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I was angry with myself generally angry refused more tea rather dryly, and was laconic to Lord Ilbury, all which, of course, was very cross and foolish; and afterwards, from my bed-room window, I saw Cousin Monica and Lady Mary among the flowers, under the drawing-room window, talking, as I instinctively knew, of that little incident. I was standing at the glass.
You never knew me do anything deceitful. Lord Ilbury has no more to do with it, you know very well, than the man in the moon. I was altogether very indignant. I did not speak another word to Milly. The proportions of the house are so great, that it is a much longer walk than you would suppose from the hall-door to Uncle Silas's room.
I have had a really kind letter from poor Silas poor I say, for I really compassionate his situation, about which he has been, I do believe, quite frank at least Ilbury says so, and somehow he happens to know. I have had quite an affecting, changed letter. I will tell you all when I see you.
Cousin Monica this morning, at pleasant Elverston, all-unconscious of my sad plight, proposed to Lady Mary Carysbroke and Lord Ilbury, her guests, to drive over to church at Feltram, and then pay us a visit at Bartram-Haugh, to which they readily agreed. Accordingly, at about two o'clock, this pleasant party of three arrived at Bartram.
When I lower my eyes and unclasp my hands, my cheeks are wet with tears. A tiny voice is calling me 'Mamma! and a beloved smiling face, with his dear father's silken brown tresses, peeps in. 'Yes, darling, our walk. Come away! I am Lady Ilbury, happy in the affection of a beloved and noblehearted husband.
I wept aloud, with my hands clasped, looking on the marble face of the old man. Without seeming to hear, he folded and sealed his note, and then proceeded to answer Lord Ilbury. When that note was written, he placed it likewise before me, and I read it also through.
The early crimson sun of December had gone down behind the hills before we took our seats in the carriage. Lord Ilbury leaned with his elbow on the carriage window, looking in, and he said to me 'I really don't know what we shall do, Miss Ruthyn; we shall all feel so lonely. For myself, I think I shall run away to Grange. This appeared to me as nearly perfect eloquence as human lips could utter.
I forget a great deal after that. It was not till two years afterwards that I learnt that Uncle Silas was found next morning dead of an overdose of laudanum, and that Dudley had disappeared. Milly married her good little clergyman. I am Lady Ilbury now, happy in the affection of a beloved and noble-hearted husband.
My uncle viewed him with a strange, paternal affection. But dear Cousin Monica had written asking Milly and me to go to her, and we had some of the pleasantest and happiest days of our lives at her house of Elverston, for there Milly met her good little curate, the Rev. Sprigge Biddlepen, and Lord Ilbury.
He wrote, with the scowl and smile so painful to witness, as he looked down upon the paper, and then he placed the note before me 'Read that, my dear. It began 'MY DEAR LADY KNOLLYS. You have favoured me with a note, adding your request to that of Lord Ilbury, that I should permit my ward and my daughter to avail themselves of Lady Mary's invitation.