Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-10-04
but hoped to meet Lord Talbot at the
Duchess of CliffOrd's that night.

but hoped to meet Lord Talbot at til,
Duchess of Clifford's that night.
| My lord, bit his lips angrily, bu
nevertheless he had been SO STRUCK
with his wite's brilliant beauty he de-
ternined to keep the engagement.
She did not meet him with sob
this time. The center of an admir-.
ing throng, she spoke to him with al
ease and nonchalance that would
have indicated to a stranger the mos
usual and commonplace of acQuain.
tanceships. 4 He tried to draw her int
a confidential mood, but she sale
smilingly, MY lord, the world sup
poses us I'd have already congratu'
lated each other we need not unde.
ceive it, ae tl@. .l.84 i.ise ia
He was dreadfully piqued, and the
pique kept the cause of it continually
in his mind. Indeed, unless he left
London, he could hardly avoid con.
slant meetings, which were constant
aggravations. My lady went every.
where. Her beauty, her wit, hel
splendid toilets, her fine manners
were the universaltheme. He had IL
endure extravaganza comments on
them. Friends told him that Lady
Talbot had never before been SO bril-
liant and bewitching as since his re.
turn. He was congratulated on his
influence over her. ,...
In the meantime she kept strictly
at the distance he himself had arrang.
ed four years ago. IT, was evident II
he would approach any nearer to his
beautiful but long-neglected wife he
must humble himself to do so. Why
should he mott In Lord Talbot's
mind the reasons against it had dwin-
led down to one. But this was a
formidable one. It was his valet,
This man had known all his masters
matrimonial troubles, and in his own
way sympathized with them. He
bitterly AYERS to my Lord Talbot's
making any concessions to my lady.
One night, however, he received a
profound shock. .'ds. f. sic
Simmons said Lord Talbot, very
decidedly, 'go'and ask the Lady Tai
bot if she will do me the honor to re-
ceive visit from me. -. -.
My lady would be delighted. She
was.in an exquisite costume, and con-
descended to exhibit for his pleasure
all her most bewildering moods. II
was a two hours visit. The next
night he staid still longer. My lady
had no other engagement, and he
quite forgot the one he had made to
be present a the Marquis of Stairs
party. w..
The following week my lady re-
ceived a basket of wonderful flowers
every morning, and a little note with
them containing a hope that she was
in good health.
One morning she was compelled to
say she was not very well, and Lord
Talbot was so concerned that he sent
Simmons to ask if he might be per-
mitted to eat breakfast with her. MY
lady was graciously willing, and
Lord Richard was quite excited by
the permission. He changed his
morning gown and cravat several
times, quite regardless Of Simmons
peculiar face, and, with many mis-
givings as to his appearance, sal
down opposite the lovely little. lady
in her pale blue satin and cashmeres
and white laces.
1t was a charming breakfast, and
during it the infatuated husband could
not help saying great many times
very sweet and tlattering things
Kate pared them prettily. ',''
lit is well,' she said, that no one
hears us. If we were not married
they would think we were making
love- tr,a f.....,.. a.. F.,--
'!And if we are married, Kate, why
not love, dear7 We had no oppor-
tunity before we were married. u 'S''
'Ah, Richard, in fashionable life we
should make ourselves ridiculous,
Every one says that our behavior is
irreproachable. should have dear
ly liked it when l was only a shy,
awkward country girl; but now my
lord we should be laughed att
Then, Kate, let us be laughed at
for one am longing for it-dying fol
it. If Time shall run back and fetch
the age of gold,' why not love Let
us 60 back four whole years. and q
half. Willyou, Kate7--dearest, sweet.
est Kate 2
we should have to run away to
the country, Richard. And now
think of it, have not been at Esther
since we were-married, love- a.
When such a conversation as this
was prolonged for five hours, it was
little wonder that my lords valet and
my lady's maid received orders tt
pack valises and trunks, or the next
day that Esther Hall was in happy
tumult of preparation.
Love comes better late than never
and Lady Kate always told hersel
that she never could have been a.
happy in those sweet old gardenI
with her lover as she was with hel
husband. Probably they were boil
as perfectly satisfied as it is possible
for human love to be; for greatly to
the amazement of the fashionable
world, they not only spent the whole
summer alone in their country hsme
but actually, when they came back tt
London, had the courage to appear
in the very height Of the season, il
the same box at the opera.
Really, Kate says Miss Selma
III never was so astonished. Tn
gentleman on your left '.. '''
lis always at my right now, dear
He will never be in the opposition
again. -..
"How delightful =
"For us7 Oh, yes. Charming