The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  What was the cause of the quarrel, Darcy, of course, could not even conjecture, but he was exceedingly glad that it had occurred before his arrival.

  After breakfast, as they all passed out through the open French windows to the lawn, Stanley said to the visitor —

  “You must excuse my leaving you, Captain Darcy. Mr. Warburton and the ladies will take every care of you. I generally pass part of the day at Brereton, where I have still some things to arrange. I shall be very glad to show you the house, if you like to ride over.”

  Before making any direct reply, Darcy consulted Mildred by a look; but the Squire answered for her.

  “Oh! yes,” he said, “We’ll bring him over.”

  “Come to luncheon,” said Stanley, addressing Darcy; “though you won’t do half so well there as you would here.”

  “Anything will do for me,” replied Darcy.

  “I’ll send on a basket of provisions,” said the Squire, “and put a bottle or two of champagne in it,” he added, laughing.

  As Stanley marched off, Darcy noticed that he did not take leave of his wife, or even look at her.

  There was a great deal to be seen, as we know, at Beaucliffe, and Darcy passed a very agreeable morning in visiting the stables, and looking over the garden in company with the Squire and the two ladies. He made himself so amusing, that even Lady Talmash was pleased with him; though she did not leave him for a single moment alone with Mildred.

  When these inspections were over, they played a game at lawn-tennis on the smooth grass-plot, and then got ready for Brereton.

  Mildred drove Lady Talmash in her pretty little phaeton, and the two gentlemen accompanied them on horseback.

  When Stanley told his mother that Captain Darcy was coming to luncheon, she thought he must be jesting, but when she found he was in earnest, she could not repress her displeasure.

  “I couldn’t have believed it unless you, yourself had told me,” she exclaimed. “How could you be so foolish? But you’ll repent your folly — that’s certain.”

  “Mr. Warburton wished him to see the house,” said Stanley, in a deprecatory tone. “And so did my wife.”

  “Your wife! I dare say,” she cried, in increasing astonishment and displeasure.

  “Yes, they are all coming. We must prepare for them.”

  “Give your own orders then,” said his mother. “I will have nothing to do with it.”

  But with a little persuasion she yielded, and consented to prepare for luncheon.

  “But we have nothing in the house,” she said; “nothing, I mean, good enough for the Squire.”

  “Oh, he’ll see to that himself,” said Stanley. “He means to send a basket of good things with some bottles of champagne.”

  About two o’clock the party arrived at Brereton.

  They had halted about a quarter of a mile off to look at the old hall, and Darcy thought it a most picturesque structure.

  “Be sure to tell Stanley so, if you want to please him,” said Mildred.

  “You like it, don’t you?” said Darcy to her.

  “Not much,” she replied. “But then I’m not fond of that kind of house.”

  “I’m afraid you’re rather wanting in taste,” said the Captain.

  On reaching the house they found Stanley at the door ready to receive them, and Darcy again expressed his admiration of the place in most rapturous terms.

  “Never beheld anything like it!” he exclaimed. “Never, by Jove!”

  “Well, come in and see what it’s like inside,” said Stanley, giving his arm to Lady Talmash.

  Darcy followed with Mildred, and as he stood still in the entrance hall to look at the noble staircase, his raptures increased. The same thing occurred wherever he went.

  By this time Mrs. Brereton had regained her usual serenity, and expressed the greatest delight at seeing the Squire and the ladies.

  But she could not make up her mind to shake hands with Darcy, although he bowed to her very ceremoniously.

  Luncheon was served in the great banqueting hall, but no attempt whatever was made at display.

  This was the first time Mildred had partaken of a meal in the house, and Mrs. Brereton could not help alluding to the fact.

  “Yes, I believe it is,” replied the young lady, laughing.

  “But not the last,” observed the Squire. “Ere long she will breakfast, luncheon, and dine here every day.”

  Stanley looked as if he scarcely expected it Assisted by a servant, who had been sent over from Beaucliffe with the basket of good things, old Minshull did wonders, and gave the Squire great satisfaction. He was particularly brisk in dispensing the champagne. The luncheon, which was very much enjoyed, occupied more than half-an-hour.

