Denbighshire Free Press

ESTELLE; OR, | WAS SHE WT-FE OR WIDO w ? BY THE AUTHOR OF t Ttied For Her Life," The Fatal &cret," *■ The Maiden 4-c., c. CHAPTER II. tHE ARRESTED BRIDE. A rapid drive of an hour's length, brought the, party to H o..ford, the seat of Sir George Ban- aermr.n. knight, the magistrate who had issued the wan-ant. Aavenue led from the highway to the hall. On a: riving before the main entrance, the foremost carriage drove up, and the footman ftprang uov n from behind, opened the door and let down the steps, while the policeman got off the box and stood yuanl. I Mr. OMiield alighted firsthand handed ont Estelle, who, pale as death, with her face still wrapped in her bridal veil, mechanically per- raitted herself to be conducted by her aged friend, up the broad marble stairs leading into the hall. They verr prc:-d»vl by the policeman, who inc.u ih<s Jwi, v. 1 ^'as opened by a foot: attendance; while jusi within, the fat. govrv-looking porter, sat indolently ui his with gold spectacles on his nose, rer.di:.g ii Times. Tiie i.cemrn telegraphed to this dignitary, who, without leaving his seat, or raising his eye from his paper, answered "In the library. Here. J ohn, show this party ap." The r.Hif-man who had admitted them, now can;forward, indicated his forehead with hi, foreliiiger, by way of obeisance to the lady and clerirvmen, beckoned the officer, and led tin war the broad oaken stairs to a long gallery abtv.. at the extreme end of which was the doo me library, where the preliminary eXilP, ination was to be condacted. Opening thi • door. r!1" ::I:u1 announced— i .ii pris'ners y' iiononr," admitted the: the door, and retired. The; iy found themselves in a rich, antique, and handsornely-furni-hcd library, the walls of which were alternately lighted with stained glass gotkic windows, and lined with richly wroi:and well-filled book-cases. At r::e upper extremity of this room, behind a 1 «j i: male, covered with a green cloth, sat Sat Geo.•• Han uerman at his right hand was hi^ seer and near the end of the table, on the saia.- e, were gathered Madame I.'Orient. Mo; Victoire, and a little French Abbe, Ne, !■ magistrate stood Lord Dazzleright. A N,enerable clergyman advanced, sup- port: his fragile charge, Sir George arose, grave! v acknowledged their presence by a slight bow. and sat down again. The officer preceding the party, laid his war- rant before the magistrate, and said "Here is the prisoner, your worship," bowed, and retired a step or two. Sir George took up the doenment, and while he was looking over it in silence, the library door was once more opened, and —— His lordship, the Bishop of Exeter, and Lord Montressor, to attend the examination," were announced. They entered gravely, bowed in silence to Sir Geo:e Bannerman, who acknowledged their salutation by a momentary lifting of his eyes and then took their stand upon the side near Lord Dazzleright. JI\Yas this well done, Sir George Bannennan" I vehemently inquired Mr. Oldfield. "To what do you allude, sir ? asked the knight, with-nit lifting his glance from the document in his hand. I allude tot lie arrest of the lady." Reverend sir, one of your excellent judg- ment .should know that the law, no more than theyospel, is a 'respecter of persons.' "Assuredly not, Sir George! but you were in the church at the time this illegal marriage took place; you heard the solemn adjuration of the Lord Bishop officiating, that—if any man there prevent knew cause why the contracting parties should not be joined in matrimony, he should then and there declare it. Sir, you sat there, with this unhappy lady's husband by your side, and heard this solemn adjuration, and did not speak But speedily after the accomplishment of the act, you issued the warrant for the lady's arrest. Sir George Ban- ner; n: 1 a. I ask you once more teas this act, on the pin e of a Christian, a gentleman, and a magistrate, ivell (lune ? "Sir.a distinguished professor of the orthodox principles of human free agency like yourself, should understand that the law, no more than the go-p i, interferes arbitrarily to prevent crime that i;; can only judge and punish but sir, we lose time; will you have the kindness to stand aside and let me see the prisoner t With a deep-drawn sigh, bearing to Heaven an earnest prayer for the despairing one at his side, the good clergyman withdrew a step, and Estelle was left standing unsupported before the green table. Madam," will you be kind enough to un- veil ? said the magistrate. Estelie turned a-ide h.