Elsie's Widowhood

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER XVI.

  "I saw her, and I loved her-- I sought her, and I won."

  "Across the threshold led, And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed, His house she enters, there to be a light Shining within, when all without is night; A guardian angel, o'er his life presiding, Doubling his pleasure, and his cares dividing." --_Roger._

  "You declined a drive with me the last time I asked you," Mr. Emburyremarked, breaking a momentary silence that had fallen between them,"but will you not be more gracious to-day? My carriage is near at hand,and I have a great desire to take you for an airing--you and thebabies."

  Blushing deeply, Molly said, "Yes, if you wish it, and will bring meback before I am missed."

  "I shall take good care of you, as who would not of his own?" he said,bending down to look into her face with a proud, fond smile; "yes, youare mine now, dearest, and I shall never resign my claim. Ah," as helifted his head again, "here comes your uncle, and I fancy he eyes mewith distrust. Mr. Dinsmore," and he stepped forward with outstretchedhand, "how do you do, sir? What do you say to receiving me into thefamily? I trust you will not object, for this dear girl intends to giveme the right to call you uncle."

  Mr. Dinsmore grasped the hand, looking in silent astonishment from oneto the other. He read the story of their love in both faces--Molly'sdowncast and blushing, yet happy; Mr. Embury's overflowing withunfeigned delight.

  "I assure you, sir," he went on, "I am fully aware that she is a prizeany man might be proud to win. Your niece is no ordinary woman: hergifts and graces are many and great."

  "She is all that you have said, and even more," her uncle returned,finding his voice. "And yet--you are quite sure that this is not asudden impulse for which you may some day be sorry?"

  He had stepped to Molly's other side and taken her hand in his, in aprotecting, fatherly way. "It would wreck her happiness," he added, inmoved tones, "and that is very dear to me."

  "It cannot be dearer to you, sir, than it is to me," the lover answered;"and rest assured your fears are groundless. It is no sudden impulse onmy part, but deliberate action taken after weeks of careful andprayerful consideration. You seem to stand in the place of a father toher; will you give her to me?"

  "Mr. Embury, you are the noblest of men, and must forgive me that I hadsome suspicion that you were thoughtlessly trifling with the child'saffections. I see you have won her heart, and may you be very happytogether."

  Mr. Dinsmore was turning away, but Mr. Embury stopped him.

  "Let me thank you, sir," he said, again holding out his hand. "We aregoing for a little drive," he added, "and please let no one be anxiousabout Miss Percival. I am responsible for her safe return."

  Molly's chair rolled on with rapid, steady movement to the entrance tothe grounds, where Mr. Embury's carriage stood; then she felt herselfcarefully, tenderly lifted from one to the other and comfortablyestablished on a softly cushioned seat.

  How like a delightful dream it all seemed--the swift, pleasant motionthrough the pure, sweet, fragrant air; beautiful scenery on every hand;the prattle of infant voices and the whispers of love in her ear. Shouldshe not awake presently to its unreality? awake to find herself stillthe lonely, unloved woman she was in her own esteem but an hour ago, andwho by reason of her sad infirmity could look forward to nothing elsethrough life?

  They turned in at an open gateway, and Molly, suddenly rousing herself,said, in surprise, "We are entering some one's private grounds, are wenot?"

  "Yes," was the quiet reply, "but there is no objection. The owner and Iare on the most intimate terms. I admire the place very much, and wantyou to see it, so we will drive all around the grounds." And he gave theorder to the coachman.

  Molly looked and admired. "Charming! almost if not quite equal toViamede."

  His eyes shone. "Your taste agrees with mine," he said. "Look this way.We have a good view of the house from here. What do you think of it?"

  "That it is just suited to its surroundings, and must be a delightfulresidence."

  "So it is; and I want to show you the inside too. There's no objection,"as he read hesitation and disapproval in her face; "the master andmistress are not there, and--in fact I have charge of the place justnow, and am quite at liberty to show it to strangers."

  The next moment they drew up before the front entrance. Mr. Emburyhastily alighted and lifted out the little ones, saying in a low tonesomething which Molly did not hear as he set them down.

