CHAPTER XIII
THE SWEETNESS OF LOVE
"Still, I'm glad you inquired," Mrs. Forbes said to her husband. "Andthat there's nothing derogatory to the young man. He's likely now tosettle down, and he will have a fine chance with Mr. Carrick, whocertainly is taking fortune at the flood tide. And one can guess whatwill happen."
"A woman generally guesses that. I hoped it would be Langdale. He is afine fellow, and will make his mark," was the reply.
"Daffodil isn't in love with military life. Most girls are;" laughing."Why, I never had two thoughts about the matter. I must give them alittle tea again."
"Ask Jack Remsen and Peggy Ray, and make them happy, but leave out thelieutenant. Something surely happened between them."
Andsdell came to the Carricks according to agreement. How cosy theplace looked, with the great blaze of the logs in the fireplace, thatshed a radiance around. He was formally presented to Mrs. Carrick andthe Bradins. Daffodil and her mother sat in the far corner, with twocandles burning on the light stand. The girl was knitting some finethread stockings, with a new pattern of clocks, that Jane had sent herfrom Philadelphia. Felix had a cold, and had gone to bed immediatelyafter supper, and they were all relieved at that.
Jeffrey Andsdell had stated his case. He was tired of desultorywandering, and seven-and-twenty was high time to take up some lifework. He was the fourth son of a titled family, with no especiallonging for the army or the church, therefore he, like other young menwithout prospects, had emigrated. The heir to the title and estates,the elder brother, was married and had two sons, the next one wasmarried also, but so far had only girls, and the entail was in themale line. The brother next older than Jeffrey had been a sort ofimbecile, and died. But there was no chance of his succeeding, so hemust make his own way. He had spent two years at Richmond andWilliamsburg, then at Philadelphia. At Williamsburg he had taken quitea fancy to the stage, and achieved some success, but the company haddisbanded. It was a rather precarious profession at best, though hehad tried a little of it in London.
The straightforward story tallied with Captain Forbes' information.True, there was one episode he had not dwelt upon, it would never comeup in this new life. How he had been crazy enough to take such a stephe could not now imagine. But it was over, and done with, andhenceforward life should be an honorable success.
Daffodil listened between counting her stitches. She stole shy glancesnow and then, he sat so the firelight threw up his face in strongrelief. The brown hair had a little tumbled look, the remnant of someboyish curls. The features were good, rather of the aquiline order,the eyes well opened, of a sort of nondescript hazel, the brown beardworn in the pointed style, with a very narrow moustache, for the upperlip was short and the smiling aspect not quite hidden.
When he rose to go the ladies rose also. He shook hands, and heldDaffodil's a moment with a pressure that brought a faint color to hersoft cheek.
"He is very much of a gentleman," commented Mrs. Bradin. "And, takingup a steady occupation is greatly to his credit. Though it seems as ifa soldier's life would have been more to his taste."
"I am glad he did not fight against us," said Barbe.
"Some have, and have repented," added her husband, with a touch ofhumor in his tone. "And we are large-minded enough to forgive them."
Daffodil did not see him until she went over to the Fort. Langdaledropped in to see her, but there was no cordial invitation to remain.He knew later on that Andsdell was there, and in his heart he felt itwas not Archie who would be his strongest rival. If there wassomething that could be unearthed against the Englishman!
The Remsens, mother and son, were very agreeable people, quitesingers, but there was no piano for accompaniment, though there wereflutes and violins at the Fort. Andsdell, after some pressing, sangalso, and his voice showed training. Then he repeated a scene from"The Tempest" that enchanted his hearers. Daffodil was curiously proudof him.
"You did not haunt the woods much," he began on the way home. "Ilooked for you."
"Did you?" Her heart beat with delicious pleasure. "But I did notpromise to come."
"No. But I looked all the same, day after day. What were you so busyabout?"
