by Bret Harte
unnecessary; it wastes time, and isn'tbusiness. Better have her present, even if she don't say a word."
"Yes, but not in this matter," responded Leyton; "it's about Somers. Youknow he's been very attentive to her ever since her uncle left her hereto recruit her health, and I think she fancies him. Well, although she'sindependent and her own mistress, as you know, Mrs. Leyton and I aresomewhat responsible for her acquaintance with Somers,--and for thatmatter so are you; and as my wife thinks it means a marriage, we oughtto know something more positive about Somers's prospects. Now, all wereally know is that he's a great friend of yours; that you trust a gooddeal to him; that he manages your social affairs; that you treat himas a son or nephew, and it's generally believed that he's as good asprovided for by you--eh? Did you speak?"
"No," said Rushbrook, quietly regarding the statue as if taking itsmeasurement for a suitable apartment for it. "Go on."
"Well," said Leyton, a little impatiently, "that's the belief everybodyhas, and you've not contradicted it. And on that we've taken theresponsibility of not interfering with Somers's attentions."
"Well?" said Rushbrook, interrogatively.
"Well," replied Leyton, emphatically, "you see I must ask you positivelyif you HAVE done anything, or are you going to do anything for him?"
"Well," replied Rushbrook, with exasperating coolness, "what do you callthis marriage?"
"I don't understand you," said Leyton.
"Look here, Leyton," said Rushbrook, suddenly and abruptly facing him;"Jack Somers has brains, knowledge of society, tact, accomplishments,and good looks: that's HIS capital as much as mine is money. I employhim: that's his advertisement, recommendation, and credit. Now, on thestrength of this, as you say, Miss Nevil is willing to invest in him; Idon't see what more can be done."
"But if her uncle don't think it enough?"
"She's independent, and has money for both."
"But if she thinks she's been deceived, and changes her mind?"
"Leyton, you don't know Miss Nevil. Whatever that girl undertakes she'sweighed fully, and goes through with. If she's trusted him enough tomarry him, money won't stop her; if she thinks she's been deceived,YOU'LL never know it."
The enthusiasm and conviction were so unlike Rushbrook's usual cynicaltoleration of the sex that Leyton stared at him.
"That's odd," he returned. "That's what she says of you."
"Of ME; you mean Somers?"
"No, of YOU. Come, Rushbrook, don't pretend you don't know thatMiss Nevil is a great partisan of yours, swears by you, says you'remisunderstood by people, and, what's infernally odd in a woman who don'tbelong to the class you fancy, don't talk of your habits. That's why shewants to consult you about Somers, I suppose, and that's why, knowingyou might influence her, I came here first to warn you."
"And I've told you that whatever I might say or do wouldn't influenceher. So we'll drop the subject."
"Not yet; for you're bound to see Miss Nevil sooner or later. Now, ifshe knows that you've done nothing for this man, your friend and herlover, won't she be justified in thinking that you would have a reasonfor it?"
"Yes. I should give it."
"What reason?"
"That I knew she'd be more contented to have him speculate with HERmoney than mine."
"Then you think that he isn't a business man?"
"I think that she thinks so, or she wouldn't marry him; it's part of theattraction. But come, James has been for five minutes discreetly waitingoutside the door to tell us dinner is ready, and the coast clear of allother company. But look here," he said, suddenly stopping, with his armin Leyton's, "you're through your talk, I suppose; perhaps you'd ratherwe'd dine with the Signora and the others than alone?"
For an instant Leyton thrilled with the fascination of what he firmlybelieved was a guilty temptation. Rushbrook, perceiving his hesitation,added:--
"By the way, Somers is of the party, and one or two others you know."
Mr. Leyton opened his eyes widely at this; either the temptation hadpassed, or the idea of being seen in doubtful company by a younger manwas distasteful, for he hurriedly disclaimed any preference. "But," headded with half-significant politeness, "perhaps I'm keeping YOU fromthem?"
