Saraband for Two Sisters

He called next day and asked to see Gervaise. They were together for some time, during which I waited in a fever of impatience. I knew that all would be well because the decision would rest with my parents, and I was sure that if I told my mother I loved this man and could never be happy without him, she would surely give her consent Then I supposed I would have to wait for my father’s, but that need not be so, for he would sanction anything of which she approved and she knew it.

Gervaise sent for me and when I went in Richard was with him. I could see that Gervaise was a little disturbed, for I had come to know that he was a man who felt he had a duty toward me and would regard that duty with the utmost seriousness.

‘You know, my dear,” he said, “that General Tolworthy is asking for your hand in marriage. I believe you have accepted his proposal.”

“Yes,” I said warmly and happily, “I have.”

“Then,” said Sir Gervaise, “I will write at once to your mother, and you perhaps should do the same as the General will, and the letters can be dispatched today.»

“I understand Angelet’s father is on the high seas,” said Richard. “He often is,” I cried, “and we never know when he will be home. My mother will speak for them both.”

Richard looked askance at Gervaise, who said, “I believe that could be so. Let us all write our letters and they can then be dispatched without delay.” I went to my room, my head whirling with delight. I wrote to both my mother and my sister, and I knew that they would read the happiness in my letters. When I tried to describe him it was difficult. I could not say he was like this or that one, for there was simply no one like him. He was different from all other men. He was important. He was a general in the King’s Army. He was a friend of the King’s and the Queen’s, and he would defend them with his life. He was serious. They need not think he was a frivolous man of the town. No, he was a steady clever soldier and his great concern was that he should make me happy.

I knew my mother would never be able to withhold her consent when she read my letter.

Carlotta was piqued when she heard the news.

“I simply do not believe it,” was her first comment. And afterward: “I always thought there was something strange about Richard Tolworthy.”

“There was a time when you thought him rather attractive,” I pointed out and added maliciously, “That was when you thought he preferred you.”

“That’s nonsense,” she said. “In any case you’re far too young for marriage.”

“I shall be eighteen.”

“You are immature for your age,” she told me and walked out of the room.

Yes, she was very angry.

Ana whispered to me, “She is angry because she does not like any but herself to be preferred.”

Mab said the same, and I knew that they were right.

Richard left on duty and said that he would be away for a week or so and as soon as he was free to do so he would call on us.

Meanwhile we waited and I lived in a dream. I did not look into the future. I could not because I found it very hard to imagine what it would be like. There was a house, Far Flamstead, which I had not seen and which Richard had not described very clearly. He was not good at descriptions, I thought fondly. I knew its whereabouts roughly but he had never suggested taking me there, which was perhaps rather strange, but I had a notion that he wanted to wait for my family’s consent before he regarded us as betrothed.

It seemed a long time before the letters came. My mother wrote: MY DBARBST ANGELET, I was surprised to hear the news and your happiness came through to me. I wish it were possible for us to come to London but that is quite out of the question. Bersaba is not yet strong enough to travel. My dear child, I understand how you are feeling. This is a wonderful thing that has happened to you. Sir Gervaise has written to me and so has General Tolworthy. He sounds a very serious man and eager to care for you. And you are truly in love with him. You could not disguise your true feelings from me if you tried.

I wish your father were here, but you know we can never be sure when he will return, and Fennimore is not even here either. I know that you do not want to wait. I have experienced this myself when I was your age so I am writing to General Tolworthy and to Sir Gervaise and telling them that they have your family’s consent to your marriage.

Oh, ray dearest, how different it is from what I imagined! I had planned that you should be married in this house and naturally I thought it would be someone hereabouts and that you would live near to me and Trystan Priory. But this is clearly what you want and I know how unhappy you would be if I withheld my consent.

So, my dear, be happy. You may become betrothed. Perhaps you could come down here to be married. I wonder if that is possible?

Bersaba is writing to you. It will be but a short note. There is a great change in your sister but she is gradually though slowly regaining her strength. I hope to hear from you soon, my darling.