There were no more Christmas presents exchanged. No one there, except Beatrix, had thought of giving one; though hers had been graceful and appropriate.
After breakfast they went to church at Blackville. They were drawn thither in the roomiest carriage, by a pair of the strongest horses, with Joe on the box; for they expected to pick up the Sheridans after the morning service, and to bring them to Black Hall to dinner.
The distance between Black Hall and Blackville was considerable, and the road was rough, and so it was rather late when our party reached the church.
The congregation were already in their seats, and the pastor was in his pulpit; so there was no opportunity for our friends to meet until after the benediction was p.r.o.nounced.
Then, as the people were all leaving the church, Mr. Berners sought out young Sheridan and his little niece, and after paying them the compliments of the season, invited them to take seats in his carriage to Black Hall.
They accepted his offer with thanks, and allowed him to conduct them to the coach, in which the Pendletons were already seated.
There was a merry meeting between the young people, notwithstanding the sadness of some reminiscences.
Youth cannot for ever be sorrowful.
Joe put whip to his horses, and started them at a brisk trot over the snow-clad roads, and under the brilliant sky of that clear December day.
They reached Black Hall in good time.
The splendid Christmas fires were blazing on every hearth in the house.
Beatrix Pendleton took Minnie Sheridan to her own bed-chamber, that they might there lay off their bonnets and shawls and prepare for dinner.
Captain Pendleton went off alone to his room, and Mr. Berners was just about to conduct young Sheridan to some spare bed-chamber, where he could brush his hair, when the barrister laid his hand upon his host"s shoulder, and stopped him, saying:
"No; stay here. I have something which I must show you while we are quite alone."
And he shut the doors, and then drew his companion away to the furthest window, out of earshot of any chance eavesdropper.
"What is it?" inquired Mr. Berners, much mystified.
"I do not know; something very important I fancy. But read this first,"
said the barrister, placing an open letter in his friend"s hand.
Lyon Berners in great curiosity examined it. It was addressed to ---- Sheridan, Esq., Counsellor at Law, Blackville.
It contained these lines:
"Take the enclosed letter to Mr. Lyon Berners on Christmas-day, when you find him quite alone. If this should reach you before Christmas, keep it carefully until that day; then deliver it to its address with secrecy and discretion."
"In the name of Heaven, what is this? Where is the letter? When did you get it?" demanded Lyon Berners, in astonishment.
"It seems to be a mystery. I got the letter only this morning, else in spite of the injunction I should have delivered it to you before. Here it is now," said young Sheridan, placing the mysterious epistle in the hands of his friend.
Lyon Berners examined it in haste and excitement.
It was superscribed:
"To Lyon Berners, Esq., Black Hall. To the care of ---- Sheridan, Esq.
To be delivered secretly on Christmas-day."
Mr. Berners tore off the envelope, when he came to another one, on which was written:
A Christmas gift for Mr. Berners.
This also he hastily tore off. Then he ran his eyes rapidly over the contents of the letter, and with a great cry--a cry of joy unspeakable--he threw up his arms and sank to the floor.
He who had never been conquered by fear or sorrow or despair, was now utterly vanquished by joy!
CHAPTER XXVIII.
WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED.
Do you blame me, friend, for weakness?
"Twas the strength of pa.s.sion slew me.--E. B. BROWNING.
With an exclamation of dismay Sheridan raised his friend, and helped him to an arm-chair, and sat him back in a reclining position on it.
And at the same instant hurrying steps were heard approaching, and some of the servants who had been loitering in the hall, startled by the noise of the cry and the fall, rushed into the room to see what the matter could be.
Lyon Berners had not quite lost his consciousness, and the entrance of the men at once restored his senses.
His first act was to point to the letter which had fallen from his hand to the floor, and say:
"Pick it up and give it to me, and send these people away--quickly, Sheridan, if you please."
The young lawyer immediately went after the intruders, exclaiming,
"Come, come, old Joe, Tom, Bill; what do you mean by rushing in upon us in this way when we are having a good humored rough and tumble wrestling match among ourselves? Be off with you, you barbarians!"
And so with affected mirth, which really deluded the simple darkies, he turned them out of the drawing-room, and locked the door.
Then he went back to Mr. Berners and inquired:
"Now what is it, if I may ask?"
"She is safe! My dear Sybil is safe!--safe beyond all pursuit; beyond all possibility of recapture!" exclaimed Mr. Berners, triumphantly.
"Thank Heaven, with all my heart! But how, and where?" inquired Sheridan, excitedly.
"She was rescued by Raphael! She is on mid-ocean now, in a British ship, under the protection of the British flag, G.o.d bless it!"
"Amen! But tell me all about it, or let me read the letter."
"Stop! I must call Pendleton and Beatrix. Those two true friends must hear my secret and share our joy," said Mr. Berners, rising and going to the door.