"Oh, I don't know. I thought--that perhaps it wasn't quite--right;"hesitatingly.
"It will be right now." He pressed the arm closer that had beenslipped in his. Then they were silent, but both understood. There wassomething so sweet and true about her, so delicate, yet wise, thatneeded no blurting out of any fact, for both to take it into theirlives.
"And who was there to-night?" asked her mother, with a little fear.For Mrs. Forbes would hardly know how matters stood between her andLieutenant Langdale.
"The Remsens only. And they sing beautifully together. Oh, it wasreally charming. Mrs. Remsen asked me to visit her. It's odd, mother,but do you know my friends have mostly fallen out! So many of thegirls have married, and I seem older than the others. Does a year ortwo change one so? I sometimes wonder if I was the eager little girlwho went to Philadelphia, and to whom everything was a delight."
"You are no longer a little girl."
"And at the nutting the other day, I went to please Felix, you know.But the boys seemed so rough. And though I climbed a tree when theyall insisted, I--I was ashamed;" and her face was scarlet.
Yes, the Little Girl was gone forever.
Her mother kissed her, and she felt now that her child would need noone to tell her what love was like. For it took root in one's heart,and sprang up to its hallowed blooming.
It was too soon for confidences. Dilly did not know that she had anythat could be put into words. Only the world looked beautiful andbright, as if it was spring, instead of winter.
"You've changed again," Felix said observantly. "You're very sweet,Dilly. Maybe as girls grow older they grow sweeter. I shan't mind yourbeing an old maid if you stay like this. Dilly, didn't you ever have abeau? It seems to me no one has come----"
"Oh, you silly child!" She laughed and blushed.
There were sleighing parties and dances. It is odd that in somecommunities a girl is so soon dropped out. The dancing parties, ratherrough frolics they were, took in the girls from twelve to sixteen, andeach one strove boldly for a beau. She was not going to be left behindin the running. But Daffodil Carrick was already left behind, theythought, though she was asked to the big houses, and the dinners, andteas at the Fort.
Andsdell dropped in now and then ostensibly to consult Mr. Carrick.Then he was invited to tea on Sunday night, and to dinner at theholidays, when he summoned courage to ask Bernard Carrick for hisdaughter.
For he had begun a new life truly. The past was buried, and neverwould be exhumed. And why should a man's whole life be blighted by amoment of folly!
They grew brave enough to look at one another in the glowingfirelight, even if the family were about. One evening she stepped outin the moonlight with him. There was a soft snow on the ground, andsome of the branches were yet jewelled with it. Half the lovers in thetown would have caught a handful of it and rubbed crimson roses on hercheeks. He said, "Daffodil," and drew her closely in his arms, kissedthe lips that throbbed with bashful joy and tremulous sweetness.
"Dear, I love you. And you--you are mine."
There was a long delicious breath. The story of love is easily toldwhen both understand the divine language.
She came in glowing, with eyes like stars, and went straight to hermother, who was sitting alone. Both of the men had gone to someborough business. She kissed her joyous secret into the waiting heart.
"You love him. You know now what love is? That is the way I loved yourfather."
"It is wonderful, isn't it? You grow into it, hardly knowing, and thenit is told without words, though the words come afterward. Oh, did youthink----"
"Foolish child, we all saw. He carried the story in his eyes. Yourfather knew. He has been very honest and upright. Oh, my dear, I am soglad for you. Marriage is the crown of womanhood."
Her mother
drew her down in her lap. Daffodil's arms were around herneck, and they were heart to heart, a happy mother and a happy child.
"You will not mind if I go to bed? I--I want to be alone."
"No, dear. Happy dreams, whether you wake or sleep."
She lay in a delicious tremor. There was a radiant light all abouther, though the room was dark. This was what it was to be loved and tolove, and she could not tell which was best.
Then at home he was her acknowledged lover. He came on Wednesday nightand Sunday to tea. But Norry soon found it out, and was glad for her.Grandad teased her a little.
