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diff --git a/35756.txt b/35756.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b95b433 --- /dev/null +++ b/35756.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16379 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II), by +Charles James Lever + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) + +Author: Charles James Lever + +Illustrator: Phiz. + +Release Date: April 2, 2011 [EBook #35756] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHT OF GWYNNE, II *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + + + +THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE + +By Charles James Lever + + +A Tale of the Time of the Union + +With Illustrations By Phiz. + +In Two Volumes. Vol. II. + +Boston: Little, Brown, And Company 1894. + + + + + +THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE + + + + +CHAPTER I. SOME CHARACTERS NEW TO THE KNIGHT AND THE READER + +Soon after breakfast the following morning the Knight set out to pay +his promised visit to Miss Daly, who had taken up her abode at a little +village on the coast, about three miles distant. Had Darcy known that +her removal thither had been in consequence of his own arrival at +"The Corvy," the fact would have greatly added to an embarrassment +sufficiently great on other grounds. Of this, however, he was not aware; +her brother Bagenal accounting for her not inhabiting "The Corvy" as +being lonely and desolate, whereas the village of Ballintray was, after +its fashion, a little watering-place much frequented in the season by +visitors from Coleraine, and other towns still more inland. + +Thither now the Knight bent his steps by a little footpath across the +fields which, from time to time, approached the seaside, and wound again +through the gently undulating surface of that ever-changing tract. + +Not a human habitation was in sight; not a living thing was seen to +move over that wide expanse; it was solitude the very deepest, and well +suited the habit of his mind who now wandered there alone. Deeply lost +in thought, he moved onward, his arms folded on his breast, and his eyes +downcast; he neither bestowed a glance upon the gloomy desolation of +the land prospect, nor one look of admiring wonder at the giant cliffs, +which, straight as a wall, formed the barriers against the ocean. + +"What a strange turn of fortune!" said he, at length, as relieving his +overburdened brain by speech. "I remember well the last day I ever saw +her; it was just before my departure for England for my marriage. I +remember well driving over to Castle Daly to say good-bye! Perhaps, +too, I had some lurking vanity in exhibiting that splendid team of four +grays, with two outriders. How perfect it all was! and a proud fellow +I was that day! Maria was looking very handsome; she was dressed for +riding, but ordered the horses back as I drove up. What spirits she +had!--with what zest she seized upon the enjoyments her youth, her +beauty, and her fortune gave her!--how ardently she indulged every +costly caprice and every whim, as if revelling in the pleasure of +extravagance even for its own sake! Fearless in everything, she did +indeed seem like a native princess, surrounded by all that barbaric +splendor of her father's house, the troops of servants, the equipages +without number, the guests that came and went unceasingly, all rendering +homage to her beauty. 'T was a gorgeous dream of life, and well she +understood how to realize all its enchantment. We scarcely parted good +friends on that same last day," said he, after a pause; "her manner +was almost mordant. I can recall the cutting sarcasms she dealt around +her,--strange exuberance of high spirits carried away to the wildest +flights of fancy; and after all, when, having dropped my glove, I +returned to the luncheon-room to seek it, I saw her in a window, bathed +in tears; she did not perceive me, and we never met after. Poor girl! +were those outpourings of sorrow the compensation nature exacted for +the exercise of such brilliant powers of wit and imagination? or had she +really, as some believed, a secret attachment somewhere? Who knows? And +now we are to meet again, after years of absence,--so fallen too! If it +were not for these gray hairs and this wrinkled brow, I could believe it +all a dream;--and what is it but a dream, if we are not fashioned to act +differently because of our calamities? Events are but shadows if they +move us not." + +From thoughts like these he passed on to others,--as to how he should be +received, and what changes time might have wrought in her. + +"She was so lovely, and might have been so much more so, had she but +curbed that ever-rising spirit of mockery that made the sparkling lustre +of her eyes seem like the scathing flash of lightning rather than the +soft beam of tranquil beauty. How we quarrelled and made up again! what +everlasting treaties ratified and broken! and now to look back on this +with a heart and a spirit weary, how sad it seems! Poor Maria! her +destiny has been less happy than mine. She is alone in the world; I have +affectionate hearts around me to make a home beneath the humble roof of +a cabin." + +The Knight was aroused from his musings by suddenly finding himself +on the brow of a hill, from which the gorge descended abruptly into a +little cove, around which the village of Ballintray was built. A row +of whitewashed cottages, in winter inhabited by the fishermen and their +families, became in the summer season the residence of the visitors, +many of whom deserted spacious and well-furnished mansions to pass +their days in the squalid discomfort of a cabin. If beauty of situation +and picturesque charms of scenery could ever atone for so many +inconveniences incurred, this little village might certainly have done +so. Landlocked by two jutting promontories, the bay was sheltered both +east and westward, while the rising ground behind defended it from the +sweeping storms which the south brings in its seasons of rain; in front +the distant island of Isla could be seen, and the Scottish coast was +always discernible in the clear atmosphere of the evening. + +While Darcy stood admiring the well-chosen spot, his eye rested upon a +semicircular panel of wood, which, covering over a short and gravelled +avenue, displayed in very striking capitals the words "Fumbally's +Boarding-House." The edifice itself, more pretentious in extent and +character than the cabins around, was ornamented with green jalousies +to the windows, and a dazzling brass knocker surmounting a plate of the +same metal, whereupon the name "Mrs. Jones Fumbally" was legible, even +from the road. Some efforts at planting had been made in the two +square plots of yellowish grass in front, but they had been lamentable +failures; and, as if to show that the demerit was of the soil and not of +the proprietors, the dead shrubs were suffered to stand where they had +been stuck down, while, in default of leaves or buds, they put forth a +plentiful covering of stockings, nightcaps, and other wearables, which +flaunted as gayly in the breeze as the owners were doing on the beach. + +Across the high-road and on the beach, which was scarcely more than +fifty yards distant, stood a large wooden edifice on wheels, whose make +suggested some secret of its original destination, had not that fact +been otherwise revealed, since, from beneath the significant name +of "Fumbally," an acute decipherer might read the still unerased +inscription of "A Panther with only two spots from the head to the +tail," an unhappy collocation which fixed upon the estimable lady the +epithet of the animal in question. + +Various garden-seats and rustic benches were scattered about, some +of which were occupied by lounging figures of gentlemen, in costumes +ingeniously a cross between the sporting world and the naval service; +while the ladies displayed a no less elegant neglige, half sea-nymph, +half shepherdess. + +So much for the prospect landward, while towards the waves themselves +there was a party of bathers, whose flowing hair and lengthened drapery +indicated their sex. These maintained through all their sprightly +gambols an animated conversation with a party of gentlemen on the rocks, +who seemed, by the telescopes and spy-glasses which lay around them, to +be equally prepared for the inspection of near and distant objects, +and alternately turned from the criticism of a fair naiad beneath to a +Scotch collier working "north about" in the distance. + +Darcy could not help feeling that if the cockneyism of a boarding-house +and the blinds and the brass knocker were sadly repugnant to the +sense of admiration the scene itself would excite, there was an ample +compensation in the primitive simplicity of the worthy inhabitants, who +seemed to revel in all the unsuspecting freedom of our first parents +themselves; for while some stood on little promontories of the rocks +in most Canova-like drapery, little frescos of naked children flitted +around and about, without concern to themselves or astonishment to the +beholders. + +Never was the good Knight more convinced of his own prudence in paying +his first visit alone, and he stood for some time in patient admiration +of the scene, until his eye rested on a figure who, seated at some +distance off on a little eminence of the rocky coast, was as coolly +surveying Darcy through his telescope. The mutual inspection continued +for several minutes, when the stranger, deliberately shutting up his +glass, advanced towards the Knight. + +The gentleman was short, but stoutly knit, with a walk and a carriage +of his head that, to Darcy's observant eye, bespoke an innate sense +of self-importance; his dress was a greatcoat, cut jockey fashion, and +ornamented with very large buttons, displaying heads of stags, foxes, +and badgers, and other emblems of the chase, short Russia duck trousers, +a wide-leaved straw hat, and a very loose cravat, knotted sailor-fashion +on his breast. As he approached the Knight, he came to a full stop about +half a dozen paces in front, and putting his hand to his hat, held +it straight above his head, pretty much in the way stage imitators of +Napoleon were wont to perform the salutation. + +"A stranger, sir, I presume?" said he, with an insinuating smile and an +air of dignity at the same moment. Darcy bowed a courteous assent, and +the other went on: "Sweet scene, sir,--lovely nature,--animated and +grand." + +"Most impressive, I confess," said Darcy, with difficulty repressing a +smile. + +"Never here before, I take it?" + +"Never, sir." + +"Came from Coleraine, possibly? Walked all the way, eh?" + +"I came on foot, as you have divined," said Darcy, dryly. + +"Not going to make any stay, probably; a mere glance, and go on again. +Is n't that so?" + +"I believe you are quite correct; but may I, in return for your +considerate inquiries, ask one question on my own part? You are, +perhaps, sufficiently acquainted with the locality to inform me if a +Miss Daly resides in this village, and where." + +"Miss Daly, sir, did inhabit that cottage yonder, where you see the oars +on the thatch, but it has been let to the Moors of Ballymena; they pay +two-ten a week for the three rooms and the use of the kitchen; smart +that, ain't it?" + +"And Miss Daly resides at present--" + +"She 's one of us," said the little man, with a significant jerk of his +thumb to the blue board with the gilt letters; "not much of that, after +all; but she lives under the sway of 'Mother Fum,' though, from one +caprice or another, she don't mix with the other boarders. Do you know +her yourself?" + +"I had that honor some years ago." + +"Much altered, I take it, since that; down in the world too! She was an +heiress in those days, I 've heard, and a beauty. Has some of the good +looks still, but lost all the shiners." + +"Am I likely to find her at home at this hour?" said Darcy, moving away, +and anxious for an opportunity to escape his communicative friend. + +"No, not now; never shows in the morning. Just comes down to dinner, and +disappears again. Never takes a hand at whist--penny points tell up, you +know--seem a trifle at first, but hang me if they don't make a figure +in the budget afterwards. There, do you see that fat lady with the black +bathing-cap?--no, I mean the one with the blue baize patched on the +shoulder, the Widow Mackie,--she makes a nice thing of it,--won twelve +and fourpence since the first of the month. Pretty creature that yonder, +with one stocking on,--Miss Boyle, of Carrick-maclash." + +"I must own," said Darcy, dryly, "that, not having the privilege of +knowing these ladies, I do not conceive myself at liberty to regard them +with due attention." + +"Oh! they never mind that here; no secrets among us." + +"Very primitive, and doubtless very delightful; but I have trespassed +too long on your politeness. Permit me to wish you a very good morning." + +"Not at all; having nothing in the world to do. Paul Dempsey--that's +my name--was always an idle man; Paul Dempsey, sir, nephew of old Paul +Dempsey, of Dempsey Grove, in the county of Kilkenny; a snug place, that +I wish the proprietor felt he had enjoyed sufficiently long. And your +name, if I might make bold, is--" + +"I call myself Gwynne," said Darcy, after a slight hesitation. + +"Gwynne--Gwynne--there was a Gwynne, a tailor, in Ballyragget; a +connection, probably?" + +"I 'm not aware of any relationship," said Darcy, smiling. + +"I 'm glad of it; I owe your brother or your cousin there--that is, +if he was either--a sum of seven-and-nine for these ducks. There are +Gwynnes in Ross besides, and Quins; are you sure it is not Quin? Very +common name Quin." + +[Illustration: 024] + +"I believe we spell our name as I have pronounced it." "Well, if you +come to spend a little time here, I 'll give you a hint or two. Don't +join Leonard--that blue-nosed fellow, yonder, in whiskey. He 'll be +asking you, but don't--at it all day." Here Mr. Dempsey pantomimed the +action of tossing off a dram. "No whist with the widow; if you were +younger, I 'd say no small plays with Bess Boyle,--has a brother in the +Antrim militia, a very quarrelsome fellow." + +"I thank you sincerely for your kind counsel, although not destined to +profit by it. I have one favor to ask: could you procure me the means to +enclose my card for Miss Daly, as I must relinquish the hope of seeing +her on this occasion?" + +"No, no,--stop and dine. Capital cod and oysters,--always good. The +mutton _rayther_ scraggy, but with a good will and good teeth manageable +enough; and excellent malt-" + +"I thank you for your hospitable proposal, but cannot accept it." + +"Well, I 'll take care of your card; you 'll probably come over again +soon. You 're at M'Grotty's, ain't you?" + +"Not at present; and as to the card, with your permission I'll enclose +it." This Darcy was obliged to insist upon; as, if he left his name as +Gwynne, Miss Daly might have failed to recognize him, while he desired +to avoid being known as Mr. Darcy. + +"Well, come in here; I 'll find you the requisites. But I wish you 'd +stop and see the 'Panther.'" + +Had the Knight overheard this latter portion of Mr. + +Dempsey's invitation, he might have been somewhat surprised; but it +chanced that the words were lost, and, preceded by honest Paul, he +entered the little garden in front of the house. + +When Darcy had enclosed his card and committed it to the hands of Mr. +Dempsey, that gentleman was far too deeply impressed with the importance +of his mission to delay a moment in executing it, and then the Knight +was at last left at liberty to retrace his steps unmolested towards +home. If he had smiled at the persevering curiosity and eccentric +communicativeness of Mr. Dempsey, Darcy sorrowed deeply over the fallen +fortunes which condemned one he had known so courted and so flattered +once, to companionship like this. The words of the classic satirist +came full upon his memory, and never did a sentiment meet more ready +acceptance than the bitter, heart-wrung confession, "Unhappy poverty! +you have no heavier misery in your train than that you make men seem +ridiculous." A hundred times he wished he had never made the excursion; +he would have given anything to be able to think of her as she had been, +without the detracting influence of these vulgar associations. "And +yet," said he, half aloud, "a year or so more, if I am still living, +I shall probably have forgotten my former position, and shall have +conformed myself to the new and narrow limits of my lot, doubtless as +she does." + +The quick tramp of feet on the heather behind him roused him, and, in +turning, he saw a person coming towards and evidently endeavouring +to overtake him. As he came nearer, the Knight perceived it was the +gentleman already alluded to by Dempsey as one disposed to certain +little traits of conviviality,--a fact which a nose of a deep copper +color, and two bloodshot, bleary eyes, corroborated. His dress was a +blue frock with a standing collar, military fashion, and dark trousers; +and, although bearing palpable marks of long wear, were still neat and +clean-looking. His age, as well as appearances might be trusted, was +probably between fifty and sixty. + +"Mr. Gwynne, I believe, sir," said the stranger, touching his cap as he +spoke. "Miss Daly begged of me to say that she has just received your +card, and will be happy to see you." + +Darcy stared at the speaker fixedly, and appeared, while unmindful of +his words, to be occupied with some deep emotion within him. The other, +who had delivered his message in a tone of easy unconcern, now fixed his +eyes on the Knight, and they continued for some seconds to regard each +other. Gradually, however, the stranger's face changed; a sickly pallor +crept over the features stained by long intemperance, his lip trembled, +and two heavy tears gushed out and rolled down his seared cheeks. + +"My G--d! can it be? It surely is not!" said Darcy, with almost +tremulous earnestness. + +"Yes, Colonel, it is the man you once remembered in your regiment as +Jack Leonard; the same who led a forlorn hope at Quebec,--the man +broke with disgrace and dismissed the service for cowardice at Trois +Rivieres." + +"Poor fellow!" said Darcy, taking his hand; "I heard you were dead." + +"No, sir, it's very hard to kill a man by mere shame: though if +suffering could do it, I might have died." + +"I have often doubted about that sentence, Leonard," said Darcy, +eagerly. "I wrote to the commander-in-chief to have inquiry made, +suspecting that nothing short of some affection of the mind or some +serious derangement of health could make a brave man behave badly." + +"You were right, sir; I was a drunkard, not a coward. I was unworthy of +the service; I merited my disgrace, but not on the grounds for which I +met it." + +"Good Heaven! then I was right," said Darcy, in a burst of passionate +grief; "my letter to the War Office was unanswered. I wrote again, +and received for reply that an example was necessary, and Lieutenant +Leonard's conduct pointed him out as the most suitable case for heavy +punishment." + +"It was but just, Colonel; I was a poltroon when I took more than half a +bottle of wine. If I were not sober now, I could not have the courage to +face you here where I stand." + +"Poor Jack!" said Darcy, wringing his hand cordially; "and what have you +done since?" + +Leonard threw his eyes down upon his threadbare garments, his patched +boots, and the white-worn seams of his old frock, but not a word escaped +his lips. They walked on for some time side by side without speaking, +when Leonard said,-- + +"They know nothing of me here, Colonel. I need not ask you to +be--cautious." There was a hesitation before he uttered the last word. + +"I do not desire to be recognized, either," said Darcy, "and prefer +being called Mr. Gwynne to the name of my family; and here, if I mistake +not, comes a gentleman most eager to learn anything of anybody." + +Mr. Dempsey came up at this moment with a lady leaning on each of his +arms. + +"Glad to see you again, sir; hope you 've thought better of your plans, +and are going to try Mother Fum's fare. Mrs. M'Quirk, Mr. Gwynne--Mr. +Gwynne, Miss Drew. Leonard will do the honors till we come back." So +saying, and with a princely wave of his straw hat, Mr. Dempsey resumed +his walk with the step of a conqueror. + +"That fellow must be a confounded annoyance to you," said Darcy, as he +looked after him. + +"Not now, sir," said the other, submissively; "I 'm used to him; +besides, since Miss Daly's arrival he is far quieter than he used to be, +he seems afraid of her. But I 'll leave you now, Colonel." He touched +his cap respectfully, and was about to move away, when Darcy, pitying +the confusion which overwhelmed him, caught his hand cordially, and +said,-- + +"Well, Jack, for the moment, good-bye; but come over and see me. I live +at the little cottage called 'The Corvy.'" + +"Good Heaven, sir! and it is true what I read in the newspaper about +your misfortunes?" + +"I conclude it is, Jack, though I have not read it; they could scarcely +have exaggerated." + +"And you bear it like this!" said the other, with a stare of amazement; +then added, in a broken voice, "Though, to be sure, there 's a wide +difference between loss of fortune and ruined character." + +"Come, Jack, I see you are not so good a philosopher as I thought you. +Come and dine with me to-morrow at five." + +"Dine with _you_, Colonel!" said Leonard, blushing deeply. + +"And why not, man? I see you have not forgotten the injustice I once did +you, and I am happier this day to know it was I was in the wrong than +that a British officer was a coward." + +"Oh, Colonel Darcy, I did not think this poor broken heart could ever +throb again with gratitude, but you have made it do so; you have kindled +the flame of pride where the ashes were almost cold." And with a burning +blush upon his face he turned away. Darcy looked after him for a second, +and then entered the house. + +Darcy had barely time to throw one glance around the scanty furniture of +the modest parlor into which he was ushered, when Miss Daly entered. She +stopped suddenly short, and for a few seconds each regarded the +other without speaking. Time had, indeed, worked many changes in the +appearance of each for which they were unprepared; but no less were they +unprepared for the emotions this sudden meeting was to call up. + +Miss Daly was plainly but handsomely dressed, and wore her silvery hair +beneath a cap in two long bands on either cheek, with something of an +imitation of a mode she followed in youth; the tones of her voice, +too, were wonderfully little changed, and fell upon Darcy's ears with a +strange, melancholy meaning. + +"We little thought, Knight," said she, "when we parted last, that our +next meeting would have been as this, so many years and many sorrows +have passed over us since that day!" + +"And a large measure of happiness, too, Maria," said Darcy, as, taking +her hand, he led her to a seat; "let us never forget, amid all our +troubles, how many blessings we have enjoyed." + +Whether it was the words themselves that agitated her, or something in +his manner of uttering them, Miss Daly blushed deeply and was silent. +Darcy was not slow to see her confusion, and suddenly remembering how +inapplicable his remark was to her fortunes, though not to his own, +added hastily, "I, at least, would be very ungrateful if I could not +look back with thankfulness to a long life of prosperity and happiness; +and if I bear my present reverses with less repining, it is, I hope and +trust, from the sincerity of this feeling." + +"You have enjoyed the sunny path in life," said Miss Daly, in a low, +faint voice, "and it is, perhaps, as you say, reason for enduring +altered fortunes better." She paused, and then, with a more hurried +voice, added: "One does not bear calamity better from habit; that is all +a mistake. When the temper is soured by disappointment, the spirit of +endurance loses its firmest ally. Your misfortunes will, however, be +short-lived, I hope; my brother writes me he has great confidence +in some legal opinions, and certain steps he has already taken in +chancery." + +"The warm-hearted and the generous are always sanguine," said Darcy, +with a sad smile; "Bagenal would not be your brother if he could see a +friend in difficulty without venturing on everything to rescue him. What +an old friendship ours has been! class fellows at school, companions in +youth, we have run our race together, to end with fortune how similar! +I was thinking, Maria, as I came along, of Castle Daly, and remembering +how I passed my holidays with you there. Is your memory as good as +mine?" + +"I scarcely like to think of Castle Daly," said she, almost pettishly, +"it reminds me so much of that wasteful, reckless life which laid the +foundation of our ruin. Tell me how Lady Eleanor Darcy bears up, and +your daughter, of whom I have heard so much, and desire so ardently to +see; is she more English or Irish?" + +"A thorough Darcy," said the Knight, smiling, "but yet with traits of +soft submission and patient trust our family has been but rarely gifted +with; her virtues are all the mother's, every blemish of her character +has come from the other side." + +"Is she rash and headstrong? for those are Darcy failings." + +"Not more daring or courageous than I love her to be," said Darcy, +proudly, "not a whit more impetuous in sustaining the right or +denouncing the wrong than I glory to see her; but too ardent, perhaps, +too easily carried away by first impressions, than is either fashionable +or frequent in the colder world." + +"It is a dangerous temper," said Miss Daly, thoughtfully. + +"You are right, Maria; such people are for the most part like the +gamester who has but one throw for his fortune, if he loses which, all +is lost with it." + +"Too true, too true!" said she, in an accent whose melancholy sadness +seemed to come from the heart. "You must guard her carefully from any +rash attachment; a character like hers is strong to endure, but not less +certain to sink under calamity." + +"I know it, I feel it," said Darcy; "but my dear child is still too +young to have mixed in that world which is already closed against her; +her affections could never have strayed beyond the limits of our little +home circle; she has kept all her love for those who need it most." + +"And Lady Eleanor?" said Miss Daly, as if suddenly desirous to change +the theme: "Bagenal tells me her health has been but indifferent; how +does she bear our less genial climate here?" + +"She 's better than for many years past; I could even say she 's +happier. Strange it is, Maria, but the course of prosperity, like the +calms in the ocean, too frequently steep the faculties in an apathy that +becomes weariness; but when the clouds are drifted along faster, and the +waves rustle at the prow, the energies of life are again excited, and +the very occasion of danger begets the courage to confront it. We cannot +be happy when devoid of self-esteem, and there is but little opportunity +to indulge this honest pride when the world goes fairly with us, without +any effort of our own; reverses of fortune--" + +"Oh, reverses of fortune!" interrupted Miss Daly, rapidly, "people think +much more about them than they merit; it is the world itself makes them +so difficult to bear; one can think and act as freely beneath the thatch +of a cabin as the gilded roof of a palace. It is the mock sympathy, +the affected condolence for your fallen estate, that tortures you; the +never-ending recurrence to what you once were, contrasted with what +you are; the cruelty of that friendship that is never content save when +reminding you of a station lost forever, and seeking to unfit you for +your humble path in the valley because your step was once proudly on the +mountain-top." + +"I will not concede all this," said the Knight, mildly; "my fall has +been too recent not to remind me of many kindnesses." + +"I hate pity," said Miss Daly; "it is like a recommendation to mercy +after the sentence of an unjust judge. Now tell me of Lionel." + +"A fine, high-spirited soldier, as little affected by his loss as though +it touched him not; and yet, poor boy! to all appearance a bright career +was about to open before him,--well received by the world, honored by +the personal notice of his Prince." + +"Ha! now I think of it, why did you not vote against the Minister?" + +"It was on that evening," said Darcy, sorrowfully,--"on that very +evening--I heard of Gleeson's flight." + +"Well,"--then suddenly correcting herself, and restraining the question +that almost trembled on her lip, she added, "And you were, doubtless, +too much shocked to appear in the House?" + +"I was ill," said Darcy, faintly; "indeed, I believe I can say with +truth, my own ruin preyed less upon my mind than the perfidy of one so +long confided in." + +"And they made this accidental illness the ground of a great attack +against your character, and sought to discover in your absence the +secret of your corruption. How basely minded men must be, when they will +invent not only actions, but motives to calumniate!" She paused, and +then muttered to herself, "I wish you had voted against that Bill." + +"It would have done little good," said the Knight, answering her +soliloquy; "my vote could neither retard nor prevent the measure, and +as for myself, personally, I am proud enough to think I have given +sufficient guarantees by a long life of independent action, not to need +this crowning test of honesty. Now to matters nearer to us both: when +will you come and visit my wife and daughter? or shall I bring them here +to you?" + +"No, no, not here. I am not ashamed of this place for myself, though I +should be so if they were once to see it." + +"But you feel less lonely," said Darcy, in a gentle tone, as if +anticipating the reason of her choice of residence. + +"Less lonely!" replied she, with a haughty laugh; "what companionship or +society have I with people like these? It is not that,--it is my poverty +compels me to live here. Of them and of their habits I know nothing; +from me and from mine they take good care to keep aloof. No, with your +leave I will visit Lady Eleanor at your cottage,--that is, if she has no +objection to receive me." + +"She will be but too happy," said Darcy, "to know and value one of her +husband's oldest and warmest friends." + +"You must not expect me soon, however," said she, hastily; "I have grown +capricious in everything, and never can answer for performing a pledge +at any stated time, and therefore never make one." + +Abrupt and sudden as had been the changes of her voice and manner +through this interview, there was a tone of unusual harshness in the way +this speech was uttered; and as Darcy rose to take his leave, a feeling +of sadness came over him to think that this frame of mind must have been +the slow result of years of heart-consuming sorrow. + +"Whenever you come, Maria," said he, as he took her hand in his, "you +will be most welcome to us." + +"Have you heard any tidings of Forester?" said Miss Daly, as if suddenly +recalling a subject she wished to speak on. + +"Forester of the Guards? Lionel's friend, do you mean?" + +"Yes; you know that he has left the army, thrown up his commission, and +gone no one knows where?" + +"I did not know of that before. I am sincerely sorry for it. Is the +cause surmised?" + +Miss Daly made no answer, but stood with her eyes bent on the ground, +and apparently in deep thought; then looking up suddenly, she said, with +more composure than ordinary, "Make my compliments to Lady Eleanor, and +say that at the first favorable moment I will pay my personal respects +to her--kiss Helen for me--good-bye." And, without waiting for Darcy to +take his leave, she walked hastily by, and closed the door after her. + +"This wayward manner," said Darcy, sorrowfully, to himself, "has a +deeper root than mere capriciousness; the heart has suffered so long +that the mind begins to partake of the decay." And with this sad +reflection he left the village, and turned his solitary steps towards +home. + +If Darcy was grieved to find Miss Daly surrounded by such unsuitable +companionship, he was more thau recompensed at finding that her taste +rejected nearer intimacy with Mrs. Fumbally's household. More than once +the fear crossed his mind that, with diminished circumstances, she might +have lapsed into habits so different from her former life, and he could +better look upon her struggling as she did against her adverse fortune +than assimilating herself to those as much below her in sentiment as in +station. He was happy to have seen his old friend once more, he was glad +to refresh his memory of long-forgotten scenes by the sight of her who +had been his playfellow and his companion, but he was not free of a +certain dread that Miss Daly would scarcely be acceptable to his wife, +while her wayward, uncertain temper would form no safe companionship +for his daughter. As he pondered on these things, he began to feel how +altered circumstances beget suspicion, and how he, who had never known +the feeling of distrust, now found himself hesitating and doubting, +where formerly he had acted without fear or reserve. + +"Yes," said he, aloud, "when wealth and station were mine, the +consciousness of power gave energy to my thoughts, but now I am to learn +how narrow means can fetter a man's courage." + +"Some truth in that," said a voice behind him; "would cut a very +different figure myself if old Bob Dempsey, of Dempsey Grove, were to +betake himself to a better world." + +Darcy's cheek reddened between shame and anger to find himself overheard +by his obtrusive companion, and, with a cold salute, he passed on. Mr. +Dempsey, however, was not a man to be so easily got rid of; he possessed +that happy temper that renders its owner insensible to shame and +unconscious of rebuke; besides that, he was always "going your way," +quite content to submit to any amount of rebuff rather than be alone. +If you talked, it was well; if you listened, it was better; but if you +affected open indifference to him, and neither exchanged a word nor +vouchsafed the slightest attention, even that was supportable, for he +could give the conversation a character of monologue or anecdote, which +occupied himself at least. + + + + + +CHAPTER II. A TALE OF MR. DEMPSEY'S GRANDFATHER + +The Knight of Gwynne was far too much occupied in his own reflections +to attend to his companion, and exhibited a total unconcern to several +piquant little narratives of Mrs. Mackie's dexterity in dealing the +cards, of Mrs. Fumbally's parsimony in domestic arrangements, of Miss +Boyle's effrontery, of Leonard's intemperance, and even of Miss Daly's +assumed superiority. + +"You 're taking the wrong path," said Mr. Dempsey, suddenly interrupting +one of his own narratives, at a spot where the two roads diverged,--one +proceeding inland, while the other followed the line of the coast. + +"With your leave, sir," said Darcy, coldly, "I will take this way, and +if you 'll kindly permit it, I will do so alone." + +"Oh, certainly!" said Dempsey, without the slightest sign of umbrage; +"would never have thought of joining you had it not been from +overhearing an expression so exactly pat to my own condition, that I +thought we were brothers in misfortune; you scarcely bear up as well as +I do, though." + +Darcy turned abruptly round, as the fear flashed across him, and he +muttered to himself, "This fellow knows me; if so, the whole county will +soon be as wise as himself, and the place become intolerable." Oppressed +with this unpleasant reflection, the Knight moved on, nor was it till +after a considerable interval that he was conscious of his companion's +presence; for Mr. Dempsey still accompanied him, though at the distance +of several paces, and as if following a path of his own choosing. + +Darcy laughed good-humoredly at the pertinacity of his tormentor; and +half amused by the man, and half ashamed of his own rudeness to him, he +made some casual observation on the scenery to open a reconciliation. + +"The coast is much finer," said Dempsey, "close to your cottage." + +This was a home-thrust for the Knight, to show him that concealment was +of no use against so subtle an adversary. + +"'The Corvy' is, as you observe, very happily situated," replied Darcy, +calmly; "I scarcely know which to prefer,--the coast-line towards +Dunluce, or the bold cliffs that stretch away to Bengore." + +"When the wind comes north-by-west," said Dempsey, with a shrewd glance +of his greenish gray eyes, "there 's always a wreck or two between the +Skerries and Portrush." + +"Indeed! Is the shore so unsafe as that?" + +"Oh, yes. You may expect a very busy winter here when the homeward-bound +Americans are coming northward." + +"D----n the fellow! does he take me for a wrecker?" said Darcy to +himself, not knowing whether to laugh or be angry. + +"Such a curiosity that old 'Corvy' is, they tell me," said Dempsey, +emboldened by his success; "every species of weapon and arm in the +world, they say, gathered together there." + +"A few swords and muskets," said the Knight, carelessly; "a stray dirk +or two, and some harpoons, furnish the greater part of the armory." + +"Oh, perhaps so! The story goes, however, that old Daly--brother, I +believe, of our friend at Mother Fum's--could arm twenty fellows at a +moment's warning, and did so on more than one occasion too." + +"With what object, in Heaven's name?" + +"Buccaneering, piracy, wrecking, and so on," said Dempsey, with all the +unconcern with which he would have enumerated so many pursuits of the +chase. + +A hearty roar of laughter broke from the Knight; and when it ceased he +said, "I would be sincerely sorry to stand in your shoes, Mr. Dempsey, +so near to yonder cliff, if you made that same remark in Mr. Daly's +hearing." + +"He 'd gain very little by me," said Mr. Dempsey; "one and eightpence, +an old watch, an oyster-knife, and my spectacles, are all the property +in my possession--except, when, indeed," added he, after a pause, "Bob +remits the quarter's allowance." + +"It is only just," said Darcy, gravely, "to a gentleman who takes such +pains to inform himself on the affairs of his neighbors, that I should +tell you that Mr. Bagenal Daly is not a pirate, nor am I a wrecker. I +am sure you will be generous enough for this unasked information not to +require of me a more lengthened account either of my friend or myself." + +"You 're in the Revenue, perhaps?" interrupted the undaunted Dempsey; "I +thought so when I saw you first." + +Darcy shook his head in dissent. + +"Wrong again. Ah! I see it all; the old story. Saw better days--you have +just come down here to lie snug and quiet, out of the way of writs and +latitats--went too fast--by Jove, that touches myself too! If I hadn't +happened to have a grandfather, I 'd have been a rich man this day. Did +you ever chance to hear of Dodd and Dempsey, the great wine-merchants? +My father was son of Dodd and Dempsey,--that is Dempsey, you know; and +it was his father-Sam Dempsey--ruined him." + +"No very uncommon circumstance," said the Knight, sorrowfully, "for an +Irish father." + +"You 've heard the story, I suppose?--of course you have; every one +knows it." + +"I rather think not," said the Knight, who was by no means sorry to turn +Mr. Dempsey from cross-examination into mere narrative. + +"I 'll tell it to you; I am sure I ought to know it well, I 've heard my +father relate it something like a hundred times." + +"I fear I must decline so pleasant a proposal," said Darcy, smiling. "At +this moment I have an engagement." + +"Never mind. To-morrow will do just as well," interrupted the inexorable +Dempsey. "Come over and take your mutton-chop with me at five, and you +shall have the story into the bargain." + +"I regret that I cannot accept so very tempting an invitation," +said Darcy, struggling between his sense of pride and a feeling of +astonishment at his companion's coolness. + +"Not come to dinner!" exclaimed Dempsey, as if the thing was scarcely +credible. "Oh, very well, only remember"--and here he put an unusual +gravity into his words--"only remember the _onus_ is now on you." + +The Knight burst into a hearty laugh at this subtle retort, and, willing +as he ever was to go with the humor of the moment, replied,-- + +"I am ready to accept it, sir, and beg that you will dine with me." + +"When and where?" said Dempsey. + +"To-morrow, at that cottage yonder: five is your hour, I believe--we +shall say five." + +"Booked!" exclaimed Dempsey, with an air of triumph; while he muttered, +with a scarcely subdued voice, "Knew I'd do it!--never failed in my +life!" + +"Till then, Mr. Dempsey," said Darcy, removing his hat courteously, as +he bowed to him,--"till then--" + +"Your most obedient," replied Dempsey, returning the salute; and so they +parted. + +"The Corvy," on the day after the Knight's visit to Port Ballintray, was +a scene of rather amusing bustle; the Knight's dinner-party, as Helen +quizzingly called it, affording occupation for every member of +the household. In former times, the only difficult details of an +entertainment were in the selection of the guests,--bringing together +a company likely to be suitable to each other, and endowed with those +various qualities which make up the success of society; now, however, +the question was the more material one,--the dinner itself. + +It is always a fortunate thing when whatever absurdity our calamities in +life excite should be apparent only to ourselves. The laugh which is +so difficult to bear from the world is then an actual relief from our +troubles. The Darcys felt this truth, as each little embarrassment that +arose was food for mirth; and Lady Eleanor, who least of all could adapt +herself to such contingencies, became as eager as the rest about the +little preparations of the day. + +While the Knight hurried hither and thither, giving directions here and +instructions there, he explained to Lady Eleanor some few circumstances +respecting the character of his guests. It was, indeed, a new kind of +company he was about to present to his wife and daughter; but while +conscious of the disparity in every respect, he was not the less eager +to do the hospitalities of his humble house with all becoming honor. It +is true his invitation to Mr. Dempsey was rather forced from him than +willingly accorded; he was about the very last kind of person Darcy +would have asked to his table, if perfectly free to choose; but, of all +men living, the Knight knew least how to escape from a difficulty the +outlet to which should cost him any sacrifice of feeling. + +"Well, well, it is but once and away; and, after all, the talkativeness +of our little friend Dempsey will be so far a relief to poor Leonard, +that he will be brought less prominently forward himself, and be +suffered to escape unremarked,--a circumstance which, from all that I +can see, will afford him sincere pleasure." + +At length all the preparations were happily accomplished: the emissary +despatched to Kilrush at daybreak had returned with a much-coveted +turkey; the fisherman had succeeded in capturing a lordly salmon; +oysters and lobsters poured in abundantly; and Mrs. M'Kerrigan, who had +been left as a fixture at "The Corvy," found her only embarrassment in +selection from that profusion of "God's gifts," as she phrased it, that +now surrounded her. The hour of five drew near, and the ladies were +seated in the hall, the doors of which lay open, as the two guests were +seen making their way towards the cottage. + +"Here they come, papa," said Helen; "and now for a guess. Is not the +short man with the straw hat Mr. Dempsey, and his tall companion Mr. +Leonard?" + +"Of course it is," said Lady Eleanor; "who could mistake the garrulous +pertinacity of that little thing that gesticulates at every step, or the +plodding patience of his melancholy associate?" + +The next moment the Knight was welcoming them in front of the cottage. +The ceremony of introduction to the ladies being over, Mr. Dempsey, who +probably was aware that the demands upon his descriptive powers would +not be inconsiderable when he returned to "Mother Fum's," put his glass +to his eye, and commenced a very close scrutiny of the apartment and its +contents. + +[Illustration: 042] + +"Quite a show-box, by Jove!" said he, at last, as he peered through a +glass cabinet, where Chinese slippers, with models in ivory and carvings +in box, were heaped promiscuously together; "upon my word, sir, you +have a very remarkable collection. And who may be our friend in the boat +here?" added he, turning to the grim visage of Bagenal Daly himself, +who stared with a bold effrontery that would not have disgraced the +original. + +"The gentleman you see there," said the Knight, "is the collector +himself, and the other is his servant. They are represented in the +costumes in which they made their escape from a captivity among the red +men." + +"Begad!" said Dempsey, "that fellow with the tortoise painted on his +forehead has a look of our old friend, Miss Daly; should n't wonder if +he was a member of her family." + +"You have well guessed it; he is the lady's brother." + +"Ah, ah!" muttered Dempsey to himself, "always thought there was +something odd about her,--never suspected Indian blood, however. How +Mother Fum will stare when I tell her she's a Squaw! Didn't they +show these things at the Rooms in Mary's Street? I think I saw them +advertised in the papers." + +"I think you must mistake," said the Knight; "they are the private +collection of my friend." + +"And where may Woc-woc--confound his name!--the 'Howling Wind,' as he is +pleased to call himself, be passing his leisure hours just now?" + +"He is at present in Dublin, sir; and if you desire, he shall be made +aware of your polite inquiries." + +"No, no--hang it, no!--don't like the look of him. Should have no +objection, though, if he 'd pay old Bob Dempsey a visit, and frighten +him out of this world for me." + +"Dinner, my lady," said old Tate, as he threw open the doors into the +dining-room, and bowed with all his accustomed solemnity. + +"Hum!" muttered Dempsey, "my lady won't go down with me,-too old a +soldier for that!" + +"Will you give my daughter your arm?" said the Knight to the little man, +for already Lady Eleanor had passed on with Mr. Leonard. + +As Mr. Dempsey arranged his napkin on his knee, he endeavored to catch +Leonard's eye, and telegraph to him his astonishment at the elegance of +the table equipage which graced the board. Poor Leonard, however, seldom +looked up; a deep sense of shame, the agonizing memory of what he once +was, recalled vividly by the sight of those objects, and the appearance +of persons which reminded him of his past condition, almost stunned him. +The whole seemed like a dream; even though intemperance had degraded +him, there were intervals in which his mind, clear to see and reflect, +sorrowed deeply over his fallen state. Had the Knight met him with a +cold and repulsive deportment, or had he refused to acknowledge him +altogether, he could better have borne it than all the kindness of his +present manner. It was evident, too, from Lady Eleanor's tone to him, +that she knew nothing of his unhappy fortune, or that if she did, +the delicacy with which she treated him was only the more benevolent. +Oppressed by such emotions, he sat endeavoring to eat, and trying to +listen and interest himself in the conversation around him; but the +effort was too much for his strength, and a vague, half-whispered +assent, or a dull, unmeaning smile, were about as much as he could +contribute to what was passing. + +The Knight, whose tact was rarely at fault, saw every straggle that was +passing in Leonard's mind, and adroitly contrived that the conversation +should be carried on without any demand upon him, either as talker or +listener. If Lady Eleanor and Helen contributed their aid to this end, +Mr. Dempsey was not backward on his part, for he talked unceasingly. +The good things of the table, to which he did ample justice, afforded +an opportunity for catechizing the ladies in their skill in household +matters; and Miss Darcy, who seemed immensely amused by the novelty of +such a character, sustained her part to admiration, entering deeply into +culinary details, and communicating receipts invented for the occasion. +At another time, perhaps, the Knight would have checked the spirit of +_persiflage_ in which his daughter indulged; but he suffered it now to +take its course, well pleased that the mark of her ridicule was not only +worthy of the sarcasm, but insensible to its arrow. + +"Quite right,-quite right not to try Mother Fum's when you can get up a +little thing like this,-and such capital sherry; look how Tom takes it +in,-slips like oil over his lip!" + +Leonard looked up. An expression of rebuking severity for a moment +crossed his features; but his eyes fell the next instant, and a low, +faint sigh escaped him. + +"I ought to know what sherry is,--'Dodd and Dempsey's' was the great +house for sherry." + +"By the way," said the Knight, "did not you promise me a little +narrative of Dodd and Dempsey, when we parted yesterday?" + +"To be sure, I did. Will you have it now?" + +Lady Eleanor and Helen rose to withdraw; but Mr. Dempsey, who took the +movement as significant, immediately interposed, by saying,-- + +"Don't stir, ma'am,-sit down, ladies, I beg; there's nothing broad in +the story,--it might be told before the maids of honor." + +Lady Eleanor and Helen were thunderstruck at the explanation, and the +Knight laughed till the tears came. + +"My dear Eleanor," said he, "you really must accept Mr. Dempsey's +assurance, and listen to his story now." + +The ladies took their seats once more, and Mr. Dempsey, having filled +his glass, drank off a bumper; but whether it was that the narrative +itself demanded a greater exertion at his hands, or that the cold +quietude of Lady Eleanor's manner abashed him, but he found a second +bumper necessary before he commenced his task. + +"I say," whispered he to the Knight, "couldn't you get that decanter out +of Leonard's reach before I begin? He'll not leave a drop in it while I +am talking." + +As if he felt that, after his explanation, the tale should be more +particularly addressed to Lady Eleanor, he turned his chair round so as +to face her, and thus began:-- + +"There was once upon a time, ma'am, a Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland who was +a Duke. Whether he was Duke of Rutland, or Bedford, or Portland, or any +other title it was he had, my memory does n't serve me; it is enough, +however, if I say he was immensely rich, and, like many other people in +the same way, immensely in debt. The story goes that he never travelled +through England, and caught sight of a handsome place, or fine domain, +or a beautiful cottage, that he did n't go straightway to the owner and +buy it down out of the face, as a body might say, whether he would or +no. And so in time it came to pass that there was scarcely a county in +England without some magnificent house belonging to him. In many parts +of Scotland he had them too, and in all probability he would have done +the same in Ireland, if he could. Well, ma'am, there never was such +rejoicings as Dublin saw the night his Grace arrived to be our Viceroy. +To know that we had got a man with one hundred and fifty thousand a +year, and a spirit to spend double the money, was a downright blessing +from Providence, and there was no saying what might not be the +prosperity of Ireland under so auspicious a ruler. + +"To do him justice, he did n't balk public expectation. Open house at +the Castle, ditto at the Lodge in the Park, a mansion full of guests in +the county Wicklow, a pack of hounds in Kildare, twelve horses training +at the Curragh, a yacht like a little man-of-war in Dunleary harbor, +large subscriptions to everything like sport, and a pension for life to +every man that could sing a jolly song, or write a witty bit of poetry. +Well, ma'am, they say, who remember those days, that they saw the best +of Ireland; and surely I believe, if his Grace had only lived, and had +his own way, the peerage would have been as pleasant, and the bench of +bishops as droll, and the ladies of honor as--Well, never mind, I 'll +pass on." Here Mr. Dempsey, to console himself for the abruptness of his +pause, poured out and drank another bumper of sherry. "Pleasant times +they were." said he, smacking his lips; "and faith, if Tom Leonard +himself was alive then, the color of his nose might have made him +Commander of the Forces; but, to continue, it was Dodd and Dempsey's +house supplied the sherry,-only the sherry, ma'am; old Stewart, of +Belfast, had the port, and Kinnahan the claret and lighter liquors. I +may mention, by the way, that my grandfather's contract included brandy, +and that he would n't have given it up for either of the other two. It +was just about this time that Dodd died, and my grandfather was left +alone in the firm; but whether it was out of respect for his late +partner, or that he might have felt himself lonely, but he always kept +up the name of Dodd on the brass plate, and signed the name along with +his own; indeed, they say that he once saluted his wife by the name of +Mrs. Dodd and Dempsey. But, as I was saying, it was one of those days +when my grandfather was seated on a high stool in the back office of +his house in Abbey Street, that a fine, tall young fellow, with a blue +frock-coat, all braided with gold, and an elegant cocked-hat, with +a plume of feathers in it, came tramping into the room, his spurs +jingling, and his brass sabre clinking, and his sabretash banging at his +legs. + +"'Mr. Dempsey?' said he. + +"'D. and D.,' said my grandfather,--'that is, Dodd and Dempsey, your +Grace,' for he half suspected it was the Duke himself. + +"'I am Captain M'Claverty, of the Scots Greys,' said he, 'first +aide-de-camp to his Excellency.' + +"'I hope you may live to be colonel of the regiment,' said my +grandfather, for he was as polite and well-bred as any man in Ireland. + +"'That's too good a sentiment,' said the captain, 'not to be pledged in +a glass of your own sherry.' + +"'And we'll do it too,' said old Dempsey. And he opened the desk, and +took out a bottle he had for his own private drinking, and uncorked it +with a little pocket corkscrew he always carried about with him, and he +produced two glasses, and he and the captain hobnobbed and drank to each +other. + +"'Begad!' said the captain, 'his Grace sent me to thank you for the +delicious wine you supplied him with, but it's nothing to this,---not to +be compared to it.' + +"'I 've better again,' said my grandfather. 'I 've wine that would bring +the tears into your eyes when you saw the decanter getting low.' + +"The captain stared at him, and maybe it was that the speech was too +much for his nerves, but he drank off two glasses one after the other as +quick as he could fill them out. + +"'Dempsey,' said he, looking round cautiously, 'are we alone?' + +"'We are,' said my grandfather. + +"'Tell me, then,' said M'Claverty, 'how could his Grace get a taste of +this real sherry--for himself alone, I mean? Of course, I never thought +of his giving it to the Judges, and old Lord Dunboyne, and such like.' + +"'Does he ever take a little sup in his own room, of an evening?' + +"'I am afraid not, but I 'll tell you how I think it might be managed. +You 're a snug fellow, Dempsey, you 've plenty of money muddling away in +the bank at three-and-a-half per cent; could n't you contrive, some way +or other, to get into his Excellency's confidence, and lend him ten or +fifteen thousand or so?' + +"'Ay, or twenty,' said my grandfather,--'or twenty, if he likes it' + +"'I doubt if he would accept such a sum,' said the captain, shaking his +head; 'he has bags of money rolling in upon him every week or fortnight; +sometimes we don't know where to put them.' + +"'Oh, of course,' said my grandfather; 'I meant no offence, I only said +twenty, because, if his Grace would condescend, it is n't twenty, but a +fifty thousand I could give him, and on the nail too.' + +"'You're a fine fellow, Dempsey, a devilish fine fellow; you 're the +very kind of fellow the Duke likes,--open-handed, frank, and generous.' + +"'Do you really think he'd like me?' said my grandfather; and he rocked +on the high stool, so that it nearly came down. + +"'Like you! I'll tell you what it is,' said he, laying his hand on my +grandfather's knee, 'before one week was over, he could n't do without +you. You 'd be there morning, noon, and night; your knife and fork +always ready for you, just like one of the family.' + +"'Blood alive!' said my grandfather, 'do you tell me so?' + +"'I 'll bet you a hundred pounds on it, sir.' + +"'Done,' said my grandfather, 'and you must hold the stakes;' and with +that he opened his black pocket-book, and put a note for the amount into +the captain's hand. + +"'This is the 31st of March,' said the captain, taking out his pencil +and tablets. 'I 'll just book the bet.' + +"And, indeed," added Mr. Dempsey, "for that matter, if it was a day +later it would have been only more suitable. + +"Well, ma'am, what passed between them afterwards I never heard said; +but the captain took his leave, and left my grandfather so delighted and +overjoyed that he finished all the sherry in the drawer, and when the +head clerk came in to ask for an invoice, or a thing of the kind, he +found old Mr. Dempsey with his wig on the high stool, and he bowing +round it, and calling it your Grace. There 's no denying it, ma'am, he +was blind drunk. + +"About ten days or a fortnight after this time, my grandfather received +a note from Teesum and Twist, the solicitors, stating that the draft +or the bond was already drawn up for the loan he was about to make his +Grace, and begging to know to whom it was to be submitted. + +"'The captain will win his bet, devil a lie in it,' said my grandfather; +'he's going to bring the Duke and myself together.' + +"Well, ma'am, I won't bother you with the law business, though if my +father was telling the story he would not spare you one item of it +all,--who read this, and who signed the other, and the objections that +was made by them thieving attorneys! and how the Solicitor-General +struck out this and put in that clause; but to tell you the truth, +ma'am, I think that all the details spoil, what we may call, the poetry +of the narrative; it is finer to say he paid the money, and the Duke +pocketed it. + +"Well, weeks went over and months long, and not a bit of the Duke did +my grandfather see, nor M'Claverty either; he never came near him. To be +sure, his Grace drank as much sherry as ever; indeed, I believe out of +love to my grandfather they drank little else. From the bishops and the +chaplain, down to the battle-axe guards, it was sherry, morning, noon, +and night; and though this was very pleasing to my grandfather, he was +always wishing for the time when he was to be presented to his Grace, +and their friendship was to begin. My grandfather could think of nothing +else, daylight and dark. When he walked, he was always repeating to +himself what his Grace might say to him, and what he would say to his +Grace; and he was perpetually going up at eleven o'clock, when the guard +was relieved in the Castle-yard, suspecting that every now and then +a footman in blue and silver would come out, and, touching his elbow, +whisper in his ear, 'Mr. Dempsey, the Duke 's waiting for you.' But, my +dear ma'am, he might have waited till now, if Providence had spared him, +and the devil a taste of the same message would ever have come near him, +or a sight of the same footman in blue! It was neither more nor less +than a delusion, or an illusion, or a confusion, or whatever the name of +it is. At last, ma'am, in one of his prowlings about the Phoenix Park, +who does he come on but M'Claverty? He was riding past in a great hurry; +but he pulled up when he saw my grandfather, and called out, 'Hang it! +who's this? I ought to know _you_.' + +"'Indeed you ought,' said my grandfather. 'I 'm Dodd and Dempsey, and +by the same token there's a little bet between us, and I 'd like to know +who won and who lost.' + +"'I think there's small doubt about that,' said the captain. 'Did n't +his Grace borrow twenty thousand of you?' + +"'He did, no doubt of it.' + +"'And was n't it _my_ doing?' + +"'Upon my conscience, I can't deny it.' + +"'Well, then, I won the wager, that's clear.' + +"'Oh! I see now,' said my grandfather; 'that was the wager, was it? Oh, +bedad! I think you might have given me odds, if that was our bet.' + +"'Why, what did you think it was?' + +"'Oh, nothing at all, sir. It's no matter now; it was another thing +was passing in my mind. I was hoping to have the honor of making his +acquaintance, nattered as I was by all you told me about him.' + +"'Ah! that's difficult, I confess,' said the captain; 'but still one +might do something. He wants a little money just now. If you could make +interest to be the lender, I would n't say that what you suggest is +impossible.' + +"Well, ma'am, it was just as it happened before; the old story,--more +parchment, more comparing of deeds, a heavy check on the bank for the +amount. + +"When it was all done, M'Claverty came in one morning and in plain +clothes to my grandfather's back office. + +"'Dodd and Dempsey,' said he, 'I 've been thinking over your business, +and I'll tell you what my plan is. Old Vereker, the chamberlain, is +little better than a beast, thinks nothing of anybody that is n't a +lord or a viscount, and, in fact, if he had his will, the Lodge in the +Phoenix would be more like Pekin in Tartary than anything else? but +I 'll tell you, if he won't present you at the levee, which he flatly +refuses at present, I 'll do the thing in a way of my own. His Grace is +going to spend a week up at Ballyriggan House, in the county of Wicklow, +and I 'll contrive it, when he 's taking his morning walk through the +shrubbery, to present you. All you 've to do is to be ready at a turn of +the walk. I 'll show you the place, you 'll hear his foot on the gravel, +and you 'll slip out, just this way. Leave the rest to me.' + +"'It's beautiful,' said my grandfather. 'Begad, that's elegant.' + +"'There 's one difficulty,' said M'Claverty,--'one infernal difficulty.' + +"'What's that?' asked my grandfather. + +"'I may be obliged to be out of the way. I lost five fifties at Daly's +the other night, and I may have to cross the water for a few weeks.' + +"'Don't let that trouble you,' said my grandfather; 'there's the paper.' +And he put the little bit of music into his hand; and sure enough a +pleasanter sound than the same crisp squeak of a new note no man ever +listened to. + +"'It 's agreed upon now?' said my grandfather. + +"'All right,' said M'Claverty; and with a jolly slap on the shoulder, he +said, 'Good-morning, D. and D. and away he went. + +"He was true to his word. That day three weeks my grandfather received +a note in pencil; it was signed J. M'C, and ran thus: 'Be up at +Ballyriggan at eleven o'clock on Wednesday, and wait at the foot of the +hill, near the birch copse, beside the wooden bridge. Keep the left +of the path, and lie still.' Begad, ma'am, it's well nobody saw it but +himself, or they might have thought that Dodd and Dempsey was turned +highwayman. + +"My grandfather was prouder of the same note, and happier that morning, +than if it was an order for fifty butts of sherry. He read it over and +over, and he walked up and down the little back office, picturing +out the whole scene, settling the chairs till he made a little avenue +between them, and practising the way he 'd slip out slyly and surprise +his Grace. No doubt, it would have been as good as a play to have looked +at him. + +"One difficulty preyed upon his mind,--what dress ought he to wear? +Should he be in a court suit, or ought he rather to go in his robes as +an alderman? It would never do to appear in a black coat, a light gray +spencer, punch-colored shorts and gaiters, white hat with a strip of +black crape on it,--mere Dodd and Dempsey! That wasn't to be thought of. +If he could only ask his friend M'Hale, the fishmonger, who was knighted +last year, he could tell all about it. M'Hale, however, would blab. He +'d tell it to the whole livery; every alderman of Skinner's Alley would +know it in a week. No, no, the whole must be managed discreetly; it was +a mutual confidence between the Duke and 'D. and D.' 'At all events,' +said my grandfather, 'a court dress is a safe thing;' and out he went +and bespoke one, to be sent home that evening, for he could n't rest +till he tried it on, and felt how he could move his head in the straight +collar, and bow, without the sword tripping him up and pitching him into +the Duke. I 've heard my father say that in the days that elapsed till +the time mentioned for the interview, my grandfather lost two stone in +weight. He walked half over the county Dublin, lying in ambush in every +little wood he could see, and jumping out whenever he could see or +hear any one coming,--little surprises which were sometimes taken as +practical jokes, very unbecoming a man of his age and appearance. + +"Well, ma'am, Wednesday morning came, and at six o'clock my grandfather +was on the way to Ballyriggan, and at nine he was in the wood, posted +at the very spot M'Claverty told him, as happy as any man could be whose +expectations were so overwhelming. A long hour passed over, and another; +nobody passed but a baker's boy with a bull-dog after him, and an old +woman that was stealing brushwood in the shrubbery. My grandfather +remarked her well, and determined to tell his Grace of it; but his own +business soon drove that out of his head, for eleven o'clock came, and +now there was no knowing the moment the Duke might appear. With his +watch in his hand, he counted the minutes, ay, even the seconds; if he +was a thief going to be hanged, and looking out over the heads of the +crowd for a fellow to gallop in with a reprieve, he could n't have +suffered more: his heart was in his mouth. At last, it might be about +half-past eleven, he heard a footstep on the gravel, and then a loud, +deep cough,--'a fine kind of cough,' my grandfather afterwards called +it. He peeped out; and there, sure enough, at about sixty paces, coming +down the walk, was a large, grand-looking man,--not that he was dressed +as became him, for, strange as you may think it, the Lord-Lieutenant had +on a shooting-jacket, and a pair of plaid trousers, and cloth boots, and +a big lump of a stick in his hand,--and lucky it was that my grandfather +knew him, for he bought a picture of him. On he came nearer and nearer; +every step on the gravel-walk drove out of my grandfather's head half +a dozen of the fine things he had got off by heart to say during the +interview, until at last he was so overcome by joy, anxiety, and a kind +of terror, that he could n't tell where he was, or what was going to +happen to him, but he had a kind of instinct that reminded him he was to +jump out when the Duke was near him; and 'pon my conscience so he did, +clean and clever, into the middle of the walk, right in front of his +Grace. My grandfather used to say, in telling the story, that he +verily believed his feelings at that moment would have made him burst a +blood-vessel if it wasn't that the Duke put his hands to his sides and +laughed till the woods rang again; but, between shame and fright, my +grandfather did n't join in the laugh. + +"'In Heaven's name!' said his Grace, 'who or what are you?--this isn't +May-day.' + +"My grandfather took this speech as a rebuke for standing so bold in his +Grace's presence; and being a shrewd man, and never deficient in tact, +what does he do but drops down on his two knees before him? 'My Lord,' +said he, 'I am only Dodd and Dempsey.' + +"Whatever there was droll about the same house of Dodd and Dempsey I +never heard, but his Grace laughed now till he had to lean against a +tree. 'Well, Dodd and Dempsey, if that's your name, get up. I don't mean +you any harm. Take courage, man; I am not going to knight you. By the +way, are you not the worthy gentleman who lent me a trifle of twenty +thousand more than once?' + +"My grandfather could n't speak, but he moved his lips, and he moved his +bands, this way, as though to say the honor was too great for him, but +it was all true. + +"'Well, Dodd and Dempsey, I 've a very high respect for you,' said his +Grace; 'I intend, some of these fine days, when business permits, to go +over and eat an oyster at your villa on the coast.' + +"My grandfather remembers no more; indeed, ma'am, I believe that at that +instant his Grace's condescension had so much overwhelmed him that +he had a kind of vision before his eyes of a whole wood full of +Lord-Lieutenants, with about thirty thousand people opening oysters +for them as fast as they could eat, and he himself running about with +a pepper-caster, pressing them to eat another 'black fin.' It was +something of that kind; for when he got on his legs a considerable +time must have elapsed, as he found all silent around him, and a smart +rheumatic pain in his knee-joints from the cold of the ground. + +"The first thing my grandfather did when he got back to town was to +remember that he had no villa on the sea-coast, nor any more suitable +place to eat an oyster than his house in Abbey Street, for he could n't +ask his Grace to go to 'Killeen's.' Accordingly he set out the next day +in search of a villa, and before a week was over he had as beautiful +a place about a mile below Howth as ever was looked at; and that he +mightn't be taken short, he took a lease of two oyster-beds, and made +every preparation in life for the Duke's visit. He might have spared +himself the trouble. Whether it was that somebody had said something +of him behind his back, or that politics were weighing on the Duke's +mind,--the Catholics were mighty troublesome then,--or, indeed, that he +forgot it altogether, clean, but so it was, my grandfather never heard +more of the visit, and if the oysters waited for his Grace to come and +eat them, they might have filled up Howth harbor. + +"A year passed over, and my grandfather was taking his solitary walk in +the Park, very nearly in the same place as before,--for you see, ma'am, +he could n't bear the sight of the seacoast, and the very smell of +shell-fish made him ill,--when somebody called out his name. He looked +up, and there was M'Claverty in a gig. + +"'Well, D. and D., how goes the world with you?' + +"'Very badly indeed,' says my grandfather; his heart was full, and he +just told him the whole story. + +"'I'll settle it all,' said the captain; 'leave it to me. There 's to +be a review to-morrow in the Park; get on the back of the best horse you +can find,--the Duke is a capital judge of a nag,--ride him briskly about +the field; he 'll notice you, never fear; the whole thing will come up +before his memory, and you 'll have him to breakfast before the week's +over.' + +"'Do you think so?--do you really think so?' + +"'I 'll take my oath of it. I say, D. and D., could you do a little +thing at a short date just now?' + +"'If it was n't too heavy,' said my grandfather, with a faint sigh. + +"'Only a hundred.' + +"'Well,' said he, 'you may send it down to the office. Good-bye.' And +with that he turned back towards town again; not to go home, however, +for he knew well there was no time to lose, but straight he goes to +Dycer's,--it was old Tom was alive in those days, and a shrewder man +than Tom Dycer there never lived. They tell you, ma'am, there 's chaps +in London that if you send them your height, and your width, and your +girth round the waist, they 'll make you a suit of clothes that will +fit you like your own skin; but, 'pon my conscience, I believe if you +'d give your age and the color of your hair to old Tom Dycer, he could +provide you a horse the very thing to carry you. Whenever a stranger +used to come into the yard, Tom would throw a look at him, out of the +corner of his eye,--for he had only one, there was a feather on the +other,--Tom would throw a look at him, and he'd shout out, 'Bring out +42; take out that brown mare with the white fetlocks.' That's the way he +had of doing business, and the odds were five to one but the gentleman +rode out half an hour after on the beast Tom intended for him. This +suited my grandfather's knuckle well; for when he told him that it was +a horse to ride before the Lord-Lieutenant he wanted, 'Bedad,' says Tom, +'I'll give you one you might ride before the Emperor of Chaney.--Here, +Dennis, trot out 176.' To all appearance, ma'am, 176 was no common +beast, for every man in the yard, big and little, set off, when they +heard the order, down to the stall where he stood, and at last two doors +were flung wide open, and out he came with a man leading him. He was +seventeen hands two if he was an inch, bright gray, with flea-bitten +marks all over him; he held his head up so high at one end, and his tail +at the other, that my grandfather said he 'd have frightened the +stoutest fox-hunter to look at him; besides, my dear, he went with his +knees in his mouth when he trotted, and gave a skelp of his hind legs at +every stride, that it was n't safe to be within four yards of him. + +"'There's action!' says Tom,--'there 's bone and figure! Quiet as a +lamb, without stain or blemish, warranted in every harness, and to carry +a lady.' + +"'I wish he 'd carry a wine-merchant safe for about one hour and a +half,' said my grandfather to himself. 'What's his price?' + +"But Tom would n't mind him, for he was going on reciting the animal's +perfections, and telling him how he was bred out of Kick the Moon, +by Moll Flanders, and that Lord Dunraile himself only parted with him +because he did n't think him showy enough for a charger. 'Though, to be +sure,' said Tom, 'he's greatly improved since that. Will you try him in +the school, Mr. Dempsey?' said he; 'not but I tell you that you 'll find +him a little mettlesome or so there; take him on the grass, and he's +gentleness itself,--he's a kid, that's what he is.' + +"'And his price?' said my grandfather. + +"Dycer whispered something in his ear. + +"'Blood alive!' said my grandfather. + +"'Devil a farthing less. Do you think you 're to get beauty and action, +ay, and gentle temper, for nothing?' + +"My dear, the last words, 'gentle temper,' wasn't well out of his mouth +when 'the kid' put his two hind-legs into the little pulpit where the +auctioneer was sitting, and sent him flying through the window behind +him into the stall. + +"'That comes of tickling him,' said Tom; 'them blackguards never will +let a horse alone.' + +"'I hope you don't let any of them go out to the reviews in the Park, +for I declare to Heaven, if I was on his back then, Dodd and Dempsey +would be D. D. sure enough.' + +"'With a large snaffle, and the saddle well back,' says Tom, 'he's a +lamb.' + +"'God grant it,' says my grandfather; 'send him over to me to-morrow, +about eleven.' He gave a check for the money,--we never heard how much +it was,--and away he went. + +"That must have been a melancholy evening for him, for he sent for old +Rogers, the attorney, and after he was measured for breeches and boots, +he made his will and disposed of his effects, 'For there's no knowing,' +said he, 'what 176 may do for me.' Rogers did his best to persuade him +off the excursion,-- + +"'Dress up one of Dycer's fellows like you; let him go by the +Lord-Lieutenant prancing and rearing, and then you yourself can appear +on the ground, all splashed and spurred, half an hour after.' + +"'No,' says my grandfather, 'I 'll go myself.' + +"For so it is, there 's no denying, when a man has got ambition in his +heart it puts pluck there. Well, eleven o'clock came, and the whole of +Abbey Street was on foot to see my grandfather; there was n't a window +had n't five or six faces in it, and every blackguard in the town was +there to see him go off, just as if it was a show. + +"'Bad luck to them,' says my grandfather; 'I wish they had brought the +horse round to the stable-yard, and let me get up in peace.' + +"And he was right there,--for the stirrup, when my grandfather stood +beside the horse, was exactly even with his chin; but somehow, with the +help of the two clerks and the book-keeper and the office stool, he got +up on his back with as merry a cheer as ever rung out to welcome him, +while a dirty blackguard, with two old pocket-handkerchiefs for a pair +of breeches, shouted out, 'Old Dempsey's going to get an appetite for +the oysters!' + +"Considering everything, 176 behaved very well; he did n't plunge, and +he did n't kick, and my grandfather said, 'Providence was kind enough +not to let him rear!' but somehow he wouldn't go straight but sideways, +and kept lashing his long tail on my grandfather's legs and sometimes +round his body, in a way that terrified him greatly, till he became used +to it. + +"'Well, if riding be a pleasure,' says my grandfather, 'people must be +made different from me.' + +"For, saving your favor, ma'am, he was as raw as a griskin, and there +was n't a bit of him the size of a half-crown he could sit on without a +cry-out; and no other pace would the beast go but this little jig-jig, +from side to side, while he was tossing his head and flinging his mane +about, just as if to say, 'Could n't I pitch you sky-high if I liked? +Could n't I make a Congreve-rocket of you, Dodd and Dempsey?' + +"When he got on the 'Fifteen Acres,' it was only the position he found +himself in that destroyed the grandeur of the scene; for there were +fifty thousand people assembled at least, and there was a line of +infantry of two miles long, and the artillery was drawn up at one end, +and the cavalry stood beyond them, stretching away towards Knockmaroon. + +"My grandfather was now getting accustomed to his sufferings, and he +felt that, if 176 did no more, with God's help he could bear it for one +day; and so he rode on quietly outside the crowd, attracting, of course, +a fair share of observation, for he wasn't always in the saddle, but +sometimes a little behind or before it. Well, at last there came a cloud +of dust, rising at the far end of the field, and it got thicker and +thicker, and then it broke, and there were white plumes dancing, and +gold glittering, and horses all shaking their gorgeous trappings, for it +was the staff was galloping up, and then there burst out a great +cheer, so loud that nothing seemed possible to be louder, until +bang--bang--bang, eighteen large guns went thundering together, and the +whole line of infantry let off a clattering volley, till you 'd think +the earth was crashing open. + +"'Devil's luck to ye all! couldn't you be quiet a little longer?' says +D. and D., for he was trying to get an easy posture to sit in; but just +at this moment 176 pricked up his ears, made three bounds in the air, +as if something lifted him up, shook his head like a fish, and away +he went: wasn't it wonderful that my grandfather kept his seat? He +remembers, he says, that at each bound he was a yard over his back; but +as he was a heavy man, and kept his legs open, he had the luck to come +down in the same place, and a sore place it must have been! for he let +a screech out of him each time that would have pierced the heart of +a stone. He knew very little more what happened, except that he was +galloping away somewhere, until at last he found himself in a crowd +of people, half dead with fatigue and fright, and the horse thick with +foam. + +"'Where am I?' says my grandfather. + +"'You 're in Lucan, sir,' says a man. + +"'And where 's the review?' says my grandfather. + +"'Five miles behind you, sir.' + +"'Blessed Heaven!' says he; 'and where 's the Duke?' + +"'God knows,' said the man, giving a wink to the crowd, for they thought +he was mad. + +"'Won't you get off and take some refreshment?' says the man, for he was +the owner of a little public. + +"'Get off!' says my grandfather; 'it's easy talking! I found it hard +enough to get on. Bring me a pint of porter where I am.' And so he +drained off the liquor, and he wiped his face, and he turned the beast's +head once more towards town. + +"When my grandfather reached the Park again, he was, as you may well +believe, a tired and a weary man; and, indeed, for that matter, the +beast did n't seem much fresher than himself, for he lashed his sides +more rarely, and he condescended to go straight, and he didn't carry his +head higher than his rider's. At last they wound their way up through +the fir copse at the end of the field, and caught sight of the review, +and, to be sure, if poor D. and D. left the ground before under a grand +salute of artillery and small arms, another of the same kind welcomed +him back again. It was an honor he 'd have been right glad to have +dispensed with, for when 176 heard it, he looked about him to see which +way he 'd take, gave a loud neigh, and, with a shake that my grandfather +said he 'd never forget, he plunged forward, and went straight at the +thick of the crowd; it must have been a cruel sight to have seen the +people running for their lives. The soldiers that kept the line laughed +heartily at the mob; but they hadn't the joke long to themselves, for my +grandfather went slap at them into the middle of the field; and he did +that day what I hear has been very seldom done by cavalry,--he broke +a square of the Seventy-ninth Highlanders, and scattered them over the +field. + +[Illustration: 061] + +In truth, the beast must have been the devil himself; for wherever he +saw most people, it was there he always went. There were at this time +three heavy dragoons and four of the horse-police, with drawn swords, in +pursuit of my grandfather; and if he were the enemy of the human race, +the cries of the multitude could not have been louder, as one universal +shout arose of 'Cut him down! Cleave him in two!' And, do you know, he +said, afterwards, he 'd have taken it as a mercy of Providence if they +had. Well, my dear, when he had broke through the Highlanders, scattered +the mob, dispersed the band, and left a hole in the big drum you could +have put your head through, 176 made for the staff, who, I may remark, +were all this time enjoying the confusion immensely. When, however, they +saw my grandfather heading towards them, there was a general cry of +'Here he comes! here he comes! Take care, your Grace!' And there arose +among the group around the Duke a scene of plunging, kicking, and +rearing, in the midst of which in dashed my grandfather. Down went an +aide-de-camp on one side; 176 plunged, and off went the town-major at +the other; while a stroke of a sabre, kindly intended for my +grandfather's skull, came down on the horse's back and made him give +plunge the third, which shot his rider out of the saddle, and sent him +flying through the air like a shell, till he alighted under the leaders +of a carriage where the Duchess and the Ladies of Honor were seated. + +"Twenty people jumped from their horses now to finish him; if they were +bunting a rat, they could not have been more venomous. + +"'Stop! stop!' said the Duke; 'he's a capital fellow, don't hurt him. +Who are you, my brave little man? You ride like Chifney for the Derby.' + +"'God knows who I am!' says my grandfather, creeping out, and wiping his +face. 'I was Dodd and Dempsey when I left home this morning; but I 'm +bewitched, devil a lie in it.' + +"'Dempsey, my Lord Duke,' said M'Claverty, coming up at the moment. +'Don't you know him?' And he whispered a few words in his Grace's ear. + +"'Oh, yes, to be sure,' said the Viceroy. 