The secret of the poverty of Mrs Alleyne's home was read by the major
and Sir John, as they followed their host and Glynne along a bare
passage and through two green-baized doors, into the great dome-covered
chambers where Alleyne pursued his studies, for on all sides were
arranged astronomical instruments of the newest invention and costliest
kind. The outlay had been slow--a hundred now and a hundred then; but
the result had been thousands of pounds spent upon the various pieces of
intricate mechanism, and their mounting upon solid iron pillars, resting
on massive piers of cement or stone.
Glynne uttered a faint cry of surprise and delight as she saw the long
tubes with their wheels and pivots arranged so that the reclining
observer could turn his glass in any direction; gazed in the great
trough that seemed to have a bottom covered with looking-glass, but
which was half full of quicksilver; noted that there were sliding
shutters in the roof, and various pieces of mechanism, whose uses she
longed to have explained.
It was all old to Lucy, who felt a new pleasure, though, in her friend's
eagerness, while Mrs Alleyne, who had suffered torments all the evening
in mortified pride, felt, as she saw the looks of wonder of the guests,
and their appreciation of her son's magnificent observatory, that she
was now reaping her reward.
"Bless my soul!" cried Sir John, "I am astounded. I did not think there
was such a place outside Greenwich."
Mrs Alleyne bowed and smiled; and then, as Sir John began eagerly
inspecting the various objects and arrangements around, and the major
chatted to Lucy, she gave a curious look at her son, who was bending
over Glynne, explaining to her the use of the quicksilver trough, and
arranging a glass afterwards, so that she might see how it was brought
to bear upon a reflected star.
As Mrs Alleyne glanced round she saw that Oldroyd was also watching her
son and Glynne, and her eyes directly after met those of the young
doctor, whose thoughts she tried to read--perhaps with success.
For the next half-hour, Glynne was being initiated in the mysteries of
the transit instrument, and had the pleasure of seeing star after star
cross the zenith, after which, the moon having risen well above the
refracting and magnifying mists of earth, the largest reflector was
brought to bear upon its surface.
Ejaculations of delight kept escaping from Glynne's lips as she gazed at
the bright tops of the various volcanoes, searched the dark shadows and
craters, and literally revelled in the glories of the brightly embossed
silver crescent. She had a hundred questions to ask, with all the eager
curiosity and animation of a child, and with the advantage of having one
as patient as he was learned, ready to respond upon the instant.
"I feel so terribly selfish," cried Glynne, at last. "Oh, papa, you
must come and look. Uncle, it is wonderful."
"We'll have a look another time," said Sir John, good-humouredly; "only
don't wear out Mr Alleyne's patience."
"Oh, I hope he will not think me tiresome," cried Glynne, whose eye was
directed to the glass again on the instant, "but it is so wonderful. I
could watch the moon all night. Now, Mr Alleyne, just a little way from
the left edge, low down, there is a brilliant ring of light--no, not
quite a ring; it is as if a portion of it had been torn away, and--Oh!
Robert! how you startled me."
The spell was broken, for Rolph had entered the observatory, having
finished his cigar. He had been standing at the door for a few moments,
watching the scene before him, and a frown came over his forehead as he
heard the eagerness of his betrothed's words, and saw the impressive way
in which Alleyne was bending towards her, and answering her questions.
Directly after, the young officer crossed the observatory, laid his hand
almost rudely upon Alleyne's shoulder, and nodded to him as if to say,
"Stand on one side."
Alleyne started, coloured, and then drew back, with the major watching
him intently, while Rolph laid his hand playfully upon Glynne's
forehead, and slipped it before her eyes.
"Now then, have you found the focus. What is it? A penny a peep?
Here, Mr Alleyne, do you take the money?"
A dead silence fell upon the group till the major hastened to break it
by saying a few words of praise of the place to Mrs Alleyne.
Soon afterwards they went back to the drawing-room and partook of tea,
the carriage arriving directly after, and everyone thinking it time to
leave, for a curious chill had come over the party, Glynne having
subsided into her old, silent, inanimate way, and no effort of the major
or Sir John producing anything more than a temporary glow.
"Why, how quiet you are, Glynne," said Rolph, as they were on their way
home.
"I was thinking," she replied, quietly.
"What about?"
"About?--Oh, the wonders of--of what I have seen to-night."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you satisfied, my son?" said Mrs Alleyne, when she kissed him that
night.
"Yes, dear mother, thoroughly," he said to her; and then to
himself--"No."