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Won from the Waves, a novel by William H. G. Kingston |
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Chapter 40. Sir Ralph's Decision |
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_ CHAPTER FORTY. SIR RALPH'S DECISION Harry had heard from Julia that his father had gone over to Downside, and was looking forward with no little anxiety to the result of his interview with May. He had not yet brought himself to tell Headland all his father had said, for, knowing his friend, he was sure that he would, in spite of the grief it would cause him, at once leave Texford, and he wished to allow him and Julia to enjoy that happiness which he foresaw must so soon be cruelly terminated. Headland was not a man to exhibit his feelings in the presence of others, and the baronet, who watched him narrowly, observed only that though he appeared to treat Julia with that attention which the young lady of the house had a right to expect, there was nothing peculiarly marked in his manner. Julia ought undoubtedly to have told Sir Ralph of the offer she had received, and she would have done so had there been that confidence between the father and daughter which should have existed. But Sir Ralph had failed to secure the confidence and affection of his children. Julia, not wishing that her father should discover her secret, took care not to invite Headland to walk with her in the grounds when Sir Ralph was likely to meet them, and as he seldom went far from the house on foot there was little probability of his doing so. As Mr Curtis told Sir Ralph that Harry must be kept quiet for a few days, he did not allude to his visit, and Harry was therefore left in doubt as to the result. The next time the surgeon came, Harry asked whether he had been again at Downside. "I tell you there is nothing seriously the matter with the young lady, though she does not recover as rapidly as I had expected; her nervous system seems slightly affected. However, there is no fear, and in a few days she will be round." If the doctor knew more of the true state of the case, he did not think fit to communicate it to Harry. Such was the state of things when the post brought two official letters from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, appointing Commander Headland to the _Thisbe_ sloop-of-war, and Lieutenant Castleton to the _Aurora_ frigate, with orders to join their respective ships at once. It was the first day Harry had come down. "I congratulate you, gentlemen," said Sir Ralph in a tone Harry did not like. "You will both soon see active service, for, depend upon it, Napoleon will not let us remain long at peace." Poor Julia, turning pale, nearly betrayed herself. "I am obliged to their lordships; I scarcely expected to get a ship so soon," replied Headland, who did not exhibit that enthusiastic pleasure which might have been expected on being appointed to his first command. "I should have been more obliged to them if they had appointed me to the same ship," said Harry. "You, I daresay, can manage to do it," he added, turning to his father. "Possibly the lieutenants may not as yet have been selected." "I have not much interest at the Admiralty, and what I have I must keep for your promotion," said Sir Ralph. "We shall lose you, Captain Headland, sooner than was expected, for I presume that you will have to start to-morrow at latest." Headland could not help feeling that this was a strong hint to him to hasten his departure. "I will lose no time, Sir Ralph, in joining my ship, though I shall leave Texford with regret." He glanced for a moment on Julia, but for her sake directly withdrew his eyes, judging truly from his own feelings what hers were. "I am glad to see that both ships are fitting at Portsmouth," observed Harry, "and if we cannot travel together, and I suppose the doctor won't let me go for a few days, I will join you there." Harry talked away, trying to keep up his own spirits as well as those of his friend. He felt that a crisis was at hand, and that Headland must openly declare his love for Julia, whether or not Sir Ralph was likely to give his sanction to their engagement. Headland saw matters in the same light. He wished, however, first to consult Julia as to whether he should tell her father of their engagement, or leave her to do so. Fortunately, Sir Ralph was engaged in writing letters and other business for some time after breakfast, and Headland, finding Julia alone, invited her to go into the grounds where they could talk without fear of interruption. "Your going seems so sudden that I can scarcely realise it," she exclaimed. "I fancied that weeks and months would pass before you were ordered away to sea, and now Sir Ralph says you must set off to-morrow. Can it be necessary to go so soon?" "It is so," said Headland, "but I go confiding in you, and hoping that the time may come when I shall return to claim you. Your father must be informed of our engagement, or he may justly accuse me of acting a dishonourable part. Either you or I must tell him as soon as