  After a hasty inspection of the interior of the house, which seemed new to Mildred, and elicited the highest praise from Darcy, the party went out “Whatever may be his faults,” thought Mrs. Brereton; “the Captain is a good judge of old houses.”

  CHAPTER XXXIII.

  LADY TALMASH CAUTIONS DARCY.

  Stanley and Lady Talmash lingered in the garden, while the others went to examine the new stables.

  “I want to have a little talk with you, Stanley,” said her ladyship. “We must get rid of that man.”

  “Darcy?”

  “Yes, Darcy. Who else could I mean? He’s dangerous — highly dangerous.”

  “I really don’t think so,” replied Stanley.

  “Then you must be blind,” cried her ladyship in surprise. “I have watched him most carefully, and am certain I have formed a correct opinion of him. If you don’t want to lose your wife, get rid of him without delay.”

  “You judge him too severely, I repeat,” said Stanley. “It is his habit to assume an air of gallantry.”

  “Don’t be deceived,” replied Lady Talmash. “He is enamoured of your wife, and is only waiting an opportunity to breathe his passion into her ears, and, to speak truth, she seems inclined to listen to him. You ought to perceive this as plainly as I do.”

  “If I thought so!” cried Stanley, almost fiercely. “Keep calm! don’t make a scene or you’ll fail. You ought never to have allowed him to enter the house. But since he has obtained admittance be careful how you get rid of him. He has already won the Squire’s good opinion.”

  “Yes, I am quite aware of that,” remarked Stanley. “But, supposing your suspicions are correct, which I can scarcely believe, what do you advise me to do?”

  “We must consider,” replied Lady Talmash; “and it is to talk the matter over that I have brought you here. Unluckily, you cannot speak to your wife, or put her upon her guard. She would deeply resent any interference on your part, and attribute it to a wrong motive. You cannot warn the Squire — because he would merely laugh at you.”

  “What then can I do?” cried Stanley. “Shall I act on my own responsibility?”

  “I will tell you what I propose,” replied Lady Talmash. “I will speak to Captain Darcy myself, if you desire it. But I wouldn’t do this without consulting you.”

  “You will do me the greatest favour possible,” rejoined Stanley.

  “I will urge him to go at once, and point out the consequences likely to ensue if he remains here,” said her ladyship. “After my representations, I think he will see the necessity of immediate departure.”

  “I have no doubt of it,” said Stanley. “You place me under the deepest obligations to you — and Mildred ought to be equally obliged.”

  “She must know nothing of my intentions, or she would do her best to thwart them,” said her ladyship.

  “The sooner you act the better,” said Stanley, anxiously.

  “I will seize the first opportunity that offers,” said Lady Talmash. “Now, let us go and look after them.” In a frame of mind which will be easily understood, Stanley conducted her to the stables, where they found the Squire giving some directions to a groom, while Darcy and Mildred were conversing together at some distance from him.

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sp; “Look there!” said Lady Talmash, pointing them out to her companion.

  “You are right,” he replied, scarcely able to control himself. “This is intolerable.”

  “Pray be calm!” she rejoined. “Send him to me. I will stop here.”

  Stanley instantly obeyed, and hurrying towards the pair who were too much occupied with each other to notice his arrival, said, with as much calmness as he could command, “Sorry to interrupt you, Captain Darcy, but I come to tell you that Lady Talmash wishes to say a word to you.”

  “To me?” cried Darcy, startled. “Where is she?”

  “Yonder — at the other side of the yard.”

  “I’ll be back in a moment,” said Darcy, as he hurried off.

  Mildred did not say a word to her husband, but immediately joined her father.

  “Your ladyship wishes to speak to me I understand,” said Darcy, as he approached her.

  “Yes, I have something to say in private,” she replied. “We may be interrupted here.”

  And she left the yard, accompanied by Darcy, who guessed what was coming.

