Edith would not hear of her dear Arthur remaining in the service after
their marriage; so arrangements were made for the selling of his
commission; this sum, together with the amount bequeathed to him by the
late Sir Jasper, would put him in possession of seven thousand pounds.

It was planned that the wedding should take place at the old fashioned
church at Vellenaux. There was to be no wedding tour, but the bridal
party and a large number of friends were to proceed to Castle Audly, the
seat of Lord De Belton, who had served in Arthur's regiment, and had
been intimately acquainted with him for a few years in India. Castle
Audly was a very ancient and romantic pile, and quite the show place of
the country, here there was to be a magnificent _Fete Champetre,
Dejeuner a la fourchette_, with archery and other amusements provided by
the noble owner; the whole party were to return and dine at Vellenaux,
and wind up the entertainment by a grand ball at night.

"Of course, my dear Carlton," said Horace Barton to that young gentleman
one afternoon while lounging in the drawing room in Berkly Square
waiting to attend the fair Edith in a canter through Hyde Park, "of
course you will stand for the county at the next general election? Sir
Sampson French, who is too old to again take office, will, I am certain,
retire in your favour, if you will only come forward as a candidate; you
have plenty of friends and admirers in and around Vellenaux to ensure
your return if properly canvassed. A man of your ability and standing in
society cannot afford to remain idle at such a time, though he may have
a rich wife to back him."

"I should like to get into Parliament above all things, and certainly
shall endeavour so to do, providing Edith gives her consent, and the
good folks of the county will give me their support," was Arthur's reply