LI E> R.ARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 U NIVLRSITY 
 
 or ILLINOIS 
 
 823 
 l-98T2^ 
 
 V.I 
 
 J
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 31 fiml 
 
 BY 
 
 ANNETTE LYSTER 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 "Ronton : 
 
 SAMUEL TINSLEY, 
 
 10, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. 
 
 1877. 
 
 {Ail Rights Reserved.)
 
 
 n;,'. 
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ^S) 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ""Well caught, well caught, Haidee! Now 
 -^ then, throw it back." 
 cB The voice might have passed for a wo- 
 
 \ man's, It was so low and sweet ; but the 
 ■ '• speaker was a bo}^ and he " called to his sister 
 
 ^ in ^lee," though the elee was of a restrained 
 ^ and somewhat timid cast. 
 
 3 The child obeyed, but throwing the ball with 
 y^ more zeal than forethought, she contrived to 
 
 ^ fling it into the basin of a huge fountain which 
 "^ occupied the centre of the stately terrace where 
 she and her brother were playing. 
 
 c " There now, you've been and done It again," 
 
 ^ the boy exclaimed in a tone of remonstrance. 
 
 s She replied by a laugh so carelessly happy 
 
 ;^ that It was delio^htful to listen to. 
 
 ^ VOL. L I
 
 2 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' Fish It out, Single ; don't let us lose our 
 playtime. You can't reach It from the edge ; 
 you must go in again." 
 
 " For the fourth time to-day, Miss Trelawney. 
 If I don't turn Into a merman, or get eaten by the 
 gold-fish, It is not your fault. Here goes, however." 
 
 The speaker pulled off his shoes and stock- 
 ings, tucked up his trousers, and went to the 
 rescue of the ball, which was floating about 
 serenely near the centre of the great basin. 
 
 " You are horribly wet, Single," said his 
 sister, when he was again on dry land. 
 
 " Horribly 1 no, don't exaggerate, miss ; only 
 a little, and I don't mind it ; the day is so hot. 
 Holloa, Haidee ! here's John. I suppose Sir 
 Lionel has come home too — let's be off" 
 
 " I suppose so," she replied, with a sudden 
 change In voice and manner. " Make haste, 
 Single ; sit down here and get on your shoes 
 quickly." 
 
 All their childish glee and merriment had van- 
 ished utterly, which, considering that Sir Lionel 
 was their father, told a tale concerning him. 
 
 The new comer, John Trelawney, who had 
 come out of the house by a side-door, stood 
 at some distance with his hands in the pockets 
 of his shooting-jacket. 
 
 Before I go any further I must give you
 
 RIDING .OUT THE GALE. 3 
 
 some necessary Information concerning these 
 three young Trelawneys. Singleton and his 
 sister were the children of Sir Lionel Tre- 
 lawney, of Trelawney Abbey, near Plymouth ; 
 John, the son of a distant relative, was Sir 
 Lionel's ward. Any stranger, seeing the 
 three together, would have concluded at once 
 that Haldee and John were the brother and 
 sister, and Singleton the distant cousin : a 
 superficial observer would have pronounced 
 that these two were very much alike. There 
 was the same transparently fair complexion 
 which the fiercest sun never seemed to 
 darken ; the same grey-blue eyes, with dark- 
 brov/n lashes, the same golden hair, curling 
 naturally, the same uncommon height. And 
 yet with all these points of resemblance there 
 was a marvellous unlikeness. The little girl's 
 face was of an almost perfect beauty, even 
 now at twelve years old ; her broad, white 
 forehead and eyes bright with intelligence 
 redeemed it from the charge of insipidity, to 
 which such perfect regularity of feature is 
 sometimes open. Her cousin's eyes, less 
 clear and bright than hers, were also set a 
 little too closely together; his forehead was 
 higher and narrower than hers, and his expres- 
 sion lacked her sunny sweetness. Still, they
 
 4 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 were like each other, and Hke the family ; while 
 Sincrleton, the heir, resembled no Trelawney 
 whom any one could remember ; he did not 
 even look like an Encrlishman. He was four- 
 teen — only a few months younger than John, of 
 whose height, however, he wanted at least four 
 inches. Dark with a most un-English darkness, 
 slight, and delicate ; with features neither regu- 
 lar nor beautiful, with the exception of the over- 
 sensitive, pathetic mouth, and eyes so lovely 
 that you forgot all the rest in marvelling at 
 them. Eyes so dark and shaded by lashes so 
 black and heavy that the colour was a matter of 
 conjecture, and it seemed difficult for the boy to 
 raise his glance fairly to your face ; but when he 
 did so raise it, the effect was magical. These 
 splendid dark blue eyes were so wondrously 
 expressive, so unspeakably sad, unless, indeed, 
 you caught the sudden, rare smile which seemed 
 to transform his face, making it for one moment 
 bright and joyous. But the smile was seldom 
 seen ; too often, alas ! the most remarkable 
 change to be observed in his expression was 
 from Its usual sad quiet to the most furious 
 anger. Then the dark, delicate face would 
 glow as if it were transparent, and showed a 
 white light from within ; then every trace of the 
 lovely dark blue would fade from the eyes,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 5 
 
 leaving them flashing grey and cold,Hke poHshed 
 steel. He had a most passionate temper, this 
 poor boy ; and so far in his life he had no more 
 idea that he ouorht to control it than a madman 
 might have had. 
 
 I have said enough now by way of introduc- 
 tion, and shall let the three young people speak 
 for themselves. 
 
 John Trelawney drew near to his cousins, 
 with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, and 
 a contemptuous smile upon his face. 
 
 " Here you are, Darkey !" he began, stopping 
 beside Singleton, who, seated on the stone 
 border of the fountain, was hurriedly pulling on 
 his shoes and stockings. " Here's my Darkey, 
 as usual, playing with its little sister and its 
 innocent ball ! Are you ever going to leave off 
 being a baby ?" 
 
 To this insulting question Singleton made no 
 answer, except by the involuntary quivering of 
 his sensitive lips ; but Haidee answered angrily: 
 
 '' He's no more a baby than you are, you 
 John !" 
 
 " Let him talk, Haidee ; never mind him, 
 I'll be even with him one day." 
 
 " £ve7i with him," she answered, with infinite 
 contempt. " Never, Singleton ! that would be 
 lowering yourself indeed."
 
 .RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '* Lowering himself, Haidee !" exclaimed 
 John sharply. '' And pray in what am I lower 
 than he is ?" 
 
 ''In everything," was the prompt reply, given 
 with a flash of the girl's blue eyes. 
 
 '' Indeed ! Well, I don t seem to see it ; and 
 I don't expect you'll find many agree with you. 
 Why, look at him ! playing ball with a girl in- 
 stead of coming out shooting with Sir Lionel." 
 
 '' You know very well how it happens that he 
 does not go out shooting ; and as to playing 
 ball, he did that to please me. It will be a long 
 time before you do anything to please any one 
 but yourself If to be disobliging and disagree- 
 able makes people grand, you're very grand 
 indeed, John. Are you ready. Singleton ?" 
 
 " I'm ready, let us go," Singleton answered 
 shortly. 
 
 Haidee knew the tone, and caught the flash 
 of his eyes through the thick lashes : she laid 
 her hand upon his arm and drew him gently 
 away. 
 
 " That's right, my hero," shouted John ; '' run 
 away — that's your sort. Here ! the babies 
 have left their precious toy — take it with you." 
 
 They had left their ball on the grass, and 
 John now flung it after them. It hit Haidee 
 rather sharply, and John laughed loudly, there-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. / 
 
 by making it doubtful that the blow had been 
 accidental. Singleton turned back, walked up 
 to his cousin and inquired sharply : 
 
 *•' Do you see what you have done ?" 
 
 *' To be sure I do," laughed John. 
 
 ** Beg her pardon then, at once," cried Single- 
 ton, standing before him. 
 
 " At once ! no, nor at last either ! Beg her 
 pardon, indeed ; that's a likely story. Be off 
 with you. Singleton, and don't make a fool of 
 yourself." 
 
 '' You're no gentleman," said Singleton 
 slowly. "Any gentleman would " 
 
 '* No gentleman ! Well now, upon my word 
 that comes well from you, Darkey. I fancy I 
 am at least as much of a gentleman 2iS yozc can 
 be." 
 
 *•' Look here, John." 
 
 " Oh, I'm looking, my dear fellow ; there's 
 no need to call attention to it ; it's written 
 pretty plainly on your face." 
 
 "■ What is written on my face ? — • speak 
 plainly." 
 
 '' Your illustrious descent, of course. Haidee 
 escaped better ; not so much trace of the tar- 
 brush there." 
 
 Singleton turned pale, but it was with rage, 
 not with fear.
 
 5 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 "John Trelawney," he said in the most 
 deliberate voice, " Tve made up my mind that 
 if ever you say a word Hke that again Til thrash 
 you within an inch of your Hfe. So now, 
 remember, you're warned." 
 
 •John looked at him, half startled, half angry. 
 
 " You'll thrash me !" he exclaimed ; " why 
 you're mad, Singleton ; I've thrashed j'^?/ often 
 enough, but " 
 
 " But you won't do it again so easily. You 
 have beaten me always because you are bigger 
 and heavier than I am, and neither of us knew 
 anything about fighting ; but I've been learning 
 from Will Somers, who was a prize-fighter long 
 ago, and you'll find me more than a match for 
 you, I think." 
 
 Now John Trelawney was by no means 
 gifted with a superabundance of pluck ; still, 
 when he glanced at the slight figure before him, 
 and remembered the many unmerciful beatings 
 he had given to his challenger, he felt quite 
 confident that he could eive him one more now. 
 So he replied with unabated insolence : 
 
 *' Will Somers, the groom, is it ? Sir Lionel 
 will be delighted to hear what choice company 
 his heir kqeps. Comes natural to be among the 
 servants, eh, Singleton ? but I should have 
 expected a natural preference for black James."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 9 
 
 "You willhdLXQ it, then ? Come, John, take 
 off your jacket and I'll give you your first lesson 
 in boxino: and £Ood manners." 
 
 " Not here, Singleton," put in Haidee, who 
 had listened with keen interest to this alterca- 
 tion. " Sir Lionel will be cominof out." 
 
 " Will you come into the Chase, John ?" 
 inquired Singleton, pausing in the act of taking 
 off his jacket. 
 
 " No, I shan't," John said insolently. 
 
 " Then fight me here. Never mind, Haidee, 
 you run if any one comes out ; but \vhatever is 
 the end of it, I'll teach this bullying coward to 
 be civil for the future." 
 
 " You will, will you ?" roared John furiously. 
 " Do you think I'm going to lower myself by 
 fighting you, you fool ? — a fellow who on the 
 other side of the Atlantic would be a slave !" 
 
 " No, I should not," Singleton answered, 
 voice and manner becoming quieter every 
 moment, and only the steel-like flash of his 
 eyes betraying his fury. '* That's a lie, and 
 you know it." 
 
 " Take that for your impudence," cried John, 
 suddenly giving him a sounding box on the ear, 
 *' and be off with you ; Sir Lionel's coming." 
 
 " That shan't save you," Singleton answered 
 in the same soft, low voice. " You're a coward.
 
 lO RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 John. You're afraid to fight me, though you're 
 twice my size. For the last time, will you, or 
 will you not take off your jacket and fight me ?" 
 
 '' I will not ; be off, you " 
 
 "■ Then fight with it on, or stand still and be 
 thrashed. I don't care which you do," replied 
 Singleton, coolly walking up to him ; and in a 
 moment, much to his own surprise, Master John 
 Trelawney found himself lying prone upon the 
 soft green grass, with a most brilliant illumina- 
 tion dancing before his sight, and a peculiar 
 and unpleasant sensation in his left eye, as if it 
 were damaged in some mysterious manner. 
 
 Too much startled and confused at once to 
 realise his situation, he lay quiet where he had 
 fallen. 
 
 " Get up, John. That may serve to show 
 you that I'm in earnest. Get up now and fight 
 It out." 
 
 John, however, did not get up, nor even reply 
 to this appeal ; but just at this moment Haidee, 
 who had been performing a dance of delight 
 round the prostrate foe, became aware that the 
 scene had other spectators. She seized her 
 brother's arm, whispering : 
 
 *' Let us run, Single, here's Sir Lionel." 
 
 '* No," he said, ** run away you, Haidee. I 
 shan't stir."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I I 
 
 Indeed it was too late to escape, even had he 
 wished it ; for Sir Lionel, a strange gentleman, 
 and Mr. Phelps, the boys' tutor, were close 
 behind him. The stranger, Captain Hamilton, 
 was a man of about five-and-thirty, an unmis- 
 takable sailor, and joint guardian with Sir 
 Lionel of the hopeful John. 
 
 *' What's all this ?" inquired Sir Lionel 
 sternly, his fair, handsome face flushing slightly. 
 *' What is the meaning of this, Singleton .^" 
 
 The boy looked nervously round, picked up 
 his jacket and put it on, and then answered in a 
 low voice : 
 
 " I — I knocked him down, Sir Lionel." 
 
 The sailor's cheery laugh rang out plea- 
 santly. 
 
 '' By Jove ! you did, youngster ; there's no 
 doubt whatever on that head. Down he went 
 like shot. I never saw anything more neatly 
 done in my life. So this is John Trelawney ? 
 Get up. Master Jack, you're not killed, you 
 know. Here, get up." 
 
 He stooped over the fallen hero, and with a 
 vigorous pull, placed him on his feet in the 
 middle of the circle. 
 
 '' Holloa," he continued, " there's an eye for 
 you ! blackening already. You had better go 
 and clap a piece of raw meat to it, or you'll carry
 
 12 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 your cousin s sign manual for many a day to- 
 come." 
 
 John, still only half understanding what had 
 happened, stood blinking and gasping, cutting 
 altogether rather a poor figure. 
 
 " Before he withdraws, Captain Hamilton, I 
 must know what gave rise to tills — this tho- 
 roughly disgraceful scene. Haidee, go into the 
 house, at once." 
 
 Haidee went, slowly and reluctantly, casting 
 many a lingering look at her brother. Sir 
 Lionel stood silent until the door closed upon 
 her. 
 
 *' Now, sir — now. Singleton, what have you 
 to plead in extenuation of your ungentlemanlike 
 conduct ?" 
 
 ** Ungentlemanlike !" repeated Captain Ham- 
 ilton, staring at him. *' Not a bit of it, not a bit 
 of it. Commonest thing in the world — you're 
 not as well used to youngsters as I am. Take 
 my advice, Trelawney, and let the matter 
 rest." 
 
 " Excuse me, I prefer to know what has hap- 
 pened," said Sir Lionel coldly. " Singleton, I 
 await your reply." 
 
 "John struck me. Sir Lionel." 
 
 " That wasn't the first of it," muttered John, 
 who was beeinnine to recover from the shock —
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 3 
 
 to see fewer stars and hear fewer bees buzzing- 
 about him. 
 
 " I will hear you presently, John. Singleton, 
 you are equivocating, as usual. What was the 
 beginning of this quarrel ?'' 
 
 The cold hard voice always seemed to poor 
 Singleton to drive away his senses ; however, 
 he made a great effort to reply steadily. 
 
 *' The first beginning of it was, that John 
 threw a ball — this hard one — at Haidee, and hit 
 her on the head with it. Then I said he must 
 beg her pardon, and he said he wouldn't. Then 
 I said I would make him, and he said " 
 
 The boy stopped short, and crimsoned all 
 
 over his dark earnest face. He was shrewd 
 
 enough to know that by repeating what John 
 
 had said, he would probably divert Sir Lionel's 
 
 wrath from himself to the real offender ; but 
 
 even to do this, how could he repeat the insult 
 
 to the memory of his sweet gentle mother. 
 
 whose lovely heart-broken face was the one 
 
 memory of his childhood that was dear to him ? 
 
 He hesitated, and John was quick to see his 
 
 advantao^e. 
 «_> 
 
 " Then I said. Sir Lionel, that of course I 
 had not meant to hit her, but he said he had 
 been learning boxing from Will Somers — Gipsy 
 Will, you know — on purpose to lick me, because
 
 14 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 I've never learned ; not but that I could lick 
 him, but he ran at me like a wild thlncr before I 
 was ready, and knocked me down." 
 
 *' That's not true, John ! you know I did 
 nothing of the kind. I tried all I knew to stir 
 you up to take off your jacket and fight it out, 
 and you wouldn't. Haidee can tell you, Sir 
 Lionel ; she was here all the time." 
 
 " Haidee '11 say anything you want her to, we 
 all know that !" said John sullenly. 
 
 *' Look here, John," put in the irrepressible 
 sailor, '' if you were taken, by surprise then — ■ 
 it didn't look to me as if you were, however — 
 you are certainly prepared now. Here, stand 
 here ; come to this side, little fellow. Now, at 
 it again 3^ou two ; let us see the result." 
 
 Sir Lionel frowned heavily, but he was not 
 quick of speech, and before he had found words 
 in which to forbid the duel, it had begun — and 
 ended, I may almost say. Singleton was eager 
 for the fray, John ashamed to retreat. 
 
 " Are you ready, John ?" 
 
 '' Yes," grunted John savagely, making a 
 powerful but awkward blow at his enemy, who 
 parried it with his left hand, hit out straight 
 with his right, and lo ! another flight of falling 
 stars, another swarm of buzzing bees, a very re- 
 markable feel in 2: of weio^ht in the region of the
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 5 
 
 nose ; and John was again stretched upon the 
 grass. 
 
 *' Where am I ?" exclaimed the unlucky war- 
 rior, struggling into a sitting posture. 
 
 ** Oh, you're safe enough," answered Captain 
 Hamilton, with a touch of contempt in his voice. 
 " You had better eo and ofet some raw meat as 
 I said before. Don't go for S3^mpathy to your 
 pretty cousin, for she's laughing at you in the 
 window up there." 
 
 Singleton hearing this, turned round, and 
 looked up at his sister ; such a look of perfect 
 sympathy and love passed between brother 
 and sister, that the kind-hearted sailor smiled to 
 see It. 
 
 Mr. Phelps led off the discomfited John, and 
 Singleton promptly vanished. 
 
 *' Your boy is no milksop, Sir Lionel ! Plenty 
 of pluck — plenty." 
 
 Sir Lionel, far from displaying any fatherly 
 pleasure on hearing this favourable verdict upon 
 his son, frowned, bit his lip, and replied : 
 
 '* He has the temper of a fiend. There v/as 
 something more — something concealed, which I 
 doubt not would have caused you to change 
 your opinion. I have watched them both for 
 years, and you may believe me that John is a 
 remarkably fine lad."
 
 1 6 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Captain Hamilton glanced at the frowning 
 face of his companion, and privately thought 
 that if Singleton had the temper of a fiend, he 
 probably had an hereditary right to it ; but he 
 •only replied : 
 
 " Well, you may be right, but from the little 
 I've seen of them, I prefer your son infinitely. 
 However, my business here concerns John 
 ^lone. I was anxious to see him, for however 
 kind and partial to him you may be, it does not 
 absolve me from my duty as joint guardian ; 
 and 1 have a great prejudice against educating 
 a boy altogether at home, even when, like your 
 son, he is heir to wealth and station. Now this 
 youngster will be absolutely poor : when Fair 
 Forest is sold, and the liabilities cleared off, 
 Selwyn tells me he won't have three hundred a 
 year. So it's a matter of plain duty to bring 
 him up to some profession." 
 
 They were walking up and down the terrace, 
 l)athed in the last red glow of the August sun. 
 Sir Lionel marched in silence, his colour raised, 
 his manner embarrassed and pompous, such a 
 contrast to that of the frank genial sailor, speak- 
 ing so simply and straightforwardly. Presently 
 he roused himself, looked at his watch, and 
 said : 
 
 *' Captain Hamilton, will you stay here this
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1/ 
 
 evening — dine with ms, and sleep here to- 
 nio^ht ? I have a good deal to say to you." 
 
 The sailor looked surprised ; for during the 
 many years that Sir Lionel had lived at 
 Trelawney Abbey, it was said that no stranger 
 had ever been asked to stay there even for a 
 meal. The invitation was explained with a sore 
 of stately awkwardness. 
 
 " I you have taken me by surprise. I 
 
 wish to arrange matters on a permanent footing. 
 After dinner I can unfold to you my inten- 
 tions." 
 
 " Well, you must excuse my dress — thanks, 
 I'll stay to dinner then, but I must get back be- 
 fore night. Lynwood wouldn't know what to 
 think if I deserted him." 
 
 " Lynwood! your servant ? Shall I send into 
 Plymouth for him ?" 
 
 " My servant ? no, not exactly ! ]My first 
 lieutenant." 
 
 " Ah — yes ; I forgot to inquire to what I am 
 indebted for the pleasure of this visit. You are 
 professionally employed again, I presume." 
 
 '' Just so ; afloat again," replied the sailor 
 (mentally adding, ''confound your long words!"). 
 " To tell you the truth, I thought it might be a 
 good opening for John. I have the right to 
 nominate a youngster, and he is just the right 
 
 VOL. I. 2
 
 l8 RIDINC; OUT THE CALE. 
 
 age If he can pass the examination, which I sup- 
 pose there is no doubt about." 
 
 " None whatever. But obhge me by de- 
 ferring the consideration of this point, among 
 others, until after dinner," was the reply of Sir 
 Lionel " It is time to dress now. This way, 
 Captain Hamilton."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GAT.E. I9 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 WiiEX the two gentlemen, ready for dinner, 
 repaired to the Hbrary (which, with the excep- 
 tion of Sir Lionel's private apartments, was the 
 only fully-furnished room on the ground-floor of 
 Trelawney Abbey), they found Singleton and 
 his sister awaiting them. 
 
 Captain Hamilton began to chat to the young 
 people in a pleasant and offhand way, while 
 Sir Lionel either stood by with a heavy frown, 
 or paced uneasily up and down like a caged 
 animal. 
 
 • A magnificently handsome man was Sir Lionel 
 Trelawney. Six feet two in height, perfectly 
 well made, fair and erect, with curling golden 
 brown hair and whiskers ; straight, regular fea- 
 tures, and large, rather cold-looking blue eyes ; 
 he v/as really worth looking at. The fault of 
 his face was the absence of expression ; in 
 repose it was rather vacant, and when roused it
 
 20 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 was more frequently to a sullen frown than to a 
 smile. 
 
 Haidee chatted away gaily with her new 
 friend, and her merry laugh rang softly out ; 
 but the boy was nervous and silent, and though 
 evidently amused and interested, was content 
 to play the part of a listener. Once, indeed, he 
 hazarded a remark in a low tone, and Sir 
 Lionel said : 
 
 *' Speak up. Singleton ; there is no secret in 
 what you are saying, I presume ?" 
 
 Singleton blushed, and relapsed into hopeless 
 silence. 
 
 Presently Mr. Phelps made his appearance, 
 and soon afterwards dinner was announced. 
 
 " Pierce, where is Master John ?" inquired 
 the master of the house. 
 
 *' He desired me to say that he has a head- 
 ache, Sir Lionel, and will not come down to 
 dinner." 
 
 Sir Lionel glanced sternly at his son, as If to 
 see if any triumph were visible in his counte- 
 nance. The boy looked quiet enough ; but it 
 was as well that he did not carry his glance a 
 little further, for Haidee was delighted, and 
 showed it plainly. 
 
 Captain Hamilton, who entirely sympathised 
 with her, laughingly offered her his arm, and
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2 I 
 
 they all went to the handsome half-furnished 
 dining-room. 
 
 The gallant sailor was wont to declare after- 
 wards that he would rather face a ship's broad- 
 side than endure another such dinner. 
 
 Sir Lionel seemed to have no idea that It was 
 Incumbent upon him to talk to his guest; he 
 never spoke, except to find fault with the 
 cookery, or to desire his son '' to sit upright it 
 he would be so good." Haldee's attempts at 
 continuing her merry chatter were harshly 
 silenced, and Mr. Phelps, who also ventured on 
 a remark or two, got such a ferocious look that 
 he subsided hastily. 
 
 As soon as the tedious meal was over, Sir 
 Lionel looked at his children. 
 
 "You may go," he said briefly. " Phelps, tell 
 John that I shall want him here presently." 
 
 At this broad hint Mr. Phelps departed with 
 the children. Sir Lionel pushed the claret-jug 
 to his guest, cleared his throat, and began 
 formally : 
 
 " Captain Hamilton, your proposal to remove 
 our ward from my house, and to take him to 
 sea with you, does not commend itself favour- 
 ably to me ; and before you make It known to 
 the boy himself, I should like to inform you what 
 77/y plans for him have been, and may still be ;
 
 2 2 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 as I trust 3'ou will agree with me that he should 
 hear them fairly stated and be permitted to 
 decide for himself." 
 
 " Of course I agree ; nothing can be fairer 
 than that. What do you think of making of 
 him ? Have his studies been directed towards 
 any profession ?" 
 
 ** No, they have not. In fact, Captain 
 Hamilton, until very lately I have seen no 
 reason to doubt that John would be my heir. 
 Failing my son, he, though a distant cousin, is 
 my next-of-kin." 
 
 " But, bless me, Trelawne}^ that ^ fine lltde 
 fellow of yours is not going to die ; not a bit of 
 it. — Heaven forgive you,'' added the sailor 
 under his breath ; " I believe you'd be glad if 
 he did." 
 
 "He has become more healthy lately. I 
 merely mention this to account for my conduct 
 concerning John." 
 
 '* But even if your son died, you're a young 
 man, Sir Lionel, younger than I am by some 
 years ; and / mean to get married one of these 
 days. Perhaps you — " 
 
 '* No," interrupted Sir Lionel, with one of his 
 heaviest frowns. " I shall commit no folly of 
 that kind. Now, to proceed with our business. 
 My present plan for John is as follows : — He
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 23 
 
 may select a profession, if you think it best for 
 him to do so ; the Church, the Bar, or the 
 Army, whichever he prefers. I charge myself 
 with all expenses ; and when my dauohter 
 attains a proper age she shall become his wife. 
 I shall give her half her — her mother's very 
 considerable fortune at once, and something 
 more at my death ; so, even if Singleton lives, 
 John may be a wealthy man ; and it seems to 
 me that Fair Forest need not be sold." 
 
 " But, good heavens, Trelawney, don't talk of 
 your pretty little girl as if she were a slave ! 
 perhaps she " 
 
 Thewordsdied awayupon Captain Hamilton's 
 lips, and though by no means a nervous man, he 
 paused in actual alarm at the fury expressed in 
 the handsome face opposite to him. Sir Lionel 
 sprang to his feet, hurried round the table, laid 
 his hand heavily upon his guest's shoulder, and 
 thundered out : 
 
 *' How dare you ! Flow dare you say that ! 
 Do you mean to insult me, Captain Hamilton .^" 
 
 The sailor looked steadily into his face, as 
 one looks at an angry dog to enforce obedience, 
 answering quietly : 
 
 *' Certainly I do not. I give you my honour 
 that I have no idea how I have offended you. 
 I merely meant that your daughter may have a
 
 24 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 "Will of her own about marrying your ward, and 
 so far she seems to dishke him heartily." 
 
 Trelawney looked irresolute for a moment 
 and then turned away, saying : 
 
 ** I perceive I was mistaken. Excuse what 
 has passed, Captain Hamilton ; I beg to apolo- 
 gise." 
 
 '* Never mind," replied the mystified sailor; 
 " but look here — If you want those young 
 people to like each other by-and-by, you had 
 much better separate them now ; let the boy 
 come with me, and I'll lick him Into shape." 
 
 " Phelps, who Is a very shrewd fellow, advises 
 me, on the contrary, to let them grow up to- 
 gether." 
 
 '* Phelps ! who is he ?" 
 
 " The boys' tutor ; you saw him at dinner. 
 He has a brother in the navy, I remember." 
 
 '' Oh ! has he so ? Then he's the brother of 
 my old messmate, Harry Phelps, and I think it 
 only fair to tell you he's an abandoned scamp. 
 A clergyman, isn't he ? and can't you see^ 
 Trelawney, that a fellow like that, having a 
 good berth here, and knowing that the chances 
 are that with his character he Vv^on't oret another 
 in a hurry, is giving you this advice for his 
 own ends ? Of course /ic does not wish the 
 boys sent to school."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 25. 
 
 Sir Lionel was silent for a minute, to allow 
 this idea to insinuate itself into his somewhat 
 slow mind. 
 
 " There may be something in what you say,"" 
 he remarked presently. " I shall think it over ; 
 but now, shall I send for John, and let him hear 
 what you wish to say to him ? I think he ought 
 to be permitted to make the decision for himself." 
 
 '* By all means. I think I hear the young- 
 sters out in the hall ; I'll just call him in.". 
 
 Sir Lionel paused with his hand on the bell, 
 while the sailor opened the door of the great 
 half-lighted room, and called out : 
 
 " Holloa, youngster ! You there ; where's. 
 your cousin John ?" 
 
 " Just outside the porch, sir ; shall I call him 
 in ?" replied Singleton, who was standing alone 
 by the hall window, watching the bats flitting 
 about. 
 
 " Do so ; bring him In here." 
 
 Singleton obeyed, and having been told tO' 
 *' bring him in," and being very literal-minded, 
 thought that he also was wanted, and accord- 
 ingly followed John Into the dining-room, where 
 he sat quietly down near the door, and no one 
 observed him. 
 
 " Come here, John," began Sir Lionel, as John 
 drew near the lamp, displaying a face of the
 
 26 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 most marvellous colouring-, and a nose of twice 
 the ordinary size. 
 
 '' You are aware," continued Sir Lionel, 
 '' that this gentleman — Captain Hamilton — 
 occupies the same position with regard to you 
 that I do." 
 
 John looked over the table at Captain 
 Hamilton, and asked gruffly, '' What's that ?" 
 
 " He, as well as I, is your guardian," replied 
 the Baronet. " And he has come here to-day 
 to jDropose to you a plan, which I shall now 
 leave him to unfold to you. When he has done 
 so, do not answer until you have heard what I 
 have to say concerning it." 
 
 These ceremonious proceedings sorely em- 
 barrassed Captain Hamilton, who was used to 
 jDlalner and less long-winded discourses. 
 However, he seized the opportunity thus 
 afforded him and be^an : 
 
 *' Well, John, you see you're fourteen or 
 thereabouts, and it is high time that you should 
 take soundings and see where you are. I don't 
 suppose you know much about your own circum- 
 stances, do you ?'' 
 
 " No, not much. I know that my father left 
 great debts, and that nothing can be settled 
 till I'm of age— that's all." 
 
 ** Ay ! \vell, there is not much more to be
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2/ 
 
 known. Unless something unexpected turns 
 up, you will have to sell Fair Forest, and there'll 
 be about three hundred a year left out of the 
 wreck. So you see you are no Croesus, but 
 must go into some profession, and I think you 
 can't begin too soon. It's very pleasant for you 
 here, and Sir Lionel has been very kind, but as 
 you must begin to rough it some day, you'd 
 better begin young. Every day spent in idle- 
 ness and luxury is a dead loss — don't you see ?" 
 
 "Yes," answered John doubtfully. 
 
 " Well, then, here's my proposal. I commis- 
 sioned the Siutana — one of the new frigates, 
 two days ago, for the Halifax station. I have 
 an appointment to give away, and if you like, 
 and can pass, I'll give it to you — take you with 
 me, and do what I can to make a man and a 
 sailor of you. And it's the finest profession in 
 the world," added the Captain, v;ith an air of 
 quiet conviction v^'hich was really imposing. 
 •' A nephew of my own, Reginald Hamilton, 
 is going with me. He's about a year older 
 than you, a very line lad. Now then, what do 
 you say, my boy ?" 
 
 John, whose manners did not strike his second 
 guardian as prepossessing, m.ade no reply 
 beyond a sulky grunt : and then Sir Lionel 
 came gallantly to the front.
 
 25 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 "It is now my turn, Captain Hamilton. 
 John, I also have a proposal to make to you. 
 If you do not feel yourself inclined to the naval 
 profession — and I confess that, in your place, I 
 should not be so inclined — you have only to say 
 so. If you remain with me, I will charge myself 
 with your future career. Until very lately I 
 have regarded you as my probable heir ; and 
 there is still sufficient probability that you may 
 eventually be so, to make me dislike parting 
 with you so completely as I must do if you 
 decide upon accompanying Captain Hamilton. 
 I should leave the choice of a profession to your- 
 self. The Bar, the Army, or the Church. I 
 propose to consider you as my son, and should 
 it prove hereafter that you must hold the place 
 of a younger son, I have a plan for your estab- 
 lishment in a suitable position, Into which I shall 
 not enter at present.'' 
 
 Captain Hamilton drew a breath of relief; he 
 had really thought for a moment that his mag- 
 nificent fellow guardian was about to lay down 
 the law concerning Haldee's fate then and there. 
 John had forgotten Singleton's presence, and 
 the others were not aware of it ; but it may 
 easily be imagined how pleasant it was for him 
 to hear his father contemplate his early death 
 as a probable and indeed rather desirable event.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 29 
 
 The poor child covered his face with his hands, 
 and for a moment wished that he had indeed 
 died in the sickly infancy which had given rise 
 to these unnatural speculations. But before any 
 one broke the silence after Sir Lionel had con- 
 cluded his speech, Singleton rose and came 
 forward. 
 
 *' Sir Lionel, I thought you wanted me, but 
 I suppose you did not know I was in the 
 room." 
 
 Sir Lionel looked at him coldly. *' No, I did 
 not perceive you. Leave the room." 
 
 " In a moment I will," answered Singleton. 
 " But 1 have something to say first. Look 
 here, now, I'm not going to die ! It's not that 
 3^ou make my life any pleasure to me, but I 
 mean to live and take care of Haidee. I know 
 what your plan for John is ; I have guessed it 
 long ago. Well, it shall never be. I would kill 
 him first, I would rather kill Haidee herself, and 
 be all alone for ever, than let John marry her, 
 and murder her with his unkindness ; he's a 
 sneak and a coward, and he shall never be your 
 heir, or marry Haidee either." 
 
 The boy stood erect, his eyes flashing bright 
 defiance, his voice soft, clear, and steady, as he 
 uttered his boyish challenge. Sir Lionel gave 
 him an angry glance, and springing up, rang the
 
 30 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 bell furiously. When he rang In that peculiar 
 way, no one ventured to answer the bell but 
 his black servant — the only creature who ever 
 seemed to care for him. Black James, as he 
 was called, soon appeared in the doorway — a 
 tall, powerful-looking negro, speaking English 
 perfectly. 
 
 " James, take Master Trelawney to his own 
 room, lock him in and keep the key for me.'* 
 
 Captain Hamilton, seeing. how deadly pale 
 the boy had turned, and marking the cold, 
 unrelenting anger in his father's manner, 
 hurriedly endeavoured' to intercede for him. 
 
 '* I brook no interference," was the reply. 
 " The boy has been insolent beyond bearing, 
 and I shall punish him to-morrow morning." 
 
 Singleton raised his great mournful eyes, and 
 gave the sailor a look of such mute misery and 
 gratitude, that it went straight to his kind warm 
 heart. 
 
 " God help 3'ou, boy — I cannot," he muttered, 
 as Black James carried off his prisoner. When 
 the door closed upon them, he turned sharply to 
 John, 
 
 '' Now, John ; you have had time to think. 
 Do you come with me or do you stay on here, 
 a dependent upon — Sir Lionel ? Speak out, 
 and let me leave this place."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 3 1 
 
 " I shall Stay," said John ungraciously. 
 
 " Mind, I can do nothing for you if you let 
 this slip. And I offer you independence, 
 freedom, and the companionship of your equals. 
 You remain here to be a kind of favourite, who 
 may forfeit his position at any moment, and to 
 be dependent for years, if not always. Excuse 
 my plain speaking, Sir Lionel, it is my duty to 
 make sure that he does it with his eyes open." 
 
 " I mean to stay," repeated John, with a shake 
 of his entire person, curiously like a sulky 
 dog. 
 
 " Stay, then, and make the best of it. I wash 
 my hands of the business. I give him up to 
 you, Sir Lionel; you undertake to provide for 
 him. Allow me to ring for my carriage." 
 
 He rang and gave his orders ; John went 
 away without going through the ceremony of 
 saying either thank you or farewell. 
 
 Very impatient was the sailor to get awa3% 
 for his heart sickened at the glimpse he had had 
 of tyranny and injustice on one side, and of 
 a generous nature being ruined on the other. 
 He felt that he could do no good by interfering, 
 and so sat In almost unbroken silence, which Sir 
 Lionel made one or two embarrassed efforts to 
 dispel. This pleasant state of things lasted for 
 some time, for the driver of the chaise, concluding
 
 32 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 that his fare was disposed of until quite late, had 
 gone out of the way, and had to be found and 
 brought back. Thus it happened that it was 
 'quite half-past ten before the chaise was ready, 
 and with a very cold and formal farewell, Captain 
 Hamilton took his departure.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 7,3 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Circumstances which sorely try the patience of 
 one person, may prove extremely convenient to 
 others ; and so it happened that the delay which 
 chafed Captain Hamilton so much was very 
 welcome to some beneath the same roof. 
 
 On leaving the dining-room, Black James 
 •strictly obeyed his master's commands. He 
 took the boy upstairs to' his own room, and 
 locked him in, taking the key away with him. 
 No sooner, however, had the negro's retreating 
 footsteps died away, than Singleton ran to the 
 window, threw it open, and looked eagerly all 
 round. There was no one in sight ; and after a 
 careful survey, the boy stepped cautiously out of 
 the window. It was rather darker than he ex- 
 pected, but he had performed the hazardous feat 
 too often to hesitate long on that account. A 
 stone course ran along a litde below the window, 
 and on this he set his feet, and with the most 
 
 VOL. I. ^
 
 34 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 marvellous and cat-like activity, crept along the 
 projection past one window, stopping at the 
 next. He sat down, quite spent with the exer- 
 tion, to rest himself and listen — for this was 
 Haidee's room, and he knew that she v/as 
 there ; but he must make sure that she was 
 alone. No ; Anne Benson was with her, and 
 the boy, in an agony of impatience, was obliged 
 to wait. After some time, which seemed hor- 
 ribly long, he ventured upon a little warning 
 tap on the glass. In less than two minutes the 
 light was extinguished, and Anne went away, 
 wondering what had put her little mistress into 
 such a wonderful hurry to be in bed. She was 
 not long in it, however ; very soon she was 
 creeping to the window. 
 
 *' Oh, Singleton ! is it really you ? I was 
 afraid I heard you. Oh, dear, how coitld you 
 venture in the dark ? wait till I open it more." 
 
 He sprang in, and they relighted the candle. 
 
 " Singleton, it was too great a risk." 
 
 ** I'm going to run a greater, Haidee, and I 
 have not one moment to lose, so shut the win- 
 dow and listen to me. Haidee, look here. 
 Captain Hamilton opened the dining-room door 
 and told me to bring John to him there, and I 
 thought he wanted me too, so I went in ; but 
 they had not meant me to be there, and I sup-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 35 
 
 pose they did not see me. I heard Captain 
 Hamilton offer to take John with him and make 
 a sailor of him." 
 
 " Oh, how nice ! will he go, do you 
 
 think r 
 
 " Not he ; he'll stay with Sir Lionel and 
 watch to see If I would be kind enough to die. 
 Sir Lionel asked him to stay, and said he 
 thought he might yet be his heir." 
 
 '' Oh, Singleton !" 
 
 " Don't stop me, there's no time to lose I tell 
 you. Then he said that suppose I lived, he had 
 another plan for him. And Haidee, I know 
 that plan is that he's to marry you !" 
 
 '•'John! Ah, he won't find that so easy, 
 perhaps," said Haidee, giving her head a little 
 toss. 
 
 '' Well, I wasn't going to stand that ; so I got 
 up, told my father I knew all about it, and gave 
 him a piece of my mind about John. I told him 
 he Is a coward and a sneak, and that sooner 
 than see you married to him, I'd kill him — or 
 you, even." 
 
 " Oh, Single, did you really say that ?" in- 
 quired Haidee, divided between admiration for 
 his heroism and terror of the consequences. 
 
 " I just did ! and then he rang the bell for 
 Black James, and bid him lock me up."
 
 36 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Haldee turned pale, and shivered — not with 
 cold, for the night was oppressively warm. 
 
 '' Did he say nothing more ?" 
 
 " No. Captain Hamilton was there, you 
 know, and tried to help me, but It was no go. 
 He'll give me an awful licking to-morrow, if I 
 stay here." 
 
 " If you stay here, in this room, do you mean ?" 
 
 ** No ; I mean here at the Abbey. I mean 
 to run away, Haldee — to escape if I can 
 — to get some education If I can — to get a 
 chance of living to take care of you as my 
 mother bid me, instead of staying here to be 
 murdered among them. I mean to get under 
 Captain Hamilton's carriage, you know how 
 long I can stick on; and then I'll speak out to 
 him, he looks kind — I shall beg him for 
 Heaven's, sake to save us both. If he would 
 take me Instead of John ! and then I think Sir 
 Lionel would send you to school, and you'd 
 have a chance too." 
 
