The man did indeed look old and worn-out. But he was a fine, courtly gentleman of what is called the old school, and Sybil was quite fascinated with him. After some further conversation it was arranged that he should remain at the inn until the end of the week--it was now Wednesday--and that afterwards the vicar should accompany him to London to introduce him personally to Marton. Leaving her father and Kilspindie together, Sybil went to her room to think over the strange episode which was the outcome of her advertis.e.m.e.nt.
She was anxious to tell Leo all about it, but he was at Portfront, and she had received no letter from him. Sybil wondered at this, as it was not like Leo to neglect her. For the moment she was inclined to drive to Portfront and see him. He had given her no reason for his departure, and she was becoming anxious about him. Mrs Gabriel still remained in seclusion, and, so far as Sybil knew, Leo had never been to see her. It was therefore no use talking to Mrs Gabriel about the man she had so cruelly cast off. Her father she could not appeal to because, although he wished to make amends to Leo for his unjust suspicions, he did not wish him to marry her, and would therefore do nothing likely to bring them together. In this dilemma it struck Sybil that she might see Raston; he was a kindly creature, and all through the dark day had believed in Haverleigh"s innocence. She thought that Raston might be induced to bring Leo back from Portfront, so Sybil put on her hat and sought out the curate. He was at home and delighted to see her.
"This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Tempest," he said, wheeling the armchair forward. "I hope there is nothing wrong."
"Why should there be anything wrong?" asked Sybil, smiling.
Raston pa.s.sed his hand across his forehead with a troubled air. "This fact is I do not feel well this morning," he said. "I have received a letter from Town which has worried me. But do not let me inflict my troubles on you, Miss Tempest. What can I do?"
"I"ll tell you, Mr Raston. But, first of all, you must promise to keep all I tell you a secret. I don"t think I am breaking confidence in saying what is in my mind, as I gave no promise of secrecy. But I must tell you all, as you are the only person who can advise me."
"I promise to keep your secret, whatever it may be, Miss Tempest."
"Then listen to the latest information about the cup," said Sybil, and forthwith related to Raston the news of Lord Kilspindie"s arrival, and how he had been brought to Colester by means of the advertis.e.m.e.nt.
Having made this preliminary explanation, she related the story which had been told to her father and herself. As no promise of secrecy had been given, Sybil did not think she was doing wrong; and, besides, it was necessary for Raston to know all the details before he could help her to bring Leo back. Finally, she had the utmost confidence in the curate"s silence.
"It is a most extraordinary story," he said, when she had finished; "and more curious still--" here he stopped short and considered. "I can tell you what is in my mind later," he said; "at present you must let me know in what way I can serve you."
"I want you to help me with Leo," said Sybil, promptly. "For some reason he has gone to Portfront and is stopping there. I would go over myself and bring him back, but I am afraid of offending my father. I want Leo to be introduced to Lord Kilspindie."
"For what reason, Miss Tempest?"
Sybil looked at the ground, and began to draw diagrams with a dainty shoe. "Well, Mr Raston, you know that I want to marry Leo," she said, with a blush, "and at present there are so many obstacles to our engagement. My father is not so just towards Leo as he should be. I suppose this is because he is poor and has no prospects. If he enlists and goes to the war, I do not see how that will bring us together. Even if he gets a commission I cannot marry him. There will not be enough money. Now, I thought that as I had done something to bring Lord Kilspindie a chance of getting back the cup, he might be induced to do something for myself and Leo."
"Something might come of it, certainly, Miss Tempest."
"I am sure Lord Kilspindie is very kind," she said in a feminine way.
"He looks kind. Leo has delightful manners, as you know, Mr Raston. He is clever in his own way and well educated. Lord Kilspindie might take a fancy to him and make him a secretary or something. At all events, he might put him in the way of earning money, for I am sure that Lord Kilspindie has power as well as wealth."
"Then you want Leo to come back and meet him?"
"Yes. You must tell him all I have told you, and say that if he loves me he must come back at once."
"I shall do what you say, Miss Tempest, and if I can induce Leo to return he certainly shall. I do not know why he went to Portfront. His name was cleared, and he need have had no hesitation in remaining at Colester."
"I"m sure I don"t know what is the matter with him," said Sybil, with a sigh; "he has been so strange lately. I am sure he is keeping something from me. But if I get him to myself I"ll find out what it is. But you _will_ go to Portfront, Mr Raston?"
"Yes. This afternoon. In fact, I was going that way in any case. Miss Tempest, as I intend to journey to London."
"Why are you going to London?" asked Sybil in surprise. She knew that Raston rarely went to the great city.
