|After the stormy night came a magnificent day.
Brackley looked so charming, that the guests were in no hurry to depart. Captain Danvers took a stroll in the garden with Mrs. Calverley, resolved that the interview should decide his fate. It was idle to think any more of Mildred, who had behaved very heartlessly in refusing to bid him adieu. His selection was made. He would offer his hand to the beautiful and wealthy widow, who had given him every encouragement.
The bowling-green, though delightful, was rather too damp after the rain of the previous night, and the benches were not yet dried, so they moved on towards a shady walk, where the captain commenced:
“I hope you have quite forgiven me, my dear Mrs. Calverley?” he said. “I can scarcely account for my folly, but I can assure you I am now quite sensible of it, and will never again offend in the like manner. Indeed, I will put it out of my power to do so, by binding myself indissolubly to you.”
“Do you mean this as an offer?” she said.
“Certainly,” he replied. “What else can it mean?”
“Then I must have a little time for consideration. I cannot make up my mind in a moment on such an important point.”
The captain's ardour was very much damped. He had flattered himself he should be at once accepted. “But you don't reject me?” he said, anxiously.
“No! you must remain on trial for a month. If I am quite satisfied with your conduct during that interval, I may become yours.”
“Then it is not to be an engagement?” he cried. “Yes; I am quite willing it should be an engagement—but not binding on either party.”
“Such an arrangement amounts to nothing,” he said. “If you love me well enough to give me your hand, accept me now, and let the marriage be fixed for some early day.”
“I cannot agree to that,” she replied. “We shall have to come to an understanding on many points.”
“We are sure to do that,” he replied. “I agree to all beforehand. You shall have your own way entirely. I shall be a very good-natured husband.”
“I am not so sure of that,” she replied, with a slight laugh. “Men who make promises of compliance beforehand, often turn out most impracticable.”
“That won't hold good in my case.”
“Well, you sha'n't say that I take you in, for I announce that I mean to retain entire possession of my own property.”
The captain could scarcely hide his confusion at this unexpected intimation. However, he did not make any objection.
“In a word, my house will be conducted precisely as it is now,” pursued Mrs. Calverley.
“That is just what I should like,” he rejoined. “Arrange it as you please. I shall never interfere. Have we come to a distinct understanding?”
“Yes; and if you retain these sentiments, we shall probably agree.”
“Are we not now agreed?”
“On the main points,” she replied. “But our engagement must be private for the present. I have my reasons for the request.”
“I won't ask them, but comply. In all things you shall be obeyed.”
She smiled very graciously, if not every affectionately, and gave him her hand, which he raised to his lips.
Her beautiful features underwent a slight change at that moment, and the expression startled Captain Danvers so much that he almost repented the step he had taken; but it was now too late to retreat.
“Though our engagement will be secret, you can come to Ouselcroft whenever you please,” she said. “Only remember there must be no renewal——”
“Fear nothing,” he replied. “There shall be no more of that.”
They then returned to the house, and on the way thither met Emmeline and Chetwynd. The former smiled on seeing her cousin and Mrs. Calverley together, but made no remark.
Later on, however, when an opportunity offered, she said to Captain Danvers, “All is settled, I perceive, between you and the rich widow.”
“What makes you think so?” he asked.
“Both of you look as if you already repented,” she replied. “But I hope you may be happy.”
Captain Danvers rode back with them to Ouselcroft; but he did not stay, nor did he see Mildred.
However, he agreed to return in a few days.
Emmeline was distressed to find her friend looking less cheerful than usual. Indeed, she appeared decidedly low-spirited.
“I hope you are not troubling yourself about my unworthy cousin Charles,” said Emmeline.
“I wish I could cease to think of him,” replied Mildred, with a sigh. “I have tried, but in vain.”
“You must think of him no more, dearest girl,” said Emmeline.
Mildred looked at her anxiously.
“What is it? Don't keep me in suspense!” she cried.
“He is engaged to Mrs. Calverley,” replied Emmeline.
Mildred became white as death.
“Engaged to her!” she ejaculated. “Oh, this is too much!”
She would have fallen if Emmeline had not caught her.
Fortunately, this occurrence took place in Mildred's own room, and, restoratives being at hand, it was not necessary to summon assistance.