The Pagan's Cup Part 39

She refused to come to Leo's wedding, or even to see him, intimating to Sybil, who called upon her to entreat her to be reconciled to the new Lord Morven, that she hated both of them. Mrs Gabriel went away to London for six months, and amused herself by hunting for Pratt. In the meantime, Lord Morven and Sybil were married. Also Raston was united to his Peggy on the same day--Mrs Bathurst bore up heroically. Only she regretted that she had not known of Leo's true parentage. He might have married Peggy. "She would grace a t.i.tle," said Mrs Bathurst.

"And now," said Lord Kilspindie, when the wedding was at an end, "we will go to our own place and take the cup with us."

So it came about that the Pagan Cup, which was the luck of the Grants, was replaced in Kilspindie Castle. There was a brave home-coming for the long-lost son and his bride. And there Lord and Lady Morven lived beloved by all. It was a happy ending to Leo's troubles.

After a time Mr Tempest found that he could not live without his daughter, so he took up his residence in Kilspindie Castle as a kind of chaplain. Pearl was already established at the castle, and const.i.tuted herself the guardian of the cup, which in her mad fancy she still called the Holy Grail. No one tried to undeceive her. But there is no danger of the cup being lost again while Pearl looks after it. And that is a good thing for the Grants, since their luck is wound up in its possession.

"And who would doubt the truth of the tradition!" said Kilspindie, "seeing that three times the legend has come true."

Raston succeeded Mr Tempest as vicar of Colester, as Mrs Gabriel rather approved of him. Thus it was that Mrs Bathurst came to think herself ent.i.tled to interfere in parish affairs as the mother-in-law of the vicar. She and Mrs Gabriel fought bitterly, and still fight over the affairs of the kingdom. Raston and Peggy take no notice. They are perfectly happy.

Pratt wrote one letter to Lord Morven telling him that he was going to lead a new and decent life in South America, and asking the young man not to think too badly of him. As he gave no address, Leo could not answer the letter, so he burnt it and said nothing about it save to his father. "There was some good in Pratt," said Lord Morven.

"Well, yes," a.s.sented Kilspindie; "he was a thief, a liar, and a rogue in grain. Nevertheless, I believe he had a sincere affection for you, my dear boy. He certainly did a kind act when he restored to me my son and my cup--"

"And a daughter," said Sybil, who entered at the moment.

"Who is the light of my eyes," said Morven, kissing her. "We are happy now, father. After the storm comes the calm."

"Therefore, remember to give thanks," said Mr Tempest, pointing to the cup. "I think we can make use of the line on that goblet," and he read out in English the inscription, "'To the great G.o.d who maketh the heart joyful.' The G.o.d of Israel," said Mr Tempest, solemnly. "Amen, and Amen."

THE END.