"I will come with you now," said Haverleigh. "And you, Sybil?"

"I want to find Pearl Darry," said Miss Tempest; "she is offended with me, and I must make my peace with her. Good-day, Mrs Gabriel!"

"Good-day!" said Mrs Gabriel in her stiffest manner. Then, as Leo walked down the road beside her, back to the castle, she added, "I understand that you are engaged, Leo, and without my consent?"

"I am sorry you should be vexed," he said formally; "but I cannot sacrifice my life's happiness even for you."

"Bless the boy! I don't want you to do that," said Mrs Gabriel, sharply.

"And about this enlisting?"

"I intend to enlist."

Mrs Gabriel drew a long breath, and walked on in silence for a few moments. "Well," she said at length, "I think it is about the best thing you could do. Your debts?"

"I shall see that they are paid," said Leo, calmly.

"Oh, indeed! And where will you get the money?"

"From a friend."

Mrs Gabriel again became silent. "I don't think you are treating me altogether fairly, Leo."

"I am willing to do whatever you think best, mother. But I am ashamed to live on your charity any longer. However, I promise you one thing. I shall not enlist for at least a month."

Mrs Gabriel laughed silently. Many things might happen in a month.

CHAPTER VI

TROUBLE

Still anxious to secure Mr Pratt for a son-in-law, Mrs Bathurst resolved to make some return to his hospitality. Her husband had very little money, and the lady was unable to give a dinner-party on account of the cost. Also Pratt had "done things so well"--so she put it--that she was unwilling to provoke comparisons. Nevertheless, some sort of entertainment had to be given, and after much reflection and many consultations with Peggy, it was decided that it should take the form of a picnic. The scenery around Colester was beautiful, the weather was fine, and the cost of an open-air entertainment would be comparatively small. Mrs Bathurst therefore issued cards.

"We must make Mr Pratt one of ourselves," said the energetic lady; "and although we cannot hope to vie with his luxury, we can at least bestow what we have with liberal hearts."

What Mrs Bathurst had in the way of food was princ.i.p.ally sandwiches--the cheapest form of nourishment she could think of. As she had decided that the picnic should take place on the moor, where there were no roads, it was not necessary to hire vehicles to convey the party to the scene of revelry. "A good brisk walk will give everyone an appet.i.te," said the hostess, "and the air will do us all good." Thus it came about that all those who had partaken of Pratt's hospitality found themselves the guests of Mrs Bathurst. Her husband, who characterised the picnic as foolery, was not present.

By a dexterous arrangement the good lady contrived that Peggy should find herself in the company of Pratt. The little man was as neat and dapper as ever, and as Peggy strolled beside him over the heather, she could not but admit that he was a pleasant companion. The princ.i.p.al meal of the day had been devoured, and Mrs Bathurst's guests had been sent hungry away. Tea and a limited quant.i.ty of sandwiches were scarcely sufficient for appet.i.tes sharpened by the keen moorland air. However, there was nothing else; and now the company, split up into small parties, wandered here, there and everywhere. Peggy was with Pratt. He saw how Mrs Bathurst had manoeuvred to bring this about, and resolved to make use of the opportunity in a way of which the schemer would not approve.

"Most beautiful place this, Miss Peggy," said Pratt, glancing round, "but I fear the company is not to your mind."

"Oh! Mr Pratt, how can you say that!" said poor Peggy, divided between a desire to keep him at a distance and to avoid giving offence to her mother. "I am very pleased to be with you."

"Well, I don't know, Miss Peggy. I am not a parson, you know."

Peggy laughed and blushed. Her secret was everybody's property, and it was well known in Colester that she and Raston were attached to one another. Even Mrs Bathurst knew, but she was resolved to crush this affection before it grew too strong for her control. As a matter of fact it had already pa.s.sed that stage, but Mrs Bathurst was not aware of that. "Mr Raston is quite happy with Miss Hale," said Peggy, frankly.

She found Pratt sympathetic and did not mind speaking freely to him.

"And I think Miss Hale would rather be with young Haverleigh," said her companion, "but he is with Miss Tempest."

"And with Sir Frank Hale."

"Who is the inconvenient third, Miss Peggy? We are all at sixes and sevens, I fancy. Even Mrs Gabriel and the vicar are badly matched.

However, in a little time I shall ask Mr Raston to join us."

"Not on my account," cried Miss Bathurst, hastily.

"I understand, your mother would not be pleased."

"Mr Pratt!" Peggy bit her lip. "Really, Mr Pratt!"

"My dear young lady," said Pratt, with a twinkle, "do you think that I flatter myself that a battered old man like myself is your choice? No, indeed; although your mother would have it so. Like draws to like, and if I can bring it about you shall be Mrs Raston."

"No chance of that," sighed Peggy. "Mr Raston is too poor!"

"Oh, no. He has three hundred a year of his own, and it is more than probable that when Mr Tempest dies, Mrs Gabriel will give him the living. Then why won't your mother consent?"

"She was not opposed to my engagement until--until--" Peggy hesitated.

"Until I arrived," finished Pratt. "Set your mind at rest, Miss Peggy; I am not a marrying man; I have seen too much of the world."

Peggy laughed and looked at him. His pleasant face was turned towards her, and she saw on his cheek a mark she had never noticed before. It was a tattooed star, very small and placed just under the jawbone.

Unless looked for very closely it was apt to escape notice. But there it was, and being so close to the man, Peggy saw it very plainly. Perhaps she saw it the more clearly because Pratt held his head at a particular angle. He noticed the curiosity in her eyes, and flushed a trifle. He knew what she was looking at. "I had that done in the South Seas," said Pratt, rubbing the star; "foolish thing to have had done, but I was a reckless young sailor then. And see here, Miss Peggy," he rolled up his sleeve, that of the left arm. Immediately below the elbow there was a beautifully tattooed snake, half red and half blue. "That was done in j.a.pan," he said.

"You seem to have been everywhere, Mr Pratt?"

"I have. That is why I have come down here to end my days in peace. I want everybody hereabouts to like me--you included, Miss Peggy."

"I _do_ like you, Mr Pratt," protested Peggy. "Not, of course, like--"

"I understand. Well, I shall speak to your mother about Mr Raston. Oh, do not look so afraid, Miss Peggy. I know very well what I am about. I have managed much more obstinate people in my time. All you have to do is to look pleased as though you were delighted with me. That will put your mother on the wrong scent."

"Harold will not like it," objected Peggy, as they returned to join the others. "Harold is Mr Raston."

"I gathered that from your blush," said Pratt, with a chuckle. "Well, leave it to me. There is Harold making signals. What is up now?"

Mrs Bathurst informed them as soon as they came within earshot. "Come here at once, Peggy," she screamed. "Mr Pratt, come here! Mr Raston is about to take a group with his kodak. It will be a memorial of my picnic."

The American did not seem pleased. For the moment his usually active tongue was silent, and he seemed unwilling to form part of the group. "I do not care about having my likeness taken, Mrs Bathurst," he said.

"But indeed you must--in the group," said the lady, vigorously; "dear Mr Pratt, do not spoil the little memorial of my picnic."

"It can be taken without me, Mrs Bathurst."

"That would be the play of Hamlet with the Prince left out," replied the lady, gracefully. "Mrs Gabriel, add your entreaties."