He took her hand and pressed it in mute thankfulness.  He was not insensible to the value of having so warm an advocate, so faithful an ally, always at Wenna’s side.

“How long do letters take in going to Jamaica?” Mabyn asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I could fetch him back for you directly,” said she, “if you would like that.”

“How?”

“By writing and telling him that you and Wenna were going to get married.  Wouldn’t that fetch him back pretty quickly?”

“I doubt it.  He wouldn’t believe it of Wenna.  Then he is a sensible sort of fellow, and would say to himself that if the news was true he would have his journey for nothing.  Besides, Barnes says that things are looking well with him in Jamaica—­better than anybody expected.  He might not be anxious to leave.”

They had now got back to the Parade, and Mabyn stopped:  “I must leave you now, Mr. Trelyon.  Mind not to go near Wenna when you get to Eglosilyan.”

“She sha’n’t even see me.  I shall be there only a couple of days or so; then I am going to London.  I am going to have a try at the Civil Service examinations—­for first commissions, you know.  I shall only come back to Eglosilyan for a day now and again at long intervals.  You have promised to write to me, Mabyn.  Well, I’ll send you my address.”

She looked at him keenly as she offered him her hand.  “I wouldn’t be downhearted if I were you,” she said.  “Very odd things sometimes happen.”

“Oh, I sha’n’t be very down-hearted,” said he, “so long as I hear that she is all right, and not vexing herself about anything.”

“Good-bye, Mr. Trelyon.  I am sorry I can’t take any message for you.”

“To her?  No, that is impossible.  Good-bye, Mabyn:  I think you are the best friend I have in the world.”

“We’ll see about that,” she said as she walked rapidly off.

Her mother had been sufficiently astonished by her long absence:  she was now equally surprised by the excitement and pleasure visible in her face.

“Oh, mammy, do you know whom I’ve seen?  Mr. Trelyon.”

“Mabyn!”

“Yes.  We’ve walked right round Penzance all by ourselves.  And it’s all settled, mother.”

“What is all settled?”

“The understanding between him and me.  An offensive and defensive alliance.  Let tyrants beware!”

She took off her bonnet and came and sat down on the floor by the side of the sofa:  “Oh, mammy, I see such beautiful things in the future!  You wouldn’t believe it if I told you all I see.  Everybody else seems determined to forecast such gloomy events.  There’s Wenna crying and writing letters of contrition, and expecting all sorts of anger and scolding; there’s Mr. Trelyon haunted by the notion that Mr. Roscorla will suddenly come home and marry Wenna right off; and as for him out there in Jamaica, I expect he’ll be in a nice state when he hears of all this.  But far on ahead of all that I see such a beautiful picture!”