'They tell me you have a +capital pack of hounds, Dempsey. What do you hunt?' + +"'Horse, foot, and dragoons, my Lord,' said my grandfather; and, to be +sure, there was a jolly roar of laughter after the words, for poor D. +and D. was just telling his mind, without meaning anything more. + +"'Well, then,' said the Duke, 'if you 've always as good sport as +to-day, you 've capital fun of it.' + +"'Oh, delightful, indeed!' said my grandfather; 'never enjoyed myself +more in my life.' + +"'Where 's his horse?' said his Grace. + +"'He jumped down into the sand-quarry and broke his neck, my Lord Duke.' + +"'The heavens be praised!' said my grandfather; 'if it's true, I am as +glad as if I got fifty pounds.' + +"The trumpets now sounded for the cavalry to march past, and the Duke +was about to move away, when M'Claverty again whispered something in his +ear. + +"'Very true,' said he; 'well thought of. I say, Dempsey, I 'll go over +some of these mornings and have a run with your hounds.' + +"My grandfather rubbed his eyes and looked up, but all he saw was about +twenty staff-officers with their hats off; for every man of them saluted +my father as they passed, and the crowd made way for him with as much +respect as if it was the Duke himself. He soon got a car to bring him +home, and notwithstanding all his sufferings that day, and the great +escape he had of his life, there wasn't as proud a man in Dublin as +himself. + +"'He's coming to hunt with my hounds!' said he; ''t is n't to take an +oyster and a glass of wine, and be off again!--no, he's coming down to +spend the whole day with me.' + +"The thought was ecstasy; it only had one drawback. Dodd and Dempsey's +house had never kept hounds. Well, ma'am, I needn't detain you long +about what happened; it's enough if I say that in less than six weeks my +grandfather had bought up Lord Tyrawley's pack, and his hunting-box and +horses, and I believe his grooms; and though he never ventured on the +back of a beast himself, he did nothing from morning to night but listen +and talk about hunting, and try to get the names of the dogs by heart, +and practise to cry 'Tally-ho!' and 'Stole away!' and 'Ho-ith! ho-ith!' +with which, indeed, he used to start out of his sleep at night, so full +he was of the sport. From the 1st of September he never had a red coat +off his back. 'Pon my conscience, I believe he went to bed in his spurs, +for he did n't know what moment the Duke might be on him, and that's the +way the time went on till spring; but not a sign of his Grace, not a +word, not a hint that he ever thought more of his promise! Well, one +morning my grandfather was walking very sorrowfully down near the +Curragh, where his hunting-lodge was, when he saw them roping-in the +course for the races, and he heard the men talking of the magnificent +cup the Duke was to give for the winner of the three-year-old stakes, +and the thought flashed on him, 'I'll bring myself to his memory that +way.' And what does he do, but he goes back to the house and tells his +trainer to go over to the racing-stables, and buy, not one, nor two, but +the three best horses that were entered for the race. Well, ma'am, their +engagements were very heavy, and he had to take them all on himself, and +it cost him a sight of money. It happened that this time he was on the +right scent, for down comes M'Claverty the same day with orders from the +Duke to take the odds, right and left, on one of the three, a little +mare called Let-Me-Alone-Before-the-People; she was one of his own +breeding, and he had a conceit out of her. Well, M'Claverty laid on the +money here and there, till he stood what between the Duke's bets and all +the officers of the staff and his own the heaviest winner or loser on +that race. + +"'She's Martin's mare, is n't she?' said M'Claverty. + +"'No, sir, she was bought this morning by Mr. Dempsey, of Tear Fox +Lodge.' + +"'The devil she is,' said M'Claverty; and he jumped on his horse, and he +cantered over to the Lodge. + +"'Mr. Dempsey at home?' says he. + +"'Yes, sir.' + +"'Give him this card, and say, I beg the favor of seeing him for a few +moments.' + +"The man went off, and came back in a few minutes, with the answer, 'Mr. +Dempsey is very sorry, but he 's engaged.' + +"'Oh, oh! that's it!' says M'Claverty to himself; 'I see how the wind +blows. I say, my man, tell him I 've a message from his Grace the +Lord-Lieutenant.' + +"Well, the answer came for the captain to send the message in, for my +grandfather could n't come out. + +"'Say, it's impossible,' said M'Claverty; 'it's for his own private +ear.' + +"Dodd and Dempsey was strong in my grandfather that day: he would listen +to no terms. + +"'No,' says he, 'if the goods are worth anything, they never come +without an invoice. I 'll have nothing to say to him.' + +"But the captain wasn't to be balked; for, in spite of everything, he +passed the servant, and came at once into the room where my grandfather +was sitting,--ay, and before he could help it, was shaking him by both +hands as if he was his brother. + +"'Why the devil didn't you let me in?' said he; 'I came from the Duke +with a message for you.' + +"'Bother!' says my grandfather. + +"'I did, though,' says he; 'he's got a heavy book on your little mare, +and he wants you to make your boy ride a waiting race, and not win the +first beat,--you understand?' + +"'I do,' says my grandfather, 'perfectly; and he's got a deal of money +on her, has he?' + +"'He has,' said the captain; 'and every one at the Castle, too, high and +low, from the chief secretary down to the second coachman,--we are all +backing her.' + +"'I am glad of it,--I am sincerely glad of it,' said my grandfather, +rubbing his hands. + +"'I knew you would be, old boy!' cried the captain, joyfully. + +"'Ah, but you don't know why; you 'd never guess.' + +"M'Claverty stared at him, but said nothing. + +"'Well, I'll tell you,' resumed my grandfather; 'the reason is this: +I 'll not let her run,--no, divil a step! I 'll bring her up to the +ground, and you may look at her, and see that she 's all sound and safe, +in top condition, and with a skin like a looking-glass, and then I 'll +walk her back again! And do you know why I 'll do this?' said he, while +his eyes flashed fire, and his lip trembled; 'just because I won't +suffer the house of Dodd and Dempsey to be humbugged as if we were +greengrocers! Two years ago, it was to "eat an oyster with me;" last +year it was a "day with my hounds;" maybe now his Grace would join the +race dinner; but that's all past and gone,--I 'll stand it no longer.' + +"'Confound it, man,' said the captain, 'the Duke must have forgotten it. +You never reminded him of his engagement. He 'd have been delighted to +have come to you if he only recollected.' + +"'I am sorry my memory was better than his,' said my grandfather, 'and I +wish you a very good morning.' + +"'Oh, don't go; wait a moment; let us see if we can't put this matter +straight. You want the Duke to dine with you?' + +"'No, I don't; I tell you I 've given it up.' + +"'Well, well, perhaps so; will it do if you dine with him?' + +"My grandfather had his hand on the lock,--he was just going,--he turned +round, and fixed his eyes on the captain. + +"'Are you in earnest, or is this only more of the same game?' said he, +sternly. + +"'I'll make that very easy to you,' said the captain; 'I 'll bring the +invitation to you this night; the mare doesn't run till to-morrow; if +you don't receive the card, the rest is in your own power.' + +"Well, ma'am, my story is now soon told; that night, about nine o'clock, +there comes a footman, all splashed and muddy, in a Castle livery, up to +the door of the Lodge, and he gave a violent pull at the bell, and when +the servant opened the door, he called out in a loud voice, 'From his +Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant,' and into the saddle he jumped, and +away he was like lightning; and, sure enough, it was a large card, all +printed, except a word here and there, and it went something this way:-- + +"'I am commanded by his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant to request the +pleasure of Mr. Dempsey's company at dinner on Friday, the 23d instant, +at the Lodge, Phoenix Park, at seven o'clock. + +"'Granville Vereker, _Chamberlain_. + +"'Swords and Bags.' + +"'At last!' said my grandfather, and he wiped the tears from his eyes; +for to say the truth, ma'am, it was a long chase without ever getting +once a 'good view.' I must hurry on; the remainder is easy told. +Let-Me-Alone-Before-the-People won the cup, my grandfather was chaired +home from the course in the evening, and kept open house at the Lodge +for all comers while the races lasted; and at length the eventful day +drew near on which he was to realize all his long-coveted ambition. It +was on the very morning before, however, that he put on his Court suit +for about the twentieth time, and the tailor was standing trembling +before him while my grandfather complained of a wrinkle here or a pucker +there. + +"'You see,' said he, 'you've run yourself so close that you 've no time +now to alter these things before the dinner.' + +"'I 'll have time enough, sir,' says the man, 'if the news is true.' + +"'What news?' says my grandfather, with a choking in his throat, for a +sudden fear came over him. + +"'The news they have in town this morning.' + +"'What is it?--speak it out, man!' + +"'They say-- But sure you 've heard it, sir?' + +"'Go on!' says my grandfather; and he got him by the shoulders and shook +him. 'Go on, or I'll strangle you!' + +"'They say, sir, that the Ministry is out, and--' + +"'And, well--' + +"'And that the Lord-Lieutenant has resigned, and the yacht is coming +round to Dunleary to take him away this evening, for he won't stay +longer than the time to swear in the Lords Justices,--he's so glad to be +out of Ireland.' + +"My grandfather sat down on the chair, and began to cry, and well he +might, for not only was the news true, but he was ruined besides. Every +farthing of the great fortune that Dodd and Dempsey made was lost and +gone,--scattered to the winds; and when his affairs were wound up, +he that was thought one of the richest men in Dublin was found to be +something like nine thousand pounds worse than nothing. Happily for +him, his mind was gone too, and though he lived a few years after, near +Finglass, he was always an innocent, didn't remember anybody, nor who +he was, but used to go about asking the people if they knew whether his +Grace the Lord-Lieutenant had put off his dinner-party for the 23d; +and then he 'd pull out the old card to show them, for he kept it in a +little case, and put it under his pillow every night till he died." + +While Mr. Dempsey's narrative continued, Tom Leonard indulged freely and +without restraint in the delights of the Knight's sherry, forgetting not +only all his griefs, but the very circumstances and people around him. +Had the party maintained a conversational tone, it is probable that he +would have been able to adhere to the wise resolutions he had planned +for his guidance on leaving home; unhappily, the length of the tale, +the prosy monotony of the speaker's voice, the deepening twilight which +stole on ere the story drew to a close, were influences too strong for +prudence so frail; an instinct told him that the decanter was close +by, and every glass he drained either drowned a care or stifled a +compunction. + +The pleasant buzz of voices which succeeded to the anecdote of Dodd and +Dempsey aroused Leonard from his dreary stupor. Wine and laughter and +merry voices were adjuncts he had not met for many a day before; and, +strangely enough, the only emotions they could call up were some vague, +visionary sorrowings over his fallen and degraded condition. + +"By Jove!" said Dempsey, in a whisper to Darcy, "the lieutenant has more +sympathy for my grandfather than I have myself,--I 'll be hanged if he +is n't wiping his eyes! So you see, ma'am," added he, aloud, "it was +a taste for grandeur ruined the Dempseys; the same ambition that has +destroyed states and kingdoms has brought your humble servant to a +trifle of thirty-eight pounds four and nine per annum for all worldly +comforts and virtuous enjoyments; but, as the old ballad says,-- + + 'Though classic 't is to show one's grief, + And cry like Carthaginian Marius, + I 'll not do this, nor ask relief, + Like that ould beggar Belisarius.' + +No, ma'am, 'Never give in while there's a score behind the +door,'--that's the motto of the Dempseys. If it's not on their +coat-of-arms, it's written in their hearts." + +"Your grandfather, however, did not seem to possess the family courage," +said the Knight, slyly. + +"Well, and what would you have? Wasn't he brave enough for a +wine-merchant?" + +"The ladies will give us some tea, Leonard," said the Knight, as Lady +Eleanor and her daughter had, some time before, slipped unobserved from +the room. + +"Yes, Colonel, always ready." + +"That's the way with him," whispered Dempsey; "he'd swear black and blue +this minute that you commanded the regiment he served in. He very often +calls me the quartermaster." + +The party rose to join the ladies; and while Leonard maintained his +former silence, Dempsey once more took on himself the burden of the +conversation by various little anecdotes of the Fumbally household, and +sketches of life and manners at Port Ballintray. + +So perfectly at ease did he find himself, so inspired by the happy +impression he felt convinced he was making, that he volunteered a song, +"if the young lady would only vouchsafe few chords on the piano" by way +of accompaniment,--a proposition Helen acceded to. + +Thus passed the evening,--a period in which Lady + +Eleanor more than once doubted if the whole were not a dream, and the +persons before her the mere creations of disordered fancy; an impression +certainly not lessened as Mr. Dempsey's last words at parting conveyed +a pressing invitation to a "little thing he 'd get up for them at Mother +Finn's." + + + + +CHAPTER III. SOME VISITORS AT GWYNNE ABBEY + +It is a fact not only well worthy of mention, but pregnant with its own +instruction, that persons who have long enjoyed all the advantages of +an elevated social position better support the reverses which condemned +them to humble and narrow fortunes, than do the vulgar-minded, when, by +any sudden caprice of the goddess, they are raised to a conspicuous and +distinguished elevation. + +There is in the gentleman, and still more in the gentlewoman,--as the +very word itself announces,--an element of placidity and quietude that +suggests a spirit of accommodation to whatever may arise to ruffle the +temper or disturb the equanimity. Self-respect and consideration for +others are a combination not inconsistent or unfrequent, and there +are few who have not seen, some time or other, a reduced gentleman +dispensing in a lowly station the mild graces and accomplishments of his +order, and, while elevating others, sustaining himself. + +The upstart, on the other hand, like a mariner in some unknown sea +without chart or compass, has nothing to guide him; impelled hither or +thither as caprice or passion dictate, he is neither restrained by a +due sense of decorum, nor admonished by a conscientious feeling of good +breeding. With the power that rank and wealth bestow he becomes not +distinguished, but eccentric; unsustained by the companionship of his +equals, he tries to assimilate himself to them rather by their follies +than their virtues, and thus presents to the world that mockery of rank +and station which makes good men sad, and bad men triumphant. + +To these observations we have been led by the altered fortunes of those +two families of whom our story treats. If the Darcys suddenly found +themselves brought down to a close acquaintanceship with poverty and its +fellows, they bore the change with that noble resignation that springs +from true regard for others at the sacrifice of ourselves. The little +shifts and straits of narrowed means were ever treated jestingly, the +trials that a gloomy spirit had converted into sorrows made matters of +merriment and laughter; and as the traveller sees the Arab tent in the +desert spread beside the ruined temple of ancient grandeur, and happy +faces and kind looks beneath the shade of ever-vanished splendor, so did +this little group maintain in their fall the kindly affection and the +high-souled courage that made of that humble cottage a home of happiness +and enjoyment. + +Let us now turn to the west, where another and very different picture +presented itself. Although certain weighty questions remained to be +tried at law between the Darcys and the Hickmans, Bicknell could not +advise the Knight to contest the mortgage under which the Hickmans had +now taken possession of the abbey. + +The reputation for patriotism and independence so fortunately acquired +by that family came at a most opportune moment. In no country of Europe +are the associations connected with the proprietorship of land more +regarded than in Ireland; this feeling, like most others truly Irish, +has the double property of being either a great blessing or a great +curse, for while it can suggest a noble attachment to country, it can +also, as we see it in our own day, be the fertile source of the most +atrocious crime. + +Had Hickman O'Reilly succeeded to the estate of the Darcys at any other +moment than when popular opinion called the one a "patriot" and the +other a "traitor," the consequences would have been serious; all +the disposable force, civil and military, would scarcely have been +sufficient to secure possession. The thought of the "ould ancient +family" deposed and exiled by the men of yesterday, would have excited +a depth of feeling enough to stir the country far and near. Every trait +that adorned the one, for generations, would be remembered, while the +humble origin of the other would be offered as the bitterest reproach, +by those who thought in embodying the picture of themselves and their +fortune they were actually summing up the largest amount of obloquy and +disgrace. Such is mob principle in everything! Aristocracy has no +such admirers as the lowly born, just as the liberty of the press is +inexpressibly dear to that part of the population who know not how to +read. + +When last we saw Gwynne Abbey, the scene was one of mourning, the +parting hour of those whose affections clung to the old walls, and who +were to leave it forever. We must now return there for a brief space +under different auspices, and when Mr. Hickman O'Reilly, the high +sheriff of the county, was entertaining a large and distinguished +company in his new and princely residence. + +It was the assize week, and the judges, as well as the leading officers +of the Crown, were his guests; many of the gentry were also there,--some +from indifference to whom their host might be, others from curiosity to +see how the upstart, Bob Hickman, would do the honors; and there were +many who felt far more at their ease in the abbey now than when they had +the fears of Lady Eleanor Darcy's quietude and coldness of manner before +them. + +No expense was spared to rival the style and retinue of the abbey under +its former owners. O'Reilly well knew the value of first impressions +in such matters, and how the report that would soon gain currency +would decide the matter for or against him. So profusely, and with such +disregard to money, was everything done, that, as a mere question of +cost, there was no doubt that never in the Knight's palmiest days had +anything been seen more magnificent than the preparations. Luxuries, +brought at an immense cost, and by contraband, from abroad; wines, of +the rarest excellence, abounded at every entertainment; equipages, more +splendid than any ever seen there before, appeared each morning; and +troops of servants without number moved hither and thither, displaying +the gorgeous liveries of the O'Reillys. + +The guests were for the most part the neighboring gentry, the military, +and the members of the bar; but there were others also, selected with +peculiar care, and whose presence was secured at no inconsiderable +pains. These were the leading "diners-out" of Dublin, and recognized +"men about town," whose names were seen on club committees, and whose +word was law on all questions of society. Among them, the chief was Con +Heffernan; and he now saw himself for the first time a guest at Gwynne +Abbey. The invitation was made and accepted with a certain coquetting +that gave it the character of a reconciliation; there were political +differences to be got over, mutual recriminations to be forgotten; but +as each felt, for his own reasons, not indisposed to renew friendly +relations, the matter presented little difficulty, and when Mr. O'Reilly +received his guest, on his arrival, with a shake of both hands, +the action was meant and taken as a receipt in full for all past +misunderstanding, and both had too much tact ever to go back on +"bygones." + +There had been a little correspondence between the parties, the early +portions of which were marked "Confidential," and the latter "Strictly +confidential and private." This related to a request made by O'Reilly +to Heffernan to entreat his influence in behalf of Lionel Darcy. Nothing +could exceed the delicacy of the negotiation; for after professing that +the friendship which had subsisted between his own son and young Darcy +was the active motive for the request, he went on to say that in the +course of certain necessary legal investigations it was discovered that +young Lionel, in the unguarded carelessness of a young and extravagant +man, had put his name to bills of a large amount, and even hinted that +he had not stopped there, but had actually gone the length of signing +his father's name to documents for the sale of property. To obtain an +appointment for him in some regiment serving in India would at once +withdraw him from the likelihood of any exposure in these matters. +To interest Heffernan in the affair was the object of O'Reilly's +correspondence; and Heffernan was only too glad, at so ready an +opportunity, to renew their raptured relations. + +Lions were not as fashionable in those days as at present; but still the +party had its share in the person of Counsellor O'Halloran, the great +orator of the bar, and the great speaker at public meetings, the rising +patriot, who, not being deemed of importance enough to be bought, was +looked on as incorruptible. He had come down special to defend O'Reilly +in a record of Darcy _versus_ Hickman,--the first case submitted +for trial by Bicknell, and one which, small in itself, would yet, +if determined in the Knight's favor, form a rule of great importance +respecting those that were to follow. + +It was in the first burst of Hickman O'Reilly's indignation against +Government that he had secured O'Halloran as his counsel, never +anticipating that any conjuncture would bring him once more into +relations with the Ministry. His appointment of high sheriff, however, +and his subsequent correspondence with Heffernan, ending with the +invitation to the abbey, had greatly altered his sentiments, and he +more than once regretted the precipitancy with which he had selected his +advocate. + +Whether "the Counsellor" did or did not perceive that his reception was +one of less cordiality and more embarrassment than might be expected, +it is not easy to say, for he was one of those persons who live too much +out of themselves to betray their own feelings to the world. He was a +large and well-looking man, but whose features would have been coarse in +their expression were it not for the animated intelligence of his eye, +and the quaint humor that played about the angles of his mouth, and +added to the peculiar drollery of an accent to which Kerry had lent all +its native archness. His gestures were bold, striking, and original; his +manner of speaking, even in private, impressive,--from the deliberate +slowness of his utterance, and the air of truthfulness sustained by +every agency of look, voice, and expression. The least observant could +not fail to remark in him a conscious power, a sense of his own great +gifts either in argument or invective; for he was no less skilful +in unravelling the tangled tissue of a knotted statement than in +overwhelming his adversary with a torrent of abusive eloquence. +The habits of his profession, but in particular the practice of +cross-examination, had given him an immense insight into the darker +recesses of the human heart, and made him master of all the subtleties +and evasions of inferior capacities. This knowledge he brought with him +into society, where his powers of conversation had already established +for him a high repute. He abounded in anecdote, which he introduced so +easily and naturally that the _a propos_ had as much merit as the story +itself. Yet with all these qualities, and in a time when the members of +his profession were more than ever esteemed and courted, he himself +was not received, save on sufferance, into the better society of the +capital. The stamp of a "low tone," and the assertion of democratic +opinions, were two insurmountable obstacles to his social acceptance; +and he was rarely, if ever, seen in those circles which arrogated to +themselves the title of best. Whether it was a conscious sense of what +was "in him" powerful enough to break down such barriers as these, +and that, like Nelson, he felt the day would come when he would have a +"_Gazette of his own_," but his manner at times displayed a spirit of +haughty daring and effrontery that formed a singular contrast with the +slippery and insinuating softness of his _nisi prius_ tone and gesture. + +If we seem to dwell longer on this picture than the place the original +occupies in our story would warrant, it is because the character is not +fictitious, and there is always an interest to those who have seen the +broad current of a mighty river rolling onward in its mighty strength, +to stand beside the little streamlet which, first rising from the +mountain, gave it origin,--to mark the first obstacles that opposed its +course,--and to watch the strong impulses that moulded its destiny to +overcome them. + +Whatever fears Hickman O'Reilly might have felt as to how his counsel, +learned in the law, would be received by the Government agent, Mr. +Heffernan, were speedily allayed. The gentlemen had never met before, +and yet, ere the first day went over, they were as intimate as old +acquaintances, each, apparently, well pleased with the strong good sense +and natural humor of the other. And so, indeed, it may be remarked in +the world, that when two shrewd, far-reaching individuals are brought +together, the attraction of quick intelligence and craft is sufficient +to draw them into intimate relations at once. There is something +wonderfully fraternal in roguery. + +This was the only social difficulty O'Reilly dreaded, and happily it +was soon dispelled, and the general enjoyment was unclouded by even +the slightest accident. The judges were _bon vivants_, who enjoyed good +living and good wine; he of the Common Pleas, too, was an excellent +shot, and always exchanged his robes for a shooting-jacket on entering +the park, and despatched hares and woodcocks as he walked along, with +as much unconcern as he had done Whiteboys half an hour before. The +Solicitor-General was passionately fond of hunting, and would rather any +day have drawn a cover than an indictment; and so with the rest,--they +seemed all of them sporting-gentlemen of wit and pleasure, who did a +little business at law by way of "distraction." Nor did O'Halloran form +an exception; he was as ready as the others to snatch an interval +of pleasure amid the fatigues of his laborious day. But, somehow, he +contrived that no amount of business should be too much for him; and +while his ruddy cheek and bright eye bespoke perfect health and renewed +enjoyment, it was remarked that the lamp burned the whole night long +unextinguished in his chamber, and that no morning found him ever +unprepared to defend the interest of his client. + +There was, as we have said, nothing to throw a damper on the general +joy. Fortune was bent on dealing kindly with Mr. O'Reilly; for while he +was surrounded with distinguished and delighted guests, his father, the +doctor, the only one whose presence could have brought a blush to his +cheek, was confined to his room by a severe cold, and unable to join the +party. + +The assize calendar was a long one, and the town the last in the +circuit, so that the judges were in no hurry to move on; besides, Gwynne +Abbey was a quarter which it was very unlikely would soon be equalled +in style of living and resources. For all these several reasons the +business of the law went on with an easy and measured pace, the Court +opening each day at ten, and closing about three or four, when a +magnificent procession of carriages and saddle-horses drew up in the +main street to convey the guests back to the abbey. + +While the other trials formed the daily subject of table-talk, +suggesting those stories of fun, anecdote, and incident with which no +other profession can enter into rivalry, the case of Darcy _versus_ +Hickman was never alluded to, and, being adroitly left last on the list +for trial, could not possibly interfere with the freedom so essential to +pleasant intercourse. + +The day fixed on for this record was a Saturday. It was positively the +last day the judges could remain, and having accepted an engagement to +a distant part of the country for that very day at dinner, the Court was +to sit early, and there being no other cause for trial, it was supposed +the cause would be concluded in time to permit their departure. Up to +this morning the high sheriff had never omitted, as in duty bound, to +accompany the judges to the court-house, displaying in the number and +splendor of his equipages a costliness and magnificence that excited the +wonder of the assembled gentry. On this day, however, he deemed it would +be more delicate on his part to be absent, as the matter in litigation +so nearly concerned himself. And half seriously and half in jest he made +his apologies to the learned baron who was to try the cause, and begged +for permission to remain at the abbey. The request was most natural, and +at once acceded to; and although Heffer-nan had expressed the greatest +desire to hear the Counsellor, he determined to pass the morning, at +least, with O'Reilly, and endeavor afterwards to be in time for the +address to the jury. + +At last the procession moved off; several country gentlemen, who had +come over to breakfast, joining the party, and making the cavalcade, as +it entered the town, a very imposing body. It was the market-day, too; +and thus the square in front of the court-house was crowded with a +frieze-coated and red-cloaked population, earnestly gesticulating +and discussing the approaching trial, for to the Irish peasant the +excitement of a law process has the most intense and fascinating +interest. All the ordinary traffic of the day was either neglected or +carelessly performed, in the anxiety to see those who dispensed the +dread forms of justice, but more particularly to obtain a sight of the +young "Counsellor," who for the first time had appeared on this circuit, +but whose name as a patriot and an orator was widely renowned. + +"Here he comes! Here he comes! Make way there!" went from mouth to +mouth, as O'Halloran, who had entered the inn for a moment, now issued +forth in wig and gown, and carrying a heavily laden bag in his hand. The +crowd opened for him respectfully and in dead silence, and then a hearty +cheer burst forth, that echoed through the wide square, and was taken up +by hundreds of voices in the neighboring streets. + +It needed not the reverend companionship of Father John M'Enerty, the +parish priest of Curraghglass, who walked at his side, to secure him +this hearty burst of welcome, although of a truth the circumstance had +its merit also, and many favorable comments were passed upon O'Halloran +for the familiar way he leaned on the priest's arm, and the kindly +intelligence that subsisted between them. + +If anything could have added to the pleasure of the assembled crowd at +the instant, it was an announcement by Father John, who, turning round +on the steps of the courthouse, informed them in a kind of confidential +whisper that was heard over the square, that "if they were good boys, +and did n't make any disturbance in the town," the Counsellor would give +them a speech when the trial was over. + +The most deafening shout of applause followed this declaration, and +whatever interest the questions of law had possessed for them before was +now merged in the higher anxiety to hear the great Counsellor himself +discuss the "veto," that long-agitated question each had taught himself +to believe of nearest importance to himself. + +"When last I visited this town," said Bicknell to the senior counsel +employed in the Knight's behalf, "I witnessed a very different scene. +Then we had triumphal arches, and bonfire illuminations, and addresses. +It was young Darcy's birthday, and a more enthusiastic reception it is +impossible to conceive than he met in these very streets from these very +people." + +"There is only one species of interest felt for dethroned monarchs," +said the other, caustically,--"how they bear their misfortunes." + +"The man you see yonder waving his hat to young O'Reilly was one of +a deputation to congratulate the heir of Gwynne Abbey! I remember him +well,--his name is Mitchell." + +"I hope not the same I see upon our jury-list here," said the +Counsellor, as he unfolded a written paper, and perused it attentively. + +"The same man; he holds his house under the Darcys, and has received +many and deep favors at their hands." + +"So much the worse, if we should find him in the jury-box. But have we +any chance of young Darcy yet? Do you give up all hope of his arrival?" + +"The last tidings I received from my clerk were, that he was to follow +him down to Plymouth by that night's mail, and still hoped to be in time +to catch him ere the transport sailed." + +"What a rash and reckless fellow he must be, that would leave a country +where he has such interests at stake!" + +"If he felt that a point of honor or duty was involved, I don't believe +he 'd sacrifice a jot of either to gain this cause, and I 'm certain +that some such plea has been made use of on the present occasion." + +"How they cheer! What's the source of their enthusiasm at this moment? +There it goes, that carriage with the green liveries and the Irish motto +round the crest. Look at O'Halloran, too! how he shakes hands with the +townsfolk; canvassing for a verdict already! Now, Bicknell, let us +move on; but, for my part, I feel our cause is decided outside the +court-house. If I 'm not very much mistaken, we are about to have an era +of 'popular justice' in Ireland, and our enemies could not wish us worse +luck." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. A SCENE AT THE ASSIZES + +Although Mr. Hickman O'Reilly affected an easy unconcern regarding +the issue of the trial, he received during the morning more than one +despatch from the court-house narrating its progress. They were brief +but significant; and when Hefferuan, with his own tact, inquired if the +news were satisfactory, the reply was made by putting into his hands a +slip of paper with a few words written in pencil: "They are beaten,-the +verdict is certain." + +"I concluded," said Heffernan, as he handed back the paper, "that the +case was not deemed by you a very doubtful matter." + +"Neither doubtful nor important," said Hickman, calmly; "it was an +effort, in all probability suggested by some crafty lawyer, to break +several leases on the ground of forgery in the signatures. I am +sure nothing short of Mr. Darcy's great difficulties would ever have +permitted him to approve of such a proceeding." + +"The shipwrecked sailor will cling to a hen-coop," said Heffernan. "By +the way, where are these Darcys? What has become of them?" + +"Living in Wales, or in Scotland, some say." + +"Are they utterly ruined?" + +"Utterly, irretrievably. A course of extravagance maintained for years +at a rate of about double his income, loans obtained at any sacrifice, +sales of property effected without regard to loss, have overwhelmed him; +and the worst of it is, the little remnant of fortune left is likely +to be squandered in vain attempts to recover at law what he has lost by +recklessness." + +Heffernan walked on for some moments in silence, and, as if pondering +over Hickman's words, repeated several times, half aloud: "No doubt of +it,--no doubt of it." Then added, in a louder tone: "The whole history +of this family, Mr. O'Reilly, is a striking confirmation of a remark I +heard made, a few days since, by a distinguished individual,--to _you_ +I may say it was Lord Cornwallis. 'Heffernan,' said he, 'this country is +in a state of rapid transition; everything progresses but the old gentry +of the land; they alone seem rooted to ancient prejudices, and fast +confirmed in bygone barbarisms.' I ventured to ask him if he could +suggest a remedy for the evil, and I 'll never forget the tone with +which he whispered in my ear, 'Yes; supersede them!' And that, sir," +said Heffernan, laying his hand confidentially on O'Reilly's arm,--"that +is and must be the future policy regarding Ireland." + +Mr. Heffernan did not permit himself to risk the success of his stroke +by a word more, nor did he even dare to cast a look at his companion and +watch how his spell was working. As the marksman feels when he has shot +his bolt that no after-thought can amend the aim, so did he wait quietly +for the result, without a single effort on his part. "The remark is a +new one to me," said O'Reilly, at length; "but so completely does it +accord with my own sentiments, I feel as if I either had or might have +made it myself. The old school you speak of were little calculated to +advance the prosperity of the country; the attachment of the people to +them was fast wearing out." + +"Nay," interposed Heffernan, "it was that very same attachment, +that rude remnant of feudalism, made the greatest barrier against +improvement. The law of the land was powerless in comparison with the +obligations of this clanship. It is time, full time, that the people +should become English in feeling, as they are in law and in language; +and to make them so, the first step is, to work the reformation in +the gentry. Now, at the hazard of a liberty which you may deem an +impertinence, I will tell you frankly, Mr. O'Reilly, that you, you +yourself, are admirably calculated to lead the van of this great +movement. It is all very natural, and perhaps very just, that in a +moment of chagrin with a minister or his party, a man should feel +indignant, and, although acting under a misconception, throw himself +into a direct opposition; yet a little reflection will show that such a +line involves a false position. Popularity with the masses could never +recompense a man like you for the loss of that higher esteem you must +sacrifice for it; the _devoirs_ of your station impose a very different +class of duties from what this false patriotism suggests; besides, if +from indignation--a causeless indignation I am ready to prove it--you +separate yourself from the Government, you are virtually suffering your +own momentary anger to decide the whole question of your son's career. +You are shutting the door of advancement against a young man with +every adventitious aid of fortune in his favor; handsome, accomplished, +wealthy,-what limit need there be to his ambition? And finally, some +fellow, like our friend the Counsellor, without family, friends, or +fortune, but with lungs of leather and a ready tongue, will beat you +hollow in the race, and secure a wider influence over the mass of the +people than a hundred gentlemen like you. You will deem it, probably, +enough to spend ten or fifteen thousand on a contested election, and to +give a vote for your party in Parliament; he, on the other hand, +will write letters, draw up petitions, frame societies, meetings, +resolutions, and make speeches, every word of which will sink deeply +into the hearts of men whose feelings are his own. You, and others +in your station, will be little better than tools in his hands; and +powerful as you think yourselves to-day, with your broad acres and your +cottier freeholders, the time may come when these men will be less +at _your_ bidding than _his_, and for this simple reason,--the man of +nothing will always be ready to bid higher for mob support than he who +has a fortune to lose." + +"You have put a very strong case," said O'Reilly; "perhaps I should +think it stronger, if I had not heard most of the arguments before, +from yourself, and know by this time how their application to me has not +sustained your prophecy." + +"I am ready to discuss that with you, too," said Heffer-nan. "I know how +it all happened: had I been with you the day you dined with Castlereagh, +the misunderstanding never could have occurred; but there was a fatality +in it all. Come," said he, familiarly, and he slipped his arm, as he +spoke, within O'Reilly's, "I am the worst diplomatist in the world, and +I fear I never should have risen to high rank in the distinguished +corps of engineers if such had been my destination. I can lay down the +parallels and the trenches patiently enough, I can even bring up my +artillery and my battering-train, but, hang it! somehow, I never can +wait for a breach to storm through. The truth is, if it were not for +a very strong feeling on the subject I have just spoken of, you never +would have seen me here this day. No man is happier or prouder to enjoy +your hospitality than I am, but I acknowledge it was a higher sentiment +induced me to accept your invitation. When your note reached me, I +showed it to Castlereagh. + +"'What answer have you sent?' said he. + +"'Declined, of course,' said I. + +"'You are wrong, Heffernan,' said his Lordship, as he took from me the +note which I held ready sealed in my hand; 'in my opinion, Heffernan, +you are quite wrong.' + +"'I may be so, my Lord; but I confess to you I always act from the first +impulse, and if it suggests regret afterwards, it at least saves trouble +at the time.' + +"'Heffernan,' said the Secretary, as he calmly read over the lines of +your letter, 'there are many reasons why you should go: in the first +place, O'Reilly has really a fair grudge against us, and this note shows +that he has the manliness to forget it. Every line of it bespeaks the +gentleman, and I 'll not feel contented with myself until you convey to +him my own sorrow for what is past, and the high sense I entertain of +his character and conduct.' + +"He said a great deal more; enough, if I tell you he induced me to +rescind my first intention, and to become your guest; and I may say that +I never followed advice the consequences of which have so thoroughly +sustained my expectations." + +"This is very flattering," said O'Reilly; "it is, indeed, more than I +looked for; but, as you have been candid with me, I will be as open with +you: I had already made up my mind to retire, for a season at least, +from politics. My father, you know, is a very old man, and not without +the prejudices that attach to his age; he was always averse to those +ambitious views a public career would open, and a degree of coldness +had begun to grow up between us in consequence. This estrangement is now +happily at an end; and in his consenting to our present mode of life and +its expenditure, he is, in reality, paying the recompense of his former +opposition. I will not say what changes time may work in my opinion or +my line of acting; but I will pledge myself that, if I do resume the +path of public life, you are the very first man I will apprise of the +intention." + +A cordial shake-hands ratified this compact; and Heffer-nan, who now saw +that the fortress had capitulated, only stipulating for the honors +of war, was about to add something very complimentary, when Beecham +O'Reilly galloped up, with his horse splashed and covered with foam. + +"Don't you want to hear O'Halloran, Mr. Heffernan?" cried he. + +"Yes, by all means." + +"Come along, then; don't lose a moment; there's a phaeton ready for you +at the door, and if we make haste, we'll be in good time." + +O'Reilly whispered a few words in his son's ear, to which the other +replied, aloud,-- + +"Oh! quite safe, perfectly safe. He was obliged to join his regiment, +and sail at a moment's notice." + +"Young Darcy, I presume?" said Heffernan, with a look of malicious +intelligence. But no answer was returned, and O'Reilly continued to +converse eagerly in Beecham's ear. + +"Here comes the carriage, Mr. Heffernan," said the young man; "so slip +in, and let's be off." And, giving his horse to a servant, he took his +seat beside Heffernan, and drove off at a rapid pace towards the town. + +After a quick drive of some miles, they entered the town, and had no +necessity to ask if O'Halloran had begun his address to the jury. The +streets which led to the square before the court-house, and the square +itself, was actually crammed with country-people, of all sexes and ages; +some standing with hats off, or holding their hands close to their +ears, but all, in breathless silence, listening to the words of the +Counsellor, which were not less audible to those without than within the +building. + +Nothing short of Beecham O'Reilly's present position in the county, +and the fact that the gratification they were then deriving was of his +family's procuring for them, could have enabled him to force a passage +through that dense crowd, which wedged up all the approaches. As it was, +he could only advance step by step, the horses and even the pole of the +carriage actually forcing the way through the throng. + +As they went thus slowly, the rich tones of the speaker swelled on the +air with a clear, distinct, and yet so soft and even musical intonation +that they fell deeply into the hearts of the listeners. He was evidently +bent as much on appealing to those outside the court as to the jury, for +his speech was less addressed to the legal question at issue than to +the social condition of the peasantry; the all but absolutism of a +landlord,--the serf-like slavery of a tenantry, dependent on the will +or the caprice of the owners of the soil! With the consummate art of +a rhetorician, he first drew the picture of an estate happily +circumstanced, a benevolent landlord surrounded by a contented tenantry, +the blessings of the poor man, "rising like the dews of the earth, and +descending again in rain to refresh and fertilize the source it sprang +from." Not vaguely nor unskilfully, but with thorough knowledge, of his +subject, he descanted on the condition of the peasant, his toils, his +struggles against poverty and sickness borne with long-suffering and +patience, from the firm trust that, even in this world, his destinies +were committed to no cruel or unfeeling taskmaster. Although generally a +studied plainness and even homeliness of language pervaded all he said, +yet at times some bold figure, some striking and brilliant metaphor, +would escape him, and then, far from soaring--as it might be suspected +he had--above the comprehension of the hearers, a subdued murmur of +delight would follow the words, and swelling louder and louder, burst +forth at last into one great roar of applause. If a critical ear might +cavil at the incompleteness or inaptitude of his similes, to the warm +imagination and excited fancy of the Irish peasant they had no such +blemishes. + +It was at the close of a brilliant peroration on this theme, that +Heffernan and Beecham O'Reilly reached the courthouse, and with +difficulty forcing their way, obtained standing-room near the bar. + +The orator had paused, and turning round he caught Beecham's eye: the +glance exchanged was but of a second's duration, but, brief as it was, +it did not escape Heffernan's notice, and with a readiness he knew well +how to profit by, he assumed a quiet smile, as though to say that he, +too, had read its meaning. The young man blushed deeply; whatever his +secret thoughts were, he felt ashamed that another should seem to know +them, and in a hesitating whisper, said,-- + +"Perhaps my father has told you--" + +A short nod from Heffernan--a gesture to imply anything or nothing--was +all his reply, and Beecham went on,-- + +"He's going to do it, now." + +Heffernan made no answer, but, leaning forward on the rail, settled +himself to listen attentively to the speaker. + +"Gentlemen of the jury," said O'Halloran, in a low and deliberate tone, +"if the only question I was interested in bringing before you this day +was the cause you sit there to try, I would conclude here. Assured as +I feel what your verdict will and must be, I would not add a word more, +nor weaken the honest merit of your convictions by anything like an +appeal to your feelings. But I cannot do this. The law of the land, in +the plenitude of its liberty, throws wide the door of justice, that all +may enter and seek redress for wrong, and with such evident anxiety that +he who believes himself aggrieved should find no obstacle to his right, +and that even he who frivolously and maliciously advances a charge +against another suffers no heavier penalty for his offence than the +costs of the suit. No, my Lords, for the valuable moments lost in a +vexatious cause, for the public time consumed, for insult and outrage +cast upon the immutable principles of right and wrong, you have nothing +more severe to inflict than the costs of the action!--a pecuniary fine, +seldom a heavy one, and not unfrequently to be levied upon insolvency! +What encouragement to the spirit of revengeful litigation! How +suggestive of injury is the system! How deplorable would it be if +the temple could not be opened without the risk of its altar being +desecrated! But, happily, there is a remedy--a great and noble +remedy--for an evil like this. The same glorious institutions that have +built up for our protection the bulwark of the law, have created another +barrier against wrong,--grander, more expansive, and more enduring +still; one neither founded on the variable basis of nationality or of +language, nor propped by the artifices of learned, or the subtleties +of crafty men; not following the changeful fortunes of a political +condition, or tempered by the tone of the judgment-seat, but of all +lands, of every tongue and nation and people, great, enduring, and +immutable,--the law of Public Opinion. To the bar of this judgment-seat, +one higher and greater than even your Lordships, I would now summon +the plaintiff in this action. There is no need that I should detail +the charge against him; the accusation he has brought this day is our +indictment,--his allegation is his crime." + +The reader, by this time, may partake of Mr. Heffernan's prescience, and +divine what the secret intelligence between the Counsellor and Beecham +portended, and that a long-meditated attack on the Knight of Gwynne, in +all the relations of his public and private life, was the chief duty +of Mr. O'Halloran in the action. Taking a lesson from the great and +illustrious chief of a neighboring state, O'Reilly felt that Usurpation +can never be successful till Legitimacy becomes odious. The "prestige" +of the "old family" clung too powerfully to every class in the county +to make his succession respected. His low origin was too recent, his +moneyed dealings too notorious, to gain him acceptance, except on the +ruins of the Darcys. The new edifice of his own fame must be erected out +of the scattered and broken materials of his rival's house. If any one +was well calculated to assist in such an emergency, it was O'Halloran. + +It was by--to use his own expression--"weeding the country of such men" +that the field would be opened for that new class of politicians who +were to issue their edicts in newspapers, and hold their parliaments in +public meetings. Against exclusive or exaggerated loyalty the struggle +would be violent, but not difficult; while against moderation, sound +sense and character, the Counsellor well knew the victory was not so +easy of attainment. He himself, therefore, had a direct personal object +in this attack on the Knight of Gwynne, and gladly accepted the special +retainer that secured his services. + +By a series of artful devices, he so arranged his case that the Knight +of Gwynne did not appear as an injured individual seeking redress +against the collusive guilt of his agent and his tenantry, but as a +ruined gambler, endeavoring to break the leases he had himself granted +and guaranteed, and, by an act of perfidy, involve hundreds of innocent +families in hopeless beggary. To the succor of these unprotected people +Mr. Hickman O'Reilly was represented as coming forward, this noble +act of devotion being the first pledge he had offered of what might be +expected from him as the future leader of a great county. + +He sketched with a masterly but diabolical ingenuity the whole career +of the Knight, representing him at every stage of life as the pampered +voluptuary seeking means for fresh enjoyment without a thought of the +consequences; he exhibited him dispensing, not the graceful duties +of hospitality, but the reckless waste of a tasteless household, to +counterbalance by profusion the insolent hauteur of his wife, "that +same Lady Eleanor who would not deign to associate with the wives and +daughters of his neighbors!" "I know not," cried the orator, "whether +you were more crushed by _his_ gold or by _her_ insolence: it was time +that you should weary of both. You took the wealth on trust, and the +rank on guess,--what now remains of either?" + +He drew a frightful picture of a suffering and poverty-enslaved +tenantry, sinking fast into barbarism from hopelessness,--unhappily, no +Irishman need depend upon his imagination for the sketch. He contrasted +the hours of toil and sickness with the wanton spendthrift in his +pleasures,--the gambler setting the fate of families on the die, +reserving for his last hope the consolation that he might still betray +those whom he had ruined, land that when he had dissipated the last +shilling of his fortune, he still had the resource of putting his honor +up to auction! "And who is there will deny that he did this?" cried +O'Halloran. "Is there any man in the kingdom has not heard of his +conduct in Parliament--that foul act of treachery which the justice of +Heaven stigmatized by his ruin! How on the very night of the debate he +was actually on his way to inflict the last wound upon his country, when +the news came of his own overwhelming destruction! And, like as you have +seen sometime in our unhappy land the hired informer transferred from +the witness-table to the dock, this man stands now forth to answer for +his own offences! + +"It was full time that the rotten edifice of this feudalist gentry +should fall; honor to you on whom the duty devolves to roll away the +first stone!" + +A slight movement in the crowd behind the bar disturbed the silence in +which the Court listened to the speaker, and a murmur of disapprobation +was heard, when a hand, stretched forth, threw a little slip of paper on +the table before O'Halloran. It was addressed to him; and believing it +came from the attorney in the cause, he paused to read it. Suddenly his +features became of an ashy paleness, his lip trembled convulsively, and +in a voice scarcely audible from emotion, he addressed the bench,-- + +"My Lords, I ask the protection of this Court. I implore your Lordships +to see that an advocate, in the discharge of his duty, is not the mark +of an assassin. I have just received this note--" He attempted to read +it, but after a pause of a second or two, unable to utter a word, he +handed the paper to the bench. + +The judge perused the paper, and immediately whispered an order that +the writer, or at least the bearer, of the note should be taken into +custody. + +"You may rest assured, sir," said the senior judge, addressing +O'Halloran, "that we will punish the offender, if he be discovered, +with the utmost penalty the law permits. Mr. Sheriff, let the court be +searched." + +The sub-sheriff was already, with the aid of a strong police force, +engaged in the effort to discover the individual who had thus dared to +interfere with the administration of justice; but all in vain. The court +and the galleries were searched without eliciting anything that could +lead to detection; and although several were taken up on suspicion, they +were immediately afterwards liberated on being recognized as persons +well known and in repute. Meanwhile the business of the trial stood +still, and O'Halloran, with his arms folded, and his brows bent in a +sullen frown, sat without speaking, or noticing any one around him. + +The curiosity to know the exact words the paper contained was meanwhile +extreme, and a thousand absurd versions gained currency; for, in the +absence of all fact, invention was had recourse to. "Young Darcy is +here,--he was seen this morning on the mail,--it was he himself gave the +letter." Such were among the rumors around; while Con Hefferman, coolly +tapping his snuff-box, asked one of the lawyers near him, but in a voice +plainly audible on either side, "I hope our friend Bagenal Daly is well; +have you seen him lately?" + +From that moment an indistinct murmur ran through the crowd that it was +Daly had come back to "the West" to challenge the bar, and the whole +bench, if necessary. Many added that there could no longer be any doubt +of the fact, as Mr. Heffernan had seen and spoken to him. + +Order was at last restored; but so completely had this new incident +absorbed all the interest of the trial, that already the galleries began +to thin, and of the great crowd that filled the body of the court, many +had taken their departure. The Counsellor arose, agitated and evidently +disconcerted, to finish his task: he spoke, indeed, indignantly of the +late attempt to coerce the free expression of the advocate "by a brutal +threat;" but the theme seemed one he felt no pleasure in dwelling upon, +and he once more addressed himself to the facts of the case. + +The judge charged briefly; and the jury, without retiring from the box, +brought in a verdict for Hickman O'Reilly. + +When the judges retired to unrobe, a messenger of the court summoned +O'Halloran to their chamber. His absence was very brief; but when he +returned his face was paler, and his manner more disturbed than ever, +notwithstanding an evident effort to seem at ease and unconcerned. By +this time Hickman O'Reilly had arrived in the town, and Heffernan was +complimenting the Counsellor on the admirable display of his speech. + +"I regret sincerely that the delicate nature of the position in which I +stood prevented my hearing you," said O'Reilly, shaking his hand. + +"You have indeed had a great loss," said Heffernan; "a more brilliant +display I never listened to." + +"Well, sir," interposed the little priest of Curraghglass, who, not +altogether to the Counsellor's satisfaction, had now slipped an arm +inside of his, "I hope the evil admits of remedy; Mr. O'Halloran intends +to address a few words to the people before he leaves the town." + +Whether it was the blank look that suddenly O'Reilly's features assumed, +or the sly malice that twinkled in Heffernan's gray eyes, or that his +own feelings suggested the course, but the Counsellor hastily whispered +a few words in the priest's ear, the only audible portion of which was +the conclusion: "Be that as it may, I 'll not do it." + +"I 'm ready now, Mr. O'Reilly," said he, turning abruptly round. + +"My father has gone over to say good-bye to the judges," said Beecham; +"but I'll drive you back to the abbey,--the carriage is now at the +door." + +With a few more words in a whisper to the priest, O'Halloran moved on +with young O'Reilly towards the door. + +"Only think, sir," said Father John, dropping behind with Heffernan, +from whose apparent intimacy with O'Halloran he augured a similarity of +politics, "it is the first time the Counsellor was ever in our town, +the people have been waiting since two o'clock to hear him on the +'veto,'--sorra one of them knows what the same 'veto' is,--but it will +be a cruel disappointment to see him leave the place without so much as +saying a word." + +"Do you think a short address from _me_ would do instead?" said +Heffernan, slyly; "I know pretty well what's doing up in Dublin." + +"Nothing could be better, sir," said Father John, in ecstasy; "if the +Counsellor would just introduce you in a few words, and say that, from +great fatigue, or a sore throat, or anything that way, he deputed his +friend Mr.--" + +"Heffernan's my name." + +"His friend Mr. Heffernan to state his views about the 'veto,'--mind, +it must be the 'veto,'-you can touch on the reform in Parliament, the +oppression of the penal laws, but the 'veto' will bring a cheer that +will beat them all." + +"You had better hint the thing to the Counsellor," said Heffernan; "I am +ready whenever you want me." + +As the priest stepped forward to make the communication to O'Halloran, +that gentleman, leaning on Beecham O'Reilly's arm, had just reached +the steps of the courthouse, where now a considerable police-force was +stationed,--a measure possibly suggested by O'Reilly himself. + +The crowd, on catching sight of the Counsellor, cheered vociferously; +and, although they were not without fears that he intended to depart +without speaking, many averred that he would address them from the +carriage. Before Father John could make known his request, a young man, +dressed in a riding-costume, burst through the line of police, and, +springing up the steps, seized O'Halloran by the collar. + +"I gave you a choice, sir," said he, "and you made it;" and at the same +instant, with a heavy horsewhip, struck him several times across the +shoulders, and even the face. So sudden was the movement, and so violent +the assault, that, although a man of great personal strength, O'Halloran +had received several blows almost before he could defend himself, +and when he had rallied, his adversary, though much lighter and less +muscular, showed in skill, at least, he was his superior. The struggle, +however, was not to end here; for the mob, now seeing their favorite +champion attacked, with a savage howl of vengeance dashed forward, and +the police, well aware that the youth would be torn limb from limb, +formed a line in front of him with fixed bayonets. For a few moments +the result was doubtful; nor was it until more than one retired into the +crowd bleeding and wounded, that the mob desisted, or limited their rage +to yells of vengeance. + +[Illustration: 098] + +Meanwhile the Counsellor was pulled back within the court-house by his +companions, and the young man secured by two policemen,--a circumstance +which went far to allay the angry tempest of the people without. + +As, pale and powerless from passion, his livid cheek marked with a deep +blue welt, O'Halloran sat in one of the waiting-rooms of the court, +O'Reilly and his son endeavored, as well as they could, to calm down his +rage; expressing, from time to time, their abhorrence of the indignity +offered, and the certain penalty that awaited the offender. O'Halloran +never spoke; he tried twice to utter something, but the words died away +without sound, and he could only point to his cheek with a trembling +finger, while his eyes glared like the red orbs of a tiger. + +As they stood thus, Heffernan slipped noiselessly behind O'Reilly, and +said in his ear,-- + +"Get him off to the abbey; your son will take care of him. I have +something for yourself to hear." + +O'Reilly nodded significantly, and then, turning, said a few words in a +low, persuasive tone to O'Halloran, concluding thus: "Yes, by all means, +leave the whole affair in my hands. I 'll have no difficulty in making a +bench. The town is full of my brother magistrates." + +"On every account I would recommend this course, sir," said Heffernan, +with one of those peculiarly meaning looks by which he so well knew how +to assume a further insight into any circumstance than his neighbors +possessed. + +"I will address the people," cried O'Halloran, breaking his long silence +with a deep and passionate utterance of the words; "they shall see in +me the strong evidence of the insolent oppression of that faction that +rules this country; I 'll make the land ring with the tyranny that +would stifle the voice of justice, and make the profession of the bar a +forlorn hope to every man of independent feeling." + +"The people have dispersed already," said Beecham, as he came back from +the door of the court; "the square is quite empty." + +"Yes, I did that," whispered Heffernan in O'Reilly's ear; "I made the +servant put on the Counsellor's greatcoat, and drive rapidly off towards +the abbey. The carriage is now, however, at the back entrance to the +court-house; so, by all means, persuade him to return." + +"When do you propose bringing the fellow up for examination, Mr. +O'Reilly?" said O'Halloran, as he arose from his seat. + +"To-morrow morning. I have given orders to summon a full bench of +magistrates, and the affair shall be sifted to the bottom." + +"You may depend upon that, sir," said the Counsellor, sternly. "Now I +'ll go back with you, Mr. Beecham O'Reilly." So saying, he moved towards +a private door of the building, where the phaeton was in waiting, +and, before any attention was drawn to the spot, he was seated in the +carriage, and the horses stepping out at a fast pace towards home. + +"It's not Bagenal Daly?" said O'Reilly, the very moment he saw the +carriage drive off. + +"No, no!" said Heffernan, smiling. + +"Nor the young Darcy,--the captain?" + +"Nor him either. It's a young fellow we have been seeking for in vain +the last month. His name is Forester." + +"Not Lord Castlereagh's Forester?" + +"The very man. You may have met him here as Darcy's guest?" + +O'Reilly nodded. + +"What makes the affair worse is that the relationship with Castlereagh +will be taken up as a party matter by O'Halloran's friends in the press; +they will see a Castle plot, where, in reality, there is nothing to +blame save the rash folly of a hot-headed boy." + +"What is to be done?" said O'Reilly, putting his hand to his forehead, +in his embarrassment to think of some escape from the difficulty. + +"I see but one safe issue,--always enough to any question, if men have +resolution to adopt it." + +"Let me hear what you counsel," said O'Reilly, as he cast a searching +glance at his astute companion. + +"Get him off as fast as you can." + +"O'Halloran! You mistake him, Mr. Heffernan; he'll prosecute the +business to the end." + +"I'm speaking of Forester," said Heffernan, dryly; "it is _his_ absence +is the important matter at this moment." + +"I confess I am myself unable to appreciate your view of the case," said +O'Reilly, with a cunning smile; "the policy is a new one to me which +teaches that a magistrate should favor the escape of a prisoner who has +just insulted one of his own friends." + +"I may be able to explain my meaning to your satisfaction," said +Heffernan, as, taking O'Reilly's arm, he spoke for some time in a low +but earnest manner. "Yes," said he, aloud, "your son Beecham was the +object of this young man's vengeance; chance alone turned his anger on +the Counsellor. His sole purpose in 'the West' was to provoke your son +to a duel, and I know well what the result of your proceedings to-morrow +would effect. Forester would not accept of his liberty on bail, nor +would he enter into a security on his part to keep the peace. You will +be forced, actually forced, to commit a young man of family and high +position to a gaol; and what will the world say? That in seeking +satisfaction for a very gross outrage on the character of his friend, a +young Englishman of high family was sent to prison! In Ireland, the tale +will tell badly; _we_ always have more sympathy than censure for +such offenders. In England, how many will know of his friends +and connections, who never heard of your respectable bench of +magistrates,--will it be very wonderful if they side with their +countryman against the stranger?" + +"How am I to face O'Halloran if I follow this counsel?" said O'Reilly, +with a thoughtful but embarrassed air. "Then, as to Lord Castlereagh," +continued Heffernan, not heeding the question, "he will take your +interference as a personal and particular favor. There never was a more +favorable opportunity for you to disconnect yourself with the whole +affair. The hired advocate may calumniate as he will, but he can show +no collusion or connivance on your part. I may tell you, in confidence, +that a more indecent and gross attack was never uttered than this same +speech. I heard it, and from the beginning to the end it was a tissue of +vulgarity and falsehood. Oh! I know what you would say: I complimented +the speaker on his success, and all that; so I did, perfectly true, and +he understood me, too,--there is no greater impertinence, perhaps, +than in telling a man that you mistook his bad cider for champagne! But +enough of him. You may have all the benefit, if there be such, of the +treason, and yet never rub shoulders with the traitor. You see I am +eager on this point, and I confess I am very much so. Your son Beecham +could not have a worse enemy in the world of Club and Fashion than this +same Forester; he knows and is known to everybody." + +"But I cannot perceive how the thing is to be done," broke in O'Reilly, +pettishly; "you seem to forget that O'Halloran is not the man to be put +off with any lame, disjointed story." + +"Easily enough," said Heffernan, coolly; "there is no difficulty +whatever. You can blunder in the warrant of his committal; you can +designate him by a wrong Christian name; call him Robert, not Richard; +he may be admitted to bail, and the sum a low one. The rest follows +naturally; or, better than all, let some other magistrate-you surely +know more than one to aid in such a pinch--take the case upon himself, +and make all the necessary errors; that's the best plan." + +"Conolly, perhaps," said O'Reilly, musingly; "he is a great friend of +Darcy's, and would risk something to assist this young fellow." + +"Well thought of," cried Heffernan, slapping him on the shoulder; +"just give me a line of introduction to Mr. Conolly on one of your +visiting-cards, and leave the rest to me." + +"If I yield to you in this business, Mr. Heffernan," said O'Reilly, +as he sat down to write, "I assure you it is far more from my implicit +confidence in your skill to conduct it safely to the end, than from +any power of persuasion in your arguments. O'Halloran is a formidable +enemy." + +"You never were more mistaken in your life," said Heffernan, laughing, +"such men are only noxious by the terror they inspire; they are the +rattlesnakes of the world of mankind, always giving notice of their +approach, and never dangerous to the prudent. He alone is to be dreaded +who, tiger-like, utters no cry till his victim is in his fangs." + +There was a savage malignity in the way these words were uttered +that made O'Reilly almost shudder. Heffernan saw the emotion he had +unguardedly evoked, and, laughing, said,-- + +"Well, am I to hold over the remainder of my visit to the abbey as a +debt unpaid? for I really have no fancy to let you off so cheaply." + +"But you are coming back with me, are you not?" + +"Impossible! I must take charge of this foolish boy, and bring him up to +Dublin; I only trust I have a vested right to come back and see you at a +future day." + +O'Reilly responded to the proposition with courteous warmth; and with +mutual pledges, perhaps of not dissimilar sincerity, they parted,--the +one to his own home, the other to negotiate in a different quarter and +in a very different spirit of diplomacy. + + + + +CHAPTER V. MR. HEFFERNAN'S COUNSELS + +Mr. Heffernan possessed many worldly gifts and excellences, but upon +none did he so much pride himself, in the secret recesses of his +heart,--he was too cunning to indulge in more public vauntings,--as in +the power he wielded over the passions of men much younger than himself. +Thoroughly versed in their habits of life, tastes, and predilections, he +knew how much always to concede to the warm and generous temperament +of their age, and to maintain his influence over them less by the +ascendancy of ability than by a more intimate acquaintance with all the +follies and extravagances of fashionable existence. + +Whether he had or had not been a principal actor in the scenes he +related with so much humor, it was difficult to say; for he would gloss +over his own personal adventures so artfully that it was not easy to +discover whether the motive were cunning or delicacy. He seemed, at +least, to have done everything that wildness and eccentricity had ever +devised, to have known intimately every man renowned for such exploits, +and to have gone through a career of extravagance and dissipation quite +sufficient to make him an unimpeachable authority in every similar +case. The reserve which young men feel with regard to those older than +themselves was never experienced in Con Heffernan's company; they would +venture to tell him anything, well aware that, however absurd the story +or embarrassing the scrape, Hefferuan was certain to cap it by another +twice as extravagant in every respect. + +Although Forester was by no means free from the faults of his age and +class, the better principles of his nature had received no severe or +lasting injury, and his estimation for Heffernan proceeded from a very +different view of his character from that which we have just alluded +to. He knew him to be the tried and trusted agent of his cousin, +Lord Castlereagh, one for whose abilities he entertained the greatest +respect; he saw him consulted and advised with on every question of +difficulty, his opinions asked, his suggestions followed; and if, +occasionally, the policy was somewhat tortuous, he was taught to believe +that the course of politics, like that "of true love, never did run +smooth." In this way, then, did he learn to look up to Heffernan, who +was too shrewd a judge of motives to risk a greater ascendancy by any +hazardous appeal to the weaker points of his character. + +Fortune could not have presented a more welcome visitor to Forester's +eyes than Heffernau, as he entered the room of the inn where the +youth had been conducted by the sergeant of police, and where he sat +bewildered by the difficulties in which his own rashness had involved +him. The first moments of meeting were occupied by a perfect shower of +questions, as to how Heffernan came to be in that quarter of the world, +when he had arrived, and with whom he was staying. All questions which +Heffernan answered by the laughing subterfuge of saying, "Your +good genius, I suppose, sent me to get you out of your scrape; and +fortunately I am able to do so. But what in the name of everything +ridiculous could have induced you to insult this man, O'Halloran? You +ought to have known that men like him cannot fight; they would be +made riddles of if they once consented to back by personal daring the +insolence of their tongues. They set out by establishing for themselves +a kind of outlawry from honor, they acknowledge no debts within the +jurisdiction of that court, otherwise they would soon be bankrupt." + +"They should be treated like all others without the pale of law, then," +said Forester, indignantly. + +"Or, like Sackville," added Heffernan, laughing, "when they put their +swords 'on the peace establishment,' they should put their tongues on +the 'civil list.' Well, well, there are new discoveries made every day; +some men succeed better in life by the practice of cowardice than others +ever did, or ever will do, by the exercise of valor." + +"What can I do here? Is there anything serious in the difficulty?" +said Forester, hurriedly; for he was in no humor to enjoy the abstract +speculations in which Heffernan indulged. + +"It might have been a very troublesome business," replied Heffernan, +quietly: "the judge might have issued a bench warrant against you, if +he did not want your cousin to make him chief baron; and Justice Conolly +might have been much more technically accurate, if he was not desirous +of seeing his son in an infantry regiment. It's all arranged now, +however; there is only one point for your compliance,--you must get out +of Ireland as fast as may be. O'Halloran will apply for a rule in the +King's Bench, but the proceedings will not extend to England." + +"I am indifferent where I go to," said Forester, turning away; "and +provided this foolish affair does not get abroad, I am well content." + +"Oh! as to that, you must expect your share of notoriety. O'Halloran +will take care to display his martyrdom for the people! It will bring +him briefs now; Heaven knows what greater rewards the future may have in +store from it!" + +"You heard the provocation," said Forester, with an unsuccessful attempt +to speak calmly,--"the gross and most unpardonable provocation?" + +"I was present," replied Heffernan, quietly. + +"Well, what say you? Was there ever uttered an attack more false and +foul? Was there ever conceived a more fiendish and malignant slander?" + +"I never heard anything worse." + +"Not anything worse! No, nor ever one half so bad." + +"Well, if you like it, I will agree with you; not one half so bad. It +was untrue in all its details, unmanly in spirit. But, let me add, that +such philippics have no lasting effect,--they are like unskilful mines, +that in their explosion only damage the contrivers. O'Reilly, who was +the real deviser of this same attack, whose heart suggested, whose head +invented, and whose coffers paid for it, will reap all the obloquy he +hoped to heap upon another. Take myself, for instance, an old time-worn +man of the world, who has lived long enough never to be sudden in my +friendships or my resentments, who thinks that liking and disliking are +slow processes,--well, even I was shocked, outraged at this affair; +and although having no more intimacy with Darcy than the ordinary +intercourse of social life, confess I could not avoid acting promptly +and decisively on the subject. It was a question, perhaps, more of +feeling than actual judgment,--a case in which the first impulse may +generally be deemed the right one." Here Heffernan paused, and drew +himself up with an air that seemed to say, "If I am confessing to a +weakness in my character, it is at least one that leans to virtue's +side." + +Forester awaited with impatience for the explanation, and, not +perceiving it to come, said, "Well, what did you do in the affair?" + +"My part was a very simple one," said Heffernan; "I was Mr. O'Reilly's +guest, one of a large party, asked to meet the judges and the +Attorney-General. I came in, with many others, to hear O'Halloran; but +if I did, I took the liberty of not returning again. I told Mr. O'Reilly +frankly that, in point of fact, the thing was false, and, as policy, +it was a mistake. Party contests are all very well, they are necessary, +because without them there is no banner to fight under; and the man +of mock liberality to either side would take precedence of those more +honest but less cautious than himself; but these things are great evils +when they enlist libellous attacks on character in their train. If the +courtesies of life are left at the door of our popular assemblies, they +ought at least to be resumed when passing out again into the world." + +"And so you actually refused to go back to his house?" said Forester, +who felt far more interested in this simple fact than in all the +abstract speculation that accompanied it. + +"I did so: I even begged of him to send my servant and my carriage after +me; and, had it not been for your business, before this time I had been +some miles on my way towards Dublin." + +Forester never spoke, but he grasped Heffernan's hand, and shook it with +earnest cordiality. + +"Yes, yes," said Heffernan, as he returned the pressure; "men can be +strong partisans, anxious and eager for their own side, but there is +something higher and nobler than party." He arose as he spoke, and +walked towards the window, and then, suddenly turning round, and with an +apparent desire to change the theme, asked, "But how came you here? What +good or evil fortune prompted you to be present at this scene?" + +"I fear you must allow me to keep that a secret," said Forester, in some +confusion. + +"Scarcely fair, that, my young friend," said Heffernan, laughing, "after +hearing my confession in full." + +Forester seemed to feel the force of the observation, but, uncertain how +to act, he maintained a silence for several minutes. + +"If the affair were altogether my own, I should not hesitate," said he +at length, "but it is not so. However, we are in confidence here, and +so I will tell you. I came to this part of the country at the earnest +desire of Lionel Darcy. I don't know whether you are aware of his sudden +departure for India. He had asked for leave of absence to give evidence +on this trial; the application was made a few days after a memorial he +sent in for a change of regiment. The demand for leave was unheeded, but +he received a peremptory order to repair to Portsmouth, and take charge +of a detachment under sailing-orders for India; they consisted of men +belonging to the Eleventh Light Dragoons, of which he was gazetted to +a troop. I was with him at Chatham when the letter reached him, and +he explained the entire difficulty to me, showing that he had no +alternative, save neglecting the interest of his family, on the one +hand, or refusing that offer of active service he had so urgently +solicited on the other. We talked the thing over one entire night +through, and at last, right or wrong, persuaded ourselves that any +evidence he could give would be of comparatively little value; and that +the refusal to join would be deemed a stain upon him as an officer, and +probably be the cause of greater grief to the Knight himself than his +absence at the trial. Poor fellow! he felt for more deeply for quitting +England without saying good-bye to his family than for all the rest." + +"And so he actually sailed in the transport?" said Heffernan. + +"Yes, and without time for more than a few lines to his father, and +a parting request to me to come over to Ireland and be present at the +trial. Whether he anticipated any attack of this kind or not, I cannot +say, but he expressed the desire so strongly I half suspect as much." + +"Very cleverly done, faith!" muttered Heffernan, who seemed far more +occupied with his own reflections than attending to Forester's words; +"a deep and subtle stroke, Master O'Reilly, ably planned and as ably +executed." + +"I am rejoiced that Lionel escaped this scene, at all events," said +Forester. + +"I must say, it was neatly done," continued Heffernan, still following +out his own train of thought; "'Non contigit cuique,' as the Roman says; +it is not every man can take in Con Heffernan,--I did not expect Hickman +O'Reilly would try it." He leaned his head on his hand for some minutes, +then said aloud, "The best thing for you will be to join your regiment." + +"I have left the army," said Forester, with a flush, half of shame, half +of anger. + +"I think you were right," replied Heffernan, calmly, while he avoided +noticing the confusion in the young man's manner. "Soldiering is no +career for any man of abilities like yours; the lounging life of a +barrack-yard, the mock duties of parade, the tiresome dissipations of +the mess, suit small capacities and minds of mere routine. But you have +better stuff in you, and, with your connections and family interest, +there are higher prizes to strive for in the wheel of fortune." + +"You mistake me," said Forester, hastily; "it was with no disparaging +opinion of the service I left it. My reasons had nothing in common with +such an estimate of the army." + +"There's diplomacy, for instance," said Heffernan, not minding the +youth's remark; "your brother has influence with the Foreign Office." + +"I have no fancy for the career." + +"Well, there are Government situations in abundance. A man must do +something in our work-a-day world, if only to be companionable to those +who do. Idleness begets ennui and falling in love; and although the +first only wearies for the time, the latter lays its impress on all a +man's after-life, fills him with false notions of happiness, instils +wrong motives for exertion, and limits the exercise of capacity to +the small and valueless accomplishments that find favor beside the +work-table and the piano." + +Forester received somewhat haughtily the unasked counsels of Mr. +Heffernan respecting his future mode of life, nor was it improbable that +he might himself have conveyed his opinion thereupon in words, had not +the appearance of the waiter to prepare the table for dinner interposed +a barrier. + +"At what hour shall I order the horses, sir?" asked the man of +Heffernan. + +"Shall we say eight o'clock, or is that too early?" + +"Not a minute too early for me," said Forester; "I am longing to leave +this place, where I hope never again to set foot." + +"At eight, then, let them be at the door; and whenever your cook is +ready, we dine." