LIONEL HAUGHTON HAVING LOST HIS HEART, IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF
WHAT HE WILL DO WITH IT. BUT WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH IT IS A VERY
GRAVE QUESTION INDEED.
Lionel forestalled Lady Montfort in the delicate and embarrassing subject
which her cousin had urged her to open. For while George, leading away
Sophy, informed her of his journey to Norwich, and his interview with
Merle, Lionel drew. Lady Montfort into the house, and with much
agitation, and in abrupt hurried accents, implored her to withdraw the
promise which forbade him to inform his benefactor how and where his time
had been spent of late. He burst forth with a declaration of that love
with which Sophy had inspired him, and which Lady Montfort could not be
but prepared to hear. "Nothing," said he, "but a respect for her more
than filial anxiety at this moment could have kept my heart thus long
silent. But that heart is so deeply pledged--so utterly hers--that it
has grown an ingratitude, a disrespect--to my generous kinsman, to
conceal from him any longer the feelings which must colour my whole
future existence. Nor can I say to her, 'Can you return my affection?--
will you listen to my vows?--will you accept them at the altar?'--until I
have won, as I am sure to win, the approving consent of my more than
father."
"You feel sure to win that consent, in spite of the stain on her
grandfather's name?"
"When Darrell learns that, but for my poor father's fault, that name
might be spotless now!--yes! I am not Mr. Darrell's son--the transmitter
of his line. I believe yet that he will form new ties. By my mother's
side I have no ancestors to boast of; and you have owned to me that
Sophy's mother was of gentle birth. Alban Morley told me, when I last
saw him, that Darrell wishes me to marry, and leaves me free to choose my
bride. Yes; I have no doubt of Mr. Darrell's consent. My dear mother
will welcome to her heart the prize so coveted by mine; and Charles
Haughton's son will have a place at his hearth for the old age of William
Losely. Withdraw your interdict at once, dearest Lady Montfort, and
confide to me all that you have hitherto left unexplained, but have
promised to reveal when the time came. The time has come."
"It has come," said Lady Montfort, solemnly; "and Heaven grant that it
may bear the blessed results which were in my thoughts when I took Sophy
as my own adopted daughter, and hailed in yourself the reconciler of
conflicting circumstance. Not under this roof should you woo William
Losely's grandchild. Doubly are you bound to ask Guy Darrell's consent
and blessing. At his hearth woo your Sophy--at his hands ask a bride in
his daughter's child."
And to her wondering listener, Cayoline Montford told her grounds for the
belief that connected the last of the Darrells with the convict's
grandchild.