Volume I Part 2 (2/2)
Let it not be supposed, however, that the young lady had any intention of entering within the boundary of that region, whose very name is redolent to all provincial female hearts as much of terror as of joy; she had no such desperate measure in her thoughts. Nor was there need she should; for between the curate's dwelling and the barrack-yard there was a three-cornered open s.p.a.ce, planted with lime trees, displaying on one side some of the handsomest shops in the town, among which were the pastry-cook's and the circulating library, (both loved resorts of idle men,) and beneath the trees a well-trodden, a _very_ well-trodden walk, rarely or never without some lounging red coat to enliven its shade.
When it is added, that in this open s.p.a.ce the band played morning and evening, all the world will be aware that if not the centre, it was decidedly the heart of Silverton, for to and from it the stream of human life was ever flowing, and all its tenderest affections were nourished there.
Being by necessity obliged to pa.s.s along this walk, or the pavement which skirted the road beside it, Miss Martha Compton had no occasion whatever to enter the barrack-yard, or even to approach its enclosure, in order to ensure meeting, within the s.p.a.ce of any given hour before mess-time, any officer she might wish to see.
There was at this particular epoch much of constancy in the feelings of the fair Martha; for though she had parted from Captain Tate only three-quarters of an hour before, it was Captain Tate, and Captain Tate only, that she now wished to see. Nor did she long wish in vain. When her tall person, straight ankles, and flas.h.i.+ng eyes first entered upon the ”High Street Parade,” Captain Tate was swallowing the fourth spoonful of a raspberry ice; but, ere she had reached the middle of it, he was by her side.
”Oh! Captain Tate!” she exclaimed, with heightened colour and brightened eyes, ... ”I did not expect to see you again this morning.... I thought for certain you would be riding with the colonel, or the major, or some of them.”
”Ah! Miss Martha!... You don't know what it is to be ordered from quarters where ... you don't know what it is to be torn heart and soul and body asunder, as I shall be in a few days, ... or you would not fancy one should be riding out of town, as long as one had the power of staying in it!”
”Oh dear!... you won't mind it, I'm sure ... you will like Plymouth quite as well ... or perhaps better than you do Silverton: ... we shall all remember you longer than you will remember us.”
”Do not say so!... do not say so!... beautiful Martha!--you cannot think it.”
”I'm sure I do,” responded the young lady, with a very distinct sigh.
It was exceedingly wrong in Captain Tate (yet all his family and intimate friends declared that he was as worthy a fellow as ever lived)--it was exceedingly wrong in him to offer his arm to Miss Martha the moment he heard this sigh; for in fact he was engaged to be married to his cousin, and the marriage ceremony was only deferred till he should be gazetted as a major; yet he scrupled not, as I have related, to offer his arm, saying in a very soft, and even tender accent,--
”I know it is not the etiquette of dear, quiet little Silverton, for the officers to offer their arms to the young ladies; but just at the last ... at such a moment as this, not even the Lord Mayor of the town himself could think it wrong.”
This reasoning seemed quite satisfactory, for Miss Martha's arm was immediately placed within his.
”It is very true, as you say, Captain Tate; the last time does make a difference. But it will be very dull work for you going to Smith's shop with me; ... and I must go there, because mamma has sent me.”
”Dull!... Oh! Miss Martha, do you _really_ think that any place can be dull to me where you are?”
”How do I know, Captain Tate?... How can any girl know how much, or how little.”
”Good heaven!... we are at the shop already!” said the Captain, interrupting her.... ”How such dear moments fly!”
Miss Martha answered not with her lips, but had no scruple to let her fine large eyes reply with very intelligible meaning, even though at that very moment she had reached the front of the counter, and that Mr.
Smith himself stood before her, begging to know her commands. Her arm, too, still confidingly hung upon that of the stylish-looking young officer; and there certainly was both in her att.i.tude and manner something that spoke of an interest and intimacy between them of no common kind.
A few more muttered words were exchanged between them before the draper's necessary question met any attention whatever, yet in general the Miss Comptons were particularly civil to Mr. Smith, and at length, when she turned to answer him, she stopped short before she had well p.r.o.nounced the words ”mull muslin,” saying with an air of laughing embarra.s.sment, and withdrawing her arm,--
”Upon my word and honour, you must go, Captain Tate.... I can no more buy anything while you stand talking to me than I can fly.”
”Did not you promise me?” said the Captain reproachfully, and not knowing what in the world to do with himself till it was time to dress.
”Yes, I know I did,” she replied; ”but the truth is,” ... and she pressed both her hands upon her heart, and shook her head ... ”the thing is impossible.... You must leave me, indeed!... we shall meet to-night at the Major's, you know ... farewell!...” and she stretched out her hand to him with a smile full of tender meaning.
The Captain looked rather puzzled, but fervently pressed her hand, and saying ”_Au revoir_ then!” left the shop. The young lady looked after him for a moment, and then, turning to Mr. Smith with a look, a sigh, and a smile not at all likely to be misunderstood, said,--
”I suppose, Mr. Smith, you have heard the news about me?... There never was such a place for gossip as Silverton.”
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