  As soon as they had gained a retired walk she? stopped, and said in a determined tone.

  “You must leave Beaucliffe at once, Captain Darcy. I insist upon it. I see through your designs, and am determined to put a stop to them.”

  “And your ladyship expects me to obey your commands?” he said.

  “I do,” she replied in the same determined tone as before, “and I cannot doubt your compliance with them.”

  “Then you will find yourself mistaken,” he replied. “I mean to remain at Beaucliffe as long as Mr. Warburton is good enough to receive me. I disdain to notice your insinuations, except to declare positively that they are unfounded.”

  “Mr. Warburton will think differently when I speak to him on the subject,” said her ladyship; “and I am convinced he won’t suffer you to remain in his house another hour. He knows the great affection I have for his daughter, and, that I would rather die than allow her happiness to be destroyed.”

  “I defy you to prove that your suspicions are correct,” cried Darcy. “I have said and done nothing that I cannot justify both to Mr. Warburton and his son-in-law. I have the greatest admiration for Mrs. Stanley Brereton, but it is accompanied with the profoundest respect.”

  “Do not think to impose upon me, sir,” rejoined her ladyship, with an incredulous smile. “Stanley Brereton shall not be wronged — Mr. Warburton shall not be made wretched — nor Mildred disgraced — if I can prevent it Go, you shall. If you dare to remain, after the warning I have given you, you will take the consequences.”

  Darcy began to be alarmed.

  “I certainly do not desire to cause any unpleasantness to such a worthy gentleman as Mr. Warburton,” he said; “and therefore I will go. But I do not for a moment admit the truth of your ladyship’s accusation.”

  “You have decided rightly,” she rejoined, in an approving tone. “Go, and you shall hear no more about it”

  “How can I go?” cried Darcy. “What excuse can I offer for my sudden departure?”

  “I will find some excuse for you,” she replied.

  Darcy reflected for a moment, and then said, “I have it. Luckily, my groom is here. Will your ladyship be good enough to send him to me with both horses. I will then depart immediately, and relieve you of any further anxiety. Say what you please for me to the Squire. He will think me mad — but I cannot help it.”

  “I will go at once,” rejoined Lady Talmash, delighted at having accomplished her object so successfully.

  And she hastened to the stable-yard, while Darcy proceeded to the drive in front of the house.

  Both horses were ready, and the groom standing with them, so she sent him round at once.

  As soon as Darcy had mounted, he said to his man, “Ride back to Beaucliffe as fast as you can. Get my things, and follow me to Knutsford.”

  The groom looked astounded by the order, but prepared to obey it, while his master galloped off.

  Great consternation prevailed in the stable-yard.

  “What the deuce is the matter?” said the Squire to Lady Talmash. “Have you frightened my guest away?”

  “Yes, I believe he’s gone,” replied her ladyship, laughing.

  “This is really too bad,” cried Mildred, looking very much put out “You take rather too much upon yourself.”

  “You won’t think so, my dear, when we come to talk the matter over,” whispered Lady Talmash.

  “But is Captain Darcy really gone?” inquired Mildred in the same low tone.

  “I hope so — and believe so,” replied her ladyship.

  Mildred asked no more, but looked at her father, who seemed quite perplexed.

  Stanley did not care to conceal his satisfaction at having got rid of the dangerous intruder, and took the earliest opportunity of thanking Lady Talmash for the great service she had rendered him. He then left the stable-yard, and told his mother what had occurred. She was much pleased by the intelligence.

  “This is a great relief to me,” she cried. “Truly Lady Talmash is an invaluable friend.”

  “She is indeed,” replied Stanley earnestly. “I have found her so on many former occasions. But never more than now.”

  After Darcy’s sudden dismissal Mildred did not seem so fond of her friend as before, and told her she had been guilty of unwarrantable interference; but they very soon made up the quarrel, and Lady Talmash convinced her she had acted for the best The Squire likewise highly approved of her ladyship’s conduct, and confessed he had acted very injudiciously in inviting Darcy to the house.

