The Three Brides

l And He

ard, that so many couples are c

s a pitia

case,

h such an influx of

rs-in-law think themse

y suns in o

ters-in-l

y cure for that

of the moth

shelf? Ha, you f

ld us that his bride was a strong likeness of the mot

ely for her benefit. I wo

more to the purpose to consider of the bringing them home. Let me see, Raymond and his Cecil will

ngers for sce

van for them. They will not mind when they understand; but there's that poor wife of Miles's, I wish she coul

enient

n till she could move. Poor little thing! alone in a strange country! I'll tell you what! One of you must run down by tr

another in dismay, and the elder

l look up Miles's little African. I've rather a curiosity that way. Only don't let them st

e in it till I see him. There, then, I'll give orders. Barouche for the squire, van for the rector, and the rattling

thing. I wish I could go myself. And, Charlie, would you cast an eye round,

of the lot. I bet upon Miles's Cape Gooseberry.-Tired, mother darling?

not look as if she had attained fifty years. She was lady of Compton Poynsett in her own right; and had been so early married and widowed, as to have been the most efficient parental influence her five

she was young, Mr. and Mrs. Charnock Poynsett, with scarcely eighteen years between their ages, had often been taken by strangers for husband and wife rather than s

ngest boys, met with an accident so severe, that in two years she had never quitted the morning-room, whither she had at first been carried. She was daily lifted to a couch, but she

is mother had settled into a condition that seemed likely to be permanent, and his two youngest brothers were at home, reading each for his examinati

which his father had been a cadet, and there were complications of inheritance thus happily disposed of. Mrs. Poynsett had not seen her since her earliest childhood; but she was known to have been educated with ela

country, he had been detained by a severe illness at a settler's house; and this had resulted in his marrying the eldest daughter, Anne Fraser. She had spent some months at Simon's Bay while his ship was there

nsequences to her had been so serious that when she la

igence, also informed her of his having proposed to the daughter of the commanding officer of the regiment stationed at the town where lay his present charge. Her father enjoyed the barren honours of the Earldom of Rathforlane, an unimprovable estate in a remote corner of Ireland, burthened with successive families of numerous daughters, so that he w

with credit, and had been promised a Government office; while Charles was intended for the army; and both had been reading with a tutor who lived at Willansborough, and was contin

's the first, mother!" as he brought in a gray-cloaked figure; and Mrs. Poynsett took a tremb

ther," said Charlie, "so we

o the chair he offered-"My dear, you are sa

te well," answered t

child, you will like to rest before any fresh introduct

nk y

old nurse, now mine. Only tell me you

h the mother's eyes felt hungry. "He sent you his love, and he will write

e was

th of August," she answered, squeezing out the sent

e well when you

ui

boy, and we must

ld not find nurse, and thought she was out with the other servants, watching for the arrival; in another moment, the approaching cheers caused him to rush out; and after many more noises, showing the excitement of the multitude and the advance of the bridal pair, during which Mrs. Poynsett l

while Raymond anxiously inquired for his mother's health; and she

" said Raymond. "There, Cecil, is a

began to preside over the low table, while Raymond took his accustomed chair on the further side of his mother's sofa, where he could lean over the arm and study her count

wrung my hand in tears as he said, 'Yes, sir, 'tis very fine, b

are famously loyal. The J. C. P. crowned all

ius-not Julia,"

lves. Hark! is that a cheer beginning again? Had we not better go in

must see

p soft cheek was pressed to the mother's, devouring kisses were hailed on

Here's Julius! I'll

u?" as her son embraced her. "Rose

cried Rosamond, enfolding Anne in her embrac

mond exclaimed, "My dear-what-she's faint!" And while Cecil stood looking puzzled, Rosamond had

Julius, in a voice of tr

t I have only seen and heard her yet, my dear Jul

lius, "but I hardly like that; i

ince I put in temporary lodgers like you.-Now Cecil is

oor Mrs. Miles?" asked Raymond

to gather strength for the journey.-I am so grateful to your good R

nk. "I had to get inside alone, and let them d

question as to the qu

. "Jenny Bowater was here yesterday, and gave the finishing touches. She tells me the rooms

il. "Had I not better go up now?

her two younger

did article?" was Frank's exclamati

She has eyes and hair and skin that my Lady can'

now of Rosa

er, boxed up

t of his Reverence's heart! The ot

. "Who would have thought of Raymond

mmonly cool,

the mother. "Now, boys, away with you; I must have a l

and followed his brother. "Well, Frank, which is

her. You saw that as plain as I di

ht her home at last. Come, you need not knock me down; I shall neve