Brownie knew that she was the cynosure of all eyes, and although her heart beat rather more quickly than usual, not a muscle of her pure, patrician face quivered as they threaded their way through the crowd.
It was a moment of triumph to her idolizing husband when she was presented to the Marquis and Marchioness of Hertford, and greeted them with graceful yet perfect self-possession, while the manner of her salutation was remarked by hundreds, and they were dumb with surprise and admiration at both her exceeding beauty and grace.
Could this be a governess—a girl of questionable character and birth—a plebeian American?
Lord and Lady Dunforth were both present, and had been gratified witnesses of the presentation, and both were as proud of Adrian and his peerless bride as if they had been first and foremost in sanctioning the marriage, instead of so bitterly opposing it.
Lord Dunforth inwardly cursed himself anew at having been so precipitate in his denunciation of his grandson and his “plebeian bride,” if he had only waited until he had seen her he never would have been so rash; and he began to turn over in his mind the best way to get out of a bad fix. He knew Adrian would wish to present his wife to him, and he dreaded to meet her scorn; the sight of her in her proud beauty carried him vividly back to the time when he had so joyfully presented her aunt as his betrothed, and he turned away with almost a groan, as he remembered how that joy had been suddenly turned into mourning.
Adrian’s fond heart leaped with exultation at the homage which was being paid his darling, and the surprise which he saw expressed in every eye contributed not a little to his amusement.
But a more signal and unexpected triumph awaited them.
They were busy receiving and responding to congratulations, when all at once a familiar voice fell upon Brownie’s ears, giving her a violent inward start.
She pressed Adrian’s arm without giving any other sign, and he, glancing up, saw Lady Randal, Mrs. Coolidge, Sir Charles and Isabel approaching them.
Another moment the crowd separated, and they stood face to face.