While she spoke a servant crossed the hall and the woman, whisking
Capitola around until her back was turned and her face concealed, went
to speak to the newcomer.
"When will your master be here?" Capitola heard her inquire.
"Not to-night; he saw the storm rising and did not wish to expose
himself. He sent me on to say that he would not be here until morning.
I was caught, as you see! I am dripping wet," replied the man.
"Go, change your clothes at once then, Davy."
"Who is that stranger?" asked the man, pointing to Capitola.
"Some young woman of the neighborhood, who has been caught out in the
tempest. But you had better go and change your clothes than to stand
here gossiping," said the woman, harshly.
"I say," said the man, "the young woman is a God-send to Miss Clara;
nobody has been to see her yet; nobody ever visits this house unless
they are driven to it. I don't wonder the colonel and our young master
pass as much as ten months in the year away from home, spending all the
summer at the watering places, and all the winter in New York or
Washington!"
"Hold your tongue! What right have you to complain? You always attend
them in their travels!"
"True, but you see for this last season they have both been staying
here, old master to watch the heiress, young master to court her, and
as I have no interest in that game, I find the time hangs heavy on my
hands," complained the man.
"It will hang heavier if you take a long fit of illness by standing in
wet clothes," muttered the woman.
"Why, so 'twill, missus! So here goes," assented the man, hurrying
across the hall and passing out through the door opposite that by which
he entered.
Dorcas returned to her guest.
Eying her closely for a while, she at length inquired: "Capitola, how long have you lived at Hurricane Hall?"
"So long," replied Cap, "that you must have heard of me! I, at least,
have often heard of Mother Dorkey Knight."
"And heard no good of her!"
"Well, no--to be candid with you, I never did," said Cap.
"And much harm of her?" continued the woman, keeping her stern black
eyes fixed upon those of her guest.
"Well, yes--since you ask me, I have heard pretty considerable harm!"
answered Cap, nothing daunted.