 " But oh, Single ! If you are brought back ?" 
 
 " Matters ca7i^ be worse than they are. He 
 can't do more than half kill me, and he'll do that 
 to-morrow as it Is. Captain Hamilton seems so 
 kind, Haldee, It's worth trying." 
 
 ** It Is," she answered suddenly, dashing 
 away her tears and hastily beginning to put on
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 37 
 
 some clothes. " I will help you — oh, my dear, 
 dear Single — it's hard to let you go, and yet I 
 must — I do think that kind man will help you. 
 I will run now and see that the way to the hall 
 is clear." 
 
 She ran away, and in a few minutes returned 
 breathless. 
 
 " John has gone to bed, and Captain Hamilton 
 has ordered the carriage; there is not a moment 
 to spare. Good-bye, dear Singie — kiss me — 
 good-bye. Oh, Singleton, do you think it 
 would be any good if I said my prayers all 
 night for you ? I feel as if I should like it." 
 
 " Oh, go to bed, my darling, and sleep; that 
 will be much better than pattering over the 
 same words again and again. I never say mine 
 now ; I don't see any use in them." 
 
 " You had better go now, Singleton, dear." 
 
 " Well, good-bye, Haidee ; you'll hear soon 
 enough how I get on. It's a poor chance I'm 
 afraid, but it's the only one we have." 
 
 Haidee drove back her tears by a resolute 
 effort, and even managed to smile ; but she 
 could not speak. They clung to each other for 
 a moment, then she let him go, and he left the 
 room softly. He was about half way down^ 
 stairs when she suddenly appeared beside him, 
 put a little purse containing all her treasure into
 
 38 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 his hand, smiled again to encourage him, and 
 vanished. 
 
 The hall door was fortunately open, he met 
 no one, and was just in time, for he heard the 
 chaise coming up as he crept out into the 
 friendly darkness. 
 
 Trelawney Abbey is only four miles from 
 Plymouth and Devonport, so in about an hour 
 from the time of starting, Captain Hamilton 
 was driven up to the door of the George Hotel, 
 Fore Street. 
 
 Glad to escape from his meditations upon the 
 scenes he had witnessed, he jumped out, and 
 asked the waiter if any one had called on him 
 while he was absent. 
 
 ** Only Mr. Lynwood, sir ; he will come 
 round again to-morrow morning. Oh ! look 
 here, sir ! who's this young gent ? is he to come 
 in?" 
 
 '' This young gent " was my poor Singleton, 
 hatless, breathless, and dusty ; pale, too, and 
 faint from the tremendous exertion of holding 
 on under the chaise, in a very cramped and un- 
 natural attitude. On the whole, I think the 
 waiter deserved great credit for perceiving that 
 he was **a young gent," for he looked very 
 much more like a young vagrant. 
 
 " Good heavens, boy !" exclaimed Captain 
 Hamilton, '* how did you come here ?"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 39 
 
 ** I was there — underneath." 
 
 '' And what induced you to play so mad a 
 prank ?" asked the Captain, looking at him in 
 astonishment. 
 
 " I thought," began Singleton vaguely, his 
 eyes wandering about as if in search of some- 
 thing, '* I thought perhaps — oh, what's this }'' 
 he cried wildly, and fell fiat upon the pitiless 
 stone steps in a dead faint. The sailor stooped 
 and picked him up as if he had been a baby, 
 and followed closely by the much-astonished 
 waiter, carried him off to his own sitting- 
 room. 
 
 In a few minutes Singleton was experiencing 
 the manifold miseries of struggling back into 
 consciousness. It is rather a curious question 
 why it should be so easy and almost pleasant 
 to lose one's hold upon life, and so difficult 
 and disagreeable to regain it. After many 
 groans and convulsive struggles, he sat up 
 on the red velvet couch, on which he had been 
 laid (and on which he had left a small impres- 
 sion of his person taken off in dust), pushed the 
 wavy masses of dark hair off his forehead, felt 
 his saturated dress — for the zealous waiter had 
 deluged him with cold water — and finally said : 
 
 " Where am I ? what has happened ?" 
 
 ** There's a fine fellow," cried Captain Hamil-
 
 40 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ton heartily. '* Here, my boy, drink this ; and 
 we'll have you as right as a trivet in no time." 
 
 The boy took the offered glass of sherry, 
 but merely tasted It, making a wry face as he 
 did so. 
 
 " I don't like it, sir." 
 
 *' Never mind that, child — down with It." 
 
 He looked frightened, but persisted. 
 
 *' It will make me quite drunk, sir ; it will 
 indeed ! I've no head at all. Please let me 
 have a glass of water." 
 
 ''Well, if you think it better, here's some 
 water. You may go now, waiter; he is all 
 right again, thank you." 
 
 As the man left the room Singleton slipped 
 off the couch, standing beside it with his great 
 pleading eyes fixed upon the sailor's face, with 
 an intensity of expression which, thank Heaven, 
 we rarely meet with in faces which have seen 
 but fourteen years. 
 
 " Captain Hamilton, will you help me ? You 
 looked so kind, and you whispered to Sir Lionel 
 to get me off. I thought perhaps you would." 
 
 " My poor child, how can I help you ?" 
 
 " You saw it to-night, didn't you ? You saw 
 that he would be glad that I was dead. He 
 hates me, and makes me so miserable that I 
 can't bear it any longer."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 4 1 
 
 *' How does he make you miserable ?" 
 
 '* Oh, did you not see enough to-day ?" the 
 boy asked, with a pathetic gesture of appeal. 
 *' I am always wrong, always punished ; John is 
 always right. I am never believed ; he is 
 believed, whatever he may say. And then I 
 cannot learn with Mr. Phelps, I cannot indeed ; 
 and so they say I am stupid, and neglect me, 
 and Fm learninsf nothinsf at all. And it 
 wouldn't matter, you know, if I was really 
 going to die ; but I am not. I am just as likely 
 to live as John is, now that I have got so 
 strong ; and what am I to do ? The end of it 
 will be that I shall do something terrible in a 
 passion — I know I shall — and then — then there 
 is Haidee. I should not mind so much but for 
 her ; she hasn't a friend in the world but me !" 
 
 Captain Hamilton was pacing up and down 
 the room, but when the broken voice died away 
 in a smothered sob, he gave the boy a quick 
 look of sympathy and kindness, but said nothing 
 for some time. At last he sat down and drew 
 Singleton near him. 
 
 '' Now, listen to me, my boy. Very likely I. 
 am doing a very foolish thing, and, indeed, I 
 am by no means clear that I can do you any 
 good ; but I can t help it. I saw enough to- 
 day to make me help you if I can ; for you've
 
 42 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 the makings of a man in you, you dusty little 
 object ; and you've got no chance as matters 
 stand now. So I'm going to ask you a few 
 questions, just to get a general idea of the case, 
 and then we'll see what can be done." 
 
 ** Oh, thank you — thank you, sir!" began 
 Singleton impetuously. 
 
 '' Hush, hush ! you have nothing to thank 
 me for yet. Now, tell me. Have matters 
 •always been as they are now between you and 
 your father, or is it a recent thing his being so 
 hard upon you ?" 
 
 "It has been so always. He hates me 
 because " 
 
 " Ay, ay — speak out, boy. Because T' 
 
 Singleton was crimson now, but suddenly 
 became pale. 
 
 '* Look here. Captain Hamilton. I will tell 
 you all I know, though I never spoke of it, even 
 to Haidee. I think it is because of my mother." 
 
 " Because of your mother ! Why, what of 
 her ?" 
 
 " I don't quite know. She died, you know, 
 when I was very little — when Haidee was born ; 
 but John says " 
 
 " Go on, my boy, go oh," said Captain 
 Hamilton, laying his hand kindly upon the 
 downcast head. " What does John say ?"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 43 
 
 " He does not say it out quite plain, but he 
 is always hinting that my mother was an Ameri- 
 can slave once. It was for saying that that I 
 knocked him down to-day." 
 
 Captain Hamilton mused. He had been at 
 sea himself when the last baronet died, and 
 only knew in a general way that there had been 
 some difficulty in finding the heir, who was one 
 of a branch of the family which had long been 
 settled in America. It had been proved beyond 
 a doubt that the American Trelawney was the 
 -heir, and it had been a terrible blow to the 
 English Trelawney, John's father, with whom 
 Captain Hamilton was distantly connected by 
 marriage. Moreover, he had a vague idea of 
 some story about the present Sir Lionel — that 
 he had come over alone and passed for an un- 
 married man, whereas it afterwards appeared 
 that he had a wife and son ; but this kind of 
 scandal being quite out of the gallant sailor's 
 line, he had paid no particular attention to it, and 
 could not now recall it to his mind distinctly. 
 
 He looked at the boy ; he was certainly 
 dark, but it was a Spanish rather than a negro 
 darkness. His features were straight and 
 delicate, and his fine, soft hair just waved upon 
 his forehead without the smallest tendency to 
 the woolly curls of a negro.
 
 44 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Your mother can't have been anything of 
 the kind, Singleton. You don't look at all like 
 it, and as to your sister, the idea is absurd. Do 
 you remember your mother ? What was she 
 like ?" 
 
 ** Oh, I remember her face well,'' said the boy 
 earnestly. *' I have a picture besides, a little 
 one, and I think it was painted when she was a 
 child. I remember her — she was small, I think, 
 and very pale, and dark like me ; but I remem- 
 ber her eyes the best, they were dark, dark 
 brown, and they seemed to love me so ! and her 
 hair, she had such beautiful hair — that length !" 
 stretching his arms wide, " she could sit down 
 upon it — she used to shake it out over herself 
 and me, and it was so thick that I was hid 
 
 in It." 
 
 " Have you the picture there ?" asked Captain 
 Hamilton, seeing him feeling in the bosom of 
 his little wet jacket. 
 
 " Yes, I always wear It, for she tied It round 
 my neck herself; and then she showed me the 
 baby and bid me love her, for that no one else 
 would. That was when she was dying, though 
 I did not know it then. Here it is, sir." 
 
 It was a small round miniature, plainly set as 
 a locket in an old-fashioned gold frame of for- 
 eign workmanship. On the back was engraved
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 45 
 
 the name, " Dolores Haidee Silva." Captain 
 Hamilton examined it closely ; a lovely, childish 
 face, with beautiful dark loving eyes, and sweet 
 sensitive mouth. Singleton was like it, though 
 he was rather a plain boy, and this little head 
 Avas like an angel. 
 
 " Your mother was no more an American 
 slave than I am !" he cried, giving the boy back 
 his treasure. '' The name is Spanish. I knew 
 an old Don Juan Silva in the West Indies once. 
 If there's any black blood, it's very remote. You 
 ■did quite right to knock the rascal down.*' 
 
 He took another walk up and down the room, 
 returning presently to his seat. 
 
 ** Well, now tell me, what mad notion had you 
 in your small pate when you followed me here ? 
 What did you think I could do for you ?" 
 
 " I'm half ashamed to tell you, it seems so 
 bold ; but I heard what you said to John. I 
 know he won't go, he'll stay with Sir Lionel, 
 they're very well matched. But will you take 
 me instead ? Oh, if you only would ! and if that 
 is too much, I thought that anyhow, you'd keep 
 my secret, and not betray me to Sir Lionel. I 
 will go to sea as a cabin-boy; some ship must 
 want a cabin-boy, don't you think ? or a drum- 
 mer in the barracks. I know my way to them. 
 But I do want to go with you ; I would take
 
 46 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 such pains, sir — and then I should come home 
 a man, and able to take care of Haldee." 
 
 " But, my boy, however willing I might be — 
 no, hang It all. I'll speak out. I am more than 
 willing to take you if you can pass ; but as to 
 running away with you without your father's 
 knowledge and consent, it would be Impossible 
 even if it were right to try. You must come 
 with his consent, or not at all.'' 
 
 Singleton rose wearily to his feet with a sigh. 
 
 " Then where's my hat ? Oh, I lost it on the 
 road : never mind, I don't care about it. Don't 
 tell him that you saw me, and I shall find some- 
 thing else to do. You've been very kind. Cap- 
 tain Hamilton " — he tried hard to steady his 
 voice and speak out bravely — " and I am sure 
 you would help me if you could." 
 
 He held out a little dusty brown paw as he 
 spoke ; the Captain took It and held him fast. 
 
 " Child," he said gently, " I must not let you 
 go. Stay with me. Singleton, and I shall see 
 your father the first thing to-morrow, and it is 
 not impossible he may be glad to let me have 
 you : if not, I may at least be able to get you 
 sent to school. Trust me, boy : I'll do the best 
 I can for you." 
 
 Singleton drew back, and shook his head 
 doubtfully.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 47 
 
 *' Oh, sir, you do7tt know Sir Lionel ! Nothing 
 that you can say will make him let me go. He 
 loves to bully and tyrannise, and he has only me 
 and Black James, and — " 
 
 '' Hush, Singleton, my poor little fellow, 
 youVe had no one to teach you better, and Tm 
 not blaming you ; but don't speak in that way of 
 your father. He is your father, after all; and 
 we are to ' honour our father and mother.* " 
 
 " Honour! he doesn't know the meaning of the 
 word, or he would find out what a sneak John is," 
 cried Singleton contemptuously. The boy had 
 not cauorht the meanino- of the sentence, nor did 
 he know whence it came. 
 
 " Why, surely you know what I mean, Single- 
 ton ! You know the commandments, don't 
 you ?" 
 
 " The commandments ! what command- 
 ments ?" he asked, looking puzzled. '' No, sir, 
 I don't think I do." 
 
 " My stars !" exclaimed Captain Hamilton, 
 " isn't that Phelps a clergyman ?" 
 
 Singleton considered the question for a mo- 
 ment. 
 
 " Yes, I believe he is ; at least, I once heard 
 Sir Lionel say he was the only clergyman he 
 ever knew who had no nonsense about him." 
 
 The sailor whistled softly, rather dismayed at
 
 48 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 this new glimpse Into the secrets of the boy's 
 prison-house. 
 
 '' But you've heard the commandments read 
 in church, haven't you ?" 
 
 '' Oh, we don't go to church. Some of the 
 servants do." 
 
 " Good heavens ! And where do you go ?" 
 
 ** I don't quite understand, sir — nowhere, I 
 beheve." 
 
 *' Nowhere ! And what do you do on Sun- 
 day ?" 
 
 '* Why, what should we do, sir ? there's 
 nothing particular to be done, is there ? we just 
 go on as usual." 
 
 Now Captain Hamilton was no more of a 
 Sabbatarian than most sailors, which I think is 
 as much as to say that he was not a Sabba- 
 tarian at all ; but for all that, he found it a little 
 starding that an English boy, heir to an ancient 
 name and a large estate, had reached the age of 
 fourteen without having heard of Sunday except 
 as one of the days of the week. 
 
 '' The man can have no sense of religion 
 -whatever," he exclaimed incautiously. 
 
 " Who ? Sir Lionel ? Oh no, I've heard him 
 say he hasn't ; he said he's a — an Alien, I think 
 it was." 
 
 ** Atheist, perhaps."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 49 
 
 '* Yes, that's it : an Atheist. I heard him say 
 so to a gentleman dressed all in black, with ti^^ht 
 stockings and a queer hat, who came to the 
 Abbey one day, I believe to speak about 
 Haidee and me. But Sir Lionel sent him 
 away." 
 
 " Sent him away, did he ?" 
 
 " Yes, and he met Haidee and me, and John, 
 as he was getting into his carriage, and spoke 
 very kindly to us, and gave Haidee and me a 
 little book he had in his pocket, such a pretty 
 little book with a red cross on the cover. And 
 John told Sir Lionel, and he took it away and 
 burnt it." 
 
 He might have added, " and boxed my ears 
 for being sorry," but being on the whole of an 
 uncomplaining turn of mind, he had forgotten 
 that particular grievance. Captain Hamilton 
 fell into deep meditation, and resumed his 
 measured tread up and down the room ; but he 
 was recalled to the present difficulty by Single- 
 ton, who had waited very impatiently for nearly 
 ten minutes. 
 
 " Hadn't I better go now, Captain Hamilton ?" 
 
 " Go away, do you mean ? No, my boy. Go 
 to bed., and have a good night's rest, and to- 
 morrow morning we'll consult a friend of mine, 
 and see what can be done. I think it can be 
 
 VOL. I. 4
 
 50 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 managed ; I think you'll go to sea with me, 
 Master Singleton." 
 
 " But look here, sir. If he won't let me go, 
 nor even send me to school; what is to become 
 of me ? He had locked me up, you know, 
 and I should have caught it tremendously to- 
 morrow. You've 710 idea, sir, what lickings he 
 gives me. Besides, he does not know that I 
 can get out of my room ; now, he will make me 
 tell him how I got out, and he will bar the win- 
 dows, and altogether I shall be worse off than 
 ever, and no chance of escape." 
 
 " There's only too much truth in what you 
 say, Singleton ; and yet for all that you must be 
 brave, and run the risk. Now listen quietly, 
 and I'll tell you why. You have no education, 
 you are not very strong, and you have no 
 money. If Ilet you run away as you propose, 
 you would probably have to go home, half 
 starved and dead beat in a month or so. Or if 
 you did not go home," as a little resolute look 
 seemed to assert, " you would most likely get ill 
 and die ; and then what's to become of Miss 
 Goldy-locks ? Now, on the other hand, I have 
 a very good hope that your father will let me 
 have you ; why, hang it all, I've only to threaten 
 him with exposure, and I will, too, as sure as my 
 name's Francis Hamilton !"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 5 1 
 
 '' Exposure ? What do you mean ?" 
 
 " Never mind, my boy. Don't ask me any 
 questions, but trust the matter to me, and I 
 really believe I shall carry you off safely. At 
 all events, at this moment there's nothing for 
 you to do but to go to bed — you're fit for 
 nothing else. You're shivering as if you had 
 a touch of ague, and you're as white as a 
 ghost." 
 
 He rang the bell, and the waiter appeared. 
 
 " Waiter, this young gentleman — Mr. Single- 
 ton Trelawney, Sir Lionel Trelawney's son — 
 will stay with me to-night. Bring us some 
 supper, and have a bed ready for him. Could 
 you make him up a bed on that sofa affair in 
 my room ?" inquired the Captain, rather wishing 
 to keep an eye upon his guest. 
 
 The waiter saw no objection to'this arrange- 
 ment, and departed to give the necessary orders. 
 Singleton was too weary and unnerved to eat, 
 but he had scarcely laid his head upon his pillow 
 before he sank into a deep and dreamless 
 sleep. 
 
 And so ended the adventures of that most 
 momentous day. 
 
 UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS 
 
 4_4i^RARY
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The next morning dawned bright and fair upon 
 Trelawney Abbey, as the old place was still 
 generally called, though, alas ! every trace of 
 the beautiful old monastic buildings, save one 
 small chapel, had disappeared during the reign of 
 the present baronet. " Burnt down, of course," 
 I think I hear you say. No, my friend. 
 Pulled down ; the stones sold and carted away, 
 and the present handsome and convenient 
 mansion of red brick erected on its site. It 
 had been almost the first exercise of Sir Lionel's 
 power, and no one had been able to dissuade 
 him. 
 
 '* I w^ant a house to live in, not a ruin to 
 look at," quoth the American heir ; " and 
 besides, the whole thing is simply hideous and 
 dangeroLis." 
 
 So down came Trelawney Abbey amid general 
 lamentations ; and the new house was pushed
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 53 
 
 on with such zeal that it was finished in time 
 for Haidee to be born, and her mother to die, 
 beneath its roof. I beHeve that by the time 
 of which I write. Sir Lionel was rather ashamed 
 of his barbarous act, but he never acknow- 
 ledged it. 
 
 The morning dawned, as I have said ; and 
 for the first time for many years, the sun 
 did not shine upon the two neglected children, 
 making the most of the quiet early hours when 
 their oppressors were safe in bed. It had 
 seemed a long night to poor little Haidee, who 
 had counted the weary hours until the grey 
 dawn crept into her room. Then she cried 
 herself to sleep and never woke until nearly 
 nine o'clock. 
 
 " Oh, Anne ! how late is it ? Is Sir Lionel 
 up yet ?" 
 
 " I don't know. Miss Haidee," Anne replied, 
 not a little surprised a the question ; " but he 
 won't mind you're being late, if you are in time 
 for breakfast. You were so sound asleep 
 when I came in first that it seemed a pity to 
 wake you — and poor Master Trelawney is 
 locked up in his room, so I thought you were 
 better in bed." 
 
 Haidee made no answer and asked no 
 questions. She was unusually silent while
 
 54 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 dressing, keeping her quick ears on the alert 
 for the first sign that Singleton's escape was 
 discovered. 
 
 Nothing happened, however ; so she finished 
 dressing, and ran dow^nstairs to the dining- 
 room, where they generally breakfasted. Here 
 she found John, in a temper decidedly not 
 better than was his wont, owing probably to 
 the fact that his eye and nose were in a very 
 uncomfortable and unbecoming state. 
 
 " Ha! Miss Haidee! a fine warming Singleton 
 will get after breakfast." 
 
 " What do you know about it ?" 
 
 " Never mind what I know, or what I don't 
 know. My eyes ! he'll catch it this time and 
 no mistake. Why, he cheeked Sir Lionel last 
 night before Captain Hamilton, and Sir Lionel 
 had him locked up at once; and after breakfast 
 he's going to send for him here — and I would 
 not be in his skin, I promise you." 
 
 Haidee was in such a nervous state of sus- 
 pense that tears were very ready ; she began to 
 cry, and at the same moment her father came 
 into the room followed by Mr. Phelps. 
 
 " What is the matter now, Haidee f" 
 
 " John says you are angry with Singleton, Sir 
 Lionel." 
 
 " Singleton behaved in the most extraordi-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 55 
 
 nary manner last night, and he must be taught 
 to conduct himself with something like respect 
 in my presence. Haidee, cease this childish 
 exhibition, or leave the room." 
 
 Haidee smothered her sobs as best she could, 
 and they sat down to breakfast. Sir Lionel 
 and Mr. Phelps conversed a little ; John de- 
 voured everything he could get upon his plate, 
 and made faces at Haidee. She, poor child, 
 could not eat. Terror for Singleton was 
 mingled now with terror for herself. What 
 would be her fate if Sir Lionel discovered her 
 share in the boy's flight ? Poor little untaught 
 Haidee! she vowed in her heart that she would 
 utterly deny all knowledge of her brother's 
 movements, and waited with feverish anxiety 
 for the awful moment. 
 
 It came at last. Sir Lionel looked up from 
 his newspaper, and said, " Ring the bell, John.' 
 Then to the butler : '' Pierce, desire Black 
 James to bring Master Trelawney here. Haidee, 
 you may go." 
 
 Haidee crept away into the hall. She heard 
 Black James come up from the lower gallery ; 
 he passed through the hall, glancing his great 
 rolling black eyes upon her as she crouched in 
 a corner ; then she heard him pass along the 
 gallery and go upstairs. Presently he ran
 
 56 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 down hurriedly, and went into the dining-room 
 by the door which opened from the gallery. 
 Haidee crept in by the door into the hall which 
 she had left open. 
 
 " Sir Lionel, Master Singleton not there." 
 
 James spoke English remarkably well, for a 
 negro — only missing a few of the shorter words. 
 
 " Not there ! Not in his room !" 
 
 ■" No, Sir Lionel. He gone.'' 
 
 *' Gone, you black idiot ! nonsense ; he's 
 hiding somewhere behind the bed, or the ward- 
 robe. Have you left the door open ?" 
 
 " No, Sir Lionel ; here is the key. But he 
 certainly is not in the room, and the window is 
 open." 
 
 " You're a fool !" was all the reply Sir Lionel 
 made in words. He sprang to his feet, knocked 
 the negro down, and strode out into the gallery 
 and up the broad oak stairs at a tremendous 
 pace, followed closely by Mr. Phelps and John, 
 and at a more cautious distance by Haidee. 
 
 Black James gathered himself up with a look 
 of dogged submission which was habitual to 
 him, and said to her as she passed him : 
 
 " You know all about it, little missy." 
 V " No, oh no, James, I don't indeed. Please 
 — please don't say that to Sir Lionel." 
 
 She was rather afraid of her father's servant
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 57 
 
 — his foster-brother, too, Black James said ; he 
 was a strange, silent being, and the children 
 had always held him for their enemy, though 
 they had no particular reason for so thinking. 
 He only grinned and rolled his eyes in reply to 
 her request, and Haidee hurried from him and 
 ran up to Singleton's room. 
 
 Sir Lionel stood in the middle of the room, 
 looking both angry and startled. 
 
 *' Haidee, come here ! Where is your 
 brother ?" 
 
 " Is he not here ?" she said, looking round. 
 " You locked him in ; what have you done wath 
 him ? Oh, Singleton — my poor Singie, where 
 are you ?" 
 
 She ran to the window and looked out. 
 
 "He must have got out here," said she. 
 
 '' Impossible ! the height is too great," Sir 
 Lionel answered, looking out too ; but the new 
 stone bore no trace, as a moss-covered wall 
 would have done, of the boy's steps. 
 
 Haidee hid her face in her hands and sobbed 
 — her emotion was perfectly real, for she was 
 terribly frightened. 
 
 " Haidee, did you see your brother last night 
 after he was locked up here ?" 
 
 " No ! how should I see him ? I had gone 
 to my own room to bed."
 
 58 RIDING OUT THE CALE. 
 
 " Have you any idea how he left the room ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " And can you givQ me no clue as to the best 
 place to seek for him ? Haidee, attend to me ! 
 Where do you suppose he is ?" 
 
 Thus urged, Haidee suddenly let her hands 
 fall by her side, and looked up into her father's 
 hard, handsome face with bright eyes that 
 seemed to dare him to do his worst. 
 
 '' I think, perhaps, he has drowned himself," 
 she said deliberately, '' in one of the ponds in 
 the Chase. He often said he would, if you were 
 too hard upon him. Go there and look for 
 him." 
 
 The girl was quite unprepared for the effect 
 of this audacious fiction. Sir Lionel staggered 
 back with a pale face of utter horror. 
 
 " Drowned himself ! Good heavens ! I — 
 Haidee, he has 7wl drowned himself." 
 
 " I think he very likely has," insisted Haidee, 
 much pleased at having terrified him. " And if 
 he has, so shall I, too, the very first day I can 
 get away ; then you'll be rid of us, and you and 
 John can do as you like." 
 
 She fully expected to be ordered to her 
 room for this speech, in fact it was to secure her 
 retreat that she thus spoke ; but to her intense 
 surprise her father took no notice of it. He
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 59 
 
 went quickly out of the room without speaking, 
 and still looking pale and scared ; she heard 
 him shouting to the servants, and was aware of 
 a great running to and fro for some time, both 
 in the house and about the place. But she did 
 not know that while this search through the 
 house and gardens was going on. Sir Lionel 
 himself, attended only by Black James, was 
 visiting, one by one, the five or six small lakes 
 or ponds in the Chase, with a face which only 
 lost that ghastly look of horror when the last of 
 them had been examined. He was returning 
 from this expedition when Pierce made his 
 appearance. 
 
 ''Sir Lionel, Captain Hamilton is in the library, 
 and he has brought news of Master Trelawney.'' 
 
 The relief from the awful idea Haidee had 
 suggested was so great, that Sir Lionel hurried 
 into the library with a most unusual lack of 
 ceremony, and was so eager to hear what his 
 visitor had to say that he never perceived that 
 Haidee made a hasty retreat by another door 
 as he entered. 
 
 Haidee had, indeed, rushed downstairs from 
 some post of observation when she saw Captain 
 Hamilton passing through the gallery. She 
 rushed into the library, caught his hand, and 
 exclaimed :
 
 OO RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " You're 7iot going to give him up ! Oh, I 
 did think you would be kind to him." 
 
 *' And I will be kind, my dear child, if I can ; 
 but, as you will see when you are older, I could 
 not possibly run away with him without Sir 
 Lionel's consent. Why, it would be against the 
 laws of the land ! But never fear, my pretty 
 one, don't you spoil your eyes with crying till 
 you have something to cry for. I have a very 
 good hope that your father will let him go." 
 
 '' You don't know my father ! Oh, if you 
 would only not tell him — here he is, I must go. 
 Oh, Captain Hamilton ! save poor Singleton, 
 do save him." 
 
 She gave him a most beseeching look as she 
 vanished, and Sir Lionel came in. 
 
 "Hamilton, they tell me you bring news of 
 my son." 
 
 " I do. He's safe enough — in bed at the 
 George, in Devonport, with Lynwood looking 
 after him. He was so knocked up and feverish 
 that I made him stay quiet." 
 
 Sir Lionel threw himself into an easy-chair 
 with a kind of sob of intense relief. Captain 
 Hamilton stood before the empty fireplace^ 
 watching him. 
 
 Presently he asked, without looking up : 
 
 '' How did he get to Devonport ?"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 6 1 
 
 '* Hanging on under my carnage. I can't 
 imagine how he contrived to stick on so long." 
 
 " And why ? — what reason does he give ? I 
 cannot understand — I don't know — " stammered 
 Sir Lionel. 
 
 " Now, Sir Lionel, let us understand one 
 another. I'm a plain, somewhat rough sailor, 
 and if I speak too bluntly, you must excuse me. 
 I have no wish to offend you, but I mean to 
 make you understand me. You know as well 
 as I do why the boy has run away ; there's no 
 need for me to tell you. He wants to go to 
 sea with me — to take the berth I offered John, 
 ril take him if you like. I fancy the boy, and 
 if you will let him go, I will take him/' 
 
 *' But, Captain Hamilton, I am scarcely pre- 
 pared — to permit my only son to — engage in a 
 profession so hazardous, and which removes 
 him so completely " 
 
 Sir Lionel was making a gallant effort to 
 recover himself, as might be perceived in the 
 reappearance of his long words ; but just at this 
 moment he caught Captain Hamilton's keen 
 glance fixed upon him, and stopped in some 
 confusion. 
 
 " Before you say anything more, Trelawney, 
 just listen to me. I don't want to make myself 
 unpleasant, if I can help it ; but if you don't
 
 62 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 consent either to let Singleton come with me, 
 or to send him to a good school, and to send 
 that pretty little Haidee to school too, I give you 
 my honour that I shall take measures to make 
 what has come under my notice concerning 
 them thoroughly well known. Lynwood says 
 you'll prosecute me for a libel — very good ; 
 that will ensure publicity, at all events, and 
 public feeling will go with me ev^n if the letter 
 of the law is against me. And by one means 
 or another, I swear to you that every newspaper 
 in the country shall ring w^ith your treatment of 
 those unlucky children. Your reason for dis- 
 liking them — for I suppose you have a reason — 
 you, perhaps, wish to keep to yourself. Well, 
 if you force me to speak out, I shall make no 
 secret of the reason the boy gives me." 
 
 Sir Lionel was actually foaming at the mouth 
 with passion by this time ; but at the last words 
 he started and said hoarsely : 
 
 '^ What reason does he give ? He knows 
 nothing !" 
 
 '' Very likely not. But he says that John, 
 our precious ward, who seems likely to be a 
 credit to us, has given him to understand that 
 his mother either was once a slave herself, or 
 was descended from slaves, in America ; and
 
 RIDINC; OUT THE GALE. 6;^ 
 
 the boy believes that this is your reason for 
 disliking him and his sister." 
 
 Sir Lionel was silent for a time, looking down 
 upon the carpet moodily. Captain Hamilton 
 waited patiently until he spoke again. 
 
 '* John told the boy this, did you say ?" 
 
 "So he says. It was for saying something 
 of this kind that Singleton fought him yester- 
 day." 
 
 " Ah ! I wonder how he — how it came to his 
 knowledge. But I owe it to myself to tell 
 you now, plainly, the real facts of the case ; Lady 
 Trelawney never was a slave, nor was she the 
 child of a slave mother. She was of Spanish 
 descent." 
 
 " Then the whole story was a fabrication of 
 John's ?" 
 
 " Not altogether," said Sir Lionel, flushing 
 crimson. " There were circumstances con- 
 nected with the Silva family, which, if only 
 partially known, might mislead — but I have 
 said enough." 
 
 " More than enough. It's no business of 
 mine, and I beg your pardon for asking the 
 question ; I was thinking of John's part in the 
 matter. But since you have mentioned it, let 
 me just say that if there is anything you don't 
 want generally known, you had better change
 
 '64 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 your conduct towards your innocent children ; 
 it's enough to set people talking without my 
 help. Now here's a good opening. Let the 
 little fellow have his own way and go to sea 
 with me. I shall be away four or five years — 
 let the girl spend them at school, and by the 
 end of that time they will have forgotten a good 
 deal, and you will find it easy to get on. And 
 you know he need not go to sea again unless 
 both you and he wish it." 
 
 Sir Lionel rose from his chair and walked to 
 the window, where he stood for some time 
 staring vacantly at the bright leaping fountain; 
 trying to persuade both himself and his com- 
 panion that he was considering the subject. 
 But in very truth, he felt that he had no choice; 
 and though exceedingly angry at the way in 
 which it had been brought about, I am not sure 
 that he was not rather glad that a change was 
 inevitable. For though a violent tempered and 
 tyrannical man, he was not altogether a bad 
 man. He had some faint sense of justice, and 
 a lurking suspicion that he had been hard upon 
 his children, and he felt moreover, that if they re- 
 mained at home, he would probably continue to 
 be hard upon them. So he presently said un- 
 graciously enough : 
 
 '' As the boy has set his heart upon going
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 65 
 
 with you, and you are good enough to under- 
 take the charge, I suppose it is my best course 
 to let him go. He will probably soon get 
 over his folly and be glad to remain at home. 
 There is an examination to be passed, is there 
 not ?" 
 
 '* There is. Lynwood tried him this morning 
 and says he can pass easily. It comes off to- 
 morrow. Suppose he stays with me till he has 
 passed, and I have put him in the way to get 
 his outfit. Then he can come home until we 
 sail. You will have to make him an allowance, 
 you know." 
 
 " Of course. What is the usual allow- 
 ance ?" 
 
 " Well, sixty or seventy. But as Singleton 
 will be a rich man, let us say a hundred to 
 begin with, and a hundred and fifty after the 
 first two years. There's nothing gained by 
 keeping a lad tight when he knows it must come 
 to him sooner or later." 
 
 *' It shall be as you wish." 
 
 " And — forgive me, Trelawney — but you will 
 send Haidee to school ?" 
 
 ** Really, Captain Hamilton, you are — perhaps 
 
 unconsciously — entering upon questions with 
 
 which you have nothing to do. But I have no 
 
 objection to satisfy your curiosity ; I shall pro- 
 
 VOL. I. 5
 
 66 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 bably go abroad for a time, and in that case both 
 John and Haidee must be sent to school ; John 
 of course to Eton ; about Haidee I must make 
 inquiries." 
 
 '' Eton's too swell for a lad with no better 
 prospects than John's. As to the other, I can 
 help you there. My brother s children are at a 
 school near London, and it seems to answer 
 with them. They are nice girls. I could get 
 the address from Mrs. Hamilton, if you like." 
 
 " Thank you," said Sir Lionel, who was one 
 of the laziest of men. *' It will greatly oblige 
 me." 
 
 He left his post by the window, and rang the 
 bell. 
 
 " Pierce, is luncheon ready ?" 
 
 " We were just going to ring. Sir Lionel." 
 
 ** Desire them to put up some of Master 
 Trelawney's clothes ; he will remain in Devon- 
 port for a day or so. And send Miss Tre- 
 lawney here." 
 
 He turned to Captain Hamilton. 
 
 " Will you not have some luncheon before 
 you go ?" 
 
 *' No, thanks ; I must get back as soon as I 
 can." 
 
 Haidee could not have been very far off, for 
 she made her appearance at this moment,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 67 
 
 looking anxious and frightened ; her father 
 looked at her as she slowly drew near. 
 
 " Haidee, Singleton is with Captain Hamil- 
 ton, in Devonport. He will remain there 
 until he has passed an examination for 
 the naval service, and procured his outfit. 
 Were you aware of his desire to become a 
 sailor ?'* 
 
 '* Yes, papa.'' 
 
 *' Did you know of his intention to — to leave 
 home last night ?" 
 
 *' No, Sir Lionel. I did not." 
 
 As she uttered these words she raised her 
 eyes to Captain Hamilton's face. He was 
 watching her with an expression of the deepest 
 pity. Haidee started, looked away, then looked 
 again at the kind, weather-beaten, pitying face. 
 Her own crimsoned, her chest heaved, and she 
 suddenly burst into tears — into such a wild 
 passion of crying that she could not speak 
 for some time. When she could, she sobbed 
 out : 
 
 " That was a lie, Sir Lionel ! I did know, 
 and I helped him to go. Now do whatever 
 you like to me, I don't care. Captain Hamilton, 
 I will never tell a lie again as long as I live." 
 
 " That's right, my little one," said the Cap - 
 tain kindly. " It's a dirty trick. Now run 
 
 5—2
 
 68 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 away, my dear, and make them get Singleton's 
 things quickly, for I am in a hurry." 
 
 She ran away, only too glad to escape. 
 
 ** You see ?" said Sir Lionel coldly. *' You 
 perceive the dispositions I have to deal with ? 
 And the boy is worse. Remember, I have 
 warned you. He is quite as untruthful as 
 Haidee, and has, besides, a temper which 
 borders on Insanity. There is something about 
 them both which " 
 
 " Which simply proves that they have been 
 neglected and unkindly treated," broke in the 
 sailor bluntly. " Thank you, but I'll take my 
 chance with the boy. Why, Trelawney, are you 
 blind ? don't you see that terror both for her 
 brother and herself actually forced that poor 
 child into a falsehood, and yet she could not 
 persevere in It ?" 
 
 '' But allow me to tell you that I had ques- 
 tioned her before, when she not only denied all 
 knowledge of her brother's proceedings, but en- 
 deavoured to alarm, at least to put me on a false 
 scent, by declaring that he had threatened to 
 destroy himself." 
 
 " Poor little girl," said the sailor gravely. 
 *' Send her to school, Trelawney, and pray that 
 there your work may be undone. Heaven for-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 6g 
 
 give you, youVe done your best to ruin both your 
 children!" 
 
 " Really, Captain Hamilton, this is language 
 which I am not accustomed to hear." 
 
 " I dare say not. It would be better for 
 you if you were ; for it is simply the plain truth. 
 However, I don't want to have words with you, 
 you must excuse my rudeness. The sooner 
 I'm off the better for all parties." 
 
 Sir Lionel bowed, and did not repeat his 
 invitation to luncheon : and, as Pierce now ap- 
 peared with a carpet-bag containing Singleton's 
 wardrobe, Captain Hamilton took his leave at 
 once. 
 
 In the hall Haidee ran to him. 
 
 " Oh, Captain Hamilton ! you are good ! I 
 shall love you all my life. But please tell me, 
 shall I not see him before you go quite away ?" 
 
 '* Certainly you shall, my dear. I shall send 
 him home for a day or two, to show you his new 
 uniform — oh ho ! you like that idea, don't you?" 
 
 " Oh yes ; and indeed, indeed, Captain 
 Hamilton, I never will tell a lie again ! 
 never." 
 
 '' Mind you don't, Haidee. But you'll soon go 
 where you'll be better cared for. Good-bye, 
 curly locks, good-bye !'*
 
 70 RIDING OUT THE GALE, 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 It was a bitter moment for John Trelawney 
 when his hitherto despised and maltreated 
 cousin came back from Devonport in all the 
 glory of his uniform, gold-laced cap, dirk, and 
 white gloves; in fact, with all things befitting an 
 officer in her Majesty's navy. 
 
 Even Sir Lionel felt the silent influence of 
 the change in the boy's appearance, and though 
 not kind, was at least not actively unkind 
 during his brief stay. 
 
 The brother and sister had a thoroughly 
 happy time of it, and Sir Lionel w^as not a little 
 surprised to find all his tenants coming to the 
 Abbey to say good-bye, all with affection, and 
 some of the women with tears, to the son he 
 valued so litde. 
 
 Sir Lionel might have gone to Kamschatka 
 with a vow never to return, and no one would 
 have greatly cared, whereas every one was sorry
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 7 1 
 
 to part with Singleton, and Black James had to 
 be knocked down twice, for ''whining about 
 that confounded boy/' in spite of the children's 
 Idea that he hated them. 
 
 Then the Sultana sailed for Halifax ; and In 
 less than a month Sir Lionel had sent John to 
 Eton, Haidee to the school recommended by 
 Mrs. Hamilton, and was himself in Italy. 
 
 It Is unnecessary to do more than sketch the 
 next few years ; and I begin with John, because 
 I have but little to say of him. He was uni- 
 versally disliked at Eton, no one could say ex- 
 actly why ; for after a few terrible scrapes, he 
 had the good sense to conceal his bullying pro- 
 pensities, and a wholesome remembrance of the 
 contempt In Captain Hamilton's face taught 
 him not to display any marked dislike to a fight, 
 if It were actually necessary. He remained at 
 Eton until old enough for Sandhurst, whither 
 he then went, as he had determined to be a 
 soldier ; his vacations were spent on the Con- 
 tinent with his guardian. 
 
