Arthur's career at the university had been creditable, but certainly not
brilliant enough to present his withdrawal in the light of a disaster.
As Sir Theodore's eldest son, his position was already made for him.
He was two-and-twenty years of age; and the young lady was eighteen.
There was really no producible reason for keeping the lovers waiting,
and no excuse for deferring the wedding-day beyond the first week
in September. In the interval, while the bride and bridegroom
would be necessarily absent on the inevitable tour abroad,
a sister of Mrs. Carbury volunteered to stay with her during
the temporary separation from her niece. On the conclusion
of the honeymoon, the young couple were to return to Ireland,
and were to establish themselves in Mrs. Carbury's spacious and
comfortable house.
These arrangements were decided upon early in the month of August.
About the same date, the last alterations in the old palace at Venice
were completed. The rooms were dried by steam; the cellars were stocked;
the manager collected round him his army of skilled servants;
and the new hotel was advertised all over Europe to open
in October.
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