by Fergus Hume
CHAPTER VI
TROUBLE
Still anxious to secure Mr Pratt for a son-in-law, Mrs Bathurst resolvedto make some return to his hospitality. Her husband had very littlemoney, and the lady was unable to give a dinner-party on account of thecost. Also Pratt had "done things so well"--so she put it--that she wasunwilling to provoke comparisons. Nevertheless, some sort ofentertainment had to be given, and after much reflection and manyconsultations with Peggy, it was decided that it should take the form ofa picnic. The scenery around Colester was beautiful, the weather wasfine, and the cost of an open-air entertainment would be comparativelysmall. Mrs Bathurst therefore issued cards.
"We must make Mr Pratt one of ourselves," said the energetic lady; "andalthough we cannot hope to vie with his luxury, we can at least bestowwhat we have with liberal hearts."
What Mrs Bathurst had in the way of food was principally sandwiches--thecheapest form of nourishment she could think of. As she had decided thatthe picnic should take place on the moor, where there were no roads, itwas not necessary to hire vehicles to convey the party to the scene ofrevelry. "A good brisk walk will give everyone an appetite," said thehostess, "and the air will do us all good." Thus it came about that allthose who had partaken of Pratt's hospitality found themselves theguests of Mrs Bathurst. Her husband, who characterised the picnic asfoolery, was not present.
By a dexterous arrangement the good lady contrived that Peggy shouldfind herself in the company of Pratt. The little man was as neat anddapper as ever, and as Peggy strolled beside him over the heather, shecould not but admit that he was a pleasant companion. The principal mealof the day had been devoured, and Mrs Bathurst's guests had been senthungry away. Tea and a limited quantity of sandwiches were scarcelysufficient for appetites sharpened by the keen moorland air. However,there was nothing else; and now the company, split up into smallparties, wandered here, there and everywhere. Peggy was with Pratt. Hesaw how Mrs Bathurst had manoeuvred to bring this about, and resolvedto make use of the opportunity in a way of which the schemer would notapprove.
"Most beautiful place this, Miss Peggy," said Pratt, glancing round,"but I fear the company is not to your mind."
"Oh! Mr Pratt, how can you say that!" said poor Peggy, divided between adesire to keep him at a distance and to avoid giving offence to hermother. "I am very pleased to be with you."
"Well, I don't know, Miss Peggy. I am not a parson, you know."
Peggy laughed and blushed. Her secret was everybody's property, and itwas well known in Colester that she and Raston were attached to oneanother. Even Mrs Bathurst knew, but she was resolved to crush thisaffection before it grew too strong for her control. As a matter of factit had already passed that stage, but Mrs Bathurst was not aware ofthat. "Mr Raston is quite happy with Miss Hale," said Peggy, frankly.She found Pratt sympathetic and did not mind speaking freely to him.
"And I think Miss Hale would rather be with young Haverleigh," said hercompanion, "but he is with Miss Tempest."
"And with Sir Frank Hale."
"Who is the inconvenient third, Miss Peggy? We are all at sixes andsevens, I fancy. Even Mrs Gabriel and the vicar are badly matched.However, in a little time I shall ask Mr Raston to join us."
"Not on my account," cried Miss Bathurst, hastily.
"I understand, your mother would not be pleased."
"Mr Pratt!" Peggy bit her lip. "Really, Mr Pratt!"
"My dear young lady," said Pratt, with a twinkle, "do you think that Iflatter myself that a battered old man like myself is your choice? No,indeed; although your mother would have it so. Like draws to like, andif I can bring it about you shall be Mrs Raston."
"No chance of that," sighed Peggy. "Mr Raston is too poor!"
"Oh, no. He has three hundred a year of his own, and it is more thanprobable that when Mr Tempest dies, Mrs Gabriel will give him theliving. Then why won't your mother consent?"
"She was not opposed to my engagement until--until--" Peggy hesitated.
"Until I arrived," finished Pratt. "Set your mind at rest, Miss Peggy; Iam not a marrying man; I have seen too much of the world."