-r veil, revealing a face ao deathly in its line that those who beheld it 3uddei. :y blanched in sympathy. Your nnme, Madam, is Estelle L'Orient ? She bowed assent. The magistrate then took up the warrant for her arrest, read it aloud to her, replaced it on the table, and addressing her, said: E-telle L'Orient, you are herein charged, vnder oath, by Madame Gabrielle L'Orient, jfcye present, with having this day, at the church of Hyde, in and during the life of your hu-band, Victoire L'Orient, now living in these realms, feloniously intermanied with George Charles, Viscount Montressor, said mar- xiflf'e constituting an act of bigamy, against the peare and dignity of the king's majesty, and pnr.i-hable by transportation, according to the statute in such case made and provided. W hat have you to say to this charge ? "Nothing here, sil-niiicii perhaps here- .1 after," answered the deep plaintive voice of the accnsed. Sir George Bannerman," said Lord Dazz J e- right, coining to the side of the lady, I stand here as the counsel of Lady Montressor, if she will accept my services, and I take exception to the question put to her, as improper." Mad;, m, do you retain Lord Dazzleright ? demanded the magistrate. "I do sir." You are then the counsel of EsteIIe L'Orinn. ?" I a in the counsel of Lady Montressor." II All: my lord do not breathe that stainless name here. I have no claim to it! Thank God for that, at least—that whatever happens, lean bring no reproach upon that honoured name J lor it is not mine I am poor Estelle L Orient, said the thrilling passionate voice of the lady, as she shuddered and averted her head. Hush, hush, my child You must real/y keep silence, and permit me to conduct this oase. I shall deny their charges ab initio and in toto, as we lawyers say. You are no more the legal wife of yonder vagrant than you are of well, let that pass You are the Vis- countess Montressor." Oh I no, no, no! great heaven no that ?acred name—Lord Montressor's spotless name —must be kept holy from the sorrow and shame that is gathering darkly over that of poorEstelle L'Orient." 'YbiI,. this low and hurried conversation was -oing on between the counsel and his client, the magistrate sat back in his chair,waiting. Seeing them at length silent, he leaned forward and :'i«juim; ot the counsel if they were ready to bear tiie barge." We "v. ready," replied Lord Dazzleright. "Tit1!; will proceed to call the Madaiee Gabrielie L'Orient will please to take ■tie st .lid. t The small, deep-sec, quick, Diacic eyes oi inc little old French-w oman, scintillated with cim- uing malignity, as she came forward. The oath was duly administered and she commenced her deposition. First, she identified the accused is Estelle, tlie wife of ictoire L'Orient, ami then in polished French but broken English she testified to having witnessed the marriage of her | -on, Victoire L'Orient, and her pupil, Estelie Morelle. in the church of St. Etienne, nt Paris, j c)ll Lile Ity of IS- fill*- ther. to the fact of the said Victoire and Estelle having lived together as man and wife, f >r the of olle under her roof, u, :a, line St. Genevieve, Paris While this witness wasgiving in her evidence, Lord Dazzleright whispered his client If there is any point in her testimony to which you take exception, let me know it." The marriage was a private one, and unless I was grossly deceived, she knew nothing of it at the time," murmured Estelle, struggling against the death-like despair that threatened the annihilation of her faculties. "One moment, if you please," said Lord Dazzleright, as the witness was about to retire from her position, this alleged marriage is understood to have been a strictly private one — how then did it happen, Madame, that you witnessed it ? I suspect the children of their intention. I follow, I pursue, I enter thechapelot St. Etienne. I witness the marriage. No cross-questioning could drive the woman from this point; but, on the contrary, only tended to consolidate and confirm her in her loose-jointed evidence. The next witness called was the little old French priest, who, having been duly sworn, first identified the accused, and then testified to having both witnessed and assisted at the mar- riage of Estelle Morelle and