“I marry without more ado,
My dear Dick Red Cap, what say you?”
COWPER.
THE telegram had been received about mid-day; and Mr. Flight rushed up
with it to the Goyle, just in time to prevent poor old Mr. Delrio from
starting hopelessly home. It had suffered a good deal in spelling and
precision, in spite of Lady Phyllis’s precautions; but “both safe” was
understood, as it was known in Rock Quay that “Lord Rotherwood and
family,” as the papers had it, were yachting in the _Kittiwake_ and might
be expected in the bay.
Agatha and Paula threw their arms round one another and cried; Magdalen,
with a choke in her voice, struggled to ask Mr. Flight to lead them in a
few words of thanksgiving; and as soon as these were over, Thekla
expressed her hopes that they had been cast on a desert island and would
bring home Man Friday.
The Goyle ladies walked over to Clipstone with the good news, and the
whole party went down afterwards to Rockstone to look out for yachts, and
inquire about possibilities. The _Kittiwake_ being a steamer, light and
swift, might be expected in harbour in the course of the night, and Mr.
Delrio meant to wait for her at his son’s lodgings. The ladies wished
they could do the same; and Paula was allowed to accept Sister Beata’s
humble entreaty to house her. But they did not know how long before the
telegraph from St. Malo the _Kittiwake_ from St. Cadoc had spread her
wings and hoisted her feather, for, happily, her coals had held out
better than her provisions. So, as they were looking their last look
from the cliffs of Beechcroft Miss Mohun exclaimed, “A steamer! a yacht!
_Kittiwake_!”
Glasses were rushed for, and unaccustomed eyes could trace the graceful
course through the gentle evening waves towards the quay.
Every one was on the quay in time to receive the boat, which, rowed by
four smart sailors, was seen with the party of six, two sailor hats, and
one red cap being at once spied out among the female figures. Then two
hats were waved and answered by cheers of welcome; and the figures were
recognised, and unnecessarily numerous hands stretched out to assist the
landing from the plank extended to the boat.
Vera was put first by her kind rescuers, Lord Rotherwood’s hand guiding
her to the rail, and, after an insecure step or so, she found herself in
the arms of Paulina, sobbing for joy; and the little cluster of sisters
seemed to know nothing else, except Thekla, who presently, in the
confusion of the greetings, was found by Lord Rotherwood looking about
vaguely, and saying, “But where’s their man Friday?”
“You must accept me for him,” said he. “’Tis Friday, unless we have lost
our reckoning! I hope you think me something promising in the way of
savages!”
Young Delrio’s first proceeding, even while his father was wringing his
hand in speechless welcome and thankfulness, was to turn to Captain
Henderson. “Sir, your boat is safe, it will be brought in to-morrow. I
am much concerned, and beg your forgiveness, but I had no idea that it
was yours till Griggs found your name. Only one oar is lost, and a
cushion, which I will replace.”
“Say no more, pray,” said Captain Henderson. “The fault was my
servant’s, who took it without leave, and left it out. He must repair
the very slight damage.”
Miss Mohun wanted the whole troop to come up to Beechcroft to drink tea,
and her relations consented; but the hearts of the Prescotts were a great
deal too full for them not to wish to be alone together; and after
Magdalen had given her hand to Lord Rotherwood with a fervent, “You know
what I would say, my lord—beyond all words,” they turned homewards; but
Mr. Flight ran after them to say in a low voice, “Can we meet to-morrow
at eight for a service of thanksgiving?” And this was gladly accepted.
Hubert was dragged off by his father.
“Nonsense! they don’t want your apologies and explanations. It would
only be besetting them. Come home with me, and don’t be a fool! But
write a few lines to your poor mother, after the intolerable fright you
have given her; meddling and presuming where you had no business. A
Providence it is that you are not half across the Atlantic, if not at the
bottom of it.”
Of course this was the reaction of great anxiety; but however meekly
Hubert submitted to the queer outpouring of affection, and however
thankful they both were, and glad and content over the particulars of the
youth’s work and progress, still he was not to be withheld from laying
hand and heart at Vera Prescott’s feet, as he insisted was due to her and
her family after the compromising situation in which he had placed her.
His father said it was talking novels and folly; but he was a man of
three and twenty, and could not well be stopped, as he was earning his
own livelihood, and had always been irreproachable. So Mr. Delrio had to
leave the matter, only expressing discouragement, and insisting that it
must be no more than an engagement.
The thanksgiving took place as arranged, and Lord Rotherwood, his
daughter, and Mysie were there. For indeed there had been danger enough
during the thunderstorm to make the safety of the _Kittiwake_ a matter of
thankfulness, though the rescue of the boat had caused it to be almost
forgotten in the history of the night.
Lady Flight had begged that all would come to breakfast with her, and
this was accepted by the Goyle party; but the Clipstone pony-carriage was
waiting for the others, and they could not accede to Lady Flight’s
impromptu, and rather nervous, invitation. But before they started Lord
Rotherwood managed to say a few words aside to Miss Prescott of the
impression he had divined from his voyage with Hubert Delrio, whom he
thought a young man of great ability and promise, and of excellent
principles, but with a chivalry it was quite refreshing to see in youth,
perhaps ready to strain honourable scruples almost too far for his own
good or that of others.
Magdalen thought she perceived what had been in the marquis’s mind when,
immediately after her return home, Hubert and Vera came up, hand in hand,
and he informed her of their mutual attachment.
“I am afraid, Miss Prescott,” he said, “that we may not have acted
rightly or squarely by you; and this last adventure was a most unhappy
result of my careless awkwardness and preoccupation.”
“It was the merest accident. We all quite understand. It is not to be
thought of.”
“You are very good to say so, but—”
Both he and Magdalen wished that Vera had not been present, blushing and
smiling, or rather simpering; and as Hubert hesitated over his “but,”
Magdalen said:
“Vera, my dear, Hubert and I can talk over this better without you. You
had better go and find Paula.”
“Only, sister, please do understand that I care for Hubert with all my
heart,” said Vera, much less childishly than Magdalen had expected.
However, she went, while Magdalen succeeded in saying what she had
intended—that Hubert must not consider himself in the smallest degree
bound by what had been accident, entirely unintentional and innocent.
“You are generous, Miss Prescott. You understand! But the world! It
was public.”
“Never mind the world. You see what sensible people think.”
“But, indeed, Miss Prescott, I cannot leave you to suppose I am only
actuated by the fact of that awkward situation. Of course that would
never have been if I did not deeply, entirely love your sister. It has
only precipitated matters. I entreat of you to give her to me, as one
who is—who is devoted to her! If my station is inferior I will work—”
“That is not the point. Vera is too young for such things. What does
your father say?”
“My father sees that I am right.”
“I see what that means,” said Magdalen, smiling. “But where is he? I
should like to talk to him.”
Mr. Delrio, pretty well knowing what was going on, was found endeavouring
to distract his mind by sketching the Goyle. He and Magdalen walked up
and down the drive together, perfectly agreeing that it would be
senseless cruelty to permit an early marriage between these two young
people, and that it was a pity there should be an engagement; but this
could hardly be prevented, since Mr. Delrio could only give advice, and
leave a self-supporting worthy son to judge for himself; but the elder
sister and the trustee could stipulate for delay till Vera should be of
age.
So Hubert was called, and acquiesced, cheerfully observing that he
trusted that four years would make him able to render Vera’s life an easy
and pleasant one; and after heartily thanking both Miss Prescott and his
father, he went off to rejoice the heart of the maiden, who was sitting
under the pear-tree, watching with anxious eyes.