The Argosy — page 392: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 369 It was decided that, before fixing on any place for a residence, Captain Kerleton and Lucy should travel a little, after their marriage, taking Paris first. The Captain was perfectly agreeable to anything : would stop in the neighbourhood of Seaford, or live in London, or be a fixture in Paris, or voyage over to China. Everything that Lucy or Mrs. Copp suggested he fell in with. He seemed to think more about personal trifles. ‘‘ Would you like me to go through the cere- mony in my regimentals, Miss Lucy, or in plain clothes ?” he inquired. * Such—let us say—as a blue coat, white waistcoat, and black— these things,” slapping his knee. ‘‘ What is your advice ?” It was a very home question, especially before witnesses, and Lucy blushed excessively. ‘‘ Perhaps Aunt Copp can tell,” she stammered. “Oh, as to those trifles, it’s not a bit of consequence,” irreverently answered Aunt Copp. ‘‘ When you two have once got your wedding over, you will know what nonsense it was to have made any fuss about it—as we old married stagers can tell you. Captain, of course you will have your brother down to be groomsman ?” “No, I won't,” replied the Captain, bluntly. ‘He is the most interfering fellow going, always meddling and thwarting. You don’t know the scrapes he has got me into through his interference.” But your own brother, Captain Kerleton,” urged Aunt Copp. “Tt would be so very unfilial.” “Shouldn’t care if he was my own mother,” doggedly retorted the Captain. ‘ He is not coming down to my wedding.” But Aunt Copp was of a different opinion. And what should she | do, unknown to everyone, but despatch the following note to Major Kerleton, the Captain’s brother, at his town house :— “ DEAR Sr1r,—As we are soon to be near connections, I make no » apology for addressing you. Captain Kerleton being about to marry ' my niece, Miss Lucy Halliwell, I think it only seemly and right that | you, as the Captain’s elder brother and nearest relative, should be pre- ' sent to give your support and countenance to the ceremony. It will not take place for three weeks or a month, and we are only now be- _ ginning the preparations ; but I write thus early to give an opportunity of my letter being forwarded to you in Scotland, where we hear you | are staying. If you oblige me with a line in reply, stating that you accord us the favour of your company, I will write again and let you «know when the day is fixed. ‘Remaining, dear sir, “Your obedient servant, “Major Kerleton.” ‘““ REBECCA Copp.” And Mrs. Copp hugged herself in secret over what she had dons, and told nobody. VOL. XLI Z CORNICE MOO© SS)