The true Democrat., 1857-03-03
CHAPTER Y.


 II am pitiable dull here, wretched single man." suddenly said Lionel to my father, aS we were leaving--ai five in one coach q wish you would invite me to join your Christ mas dinuaT to- morrow"
 With the greatest pleasure, Sir Lionel" my father promptly responded, expressing his surprise. You must take us as you find us"
 "And next Christmas day-all being alive and well--yQu will come to me here. l en- gage you beforehand" Mrs. Dixon anl Miss Betsev were Guli of cx- ultaton. They set down Lionel's self-invita- ton to kate's score, and told that young lady that her visions of the future might be rose- color. They ordered additions to the dinner; they ordered Kate to dress herself in her best; aud when she came down in her showy attire, she quite cast into the shade me and my black silk which had only little white lace on its body and sleeves
 Sir Lionel came and we went in to dinner He was placing himself beside me, but Mrs Dixon desired him to take the seat between herself and Kate. Lionel did so, and looked at me across the table with half smle He was just the same Lionel as ever, free and merry
 "What, you here still, Charotte!" he ex- claimed. "l should have thought you were married ages ago."
 It seems, sir, we are none of us in a hurry for that" answered Charlotte. :" "Iou are no, married yourself sir"
 "Not yet" laughed Sir Lionel.
 At desert, to my great shock for was pre- pared for nothing of the sort, he told them I had promised to be his wife. I thought Mrs Dixon would have gone into a fit on the spot, and l II
 Your wifel-Jane!" stammered Mrs. Dix on
 If her father will give her to me"
 There was pause, and then Mrs Dixon spoke mp resentfuly. 1t is well, Sir Lionel, that you should know Miss Dixon's circum- stances have changed She will now inherit little fortune. Our son--and daughters--have obliged Mir Dixon to alter his will"
 "I do not seek to marry Janes money, I seek her for herself" replied Sir Lionel. "I would ask you, sir, to alter it again, if may so far presume," he added, to my father, |" and to leave Janes name out of it. As Lady Ru. pert, what you could give her would not be felt. The Rupert revenues are large, and I shal! have the honor of proposing to you good settlement"
 My father grasped Sir Loneps hand, but Mrs. Dixon spoke up again, her throat swell ling historically.
 It IS curiously sudden attachment, Sir Lionel! Too sudden, fear, to last"
 Not at all sudden" answered Lionel. q told Jane before went away, that had only one hope and aim in going-that Of making my purse sufficiently weighty to justify my asking her to share it."
 They sat, she and her sister lived with rage; but Kate Arrowsmith stole round the table to my ear.
 "Jane, let me stay and be your bridsmaid I am very glad. knew, when my aunt puffed me up about Sir Lionel, thst it was all double distilled nonsense, and it went in at one ear and out at the other. Indeed I an truly glad"
 "Jane," was Sir Lionel's parting whisper to me that night, 'I see it all. shall take you out of this place as soon as may be. Keep your courage up till then, my darling"
 He did. And l and Charlotte have come to live at the Hall, for Lionel is now my dear hus- band. As he and were sitting by the fire the other night, talking over the events of the day, for some of the Ruperts had been dining with us, including Mrs. Dixon and Miss Betsey. Li- one suddenly declared we had been carving out Scripture
 "In what way, Lionel?'
 "Is there not verse which tells ms to give our enemy food and drink, for that by so do. ing we shall heap coas of fire on his head?'
 You know there is"
 Well, l am sure 1t was nothing less than coals of fire to some of them who sat at our dinner table tonight Jane, when they saw you at ies hsad ss Lady Rupert"