"
The widow gave her son a beaming look of love.
With a "Heaven be with you, my dearest mother," and "God bless you, my
best son," they parted. They parted to meet no more on earth.
Let us now return to the mansion of Colonel Delany, and learn the
nature of that "matter of the utmost moment to herself," that had
summoned Alice so inopportunely from the side of her lover.
* * * * *
On reaching the study of her uncle, Miss Raymond found him in deep
consultation with an elderly gentleman in black. Various packets of
papers were before him--an open letter was held in his hand. He arose
to meet Alice, as she advanced into the room, and taking her hand with
grave respect, said:
"Lady Hilden, permit me to congratulate you on your accession to your
title and estates."
"Sir! uncle!" exclaimed Alice, gazing at him with the utmost
astonishment, scarcely conscious whether she was waking or dreaming.
"Yes, my dear, it is true. Your grandfather--old Lord
Hilden--departed this life on the sixth of last March. His only living
son survived him but a few weeks, and died without issue, and the
title and estates, with a rent-roll of eight thousand pounds per
annum, has descended, in right of your father, to yourself!"
"I shall have so much to give to William!" involuntarily exclaimed
Alice.
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