Victoire L'Orient, which was solemnized on the 13th of November, 18-, by the Abbe Pierre Leroux, in the church of St. Etienne, Paris. The cross-questioning of this witness elicited nothing to throw discredit upon his testimony. The certificate was then exhibited. A nd the fret of tbe first marriage seemed established. The next proceeding was to prove the identity of Victoire L'Orient as the living husband, and consequently as the legal obstacle to the second nuptial. This was easily done by the testimony of the mother and priest. The next and final fact to establish, on the part of the prosecution, was that of the second and so-called felonious marriage, that day celebrated at the parish church of Hyde. This was formally proved by the testimony of the same witnesses. Then Lord Dazzleright, with a smile of encouragement, stooped and spoke aside with his client. "He-assure yourself, Lady Montressor This was from first to last a series of conspiracies I shall easily overthrow them with their own weapons hoist these engineers with their own petard Then turning to the magistrate, his smile of benevolence changed to one of flashing scorn, as he said: "W e might commence, your worship, by con- testing the legality of these proceedings, from the moment of the issuing of the warrant, in itself informal, as not containing the name of the accused, which is not Estelle L'Orient, but Estelle Viscountess Montresso But we clioi.se to rest our defence, not upon a mere verbal form, but on the deepest and firmest founda- tions of justice and truth. We shall therefore commence by denying ab initio and in toto the validity of the alleged marriage, said to have taken place in the chapel of St. Etienne, in the city of Paris, showing the same to have been a felonious act, the result of a conspiracy, in which my client was not principal or party, but victim—a crime punishable by the statute laws of France with fine and imprisonment. I shall show that, dating from the edict of the J Hh of Henry II., the statute laws of France iorbid the marriage of a minor without the aowle Ige and consent of her parents or guar- 1: us, and vacate such marriage, so contracted, a illegal, invalid, and of none effect." It is n< t our in! em ion to follow the "learned c 'tinsel minutely through his argument, in wInch he displayed much zeal, legal lore, in. ■i:u:ty and tact, and by which he temporarily •Erected, in the feelings and sentiments of all li s hearers, with the exception of the prosecut- J: parly, n powerful revulsion in favour of the .■ reused. lie exposed wilbon t mercy all the intriguing arts by which this designing French governess and her unprincipled son had con- spired to inveigle their pupil, then a mere child, ;(0 a clandestine marriage, by which they hoped eventually to enjoy her immense wealth. He dwelt upon the moral turpitude of that Li 'acherous teacher in having thus betrayed the sacred trust reposed in her by the parents of the child confided to her care. He said that I lic, erimillal arts of this intriguing mother and .-on should avail them nothing, either in shape oi profit or vengeance. And he.concluded by tn immense mass of law, testi- mony and precedence upon the point that this r¡i marriage into which they had conspired o entrap their pupil, was, without the know- lodge and consent of the parents or guardians 01 the child-bride, null, void, invalid, and there- fore could not form a legal obstacle to the vali- dity of the real and authorised marriage that day solemnized at the parish church at Hyde. He then required the discharge of his client from custody, and sat down. Sir George Bannerman acknowledged the conclusion «f his argument by a nod, and turned his face toward the witnesses for the prosecution as if to express himself ready to hear any tljin,, they might have to advance against this. The prosecuting party had no sounsel, but in the absence of a better lawyer, Madame L'Orient proved in her own person, despite her sex and her broken English, an "indifferent good," or at least very shrewd advocate. And it was the shrill voice of the little yellow, shrivelled, and bead-eyed old French woman, that replied to the polished Lord Dazzleright. She prayed Monsieur the Magistrate to remind himself that the statement that Mademoiselle Estelle Morelle had been married to Monsieur Victoire L'Orient, without the knowledge and consent of her