“Indeed!” ho exclaimed, taking the letter from her. “The address seems intentionally omitted. Allow me to see the envelope,” he added, to Mr. Vere.
But the cautious banker, who was watching him, and guessed his motive, declined.
“It is no business of ours to furnish you with Sir Thomas Starkey’s address, Sir John,” he replied.
“Then am I to understand, gentlemen,” said Lady Starkey, with a look of displeasure, “that you refuse to inform me how I may communicate with my husband?”
“Any letter sent us by your ladyship shall be forwarded to him at once,” said Mr. Vere, intimating very plainly that no more would be done.
Lady Starkey consulted Sir John Lambert by a look, but the old baronet shook his head, implying that it would be useless to pursue the inquiry further.
“We really know nothing of Sir Thomas’s plans,” said Mr. Moseley. “We beg your ladyship to clearly understand that you can communicate with him through us.”
“You are very obliging, gentlemen,” rejoined Lady Starkey, coldly. “But I don’t think I shall trouble you.”
“You may as well do a little business now you are here,” said Sir John, smiling.
“Shall I write out a draft for your ladyship?” asked Mr. Moseley, “and for what amount?”
“Take the whole two thousand pounds,” suggested Sir John. And he added sotto voce “you can give it, if you like, to your niece, Rose Hylton.”
“Do, by all means, if your ladyship wants the money,” said Mr. Moseley.
“I don’t want it,” she replied.
“But you may as well have it,” said the banker, quickly drawing out a cheque, which he handed to her.
Lady Starkey hesitated for a moment, but at a look from Sir John, signed the cheque.
Meantime the clerk had been summoned, and was ordered to get the cheque cashed at once.
“How will your ladyship have the money?” asked Mr. Moseley.
“In bank-notes — won’t you?” interposed Sir John.
Lady Starkey assented, and the clerk departed on his errand.
“I hope this is quite agreeable to your ladyship?” observed Mr. Moseley, who fancied Lady Starkey did not look altogether satisfied.
“I really don’t want the money, and would rather leave it with you,” she replied.
“If such is your wish it can be easily carried out,” he said.
“Then I will leave it,” she rejoined.
At this juncture the clerk returned with a handful of banknotes, which he was about to deliver to Mr. Moseley.
“Take back the notes,” said the banker, “and let an account be opened forthwith with Lady Starkey.”
“The order was promptly obeyed, and after a little further conversation, her ladyship and Sir John were about to depart, when the greatest consternation was excited among the whole party by the sudden entrance of a tall, distinguished-looking individual.
“Why, bless my life! here’s Sir Thomas Starkey in person!” said Mr. Moseley.
“My husband!” exclaimed Lady Starkey. “Let us be gone. I won’t meet him.”
“Stay where you are,” said Sir John Lambert. “You can’t avoid him now.”
“Your ladyship needn’t be alarmed,” said Mr. Vere. “No scene can occur here.”
Thus reassured, Lady Starkey did not move, while Sir Thomas stepped so quickly towards the table that the bankers could not stop him.
Sir Thomas, we have said, was tall, and we may add, that he was remarkably handsome, and had a military air.
He did not seem at all embarrassed, and scarcely deemed it necessary to apologise for his sudden entrance into the banker’s private room, but he gave a little explanation as to how he came there.
“Just now, as I was walking down the Strand,” he said, “I noticed your ladyship’s brougham at the door of the bank, and ascertained from the footman that you and Sir John Lambert had called there, and were still within. So, as I wanted particularly to see you, I determined to take advantage of the opportunity, went in at once, and found my way to this room.”
“You don’t seem aware that your presence is unwelcome, Sir Thomas, and that you are interrupting business,” observed Mr. Moseley.
“You ought to have sent in a clerk to inquire whether you could be admitted,” added Mr. Vere. “I am surprised they b — you in.”
“I did not ask permission,” said Sir Thomas, coolly. “Well, since you are here, it can’t be helped,” rejoined Mr. Moseley. “Pray take a seat.”
