"Sir Oswald has intrusted me with the supervision of this most
important business, and I will drop down in a fainting-fit from sheer
exhaustion before the counter at Howell and James's, sooner than I
would fail in my duty to the extent of an iota," Miss Beaumont said,
when Honoria begged her to take less trouble about the wedding
_trousseau_.
It was Sir Oswald's wish that the wedding should be strictly private.
Whom could he invite to assist at his union with a nameless and
friendless bride? Miss Beaumont was the only person whom he could
trust, and even her he had deceived; for she believed that Honoria
Milford was some fourth or fifth cousin--some poor relative of Sir
Oswald's.
Early in July the wedding took place. All preparations had been made so
quietly as to baffle even the penetration of the watchful Millard. He
had perceived that the baronet was more than usually occupied, and in
higher spirits than were habitual to him; but he could not discover the
reason.
"There's something going on, sir," he said to Victor Carrington; "but
I'm blest if I know what it is. I dare say that young woman is at the
bottom of it. I never did see my master look so well or so happy. It
seems as if he was growing younger every day."
Reginald Eversleigh looked at his friend in blank despair when these
tidings reached him.
"I told you I was ruined, Victor," he said; "and now, perhaps, you will
believe me.
Pages:
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120