Part 31 (1/2)
It was a glad day for Arthur Strahan when, wrapped and m.u.f.fled beyond all danger, he was driven, in a close carriage, to make an afternoon visit to Marian. She greeted him with a kindness that warmed his very soul, and even inspired hopes which he had, as yet, scarcely dared to entertain. Time sped by with all the old easy interchange of half-earnest nonsense. A deep chord of truth and affection vibrated through even jest and merry repartee. Yet, so profound are woman's intuitions in respect to some things, that, now she was face to face with him again, she feared, before an hour pa.s.sed, that he could never be more to her than when she had given him loyal friends.h.i.+p in the vine-covered cottage in the country.
”By the way,” he remarked, abruptly, ”I suppose you never punished Merwyn as we both, at one time, felt that he deserved? He admits that he calls upon you quite frequently, and speaks of you in terms of strongest respect. You know I am his sincere, grateful friend henceforth. I don't pretend to understand him, but I trust him, and wish him well from the depths of my heart.”
”I also wish him well,” Marian remarked, quietly.
He looked at her doubtfully for a moment, then said, ”Well, I suppose you have reasons for resentment, but I a.s.sure you he has changed very greatly.”
”How do you know that, when you don't understand him?”
”I do know it,” said the young fellow, earnestly. ”Merwyn never was like other people. He is marked by ancestry; strong-willed, reticent on one side, proud and pa.s.sionate on the other. My own mother was not more untiring and gentle with me than he, yet if I try to penetrate his reserve he becomes at once distant, and almost cold. When I thought he was seeking to amuse himself with you I felt like strangling him; now that I know he has a sincere respect for you, if not more, I have nothing against him. I wish he would join us in the field, and have said as much to him more than once.
He has the means to raise a regiment himself, and there are few possessing more natural ability to transform raw recruits into soldiers.”
”Why does he not join you in the field?” she asked, quickly, and there was a trace of indignation in her tones.
”I do not think he will ever speak of his reasons to any one. At least, he will not to me.”
”Very well,” she said; and there was significance in her cold, quiet tones.
”They result from no lack of loyalty,” earnestly resumed Strahan, who felt that for some reason he was not succeeding as his friend's advocate. ”He has generously increased my chances of promotion by giving me a large sum towards recruiting my regiment.”
”After your hard experience, are you fully determined to go back?”
she asked, with a brilliant smile. ”Surely you have proved your courage, and, with your impaired health, you have a good reason not for leaving the task to stronger men.”
”And take my place contentedly among the weaker ones in your estimation?” he added, flus.h.i.+ng. ”How could you suggest or think such a thing? Certainly I shall go back as soon as my physician permits, and I shall go to stay till the end, unless I am knocked over or disabled.”
Her eyes flashed exultantly as she came swiftly to him. ”Now you can understand me,” she said, giving him her hand. ”My friends.h.i.+p and honor are for men like you and Mr. Lane and Mr. Blauvelt, who offer all, and not for those who offer--MONEY.”
”By Jove, Miss Marian, you make me feel as if I could storm Richmond single-handed.”
”Don't think I say this in any callous disregard of what may happen.
G.o.d knows I do not; but in times like these my heart chooses friends among knightly men who voluntarily go to meet other men as brave.
Don't let us talk any more about Mr. Merwyn. I shall always treat him politely, and I have gratefully acknowledged my indebtedness for his care of you. He understands me, and will give me no opportunity to do as you suggested, were I so inclined. His conversation is that of a cultivated man, and as such I enjoy it; but there it all ends.”
”But I don't feel that I have helped my friend in your good graces at all,” protested Strahan, ruefully.
”Has he commissioned you to help him?” she asked, quickly.
”No, no, indeed. You don't know Merwyn, or you never would have asked that question.”
”Well, I prefer as friends those whom I do know, who are not inshrouded in mystery or incased in reticence. No, Arthur Strahan, my friends.h.i.+p is mine to give, be it worth much or little. If he does not care enough for it to take the necessary risks, when the bare thought of shunning them makes you flush hotly, he cannot have it. All his wealth could not buy one smile from me. Now let all this end. I respect your loyalty to him, but I have my own standard, and shall abide by it;” and she introduced another topic.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A FATHER'S FORETHOUGHT.
STRAHAN improved rapidly in health, and was soon able to divide his time between his city and his country home. The recruiting station near the latter place was successful in securing stalwart men, who were tempted by the unusually large bounties offered through Merwyn's gift. The young officer lost no opportunities of visiting Marian's drawing-room, and, while his welcome continued as cordial as ever, she, nevertheless, indicated by a frank and almost sisterly manner the true state of her feelings toward him. The impulse arising at the critical hour of his illness speedily died away. His renewed society confirmed friends.h.i.+p, but awakened nothing more, and quieter thoughts convinced her that the future must reveal what her relations should be to him and to others.