“It would be worth your while to go there some morning before sunrise, to hear the larks. The story of his finding there, and of the people bringing his body down, is like a song.
“The first and second Dylars called the unfortunates they brought here ‘children of Despair.’ Basil named those he brought ‘children of Hope’!
“I have told you that the first Dylar made friendly offers and promises to the man of whom he bought this castle. His acts were in conformity with his words. He kept a watch over the family, especially after he had discovered gold. He held himself more solemnly bound to them by that discovery. When any one of them was in difficulty, he went to the rescue. But it was long before one of them was admitted to San Salvador. Then a widow came with her young infant. This widow married the fourth Dylar. From the little girl, her daughter, Iona and Ion are descended.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Tacita. “Iona!”
“Yes, Iona! In her and her brother alone we recognize now the blood of the original possessors of Castle Dylar. Their presence here satisfies our sense of justice. The girl I speak of married in San Salvador, and she and her husband went out to have the charge of our affairs in France. One of their sons became a messenger, that is, a person who keeps a regular communication between all the children of San Salvador, reports births and deaths, carries verbal messages, and does whatever business may be necessary in his province. It is a messenger who buys and brings all our supplies and carries out all our produce.
“The son of this messenger became himself a messenger. He was Iona’s grandfather. He was named Zara for a Greek friend of the family. He was restless and adventurous, like all his race. He went to the East. This was in the time of my grandfather. He married an Arab woman—ran away with her, indeed. But the circumstances of the escapade were such as to render it pardonable.
“He lived but a short time after this marriage, and his widow with her only child, afterward Iona’s mother, came to San Salvador. Iona’s father was a relative of mine.
“What Iona is I need not tell you; for you know her. She is one of Nature’s queens, and of the rarest; and Ion is worthy to be her brother. In both that restless fire of him who, for very impatience, sacrificed his birthright is intensified by this spark from Araby. But they have reason and discipline, and will have opportunity.
“I am telling you too long and dull a story. But having these outlines, you may afterward take pleasure in learning many details of our history. It is full of romantic adventure and Christian heroism.
“Have I wearied you?”