Part 31 (2/2)

She caught the sounds she had been listening for at length, and her heart seemed to come into her mouth. The beat of the horses' hoofs became as regular as the ticking of a clock. Nearer and nearer drew the sounds, till the maid stopped her brus.h.i.+ng, and listened.

”They are coming,” she said, with a little catch in her breath. ”I did not think they would be here so soon,” and she dropped the brushes, and began to twist Madeline's glorious hair into a large coil low on her neck.

”You need not hurry,” Madeline said, quietly; ”I shall not go downstairs till just before dinner.”

”Her ladys.h.i.+p is dressed already,” the maid answered.

”Naturally,” she answered, significantly, and relapsed into silence.

A few minutes later they heard the gritting of the carriage wheels on the drive. It curved round under Madeline's window, and pulled up at the front door.

She listened for the sound of voices, but Sir Charles and his son alighted in silence. Then a little shrill cry of delight was wafted up from the hall as Lady Tregony fell into her son's arms. The next moment the harsh, raucous voice of the captain echoed distinctly through all the rooms.

Madeline felt her heart give a sudden bound. How often she had heard that voice in her dreams, and thrilled at the sound--not a musical voice, by any means, not a voice to lure and soothe, but a voice to command; a voice to inspire confidence and awaken fear at the same time.

Then a knock came to the door, and Beryl rushed in. ”Gervase has come, dear,” she said, excitedly.

”Yes, I heard his voice.”

”But are you not coming down at once?”

”I cannot very well,” she answered, with a smile.

”But he will be terribly disappointed. His first inquiry was for you.”

”We shall meet in the drawing-room before dinner is announced.”

”But what must I tell him?”

”Anything you like, dear.”

Beryl departed with a pout, and a look of disappointment in her eyes. A little later there was a sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs.

Madeline disappointed her maid by insisting on wearing her least becoming evening gown, and the only ornament she wore was a bunch of holly berries in her hair.

She went downstairs alone, and was surprised to find the drawing-room empty. Where Lady Tregony and Beryl had taken themselves to she could not imagine. A big fire of logs was blazing in the grate, and in all the sconces candles were alight. She expected every moment that either Beryl or Lady Tregony would come to her; they were both dressed, and there was no reason whatever that they should remain in their rooms.

After several minutes had gone by she began to suspect the truth. They were keeping away so that she might meet Gervase alone. It was very thoughtful of them certainly, but it was taking rather too much for granted. She disliked so many evidences of management and contrivance.

If Providence was arranging all these matters she could not see why Providence might not be allowed a free hand. So much human a.s.sistance did not seem at all necessary.

She was beginning to feel a little bit resentful when the door was thrown suddenly open, and Gervase entered. For a moment she started back with unfeigned surprise. She had expected seeing him in all the glory and splendour of his uniform, and here he was in ordinary evening dress, looking as common-place as any average country squire. The only splendid thing about him was his moustache, which was waxed out to its fullest dimensions.

”Madeline,” he said, huskily, coming hurriedly forward, with outstretched hands. ”This is the supreme moment of my life.”

She placed both her hands in his, and looked him steadily in the eyes.

She was quite calm again now. Her heart had ceased its wild gallop.

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