Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCE. gin their daily carols, and when every- thing is fresh, and green and glad. At five o’clock in the morning the words were said which made Lord John and Lady Mercy man and wife; and there was the wedding breakfast at high noon, the informal reception during the small haurs of the after- noon, the few hours for rest and re-- cuperation, and the grand reception in the evening. Not for one moment during that long and fatiguing day were the bride and groom permitted a moment to- gether alone. They met and parted, met and parted like the waves of a rest- less sea, driven hither and thither by the hurrying, unsympathetic wind; and when Mercy found a moment for that rest of which she stood in such need, there were a score or more of her friends who sought to solace her siesta —and several who actually attempted it. From the moment when she heard the benediction of the dean until she stood beside her husband again in the evening to receive their guests, she did not exchange a word alone with him; there was only now and then a silent hand clasp, or a whispered syllable of tenderness. There was royalty present at that wedding, and there were dukes and earls, marquises and baronets with their ladies, so that London had not for many seasons witnessed such a func- tion; and there was not one among the throng who did not honestly congratu- late both bride and groom. Just at midnight, when happiness was rampant, Lord John’s valet thrust himself through the throng and whis- pered something in the ear of his mas- ter. Those who witnessed the act, saw that a look of intense annoyance swept across the face of the earl, and that he whispered a sentence in reply. Then the valet withdrew, and a few moments later, the earl, grasping an opportu- nity, left the room. 249 The only apology that he made, was to his wife. To her he murmured: “IT must leave you for a few mo- ments, Mercy. Robert has brought me a message, and | must attend to it.” Then he smiled and left her, touch-’ ing’ her white arm with the tips of his fingers as he withdrew. When a half hour had passed, the young countess became impatient and others in the room, wishing to depart, asked for the earl. Within'an hour, a servant was despatched to find him; but he returned presently, unsuccess- ful. ‘“ Bring Robert to me,” commanded the countess then. She caught her breath with a vague sense of alarm, and then laughed at her own fears: but when she saw Robert standing in the doorway and detected upon his face the anxiety which even his passive countenance could not con- ceal, her heart gave a great bound, and then, for a moment, almost ceased to beat. Robert was almost as well known to her as the earl, for he had been Lord John’s attendant, and was a man — grown, in that long time ago when they were playmates. He did not wait for the question that he knew she would ask, but anticipated it. “T do not know, my lady,” he said. ‘““T gave him his hat and he went out, saying that he would return imme- diately. I have waited at the door for him ever since, and until your lady- ship sent for me. I know that he has not returned.” “Why did he go out, Robert?” “T do not know, my lady.” “You brought him the message which called him away?” “Yes, my lady.” “ What was it?” | “The message that was given to me was this: ‘Say that his friend Tom must see him at once. He will un- derstand.’ I told him and he did GONMIUG DOOKKS CO