Peggy laughed and looked at him. His pleasant face was turned towardsher, and she saw on his cheek a mark she had never noticed before. Itwas a tattooed star, very small and placed just under the jawbone.Unless looked for very closely it was apt to escape notice. But there itwas, and being so close to the man, Peggy saw it very plainly. Perhapsshe saw it the more clearly because Pratt held his head at a particularangle. He noticed the curiosity in her eyes, and flushed a trifle. Heknew what she was looking at. "I had that done in the South Seas," saidPratt, rubbing the star; "foolish thing to have had done, but I was areckless young sailor then. And see here, Miss Peggy," he rolled up hissleeve, that of the left arm. Immediately below the elbow there was abeautifully tattooed snake, half red and half blue. "That was done inJapan," he said.
"You seem to have been everywhere, Mr Pratt?"
"I have. That is why I have come down here to end my days in peace. Iwant everybody hereabouts to like me--you included, Miss Peggy."
"I _do_ like you, Mr Pratt," protested Peggy. "Not, of course, like--"
"I understand. Well, I shall speak to your mother about Mr Raston. Oh,do not look so afraid, Miss Peggy. I know very well what I am about. Ihave managed much more obstinate people in my time. All you have to dois to look pleased as though you were delighted with me. That will putyour mother on the wrong scent."
"Harold will not like it," objected Peggy, as they returned to join theothers. "Harold is Mr Raston."
"I gathered that from your blush," said Pratt, with a chuckle. "Well,leave it to me. There is Harold making signals. What is up now?"
Mrs Bathurst informed them as soon as they came within earshot. "Comehere at once, Peggy," she screamed. "Mr Pratt, come here! Mr Raston isabout to take a group with his kodak. It will be a memorial of mypicnic."
The American did not seem pleased. For the moment his usually activetongue was silent, and he seemed unwilling to form part of the group. "Ido not care about having my likeness taken, Mrs Bathurst," he said.
"But indeed you must--in the group," said the lady, vigorously; "dear MrPratt, do not spoil the little memorial of my picnic."
"It can be taken without me, Mrs Bathurst."
"That would be the play of Hamlet with the Prince left out," replied thelady, gracefully. "Mrs Gabriel, add your entreaties."
"Oh! Mr Pratt will not listen to me," said Mrs Gabriel, severely, "Iknow him of old. He can be obstinate when he chooses."
Pratt laughed but gave her a sly look which made her wince. Strong womanas she was, there was something about this artless, good-natured littleman which made her turn white and draw her breath in quick gasps. "Iconsent to be taken," said Pratt, withdrawing his gaze, "if I ampermitted to arrange the group myself."
"Certainly," said Raston, brightly. He had been exchanging a few wordswith Peggy. "Arrange it as you please."
Leo, who had Hale at his elbow, ranged alongside the American. "You knowwhere to place me," he said softly, and Pratt nodded. It was mainly forthat reason that he wished to arrange the group.
The result of his efforts was that Leo and Sybil were together, much tothe wrath of the baronet and Mrs Gabriel. The others Pratt scatteredanyhow, and placed himself at the back. Raston did not approve of this.
"You can hardly be seen, Mr Pratt," he said. "Please come more forward."
Pratt hesitated, but, catching sight of a cold smile on the face of MrsGabriel, he gave her a defiant look and placed himself in the positionindicated by Mr Raston's outstretched finger. Then the curate adjustedhis kodak and took three pictures. He also had to take a fourth, as MrsBathurst wanted herself to be seen making tea, surrounded by her guests."To recall a happy, happy day," she explained.
"You are fond of photography, Raston?" said Pratt, when this was over.
"Very. I have taken pictures all round the place."
"And the other day he took a pict
ure of the cup you gave," put in Sybil.
"I guess that's kind of him," said Pratt, gnawing his lip. "I suppose,"he was addressing Raston, "that you send copies of these to yourfriends?"
"Indeed I do not," replied the curate, cheerily, "I take only a fewcopies and place them in an album. Certainly I have given a few to MissBathurst."
