In fact, Captain Coles
actually promised him that if he died at sea he should be buried
with the old flag.
We could not hope to hear more for at least six weeks, since our
letter had come by overland mail, and the Douro would take her time.
It was a comfort in this waiting time that Martyn could be with us.
His rector had been promoted; there was a general change of curates;
and as Martyn had been working up to the utmost limits of his
strength, we had no scruple in inducing him to remain with us, and
undertake nothing fresh till this crisis was past. Though as to
rest, not one Sunday passed without requests for his assistance from
one or more of the neighbouring clergy.
CHAPTER XLV--ACHIEVED
'And hopes and fears that kindle hope,
An undistinguishable throng,
And gentle wishes long subdued -
Subdued and cherished long.'
S. T. COLERIDGE.
The first that we did hear of our brother was a letter with a
Falmouth postmark, which we scarcely dared to open. There was not
much in it, but that was enough. 'D. G.- I shall see you all again.
We put in at Portsmouth.'
There was no staying at home after that. We three lost no time in
starting, for railways had become available, and by the time we had
driven from the station at Portsmouth the Douro had been signalled.
Martyn took a boat and went on board alone, for besides that Emily
did not like to leave me, her dress would have been a revelation
that ALL were no longer there to greet the arrival.
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