We went into the cathedral.We were standing under that curious dome, and I was looking up at its strange lights, when down came a rain of bell-notes on the roof over my head.Before the first tune was over, I seemed to expect the second, and then the third, without thinking how I could know what was coming; but when they ended with the ballad of the Witch Lady, and I lifted up my head and saw that Iwas not by my father's fireside, but in Antwerp Cathedral with Lord Rothie, despair filled me with a half-insane resolution.Happily Lord Rothie was at some little distance talking to a priest about one of Rubens's pictures.I slipped unseen behind the nearest pillar, and then flew from the church.How I got to the hotel I do not know, but I did reach it.'Lady Janet,' was all I could say.
The waiter knew the name, and led me to her room.I threw myself on my knees, and begged her to save me.She assured me no one should touch me.I gasped 'Lord Rothie,' and fainted.When I came to myself--but I need not tell you all the particulars.Lady Janet did take care of me.Till last night I never saw Lord Rothie again.
I did not acknowledge him, but he persisted in talking to me, behave as I would, and I saw well enough that he knew me.'
Falconer took her hand and kissed it.
'Thank God,' he said.'That spire was indeed the haunt of angels as I fancied while I played upon those bells.'
'I knew it was you--that is, I was sure of it when I came to think about it; but at the time I took it for a direct message from heaven, which nobody heard but myself.'
'It was such none the less that I was sent to deliver it,' said Falconer.'I little thought during my imprisonment because of it, that the end of my journey was already accomplished.'
Mysie put her hand in his.
'You have saved me, Mr.Falconer.'
'For Ericson's sake, who was dying and could not,' returned Falconer.
'Ah!' said Mysie, her large eyes opening with wonder.It was evident she had had no suspicion of his attachment to her.
'But,' said Falconer, 'there was another in it, without whom I could have done nothing.'
'Who was that?'
'George Moray.'
'Did he know me then?'
'No.Fortunately not.You would not have looked at him then.It was all done for love of me.He is the truest fellow in the world, and altogether worthy of you, Miss Hamilton.I will tell you the whole story some day, lest he should not do himself justice.'
'Ah, that reminds me.Hamilton sounds strange in your voice.You suspected me of having changed my name to hide my history?'
It was so, and Falconer's silence acknowledged the fact.
'Lady Janet brought me home, and told my father all.When he died a few years after, she took me to live with her, and never rested till she had brought me acquainted with Sir John Hamilton, in favour of whom my father had renounced his claim to some disputed estates.
Sir John had lost his only son, and he had no daughter.He was a kind-hearted old man, rather like my own father.He took to me, as they say, and made me change my name to his, leaving me the property that might have been my father's, on condition that whoever Imarried should take the same name.I don't think your friend will mind ****** the exchange,' said Mysie in conclusion, as the door opened and Shargar came in.
'Robert, ye're a' gait (everywhere)!' he exclaimed as he entered.
Then, stopping to ask no questions, 'Ye see I'm to hae a name o' my ain efter a',' he said, with a face which looked even handsome in the light of his gladness.
Robert shook hands with him, and wished him joy heartily.