After fifteen years of
absence (during the latter part of which time false reports of
his death had reached Normandy), he had just returned to France,
having realized a handsome independence, with which he proposed
to widen the limits of his ancestral property, and to give his
sisters (who were still, like himself, unmarried) all the
luxuries and advantages that affluence could bestow. The baron's
independent spirit and generous devotion to the honor of his
family and the happiness of his surviving relatives were themes
of general admiration in most of the social circles of Paris. He
was expected to arrive in the capital every day; and it was
naturally enough predicted that his reception in society there
could not fail to be of the most flattering and most brilliant
kind.
The Welwyns listened to this story with some little interest;
Rosamond, who was very romantic, being especially attracted by
it, and openly avowing to her father and sister, when they got
back to their hotel, that she felt as ardent a curiosity as
anybody to see the adventurous and generous baron. The desire was
soon gratified. Franval came to Paris, as had been
anticipated--was introduced to the Welwyns--met them constantly
in society--made no favorable impression on Ida, but won the good
opinion of Rosamond from the first; and was regarded with such
high approval by their father, that when he mentioned his
intentions of visiting England in the spring of the new year, he
was cordially invited to spend the hunting season at Glenwith
Grange.
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