The times., 1901-05-05
CHAPTER TX

either at the tavern taking their mornin
whet or at the coffee house in converse
tion or engaged in some Of the sports I
which most Of them are so much addicted
Lord Fylingdale. although the streets a
such an hour are mostly deserted had T.
cross the market place on his way to IN
captains house in Hogmans Lane. ant
was therefore carried in chair with tn
curtains drawn, SO as to avoid recogni
ton.
He was received by Captain Crowle fl
the parior For the occasion the old ma
had put on his Sunday suit, with whit
SIN stockings. and he wore his sword. I
which, as the former commander Of ;
ship. he was entitled.
4 am come. captain, TO receive in per
son your answer TO the message conveyed
t. YOU Yesterday by my ambassador
hope that the message was delivered
faithfully and with due respect.
- believe. my lord. with both"
7 assure you. CAPTAIN Crowle. that tbs
respect have conceived for your charac-
ter and loyalty is more than can express
in words That you have inspired in the
mind OF your ward similar virtues l do
not doubt, and this confidence, believe me,
has much TO 60 with the offer of my hand
t. tmat young lady
your Iordship does me the greatest
honor. My answer is that ] accept in
Moliys name. and joyfully.
Il am delighted This should be" he
added. coldly, the happiest day Of my
life"
when we spread the news abroad ev-
eIybody in Lynn viii feel that the great
est honor has been done to the town, as
well as to this house.
Sir. YOU overrate my position Still.
however, we must keep the matter secret
for day or two yet. ! engage you, cap
tain. to profound secrecy.
AS long as you please. my lord. The
sooner may speak of it the better shall
like it, for / am bursting with JOY and
satisfaction"
Patience. captain for a day or two
The captain became serious. even mel
ancholy. You viii take her away. l sup
pose2"
Il fear [ must A married man gen
orally takes away his wife. does he not?"
You viii take her TO your country
house and to London. Well. am old.
am sevpnty-five already I cannot expect
ever to see her again. Her mother, how
ever. is not so old by thirty years. Per
2
other-we would not remind you of your
ladys humble foIk-aIow her, if she is
within an easy journey, to come here to
see her mother.
surely. surely. captain. Could I be so
hard hearted as TO refuse? Her mother.
certainly. or yourself but not any of her
old friends. not the friends of her child
hood. such as that young sailor man, nor
the girls of the place"
Il care not for them so that 1 may com
fort her poor mother with that promise.
As for myself. who am ! Unat ] should in
trudt uPon herr Let me die happy in the
knowledge that she is happy
she will be as happy as the day IS
long, captain.
4 doubt it not AS for Jack Pente-
crosse. an old playfellow, he is like me.
lie loves her as if she was his sister, but
he desires nothing but the knowledge Of
the girls happiness"
1 accept your assurance. captain, that
he viii not endeavor to seek her or to
visit her"
He viii not My lord'-the captain
became very seTiOus-"I can promise you
a well conditioned, virtuoUs. modest. obe-
dent and dutiful wife. She VIII ask
for nothing but a continuance of your
l0Tdships affections and consideration, in
7
ing servant as well as your wife
Again, captain. / doubt it not, else
should not be here.
And when the day comes-when you
pass the word, my lord-the bells shall
ring. and the music shall play, and all
The town shall make holiday. and we
viii have such feast and merrymak-
ing that all the country round shall
ring with IL. Lord. l am so happy
But captain. 1 have not yet received
the consent Of the lady.
BE assured that you WliI nave IL but
the girl is shy and hesitates, being, 10
SAY the truth dazzled by the rank 10
which she Is 10 be raised. A young maiG
1lodesty viii perhaps hinder such free
dom of speech as you would naturally
desire.
Il hope. sir. that ! am able TO appre-
-iate aud value the virtue of mOdesty.
an ! ask OF the young lady is her con
sent
.-Of that you may be assured before
''Theu, captain. as this is an occasion
4 some awkWardness and one which il
IS well 10 get through as quickly as
possible. did one ever hear Of such
overZ--Well. 10 get through as quickly
IS possible his first Interview with
ais mistrcss-'-you VIII perhaps bring
Miss Molly 10 me or take me TO her o."
Molly meanwhile was in her bedroom /
n "A strange agitation. her color coming /
nS and soing-nOw pale, now biushiug-
pr the first time IN her life trembling |
'ld inclined TO swoOn. Even for a girl /
? no loves man ii is an event Of the 1
greatest Importance and one never to /
De- forgotten when she consents to make 4
lim happy. But when she is in srievous 4
.oubt, torn by the consciousness that /
ihc does not love the man. that she is .
ltrald Of him. that she does not desire 4
~ change Of rank which he offers and 4
hat she would far rather remain among I
icT own DeOple-in such case. ] say. her
fpuDit Is great indeed. However. 70 do 2
.0npr 20 the occasion. she. like the cap
am. had assumed her Sunday attire !
Ter iTock. 10 be sure was not so fine Z
IS that IN which she graced the assem- /
~, but u was pasSabie To my mind I
ne looked more beautiful than in that
plendid dress
AT her guardians summons she slow
y descended the stairs. The kitchen 1
oor was open. She looked in as she /
Iass,d. Tier mother, instead Of being
'usy over her housewifery, was sitting
yrs closed, her lips moving. She was
"a and kissed her Mother" she said
pray that II may turn out well. / must
cceId him. Yet / doubt. Oh. pray for
Then Molly turned the handle of the
arlOr door and entered.
Miss Molly Her gallant lover
plcudid with his star and his fine clothes
oUk her hand, bowed low and kissed her
ugers.
You would speak with me. my lord"
Yesterday 1 sent q message to your
uardian. I told him by my messenger |
hat ! Was entirely overcome by the beau !
!, and the charms and the virtues Of his I
air ward. and J offered, unworthy as / .
IN, my hand and all that goes with it
~ rank and title. my possessions and /
lyseIf."
The captain told me Of the message"
j have today received an answer from
I'm. But. although he is your guardian,
would not presume to consider that an
~ef a. final 1 must have your answer
g we'll"
My lord, ] am but a humble and
omely person"