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A little later her smothered laughter camp from its depths, and the laugh was repeated when Elsie sank beside her. When they came downstairs next morning they found Lancy waiting for them, and a few minutes later Mr. Holbrook put in an appearance, making a merry little party as they sat round the cosy breakfast table. At the earnest solicitation of Mrs.
"'Go to the well, then, since ye've found out all about it, he says, 'but aw've an hour and a half start o' ye, Lancy Doane. "'Ye've less than that, says Lancy back to him, 'if ye go with me to the sands first. "At that my uncle stepped in to say a word for peacemakin', but Lancy would have none of it.
She would not deny, even to herself, that she preferred Lancy's company to that of any of her male friends; but they were both so young that it was ridiculous to even imagine that their intimacy meant more than common friendship. However, if Lancy chose to be silly, that was no reason that she should become sentimental also.
We must dare to be happy, and dare to confess it, regarding ourselves always as the depositaries, not as the authors of our own joy. ... This evening I saw the first glow-worm of the season in the turf beside the little winding road which descends from Lancy toward the town. It was crawling furtively under the grass, like a timid thought or a dawning talent. June 17, 1852.
"The ring, in the first place, did not signify an engagement, though it was the sign of a promise which Lancy Gurney and I made to each other. He was to ask me again to marry him at the end of a year, unless during that time we found there was someone else we liked better. As you know, I did not wait for the year to be up before I asked to be released.
"But, you remember don't you? how Jobbin took to chaffin' of Lancy Doane, and how Faddo's tongue got sharper as the time got on, and many a nasty word was said of coast-guards and excisemen, and all that had to do with law and gover'ment. Cuts there were at some of Laney's wild doings in the past, and now and then they'd turn to me, saying what they thought would set me girdin' Lancy too.
The cheeks of the little wizened lawyer glistened with tears, and De Lancy Scovel threw open a window and leaned out, looking into the night remorsefully. Slowly, heavily, like one drugged, Rudyard Byng made his way through the streets, oblivious of all around him. His brain was like some engine pounding at high pressure, while all his body was cold and lethargic.
Looks were interchanged amongst some of the young people, and, hoping to make Dexie feel vexed, Gussie said, "Lancy Gurney has only to whistle, and Dexie will run like a dog at a call."
At that moment Lancy turned, and seeing the object of his thoughts so near, and in company with a soldier, his face underwent a series of expressions. But it was really Dexie, though he could scarcely believe his own eyesight, and he was at her side in a moment. "Why, Dexie! where have you been? We were afraid there had been an accident."
Presently I heard a young gentleman say to Duvarney over my shoulder: "Eating comfits and holding yarn that was his doing at your manor when Doltaire came hunting him." "He has dined at your table, Lancy," broke out Duvarney hotly. "But never with our ladies," was the biting answer. "Should prisoners make conditions?" was the sharp, insolent retort.
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