India -- History -- Sepoy Rebellion, 1857-1858 -- Fiction
The news of the alteration in Carlton's social position was received
with the utmost satisfaction in Berkly Square. Edith was too firmly
convinced of the unalterable attachment of her lover to fear that a
change of fortune would, in any way, alienate or weaken the love he bore
her, believing, as she did, that Arthur loved her with all the devotion
of a long tried affection. Certain alterations in the programme had to
be made, consequent on the elevation to the Peerage of the Bridegroom
elect. The wedding, which, was to have taken place in Devonshire, was
now to be celebrated in London; this entailed a delay of some few weeks
in order that the family mansion of the Castlemeres, in Saint James'
Square, might be re-decorated and furnished in a style befitting the
occasion.
As the rent role of the Carlton Abbey property produced an income equal
to a clear ten thousand a year, Arthur now considered himself in a
position to carry out the great desire of his heart, that of presenting
to his beloved Edith the costly gems he had brought with him from India.
He therefore took them to one of the leading jewelers in London for
arrangement and re-setting, and among the beautiful and costly wedding
presents from the aristocratic connections of the Earl, from the Bartons
and others who had known Edith from her infancy, there were none that
could compare in any way with the magnificent diamond tiara ear rings
and bracelets, the cross rings and brooches of rubies, pearls and
diamonds, from the jewel case of that mutinous Indian Princess, the
Begum of Runjetpoora.
With such zeal and good will did the lawyers on both sides work, that in
less than three months from the death of Sir Ralph Coleman, Edith was in
possession of Vellenaux, and Arthur had been recognized and installed as
Earl of Castlemere, and master of Carlton Abbey, that being the name of
the estate in Nottinghamshire, where the old Earl died.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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