Percival Keene | Page 4

and that if her mistress would only indulge her with
forgiveness, as she hoped to inherit heaven she would never incur her
anger by committing the same fault again. Satisfied with this assurance,
the Honourable Miss Delmar softened down, and not only forgave, but
actually took the child into her lap that Bella might read the Bible
which she had presented her with. Reader, the child who had this great
honour conferred upon him, who actually laid in the immaculate lap, on
the apron of immaculate snowy whiteness of the immaculate
Honourable Miss Delmar, was no other person than the narrator of this

history--or, if you please it, the Hero of this Tale.
That my mother had so far smoothed things pretty well must be
acknowledged; but it was to be presumed that her husband might not be
pleased at so unusual an occurrence, and already the sneers and
innuendoes of the servants' hall were not wanting. It appeared, however,
that an interview had taken place between Ben and Captain Delmar
shortly after my making my appearance: what occurred did not
transpire, but this is certain that, upon the marine's return to the kitchen,
one of the grooms, who ventured to banter him, received such a sound
thrashing from Ben that it put an end to all further joking. As Ben had
taken up the affair so seriously, it was presumed that if there had been
anticipation of the hymeneal rites he was himself the party who had
been hasty; and that now he was married, he was resolved to resent any
impertinent remarks upon his conduct. At all events, the question now
became one of less interest, as the scandal was of less importance; and
as Ben had made known his determination to resent any remarks upon
the subject, not a word more was said, at all events when he was
present.
In due time I was christened, and so completely was my mother
reinstalled in the good graces of her mistress, that as Captain Delmar
had volunteered to stand my sponsor, the Honourable Miss Delmar
gave the necessary female security; at the particular request of my
mother, the captain consented that I should bear his own Christian
name, and I was duly registered in the church books as Percival Keene.
CHAPTER TWO.
There is no security in this world. A dissolution of Parliament took
place, and on the following election the Honourable Captain Delmar's
constituents, not being exactly pleased at the total indifference which
he had shown to their interests, took upon themselves to elect another
member in his stead, who, as Captain Delmar had previously done,
promised everything, and in all probability would follow the
honourable captain's example by performing nothing. The loss of his
election was followed up by the loss of his ship, his majesty's

government not considering it necessary that Captain Delmar (now that
he had leisure to attend to his professional duties) should retain his
command. The frigate, therefore, was paid off, and recommissioned by
another captain who had friends in Parliament.
As Ben Keene belonged to the marine corps, he could not, of course,
remain as valet to Captain Delmar, but was ordered, with the rest of the
detachment, to the barracks at Chatham; my mother, although she was
determined that she would not live at barracks, was not sorry to leave
the Hall, where she could not fail to perceive that she was, from her
imprudent conduct, no longer treated with the respect or cordiality to
which she had been previously accustomed. She was most anxious to
quit a place in which her disgrace was so well known; and Captain
Delmar having given her his advice, which coincided with her own
ideas, and also a very munificent present to enable her to set up
housekeeping, took his departure from the Hall. My mother returned to
her room as the wheels of his carriage rattled over the gravel of the
drive, and many were the bitter tears which she shed over her
unconscious boy.
The following day the Honourable Miss Delmar sent for her; as usual,
commenced with a tedious lecture, which, as before, was wound up at
parting with a handsome present. The day after my mother packed up
her trunks, and with me in her arms set off to Chatham, where we
arrived safely, and immediately went into furnished lodgings. My
mother was a clever, active woman, and the presents which she had at
different times received amounted to a considerable sum of money,
over which her husband had never ventured to assert any claim.
Indeed, I must do Ben Keene the justice to say that he had the virtue of
humility. He felt that his wife was in every way his superior and that it
was only under peculiar circumstances that