“Then you may expect him, Randal, but of course he will come secretly.”
“When I heard of your arrival, I thought at first ’twas he,” said the old steward. “But I will now leave you—unless you require my assistance. Breakfast shall be prepared for you in the great hall.”
He then left the chamber, and Standish arose. Before accoutring himself, he ascertained that the jewel cases were safe. Linacre made his appearance in time to buckle on his corslet.
“I know not how long I shall remain here,” said Standish. “But hold yourself in readiness for instant departure.”
Linacre promised obedience.
The apartment Standish had occupied was situated in the great gallery, which now seemed completely deserted, though it had not been robbed of the noble family portraits that adorned it.
As he marched along he perceived Maria in the distance. She instantly recognised him, and uttering a cry of delight, flew towards him, and kissed his hand.
“Oh! how delighted the señorita will be to learn you are come at last!” she exclaimed. “She has been quite in despair, but will now revive. She has never ceased to regret that she left Lathom House.”
All this was spoken in Spanish, but her hearer quite understood it, and made the best reply he could.
“Tell her I am most anxious to see her,” he said. “I only arrived here last night, and may not remain long. I am now going down to breakfast in the banqueting-hall. Perhaps she will join me there”
“I am sure she will,” cried Maria. “She has not yet left her room. But she will come to you as soon as she can. Oh! how she will thank me for my good news!”
And she hurried off to convey it, while Standish descended the magnificent staircase, and proceeded to the banqueting-hall.
One or two persons were to be seen in this vast apartment, which used formerly to be thronged with serving-men and guests. These were Randal Fermor and another servant who were spreading a cloth at the upper end of the long oak table.
“It has occurred to me that your honour may like to breakfast with your friends,” said Randal. “Shall I arrange it so?”
“By all means,” replied Standish.
So great was his impatience to behold Engracia that he thought it an age before she appeared with Maria, though in reality not many minutes had flown.
It was a rapturous meeting, for the frank-hearted Spanish damsel did not attempt to conceal her delight, and her lover could not repress his ardour. As he held her hand, and gazed into her splendid black eyes, he thought her looking more beautiful than ever, and told her so with a warmth that left no doubt of his sincerity.
Their first transports over, they proceeded to the further end of the hall, where their discourse would be unheard, for he had much to say to her.
In the first place, he had to assure the lovely mistress of his heart that his devotion was unaltered, and, if possible, stronger than ever, while she declared that he had never for a single moment been absent from her thoughts.
“I have had nothing else to do but think of you, caro,” she said, “and pray that you would soon come to me. I have thought of you at all times, and in all places, but especially on the lake. Our separation has been so long, that I sometimes began to fear I should never behold you again—and that fear almost broke my heart. But at last you are come. I behold you again, and nothing can equal my bliss. Promise not to leave me, or I shall become miserable again.”
“I will not deceive you, my beloved!” cried Standish. “Nothing would give me so much delight as to stay with you—nothing will pain me more than to quit you. But I am not my own master. I should not have left Lathom House—I should not have deserted the countess, had she not sent me on a special mission. I have come here to meet the Earl of Derby.”
“Then it is not to see me that you have come—as I fondly persuaded myself?” she cried, somewhat piqued.