“Going to be your wife? Why, then, dear Hugh, this great sacrifice is fully as much yours as hers—since what was hers would have been yours,” said Dr. Hardcastle, shaking his right hand.
“Never mind that; only wish me joy.”
“We do! We do! with all our hearts,” said Elsie, clasping his hand again. “But when are you going to be married, Hugh?”
“Next Thursday four weeks. Having deprived Nettie of all her wealth I must take her as soon as possible under my legal protection, unsettled as I am, and trust God with the result. Yes, next Thursday four weeks; that will give you time to prepare to come to Mount Calm, which, having been just handsomely fitted up for the reception of Miss Seabright, on her return from Europe, is in a proper condition to receive your family. Miss Seabright will remain at Mount Calm until our marriage, which will take place there. We wish you to arrive at or before our wedding day, that when we leave the mansion house we may leave you in possession.”
“Hugh, we are not, of course, authorized to promise anything in the name of Mrs. Garnet, who is at this moment ignorant of Miss Seabright’s magnanimity; but—I would she were here to answer for herself.”
Here the clock struck twelve, and Dr. Hardcastle, lighting another candle, said:
“Friends, it is Sunday morning. Let us waive the discussion of worldly matters for to-day. Hugh, you know your chamber. Good-night!”
CHAPTER XLI.
THE SECRET REVEALED.
And in her lineaments they trace
Some features of her father’s face.