were standing with their children, Lancelot
and Insie, who had nicely recovered from matrimony, and began to be too
high-spirited. They all knew, by virtue of Mr. Mordacks, who Robin Lyth
was; and they wanted to see him, and be kind to him, if he made no claim
upon them. And Mr. Bart desired, as his father's friend, to shake hands
with him, and help him, if help were needed.

But Robin, with a grace and elegance which he must have imported from
foreign parts, declined all connection and acquaintance with them,
and declared his set resolve to have nothing to do with the name of
"Yordas." They were grieved, as they honestly declared, to hear it, but
could not help owning that his pride was just; and they felt that their
name was the richer for not having any poor people to share it.

Yet Captain Lyth--as he now was called, even by revenue officers--in no
way impoverished his name by taking another to share it with him. The
farmer declared that there should be no wedding until he had sold
seven stacks of wheat, for his meaning was to do things well. But this
obstacle did not last long, for those were times when corn was golden,
not in landscape only.

So when the spring was fair with promise of green for the earth, and
of blue for heaven, and of silver-gray upon the sea, the little church
close to Anerley Farm filled up all the complement of colors. There
was scarlet, of Dr. Upround's hood (brought by the Precious boy from
Flamborough); a rich plum-color in the coat of Mordacks; delicate rose
and virgin white in the blush and the brow of Mary; every tint of the
rainbow on her mother's part; and gold, rich gold, in a great tanned
bag, on behalf of Squire Popplewell. His idea of a "settlement" was cash
down, and he put it on the parish register.

Mary found no cause to repent of the long endurance of her truth, and
the steadfast power of quiet love. Robin was often in the distance
still, far beyond the silvery streak of England's new salvation. But
Mary prayed for his safe return; and safe he was, by the will of the
Lord, which helps the man who helps himself, and has made his hand
bigger than his tongue. When the war was over, Captain Lyth came home,
and trained his children in the ways in which he should have walked, and
the duties they should do and pay.

THE END.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mary Anerley, by R. D. Blackmore

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARY ANERLEY ***

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