"And you needn't think I'm going to leave you any fortune," he said,almost grumblingly. "The blamed whiskey tax is eating it up everyyear, and the little left will go to Felix. You have all that landover there that you don't need more than a dog needs two tails. Well,I think there are times when a dog would be glad to wag both, if hehad 'em. That will be enough for you and your children. But I'll danceat the wedding."
Barbe Carrick looked over the chest of treasures that she had beenadding to year after year. There was _her_ wedding gown, and it hadbeen her mother's before her. The lace was exquisite, and no one coulddo such needlework nowadays. What if it had grown creamy by age, thatonly enhanced it.
Here were the other things she had accumulated, sometimes with a panglest they should not be needed. Laid away in rose leaves and lavenderblooms. Oh, how daintily sweet they were, but not sweeter than thegirl who was to have them. And here were some jewels that had beengreat-grandmother Duvernay's. She would have no mean outfit to handdown again to posterity.
Barbe was doubly glad that she would live here. She could not bearthe thought of her going away, and a soldier's wife was never quitesure where he might be called, or into what danger. There would be anice home not very far away, there would be sweet, daintygrandchildren. It was worth waiting for.
Jeffrey Andsdell was minded not to wait very long. Love was growing bywhat it fed upon, but he wanted the feast daily. They could stay athome until their new house was built.
"We ought to go over across the river," she said, "and be pioneers inthe wilderness. And, oh, there is one thing that perhaps you won'tlike. Whoever married me was to take the name of Duvernay, go back tothe French line."
"Why, yes, I like that immensely." That would sever the last link. Hewould be free of all the old life.
"It isn't as pretty as yours."
"Oh, do you think so? Now, I am of the other opinion;" laughing intoher lovely eyes.
She grew sweeter day by day, even her mother could see that. Yes, lovewas the atmosphere in which a woman throve.
Barbe settled the wedding time. "When the Daffodils are in bloom," shesaid, and the lover agreed.
Archie Langdale wrote her a brotherly letter, but said, "If you couldput it off until my vacation. I'm coming back to take another year,there have been so many new discoveries, and I want to get to the verytop. Dilly--that was the child's name, I used to have a little dreamabout you. You know I was a dull sort of fellow, always stuffing myhead with books, and you were sweet and never flouted me. I loved youvery much. I thought you would marry Ned, and then you would be mysister, you could understand things that other girls didn't. I amquite sure he loved you, too. But your happiness is the first thing tobe considered, and I hope you will be very happy."
The engagement was suspected before it was really admitted. There werevarious comments, of course. Daffodil Carrick had been waiting forsomething fine, and she could afford to marry a poor man with herpossible fortune, and her father's prosperity. And some day a girlwould be in luck to get young Sandy Carrick.
Lieutenant Langdale took it pretty hard. He had somehow hoped againsthope, for he believed the Carricks would refuse a man who had come astranger in the place. If he could call him out and shoot him down ina duel! He shut himself up in his room, and drank madly for two daysbefore he came to his senses.
March came in like the lion and then dropped down with radiant sunsthat set all nature aglow. There were freshets, but they did littledamage. Trees budded and birds came and built in the branches. Beesflew out in the sunshine, squirrels chattered, and the whole world wasgay and glad.
One day the lovers went up the winding path to the old hill-top, whereJeffrey insisted he had first lost his heart to her. They sat on thesame tree trunk, and he said verses to her, but instead of Clorinda itwas Daffodil. And they talked sweet nonsense, such as never goes outof date between lovers. And when they came down they looked at thedaffodil bed. The buds had swollen, some were showing yellow.
"Why, it can be next week!" cried the lover joyously.
"Yes," said the mother, with limpid eyes, remembering when the childwas born.
