LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1797, 24 November 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A MARRIAGE OP PURE AFFECTION.

{Concluded ) 'And of course, it’s very much against Charley that he is young, and, in point of fact, so poor.’ ‘ Without doubt he is both young and poor.’ ‘ But—you havn’t told me of this, because you don’t like the idea of my being your daughter-in-law.’ 'My dear young lady, of what are you thinking 1 I should be delighted to call you daughter-in-law.’ • vVill you kiss me, Mr Cumberbatch, as though I really were your daughter-'u-law.' ‘ With the greatest pleasure.’ He was about to touch her forehead gently and parentally with his lips; but as she seemed to raise her mouth toward him with an air of expecting to be k’eeed there, why he kissed her there. Her eye sparkled—they usually sparkled ; otherwise she was quite cool and calm and collected. As for Mr Oumberbatch, he fairly blushed, the crimson of his cheeks being intensified by contrast with the whiteness of his locks.

‘You see,’ she said, meditatively, ‘a woman in my situation really needs a husband to help and advise her and comfort her. I’m really veiy friendless; and I though’; it would be very nice to have Charley always near me—he would have been some one to lean upon, at any rate. You are not surprised at my wishing to marry him ?’ ‘ Not at all. I think it very reasonable and natural sort of thing.’ * Thank you so much. And you’ll come and see me again, won’t you, dear Mr Cumberbatch—you who were so nearly being my papa ? You’ll come again, and you’ll come soon?’

‘ My dear Miss Mashiter—’ * Call mo Madeline, please.’ *My dear Madeline, I shall he delighted to come again. ’ •Thanks, papa dear. You may kiss me again if you like.’ It so happened that he did like. After this he was a frequent visitor in Harley street.

Sir Hercules occupied apartments in Albermarle street. He was family cares or responsibilities ; for his wife had died very soon after the birth of his only son Joshua, and he had taken unto himself no second spouse. He had altogether retired from active service—in his day ho had been a distinguished officer of cavalry, playing a brilliant part in several notable engagements —and he now led the life of a retired veteran, with a taste for fashion, dress, club dinners and gossip, and a harmless desire to look as young as he possibly could. He enjoyed himself in his own way. When his health permitted, he ambled a little upon a trustworthy back in the row; but his legs were not what they had been, and he did not trust himself to walk much—he was content to totter to and fro between his club and his lodgings, and those journeys were not accomplished without effort. He was, no doubt, a selfish old gentleman, and was greatly occupied with considering his own welfare and comfort. Still his manner waa good-natured, and he rather liked his grandson, Charley Oumberbatch. It was in the morning, and he waa sitting wrapped in an oriental looking role di chamlre, sipping an early cup of tea—he breakfasted at his club, but he enjoyed the stimulus and support of a cup of tea during the pauses of his toilet—when a visitor was announced—Charles Gumberbatch. • What’s brought you hero, youngster ?’ inquired the old gentleman, • Have you heard about the governor ?’ Charley asked excitedly. ‘ What’s he gone and been and done ?’ • He talks of getting married again !’ «The deuce he dees ! But I don’t see what business it is of mine, Charley. Of course X don’t want any more grandchildren ; but then I don’t want any great-granchildren either. Still, you’re going to be married, and why shouldn’t he ? Live and let live, you know, Charley.’ • That’s just it. I call it an infernal shame ! You really ought to interfere, sir. He won’t let me get married. He refuses his consent. He won’t make me an allowance ; and he’s going to marry the young lady I was engaged to!’ • Well, that does seem hard. What! Miss Mashiter —Smashitor —what’s her name ? Has she consented to become your step-mother instead of your wife ?’ ‘ She’s thrown me over shamefully. ‘Well, you know, Charley, when a woman throws you over, all you can do is to pick yourself up again and walk off in an opposite direction.’ _ «This is what she writes to me. And Charley produced a letter in a large, bold hand, with a gilded monogram in the corner of the paper. Ho read aloud—‘Dear Charley,—3o sorry, but it would never do. You’re a nice boy, and I’m really fond of you ; but you’re very young to think of marrying, and I’m afraid you can’t afford it i so there’s an end of it, and please don’t say another word to me about it. You can send mo back my letters ; I’ve burnt yours. I intend to keep the ring you gave me, as a little memento of you; and we’ll always be dear friends, you know, Charley. What a charming man your father is 1 I like him very much. Yours, « Madeline Mabhitbb.’

