CHAPTER XXXVII.
REST AND HAPPINESS.
Rat, tat, tat! Thump, thump! Bang!
So noisy and persistent an assault on my door roused me at length from adelicious slumber. I sat up, rubbing my blinking eyes.
"Who's there?" I called in a drowsy tone.
"It's nine o'clock, sir," responded the voice of Baptiste. "I thoughtyou would wish to know it," he added, and with that he went shufflingdown the corridor.
Nine o'clock! And I had slept several hours over my usual time ofrising! This was the result of sitting up so late the night before. Iwas wide awake instantly. I sprang out of bed, broke the thin crust ofice on my basin, and plunged hands and face into the bitter cold water.A brisk rubbing with a towel put me all aglow, and I felt what a goodthing it was to be alive. The past, with its perils and hardships, wasbehind me like a dim dream, and the future was rose-colored in spite ofthe grim spectre of war that it held over us in those days.
This was to be an eventful morning, in a way, for I had a happy piece ofnews to impart to Flora; I thought of it constantly as I dressed--anoperation to which of late I devoted much care and attention. Fromregions downstairs--I was in the factor's house--came the rattle ofdishes and a murmur of voices. Out of doors the frosty air was filledwith the hum of busy human life.
But I forget that I owe the reader an explanation. The day of which Iwrite was the 9th of January, 1847, and just one week after we enteredFort Garry and exchanged the harsh monotony of travel for the comfortsof this nourishing post in the western wilderness.
I need dwell but briefly on the interval. The journey from Fort Charterhad been severe and trying, protracted by furious storms that held us incamp for days at a time. But we were not attacked on the way--indeed, wesaw no signs of Indians--and every one of our little band had comesafely down from the North, through the heart of the Great Lone Land. Ithad been a disappointment to spend Christmas in the wilderness, but ourtrials were forgotten when we reached the fort.
But of these matters enough for the present. I must return to where Ileft off, and continue the narrative. When I had finished dressing thatmorning I went downstairs to the factor's living room, meeting no one onthe way except Christopher Burley, who was too absorbed in thought toreturn my greeting.
I opened the door softly, and beheld an attractive picture. The sunlightshone on rugs and easy-chairs, on walls hung with tastefully chosenprints, on a table spread for two, with snowy linen and white china. Tomy relief, the room had but one occupant, and that was Flora. She wasstanding by the window, and as I entered she turned round quickly. Shelooked radiantly beautiful in a frock of some pink material with herrich hair coiled in a new and becoming fashion.
"Denzil, how late you are!" she cried, with a roguish pout. "They haveall finished breakfast long ago. But I waited for you, sir, and amnearly famished. You do not deserve--"
She got no further, for by this time I was at her side, and had stoppedher pretty lips with a kiss--nay, a shower of them.
"Darling, I have news for you," I said, a moment later.
"Well, what is it?" she asked, blushing as she spoke.
"I had a long talk with Mr. Macdonald last night," I replied. "A betterfellow never lived. I told him all, and--and he is anxious to have awedding at Fort Garry."
"Is he?"
"Yes, that's what he said. It will sort of cheer up things, you know,and--"
"But he has one wife already."
"Don't be stupid," said I. "Listen: he is going to send a man off to-dayfor the priest, who is visiting a little settlement fifty miles to thesouth. In a week, if you are willing, we can be married."
"In a week!" she cried, with mock consternation.
"I am serious," I replied. "Do not play with me. Think how long I havewaited. Say that you will be my wife in a week's time."
"You foolish boy!" She nestled closer to me, adding, in a different andtremulous voice: "I am yours, dearest. I will marry you whenever youwish."
Our lips met, and then I held her at arm's length, looking into her big,purple eyes, soft and shining with the light of love.
"I am the happiest man in the world," I said hoarsely.
"You deserve it," Flora answered.
"And I am glad to feel that we are carrying out the wishes of GriffithHawke. Poor fellow! he was a true friend; and so was Captain Rudstone. Ioften think of his sad fate."
"I never liked Captain Rudstone," said Flora. "I feared and mistrustedhim. And I have seen him looking at you so queerly sometimes, Denzil."
"Have you?" I replied. "I have noticed the same thing myself. But Ican't believe--"
"Hush! we won't talk of the past," Flora interrupted. "But the futureworries me, dearest. I am afraid of war breaking out--"
"The cloud will likely blow over," said I; "but if trouble does come theNorthwest Company will quickly get the worst of it. And I forgot to tellyou, darling, that Mr. Macdonald has promised me a good post here atFort Garry."
"How lovely," exclaimed Flora. "I don't want to return to the North,with its bitter memories."
Just then footsteps were heard approaching, and we drew apart in someconfusion. The next instant the door opened and the factor himselfappeared, nourishing a paper in one hand.