The Soldier's Wife — page 132: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. CHAPTER NXVI. YHE ale inlie Wirk. Suorviy after Bates’s trial Gerald Redburn arrived at the Manor to pass a few weeks with his parests. During the seven years which had now nearly elapsed since he became an officer in the army, his health bad undergone uo con- siderable improvement: but it certainly had not become worse. ‘Though now close upon eight-and-twenty, there was nothing manly in his appearance: he looked feeble and effeminate —spoke in a weak voice—and seemed as if he were not long destined for this world. He had continued a rakish, dissipated life, so that the vital essences were drying up within him, and no leisure had been allowed for the impaired con- stitution of his youth to resuscitate itself in manhood. It was indeed a great mistake on the part of his parents to imagine that a military life would render him steady: but they had fancied that its activity would have contributed to the reinvigoration of his health. Every year, siuce he entered the army, had he paid a visit for a few weeks to the Manor; and on each occasion Sir Archibald and Lady Redburn had endeavored to persuade themselves that he was looking better. During his stay at home, too, he did improve in appearance somewhat, —the fresh air of the country imparting a little color to his cheeks, and there being not at Oakleigh the same inducements or facilities for dissipation as there were at the towns where he had been quartered, and when in the compan- ionship of his brother- officers. On the present occasion he returned home sickly, pale, and emaciated as usual; and when Lady Redburv made him put on his uniform that she might see how he looked in it,—obser- ving that his appearance was certainly changed for the better.—Aunt Jane curtly observed “that fine feathers made fine birds.” On the day after Gerald's arrival at the Manor, Sir Archibald Redburn took an opportunity of having some private discourse with his wife, earefully excluding Aunt Jane from this con- ference. “ Now, my dear,” said the Baronet, when he and her ladyship were thus closetted together, “ what do you candidly think of Gerald ¢” “Dear me, Sir Archy—you quite frighten me by the question !—asif you thought there was something wrong. I am sure he looked uncommouiy well in his uniform yesterday, when I made him pot it on for dinner; and by the time he has been here for a few days you will see him quite ruddy on the cheeks.” ‘ Yes,” responded the Baronet: “and when he goes back to his regiment again, all that ruddiness will depart. The fact is, my dear, we have blinded ourselves to the real truth too long. Gerald possesses a sickly constitu tion—and there is no use, denying it. He is still as dissipated as ever: indeed we know that he 2s very extravayunt.” “Tam sure, Sir Archy,” rejoined her lady- ship, “it is very wrong of you to speak thus , 113 money: and why should he pot have enough to spend and enjoy himself?” “I am afraid he has too much—a _ great deal tou much!” exelaimed the Baronet. “1 tell you what, Lady Redburn—Gerald must marry.” “Oh, dear me! he is but a boy. Why, you would make me out quite old. For Leaven’s sake douw’s think of his marrying yet!’ “ Nonsense !” ejaculated Sir Archibald: “ de endeavor to talk sensibly for once ina way. I tell you that in order to make Gerald perfectly steady, he must marry. Why, he is close upon twenty-eight !” | “ Ah! how time flies,” interjected Lady Red- burn: and then she looked in a mirror to as- sure herself that her hair was as dark and her teeth were as white as ever: but perhaps the survey was not altogether so satisfactory as she could have wished—lor she heaved a profound sigh and resumed the seat from which she had risen. “ Yes,” continued Sir Archibald, “ we must find a wife for Gerald. He is home on the present occasion for six weeks. Ample time for him to become engaged to some eligible young lady !” “But I do not think,” said the Baronet’s wife, “ that Gerald is a marrying man.” “We must make him so: or else he will continue dissipated and irregular,” rejoined Sir Archibald. ‘Come, my dear, look around amongst your acquaintances, and consider who will be the best match for Gerald.” “Ah! the task is not an easy one,” said her ladyship, with another sigh, “There is Sir John Portman’s daughter: but then she has vot red hair—and I can’t endure red hair— although in other respects she is very yood- looking and is an heiress. Then there is Sir Charles Otway’s host of dauglters—six of them, and ali beautiful; a nice choice there— but the worst of it is that Sir Charles is over head and ears in debt, and cannot give his chil- dren a farthing. What say you to Captain Mon- tague’s youngest daughter? She is only nine- teen, and her aunt has left her thirty thousand pounds, nose: and you know, Sir Archy, it would be impossible for a young lady with a pug nose to enter the Redburn family. By-the bye, there is Squire Evelyn’s sister—a sweet pretty girl—very amiable and very ladylike: but she has no ear for music—and for a young lady whe ean’t play and who dances out of time, it is quite shocking! No—we must look farther, What do you say to the Hon. Elizabeth Chalk loner? Lord Challoner is very rich, and has plenty of money in the funds—so that he is sure to give his daughter surmething handsome, But [ forgot—there was a little story about the Hon. Miss Elizabeth and her dancing: master some time ago, Rumor said that she was canght about to elope with him: so that we cant possibly think of her. Of course we Cane not for a moment fix our eyes upon Mr. Hard- ing’s eldest daughter: she has not a penny although her good looks certainly recummend her. But I bave it! Lady Adela Clive wil ef our only son, You have gut plenty of |exactly suit !’—and the countenance of, the But, Oh—I forgot—she has a pug > COMMIGC LOOOMSS (C(O)