Parr_Dorothy_Fox.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
soldier, is no mere worldling. think feel angry
with . she could not give me her love,
she stirred up something within me which has given me
a hope that some day may again try my fate, and by
this teaching, hard as it seems, succeed better."
winter fairly set in, went past, and the
new year was born, 's wedding was to take place
within a week, and in the bustle of preparation
l.aura ceased to scheme for obtaining the consent of that
"self-willed, avaricious, wicked old man," as she persisted
in calling ,
ladyship had been several times to see . -
bury. and a mutual affection
had sprung up, which was likely to be increased as
had decided upon taking a house
at .
saw and learnt from confirmed
her belief that was worth the exertions which
she considered she was urging her son to make. she
decided that whenever was fairly off her hands,
she would strain every nerve to bring matters to a favour-
able conclusion.
, on his part, was willing to listen
to any scheme likely to give him what was now the one
desire and wish of his life; but as week after week rolled
on he grew more despondent. had written to .
saying, that this suspense was so unendurable
that he should come down to to consult him.
? 355
letter which he received at this time from -
peth offering him, if he still thought of selling out, a
colonial appointment, caused him to resolve upon at
once deciding his fate, and he started the next day for
's-heart.
did not know that she was to see her lover
that day, or she would have fancied that had
suddenly changed to . it was, the wintry sun
striving to shine gave her no gladness; it could not make
the day bright for her. ! she had spent
two weary months. hope seemed so bright
that nothing could extinguish it, at other times so dim
that nothing could rekindle it. mother's face had a
troubled anxious look, as if she knew that her child had
a sorrow which she could not bear for her. -
thy's languid movements and forced smiles seemed to
pierce 's heart with a sharper pang.
unusually loud ring of the bell did not, as it
used to do, make run to the window, or stand
on the footstool or on tiptoe, to see who their visitor
was. wondered who it could be, but
did not care. opened the door, it was
who stood on the threshold.
was several minutes before either or he re-
membered more than that they were in each other's com-
pany again. some little time,
told his errand, and then he turned to and said
". , you are aware that my dearest wish is to
liave for my wife. asked her father for his
consent, and he refused it because was a soldier.
deference to his scruples, offered to give up my pro-
fession still he refused. have waited for two months
hoping he would alter his decision, but he remains in-
flexible. morning my uncle offered me a de-
350 ,
sirable appointment, and have come here to know
whether shall accept or refuse it. 1 have no wish to
influence to disobey her father, but if she loves
me as love her, she will now consent to be my wife,
and shall accept 's offer. if she
feels that she cannot disregard her father's wish, and that
her love for me is not strong enough to overcome all
obstacles, shall remain in my profession. as these
rumours of disaffection in will cause many re-
giments to be sent there, shall at once apply for
foreign service. suspense has become to me un-
endurable. feel it would either kill me or kill my
love. , after a certain point consider that even
parental obedience has a limit. hearts, not hands,
are meant when it is said, ' hath joined to-
gether let not man put asunder.' ," he con-
tinued, looking beseechingly towards her, "you have
heard what have said, your heart will decide; tell me,
which is it to heV
" will be thine," she said, putting her hand in his.
" mother!" she cried, "remember what thou once told
me ought to feel. do feel all that, and much more,
towards him. is not want of love to thee and father
which makes me choose as do. must forgive
me!"
" do, my child," said . " shall never
blame thee, and will do my best to soften thy father;
but before can say more on this subject he must be
consulted. had better go to
and speak to thy father, and tell him what thou hast
said in my presence. when he comes home thou
must be frank, and give him thy decision, with thy rea-
sons for it."
carried out this arrangement, and
be'?
