Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)

nd how could he doubt what her answer would be, in spite of all thos

There was as yet no rain, it is true; but along the southern horizon the louring heavens were even darker than the wind-driven waters; and an occasional shiver of white sunlight that swept across the waves spoke clearly enough of coming wet. Was it not altogether too wild and stormy a morning to hope that Maisrie would venture forth? And yet he was going a

ng to the lodging-house in German Place. The servant-maid greeted this handsome young man with a

o up. I want to see Miss Bethune by herself: would you ask her if she woul

; and proved herself friendly. Without more

there, sir?-the gen

was a refuge from the storm; but all the same he did no

, if Miss Bethune will be so kind as to come

very picturesque place, to be sure, for an interview between two lovers: still, it would serve-especially if the friendly chambermaid were out of earshot, and if no prying la

, all ready apparelled-hat, muff, gloves, boa,

mean you are going out on such a mor

answer, simply. "I have something to

me little hesitation (for he was accustomed to take charge of her and guard

said: it was not of a shower

f the Chain Pier. There are some places of shelter out there; and there won't be a living soul anywhere about on such a morning. For I

thought it was always prettier that way than any other. Nevertheless they leant forward against the wind, and drove themselves through it, and eventually got down to the sea-front. Here, again, they were almost stunned by the terrific roar; for the tide was full up; and the huge, brown, concave, white-crested waves, thundering down on the shelving shingle, filled all the thick air with spray; wh

ons under each successive shock of the heavy surge. And now they could get a better view of the wide and hurrying sea-a sea of a tawny-brownish hue melting into a vivid green some way fur

ectation of cheerfulness, for she seemed curiously preoccup

made answer. "It will be

ts of her hair were damp and disordered; and her eyes were grave even to sadness; and yet never had the strange witchery of her youthful beauty so entirely entranced him. Perhaps it was the dim fear of losing her, that dwelt as a sort of shadow in his mind even when he

ou know that I spoke to y

answered. "

at did

y such thing? We have no money to go to law, even if the law had not already decided against us. Then grandfather's idea that the estates might come to us through some accident, or series of accidents-what is that but a dream? I am sure he is far more content when he forgets what might have been;

t-but what did h

d I was only to think of what would tend to my own happiness. Happiness

-one who, so far as he could make out, h

ld you not have happiness, as well as another? Who can deserve it m

s best for you. And I understand your position-perhaps more clearly than you imagine. You have made me think, of late, about many thing

aisrie should have to

ill-feeling of any kind. You would think of the time we knew you in London-and I'm sure I should always think of it-as a pleasant time: perhaps something too good to last. I have told you before: you must remem

im. "I understand now. But why not tell the truth at once-that

low voice. "And yet I was not thinking of myself

gathering on her eyelashes: seeing which made h

was situated; and I showed him that, granting there were some few little difficulties, the best way to meet them would be for you and me to get married at once: then everything would come right of its own accord-for one must credit one's relativ

for a second; then

ave wished that you would understand-and go away-and make our friendship a memory, something to think over in after years. For how can

nd; she turned away

you to say anything, except that

way. "How can you ask any one to be your wife who has led the life t

ed: never had his faith in her

ul life-an idyllic life-constant travel-and always treated with such ki

ing-with her

think-it is you who have shown me clearly what I have been. I-I was young-I was only a child; my grandfather was everything to me; wha

isr

She rose to her feet: and for a moment he thoug

ink of me: or I can guess. Perhaps they are right. Perhaps the stories you spoke of were all to be believed. That is neither here nor there now. Bu

g of reproach also: these proud tones did not sound

n to your friends? Why give up all the splendid future that is befor

he sake of your love

u have that, Vincent-and-and

of weeping; and in vain he tried to sooth

ys, that I loved you-that I loved you too well to do what you ask-to become a drag on you-and a shame." The tears were running down her cheeks; but she kept her eyes fixed bravely and piteously on him, as she uttered her wild, incoherent sentences. "My dearest-my dearest in all the world-will you remember-will y

ere salt with the sea-foam. The tangles of her w

ommonplace phrases about his friends and the future? And yet, here was Maisrie on the point of departure; she only waited for a word of good-by

demeanour was a sort of answer to her trembling vehemence and her despair. "You give me the proudest possession

d put her back into

saying that I knew nothing about your grandfather or yourself. Do you think that is so? Do you think I have been all this time constantly in your society-watching you-studying you-yes, and studying you with the anxiety that goes with love-for, of course, you want the one you love to be perfect-do you imagine, after all this that I do not know you and unde

d, piteously. "It will be all the harder to think of wh

n to look round and see what dispositions can be made with regard to the future. Oh, I assure you I am going to be very prudent and circumspect; and I am ready to turn my hand to anything. Then, in another direction, Maisrie, you might give me a hint," he went on, with much cheerfulness, but watching her to see

ook he

ent, dreams!"