parents, was only an assumption which required proof, while on the contrary, the fact that this marriage between Monsieur Vic- toire and Mademoiselle Estelle had been cele- brated with the knowledge and consent, and in the nresence of Mademoiselle's guardian, was already proved, was established, was unques- tioned for that she herself, Madame Gabrielle L'Orient, in her capacity of governess and teacher, had borne the relation of guardian to Mademoiselle Morelle. And as giiaidian of Mademoiselle, her presence at the marriage of Mademoiselle was all that was needed to make that marriage a legal transaction. Having given this testimony, the vindictive little woman—her black eyes scintillating 111 triumph—sat down. Lord Dazzleright arose and scornfully dis- claimed the protestations of Madame L' utterly denying that her office of teacher could have invested her, for a moment, with the rights of legal guardianship over her pupil. Madame replied that she was not only teacher, but sole custodian, governess and guardian of Mademoiselle for many years. Here commenced a discussion upon this sub- ject, ended at last by the magistrate, whom it was easy to suspect of a leaning on the side of the prosecution, and who now said This particular point is a matter for the adjudication of their lordships the judges at the assizes. Has the defence anything further to urge!" Yes—for though you choose to consider the illegality of the first marriage a questionable matter—nay, though you should decide to hold it a legal and binding transaction, yet-we have much to advance, why my client should not be held to answer the grave charges upon which I she stands before your worship. The English law, as aht. the law of all Christian nations, very righteously constitutes the intention the vital part of the crime now that my client has not the faintest shadow of intention or purpose to violate the statute by her second, and as we hoiii it to lie, nei onty real marriage—is e;<y <■; pi oof. Two years ;igo (here was a published account of the death of this man,upon the occa- sion of the wreck of the Due DA/ljon. This recount was translated from the (Jowrhr tie. France in the daily Time*, a copy of which 1 h-tve just, received from Lord Montressor, and h::vo t he honour of laying before your worship," •-•iid I.old Dazxlei igiit, drawing he pap'-r from his poeh't and placing ii iijoiii the b<-i< re the ii'.M.gi-Lrate, who took it up and read, while the advocate proceeded— My client saw this announcement, and believing herself to be the legal widow of this man, retired from society and remained in seclu- sion some eighteen months; at the end of which tinle only, she accepted the addresses of Lord Mo»t.re.Ns0r, to whom she was this morning esji' iisi d as you have learned." 1.1 ut MoiisietiV the magistrate! but. Mon- sieur! wt-;Ite letters to Madame Victoire L'Orient I —I inform her cf the life of my son, her hus- bttiid itele vehemently interrupted the mer- curial li ale French woman. Madame, you are disorderly and willconsult your best interests by being quiet," said the magistrate. Then addressing the counsel for the defence, hesaid—" This point also is one lor the adjudgment of their lordships." There was a short pause, at the end of which the magistrate inquired— "Has the defence anything further to ad- vance ? The defence has nothing further to advance he) e and now," replied Lord Dazzleright. w ith a peculiar emphasis. "Then. Madam," said the magistrate, address- ing E,t-ei I(- I consider this a case for court, and 1 shall therefore bind you over for trial to answer the charge of bigamy, at the next assizes to be holden at the city of Exeter." The pale and drooping girl who lia.d remained all this time with her face bowed and hidden upon her hands in the folds of her bridal veil, now raised her eyes in wild affright, looking so much like an amazed and terrified child in the grasp of some horrible power, that the good clergyman, Mr. Oldfield, hastened to her side and stooped to say- "It is but a form, mv child. No action can he successfully sustained against you. Trust in God, and take courage." Have you bail ? inquired Sir George Ban- nerman, who had just been giving some private directions to his secretary. Estelle shook her head—poor girl, she did not fairly understand the purport of the ques- tion. Lady Montressor has bail, your worship. The Reverend