"You are indeed my guardian angel, but I fear that that is beyond your power," replied Mr. Stuart, despondingly.
"We will see," added Bella encouragingly; then opened the door, and the impatient son rushed into his father's arms.
The scene which took place between father and son was most affecting, and Bella had to leave the room to hide her tears. The fond and affectionate son was overwhelmed at the ravages the short illness had committed on that once noble form, who could now hardly return the warm embrace of his devoted son.
The invalid, in a feeble and impressive voice, called the young couple to his bedside; then told Charlie of the indefatigable attention that Bella had paid him since her arrival, and now as his last hour was fast approaching, he felt himself duty hound to reveal certain facts which preyed on his mind, in order to release himself from his share of the obligations which they imposed upon him, and which he always considered sacred and binding on a Christian and man of honour.
He then directed his son to open a private drawer in his escritoire, and to bring from thence some papers which he was to read aloud.
The first of these was a cold and formal notice from Mr. McKay, as Lord Lundy's factor, stating that nobleman's intentions not to renew Mr. Stuart's lease, which would expire on first Martinmas.
After the reading of this document, the young lovers looked at each other in amazement and despair; but the contents of the other two overwhelmed them, one of which was as follows, and was addressed also to Mr. Stuart:—
"I believe a certain rash and inconsiderate agreement was entered into between us at the birth of our children, that when they became of age, and with their own consent, they should be united in marriage. Now, as this was only in conformity with certain absurd and ancient customs, and quite at variance with our modern and more enlightened forms of contracting marriages, I hope you will view it in that light, viz., a piece of romantic folly and invalid, imposing despotic and arbitrary restrictions upon innocent and involuntary young people, especially since my daughter has better prospects in view. McKay."
The third, and last document, was a valid contract of
