CHAP. III

Summary

To an interview which he presumed would be as delightful as interesting, Captain Montreville chose to give no interruption; and therefore he had walked out to superintend his hay-making: But, after staying abroad for two hours, which he judged to be a reasonable length for a tête-à-tête, he returned, and was a little surprised to find that the Colonel was gone. Though he entertained not a doubt of the issue of the conference, he had some curiosity to know the particulars, and summoned Laura to communicate them.

‘Well, my love,’ said he, as the conscious Laura shut the parlour door, ‘is Colonel Hargrave gone?’

‘Long ago, Sir.’

‘I thought he would have waited my return.’

Laura made no answer.

‘When are we to see him again?’

Laura did not know.

‘Well, well,’ said Captain Montreville, a little impatiently, ‘since the Colonel is gone without talking to me, I must just hear from you what it is you have both determined on.’

Laura trembled in every limb. ‘I knew,’ said she, without venturing to lift her eye, ‘that you would never sacrifice your child to rank or fortune; and therefore I had no hesitation in refusing Colonel Hargrave.’

Captain Montreville started back with astonishment, – ‘Refused Colonel Hargrave?’ cried he, – ‘impossible – you cannot be in earnest.’

Laura, with much truth, assured him that she never in her life had been more serious.

Captain Montreville was thunderstruck. Surprise for a few moments kept him silent. At last recovering himself, – ‘Why, Laura,’ said he, ‘what objection could you possibly make to Hargrave? – he is young, handsome, accomplished, and has shewn such generosity in his choice of you’ —

‘Generosity! Sir,’ repeated Laura.

‘Yes; it was generous in Colonel Hargrave, who might pretend to the first women in the kingdom, to think of offering to share his fortune and his rank with you, who have neither.’