Part 33 (2/2)

There was so much to say and tell! All their thoughts and hopes about each other from the very first must be mutually related, all the hidden secrets laid bare.

”Did you really think that of me, sweetheart? Oh, if I'd only known!...”

”But I wasn't different to other girls, really, darling. It was only because you, you loved me!”

Happy, roseate moments! Perhaps they are the best and finest which life has to give, that G.o.d bestows upon his servants here below.

The door opened, and a little group of people entered the room--Lady Kirwan, Sir Augustus, Marjorie, and with them Joseph himself.

No one spoke for a moment. The new-comers all saw that the lovers were sitting hand in hand, that a declaration had been made.

Then pretty Marjorie, regardless of form or ceremony or the presence of the rest, ran to her cousin, put her arms round her neck, and kissed her.

”Oh, you dear darling!” she said; ”I am so glad--oh, so, so happy!”

It was most prettily and spontaneously done. Nothing could have been more natural, charming or welcome.

There were tears in Sir Augustus' eyes, as that genial, kind-hearted worldling held out his hand to Sir Thomas Ducaine.

”I congratulate you, my dear boy,” he said heartily. ”I see how it is with my dear niece and you. I love Mary like a daughter, and there are few people to whom I would rather trust her than to you. G.o.d bless you both! Mary, love, come and kiss your uncle.”

There was a hum of excited, happy talk, and then Sir Augustus, a man who had had always a great sense of ”celebrating” events by some time-honored ceremony, suddenly said:

”Now we'll have a drink out of the loving-cup to Mary and Sir Thomas.”

n.o.body there wanted wine, but no one liked to baulk the genial and excited old gentleman. But, just as he was about to press the bell and give the order, Sir Augustus suddenly paused. He looked at Joseph, for whom, by this time, he had acquired considerable regard, not unmixed with fear, though quite dest.i.tute of any real understanding of him.

”Oh--er--Mr. Joseph,” he said, ”I hope you won't mind----”

Sir Augustus had an idea that religion and teetotalism were the same thing and were inseparable. He was quite unable to differentiate between the two, no doubt because he knew absolutely nothing of either.

”Mind, Sir Augustus!” Joseph said, in surprise. ”Why should I mind, and for what reason?”

The baronet did not quite know what to answer. ”Oh, well, you know,” he said at length. ”I had an idea that you might object. Never mind.”

Joseph laughed. The grave and beautiful face seemed singularly happy.

Care had pa.s.sed from it for a time; he looked with eyes of love at Mary and Sir Thomas, with eyes of blessing and of love. The stern denunciator of evil, the prophet and evangelist of G.o.d, who warned the world of its wickedness, had disappeared. In his stead was the kindly friend rejoicing in the joy of those who were dear to him.

A servant brought a great two-handled gold cup, which had been filled with wine.

Sir Augustus handed it to Lady Kirwan. The dame lifted the heavy chalice, jewelled with great amethysts, which had been presented to her husband by the Corporation of the City of London.

”My dear, dear niece,” she said, while the tears gathered in her eyes; ”I drink to your continual happiness, and to the name I bore, and which you bear now, the n.o.ble name of Lys!”

Then Sir Augustus took the cup. ”To my pretty Mary, whom I love as if she were a child of mine!” said the good man; ”and to you, Tom Ducaine, who will make her a true husband, and are a gallant lover.”

He pa.s.sed the cup to his daughter Marjorie. The girl lifted it, looked straight at Mary Lys with a curious meaning and intentness in her eyes, and then said, ”With my love of your true love on this happiest of all happy hours.”

<script>