Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-07

daughters of age?'
Doctor Knowail smiled: @My dear lady,
the Duke is young-more than that, he is
unmarried"
Soon after that stroke the doctor left his
patient TO her own reflections. Need / say
that these were of the most joyful sort
Brilliant visions flashed before her mind,
and kind of second sight seemed to merge
the present with the future as she read in
the Court Journal and Morning Post of
certain approaching marriage in high life,
that of an actual wedding, with a full ac-
count of the dresses of the bride, of the
bridesmaids, and of the brides mother.
The cake, of course, was furnished by Gun
ter, and the gifts were all of princely de-
scriptIon. She was already wondering what
presents the Duke would give his brides
maids, and how she could contrive the alb
sence of certain Objectionable relations of
her husband, when an appalling reflection
arrested her; other daughters besides
Ophelia might cherish aspirations; other
mothers might rival herself in ambition or
outwlt her in resource.
She determined to be prompt-to be, if
possible, first in the field. So that evening
she did three things She had maternal
conversation with Ophelia, whom by del
icate method of thought-transference she
inspired with certain hopes TO which there
was no need to give open utterance. She
wrote TO Poole's to send man to take
Johns measure for sundry new and becom-
ing garments She wrote to Rolandi's to
recommend her first-rate French master,
and to send her some of the newest French
literature
Meantime great preparations were made
lat -. 80, l..
illustrious friend for brief period till Ber-
esford Hall had undergone certain deco
rative changes, suitable TO the exalted
rank Of its expected occupant. The Duke
had put this matter almost entirely in the
Captains hands, who was to order all
requisites with free purse, and as much
as possible from the local tradesmen This
added immensely TO the Captains popu-
larity, and it was generally felt that his
Liberal opponent for the next election
might as we'll vacate the field at once
The Captain daily expected the Duke, to-
gether with his faithful Achates and COM
panion, who rejoiced in the name of Mr.
Edwin Vincent.
One day the Duke telegraphed to the
Captain, begging him to send and meet
him by train due at Littleswamp late
that afternoon. But the telegram, unlucl-
lily, was never delivered, for it fell out of
the bearers pocket, and being found by
small boy, was by him promptly torn to
pieces; the bearer, when he discovered the
loss, wisely relying on circumspect silence.
The consequence was disastrous for the
Duke and his satellite stepped on arriving
into carriage which they took to be in
! tended for themselves but which had really
been sent by the Rossendales for the tailor
from Poole's and the French master from
Rolandi's, who happened to be coming by
the same train. When they arrived the
butler, who had no notion of attempting to
announce the French master by name,
ushered the Duke into the drawing-room,
first showing his companion into the study,
there to await the pleasure of his master
| The Duke seemed rather puzzled at first,
but he imagined that his host and hostess
were for the moment engaged, and that
the strange lady and her daughter were
| fellow-guests with himself under the Cap
tain's hospitable roof.
Tea was served, and the usual common
places of conversation exchanged, after
which Mrs. Rossendale rang the bell, and
babe the butler send Mr.. Fitzhubert down |
This is my son." said she, as she intro
duced a strapping graceless youth of IL |
= 1t is my wish that he should have the !
benefit of conversation with you in your
native tongue. (Fitzhubert, don't giggle)" |
With the greatest of pleasure" said |
the Duke graciously.
You will also reid French with nv
self and my daughter Qphelia," added the |
lady.
1t sounded oddly like an imperative, but |
| the Duke took ii as a request, and replied |
| that that would also give him much pleas |
ure.
You have doubtless brought with you
some of the newest books from Paris. |
Pray, may | ask you for some of their
names ?'
al regret, Madam" said The Duke,
that in coming to England | have left !
my native literature, as well as my native !
land, behind me-"
How vexing" said the lady "Then
we shall have, l fear, to depend on Ra-
cine. (Fitzhubert, run and fetch Racine
instead of grinning there like an IDIOT
Excuse me, but | should Just like to test
your accent from Racine. | assume that
it is the purest Partisan"
Before the Duke, astonished beyond
measure, could reply, in rushed Vincent,
In high state of indignation. "What is
the meaning of this insult ~ he exclaimed.
They take me for tailor in this house
They ask me to take mans measure
Was it your intention to subject me to
this insult, NJ. lie Duc?'
Fitzhubert exploded, and so did his
mother, but in a different way, for she
could not suppress a slight scream, as Just
at this moment her husband ushered into
| the room the veritable French master and
the tailor, who, CHANGING to get a lift, had
at last reached their destination. | will |
not attempt to describe the amazement on
one side, the explanations and apologies on
the other which ensued before this pain
full scene ended, and the Duke and his
attendant finally departed with the
proiusest expressions of gratitude and |
amity
Then it was Johns turn He, as the
schoolboys say, caught it. ats all your
stupid fault, john" exclaimed his spouse,
wringing her hands in her excess of vexa-
ton. Why did you not save me from
this? You've no more sense than toad,
as well as no more ambition. Oh! What
| shall | do what shall | do?"
Forget all about it, dear mother" said |
Fitzhubert laughing. At all events, we I
shall need no formal introduction to Pure |
C@rulean. He'll Know US all again. when
| he sees u.s.
"Fitzhubert,' said his mother sternly. at
is no laughing matter; the very thought |
of it is agonizing. John, it's like you to
stand there and let that boy exult over the
distress of his mother"
Fitzhubert retreated, but explosions of |
laughter, like a squib going off, might be |
heard at intervals as he receded into the |,
distance
When once the Duke was settled in Beres-
ford Hall his popularity grew apace. The |
custom he gave to all sorts of tradespeople |
was as lavish as became his position. No |
one thought of anything so insulting as
sending in their bills. The Dukes custom |
was its own reward. Dukes, of course, are !
exempt from the horrid modern custom of |
ready-money payments. That is one of |
the compensations of the position.
Captain Fosse still chung to the Duke as
IN sense his own possession or creation.
de lost no opportunity of being seen in
his presence, and one day gave large
garden party to introduce the Duke gen
orally TO the society of the neighborhood
Who in Littleswamp ever forgot that day?