“Is the pew so high as all that?” asked Nance.
“Yes; if you sit down—I mean if you happen to be a child—you are quite lost to the congregation. Perhaps you will be seen, and perhaps you will see, for you are tall. I like tall girls. I shall marry a very tall girl when I grow up.”
Nancy could not help smiling. The boy’s chatter, the gaiety of his sweet, high laugh, the look in his eyes, ever and always reminding her of Adrian, gave her more pleasure than she knew.
“I see we shall be capital friends,” she said, looking at him affectionately. “We’ll often talk together of that tall girl whom you are to marry. Now come out into the grounds; a little of the fresh air may take off my headache.”
They walked about for some time, and then a beautifully-appointed carriage being brought round, Nancy ran upstairs to put on her bonnet and mantle, and she and Murray drove to church together.
After all, Rowton did not come back in time to go with them. Nancy’s heart sank within her. She did not want to face the eager and curious congregation without him. Her life had been so solitary for such a number of years that she was often affected by almost painful shyness—she felt queerly shy now, and quite trembled as she walked up the little church. A verger went before her, opened the family pew with much ceremony, and ushered in the bride and Murray Cameron. Murray had very quick perceptions. He seemed to guess all that Nancy was feeling—accordingly he sat close to her, seeming to take possession of her. He found her places for her, and saw that she was accommodated with a comfortable footstool; now and then his eyes fixed themselves on her lovely face; when he saw that it looked pale and sad, he slipped his little hand into hers.
The service was about half way through, when the pew door was suddenly opened, and, to Nancy’s surprise, and indescribable delight, Rowton came in. He just glanced at her and then seated himself at her other side. His face looked perfectly serene and contented. Nancy’s face now shared the look of apparent happiness which was seen on his. All her depression vanished on the instant—she felt comforted, soothed, blissful. He had gone away, but he had come back again; the first separation was over; how full of delight were the joys of reunion!
After church Rowton stopped to speak to one or two friends. He introduced Nancy to an old lady with a kindly face, and beautiful grey hair.
“This is my wife, Lady Joyce.”