“Oh, Louisa! Here it is,” cried the young lady, holding her maid’s wrist with a trembling grasp.
The inn-door was shut, but there was light in the hall, and light in an upper room.
“Don’t knock — only ring the bell. He may be asleep, God grant!” said the young lady.
The door was quickly opened, and a waiter ran down to the carriage window, where he saw a pair of large wild eyes, and a very pale face, and heard the question— “An old gentlemen has been ill here, and a telegram was sent; is he — how is he?”
“He’s better, Ma’am,” said the man.
With a low, long “O — Oh!” and clasped hands and upturned eyes, she leaned back in the carriage, and a sudden flood of tears relieved her. Yes; he was a great deal better. The attack was quite over; but he had not spoken. He seemed much exhausted; and having swallowed some claret, which the doctor prescribed, he had sunk into a sound and healthy sleep, in which he still lay. A message by telegraph had been sent to announce the good news, but Alice was some way on her journey before it had reached.
Now the young lady got down, and entered the homely old inn, followed by her maid. She could have dropped on her knees in gratitude to her Maker; but true religion, like true affection, is shy of demonstrating its fervours where sympathy is doubtful.
Gently, hardly breathing, guided by the “chambermaid,” she entered her father’s room, and stood at his bedside. There he lay, yellow, lean, the lines of his face in repose still forbidding, the thin lips and thin nose looking almost transparent, and breathing deeply and regularly, as a child in his slumbers. In that face Alice could not discover what any stranger would have seen. She only saw the face of her father. Selfish and capricious as he was, and violent too — a wicked old man, if one could see him justly — he was yet proud of her, and had many schemes and projects afloat in his jaded old brain, of which her beauty was the talisman, of which she suspected nothing, and with which his head was never more busy than at the very moment when he was surprised by the aura of his coming fit.
The doctor’s conjecture was right. He had crossed the Channel that morning. In his French coupée, he had for companion the very man he had most wished and contrived to travel homeward with. This was Lord Wynderbroke.
Lord Wynderbroke was fifty years old and upwards. He was very much taken with Alice, whom he had met pretty often. He was a man who was thought likely to marry. His estate was in the nattiest order. He had always been prudent, and cultivated a character. He had, moreover, mortgages over Sir Reginald Arden’s estate, the interest of which the baronet was beginning to find it next to impossible to pay. They had been making a little gouty visit to Vichy, and Sir Reginald had taken good care to make the journey homeward with Lord Wynderbroke, who knew that when he pleased he could be an amusing companion, and who also felt that kind of interest in him which everyone experiences in the kindred of the young lady of whom he is enamoured.
The baronet, who tore up or burnt his letters for the most part, had kept this particular one by which his daughter had been traced and summoned to the “Royal Oak.” It was, he thought, clever. It was amusing, and had some London gossip. He had read bits of it to Lord Wynderbroke in the coupée. Lord Wynderbroke was delighted. When they parted, he had asked leave to pay him a visit at Mortlake.
“Only too happy, if you are not afraid of the old house falling in upon us. Everything there, you know, is very much as my grandfather left it. I only use it as a caravanserai, and alight there for a little, on a journey. Everything there is tumbling to pieces. But you won’t mind — no more than I do.”
So the little visit was settled. The passage was rough. Peer and baronet were ill. They did not care to reunite their fortunes after they touched English ground. As the baronet drew near London, for certain reasons he grew timid. He got out with a portmanteau and dressing-case, and an umbrella, at Drowark station, sent his servant on with the rest of the luggage by rail, and himself took a chaise; and, after one change of horses, had reached the “Royal Oak” in the state in which we first saw him.
The doctor had told the people at that inn that he would look in, in the course of the night, some time after one o’clock, being a little uneasy about a possible return of the old man’s malady. There was that in the aristocratic looks and belongings of his patient, and in the very fashionable address to which the message to his daughter was transmitted, which induced in the mind of the learned man a suspicion that a “swell” might have accidentally fallen into his hands.