possible. I am perfectly ready to do so, unless you think you can influence him more than I can expect to do." "Oh, do you speak to him," exclaimed Julia. "You can plead the perfect right you had to win my affections; your position in the navy, and your prospects of rising; the ample means you already possess; and the gallant deeds you have performed. He cannot possibly blame you. And tell him that my heart and hand are pledged to you, and that though I will not disobey him by marrying against his will, I will never marry any one else." Headland undertook to act as Julia advised. They might enjoy an hour now in each other's society before Sir Ralph was likely to be disengaged, and how rapidly those moments flew by; but both felt that the time was come for a frank statement of their case. They returned to the house confident in each other's love, and supported with the hopes that whatever clouds might now arise they would in time be dissipated. Sir Ralph was alone in his study. Captain Headland knocked at the door, and was requested to enter. "I must apologise for intruding on you, Sir Ralph, but before I leave Texford there is a matter of consequence on which I wish to speak to you," he said. The baronet motioned him to take a chair nearly opposite where he himself sat. "Pray, Captain Headland, what is it?" he asked, in a calm tone. "I earnestly wish to make your daughter my wife, and I have her permission to request that you will give your sanction to our marriage when I next return on shore." "A very clear if not a very modest request," exclaimed the baronet, with a well-feigned look of surprise. "Do I understand that Miss Castleton has pledged her hand to you without my sanction?" "My express object in now speaking to you is to obtain that sanction," answered Headland, with all the calmness he could command. "I am not at all disposed to give it unless to a man her equal in birth and family, and before I can reply, I must beg that you will inform me to what family you belong, and what means you possess." Headland briefly described his position. "I have, however, every prospect of rising in the service, and of adding to the credit which, with honest pride, I may venture to say, I have already gained. I have your daughter's authority for telling you that she will marry no one else till I return to ask her hand." The baronet listened to him calmly without speaking till he had finished. "I will make no remark on your conduct, Captain Headland, whatever I may think of it," he said, at length, after nearly a minute's silence. "But you will understand that I do not allow my daughter to pledge herself as you tell me she has done. You will understand that though I do not wish to treat you with discourtesy, I do not expect that you will honour me with another visit when you return on shore. I regret having to say this while you are still my guest, but you have forced me to express myself clearly on the subject. And now I think you will agree with me that to prolong this interview will not lead to any satisfactory result. You have clearly explained your position, and I have as clearly expressed my opinion. I will speak to Miss Castleton, and it may be a satisfaction to you if, as I expect she will, she states her readiness at my desire to set you free. I must beg, however, that what I have said may not induce you to leave Texford sooner than you had intended. I may say that I have that confidence in you that you will not in the meantime try to induce my daughter to take any step of which I should disapprove." The baronet rose as he spoke, and Headland, not considering an answer to the last remark necessary, did so likewise, and with a formal bow, which Sir Ralph returned, left the room. His heart swelling with indignation and sorrow, he repaired to his own chamber. He felt indignant at the way Sir Ralph had treated him: his sorrow was for Julia, for he knew too well the sufferings she would be called on to endure on his account. He threw himself into a chair to consider what steps he should take; could he remain longer as the guest of Sir Ralph? and then he thought, "he is Julia's father, and for her sake I must bear what I would not from any other man." Harry, suspecting what had taken place, soon followed Headland to his room. "My dear fellow," he exclaimed, "I am sure my father has spoken in a way you feel hard to bear; let me entreat you not to take notice of it. I do not ask you what he said, but I am right, am I not?" "You are, and I was contemplating leaving the house." "That is just what you must not do," exclaimed Harry. "You came as my guest, and I cannot allow it. Our father does not know what Julia is made of; when he comes to speak to her, he will find that she can be as firm as he is. I am very certain she will not discard you, and he may find that after all he has to give in, and allow you to go away awaiting for a time when you can return and claim her, which he may possibly hope will never arrive." Headland was at length persuaded to do as Harry advised; indeed his own heart prompted him to remain, for