Australian Tales - Setis

margin of that memorable stream, dear Nanny leaned her glossy head on
my breast for a few minutes, and wept as though her heart would break.
Suddenly, however, she became calm and composed, which quite
puzzled me, till she took my hand within hers, and said in a firm but
deliciously soft voice: ‘Davy, dear Davy! forgive me for exhibiting so
much weakness at a time when you most require comfort from me. But I
am better now, the sight of this spot with its tender recollections shook
all my firmness for a minute. Go to Australia, love! I am sure it is your
Providential path, and I would not stop you for the world. I will not pain
you by offering to release you from your engagement with me, for I
know how you feel just now, dear. I am sure you love me fondly, and I
know your inclination is now struggling with your sense of duty; I would
rather strengthen your resolution than induce you to break it. I know not
what is in the future, but I feel something within me assuring me that all
will be well if we pursue the right path. I believe we shall happily meet
again, and that hope will sustain me under the pangs of parting with you,
for you know how dearly I love you, Davy. Go, dearest, and ever believe
that your Nanny is faithful to her sacred, betrothal pledge. I will not
promise to act in opposition to my father's wishes, you would not have
me do that, I am sure, but I feel that in some way, which I cannot at
present see, his decision will be over-ruled. However that may be, I
promise I will be your wife, Davy, or I will die Nanny Roseley. Go,
dearest! and may the great God of heaven and earth go with you.’
“Was not that nobly said, Mr. Boomerang?” exclaimed Mr. Dovecott,
pausing to stroke his wife's silvery hair again, and to look a volume of
love into her glistening eyes.
“Well, sir, I parted with Nanny that night, after we had said many soft
things to each other near the romantic spot where I had fished up the
little shoe, and I then walked towards my mother's cottage with a heavy
heart, for I dreaded her sorrowful pleadings far more than I had Mr.
Roseley's wrath. Judge my delight, sir, when I entered the cottage to see
the dear old lady smiling sweetly, though her poor thin face bore traces
of recent tears. She clasped me in her arms and sobbed out in a peculiar
manner, between a laugh and a cry, ‘Davy, my son! my darling boy! You
may go to Botany Bay; and your poor widowed mother's blessing will go
with you. I have been on my knees, Davy, ever since you went away, and
I have had such comforting answers to my prayers, that my poor old
heart has danced for joy. Though I scarcely dare hope to see you again in
this world, Davy, I can give you up, for I feel it will be for your good;
and I stay my heart upon the comforting belief that we shall surely meet
again in the life beyond this, where there will be no more sorrowful
partings. Go my boy! and may God bless you! I will not wound you by
asking you not to forget your poor old mother; I am sure you will never
do that cruel thing, never. You have been a dutiful son, Davy; the pride