OLD FRIENDS
"Well, I never! If this ain't the greatest surprise of the trip!"
Madeline looked up with a start. She recognised the American accent,
before she had any idea she was being spoken to.
"Well, now, who _would_ have thought it? I regard this as a real streak
of luck."
"What, Kitty Harvey?" Madeline exclaimed, in a tone of eager surprise.
"Oh, I am so glad!" And a moment later the two girls were embracing each
other with a warmth and an effusiveness that would have done justice to
an Oriental greeting.
"I spied you from the other side of the way," Kitty Harvey said at
length, tears of genuine pleasure shining in her eyes, "and I said to
mamma, 'If that ain't Madeline Grover, then I'm the blindest coon that
ever walked in shoe leather.'"
"Is your mother here?" Madeline queried, eagerly.
"We're all here, my dear, a regular family party, with sundry relations
to keep things lively. But here comes the little mother, two hundred
pounds of her, and as cheerful as ever."
"But when did you come?"
"Cast anchor this morning, my dear. That's our yacht out yonder, flying
the stars and stripes."
"What, that? I thought she was a transatlantic liner."
"Well, I guess she is, or something nearly related to it. But you should
talk to Dick; he knows her from stem to stern, and from the keel to the
captain's bridge."
"Then you are here on a yachting cruise?"
"That's what we are here on just. In fact we've been two-thirds round
this globe already."
"And have you enjoyed it?"
"Off and on. There are drawbacks to everything, but in the main it's
been just great."
Then Mrs. Harvey waddled up, panting, breathless, eager and happy. She
almost smothered Madeline with kisses and talked incessantly between
whiles.
"Kitty said it was you, and I said it wasn't. But you have improved. You
see my sight is not quite as good as it used to be."
"Another of mother's compliments!" Kitty laughed.
"It's nothing of the sort," Mrs. Harvey protested. "I meant what I said,
but I really must get my glasses strengthened."
"You must, mother. You really won't be able to recognise father at the
rate you are going on."
"And you are still Madeline Grover? I don't want to be inquisitive my
dear, but we understood, you know, you were coming across to marry a
title; was it a duke or a knight? I really get mixed up as to the order
they stand in."
"I'm not going to marry either," Madeline said, impulsively. "I'm going
to remain as I am."
"No-o?" from both mother and daughter.
"It's the honest truth."
"Well, with all your money you are independent of a title, my dear,"
Mrs. Harvey said, absently.
"But I haven't any money," Madeline said, "except what my trustee allows
me. But really, do you know for certain if I shall be well off when I
come of age?"
"Don't you know yourself?"
"I really know nothing. Father never talked to me about money matters,
and Sir Charles copies his example in that respect."
"Then you had better come and talk to my husband. If there's anything
about money he doesn't know, I should like to discover it."
"I should like to see Mr. Harvey very much."
"Then come back and have lunch with us on the _Skylark_. There's plenty
of room, and you'll be as welcome as the President of the United
States."
"Oh, it would be just delightful," Madeline said, eagerly, "there's
nothing I should enjoy so much."
Madeline was almost bewildered at the size and magnificence of the
_Skylark_. Mr. Harvey, having struck a copper lode a few years
previously, found himself with more money than he knew profitably how to
spend, and with more time on his hands than he knew wisely how to use.
He built for himself a marble mansion in New York, and purchased one of
the largest steam yachts that ever ploughed the seas, and was now doing
his best to earn a night's repose by sight-seeing.
Peter J. Harvey welcomed Madeline on board the _Skylark_ with many
expressions of delight. He was a typical American, tall,
square-shouldered, and not over-burdened with flesh. He had straight
hair, which he wore rather long, a clean-shaven face, a wide mouth, a
strong, square chin, and a most refreshing American accent.
He was not exactly a vain man. At any rate, he did his best to keep his
vanity under proper control, and if he boasted occasionally he believed
he had something to boast of. He was still in the prime of life, being
the right side of fifty by two or three years. Kitty was the eldest of
six--three boys and three girls, the youngest, Bryant, having
celebrated his seventh birthday two days before. Besides the family,
there were numerous cousins and uncles and aunts, with others whose
relationship to the Harveys was difficult to trace.
The lunch was set out in the grand saloon, and was served in the best
style. The stewards wore bottle-green coats trimmed with gold braid.
Madeline, having got among old friends, talked with a freedom and an
abandon that she had not known since she left her native land. The grace
of reticence was a virtue the Harveys had never cultivated. It was their
boast that they had nothing to hide. Hence they discussed their domestic
and business affairs with a freedom that would have staggered an
Englishman of the old school.
Confidence begets confidence; and so in the seclusion of the yacht's
library, with only Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Kitty present, Madeline
explained as far as she dared the peculiarities of her present
situation.
Peter J. rose to the situation at once.
"My dear child," he said, "I guess there ain't no difficulty at all. I
don't see none. It's just as easy as falling off a stool. There ain't no
occasion for you to go back to their moth-eaten ancestral abode for five
minutes. You just come along with us----"
"You mean----"
"I mean what I say," continued Peter J. "There's room for you in this
small frigate and to spare, and there's a welcome as long as from here
to the United States and back again."
