When the doctor wrote to Richard Barry , Marcella 's guardian , asking his consent to their engagement , Richard Barry promptly made trouble -- the very worst kind of trouble . He descended on Bridgeport and completely overwhelmed poor Miss Sara in his wrath . He laughed at the idea of countenancing an engagement between a child like Marcella and an obscure country doctor . And he carried Marcella off with him ! She had to go , of course . He was her legal guardian and he would listen to no pleadings . He did n't know anything about Marcella 's character , and he thought that a new life out in the great world would soon blot out her fancy . After the first outburst of tears and prayers Marcella took it very calmly , as far as outward eye could see . She was as cool and dignified and stately as a young queen . On the night before she went away she came over to say good-bye to me . She did not even shed any tears , but the look in her eyes told of bitter hurt . `` It is goodbye for five years , Miss Tranquil , '' she said steadily . `` When I am twenty-one I will come back . That is the only promise I can make . They will not let me write to John or Aunt Sara and I will do nothing underhanded . But I will not forget and I will come back . '' Richard Barry would not even let her see Doctor John alone again . She had to bid him good-bye beneath the cold , contemptuous eyes of the man of the world . So there was just a hand-clasp and one long deep look between them that was tenderer than any kiss and more eloquent than any words . `` I will come back when I am twenty-one , '' said Marcella .
And I saw Richard XXXXX smile .
Barry Bridgeport John Sara Tranquil first hand-clasp pleadings tenderer years