Part 30 (1/2)
All that night the storm raged with increasing fury, and morning found the entire Mainwaring party ”on the retired list,” as Miss Carleton expressed it. She herself was the last to succ.u.mb, but finally forced to an ignominious surrender, she submitted to the inevitable with as good grace as possible, only stipulating that she be left entirely to herself.
Towards night the storm abated slightly, and, weary of her own thoughts, which bad been anything but agreeable, and bored by the society of her companions in misery, she wrapped her rug warmly about her and ventured out on deck. The air, laden with salt spray, seemed invigorating, and without much difficulty she found her way to her sheltered corner of the preceding evening. She had been seated but a few moments, however, when the young Englishman made his appearance, as preoccupied and unconscious of his surroundings and as free from any symptoms of discomfort as when she had last seen him. The sight of him was the signal for the return of the thoughts which had that day kept her company. She cast a wrathful glance upon the unconscious young stranger just then pa.s.sing, his perfect health and evident good humor under existing circ.u.mstances adding to her sense of injury and exasperation. She grew ill, and determined to return at once to her apartments, but found her progress against the gale slower and more difficult than she had antic.i.p.ated. Dizzy and faint, she had just reached the stairs when a sudden lurch threw her violently to one side; she staggered helplessly and would have fallen, but at that instant a strong arm was thrown about her and she felt herself lifted bodily. With a sigh of relief she turned her head towards her rescuer, supposing him one of the officers of the s.h.i.+p, only to discover, to her horror, that she was in the arms of the young Englishman. His face was in the shadow, but the light falling on her own face revealed her features, and at that instant she heard a smothered exclamation,--
”Great heavens! can it be possible?”
Something in the tone startled her and she listened, hoping he would speak again. He did not; but she noted the tenderness with which she was borne down the stairs and put in care of the stewardess.
Again she listened eagerly for his voice, but his words were brief and in an altered tone.
During the succeeding twenty-four hours in which Miss Carleton tossed in misery, one thought was uppermost in her mind,--to discover, if possible, the ident.i.ty of the stranger who had come to her a.s.sistance.
The only information obtainable, however, was that he was evidently a gentleman of wealth, travelling alone, and apparently with no acquaintance on board with the exception of a young English officer.
She determined, at the earliest possible moment, to meet her mysterious rescuer and thank him for his kindness, but was unable to carry her plan into immediate execution. Meantime, she learned that he had twice inquired for her.
On Sunday afternoon, their fourth day out, the storm had ceased and the weather was gradually clearing, and Miss Carleton, somewhat pale but quite herself again, came out for a promenade. She found quite a number of pa.s.sengers on deck, but for some time she looked in vain for her unknown friend. At last, after several brisk turns, she saw him standing at a little distance, talking with the tall, dark-eyed man whom she had seen in conversation with Mr. Merrick.
The younger man's cap was thrown back, revealing to Miss Carleton the fine profile, almost cla.s.sical in its beauty, of the secretary at Fair Oaks. For a moment her pulse throbbed wildly. She felt a thrill of pleasure, not unmingled with a twinge of the resentment which she had been nursing for the last few days. Then she walked calmly in his direction, saying to herself,--
”At least, I will thank him for his kindness. I am no love-lorn peasant maid wearing my heart upon my sleeve!”
She had nearly reached his side, though he was unaware of her presence, when the young English officer approached from the other side and, slapping him familiarly upon the shoulder, exclaimed,--
”Well, Mainwaring, my boy, you've kept your sea-legs well on this trip.”
The tall, dark-eyed man withdrew, and Miss Carleton, utterly bewildered, turned and slowly retraced her steps. Mainwaring! What did it mean? She heard the name distinctly, and he had taken it as a matter of course, replying pleasantly and quietly, as though he had known no other name. The mystery which she had thought to solve had only deepened tenfold. She was aroused by the cheery voice of the captain.
”Well, well, Miss Carleton, glad to see you out! I congratulate you on your speedy recovery. How are the ladies? and how is my old friend Thornton?”
They took a few turns up and down, chatting pleasantly, till Miss Carleton, looking into the face overflowing with kindliness and good humor, said,--
”Captain, I have a great favor to ask of you.”
”Granted, my dear young lady, to the half of my kingdom!”
”May I have your permission to examine the list of cabin pa.s.sengers?”
The captain elevated his s.h.a.ggy eyebrows and his eyes twinkled with merriment. ”Ah! anxious to learn if some particular friend is on board, I suppose. Some one was inquiring of me the other night regarding your ident.i.ty.”
”Indeed!” said Miss Carleton, a world of inquiry in her eyes.
”Yes; Mr. Mainwaring, the gentleman conversing with Lieutenant Cohen over there. He and I both went to your a.s.sistance the other evening, but, much to my regret, he was quicker than I. He remarked to me after he came back on deck that he had supposed you were a stranger, but that your face looked familiar. He asked your name, and whether you were with Mr. Thornton and his daughter, stating that he had met you. Correct, I presume?”
”Quite so,” said Miss Carleton, quietly.
”And now about that pa.s.senger list, Miss Carleton; you have my permission to examine it, and I will accompany you myself.”
She thanked him. ”Are you acquainted with Mr. Mainwaring?” she inquired, carelessly.
”Never met him until this trip. On first learning his name, I supposed him to be a member of your party, as he is evidently a gentleman; but I soon learned that he was alone.”
A few moments later the register was opened for Miss Carleton's inspection, but she did not have to search long. Half-way down the first page she found, in the familiar writing of the secretary, the name which she sought--”Harold Scott Mainwaring.”