Part 49 (1/2)

d.i.c.k spoke to him again, but Glen did not hear his words in the anger that had taken possession of him. He had, against his will, allowed himself to be swayed by Clotilde, and carried on the clandestine correspondence that was repugnant to his frank nature; and now he blamed himself for his conduct.

”Look here, d.i.c.k,” he cried at last, ”we have been behaving like a couple of foolish boys ashamed of their feelings, and the consequence is we have been unable to take the part of those two when they have been urged to accept proposals by their aunts.”

”Don't say _they_; it is only Clotilde.”

”I'll wager it is Marie as well, my boy; else why did you get your note back?”

d.i.c.k looked staggered, and gazed in his friend's face.

”I say, you know, what are you going to do?” he said it last.

”Going straight to the private apartments to see the aunts. Come with me?”

”What, to meet the old dragons, and talk about it?”

”Yes, of course. It is cowardly to hold back.”

”That's--er--a matter of opinion,” said d.i.c.k, who looked uneasy. ”I-- er--don't think it would be quite wise to go.”

”As you like!” said Glen shortly; and before the boy could quite realise the position the door swung back heavily and his visitor was gone.

”Well,” said d.i.c.k thoughtfully, ”I could go through a good deal for Marie's sake, and would give a good deal to see her now, but face those two old Gorgons? No, not this time; I'd rather take a header into the Thames any day, and I don't believe Glen has gone, after all.”

But he had gone straight to the private apartments, rung, and sent in his card to where the Honourable Misses Dymc.o.x were discussing preparations for the marriage, with their nieces in the room.

”Captain Glen!” exclaimed the Honourable Philippa, starting as she read the card; ”so early! What can he want?”

Marie glanced at her sister, and saw that she looked flushed and excited; but as soon as Clotilde found that she was observed, she returned a fierce, defiant glance at Marie's inquisitive eyes.

”Had--hadn't we better say 'Not at home'?” whispered the Honourable Isabella.

”No: it would be cowardly,” replied her sister. ”Joseph, you can show up Captain Glen.”

Clotilde rose and left the room, and Marie was following, but her aunt arrested her.

”No, my dear, I would rather you would stay,” she exclaimed; and full of sympathy, but at the same time unable to control a sense of gladness at her heart, Marie resumed her seat just as Ruth entered the room.

The next moment Glen was shown in, and after the customary salutations and commonplace remarks asked for a few minutes' conversation with the ladies alone.

The Honourable Philippa was a good deal fluttered, but she preserved her dignity, and signed to Marie and Ruth to withdraw, the former darting a look full of meaning as she pa.s.sed Marcus, who hastened to open the door, the latter glancing up at him for a moment, and he smiled back in her face, which was full of sympathy for him in his pain.

Glen closed the door in the midst of a chilling silence, and returned to his seat facing the thin sisters, feeling that the task he had undertaken was anything but the most pleasant under the sun.

He was, however, too much stirred to hesitate, and he began in so downright a manner that he completely overset the balance--already tottering--of the Honourable Isabella, who felt so sympathetic that she was affected to tears.

”I wished to have a few minutes' conversation, ladies,” he said, in rather a quick, peremptory tone, ”respecting a question very near to my heart, and concerning my future happiness. Let me say, then, plainly, in what is meant to be a manly, straightforward fas.h.i.+on, that I love your niece Clotilde, and I have come to ask your consent to my being a constant visitor here.”

The Honourable Isabella could not suppress it: a faint sigh struggled to her lips, and floated away upon the chilly air of that dismal room, like the precursor of the shower that trembled upon the lashes of her eyes.

”Captain Glen!” cried the Honourable Philippa, making an effort to overcome her own nervousness, and dreading a scene on the part of this downright young man, ”you astound me!”