'm not going to keep you here any longer, Maisrie; for I fancy there is some rain coming across; and you mustn't be caught. I will go in and say good-bye to your grandfather, if I ma

nothing in all this worthy of note: what was of importance happened after, when the President of the Association, who had occupied the chair in the absence of Lord Musselburgh, accompanied Vincent home to the Red Lion. This Mr. Simmons was a solicitor, and a great political power in Mendover; so, when he hinted that the Red Lion had a certain bin of port that was famous all over the county-and, indeed, was powerful enough to draw many a hunt-dinner to this hostelry by its own

hout having my hand crossed with a shilling. I hope I am breaking no confidence; we lawyers are supposed to be as mum as a

trust me for th

consequence. "I will say this at least-that in January you ma

e Liberal Association were perhaps going to pass a vote of thanks-possi

sent: the represen

ked up his ears; an

of information. But from what I can gather I am almost certain that he means to resign at the end of the year-he did talk of waiting for the next General Election, as Lord Musselburgh may have told

e will be a contest

you are Lord Musselburgh's nominee; and Lord Musselburgh has promised to do everything for our public park that Mr. Gosford ought to have do

" said Vincent. "Is there anythin

o and call on old Gosford to-mor

due haste in seizing a dead man's

u go to see him. For goodness' sake, don't tell him he's looking well-as you've got to say to most invalids. Tell him he's looking very poorly. Be seriously concerned. Then he'll be off

o make for calling on h

ivering a lecture; and of course you called on the sitting member. You won't want any excuse

hing about the seat?"

alk about the overcrowding of the House, and the late hours, and the nervous wear and tear of London. But you needn't suggest to him, i

r. Ogden: was most meek and humble and good-humoured (for to what deeps of hypocrisy will not a young man descend when he is madly in love?), and seemed to swallow wholesale the long-resounding list of Reforms-Reforms Administrative, Reforms Electoral, Reforms Fiscal, Reforms Social and Political. For all the while he was saying within himself: 'My dear sir, perhaps what you say is quite true: and we're all going headlong to the d

the former had brought his allegations against old George Bethune and his granddaughter; but on this occasion Vincent was in a particularly amiable and generous mood. He was pleased with himself for having paid court to Mr. Ogden; he looked forward with some natural gratification to this early chance of gettin

ed to wait for Lord Musselburgh's contribution towards the completion of the public park. What Lord Musselburgh is going to gain by that passes my comprehension. I can hardly suppose that he made such a promise in order to secure your election: that, indeed, would be a wild freak of generosity-so wild as to be incredible. However," continued Mr. Harris, in his pedantic and sententious manner, "it is unnecessary to seek for motives. We do not need to be indebted to him. I consider that it is of the greatest importance that you should enter Par

crat, and benefactor; and it was less than half-an-hour ago that he had been anxiously wondering whether ￡200

rly of importance: if you make him your agent in these negotiations, that will be enough for him-he will look after himself. And he will keep you safe: t

u mean?" said V

ight one, or whether the ordinary scholastic routine-mixed up with monkish traditions-would have been preferable. At all events you have seen the world.

one or two editors for whom he had done some occasional work as to whether employment of a more permanent kind might be procurable. Moreover, he had ordered the little brooch for Maisrie-a tiny white dove this was, in mother-of-pearl, on a transverse narrow band of rubies; and besides that he h

e young man up to the parlour, he had begun his story, which was so confused

erpane, all spread out so neat and tidy, 'why,' says she, 'the Queen on the throne she aint got nothin more splendid, which he is the most generous young genelman, and jest as good as he's ansome'-beggin' your pardon, sir, for women will talk, and then in

cent, in his bewilderment. "Do you mean to say that

east knowed when it was most appreciated, as one might say, sir, a man like that, sir, a great man, sir, though awaitin his time, like many others, and oldin is ead igh against

oment to dissolve in maudlin weeping, "will you answer me one question: am I

pore ouse, and heverythink paid up like a genelman, though many'

then?" the younger man

a suddent-they didn't say nothin about

watch: five minutes p

). "They're going to remain in Brighton, I dare say. Well, good-bye, Hobson! About those bits of things I sent up-you

ught the four-thirty train to Brighton. When he reached the lodging-house in German Place, he hardly dared knock: he seemed to know already what was meant by this hurried and stealthy departure. His worst fears were imm

'Vincent, I love you!-I love you!-you are my dearest in all the world!-remember that always!' And what was this that she had done?-for that it was of her doing; he had no manner of doubt. Enough: his heart, that had many a time be

F VOL

Y WILLIAM CLOWES

REET AND CH