CHAPTER XXII.
Things having begun to progress favorably over in England we will take atrip across the Channel.
Martin was recovering rapidly, to the great satisfaction of Dr. Fox, andthe doctor was not alone in declaring that to the nurse, or nursing, orboth, belonged the credit of the cure. And many were the sly remarks andglances bestowed on the patient and nurse when they indulged in the nowdaily stroll, always accompanied by Carden, or the doctor, or Mr.Stafford--sometimes all three.
News spreads rapidly in a small place. Each one's affairs is the concernof all the rest, and from sly looks and remarks it began to be rumoredthat Miss Stafford and Martin were to be married as soon as the latterwas fully recovered. A little later the day was fixed, and finally, aweek after the engagement had been officially announced, (by thegossips), Mr. Stafford was almost paralyzed by being asked for aninvitation to his daughter's marriage.
The request was made jestingly, and came from a wealthy gentleman whoseacquaintance he had formed since arriving in Ireland.
Notwithstanding the jesting tone, the explanation which followedawakened Mr. Stafford to the fact that there was considerable talk goingon concerning his daughter and Martin. Had this gossip been confined tothe poorer classes, he would have paid no attention; but the fact ofthis friend speaking of it--even in jest--proved that it was not, and hebecame rather alarmed. Mr. Stafford had the greatest regard for Martin,and liked him well enough to make that detestable trip to Ireland; butKate was already engaged to one man, and certainly must have caredsomething for him when she consented to the engagement, and neitherMartin nor Kate must cause any more such talk.
Meeting Carden shortly after, he asked bluntly whether he knew anything,and related what he had heard, but Carden knew nothing.
Carden did suspect a great deal, but he did not care to express hisviews on the subject, and remained quiet.
Mr. Stafford was dissatisfied, and, being aroused now, he determined toget at the bottom of the matter. There being but two people left, andthey the principals, he chose Kate as the easiest to approach on thesubject. Here again he was disappointed; for on telling what he hadheard, she simply smiled.
"Why, papa!" she said, "how ridiculous to pay attention to such idletalk! If Mr. Martin should hear of this he would not allow us to remainan hour. And you know we are considerably indebted to him."
There was no blushing or confusion--no awkward attempt atexplanation--and Mr. Stafford was completely crushed. Had he seenCarden, just a few minutes previous, telling Kate that her father wouldprobably call on her shortly regarding certain queer stories regardingherself and Martin, and then leave at once without waiting to see theeffect of his words, he would not perhaps have been crushed socompletely. She did blush then--very furiously, too.
However, Mr. Stafford was soon relieved of "the infernal Irish and theirconfounded stories," for in the course of a few days Martin, who wasagain becoming uneasy and anxious to get back to London, obtained Dr.Fox's consent to make the trip; and in recognition of his kindness, ashe considered it, Martin insisted that the doctor should accompany them.
"I'll make it good, Doctor," he said. "You can put some other poor chapin your place, and give him a chance to make something."
And so it was arranged, with the addition of Julia Farrell, Martin'sfirst nurse. Just how to recompense her at present for her goodness tohim he did not know. In the future he had something laid out for her,but did not care to spoil it by being premature; and accordingly, tokeep her in the way of doing better and of being in a better positionthan she could possibly reach in the "Blessert Arms," Martin requestedher to accompany them to England, and with Mrs. Moran's assistancepersuaded her to do so. To Mrs. Moran he confided his intentionsregarding Julia, and to help in carrying them out, left a message forO'Brien.
The decision to start was arrived at on Thursday, and the time ofdeparture fixed for Saturday morning, to catch the night boat fromDublin and still leave time for a little rest before crossing theChannel. This was strictly in accordance with Dr. Fox's schedule, andthey spent an hour or two during the afternoon looking around Dublin.
On returning to the hotel, they were considerably surprised to findO'Brien awaiting them; even Martin, who had left the message for him,was a little surprised. For reasons of his own, Martin was pleased tohave him with them, and the party started in very good spirits forEngland.
The voyage was quick, and easy and uneventful, and immediately onarrival, and _not_ in accordance with Dr. Fox's schedule, they proceededto Hanley Hall, where they received a warm welcome from everybody--butespecially so at the Hall itself, where Mrs. Stafford, Miss Fleming andher late escort to Dover, Squire Gerard, were awaiting them.
The three strangers, Julia, the doctor and O'Brien, were made especiallywelcome, when it was known the various parts they had played inconnection with Martin's trouble.
Next morning a message was received from Blount. Their arrival had notescaped him--at least Martin's had not, for the message was directed tohim.
The letter announced that Blount had managed to have Hall committed fortrial; that the trial would come on shortly, and desired to know whetherMartin would be able to go to Dover to attend the trial, or if it wouldbe necessary to take his testimony in writing. Incidentally he mentionedO'Brien's name.
Immediately on receipt of this letter Martin did two things, of one ofwhich Blount became aware very quickly, and which caused himconsiderable irritation. The other, had he known of it, would have madehim exceedingly angry.
First Martin wrote a letter to Mr. Blount, informing him in the mostdistinct and emphatic style that he would not appear against Hallregarding the duel in any manner.
Next he sent for O'Brien, who had obtained an extended leave of absencebefore starting from Dublin, and showed him Blount's letter and hisreply.
"Now, O'Brien," he said, "I know it is asking a great deal just atpresent, but I want you to go right to Dover and thence to Calais, whereyou must stay until this trial is over. I will let you know the verymoment you can come back, and (with a quizzical smile) I know you willnot delay. Will you go? You understand why I ask you to do this."
O'Brien cheerfully volunteered to put himself out of Blount's reach, andstarted that afternoon for Dover.