In fact there were smiles upon every face but Sir Hampton’s, and he, feebly saying he did not like it, was left alone as the party adjourned to the drawing-room.
“Lady Rea, I have you to thank for this,” said Trevor, affectionately. “How am I ever to show it?”
“By being very, very, very kind to my darling there,” said Lady Rea, pitifully; “for you’re a bad, cruel man to come and win away her love.”
Then, of course, there was a great deal more kissing, ending in a burst of merriment; for Fin dashed, wet-eyed, to the piano, and rattled off, “Haste to the Wedding,” running into Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” till Tiny went and closed the instrument.
At that moment Edward, the footman, knocked at the door, and entered, saying to Lady Rea—
“If you please, m’lady, Miss Matilda’s took bad, and wants the doctor. Who shall I send?”
“Gracious, Edward! what is it?” said Lady Rea.
“Please, m’lady, they think it’s spasms,” said the footman.
Lady Rea ran out, and the doctor was sent for from St Kitt’s; but, by the time he arrived, Aunt Matty’s spasms were better.
And so Richard Trevor, master of Penreife, became engaged to Valentina Rea, of Tolcarne.