The “family circle” at this time comprised only General Lyon, Anna, Dick, and Drusilla.
Dick had remained at Old Lyon Hall ever since Alexander’s exodus, with the exception of one day when he rode over to Hammondville, where he had left the parson and the lawyer to tell them that their services would not be required, and to remunerate and dismiss them.
Since that day Dick had made a clean breast of it to his uncle and had won a conditional consent to his marriage with Anna; the engagement being encumbered with a probation of one year.
“I shall be an old maid yet if I live long enough,” said Anna, laughing when she heard from Dick of this decision. “My marriage day has been fixed and my marriage interrupted three times! and at every interruption it has been deferred for one year, only to be interrupted again at the end of it.”
“I don’t complain of all other interruptions, but Anna, let us make sure of a marriage this time by going off by ourselves and getting it done,” said Anna’s lover.
“For shame, Dick,” was all the answer she vouchsafed him.
“We are of age,” urged her suitor.
“So much the worse, sir, for we should know better,” said Anna.
And Dick ceased to push the question.
It drew near the Christmas holidays, and the weather was very fine for the season.