The White Gauntlet Part 31

Marion flung the coifed hood over her head; drew the coverchief forward to shade the sun from her face--perchance also to hide the virgin blush which her thoughts had called forth; and, gliding down stairs, pa.s.sed out on her pretended errand.

If she had either desire, or design, to find those she went forth to seek, she was destined to disappointment. Indeed her search was not likely to have been successful: for, on issuing from the house, she went only in one particular direction--the most unlikely one for Walter and Lora Lovelace to have taken at that hour: since it was a path that led directly to the western entrance of the park.

Had she sought the old Saxon camp, it is probable she would have found the missing pair, though more than probable, that neither would have thanked her for her pains.

As it was, she took the opposite way; and, after traversing a long stretch of avenue with slow lingering steps, she found herself near that old ivy-grown gateway that opened upon the Oxford high-road.

Apparently terrified at having strayed so far, at such a late hour--for the sun was now hidden behind the trees--she faced round, and commenced retracing her steps towards the mansion.

True, there was an expression upon her face resembling fear; but it was not that of alarm at the late hour, nor the distance that lay between her and the dwelling. Rather was it the fear one feels in doing some act that may expose to censure or shame.

Marion Wade was upon the eve of committing such an act. She had long since abandoned the idea of that self-deception--with which upon starting forth she had tried to still the scruples of her conscience.

She was no longer looking for Lora Lovelace or Walter Wade; but for one who was now dearer to her than either cousin or brother. She was waiting for Henry Holtspur--that n.o.ble cavalier, whose graceful image had taken complete possession of her heart--waiting and watching for him, with all the eagerness that a powerful pa.s.sion can inspire.

It was still only twilight; and any one, coming down the avenue, might have noticed a white object, appearing at intervals round the stems of the trees that skirted the path. This object would remain stationary for a moment, and be then withdrawn--to appear again at another point, a little nearer to the house. A good eye might have told it to be the head of a woman, wearing a white hood--the graceful coif or coverchief of the time.

Henry Holtspur observed it as he rode down the slope of the hill--after having taken leave of Sir Marmaduke Wade. He simply supposed it to be some peasant girl coming up the path--for in such a light, and at such distance, who could tell the difference between a cottager and a queen?

Had he known who it was--had he suspected the bright object moving like a meteor from tree to tree was the beautiful Marion Wade, it would have sent the blood tingling from the stirrups under his feet to the crown of his head.

No such suspicion was in his mind. He was too busy chafing at the disappointment of having left the house, without seeing her, to imagine for a moment that such a splendid fortune was still in store for him.

And the blood _did_ tingle from the stirrups beneath his feet to the crown of his head--thrilled through every vein of his body--as, arriving opposite to the advancing form, he perceived it to be no peasant, but the peerless Marion Wade--she so exclusively occupying his thoughts.

To check his steed to a stand, as if threatened by some sudden danger-- to raise the beaver from his head, and bow to the peak of his saddle-- were acts that proceeded rather from instinct than any reasoned design.

At the same instant escaped from his lips, partially in salute, and partially as if elicited by surprise, the words--

"Mistress Marion Wade!" There was an interval of embarra.s.sment; how could it be otherwise?

It was brief. Henry Holtspur was over thirty years of age, and Marion Wade had escaped from her teens. The pa.s.sion that had sprung up between them was not the fond fancy of boyhood or girlhood. On his side it was the love of manhood; on hers an affection with a man for its object--a man mature, with a past to be proud of--one in whose face and features could be traced the souvenirs of gallant deeds--whose romantic mien betrayed a type of heroism not to be mistaken.

With Marion it was her first affection--the first that could be called real. With Holtspur perhaps, it was to be the last love of his life-- ever the strongest: since the heart then can hope for no other.

It was not the place of the maiden to speak first; and, though scarce knowing what to say, Holtspur made an effort to break the spell of that hesitating silence.

"Pardon me, for interrupting your walk!" said he, seeing that she had stopped, and stood facing him; "It is but fair to confess that I have been wis.h.i.+ng for an opportunity of speaking with you. The unlucky incident of yesterday--of which I believe you were a spectator--hindered me from meeting you again; and I was just reflecting upon having experienced a similar misfortune to-day, when you appeared. I hope, Mistress Wade you will not be offended at being thus waylaid?"

"Oh! certainly not," answered she, slightly surprised, if not piqued, by the somewhat business-like candour of his speeches. "You have been on a visit to my father, I believe?"

