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But on the first instant of the two of them standing alone there in the little hallway, Charley Scully turned swiftly to Marjorie Clark, catching up her small hand. His eyes carried the iridescence of bronze. "Marjie," he said, "to why, to think you'd come! Why why, little Marjie!" "I oh, Charley-boy, I " "What, little one? What?" "I I dun'no'." "What is it, hon? Ain't you as glad as I am?"
Alice did not speak at once, but at the end of a long silence she said: 'Does Fred Scully love you no more? 'I do not know whether he does or not; nor does it matter much. He's not in Ireland. He's far away by this time. 'Where is he? 'He's gone to Australia. He wrote to me about two months ago to say that all had been decided in a few hours, and that he was to sail next morning.
"It's a whim of Uncle's," says Alvin, chucklin'. "He's gone a little cracked over making and saving money. Poor old chap! Ego developed most abnormally. But the Judge he took me before was that kind too; so I am compelled to live with Dr. Slade. Jolly crowd up there, though. Come along, Scully; we mustn't be late for dinner."
'I assure you we never go to bed before twelve, and sometimes we sit up here until one don't we, mamma? Mrs. Scully smiled jocosely, and the Marquis sat down. In an instant his fate was decided. Overcome by the girl's frail sweetness, by the pellucid gaiety of her grey eyes, he surrendered; and his name and fortune fluttered into her lap, helplessly as a blown leaf.
Now there comes a rustling of drapery, and every one turns their heads as the brides sweep up to the altar. Here Is Mrs. Scully, looking quite as charming as she did fifteen years ago on the last occasion when she performed the ceremony. She was dressed in a French grey gown with bonnet to match, and the neatest little bouquet in the world, for which the major had ransacked Covent Garden.
Johnnie, the cowboy, and the Easterner maintained a morose silence, while old Scully appeared to be receptive and eager, breaking in constantly with sympathetic ejaculations. Finally the Swede announced that he was thirsty. He moved in his chair, and said that he would go for a drink of water. "I'll git it for you," cried Scully at once. "No," said the Swede, contemptuously.
Recall what he did to Ernest Seton-Thompson and to that minister in Stamford, Connecticut. Remember how he crossed swords with Mr. Scully touching the alleged dangerous nature of the ostrich and the early domestication of the peacock. So far as I know, the bittern thing has no voice at all. His real stunt is as follows.
He was a Tory attorney at Oldborough; he was jilted by the present Lady Gorgon, turned Radical, and fought Sir George in his own borough. Well, my dear lad, we have bought your incorruptible Scully. Look here," and Mr. Crampton produced three Morning Posts. "Hawksby is our neutral, our dinner-giver. "'LADY DIANA DOLDRUM'S ROUT. W. Pitt Scully, Esq, again. Scully, and Sir George Gorgon."
Down went Scully to dinner. There were dukes on his right hand and earls on his left; there were but two persons without title in the midst of that glittering assemblage; the very servants looked like noblemen. The cook had done wonders; the wines were cool and rich, and Lady Gorgon was splendid! What attention did everybody pay to her and to him!
Scully hastily drank his wine, and Lady Gorgon turned round to her next neighbour, a little gentleman in black, between whom and herself certain conscious looks passed. "I am glad poor Sir George is not here," said he, smiling. Lady Gorgon said, "Pooh, for shame!"
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