But Sir Thomas declined.
“I shan’t stay more than a minute,” he said. “I conclude, gentlemen,” he added, “that you have communicated the instructions given you to Lady Starkey?”
“All has been arranged,” replied Mr. Moseley.
“And entirely to my satisfaction,” added Lady Starkey.
“Then I can depart in comfort,” said Sir Thomas.
“Where are you going?” inquired Lady Starkey, unable to repress her curiosity.
“I scarcely know,” he replied, evasively.
“Will you write me? May I write you?” she cried.
“Better not,” he rejoined. The less we hear from each other the better.”
“Oh! don’t say so, Sir Thomas,” she exclaimed. “I shall be wretched unless I have a letter from you now and then.”
“These gentlemen are sure to hear from me, and will let you know where I am, and how I am.”
“Yes, yes — that must suffice,” said Sir John Lambert. “You can’t expect more.”
“But I do expect a great deal more,” she cried, despairingly. “Promise me you will write before long!” she added to her truant husband.
“I can make no such promise,” he rejoined, coldly.
“And I beg you not to press me to do what must needs be painful to me. Let us endeavour to forget each other.”
“Impossible I can forget you, Sir Thomas,” she cried. “For your own sake — try,” he rejoined. “But we are presuming on the patience of these gentlemen.”
“You are in fault, Sir Thomas,” said Mr. Vere. “You should not have sought this interview. You must have been sure it would greatly distress her ladyship, besides being against all our rules.”
“Well, I will at once put an end to it, though I had more to say. Farewell, Kate.”
And he hurried out of the room.
Lady Starkey, who had made no response to the valediction, looked as if she would faint.
“For Heaven’s sake command yourself!” said Sir John, in a low tone to her. “Recollect where you are.”
“Yes, I have not forgotten,” she rejoined. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” she added. “My feelings have, quite overcome me.”
“We feel deeply for your ladyship,” said Mr. Vere. “Sir Thomas was much to blame for the intrusion.”
“Pray, pardon him!” said Lady Starkey. “He yielded to an irresistible impulse.”
“I have no doubt of that,” said Mr. Moseley.
“I wish he had finished what he had to say,” sighed Lady Starkey. “Give me your arm, Sir John, and come with me to my carriage. Good day, gentlemen, I am extremely obliged by your kindness.”
“We only regret that our interview, which began so pleasantly, did not terminate more agreeably,” said Mr. Moseley, and he and his partner attended them to the door.
Supported by her old friend, her ladyship then took her departure.
“Upon my soul!” I’m exceedingly sorry for her,” said Mr. Vere, as he and his partner returned to the table. “I did not suppose she was so strongly attached to her faithless spouse.”
“Yes, he doesn’t deserve so charming a wife,” said Mr. Moseley.
“How long has he left her?” asked Mr. Vere.
“More than a year,” rejoined the other. “And in my opinion he’ll never return. He’s infatuated by that Mrs. Heyrick, who isn’t to compare with her.”
With a few more reflections of a similar kind, they resumed their wor
k.
Meanwhile, Sir John and her ladyship had issued forth from the bank, and were met at the door by a footman, who conducted them to a very smart-looking brougham, furnished with a pair of spirited chestnuts.
“Come back with me to Berkeley-square, Sir John,” said her ladyship, as she got into the carriage. “I want to talk to you.”
The old baronet assented, and seated himself beside her.
Next moment, the coachman, whose portly person was displayed in a rich livery, having received orders from his fellow-servant to go home, dashed along the crowded thoroughfare.
CHAPTER II.
CAPTAIN DARCY.
LADY STARKEY’S house was not one of the largest in Berkeley-square, but it was one of the nicest.
On alighting, her ladyship dismissed the brougham, and took Sir John at once to her boudoir, which was the most charming little room imaginable, exquisitely furnished, containing sofas and chairs that could only have come from Paris, adorned with old china, knick-knacks of various kinds, and having some choice cabinet pictures on its walls.
