Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-12
A Marchioness.
Why Brave Hetty Leigh Rejected Lord.

A Marchloness.
Why Brave Hetty Leigh Rejected Lord.
Why did Lord Verriner wander in strange
and tropical climes, explore Japan and
Timbuctoo. and attempt to cross the Him.
alayas The noble Earl only tried to get
married once, and in the story of that we'd
ding is contained the reason for his becom-
ing such distinguished traveller and
growing such a very long beard.
Lord Verriner had been going the pace
ever since he came into his title and got
hold of his property; and, at the time of
which l am speaking, though the former
necessarily remained intact, the latter was
practically non-existent. He had borrow
ed from his boot-maker, his tailor and his
jeweler, after having previously exhausted
the patience and generosity of money-lend-
ers. Gambling, racing, etc., had in fact
ruined him. But still his title and position
had a marketable value; for he was one of
the oldest and most distinguished families
in England. This marketable value was
now only of one kind. Lenders and boot
makers would no longer listen to him, even
though he was the handsonest man Of his
day, with the most perfect manners, and
one Of the pets of thatsmall circle of society
which sits up aloft like party of cherubs,
regarding scornfully the morals and man.
ners of the respectable folks below. But
in spite of the lost credit of Lord Verriner
among the money-lenders he was still
spoiled darling among the women. And it
occurred to him one day that here was his
market. He must do . the usual thing;
marry money which wanted a title in ex-
change.
Thinking the thing over, he saw that
most of his fellows who had succeeded in
getting out of a similar predicament by
these means had married American girls
This, he thought, would be tolerably
easy thing to do. English women appeared
to him to require more attention and to be
less business-like and more sentimental in
their matrimonial affairs. He decided to
look out for an American. Vefriner be-
lieved he understood women thoroughly
He was an excellent actor, and could cloak
himself with a languid and profoundly
bored manner which was great success
among the women of his own social status.
He preserved this languor always when in
society, except in the smokingroom, for, as
he we'll knew, it was safe. 1t prevented
his ever getting into hot water. Under
meath this quiet surface volcano blazed,
and a very unpleasant volcano, too. Yer
riner had the most frightful temper which
he was accustomed to let loose upon his
lady friends, his servants, his horses and
his dogs. The two first left him: the last
showed their resentments in different ways.
He was never safe from bite in his own
stable; and his dogs kept out of his sight.
This was the man who, month or two
after he had made up his mind to do it,
had discovered new American beauty,
just over from the States for the London
season, with dollars and greenbacks enough
to reinstate any ruined lord. Verriner
thought her really very tolerable, and was
much amused by her independent and live
ly manner, which contrasted we'll with the
profound languor he always maintained in
her presence. His handsome face, his in
tense quiet and repose and the position he
could give her, all pleased Hetty Leigh,
for her the charm of novelty. She could not
resist so big as catch this; it was worth all
her greenbacks to enter the Marlborough
House set under the wing of this quiet,
handsome fellow. And ST., when Verriner
lazily but respectfully proposed, Hetty
Leigh accepted him with open and undis-
guised delight. In fact, she clasped her
hands as soon as the thing was done, and
said: My won't the girls at home stare =
Mrs. Leigh nearly fainted-as nearly as
wiry middle-aged American lady can
when she heard the good news. She had
come over with one object, to marry her
Hetty to Lord. And it was all ''fixed
up before the season was fairly begun
And Hetty's husband was such handsome,
quiet man and Hetty's wedding would be |
the grandest event in the London season p'
1t was all settled and every thing went
merrily. Hetty and her mother were asked
to all the best houses; the girl who was to be |
Lady Verriner must be royalty entertained |
by every body. even though many Of the
women would have beeAglad to throw
vitriol in her pretty, piquant face. How |
Hetty dressed Her toilets alone were
enough to make any woman hate her, even
if she had not the additional and unpardon- |
able privilege of being rich enough to pay |
for Lord Verriner to be always carrying
her cloak and fan, and keeping out of the |
way of her train. Well, the time came |
of the season, and as Mrs. Leigh had |
More than one great parsonage had pro-
missed to be present, including that very
great parsonage who gives the English So
ciety. The noble ones of the land had been
hidden to meet them. The wedding presents
were slight indeed, and the list of them in
the papers made the mouths of burglars
water with longing. The trousseau was
wonder, too, and made sad the hearts of
many great ladies.
Verriner was we'll content. If he had
to be married at all, every thing must be in
good form. He had taken the trouble to
secure the presence of the great personages
and the people whom they cared to meet
No other wedding of the season could hold
a candle to his; he felt quite satisfied about
that He knew himself to be a superb crea-
ture, and he was pleased with Dame Fortune
for showing her appreciation of the fact. The
morning came, and when Verriner rose he
felt nervous for the first time in his life
There certainly is something very trying
about wedding morning, even to the most
hardened. He ate no breakfast, but be-
gan at champagne before he dressed, and
went on with it during the process. His
best man, the young Marquis Of Broad
lands, came in to look after him. He found
Verriner trembling; he had never done this
on the morning of duel, or after night
over the cards, or the moment before race
was run on which his all was staked.
"What is the matter, Verriner, inquired
the young Marquis, in much amazement.
Suppose the Prince shouldn't come !'
"Oh, nonsense; he always keeps his
word. Make haste, Or we shall be late at
the church,
Verriner drank another glass of cham
pagne, and they started. The church was
already beginning to fill as church only
does fill on such occasions as this with the
stream of the upper ten thousand. Yer
riner was pleased, for in his heart this ap-
parent cynic was as vain as the schoolgirl.
Soon after he arrived the Prince came, and
at last "every one" was there except the
bride.