He summoned up courage for the sacrifice, and went into the study of his
employer and in a few words told him that he had come to say good-bye.
The astonished old man looked up for an explanation.
John Lyon Howe gave it to him.
"And so you wish to leave me, never to return to the Hall, because you
love my daughter."
The young man bowed in silence; but could not conceal the misery it
caused him to make this acknowledgment.
"But why should that oblige you to leave the house?" inquired Mr.
Berners.
"Oh, sir! can you ask?" exclaimed Mr. Howe.
"Oh, I see! the little witch has refused you!" exclaimed old Bertram
with a twinkle in his eye. "Come, is it not so?"
"Sir, I have never abused your confidence so far as to seek her hand! I
could not make so base a return for your kindness to me."
"Oh, you have never asked her to marry you! How in the world, then, can
you know whether she will accept you or not? or, consequently, whether
it will be necessary for you to leave or not?"
"Oh, sir! what is it that you would say?" exclaimed the young man, in
quick, broken tones, while his face turned pale with agitation.
"Nonsense, my boy! When I was young a youth didn't require so much
encouragement to woo a maiden. Before you make up your mind to leave me,
go and ask Sybil's consent to the step."
"Oh, sir! oh, Mr. Berners! do you mean this?" gasped the young man,
catching at the back of the chair for support. He was inured to sorrow,
but not to joy. And this joy was so sudden and overwhelming that he
reeled under it.
"I mean what I say, Mr. Howe. I esteem and respect you. I sanction your
addresses to my daughter," said old Bertram, speaking with more gravity
and dignity than he had before displayed.
John Lyon fervently kissed his old friend's hand, and went immediately
in search of Sybil. And that same night, old Bertram had the pleasure of
joining their hands together in solemn betrothal.
"And now I can die happy," said the old man, earnestly; "for it was not
another great fortune, but a good husband that I coveted for my darling
child."
Ten days from this night, old Bertram Berners dropped into his last
sleep. He was well and happy up to the last hour of his life. The "Wave
of Death," found him in his arm-chair, and bore him off without a
struggle to the "Ocean of Eternity." So old Bertram Berners was gathered
to his fathers.
The year of mourning was permitted to pass, and then John Lyon Howe,
having, according to the conditions of the marriage contract, assumed
the name and arms of Berners, was united in marriage to the beautiful
Sybil. And they set out on their bridal tour as Mr. and Mrs. Lyon
Berners.