and sofas covered with figured satin.
["That will do," said Jack. "Now go on with the book."]
But while the company were engaged in detached groups, waiting
the signal for proceeding into the great hall, where the
ceremony was to be performed by special license, Lord Berville
sent a message to the Countess, that he wished to say a few
words to Lady Alice, in the library, before the commencement of
the ceremony that was to make him the happiest of men. He
waited impatiently, and in a few minutes the bride appeared,
radiant in joy and beauty. She started, when she saw seated
beside him a beautiful young woman, plainly, but richly drest.
They rose when Lady Alice appeared.
"Dearest Alice," said Berville, "I have told you that there was
a person in this neighbourhood to whom my gratitude was
unbounded, and who, I hope, has now an equal claim on yours,
for she is the saviour of my life."
"Indeed?"
"Let it be a secret between us three," continued Berville; "but
you agree with me, my friend," he said, turning to the
stranger, "that there should be no reserve between a man and
his wife. I told you, Alice, when we were at Rome, the story of
an adventure I had on Barnley Wold, and of the heroic conduct
of a young girl. In this lady you see her. She is now the wife
of the vicar of my parish, and I trust will be a friend of both
of us."
Lady Alice threw her arms round Janet's neck, and said, "I know
it all; we shall be friends; and nothing makes one so happy as
to know we shall be so near each other."
"Ah, madam, you know not how deeply I am indebted to his
lordship's mother, for all her kindness, or how overpaid all my
services are by the happiness of this moment."
"And now, having made you thus acquainted, I must ask you, my
kind friend, to hurry Lady Alice to the great hall, where your
husband, I trust, is waiting to tie the indissoluble band."
A joyous shout from the tenants assembled in the outer court,
who became impatient for the appearance of the happy pair, gave
evidence of the near approach of the happy moment, and Janet
and Lady Alice hurried from the room. Lord Berville rang the
bell. His servant appeared, being no other than our old
acquaintance George, now softened by a year's sojourn in a
foreign land.
"George," said Lord Berville, "no one in the earth knows your
position; from this hour, therefore, you cease to be my
servant, and are the steward of my Lincolnshire estate. Your
uncle's fate is unknown?"
"His fate is known, my lord, that he died by his own hand in
the hut on Barnley Wold; but his crimes are undiscovered."
"Be it so; let them be alluded to between us no more. Your
cousin Janet is the happy wife of my friend and chaplain; and I
am delighted to show my appreciation of her nobleness and
purity, by all the kindness I can bestow on her relations. Go
down to Lincolnshire, Mr Andrews," said his lordship, shaking
hands with George, "and when you are installed in the
mansion-house, write to me; and now, farewell."
It is difficult to say whose heart was most filled with joy on
this eventful day. Lady Matilda, now happily married to Lord
Merilands of the Guards, and the lovely Lady Mary Rosely,
(shortly to be united to the young Earl of Gallowdale,) were
pleased at the happiness of their friends; and certainly no
prayer seemed to be more likely to receive its accomplishment
than that which was poured forth, amidst the ringing of bells
and the pealing of cannon, for the health and prosperity of
Lord and Lady Berville.
Jack Stuart sat, with his eyes turned up to the ceiling, as if he were
listening to the music of the spheres.
"The best novel I have ever read!" he exclaimed; "and now, all I have
got to do is to get it copied fairly out, dedicate it to Lord William
Lennox or Mr Henry Bulwer, and get my five or six hundred guineas. It is
a capital thing to lose on the Derby; for unless I had been drawn for
the hundred and fifty, I don't think the dovetail novel would ever have
come into my head."
* * * * *
INSCRIPTION ON THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW DINING-HALL, &c., NOW
ERECTING FOR THE HON. SOCIETY OF LINCOLN'S INN.
Stet lapis arboribus nudo defixus in horto
Fundamen pulchræ tempus in omne domûs.
Aula vetus lites legumque ænigmata servet,
Ipsa nova exorior nobilitanda coquo.