by Mayne Reid
materials--which Martha wasrequired to make up immediately.
"Tell your mistress," said Martha, "that I cannot afford to do any morework for her: for she does not pay me enough for it. Tell her, that Ihope she will not be much disappointed; but that I really cannot sew anymore for her. Will you tell her that?"
"Yes, thank you!" said Sarah, "but I don't think she'll be muchdisappointed: for she said she did not think you would do any more worknow; and she only sent it to see."
We had enough to talk about that evening. Olliphant had been acquaintedwith our poor mother; and expressed much regret that she had died sounhappily.
We all had explanations to make; and Olliphant and I listened with equalinterest to a long recital of my sister's struggle to maintain herself,and to an explanation of her sorrow at being unable to comply with myrequest, when I had entreated her to leave Sydney.
This confession was as pleasant to me as to the Elephant; but perhapsstill pleasanter was it for him to hear that, during his long absence,she had never felt a doubt about his returning, and that such asuspicion had never remained for an instant in her mind.
As events had turned out, I could not regret that my sister had been,what I had too rashly termed foolish; and that her faith in Olliphant'spromise had remained unshaken under such strong temptations, as those towhich she had been subjected.
She had proved herself worthy of a good husband; and there was no one,whom I should have preferred seeing her united to, before the man, forwhom she had so long and patiently waited.
Volume Three, Chapter XXII.
AT SEA.
On the third day after my arrival in Sydney, I started back forMelbourne, in the steamer "Warratah," accompanied by Olliphant andMartha.
On arriving at Melbourne, my sister was taken to the residence of MrsMorell, where she had the pleasure of meeting her brother William; andmaking the acquaintance of her future sister-in-law.
Sarah Morell and Martha became warm friends upon sight; and on theevening of our return, a more happy party, than the one assembled inMrs Morell's cottage, could not have been found in the colony.
At intervals, a thought of my own life-long disappointment would flashacross my mind; but the sight of so many happy faces around me, wouldsoon restore me to a feeling of tranquil contentment.
Next day, preparations were made for the double marriage, which tookplace shortly after.
The occasion was not marked by any grand ceremonial display--such as Ihave often witnessed at the "weddings" of lucky gold-diggers. All thearrangements were conducted with the same sense of propriety and taste,that appeared to have guided the previous conduct of the principalparties concerned.
My brother's honeymoon tour, was to be a voyage in the first ship thatshould sail for England. As I did not much like the idea of separatingfrom him so soon; and, having no great desire to return to the diggings,I resolved to accompany him.
Olliphant and Martha only remained in Melbourne, until they should seeus off, when they intended returning to Sydney to reside permanently inthat city. The Elephant had gathered gold enough to set him up in somerespectable business; and it was but natural he should prefer New SouthWales--his native country--to any other. I knew that to my sister, allplaces were now alike; so long as she should be with her husband.
I do not much like travelling in a ship, where there is a large numberof passengers. It is something like going out for a walk, along astreet crowded with people. When there are many passengers in a vessel,there are likely to be some of a very disagreeable disposition, thatwill be sure to make itself manifest during the voyage. Moreover, in acrowded ship, the regulations require to be more rigidly enforced--thusrendering the passage more irksome to all. There is much greaterfreedom of action, and generally more amusement, on board a shipcarrying only a limited number of passengers. For this reason, we tookpassage in the first cabin of a small vessel--where we knew there wouldbe only about twenty others besides ourselves.
The ship was bound direct for the port of London; the captain, whosename was Nowell, was to all appearance a gentleman; the accommodation,as regarded room and other necessary requirements, was satisfactory; andwe set sail, with every prospect of a pleasant voyage.
As Captain Nowell was a man of sociable inclinings, he soon became afavourite with all his passengers. Between him and myself an intimacyarose; and I passed much of my time in his company--either at chess, orin talking about subjects connected with his calling, which I had notaltogether forgotten. He appeared to take an interest in my futurewelfare; so much so, as frequently to converse with me on the subject ofmy getting married.
"Lucky gold-diggers," said he, "often go home in my ship in search of awife; and not unfrequently get cheated in the quality of the article.As I have some experience in matrimonial matters, you can't do betterthan let me choose a wife for you. Besides," he continued, "I have ayoung lady in view, that I think would just suit you. I have long beenin search of a good husband for her; but have not yet met with a man, towhom I should think of confiding her happiness. From what I have seenof you, Mr Stone, I fancy I could trust her to your keeping."
Though perfectly indifferent about the captain's protegee, I could nothelp acknowledging the compliment.
"I only ask of you," he continued, "to make no rash engagements, afteryou arrive in England. Do nothing in that line till you have seen thegirl; and then if you don't like her, there's no harm done."
I thanked the captain for his offer; and sighed, as I thought of thecruel fate, that had placed an impassible barrier between me and Lenore.
There is one thing in my narrative, that may appear remarkable to thereader--perhaps scarce truthful; and that is, the facility with which Imade so many friends. An explanation of this may not be out of place.
I was always in earnest in what little I had to say. No one couldconverse long with me, without discovering that I was sincere in what Isaid. I do not claim this as a trait of character peculiar to myself;but I do affirm--as far as my experience has instructed me--that it isnot so with the majority of mankind. Language is too often used, as themeans for concealing thoughts--instead of expressing them.
Thousands of people say what they do not mean; and sometimes gainfriends by it. But it is a friendship false as it is fleeting; andoften confers on him who obtains it, more disappointment and trouble,than he would be likely to have with avowed enemies.
Nothing transpired during our home voyage, worthy of particular notice.After passing some small islands, that lie near the coast of PortPhilip, we never sighted land again for three months!
On the ninety-second day of our voyage, the cheering cry of "Land ho!"resounded through the ship; and, hastening on deck, we looked upon thewhite cliffs of Dover.
Great was the joy of Mrs Morell and her daughter, at once morebeholding their native shores; and I could envy my brother, who hadcontributed so much to the happiness of others, and at the same time sosuccessfully established his own.
We landed at Portsmouth; and proceeded to London by rail. Beforeparting with Captain Nowell--who had to remain a few days with hisship--I promised to visit him in his London house--the address of whichhe had already made known to me.
A few hours after, I entered, for the first time, within the limits ofthe world's metropolis.
Volume Three, Chapter XXIII.
LIFE IN LONDON.
After staying one night at a hotel, we went into private lodgings atBrompton.
For several days after our arrival, my brother was employed in thepleasant duty of escorting his wife and mother-in-law--on a round ofvisits to their numerous old acquaintances, while I was left to wanderalone through the streets of the stupendous city. I had anticipatedsome little pleasure in visiting the far-famed metropolis; but in this Iwas disappointed; and soon began to feel regret for having left behindme the free life I had been pursuing on the gold-fields.
I had some business, however, to transact, even in London. The gold Ihad obtained in Californ
ia--along with that bequeathed to me by poor oldStormy Jack--had been forwarded to the Bank of England; and about a weekafter my arrival, I went down to the city, to draw out the money depositthat was due to me. On presenting myself to the cashier, I was toldthat it would be necessary for me to bring some responsible person, tosay that my name was Rowland Stone. This individual must be known tothe authorities of the Bank.
This requirement placed me in a little dilemma. Where was I to find asponsor? I was a perfect stranger in London. So were my travellingcompanions. I knew not a soul belonging to the great city--much lessone who should be known to the magnates of the Bank.
To whom should I apply?
When I had mentally repeated this question, for the twentieth time, Ibethought me of Captain Nowell. He should be the very man.
I at once hailed a cab; and drove to the address he had given me.Fortunately he had arrived from Portsmouth; and was at home.
Without a