“Indeed, I think so,” answered Bride, in a low tone of great feeling. “It is too terrible to think of. What will happen to those poor men? Where are they now?”
“The officers have taken them. I fear they will be committed for trial. I scarce know the penalty—transportation, I should think. Perhaps a few may be released—a few of the younger men; but example will be made of some. It would scarce be right to wish it otherwise. That noble vessel! and all hands lost, and every soul on board save one! Ah me! ah me! And the men of St. Bride the culprits! I could sink to the ground for shame!”
“Do you know who the survivor is?” asked Bride.
“Nay; I did but hear he had been carried here—he and Tresithny, locked in one embrace, none knowing whether either were alive or dead. I came for news of them.”
“They are both living—now,” answered Bride, with a strange light in her eyes, “though we must not build too much on that. The survivor from the wreck is our kinsman, Eustace Marchmont.”
“God bless my soul! you don’t say so?” cried the clergyman, starting back in great astonishment.
“Yes,” answered Bride; “we were expecting him shortly, and he spoke of coming by sea in one of the new steam-ships. That was the one which was wrecked last night. Eustace was there. He had on a great life-belt, and Saul was clinging round him when they were carried in. Saul had been left behind on the wreck whilst the other men took their first load of spoil to shore. What happened then nobody yet knows; but when my father and his men reached the wreck, they found those two in the water, floating near to it at the end of a rope—whether alive or dead, it was hours before anybody knew.”
“You don’t say so? What an extraordinary thing! Do you think they were struggling together in the water? Could Saul have been striving to do some injury to Mr. Marchmont——?”
“Oh no, no,” cried Bride quickly; “I am sure that was not so. What it all means I cannot tell yet; but I know that Saul loved Eustace. I think he was the only being in the world he has ever truly loved. I cannot help thinking he was trying to save him—trying to draw him out of the water. But we may never know the truth of it. Yet I shall never believe that Saul would lift up a hand against Eustace.”
“I trust not—I trust not. Ah! poor fellow, it will be a mercy for him if he die a natural death from exposure. He has nothing to live for now, I fear, save transportation or the gallows.”