"That is rather hard upon papa," said Mabel, looking up. "You know his mother was a foreigner. Did you not know that she was French? Grandpapa married, when he was a very young man, just as he was a lieutenant, a French lady. She, too, was very young and very pretty."
"That I am sure she must have been," said Harry, looking up at Mabel.
"The story is a very sad one. Poor mamma died, I believe, when I was born, and grandpapa had just time to carry away his boy to England, and to place me with Aunt Ann, when he was obliged to go to sea. The little I know of the early history of our family I have learnt from Aunt Ann."
They were nearing the shore when they heard a voice hailing them from the spot from which they set out. They soon reached a landing-place. A fine officer-like looking man was standing near it. Mabel sprang out and threw herself into his arms.
"Oh! papa, you have come back without giving us warning. Oh! dear, dear papa, how happy you have made me!"
Captain Digby Everard returned his daughter's embrace. He looked inquiringly at Harry, whom he did not recognise.
"This is Harry Tryon," she said. "You remember him as a boy; but he has grown a good deal since then." The Captain smiled.
"I am very happy to renew my acquaintance with him," he said, holding out his hand, "and I am glad to see so accomplished an oarsman: it is a pity that he has not been bred to the sea. However, perhaps it is not too late. Lord Cochrane did not go afloat till he was as old as Harry is, and he has already made a name for himself."
The Captain and his daughter walked on towards the house, she leaning on his arm, and looking up, ever and anon, into his face as he spoke affectionately to her.
Harry, thinking that the Captain might consider him intrusive, made his adieus to Mabel and her father.
"Aunt Ann will want you to help her in preparing for the entertainment," said Mabel, as she shook hands with him.
"And I should be happy to become better acquainted with you," added the Captain, warmly shaking him by the hand.
Harry was becoming very popular in the neighbourhood: a good-looking young man, with apparently ample means, is certain to be so, if he is tolerably well behaved in other respects. People do not pry too closely into the character of youths of good fortune. Harry, however, was unexceptionable. The banker and some of the tradesmen of Lynderton might have had their suspicions that Lady Tryon would not "cut up" as well as was expected; but as they had had no quarrel with her grandson, they did not allow this idea to go forth to his detriment. Harry, therefore, dined as frequently out as at home. Indeed, the attractions of Ayleston Hall were not very great, to his taste.