"If I can help her to secure a husband,"he thought,"she is quite welcome to make use of me."It did not seem,however,that she had accomplished much.Mr.Chester was chatting contentedly with Mabel,glad that Clementina was otherwise occupied than in teasing him.
"Then you are not sure that you will remain in Granville after the summer,Miss Frost?"he inquired.
"My plans are quite undecided,"answered Mabel.
"I suppose you will continue to teach?"
"Even that is not certain.Perhaps I might obtain a situation as companion to an elderly lady.Do you know of any likely to want my services,Mr.
Chester?"
Mr.
Chester would have liked to suggest that the position of companion to a gentleman was open to her acceptance;but the occasion was too public.
"I may hear of such a position,Miss Frost,"he said;"and if you will leave me your address,in case you do not remain in Granville,I will ,certainly let you know.""Thank you,Mr.Chester."
At this point there was a startling interruption.Miss Raymond had been sitting for five minutes silent and incensed.Her little flirtation with Mr.Thorpe had not ruffled Mr.Chester's serenity nor interrupted his devotion to the school mistress.She rose from her seat,lost her balance,and fell against the side of the boat,upsetting it,and precipitating the four who occupied it into the water.
Fortunately they were not far from shore.Still,the water was six feet deep,and of course there was danger.Mr.Chester could swim a little,and,without a thought of his companions,he struck out for the shore.Allan Thorpe could swim also.Fortunately he was cool in the moment of peril.His first thought was for Mabel.
"Cling to me,Mabel,"he said,forgetting ceremony at this moment.
"I will help you."
Clementina,wild with terror,had grasped him by the coat,and this hampered his movements;but with a great effort,he succeeded in conveying both girls to more shallow water.Had the distance been greater,it is doubtful if he would have succeeded.
"You are out of danger,"he said."The water is not deep here.
We can walk ashore."
Randolph Chester,still a little pale,was dripping on the bank when Allan and the two girls joined him.
"I am so glad you are safe,ladies,"he said a little sheepishly,for he was conscious that he had not played a heroic part.
"Small thanks to you,Mr.Chester!"retorted Clementina sharply.
"We might have drowned,so far as you were concerned.""I cannot swim much,"said Mr.Chester uneasily."I never regretted it so much as now.""You could swim well enough to save yourself.Mr.Thorpe,you are my preserver!"exclaimed Clementina gushingly.
"Do not magnify my service,Miss Raymond.We were very near shoal water.""But you saved my life,"persisted Clementina."I shall never forget it."Mabel said nothing,but she impulsively extended,her hand.Allan Thorpe was better pleased than with Miss Raymond's demonstrative expressions of gratitude.
"Now,young ladies,"said the artist,"though I am no physician,you must allow me to prescribe an immediate return home.Otherwise you'll run a great risk of catching cold.Mr.Chester,if you will take charge of Miss Raymond,I will accompany Miss Frost.For your own sake,you will find it best to go at once."Miss Raymond was rather sulky,but,though irritated with her escort,policy prevailed,and she forced herself into a good humor.She had made up her mind to marry Mr.Chester,and he required delicate management.So she accepted the lame apology he offered for leaving her to her fate,and by the time they reached the hotel they were outwardly on good terms.
