CHAPTER XXVIII.
MARK WYLDER'S SUBMISSION.
Every day the position grew more critical and embarrassing. The dayappointed for the nuptials was now very near, and the bridegroom not onlyout of sight but wholly untraceable. What was to be done?
A long letter from Stanley Lake told Lord Chelford, in detail, all themeasures adopted by that energetic young gentleman for the discovery ofthe truant knight:--
'I have been at his club repeatedly, as also at his lodgings--still_his_, though he has not appeared there since his arrival in town. Thebilliard-marker at his club knows his haunts; and I have taken theliberty to employ, through him, several persons who are acquainted withhis appearance, and, at my desire, frequent those places with a view todiscovering him, and bringing about an interview with me.
'He was seen, I have reason to believe, a day or two before my arrivalhere, at a low place called the "Miller's Hall," in the City, wheremembers of the "Fancy" resort, at one of their orgies, but not since. Ihave left notes for him wherever he is likely to call, entreating aninterview.
'On my arrival I was sanguine about finding him; but I regret to say myhopes have very much declined, and I begin to think he must have changedhis quarters. If you have heard from him within the last few days,perhaps you will be so kind as to send me the envelope of his letter,which, by its postmark, may possibly throw some light or hint some theoryas to his possible movements. He is very clever; and having taken thisplan of concealing his residence, will conduct it skilfully. If the casewere mine I should be much tempted to speak with the detectiveauthorities, and try whether they might not give their assistance, ofcourse without _eclat_. But this is, I am aware, open to objection, and,in fact, would not be justifiable, except under the very peculiar urgencyof the case.
'Will you be so good as to say what you think upon this point; also, toinstruct me what you authorise me to say should I be fortunate enough tomeet him. At present I am hardly in a position to say more than anacquaintance--never, I fear, very cordial on his part--would allow;which, of course, could hardly exceed a simple mention of your anxiety tobe placed in communication with him.
'If I might venture to suggest, I really think a peremptory alternativeshould be presented to him. Writing, however, in ignorance of what maysince have passed at Brandon, I may be assuming a state of things which,possibly, no longer exists. Pray understand that in any way you please toemploy me, I am entirely at your command. It is also possible, though Ihardly hope it, that I may be able to communicate something definite bythis evening's post.
'I do not offer any conjectures as to the cause of this very embarrassingprocedure on his part; and indeed I find a great difficulty in renderingmyself useful, with any likelihood of really succeeding, without at thesame exposing myself to an imputation of impertinence. You will easilysee how difficult is my position.
'Whatever may be the cause of Mark Wylder's present line of conduct, itappears to me that if he really did attend that meeting at the "Miller'sHall," there cannot be anything _very_ serious weighing upon his spirits.My business will detain me here, I rather think, three days longer.'
By return of post Lord Chelford wrote to Stanley Lake:--
'I am so very much obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken. Themeasures which you have adopted are, I think, most judicious; and Ishould not wish, on consideration, to speak to any official person. Ithink it better to trust entirely to the means you have already employed.Like you, I do not desire to speculate as to the causes of Wylder'sextraordinary conduct; but, all the circumstances considered, I cannotavoid concluding, as you do, that there must be some _very_ seriousreason for it. I enclose a note, which, perhaps, you will be so good asto give him, should you meet before you leave town.'
The note to Mark Wylder was in these terms:--
'DEAR WYLDER,--I had hoped to see you before now at Brandon. Yourunexplained absence longer continued, you must see, will impose on me thenecessity of offering an explanation to Miss Brandon's friends, of therelations, under these strange circumstances, in which you and she are tobe assumed to stand. You have accounted in no way for your absence. Youhave not even suggested a postponement of the day fixed for thecompletion of your engagement to that young lady; and, as her guardian, Icannot avoid telling her, should I fail to hear explicitly from youwithin three days from this date, that she is at liberty to hold herselfacquitted of her engagement to you. I do not represent to you how muchreason everyone interested by relationship in that young lady has to feeloffended at the disrespect with which you have treated her. Still hoping,however, that all may yet be explained,
'I remain, my dear Wylder, yours very truly,
'CHELFORD.'
Lord Chelford had not opened the subject to Dorcas. Neither had old LadyChelford, although she harangued her son upon it as volubly and fiercelyas if he had been Mark Wylder in person, whenever he and she were_tete-a-tete_. She was extremely provoked, too, at Dorcas's evidentrepose under this astounding treatment, and was enigmatically sarcasticupon her when they sat together in the drawing-room.
She and her son were, it seemed, not only to think and act, but to feelalso, for this utterly immovable young lady! The Brandons, in her youngdays, were not wanting in spirit. No; they had many faults, but they werenot sticks or stones. They were not to be taken up and laid down like waxdolls; they could act and speak. It would not have been safe to trampleupon them; and they were not less beautiful for being something more thanpictures and statues.
This evening, in the drawing-room, there were two very pretty ormolucaskets upon the little marble table.
'A new present from Mark Wylder,' thought Lady Chelford, as these objectsmet her keen glance. 'The unceremonious bridegroom has, I suppose, foundhis way back with a peace-offering in his hand.' And she actually peeredthrough her spectacles into the now darkened corners of the chamber, halfexpecting to discover the truant Wylder awaiting there the lecture shewas well prepared to give him; but the square form and black whiskers ofthe prodigal son were not discernible there.
'So, so, something new, and very elegant and pretty,' said the old ladyaloud, holding her head high, and looking as if she were disposed to bepropitiated. 'I think I can risk a conjecture. Mr. Wylder is about toreappear, and has despatched these heralds of his approach, no doubtsuitably freighted, to plead for his reacceptance into favour. You haveheard, then, from Mr. Wylder, my dear Dorcas?'