Mr. Oldfield and the Reverend Mr. Trevor stand ready to enter into a recogni- zance with her, or rather with her husband, Lord Montressor, for her appearance at court," said Lord Dazzleright. The magistrate turned to direct his secretary to fill out the proper forms. And while that functionary was busily engaged scribbling, Estelle turned to Lord Dazzleright pleading— "For the love of the Saviour, my lord do not continue to ding the spotless name of Mon- tressor through the mire of my misery I would rather,—oh far rather, that conviction should come with all its train of horrors for me, than that I should be saved, at the expense of one speck upon that stainless name." Without replying to her prayer, the advocate, turning toward Lord Montressor, said— Will your lordship be so good as to come and speak to this lady ? you may be able to bring her to reason." Lord Montressor, who bad heard or divined the purport of Estelle's plaintive petition, am: who desired nothing more than the opportunity of reassuring her, now came to her side and sa.io I Estelle, my beloved, look np I hold you ag my dear and honoured wife, in whose cause it is both my duty and inclination to risk, if needed, life and fortune, and sacred honour. Estelle, beloved you know that Baron Dazzleright is at this time esteemed the most eminent lawyer in the kingdom. His legal opinion is considered of the very first importance. He holds the secret marriage into which you, as an infant, were entrapped, ten years since, to he perfectly void; and, on the other hand, the marriage solemnized between us this day, to be perfectly valid. His opinion upon the validity of our niar- riage, supported by the authorities he adduces, and the developments of the last two hours, has decided my course. I stand upon the legality of the ceremony this day performed in the church of Hyde; I claim the rights of a husband to pro- tect and shelter you and here pledge my life if needful, my fortune, my unblemished name and sacred honour to bear you blameless through the severe ordeal. Therefore, Lady JHontrensor, do not again wish to cast off the support that is most righteously your own, nor the honourable name that does not deserve repudiation at your hands. Remember, that it is your htisbaizdwlw requires this of yoll 11 Lord Montressor spoke with an air of beauti- fully blended deference, tenderness and dignity, almost impossible to resist. cl Lord Dazzleright's tine face beamed with sympathetic admiration—and clasping the hand 9f the noble speaker, he said— God bless vou, Lord Montressor,for yon arc very right aud if there is a man—peer or prince- —in the empire who could take, unquestioned,, the position that you now take and discharge with delicacy ami discretion, its difficult duties, that man is your lordship. God bless you But all this while Estelle, with her clasped hands hanging down, her head drooped upon her breast,, and her eyes lowered to the ground, re- mained in mournful silence. Nor did she once change her position, or look up, or speak, until the magistrate called the two sureties to sign the recognizance that was now ready. The two cle., gyiiiei-i advanced to the table. Lord Dazzle- right also followed, and she was left standing alone, or guarded, as it were, by Lord Montres- sor. Has my steBa no word or glance for me 1" he inquired. Oh my lord—my lord—do yoi not know then that poor Estelle's soul is at your feet, in I' •"e.Uiiow lodgment of your matchless constancy But, Lord Montressor, it must not be as you have said. I may not lean upon your noble strength, nor bear your honoured name, and v,'ill not, my lonl-will not," said Estelle, with, mournful dignity. "Does my dearest Stella, my gentle b?-i(le,- V., i-111 all her graces,—lack the lovely grace of su ^mission ? loor Estelle, your servant, my lord, pos- with all her faults 3.1111 weaknesses, the- capacity and strength to suffer alone, alone lex »er than drag down one whom she honours down to share her degradation." y oui signature is wanted to this document, madam, said Sir George Bannerman,address- hig the prisoner. Helllain here, dear Estelle. I shall sign that document in your behalf," said Lord Mon- tressor, leaving her side and advancing to the table. "Lord Montressor will enter into a recogni- zance with Messieurs Oldfield and Trevor, on the part of hi.s wife," said Baron Dazzleright. It, will not do. The