Pixie's prophecy that her relatives would "crow" on hearing Mr Glynn's
ultimatum, was fulfilled in spirit, if not in letter.
Geoffrey and Joan Hilliard assumed their most staid and dignified airs
for the important interview, referred to "my sister Patricia" with a
deference worthy of a royal princess, and would have Stanor's guardian
to understand that the man was not born who was worthy to be her spouse;
all the same, as mortal young men went, they had nothing to say against
Stanor Vaughan, and if time proved him to be in earnest, both in love
and work, they would be graciously pleased to welcome him into the
family. Then, the business part of the interview being ended, the
ambassador was invited to stay to lunch, and Esmeralda swept from the
room, leaving the two men to a less formal colloquy over their
cigarettes.
"It's a comfort to find that we think alike on this matter," began
Geoffrey, holding out a match for his guest's benefit. "I have felt
rather guilty about it, for Pixie was left too much to herself during
our little fellow's illness. She was in trouble herself, poor little
soul, and, being lonely, was no doubt unduly susceptible to sympathy.
Neither my wife nor I suspected any attachment before the night of the
boy's accident, and if things had gone on in a normal way I doubt if the
engagement would have come off. Pixie is very young; we have hardly
accustomed ourselves to the idea that she is grown-up. This is the
first visit she had paid to us by herself, so that we feel responsible."
"You are uncertain of her feelings? I had the same doubt myself, but
when I said as much Miss O'Shaughnessy was indignant. She insists that
she does love the boy."
Geoffrey Hilliard laughed.
"It would be difficult to find the person whom Pixie does _not_ love.
He is handsome, and he was kind to her when she was lonely. She loves
him as she loves a dozen other friends. But--"
"_But_!" repeated Stephen Glynn eloquently.
He who had missed the greatest of earthly gifts yet realised enough of
its mystery to join in that eloquent protest. He smoked in silence for
several moments, while his thoughts wandered backwards.
"_She would have helped you through_!"
The echo of those words rang in his ears; he heard again the musical
tone of the soft Irish voice, saw again the sweet, deep glance. Strange
that those words had in the very moment of utterance uprooted the
conviction of years! Lying prisoner on his couch, he had been thankful,
in a grim, embittered fashion which had belied the true meaning of the
word, that love had not entered into his life. It would have been but
another cross to bear, since no woman could be expected to be faithful
to a maimed and querulous invalid. Now in a lightning flash he realised
that there were women--this Irish Pixie, for example--whose love could
triumphantly overcome such an ordeal. _She_ would have "_helped him
through_" and, supported and cheered by her influence, his recovery
would doubtless have been far more speedy. He straightened himself, and
said quickly--
"Miss O'Shaughnessy would make a charming wife. For Stanor's sake I
could not wish anything better than that she may be ready to fulfil her
promise at the end of the two years."
"There's no doubt about that," said Geoffrey gravely. "She will be
ready. There's more than a grain of obstinacy in Pixie's nature--very
amiable obstinacy, no doubt, but it may be just as mischievous on such
occasions as the present. She has given her word and she'll stick to
it, even if she recognises that she has made a mistake. We may talk,
but it will have no effect. Unless your nephew himself releases her,
she will feel as much bound as if they had been married in Westminster
Abbey. It's the way she's made--the most faithful little creature under
the sun! It will be our duty to protect her against herself, by making
the young fellow understand that for her sake, almost more than his own,
he must be honest, and not allow a mistaken sense of honour to urge him
to repeat his proposal if his heart is not in it. He could make Pixie
his wife, but he could never make her happy. The most cruel fate that
could happen to that little soul would be to be married to a man who did
not love her absolutely!"
Stephen Glynn nodded, his lips pressed together in grim determination.
"He shall understand. If I know Stanor, there will be no difficulty, in
persuading him. He is a good lad, but it is not in him to sacrifice
himself. I have been so anxious to secure him an unclouded youth that
he is hardly to be blamed for putting his own interests in the
foreground."
"It's a fault that many of us suffer from in the early twenties," said
Geoffrey, lightly. He thought the conversation had lasted long enough,
and was glad when the sound of the gong came as an interruption and he
could escort his guest to the dining-room, where the two ladies were
already waiting.
Luncheon was a cheerful meal despite the somewhat difficult position of
the diners, and Stephen Glynn felt the pang of the lonely as he absorbed
the atmosphere of love and sympathy. The beautiful hostess looked tired
and worn, but her eyes brightened as she looked at her husband, and, in
a quiet, unostentatious fashion, he watched incessantly over her
comfort. It was easy to see that the trial through which this husband
and wife had passed had but riveted the bond between them and brought
them into closest sympathy, while the little sister comported herself
with a brisk cheeriness which was as far as possible removed from the
attitude of the proverbial damsel crossed in love. The time passed so
pleasantly that the visitor was unfeignedly sorry when it was time to
make his farewells.
Pixie ran upstairs for the small son and heir, who had by now returned
home, and in her absence Stephen exchanged a few last words with
Esmeralda.
"I am immensely relieved and thankful that you and your husband feel
with me in this matter. And Miss O'Shaughnessy has been wonderfully
forgiving! She does not appear to bear me any rancour."
Esmeralda gave a short, impatient laugh.
"_Rancour_! _Pixie_! You know very little of my sister, Mr Glynn, to
suggest such a possibility. She is incapable of rancour!"
Pixie returned at this moment, leading Geoff by the hand, and when the
great car glided up to the door, she and the boy went out together to
see the last of the departing guest. Stephen stepped haltingly into the
car, and leaned over the side to wave his own farewells. Pixie smiled,
and waved in reply, and the sun shone down on her uncovered face.
Stephen would have been thankful if he could have carried away that
picture as a last impression, but as the car moved slowly from the door,
she stepped back into the shadow of the porch, and he caught a last
glimpse of her standing there, gazing after him with a grave, fixed
gaze.