"It would be just delightful," Madeline said, with dilating eyes.
"But----"
"Then let it be delightful," Mr. Harvey interrupted. "I guess we'd be as
delighted as you would be. What say you, Kitty?"
"It would be just too fine for words," Kitty replied.
"It would be like a Providence," Mrs. Harvey chimed in, "so we'll
consider it settled."
"But Sir Charles might object," Madeline said, with a half-frightened
look in her eyes.
"You leave his lordship to me, my dear," Peter J. interposed. "I guess I
know my way about, and if he cuts up nasty, I'll treat him to a chapter
out of the gospel of Peter J. Harvey."
"But what excuse should I make?"
"You needn't make any excuse at all. I'll go across and see the General
myself and explain things."
"But what would you say?"
"That we had fallen across you accidentally; that we were old friends;
that I knew your father; that you and Kitty were chums at school; that
we are cruising round this here little arm of the ocean for a week or
two longer; and that we are taking you along with us just to give you a
taste of sea-faring life."
"But he might not believe you."
"Then I would bring him across here and let him see for himself and hear
your own wishes out of your own mouth."
"But he would not consent for me to be out of his sight for more than a
day or two at the outside."
"Then to avoid trouble and hard words we will mention a day or two--wind
and weather permitting."
"Oh! Mr. Harvey, if you could get me clean away from them without any
unpleasantness, I should be more thankful than words can tell."
"I'll do it, my dear. And when Peter J. Harvey says he'll do a thing,
why, that thing is done. Now give me the location of this Lord Tregony."
"Oh! he isn't a lord," Madeline laughed, "he's only a baronet."
"Well, it's all the same to me. He wouldn't alarm me if he were your
Attorney-General."
"Don't you think I had better go back with you. I'm afraid they'll be
getting alarmed at my long absence."
"I thought you tumbled across a page-boy belonging to the hotel and sent
word by him that you would not be back till evening."
"I did send word that I would not be in to lunch. But those boys are so
stupid that it's ten to one if he conveyed my message."
"Don't you alarm yourself on that point," Peter J. said, cheerfully.
"But if you think you can explain things better yourself, why we'll go
along together. But mind you, we return together, even at the risk of an
earthquake."
"Let Kitty come as well," Madeline said, her eyes sparkling with
excitement.
"All right, my dear. The more the merrier. I'll take the skipper and the
crew if you think it might impress his lordship and make the way
easier."
"No, I think the three of us will be sufficient," Madeline said, with a
laugh. "But no hint must be given that I'm to be absent more than two or
three days. Sir Charles had made all arrangements to leave for Paris on
Monday."
"You leave that to P. J. H., my dear. If I'm not quite a full-blown
diplomat it's only for want of opportunity. Now let us be off. If Lord
Charles What's-his-other-name don't yield without a murmur, I shall be
surprised."
Half-an-hour later they were walking up the steps of the hotel. Sir
Charles was in the lounge, with a cigar in his mouth and his eyes
towards the door. He was feeling much more anxious than he cared to
admit. Gervase had gone by an early train to Monte Carlo and had not
returned. Lady Tregony and Beryl were in their bedrooms.
Sir Charles sprang to his feet and heaved a big sigh of relief when the
swing door was pushed open, and Madeline entered, radiant and smiling,
followed by Kitty Harvey and her father.
"My dear Madeline," he said, reproachfully, "you have given us a fright.
We have been looking for you everywhere."
"Oh! I am sorry," she answered. "But I told one of the page-boys I met
outside to tell you I was going to lunch with some friends."
"No such message was brought to me," he answered, severely. "It would
have been better if you had left word at the office."
"I am sorry if I have caused you any anxiety," she answered, quietly.
"But I met some American friends on the promenade, and have been with
them on their yacht to lunch."
At the word yacht Sir Charles pricked up his ears, and a somewhat
mollified expression stole over his face.
"Allow me to introduce my friend Miss Kitty Harvey," Madeline said, in
her most engaging manner, "and this is her father, Mr. P. J. Harvey, of
New York City, and a friend of my father's."
Sir Charles bowed very pompously, and muttered something under his
breath about being delighted to meet them.
Peter J. had said nothing up to this point, but stood in the
background--as a modest man should--chewing the end of a cigar.
"I can assure you, Colonel, the pleasure is reciprocated," he said, in
his slowest manner, and with a twinkle in the corner of his eye. "The
truth is my daughter and I have come along as a sort of deputation."
"Indeed! Will you not be seated?"
"Well, thank you. As it's as cheap to sit as to stand, and talking comes
easier as a rule when you are sitting down, I guess I'll fall in with
the suggestion."
Sir Charles waited for Mr. Harvey to proceed. Madeline and Kitty sat on
a lounge side by side, the former feeling very uncomfortable. She saw in
a moment that Sir Charles did not like the American's free and easy
ways, and Mr. Harvey was dimly conscious of the same truth.
"Not to waste words over the business," Peter J. went on, "we want to
take Miss Grover just for a little run on our steamer, and we came
across to ask your consent. These formalities are considered proper I
believe, and we fall in with them. Though as a citizen of the United
States I presume the lady can just do as she likes."