  They ran in at the open door, and turning to her again he took her inhis strong arms and bore her into a lordly entrance hall; then onthrough, one spacious, elegantly furnished room after another--parlors,library, dining and drawing-rooms--moving slowly that she might havetime so gaze and admire, and now and then setting her down for a fewmoments in an easy chair or on a luxurious sofa, usually before a rarepainting or some other beautiful work of art which he thought she wouldparticularly enjoy.

  The children had disappeared, and they were quite alone.

  He had reserved a charming boudoir for the last. Open doors gavetempting glimpses of dressing and bedrooms beyond.

  "These," he said, placing her in a delightfully easy, velvet cushionedchair, and standing by her side, "are the apartments of the mistress ofthe mansion, as you have doubtless already conjectured. What do youthink of them?"

  "That they are very beautiful, very luxurious. And oh what a lovely viewfrom yonder window!"

  "And from this, is it not?" he said, stepping aside and turning herchair a little that she might see, through a vista of grand old trees,the lagoon beyond sparkling in the sunlight.

  "Oh that is finer still!" she cried. "I should think one might almost becontent to live a close prisoner here."

  "Then I may hope my dear wife will not be unhappy here? will not regretleaving the beauties of Viamede and the charming society there for thisplace and the companionship of its owner? Molly, dearest, this isMagnolia Hall; you are its mistress, and these are your own rooms," hesaid, kneeling by her side to fold her to his heart with tenderestcaresses.

  "It is too much, oh you are too good to me!" she sobbed, as her headdropped upon his shoulder.

  On leaving Mr. Embury and Molly, Mr. Dinsmore hastened to join his wifeand daughter, who were sitting together on the lawn. The interviewbetween the lovers having taken place in a part of the grounds notvisible from where they sat, they had seen nothing of it.

  "You look like the bearer of glad tidings, my dear," Rose remarked,glancing inquiringly at her husband as he seated himself at her side.

  "And so I am, wife," he answered joyously. "Elsie, you may spareyourself any further regrets because of your kindness to Mr. Embury. Heis a noble, generous-hearted fellow, and very much in love with ourpoor, dear Molly. They are engaged."

  "Engaged?" echoed both ladies simultaneously, as much surprised andpleased as he had hoped to see them.

  "Yes," he said, and went on to repeat what had passed between himselfand the newly-affianced pair.

  "Dear Molly," Elsie said with tears trembling in her eyes, "I trustthere are many very happy days in store for her. And how pleased AuntEnna will be, she was so desirous to bring about the match."

  "Molly herself should have the pleasure of telling her."

  "Yes, indeed, papa."

  "There is something else," Mr. Dinsmore said. "At Mr. Embury'ssuggestion I wrote to Dick two or three weeks ago, telling him thatthere was a good opening for a physician here, and asking if he wouldnot like to come and settle if pleased with the country. His answer camethis morning, and he will be with us in a few days."

  "How glad I am!" was Elsie's exclamation. "Molly's cup of happiness willbe full to overflowing."

  Rose, too, was rejoiced; but she had heard before of the invitation toDick, and was less surprised at this news than Elsie was.

  The ladies had their work, Mr. Dinsmore the morning paper, and the threewere still sitti
ng there when Mr. Embury's carriage returned.

  Molly's face was radiant with happiness; Mr. Embury's also; and thefaces of the friends who gathered about them in the library, whither hecarried her, seemed to reflect the glad light in theirs.

  Everybody was rejoiced at Molly's good fortune, and pleased to receiveMr. Embury into the family, for they all respected and liked him.

  Enna's delight on hearing the news was unbounded; she half smothered herdaughter with kisses, and exclaimed over and over again, "I knew hewanted you! And didn't I tell you there'd be somebody better worthhaving than Elsie's lover coming after you some day? And I'm as glad ascan be that my girl's going to be married the first of all--beforeLouise's girls, or Elsie's either!"

  "I can't see that that makes the least difference, mother," Molly said,laughing for very gladness. "But oh what a good and kind man he is! andwhat a lovely home we are to have! for, mother, he says you are to livewith us always if you like."

  "Now that is nice!" Enna said, much gratified. "And is it as pretty asViamede?"

  "It is almost if not quite as beautiful as Viamede, though not quite solarge; both house and grounds are, I believe, a little smaller."

  "How soon are you going to be married?"

