“Who does the man remind me of?” she said, speaking aloud, but to herself. “Allemachter! his face is the face of that English lord who visited us with the lawyer more than fifty years ago. Yes, his face is the face of Ralph’s cousin. Girl,” she added, turning on me fiercely, “tell me that man’s name.”
“His name is Lord Glenthirsk.”
“Lord Glenthirsk! The same face and the same name and you in his arms. Is God then making a sequel to the story which I finished this day? Come,” and she hobbled back to the stoep. “Be seated,” she said when we had reached it. “Now, speak; no, Suzanne, give me that kaross.”
I handed her the rug, wondering what she meant to do with it, and disturbed as I was, nearly burst into hysterics when I saw her solemnly place it upon Ralph’s knees saying, “The man has lost his garments and will catch a chill.”
“Would you kindly explain,” said Ralph blandly, “what the old lady is at now? Really I do not feel cold.”
“Your kilt surprises her,” I stammered; whereat he began to laugh.
“Silence,” she exclaimed in so vigorous a voice that he stopped at once. “Now tell your story; no, I forgot, the man is not educated, do you interpret for him, Suzanne.”
“First I have something to say for myself, grandmother,” I answered, and in a few words I told that Ralph and I were affianced, though I had said nothing of it, because I wished to give him opportunity to change his mind if he should desire to do so.
“Change his mind!” said the old lady, with a glare of indignation. “I should like to see him dare to change his mind, this Englishman whom you seem to have honoured thus, opsitting with him without my leave. A lord indeed? What do I care for lords? The question is whether I should not order the English creature off the place; yes, and I would do it were not his face the face of Ralph’s cousin, and his name the name Glenthirsk.”
When I had interpreted as much of this speech as I thought necessary, there was a little silence, after which Ralph began to speak very solemnly.