as shedrove off, with Sir Harry Payne, in Colonel Mellersh's room, watchingher with admiring eyes.
"Won't be long, you know. Very kind of you to see me about it; as it'shis father he lives with," said Sir Harry. "Handsome woman that,Colonel. Precious unfortunate, all this. I say, how lucky you were atthe tables last night. Very handsome woman that. Ever act now, do youknow?"
"Every day," said Colonel Mellersh drily. "Here, I'll ask Linnell tostep in."
Volume Two, Chapter III.
NO BETTER THAN A FIDDLER.
"But you can't fight a fellow like that, Rockley," said Sir Harry, whohad been summoned to his brother-officer's room.
"Not fight him? I'll fight him, and kill him."
"But he's only a fiddler."
"Enough of the gentleman for my purpose, I tell you," roared Rockleyfiercely. "I'll kill him."
"Nonsense, man alive. If you must meet, wing him, or pink him, or spoilthe blackguard's good looks. You can't kill a man!"
"Can't kill a man!" said the Major, in a low hissing voice; "can't killa man!"
"I say, Rockley! Hang it all, don't look the diabolical like that: yougive me the cold shivers. Why, I wouldn't be called out by you on anyconsideration."
"Ha-ha-ha!" laughed Rockley, with a ghastly attempt at mirth. "Did Ilook queer?"
"Queer? You looked queer multiplied ten thousand times. Why, Rockley,one of you with a face like that would scare a regiment of Frenchcuirassiers. I say, what was the row about--a woman?"
"Curse her!" cried Rockley, flashing out into uncontrolled rage again,as he writhed with mental and bodily pain. "I'll bring her to hersenses for this. Treat me as if I were some gawky boy, to be held offand coaxed on, and then bidden to keep my distance!"
"What girl was it?"
"Curse you! don't ask questions."
"Bah! What a fire-eater you are, Rockley. As if I did not know. Sothe fairy Clairy has been saying, `How dare you, sir?' Ha--ha--ha!"
"Do you want to quarrel, man?" said the Major, with an angry look in hiseye.
"Not I, old lad; not with you in that temper. So she has been ridingthe high horse, and bidding you keep your distance; and, just in thenick of time, she had her dear friend Dick Linnell there, and thestrong-armed fool horsewhipped you."
Rockley turned upon him savagely, and gripped him by the arm so fiercelythat Sir Harry Payne involuntarily shrank away.
"Don't!" cried the Major hoarsely. "Don't! or I can't answer formyself."
"Why, Rockley!"
"Don't speak to me. Man, I feel as if that Linnell had roused a devilin me, and till I see him on the turf helpless I shall know no rest.Were you ever beaten--cut--and wealed with your own whip?"
"Well, egad, not to put too fine a point on it, old lad, it was not witha whip; it was a walking cane."
"And did it cut deep down into your very soul, and make you feel as ifnothing but blood would heal the pain?"
"Well, egad, no. It hurt a good deal, but I was obliged to pocket itall. Lady's husband was a bit put out, you see. But that's a long timeago. And do you really mean to fight?"
"Fight? If I don't I shall lie in wait for the scoundrel and shoot himlike a dog."
"You couldn't do that, my dear Rockley. Behaviour unworthy of anofficer and a gentleman."
"And as for that woman," continued Rockley, striding up and down theroom as if he were some savage beast confined in a cage, "my God! sheshall smart for this!"
"My dear Rockley," said Sir Harry, "you went the wrong way to work."
"Silence, idiot!" roared the Major fiercely. "You would, of course,have won. She would have gone down on her knees to you. You are sohandsome--so irresistible. Oh, damn it! No one could withstand you!"
"Sneer away, old fellow. I'm not going to boast," said Sir Harry with aquiet, self-satisfied smile. "I'm not the man to kiss and tell; but--never mind."