 As to Haidee, she was fortunate In her 
 school, and yet more so In the friends she made 
 during her school-days. Captain Hamilton had 
 written a long account of his adventures at the 
 Abbey to his sister-in-law, whose kind motherly 
 heart was touched by his description of the
 
 72 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 beautiful, neglected, motherless child. Thus it 
 happened that when her daughters wrote to say- 
 that Haidee was to spend her holidays at school 
 as lone as Sir Lionel remained abroad, she in- 
 vited her to come home with her own girls at 
 Christmas. Sir Lionel's consent was obtained 
 by Captain Hamilton, and was conveyed to his 
 sister-in-law in a letter written the night before 
 the Sultana sailed. The Hamiltons were at 
 breakfast when the letters arrived ; there were the 
 usual number of unpleasant-looking blue-covered 
 epistles for the Squire, as a few old-fashioned 
 tenants still called the master of Heronhurst. 
 
 " Henry, Francis says that Sir Lionel has no 
 objection to the child's coming here. Not a 
 very gracious consent, is it ? but Fm glad for 
 the little girl's sake." 
 
 •* So am I," replied Mr. Hamilton, shuffling 
 his letters together, and preparing for a chat 
 with his wife, which he much preferred to read- 
 ing business letters. 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton was a sensible-looking, care- 
 worn woman, in appearance older than her 
 husband, though really his junior. It was her 
 anxious, saddened expression which made her 
 look old, and her hair was already turning grey. 
 Mr. Hamilton, on the contrary, looked as if care 
 and anxiety were unknown to him ; a hand-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 73 
 
 some, upright, portly, prosperous-looking gentle- 
 man. All their surroundings, too, looked bright 
 and pleasant ; spacious rooms, handsome old 
 furniture, fine pictures, pretty gardens. Few 
 people were aware of the strict economy main- 
 tained in-doors by the mistress, and out-of- 
 doors by the master ; far less did any guess 
 down what an abyss of possible ruin and misery 
 those anxious eyes were always looking, or 
 perhaps Mrs. Hamilton's anxiety would have 
 been more easily accounted for than her hus- 
 band's careless demeanour. The truth was, 
 that he seldom looked beyond the present : 
 while she, more keen-sighted, was troubled with 
 terrible forebodings. 
 
 " The child is about the same ao^e as little 
 Hester, isn't she ?" Mr. Hamilton said. 
 
 " A little older. I hope the girls will like 
 her, or it will spoil their holidays having her 
 here." 
 
 " I wonder at Sir Lionel's letting her come," 
 remarked Mr. Hamilton, stirring his tea medi- 
 tatively. 
 
 '' So do I. I really hardly expected it." 
 
 " And yet, after all, is it more wonderful than 
 his consulting you about a school for her ?" 
 
 " No, indeed : that surprised me too. I be- 
 gin to think he has forgotten all about it, or has
 
 74 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 forgotten my name ; we never met, you know. 
 I tried to find out from Francis, but he seems 
 to knqw nothing, and I did not wish to tell 
 him.'' 
 
 " Frank was at sea when it all happened — 
 he did not return until Arthur was gone to 
 Hahfax." 
 
 ** What were your letters, Henry ?" 
 
 " Here they are — one from Philip ; he wants 
 thirty pounds." 
 
 Philip was the eldest son ; and his father's 
 half-sigh, together with the expression of his 
 mother s face as she took possession of his letter, 
 did not speak well for him. 
 
 *' It is very soon to begin again," she said in 
 a low voice. " Flere, Henry, read Regie's line, 
 it is only a line, but he seems to like the 
 Trelawney boy." 
 
 " Ah, my dear Regie ! God bless him. I 
 wish he took more kindly to his profession, but 
 perhaps he may find it pleasanter than he ex- 
 pects." 
 
 But I must not linger over this part of my 
 story. Haidee came to Heronhurst, and won 
 all hearts completely. From that time it be- 
 came as much her home as it was Arabel's and 
 Hester's. It may easily be imagined what new 
 life this was to the neglected girl, and how, in
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 75 
 
 Spite of Singleton's absence, she was happier 
 than she ever had been before. Every one was 
 kind to her, her lessons were a delight, her com- 
 panions worshipped her, her letters from Single- 
 ton proved that he too was well and prosper- 
 ous, and altogether her happiness was un- 
 clouded. 
 
 And unclouded it continued to be for four or 
 five years ; but then a blow fell upon the 
 Hamilton family which could not be concealed, 
 even from " the children," as Haidee and 
 Hester were still called, though the one was 
 sixteen and the other fifteen years of age. 
 Arabel had left school, and ceased to be 
 reckoned among the children. 
 
 The two girls camie home in high spirits for 
 the Christmas holidays ; if any indication of 
 what awaited them had been given in their 
 letters, they had not understood it ; but the first 
 glance of home faces told them that there was 
 something very wrong. They arrived late at 
 night, and nothing was said until the next 
 morning, when the two frightened girls ques- 
 tioned Arabel, who tried to hint at the truth but 
 broke down in the attempt and cried bitterly. 
 She went to her mother. 
 
 " Mamma, you may as well tell the girls at 
 once. They know there is something wrong,
 
 76 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 and Hester will cry herself sick if you don't 
 speak to her." 
 
 " Send them here, my dear. I meant to send 
 for them soon." 
 
 She was in the cosy morning-room known as 
 ** the mistress's parlour " by many a generation 
 of Hamiltons. The two girls came presently, 
 looking pale and frightened. 
 
 '' My dear children, come here," she said, and 
 they silently obeyed ; Hester perching herself 
 on the arm of her mother's chair, Haidee on the 
 ground at her feet. 
 
 '' I think you have seen that there is some- 
 thing wrong," she began. 
 
 " Yes, mamma." 
 
 Haidee always called her so. 
 
 " And we asked Arabel, but we could not 
 understand." 
 
 " I can make you understand easily enough, 
 my dear." 
 
 But she remained silent, absently patting 
 Hester's little cold hand. 
 
 " I think Arabel said that papa had lost a 
 great deal of money," Hester said presently, as 
 if to help her. 
 
 "Ah, child ! if that were all, it would be soon 
 told and easily borne. You will find this hard 
 to bear — all the harder, because you are quite
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 77 
 
 unprepared for it. I have kept these things 
 from you, in a vain hope that you need 
 never know them, but you must know them 
 now." 
 
 She covered her face with her hands, and was 
 silent for a moment. Hester silently kissed the 
 poor hand which pressed the aching brow — not 
 to keep back tears, but to still the weary pain 
 which no tears could relieve. 
 
 '' My little Hester !" murmured the poor 
 mother. Then aloud — " I had better beein at 
 the beginning, girls, and tell you once for all, as 
 much as you can understand and must know. 
 When your father inherited this estate, I dare 
 say you know that it was from his eldest 
 brother. Your uncle Philip had been very ex- 
 travagant, and left enormous debts to his heir. 
 However, we set to work hopefully, and should 
 have cleared the estate by this time — years ago 
 in fact, but for circumstances. First, your 
 father's seat in Parliament entailed a great deal 
 of expense. It was a matter of course, almost, 
 that Hamilton of Heronhurst should be the 
 
 Conservative member for the Riding, but we 
 
 have often regretted that we did not refuse from 
 the first. My dears, I am saying more than is 
 actually necessary, because I cannot bear to run 
 the risk of your thinking, when you are older,
 
 78 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 that your dear father was reckless, or — or In any- 
 way to blame." 
 
 " But we should never think anything of the 
 kind, mamma." 
 
 *' No one can think It who knows the truth. 
 As soon as he saw that It would lengthen out 
 our difficulties, he gave up his seat in Parlia- 
 ment, sold his town house, and placed every- 
 thing here on a different footing. He gave up 
 the hounds, and reduced the stable establish- 
 ment considerably. Then all went well, and we 
 were rapidly paying off the encumbrances ; but 
 a sad blow fell upon us. Philip got Into debt 
 during his first year at college, to such an 
 amount that — that I have never been able to 
 understand how he managed it. To make it 
 possible for your father to pay without further 
 retrenchments, or by using the sums set apart 
 for you girls, in case your parents were taken 
 from you, Reginald gave up what was intended 
 for him, and went to sea." 
 
 ** Is that why Regie went to sea ?" Hester 
 asked, raising her head from her mother's 
 shoulder. " I always wondered, because he did 
 not seem to like it." 
 
 "He did not like it, but Francis could help 
 him in that way, and in no other. But I must 
 finish my story. We have been paying these
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 79 
 
 college debts by degrees, and in time all would 
 have been well. But the end has come 
 now." 
 
 " Mamma, what has happened ?" Haidee 
 cried out, when she paused. 
 
 About a month ago, Philip wrote to us from 
 Paris. He had resigned his appointment in 
 consequence, he said, of debt, which he entreated 
 his father to pay, or he would be ruined. Alas, 
 no payment could prevent ruin — w^ell for us if 
 we can prevent disgrace." 
 
 " Disgrace !" the two girls echoed. 
 
 " Yes, disgrace ; but for that, your father 
 would have refused to pay. But we had no 
 choice ; things would have come out which we 
 must keep secret at any cost. It is ruin, 
 children : utter ruin. But ruin can be borne ; 
 disgrace cannotr 
 
 She looked nervously round and whispered, 
 '' Philip has—" 
 
 Haidee sprang up from the ground : 
 
 " Hush, mamma ! that is enough. Hester 
 and I are only * the children,' you know — you 
 need not tell us everything. We know quite 
 enough now. We know — what we did not 
 need to be told — that whoever is to blame it is 
 not you, nor my dear, dear Mr. Hamilton. 
 Don't tell us what Philip did, perhaps we need
 
 8o RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 never know. It hurts you to tell us — we will 
 not hear any more." 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton kissed the eager face tenderly, 
 then said to Hester : 
 
 " And you, little one ? Are you content to 
 hear no more ?" 
 
 " Yes, mamma. Poor, poor Philip ! how un- 
 happy he must be 1" 
 
 A look of agony passed over Mrs. Hamilton's 
 face ; those childish words had touched the 
 deepest wound in her heart. For Philip, selfish 
 and reckless, seemed to care right little for the 
 suffering he had brought upon his family. His ♦ 
 letters were filled with lamentations over his 
 own hard lot, forced to fly his country, a marked 
 man, when a month more of impunity would 
 have saved him, by enabling him if — what an 
 if! — if Fairstar won the St. Leger, &c. He 
 had only borrowed the money. The law, un- 
 fortunately, has another name for the act of 
 borrowing money in this fashion ; and when the 
 borrower is a public servant, and the money 
 public money, discovery may be tardy, and 
 much time may be lost in finding out the actual 
 defaulter ; but once discovered, even prompt 
 repayment does not avail to save him. Mr. 
 Hamilton had no sooner become aware of the 
 real facts of the case, than he repaid every
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 8 1 
 
 farthing of the sum his worthless heir had bor- 
 rowed, paying his private debts as well, in hopes 
 of silencing malicious tongues. But the appeiil 
 to him had not been made in time, and Philip 
 Hamilton could never resume his position in 
 English society. 
 
 "Well then, dear children," Mrs. Hamilton 
 went on after a pause, " I shall say no more at 
 present. But you must prepare for much that 
 will bitterly grieve you both. Haidee, my 
 dear, you see I forgot that you are not my 
 very own." 
 
 " You forgot that long ago, mamma. And 
 indeed if it can make me your very own to be 
 __to " 
 
 Here Haidee, to her own great disgust, 
 broke down suddenly, crying and sobbing with 
 wonderful heartiness for. a few minutes. Then 
 she left off quite as suddenly as she had begun, 
 remarking cheerfully that she was " making a 
 perfect idiot of herself." 
 
 " But now, mamma, tell us what it is that will 
 grieve us so much." 
 
 " We must leave Heronhurst, my dear. 
 Everything is to be sold ; horses, furniture, 
 pictures — the dear old place itself — and we 
 must live on what we can save out of the 
 wreck." 
 
 VOL. I. 6
 
 S2 RIDIKC OUT THE GALE. 
 
 "Sell Heronhurst, mamma! I did not 
 know you could do that. I thought it was en- 
 tailed." 
 
 '' So it was. But your father made Philip 
 join him in breaking the entail. I do not 
 understand exactly, but it seems they could 
 do it." 
 
 Yes, they could do it — and the good-tempered, 
 easy-going Squire had taken every one by sur- 
 prise, insisting that Philip should consent to 
 it before he would allow him a shilling. And 
 he was now selling the property, though some 
 of his advisers thouo^ht it miorht have been 
 avoided. 
 
 *' No," he said, " Heronhurst had passed 
 through many hands — some of them spend- 
 thrift enough. But disgrace never sat by the 
 old hearth yet, and never shall if I can help it. 
 I would pull the house down with my own 
 hands, before Philip should be Hamilton of 
 Heronhurst." 
 
 " But Reginald ?'' his wife had suggested. 
 
 ** No, there would be some legal quibble — I 
 will make the matter sure." 
 
 And his friends found that on this point they 
 could not move the man whom until now they 
 had fancied the most pliable of beings. 
 
 " Now I have told you all, children, except
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. S^ 
 
 one thing, which I fear will touch you more 
 nearly than the rest. Hester cannot go back 
 to school." 
 
 Hester slipped quietly off the arm of the 
 chair, and stood for a moment as if the last 
 blow had quite stunned her ; then she crept 
 out. of the room, and Haidee, after kissing 
 Mrs. Hamilton in silence, ran after her. They 
 were seen no more that morning. 
 
 Let nobody fancy, however, that Haidee 
 Trelawney spent her time in idle tears and 
 lamentations. During that long day, while 
 nursing Hester through one of her agonising 
 headaches — the girl was delicate, and suffered 
 much from these attacks — Haidee thought the 
 situation over ; and in the evening wrote a long 
 letter to her father. It was some months since 
 she had begun (quite of herself) to write to him 
 occasionally ; and he sometimes answered her 
 letters, though briefly. 
 
 ** Heronhurst, 
 
 ''Bee. 24, 18—. 
 ''My dear Papa, 
 
 " Please read every word of this letter, 
 because it is of great consequence to me. My 
 dear kind friends are in dreadful trouble. Philip, 
 Mr. Hamilton's eldest son, whom I never could 
 
 6—2
 
 84 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 iike as I do the others, has done somethine 
 very wrong about money. I do not know what 
 it is, but they are quite ruined. They must 
 sell even Heronhurst, and there have been 
 Hamiltons here longer than even Trelawneys 
 at the Abbey. And Hester must leave 
 school. Arabel, you know, left it two years 
 ago. 
 
 '' Now, papa, I want you to think a little 
 about me, please. I am sixteen ; a year older 
 than Hester; and I am dreadfully tall for a 
 school-girl. I look quite grown up. Do you 
 not think I ought to leave school too ? I shall 
 be wretched there without Hester. And you 
 know Singleton will soon be coming home, and 
 if I am at school, how am I to see him ? So 
 I think my plan is the best for all of us. 
 Please let me have a governess, and let us live 
 at the Abbey ; I and Hester. I should be so 
 happy ; and you would like me to be happy, 
 would you not ? it cannot be any more trouble 
 to you than when I am at school. Hester and 
 I should be broken-hearted to part, and if you 
 vv'ill do this we should be so happy. 
 
 ** I heard from Singleton last week ; he is 
 
 quite well, and has grown much taller, but he 
 
 hinks he will never be as tall as Reginald 
 
 Hamilton. But as Reginald is six feet three,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 85 
 
 I think Singleton may be tall enough for all 
 that. Captain Hamilton says in his letter — 
 he sometimes writes to me — that Singleton 
 is one of the best officers of his years that he 
 knows, and loves his profession very much. 
 
 " Please write soon and say if I may ask 
 Mrs. Hamilton to get a governess for me and 
 Hester, for there is no time to lose. 
 '* I remain 
 
 " Your affectionate daughter, 
 " Haidee D. Trelawney. 
 
 '' P.S. — Please answer this soon ; and please 
 say yes."
 
 S6 
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 It so happened that Haidee's letter reached 
 her father at a fortunate moment for her wishes. 
 Sir Lionel was utterly weary of his solitary 
 wanderings ; indeed it would be hard to imagine 
 any one less fitted to enjoy the life he had led 
 since he left Trelawney Abbey. He was so 
 ignorant that the name of famous men and 
 places awoke neither ideas, memories, nor 
 associations in his mind. He was so devoid of 
 taste, natural or acquired, that all the marvels 
 of nature and all the works of art which came 
 before his eyes were but so many things to be 
 looked at — and he looked, and forgot them. 
 Never once, in after years, was he known to 
 speak of what he had seen during his travels. 
 It was dull work. He knew no language but 
 his own, and a few sentences of Spanish ; and 
 his ridiculous pride made him keep aloof from 
 such countrymen of his own as he encountered
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. "^J 
 
 from time to time. Altogether, It is not 
 wonderful that he longed for a change. 
 
 And now Haldee's letter seemed to open a 
 way of escape. He pondered long over the 
 girl's innocent, straightforward appeal, and at 
 last saw how to make the most of his oppor- 
 tunity. Sir Lionel had been very angry as 
 well as very much frightened at some remarks 
 of Captain Hamilton's when he carried off 
 Singleton, but in thinking the matter over 
 during these weary years of exile, he had 
 come to understand that matters might well 
 have been worse ; in fact that he had narrowly 
 escaped a public exposure. Never again, he 
 determined, would he run such a risk. His 
 children should henceforth have no just cause 
 to complain of him ; love them he could not 
 — they were " her children ;" but he would give 
 them no right to say that he hated them. He 
 would be a just and not unkind father, and the 
 past should be forgotten ; all he wanted was 
 a fresh beginning, and now that was easily 
 managed. So, to the immense surprise of 
 every one concerned, Sir Lionel made his ap- 
 pearance in person at Heronhurst, in answer 
 to the letter written by his daughter. 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton alone was at home when he 
 arrived. Haidee and the girls were out walking.
 
 88 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 and Mr. Hamilton was in London. A servant 
 brought her Sir Lionel's card. 
 
 *' A gentleman, ma'am." 
 
 " Giles, I told you not to let any one in, except 
 on business." 
 
 " Yes, ma'am, but this gentleman asked for 
 Miss Trelawney, and when he heard she was 
 out he said he would wait ; and then he desired 
 me to let you know he was here, as perhaps you 
 A\ ould see him." 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton took the card. 
 
 *' Sir Lionel Trelawney !" she said. *' How 
 very extraordinary !" 
 
 Then after a moment she added : 
 
 " Tell Sir Lionel I shall be with him imme- 
 diately. Where is he ?" 
 
 " In the library, ma'am." 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton did not seem in any hurry 
 to join her visitor ; she sat turning the card 
 about in her hand, and evidendy felt puzzled and 
 disturbed. 
 
 " I cannot understand his coming here," she 
 muttered. " It is really very awkward ; however, 
 if he makes no allusion to the past, neither shall I.'' 
 
 Having made up her mind, she went to the 
 library. Sir Lionel rose and came to meet her, 
 she fancied, with embarrassment, but afterwards 
 she perceived that it was his usual manner. As
 
 RIDINCx OUT THE GALE. 89 
 
 I have said before, he was a remarkably hand- 
 some man, and had rather a grand air : it was 
 not at once that strangers perceived what a block- 
 head he really was. He bowed in a Grandi- 
 sonian style. 
 
 '' Have I the honour of seeing Mrs. Hamilton, 
 my daughter's kind friend ?" 
 
 " Oh," thought she, '^ I am to be considered only 
 as Haidee's friend; very good." So she replied 
 courteously, " I am Mrs. Hamilton, Sir Lionel." 
 
 " I have to thank you for your unfailing kind- 
 ness to my daughter, madam." 
 
 " She is a very dear child, we feel as if she 
 were our own. Indeed, we often forget that 
 she is not actually one of us. She will very 
 soon be here now, for it is near luncheon-time." 
 
 Sir Lionel cleared his throat twice, and began 
 to speak with so much the air of one about to 
 make an oration or preach a sermon, that sad as 
 Mrs. Hamilton was, she had nearly laughed. 
 
 *' I rejoice, madam, that Miss Trelawney's 
 absence gives me an opportunity of addressing 
 myself to you in private before I see her. I 
 have recently received a letter from her, in 
 which she states that, for family reasons, you 
 are about to withdraw your daughter from the 
 school which you so kindly recommended to 
 me. Is it not so, may I inquire ?"
 
 90 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' k is. I don't know what Haidee may have 
 told you, but it is no secret that we are — leaving 
 Heronhurst — and that " 
 
 Her voice shook, and she left her sentence 
 unfinished. Sir Lionel waited for a moment, 
 and then resumed the stately flow of his 
 eloquence : 
 
 " My daughter informs me that she would 
 prefer not returning to school, under these 
 altered circumstances. I think myself that she 
 has reached an age when a continued residence 
 at a school is perhaps undesirable. I am about 
 to engage a governess for her, and shall take her 
 to reside at Trelawney Abbey. If you will per- 
 mit your youngest daughter, Hester I think she 
 calls her, to share her studies, I — you will con- 
 I fer an obligation upon me, for which I shall be 
 grateful. I wish much to return to the Abbey 
 myself, and intend my daughter to reside there 
 until her marriage ; but it seems to me unde- 
 sirable that she should be quite alone.'' 
 
 Poor Mrs. Hamilton ! Sir Lionel was, per- 
 haps, the last man in the world to whom she 
 would willingly be obliged. But the plan was 
 very tempting. Her delicate, sensitive Hester 
 would be spared so much suffering, so many 
 privations. She would be happy with Haidee, 
 and perhaps gain strength and vigour in the
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 9 1 
 
 warm south, whereas London had always rather 
 tried her, and in London the Hamiltons must 
 now hve all the year round, as Mr. Hamilton 
 had accepted a small Government appointment, 
 the duties of which would require his presence 
 in town. 
 
 "You are very kind," she said doubtfully. 
 " I'm anxious about Hester, she is not strong, 
 and is growing so fast I rather dread London 
 for her." 
 
 *' Then I may consider the matter as defi- 
 nitely arranged, madam. You oblige me more 
 than I can express ; you add a hundredfold to 
 your previous favours." 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton gasped ; she had not meant 
 to be understood as actually consenting — what 
 would her husband say ? At the same time she 
 was not very sorry to be thus committed, as it 
 were, for it would make it harder for him to 
 refuse his consent. Sir Lionel had forgotten 
 that any consent save hers was necessary. 
 
 " If you will allow me to have a voice in 
 selecting your governess," she said, " I think I 
 may be able to let Hester go." 
 
 " I was about to request you to undertake 
 this task. I should like an elderly person, who 
 would also supervise my establishment until 
 my daughter is of an age to assume her place
 
 92 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 as mistress of the house. That will be in about 
 two years." 
 
 " I think I can procure you an excellent person 
 — Miss Warner. She was my daughter's gover- 
 ness for some years, and since they went to 
 school she has had a situation much like what 
 you often Shall I give you her address, or 
 write to her myself, Sir Lionel ?" 
 
 " I shall be only too glad to leave it to you, 
 madam. Whatever you arrange as to salary, 
 &c., I shall be perfectly satisfied. I have no 
 experience in such matters.'' 
 
 There was a sound of fresh young voices in 
 the hall, and Mrs. Hamilton rose. 
 
 " I hear the girls coming in. I shall send 
 Haidee to you. Sir Lionel ; we shall meet again 
 at luncheon." 
 
 She met the three girls in the hall. 
 
 " Haidee, my dear, your father has come to 
 see you. He is in the library, and you are to 
 <^o to him at once." 
 
 She looked at the beautiful, animated face, 
 and thought that a father must be indeed hard 
 to please who would not rejoice in the possession 
 of such a daucrhter. 
 
 o 
 
 But all poor Haidee's brightness vanished 
 as she seized Mrs. Hamilton's hand with a look 
 of alarm.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 93 
 
 "Sir Lionel here! oh, mamma, must I go to 
 him alone?" 
 
 " Why, yes, dear ; it will be better so. Ycrj 
 must be a wise girl now, Haidee, and forget old 
 grievances. He is full of really kind plans for 
 you, and you ought to meet him halfway. Rsn 
 quickly in, my dear, and remember only that 
 your own and your brother's happiness may 
 depend upon your conduct now. Now, my 
 darling, go, don't stop to think." 
 
 While giving the startled girl this good advice 
 she had led her towards the door, which she 
 now opened, and gently pushed her in. As she 
 then shut the door behind her, Haidee found 
 herself in her father's presence, with her retreat 
 cut off, before she had at all collected her 
 scattered senses. 
 
 Sir Lionel, seeing a tall young lady, rose from 
 his chair and bowed. If he had not been the 
 dullest of men, her likeness to the Trelawney 
 family must have told him who she was ; but he 
 was the dullest of men, and remembering her 
 only as a child, this tall maiden puzzled him. 
 He bowed a second time, magnificently, as she 
 advanced. 
 
 " Sir Lionel, don't you know me ? I am 
 Haidee." 
 
 "Haidee!" he exclaimed, and stared at
 
 94 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 her. Then her wonderful beauty struck him, 
 and he actually smiled upon her. She could 
 scarcely believe it, for it was the first smile she 
 had ever, to the best of her belief, seen upon 
 her father's face. But Sir Lionel was experienc- 
 ing a novel and pleasant sensation ; this lovely, 
 golden-haired, bright-eyed creature was his 
 daughter, his property. This was not so much 
 " her child " as " his daughter.'' 
 
 '' You are so grown," he said slowly, *' that 
 you must not wonder that I did not recognise 
 you ; but I see that you are very like — my 
 father. You are a true Trelawney," he added 
 hastily, as he drew her to him and kissed her 
 smooth forehead. 
 
 Yes, she was very like his father ; but she 
 was much more like one — the only one — who 
 had ever really warmed Sir Lionel's cold heart. 
 The surprise over. Sir Lionel was himself 
 again, and exhorted her " not to be agitated." 
 
 " I trust, Haidee, that we shall understand 
 each other for the future. Mrs. Hamilton gives 
 me a very pleasing account of you, and I have 
 arranged with her that you and your friend, 
 Miss Hester Hamilton, are to reside for the 
 future at the Abbey, under the care of a gover- 
 ness. 
 
 He must have been made of stone if he could
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 95 
 
 have been unmoved at her delight. Her face 
 lighted up, the brilliant colour flushed her 
 cheeks as she threw her arms impulsively round 
 him, crying : 
 
 " Oh, papa, I shall love you so ! How good 
 and kind of you to do this ! You have made 
 me the very happiest girl in the world." 
 
 She was always the very happiest or the 
 very most miserable of girls, by her own ac- 
 count. 
 
 " I am rejoiced that you are pleased," said 
 Sir Lionel, warmly for him. It was pleasant 
 enough to be so warmly thanked ; nay, he 
 began to think that it would be pleasant to have 
 this bright creature always at hand, and his 
 imagination even went so far as to suggest to 
 him that John would be a lucky fellow. A bell 
 rang, and Haidee exclaimed : 
 
 '' There's luncheon, and I have not taken off 
 my hat. Will you wait here, papa, and I will 
 come back and show you the way .'*" 
 
 *' Very well ; but let me request you to make 
 no unnecessary delay. Mrs. Hamilton may 
 think me wanting in courtesy if I detain her/' 
 
 Haidee ran away, and I regret to say that 
 she laughed as she ran. 
 
 " He speaks like a book, this father of mine. 
 I had forgotten ; but I believe he always did.
 
 96 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Mr. Hamiltoia would have said, ' Run away, 
 lassie, and look sharp.' Oh, Hester, were you 
 waiting for me ?" 
 
 *' Yes, I knew you would come up to take off 
 your hat ; and I thought you would forget to 
 smooth your hair," said tidy Hester, " and then 
 your father would think you were " 
 
 But Haidee brought her remarks to an un- 
 timely end by catching her in her arms and 
 kissing her vehemently. 
 
 *' My dear, darling, precise Hester ! I'm 
 very nearly too happy to live. Sir Lionel is a 
 darling — a perfect jewel of a father, and I mean 
 to love him with all my heart, if he will only be 
 as good to Singleton as he is to me." 
 
 " Why, what has he done ?" asked Hester, 
 much surprised, for she had frequently heard 
 remarks of a widely different tendency from this 
 excited young lady. 
 
 " I haven't time to tell you half the delightful 
 truth ; besides, Mrs. Hamilton may think us 
 wanting in courtesy if we detain her," quoted 
 Haidee, audaciously mimicking her father. 
 
 " I think you are a little mad," said Hester. 
 
 " I am ! and for once, you'll be as mad as I 
 am. Hester, we are not to be parted — you and 
 I ; we are going to tTie Abbey — my own 
 beautiful Abbey — to live together always. And
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 97 
 
 Ave shall pay them visits in London, and when 
 Singleton comes home he shall marry you, and 
 I'll marry Reginald; and we'll all be as happy as 
 the wonderful girl out of whose mouth came 
 rubies and roses. Much happier, for I always 
 think it must have been uncomfortable. Fm 
 sure" she stammered — "don't you think so? 
 Now, doiit stand staring like a dear little 
 gosling, as you are ! My hair is all right — come 
 along and be introduced to my father." 
 
 " Haidee, please don't hurry me so. I don't 
 understand, a word you have said." 
 
 But she might as well have reasoned with 
 the west wind when inclined for a frolic ! She 
 was whisked downstairs and into the library 
 before she had time to think. 
 
 " Papa, this is Hester, my friend. She's out 
 of breath just now, but she'll be all right pre- 
 sently. Shall we go to luncheon ?" 
 
 " Allow me first to assure Miss Hamilton of 
 the sincere pleasure with which I hope to w^el- 
 come her to the Abbey," said Sir Lionel, with a 
 bow so truly magnificent that poor frightened 
 Hester felt called upon to respond by a regu- 
 lar dancing-school courtesy. This suited Sir 
 Lionel admirably. He decided that if this 
 little girl had not the brilliant beauty of the 
 other, she was a gentle, well-mannered creature; 
 
 VOL. I. • 7
 
 98 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 SO he completed her dismay by offering his 
 arm to lead her to the dining-room, whither 
 they repaired, preceded by Haidee, whose face 
 was brimming over with glee and mischievous 
 amusement.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 99 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Sir Lionel Trelawney left Heronhurst that 
 evening to prepare for the reception of his 
 daup^hter and her friend at the Abbev. 
 
 When Mr. Hamilton came home, he had a 
 long private conference with his wife, after 
 which he announced that he consented to the 
 arrangement she had made during his absence ; 
 but he had not consented very v/illingly, and 
 Sir Lionel would have been considerably 
 astonished if he could have heard what he said 
 on this occasion. 
 
 ** Let it be as you wish, my dear. I'm very 
 fond of Haidee — as fond as if she were my own ; 
 and if she must be with her father, perhaps she 
 will be the better for having Hester there too. 
 And it will, as you say, be better for Hester ; and 
 I don't for a moment suppose that Sir Lionel 
 will again venture on actual oppression. But the 
 plain truth is, the man's a scoundrel, and I don't 
 like being obliged to him.." 
 
 7—2
 
 lOO RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' My dear Henry, the obligation will not be 
 all on our side by any means. Haidee would 
 be very miserable without any companion." 
 
 " Did the fellow refer in any way to all that 
 about poor Marian ?" 
 
 " Not once. Is it not odd ?" 
 
 ** It is simply impossible, I suppose, that he 
 does not know that you are Arthur Vane's 
 sister ?" 
 
 '* Oh, quite impossible ! You don't suppose 
 he would have let Haidee be always here with- 
 out finding out all about us ?" (which was 
 exactly what Sir Lionel had done). " But, 
 indeed, Henry, it is not quite right to go back 
 to that now. It was always a very mysterious 
 affair, and it is quite possible that he was not 
 as much to blame as poor Arthur thought him. 
 Marian, herself, was a sweet creature ; but her 
 brother did not improve upon acquaintance, 
 and I always fancied that he had made a 
 dead set at Sir Lionel. Very likely it was a 
 good deal his fault ; in fact, there must have 
 been soi7ie palliation of Sir Lionel's conduct, for 
 you know Mr. Trelawney left his son to his 
 guardianship." 
 
 " I know he did ; and I also know that I 
 always thought him a sneak for doing it. It 
 was only because at that time it seemed likely
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. lOI 
 
 that his son would be the heir-at-law, and he 
 wanted to make sure that he got all he could." 
 
 " Still, he must have known something that 
 told in Sir Lionel's favour, or nothing would 
 have made him do such a thing ; of that I feel 
 sure." 
 
 " Have it your own way, my dear. Wash the 
 blackamoor white by all means, if you can. He 
 may have arrived at a very decent shade of 
 grey by this time, but you may take my word 
 for it, he was very black once upon a time." 
 
 " But Hester may go ?" 
 
 ** Oh yes. I never interfere about the girls. 
 Make her understand that she shall come home 
 at a moment's notice if she is not happy, that's 
 all." 
 
 In due time, therefore, these plans were 
 carried out. Haidee and Hester were sent to 
 the Abbey with Miss Warner, and the Hamil- 
 tons settled themselves in Russell Square, in a 
 house which belonged to Mrs. Hamilton's eldest 
 brother, Reginald Vane.
 
 102 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 All the time that Haldee had been so lovingly 
 sheltered by the Hamiltons, Singleton had been 
 very happy under the kind rule of " his Cap- 
 tain," between whom and Reginald Hamilton, 
 the boy's admiration was pretty equally divided. 
 Young Hamilton was a year or so the elder in 
 years, and very much the elder in education and 
 character. Singleton learned more from him 
 than even from the naval instructor, and for- 
 tunately Reginald's faults were not of a nature 
 to injure his devoted admirer. What those 
 faults were this story will disclose ; doubtless 
 they were latent in his character from the first, 
 but they we7^e latent. To those about him he 
 appeared almost faultless — to Singleton perfectly 
 so. It was a pity indeed that he was not as 
 ardently attached to his profession as could be 
 wished, but that was rather his misfortune than 
 his fault. Poor Singleton, when smarting under
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. IO3 
 
 reproof for some wild frolic, or embarrassed by 
 the results of some outbreak of his passionate 
 temper, often wished that he could exchange his 
 own enthusiasm for his friend's steady attention 
 to his duties. He kept as close to Reginald's 
 side as he could, for w^ith him he felt safe ; but 
 they were sometimes parted, and it really 
 seemed as if an evil spirit took possession of 
 Singleton when thus left to his own devices. As 
 to the pranks played when he and a certain 
 Irish midshipman, whose real name was John, 
 but who was better known to his friends as Pat, 
 or Paddy O'Hara, happened to be companions, 
 they were too numerous and too extraordinary 
 to be related here. The number of hours spent 
 by these two, while still small boys, on the " bad 
 eminence " of the mast-head was somethinof won- 
 derful. 
 
 But if Singleton loved his Captain and his 
 friend, he worshipped another person, of whom 
 I must now give you some idea. 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton's brother, Arthur Vane, held 
 a civil appointment in Halifax, and lived in a 
 pretty little place about a mile from the town. 
 His wife, as you are aware, had been a Miss 
 Trelawney, sister to John Trelawney's very 
 worthless father. She had only lived long 
 enough to leave him one little girl, who had
 
 I04 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 been ever since her father's idol. He always 
 meant to send her home to his sister " next 
 year" to be carefully educated; but next year 
 never came. He could not bear to part with 
 her, and as in his eyes she was simply perfect, 
 he never perceived that it would have been 
 much better if he had kept to his wise resolve. 
 So he educated her himself, with the help o( 
 such masters as Halifax furnished. A scholar 
 and a gentleman was Arthur Vane, but some- 
 what weak withal ; blind to the faults of any one 
 he loved, and willing to be blind to them. 
 Marian was a strange being, to be the child of 
 such parents. The most careful and judicious 
 training would probably have failed to improve 
 her, for she was one of those unhappy specimens 
 of our race, fortunately rare, whose nature ap- 
 pears to have got an extra twist — a kind of 
 moral squint, which renders them unable to tell 
 right from wrong, crooked from straight. That 
 she was wilful and selfish was not wonderful ; 
 the wonderful thing about her was, that with- 
 out the least temptation to deceit, she was 
 thoroughly deceitful. Crooked ways were 
 natural to her ; to get her own way while pre- 
 tending to follow yours, was her delight. There 
 was no accounting for it ; her father had never 
 said her nay in her life, and Singleton, who was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. IO5 
 
 the Other principal victim of her wiles, had been 
 her bond slave from the first. His only com- 
 panion until he left home having been his little 
 sister, he never was happier than when playing 
 with Marian ; and although at first Mr. Vane 
 had appeared unwilling to have him much at 
 Westgrove, he gave way to his child's wishes, 
 as usual. Reginald, unlike Singleton, preferred 
 his uncle's society ; he was a great reader, and 
 Mr. Vane gladly directed his studies, and de- 
 lighted in his conversation. Neither of them 
 were aware how much Singleton and Marian 
 were left to themselves, nor how completely the 
 boy was the girl's slave. Time passed, and they 
 ceased to be boy and girl, but the old state of 
 things remained unaltered, at least outwardly. 
 
 It was the week before Christmas, two years 
 having passed since that which saw the end of 
 the Hamlltons' reign at Heronhurst. 
 
 The StUtana had just cast anchor at her 
 familiar moorings off Halifax Dock Yard. Hav- 
 ing run In during the night, the work of mooring 
 her was over early, and such officers as had 
 leave for the day were preparing to go ashore. 
 Captain Hamilton was not on deck, but his 
 *' First Luff," Mr. Lynwood, was leaning over 
 the taffrall looking silently down Into the clear 
 cold blue of the water : while round him arose
 
 I06 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 a buzz and Babel which would have deafened 
 any ears unused to it, but which Mr. Lynwood 
 never heard. Conspicuous among the rest by 
 his height, his handsome face, and a certain air 
 of unconscious dignity, was Reginald Hamilton. 
 Six feet three, fair, though burnt to a healthy 
 brown, with bright hazel eyes, waving chestnut 
 hair, and clear-cut features which gave an idea 
 of unbending will, young as he was, Reginald 
 was a picture of manly beauty. Singleton, who 
 stood beside him, is very much the same 
 Singleton that we parted with, though he has 
 grown a few inches in height — not many, for he 
 is barely five feet nine. . Dark, pale, and slight, 
 the only remarkable thing about him is the 
 beauty of his eyes ; though his mouth is per- 
 fect, and his smile a thing to be remembered, if 
 it was only because it seems to express half a 
 dozen feelings at once. Pat O'Hara was there 
 too, and as usual he was talking, for it must be 
 confessed that the mellow voice with just a 
 touch of his native brogue was rarely silent. 
 
 " Now isn't it just my luck ?" he inquired 
 dramatically. " To be on duty all this blessed 
 day, and perfectly pining to go ashore and 
 see—" 
 
 " Miss Hall," put in Singleton slyly. 
 
 " No, sir ! not a bit of it. The beauties of
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. lO/ 
 
 nature, I was going to say — after three weeks of 
 blue water. Not that I mean to deny that if I 
 found myself in the neighbourhood of her abode, 
 I might call upon the young lady you have so 
 indiscreetly named. I believe you think no one 
 may visit a young lady but yourself! a vam 
 thought, Singleton." 
 
 " All right, Paddy," Singleton answered, 
 blushing crimson, '' w^e won't fight about it." 
 
 " No, we won't then. Boys, there's nothing 
 like carrying the war into the enemy's country. 
 So Julius Csesar always said — at least, I've been 
 told he did, and if you doubt that he was right, 
 I can prove it by an instance which has recently 
 come under my own notice." 
 
 '' Be quiet, Paddy." 
 
 " I'm as quiet as a lamb, my Singleton 
 what's the row with you ?" 
 
 " Mr. Lynwood," inquired Reginald, " is the 
 Captain going on shore ?" 
 
 " Yes, in half an hour." 
 
 ** I suppose, sir, we can go with him," 
 
 " Who are we ?" asked Lynwood, without 
 looking round. 
 
 ** Trelawney and myself, sir." 
 
 " Oh yes, I am sure he will take you." 
 
 " Come below, Trelawney, and help me to 
 make up my parcel of books before we go."
 
 108 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Presently Captain Hamilton came on deck 
 and inquired of the injured O'Hara, who was 
 pacing disconsolately up and down, " if any 
 officers wished to go ashore in the gig ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied the Irishman prompdy ; 
 '' at least I can answer for one, and that's me." 
 
 The Captain liked Mr. O'Hara, and therefore 
 smiled upon this small joke. 
 
 ''You re on duty, I suppose. Never mind, 
 O'Hara. My friend Vane writes me word that 
 he is going to give a ball on Christmas Eve, and 
 he invites us all. I'll see that you're not on 
 duty that night." 
 
