United States or Guatemala ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
But perhaps Jack Chetwynd was hampered with fewer restraining influences than most men, for he was alone in the world, without kith or kin, and might be fairly allowed to please himself, and pleasing himself in this case meant leading to the altar, or rather to the Registry Office, Miss Bella Blackall, music-hall singer and step dancer. It was unquestionably a case of love at first sight.
"Now, Mark, what is to be done next?" Dick Chetwynd asked. "The next thing will be to get back as soon as we can, Dick. I, for one, have had enough of Holland to last me for a lifetime." "I am afraid, gentlemen," the Lieutenant said, "you will have to wait a day or two before you can leave. I have nineteen men in prison, and there will be a meeting of magistrates this afternoon.
Chetwynd looked terribly annoyed; but there was no choice left for him but to extend his hand and mutter something to the effect that he had not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of his wife's friends before. "Glad to know you, sir not one of us not in the profession, I think?" "No er no," responded Chetwynd feebly. "And the 'appier you, take my tip for it.
John Chetwynd drew her close to him, so that the tired head rested on his shoulder with the sweet familiarity of long ago. "Listen," he said. "I have been a coward, frightened of the truth. The world was dearer to me than happiness, or I thought so, and I hesitated, afraid of its contempt.
I give the story, as far as possible, in the words of its author; and have only to add that it would never have been published here without his full consent and approval. 'My name, said he, 'is Gustavus Pulvertoft. I have no occupation, and six hundred a year. I lived a quiet and contented bachelor until I was twenty-eight, and then I met Diana Chetwynd for the first time.
He strolled down the terrace, and Lady Chetwynd Lyle, turning her back on "old" Lady Fulkeward, went after her "girls," while the fascinating Fulkeward herself continued to recline comfortably in her chair, and presently smiled a welcome on a youngish-looking man with a fair moustache who came forward and sat down beside her, talking to her in low, tender and confidential tones.
"Awfully sorry, but I must be going old chap, promised to look in again at the club." And Chetwynd did not press him to stay. Humiliated to the last degree, he followed him downstairs. "I have given you a very enjoyable evening, Meynell," he said bitterly. "My dear fellow, what ought I to say?" "I'm damned if I know; I've never visited a friend who made such a marriage as mine.
Bella sat up and dried her eyes. "I will go back to the stage; but I did not say I would stop there, and I shan't if I'm not happy, and if it makes a break between me and Jack." "Don't talk like that," cried Saidie disdainfully, "You make me tired!" After this there was a lull; John Chetwynd observed that he had need of more forbearance towards his wilful wife, and tried to exercise it.
And there was silence a silence in which John Chetwynd read clearly his own heart at last, and stood face to face with facts facts stripped of false adornments naked, convincing. Then he strode across the room and entered that in which Bella lay.
Her face glowed with pride as she added, "Of course everything is changed now." "Indeed?" murmured Mrs. Baines, with polite curiosity. "Yes," said Miss Chetwynd. "You've not heard?" "No," said Mrs. Baines. Miss Chetwynd knew that she had not heard. "About Elizabeth's engagement? To the Reverend Archibald Jones?" It is the fact that Mrs. Baines was taken aback.
Word Of The Day