"Go on and settle that at once. No shirking; no excuses, mind. Heshall meet me, and then--"
"Then--poor devil!" murmured Sir Harry Payne, as he sauntered out of theroom and away across the parade ground. "What a temper he has! ByGeorge! if he were little May's husband I'm afraid I should be disposedto abdicate in favour of some one, who might flirt to his heart'scontent for me.
"Now what's to be done? Shall I tell the Colonel? No. Wouldn't do.The matter must go on. He'll be cooler when they meet, and it will onlymean a wing or a leg. That's all."
He went jauntily down to the parade, and exchanged pinches of snuff withold Lord Carboro', who looked after him and muttered, "Fashionable fool!I wonder how much he owes Barclay. I must see. Clode tells me thingsare going too far, and I'm not going to have some one's fair famesmirched through that idiot. A few months in a debtor's prison would dohim good."
In happy ignorance of the remarks made behind his back, Sir Harry Paynewent on to the house on the Parade, and Lord Carboro' trotted off,snuff-box in hand, slightly uneasy in mind, but at rest compared to whathe would have been had he known of the encounter that had taken place,and of Sir Harry Payne's mission.
Richard Linnell had not returned, so Sir Harry bethought himself ofColonel Mellersh, found him at home, began chatting with him concerningcards, and the company staying in the place, firmly resolved not to givethe Colonel a hint about his mission--and in ten minutes he had told himall.
"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated the Colonel. "I'm very sorry. About ClaireDenville, you say?"
"Egad, Mellersh, what a fellow you are! You pump a man dry. Well, yes.Rockley's dead on her. You remember the serenade?"
"Ah, yes; that horrible night!"
"Well, he's a close fellow, as a rule, about his amours, but he ravesabout that girl."
"Had she gone to meet him?"
"I don't know; suppose so. Then the other lover comes; and it'stom-cats."
"They came to blows!"
"Blows?" said Sir Harry, bending forward and taking the Colonel by abutton: "as far as I can make out, Linnell took his riding-whip fromhim, and he is lashed from head to foot."
"And all about that girl of Denville's," said the Colonel, with acontemptuous look.
"Yes. But, my dear boy, you must own that she is devilishly handsome."
"Oh yes, she's handsome enough. Then the affair is serious?"
"Serious?" said Sir Harry, lowering his voice. "Rockley swears he'llkill him."
Colonel Mellersh looked very grave.
"They'll have to meet, then?"
"Meet, my dear sir! Rockley says he'll lie in wait for him and shoothim like a dog if he doesn't come out. Fancy, you know, beaten likethat before a lady!"
"And such a lady as Claire Denville," said Colonel Mellersh, with asneer. "Well," he added, changing his manner, "I'm very sorry."
"Yes, so am I. Rockley's deuced haughty, and bullying, and overbearing,particularly lately--things seem to have gone wrong with him--but he'snot a bad fellow."
"As men go," said the Colonel with a sneer.
"Exactly--as men go," replied Sir Harry, whose brains were not veryanalytical as regarded _double entendre_.
Just then Richard Linnell reached the door, encountered Cora Dean, andwas finally beckoned into Colonel Mellersh's room.
"My dear Linnell," said the Colonel gravely, as the others exchangeddistant bows, "Sir Harry Payne has called on behalf of Major Rockley--ashis friend."
He watched Linnell's face intently, but there was only a slightcontraction of the brows.
"Bravo!" said the Colonel to himself. "He's staunch."
"Mellersh," said Linnell gravely, "I have no friend to whom I can appealbut you in a case like this."
"I would far rather leave it," said Colonel Mellersh slowly; "butperhaps if you leave the affair in my hands, Sir Harry Payne and I maybe able to arrange for a peaceful issue. Major Rockley may be ready towithdraw or apologise."
"S'death, sir!" cried Sir Harry; "apologise for being horsewhipped!"
"I beg pardon," said the Colonel. "You see
, I am not properlyacquainted with the matter."
