“Yes,—the truth is, I must. I have an engagement to fulfill there on Thursday.”
“An engagement! Of what nature, Frank, if a friend may ask?”
“Why, the fact is,” said Captain Fairfax, growing very red in the face, with the effort of pulling on a pair of gloves, “I am going to be married.”
“Married! Oh, Frank! and not to tell us anything about it till now.”
“Hem! There was no proper opportunity till now,” stammered the young man.
“Well, who is the lady, Frank?” asked Clifton, while Catherine looked and listened with interest.
“The only friend that my dear Zuleime found in all her adversity—Mrs. Knight,” said Frank, and then he added, quickly, “It was a long time before my mother’s pride could be reconciled to this, but Ida’s genuine goodness won her at last.”
After the first involuntary expression of surprise, Catherine and Clifton exchanged glances, and Catherine said,
“Well, Captain Fairfax, as soon after the marriage as convenient,—instantly after the ceremony, if you please,—you must bring your bride down, and pass some weeks with us.”
“I thank you, Mrs. Clifton; I profoundly thank you, but we are going immediately to England. Ida pines to see her father, who is a country curate, in Devonshire. She has never been reconciled with him since her first unfortunate marriage. I have promised to take her to him, and so immediately after the ceremony, we four—that is, Ida, myself and our two little girls—are going to embark for Liverpool.”