Lady Rosamond's Secret eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 201 pages of information about Lady Rosamond's Secret.

Lady Rosamond's Secret eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 201 pages of information about Lady Rosamond's Secret.

To return to our narrative.  Hearty demonstrations were participated in by the citizens in testimony of the appreciation of the military.  Balls were given, dinners, speeches and testimonials.  No efforts remained untried to express deep sympathy.  Great was the joy at Government House when Captain Douglas informed the family of Lieutenant Trevelyan’s being transferred to the succeeding regiment.  Colonel Trevelyan had obtained this change at the request of Sir Howard and Lady Douglas.  Though a favorite in the 52nd regiment, Lieutenant Trevelyan’s character did not harmonize with those of his brother officers—­a circumstance that did not escape the notice of His Excellency.  The matter formed the subject of correspondence between the latter and Colonel Trevelyan, resulting in the announcement previously made by Captain Douglas.  Much delight shone on every countenance.  Lady Douglas congratulated her young friend.  Mary Douglas testified her joy with childish gaiety.  Pioneer Johnnie looked forward to another sylvan pilgrimage with boyish glee.  Merriment had exchanged places with murmuring and regret.  The secretary alone remained in a state bordering on hesitation.  He would indeed miss his boyish companion, yet the sense of his presence gave pain.  Though not expressed by word or action, he was aware of the deep and passionate attachment which Lieutenant Trevelyan had formed for Lady Rosamond Seymour.  He was aware of the hopeless result of this knowledge, and felt a sense of relief in the thought that changing scenes and new acquaintances might claim attention and heal the wound which otherwise would remain fresh and painful.

The arrival of the 81st regiment was, as customary on such occasions, celebrated by a general muster of the citizens.

The York County Militia presented a fine soldierly appearance.  The grenadiers were indeed worthy of the tribute paid to their manly form and graceful bearing.  Conspicuous was the rising favorite, Vivian Yorke.  His flashing eye, regular features, broad, intellectual forehead, and firmly chiselled lips, received many compliments as he stood beside his companions.  Lieutenant Trevelyan, in the military staff of His Excellency, also was not allowed to pass unnoticed.  It was a remarkable coincidence that on this occasion, as the crowd bore down upon the company, Lieutenant Trevelyan was nearly in line with the young grenadier officer.  A thoughtless young lady, standing near, exclaimed hastily to her companion:  “Fanny, how much that young officer resembles Mr. Yorke.”  The remark being overheard by both parties, caused slight embarrassment, accompanied by a boyish blush from Lieutenant Trevelyan.  Though an intimacy was formed between those young gentlemen, no allusion was made to the circumstance until many years afterwards, when Mr. Yorke was in England transacting some important political business, he was laughingly reminded of the affair by a gentleman in the prime of manhood—­no longer a blushing young officer.  Mr. Yorke and Sir Guy Trevelyan joined heartily in the joke, the former remarking that this young lady must have been colorblind in respect to their eyes.  Many such comparisons were made rendering defective the perception of the fair judge, and causing much amusement to the assembled company.  But this is a digression which the reader will excuse.

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Lady Rosamond's Secret from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.