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The Living Link by James De Mille
page 80 of 531 (15%)
the porter's lodge, and waited and watched. The gates were of iron bars,
so that it was easy to see through them, and the road ran in front. The
road was not much frequented, however. An occasional farmer's wagon or
solitary pedestrian formed the only life that was visible outside. The
porter watched her for some time in surprise, but said nothing. Hugo
came up after about half an hour and talked with the porter, after which
he loitered about within sight of Edith. Of all this, however, Edith
took no notice whatever; it was what she expected.

The hours of the day passed by, but there were no signs of Miss
Plympton. As hour after hour passed, Edith's hopes grew fainter and
fainter. She longed to ask the porter whether she had called or not, but
could not bring herself to do so--first, because she did not like to
destroy all hope; and secondly, because she did not wish to hold any
further communication with him.

She sat there all day long. Miss Plympton did not come. The hours passed
by. Evening came. She bad eaten nothing all day. She was faint and
weary, and almost in despair. But to wait longer was useless now; so she
rose from her seat, and with feeble footsteps returned to the house.

Early the next morning she returned to the gates to take up her station
as before and watch. She did not hope to see Miss Plympton now; for she
concluded that she had called already, had been turned back, and was now
perhaps engaged in arranging for her rescue. But Edith could not wait
for that. She determined to do something herself. She resolved to accost
all passers-by and tell them her situation. In this way she thought she
might excite the world outside, and lead to some interposition in her
behalf.

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