Caste e-bog

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Mindful of the stern decrees of Caste, D'Alroy has tried to dispel his infatuation by various means, but to no purpose; finally he turns for advice to his friend Captain Hawtree, who, being a man of the world, counsels anything but marriage, in view of the social gulf between the lovers, and subsequently runs afoul of Mr. Sam Gerridge, Polly's sweetheart and something in the mechanical line. But in spite of their difference in station, in spite of the dictates of reason, in spite of the world, D'Alroy declares himself to Esther and is accepted.<br><br>Six months later finds the pair happily married and quartered in lodgings, without the knowledge of D'Alroy smother, the Marquise of St. Maur, whom he has not informed of his marriage, fearing to incur her displeasure. Meanwhile D'Alroy has been ordered off to India, on active service with his regiment, but can not bring himself to break the news to his wife. While devising some means of disclosing the unwelcome tidings, he is surprised by a visit from his mother, who comes to bid him adieu and urge him to distinguish himself as becomes his birth and position. Esther overhears this conversation from an adjoining room and is overwhelmed at the prospect of her husbands departure. This precipitates the truth about D'Alroy's mesalliance, to the horror of the Marquise, whose disgust is heightened by the appearance of Polly, Sam and old Eccles, each of whom is presented in turn, and the high born lady expresses her contempt in no uncertain terms. The time for departure having arrived, D'Alroy goes off with Hawtree, after comforting his wife as best he can, and leaving suitable provision for her maintenance during his absence.<br><br>One year after, Esther, with her child, is back in her old home, her husband reported captured and killed by the Sepoys and her money squandered by old Eccles. Too proud to appeal to the Marquise for aid, though urged so to do by Hawtree, who has returned and proved his fr