"Natural, very natural," said Pratt, gravely; "you must give me one ofthe group you took just now." And without waiting for an answer heturned away. Somehow he seemed relieved to hear that the photographswere not likely to be sent round the country. And all the time MrsGabriel, who had listened to this conversation, heard it with a coldsmile. She seemed rather pleased that Pratt should be upset, and upsethe was, a remarkable thing in so calm a man.
After a time Leo and Sybil slipped away, and were some distance acrossthe moor before their absence was noticed. There was no chance offollowing them save in the most pointed manner, so Sir Frank, with ascowl, devoted himself to his sister. She was seated on the heather,staring after Leo with a despairing look. Frank patted her hand kindly."He will come back, Edith," he whispered.
"No," she replied, quietly, "he will never come back. Sybil has takenhim away for ever. Don't worry about me, Frank."
"Oh! as to that," retorted Frank, savagely, "I approve of that no morethan you do. If you want to marry Leo, I wish to make Sybil my wife."
"I am afraid neither of us will get our wishes," said Edith, with asigh.
"We'll see about that," muttered Frank; "at all costs I'll stop thatmarriage. Sybil must become my wife."
Mrs Gabriel overheard him. "Make your mind easy, Frank," she said, "Ican put an end to this." She cast a look at Pratt. "I could have done solong ago but for--" She stopped.
"But for what, Mrs Gabriel?"
"Nothing! nothing!" she said hastily. "A matter which does not concernyou, Frank. But it is time to adopt strong measures. Mr Tempest"--shewent to the vicar--"come for a stroll with me. I wish to speak to you."
"About parish matters?" asked the vicar, rather nervously, for he knewMrs Gabriel's tongue and temper. "Won't you speak to Raston?"
"It is not about parish matters," said Mrs Gabriel. "It is concerningyour daughter and Leo."
Mr Tempest looked up sharply. "Indeed!" he said, with quite a new notein his voice. "Nothing wrong, I trust?"
"I shall leave you to judge of that," replied Mrs Gabriel. "Come,vicar!" and she carried the old man away. Hale started after themdistrustfully.
"What does she intend to do now?" he muttered. "I intend to take my ownway in this matter, and I don't trust her. Too clever by half!"
Meantime Leo and Sybil, not thinking of the envy their happiness caused,were walking slowly along. Every now and then they would turn and lookat one another and smile. The action seemed childish, but those who aredeeply in love are often nothing but children. Then they came to talk oftheir future.
"When are you going away, Leo?" asked Sybil.
"I go to Town next Monday," replied Leo. "I start at seven o'clock forPortfront, and there take the steamer that leaves at ten."
"And the money for your debts?"
"That will be all right. Frank has promised to give it me this week. Butthe queer part is, Sybil, that he will not give me a cheque."
"Why not?" she asked, stopping abruptly.
"I don't know. Some whim on his part. He intends that I shall take it insovereigns--yes, the whole three hundred pounds! There is a treasure totravel with! However, I shall take it to London and pay it into my bankthere. Then I can settle with my creditors by cheque."
"Does he give any reason why he wants you to take it in gold?"
"No! But he is a queer chap, although a kind one. I must take the moneyas he chooses to give it. But do you know, Sybil, I believe Hale has theinstincts of a miser, and likes to look at gold. I should not besurprised if he had a chest of sovereigns in his house. I expect thatis why he gives me specie instead of a cheque or notes."
"I don't like it at all," said Sybil, decisively.
"There you go with your distrust!" said Leo, good-humouredly. "You willnot make allowance for the queerness of poor Frank. Never mind, I willtake the money as he chooses to give it. When my creditors are paid Ishall see about enlisting."
"You have made up your mind to that?"
"Fully. Mrs Gabriel understands as much. And I do not think, Sybil,"said Leo, bending down, "that you will seek to dissuade me."
Sybil paused for a moment. "No," she said at length, and her voice wasfirm, "it is a good thing for you to take up the burden of life, Leo.Even if you die in South Africa it will be better than that you shouldlive on the charity of Mrs Gabriel. I admire your spirit."
