CHAPTER L.
THEY gave a long time to pure joy before either of them cared to putquestions or compare notes. But at last he asked her, "Who was on theisland besides her?"
"Oh," said she, "only my guardian angel. Poor Mr. Welch died the firstweek we were here."
He parted the hair on her brow, and kissed it tenderly. "And who is yourguardian angel?"
"Why, you are now, my own papa; and well you have proved it. To think ofyour being the one to come, at your age!"
"Well, never mind me. Who has taken such care of my child?--this the sickgirl they frightened me about!"
"Indeed, papa, I was a dying girl. My very hand was wasted. Look at itnow; brown as a berry, but so plump; you owe that to him. And, papa, Ican walk twenty miles without fatigue. And so strong; I could take you upin my arms and carry, I know. But I am content to eat you." (A shower ofkisses.) "I hope you will like him."
"My own Helen. Ah! I am a happy old man this day. What is his name?"
"Mr. Hazel. He is a clergyman. Oh, papa, I hope you _will_ like him, forhe has saved my life more than once. And then he has been so generous, sodelicate, so patient; for I used him very ill at first; and you will findmy character as much improved as my health; and all owing to Mr. Hazel.He is a clergyman; and, oh, so good, so humble, so clever, soself-denying! Ah! how can I ever repay him?"
"Well, I shall be glad to see this paragon, and shake him by the hand.You may imagine what I feel to any one that is kind to my darling. An oldgentleman? about my age?"
"Oh, no, papa"
"Hum!"
"If he had been old I should not be here; for he has had to fight for meagainst cruel men with knives; and work like a horse. He built me a hut,and made me this cave, and almost killed himself in my service. Poor Mr.Hazel!"
"How old is he?"
"Dearest papa, I never asked him that; but I think he is four or fiveyears older than me, and a hundred years better than I shall ever be, Iam afraid. What is the matter, darling?"
"Nothing, child, nothing."
"Don't tell me. Can't I read your dear face?"
"Come, let me read yours. Look me in the face, now; full."
He took her by the shoulders, firmly, but not the least roughly, andlooked straight into her hazel eyes. She blushed at this ordeal--blushedscarlet; but her eyes, pure as Heaven, faced his fairly, though with apuzzled look.
He concluded this paternal inspection by kissing her on the brow. "I wasan old fool," he muttered.
"What do you say, dear papa?"
"Nothing, nothing. Kiss me again. Well, love, you had better find thisguardian angel of yours, that I may take him by the hand and give him afather's blessing, and make him some little return by carrying him hometo England along with my darling."
"I'll call him, papa. Where can he be gone, I wonder?"
She ran out to the terrace, and called:
"Mr. Hazel! Mr. Hazel! I don't see him; but he can't be far off. Mr.Hazel!"
Then she came back and made her father sit down; and she sat at his kneebeaming with delight.
"Ah, papa," said he, "it was you who loved me best in England. It was youthat came to look for me."
"No," said he, "there are others there that love you as well in theirway. Poor Wardlaw! on his sickbed for you, cut down like a flower themoment he heard you were lost in the _Proserpine._ Ah, and I have brokenfaith."
"That is a story," said Helen; "you couldn't."
"For a moment, I mean; I promised the dear old man--he furnished theship, the men, and the money to find you. He says you are as much hisdaughter as mine."
"Well, but what did you promise him?" said Helen, blushing andinterrupting hastily, for she could not bear the turn matters weretaking.
"Oh, only to give you the second kiss from Arthur. Come, better late thannever." She knelt before him and put out her forehead instead of herlips. "There," said the general, "that kiss is from Arthur Wardlaw, yourintended. Why, who the deuce is this?"
A young man was standing wonder-struck at the entrance, and had heard thegeneral's last words; they went through him like a knife. GeneralRolleston stared at him.
Helen uttered an ejaculation of pleasure, and said, "This is my dearfather, and he wants to thank you--"
"I don't understand this," said the general. "I thought you told me therewas nobody on the island but you and your guardian angel. Did you countthis poor fellow for nobody? Why, he did you a good turn once."
"Oh, papa!" said Helen, reproachfully.
"Why, this is my guardian angel. This is Mr. Hazel."
The general looked from one to another in amazement, then he said toHelen,
"This your Mr. Hazel?"
"Yes, papa."
"Why, you don't mean to tell me you don't know this man?"
"Know him, papa! why, of course I know Mr. Hazel; know him and reverehim, beyond all the world, except you."
The general lost patience. "Are you out of your senses?" said he; "thisman here is no Hazel. Why, this is James Seaton--our gardener--aticket-of-leave man."