557
the result was that after a lengthened and stormy inter-
\ie\v demanded three days for consideration,
dm-ing which time should hold no
communication with ; then he would give his
answer.
this was obliged to consent,
although it was just then rather hard upon him, as it was
impossible for him to stay in to hear it.
day on which 's decision was to be given had
been fixed for 's wedding; a wedding that, not-
withstanding all 's arguments to the contrary,
was to be a very quiet one.
her ladyship's anger had vanished. was well
up in the pedigree, and after giving some
parvenu friend or money-seeking mother a history of their
long descent from almost royal ancestors, she would end
by saying, " course can say nothing to , for
made a love match myself, and refused the most eligible
'parties' of that season for her dear father. can
very seldom secure everything. must generally give
up family or money, and am quite content with the
choice has made; for, after all, money only buys
toleration."
gave to 's face a softness which had
been often wanting before, and when the wedding party
returned from church declared that
was better looking than ever
had been. . , by his own desire, was
present, and he and paid each other
so many compliments, and were so determined to meet
again, that whispered she thought she should call
him "-papa."
was in the highest spirits, for -
thaniel's answer had come. gave way at last, though
358 .
under great protest. on condition that
would wait a year for her, and promise not
to take her out of , should be his wife.
announced the fact herself to the as-
sembled guests, and asked them to give her their con-
gratulations. " are my true friends," she said, "and
know that my one object in life has been my children's
welfare. the choice each has made, they have fol-
lowed the dictates of their own hearts. though they
inay not have secured all those worldly advantages which
many consider necessary to enjoyment, , from experience,
can tell them that in marriage love alone insures hap-
piness, and having gained that, come what may, they are
possessed of life's true elixir."
.
after.
's marriage-day more than a year has
elapsed, spring has come round, and , writing
to , who is spending the winter in ,
says
" dear , delayed writing to you until
's wedding had taken place, knowing the kind in-
terest you take in all that concerns me and mine.
now have another piece of news to tell you, nothing-
less than that am a grandmother; and, do you know?
do not mind it in the least, but am rather proud of it.
", dear has a son such a lovely boy;
nurse says he's exactly like me. was born at
. . asked it as a particular favour to him,
and think was rather glad, as for more than
two hundred years the eldest child has always been born
at the family place. hope great things from this cir-
. 359
ciimstaiice, but and will not hear it
mentioned, and say she went there on the understanding
that it was only to further cement their friendship.
think told you the on dit, that was
to marry . . first laughed at the idea of a
woman of her age, and with such a good fortune, dream-
ing of such a thing. , now begin to have some
faith in the story. wrote to her about it, and she re-
plied in her brusque way, ' it would be wiser for
people to attend to their own affairs, and leave time to
show whether there is any truth in reports.'
" now for . were married on the loth
of last month. did not go to the wedding as the weather
was cold, and was afraid the journey might be too
much for me. . , the bride's sister, tells me
everything went off extremely well, and l^orothy looked
lovely. made her adopt the loose
knot at the back of the head, and, as he said, it made her
perfect. have taken a pretty place in for a
year, wishing to be near , where and the
live. all, had a fortune.
father gave her ten thousand pounds on her wedding
morning, so that will make a nice addition to their rather
limited income. own plans are not quite decided.
think shall give up this house and take apartments.
that my children are settled, intend confining my visiting
circle to my relations and especial friends, among whom,
my dear , you and your family stand pre-eminent.
long for your return, that you may see . is
wonderfully improved looks so handsome, and is younger
than ever. never saw such devotion as there is between
her and , and am quite certain that
and will be just such another pair. need not
tell you what comfort 1 derive from the contemplation
360 .
of their happiness, nor how thankful am that was
enabled to cast aside all my more ambitious projects
for them. all, my dear , the pleasures of the
world rank, wealth, fame all fail to give us complete
happiness unless we have some one to love and to love
us. older we grow, the more we value a blessing
which can sweeten joy and alleviate grief. , dare
say you are laughing at me, and thinking that am
growing romantic in my old days. , perhaps am.
and no wonder, after having seen so much love-making,
and finding myself a grandmother. certainly feel
twenty years younger than did this time last year, and
if you and dear would only make haste and
return to , and tell me that am looking so,
you would make perfectly happy
" most affectionate,
" ."
,