ONCE MORE AT HOME.
A cheerful fire was blazing in the grate; the fragrant tea was smoking
on the well-covered table, and dear and familiar voices rang in her
ears, as sisters and friends crowded about Flora to offer their
services, and congratulate her on her safe return.
"Ah, does not this repay us for all our past sufferings?" cried Flora,
after the first hearty salutations of her friends were over. "And the
baby! where is the baby?"
Josey was laughing and crowing in the arms of her old nurse, looking as
fresh and as rosy as if nothing had happened to disturb her repose.
"Welcome once more to old England! dear Flora," said Mary Parnell,
kissing the cold, wet cheek of her friend. "When I said that we should
meet again, I did not think that it would be so soon. Thank God, you are
all safe! For many hours it was believed that the boat had been swamped
in the gale, and that you were all lost. You may imagine the distress of
your mother and sisters, and the anguish the report occasioned us all,
and how we rejoiced when Waters ran up with the blessed news that the
boat was returning, and that her crew was safe. But come up-stairs, my
Flora, and change these dripping clothes. There is a nice fire in your
bedroom, and I have provided everything necessary for your comfort."
"Don't talk of her changing her clothes, Miss Parnell," said the old
Captain, bustling in. "Undress and put her to bed immediately, between
hot blankets, and I will make her a good stiff glass of brandy-and-water,
to drive the cold out of her, or she may fall into a sickness which no
doctor can cure. Cut your yarn short, I say, or I shall have to take
charge of her myself."
"Captain Kitson is right, Mary," said Lyndsay, who just then entered
from superintending the removal of his luggage from the boat,
accompanied by a group of friends, all anxious to congratulate Mrs.
Lyndsay on her providential escape. "My dear Flora, you must be a good
girl, and go instantly to bed."
"It will be so dull"--and Flora glanced at the group of friendly faces,
beaming with affection and kindness; "I should enjoy myself here so
much. Now, John, do not send me away to bed, and keep all the fun to
yourself--the bright, cheery fire and all the good things."
Lyndsay looked grave, and whispered something in her ear about the baby,
and the madness of risking a bad cold. Whatever was the exact import of
his communication, it had the effect of producing immediate obedience to
his wishes, and Flora reluctantly quitted the social group, and retired
to her own chamber.
"Ah, Mary," she said, as Miss Parnell safely deposited her and the
precious baby between the hot blankets, "it was worth braving a thousand
storms to receive such a welcome back. I never knew how much our dear
kind friends loved us before."
"And now we have got you safe back, Flora, who knows what may happen to
prevent your leaving us again; Lyndsay may change his mind, and prefer
being happy on a small income at home to seeking his fortune in a
strange land."
Flora shook her head.
"I know him better than you do, Mary. When once he has made up his mind
to any step which he considers necessary, a little difficulty and danger
will only stimulate him to exertion, and make him more eager to
prosecute his voyage."
Whilst sipping the potion prescribed by old Kitson, and giving Mary an
account of all the perils they had encountered during the day, Nurse
came running up-stairs to say that Captain Kitson thought that the
_Soho_ was just rounding the point off the cliff, and he wanted to know,
that if it really proved to be her, whether Mrs. Lyndsay would get up
and once more trust herself upon the waves?
"Not to-night, Nurse, if a fortune depended upon it," said Flora,
laughing. "Tell the Captain that I have spent the day in a salt-bath,
and mean to pass the night in my bed."
Fortunately, Mrs. Lyndsay was not put to this fresh trial. The Captain
had mistaken the craft, and she was permitted to enjoy the warmth and
comfort of a sound sleep, unbroken by the peals of laughter, that from
time to time ascended from the room beneath; where the gentlemen seemed
determined to make the night recompense them for the dangers and
privations of the day.
The morning brought its own train of troubles--and when do they ever
come singly? Upon examination, Lyndsay found that the salt-water had
penetrated into all their trunks and cases; and that everything would
have to be unpacked and hung out to dry. This was indeed dull work, the
disappointment and loss attending upon it rendering it doubly irksome.
While Flora and her friend Mary superintended this troublesome affair,
Lyndsay lost no time in writing to the steamboat company, informing them
of his disastrous attempt to meet the _Soho_; and the loss he had
incurred by missing the vessel. They stated in reply, that the boat had
been wrecked at the mouth of the Thames, in the gale; and that another
boat would supply her place on the Sunday following; that she would pass
the town at noon, and hoist a red flag at her stern, as a signal for
them to get on board.
This was Thursday, and the intervening days passed heavily along. A
restless fever of expectation preyed upon Flora. She could settle to no
regular occupation; she knew that the delay only involved a fresh and
heavy expense, that they must ultimately go, and she longed to be off.
The efforts made by her friends to amuse and divert her, only increased
her impatience. But time, however slowly it passes to the anxious
expectant, swiftly and surely ushers in the appointed day.
Sunday came at last, and proved one of the loveliest mornings of that
delightful season of spring and sunshine. The lark carolled high in the
air, the swallows darted on light wings to and fro; and the sea, vast
and beautiful, gently heaved and undulated against the shore, with
scarcely a ripple to break the long line of golden light, which danced
and sparkled on its breast. The church bells were chiming for morning
prayer; and the cliffs were covered with happy groups in their holiday
attire. Flora, surrounded by friends and relatives, strove to be
cheerful; and the day was so promising, that it infused new life and
spirit into her breast. All eyes were turned to that part of the
horizon, on which the long, black trailing smoke of the steamer was
first expected to appear. A small boat, which had been engaged to put
them and their luggage on board, and which contained all their worldly
chattels, lay rocking in the surf, and all was ready for a start.
In the midst of an animated discussion on their future prospects, the
signal was given, that the steamer was in sight, and had already rounded
the point. How audibly to herself did Flora's heart beat, as a small,
black speck in the distance gradually increased to a black cloud; and
not a doubt remained, that this was the expected vessel.
Then came the blinding tears, the re-enactment of the last passionate
adieus, and they were once more afloat upon the water.