"It makes not the slightest difference to me," calmly returnedRushbrook, with such evident truthfulness that Leyton was both convincedand chagrined.
Preceded by the grave and ubiquitous James, they crossed the large hall,and entered through a smaller passage a charming apartment hungwith blue damask, which might have been a boudoir, study, or smallreception-room, yet had the air of never having been anythingcontinuously. It would seem that Rushbrook's habit of "camping out" indifferent parts of his mansion obtained here as at Los Osos, and withthe exception of a small closet which contained his Spartan bed, therooms were used separately or in suites, as occasion or his friendsrequired. It is recorded that an Eastern guest, newly arrived withletters to Rushbrook, after a tedious journey, expressed himself pleasedwith this same blue room, in which he had sumptuously dined with hishost, and subsequently fell asleep in his chair. Without disturbing hisguest, Rushbrook had the table removed, a bed, washstand, and bureaubrought in, the sleeping man delicately laid upon the former, and leftto awaken to an Arabian night's realization of his wish.
CHAPTER V
James had barely disposed of his master and Mr. Leyton, and left themto the ministrations of two of his underlings, before he was confrontedwith one of those difficult problems that it was part of his functionsto solve. The porter informed him that a young lady had just driven upin a carriage ostensibly to see Mr. Rushbrook, and James, descending tothe outer vestibule, found himself face to face with Miss GraceNevil. Happily, that young lady, with her usual tact, spared him someembarrassment.
"Oh! James," she said sweetly, "do you think that I could see Mr.Rushbrook for a few moments IF I WAITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY? Youunderstand, I don't wish to disturb him or his company by beingregularly announced."
The young girl's practical intelligence appeared to increase the usualrespect which James had always shown her. "I understand, miss." Hethought for a moment, and said: "Would you mind, then, following mewhere you could wait quietly and alone?" As she quickly assented, hepreceded her up the staircase, past the study and drawing-room, whichhe did not enter, and stopped before a small door at the end of thepassage. Then, handing her a key which he took from his pocket, he said:"This is the only room in the house that is strictly reserved for Mr.Rushbrook, and even he rarely uses it. You can wait here without anybodyknowing it until I can communicate with him and bring you to his studyunobserved. And," he hesitated, "if you wouldn't mind locking the doorwhen you are in, miss, you would be more secure, and I will knock when Icome for you."
Grace Nevil smiled at the man's prudence, and entered the room. Butto her great surprise, she had scarcely shut the door when she wasinstantly struck with a singular memory which the apartment recalled.It was exactly like the room she had altered in Rushbrook's villa at LosOsos! More than that, on close examination it proved to be the very samefurniture, arranged as she remembered to have arranged it, even to theflowers and grasses, now, alas! faded and withered on the walls. Therecould be no mistake. There was the open ebony escritoire with thesatin blotter open, and its leaves still bearing the marks of her ownhandwriting. So complete to her mind was the idea of her own tenancy inthis bachelor's mansion, that she looked around with a half indignantalarm for the photograph or portrait of herself that might furtherindicate it. But there was no other exposition. The only thing that hadbeen added was a gilt legend on the satin case of the blotter,--"LosOsos, August 20, 186-," the day she had occupied the room.
She was pleased, astonished, but more than all, disturbed. The only manwho might claim a right to this figurative possession of her tastesand habits was the one whom she had quietly, reflectively, andunderstandingly half accepted as her lover, and on whose account she hadcome to consult Rushbrook. But Somers was not a sentimentalist; infact, as a young girl, force
d by her independent position to somewhatcritically scrutinize masculine weaknesses, this had always been a pointin his favor; yet even if he had joined with his friend Rushbrook toperpetuate the memory of their first acquaintanceship, his taste merelywould not have selected a chambre de garcon in Mr. Rushbrook's home forits exhibition. Her conception of the opposite characters of the two menwas singularly distinct and real, and this momentary confusion of themwas