Woven with the Ship: A Novel of 1865

  CHAPTER XVIII

  "BUT YET A WOMAN"

  Revere had pulled in many an Academy boat race. He had stroked hiscutter many a time when a cadet, but he never put so much vim andforce into the oars as he did that morning. In an incredibly shorttime he was at the landing-place. Forgetful of his condition, hebounded up the hill as if he had been a boy. Emily and the admiralwere still on the porch. Emily was looking very subdued and sad, andthere was a world of entreaty in the agonized glance she cast uponhim. His radiant face gave her delightful assurance, which his wordsturned into ecstasy. He chose a novel way of announcing his news toher.

  "Admiral Stewart," he said, precipitately, as he stopped panting, "Ihave the honor to ask you for the hand of your granddaughter, MissEmily. I love her and I--I have reason to believe that she----"

  He hesitated and looked at the blushing girl, who had sprung to herfeet at his first word, and now stood poised as if for flight.

  It was all right, then; he was released, he was free! She knew that hewould never have spoken to her grandfather unless he could honorablydo so. Her heart that had been so heavy was leaping in her bosom atthe gladsome thought. Free to love her, free to take her for his own!The other girl had given him up, then. How could she do it? But shehad! And he was hers now! She must go away, though, while the two mentalked it over.

  She turned swiftly toward the entrance to the house. The admiral, wideawake instantly, turned and caught her by the hand. Escape cut off,she dropped on her knees by the old man's side. What answer would hergrandfather make? What would he say or do?

  "Child," he said at last, fondly looking down at her, "is this true?"

  "True that he loves me, grandfather? He--he says so, sir."

  "Do you believe him, my dear?"

  "I--yes, sir; I think I do."

  "And I do, too, Emily. If ever I heard truth ring in a man's voice, Ihear it now. But this is not all. Do you love him, daughter?"

  "Yes, grandfather," she whispered, "I'm afraid--I do."

  She hid her face in her hands on his knee, and the old man laid hishand softly on her head, murmuring words of prayer and blessing. AsRevere watched them he thought they made a perfect pair.

  "Are you able to support a wife, lad?" asked the veteran, at last, ashe stroked the sunny hair of his granddaughter.

  "Yes, sir; amply able."

  "You have something more than a lieutenant's pay, then?"

  "Yes, sir; I have a private fortune of my own."

  "And your mother?"

  "I have not told her yet, sir; but she is coming to call upon youimmediately, and then I shall do so. I have no doubt what her answerwill be; although, whatever it be, I am a man in years and my ownmaster, and----"

  "Nay, lad, a man's never wholly his own master in the presence of agood mother, and I'd have no child of mine coldly welcomed into anyfamily. We shall see what your mother says. If she be content, I shallbe very glad. You have no other tie?"

  Emily lifted her head and looked at Revere as this question was put.There were tears in her eyes and her heart almost ceased beating. Shewas sure of the answer, yet she longed to hear his specific reply.

  "No, sir," answered the young man, boldly.

  "Oh, Richard!" exclaimed Emily; "and Josephine!"

  "Josephine!" said the old man; "who is she?"

  "A connection of my family, sir, who has just announced to me herengagement to an estimable young man of our acquaintance."

  "Richard," said Emily, springing to her feet, "you don't mean it?"

  "I do. Will you kiss me now, Emily?"

  Forgetful of the old man, she sprang into his arms.

  "Children, children!" said the admiral, smiling indulgently; "you arein a great hurry, it seems to me. Ah, well, I remember when I was alad, so many years ago, I was in a hurry, too. Now I wait.Indifferently I wait. It cannot be much longer, and yet, for yoursake, dear child, I was loath to go. Now, please God,--and yourmother, young sir,--the child will be cared for. We can go now, I andthe ship. I trust I will be able to leave you in love's hands; in thehands of a gentleman and a sailor, an officer of the navy of theUnited States,--your mother consenting, my lad,--that is as I wouldhave it. Revere, may God bless you as you deal tenderly and lovinglywith this daughter of my old, old age."

  "And may God judge me, sir, if I do not so," answered Richard,solemnly.

  "This kiss is for you, grandfather," answered the happy Emily, turningto him.