The Admiral's Daughter

lazing in their iron sockets at the outer door; beyond the garden was a boisterous confusion of coaches and chairs, the chairmen wrangling with the footmen and pages for a

behaviour of those without the gates. Room was made for the vehicle in question, page boys and footmen ran to their posts, my lord or my

e Queen's drawing-room as if it had been her own chamber; she would leave the side of the most exalted personage in order to speak to a humble acquaintance, and there would be no change in her manner. She scolded and smiled as she pleased, and, s

knew; that he was party to the secret diplomacy of the Court every one suspected. He was an old sailor, and in the course of his voyages had contrived to g

their parleys was revealed to no one, least of all to Sir John's wife. He was a smallish, grey, wizened man, with a singularly sweet smile; he had a gentle voice and an unf

Malines lace across her shoulders, her grey hair dressed high. No one had ever succeeded in defining her charm; she was one of th

a couple of young gallants sprang from a window seat where they had been in c

her. 'Why are you leaving beauty unattended? Do not the feet of the dancers

nd,' replied the nobleman with anoth

as a shrewd eye would see, a favourite with his hos

, a story I may tell you some day. Well now, young man, wil

then at the head of the stairs, went slowly down, her beautiful

ice with a strong West Country accent

hand to his cheek, bellowed for his ally within. The West Co

Constance Fairfax or no? An

ho had hastily approached. A few guests had strolled into the hall, and were looking curiously on. The men accompa

g round the countryman falling away at h

eard for twenty years. He dropped on one knee, and groped for the lady's hand.

different all the same. But'—his tone altered—''tis the young mistress, my lady. Her's without in the coa

t her side. 'I pray you, Master Beckenham, see to this matter without;

ntence. Master Beckenham follow

l he chose he would not move his coach, his lord taking precedence of the gentlemen whose vehicles were before the gates. As for that outlandish travelling waggon beyond there (his cheek was still sma

thered up his reins, and Master Beckenham in his elegant buckled shoes and smart attire s

id to come and stay with her a spell, that she might teach her how to set her toes when she grew taller. Lady Fairfax had never seen the child, because of the disagreement between her brother and herself about her upbringing. Here the curtain had risen, and my lady's complacent recital was stopped. Duly reporting this matter to Madam his mother (one of Lady Fairfax's honest enemies), Mr. B

nearest, and adding comments when Peter, bodyguarding on the step, failed for breath. The link boys roared with delight. Such amusement did not often come their way. And even the

ity, soon succeeded in reaching the door of the coach, Zacchary lumbering at his heels. Honest Peter, in the

a gentleman, Mistres

commanded the young gentleman

thus armed, took up the position of page on the step of th

Marion's hat had fallen off, her gleaming hair fell in disorder about her face. Nervously she looked at the young man as she took his proffered assistance, and murmured a word of th

guests in the hall that her little niece was coming from Cornwall to visit her. Her brother was doubtless with her in the coach, and had sent Zacch

d man, whose smile broadened into a chuckle

as her own a riding cloak was roughly gathered. The collar fell away from the throat, and the folds of the garment

niece! Is i

ing jewels and gay dresses in the background; of the throb of music in the rooms above; of the silent figure of Mr. Beckenham standing at her elbow. Then she looked again

pect me then, A

mured a woman at th

ed. 'My little maid!' Then, holding her at arm's length: 'But—I am speechless!

took off the cloak and shoes, and held the fair face between her hands. 'My little maid!' she said again

urt,' said M

saw her uncle at her side. A feeling of warmth and comfort stole o

e. As the conversation drifted on to the girl's family, a gentleman strolled up to the group. Underneath the languid pos

r of Admiral Penrock—the old

ship lifted the tapestry curtain and walked into the little room. Sir John and Lady Fa

ittle niece here. Marion, my dear, here is an old soldie

a burly, weather-worn figure. Instead, she was aware of a slight, pale-faced man, dressed with an elegance she

ay somewhat, 'before I had done myself the honour of paying my respects to the

e smiled up suddenly into the gaunt face; and the man standing there, who ha

of officers behind him, riding hard for the west with urgent duty for my brother, who is magistrate in his parts. My niece, here, knows nothing of the mission but that it was of such urgency, with the Lord Chancellor's will behind it, that the Admiral must needs take another coach and ride back to Cornwall. The two officers escorted my niece here the rest of the way till noon to

somewhere in another world and another life she had lived in the long ago. She sighed. For a few minutes the talk wen

she. 'I will see you a