II.—­Samaritans

That Mr. Warrington is still alive can be proved by the following letter, sent from the lady into whose house he was taken after his fall from Mr. Will’s broken-kneed horse, to Mrs. Esmond Warrington.  “If Mrs. Esmond Warrington of Virginia can call to mind twenty-three years ago, she may perhaps remember Miss Molly Benson, her classmate, at Kensington boarding school.  Yesterday evening, as we were at tea there came a great ringing at our gate, and the servants, running out returned with the news that a young gentleman was lying lifeless on the road.  At this, my dear husband, Colonel Lambert (who is sure the most Samaritan of men) hastens away, and presently, with the aid of the servants, and followed by two ladies,—­one of whom is your cousin, Lady Maria Esmond and the other Baroness of Bernstein,—­brings into the house such a pale, beautiful young man!  The ladies went on to Tunbridge when Mr. Warrington was restored to consciousness and this morning the patient is very comfortable and the Colonel, who has had plenty of practice in accidents of this nature during his campaigns, pronounces that in two days more Mr. Warrington will be ready to take the road.

“Madam, Your affectionate, humble servant,

“MARY LAMBERT.”

Harry Warrington’s dislocated shoulder having been set, he was well enough to rise the following day, and Colonel Lambert lead his young guest into the parlour and introduced him to his two daughters, Miss Hester and Miss Theo.  Three days later Mr. Warrington’s health was entirely restored and he was out walking with Mrs. Lambert and the young ladies.  What business had he to be walking with anybody but Lady Maria Esmond on the Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells?  Why did he stay behind, unless he was in love with either of the young ladies? (and we say he wasn’t).  Could it be that he did not want to go?  Only a week ago he was whispering in Castlewood shrubberies, and was he now ashamed of the nonsense he had talked there?  What if his fell aunt’s purpose is answered, and if his late love is killed by her communications?  Surely kind hearts must pity Lady Maria, for she is having no very pleasant time of it at Tunbridge Wells.  There is no one to protect her.  Madam Beatrix has her all to herself.  Lady Maria is poor, and hopes for money for her aunt, and Lady Maria has a secret or two which the old woman knows and brandishes over her.

Meanwhile Harry Warrington remained day after day contentedly at Oakhurst, with each day finding the kindly folks who welcomed him more to his liking.  Never, since his grandfather’s death, had he been in such good company.  His lot had lain among fox hunting Virginian squires, and until he left his home he did not know how narrow and confined his life had been there.