  "I don't know just when, mother; the day has not been set."

  "I hope it will be soon, just as soon as we can get you ready."

  This was a little private chat in Molly's room after Mr. Embury hadgone away. She had asked to have her chair wheeled in there, and to beleft alone with her mother while she told her the news of herengagement.

  "I must consult with uncle and aunt and Cousin Elsie about that," shesaid in answer to her mother's last remark. "Will you please open thedoor now and ask them to come in? I don't care if the rest come too."

  "Well, Molly, when, where, and by whom is the knot to be tied?" askedMr. Dinsmore playfully, as he stood by her side looking down with akindly smile at her blushing, happy face.

  "O uncle, so many questions at once!"

  "Well, one at a time then: When?"

  "That foolishly impatient man wanted me to say to-night," she answered,laughing, "and when I told him how absurd an idea that was, he insistedthat a week was quite long enough for him to go on living alone."

  "A week!" exclaimed her aunt. "You surely did not consent to that?"

  "No," Aunt Rose, "but I believe I half consented to try to make mypreparations in two weeks. I doubt if we can quite settle that questionnow."

  "There must be time allowed for furnishing you with a handsometrousseau, my dear child," Elsie said, "but possibly it can beaccomplished in a fortnight. As to the next question--where?--yousurely will let it be here, in my house?"

  "Gladly, cousin, if pleasing to you," Molly answered with a grateful,loving look. "And Mr. Keith shall officiate, if he will. Of course itmust be a very quiet affair; I should prefer that under anycircumstances."

  "You will invite Dick, will you not?" her uncle asked with a twinkle inhis eye.

  "Dick! oh the dear fellow! I ought to have him. I wonder if I couldpersuade him to leave his practice long enough to come. Two weeks wouldgive him time to get here if I write at once."

  "No need," her uncle replied. "Providence permitting, he will be here inless than half that time."

  Then the whole story came out in answer to Molly's look of astonishedinquiry, and her cup of happiness was indeed full to overflowing.

  "Where did you drive, Molly?" asked Isa. "But I suppose you hardly know;you could see nothing but--your companion?"

  "Ah, Isa, do you judge of me by yourself?" queried Molly gleefully. "Bythe way, though, I had three companions. But _don't_ I know where Iwent?"

  Then smiling, laughing, blushing, rosy and happy as they had never seenher before, she described the darling baby girls and the beautifulhome.

  But the sweet words of love that had been as music to her ear were toosacred for any other.

  She had quite a large and certainly very attentive and interestedaudience, the whole family having gathered in the room. Enna and theyoung girls were especially delighted with the tale she had to tell.

  "It's just like a story--the very nicest kind of a story!" cried Vi,clapping her hands in an ecstasy of delight when Molly came to that partof her narrative where she learned that she herself was to be themistress of the lordly mansion she had entered as a stranger visitor,with all its wealth of luxury and beauty.

  The next two or three weeks were full of pleasant bustle and excitement,preparations for the wedding being pushed forward with all possibledispatch, Mr. Embury pleading his loneliness and that he wanted Molly'srelatives and friends to see her fairly settled in her new home beforethey left Viamede for the North.

  Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, with Enna, Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet,took a trip to New Orleans and spent several days in shopping there,laying in great store of rich, costly and beautiful things for Molly'sadornment.

  Mr. Embury, too, paid a flying visit to the city, which resulted in anelegant set of jewels for his bride and some new articles of furniturefor her apartments.

  Dick arrived at about the expected time and was joyfully welcomed. Hissurprise and delight in view of Molly's prospects were quite sufficientto satisfy her, and so greatly was he pleased with the country that in afew days he announced his purpose to remain.

  Cyril had received a unanimous call from the two churches, and aftermature deliberation accepted it, upon which Elsie doubled the salary shehad formerly paid, and told him playfully and in private that if hewould get a wife whom she could approve she would repair, enlarge, andrefurnish the cottage.

  "You are extremely kind and generous cousin," he stammered, coloringdeeply, "and I--I would be only too glad to follow out your suggestion."

  "Well," she returned in the same playful tone, "what is there tohinder?"

  "The only woman I could fancy, could love, is so beautiful, fascinating,accomplished, so altogether attractive in every way, that--I fear shecould hardly be expected to content herself with a poor minister."

