Sir Charles and his party were evidently taken entirely by surprise, for Mrs. Coolidge, as her eyes fell upon the despised governess, became white as the fan of costly feathers that she held in her hand.
Isabel grew crimson with anger and mortification, especially as she had on at that moment the young girl’s diamonds, and she looked as if she longed for the earth to open and devour her.
Sir Charles, however, hastened forward, with an expression of real pleasure upon his face, and grasping Adrian warmly by the hand, offered his congratulations, and begged to be presented to his bride.
Brownie received him gracefully and cordially, but vouchsafed to Isabel only a haughty lifting of her beautifully arched brows. She bowed distantly to Lady Randal, and, ignoring entirely the presence of Mrs. Coolidge, she turned to speak to some one at her side.
Sir Charles flushed angrily at this marked slight of his betrothed and her mother, and, with a haughty bow, passed on.
“I am sorry on his account, darling; but it could not be helped, and you treated them just as you ought,” Adrian whispered. “Now I perceive that a still greater trial awaits you, but I know you are fully equal to it.”
They both knew that many curious eyes were fastened upon them, to see how these greetings would be exchanged.
Many and various had been the reports circulated regarding his lordship’s sentiments concerning his grandson’s marriage; but if people were expecting any demonstration, they were deeply disappointed.
Lord Dunforth approached and shook his boy heartily by the hand, and then turned, with a very pale but benignant face, to the young bride.
She could not take his hand, but swept him a charming courtesy, with every appearance of marked respect; then, with very bright eyes, and her slender form very erect, she turned to greet her ladyship, and was soon chatting upon the most friendly terms with her.