 " Thank you, Captain Hamilton," cried 
 O'Hara gleefully. "Mr. Hamilton and Mr. 
 Trelawney are going ashore, sir, and Mr. Lyn- 
 wood thought perhaps you'd take them." 
 
 *' All right. Let them know that I'm 
 ready." 
 
 So the side was piped, Reginald and Single- 
 ton rushed up laden with books, and in a few 
 minutes they were landed at the dockyard 
 jetty. 
 
 " You are going to Westgrove, I suppose," 
 said the Captain. " Tell Vane I shall come to 
 lunch and answer his note in person." 
 
 Westgrove lay sufficiently high above the 
 town to make the Sidtancis anchorage visible
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. IO9 
 
 from the windows, and Marian Vane had seen 
 her at a very early hour, and had made her 
 father send off a note to Captain Hamilton to 
 secure the officers of the ship for her ball. 
 
 She had succeeded, after weeks of manoeu- 
 vring, in persuading her father that he wished to 
 give this ball to introduce her properly to the 
 world of Halifax, she being now seventeen 
 years old, and she had been getting very anxious 
 for the return of the Sidtana. Not that dancing 
 men were scarce in Halifax, but she wished her 
 handsome cousin to see her triumph, and 
 Singleton would be so useful that she wanted 
 him too. 
 
 Breakfast over, Marian retired to her room, 
 and gave herself up to the mysteries of dressing 
 herself with even more than her usual care. 
 She was quite right to dress carefully, for with 
 all her beauty, she was not one of those who 
 look well in any dress. Let Haidee Trelawney 
 wear anything from black bombazine to white 
 satin (both included, and either of them is try- 
 ing), and she was still herself, bright, beautiful 
 Haidee Trelawney still. But whether Marian 
 varied her humour with her dress, or suited 
 her dress to her humour, I know not, but 
 she was quite a different being in different 
 attire ; and Paddy O'Hara, a shrewd observer,
 
 no RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 was known to declare that he knew what kind 
 of temper she was in by looking at her **get- 
 up." 
 
 Satisfied at last, as well she might be, 
 Marian established herself in her pretty drawing- 
 room, with her embroidery. She was certainly 
 very pretty ; as fair in complexion as Haidee 
 herself, with pink cheeks that looked as if they 
 were painted, hair which needed only a touch of 
 sunshine to be golden, and light blue eyes, with 
 a timid way of falling before yours, which 
 Singleton found bewitching. 
 
 She was fond of needlework, as it gave her time 
 to weave her flimsy little plots for getting what 
 she might have had without any plotting at all. 
 But that would not have suited Marian ; to her, 
 indeed, '* stolen waters were sweet, and bread 
 eaten in secret was pleasant." Just then she 
 had a good deal to think of Singleton had been 
 " very troublesome " when she last saw him ; 
 matters were coming to a climax there, she 
 fancied. She thought this " rather a bore." 
 The present state of things suited her admir- 
 ably. She did not care much for Singleton, 
 who worshipped her ; if she had a preference, 
 it was for Reginald, who barely noticed her, 
 thereby much piquing her vanity. But her 
 cool little liking for her handsome cousin was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I I I 
 
 not likely to stand in the way of what she con- 
 sidered for her advantage. He was more like 
 other people, and therefore more to her taste 
 than Singleton ; but he was poor, and Marian, 
 who had never known what It was to be refused 
 anything she wanted, was at heart utterly dis- 
 contented wath her lot, and filled with longings 
 for the gay world she read about in her monthly 
 consienment of novels from England. She 
 longed with all the strength of her weakness to 
 be rich — to be the fashion — to be '' My lady." 
 Singleton Trelawney could give her all this, 
 and she would therefore marry him. But if 
 Reginald had been equally well off, and equally 
 in love with her, she would not have plotted to 
 delay his proposal. It was too soon to give up her 
 liberty — somehow or other her lover rnust bekept 
 quiet, or, if that was impossible, could she devise 
 no plan for keeping the engagement secret for 
 a while ? Yes, it might be done — she saw a 
 hope of it — and was working out the whole 
 campaign when her father came in. 
 
 '' Marian, I see those two lads coming up to 
 the house. What a pretty dress, my darling ! 
 Are you going to the Rink to-day ?" 
 
 *' Yes, papa ; I thought the boys might like to 
 go. Here they come, book-laden as usual." 
 
 Unsuspicious Mr. Vane welcomed them both
 
 I 1 2 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 with equal warmth ; he had lopg since forgotten 
 his objection to Singleton's visits. The first 
 greetings over, Reginald turned to the books he 
 had brought back. 
 
 " I have kept one or two that I have not 
 quite done with, Uncle Arthur ; but not enough 
 to last me through our next cruise." 
 
 " Your next cruise will be your voyage home, 
 I suspect. However, come to the study, and 
 let us see what you want." 
 
 " Hamilton, you're forgetting the Captain's 
 message." 
 
 " So I was. Uncie Arthur, the Captain will 
 be here to luncheon, and will then answer 
 your note in person. That's all, Singleton, I 
 think." 
 
 " Yes," answered Singleton, who was gazing 
 at Marian with his soul in his eyes, hardly able 
 to speak above his breath, so profound was the 
 awe with which he was inspired by this arrant 
 young flirt. 
 
 When these two were left alone, Marian said, 
 returning to her needlework : 
 
 '' Won't you sit down, Singleton ? You 
 must be tired if you walked up from the dock- 
 yard." 
 
 " Yes — no ; I mean I am not tired, though 
 we did walk. Marian, every time I see you, I
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. II3 
 
 think you mor^ beautiful than the time be- 
 fore." ' 
 
 *' So you say Avith praiseworthy regularity 
 every time we meet ! Could you not find some- 
 thing new to say to me, sir ?" said Marian, 
 laughing. 
 
 *' What shall I say ? — that I love you better 
 than ever, if possible ?" 
 
 " Now I ask you, on your honour as a gentle- 
 man, is that remark a bit newer than the other ?" 
 
 " No," he answered, looking earnestly at her ; 
 "but though it is the old, old story, Marian, 
 you may give it quite a new ending. For you 
 have always laughed and put me aside hitherto. 
 Now, give me your hand, so, and say, * Single- 
 ton, I love you a little,' and then, oh, then, 1 
 shall soon find something new to say to you." 
 
 " Not until then ?" she said, drawing away 
 her hand. "Singleton, I want you and Regi- 
 nald to go with me to the Rink after luncheon." 
 
 " Certainly, with pleasure. But, Marian — " 
 
 " No, no ! I don't want to hear those new- 
 remarks — yet. I find the old ones enough. Be- 
 sides that, do you know. Singleton, I must not 
 let you run on in that wild way any longer. 
 Since you went away last, I have become quite 
 a woman — I am seventeen ! and papa is going 
 to give a ball to introduce me properly ; it's to 
 
 VOL. I. b
 
 114 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 be on Christmas Eve, and if you are very well- 
 behaved, I will dance v/ith you, perhaps. How 
 old are you, by the way ?" 
 
 " Twenty last birthday. Marian, you must 
 promise me the first dance." 
 
 " I cannot promise ; remember, I shall be the 
 lady of the house. Twenty ! why, you are quite 
 a man ! and as I have just announced that I am 
 quite a woman, it follows that these boy and 
 eirl follies must cease forthwith. I must leave 
 off calling you and Reginald ^ the boys ;' in fact, 
 perhaps I ought to call you Mr. Trelawney for 
 the future." 
 
 '*You will not be so unkind. Oh, Marian, 
 you know that with me, at least, this is no 
 boyish fancy, but true, real, heartfelt love. 
 Marian — dear Marian " 
 
 " Don't you hear the bell ?" interrupted dear 
 Marian, with great composure. " Come, Mr. 
 Trelazuney ! I hear the others in the dining- 
 
 room." 
 
 She passed him quickly, and had reached the 
 door, leaving him sorely cast down ; but at the 
 door she turned her head, and gave him a glance 
 and a smile which sent him up to the seventh 
 heaven of delight. It was really a sorrowful 
 spectacle, to see by what hackneyed, common- 
 place arts the girl was playing with the poor
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. II 5 
 
 fellow's warm heart, one beat of which she was 
 unworthy of 
 
 Captain Hamilton had just arrived, and was 
 ready to promise all that could be reasonably 
 required of him for the eventful night. Lyn- 
 wood, being a married man, did not care for 
 balls, and would remain on board. All the 
 others, with the exception of one midshipman, 
 should have leave ; furthermore,* the midship- 
 man detained by the stern exigencies of the 
 service should be a very young one, lately 
 joined, and whose presence could be of no con- 
 sequence, except to himself 
 
 I regret to say that the young gentleman in 
 question, Mr. Langley, on hearing his sad fate, 
 retired to a dark and private corner, and there 
 wept and bemoaned himself ; which was childish 
 of that officer. He afterwards found a slight 
 amount of consolation in saying that " Old 
 Lynwood and I " were to be on duty that night. 
 
 Singleton had no further private conversation 
 with Marian that day. They went to the Rink, 
 and Marian was obliged to confess to herself 
 that Singleton was the more efficient assistant of 
 the two to a somewhat timid skater. Indeed, 
 in any exercise in which activity rather than 
 strength is required, he always excelled. It was 
 quite beautiful to see the light, graceful figure 
 
 S—2
 
 Il6 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 swaying easily with a kind of rhythmical move- 
 ment as he swept by, performing the most com- 
 plicated evolutions with the most perfect ease. 
 
 They returned to Westgrove for dinner, but 
 Marian avoided being alone with him, and sent 
 him on board in a rather desponding state of 
 mind. In fact, it was so plain that there was 
 something wrong with him that Reginald 
 Hamilton remarked it, and his attention -being 
 once awake, he soon perceived how matters 
 stood with his friend.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 11/ 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 It was the morning of Christmas Eve. Regi- 
 nald Hamilton had just stretched himself at ease 
 upon one of the lockers, or whatever they are 
 called, in the gun-room, surrounded by books, 
 and intending to have a good long morning of 
 study ; when Singleton rushed in headlong. 
 
 " Regie, I do so want to go ashore! and I'm 
 on duty. Are you very busy ?" 
 
 " Why ? Do you want me to take your 
 place ?" 
 
 Singleton hesitated. 
 
 ** It's hardly fair to interrupt you. I can ask 
 O'Hara." 
 
 *' He's gone ashore. And besides, of course 
 I can do it for you — how often have you done 
 the same for me ? But why do you want to go 
 ashore this mornimg, when you are to be at 
 Westgrove to-night '^" 
 
 " Well, you see, Marian told me she could
 
 Il8 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 not get flowers enough, and I spoke to the 
 fellow at the shop about getting me some, and 
 I have just got a message to say that he has 
 them ready. Now I can't well send them up 
 without going myself, for she'll have no one to 
 help her arrange them, you know." 
 
 ** I see ; and you. want me to go there with 
 them, is that it ? Of course I can ! not that I am 
 a very good hand at arranging flowers," said 
 Reginald maliciously. 
 
 *' No, you wretch ! I want you to take my 
 duty, and let me go to Westgrove. Don't 
 humbug, Regie — you know what I mean very 
 well." 
 
 *' I do ; and I wish — never mind. Singleton. 
 Go to Mr. Lynwood, and if he is content, so 
 am I." 
 
 Singleton went In search of Lynwood, leav- 
 ing Reginald to gather up his books, muttering 
 as he did so — '' I wish I had seen it before. I 
 wonder if it would do any good to warn him. 
 Poor dear Singleton ! I don't believe she cares 
 a farthing for him ; at least, if she does, I must 
 be a vainer donkey than I think myself — Well, 
 Singleton, all right I suppose ?" 
 
 ** All right of course, and thank you a thou- 
 sand times. You don't know how much you've 
 obliged me."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. II 9 
 
 " I wish I did not, I was much easier in my 
 mind when I was bHnd to what's going on. 
 Singleton, I don't often take hberties, but 
 bear with a word now. I'm afraid you are 
 preparing a terrible disappointment for your- 
 self." 
 
 Singleton turned pale, and looked anxiously 
 at him. 
 
 *' What do you mean ? Speak plainly." 
 
 " I think I perceive that you admire Marian 
 Vane, and I don't think she cares for you. I 
 only want to warn you, knowing how you go 
 in heart and soul for a thing ; and it certainly 
 seems to me that she does not care for you." 
 
 " I think you are mistaken," said Singleton 
 slowly. 
 
 '' Perhaps I am ; but take care, Singleton, for 
 she may be only flirting with you." 
 
 He expected a burst of anger, but Singleton 
 only looked grave, and answered : 
 
 '' Thank you, at all events, for warning me. 
 I will know the truth, and that soon. Well, I'm 
 off now, old fellow, so good-bye, and take care 
 of yourself." 
 
 In due time Singleton appeared at West- 
 grove, armed with a huge basket of hot-house 
 flowers, for which he had paid a fabulous price. 
 Marian, not expecting her troublesome lover,
 
 I20 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 was alone in the room that had been cleared 
 for dancing, when he walked in. Though 
 taken by surprise, she still hoped to keep him 
 quiet by judicious management. 
 
 " Oh, Singleton, such flowers ! How very 
 very kind of you ! What beauties they are !" 
 she exclaimed at once. ** They are more than 
 welcome, for I have not half enough to make 
 the supper-table and the rooms look pretty. 
 Let me look at them. Why, you extravagant 
 boy, these are too good for the supper-table, 
 I must have some of them for my hair and 
 dress ; they are a great deal prettier than those I 
 was going to use. If I only knew how to arrange 
 themr 
 
 " I think I could make a wreath of these," 
 Singleton answered, holding up one or two 
 lovely sprays of jasmine. 
 
 ** Sit down, and we will pick out what I want 
 and then arrange the rest for the table," she 
 replied. 
 
 Poor Singleton ! he had come there deter- 
 mined to speak at once, and to know the best, or 
 the worst, that fate had in store for him, and 
 yet there he was now, seated beside the basket 
 of flowers, busied in choosing and arranging, 
 utterly unable to get in a word on any other 
 subject. However, he was determined to have
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 12 1 
 
 it out with her before he left the house ; so he 
 worked away with right good will, and the 
 basket was cleared long before she expected. 
 Nor could she find fault with what he had done, 
 for he had such wonderful taste and instinctive 
 skill that his wreaths and flower-knots were 
 actual works of art. 
 
 " It is perfect — quite perfect !" she exclaimed, 
 as he put the last touches to his handiwork. 
 " You ought to be an artist, Singleton. You 
 are quite thrown away in the Navy." 
 
 " She hoped that her words would bring on a 
 long discussion on the glories of a sailor's 
 career, but the trap failed. Singleton put 
 the last wreath tenderly in its place, and then 
 turned his pleading eyes upon her. 
 
 " It is for you," he said simply. " If it were 
 for any one else, very likely I should not have 
 done it half so well. Marian, don't look 
 vexed ! I must speak to you." 
 
 *' Not to-day, Singleton, please not to-day. 
 Remember what a tiring night I have before 
 me. I cannot listen to you now." 
 
 But Singleton felt that even to have made 
 her seriously refuse to listen, instead of laugh- 
 ing at him, was a step gained, indeed Marian 
 herself knew that she had made a mistake 
 the moment she had spoken.
 
 122 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ''You mtist listen, Marian. I cannot afford 
 to lose this opportunity, you are so hard to catch, 
 you see. And, indeed, if you knew how anxious 
 and restless I am, and how happy one word 
 from you could make me, I know you would 
 not ask me to wait. Marian! I love you; when 
 you are cold to me, the world seems to have 
 neither light nor life in it, and when you are 
 kind, in a moment everything is different It 
 won't take you long to answer me," he went on 
 gently. '' I sometimes fancy you are afraid of 
 me, because I am hasty and passionate, but you 
 know well I have never been so to you. I 
 never could be anything but gentle with you, 
 Marian, for I think I would rather die than see 
 you turn away from me." 
 
 His soft low voice gave double eloquence to 
 his simple pleading ; Marian was a horrid 
 deceitful little flirt, as I have said before, and 
 moreover, she really did not care for him. But 
 it was not possible for any girl to hear him now 
 and remain unmoved. She reddened, hesitated, 
 looked at him. Some good angel whispered in 
 her ear, '' He is in earnest, tell him the truth.'* 
 And the truth was on her very lips ; another 
 moment, and a few plain words would have 
 been spoken, and Singleton undeceived, when 
 (luckily as she presently thought) her father 
 tapped at the window.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 23 
 
 " Yes, papa ; I will open it. You see, Single- 
 ton, I can't answer you now." 
 
 " I will wait till after luncheon," he whispered 
 hastily, as he helped her to open the window 
 and admit Mr. Vane. 
 
 ^' You here, Singleton ! I 'did not know you 
 had come." 
 
 " Look what he brought us, papa ! did you 
 ever see such lovely flowers ? and what do you 
 think of the table now ?" 
 
 She was only seventeen ; she improved very 
 much in a few years in what she called self- 
 command, but just now there was a sort of 
 hurry in her manner that made her father look 
 quickly from her face to Singleton's, who, 
 having no wish to conceal his feelings, looked 
 quite hirhself, and the half-formed suspicion died 
 away. 
 
 *' I must run upstairs and wash my hands, 
 they are as dirty as if I had been gardening. 
 So are yours, Singleton ; so you had better go to 
 papa's dressing-room, and then we will have 
 luncheon." 
 
 So saying, Marian made her escape to her 
 room, where she sat down to think for a 
 moment. 
 
 ** It was lucky papa came just then," she 
 thought. '' I was mad, I think. I shall never
 
 124 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 have such another chance. Yet I doii!t Hke 
 him much, and it is so hc.rd to tie myself down 
 at my age, and to one who, I suspect, would be 
 both jealous and exacting. I musi: do the best 
 I can, get him to wait for the consent of his own 
 father, before he asks mine. I dare say I can 
 manage that. Oh dear ! I wish Reginald had 
 been the rich man instead of Singleton."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 25 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 It was nearly time for Singleton to leave West- 
 grove before he succeeded in getting his answer 
 from the slippery young mistress of the house. 
 Even then, it was much against her will that it 
 was done, but fortunately for him, Mr. Vane was 
 called away on business. 
 
 *' Now, Marian, I must soon leave you ; wont 
 you answer me ? Say to me in one word 
 whether I am to be happy or miserable. You 
 have my heart in your hand, you must know 
 whether you love me or not. Just one word, 
 Marian !" 
 
 Marian drew a long breath before she spoke. 
 Her mind was made up ; she would be (in some 
 future day) Lady Trelawney, she would escape 
 from Halifax and shine as a bright particular 
 star in England — in London. I don't know 
 exactly what the girl expected London to be 
 like, but something very delightful. So she
 
 126 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 meant to marry him, but to have a little more 
 liberty first, if possible. 
 
 ''Singleton, one word will not do. There 
 are things you know nothing of that I must tell 
 you." 
 
 " What things ? I know of nothing that I 
 greatly care to hear, except that you love me, 
 Marian." 
 
 " Ah, but I do, and there is not time now." 
 
 " There is time, plenty of time, just to say 
 ' yes,' and then I must speak to Mr. Vane." 
 
 This was exactly what she wanted to avoid, 
 or at least to postpone. 
 
 "If you were to go to my father now and ask 
 his consent, I think it more than likely he would 
 refuse it." 
 
 " I cannot think so. He has always been 
 kindness itself to me, and you know how he 
 loves you. He will never make you unhappy. 
 In fact, it all comes to this, Marian : do you love 
 me ? Answer me that question yourself, from 
 you only could I take my answer. Oh, Marian, 
 am I dreaming, or do you mean to say yes ?" 
 
 He had taken her hand, and she did not 
 withdraw it. He was silent for some time, and 
 then said in a low voice : 
 
 " I did not know, till now, how happy I 
 could be."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 27 
 
 She looked Into his dreamy, love-filled eyes, 
 and felt half angry with him for being so easily 
 deceived. ; 
 
 " I must see Mr. Vane now, my darling." 
 
 *' No, no," she exclaimed, drawing her hand 
 away. " You must say nothing to any one until 
 you have seen me again. To-morrow I will tell 
 you why." 
 
 " But how can I conceal " 
 
 '^ You must^ Singleton. Papa Is not strong, 
 and this party Is enough to tire him to death, 
 Avithout any agitation such as this would be. He 
 has not a suspicion of It, and I know he will not 
 like It." 
 
 " Not like It ? but why ? I Vxiossi yoic don't 
 think of It In that way, Marian ; but there Is no 
 reason why your father should refuse his con- 
 sent. I think most men would be rather 
 pleased." 
 
 '* Papa won't be pleased ; I will tell you why 
 to-morrow. There really is not time now, and 
 papa may come in any moment ; besides, I have 
 so much to do." 
 
 " Marian, you are very cold. I don't believe 
 you care for me, after all." 
 
 " I do care for you," she said half petulantly. 
 '' If I did not, should I not have told you so at 
 once ?"
 
 128 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Then you do really love me ? Oh, Marian, 
 my darling, I will do whatever you wish, only 
 put your dear little hand in mine, so ; now look 
 me in the face and say, 'Singleton, I love 
 you/ " 
 
 " Singleton, I love you," she repeated softly ; 
 but as to looking him in the face, she did not 
 do that, owing, as he thought, to her modesty. 
 
 " Thank you, my own Marian. I shall go 
 now. I'm too happy. Marian, I will not come 
 to your dance, I could not behave as if nothing 
 had happened, so, as you don't want your father 
 to find me out to-night, I'll stay on board." 
 
 The tender Marian jumped at this proposal, 
 which exactly suited her. 
 
 " We should have no comfort, should we, 
 with so many people here ? Come at twelve 
 to-morrow, and I shall meet you at the gate and 
 tell you all I know. Good-bye, until then." 
 
 So, with many farewells. Singleton departed, 
 and made his way on board the Stcltana. It 
 was almost dark, and Reginald Hamilton was 
 walking up and down the deck, waiting for him. 
 Reginald thought that a glance would tell him 
 how matters stood, but Singleton was a strange 
 being ; you never could be certain how anything 
 would affect him. And the joy that now filled 
 his heart had almost frightened him, he was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 29 
 
 pale, and shrank from Hamilton's inquiring 
 looks as if they pained him. He did not want 
 to disclose what had passed, that was plain ; and 
 Reginald not unnaturally concluded that he had 
 been refused. He felt certain of it when Single- 
 ton said to little Langley, whom they encoun- 
 tered presently, looking very dismal : 
 
 *' I say, youngster, should you like to go to 
 Westgrove to-night instead of me ? for I don't 
 mean to go." 
 
 *' Oh, Trelawney !" gasped the boy, " are you 
 in earnest ? Do you really mean that I may go 
 instead of you ?" 
 
 He had caught Singleton by the arm, and was 
 looking up at him with his innocent red and 
 white face beaming with delight ; but being a 
 thorough Englishman, albeit a small one, he was 
 more surprised than gratified when Singleton 
 bent down and kissed him lightly on the fore- 
 head. 
 
 " Yes, I'm in earnest. I'll settle it with Mr. 
 Lynwood," he said, and passed on ; leaving 
 Langley crimson between delight and shame- 
 facedness. Reginald followed, rather provoked. 
 
 " Why on earth did you do that, Singleton ?" 
 
 " I don't mean to go, so the boy may as well 
 have the fun." 
 
 ** I don't mean that. I understand that well 
 
 VOL. I. Q
 
 130 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 enough, I suppose ; but why zuill you do such 
 out-of-the-way, un-English things as that just 
 now ? you left Tom Langley gaping with amaze- 
 ment, and the sentry grinning from ear to ear." 
 
 '' At me ! why, what did I do ?" 
 
 " Kissed him," replied Reginald In a tone of 
 great disgust. 
 
 '' Kissed the sentry ! did I really ? Pure ab- 
 sence of mind, Regie." 
 
 " Not quite so bad as that — Langley." 
 
 " Well, it didn't hurt him., did It ? And he 
 looked so jolly innocent and round-eyed, just 
 like' a little fat puff of a cherub I once saw in a 
 picture, or a rosy-cheeked apple, if you like the 
 less poetical simile better." 
 
 " I don't see why you need kiss him because 
 he looked like either cherub or apple." 
 
 '* Now I call this hard," remarked Singleton 
 in a meditative manner. " The other day, Dick 
 Sullivan, being in a bad temper, kicked little 
 Langley en passant ; and who threatened to 
 horse-v/hip the said Sullivan if he ever did It 
 again, but yourself, friend Hamilton? Is Lang- 
 ley a kind of sacred animal, neither to be kissed 
 nor kicked ? Don't look so disgusted, my dear 
 fellow ; there's no harm done, even If the sentry 
 did grin. Who cares for the grins of a red 
 herring ? I don't, for one."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 131 
 
 " I know you don't : I wish to Heaven you 
 did. This is just the kind of thing that sets 
 people talking about you." 
 
 '' Ay, and what do they say ?" 
 
 '' Upon my word I think I shall tell you ; if 
 anything would cure you of your strange ways, 
 this would." 
 
 Singleton slipped his arm under Reginald's, 
 and looked up at him with an expression so 
 made up of fun, mischief, and mock penitence, 
 that it was rather difficult to maintain the proper 
 degree of seventy. 
 
 '' Now then, Regie, I'm ready. Lay on, Mac- 
 duff; spare the rod and spoil the child, you 
 know. Hit hard, old fellow — what do they say 
 of me ?" 
 
 ^' Singleton, you are incorrigible." 
 
 " Ah, don't say that of me until you've tried. 
 Why don't you tell me the worst at once ? 
 Never mind, I'll tell you as you won't tell me. 
 
 They say I am un-English, with a capital 
 
 E. And having said this, in your eyes they 
 have done their worst." 
 
 " I dare say they do say that ; it would not 
 surprise me in the least." 
 
 *•' Nor me, seeing I am half Spanish, and 
 t'other half Yankee — no, not Yankee — South- 
 
 erner." 
 
 9—2
 
 132 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' But they say worse than that." 
 
 "Worse than un-English with a big E? — ■ 
 that can hardly be ; but come, Reginald, don't 
 keep a fellow In suspense. What do they say, 
 and who In this case are they ?" 
 
 " Russell of the Hannibal—' 
 
 " Is such a cannibal," put in Singleton softly. 
 
 '* Singleton ! do vou want to hear what I have 
 to say, or do you not ?" 
 
 " I'll be orood. I'll be as Q^rave as— a sexton. 
 Out with it, Regie." 
 
 " Well, Russell asked me seriously if It were 
 true that you are — mad." 
 
 "Mad !" exclaimed Singleton, starting. "What 
 the devil does he mean by that ?" 
 
 "He had been told that it was so by several 
 people here in Halifax. I denied It Indignantly, 
 and asked if he had heard any reason given for 
 such an assertion ; and he repeated several 
 stories, but particularly an account of your 
 pranks the last time you and O'Hara were on 
 shore before we sailed — that time that you 
 ended In a quarrel. It was only slightly ex- 
 aggerated, and yet you have no idea how mad 
 It sounded. I do wish so much, Trelawney, that 
 you would think a little more of what people 
 may say of you." 
 
 " Mad — eh ? That Is worse than un-English,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 33 
 
 even with the capital. Why, it's a lock-up-able 
 offence, isn't it ? Whereas I never heard of any- 
 one condemned to solitary confinement on the 
 other count. Now then, youngster ! — Reginald, 
 look at this ingenuous youth, Mr. Thomas 
 Langley, R.N., drinking in our w^ords with in- 
 fantile avidity, and quite ready to repeat them 
 with infantile inaccuracy. Little boy ! what 
 have we been saying ?" 
 
 He had captured the young monkey, and now 
 frowned darkly upon him ; but it was a remark- 
 able fact that, in spite of his temper, the small 
 boys were never afraid of Singleton. This 
 creature smiled saucily at him. 
 
 " I think Mr. Hamilton said you were mad 
 because you kissed me." 
 
 " There, Regie ! you see how things get 
 themselves said. Little boy, attend. Do you 
 believe that assertion of Mr. Hamilton's ? In 
 your youthful but perhaps not thoughtless mind, 
 do you set me down as insane, or as merely un- 
 English, judging by that act alone ?" 
 
 Langley only laughed in reply. Singleton 
 drew down his black eyebrows until his eyes 
 were nearly lost in their shade, and slightly 
 shaking his captive, he said : 
 
 '' Answer me, Flibbertigibbet, or I may go 
 to the ball after all."
 
 134 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' Oh, you wouldn't do that !" Langley cried 
 in a great hurry. " Only un-English, Trelaw- 
 ney." 
 
 " Mr. Langley, you're a time-serving syco- 
 phant, and make me blush for my species. Get 
 thee behind me — depart. Regie, my dear old 
 fellow, never mind what people say of me. I 
 am what nature made me, and if I were ever to 
 begin as you would have me, to think much 
 about people's opinion of me, it wouldn't make 
 me a bit more like — you, for instance. I should 
 only be constrained and miserable, instead of 
 easy and comfortable. And they can't lock me 
 up because Russell says some one else says I'm 
 mad. By the way, did he ask if O'Hara was 
 mad too ? for if I remember right, he was mad 
 that day, at least in the Irish sense of the word." 
 
 The party at Westgrove was like most other 
 parties, and needs no particular description. 
 Reginald was to sleep there, and it was five 
 o'clock in the morning before he or any other 
 inmate of the house went to bed, and it was 
 nearly twelve before he came downstairs to see 
 if there were any breakfast to be had. He 
 found Mr. Vane at breakfast all alone. 
 
 ** Marian, I suppose, is too tired to appear," 
 he said presently. 
 
 *' Oh. she's been about some time — had her
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 35 
 
 breakfast before I was down. She has a shght 
 headache, and I advised her to go out for a 
 turn, to get rid of it." 
 
 This fictional headache Marian had assumed 
 for her father's benefit ; and I do not think the 
 poor man was to blame for being deceived. 
 How should he suspect that his daughter v/as 
 at that moment meeting her lover by appoint- 
 ment at the gate — that lover being the son 
 of a man whom Mr. Vane thoroughly disliked ? 
 Most men with the same reason would have 
 hated Sir Lionel Trelawney ; but Arthur Vane, 
 dreamy and absent, had only arrived at dis- 
 liking him. 
 
 No one will be surprised to hear that Single- 
 ton had been at the gate long before the ap- 
 pointed hour. He paced up and down under 
 the leafless trees to keep himself from freezing ; 
 and was looking at his watch for perhaps the 
 hundredth time when Marian appeared, wrapped 
 in furs and looking as fresh as a rose, in spite 
 of late hours and headaches. 
 
 " My darling !" he cried, rushing to meet her^ 
 *' I was beginning to think something had pre- 
 vented your coming." 
 
 '* I'm not late. Singleton. Oh, we had a 
 most delightful evening, and your flov/ers looked 
 lovely."
 
 r.';6 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' And made you think a little of me, I 
 hope." 
 
 '' I could not well help thinking of you, for 
 everybody was wondering why you did not 
 come. I think it would have been better if you 
 had, you know; but we have no time to lose, 
 Singleton, for papa is at breakfast, and he may 
 come to look for me very soon." 
 
 " We have no time to lose, indeed ; for Cap- 
 tain Hamilton got our sailing orders this morn- 
 ing, and, as we were expecting them, we are all 
 ready, and shall sail before night. So I shall 
 not even eat my Christmas dinner with you, 
 Marian. Why," he suddenly exclaimed, ** you 
 look glad ! Marian, why are you glad that I 
 am going away ?" 
 
 '' But I'm not glad — only surprised," protested 
 Marian, Inwardly hoping that he was not always 
 so Inconveniently penetrating ; " but now let 
 me tell you my reasons for not letting you 
 speak to papa yesterday. Singleton, do you 
 know that he and your father are — enemies } 
 that they hate each other ? and that when 
 you first came here papa refused to let you 
 come to us with Reginald ; and you would 
 never have been at Westgrove but that I met 
 you out walking and brought you home with 
 
 me."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 37 
 
 '' Enemies — hate each other — \vhy, to the 
 best of my behef they have never met !" 
 
 *' Oh, I assure you they have. And I sus- 
 pect their quarrel was about my mother ; she 
 was a Miss Trelawney, you know." 
 
 '' Yes, aunt to John — my dear cousin. Oh 
 yes, I know that ; and I hate to think that he is 
 more closely related to you than I am. But 1 
 think you are mistaken, Marian. Look here, 
 now. My father never was in England until 
 he inherited the Abbey, and I was then a 
 year old. My mother lived for more than 
 two years after she came to England, and you 
 and Haidee are about the same age, I think. 
 So you see your mother could have nothing to 
 say to any quarrel." 
 
 '' I know nothing clearly, I only guessed that 
 it was about my mother ; but I know for cer- 
 tain that your father and mine are enemies." 
 
 '' Marian, I like the tragic way you say that. 
 It gives me a thrill of romance — a deadly feud 
 between the noble houses of Vane and Trelaw- 
 ney, you know. Now, I don't deny that Sir 
 Lionel has an excellent capacity for hatred and 
 enmity, but your dear gentle pater could hardly 
 get up a real fine enduring hate to save his life. 
 At all events the best plan, it seems to me, is to 
 ask him plainly — he's sure to be kind.''
 
 13^ RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Now Marian had been considering within 
 herself that she might contrive to keep her en- 
 gagement secret for some Htde time, as her im- 
 petuous lover was to sail for England that very- 
 day, so she replied : 
 
 " Oh no, Singleton ; don't do that. You 
 know how good and gentle he is, but your 
 father is very different." 
 
 " Rather, I must confess.'' 
 
 " Then can you not see that the real opposi- 
 tion, if there is to be any, will come from him ? 
 If there is an obstacle to our marriage, which 
 cannot be got over, it will be of his making, 
 you may be sure. Now I want you to speak to 
 him before you tell p^pa a word about it ; as 
 you are going home at once I think this is what 
 we ouorht to do." 
 
 '* But it is treating Mr. Vane very badly, 
 Marian ; and, besides, I really don't see any 
 good reason for doing it. If Sir Lionel objected 
 ever so much I don't know that I should greatly 
 care," 
 
 *' But I wish you to do It, Singleton ; Is that 
 no good reason in your eyes ? But I have 
 other reasons which even you will say are good 
 ones. Papa is not strong ; I have been quite 
 uneasy about him lately, and you don't know 
 how the least anxiety injures him — he cannot
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 39 
 
 sleep, and quite loses his appetite. Why tell 
 him now, when you don't know what your 
 father may say about it ? I will not have him 
 kept miserable by a long expectation "and wait- 
 ing — no Singleton ; when you have got your 
 father's consent, write to me, or better still, 
 come to me. I will answer for papa's." 
 
 " And if he really has some reason for refus- 
 ing, and does refuse his consent, am I to give 
 up all hope, Marian ?'* he asked passionately. 
 
 '' Try," said the girl, looking softly up into 
 his face. ''It must, in some degree, depend 
 upon what the objection is. You will do as I 
 wish. Singleton ?" 
 
 '' I will, but I confess I do it unwillingly. I 
 cannot help thinking that it is not being above- 
 board with Mr. Vane ; and I couldn't do it, I 
 know, but that I am going away. Oh, Marian,, 
 believe me that it is all a mistake. I shall come 
 back to you as quick as steam can bring me ; 
 perhaps Haidee will come with me to see her 
 sister. What friends you and she will be. And 
 then, Marian, then " 
 
 " Then," she answered, with another soft 
 glance, '' you will take me to England, and 
 show me — the beautiful old Abbey 1 have so 
 often heard of" 
 
 Her lover's face darkened with one of those
 
 140 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 sudden changes which she half feared, half 
 'despised, and his voice lost its tender tone as 
 he said : 
 
 " I cannot do that, Marian. I shall take you 
 to England and show you many things, but not 
 Trelawney Abbey." 
 
 " What do you mean ?" 
 
 " You'll find it hard to believe that any man 
 in these days could be such an ignorant Vandal ! 
 but Sir Lionel's very first act, on coming into 
 the property, was to pull down the beautiful old 
 building, and run up a red brick atrocity on its 
 site, with all the modern improvements." 
 
 '' Then the old Abbey is gone," said Marian, 
 rather at a loss for a safe remark. 
 
 "Gone — yes, every trace of it except > one 
 small chapel. I don't believe he had a legal 
 right to do it, you know," he went on excitedly. 
 '' The estate is strictly entailed, and I believe 
 his act was as illegal as it was barbarous." 
 
 '' Oh, Singleton, what a shame !" exclaimed 
 Marian, who in her heart sympathised rather 
 with Sir Lionel's deed than with his son's 
 wrath. She was half-amused, half-bored by his 
 excitement, and time was running on — her 
 father would be coming in search of her. 
 
 *' Singleton, papa will be out soon ; I must 
 go home, and I should so much like to say
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 14T 
 
 good-bye to you here, by ourselves — and not 
 in the house with every one by." 
 
 Not knowing her private reasons, this struck 
 Singleton as a proof of the delicacy of her affec- 
 tion. 
 
 '' Yes," he said, turning to her suddenly with 
 his bright, half-sad smile — " Yes, let us part 
 here, where we met for the first time six years 
 ago. It was just here — don't you remember it ? 
 You and your maid coming down the hill, 
 Regie and I skylarking in that tree. Marian, 
 I think I have loved you from that hour ; and 
 you have grown lovelier with every year that 
 has passed." 
 
 " At that rate I'm afraid I shall soon be too 
 beautiful to live, like the Miss Kenwigs. There's 
 the StLlta7ia'^ she added, as a turn in the road 
 made the ship visible. 
 
 " With the blue Peter flying ! I must go on 
 board, for I promised to go back soon. Lyn- 
 wood wanted not to let me go, but I said I had 
 business to settle. Good-bye, my Marian ! 
 You shall hear from me soon. Believe me, all 
 will be well. And now, good-bye, for a little 
 time." 
 
 He kissed her once, reverently and tenderly ; 
 then ran down the rest of the hill, and was sooa 
 out of sight.
 
 142 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' Oh dear me ! I'm glad that's over," mur- 
 mured Miss Vane as she turned towards home. 
 " I wonder shall I ever (^et used to his queer 
 ways ? what a passion he worked himself into, 
 all about nothing." 
 
 She had just reached the gate of Westgrove 
 when she heard the sound of some one running 
 after her; it proved to be a ship's boy with 
 Stcltana in gold letters round his shiny hat. He 
 was considerably out of breath. 
 
 '' Mr. Trelawney give me this, mum, and 
 -which I was to give It to you if so be as I over- 
 hauled you, and if not I was to go on to the 
 house with it. He bid me say he quite forgot 
 it like," added the boy with a grin, handing her 
 a letter addressed to Reginald Hamilton, which 
 Singleton had brought on shore for him. 
 
 Marian took it, muttering Impatiently, " How 
 like him !" Then to the boy, " Thank you. I 
 can take it on to the house ; I'm very sorry, but 
 I have not my purse with me." 
 
 " It don't matter, mum. Mr. Trelawney give 
 me a half a suffering, so he did," grinned the sea 
 urchin. " Good-mornin', mum." 
 
 Back to the house went Marian, and found her 
 father and Reginald in the study. 
 
 '' May I come In, papa ? Here's a letter 
 for Reginald."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GATE. 1 43 
 
 '' For me ? how did it come ? Thank you, I 
 see it is from my mother." 
 
 '* A boy from the ship gave it to me." 
 
 " Then the mail has come in,"* remarked 
 Mr. Vane, " and I must be off to the office." 
 
 " I will walk down with you, papa, to see if 
 there are any for me. Reginald, I saw the 
 Stdtana from the top of the hill, and she has the 
 blue Peter flying." 
 
 " You don't say so, then we have got our 
 orders, I suppose." 
 
 He spoke absently, folding up his letter 
 slowly. 
 
 " No bad news, Regie, I hope ?" she asked 
 gently. 
 
 " Not very bad, I trust. My father w^as not 
 well ; he has got a bad cold and cannot shake 
 it off. He has got a holiday from his office, and 
 they are all going away for a change of air. 
 Uncle i\rthur, my mother says that Uncle Vane 
 has sent her a present which enables them to 
 do this. I thought he never noticed any of his 
 people now." 
 
 " He never notices me, I know. He never 
 forgave me for accepting a Government appoint- 
 ment, nor your father for being a Conservative. 
 But though he is a strange being, and an awful 
 Radical, he is a kind-hearted creature in his own
 
 144 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 way. I dare say he has forgiven Hester since 
 she was in misfortune." 
 
 '* Very condescending of him. Well, Uncle 
 Arthur, I must go on board, but I hope to come 
 again to say good-bye." 
 
 In this hope he was doomed to disappoint- 
 ment, as he could not get ashore again, and the 
 Sultmia sailed that evening. While she was 
 weighing anchor, a shore boat came alongside 
 with a letter for Mr. Trelawney. A note, 
 rather, for it contained only these few words, 
 which gave him quite enough to think about. 
 
