Part 21 (1/2)
”Why, no!” Alice felt the momentary fear vanish in an unaccountable way.
”And you trust me even though you have known me such a short time?
Remember, you have only met me once, Miss Enistor.” He loosened his soft, rea.s.suring grasp and leaned back in his chair.
”I do trust you,” said the girl promptly, ”you have been kind to Douglas.”
”Is that the sole reason?”
Alice stared at him doubtfully. ”It is the only reason I can give. No one but a good man and a kind friend would have saved Douglas's life as you did.”
”Perhaps no, perhaps yes,” said the doctor enigmatically, ”but I advised our friend here to keep Lady Staunton's money. My interest in him may not be so philanthropic as you imagine it to be.”
”Doctor!” said Montrose indignantly, ”how can you talk so?”
”Hus.h.!.+” Eberstein threw up his hand. ”I want Miss Enistor to speak.”
”What can I say but that I trust you? I am sure there is some good reason why Douglas should keep my aunt's money. You would not have advised him to keep it otherwise.”
”But if your father pointed out that he should have enjoyed the fortune and that I wish Montrose to keep it so that I can make use of the money through him? What then?”
”Still I must believe in you and trust you,” persisted Alice steadily.
”My father does not want the fortune.” Eberstein smiled slightly. ”Oh, I a.s.sure you he does not. He has said nothing about it. As to doubting you, doctor, he does not know you.”
”He will some day and then he may doubt me. Remember when he does and tries to turn you against me that I have foretold the possibility of such a warning. You say you will trust me. Good! I accept the a.s.surance.
Montrose?”
”I believe in you now as I always have done,” said the young man eagerly. ”I don't understand why you are talking in this way, though.”
”You don't understand many things at present,” said Eberstein dryly; ”when you do, pain will come with the knowledge. Necessary pain. Go to Cornwall and meet Mr. Enistor. While the sun still s.h.i.+nes you will not see me. But when dark clouds obscure the light, then I shall be at your side.”
”You will come to Cornwall?” asked Alice quickly.
”When the need arises.”
”Will it arise?”
Eberstein looked from one to the other quietly. ”Yes! The need will arise.”
”What need?” demanded Montrose, bewildered.
”Enough for the day is the evil thereof,” said Eberstein serenely, ”and that also applies to the good. All is well with you as yet, so enjoy the pa.s.sing moment and draw from peace the necessary strength for conflict.
Gold must be refined in the fire, and you must both be cast into the furnace. Yet be not afraid. The same G.o.d who saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego will save you. You are neither of you afraid,” he ended positively.
Arm in arm the lovers stood and they glanced at one another as the doctor spoke. ”We are not afraid,” they declared simultaneously, and spoke the truth.
”Behold then,” said Eberstein solemnly, ”how great is Love which can cast out fear!” and over them he made the holy sign.