In the midst of this uncertainty Chad entered with a message. "Miss
Nancy wants de colonel." In five minutes more he entered with another.
Miss Nancy wanted Fitz and me.
We followed the old servant up the winding staircase and down the long
hall, past the old-fashioned wardrobe and the great chintz-covered
lounge, waited until Chad knocked gently, and entered the dear lady's
bedroom.
She sat near the window by the side of the high post bedstead, rocking
gently to and fro. The colonel was standing with his back to the light,
coat open, thumbs in his armholes, face beaming.
"I sent for you," she began, "because I want you both to hear my answer
before I inform the agent. The land only was mine, and but for your
love and devotion to the colonel would still be a wild hill. The coal,
therefore, belongs to him. Go and tell the Englishman I accept his
offer. The land and all the coal I give to George."
* * * * *
When, an hour later, the transaction was complete, the receipts and
preliminary contracts signed, and the small, modest-looking check--the
first instalment--had been transferred from the plethoric bank-book
of the agent to the narrow, poverty-stricken pocket of the colonel,
and the fact began to dawn simultaneously upon everybody that at last
the dear old colonel was independent, an enthusiasm took possession
of the room that soon became uncontrollable.
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