 " Dear Singleton, 
 
 '' The mail has brought us wonder- 
 ful news. I shall be in England very soon ; 
 do not speak to your father until you hear from 
 me again ; this news may make a difference. I 
 have not time for another word now, but will 
 write as soon as we arrive. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 "M. F. V."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALK. 146 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 A BRIGHT cold January day; cold even in 
 Devonshire. The red brick edifice which vexed 
 poor Singleton's soul (and let me confess in 
 passing, that it was a very handsome house, and 
 far more convenient to live in than the old 
 Abbey had been, or could have been made) 
 shone and glowed cheerfully in the light of 
 the sun ; and Haidee Trelawney and Hester 
 Hamilton ran about its spacious apartments in 
 a state of the utmost excitement. They could 
 not settle down to any employment, they could 
 not even remain long in the same place. In 
 and out of the long bay-windowed drawing- 
 room, and the conservatory into which it opened, 
 they wandered together, chattering like a pair 
 of magpies. Then into the gallery, which looked 
 to the front, to watch for a few moments for the 
 approach of expected travellers. For it was the 
 promised arrival of their sailor brothers which 
 VOL. I. 10
 
 140 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 had put them Into such a flutter of spirits, and 
 kept them wandering here and there — and 
 everywhere, I was going to say, but I should 
 have been wrong ; for they did not venture to 
 invade the Hbrary, where Sir Lionel was sitting 
 in solitary dignity. 
 
 T must explain how Hester came to be at the 
 Abbey. Miss Warner had left them at the 
 end of the two years she was engaged for. 
 Haldee had been very anxious to ask her to 
 remain, but Sir Lionel did not like her, and 
 refused his consent. Then Hester had gone 
 home ; but Haldee was lonely without her, and 
 she was ill in London, which did not agree 
 with her ; and so it came about that she w-as 
 much more at the Abbey than at home. Just 
 now the rest of her family were abroad, and 
 Reginald "was coming home with Singleton for 
 a few days, until their time for returning was 
 known. Sir Lionel had asked him, which he 
 certainly would not have done if he had realised 
 the fact that his son and his son's friend were 
 no longer boys ; but that Idea never came into 
 his head. 
 
 The Sultana had arrived In Plymouth some 
 days ago, but the young men had begged their 
 sisters not to come to them ; they were kept 
 very busy, and felt that it would be altogether
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 147 
 
 more pleasant to meet them at home, and not 
 in the hurry and confusion of paying off. And 
 they were to come this very day ! and hence the 
 excitement of the two girls. 
 
 " I declare, Hester, it's a real comfort to me 
 to see you as idle and restless as I am myself, 
 for once in your life. If dear, good, precise 
 Miss Warner were here she would take to her 
 bed, overcome by surprise and disappointment. 
 You used to be her stay and comfort, but she 
 would not find you a comfort to-day. I shall 
 write and tell her that on" this blissful occasion 
 you were as bad as myself, if not worse." 
 
 *' Tell her, at the same time, that I should 
 have been more than content to sit here and 
 watch the gate, but that you would not let me 
 alone. Not one moment have you left me in 
 peace and quiet." 
 
 " Peace and quiet ! who wants peace and 
 quiet when two brothers are coming home after 
 six years in ' furrin parts ?' My dear, to hear 
 you talk one would think that brothers came 
 home once a week at least. No ! it's a great 
 event, and I mean to get all the excitement I 
 can out of it." 
 
 ** I have no doubt of that, dear," said Hester 
 quietly. 
 
 *•' Horrid sneering animal, throwing cold water 
 
 10 — 2
 
 145 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 on my innocent happiness. Hester, let us play 
 a game of billiards ; we can watch the gate very 
 well from the table." 
 
 *' It won't bring them any sooner, Haidee. 
 Reginald says three o'clock, and it is only a 
 quarter past two now." 
 
 " And we cannot even console ourselves by 
 having luncheon, for I put it off for them. Now 
 is it not a pity w^e cannot smoke ? I'm sure a 
 cigar would be very composing. Hester, I shall 
 end in being a smoker, I know." 
 
 ^' You will be nothing so horrid ; come, now, 
 I'm ready, but if you keep one eye on the window 
 I shall beat you." 
 
 The game began, but it received a very 
 divided attention, every sound being supposed 
 to be the squeak of the gate. And yet, after 
 all, they were taken by surprise. Haidee, who, 
 as usual, played rather wildly, but sometimes 
 made w^onderful strokes, had just made one 
 which surprised even herself, and they were 
 busy in admiring and discussing, w^hen the 
 muffled rattle of horses' feet upon the wooden 
 pavement of the porch made them fling down 
 their cues, and Vx^ith one glance out of the window 
 they flew down the gallery. 
 
 The young men had just got out of the 
 carriage, and in a moment more Haidee's arms
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 49 
 
 were round her brother's neck, while Hester 
 disappeared from view under Reginald's cloak, 
 which he had not had time to throw off. It 
 would be hard for the most faithful narrator to 
 tell what was said for the next five minutes ; they 
 all talked and no one listened. The first distinct 
 utterance was in Sinofleton's voice : 
 
 " Haidee, I knew you'd be a beauty, and, by 
 Jove ! so you are. And yet, somehow, you're 
 my own dear old Haidee still." 
 
 To which she replied by bursting into tears 
 and sobbinof out : 
 
 " But you are not my old Singie ! you are 
 not the little brother I helped to run away." 
 
 *' My dear girl, that's a blessing to be devoutly 
 thankful for. Why, I should be fit for nothing 
 but a caravan if I had not contrived to knock a 
 few inches out of myself by this time. Haidee, 
 you goose, stop crying, or I shall run away 
 again, stay another six years, and come home a 
 giant like Hamilton here, who is wondering 
 how I made myself so unpleasant in old times 
 that you must needs salute me with tears and 
 lamentations. Good gracious ! I return to the 
 halls of my fathers and my only sister howls 
 because I'm not a dwarf !" 
 
 ** Your fathers !" echoed Haidee, drying her 
 eyes and cheering up with her usual rapidity,
 
 150 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " that puts me in mind ! oh, Singie, he's in the 
 library — go to him at once." 
 
 ^' I dare say he's in no hurry ; and I haven't 
 introduced Hamilton." 
 
 Haidee held out her hand with the air of a 
 young princess welcoming a visitor to her 
 court. 
 
 " We don't want to be introduced, do we, Mr. 
 Hamilton ? at least, Hester's brother cannot be 
 a stranger to me." 
 
 " Well done, Haidee !" muttered Singleton ; 
 while Reginald, looking at her for the first time, 
 felt actually dazzled. There was something 
 wonderfully bright and vivid in the beauty of 
 this graceful, gracious maiden, whose smile 
 seemed to light up the hall, even while the tears 
 were hanging still upon her curved eyelashes. 
 
 " Hester, you can take your brother to his 
 room ; go up the stone stairs, it is so much 
 shorter. Luncheon will be ready in a few 
 minutes. Singleton, come to Sir Lionel." 
 
 Singleton still lingered. 
 
 ** You have forgotten," said he, " that I never 
 saw Miss Hamilton before." 
 
 " I did forget it, indeed. It seems so very 
 strange that she and I should be like sisters, 
 while you, and she have never met. But now 
 ril do my duty — Miss Hester Hamilton, may
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 5 I 
 
 I have the honour of presenting to you my 
 brother, Mr. Trelawney ? Curtsey, Hester, 
 that's a good child, that always does as she's 
 told. Now, Singleton — your very best bow ! — 
 bless me, how like papa !" 
 
 " What is like him ?" inquired Singleton. 
 
 " Why, you, my dear. You looked so oddly 
 like him when you bowed." 
 
 " Then I forswear bowing. You've received 
 my very last bow. Miss Hamilton. I shall 
 only nod for the future. Come, Haidee, let us 
 go and get it over at once." 
 
 They walked side by side up the gallery. 
 
 '* Dear Sing ! you should not have said that 
 before people," Haidee whispered, with a re- 
 buking look. 
 
 " Can't see it, little sister ! If it is true it 
 may be said ; if it may be said no matter who 
 hears it. And Hamilton knows all about it as 
 well as I do myself, and so I suppose does 
 Hester — Miss Hamilton I ought to say. Here 
 we are ; now for a cold bath." 
 
 Sir Lionel was sitting by the fire in an easy- 
 chair; on a book-stand beside him lay an 
 imposing-looking volume, bound in crimson 
 morocco and gilding (I am particular to men- 
 tion the oiUside of Sir Lionel's book, the inside 
 being of little importance), but he was not read-
 
 152 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ing — in fact, his children's entrance roused him 
 from a nap. 
 
 " Who is there ?" he exclaimed, starting up. 
 *' Oh ! Haidee — and — and can it be Single- 
 ton ?" 
 
 " It is Singleton, papa." 
 
 Yes, it was Singleton, there was no mistaking 
 him. It was " her son " — it was the boy who 
 had defied and defeated him six years ago. Sir 
 Lionel stood and looked at him. 
 
 " It is I myself. Sir Lionel, and no changeling. 
 Hamilton and I arrived five minutes ago." 
 
 " Ah ! yes, to be sure,'' said Sir Lionel, 
 trying to recover his composure. " And where 
 is Mr. Hamilton ?" 
 
 " Gone to his room, he will come down to 
 luncheon in a minute. I suppose he thought 
 the presence of a stranger might prove a re- 
 straint upon our feelings. Are you not going to 
 shake hands with me, Sir Lionel ? just for form's 
 sake, you know." 
 
 " Certainly; you took me by surprise just now. 
 You are welcome home, Singleton ; and I trust 
 that we shall be able to make it pleasant to you 
 and your friend. I think I hear the bell, I shall 
 join you in the dining-room presently." 
 
 He dropped his son's hand and left the room 
 by a door which led to his own apartments.
 
 HIDING OUT THE GALE. I 5 3. 
 
 " Singleton, how could you be so foolish ? 
 Do forgive me for beginning to lecture you so 
 soon, but indeed you are wrong to do this. He 
 does not mean to be unkind, and if you will 
 only forget the past, and " 
 
 " Ay, but suppose I cannot forget the past ? 
 I am not good at forgetting. But there, Haidee, 
 don't look so unhappy ; I'm a beast to vex you 
 the moment I come home. But the truth is 
 that when I came into this accursed room, I 
 remembered so many things, how he used to 
 send for me here and browbeat and illuse me, 
 when I was a poor little sickly trembling crea- 
 ture that might have roused pity in a savage — 
 it all came back in a flash. But I won't think 
 of it if I can help it, Haidee. I'll try to do 
 better." 
 
 ''Do so, I beseech you. Singleton. He has 
 been very kind to me ; he will be the same to 
 you if you will only meet him half way. His 
 coldness of manner, his half shyness " 
 
 " Shyness ! nonsense, my dear. A man of 
 his age shy !" cried Singleton, who never 
 having experienced the feeling himself, was by 
 no means disposed to admit of this excuse for 
 his father. '' No, Haidee, he will never be the 
 same to me as to you ; and if you ask why, 
 these pictures will answer you," pointing to the
 
 154 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 pictures of defunct Trelavvneys which adorned 
 the walls. " Yo2c are a Trelawney — and look 
 here," pulling out his litde miniature of their 
 mother, '* I am ' her son; as I heard him 
 mutter just now ! I say, Haidee, do you know 
 I'm awfully hungry ?" 
 
 Haidee fairly started at the sudden change 
 In voice and manner, so full of sorrowful bitter- 
 ness one moment, quite careless and easy the 
 next. 
 
 " You queer boy ! come along then, we can 
 go through the drawing-room. You never saw 
 it since we furnished it, by the way." 
 
 " Holloa ! here's a change. I remember 
 when we used to play here, and get awful falls 
 on the polished floor. It's a beautiful room, I 
 must confess. And a conservatory, that's new 
 too ; but there's the dear old fountain playing 
 away as merry as ever. How often I've dreamt 
 of that blessed old fountain, and our ball bobbing 
 about in the middle. Upon my word this is very 
 pretty." 
 
 '* Is It not ? Such fun we had, Hester and I, 
 buying the furniture. We went up to town 
 and Mrs. Hamilton took us to the shops, and 
 Sir Lionel said he would pay for anything I 
 ordered. And he built that conservatory for 
 us too. Oh, Single, he really means to be kind ;
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 55 
 
 he does kind things, though he does not know 
 how to do them graciously. There's a door 
 here^come this way." 
 
 " Here — into the dining-room ? I had for- 
 gotten that door ; I thought we had to go out 
 into the galler}^ Well, I can't deny that it is a 
 very convenient house ; but then neither can 
 I forget the pulling down of the old Abbey." 
 
 " Oh, Singleton, that's such an old story !" 
 
 " I told you that I'm not good at forgetting. 
 Here you are, Hamilton ; how jolly the table 
 looks ! I'm as hungry as a shark — are you, 
 Regie ?" 
 
 '' Starving, What a lovely view you have 
 from these windows." 
 
 " xA.y, did I over-praise it ? Hamilton, let 
 me introduce you to my father. Sir Lionel, 
 this is my friend, Reginald Hamilton." 
 
 Sir Lionel bowed in his stateliest manner, 
 and Reginald had to conceal a smile, for it was 
 absurd to see how alike in some movements 
 this very dissimilar father and son were. 
 
 '' You are welcome to the Abbey, Mr. 
 Hamilton, and I trust we shall be able to make 
 your stay here pleasant to you." 
 
 Sir Lionel, not being a man of many ideas, 
 made the same remark do duty more than once. 
 
 *' Haidee, where is vour cousin ?"
 
 156 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " I don't know, papa. I have not seen him 
 since breakfast." 
 
 *' Pierce, bid them call Mr. John ; he is pro- 
 bably in his own room." 
 
 " Do you mean to say that John is here ?" 
 exclaimed Singleton. '' x\m I so soon to behold 
 again the dear companion of my blissful child- 
 hood ?" 
 
 Sir Lionel frowned ; but the days when his 
 frown terrified his son were gone by. To his 
 surprise, Singleton did not seem to notice it. 
 
 " John Trelawney is here," he said coldly. 
 " He spends much of his time here, of course.'* 
 
 " He's in the — th Dragoons, isn't he ? And 
 here the conquering hero comes," Singleton 
 went on, springing up to shake hands with 
 John Trelawney, who now came in with that 
 peculiar swinging kind of walk, which our 
 '' Heavies " love to assume. 
 
 '' Ah, Singleton, this you ?" he said, in a tone 
 of voice best described as " moustachy." It 
 does not quite amount to a lisp. '' Ah — glad 
 to see you, don't you know ? Cold day for your 
 drive — ah !" 
 
 " It was cold," answered Singleton, walking 
 round and round his cousin gravely. " What a 
 splendid creature you've become, John. It's 
 quite a providence that you're in plain clothes,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 157 
 
 for If you had burst upon me all at one go in 
 full uniform, I should have been a lost man ; 
 burnt up like that unlucky little party who 
 insisted upon seeing Jupiter in his go-to-meeting 
 hat. What was her name, Regie ? I've for- 
 gotten it. Let me introduce you. Mr. Hamil- 
 ton, Mr. John Trelawney. Pierce, I'll have some 
 more chicken, please." 
 
 John Trelawney sat down, not quite sure 
 whether he ought to look dignified or amused. 
 He was very like Sir Lionel, though scarcely 
 as regularly handsome ; but In spite of his drawl- 
 ing manner he was a cleverer — or at least, a 
 more cunning man than his late guardian. 
 
 " What shall we do now ?" said Haidee as 
 they rose from table. 
 
 " Well, I must see the servants, you know. 
 Mrs. Thompson will expect a visit, and IVe not 
 seen Black James yet. How is the poor old 
 buffer ? Then we might go out, if Hamilton 
 likes." 
 
 " A walk by all means," Hamilton said. " I 
 am longing to get out ; this place seems quite 
 beautiful." 
 
 " It is considered so," said Sir Lionel. 
 
 Singleton vvalked to the window, saying : 
 
 " It was one of the sio^hts of our West 
 country twenty years or so ago, but the glory
 
 158 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 has departed. However, It is a pretty modern 
 place now, and let us make the best of it. Do 
 you see the arch out there ? more to the left. 
 That's the only bit of the Abbey left standing. 
 It was the Lady Chapel — it shall be restored 
 yet. Well, I shall be ready In half an hour, so 
 you may as well wait for me — In fact, I make 
 no doubt that you two ladies will take that time 
 to get ready." 
 
 " Come, Hester, let us go and get ready. 
 What do you think of my brother ?" in- 
 quired Haldee, as they went upstairs. " I saw 
 you looking very earnestly at him once or 
 twice." 
 
 Hester blushed. 
 
 " Did I ? I thought he did not see that- he 
 was vexing Sir Lionel." 
 
 " I'm afraid he didn't care, my dear. He 
 used to be afraid to open his lips before him, 
 but that time Is gone by, apparently." 
 
 " Of course It has ; he Is not a child now to be 
 frightened, but still he might just as well not vex 
 him, don't you think ?-" 
 
 " I do think so, and have already lectured 
 him — with what good consequences you have 
 seen. But you have not answered my question 
 — how do you like him ?" 
 
 *' I like him very much. I like his face, it
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 59 
 
 changes so when he speaks, and his smile Is so 
 pleasant. Do you like Regie ?" 
 
 " I do — and how handsome he Is — and not 
 thinking of his good looks a bit. Such a relief 
 after John. Make haste now, Hester; sailors 
 are always impatient, I have been told, so don't 
 let us keep oitrs waiting." 
 
 When they came back to the gallery they 
 found the two sailors ready. 
 
 "Where are the others. Single ?" 
 
 "• Sir Lionel felt obllored to continue the ab- 
 struse study from which my arrival roused him ; 
 he has retired to his entrenchments. John — ' ah 
 ■ — wather — thought It was too cold, don't you 
 know? for walking — ah!''' and Singleton stroked 
 his smooth upper lip and lounged down the 
 gallery so precisely in John's best heavy dragoon 
 style, that none of them could help laugh- 
 ing ; though Reginald said nervously : 
 
 " Take care, Singleton, these open galleries 
 are very treacherous. '' 
 
 '' He would be flattered. Imitation, you 
 know, IS the sincerest flattery. Come to the 
 Lady Chapel, will you ? I want to see if any 
 more of it has been pulled down." 
 
 " No, but it will be soon, if you are as 
 imprudent as you were to-day," observed 
 Haidee.
 
 l6o RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Singleton pretended not to hear this remark. 
 
 They examined the beautiful fragment, for it 
 was nothing more : and then strolled about the 
 grounds, presently separating, Haidee and 
 Singleton visiting old haunts, the other pair 
 walking up and down the terrace, deep in con- 
 versation. 
 
 " Why, you are quite a woman, little Hester ! 
 I am like Miss Trelawney, half sorry to see a 
 change. But are you not in mourning, Hester ? 
 I never perceived it until now." 
 
 " Of course I am ; is it possible that you 
 don't know ?" 
 
 " I do not indeed — who is it ? — and yet I 
 had a letter from my mother the very day we 
 sailed." 
 
 " But she wrote before it happened, because 
 she would be in France before the right post 
 day came. I heard of it in time to have written, 
 but as they said the lawyers were writing to 
 Uncle Arthur, I did not think of it. Uncle 
 Reginald, mamma's elder brother, is dead. He 
 died quite suddenly a day or two after mamma 
 and all of them left England." 
 
 ** Dead ! I'm afraid my mother will be 
 knocked up, for she was very fond of him in 
 spite of his odd ways. Uncle Arthur was, T 
 know. By the way, I suppose the quarrel was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. l6l 
 
 made up, as she told me he had sent her a 
 present." 
 
 *' It was not the first. He used to send, 
 money without any letter, or any clue to the 
 sender, but mamma knew it must be from him, 
 and she wrote to him. I don't know what she 
 said, but he said in reply that he could not for- 
 get that she was his sister, and that he begged 
 Hamilton's pardon for having been rude to him, 
 but would keep away, as otherwise they would 
 quarrel again." 
 
 '' Uncle Arthur is the heir, I suppose ?" 
 
 ''Yes, but he left my mother a thousand 
 a year. So now dear mamma need not 
 slave and pinch any more ; it is such a com- 
 fort." 
 
 " That it is. I suppose Uncle Arthur will 
 come home ?" 
 
 " He is coming by the next packet boat. 
 What kind of girl is Marian, Regie ? I somehow 
 do not like her letters." 
 
 *'She is very pretty: a little like Miss Tre- 
 lawney ; but not to be compared to her, either 
 in face or figure. Still she is pretty — a quiet, 
 ladylike little girl, not much in her — a little bit 
 of a flirt, I think. Hester, I want to know, 
 have you heard from Philip lately ?" 
 
 There was something in his voice which made 
 
 VOL. L II
 
 1 62 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 the little sensitive plant beside him shrink away 
 as she answered : 
 
 *' No, not for a long time. He used to write 
 long complaints of the misery he had to suffer, 
 but never a word of sorrow for my father's 
 sufferings. And at last mamma wrote to him, 
 trying to open his eyes ; he never answered her, 
 and all letters since then have been returned. 
 So he has gone away, not meaning to be 
 traced." 
 
 *' So let him go," said Reginald shortly. " I 
 hope I shall never see his face again. Is my 
 father very ill, Hester ? It is so new to hear of 
 his complaining.'"' 
 
 '' Oh, Regie dear ! you must be prepared to 
 see a sad, sad change in him," Hester said, 
 drawing close to his side again, and looking up 
 at him with her clear dark eyes ; they were filling 
 fast with tears, but were none the less lovely 
 for that. '' When I remember papa at home, 
 Regie ! so cheery, so upright and handsome, 
 with his kind smile and pleasant word always 
 ready — and now, he is grey, quite grey — bent, 
 and quiet, and gentle — but oh, his heart Is 
 breaking, Regie. I think the disgrace and the 
 fear that he may at any moment hear something 
 terrible of Philip, will kill him." 
 
 Reginald muttered something under his
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 63 
 
 breath, which happily for her peace of mind, 
 gentle Hester did not hear. 
 
 " When did you see him last ?" 
 
 " Papa ? In October. I thought him look- 
 ing worse then, but Arabel said no. He will not 
 fret so much now, perhaps, when he knows that 
 mamma has something of her own. I wanted 
 so much to stay, but those tiresome headaches 
 came back, and they sent me home. Here, I 
 mean." 
 
 " But surely you are happy here ? That lovely 
 face must tell a true story — -no one could be sad 
 long near Miss Trelawney." 
 
 " Indeed you are quite right ! only you 
 cannot know half her goodness. She's even 
 sweeter than she looks — she's just the loveliest, 
 dearest, most lovable darling in the world, 
 and—" 
 
 '* Now, that's me, Hester!" exclaimed a merry 
 voice, which made them both start and turn 
 round, thereby coming face to face with Haidee 
 and Singleton. " Oh, Hester ! what a red 
 face!'' 
 
 What a pair of red faces, she might have 
 said ; for Reginald, remembering his last words, 
 was blushing like a girl. However, Haidee had 
 heard only Hester's remark. 
 
 ''As if any one could swallow all that, Hester! 
 
 II — 2
 
 1 64 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton, your sister has a habit of making 
 little saints and saintesses of her friends, and I 
 hope you don't believe a word she has been 
 saying of me ; if so, you'll be disappointed." 
 
 " Was it of Haidee you were speaking, Miss 
 Hamilton ?" inquired Singleton in a tone of 
 surprise. '' How little observation you must 
 have! Lovely and lovable, that painted 
 figure-head of a girl, with such a temper that 
 she has given me, her own and only brother, two 
 awful lectures in the course of as many hours. 
 But I dare say you were not speaking of her 
 at all ; you have a sister, and were describing 
 her to Reginald. Haidee, my poor dear, your 
 vanity has misled you into appropriating to 
 yourself a description meant for Miss Arabel 
 Hamilton ! I hope it may be a lesson to 
 you." 
 
 " Singleton, you are beneath my notice. I 
 am going in to tea ; who will have some ?" 
 
 " Tea at this hour ? why, we haven't dined." 
 
 '* Oh, Single, don't betray the Halifax ladies, 
 if they are so much behind the age that you 
 have never heard of five o'clock tea. In all 
 civilised countries, sir, ladies invariably, and 
 gentlemen when invited, solace themselves with 
 a cup of tea at this hour.'* 
 
 ** Very good : but the Halifax ladies were
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 65 
 
 civilised enough for me. Where does the cere- 
 mony come off ?" 
 
 " We can have it in the gallery if the fires 
 are good. Come in this way, through Sir 
 Lionel's porch." 
 
 What a merry time that was ; in spite of Sir 
 Lionel's oppressive presence, and in spite of 
 the fact that not one of the four young people 
 but had a little private anxiety or vexation, 
 what a merry, happy, careless time that was! It 
 so happened, fortunately for them, that John s 
 leave expired the day after his cousin's return, 
 and he was obliged to go, though greatly dis- 
 gusted at leaving Reginald Hamilton in posses- 
 sion of the field. For John was aware of Sir 
 Lionel's intention concerning him and Haidee, 
 and though by no means in love with her, he 
 was too prudent a youth to consider that of any 
 consequence. However, he said nothing to Sir 
 Lionel, partly because he knew that his clumsy 
 interference would do more harm than good, and 
 partly because Reginald and Hester were to 
 join their parents in London in a few days. But 
 the Hamiltons were delayed on their journey 
 home, and the dangerous rival remained at the 
 Abbey. And John's prophetic soul was vexed 
 within him.
 
 1 66 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Time passed quickly at Trelawney Abbey. 
 Never had the house witnessed such doings, 
 nor echoed such fresh voices and merry laughter. 
 They amused themselves well, those four young 
 people, and as far as they were concerned the 
 Hamlltons' visit might have been Indefinitely 
 lengthened, for they were exceedingly happy 
 together. The only person who wished for a 
 change was Sir Lionel, for the stir of life and 
 gaiety in the house annoyed him, although good 
 care was taken to leave him undisturbed posses- 
 sion of the library, and his own rooms were so 
 separated from the rest of the house that he 
 might almost have forgotten the existence of 
 the young people, if that were his fancy. But 
 no ; he sat apart in gloomy silence, and if an 
 opening door let In a sound of voice or laugh, 
 he frowned heavily and felt aggrieved. But 
 whether he was annoyed because they did not
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 67 
 
 seek him out in his retirement, or because he 
 disapproved of laughter and amusement in them- 
 selves, I do not know ; if the latter, it must 
 have gratified him to find that his presence 
 generally put an end to such levity. Generally, 
 but not always, for when Singleton was in one 
 of his wild humours, Sir Lionel's frowns seemed 
 to the frightened girls to increase his volubility 
 and add zest to his impertinence. 
 
 '' I can't help it," he declared when they spoke 
 seriously to him — " I can't indeed ; and besides, 
 it's good for him. You all of you treat him as 
 if he were a mysterious and marvellous being, 
 the poor old boy will be fancying himself a demi- 
 god presently. I do it for his good. If he 
 would only go about a little, he'd get over his 
 high notions of himself, but he won't, you see, 
 so I'm bound to chaff him a little." 
 
 However, the visit came to an end at last, 
 but not before Reginald Hamilton had lost his 
 heart. One morning Pierce brought the post- 
 bag, as usual, to the breakfast table, and Sir 
 Lionel distributed the contents. Reginald 
 opened one from his mother. 
 
 "They have come, Hester; and they hope 
 we shall be with them as soon as we can." 
 
 " Now, I knew that was coming !" cried 
 Haidee, " the moment I saw that nasty letter.
 
 1 68 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Well, I suppose you must go. But, Reginald, 
 what about Friday ?" 
 
 " I must stay for that, of course ; I will write 
 and explain matters." 
 
 Here Singleton looked up from a letter in 
 which he had been perfectly absorbed, and said 
 absently : 
 
 " I must go to London." 
 
 " Go to London, Singie ! and why ?" 
 
 ** I have had a letter which obliges me to go. 
 I must be off at once. Where's a Bradshaw ?" 
 
 Sir Lionel laid down his letters and stared at 
 his son in amazed displeasure. 
 
 " Am I to understand that you contemplate 
 going to London this evening, Singleton ?" 
 
 ** Sooner, if I can. Is there a Bradshaw in 
 the house ?" 
 
 Sir Lionel gasped. Accustomed to govern his 
 household in autocratic fashion, Singleton's way 
 of announcing his intentions without any refer- 
 ence to him was very distasteful to him ; and the 
 worst of it was, that he seemed powerless to 
 make the delinquent aware of his displeasure. 
 
 " But, Singleton, remember Friday; you forget 
 your examination." 
 
 For it had been arranged that the two sailors 
 should attend an examination in Plymouth on 
 that day, to qualify for lieutenancies.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 69 
 
 ** Oh, I must go, examination or no examina- 
 tion ; I dare say I can get back in time, and if 
 not, it can't be helped." 
 
 He rang the bell. 
 
 " Pierce, have you a Bradshaw handy ? bring 
 it to me, please." 
 
 "But what takes you to London in such a 
 hurry. Single ?" 
 
 *' The Queen has sent for me, my dear. She 
 means to make a change in the Ministry, and 
 being divided in her royal mind whether to make 
 me First Lord of the Admiralty or Chancellor 
 of the Exchequer, she very naturally wishes to 
 talk it over. But she won't talk me over, bless 
 her innocence. I know my value, and if I'm not 
 to be Prime Minister, I shan't give her my 
 support at all. So I'm in a hurry to see her, as 
 you may think." 
 
 " My brother, there is one place about court, 
 and it is vacant too, which it seems to me you 
 would fill to admiration — quite eclipse your most 
 renowned predecessors in fact." 
 
 " That of court-jester, I presume ? I'll con- 
 sider it, Haidee ; it's not a bad idea. It must be 
 awfully jolly to be actually invited to say every- 
 thing that comes into your head ; my tongue is 
 an unruly member, and I should simply have to 
 leave off ruling it."
 
 170 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " When did you begin ?" inquired Reginald. 
 
 " I don't remember ; but you'll know when I 
 leave off. Is this the Bradshaw ? Thank you. 
 Pierce. Now, no one is to speak to me ; I'm 
 going in for abstruse science." 
 
 Sir Lionel rose and retired to the' library. 
 No one but Hester had remarked his displea- 
 sure, but she whispered her discovery to Haidee 
 before she went off to write to her mother. 
 Haidee waited until her brother emerged from 
 his Bradshaw, with his hair all standing on end 
 from the severity of the mental exercise, and 
 exclaimed triumphantly : 
 
 " I can just do it ! but I must start at once. 
 Haidee, order a trap to be ready for me in no 
 time, and I shall be ready for it. I shall run 
 down on Friday morning, and reach Plymouth 
 in time for the exam. Regie can meet me 
 there.'' 
 
 *' But what are you going for, Single ?" 
 
 ** To see some one. I cannot tell you more 
 now ; In fact, I haven't time. Don't be curious, 
 Miss Trelawney." 
 
 *' Well, I will not tease you ; but, Single, 
 Hester says that papa was annoyed — at least 
 he looked so." 
 
 '' And when does he look otherwise, pray ?" 
 
 " Hester thinks," she went on, wisely deaf,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 17I 
 
 " that he did not hke you to say you were going 
 without " 
 
 " Asking leave, do you mean ? Why, my 
 dear, this is midsummer madness." 
 
 *' Not exactly asking leave — explaining, men- 
 tioning it first to him. And surely. Singleton^ 
 that is not much to be asked to do." 
 
 " But what childish nonsense ! Does he 
 really expect me at this time of day to ask his 
 leave to run up to town for a few hours ? And 
 as I have not the smallest intention of delaying^ 
 if he should happen to say no, which he most 
 likely would, it strikes me that it would be 
 foolish to ask." 
 
 " He will not refuse." 
 
 " No, for I shan't give him the chance." 
 
 ** Nor do I want you to ask leave, but I do 
 wish you would go to him — he is in the library 
 — and just say that you are obliged to go, and 
 that you'll be home on Friday evening. Do,. 
 Singie, to please me.*' 
 
 " Well, to please you ; but remember, I think 
 it a mistake, Haidee ; and if you persist in 
 making everything bow to his absurd notions, 
 he'll ride rough shod over you one of these 
 days. Go to my room when you've ordered 
 the trap, and help me to put up my things." 
 
 " Sir Lionel, may I come in ?"
 
 172 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Certainly — the library is open to all." 
 
 ** But I should be sorry to interrupt you if 
 you were busy. I'm going to run up to town 
 to meet a friend — can I do anything for you ? 
 I shall be in Plymouth in time for the exam., 
 and hope to come home in the evening." 
 
 " You wish to go to London ?" 
 
 " I am going to London — yes." 
 
 " To meet a friend : who is this friend ?" 
 
 " That I cannot tell you now, but I shall 
 when I come home, I hope." 
 
 " Your conduct is very extraordinary, Single- 
 ton. You are my son, living in my house, and 
 yet you seem to forget " 
 
 *' Believe me, father, I forget nothing. When 
 I look round this room, on the contrary, I 
 remember a great deal which I would gladly 
 forget if I could." 
 
 Sir Lionel walked to the window with rather 
 a heightened colour. He stood looking out, 
 and doubtless preparing a crushing oration, but 
 when he looked round to deliver it his son was 
 gone. 
 
 *' Defied again," he muttered. '' But let him 
 go — let him go." 
 
 Which was a prudent resolution, seeing that 
 he could not stop him. 
 
 Singleton found his sister waiting for him in
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I 73 
 
 his room, and with her help he soon packed a 
 small valise. 
 
 " Ram it home ! that's the way to pack this 
 kind of thing," he said, as he worked away, 
 much in the style of loading a gun. " Did you 
 order the conveyance ?" 
 
 " Yes, it will be round at once. Was papa 
 vexed, Singie ?" 
 
 '' Don't know — never do know. He was un- 
 pleasant, but not more so than usual. I hope 
 to astonish his weak mind when I come back." 
 
 " How, Singleton ? do tell me." 
 
 Singleton laughed, lifted his valise from the 
 floor, looked out of the window and saw the doer- 
 cart coming round. He suddenly caught Haidee 
 in his arms and hugged her — hugging the little 
 valise too, perforce — kissed her, and whispered : 
 
 "What will you say to a sister-in-law, 
 Haidee ?" 
 
 *' A what I" shrieked Haidee, much amazed. 
 '' Oh, Singie, stop — don't run away ; tell me 
 what you mean." 
 
 But he did run away laughing, and she heard 
 the door at the head of the stairs bang. 
 
 " Oh, dear me, what does the madcap. mean ? 
 and I did hope he would like " 
 
 Suddenly as he had vanished, Singleton 
 rushed in.
 
 174 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '* Mind ! not a word to any one. I promised 
 not to speak of it yet, and you must keep my 
 secret." 
 
 Ag-aln he fled, but this time she had recovered 
 her senses and ran after him. He dashed into 
 the drawing-room. 
 
 ** Good-bye for the present, Hamilton. I 
 shall meet you at the George on Friday. Good- 
 bye, Hester; don't think me rude for running 
 off so abruptly." 
 
 " Not rude, but I am sorry you must go. I 
 shall hardly see you again, for you know I go 
 with Regie on Friday." 
 
 " I know ; he and I will meet you at the 
 station, so I can say good-bye then." 
 
 " Do so, Singie, and I will drive her in, and 
 you and I can come home together." 
 
 '' All right ; take care of yourselves, good 
 people. Good-bye." 
 
 In a moment more the dog-cart started at a 
 headlong pace. 
 
 '' Singleton's driving, and I can only hope he 
 won't break his own neck or the horse's knees," 
 remarked Haidee ; *' but one would say he 
 meant to try." 
 
 However, the cart came back in the afternoon, 
 so it was evident no harm had befallen Single- 
 ton on his way to Plymouth.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I 75 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The letter which had caused Singleton's flight 
 to London was from Marian Vane, and it was 
 both short and cool ; not containing one expres- 
 sion of anxiety to see him, though it gave him 
 her address in town. 
 
 But the reason of this coldness was not far to 
 seek. Marian's circumstances had undergone a 
 change, and her views and wishes had changed 
 too. Instead of looking to a marriage with 
 Singleton as her best chance of escaping from 
 Halifax and shining in the gay world, she now 
 saw her escape accomplished, and made no 
 doubt that the shining would follow in good 
 time. She was now an heiress, and regretted 
 her engagement very much, as she frankly 
 admitted to herself. She had half a mind not 
 to write to him ; but felt that her difficulty 
 would not be lessened by that omission — per- 
 haps she could get rid of him quietly by quarrel-
 
 176 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ling with him when they met ; but whatever she 
 did she must contrive that the whole affair should 
 be kept secret — it would be better to marry 
 him than to have such a story told of her. 
 ''Dear me," she sighed, *' what a bother it all is ! 
 I wish I had never seen his face." 
 
 The Vanes were staying at an hotel, and 
 thither Singleton went when he reached Lon- 
 don ; but they were out, and not expected back 
 until late at night. So he passed a dull and 
 depressing evening, reading over Marian's 
 note, and wondering why she had gone out 
 just when she must have expected him. He 
 went to bed feeling very dismal, but a good 
 night's sleep brightened his views of things 
 wonderfully. The note was cold, but it was 
 written in haste ; and she had gone out, but then 
 she could not know that he would arrive so 
 soon. So he sent in his name to Mr. Vane, 
 who was at breakfast with his daughter. 
 
 '' Why, here is Singleton Trelawney come to 
 see us, Marian ! How do you do, Singleton ? — 
 come in. You did not expect to see us so soon 
 again when we parted, did you ? How did 
 you find us out ?" asked the unsuspecting man. 
 
 " I came here last night. Hamilton -told me 
 of your good fortune, Mr. Vane." 
 
 " Reginald was staying with you, I think ?"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I 77 
 
 *' He is there still ; he and I are to pass our 
 exams, on Friday in Plymouth ; so you see 
 my stay in town must be so short that I hope 
 you'll excuse me for coming so early." 
 
 "No excuse needed — you are always wel- 
 come. Have you breakfasted ? Give him a 
 cup of coffee, Marian. I cannot say much for 
 the tea, but the coffee is not bad." 
 
 " Am I welcome, Marian ?" whispered Single- 
 ton, as he took the cup from her hand ; but she 
 pretended not to hear him, and her greeting 
 had been anything but warm. 
 
 Breakfast over, Mr. Vane rose, saying — 
 
 '^ My poor brother's solicitor is coming to see 
 me this morning, but I don't suppose he will 
 keep me long. Shall I find you here when I 
 come back, Singleton ?" 
 
 '* Unless Marian turns me out," he answered, 
 with rather a forced attempt at a smile. 
 
 Mr. Vane left them, and Singleton lost no 
 time. 
 
 *' Marian, dear Marian, have I offended you ? 
 did you not expect me ?" 
 
 '* Not until Saturday. Aunt Hester told me 
 of the examination." 
 
 '' I must go back this evening. But may I 
 not speak to your father before I go ?" 
 
 *' Have you spoken to Sir Lionel ?" 
 
 VOL, I. I 2
 
 178 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' No ! why, you wrote to tell me not to do so 
 until I heard from you again. And until I 
 know what Mr. Vane will say to me, what is the 
 use of speaking to Sir Lionel ?" 
 
 " How very provoking !" she exclaimed. 
 
 " What is provoking ?" 
 
 " Everything ! I do so hate a fuss, and I 
 know there will be a fuss about it. Papa will 
 be vexed that we did not tell him at once." 
 
 Singleton was too generous to say that the 
 concealment had been her own doing ; he only 
 said : 
 
 *' The sooner we tell him now, the better." 
 
 She kept her head bent over some needle- 
 work she had taken up, so that he could not see 
 her face, but her manner chilled him. 
 
 " Marian," he said slowly, " if you are tired of 
 me, tell me so, and let me go." 
 
 " Don't be so childish," she answered pettishly 
 — " always taking offence. I am only " 
 
 " Only what ?" 
 
 '' Frightened, I think." 
 
 *' Frightened ? but at what ?" 
 
 " Sir Lionel, I think." 
 
 His face brightened, and his smile made it 
 beautiful for the moment, as he took her hand 
 in his, and said : 
 
 *' My poor little Marian — my little timid bird,
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 79 
 
 you have no need to be afraid of him. If he 
 makes himseh"" unpleasant, you shall never be 
 asked to see him — never, I promise it. To 
 think how miserable you made me for a few 
 minutes, and all because you were afraid of Sir 
 Lionel." 
 
 Marian gave herself a very impatient little 
 shake, and said nothing. 
 
 *' Marian, look here. This concealment is 
 worrying you to death ; you are not a bit like 
 yourself. I'm going to take the law into my 
 own hands, and see your father at once." 
 
 He rose and went towards the door, 
 saying : 
 
 '' I dare say the lawyer has left him by this 
 time." 
 
 This was not at all what Marian wanted ; she 
 wished above all things to be the first to tell her 
 story to her father. She exclaimed eagerly : 
 
 " Oh no — stop, Singleton — let me speak to 
 papa instead of you ; I will tell him this 
 evening." 
 
