The Country Gentleman

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... A SURPRISE FOR EDITH. 271 iirst became a member of the Roman Catholic Church, to-which an assent being given, he was received by Mrs. Aubrey with joy as her accepted son-in-law. Matters had progressed thus far most satisfactorily, and the other necessary preliminaries having been adjusted, the day was fixed for the marriage ceremony, and their engagement being no longer a secret, a short time after the following announcement went the round of the London and country papers, under the usual heading of Marriage in High Life --On Saturday last, Sir Digby Colville, Bart., led to the hymeneal altar the beautiful and accomplished Miss Aubrey, only daughter of Mrs. Aubrey, of G Square, and Pennington Park, Lancashire. The ceremony was performed at the Roman Catholic chapel in Warwick Street; the worthy Baronet having very recently become a convert to the religious tenets of his moat charming and wealthy bride. CHAPTER XL. About a month after the announcement of Sir Digby Colville'a second marriage, which created no trifling sensation both at Woodborough and St. Austin's, Edmund and Edith were sitting together at their breakfast-table, when the letter-bag was brought in, upon opening which, Edmund's eyes became riveted upon one so intensely for a few moments, that Edith could not forbear noticing his looks of surprise and agitation. That handwriting! exclaimed Edmund; surely it cannot be!--yet look, my dear Edith! You know it better than myself! Good heavens, Edmund! it is indeed that of poor Agnes; I cannot be mistaken. Break the seal then, my love--I cannot; it must have been written previously to her death. How strange I have not received it before! Edith did as directed, with trembling fingers; for the handwriting of those we have loved, and who ha...