Rich curtains hung in heavy folds over the windows, the glow of an astral lamp on the table beside him gave light for reading, but books had lost their charm. Pictures with sunny Italian skies, of Alpine peaks, of arctic snows, of fair English landscapes, lined the walls. Comfort and beauty was on every hand, but they brought him no happiness.
Chloe came with a letter upon a silver waiter, presented it and quietly withdrew. And Mr. Courtney, with a presentiment of further unrest in store for him, opened it and read to the end. It was from Hilda to Mrs. Merryman, and as Mr. Courtney finished it he contrasted his feelings with those of light-headed, light-hearted Mose, who had brought it, and whose boyish laughter was heard from the kitchen where he was recounting to Chloe some of the adventures in which he was, as usual, the hero.
There was no mention of Fred throughout the letter, but a postscript was added which thrilled his heart with pain.
“Dear Aunt Grace,” it said, “I feel that it would not be right not to tell you, my dear second mother, that Cousin Fred has asked me to be his wife and I have accepted him. Aunt Sarah says it is what she has hoped for, and in this way Aunt Ashley’s prayer will be answered.”
Mr. Courtney knew the trial it had been to Hilda to write this. He was glad at the prospect of happiness for her in her future home, but he groaned in spirit at the thought of his own loneliness. How was he to pass the years of life allotted to him? After a time he rang the bell and Sandy appeared.
“I wish to have a few minutes conversation with you, Sandy,” he said, as his stately Scotch servitor stood respectfully beside his chair. “Take a seat.”
Sandy obeyed, his well-trained countenance showing no surprise.
“When I employed you,” said Mr. Courtney, “I did not foresee that I would wish to leave ‘My Lady’s Manor.’ Circumstances have made it necessary that I should seek change. I have sent for you to tell you this, and to express my hope that this sudden resolve may not inconvenience you. I shall advance you three months’ salary for any disappointment it may be to you, and will do the same by Mrs. Flynn when I speak to her, which will be this evening. Chloe can go back to her old home at ‘Friedenheim.’”
“Excuse me, sir, for asking, but do you expect to return here sometime?”
“I may, Sandy; I cannot say.”