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. AN UNLOOKED-FOR PROMOTION + +The same post that brought the Knight the tidings of his lost suit +conveyed the intelligence of his son's departure for India; and although +the latter event was one over which, if in his power, he would have +exercised no control, yet was it by far the more saddening of the two +announcements. + +Unable to apply any more consolatory counsels, his invariable reply to +Lady Eleanor was, "It was a point of duty; the boy could not have +done otherwise; I have too often expressed my opinion to him about the +_devoirs_ of a soldier to permit of his hesitating here. And as for our +suit, Mr. Bicknell says the jury did not deliberate ten minutes on their +verdict; whatever right we might have on our side, it was pretty clear +we had no law. Poor Lionel is spared the pain of knowing this, at +least." He sighed heavily, and was silent. Lady Eleanor and Helen spoke +not either; and except their long-drawn breathings nothing was heard in +the room. + +Lady Eleanor was the first to speak. "Might not Lionel's evidence have +given a very different coloring to our cause if he had been there?" + +"It is hard to say. I am not aware whether we failed upon a point of +fact or law. Mr. Bicknell writes like a man who felt his words were +costly matters, and that he should not put his client to unnecessary +expense. He limits himself to the simple announcement of the result, and +that the charge of the bench was very pointedly unfavorable. He says +something about a motion for a new trial, and regrets Daly's having +prevented his engaging Mr. O'Halloran, and refers us to the newspapers +for detail." + +"I never heard a question of this O'Halloran," said Lady Eleanor, "nor +of Mr. Daly's opposition to him before." + +"Nor did I, either; though, in all likelihood, if I had, I should have +been of Bagenal's mind myself. Employing such men has always appeared +to me on a par with the barbarism of engaging the services of savage +nations in a war against civilized ones; and the practice is defended +by the very same arguments,--if they are not with you, they are against +you." + +"You are right, my dear father," said Helen, while her countenance +glowed with unusual animation; "leave such allies to the enemy if he +will, no good cause shall be stained by the scalping-knife and the +tomahawk." + +"Quite right, my dearest child," said he, fondly; "no defeat is so bad +as such a victory." + +"And where was Mr. Daly? He does not seem to have been at the trial?" + +"No; it would appear as if he were detained by some pressing necessity +in Dublin. This letter is in his handwriting; let us see what he says." + +Before the Knight could execute his intention, old Tate appeared at the +door, and announced the name of Mr. Dempsey. + +"You must present our compliments," said Darcy, hastily, "and say that +a very particular engagement will prevent our having the pleasure of +receiving his visit this evening." + +"This is really intolerable," said Lady Eleanor, who, never much +disposed to look favorably on that gentleman, felt his present +appearance anything but agreeable. + +"You hear what your master says," said Helen to the old man, who, never +having in his whole life received a similar order, felt proportionately +astonished and confused. + +"Tell Mr. Dempsey we are very sorry; but--" + +"For all that, he won't be denied," said Paul, himself finishing the +sentence, while, passing unceremoniously in front of Tate, he walked +boldly into the middle of the room. His face was flushed, his forehead +covered with perspiration, and his clothes, stained with dust, showed +that he had come off a very long and fast walk. He wiped his forehead +with a flaring cotton handkerchief, and then, with a long-drawn puff, +threw himself back into an arm-chair. + +There was something so actually comic in the cool assurance of the +little man, that Darcy lost all sense of annoyance at the interruption, +while he surveyed him and enjoyed the dignified coolness of Lady +Eleanor's reception. + +"That's the devil's own bit of a road," said Paul, as he fanned himself +with a music-book, "between this and Coleraine. Whenever it 's not going +up a hill, it's down one. Do you ever walk that way, ma'am?" + +"Very seldom indeed, sir." + +"Faith, and I 'd wager, when you do, that it gives you a pain just here +below the calf of the leg, and a stitch in the small of the back." + +Lady Eleanor took no notice of this remark, but addressed some +observation to Helen, at which the young girl smiled, and said, in a +whisper,-- + +"Oh, he will not stay long." + +"I am afraid, Mr. Dempsey," said the Knight, "that. I must be +uncourteous enough to say that we are unprepared for a visitor this +evening. Some letters of importance have just arrived; and as they will +demand all our attention, you will, I am sure, excuse the frankness of +my telling you that we desire to be alone." + +"So you shall in a few minutes more," said Paul, coolly. "Let me have +a glass of sherry and water, or, if wine is not convenient, ditto of +brandy, and I 'm off. I did n't come to stop. It was a letter that you +forgot at the post-office, marked 'with speed,' on the outside, that +brought me here; for I was spending a few days at Coleraine with old +Hewson." + +The kindness of this thoughtful act at once eradicated every memory of +the vulgarity that accompanied it; and as the Knight took the letter +from his hands, he hastened to apologize for what he said by adding his +thanks for the service. + +"I offered a fellow a shilling to bring it, but being harvest-time he +wouldn't come," said Dempsey. "Phew! what a state the roads are in! dust +up to your ankles!" + +"Come now, pray help yourself to some wine and water," said the Knight; +"and while you do so, I 'll ask permission to open my letter." + +"There 's a short cut down by Port-na-happle mill, they tell me, ma'am," +said Dempsey, who now found a much more complaisant listener than at +first; "but, to tell you the truth, I don't think it would suit you +or me; there are stone walls to climb over and ditches to cross. Miss +Helen, there, might get over them, she has a kind of a thoroughbred +stride of her own, but fencing destroys me outright." + +"It was a very great politeness to think of bringing us the letter, and +I trust your fatigues will not be injurious to you," said Lady Eleanor, +smiling faintly. + +"Worse than the damage to a pair of very old shoes, ma'am, I don't +anticipate; I begin to suspect they've taken their last walk this +evening." + +While Mr. Dempsey contemplated the coverings of his feet with a very sad +expression, the Knight continued to read the letter he held in his hand +with an air of extreme intentness. + +"Eleanor, my dear," said he, as he retired into the deep recess of a +window, "come here for a moment." + +"I guessed there would be something of consequence in that," said +Dempsey, with a sly glance from Helen to the two figures beside the +window. "The envelope was a thin one, and I read 'War Office' in the +corner of the inside cover." + +Not heeding the delicacy of this announcement, but only thinking of the +fact, which she at once connected with Lionel's fortunes, Helen turned +an anxious and searching glance towards the window; but the Knight +and Lady Eleanor had entered a small room adjoining, and were already +concealed from view. + +"Was he ever in the militia, miss?" asked Dempsey, with a gesture of his +thumb to indicate of whom he spoke. + +"I believe not," said Helen, smiling at the pertinacity of his +curiosity. + +"Well, well," resumed Dempsey, with a sigh, "I would not wish him a +hotter march than I had this day, and little notion I had of the same +tramp only ten minutes before. I was reading the 'Saunders' of Tuesday +last, with an account of that business done at Mayo between O'Halloran +and the young officer-you know what I mean?" + +"No, I have not heard it; pray tell me," said she, with an eagerness +very different from her former manner. + +"It was a horsewhipping, miss, that a young fellow in the Guards gave +O'Halloran, just as he was coming out of court; something the Counsellor +said about somebody in the trial,--names never stay in my head, but +I remember it was a great trial at the Westport assizes, and that +O'Halloran came down special, and faith, so did the young captain too; +and if the lawyer laid it on very heavily within the court, the red-coat +made up for it outside. But I believe I have the paper in my pocket, +and, if you like, I'll read it out for you." + +"Pray do," said Helen, whose anxiety was now intense. + +"Well, here goes," said Mr. Dempsey; "but with your permission I 'll +just wet my lips again. That 's elegant sherry!" + +Having sipped and tasted often enough to try the young lady's patience +to its last limit, he unfolded the paper, and read aloud,-- + +"'When Counsellor O'Halloran had concluded his eloquent speech in the +trial of Darcy v. Hickman,--for a full report of which see our early +columns,--a young gentleman, pushing his way through the circle of +congratulating friends, accosted him with the most insulting and +opprobrious epithets, and failing to elicit from the learned gentleman +a reciprocity,'-that means, miss, that O'Halloran did n't show +fight,--'struck him repeatedly across the shoulders, and even the face, +with a horsewhip. He was immediately committed under a bench warrant, +but was liberated almost at once. Perhaps our readers may understand +these proceedings more clearly when we inform them that Captain +Forester, the aggressor in this case, is a near relative of our Irish +Secretary, Lord Castlereagh.' That 's very neatly put, miss, isn't it?" +said Mr. Dempsey, with a sly twinkle of the eye; "it's as much as to say +that the Castle chaps may do what they please. But it won't end there, +depend upon it; the Counsellor will see it out." + +Helen paid little attention to the observation, for, having taken up the +paper as Mr. Dempsey laid it down, she was deeply engaged in the report +of the trial and O'Halloran's speech. + +"Wasn't that a touching-up the old Knight of Gwynne got?" said Dempsey, +as, with his glass to his eye, he peered over her shoulder at the +newspaper. "Faith, O'Halloran flayed him alive! He 's the boy can do it!" + +Helen scarce seemed to breathe, as, with a heart almost bursting with +indignant anger, she read the lines before her. + +[Illustration: 118] + +"Strike him!" cried she, at length, unable longer to control the passion +that worked within her; "had he trampled him beneath his feet, it had +not been too much?" + +The little man started, and stared with amazement at the young girl, +as, with flashing eyes and flushed cheek, she arose from her seat, and, +tearing the paper into fragments, stamped upon them with her foot. + +"Blood alive, miss, don't destroy the paper! I only got a loan of it +from Mrs. Kennedy, of the Post-office; she slipped it out of the cover, +though it was addressed to Lord O'Neil. Oh dear! oh dear! it's a nice +article now!" + +These words were uttered in the very depth of despair, as, kneeling +down on the carpet, Mr. Dempsey attempted to collect and arrange the +scattered fragments. + +"It's no use in life! Here's the Widow Wallace's pills in the middle of +the Counsellor's speech! and the last day's drawing of the lottery mixed +up with that elegant account of old Darcy's--" + +A hand which, if of the gentlest mould, now made a gesture to enforce +silence, arrested Mr. Dempsey's words, and at the same moment the Knight +entered with Lady Eleanor. Darcy started as he gazed on the excited +looks and the air of defiance of his daughter, and for a second a deep +flush suffused his features, as with an angry frown he asked of Dempsey, +"What does this mean, sir?" + +"D-n me if I know what it means!" exclaimed Paul, in utter despair at +the confusion of his own faculties. "My brain is in a whirl." + +"It was a little political dispute between Mr. Dempsey and myself, sir," +said Helen, with a faint smile. "He was reading for me an article +from the newspaper, whose views were so very opposite to mine, and his +advocacy of them so very animated, that--in short, we both became warm." + +"Yes, that's it," cried Dempsey, glad to accept any explanation +of a case in which he had no precise idea wherein lay the +difficulty,--"that's it; I 'll take my oath it was." + +"He is a fierce Unionist," said Helen, speaking rapidly to cover her +increasing confusion, "and has all the conventional cant by heart, +'old-fashioned opinions,' 'musty prejudices,' and so on." + +"I did not suspect you were so eager a politician, my dear Helen," said +the Knight, as, half chidingly, he threw his eyes towards the scattered +fragments of the torn newspaper. + +The young girl blushed till her neck became crimson: shame, at the +imputation of having so far given way to passion; sorrow, at the +reproof, whose injustice she did not dare to expose; and regret, at the +necessity of dissimulation, all overwhelming her at the same moment. + +"I am not angry, my sweet girl," said the Knight, as he drew his arm +around her, and spoke in a low, fond accent. "I may be sorry--sincerely +sorry--at the social condition that has suffered political feeling to +approach our homes and our firesides, and thus agitate hearts as gentle +as yours by these rude themes. For your sentiments on these subjects I +can scarcely be a severe critic, for I believe they are all my own." + +"Let us forget it all," said Helen, eagerly; for she saw-that Mr. +Dempsey, having collected once more the torn scraps, was busy in +arranging them into something like order. In fact, his senses were +gradually recovering from the mystification into which they had been +thrown, and he was anxious to vindicate himself before the party. "All +the magnanimity, however, must not be mine," continued she; "and until +that odious paper is consumed, I 'll sign no treaty of peace." So +saying, and before Dempsey could interfere to prevent it, she snatched +up the fragments, and threw them into the fire. "Now, Mr. Dempsey, we +are friends again," said she, laughing. + +"The Lord grant it!" ejaculated Paul, who really felt no ambition for +so energetic an enemy. "I 'll never tell a bit of news in your company +again, so long as my name is Paul Dempsey. Every officer of the Guards +may horsewhip the Irish bar--I was forgetting--not a syllable more." + +The Knight, fortunately, did not hear the last few words, for he was +busily engaged in reading the letter he still held in his hands; at +length he said,-- + +"Mr. Dempsey has conferred one great favor on us by bringing us this +letter; and as its contents are of a nature not to admit of any delay--" + +"He will increase the obligation by taking his leave," added Paul, +rising, and, for once in his life, really well pleased at an opportunity +of retiring. + +"I did not say that," said Darcy, smiling. + +"No, no, Mr. Dempsey," added Lady Eleanor, with more than her wonted +cordiality; "you will, I hope, remain for tea." + +"No, ma'am, I thank you; I have a little engagement,--I made a promise. +If I get safe out of the house without some infernal blunder or other, +it 's only the mercy of Providence." And with this burst of honest +feeling, Paul snatched up his hat, and without waiting for the ceremony +of leave-taking, rushed out of the room, and was soon seen crossing the +wide common at a brisk pace. + +"Our little friend has lost his reason," said the Knight, laughing. +"What have you been doing to him, Helen?" + +A gesture to express innocence of all interference was the only reply, +and the party became suddenly silent. + +"Has Helen seen that letter?" said Lady Eleanor, faintly, and Darcy +handed the epistle to his daughter. "Read it aloud, my dear," continued +Lady Eleanor; "for, up to this, my impressions are so confused, I know +not which is reality, which mere apprehension." + +Helen's eyes glanced to the top of the letter, and saw the words "War +Office;" she then proceeded to read:-- + +"'Sir,--In reply to the application made to the Commander-in-Chief +of the forces in your behalf, expressing your desire for an active +employment, I have the honor to inform you that his Royal Highness, +having graciously taken into consideration the eminent services rendered +by you in former years, and the distinguished character of that corps +which, raised by your exertions, still bears your name, has desired me +to convey his approval of your claim, and his desire, should a favorable +opportunity present itself, of complying with your wish. I have the +honor to remain, your most humble and obedient servant, + +"'Harry Greville, + +"_Private Secretary_." + +On an enclosed slip of paper was the single line in pencil:-- + +"H. G. begs to intimate to Colonel Darcy the propriety of attending the +next levee of H. R. H., which will take place on the 14th." + +"Now, you, who read riddles, my dearest Helen, explain this one to us. +I made no application of the kind alluded to, nor am I aware of any one +having ever done so for me. The thought never once occurred to me, that +his Majesty or his Royal Highness would accept the services of an old +and shattered hulk, while many a glorious three-decker lies ready to be +launched from the stocks. I could not have presumed to ask such a favor, +nor do I well know how to acknowledge it." + +"But is there anything so very strange," said Helen, proudly, "that +those highly placed by station should be as highly gifted by nature, +and that his Royal Highness, having heard of your unmerited calumnies, +should have seen that this was the fitting moment to remember the +services you have rendered the Crown? I have heard that there are +several posts of high trust and honor conferred on those who, like +yourself, have won distinction in the service." + +"Helen is right," said Lady Eleanor, drawing a long breath, and as if +released of a weighty load of doubt and uncertainty; "this is the real +explanation; the phrases of official life may give it another coloring +to our eyes, but such, I feel assured, is the true solution." + +"I should like to think it so," said Darcy, feelingly; "it would be a +great source of pride to me at this moment, when my fortunes are lower +than ever they were,--lower than ever I anticipated they might be,--to +know that my benefactor was the Monarch. In any case I must lose no time +in acknowledging this mark of favor. It is now the 4th of the month; to +be in London by the 14th, I should leave this to-morrow." + +"It is better to do so," said Lady Eleanor, with an utterance from which +a great effort had banished all agitation; "Helen and I are safe and +well here, and as happy as we can be when away from you and Lionel." + +"Poor Lionel!" said the Knight, tenderly; "what good news for him it +would be were they to give me some staff appointment,--I might have him +near us. Come, Eleanor," added he, with more gayety of manner, "I feel a +kind of presentiment of good tidings. But we are forgetting Bagenal +Daly all this time; perhaps this letter of his may throw some light on +the matter." + +Darcy now broke the seal of Daly's note, which, even for him, was one +of the briefest. This was so far fortunate, since his writing was in +his very worst style, blotted and half erased in many places, scarcely +legible anywhere. It was only by assembling a "committee of the whole +house" that the Darcys were enabled to decipher even a portion of this +unhappy document. As well as it could be rendered, it ran somewhat +thus:-- + +"The verdict is against us; old Bretson never forgave you carrying away +the medal from him in Trinity some fifty years back; he charged dead +against you; I always said he would. _Summum jus, summa injuria_--The +Chief Justice--the greatest wrong! and the jury the fellows who lived +under you, in your own town, and their fathers and grandfathers! at +least, as many of the rascals as had such.--Never mind, Bicknell has +moved for a new trial; they have gained the 'Habere' this time, and so +has O'Halloran--you heard of the thrashing--" + +Here two tremendous patches of ink left some words that followed quite +unreadable. + +"What can this mean?" said Darcy, repeating the passage over three +or four times, while Helen made no effort to enlighten him in the +difficulty. Battled in all his attempts, he read on: "'I saw him in his +way through Dublin last night,' Who can he possibly mean?" said Darcy, +laying down the letter, and pondering for several minutes. + +"O'Halloran, perhaps," said Lady Eleanor, in vain seeking a better +elucidation. + +"Oh, not him, of course!" cried Darcy; "he goes on to say, that 'he is +a devilish high-spirited young fellow, and for an Englishman a +warm-blooded animal.' Really this is too provoking; at such a time as +this he might have taken pains to be a little clearer," exclaimed Darcy. + +The letter concluded with some mysterious hints about intelligence that +a few days might disclose, but from what quarter or on what subject +nothing was said, and it was actually with a sense of relief Darcy read +the words, "Yours ever, Bagenal Daly," at the foot of the letter, and +thus spared himself the torment of further doubts and guesses. + +Helen was restrained from at once conveying the solution of the mystery +by recollecting the energy she had displayed in her scene with Mr. +Dempsey, and of which the shame still lingered on her flushed cheek. + +"He adds something here about writing by the next post," said Lady +Eleanor. + +"But before that arrives I shall be away," said the Knight; and the +train of thought thus evoked soon erased all memory of other matters. +And now the little group gathered together to discuss the coming +journey, and talk over all the plans by which anxiety was to be beguiled +and hope cherished till they met again. + +"Miss Daly will not be a very importunate visitor," said Lady Eleanor, +dryly, "judging at least from the past; she has made one call here since +we came, and then only to leave her card." + +"And if Helen does not cultivate a more conciliating manner, I scarce +think that Mr. Dempsey will venture on coming either," said the Knight, +laughing. + +"I can readily forgive all the neglect," said Helen, haughtily, "in +compensation for the tranquillity." + +"And yet, my dear Helen," said Darcy, "there is a danger in that same +compact. We should watch carefully to see whether, in the isolation of +a life apart from others, we are not really indulging the most refined +selfishness, and dignifying with the name of philosophy a solitude we +love for the indulgence of our own egotism. If we are to have our hearts +stirred and our sympathies strongly moved, let the themes be great ones, +but above all things let us avoid magnifying the petty incidents +of daily occurrence into much consequence: this is what the life of +monasteries and convents teaches, and a worse lesson there need not be." + +Darcy spoke with more than usual seriousness, for he had observed some +time past how Helen had imbibed much of Lady Eleanor's distance towards +her humble neighbors, and was disposed to retain a stronger memory of +their failings in manner than of their better and heartier traits of +character. + +The young girl felt the remark less as a reproof than a warning, and +said,-- + +"I will not forget it." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. A PARTING INTERVIEW + +When Heffernan, with his charge, Forester, reached Dublin, he drove +straight to Castlereagh's house, affectedly to place the young man under +the protection of his distinguished relative, but in reality burning +with eager impatience to recount his last stroke of address, and to +display the cunning artifice by which he had embroiled O'Reilly with the +great popular leader. Mr. Heffernan had a more than ordinary desire +to exhibit his skill on this occasion; he was still smarting under the +conscious sense of having been duped by O'Reilly, and could not rest +tranquilly until revenged. Under the mask of a most benevolent purpose, +O'Reilly had induced Heffernan to procure Lionel Darcy an appointment to +a regiment in India. Heffernan undertook the task, not, indeed, moved by +any kindliness of feeling towards the youth, but as a means of reopening +once more negotiations with O'Reilly; and now to discover that he +had interested himself simply to withdraw a troublesome witness in a +suit--that he had been, in his own phrase, "jockeyed"--was an insult to +his cleverness he could not endure. + +As Heffernan and Forester drove up to the door, they perceived that a +travelling-carriage, ready packed and loaded, stood in waiting, while +the bustle and movement of servants indicated a hurried departure. + +"What's the matter, Hutton?" asked Heffernan of the valet who appeared +at the moment; "is his Lordship at home?" + +"Yes, sir, in the drawing-room; but my Lord is just leaving for England. +He is now a Cabinet Minister." + +Heffernan smiled, and affected to hear the tidings with delight, while +he hastily desired the servant to announce him. + +The drawing-room was crowded by a strange and anomalous-looking +assemblage, whose loud talking and laughing entirely prevented the +announcement of Con Heffernan's name from reaching Lord Castlereagh's +ears. Groups of personal friends come to say good-bye, deputations eager +to have the last word in the ear of the departing Secretary, tradesmen +begging recommendations to his successor, with here and there a +disappointed suitor, earnestly imploring future consideration, were +mixed up with hurrying servants, collecting the various minor articles +which lay scattered through the apartment. + +The time which it cost Heffernan to wedge his way through the dense +crowd was not wholly profitless, since it enabled him to assume that +look of cordial satisfaction at the noble Secretary's promotion which +he was so very far from really feeling. Like most men who cultivate mere +cunning, he underrated all who do not place the greatest reliance upon +it, and in this way conceived a very depreciating estimate of Lord +Castlereagh's ability. Knowing how deeply he had himself been trusted, +and how much employed in state transactions, he speculated on a long +career of political influence, and that, while his Lordship remained as +Secretary, his own skill and dexterity would never be dispensed with. +This pleasant illusion was now suddenly dispelled, and he saw all his +speculations scattered to the wind at once; in fact, to borrow his own +sagacious illustration, "he had to submit to a new deal with his hand +full of trumps." + +He was still endeavoring to disentangle himself from the throng, when +Lord Castlereagh's quick eye discovered him. + +"And here comes Heffernan," cried he, laughingly; "the only man wanting +to fill up the measure of congratulations. Pray, my Lord, move one step +and rescue our poor friend from suffocation." + +"By Jove! my Lord, one would imagine you were the rising and not the +setting sun, from all this adulating assemblage," said Heffernan, as +he shook the proffered hand of the Secretary, and held it most +ostentatiously in his cordial pressure. "This was a complete surprise +for me," added he. "I only arrived this evening with Forester." + +"With Dick? Indeed! I'm very glad the truant has turned up again. Where +is he?" + +"He passed me on the stairs, I fancy to his room, for he muttered +something about going over in the packet along with you." + +"And where have you been, Heffernan, and what doing?" asked Lord +Castlereagh, with that easy smile that so well became his features. + +"That I can scarcely tell you here," said Heffernan, dropping his voice +to a whisper, "though I fancy the news would interest you." He made a +motion towards the recess of a window, and Lord Castlereagh accepted the +suggestion, but with an indolence and half-apathy which did not escape +Heffernan's shrewd perception. Partly piqued by this, and partly +stimulated by his own personal interest in the matter, Heffernan +related, with unwonted eagerness, the details of his visit to the West, +narrating with all his own skill the most striking characteristics of +the O'Reilly household, and endeavoring to interest his hearer by those +little touches of native archness in description of which he was no mean +master. + +But often as they had before sufficed to amuse his Lordship, they seemed +a failure now; for he listened, if not with impatience, yet with +actual indifference, and seemed more than once as if about to stop the +narrative by the abrupt question, "How can this possibly interest _me?_" + +Heffernan read the expression, and felt it as plainly as though it were +spoken. + +"I am tedious, my Lord," said he, whilst a slight flush colored the +middle of his cheek; "perhaps I only weary you." + +"He must be a fastidious hearer who could weary of Mr. Heffernan's +company," said his Lordship, with a smile so ambiguous that Heffernan +resumed with even greater embarrassment,-- + +"I was about to observe, my Lord, that this same member for Mayo +has become much more tractable. He evidently sees the necessity of +confirming his new position, and, I am confident, with very little +notice, might be con-verted into a stanch Government supporter." + +"Your old favorite theory, Heffernan," said the Secretary, laughing; "to +warm these Popish grubs into Protestant butterflies by the sunshine of +kingly favor, forgetting the while that 'the winter of their discontent' +is never far distant. But please to remember, besides, that gold mines +will not last forever,--the fountain of honor will at last run dry; and +if--" + +"I ask pardon, my Lord," interrupted Heffernan. "I only alluded to those +favors which cost the Minister little, and the Crown still less,--that +social acceptance from the Court here upon which some of your Irish +friends set great store. If you could find an opportunity of suggesting +something of this kind, or if your Lordship's successor--" + +"Heaven pity him!" exclaimed Lord Castlereagh. "He will have enough on +his hands, without petty embarrassments of this sort. Without you have +promised, Heffernan," added he, hastily. "If you have already made any +pledge, of course we must sustain your credit." + +"I, my Lord! I trust you know my discretion better than to suspect me. +I merely threw out the suggestion from supposing that your Lordship's +interest in our poor concerns here might outlive your translation to a +more distinguished position." + +There was a tone of covert impertinence in the accent, as well as the +words, which, while Lord Castlereagh was quick enough to perceive, he +was too shrewd to mark by any notice. + +"And so," said he, abruptly changing the topic, "this affair of +Forester's shortened your visit?" + +"Of course. Having cut the knot, I left O'Reilly and Conolly to the +tender mercies of O'Halloran, who, I perceive by to-day's paper, has +denounced his late client in round terms. Another reason, my Lord, for +looking after O'Reilly at this moment. It is so easy to secure a prize +deserted by her crew." + +"I wish Dick had waited a day or two," said Lord Castlereagh, not +heeding Heffernan's concluding remark, "and then I should have been off. +As it is, he would have done better to adjourn the horse-whipping sine +die, His lady-mother will scarcely distinguish between the two parties +in such a conflict, and probably deem the indignity pretty equally +shared by both parties." + +"A very English judgment on an Irish quarrel," observed Heffernan. + +"And you yourself, Heffernan,--when are we to see you in London?" + +"Heaven knows, my Lord. Sometimes I fancy that I ought not to quit +my post here, even for a day; then again I begin to fear lest the new +officials may see things in a different light, and that I may be thrown +aside as the propagator of antiquated notions." + +"Mere modesty, Heffernan," said Lord Castlereagh, with a look of the +most comic gravity. "You ought to know by this time that no government +can go on without you. You are the fly-wheel that regulates motion +and perpetuates impulse to the entire machine. I 'd venture almost to +declare that you stand in the inventory of articles transmitted from one +viceroy to another; and as we read of 'one throne covered with crimson +velvet, and one state couch with gilt supporters,' so we might chance to +fall upon the item of 'one Con Heffernan, Kildare Place.'" + +"In what capacity, my Lord?" said Heffernan, endeavoring to conceal his +anger by a smile. + +"Your gifts are too numerous for mention. They might better be summed up +under the title of 'State Judas.'" + +"You forget, my Lord, that he carried the bag. Now I was never +purse-bearer even to the Lord Chancellor. But I can pardon the simile, +coming, as I see it does, from certain home convictions. Your Lordship +was doubtless assimilating yourself to another historical character of +the same period, and, would, like him, accept the iniquity, but 'wash +your hands' of its consequences." + +"Do you hear that, my Lord?" said Lord Castlereagh, turning round, +and addressing the Bishop of Kilmore. "Mr. Heffernan has discovered +a parallel between my character and that of Pontius Pilate." A look of +rebuking severity from the prelate was directed towards Heffernan, who +meekly said,-- + +"I was only reproving his Lordship for permitting me to discharge +_all_ the duties of Secretary for Ireland, and yet receive none of the +emoluments." + +"But you refused office in every shape and form," said Lord Castlereagh, +hastily. "Yes, gentlemen, as the last act of my official life amongst +you,"--here he raised his voice, and moved into the centre of the +room,--"I desire to make this public declaration, that as often as +I have solicited Mr. Heffernan to accept some situation of trust +and profit under the Crown, he has as uniformly declined; not, it is +needless to say, from any discrepancy in our political views, for I +believe we are agreed on every point, but upon the ground of maintaining +his own freedom of acting and judging." + +The declamatory tone in which he spoke these words, and the glances of +quiet intelligence that were exchanged through the assembly, were in +strong contrast with the forced calmness of Heffernan, who, pale and red +by turns, could barely suppress the rage that worked within him; nor +was it without an immense effort he could mutter a feigned expression of +gratitude for his Lordship's panegyric, while he muttered to himself,-- + +"You shall rue this yet!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE FIRE. + +It was late in the evening as the Knight of Gwynne entered Dublin, and +took up his abode for the night in an obscure inn at the north side +of the city. However occupied his thoughts up to that time by the +approaching event in his own fortune, he could not help feeling a sudden +pang as he saw once more the well-known landmarks that reminded him of +former days of happiness and triumph. Strange as it may now sound, there +was a time when Irish gentlemen were proud of their native city; when +they regarded its University with feelings of affectionate memory, +as the scene of early efforts and ambitions, and could look on its +Parliament House as the proud evidence of their national independence! +Socially, too, they considered Dublin--and with reason--second to no +city of Europe; for there was a period, brief but glorious, when the +highest breeding of the courtier mingled with the most polished wit and +refined conversation, and when the splendor of wealth, freely displayed +as it was, was only inferior to the more brilliant lustre of a society +richer in genius and in beauty than any capital of the world. + +None had been a more favored participator in these scenes than Darcy +himself: his personal gifts, added to the claims of his family and +fortune, secured him early acceptance in the highest circles; and if his +abilities had not won the very highest distinctions, it seemed rather +from his own indifference than from their deficiency. + +In those days his arrival in town was the signal for a throng of +visitors to call, all eagerly asking on what day they might secure +him to dine or sup, to meet this one or that. The thousand flatteries +society stores up for her favorites, all awaited him. Parties whose +fulfilment hung listlessly in doubt were now hastily determined on, as +"Darcy has come" got whispered abroad; and many a scheme of pleasure but +half planned found a ready advocacy when the prospect of obtaining him +as a guest presented itself. + +The consciousness of social success is a great element in the victory. +Darcy had this, but without the slightest taint of vain boastfulness +or egotism; his sense of his own distinction was merely sufficient to +heighten his enjoyment of the world, without detracting ever so little +from the manly and unassuming features of his character. It is true he +endeavored, and even gave himself pains, to be an agreeable companion; +but he belonged to a school and a time when conversation was cultivated +as an art, and when men preferred making the dinner-table and the +drawing-room the arena of their powers, to indicting verses for an +"Annual," or composing tales for a fashionable "Miscellany." + +We have said enough, perhaps, to show what Dublin was to him once. How +very different it seemed to his eyes now! The season was late summer, +and the city dusty and deserted,--few persons in the streets, scarcely +a carriage to be seen; an air of listlessness and apathy was over +everything, for it was the period when the country was just +awakening after the intoxicating excitement of the Parliamentary +straggle,--awakening to discover that it had been betrayed and deserted! + +As soon as Darcy had taken some slight refreshment, he set out in search +of Daly. His first visit was to Henrietta Street, to his own house, +or rather what had been his, for it was already let, and a flaring +brass-plate on the door proclaimed it the office of a fashionable +solicitor. He knocked, and inquired if any one "knew where Mr. Bagenal +Daly now resided;" but the name seemed perfectly unknown. He next tried +Bicknell's; but that gentleman had not returned since the circuit: +he was repairing the fatigues of his profession by a week or two's +relaxation at a watering-place. + +He did not like himself to call at the club, but he despatched a +messenger from the inn, who brought word back that Mr. Daly had not +been there for several weeks, and that his present address was unknown. +Worried and annoyed, Darcy tried in turn each place where Daly had been +wont to frequent, but all in vain. Some had seen him, but not lately; +others suggested that he did not appear much in public on account of his +moneyed difficulties; and one or two limited themselves to a cautious +declaration of ignorance, with a certain assumed shrewdness, as though +to say that they could tell more if they would. + +It was near midnight when Darcy returned to the inn, tired and worn +out by his unsuccessful search. The packet in which he was to sail for +England was to leave the port early in the morning, and he sat down in +the travellers' room, exhausted and fatigued, till his chamber should be +got ready for him. + +The inn stood in one of the narrow streets leading out of Smithfield, +and was generally resorted to by small farmers and cattle-dealers +repairing to the weekly market. Of these, three or four still lingered +in the public room, conning over their accounts and discussing the +prices of "short-horns and black faces" with much interest, and +anticipating all the possible changes the new political condition of the +country might be likely to induce. + +Darcy could scarcely avoid smiling as he overheard some of these +speculations, wherein the prospect of a greater export trade was deemed +the most certain indication of national misfortune. His attention was, +however, suddenly withdrawn from the conversation by a confused murmur +of voices, and the tramp of many feet in the street without The noise +gradually increased, and attracted the notice of the others, and +suddenly the words "Fire! fire!" repeated from mouth to mouth, explained +the tumult. + +As the tide of men was borne onward, the din grew louder, and at length +the narrow street in front of the inn became densely crowded by a mob +hurrying eagerly forward, and talking in loud, excited voices. + +"They say that Newgate is on fire, sir," said the landlord, as, hastily +entering, he addressed Darcy; "but if you 'll come with me to the top of +the house, we 'll soon see for ourselves." + +Darcy followed the man to the upper story, whence, by a small ladder, +they obtained an exit on the roof. The night was calm and starlight, +and the air was still. What a contrast--that spangled heaven in all its +tranquil beauty--to the dark streets below, where, in tumultuous uproar, +the commingled mass was seen by the uncertain glimmer of the lamps, few +and dim as they were. Darcy could mark that the crowd consisted of +the very lowest and most miserable-looking class of the capital, the +dwellers in the dark alleys and purlieus of the ill-favored region. By +their excited gestures and wild accents, it was clear to see how much +more of pleasure than of sorrow they felt at the occasion that now +roused them from their dreary garrets and damp cellars. Shouts of mad +triumph and cries of menace burst from them as they went. The Knight was +roused from a moody contemplation of the throng by the landlord saying +aloud,-- + +"True enough, the jail is on fire: see, yonder, where the dark smoke is +rolling up, that is Newgate." + +"But the building is of stone, almost entirely of stone, with little or +no wood in its construction," said Darcy; "I cannot imagine how it could +take fire." + +"The floors, the window-frames, the rafters are of wood, sir," said the +other; "and then," added he, with a cunning leer, "remember what the +inhabitants are!" + +The Knight little minded the remark, for his whole gaze was fixed on the +cloud of smoke, dense and black as night, that rolled forth, as if +from the ground, and soon enveloped the jail and all the surrounding +buildings in darkness. + +"What can that mean?" said he, in amazement. + +"It means that this is no accident, sir," said the man, shrewdly; "it's +only damp straw and soot can produce the effect you see yonder; it +is done by the prisoners--see, it is increasing! and here come the +fire-engines!" + +As he spoke, a heavy, cavernous sound was heard rising from the street, +where now a body of horse-police were seen escorting the fire-engines. +The service was not without difficulty, for the mob offered every +obstacle short of open resistance; and once it was discovered that the +traces were cut, and considerable delay thereby occasioned. + +"The smoke is spreading; see, sir, how it rolls this way, blacker and +heavier than before!" + +"It is but smoke, after all," said Darcy; but although the words were +uttered half contemptuously, his heart beat anxiously as the dense +volume hung suspended in the air, growing each moment blacker as fresh +masses arose. The cries and yells of the excited mob were now wilder and +more frantic, and seemed to issue from the black, ill-omened mass that +filled the atmosphere. + +"That's not smoke, sir; look yonder!" said the man, seizing Darcy's arm, +and pointing to a reddish glare that seemed trying to force a passage +through the smoke, and came not from the jail, but from some building at +the side or in front of it. + +"There again!" cried he, "that is fire!" + +The words were scarcely uttered, when a cheer burst from the mob +beneath. A yell more dissonant and appalling could not have broken from +demons than was that shout of exultation, as the red flame leaped up and +flashed towards the sky. As the strong host of a battle will rout and +scatter the weaker enemy, so did the fierce element dispel the less +powerful; and now the lurid glow of a great fire lit up the air, and +marked out with terrible distinctness the waving crowd that jammed up +the streets,--the windows filled with terrified faces, and the very +house-tops crowded by terror-stricken and distracted groups. + +The scene was truly an awful one; the fire raged in some houses exactly +in front of the jail, pouring with unceasing violence its flood of flame +through every door and window, and now sending bright jets through +the roofs, which, rent with a report like thunder, soon became one +undistinguish-able mass of flame. The cries for succor, the shouts +of the firemen, the screams of those not yet rescued, and the still +increasing excitement of the mob, mingling their hellish yells of +triumph through all the dread disaster, made up a discord the most +horrible; while, ever and anon, the police and the crowd were in +collision, vain efforts being made to keep the mob back from the front +of the jail, whither they had fled as a refuge from the heat of the +burning houses. + +The fire seemed to spread, defying all the efforts of the engines. From +house to house the lazy smoke was seen to issue for a moment, and then, +almost immediately after, a new cry would announce that another building +was in flames. Meanwhile the smoke, which in the commencement had spread +from the courtyard and windows of the jail, was again perceived to +thicken in the same quarter, and suddenly, as if from a preconcerted +signal, it rolled out from every barred casement and loopholed +aperture,--from every narrow and deep cell within the lofty walls; and +the agonized yell of the prisoners burst forth at the same moment, and +the air seemed to vibrate with shrieks and cries. + +"Break open the jail!" resounded on every side. "Don't let the prisoners +be burned alive!" was uttered in accents whose humanity was far inferior +to their menace; and, as if with one accord, a rush was made at the +strongly barred gates of the dark building. The movement, although made +with the full force of a mighty multitude, was in vain. In vain the +stones resounded upon the thickly studded door, in vain the strength of +hundreds pressed down upon the oaken barrier. They might as well have +tried to force the strong masonry at either side of it! + +"Climb the walls!" was now the cry; and the prisoners re-echoed the +call in tones of shrieking entreaty. The mob, savage from their recent +repulse at the gate, now seized the ladders employed by the firemen, and +planted them against the great enclosure-wall of the jail. The police +endeavored to charge, but, jammed up by the crowd, their bridles in many +instances cut, their weapons wrested from them, they were almost at the +mercy of the mob. Orders had been despatched for troops; but as yet they +had not appeared, and the narrow streets, being actually choked up +with people, would necessarily delay their progress. If there were any +persons in that vast mass disposed to repel the violence of the mob, +they did not dare to avow it, the odds were so fearfully on the side of +the multitude. + +The sentry who guarded the gate was trampled down. Some averred he was +killed in the first rush upon the gate; certain it was his cap and coat +were paraded on a pole, as a warning of what awaited his comrades within +the jail, should they dare to fire on the people. This horrible banner +was waved to and fro above the stormy multitude. Darcy had but time to +mark it, when he saw the crowd open, as if cleft asunder by some giant +band, and at the same instant a man rode through the open space, and, +tearing down the pole, felled him who carried it to the earth by a +stroke of his whip. The red glare of the burning houses made the scene +distinct as daylight; but the next moment a rolling cloud of black smoke +hid all from view, and left him to doubt the evidence of his eyesight. + +"Did you see the horseman?" asked Darcy, in eager curiosity, for he did +not dare to trust his uncorroborated sense. + +"There he is!" cried the other. "I know him by a white band on his arm. +See, he mounts one of the ladders!--there!--he is near the top!" + +A cheer that seemed to shake the very atmosphere now rent the air, as, +pressing on like soldiers to a breach, the mob approached the walls. +Some shots were fired by the guard, and their effect might be noted +by the more savage yells of the mob, whose exasperation was now like +madness. + +"The shots have told,--see!" cried the man. "Now the people are +gathering in close groups, here and there." + +But Darcy's eyes were fixed on the walls, which were already crowded +with the mob, the dark figures looking like spectres as they passed and +repassed through the dense canopy of smoke. + +"The soldiers! the soldiers!" screamed the populace from below; and at +the instant a heavy lumbering sound crept on, and the head of a cavalry +squadron wheeled into the square before the jail. The remainder of the +troop soon defiled; but instead of advancing, as was expected, they +opened their ranks, and displayed the formidable appearance of two +eight-pounders, from which the limbers were removed with lightning +speed, and their mouths turned full upon the crowd. Meanwhile an +infantry force was seen entering the opposite side of the square, thus +showing the mob that they were taken in front and rear, no escape being +open save by the small alleys which led off from the street before the +prison. The military preparations took scarcely more time to effect than +we have employed to relate; and now began a scene of tumult and terror +the most dreadful to witness. The order to prime and load, followed +by the clanking crash of four hundred muskets; the close ranks of the +cavalry, as if with difficulty restrained from charging down upon them; +and the lighted fuses of the artillery,--all combined to augment the +momentary dread, and the shouts of vengeance so lately heard were at +once changed into piercing cries for mercy. The blazing houses, +from which the red fire shot up unrestrained, no longer attracted +notice,--the jail itself had no interest for those whose danger was +become so imminent. + +An indiscriminate rush was made towards the narrow lanes for escape, +and from these arose the most piercing and agonizing cries,--for while +pressed down and trampled, many were trodden under foot never again +to rise; others were wounded or burned by the falling timbers of the +blazing buildings; and the fearful cry of "The soldiers! the soldiers!" +still goaded them on by those behind. + +"Look yonder," cried Darcy's companion, seizing him by the arm,--"look +there,--near the corner of the market! See, the troops have not +perceived that ladder, and there are two fellows now descending it." + +True enough. At a remote angle of the jail, not concealed from view by +the smoke, stood the ladder in question. + +"How slowly they move!" cried Darcy, his eyes fixed upon the figures +with that strange anxiety so inseparable from the fate of all who are +engaged in hazardous enterprise. "They will certainly be taken." + +"They must be wounded," cried the other; "they seem to creep rather than +step--I know the reason, they are in fetters." + +Scarcely was the explanation uttered when the ladder was seen to be +violently moved as if from above, and the next moment was hurled back +from the wall, on which several soldiers were now perceived firing on +those below. + +"They are lost!" said the Knight; "they are either captured or cut down +by this time." + +"The square is cleared already," said the other; "how quietly the troops +have done their work! And the fire begins to yield to the engines." + +The square was indeed cleared; save the groups beside the fire-engines, +and here and there a knot gathered around some wounded man, the space +was empty, the troops having drawn off to the sides, around which they +stood in double file. A dark cloud rested over the jail itself, but no +longer did any smoke issue from the windows; and already the fire, its +rage in part expended, in part subdued, showed signs of decline. + +"If the wind was from the west," said the landlord, "there 's no saying +where that might have stopped this night!" + +"It is a strange occurrence altogether," said the Knight, musingly. + +"Not a bit strange, sir," replied the other, whose neighborhood made him +acquainted with classes and varieties of men of whom Darcy knew nothing; +"it was an attempt by the prisoners." + +"Do you think so?" asked Darcy. + +"Ay, to be sure, sir; there's scarcely a year goes over without one +contrivance or another for escape. Last autumn two fellows got away by +following the course of the sewers and gaining the Liffey; they must +have passed two days underground, and up to their necks in water a great +part of the time." + +"Ay, and besides that," observed another,-for already some ten or +twelve persons were assembled on the roof as well as Darcy and the +landlord,--"they had to wade the river at the ebb-tide, when the mud is +at least eight or ten feet deep." + +"How that was done, I cannot guess," said Darcy. + +"A man will do many a thing for liberty, sir," remarked another, who +was buttoned up in a frieze coat, although the night was hot and sultry; +"these poor devils there were willing to risk being roasted alive for +the chance of it." + +"Quite true," said Darcy; "fellows that have a taste for breaking the +law need not be supposed desirous of observing it as to their mode of +death; and yet they must have been daring rascals to have made such an +attempt as this." + +"Maybe you know the old song, sir," said the other, laughing,-- + + "There s many a man no bolts can keep, + No chains be made to bind them, + And tho' the fetters be heavy, and cells be deep, + He 'll fling them far behind them." + +"I have heard the ditty," answered the Knight; "and if my memory serves +me, the last lines run thus,-- + + "Though iron bolts may rust and rot, + And stone and mortar crumble, + Freney, beware! for well I wot + Your pride may have a tumble." + +"Devil a lie in that, anyhow, sir," said the other, laughing heartily; +"and an uglier tumble a man needn't have than to slip through Tom +Galvin's fingers. But I see the fire is out now; so I 'll be jogging +homeward. Good-night, sir." + +"Good-night," said Darcy; and then, as the other moved away, turning to +the landlord, he asked if he knew the stranger. + +"No, sir," was the reply; "he came up with some others to have a look at +the fire." + +"Well, I 'll to my bed," said Darcy; "let me be awakened at four +o'clock. I see I shall have but a short sleep; the day is breaking +already." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. BOARDING-HOUSE CRITICISM. + +It was not until after the lapse of several days that Darcy's departure +was made known to the denizens of Port Ballintray. + +If the event was slow of announcement, they endeavored to compensate for +the tardiness of the tidings by the freedom of their commentary on all +its possible and impossible reasons. There was not a casualty, in the +whole catalogue of human vicissitudes, unquoted; deaths, births, and +marriages were ransacked in newspapers; all sudden and unexpected +turns of fortune were well weighed, accidents and offences scanned +with cunning eyes, and the various paragraphs to which editorial +mysteriousness gave an equivocal interpretation were commented on with a +perseverance and an ingenuity worthy of a higher theme. + +It may be remarked that no class of persons are viewed more +suspiciously, or excite more sharp criticism from their neighbors, +than those who, with evidently narrow means, prefer retirement and +estrangement from the world to mixing in the small circle of some petty +locality. A hundred schemes are put in motion to ascertain by what right +such superiority is asserted,--why, and on what grounds, they affect +to be better than their neighbors, and so on; the only offence all the +while consisting of an isolation which cannot with truth imply any such +imputation. + +When the Knight of Gwynne found himself by an unexpected turn of fortune +condemned to a station so different from his previous life, he addressed +himself at once to the difficulties of his lot; and, well aware that all +reserve on his part would be set down as the cloak of some deep mystery, +he affected an air of easy cordiality with such of the boarding-house +party as he ever met, and endeavored, by a tone of well-assumed +familiarity, to avoid all detection of the difference between him and +his new associates. + +It was in this spirit that he admitted Mr. Dempsey to his acquaintance, +and even asked him to his cottage. In this diplomacy he met with little +assistance from Lady Eleanor and his daughter; the former, from a +natural coldness of manner and an instinctive horror of everything low +and underbred. Helen's perceptions of such things were just as acute, +but, inheriting the gay and lively temperament of her father's house, +she better liked to laugh at the absurdities of vulgar people than +indulge a mere sense of dislike to their society. Such allies were too +dangerous to depend on, and hence the Knight conducted his plans unaided +and unsupported. + +Whether Mr. Dempsey was bought off by the flattering exception made in +his favor, and that he felt an implied superiority on being deemed +their advocate, he certainly assumed that position in the circle of Mrs. +Fumbally's household, and on the present occasion sustained his part +with a certain mysterious demeanor that imposed on many. + +"Well, he's gone, at all events!" said a thin old lady with a green +shade over a pair of greener eyes; "that can't be denied, I hope! Went +off like a shot on Tuesday morning. Sandy M'Shane brought him into +Coleraine, for the Dublin coach; and, by the same token, it was an +outside place he took--" + +"I beg your pardon, ma'am," interposed a fat little woman, with a +choleric red face and a tremulous underlip,--she was an authoress in the +provincial papers, and occasionally invented her English as well as her +incidents,--"it was the Derry mail he went by. Archy M'Clure trod on his +toe, and asked pardon for it, just to get him into conversation; but he +seemed very much dejected, and wouldn't interlocute." + +"Very strange indeed!" rejoined the lady of the shade, "because I had my +information from Williams, the guard of the coach." + +"And I mine from Archy M'Clure himself." + +"And both were wrong," interposed Paul Dempsey, triumphantly. + +"It's not very polite to tell us so, Mr. Dempsey," said the thin old +lady, bridling. + +"Perhaps the politeness may equal the voracity," said the fat lady, who +was almost boiling over with wrath. + +"This Gwynne wasn't all right, depend upon it," interposed a certain +little man in powder; "I have my own suspicions about him." + +"Well, now, Mr. Dunlop, what's your opinion? I'd like to hear it." + +"What does Mrs. M'Caudlish say?" rejoined the little gentleman, +turning to the authoress,--for in the boarding-house they both +presided judicially in all domestic inquisitions regarding conduct and +character,--"what does Mrs. M'Caudlish say?" + +"I prefer letting Mr. Dunlop expose himself before me." + +"The case is doubtful--dark--mysterious," said Dunlop, with a solemn +pause after each word. + +"The more beyond my conjunctions," said the lady. "You remember what the +young gentleman says in the Latin poet, 'Sum Davy, non sum Euripides.'" + +"I 'll tell you my opinion, then," said Mr. Dunlop, who was evidently +mollified by the classical allusion; and with firm and solemn gesture he +crossed over to where she sat, and whispered a few words in her ear. + +A slight scream, and a long-drawn "Oh!" was all the answer. + +"Upon my soul, I believe so," said Mr. Dunlop, thrusting both hands into +the furthest depths of his coat-pockets; "nay, more, I'll maintain it!" + +"I know what you are driving at," said Dempsey, laughing; "you think +he's the gauger that went off with Mrs. Murdoch of Ballyquirk--" + +"Mr. Dempsey! Mr. Dempsey! the ladies, sir! the ladies!" called out two +or three reproving voices from the male portion of the assembly; while, +as if to corroborate the justice of the appeal, the thin lady drew her +shade down two inches lower, and Mr. Dunlop's face became what painters +call "of a warm tint." + +"Oh! never talk of a rope where a man's father was hanged," muttered +Paul to himself, for he felt all the severity of his condemnation, +though he knew that the point of law was against him. + +"There 's a rule in this establishment, Mr. Dempsey," said Mr. Dunlop, +with all the gravity of a judge delivering a charge,--"a rule devised +to protect the purity, the innocence,"--here the ladies held down their +heads,--"the beauty--" + +"Yes, sir, and I will add, the helplessness of that sex--" + +"Paul 's right, by Jove!" hiccuped Jack Leonard, whose faculties, far +immersed in the effects of strong whiskey-and-water, suddenly flashed +out into momentary intelligence,--"I say he's right! Who says the +reverse?" + +"Oh, Captain Leonard! oh dear, Mr. Dunlop!" screamed three or four +female voices in concert, "don't let it proceed further." + +A faint and an anxious group were gathered around the little gentleman, +whose warlike indications grew stronger as pacific entreaties increased. + +"He shall explain his words," said he, with a cautious glance to see +that his observation was not overheard; then, seeing that his adversary +had relapsed into oblivion, he added, "he shall withdraw them;" and +finally, emboldened by success, he vociferated, "or' he shall eat them. +I 'll teach him," said the now triumphant victor, "that it is not in +Mark Dunlop's presence ladies are to be insulted with impunity. Let the +attempt be made by whom it will,--he may be a lieutenant on half pay or +on full pay!--I tell him, I don't care a rush." + +"Of course not!" "Why would you?" and so on, were uttered in ready +chorus around him; and he resumed,-- + +"And as for this Gwynne, or Quin, who lives up at 'The Corvy' yonder, +for all the airs he gives himself, and his fine ladies too, my simple +belief is he 's a Government spy!" + +"Is that your opinion, sir?" said a deep and almost solemn voice; and at +the same instant Miss Daly appeared at the open window. She leaned her +arm on the sill, and calmly stared at the now terrified speaker, while +she repeated the words, "Is that your opinion, sir?" + +Before the surprise her words had excited subsided, she stood at the +door of the apartment. She was dressed in her riding-habit, for she had +that moment returned from an excursion along the coast. + +"Mr. Dunlop," said the lady, advancing towards him, "I never play the +eavesdropper; but you spoke so loud, doubtless purposely, that nothing +short of deafness could escape hearing you. You were pleased to express +a belief respecting the position of a gentleman with whom I have the +honor to claim some friendship." + +"I always hold myself ready, madam, to render an account to any +individual of whom I express an opinion,--to himself, personally, I +mean." + +"Of course you do, sir. It is a very laudable habit," said she, dryly; +"but in this case--don't interrupt me--in the present case it cannot +apply, because the person traduced is absent. Yes, sir, I said +traduced." + +"Oh, madam, I must say the word would better suit one more able to +sustain it. I shall take the liberty to withdraw." And so saying, he +moved towards the door; but Miss Daly interposed, and, by a gesture +of her hand, in which she held a formidable horsewhip, gave a very +unmistakable sign that the passage was not free. + +"You 'll not go yet, sir. I have not done with you," said she, in a +voice every accent of which vibrated in the little man's heart. +"You affect to regret, sir, that I am not of the sex that exacts +satisfaction, as it is called; but I tell you, I come of a family that +never gave long scores to a debt of honor. You have presumed--in a +company, certainly, where the hazard of contradiction was small--to +asperse a gentleman of whom you know nothing,--not one single fact,--not +one iota of his life, character, or fortune. You have dared to call him +by words every letter of which would have left a welt on your shoulders +if uttered in his hearing. Now, as I am certain he would pay any little +debts I might have perchance forgotten in leaving a place where I had +resided, so will I do likewise by him; and here, on this spot, and in +this fair company, I call upon you to unsay your falsehood, or--" Here +she made one step forward, with an air and gesture that made Mr. Dunlop +retire with a most comic alacrity. "Don't be afraid, sir," continued +she, laughing. "My brother, Mr. Bagenal Daly, will arrive here soon. He +'s no new name to your ears. In any case, I promise you that whatever +you find objectionable in my proceedings towards you he will be most +happy to sustain. Now, sir, the hand wants four minutes to six. If the +hour strike before you call yourself a wanton, gratuitous calumniator, I +'ll flog you round the room." + +A cry of horror burst from the female portion of the assembly at a +threat the utterance of which was really not less terrific than the +meaning. + +"Such a spectacle," continued Miss Daly, sarcastically, "I should +scruple to inflict on this fair company; but the taste that could find +pleasure in witless, pointless slander may not, it is possible, dislike +to see a little castigation. Now, sir, you have just one minute and a +quarter." + +"I protest against this conduct, madam. I here declare--" + +[Illustration: 146] + +"Declare nothing, sir, till you have avowed yourself by your real name +and character. If you cannot restrain your tongue, I 'll very soon +convince you that its consequences are far from agreeable. Is what you +have spoken false?" + +"There may come a heavy reckoning for all this, madam," said Dunlop, +trembling between fear and passion. + +"I ask you again, and for the last time, are your words untrue? Very +well, sir. You held a commission in Germany, they say; and probably, +as a military man, you may think it undignified to surrender, except on +compulsion." + +With these words Miss Daly advanced towards him with a firm and +determined air, while a cry of horror arose through the room, and the +fairer portion intrepidly threw themselves in front of their champion, +while Dempsey and the others only restrained their laughter for fear of +personal consequences. Pushing fiercely on, Miss Daly was almost at his +side, when the door of the room was opened, and a deep and well-known +voice called out to her,-- + +"Maria, what the devil is all this?" + +"Oh, Bagenal," cried she, as she held out her hand, "I scarcely expected +you before eight o'clock." + +"But in the name of everything ridiculous, what has happened? Were you +about to horsewhip this pleasant company?" + +"Only one of its members," said Miss Daly, coolly,--"a little gentleman +who has thought proper to be more lavish of his calumny than his +courage. I hand him over to you now; and, faith, though I don't think +that he had any fancy for me, he 'll gain by the exchange! You 'll find +him yonder," said she, pointing to a corner where already the majority +of the party were gathered together. + +Miss Daly was mistaken, however, for Mr. Dunlop had made his escape +during the brief interchange of greetings between the brother and +sister. "Come, Bagenal," said she, smiling, "it's all for the best. I +have given him a lesson he 'll not readily forget,--had you been the +teacher, he might not have lived to remember it." + +"What a place for _you!_" said Bagenal, as he threw his eye +superciliously around the apartment and its occupants; then taking her +arm within his own, he led her forth, and closed the door after them. + +Once more alone, Daly learned with surprise, not unmixed with sorrow, +that his sister had never seen the Darcys, and save by a single call, +when she left her name, had made no advances towards their acquaintance. +She showed a degree of repugnance, too, to allude to the subject, and +rather endeavored to dismiss it by saying shortly,--"Lady Eleanor is a +fine lady, and her daughter a wit What could there be in common between +us?" + +"But for Darcy's sake?" + +"For _his_ sake I stayed away," rejoined she, hastily; "they would +have thought me a bore, and perhaps have told him as much. In a word, +Bagenal, I did n't like it, and that's enough. Neither of us were +trained to put much constraint on our inclinations. I doubt if the +lesson would be easily learned at our present time of life." + +Daly muttered some half-intelligible bitterness about female obstinacy +and wrong-headedness, and walked slowly to and fro. "I must see Maurice +at once," said he, at length. + +"That will be no easy task; he left this for Dublin on Tuesday last." + +"And has not returned? When does he come back?" + +"His old butler, who brought me the news, says not for some weeks." + +"Confusion and misery!" exclaimed Daly, "was there ever anything so +ill-timed! And he's in Dublin?" + +"He went thither, but there would seem some mystery about his ultimate +destination; the old man binted at London." + +"London!" said he, with a heavy sigh. "It's now the 18th, and on +Saturday she sails." + +"Who sails?" asked Miss Daly, with more of eagerness than she yet +exhibited. + +"Oh, I forgot, Molly, I had n't told you, I 'm about to take a +voyage,--not a very long one, but still distant enough to make me wish +to say good-bye ere we separate. If God wills it, I shall be back early +in the spring." + +"What new freak is this, Bagenal?" said she, almost sternly; "I thought +that time and the world's crosses might have taught you to care for +quietness, if not for home." + +"Home!" repeated he, in an accent the sorrow of which sank into her very +heart; "when had I ever a home? I had a house and lands, and equipages, +horses, and liveried servants,--all that wealth could command, or, my +own reckless vanity could prompt,--but these did not make a home!" + +"You often promised we should have such one day, Bagenal," said she, +tenderly, while she stole her hand within his; "you often told me that +the time would come when we should enjoy poverty with a better grace +than ever we dispensed riches." + +"We surely are poor enough to make the trial now," said he, with a +bitterness of almost savage energy. + +"And if we are, Bagenal," replied she, "there is the more need to draw +more closely to each other; let us begin at once." + +"Not yet, Molly, not yet," said he, passing his hand across his eyes. "I +would grasp such a refuge as eagerly as yourself, for," added he, with +deep emotion, "I am to the full as weary; but I cannot do it yet." + +Miss Daly knew her brother's temper too long and too well either to +offer a continued opposition to any strongly expressed resolve, or to +question him about a subject on which he showed any desire of reserve. + +"Have you no Dublin news for me?" she said, as if willing to suggest +some less touching subject for conversation. + +"No, Molly; Dublin is deserted. The few who still linger in town seem +only half awake to the new condition of events. The Government party are +away to England; they feel, doubtless, bound in honor to dispense +their gold in the land it came from; and the Patriots--Heaven bless the +mark!--they look as rueful as if they began to suspect that Patriotism +was too dear a luxury after all." + +"And this burning of Newgate,-what did it mean? Was there, as the +newspaper makes out, anything like a political plot connected with it?" + +"Nothing of the kind, Molly. The whole affair was contrived among the +prisoners. Freney, the well-known highwayman, was in the jail, and, +although not tried, his conviction was certain." + +"And they say he has escaped. Can it be possible that some persons of +influence, as the journals hint, actually interested themselves for the +escape of a man like this?" + +"Everything is possible in a state of society like ours, Molly." + +"But a highwayman--a robber--a fellow that made the roads unsafe to +travel!" + +"All true," said Daly, laughing. "Nobody ever kept a hawk for a +singing-bird; but he 's a bold villain to pounce upon another." + +"I like not such appliances; they scarcely serve a good name, and they +make a bad one worse." + +"I'm quite of your mind, Molly," said Daly, thoughtfully; "and if honest +men were plenty, he would be but a fool who held any dealings with the +knaves. But here comes the car to convey me to 'The Corvy.' I will make +a hasty visit to Lady Eleanor, and be back with you by supper-time." + + + + +CHAPTER X. DALY'S FAREWELL. + +Neither of the ladies were at home when Bagenal Daly, followed by his +servant Sandy, reached "The Corvy," and sat down in the porch to await +their return. Busied with his own reflections, which, to judge from the +deep abstraction of his manner, seemed weighty and important, Daly +never looked up from the ground, while Sandy leisurely walked round the +building to note the changes made in his absence, and comment, in no +flattering sense, on the art by which the builder had concealed so many +traits of "The Corvy's" origin. + +"Ye 'd no ken she was a ship ava!" said he to himself, as he examined +the walls over which the trellised creepers were trained, and the +latticed windows festooned by the honeysuckle and the clematis, and +gazed in sadness over the altered building. "She's no a bit like the +auld Corvy!" + +"Of course she 's not!" said Daly, testily, for the remark had suddenly +aroused him from his musings. "What the devil would you have? Are _you_ +like the raw and ragged fellow I took from this bleak coast, and led +over more than half the world?" + +"Troth, I am no the same man noo that I was sax-and-forty years agane, +and sorry I am to say it." + +"Sorry,--sorry! not to be half-starved and less than half-clad; hauling +a net one day, and being dragged for yourself the next--sorry!" + +"Even sae, sore sorry. Eight-and-sixty may be aye sorry not to be +twa-and-twenty. I ken nae rise in life can pay off that score. It 's na +ower pleasant to think on, but I'm no the man I was then. No, nor, for +that matter, yerself neither." + +Daly was too long accustomed to the familiarity of Sandy's manner to +feel offended at the remark, though he did not seem by any means to +relish its application. Without making any reply, he arose and entered +the hall. On every side were objects reminding him of the past, strange +and sad commentary on the words of his servant. Sandy appeared to feel +the force of such allies, and, as he stood near, watched the effect the +various articles produced on his master's countenance. + +"A bonnie rifle she is," said he, as if interpreting the admiring look +Daly bestowed upon a richly ornamented gun. "Do you mind the day yer +honor shot the corbie at the Tegern See?" + +"Where the Tyrol fellows set on us, on the road to Innspruck, and I +brought down the bird to show them that they had to deal with a marksman +as good at least as themselves." + +"Just sae; it was a bra' shot; your hand was as firm, and your eye as +steady then as any man's." + +"I could do the feat this minute," said Daly, angrily, as turning away +he detached a heavy broadsword from the wall. + +"She was aye over weighty in the hilt," said Sandy, with a dry malice. + +"You used to draw that bowstring to your ear," said Daly, sternly, as he +pointed to a Swiss bow of portentous size. + +"I had twa hands in those days," said the other, calmly, and without the +slightest change of either voice or manner. + +Not so with him to whom they were addressed. A flood of feelings seemed +to pour across his memory, and, laying his hand on Sandy's shoulder, +he said, in an accent of very unusual emotion, "You are right, Sandy, I +must be changed from what I used to be." + +"Let us awa to the auld life we led in those days," said the other, +impetuously, "and we 'll soon be ourselves again! Does n't that remind +yer honor of the dark night on the Ottawa, when you sent the canoe, with +the pine-torch burning in her bow, down the stream, and drew all the +fire of the Indian fellows on her?" + +"It was a grand sight," cried Daly, rapturously, "to see the dark river +glittering with its torchlight, and the chiefs, as they stood rifle in +hand, peering into the dense pine copse, and making the echoes ring with +their war-cries." + +"It was unco near at one time," said Sandy, as he took up the fold of +the blanket with which his effigy in the canoe was costumed. "There 's +the twa bullet-holes, and here the arrow-bead in the plank, where I had +my bead! If ye had missed the Delaware chap wi' the yellow cloth on his +forehead--" + +"I soon changed its color for him," said Daly, savagely. + +"Troth did ye; ye gied him a bonny war-paint. How he sprang into the +air! I think I see him noo; many a night when I 'm lying awake, I think +I can hear the dreadful screech he gave, as he plunged into the river." + +"It was not a cry of pain, it was baffled vengeance," said Daly. + +"He never forgave the day ye gripped him by the twa hands in yer ain +one, and made the squaws laugh at him. Eh, how that auld deevil they +cau'd Black Buffalo yelled! Her greasy cheeks shook and swelled over her +dark eyes, till the face looked like nothing but a tar lake in Demerara +when there 's a hurricane blowin' over it." + +"You had rather a tenderness in that quarter, if I remember aright," +said Daly, dryly. + +"I 'll no deny she was a bra sauncie woman, and kenned weel to make a +haggis wi' an ape's head and shoulders." Sandy smacked his lips, as if +the thought had brought up pleasant memories. + +"How I escaped that bullet is more than I can guess," said Daly, as he +inspected the blanket where it was pierced by a shot; and as he spoke, +he threw its wide folds over his shoulders, the better to judge of the +position. + +"Ye aye wore it more on this side," said Sandy, arranging the folds with +tasteful pride; "an', troth, it becomes you well. Tak the bit tomahawk +in your hand, noo. Ech! but yer like yoursel once more." + +"We may have to don this gear again, and sooner than you think," said +Daly, thoughtfully. + +"Nae a bit sooner than I 'd like," said Sandy. "The salvages, as they +ca' them, hae neither baillies nor policemen, they hae nae cranks about +lawyers and 'tornies; a grip o' a man's hair and a sharp knife is even +as mickle a reason as a hempen cord and a gallows tree! Ech, it warms my +bluid again to see you stridin' up and doon,--if you had but a smudge o' +yellow ochre, or a bit o' red round your eyes, ye 'd look awful well." + +"What are you staring at?" said Daly, as Sandy opened a door stealthily, +and gazed down the passage towards the kitchen. + +"I 'm thinking that as there is naebody in the house but the twa lasses, +maybe your honor would try a war-cry,--ye ken ye could do it bra'ly +once." + +"I may need the craft soon again," said Daly, thoughtfully. + +"Mercy upon us! here 's the leddies!" cried Sandy. But before Daly could +disencumber himself of his weapons and costume, Helen entered the hall. + +[Illustration: 154] + +If Lady Eleanor started at the strange apparition before her, and +involuntarily turned her eye towards the canoe, to see that its occupant +was still there, it is not much to be wondered at, so strongly did the +real and the counterfeit man resemble each other. The first surprise +over, he was welcomed with sincere pleasure. All the eccentricities +of character which in former days were commented on so sharply were +forgotten, or their memory replaced by the proofs of his ardent +devotion. + +"How well you are looking!" was his first exclamation, as he gazed at +Lady Eleanor and Helen alternately, with that steady stare which is one +of the prerogatives of age towards beauty. + +"There is no such tonic as necessity," said Lady Eleanor, smiling, "and +it would seem as if health were too jealous to visit us when we have +every other blessing." + +"It is worth them all, madam. I am an old man, and have seen much of the +world, and I can safely aver that what are called its trials lie chiefly +in our weaknesses. We can all of us carry a heavier load than fortune +lays on us--" He suddenly checked himself, as if having unwittingly +lapsed into something like rebuke, and then said, "I find you alone; is +it not so?" + +"Yes; Darcy has left us, suddenly and almost mysteriously, without you +can help us to a clearer insight. A letter from the War Office arrived +here on Tuesday, acknowledging, in most complimentary terms, the +fairness of his claim for military employment, and requesting his +presence in London. This was evidently in reply to an application, +although the Knight made none such." + +"But he has friends, mamma,--warm-hearted and affectionate ones,-who +might have done so," said Helen, as she fixed her gaze steadily on Daly. + +"And you, madam, have relatives of high and commanding influence," said +he, avoiding to return Helen's glance,--"men of rank and station, who +might well feel proud of such a _protege_ as Maurice Darcy. And what +have they given him?" + +"We can tell you nothing; the official letter may explain more to your +clear-sightedness, and I will fetch it." So saying, Lady Eleanor arose +and left the room. Scarcely had the door closed, when Daly stood up, +and, walking over, leaned his arm on the back of Helen's chair. + +"You received my letter, did you not?" said he, hurriedly. "You know the +result of the trial?" + +Helen nodded assent, while a secret emotion covered her face with +crimson, as Daly resumed,-- + +"There was ill-luck everywhere: the case badly stated; Lionel absent; +I myself detained in Dublin, by an unavoidable necessity,--everything +unfortunate even to the last incident. Had I been there, matters would +have taken another course. Still, Helen, Forester was right; and, depend +upon it, there is no scanty store of generous warmth in a heart that can +throb so strongly beneath the aiguiletted coat of an aide-de-camp. The +holiday habits of that tinsel life teach few lessons of self-devotion, +and the poor fellow has paid the penalty heavily." + +"What has happened?" said Helen, in a voice scarcely audible. + +"He is disinherited, I hear. All his prospects depended on his mother; +she has cast him off, and, as the story goes, is about to marry. +Marriage is always the last vengeance of a widow." + +"Here is the letter," said Lady Eleanor, entering; "let us hope you can +read its intentions better than we have." + +"Flattering, certainly," muttered Daly, as he conned over the lines to +himself. "It's quite plain they mean to do something generous. I trust I +may learn it before I sail." + +"Sail! you are not about to travel, are you?" asked Lady Eleanor, in a +voice that betrayed her dread of being deprived of such support. + +"Oh! I forgot I had n't told you. Yes, madam, another of those strange +riddles which have beset my life compels me to take a long voyage--to +America." + +"To America!" echoed Helen; and her eye glanced as she spoke to the +Indian war-cloak and the weapons that lay beside his chair. + +"Not so, Helen," said Daly, smiling, as if replying to the insinuated +remark; "I am too old for such follies now. Not in heart, indeed, but in +limb," added he, sternly; "for I own I could ask nothing better than the +prairie or the pine-forest. I know of no cruelty in savage life that has +not its counterpart amid our civilization; and for the rude virtues that +are nurtured there, they are never warmed into existence by the hotbed +of selfishness." + +"But why leave your friends,--your sister?" + +"My sister!" He paused, and a tinge of red came to his cheek as he +remembered how she had failed in all attention to the Darcys. "My +sister, madam, is self-willed and headstrong as myself. She acknowledges +none of the restraints or influence by which the social world consents +to be bound and regulated; her path has ever been wild and erratic as +my own. We sometimes cross, we never contradict, each other." He paused, +and then muttered to himself, "Poor Molly! how different I knew you +once! And so," added he, aloud, "I must leave without seeing Darcy! and +there stands Sandy, admonishing me that my time is already up. Good-bye, +Lady Eleanor; good-bye, Helen." He turned his head away for a second, +and then, in a voice of unusual feeling, said: "Farewell is always a sad +word, and doubly sad when spoken by one old as I am; but if my heart +is heavy at this moment, it is the selfish sorrow of him who parts from +those so near. As for you, madam, and your fortunes, I am full of good +hope. When people talk of suffering virtue, believe me, the element of +courage must be wanting; but where the stout heart unites with the good +cause, success will come at last." + +He pressed his lips to the hands he held within his own, and hurried, +before they could reply, from the room. + +"Our last friend gone!" exclaimed Lady Eleanor, as she sank into a +chair. + +Helen's heart was too full for utterance, and she sat down silently, +and watched the retiring figure of Daly and his servant till they +disappeared in the distance. