“We were married yesterday at Montreaux. Let me hope that you will prove
as faithful as I have been, as happy as I am, as blest as I shall be. I
loved this lady in my youth, have waited many years, and am rewarded at
last, for love never comes too late.”
The falter in his cheery voice, the dimness of his eyes, the smile on
his lips, and the gesture with which he returned the pressure of the
hand upon his arm, told the little romance of the good major’s life more
eloquently than pages of fine writing, and touched the hearts of those
who loved him.
“I have been faithful for eleven years. Give me my reward soon, won’t
you, dear?” whispered Sidney.
“Don’t marry me to-morrow, and if mamma is willing I’ll think about it
by and by,” answered Amy.
“It is beautiful! let us go and do likewise,” said Sigismund to his
betrothed.
But Helen, anxious to turn the thoughts of all from emotions too deep
for words, drew from her pocket a small pearl-colored object, which she
gave to Amy with mock solemnity, as she said, turning to lay her hand
again in her lover’s,—
“Amy, our search is over. _You_ may keep the gloves; _I_ have the
baron.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------