"Nothing, mamma," said Aveline. "I am low spirited to-day, and do not feel strong enough to resist crying--that is all."
"You must not be so much alone," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick, "have you seen Brand's children?"
"Yes, they have just left me;" said Aveline, "they are nice little creatures, and Jane grows taller I think every day."
"Mrs. Fletcher has sent you a basket of her fine raspberries," said Mrs.
Fitzpatrick, "and a very kind note with them."
"She is very good. I meet every where with great kindness," said Aveline.
"You must take care we do not walk too far," said her mother, "suppose you rest a little."
"I will stand a minute, and watch the sea, mamma," said Aveline.
She leaned on her mother, and remained gazing on the long range of broken rocks against which the waves were tossing their white foam.
These rocks, which a little way out at sea, rose some feet above the level of the water, decreased in size as they advanced to the shore, and appeared nothing more than an irregular mass of rough stones, covered with slippery green sea-weed.
Presently a speck appeared on the horizon, and gradually advancing, presented the appearance of some slender vessel. "Look, Aveline, there is a yacht!" said Mrs. Fitzpatrick, "what a beautiful thing it is!"
"Yes, a pretty toy," returned Aveline listlessly, "but I prefer a fishing boat. I think my sympathies go rather with the poor, than with the rich. What tales of the still magnificence of moonlight nights, what adventures, what perils of winds and storms are connected with the meanest of those little vessels. And the watchful wife, and the sleeping unconscious children, during those rough dark nights, while the father is out toiling for their bread. I do not like the gentry of our day, mamma; all the poetry is on the side of these poor folks."
Mrs. Fitzpatrick smiled, "See," she said, "they have lowered a boat; one of your despised gentlefolks is coming ashore."
Aveline turned her eyes carelessly in the direction of the boat. "I dare say," she replied, "it belongs to the person who has taken the villa on the other side of the cliff. Mark said it had been let the other day.
It would be a very convenient place for any one fond of boating." The boat, at length, neared the shore, and a man in a sailor's costume sitting idly in the stern, threw out a couple of dogs, who swam towards the land.
Aveline, not sufficiently interested in their proceedings to continue watching them, turned slowly away, and loitered along the shore in an opposite direction.
Meantime the dogs had come to land; and one of these, a setter of remarkable beauty after shaking the spray from his coat, ran prying along the shore, until upon reaching Aveline and her mother, he uttered a bark of recognition, and sprang fawning upon them.
"Mamma!" exclaimed Aveline breathless with excitement, "look; it is Farfallo! How well I recollect him. See, he knows me! Don't you remember my naming him at Sorrento? Oh, I cannot be mistaken!"
"Dear Aveline, it is very unlikely," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "No! I am sure--certain of it," cried Aveline, "how could I forget him?"
Her agitation, the glow in her cheeks, the light in her eyes, as she stooped and caressed the dog with a delight that she took no pains to disguise, gave a hope to Mrs. Fitzpatrick that sent a thrill of pleasure through her heart. It was evident that Farfallo's master could not be far off. It was equally evident that Aveline had not forgotten him; all her illness might arise merely from depression of spirits, from that protracted hope, which while it makes sick the heart, seldom altogether spares the body. Doctors did make such extraordinary mistakes in people's complaints. Mr. Lindsay, though a very judicious man, was not infallible; and Mr. Haveloc once more thrown in Aveline's way.
Her fancy was travelling very fast, when a voice, they both well knew, was heard calling Farfallo, coupled with a polite request, not proffered in the gentlest tones, that "the devil would fetch the dog."
Some rocks were between them and the impatient owner. Farfallo sprang away. Aveline stood up with a bright smile.
"So like him--so impatient!" she said, as if she were paying him a compliment. He came suddenly upon them.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick turned quietly towards him, as if they had only parted yesterday.
"We were to blame, Mr. Haveloc. We kept your dog," said she smiling.
He stopped short in astonishment.
"Mrs. Fitzpatrick! Is it possible?" he exclaimed. "How fortunate I esteem myself in meeting you again."
"The surprise is all on your side," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "This dog of yours warned us of your near neighbourhood."
"You remembered him then? I hope he has not bored you--he is so wet. And you, Miss Fitzpatrick, I trust you are quite recovered."
Aveline made a slight bow, and smiled. Mrs. Fitzpatrick answered for her.
"We have not much to boast of, at present, Mr. Haveloc," said she; "we look to the hot weather to set her up again."
"You must allow me to take you on a cruise in my yacht," said Mr.
Haveloc pointing to the vessel in the distance. "Sea voyages are said to be very good for invalids; and I am becoming quite an experienced sailor."
"You used to threaten something of that kind at Sorrento," said Mrs.
Fitzpatrick.
"Yes! but the fancy has gone off as you said it would," he replied. "I shall get rid of my yacht in the autumn, and go abroad again."
"What not tired of travelling yet!" said Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
"It is not exactly the love of travelling; but I have promised a friend of mine to go with him to the Pyrenees--a young barrister, who has a few weeks of liberty in the autumn, and who likes to use it to the utmost."
"What a delightful tour!" said Aveline. "There is nothing equal to mountain scenery."
"But you know, Miss Fitzpatrick, I am not properly sensible of the charms of mountain scenery."
"That is very wrong," said Aveline, looking up to him with a smile. "I was in hopes you might have reformed before now."
"There were three things I remember that I did not justly appreciate,"
said Mr. Haveloc; "moonlight, monks, and mountains."
"It was only that one old monk that I ever insisted upon," said Aveline.
"I thought him the dirtiest of the whole set," said Mr. Haveloc laughing.
"He was very dirty," observed Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "You cannot think how surprised I was to see you."
"I thought you in Italy," said Mr. Haveloc.
"I thought you still farther," replied Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
"Indeed! How far?"
"In Egypt. Was not that your plan?"
"I had some thoughts of going across to Venice, and so on to Egypt; but I became anxious to return to England."
"I hope you found your guardian in good health."
"Oh! I hope so," echoed Aveline. "He must be such a delightful old man."