even had Sir Ralph spoken to him in a still more offensive tone, he would not have left. "You know me, Harry; and assure her that whatever your father may say, and however she may be compelled to act towards me, I shall remain pledged to her as long as there is a possibility of her becoming mine." "In other words," said Harry, "unless she is compelled to marry some one else." "I could not bear the thoughts of her doing so," exclaimed Headland. "Even then I should remain her devoted and faithful friend." "I am sure you would," answered Harry. "I will tell her all you say, though I hope you will be able to tell her yourself. And, my dear fellow, I know my little sister well enough to be very sure that no power on earth will induce her to marry any one else." Headland felt somewhat relieved by his conversation with his friend. Harry knew that he had his own trials in store, and could sympathise with him thoroughly. He had become very impatient at not being able to ride out. The doctor had brought him better accounts from Downside; that was his chief consolation. He determined to go directly Headland left Texford; he would propose a ride with Julia, and she would not refuse to accompany him thus far. Directly Headland quitted the study, Sir Ralph summoned Julia. She well knew what was coming, and bracing herself up for the interview, appeared before her father with as calm a countenance as she could assume. "I understand, young lady, that your brother's friend and shipmate, Captain Headland, has proposed to you, and that without knowing who he is, or what are my wishes on the subject, you have ventured to accept him." "Yes, papa, I have done so," said Julia. "You have acted very improperly," remarked Sir Ralph. "I saw nothing in Captain Headland that would make you object to him, on the contrary, everything to admire," answered Julia, in a firm tone. "No girl can take such a step without her parent's permission." "I had no reason to suppose that permission would not be given," said Julia. "As you are mistaken you are absolved from your promise, and I desire you to tell Captain Headland that you set him free." "Father," exclaimed Julia, rising, "if you can point out one single blemish in Captain Headland's character, if you can produce one sufficient reason, I would obey you so far as to set him free; but, at the same time, I must tell you I could never marry another. You, however, can allege no just reason why I should not marry him, and I will not utter a falsehood, and lead him to suppose that I do not love him with the most devoted affection." The baronet listened to his daughter with a scornful curl on his thin lips, and a flush on his brow. Seldom did he exhibit more violent signs of anger. "I am to understand, then, that you positively refuse to discard this unknown adventurer?" said the baronet, speaking very deliberately. "I regret that I did not use stronger language when speaking to him, but I expected to have your assistance, and wished to save a scene which might be disagreeable. I must send for him again, and explain myself more clearly." "Father, I entreat you not to do so," exclaimed Julia, putting her hand on Sir Ralph's arm. "I will speak to Captain Headland, but you cannot, you must not, insult a gallant officer, your son's friend, a guest in your house; you would not gain your end, and you would only add bitterness to my grief at having to part from him." "If, as I understand, he proposes to take his departure to-morrow, I will allow matters to remain as they are, you promising me that you will speak to him in the way I desire." "I promise that I will tell Captain Headland of your objections, and I will not act in any way that will bring discredit on the name of Castleton, of which I am as proud as any member of the family." Julia, with woman's tact, made the last remark, knowing that it would influence her father more than any vehement protestation she could utter. Headland had been for some time writing in his room after Harry had left him, when the latter returned, and told him he would find Julia in the grounds. Headland eagerly hurried out, and joined her at the spot where Harry had told him she was waiting. They walked on till they reached a summer-house near the lake. "You have had an interview with my father, and he has since talked to me, and desired me to speak to you, and I promised to obey him, but I do so under compulsion. He said that he would never sanction my becoming your wife, and that I must tell you so. I replied, that as you had my heart, to no one else would I give my hand." Headland had every reason to be satisfied with all Julia said, though he felt that long years might pass before she could become his, while she could not hide from herself the numberless dangers he might have to encounter before he could return to claim her; and even then would her father have relented, and might not still difficulties be thrown in the way of their marriage? Hope, however, buoyed her up. Her great wish, in the meantime, would be to remain at Texford, and endeavour to benefit the tenantry