sent conversation? and what is your motive for this inquiry?" "I should like to know that he is happy," said Geraldine. "Upon my word," said the General, in a tone of sarcastic pleasantry, "I believe the happiness of Don Carlos Duago, to be chiefly influenced by the smiles of a certain beautiful Andalusian: but should I ever chance to meet him, I can mention that a fair English lady cannot forget him.” "It is enough, sir!" said Geraldine, the indignant spirit flashing from her eyes. Then in a softer tone she added, "Could I hope to form your happiness, my father, as you have done mine, I would entreat you to propose no one to me, but let me continue, as once I hoped ever to be, your own Geraldine.” The General was moved, and in his most conciliating and endearing manner, assured her of his unabated affection, and that she would still and ever continue his own Geraldine; but that, involved as he was in public life, it would ensure his happiness to see her united to one deserving of her; and explained to her his reasons for concealing from her till now the restrictions he had placed on De Grey; and by his apparently unreserved confidence, won from her the avowal that her preference accorded with his wishes: that she had inquired for Don Carlos only from a wish to have her mind relieved from any responsibility concerning him; and promised that if her father would not hurry her to respond to feelings she then heard of for the first time, she would receive Sir Eustace when he should arrive, as one to whom she owed both esteem and gratitude, from his having aided her to find her present happiness in the Catholic Church. Soon after this conversation, De Grey presented himself at Frescati, and the following autumn General Carrington received the long expected 280023 appointment to the Isles. This made him hasten his daughter's marriage; and our heroine, notwithstanding her preference for the object of her father's choice, a preference now strengthened into sincere attachment, was hurt to perceive how easily she, who had been her father's pride and comfort, and sole anxiety, was now transferred to the guardianship of another. CHAPTER IX. Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be, Shall dawn on every cross and care.-KEBLE. "GERALDINE," said De Grey, the year after their marriage, on their return to Milan from a complete tour of Italy, "do you ever think of England?" "Indeed I do," she replied; "I think very often of Elverton, and of the abbey, and of Father Bernard, and, above all, of the good we may do amongst the dear poor." "And do you never think of the Moat?" said he. "Ah!" replied Geraldine, "you know very well that but for the abbey I would rather live at the Moat than at the Hall, notwithstanding all the ghost stories; for I would rather not accept the sacrifice you make to my father's wishes, of dividing your time between the two properties." 66 I think it so wise a request," said De Grey, "that I have no difficulty in complying with it; besides, whatever be your attractions towards the old ruin, they cannot surpass mine." "But why do we talk of England in this manner?" said Geraldine. "Do you think we ought to return?" "Indeed," replied De Grey," I have thought so during the last six months, but I waited for you to propose it." "And I am making such rapid progress in the perfection of obedience," said Geraldine, laughing, "that I have even arrived at not proposing anything. But I am truly willing to return." And accordingly, a short time after this discovery of each other's sentiments, Sir Eustace and Lady Carrington De Grey returned to England, and to Elverton Hall, to the satisfaction of their friends, particularly Mr. Everard, and to the joy of their tenantry. The exact time of their expected arrival being ascertained from the steward, a band of stout and active enthusiasts awaited the travelling carriage, at a turn of the road, about a mile from the town, and dispossessing the tired horses and their riders of the prize, bore, with a speed incredible, through the hurraing multitude, the heiress of the manor towards her home. With the Catholics, who formed no inconsiderable portion of the crowd, the name of Sir Eustace, and blessings and welcomes, resounded with equal if not greater zeal and our heroine, who had hitherto only laughed, with sparkling eyes, and glowing cheeks, now wept for joy. "Geraldine," said De Grey, "all this is very pleasant to flesh and blood, but it is not the way of the cross.' "Ah, Eustace!" cried she," do not prevent their honest welcome home." " "Not I, indeed," replied he. "It is very right for them to feel thus towards us, but we must take care, at the same time, to humble ourselves." "Then let us repeat one of the penitential psalms," said Geraldine, "till we reach the Hall." They did so, and were together sounding forth the "Gloria Patri" at the end of the Miserere, when the steps of the carriage were let down by the faithful servants; and as De Grey and his wife entered the hall, they were folded in the arms of Lady Winefride. Two happy useful years succeeded. As Geraldine had hoped, they effected much good amongst the "dear poor" on their estate, and were on the most friendly and hospitable terms with the families of their own condition, Catholic and Protestant. De Grey, in common with all the Catholics of the neighbourhood, had, before his quitting England for Italy, devoted one day in the week to prayers for the conversion (or re-conversion) of his country, and in the household now settled at Elverton Hall, this pious and patriotic practice was resumed; De Grey and his wife, with some of the domestics, offering the spiritual benefit derived from holy mass and communion, with that intention, and all joining in the "Litany of Intercession for England."* Shortly after Geraldine's return, Miss Graham became her guest, and gave a place in her large heart to her friend's husband as frankly as he had requested it. The changes in the neighbourhood during the three years' absence of our heroine, had been many and great, but, in the welfare of two families only, was her heart interested beyond the duties of charity. The Rev. Edmund Sinclair, and De Grey, became sincerely attached to each other, and the mutual agreement of the families to dwell on those points only wherein they thought alike, produced frequent and affectionate intercourse between the vicarage and hall. The old Earl of Hungerford was dead, and his widow continued to live at the Priory with her son. and his lady, formerly Miss Scotney, whose "views," under the training of Major Tankerville, had at length arrived at that perfection of clearness and precision, that, in the household over which she now presided, no one besides herself, her husband and her own maid, could expect salvation. The Dowager Countess received our heroine. with a burst of grief and affection, so touching, that no one, far less Geraldine, could remain unmoved. See Catholic Manual of Prayers. |