Chapter Five.
A Discovery That Appalled and Shocked Everyone.
Reginald had guessed aright. The good barque Wolverine would sail from Glasgow that day month, wind and weather permitting, for the South Atlantic, and round the Horn to the South Pacific Islands and San Francisco.
This was from the captain; but a note was enclosed from Mrs Hall, Reginald’s pet aunt, hoping he was quite restored to health and strength, and would join them some hours before sailing. She felt certain, she said, that the long voyage would quite restore her, and her daughter Ilda and wee niece Matty were wild with delight at the prospect of being—
“All alone on the wide, wide sea.”
“Oh, my darling!” cried Annie, “I believe my heart will break to lose you.”
“But it will not be for long, my love—a year at most; and, oh, our reunion will be sweet! You know, Annie, I am very poor, with scarce money enough to procure me an outfit. It is better our engagement should not be known just yet to the old Laird, your uncle. He would think it most presumptuous in me to aspire to the hand of his heiress. But I shall be well and strong long before a month; and think, dearest, I am to have five hundred pounds for acting as private doctor and nurse to Mrs Hall! When I return I shall complete my studies, set up in practice, and then, oh, then, Annie, you and I shall be married!
“‘Two souls with but a single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one.’”
But the tears were now silently chasing each other down her cheeks.
“Cheer up, my own,” said Reginald, drawing her closer to him.