Leo shook his head sadly. "Don't admire anything about me, dear," hesaid. "Long, long ago, I should have earned my own living. I have been afool too long. But now, Sybil, I intend to work my hardest for you. I amsure to get my commission, as there are plenty knocking about; and whenI return, your father will consent to our marriage, and Mrs Gabriel willforgive me."
"I don't think my father would ever object, Leo," said Sybil. "He wouldnot care if you had little money. All he asks from anyone who marries meis that they come of a good stock. He has much family pride, you know."
"Then he will easily be satisfied with the Haverleighs. They have beenestablished in the place down yonder for centuries. I did not know,though, that he attached much value to pedigree, Sybil."
"It is his one failing. He would not mind if I married a pauper, so longas my future husband had good blood in his veins. The one thing he wouldnot permit would be that I should marry what he calls a 'base-born' man.But, of course, there is no danger of that."
"No; I think my pedigree will satisfy Mr Tempest. But it is strange thathe should attach such value to race."
"I'm not so sure of that," said Sybil, slowly. "I have a great opinionof race myself, Leo. But, come," she broke off, "there is my fatherwaving to me. I wonder what he wants. To go home, I expect."
Mr Tempest did, indeed, want to go home, and, moreover, he seemed by nomeans anxious for the company of Leo. Quite different to his usual self,he was stiff and cold towards the young man. Mrs Gabriel saw this, andsmiled. Not in vain had she adopted the stronger measures of which shehad spoken to Sir Frank. However, she gave Leo no time to talk to thevicar, but took possession of him and threw him into the company of MissHale. Leo was obliged to talk to the girl, for, although she bored himgreatly, she was too unoffending a creature to hurt. Frank saw howdexterously Mrs Gabriel had managed, and came up to her. "What have youbeen doing?" he asked in a low voice.
"Talking Mr Tempest over to my views about this marriage. Set your mindat rest, Frank. Leo will never become the husband of Sybil now."
Sure enough matters seemed to be quite in Mrs Gabriel's favour. Onarriving home Mr Tempest had a scene with his daughter, and forbade herto think any more of Leo. "Had I known of this before, it would not havegone so far," said the vicar; "but I have been blind. Fortunately, MrsGabriel has opened my eyes. It must stop!"
"I am engaged to Leo Haverleigh," said Sybil, firmly.
"Nothing of the sort!" retorted the vicar. "I won't have it, I tell you.I do not consider that Leo is a fit husband for you."
"And what is your reason, father?"
"I decline to give it you. Later on I may do so, but not now. Please donot argue, Sybil. I won't hear a word. You are neither to see Leo againnor are you to talk to him. I won't have it."
"But, father--"
"That's quite enough, Sybil. Not another word." And, as the girl knew ofthe rages into which her father was capable of falling, she said nothingmore at the time lest she might provoke one. But this sudden change offront on the part of her easy-going father bewildered her.
Leo was also at his wits' end to understand the new state of things.From the day of the picnic he never had a chance of seeing Sybil alone,nor was he asked, as formerly, to the Vicarage. Mr Tempest was coldnessitself when they met, and appeared to wish to
see as little of him aspossible. Leo asked Mrs Gabriel what was the meaning of these things,but could get no answer. She only laughed insultingly, and said that MrTempest was of her opinion about this ridiculous marriage. Leo saw MrPratt, and consulted him.
"I guess you'd better leave it to me," said Pratt, who was on the sideof the lovers. "I'll bring Mrs Gabriel to reason."
"But it is more the vicar that needs bringing to reason," argued Leo."He has changed wholly towards me."
"Perhaps he has heard of your debts," suggested Pratt, pondering.
"What if he had! He knows that I am not so wild as everyone tries tomake out. No. It is something else. I believe my mother has been sayingsomething to him about me."
Pratt looked up suddenly, but his face did not change. "I'll see MrsGabriel," he said calmly. "If she has said anything to the vicar likelyto do you harm, I'll get her to tell me. I have known her for manyyears, Leo, and she often takes my advice."
