“Certainly, madam, it can make no material difference, if Kate is to be my wife. And, if she were not to be so, I should be quite as well pleased.”
Unconscious of the double meaning of his words, the lady then inquired into the cause of his gloom.
“Merely a fit of moodiness, dear mother; the reaction, perhaps, of yesterday’s joy; a mere depression of spirits, which a brisk gallop over the hills will throw off.”
“If you are inclined for a ride, Archer, you can do me a service at the same time, if you will go to L—— and bring out Mr. White, the lawyer, to draw up my will.”
A spasm of pain passed over the handsome countenance of Major Clifton, and he said—
“I will do anything you please, dearest mother; but surely there is no necessity for haste in this matter.”
“Archer, there is. Besides, my mind will be easier when it is done. And Archer, lastly—bring with you a clergyman. I wish to receive the Holy Communion.”
Major Clifton made no farther objection, but left the room to order his horse; and in less than half an hour he found himself on his way to L——. Mrs. Clifton summoned Kate. When the girl entered, she found the lady on the verge of fainting from over-exertion and extreme weakness. Catherine grew pale with sudden fear, and her hands trembled as she poured out and administered a restorative. Somewhat revived by the cordial, Mrs. Clifton said—
“Kate, write two notes, one to Mrs. Georgia Clifton, and one to your brother Carl, asking each of them to come here this evening to witness a deed—or rather two of them, my dear Kate—the signing of my last will and testament, and the solemnization of your marriage—for both must be hastened, Kate. My dear child, take your pen and write at once.”
Deeply troubled, extremely agitated, yet struggling to govern her feelings, Catherine found the writing materials and penned the two notes; but when she had finished them, in the abstraction of her great grief, she misdirected them—and sent the note intended for Mrs. Georgia to Carl Kavanagh, and that intended for Carl to Mrs. Georgia. When she had dispatched these notes by different messengers, and returned to the parlor, Mrs. Clifton said—