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He hurried home determined to communicate with Mr Shallard the next morning, and to obtain a sufficient guard at once for Texford, in case Gaffin should really venture to attack it. Each morning May rose with the hopes that a letter would come from Harry, and not till the postman had passed did her fond heart grow sick again with hope deferred.
Harry's satisfaction can better be imagined than described. "I am very sure that you are Sir Ranald Castleton; those who doubt it have only to examine your picture in the study. Though I recognise you, I doubt not so will the old steward, Mr Groocock, and many others who knew you in your youth," said Mr Shallard, as Sir Ranald warmly greeted him as an old friend.
"Oh, he is not dead, I cannot receive it," cried May, in a tone of grief which went to her hearers' hearts, as, hiding her face in her hands, she sank back in her chair, and would have fallen, had not Miss Jane and the lawyer sprung to her assistance. "I deeply grieve to have wounded your feelings," said Mr Shallard. "Oh, do not tell me he is dead, do not," cried May again.
They will soon be at your heels, and you will, I daresay, look after them and see that they are provided with a supply of good cheer, such as soldiers expect under the circumstances." "No fear of that, Mr Shallard," answered the steward.
Mr Shallard, after briefly describing the discovery of the chest which had been so long hid by Martin Goul in the old mill, then went on to state that, having examined the documents in it, he had no doubt whatever that the little girl who had been rescued from the wreck on board which the chest had been found, was the child of the long lost Ranald Castleton.
Harry and Mr Shallard sat up as they had proposed, though the lawyer very soon fell asleep, with outstretched legs, long before the young sailor closed his eyes. Nothing occurred during the night to disturb the household. The dragoons had started at daybreak to scour the country, but did not succeed in capturing a single smuggler.
"I am glad to find that you agree with me, and the sooner we do so the better," observed Miss Jane. "I will write to Mr Shallard and beg him to come over here the first day he is at leisure. Sir Ralph ought to be able to well provide for his children, and they cannot miss our small fortune, nor has he any reason to expect that we might have left it to them."
You must be aware that we have no legal control over her, but we feel it our duty not to encourage your visits here until we know that you have the permission of Sir Ralph and Lady Castleton, and that, we have our fears, will not be very readily given. As far as we have the power, we purpose making the dear girl independent, and have sent for Mr Shallard to make our wills accordingly."
He set out followed by his groom, both of them carrying pistols in their holsters, while the baronet in addition wore a sword by his side, in case any of the gang of ruffians who had attacked his son might set upon him. The Miss Pembertons had in the meantime kept to their purpose of making a will in favour of Maiden May. Mr Shallard arrived unexpectedly one morning.
The expense, however, will, I fear, be considerable, though really for the sake of so interesting a young lady I should be happy to bear it." "If it would prove to May's interest to discover her parents I would also assist, and so would my sister Mary," said Miss Jane. "We will see what can be done," said Mr Shallard, at length preparing to take his departure.
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