The curate hesitated again and rubbed his hair in a distracted way. "I would rather you did not ask me, Miss Tempest," he said at length. "I am going to London in answer to a letter. I hope to be back on Sat.u.r.day. I have to preach on Sunday, as you know. The vicar said something about taking a service at Portfront."
"As Lord Kilspindie will be at church on Sunday," said Sybil, "I think papa will stay. He looks upon Lord Kilspindie as his guest."
"Well, in any case I"ll be back," said the curate, with a nod; "then I shall be able to tell you the reason I had to go. In the meantime, Miss Tempest, I wish you would see Pearl Darry occasionally. She goes wandering about the moor lamenting her lost soul, poor creature. I have been with her a good deal, but while I am away she may do something desperate. You see her, Miss Tempest, and persuade her that she is under the care of the Master."
"I"ll do my best," replied Sybil; "but I am afraid I am not good enough to preach, Mr Raston. What a shame of Mrs Jeal to put these ideas into the girl"s head! She knew that Pearl was not sane, and to make her think such things was downright dangerous."
"I know." Raston sighed. "If we could only get back the cup, Pearl would be satisfied that the Master is pleased with her and has taken her into favour again. Then she would recover her old faith in the goodness and love of G.o.d which Mrs Jeal, with the best intentions, no doubt, has destroyed. I cannot think Mrs Jeal is a good woman."
"I am sure she is a very bad one," said Sybil, emphatically. "However, I"ll do as you wish, Mr Raston. Good-day. A pleasant journey," and she departed.
The curate took out a letter, glanced at it, shook his head. He was puzzled by the communication, and knew not what to make of it.
CHAPTER XVIII
A MIRACLE
That same afternoon Raston notified the vicar that he was going for a few days to London. On the understanding that the young man would be back for morning service on Sunday, the vicar readily consented that he should go. Raston forthwith packed his bag, and driving to Portfront stayed there the night. But for Sybil"s message he would have waited until the next day, and have gone directly to London without pausing on the way. However, he wished to have a talk with Leo, both on account of Sybil"s message and because he wanted to consult with the young man about the letter which worried him. This entailed a long conversation, so Raston put up at the hotel at which Leo was staying, and sent a message that he wanted to see Mr Haverleigh.
Leo made his appearance, looking haggard and worried, and very much unlike his usual self. He seemed nervous on seeing Raston, and hurriedly approached him as though he expected to hear bad news. The events of the last few weeks had shaken Leo"s nerves, and he was prepared for any calamity--even to hear that Pratt had been arrested. Something of the sort he expected to hear now.
"Hullo, Raston!" he cried, with an affectation of brightness. "What brings you here?"
"I am on my way to London," said Raston, shaking hands in a friendly fashion, "and I am staying here for the night, as I want to have a long talk with you."
"Very glad," replied Leo, mechanically. Then after a pause he raised his head. "There is no bad news, I trust?" he asked anxiously.
"By no means. My news is good."
"Then it cannot concern me," said Leo, bitterly. "No good news ever comes my way now. What is it?"
"I"ll tell you after dinner."
"No; tell me now! I can"t wait. I am so anxious and worried that my mind cannot bear suspense."
"You brood too much on things," said Raston. "However, the matter is very simple. Miss Tempest wants you to return at once to Colester."
"What for? Has her father discovered anything bad about me?"
Raston laughed. "No. You are getting morbid on the subject--the result, I suppose, of your late experience of man"s injustice. If you will sit down I will tell you what she asked me to say. It is a long story."
"An agreeable one, I hope," muttered Leo, dropping dejectedly into a chair. "I really cannot bear much more worry without going to chuck myself into the water."
"Haverleigh," said the curate, severely, "that is an ungrateful way to speak, after the mercy G.o.d has shown you. Has he not brought you through much tribulation, and set you feet on a rock of safety!"
"Well, there are two answers to that, Raston. However, I"ll try and behave myself while you tell me what Sybil said."
Raston sighed. Not knowing Leo"s worry, he was beginning to think him wrong to behave as he did. Still, this was not the time to preach, and, unlike most clergymen, Raston knew where to stop. He sat down near Leo and related the whole story of Lord Kilspindie and his loss. Then he detailed Sybil"s idea that Kilspindie might do something for the young man. "And if your future is arranged you can then be married."
"I shall never be married, Raston," said Leo, gloomily. "If you knew--But I must keep my own counsel. What takes you to London?" he asked suddenly. "You are such a home bird that there must be some strong reason."
"The very strongest," replied the curate, drawing a letter out of his pocket. "But first you must promise to hold your tongue about what I am going to tell you."