CHAPTER XXXV. CINTHIA’S BETROTHAL. Arthur Varian was roused at midnight by the reception of a startling telegram from his mother: “Everard Dawn fatally injured in a railway accident here. Come at once, and bring Cinthia.” He staggered to a chair, groaning aloud! “So this is the sorrowful end!” Conquering an onrushing flood of painful emotion, he sought Frederick Foster, and imparted the sad news. “Heavens, how shocking! And I had only a few hours ago written to ask him for his daughter’s hand!” exclaimed the young man. “Then Cinthia has accepted you!” Arthur cried, with emotion. “Yes, only yesterday, and I intended to tell you to-morrow. Can you wish me joy, old fellow?” inquired Fred Foster, anxiously, for his cousin had made him acquainted with all his sad past story, and he felt the keenest sympathy with his unhappiness. Arthur held out a cordial hand. “It is good news to me--under the circumstances. May you both be very happy!” he exclaimed, generously. “Thank you, Arthur. I will do my part toward it,” returned the young man, in a hopeful tone, adding: “We had better go at once to Lodge Delight for Cinthia. I will go with you to Virginia, and no doubt Madame Ray will give us the comfort of her company.” “I shall beg her to do so,” said Arthur. “I am sure she will not refuse, for my mother would be perhaps but a poor consoler in the hour of grief. Indeed, I am puzzled to know how she and Mr. Dawn ever happened to be together at Charlottesville, for they have always avoided each other. But the mystery can not be solved until we reach her side.” Making the most hasty preparations possible for leaving, they set out for Lodge Delight, having first sent a telegram to Mrs. Varian at Charlottesville, assuring her that they would start at once. So expeditious were their movements, that before daylight the four were on the train speeding to Virginia, Madame Ray having gladly acceded to their request for her company. “Of course I would not permit Cinthia to go alone to so sad a scene as her father’s death-bed, poor dear!” she said, with warm sympathy. Cinthia was shocked and grieved at the news of Everard Dawn’s accident and impending death, but her grief lacked the depth of a filial bereavement. Owing to her strong resentment at his own coldness, the girl had never felt the sentiment of love for him. If Madame Ray had died she would have been inconsolable, but in the case of her father she felt quite differently. She was shocked and pained, but she would have felt almost as deeply over any well-known friend who had met with such an accident. His death would not mean any serious affliction to her. Indeed, when the first shock was over, she remembered that perhaps now she would never have to leave dear Madame Ray for another home. True, in a moment of madness and resentment at Arthur’s coldness, she had rashly consented to marry his cousin, but she was not at all certain that she would keep her promise.