* Well, there’s no mistake about the letter, at any rate,’ observed Sir Hercules. ‘ I am bound to say Miss Mashiter expresses herself very clearly j but I don’t see what I can do for you, Charley. I can’t make Miss Mashiter

marry you if she don’t want to. I am sorry for you, of course. I think it’s a hard case, especially as she’s got money. What more can I do ?’ ‘Couldn’t you do anything to prevent the governor’s making such a fool of himself, sir ? ’ * Well, you know, Charley, your father’s of age. He’s Lis own master. He’s entitled to make a fool of himself if he likes. He’s old enough to know his own mind.’ The young man paced the room in a rage. Ho stamped, he swore with vexation, and the tears stood in his eyes.’ ‘ Don’t excite yourself, old chap,' said Sir Hercules to his grandson. * I know it’s no good my tailing you that there are plenty of other women in the world, because, of course, you want this one particular woman. But yon can’t have her, Charley, That seems jdain, It’s vexatious ; but you’il get over it.’

‘ But to think of my being thrown over for an old fogy like the governor !’ ‘ Well, he’s your own father, Charley. And he’s my own son; but that’s of less importance.’

‘ Can't you do anything, sir, to hinder this marriage ? —disgraceful, I call it!’ Sir Heresies shook his head. ‘I might see the lady,’ ho said, after a pause, ‘ although I don’t know what good that can do. Is she pretty ?’ * I call her simply beautiful !’ exclaimed Charled, ardently. ‘ I’ll certainly see her,’ said Sir Hercules, * I’ll make a point of seeing her. In fact it’s my duty to call upon her, as she’s so soon to become a member of the Cumberbatch family ; my daughter-in-law your step-mother, Charley.’

Not long afterwards there appeared in the ‘Times’ newspaper, under the head of marrioges, the following advertisement; — ‘ On the 21st inst., at St. George’s, Hanover square, Sir Hercules Oumborbatch, K. 0.8., to Madeline, only daughter of the late Humphrey Mashiter, of Harley st - eet, Cavendish square, and also of High Holborn. No cards.’ ‘Who’d have thought that your grandfather could have been such a fool?'commented Joshua Cumborhatch angrily. ‘ Ho’s not been the only fool in the case, I think, sir,’ said Charley sardonically. ‘At his time of life, too !’ ‘Yes j he’s old enough to know better, certainly.’ * He must bo mad!’ ‘ If he is, sir, depend upon it his wife will lock him up.’ The happy pair had departed to Paris for their honeymoon. ‘I was certainly deceived in that woman,’ observed Joshua Cumberbatch. ‘ I was deceived, too,’ added his son. ‘ Perhaps it will he my grandfather’s turn next.’ Upon the return to town of Sir Hercules and his bride, they hastened to invito their relations to a family dinner in Harley street. ‘ Well, Joshua, well Charley!’ cried the bridegroom. ‘How do both! Glad to see you. You don’ look particularly well, either of you. You should try a little change. Welcome to the paternal—the grand paternal roof,!’ He was delightfully young and airy. ‘ As fresh as paint,’ as ho truthfu’ly described himself to be.

* So glad you were able to come, both o' you ’ said Ldy Cumberbatch. * These friendly family parties are so nice—so awfully nice!’ She squeezd the hands of both father and son. ‘Don’t look so black, Charley. I never conld say ‘No;’ and when you asked me, and afterward your father, and after that Sir Hercules, what was I to do? How conld I refuse ? At any rate, I’ve been so far true ; I’ve married into the family. I am a Cumberbatch, and you can still love me, Charley ! ind'-ed it is now your duty to love, as your grandmother,’ * You count upon being a young widow, I suppose,’ Charley said, sulkily. ‘ Well, in the ordinary course of nature, Sir Hercules—” she stopped and added, ‘ Not but Jwhat he’s a dear old thing and I quite adore him. r * I’m sure I hope he may live a thousand years,’ said Charley. * Don’t be spiteful. But in any case, you know, Charley, you can’t marry your grandmother !’ Then came the announcement: ‘ Dinner is aerved.’ Over the wine Sir Hercules informed his son and grandson that the married state was a very happy state, and counseled them to take upon themselves wives at the earliest possible opportunity. ‘Only one wife apiece, sir, I suppose?’ said Charley imprudently. Sir Hercules observed that he thought they would find one wife apiece sufficient, and then proposed that they should fill their glasses and drink to the health of their new re’ation, Lady Cumberbatch. ‘ There was a settlement, I suppose ?” said Joshua Cumberbatch. “ May I ask so much ?’ ‘ Certainly there was a settlement,’ replied Sir Hercules. ‘ Her every half-penny is settled upon herself. What of that ?- What does it matter how a wife’s money is settled when husband and wife love each other as we do? Another glass of wine ? No! Then wa’ll join Lady Cumberbatch in the drawingroom. By the by, she is to be presented next week—on her marriage. She seemed to wish it, and, of course, I had no objection. Indeed, how could I refuse her anythiny she asked ?’

•How, indeed!’ echoed his son and hi grandson.