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injustice。'
There came a little sound in Esther's throat； and she put her
hand suddenly to her heart。
'You have； sir； and the acknowledgment suffices；' replied the
Admiral。 'I am prepared； sir； to be easy with you； since I
hear you have made it up with my friend Dick。 But let me
remind you that you owe some apologies to this young lady
also。'
'I shall have the temerity to ask for more than her
forgiveness；' said the Squire。 'Miss Van Tromp；' he
continued； 'once I was in great distress； and knew nothing of
you or your character； but I believe you will pardon a few
rough words to an old man who asks forgiveness from his
heart。 I have heard much of you since then； for you have a
fervent advocate in my house。 I believe you will understand
that I speak of my son。 He is； I regret to say； very far
from well； he does not pick up as the doctors had expected；
he has a great deal upon his mind； and； to tell you the
truth； my girl； if you won't help us； I am afraid I shall
lose him。 Come now； forgive him！ I was angry with him once
myself； and I found I was in the wrong。 This is only a
misunderstanding； like the other； believe me； and with one
kind movement； you may give happiness to him； and to me； and
to yourself。'
Esther made a movement towards the door； but long before she
reached it she had broken forth sobbing。
'It is all right；' said the Admiral； 'I understand the sex。
Let me make you my compliments； Mr。 Naseby。'
The Squire was too much relieved to be angry。
'My dear；' said he to Esther； 'you must not agitate
yourself。'
'She had better go up and see him right away；' suggested Van
Tromp。
'I had not ventured to propose it；' replied the Squire。 'LES
CONVENANCES； I believe … '
'JE M'EN FICHE；' cried the Admiral； snapping his fingers。
'She shall go and see my friend Dick。 Run and get ready；
Esther。'
Esther obeyed。
'She has not … has not run away again？' inquired Mr。 Naseby；
as soon as she was gone。
'No；' said Van Tromp； 'not again。 She is a devilish odd girl
though； mind you that。'
'But I cannot stomach the man with the carbuncles；' thought
the Squire。
And this is why there is a new household and a brand…new baby
in Naseby Dower House； and why the great Van Tromp lives in
pleasant style upon the shores of England； and why twenty…six
individual copies of the THYMEBURY STAR are received daily at
the door of Naseby House。
End