|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 40
"Oh! speak not now of that, Ronayne--consider the position
of my father--my mother's health."
"It is for that very reason that I do ask it," returned
the youth. "Should Heaven deprive you of the one, as it
in some degree threatens you with the loss of the other,
what shall so well console you as the tenderness of him
who is blessed with your love?"
"Hush, Harry," and she fondly pressed his arm--"they will
hear you."
They had now approached the scow, into which the men,
having previously deposited the furniture and trunks,
were preparing to embark the litter upon which Mrs.
Heywood lay extended, with an expression of resignation
and repose upon her calm features, that touched the hearts
of even these rude men. Her daughter, half-reproaching
herself for not having personally attended to her transport,
and only consoled by the recollection of the endearing
explanation with her lover, which had chanced to result
from her absence, now tenderly inquired how she had borne
it, and was deeply gratified to find that the change of
air, and gentle exercise to which she had been subjected,
had somewhat restored her. Here was one source of care
partly removed, and she felt, if possible, increased
affection for the youth to whose considerate attention
was owing this favorable change in the condition of a
parent, whom she had ever fondly loved.
It was near sunset when Ronayne, who, with the robust
Catherine, had carefully lifted the invalid into the
centre of the scow, reached the landing-place below the
Fort. Here were collected several of the women of the
company, and among them Mrs. Elmsley, who had come down
to meet and welcome those for whose reception she had
made every provision the hurried notice she had received
would permit. The young officer had been the first to
step on shore, and after he had whispered something in
her ear, she for a moment communicated with the group of
women--then advanced to meet Miss Heywood, whom her lover
was now handing from the scow. She embraced her with a
tenderness so unusually affectionate, that a vague
consciousness of the true cause flashed across the mind
of the anxious girl, recalling back all that inward grief
of soul, which the deep emotion of an engrossing love
had for a time absorbed.
In less than half-an-hour the fugitives were installed
in the council hall, and in another small apartment,
dividing it from the rooms occupied by the Elmsleys. The
ensign, having seen that all was arranged in a suitable
manner in the former, went out to the parade-ground,
leaving the ladies in charge of their amiable hostess,
and of the women she had summoned to assist in bearing
the latter into the Fort.
On his way to his rooms, he met Captain Headley returning
from an inspection of the defences. He saluted him, and
was in the act of addressing him in a friendly and familiar
tone, when he was checked by the sharply-uttered remark:
"So, sir, you are returned at last. It seems to me that
you have been much longer absent than was necessary."
The high spirit of the youth was chafed. "Pardon me,
sir," he answered haughtily, "if I contradict you. No
one of the least feeling would have thought of removing
such an invalid as Mrs. Heywood is, without using every
care her condition required. Have you any orders for me,
Captain Headley?" he concluded, in a more respectful
manner, for he had become sensible, the moment after he
had spoken, of his error in thus evincing asperity under
the reproof of his superior.
"You are officer of the guard, I believe, Mr. Ronayne?"
"No, sir, Mr. Elmsley relieved me this morning."
At that moment the last-named officer came up, on his
way to the ensign's quarters, when, the same question
having been put to him, and answered in the affirmative,
Captain Headley desired that the moment the fishing-party
came in they should be reported to him. "And now,
gentlemen," he concluded, "I expect you both to be
particularly on the alert to-night. The absence of that
fishing-party distresses me, and I would give much that
they were back."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|