They were her only relatives, and as such McKay was compelled to
surrender his love to them for a time. But only for the very briefest
time. He measured their affections at its true value, and had no
compunction in asserting his claim over theirs to protect and cherish
her.
He easily persuaded them and Mariquita, but with some tender
insistence, to hurry on the marriage, and it took place within a few
short weeks of their return to the Rock. Why should he wait? He was
his own master; the only relative whose consent and approval he
coveted--his mother--had already promised gladly to accept the girl of
his choice.
His great relatives, the Essendines, might question the propriety of
the match, anxious that he should look higher, and find his future
bride amongst the aristocracy to which he now rightly belonged.
That was a point on which he meant to please himself, and did.
When, after a short honeymoon at Granada, the young married couple
returned to Gibraltar and travelled leisurely homewards, Lord
Essendine was one of the first to welcome him on arrival, and to
congratulate him on the beauty of his bride.
By-and-by, when the days of mourning were ended, Lady Essendine came
out of her strict retirement to present Mrs. McKay at Court; and the
handsome Spanish girl with the strange romantic history was one of the
greatest successes of the next London season.
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