By this time, thanks to the diligence of Louisa Diaper, every one in the house had been made acquainted with the fact that the sick man was no other than Sir Reginald Arden, Bart., and with many other circumstances of splendour, which would not, perhaps, have so well stood the test of inquiry. The doctor and his crony, the rector — simplest of parsons — who had agreed to accompany him in this nocturnal call, being a curious man, as gentlemen inhabiting quiet villages will be — these two gentlemen now heard all this lore in the hall at a quarter past one, and entered the patient’s chamber (where they found Miss Arden and her maid) accordingly. In whispers, the doctor made to Miss Arden a most satisfactory report. He made his cautious inspection of the patient, and again had nothing but what was cheery to say.
If the rector had not prided himself upon his manners, and had been content with one bow on withdrawing from the lady’s presence, they would not that night have heard the patient’s voice — and perhaps, all things considered, so much the better.
“I trust, Madam, in the morning Sir Reginald may be quite himself again. It is pleasant, Madam, to witness slumber so quiet,” murmured the clergyman kindly, and in perfect good faith. “It is the slumber of a tranquil mind — a spirit at peace with itself.”
Smiling kindly in making the last stiff bow which accompanied these happy words, the good man tilted over a little table behind him, on which stood a decanter of claret, a water caraffe, and two glasses, all of which came to the ground with a crash that wakened the baronet. He sat up straight in his bed and stared round, while the clergyman, in consternation, exclaimed— “Good gracious!”
“Hollo! what is it?” cried the fierce, thin voice of the baronet. “What the devil’s all this? Where’s Crozier? Where’s my servant? Will you, will you, some of you, say where the devil I am?” He was screaming all this, and groping and clutching at either side of the bed’s head for a bell-rope, intending to rouse the house. “Where’s Crozier, I say? Where the devil’s my servant? eh? He’s gone by rail, ain’t he? No one came with me. And where’s this? What is it? Are you all tongue-tied? — haven’t you a word among you?”
The clergyman had lifted his hands in terror at the harangue of the old man of the “tranquil mind.” Alice had taken his thin hand, standing beside him, and was speaking softly in his ear. But his prominent brown eyes were fiercely scanning the strangers, and the hand which clutched hers was trembling with eager fury. “Will some of you say what you mean, or what you are doing, or where I am?” and he screeched another sentence or two, that made the old clergyman very uncomfortable.
“You arrived here, Sir Reginald, about six hours ago — extremely ill, Sir,” said the doctor, who had placed himself close to his patient, and spoke with official authority; “but we have got you all right again, we hope; and this is the ‘Royal Oak,’ the principal hotel of Twyford, on the Dover and London road; and my name is Proby.”
“And what’s all this?” cried the baronet, snatching up one of the medicine-bottles from the little table by his bed, and plucking out the cork and smelling at the fluid. “By heaven?” he screamed, “this is the very thing. I could not tell what d —— d taste was in my mouth, and here it is. Why, my doctor tells me — and he knows his business — it is as much as my life’s worth to give me anything like — like that, pah! assafœtida! If my stomach is upset with this filthy stuff, I give myself up! I’m gone. I shall sink, Sir. Was there no one here, in the name of Heaven, with a grain of sense or a particle
of pity, to prevent that beast from literally poisoning me? Egad! I’ll make my son punish him! I’ll make my family hang him if I die!” There was a quaver of misery in his shriek of fury, as if he was on the point of bursting into tears. “Doctor, indeed! who sent for him? I didn’t. Who gave him leave to drug me? Upon my soul, I’ve been poisoned. To think of a creature in my state, dependent on nourishment every hour, having his digestion destroyed! Doctor, indeed! Pay him? Not I, begad,” and he clenched his sentence with an ugly expletive.
But all this concluding eloquence was lost upon the doctor, who had mentioned, in a lofty “aside” to Miss Arden, that “unless sent for he should not call again;” and with a marked politeness to her, and no recognition whatever of the baronet, he had taken his departure.
“I’m not the doctor, Sir Reginald; I’m the clergyman,” said the Reverend Peter Sprott, gravely and timidly, for the prominent brown eyes were threatening him.
