The Convenient Marriage Read Online Free PDF Page A

m-making a bargain, are we not?'
    'Are we?' said his lordship.
    'But you know w-we are!' Horatia said. 'You w-want to marry into m-my Family, don't you?'
    'I am beginning to think that I do,' remarked his lordship.
    Horatia frowned. 'I quite understood that that was why you offered for L-Lizzie.'
    'It was,' he assured her.
    She seemed satisfied. 'And you do not w-want a wife to interfere with you. Well, I p-promise I won't.'
    His lordship looked down at her rather enigmatically. 'And in return?'
    She drew closer. 'C-could you do something for Edward?' she begged. 'I have d-decided that there is only one thing for him, and that is a P-patron!'
    'And - er - am I to be the Patron?' asked his lordship.
    'Would you m-mind very m-much?'
    A muscle at the corner of the Earl's mouth twitched, but he answered with only the suspicion of a tremor in his voice: 'I shall be happy to oblige you, ma'am, to the best of my poor endeavour.'
    'Thank you very m-much,' said Horatia seriously. 'Then he and Lizzie can be m-married, you see. And you will tell Mama that you would just as soon have me, won't you?'
    'I may not phrase it quite like that,' said the Earl, 'but I will endeavour to make the matter plain to her. But I do not entirely see how I am to propose this exchange without divulging your visit to me.'
    'Oh, you need not m-mind that!' said Horatia cheerfully. 'I shall tell her m-myself. I think I had b-better go now. No one knows where I am, and perhaps they m-may wonder.'
    'We will drink to our bargain first, do you not think?' said the Earl, and picked up a small gilt handbell, and rang it.
    A lackey came in answer to the bell. 'You will bring me—' the Earl glanced at Horatia - 'ratafia, and two glasses,' he said. 'And my coach will be at the door within ten minutes.'
    'If - if the c-coach is for me,' said Horatia, 'it is only a step to South Street, sir.'
    'But I would rather that you permitted me to convey you,' said his lordship.
    The butler brought the ratafia himself, and set the heavy silver tray down on a table. He was dismissed with a nod, and went regretfully. He would have liked to see with his own eyes my lord drink a glass of ratafia.
    The Earl poured two glasses, and gave one to Horatia. 'The bargain!' he said, and drank heroically.
    Horatia's eyes twinkled merrily. 'I f-feel sure we shall deal f-famously together!' she declared, and raised the glass to her lips.
    Five minutes later his lordship walked into the library again. 'Ah - Arnold,' he said. 'I have found something for you to do.'
    'Yes, sir?' said Mr Gisborne, rising.
    'You must get me a Captaincy,' said Rule. 'A Captaincy in the - in the 10th Foot, I think, but I am sure you will find out.'
    'A Captaincy in the 10th Foot?' repeated Mr Gisborne. 'For whom, sir?'
    'Now, what was the name?' wondered his lordship. 'Hawk -Hernshaw - Heron. I rather think it was Heron. For a Mr Edward Heron. Do you know a Mr Edward Heron?'
    'No, sir, I don't.'
    'No,' sighed Rule. 'Nor do I. It makes it very awkward for us, but I have great faith in you, Arnold. You will find out all about this Edward Heron.'
    'I'll try, sir,' replied Mr Gisborne.
    'I am afraid I give you a deal of trouble,' apologized his lordship, preparing to depart. At the door he looked back. 'By the way, Arnold, I think you may be under some slight misapprehension. It is the youngest Miss Winwood who does me the honour of accepting my hand.'
    Mr Gisborne was startled. 'Miss Charlotte Winwood, sir? The youngest Miss Winwood, I believe, is scarcely out of the schoolroom.'
    'Certainly not Miss Charlotte Winwood,' said the Earl. 'I have it on excellent authority that nothing would induce Miss Charlotte to marry me.'
    'Good God, my lord!' said Mr Gisborne blankly.
    'Thank you, Arnold. You comfort me,' said his lordship, and went out.
     
    Chapter Three
     
    THE youngest Miss Winwood's return to South Street was witnessed by both her sisters from the windows of the withdrawing-room. Her absence had certainly been