CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE,
_Thursday night._
Robert came to see me at twelve, and he brought me the loveliest, splendiddiamond and emerald ring, and I danced about like a child with delightover it. He has the most exquisite sentiment, Robert--every little triflehas some delicate meaning, and he makes me _feel_ and _feel_.
Each hour we spend together we seem to discover some new bit of us whichis just what the other wants. And he is so deliciously jealous andmasterful and--oh, I love him--so there it is!
I am learning a lot of things, and I am sure there are lots to learnstill.
At half-past one Lady Merrenden came and fetched us in the barouche, andoff we went to Vavasour House, with what different feelings to lastevening!
The pompous servants received us in state, and we all three walked on tothe duke's room.
There he was, still huddled in his chair, but he got up--he is betterto-day.
Lady Merrenden went over and kissed him.
"Dear Torquilstone," she said.
"Morning, Robert," he mumbled, after he had greeted his aunt. "Introduceme to your fiancee."
And Robert did, with great ceremony.
"Now, I won't call you names any more," I said, and I laughed in his face.He bent down and kissed my forehead.
"You are a beautiful tiger-cat," he said; "but even a year of you would bewell worth while."
Upon which Robert glared, and I laughed again, and we all went in tolunch.
He is not so bad, the duke, after all.
CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE,
_December 21st._
Oh, it is three weeks since I wrote, but I have been too busy and toohappy for journals. I have been here ever since, getting my trousseau,and Veronique is becoming used to the fact that I can have no coroneton my lingerie.
It is the loveliest thing in the world being engaged to Robert.
He has ways! Well, even if I really were as bad as I suppose I look, Icould never want any one else. He worships me, and lets me order himabout, and then he orders me about, and that makes me have the loveliestthrills. And if any one even looks at me in the street--which of coursethey always do--he flashes blue fire at them, and I feel--oh, I feel, allthe time!
Lady Merrenden continues her sweet kindness to us, and her tact is beyondwords, and now I often do what I used to wish to--that is, touch Robert'seyelashes with the tips of my fingers.
It is perfectly lovely.
Oh, what in the world is the good of anything else in life but beingfrantically in love as we are!
It all seems, to look back upon, as if it were like having porridge forbreakfast, and nothing else every day, before I met Robert.
Perhaps it is because he is going to be very grand in the future, butevery one has discovered I am a beauty, and intelligent. It is much nicerto be thought that than just to be a red-haired adventuress.
Lady Katherine, even, has sent me a cairngorm brooch and a cordial letter.(I should now adorn her circle!)
But oh, what do they all matter--what does anything matter but Robert! Allday long I know I am learning the meaning of "to dance and to sing and tolaugh and _to live_."
The duke and I are great friends. He has ferreted out about mamma'smother, and it appears she was a Venetian music-mistress of the name ofTonquini, or something like that, who taught Lord de Brandreth'ssisters--so perhaps Lady Ver was right after all, and far, far back insome other life I was the friend of a Doge.
Poor, dear Lady Ver! She has taken it very well after the first spitefulletter, and now I don't think there is even a tear at the corner of hereye.
Lady Merrenden says it is just the time of the year when she usually getsa new one, so perhaps she has now, and so that is all right.
The diamond serpent she has given me has emerald eyes--and such a pointedtongue.
"It is like you, snake-girl," she said; "so wear it at your wedding."
The three angels are to be my only bridesmaids.
Robert loads me with gifts, and the duke is going to let me wear all theTorquilstone jewels when I am married, besides the emeralds he has givenme himself. I really love him.
Christopher sent me this characteristic note with the earrings which arehis gift, great big emeralds set with diamonds:
"So sorry I shall not see you on the happy day, but Paris, I am fortunate enough to discover, still has joys for me.
"C. C.
"Wear them; they will match your eyes."
And to-morrow is my wedding-day, and I am going away on a honeymoon withRobert--away into the seventh heaven. And oh, and oh, I am certain,_sure_, neither of us will yawn!
THE END
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