MR. BECKER. Let him go and talk to Mrs. Brown then about her pig.
MR. VAN TOUSEL. I should like to hear it again. You tell it so well, Miss Mildred.
MILDRED. Well, the Viscountess of Montacute was betrothed to Sir George Maxwell. That was long ago in the days of George the First, when a married woman’s property belonged absolutely to her husband unless it was securely settled upon her before the marriage. The Viscountess had a large estate and she wanted to keep it in her own hands, but Sir George, while always declaring that he would never touch her money, delayed signing the settlement from day to day until finally the wedding day arrived and the bride was putting on all her finery in one room in her castle and the groom was struggling to get into his stiff white brocade coat in another; then Lady Montacute suddenly thought of the paper still unsigned and sent it to Sir George while the clergyman and all the guests were waiting below. He came flying to her room.
“My dearest love,” he said, “how could you mortify me so by sending that settlement to me to be signed before all my friends who were helping me to dress? You showed them all that you distrust me and that you think that I care more for your confounded fortune than for your sweet self. If you have so little confidence in me, let us break off the match before it is too late. I could not love an unbelieving wife.”
The Viscountess burst into tears and almost washed off the little black patch which her maid had just placed on her rouged cheek.
“Do not be so cruel, Sir George,” she cried. “It was those odious lawyers who have been pressing me to insist upon you putting your signature to this settlement. You know that I myself trust you completely.”
Sir George clasped her in his arms regardless of her powdered hair which showered upon his coat.
“You shall always be free to enjoy your fortune as you will,” he promised, “the same as if you remained unwed.”
The Viscountess was so touched by his forgiveness of her lack of faith in him that she gave no further thought to the settlement and they went down-stairs hand in hand and were married by the clergyman at once.