"I have," replied the cavalier, equally chilled by the indifferent character of the question.

"I hope, sir," said Marion, throwing a little more warmth into her manner, "you received no hurt from your encounter of yesterday?"

"Thanks, Mistress Marion! not the slightest; except, indeed--"

"Except what, sir?" inquired the lady, with a look of alarm.

"Only that I looked for fair eyes to smile upon my poor victory."

"If mine deceived me not, you were not disappointed. There was one who not only smiled upon it, but seemed desirous to crown it with flowers!

It was but natural: since it was in her defence you drew your sword, brave sir."

"Ah!" responded the cavalier, appearing for the first time to remember the incident of the flower presentation. "You speak of the peasant girl who represented Maid Marian? I believe she did force some flowers into my hand; though she owed me less grat.i.tude than she thinks for. It was not to champion her that I took up the quarrel; but rather to punish a swaggerer. In truth I had quite forgotten the episode of the flowers."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Marion, a flush of joy suffusing her face, which she seemed endeavouring to conceal. "Is it thus you reward grat.i.tude?

Methinks, Sir, you should value it at a higher price!"

"It depends," said the cavalier, rather puzzled for a reply, "on whether grat.i.tude has been deserved. For my part I consider myself as altogether without any claim to the grat.i.tude of the girl. The conduct of the cuira.s.sier captain was a slight to all on the ground. But now, since I have come to confession, I should say that it was in the interest of others I _took up the gauntlet_ against him."

Marion glanced at the little glove set coquettishly in the crown of the cavalier's hat. She fancied that he laid a significant emphasis on the figurative phrase, "took up the gauntlet." Her glance, however, was quick and furtive--as if fearful of betraying the sweet thoughts his words had suggested.

There was a pause in the conversation--another interval of hesitating silence, when neither knew what to say--each fearing to risk the compromise of a trivial remark.

Marion had recalled the introductory speech of the cavalier. She had it upon her tongue to demand from him its meaning; when the latter relieved her by resuming the discourse.

"Yes," he said, "there are occasions when one does not deserve grat.i.tude, even for what may appear an honest act; as, for instance, one who has found something that has been lost, and returns it to the owner, only after long delay, and with great reluctance."

As Holtspur spoke, he pointed to the glove in his hat. Marion's face betrayed a strange mixture of emotion--half distressed, half triumphant.

She was too much embarra.s.sed to make answer.

The cavalier continued his figurative discourse.

"The finder having no right to the thing found, it should be given up.

That is but simple honesty, and scarce deserving of thanks. For example, I have picked up this pretty gauntlet; and, however much I might wish to keep it--as a souvenir of one of the happiest moments of _my_ existence--I feel constrained, by all the rules of honour and honesty, to restore it to its rightful owner--unless that owner, knowing how much I prize it, will consent to my keeping it."

Holtspur bent low in his saddle, and listened attentively for the rejoinder.

"Keep it!" said Marion, abandoning all affectation of ignorance as to his meaning, and accompanying the a.s.sent with a gracious smile. "Keep it, sir, if it so please you."

Then, as if fearing that she had surrendered too freely, she added in a tone of _naivete_,--"It would be no longer of any use to me--since I have lost the other--its fellow."

This last announcement counteracted the pleasant impression which her consent had produced; and once more precipitated Henry Holtspur into the sea of uncertainty.

"No longer of any use to her," thought he, repeating her words. "If that be her only motive for bestowing it, then will it be no longer of any value to me."

He felt something like chagrin. He was almost on the point of returning the doubtful token.

"Perhaps," said he, hesitatingly, "I have offended, by keeping it so long without your consent--and more by displaying it as I have done.

For the former I might claim excuse: on the plea that I had no opportunity of restoring it. But for the latter I fear I can offer no justification. I can only plead the promptings of a vain hope--of a pa.s.sion, that I now believe to be hopeless, as it will be deemed presumptive."

The tone of despondency in which this speech was delivered, struck sweetly on the ear of Marion Wade. It had the true ring of love's utterance; and she intuitively recognised it. She could scarce conceal her joy as she made rejoinder:--

"Why should I be offended, either at your detaining the glove, or wearing it?" As she said this she regarded the cavalier with a forgiving smile. "The first was unavoidable; the other I ought to esteem an honour. Setting store by a lady's favour is not the way, sir, to offend her."