Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-21
CHAPTER XIV.
A TRUE DARRELL


The way in which the girl supported her
disappointment was lofty in the extreme
She bore her defeat as proudly as some would
have borne a victory. No one could have told
from iicr face or her manner that she had
suffered grievOus defeat. When she allud-
cd to the change in her position, it was with
certain proud humility that had in it moth
Ing approaching meanneSS or envy.
1t did not seem that she felt the money
loss; it was not the disappointment about
mere wealth and luxury. 1t was rather an
unbounded distress that she had been set
aside Us unworthy to represent the race of
the ID lrrells- she real" Darrell, had
been forced to make way for what, in her
own mind, she called ''baby-taced stran-
ger''-that her training and education, on
which her dear father had prided himself,
should be cast in her face as unworthy and
deserving of rcproach. He and his artist
friends had thought her perfection; that
very ''perfection" on which they had prided
themselves, and for which they had So prais-
ed and 1attered her, was the barrier that had
stood between her and her inheritance.
1t was painful position, but her manner
of hearing it was exalted. She had not been
8 favorite-the pride, the truth, the indie
l.
She had not sought the liking of strangers,
nor courted their esteem; she had not been
sweet and womanly. weeping with those
who wept, and rejoicing with those who re-
joiced; she had looked around her with a
scorn tor conventionalites that had not sat
well upon one SO yOUng-and now she was
to pay the pent.ty for all this. She knew
that neop.e talked about her-that they said
she was rightly punished, justly treated
that it was a blessing for the whole county
to have proper Lady Darrell at Darrell
Court. She knew that among all the crowds
who came 10 the Court there was not one
who SympathiZed with her, or who cared in
the least Tor her disappointment. No Darrell
ever showed greater bravery than She did in
her manner OF beari3g Up under disappoint-
ment Whatever she felt or thought was
most adrOitly concealed. The Spartan boy
was not Drawer; she gave no sign. No hui
initiation seemed to touch her. she carried
herself loftily; nor could any one humliate
her when she did not humiliate herself.
Even Sir Oswald admired her
''She is true Darrell" he said to Miss
Hastings; what grand spirit the girl has,
to be surer
The Court was soon one scene of gayety.
Lady Darrell seemed determined to enjoy
her position. There were garden parties at
which she appeared radiant in the most
charming costumes, balls where her elegance
and delicate beauty her thoroughbred grace
made her the queen; and OF all this gayety
she took the lead. Sir Oswald lavished every
luxury upon her-her wishes were gratlhed
almost before they We're expressed.
Lady Hampton, calling rather earlier than
usual one day. found her in her luxurious
dressing-room, surrounded by such treasures
of silk, velvet, lace. jewels. ornaments of
every description of the most costly and
valuable kind, that her ladyship looked
round in astonishment.
my dearest Eiinor," she said, "what are
you doing? What beautiful confusionr
Lady Darrell raised her fair face, with a
delicate flush and Il half-Shy glance.
Look, aunt" She said. Il am really over
whelmed."
what does it meanw asked Lady Hamp
ton.
'ltmeans that Sir Oswald is too generous
These large boxes have Just arrived from
faris; he told me they were a surprise fOl
me-a present from him. Look at the con
tents-fresses of all kinds, lace, ornaments,
fans, slippers, gloves, and such articles Of
luItuD as can be bought only in Paris
am really ashamed"
''Sir Oswald is indeed generous" sait
Lady Hampton; then she looked round Tic
room 70 see i they We're quite alone
The maid had disappeared.
"Ah. Elinor,' remarked lady HAMPTON
''you are indeed fortunate woman: YOU
lines have fallen in casant places. Yol
might have looked all England over and no