Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-16
CHAPTER XIV.

1t was with feelings of both surprise
and pleasure that Lord Alphington re-
ceived Fancourt's letter acquainting
him with his engagement to Madeline
Dalton, and asking his consent.
He had fully intended to go up to
London early the following day; but in
the night an attack of his old enemy
gout-came on, which this time would
not be warded off. For several weeks he
was confined to his room, and after the
disease abated it was some time before
he could move about easily, so that his
Journey to London was unavoidably
postponed. The preparations for his
grandson's marriage, however, went on.
Mr.. Thompson paid sundry visits to
Alphington Park for necessary instruc-
tions and signatures, and the wedding
was fixed to take place within few
days, when Lord Alphington at last
found himself able to proceed to town,
which he did, intending to remain there
till after the ceremony.
The bride and bridegroom were to set
off for three months tour on the Con-
tinent Immediately after the wedding
breakfast; courier and lady's maid were
both engaged. Trunks containing the
principal part of the trousseau were al
ready packed in readiness for removal
to the house in Magnus Square, the
principal rooms of which were to be
newly decorated and furnished during
Mr.. and Mrs. Fancourt's absence. Mrs.
Dalton was at the height Of pleaSurable
excitement, giving orders for the break
fast and the reception of the expected
guests. Sir Stephen and Lady Langley
were to arrive in town on the following
day and to take up their sojourn in
Magnus Square, when Lord Alphing-
ton paid his long promised visit to the
beautiful .fa,,cee.
Mrs. Dalton was in a flutter, as usu-
al, and Lena felt something like nerv-
GUS tremor, when Lord Alphington'S
carriage stopped at the gate. They
were soon reassured, however, by the
cordiality of his manner. He pressed a
fatherly kiss on Lena's brow, and she,
touched by his kindness, in the little
heart she had left that was not render
ed callous by selfShneSs, received his
salutation with very engaging degree
Of shy emotiOn-a mOmentary overflow
of feeling that for the instant lent her
loveliness its crowning charm. His
manner to Bertha was affectionate; and
Mrs. Dalton was in the seventh heav-
en-" at the very acme of all she had
hoped or desired.
aAnd now, Mrs. Dalton" said the
Earl, after nearly an hour Of confiden-
tial talk, "you must fix time for
bringing your daughters to Magnus
Square. Madeline must see her future
home, and decide upon the alterations
she would wish to have made during
her absence. Bertha, too, will assist us
with her taste y he added, turning with
a pleasant smile to the younger sister,
and then again to Mrs. Dalton. MAY
I have the pleasure of seeing you to
luncheon tomorrow
''We shall be delighted, " replied Mrs.
Dalton. "Mr. Fancourt was here this
morning, but I don't know whether he
is engaged to-mOrTow--h did not say
1--WE will leave FancOurt out of the
question, If you please" returned Lord
Alphington-"if you can endure the
separation from your betrothed for q
few hours, Miss Dalton?"
Lena colored wildly, but the blush
had different cause from that Lord
Alphington assigned to it. She felt
guilty before this good old man; she
knew that if he could read her inmost
heart he would despise her-nay, prob
ably turn from her with something like
disgust. Unlike her mother, Lena was
quite awake to the knowledge that there
was a higher path she had refused to
tread; and at such moments as these
she scorned herself for the false, venal
woman she was. She soon, however
put these thoughts away from her. The
die was cast. She persuaded herself
that 1t was too late to retract even II
she had the wish. And Lord Alphing'
ton, at any rate, need never know the
truth, need never know the part she
was acting. She recovered her equa-
nimity in time to take graceful leave
of her future relative, and Lord Alph'
ington returned to Magnus Square very
favorably impressed, and quite satisfied
that his grandson had made suitable
choice.
at o.e O'Clock the following day Lore