Alexander_Wooing_Ot.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
? "
" had," he replied, " if could get her consent."
" you any doubt about that ? " asked ,
elevating her eyebrows.
" ; great doubts. will give you the whole his-
tory ; " and he began by their meeting in , which he ac-
counted for by his attempt to rescue from the
gambling set into which he had fallen ; he described the sort
of curious interest he took at first in , because she
was so different from the people about her, and then be-
cause of the blending of modesty and frankness, unselfishness
and individuality, which characterized her. unembar-
rassed ease with himself, as though he were completely out
of the category of possible lovers ; the confidence that osten-
sibly grew up between them ; the tenderness called forth by
her unprotected loveliness ; the admiration excited by the in-
nate bravery, the high spirit sheathed in the velvet softness of
her nature. short, , in his every-day phraseology,
gave a most interesting psychological sketch of the mutual
attraction of two kindred spirits, but wisely left out of sight
the wildfire which had soon, though he scarce knew when,
begun to flash along the electric system of his frame at the
touch of that quiet little orphan's hand, the glance of her
calm, sweet eyes. " only regret did not ask her to be my
wife long ago. seems a shame to turn to her when have
nothing left. a strong hold the habits and opinions of
one's class have over us. first felt such a marriage
would be disastrous and ridiculous, and then the first moment
lost my self-control, the instant overstepped the boundary
of quiet friendship, shrank so visibly, and avoided
me so steadily, that often thought she really did not car
520 ffT.
for me. now there can be no doubt that our best course
is to be married right off. could be during a
long indefinite engagement? while should be feverish and
unsettled. is not so very costly as we shall un-
dertake it. dare say will not mind sharing my
chambers for a year or two ; at all events, have made up
my mind on the subject."
" word, ! you know that she was at
last winter when you came down with me ? "
" ; but confess your description of the new secretary
roused my curiosity."
" you undertook the journey to satisfy it ? "
" altogether. was very pleased to be with you, -
garet."
" not tell me such stories ; you never thought about
me," interrupted , petulantly. "
has been true always. dear thing, she must have been
unhappy often, and have been so cross, ! she shall
marry you whenever you like. 'll write to her to-day and
tell her so. shall have no patience with her if she contra-
dicts you, when you love her so dearly ; and you do. do
not know how much you have let me see. , , be
constant, be kind ! hereafter you ever regret having made
a foolish marriage for it is a foolish marriage, and by and
by being a man, you may half resent the injury to your pros-
pects and social standing keep it to yourself, don't let her
see it, for though feel infinitely vexed that she ever came in
your way, if saw you change to her and break her heart, for
it would break if she saw you changed, would hate and de-
spise you."
" think," said , smiling well-pleased, " you may
trust her with me, and think if there were more
in the world, it would be a different and a better
place."
" knows am by no means sure. , ,
what do you want me to do ? to tell and his mother ? "
" no means ! shall tell every one who need be ac
quainted, myself; but you kindly proposed writing to
yourself ; if you will do this, it will be a favor to us both.
is awfully nervous at the idea of universal disapproba-
tion. when the general howl begins, if you will strike
in with a different key it will produce a great effect, but
really only care for your own fair self. you stand by me,
the rest may go."
". 5*t
" will do that, . you going ? "
" , have troubled you long enough. "
" , no, no ! yet you had better go. have twenty things
to do before that horrid fete ! "
" , the fete you came on purpose for ? "
" and must go. have such a lovely dress. "
" , good-bye for the present. "
" shall go to your wedding, and bring
with me, " cried the heiress, whose partisanship greur
warmer each moment. " , how hope you
may be happy ! this is good-bye, indeed ! " he bent for-
ward to kiss her brow, she burst into tears, threw herself for
an instant into his arms, and ran quickly from the room.
was no lovelier woman at the of -
shire's fete than . cheek had a soft glow,
her eyes a light and animation that gave her new beauty.
pronounced her perfect dazzling, and
declared his mind to be made up, that to-morrow he would
secure this exquisite creature for himself.
a few days after his departure for a lengthened visit
to and the was announced, to the delight of
and several others, society naturally con-
cluded that he had been rejected.
