Lady Randal was a widow.
At the death of her husband she had been left with two sons, one fifteen, the other, which was Sir Charles, ten.
The elder died in just a year after his father, so that the younger came into the title and property.
There had been a prospect two years after Sir Charles’ birth of another addition to the family, but Lady Randal was traveling upon the Continent at the time of its birth, and remained away a year after the event occurred; therefore it occasioned scarce any remark when it was reported that there was no child after all.
When, after her return to England, a friend ventured to speak of her disappointment, Lady Randal had put her black-bordered handkerchief to her eyes, and remarked that “it was so hard to lose one’s children,” and there the matter dropped.
Not more than a week after the engagement between Sir Charles and Isabel was announced, Mr. Coolidge was suddenly recalled to New York upon important and unforeseen business.
His partner telegraphed for his immediate return, and he departed in great haste, having only a few hours in which to make his preparation and catch the steamer. And in his haste he forgot to take with him, as he had intended, Miss Douglas’ casket of jewels.
As soon as Lady Randal knew of his departure, she sent a polite note, containing an invitation, to Mrs. Coolidge and her family, to spend a month with them at their country seat, as they were about departing for a season from town.
This was exceedingly flattering to the Coolidges, and the last of February found them domiciled at “Vallingham Hall,” near the ancient and beautiful town of West Malling, Kent County; all but Wilbur, who, still heart-sore and filled with anxiety upon Brownie’s account, resolved to try to lose himself in a trip to Switzerland and the Alps.
Lady Randal and her servants preceded her guests by a week to the Hall, leaving Sir Charles behind to escort their visitors, so that upon their arrival everything was in readiness for them, and they received a most cordial welcome.