Amongst the latter was a portrait of her fickle spouse, painted by an eminent French artist shortly after their union.
Without a doubt Sir Thomas was strikingly handsome at that period, and Lady Starkey never contemplated his fine features without a touch of tenderness. Some people wondered why her ladyship did not put away that portrait, but it had been taken when Sir Thomas was really devoted to her, and she loved it on that account.
Once upon a time, a portrait of herself, in all the bloom of’ her beauty, hung beside it. But that portrait was gone.
Leaving the old baronet for a few minutes, she returned and sat down on a sofa beside him.
During the drive back from the bank very little conversation had taken place between them, for she felt unequal to the effort; but she had now, in some degree, regained her composure.
“I thought Sir Thomas looked very well this morning,” she remarked. “How say you, Sir John?”
“I perceived very little difference in him,” he replied. “But he looked somewhat older.”
“I saw no change,” said her ladyship. “That portrait might have been painted yesterday. The features are the same, though the expression is somewhat altered.”
“I would advise you — as I have often done before — to remove that portrait.” he said.
“Never!” she exclaimed. It is my greatest comfort. It always regards me with the same loving look.”
“Which the original has long lost,” said Sir John.
“I don’t know,” she rejoined. “I discerned some traces of the former expression in his countenance to-day.”
“Mere fancy. Don’t deceive yourself. Don’t encourage any feeling of regard for him. It will only lead to further disappointment and distress. Sir Thomas will never return to you; I am certain of that, and it is better you should believe so than indulge any false hopes. Strive to forget him. That’s the best advice I can give.”
“I only talk about him to you, Sir John.”
“I thought your lady’s maid was your chief confidante?”
“Yes, I confess, I do talk to Thompson. But she is nobody.”
“Pardon me! I am of opinion that Mrs. Thompson has more real influence with you than anyone else.”
“You are mistaken, I assure you, dear Sir John. I merely unburden my breast to her. She does not advise me. She soothes me.”.
“Very much the same thing,” observed Sir John, shrugging his shoulders.
“I have had some difficulty lately with my cousin, Lionel Darcy,” said Lady Starkey. “He was furiously enraged the other day by something he had heard of Sir Thomas, and declared he would call him to account. But I made him promise to keep quiet.”
“Well, I must say your ladyship is the most amiable and forgiving of your sex.”
“Hot so! I could kill my rival, Mrs. Heyrick. But I would not injure Sir Thomas.”
“Strange he should be insensible to your merits. I really don’t think Mrs. Heyrick can compare with you.”
“I hate her, but I cannot blind myself to her charms,” said Lady Starkey. “She is very captivating, and has completely enslaved my husband.”
“Yes, there can be no doubt about that. I remember her as Aline Neville, before her marriage with old Heyrick. Then she was thought remarkably attractive, but not half so much so as when she became a rich widow.”
“People said at the time that you yourself proposed to her.”
“And they spoke the truth; but she had several other offers besides mine. However, she preferred one whom she could not wed, and who sacrificed an incomparable wife for her sake.”
“No more of this, Sir John. I cannot bear the recollection of that time. Never shall I forget the anguish I endured when I first discovered my husband’s infidelity. But I did not reproach him.”
“If anything could have moved him your forbearance must have done. But he was too much besotted.”
“Prayers were of no avail. He was deaf to all my entreaties, and left me, as you are aware. Still, I would not consent to the divorce, which you and other friends proposed, but bore up in the hope that some day the truant would return. I would not absolutely shut the door against him.”
“There is not a chance of your fond hopes being realised. You are dealing with an ingrate, who no longer cares for you. Take the step you have been advised. It may be the means of restoring you to happiness.
“I will give him another year. If he has not returned by that time I will act as you recommend.”
Just then the footman came in, and said that “Captain Darcy had called. Would her ladyship see him?”
“Certainly,” she replied. “I am glad you are here, Sir John. Pray don’t leave me.”
