ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 422, 19 October 1875, Page 4

ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

( Concluded.) Amongst Lady Hazel wood's Christmas invitations was one to Masham Priory, and it is probable that she was influenced in her acceptance of it by the fact that Sir Francis Harborough whom we saw at Lady Carillier's reception in town—was to be there. He was, perhaps, first favourite with aunt; and as he had more than betrayed a liking for Florence, and as, moreover, he very thoroughly fulfilled the requirements which the elder lady had set down as necessary, she probably thought that her object was likely to be accomplished before the new year had gone very far. The end of December was approaching when they found themselves among the numerous party at the Priory; and Lady Hazelwood midly hinted these views to Florence. It seemed rather hard on her, the girl thought, to be run to earth in this way. Her aunt was all that is kind, and acted, doubtless, with the most fervent desire to do what was best, but it did not chime in with Florence's views; and when she complained of headache, kept to her room, and thought the weather was very cold, and that it would be much pleasanter in the south, she was, perhaps, actuated rather by a desire to avoid meeting Sir Francis and coming to the point, than by anxiety on the subject of her health. Florence had not been down to luncheon one day, and was sitting in her own room when Lady Hazelwood knocked at the door; and the poor girl felt an unpleasant presentiment that her aunt had something to say on the unwelcome subject, before she entered. ' Is your head still aching badly, dear V Shall you not be able to come down to dinner ?' ' I had rather not, if Mrs Masham won't mind. My head is rather painful—thank you, Aunt Mary,' Florence replied. ' Does talking make it worse ? because I have something very important to tell you.'

' No, auntie dear—what is it ? ' Florence asked, with a slight sigh ; for she guessed the subject of her aunt's communication, and her doubts were confirmed when Lady Hazelwood drew a letter from her pocket. ' I hope, dear, you will think it good news. Sir Francis has returned, and proposes to come down here at once, as Mrs Masham has kindly asked him.' ( - I know that too well!' thought Florence.) ' But he says that, con 1 -idenng his feelings towards you, he does not feel justified in coming without knowing how he will be received. 1 think I know what I ma} tell him.' '".How he will bo received!'" echoed Florence, with the faintest soupeon of an unaccustomed ' nastiness 'in her voice. 'He had better write and ask Mrs Masham that question—as her guest, I suppose !' •But he means, by you, Florence,' pursued her aunt. 'As I receive all my friends, I suppose. How else should I receive him?'she said, saving about half a minute by her small equivocation. ' The question which he wishes to have answered is, whether you are free. I may surely say " Yes," to that, Florence ?' 'Aunt Mary, I am not free,' the girl replied. ' I have not entered into the question with you, because I knew that you would not like it. I cannot marry Sir Francis because I am—l have an engagement —at least an understanding with—some one else.' ' You surprise me infinitely, Florence. May I not know with whom?—Vernon Wynter ?' ' No, certainly not with Mr Wynter—but what is the use of talking about it ? Do let us go south, as I asked you the other day, auntie dear !' said Florence. 'I quite understood that you were attached to Sir Francis, and certainly that you would have been delighted to hear of his proposal. lam sure you seemed to have a great liking for him,' continued Lady Hazelwood. 'I, Aunt Mary ? I'm sure I never had !' ' I certainly thought so. And really, Florence, you ought to consider the matter seriously before deciding anything so important. You have no fortune, and you know that Sir Francis is quite unexceptionable in character and position : rich, young ' ' Young, Aunt Mary !' cried Florence. ' Why, his son must be nearly ' ' His son !' cried Lady Hazelwood. ' What son ?' ' Why, he has only one, I believe.' ' Sir Francis has a son, do you say ? ' said the aunt. 'Of course he has. I thought every one knew that !' answered Florence. ' Since when, pray ?' 'Surely, Aunt Mary, you've seen him often enough in town.' ' I have seen him ! Are you dreaming, Florence ?' You appear to take it very much j.as a matter of course, upon my word ! ' ' And why should I not ? Why shouldn't he have a son as well as other people ?' asked Florence. ' Pray, when was he married ? ' ' Married ? You ought to know better than I. About '35 I should imagine.' Lady Hazelwood was speechless with astonishment; but at last managed to ejaculate slowly—'Of whom are you speaking, Florence ?' ' Of Sir Francis —Sir Francis Harborough.' ' Harborough ! My dear child, what has he to do with it ?' cried Lady Hazlewood ; and it was now Florence's turn to be amazed. ' I was telling you of Sir Francis Cavendish of Glend are—did you not understand? Don't you know that Mr Cavendish succeeded to the baronetcy last week on the death of his uncle and cousins ? Mrs Masham was talking of nothing else at luncheon; but you were not down, of course. Poor old Sir Henry and the boys were drowned by the upsetting of a boat, and Mr Cavendish succeeds." ' Frank!' cried Florence, in an ecstasy of surprise and delight. ' Frank ' she could say no more, but sank on her knees at her aunt's feet, while sobs of joy came fast from the happiest heart in England. ' One of the very best properties in the country, my dear, cried Lady Hazelwood; and, indeed, her satisfaction was but a little way behind her niece's. To marry ' well' was important, but she did not by any means ignore—what woman really does ? the romance of the question; or fail to think that a marriage where love and money both existed was not infinitely preferable to a union where only one played a conspicuous part, and the other was a bad second. ' I see what you meant about the son, now; but I could not understand at all. You should have explained your meaning more clearly, dear. But shall I tell Sir Francis that he may come?' asked her aunt. 'I think I'll say, "No," because he did not write to and tell me,' Florence answered, looking up smilingly through her tears. Lady Hazelwood did not appear to think that there was much danger of this fresh complication arising. 'He promised not to write to you,' she said; ' and perhaps he fears the stability of young ladies' hearts, and thought that you might have given yours away.' 'Then he was a very great donkey!' Florence said to herself: which was disrespectful, and altogether opposed to the spirit in which a well-brought-up young lady should regard her future husband. Florence appeared at dinner that evening, and the manner in which her headache had disappeared was something marvellous. That a severe headache could be cured so rapidly was such a strong argument in favour of the Masham air that she said no more on the subject of going; on the contrary, seemed quite reconciled to remaining. (Sir Francis Cavendish arrived next day, but of course that circumstance could in no wise have affected the medicinal properties of the atmosphere.) ****** Harborough is resigned, and played a prominent part at the wedding, where Hunter also acted as best man—his first appearance in that character. Lady Hazelwood is pleased ; and Frank and Florence are delighted. Florence's husband might, under other circumstences, have been ' Sir Francis ;' but had it been any other than Frank she is strongly of opinion that it would have made All the Difference.