CHAPTER XXXIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 286, 1 August 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXIII.

AT THE BALL. The elegant mansion on the sunny side of Sfc. James's Square was one blaze of lighb. and the princely drawing-rooms, Avith their velvet hangings, and wax lights, and gorgeous hot-house blooms, were rapidly filling with the elite of London. In her chamber overhead, the dowager countess was stumping up and down, and rattling her cane in high anger. In her gleaming blue tissue, with the Mortlake diamonds blazing amid her sunny curls, and upon her fair bosom and dimpled arms, sat Lady Marguerite, waiting to be presented to the man who was to be her husband, and the sharer of her untold wealth, and he did not come. 'Just like the insolent beggar,* stormed the countess ; ' 'tis what 1 might have expected of him. But never mind, my dear,' turning to Lady Pearl, ' never mind. I'll cut the beggar off, and you shall have everything I possess, and choose yourself a husband in the bargain. With your beauty and your dowry you can have your pick of the best men in England. I believe lam glad of it on the whole. Come, we'll not wait for another moment.' She shook oat her stiff brocade, and seized her cane preparatory to descending, but at that instant the rattle of wheels was heard below, and almost in the same breath a servant entered. ' Sir Bayard Crompton, your highness,' he announced. The, countess rattled her cane. 'It isn't possible,' she cried. 'Why, my sir baronet stands upon ceremony. l'\ c half a mind to send him back. But we'll see him. Conduct him to the library, Simpkins.' The valet bowed and withdrew, and the countess turned to Lady Marguerite. 1 Now, my dear,' she said, ' let us go and look at this fellow -who is to be your husband.' The poor little girl was trembling like a leaf, and the merciless old dowager drew her along, with an amused lough. A tall figure came forward to meet them as they entered the library. ' Sir Bayard Cromrjton ?' questioned the countess, regarding him keenly above her goggles. The gentleman bowed, and extended his hand. A tall and stately gentleman he was, well dressed, with a fair, handsome face, and an unmistakable air of grace and good-breeding. f I am very happy to meet your ladyship again,' he began, but the countess cut him short. - 'Oh, yes,' she sneered, ' you're wondrously happy, no doubt ! Wh> haven't you come in sight of me these five yeaio, if you're happy to see me now ?' Sir Bayard bowed humbly. •My dear countess, I've been roving all over the word, you know,' he said, in his slow, musical voice, ' and besides, I'm not the man, begging your ladyship's paidon, to bang around my rich relations.' • You're noc, eh ? Too proud to ask for what you covet ? Standing off, and praying hourly for my death. ' 'My dear countess, you do me great injustice.' ' Oh, fiddlesticks ! I know you ! But never mind, let's come to the point in question. You have come at my bidding, Bayard Brompton. Have you come to obey me?' Sir Bayard turned, and bowed low before the trembling girl who clung to the arm of the countess. 'If this young 1 lady is the one in question,' he said, with flattering emphasis, ' I am ready to obey. ' The old dowager smiled grimly, as she led Lady Marguerite forward. ' This young lady is the one,' she said. * Lady Marguerite Strathspey, Countess of Mortlake, I present you to Sir Bayard Brompton, your future husband.' Lady Marguerite, blushing like a rose, extended her hand to his. The baronet clasped ib, and raised it gallantly to his lips. 'My dear countess,' he said, '1 cannot express my gratitude, but I beg leave — might I ask if Lady Marguerite is entirely satisfied? Would it not be better, befote any formal engagement is announced, to let us get a little better acquainted '! IDo you find any fault with Lady Marguerite^ Sir Bayard ?' asked the countess, everely. 'Not I, your highness,' smiled the baronet, his eyes lighting with admiration. ' I only fear she may find fault with me.' 'If she doesn't it will be a wonder,' snapped the dowager ; ' but she's promised to take you, faults and all. Now, I want your answer ; do you agree to my proposal or not ?' • I agree to it, with all my heart !' ' Then there's nothing more fco be said. Here, Marguerite, take Bayard's arm, and we'll go down afc once. You can settle upon your wedding-day at your leisure.' And Lady Pearl, in her gleaming balldress, with the wondrous Mortlake diamonds encircling her girlish brow like a crown of light, accepted the baronet's arm, and descending to the grand rooms below, made her first appearance in the eyes of the London world, a countess and a plighted bride.