We couldnt help it, captain, said a voice. I be coming along here, and I see my young mistress there seated on yon stone, with her head bent down, asleep.
Mother Goodhugh has spoken truth, then, whispered Anne to herself; I have not seen, but I have felt, and feel the touch of my future lord.
Is this truth? cried Gil, gazing round at his men, who one and all shrank from his angry eye.
True, captain? It be true enough, was chorused. Jack Bray then went softly behind her and clapped a kerchief over her eyes and mouth, and we were taking her yonder when you come.
But how came she here? exclaimed Gil, looking round at his men, who stared at one another, but made no reply till their leader angrily repeated his question.
Dont know, captain, said the man Anne had first heard speak; she was sitting on yonder stone.
Was no one near? But that will do. Tell me one thing, he said aside to one of his men, where were you coming from?
Wed been down to the river, captain, and were on the look-out for Mas Wat, when
That will do, said Gil sternly. Now stand aside.
As he spoke he placed his left arm round Anne, and took her hand with his right.
Let me lead you back to the path from which you have strayed, Mistress Beckley, he said. You are quite safe now. Nay nay, let that bandage rest for awhile. The sight of these rough seamen here might startle you afresh, he added, as the late prisoner raised her hand that was at liberty to her face.
She lowered it directly with a satisfied sigh, and, leaning heavily upon her protectors arm, she suffered him to lead her down what seemed to be a rugged slope, and then amidst trees and bushes, and up one ascent, down another, and all the while with the bandage upon her eyes, while Gil looked down at her, half-puzzled, half-amused, and at times annoyed at the timid, trusting way in which she seemed to have thrown herself upon him.
He was debating within himself as to whether he should ask her how she came to be where she was found, little thinking that she had been taken there almost as thoroughly blindfolded as she had been when brought away. But Gilbert Carrs heart told him plainly enough without vanity that he had been the attraction that had drawn her thither, and he bit his lip with vexation as he heard his companion sigh, and felt her hang more heavily upon his arm.
Finally he decided that he would say nothing upon the subject, but trust that she had made no discoveries, though he could not help arguing that if she had, and he gave her offence, he might find her an angry woman who would do him a serious ill.
At last by many a devious track he had taken her to where the lane leading from the Pool-house led through the scattered cottages of the workers at the furnaces and foundries towards the Moat, and here Gil paused.
That thick bandage must be hot and comfortless, Mistress Beckley, he said; let me remove it now.
Oh! no! she cried quickly, pray dont take it away. I feel quite safe with you, Captain Carr; and she sighed again, and laid her other hand upon his.
But you are safe now, he said, smiling, and close to the lane. There is nothing more to fear. My unmannerly lads shall be punished for all this.
No, no, she said softly, dont punish them for my sake. Say you will forgive them. I beg I entreat.
If it is your wish, the punishment shall not take place, he said. There, let me remove the kerchief.
Anne would gladly have resisted, for it was very sweet to be so dependent on Gil Carr. He had been so gentle and kindly towards her that her heart was filled to bursting with hope that she would win him after all, though her siege had now lasted for months without avail, and she
had been ready to raise it in favour of the new-comer, Sir Mark.
She felt, though, that she might not be serving her cause by making any objections, and, resigning herself to her protectors will, she suffered him to remove the kerchief, but uttered a quick cry of pain, as she opened and then closed her eyes.
My poor girl, he cried, holding her tightly, as she clung to him, are you injured? Tell me; what is it?
It is nothing, said Anne, faintly; a sudden pang the intense light I shall be well anon.
It did not occur to Gil that the position he occupied was a strange one, if seen by a looker-on, for he was too much concerned by the apparent suffering of his charge, and, as her fright had been caused by his followers, he felt in duty bound to try and make up for their insolence by his consideration for her weakness. He stood, then, supporting her as she held her hands pressed to her aching eyes, and smiled encouragement as she at last looked timidly up at him with a very pitiful expression of countenance, and ended by catching his hand in hers in the excess of her gratitude for her deliverance, and kissing it passionately, as she burst into a storm of sobs and tears.
Why, come, come, Mistress Timidity, he said, playfully, where is your brave little heart? One would think I had been some brave hero of old, who had rescued you from an angry dragon, instead of a poor sea-captain, who did nothing but order some insolent mariners to