In short, everything delighted her. And though she said least about it, she was, perhaps, best pleased with the mansion itself. It was larger and more imposing than she expected, and she again thought what a fine thing it would be to be mistress of such a splendid place.
Lady Webb was just as much struck with the castle and its surroundings as her daughter, and fondly hoped that she might soon have a stronger interest in the place. Her ladyship was conversing with Father Norman, and all she heard about the young earl heightened her desire to call him her son-in-law. Father Norman spoke with the greatest warmth of his lordship’s goodness of heart, noble qualities, and chivalrous character.
“He is like Bayard himself,” he said; “a chevalier without fear and without reproach.”
“With such a splendid mansion as this, and with such wealth as his lordship possesses, ’tis a wonder he does, not marry,” remarked Lady Webb.
“His lordship will never marry except for love,” replied the priest.
“That is perfectly consistent with the noble and disinterested character you have given him,” said Lady Webb. “But I should have thought,” she added, glancing towards Dorothy, “that a very charming young friend of ours might have touched his heart.”
“Apparently not,” replied Father Norman. “I myself should have been well pleased if such had been the case. But I do not think Lord Derwentwater will marry till our rightful king is restored.”
“Then he may have to wait long,” said her ladyship.
At this moment Charles Radclyffe made his appearance.
Seeing him return alone, Lady Webb and her daughter began to have some misgivings, but they were quickly set at rest by Charles, and a few minutes later his lordship himself was seen at the end of the terrace.
Lord Derwentwater was, of course, accompanied by the prince, but he left him at the further end of the lawn, and went quickly on alone to welcome his visitors.
Oh! how Anna’s heart fluttered as she beheld him.
His devoirs were first paid to Lady Webb, and then to the younger ladies. Dorothy was quite easy in her manner, and shook hands with him warmly, but Anna courtesied deeply to the formal bow he addressed to her. At the same time, the flush on her cheek betrayed the state of her feelings.
Lord Derwentwater could not fail to perceive this, and we doubt not he was much gratified by the discovery, but he was obliged to turn to the others.
Meanwhile, the prince had come up, and in compliance with the instructions he had received, Lord Derwentwater introduced him as Mr. Johnson-but without another word.
Sir John Webb bowed rather stiffly to the stranger, and Forster was scarcely more polite; indeed, very little notice was taken of him, except by the young ladies, both of whom were struck by his manner, and entered into conversation with him.
They soon found out that he was a person of distinction, and, learning that he had only just come from France, felt sure he must be a messenger from the Chevalier de Saint George, and began to question him about the prince, displaying an interest in the cause, that could not but be agreeable to the hearer.
“I shall probably see the prince ere long,” said the Chevalier, “and will not fail to tell him what warm partisans he has among the ladies of Northumberland.”
“Tell him that Dorothy Forster, of Bamborough Castle, will do her best to aid him whenever he comes,” cried that young lady.
“Tell him that Anna Webb begins to think he never means to come at all, and fears he has forgotten his friends,” added the other.
“Both messages shall reach him, I promise you,” said the prince. “And when he learns how surpassingly beautiful are the two damsels who sent them he will be doubly gratified.”
“We need no compliments,” said Anna. “For my part I am out of patience with the prince.”
“Why so?”
“Because he neglects so many opportunities. He might be on the throne now, had he chosen.”
“The prince has neglected no chance. But you are not aware of the difficulties he has had to encounter.”