The other day I paid a call on Miss Dolly Foster for the purpose of presenting to her my small offering on the occasion of her marriage to Lord Mickleham. It was a pretty little bit of jewelry--a pearl heart, broken (rubies played the part of blood)and held together by a gold pin, set with diamonds, the whole surmounted by an earl's coronet. I had taken some trouble about it, and was grateful when Miss Dolly asked me to explain the symbolism.
"It is my heart," I observed. "The fracture is your making; the pin--"Here Miss Dolly interrupted; to tell the truth I was not sorry, for I was fairly graveled for the meaning of the pin.
"What nonsense, Mr. Carter!" she said; "but it's awfully pretty.
Thanks so very very much. Aren't relations funny people?""If you wish to change the subject, pray do," said I. "I'll change anything except my affections.""Look here," she pursued, holding out a bundle of letters. "Here are the congratulatory epistles from relations. Shall I read you a few?""It will be a most agreeable mode of passing the time," said I.
"This is from Aunt Georgiana--she's a widow--lives at Cheltenham.
'My dearest Dorothea--'"
"Who?"
"Dorothea's my name, Mr. Carter. It means the gift of heaven, you know."" 'My dearest Dorothea, I have heard the news of your engagement to Lord Mickleham with deep thankfulness. To obtain the love of an honest man is a great prize. I hope you will prove worthy of it. Marriage is a trial and an opportunity--'""Hear, hear!" said I. "A trial for the husband and--""Be quiet, Mr. Carter. 'A trial and an opportunity. It searches the heart and affords a sphere of usefulness which--' So she goes on, you know. I don't see why I need be lectured just because I'm going to be married, do you, Mr. Carter?""Let's try another," said I. "Who's that on pink paper?""Oh, that's Georgy Vane. She's awful fun. 'Dear old Dolly,--So you've brought it off. Hearty congrats. I thought you were going to be silly and throw away--' There's nothing else there, Mr. Carter. Look here. Listen to this. It's from Uncle William. He's a clergyman, you know. 'My dear Niece,--I have heard with great gratification of your engagement. Your aunt and I unite in all good wishes. I recollect Lord Mickleham's father when I had a curacy near Worcester. He was a regular attendant at church and a supporter of all good works in the diocese. If only his son takes after him (fancy Archie!) You have secured a prize. I hope you have a proper sense of the responsibilities you are undertaking. Marriage affords no small opportunities, it also entails certain trials--'""Why, you're reading Aunt Georgiana again."
"Am I? No, it's Uncle William."
"Then let's try a fresh cast--unless you'll finish Georgy Vane's.""Well, here's Cousin Susan's. She's an old maid, you know. It's very long. Here's a bit: 'Woman has it in her power to exercise a sacred influence. I have not the pleasure of knowing Lord Mickleham, but I hope, my dear, that you will use your power over him for good. It is useless for me to deny that when you stayed with me, I thought you were addicted to frivolity. Doubtless marriage will sober you. Try to make a good use of its lessons I am sending you a biscuit tin'--and so on.""A very proper letter," said I.
Miss Dolly indulged in a slight grimace, and took up another letter.
"This," she said, "is from my sister-in-law, Mrs. Algernon Foster.""A daughter of Lord Doldrums, wasn't she?"
"Yes. 'My dear Dorothea,--I have heard your news. I do hope it will turn out happily. I believe that any woman who conscientiously does her duty can find happiness in married life.
Her husband and children occupy all her time and all her thoughts, and if she can look for few of the lighter pleasures of life, she has at least the knowledge that she is of use in the world. Please accept the accompanying volumes (it's Browning) as a small--' I say, Mr. Carter, do you think it's really like that?""There is still time to draw back," I observed.
