Miles Wallingford | Page 9

James Fenimore Cooper

like all the rest of us, bent on pleasure."
"No, Rupert," answered Lucy, in a tone which I thought could not fail
to bring the heartless coxcomb to some sense of the feeling he ought to
manifest; "I am going to no Springs. Dr. Post has advised a change of
scene and air for Grace; and Miles has brought us all up in his sloop,
that we may endeavour to contribute to the dear sufferer's comfort, in
one united family. We shall not land in Albany."
I took my cue from these last words, and understood that I was not
even to bring the sloop alongside the wharf.
"Upon my word, it is just as she says, Colonel!" cried Rupert. "I can
see my father on the forecastle, with Post, and divers others of my
acquaintance. Ay--and there's Drewett, as I live! Wallingford, too! How
fare you, noble captain, up in this fresh-water stream? You must be
strangely out of your latitude."
"How do you do, Mr. Hardinge?" I coldly returned the salutation; and
then I was obliged to speak to the Major and his daughter. But Neb was
at the helm, and I had given him a sign to sheer further from our

companion. This soon reduced the intercourse to a few wavings of
handkerchiefs, and kissings of the hand, in which all the Drewetts came
in for a share. As for Lucy, she walked aside, and I seized the occasion
to get a word in private.
"What am I to do with the sloop?" I asked. "It will soon be necessary to
come to some decision."
"By no means go to the wharf. Oh! this has been most cruel. The
cabin-windows are open, and Grace must have heard every syllable.
Not even a question as to her health! I dread to go below and witness
the effect."
I wished not to speak of Rupert to his sister, and avoided the subject.
The question, therefore, was simply repeated. Lucy inquired if it were
not possible to land our passengers without bringing-up, and, hearing
the truth on the subject, she renewed her entreaties not to land. Room
was taken accordingly, and the sloop, as soon as high enough, was
rounded-to, and the boat lowered. The portmanteau of Post was placed
in it, and the Drewetts were told that everything was ready to put them
ashore.
"Surely we are not to part thus!" exclaimed the old lady. "You intend to
land, Lucy, if not to accompany us to Ballston? The waters might prove
of service to Miss Wallingford."
"Dr. Post thinks not, but advises us to return tranquilly down the river.
We may yet go as far as Sandy Hook, or even into the Sound. It all
depends on dear Grace's strength and inclinations."
Protestations of regret and disappointment followed, for everybody
appeared to think much of Lucy, and very little of my poor sister. Some
attempts were even made at persuasion; but the quiet firmness of Lucy
soon convinced her friends that she was not to be diverted from her
purpose. Mr. Hardinge, too, had a word to say in confirmation of his
daughter's decision; and the travellers reluctantly prepared to enter the
boat. After he had assisted his mother over the sloop's side, Andrew
Drewett turned to me, and in fair, gentleman-like, manly language,

expressed his sense of the service I had rendered him. After this
acknowledgment, the first he had made, I could do no less than shake
his hand; and we parted in the manner of those who have conferred and
received a favour.
I could perceive that Lucy's colour heightened, and that she looked
exceedingly gratified, while this little scene was in the course of being
acted, though I was unable to comprehend the precise feeling that was
predominant in her honest and truthful heart. Did that increased colour
proceed from pleasure at the handsome manner in which Drewett
acquitted himself of one of the most embarrassing of all our duties--the
admission of a deep obligation? or was it in any manner connected with
her interest in me? I could not ask, and of course did not learn. This
scene, however, terminated our intercourse with the Drewetts, for the
moment; the boat pulling away immediately after.
Chapter II.

"----Misplaced in life, I know not what I could have been, but feel I am
not what I should be--let it end."
Sardanapalus.
Glad enough was I to find the quiet and domestic character of my
vessel restored. Lucy had vanished as soon as it was proper; but,
agreeably to her request, I got the sloop's head down-stream, and began
our return-passage, without even thinking of putting a foot on the then
unknown land of Albany. Marble was too much accustomed to submit
without inquiry to the movements of
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