Ballou's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXVII, No. 1 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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Mys. Dalrymple’s Diplomacy. 65 Frank came forward with a bright smile. “ Just in time, dear mother. We ask for your congratulations upon the happiest con- summation one could ask. If you do not object, we shall send an order to the nearest jeweller for a choice assortment of engage- ment rings. Do you need the explanation we have all been having ?” “Of course not,” answered Mrs. Horterse, triumphantly. “I am not so blind as that. I am very, very happy. I could not ask a dearer or more acceptable daughter-in-law.” She swept forward with a beaming glance toward Miss Aubrey; but Frank, taking Lucia by the hand, interrupted the movement. “You see, my Lucia, your mother is ready to welcome you. Come, Mr. Berne—Cousin Whart, it is your turn.” Cousin Whart, happier than any crowned king or victor knight, led Sibyl Aubrey forward. “T shall bless you to my latest day, Cousin Hortense, for bringing this dear guest to the house. Henceforth, she is its mistress.” Mrs. Dalrymple opened her eyes, staring from one couple to the other. There was such a choking, gasping suffocation at her throat, that she put up her hands and untied the Jace bow of her cap. “You understand, don’t you?” repeated Cousin Whart. “Frank and Lucia are one happy couple, and Sibyl and myself another.” Mrs. Hortense conquered herself by one masterly effort. She swallowed down the troublesome choking in her throat. She called up a tolerably good imitation of a happy smile, and shook hands with them, one by one, offering her congratulations, She even kissed Lucia’s blushing cheek, when she longed heartily to box her ears. But, as soon as possible, she got away and crept into her own room. Once there, she walked up to the full-length mirror, and glaring defiantly at the reflection there, she exclaimed, shaking her hand menacingly: “So this is the result of your scheming! A pretty diplomat, indeed! You've just en- tangled your son with a girl not worth a shilling of her own! The very creature, I do believe, you took such pains to win him from while he was there at college. And you've cheated yourself nicely out of your home here. Cousin Whart married—how can you come here summer after summer? <A pretty piece of diplomacy. Bah! No doubt they will seek your services at the foreign diplo- matic office. O!” And Mrs. Hortense sat down and had a good shower of angry tears, after which she retired to her couch, and sent down word to her dear friends and happy guests to excuse her absence, as her ankle was not quite so well.” “ Lame, indeed!” she muttered again, pull- ing the coverlet over her face; “and lamer in diplomacy than in anything e’se. How I hate the word! Bah!” cComiclooks. com