The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-18

obliged 70 Keep on 1rlenoly TERMS Will theIh, oe-
cause they were invited everywhere, and she
would meet them at all good houses.
Sir Charles was soon made aware OF Lady
Carisbrook's presence in town, and he laughed in
his sleeve for he knew enough Of women and
their characters TO understand that as he had
gone away from her, she had followed him.
The gentlemen whom Lady Carisbrook met,
| and to whom she talked about Sir Charles, did
not give Evander the best possible character.
There were two friends OF his, Captain vavasour
| and Mr.. Frederick Mordaunt, the latter OF when
was constantly at the st. Aubyn's, and all places
whore he thought he should meet Lily, and this
conduct of his was not at all surprising, Tor ne
loved her passionateIy, though she had not in any
marked measure encouraged the preference
which he exhibited for her.
Mr.. Mordaunt had taken strong dislike to Sir
Charles Evandcr, ever since he first met him at
Hans Place The attitude which the latter as
sumed towards Lily, convinced the jealous mind
of the lover that he was in love with her. and that
she did not object to his admiration. Mordaunts
affection for her was 30 sincere, that II ne couid
not win her himself, he wished to see her married
to one who would insure her happiness, ana tnls
he felt certain Sir Charles would not do. He could
say nothing to either Lily or her mother, because
they would accuse him Of an interested motive
in villfying man he had treated as his friend.
To Lady Carisbrook however, he was not SO
reticent. He told her his opinion Of the baronet,
| though there was no tinge OF acrimony or malice
in what he said. he spoke his mind freely, with
the air OF enc who was fearless OF the conse-
quences and knew that he was uttering the truth.
Lady Carisbrook had invited this confidence on
the part Of Mr. Mordaunt and captain Vasasour,
but when she had gained it she was dsplcased
| with them for running down one whom she
liked, and on one occasion said, with some aspery:
.lf Sir Charles Evander is such as you describe
him to be, l wonder that you associate with him."
"For my part" replied Mr.. Mordaunt, 81 can
answer that have for some time ceased to do So
am coldly civil whenever we meet, and ne must
know that do not class him among the number
OF my friends.n
THAT must be q great deprivation for Sir
Charles. Mr.. Mordaunt,n said her ladysh!p. "But
I hope 20 meet you in more forgivinS humor al
Mrs. st. Aubyns reception tomorrow evening
l Shall be glad TO see you both there, as have SO
few friends In town. Carsbrook leaves London
for o week tomorrow morning, to see after his
poor dogs and horses, ABOUT wnom ne lFe'e so
much"
The party given by Mrs. St. Aubyn, to which
her ladyship had alluded, was merely reception.
Visitors dropped in as they liked, went from
group to group, chatting first with one, then with
another, and took their departure, when It pleased
them, without any ceremony.
Lady Carisbrook made her appearance about
ten O'Clock, superbly dressed, and almost the srst
person she met on entering, after having spoken
to her amiaole hostess, was Sir Charles Evander,
whom she thought had never looked handsomer.
"This is kind OF you," he exclaimed "There
is no one worth speaking to here, and was get
ting awfully bored May l inquire where Caris-
brook isYn
''Did you not know that he had LEFT town Z" she
replied, showing her pearly teeth and iuttering
her fam 81 am quite alone. do not know what
shall do with myself"
az am acquainted with married women" an
swcred Sir Charles, twisting his moustache, "who
would not consider such an occurrence calam-
,y. They would be glad OF little relief from the
presence OF their lord and master.
"That IL charming" said Lady Carisorook,
eagerly. "You will tell me what those ladies did,
will you not? Please do take compassion upon
and tell me-"
"With the greatest pleasure" rejoined Sir
Charles Evander. 81 must premise, however,
that my ladies were not Of the sentimental order
They did not look upon husbands generally as an
unqualified good, and they enjoyed their freedom
by such innocent little amusements as giving
dinner parties to an intimate friend or friends.
| have had such an invitation myself; box at
the theatre has diversified the proceedings"
.Excellcnt,n exclaimed Lady Carisbrook, 81
am sure that l cannot do better than follow such
a capital example. Will you favor me with your
company at my house 10 dinner tomorrow at :,
Sir CharlesY"
'I shall be most happy" he said.
Lily St. Aubyn came up and they were sepa'
rated; but Lady Carisbrook had made the en-
gagement, calculating upon her husbands ao-
sence, without meaning any harm, though she
ought to have known that 1t was wrong 10 10
anything which she could not tell his lordship.
The greater part OF the day was passed by her
in buying flowers In Covent Garden, and making
preparations for charming little dinner, such as
would at once display her taste and the resour-
ces OF her establishment.
In the afternoon she went to her bedroom to
Law down and rest for IN hour. She was tired II
had been quite late when she left Mrs. ST.
Aubyn,s, and not used to such hours, she found
IL dinlcult to recover from the fatigue which they
occasoned.
To her surprise she was disturbed, as she was
about to close her eyes for refreshing sleep, by
knocking at the door,
at is only 1, Emily" said voioc, which she
recognized instantly.
"Good gracious my husband What brings
hin back? can he suspcct'" She began, when her
speculatons were cut short by the entrance OF
Lord Carsbrook, who caught her in his arms and
kissed her tendcrly, and cried:
''Here am again, dearest, sooner than you ex-
pected. All, what is this You do not seem so
pleased to see me Us thoaght you would be-"
"You frightened me. was half asleep, and my
nerves arc little weak. Twas at Mrs. st. Aubyn's
last night till late," she answered, rubbing her
eyes and sitting on the edge Of the bed wrapped
as she was In The capacious folds OF pink dress
;ng.gown. "But what brought you away from
Caldec0tt in such q hurry?'
"a relative OF mine-who made fortune in
India, became eccentric and lived in London un-
der another name-is dead, died yesterday in
fact, and his solicitor has written to me to say
that he has left me the greater portion Of his
wealth."
"There is nothing very Interesting about that"
90