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE DUKE OF YORK'S LEVEE. + +When Darcy arrived in London, he found a degree of political excitement +for which he was little prepared. In Ireland the Union had absorbed +all interest and anxiety, and with the fate of that measure were +extinguished the hopes of those who had speculated on national +independence. Not so in England; the real importance of the annexation +was never thoroughly considered till the fact was accomplished, nor, +until then, were the great advantages and the possible evils well and +maturely weighed. Then, for the first time, came the anxious question, +What next? Was the Union to be the compensation for large concessions to +the Irish people, or was it rather the seal of their incorporation +with a more powerful nation, who by this great stroke of policy would +annihilate forever all dream of self-existence? Mr. Pitt inclined to the +former opinion, and believed the moment propitious to award the Roman +Catholic claims, and to a general remission of those laws which pressed +so heavily upon them. To this opinion the King was firmly and, as it +proved, insurmountably opposed; he regarded the Act of Union as +the final settlement of all possible disagreements between the two +countries, as the means of uniting the two Churches, and, finally, +of excluding at once and forever the admission of Roman Catholics to +Parliament. This wide difference led to the retirement of Mr. Pitt, and +subsequently to the return of the dangerous indisposition of the King, +an attack brought on by the anxiety and agitation this question induced. + +The hopes of the Whig party stood high; the Prince's friends, as they +were styled, again rallied around Carlton House, where, already, the +possibility of a long Regency was discussed. Besides these causes of +excitement were others of not less powerful interest,--the growing power +of Bonaparte, the war in Egypt, and the possibility of open hostilities +with Russia, who had now thrown herself so avowedly into the alliance of +France. + +Such were the stirring themes Darcy found agitating the public mind, and +he could not help contrasting the mighty interests they involved with +the narrow circle of consequences a purely local legislature could +discuss or decide upon. He felt at once that he trod the soil of a more +powerful and more ambitious people, and he remembered with a sigh his +own anticipations, that in the English Parliament the Irish members +would be but the camp-followers of the Crown or the Opposition. + +If he was English in his pride of government and his sense of national +power and greatness, he was Irish in his tastes, his habits, and his +affections. If he gloried in the name of Briton as the type of national +honor and truth throughout the globe, he was still more ardently +attached to that land where, under the reflected grandeur of the +monarchy, grew up the social affections of a poorer people. There is +a sense of freedom and independence in the habits of semi-civilization +very fascinating to certain minds, and all the advantages of more +polished communities are deemed shallow compensation for the ready +compliance and cordial impulses of the less cultivated. + +With all his own high acquirements the Knight was of this mind; and if +he did not love England less, he loved Ireland more. + +Meditating on the great changes of fortune Ireland had undergone even +within his own memory, he moved along through the crowded thoroughfares +of the mighty city, when he heard his name called out, and at the same +instant a carriage drew up close by him. + +"How do you do, Knight?" said a friendly voice, as a hand was stretched +forth to greet him. It was Lord Castle-reagh, who had only a few weeks +previous exchanged his office of Irish Secretary for a post at the Board +of Trade. The meeting was a cordial one on both sides, and ended in +an invitation to dine on the following day, which Darcy accepted with +willingness, as a gage of mutual good feeling and esteem. + +"I was talking about you to Lord Netherby only yesterday," said Lord +Castlereagh, "and, from some hints he dropped, I suspect the time is +come that I may offer you any little influence I possess, without it +taking the odious shape of a bargain; if so, pray remember that I have +as much pride as yourself on such a score, and will be offended if you +accept from another what might come equally well through _me_." + +The Knight acknowledged this kind speech with a grateful smile and a +pressure of the hand, and was about to move on, when Lord Castlereagh +asked if he could not drop him in his carriage at his destination, and +thus enjoy, a few moments longer, his society. + +"I scarcely can tell you, my Lord," said Darcy, laughing, "which way I +was bent on following. I came up to town to present myself at the Duke +of York's levee, and it is only a few moments since I remembered that I +was not provided with a uniform." + +"Oh, step in then," cried Lord Castlereagh, hastily; "I think I can +manage that difficulty for you. There is a levee this very morning; some +pressing intelligence has arrived from Egypt, and his Royal Highness has +issued a notice for a reception for eleven o'clock. You are not +afraid," said Lord Castlereagh, laughing, as Darcy took his seat beside +him,--"you are not afraid of being seen in such company now." + +"If I am not, my Lord, set my courage down to my principle; for I never +felt your kindness so dangerous," said the Knight, with something of +emotion. + +A few moments of rapid driving brought them in front of the Duke's +residence, where several carriages and led horses were now standing, and +officers in full dress were seen to pass in and out, with signs of haste +and eagerness. + +"I told you we should find them astir here," said Lord Castlereagh. +"Holloa, Fane, have you heard anything new to-day?" + +The officer thus addressed touched his hat respectfully, and approaching +the window of the carriage, whispered a few words in Lord Castlereagh's +ear. + +"Is the news confirmed?" said his Lordship, calmly. + +"I believe so, my Lord; at least, Edgecumbe says he heard it from +Dundas, who got it from Pitt himself." + +"Bad tidings these, Knight," said Lord Castlereagh, as the aide-de-camp +moved away; "Pulteney's expedition against Ferrol has failed. These +conjoint movements of army and navy seem to have a most unlucky +fortune." + +"What can you expect, my Lord, from an ill-assorted 'Union'?" said +Darcy, slyly. + +"They 'll work better after a time," said Lord Castlereagh, smiling +good-humoredly at the hit; "for the present, I acknowledge the success +is not flattering. The general always discovers that the land batteries +can only be attacked in the very spot where the admiral pronounces the +anchorage impossible; each feels compromised by the other; hence envy +and every manner of uncharitableness." + +"And what has been the result here? Is it a repulse?" + +"You can scarcely call it that, since they never attacked. They looked +at the place, sailed round it, and, like the King of France in the +story, they marched away again. But here we are at length at the door; +let us try if we cannot accomplish a landing better than Lord Keith and +General Moore." + +Through a crowd of anxious faces, whose troubled looks tallied with the +evil tidings, Lord Castlereagh and Darcy ascended the stairs and reached +the antechamber, now densely thronged by officers of every grade of the +service. His Lordship was immediately recognized and surrounded by many +of the company, eager to hear his opinion. + +"You don't appear to credit the report, my Lord," said Darcy, who +had watched with some interest the air of quiet incredulity which he +assumed. + +"It is all true, notwithstanding," said he, in a whisper; "I heard it +early this morning at the Council, and came here to see how it would be +received. They say that war will be soon as unpopular with the red-coats +as with the no-coats; and really, to look at these sombre faces, one +would say there was some truth in the rumor. But here comes Taylor." And +so saying, Lord Castlereagh moved forward, and laid his hand on the arm +of an officer in a staff uniform. + +"I don't think so, my Lord," said he, in reply to some question from +Lord Castlereagh; "I 'll endeavor to manage it, but I 'm afraid I +shall not succeed. Have you heard of Elliot's death? The news has just +arrived." + +"Indeed! So then the government of Chelsea is to give away. Oh, that +fact explains the presence of so many veteran generals! I really was +puzzled to conceive what martial ardor stirred them." + +"You are severe, my Lord," said Darcy; "I hope you are unjust." + +"One is rarely so in attributing a selfish motive anywhere," said the +young nobleman, sarcastically. "But, Taylor, can't you arrange +this affair? Let me present my friend meanwhile: The Knight of +Gwynne--Colonel Taylor." + +Before Taylor could more than return the Knight's salutation he was +summoned to attend his Royal Highness; and at the same moment the +folding-doors at the end of the apartment were thrown open, and the +reception began. + +Whether the sarcasm of Lord Castlereagh was correct, or that a nobler +motive was in operation, the number of officers was very great; and +although the Duke rarely addressed more than a word or two to each, +a considerable time elapsed before Lord Castlereagh, with the Knight +following, had entered the room. + +"It is against a positive order of his Royal Highness, my Lord," said an +aide-de-camp, barring the passage; "none but field-officers, and in full +uniform, are received by his Royal Highness." + +Lord Castlereagh whispered something, and endeavored to move on; but +again the other interposed, saying, "Indeed, my Lord, I'm deeply grieved +at it, but I cannot--I dare not transgress my orders." + +The Duke, who had been up to this moment engaged in conversing with a +group, suddenly turned, and perceiving that the presentations were not +followed up, said, "Well, gentlemen, I am waiting." Then recognizing +Lord Castlereagh, he added, "Another time, my Lord, another time: +this morning belongs to the service, and the color of your coat excludes +you." + +"I ask your Royal Highness's pardon," said Lord Castlereagh, in a tone +of great deference, while he made the apology an excuse for advancing a +step into the room. "I have but just left the Council, and was anxious +to inform you that your Royal Highness's suggestions have been fully +adopted." + +"Indeed! is that the case?" said the Duke, with an elated look, while +he drew his Lordship into the recess of a window. The intelligence, +to judge from the Duke's expression, must have been both important and +satisfactory, for he looked intensely eager and pleased by turns. + +"And so," said he, aloud, "they really have determined on Egypt? Well, +my Lord, you have brought me the best tidings I 've heard for many a +day." + +"And like all bearers of good despatches," said Lord Castlereagh, +catching up the tone of the Duke, "I prefer a claim to your Royal +Highness's patronage." + +"If you look for Chelsea, my Lord, you are just five minutes too late. +Old Sir Harry Belmore has this instant got it." + +"I could have named as old and perhaps a not less distinguished soldier +to your Royal Highness, with this additional claim,--a claim I must say, +your Royal Highness never disregards"-- + +"That he has been unfortunate with the unlucky," said the Duke, +laughing, and good-naturedly alluding to his own failure in the +expedition to the Netherlands; "but who is your friend?" + +"The Knight of Gwynne,--an Irish gentleman." + +"One of your late supporters, eh, Castlereagh?" said the Duke, laughing. +"How came he to be forgotten till this hour? Or did you pass him a bill +of gratitude payable at nine months after date?" + +"No, my Lord, he was an opponent; he was a man that I never could buy, +when his influence and power were such as to make the price of his own +dictating. Since that day, fortune has changed with him." + +"And what do you want with him now?" said the Duke, while his eyes +twinkled with a sly malice; "are you imitating the man that bowed down +before statues of Hercules and Apollo at Rome, not knowing when the time +of those fellows might come up again? Is that your game?" + +"Not exactly, your Royal Highness; but I really feel some scruples of +conscience that, having assisted so many unworthy candidates to pensions +and peerages, I should have done nothing for the most upright man I met +in Ireland." + +"If we could make him a Commissary-General," said the Duke, laughing, +"the qualities you speak of would be of service now: there never was +such a set of rascals as we have got in that department! But come, what +can we do with him? What 's his rank in the army? Where did he serve?" + +"If I dare present him to your Royal Highness without a uniform," said +Lord Castlereagh, hesitatingly, "he could answer these queries better +than I can." + +"Oh, by Jove! it is too late for scruples now,--introduce him at once." + +Lord Castlereagh waited for no more formal permission, but, hastening to +the antechamber, took Darcy's hand, and led him forward. + +"If I don't mistake, sir," said the Duke, as the old man raised his head +after a deep and courteous salutation, "this is not the first time we +have met. Am I correct in calling you Colonel Darcy?" + +The Knight bowed low in acquiescence. + +"The same officer who raised the Twenty-eighth Light Dragoons, known as +Darcy's Light Horse?" + +The Knight bowed once more. + +"A very proud officer in command," said the Duke, turning to Lord +Castlereagh with a stern expression on his features; "a colonel who +threatened a prince of the blood with arrest for breach of duty." + +"He had good reason, your Royal Highness, to be proud," said the Knight, +firmly; "first, to have a prince to serve under his command; and, +secondly, to have held that station and character in the service to have +rendered so unbecoming a threat pardonable." + +"And who said it was?" replied the Duke, hastily. + +"Your Royal Highness has just done so." + +"How do you mean?" + +"I mean, my Lord Duke," said Darcy, with a calm and unmoved look, +"that your Royal Highness would never have recurred to the theme to one +humbled as I am, if you had not forgiven it." + +"As freely as I trust you forgive me, Colonel Darcy," said the Duke, +grasping his hand and shaking it with warmth. "Now for _my_ part: what +can I do for you?--what do you wish?" + +"I can scarcely ask your Royal Highness; I find that some kind friend +has already applied on my behalf. I could not have presumed, old and +useless as I am, to prefer a claim myself." + +"There's your own regiment vacant," said the Duke, musing. "No, by +Jove! I remember Lord Netherby asking me for it the other day for some +relative of his own. Taylor, is the colonelcy of the Twenty-eighth +promised?" + +"Your Royal Highness signed it yesterday." + +"I feared as much. Who is it?--perhaps he'd exchange." + +"Colonel Maurice Darcy, your Royal Highness, unattached." + +"What! have I been doing good by stealth? Is this really so?" + +"If it be, your Royal Highness," said Darcy, smiling, "I can only assure +you that the officer promoted will not exchange." + +"The depot is at Gosport, your Royal Highness," said Taylor, in reply to +a question from the Duke. + +"Well, station it in Ireland, Colonel Darcy may prefer it," said the +duke; "for, as the regiment forms part of the expedition to Egypt, the +depot need not be moved for some time to come." + +"Your Royal Highness can increase the favor by only one concession--dare +I ask it?--to permit me to take the command on service." + +The Duke gazed with astonishment at the old man, and gradually his +expression became one of deep interest, as he said,-- + +"Colonel Darcy could claim as a right what I feel so proud to accord +him as a favor. Make a note of that, Taylor," said the Duke, raising his +voice so as to be heard through the room: "'Colonel Darcy to take the +command on service at his own special request.' Yes, gentlemen," added +he, louder, "these are times when the exigencies of the service demand +alike the energy of youth and the experience of age; it is, indeed, +a happy conjuncture that finds them united. My Lord Castlereagh and +Colonel Darcy, are you disengaged for Wednesday?" + +They both bowed respectfully. + +"Then on Wednesday I'll have some of your brother officers to meet you, +Colonel. Now, Taylor, let us get through our list." + +So saying, the Duke bowed graciously; and Lord Castlereagh and the +Knight retired, each too full of pleasure to utter a word as he went. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. THE TWO SIDES OF A MEDAL + +Although the Knight lost not an hour in writing to Lady Eleanor, +informing her of his appointment, the letter, hastily written, and +intrusted to a waiter to be posted, was never forwarded, and the first +intelligence of the event reached her in a letter from her courtly +relative, Lord Netherby. + +So much depends upon the peculiar tact and skill of the writer, and +so much upon our own frame of mind at the time of reading, that it is +difficult to say whether we do not bear up better under the announcement +of any sudden and sorrowful event from the hand of one less cared for +than from those nearest and dearest to our hearts. The consolations that +look like the special pleadings of affection become, as it were, +the mere expressions of impartiality. The points of view, being so +different, give a different aspect to the picture, and gleams of light +fall where, seen from another quarter, all was shadow and gloom. So +it was here. What, if the tidings had come from her husband, had been +regarded in the one painful light of separation and long absence, +assumed, under Lord Netherby's style, the semblance of a most gratifying +event, with, of course, that alloy of discomfort from which no human +felicity is altogether free: so very artfully was this done, that Lady +Eleanor half felt as if, in indulging in her own sorrow, she were merely +giving way to a selfish regret; and as Helen, the better to sustain her +mother's courage, affected a degree of pleasure she was really far from +feeling, this added to the conviction that she ought, if she could, to +regard her husband's appointment as a happy event. + +"Truly, mamma," said Helen, as she sat with the letter before her, "Me +style c'est l'homme.' His Lordship is quite heroic when describing all +the fetes and dinners of London; all the honors showered on papa in +visiting-cards and invitations; how excellencies called, and royal +highnesses shook hands: he even chronicles the distinguishing favor of +the gracious Prince, who took wine with him. But listen to him when the +theme is really one that might evoke some trait, if not of enthusiasm, +at least of national pride: 'As for the expedition, my dear cousin, +though nobody knows exactly for what place it is destined, everybody is +aware that it is not intended to be a fighting one. Demonstrations are +now the vogue, and it is become just as bad taste for our army to +shed blood as it would be for a well-bred man to mention a certain +ill-conducted individual before ears polite. Modern war is like a game +at whist between first-rate players; when either party has four by +honors, he shows his hand, and saves the trouble of a contest. The +Naval Service is, I grieve to say, rooted to its ancient prejudices, and +continues its abominable pastime of broadsides and boardings; hence its +mob popularity at this moment! The army will, however, always be the +gentlemanlike cloth, and I thank my stars I don't believe we have a +single relative afloat. Guy Herries was the last; he was shot or piked, +I forget which, in boarding a Spanish galliot off Cape Verde. "Que +diable allait-il faire dans cette galere?" Rest satisfied, therefore, +if the gallant Knight has little glory, he will have no dangers; our +expeditions never land. Jekyll says they are only intended to give the +service an appetite for fresh meat and soft bread, after four months' +biscuit and salt beef. At all events, my dear cousin, reckon on +seeing my friend the Knight gazetted as major-general on the very next +promotions. The Prince is delighted with him; and I carried a message +from his Royal Highness yesterday to the War Office in his behalf. You +would not come to see me, despite all the seductions I threw out, and +now the season is nigh over. May I hope better things for the next year, +when perhaps I can promise an inducement the more, and make your welcome +more graceful by dividing its cares with one far more competent than +myself to fulfil them.'--What does he mean, mamma?" + +"Read on, my dear; I believe I can guess the riddle." + +"'The person I allude to was, in former days, if not actually a friend, +a favored intimate of yours; indeed, I say that this fact is but another +claim to my regard.'--Is it possible, mamma, his Lordship thinks of +marrying?" + +"Even so, Helen," said Lady Eleanor, sighing, for she remembered how, +in his very last interview with her at Gwynne Abbey, he spoke of his +resolve on making Lionel his heir; but then, those were the days of +their prosperous fortune, the time when, to all seeming, they needed no +increase of wealth. + +If Helen was disposed to laugh at the notion of Lord Netherby's +marrying, a glance at the troubled expression of her mother's features +would have checked the emotion. The heritage was a last hope, which was +not the less cherished that she had never imparted it to another. + +"Shall I read on?" said Helen, timidly; and at a signal from Lady +Eleanor she resumed: "'I know how much "badinage" a man at my time +of life must expect from his acquaintances, and how much of kind +remonstrance from his friends, when he announces his determination to +marry. A good deal of this must be set down to the score of envy, some +of it proceeds from mere habit on these occasions, and lastly, one's +bachelor friends very naturally are averse to the closure against them +of a house "ou on dine." I have thought of all this, and, _per contra_, +I have set down the isolation of one, if not deserted, at least somewhat +neglected by his relatives, and fancied that if not exactly of that age +when people marry for love, I am not yet quite so old but I may become +the object of true and disinterested affection. + +"'Lady------(I have pledged my honor not to write her name, even to +you) is, in rank and fortune, fully my equal, in every other quality my +superior. The idlers at "Boodle's" can neither sneer at a "mesalliance," +nor hint at the "faiblesse" of an "elderly gentleman." It is a marriage +founded on mutual esteem, and, so far as station is concerned, on +equality; and when I say that his Royal Highness has expressed his +unqualified approval of the step, I believe I can add no more. I owe +you, my dear cousin, this early and full explanation of my motives +on many accounts: if the result should change the dispositions I once +believed unalterable, I beg it may be understood as proceeding far more +from necessity than the sincere wish of your very affectionate relative, + +"'Netherby. + +"'My regret at not seeing Helen here this season is, in a measure, +alleviated by Lady--------- telling me that brunettes were more the +rage; her Ladyship, who is no common arbiter, says that no "blonde" +attracted any notice: even Lady Georgiana Maydew drew no admiration. +My fair cousin is, happily, very young, _et les beaux jours viendront_, +even before hers have lost their brilliancy. + +"'I am sorry Lionel left the Coldstreams; with economy he could very +well have managed to hold his ground, and we might have obtained +something for him in the Household. As for India, the only influential +person I know is my wine-merchant; he is, I am told, a Director of +the Honorable Company, but he 'd certainly adulterate my Madeira if I +condescended to ask him a favor.'" + +"Well, Helen, I think you will agree with me, selfishness is the +most candid of all the vices; how delightfully unembarrassed is his +Lordship's style, how frank, honest, and straightforward!" + +"After his verdict upon 'blondes', mamma," said Helen, laughing, "I dare +not record my opinion of him,--I cannot come into court an impartial +evidence. This, however, I will say, that if his Lordship be not an +unhappy instance of the school, I am sincerely rejoiced that Lionel is +not being trained up a courtier; better a soldier's life with all its +hazards and its dangers, than a career so certain to kill every manly +sentiment." + +"I agree with you fully, Helen; life cannot be circumscribed within +petty limits and occupied by petty cares without reducing the mind to +the same miniature dimensions; until at last so immeasurably greater are +our own passions and feelings than the miserable interests around us, we +end by self-worship and egotism, and fancy ourselves leviathans because +we swim in a fish-pond. But who can that be crossing the grass-plot +yonder? I thought our neighbors of Port Ballintray had all left the +coast?" + +"It is the gentleman who dined here, mamma, the man that never spoke--I +forget his name--" + +Helen had not time to finish, when a modest tap was heard at the door, +and the next moment Mr. Leonard presented himself. He was dressed with +more than his wonted care, but the effort to make poverty respectable +was everywhere apparent; the blue frock was brushed to the very verge +of its frail existence, the gloves were drawn on at the hazard of their +integrity, and his hat, long inured to every vicissitude of weather, +had been cocked into a strange counterfeit of modish smartness. With all +these signs of unusual attention to appearances, his manner was modest +even to humility, and he took a chair with the diffidence of one who +seemed to doubt the propriety of being seated in such a presence. + +Notwithstanding Lady Eleanor's efforts at conversation, aided by Helen, +who tried in many ways to relieve the embarrassment of their visitor, +this difficulty seemed every moment greater, and he seemed, as he really +felt, to have summoned up all his courage for an undertaking, and in +the very nick of the enterprise, to have left himself beggared of his +energy. A vague assent, a look of doubt and uncertainty, a half-muttered +expression of acquiescence in whatever was said, was all that could +be obtained from him; but still, while his embarrassment appeared each +instant greater, he evinced no disposition to take his leave. Lady +Eleanor, who, like many persons whose ordinary manner is deemed cold and +haughty, could exert at will considerable powers of pleasing, did her +utmost to put her visitor at his ease, and by changing her topics from +time to time, detect, if possible, some clew to his coming. It was all +in vain: he followed her, it is true, as well as he was able, and with a +bewildered look of constrained attention, seemed endeavoring to interest +himself in what she said, but it was perfectly apparent, all the while, +that his mind was preoccupied, and by very different thoughts. + +At length she remained silent, and resuming the work she was engaged +on when he entered, sat for some time without uttering a word, or even +looking up. Mr. Leonard coughed slightly, but, as if terrified at his +own rashness, soon became mute and still. At last, after a long pause, +so long that Lady Eleanor and Helen, forgetful of their visitor, had +become deeply immersed in their own reflections, Mr. Leonard arose +slowly, and with a voice not free from a certain tremor, said, "Well, +madam, then I suppose I may venture to say that I saw you and Miss Darcy +both well." + +Lady Eleanor looked up with astonishment, for she could not conceive the +meaning of the words, nor in what quarter they were to be reported. + +"I mean, madam," said Leonard, "that when I present myself to the +Colonel, I may take the liberty to mention having seen you." + +"Do you speak of my husband, sir,--Colonel Darcy?" said Lady Eleanor, +with a very different degree of interest in her look and accent. + +"Yes, madam," said Leonard, with a kind of forced courage in his manner. +"I hope to be under his command in a few days." + +"Indeed, sir!" said Lady Eleanor, with animation; "I did not know that +you had served, still less that you were about to join the army once +more." + +Leonard blushed deeply, and he suddenly grew deadly pale, while, in a +voice scarcely louder than a mere whisper, he muttered, "So then, madam, +Colonel Darcy has never spoken of me to you?" + +Lady Eleanor, who misunderstood the meaning of the question, seemed +slightly confused as she replied, "I have no recollection of it, sir,--I +cannot call up at this moment having heard your name from my husband." + +"I ought to have known it,--I ought to have been certain of it," said +Leonard, in a voice bursting from emotion, while the tears gushed from +his eyes; "he could not have asked me to his house to sit down at his +table as a mere object of your pity and contempt; and yet I am nothing +else." + +The passionate vehemence in which he now spoke seemed so different from +his recent manner, that both Lady Eleanor and Helen had some doubts +as to his sanity, when he quickly resumed: "I was broke for +cowardice,--dismissed the service with disgrace,--degraded! Well may I +call it so, to be what I became. I would tell you that I was not +guilty,--that Colonel Darcy knows,--but I dare not choose between the +character of a coward and--a drunkard. I had no other prospect before me +than a life of poverty and repining,--maybe of worse,--of shame and +ignominy! when, last night, I received these letters; I scarcely thought +they could be for me, even when I read my name on them. Yes, madam, this +letter from the War Office permits me to serve as a volunteer with the +Eighth Regiment of Foot; and this, which is without signature, encloses +me fifty pounds to buy my outfit and join the regiment. It does not need +a name; there is but one man living could stoop to help such as I am, +and not feel dishonored by the contact; there is but one man brave +enough to protect him branded as a coward." + +"You are right, sir," cried Helen; "this must be my father's doing." + +Leonard tried to speak, but could not; a trembling motion of his lips, +and a faint sound issued, but nothing articulate. Lady Eleanor stopped +him as he moved towards the door, and taking his hand pressed it +cordially, while she said, "Be of good heart, sir; my husband is not +less quick to perceive than he is ever ready to befriend. Be assured he +would not now be your ally if he had not a well-grounded hope that you +would merit it. Farewell, then; remember you have a double tie to duty, +and that _his_ credit as well as _your own_ is on the issue." + +Leonard muttered a faint "I will," and departed. + +"How happily timed is this little incident, Helen," said Lady Eleanor, +as she drew her daughter to her side; "how full of pleasant hope +it fills the heart, at a moment when the worldly selfishness of the +courtier's letter had left us low and sorrow-struck! These are indeed +the sunny spots in life, that never look so brilliant as when seen amid +lowering skies and darkening storms." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. AN UNCEREMONIOUS VISIT + +As winter drew near, with its dark and leaden skies, and days and nights +of storm and hurricane, so did the worldly prospect of Lady Eleanor and +her daughter grow hourly more gloomy. Bicknell's letters detailed new +difficulties and embarrassments on every hand. Sums of money supposed to +have been long since paid and acknowledged by Gleeson, were now demanded +with all the accruing interest; rights hitherto unquestioned were now +threatened with dispute, as Hickman O'Reilly's success emboldened others +to try their fortune. Of the little property that still remained to +them, the rents were withheld until their claim to them should be once +more established by law. Disaster followed disaster, till at length the +last drop filled up the measure of their misery, as they learned that +the Knight's personal liberty was at stake, and more than one writ was +issued for his arrest. + +The same post that brought this dreadful intelligence brought also a few +lines from Darcy, the first that had reached them since his departure. + +His note was dated from the "'Hermione' frigate, off the Needles," and +contained little more than an affectionate farewell. He wrote in health, +and apparently in spirits, full of the assurance of a speedy and happy +meeting; nor was there any allusion to their embarrassments, save in +the vague mention of a letter he had written to Bicknell, and who would +himself write to Lady Eleanor. + +"It is not, dearest Eleanor," wrote he, "the time we would have selected +for a separation, when troubles thicken around us; yet who knows if the +incident may not fall happily, and turn our thoughts from the loss of +fortune to the many blessings we enjoy in mutual affection and in our +children's love, all to thicken around us at our meeting? I confess, +too, I have a pride in being thought worthy to serve my country still, +not in the tiresome monotony of a depot, but in the field,--among the +young, the gallant, and the brave! Is it not enough to take off half +this load of years, and make me fancy myself the gay colonel you may +remember cantering beside your carriage in the Park--I shame to say how +long ago! I wonder what the French will think of us, for nearly every +officer in command might be superannuated, and Abercrombie is as +venerable in white hairs as myself! There are, however, plenty of young +and dashing fellows to replace us, and the spirit of the whole army is +admirable. + +"Whither we are destined, what will be our collective force, and what +the nature of the expedition, are profound secrets, with which even the +generals of brigades are not intrusted; so that all I can tell you is, +that some seven hundred and fifty of us are now sailing southward, under +a steady breeze from the north-northwest; that the land is each moment +growing fainter to my eyes, while the pilot is eagerly pressing me to +conclude this last expression of my love to yourself and dearest Helen. +Adieu. + +"Ever yours, + +"Maurice Darcy." + +As with eyes half dimmed by tears Lady Eleanor read these lines, she +could not help muttering a thanksgiving that her husband was at least +beyond the risk of that danger of which Bicknell spoke,--an indignity, +she feared, he never could have survived. + +"And better still," cried Helen, "if a season of struggle and privation +awaits us, that we should bear it alone,' and not before _his_ eyes, for +whom such a prospect would be torture. Now let us see how to meet the +evil." So saying, she once more opened Bicknell's letter, and began to +peruse it carefully; while Lady Eleanor sat, pale and in silence, nor +even by a gesture showing any consciousness of the scene. + +"What miserable trifling do all these legal subtleties seem!" said the +young girl, after she had read for some time; "how trying to patience +to canvass the petty details by which a clear and honest cause must +be asserted! Here are fees to counsel, briefs, statements, learned +opinions, and wise consultations multiplied to show that we are the +rightful owners of what our ancestors have held for centuries, +while every step of usurpation by these Hickmans would appear almost +unassailable. With what intensity of purpose, too, does that family +persecute us! All these actions are instituted by them; these bonds are +all in their hands. What means this hate?" + +Lady Eleanor looked up; and as her eyes met Helen's, a faint flush +colored her cheek, for she thought of her interview with the old doctor, +and that proposal by which their conflicting interests were to be +satisfied. + +"We surely never injured them," resumed the young girl, eagerly; "they +were always well and hospitably received by us. Lionel even liked +Beecham, when they were boys together,-a mild and quiet youth he was." + +"So I thought him, too," said Lady Eleanor, stealing a cautious glance +at her daughter. "We saw them," continued she, more boldly, "under +circumstances of no common difficulty,--struggling under the +embarrassment of a false social position, with such a grandfather!" + +"And such a father! Nay, mamma, of the two you must confess the doctor +was our favorite. The old man's selfishness was not half so vulgar as +his son's ambition." + +"And yet, Helen," said Lady Eleanor, calmly, "such are the essential +transitions by which families are formed; wealthy in one generation, +aspiring in the next, recognized gentry--mayhap titled--in the third. +It is but rarely that the whole series unfolds itself before our eyes at +once, as in the present instance, and consequently it is but rarely that +we detect so palpably all its incongruities and absurdities. A few +years more," added she, with a deep sigh, "and these O'Reillys will be +regarded as the rightful owners of Gwynne Abbey by centuries of descent; +and if an antiquary detect the old leopards of the Darcys frowning from +some sculptured keystone, it will be to weave an ingenious theory of +intermarriage between the houses." + +"An indignity they might well have spared us," said Helen, proudly. + +"Such are the world's changes," continued Lady Eleanor, pursuing her +own train of thought. "How very few remember the origin of our proudest +houses, and how little does it matter whether the foundations have been +laid by the rude courage of some lawless baron of the tenth century, or +the crafty shrewdness of some Hickman O'Reilly of the nineteenth!" + +If there was a tone of bitter mockery in Lady Eleanor's words, there was +also a secret meaning which, even to her own heart, she would not +have ventured to avow. By one of those strange and most inexplicable +mysteries of our nature, she was endeavoring to elicit from her daughter +some expression of dissent to her own recorded opinion of the O'Reillys +and seeking for some chance word which might show that Helen regarded +an alliance with that family with more tolerant feelings than she did +herself. + +Her intentions on this head were uot destined to be successful. Helen's +prejudices on the score of birth and station were rather strengthened +than shaken by the changes of fortune; she cherished the prestige of +their good blood as a source of proud consolation that no adversity +could detract from. Before, however, she could reply, the tramp of a +horse's feet--a most unusual sound--was heard on the gravel without; and +immediately after the heavy foot of some one, as if feeling his way in +the dark towards the door. Without actual fear, but not without intense +anxiety, both mother and daughter heard the heavy knocking of a loaded +horsewhip on the door; nor was it until old Tate had twice repeated his +question that a sign replied he might open the door. + +"Look to the pony there!" cried a voice, as the old man peered out into +the dark night. And before he could reply or resist, the speaker pushed +past him and entered the room. "I crave your pardon, my Lady Eleanor," +said she,--for it was Miss Daly, who, drenched with rain and all +splashed with mud, now stood before them,--"I crave your pardon for this +visit of so scant ceremony. Has the Knight returned yet?" + +The strong resemblance to her brother Bagenal, increased by her gesture +and the tones of her voice, at once proclaimed to Lady Eleanor who her +visitor was; and as she rose graciously to receive her, she replied that +"the Knight, so far from having returned, had already sailed with the +expedition under General Abercrombie." + +Miss Daly listened with breathless eagerness to the words, and as they +concluded, she exclaimed aloud, "Thank God!" and threw herself into +a chair. A pause, which, if brief, was not devoid of embarrassment, +followed; and while Lady Eleanor was about to break it, Miss Daly again +spoke, but with a voice and manner very different from before: "You will +pardon, I am certain, the rudeness of my intrusion, Lady Eleanor, and +you, too, Miss Darcy, when I tell you that my heart was too full of +anxiety to leave any room for courtesy. It was only this afternoon that +an accident informed me that a person had arrived in this neighborhood +with a writ to arrest the Knight of Gwynne. I was five-and-twenty +miles from this when I heard the news, and although I commissioned my +informant to hasten thither with the tidings, I grew too full of dread, +and had too many fears of a mischance, to await the result, so that I +resolved to come myself." + +"How full of kindness!" exclaimed Lady Eleanor, while Helen took Miss +Daly's hand and pressed it to her lips. "Let our benefactress not suffer +too much in our cause. Helen, dearest, assist Miss Daly to a change of +dress. You are actually wet through." + +"Nay, nay, Lady Eleanor, you must not teach me fastidiousness. It has +been my custom for many a year not to care for weather, and in the kind +of life I lead such training is indispensable." Miss Daly removed her +hat as she spoke, and, pushing back her dripping hair, seemed really +insensible to the discomforts which caused her hosts so much uneasiness. + +"I see clearly," resumed she, laughing, "I was right in not +making myself known to you before; for though you may forgive the +eccentricities that come under the mask of good intentions, you 'd +never pardon the thousand offences against good breeding and the world's +prescription which spring from the wayward fancies of an old maid who +has lived so much beyond the pale of affection she has forgotten all the +arts that win it." + +"If you are unjust to yourself, Miss Daly, pray be not so to us; nor +think that we can be insensible to friendship like yours." + +"Oh, as for this trifling service, you esteem it far too highly; +besides, when you hear the story, you'll see how much more you have to +thank your own hospitality than my promptitude." + +"This is, indeed, puzzling me," exclaimed Lady Eleanor. + +"Do you remember having met and received at your house a certain Mr. +Dempsey?" + +"Certainly, he dined with us on one occasion, and paid us some three or +four visits. A tiresome little vulgar man, with a most intense curiosity +devouring him to know everything of everybody." + +"To this gift, or infirmity, whichever it be, we are now indebted. Since +the breaking-up of the boarding-house at Port Ballintray, which this +year was somewhat earlier than usual,"--here Miss Daly smiled slightly, +as though there lay more in the words than they seemed to imply,--"Mr. +Dempsey betook himself to a little village near Glenarm, where I have +been staying, and where the chief recommendation as a residence lay +possibly in the fact that the weekly mail-car to Derry changed horses +there. Hence an opportunity of communing with the world he valued at +its just price. It so chanced that the only traveller who came for three +weeks, arrived the night before last, drenched to the skin, and so ill +from cold, hunger, and exhaustion that, unable to prosecute his journey +farther, he was carried from the car to his bed. Mr. Dempsey, whose +heart is really as kind as inquisitive, at once tendered his services to +the stranger, who after some brief intercourse commissioned him to open +his portmanteau, and taking out writing-materials, to inform his friends +in Dublin of his sudden indisposition, and his fears that his illness +might delay, or perhaps render totally abortive, his mission to the +north. Here was a most provoking mystery for Mr. Dempsey. The very +allusion to a matter of importance, in this dubious half-light, was +something more than human nature should be tried with; and if the +patient burned with the fever of the body, Mr. Dempsey suffered under +the less tolerable agony of mental torment,--imagining every +possible contingency that should bring a stranger down into a lonely +neighborhood, and canvassing every imaginable inducement, from seduction +to highway robbery. Whether the sick man's sleep was merely the heavy +debt of exhausted nature, or whether Mr. Dempsey aided his repose by +adding a few drops to the laudanum prescribed by the doctor, true it is, +he lay in a deep slumber, and never awoke till late the following +day; meanwhile Mr. Dempsey recompensed his Samaritanism by a careful +inspection of the stranger's trunk and its contents, and, in particular, +made a patient examination of two parchment documents, which, +fortunately for his curiosity, were not sealed, but simply tied with red +tape. + +[Illustration: 180] + +Great was his surprise to discover that one of these was a writ to +arrest a certain Paul Dempsey, and the other directed against the +resident of 'The Corvy,' whom he now, for the first time, learned was +the Knight of Gwynne. + +"Self-interest, the very instinct of safety itself, weighed less with +him than his old passion for gossip; and no sooner had he learned the +important fact of who his neighbor was, than he set off straight to +communicate the news to me. I must do him the justice to say, that when +I proposed his hastening off to you with the tidings, the little man +acceded with the utmost promptitude; but as his journey was to be +performed on foot, and by certain mountain paths not always easily +discovered in our misty climate, it is probable he could not reach this +for some hours." + +When Miss Daly concluded, Lady Eleanor and her daughter renewed their +grateful acknowledgments for her thoughtful kindness. "These are sad +themes by which to open our acquaintance," said Lady Eleanor; "but it +is among the prerogatives of friendship to share the pressure of +misfortune, and Mr. Daly's sister can be no stranger to ours." + +"Nor how undeserved they were," added Miss Daly, gravely. + +"Nay, which of us can dare say so much?" interrupted Lady Eleanor; "we +may well have forgotten ourselves in that long career of prosperity +we enjoyed,--for ours was, indeed, a happy lot! I need not speak of +my husband to one who knew him once so well. Generous, frank, and +noble-hearted as he always was,-his only failing the excessive +confidence that would go on believing in the honesty of others, from the +prompting of a spirit that stooped to nothing low or unworthy,--he never +knew suspicion." "True," echoed Miss Daly, "he never did suspect!" There +was such a plaintive sadness in her voice that it drew Helen's eyes +towards her; nor could all her efforts conceal a tear that trickled +along her cheek. + +"And to what an alternative are we now reduced!" continued Lady Eleanor, +who, with all the selfishness of sorrow, loved to linger on the painful +theme,--"to rejoice at separation, and to feel relieved in thinking that +he is gone to peril life itself rather than endure the lingering death +of a broken heart!" + +"Yes, young lady," said Miss Daly, turning towards Helen, "such are +the recompenses of the most endearing affection, such the penalties of +loving. Would you not almost say, 'It were better to be such as I am, +unloved, uncared for, without one to share a joy or grief with?' I half +think so myself," added she, suddenly rising from her chair. "I can +almost persuade myself that this load of life is easier borne when all +its pressure is one's own." + +"You are not about to leave us?" said Lady Eleanor, taking her hand +affectionately. + +"Yes," replied she, smiling sadly, "when my heart has disburdened itself +of an immediate care, I become but sorry company, and sometimes think +aloud. How fortunate I have no secrets!--Bring my pony to the door," +said she, as Tate answered the summons of the bell. + +"But wait at least for daylight," said Helen, eagerly; "the storm is +increasing, and the night is dark and starless. Remember what a road you +'ve come." + +"I often ride at this hour and with no better weather," said she, +adjusting the folds of her habit; "and as to the road, Puck knows it too +well to wander from the track, daylight or dark." + +"For our sakes, I entreat you not to venture till morning," cried Lady +Eleanor. + +"I could not if I would," said Miss Daly, steadily. "By to-morrow, at +noon, I have an engagement at some distance hence, and much to arrange +in the mean time. Pray do not ask me again. I cannot bear to refuse +you, even in such a trifle; and as to me or my safety, waste not another +thought about it. They who have so little to live for are wondrous +secure from accident." + +"When shall we see you? Soon, I hope and trust!" exclaimed both mother +and daughter together. + +Miss Daly shook her head; then added hastily, "I never promise anything. +I was a great castle-builder once, but time has cured me of the habit, +and I do not like, even by a pledge, to forestall the morrow. Farewell, +Lady Eleanor. It is better to see but little of me, and think the +better, than grow weary of my waywardness on nearer acquaintance. Adieu, +Miss Darcy; I am glad to have seen you; don't forget me." So saying, she +pressed Helen's hands to her lips; but ere she let them drop, she +squeezed a letter into her grasp; the moment after, she was gone. + +"Oh, then, I remember her the beauty wonst!" said Tate, as he closed the +door, after peering out for some seconds into the dark night: "and +proud she was too,--riding a white Arabian, with two servants in +scarlet liveries after her! The world has quare changes; but hers is the +greatest ever I knew!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. A TETE-A-TETE AND A LETTER + +Long after Miss Daly's departure, Lady Eleanor continued to discuss the +eccentricity of her manners and the wilful abruptness of her address; +for although deeply sensible and grateful for her kindness, she dwelt on +every' peculiarity of her appearance with a pertinacity that more than +once surprised her daughter. Helen, indeed, was very far from being a +patient listener, not only because she was more tolerant in her estimate +of their visitor, but because she was eager to read the letter so +secretly intrusted to her hands. A dread of some unknown calamity, some +sad tidings of her father or Lionel, was ever uppermost in her thoughts, +nor could she banish the impression that Miss Daly's visit had another +and very different object than that which she alleged to Lady Eleanor. + +It may be reckoned among the well-known contrarieties of life, that our +friends are never more disposed to be long-winded and discursive than at +the very time we would give the world to be alone and to ourselves. With +a most malicious intensity they seem to select that moment for indulging +in all those speculations by which people while away the weary hours. +In such a mood was Lady Eleanor Darcy. Not only did she canvass and +criticise Miss Daly, as she appeared before them, but went off into +long rambling reminiscences of all she had formerly heard about her; +for although they had never met before, Miss Daly had been the reigning +Belle of the West before her own arrival in Ireland. + +"She must have been handsome, Helen, don't you think so?" said she, at +the end of a long enumeration of the various eccentricities imputed to +her. + +"I should say very handsome," replied Helen. + +"Scarcely feminine enough, perhaps," resumed Lady Eleanor,--"the +features too bold, the expression too decided; but this may have been +the fault of a social tone, which required everything in exaggeration, +and would tolerate nothing save in excess." + +"Yes, mamma," said Helen, vaguely assenting to a remark she had not +attended to. + +"I never fancied that style, either in beauty or in manner," continued +Lady Eleanor. "It wants, in the first place, the great element of +pleasing; it is not natural." + +"No, mamma!" rejoined Helen, mechanically as before. + +"Besides," continued Lady Eleanor, gratified at her daughter's ready +assent, "for one person to whom these mannerisms are becoming, there are +at least a hundred slavish imitators ready to adopt without taste, and +follow without discrimination. Now, Miss Daly was the fashion once. Who +can say to what heresies she has given origin, to what absurdities in +dress, in manner, and in bearing?" + +Helen smiled, and nodded an acquiescence without knowing to what. + +"There is one evil attendant on all this," said Lady Eleanor, who, with +the merciless ingenuity of a thorough poser, went on ratiocinating from +her own thoughts; "one can rarely rely upon even the kindest intentions +of people of this sort, so often are their best offices but mere +passing, fitful impulses; don't you think so?" + +"Yes, mamma," said Helen, roused by this sudden appeal to a more than +usual acquiescence, while totally ignorant as to what. + +"Then, they have seldom any discretion, even when they mean well." + +"No, mamma." + +"While they expect the most implicit compliance on your part with every +scheme they have devised for your benefit." + +"Very true," chimed in Helen, who assented at random. + +"Sad alternative," sighed Lady Eleanor, "between such rash friendship +and the lukewarm kindness of our courtly cousin." + +"I think not!" said Helen, who fancied she was still following the +current of her mother's reflections. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Lady Eleanor, iu astonishment, while she looked at +her daughter for an explanation. + +"I quite agree with you, mamma," cried Helen, blushing as she spoke, for +she was suddenly recalled to herself. + +"The more fortunate is the acquiescence, my dear," said Lady Eleanor, +dryly, "since it seems perfectly instinctive. I find, Helen, you have +not been a very attentive listener, and as I conclude I must have been a +very unamusing companion, I'll even say good-night; nay, my sweet child, +it is late enough not to seek excuse for weariness--goodnight." + +Helen blushed deeply; dissimulation was a very difficult task to her, +and for a moment seemed more than her strength could bear. She had +resolved to place the letter in her mother's hands, when the thought +flashed across her, that if its contents might occasion any sudden or +severe shock, she would never forgive herself. This mental struggle, +brief as it was, brought the tears to her eyes,--an emotion Lady Eleanor +attributed to a different cause, as she said,-- + +"You do not suppose, my dearest Helen, that I am angry because your +thoughts took a pleasanter path than my owu." + +"Oh, no,-no!" cried Helen, eagerly, "I know you are not. It is my own--" +She stopped; another word would have revealed everything, and with an +affectionate embrace she hurried from the room. + +"Poor child!" exclaimed her mother; "the courage that sustained us both +so long is beginning to fail her now; and yet I feel as if our trials +were but commencing." + +While Lady Eleanor dwelt on these sad thoughts, Helen sat beside her bed +weeping bitterly. + +"How shall I bear up," thought she, "if deprived of that confiding trust +a mother's love has ever supplied,--without one to counsel or direct +me?" + +Half fearing to open the letter, lest all her resolves should be altered +by its contents, she remained a long time balancing one difficulty +against another. Wearied and undecided, she turned at last to the letter +itself, as if for advice. It was a strange hand, and addressed to "Miss +Daly." With trembling fingers she unfolded the paper, and read the +writer's name,--"Richard Forester." + +[Illustration: 186] + +A flood of grateful tears burst forth as she read the words; a sense +of relief from impending calamity stole over her mind, while she said, +"Thank God! my father and Lionel--" She could say no more, for sobbing +choked her utterance. The emotions, if violent, passed rapidly off; and +as she wiped away her tears, a smile of hope lit up her features. At any +other time she would have speculated long and carefully over the causes +which made Forester correspond with Miss Daly, and by what right she +herself should be intrusted with his letter. Now her thoughts were +hurried along too rapidly for reflection. The vague dread of misfortune, +so suddenly removed, suggested a sense of gratitude that thrilled +through her heart like joy. In such a frame of mind she read the +following lines:-- + +At Sea. My dear Miss Daly,-I cannot thank you enough for your letter, +so full of kindness, of encouragement, and of hope. How much I stand +in need of them! I have strictly followed every portion of your +counsel,--would that I could tell you as successfully as implicitly! +The address of this letter will, however, be the shortest reply to that +question. I write these lines from the "Hermione" frigate. Yes, I am a +volunteer in the expedition to the Mediterranean; and only think who is +my commanding officer,--the Knight himself. I had enrolled myself +under the name of Conway; but when called up on deck this morning for +inspection, such was my surprise on seeing the Knight of Gwynne, or, as +he is now called, Colonel Darcy, I almost betrayed myself. Fortunately, +however, I escaped unnoticed,--a circumstance I believe I owe chiefly to +the fact that several young men of family are also volunteers, so that +my position attracted no unusual attention. It was a most anxious moment +for me as the colonel came down the line, addressing a word here and +there as he went; he stopped within one of me, and spoke for some +seconds to a young fellow whose appearance indicated delicate health. +How full of gentleness and benevolence were his words! But when he +turned and fixed his eyes on me, my heart beat so quick, my head grew +so dizzy, I thought I should have fainted. He remained at least half a +minute in front of me, and then asked the orderly for my name--"Conway! +Conway!" repeated he more than once. "A very old name. I hope you'll do +it credit, sir," added he, and moved on,--how much to my relief I need +not say. What a strange rencontre! Often as I wonder at the singular +necessity that has made me a private soldier, all my astonishment is +lost in thinking of the Knight of Gwynne's presence amongst us; and yet +he looks the soldier even as much as he did the country gentleman when +I first saw him, and, strangely too, seems younger and more active than +before. To see him here, chatting with the officers under his command, +moving about, taking interest in everything that goes on, who would +suspect the change of fortune that has befallen him! Not a vestige +of discontent, not even a passing look of impatience on his handsome +features; and yet, with this example before me, and the consciousness +that my altered condition is nothing in comparison with his, I am +low-spirited and void of hope! But a few weeks ago I would have thought +myself the luckiest fellow breathing, if told that I were to serve +under Colonel Darcy, and now I feel ashamed and abashed, and dread a +recognition every time I see him. In good truth, I cannot forget the +presumption that led me first to his acquaintance. My mind dwells on +that unhappy mission to the West, and its consequences. My foolish +vanity in supposing that I, a mere boy, uninformed, and without +reflection, should be able to influence a man so much my superior in +every way! and this, bad as it is, is the most favorable view of my +conduct, for I dare not recall the dishonorable means by which I was to +buy his support. Then, I think of my heedless and disreputable quarrel. +What motives and what actions in the eyes of her whose affection I +sought! How worthily am I punished for my presumption! + +I told you that I strictly followed the advice of your last letter. +Immediately on receiving it I wrote a few lines to my mother, entreating +her permission to see and speak with her, and expressing an earnest +hope that our interview would end in restoring me to the place I so long +enjoyed in her affection. A very formal note, appointing the following +day, was all the reply. + +On arriving at Berkeley Square, and entering the drawing-room, I found, +to my great astonishment, I will not say more, that a gentleman, a +stranger to me, was already there, seated at the fire, opposite my +mother, and with that easy air that bespoke his visit was not merely +accidental, but a matter of pre-arrangement. + +Whatever my looks might have conveyed, I know not, but I was not given +the opportunity for a more explicit inquiry, when my mother, in her +stateliest of manners, arose and said,-- + +"Richard, I wish to present you to my esteemed friend, Lord Netherby; +a gentleman to whose kindness you are indebted for any favorable +construction I can put upon your folly, and who has induced me to +receive you here to-day." + +"If I knew, madam, that such influence had been necessary, I should +have hesitated before I laid myself under so deep an obligation to his +Lordship, to whose name and merits I confess myself a stranger." + +"I am but too happy, Captain Forester," interposed the Earl, "if any +little interest I possess in Lady Wallincourt's esteem enables me to +contribute to your reconciliation. I know the great delicacy of +an interference, in a case like the present, and how officious and +impertinent the most respectful suggestions must appear, when offered by +one who can lay no claim, at least to _your_ good opinion." + +A very significant emphasis on the word "your," a look towards my +mother, and a very meaning smile from her in reply, at once revealed to +me what, till then, I had not suspected,--that his Lordship meditated a +deeper influence over her Ladyship's heart than the mere reconciliation +of a truant son to her esteem. + +"I believe, my Lord," said I, hastily, and I fear not without some +anger,--"I believe I should not have dared to decline your kind +influence in my behalf, had I suspected the terms on which you would +exert it. I really was not aware before that you possessed, so fully, +her Ladyship's confidence." + +"If you read the morning papers, Captain Forester," said he, with the +blandest smile, "you could scarcely avoid learning that my presence here +is neither an intrusion nor an impertinence." + +"My dear mother," cried I, forgetting all, save the long-continued grief +by which my father's memory was hallowed, "is this really the case?" + +"I can forgive your astonishment," replied she, with a look of anger, +"that the qualities you hold so highly in your esteem should have met +favor from one so placed and gifted as the Earl of Netherby." + +"Nay, madam; on the contrary. My difficulty is to think how any new +proffer of attachment could find reception in a heart I fondly thought +closed against such appeals; too full of its own memories of the past to +profane the recollection by--" + +I hesitated and stopped. Another moment, and I would have uttered a word +which for worlds I would not have spoken. + +My mother became suddenly pale as marble, and lay back in her chair +as if faint and sick. His Lordship adjusted his neckcloth and his +watch-chain, and walked towards the window, with an air of as much +awkwardness as so very courtly a personage could exhibit. + +"You see, my Lord," said my mother,--and her voice trembled at every +word,--"you see, I was right: I told you how much this interview would +agitate and distress me." + +"But it need not, madam," interposed I; "or, at all events, it may be +rendered very brief. I sought an opportunity of speaking to you, in the +hope that whatever impressions you may have received of my conduct in +Ireland were either exaggerated or unjust; that I might convince you, +however I may have erred in prudence or judgment, I have transgressed +neither in honor nor good faith." + +"Vindications," said my mother, "are very weak things in the face of +direct facts. Did you, or did you not, resign your appointment on the +viceroy's staff--I stop not to ask with what scant courtesy--that you +might be free to rove over the country, on some knight-errant absurdity? +Did you, after having one disreputable quarrel in the same neighborhood, +again involve yourself and your name in an affair with a notorious +mob-orator and disturber, and thus become the 'celebrity' of the +newspapers for at least a fortnight? And lastly, when I hoped, by +absence from England, and foreign service, to erase the memory of +these follies--to give them no harsher name,--did you not refuse the +appointment, and without advice or permission sell out of the army +altogether?" + +"Without adverting to the motives, madam, you have so kindly attributed +to me, I beg to say 'yes' to all your questions. I am no longer an +officer in his Majesty's service." + +"Nor any longer a member of _my_ family, sir," said my mother, +passionately; "at least so far as the will rests with me. A gentleman +so very independent in his principles is doubtless not less so in his +circumstances. You are entitled to five thousand pounds only, by your +father's will: this, if I mistake not, you have received and spent many +a day ago. I will not advert to what my original intentions in your +behalf were; they are recorded, however, in this paper, which you, +my Lord, have read." Here her Ladyship drew forth a document, like +a law-paper, while the Earl bowed a deep acquiescence, and muttered +something like--"Very generous and noble-minded, indeed!" + +"Yes, sir," resumed my mother, "I had no other thought or object, save +in establishing you in a position suitable to your name and family; you +have thought fit to oppose my wishes on every point, and here I end the +vain struggle." So saying, she tore the paper in pieces, and threw the +fragments into the fire. + +A deep silence ensued, which I, for many reasons, had no inducement +to break. The Earl coughed and hemmed three or four times, as though +endeavoring to hit upon something that might relieve the general +embarrassment, but my mother was again the first to speak. + +"I have no doubt, sir, you have determined on some future career. I am +not indiscreet enough to inquire what; but that you may not enter upon +it quite unprovided, I have settled upon you the sum of four hundred +pounds yearly. Do not mistake me, nor suppose that this act proceeds +from any lingering hope on my part that you will attempt to retrace your +false steps, and recover the lost place in my affection. I am too well +acquainted with the family gift of determination, as it is flatteringly +styled, to think so. You owe this consideration entirely to the kind +interference of the Earl of Netherby. Nay, my Lord, it is but fair that +you should have any merit the act confers, where you have incurred all +the responsibility." + +"I will relieve his Lordship of both," said I. "I beg to decline your +Ladyship's generosity and his Lordship's kindness, with the self-same +feeling of respect." + +"My dear Captain Forester, wait one moment," said Lord Netherby, taking +my arm. "Let me speak to you, even for a few moments." + +"You mistake him, my Lord," said my mother, with a scornful smile, while +she arose to leave the room,--"you mistake him much." + +"Pray hear me out," said Lord Netherby, taking my hand in both his own. +"It is no time, nor a case for any rash resolves," whispered he; "Lady +Wallincourt has been misinformed,--her mind has been warped by stories +of one kind or other. Go to her, explain fully and openly everything." + +"Her Ladyship is gone, my Lord," exclaimed I, stopping him. + +Yes, she had left the room while we were yet speaking. This was my +last adieu from my mother! I remember little more, though Lord Netherby +detained me still some time, and spoke with much kindness; indeed, +throughout, his conduct was graceful and good-natured. + +Why should I weary you longer? Why speak of the long dreary night, +and the longer day that followed this scene,--swayed by different +impulses,-now hoping and fearing alternately,--not daring to seek +counsel from my friends, because I well knew what worldly advice would +be given,--I was wretched. In the very depth of my despondency, like a +ray of sunlight darting through some crevice of a prisoner's cell, came +your own words to me, "Be a soldier in more than garb or name, be one +in the generous ardor of a bold career. Let it be your boast that you +started fairly in the race, and so distanced your competitors." I caught +at the suggestion with avidity. I was no more depressed or down-hearted. +I felt as if, throwing off my load of care, a better and a brighter day +was about to break for me; the same evening I left London for Plymouth, +and became a volunteer. + +Before concluding these lines, I would ask why you tell me no more +of Miss Darcy than that "she is well, and, the reverse of her fortune +considered, in spirits." Am I to learn no more than that? Will you not +say if my name is ever spoken by or before her? How am I remembered? Has +time-have my changed fortunes softened her stern determination towards +me? Would that I could know this,--would that I could divine what may +lurk in her heart of compassionate pity for one who resigned all for +her love, and lost! With all my gratitude for your kindness, when I +well-nigh believed none remained in the world for me, + +I am, yours in sincere affection, + +Richard Forester. + +I forgot to ask if you can read one strange mystery of this business, at +least so the words seem to imply. Lord Netherby said, when endeavoring +to dissuade me from leaving my mother's house, "Remember, Captain +Forester, that Lady Wallincourt's prejudices regarding your Irish +friends have something stronger than mere caprice to strengthen them. +You must not ask her to forget as well as forgive, all at once." Can you +interpret this riddle for me? for although at the time it made little +impression, it recurs to my mind now twenty times a day. + +Here concluded Forester's letter. A single line in pencil was written +at the foot, and signed "M. D. ": "I am a bad prophet, or the volunteer +will turn out better than the aide-de-camp." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. A DINNER AT COM HEFFERNAN'S + +When the Union was carried, and the new order of affairs in Ireland +assumed an appearance of permanence, a general feeling of discontent +began to exhibit itself in every class in the capital. The patriots +saw themselves neglected by the Government, without having reaped in +popularity a recompense for their independence. The mercantile interest +perceived, even already, the falling off in trade from the removal of a +wealthy aristocracy; and the supporters of the Minister, or such few as +still lingered in Dublin, began to suspect how much higher terms they +might have exacted for their adhesion, had they only anticipated the +immensity of the sacrifice to which they contributed. + +Save that comparatively small number who had bargained for English +peerages and English rank, and had thereby bartered their nationality, +none were satisfied. + +Even the moderate men--that intelligent fraction who believe that no +changes are fraught with one half the good or evil their advocates +or opponents imagine--even they were disappointed on finding that the +incorporation of the Irish Parliament with that of England was the +chief element of the new measure, and no more intimate or solid Union +contemplated. The shrewd men of every party saw not only how difficult +would be the future government of the country, but that the critical +moment was come which should decide into whose hands the chief influence +would fall. Among these speculators on the future, Mr. Heffernan held a +prominent place. No man knew better the secret machinery of office, +none had seen more of that game, half fair, half foul, by which an +administration is sustained. He knew, moreover, the character and +capability of every public man in Ireland, had been privy to their +waverings and hesitations, and even their bargains with the Crown; he +knew where gratified ambition had rendered a new peer indifferent to a +future temptation, and also where abortive negotiations had sowed the +seeds of a lingering disaffection. + +To construct a new party from these scattered elements--a party which, +possessing wealth and station, had not yet tasted any of the sweets of +patronage--was the task he now proposed to himself. By this party, of +whom he himself was to be the organ, he hoped to control the Minister, +and support him by turns. Of those already purchased by the Government, +few would care to involve themselves once more in the fatigues of a +public life. Many would gladly repose on the rewards of their victory; +many would shrink from the obloquy their reappearance would inevitably +excite. Mr. Heffernan had then to choose his friends either from +that moderate section of politicians whom scruples of conscience +or inferiority of ability had left un-bought, or the more energetic +faction, suddenly called into existence by the success of the French +Revolution, and of which O'Halloran was the leader. For many reasons his +choice fell on the former. Not only because they possessed that standing +and influence which, derived from property, would be most regarded in +England, but that their direction and guidance would be an easier +task; whereas the others, more numerous and more needy, could only be +purchased by actual place or pension, while in O'Halloran Heffernan +would always have a dangerous rival, who, if he played subordinate for a +while, it would only be at the price of absolute rule hereafter. + +From the moment Lord Castlereagh withdrew from Ireland, Mr. Heffernan +commenced his intrigue,--at first by a tour of visits through the +country, in which he contrived to sound the opinions of a great number +of persons, and subsequently by correspondence, so artfully sustained +as to induce many to commit themselves to a direct line of action which, +when discussing, they had never speculated on seeing realized. + +With a subtlety of no common kind, and an indefatigable industry, +Heffernan labored in the cause during the summer and autumn, and with +such success that there was scarcely a county in Ireland where he had +not secured some leading adherent, while for many of the boroughs he had +already entered into plans for the support of new candidates of his own +opinions. + +The views he put forward were simply these: Ireland can no longer be +governed by an oligarchy, however powerful. It must be ruled either by +the weight and influence of the country gentlemen, or left to the mercy +of the demagogue. The gentry must be rewarded for their adhesion, and +enabled to maintain their pre-eminence, by handing over to them the +patronage, not in part or in fractions, but wholly and solely. Every +civil appointment must be filled up by them,--the Church, the law, the +revenue, the police, must all be theirs. "The great aristocracy," +said he, "have obtained the marquisates and earldoms; bishoprics and +governments have rewarded their services. It is now _our_ turn; and +if our prizes be less splendid and showy, they are not devoid of some +sterling qualities. + +"To make Ireland ungovernable without us must be our aim and object,--to +embarrass and confound every administration, to oppose the ministers, +pervert their good objects, and exaggerate their bad. Pledged to no +distinct line of acting, we can be patriotic when it suits us, and +declaim on popular rights when nothing better offers. Acting in concert, +and diffusing an influence in every county and town and corporation, +what ministry can long resist us, or what government anxious for office +would refuse to make terms with us? With station to influence society, +wealth to buy the press, activity to watch and counteract our enemies, I +see nothing which can arrest our progress. We must and will succeed." + +Such was the conclusion of a letter he wrote to one of his most trusted +allies,--a letter written to invite his presence in Dublin, where a +meeting of the leading men of the new party was to be held, and their +engagements for the future determined upon. + +For this meeting Heffernan made the greatest exertions, not only that it +might include a great portion of the wealth and influence of the land, +but that a degree of _eclat_ and splendor should attend it, the more +likely to attract notice from the secrecy maintained as to its object +and intention. Many were invited on the consideration of the display +their presence would make in the capital; and not a few were tempted by +the opportunity for exhibiting their equipages and their liveries at a +season when the recognized leaders of fashion were absent. + +It is no part of our object to dwell on this well-known intrigue, one +which at the time occupied no small share of public attention, and even +excited the curiosity and the fears of the Government. Enough when +we say that Mr. Heffernan's disappointments were numerous and severe. +Letters of apology, some couched in terms of ambiguous cordiality, +others less equivocally cold, came pouring in for the last fortnight. +The noble lord destined to fill the chair regretted deeply that domestic +affairs of a most pressing nature would not permit of his presence. The +baronet who should move the first resolution would be compelled to be +absent from Ireland; the seconder was laid up with the gout. Scarcely +a single person of influence had promised his attendance: the greater +number had given vague and conditional replies, evidently to gain time +and consult the feeling of their country neighbors. + +These refusals and subterfuges were a sad damper to Mr. Heffernan's +hopes. To any one less sanguine, they would have led to a total +abandonment of the enterprise. He, however, was made of sterner stuff, +and resolved, if the demonstration could effect no more, it could at +least be used as a threat to the Government,--a threat of not less +power because its terrors were involved in mystery. With all these +disappointments time sped on, the important day arrived, and the great +room of the Rotunda, hired specially for the occasion, was crowded by a +numerous assemblage, to whose proceedings no member of the public press +was admitted. Notice was given that in due time a declaration, drawn +up by a committee, would be published; but until then the most profound +secrecy wrapped their objects and intentions. + +The meeting, convened for one o'clock, separated at five; and, save the +unusual concourse of carriages, and the spectacle of some liveries new +to the capital, there seemed nothing to excite the public attention. No +loud-tongued orator was heard from without, nor did a single cheer mark +the reception of any welcome sentiment; and as the members withdrew, the +sarcastic allusions of the mob intimated that they were supposed to be +a new sect of "Quakers." Heffernan's carriage was the last to leave the +door; and it was remarked, as he entered it, that he looked agitated and +ill,--signs which few had ever remarked in him before. He drove rapidly +home, where a small and select party of friends had been invited by him +to dinner. + +He made a hasty toilet, and entered the drawing-room a few moments after +the first knock at the street-door announced the earliest guest. It +was an old and intimate friend, Sir Giles St. George, a south-country +baronet of old family, but small fortune, who for many years had +speculated on Heffernan's interest in his behalf. He was a shrewd, +coarse man, who from eccentricity and age had obtained a species of +moral "writ of ease," absolving him from all observance of the usages +in common among all well-bred people,--a privilege he certainly did not +seem disposed to let rust from disuse. + +"Well, Con," said he, as he stood with his back to the fire, and +his hands deeply thrust into his breeches-pockets,--"well, Con, your +Convention has been a damnable failure. Where the devil did you get up +such a rabble of briefless barristers, ungowned attorneys, dissenting +ministers, and illegitimate sons? I'd swear, out of your seven hundred, +there were not five-and-twenty possessed of a fifty-pound freehold,--not +five who could defy the sheriff in their own county." + +Heffernan made no reply, but with arms crossed, and his head leaned +forward, walked slowly up and down the room, while the other resumed,-- + +"As for old Killowen, who filled the chair, that was enough to damn +the whole thing. One of King James's lords, forsooth!