King of the Castle Part 89

Only a few minutes' conversation, and he was gone.

A fortnight later he was there again, and the stay was a little longer; but there was always the same shrinking show of respect for her, and even Mary could say nothing.

And so time wore on, till the coming of the yacht and a stay for at least a few days was no uncommon thing.

"No, I wouldn't say a word," said Gellow, in conference with his man.

"Keep quiet, dear boy, till she gets back, even if it's months yet, and then strike home."

"But I'm getting sick of it."

"Never mind, dear boy. It's a very big stake, and I can't understand, seeing what a darling she is, how you shy at her so. No other reason, have you?"

"No, no," said Glyddyr hurriedly.

"But it looks as if you had, even when you say no. But there, it's all right. Give her plenty of time. You have hooked her. If you are hasty now, she'll break away, and never take the fly again. Wait till she goes back into her own quiet little groove. Then be quite ready; job the landing-net under her with a sure and steady hand, and though she'll kick and struggle a bit, and try to leap back into deep water, the pretty little goldfish will be yours. And well earned, too."

So Glyddyr waited his time, knew exactly when Claude would return home, and was ready to incite the fishermen and the workers at the quarry to get up a reception in her honour.

This was done, and as Chris Lisle stayed at home, gnawing his lips with agony, he knew that flags and banners were being strung across from house to house, that yachts' guns were to be fired, and that the band from Toxeter was to be there.

It was short time for preparation, but enthusiasm was at high pressure, and the first dawning Chris had of the hour at which Claude would return was given by the band.

For a moment he hesitated. Jealousy said stay, but the old boyish love carried all before it, and, reckless of the lowering looks which greeted him, he hurried along the beach, and made for the Fort, so as to be one of the first to welcome its mistress back.

The bells in the little church began to ring musically, for Glyddyr had well done his work, and then the guns were fired, and as this was supplemented by the distant music, a fierce pang shot through Chris Lisle's heart.

"Why did I not think to do all this?"

He went on, and joined the little crowd by the gateway of the Fort, where the school children were in front, ready with handkerchiefs and coloured ribbons, for there were no flowers to be had.

As he approached to take his stand by the gate, the children began to cheer, and he bit his lip angrily as he heard them rebuked and hushed into silence.

But he forgot all this directly, for fresh firing and the nearing of the band told that Claude must be close at hand--she for whom his heart yearned--she whom his eyes longed to see, and they grew dim in the excitement, as, forgetful of all past trouble, he strained them to catch her first glance.

Would she smile at him? Would she stop and stretch out her hands, and in spite of all those gathered around her, should he clasp her in his arms?

All excited thoughts, as there was the cras.h.i.+ng sound of wheels, the loud cheering caught up now by the children as the carriage which had been to meet her rolled slowly up toward the gateway.

At last. Bending forward with her pale face flushed, her eyes humid, and her black gloved hand waving her white kerchief in answer to the bursts of cheers.

Chris strained forward, and was about to press up to the carriage-door as it came slowly into the gateway to avoid crus.h.i.+ng those who flocked round.

"Three cheers for the Queen of the Castle!" cried a loud voice; and then to Chris Lisle it was as if heaven and earth had come together.

For the voice was the voice of Glyddyr, who had risen from his seat beside Claude, unseen till then; and as the answering chorus rang out, sick almost unto death, his brain swimming and a dull throbbing at his breast, Chris shrank away without encountering Claude Gartram's eyes, veiled almost to blindness by her tears.

Volume Three, Chapter XII.

CONSCIENCE p.r.i.c.kING.

"It does seem so hard to think that we have been away all these months, Claudie," said Mary the next morning. "Aren't you glad to be back once more in the dear old home?"

"Yes, dear; and no," said Claude sadly.

"Now, who is to understand what that means? But, Claude, dear, I did not speak last night--"

"What about," said Claude quickly.

"I don't like to say. The subject is tabooed."

Claude turned toward the window, so that her cousin should not see her face.

"The last time I mentioned his name you scolded me."

Claude remained silent.

"Did you see him yesterday when we came up to the gate?"

"No."

"He was there, and coming up to the carriage when he saw Mr Glyddyr get up to call for three cheers, and then he shrank away."

Claude s.h.i.+vered, as if from a sudden chill, but she remained silent.

"May I say what I think?" asked Mary.

Claude turned upon her an agonised look.

"If you wish to give me pain," she said, almost in a whisper; and at that moment Sarah Woodham entered the room.

"Mr Glyddyr, ma'am. He asks you to excuse his calling so early, but if you would see him for a few minutes he would be grateful."

The s.h.i.+ver ran through Claude again, but she smothered her emotion.

"Show Mr Glyddyr in," she said calmly, and Sarah Woodham's face grew harder as she left the room.

"What are you going to say, Claude?" said Mary quickly.

"Say?"

"Yes. Why do you put on that air of ignorance? You know why he has come."

"Mary!"

"Yes, I will speak. All these quiet calls have meant that, I am sure.

He has only been waiting till you came home to ask you to be his wife."

"Hus.h.!.+"