But dear Lucy does not consider that she is in any danger, or she would not urge my uncle to have the ball next week.
Perhaps your aunt is unduly alarmed, said Harry, Lucy seems in such spirits that I cannot suppose there is any danger. I was in a great fright at first, thinking that Lady Tryon would insist on going to London before the ball, but I am thankful to say she consents to stay till it is over. There is only one thing I dont like in these balls. I say, Mabel, you must not let those French officers flirt too much with you. They are marquises and barons, to be sure; but after all, except their pay, they have nothing to bless themselves with. Somehow or other, I never can like a foreigner as much as an Englishman.
That is rather hard upon papa, said Mabel, looking up. You know his mother was a foreigner. Did you not know that she was French? Grandpapa married, when he was a very young man, just as he was a lieutenant, a French lady. She, too, was very young and very pretty.
That I am sure she must have been, said Harry, looking up at Mabel.
The story is a very sad one. Poor mamma died, I believe, when I was born, and grandpapa had just time to carry away his boy to England, and to place me with Aunt Ann, when he was obliged to go to sea. The little I know of the early history of our family I have learnt from Aunt Ann.
They were nearing the shore when they heard a voice hailing them from the spot from which they set out. They soon reached a landing-place. A fine officer-like looking man was standing near it. Mabel sprang out and threw herself into his arms.
Oh! papa, you have come back without giving us warning. Oh! dear, dear papa, how happy you have made me!
Captain Digby Everard returned his daughters embrace. He looked inquiringly at Harry, whom he did not recognise.
This is Harry Tryon, she said. You remember him as a boy; but he has grown a good deal since then. The Captain smiled.
I am very happy to renew my acquaintance with him, he said, holding out his hand, and I am glad to see so accomplished an oarsman: it is a pity that he has not been bred to the sea. However, perhaps it is not too late. Lord Cochrane did not go afloat till he was as old as Harry is, and he has already made a name for himself.
The Captain and his daughter walked on towards the house, she leaning on his arm, and looking up, ever and anon, into his face as he spoke affectionately to her.
Harry, thinking that the Captain might consider him intrusive, made his adieus to Mabel and her father.
Aunt Ann will want you to help her in preparing for the entertainment, said Mabel, as she shook hands with him.
And I should be happy to become better acquainted with you, added the Captain, warmly shaking him by the hand.
Harry was becoming very popular in the neighbourhood: a good-looking young man, with apparently ample means, is certain to be so, if he is tolerably well behaved in other respects. People do not pry too closely into the character of youths of good fortune. Harry, however, was unexceptionable. The banker and some of the tradesmen of Lynderton might have had their suspicions that Lady Tryon would not cut up as well as was expected; but as they had had no quarrel with her grandson, they did not allow this idea to go forth to his detriment. Harry, therefore, dined as frequently out as at home. Indeed, the attractions of Ayleston Hall were not very great, to his taste.
One day, however, she insisted upon his remaining and taking a tête-à-tête dinner with her. Her eyes were weak, and she wanted him to read to her afterwards a new tale by Miss Burney. To that he had no objection. It was very romantic, and suited his humour.
Well, Harry, you must make your fortune some day by a wife, said the worldly old lady, and really if you succeed with that pretty girl, Mabel Everard, you will do well. Under some circumstances I
might not have encouraged it; but as it is, I have an idea: you know Lucys mother died of consumption, and if Lucy dies the Captain becomes his uncles heir.
But my mother died of consumption, answered Harry, who hated the thought of being mercenary; I hope Lucy may live, and that I may have the means of making a fortune to support a wife whenever I marry.
Silly boy, fortunes are not so easily made, said the old lady, in a voice which sounded somewhat harsh to Harrys ear. If you dont marry a fortune, there will probably be poverty and beggary in store for you. They are the most dreadful things in my opinion in this life. Be a wise lad, Harry, and try and win Mabel. You dont mean to say, boy, that you have no wish to marry her?
Harry hesitated to acknowledge his love to his grandmother. The old ladys manner did not encourage confidence. Instinctively he mistrusted her. The old lady eyed him narrowly.
Take my advice, and be attentive to the girl. If you follow it I shall be well pleased; if not, I shall act accordingly. Or perhaps when you go to London you would like to be introduced to your cousins, the Coppinger girls. There are a good many of them, I believe, but I have kept up no intercourse for some years past with my worthy brother Stephen. Indeed, he and I have different notions on most subjects. However, if there is anything to be gained, I should have no objection to call on my nieces. He is very rich, I am told, and will probably divide his fortune between them. Still, though our family is a good one, as he has always lived in the city, a daughter of his cannot bring you the county influence and credit which you would derive from such a girl as Mabel Everard.