Arthur saw and returned her smile, and leading Marian to her, said in joyous tones, “You were right, cousin. I followed your advice, and she, dear girl, has given herself to me; or rather we have given ourselves to each other.”
His clear though not loud tones reached every ear, and in a moment all the relatives, old and young, had gathered about the happy pair with their hearty congratulations.
“I am truly glad, Miss Marian,” said Calhoun, taking her hand in a warm pressure; “glad for both you and Art, who will, I am sure, make the best of husbands, and for myself also that I am to have so sweet a new sister.”
“And we are to be sisters too, it seems,” Mary said, giving the young girl a warm embrace.
“And Hugh and I are to be left desolate and alone,” remarked Mr. Lilburn in a rueful tone. “Hugh, laddie, it is high time you were hunting up a wife.”
“I think I shall have to try, father,” returned the young man, coloring and laughing. “I contemplate robbing those who have robbed us; but a fair exchange is no robbery.”
At that both the Conlys turned surprised, inquiring looks upon him.
“Ah,” he laughed, “I perceive that I have stolen a march upon you. This, sirs,” holding up a letter, “is from your sister Ella, accepting my heart, hand, and fortune, which I offered her some days ago by letter.”
At that there was a murmur of surprise from the listeners, accompanied by looks of pleasure; then the brothers shook hands with Hugh, wishing him joy and saying they should be glad to receive him into the family.
“My! what a lot of weddings we seem to be going to have!” exclaimed Rosie. “I think I’ll wait for mine till they are not quite such common affairs.”