In due time Captain Batsby came. At any knock heard at the door during this period Ayala flew out of the drawing-room into her own chamber; and at the Captain's knock she flew with double haste, feeling sure that his was the special knock. The man was shown up, and in a set speech declared his purpose to Mrs Dosett, and expressed a hope that Lady Albury might have written on the subject. Might he be allowed to see the young lady?
"I fear that would be of no service, Captain Batsby.""Of no service?"
"On receiving Lady Albury's letter I was of course obliged to tell my niece the honour you proposed to do her.""I am quite in earnest, you know," said the Captain.
"So I suppose, as Lady Albury would not have written, nor would you have come on such a mission. But so is my niece in earnest.""She will, at any rate, hear what I have got to say.""She would rather not," said Mrs Dosett. "She thinks that it would only be painful to both of you. As she has quite made up her mind that she cannot accept the honour you propose to do her, what good would it serve?""Is Miss Dormer at home?" asked the Captain, suddenly. Mrs Dosett hesitated for a while, anxious to tell a lie on the matter, but fearing to do so. "I suppose she is at home," continued the urgent lover.
"Miss Dormer is at present in her own chamber.""Then I think I ought to see her," continued the Captain. "She can't know at present what is my income.""Lady Albury has told us that it is sufficient.""But that means nothing. Your niece cannot be aware that I have a very pretty little place of my own down in Berkshire.
"I don't think it would make a difference," said Mrs Dosett.
"Or that I shall be willing to settle upon her a third of my income. It is not many gentlemen who will do as much as that for a young lady, when the young lady has nothing of her own.""I am sure you are very generous."
"Yes, I am. I always was generous. And I have no impediments to get rid of; not a trouble of that kind in all the world. And I don't owe a shilling. Very few young men, who have lived as much in the world as I have, can say that.""I am sure your position is all that is desirable.""That's just it. No position could be more desirable. I should give up the service immediately as soon as I was married." At that Mrs Dosett bowed, not knowing what words to find for further conversation. "After that," continued the Captain, "do you mean to say that I am not to be allowed to see the young lady?""I cannot force her to come down, Captain Batsby.""I would if I were you."
"Force a young lady?"
"Something ought to be done," said he, beginning almost to whine.
"I have come here on purpose to see her, and I am quite prepared to do what is handsome. My half-sister, Lady Albury, had her down at Stalham, and is quite anxious to have her there again.
I suppose you have no objection to make to me, Mrs Dosett?""Oh, dear no."
"Or Mr Dosett?"
"I do not say that he has, Captain Batsby; but this is a matter in which a young lady's word must be paramount. We cannot force her to marry you, or even to speak to you." The Captain still went on with entreaties, till Mrs Dosett found herself so far compelled to accede to him as to go up to Ayala's room and beg her to come down and answer this third suitor with her own voice.
But Ayala was immovable. When her aunt came near her she took hold of the bed as though fearing an attempt would be made to drag her out of the room. She again declared that if she were forced into the room below nothing could oblige her to speak even a word.
"As for thanking him," she said, "you can do that yourself, Aunt Margaret, if you like. I am not a bit obliged to him; but, if you choose to say so, you may; only pray do tell him to go away -- and tell him never, never to come back any more." Then Mrs Dosett returned to the drawing-room, and declared that her embassy had been quite in vain.
"In all my life," said Captain Batsby, as he took his leave, "I never heard of such conduct before."Nevertheless, as he went away he made up his mind that Lady Albury should get Ayala again down to Stalham. He was very angry, but his love remained as hot as ever.