--why, man, what +country gentleman of any pretension could give precedence to a fellow +like that, who neither reads, writes, nor speaks the King's English--and +your great gun, Mr. Hickman O'Reilly--" + +"False-hearted scoundrel!" muttered Heffernan, half aloud. + +"Faith he may be, but he's the cleverest of the pack. I liked his speech +well. There was good common sense in his asking for some explicit plan +of proceeding,--what you meant to do, and how to do it. Eh, Con, that +was to the point." + +"To the point!" repeated Heffernan, scornfully; "yes, as the declaration +of an informer, that he will betray his colleagues, is to the point." + +"And then his motion to admit the reporters," said St. George, as with a +malignant pleasure he continued to suggest matter of annoyance. + +"He 's mistaken, however," said Heffernan, with a sarcastic bitterness +that came from his heart. "The day for rewards is gone by. He 'll never +get the baronetcy by supporting the Government in this way. It is the +precarious, uncertain ally they look more after. There is consummate +wisdom, Giles, in not saying one's last word. O'Reilly does not seem +aware of that. Here come Godfrey and Hume," said he, as he looked out of +the window. "Burton has sent an apology." + +"And who is our sixth?" + +"O'Reilly--and here's his carriage. See how the people stare admiringly +at his green liveries; they scarcely guess that the owner is meditating +a change of color. Well, Godfrey, in time for once. Why, Robert, you +seem quite fagged with your day's exertion. Ah! Mr. O'Reilly, delighted +to find you punctual. Let me present you to my old friend Sir Giles St. +George. I believe, gentlemen, you need no introduction to each other. +Burton has disappointed us; so we may order dinner at once." + +As Mr. Heffernan took the head of the table, not a sign of his former +chagrin remained to be seen. An air of easy conviviality had entirely +replaced his previous look of irritation, and in his laughing eye and +mellow voice there seemed the clearest evidence of a mind perfectly at +ease, and a spirit well disposed to enjoy the pleasures of the board. Of +his guests, Godfrey was a leading member of the Irish bar, a man of good +private fortune and a large practice, who, out of whim rather than from +any great principle, had placed himself in contiuual opposition to the +Government, and felt grievously injured and affronted when the minister, +affecting to overlook his enmity, offered him a silk gown. Hume was a +Commissioner of Customs, and had been so for some thirty years; his only +ambition in life being to retire on his full salary, having previously +filled his department with his sons and grandsons. The gentle +remonstrances of the Secretary against his plan had made him one of +the disaffected, but without courage to avow or influence to direct his +animosity. Of Mr. O'Reilly the reader needs no further mention. Such was +the party who now sat at a table most luxuriously supplied; for although +Heffeman was very far from a frequent inviter, yet his dinners were +admirably arranged, and the excellence of his wine was actually a +mystery among the _bons vivants_ of the capital. The conversation turned +of course upon the great event of the day; but so artfully was the +subject managed by Heffeman that the discussion took rather the shape of +criticism on the several speakers, and their styles of delivery, than on +the matter of the meeting itself. + +"How eager the Castle folks will be to know all about it!" said +Godfrey. "Cooke is, I hear, in a sad taking to learn the meaning of the +gathering." + +"I fancy, sir," said St. George, "they are more indifferent than you +suppose. A meeting held by individuals of a certain rank and property, +and convened with a certain degree of ostentation, can scarcely ever be +formidable to a government." + +"You forget the Volunteers," said Heffernan. + +"No, I remember their assembling well enough, and a very absurd business +they made of it. The Bishop of Downe was the only man of nerve amongst +them; and as for Lord Charlemont, the thought of an attainder was never +out of his head till the whole association was disbanded." + +"They were very formidable, indeed," said Heffernan, gravely. "I can +assure you that the Government were far more afraid of their defenders +than of the French." + +"A government that is ungrateful enough to neglect its supporters," +chimed in Hume, "men that have spent their best years in _its_ service, +can scarcely esteem itself very secure. In the department I belong to +myself, for instance--" + +"Yours is a very gross case," interrupted Heffernan, who from old +experience knew what was coming, and wished to arrest it. + +"Thirty-four years, come November next, have I toiled as a +commissioner." + +"Unpaid!" exclaimed St. George, with a well-simulated horror,--"unpaid!" + +"No, sir; not without my salary, of course. I never heard of any man +holding an office in the Revenue for the amusement it might afford him. +Did you, Godfrey?" + +"As for me," said the lawyer, "I spurn their patronage. I well know the +price men pay for such favors." + +"What object could it be to _you_," said Heffernan, "to be made +Attorney-General or placed on the bench, a man independent in every +seuse? So I said to Castlereagh, when he spoke on the subject: 'Never +mind Godfrey,' said I, 'he'll refuse your offers; you'll only offend him +by solicitation;' and when he mentioned the 'Rolls'--" + +Here Heffernan paused, and filled his glass leisurely. An interruption +contrived to stimulate Godfrey's curiosity, and which perfectly +succeeded, as he asked in a voice of tremulous eagerness,-- + +"Well, what did you say?" + +"Just as I replied before,--'he 'll refuse you.'" + +"Quite right, perfectly right; you have my unbounded gratitude for the +answer," said Godfrey, swallowing two bumpers as rapidly as he could +fill them. + +"Very different treatment from what I met,--an old and tried supporter +of the party," said Hume, turning to O'Reilly and opening upon him the +whole narrative of his long-suffering neglect. + +"It's quite clear, then," said St. George, "that we are agreed,--the +best thing for us would be a change of Ministry." + +"I don't think so at all," interposed Heffernan. + +"Why, Con," interrupted the baronet, "they should have _you_ at any +price,--however these fellows have learned the trick,--the others know +nothing about it You 'd be in office before twenty-four hours." + +"So I might to-morrow," said Heffernan. "There's scarcely a single post +of high emolument and trust that I have not been offered and refused. +The only things I ever stipulated for in all my connection with the +Government were certain favors for my personal friends." Here he looked +significantly towards O'Reilly; but the glance was intercepted by the +commissioner, who cried out,--"Well, could they say I had no claim? +Could they deny thirty-four years of toil and slavery?" + +"And in the case for which I was most interested," resumed Heffernan, +not heeding the interruption, "the favor I sought would have been +more justly bestowed from the rank and merits of the party than as a +recompense for any sen-ices of mine." + +"I won't say that, Heffernan," said Hume, with a look of modesty, who +with the most implicit good faith supposed he was the party alluded +to; "I won't go that far; but I will and must say, that after +four-and-thirty years as a commissioner--" + +"A man must have laid by a devilish pretty thing for the rest of his +life," said St. George, who felt all the bitterness of a narrow income +augmented by the croaking complaints of the well-salaried official. + +"Well, I hope better days are coming for all of us," said Heffernan, +desirous of concluding the subject ere it should take an untoward turn. + +"You have got a very magnificent seat in the west, sir," said St. +George, addressing O'Reilly, who during the whole evening had done +little more than assent or smile concurrence with the several speakers. + +"The finest thing in Ireland," interrupted Heffernan. + +"Nay, that is saying too much," said O'Reilly, with a look of half-real, +half-affected bashfulness. "The abbey certainly stands well, and the +timber is well grown." + +"Are you able to see Clew Bay from the small drawing-room still?--for +I remember remarking that the larches on the side of the glen would +eventually intercept the prospect." + +"You know the Abbey, then?" asked O'Reilly, forgetting to answer the +question addressed to him. + +"Oh, I knew it well. My family is connected-distantly, I believe--with +the Darcys, and in former days we were intimate. A very sweet place +it was; I am speaking of thirty years ago, and of course it must have +improved since that." + +"My friend here has given it every possible opportunity," said +Heffernan, with a courteous inclination of the head. + +"I've no doubt of it," said St. George; "but neither money nor bank +securities will make trees grow sixty feet in a twelvemonth. The +improvements I allude to were made by Maurice Darcy's father; he sunk +forty thousand pounds in draining, planting, subsoiling, and what not. +He left a rent-charge in his will to continue his plans; and Maurice and +his son--what's the young fellow called?--Lionel, isn't it?--well, they +are, or rather they were, bound to expend a very heavy sum annually on +the property." + +A theme less agreeable to O'Reilly's feelings could scarcely have been +started; and though Heffernan saw as much, he did not dare to interrupt +it suddenly, for fear of any unpalatable remark from St. George. Whether +from feeling that the subject was a painful one, or that he liked to +indulge his loquacity in detailing various particulars of the Darcys and +their family circumstances, the old man went on without ceasing,--now +narrating some strange caprice of an ancestor in one century, now +some piece of good fortune that occurred to another. "You know the old +prophecy in the family, I suppose, Mr. O'Reilly?" said he, "though, to +be sure, you are not very likely to give it credence." + +"I scarcely can say I remember what you allude to." + +"By Jove, I thought every old woman in the west would have told it to +you. How is this the doggerel runs--ay, here it is,-- + + 'A new name in this house shall never begin + Till twenty-one Darcys have died in Gwynne.' + +Now, they say that, taking into account all of the family who have +fallen in battle, been lost at sea, and so on, only eleven of the stock +died at the Abbey." + +Although O'Reilly affected to smile at the old rhyme, his cheek became +deadly pale, and his hand shook as he lifted the glass to his lips. It +was no vulgar sense of fear, no superstitious dread that moved his cold +and calculating spirit, but an emotion of suppressed anger that the +ancient splendor of the Darcys should be thus placed side by side with +his own unhonored and unknown family. + +"I don't think I ever knew one of these good legends have even so much +of truth,--though the credit is now at an end," said Heffernau, gayly. + +"I'll engage old Darcy's butler wouldn't agree with you," replied +St. George. "Ay, and Maurice himself had a great dash of old Irish +superstition in him, for a clever, sensible fellow as he was." + +"It only remains for my friend here, then, to fit up a room for the +Darcys and invite them to die there at their several conveniences," said +Con, laughing. "I see no other mode of fulfilling the destiny." + +"There never was a man played his game worse," resumed St. George, who +with a pertinacious persistence continued the topic. "He came of age +with a large unencumbered estate, great family influence, and a very +fair share of abilities. It was the fashion to say he had more, but I +never thought so; and now, look at him!" + +"He had very heavy losses at play," said Heffernan, "certainly." + +"What if he had? They never could have materially affected a fortune +like his. No, no. I believe 'Honest Tom' finished him,--raising money to +pay off old debts, and then never clearing away the liabilities. What a +stale trick, and how invariably it succeeds!" + +"You do not seem, sir, to take into account an habitually expensive mode +of living," insinuated O'Reilly, quietly. + +"An item, of course, but only an item in the sum total," replied St. +George. "No man can eat and drink above ten thousand a year, and Darcy +had considerably more. No; he might have lived as he pleased, had he +escaped the acquaintance of honest Tom Gleeson. By the by, Con, is there +any truth in the story they tell about this fellow, and that he really +was more actuated by a feeling of revenge towards Darcy than a desire +for money?" + +"I never heard the story. Did you, Mr. O'Reilly?" asked Heffernan. + +"Never," said O'Reilly, affecting an air of unconcern, very ill +consorting with his pale cheek and anxious eye. + +"The tale is simply this: that, as Gleeson waxed wealthy, and began to +assume a position in life, he one day called on the Knight to request +him to put his name up for ballot at 'Daly's.' Darcy was thunderstruck, +for it was in those days when the Club was respectable; but still +the Knight had tact enough to dissemble his astonishment, and would +doubtless have got through the difficulty had it not been for Bagenal +Daly, who was present, and called out, 'Wait till Tuesday, Maurice, for +I mean to propose M'Cleery, the breeches-maker, and then the thing won't +seem so remarkable!' Gleeson smiled and slipped away, with an oath to +his own heart, to be revenged on both of them. If there be any truth in +the story, he did ruin Daly, by advising some money-lender to buy up all +his liabilities." + +"I must take the liberty to correct you, sir," said O'Reilly, actually +trembling with anger. "If your agreeable anecdote has no better +foundation than the concluding hypothesis, its veracity is inferior to +its ingenuity. The gentleman you are pleased to call a money-lender is +my father; the conduct you allude to was simply the advance of a large +sum on mortgage." + +"Foreclosed, like Darcy's, perhaps," said St. George, his irascible face +becoming blood-red with passion. + +"Come, come, Giles, you really can know nothing of the subject you are +talking of; besides, to Mr. O'Reilly the matter is a personal one." + +"So it is," muttered St. George; "and if report speaks truly, as +unpleasant as personal." + +This insulting remark was not heard by O'Reilly, who was deeply engaged +in explaining to the lawyer beside him the minute legal details of the +circumstance. + +"Shrewd a fellow as Gleeson was," said St. George, interrupting +O'Reilly, by addressing the lawyer, "they say he has left some flaw open +in the matter, and that Darcy may recover a very large portion of the +lost estate." + +"Yes; if for instance this bond should be destroyed. He might move in +Equity--" + +"He 'd move heaven and earth, sir, if it's Bagenal Daly you mean," said +St. George, who had stimulated his excitement by drinking freely. "Some +will tell you that he is a steadfast, firm friend; but I 'll vouch for +it, a more determined enemy never drew breath." + +"Very happily for the world we live in, sir," said O'Reilly, "there are +agencies more powerful than the revengeful and violent natures of such +men as Mr. Daly." + +"He's every jot as quick-sighted as he's determined; and when he wagered +a hogshead of claret that Darcy would one day sit again at the head of +his table in Gwynne Abbey--" + +"Did he make such a bet?" asked O'Reilly, with a faint laugh. + +"Yes; he walked down the club-room, and offered it to any one present, +and none seemed to fancy it; but young Kelly, of Kildare, who, being a +new member just come in, perhaps thought there might be some _eclat_ in +booking a bet with Bagenal Daly." + +"Would you like to back his opinion, sir?" said O'Reilly, with a +simulated softness of voice; "or although I rarely wager, I should have +no objection to convenience you here, leaving the amount entirely at +your option." + +"Which means," said St. George, as his eyes sparkled with wine and +passion, "that the weight of _your_ purse is to tilt the beam against +that of _my_ opinion. Now, I beg leave to tell you--" + +"Let me interrupt you, Giles; I never knew my Burgundy disagree with any +man before, but I d smash every bottle of it to-morrow if I thought it +could make so pleasant a fellow so wrong-headed and unreasonable. What +say you if we qualify it with some cognac and water?" + +"Maurice Darcy is my relative," said St. George, pushing his glass +rudely from him, "and I have yet to learn the unreasonableness of +wishing well to a member of one's own family. His father and mine were +like brothers! Ay, by Jove! I wonder what either of them would think of +the changes time has wrought in their sons' fortunes." His voice dropped +into a low, muttering sound, while he mumbled on, "One a beggar and an +exile, the other"--here his eye twinkled with a malicious intelligence +as he glanced around the board--"the other the guest of Con Heffernan." +He arose as he spoke, and fortunately the noise thus created prevented +his words being overheard. "You 're right, Con," said he, "that Burgundy +has been too much for me. The wine is unimpeachable, notwithstanding." + +The others rose also; although pressed in all the customary hospitality +of the period to have "one bottle more," they were resolute in taking +leave, doubtless not sorry to escape the risk of any unpleasant +termination to the evening's entertainment. + +The lawyer and the commissioner agreed to see St. George home; for +although long seasoned to excesses, age had begun to tell upon him, and +his limbs were scarcely more under control than his tongue. O'Reilly had +dropped his handkerchief, he was not sure whether in the drawing or the +dinner room, and this delayed him a few moments behind the rest; and +although he declared, at each moment, the loss of no consequence, and +repeated his "good-night," Heffernan held his hand and would not suffer +him to leave. + +"Try under Mr. O'Reilly's chair, Thomas.--Singular specimen of a by-gone +day, the worthy baronet!" said he, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Would +you believe it, he and Darcy have not been on speaking terms for thirty +years, and yet how irritable be showed himself in his behalf!" + +"He seems to know something of the family affairs, however," said +O'Reilly, cautiously. + +"Not more than club gossip; all that about Daly and his wager is a week +old." + +"I hope my father may never hear it," said O'Reilly, compassionately; +"he has all the irritability of age, and these reports invariably urge +him on to harsh measures, which, by the least concession, he would +never have pursued. The Darcys, indeed, have to thank themselves for +any severity they have experienced at our hands. Teasing litigation and +injurious reports of us have met all our efforts at conciliation." + +"A compromise would have been much better, and more reputable for +all parties," said Heffernan, as he turned to stir the fire, and thus +purposely averted his face while making the remark. + +"So it would," said O'Reilly, hurriedly; then stopping abruptly short, +he stammered out, "I don't exactly know what you mean by the word, but +if it implies a more amicable settlement of all disputed points between +us, I perfectly agree with you." + +Heffernan never spoke: a look of cool self-possession and significance +was all his reply. It seemed to say, "Don't hope to cheat _me_; however, +you may rely on my discretion." + +"I declare my handkerchief is in my pocket all this while," said +O'Reilly, trying to conceal his rising confusion with a laugh. +"Good-night, once more--you 're thinking of going over to England +to-morrow evening?" + +"Yes, if the weather permits, I 'll sail at seven. Can I be of any +service to you?" + +"Perhaps so: I may trouble you with a commission. Good-night." + +"So, Mr. Hickman, you begin to feel the hook! Now let us see if we +cannot play the fish without letting him know the weakness of the +tackle!" said Heffernan, as he looked after him, and then slowly +retraced his steps to the now deserted drawing-room. + +"How frequently will chance play the game more skilfully for us than all +our cleverness!" said he, while he paced the room alone. "That old bear, +St. George, who might have ruined everything, has done me good service. +O'Reilly's suspicions are awakened, his fears are aroused; could I only +find a clew to his terror, I could hold him as fast by his fears as by +this same baronetcy. This baronetcy," added he, with a sneering laugh, +"that I am to negotiate for, and--be refused!" + +With this sentiment of honest intentions on his lips, Mr. Heffernan +retired to rest, and, if this true history is to be credited, to sleep +soundly till morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. PAUL DEMPSEY'S WALK + +With the most eager desire to accomplish his mission, Paul Dempsey did +not succeed in reaching "The Corvy" until late on the day after Miss +Daly's visit. He set out originally by paths so secret and circuitous +that he lost his way, and was obliged to pass his night among the hills, +where, warned by the deep thundering of the sea that the cliffs were +near, he was fain to await daybreak ere he ventured farther. The +trackless waste over which his way led was no bad emblem of poor Paul's +mind, as, cowering beneath a sand-hill, he shivered through the long +hours of night. Swayed by various impulses, he could determine on no +definite line of action, and wavered and doubted and hesitated, till his +very brain was addled by its operations. + +At one moment he was disposed, like good Launcelot Gobbo, to "run for +it," and, leaving Darcy and all belonging to him to their several fates, +to provide for his own safety; when suddenly a dim vision of meeting +Maria Daly in this world or the next, and being called to account for +his delinquency, routed such determinations. Then he revelled in the +glorious opportunity for gossip afforded by the whole adventure. How he +should astonish Coleraine and its neighborhood by his revelations of +the Knight and his family! Gossip in all its moods and tenses, from +the vague indicative of mere innuendo, to the full subjunctive of open +defamation! Not indeed that Mr. Dempsey loved slander for itself; on +the contrary, his temperament was far more akin to kindliness than its +opposite; but the passion for retailing one's neighbor's foibles or +misfortunes is an impulse that admits no guidance; and as the gambler +would ruin his best friend at play, so would the professed gossip +calumniate the very nearest and dearest to him on earth. There are in +the social as in the mercantile world characters who never deal in the +honest article of commerce, but have a store of damaged, injured, or +smuggled goods, to be hawked about surreptitiously, and always to be +sold in the "strictest secrecy." Mr. Dempsey was a pedler in this wise, +and, if truth must be told, he did not dislike his trade. + +And yet, at moments, thoughts of another and more tender kind were +wafted across Paul's mind, not resting indeed long enough to make any +deep impression, but still leaving behind them, as pleasant thoughts +always will, little twilights of happiness. Paul had been touched--a +mere graze, skin deep, but still touched--by Helen Darcy's beauty and +fascinations. She had accompanied him more than once on the piano while +he sang, and whether the long-fringed eyelashes and the dimpled cheek +had done the mischief, or that the thoughtful tact with which she +displayed Paul's good notes and glossed over his false ones had won his +gratitude, certain is it he had already felt a very sensible regard for +the young lady, and more than once caught himself, when thinking about +her, speculating on the speedy demise of Bob Dempsey, of Dempsey's +Grove, and all the consequences that might ensue therefrom. + +If the enjoyment Mr. Dempsey's various peculiarities afforded Helen +suggested on her part the semblance of pleasure in his society, Paul +took these indications all in his own favor, and even catechized himself +how far he might be deemed culpable in winning the affections of a +charming young lady, so long as his precarious condition forbid all +thought of matrimony. Now, however, that he knew who the family really +were, such doubts were much allayed; for, as he wisely remarked to +himself, "Though they are ruined, there 's always nice picking in the +wreck of an Indiaman!" Such were the thoughts by which his way was +beguiled, when late in the afternoon he reached "The Corvy." + +Lady Eleanor and her daughter were out walking when Mr. Dempsey arrived, +and, having cautiously reconnoitred the premises, ventured to approach +the door. All was quiet and tranquil about the cottage; so, reassured by +this, he peered through the window into the large hall, where a cheerful +fire now blazed and shed a mellow glow over the strange decorations of +the chamber. Mr. Dempsey had often desired an opportunity of examining +these curiosities at his leisure. Not indeed prompted thereto by any +antiquarian taste, but, from a casual glance at the inscriptions, he +calculated on the amount of private history of the Dalys he should +obtain. Stray and independent facts, it is true, but to be arranged by +the hand of a competent and clever commentator. + +With cautious hand he turned the handle of the door and entered. + +There he stood, in the very midst of the coveted objects; and never did +humble bookworm gaze on the rich titles of an ample library with more +enthusiastic pleasure. He drew a long breath to relieve his overburdened +heart, and glutted his eyes in ecstasy on every side. Enthusiasm takes +its tone from individuality, and doubtless Mr. Dempsey felt at that +moment something as Belzoni might, when, unexpectedly admitted within +some tomb of the Pyramids, he found himself about to unravel some secret +history of the Pharaohs. + +"Now for it," said he, half aloud; "let us do the thing in order; and +first of all, what have we here?" He stooped and read an inscription +attached to a velvet coat embroidered with silver,-- + +"Coat worn by B. D. in his duel with Colonel Matthews,--62,--the +puncture under the sword-arm being a tierce outside the guard; a very +rare point, and which cost the giver seriously." + +"He killed Matthews, of course," added Dempsey; "the passage can mean +nothing else, so let us be accurate as to fact and date." + +So saying, he proceeded to note down the circumstance in a little +memorandum-book. "So!" added he, as he read his note over; "now for the +next. What can this misshapen lump of metal mean?" + +"A piece of brute gold, presented with twelve female slaves by the +chiefs of Doolawochyeekeka on B. D.'s assuming the sovereignty of the +island." + +"Brute gold," said Mr. Dempsey; "devilish little of the real thing +about it, I'll be sworn! I suppose the ladies were about equally refined +and valuable." + +"Glove dropped by the Infanta Donna Isidore within the arena at Madrid, +a few moments after Ruy Peres da Castres was gored to death." + +A prolonged low whistle from Mr. Dempsey was the only comment he made on +this inscription; while he stooped to examine the fragment of a bull's +horn, from which a rag of scarlet cloth was hanging. The inscription +ran, "Portion of horn broken as the bull fell against the barrier of the +circus. The cloth was part of Da Castres' vest." + +A massive antique helmet, of immense size and weight, lay on the floor +beside this. It was labelled, "Casque of Rudolf v. Hapsbourg, presented +to B. D. after the tilt at Regensburg by Edric Conrad Wilhelm Kur Furst +von Bavera, a.d. 1750." + +A splendid goblet of silver gilt, beautifully chased and ornamented, was +inscribed on the metal as being the gift of the Doge of Venice to his +friend Bagenal Daly; and underneath was written on a card, "This cup +was drained to the bottom at a draught by B. D. after a long and deep +carouse, the liquor strong 'Vino di Cypro.' The Doge tried it and +failed; the mark within shows how far he drank." + +"By Jove! what a pull!" exclaimed Dempsey, who, as he peered into +the capacious vessel, looked as if he would not object to try his own +prowess at the feat. + +Wonderment at this last achievement seemed completely to have taken +possession of Mr. Dempsey; for while his eyes ranged over weapons +of every strange form and shape,--armor, idols, stuffed beasts and +birds,--they invariably came back to the huge goblet with an admiring +wonder that showed that here at least there was an exploit whose merits +he could thoroughly appreciate. + +"A half-gallon can is nothing to it!" muttered he, as he replaced it on +its bracket. + +The reflection was scarcely uttered, when the quick tramp of a horse and +the sound of wheels without startled him. He hastened to the window just +in time to perceive a jaunting-car drive up to the wicket, from which +three men descended. Two were common-looking fellows in dark upper +coats and glazed hats; the third, better dressed, and with a +half-gentlemanlike air, seemed the superior. He threw off a loose +travelling-coat, and discovered, to Mr. Dempsey's horror, the features +of his late patient at Larne, the sheriff's officer from Dublin. Yes, +there was no doubt about it. That smart, conceited look, the sharp and +turned-up nose, the scrubby whisker, proclaimed him as the terrible +Anthony Nickie, of Jervas Street, a name which Mr. Dempsey had read on +his portmanteau before guessing how its owner was concerned in his own +interests. + +What a multitude of terrors jostled each other in his mind as the men +approached the door, and what resolves did he form and abandon in the +same moment! To escape by the rear of the house while the enemy was +assailing the front, to barricade the premises and stand a siege, to arm +himself--and there was a choice of weapons--and give battle, were all +rapid impulses no sooner conceived than given up. A loud summons of the +door-bell announced his presence; and ere the sounds died away, Tate's +creaking footstep and winter cough resounded along the corridor. Mr. +Dempsey threw a last despairing glance around, and the thought flashed +across him, how happily would he exchange his existence with any of the +grim images and uncouth shapes that grinned and glared on every side, +ay, even with that saw-mouthed crocodile that surmounted the chimney! +Quick as his eye traversed the chamber, he fancied that the savage +animals were actually enjoying his misery, and Sandy's counterpart +appeared to show a diabolical glee at his wretched predicament. It +was at this instant he caught sight of the loose folds of the Indian +blanket, which enveloped Bagenal Daly's image. The danger was too +pressing for hesitation; he stepped into the canoe, and cowering down +under the warlike figure, awaited his destiny. Scarcely had the drapery +closed around him when Tate admitted the new arrival. + +"'The Corvy? '" said Mr. Nickie to the old butler, who with decorous +ceremony bowed low before him. "'The Corvy,' ain't it?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Tate. + +"All right, Mac," resumed Nickie, turning to the elder of his two +followers, who had closely dogged him to the door. "Bring that +carpet-bag and the small box off the car, and tell the fellow he 'll +have time to feed his horse at that cabin on the road-side." + +He added something in a whisper, too low for Tate to hear, and then, +taking the carpet-bag, he flung it carelessly in a corner, while he +walked forward and deposited the box on the table before the fire. + +"His honor is coming to dine, maybe?" asked Tate, respectfully; for old +habit of his master's hospitality had made the question almost a matter +of course, while age had so dimmed his eyesight that even Anthony Nickie +passed with him for a gentleman. + +"Coming to dine," repeated Nickie, with a coarse laugh; "that's a +bargain there 's always two words to, my old boy. I suppose you 've +heard it is manners to wait to be asked, eh?--without," added he, after +a second's pause,--"without I 'm to take this as an invitation." + +"I believe your honor might, then," said Tate, with a smile. "'Tis many +a one I kept again the family came home for dinner, and sorrow word of +it they knew till they seen them dressed in the drawing-room! And the +dinner-table!" said Tate, with a sigh, half in regret over the past, +half preparing himself with a sufficiency of breath for a lengthened +oration,-"the dinner-table! it's wishing it I am still! After laying for +ten, or maybe twelve, his honor would come in and say, 'Tate, we 'll be +rather crowded here, for here 's Sir Gore Molony and his family. You 'll +have to make room for five more.' Then Miss Helen would come springing +in with, 'Tate, I forgot to say Colonel Martin and his officers are to +be here at dinner.' After that it would be my lady herself, in her own +quiet way, 'Mr. Sullivan,'-she nearly always called me that,--'could n't +you contrive a little space here for Lady Burke and Miss MacDonnel? But +the captain beat all, for he 'd come in after the soup was removed, with +five or six gentlemen from the hunt, splashed and wet up to their necks; +over he 'd go to the side-table, where I 'd have my knives and forks, +all beautiful, and may I never but he 'd fling some here, others there, +till he 'd clear a space away, and then he'd cry, 'Tate, bring back the +soup, and set some sherry here.' Maybe that wasn't the table for +noise, drinking wine with every one at the big table, and telling such +wonderful stories that the servants did n't know what they were doing, +listening to them. And the master--the heavens be about him!--sending me +over to get the names of the gentlemen, that he might ask them to take +wine with him. Oh, dear--oh, dear, I 'm sure I used to think my heart +was broke with it; but sure it's nigher breaking now that it's all past +and over." + +"You seem to have had very jolly times of it in those days," said +Nickie. + +"Faix, your honor might say so if you saw forty-eight sitting down +to dinner every day in the parlor for seven weeks running; and Master +Lionel--the captain that is--at the head of another table in the +library, with twelve or fourteen more,--nice youths they wor!" + +While Tate continued his retrospections, Mr. Nickie had unlocked his +box, and cursorily throwing a glance over some papers, he muttered to +himself a few words, and then added aloud,--"Now for business." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. MR. ANTHONY NICKIE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. + +We have said that Mr. Dempsey had barely time to conceal himself when +the door was opened,--so narrow indeed was his escape, that had the new +arrival been a second sooner, discovery would have been inevitable; as +it was, the pictorial Daly and Sandy rocked violently to and fro, making +their natural ferocity and grimness something even more terrible than +usual. Mr. Nickie remarked nothing of this. His first care was to divest +himself of certain travelling encumbrances, like one who proposes to +make a visit of some duration, and then, casting a searching look around +the premises, he proceeded,-- + +"Now for Mr. Darcy--" + +"If ye 'r maning the Knight of Gwynne, sir, his honor--" + +"Well, is his honor at home?" said the other, interrupting with a saucy +laugh. + +"No, sir," said Tate, almost overpowered at the irreverence of his +questioner. + +"When do you expect him, then,--in an hour or two hours?" + +"He 's in England," said Tate, drawing a long breath. + +"In England! What do you mean, old fellow? He has surely not left this +lately?" + +"Yes, sir, 'twas the King sent for him, I heerd the mistress say." + +A burst of downright laughter from the stranger stopped poor Tate's +explanation. + +"Why, it's _you_ his Majesty ought to have invited," cried Mr. Nickie, +wiping his eyes, "_you yourself_, man; devilish fit company for each +other you 'd be." + +Poor Tate had not the slightest idea of the grounds on which the +stranger suggested his companionship for royalty, but he was not the +less insulted at the disparagement of his master thus implied. + +"'T is little I know about kings or queens," growled out the old man, +"but they must be made of better clay than ever I seen yet, or they 're +not too good company for the Knight of Gwynne." + +After a stare for some seconds, half surprise, half insolence, Nickie +said, "You can tell me, perhaps, if this cottage is called 'The Corvy'?" + +"Ay, that's the name of it." + +"The property of one Bagenal Daly, Esquire, isn't it?" + +Tate nodded an assent. + +"Maybe he is in England too," continued Nickie. "Perhaps it was the +Queen sent for him,--he 's a handsome man, I suppose?" + +"Faix, you can judge for yourself," said Tate, "for there he is, looking +at you this minute." + +Nickie turned about hastily, while a terrible fear shot through him that +his remarks might have been heard by the individual himself; for, though +a stranger to Daly personally, he was not so to his reputation for +hare-brained daring and rashness, nor was it till he had stared at the +wooden representative for some seconds that he could dispel his dread of +the original. + +"Is that like him?" asked he, affecting a sneer. + +"As like as two pays," said Tate, "barring about the eyes; Mr. Daly's +is brighter and more wild-looking. The Blessed Joseph be near us!" +exclaimed the old man, crossing himself devoutly, "one would think the +crayture knew what we were saying. Sorra lie in 't, there 's neither +luck nor grace in talking about you!" + +This last sentiment, uttered in a faint voice, was called forth by an +involuntary shuddering of poor Mr. Dempsey, who, feeling that the whole +scrutiny of the party was directed towards his hiding-place, trembled so +violently that the plumes nodded, and the bone necklace jingled with the +motion. + +While Mr. Nickie attributed these signs to the wind, he at the same +time conceived a very low estimate of poor Tate's understanding,--an +impression not altogether un-warranted by the sidelong and stealthy +looks which he threw at the canoe and its occupants. + +"You seem rather afraid of Mr. Daly," said he, with a sneering laugh. + +"And so would you be, too, if he was as near you as that chap is," +replied Tate, sternly. "I 've known braver-looking men than either of us +not like to stand before him. I mind the day--" + +Tate-s reminiscences were brought to a sudden stop by perceiving his +mistress and Miss Darcy approaching the cottage; and hastening forward, +he threw open the door, while by way of introduction he said,-- + +"A gentleman for the master, my Lady." + +Lady Eleanor flushed up, and as suddenly grew pale. She guessed at once +the man and his errand. + +"The Knight of Gwynne is from home, sir," said she, in a voice her +efforts could not render firm. + +"I understand as much, madam," said Nickie, who was struggling to +recover the easy self-possession of his manner with the butler, but +whose awkwardness increased at every instant. "I believe you expect him +in a day or two?" + +This was said to elicit if there might be some variance in the statement +of Lady Eleanor and her servant. + +"You are misinformed, sir. He is not in the kingdom, nor do I anticipate +his speedy return." + +"So I told him, my Lady," broke in the old butler. "I said the King +wanted him--" + +"You may leave the room, Tate," said Lady Eleanor, who perceived with +annoyance the sneering expression old Tate's simplicity had called up in +the stranger's face. "Now, sir," said she, turning towards him, "may I +ask if your business with the Knight of Gwynne is of that nature that +cannot be transacted in his absence or through his law agent?" + +"Scarcely, madam," said Nickie, with a sententious gravity, who, in the +vantage-ground his power gave him, seemed rather desirous of prolonging +the interview. "Mr. Darcy's part can scarcely be performed by deputy, +even if he found any one friendly enough to undertake it." + +Lady Eleanor never spoke, but her hand grasped her daughter's more +closely, and they both stood pale and trembling with agitation. Helen +was the first to rally from this access of terror, and with an assured +voice she said,-- + +"You have heard, sir, that the Knight of Gwynne is absent; and as you +say your business is with him alone, is there any further reason for +your presence here?" + +Mr. Nickie seemed for a moment taken aback by this unexpected speech, +and for a few seconds made no answer; his nature and his calling, +however, soon supplied presence of mind, and with an air of almost +insolent familiarity he answered,-- + +"Perhaps there may be, young lady." He turned, and opening the door, +gave a sharp whistle, which was immediately responded to by a cry of +"Here we are, sir," and the two followers already mentioned entered the +cottage. + +"You may have heard of such a thing as an execution, ma'am," said +Nickie, addressing Lady Eleanor, in a voice of mock civility, "the +attachment of property for debt. This is part of my business at the +present moment." + +"Do you mean here, sir--in this cottage?" asked Lady Eleanor, in an +accent scarcely audible from terror. + +"Yes, ma'am, just so. The law allows fourteen days for redemption, with +payment of costs, until which time these men here will remain on the +premises; and although these gimcracks will scarcely pay my client's +costs, we must only make the best of it." + +"But this property is not ours, sir. This cottage belongs to a friend." + +"I am aware of that, ma'am. And that friend is about to answer for his +own sins on the present occasion, and not yours. These chattels are +attached as the property of Bagenal Daly, Esquire, at the suit of Peter +Hickman, formerly of Loughrea, surgeon and apothecary." + +"Is Mr. Daly aware-does he know of these proceedings?" gasped Lady +Eleanor, faintly. + +"In the multiplicity of similar affairs, ma'am, it is quite possible he +may have let this one escape his memory; for if I don't mistake, he +has two actions pending in the King's Bench, an answer in equity, three +cases of common assault, and a contempt ol court,--all upon his hands +for this present session, not to speak of what this may portend." + +Here he took a newspaper from his pocket, and having doubled down a +paragraph, handed it to Lady Eleanor. + +Overwhelmed by grief and astonishment, she made no motion to take the +paper, and Mr. Nickie, turning to Helen, read aloud,-- + +'"There is a rumor prevalent in the capital this morning, to which we +cannot, in the present uncertainty as to fact, make any more than a +guarded allusion. It is indeed one of those strange reports which we can +neither credit nor reject,--the only less probable thing than its truth +being that any one could deliberately fabricate so foul a calumny. The +story in its details we forbear to repeat; the important point, however, +is to connect the name of a well-known and eccentric late M. P. for an +Irish borough with the malicious burning of Newgate, and the subsequent +escape of the robber Freney. + +"'The reasons alleged for this most extraordinary act are so marvellous, +absurd, and contradictory that we will not trifle with our readers' +patience by recounting them. The most generally believed one, however, +is, that the senator and the highwayman had maintained, for years past, +an intercourse of a very confidential nature, the threat to reveal +which, on his trial, Freney used as compulsory means of procuring his +escape.' + +"Carrick goes further," added Mr. Nickie, as he restored the paper to +his pocket, "and gives the name of Bagenal Daly, Esq., in full; stating, +besides, that he sailed for Halifax on Sunday last." + +Lady Eleanor and Helen exchanged looks of intelligent meaning, as he +finished the paragraph. To them Daly's hurried departure had a most +significant importance. + +"This, ma'am, among other reasons," resumed Nickie, "was another hint to +my client to press his claim; for Mr. Daly's departure once known, there +would soon be a scramble for the little remnant of his property. With +your leave, I 'll now put the keepers in possession. Perhaps you 'll not +be offended," added he, in a lower tone, "if I remark that it's usual to +offer the men some refreshment. Come here, M'Dermot," said he, aloud,-"a +very respectable man, and married, too,--the ladies will make you +comfortable, Mick, and I 'm sure you 'll be civil and obliging." + +A grunt and a gesture with both hands was the answer. + +"Falls, we'll station you in the kitchen; mind you behave yourself. + +"I 'll just take a slight inventory of the principal things,--a mere +matter of form, ma'am,--I know you 'll not remove one of them," said Mr. +Nickie, who, like most coarsely minded people, was never more offensive +than when seeking to be complimentary. He did not notice, however, +the indignant look with which his speech was received, but proceeded +regularly in his office. + +There is something insupportably offensive and revolting in the +business-like way of those who execute the severities of the law. Like +the undertaker, they can sharpen the pangs of misfortune by vulgarizing +its sorrows. Lady Eleanor gazed, in but half-consciousness, at +the scene; the self-satisfied assurance of the chief, the ruffian +contented-ness of his followers, grating on every prejudice of her mind. +Not so Helen; more quick to reason on impressions, she took in, at a +glance, their sad condition, and saw that, in a few days at furthest, +they should be houseless as well as friendless in the world,--no one +near to counsel or to succor them! Such were her thoughts as almost +mechanically her eyes followed the sheriff's officer through the +chamber. + +"Not that, sir," cried she, hastily, as he stopped in front of a +miniature of her father, and was noting it down in his list, among the +objects of the apartment,--"not that, sir." + +"And why not, miss?" said Nickie, with a leer of impudent familiarity. + +"It is a portrait of the Knight of Gwynne, sir, and _our_ property." + +"Sorry for it, miss, but the law makes no distinction with regard to +property on the premises. You can always recover by a replevin." + +"Come, Helen, let us leave this," said Lady Eleanor, faintly; "come +away, child." + +"You said, sir," said Helen, turning hastily about,--"you said, sir, +that these proceedings were taken at the suit of Dr. Hickman. Was it his +desire that we should be treated thus?" + +"Upon my word, young lady, he gave no special directions on the subject, +nor, if he had, would it signify much. The law, once set in motion, must +take its course; I suppose you know that." + +Helen did not hear his speech out, for, yielding to her mother, she +quitted the apartment. + +Mr. Nickie stood for a few moments gazing at the door by which they had +made their exit, and then, turning towards M'Dermot, with a knowing wink +he said, "We'll be better friends before we part, I 'll engage, little +as she likes me now." + +"Faix, I never seen yer equal at getting round them," answered the sub, +in a voice of fawning flattery, the very opposite of his former gruff +tone. + +"That's the way I always begin, when they take a saucy way with them," +resumed Nickie, who felt evidently pleased at the other's admiration. +"And when they 're brought down a bit to a sense of their situation, I +can just be as kind as I was cruel." + +"Never fear ye!" said M'Dermot, with a sententious shake of the head. +"Devil a taste of her would lave the room, if it wasn't for the mother." + +"I saw that plain enough," said Nickie, as he threw a self-approving +look at himself in a tall mirror opposite. + +"She's a fine young girl, there's no denying it," said M'Dermot, who +anticipated, as the result of his chief's attention, a more liberal +scale of treatment for himself. "But I don't know how ye 'll ever get +round her, though to be sure if _you_ can't, who can?" + +"This inventory will keep me till night," said Nickie, changing the +theme quite suddenly, "and I'll miss Dempsey, I 'm afraid." + +"I hope not; sure you have his track,--haven't you?" + +"Yes, and I have four fellows after him, along the shore here, but they +say he 's cunning as a fox. Well, I 'll not give him up in a hurry, +that's all. Is that rain I hear against the glass, Mick?" + +"Ay, and dreadful rain too!" said the other, peeping through the window, +which now rattled and shook with a sudden squall of wind. "You 'll not +be able to leave this so late." + +"So I 'm thinking, Mick," said Nickie, laying down his +writing-materials, and turning his back to the fire; "I believe I must +stay where I am." + +"'T is yourself is the boy!" cried Mick, with a look of admiration at +his master. + +"You 're wrong, Mick," said he, with a scarce repressed smile, "all +wrong; I wasn't thinking of her." + +"Maybe not," said M'Dermot, shaking his head doubtfully; "maybe she's +not thinking of you this minute! But, afther all, I don't know how ye +'ll do it. Any one would say the vardic was again you." + +"So it is, man, but can't we move for a new trial?" So saying, he turned +suddenly about, and pulled the bell. + +M'Dermot said nothing, but stood staring at his chief, with a +well-feigned expression of wonderment, as though to say, "What is he +going to do next?" + +The summons was speedily answered by old Tate, who stood in respectful +attention within the door. Not the slightest suspicion had crossed the +butler's mind of Mr. Nickie's calling, or of his object with the +Knight, or his manner would certainly have displayed a very different +politeness. "Didn't you ring, sir?" said he, with a bow to Nickie, who +now seemed vacillating, and uncertain how to proceed. + +"Yes--I did--ring--the--bell," replied he, hesitating between each +word of the sentence. "I was about to say that, as the night was so +severe,--a perfect hurricane it seems,--I should remain here. Eh, did +you speak?" + +"No, sir," replied Tate, respectfully. + +"You can inform your mistress, then, and say, with Mr. Nickie's +respectful compliments,-mind that!--that if they have no objection, he +would be happy to join them at supper." + +Tate stood as if transfixed, not a sign of anger, not even of surprise +in his features. The shock had actually stupefied him. + +"Do ye hear what the gentleman 's saying to you?" asked Mick, in a stern +voice. + +"Sir?" said Tate, endeavoring to recover his routed faculties,--"sir?" + +"Tell the old fool what I said," muttered Nickie, with angry impatience; +and then, as if remembering that his message might possibly be not +over-courteously worded by Mr. M'Dennot, he approached Tate, and said, +"Give your mistress Mr. Nickie's compliments, and say that, not being +able to return to Coleraine, he hopes he may be permitted to pass the +evening with her and Miss Darcy." This message, uttered with +great rapidity, as if the speaker dare not trust himself with more +deliberation, was accompanied by a motion of the hand, which half pushed +the old butler from the room. + +Neither Mr. Nickie nor his subordinate exchanged a word during Tate's +absence. The former, indeed, seemed far less confident of his success +than at first, and M'Dermot waited the issue, for his cue what part to +take in the transaction. + +If Tate's countenance, when he left the room, exhibited nothing but +confusion and bewilderment, when he reentered it his looks were composed +and steadfast. + +"Well?" said Nickie, as the old butler stood for a second without +speaking,--"well?" + +"Her Ladyship says that you and the other men, sir, may receive any +accommodation the house affords." He paused for a moment or two, and +then added, "Her Ladyship declines Mr. Nickie's society." + +"Did she give you that message herself?" asked Nickie, hastily; "are +those her own words?" + +"Them's her words," said Tate, dryly. + +"I never heerd the likes--" + +"Stop, Mick, hold your tongue!" said Nickie, to his over-zealous +follower; while he muttered to himself, "My name is n't Anthony Nickie, +or I 'll make her repent that speech! Ay, faith," said he, aloud, as +turning to the portrait of the Knight he appeared to address it, "you +shall come to the hammer as the original did before you." If Tate had +understood the purport of this sarcasm, it is more than probable the +discussion would have taken another form; as it was, he listened to Mr. +Nickie's orders about the supper with due decorum, and retired to make +the requisite preparations. "I will make a night of it, by-------," +exclaimed Nickie, as with clinched fist he struck the table before him. +"I hope you know how to sing, Mick?" + +"I can do a little that way, sir," grinned the ruffian, "when the +company is pressin'. If it was n't too loud--" + +"Too loud! you may drown the storm out there, if ye 're able. But wait +till we have the supper and the liquor before us, as they might cut +off the supplies." And with this prudent counsel, they suffered Tate to +proceed in his arrangements, without uttering another word. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. A CONVIVIAL EVENING + +While Tate busied himself in laying the table, Mr. Nickie, with +bent brows and folded arms, passed up and down the apartments, still +ruminating on the affront so openly passed upon him, and cogitating +how best to avenge it. As passing and repassing he cast his eyes on the +preparations, he halted suddenly, and said, "Lay another cover here." +Tate stood, uncertain whether he had heard aright the words, when Nickie +repeated, "Don't you hear me? I said lay another cover. The gentleman +will sup here." + +"Oh! indeed," exclaimed Tate, as, opening his eyes to the fullest +extent, he appeared to admit a new light upon his brain; "I beg pardon, +sir, I was thinking that this gentleman might like to sup with the other +gentleman, out in the kitchen beyond!" + +"I said he 'd sup here," said Nickie, vehemently, for he felt the taunt +in all its bitterness. + +"I say, old fellow," said M'Dermot in Tate's ear, "you needn't be +sparin' of the liquor. Give us the best you have, and plenty of it. It +is all the same to yer master, you know, in a few days. I was saying, +sir," said he to Nickie, who, overhearing him, turned sharply round,-"I +was saying, sir, that he might as well give up the ould bin with the +cobweb over it. It's the creditors suffers now, and we've many a way of +doin' a civil turn." + +"His mistress has shut the door on that," said Nickie, savagely, "and +she may take the consequences." + +"Oh, never mind him," whispered M'Dermot to Tate; "he 's the +best-hearted crayture that ever broke bread, but passionate, d' ye mind, +passionate." + +Poor Tate, who had suddenly become alive to the characters and objects +of his quests, was now aware that his mistress's refusal to admit the +chief might possibly be productive of very disastrous consequences; +for, like all low Irishmen, he had a very ample notion of the elastic +character of the law, and thought that its pains and penalties were +entirely at the option of him who executed it. + +"Her Ladyship never liked to see much company," said he, apologetically. + +"Well, maybe so," rejoined M'Dennot, "but in a quiet homely sort of a +way, sure she need n't have refused Mr. Anthony; little she knows, there +'s not the like of him for stories about the Court of Conscience and the +Sessions." + +"I don't doubt it," exclaimed Tate, who, in assenting, felt pretty +certain that his fascinations would scarcely have met appreciation in +the society of his mistress and her daughter. + +"And if ye heerd him sing 'Hobson's Choice,' with a new verse of his own +at the end!" + +Tate threw a full expression of wondering admiration into his features, +and went on with his arrangements in silence. + +"Does he know anything of Dempsey, do you think?" said Nickie, in a +whisper to his follower. + +"Not he," muttered the other, scornfully; "the crayture seems half a +nat'ral." Then, in a voice pitched purposely loud, he said, "Do you +happen to know one Dempsey in these parts?" + +"Paul Dempsey?" added Nickie. + +"A little, short man, with a turned-up nose, that walks with his +shoulders far back and his hands spread out? Ay, I know him well; he +dined here one day with the master, and sure enough he made the company +laugh hearty!" + +"I 'd be glad to meet him, if he 's as pleasant as you say," said +Nickie, slyly. + +"There's nothing easier, then," said Tate; "since the boarding-house is +closed there at Ballintray, he's up in Coleraine for the winter. I hear +he waits for the Dublin mail, at M'Grotty's door, every evening, to see +the passengers, and that he has a peep at the way-bill before the agent +himself." + +"Has he so many acquaintances that he is always on the look out for +one?" + +"Faix, if they'd let him," cried Tate, laughing, "I believe he 'd know +every man, woman, and child in Ireland. For curiosity, he beats all ever +I seen." + +As Tate spoke, a sudden draught of wind seemed to penetrate the +chamber,--at least the canoe and its party shook perceptibly. + +"We'll have a rare night of it," said Nickie, drawing nearer to the +fire. Then resuming, added, "And you say I'll have no difficulty to find +him?" + +"Not the least, bedad! It would be far harder to escape him, from all +I hear. He watches the coach, and never leaves it till he sees the fore +boot and the hind one empty; not only looking the passengers in the +face, but tumbling over the luggage, reading all the names, and where +they 're going. Oh, he's a wonderful man for knowledge!" + +"Indeed," said Nickie, with a look of attention to draw on the garrulity +of the old man. + +"I've reason to remember it well," said Tate, putting both hands to his +loins. "It was the day he dined here I got the rheumatiz in the small of +my back. When I went to open the gate without there for him, he kept me +talking for three quarters of an hour in the teeth of an east wind that +would shave a goat,--asking me about the master and the mistress and +Miss Helen, ay, and even about myself at last,--if I had any brothers, +and what their names was, and who was Mister Daly, and whether he did +n't keep a club-house. By my conscience, it's well for him ould Bagenal +did n't hear him!" + +A clattering sound from the canoe suddenly interrupted Tate's narrative; +he stopped short, and muttered, in a tone of unfeigned terror,-- + +"That's the way always,-may I never see glory! ye can't speak of him but +he hears ye!" + +A rude laugh from Nickie, chorused still more coarsely by M'Dermot, +arrested Tate's loquacity, and he finished his arrangements without +speaking, save in a few broken sentences. + +If Mr. Nickie could have been conciliated by material enjoyments, he +might decidedly have confessed that the preparations for his comfort +were ample and hospitable. A hot supper diffused its savory steam on a +table where decanters and flasks of wine of different sorts and sizes +attested that the more convivial elements of a feast were not forgotten. +Good humor was, however, not to be restored by such amends. He was +wounded in his self-love, outraged in his vanity; and he sat down in +a dogged silence to the meal, a perfect contrast in appearance to the +coarse delight of his subordinate. + +While Tate remained to wait on them, Nickie's manner and bearing were +unchanged. A sullen, sulky expression sat on features which, even when +at the best, conveyed little better than a look of shrewd keenness; +nor could the appetite with which he eat suggest a passing ray of +satisfaction to his face. + +"I am glad we are rid of that old fellow at last," said he, as the door +closed upon Tate. "Whether fool or knave, I saw what he was at; he would +have been disrespectful if he dared." + +"I did n't mind him much, sir," said M'Dermot, honestly confessing that +the good cheer had absorbed his undivided attention. + +"I did, then; I saw his eyes fixed effectually on us,--on you +particularly. I thought he would have laughed outright when you helped +yourself to the entire duck." + +Nickie spoke this with an honest severity, meant to express his +discontent with his companion fully as much as with the old butler. + +"Well, it was an excellent supper, anyhow," said M'Dermot, taking the +bottle which Nickie pushed towards him somewhat rudely; "and here 's +wishing health and happiness and long life to ye, Mr. Anthony. May ye +always have as plentiful a board, and better company round it." + +There was a fawning humility in the fellow's manner that seemed to +gratify the other, for he nodded a return to the sentiment, and, after a +brief pause, said,--"The servants in these grand houses,--and that old +fellow, you may remark, was with the Darcys when they were great +people,--they give themselves airs to everybody they think below the +rank of their master." + +"Faix, they might behave better to _you_, Mr. Anthony," said M'Dermot. + +"Well, they're run their course now," said Nickie, not heeding the +remark. "Both master and man have had their day. I 've seen more +executions on property in the last six months than ever I did in all my +life before. Creditors won't wait now as they used to do. No influence +now to make gaugers and tide-waiters and militia officers; no privilege +of Parliament to save them from arrest!" + +"My blessings on them for that, anyhow," said M'Dermot, finishing his +glass. "The Union 's a fine thing." + +"The fellows that got the bribes--and, to be sure, there was plenty of +money going--won't stay to spend it in Ireland; devil a one will remain +here, but those that are run out and ruined." + +"Bad luck to it for a Bill!" said M'Dermot, who felt obliged to +sacrifice his consistency in his desire to concur with each new +sentiment of his chief. + +"The very wine we're drinking, maybe, was given for a vote. Pitt knew +well how to catch them." + +"Success attend him!" chimed in M'Dermot. + +"And just think of them now," continued Nickie, whose ruminations were +never interrupted by the running commentary,--"just think of them! +selling the country, trade, prosperity, everything, for a few hundred +pounds." + +"The blackguards!" + +"Some, to be sure, made a fine thing out of it. Not like old Darcy here; +they were early in the market, and got both rank and money too." + +"Ay, that was doin' it in style!" exclaimed Mike, who expressed himself +this time somewhat equivocally, for safety's sake. + +"There 's no denying it, Castlereagh was a clever fellow!" + +"The best man ever I seen--I don't care who the other is." + +"He knew when to bid, and when to draw back; never became too pressing, +but never let any one feel himself neglected; watched his opportunities +slyly, and when the time came, pounced down like a hawk on his victim." + +"Oh, the thieves' breed! What a hard heart he had!" muttered M'Dermot, +perfectly regardless of whom he was speaking. + +Thus did Mr. Nickie ramble on, in the popular cant, over the subject +of the day; for although the Union was now carried, and its +consequences--whatever they might be--so far inevitable, the men whose +influence effected the measure were still before the bar of public +opinion,--an ordeal not a whit more just and discriminating than it +usually is. While the current of these reminiscences ran on, varied by +some anecdote here or some observation there, both master and man +drank deeply. So long as good liquor abounded, Mr. M'Dermot could have +listened with pleasure, even to a less entertaining companion; and as +for Nickie, he felt a vulgar pride in discussing, familiarly and by +name, the men of rank and station who took a leading part in Irish +politics. The pamphlets and newspapers of the day had made so many +private histories public, had unveiled so many family circumstances +before the eyes of the world, that his dissertations had all the seeming +authenticity of personal knowledge. + +It was at the close of a rather violent denunciation of the +"Traitors"--as the Government party was ever called--that Nickie, +striking the table with his fist, called on M'Dermot to sing. + +"I say, Mac," cried he, with a faltering tongue, and eyes red and +bleared from drink,--"the old lady--wouldn't accept my society--she did +n't think--An-tho-ny Nickie, Esquire--good enough--to sit down--at her +table. Let us show her what she has lost, my boy. Give her 'Bob Uniake's +Boots' or 'The Major's Prayer.'" + +"Or what d' ye think of the new ballad to Lord Castlereagh, sir?" +suggested M'Dermot, modestly. "It was the last thing Rhoudlim had when I +left town." + +"Is it good?" hiccuped Nickie. + +"If ye heerd Rhoudlim--" + +"D----n Rhoudlim!--she used to sing that song Parsons made on the +attorneys. Parsons never liked us, Mac. You know what he said to Holmes, +who went to him for a subscription of five shillings, to help to bury +Mat Costegan. 'Was n't he an attorney?' says Parsons. 'He was,' says the +other. 'Well, here 's a pound,' says he; 'take it and bury four!'" + +"Oh, by my conscience, that was mighty nate!" said M'Dermot, who +completely forgot himself. + +Nickie frowned savagely at his companion, and for a moment seemed about +to express his anger more palpably, when he suddenly drank off his +glass, and said, "Well, the song,-let us have it now." + +"I 'm afraid--I don't know more than a verse here and there," said Mac, +bashfully stroking down his hair, and mincing his words; "but with the +help of a chorus--" + +"Trust me for that," cried Nickie, who now drank glass after glass +without stopping; "I'm always ready for a song." So saying he burst out +into a half-lachryinose chant,-- + + "An old maid had a roguish eye! + And she was call'd the great Kamshoodera! + Rich was she and poor was I! + Fol de dol de die do! + +"I forget the rest, Mickie, but it goes on about a Nabob and a bear, +and--a--what's this ye call it, a pottle of green gooseberries that Lord +Clangoff sold to Mrs. Kelfoyle." + +"To be sure; I remember it well," said Mac, humoring the drunken +lucubrations; "but my chant is twice as aisy to sing,--the air is the +'Black Joke;' and any one can chorus." + +"Well, open the proceedings," hiccuped Nickie; "state the case." + +And thus encouraged, Mr. M'Dermot cleared his throat, and in a voice +loud and coarse enough to be heard above the howling din, began:-- + + "Though many a mile he's from Erin away, + Here 's health and long life to my Lord Castlereagh, + With his bag full of guineas so bright! + 'T was he that made Bishops and Deans by the score, + And Peers, of the fashion of Lord Donoughmore! + And a Colonel of horse of our friend Billy Lake, + And Wallincourt a Lord,--t'other day but Joe Blake, + With his bag full of guineas so bright. + + "Come Beresford, Bingham, Luke Fox, and Tyrone, + Come Kearney, Bob Johnston, and Arthur Malone, + With your bag full of guineas so bright; + Lord Charles Fitzgerald and Kit Fortescue, + And Henry Deane Grady,--we 'll not forget you, + Come Cuffe, Isaac Corry, and General Dunne, + And you Jemmy Vandeleur,--come every one, + With your bag full of guineas so bright. + + Come Talbot and Townsend, Come Toler and Trench, + Tho' made for the gallows, ye 're now on the Bench, + With your bag full of guineas so bright + But if ever again this black list I 'll begin, + The first name I 'll take is the ould Knight of Gwynne, + Who, robb'd of his property, stripped of his pelf, + Would be glad to see Erin as poor as himself. + With no bag full of guineas so bright. + + "If the Parliament 's gone, and the world it has scoffed us, + What a blessing to think that we 've Tottenham Loftus, + With his bag full of guineas so bright. + Oh, what consolation through every disaster, + To know that your Lordship is made our Postmaster, + And your uncle a Bishop, your aunt--but why mention, + Two thousand a year, 'of a long service pension' + Of a bag full of guineas so bright. + + "But what is the change, since your Lordship appears! + You found us all Paupers, you left us all Peers, + With your bag full of guineas so bright. + Not a man in the island, however he boast, + But has a good reason to fill to the toast,-- + From Cork to the Causeway, from Howth to Clue Bay, + A health and long life to my Lord Castlereagh, + With his bag full of guineas so bright." + +The boisterous accompaniment by which Mr. Nickie testified his +satisfaction at the early verses had gradually subsided into a low +droning sound, which at length, towards the conclusion, lapsed into a +prolonged heavy snore. "Fast!" exclaimed M'Dermot, holding the candle +close to his eyes. "Fast!" Then taking up the decanter, he added, "And +if ye had gone off before, it would have been no great harm. +Ye never had the bottle out of yer grip for the last hour and half!" He +heaped some wood on the grate, refilled his glass, and then disposing +himself so as to usurp a very large share of the blazing fire, prepared +to follow the good example of his chief. Long habit had made an +arm-chair to the full as comfortable as a bed to the worthy functionary, +and his arrangements were scarcely completed, when his nose announced by +a deep sound that he was a wanderer in the land of dreams. + +Poor Mr. Dempsey--for if the reader may have forgotten him all this +while, we must not--listened long and watchfully to the heavy notes, nor +was it without considerable fear that he ventured to unveil his head and +take a peep under Daly's arm at the sleepers. Reassured by the seeming +heaviness of the slumberers, he dared a step farther, and at last seated +himself bolt upright in the canoe, glad to relieve his cramped-up legs, +even by this momentary change of position. So cautious were all his +movements, so still and noiseless every gesture, that had there been a +waking eye to mark him, it would have been hard enough to distinguish +between his figure and those of his inanimate neighbors. + +[Illustration: 236] + +The deep and heavy breathing of the sleepers was the only sound to be +heard; they snored as if it were a contest between them; still it +was long before Dempsey could summon courage enough to issue from his +hiding-place, and with stealthy steps approach the table. Cautiously +lifting the candle, he first held it to the face of one and then of the +other of the sleepers. His next move was to inspect the supper-table, +where, whatever the former abundance, nothing remained save the veriest +fragments: the bottles too were empty, and poor Dempsey shook his head +mournfully as he poured out and drank the last half-glass of sherry in a +decanter. This done, he stood for a few minutes reflecting what step +he should take next. A sudden change of position of Nickie startled him +from these deliberations, and Dempsey cowered down beneath the table in +terror. Scarcely daring to breathe, Paul waited while the sleeper moved +from side to side, muttering some short and broken words; at length he +seemed to have settled himself to his satisfaction, for so his prolonged +respiration bespoke. Just as he had turned for the last time, a heavy +roll of papers fell from his pocket to the floor. Dempsey eyed the +packet with a greedy look, but did not dare to reach his hand towards +it, till well assured that the step was safe. + +Taking a candle from the table, Paul reseated himself on the floor, and +opened a large roll of documents tied with red tape; the very first he +unrolled seemed to arrest his attention strongly, and although passing +on to the examination of the remainder, he more than once recurred to +it, till at length creeping stealthily towards the fire, he placed it +among the burning embers, and stirred and poked until it became a mere +mass of blackened leaves. + +"There," muttered he, "Paul Dempsey 's his own man again. And now what +can he do for his friends? Ha, ha! 'Execution against Effects of Bagenal +Daly, Esq.,'" said he, reading half aloud; "and this lengthy affair +here, 'Instructions to A. N. relative to the enclosed'-let us see what +that may be." And so saying, he opened the scroll; a bright flash of +flame burst out from among the slumbering embers, and ere it died away +Paul read a few lines of the paper. "What scoundrels!" muttered he, +as he wiped the perspiration from his forehead, for already had +honest Paul's feelings excited him to the utmost. The flame was again +flickering, in another moment it would be out, when, stealing forth his +hand, he placed an open sheet upon it, and then, as the blaze caught, he +laid the entire bundle of papers on the top, and watched them till they +were reduced to ashes. + +"Maybe it's a felony--I'm sure it's a misdemeanor at least--what I 've +done now," muttered he; "but there was no resisting it. I wish I thought +it was no heavier crime to do the same by these worthy gentlemen here." + +Indeed, for a second or two, Paul's hesitation seemed very considerable. +Fear, or something higher in principle, got the victory at length, and +after a long silence he said,-- + +"Well, I 'll not harm them." And with this benevolent sentiment he stood +up, and detaching Darcy's portrait from the wall, thrust it into his +capacious pocket. This done, he threw another glance over the table, +lest some unseen decanter might still remain; but no, except a water-jug +of pure element, nothing remained. + +"Good-night, and pleasant dreams t'ye both," muttered Paul, as, blowing +out one candle, he took the other, and slipped, without the slightest +noise, from the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. MR. DEMPSEY BEHIND THE SCENE + +No very precise or determined purpose guided Mr. Dempsey's footsteps as +he issued from the hall and gained the corridor, from which the various +rooms of the cottage opened. Benevolent intentions of the vaguest kind +towards Lady Eleanor were commingled with thoughts of his own safety, +and perhaps more strongly than either, an intense curiosity to inspect +the domestic arrangements of the family, not without the hope of finding +something to eat. + +He had now been about twenty-four hours without food, and to a man who +habitually lived in a boarding-house, and felt it a point of honor to +consume as much as he could for his weekly pay, the abstinence was far +from agreeable. If then his best inspirations were blended with some +selfishness, he was not quite unpardonable. Mr. Dempsey tried each door +as he went along, and although they were all unlocked, the interiors +responded to none of his anticipations. The apartments were plainly but +comfortably furnished; in some books lay about, and an open piano told +of recent habitation. In one, which he judged rightly to be the +Knight's drawing-room, a table was covered over with letters and law +papers,--documents which honest Paul beheld with some feeling akin to +Aladdin, when he surveyed the inestimable treasures he had no means of +carrying away with him from the mine. A faint gleam of light shone +from beneath a door at the end of the corridor, and thither with silent +footsteps he now turned. All was still: he listened as he drew near; but +except the loud ticking of a clock, nothing was to be heard. Paul tried +to reconnoitre by the keyhole, but it was closed. He waited for some +time unable to decide on the most fitting course, and at length opened +the door, and entered. Stopping short at the threshold, Paul raised the +candle, to take a better view of the apartment. Perhaps any one save +himself would have returned on discovering it was a bedroom. A large +old-fashioned bed, with a deep and massive curtain closely drawn, stood +against one wall; beside it, on the table, was a night-lamp, from which +the faint glimmer he had first noticed proceeded. Some well-stuffed +arm-chairs were disposed here and there, and on the tables lay articles +of female dress. Mr. Dempsey stood for a few seconds, and perhaps +some secret suspicion crept over him that this visit might be thought +intrusive. It might be Lady Eleanor's, or perhaps Miss Darcy's chamber. +Who was to say she was not actually that instant in bed asleep? Were +the fact even so, Mr. Dempsey only calculated on a momentary shock of +surprise at his appearance, well assured that his explanation would be +admitted as perfectly satisfactory. Thus wrapped in his good intentions, +and shrouding the light with one hand, he drew the curtain with the +other. The bed was empty, the coverings were smooth, the pillows +unpressed. The occupant, whoever it might be, had not yet taken +possession. Mr. Dempsey's fatigue was only second to his hunger, and +having failed to discover the larder, it is more than probable he would +have contented himself with the gratification of a sleep, had he not +just at that instant perceived a light flickering beside and beneath the +folds of a heavy curtain which hung over a doorway at the farthest +end of the room. His spirit of research once more encouraged, he +moved towards it, and drawing it very gently, admitted his eye in the +interspace. A glass door intervened between him and a small chamber, but +permitted him to see without being heard by those within. Flattening +his features on the glass, he stared at the scene; and truly one less +inspired by the spirit of inquiry might have felt shocked at being thus +placed. Lady Eleanor sat in her dressing-gown on a sofa, while, half +kneeling, half lying at her feet, was Helen, her head concealed in +her mother's lap, and her long hair loosely flowing over her neck and +shoulders. Lady Eleanor was pale as death, and the marks of recent tears +were ou her cheeks; but still her features wore the expression of deep +tenderness and pity, rather than of selfish sorrow. Helen's face was +hidden; but her attitude, and the low sobbing sounds that at intervals +broke the stillness, told how her heart was suffering. + +[Illustration: 242] + +"My dear, dear child," said Lady Eleanor, as she laid her hand upon the +young girl's head, "be comforted. Rest assured that in making me the +partner in your sorrow, I will be the happier participator in your joy, +whenever its day may come. Yes, Helen, and it will come." + +"Had I told you earlier--" + +"Had you done so," interrupted Lady Eleanor, "you had been spared much +grief, for I could have assured you, as I now do, that you are not to +blame,--that this young man's rashness, however we may deplore it, had +no promptings from us." + +Helen replied, but in so low a tone that Mr. Dempsey could not catch the +words; he could hear, however, Lady Eleanor uttering at intervals words +of comfort and encouragement, and at last she said,-- + +"Nay, Helen, no half-confidence, my child. Acknowledge it fairly, that +your opinion of him is not what it was at first; or if you will not +confess it, leave it to my own judgment And why should you not?" added +she, in a stronger voice; "wiser heads may reprove his precipitancy, +criticise what would be called his folly, but you may be forgiven for +thinking that his Quixotism could deserve another and a fonder title. +And I, Helen, grown old and chilly-hearted, each day more distrustful +of the world, less sanguine in hope, more prone to suspect,--even I feel +that devotion like his has a strong claim on your affection. And shall +I own to you that on the very day he brought us that letter a kind of +vague presentiment that I should one day like him stole across me. What +was the noise? Did you not hear something stir?" Helen had heard it, but +paid no further attention, for there was no token of any one being near. + +Noise, however, there really was, occasioned by Mr. Dempsey, who, in +his eagerness to hear, had pushed the door partly open. For some moments +back, honest Paul had listened with as much embarrassment as curiosity, +sorely puzzled to divine of whom the mother and daughter were speaking. +The general tenor of the conversation left the subject no matter +of difficulty. The individual was the only doubtful question. Lady +Eleanor's allusion to a letter, and her own feelings at the moment, at +once reminded him of her altered manner to himself on the evening he +brought the epistle from Coleraine, and how she, who up to that time had +treated him with unvarying distance and reserve, had as suddenly become +all the reverse. + +"Blood alive!" said he to himself, "I never as much as suspected it!" +His eagerness to hear further was intense; and although he had contrived +to keep the door ajar, his curiosity was doomed to disappointment, for +it was Helen who spoke, and her words were uttered in a low, faint tone, +utterly inaudible where he stood. Whatever pleasure Mr. Dempsey might +have at first derived from his contraband curiosity, was more than +repaid now by the tortures of anxiety. He suspected that Helen was +making a full confession of her feelings towards him, and yet he could +not catch a syllable. Lady Eleanor, too, when she spoke again, it was in +an accent almost equally faint; and all that Paul could gather was that +the mother was using expressions of cheerfulness and hope, ending with +the words,-- + +"His own fortunes look now as darkly as ours; mayhap the same bright +morning will dawn for both together, Helen. We have hope to cheer us, +for him and for us." + +"Ah! true enough," muttered Paul; "she's alluding to old Bob Dempsey, +and if the Lord would take him, we 'd all come right again." + +Helen now arose, and seated herself beside her mother, with her head +leaning ou her shoulder; and Mr. Dempsey might have been pardoned if +he thought she never looked more beautiful. The loose folds of her +night-dress less concealed than delineated the perfect symmetry of her +form; while through the heavy masses of the luxuriant hair that fell +upon her neck and shoulders, her skin seemed more than ever delicately +fair. If Paul's mind was a perfect whirl of astonishment, delight, +and admiration, his doubts were no less puzzling. What was _he_ to do? +Should he at once discover himself, throw himself at Helen's feet in a +rapture, confessing that he had heard her avowal, and declare that the +passion was mutual? This, although with evident advantages on the score +of dramatic effect, had also its drawback. Lady Eleanor, who scarcely +looked as well in dishabille as her daughter, might feel offended. She +might take it ill, also, that he had been a listener. Paul had heard of +people who actually deemed eavesdropping unbecoming! Who knows, +among her own eccentricities, if this one might not find place? Paul, +therefore, resolved on a more cautious advance, and, for his guidance, +applied his ear once more to the aperture. This time, however, without +success, for they spoke still lower than before; nor, after a long and +patient waiting, could he hear more than that the subject was their +present embarrassment, and the necessity of immediately removing from +"The Corvy," but where to, and how, they could not determine. + +There was no time to ask Bicknell's advice; before an answer could +arrive, they would be exposed to all the inconvenience, perhaps insult, +which Mr. Nickie's procedure seemed to threaten. The subject appeared +one to which all their canvassing had brought no solution, and at last +Lady Eleanor said,-- + +"How thankful I am, Helen, that I never wrote to Lord Netherby; more +than once, when our difficulties seemed to thicken, I half made up my +mind to address him. How much would it add to my present distress +of mind, if I had yielded to the impulse! The very thought is now +intolerable." + +"Pride! pride!" muttered Paul. + +"And I was so near it," ejaculated Lady Eleanor. + +"Yes," said Helen, sharply; "our noble cousin's kindness would be a sore +aggravation of our troubles." + +"Worse than the mother, by Jove!" exclaimed Paul. "Oh dear! if I had a +cousin a lord, maybe he'd not hear of me." + +Lady Eleanor spoke again; but Paul could only catch a stray word here +and there, and again she reverted to the necessity of leaving the +cottage at once. + +"Could we even see this Mr. Dempsey," said she, "he knows the country +well, and might be able to suggest some fitting place for the moment, at +least till we could decide on better." + +Paul scarcely breathed, that he might catch every syllable. + +"Yes," said Helen, eagerly, "he would be the very person to assist us; +but, poor little man! he has his own troubles, too, at this moment." + +"She's a kind creature," muttered Paul; "how fond I'm growing of her!" + +"It is no time for the indulgence of scruples; otherwise, Helen, I 'd +not place