Part 24 (1/2)
”I think perhaps I do _not_ know them. I think perhaps that your mother was right, and too much was made of the circ.u.mstances. However, I must say that I do not feel equal to another wedding. My work has been thrown back and out of order, and I did hope and look for a little peace and comfort now.”
His air was worried and yet decisive, and as he sat down by Mrs.
Filmer and began to talk of their removal to Woodsome, Harry perceived that his affairs had been dismissed. He rose, went to his room, dressed for the evening, and then went to call upon Miss Alida. Her friend Selina Zabriski had just returned, but she was weary and invisible, and so Harry had Miss Alida's company without interruption.
She wondered at his visit, but instantly connected it with Adriana.
”Have you written to her?” she asked, with a knowing smile.
”I have been to see her. She is going to marry me as soon as you return to Woodsome.”
”I told you to write. Why did you not follow my advice?”
”I bettered it.”
”That is yet to be seen. Is Cousin Peter willing?”
”Yes. But my mother is very angry indeed, and greatly to my surprise, father is almost equally so.”
”Henry Filmer has only a certain amount of good sense; he used it up on his daughter's affairs. Pray, what has Mrs. Filmer to say against your marriage?”
”She says I am her only son, and that it is very hard to have me taken away from her.”
”She took Henry Filmer, who was an only son, from his father and mother.”
”She does not like Yanna.”
”It is not she who has to marry Yanna.”
”She does not like the Van Hoosens.”
”The Van Hoosens live and flourish without her liking. Now, Harry, what do you wish me to do?”
”We wish you to be glad with us--to approve our marriage.”
”Your marriage suits me exactly. I am politely sorry it does not suit Mr. and Mrs. Filmer, but I like it. The sooner it takes place, the better I shall like it. When is it to be?”
”This month.”
”Where?”
”In Woodsome. I was much pleased with the description Yanna's father gave of his wedding in the old Dutch church there; and we have resolved to have the same kind of simple ceremony.”
”I am glad of that. I will stand by you. You are a couple of foolish young people; but your folly fits my wisdom, and so is warrantable.
Where are you going to live?”
”We have not considered that question yet.”
”The sparrows and the tom-t.i.ts have more sense than you have. They do build a nest before they go to house-keeping.”
”We shall find a nest.”
”What faith! You will find a nest! Go, then, and buy the rings, and get your wedding suits, and speak to the Dominie, and look to Providence for a roof to cover you. You may say 'good night' now, Harry. Lovers never know the clock. They come too soon, and they go too late, and they talk about months when they mean ten or eleven days. Good night, sir!”