would swell the narrative of little things to portentous
length were all the doubts and self-tormentings of poor -
gie, during the day succeeding 's departure, set down.
greatest aggravation of her uneasiness arose from the
downcast expression of . 's face, and the depressed
quiet of his manner. felt a criminal of the deepest dye
every time she looked at him. . , too, was a thorn
in the flesh, with her perpetual " wonderings " what this and
that person would say, her conjectures, speculations, and con-
gratulations.
evening this condition of things as regarded .
became so intolerable that could endure it no
longer. " makes me miserable to see you look so sad,
dear . ," she said, drawing a foot-stool beside his
chair. " feel a sort of guilty creature to have caused you
uneasiness, and to have made . care about me ;
but but, cannot help it."
" , no, of course not, my dear, and personally highly
approve his choice ; it is only a little startling at first, and
was so in hopes he would think of nothing but his profession
and making a place for himself ! '
'.
" do you think / would idle him, and hold him back in
any way ? " cried , much distressed. " you think it
right and better for him, am quite willing to give him up,
and never see him again or
" dear child, could not ! . 's mind is
thoroughly made up. you nor , nor any one else,
will shake his purpose. is no inexperienced boy like the
earl. should never dream of opposing him. am afraid
am unkind and inconsiderate to you, but we will all come
right bye-and-bye ; besides, you will be a terrible loss to me.
must allow for selfish regrets," and he took her hand
kindly.
" ! said , pressing her cheek against the feeble
hand that held hers, " you must come and live near . -
ford and and myself when things are settled if such won-
derful things can be settled and then can still be your
daughter."
" would be a comfort," sighed . .
" will never leave you without finding some one to come
in and read and write for you, while you are here," continued
; and then their talk flowed on quietly though broken-
ly, and complete peace was established between them.
next day brought an enchanting letter, tender,
bright, and full of quiet humor shining through its deeper
feeling. course it had to be replied to, and that was
enough joy to have lit up a whole week. the
astonishing fact that she was engaged to , and on the
point of becoming his wife, grew delightfully familiar to -
gie's mind, and its more awful aspects disappeared.
came a welcome epistle from dear , beginning,
" we are to be kinsfolk as well as acquaintance, dear
," and continuing, in the kindest, frankest tone, to des-
cribe her own preparation for the event, and her complete
consent. " would laugh if you could have seen -
ter's mingled amazement and amusement. cannot help
imagining that on the whole he is highly delighted, though
cannot quite understand him. course it seems to him as
it would to any one rather mad of to think of
marrying any one just now ; but he has always been so thor-
oughly independent, such a mentor to and myself,
that we would as soon think of dictating to majesty as ad-
vising him, and trust in all will go well and happily
with you both. must, however, admit that
is in a dreadful state of mind. was here to-day on hef
'. 523
way to see , to remonstrate with him, etc. ef-
fect she will produce ! she may worry him. am
quite of his opinion that the sooner you are married the bet-
ter. and every one else must thereafter
ever hold their peace ; besides, want to be at your wedding,
and cannot postpone my departure for our cruise much
longer."
" " wrote " after her kind," and was
much pleased with 's kindly simple reply to his
letter.
is no more to tell. chapter of a woman's life is
finished, and into the deeper, sweeter, homelier mysteries and
interests of the next, writers of fiction seldom venture
to extend their explorations :
" reason of the strongest is always the best."
had his way, and his very quiet, almost private,
wedding, was performed in time to allow the happy couple to
spend all the long vacation together at the " leafy retreat " in
, as that gentleman had planned.
" little thought when we met in ," said the earl to
his cousin's bride, as he handed her into the fly
which was to convey them to the station, " that the first kiss
you were to bestow on me would be as 's wife."
" a wonderfnl ending ! good you have always
been to me, dear ."
" , take care of , for he is a good fellow."
" awfully happy they are," said the earl enviously,
with a look half comic, half wistful, as he rejoined his cousin,
whom he found alone in the little drawing-room.
" wish, , we were going to follow suit.'*
" , don't talk nonsense to me now."
" now ? , when may talk what you choose to call
nonsense, eh, ? "
" , don't know ! we are under blue skies in a
southern climate, perhaps."