much reliance on the gentleman's taste." + +"Proud as Lucifer," thought Paul. + +"His good-nature, mamma, is the quality we stand most in need of, and I +have a strong trust that he is not deficient there." + +"What a situation to be placed in!" sighed Lady Eleanor: "that we should +turn with a shudder from seeking protection where it is our due, and yet +ask counsel and assistance from a man like this!" + +"I feel no repugnance whatever to accepting such a favor from Mr. +Dempsey, while I should deem it a great humiliation to be suitor to the +Earl of Netherby." + +"And yet he is our nearest relative living,--with vast wealth and +influence, and I believe not indisposed towards us. I go too fast, +perhaps," said she, scornfully; "his obligations to my own father were +too great and too manifold, that I should say so." + +"What a Tartar!" murmured Paul. + +"If the proud Earl could forget the services my dear father rendered +him, when, a younger son, without fortune or position, he had no other +refuge than our house,--if he could wipe away the memory of benefits +once received,--he might perhaps be better minded towards us; but +obligation is so suggestive of ill-will." + +"Dearest mamma," said Helen, laughing, "if your hopes depend upon his +Lordship's forgetfulness of kindness, I do think we may afford to be +sanguine. I am well inclined to think that he is not weighed down by +the load of gratitude that makes men enemies. Still," added she, more +seriously, "I am very averse to seeking his aid, or even his counsel; I +vote for Mr. Dempsey." + +"How are we to endure the prying impertinence of his curiosity? Have you +thought of that, Helen?" + +Paul's cheek grew scarlet, and his very fingers' ends tingled. + +"Easily enough, mamma. Nay, if our troubles were not so urgent, it would +be rather amusing than otherwise; and with all his vulgarity--" + +"The little vixen!" exclaimed Paul, so much off his guard that both +mother and daughter started. + +"Did you hear that, Helen? I surely heard some one speak." + +"I almost thought so," replied Miss Darcy, taking up a candle from the +table, and proceeding towards the door. Mr. Dempsey had but time to +retreat behind the curtain of the bed, when she reached the spot where +he had been standing. "No, all is quiet in the house," said she, +opening the door into the corridor and listening. "Even our respectable +guests would seem to be asleep." She waited for a few seconds, and then +returned to her place on the sofa. + +Mr. Dempsey had either heard enough to satisfy the immediate cravings +of his curiosity, or, more probably, felt his present position too +critical; for when he drew the curtain once more close over the glass +door, he slipped noiselessly into the corridor, and entering the first +room he could find, opened the window and sprang out. + +"You shall not be disappointed in Paul Dempsey, anyhow," said he, as he +buttoned up the collar of his coat, and pressed his hat more firmly +on his head. "No, my Lady, he may be vulgar and inquisitive, though I +confess it's the first time I ever heard of either; but he is not the +man to turn his back on a good-natured action, when it lies full +in front of him. What a climate, to be sure! it blows from the four +quarters of the globe all at once, and the rain soaks in and deluges +one's very heart's blood. Paul, Paul, you 'll have a smart twinge of +rheumatism from this night's exploit." + +It may be conjectured that Mr. Dempsey, like many other gifted people, +had a habit of compensating for the want of society by holding little +dialogues or discourses with himself,--a custom from which he derived no +small gratification, for, while it lightened the weariness of a lonely +way, it enabled him to say many more flattering and civil things to +himself than he usually heard from an ungrateful world. + +"They talk of Demerara," said he; "I back Antrim against the world for +a hurricane. The rainy season here lasts all the year round; and if +practice makes perfect--There, now I 'm wet through, I can't be worse. +Ah! Helen, Helen, if you knew how unfit Paul Dempsey is to play Paris! +By the way, who was the fellow that swam the Hellespont for love of +a young lady? Not Laertes, no--that's not it-Leander, that's the +name--Leander." + +Paul muttered the name several times over, and by a train of thought +which we will not attempt to follow or unravel, began humming to himself +the well-known Irish ditty of-- + + "Teddy, ye gander, + Yer like a Highlander." + + +He soon came to a stop in the words, but continued to sing the air, till +at last he broke out in the following version of his own:-- + + "Paul Dempsey, ye gander, + You 're like that Leander + Who for somebody's daughter--for somebody's daughter + Did not mind it one pin + To be wet to the skin, + With a dip in salt water--a dip in salt water. + + "Were you wiser, 'tis plain, + You 'd be now in Coleraine, + A nightcap on your head--a nightcap on your head, + With a jorum of rum, + Made by old Mother Fum, + At the side of your bed--at the side of your bed. + + "For tho' love is divine, + When the weather is fine, + And a season of bliss--a season of bliss, + 'Tis a different thing + For a body to sing + On a night such as this--a night such as this. + + "Paul Dempsey! remember, + On the ninth of December + You 'll be just forty-six--you 'll be just forty-six, + And the world will say + That at your time o' day + You 're too old for these tricks--you 're too old for these tricks. + + "And tho' water may show + One's love, faith, + I know I 'd rather prove mine--I 'd rather prove mine + With my feet on the fender; + 'T is then I grow tender, + O'er a bumper of wine--o'er a bumper of wine! + +"A bumper of wine!" sighed he. "On my conscience, it would be an ugly +toast I 'd refuse to drink this minute, if the liquor was near. + + "Ah! when warm and snog, + With my legs on the rug, + By a turf fire red--a turf fire red-- + But how can I rhyme it? + With this horrid climate, + Destroying my head--destroying my head? + + "With a coat full of holes, + And my shoes without soles, + And my hat like a teapot--my hat like a teapot-- + +"Oh, murther, murther!" screamed he, aloud, as his shins came in contact +with a piece of timber, and he fell full length to the ground, sorely +bruised, and perfectly enveloped in snow. It was some minutes before he +could rally sufficiently to get up; and although he still shouted for +help, seeing a light in a window near, no one came to his assistance, +leaving poor Paul to his own devices. + +It was some consolation for his sufferings to discover that the object +over which he had stumbled was the shaft of a jaunting-car, such a +conveyance being at that moment what he most desired to meet with. The +driver at last made his appearance, and informed him that he had brought +Nickie and his two companions from Larne, and was now only waiting their +summons to proceed to Coleraine. + +Paul easily persuaded the man that he could earn a fare in the mean +time, for that Nickie would probably not leave "The Corvy" till late +on the following day, and that by a little exertion he could manage to +drive to Coleraine and back before he was stirring. It is but fair to +add that poor Mr. Dempsey supported his arguments by lavish promises of +reward, to redeem which he speculated on mortgaging his silver watch, +and probably his umbrella, when he reached Coleraine. + +It was yet a full hour before daybreak, as Lady Eleanor, who had passed +the night in her dressing-room, was startled by a sharp tapping noise +at her window; Helen lay asleep on the sofa, and too soundly locked +in slumber to hear the sounds. Lady Eleanor listened, and while half +fearing to disturb the young girl, wearied and exhausted as she was, she +drew near to the window. The indistinct shadow of a figure was all that +she could detect through the gloom, but she fancied she could hear a +weak effort to pronounce her name. + +There could be little doubt of the intentions of the visitor; whoever he +should prove, the frail barrier of a window could offer no resistance +to any one disposed to enter by force, and, reasoning thus, Lady Eleanor +unfastened the casement, and cried, "Who is there?" + +A strange series of gestures, accompanied by a sound between a sneeze +and the crowing of a cock, was all the reply; and when the question was +repeated in a louder tone, a thin quivering voice muttered, "Pau-au-l +De-de-dempsey, my La-dy." + +"Mr. Dempsey, indeed!" exclaimed Lady Eleanor. "Oh! pray come round to +the door at your left hand; it is only a few steps from where you are +standing." + +Short as the distance was, Mr. Dempsey's progress was of the slowest, +and Lady Eleanor had already time to awaken Helen, ere the half-frozen +Paul had crossed the threshold. + +"He has passed the night in the snow," cried Lady Eleanor to her +daughter, as she led him towards the fire. + +"No, my Lady," stammered out Paul, "only the last hour and a half; +before that I was snug under old Daly's blanket." + +A very significant interchange of looks between mother and daughter +seemed to imply that poor Mr. Dempsey's wits were wandering. + +"Call Tate; let him bring some wine here at once, Helen." + +"It's all drunk; not a glass in the decanter," murmured Paul, whose +thoughts recurred to the supper-table. + +"Poor creature, his mind is quite astray," whispered Lady Eleanor, +her compassion not the less strongly moved, because she attributed his +misfortune to the exertions he had made in their behalf. By this time +the group was increased by the arrival of old Tate, who, in a flannel +nightcap fastened under the chin, and a very ancient dressing-gown of +undyed wool, presented a lively contrast to the shivering condition of +Mr. Dempsey. + +"It's only Mr. Dempsey!" said Lady Eleanor, sharply, as the old butler +stood back, crossing himself and staring with sleepy terror at the white +figure. + +"May I never! But so it is," exclaimed Tate, in return to an attempt at +a bow on Dempsey's part, which he accomplished with a brackling noise +like creaking glass. + +"Some warm wine at once," said Helen, while she heaped two or three logs +upon the hearth. + +"With a little ginger in it, miss," grinned Paul. But the polite attempt +at a smile nearly cut his features, and ended in a most lamentable +expression of suffering. + +"This is the finest thing in life agin' the cowld," said Tate, as +he threw over the shivering figure a Mexican mantle, all worked and +embroidered with quills, that gave the gentle Mr. Dempsey the air of an +enormous porcupine. The clothing, the fire, and the wine, of which he +partook heartily, soon restored him, and erelong he had recounted to +Lady Eleanor the whole narrative of his arrival at "The Corvy," his +concealment in the canoe, the burning of the law papers, and even +down to the discovery of the jaunting-car, omitting nothing, save the +interview he had witnessed between the mother and daughter. + +Lady Eleanor could not disguise her anxiety on the subject of the burned +documents, but Paul's arguments were conclusive in reply,-- + +"Who's to tell of it? Not your Ladyship, not Miss Helen; and as to Paul, +meaning myself, my discretion is quite Spanish. Yes, my Lady," said he, +with a tragic gesture that threw back the loose folds of his costume, +"there is an impression abroad, which I grieve to say is widespread, +that the humble individual who addresses you is one of those unstable, +fickle minds that accomplish nothing great; but I deny it, deny it +indignantly. Let the occasion but arise, let some worthy object present +itself, or herself,"--he gave a most melting look towards Helen, which +cost all her efforts to sustain without laughter,--"and then, madam, Don +Paulo Dempsey will come out in his true colors." + +"Which I sincerely hope may not be of the snow tint," said Lady Eleanor, +smiling. "But pray, Mr. Dempsey, to return to a theme more selfish. You +are sufficiently aware of our unhappy circumstances here at this moment, +to see that we must seek some other abode, at least for the present. Can +you then say where we can find such?" + +"Miss Daly's neighborhood, perhaps," broke in Helen. + +"Never do,-not to be thought of," interrupted Paul; "there's nothing for +it but the Panther--" + +"The what, sir?" exclaimed Lady Eleanor, in no small surprise. + +"The Panther, my Lady, Mother Fum's! snug, quiet, and respectable; +social, if you like,--selfish, if you please it. Solitary or gregarious; +just as you fancy." + +"And where, sir, is the Panther?" said Lady Eleanor, who in her +innocence supposed this to be the sign of some village inn. + +"In the Diamond of Coleraine, my Lady, opposite M'Grotty's, next but one +to Kitty Black's hardware, and two doors from the Post-Office; central +and interesting. Mail-car from Newtown, Lim.,--takes up passengers, +within view of the windows, at two every day. Letters given out at +four,--see every one in the town without stirring from your window. +Huston's, the apothecary, always full of people at post hour. Gibbin's +tobacco-shop assembles all the Radicals at the same time to read the +'Patriot.' Plenty of life and movement." + +"Is there nothing to be found more secluded, less--" + +"Less fashionable, your Ladyship would observe. To be sure there is; but +there 's objections,--at least I am sure you would dislike the prying, +inquisitive spirit--Eh? Did you make an observation, miss?" + +"No, Mr. Dempsey," said Helen, with some difficulty preserving a +suitable gravity. "I would only remark that you are perfectly in the +right, and that my mother seeks nothing more than a place where we can +remain without obtrusiveness or curiosity directed towards us." + +"There will always be the respectful admiration that beauty exacts," +replied Paul, bowing courteously, "but I can answer for the delicacy of +Coleraine as for my own." + +If this assurance was not quite as satisfactory to the ladies as +Mr. Dempsey might have fancied it ought to be, there was really no +alternative; they knew nothing of the country, which side to direct +their steps, or whither to seek shelter; besides, until they had +communicated with Bicknell, they could not with safety leave the +neighborhood to which all their letters were addressed. + +It was then soon determined to accept Mr. Dempsey's suggestion and +safe-conduct, and leaving Tate for the present to watch over such of +their effects as they could not conveniently carry with them, to set out +for Coleraine. The arrangements were made as speedily as the resolve, +and day had scarcely dawned ere they quitted "The Corvy." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. MR. HEFFERNAN OUT-MANOEUVRED + +It was on the very same evening that witnessed these events, that Lord +Castlereagh was conducting Mr. Con Heffernan to his hotel, after +a London dinner-party. The late Secretary for Ireland had himself +volunteered the politeness, anxious to hear some tidings of people +and events which, in the busy atmosphere of a crowded society, were +unattainable. He speedily ran over a catalogue of former friends and +acquaintances, learning, with that surprise with which successful men +always regard their less fortunate contemporaries, that this one was +still where he had left him, and that the other jogged on his daily road +as before, when he suddenly asked,-- + +"And the Darcys, what of them?" + +Heffernan shrugged his shoulders without speaking. + +"I am sorry for it," resumed the other; "sorry for the gallant old +Knight himself, and sorry for a state of society in which such changes +are assumed as evidences of progress and prosperity. These upstart +Hickmans are not the elements of which a gentry can be formed." + +"O'Reilly still looks to you for the baronetcy, my Lord," replied +Heffernan, with a half-sneer. "You have him with or against you on that +condition,--at least, so I hear." + +"Has he not had good fortune enough in this world to be satisfied? +He has risen from nothing to be a man of eminence, wealth, and county +influence; would it not be more reasonable in him to mature his position +by a little patience, than endanger it by fresh shocks to public +opinion? Even a boa, my dear Heffernan, when he swallows a goat, takes +six months to digest his meal. No! no! such men must be taught reserve, +if their own prudence does not suggest it!" + +"I believe you are right, my Lord," said Heffernan, thoughtfully; +"O'Reilly is the very man to forget himself in the sunshine of court +favor, and mistake good luck for desert." + +"With all his money, too," rejoined Lord Castlereagh, "his influence +will just be proportioned to the degree of acceptance his constituents +suppose him to possess with us here. He has never graduated as a +Patriot, and his slight popularity is only 'special gratia.' His patent +of Gentleman has not come to him by birth." + +"For this reason the baronetcy--" + +"Let us not discuss that," said Lord Castlereagh, quickly. "There is an +objection in a high quarter to bestow honors, which would seem to ratify +the downfall of an ancient house." He seemed to have said more than he +was ready to admit, and to change the theme turned the conversation on +the party they had just quitted. + +"Sir George Hannaper always does these things well." + +Mr. Heffernan assented blandly, but not over eagerly. London was not +"_his_ world," and the tone of a society so very different to what he +was habituated had not made on him the most favorable impression. + +"And after all," said Lord Castlereagh, musingly, "there is a great +deal of tact--ability, if you will--essential to the success of such +entertainments, to bring together men of different classes and shades +of opinion, people who have never met before, perhaps are never to meet +again, to hit upon the subjects of conversation that may prove generally +interesting, without the risk of giving undue preponderance to any one +individual's claims to superior knowledge. This demands considerable +skill." + +"Perhaps the difficulty is not so great _here_, my Lord," said +Heffernan, half timidly, "each man understands his part so well; +information and conversational power appear tolerably equally +distributed; and when all the instruments are so well tuned, the leader +of the orchestra has an easy task." + +"Ah! I believe I comprehend you," said Lord Castlereagh, laughing; "you +are covertly sneering at the easy and unexciting quietude of our London +habits. Well, Heffernan, I admit we are not so fond of solo performances +as you are in Dublin; few among us venture on those 'obligate passages' +which are so charming to Irish ears; but don't you think the concerted +pieces are better performed?" + +"I believe, my Lord," said Heffernan, abandoning the figure in his +anxiety to reply, "that we would call this dull in Ireland. I 'm afraid +that we are barbarous enough to set more store by wit and pleasantry +than on grave discussion and shrewd table-talk. It appears to me that +these gentlemen carry an air of business into their conviviality." + +"Scarcely so dangerous an error as to carry conviviality into business," +said Lord Castlereagh, slyly. + +"There's too much holding back," said Heffernan, not heeding the taunt; +"each man seems bent on making what jockeys call 'a waiting race.'" + +"Confess, however," said Lord Castlereagh, smiling, "there 's no +struggle, no hustling at the winning-post: the best horse comes in +first---" + +"Upon my soul, my Lord," said Heffernan, interrupting, "I have yet +to learn that there is such a thing. I conclude from your Lordship's +observation that the company we met to-day were above the ordinary run +of agreeability." + +"I should certainly say so." + +"Well, then, I can only affirm that we should call this a failure in our +less polished land. I listened with becoming attention; the whole thing +was new to me, and I can safely aver I neither heard one remark +above the level of commonplace, nor one observation evidencing acute +perception of passing events or reflection on the past. As to wit or +epigram--" + +"Oh, we do not value these gifts at _your_ price; we are too thrifty a +nation, Heffernan, to expend all our powder on fireworks." + +"Faith, I agree with you, my Lord; the man who would venture on a rocket +would be treated as an incendiary." + +"Come, come, Heffernan, I 'll not permit you to say so. Did you ever +in any society see a man more appreciated than our friend Darcy was the +last evening we met him, his pleasantry relished, his racy humor well +taken, and his stores of anecdote enjoyed with a degree of zest I have +never seen surpassed?" + +"Darcy was always too smooth for our present taste," said Heffernan, +caustically. "His school was antiquated years ago; there was a dash of +the French courtier through the Irishmen of his day." + +"That made the most polished gentlemen of Europe, I've been told," said +Lord Castlereagh, interrupting. "I know your taste inclines to a less +chastened and more adventurous pleasantry, shrewd insight into an +antagonist's weak point, a quick perception of the ridiculous---" + +"Allied with deep knowledge of men and motives, my Lord," said +Heffernan, catching up the sentence, "a practical acquaintance with +the world in its widest sense; that cultivated keenness that smacks of +reading intentions before they are avowed, and divining plans before +they are more than conceived. These solid gifts are all essential to the +man who would influence society, whether in a social circle or in the +larger sphere of active life." + +"Ah! but we were talking of merely social qualities," said Lord +Castlereagh, stealing a cautious look of half malice, "the wit that sets +the table in a roar." + +"And which, like lightning, my Lord, must now and then prove dangerous, +or men will cease to be dazzled by its brilliancy. Now, I rather incline +to think that the Knight's pleasantry is like some of the claret we were +drinking to-day, a little spoiled by age." + +"I protest strongly against the judgment," said Lord Castlereagh, with +energy; "the man who at his time of life consents to resume the toils +and dangers of a soldier's career must not be accused of growing old." + +"Perhaps your Lordship would rather shift the charge of senility +against the Government which appoints such an officer," said Heffernan, +maliciously. + +"As to that," said Lord Castlereagh, laughingly, "I believe the whole +thing was a mistake. Some jealous but indiscreet friend of Darcy's made +an application in his behalf, and without his cognizance, pressing +the claim of an old and meritorious officer, and directly asking for a +restitution to his grade. This was backed by Lord Netherby, one of the +lords in waiting, and without much inquiry--indeed, I fancy without +any--he was named colonel, in exchange from the unattached list. The +Knight was evidently flattered by so signal a mark of favor, and, if I +read him aright, would not change his command for a brigade at home. In +fact, he has already declined prospects not less certain of success." + +"And is this really the mode in which officers are selected for an +enterprise of hazard and importance?" said Heffernan, affecting a tone +of startled indignation as he spoke. + +"Upon my word, Heffernan," said Lord Castlereagh, subduing the rising +tendency to laugh outright, "I fear it is too true. We live in days of +backstairs and court favor. I saw an application for the office of Under +Secretary for Ireland, so late as yesterday--" + +"You did, my Lord!" interrupted Heffernan, with more warmth than he +almost ever permitted himself to feel. "You did, from a man who has +rendered more unrewarded services to the Government than any individual +in the kingdom." + +"The claim was a very suitable one," said Lord Castle-reagh, mildly. +"The gentleman who preferred it could point to a long list of successful +operations, whose conduct rested mainly or solely on his own consummate +skill and address; he could even allege the vast benefit of his advice +to young and not over-informed Chief Secretaries---" + +"I would beg to observe, my Lord---" + +"Pray allow me to continue," said Lord Castlereagh, laying his hand +gently on the other's arm. "As one of that helpless class so feelingly +alluded to, I am ready to evince the deepest sense of grateful +acknowledgments. It may be that I would rather have been mentioned more +flatteringly; that the applicant had spoken of me as an apter and more +promising scholar---" + +"My Lord, I must and will interrupt you. The memorial, which was +presented in my name, was sent forward under the solemn pledge that +it should meet the eyes of Mr. Pitt alone; that whether its prayer was +declined or accorded, none, save himself, should have cognizance of +it. If, after this, it was submitted to your Lordship's critical +examination, I leave it to your good taste and your sense of decorum how +far you can avow or make use of the knowledge so obtained." + +"I was no party in the compact you allege, nor. I dare to say, was Mr. +Pitt," said Lord Castlereagh, proudly; but, momentarily resuming his +former tone, he went on: "The Prime Minister, doubtless, knew how +valuable the lesson might be to a young man entering on public life +which should teach him not to lay too much store by his own powers +of acuteness, not to trust too implicitly to his own qualities of +shrewdness and perception; and that, by well reflecting on the aid he +received from others, he might see how little the subtraction would +leave for his own peculiar amount of skill. In this way I have to +acknowledge myself greatly Mr. Heffernan's debtor, since, without the +aid of this document, I should never have recognized how ignorant I was +of every party and every public man in Ireland; how dependent on his +good guidance; how I never failed save in rejecting, never succeeded +save in profiting by his wise and politic counsels." + +"Is your Lordship prepared to deny these assertions?" said Heffernan, +with an imperturbable coolness. + +"Am I not avowing my grateful sense of them?" said Lord Castlereagh, +smiling blandly. "I feel only the more deeply your debtor, because, till +now, I never knew the debt,--both principal and interest must be paid +together; but seriously, Heffernan, if you wanted office, was I not the +proper channel to have used in asking for it? Why disparage your pupil +while extolling your system?" + +"You did my system but little credit, my Lord," replied Heffernan, with +an accent as unmoved as before; "you bought votes when you should +have bought the voters themselves; you deemed the Bill of Union the +consummation of Irish policy,--it is only the first act of the piece. +You were not the first general who thought he beat the enemy when he +drove in the pickets." + +"Would my tactics have been better had I made one of my spies a +major-general, Mr. Heffernan?" said Lord Castlereagh, sneeringly. + +"Safer, my lord,--far safer," said Heffernan, "for he might not have +exposed you afterwards. But I think this is my hotel; and I must say it +is the first time in my life that I have closed an interview with your +Lordship without regret." + +"Am I to hope it will be the last?" said Lord Castle-reagh, laughing. + +"The last interview, my Lord, or the last occasion of regretting its +shortness?" said Heffernan, with a slight anxiety of voice. + +"Whichever Mr. Heffernan opines most to his advantage," was the cool +reply. + +"The former, with your permission, my Lord," said Heffernan, as a flush +suffused his cheek. "I wish your Lordship a very good night." + +"Good-night, good-night! Stay, Thomas, Mr. Heffernan has forgotten his +gloves." + +"Thanks, my Lord; they were not left as a gage of battle, I assure you." + +"I feel certain of it," said Lord Castlereagh, laughing. "Good-night, +once more." + +The carriage rolled on, and Mr. Heffernan stood for an instant gazing +after it through the gloom. + +"I might have known it," muttered he to himself; "these lords are the +only people who do stick to each other nowadays." Then, after a pause, +he added, "Drogheda is right, by Jove! there 's no playing against 'four +by honors.'" + +And with this reflection he slowly entered the hotel, and repaired to +his chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. A BIT OF B Y-P L A Y. + +Reverses of fortune might be far more easily supported, if they did not +entail, as their inevitable consequence, the association with those +all of whose tastes, habits, and opinions run in a new and different +channel. It is a terrible aggravation to the loss of those comforts +which habit has rendered necessaries, to unlearn the usages of a certain +condition, and adopt those of a class beneath us,--or, what is still +worse, engage in the daily, hourly conflict between our means and our +requirements. + +Perhaps Lady Eleanor Darcy and her daughter never really felt the +meaning of their changed condition, nor understood its poignancy, till +they saw themselves as residents of Mrs. Fumbally's boarding-house, +whither Mr. Dempsey's polite attentions had conducted them. It was to +no want of respect on that lady's part that any portion of this +feeling could be traced. "The Panther" had really behaved with the most +dignified consideration; and while her new guests were presented as +Mrs. and Miss Gwynne, intimated, by a hundred little adroit devices +of manner, that their real rank and title were regarded by her as +inviolable secrets,--not the less likely to be respected that she was +herself ignorant of both. Heaven knows what secret anguish the retention +of these facts cost poor Paul! secrecy being with him a quality +something like Acres' courage, which "oozed out of his fingers' ends." +Mr. Dempsey hated those miserly souls that can treasure up a fact for +their own personal enjoyment, and yet never invite a neighbor to +partake of it; and it was a very inefficient consolation to him, in this +instance, to throw a mysterious cloak over the strangers, and, by an air +of profound consciousness, seek to impose on the other boarders. He +made less scruple about what he deemed his own share of the mystery; +and scarcely had Mrs. Fumbally performed the honors of the two small +chambers destined for Lady Eleanor and Helen, than Paul followed her to +the little apartment familiarly termed her "den," and shutting the door, +with an appearance of deep caution, took his place opposite to her at +the fire. + +"Well, Mr. Dempsey," said Mrs. Fumbally, "now that all is done +and settled,--now that I have taken these ladies into the +'Establishment,'"--a very favorite designation of Mrs. Fum's when she +meant to be imposing,--"I hope I am not unreasonable iu expecting a full +and complete account from you of who they are, whence they came, and, in +fact, every particular necessary to satisfy me concerning them." + +"Mrs. Gwynne! Miss Gwynne! mother and daughter--Captain Gwynne, the +father, on the recruiting staff in the Isle of Skye, or, if you like it +better, with his regiment at St. John's. Mrs. G------, a Miss Rickaby, +one of the Rickabys of Pwhlmdlwmm, North Wales--ancient family--small +estate--all spent--obliged to live retired--till--till--no matter +what--a son comes of age--to sign something--or anything that way--" + +"This is all fiddle-faddle, Mr. Dempsey," said Mrs. Fum, with an +expression that seemed to say, "Take care how you trifle with me." + +"To be sure it is," rejoined Paul; "all lies, every word of it. What +do you say, then, if we have her the Widow Gwynne--husband shot at +Bergen-op-Zoom--" + +"I say, Mr. Dempsey, that if you wish me to keep your secret before the +other boarders--" + +"The best way is never to tell it to you--eh, Mrs. Fum? Well, come, I +will be open. Name, Gwynne--place of abode unknown--family ditto--means +supposed to be ample--daughter charming--so very much so, indeed, +that if Paul Dempsey were only what he ought--the Dempsey of Dempsey's +Grove--" + +"Oh, is that it?" said Mrs. Fumbally, endeavoring to smile,-"is that +it?" + +"That's it," rejoined Paul, as he drew up his shirt-collar, and adjusted +his cravat. + +"Isn't she very young, Mr. Dempsey?" said Mrs. Fum, slyly. + +"Twenty, or thereabouts, I take it," said Paul, carelessly,--"quite +suitable as regards age." + +"I never thought you 'd marry, Mr. Dempsey," said Mrs. Fum, with a +languishing look, that contrasted strangely with the habitually shrewish +expression of the "Pauther's" face. + +"Can't help it, Mrs. Fum. The last of the Romans! No more Dempseys when +I 'm gone, if I don't. Elder branch all dropped off,--last twig of the +younger myself." + +"Ah! these are considerations, indeed!" sighed the lady. "But don't you +think that a person more like yourself in taste--more similar in opinion +of the world? She looks proud, Mr. Dempsey; I should say, overbearingly +proud." + +"Rather proud myself, if that's all," said Dempsey, drawing himself up, +and protruding his chin with a most comic imitation of dignity. + +"Only becomingly so, Mr. Dempsey,--a proper sense of self-respect, a due +feeling for your future position in life,--I never saw more than that, I +must say. Now, I could n't help remarking the way that young lady threw +herself into the chair, and the glance she gave at the room. It +was number eight, Mr. Dempsey, with the chintz furniture, and the +looking-glass over the chimney! Well, really you 'd say, it was poor +Leonard's room, with the settee bed in the corner,--the look she gave +it!" + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Dempsey, who really felt horrified at this +undervaluing judgment of what every boarder regarded as the very sanctum +of the Fumbally Temple. + +"Truth, every word of it!" resumed Mrs. Fum. "I thought my ears +deceived me, as she said to her mother, 'Oh, it 's all very neat and +clean!'--neat and clean, Mr. Dempsey! The elegant rug which I worked +myself--the pointer--and the wild duck." + +"Like life, by Jove, if it was n't that the dog has only three legs." + +"Perspective, Mr. Dempsey, don't forget its perspective; and if the +bird's wings are maroon, I could n't help it, it was the only color to +be had in the town." + +"The group is fine,--devilish fine!" said Paul, with the air of one whose +word was final. + +"'Neat and clean' were the expressions she used. I could have cried as +I heard it." Here the lady, probably in consideration for the omission, +wiped her eyes, and dropped her voice to a very sympathetic key. +"She meant it well, depend upon it, Mrs. Fum, she meant it well." + +"And the old lady," resumed Mrs. Fumbally, deaf to every consolation, +"lay back in her chair this way, and said, 'Oh, it will all do very +well,--you 'll not find us troublesome, Mrs. Flumary!' I haven't been +the head of this establishment eight-and-twenty years to be called +Flumary. How these airs are to be tolerated by the other boarders, I'm +sure is more than I can say." + +It appeared more than Mr. Dempsey could say also, if one might pronounce +from the woe-begone expression of his face; for, up to this moment +totally wrapped up in the mysterious portion of the affair, he had lost +sight of all the conflicting interests this sudden advent would call +into activity. + +"That wasn't all," continued Mrs. Fumbally; "for when I told them +the dinner-hour was five, the old lady interrupted me with, 'For the +present, with your permission, we should prefer dining at six.' Did any +one ever hear the like? I 'll have a pretty rebellion in the house, when +it gets out! Mrs. Mackay will have her tea upstairs every night; Mr. +Dunlop will always breakfast in bed. I would n't be surprised if Miss +Boyle stood out for broth in the middle of the day." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Paul, holding up both hands in horror. + +"I vow and protest, I expect that next!" exclaimed Mrs. Fum, as folding +her arms, and fixing her eyes rigidly on the grate, she sat, the ideal +of abused and injured benevolence. "Indeed, Mr. Dempsey," said she, +after a long silence on both sides, "it would be a great breach of the +regard many years of intimacy with you has formed, if I did not say, +that your affections are misplaced. Beauty is a perishable gift." + +Paul looked at Mrs. Fumbally, and seemed struck with the truth of her +remark. + +"But the qualities of the miud, Mr. Dempsey, those rare endowments that +make happy the home and hearth. You 're fond of beef hash with pickled +onions," said she, smiling sweetly; "well, you shall have one to-day." + +"Good creature!" muttered Paul, while he pressed her hand +affectionately. "The best heart in the world!" + +"Ah, yes," sighed the lady, half soliloquizing, "conformity of +temper,--the pliancy of the reed,--the tender attachment of the ivy." + +Paul coughed, and drew himself up proudly, and, as if a sudden thought +occurred to him that he resembled the oak of the forest, he planted his +feet firmly, and stood stiff and erect. + +"You are not half careful enough about yourself, Mr. Dempsey,--never +attend to changing your damp clothes,--and I assure you the climate here +requires it; and when you come in cold and wet, you should always step +in here, on your way upstairs, and take a little something warm and +cordial. I don't know if you approve of this," suiting the action to the +words. Mrs. Fum had opened a small cupboard in the wall, and taken out +a quaint-looking flask, and a very diminutive glass. + +"Nectar, by Jove,--downright nectar!" + +"Made with some white currants and ginger," chimed in Mrs. Fum, simply, +as if to imply, "See what skill can effect; behold the magic power of +intelligence!" + +"White currants and ginger!" echoed Paul, holding out the glass to be +refilled. + +"A trifle of spirits, of course." + +"Of course! could n't be comforting without it." + +"That's what poor dear Fumbally always called, 'Ye know, ye know!' It +was his droll way of saying 'Noyau!'" Here Mrs. F. displayed a conflict +of smiles and tears, a perfect April landscape on her features. "He had +such spirits!" + +"I don't wonder, if he primed himself with this often," said Dempsey, +who at last relinquished his glass, but with evident unwillingness. + +[Illustration: 266] + +"He used to say that his was a happy home!" sobbed Mrs. Fum, while she +pressed her handkerchief to her face. + +Paul did not well know what he should say, or if, indeed, he was called +upon to utter a sentiment at all; but he thought he could have drunk +another glass to the late Fum's memory, if his widow had n't kept such a +tight grip of the flask. + +"Oh, Mr. Dempsey, who could have thought it would come to this?" The +sorrowful drooping of her eyelids, as she spoke, seemed to intimate +an allusion to the low state of the decanter, and Dempsey at once +replied,-- + +"There's a very honest glass in it still." + +"Kind--kind creature!" sobbed Mrs. Fum, as she poured out the last of +the liquor. And Paul was sorely puzzled, whether the encomium applied to +the defunct or himself. "Do you know, Mr. Dempsey," here she gave a kind +of hysterical giggle, that might take any turn,--hilarious, or the +reverse, as events should dictate,--"do you know that as I see you +there, standing before the fire, looking so pleasant and cheerful, so +much at home, as a body might say, I can't help fancying a great +resemblance between you and my poor dear Fum. He was older than you," +said she, rapidly, as a slight cloud passed over Paul's features;-"older +and stouter, but he had the same jocose smile, the same merry voice, and +even that little fidgety habit with the hands. I know you 'll forgive +me,--even that was his." + +This was in all probability strictly correct, inasmuch as for several +years before his demise the gifted individual had labored under a +perpetual "delirium tremens." + +"He rather liked this kind of thing," said Paul, pantomiming the action +of drinking with his now empty glass. + +"In moderation,-only in moderation." + +"I 've heard that it disagreed with him," rejoined Paul, who, not +pleased with his counterpart, resolved on showing a knowledge of his +habits. + +"So it did," sighed Mrs. Fum; "and he gave it up in consequence." + +"I heard that, too," said Paul; and then muttered to himself, "on the +morning he died." + +A gentle tap at the door now broke in upon the colloquy, and a very +slatternly servant woman, with bare legs and feet, made her appearance. + +"What d'ye want, Biddy?" asked her mistress, in an angry voice. "I 'm +just settling accounts with Mr. Dempsey, and you bounce in as if the +house was on fire." + +"It 's just himsel 's wanted," replied the northern maiden; "the leddie +canna get on ava without him, he maun come up to number 'eight,' as soon +as he can." + +"I 'm ready," quoth Paul, as he turned to arrange his cravat, and run +his hand through his hair; "I 'm at their service." + +"Remember, Mr. Dempsey, remember, that what I've spoken to you this day +is in the strictest confidence. If matters have proceeded far with the +young lady upstairs, if your heart, if hers be really engaged, forget +everything,--forget _me_." + +Mrs. Fumbally's emotion had so overpowered her towards the end of her +speech, that she rushed into an adjoining closet and clapped-to the +door, an obstacle that only acted as a sound-board to her sobs, and from +which Paul hastened with equal rapidity to escape. + +An entire hemisphere might have separated the small chamber where Mr. +Dempsey's late interview took place from the apartment on the first +floor, to which he now was summoned, and so, to do him justice, did Paul +himself feel; and not all the stimulating properties of that pleasant +cordial could allay certain tremors of the heart, as he turned the +handle of the door. + +Lady Eleanor was seated at a writing-table, and Helen beside her, +working, as Mr. Dempsey entered, and, after a variety of salutations, +took a chair, about the middle of the room, depositing his hat and +umbrella beside him. + +"It would seem, Mr. Dempsey," said Lady Eleanor, with a very benign +smile, "it would seem that we have made a very silly mistake; one, I +am bound to say, you are quite exonerated from any share in, and the +confession of which will, doubtless, exhibit my own and my daughter's +cleverness in a very questionable light before you. Do you know, Mr. +Dempsey, we believed this to be an inn." + +"An inn!" broke in Paul, with uplifted hands. + +"Yes, and it was only by mere accident we have discovered our error, and +that we are actually in a boarding-house. Pray now, Helen, do not laugh, +the blunder is quite provoking enough already." + +Why Miss Darcy should laugh, and what there could be to warrant the use +of the epithet, "provoking," Paul might have been broken on the wheel +without being able to guess, while Lady Eleanor went on,-- + +"Now, it would seem customary for the guests to adopt here certain hours +in common,--breakfasting, dining together, and associating like the +members of one family." + +Paul nodded an assent, and she resumed. + +"I need scarcely observe to _you_, Mr. Dempsey, how very unsuited either +myself or Miss Darcy would be to such an assembly, if even present +circumstances did not more than ever enjoin a life of strict +retirement." + +"Dear me!" exclaimed Paul in a tone of deprecation, "there never was +anything more select than this. Mother Fum never admits without a +reference; I can show you the advertisement in the Derry papers. We kept +the Collector out for two months, till he brought us a regular bill of +health, as a body might say." + +"Could you persuade them to let us remain in 'Quarantine,' then, for a +few days?" said Helen, smiling. + +"Oh, no! Helen, nothing of the kind; Mr. Dempsey must not be put to any +troublesome negotiations, on our account. There surely must be an hotel +of some sort in the town." + +"This is a nice mess!" muttered Paul, who began to anticipate some of +the miseries his good nature might cost him. + +"A few days, a week at furthest, I hope, will enable us to communicate +with our law adviser, and decide upon some more suitable abode. Could +you, then, for the meanwhile, suggest a comfortable inn, or if not, a +lodging in the town?" + +Paul wrung his hands in dismay, but uttered not a syllable. + +"To be candid, Mr. Dempsey," said Helen, "my father has a horror of +these kind of places, and you could recommend us no country inn, however +humble, where he would not be better pleased to hear of our taking +refuge." + +"But, Fumbally's! the best-known boarding-house in the North." + +"I should be sincerely grieved, to be understood as uttering one +syllable in its disparagement," rejoined Lady Eleanor; "I could not +ask for a more satisfactory voucher of its respectability; but ours are +peculiar circumstances." + +"Only a pound a week," struck in Paul, "with extras." + +"Nothing could be more reasonable; but pray understand me, I speak of +course in great ignorance, but it would appear to me that persons living +together in this fashion have a kind of right to know something of those +who present themselves for the first time amongst them. Now, there are +many reasons why neither my daughter nor myself would like to submit to +this species of inquiry." + +"I 'll settle all that," broke in Paul; "leave that to me, and you 'll +have no further trouble about it." + +"You must excuse my reliance even on such discretion," said Lady +Eleanor, with more hauteur than before. + +"Are we to understand that there is neither inn nor lodging-house to be +found?" said Helen. + +"Plenty of both, but full of bagmen," ejaculated Paul, whose +contrivances were all breaking down beneath him. + +"What is to be done?" exclaimed Lady Eleanor to her daughter. + +"Lord bless you!" cried Paul, in a whining voice, "if you only come down +amongst them with that great frill round your neck you wore the first +day I saw you at 'The Corvy,' you 'll scare them so, they 'll never have +courage to utter a word. There was Miss Daly--when she was here--" + +"Miss Daly,-Miss Maria Daly!" exclaimed both ladies together. + +"Miss Maria Daly," repeated Dempsey, with an undue emphasis on every +syllable. "She spent the summer with us on the coast." + +"Where had she resided up to that time, may I ask?" said Lady Eleanor, +hastily. + +"At 'The Corvy'--always at 'The Corvy,' until your arrival." + +"Oh, Helen, think of this!" whispered Lady Eleanor, in a voice tremulous +with agitation. "Think what sacrifices we have exacted from our +friends,--and now, to learn that while we stand hesitating about +encountering the inconveniences of our lot, that we have been subjecting +another to that very same difficulty from which we shrink." Then, +turning to Mr. Dempsey, she added,-- + +"I need not observe, sir, that while I desire no mystery to be thrown +around our arrival here, I will not be the less grateful for any +restraint the good company may impose on themselves as to inquiries +concerning us. We are really not worth the attention, and I should +be sorry to impose upon kind credulity by any imaginary claim to +distinction." + +"You'll dine below, then?" asked Paul, far more eager to ascertain this +fact than any reasons that induced it. + +Lady Eleanor bowed; and Dempsey, with a face beaming with delight, arose +to withdraw and communicate the happy news to Mrs. Fumbally. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. A GLANCE AT MRS. FUMBALLY'S. + +Great as Lady Eleanor's objection was to subjecting herself or her +daughter to the contact of a boarding-house party, when the resolve +was once taken the matter cost her far less thought or anxiety than it +occasioned to the other inmates of the "Establishment." It is only +in such segments of the great world that curiosity reaches its true +intensity, and the desire to know every circumstance of one's neighbor +becomes an absorbing passion. A distrustful impression that nobody +is playing on "the square "--that every one has some special cause +of concealment, some hidden shame--seems the presiding tone of these +places. + +Mrs. Fumbally's was no exception to the rule, and now that the residents +had been so long acquainted that the personal character and fortune of +each was known to all, the announcement of a new arrival caused the most +lively sensations of anxiety. + +Directories were ransacked for the name of Gwynne, and every separate +owner of the appellation canvassed and discussed. Army lists were +interrogated and conned over. Dempsey himself was examined for two hours +before a "Committee of the whole house;" and though his inventive +powers were no mean gifts, certain discrepancies, certain unexplained +difficulties, did not fail to strike the acute tribunal, and he was +dismissed as unworthy of credit. Baffled, not beaten, each retired to +dress for dinner,--a ceremony, be it remarked, only in use on great +occasions,--fully impressed with the conviction that the Gwynne case +was a legitimate object of search and discovery. + +It is not necessary here to allude to the strange display of costume +that day called forth, nor what singular extravagances in dress each +drew from the armory of his fascinations. The collector closed the +Custom-house an hour earlier, that he might be properly powdered for the +occasion. Miss Boyle abandoned, "for the nonce," her accustomed walk on +the Banside, where the officers used to lounge, and in the privacy of +her chamber prepared for the event. There is a tradition of her being +seen, with a formidable array of curl-papers, so late as four in the +afternoon. Mr. Dunlop was in a perpetual trot all day, between his +tailor and his bootmaker, sundry alterations being required at +a moment's notice. Mrs. Fumbally herself, however, eclipsed all +competitors, as, in a robe of yellow satin, spotted with red, she made +her appearance in the drawing-room; her head-dress being a turban of the +same prevailing colors, but ornamented by a drooping plume of feathers +and spangles so very umbrageous and pendent, that she looked like a +weeping-ash clad in tinsel. A crimson brooch of vast proportions--which, +on near inspection, turned out to be a portrait of the departed +Fumbally, but whose colors were, unhappily, not "fast ones"--confined +a scarf of green velvet, from which envious time had worn off all the +pile, and left a "sear and yellow" stubble everywhere perceptible. + +Whether Mrs. Fum's robe had been devised at a period when dresses were +worn much shorter, or that, from being very tall, a sufficiency of the +material could not be obtained,--but true it is, her costume would have +been almost national in certain Scotch regiments, and necessitated, +for modesty's sake, a peculiar species of ducking trip, that, with the +nodding motion of her head, gave her the gait of a kangaroo. + +Scarcely had the various individuals time to give a cursory glance +at their neighbors' finery, when Lady Eleanor appeared leaning on her +daughter's arm. Mr. Dempsey had waited for above half an hour outside +the door to offer his escort, which being coldly but civilly declined, +the ladies entered. + +Mrs. Fumbally rose to meet her guests, and was about to proceed in due +form with a series of introducings, when Lady Eleanor cut her short by +a very slight but courteous salutation to the company collectively, and +then sat down. + +The most insufferable assumption of superiority is never half so +chilling in its effect upon underbred people as the calm quietude of +good manners. + +And thus the party were more repelled by Lady Eleanor and her daughter's +easy bearing than they would have felt at any outrageous pretension. +The elegant simplicity of their dress, too, seemed to rebuke the stage +finery of the others, and very uneasy glances met and were interchanged +at this new companionship. A few whispered words, an occasional +courageous effort to talk aloud, suddenly ending in a cough, and an +uneasy glance at the large silver watch over the chimney, were all that +took place, when the uncombed head of a waiter, hired specially for the +day, gave the announcement that dinner was served. + +"Mr. Dempsey--Mr. Dunlop," said Mrs. Fumbally, with a gesture towards +Lady Eleanor and her daughter. The gentlemen both advanced a step and +then stood stock still, as Lady Eleanor, drawing her shawl around her +with one hand, slipped the other within her daughter's arm. Every eye +was now turned towards Mr. Dunlop, who was a kind of recognized type +of high life; and he, feeling the urgency of the moment, made a step in +advance, and with extended arm, said, "May I have the honor to offer my +arm?" + +"With your leave, I'll take my daughter's, sir," said Lady Eleanor, +coldly; and without paying the least attention to the various +significant glances around her, she walked forward to the dinner-room. + +The chilling reserve produced by the new arrivals had given an air of +decorous quietude to the dinner, which, if gratifying to Lady Eleanor +and Helen, was very far from being so to the others, and as the +meal proceeded, certain low mutterings--the ground swell of a coming +storm--announced the growing feeling of displeasure amongst them. +Lady Eleanor and Miss Darcy were too unconscious of having offered any +umbrage to the party to notice these indications of discontent; nor did +they remark that Mr. + +Dempsey himself was becoming overwhelmed by the swelling waves of +popular indignation. + +A very curt monosyllable had met Lady Eleanor in the two efforts she +had made at conversation with her neighbor, and she was perhaps not +very sorry to find that table-talk was not a regulation of the +"Establishment". + +Had Lady Eleanor or Helen been disposed to care for it, they might +have perceived that the dinner itself was not less anomalous than the +company, and like them suffered sorely from being over-dressed. They, +however, affected to eat, and seemed satisfied with everything, resolved +that, having encountered the ordeal, they would go through with it to +the last. The observances of the table had one merit in the Fumbally +household; they were conducted with no unnecessary tediousness. The +courses--if we dare so apply the name to an irregular skirmish of meats, +hot, cold, and _rechauffe_--followed rapidly, the guests ate equally so, +and the table presented a scene, if not of convivial enjoyment, at least +of bustle and animation, that supplied its place. This movement, so to +call it, was sufficiently new to amuse Helen Darcy, who, less pained +than her mother at their companionship, could not help relishing many +of the eccentric features of the scene; everything in the dress, manner, +tone of voice, and bearing of the company presenting such a striking +contrast to all she had been used to. This enjoyment on her part, +although regulated by the strictest good-breeding, was perceived, or +rather suspected, by some of the ladies present, and looks of very +unmistakable anger were darted towards her from the end of the table, so +that both mother and daughter felt the moment a very welcome one when a +regiment of small decanters were set down on the board, and the ladies +rose to withdraw. + +If Lady Eleanor had consulted her own ardent wishes, she would at once +have retired to her room, but she had resolved on the whole sacrifice, +and took her place in the drawing-room, determined to follow in every +respect the usages around her. Mrs. Fumbally addressed a few civil words +to her, and then left the room to look after the cares of the household. +The group of seven ladies who remained, formed themselves into a coterie +apart, and producing from sundry bags and baskets little specimens of +female handiwork, began arranging their cottons and worsteds with a most +praiseworthy activity. + +While Lady Eleanor sat with folded bands and half-closed lids, sunk in +her own meditations, Helen arose and walked towards a book-shelf, where +some well-thumbed volumes were lying. An odd volume of "Delphine," +a "Treatise on Domestic Cookery," and "Moore's Zeluco" were not +attractive, and she sauntered to the piano, on which were scattered +some of the songs from the "Siege of Belgrade," the then popular piece; +certain comic melodies lay also among them, inscribed with the name of +Lawrence M'Farland, a gentleman whom they had heard addressed several +times during dinner. While Helen turned over the music pages, the eyes +of the others were riveted on her; and when she ran her fingers over the +keys of the cracked old instrument, and burst into an involuntary laugh +at its discordant tones, a burst of unequivocal indignation could no +longer be restrained. + +"I declare, Miss M'Corde," said an old lady with a paralytic shake in +her head, and a most villanous expression in her one eye,--"I declare I +would speak to her, if I was in your place." + +"Unquestionably," exclaimed another, whose face was purple with +excitement; and thus encouraged, a very thin and very tall personage, +with a long, slender nose tipped with pink, and light red hair in +ringlets, arose from her seat, and approached where Helen was standing. + +"You are perhaps not aware, ma'am," said she, with a mincing, lisping +accent, the very essence of gentility, "that this instrument is not a +'house piano.'" + +Helen blushed slightly at the address, but could not for her life guess +what the words meant. She had heard of grand pianos and square pianos, +of cottage pianos, but never of "house pianos," and she answered in the +most simple of voices, "Indeed." + +"No, ma'am, it is not; it belongs to your very humble servant,"--here +she courtesied to the ground,-"who regrets deeply that its tone should +not have more of your approbation." + +"And I, ma'am," said a fat old lady, waddling over, and wheezing +as though she should choke, "I have to express my sorrow that the +book-shelf, which you have just ransacked, should not present something +worthy of your notice. The volumes are mine." + +"And perhaps, ma'am," cried a third, a little meagre figure, with a +voice like a nutmeg-grater, "you could persuade the old lady, who I +presume is your mother, to take her feet off that worked stool. When I +made it, I scarcely calculated on the honor it now enjoys!" + +Lady Eleanor looked up at this instant, and although unconscious of what +was passing, seeing Helen, whose face was now crimson, standing in the +midst of a very excited group, she arose hastily, and said,-- + +"Helen, dearest, is there anything the matter?" + +"I should say there was, ma'am," interposed the very fat lady,--"I +should be disposed to say there was a great deal the matter. That to +make use of private articles as if they were for house use, to thump one +lady's piano, to toss another lady's books, to make oneself comfortable +in a chair specially provided for the oldest boarder, with one's feet +on another lady's footstool,--these are liberties, ma'am, which become +something more than freedoms when taken by unknown individuals." + +"I beg you will forgive my daughter and myself," said Lady Eleanor, with +an air of real regret; "our total ignorance--" + +"I thought as much, indeed," muttered she of the shaking head; "there is +no other word for it." + +"You are quite correct, ma'am," said Lady Eleanor, at once addressing +her in the most apologetic of voices,-"I cannot but repeat the word; our +very great ignorance of the usages observed here is our only excuse, and +I beg you to believe us incapable of taking such liberties in future." + +If anything could have disarmed the wrath of this Holy Alliance, the +manner in which these words were uttered might have done so. Far from +it, however. When the softer sex are deficient in breeding, mercy +is scarcely one of their social attributes. Had Lady Eleanor assumed +towards them the manner with which in other days she had repelled vulgar +attempts at familiarity, they would in all probability have shrunk +back, abashed and ashamed; but her yielding suggested boldness, and +they advanced, with something like what in Cossack warfare is termed a +"Hurra," an indiscriminate clang of voices being raised in reprobation +of every supposed outrage the unhappy strangers had inflicted on the +company. Amid this Babel of accusation Lady Eleanor could distinguish +nothing, and while, overwhelmed by the torrent, she was preparing +to take her daughter's arm and withdraw, the door which led into the +dining-room was suddenly thrown open, and the convivial party entered +_en masse_. + +[Illustration: 280] + +"Here's a shindy, by George!" cried Mr. M'Farland,--the Pickle, and the +wit of the Establishment,--"I say, see how the new ones are getting it!" + +While Mr. Dempsey hurried away to seek Mrs. Fumbally herself, the +confusion and uproar increased; the loud, coarse laughter of the +"Gentlemen" being added to the wrathful violence of the softer sex. +Lady Eleanor, how-ever, had drawn her daughter to her side, and +without uttering a word, proceeded to leave the room. To this course a +considerable obstacle presented itself in the shape of the Collector, +who, with expanded legs, and hands thrust deep into his side-pockets, +stood against the door. + +"Against the ninth general rule, ma'am, which you may read in the frame +over the chimney!" exclaimed he, in a voice somewhat more faltering and +thicker than became a respectable official. "No lady or gentleman can +leave the room while any dispute in which they are concerned remains +unsettled. Isn't that it, M'Farland?" cried he, as the young gentleman +alluded to took down the law-table from its place. + +"All right," replied M'Farland; "the very best rule in the house. +Without it, all the rows would take place in private! Now for a court of +inquiry. Mr. Dunlop, you are for the prosecution, and can't sit." + +"May I beg, sir, you will permit us to pass out?" said Lady Eleanor, in +a voice whose composure was slightly shaken. + +"Can't be, ma'am; in contravention of all law," rejoined the Collector. + +"Where is Mr. Dempsey?" whispered Helen, in her despair; and though the +words were uttered in a low voice, one of the ladies overheard them. +A general titter ran immediately around, only arrested by the fat lady +exclaiming aloud, "Shameless minx!" + +A very loud hubbub of voices outside now rivalled the tumult within, +amid which one most welcome was distinguished by Helen. + +"Oh, mamma, how fortunate! I hear Tate's voice." + +"It's me,--it's Mrs. Fumbally," cried that lady, at the same moment +tapping sharply at the door. + +"No matter, can't open the door now. Court is about to sit," replied the +Collector. "Mrs. Gwynne stands arraigned for--for what is't? There 's no +use in making that clatter; the door shall not be opened." + +This speech was scarcely uttered, when a tremendous bang was heard, and +the worthy Collector, with the door over him, was hurled on his face in +the midst of the apartment, upsetting in his progress a round table and +a lamp over the assembled group of ladies. + +Screams of terror, rage, pain, and laughter were now commingled; and +while some assisted the prostrate official to rise, and sprinkled his +temples with water, others bestowed their attentions on the discomfited +fair, whose lustre was sadly diminished by lamp-oil and bruises, while +a third section, of which M'Farland was chief, lay back in their chairs +and laughed vociferously. Meanwhile, how and when nobody could tell, +Lady Eleanor and her daughter had escaped and gained their apartments in +safety. + +A more rueful scene than the room presented need not be imagined. The +Collector, whose nose bled profusely, sat pale, half fainting, in +one corner, while some kind friends labored to stop the bleeding, and +restore him to animation. Lamentations of the most poignant grief were +uttered over silks, satins, and tabinets irretrievably ruined; while +the paralytic lady having broken the ribbon of her cap, her head rolled +about fearfully, and even threatened to come clean off altogether. As +for poor Mrs. Fumbally, she flew from place to place, in a perfect agony +of affliction; now wringing her hands over the prostrate door, now over +the fragments of the lamp, and now endeavoring to restore the table, +which, despite all her efforts, would not stand upon two legs. But the +most miserable figure of all was Paul Dempsey, who saw no footing for +himself anywhere. Lady Eleanor and Helen must detest him to the day +of his death. The boarders could never forgive him. Mrs. Fum would as +certainly regard him as the author of all evil, and the Collector would +inevitably begin dunning him for an unsettled balance of fourteen and +ninepence, lost at "Spoiled five" two winters before. + +Already, indeed, symptoms of his unpopularity began to show themselves. +Angry looks and spiteful glances were directed towards him, amidst +muttered expressions of displeasure. How far these manifestations might +have proceeded there is no saying, had not the attention of the company +been drawn to the sudden noise of a carriage stopping at the street +door. + +"Going, flitting, evacuating the territory!" exclaimed M'Farland, as +from an open window he contemplated the process of packing a post-chaise +with several heavy trunks and portmanteaus. + +"The Gwynnes!" muttered the Collector, with his handkerchief to his +face. + +"Even so! flying with camp equipage and all. There stands your victor, +that little old fellow with the broad shoulders. I say, come here a +moment," called he aloud, making a sign for Tate to approach. "The +Collector is not in the least angry for what's happened; he knew you did +n't mean anything serious. Pray, who are these ladies, your mistresses I +mean?" + +"Lady Eleanor Darcy and Miss Darcy, of Gwynne Abbey," replied Tate, +sturdily, as he gave the names with a most emphatic distinctness. + +"The devil it was!" exclaimed M'Farland. + +"By my conscience, ye may well wonder at being in such company, sir," +said Tate, laughing, and resuming his place just in time to assist +Lady Eleanor to ascend the steps. Helen quickly followed, the door was +slammed to, and, Tate mounting with the alacrity of a town footman, the +chaise set out at a brisk pace down the street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. THE COAST IN WINTER + +Although Tate Sullivan had arrived in Coleraine and provided himself +with a chaise expressly to bring his mistress and her daughter back +to "The Corvy,"--from which the sheriff's officers had retired in +discomfiture, on discovering the loss of their warrants,--Lady Eleanor, +dreading a renewal of the law proceedings, had determined never to +return thither. + +From the postilion they learned that a small but not uncomfortable +lodging could be had near the little village of Port Ballintray, and to +this spot they now directed their course. The transformation of a little +summer watering-place into the dismal village of some poor fishermen in +winter, is a sad spectacle; nor was the picture relieved by the presence +of the fragments of a large vessel, which, lately lost with all its +crew, hung on the rocks, thumping and clattering with every motion of +the waves. By the faint moonlight Lady Eleanor and her daughter could +mark the outlines of figures, as they waded in the tide or clambered +along the rocks, stripping the last remains of the noble craft, and +contending with each other for the spoils of the dead. + +If the scene itself was a sorrowful one, it was no less painful to their +eyes from feeling a terrible similitude between their own fortunes and +that of the wrecked vessel; the gallant ship, meant to float in its +pride over the ocean, now a broken and shattered wreck, falling asunder +with each stroke of the sea! + +"How like and yet how unlike!" sighed Lady Eleanor; "if these crushed +and shattered timbers have no feeling in the hour of adversity, yet are +they denied the glorious hopefulness that in the saddest moments clings +to humanity. Ours is shipwreck, too, but, taken at its worst, is only +temporary calamity!" + +Helen pressed her mother's hands with fervor to her lips; perhaps never +had she loved her with more intensity than at that instant. + +The chaise drew up at the door of a little cabin, built at the foot of, +and, as it actually seemed, against a steep rocky cliff of great height. +In summer it was regarded as one of the best among the surrounding +lodgings, but now it looked dreary enough. A fishing-boat, set up on +one end, formed a kind of sheltering porch to the doorway; while spars, +masts, and oars were lashed upon the thatch, to serve as a protection +against the dreadful gales of winter. + +A childless widow was the only occupant, whose scanty livelihood was +eked out by letting lodgings to the summer visitors,--a precarious +subsistence, which in bad seasons, and they were not unfrequent, +failed altogether. It was with no small share of wonderment that Mary +Spellan--or "old Molly," as the village more usually called her--saw a +carriage draw up to the cabin door late of a dark night in winter; nor +was this feeling unalloyed by a very strong tincture of suspicion, for +Molly was an Antrim woman, and had her proportion of the qualities, good +and bad, of the "Black North." + +"They 'll no be makin' a stay on't," said she to the postboy, who, +in his capacity of interpreter, had got down to explain to Molly +the requirements of the strangers. "They 'll be here to-day and awa +to-morrow, I 'm thenkin'," said she, with habitual and native distrust. +"And what for wull I make a 'hottle'"--no greater indignity could be +offered to the lodging-house keeper than to compare the accommodation +in any respect with that of an hotel--"of my wee bit house, takin' out +linen and a' the rest o' it for maybe a day or twa." + +Lady Eleanor, who watched from the window of the chaise the course of +the negotiations without hearing any part of the colloquy, was impatient +at the slow progress events seemed to take, and supposing that the +postboy's demands were made with more regard to their habits than to old +Molly's means of accommodation, called out,-- + +"Tell the good woman that we are easily satisfied; and if the cabin be +but clean and quiet--" + +"What's the leddie sayin'?" said Molly, who heard only a stray word, and +that not overpleasing to her. + +"She 's saying it will do very well," said the postboy, conciliatingly, +"and 'tis maybe a whole year she 'll stay with you." + +"Ech, dearee me!" sighed Molly, "it's wearisome enough to hae' them a' +the summer, without hae'ing them in the winter too. Tell her to come +ben, and see if she likes the place." And with this not over-courteous +proposal, Molly turned her back, and rolled, rather thau walked, into +the cabin. + +The three little rooms which comprised the whole suite destined for +strangers, were, in all their poverty, scrupulously clean; and Molly, +gradually thawed by the evident pretensions of her guests, volunteered +little additions to the furniture, as she went along, concluding with +the very characteristic remark,-- + +"But ye maun consider, that it's no my habit, or my likin' either, to +hae lodgers in the winter; and af ye come, ye maun e'en pay for your +whistle, like ither folk." + +This was the arrangement that gave Lady Eleanor the least trouble; and +though the terms demanded were in reality exorbitant, they were acceded +to without hesitation by those who never had had occasion to make +similar compacts, and believed that the sum was a most reasonable one. + +As is ever the case, the many wants and inconveniences of a restricted +dwelling were far more placidly endured by those long habituated to +every luxury than by their followers; and so, while Lady Eleanor and +Helen submitted cheerfully to daily privations of one kind or other, +Tate lived a life of everlasting complaint and grumbling over the narrow +accommodation of the cabin, continually irritating old Molly by demands +impossible to comply with, and suggesting the necessity of changes +perfectly out of her power to effect. It is but justice to the faithful +old butler to state, that to this line of conduct he was prompted by +what he deemed due to his mistress and her high station, rather than by +any vain hope of ever succeeding, his complaints being less demands for +improvement than after the fashion of those "protests" which dissentient +members of a legislature think it necessary to make in cases where +opposition is unavailing. + +These half-heard mutterings of Tate were the only interruptions to a +life of sad but tranquil monotony. Lady Eleanor and her daughter lived +as though in a long dream; the realities around them so invested with +sameness and uniformity that days, weeks, and months blended into each +other, and became one commingled mass of time, undivided and unmarked. +Of the world without they heard but little; of those dearest to them, +absolutely nothing. The very newspapers maintained a silence on the +subject of the expedition under Abercrombie, so that of the Knight +himself they had no tidings whatever. Of Daly they only heard once, at +the end of one of Bicknell's letters, one of those gloomy records of the +law's delay; that he said, "You will be sorry to learn that Mr. Bagenal +Daly, having omitted to appear personally or by counsel in a cause +lately called on here, has been cast in heavy damages, and pronounced +in contempt, neither of which inflictions will probably give him much +uneasiness, if, as report speaks, he has gone to pass the remainder of +his days in America. Miss Daly speaks of joining him, when she learns +that he has fixed on any spot of future residence." The only particle of +consolation extractable from the letter was in a paragraph at the end, +which ran thus: "O'Reilly's solicitor has withdrawn all the proceedings +lately commenced, and there is an evident desire to avoid further +litigation. I hear that for the points now in dispute an arbitration +will be proposed. Would you feel disposed or free to accept such +an offer, if made? Let me know this, as I should be prepared at all +events." + +Even this half-confession of a claim gave hope to the drooping spirits +of Lady Eleanor, and she lost no time in acquainting Bicknell with her +opinion that while they neither could nor would compromise the rights +of their son, for any interests actually their own, and terminating +with their lives, they would willingly adopt any arrangement that should +remove the most pressing evils of poverty, and permit them to live +united for the rest of their days. + +The severe winter of northern Ireland closed in, with all its darkening +skies and furious storms; scattered fragments of wrecked vessels, spars, +and ship-gear strewed the rocky coast for miles. The few cottages here +and there were closed and barricaded as if against an enemy, the roofs +fastened down by ropes and heavy implements of husbandry, to keep safe +the thatch; the boats of the fishermen drawn up on land, grouped round +the shealings in sad but not unpicturesque confusion. The ever-restless +sea beating like thunder upon that iron shore, the dark impending clouds +lowering over cliff and precipice, were all that the eye could mark. +No cattle were on the hills; the sheep nestling in the little glens and +valleys were almost undistinguishable from the depth of gloom around; +not a man was to be seen. + +The little village of Port Ballintray, which a few months before +abounded in all the sights and sounds of human intercourse, was now +perfectly deserted. Most of the cottages were fastened on the inside; +in some the doors, burst open by the storm, showed still more +unquestionably that no dwellers remained; the little gardens, tended +with such care, were now uprooted and devastated; fallen trellises and +ruined porches were seen on every side; and even Mrs. Fumbally's, the +pride and glory of the place, had not escaped the general wreck, and the +flaunting archway, on which, in bright letters, her name was inscribed, +hung pensively by one pillar, and waved like a sad pendulum, "counting +the weary minutes over!" + +While nothing could less resemble the signs of habitation than the +aspect of matters without, within a fire burned on more than one hearth, +and a serving-woman was seen moving from place to place occupied in +making those arrangements which bespoke the speedy arrival of visitors. + +It was long after nightfall that a travelling carriage and four--a rare +sight in such a place, even in the palmiest days of summer--drew up +at the front of the little garden, and after some delay a very old and +feeble man was lifted out, and carried between two servants into the +house; he was followed by another, whose firm step and erect figure +indicated the prime of life; while after him again came a small man, +most carefully protected by coats and comforters against the severity of +the season. He walked lame, and in the shuddering look he gave around in +the short transit from the carriage to the house-door, showed that such +prospects, however grand and picturesque, had few charms for him. + +A short interval elapsed after the luggage was removed from the +carriage, and then one of the servants mounted the box, the horses' +beads were turned, and the conveyance was seen retiring by the road to +Coleraine. + +The effective force of Mrs. Fum's furniture was never remarkable, in +days of gala and parade; it was still less imposing now, when nothing +remained save an invalided garrison of deal chairs and tables, a few +curtainless beds, and a stray chest of drawers or two of the rudest +fashion. + +The ample turf fire on the hearth of the chief sitting-room, cheering +and bright as was its aspect, after the dark and rainy scene without +doors, could not gladden the air of these few and comfortless movables +into a look of welcome; and so one of the newly arrived party seemed to +feel, as he threw his glance over the meagre-looking chamber, and in a +half-complaining, half-inquiring tone, said,-- + +"Don't you think, sir, they might have done this a little better? These +windows are no defence against the wind or rain, the walls are actually +soaked with wet; not a bit of carpet, not a chair to sit upon! I 'm +greatly afraid for the old gentleman; if he were to be really ill in +such a place--" + +A heavy fit of coughing from the inner room now seemed to corroborate +the suspicion. + +"We must make the best of it, Nalty," said the other. "Remember, the +plan was of your own devising; there was no time for much preparation +here, if even it had been prudent or possible to make it; and as to +my father, I warrant you his constitution is as good as yours or mine; +anxiety about this business has preyed upon him; but let your plan only +succeed, and I warrant him as able to undergo fatigue and privation as +either of us." + +"His cough is very troublesome," interposed Nalty, timidly. + +"About the same I have known it every winter since I was a boy," said +the other, carelessly. "I say, sir," added he, louder, while he tapped +the door with his knuckles,--"I say, sir, Nalty is afraid you have +caught fresh cold." + +"Tell him his annuity is worth three years' purchase," said the old man +from within, with a strange unearthly effort at a laugh. "Tell him, +if he 'll pay five hundred pounds down, I 'll let him run his own life +against mine in the deed." + +"There, you hear that, Nalty! What say you to the proposal?" + +"Wonderful old man! astonishing!" muttered Nalty, evidently not +flattered at the doubts thus suggested as to his own longevity. + +"He doesn't seem to like that, Bob, eh?" called out the old man, with +another cackle. + +"After that age they get a new lease, sir,--actually a new lease of +life," whispered Nalty. + +Mr. O'Reilly--for it was that gentleman, who, accompanied by his father +and confidential lawyer, formed the party--gave a dry assent to the +proposition, and drawing his chair closer to the fire, seemed to occupy +himself with his own thoughts. Meanwhile the old doctor continued to +maintain a low muttering conversation with his servant, until at length +the sounds were exchanged for a deep snoring respiration, and he slept. + +The appearance of a supper, which, if not very appetizing, was at least +very welcome, partially restored the drooping spirits of Mr. Nalty, who +now ate and talked with a degree of animation quite different from his +former mood. + +"The ham is excellent, sir, and the veal very commendable," said he, +perceiving that O'Reilly sat with his untouched plate before him, "and a +glass of sherry is very grateful after such a journey." + +"A weary journey, indeed," said O'Reilly, sighing: "the roads in this +part of the island would seem seldom travelled, and the inns never +visited; however, if we succeed, Nalty--" + +"So we shall, sir, I have not the slightest doubt of it; it is perfectly +evident that they have no money to go on. 