The wind was becoming boisterous, rattling the leaded windows and the massive doors of the old-fashioned house: it shook the trees outside and roared down the vast chimney.Marguerite wondered if the wind would be favourable for her journey.She had no fear of the storm, and would have braved worse risks sooner than delay the crossing by an hour.
A sudden commotion outside roused her from her meditations.
Evidently it was Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, just arrived in mad haste, for she heard his horse's hoofs thundering on the flag-stones outside, then Mr.Jellyband's sleepy, yet cheerful tones bidding him welcome.
For a moment, then, the awkwardness of her position struck Marguerite; alone at this hour, in a place where she was well known, and having made an assignation with a young cavalier equally well known, and who arrived in disguise! What food for gossip to those mischievously inclined.
The idea struck Marguerite chiefly from its humorous side:
there was such quaint contrast between the seriousness of her errand, and the construction which would naturally be put on her actions by honest Mr.Jellyband, that, for the first time since many hours, a little smile began playing round the corners of her childlike mouth, and when, presently, Sir Andrew, almost unrecognisable in his lacquey-like garb, entered the coffee-room, she was able to greet him with quite a merry laugh.
"Faith! Monsieur, my lacquey," she said, "I am satisfied with your appearance!"Mr.Jellyband had followed Sir Andrew, looking strangely perplexed.The young gallant's disguise had confirmed his worst suspicions.Without a smile upon his jovial face, he drew the cork from the bottle of wine, set the chairs ready, and prepared to wait.
"Thanks, honest friend," said Marguerite, who was still smiling at the thought of what the worthy fellow must be thinking at that very moment, "we shall require nothing more; and here's for all the trouble you have been put to on our account."She handed two or three gold pieces to Jellyband, who took them respectfully, and with becoming gratitude.
"Stay, Lady Blakeney," interposed Sir Andrew, as Jellyband was about to retire, "I am afraid we shall require something more of my friend Jelly's hospitality.I am sorry to say we cannot cross over to-night.""Not cross over to-night?" she repeated in amazement."But we must, Sir Andrew, we must! There can be no question of cannot, and whatever it may cost, we must get a vessel to-night."But the young man shook his head sadly.
"I am afraid it is not a question of cost, Lady Blakeney.
There is a nasty storm blowing from France, the wind is dead against us, we cannot possibly sail until it has changed."Marguerite became deadly pale.She had not foreseen this.
Nature herself was playing her a horrible, cruel trick.Percy was in danger, and she could not go to him, because the wind happened to blow from the coast of France.
"But we must go!--we must!" she repeated with strange, persistent energy, "you know, we must go!--can't you find a way?""I have been down to the shore already," he said, "and had a talk to one or two skippers.It is quite impossible to set sail to-night, so every sailor assured me.No one," he added, looking significantly at Marguerite, "NO ONE could possibly put out of Dover to-night."Marguerite at once understood what he meant.NO ONEincluded Chauvelin as well as herself.She nodded pleasantly to Jellyband.
"Well, then, I must resign myself," she said to him."Have you a room for me?""Oh, yes, your ladyship.A nice, bright, airy room.I'll see to it at once....And there is another one for Sir Andrew--both quite ready.""That's brave now, mine honest Jelly," said Sir Andrew, gaily, and clapping his worth host vigorously on the back."You unlock both those rooms, and leave our candles here on the dresser.I vow you are dead with sleep, and her ladyship must have some supper before she retires.There, have no fear, friend of the rueful countenance, her ladyship's visit, though at this unusual hour, is a great honour to thy house, and Sir Percy Blakeney will reward thee doubly, if thou seest well to her privacy and comfort."Sir Andrew had no doubt guessed the many conflicting doubts and fears which raged in honest Jellyband's head; and, as he was a gallant gentleman, he tried by this brave hint to allay some of the worthy innkeeper's suspicions.He had the satisfaction of seeing that he had partially succeeded.Jellyband's rubicund countenance brightened somewhat, at the mention of Sir Percy's name.