Sir John nodded, and immediately afterwards Captain Darcy was shown into the room. As he advanced, he laid down his hat and cane.
He was tall, well made, and very handsome, almost as handsome as Sir Thomas Starkey, though in a different style, for the captain had light hair and blonde moustaches, and his eyes were blue. His age could not be more than five and twenty.
His manner now was very easy and agreeable, and it may be said with truth that he was a general favourite. Sir John, who knew him intimately, seemed very glad to see him.
“I have some news for your ladyship, that I am sure will interest you,” he said. “I have seen Sir Thomas.”
“So have we!” cried both his hearers.
“Indeed!” exclaimed the captain, surprised. “Where, may I ask?”
“At his bankers. Where did you see him?”
“At our club. I had great difficulty in controlling myself, but I wouldn’t make a scene, so I didn’t go near him. However, I ascertained from Colonel Ratcliffe that he is living at Dieppe, so I can find him if I choose.”
“But I trust you won’t go in quest of him? You promised to leave him alone.”
“True. But the sight of him has rekindled all my wrath.
I should like to give him my opinion of his conduct.”
“Perhaps you may think better of him when you learn that he has just presented me with two thousand pounds.”
“Unsolicited, I hope,” cried Darcy. “You have plenty of money.”
“Entirely unsolicited,” remarked Sir John. “Her ladyship only learnt what had been done when she called at the bankers.”
“Why didn’t you refuse the money?” said Captain Darcy, looking rather displeased.
“I shan’t keep it myself,” said Lady Starkey. “I mean to give it to my niece, Rose Hylton.”
“I think her ladyship did quite right,” said Sir John.
“The best way to punish the offender is to take his money.”
“I should like to punish him in another way,” said Darcy, with a meaning look.
“Remember your promise, Lionel,” said her ladyship. “No challenge, or you will forfeit all my regard.”
“You must release me from that promise, belle
cousine,” cried the captain.
“Never,” she rejoined. “I will have no fighting on my account. If you disobey me, you will take the consequences.”
“You cannot blame my devotion,” he said, evasively.
“I am afraid, from your manner, that you do meditate something,” she said, with an anxious look. “But I tell you again, it mustn’t be. If either of you fell in the encounter, I should ever reproach myself!”
“Don’t make yourself uneasy,” said Darcy. “You have really nothing to fear.”
“I suppose I must be content with that assurance?” she rejoined.
“I could say nothing more were I to talk for an hour. But we won’t prolong the conversation. Are you going towards Pall Mall, Sir John?” asked the captain, rising.
The old baronet got up at once, and said he would accompany him.
They then took leave of her ladyship, who had hardly strength enough to ring the bell, and sank down on the sofa the moment they had quitted the room.
“I am certain Lionel and Sir Thomas will meet,” she ejaculated. “And I have, moreover, a presentiment that my husband will be killed. What can I do to prevent the meeting?”
Leaving Lady Starkey to her painful reflections, we will follow the two gentlemen to Pall Mall.
“Now, tell me, Darcy,” said Sir John. “Do you really mean to call out Starkey?”
“I shall try. I’ve found out that he returns to Dieppe to-night, and shall follow to-morrow with Colonel Ratcliffe, who has promised to accompany me. I shall affront him, and he cannot then refuse a meeting.”
“Don’t be afraid. Starkey is the last man to tolerate an affront. He is as hot-headed as yourself. But mind what you are about. Sir Thomas is a dead shot.”
“I must take my chance,” said Darcy, carelessly. “I’m not a bad shot myself. But understand me! I don’t want to kill him — only to punish him.”
“A mere rap on the elbow to make him drop his pistol — eh?”
“And own he has grievously wronged his wife. That he must do.”
“Humph! I’m not so sure that he will do it,” replied Sir John. “Well, no doubt, you have right and justice on your side, and that’s something. Moreover, you’ll have an excellent témoin in Colonel Ratcliffe. No mistake with him. He’s a perfect gentleman. Everything will be well conducted.”
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 788