Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-08


that will strengthen the bond between your
mother and him"
His voice and manner changed curiously as
he said this. No one could have been gayer
than he was five minutes before, when he was
expatiating upon the merits Of jam sand
witches. No one could be graver than he was
now.
did not answer him. What could say? My
engagement is an accepted fact.
We were both silent till i felt somebody
would have to say something. SO l said, rather
stupidity, Cyril and have known each other
since we were children. We are almost like
brother and sister"
'Almost-with the difference of a wedding
ring, he answered, as he rose to say good-by.
When he was gone l found he had stayed only
twenty minutes, and | had two hours to dis
pose of before o'clock.
He came to see mother this afternoon and
they walked together on the terrace in earnest
conversation for more than an hour. Uncle
Ambrose was over at the cottage, buried among
his books / was in the drawing ROOM and I
couldn't help feeling little curious about what
mother and Mr.. Florestan could find to talk
about all that time. | tried to practice, but
found myself repeatedly running to the open
window to look at them.
He took leave at last without coming into the
house to see me, which l thought was little
ungrateful on his part after my having given
him his tea yesterday afternoon.
What secrets have you and your neighbor
been talking, Mamie?' l said when mother
came slowly IN at the drawing room window,
looking grave and thoughtful.
Don't ask to know too much nv pet We
have been talking of page in the book of the
past. Nothing that touches my Daisy"
You have been talking of my father" said.
She did not deny it.
asked no more questions, knowing how
easily she Is saddened by any thought of the
past. Yet l could not help wondering and
wondering and wondering all day long what
connection there could be between Mr.. Flo
reStan and my dear father. fate.
May 3O.-It is fortnight since 1 wrote the
last line in my diary, and we have all migrated
to Grosvenor square.
The house is lovely; every detail that can
minister to the comfort and convenience of its
inhabitants has been studied and thought out.
My rooms are delicious, coloring, form, every
thing Ill excellent taste. outlook sunny, flowers
IN all the windows brightness and prettness
everywhere, and yet / find myself regretting
River Lawn every hour of my life and have a
shrewd suspicion that mother feels very much
as do. Already she has been talking about
August, when We shall go back to Lamford
The drawing room Is for tomorrow and my
court gown has come home from Madam Marti-
nets, train OF thick dull white silk, which
falls in massive statuesque folds a white satin
pettlcoat covered with crystal beads. all one
sparkle, dazzling lridesccnr. The costume is a
marval OF brilliant simplicity. Mother has
given me the pearl necklace she wore at her
presentation three and twenty years ago and
Uncle Ambrose has given me set of diamond
stars which are to fa5ten the ostrich plumes in
my hair and on my shoulders. Cyril brought
his offering this morning. sapphire half
hoop ring-the second he has given me- The
first was given me i'll Venice, where he bought
it at one of the jewelers. in the dear little
Mercerla-a double half hoop OF diamonds and
rubies.
June 1.-The awful ceremony is over without
any hitch, and hope without any gaucherie
upon my part. l have seen the face of majesty
Tor mother and were early at the palace and
the queen had not retired when our turn came
My gown has been admired and is laid by in
lavender, and l am now formally introduced to
society. and have all the rights, privileges and
responsibilities of youny person who il ..out'
Cyril Is not to be allow ID the splendors and
luxuries OF Grosvenor square until after our
marriage. His father thinks that as a bachelor
he is better off in the Albany, where he has a
delightful set of oms andwhere ne may keep
as much he likes.
III were young man with such advantages
L should never want to marry.
MY cousins have expressed themselves very
decidedly about my future life in Grosvenor
square. They cannot believe il possible that
any young couple could be happy under the
same root as their father and mother.
Il should prefer the shabbiest little fiat in
! the Edgeware road to your splendid apart
ments. said Dora The plan may answer
very well i'll France. There is a kind of child
ishness about the French which makes them
look up TO their parents in positively ridicu-
lous way; but it will never do in an English
household. Mark my words. Daisy, it will
never do"
/ told her that almost the chief consideration
in my engagement to Cyril was the idea that
should not be parted from my mother when
| became his wife.
If that consideration influences you, my
dear, depend upon it you don't care two straws
| for the man." she answered in her horrid way
1 see a good deal of my cousins now am liv-
ing in town. They find Grosvenor square
nearer the Park than Harley street, and often
| drop in to luncheon after their morning walk.
They walk in the Row in the morning, and
ride before dinner daily, as if it were part Of
| their religion.
And yet" my aunt says, Il have not had
| one eligible offer for either Of them"
think there is something really pathetic in
| that yet"
| he ,aJ