and surrounding cottagers. London with its gaieties she felt would have no attractions for her, though she had reason to fear that her father would insist on her going there, and mixing in society, in the hopes of inducing her to form a match such as he would consider suitable for her. Headland, more than ever convinced of Julia's attachment, was thankful that he had not taken offence at the language her father had used, and at once left the house. That last meeting, as they sat together looking out on the placid lake, mirrored with the foliage of the overhanging trees, with swans gliding calmly across its surface, the only sound the sweet songs of the bird, or the occasional splash of the fish as they rose to seize the careless flies fleeting above them, could never be forgotten: it brought a sense of peace, and consolation, and hope to their hearts. The time flew by. Both were unwilling to return to the house. It was the last opportunity they would have of meeting alone. General Sampson's voice addressing Mrs Appleton in loud tones aroused them. "I tell you, my dear madam, I shall win my bet notwithstanding," he exclaimed. "My friend, the captain, is not a man who is likely to strike his flag as long as he has a stick standing; he will renew the fight as soon as he has repaired damages." "I tell you, general, I have known Sir Ralph longer than you have--a more determined, or rather obstinate gentleman does not exist, and unless this captain is a man of family, and that he is not, or I am very sure we should have heard about it, our friend will never give his sanction." "Then, by Jove, the young people will run off and do without it, ah! ah! ah!" roared the general. "Fie, fie, General Sampson, you would not approve of such a proceeding, I hope." "I am not sure of that, Mrs Appleton," was the answer; and just then the couple came in sight of Headland and Julia, and must have been aware that their remarks had been overheard. The young people were still more annoyed at being discovered. They both rose, and at the same moment the gong sounded from the house to summon the guests to dress for dinner. "Pleasant sound that, captain, for those who have appetites," observed the general. "We must all obey it whether or not, and move homewards." Though Julia and Headland would willingly have lingered longer, they were compelled to follow the old general and Mrs Appleton to the house. How quickly that evening went by. Sir Ralph was as courteous as usual, and though formal in the extreme in his manner to Captain Headland, no one would have suspected what had occurred in the morning. Julia did her best to maintain her composure. Though Sir Ralph begged to have music, her mother interfered and saved her from the trial. Next day arrived at length. Captain Headland was really gone. Julia felt bewildered and desolate; it seemed as if she had received some heavy blow from which it was impossible to recover. Sir Ralph spoke to her in a more kind way than usual, and tried to joke with her, while he amused his guests with the numerous anecdotes which he knew well how to tell. The doctor, who came early, allowed Harry to take a ride. "It must be short though, and you must not gallop at headlong speed, as you naval officers are apt to do." "I will get my sister to accompany me to keep me in order." Julia gladly agreed to bear him company. "Thank you, dear Julia," said Harry, as soon as they were in the saddle. "We must go to Downside; I cannot exist another day without seeing May." Julia nodded her consent. "I thought she would have written to me, but I have my fears that either our good cousins have forbidden her to write or that her letters may have been stopped," he continued. "Did you write to her?" asked Julia. "No, but I sent messages, and as the only person I could trust to take a letter declined doing so, I could not order a groom to take one, as I had my suspicions that it might be stopped or opened; besides, I have that confidence in May's love that I felt sure she would be content to wait till we could again meet, hearing in the meantime that I was rapidly recovering." "You acted wisely," said Julia, "for it is impossible to say how our cousins may think it their duty to behave towards you in future." She then told Harry of their father's visit to Downside, of the result of which she herself was ignorant. "I am sorely tempted to set my father at defiance, and, if he refuses his consent, to marry without it." "No, no, Harry--patience! May would never consent to such a course." "Why, Julia, what do you intend to do?" asked Harry, wrongly feeling for the moment that even she had turned against him. "To obey our father and not to act against his commands; but I will not obey him in doing a sinful act by marrying any one else whom I do not love. I can, therefore, with a clear conscience urge you not to persuade May to marry you until our father gives his consent, though I do not for a moment advise you to give her up." "You are a clever casuist, Julia," exclaimed Harry. _ |
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