  "I cannot say how that is," Elsie answered with a smile, "but judging bymyself I should think she would give her hand wherever her heart hasgone; and if I were a man I should not despair until I had asked andbeen refused. And, Cyril, though not rich in this world's goods, Iconsider you a fit match for the highest--you who are a son of theKing."

  "That sonship is more to me than all the world has to give," he said,looking at her with glistening eyes, "but to others it may seem oflittle worth."

  "Not to any one who is of the right spirit to be truly an helpmeet toyou. I think I know where your affections are set, my dear cousin, andthat by her the true riches are esteemed as by you and me."

  He thanked her warmly by word and look for her kind sympathy andencouragement, and there the interview ended.

  But that night, when Elsie was about retiring, Isa came to her, allsmiles, tears and blushes, to tell the story of love given and returned.She and Cyril had spent the evening wandering about the grounds alonetogether in the moonlight, and he had wooed and won his heart's choice.

  "Dear Isa, I am very, very glad for you and for Cyril," Elsie whispered,clasping her cousin close, and kissing again and again the blushingcheek. "I cannot wish anything better for you than that you may be ashappy in your wedded life as my dear husband and I were."

  "Nor could I ask a better wish," Isa returned with emotion; "but ah! Ifear I can never be the perfect wife you were! And, cousin, I canhardly hope for mamma's approval of my choice."

  "Do not trouble about that now; I think we shall find means to win herconsent."

  "I think grandpa and uncle are sure to approve."

  "Yes; and they will be powerful advocates with Aunt Louise; so I thinkyou need not hesitate to be as happy as you can," Elsie answered with asmile. "Do you wish the matter kept secret?"

  "Mr. Keith is with grandpa and uncle now," Isa said, blushing, "and Idon't care how soon Aunt Rose and the girls and Dick know it; but if youplease
, the rest may wait until mamma is heard from."

  Molly was delighted, though not greatly astonished, when Isa told herthe next morning.

  "How nice that we shall be near neighbors," she exclaimed. "I wish youwould just decide to make it a double wedding."

  "Thank you," laughed Isa; "do you forget that it is now just one weekfrom your appointed day? or do you think my trousseau could be gotten upin a week, though it takes three for yours?"

  "I really didn't stop to think," Molly acknowledged with a happy laugh;"but, Isa, you are so beautiful that you need no finery to add to yourattractions, while my plainness requires a good deal."

  "Molly," Isa said, standing before her and gazing fixedly and admiringlyinto the glad, blooming face, "I think you have neglected your mirror oflate or you wouldn't talk so."

  A great surprise came to Molly on the morning of her wedding day. Hercousin Elsie gave her ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Embury settled fiftythousand upon her, beside presenting her with the jewels he hadpurchased--a set of diamonds and pearls.

  Also she received many handsome presents from uncle, aunt, brother andcousins, and from Mr. Embury's children.

  He had sent for his two boys, fine manly fellows of ten and twelve, tobe present at the marriage, which was to take place in the evening, andhad brought them that morning for a short call upon his chosen bride.

  She and they seemed mutually pleased, and Molly, who had been somewhatapprehensive lest they should dislike the match, felt as if the laststone were removed from her path.

  She gratified Mr. Embury greatly by a request that the baby girls andall the servants from Magnolia Hall might be present, and that he wouldlet Louis, his eldest son, stand up with them as third groomsman, Dickand Harold Travilla being first and second.

  Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet were the bridesmaids, all wearingwhite for the occasion.

  It was a very quiet wedding indeed, no one at all present but themembers of the two families, servants included--these last groupingthemselves about the open door into the hall.

  Molly sat in her chair looking very sweet and pretty in white silk,point lace, and abundance of orange blossoms freshly gathered from thetrees on the lawn.

  The bridesmaids looked very lovely also; groom and groomsmen handsomeand happy.

  Mr. Keith made the ceremony short but solemn and impressive. The usualgreetings and congratulations followed; Elsie's to the bride a whisperedhope, accompanied with tears and smiles, that every year might findherself and husband nearer and dearer to each other.

  An elegant banquet succeeded, and shortly after the happy bridegroombore his new-made wife away to her future home.