Shortly afterwards Hamilton, Tony, and the rector set off. As soon as they reached the cliff path they could see that there was little hope of making a crossing at once. Although the wind had dropped to a mere breeze, the waves were mountainous, and dashed upon the rocks below with terrific force.
Down at the harbour the position was even clearer. All the boats, including Tony’s launch, had been beached, and the harbour mouth was impassable. The rector asked one of the little knot of fishermen standing on the quay if there were any possibility of getting to the island, but the man shook his head decidedly.
“Not today, Father,” he said. “I’ve never seen a sea like this, not in thirty year. ’Taint natural, not after such a little blow.”
Tony looked sharply at his companions, as much as to say, ‘I told you so!’ But without further words they returned to the rectory.
Before going in they stopped on the steep path and looked across to where the island lay. It looked so near, but it was as remote — cut off by that stretch of heaving water — as if it had been on the moon. Tony wondered desperately what was going on there, but he said nothing.
After lunch Hamilton and the rector went for a walk, leaving Tony, who seemed disinclined for exercise, sitting by the study fire. He stared into the heart of the glowing coals, smoking cigarette after cigarette, gradually sinking deeper into the pit of despondency. After his exaltation of the morning this setback was all the more depressing.
He was roused from his gloomy reverie by a light touch on his shoulder, and Valerie sat down on the settee beside him. He offered her a cigarette, and when it was lit she said:
“Tony, you mustn’t give way like this. Everything will be all right. Things can’t be as bad as you think.”
“But they are — perhaps worse,” he countered. “If I can’t get over there in time there’s no telling what may happen.”
“Uncle seems to think that God won’t let them do any harm,” she reminded him.
“I know, but I can’t feel so sure. It would entail direct intervention, you see, and it is an axiom among these Satanists that no direct intervention has taken place since the birth of Christ. There must always be a human agent to carry out the Divine Will. I had hoped to be that agent in this case.”
“And if God doesn’t choose you you will lose your trust in Him? Oh, Tony, I thought better things of you than that!”
“I want to justify your faith in me, Valerie. That wish has been the mainspring of my actions ever since you came to Kestrel.”
“I’m glad,” she said simply. “But you must accept God’s providence. He will do what He thinks best, in His own time.”
“I’ll try, but it’s desperately hard. You are very good to me, Valerie.”
“You have been good to me, Tony. Twice you have saved me, once from death and once from something far worse. I can never repay you for that.”
“God knows I want no repayment. I would lay down my life for you — you know that, Valerie. I have loved you from the first moment I set eyes upon your blessed face. Do you think you could care for me a little?”
There was infinite pleading in his voice, but he did not look at her. Touched to the heart, she laid her hand on his.
“I’m terribly fond of you, Tony.”
Quickly he turned and caught her, incredulous wonder in his eyes.
“You mean that, my darling?”
“Of course I mean it,” she answered softly.
“I never dared to hope — I can’t believe — If — when all this is over, will you marry me? I need you so!”
She had not meant all that he took for granted, but faced with the eagerness in his eyes she knew that she could not draw back. Refusal would hurt him horribly. Very quietly she whispered:
“Yes, Tony, I’ll marry you if you want me.”
“My precious darling!”
He drew her close, kissing her sweet mouth, tenderly at first, then passionately, straining her against him as if he would never let her go. For a moment she only submitted to his ardour, then the young passion rose in her also and her arms went about his neck.
So they remained for many minutes while the world went by unheeded, but at last he released her and she lay quiet in his arms, her eyes closed. His senses were reeling as he kissed her hair, whispering:
“Dear heart, I can face anything now. I’ll never be afraid any more.”
She looked up at him shyly, but said nothing, hiding her lovely face in his breast.
When they heard the sound of the rector and Hamilton coming in she gently disengaged his arms and stood up, patting her disheveled curls into place.
“Let me tell John, Tony dear,” said she. “I’m afraid he’s in love with me too, and this will be rather a blow for him.”
“Of course.” Tony was all sympathy. “Poor old John, I can understand how he’ll feel.”
So when Hamilton entered, bringing with him a breath of the keen fresh air, Tony slipped out without a word.
“What’s the matter with him?” inquired Hamilton, sitting down beside the girl; “he looked a bit queer.”
“It’s all right, John,” she answered; “I’ve got something to tell you, and I’m afraid it’s going to hurt you rather.”
He looked at her sharply, and she went on:
“Tony has asked me to marry him, and I have agreed.”
Hamilton sat like a graven image. Not a muscle of his face moved. His voice was perfectly controlled as he said:
“I’m glad, Valerie. I hope you will be very happy.”
“Thank you, John dear. I knew you’d take it well. You’re such a splendid sport. There’s no need to pretend. I know you love me, and I’m tremendously proud, but Tony needs me so much more than you do. He’s so helpless and weak sometimes. You are so strong, so self-sufficient. You will get over it — he wouldn’t. I just couldn’t turn him down; he’s had so much trouble lately, and this would have broken his heart.”
“Do you love him? Forgive me, but I have the right to ask.”
“I can, I must. I’m frightfully sorry for him, and most awfully fond. I shall do my best to make him happy.”
“I know that, bless you. If it was anyone but Tony I would not give you up so easily, but since I love you both I must accept your decision. My dear, you have a great heart. God grant it may never be broken.”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips. Then he stood up, smiling slightly to hide the pain, and went out, his head erect.
Valerie thought he had never looked so fine as he did then: his face pale beneath its tan, and his crisp dark hair ruffled slightly with the wind. A sudden pang of regret shot through her heart, but she stifled it resolutely. She had made her choice, and she must abide by it or be for ever shamed.
Chapter XIX
Tony awoke with a feeling that something very wonderful had happened. Then he remembered — Valerie loved him and had promised to marry him. He lay still and thought of the happy hours they had spent together; how Hamilton had shaken him warmly by the hand, frankly envious of his good fortune; and how the rector had blessed them both. A deep sense of happiness pervaded his whole being, and he thanked God for this great gift with a full heart.
It was some minutes before he realized how hot it seemed and how strange was the early-morning light that filtered in through the window.
He got out of bed with something of an effort and flung the casement wide, leaning out. There was no wind, and the still air was dry and parched. The sun was invisible, hidden by a thin haze, through which it shone with a dull coppery light. How still it was! No birds were singing in the garden, no gulls crying about the cliffs. Perhaps the sea also would be calm, and he would be able at last to get back to Kestrel. There was little time to spare, he thought, beginning to dress slowly; today was the twenty-fourth and at noon on the morrow Gaunt would set his fiendish plan in operation.