“Oh, the clergyman! Oh, I see. Will you be so good as to ring the bell, please, and excuse a sick man giving you that trouble. And is there a postoffice near this?”
“Yes, Sir — close by.”
“This is you, Alice? I’m glad you’re here. You must write a letter this moment — a note to your brother. Don’t be afraid — I’m better, a good deal — and tell the people, when they come, to get me some strong soup this moment, and — good evening, Sir, or goodnight, or morning, or whatever it is,” he added, to the clergyman, who was taking his leave. “What o’clock is it?” he asked Alice. “Well, you’ll write to your brother to meet me at Mortlake. I have not seen him, now, for how many years? I forget. He’s in town, is he? Very good. And tell him it is perhaps the last time, and I expect him. I suppose he’ll come. Say at a quarter past nine in the evening. The sooner it’s over the better. I expect no good of it; it is only just to try. And I shall leave this early — immediately after breakfast — as quickly as we can. I hate it!”
CHAPTER XIII.
ON THE ROAD.
Next morning the baronet was in high goodhumour. He has written a little reminder to Lord Wynderbroke. He will expect him at Mortlake the day he named, to dinner. He remembers he promised to stay the night. He can offer him, still, as good a game of piquet as he is likely to find in his club; and he almost feels that he has no excuse but a selfish one, for exacting the performance of a promise which gave him a great deal of pleasure. His daughter, who takes care of her old father, will make their tea and — voilà tout!
Sir Reginald was in particularly good spirits as he sent the waiter to the postoffice with this little note. He thinks within himself that he never saw Alice in such good looks. His selfish elation waxes quite affectionate, and Alice never remembered him so goodnatured. She doesn’t know what to make of it exactly; but it pleases her, and she looks all the more brilliant.
And now these foreign birds, whom a chance storm has thrown upon the hospitality of the “Royal Oak,” are up and away again. The old baronet and his pretty daughter, Louisa Diaper sitting behind, in cloaks and rugs, and the footman in front, to watch the old man’s signals, are whirling dustily along with a team of four horses; for Sir Reginald’s arrangements are never economical, and a pair would have brought them over these short stages and home very nearly as fast. Lady May’s carriage pleases the old man, and helps his transitory goodhumour: it is so much more luxurious than the jolty hired vehicle in which he had arrived.
Alice is permitted her thoughts to herself. The baronet has taken his into companionship, and is leaning back in his corner, with his eyes closed; and his pursed mouth, with its wonderful involution of wrinkles round it, is working unconsciously; and his still dark eyebrows, now elevating, now knitting themselves, indicate the same activity of brain.
With a silent look now and then at his face — for she need not ask whether Sir Reginald wants anything, or would like anything changed, for the baronet needs no inquiries of this kind, and makes people speedily acquainted with his wants and fancies — she occupies her place beside him, for the most part looking out listlessly from the window, and thinks of many things. The baronet opens his eyes at last, and says abruptly,
“Charming prospect! Charming day! You’ll be glad to hear, Alice, I’m not tired; I’m making my journey wonderfully! It is so pretty, and the sun so cheery. You are looking so well, it is quite a pleasure to look at you — charming! You’ll come to me at Mortlake for a few days, to take care of me, you know. I shall go on to Buxton in a week or so, and you can return to Lady May tonight, and come to Mortlake shortly; and your brother, graceless creature! I suppose, will come tonight. I expect nothing from his visit, absolutely. He has been nothing to me but a curse all his life. I suppose, if there’s justice anywhere, he’ll have his deserts some day. But for the present I put him aside — I sha’n’t speak of him. He disturbs me.”
They drove through London over Westminster Bridge, the servant thinking that they were to go to Lady May Penrose’s in Chester Terrace. It was the first time that day, since he had talked of his son, that a black shadow crossed Sir Reginald’s face. He shrunk back. He drew up his Chinese silk muffler over his chin. He was fearful lest some prowling beak or eagle-eyed Jew should see his face, for Sir Reginald was just then in danger. Glancing askance under the peak of his travelling cap, he saw Talkington, with Wynderbroke on his arm, walking to their club. How free and fearless those happy mortals looked! How the old man yearned for his chat and his glass of wine at B — — ‘s, and his afternoon whist at W — — ‘s! How he chafed and blasphemed inwardly at the invisible obstacle that insurmountably interposed, and with what a fiery sting of malice he connected the idea of his son with the fetters that bound him!
