Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-14

LORD ORMONT AND HIS AMfNTA.
Ey George Meredith. Charles Scrbner's
Sons, New York Price $3.50.
This IS a book which is attracting
great attention IN England and America.
The genius ot the author is admitted.
lie IS powerful in character portrature;
he tells story well but 1t cannot be-
conceded that this work Of his will ad-
vance the cause Of morality. The most
that can be said Of it In that direction
L. that husbands reading 1t possibly may
be made TO see that unless they give
their hearts 20 their wives these cannot
be held irresponsible for after conse-
queLces.
In the beginning Of the book Matcy
Woyburn Is a school-bOy, the head Of
his class. the leader Of his fellows. He
eXcels in his studies. in athletics. and in
good conduct In those days Lord or
mont was the commander Of the British
cavalry in India, and had made great
name. IL the eyes Of Weyburn Ormont
was a hero. lie was constantly sounding
Ormonts praises and his school-fellows
took their opinion from him. Near by
the boys school was a girls school. and
among the pupils there was one named
Amnta, the daughter OF an Englishman
who had married a Spanish lady, and
both Of whose parents were dead. Wey-
burn ana Aminta became friends; more,
inleed-boy and girl lovers. But in the
course Of time they went different ways
in the walks Of life, and Lord Ormont
went his.
Ormont, at the height Of his great
reputation, made a blunder. At the head
Of 90 Of his men he bounced down upon
and captured a number Of native chiefs
whom he suspected OF being engaged in
Matching treason. His act was disavowed
by his supcriors, and resulted in his
leaving the army. lie became a "soured"
man. Because the press and many public
men at home had criticised him. he re-
solved 10 give the cold shoulder TO
England and all her people. Most Of his
time he spent travelling on the Con-
tincnt, avoiding all Englshmen when
he could do 50. At Madrid he met
Aminta, and she won his love. she
was ever 50 much younger than ne was.
but the match was helped on by Amlnta's
scheming aunt. and Ormont and Aminta
were married at the British Embassy
Not a word Of his marriage did Ormont
write 10 his sister, Lady Charlotte. or
t. other klnspcople. From time to time
his folks at home heard Of his being
i'm foreign cities with Amnta, but they
couldn't believe that that poor, untitled,
but beautiful young woman had been
welded 10 him.
After two or three years spent upon the
Continent Ormont and Am!nta took up
their residence in London. Ormont stiil
raging IN mind, though saying little
against England, and especially against
society made no attempt to introdur
his wife TO his relatives or to present
her at court. She could only make the
acquaintance of f,w women, and nearly
all Of these belonged to London's fast
set OrmOut never discussed her position
with her and she was too proud TO Deg
him To- do her justice.
OYment. having concluded 10 write his
memoirs Of service in India, found IL
necessary 10 employ a secretary, ana II
happened that OF all the men III the
world the one thus chosen was Mey-
burn OF the youthful love between Wey-
burn and Aminta Ormont knew nothing
and was told nothing.
In the course OF time Ormont and Aninta
got further and further apart. But he was
ever gentle. courteous. and generous 10
her. At last he realized that he had
done his wife an atrociOus wrong III
allowing the world to be uncertain
whether she were his wife or his mistress.
lie resolved 10 80 to work quietly ana
without her knowledge TO install her III
her lawful position In society. lie went
down the country, and had the o!d
family homestead put in condition 10
receive her lie went to Lady Charlotte
his sister who bad never called upon
Aminta. and compelled her 10 surrender
10 him the Ormont family jewels. when
were his, and which he desired Amlnta
20 wear. He was planning 10 nave
Aminta presented at court. lie wa"
battling with stubborn, unbelieving Lazy
Charlotte TO persuade her that Amihta
had for years and years been married 10
whom.
Meanwhile the old love of Weyburn and
Amiuta was revlving. They delighted 20
recall school-days. At last Amihta'
,g.tybted down by sense OF wrongs.
,,,ien,,v endured and never complained
- and cut of from London's best so
c,etv and the companionship OF goQd wo-
men wrote 10 Ormont that she was going
10 leave him. Just at this moment Wey-
burn appears. They have most re-
markable experience together bathihg III
,he sea near where Amlnta WAS then
s,.y,nc and the upshot OF II all was tha'
,bey fed 10 Switzerland togethsr' Ine.o
Weyburn became the master anu Anish''
,t,a ,oIstress OF great school. There
as,., many years Ormont-who had been
stunned by his wife's desertion--fonna
,sam living happily together. and hadn
The heart TO disturb such domestic bilss.
~, the contrary. he made arrangements
with weyburn TO receive as a puphi Pr !"
nephew OF his. and then went along a'oo -,
his business: which was enieny .a a.
,s,,n,n, a, Enclands ipgrRutudA towelVs