And then the two, talking together over their future, decided that they must write at once to their Uncle John Lytton and inform him of their engagements.
Alden undertook to write a letter on the part of both his sister and himself that night.
And, on further discussion, it was decided that at the close of her visit to Blue Cliff Hall, Laura should go to Lytton Lodge to make a visit to her relatives there.
The entrance of Emma Cavendish put an end to the discussion, and was the occasion of new congratulations.
The next morning Madam Cavendish sent for Alden Lytton and Emma Cavendish to come up to her room together.
And she then and there read them a grave and affectionate little lecture upon the duties and responsibilities of an engaged couple, gave them her blessing and dismissed them to go to church.
That Sunday morning every one at Blue Cliffs knew of the betrothal of Mr. Lytton to the young mistress of the Hall.
And on Monday morning all the county knew it just as well as they had known it a month before it happened.
And every one said over once more what they had already said so often--that it was a great pity the daughter of the late Governor Cavendish should be allowed to throw herself and her wealth away upon a penniless young fortune-hunter like Alden Lytton, and all for the want of a proper guardian at hand to restrain her. Old Madam Cavendish, they said, was no better than none at all. And really the Orphans' Court ought to interfere, etc.
But the very bitterest of the malcontents were parents with marriageable sons of their own, any one of which might one day have aspired to the hand of the heiress.
Little cared the happy lovers what their neighbors might think about their betrothal.
They parted that morning, not with tears, but with bright smiles and promises of frequent correspondence.
Alden Lytton stopped in Wendover to take leave of his friend, Mr. Lyle, and to announce the betrothal of Miss Cavendish and himself.
And then, scarcely waiting to receive the congratulations of the minister, he hurried off to catch his train for Richmond.
An hour after this Mr. Lyle had an interview with Victor Hartman, and delighted that poor fellow's soul with the announcement of the betrothal.