The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-06-01
A MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURE.
CONCLUDED.

CONCLUDED.
We shook hands and he was gone.
got a fly, and was presently driving out to
Tumbrill, some four miles away. AS we
rolled on felt a sort of citation, for every
thing now promised exceedingly well. I
felt, too, in the vein to make use of such
gifts as possessed. We soon reached the
place, a handsome but new edifice, with a
lawn, but not very far from the roadside,
and the grass, trees, &C., seemed only
few years old. 1t was near dinner time
when entered, snd was received at the
door in the most cordial manner by MIR.
Tumbrill
"Delighted to see you," he said. "Wel-
come to this unpretending, but, hope,
not unrefined mansion. Go into the draw
ing-room and pay your respects to Mabel
she said she was sure it was your tly,-and
then to dress. We have only Sir Thomas
and Lady LOTUS General and Mrs. Major
blanks, and Featherstone, of the Guards
Lord Featherstone's, you know l under
stood him, for this ''you know is sort
of pedigree form of expression, meaning
intimate connection with a person of high
rank, though it has also happy indefinite
ness, "Lord so and so, you know" signi-
fying either nephew, cousin, or the faintest
connection.
l went into the drawing room and paid
NV respects to Miss Mabel Tumbrill, who
received me most graciously, then hurried
off to dress for dinner. At that meal l
found Sir Thomas and Lady Lotus, the
General and his wife, and also "Lord
Featherstone's you know "a forward,
almost impudent fellow, of the most aston
ishing assurance. In ten minutes l saw
plainly that he had the most daring aims,
and that he was an open candidate for my
heiress! He had no refinement, could only
talk of horses and hounds, and make rude
open-air jokes. So far had an advantage
over him; yet still felt certain depres-
sion. Mabel herself was tlattered by his
bold attentions, but, could see, turned,
after all, to the man of cultivation and re-
finement. l made desperate exertions, and
had some success. Her father was on my
side. He brought forward Lord Sillopes
again and again. Still the forwardness of
the other, and his blunt way of talking,
which nothing would put down, were all
against me- But, at breakfast the next
morning, my good luck laid little pitflll
for him into which he fell. We were all
talking of expense, and of some man
known as great squanderer.
"Oh, he has run through every thing
said Mr.. Featherstone. "The most reck-
less creature you ever heard of. I was
with him the other morning, and what do
YOU suppose he did? A new coat came
home, and the tailor who broughtit, (Toole
himself, great compliment actually put
it on to show how it fitted. The other
really declined to take it, and insisted on
another being made. 1 never saw a man
so wounded as Ioole was.''
l instantly saw my advantage. "He
was quite right" said; 81 admire him
for it. 1t showed delicacy of mind, and
that he knew what was due to his high
caste"
1T was rubbish and nonsense" he said.
"What harm did it do the coat? Iwould
have worn it, and taken it at half price on
the spot"
The look of disgust on her face showed
me that his business was finished on the
spot.
81 agree with you, Mr.. Quentin" she
said "and l think Mr.. Featherstone can
not be serious. The idea is odious."
Nothing would put down Featherstone-
He affected to ridicule me; but it would
not do. had Gislodged him by the adroit
coup. All that day spent with hers She
seemed to look at me with eyes of sort of
tender romance and strange interest. She
said about five o'clock, in strange mean
ing, that "she had began to think that |
was the only one in the wide world that
had yet succeeded in understanding her,
This was encouragement indeed! Why did
not speak on the moment9 she seemed to
expect it. Why indeed it was all my un-
lucky luck. I put it off till the night
after dinner, in the drawing-r room. Fool!
At dinner there was large party, from
the neghborhood, sixteen, and sat beside
her. She was so gracious, so soft, so en-
courageing, began to think l would an
ticipate, and do it then. The miserable
Featherstone was Ilistanced, though l
don't think he knew why. He carried it
off with an air Of unconcern. She spoke
of him. "Your noble words" she said,
"quite delighted me. I knew / should
like you from the first; and l feel that
shall like you better. OF that man had
formed good, high opinion; yet you see
how the earthly spirit came out. He will
never be able to restore himself in my opin-
ion. Since / have known you, l have
heard not single word that was not lofty
and even chivalrous." Why did | not
speak then? Some infatuation made me
put it off.
MI Tumbrill, could hear was earring
Lord Sillopes, giving me at the same time
a corresponding ventilation. Sir Thomas
had met him once-others had heard of
him; attention was concentrated on my
humble self. My opinion was demanded on
various points of politics, law, social econ
omy, books and what not, and respectfully
listened to. 1t was indeed, an hour of
triumph. gave even little disquisitions
and reflections on things in general.
cit is astonishing l said, chow intel
ligence is diffused, and how the stiff bar