prisoner must sign for herself," said the magistrate. Be it so, then. Estelle—Lady Montressor —if you have any regard for me, sign only the name that I have this day bestowed upon you," whispered Lord Montressor, as he led her for- ward to the table. "Lady Montressor, I add my voice to his lordship's, and do beseech you, for the sake of all who love you, to comply," said the Baron. Estelle turned upon Lord Montressor a smile, full of holy self-renunciation, took the pen, and with a firm hand signed the paper. Lord Montressor, Lord Dazzleright, and the twu clergymen bent eagerly forward to read the signature. It was—Estkllf. L'ORILNT. child, child! Why have you written thus ? questioned Lord Montressor, with a look of distress. "Thi" girl will ruin her own canse," said Lord Dazzleright, in a tone of vexation. Yes, my lord, she will ruin her own cause rather than insure it at the expense of the noble and the srood. I am poor, lost Estelle. wife of Yictoire L'Orient, and have not tile slightest I claim even upon the Viscount, Montressor's | countenance—to say nothing of h is noble name." ] "Wewiii see about that, my fair fanatic," said the Baron. As it was now very late in the afternoon, and [ the setting sun was shining aslant the sombre library wall, and as Sir George Bannerman I announced the sitting at an end, and betrayed mptonis of impatience to he gone, the parties —both prosecutors and defendants—prepared to j retire. 1 Yon will go with me to Bloomingdale, my child, and remain as long as your friends can spare you. Mrs. Oldfield will be very—ahem —will do everything she possibly can to prove her ailection and respect for you, and to make your sojourn in our humble home comfort- able and agreeable as circumstances will admit, my dear," said old Mr. Oldfield to bii; protege. We thank you very sincerely for your offered hospitality, reverend sir; but since taking legal advice my plans are again changed —we shall adhere to the first arrangement. which was, that Lady Montressor and myself should go down to Vurset and spend a month at our castle of Montressor," said the, Viscount, with calm emphasis. Your lordship doubtless knows best the just and proper grounds of your action," said the venerable man, bowing gravely, but look- ing, withal, so uneasy, that Lord Montressor beckoned the baron to his side, and said "Lord Dazzleright, will you be good enough to inform these gentlemen whom you consider to be tiie legal protector (.f this lady ? Unquestionably, reverend sirs, I lwld the only legal protector and proper custodian of this lady to be her husband, the Lord Viscount Montressor." "But," said the old clergyman, hesitatingly, there is another who claims that relation to there is another who claims that relation to this lady, and whose claims the magistrate, however unjustly, certainly favours." "And whose claims to anything else but transportation will certainly be set aside by the courts," said the baron. I' "But in the meantime, for the lady's own sake, had she not better remain with me or sonic other friend, until the decision of the courts has confirmed her positionpleaded Mr. Oldfield. "Decidedly not, sir; it would argne a doubt of her position—a position upon the assuredness and stability of which I. am willing to stake my reputation. As the legal adviser of Lady Mon- tressoï, [ ccrLinly counsel her ladyship to place herself under the powerful protection of her husband, and accompany him to M ontressor tile Castle, to pass the time until the meeting ot tlJe Judges." "Come, my love, you hear what the baron says. It is getting late. Take leave of your friends, and permit me to hand you into the carriage which waits, and drive to your father's house, where we will pass thenigtit,and thence to-morrow morning we will set out for Dorset," said Lord Montressor, who was very anxious to remove his bride from the scene. "My father Ah, Lord Montressor, do you deem that in all respects, Sir Parke Morelle resembles you My father will never look upon my face again, were that look needed to save my soul alive. Nay, best and most honoured mv lord, 1. dare not cross my father's threshold, and I will not cross my lord's. If ever a Lady Montressor sets foot within Montressor Castle, she will not first have borne the branded name of Estelle L'Orient. Farewell, my lord. I repeat now, what I said before, whatever may finally become of poor