There was not much to make ready. The cake had been laid away toseason, so that it would cut nicely. There was a pretty new churchnow, and the marriage would be solemnized there, with a wedding feastat home, and then a round of parties for several evenings at differenthouses. The Trents had just finished their house, which was consideredquite a mansion, and the carpets had come from France. They would givethe first entertainment.
She had written to her guardian, who sent her a kindly letter, wishingher all happiness. The winter had been a rather hard one for him, foran old enemy that had been held in abeyance for several years,rheumatism, had returned, and though it was routed now, it had lefthim rather enfeebled, otherwise he would have taken the journey to seehis ward, the little girl grown up, whose visit he had enjoyed somuch, and whom he hoped to welcome in his home some time again.
And with it came a beautiful watch and chain. Presents were not muchin vogue in those days, and their rarity made them all the moreprecious.
They dressed the house with daffodils, but the bride-to-be was all inwhite, the veil the great-grandmother had worn in Paris, fastened witha diamond circlet just as she had had it.
"Oh!" Daffodil exclaimed, "if great-grandfather could see me!"
Jeffrey Andsdell took her in his arms and kissed her. This was,indeed, a true marriage, and could there ever be a sweeter bride?
She was smiling and happy, for every one was pleased, so why shouldshe not be! She even forgot the young man pacing about the Fortwishing--ah, what could he wish except that he was in Andsdell'splace? For surely he was not mean enough to grudge _her_ anyhappiness.
She walked up the church aisle on her lover's arm and next came herparents. Once Andsdell's lips compressed themselves, and a strangepallor and shudder came over him.
Her father gave her away. The clergyman pronounced them man and wife.Then friends thronged around. They were privileged to kiss the bridein those days.
"My wife," was what Jeffrey Andsdell said in a breathless, quiveringtone.
They could not rush out in modern fashion. She cast her smiles onevery side, she was so happy and light-hearted.
They reached the porch just as a coach drove up at furious speed. Awoman sprang out, a tall, imperious-looking person, dressed in grandstyle. Her cheeks were painted, her black eyes snapped defiance. Oneand another fell back and stared as she cried in an imperious tone,looking fiercely at the bride, "Am I too late? Have you married him?But you cannot be his wife. I am his lawful, legal wife, and themother of his son, who is the future heir of Hurst Abbey. I have comefrom England to claim him. His father, the Earl of Wrexham, sends forhim, to have him restored to his ancestral home."
She had uttered this almost in a breath. Daffodil, with the utmostincredulity, turned to her husband and smiled, but the lines almostfroze in her face. For his was deadly white and his eyes were fixed onthe woman with absolute terror.
"It is God's own truth," she continued. "I have your father's letter,and you will hardly disown his signature. Your son is at HurstAbbey----"
"Woman!" he thundered, "it is a base trumped-up lie! There are fourlives between me and the succession, and there may be more."
"There _were_, but last autumn they were all swept suddenly out ofexistence. The Earl was crazed with grief.
I went to him and took hisgrandson, a beautiful child, that would appeal to any heart. And athis desire I have come to America for you."
Jeffrey Andsdell placed his wife in her father's arms. "Take herhome," he said hoarsely, "I will follow and disprove this wild,baseless tale."
Then he pressed her to his heart. "Whatever happens, you are the onlywoman I have ever loved, remember that;" and taking the woman's arm,entered her coach with her.
The small group dispersed without a word. What could be said! Therewas consternation on all faces. Bernard Carrick took his daughterhome. Once her mother kissed the pallid cheek, and essayed some wordof comfort.
"Oh, don't!" she cried piteously. "Let me be still. I must wait andbear it until----"
She did not cry or faint, but seemed turning to stone. And when theyreached the house she went straight through the room where the feastwas spread, to her own, and threw herself on the bed.
"Oh, acushla darlin'," cried Norah, "sure we had the warning when thepear tree bloomed. I said it was trouble without reason, and though Ibroke them all off it couldn't save you."
"Oh, my darlin', God help us all."