Part 20 (1/2)

A few minutes later, I quitted the cabin, leaving the captain and Mr.

Higginson arguing upon the powers of a commander of a s.h.i.+p, the skipper shouting as I opened the door, ”I tell you, Mr. Higginson, that the master of a vessel may not only legally marry a couple, but may legally christen their infants, sir; and then legally bury the lot of them, if they should die.”

CHAPTER XI

GRACE CONSENTS

I found Grace seated at the table between Mrs. Barstow and Miss Moggadore. Mrs. Barstow bestowed a smile upon me, but Miss Moggadore's thin lips did not part, and there was something very austere and acid in the gaze she fastened upon my face. The saloon was now in full blaze, and presented a very fine, sparkling appearance indeed. The motion of the s.h.i.+p was so quiet that the swing of the radiant lamps was hardly noticeable. Some eight or ten of the pa.s.sengers were scattered about, a couple at chess, another reading, a third leaning back with his eyes fixed on a lamp, and so on. It was of an ebony blackness in the windows overlooking the main deck, though, as the door was opened and shut by the coming and going of stewards, there would enter a low, growling hum of conversation, with the scent of coa.r.s.e tobacco; and now and again, a noise as of a concertina played forward on the forecastle.

I leaned over the back of my darling's chair, and addressed some commonplaces to her and to the two ladies, intending presently to withdraw her, that I might have a long talk, but after a minute or two Mrs. Barstow rose and went to her cabin, a hint that Miss Moggadore was good enough to take. I seated myself in that lady's chair at Grace's side.

”Well, my pet, and what have they been talking to you about?”

”They have been urging me to marry you to-morrow morning, Herbert,” she answered, with a smile that was half a pout and a blush that did not signify so much embarra.s.sment but that she could look at me.

”I am fresh from a long talk with the captain,” said I, ”and he has been urging me to do the same thing.”

”It is ridiculous,” said she, holding down her head; ”there is no clergyman in the s.h.i.+p.”

”But the captain of a vessel may act as a clergyman under the circ.u.mstances,” said I.

”I don't believe it, Herbert.”

”But see here, Grace,” said I, speaking earnestly but softly, for there were ears not far distant, ”it is not likely that we should regard the captain's celebration of our marriage here as more than something that will strengthen our hands for the struggle with your aunt. Until we have been joined by a clergyman in proper s.h.i.+pshape fas.h.i.+on, as Captain Parsons himself might say, we shall not be man and wife; but then, my darling, consider this: first of all it is in the highest degree probable that a marriage performed on board a s.h.i.+p by her captain is legal. Next, that your aunt would suppose we regarded the union as legal, when of course she would be forced to conclude we considered ourselves man and wife. Would she then _dare_ come between us? Her consent must be wrung from her by this politic stroke of s.h.i.+pboard wedding that to her mind would be infinitely more significant than our a.s.sociation in the yacht. She will go about and inquire if a s.h.i.+pboard wedding is legal; her lawyers will answer her as best they can, but their advice will be, secure your niece by sending your consent to Penzance, that she may be legitimately married in an English Church by a Church of England clergyman.”

She listened thoughtfully, but with an air of childish simplicity that was inexpressibly touching to my love for her.

”It would be merely a ceremony,” said she, leaning her cheek on her hand, ”to strengthen your appeal to Aunt Amelia?”

”Wholly, my darling.”

”Well, dearest,” said she gently, ”if you wish it--”

I could have taken her to my heart for her ready compliance. I had expected a resolved refusal, and had promised myself some hours that evening and next day of exhortation, entreaty, representation. I was indeed hot on the project, and even as I talked to her I felt my enthusiasm growing. Secretly I had no doubt whatever that Captain Parsons was empowered as master of a British merchantman to marry us, and though, as I had told her, I should consider the ceremony as simply an additional weapon for fighting Aunt Amelia with, yet as a contract it might securely bind us too; we were to be parted only by the action of the aunt; this I felt a.s.sured, for the sake of her niece's fame and future and for her own name, her ladys.h.i.+p would never attempt; so that from the moment the captain ended the service, Grace would be my wife to all intents and purposes, which indeed was all we had in view when we glided out of Boulogne harbour in the poor little _Spitfire_.

However, though she had sweetly and promptly consented, a great deal remained to talk about. I repeated all that Captain Parsons, and all that Mr. Higginson had said, and when we had exhausted the subject we naturally spoke of our prospects of quitting the _Carthusian_; and one subject suggesting another, we sat chatting till about nine o'clock, at which hour the stewards arrived with wine and grog and biscuits; whereupon the pa.s.sengers put away their books and chess boards and gathered about the table, effectually ending our _tete-a-tete_. Then Mrs. Barstow arrived, followed by Miss Moggadore. I took the former lady aside, leaving Grace in charge of the acidulated gentlewoman with the curls.

”Miss Bella.s.sys tells me,” said I, ”that you have warmly counselled her to allow Captain Parsons to marry us. You are very good. You could not do us a greater service than by giving such advice. She has consented, asking only that the ceremony shall be privately performed in the captain's cabin.”

”She is very young,” replied Mrs. Barstow, ”too young I fear to realise her position. I am a mother, Mr. Barclay, and my sympathies are entirely with your charming sweetheart. Under such conditions as we find her in we must all wish to see her married. Were her mother living, I am sure that would be her desire.”

”Were her mother living,” said I, ”there would have been no elopement.”

She inclined her head with a cordial gesture.

”Miss Bella.s.sys,” said she, ”has been very candid. As a mother myself, I must blame her; but as a woman--” she shook her head smiling.

”We are fortunate indeed,” I exclaimed, ”in falling into the hands of people so sympathetic and upright as yourself, and Captain Parsons. I only wish that I could thoroughly persuade myself that a marriage performed by a s.h.i.+pmaster is legal.”

”Oh, I think you may--I am sure you may. But your first step, Mr.

Barclay, when you get ash.o.r.e, must be to get your cousin to re-marry you.”