 *' My dear girl, what an idea ! I could not 
 allow that, Marian, even to please you. Mr. 
 Vane would send me about my business in half 
 a minute, and serve me right, getting you into a 
 scrape and then leaving you to bear the blame 
 all by yourself. No; I must see him myself, 
 
 12 — 2
 
 l8o RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 and I must do it now. Wait here for me, 
 Marian." 
 
 He left the room, and Miss Vane nearly cried 
 with vexation. 
 
 " Now he will go blundering to papa, making 
 him fancy that my heart is set upon marrying 
 him ! How shall I ever manage ? Oh, dear me, 
 what a fool I have been ! Well, there ! I sup- 
 pose he is my fate, but — let me see — I must 
 think it well over." 
 
 *'Mr. Vane, are you at leisure? Can you 
 spare me a few minutes ?" 
 
 " Surely I can ; sit down,'' Arthur Vane re- 
 plied, looking at the flushed and animated face 
 with some misgiving. " I hope it is not that," 
 he m.uttered to himself. 
 
 But it was that, as Singleton's first words 
 proved. 
 
 '* Mr. Vane, I don't know whether you have 
 perceived it, but I have loved Marian for a very 
 long time." 
 
 Mr. Vane almost smiled, even though he was 
 vexed. 
 
 " A very long time !" he repeated. '' Why, 
 how old are you. Singleton ?" 
 
 " That makes no difference," Singleton an- 
 swered eagerly ; ''I have loved her from the 
 very first."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 151 
 
 " And does she know this ?" 
 
 " Yes. She has known it always." 
 
 *'But surely you had not spoken to her; there 
 was no understanding between you when you 
 came here to-day ?" said Vane anxiously. 
 
 " I had spoken to her before, in Halifax. 
 When I did so, I had some reason to think 
 that she did not care for me ; and then of 
 course, I should have troubled neither you 
 nor her any more. But then I found she did 
 care." 
 
 " You should have spoken to me then, if not 
 before," Mr. Vane said in a tone of keen mortifi- 
 cation. '' You should not have taught my little 
 girl to deceive me — to have secrets from her 
 father." 
 
 Poor Sinorleton ! the teachinor had been none 
 of his, but he felt as much ashamed of himself 
 as if the accusation were true. 
 
 " Don't be annoyed, Mr. Vane. I acknow- 
 ledge that I ought to have gone to you at once^ 
 but I can easily show you that we meant no 
 harm. I did not see you again, for one thing, 
 and Marian only desired me to wait until I had 
 my father's consent, because if he refused, she 
 would not have you annoyed by her unhappi- 
 ness ; for indeed, sir, she loves me. She said 
 you were not strong ; and — indeed it was only her
 
 i82 raoiNG OUT the gale. 
 
 loving consideration for you that made her de- 
 cide thus." 
 
 ** But do you mean to say that your father 
 has consented ?" exclaimed Mr. Vane, much 
 surprised. 
 
 " I have not asked him yet. Before we 
 sailed, Marian wrote a note desiring me to wait 
 until she came to England, and as I wanted 
 very much to speak to you first, I waited." 
 
 " I understand. Then Sir Lionel has never 
 heard of it yet." 
 
 " No ; but / know of no reason why he should 
 object, except that he likes to make himself un- 
 pleasant. Marian tells me that you and he are 
 not on good terms, but I know nothing of that. 
 He'll be ungracious enough, no doubt, but I 
 should think he would consent." 
 
 " Who told you that I am not on good terms 
 with your father ?" 
 
 " Marian told me. I don't know who told 
 her ; but to be candid with you, I was in hopes 
 it was only a fancy of her own. I'm afraid from 
 your manner now, that there is some truth 
 in it." 
 
 " Oh yes ! there Is some truth in It," Mr. 
 Vane said absently. " I don't remember telling 
 the child, though. But let me think a little. 
 Singleton, and o^Ive me time to see Marian.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 153 
 
 Will you leave us now without seeing her again, 
 and come back later ?" 
 
 " Of course I shall do as you wish. But, Mr. 
 Vane, you'll remember that I love her with all 
 my heart, and that she loves me. Don't make 
 us miserable for — " 
 
 " I have no vv^ish to make you miserable, my 
 dear boy. And as to Marian, you know what 
 she is to me. Come back at three, and you 
 shall have my answer." 
 
 " I must go down by the five train, you 
 know. Good-bye, Mr. Vane, don't — " 
 
 " Be a brute ! not if I can help it," interrupted 
 Mr. Vane, laughing. " I promise that much ; 
 now go." 
 
 Having got rid of Singleton, Arthur Vane sat 
 alone for a considerable time. He was the 
 kindest, the most tender-hearted of men ; never 
 since her birth had he said an angry word to his 
 daughter, and it was very bitter to him to find 
 that she could have thoughts, feelings, and 
 plans, which were not shared with him. But he 
 very soon began to make excuses for her, and 
 had before long convinced himself that Singleton 
 was right. She had concealed her semi-engage- 
 ment only out of tenderness for him. In this 
 frame of mind he went to her, and found her in 
 a very excited state, much alarmed by Single-
 
 184 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ton's non-appearance. Her agitation he of 
 course attributed to love and anxiety, and he 
 hastened to assure her that no obstacle should 
 be placed in the way of her happiness by him. 
 He was exceedingly kind and tender to her, but 
 if he had been the sternest of stern parents, he 
 could not have failed more utterly than he did 
 in finding out the true state of her mind. The 
 truth was that when he assumed that she was 
 very much in love, she was ashamed to declare 
 that she desired nothing more than to get rid of 
 her lover ; and before she could collect her 
 scattered senses. Singleton returned to know his 
 fate. Marian ran away when she heard of his 
 arrival, so he found Mr. Vane alone. 
 
 ''Well, Singleton, I suppose you have come 
 back to hear what I have to say to this matter, 
 so I shall not keep you in suspense. I'm sure 
 you know that, personally, I like you very 
 much ; so you won't think I mean any unkind- 
 ness when I confess that I wish this had not 
 happened. Still, I feel that I have only myself 
 to thank for it. I was a fool to let you be so 
 much with Marian when I objected to your fall- 
 ing in love with her." 
 
 "Just so, sir," poor Singleton replied in his 
 excitement ; then colouring, " I mean, you 
 know, that I was sure to do it.! and besides, I
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 85 
 
 did not know that there was any objection 
 to it." 
 
 " And if you had known, I don't suppose it 
 would have stopped you." 
 
 '' But now, Mr. Vane, what is the objection ?" 
 
 "Singleton, I have made up my mind to 
 make none. Marian is my only child, and I 
 have no wish but to make her happy. You 
 have my consent, now get Sir Lionel's." 
 
 '* Oh, Mr. Vane ! how can I thank you 
 enough ? But I can see that you think that my 
 father will object." 
 
 " I fear jt." 
 
 '' But tell me why you think so." 
 
 " No, my dear boy, I will not. I feel con- 
 vinced that you will have a better chance with 
 him if you can say that you know nothing of 
 the circumstances of his quarrel with me." 
 
 *' But I may tell him that you consent heartily, 
 and will let bygones be bygones ?" 
 
 *' I'm afraid that is more than I can promise 
 sincerely. I could not meet your father, nor 
 would he wish it." 
 
 " But, if he does refuse, what will you say to 
 me?" 
 
 " Can he disinherit you ?" 
 
 " No. I know that he cannot do that ; and I 
 have a dim memory of being told long ago that
 
 1 86 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 half my mothers money would come to me 
 when I came of age.'' 
 
 ** Indeed ! that would be a very considerable 
 sum. Who told you so ?" 
 
 ** Well, I suppose it must have been Black 
 James, my father's man. I have no very dis- 
 tinct remembrance of it. Then, I may hope that 
 you would not think my father's refusal of his 
 consent a fatal barrier ?" 
 
 ''No, I confess, under the circumstances, I 
 should not ; but it depends more upon Marian 
 than on me." 
 
 *' Oh, sir, I'm sure she won't care about that 
 — now that we are sure of you. May I see her 
 for a moment, for I must soon go ?" 
 
 ''Certainly; I'll send her to you; but don't 
 lose your train, Singleton ; and don't miss your 
 examination. I can't let my daughter marry a 
 middy ! You must get your commission." 
 
 It was fortunate for Singleton's peace of mind 
 that he was so hurried, for Marian was by no 
 means in a pleasant humour. However, he 
 only saw her for a minute, and set off in high 
 spirits for Plymouth. 
 
 The two young men went through the 
 examination — Reginald creditably, and Single- 
 ton brilliantly, a distinction which filled the 
 latter with astonishment. '' There m7is^ be
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 187 
 
 some mistake !" he protested ; but there was no 
 mistake, and Hamilton only laughed at him. 
 At the appointed hour they met the two girls 
 at the railway station. 
 
 '' Oh, Singie, I'm so glad to see you ! I had 
 such a horrid presentiment that you'd be late 
 for a train, or something, and miss your 
 exam. ! Of course you've passed, both of you ?" 
 
 " Oh, we've passed,*' Singleton answered, 
 " passed splendiferously. So did Paddy O'Hara 
 and Jemmy Smith, and all the rest of the Cap- 
 tain's youngsters, so I hope the dear old boy 
 will be pleased. O'Hara made a near shave of 
 it, though." 
 
 " Is that all you intend to tell of the day's 
 proceedings, Singleton ? for if so / shall give 
 Haidee additional particulars. One only of all 
 who were passed was complimented on his pro- 
 ficiency, and that one was Singleton." 
 
 The bright eyes thanked him, even while 
 they filled with tears of pride and pleasure. 
 
 *' Oh, I a77i so glad. What was it it for, 
 Singie ?" 
 
 " Seamanship," Singleton answered, blushing. 
 " Come along, now — I hear the bell going." 
 
 In a few moments the London express ran 
 out of the station, and the last words the 
 Hamiltons heard were from Haidee :
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Hester, remember I only lend you to them 
 for a time ! Tell mamma that you belong to ^ 
 
 me." 
 
 ** Now that we are out of the noise, Single, 
 let us have a good chat." 
 
 *' The dear old word," Singleton answered, 
 with a smile. '' How often I've heard it in 
 dreams, both sleeping and waking — ' Sit 
 down here, Singie, and let us have a chat ;' 
 and what wonderful chats we used to have ! 
 Do you remember the fairy tales I used 
 to spin for your benefit ? and indeed for my 
 own, for I enjoyed them as much as vou 
 did." 
 
 " Remember them ? I should think I did. 
 The Fairy Set'emtorights was my special 
 favourite — a kind of guardian fairy. Then the 
 hero and the heroine always had a cross father 
 and a wicked cousin, and Set'emtorights used to 
 inflict such awful punishments on them. Poor 
 papa ! I often wonder why he was so hard upon 
 us then : he has been kind to me lately." 
 
 " I wonder what he will say to — something I 
 have to tell him." 
 
 " What is it ? anything about — what you said 
 that morning before you left us ?" 
 
 Singleton nodded. " Oh, Singie, won't you
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 89 
 
 tell me all about it now ? I have thought of 
 nothinof else ever since." 
 
 " You said nothing to either of the Hamil- 
 tons, I hope." 
 
 ** Of course not. But did you really say 
 ' sister-in-law,' Singleton ? I have been per- 
 suading myself that I made a mistake." 
 
 *' Not at all, my child. You heard correctly : 
 them was my remarkable words." 
 
 '' Well, then tell me all now." 
 
 *' Do you think Sam can hear us ?" inquired 
 Singleton, half turning to look at the stolid face 
 of the groom. 
 
 '' Not he ! he is probably asleep. I generally 
 have to wake him from a nap if I want him. 
 We are quite alone, and though I don't want to 
 torment you, dear Singleton, I am anxious.'' 
 
 *' Ah, wait until you know her ; you will be 
 'SO delighted with each other, you two. But 
 have you no idea who it Is, Haidee ? I'm sure 
 I mentioned her often enough in my letters." 
 
 Now this was rather a mistake on Singleton's 
 part, for of late, since his attachment to Marian 
 had become more serious, he had but rarely 
 named her. 
 
 " Can't you guess, Haidee ? Why, all my 
 time in Halifax was spent with them." 
 
 '' With them ?"
 
 190 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '' With her and her father." 
 
 " Oh, then I guess — it is Marian Vane, the 
 Hamiltons' cousin." 
 
 *' It is. Oh, Haidee, there's no use in talking 
 of her, for you've never seen her ; but you will 
 soon, I hope ; and I know you'll love. her. She is 
 a little like you — smaller, and more fragile-look- 
 ing, but still like you. You know she is our 
 cousin, too — her mother was a Miss Trelawney, 
 and thereby hangs a tale." 
 
 " What tale ? I never heard of this Miss 
 Trelawney." 
 
 *' No ; and there are reasons, you see, for 
 doubting that Sir Lionel will be pleased. Mr. 
 Vane and he have met and are not friends — in 
 fact, I suspect they had no end of a shindy, but 
 of the cause I know nothing. Mn Vane 
 thought I might get on better with my father if 
 I knew nothing more than I've told you, so he 
 kept it to himself; but he won't meet Sir Lionel, 
 though he consents to our engagement." 
 
 ''What can it be ? Oh, Single, I hope papa 
 will be kind to you — do you mean to speak to 
 him to-night ?" 
 
 " No, not until to-morrov\r morning. I'm too 
 utterly done up between travelling and the 
 exam, to tackle him to-night. Here, Sam ! 
 wake up and open the gate. I can't say
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. I9I 
 
 how glad I shall be to get some food ; I'm 
 starving." 
 
 Haidee went off to her room, meditating on 
 the overthrow of her cherished scheme about 
 Hester. " It's too provoking ! and however 
 nice Marian may be, she cannot be half as nice 
 as Hester. And Hester gets on with papa, too. 
 Oh dear, it does seem as if things never turn 
 out as one wishes."
 
 192 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 ^' Are you at lesiure, Sir Lionel ?" 
 
 *' Perfectly so. Come in, Singleton." 
 
 " I have something to tell you^ — something 
 to ask you for, and I hope you will be pleased ; 
 at least most people would think me very 
 lucky." 
 
 " Is it that you have heard from Captain 
 Hamilton, offering you another appointment ?" 
 
 " No — he won't get a ship again for some 
 little time. What I have to tell you is that — I 
 want your consent to my marriage." 
 
 Sir Lionel laid down his newspaper, and stared 
 at his son. 
 
 " Do I understand you to speak of your own 
 marriage ?" 
 
 "Yes, I did." 
 
 " You are not yet of age, I think — rather 
 young to marry. But we need not discuss that 
 until you have furnished me with some informa-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 93 
 
 tion concerning the lady ; her birth, position, 
 etc." 
 
 '' In all those respects she is my equal." 
 
 " To what am I to attribute your silence on 
 the subject until to-day ?" 
 
 '' Until yesterday, though I knew that Marian 
 loved me, I had not asked her father's consent, 
 but I saw him in London." 
 
 " And he consents, of course. The heir of 
 Trelawney Abbey is not likely to be rejected. 
 Where did you meet these people ?" 
 
 " In Halifax. They have been very kind to 
 me, IVe been like one of the family ever since 
 I went out there. Now they've come into a 
 large property and she is an heiress." 
 
 *' Indeed ! I am glad to hear it, for I am still 
 a young man, and there are John and Haidee 
 to be provided for. I do not think you have 
 yet mentioned her name." 
 
 " Her name is Marian Vane. Her mother 
 was a Miss Trelawney, an aunt of John's." 
 
 There was no answer, though Sir Lionel 
 must have started violently, for he threw down 
 his bookstand ; but he then remained perfectly 
 still, and Singleton^ too, sat as still as he could 
 for some time. But then, almost against his will, 
 he raised his eyes, and looked at his father. 
 Such a glance of actual hatred as he surprised 
 VOL. I. 13
 
 194 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Upon Sir Lionel's face ! he was perfectly livid, 
 and his eyes had a glare that was scarcely sane. 
 Singleton was fascinated by it, and sat silently 
 staring at him until Sir Lionel himself broke 
 the breathless silence. 
 
 " You miserable hound," he said hoarsely, 
 " do you mean to insult me ?" 
 
 *' No, Sir Lionel, I certainly do not. I hope 
 you don't mean to insult me." 
 
 But Sir Lionel took no notice of this remon- 
 strance, being indeed quite beyond knowing 
 what he was saying. 
 
 " Do you know what you have done ? You 
 have asked my leave to marry the daughter of 
 my bitterest enemy ; the daughter of Arthur 
 Vane, whom, if I saw him there before me 
 
 He gasped and pulled at his necktie, looking 
 so very much as if he would end in having a 
 fit that his son got frightened, and ran out 
 into the gallery for a glass of water. 
 
 " Here, Sir Lionel, drink this. I am afraid 
 you're ill.'' 
 
 The fresh cold water revived him, and he 
 soon looked a little less death-like. Singleton 
 took the glass from his hand and placed it on 
 the table ; then, speaking very gently and 
 quietly, he said :
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 95 
 
 " I hope you will think this matter over be- 
 fore we say any more about it. I don't know 
 anything about the cause of your quarrel with 
 Mr. Vane, but if he can consent, why cannot 
 you do the same ? Let me go now ; you are — 
 agitated, and may say more than you mean. 
 By-and-by " 
 
 " No r thundered Sir Lionel. '' You need 
 not leave me. I have but little to say, but it 
 is final. I refuse my consent to this marriage." 
 
 '^Sir Lionel, listen " 
 
 *' Not a word. You may now leave me." 
 
 '' Father, I beseech you, think the matter over 
 quietly. Consider how unreasonable your re- 
 fusal is. Whatever your quarrel with Mr. Vane 
 may have been, he consents — and why cannot you 
 do the same ? It is absurd to think that Marian 
 and I are to be separated and made miserable 
 because of something which probably happened 
 before either of us was born, and ought to be 
 forgotten by this time." 
 
 "It will never be forgotten by me." 
 
 " Well, at least consider your own dignity a 
 little. I ask for your consent as I am bound to 
 do ; if you give it, all right ; but I don't promise 
 not to do without it if you refuse. Frankly, 
 Sir Lionel, you have not been such a father to 
 me that I feel bound to obey you ; and as you 
 
 13—2
 
 igb RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 very well know, you have no power to punish 
 me if I don't. I can't help hoping that you'll 
 take a little time to think, and that you'll give 
 your consent." 
 
 There was a short silence, owing to the fact 
 that Sir Lionel found himself unable to articu- 
 late. At last he rose from his seat, and in- 
 quired : 
 
 " Have you said all that you w^ish to say ? 
 If not, say it now — and then I shall speak." 
 
 *^ There is no use in my saying anything more, 
 if what I have said does not move you." 
 
 '' You are right : there is no use in saying 
 anything more. Now hear me. I never will 
 consent to this marriage. That I swear to you. 
 I don't believe that Arthur Vane would allow 
 the marriage to take place ! he knew I should 
 refuse, and like the sneak that he is, he left it to 
 come from me." 
 
 " I think you'll find that you're mistaken." 
 
 " Don't interrupt me, sir ! let me finish what 
 I have to say, and then get out of my sight be- 
 fore I " 
 
 " Look here, Sir Lionel. That tone worked 
 well when I was a sickly, unhappy child, utterly 
 in your power ; it won't do now. I don't fear 
 it any more than the piping of the wind in the 
 rigging, and I strongly advise you neither to
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 97 
 
 threaten nor to attempt violence. Keep all 
 that for Black James," he added, with a bitter 
 laugh; " there isn't enough of the slave in me to 
 make me submit to it." 
 
 Sir Lionel sprang towards him with a terrible 
 oath, but he stopped suddenly : Singleton had 
 caught up a heavy ruler from the writing-table, 
 and his eyes were flashing cold and steady, like 
 steel. 
 
 What the next moment might have seen done, 
 who can say ? But during this furious pause 
 the door between the library and the drawing- 
 room was pushed open, and Haidee silently 
 came in. Singleton's back was turned towards 
 her, but Sir Lionel saw her, and fell back a little. 
 She came up to her brother, put her hand upon 
 his shoulder and said slowly : 
 
 " Singleton ! what are you going to do ?" 
 
 " Nothing," he answered in a voice more 
 than commonly soft and low, and yet somehow 
 it seem^ed to express more concentrated anger 
 than any sound she had ever heard before. 
 " Nothing, Haidee. Ask your question of Sir 
 Lionel, not of me. I shall defend myself, 
 nothing more." 
 
 ** Put this down," she said, taking the ruler 
 from his hand. " Papa, let this question rest 
 for to-day. Do as Singleton has asked you —
 
 igS RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 think it over quietly. It was well that I was so 
 near," she added with a shudder ; ** one moment 
 more ! 
 
 " Did you hear all that passed ?" demanded 
 Sir Lionel hoarsely, flinging himself into an 
 easy-chair. 
 
 " Yes, all. I feared something, and was 
 determined to be near." 
 
 '' Then you may hear the end of the matter. 
 Singleton, you have my answer ; the only 
 possible answer. You will find that it is what 
 Arthur Vane expects. If you are wise, write 
 and say that this marriage cannot be. If you 
 do this, I will forget what has passed. If you 
 refuse, leave my house instantly, and never en- 
 ter it again while I live. You say that I have 
 no power to punish you ; I have no power to 
 disinherit you, but I am a young man still, and 
 I /lave the power to keep you without a farthing 
 until my death. And I will do it, too. Now 
 take your choice." 
 
 " Does not some of my mother's money come 
 to me when I'm of age ?" inquired Singleton. 
 
 " Ah ! were you counting on that ? No ; your 
 mother inherited that money after her marriage, 
 and there were no settlements of any kind. It 
 is quite in my power to do as I like with it. You 
 can leave me now ; but remember, I swear by all
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 1 99 
 
 I hold sacred, that if this marriage takes place, 
 you shall have nothing that I can keep from you 
 except my hearty curse." 
 
 Singleton laughed insolently. 
 
 " Listen to him, Haidee ! isn't it refreshing to 
 hear him forgetting to round his sentences for once 
 in his life ? Well, Sir Lionel, I don't suppose you 
 expect an answer to your paternal oration, except 
 the one I'm going to give you. If Marian will 
 have me, and her father don't object, I shall 
 certainly marry her. And I shall value your 
 curse as little as I should your blessing." 
 
 Sir Lionel sprang to his feet ; Haidee placed 
 herself between him and her brother. 
 
 " You need not alarm yourself, Haidee. I 
 am merely going to speak to him. Singleton, 
 leave the house within the hour. Not a word, 
 Haidee. I will not hear a word. Go now, 
 while I have still some command over my- 
 self.'' 
 
 Again Singleton laughed. 
 
 " I'm glad to hear you have any of that 
 precious commodity at any time; I confess I 
 should never have found it out for myself. 
 Come, Haidee — I don't suppose you'll be turned 
 out of doors for seeing me off." 
 
 He walked out of the room as he spoke, and 
 after a moment's hesitation, Haidee followed.
 
 200 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 He rang the bell, and stood looking moodily 
 into the fire. 
 
 " Are you really going, Singie ?" 
 
 " Of course I am ! do you want me to wait 
 until he sends Black James and a couple of foot- 
 men to kick me out ? Hush — here's George. 
 George, tell the coachman that I want the dog- 
 cart at once, to go into Plymouth." 
 
 " No, Singleton — order the pony-carriage, 
 George, and Sam must go. I shall drive you to 
 the station, Singie." 
 
 " Will he not be angry ?" whispered Single- 
 ton. " Not that I care, but you've got to come 
 back, remember." 
 
 ** He will never ask — and I must see what I 
 can of you. Oh Singie, Singie ! six years 
 separated, and only this little time together," 
 cried poor Haidee, bursting into tears. 
 
 *' My dear, dear Haidee ! good heavens, what 
 a selfish beast I am to forget how hard this is on 
 you ! But what can I do, dear ? I can7iot give 
 Marian up — you would not wish that, I know." 
 
 " No ; but if you will really do what I ask, 
 Singie — I do so wish you would wait a little. 
 I don't mean stay here now, for I know you 
 will be better away ; but don't be in a hurry ; 
 give me time to see if I can persuade papa to 
 be a little more reasonable."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 201 
 
 " I will wait — surely it is not much to promise. 
 But I have no hope that you will succeed. 
 Suppose he desires you to drop my acquaint- 
 ance, Haidee ?" 
 
 " I don't think he will do that, and if he does 
 I must tell him I cannot obey him. But oh, Single- 
 ton, how could you speak as you did — and above 
 all, how could you laugh in that insulting way ?" 
 
 *' Laugh ! did I laugh ? I never was less 
 amused in my life, I assure you. I thought he 
 was going to strike me. Well — he might have 
 found that times were changed — that was a 
 heavy ruler, Haidee. A pat on the head with 
 that little affair would be no joke, let me tell 
 you. Come — get ready now like a good girl. I 
 shall take only my valise, and you can send my 
 chest when I write for it. Get me a glass of 
 water, Haidee," he added suddenly, " I am 
 shaking all over as if I had the palsy." 
 
 " Take care, Single — you'll fall — sit down 
 here. I will get you a glass of wine. Don't 
 stir until I come back." 
 
 She ran to the dining-room, where the table 
 was laid for luncheon, and pouring out a glass 
 of wine, she seized also a plate of biscuits, and 
 brought them to Singleton. 
 
 " I wish you would have some luncheon^ 
 Single, but at all events eat some of these."
 
 202 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' I could not — they'd choke me. Give me 
 that beastly stuff — ugh ! I hate It, but we'll con- 
 sider it in the light of medicine.'' 
 
 " Do you never take wine ?" 
 
 ** Never — I hate it, and IVe no head, you 
 know. Now — I'm ready for the road whenever 
 you are." 
 
 " I shall not keep you waiting. Oh, Single- 
 ton ! is this to be the end of your stay at home ? 
 and I have longed so for it." 
 
 " Never fear, my dear girl. We'll have 
 pleasant days together yet, though perhaps not 
 here. Just wait till you know Marian !"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GAT.E. 2O3 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The Vanes were out, the waiter said, when 
 Singleton arrived that evening at the hotel ; so 
 he was obliged to wait until the Sunday morn- 
 ing to see them. Marian had desired her maid 
 to let her know when Mr. Trelawney came back, 
 and hearing that he was in the house, she did 
 not make her appearance at the breakfast table ; 
 Singleton found her father alone. 
 
 '' Back so soon, Singleton ! I did not expect 
 you till to-morrow. Have you breakfasted ? 
 What will you have ?" 
 
 " A cup of coffee — thank you — I hope there's 
 nothing the matter with Marian ?" 
 
 *' Nothing, nothing," Arthur Vane answered 
 hastily. He had a singularly embarrassed air, 
 and was not in the least like himself. *' Have 
 you any news for me ?" he went on. 
 
 ** Yes, but not good news. Sir Lionel says 
 that if you had not known that he would refuse,
 
 204 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 you would have put an end to the matter your- 
 self. He refused his consent, and turned me 
 out of doors because I refused to write to you, 
 giving up the engagement. But before I go 
 any further, I must tell you that he declares that 
 my mother's money is entirely in his hands, and 
 that if I marry Marian, I shall never have a 
 penny that he can deprive me of Now, I 
 assure you, Mr. Vane, I honestly believed that 
 half of it would be mine when I come of age. T 
 don't know who put it into my head." 
 
 " I don't care aboutthat," said Mr. Vane. '' I 
 should not give a second thought to the money 
 question. Marian and I have plenty, and you 
 must inherit the estates if you outlive your 
 father." 
 
 *' Yes, he cannot prevent that," Singleton 
 answered. Then he got up and walked over to 
 the window, where he stood looking out. wnile 
 he said slowly : 
 
 " I am so unworthy of her in every way ; and 
 now that I have nothing but myself to offer her, 
 I'm ashamed to speak ; but if you only knew 
 how I love her." 
 
 Mr. Vane looked at him with a half-pitying, 
 half-puzzled air. 
 
 " I do know it, my dear boy. I am sure you 
 love her, Singleton."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 205 
 
 He actually started at the sudden brightness 
 of the face that flashed round on him. 
 
 " You won't send me away, then !" exclaimed 
 Singleton. 
 
 Still Mr. Vane looked distressed. 
 
 " I have been speaking to Marian," he said, 
 hesitating. '' I told her I expected this reply 
 from your father, knowing him of old." 
 
 " What did she say ?" 
 
 '' Singleton, I must be frank with you. I 
 don't understand her at all. Are you quite sure, 
 my dear boy, that she — that this engagement 
 was willingly made on her side? or is it not 
 possible that you were very urgent, and per- 
 suaded her against her will ?" 
 
 Singleton flushed crimson. 
 
 '' Oh no, sir, no ! I am quite sure I did not. 
 I told her that a word would get rid of me — 
 that I would never torment her again. You 
 fancied she did not care, I suppose ? but it is 
 her fear of agitating you ; and, besides, she is 
 shy — she seldom speaks of her feelings. But 
 indeed she said she loved me. I cannot be 
 mistaken about that." 
 
 *' I don't understand her — that's all I can say. 
 I will go to her now and tell her that you are 
 here ; and believe me. Singleton, I shall not use 
 my influence against you. I wish to see her
 
 206 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 well married ; and though I certainly wish you 
 were not Sir Lionel Trelawney's son, I Yikeyozc, 
 my dear boy, and it would be hard to punish 
 you for his sins." 
 
 "You are very kind, Mr. Vane. I cannot 
 say what I feel — but you know. But stay one 
 moment — What did Sir Lionel do ? He did 
 not give me the least idea." 
 
 ** It is best forgotten. If you are to be my 
 son, let us never mention it — or him. I suppose 
 there is no chance that he may relent ?" 
 
 '' I think not. Here's a letter I had from my 
 sister this morning, which contains a message 
 from him. May I read it to you ?" 
 
 " My dear Singleton, 
 
 " I have but half an hour to write, so 
 excuse haste. Fancy my feelings when I found 
 Sir Lionel waiting for me at the gate ! He 
 desired me to get out and walk to the house 
 with him. Of course I thought he was angry 
 because I had gone with you, but he said 
 nothing about that. I am going to write down 
 exactly what passed as far as I can. He asked 
 if you had gone back to London, and I said yes. 
 He said, * He will soon be made aware of his 
 mistake ; he will be rejected, of that I have no 
 doubt. I have come to the conclusion that as
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 20/ 
 
 he is very young, it is possible to me to over- 
 look what he said during our interview this 
 morning. Write to him, that if he returns here 
 and gives me to understand that the marriage 
 is definitely broken off, I shall consign all that 
 passed on the subject to oblivion.' " 
 
 Singleton looked up with a laugh. " Fine 
 sounding phrases, don't you think, Mr. Vane ? 
 Sir Lionel was himself again then ; in his 
 fury he forgot his eloquence and swore like a 
 boatswain." 
 
 " I said. * Singleton loves Miss Vane dearly ;' 
 but when I said the name he actually ground 
 his teeth with rage and stopped me with an 
 awful look. ' Haidee, do not misunderstand 
 me. I mean no more than I say. If he returns 
 rejected, well. If he does not return, from this 
 hour his name never passes my lips. I shall 
 live as if he had never existed.' I said boldly, 
 * Papa, you have never been a kind father 
 to Singleton, and I am not going to humiliate 
 him by pleading for him. But I must say, once 
 for all, that I will not give him up. I give 
 you fair notice that I shall see him whenever 
 I can, and that we shall write to each other.' 
 Dear Sing, though I spoke boldly, I was in 
 a horrid fright all the same ; but he only said
 
 208 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 * You, at least, are frank. You need not have 
 defied me until I had given you cause to do so. 
 Of course I could wish that you would consider 
 my decision as binding on you ; but I know 
 your sex too w^ell, Haidee, to believe that you 
 will do so from obedience to me. You must do 
 as you will ; but you will remember that to me 
 he is dead. But this is folly,' he said suddenly; 
 ' he will return rejected, and glad to know that 
 I shall forget the whole affair. Write at once, 
 and send a groom to Plymouth with your letter, 
 that he may have it before he sees these people 
 again.' 
 
 " So I am writing in hot haste, dearest Singie, 
 and I only hope you may be able to read my 
 scrawl. And now, my dear and only brother, 
 one word more. I ask a favour of you, by the 
 memory of our mother, and of our childish love, 
 and of the days when that love was our only 
 comfort. If my father is right, and that you 
 are rejected, do not let your pride keep you 
 from coming home. I will comfort you, Singie. 
 Think of the old times when we were all the 
 world to each other, and come home to your 
 loving sister, 
 
 " Haidee Trelawney." 
 
 Is she not a darling, Mr. Vane ? and she
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 209 
 
 will be so glad to know that I am not re- 
 jected." 
 
 Again Mr. Vane looked at him sadly. 
 
 *' I'm glad you have your sister to care for you," 
 he said hastily. " I am going to Marian now." 
 
 " Don't think me ungrateful,. Mr. Vane ; but 
 if I might see her myself." 
 
 '' You shall see her presently. Wait here 
 until I come back. You don't look well, Single- 
 ton ; your eyes are heavy, and there's a languid 
 look about you which is new to me. Do you 
 feel ill ?" 
 
 " Only tired — not ill in the least. Remember 
 how I've been knockinor about between this and 
 Plymouth, and the exam., and above all, Sir 
 Lionel ! I shall be all right when I've seen 
 Marian." 
 
 Arthur Vane sighed, and left the room. If 
 he had known that the half-finished cup of 
 coffee which he had given him that morning 
 was the first food Singleton had tasted since he 
 left the Abbey, he would have ceased to wonder 
 that his eyes were heavy and his face pale. 
 
 Mr. Vane was absent for more than an hour, 
 but it did not seem long to Singleton, who lay 
 back in an easy-chair, half-dreaming, half- wonder- 
 ing what ailed him. In fact, he was faint from 
 fatigue and want of food. However, when Mr. 
 
 VOL. L 14
 
 2IO RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Vane returned, up sprang Singleton, fully ex- 
 pecting to see Marian too. Bnt Mr. Vane was 
 alone, and he looked — or so Singleton fancied 
 — ashamed and embarrassed. He cleared his 
 throat several times, glanced nervously at the 
 young man's eager face, and at last began : 
 
 " Singleton — my dear boy — Singleton — — " 
 
 " Mr. Vane— is she ill ?" 
 
 " No, she's quite well ; but. Singleton, there 
 is no use in trying to break it to you ; I am 
 so vexed and — discomposed that I hardly 
 know what I'm saying." 
 
 " Never mind breaking it to me — say it out 
 plainly, at once. I know what it is — Marian 
 thinks that she ought not to marry me against 
 my father's will." 
 
 '' You are right," said Arthur Vane slowly. 
 '' That is what Marian wishes you to be told." 
 
 '* But let me see her ! let me make her under- 
 stand the kind of man Sir Lionel is. Surely 
 you, Mr. Vane, knowing what he is, and what 
 he has always been to me — you don't think that 
 we are bound to be miserable because he won't 
 consent ?" 
 
 " I do not, indeed ; but stay, Singleton — have 
 one moment's patience. If Marian's happiness 
 depended on this marriage, I should not care 
 much for Sir Lionel's refusal."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2 I I 
 
 " And her happiness does depend upon it, sir. 
 Oh, beHeve me, she loves me ! — she told me so. 
 It is only that she's afraid of doing wrong ; let 
 me see her, I beseech you, and I will convince 
 her that she is mistaken." 
 
 '' I have no objection to your seeing her ; it 
 is her own doing. She would rather not see 
 you, and she bid me tell you so." 
 
 " She would rather not see me ! Mr. Vane, 
 I don't understand it at all." 
 
 '*' Heaven help me — neither do I. She bids 
 me say, that having had time to think the 
 matter over, she has become aware that she 
 does not love you except as she might love a 
 brother ; and that although if everything had 
 gone smoothly, she would have — would not 
 have broken her word; yet if your father 
 
 objects, she In short, Singleton, I throw 
 
 myself on your generosity. Marian is but a 
 child — she was flattered, I suppose, and liked 
 the romance of the affair ; but it is quite plain 
 that — that she does not wish to be bound by 
 her promise." 
 
 Poor Arthur Vane ! with all his weakness, 
 the most chivalrously upright of men ! no 
 wonder he found his task a hard one. It 
 would be hard to say which of the two men 
 was the most agitated. Singleton staggered a 
 
 14 — 2
 
 2 12 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 few paces back, and sank upon a chair ; Vane 
 stood with bent head, the picture of humiliation. 
 There was a long silence : at last Singleton said 
 hurriedly : 
 
 ''You know there must be a mistake about 
 this matter. Marian has known all along that 
 I loved her. It was no sudden thing that could 
 have taken her by surprise, she knew it always, 
 and alv/ays seemed pleased to know it. I 
 belifeve, still, that she is concealing her real 
 feelings not to give you pain. Beg of her to 
 see me- — say she nntst see me, for I will not and 
 cannot believe that she does not love me unless 
 she tells me so herself." 
 
 Mr. Vane sighed deeply. 
 
 " Perhaps you are right !" he said. " I don't 
 know what to think ; but you have a right to 
 see her, and I will bring her here to you." 
 
 He went to the room where he had left his 
 daughter. 
 
 " Well, papa ! is he gone ?" 
 
 " No ; and he insists on seeing you, Marian. 
 He still thinks that you are influenced by some 
 scruple of conscience concerning his fathers 
 refusal, though I have told him that you deny 
 it. But — is it so, my child ? if it is, tell me so now." 
 
 The pretty face reddened a little, but Marian 
 answered promptly :
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 213 
 
 " Papa, the truth is, that ever since I pro- 
 mised to marry him I have been sorry for it. 
 I am a Httle afraid of him, and always feel that 
 I don't half understand him. I am not sorry to 
 have a good excuse to put an end to it." 
 
 " If you do not love him, it is certainly better 
 to put an end to it, but what I cannot under- 
 stand is, why you ever gave him any hope, if 
 you did not care for him. He says you have 
 known all along that he loved you." 
 
 '• Oh, papa ! as if I thought seriously about it ! 
 of course I knew it, in a kind of a way, but I 
 did not understand what it really meant." 
 
 " But when he asked you to marry him, you 
 must have known that he, at least, was in earnest, 
 and if you were not, you should have told him 
 so then." 
 
 " Yes — but — you see, he was going home, and 
 I thought it would be some time before I should 
 have to decide." 
 
 " Marian, I cannot understand your conduct. 
 It really looks as if you had never meant to act 
 fairly by him ; and yet I am unwilling to think 
 this of my little daughter." 
 
 Half angry, half frightened, Marian took 
 refuge in tears. 
 
 " I did not mean to do wrong ! I only thought 
 he would make such a fuss, and then he always
 
 2 14 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 frightens me. Oh, send him away, papa, and 
 let us forget all about him. I shall end in 
 hating him, if you are going to be angry with 
 me about him." 
 
 '^ Nay, my dear, I am not angry, but I am 
 very sorry, and a little surprised. But don't 
 cry, my child ; the truth is, that you are only a 
 child, and have no idea of the pain you have 
 inflicted. You must see him, Marian, and tell 
 him the truth yourself; it will be painful, but a 
 lesson to you for the future." 
 
 ** If I must see him, 1 shall see him alone," 
 said Marian sullenly. 
 
 " I have no objection ; go to him at once, and 
 I will follow presently." 
 
 Singleton, restless and miserable, did not hear 
 her foot upon the stairs, but when the door 
 opened, he came quickly forward to meet her, 
 
 '* Marian," he said tenderly, '^ tell me how this 
 has happened. Your father has frightened me 
 almost out of my senses, but I know there is 
 some mistake." 
 
 He had taken her hand, but she pulled it 
 away petulantly, and drew back from him. 
 
 " Papa made no mistake," she said sharply. 
 *' It was I who made a mistake, and I am very 
 sorry for it." 
 
 '' A mistake, Marian } How .^ when ?"
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 215 
 
 " When I said I would marry you, Singleton." 
 
 ** A mistake !" he repeated. " You call it a 
 mistake ; but you said — oh, Marian, why did 
 you say you loved me ? I never asked you to 
 marry me unless you loved me : I begged of 
 you to tell me the truth, and that I would never 
 trouble you any more. And you assured me 
 you did love me, and now you say it was a 
 mistake." 
 
 '' Yes, I do ; yes, it was indeed," Marian 
 stammered out ; her task was proving harder 
 than she had expected. It was hard to look 
 into those clear, searching eyes, and confess that 
 she had played with and deceived him. 
 
 " Tm very young," she went on, "and I thought 
 that in time I should like you well enough ; but 
 I was wrong." 
 
 He said nothing, but stood gazing at her. 
 Cold as she was, her heart was touched by the 
 mute despairing astonishment written on his 
 face, and after a pause she spoke again. 
 
