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Page 59
Such were the women who were now seated on the ottoman,
engaged more in their own reflections, than in conversation,
when Lieutenant Elmsley entered the room, announcing that
the truant would shortly be in for breakfast, which, he
requested, might be instantly prepared in the usual
manner, only adding thereto a couple of bottles of claret.
"Ah! pardon me, Mrs. Headley," he added, somewhat stiffly,
as his wife left the room to issue the necessary orders,
"I did not see you, or I should have been rather more
ceremonious in my domestic communications."
Mrs. Headley slightly colored. She was sensible that
pique towards her husband, and a belief that she wholly
shared his sentiments, had induced this rather sarcastic
speech.
"By no means, Mr. Elmsley. I trust you will not put ME
down as a stranger, whatever your disposition to others."
There was a significance in the manner in which this was
said, that deeply touched the lieutenant, and his tone
immediately changed.
"Then, I take you at your word," he said. "It is a long
time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you here,
and you must positively join our second breakfast. I know
Captain Headley is engaged with Winnebeg, whom he purposes
sending off this evening with despatches, so that you
will not be missed for at least an hour. There, look at
Miss Heywood's imploring look--she pleads with her eyes
in my favor, although there is no chance, it appears, of
getting a word from her lips."
"Nay," remarked the other, who had rallied from her late
despondency, on hearing the object of the breakfast; "you
are very unreasonable, Mr. Elmsley. You do not deserve
that I should speak to you to-day, and I am not quite
sure that I shall."
"And pray, fair lady, why not? Wherein have I had the
misfortune to offend?"
"Ah! do you forget? You promised to bring me a certain
report of certain occurrences, and yet instead of that,
not a word have you condescended to address to me until
this moment."
"I plead guilty," he answered deprecatingly, "but pray
for a suspension of sentence, until the return of one
through whose influence I hope to obtain your pardon! I
go now," he whispered, "to lead him to your feet."
"Well, what is the great question you have to put to me?"
said the lieutenant to his friend, whom he had rejoined,
and with whom he now returned slowly towards the house--"one
involving a case of life and death it might be imagined,
from the long face you put on when alluding to the matter."
"Nay, not exactly that, but still involving a good deal.
Tell me frankly, Elmsley, has Miss Heywood heard any
further account of the events at the farm-house?"
"She has heard the report brought in by Nixon and the
rest of the fishing-party."
"And what was that, I pray you?" eagerly returned the
ensign.
"That Mr. Heywood had been carried off by the Indians."
"From whom did she hear it?"
"It was I who told her, on the strength of what the
corporal reported, not only to myself, but to Captain
Headley."
"You are a considerate fellow, Elmsley," said his friend,
warmly pressing his hand. "I thank you for that, and now
that the great question, as you term it, is answered, I
am quite ready for the promised breakfast. Did these
fellows bring home any fish? I have a great fancy for
fish this morning."
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