[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
closer to me, "he could do nothing else; you have a perfect right to me." "I have, and I mean to assert it!" I answered. "If I had not found you, I should never have been happy again." "But, Dick, there is one thing I don't at all understand. At dinner this evening the captain addressed you as Sir Richard. What does that mean?" "Why, of course you have not heard!" I cried. "Well, I think it means that Page 133 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html though I cannot make you a marchioness, I can make you a baronet's wife. It remains with you to say whether you will be Lady Hatteras or not." "But are you a baronet, Dick? How did that come about?" "It's a long story, but do you remember my describing to you the strange call I paid, when in England, on my only two relatives in the world?" "The old man and his daughter in the New Forest? Yes, I remember." "Well, they are both dead, and, as the nextofkin, I have inherited the title and estates. What do you think of that?" Her only reply was to kiss me softly on the cheek. She had scarcely done so before her father and Beckenham came along the deck. "Now, Phyllis," said the former, leading her to a seat, "supposing you give us the history of your adventures. Remember we have heard nothing yet." "Very well. Where shall I begin? At the moment I left the house for the ball? Very good. Well, you must know that when I arrived at Government House I met Mrs Mayford the lady who had promised to chaperone me in the cloakroom, and we passed into the ballroom together. I danced the first dance with Captain Hackworth, one of the aides, and engaged myself for the fourth to the Marquis of Beckenham." "The sham Marquis, unfortunately," put in the real one. "It proved to be unfortunate for me also," continued Phyllis. "As it was a square we sat it out in the anteroom leading off the drawingroom, and while we were there the young gentleman did me the honour of proposing to me. It was terribly embarrassing for me, but I allowed him to see, as unmistakably as possible, that I could give him no encouragement, and, as the introduction to the next waltz started, we parted the best of friends. About half an hour later, just as I was going to dance the lancers, Mrs Mayford came towards me and drew me into the drawingroom. Mr Baxter, his lordship's tutor, was with her, and I noticed A BID FOR FORTUNE OR DR. NIKOLA'S VENDETTA A BID FOR FORTUNE OR DR. NIKOLA'S VENDETTA 144 that they both looked supernaturally grave. "'What is the matter?' I asked, becoming alarmed by her face. "'My dear,' said she, 'you must be brave. I have come to tell you that your father has been taken ill, and has sent for you.' "'Papa ill!' I cried. 'Oh, I must go home to him at once.' "'I have taken the liberty of facilitating that,' said Mr Baxter, 'by ordering the servants to call up your carriage, which is now waiting for you at the door. If you will allow me, I will conduct you to it?' "I apologised to my partner for being compelled to leave him, and then went to the cloakroom. As soon as I was ready I accompanied Mr Baxter to the door, where the brougham was waiting. Without looking at the coachman I got in, at the same time thanking my escort for his kindness. He shut the door and cried 'Home' to the coachman. Next moment we were spinning down the drive. "As I was far too much occupied thinking of you, papa, I did not notice the direction we were taking, and it was not until the carriage stopped before a house in a back street that I realized that something was wrong. Then the door was opened and a gentleman in evening dress begged me to alight. I did so, almost without thinking what I was doing. "'I am sorry to say your father is not at all well, Miss Wetherell,' said the person who helped me out. 'If you will be good enough to step into my house I will let the nurse take you to him.' "Like a person in a dream I followed him into the dwelling, and, as soon as I was inside, the door was shut upon me. "'Where is my father? and how is it that he is here?' I cried, beginning to get frightened. Page 134 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html "'You will know all when you see him,' said my companion, throwing open the door of a bedroom. I went in, and that door was also shut upon me. Then I turned and faced the man." "What was he like?" cried Wetherell. "He was the man you were telling us about at dinner Dr Nikola." "Ah! And then?" "He politely but firmly informed me that I was his prisoner, and that until you gave up something he had for years been trying to obtain he would be compelled to detain me. I threatened, entreated, and finally wept, but he was not to be moved. He promised that no effort should be spared to make me comfortable, but he could not let me go until you had complied with his request. So I was kept there until late one night, when I was informed that I must be ready to leave the house. A brougham was at the door, and in this, securely guarded, I was conducted to the harbour, where a boat was in waiting. In this we were rowed out to a schooner, and I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |