Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/117

Rh From the moment of his first visit, I saw that he was enamored of my young lady. She, dazzled by his wealth, had accepted the offer of his hand, and they were soon to be married.

"When the appointed time arrived, my young lady went to the altar a not unwilling bride, for she loved position and wealth; and had never been contented with her lot since her father's failure; but I knew, from observing her closely, that she had never felt any love for her intended husband.

"After the ceremony had taken place, we removed to a new and splendid mansion, in one of the most fashionable quarters of the city, and lived far more magnificently than ever before. The winters were spent in a continual round of gayety in the city, and during the summers we visited the fashionable watering-places, at all of which my lady was greatly admired and courted for her beauty and wealth.

"A few years passed in this way, when one evening I heard Mr. D. remark that he had engaged a new coachman, who would come the next morning. I did not think anything of this circumstance until the next day, when, imagine my surprise and alarm, on recognizing in the new servant, no other than my old acquaintance, James.

"I was very curious to see the effect his appearance would have on Mrs. D. She knew nothing of it until in the afternoon, when he drove to the door, and she stepped out to get in the carriage. At the first glance she recognized him, and for a moment I thought she would fall, but recovering, she straitened herself up, and getting into the carriage, without another look, 10