“If you have any doubt about your answer,” said Mr. Chester abruptly, already half regretting his precipitancy, “say so without hesitation.”
Evidently the delay would be dangerous, and Clementina decided to settle the matter at once.
“No,” she said, “I will not consult mamma. I know her high opinion of you, dear Mr. Chester — let me say Randolph. If you care for this little hand, it is yours,” and she timidly laid a large and well developed palm in his. She was rather disappointed that he did not press it to his lips. In all the novels she had taken from the Brooklyn Mercantile Library, that was what enraptured lovers always did when accepted. Mr. Chester just pressed the hand slightly, and, rising, said in a business-like way; “Very well, Miss Raymond, we will consider the matter settled. I will leave you now, as you will probably wish to tell your mother.”
This was the way in which Clementina told her mother the news: “Mamma, that old goose has proposed, and I have accepted him.”
“What old goose?”
“Randolph Chester, of course. He’s as old as the hills, but he’s got money.”
“And you are nearly twenty five, my love.”
“Oh, bother, mamma! What’s the use of mentioning my age? Somebody might be within hearing. Remember, if he asks how old I am, you are not to answer so impertinent a question.”
“Very well, Clementina. Of course, my child, our interests are the same. I am really glad you will have a husband of means. It has been very hard to keep up a genteel appearance on our limited income, and it will be a relief to have some one to provide.”
“You are right, mother. Of course I wouldn’t think of marrying the old mummy if he hadn’t plenty of money. He thinks we are rich; so you must be careful not to drop any hint of our real situation until after we are married. I wonder if I can’t induce him to take me to Europe for our wedding tour.”
“That would be a very pleasant arrangement, Clementina. I always wanted to go to Europe.”
“Of course you couldn’t go, mamma,” said the selfish daughter. “I am sure Mr. Chester wouldn’t agree to it. I may find it very hard to induce him to take me.”
“I should be very lonely if you left me at home,” said the disappointed mother.
“I should write you often. That would do almost, as well.”
Mrs. Raymond did not think so, but she knew her daughter’s hard, ingrained selfishness too well to press the matter. She received Mr. Chester on the footing of a son-in-law most graciously, though it did occur to her that it would have been better if she could have secured him as a husband instead of Clementina; then she could have made the European tour.
It may be as well, however, to say here that neither to mother nor daughter were revealed the scenic charms of Europe. When Randolph Chester discovered that he had married a genteel pauper he was deeply incensed, and was in no mood to grant favors to the wife who had deceived him. He married in haste, to repent at leisure.
Chapter 12
The day of examination came, and the small schoolroom was thronged with visitors. The exercises passed off in the most satisfactory manner. Squire Hadley, as chairman of the School Committee, made the first speech. It was not a model of eloquence, but he made it clear that he considered the school a success and took credit to himself for engaging so competent a teacher. Mr. Wilson followed. He too, expressed hearty approval of the exercises, and tendered his cordial congratulations to Miss Frost for remarkable success in inspiring the scholars with a love of learning.
He hoped the town would be able to retain the services of so accomplished an instructress. To him succeeded Adoniram Fry, who, in a jocular way, lamented that as a boy it had not been in his power to be a scholar under Miss Frost’s instruction. All were complimentary, and Mabel’s cheeks were flushed with pleasure.
Randolph Chester was not present at the closing exercises. Neither were the Raymonds. The engagement had leaked out, and therefore their absence did not excite surprise. It was ascertained that they had driven to a neighboring town. It was not discovered, however, till later, what their errand was. They drove at once to the residence of a clergyman, and when they returned Clementina was Mrs. Randolph Chester. Clementina herself had artfully hinted how romantic it would be, and how people would be taken by surprise. Mr. Chester cared nothing for this; but it occurred to him that Mabel would be mortified on learning how quickly he had been consoled for her loss. Poor Mr. Chester! In after years he looked upon this as the most idiotic act of his life.