The engagement created not a little stir, and many and various were the
comments.
Mr. Curtis composed a pretty speech, for the edification of his
patients, to the effect that had he been some forty years younger, when
he had had the honour of meeting with Miss Emma, his bachelorhood would
have been seriously imperilled.
It is said that when this was reported to Mr. Howard, he vowed he would
have imperilled it still further for him.
Mrs. Blake was rejoiced at the news, but it must be confessed that it
would be scarcely prudent to record the observations of Charles, who
thirsted for his uncle's blood for fully three days after.
Jane still protested that Emma was a fool to have refused a title.
Augusta enquired if she might not be married on the same day?
Lady Edward Sothern's comment was perhaps characteristic--
"There must be something singularly wanting in Arthur Howard to marry a
woman of the lower orders."
In a remote room of the Castle Lady Osborne sat, with her head bowed
on her hands. No one could have condemned her more severely than she
condemned herself. Having missed all hope of romance in her youth, she
had endeavoured to secure some measure of it when it was no longer
reasonable to expect it; and now she felt that her punishment was
almost greater than she well might bear--standing alone, as the slow
years went by.
* * * * * *
Emma's wedding morning shone fair, and people flocked from far and near
to see her married.
Lady Osborne lent her her own veil, placing it herself on her head.
Penelope and Margaret could not get leave so soon again, but the bride
was attended by Charles and Augusta, carrying baskets of flowers; and
it was easy to discern that the former, with the charming fickleness
of his sex, had wholly transferred his allegiance from the elder to the
younger lady.
As Emma came down from the altar on her husband's arm, she looked all
loveliness, but the eyes of different among the congregation strayed
from her fresh young beauty to the face of Lady Osborne, and rested
there. To the mind of more than one there was something, they knew not
what, that seemed to elevate it beyond all they could have believed
possible.
Sam and Mary Edwards, now happily betrothed (as Mr. and Mrs. Edwards
were unable any longer to urge anything against the alliance) were
amongst the company, and received the congratulations of all. It had
been arranged that they were to live on with Mr. Curtis, as the old
gentleman declared that he could not be deserted in his advancing years.
Shortly after Emma's marriage, Captain O'Brien died, and his widow,
surviving him but a short time, Emma found herself the recipient of a
legacy of twelve thousand pounds. With her husband's cordial approval,
she shared it equally with her sisters; and Penelope lost no time in
investing hers in a husband.
But Margaret had suffered so deeply through Tom Musgrave, that in
spite of anything Robert and Jane could urge, she insisted on keeping
her situation. It was only on the death of the young girl, some years
later, to whom she had been acting as companion, that she married a
naval officer, whom she had frequently met at her house, and to whom
she had become attached, finding with him a much greater measure of
happiness than could ever have been her lot had she become the wife of
one so worthless as Tom Musgrave.
This gentleman, not long after, fell a prey to a vixen, who lost but
little time in reducing him, and on his endeavouring to console himself
with strong waters, secured the keys of the cellar, and retained them
with a firm hand.
As the Rector of the living, on Mr. Howard's property, shortly resigned
it, on account of ill-health, he undertook it himself, appointing
Henry Purvis his curate, at a much handsomer figure than he would
have received as incumbent, and installing him in the rectory, with
its excellent gardens and farm. Emma and Elizabeth's happiness was
complete, now that they were settled so near to each other, and as the
years went by, there were many merry games between the children of the
Rectory and those of the Manor.
Lady Osborne was a frequent visitor at the Howards', some saying that
she was fonder of their young people than of her own grandchildren, but
this was scarcely the case, as the latter added, in no little degree,
to the happiness of her life. Perhaps it might have been nearer the
mark had they divined that in Emma she had found the companionship that
she had always missed in her own daughter.
She also became very fond of Mrs. Blake, whom Lord Osborne, to the
surprise of everyone, married a couple of years later.
If he did not entertain for her the same degree of love that Emma had
awakened in him, he was very sincerely attached to her, making an
excellent step-father to her children.
Charles entered the Royal Navy.
As he and Augusta spend the greater part of their holidays together at
the Howards', and do not find matter for heated argument above seven
times in the week, it is confidently believed by several that they will
ultimately embark on the more serious argument of life, with all its
possibilities for sweetness, or disaster.
FINIS