"There can be no apology, Colonel Mellersh," said Linnell, with a gravedignity that made the Colonel's eyes light up. "I leave myself in yourhands, and I shall be most grateful."
"But--"
"I need say no more," said the young man. "Of course, I know what SirHarry Payne's visit means, and I am ready when and where you will."
He bowed and left the room with all the formality of the time; and when,about a quarter of an hour later, Sir Harry Payne went away, the youngofficer uttered a contemptuous sneer.
"'Pon my soul," he muttered, "it is horribly degrading for Rockley. Thefellow really is no better than a fiddler after all."
Volume Two, Chapter IV.
A LESSON IN PISTOL PRACTICE.
The reason for Sir Harry Payne's sneering remark was patent to ColonelMellersh as soon as he opened the door, for from the Linnells' roomscame the sweet harmonies of a couple of exquisitely-played violins, andfor a few minutes the Colonel seemed to forget the trouble on hand, ashe stood with his face softened, and one delicate hand waving to therhythm of the old Italian music.
"Poor lad!" he said, as his face changed, and a look of pain crossed hisbrow. "And for her, too. Weak, foolish lad! He's infatuated--as weall are at some time or other in our lives."
He stood in his doorway, thoughtful, and with brow knit.
"That chattering pie will spread it all over the town. Clode will getto know, and then--well, we must take care."
He crossed the hall, tapped lightly on the opposite door, and thenentered.
"Bravo--bravo!" he cried, clapping his delicate white hands."Admirable!"
"Ah, Mellersh, come and join us," said the elder Linnell, raising hisglasses on to his forehead. "Just in time for a trio."
"No, no, not to-day. Impossible. My head is terrible this morning.Late hours--cards--strong coffee. I came to ask Dick here if he wouldbe my companion for a six-mile walk to Shankley Wood."
The elder Linnell looked from one to the other with a smile.
"Oh, I'm sure he will," he said. "Eh, Dick?"
"Of course, father, of course."
"And out all the morning, too! Well, well, fresh air for health."
"Why don't you get more then, Linnell?"
"I--I?" said the grave, elderly man slowly. "I don't know. I don'twant fresh air. I'm very well as I am. I shall do for my time here."
"Why, father," said Richard merrily, as he clapped him on the shoulder,"what a tone to take."
He exchanged a quick, agonised glance with Mellersh, and then proceededto replace his violin and bow in the case.
"Come to me, Dick," said the Colonel; "I want to go to my room:" and hewent out, busied himself for a few minutes in his bedroom, and then cameout again into the hall, to find Mrs Dean disappearing up thestaircase, and Cora giving some orders to her little groom.
He waited till she turned and came towards him with a scornful look inher eyes.
"Well," he said, in a low voice, and with a longing undertook in hiseyes that he evidently tried to conceal, "how many poor fellows slainthis morning?"
"How many are there here worth slaying?" she said, in the same low tone.
"A matter of taste," he said, gravely. "A matter of taste, Miss CoraDean."
"Not one," she said, giving him her hand in response to his own heldout.
"I don't know," he said, looking very keenly in her eyes, "anger--love--jealousy."
She snatched her hand away.
"Don't fool!" she cried angrily. "I? Jealous?"
"Yes, you--jealous," he said; and then as she hurried up the stairs,"and there would be another emotion to trouble you, Cora Dean, if youknew all that I know now. Ah, Dick! Ready?"
"Yes. Who was that, here?"
"Your fair enslaver--Cora Dean!"
Richard looked up at him keenly and laughed as they left the house,ignorant of the fact that Cora was watching them intently, and Mrs Deanwas keeping up a running fire of comment on what she called her "gal'sfoolery."
Mellersh led the way at a good brisk pace along the parade, and they hadnot gone far before they became aware of the tall figure of the Masterof the Ceremonies showing himself, as was his wont, king of the placeapparently, and bowing and acknowledging bows.
