‘It’s the old story, of course. I’ve next to nothing, Bella has less. There’s a dragon in the path in the shape of Lady Renshaw, Bella’s aunt. But probably you remember her ladyship?’—Mr Ridsdale nodded.—‘Well, she detests me, and has set her heart on Bella marrying money.’
‘Of course. But what has Miss Wynter herself to say in the matter?’
‘Oh, I think Bella likes me—a little; in fact, I’ve not much doubt on that point, although, like the young person in the play, I’ve never told my love. But she has been brought up to think it a crime to marry a poor beggar without a fortune, and then she’s so completely under the dowager’s thumb that she dare scarcely call her bonnet her own. The Fates only know how it will end.’
‘And you are down here?’——
‘To meet them. I expect them by the next train. Bella corresponds with my sister, and Madge gave me the hint. I got a fortnight’s leave, and made up my mind to follow them; but apparently I’m here first. Of course it would never have done to let Lady R. find me here; she would have taken the alarm at once, and have carried off Bella by the next train. What was to be done? All at once it struck me that I had lately been playing the part of a curate in some amateur theatricals in town. A month hence we are going to play the same comedietta again for another charity, so that, as it happened, I had the togs, obtained for the first performance, still by me. I shaved off my beard and moustache, had my hair and eyebrows dyed black, donned my clerical garb, took a ticket from Euston, and here I am.’
‘Your own mother wouldn’t know you if she were to meet you.’
‘Not much fear of the dowager recognising me, eh?’ asked Mr Dulcimer with a chuckle. Then he added more seriously: ‘If I can only get Bella to myself for an hour while she’s down here—there was no chance of it in town—I’ll know my fate one way or the other. She’s an arrant young flirt, I know; but I’ll have no more of her shilly-shallying; she shall give me a plain Yes or a plain No.’
‘I commend your resolution, and wish you every success with the fair Bella. Of course your secret is quite safe in my hands, and if I can do anything to assist you’——
‘I’m sure you will. Thanks, Ridsdale. Don’t forget that there’s no Dick Dulcimer here. I am’——
‘The Reverend?’——