Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-24
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ftOVuutnShuCt Oh NuicUllnC'b HOphcis
was not too sanguine as % the results OF
the Introduction. People knew each
other go differently and from so many
different points, that ! have always found
IL best when on the eve of making fresh
and highly lauded acquaintance to be pre-
pared for disappointment.
Lady EstDlere had returned sooner
than Valentine expected Two days after
her arrival Ia London he begged me TO
waive ceremony, and dine with them
that evening. He had asked Rotlwell,
but he was going away on Snort visit
to 40 old friend, 80 we should be alone.
! accepted the Invitation readily.
'sWhat chums you and the noble trny~
eler seem 10 ben said Valentine. lie
was at our house yesterday, and could
talk OF nothing else but your perfection.
My mother ns q rule does not show much
curiosity about people, but after his lord
ships praise che Is anxious 10 see you
so dent disappoint u.s."
promised not TO fail, and at O'Clock
that evening entered the drawing-room
OF Lady Estmere's house in ST. Johns
Wood.
Valentine, who was usually behlndhand
In such matters as dressing for dinner
and such minor details OF civilization, was
not there, but as lady rose and came
towards me with her hand outstretched,
knew that was face to face with Lady
Estmere.
II not tall above middle height, and
graceful as her son, TO whom she bore a
strong, though refined, delicate and femi-
nine likeness, Lady Estmere's great
beauty was the first thing that impressed
me. She was fair and slight, her figure
almost girlish. For moment IL seemed
ludicrous 20 suppose her TO be the
mother OF my tall friend, yet second
glance made one aware that the idea she
gave OF extreme youth was but tran
sient one--due, perhaps, TO her graceful
carriage and erect bearing. Without
knowing Valentines age, on examination
i should have Judged her 70 be past
forty. Her complexion was pale but
clear, her features most regular and finely
cut and noticed at once the smallness
and beautiful shape OF the hand she
placed In mine. There was q soitness In
her eyes which ! can best describe by
comparing II TO the look IN the
eyes OF some OF Romney's portraits OF
beautiful women. Yet her eyes met yours
fully, frankly, but must also add
proudly, The most noticeable feature of
all | describe lastit was Lady Estmere's
hair. This wos thick, luSuriant, but by
some trick Of nature or constitution,
whilst retaining It's youthful abundance II
he'd Turned 20 a snowy white. As she
wore no widows cap or head-dress Of any
sort, the effect WIS u ilrst startling; but
in few minutes the idea came over you
that nothing could 10 more beautiful,
more out Of the common, more thor
oughly suited 10 her style Of face than
this frame work Of pure white hair. This
was Lady Estmerc, and II her disposition
were IN Keeping with her outward charms,
Valentines expression of 'fairost and
noblest OF womenn might not be much too
exalted.
She greeted me with perfect courtesy
and ease OF manner and entirely relieved
me by few well-chosen words from any
awkwardness | might have felt In the alb
sonce OF my sponsor he welcomed me,
aud placed me- in II chair near to her. Her
voice was low ana sweet, but under the
sweetness lay suspicion OF melancholy.
Indeed may at once say that Lady Est
mere's appearance and manner altogether
gave an acute observer the Impression
that her lot had been a sad one.
~ have heard Il great deal about you,
Mr. Norris,n she said, "both from Valen-
tine and lord Rotlwell lam very glad
TO see you. Valentine calls ycu his
closest friend. As we are almost one IN
thought, you must TRY to take two friends
Instead OF oncn
was framing q suitable reply, when
the door opened and Valentine entered.
He was not nlone, u tall girl came through
the doorway with him, and II | say his
arm was round her waist shall DO say
ing no wrong, unless truth is crime.
The lady WAS the only one who appeared
the least dscomposed Mt being detected
by stranger IN such an unconventional
attitude Valentine came forward with
his -rdinary natural bright manner.
"You here. Philip | never heard you
knock. | am very sorry, but have no
doubt both my mother and you were
equal TO the OCCASION Cmudine and l
were In the garden trying To Ind n rose
that had survived London smokc.n he
added, turning TO Lady Estmero.
stClaudine, Miss Neville, is my niece,
Mr.. Norris" said Lady Estmere, and the
young lady and ! made proper saluta-
ations.
Valentine had told me something IN his
alriest manner about cousin who was
coming back with his mother, but had
not given his words much attention,
,Claudlne Neville therefore came upon me
likes surprise, but snch an agreeable sur
prise that towards the eud OF the evening
/ VS. beginning 10 feel Interested in
.ascertalning whether the manner IN which
the Young relatives entered the drawing.
room was simple demonstration Of
,cousinly affection, an assertion of cousinly
rights on the part OF Valentine, or some
thing more.
There were no other guests at dinner,
we dined Ia cosy, pleasant way at Il
round table. Everything was quiet and
simple, but in the best possible taste.
Waleltine faced his mother, and had the
pleasure OF sitting az her right hand aud
STUDYING Miss NevIle's handsome face
across the flowers between US. II was
not long before l discovered THAI her face
vras well worth study.
Valentine MAS Of course the I've OF the
party, but Mise Neville and bore our
share In the pleasantrhlx. Lady INinere
smoke frequently, but her worda bad
naturally more sober tendency than
those "a the younger members oi the
party. Rothwcl ard his ecceniricities
was very fruitful subject OF conyersa-
tlon. Lady E>tmere WIS cultonA 70 know
now j brcnne acquainted WIKI him aud
1fhr he seemed 10 be 80 fond at me. This
bcEaelauad fbc recital 81 the iaets Of our
,irst iheetlpg, ana described ~ well as
.,oi,la the cdnic side ~ II, and Mr. Duu-
asshle's elstreifing condition ard Disney
III rnpIitlHn II me loncly place pc landed
Al which wap moreover ny OWL drew
|orth beysoubl inquiries from Lady Es'-
mere ard Sefhs4hoW | heaAn iO talk irefly
r. = -. M; ~, ~ tftv hftish duy0