  About the same time, a reconciliation occurred between Stanley and his wife. Whether this was accomplished by the same kind friend we cannot tell, but she was greatly rejoiced when it took place.

  Stanley certainly seemed much happier, but he could not prevail upon his wife to fix any time for her removal to Brereton.

  As before, whenever he mentioned the subject to her she laughed it off, and even Lady Talmash advised him not to trouble her.

  “She won’t go,” said her ladyship. “So it is useless to try and persuade her. I really believe she is afraid of a certain old lady, and dreads her interference.”

  “Very likely,” replied Stanley. “But I can’t part with that dear old lady, even to please my wife.”

  “Then let things be,” said Lady Talmash.

  CHAPTER XXXIV.

  STANLEY PASSES THE NIGHT IN THE HAUNTED ROOM.

  ONE day, when Stanley was at Brereton, old Minshull told him privately, and with a very mysterious look, that he had heard strange sounds in the house on the previous night.

  “Indeed! Where did you hear the noises, and at what hour?” inquired Stanley.

  “I heard them in the gallery, soon after midnight,” replied the old servant. “I went out as soon as I could with a light, and looked about, but could see no one. Half an hour later I heard the same sounds again, and went out once more as quickly as I could, but not a soul was visible.”

  “The ghost must have come back to us again,” remarked Stanley.

  Minshull did not seem inclined to laugh.

  “I thought the sounds came from the Haunted chamber, sir,” he said.

  “Did you go in?” asked Stanley.

  “I couldn’t, sir,” replied the old man. “The door was locked inside.”

  “Locked inside!” cried Stanley. “Then some one must have been in the room.”

  “I knocked and called out — but not very loudly, for fear of alarming my mistress. But no one answered. Early in the morning I again tried the door and found it unfastened.”

  “Strange!” exclaimed Stanley. “I tell you what, Minshull,” he added, after a little reflection, ‘I’ll sleep in that room to-night.”

  “Better not, sir,” cried the old man, “you’ll get a shock. I’m quite sure it’s the ghost,” he added, with an air of profound conviction.

  Stanley ordered him not to say a w
ord on the subject to the women servants; nor did he himself inform his mother that he meant to pass the night at Brereton, as he feared to alarm her; but he directed the old servant to prepare the haunted room for him.

  “Mark what I say, Minshull,” he added. “At eleven o’clock you will find me at the front door. By that time my mother and the women will have retired to rest, and I can go upstairs without arousing them.”

  The old man promised that all his orders should be strictly attended to, and the bed ready for him. “I can make that myself,” he added.

  Stanley was rather more communicative to his wife, and told her of his intention of passing the night in the Haunted chamber, laughingly asking if she would accompany him.

  “Decidedly not,” replied Mildred. “I should die of fright if I saw the ghost.”

  To prevent any idle talk Stanley walked over from Beaucliffe. The night was very dark, with no moon, and not a single star to be seen.

  On arriving he rapped at the front door, which was immediately opened by Minshull.

  Having made all necessary preparations in the dark, they slowly mounted the great staircase. The boards did not creak, nor was the slightest sound, likely to betray them audible; but Stanley fancied that a dark figure preceded them.

  He breathed his suspicions to Minshull, but the old man declared he heard nothing — nor could anything whatever be seen in the profound gloom — and Stanley did not like to use a small pistol, which he carried, for fear of alarming his mother and the house.

  The gallery was quite as dark as the staircase, but Stanley thought he perceived the same phantomlike figure gliding along, but it almost instantly disappeared.

  Minshull had purposely left the door of the Haunted chamber unlocked, and found it so on his return. On entering he struck a match, and lighted a taper, which revealed the antique bedstead, with its rich and sombre curtains, and the dark old wardrobe and furniture, all looking very grim and ghostly.

  Stanley’s first business was to take from his pocket the small pistol just alluded to, and place it on a little table near the bed.

  “May I ask if that pistol is loaded, sir,” asked Minshull, watching the proceeding with uneasiness.