So it was agreed, and lovely Enid Chichester bade them all a tearful farewell, and departed with Nina and Mr. Ellerton, who had promised to see her safely within the halls of her ancestors, and then join his own party in Paris, whither they had decided to go.
Poor Ralph was disconsolate enough at this arrangement, for he had come to love the “sparkling little English Gem,” as they called her, with the purest affection of his heart; but he had obtained a promise that she would write to him, and he tried to content himself with that poor consolation, resolving that when his six months’ probation—for he knew she meant it as such by the look she gave him when she bade him good-by—was over that he would tell his love, and win, if possible, the beautiful Enid for his wife.
Madame Alroyd, Dora and Robert, Vivien and Fredrick Weimher (who had discovered that he could not exist beyond the presence of the fair Italian), Alfred Ellerton, with Rose, his wife, and Ralph, then all bade a final farewell to Germany, and departed for gay, thoughtless, charming Paris.
Vivien’s two uncles returned to their native country, to fair and lovely Italy, with its sunny skies and fragrant vineyards, to prepare a home for the idol of their hearts, where she was to dwell with them after the promised reunion at Chichester Hall.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
A GOOD OMEN.
The six months were past.
Behold! upon a lofty hill, surrounded by magnificent beeches, whose overhanging boughs make a royal arch of green above the smoothly graveled drive-way that encircles it, stands a grand old castle, the very air around which breathes of centuries and aristocracy.
On this brilliant day its massive portals were swung wide open.
A magnificent floral arch was erected over the wide entrance, while above it, in letters of gilt, is inscribed that sweetest of words, Welcome! And garlands and festoons hung suspended through every room and hall, as if clad in holiday attire, in honor of loved and long expected guests.
The great drawing-room on the left of the grand old hall is redolent with the richest perfume, and within it, pacing up and down its spacious length, clad in her rich and trailing robes, is the fair mistress of all this grandeur and magnificence—lovely Enid Chichester.