What was the origin of this ignorance? Had the worthy
man, in his remote parsonage, simply heard of the sudden disappearance
of Mohun, the lady, and _her brother_? Had his solitary life prevented
him from hearing the vague rumors and surmises which must have followed
that event? This was the simplest explanation, and I believe the
correct one. Certain it is that the worthy Mr. Hope received us with
smiling cordiality. Doubtless he recalled the past, but was too kind to
spread a gloom over Mohun's feelings by _alluding to his loss_. In a
few moments we were seated, and Judge Conway explained the presence of
the parson.
The explanation was simple. Mohun, incessantly engaged on duty, had
begged Judge Conway to send a message to the parson of his parish; the
parson was absent, leaving his church temporarily in charge of his
brother-clergyman, Mr. Hope; thus that gentleman by a strange chance,
was about to officiate at Mohun's second marriage, as he had at his
first.
I have explained thus, perhaps tediously, an incident which struck me
at the time as most singular. Are there fatalities in this world? The
presence of the Reverend Mr. Hope on that night at "Five Forks,"
resembled one of those strange coincidences which make us believe in
the doctrine of destiny.
Having exchanged compliments with the clergyman, Mohun and I were shown
to a dressing-room.
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