Richard Linnell drew his breath with a slight hiss, but there was noavoiding the encounter, and as they drew near and raised their hats,there was a smile and most courteous bow for Colonel Mellersh, and themost distant of salutes for his companion.
"Old impostor," said the Colonel, as they took the first turning andmade for the country beyond the Downs.
"No," said Richard Linnell gravely, "I don't think him that. He is agentleman at heart, fond of his children, and his ways are forced uponhim by his position."
"Fond of his children! Bah! As objects of merchandise. I tell you,Dick, I hate the man."
"And when you hate a man you are unjust."
"Not here. My dear Dick, you look at old Denville through rose-colouredglasses. Pah! I detest him, and, by Jove, sir, I don't acquit him ofsome knowledge of that terrible affair at his house."
"Colonel Mellersh!"
"My dear boy!"
They walked on in silence for a few minutes, and then, clear now of thetown, Colonel Mellersh exclaimed:
"My dear Dick, you have always known my feelings regarding thisunfortunate attachment."
"Yes," said the young man sadly.
"She is very beautiful, but see how she has been brought up. Look ather sister--a weak, vain, foolish child more than a married woman, aboutwhom there is bound to be some scandal soon."
"Can the sister help that?"
"Look at the brother; that careless young ne'er-do-weel, who is to betrained up in his father's steps."
"Poverty seems to be their greatest sin," replied Richard quietly.
"Then, there is another son, who quarrelled with the father and went offand enlisted. My dear Dick, is such a family one that you ought toenter?"
"My dear Colonel," said Richard with a sad smile, "I do not seem likelyto enter it. You saw the look old Denville gave me. But, for heaven'ssake, don't throw out hints again about that murder."
"Very well, but you must promise me that there shall be an end to allthis infatuation. I speak as your father's oldest and dearest friend,and as one who feels as if he had a share in you--you reckless wildyoung scapegrace."
"I can promise nothing," said Richard coldly.
"Not now that you have been dragged into this serious affair?"
"Miss Denville has dragged me into no serious affair. Her conduct to mehas always been that of a refined and modest lady."
"My dear boy! Have you forgotten that this has been going on betweenher and Rockley for months?"
"There is nothing between Major Rockley and Miss Denville," said Richardhoarsely; and his cheeks began to burn and his eyes to flash.
"Dick! Have you forgotten the serenade that night?"
"Have I forgotten it!" cried Richard fiercely.
"Well, what does that show?"
"That this scoundrel--this _roue_--this libertine--dared to cast hisvile eyes on as sweet and pure a girl as ever breathed. Look here,Colonel Mellersh--no, no--my dear old friend--I found that dog insultingMiss Denville."
"Where?"
"Away there, beyond the Downs, out past the fishermen's cottages."
"How came Claire Denville out there alone with one of the wildestofficers at the barracks?"
"Heaven knows," cried Richard. "I tell you I found him grosslyinsulting her, and I took the dog's whip from him, and thrashed him tillmy arm ached."
"And the lady flung herself into your arms, called you her gallant, herbrave preserver, and you embraced and swore fidelity, while the wickedvillain, the dog that you had thrashed, sneaked off snarling, with histail between his legs."
Richard turned upon him fiercely, but he checked his anger as he met theColonel's mocking eyes.
&n
bsp; "You do not know Claire Denville," he said coldly.
"But, Dick, lad, come--there was the embracing and thanks?"
"Miss Denville is a sweet, true lady," said Richard, "whom I fear I maynever win."
"Never win!" said the Colonel mockingly. "Dick, Dick, what a child youare! I used, a year or two back, to be glad you were so different tothe other men here; but now I almost regret that you have not led afaster life. You are such an innocent boy."
"Shall we turn back?" said Richard abruptly.
"Turn back, man, no. We have not said a word yet about your meeting.Don't be angry with me, lad. Believe me, I am one of your truestfriends."
"I know it," cried Richard warmly; "but
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