 " Singleton, I will tell you the truth, you won't 
 like it at first, but it will be better for you in the 
 end to know it. Only you must promise 
 not to tell papa, or any one. I was sick of 
 Halifax. I wanted to get to England, to see 
 the world, and be rich and — fashionable. And 
 I thought if you gave me all this I should like
 
 2l6 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 you well enough in time. But now you see I 
 have got away from Halifax, and it is quite 
 plain that your father won't receive me, and 
 so " 
 
 She faltered and became silent. Singleton 
 was still standing before her, and over his ex- 
 pressive face there swept so fierce a scorn as 
 her meaning dawned upon him, that she could 
 not go on. It seemed to her as if he would 
 never withdraw his eyes, no longer full of love 
 and sorrow, but bright, cold, and piercing, from 
 her face, and his gaze seemed actually to hurt 
 her. She shivered, and put her hands before 
 her face. At last he spoke again, in a voice 
 that she could scarcely believe was his; cold and 
 incisive, it seemed to cut like a razor. 
 
 " Thanks for your frankness, complete if 
 somewhat tardy. I begin to understand you 
 now. I was a tolerable match in Halifax, for 
 one without much fortune. Now the tables are 
 turned : yotc are an heiress, I, a beggar. I per- 
 ceive how unreasonable I was to expect you to 
 keep your promise under these altered circum- 
 stances. May I ask if you have explained this 
 to your father ?" 
 
 " No, not quite," faltered Marian. " I have 
 been more frank with you, because " 
 
 " Because I was hard to get rid of. Yes, I was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2 1/ 
 
 very dull. This solution of the mystery never 
 came into my head. But you are rid of me 
 now. I shall trouble you no further, save with 
 one piece of advice ; do not be quite so charm- 
 ingly frank with your father as you have been 
 with me.'^ 
 
 " Why do you speak so unkindly ?" 
 
 " Unkindly ! certainly, I could not mean to 
 be unkind, could I ? But you know what an 
 affectionate daughter you are ; so careful to 
 shield him from the least annoyance, and, do 
 you know, looking back now upon my conver- 
 sation with him. I begin to fancy that even the 
 limited amount of confidence you have placed 
 in him has proved a shock to him. Good- 
 morning, Miss Vane. I have now only to 
 apologise for my mistake and thank you for 
 your — frankness." 
 
 '' One word. Singleton ! You will not tell 
 any one — the Hamiltons, or any one else, what 
 has passed between us ?" 
 
 " I believe you are not aware that your 
 question is an insult. I shall tell no one but 
 my sister, who knows so much that she must 
 know the rest." 
 
 '' But, Singleton, I entreat — oh, here is papa," 
 as a knock was heard at the door. 
 
 Singleton opened it, and admitted Mr. Vane.
 
 2l8 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " I was just going in search of you, Mr. Vane, 
 to tell you that the troublesome question is 
 finally settled. I withdraw my pretensions, 
 convinced that it has been a ' mistake ' from 
 beginning to end. So I have only to thank you, 
 sir, and I do thank you with all my heart, for 
 your kindness to me always, and so, good-bye." 
 
 He was gone before Arthur Vane could 
 speak. 
 
 ** Marian, what Aave you done to change him 
 so ?" 
 
 *' He is always changing. I only told him 
 the truth. Thank goodness he is gone. I 
 declare he frightened me at first ; I never saw 
 such bright fierce eyes. But he will think better 
 of it, and we shall be very good friends again 
 by-and-by, and he has promised to tell no one, 
 so my folly may be forgotten." 
 
 *' Ah, Marian ! I wish I could forget it," said 
 her father sadly. 
 
 Marian first pouted, then brightened up and 
 kissed him. 
 
 " Don't worry yourself about it, my darling 
 old dad !" she said coaxingly. '' I've been a sad 
 goose, a naughty girl, but there's no great 
 harm done, and I shall be wiser for the future." 
 
 So ended Singleton Trelawney's first love.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 219 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Pride and anger had befriended Singleton 
 Trelawney, and carried him through this trying 
 interview ; but Pride and Anger are not friends 
 to be depended on. This first great trial was 
 likely to make wild work with one so passionate 
 by nature, so untamed and untaught by ex- 
 perience as was Singleton, who, though full of 
 good and noble impulses, was almost without 
 principles. He had no fixed ideas of right and 
 wrong, no rule of conduct, no standard of per- 
 fection, no criterion by which to judge himself. 
 Excitable, regardless of consequences, ardent in 
 his love, vehement in his hate, and scarcely know- 
 ing any feeling between these two; variable in tem- 
 perament, easily uplifted, easily depressed : with 
 all that pathetic yearning for happiness, that keen 
 dread of suffering, which characterises most over- 
 sensitive people ; he surely required some guide.
 
 2 20 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 some help, even when all was well with him, and 
 how much more now, when in a moment the 
 idol he had set up and worshipped was shivered 
 before his eyes ? That guide, that help. Single- 
 ton had yet to seek, and by many a bitter lesson 
 was he to learn that in principle, not impulse, 
 must the guide be sought, and that no human 
 hand can supply the needed help. 
 
 On leaving the Vanes, he went to the bedroom 
 he had occupied the night before, and sat down 
 in a large arm-chair before the fire. It was th'en 
 not quite twelve o'clock, and it was nearly five 
 when a chamber-maid came into the room to see 
 to the fire, which was out. Singleton rose to 
 his feet and stared at her vacantly. 
 
 " What do you want ?" he said. 
 
 The girl started. 
 
 " Oh, sir ! I didn't know you was here. I 
 beg your pardon, sir." 
 
 She began rekindling the fire. 
 
 " What o'clock is it ?" Singleton asked, sink- 
 ing back into the chair. ''It is getting dark, 
 
 isn't it r 
 
 " Laws, sir, it's been nearly dark this long 
 time. It's five o'clock. I came to lieht the 
 
 gas. 
 
 Which she now proceeded to do, and then 
 stole a look at the motionless figure by the fire.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 22 1 
 
 It was a bitter cold day, and he had been sitting- 
 there in the dark, and without a fire, and now 
 that she had provided him with Hght and warmth, 
 he did not seem to notice the difference. The 
 girl was frightened, and after a little fussing 
 about the room and manj^ anxious glances at 
 him, she felt certain that he was ill. He had 
 ceased to take any notice of her, and although 
 she purposely let all the fire-irons fall clattering 
 upon the fender, he never looked up. Con- 
 vinced by this last test that there was something 
 wrong, she ran along the passage in search of a 
 friendly waiter. 
 
 "Joseph, there's a young gentleman in No. 8 
 that I think is ill. I wish you'd go and speak 
 to him." 
 
 " 111 ; what makes you think he's ill ?" inquired 
 Joseph, pausing on his way downstairs. 
 
 " I found him settin' there in the dark with- 
 out a fire ; and, oh, Joe ! he do look hawful ! 
 and speaks like as if he was asleep ; and never 
 noticed not by so much as to swear, when I 
 actually let the fire-irons fall a purpose. I 
 declare Tm sure he's ill, Joe — he gave me such 
 
 a turn." 
 
 *' Most likely he's screwed,'' quoth the cynical 
 Joseph hastily. *' However, I'll go and see 
 after him ; so make your mind heasy, my dear."
 
 22 2 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Accordingly, Singleton was again roused by 
 a loud knock at his door. He said " Come in/' 
 but neither moved nor spoke when the waiter 
 entered. 
 
 Joseph looked at him and felt that the 
 chamber-maid had not overstated the case — he 
 did look awful. 
 
 " Did you ring, sir ?" he inquired, by way of 
 beginning the conversation in a natural and 
 easy manner, 
 
 " No," replied Singleton, without looking at 
 him ; but in a moment more he started and 
 seemed to awake as from a trance all of a 
 sudden. 
 
 *' Were you speaking to me, my man ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. I was afraid you were not well," 
 replied the waiter, still far from reassured upon 
 that subject. 
 
 " Oh yes ; quite well. There's nothing the 
 matter with me ; it's a cold day, that's all. 
 Didn't you say it was five o'clock ? I want to 
 go down to Plymouth by the evening train. 
 Just find out about it for me and let me know ; 
 I ought to remember, but I don't." 
 
 The man returned in a few moments. 
 
 '' Next train at seven, sir. You have plenty 
 of time to spare. Better have some dinner 
 before you start, sir."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 223 
 
 '' Dinner ! no, I don't want any." 
 
 *' You'd a deal better, sir. You don't look at 
 all strong, sir, if you'll excuse me." 
 
 "Well, I don't care. Order some dinner for 
 me — anything, I don't care what — and call me 
 when it's ready." 
 
 When the man came back to announce 
 dinner he found that Singleton had put all his 
 scattered property into his valise, and had also 
 refreshed himself by dipping his head into a 
 basin of water, so that his hair was dripping, 
 and his coat, about the neck and shoulders, 
 much in the same condition. 
 
 '' Why, sir, you're all wet ; let me dry your 
 coat for you. You'll have your death of cold, 
 for certain, at this rate." 
 
 " Oh no ! cold water never hurt a sailor. I 
 shall do very well, and I don't think I have any 
 other coat with me." 
 
 Mr. Joseph began to perceive that the sooner 
 this eccentric young man left the hotel, the 
 better, in which opinion he was confirmed by 
 seeing that he hardly eat anything, and drank 
 glass after glass of iced water. After dinner, 
 feeling sick and weak. Singleton drank two or 
 three glasses of wine, and considering that he 
 had literally eaten nothing, it was wonderful 
 that it did not go to his head.
 
 2 24 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' Are you going home, sir ?" inquired the 
 waiter rather anxiously, as he put him into a 
 cab at about a quarter to seven. 
 
 " Oh yes, I suppose so. It's all right — and 
 thank you. I'm going home." 
 
 Indeed, to get back to Haidee was the one 
 clear idea in his head, and that there was even 
 that one was owing to the concluding words in 
 her letter ; but for these, he would either have 
 remained where he was, or wandered away, 
 leaving no clue by which to trace him ; for in 
 very truth he scarcely knew what he was doing. 
 And by the time the -train reached Plymouth, 
 he scarcely knew where he was. 
 
 Taking his valise with him, he walked slowly 
 down the station stairs ; at that early hour there 
 were very few people about, and no one ob- 
 served him. By some happy chance he got into 
 the road which led to the Abbey, but what he 
 did with himself for the next few hours he 
 never knew ; the only certain thing is, that he 
 did not reach the Abbey until nine o'clock. 
 
 Haidee had just left her room when glancing 
 through a window, she saw her brother coming 
 up to the porch, dragging himself along like one 
 nearly spent. It needed but that one glance to 
 tell her why he was there ; she flew down into 
 the hall to meet him. He had admitted him-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 225 
 
 self, and was standing before the blazing fire, 
 gazing round him somewhat vacantly. Haldee 
 involuntarily checked her first eager impulse, 
 and came softly to his side. 
 
 *' Singleton ! my own dear boy — have you 
 come back to me ?" 
 
 '' Yes ; didn't he say I might ?" 
 
 ''He did, but I was so afraid you would not." 
 
 " Where else should I go ?" he said quietly. 
 "There's nothing left now, but you." 
 
 She put her arms round him and kissed him 
 tenderly ; he neither repelled nor returned the 
 caress, and his cheek was so cold that it startled 
 her. 
 
 " And oh, Single, your coat Is wet ! wring- 
 ing wet. No wonder you are so cold." 
 
 ** Wet ? no. It cannot be wet. I think it was 
 fine. I walked from Plymouth, but I don't 
 think it rained." 
 
 " For all that your coat is soaked through 
 and through. I shall ring for Pierce to get 
 you some dry things. Pierce, go with Mr. 
 Trelawney to his room and find his things for 
 him ; he is very wet and very tired. And tell 
 them to send breakfast up at once. Come 
 down as soon as ever you can. Single — breakfast 
 is in the gallery to-day." 
 
 Singleton walked upstairs, catching by the 
 
 VOL. L 15
 
 2 26 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 banisters occasionally for support, and when 
 he reached the corridor, he stopped and said : 
 
 '* Which is my room ?" 
 
 *' Why this, sir! There's no fire, I'm afraid : 
 that's because we didn't expect you, sir." 
 
 '' No — you didn't expect me," repeated Single- 
 ton, dropping into a chair and staring out of the 
 window : until Pierce, having got together a 
 change of clothes for him, came and touched 
 him on the shoulder to rouse him. 
 
 " Mr. Trelawney ! Master Singleton ! will you 
 not change these wet clothes, sir, and come 
 down to breakfast ? You're quite wore out, sir, 
 with travelling all night, I suppose, and I dare 
 say not eating nothing before you left Ply- 
 mouth." 
 
 Singleton started up. 
 
 " Upon my word. Pierce, I dare say you are 
 right, and it is hunger that makes me feel so 
 strange and creepy. When did I eat last ? I 
 could not eat at dinner, I know; had I any 
 luncheon ? no, I had not — and — ^why I declare 
 I haven't eaten since I left home. It's lucky 
 you thought of it, for I really was beginning to 
 think I was ill. Fill my bath, like a good fellow, 
 and I'll dress and be down in five minutes. I 
 shall be all right when I've had my break- 
 fast."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2 2/ 
 
 Pierce descended to the gallery, and took the 
 liberty of informing his young mistress '' that it 
 was no wonder Mr. Singleton looked poorly, for 
 he hadn't eaten since he left the Abbey." 
 
 " Impossible, Pierce ! why he went the day 
 before yesterday." 
 
 " It is what he says himself, ma'am ; and I 
 must say he looks like it. He could hardly 
 crawl upstairs, ma'am." 
 
 " Why, it's enough to kill him," exclaimed 
 Haidee. '' I wish he would make haste." 
 
 He came soon, but his appearance alarmed 
 her even more : he was too spent to be refreshed 
 by his bath, and consequently it had chilled 
 him to the very bone ; he was blue and shiver- 
 ing, and miserable-looking in the extreme. The 
 first thing to do was to get him to eat ; and if 
 Haidee had been left to take care of him, 
 according to her womanly instincts, he might 
 even yet have shaken off the fever that was 
 creeping through his veins. But before he had 
 well seated himself, Sir Lionel walked down the 
 gallery, and halted at the sight of his son. 
 
 " Singleton ! — so you have returned. Then 
 I presume I am to conclude that " 
 
 " Papa," interrupted Haidee, ''please wait 
 until after breakfast. Singleton is tired and 
 hungry, faint with weariness ; pray wait." 
 
 15—2
 
 2 28 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Most certainly I shall not wait. Two or three 
 words will suffice ; but if, as your wish for delay 
 gives me reason to suspect, he is here in 
 defiance of my authority, I insist upon knowing 
 it at once. Answer me. Singleton. Is your 
 engagement at an end ?" 
 
 ** It is," replied Singleton, looking up at him. 
 
 ** Ah ! it is as I expected then. Vane with- 
 drew his consent !" 
 
 " No, it is not as you expected at all. Mr. 
 Vane did not withdraw his consent. But I 
 suppose I ought to thank you — had you con- 
 sented I suppose she would have married me — 
 or rather let us say, she'd have married Tre- 
 lawney Abbey, and a fine position, and plenty 
 of money. Me, personally, with only my love 
 and my pay to offer her, she declined ; told 
 me it was all a mistake. Do you hear that, 
 Haidee ? only a mistake — she only just broke 
 my heart by mistake. And I ought to be 
 obliged to Sir Lionel — and so no doubt I am. 
 He promised me his hearty curse if I disobeyed 
 him : well, I'm going to obey him now, and 
 if my hearty curse is any comfort to him, it is 
 quite at his service ; for I could not hate him 
 worse if instead of doing me a service he had 
 destroyed every hope I had in the world and 
 left me shivering in the cold. Curse him !
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 229 
 
 why shouldn't I curse him ? but for him I might 
 be happy in my fool's paradise still." 
 
 '' Singleton, darling, be quiet," whispered 
 Haidee, terrified at his vehemence ; but her 
 voice was lost in her father's. 
 
 " Upon my word, Singleton, I believe that 
 you are mad ! If I at all understand your very 
 incoherent remarks, you appear to have had a 
 most fortunate escape." 
 
 " I have ! I know it ; and if it's a sign of 
 madness not to be grateful for it, I am certainly 
 mad. You're not the first person who has 
 thought so. No, I can't eat, Haidee. Give me 
 some more tea, I'm awfully thirsty." 
 
 " Then I may understand that this engage- 
 ment is definitely broken off ?" persevered Sir 
 Lionel. 
 
 Singleton sprang to his feet. 
 
 *' Yes," he shouted. '' You wz/l drive me 
 mad yet ! Yes, a hundred times yes, and may 
 all the fiends in hell " 
 
 '' Singleton, be silent !" Haidee said quickly. 
 " You don't know what you are saying." 
 
 Instead of replying, Singleton put his hands to 
 his head. 
 
 '* Haidee," he said, '' she never loved me ; 
 never. It was a mistake, she said, and I think 
 — Haidee, catch me, what's the matter with me ?"
 
 230 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 He fell, and lay white and motionless. Haidee 
 knelt beside him. 
 
 " Ring the bell, Sir Lionel, I hope you are 
 satisfied now. Pierce, call Anne here — bring- 
 water, and help me to raise his head." 
 
 Help was soon at hand, but in spite of all 
 they could do, the insensibility lasted long 
 enough to frighten them all thoroughly. Even 
 Sir Lionel was relieved when his son sat up 
 and spoke, although his remark was not much 
 to the purpose. 
 
 '' Did the boat capsize ?" said he. '' Where's 
 little Langley.' 
 
 ** Drink a little of this. Singleton." 
 
 ** No, no, my head aches already. What 
 brings all the servants here ? — who's this at 
 my back ? Black James ? Thank you, James, 
 I'm all right now. I'm only over-tired, you 
 know, nothing more." 
 
 He rose to his feet as he spoke, and in doing 
 so, caught sight of his father's face. 
 
 " I've scared Sir Lionel, that's one good 
 thing," he whispered to Haidee. "He does 
 not know whether he is frightened or angry. 
 Hallo ! Black James has put his foot in it as 
 usual." 
 
 For the luckless negro, in following the other 
 servants out of the gallery, happened to stumble
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 23 1 
 
 over an unevenness in the carpet, caused by 
 Singleton's fall ; and Sir Lionel, who badly 
 wanted an outlet for his excitement, fell upon 
 him at once. I need not repeat his words, 
 they were of a kind to which Black James was 
 apparently accustomed, but Haidee put her 
 hands to her ears, and Singleton laughed. 
 
 '' Well," said he, " the navy has the credit of 
 being able to do a little swearing, but I confess 
 I never heard anything to equal my revered 
 governor ! Tell you what, Haidee, old James 
 looks dangerous ; he don't seem to me to take 
 it as meekly as he used in the good old times." 
 
 " Oh, he does not mind ! he's used to it un- 
 fortunately. Oh dear ! that really is too bad" — 
 as Sir Lionel concluded by kicking the Black 
 through the door, and shutting it in his face 
 when he turned to speak. 
 
 *' Haidee, come with me," said Singleton very 
 distinctly. " This is no place for a lady," and 
 he quietly took her by the arm and led her into 
 the drawing-room. 
 
 '' Is he often as bad as that ?" 
 
 '' Not before me. I suspect poor James has 
 a hard life often ; I hear a tremendous noise 
 sometimes, you know my rooms are over papa s ; 
 but I never ask any questions and I never let 
 Anne chatter. I can do no good."
 
 232 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ** Why on earth does the fellow stay ? He 
 deserves to be kicked for putting up with it. 
 Do you suppose he likes it ? Queer taste, eh ?" 
 
 " I rather suppose that the idea of life apart 
 from Sir Lionel never enters his head. I really 
 believe he loves him.'* 
 
 " Don't feel as sure of that as I used ; there 
 was an ugly roll in his eye just now. More- 
 over, he looked groggy, don't you think ?" 
 
 " Groggy — do you mean drunk ?" 
 
 "Well not drunk exactly, but flying light. 
 Haidee, my head aches awfully. I think I'll 
 just lie down here on the sofa for a while, till 
 it gets better." 
 
 " Do, my darling. You are all shaking and 
 shivering too. I must get a warm shawl and 
 put it over you. But indeed. Singleton, you 
 won't feel better till you have eaten." 
 
 ** And I can't eat until I feel better — so how 
 is that to be worked ? However, my own idea 
 is that I shall be all right when I've had a good 
 sleep." 
 
 " Then suppose you come upstairs and lie on 
 your bed ? for indeed, Singleton, there is no use 
 in trying to make Sir Lionel mind, and he may 
 walk in at any moment. In fact I wonder he 
 has not come already, for I am sure he is very 
 angry at what you said just now."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 233 
 
 " Angry ? I hope he is thoroughly ashamed 
 of himself, he ought to be. He's coming 1 I 
 hear his step — how I used to quake at the 
 sound. Bang goes the library door — but he's 
 coming on. Now for it. Run away, Haidee, 
 for I mean to give him a piece of my fine mind, 
 if he attacks me." 
 
 *' Dear Singie, please don't — " began Haidee 
 in an imploring voice, but as her father stalked 
 into the room she turned to him. '' Papa, 
 Sino^leton is not at all well — he has a dreadful 
 headache and is going to lie down until 
 luncheon." 
 
 Sir Lionel passed her by, and took no notice 
 of her remark, — he was very pale and mag- 
 nificent. 
 
 *' Singleton, I can scarcely imagine that you 
 are not aware of the extreme insolence of your 
 remark just now.'' 
 
 '' What remark, Sir Lionel ?" 
 
 " Papa, he was hardly himself — he did not 
 mean to annoy you." 
 
 ^' I beg leave to decline your interference, 
 Haidee. If Singleton is to remain under my 
 roof, matters must be put upon a proper footing." 
 
 " To what remark of mine do you refer. Sir 
 Lionel." 
 
 '' You said," he answered crimsoning furiously,
 
 2 34 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' that the gallery was not a fit place for a lady. 
 What did you mean by that ^ 
 
 " In order to assist you in placing matters on 
 a proper footing, as you say yourself, I'll explain. 
 I meant what I said ; neither more nor less. I 
 by no means dispute your right to use strong 
 language, though there are limits beyond which 
 you might as well not go, even in private ; but 
 I object to my sister hearing it. Nor do I 
 venture to question the propriety of your kick- 
 ing your servant — and foster-brother — knowing 
 that he belongs to the inferior race which was 
 created by Providence to be kicked — that Is the 
 proper footing, if you'll excuse the pun. But I 
 would respectfully suggest that this privilege 
 should be exercised in your own apartments 
 only. In short, I would ask you to remember, 
 that although Haidee is your daughter, she is a 
 lady." 
 
 All this, delivered in that peculiarly soft and 
 even tone which Singleton's always gentle voice 
 assumed when he was excited, was said with 
 such apparent deliberation that it sounded even 
 more insolent than it really was — if that were 
 possible. Haidee had made one or two futile 
 efforts to stop him, and now stood, almost para- 
 lyzed with fear. Singleton, lying back in an 
 easy-chair, looked his father full in the face, and
 
 RIDING OUT TiiE GALE. 235 
 
 waited. Sir Lionel was absolutely speechless : 
 there was a breathless pause. In the course of 
 her short life, Haidee had never felt a greater 
 sense of relief, than when the door opened and 
 three young men came into the room — John 
 Trelawney and two brother-officers. She knew 
 they were coming that day, though she had 
 quite forgotten them in the excitement of the 
 morning. The drawing-room at the Abbey is a 
 long room, with two entrances, and as the newly- 
 arrived guests had come in through the lower 
 door, they had some way to walk before they 
 joined the group at the upper end. Moreover, 
 the blinds were down, and the room somewhat 
 dark, and so it happened that the two strangers 
 had no idea that they had interrupted so stormy 
 an interview. John, knowing his relatives' faces 
 better, suspected that all had not been quite 
 peaceful. Haidee drew a long breath and mur- 
 mured, " Thank Heaven !" Sir Lionel growled 
 an oath between his teeth, and there might have 
 been a very awkward moment, but for Single- 
 ton, on whose cheeks two burning spots were 
 beginning to appear, and who was just in that 
 feverish state when nothing surprises one. He 
 stood up and shook hands with his cousin. 
 " How do you do, John ? I did not know
 
 236 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 you were expected to-day — but I only came 
 home myself this morning." 
 
 By this time Sir Lionel had recovered him- 
 self, and was not much more embarrassed and 
 pompous than was his wont : and so the crisis 
 passed over. The three soldiers had come 
 to enjoy a little hunting, but their stay was 
 cut short, for before evening Singleton was 
 sufficiently ill to cause a doctor to be summoned 
 from Plymouth ; and on the third day, the said 
 doctor declared that he would like to have 
 further advice. As he could not say with cer- 
 tainty that the fever was not of an infectious 
 type, the gallant dragoons departed, to Haidee's 
 great relief 
 
 For many days it seemed not improbable that 
 Singleton's first sorrow was to be his last : and 
 if he had died Haidee would always have 
 believed that he died of grief, whereas I suspect 
 the thorough chilling and starving he had in- 
 flicted on himself had a good deal to do with 
 his illness. Sir Lionel was not ill-pleased at the 
 turn matters had taken. It was now open to 
 him to assert to Haidee, who did not contradict 
 him, that Singleton's insolence had been such 
 that it could not be passed over, except in the 
 belief that he had not been quite himself 
 Privately he had a dim consciousness that it was
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 237 
 
 well he had been prevented from turning his only 
 son out of doors on the eve of a severe illness : 
 and for some days he was not without a hope 
 that his troubles concerning his unloved heir 
 were over. However, with his usual perversity, 
 Singleton recovered, though a three weeks' fever 
 left him as weak as a baby, and even more 
 shattered in nerves than in strength.
 
 238 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Sir Lionel Trelawney being a great man in 
 his own neighbourhood, a paragraph concerning 
 his son's dangerous illness appeared in a 
 Plymouth paper, and thence found its way into 
 a London one, in which Marian Vane saw it. 
 By this time, Marian had become tolerably inti- 
 mate with her cousin Arabel, for whom indeed 
 she professed a vehement liking, and to enjoy 
 whose society she was much at the Hamiltons' 
 house. I am not sure that Arabel responded 
 with equal warmth, but she was a good-natured 
 girl, and not given to analyzing her neighbours 
 motives — a reprehensible practice to which quiet, 
 gentle Hester was much addicted, though sorely 
 against her will. No one ever strove harder to 
 see through people than Hester strove to be 
 blind ; and all in vain : and in this case her 
 private opinion was that Arabel would have 
 seen less of her new cousin if Reginald had not
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 239 
 
 been at home ; and she further thought that if 
 Marian knew how different Reginald's manner 
 to Haidee Trelawney was, from the quiet 
 courtesy he displayed to her, she would have 
 considered her friendship with Arabel a waste 
 of time. Of these speculations Hester was very 
 much ashamed, and would not have spoken of 
 them for the world. 
 
 Now, of course, Marian had heard from the 
 Hamiltons of Singleton's illness, and had ex- 
 pressed just the proper amount of sorrow and anx- 
 iety — at least she thought so herself, but Hester 
 fancied there was a constraint in her manner. 
 But when she saw his illness mentioned in the 
 paper, she began to think it must be serious 
 indeed. With her usual single-minded selfish- 
 ness, she began to think also, '' what will be 
 the consequences of his death to me ?" and the 
 result of her meditations was that she wrote a 
 letter to Haidee : a very remarkable letter too, 
 for a girl of eighteen writing about a man to 
 v/hom she had been engaged so recently. It 
 reached Haidee while her brother was at the 
 worst, and she, stung by the heartless tone of it, 
 answered it by return of post. I give both letters. 
 
 " January 30, 1 8 — 
 " My dear Miss Trelawney, 
 
 " I am sure you will easily imagine 
 my feelings on hearing of your brother's illness.
 
 240 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 I thought him looking very ill when I saw him 
 last. It was a painful interview, as you know ; 
 for I know that he conceals nothing from you. 
 I fear you must think that I behaved very 
 foolishly, but surely when I found that I did 
 not care for him as I thought I did, it was better 
 to tell him the truth at once ; and you do not 
 know what trouble I have gone through about 
 it. 
 
 *' You will wonder why I write to you at such 
 a time, for of course I hear all about poor 
 Singleton from the Hamiltons, but I have a re- 
 quest to make to you. I do not know whether 
 he had time before his illness to tell you all that 
 passed between us, so I hope you will not blame 
 me for telling you that he promised me that no 
 one, particularly my cousins the Hamiltons, 
 should ever hear of my engagement to him, 
 either from him or you. I trust you will re- 
 member this, for I am sure he would be very 
 sorry that I should be injured or annoyed by his 
 means. 
 
 " I remain, 
 
 '' Dear Miss Trelawney, 
 
 ** Ever yours sincerely, 
 
 "Marian F. Vane." 
 
 To which Haidee replied, there was no address
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 24 1 
 
 given, but she knew that the Vanes were still at 
 the hotel where Singleton had seen them. 
 
 ** Trelawney Abbey, 
 
 '^Febrtcary \st. 
 " Miss Trelawney begs to acknowledge the 
 receipt of Miss Vane's letter, and to assure 
 her that her secret is quite safe. Miss Trelaw- 
 ney is certainly not likely to annoy friends for 
 whom she has a warm affection, by telling them 
 of the heartless and unwomanly conduct of a 
 near relation." 
 
 Poor Haidee ! she was destined to be re- 
 minded of this foolish letter. Marian quite 
 understood the scorn which was not more ex- 
 pressed by what was said than by what was left 
 unsaid : and she remembered it well. She 
 folded up the letter and put it carefully away, 
 and hated her cousin Haidee from that houn 
 
 Very slowly did Singleton Trelawney struggle 
 back to something like health. He had never 
 been very strong, and it seemed now to his 
 anxious nurse that body and mind had suffered 
 alike from the lingering fever which had brought 
 him so low. He got on pretty well up to a cer- 
 tain stage, and there he seemed to stop. He 
 was so nervous and excitable, that comparing 
 
 VOL. L 16
 
 242 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 him as he was now with what he had been 
 before his illness, it appeared as if he had been 
 the most equable of mortals. His nerves were 
 utterly unhinged, every sound made him start, 
 every slight annoyance either depressed him to 
 such a degree that it was painful to witness, or 
 roused him to fits of anger, followed always by 
 terrible headache and sleeplessness. With all 
 her love, Haidee was not quite the best nurse for 
 him in this stage of his recovery : there is no 
 denying that she was too easily carried away by 
 the impulse of the moment, too sudden in her 
 movements, graceful as they were — in fact, too 
 excitable herself to be the best companion for 
 Singleton. Moreover, she was too anxious 
 about him : never having been ill herself, nor 
 seen any one seriously ill till now, she was 
 terrified at the state he was in, and frequently 
 made matters worse by proposing half a dozen 
 remedies, when to shut her ears and take no 
 notice of his excitement would have been much 
 the wiser course. She was nearly in despair 
 when one day Captain Hamilton made his 
 appearance at the Abbey. He had heard from 
 the Hamiltons that Singleton was not recover- 
 ing quickly, and having been called to Plymouth 
 on business (or at least so he said, but I suspect 
 it was a little fiction) he came to see " his young-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 243 
 
 ster and Miss Goldylocks." His visit did his 
 youngster a great deal of good, and Haidee's 
 delight in seeing her first friend, whose kind 
 strong hand had been so readily held out to help 
 her and her brother when they sorely needed 
 help — was very great. The few days he re- 
 mained with them passed all too quickly to all 
 concerned except Sir Lionel, who never forgot 
 how Captain Hamilton had interfered about his 
 children. In spite of his coldness and want of 
 courtesy, the uninvited guest stayed for about 
 ten days ; but then he suddenly told Haidee that 
 •' he could not bear it any longer/' and must go. 
 
 " Is it because of papa ?" she asked. '* Oh, 
 Captain Hamilton, don't mind him ! He is 
 never — that is, he is naturally rather stiff, 
 you know. And you have done Singleton so 
 much good : you don't know how much better 
 he is since you have been here." 
 
 The sailor looked at her thoughtfully. 
 
 " Haidee," said he (he had left off calling her 
 Goldylocks), " I'm very fond of that youngster ; 
 but I cannot quite offer myself up as a burnt 
 sacrifice for his sake." 
 
 " A burnt sacrifice ! Papa is much more likely 
 to freeze you, I should have thought. What do 
 you mean, Captain Hamilton ? I don't in the 
 least understand you." 
 
 16 — 2
 
 244 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Very likely you don't. Nor is it necessary 
 that you should : but I must go, that's the long 
 and the short of it. Singleton will do well now : 
 get some of the young Hamiltons to come to 
 you — keep him amused and don't let Sir Lionel 
 vex him. He is excitable always — and being 
 weak now, he's more excitable of course, but he 
 will be the better of a little variety." 
 
 '' You manage him so beautifully — I do wish 
 you could stay." 
 
 " Don't ask me, Haidee. You might get 
 your own way and be sorry for it presently. 
 Get Reginald to come to him — he's young — he 
 won't be the worse of either the burning or the 
 freezing." 
 
 So the Captain took his departure, and after 
 a few days Haidee wrote to Mrs. Hamilton. 
 
 " My dearest Mamma, 
 
 " I am going to make such a bold 
 request, but you must grant it if you possibly 
 can. I am quite unhappy about Singleton. He 
 was better while dear Captain Hamilton was 
 here, but now he is as low as he can be again, 
 and I am afraid I do not manage him well. Be- 
 sides (do not think me very wicked, please) you 
 have no idea how papa worries him. He never 
 was ill in his life, and does not understand how
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 245 
 
 weak and nervous Singleton is. And I want 
 you to let Reginald and Hester come to us for a 
 while; papa really likes Hester s gentle ways and 
 is always pleasanter when she is here, and Regi- 
 nald would cheer my poor boy a little and help 
 him to pass the days. Sir Lionel joins in beg- 
 ging for them. He is talking again of going to 
 town for a month or so this year, and I shall like 
 it, I think, if Singleton is better. 
 
 " I am so sure that you will have pity upon 
 me that I am having their rooms got ready; 
 give everybody my love, and don't say ' no ' for 
 the first time to your spoilt child, 
 
 '' Haidee Trelawney." 
 
 The answer to this letter arrived at breakfast 
 time, and Haidee uttered an exclamation of de- 
 light. 
 
 " What's up ?" inquired Singleton, who had 
 already finished his meal, and who was the 
 merest shadow of the spirited, bright-looking 
 Singleton who had so lately come home. 
 
 "They are coming! they will be here this 
 evening !" 
 
 " Who ? John and his two friends ?" 
 
 " Now do you think I should be so pleased to 
 hear of John's coming ? No — Hester and 
 Reginald — are you not glad, Singie ?"
 
 246 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' Reginald ! that's good news. It seeins an 
 age since I saw his good-looking phiz. I tell 
 you what, Haidee, we'll drive into Plymouth to 
 meet them." 
 
 " It would be too much for you, dear ; you 
 would be overtired and lie awake all night. But 
 I am so glad you like to have them." 
 
 ** By the way, Haidee," Singleton said after a 
 few minutes thought, " I don't know whether I 
 said this before or not, but I must say it now. 
 You must not tell any of the Hamiltons that I 
 was — that there was ever any engagement be- 
 tween me and their cousin." 
 
 " I know that. Of course I shall not speak 
 of her." 
 
 There was a tone in her voice which made 
 him look at her quickly. 
 
 " What is it ? Do they know it already ?" 
 
 *' Not from me : and I am sure not from her. 
 Don't alarm yourself about her, she is quite able 
 to take care of her own interests. She wrote to 
 me while you were ill about it." 
 
 "She wrote to you? Have you the letter 
 still ? shew it to me." 
 
 '* After breakfast — here's Sir Lionel. I had 
 better ring for more coffee, for this is cold. 
 You are late to-day, papa." 
 
 " Am I ? Good morning, Haidee. Good
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 247 
 
 morning, Singleton. I trust you have slept 
 well and are well to-day ?" 
 
 " All right, thank you," answered Singleton 
 shortly; his father's condescending inquiries 
 always irritated him. 
 
 "Sir Lionel, Hester is coming back .to us: 
 and Reginald will bring her and remain for 
 some days." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear it. They are welcome," 
 said Sir Lionel, deep in a letter he had 
 opened. 
 
 ''John writes that he cannot get leave just 
 now, but trusts to join us for a visit of some 
 duration while we are in town." 
 
 Haidee imprudently gave her brother an ex- 
 pressive look, to signify that she could have 
 lived without this promise, and to her horror, he 
 replied to it in words. 
 
 ''' Better there than here." 
 
 Sir Lionel looked up. *' May I enquire the 
 meaning of that remark ?" said he. 
 
 " I mean that if John is coming, I am glad it 
 will be while we are in London," answered Sin- 
 gleton carelessly. 
 
 " I fail to see what difference that can make 
 to you, Singleton." 
 
 " Oh, it does though. It will be easier to 
 keep out of his way there than here, and John
 
 248 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 and I shall never pull together. He's such an 
 awful heavy swell." 
 
 '' I do not precisely know what you mean by 
 the phrase, 'a heavy swell/" remarked Sir Lionel 
 severely. 
 
 '' Oh, just John, don't you know ? Haldee, 
 Pm going to the drawing-room, will you come 
 there when you are ready ?" 
 
 He sauntered away, and Haidee found him 
 In about half-an-hour, wandering restlessly 
 about the conservatory, with a crimson spot on 
 one cheek, and eyes much brighter than she 
 cared to see them. 
 
 '' Where's the letter, Haidee ?" 
 
 " The letter — oh, I forget It. I will run to 
 my room for it, if you like ; but indeed, Single- 
 ton, Fm sorry I mentioned it to you. It would 
 be much better for you if you did not read it 
 now." 
 
 " Nonsense !" he answered sharply. *' If you 
 thought so, why did you speak of it at all ? Of 
 course I want to see it." 
 
 She went and brought it to him,, and he 
 walked off into the conservatory with it. As 
 he did not return, she followed him after a time ; 
 he was sitting on an iron seat at the far end with 
 the letter open on his knees, so she sat down 
 beside him and put her hand on his.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 249 
 
 '' Haidee, speak frankly now. What Is your 
 opinion of the writer of that letter ?" 
 
 " I think she is perfect, Singleton." 
 
 " Ay ? explain if you please." 
 
 " I think she is 'one entire and perfect chryso- 
 lite ' of selfishness ! Utterly heartless, not worth 
 one thought of my dear old Singie's warm 
 heart." 
 
 " I'm not worth rnuch," he said slowly. 
 " But I loved her ; and believed in her no end. 
 That day in London it was as if she suddenly 
 took off a beautiful mask and showed me her 
 real face for the first time. And now, looking 
 back, I am ashamed to have been so taken in, 
 for I might have seen long ago that she cares 
 for no one but herself. If I had any remaining 
 delusion that letter would cure me — she don't 
 even pretend to care whether I live or die. I'm 
 glad you showed it to me — nasty medicine, but 
 very wholesome." 
 
 " Then I am glad too, only you must not 
 excite yourself, dear." 
 
 " Oh, bother ! don't tell a fellow not to excite 
 himself, child, it would have excited Job him- 
 self. Here, burn this precious epistle, and let 
 us forget that I ever was such a zany. I'll 
 get you to choose a wife for me when I want 
 one, Haidee ; I shall never trust my own judg-
 
 250 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 ment again. Run away now, I'm going to 
 smoke.'' 
 
 As she had learned that this meant *' I want 
 to be alone," she departed, and saw him no 
 more till luncheon time, when he made his 
 appearance, but had such a headache that he 
 could not eat, and submitted to her sentence of 
 banishment to his own room until the Hamil- 
 tons arrived. Even this did not quite remove 
 the traces of the morning's agitation, and Regi- 
 nald was quite shocked at the change in him. 
 
 However, with the Hamiltons' visit a better 
 state of things began. Their presence imposed 
 a check upon Sir Lionel's constant fault-finding, 
 and insensibly put an end to the state of thral- 
 dom in which Haidee, with the best intentions, 
 had held her brother since his illness. They 
 had been invited, that Hester might be with 
 Haidee, and that Reginald might cheer Single- 
 ton, but as it fell out, matters were arranged 
 rather differently. Hester had not been very 
 well while in town, and was not up to long 
 rides and drives, and what is more to the pur- 
 pose, she was born to be the consoler of every 
 one who seemed sorrowful, and the support of 
 everyone who seemed weak. She very soon 
 acquired a curious influence over Singleton, 
 who was never so happy as when left to her
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 25 1 
 
 care. So by degrees, it came to be accepted as 
 the usual thing that Reginald rode, drove or 
 walked with Haidee, while Singleton and 
 Hester made a shorter excursion, and amused 
 themselves afterwards as best they could until 
 the others returned : and it is a fact that neither 
 party ever complained that the time seemed 
 long. But I wonder what Mrs. Hamilton 
 would have said. 
 
 So March passed away ; on one lovely mild 
 day (in Devonshire, March is sometimes as mild 
 as the Poet's May, and much milder than the cold 
 blustry May of actual experience) Haidee and 
 Reginald started early on an expedition they 
 had long been talking of, leaving the others to 
 take a quiet drive if they felt inclined. Hester 
 went into the hall to see them off, and then 
 returned to the drawing-room, where she had 
 left Singleton, extended his lazy length on a 
 sofa. 
 
