"True," said Elizabeth, smiling at the blunt way in which he showed his interest; "it is a trick I have of burning my fingers when I seal letters; and to-day is Friday, I must tell papa. He is very superst.i.tious about Fridays."
"Tell him also that I love you sincerely," said Sir Philip, "that I demand of him this hand; that I do not know how to recommend myself to you, and that he must therefore be my friend."
"You, Sir Philip, I cannot express to you my astonishment."
"I wonder who could remain for three weeks in a house with you," said Sir Philip, with a blunt admiration in his look and voice, "without coming to the same pa.s.s. You are not angry."
"No, Sir Philip," she replied.
"You are all candour, I know you would speak the truth at once. I am more happy than I dared to hope," said her companion.
Elizabeth smiled and looked down.
"Well, now," said Sir Philip, taking both her hands, "will you have the goodness to fix a day for our marriage? You see I am ordered abroad for my health, and naturally I wish to take you with me."
"Really, Sir Philip," said Elizabeth, "you are too hasty; consider how short a time we have known each other."
"I have known Captain Gage a long time," said Sir Philip, "I was his first lieutenant when he was on the West India station; that is the same thing. How many times I have said to myself, "I will marry Gage"s daughter; if she will not have me, it is easy for me to remain single.""
Elizabeth started. How often had she, in rejecting her lovers, said in her turn, "until I meet with some one like Sir Philip d"Eyncourt, I will never marry."
"And yet you did not recollect me, that evening," said she.
"I expressed myself badly," he replied, "I meant that I could not trace any resemblance between what you were, and what I now find you. You were a very nice little girl: you are a beautiful woman."
"And you have learned to flatter," said Elizabeth blushing.
"No, it is just my opinion, now I am going to find your father. It seems quite singular to ask Gage to accept me as a son-in-law. He is not a dozen years older than I am."
A few weeks after this conversation, Captain Gage had the satisfaction of bestowing his daughter"s hand upon Sir Philip d"Eyncourt: and a few days afterwards, Margaret who had officiated as one of the bridesmaids, accompanied her uncle to the sea-side; for he had at last consented to listen to his physician, and to consider his illness of importance.
CHAPTER XI.
And now that hope and joy are seen to fade, Like stars dim gliding till they mix with shade; Now that thy cheek has sorrow"s canker proved When thus by sickness changed, ah! more beloved.
ELTON.
"Aveline, my love, it is impossible that you can ride the pony to-day.
Pray give up the idea. Do you not agree with me, Mr. Haveloc?"
Mr. Haveloc was always appealed to, for Aveline had become irritable; a phase of her complaint upon which her sweet temper and habitual self-command had no influence.
"No, you cannot ride to-day," said Mr. Haveloc, approaching the easy chair in which she was sitting, propped up with pillows; "you frightened us all too much yesterday. You are hardly out of your fainting-fit, and you wish to bring on another. Consider our nerves!"
Aveline looked up at him and smiled, even her mother had not the control over her that he had.
"But look," she said, "what beautiful weather; it is hard that I should remain in the house all day. You know I cannot walk. What am I to do?"
"Shall I row you," he said, "you can have as many pillows as you like; and you may lie as quietly as you would on the sofa."
"No," said Aveline, "I am afraid that my head would not bear the motion of the boat."
"And yet you thought of riding," said Mr. Haveloc, with a smile.
This was an imprudent remark, sick people require managing.
"Riding is quite different!" said Aveline angrily; "you do not know how to distinguish!"
Fortunately with all his impatience of temper, she never roused it. He pitied her too deeply; and without feeling the slightest attachment to her in the ordinary sense of the term, he had become very fond of her; he was won by the reliance she had placed in him for every thing.
He met Mrs. Fitzpatrick"s eyes turned gratefully upon him, and smiled.
"No; I know nothing about it," he said, leaning over Aveline"s chair, "I have no experience in illness. I cannot measure your strength."
"Then," said Aveline with a slight want of consistency, "what should you advise me to do?"
"Let us wheel you in this chair upon the gra.s.s; there you can enjoy the sea breeze, and you will be in the shade."
Aveline agreed to this, and she was soon established under the trees, with a little table at her elbow on which stood a gla.s.s of water, a plate of hot-house grapes, and a splendid cl.u.s.ter of flowers.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick with her work on one side of the chair, Mr. Haveloc on the gra.s.s with a book.
"What are you reading, Mr. Haveloc, that makes you smile?"
"Boiardo, there is something so dry in his manner."
"Do not read to yourself, it fidgets me," said Aveline.
Mr. Haveloc closed his book, and began throwing pebbles on the beach below them.
"Have you much of this pink clematis, Mr. Haveloc," asked Aveline, examining her bouquet.
"There is one plant of it."
"Have you them in any other colour?"
"Yes; in white. But I brought you the pink because it is the greatest novelty."
"Bring me both kinds to-morrow."
"I will."
"And some of the heaths you were talking about."