Fenton's Quest

ar himself away just yet. He felt that he must have some more definite understanding of his position before he went back to London; and in the mean

l as to the issue of his wooing. He knew that Marian Nowell's heart was free, that there was no rival image to be d

frequently during his absence. And Captain Sedgewick's talk about Gilbert Fenton gener

for the love of that dearest and noblest of men? Marry a man she disliked? No, that was a sin from which the girl's pure mind woul

assion was always rendered desperate by the opposing influence of adverse circumstances and unkind kindred; but a tranquil s

ning to London to transfer his affections to some other woman, the thought was very obnoxious to her. He had not flattered her, he had been in no way slavish in his attentions to h

trees alone with Marian Nowell. He repeated his appeal in warmer, fonder tones than before, and with a kind of implied certainty that the answer must be a favourable one.

you!" he said, in a low passionat

is embrace, and stood a little way f

do," she

cried Gilbert, joyously. "I knew

Captain was sitting in his favourite arm-chair by the window, with a readin

ught you a nephew,

paper, and stretched out bot

"Didn't I promise you that all would go well if you were patient? My

n, taking shelter behind the Captain's chair; "onl

in Christendom, and will make the brightest and tr

ds in the moonlight a little before eleven o'clock, thinking of his new happiness-such perfect happiness, without a cloud. The bright suburban villa was no longer an airy castle, perhaps never to be realized; it was a delightful certainty. He began to speculate as to

s farm bailiff, and those two were together alone. He was a little tired of having his visits to the cottage criticised in

nd I am sure I thought you had quite settled down as a bachelor, with your excellent lodgings in Wigmore Street, and every possible comfort in life-I think you might have chosen mu

more than a pretty face t

any other advantages

sense, and a pure

like the girl well enough; I have nothing to say against her;

nfortu

sition is so v

of living in such a place as Lidford. You talk about position, as if I were a prince o

without noticing this contemptuous interruption; "but to marry a girl about whose relations

. Captain Sedgewick has been ca

ather and moth

other has been d

her f

es not know whether h

d have thought as much. And you are really going to marry

s lost sight of in this world. Mr. Nowell was a bad husband and an indif

this Mr. Nowell will make his appearan

n which we don't seem very likely to agree, I think we had better

and promised Gilbert that she would

for some time to come,

Belle. There is nothing to

known Marian Nowell such a short time. You ought to put her

kind of test. I have a most profound

ion-about a girl whom you have only k

the remote past, to understand this sudden trust in, and all-absorbing love for, an acquaintance of a b

gewick's garden, playing with Fritz the Skye terrier, and talking airy nonsense to Marian, while she sat in a garden-chair hemming silk handkerchiefs for her uncle, and looking distractingly pretty in a print morning dress with tiny pink rosebuds on

enture upon such an important step without you: apart from all sentimental considerations, a woman's judgment is indispensable in these matters. The house might be perfection in every other point, and there might

im with a start

she re

hy should we delay longer than to make all necessary arrangements? I long so f

t is much too soon to talk or think of marriage yet. I want you to have plenty of leisure to consider whether you really care for me, whether it isn't only a fan

his sister's reasoning,

shall not suit each other,

Captain's handkerchiefs by stooping down to kiss the little hands at work upon them. And then the talk

pend every possible moment with Marian. And at three o'clock the gig appeared, driven by Martin Lister himself, and Gilbert was fain to

solitary cigar, listening to the dismal street-noises, and the monotonous roll of ceaseless wheels yonder in Oxford-street; not caring t

ition. Better, a hundred times better, that she should be thus, than fettered by ties which might come between them and perfect union. The faithful and generous protector of her childhood would of necessity always claim her love; but beyond this one affection, she would be Gilbert's, and Gilbert's only. There would be

thought of was now considered only in relation to that one subject. He applied hims