Estelle, may God for ever bless and love you, Lord Montressor," she < said, bowing her forehead for a moment upon bis hatd that she had clasped between her own and then releasing it and turning away, she addressed the old minister, saying gently I am at your disposal, Mr. Oldfield, if in- deed, you still offer the shelter oi your roof to one so lost as I am." "Gladly, my child, will I receive you and let me tell you, Lady Montressor "Ah, you also, Mr. Oldfield; you will not spare my lord's name," interrupted Estelle. I very much suspect that it is your legal name, Lady Montressor. I have the greatest confidence in the opinions of Lord Dazzleright upon all lrr/a/ questions, though 1 am not sure I would be guided by his judgment in religious questions. Thus I think his opinion upon the validity of your marriage is likely to be quite right, while his advice to you, (founded upon that opinion), that you should accompany Lord Montressor to his castle in Dorset, there to abide the action of the court, I consider to be arrone- ous. Yom' own instincts, by the grace of God, have been a better guide. It is fitting that yon should remain with Mrs. Oldfield, unless yonr parents claim you from us," whispered the venerable man, drawing the arm of his protege \sitiim his own, and preparing to leave the room. But Lord Montressor who had remained a few minutes in mournful silence now spoke I I Estelle, Lady Montressor, my wife, I liave not said 'farewell,' and I disclaim yonr right* (hus to w ithdraw yourself from my lawful-yra- tection." "Lord Montressor, your poorservant, Estelle, who would lay down her life to serve your lord- ship, will not even at your command, take one step to compromise or injure you Once more, farewell, my lord. And may God for ever love and bless you, "'rtn(I with gentle firmness, Estelle lowered her veil and turned away. Still Lord Montressor would have detained and expostulated with her, had not the Bishop of Exeter here ûome up and reasoned with his lordship. "Lady Mont re WOT does well. I have nodoilbt that Lord Dazzleright is legally correct, but he is morally wrovj. I have no doubt that the marriage this day solemnized at Hyde is per- tectly valid and indissoluble but inasmuch as its validity is contested and remains to be con- firmed by the aoti-Mi of the court, I declare it my opinion as a Christian minister that Lady oil t i.e, Montressor is rdigionsly correct in withdrawing herself from the seeiety of your lordship until such time as the wu rt has ad j udged her position; and that any other course would expose her ladyship to much censure." I see, now, that you are entirely right, my Lord Bishop. Ollr wishes often blind us to what isexpedient as wel las to what is right. Although, indeed, I wished chiefly toconsult her ladyship's eomfort and interests. I thank yon, sir, that you have placed this subject in its proper light before me," said Lord Montressor, frankly. Then going up to. the bride, he said Estelle, love, you can go now with my full consent and approbation. Mr. Oldfield, it is I, her husband, who commits Lady Montressor to your care," he concluded, laying a marked emphasis upon the title with which he wished to invest her.. Your lordship does well. And Lady Mon- tressor shall receive the best possible care and attention while she sojourns under our humble roof," replied the aged clergyman. And, bow- ing to the group, he led his charge from the library, through the long passage, down the broad stairs, across the wide hall to the entrance door, and thence down the steps to the carriage in which he placed her. Meanwhile, Madame L'Orient, Victoire, and the little fat Abbe, chattering like a trio of mammoth magpies, had got into their chaise and driven off. Lord Montressor, Lord Dazzleright and the Lishop of Exeter, now came down the steps, entered the carriage of the viscount, and took the road to Hyde. Mr. Trevoi- ctiiie out, and joined Mr. Oldfield and Lady Montressor, and their carriage was ordered to drive to Bloomfield. (To be eoncludtd,) Miller "Which Is right, 'stop and think or 'stop to think?'" Smith: "Stop to think," to be sure. "You might easily stop to think while you were talking, but as to stopping and actually thinking, that is another matter." I "Scotland's products range from the strongest I to the sweetest." "How do you make that out?" "She produces Scotch whisky and Scotch lasses."