"Well, no!" Sir Charles replied, pompously. "Miss Grover is my ward till
she comes of age. At any rate, it amounts to that----"
"Of course I am, Sir Charles," Madeline interposed. "But we are not
going to talk law or gospel, are we? Mr. Harvey has asked me to go for a
little run on his yacht, and I really want to go ever so much!"
"But we leave here for Paris on Monday, Madeline. I fear there is no
time."
Peter J. puckered his face into a knowing smile. "According to my
calculations," he said, "Monday is five days off. We could almost
circumnavigate this little arm of the ocean in that time. But we are
talking of a run of a couple of days more or less."
"It seems hardly worth the trouble, does it, Madeline?" Sir Charles
questioned, in a bored tone.
"Oh! quite worth it, Sir Charles. Think how lovely the sea is, and how
beautifully calm, and then you know Mr. Harvey's yacht is as big as an
ocean steamer. In a couple of days we could go to Naples and back, and
wouldn't it be lovely to see Naples!"
"Naples is an interesting place, no doubt. But the weather is getting
warm--hot, I may say."
"But we need not land unless we like," Mr. Harvey interposed.
"Of course----" Sir Charles began, hesitatingly.
"Then that is settled, my dears," Peter J. interrupted. "I knew his
lordship would not deprive you of a pleasure if you desired it very
much. Now, you girls, run away and put a few things in a bonnet-box,
sufficient for a forty-eight hours' trip. Perhaps, when we return, your
excellency will so far honour us as to come on board and dine with us."
"Thank you, it is very kind of you."
"Not at all. I believe in showing hospitality when it is in my power to
do so. Would you mind trying one of my cigars? I think you will find the
flavour excellent."
Sir Charles hesitated for a moment, then took the proffered weed and
proceeded to cut the end off with a penknife.
Meanwhile Madeline and Kitty had rushed off to Madeline's room and began
packing boxes with all possible speed.
"Rather large bonnet boxes, eh, Madeline?" Kitty questioned, with a
laugh.
"Do you know, I feel like a burglar," Madeline answered.
"I never was a burglar," was the reply, "so I don't know what it feels
like to be one."
"Everything will be terribly crushed," Madeline went on, "but I can't
help it. Will you ring for the porter, Kitty?"
"All right, my dear, and I will drive off with the baggage while you and
father are paying your adieux to the Baronet. If he were to see you
going off with all these boxes he might scent mischief."
"How clever you are, Kitty," Madeline said, with a laugh. "That idea is
just lovely. But will you lock these boxes, my hands are shaking so I
can hardly hold the keys."
"Why, we might be escaping from a robbers' castle. What is the use of
getting so excited?"
"I can't help it, Kitty. I've been looking round for weeks and weeks for
some way of getting out of a most uncomfortable position, and you cannot
imagine how helpless I have felt. And now I feel--oh, I can't tell you
what I feel--but here's the porter."
Madeline went down to the office and explained matters, and saw Kitty
drive away with her luggage. Then she returned to the lounge, where Sir
Charles, looking very bored, was listening to a long account of how
Peter J. Harvey made his pile in copper.
On catching sight of Madeline, Peter J. brought his story to an abrupt
conclusion and rose slowly to his feet.
"Need I disturb Lady Tregony and Beryl, do you think?" Madeline
inquired, innocently, looking Sir Charles straight in the eyes.
"As you think best, Madeline," Sir Charles replied, blandly. "I sent up
word to them that you had returned safe and sound."
"Then very likely they will be taking their afternoon nap now?"
"That is very probable."
"Should I awake them, do you think?"
"If you were going away for a week I should say yes, certainly. But if
you like I will explain your absence till Friday."
"That will be best, I think." Then, turning to Mr. Harvey, she said:
"Now I am ready. Kitty has gone on ahead, and has taken my few things
along with her."
"I guess Kitty has some shopping to do on the way. That child is never
happy unless she is spending money," and Mr. Harvey smiled, innocently.
"You will explain to Gervase, won't you, Sir Charles?" Madeline said,
with one of her sweetest smiles. "It is unfortunate he did not come home
to lunch. I am sure he would have liked to have seen over Mr. Harvey's
yacht."
"We shall probably accept Mr. Harvey's invitation to dinner on your
return," Sir Charles said, pompously.
"Of course you will, Colonel, of course you will," Peter J. said, with a
drawl. "I never take a refusal from my friends without a very good
reason."
"It is good of you to let me go, Sir Charles," Madeline said, reaching
out her hand to say good-bye. "But I am sure I shall enjoy myself
immensely. You see, I have known Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Kitty nearly
ever since I can remember, and then, I'm tremendously fond of the sea."
Sir Charles came with them to the door of the hotel and saw them into a
carriage, then returned to the lounge and to his cigar.
Madeline could almost have screamed with delight when she found herself
once more on the _Skylark_.
"At last I am free," she said to herself, "and when Sir Charles sees me
again I shall be my own mistress."
Half-an-hour later the _Skylark_ weighed anchor and put out to sea.