'The sinews of war' are +expended, all Bicknell's late proceedings indicate a failing exchequer; +that late record, for instance, at Westport, should never have been left +to a common jury." + +"All this may be true, and yet we may find them unwilling to adopt a +compromise: there is a spirit in this class of men very difficult to +deal with." + +"But we have two expedients," interrupted Nalty. + +"Say, rather, a choice between two; you forget that if we try my +father's plan, the other can never be employed." + +"I incline to the other mode of procedure," said Nalty, thoughtfully; +"it has an appearance of frankness and candor very likely to influence +people of this kind; besides, we have such a strong foundation to go +upon,--the issue of two trials at bar, both adverse to them, O'Grady's +opinion on the ejectment cases equally opposed to their views. The +expense of a suit in equity to determine the validity of the entail, and +show how far young Darcy can be a plaintiff: then the cases for a jury; +all costly matters, sir! Bicknell knows this well; indeed, if the truth +were out, I suspect Sam is getting frightened about his own costs, he +has sold out of the funds twice to pay fees." + +"Yet the plan is a mere compromise, after all," said O'Reilly; "it is +simply saying, relinquish your right, and accept so much money." + +"Not exactly, sir; we deny the right, we totally reject the claim, we +merely say, forego proceedings that are useless, spare yourselves and us +the cost and publicity of legal measures, whose issue never can benefit +you, and, in return for your compliance, receive an annuity or a sum, as +may be agreed upon." + +"But how is Lady Eleanor to decide upon a course so important, in the +absence of her husband and her son? Is it likely, is it possible, she +would venture on so bold a step?" + +"I think so; Bicknell half acknowledged that the funds of the suit were +her jointure, and that Darcy, out of delicacy towards her, had left it +entirely at her option to continue or abandon the proceedings." + +"Still," said O'Reilly, "a great difficulty remains; for supposing them +to accept our terms, that they give up the claim and accept a sum +in return, what if at some future day evidence should turn up to +substantiate their views,--they may not, it is true, break the +engagement--though I don't see why they should not--but let us imagine +them to be faithful to the contract,-what will the world say? In what +position shall we stand when the matter gains publicity?" + +"How can it, sir?" interposed Nalty, quickly; "how is it possible, if +there be no trial? The evidence, as you call it, is no evidence unless +produced in court. You know, sir," said the little man, with twinkling +eyes and pleased expression, "that a great authority at common law only +declined the testimony of a ghost because the spirit was n't in court +to be cross-examined. Now all they could bring would be rumor, newspaper +allegations and paragraphs, asterisks and blanks." + +"There may come a time when public opinion, thus expounded, will be +as stringent as the judgments of the law courts," said O'Reilly, +thoughtfully. + +"I am not so certain of that, sir; the license of an unfettered press +will always make its decisions inoperative; it is 'the chartered +libertine' the poet speaks of." + +"But what if, yielding to public impression, it begins to feel that its +weight is in exact proportion to its truth, that well-founded opinions, +just judgments, correct anticipations, obtain a higher praise and price +than scandalous anecdotes and furious attacks? What if that day should +arrive, Nalty? I am by no means convinced that such an era is distant." + +"Let it come, sir," said the little man, rubbing his hands, "and when it +does there will be enough employment on its hand without going back on +our trangressions; the world will always be wicked enough to keep the +moralist at his work of correction. But to return to our immediate +object, I perceive you are inclined to Dr. Hickman's plan." + +"I am so far in its favor," said O'Reilly, "that it solves the present +difficulty, and prevents all future danger. Should my father succeed +in persuading Lady Eleanor to this marriage, the interest of the +two families is inseparably united. It is very unlikely that any +circumstance, of what nature soever, would induce young Darcy to dispute +his sister's claim, or endanger her position in society. This settlement +of the question is satisfactory in itself, and shows a good face to the +world, and I confess I am curious to know what peculiar objection you +can see against it." + +"It has but one fault, sir." + +"And that?" + +"Simply, it is impossible." + +"Is it the presumption of a son of mine seeking an alliance with +the daughter of Maurice Darcy that appears so very impossible?" said +Hickman, with a hissing utterance of each word, that bespoke a fierce +conflict of passion within him. + +"Certainly not, sir," replied Nalty, hastily excusing himself. "I am +well aware which party contributes most to such a compact. Mr. Beecham +O'Reilly might look far higher--" + +"Wherein lies the impossibility you speak of, then?" rejoined O'Reilly, +sternly. + +"I need scarcely remind _you_, sir," said Nalty, with an air of deep +humility, "_you_ that have seen so much more of life than I have, of +what inveterate prejudices these old families, as they like to call +themselves, are made up; that, creating a false standard of rank, they +adhere to its distinctions with a tenacity far greater than what they +exhibit towards the real attributes of fortune. They seem to adopt for +their creed the words of the old song,-- + + "The King may make a Baron bold, + Or an Earl of any fool, sir, + But with all his power, and all his gold + He can never make an O'Toole, sir." + +"These are very allowable feelings when sustained by wealth and +fortune," said O'Reilly, quietly. + +"I verily believe their influence is greater in adversity," said Nalty; +"they seem to have a force of consolation that no misery can rob them +of. Besides, in this case--for we should not lose sight of the matter +that concerns us most--we must not forget that they regard your family +in the light of oppressors. I am well aware that you have acted legally +and safely throughout; but still--let us concede something to human +prejudices and passions--is it unreasonable to suppose that they charge +you and yours with their own downfall?" + +"The more natural our desire to repair the apparent wrong." + +"Very true on _your_ part, but not perhaps the more necessary on theirs +to accept the amende." + +"That will very much depend, I think, on the way of its being proffered. +Lady Eleanor, cold, haughty, and reserved as she is to the world, has +always extended a degree of cordiality and kindness towards my father; +his age, his infirmities, a seeming simplicity in his character, have +had their influence. I trust greatly to this feeling, and to the effect +of a request made by an old man, as if from his death-bed. My father is +not deficient in the tact to make an appeal of this kind very powerful; +at all events, his heart is in the scheme, and nothing short of that +would have induced me to venture on this long and dreary journey at +such a season. Should he only succeed in gaining an influence over Lady +Eleanor, through pity or any other motive, we are certain to succeed. +The Knight, I feel sure, would not oppose; and as for the young lady, a +handsome young fellow with a large fortune can scarcely be deemed very +objectionable." + +"How was the proposition met before?" said Nalty, inquiringly; "was +their refusal conveyed in any expression of delicacy? Was there any +acknowledgment of the compliment intended them?" + +"No, not exactly," said O'Reilly, blushing; for, while he hesitated +about the danger of misleading his adviser, he could not bear to repeat +the insolent rejection of the offer. "The false position in which the +families stood towards each other made a great difficulty; but, more +than all, the influence of Bagenal Daly increased the complexity; now +he, fortunately for us, is not forthcoming, his debts have driven him +abroad, they say." + +"So, then, they merely declined the honor in cold and customary phrase?" +said Nalty, carelessly. + +"Something in that way," replied O'Reilly, affecting an equal unconcern; +"but we need not discuss the point, it affords no light to guide us +regarding the future." + +If Nalty saw plainly that some concealment was practised towards him, he +knew his client too well to venture on pushing his inquiries further; +so he contented himself with asking when and in what manner O'Reilly +proposed to open the siege. + +"To-morrow morning," replied the other; "there's no time to be lost. +A few lines from my father to Lady Eleanor will acquaint her with his +arrival in the neighborhood, after a long and fatiguing search for her +residence. We may rely upon him performing his part well; he will allude +to his own breaking health in terms that will not fail to touch her, +and ask permission to wait upon her. As for us, Nalty, we must not be +foreground figures in the picture. You, if known to be here at all, must +be supposed to be my father's medical friend. I must be strictly in the +shade." + +Nalty gave a grim smile at the notion of his new professional character, +and begged O'Reilly to proceed. + +"Our strategy goes no further; such will be the order of battle. We must +trust to my father for the mode he will engage the enemy afterwards, for +the reasons which have led him to take this step,--the approaching close +of a long life, unburdened with any weighty retrospect, save that which +concerns the Darcy family; for, while affecting to sorrow over their +changed fortunes, he can attribute their worst evils to bad counsels +and rash advice, and insinuate how different had been their lot had they +only consented to regard us--as they might and ought to have done--in +the light of friends. Hush! who is speaking there?" + +They listened for a second or two, and then came the sound of the old +man's voice, as he talked to himself in his sleep; his accents were +low and complaining, as if he were suffering deeply from some mental +affliction, and at intervals a heavy sob would break from him. + +"He is ill, sir; the old gentleman is very ill!" said Nalty, in real +alarm. + +"Hush!" said O'Reilly, as, with one hand on the door, he motioned +silence with the other. + +"Yes, my Lady," muttered the sleeper, but in a voice every syllable of +which was audible, "eighty-six years have crept to your feet, to utter +this last wish and die. It is the last request of one that has already +left the things of this world, and would carry from it nothing but the +thought that will track him to the grave!" A burst of grief, too sudden +and too natural to admit of a doubt of its sincerity, followed the +words; and O'Reilly was about to enter the room, when a low dry laugh +arrested his steps, and the old man said,-- + +"Ay! Bob Hickman, did n't I tell you that would do? I knew she 'd cry, +and I told you, if she cried one tear, the day was ours!" + +There was something so horrible in the baseness of a mind thus revelling +in its own duplicity, that even Nalty seemed struck with dread. O'Reilly +saw what was passing in the other's mind, and, affecting to laugh at +these "effects of fatigue and exhaustion," half led, half pushed him +from the room, and said "Good-night." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. THE DOCTOR'S LAST DEVICE. + +"Tell Mister Bob--Mr. O'Reilly I mean--to come to me," were the first +words of old Dr. Hickman, as he awoke on the following morning. + +"Well, sir, how have you slept?" said his son, approaching the bedside, +and taking a chair; "have you rested well?" + +"Middling,-only middling, Bob. The place is like a vault, and the rats +have it all their own way. They were capering about the whole night, and +made such a noise trying to steal off with one of my shoes." "Did they +venture that far?" + +"Ay, did they! but I couldn't let it go with them. I know you 're in +a hurry to stand in them yourself, Bob, and leave me and the rats to +settle it between us--ay!" "Really, sir, these are jests---" + +"Too like earnest to be funny, Bob; so I feel them myself. Ugh! ugh! +The damp of this place is freezing the very heart's blood of me. How +is Nalty this morning?" "Like a fellow taken off a wreck, sir, after a +week's starvation. He is sitting at the fire there, with two blankets +round him, and vows to heaven, every five minutes, that if he was once +back in Old Dominick Street, a thousand guineas would n't tempt him to +such another expedition." + +The old doctor laughed till it made him cough, and when the fit was +over, laughed again, wiping his weeping eyes, and chuckling in the most +unearthly glee at the lawyer's discomfiture. + +"Wrapped up in blankets, eh, Bob?" said he, that he might hear further +of his fellow-traveller's misery. + +O'Reilly saw that he had touched the right key, and expatiated for some +minutes upon Nalty's sufferings, throwing out, from time to time, adroit +hints that only certain strong and hale constitutions could endure +privations like these. "Now, you, sir," continued he, "you look as much +yourself as ever; in fact, I half doubt how you are to play the sick +man, with all these signs of rude health about you." + +"Leave that to me, Bob; I think I've seen enough of them things to know +them now. When I 've carried my point, and all's safe and secure, you +'ll see me like the pope we read of, that looked all but dead till they +elected him, and then stood up stout and hearty five minutes after,--we +'ll have a miracle of this kind in our own family." + +"I suspect, sir, we shall have difficulty in obtaining an interview," +said O'Reilly. + +"No!" rejoined the old man, with a scarcely perceptible twinkle of his +fishy eyes. + +"Nalty 's of my opinion, and thinks that Lady Eleanor will positively +decline it." + +"No," echoed he once more. + +"And that, without any suspicion of our plan, she will yet refuse to +receive you." + +"I 'm not going to ask her, Bob," croaked the old doctor, with a species +of chuckling crow in his voice. + +"Then you have abandoned your intention," exclaimed O'Reilly, in dismay, +"and the whole journey has been incurred for nothing." + +"No!" said the doctor, whose grim old features were lit up with a most +spiteful sense of his superior cunning. + +"Then I don't understand you,--that's clear," exclaimed O'Reilly, +testily. "You say that you do not intend to call upon her--" + +"Because she's coming here to see me," cried the old man, in a scream +of triumph; "read that, it's an answer to a note I sent off at eight +o'clock. Joe waited and brought back this reply." As he spoke, he drew +from beneath his pillow a small note, and handed it to his son. O'Reilly +opened it with impatience, and read:-- + +"Lady Eleanor Darcy begs to acknowledge the receipt of Dr. Hickman's +note, and, while greatly indisposed to accept of an interview which +must be so painful to both parties without any reasonable prospect of +rendering service to either, feels reluctant to refuse a request made +under circumstances so trying. She will therefore comply with Dr. +Hickman's entreaty, and, to spare him the necessity of venturing abroad +in this severe weather, will call upon him at twelve o'clock, should she +not learn in the meanwhile that the hour is inconvenient." + +"Lady Eleanor Darcy come out to call upon you, sir!" said O'Reilly, with +an amazement in part simulated to flatter the old man's skill, but far +more really experienced. "This is indeed success." + +"Ay, you may well say so," chimed in the old man; "for besides that +I always look ten years older when I 'm in bed and unshaved, with my +nightcap a little off,--this way,--the very sight of these miserable +walls, green with damp and mould, this broken window, and the +poverty-struck furniture, will all help, and I can get up a cough, if I +only draw a long breath." + +"I vow, sir, you beat us all; we are mere children compared to you. This +is a master-stroke of policy." + +"What will Nalty say now--eh, Bob?" + +"Say, sir? What can any one say, but that the move showed a master's +hand, as much above our skill to accomplish as it was beyond our wit to +conceive? I should like greatly to hear how you intend to play the game +out," said O'Reilly, throwing a most flattering expression of mingled +curiosity and astonishment into his features. + +"Wait till I see what trumps the adversary has in hand, Bob; time enough +to determine the lead when the cards are dealt." + +"I suppose I must keep out of sight, and perhaps Nalty also." + +"Nalty ought to be in the house if we want him; as my medical friend, +he could assist to draw any little memorandum we might determine upon; +a mere note, Bob, between friends, not requiring the interference +of lawyers, eh?" There was something fiendish in the low laugh which +accompanied these words. "What brings that fellow into the room so +often, putting turf on, and looking if the windows are fast? I don't +like him, Bob." This was said in reference to a little chubby man, in +a waiter's jacket, who really had taken every imaginable professional +privilege to obtrude his presence. + +"There, there, that will do," said O'Reilly, harshly; "you needn't come +till we ring the bell." + +"Leave the turf-basket where it is. Don't you think we can mind the fire +for ourselves?" + +"Let Joe wait, that will be better, sir," whispered O'Reilly; "we cannot +be too cautious here." And with a motion of the hand he dismissed the +waiter, who, true to his order, seemed never to hear "an aside." + +"Leave me by myself, Bob, for half an hour; I 'd like to collect my +thoughts,--to settle and think over this meeting. It's past eleven now, +and she said twelve o'clock in the note." + +"Well, I 'll take a stroll over the hills, and be back for dinner about +three; you'll be up by that time." + +"That will I, and very hungry too," muttered the old man. "This dying +scene has cost me the loss of my breakfast; and, faith, I 'm so weak +and low, my head is quite dizzy. There 's an old saying, Mocking is +catching; and sure enough there may be some truth in it too." + +O'Reilly affected not to hear the remark, and moved towards the door, +when he turned about and said,-- + +"I should say, sir, that the wisest course would be to avoid anything +like coercion, or the slightest approach to it. The more the appeal is +made to her feelings of compassion and pity--" + +"For great age and bodily infirmity," croaked the old man, while the +filmy orbs shot forth a flash of malicious intelligence. + +"Just so, sir. To others' eyes you do indeed seem weak and bowed down +with years. It is only they who have opportunity to recognize the +clearness of your intellect and the correctness of your judgment can see +how little inroad time has made." + +"Ay, but it has, though," interposed the old man, irritably. "My hand +shakes more than it used to do; there 's many an operation I 'd not be +able for as I once was." + +"Well, well, sir," said his son, who found it difficult to repress the +annoyance he suffered from his continual reference to the old craft; +"remember that you are not called upon now to perform these things." + +"Sorry I am it is so," rejoined the other. "I gave up seven hundred a +year when I left Loughrea to turn gentleman with you at Gwynne Abbey; +and faith, the new trade isn't so profitable as the old one! So it is," +muttered he to himself; "and now there 's a set of young chaps come into +the town, with their medical halls, and great bottles of pink and blue +water in the windows! What chance would I have to go back again?" + +O'Reilly heard these half-uttered regrets in silence; he well knew +that the safest course was to let the feeble brain exhaust its scanty +memories without impediment. At length, when the old doctor seemed to +have wearied of the theme, he said,-- + +"If she make allusion to the Dalys, sir, take care not to confess our +mistake about that cabin they called 'The Corvy,' and which you remember +we discovered that Daly had settled upon his servant. Let Lady Eleanor +suppose that we withdrew proceedings out of respect to her." + +"I know, I know," said the old man, querulously, for his vanity was +wounded by these reiterated instructions. + +"It is possible, too, sir, she 'd stand upon the question of rank; if +so, say that Heffernan--no, say that Lord Castlereagh will advise the +king to confer the baronetcy on the marriage--don't forget that, sir--on +the marriage." + +"Indeed, then, I'll say nothing about it," said he, with an energy +almost startling. "It's that weary baronetcy cost me the loan to +Heffernan on his own bare bond; I 'm well sick of it! Seven thousand +pounds at five and a half per cent, and no security!" + +"I only thought, sir, it might be introduced incidentally," said +O'Reilly, endeavoring to calm down this unexpected burst of irritation. + +"I tell you I won't. If I'm bothered anymore about that same baronetcy, +I 'll make a clause in my will against my heir accepting it How bad you +are for the coronet with the two balls; faix, I remember when the family +arms had three of them; ay, and we sported them over the door, too. Eh, +Bob, shall I tell her that?" + +"I don't suppose it would serve our cause much, sir," said O'Reilly, +repressing with difficulty his swelling anger. Then, after a moment, he +added, "I could never think of obtruding any advice of mine, sir, but +that I half feared you might, in the course of the interview, forget +many minor circumstances, not to speak of the danger that your natural +kindliness might expose you to in any compact with a very artful woman +of the world." + +"Don't be afraid of that anyhow, Bob," said he, with a most hideous +grin. "I keep a watchful eye over my natural kindliness, and, to say +truth, it has done me mighty little mischief up to this. There, now, +leave me quiet and to myself." + +When the old man was left alone, his head fell slightly forward, and his +hands, clasped together, rested on his breast. His eyes, half closed and +downcast, and his scarcely heaving chest, seemed barely to denote life, +or at most that species of life in which the senses are steeped in +apathy. The grim, hard features, stiffened by years and a stern nature, +never moved; the thin, close-drawn lips never once opened; and to any +observer the figure might have seemed a lifeless counterfeit of old age. +And yet within that brain, fast yielding to time and infirmity, where +reason came and went like the flame of some flickering taper, and where +memory brought up objects of dreamy fancy as often as bygone events, +even there plot and intrigue held their ground, and all the machinery of +deception was at work, suggesting, contriving, and devising wiles that +in their complexity were too puzzling for the faculties that originated +them. Is there a Nemesis in this, and do the passions by which we have +swayed and controlled others rise up before us in our weak hours, and +become the tyrants of our terror-stricken hearts? + +It is not our task, were it even in our power, to trace the strange +commingled web of reality and fiction that composed the old man's +thoughts. At one time he believed he was supplicating the Knight +to accord him some slight favor, as he had done more than once +successfully. Then he suddenly remembered their relative stations, so +strangely reversed; the colossal fortune he had himself accumulated; the +hopes and ambitions of his son and grandson, whose only impediments to +rank and favor lay in himself, the humble origin of all this wealth. How +strange and novel did the conviction strike him that all the benefit of +his vast riches lay in the pleasure of their accumulation, that for him +fortune had no seductions to offer! Rank, power, munificence, what were +they? He never cared for them. + +No; it was the game he loved even more than the stake, that tortuous +course of policy by which he had outwitted this man and doubled on that. +The schemes skilfully conducted, the plots artfully accomplished,--these +he loved to think over; and while he grieved to reflect upon the +reckless waste he witnessed in the household of his sou, he felt a +secret thrill of delight that he, and he alone, was capable of those +rare devices and bold expedients by which such a fortune could +be amassed. Once and only once did any expression of his features +sympathize with these ponderings; and then a low, harsh laugh broke +suddenly from him, so fleeting that it failed to arouse even himself. It +came from the thought that if after his death his son or grandson would +endeavor to forget his memory, and have it forgotten by others, that +every effort of display, every new evidence of their gorgeous wealth, +would as certainly evoke the criticism of the envious world, who, in +spite of them, would bring up the "old doctor" once more, and, by the +narrative of his life, humble them to the dust. + +This desire to bring down to a level with himself those around him had +been the passion of his existence. For this he had toiled and labored, +and struggled through imaginary poverty when possessed of wealth; had +endured scoffs and taunts,--had borne everything,--and to this desire +could be traced his whole feeling towards the Darcys. It was no +happiness to him to be the owner of their princely estate if he did +not revel in the reflection that they were in poverty. And this envious +feeling he extended to his very son. If now and then a vague thought +of the object of his present journey crossed his mind, it was speedily +forgotten in the all-absorbing delight of seeing the proud Lady +Eleanor humbled before him, and the inevitable affliction the Knight +would experience when he learned the success of this last device. That +it would succeed he had little doubt; he had come too well prepared with +arguments to dread failure. Nay, he thought, he believed he could compel +compliance if such were to be needed. + +It was in the very midst of these strangely confused musings that the +doctor's servant announced to him the arrival of Lady Eleanor Darey. +The old man looked around him on the miserable furniture, the damp, +discolored walls, the patched and mended window-panes, and for a moment +he could not imagine where he was; the repetition of the servant's +announcement, however, cleared away the cloud from his faculties, and +with a slight gesture of his hand he made a sign that she should be +admitted. A momentary pause ensued, and he could hear his servant +expressing a hope that her Ladyship might not catch cold, as the +snow-drift was falling heavily, and the storm very severe. A delay of a +few minutes was caused to remove her wet cloak. What a whole story did +these two or three seconds reveal to old Hickman as he thought of that +Lady Eleanor Darey of whose fastidious elegance the whole "West" was +full, whose expensive habits and luxurious tastes had invested her with +something like an Oriental reputation for magnificence,--of her coming +on foot and alone, through storm and snow, to wait upon him! + +He listened eagerly; her footstep was on the stairs, and he heard a low +sigh she gave, as, reaching the landing-place, she stood for a moment to +recover breath. + +"Say Lady Eleanor Darey," said she, unaware that her coming had been +already telegraphed to the sick man's chamber. + +A faint complaining cry issued from the room as she spoke, and Lady +Eleanor said: "Stay! Perhaps Dr. Hickman is too ill; if so, at another +time. I 'll come this evening or to-morrow." + +"My master is most impatient to see your Ladyship," said the man. "He +has talked of nothing else all the morning, and is always asking if it +is nigh twelve o'clock." + +Lady Eleanor nodded as if to concede her permission, and the servant +entered the half-darkened room. A weak, murmuring sound of voices +followed; and the servant returned, saying, in a cautious whisper, "He +is awake, my Lady, and wishes to see your Ladyship now." + +Lady Eleanor's heart beat loudly and painfully; many a sharp pang shot +through it, as, with a strong effort to seem calm, she entered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. A DARK CONSPIRACY + +Dr. Hickman was so little prepared for the favorable change in Lady +Eleanor's appearance since he had last seen her, as almost to doubt that +she was the same, and it was with a slight tremor of voice he said,-- +"Is it age with me, my Lady, or altered health, that makes the +difference, but you seem to me not what I remember you? You are fresher, +pardon an old man's freedom, and I should say far handsomer too!" + +"Really, Mr. Hickman, you make me think my excursion well repaid by +such flatteries," said she, smiling pleasantly, and not sorry thus for a +moment to say something that might relieve the awkward solemnity of the +scene. "I hope sir, that this air, severe though it be, may prove as +serviceable to yourself. Have you slept well?" + +"No, my Lady, I scarcely dozed the whole night; this place is a very +poor one. The rain comes in there,--where you see that green mark,--and +the wind whistles through these broken panes,-and rats, bother them! +they never ceased the night through. A poor, poor spot it is, sure +enough!" + +It never chanced to cross his mind, while bewailing these signs of +indigence and discomfort, that she, to whom he addressed the +complaint, had been reduced to as bad, even worse, hardships by his own +contrivance. Perhaps, indeed, the memory of such had not occurred at +that moment to Lady Eleanor, had not the persistence with which he dwelt +on the theme somewhat ruffled her patience, and eventually reminded her +of her own changed lot. It was then with a slightly irritated tone she +remarked,-- + +"Such accommodation is a very unpleasant contrast to the comforts you +are accustomed to, sir; and these sudden lessons in adversity are, now +and then, very trying things." + +"What does it signify?" sighed the old man, heavily; "a day sooner, a +few hours less of sunshine, and the world can make little difference to +one like me! Happy for me, if, in confronting them, I have done anything +towards my great purpose, the only object between me and the grave!" + +Lady Eleanor never broke the silence which followed these words; +and though the old man looked as if he expected some observation or +rejoinder, she said not a word. At length he resumed, with a faint +moan,--"Ah, my Lady, you have much to forgive us for." + +"I trust, sir, that our humble fortunes have not taught us to forget the +duties of Christianity," was the calm reply. + +"Much, indeed, to pardon," continued he, "but far less, my Lady, than is +laid to our charge. Lawyers and attorneys make many a thing a cause of +bitterness that a few words of kindness would have settled. And what two +men of honest intentions could arrange amicably iu five minutes is often +worked up into a tedious lawsuit, or a ruinous inquiry in Chancery. So +it is!" + +"I have no experience in these affairs, sir, but I conclude your remarks +are quite correct." + +"Faith you may believe them, my Lady, like the Bible; and yet, knowing +these fellows so well, having dealings with them since--since--oh, God +knows how long--upon my life, they beat me entirely after all. 'T is +like taking a walk with a quarrelsome dog; devil a cur he sees but he +sets on him, and gets you into a scrape at every step you go! That 's +what an attorney does for you. Take out a writ against that fellow, +process this one, distrain the other, get an injunction here, apply +for a rule there. Oh dear! oh dear! I 'm weary of it for law! All +the bitterness it has given me in my life long, all the sorrow and +affliction it costs me now." He wiped his eyes as he concluded, and +seemed as if overcome by grief. + +"It must needs be a sorry source of reparation, sir," rejoined Lady +Eleanor, with a calm, steady tone, "when even those so eminently +successful can see nothing but affliction in their triumphs." + +"Don't call them triumphs, my Lady; that's not the name to give them. I +never thought them such." + +"I 'm glad to hear it, sir,--glad to know that you have laid up such +store of pleasant memories for seasons like the present." + +"There was that proceeding, for instance, in December last. Now would +you believe it, my Lady, Bob and I never knew a syllable about it till +it was all over. You don't know what I 'm speaking of; I mean the writ +against the Knight." + +"Really, Dr. Hickman, I must interrupt you; however gratifying to me +to hear that you stand exculpated for any ungenerous conduct towards my +husband, the pleasure of knowing it is more than counterbalanced by the +great pain the topic inflicts upon me." + +"But I want to clear myself, my Lady; I want you to think of us a little +more favorably than late events may have disposed you." + +"There are few so humble, sir, as not to have opinions of more +consequence than mine." + +"Ay, but it's yours I want,--yours, that I 'd rather have than the +king's on his throne. 'T is in that hope I 've come many a weary mile +far away from my home, maybe never to see it again! and all that I may +have your forgiveness, my Lady, and not only your forgiveness, but your +approbation." + +"If you set store by any sentiments of mine, sir, I warn you not to ask +more than I have iu my power to bestow. I can forgive, I have forgiven, +much; but ask me not to concur in acts which have robbed me of the +companionship of my husband and my son." + +"Wait a bit; don't be too hard, my Lady; I 'm on the verge of the grave, +a little more, and the dark sleep that never breaks will be on me, +and if in this troubled hour I take a wrong word, or say a thing too +strong,--forgive me for it. My thoughts are often before me, on the long +journey I'm so soon to go." + +"It were far better, Dr. Hickman, that we should speak of something less +likely to be painful to us both, and if that cannot be, that you should +rest satisfied with knowing that however many are the sources of sorrow +an humble fortune has opened to us, the disposition to bear malice is +not among their number." + +"You forgive me, then, my Lady,--you forgive me all?" + +"If your own conscience can only do so as freely as I do, believe me, +sir, your heart will be tranquil." + +The old man pressed his hands to his face, and appeared overcome by +emotion. A dead silence ensued, which at length was broken by old +Hickman muttering broken words to himself, at first indistinctly, and +then more clearly. + +"Yes, yes,--I made--the offer--I begged--I supplicated. I did all--all. +But no, they refused me! There was no other way of restoring them to +their own house and home--but they would n't accept it. I would have +settled the whole estate--free of debt--every charge paid off, upon +them. There 's not a peer in the land could say he was at the head of +such a property." + +"I must beg, sir, that I may be spared the unpleasantness of overhearing +what I doubt is only intended for your own reflection; and if you will +permit me, to take my leave--" + +"Oh, don't go--don't leave me yet, my Lady. What was it I said,--where +was my poor brain rambling? Was I talking about Captain Darcy? Ah! that +was the most painful part of all." + +"My God! what is it you mean?" said Lady Eleanor, as a sickness like +fainting crept over her. "Speak, sir,--tell me this instant!" + +"The bills, my Lady,--the bills that he drew in Glee-son's name." + +"In Gleeson's name! It is false, sir, a foul and infamous calumny; +my son never did this thing,--do not dare to assert it before me, his +mother." + +"They are in that pocket-book, my Lady,-seven of them for a thousand +pounds each. There are two more somewhere among my papers, and it was to +meet the payment that the Captain did this." Here he took from beneath +his pillow a parchment document, and held it towards Lady Eleanor, who, +overwhelmed with terror and dismay, could not stretch her band to take +it. + +"Here--my Lady--somewhere here," said he, moving his finger vaguely +along the lower margin of the document--"here you'll see Maurice Darcy +written--not by himself, indeed, but by his son. This deed of sale +includes part of Westport, and the town-lands of Cooldrennon and +Shoughnakelly. Faith, and, my Lady, I paid my hard cash down on the +nail for the same land, and have no better title than what you see! +The Knight has only to prove the forgery; of course he could n't do so +against his own son." + +"Oh, sir, spare me,--I entreat of you to spare me!" sobbed Lady Eleanor, +as, convulsed with grief, she hid her face. + +A knocking was heard at this moment at the door, and on its being +repeated louder, Hickman querulously demanded, "Who was there?" + +"A note for Lady Eleanor Darcy," was the reply; "her Ladyship's +servant waits for an answer." + +Lady Eleanor, without knowing wherefore, seemed to feel that the tidings +required prompt attention, and with an effort to subdue her emotion, she +broke the seal, and read:-- + +"Lady Eleanor,--Be on your guard,--there is a dark plot against you. +Take counsel in time,--and if you hear the words, 'T is eighty-six years +have crept to your feet, to die,' you can credit the friendship of this +warning." + +"Who brought this note?" said she, in a voice that became full and +strong, under the emergency of danger. + +"Your butler, my Lady." + +"Where is he? Send him to me." And as she spoke, Tate mounted the +stairs. + +"How came you by this note, Tate?" + +"A fisherman, my Lady, left it this instant, with directions to be given +to you at once and without a moment's delay." + +"'Tis nothing bad, I hope and trust, my Lady," whispered the old man. +"The darling young lady is not ill?" + +"No, sir, she is perfectly well, nor are the tidings positively bad +ones. There is no answer, Tate." So saying, she once more opened the +paper and read it over. + +Without seeing wherefore, Lady Eleanor felt a sudden sense of hardihood +take possession of her; the accusation by which, a moment previous, she +had been almost stunned, seemed already lighter to her eyes, and the +suspicion that the whole interview was part of some dark design dawned +suddenly on her mind. Nor was this feeling permanent; a glance at the +miserable old man, who, with head beut down and half-closed eyes, lay +before her, dispelling the doubts even more rapidly than they were +formed. Indeed, now that the momentary excitement of speaking had passed +away, he looked far more wan and wasted than before; his chest, too, +heaved with a fluttering, irregular action, that seemed to denote severe +and painful effort, while his fingers, with a restless and fidgety +motion, wandered here and there, pinching the bed-clothes, and seeming +to search for some stray object. + +While the conflict continued in Lady Eleanor's mind, the old man's brain +once more began to wander, and his lips murmured half inarticulately +certain words. "I would give it all!" said he, with a sudden cry; "every +shilling of it for that--but it cannot be--no, it cannot be." + +"I must leave you, sir," said Lady Eleanor, rising; "and although I have +heard much to agitate and afflict me, it is some comfort to my heart to +think that I have poured some balm into yours; you have my forgiveness +for everything." + +"Wait a second, my Lady, wait one second!" gasped he, as with +outstretched hands he tried to detain her. "I 'll have strength for it +in a minute--I want--I want to ask you once more what you refused me +once--and it is n't--it is n't that times are changed, and that you are +in poverty now, makes me hope for better luck. It is because this is the +request of one on his death-bed,--one that cannot turn his thoughts away +from this world, till he has his mind at ease. There, my Lady, take that +pocket-book and that deed, throw them into the fire there. They 're the +only proofs against the Captain,--no eye but yours must ever see them. +If I could see my own beautiful Miss Helen once more in the old house of +her fathers--" + +"I will not hear of this, sir," interposed Lady Eleanor, hastily. "No +time or circumstances can make any change in the feelings with which I +have already replied to this proposal." + +"Heffernan tells me, my Lady, that the baronetcy is certain--don't +go--don't go! It's the voice of one you 'll never hear again calls on +you. 'Tis eighty-six years have crept to your feet, to die!" + +A faint shriek burst from Lady Eleanor; she tottered, reeled, and fell +fainting to the ground. + +[Illustration: 314] + +Terrified by the sudden shock, the old man rung his bell with violence, +and screamed for help, in accents where there was no counterfeited +anxiety; and in another moment his servant rushed iu, followed by +Nalty, and in a few seconds later by O'Reilly himself, who, hearing the +cries, believed that the effort to feign a death-bed bad _turned_ into a +dreadful reality. + +"There--there--she is ill--she is dying! It was too much--the shock did +it!" cried the old man, now horror-struck at the ruin he had caused. + +"She is better,--her pulse is coming back," whispered O'Reilly; "a +little water to her lips,-that will do." + +"She is coming to--I see it now," said old Hickman; "leave the room, +Bob; quick, before she sees you." + +As O'Reilly gently disengaged his arm, which, in placing the fainting +form on the sofa, was laid beneath her head, Lady Eleanor slowly opened +her eyes, and fixed them upon him. O'Reilly suddenly became motionless; +the calm and steady gaze seemed to have paralyzed him; he could not +stir, he could not turn away his own eyes, but stood like one fascinated +and spell-bound. + +"Oh dear! oh dear!" muttered the old man; "she 'll know him now, and see +it all." + +"Yes," exclaimed Lady Eleanor, pushing back from her the officious bands +that ministered about her. "Yes, sir, I do see it all! Oh, let me be +thankful for the gleam of reason that has guided me in this dark hour. +And you, too, do you be thankful that you have been spared from working +such deep iniquity!" + +As she spoke she arose, not a vestige of illness remaining, but a deep +flush mantling in the cheek that, but a moment back, was deathly pale. +"Farewell, sir. You had a brief triumph over the fears of a poor weak +woman; but I forgive you, for you have armed her heart with a courage it +never knew before." + +With these words she moved calmly towards the door, which O'Reilly in +respectful silence held open; and then, descending the stairs with a +firm step, left the house. + +"Is she gone, Bob?" said the old man, faintly, as the door clapped +heavily. "Is she gone?" + +O'Reilly made no reply, but leaned his head on the chimney, and seemed +lost in thought. + +"I knew it would fail," said Nalty in a whisper to O'Reilly. + +"What 's that he 's saying, Bob?--what 's Nalty saying?" + +"That he knew it would fail, sir," rejoined O'Reilly, with a bitterness +that showed he was not sorry to say a disagreeable thing. + +"Ay! but Nalty was frightened about his annuity; he thought, maybe, I 'd +die in earnest. Well, we 've something left yet." + +"What's that?" asked O'Reilly, almost sternly. + +"The indictment for forgery," said Hickman, with a savage energy. + +"Then you must look out for another lawyer, sir," said Nalty. "That I +tell you frankly and fairly." + +"What?--I didn't hear." + +"He refuses to take the conduct of such a case," said O'Reilly; "and, +indeed, I think on very sufficient grounds." + +"Ay!" muttered the old doctor. "Then I suppose there 's no help for it! +Here, Bob, put these papers in the fire." + +So saying, he drew a thick roil of documents from beneath his pillow, +and placed it in his son's hands. "Put them in the blaze, and let me see +them burned." + +O'Reilly did as he was told, stirring the red embers till the whole mass +was consumed. + +"I am glad of that, with all my heart," said he, as the flame died out. +"That was a part of the matter I never felt easy about." + +"Didn't you?" grunted the old man, with a leer of malice. "What was it +you burned, d'ye think?" + +"The bills,--the bonds with young Darcy's signature," replied O'Reilly, +almost terrified by an unknown suspicion. + +"Not a bit of it, Bob. The blaze you made was a costly fire to you, as +you 'll know one day. That was my will." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. THE LANDING AT ABOUKIR + +We must now ask our reader to leave for a season this scene of plot and +intrigue, and turn with us to a very different picture. The same morning +which on the iron-bound coast of Ireland broke in storm and hurricane, +dawned fair and joyous over the shady shores of Egypt, and scarcely +ruffled the long rolling waves as they swept into the deep bay of +Aboukir. Here now a fleet of one hundred and seventy ships lay at +anchor, the expedition sent forth by England to arrest the devouring +ambition of Buonaparte, and rescue the land of the Pyramids from +bondage. + +While our concern here is less with the great event than with the +fortune of one of its humble followers, we would fain linger a little +over the memory of this glorious achievement of our country's arms. For +above a week after the arrival of the fleet, the gale continued to +blow with unabated fury; a sea mountains high rolled into the bay, +accompanied by sudden squalls of such violence that the largest ships +of the fleet could barely hold on by their moorings, while many smaller +ones were compelled to slip their cables, and stand out to sea. If the +damage and injury were not important enough to risk the success of the +expedition, the casualties ever inseparable from such events threw a +gloom over the whole force, a feeling grievously increased by the first +tidings that met them,--the capture of one of the officers and a boat's +crew, who were taken while examining the shore, and seeking out the +fittest spot for a landing. + +On the 7th of March the wind and sea subsided, the sky cleared, and a +glorious sunset gave promise of a calm, so soon to be converted into a +storm not less terrible than that of the elements. + +As day closed, the outlying ships had all returned to their moorings, +the accidents of the late gale were repaired, and the soaked sails hung +flapping in the evening breeze to dry; while the decks swarmed with +moving figures, all eagerly engaged in preparation for that event which +each well knew could not now be distant. How many a heart throbbed +high with ecstasy and hope, that soon was to be cold; how many an eye +wandered over that strong line of defences along the shore, that never +was to gaze upon another sunset! + +And yet, to mark the proud step, the flashing look the eager speech +of all around, the occasion might have been deemed one of triumphant +pleasure rather than the approach of an enterprise full of hazard and +danger. The disappointments which the storm had excited, by delaying the +landing, were forgotten altogether, or only thought of to heighten the +delight which now they felt. + +The rapid exchange of signals between the line-of-battle ships showed +that preparations were on foot; and many were the guesses and surmises +current as to the meaning of this or that ensign, each reading the +mystery by the light of his inward hopes. On one object, however, every +eye was fixed with a most intense anxiety. This was an armed launch, +which, shooting out from beneath the shadow of a three-decker, swept +across the bay with muffled oars. Nothing louder than a whisper broke +the silence on board of her, as they stole along the still water, and +held on their course towards the shore. Through the gloom of the falling +night, they were seen to track each indenture of the coast,--now lying +on their oars to take soundings; now delaying, to note some spot of +more than ordinary strength. It was already midnight before "the +reconnoissance" was effected, and the party returned to the ship, well +acquainted with the formidable preparations of the enemy, and all the +hazard that awaited the hardy enterprise. The only part of the coast +approachable by boats was a low line of beach, stretching away to the +left, from the castle of Aboukir, and about a mile in extent; and this +was commanded by a semicircular range of sand-hills, on which the French +batteries were posted, and whose crest now glittered with the bivouac +fires of a numerous army. From the circumstances of the ground, the +guns were so placed as to be able to throw a cross-fire over the bay; +while a lower range of batteries protected the shore, the terrible +effect of whose practice might be seen on the torn and furrowed +sands,--sad presage of what a landing party might expect! Besides these +precautions, the whole breastwork bristled with cannon and mortars +of various calibre, embedded in the sand; nor was a single position +undefended, or one measure of resistance omitted, which might increase +the hazard of an attacking force. + +Time was an important object with the English general; reinforcements +were daily looked for by the French; indeed it was rumored that tidings +had come of their having sailed from Toulon, for, with an unparalleled +audacity and fortune combined, a French frigate had sailed the preceding +day through the midst of our fleet, and, amid the triumphant cheerings +of the shore batteries, hoisted the tricolor in the face of our +assembled ships. Scarcely had the launch reached the admiral's ship, +when a signal ordered the presence of all officers in command to attend +a council of war. The proceedings were quickly terminated, and in +less than half an hour, the various boats were seen returning to their +respective ships, the resolution having been taken to attack that very +morning, or, in the words of the general order, "to bring the troops as +soon as possible before the enemy." Never were tidings more welcomed; +the delay, brief as it was, had stimulated the ardor of the men to the +highest degree, and they actually burned with impatience to be engaged. +The dispositions for attack were simple, and easily followed. A sloop of +war, anchored just beyond the reach of cannon-shot, was named as a point +of rendezvous. By a single blue light at her mizzen, the boats were to +move towards her; three lights at the maintop would announce that they +were all assembled; a single gun would then be the signal to make for +the shore. + +Strict orders were given that no unusual lights should be seen from the +ships, nor any unwonted sight or sound betray extraordinary preparation. +The men were mustered by the half-light in use on board, the ammunition +distributed in silence, and every precaution taken that the attack +should have the character of a surprise. These orders were well and +closely followed; but so short was the interval, and so manifold +the arrangements, it was already daylight before the rendezvous was +accomplished. + +If the plan of debarkation was easily comprehended, that of the attack +was not less so. Nelson once summed up a "general order," by saying, +"The captain will not make any mistake who lays his ship alongside of +an enemy of heavier metal." So Abercrombie's last instructions were, +"Whenever an officer may be in want of orders, let him assault an +enemy's battery." These were to be carried by the bayonet alone, and, of +the entire force, not one man landed with a loaded musket. + +A few minutes after seven the signal was given, and the boats moved +off. The sun was high, a light breeze fanned the water, the flags and +streamers of the ships-of-war floated proudly out as the flotilla stood +for the shore; in glorious rivalry they pulled through the surf, each +eager to be first, and all the excitement of a race was imparted to this +enterprise of peril. + +Conspicuous among the leading boats were two, whose party, equipped in a +brilliant uniform of blue and silver, formed part of the cavalry force. +The inferiority of the horses supplied was such that only two hundred +and fifty were mounted, and the remainder had asked and obtained +permission to serve on foot. A considerable portion of this corps was +made up of volunteers; and several young men of family and fortune were +said to serve in the ranks, and from the circumstance of being commanded +by the Knight of Gwynne, were called "Darcy's Volunteers." It was a +glorious sight to see the first boat of this party, in the stern of +which sat the old Knight himself, shoot out ahead, and amid the cheering +of the whole flotilla, lead the way in shore. + +Returning the various salutes which greeted him, the old man sat +bare-headed, his silvery hair floating back in the breeze, and his manly +face beaming with high enthusiasm. + +"A grand spectacle for an unconcerned eyewitness," said an officer to +his neighbor. + +The words reached Darcy's ears, and he called out, "I differ with you, +Captain. To enjoy all the thrilling ecstasy of this scene a man must +have his stake on the venture. It is our personal hopes and fears are +necessary ingredients in the exalted feeling. I would not stand on +yonder cliff and look on, for millions; but such a moment as this is +glorious." As he spoke, a long line of flame ran along the heights, +and at the same instant the whole air trembled as the entire batteries +opened their fire. The sea hissed and glittered with round shot and +shell; while, in a perfect hurricane, they rained on every side. + +The suddenness of the cannonade, and the confusion consequent on the +casualties that followed, seemed for a moment to retard the advance, or, +as it appeared to the French, to deter the invading force altogether; +for as they perceived some of the boats to lie on their oars, and others +withdrawn to the assistance of their comrades, a deafening cheer +of triumph rang out from the batteries, and was heard over the bay. +Scarcely had it been uttered when the British answered by another, whose +hoarse roar bespoke the coming vengeance. + +The flotilla had now advanced within a line of buoys laid down to direct +the fire, and here grape and musketry mingled their clattering with +the deeper thunder of cannon. "This is sharp work, gentlemen," said the +Knight, as the spray twice splashed over the boat, from shot that fell +close by. "They 'll have our range soon. Do you mark how accurately the +shots fall over that line of surf?" + +"That's a sand-bank, sir," said the coxswain who steered. "There 's +barely draught of water there for heavy launches." + +"I perceive there is some shelter yonder beneath that large battery." + +"They can trust that spot," cried the coxswain, smiling. "There 's a +heavy surf there, and no boat could live through it. But stay, there is +a boat about to try it." Every eye was now turned towards a yawl which, +with twelve oars, vigorously headed on through the very midst of a +broken and foam-covered tract of water, where jets of sea sprang up +from hidden rocks, and cross currents warred and contended against each +other. + +The hazardous venture was not alone watched by those iu the boats, +but, from the crowning ridge of batteries, from every cliff and crag on +shore, wondering enemies gazed on the hardihood of the daring. + +"They'll do it yet, sir,--they 'll do it yet," cried the coxswain, wild +with excitement. "There's deep water inside that reef." + +The words were scarcely out, when a tremendous cannonade opened from the +large battery. The balls fell on every side of the boat, and at length +one struck her on the stem, rending her open from end to end, and +scattering her shivered planks over the surfy sea. + +A shout, a cheer, a drowning cry from the sinking crew, and all was +over. + +So sudden and so complete was this dreadful catastrophe, that they who +witnessed it almost doubted the evidence of their senses, nor were the +victors long to enjoy this triumph; the very discharge which sunk +the boat having burst a mortar, and ignited a mass of powder near, a +terrible explosion followed. A dense column of smoke and sand filled the +air; and when this cleared away, the face of the battery was perceived +to be rent in two. + +"We can do it now, lads," cried Darcy. "They 'll never recover from the +confusion yonder in time to see us." A cheer met his words, and the +coxswain turned the boat's head in the direction of the reef. + +Closely followed by their comrades in the second boat, they pulled along +through the surf like men whose lives were on the venture; four arms to +every oar, the craft bounded through the boiling tide; twice the keel +was felt to graze the rocky bed, but the strong impulse of the boat's +"way" carried her through, and soon they floated in the still water +within the reef. + +"It shoals fast here," cried the coxswain. + +"What's the depth?" asked Darcy. + +"Scarcely above three feet. If we throw over our six-pounder--" + +"No, no. It's but wading, after all. Keep your muskets dry, move +together, and we shall be the first to touch the shore." + +As he said this, he sprang over the side of the boat into the sea, and +waving his hat above his head, began his progress towards the land. +"Come along, gentlemen, we 've often done as much when salmon-fishing +in our own rivers." Thus, lightly jesting, and encouraging his party, he +waded on, with all the seeming carelessness of one bent on some scheme +of pleasure. + +The large batteries had no longer the range; but a dreadful fire of +musketry was poured in from the heights, and several brave fellows fell, +mortally wounded, ere the strand was reached. Cheered by the approving +shouts of thousands from the boats, they at length touched the beach; +and wild and disorderly as had been their advance when breasting the +waves, no sooner had they landed than discipline resumed its sway, and +the words, "Fall in, men!" were obeyed with the prompt precision of a +parade. A strong body of tirailleurs, scattered along the base of the +sand-hills and through the irregularities of the ground, galled them +with a dropping and destructive fire as they formed; nor was it till +an advanced party had driven these back, that the dispositions could be +well and properly taken. By this time several other boats had touched +the shore, and already detachments from the Fortieth, Twenty-eighth, and +Forty-second regiments were drawn up along the beach, and, from these, +frequent cries and shouts were heard, encouraging and cheering the +"Volunteers," who alone, of all the force, had yet come to close +quarters with the enemy. + +A brief but most dangerous interval now followed; for the boats, +assailed by a murderous fire, had sustained severe losses, and a short +delay inevitably followed, assisting the wounded, or rescuing those who +had fallen into the sea. Had the French profited by this pause, to bear +down upon the small force now drawn up inactive on the beach, the fate +of that great achievement might have been perilled; as it happened, +however, nothing was further from their thought than coming into +immediate contact with the British, and they contented themselves with +a distant but still destructive cannonade. It is not impossible that the +audacity of those who first landed, and who--a mere handful--assumed the +offensive, might have been the reason of this conduct, certain it is, +the boats, for a time retarded, were permitted again to move forward and +disembark then; men, with no other resistance than the fire from the +batteries. + +The three first regiments which gained the land were, strangely enough, +representatives of the three different nationalities of the Empire; +and scarcely were the words, "Forward! to the assault!" given, when an +emulative struggle began, which should first reach the top and cross +bayonets with the French. On the left, and nearest to the causeway +that led up the heights, stood the Highlanders. These formed under an +overwhelming shower of grape and musketry, and, with pibrochs playing, +marched steadily forward. The Fortieth made an effort to pass them, +which caused a momentary confusion, ending in an order for this regiment +to halt, and support the Forty-second; and while this was taking place, +the Twenty-eighth rushed to the ascent in broken parties, and, following +the direction the "Volunteers" had taken in pursuit of the tirailleurs, +they mounted the heights together. + +So suddenly was the tirailleur force repelled, that they had scarcely +time to give the alarm, when the Twenty-eighth passed the crest of the +hill, and prepared to charge. The Irish regiment, glorying in being the +first to reach the top, cheered madly, and bore down. The French +poured in a single volley, and fell back; not to retreat, but to entice +pursuit. The stratagem succeeded. The Twenty-eighth pursued them hotly, +and almost at once found themselves engaged in a narrow gorge of +the sand-hills, and exposed to a terrific cross-fire. To retreat was +impossible; their own weight drove them on, and the deafening cheers +of their comrades drowned every word of command. Grape at half-musket +distance ploughed through their ranks, while one continuous crash of +small-arms showed the number and closeness of their foes. + +It was at this moment that Darcy, whose party was advancing by a smaller +gorge, ascended a height, and beheld the perilous condition of his +countrymen. There was but one way to liberate them, and that involved +their own destruction: to throw themselves on the French flank, and +while devoting themselves to death, enable the Twenty-eighth to retire +or make head against the opposing force. While Darcy, in a few hurried +words, made known his plan to those around him, the opportunity for its +employment most strikingly presented itself. A momentary repulse of +the French had driven a part of their column to the highroad leading to +Alexandria, where already several baggage carts and ammunition wagons +were gathered. This movement seemed so like retreat that Darcy's +sanguine nature was deceived, and calling out, "Come along, lads,-they +are running already!" he dashed onward, followed by his gallant band. +His attack, if inefficient for want of numbers, was critical in point +of time. The same instant that the French were assailed by him in flank, +the Forty-second had gained the summit and attacked them in front: fresh +battalions each moment arrived, and now along the entire crest of the +ridge the fight raged fiercely. One after the other the batteries were +stormed, and carried by our infantry at the bayonet's point; and in less +than an hour from the time of landing, the British flag waved over seven +of the nine heavy batteries. + +The battle, severe as it was on the heights, was main-tained with even +greater slaughter on the shore. The French, endeavoring too late to +repair the error of not resisting the actual landing, had now thrown an +immense force by a flank movement on the British battalions; and this +attack of horse, foot, and artillery combined, was, for its duration, +the great event of the day. For a brief space it appeared impossible for +the few regiments to sustain the shock of such an encounter; and had it +not been for the artillery of the gunboats stationed along the shore, +they must have yielded. Their fire, however, was terribly destructive, +sweeping through the columns as they came up, and actually cutting lanes +in the dense squadrons. + +Reinforcements poured in, besides, at every instant; and after a bloody +and anxious struggle, the British were enabled to take the offensive, +and advance against their foes. The French, already weakened by loss and +dispirited by failure, did not await the conflict, but retired slowly, +it is true, and in perfect order, on one of the roads leading into the +great highway to Alexandria. + +Victory had even more unequivocally pronounced for the British on the +heights. By this time every battery was in their possession. The enemy +were in full flight towards Alexandria, the tumultuous mass occasionally +assailed by our light infantry, to whom, from our deficiency in cavalry, +was assigned the duty of harassing the retreat. It was here that Darcy's +Volunteers, now reduced to one third of their original number, highly +distinguished themselves, not only attacking the flank of the retiring +enemy, but seizing every opportunity of ground to assail them in front +and retard their flight. + +In one of these onslaughts, for such they were, the Volunteers became +inextricably entangled with the enemy, and although fighting with the +desperation of tigers, volley after volley tore through them; and the +French, maddened by the loss they had already suffered at their hands, +hastened to finish them by the bayonet. It was only by the intervention +of the French officers, a measure in itself not devoid of peril, that +any were spared; and those few, bleeding and mangled, were hurried +along as prisoners, the only triumph of that day's battle! The strange +spectacle of an affray in the very midst of a retiring column was seen +by the British in pursuit, and the memory of this scene is preserved +among the incidents of that day's achievements. + +[Illustration: 328] + +Many and desperate attempts were made to rescue the prisoners. The +French, however, received the charges with deadly volleys, and as their +flanks were now covered by a cloud of tirailleurs, they were enabled to +continue their retreat on Alexandria, protected by the circumstances of +the ground, every point of which they had favorably occupied. The battle +was now over; guns, ammunition and stores were all landed; on the +heights the English ensign waved triumphantly; and, far as the eye could +reach, the French masses were seen in flight, to seek shelter within the +lines of Alexandria. + +It was a glorious moment as the last column ascended the cliffs, to +find their gallant comrades masters of the French position in its entire +extent. Here, now, two brigades reposed with piled arms, guns, mortars, +camp equipage, and military chests strewed on every side, all attesting +the completeness of a victory which even a French bulletin could hardly +venture to disavow. It is perhaps fortunate that, at times like this, +the feeling of high excitement subdues all sense of the regret so +natural to scenes of suffering; and thus, amid many a sight and sound of +woe, glad shouts of triumph were raised, and heartfelt bursts of joyous +recognition broke forth as friends met, and clasped each other's hands. +Incidents of the battle, traits of individual heroism, were recorded on +every side: anecdotes then told for the first time, to be remembered, +many a year after, among the annals of regimental glory! + +It is but seldom, at such moments, that men can turn from the theme of +triumph to think of the more disastrous events of the day; and yet +a general feeling of sorrow prevailed on the subject of the brave +Volunteers, of whose fate none could bring any tidings; some asserting +that they had all fallen to a man on the road leading to Alexandria, +others affirming that they were carried off prisoners by the French +cavalry. + +A party of light infantry, who had closely followed the enemy till +nightfall, had despatched some of their wounded to the rear; and by +these the news came, that in an open space beside the high-road the +ground was covered with bodies in the well-known blue and silver of the +Volunteers. One only of these exhibited signs of life; and him they +had placed among the wounded in one of the carts, and brought back with +them. As will often happen, single instances of suffering excite more of +compassionate pity than wide-spread affliction; and so here. When death +and agony were on every hand,--whole wagons filled with maimed and dying +comrades,--a closely wedged group gathered around the dying Volunteer, +their saddened faces betraying emotions that all the terrible scenes of +the day had never evoked. + +"It 's no use, sir," said the surgeon, to the field-officer who had +called him to the spot. "There is internal bleeding, besides this +ghastly sabre-cut." + +"Who knows him?" said the officer, looking around; but none made answer. +"Can no one tell his name?" + +There was a silence for a few seconds; when the dying man lifted his +failing eyes upwards, and turned them slowly around on the group. A +slight tremor shook his lips, as if with an effort to speak; but no +sound issued. Yet in the terrible eagerness of his features might be +seen the working of a spirit fiercely struggling for utterance. + +"Yes, my poor fellow," said the officer, stooping down beside him, and +taking his hand. "I was asking for your name." + +A faint smile and a slight nod of the head seemed to acknowledge the +speech. + +"He is speaking,--hush! I hear his voice," cried the officer. + +An almost inaudible murmur moved his lips; then a shivering shook his +frame, and his head fell heavily back. + +"What is this?" said the officer.. + +"Death," said the surgeon, with the solemn calm of one habituated to +such scenes. "His last words were strange-, did you hear them?" + +"I thought he said 'Court-martial.'" + +The surgeon nodded, and turned to move away. + +"See here, sir," said a sergeant, as opening the dead man's coat he drew +forth a white handkerchief, "the poor fellow was evidently trying to +write his name with his own blood; here are some letters clear enough. +L-e-o, and this is an n--or m--" + +"I know him now," cried another. "This was the Volunteer who joined us +at Malta; but Colonel Darcy got him exchanged into his own corps. His +name was Leonard." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. THE FRENCH RETREAT + +Let us now turn to the Knight of Gwynne, who, wounded and bleeding, +was carried along in the torrent of the retreat. Poor fellow, he had +witnessed the total slaughter or capture of the gallant band he had so +bravely led into action but a few hours before, and now, with one arm +powerless, and a sabre-cut in the side, could barely keep up with the +hurried steps of the flying army. + +From the few survivors among his followers, not one of whom was +unwounded, he received every proof of affectionate devotion. If they +were proud of the gallant old officer as their leader, they actually +loved him like a father. The very last incident of their struggle was +an effort to cut through the closing ranks of the French, and secure his +escape; and although one of the Volunteers almost lifted him into the +saddle, from which he had torn the rider, Darcy would not leave his +comrades, but cried out, "What signifies a prisoner more or less, lads? +The victory is ours; let that console us." The brave fellow who had +perilled his life for his leader was cut down at the same instant. Darcy +saw him bleeding and disarmed, and had but time to throw him his last +pistol, when he was driven onward, and, in the mingled confusion of the +movement, beheld him no more. + +The exasperation of a defeat so totally unlooked for had made the French +almost savage in their vindictiveness, and nothing but the greatest +efforts on the part of the officers could have saved the prisoners from +the cruel vengeance of the infuriated soldiery. As it was, insulting +epithets, oaths, and obnoxious threats met them at every moment of +the halt; and at each new success of the British their fury broke out +afresh, accompanied by menacing gestures that seemed to dare and defy +every fear of discipline. + +Darcy, whom personal considerations were ever the last to influence, +smiled at these brutal demonstrations, delighted at heart to witness +such palpable evidence of insubordination in the enemy; nor could he, in +the very midst of outrages which perilled his life, avoid comparing to +his followers the French troops of former days with these soldiers of +the Republic. "I remember them at Quebec," said he, "under Montcalm. +It may be too much to say that the spirit of a monarchy had imparted a +sense of chivalry to its defenders, but certainly it is fair to think +that the bloody orgies of a revolutionary capital have made a ruffian +and ruthless soldiery." + +Nor was this the only source of consolation open; for he beheld on every +side of him, in the disorder of the force, the moral discouragement +of the army, and the meagre preparations made for the defence of +Alexandria. Wounded and weary, he took full note of these various +circumstances, and made them the theme of encouragement to his +companions in captivity. "There is little here, lads," said he, "to +make us fear a long imprisonment. The gallant fellows, whose watch-fires +crown yonder hills, will soon bivouac here. All these preparations +denote haste and inefficiency. These stockades will offer faint +resistance, their guns seem in many instances unserviceable, and from +what we have seen of their infantry to-day, we need never fear the issue +of a struggle with them." + +In the brief intervals of an occasional halt, he lost no opportunity +of remarking the appearance of the enemy's soldiery,--their bearing and +their equipment,--and openly communicated to his comrades his opinion +that the French army was no longer the formidable force it had been +represented to be, and that the first heavy reverse would be its +dismemberment. In all the confidence a foreign language suggests, he +spoke his mind freely and without reserve, not sparing the officers in +his criticisms, which now and then took a form of drollery that drew +laughter from the other prisoners. It was at the close of some remark of +this kind, and while the merriment had not yet subsided, that a French +major, who had more than once shown interest for the venerable old +soldier, rode close up to his side, and whispered a few words of +friendly caution in his ear, while by an almost imperceptible gesture he +pointed to a group of prisoners who accompanied the Knight's party, and +persisted in pressing close to where he walked. These were four dragoons +of Hompesch's regiment, then serving with the British army, but a +corps which had taken no part in the late action. Darcy could not help +wondering at their capture,--a feeling not devoid of distrust, as he +remarked that neither their dress nor accoutrements bore any trace +of the fierce struggle, while their manner exhibited a degree of rude +assurance and effrontery, rather than the regretful feelings of men +taken prisoners. + +Darcy's attention was not permitted to dwell much more on the +circumstance, for at the same instant the column was halted, in order +that the wounded might pass on; and in the sad spectacle that now +presented itself, all memory of his own griefs was merged. The +procession was a long one, and seemed even more so than it was, from +the frequent halts in front, the road being choked up by tumbrels and +wagons, all confusedly mixed up in the hurry of retreat. Night was now +falling fast, but still there was light enough to descry the ghastly +looks of the poor fellows, suffering in every variety of agony. Some +sought vent to their tortures by shouts and cries of pain; others +preserved a silence that seemed from their agonized features an effort +as dreadful as the very wounds themselves; many were already mad with +suffering, and sang and blasphemed, with shrieks of mingled recklessness +and misery. What a terrible reverse to the glory of war, and how far +deeper into the heart do such scenes penetrate than all the triumphs the +most successful campaign has ever gathered! While Darcy still gazed on +this sad sight, he was gently touched on the arm by the same officer who +had addressed him before, saying, "There is an English soldier here among +the wounded, who wishes to speak with you; it is against my orders to +permit it, but be brief and cautious." With a motion to a litter some +paces in the rear, the officer moved on to his place in the column, nor +waited for any reply. + +The Knight lost not a second in profiting by the kind suggestion, but in +the now thickening, gloom it was some time before he could discover +the object of his search. At length he caught sight of the well-known +uniform of his corps,--the blue jacket slashed with silver,--as it was +thrown loosely over the figure, and partly over the face of a wounded +soldier. Gently removing it, he gazed with steadfastness at the pale and +bloodless countenance of a young and handsome man, who with half-closed +eyelids lay scarcely breathing before him. "Do you know me, my poor +fellow?" whispered Darcy, bending down over him,--"do you know me? For I +feel as if we should know each other well, and had met before this." The +wounded man met his glance with a look of kind acknowledgment, but made +no effort to speak; a faint sigh broke from him, as with a tremulous +hand he pushed back the jacket and showed a terrible bayonet-stab in +the chest, from which at each respiration the blood welled out in florid +rivulets. + +"Where is the surgeon?" said Darcy, to the soldier beside the litter. + +"He is here, Monsieur," said a sharp-looking man, who, without coat and +with shirt-sleeves tucked up, came hastily forward. + +"Can you look to this poor fellow for me?" whispered Darcy, while he +pressed into the not unwilling hand of the doctor a somewhat weighty +purse. + +"We can do little more thau put a pad on a wounded vessel just now," +said the surgeon, as with practised coolness he split up with a scissors +the portions of dress around the wound. "When we have them once housed +in the hospital--Parbleu!" cried he, interrupting himself, "this is a +severe affair." + +Darcy turned away while the remorseless fingers of the surgeon probed +the gaping incision, and then whispered low, "Can he recover?" + +"Ah! _mon Dieu!