CHAPTER XLVI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 367, 11 May 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER XLVI.

TIIH HONEYMOON. ,Thrke days afterwards, Dulcio anrl Mr Denver were sitting opposite to each other at the breakfast-table of Charlton Court — the name of the place obtained for them on hire from a friend of Lord Pushington. A xapid thaw had commenced, in consequence of which the paths and lawn were covered with snow, already honey-combed by the damp ; the trees noiselessly east away the chilly burden which for many days pa&t had weighed down their slender twigs; the window-panes were dull and steamy, whilst, to crown all, a dense moisture-laden sea-mist dropped like a large vnpotous sheet upon the field and hedge-rows. Only the steady sound of

pattering chops trickling from the housetop broko the oppresive filonco that piovailod. j Dulcio was sitting pecking daintily at a piece of bread and buttor, like a littlo fastidious biid who has no appetite for anything, while Mr Denver's wholo attention appeared directed towards some devilled kidneys, which ho was at that moment in the act ot demolishing. Conversation evidently (lagged between the pair, and was only earned on in a desultory and spasmodic fashion. Presently, Mr Denver, having done ample justice to his breakfast, pushed his plate fretfully away, and, rising fiom the table, walked to the window, uhere ho looked out disconsolately. ' What a beastly day to be sure !' he ex-claimed. 'How" the devil aio we to got through it, I wonder ! It's most awfully slow, ai»*b it, Dulcie?' appealing to his better half for lack of any more congenial companion. Slaw '! Sho should ' rather think it wav slow — painfully, horribly, opprt^icdy slow ! ! ! During those last threo days she had felt exactly like a child in the presence of a schoolmaster with a rod of iron. No wonder that °he inwaidly agreed with her lord's remark. ' By Jove !' continued Mr Denver, as a great clod of snow came rolling down from tho roof, 'wo shall veiy &oon have had enough oi this, 1 take it-. Don't you find it precious dull, Dulcie?' ' Ye?, rather,' she answered, fearing it might rude to give any moie forcible expiossion to her feelings. 1 If there was only something to be done !' sighed Mr Denver, echoing the pitiful cry of hundreds and thousands of his sex whose resources are totally unequal to the strain put upon them by a wet day spent in tho house. ' Can't you suggest an idea of some sort ?' and he looked at his wife. But Dulcie was unequal to tho occasion, and her imagination remained distressingly torpid. fcjiuce their ariival they had carefully inspoctcd the gardons, hot-houses, stables, and out-door premises of Chailton Court — Mr Denver ineansvhile making audible con.paiisons between them and Biabu/on ; they had gone for dreary constitutionals tramping resolutely down the snowy roads, one on either .sido of tho highway, and &caicely exchanging a remark; they had wiitten diverse letter.*, and endeavoured in e\cry manner they could think of to while the tune away. But the result hid pioved a ghastly failure, and the honeymoon lacked spontaneity. It was a very chcoiless affair, and even tin's early in the day Mr Denver had begun to feel that the presence of his fellow creatures would be highly acceptable. Once or twice the newly-married pair had thought to break the monotony of the forenoon by driving out and visiting certain objects of inteiost in the neighborhood, but bheso expeditions had not been successful ; and Dulc : e found it intolerable being boxed up in a small brougham, whilst her spouse insisted on hermetically closing" both windows, and sending forth volumes of tobacco smoke. They had so little in .common, that they found it difficult to keep up a sustained conversation. Mr Denver was one of those men in whom attainment of their wishes produces indifference. And he soon found that : ' Pleasures arc like poppies spread. You seize the flower, its bloom is shed ; Or like the snow-fall in the river, A moment white, then melts lor ever.' His was essentially an unsteadfast and capricious nature, incapable ot prolonged devotion to any one particular object. Already he began to speculate whether he had net made a mistake, and wonder what had ever induced him to marry such a little, unsophisticated country girl. She was young, and fair, and beautiful, he could not help confessing that much, but as dull as ditch-water, and just about a? sparkling. Her pae submissne face and heavy eyelids produced a strangely inilating effect. She was sunounded by every luxury, and according to his ideas of the feminine char actor, Duijht to be supremely happy. Du!cie'& lack of gaiety was a personal insult, anil he resented it accordingly. Standing at the window, yawning and sti etching his limbs in disgust, he gradually ariued at a determination. * I shall cub it, Dulcie,' he exclaimed decidedly, deigning to confide the ic^ult ol his deliberations to the slim little personage still patiently., seated at the bieakfapb table. ' I don't somehow ieel as "f I could stand this soit of life much longer.' Slie opened her great eyes a trifle wider than uoual, and said, with quickly developed wifely submission, 'Cut it? Oh, most certainly. Just as you please.' ' I'll toll jou what we'll do then, Dulcio,' he went on in tones of mci easing good humom ; we'll go to ParK ' Pans ain't half abaci place this time of year. Thcie arc the shops and the theatres to amuse one, if nothing else ; and if we slip away from here quite quietly people can imagine we are stilJ honeymooning in a dull country hole, after the orthodox fashion. Depend upon it, though, the whole system of honeymoons is a mistake. ' Yes», I think so too.' ' Very well, then. We'll start by this aftornoon's train fiom here, and sleep the night in town so as to lea\e eaily next morning. Theie, that's the programme, so now make haste, and get your fallals put together without loss of time. 1 declare,' gi\ing himself a shake, ' I Icel quite a different being already since wo have settled not to stay another day in this dismal place." Probably nine brides out of ten might have taken exception to the concluding portion of this speech, and imagined it displayed a certain amount of discourtesy, but Dulcie acquiesced in it most heartily. The prospect of leaving wasa-* welcome to her as it jvas to him, and she readily went up.->tairs, in order to superintend the arrangements for packing.