Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-09
CHATTER XIII.

For some time past 81. Lawrence mad
away from Ivy Cottage for
the sake Of his own honor and peace Of
mind, and then he delayed the renewal
Of his visits out of tenderness TO his
friend. Happy as he could not fail TO
be in the knowledge that no barrier ex-
isted between him and the woman be
loved, he could not make any display of
his joyful feelings-could do nothing to
forward his own suit while Douglas
was suffering from recent disappoint-
ment.
Douglas came to the determination
of spending the winter in Rome, and
spoke of setting off at once. so as to
visit the cities of northern Italy by the
way. Some few weeks elapsed before
he sent a farewell note to Mrs. Dalton
instead of calling, packed up his brush
es and colors, and bade goodbye to st.
Lawrence, who saw him into the tidal
train en- route for Boul0gne.
Then, and not till then, did st. Law
renee feel himself free. He gave little
credit to what Douglas had limited
about Bertha's feelings toward him, but
yet he did not despair. He told him
self that if devoted love could win her
he would win her, if she gave him only
the faintest shadow of hope. He would
wait and persevere till he gained her
regard. Nothing seemed impossible
for him with Bertha's love as his re-
ward. If fortune smiled upon him, she
would still be his priceless treasure; If
it frowned, he was ready to set its
threatenings at defiance with her at his
side.
Douglass departure threw Mrs. Dal-
ton into strange confusion between
regret and vexation. She was puzzled
to account for his leaving England
without calling, when they had always
been upon friendly terms, and his note
gave no reason for such unaccountable
behavior. 1t merely stated his inten-
tion of spending the winter on the con-
tinent--that was all.
Mrs. Dalton fully intended, should
Mr.. st. Lawrence call again, to tell him
that she had heard reports concerning
him that would make any further ac-
Quaintance undesirable; but there was
a certain dignity. not to say stateliness
about him that overawed her. She
could not frame the words that should
convey her meaning; and, as she looked
into his fine intelligent countenance.
and met his honest, clear-seeing eyes,
she felta good deal staggered in her be-
lief that there had been anything dis
reputable in his past life. Still she felt
bound by Fancourt's expressed wish.
1t would not do, as she had told Bertha,
to have any one coming to the house of
whom he did not approve. 1t was
these conflicting ideas that caused her
manner to be constrained and embar-
rassed.
They spoke at first of Douglas; and
Mrs. Dalton could not forbear express
ing something of their disappointment,
which made st. Lawrence fully under
stand that Bertha had kept Douglass S
proposal secret-and he loved her the
more for it, though it was only what lie
would have expected from her. He in
uuired for the young ladies, and was
told that they had gone out together.
You have heard of an approaching
event in our family, probably" said
Mrs. Dalton at last, by way OF intro
ducing Fancourt's name.
Eyes, have heard" st. Lawrence
replied, gravely. MAY ask if any
time is yet fixed for the ceremony"
"No-the day is not yet absolutely
fixed" Mrs. Dalton replied. ''You see
there are settlements, and good many
things to consider. in forming an alli-
ance with man of Mr.. Fancourt'S po-
sition. Lord Alphington has been laid
up with an attack of the gout. We
have not seen him yet, but I must say
he has behaved most generously"
st. LaWrence'S countenance wore an
expression of pity as he observed Mrs.
Dalton's flutter of pride and triumph
on speaking of her daughters engage
ment, and in mentioning the name of
Lord Alphington. He was silent, how
ever, and Mrs. Dalton took courage.
"Have you ever happened to meet
Mr.. Fancourtp" she asked.
"Mr. Fancourt. Never" he replied.
"Oh, l am SO glad. He must have
been mistaken then" she said, with a
gasp of relief.
Mistaken? In what way?" st. Law
renee inquired.
''Oh, only one day, when we were in
Kensington Gardens, saw you at
distance. and pointed you out to Mr..
Fancourt; and he said that he had seen
you beforehand known you under an
other name, in fact-and that-that
II was no better than I should be, 1
suppose" said St. Lawrence, smiling,
as Mrs. Dalton broke off her sentence
in embarrassment.
II didn't exactly mean to say that, u
she stammered; but you will, | am sure,
understand, Mr.. st. Lawrence, that,
situated as | am. have to be very par
ticular; and, as Mr.. Fancourt thinks
lone word, Mrs. Dalton" st. Law
renee interposed. ''Do you go by Mr..
Fancourt's opinion in your implied
judgment of me, or have you yourself
observed anything in my manner OF
conduct that has led you to think unfa-
vorably of me?"
"Oh, dear, no." Mr.. st. Lawrence, .
cried the poor lady. becoming more and
more distressed with her self-imposed
task-"quite the contrary, l assure you
'Only that Mr.. Fancourt does moi
wish to meet me-" said st. Lawrence
again taking up the word. "That car
quite understands; and for the present
will take care that you shall be subject.
ed to no unpleasantness on my account
The time will come before long, I trust
when I shall present myself before yor
under different light"
II am so sorry" Mrs. Dalton faltered
''And there is another thing l wanted
to say. am afraid my Lena may have
made an impression upon you, but / an
sure your good sense will tell you thai
could not have been, even if she had moi
been engaged.
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