Part 39 (1/2)
”Thousands.”
”Won't you be seated, sir? Let me take your hat. Mariqui--ta!” she cried, with remarkable volubility. The guest was clearly ent.i.tled to be treated with honour.
Mariquita entered hastily, expecting to be chidden, then paused shyly, seeing who was there.
”Shamefaced, come; don't you know this gentleman?” said her aunt, encouragingly. ”Entertain him, little one, while I fetch your uncle.”
”What does it mean?” asked Mariquita, in amazement, as soon as she could release herself from her lover's embrace. ”You here, Stanislas: my aunt approving! Am I mad or asleep?”
”Neither, dearest. She sees a chance of profit out of me--that's all.
I will not baulk her. She deserves it for leaving us alone,” and he would have taken her again into his arms.
”No, no! Enough, Stanislas!” said the sweet girl, blus.h.i.+ng a rosy red.
”Sit there and be quiet. Tell me of yourself: why you are here. The war, then, is over? The Holy Saints be praised! How I hated that war!”
”Do not say that, love! It has been the making of me.”
”Nothing would compensate me for all that I have suffered these last few months.”
”But I have gained my promotion and much more. I can offer you now a far higher position. You will be a lady, a great lady, some day!”
”It matters little, my Stanislas, so long as I am with you. I would have been content to share your lot, however humble, anywhere.”
This was her simple, unquestioning faith. Her love filled all her being. She belonged, heart and soul, to this man.
”You will not leave me again, Stanislas?” she went on, with tender insistence.
”My sweet, I must go back. My duty is there, in the Crimea, with my comrades--with the army of my Queen.”
”But if anything should happen to you--they may hurt you, kill you!”
”Darling, there is no fear. Be brave.”
”Oh, Stanislas! Suppose I should lose you--life would be an utter blank after that; I have no one in the world but you.”
McKay was greatly touched by this proof of her deep-seated affection.
”It is only for a little while longer, my sweetest girl! Be patient and hopeful to the end. By-and-by we shall come together, never to part again.”
”I am weak, foolish--too loving, perhaps. But, Stanislas, I cannot bear to part with you. Let me go too!”
”Dearest, that is quite impossible.”
”If I was only near you--”
”What! you--a tender woman--in that wild land, amidst all its dangers and trials!”
”I should fear nothing if it was for you, Stanislas. I would give you my life; I would lay it down freely for you.”