“You know that man?” said Sir Reginald sharply, as he saw Mr. Longcluse raise his hat to her as they passed.
“Yes, I’ve met him pretty often at Lady May’s.”
“H’m! I had not an idea that anyone knew him. He’s a man who might be of use to one.”
Here followed a silence.
“I thought, papa, you wished to go direct to Mortlake, and I don’t think this is the way,” suggested Alice.
“Eh? heigho! You’re right, child; upon my life, I was not thinking,” said Sir Reginald, at the same time signalling vehemently to the servant, who, having brought the carriage to a standstill, came round to the window.
“We don’t stop anywhere in town, we go straight to Mortlake Hall. It is beyond Islington. Have you ever been there? Well, you can tell them how to reach it.”
And Sir Reginald placed himself again in his corner. They had not started early, and he had frequently interrupted their journey on various whimsical pretexts. He remembered one house, for instance, where there was a stock of the very best port he had ever tasted, and then he stopped and went in, and after a personal interview with the proprietor, had a bottle opened, and took two glasses, and so paid at the rate of half a guinea each for them. It had been an interrupted journey, late begun, and the sun was near its setting by the time they had got a mile beyond the outskirts of Islington, and were drawing near the singular old house where their journey was to end.
Always with a melancholy presentiment, Alice approached Mortlake Hall. But never had she felt it more painfully than now. If there be in such misgivings a prophetic force, was it to be justified by the coming events of Miss Arden’s life, which were awfully connected with that scene?
They passed a quaint little village of tall stone houses, among great old trees, with a rural and old-world air, and an ancient inn, with the sign of “Guy of Warwick” — an inn of which we shall see more by-and-by — faded, and like the rest of this little town, standing under the shadow of old trees. They entered the road, dark with double hedgerows, and with a mossgrown park-wall on the right, in which, in a little time, they reached a great iron gate with fluted pillars. They drove up a broad avenue, flanked with files of gigantic trees, and showing grand old timber also upon the parklike grounds beyond. The dusky light of evening fell upon the
se objects, and the many windows, the cornices, and the smokeless chimneys of a great old house. You might have fancied yourself two hundred miles away from London.
“You don’t stay here tonight, Alice. I wish you to return to Lady May, and give her the note I am going to write. You and she come out to dine here on Friday. If she makes a difficulty, I rely on you to persuade her. I must have someone to meet Mr. Longcluse. I have reasons. Also, I shall ask my brother David, and his ward Miss Maubray. I knew her father: he was a fool, with his head full of romance, and he married a very pretty woman who was a devil, without a shilling on earth. The girl is an orphan, and David is her guardian, and he would like any little attention we can show her. And we shall ask Vivian Darnley also. And that will make a very suitable party.”
Sir Reginald wrote his note, talking at intervals.
“You see, I want Lady May to come here again in a day or two, to stay only for two or three days. She can go into town and remain there all day, if she likes it. But Wynderbroke will be coming, and I should not like him to find us quite deserted; and she said she’d come, and she may as well do it now as another time. David lives so quietly, we are sure of him; and I commit May Penrose to you. You must persuade her to come. It will be cruel to disappoint. Here is her note — I will send the others myself. And now, God bless you, dear Alice!”
“I am so uncomfortable at the idea of leaving you, papa.” Her hand was on his arm, and she was looking anxiously into his face.
“So of course you should be; only that I am so perfectly recovered, that I must have a quiet evening with Richard; and I prefer your being in town tonight, and you and May Penrose can come out tomorrow. Goodbye, child, God bless you!”
CHAPTER XIV.
Complete Works of Sheridan Le Fanu (Illustrated) Page 526