Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/49

Rh gave her credit for that beauty which (he had been a painter) was the object of his idolatry. A physician came, and, curing the disease, restored the husband to light, which he chiefly valued, as it would enable him to gaze on the lovely features of his wife. He looks, and sees a face hideous in ugliness! He is restored to sight, but his happiness is over. Is not this our own history? Our cruel physician is Experience. Lord Etheringhame, however, was enjoying himself. No illusions are so perfect as those of love—none, therefore, so pleasant. Like most imaginative people, Algernon was very susceptible to beauty. Perhaps it is with that attribute they so profusely endow their creations, and it comes to them with the charm of familiarity. And also, like most indolent people, he easily yielded to any impression: his character may be summed up by saying, he would have made an exquisite woman. In the course of a few weeks the surprise excited in his household was raised to its height; for the housekeeper had orders to prepare a luncheon for a party coming to see the castle. The day arrived, and with it Lady Lauriston and her daughter. Enough had been heard of