'No, Lady Chelford,' said the young lady with a grave serenity, turningher head leisurely towards her.
'No? Oh, then where is my son? He, perhaps, can explain; and pray, mydear, what are these?'
'These caskets contain the jewels which Mr. Wylder gave me about sixweeks since. I had intended restoring them to him; but as his return isdelayed, I mean to place them in Chelford's hands; because I have made upmy mind, a week ago, to put an end to this odious engagement. It is allover.'
Lady Chelford stared at the audacious young lady with a look of incensedamazement for some seconds, unable to speak.
'Upon my word, young lady! vastly fine and independent! You _chasser_ Mr.Wylder without one moment's notice, and without deigning to consult me,or any other person capable of advising you. You are about to commit asgross and indelicate a breach of faith as I recollect anywhere to haveheard of. What will be thought?--what will the world say?--what will yourfriends say? Will you be good enough to explain yourself? _I_'ll notundertake your excuses, I promise you.'
'Excuses! I don't think of excuses, Lady Chelford; no person living has aright to demand one.'
'Very tragic, young lady, and quite charming!' sneered the dowagerangrily.
'Neither one nor the other, I venture to think; but quite true, LadyChelford,' answered Miss Brandon, haughtily.
'I don't believe you are serious, Dorcas,' said Lady Chelford, moreanxiously, and also more gently. 'I can't suppose it. I'm an old woman,my dear, and I sha'n't trouble you very long. I can have no object inmisleading you, and you have never experienced from
me anything butkindness and affection. I think you might trust me a little, Dorcas--butthat, of course, is for you, you are your own mistress now--but, atleast, you may reconsider the question you propose deciding in soextraordinary a way. I allow you might do much better than Mark Wylder,but also worse. He has not a title, and his estate is not enough to carrythe point _a force d'argent_; I grant all that. But _together_ theestates are more than most titled men possess; and the real point is thefatal slip in your poor uncle's will, which makes it so highly importantthat you and Mark should be united; bear that in mind, dear Dorcas. Ilook for his return every day--every hour, indeed--and no doubt hisabsence will turn out to have been unavoidable. You must not actprecipitately, and under the influence of mere pique. His absence, I willlay my life, will be satisfactorily accounted for; he has set his heartupon this marriage, and I really think you will almost drive him mad ifyou act as you threaten.'
'You have, indeed, dear Lady Chelford, been always very kind to me, and Ido trust you,' replied this beautiful heiress, turning her large shadowyeyes upon the dowager, and speaking in slow and silvery accents, somehowvery melancholy. 'I dare say it is very imprudent, and I don't deny thatMr. Wylder may have reason to complain of me, and the world will notspare me either; but I have quite made up my mind, and nothing can everchange me; all is over between me and Mr. Wylder--quite over--for ever.'
'Upon my life, young lady, this is being very sharp, indeed. Mr. Wylder'sbusiness detains him a day or two longer than he expected, and he ispunished by a final dismissal!'
The old lady's thin cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shot a reddishlight, and altogether she made an angry sight. It was hardly reasonable.She had been inveighing against Miss Brandon's apathy under Wylder'sdisrespect, and now that the young lady spoke and acted too, she wasincensed. She had railed upon Wylder, in no measured terms, herself, andeven threatened, as the proper measure, that very step which Dorcas hadannounced; and now she became all at once the apologist of this insolenttruant, and was ready to denounce her unreasonable irritation.
'So far, dear Lady Chelford, from provoking me to this decision, hisabsence is, I assure you, the sole reason of my having delayed to informhim of it.'
'And I assure you, Miss Brandon, _I_ sha'n't undertake to deliver yourmonstrous message. He will probably be here to-morrow. You have preparedan agreeable surprise for him. You shall have the pleasure ofadministering it yourself, Miss Brandon. For my part, I have done myduty, and here and now renounce all responsibility in the futuremanagement of your affairs.'
Saying which, she rose, in a stately and incensed way, and looking withflashing eyes over Dorcas's head to a far corner of the apartment,without another word she rustled slowly and majestically from thedrawing-room.
She was a good deal shocked, and her feelings quite changed, however,when next morning the post brought a letter to Chelford from Mark Wylder,bearing the Boulogne postmark. It said--
'DEAR CHELFORD,
'Don't get riled; but the fact is I don't see my way out of my presentbusiness'--(this last word was substituted for another, crossed out,which looked like 'scrape')--'for a couple of months, maybe. Therefore,you see, my liberty and wishes being at present interfered with, it wouldbe very hard lines if poor Dorcas should be held to her bargain.Therefore, I will say this--_she is quite free_ for me. Only, of course,I don't decline to fulfil my part whenever at liberty. In the meantime Ireturn the miniature, with her hair in it, which I constantly wore aboutme since I got it. But I have no right to it any longer, till I know herdecision. Don't be too hard on me, dear Chelford. It is a very old larkhas got me into this present vexation. In the meantime, I wish to make itquite clear what I mean. Not being able by any endeavour'--(here anautical phrase scratched out, and 'endeavour' substituted)--'of mine tobe up to time, and as these are P.P. affairs, I must only forfeit. Imean, I am at the lady's disposal, either to fulfil my engagement theearliest day I can, or to be turned adrift. That is all I can say.
'In more trouble than you suppose, I remain, dear Chelford, yours,whatever you may think, faithfully,
'MARK WYLDER'
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