“Nora,” she said, “this is a strange tale we have heard. I can scarcely believe it. What do you think?”
“I know not,” answered Nora faintly. “But can it be possible that he (Captain Denham I mean) whom we have known so long, who is so refined, so high-born in appearance and manners, can be the son of this wild-looking and ignorant fishwife? and yet, Sophy, she claims him as her son, and he does not deny it; and you observed that mark upon his arm; when she saw it, all doubt vanished. Oh, Sophy, help me, guide me, advise me. What can I do? I did not know till now, when I thought him lost and then had him thus suddenly restored to life, how deeply I loved him. I tell you this, dear cousin, but I would not utter it to any other human being; but what can he be to me for the future? My heart, I feel, will break, Sophy.”
“Trials are sent us for our good, Nora,” said her cousin. “Once I might have thought as you do, that unless his birth was high and noble, equal to your own, no man was worthy to become your husband; but, Nora,” and Lady Sophy heaved a deep sigh, “I have learned to prize a true and noble heart; and if such is his, I cannot tell you that I believe you would be right in discarding him on account of his birth. This is not worldly advice; but I again repeat that I believe, if he is what we have all hitherto supposed him, there is not sufficient cause to refuse him as your husband.”
Nora threw herself into her cousin’s arms.
“Oh, thank you, thank you, dear Sophy,” she exclaimed. “You are right. It was a fearful struggle; but I should have died had I been compelled to give him up. I feel how cruel, how wrong I should have been. I know he loves me, and what a bitter feeling it would have caused his noble heart.”
“Then, Nora, let me go in and tell him that we beg he will come to the castle. I am sure, that without your invitation he would not consent to be removed there.”
“Oh, yes, do, do,” exclaimed Lady Nora. “It will be dreadful for him to have to remain here; for his poor mother would certainly not know how to take proper care of him.”
While this conversation was going on, Mr Finlayson had despatched Shane and Ned Davis, who insisted he was now strong enough for anything, followed by Patrick, with all the ropes and spars they could collect, to go along the beach and assist in the rescue of any of the seamen who might still have escaped drowning, and be even now reaching the shore. He himself, meantime, undertook to ascend the cliff, and send the groom back for a litter on which to carry Captain Denham to the castle. At first, when the proposal was made, he declined leaving his mother’s hut, and it was not till her entreaties had been joined to those of Lady Sophy he consented to place himself in their hands.
“You would greatly disappoint my cousin Nora if you refuse to comply with her request,” whispered Lady Sophy.
It is possible that this remark might have settled the question.