… “Teach my youth to mix with heroes.”
Meanwhile we shall just step into the library, and see what Lord Arandale
and Edmund have been about.
“We may now, I believe, consider matters settled,” remarked his lordship,
as he folded a letter, which Edmund having perused, had just returned to
him. “I know what are her ladyship’s wishes, and I can, I think, answer
for her cheerful consent. Indeed, she will, I make no doubt, rejoice in
having found such a friend and protector for her child.”
“Your lordship’s good opinion is truly flattering!” replied Edmund,
“and I hope, when the well being, and I may, perhaps, say happiness
through life, of a young and innocent being, are committed to my keeping,
I may not undertake the charge, with light or careless ideas of its
responsibility.”
So, as Frances would say, they really are going to be married!
“With your principles, Captain Montgomery, there can be little doubt of
your fulfilling well any duties you take upon yourself. If the boy is
tolerably well disposed, he has every chance, in such hands, of turning
out an honour to his profession: though it can fall to the lot of but few
to adorn it quite as brilliantly as Captain Montgomery has done!”
Lord Arandale is speaking of young Oswald, Sir Archibald’s boy; and the
letter which he has just finished folding, he is, we perceive, now
directing to Lady Oswald, the boy’s mother. In fact, Edmund had applied
to his lordship the night before, for the purpose of having it thus
arranged. He felt a delicacy, as a total stranger, in obtruding his
offers of service on Lady Oswald, and had requested Lord Arandale to
take, (on the plea of his long friendship for Sir Archibald,) nominally,
the lead in the business, by addressing a letter to her ladyship, saying,
that he had now an opportunity of placing her son in the Euphrasia
frigate, commanded by Captain Montgomery; and stating that the attending
circumstances were particularly favourable, as young Oswald would thus
have an opportunity of forming a desirable intimacy with his cousin,
Lord Ormond, who was the particular friend of Captain Montgomery; and
of becoming personally known to Lord Fitz-Ullin, who, it could not
be doubted, would take an interest in the advancement of so near a
connexion, when thus placed within the sphere of his observation. On
the strength of a lady not understanding those matters, the gentlemen
ventured to enclose a bank bill for a moderate sum, as advance of pay to
Mr. Oswald for his fitting out.