"I know. She has the very highest opinion of you, Pratt," said theinnocent Leo; whereat Pratt chuckled.
"I'll tell you what," he said. "I'll speak to Mrs Gabriel about yourdebts at the same time."
"No; don't do that!" cried Leo in alarm. "You will only weaken myposition with her. I want to settle these debts without her knowledge.I can raise the money, as I told you. Later on, when she comes round, Ican get her to give me the sum and settle. She will surely do that whenshe hears that I have enlisted."
"I daresay. In fact, I'm sure she will," said Pratt, with his queersmile. "Who is going to lend you the money meantime?"
"I can't tell you that, Mr Pratt," said Leo, with dignity.
"You might tell it to a worse person," said Pratt, rather offended."However, keep your secret; I'll do what I can."
"Don't be offended, Pratt. Indeed, as soon as possible I'll tell you."
"There! There! Don't make a fuss over it," he said testily. "I know youare not such a fool as people think you are. And to tell you the truth,Leo, if you can pay these debts independently of Mrs Gabriel, I fancyshe will think all the more of you. I don't offer to help you myself,because if she asks me I want to be able to say 'no' for reasons which Iwill explain later. But I tell you what, Leo. If, when you get thesematters settled and enlist, Mrs Gabriel won't come round, I'll give youthe money myself to repay the loan, and fit you out for South Africa."
"You are indeed a friend," cried Leo, with emotion, and the two menshook hands. They understood each other very well.
But all this time Leo was pining to get a sight of Sybil. It is truethat he sometimes saw her in the distance; but she was always with herfather, and he could not come near. However, it came about that Sybilinduced Pearl to take a note to Leo. She explained in it that her fatherhad taken a dislike to the marriage, and that the only chance of thingsbeing arranged lay in Leo going away for a time. Several notes passedbetween the lovers, and then their kindly messenger fell ill, but notbefore it was understood that Sybil was to leave a note or so in acertain crack in the chapel wall, which they could use as a post-office.And out of that subterfuge all the subsequent trouble arose.
Pearl was really ill. She was in the habit of wandering about at night,and as the wet weather was coming she had been caught on the moor in athunderstorm. Now she was laid up with a severe cold. Raston wasparticularly anxious about her. Leo met him one day, and the curate wasred with indignation. It seemed he had good cause for it.
"Did you ever hear of anything so wicked, Haverleigh?" he asked.
"What is the matter now?"
"Why, that poor mad child! She is very ill, as you know, but is gettingon all right; Dr James says she is well on the way to recovery. Now MrsJeal took it into her head that the girl was dying, and has beenfrightening her with stories of eternal torment. You know, Pearl alwaysbelieved that she would go to heaven, and be at the Supper with theMaster, as she calls Our Lord. She never had any doubt. Now thesegruesome stories of Mrs Jeal's have made her doubt if she will be saved.In fact, she believes now that unless the Master gives her some sign shewill be lost!"
"How cruel of Mrs Jeal," said Leo, angrily.
"Oh! I believe she did it for the best. She is fond of Pearl, and kindto her. But you know she came from the north, and she holds to thatgloomy Calvinistic religion that has terrified so many people. I gaveher a good talking to, and she has consented to leave Pearl alone. Allthe same, she still holds that the child is a lost soul. I have beentrying to pacify the poor creature. She is haunted by terrible fears."
"Show her the cup!" suggested Leo. "She has such a belief in it as theHoly Grail that it may soothe her."
"A good idea," said the curate. "I will ask Mr Tempest about it. But Icannot take it to her till Monday. To-morrow I preach in the evening. Ihear you are going up to Town."
"On Monday morning early. When you next hear of me, Raston, I may haveenlisted."
"And a good thing too," said Raston. "But that I am a clergyman I shouldhave been a soldier. Good-day! Come to church to-morrow."
And to church Leo went to see Sybil in her pew. He also went to theevening service. On Monday he departed for London. But no one heeded hisgoing. The village was excited by a rumour that the cup had been stolen.On hearing the report Mr Tempest went to the church. It was true. Thecup was gone.