but you and I.?
“No one ever shall. How did you do it, Uncle??
“Just slipped out of the long study window and got him cannily off,
for the air and motion, after a dash of cold water, brought him
around, and he was glad to be safely landed at home. His rooms
are below, you know, so no one was disturbed, and I left him
sleeping nicely.?
“Thank you so much,” sighed Rose. “And Brutus? Weren’t they
frightened when he got back alone??
“Not at all. The sagacious beast went quietly to the stable, and the
sleepy groom asked no questions, for Charlie often sends the horse
round by himself when it is late or stormy. Rest easy, dear no eye
but ours saw the poor lad come and go, and we’ll forgive it for
love’s sake.?
“Yes, but not forget it. I never can, and he will never be again to
me the Charlie I’ve been so proud and fond of all these years. Oh,
Uncle, such a pity! Such a pity!?
“Don’t break your tender heart about it, child, for it is not
incurable, thank God! I don’t make light of it, but I am sure that
under better influences Charlie will redeem himself because his
impulses are good and this his only vice. I can hardly blame him
for what he is, because his mother did the harm. I declare to you,
Rose, I sometimes feel as if I must break out against that woman
and thunder in her ears that she is ruining the immortal soul for
which she is responsible to heaven!?
Dr. Alec seldom spoke in this way, and when he did it was rather
awful, for his indignation was of the righteous sort and such
thunder often rouses up a drowsy soul when sunshine has no
effect. Rose liked it, and sincerely wished Aunt Clara had been
there to get the benefit of the outbreak, for she needed just such an
awakening from the self-indulgent dream in which she lived.
“Do it, and save Charlie before it is too late!” she cried, kindling
herself as she watched him, for he looked like a roused lion as he
walked about the room with his hand clenched and a spark in his
eye, evidently in desperate earnest and ready to do almost
anything.
“Will you help?” he asked, stopping suddenly with a look that
made her stand up straight and strong as she answered with an
eager voice: “I will.?
“Then don’t love him yet.?
That startled her, but she asked steadily, though her heart began to
beat and her color to come: “Why not??
“Firstly, because no woman should give her happiness into the
keeping of a man without fixed principles; secondly, because the
hope of being worthy of you will help him more than any prayers
or preaching of mine. Thirdly, because it will need all our wit and
patience to undo the work of nearly four and twenty years. You
understand what I mean??
“Yes, sir.?
“Can you say ‘no’ when he asks you to say ‘yes’ and wait a little for
your happiness??
“I can.?
“And will you??
“I will.?
“Then I’m satisfied, and a great weight taken off my heart. I can’t
help seeing what goes on, or trembling when I think of you setting
sail with no better pilot than poor Charlie. Now you answer as I
hoped you would, and I am proud of my girl!?
They had been standing with the width of the room between them,
Dr. Alec looking very much like a commander issuing orders,
Rose like a well-drilled private obediently receiving them, and
both wore the air of soldiers getting ready for a battle, with the
bracing of nerves and quickening of the blood brave souls feel as
they put on their armor. At the last words he went to her, brushed
back the hair, and kissed her on the forehead with a tender sort of
gravity and a look that made her feel as if he had endowed her
with the Victoria Cross for courage on the field.
No more was said then, for Aunt Plenty called them down and the
day’s duties began. But that brief talk showed Rose what to do and