|When Lord Courland and Scrope Danvers arrived later in the day, a very
pretty picture was presented to them.
On the lawn, which was charmingly kept, the whole party now staying
in the house were assembled, and, judging from the lively sounds that
reached the ear, they were all amusing themselves very well.
The two girls were playing lawn tennis with Chetwynd and Captain
Danvers; and Sir Bridgnorth, who had arrived about an hour previously,
was conversing with Lady Thicknesse and Mrs. Calverley. It was rather
unfortunate that all the ladies should be in mourning, but in spite of
the sombre costumes the scene looked gay and pleasant.
Mrs. Calverley had sent her carriage to the station for Lord Courland
and Scrope, and no sooner had his lordship alighted than, without
waiting for any formal announcement by Norris, he flew to that part of
the lawn where Teresa was seated.
She did not wait till he came up, but hastened towards him, and a very
lover-like meeting took place. So much ardour as Teresa now displayed
seemed scarcely consistent with her character, but either she was
passionately in love with Lord Courland, or she feigned to be so.
After exchanging a few words, and we suppose we must add a few kisses,
they walked off to another part of the garden, having, apparently, a
great deal to say to each other that would not brook an instant's delay.
Lady Thicknesse and Sir Bridgnorth looked after them with a smile.
“Well, and how do you like Ouselcroft?” inquired Teresa.
“I have hardly had time to look around me,” he replied, gazing on her.
“At present, I can behold only one object.”
“But I really want to have your opinion. Does the place equal your
expectations?”
“It surpasses them.”
“You have seen nothing yet. You ran away from the lawn, which is the
prettiest part.”
“We will go back there presently, when we have had a few minutes to
ourselves. Too many curious eyes were upon us. When one is desperately
in love, as I am, one wants solitude. But you will soon be mine.”
“Not quite so soon as we anticipated. Some little delay, I find, will be
unavoidable.”
“I hope not,” said Lord Courland, with a look of disappointment. “I
would rather the marriage were expedited than delayed.”
“I am afraid that will be quite impossible,” said Teresa. “I shall have
to make some preparatory arrangements.”
“I thought the property was entirely in your own hands?” he said.
“So it is,” she replied. “And there is really nothing to prevent the
marriage from taking place immediately.”
“Then yield to my impatience, I beseech you!”
“I have consulted my lawyer, and he advises a little delay.”
“Lawyers always are tedious. They have no consideration for one's
feelings. Even when nothing has to be done but draw up a settlement,
they will make a long job of it. I fancied all might have been arranged
in a few days, signed, sealed, and delivered.”
“Perhaps it may,” said Teresa. “But we are getting quite serious in our
discourse. All matters of business must be deferred till to-morrow, when
I doubt not they can be satisfactorily arranged.”
“I think if I could say a word to your lawyer, I could make him use more
despatch,” said Lord Courland.
“I scarcely think so,” replied Teresa, uneasily. “I have given him all
needful instructions. But there is the first bell. We must go and dress
for dinner.”
By the time they reached the lawn, the whole party had gone into the
house, so they had it to themselves, and remained there for a few
minutes.
Lord Courland was positively enchanted with the place, and could
scarcely find terms sufficiently strong to express his admiration.
“Then you _do_ like the house?” cried Teresa.
“It is everything I could desire,” he replied.
“I hope to make it yours ere long,” she said. “But you must not be too
impatient.”
“I am eager to possess you, sweetheart--not the house,” he rejoined.
“Ah! if I thought so!” sighed Teresa. “But I know better.”
They then passed through one of the drawing-room windows, and were met
by Norris, who conducted Lord Courland to his room.