heart to
speak of. Her accomplished son took after her in these admirable
qualities.
"I have other fish to fry than listening to the empty babble of a
maniac. By the bye, what did you say her name was?"
"Miss Dane," responded the doctor, after a slight pause.
He knew he might as well tell the truth about it, or Mollie herself
would for him.
"And she is a relative of Blanche's husband?"
"A very near though unacknowledged relation. And now, mother mine, I'll
take my supper and turn in if you'll permit me. I've had a very long and
fatiguing drive this stormy night."
He sat down to the table and fell to work with an appetite. Old Sally
waited upon him, and gazed at his performance with admiring eyes.
"Won't your young lady want something, Guy?" his mother asked,
presently.
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