To this day they tell of the brilliant crowd gathered in the old church at Leeholme—of the noble men and beautiful women who came from all parts of England to assist at what was the grandest ceremony of the day. The only family of note in the country, absent, was the Lorristons; but among the costly array of wedding presents was a diamond necklace from Lord Lorriston, and a pearl bracelet from Lady Hermione, accompanied by the kindest of letters.
Sir Ronald smiled bitterly when he saw them. His own presents to his young wife were superb in their magnificence. Did he think by lavish expenditure and great display to atone to her for the absence of that which he could not give her—his heart’s best love?
CHAPTER XXI.
MARRIAGE.
The die was cast now. For weal or for woe, for better or worse, Sir Ronald and Lady Clarice were to spend the remainder of their lives together.
They went abroad! They made the usual Continental tour, and then returned to Aldenmere. Lady Clarice was happy as the day was long. No bird singing in the shade of summer trees was half so blithe or gay.
On one occasion he was speaking of the grand ball they must give on their return, and she said, half doubtingly:
“Shall you invite the Lorristons, Ronald?”
“Certainly. Why not? Lord Lorriston and I were always good friends.”
“I fancied, perhaps, you would not like to meet his daughter.”
“She will, in all probability, be Lady Eyrle then, and what can Kenelm Eyrle’s wife matter to me?”