Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-05
CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX.
The narrative returns to South Morden,
and follows the events which attended
Isabel's marriage engagement.
To say that Miss Pink, inflated by triumph
rose, morally speaking, from the earth, and
family the effect produced on the ex-school-
mis- sress when her niece first informed her of
what had happened at the farm. Attacked
on one side by her aunt and ON the other by
Hardyman, and feebly defended, at the best,
by her own doubts and misgivings Isabel
ended in surrendering at discretion. Like
of other women in similar po-
sition, she was in the least degree uncertain
as to the sta of her own heart. To what
extent she was insensioly influenced by
Hardyman's co nmanding position in believ-
ing herself to be sincerely attached to him,
it was beyond her power of self examination
to discover. He doubly dazzled her by his
birth and by his celebrity. Not in England
only, but throughout Europe, he was a rec
,gnized authority on his own subject How
could she-how could any woman-resst
The influence of his steady mind, his
firmness of purpose, his manly resolu-
ton to owe everything to himself and nothing
to his rank, set off, as these attractive quail
ties were. by the outward and personal adj
vantages which exercise an ascendancy Of
their owns Isabel was fascinated, and yet
Isabel was not at ease In her lonely mo-
ments she was troubled by regretful thoughts
of Moody, which perpiexed and irritated her.
She had always behaved honestly to him; she
had never encouraged him to hope that his
love for her had the faintest prospect of be-
ing returned Yet, knowing as she did that
her conduct was blameless SO far, there were
nevertheless peverse sympathies in her
which took his part In the wakeful hours
of the night there were whispering voices
which said: Think of Moody Had there
been growing kindness toward this good
friend in her heart of which she was herself
not alvarez She tried to detect ito weigh
it fo- what it was really worth. But it Law
too deep to be discovered and estimated, 1T
did really exist-if it had any sounder origin
than her own morbid fancy. In the broad
light Of day. in the little hustling duties OF
life she forgot it again She could think OF
what she ought to wear on the welding
day; she could even try privately
how her new signature, "Isabel Hardy
man." would look when she had the
right to use it. On the whole. it may be said
that the time passed smoothly, with some
occasional checks and drawbacks, which
were the more easily endured seeing that
they took their rise in Isabels own conduct.
Compliant as she was in general, there were
two instances, among Others, in which her
to take her own way was not to
be overcome. She refused to write either to
Moody or to Lady Lydiard informing them
of her engagement, and she steadily dis
of Miss Pinks policy of conceal
ment in the matter of the robbery at Lady
Lydiard's house. Her aunt could only secure
her as a passive accomplice by stating
family considerations in the strongest posi-
lie terms ''lf the disgrace was confined to
you. my dear, l might leave you to decide.
But am involved in it, as your nearest re a.
tive; and, what is more, even the sacred
of your father and mother might
feel the slur cast on them" This exaggerated
all exaggerated lang age,
weapon in the arsenal of weak
ness and prejudlce-had its effect on Isabel.
Reluctantly and sadly she consented to be
silent.
Miss Pink wrote word of the engagement
to Moody first, reserving to later dav the
superior pleasure Of informing Lady Lydl-
ard of the very event which that audacious
woman had declared to be impossible. 10
her aunt's surpri e. just as she was about to
close the envelope, Isabel stepped forward,
and inconsistency requested leave to add
postscript to the very letter which she had
refused to write Miss Pink was not even
permitted to ses the postscript Isabel Sc
cured the envelope the moment she had laid
down her pen, and retired to her room with
a headache (Which was heartache in dis
guise) for the rest of the day.
While the question of thu marriage was
still in debate, an event occurred which ex-
ercised serious influence on Hardyman's fu-
ture plans.
He received letter from the Continent
which claimed his immediate attention. One
of the sovereigns of Europe had decide on
making some radical changes in the mount
ing and equipment of cavalry regiment,
and he required the assistance of Ha:dyman
in that important part of the contemplated
reform which was connected with the choice
and purchase of horses Setting his own in
terests out of the question, Hardyman owed
obi cations to the kindness of his ilustrious
which made it impossible for
him to send an excuse In fortnight's
time, at the latest, it would be necessary for
him to leave England, and a month or more
might elapse before it would be possible for
him to return.
Ouuof Uu6So CIRCUMSTANCES uO plOpOSou, LII
bis own precipitate way, to hasten the date
of the marriage. The necessary legal delay
would permit the ceremony to be performed
on that day fortnight Isabel might then
accompany him on his journey and spend
brilliant honeymoon at the foreign court.
She at once refused not only to accept this
but even to take it into considera-
ton While Miss Pink dwelt eloquently on
the shortness of the notice. Miss Pmk's niece
based her resolution on far more important
grounds Hardyman had not yet announced
the contemplated marriage to his parents and
friends. and Isabel was determined not to
become his wife until she could be first as
sured of a courteous and tolerant reception
BY the family, if she could hope for no
warmer welcome at their hands.
Hardyman was not man who yielded
easily. even in trifes In the present case
mis- dearest interests were concerned in in
ducing Isabel to reconsider her decision He
was still vainly trying to shake her resolu-
ton when the afternoon post brought letter
for Mis-, Pink, which introduced new ele-
ment of disturbance into the discussion. The
letter was nothing less than Lady Lydlards
reply to the written announcement OF lsabels
engagement, dispatched on the previous day
by Miss Pink.
Her ladyships answer was surprisingly
short one 1t only contained these lines:
Lady Lydiard begs to acknowle lge the
receipt of Miss Pinl1's letter requesting that
she will say nothing to Mr.. Hardyman of the
loss of bank note in her house, and assign
ing as a reason that Miss Isabel Miller Is en-
paped to be married to Mr.. Hardyman and
might be prejudiced in his estimation if the
facts were made known. Miss Pink may
make her mind easy. Lady Lydiard has not
the slightest intention of taking Mr.. Hardy
man into her confidence on the subject Of her