Hamilton turned to the newspapers and saw the items to which the colonel referred, ejaculating:
“Thank God!”
He placed the letter and the papers in Sir Harold’s hands, saying:
“I think that the bar is removed, and if you are sure of your own heart, my darling child is yours. That she loves you with the pure love of a romantic girl there is no doubt, and with the passing years this will ripen into the deep affection of a warm-hearted and noble woman. I pray of the great Master of our lives that you may never misunderstand my child, Sir Harold. She is giving to you unreservedly every thought of her innocent life, and to meet with coldness or indifference in return would kill her as surely as a flower dies for lack of sunshine! In some way I have all confidence in your chivalry and devotion, and if there is any passing shade of doubt it is when I think of the position that my child must occupy as your wife. The world of fashion will be so new and strange to her at first that you may suffer some sense of disappointment if she prefers the quiet life of home to the giddy whirl of society. But,” he added, proudly, “I have no fear for the result. Theresa is a lady by birth and instinct. In a few years she will fall easily into the ways of fashion.”
A warm flush mantled the young man’s cheek and a sparkle came into his eye.
“Theresa will be my fondest care,” he said. “I am quite content with her as she is.”
He turned to the newspapers, and his lips curled with scorn.
“The world makes light of the folly that is past. Some day I may meet Lady Elaine Seabright again, and if my contempt for her is as great as that which I feel for myself it will be immeasurable.”
CHAPTER XIII.
A STRANGE WILL.