Produced by David Widger
By Winston Churchill
VIII. Over the Wall
IX. Under False Colours
X. The Red in the Carvel Blood
XI. A Festival and a Parting
XII. News from a Far Country
Dorothy treated me ill enough that spring. Since the minx had tastedpower at Carvel Hall, there was no accounting for her. On returning totown Dr. Courtenay had begged her mother to allow her at the assemblies,a request which Mrs. Manners most sensibly refused. Mr. Marmaduke hadgiven his consent, I believe, for he was more impatient than Dolly forthe days when she would become the toast of the province. But the doctorcontrived to see her in spite of difficulties, and Will Fotheringay wasforever at her house, and half a dozen other lads. And many gentlemenof fashion like the doctor called ostensibly to visit Mrs. Manners, butin reality to see Miss Dorothy. And my lady knew it. She would belingering in the drawing-room in her best bib and tucker, or strolling inthe garden as Dr. Courtenay passed, and I got but scant attention indeed.I was but an awkward lad, and an old playmate, with no novelty about me.
"Why, Richard," she would say to me as I rode or walked beside her, orsat at dinner in Prince George Street, "I know every twist and turn ofyour nature. There is nothing you could do to surprise me. And so, sir,you are very tiresome."
"You once found me useful enough to fetch and carry, and amusing when Iwalked the Oriole's bowsprit," I replied ruefully.
"Why don't you make me jealous?" says she, stamping her foot. "A scoreof pretty girls are languishing for a glimpse of you,—Jennie and BessFotheringay, and Betty Tayloe, and Heaven knows how many others. Theyare actually accusing me of keeping you trailing. 'La, girls!' said I,'if you will but rid me of him for a day, you shall have my lastinggratitude.'"
And she turned to the spinet and began a lively air. But the tauntstruck deeper than she had any notion of. That spring arrived out fromLondon on the Belle of the Wye a box of fine clothes my grandfather hadcommanded for me from his own tailor; and a word from a maid of fifteendid more to make me wear them than any amount of coaxing from Mr. Allenand my Uncle Grafton. My uncle seemed in particular anxious that Ishould make a good appearance, and reminded me that I should dress asbecame the heir of the Carvel house. I took counsel with Patty Swain,and then went to see Betty Tayloe, and the Fotheringay girls, and theDulany girls, near the Governor's. And (fie upon me!) I was notill-pleased with the brave appearance I made. I would show my mistresshow little I cared. But the worst of it was, the baggage seemed totrouble less than I, and had the effrontery to tell me how happy she wasI had come out of my shell, and broken loose from her apron-strings.
"Indeed, they would soon begin to think I meant to marry you, Richard,"says she at supper one Sunday before a tableful, and laughed with therest.
"They do not credit you with such good sense, my dear," says her mother,smiling kindly at me.
And Dolly bit her lip, and did not join in that part of the merriment.
I fled to Patty Swain for counsel, nor was it the first time in my lifeI had done so. Some good women seem to have been put into this selfishworld to comfort and advise. After Prince George Street with its giltand marbles and stately hedged gardens, the low-beamed, vine-coveredhouse in the Duke