 '' Are they off, Hester ?" 
 
 " Yes, and Regie was nearly off in more 
 senses than one, for his horse was very fresh 
 and jumped about in a wonderful way ; however 
 he stuck on somehow." 
 
 " Of course he did, trust a sailor for sticking 
 on — like grim death to a back stay, as the say- 
 ing is."
 
 252 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Well, but you know that is not what people 
 generally say of a sailor's riding." 
 
 " That's a popular delusion. Now look here 
 did you ever hear of a sailor killed out hunting?" 
 
 '' No, I don't think I ever did." 
 
 ^*Or riding a steeple chase ?" 
 . "No, I think not." 
 
 "Very well, neither have I. But soldiers 
 and civilians are always getting killed either 
 hunting or racing. Therefore, Miss Hamilton, 
 let me never again hear you giving countenance 
 to that preposterous calumny about a sailor on 
 horseback." 
 
 Hester laughed ; she had a soft low laugh 
 like a child's, and he liked to hear it. 
 
 " I promise !" she said. " And I won't even 
 inquire whether sailors ride races and hunt as 
 much as soldiers and civilians do." 
 
 " No — don't inquire : that's a resolution that 
 shews your sense. Much the best chance we 
 have of believing in things is, not to know too 
 much about them." 
 
 " That being settled, may I inquire what 
 your highness wishes to do to-day ?" asked 
 Hester, coming up to the back of the sofa, and 
 by a dexterous pull arranging his pillow more 
 comfortably. 
 
 " Thank you — my neck would have been
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 253 
 
 broken in five minutes more, and I was too lazy 
 to move — oh, anything you like, Hester ; you 
 must not fancy yourself bound to take care of 
 me. If you have anything better to do, don't 
 mind me, I can moon about and amuse myself." 
 
 " But am I in your way ?" she said with a 
 blush ; " should you prefer to be alone this 
 morning ?" 
 
 Singleton sat up to look at her. 
 
 ''Prefer to be alone? No, very decidedly not. 
 But Fm afraid of being a bother; you stayed 
 with me all yesterday and the day before, and I 
 was thinking this morning that you must be very 
 tired of me." 
 
 " And you are sure that it is not that you are 
 tired of me ?" she asked, with such utter sim- 
 plicity and earnestness, that he laughed a little 
 as he threw himself back on his pillow. 
 
 " You may feel quite certain of that. Why, 
 Hester, you must see how much good you do 
 me. There is something so quieting and sooth- 
 ing in the very sound of your voice, and the 
 touch of your hand. I'm quite happy as long 
 as I have you, but you must not let me be sel- 
 fish and make a slave of you." 
 
 The girl's quiet brown eyes deepened and 
 glowed, and a lovely pink crept into her 
 cheeks.
 
 2 54 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 "No, I won't let you be selfish," she said 
 smiling, " and I won't be a slave, only a friend." 
 
 *' A friend ! ah, I want a friend if any one 
 ever did. Do you know, Hester, I sometimes 
 think I shall never be fit for anything again ?" 
 
 " But you will," she answered earnestly. 
 " You are only weak and — and not happy. 
 Don't think me very impertinent, but I could not 
 help seeing that." 
 
 " vSeeing what ?" he said, turning as he lay, so 
 that he could see her where she sat, with her 
 work in her hand. 
 
 " That you have been unhappy. I hope you 
 won't be annoyed that I see it, but I can't help 
 it. I know you have had a great grief." 
 
 " Hester, has Haidee told you anything ?" 
 
 " No. I asked her, and she said she could 
 tell me nothing. And please, Singleton, don't 
 think that I am going to ask questions, but I 
 wanted to shew you that you will be all right 
 again, it is only that you are weak and un- 
 happy." 
 
 " And Haidee told you nothing ?" 
 
 " Nothing. And we won't talk any more 
 about it. Singleton, if you please," she added 
 hastily ; " for 1 never can help guessing things, 
 and if you don't want your secret known, we; 
 had better not talk about it."
 
 KIDING OUT THE GALE. 255 
 
 " Guessing things — what do you mean ? tell 
 me, Hester." 
 
 " Oh, just that I seem to know things some- 
 times without being told, and things that I was 
 not meant to know. If I am fond of any one, 
 or sorry for them, I seem to know about them 
 almost as if I had somehow got into them : and 
 I sometimes know a thing quite well that people 
 fancy no one knows^ and I don't know how I 
 come to know it. And I really don't think I am 
 curious." 
 
 " That I am sure you are not. It's a very 
 extraordinary faculty, you know : tell me more 
 about it. Tell me of something you have 
 known in this way." 
 
 " Well, let me see : you know all about our 
 misfortunes, don't you ? about Heronhurst and 
 my brother Philip ?" 
 
 " Yes. Reginald told me." 
 
 " When the crash came, it took Arabel and 
 Haidee quite by surprise ; but when I came to 
 think, I found that I had known that there was 
 something wrong, and that Philip was concerned 
 in it. And I know two or three things about 
 Regie now that he has never spoken of at home 
 — perhaps he has to you." 
 
 " Ay — what are they ?" 
 
 " I think he hates being a sailor— though he
 
 256 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 has taken great pains to conceal It, and Mamma 
 has no suspicion of It." 
 
 " Vm afraid you are right there. He does 
 hate it : and only sticks to it because he does 
 not see how to do anything else without 
 burthening his father. What more, Hester ? 
 you said two or three things." 
 
 " I think he has a great desire to get back 
 Heronhurst — and if he were the eldest son he 
 would do it, you would see." 
 
 " That could make no difference now that 
 the entail has been broken." 
 
 " It would make a difference in the feeling, I 
 think." 
 
 " He has never spoken of it to me. What's 
 the third thing, Hester?" 
 
 " Oh, the third thing I shan't tell you. You 
 must find it out for yourself." 
 
 " Too lazy — tell me?" 
 
 *' No, I really shall not. Don't be curious, 
 Singleton." 
 
 " It's very wrong of you — you are aware of 
 that ! In my weak state, excitement of any kind 
 is simply poison ! — Do you know, Hester, I'm 
 beginning to think you are a little bit of a witch. 
 Now tell me honestly, what do you know, or 
 think about me ?" 
 
 She looked at him, and blushed a little ; but
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 257 
 
 seeing that he was quite serious in his wish to 
 know, she answered with a simple frankness 
 which he could not help contrasting mentally 
 with Marian's coquettish manner. 
 
 " I will tell you, but you must promise not to 
 think me curious and prying, Singleton. I as- 
 sure you, I never try to know things — I really 
 cannot help it." 
 
 '' I promise ! no one could look in your face 
 and think that of you, Hester. Go ahead — / 
 am curious if you like — burning with curiosity." 
 
 "Well, before you went to London, when we 
 were here in January, I thought you were often 
 thinking of something that no one else knew, 
 not even Regie ?" 
 
 " Quite right so far. Go on." 
 
 '' But you will certainly fancy that I watched 
 you : and I did not. V021, watched for a letter 
 from Canada — and nothing came. The letter 
 that called you away came from London, and 
 you went, and — got ill." 
 
 '' That's not all you know, Hester. I really 
 wish — I do, indeed, that you would speak quite 
 plainly. Tell me all you have guessed." 
 
 " I could not help it. Singleton ! they came 
 
 just at that very time, and you had been so 
 
 much with them in Halifax — and she was so 
 
 careful as to what she said about you, and Uncle 
 
 VOL, I. 17
 
 258 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 Arthur so sorry and anxious when you were ill. 
 I could not but guess — but I never said a word 
 to any one." 
 
 Singleton was silent until poor Hester asked 
 in great distress : 
 
 " Are you vexed, Singleton ? you asked me, 
 or I should never have spoken of it." 
 
 *' I am not vexed in the least. Believe me I 
 am not. What I am thinking of is this — I 
 promised to keep this matter secret from all of 
 you, and I am trying to decide if this promise 
 binds me not to talk of it to you, though you 
 know it without my "help. You will not mention 
 it to any one else, I know." 
 
 " I promise that willingly. I have no right 
 to repeat it and I never will, unless something 
 happens to make me think I ought. You would 
 not wish me to be silent if harm might come 
 of it." 
 
 " What harm, you sybil ?" 
 
 " If I saw that Regie was being taken In. 
 But there is no danger of that at present." 
 
 " He is better employed, eh ? Oh, Miss Hes- 
 ter, you fancy no one sees that but yourself, do 
 you? My child, it does not need a sybil to per- 
 ceive that. Why my father does not interfere 
 in the interests of his beloved John I cannot 
 conceive — only he never sees anything, you
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 259 
 
 know. It will save me the trouble of shootine 
 John, that's one good thing." 
 
 " Singleton, it frightens me, do you know ? 
 what wz/l Sir Lionel say ?" 
 
 " A good deal — and probably in good strong 
 language too. It's a ticklish business — and yet 
 Vm very glad." 
 
 " Sir Lionel does not wish to be unkind." 
 
 " Not to Haidee certainly. In fact he has a 
 kind of stony liking for her. But there'll be a 
 dreadful row about it, unless we can hit upon 
 some way of extinguishing John — then very 
 likely the governor would not care who got her, 
 you know. Now look here, Hester, as you 
 know so much of my story, I am going to tell 
 you the rest — for I want you to see that though 
 I was an awful idiot, I have nothing to be 
 ashamed of — and that I — have made up my 
 mind, you know." 
 
 Without giving her time to speak, he ran 
 rapidly through the story of his love, merely 
 sketching it 
 
 " Now," said he in conclusion, " I loved her 
 very truly, Hester; but I declare to you, that 
 when she got me to understand and believe that 
 she was telling me the truth at last — that she 
 had never loved me — that she was only using 
 me to get away from Halifax, and was glad to 
 
 17—2
 
 26o RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 get rid of me when she could do that without 
 my help — that moment my love died. The 
 shock was very great, and bowled me over, you 
 know. But I could no more care for her still 
 than I could love a snake." 
 
 " No. What a heartless creature she is !" 
 
 " Yes — but my heart, you see, is my own 
 again, only as I don't feel equal to taking care 
 of it, I think I shall — not lose it — but give it 
 away soon, if I have not done so already. What 
 do you advise, Hester ?" 
 
 " Oh, I don't know, I couldn't say. Single- 
 ton, shall I order the pony-carriage ? it is a 
 lovely day, and we really ought to go out at 
 once." 
 
 She rose as she spoke and rang the bell be- 
 fore he could reach it ; then she walked quickly 
 to the door, saying : 
 
 " Do you order it ; I will go and get ready," 
 and left him much amazed at her abrupt de- 
 parture. 
 
 " Haidee herself could not have beaten that !" 
 muttered the aggrieved youth. " What a dar- 
 ling she is ! so gentle and sympathising — just 
 like a west wind on a hot day. She does me no 
 end of good, that's certain. Well, Pierce, what 
 is it ?" 
 
 " You rang, sir."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 26 1 
 
 *' No, I did not — yes, I did. Tell them to 
 send round the pony-carriage at once — no one 
 need go with it, I can manage the gates." 
 
 '' Yes, sir," said Pierce respectfully ; but when 
 his back was turned to his young master^ he re- 
 lieved his feelings by a solemn wink. 
 
 While this was passing at the Abbey, Regi- 
 nald and Haidee were riding slowly along the 
 Devonshire lanes. It was not the best time of 
 the year to see the lanes, the wealth of wild 
 flowers had not yet appeared, and there is 
 seldom much to be seen over the high banks ; 
 but under the circumstances they did very well ; 
 and I believe these two young people would 
 have been content to ride on side by side for 
 ever, with nothing to look at but each other, 
 and with no one else to talk to. They had 
 left home early, with the intention of visiting 
 some show-place in the neighbourhood — it 
 matters not what place, as they never reached 
 it. Haidee knew the lanes perfectly, and 
 never could understand how it happened, but 
 it is quite certain that she lost her way. One 
 Devonshire lane is certainly very like all the 
 others, but she prided herself upon her know- 
 ledge of them, and so it was a humiliating 
 confession. It is probable that the conver- 
 sation was engrossing ; but whatever was the
 
 262 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 cause, the consequence was that she was 
 brought to a sense of the situation by com- 
 ing out unexpectedly upon the high-road — 
 and finding that it was a road she did not 
 know. 
 
 /' Why, Reginald !" she exclaimed, her face 
 crimsonine as she looked around. '' I don't 
 know where we are. This is not the riorht 
 road. I don't think I have been here, not 
 often at all events." 
 
 " Those lanes are enough to puzzle any one," 
 replied Reginald, his face reflecting the crimson 
 of hers. " I think I see a turnpike in the 
 hollow, let us ride on and find out where we 
 are." 
 
 '' But look at the sun, he is farther west than 
 he ought to be !" 
 
 Reginald looked at his watch. 
 
 '' Half past three !" he exclaimed in an awe- 
 struck voice. " What have I been about ? 
 You must be starving, Haidee ; I have been 
 very careless.'* 
 
 " So have I," she answered, laughing. 
 '' Much worse than you, for you are not ex- 
 pected to know your way, and I ought. Come 
 along, we must make the best of our way 
 home ; Singleton and Hester will have a 
 laugh at us."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 263 
 
 " Let those laugh who win," Reginald an- 
 swered quickly, and Haidee blushed again. 
 
 They rode up to the toll-gate, and discovered 
 that they were within two miles of Plymouth, 
 having described the most extraordinary circle 
 since they left the Abbey in the morning. 
 
 " Why, Plymouth must lie between us and 
 home, Reginald ! We must have ridden miles 
 and miles; the horses look wonderful — I suppose 
 because we have orone slowish. Let us ride 
 into Plymouth and then home by the high-road, 
 for really I could not undertake to find my 
 way back as we came. 
 
 No more time was lost, and no more words 
 passed until they were within a mile of the 
 Abbey. Then Haidee drew rein and said : 
 
 '' Let us walk a little, the horses are so hot. 
 It must be very late, it is so dark.'"' 
 
 " I cannot see my watch." 
 
 " I only hope Singleton and Hester are not 
 frightened. But, Reginald, I have something 
 to say to you — about what you said this 
 morning. You know we agreed to say nothing 
 to papa until John has spoken and I have got 
 rid of him. I am sure papa means to bring 
 that on while we are in London, and I know 
 it will be wiser to wait, for if papa is certain 
 that I won't marry John, it will be easier to
 
 264 RIDING OUT THE GALP:. 
 
 deal with him. But I want to say, don't bring 
 Singleton into it. Poor Singleton ! Papa is so 
 hard upon him, and he has so much to bear. 
 I think it would be a pity to mix him up in 
 this." 
 
 " I will do exactly as you wish. Indeed I 
 am ashamed of my presumption, Haidee; and 
 you must remember that you are not bound. 
 If you find by-and-by that you like some one 
 else better, you must not think of me." 
 
 '' I promise that," she answered, turning her 
 earnest eyes upon him. *'If! but that is a 
 wonderful if. No, Reginald. I am bound, and 
 I like to be, and you are bound, and I am glad 
 to know it, but no one else need know it yet. 
 At least, I shall tell Hester, because I may as 
 well have the comfort of telling her, as she is 
 sure to find it out. Only let us keep poor 
 Single out of the scrape — goodness knows 
 what wild thing he would do to get rid of 
 John : and I can do that for myself I hope. 
 Here's the gate, is it open ? How Singleton 
 will laugh at us !" 
 
 " I see them in the gallery." 
 
 " I hope they have not been nervous," 
 Haidee answered as they rode into the porch. 
 Out came the two watchers at the sound. 
 
 " Here you are, you nice pair! Mr. Hamil-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 265 
 
 ton, I shall require an explanation of your 
 conduct : carrying off my sister, and disappear- 
 ing for an entire day. Sir Lionel has sent all 
 the available men and horses in the establish- 
 ment in different directions, and has likewise 
 telegraphed to several towns to have you 
 stopped." 
 
 " Oh, Single, help me down instead of talking 
 such nonsense. I'm so tired that I can hardly 
 move." 
 
 " Did you admire " inquired Singleton, 
 
 as she dismounted, naming the place they had 
 gone to inspect. 
 
 " We never got there. We lost our way, 
 and came out of the lanes somewhere on the 
 other side of Plymouth. We have had to ride 
 hard to get home." 
 
 " Do you mean to say that you've been in the 
 saddle all this time ? Stiff you'll be to-morrow, 
 my children." 
 
 " Singleton, will you not send word to Sir 
 Lionel that we have returned ?" said Reginald, 
 as they entered the gallery together. 
 
 " Bless your refreshing innocence, my son !" 
 was the paternal reply ; '' did you believe that 
 little fiction of mine touching Sir Lionel ? 
 Haidee knew better. I don't suppose he 
 knows you were away at all."
 
 266 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " And how did you lose your way, Haidee ?" 
 inquired Hester. Then after a glance at Miss 
 Trelawney's exquisite colour, she added — " you 
 are not so very tired, either. Come to the 
 drawing-room, we waited tea for you, and there 
 is a good fire. Then you must lie down until 
 dinner-time, Haidee." 
 
 She put her arms around her friend and 
 kissed her tenderly. Now Hester was not of 
 a gushing temperament, and a kiss from her 
 meant something. But Haidee did not ask 
 what it meant ; she only coloured beautifully 
 and walked on into the drawing-room. 
 
 Fortunately perhaps for the keeping of the 
 secret, Reginald was summoned to London the 
 very next day, by a telegraphic message from 
 his father, which merely said that he was wanted 
 at home, where they were all well. From 
 London he wrote to explain, that a letter had 
 been received from Philip, who was ill, and 
 that Mr. Hamilton, not being fit to travel, 
 wished him to go to him. 
 
 And Reginald went, but he never saw his 
 brother alive. The wretched, wasted, useless 
 life had closed before he reached the small 
 German town to which Philip had withdrawn 
 when he fell ill in Paris. His death could 
 cause but little grief, except perhaps to his
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 267 
 
 mother, who, mother-hke, forgot the misery of 
 later years, and remembered only her pride in 
 her first-born son. But practically, he had 
 died even to her, three years before his actual 
 death ; and her sorrow now was not capable 
 of adding much to the burden he had laid upon 
 her. 
 
 It certainly appeared as if there was a fate 
 against Marian Vane ; at least so she thought. 
 She was looking forward with infinite delight 
 to a gay season in town, and instead of that, 
 she found herself obliged to go into mourning 
 for her cousin, and to become an inmate of the 
 Hamiltons' house for a while. Mr. Vane was 
 forced to go back to Halifax, where it had been 
 found impossible to wind up his private affairs 
 without his presence ; and he left his daughter 
 under his sister's care. No balls, no concerts, 
 no theatre ! and the pleasant home circle had no 
 charm for Marian. So she was not in a very 
 amiable mood, and Arabel began to suspect 
 that her new friend had not quite the delightful 
 temper she had credited her with. It mattered 
 little to Arabel, who had set up a lover of her 
 own in the most unexpected way, '' only a 
 curate," as Marian took occasion to remark. 
 But in Arabel's eyes he was better than a 
 bishop. He was fortunately not '' only a
 
 268 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 curate " in the matter of funds, as he had a few 
 hundreds a year of his own ; and the marriage 
 would have taken place at once but for Philip 
 Hamilton's death. 
 
 So matters stood when the Trelawneys 
 came up to their great house in Grosvenor 
 Square, and Hester returned to her home for 
 a time.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 269 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Haidee Trelawney began her London life 
 with a heart full of bright anticipations, of which 
 the brightest was that she would see a great 
 deal, of Reginald. In this hope she was 
 doomed to meet with disappointment. The 
 morning after her arrival she received a note 
 from Mrs. Hamilton, asking her to come early 
 to Russell Square, as she wanted to see 
 her. Seeing her look puzzled, Singleton in- 
 quired : 
 
 '' What is it, Haidee, my diamond ?" 
 " Why do you call me a diamond ?" she 
 asked, not feeling quite ready to answer his 
 question. 
 
 '* I have a private way of calling my female 
 friends by the names of precious stones, which, 
 to my poor fancy, they may chance to resemble. 
 Now you are very like a diamond — bright, 
 flashing, changeful, yet not changed. Hester is
 
 270 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 like a pearl, shining with a soft, mild light, pure 
 and tender." 
 
 "What pretty compliments ! I'm getting as 
 vain as any peacock. May I repeat that simile 
 to Hester ?" 
 
 '' If you think it worth while. Who is your 
 note from ?" 
 
 " Mrs. Hamilton." 
 
 *' And what can that best of women have to 
 say» to make you pucker up your dear little 
 nose, with the very little pucker I remember of 
 old ?" 
 
 *' I didn't know I was puckering my nose," 
 she replied, smoothing the feature in question 
 with one finger. It's a bad habit : I shall be 
 quite wrinkled before my time. Singie, I am 
 puzzled, and there is no use in denying it." 
 
 " Let us be accurate," remarked Singleton, 
 holding out his cup for some more tea — they 
 were breakfasting together in great comfort, 
 Sir Lionel having sent word that he did not 
 mean to appear — " Let us be accurate. You 
 did not deny — you only shirked ' fessing up to 
 it.' The two acts are alike, yet not identical. 
 *Fess up' now, will you?" 
 
 " I will. Mrs. Hamilton wants me to go 
 there this morning early, and to bring you. 
 She wants so much to make your acquaintance.
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 27 1 
 
 because she has heard so much about you that 
 she fancies she knows you already." 
 
 *' Is the dear lady of Irish extraction ?" 
 
 *' No — she was a Vane, you know ; but why 
 do you ask ?" 
 
 '' Because her reason is so like one of 
 O'Haras— she wants to make my acquaintance 
 because she knows me already.^' 
 
 " Impertinent boy ! The Irishism, if there is 
 one, is mine, not hers. I shall read you her 
 note : — 
 
 '' ' My dear Haidee, 
 
 " ' Come to me as early as you can 
 this morning, for I have much to say to you, 
 and we are leaving London for a few weeks. I 
 want to introduce you to my sister-in-law, Mrs. 
 Seymour, who has kindly promised to matronise 
 you for a time ; did you know that Sir Lionel 
 had written to me on that subject ? Bring 
 Singleton if he is able to be out so early. I 
 am longing to see him, feeling quite as if he 
 were an old friend instead of a new one. Come 
 quite early, Mrs. Seymour cpmes to luncheon, 
 and I must have a private talk with you before 
 that. 
 
 '' ' Your affectionate friend, 
 
 " ' Hester Hamilton.' "
 
 272 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 " Well, m}^ dear ? I have listened attentively, 
 and yet I don't quite see why you puckered 
 your nose. The private interview you may 
 have private reasons — ahem ! — for wishing to 
 avoid ; you may be called to account for certain 
 doings — you may he asked awkward questions 
 concerning that long ride in the Devonshire 
 lanes when you lost your way so strangely ; but 
 still I think the puckered nose denoted a 
 strength of feeling not to be accounted for on 
 these grounds. Eh, Haidee ?" 
 
 She blushed and laughed, but made no 
 attempt to pretend that she did not understand 
 him. 
 
 *' You are very witty, my dear ; but I am 
 sure you know why I don't tell you the little 
 there is to tell." 
 
 ** You don't want to get me into a scrape with 
 the Grand Turk ? Yes — Hester said it was 
 that." 
 
 " Hester knew nothing about my reasons." 
 
 " Oh, didn't she ? My dear, those mild 
 short-sighted eyes of hers see a great deal more 
 than you would imagine ; and seeing me 
 puzzled and inclined to feel ill-used, she told 
 me that in her opinion that was your reason, 
 and that you were right. She thought, too, 
 that you wanted your refusal of John to be
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 273 
 
 entirely your own act, and not prompted, as the 
 Grand Turk would think, by me." 
 
 " Now, how on earth did Hester know all 
 that ? I never spoke to her about it." 
 
 *' She ' feels it in her bones/ I expect. She's 
 a bit of a witch, you know. Dear little Hester, 
 I wish we had her here this moment." 
 
 Haidee smiled, thinking to herself, *' It is all 
 coming right, and my dear boy will be happy in 
 spite of that cat of a Marian." Then she said 
 aloud : '' But we have wandered from our subject 
 — you have not yet found out why I puckered 
 my nose. And I must tell you, though I would 
 rather not." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 " Because you bid me never mention her 
 name to you ! and she is there at the Hamil- 
 tons." 
 
 ''She! Marian, you mean? Why is she 
 there?" 
 
 " Mr. Vane has been obliged to go back to 
 Canada for a month or so, and he left her with 
 his sister." 
 
 " Then that was Hester's reason for saying 
 that she did not expect to see me at her own 
 house very often. 
 
 '' What ! does Hester know about that, too ? 
 Mind, I never told her." 
 
 VOL. L 18
 
 2 74 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 *' No, nor I, until she knew it. She ' evolved 
 it out of her inner consciousness/ don't you 
 know ? Fine sentence that. I got it in a 
 book. She can't help it — her inner conscious- 
 ness is one too many for her. However, to 
 return to the puckered nose. Never pucker it 
 on that account again, my dear. Marian Vane 
 is nothing to me. I would prefer not to meet 
 her, because I am not very strong, and I don't 
 wish her to fancy I care about her, whereas it 
 would be only nervousness! but I must meet 
 her if she is there, and the sooner the better." 
 
 ** If you are sure it won't hurt you, dear 
 
 S* ' )) 
 mgie. 
 
 " I'll endeavour to survive it, my diamond. 
 Go and get ready, and let us set forth upon our 
 way." 
 
 '' Ring, then, and order the carriage. I shall 
 be ready in about half an hour." 
 
 In the large, comfortable, though plainly- 
 furnished drawing-room of the house in Russell 
 Square, in which the Hamiltons lived, a good 
 many people were assembled. Beside the fire, 
 in an easy-chair, sat Mr. Hamilton ; sadly 
 changed from the ruddy, handsome squire of 
 Heronhurst. His failing health had obliged 
 him to resign his appointment, which had been 
 a great grief to him. Arabel and her lover
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 275 
 
 Stood apart in the farthest of the three windows, 
 exchanging a few words before he went off to his 
 work : he called every morning on some excuse 
 or other, although his evenings were always 
 spent there. To-day he had come to inquire if 
 Hester had recovered from the fatigue of her 
 journey. He was a small, spare, singularly 
 youthful-looking man, dressed in the most strictly 
 clerical garb, and seldom seen except in a hurry, 
 owing to the fact that he was wont, at this time 
 of his life to undertake more work than any one 
 man could reasonably hope to get through. 
 Hester, Reginald, and Mrs. Hamilton were 
 sitting near the centre table, the two ladies 
 working, Reginald with a book in his hand ; 
 and Marian Vane, on the opposite side of the 
 fireplace from her uncle, lay back in a great 
 easy-chair with a screen concealing her face, 
 from behind which she watched the whole 
 party, and not a word that was said in the 
 room escaped her, not even the whispers of the 
 pair in the far window. 
 
 Presently she heard Arabel say : '' Do stay, 
 William ; you may not have another opportu- 
 nity for some time, andHaidee is so beautiful 
 — I want you to see her." 
 
 Marian pricked up her ears ; she had gone to 
 bed early the evening before, she said with a 
 
 18—2
 
 276 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 headache — in real truth, bored to death by the 
 rejoicings over Hester's return. For some 
 reason, best known to herself, she disliked 
 Hester intensely. 
 
 Having thus lost a good deal of the evening, 
 she had not heard Mrs. Hamilton say that she 
 intended to ask the Trelawneys to come to 
 Russell Square next day. She did not gather 
 much further information from the Rev. 
 William's reply, which referred principally to 
 the transitory nature of beauty, and to the fact 
 that he admired 2i pretty woman rather than an 
 actual beauty. Arabel's reply, however, en- 
 lightened her. 
 
 " I wonder," she said, '' if her brother is like 
 her ; we have never seen him before." 
 
 This was awkward. Suppose that ridiculous 
 boy made a scene ? he was quite silly enough. 
 She meditated declaring that her head was again 
 tormenting her, and escaping to her room. As 
 they were leaving town next day, the same 
 awkwardness, would not recur ; but while she 
 meditated the opportunity was lost ; Arabel 
 came away from the window, saying *' Here 
 they are," and in a moment Haidee was in the 
 room, crying out '' Where's mamma ?" And 
 having found her way into Mrs. Hamilton's 
 arms, she did not seem in any hurry to re-
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 2/7 
 
 appear. Singleton, who had followed after a 
 short interval, was greeted by Reginald and 
 Hester, and introduced to Arabel, and also to 
 Mr. Hastings. This gave Marian a moment 
 in which to recover her self-possession : she 
 came forward smiling sweetly and holding out 
 her hand. 
 
 " I don't think you saw me, Singleton." 
 
 Singleton was no actor — he started, coloured, 
 and took her hand in silence ; and there might 
 have been an awkward moment, but that 
 Haidee came to her brother's assistance. 
 
 " Mamma, won't you introduce me to Miss 
 Vane ? This is Miss Vane, I am sure." 
 
 '' It is ; but you ought to need no introduc- 
 tion, you know, for you are cousins, though 
 rather distant. And you are really a little like 
 each other ! that's very odd, for I don't think 
 Marian like her mother ; still there is certainly 
 a family likeness." 
 
 Marian looked at the tall, and for that pass- 
 ing moment, rather stern-looking girl who 
 stood beside her ; and then unconsciously turned 
 towards the pier-glass between the windows, 
 where their figures were reflected as they stood 
 side by side. For the first time she saw her 
 rival, as she mentally called her : the girl who 
 had written that contemptuous note ; the girl
 
 278 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 who knew all about her conduct to Singleton ; 
 the girl whom Reginald loved ; and it was a 
 very bitter moment, for even she could not help 
 seeing that Haidee's brilliant beauty eclipsed 
 hers. Beside that glory of golden hair, hers 
 looked pale and colourless ; beside those clear, 
 speaking, dark grey eyes, hers looked washed 
 out and unmeaning, and in feature and com- 
 plexion there was just enough likeness to make 
 hers look like a dim reflection of Haidee's. 
 How she hated her ! She glanced at the rest 
 of the party — yes, Reginald was gazing at her 
 enemy with eyes in which it was easy to read 
 his admiration ; Arabel was whispering to her 
 lover, and he, surprised out of his dislike to 
 regular beauties, replied honestly, " The most 
 beautiful face I ever saw ;" while to add to her 
 disgust, she caught Hester's eye for a moment 
 and knew that she perceived her mortification. 
 It all passed in a moment — Haidee moved 
 away, and Marian said with tolerable careless- 
 ness, 
 
 *' My cousin is much taller than I am." 
 ** Yes," replied Haidee, " you are not a ^rtie 
 Trelawney," with the slightest possible emphasis 
 on the word true. " Mamma, I never intro- 
 duced Singleton to you ! I am always forget- 
 ting that you don't know him."
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 279 
 
 *' I introduced myself, and so did Mr. Hamil- 
 ton, as you seemed to have forgotten him." 
 
 *' She always forgets me !" said Singleton 
 gravely. " She flew upstairs like a steam engine 
 the moment the door was opened, leaving me 
 either to rush after her or face the astonished 
 servant." 
 
 " Poor fellow ! did I leave him lamenting ? 
 Hester, I'm going with mamma. I leave this 
 tender creature to your care ; look after him 
 till I return." 
 
 In the general move which took place 
 Marian glided from the room, and was seen no 
 more until luncheon-time.
 
 28o RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton led the way to her dressing- 
 room. 
 
 " Now, my dear Haidee, we have only an 
 hour before us, and I want to talk seriously to 
 you." 
 
 " Mamma ! you are not annoyed, are you ?" 
 
 *' No, my dear girl. The hope that you will 
 one day be the wife of my dear Reginald, and 
 my own daughter, is very pleasant to me and to 
 my husband." 
 
 " Then you don't approve of the concealment 
 of our — love for each other," Haidee replied, 
 kneeling down before her friend and looking 
 lovingly up in her face. " Did not Reginald 
 tell you my reasons ?" 
 
 "He did. But, my dear, your father cannot 
 force you to marry your cousin, however much 
 he may wish it. And perhaps the fact that 
 you have formed another attachment might '*
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 281 
 
 '' Oh no ! you don't know papa. But, 
 mamma, the truth is that I have a reason which 
 I could not give to Reginald, and which makes 
 concealment quite necessary. I shall tell you, 
 but only in a general way, for I have promised 
 not to tell any one all about it ; so you must 
 not ask me any questions." 
 
 " I will not. You know of old I am a safe 
 person." 
 
 " The very safest, best, and kindest friend 
 that ever a poor motherless girl had the good 
 fortune to possess. Mamma, I may as well 
 confess to you that I want to — marry Regie, to 
 be your daughter, you know." 
 
 She nodded her head saucily. 
 
 " Of course ! I believe that implicitly. But, 
 dear child, don't lose time. My sister-in-law will 
 be here presently, and I am very anxious about 
 this, for many reasons. You see, you will be 
 an heiress, dear Haidee, and Reginald has 
 little or nothing : and we cannot run any risk 
 of having it said that we entrapped you into 
 an engagement. It would kill Henry." 
 
 "Now then for my private reason, about 
 which perhaps you know more than I do. 
 Mamma, something which happened lately 
 showed us that my father has a perfectly insane 
 hatred of your brother, Mr. Vane. He did not
 
 282 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 know until then that the friends Singleton 
 made in Halifax were related to us — that Mr. 
 Vane was the person who married Miss 
 Trelawney, and when something- made Single- 
 ton mention it, he was in the most dreadful 
 state. He forbid us ever to mention the name 
 again. As to the cause of his hatred I know 
 nothing, and I don't wish to know. I don't 
 want to make it harder to keep the fifth com- 
 mandment than it is." 
 
 " But is it possible that he did not know who 
 Arthur Vane was when your brother mentioned 
 him in his letters?" 
 
 '' Ah, mamma, every word you say only 
 shows how unnatural the state of things among 
 us is. Singleton never wrote to papa in his 
 life ! and papa never asked a question about 
 his letters to me. Why, to this moment, he does 
 not know that Mr. Vane is your brother !" 
 
 " Is it possible ? would not my elder brother's 
 death and Arthur s succession have caught his 
 eye In the papers ?" 
 
 ** He reads the papers — at least he looks at 
 them — and I saw your name in one, I remem- 
 ber. But I am quite sure he does 710^ know it. 
 Now, if while his anger with Singleton is still 
 fresh in his mind, he were to hear that I would 
 never marry John, and that I loved Regie, and
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 283 
 
 at the same time find out that Reginald is the 
 nephew of the man he hates so potently, dear 
 mamma ! you don't know what he is capable of. 
 Do you know that I was only just in time to pre- 
 vent him from knocking Singleton down the other 
 day ? and what would have happened if I had 
 not been there, I tremble to think." 
 
 " But why do you think that delay will do 
 any good ? It seems to me as if your father 
 would feel just the same six months hence as he 
 does now." 
 
 " No, I must be very saucy, mamma, and say 
 that I know him better than you do. In the 
 first place, he is going to spend some time here, 
 where he won't be such an autocrat as he is at 
 home ; he will hear things talked of, and people 
 will say what they think without minding him. 
 He has been so long without mixing with the 
 world, and if he can only be got to see that he 
 would make himself ridiculous, he would do 
 anything sooner than be laughed at. Then, too, 
 I shall be rid of John : and you know, if we 
 spoke to papa now, the very best we could hope 
 would be that he would say that I must see 
 more of the world before I promised anything. 
 Now, if this time in London were over, he 
 could not say that. I should just tell him that 
 I had seen hundreds of people, and not one
 
 284 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 like Reginald. Believe me, mamma, it is better 
 to wait.'' 
 
 ^' There is a good deal in what you say — and 
 yet " 
 
 *' But there is one other reason, which I forgot. 
 I hope that during this time he may find out 
 that you are Mr. Vane's sister, so that he may 
 not have to be told that when Reginald speaks 
 to him. And though you will hardly believe It, 
 that would make a difference : if he had got used 
 to the idea he would not mind it half so much. 
 He is fond, too, of having Hester at the Abbey, 
 so he would try to forget that she was Mr. 
 Vane's niece." 
 
 *' You are a good special pleader, Haidee. 
 Let me go now to Mr. Hamilton, he was to go 
 to his own room to meet me. I will tell him 
 all your reasons, and his opinion must decide 
 the question." 
 
 Haidee was left alone for some time, but just 
 as she was beginning to get impatient Reginald 
 came in. 
 
 " I thought my mother was here," he said. 
 
 *' She is gone to Mr. Hamilton. Reginald, 
 I do hope they will not insist on speaking to 
 papa just now. I know it will add tenfold to 
 our trouble with him." 
 
 '' I think you have the best right to decide —
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 285 
 
 that Is my view of the question : but I cannot 
 bear to vex my father. Ah, Haldee, perhaps I 
 ought to have held my tongue." 
 
 " I am glad you did not, though. Here they 
 come, I hear them in the passage." 
 
 " Oh ho, Mr. Reginald ! so you found your 
 way up here to see how the wind blows In these 
 latitudes. You see, Haidee, I'm getting quite 
 nautical In my discourse since I've had my sailor 
 at home." 
 
 *' You did not learn it from him, I am sure. 
 I should never know him for a sailor by his way 
 of speaking. Singleton does It sometimes." 
 
 *' And I am always pulling him up for it," 
 remarked Reginald, as he made his father com- 
 fortable in an easy-chair. *' No one ought to 
 talk shop." 
 
 '' Well, my Sunbeam ! so you and this tall 
 boy of mine want to make geese of yourselves." 
 
 " No, sir 1 we want your leave to be very wise 
 and uncommonly prudent." 
 
 " Mrs. Hamilton has told me all you say, my 
 dear. And we agree that you are wise to put 
 off speaking to your father. But then, I think 
 there must be no engagement." 
 
 " I think you are quite right, sir," said Regi- 
 nald. " I feel that myself." 
 
 Haidee looked up at him with startled eyes.
 
 286 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 '* Why do you think so, Reginald ? Are you 
 sorry that you — spoke to me ?" 
 
 *' No, Haidee, I cannot regret that. I am 
 glad you know that I love you. But you are 
 very young ; you have lived such a lonely life, 
 seeing no man but your cousin John, and now 
 you will meet every day, people far superior to 
 me inposition — in everything except their love — • 
 and perhaps loving you well too, for no one could 
 help that, I think. It is not fair to bind you : 
 and my father is quite right." 
 
 " And so. Miss Haidee, I play the part of the 
 tyrant father ! and decree that you and Reginald 
 may remain silent as to what has passed, but 
 only on condition you don't meet, nor write to 
 each other, until your visit to London is over. 
 Then we shall see how it will be." 
 
 *' I shall not change, Reginald. And I'm 
 sure you won't. It is better, I believe. It 
 would not do to have to tell papa that we w^ere 
 engaged so long. But — Regie, you wont 
 forget me ?" she said with a quiver In her 
 sweet voice, and her eyes shining with gather- 
 ing tears. 
 
 " Forget you, my Sunbeam ? If he does I'll 
 — shoot him ! Come away, Hester : let them 
 have a few minutes to themselves," said good- 
 natured Mr. Hamilton, preparing to leave the
 
 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 287 
 
 room. " It will only be good-bye for a time, 
 child, don't cry over it." 
 
 When the door closed, Reginald took her 
 hand in his, saying: 
 
 '* You will trust me, Haidee ?" 
 
 '' And you me. It will be but a little time, 
 you know." 
 
 " I ask but one promise, Haidee. If you 
 ever find that you mistook — as my mother says 
 many a girl does — an innocent girlish liking 
 for true love, you'll write at once and tell me 
 
 so." 
 
 Haidee's eyes flashed through her tears. 
 
 " Yes ! I will write at once, when that day 
 
 comes." 
 
 '' Now, you are angry ! forgive me, Haidee." 
 
 " I do forgive you, but don't say that kind of 
 thing again — it hurts me. I might, with much 
 better reason, beg of you to write to me if you 
 transfer your affections to my pretty cousin, 
 Marian." 
 
 " Marian ! why, I've known her for years ! 
 And, besides, to love her one must never have 
 seen you. You make her look like a bad copy 
 of a fine picture." 
 
 It was not in human nature not to be pleased 
 at this, though all she said was : 
 
 " Still she is very pretty, and she will be
 
 288 RIDING OUT THE GALE. 
 
 always there and I away ! But I don't really 
 fear her a bit, Regie." 
 
 " You have no need. I hear my mother 
 calling me : we must go down. Do you go to 
 her, dear, and I will come presently with my 
 father; he wants an arm going down stairs. Say 
 good-bye to me now, Haidee, for we shall not 
 be alone again." 
 
 " It is not for long," she said again. '' Oh 
 Regie ! you may trust me. So long as I know 
 you to be what you are, I could not cease to 
 love you if I tried." 
 
 A few more last words, and they parted : to 
 go their different ways for the next three or 
 four months. The Hamiltons left London for 
 Dawlish next morning, having committed 
 Haidee to the care of Mrs. Seym.our. 
 
 END or VOL. I. 
 
 BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORD, SURREY. 
 
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