Part 28 (1/2)
_Wordsworth._
It will be necessary to retrace our steps a little, and turn our attention to Lucy Blyth and the heir of the House of Waverdale. Lucy's hasty and unexpected departure from Waverdale Hall and Squire Fuller's compulsory absence on county business, had prevented that grateful recipient of her services and hearty admirer of her character from rendering her at once the thanks to which she was ent.i.tled, and from bestowing on her such reward as was in any sense commensurate with the exceeding value of the good work she had wrought. Eventually he wrote her a letter full of unstinted grat.i.tude, and stated therein that he should count it an honour and a privilege to oblige her in any way that was in his power. He avowed that she had saved his son's life from the fever, and his own from the burglar; that she had been the means of bringing to him thoughts and feelings concerning religion to which he had long been a stranger; and that, though he felt such services were priceless and beyond compensation, he entreated her to test his sincerity and regard in any way she chose. The answer he received was couched as follows:--
”DEAR SIR,--G.o.d has enabled me to do my duty under very trying circ.u.mstances. That duty would have been more willingly performed for the poorest family in Nestleton. Your thanks, and the sense of having done what was right, fully repay me. I am thankful to G.o.d that Master Philip is spared to you, and if my short stay at Waverdale Hall has enabled me in any way to alter your views and feelings about religion, I am thankful all the more. As you so earnestly press me to receive some acknowledgment at your hands, I will not refuse so generous an offer. If you will give a plot of ground on which to build a Methodist chapel so that the Methodists of Nestleton may be able to wors.h.i.+p G.o.d in comfort under their own vine and fig-tree, you will not only confer the greatest favour upon me, but will win the lasting grat.i.tude of a poor and worthy people, who will richly repay you in their prayers for your happiness and prosperity.
”I remain,
”Yours most respectfully,
”LUCY BLYTH.”
This missive was placed by the butler in the hands of the squire as he sat in his customary chair by the library fire; his son and heir, now quite recovered from the trying ordeal through which he had pa.s.sed, though still somewhat pale of countenance, sitting opposite. Mr.
Fuller could not help smiling with satisfaction at Lucy's unselfish response to his letter of inquiry, and at the admirable persistency with which she pleaded the cause of her people.
”Your correspondence amuses you, father,” said Philip, as he noted the smile on the old man's face.
”Amuses me, you think, do you?” said the squire, a.s.suming a serious air. ”I wonder whether it will amuse you. Here's a pretty effusion from your model young lady!”
”What, Lucy?” said Philip, with an honest blush and such a manifest interest, that it was not hard to see that our youthful lover was quite as much enchained to that young lady's chariot wheels as ever; ”May I ask what it is?”
”Why, I wrote to convey to her our hearty thanks for the unquestionably important services she has rendered, and I foolishly promised to account myself her debtor for any reward she might name, and this is the advantage she takes of my unguarded offer!”
”No unfair advantage, I'll be bound,” quoth Philip, stoutly; ”she is altogether too good for that.”
”Oh, you think so? Well, then, let me tell you; the covetous little minx has had the audacity to ask for a portion of my estate.”
”Estate!” said Philip, in blank amaze. ”I'll never believe it. Never; no, not if I saw it in her own handwriting.”
”Well,” said the squire, inwardly amused and strongly impressed with his son's unswerving loyalty to the village maiden, but looking at the same time sufficiently serious, ”Then it's no use showing you the letter; but I tell you, here it is, in black and white, and signed with her own name.” The squire here placed the precious little signature beneath his eyes. ”Won't you believe it now?”
”No,” said Philip, stoutly; ”nothing in the world will make me believe anything other than that Lucy Blyth is as free from self-seeking and greed as the sunlight that flows out of heaven; and, what is more, I believe my father is of the same opinion.”
”Well, then, take and read it for yourself, you sceptic, and you will see that the charge I bring against her is absolutely true; so you may prepare your mind for a definite diminis.h.i.+ng of your own inheritance, thanks to my thoughtless promise, which, on the honour of a Fuller, may never be withdrawn.”
Philip read the letter, and lifting a bright and hopeful glance at his father, said,--
”And you will grant this request?”
”Certainly, Master Philip; when did your father ever break his promise or s.h.i.+rk his word?”
Quick to perceive the underlying willingness of his father's somewhat ostentatious reverence for a promise, Philip rose from his seat, exclaiming, ”Father, you are doing this for Lucy's sake!”
”Master Philip, don't under-estimate my fidelity to a pledge,” said the father, with a happy smile; ”and now that you are fairly given back to me, I feel bound to offer you the same privilege. 'What is thy request, and I will give it to thee, even to the half of my kingdom?'”
”Give me Lucy,” said Philip, with his heart upon his lips.
”That's beyond my power, and rests with the excellent blacksmith and his glorious girl. But I'll give you permission to make the application, and from my heart, my boy, I hope your request will not be made in vain.”
Overpowered with love, grat.i.tude, and joy, Philip stood silent, with his heart too full for speech; but nothing could be more eloquent than the look which sent an exquisite thrill of gladness through his father's heart.