_ who knows? There is enough mischief here to kill half +a squadron; but some fellows get through anything. If we had him in +a quiet chamber of the Faubourg, with a good nurse, and all still +and tranquil about him, there 's no saying; but here, with some seven +hundred others,--many as bad, some worse than himself,--the chances +are greatly against him. Come, however, we'll do our best for him." So +saying, he proceeded to pass ligatures on some bleeding arteries; and +although speaking rapidly all the while, his motions were even still +more quick and hurried. "How old is he?" asked the surgeon, suddenly, as +he gazed attentively at the youth. + +"I can't tell you," said Darcy. "He belonged to my own corps, and by the +lace on his jacket, I see, must have been a Volunteer; but I shame to +say I don't remember even his name." "He knows _you_, then," replied +the doctor, who, with the shrewd perception of his craft, watched the +working of the sick man's features. "Is't not so?" said he, stooping +down and speaking with marked distinctness. "You know your colonel?" + +A gesture, too faint to be called a nod of the head, and a slight motion +of the eyebrows, seemed to assent to this question; and Darcy, whose +laboring faculties struggled to bring up some clew to the memory of a +face he was convinced he had known before, was about to speak again, +when a mounted orderly, with a led horse beside him, rode up to the +spot, and looking round for a few seconds, as if in search of some one, +said,-- + +"The English colonel, I believe?" The Knight nodded. "You are to +mount this horse, sir," continued the orderly, "and proceed to the +head-quarters at once." + +The doctor whispered a few hasty sentences, and while promising to +bestow his greatest care upon the sick man, assured Darcy that at the +head-quarters he would soon obtain admission of the wounded Volunteer +into the officers' hospital. Partly comforted by this, and partly +yielding to what he knew was the inevitable course of fortune, the +Knight took a farewell look of his follower, and mounted the horse +provided for him. + +Darcy was too much engrossed by the interest of the wounded soldier's +case to think much on what might await himself; nor did he notice for +some time that they had left the high-road by which the troops were +marching for a narrower causeway, leading, as it seemed, not into, but +at one side of Alexandria. It mattered so little to him, however, which +way they followed, that he paid no further attention, nor was he aware +of their progress, till they entered a little mud-built village, which +swarmed with dogs, and miserable-looking half-clothed Arabs. + +"How do they call this village?" said the Knight, speaking now for the +first time to his guide. + +"El Etscher," replied the soldier; "and here we halt" At the same moment +he dismounted at the door of a low, mean-looking house; and having +ushered Darcy into a small room dimly lighted by a lamp, departed. + +The Knight listened to the sharp tramp of the horses' feet as they moved +away; and when they had gone beyond hearing, the silence that followed +fell heavily and drearily on his spirits. After sitting for some time in +expectation of seeing some one sent after him, he arose and went to the +door, but there now stood a sentry posted. He returned at once within +the room, and partly overcome by fatigue, and partly from the confusion +of his own harassed thoughts, he leaned his head on the table and slept +soundly. + +"Pardon, Monsieur le colonel," said a voice at his ear, as, some hours +later in the night, he was awakened from his slumbers. "You will be +pleased to follow me." Darcy looked up and beheld a young officer, who +stood respectfully before him; and though for a second or so he could +not remember where he was, the memory soon came back, and without a word +he followed his conductor. + +The officer led the way across a dirty, ill-paved courtyard, and +entered a building beyond it of greater size, but apparently not less +dilapidated than that they had quitted. From the hall, which was lighted +with a large lamp, they could perceive through an open door a range of +stables filled with horses; at the opposite side a door corresponding +with this one, at which a dragoon stood with his carbine on his arm. At +a word from the officer the soldier moved aside and permitted them to +enter. + +The room into which they proceeded was large, but almost destitute +of furniture. A common deal table stood in the middle, littered with +military cloaks, swords, and shakos. In one corner was a screen, from +behind which the only light proceeded; and, with a gesture towards this, +the officer motioned Darcy to advance, while with noiseless footsteps he +himself withdrew. + +Darcy moved forward, and soon came within the space enclosed by the +screen, and in front of an officer in a plain uniform, who was busily +engaged in writing. Maps, returns, printed orders, and letters lay +strewed about him, and in the small brazier of burning wood beside him +might be seen the charred remains of a great heap of papers. Darcy had +full a minute to contemplate the figure before him ere he was noticed. +The Frenchman was short and muscular, with a thick, bushy head of hair, +bald in the centre of the head. His features were full of intelligence +and quickness, but more unmistakably denoted violence of temper, and +the coarse nature of one not born to his present rank, which seemed, at +least, that of a field officer. His hands were covered with rings, but +their shape and color scarcely denoted that such ornaments were native +to them. + +"Ha,--the English colonel,--sit down, sir," said he to Darcy, pointing +to a chair without rising from his own. Darcy seated himself with the +easy composure of one who felt that in any situation his birth and +breeding made him unexceptionable company. + +"I wished to see you, sir. I have received orders, that is," said +he, speaking with the greatest rapidity, and a certain thickness of +utterance very difficult to follow, "to send for you here, and make +certain inquiries, your answers to which will entirely decide the +conduct of the Commander-in-Chief in your behalf. You are not aware, +perhaps, how completely you have put this in our power?" + +"I suppose," said Darcy, smiling, "my condition as a prisoner of war +makes me subject to the usual hardships of such a lot; but I am not +aware of anything, peculiar to my case, that would warrant you in +proposing even one question which a gentleman and a British officer +could refuse to answer." + +"There is exactly such an exception," replied the Frenchman, hastily. +"The proofs are very easy, and nearer at hand than you think of." + +"You have certainly excited my curiosity, sir," said the Knight, with +composure; "you will excuse my saying that the feeling is unalloyed by +any fear." + +"We shall see that presently," said the French officer rising and +moving towards the door of an apartment which Darcy had not noticed. +"Auguste," cried he, "is that report ready?" The answer was not audible +to the Knight. But the officer resumed, "No matter; it is sufficient for +our purpose." And hastily taking a paper from the hands of a subaltern, +he returned to his place within the screen. "A gentleman so conversant +with our language, it would be absurd to suppose ignorant of our +institutions. Now, sir, to make a very brief affair of this, you have, +in contravention to a law passed in the second year of the Republic, +ventured to apply opprobrious epithets to the forces of France, +ridiculing the manner, bearing, and conduct of our troops, and +instituting comparison between the free citizens of a free state and +the miserable minions of a degraded monarchy. If a Frenchman, +your accusation, trial, and sentence would have probably been nigh +accomplished before this time. As a foreigner and a prisoner of war--" + +"I conclude such remarks as I pleased to make were perfectly open to +me," added Darcy, finishing the sentence. + +"Then you admit the charge," said the Frenchman eagerly, as if he had +succeeded in entrapping a confession. + +"So far, sir, as the expressions of my poor judgment on the +effectiveness of your army, and its chances against such a force as +we have yonder, I am not only prepared to avow, but if you think the +remarks worth the trouble of hearing, to repeat them." + +"As a prisoner of war, sir, according to the eighty-fourth article +of the Code Militaire, the offence must be tried by a court-martial, +one-half of whose members shall have the same rank as the accused." + +"I ask nothing better, sir, nor will I ever believe that any man who has +carried a sword could deem the careless comments of a prisoner on what +he sees around him a question of crime and punishment." + +"I would advise you to reflect a little, sir, ere you suffer matters to +proceed so far. The witnesses against you--" + +"The witnesses!" exclaimed the Knight, in amazement. + +"Yes, sir, four dragoons of a German regiment, thoroughly conversant +with your language and ours, have deposed to the words--" + +"I avow everything I have spoken, and am ready to abide by it." + +"Take care, sir,--take care." + +"Pardon me, sir," said Darcy, with a look of quiet irony, "but it +strikes me that the exigencies of your army must be far greater than +I deemed them, or you had never had recourse to a system of attempted +intimidation." + +"You are in error there," said the Frenchman. "It was the desire to +serve, not to injure you, suggested my present course. It remains with +yourself to show that my interest was not misplaced." + +"Let me understand you more clearly. What is expected of me?" + +"The answers to questions which doubtless every countryman of yours +and mine could reply to from the public papers, but which, to us here, +remote from intercourse and knowledge, are matters of slow acquirement." +While the French officer spoke, he continued to search among the papers +before him for some document, and at length, taking up a small slip of +paper, resumed: "For instance, the 'Moniteur' asserts that you meditate +sending a force from India to cross the Red Sea and the Desert, and +menace us by an attack in the rear as well as in the front. This reads +so like a fragment of an Oriental tale, that I can forgive the smile +with which you hear it." + +"Nay, sir; you have misinterpreted my meaning," said the Knight, calmly. +"I am free to confess I thought this intelligence was no secret. The +form of our Government, the public discussions of our Houses, the +freedom of our press, are little favorable to mystery. If you have +nothing to ask of me more difficult to answer than this--" + +"And the expedition of Acre,--is this also correct?" + +"Perfectly so. A combined movement, which shall compel you to evacuate +the country, is in preparation." + +"_Parbleu_, sir," said the Frenchman, stamping his foot with impatience, +"these are somewhat bold words for a man in your situation to one in +mine." + +"I fancy, sir, that circumstance affects the issue I allude to very +slightly indeed; even though the officer to whom I address myself should +be General Menou, the Commander-in-Chief." + +"And if I be, sir, and if you know it," said Menou,--for it was he,--his +face suffused with anger, "is it consistent with the respect due to _my_ +position and to _your own_ safety, to speak thus?" + +"For the first, sir, although a mere surmise on my part, I humbly hope +I have made no transgression; for the last, I have very little reason to +feel any solicitude, knowing that if you hurt a hair of my head, a heavy +reprisal will await such of your own officers as may be taken, and the +events of yesterday may have told you that a contingency of this sort is +neither improbable nor remote." + +Menou made no answer to this threatening speech, but with folded arms +paced the apartment for several minutes. At length he turned hastily +round, and fixing his eyes on the Knight, said, with a rude oath, "You +are a fortunate man, sir, that you did not hold this language to my +predecessor in the command. General Kleber would have had you in front +of a _peloton_ of grenadiers within five minutes after you uttered it." + +"I have heard as much," said the Knight, with a slight smile. + +Menou rang a bell which stood beside him, and an aide-de-camp entered. + +"Captain le Messurier," said he, in the ordinary tone of discipline, +"this officer is under arrest. You will take the necessary steps for +his safe keeping, and his due appearance when summoned before a military +tribunal." + +He bowed to Darcy as he spoke, and, reseating himself at the table, took +up his pen to write. + +"At the hazard of being thought very hardy, sir," said the Knight, as he +moved towards the door, "I would humbly solicit a favor." + +"A favor!" exclaimed Menou, staring in surprise. + +"Yes, sir; it is that the services of a surgeon should be promptly +rendered--" + +"I have given orders on that score already. My own medical man shall +attend to you." + +"I speak not of myself, sir. It is of a Volunteer of my corps, a +young man who now lies badly wounded; his case is not without hope, if +speedily looked to." + +"He must take his chance with others," said the general, gruffly, while +he made a gesture of leave-taking; and Darcy, unable to prolong the +interview, retired. + +"I am sorry, sir," said the aide-de-camp, as he went along, "that my +orders are peremptory, and you must, if the state of your health permit, +at once leave this." + +"Is it thus your prisoners of war are treated, sir?" said Darcy, +scornfully, "or am I to hope--for hope I do--that the exception is +created especially for me?" + +The officer was silent; and although the flush of shame was on his +cheek, the severe demands of duty overcame all personal feelings, and he +did not dare to answer. + +The Knight was not one of those on whom misfortune can press, without +eliciting in return the force of resistance, and, if not forgetting, +at least combating, the indignities to which he had been subjected; he +resigned himself patiently to his destiny, and after a brief delay set +forth for his journey to Akrish, which he now learned was to be the +place of his confinement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. TIDINGS OF THE WOUNDED. + +The interests of our story do not require us to dwell minutely on the +miserable system of intrigue by which the French authorities sought to +compromise the life and honor of a British officer. The Knight of Gwynne +was committed to the charge of a veteran officer of the Republic, who, +though dignified with the title of the Governor of Akrish, was, in +reality, invested with no higher functions than that of jailer over the +few unhappy prisoners whom evil destiny had thrown into French hands. + +By an alternate system of cruelty and concession, efforts were daily +made to entrap Darcy either into some expression of violence or +impatience at this outrage on all the custom of war, or induce him +to join a plot for escape, submitted to him by those who, apparently +prisoners like himself, were in reality the spies of the Republic. +Sustained by a high sense of his own dignity, and not ignorant of the +character under which revolutionized France accomplished her triumphs, +the Knight resisted every temptation, and in all the gloom of this +remote fortress, ominously secluded from the world, denied access to +any knowledge of passing events, cut off from all communication with his +country and his comrades, he never even for a moment forgot himself, nor +became entangled in the perfidious schemes spread for his ruin. It was +no common aggravation of the miseries of imprisonment to know that each +day and hour had its own separate machinery of perfidy at work. At one +moment he would be offered liberty on the condition of revealing the +plans of the expedition; at another he would be suddenly summoned to +appear before a tribunal of military law, when it was hinted he would be +arraigned for having commanded a force of liberated felons,--for in this +way were the Volunteers once designated,--in the hope that the insult +would evoke some burst of passionate indignation. If the torment of +these unceasing annoyances preyed upon his health and spirits, already +harassed by sad thoughts of home, the length of time, to which the +intrigues were protracted showed Darcy that the wiles of his enemies had +not met success in their own eyes; and this gleam of hope, faint and +slender as it was, sustained him through many a gloomy hour of +captivity. + +While the Knight continued thus to live in the long sleep of a +prisoner's existence, events were hastening to their accomplishment +by which his future liberty was to be secured. The victorious army of +Abercrombie had already advanced and driven the French back beneath the +lines of Alexandria. The action which ensued was terribly contested, but +ended in the complete triumph of the British, whose glory was, however, +dearly bought by the death of their gallant leader. + +The Turkish forces now joined the English under General Hutchinson, +and a series of combined movements commenced, by which the French saw +themselves so closely hemmed in, that no course was open save a retreat +upon Cairo. + +Whether from the changed fortune of their arms,--for the French had +now sustained one unbroken series of reverses,--or that the efforts to +entrap the Knight had shown so little prospect of success, the manner +of the governor had, for some time back, been altered much in his favor, +and several petty concessions were permitted, which in the earlier days +of his captivity were strictly denied. Occasionally, too, little hints +of the campaign would be dropped, and acknowledgments made "that fortune +had not been as uniformly favorable to the 'Great Nation' as was her +wont." These significant confessions received a striking confirmation, +when, at daybreak one morning, an order arrived for the garrison to +abandon the fort of Akrish, and for the prisoners, under a strong +escort, to fall back upon Damanhour. + +The movements indicated haste and precipitancy; so much so, indeed, +that ere the small garrison had got clear of the town, the head of a +retreating column was seen entering it by the road from Alexandria; and +now no longer doubt remained that the British had compelled them to fall +back. + +As the French retired, their forces continued to come up each day, and +in the long convoy of wounded, as well as in the shattered condition +of gun-carriages and wagons, it was easy to read the signs of a recent +defeat. Nor was the matter long doubtful to Darcy; for, by some strange +anomaly of human nature, the very men who would exaggerate the smallest +accident of advantage into a victory and triumph, were now just as loud +iu proclaiming that they had been dreadfully beaten. Perhaps the avowal +was compensated for by the license it suggested to inveigh against the +generals, and, in the true spirit of a republican army, to threaten them +openly with the speedy judgments of the Home Government. + +Among those who occasionally halted to exchange a few-words of greeting +with the officer in conduct of the prisoners, the Knight recognized with +satisfaction the same officer who, in the retreat from Aboukir, had +so kindly suggested caution to him. At first he seemed half fearful +of addressing him, to speak his gratitude, lest even so much might +compromise the young captain in the eyes of his countrymen. The +hesitation was speedily overcome, however, as the young Frenchman gayly +saluted him, and said,-- + +"Ah, mon General, you had scarcely been here to-day if you had +but listened to my counsels. I told you that the Republic, one and +indivisible, did not admit criticism of its troops." + +"I scarcely believed you could shrink from such an order," said the +Knight, smiling. + +"Not in the 'Moniteur,' perhaps," rejoined the Frenchman, laughing. +"Yours, however, had an excess of candor, which, if only listened to at +your own head-quarters, might have induced grave errors. + +"I comprehend," interrupted Darcy, gayly catching up the ironical humor +of the other,--"I comprehend, and you would spare an enemy such an +injurious illusion." + +"Just so; I wish your army had been equally generous, with all my +heart," added he, as coolly as before; "here we are in full retreat on +Cairo." + +"On Damanhour, you mean," said Darcy. + +"Not a bit of it; on Cairo, General. There's no need of mincing the +matter; we need fear no eavesdropper here. Ah, by the by, your German +friends were retaken, and by a detachment of their own regiment too. We +saw the fellows shot the morning after the action." + +"Now that you are kind enough to tell me what is going forward, perhaps +you could let me know something of my poor comrades whom you took +prisoners on the night of the 9th." + +"Yes. They are with few exceptions dead of their wounds, two men +exchanged about a week since; and then, what strange fellows your +countrymen are! They sent us back a major of brigade in exchange for a +wounded soldier who, when he left our camp, did not seem to have life +enough to bring him across the lines!" + +"Did you see him?" asked Darcy, eagerly. + +"Yes; I commanded the escort. He was a young fellow of scarcely more +than four-and-twenty, and must have been good-looking too." + +"Of course you could not tell his name," said the Knight, despondingly. + +"No; I heard it, however, but it has escaped me. There was a curious +story brought back about him by our brigade-major, and one which, +I assure you, furnished many a hearty laugh at your land of noble +privileges and aristocratic forms'." + +"Pray let me hear it." + +"Oh, I cannot tell you one-half of it; the finale interested the major +most, because it concerned himself, and this he repeated to us at least +a dozen times. It would seem, then, that this youth--a rare thing, I +believe, in your service--was a man of birth, but, according to your +happy institutions, was a man of nothing more, for he was a younger son. +Is not that your law?" + +Darcy nodded, and the other resumed. + +"Well, in some fit of spleen at not being born a year or two earlier, +or for some love affair with one of your blond insensibles, or from +weariness of your gloomy climate, or from any other true British cause +of despair, our youth became a soldier. _Parbleu!_ your English chivalry +has its own queer notions, when it regards the service as a last +resource of the desperate! No matter, he enlisted, came out here, fought +bravely, and was taken prisoner in the very same attack with yourself; +but while Fortune dealt heavily with one hand, she was caressing with +the other, for, the same week she condemned him to a French prison, +she made him a peer of England, having taken off the elder brother, an +ambassador at some court, I believe, by a fever. So goes the world; +good and ill luck battling against each, and one never getting uppermost +without the other recruiting strength for a victory in turn." + +"These are strange tidings, indeed," said the Knight, musing, "and would +interest me deeply, if I knew the individual." + +"That I am unfortunate enough to have forgotten," said the Frenchman, +carelessly; "but I conclude he must be a person of some importance, for +we heard that the vessel which was to sail with despatches was delayed +several hours in the bay, to take him back to England." + +Although the whole recital contained many circumstances which the Knight +attributed to French misrepresentation of English habitudes, he was +profoundly struck by it, and dwelt fondly on the hope that if the young +peer should have served under his command, he would not neglect, on +arriving in England, to inform his friends of his safety. + +These thoughts, mingling with others of his home and of his son Lionel, +far away in a distant quarter of the globe, filled his mind as he went, +and made him ponder deeply over the strange accidents of a life +that, opening with every promise, seemed about to close in sorrow and +uncertainty. Full of movement and interest as was the scene around, he +seldom bestowed on it even a passing glance; it was an hour of gloomy +reverie, and he neither marked the long train of wagons with their +wounded, the broken and shattered gun-carriages, or the miserable aspect +of the cavalry, whose starved and galled animals could scarcely crawl. + +The Knight's momentary indifference was interpreted in a very different +sense by the officer who commanded the escort, and who seemed to suspect +that this apathy concealed a shrewd insight into the real condition of +the troops and the signs of distress and discomfiture so palpable on +every side. As, impressed with this conviction, he watched the old man +with prying curiosity, a smile, faint and fleeting enough, once crossed +Darcy's features. The Frenchman's face flushed as he beheld it, and he +quickly said,-- + +"They are the same troops that landed at the Arabs' Tower, and who carry +such inscriptions on their standards as these." He snatched a flag from +the sergeant beside him as he spoke, and pointed to the proud words +embroidered there: "Le Passage de la Scrivia," "Le Passage de Tisonzo," +"Le Pont de Lodi." Then, in a low, muttering voice, he added, "But +Buonaparte was with us then." + +Had he spoken for hours, the confession of their discontent with their +generals could not have been more manifest; and a sudden gleam of hope +shot through Darcy's breast, to think his captivity might soon be over. + +There was every reason to indulge in this pleasing belief; +disorganization had extended to every branch of the service. An angry +correspondence, in which even personal chastisement was broadly hinted +at, passed between the two officers highest in command; and this not +secretly, but publicly known to the entire army. Peculation of the most +gross and open kind was practised by the commissaries; and as the +troops became distressed by want, they retaliated by daring breaches of +discipline, so that at every parade men stood out from the ranks, boldly +demanding their rations, and answering the orders of the officers by +insulting cries of "Bread! bread!" + +All this while the British were advancing steadily, overcoming each +obstacle in turn, and with a force whose privations had made no inroad +upon the strictest discipline; they felt confident of success. The few +prisoners who occasionally fell into the hands of the French wore +all the assurance of men who felt that their misfortunes could not be +lasting, and in good-humored raillery bantered their captors on the +British beef and pudding they would receive, instead of horseflesh, so +soon as the capitulation was signed. + +The French soldiers were, indeed, heartily tired of the war; they were +tired of the country, of the leaders, whose incompetency, whether real +or not, they believed; tired, above all, of absence from France, from +which they felt exiled. Each step they retired from the coast seemed +to them another day's journey from their native land, and they did not +hesitate to avow to their prisoners that they had no wish or care save +to return to their country. + +Such was the spirit of the French army as it drew near Cairo, than which +no greater contrast could exist than that presented by the advancing +enemy. Let us now return to the more immediate interests of our story; +and while we beg to corroborate the brief narrative of the French +officer, we hope it is unnecessary to add that the individual whose +suddenly changed fortune had elevated him from the ranks of a simple +volunteer to that of a peer of England was our old acquaintance Dick +Forester. + +From the moment when the tidings reached him, to that in which he lay, +still suffering from his wounds, in the richly furnished chamber of a +London hotel, the whole train of events through which he had so lately +passed seemed like the incoherent fancies of a dream. The excited frame +of mind in which he became a volunteer with the army had not time to +subside ere came the spirit-stirring hour of the landing at Aboukir. The +fight, in all its terrible but glorious vicissitudes; the struggle in +which he perilled his own life to save his leader's; the moments that +seemed those of ebbing life in which he lay upon a litter before Darcy's +eyes, and yet unable to speak his name; and then the sudden news of his +brother's death, overwhelming him at once with sorrow for his loss, and +all the thousand fleeting thoughts of his own future, should life be +spared him,--these were enough, and more than enough, to disturb and +overbalance a mind already weakened by severe illness. + +Had Forester known more of his only brother, it is certain that the +predominance of the feeling of grief would have subdued the others, and +given at least the calm of affliction to his troubled senses. But they +were almost strangers to each other; the elder having passed his life +almost exclusively abroad, and the younger, separated by distance and a +long interval of years, being a complete stranger to his qualities and +temper. + +Dick Forester's grief, therefore, was no more than that which ties of so +close kindred will ever call up, but unmixed with the tender attachment +of a brother's love. His altered fortunes had not thus the strong alloy +of heartfelt sorrow to make them distasteful; but still there was an +unreality in everything,--a vague uncertainty in all his endeavors at +close reasoning, which harassed and depressed him. And when he awoke +from each short disturbed sleep, it took several minutes before he could +bring back his memory to the last thought of his waking hours. The very +title "my Lord," so scrupulously repeated at each instant, startled him +afresh at each moment he heard it; and as he read over the names of the +high and titled personages whose anxieties for his recovery had made +them daily visitors at his hotel, his heart faltered between the +pleasure of flattery and a deeper feeling of almost scorn for the +sympathies of a world that could minister to the caprices of rank what +it withheld from the real sufferings of the same man in obscurity. His +mother he had not seen yet; for Lady Netherby, much attached to her +eldest son, and vain of abilities by which she reckoned on his future +distinction, was herself seriously indisposed. Lord Netherby, however, +had been a frequent visitor, and had already seen Forester several +times, although always very briefly, and only upon the terms of distant +politeness. + +Although in a state that precluded everything like active exertion, and +which, indeed, made the slightest effort a matter of peril, Forester had +already exchanged more than one communication with the Horse Guards +on the subject of the Knight's safety, and received the most steady +assurances that his exchange was an object on which the authorities were +most anxious, and engaged at the very moment in negotiations for its +accomplishment. There were two difficulties: one, that no officer of +Darcy's precise rank was then a prisoner with the British; and secondly, +that any very pressing desire expressed for his liberation would serve +to weaken the force of that conviction they were so eager to impress, +that the campaign was nearly ended, and that nothing but capitulation +remained for the French. + +Forester was not more gratified than surprised at the tone of obliging +and almost deferential politeness which pervaded each answer to his +applications. He had yet to learn how a vote in the "Lords" can make +secretaries civil, and Under-Secretaries most courteous; and while +his few uncertain lines were penned with diffidence and distrust, the +replies gradually inducted him into that sense of confidence which a few +months later he was to feel like a birthright. + +How far these thoughts contributed to his recovery it would be difficult +to say, nor does it exactly lie in our province to inquire. The +likelihood is, that the inducements to live are strong aids to overcome +sickness; for, as a witty observer has remarked, "There is no such +_manque dre savoir vivre_ as dying at four-and-twenty." + +It is very probable Forester experienced all this, and that the dreams +of the future in which he indulged were not only his greatest but his +pleasantest aid to recovery. A brilliant position, invested with rank, +title, fortune, and a character for enterprise, are all flattering +adjuncts to youth; while in the hope of succeeding where his dearest +wishes were concerned, lay a source of far higher happiness. How to +approach this subject again most fittingly, was now the constant object +of his thoughts. He sometimes resolved to address Lady Eleanor; but so +long as he could convey no precise tidings of the Knight, this would be +an ungracious task. Then he thought of Miss Daly, but he did not know +her address; all these doubts and hesitations invariably ending in +the resolve that as soon as his strength permitted he would go over to +Ireland, and finding out Bicknell, obtain accurate information as to +Lady Eleanor's present residence, and also learn if, without being +discovered, he could in any way be made serviceable to the interests of +the family. + +Perhaps we cannot better convey the gradually dawning conviction of his +altered fortune on his mind than by mentioning that while he canvassed +these various chances, and speculated on their course, he never dwelt on +the possibility of Lady Netherby's power to influence his determination. +In the brief note he received from her each morning, the tone of +affectionate solicitude for his health was always accompanied by some +allusive hint of the "duties" recovery would impose, and each inquiry +after his night's rest was linked with a not less anxious question as +to how soon he might feel able to appear in public. Constitutionally +susceptible of all attempts to control him, and from his childhood +disposed to rebel against dictation, he limited his replies to brief +accounts of his progress or inquiries after her own health, resolved +in his heart that now that fortune was his own, to use the blessings it +bestows according to the dictates of affection and a conscientious sense +of right, and be neither the toy of a faction nor the tool of a party. +In Darcy--could he but see him once more--he looked for a friend and +adviser; and whatever the fortune of his suit, he felt that the Knight's +counsels should be his guidance as to the future, reposing not even more +trust on unswerving rectitude than the vast range of his knowledge of +life, and the common-sense views he could take of the most complex as of +the very simplest questions. + +It was now some seven weeks after his return, and Forester, for we +would still desire to call him by the name our reader has known him, +was sitting upon a sofa, weak and nervous, as the first day of a +convalescent's appearance in the drawing-room usually is, when his +servant, having deposited on the table several visiting-cards of +distinguished inquirers, mentioned that the Earl of Netherby wished to +pay his respects. Forester moved his head in token of assent, and his +Lordship soon after entered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. THE DAWN OF CONVALESCENCE + +Stepping noiselessly over the carpet, with an air at once animated and +regardful of the sick man, Lord Netherby was at Forester's side before +he could arise to receive him; and pressing him gently down with both +hands, said, in a voice of most silvery cadence,-- + +"My dear Lord--you must not stir for the world--Halford has only +permitted me to see you under the strict pledge of prudence; and now, +how are you? Ah! I see--weak and low. Come, you must let me speak for +you, or at least interpret your answers to my own liking. We have so +much to talk over, it is difficult where to begin." + +"How is Lady Netherby?" said Forester, with a slight hesitation between +the words. + +"Still very feeble and very nervous. The shock has been a dreadful one +to her. You know that poor Augustus was coming home on leave--when--when +this happened." + +Here his Lordship sighed, but not too deeply, for he remembered that the +law of primogeniture is the sworn enemy to grief. + +"There was some talk, too, of his being sent on a special embassy to +Paris,--a very high and important trust,--and so really the affliction +is aggravated by thinking what a career was opening to him. But, as the +Dean of Walworth beautifully expressed it, 'We are cut down like flowers +of the field.' Ah!" + +A sigh and a slight wave with a handkerchief, diffusing an odor of +eau-de-Portugal through the chamber, closed this affecting sentiment. + +"I trust in a day or two I shall be able to see my mother," said +Forester, whose thoughts were following a far more natural channel. +"I can walk a little to-day, and before the end of the week Halford +promises me that I shall drive out." + +"That 's the very point we are most anxious about," said Lord Netherby, +eagerly: "we want you, if possible, to take your seat in 'the Lords' +next week. There is a special reason for it. Rumor runs that the +Egyptian expedition will be brought on for discussion on Thursday next. +Some malcontents are about to disparage the whole business, and, in +particular, the affair at Alexandria. Ministers are strong enough to +resist this attack, and even carry the war back into the enemy's camp; +but we all think it would be a most fortunate moment for you, when +making your first appearance in the House, to rise and say a few words +on the subject of the campaign. The circumstances under which you +joined--your very dangerous wound--have given you a kind of prerogative +to speak, and the occasion is most opportune. Come, what say you? Would +such an effort be too great?" + +"Certainly not for my strength, my Lord, if not for my shame' sake; for +really I should feel it somewhat presumptuous in me, a man who carried +his musket in the ranks, to venture on a discussion, far more a defence, +of the great operations in which he was a mere unit; one of those rank +and file who figured, without other designation, in lists of killed and +wounded." + +"This is very creditable to your modesty, my dear Lord," said the old +peer, smiling most blandly; "but pardon me if I say it displays a great +forgetfulness of your present position. Remember that you now belong to +the Upper House, and that the light of the peerage shines on the past as +on the future." + +"By which I am to understand," replied Forester, laughing, "that the +events which would have met a merited oblivion in Dick Forester's life +are to be remembered with honor to the Earl of Wallincourt." + +"Of course they are," cried Lord Netherby, joining in the laugh. "If +an unlikely scion of royalty ascends the throne, we look out for the +evidences of his princely tastes in the sports of his boyhood. Nay, if a +clever writer or painter wins distinction from the world, do we not 'try +back' for his triumphs at school, or his chalk sketches on coach-house +gates, to warrant the early development of genius?" + +"Well, my Lord," said Forester, gayly, "I accept the augury; and as +nothing more nearly concerns a man's life than the fate of those who +have shown him friendship, let me inquire after some friends of mine, +and some relations of yours,-the Darcys." + +"Ah, those poor Darcys!" said Lord Netherby, wiping his eyes, and +heaving a very profound sigh, as though to say that the theme was one +far too painful to dwell upon, "theirs is a sad story, a very sad story +indeed!" + +"Anything more gloomy than the loss of fortune, my Lord?" asked +Forester, with a trembling lip, and a cheek pale as death. Lord Netherby +stared to see whether the patient's mind was not beginning to wander. +That there could be anything worse than loss of fortune he had yet +to learn; assuredly he had never heard of it. Forester repeated his +question. + +"No, no, perhaps not, if you understand by that phrase what I do," said +Lord Netherby, almost pettishly. "If, like me, you take in all the long +train of ruin and decay such loss implies,--pecuniary distress, moneyed +difficulties, fallen condition in society, inferior association--" + +"Nay, my Lord, in the present instance, I can venture to answer for +it, such consequences have not ensued. You do your relatives scarcely +justice to suppose it." + +"It is very good and very graceful, both, in you," said Lord Netherby, +with an almost angelic smile, "to say so. Unfortunately, these are +not merely speculative opinions on my part. While I make this remark, +understand me as by no means imputing any blame to them. What could they +do?--that is the question,--what could they do?" + +"I would rather ask of your Lordship, what have they done? When I know +that, I shall be, perhaps, better enabled to reply to your question." + +In all likelihood it was more the manner than the substance of this +question which made Lord Netherby hesitate how to reply to it, and at +last he said,-- + +"To say in so many words what they have done, is not so easy. It would, +perhaps, give better insight into the circumstances were I to say what +they have not done." + +"Even as you please, my Lord. The negative charge, then," said Forester, +impatiently. + +"Lord Castlereagh, my Lord!" said a servant, throwing open the door; for +he had already received orders to admit him when he called, though, had +Forester guessed how inopportune the visit could have proved, he would +never have said so. + +In the very different expressions of Lord Netherby and the sick man's +face, it might be seen how differently they welcomed the new arrival. + +Lord Castlereagh saluted both with a courteous and cordial greeting, +and although he could not avoid seeing that he had dropped in somewhat +_mal-a-propos_, he resolved rather to shorten the limit of his stay +than render it awkward by any expressions of apology. The conversation, +therefore, took that easy, careless tone in which each could join with +freedom. It was after a brief pause, when none exactly liked to be the +first to speak, that Lord Netherby observed,-- + +"The very moment you were announced, my Lord, I was endeavoring to +persuade my young friend here to a line of conduct in which, if I have +your Lordship's co-operation, I feel I shall be successful." + +"Pray let me hear it," said Lord Castlereagh, gayly, and half +interrupting what he feared was but the opening of an over-lengthy +exposition. + +Lord Netherby was not to be defeated so easily, nor defrauded of a theme +whereupon to expend many loyal sentiments; and so he opened a whole +battery of arguments on the subject of the young peer's first appearance +in the House, and the splendid opportunity, as he called it, of a maiden +speech. + +"I see but one objection," said Lord Castlereagh, with a well-affected +gravity. + +"I see one hundred," broke in Forester, impatiently. + +"Perhaps _my_ one will do," rejoined Lord Castlereagh. + +"Which is--if I may take the liberty--" lisped out Lord Netherby. + +"That there will be no debate on the subject. The motion is withdrawn." + +"Motion withdrawn!--since when?" + +"I see you have not heard the news this morning," said Lord Castlereagh, +who really enjoyed the discomfiture of one very vain of possessing the +earliest intelligence. + +"I have heard nothing," exclaimed he, with a sigh of despondency. + +"Well, then, I may inform you, that the 'Pike' has brought us very +stirring intelligence. The war in Egypt is now over. The French have +surrendered under the terms of a convention, and a treaty has been +ratified that permits their return to France. Hostages for the guarantee +of the treaty have been already interchanged, and"--here he turned +towards Forester, and added--"it will doubtless interest you to hear +that your old friend the Knight of Gwynne is one of them,--an evidence +that he is not only alive, but in good health also." + +"This is, indeed, good news you bring me," said Forester, with a +flashing eye and a heightened complexion. "Has any one written? Do +Colonel Darcy's friends know of this?" + +"I have myself done so," said Lord Castlereagh. "Not that I may +attribute the thoughtful attention to myself, for I received his Royal +Highness's commands on the subject I need scarcely say that such a +communication must be gratifying to any one." + +"Where are they at present?" said Forester, eagerly. + +"That was a question of some difficulty to me, and I accordingly called +on my Lord Netherby to ascertain the point. I found he had left home, +and now have the good fortune to catch him here." So saying, Lord +Castlereagh took from the folds of a pocket-book a sealed but +un-addressed letter, and dipping a pen in the ink before him, prepared +to write. + +There were, indeed, very few occurrences in life which made Lord +Netherby feel ashamed. He had never been obliged to blush for any +solecism in manner or any offence against high breeding, nor had the +even tenor of his days subjected him to any occasion of actual shame, so +that the confusion he now felt had the added poignancy of being a new as +well as a painful sensation. + +"It may seem very strange to you, my Lord," said he, in a broken and +hesitating voice; "not but that, on a little reflection, the case will +be easily accounted for; but--so it is--I--really must own--I must +frankly acknowledge--that I am not at this moment aware of my dear +cousin's address." + +If his Lordship had not been too much occupied in watching Lord +Castlereagh's countenance, he could not have failed to see, and be +struck by, the indignant expression of Forester's features. + +"How are we to reach them, then, that's the point?" said Lord +Castlereagh, over whose handsome face not the slightest trace of passion +was visible. "If I mistake not, Gwynne Abbey they have left many a day +since." + +"I think I can lay my hand on a letter. I am almost certain I had one +from a law-agent, called--called--" + +"Bicknell, perhaps," interrupted Forester, blushing between shame and +impatience. + +"Quite right,--you are quite right," replied Lord Netherby, with a +significant glance at Lord Castlereagh, cunningly intended to draw off +attention from himself. "Well, Mr. Bicknell wrote to me a very tiresome +and complicated epistle about law affairs,--motions, rules, and so +forth,--and mentioned at the end that Lady Eleanor and Helen were living +in some remote village on the northern coast." + +"A cottage called 'The Corvy,'" broke in Forester, "kindly lent to them +by an old friend, Mr. Bagenal Daly." + +"Will that address suffice," said Lord Castlereagh, "with the name of +the nearest post-town?" + +"If you will make me the postman, I 'll vouch for the safe delivery," +said Forester, with an animation that made him flushed and pale within +the same instant. + +"My dear young friend, my dear Lord Wallincourt!" exclaimed Lord +Netherby, laying his hand upon his arm. He said no more; indeed +he firmly believed the enunciation of his new title must be quite +sufficient to recall him to a sense of due consideration for himself. + +"You are scarcely strong enough, Dick," said Lord Castlereagh, coolly. +"It is a somewhat long journey for an invalid; and Halford, I 'm sure, +wouldn't agree to it." + +"I 'm quite strong enough," said Forester, rising and pacing the +room with an attempted vigor that made his debility seem still more +remarkable: "if not to-day, I shall be to-morrow. The travelling, +besides, will serve me,--change of air and scene. More than all, I am +determined on doing it." + +"Not if I refuse you the despatches, I suppose?" said Lord Castlereagh, +laughing. + +"You can scarcely do that," said Forester, fixing his eyes steadfastly +on him. "Your memory is a bad one, or you must recollect sending me +down once upon a time to that family on an errand of a different nature. +Don't you think you owe an amende to them and to me?" + +"Eh! what was that? I should like to know what you allude to," said Lord +Netherby, whose curiosity became most painfully eager. + +"A little secret between Dick and myself," said Lord Castlereagh, +laughing. "To show I do not forget which, I 'll accede to his present +request, always provided that he is equal to it." + +"Oh, as to that--" + +"It must be 'Halfordo non obstante,' or not at all," said Lord +Castlereagh, rising. "Well," continued he, as he moved towards the +door, "I 'll see the doctor on my way homeward, and if he incline to the +safety of the exploit, you shall hear from me before four o'clock. I +'ll send you some extracts, too, from the official papers, such as may +interest your friends, and you may add, _bien des choses de ma part_, in +the way of civil speeches and gratulation." + +Lord Netherby had moved towards the window as Lord Castlereagh withdrew, +and seemed more interested by the objects in the street than anxious to +renew the interrupted conversation. + +Forester--if one were to judge from his preoccupied expression--appeared +equally indifferent on the subject, and both were silent. Lord Netherby +at last looked at his watch, and, with an exclamation of astonishment at +the lateness of the hour, took up his hat. Forester did not notice the +gesture, for his mind had suddenly become awake to the indelicacy, to +say no worse, of leaving London for a long journey without one effort to +see his mother. A tingling feeling of shame burned in his cheek and +made his heart beat faster, as he said, "I think you have your carriage +below, my Lord?" + +"Yes," replied Lord Netherby, not aware whether the question might +portend something agreeable or the reverse. + +"If you 'll permit me, I 'll ask you to drive me to Berkeley Square. I +think the air and motion will benefit me; and perhaps Lady Netherby will +see me." + +"Delighted--charmed to see you--my dear young friend," said Lord +Netherby, who having, in his own person, some experience of the sway and +influence her Ladyship was habituated to exercise, calculated largely on +the effect of an interview between her and her son. "I don't believe you +could possibly propose anything more gratifying nor more likely to serve +her. She is very weak and very nervous; but to see you will, I know, be +of immense service. I 'm sure you 'll not agitate her," added he, after +a pause. If the words had been "not contradict," they would have been +nearer his meaning. + +"You may trust me, for both our sakes," said Forester, smiling. "By the +by, you mentioned a letter from a law-agent of the Darcys, Mr. Bicknell; +was it expressive of any hope of a favorable termination to the suit, or +did he opine that the case was a bad one?" + +"If I remember aright, a very bad one,--bad, from the deficiency of +evidence; worse, from the want of funds to carry it on. Of course I only +speak from memory; and the epistle was so cramp, so complex, and with +such a profusion of detail intermixed, that I could make little out of +it, and retain even less. I must say that as it was written without my +cousin's knowledge or consent, I paid no attention to it. It was, so to +say, quite unauthorized." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Forester, in an accent whose scorn was mistaken by +the hearer, as he resumed. + +"Just so; a mere lawyer's _ruse_, to carry on a suit. He proposed, I +own, a kind of security for any advance I should make, in the person +of Miss Daly, whose property, amounting to some three or four thousand +pounds, was to be given as security! There always is some person of this +kind on these occasions--some tame elephant--to attract the rest; but +I paid no attention to it. The only thing, indeed, I could learn of the +lady was, that she had a fire-eating brother who paid bond debts with a +pistol, and small ones with a horsewhip." + +"I know Mr. Daly and his sister too. He is a most honorable and +high-minded gentleman; of her I only needed to hear the trait your +Lordship has just mentioned, to say that she is worthy to be his sister +in every respect." + +"I was not aware that they were acquaintances of yours." + +"Friends, my Lord, would better express the relationship between +us,--friends, firm and true, I sincerely believe them. Pray, if not +indiscreet, may I ask the date of this letter?" + +"Some day of June last, I think. The case was to come on for trial next +November in Westport, and it was for funds to carry on the suit, it +would seem, they were pressed." + +"You did n't hear a second time?" + +"No, I 've told you that I never answered this letter. I was quite +willing, I am so at this hour, to be of any service to my dear cousin, +Lady Eleanor Darcy, and to aid her to the fullest extent; but to +prosecute a hopeless lawsuit, to throw away some thousands in an +interminable Equity investigation,--to measure purses, too, against one +of the richest men in Ireland, as I hear their antagonist is,--this, I +could never think of." + +"But who has pronounced this claim hopeless?" said Forester, +impatiently. + +A cold shrug of the shoulders was all Lord Netherby's reply. + +"Not Miss Daly, certainly," rejoined Forester, "who was willing to peril +everything she possessed in the world upon the issue." + +The sarcasm intended by this speech was deeply felt by Lord Netherby, as +with an unwonted concession to ill-humor, he replied,-- + +"There is nothing so courageous as indigence!" + +"Better never be rich, then," cried Forester, "if cowardice be the first +lesson it teaches. But I think better of affluence than this. I saw +that same Knight of Gwynne when at the head of a princely fortune; and +I never, in any rank of life, under any circumstances, saw the qualities +which grace and adorn the humblest more eminently displayed." + +"I quite agree with you; a more perfectly conducted household it is +impossible to conceive." + +"I speak not of his retinue, nor of his graceful hospitalities, my Lord, +nor even of his generous munificence and benevolence; these are rich +men's gifts everywhere. I speak of his trusting, confiding temper; the +hopeful trust he entertained of something good in men's natures at +the moment he was smarting from their perfidy and ingratitude; the +forgiveness towards those that injured, the unvarying kindness towards +those that forgot him." + +"I declare," said Lord Netherby, smiling, "I must interdict a +continuance of this panegyric, now that we have arrived, for you know +Colonel Darcy was a first love of Lady Netherby." + +Nothing but a courtier of Lord Netherby's stamp could have made such a +speech; and while Forester became scarlet with shame and anger, a new +light suddenly broke upon him, and the rancor of his mother respecting +the Knight and his family was at once explained. + +"Now to announce you," said Lord Netherby, gayly; "let that be my task." +And so saying, he lightly tripped up the stairs before Forester. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. A BOUDOIR. + +When, having passed through a suite of gorgeously furnished rooms, +Forester entered the dimly lighted boudoir where his lady-mother +reclined, his feelings were full of troubled emotion. The remembrance +of the last time he had been there was present to his mind, mingled +with anxious fears as to his approaching reception. Had he been more +conversant with the "world," he needed not to have suffered these +hesitations. There are few conditions in life between which so wide +a gulf yawns as that of the titled heir of a house and the younger +brother. He was, then, as little prepared for the affectionate +greeting that met him as for the absence of all trace of illness in her +Ladyship's appearance. Both were very grateful to his feelings as he +drew his chair beside her sofa, and a soft remembrance of former days of +happiness stole over his pleased senses. Lord Netherby, with a fitting +consideration, had left them to enjoy this interview alone, and thus +their emotions were unrestrained by the presence of the only one who had +witnessed their parting. Perhaps the most distinguishing trait of the +closest affection is that the interruptions to its course do not involve +the misery of reconciliation to enable us to return to our own place in +the heart; but that, the moment of grief or anger or doubt over, we +feel that we have a right to resume our influence in the breast whose +thoughts have so long mingled with our own. The close ties of filial and +parental love are certainly of this nature, and it must be a stubborn +heart whose instincts do not tend to that forgiveness which as much +blots out as it pardons past errors. Such was not Lady Netherby's. +Pride of station, the ambition of leadership in certain circles, had so +incorporated themselves with the better dictates of her mind that she +rarely, if ever, permitted mere feeling to influence her; but if for +a moment it did get the ascendancy, her heart could feel as acutely as +though it had been accustomed to such indulgence. In a word, she was as +affectionate as the requirements of her rank permitted. Oh, this Rank, +this Rank! how do its conventionalities twine and twist themselves round +our natures till love and friendship are actually subject to the cold +ordinance of a fashion! How many hide the dark spots of their heart +behind the false screen they call their "Rank"! The rich man, in the +Bible, clothed in his purple, and faring sumptuously, was but acting in +conformity with his "Rank;" nay, more, he was charitable as became his +"Rank," for the poor were fed with the crumbs from his table. + +Forester was well calculated by natural advantages to attract a mother's +pride. He was handsome and well-bred; had even more than a fair share +of abilities, which gained credit for something higher from a +native quickness of apprehension; and even already the adventurous +circumstances of his first campaign had invested his character with a +degree of interest that promised well for his success in the world. If +her manner to him was then kind and affectionate, it was mingled also +with something of admiration, which her woman's heart yielded to the +romantic traits of the youth. + +She listened with eager pleasure to the animated description he gave of +the morning at Aboukir, and the brilliant panorama of the attack; nor +was the enjoyment marred by the mention of the only name that could have +pained her, the last words of Lord Netherby having sealed Forester's +lips with respect to the Knight of Gwynne. + +The changeful fortunes of his life as a prisoner were mingled with the +recital of the news by which his exchange was effected; and this brought +back once more the subject by which their interview was opened,--the +death of his elder brother. Lady Netherby perhaps felt she had done +enough for sorrow, for she dwelt but passingly on the theme, and rather +addressed herself to the future which was now about to open before her +remaining son, carefully avoiding, however, the slightest phrase +that should imply dictation, and only seeming to express the natural +expectation "the world" had formed of what his career should be. "Lord +Netherby tells me," said she, "that the Duke of York will, in all +likelihood, name you as an extra aide-decamp, in which case you probably +would remain in the service. It is an honor that could not well be +declined." + +"I scarcely like to form fixed intentions which have no fixed +foundations," said Forester; "but if I might give way to my own wishes, +it would be to indulge in perfect liberty,--to have no master." + +"Nor any mistress, either, to control you, for some time, I suppose," +rejoined she, smiling, as if carelessly, but watching how her words were +taken. Forester affected to partake in the laugh, but could not conceal +a slight degree of confusion. Lady Netherby was too clever a tactician +to let even a momentary awkwardness interrupt the interview, and +resumed: "You will be dreadfully worried by all the 'lionizing' in store +for you, I'm certain; you are to be feasted and feted to any extent, and +will be fortunate if the gratulations on your recovery do not bring back +your illness." + +"I shall get away from it all at once," said Forester, rising, and +walking up and down, as if the thought had suggested the impatient +movement. + +"You cannot avoid presenting yourself at the levee," said Lady Netherby, +anxiously; for already a dread of her son's wilful temper came over her. +"His Royal Highness's inquiries after you do not leave an option on this +matter." + +"What if I'm too ill?" said he, doggedly; "what if I should not be in +town?" + +"But where else could you be, Richard?" said she, with a resumption of +her old imperiousness of tone and manner. + +"In Ireland, madam," said Forester, coldly. + +"In Ireland! And why, for any sake, in Ireland?" + +Forester hesitated, and grew scarlet; he did not know whether to evade +inquiry by a vague reply, or at once avow his secret determination. +At length, with a faltering, uncertain voice, he said: "A matter of +business will bring me to that country; I have already conversed with +Lord Castlereagh on the subject. Lord Netherby was present." + +"I'm sure he could never concur,-I'm certain." So far her Ladyship had +proceeded, when a sudden fear came over her that she had ventured too +far, and turning hastily, she rang the bell beside her. "Davenport," +said she to the grave-looking groom of the chambers, who as +instantaneously appeared, "is my Lord at home?" + +"His Lordship is in the library, my Lady." + +"Alone?" + +"No, my Lady, a gentleman from Ireland is with his Lordship." + +"A gentleman from Ireland!" repeated she, half aloud, as though the very +mention of that country were destined to persecute her; then quickly +added, "Say I wish to speak with him here." + +The servant bowed and withdrew; and now a perfect silence reigned in the +apartment. Forester felt that he had gone too far to retreat, even +were he so disposed, and although dreading nothing more than a "scene," +awaited, without speaking, the course of events. As much yielding to an +involuntary impatience as to relieve the awkwardness of the interval, +he arose and walked into the adjoining drawing-room, carelessly tossing +over books and prints upon the tables, and trying to affect an ease he +was very far from experiencing. + +It was while he was thus engaged that Lord Netherby entered the boudoir, +and seeing her Ladyship alone, was about to speak in his usual tone, +when, at a gesture from her, he was made aware of Forester's vicinity, +and hastily subdued his voice to a whisper. "Whatever the nature of the +tidings which in a hurried and eager tone his Lordship retailed, her +manner on hearing evinced a mingled astonishment and delight, if the +word dare be applied to an emotion whose source was in anything rather +than an amiable feeling. + +"It seems too absurd, too monstrous in every way," exclaimed she, at the +end of an explanation which took several minutes to recount. "And why +address himself to you? That seems also inexplicable." + +"This," rejoined Lord Netherby, aloud,---"this was his own inspiration. +He candidly acknowledges that no one either counselled or is even aware +of the step he has taken." + +"Perhaps the _a propos_ may do us good service," whispered she, with a +glance darted at the room where Forester was now endeavoring, by humming +an air, to give token of his vicinity as well as assume an air of +indifference. + +"I thought of that," said Lord Netherby, in the same low voice. "Would +you see him? A few moments would be enough." + +Lady Netherby made no answer, but with closed eyes and compressed lips +seemed to reflect deeply for several minutes. At last she said: "Yes, +let him come. I'll detain Richard in the drawing-room; he shall hear +everything that is said. If I know anything of him, the insult to his +pride will do far more than all our arguments and entreaties." + +"Don't chill my little friend by any coldness of manner," said his +Lordship, smiling, as he moved towards the door; "I have only got him +properly thawed within the last few minutes." + +"My dear Richard," said she, as the door closed after Lord Netherby, "I +must keep you prisoner in the drawing-room for a few minutes, while I +receive a visitor of Lord Netherby's. Don't close the doors; I can't +endure heat and this room becomes insupportable without a slight +current of air. Besides, there is no secret, I fancy, in the +communication. As well as I understand the matter, it does not concern +us; but Netherby is always doing some piece of silly good-nature, for +which no one thanks him!" + +The last reflection was half soliloquy, but said so that Forester could +and did hear every word of it. While her Ladyship, therefore, patiently +awaited the arrival of her visitor in one room, Forester threw himself +into a chair, and taking up a book at hazard, endeavored to pass the +interval without further thought about the matter. + +Sitting with his back towards the door of the boudoir. Forester +accidentally had placed himself in such a position that a large mirror +between the windows reflected to him a considerable portion of the scene +within. It was then with an amount of astonishment far above ordinary +that he beheld the strange-looking figure who followed Lord Netherby +into the apartment of his mother. He was a short, dumpy man, with a bald +head, over which the long hairs of either side were studiously combed +into an ingenious kind of network, and meeting at an angle above +the cranium, looked like the uncovered rafters of a new house. Two +fierce-looking gray eyes that seemed ready for fun or malice, rolled +and revolved unceasingly over the various decorations of the chamber, +while a large thick-lipped mouth, slightly opened at either end, vouched +for one who neglected no palpable occasion for self-indulgence or +enjoyment. There was, indeed, throughout his appearance, a look of racy +satisfaction and contentment, that consorted but ill with his costume, +which was a suit of deep mourning; his clothes having all the gloss +and shine of a recent domestic loss, and made, as seems something to be +expected on these occasions, considerably too large for him, as though +to imply that the defunct should not be defrauded in the full measure of +sorrow. Deep crape weepers encircled his arms to the elbows, and a very +banner of black hung mournfully from his hat. + +[Illustration: 368] + +"Mr.-------" Here Lord Netherby hesitated, forgetful of his name. + +"Dempsey, Paul Dempsey, your Grace," said the little man, as, stepping +forward, he performed the salutation before Lady Netherby, by which he +was accustomed to precede an invitation to dance. + +"Pray be seated, Mr. Dempsey. I have just briefly mentioned to her +Ladyship the circumstances of our interesting conversation, and with +your permission will proceed with my recital, begging that if I fall +into any error you will kindly set me right. This will enable Lady +Netherby, who is still an invalid, to support the fatigue of an +interview wherein her advice and counsel will be of great benefit to us +both." + +Mr. Dempsey bowed several times, not sorry, perhaps, that in such an +awful presence he was spared the office of chief orator. + +"I told you, my dear," said Lord Netherby, turning towards her +Ladyship, "that this gentleman had for a considerable time back enjoyed +the pleasure of intimacy with our worthy relative Lady Eleanor Darcy--" + +The fall of a heavy book in the adjoining room interrupted his Lordship, +between whom and Lady Netherby a most significant interchange of glances +took place. He resumed, however, without a pause,-- + +"Lady Eleanor and her accomplished daughter. If the more urgent question +were uot now before us, it would gratify you to learn, as I have just +done, the admirable patience she has exhibited under the severe trials +she has met; the profound insight she obtained into the condition, +hopeless as it proves to be, of their unhappy circumstances; and the +resignation in which, submitting to changed fortune, she not only has at +once abandoned the modes of living she was habituated to, but actually +descended to what I can fancy must have been the hardest infliction of +all,--vulgar companionship, and the society of a boarding-house." + +"A most respectable establishment, though," broke in Paul; "Fumbally's +is known all over Ulster--" + +A very supercilious smile from Lady Netherby cut short a panegyric Mr. +Dempsey would gladly have extended. + +"No doubt, sir, it was the best thing of the kind," resumed his +Lordship; "but remember who Lady Eleanor Darcy was,--ay, and is. +Think of the station she had always held, and then fancy her in daily +intercourse with those people--" + +"Oh, it is very horrid, indeed!" broke in Lady Netherby, leaning back, +and looking overcome even at the bare conception of the enormity. + +"The little miserable notorieties of a fishing-village--" + +"Coleraine, my Lord,--Coleraine," cried Dempsey. + +"Well, be it so. What is Coleraine?" + +"A very thriving town on the river Bann, with a smart trade in yarn, two +breweries, three meeting-houses, a pound, and a Sunday-school," repeated +Paul, as rapidly as though reading from a volume of a topographical +dictionary. + +"All very commendable and delightful institutions, on which I beg +heartily to offer my congratulations, but, you will allow me to remark, +scarcely enough to compensate for the accustomed appliances of a +residence at Gwynne Abbey. But I see we are trespassing on Lady +Netherby's strength. You seem faint, my dear." + +"It's nothing,--it will pass over in a moment or so. This sad account of +these poor people has distressed me greatly." + +"Well, then, we must hasten on. Mr. Dempsey became acquainted with our +poor friends in this their exile; and although from his delicacy and +good taste he will not dwell on the circumstance, it is quite clear to +me, has shown them many attentions; I might use a stronger word, and say +kindnesses." + +"Oh! by Jove, I did nothing. I could do nothing--" + +"Nay, sir, you are unjust to yourself; the very intentions by which +you set out on your present journey are the shortest answer to that +question. It would appear, my dear, that my fair relative, Miss +Darcy, has not forfeited the claim she possessed to great beauty and +attraction; for here, in the gentleman before us, is an evidence of +their existence. Mr. Dempsey, who 'never told his love,' as the poet +says, waited in submission himself for the hour of his changing fortune; +and until the death of his mother--" + +"No, my Lord; my uncle, Bob Dempsey, of Dempsey's Grove." + +"His uncle, I mean. Mr. Dempsey, of Dempsey's Hole." + +"Grove,-Dempsey's Grove," interpolated Paul, reddening. + +"Grove, I should say," repeated Lord Netherby, unmoved. "By which he has +succeeded to a very comfortable independence, and is now in a position +to make an offer of his hand and fortune." + +"Under the conditions, my Lord,--under the conditions," whispered Paul. + +"I have not forgotten them," resumed Lord Netherby, aloud. "It would be +ungenerous not to remember them, even for your sake, Mr. Dempsey, seeing +how much my poor, dear relative, Lady Eleanor, is beut on prosecuting +this unhappy suit, void of all hope, as it seems to be, and not having +any money of her owu--" + +"Ready money,--cash," interposed Paul. + +"So I mean--ready money to make the advances necessary--Mr. Dempsey +wishes to raise a certain sum by loan, on the security of his property, +which may enable the Darcys to proceed with their claim; this deed to be +executed on his marriage with Miss Darcy. Am I correct, sir?" + +"Quite correct, my Lord; you've only omitted that, to save expensive +searches, lawyers' fees, and other devilments of the like nature, that +your Lordship should advance the blunt yourself?" + +"I was coming to that point. Mr. Dempsey opines that, taking the +interest it is natural we should do in our poor friends, he has a +kind of claim to make this proposition to us. He is aware of our +relationship--mine, I mean--to Lady Eleanor. She spoke to you, I +believe, on that subject, Mr. Dempsey?" + +"Not exactly to _me_," said Paul, hesitating, and recalling the manner +in which he became cognizant of the circumstance; "but I heard her +say that your Lordship was under very deep obligation to her own +father,--that you were, so to say, a little out at elbows once, very +like myself before Bob died, and that then--" + +"We all lived together like brothers and sisters," said his Lordship, +reddening. "I 'm sure I can't forget how happily the time went over." + +"Then Lady Eleanor, I presume, sir, did not advert to those +circumstances as a reason for your addressing yourself to Lord +Netherby?" said her Ladyship, with a look of stern severity. + +"Why, my Lady, she knows nothing about my coming here. Lord bless us! I +wouldn't have told her for a thousand pounds!" + +"Nor Miss Darcy, either?" + +"Not a bit of it! Oh, by Jove! if you think they 're not as proud as +ever they were, you are much mistaken; and, indeed, on this very same +subject I heard her say that nothing would induce her to accept a favor +from your Lordship, if even so very improbable an event should occur as +your offering one." + +"So that we owe the honor of your visit to the most single-minded of +motives, sir," said Lady Netherby, whose manner had now assumed all its +stateliness. + +"Yes, my Lady, I came as you see,--_Dempsius cum Dempsio_,--so that if I +succeed, I can say like that fellow in the play, 'Alone, I did it.'" + +Lord Netherby, who probably felt that the interview had lasted +sufficiently long for the only purpose he had destined or endured it, +was now becoming somewhat desirous of terminating the audience; nor +was his impatience allayed by those sportive sallies of Mr. Dempsey in +allusion to his own former condition as a dependant. + +At length he said, "You must be aware, Mr. Dempsey, that this is a +matter demanding much time and consideration. The Knight of Gwynne is +absent." + +"That's the reason there is not an hour to lose," interposed Paul. + +"I am at a loss for your meaning." + +"I mean that if he comes home before it 's all settled, that the game is +up. He would never consent, I 'm certain." + +"So you think that the ladies regard you with more favorable eyes?" said +her Ladyship, smiling a mixture of superciliousness and amusement. + +"I have my own reasons to think so," said Paul, with great composure. + +"Perhaps you take too hopeless a view of your case, sir," resumed Lord +Netherby, blandly. "I am, unhappily, very ignorant of Irish family rank; +but I feel assured that Mr. Dempsey, of Dempsey's Hole--" + +"Grove,--Dempsey's Grove," said Paul, with a look of anger. + +"I ask your pardon, humbly,--I would say of Dempsey's Grove,-might be an +accepted suitor in the very highest quarters. At all events, from news +I have heard this morning it is more than likely that the Knight will +be in London before many weeks, and I dare not assume either the +responsibility of favoring your views, or incurring his displeasure by +an act of interference. I think her Ladyship coucurs with me." + +"Perfectly. The case is really one which, however we may and do feel the +liveliest interest in, lies quite beyond our influence or control." + +"Mr. Dempsey may rest assured that, even from so brief an acquaintance, +we have learned to appreciate some of his many excellent qualities of +head and heart." + +Lady Netherby bowed an acquiescence cold and stately; and, his Lordship +rising at the same time, Paul saw that the audience drew to a close. He +arose then slowly, and with a faint sigh,--for he thought of his long +and dreary journey, made to so little profit. + +"So I may jog back again as I came," muttered he, as he drew on +his gloves. "Well, well, Lady Eleanor knew him better than I did. +Good-morning, my Lady. I hope you are about to enjoy better health. +Good-bye, my Lord." + +"Do you make any stay in town, Mr. Dempsey?" inquired his Lordship, in +that bland voice that best became him. "Till I pack my portmanteau, my +Lord, and pay my bill at the 'Tavistock,'--not an hour longer." + +"I 'm sorry for that. I had hoped, and Lady Netherby also expected, we +should have the pleasure of seeing you again." + +"Very grateful, my Lord; but I see how the land lies as well as if I was +here a month." + +And with this significant speech Mr. Dempsey repeated his salutations +and withdrew. + +"What presumption!" exclaimed Lady Netherby, as the door closed behind +him. "But how needlessly Lady Eleanor Darcy must have lowered herself to +incur such acquaintanceship!" + +Lord Netherby made no reply, but gave a glance towards the still open +door of the drawing-room. Her Ladyship understood it at once, and +said,-- + +"Oh, let us release poor Richard from his bondage. Tell him to come in." + +Lord Netherby walked forward; but scarcely had he entered the +drawing-room, when he called out, "He 's gone!" + +"Gone! when?--how?" cried Lady Netherby, ringing the bell. "Did you +see Lord Wall incourt when he was going, Davenport?" asked she, at once +assuming her own calm deportment. + +"Yes, my Lady." + +"I hope he took the carriage." + +"No, my Lady, his Lordship went on foot." + +"That will do, Davenport. I don't receive to-day." + +"I must hasten after him," said Lord Netherby, as the servant withdrew. +"We have, perhaps, incurred the very hazard we hoped to obviate." + +"I half feared it," exclaimed Lady Netherby, gravely. "Lose no time, +however, and bring him to dinner; say that I feel very poorly, and that +his society will cheer me greatly. If he is unfit to leave the house, +stay with him; but above all things let him not be left alone." + +Lord Netherby hastened from the room, and his carriage was soon heard at +a rapid pace proceeding down the square. + +Lady Netherby sat with her eyes fixed on the carpet, and her hands +clasped closely, lost in thought. "Yes," said she, half aloud, "there is +a fate in it! This Lady Eleanor may have her vengeance yet!" + +It was about an hour after this, and while she was still revolving her +own deep thoughts, that Lord Netherby re-entered the room. + +"Well, is he here?" asked she, impatiently. + +"No, he's off to Ireland; the very moment he reached the hotel he +ordered four horses to his carriage, and while his servant packed some +trunks he himself drove over to Lord Castlereagh's, but came back almost +immediately. They must have used immense despatch, for Long told me that +they would be nigh Barnet when I called." + +"He 's a true Wallincourt," said her Ladyship, bitterly. "Their family +motto is 'Rash in danger,' and they have well deserved it." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. A LESSON FOR EAVES-DROPPING. + +Forester--for so to the end we must call him--but exemplified the +old adage in his haste. The debility of long illness was successfully +combated for some hours by the fever of excitement; but as that wore +off, symptoms of severe malady again exhibited themselves, and when +on the second evening of his journey he arrived at Bangor, he was +dangerously ill. With a head throbbing, and a brain almost mad, he threw +himself upon a bed, perhaps the thought of his abortive effort to reach +Ireland the most agonizing feeling of his tortured mind. His first care +was to inquire after the sailing of the packet; and learning that the +vessel would leave within an hour, he avowed his resolve to go at every +hazard. As the time drew nigh, however, more decided evidences of fever +set in, and the medical man who had been called to his aid pronounced +that his life would pay the penalty were he to persist in his rash +resolve. His was not a temper to yield to persuasion on selfish grounds, +and nothing short of his actual inability to endure moving from where he +lay at last compelled him to cede; even then he ordered his only servant +to take the despatches which Lord Castlereagh had given him, and proceed +with them to Dublin, where he should seek out Mr. Bicknell, and place +them in his hands, with strict injunctions to have them forwarded to +Lady Eleanor Darcy at once. The burning anxiety of a mind weakened by +a tedious and severe malady, the fever of travelling, and the impatient +struggles be made to be clear and explicit in his directions, repeated +as they were full twenty times over, all conspired to exaggerate the +worst features of his case; and ere the packet sailed, his head was +wandering in wild delirium. + +Linwood knew his master too well to venture on a contradiction; and +although with very grave doubts that he should ever see him again alive, +he set out, resolving to spare no exertions to be back soon again in +Bangor. The transit of the Channel forty-five years ago was, however, +very different from that at present, and it was already the evening of +the following day when he reached Dublin. + +There was no difficulty in finding out Mr. Bicknell's residence; a very +showy brass-plate on a door in a fashionable street proclaimed the house +of the well-known man of law. He was not at home, however, nor would be +for some hours; he had gone out on a matter of urgent business, and left +orders that except for some most pressing reason, he was not to be sent +for. Linwood did not hesitate to pronounce his business such, and at +length obtained the guidance of a servant to the haunt in question. + +It was in a street of a third or fourth-rate rank, called Stafford +Street, that Bicknell's servant now stopped, and having made more than +one inquiry as to name and number, at last knocked at the door of a +sombre-looking, ruinous old house, whose windows, broken or patched with +paper, bespoke an air of poverty and destitution. A child in a ragged +and neglected dress opened the door, and answering to the question "If +Mr. Bicknell were there," in the affirmative, led Linwood up stairs +creaking as they went with rottenness and decay. + +"You 're to rap there, and he 'll come to you," said the child, as +they reached the landing, where two doors presented themselves; and so +saying, she slipped noiselessly and stealthily down the stairs, leaving +him alone in the gloomy lobby. Linwood was not without astonishment +at the place in which he found himself; but there was no time for the +indulgence of such a feeling, and he knocked, at first gently, and +then, as no answer came, more loudly, and at last when several minutes +elapsed, without any summons to enter, he tapped sharply at the panel +with his cane. Still there was no reply; the deep silence of the old +house seemed like that of a church at midnight; not a sound was heard +to break it. There was a sense of dreariness and gloom over the ruinous +spot and the fast-closing twilight that struck Linwood deeply; and it is +probable, had the mission with which he was intrusted been one of less +moment than his master seemed to think it, that Linwood would quietly +have descended the stairs, and deferred his interview with Mr. Bicknell +to a more suitable time and place. He had come, however, bent on +fulfilling his charge; and so, after waiting what he believed to be +half an hour, and which might possibly have been five or ten minutes, he +applied his hand to the lock, and entered the room. + +It was a large, low-ceilinged apartment, whose moth-eaten furniture +seemed to rival with the building itself, and which, though once not +without some pretension to respectability, was now crumbling to decay, +or coarsely mended by some rude hand. A door, not quite shut, led into +an inner apartment; and from this room the sound of voices proceeded, +whose conversation in all probability had prevented Linwood's summons +from being heard. + +Whether the secret instincts of his calling were the prompter,--for +Linwood was a valet,--or that the strange circumstances in which +he found himself had suggested a spirit of curiosity, but Linwood +approached the door and peeped in. The sin of eaves-dropping, like most +other sins, would seem only difficult at the first step; the subsequent +ones came easily, for, as the listener established himself in a position +to hear what went forward, he speedily became interested in what he +heard. + +By the gray half-light three figures were seen. One was a lady; so at +least her position and attitude bespoke her, although her shawl was of +a coarse and humble stuff, and her straw bonnet showed signs of time and +season. She sat back in a deep leather chair, with hands folded, and her +head slightly thrown forward, as if intently listening to the person +who at a distance of half the room addressed lier. He was a thick-set, +powerful man, in a jockey-cut coat and top-boots; a white hat, somewhat +crushed and travel-stained, was at his feet, and across it a heavy +horsewhip; his collar was confined by a single fold of a spotted +handkerchief that thus displayed a brawny throat and a deep beard of +curly black hair that made the head appear unnaturally large. The third +figure was of a little, dapper, smart-looking personage, with a neatly +powdered head and a scrupulously white cravat, who, standing partly +behind the lady's chair, bestowed an equal attention on the speaker. + +The green-coated man, it was clear to see, was of an order in life far +inferior to the others, and in the manner of his address, his attitude +as he sat, and his whole bearing, exhibited a species of rude deference +to the listeners. + +"Well, Jack," cried the little man, in a sharp lively voice, "we knew +all these facts before; what we were desirous of was something like +proof,--something that might be brought out into open court and before a +jury." + +"I'm afraid then, sir," replied the other, "I can't help you there. I +told Mr. Daly all I knew and all I suspected, when I was up in Newgate; +and if he had n't been in such a hurry that night to leave Dublin for +the north, I could have brought him to the very house this fellow Garret +was living in." + +"Who is Garret?" broke in the lady, in a deep, full voice. + +"The late Mr. Gleeson's butler, ma'am," said the little man; "a person +we have never been able to come at. To summon him as a witness would +avail us nothing; it is his private testimony that might be of such use +to us." + +"Well, you see, sir," continued the green coat, or, as he was familiarly +named by the other, Jack, whom, perhaps, our reader has already +recognized as Freney, the others being Miss Daly and Bicknell,-"well, +you see, sir, Mr. Daly was angry at the way things was done that +night,--and sure enough he had good cause,-and sorra bit of a word he 'd +speak to me when I was standing with the tears in my eyes to thank him; +no, nor he wouldn't take the mare that was ready saddled and bridled in +Healey's stables waiting for him, but he turned on his heel with 'D----n +you for a common highwayman; it's what a man of blood and birth ever +gets by stretching a hand to save you.'" + +"He should have thought of that before," remarked Miss Daly, solemnly. + +"Faith, and if he did, ma'am, your humble servant would have had to +dance upon nothing!" rejoined Freney, with a laugh that was very far +from mirthful. + +"And what was the circumstance which gave Mr. Daly so much displeasure, +Jack?" asked Bicknell. "I thought that everything went on exactly as he +had planned it." + +"Quite the contrary, sir; nothing was the way it ought to be. The fire +was never thought of--" + +"Never thought of! Do you mean to say it was an accident?" + +"No, I don't, sir; I mean that all we wanted was to make believe that +the jail was on fire, which was easy enough with burning straw; the rest +was all planned safe and sure. And when we saw the real flames shooting +up, sorra one was more frightened than some of ourselves; each accusing +the other, cursing and shouting, and crying like mad! Ay, indeed! there +was an ould fellow in for sheep-stealing, and nothing would convince him +but that it was 'the devil took us at our word,' and sent his own fire +for us. Not one of them was more puzzled than myself. I turned it every +way in my mind, and could make nothing of it; for although I knew well +that Mr. Daly would burn down Dublin from Barrack Street to the North +Wall if he had a good reason for it, I knew also he 'd not do it out of +mere devilment. Besides, ma'am, the way matters was going, it was +likely none of us would escape. There was I--saving your presence--with +eight-pound fetters on my legs. Ay, faix! I went down the ladder with +them afterwards." + +"But the fire." + +"I 'm coming to it, sir. I was sitting this way, with my chin on my +hands, at the window of my cell, trying to get a taste of fresh air, for +the place was thick of smoke, when I seen the flames darting out of +the windows of a public-house at the corner, the sign of the 'Cracked +Padlock,' and at the same minute out came the fire through the roof, a +great red spike of flame higher than the chimney. 'That's no accident,' +says I to myself, 'whatever them that's doing it means;' and sure +enough, the blaze broke out in the other corner of the street just as +I said the words. Well, ma'am, of all the terrible yells and cries that +was ever heard, the prisoners set up then; for though there was eight +lying for execution on Saturday, and twice as many more very sure of the +same end after the sessions, none of us liked to face such a dreadful +thing as fire. Just then, ma'am, at that very minute, there came, as +it might be, under my window, a screech so loud and so piercing that +it went above all the other cries, just the way the yellow fire darted +through the middle of the thick lazy smoke. Sorra one could give such a +screech but a throat I knew well, and so I called out at the top of my +voice, 'Ah, ye limb of the devil, this is your work!' and as sure as +I 'm here, there came a laugh in my ears; and whether it was the devil +himself gave it or Jemmy, I often doubted since." + +"And who is Jemmy?" asked Bicknell. + +"A bit of a 'gossoon' I had to mind the horses, and meet me with a beast +here and there, as I wanted. The greatest villain for wickedness that +was ever pinioned!" + +"And so he was really the cause of the fire?" + +"Ay, was he! He not only hid the tinder and chips--" + +Just as Freney had got thus far, he drew his legs up close beneath him, +sunk down his head as if into his neck, and with a spring, such as a +tiger might have given, cleared the space between himself and the door, +and rolled over on the floor, with the trembling figure of Linwood +under him. So terribly sudden was the leap, that Miss Daly and Bicknell +scarcely saw the bound ere they beheld him with one hand upon the +victim's throat, while with the other he drew forth a clasp-knife, and +opened the blade with his teeth. + +"Keep back, keep back!" said Freney, as Bicknell drew nigh; and the +words came thick and guttural, like the deep growl of a mastiff. + +"Who are you, and what brings you here?" said Freney, as, setting his +knee on the other's chest, he relinquished the grasp by which he had +almost choked him. + +[Illustration: 382] + +"I came to see Mr. Bicknell," muttered the nearly lifeless valet. + +"What did you want with me?" + +"Wait a bit," interposed Freney. "Who brought you here? How came you to +be standing by that door?" + +"Mr. Bicknell's servant showed me the house, and a child brought me to +this room." + +"There, sir," said Freney, turning his head towards + +Bicknell, without releasing the strong pressure by which he pinned the +other down,--"there, sir, so much for your caution. You told me if I +came to this lady's lodgings here, that I was safe, and now here 's this +fellow has heard us and everything we 've said, maybe these two hours." + +"I only heard about Newgate," muttered the miserable Linwood; "I was but +a few minutes at the door, and was going to knock. I came from Lord Wall +incourt with papers of great importance for Mr. Bicknell. I have them, +if you'll let me--" + +"Let him get up," said Miss Daly, calmly. + +Freney stood back, and retired between his victim and the door, where he +stood, with folded arms and bent brows, watching him. + +"He has almost broke in my ribs," said Linwood, as he pressed his hands +to his side, with a grimace of true suffering. + +"So much for eaves-dropping. You need expect no pity from me," said Miss +Daly, sternly. "Where are these papers?" + +"My Lord told me," said the man, as he took them from his breast, +"that I was to give them into Mr. Bicknell's own hands, with strictest +directions to have them forwarded at the instant But for that," added +he, whining, "I had never come to this." + +"Let it be a lesson to you about listening, sir," said Miss Daly. "Had +my brother been here--" + +"Oh, by the powers!" broke in Freney, "he 'd have pitched you neck +and crop into the water-hogshead below, if your master was the +Lord-Lieutenant." + +By this time Bicknell was busy reading the several addresses on the +packets, and the names inscribed in the corners of each. + +"If I 'm not mistaken, madam," said he to Miss Daly, "this Lord +Wallincourt is the new peer, whose brother died at Lisbon. The name is +Forester." + +"Yes, sir, you are right," muttered Linwood. + +"The same Mr. Richard Forester my brother knew, the cousin of Lord +Castlereagh?" + +"Yes, ma'am," said Linwood. + +"Where is he? Is he here?" + +"No, ma'am, he's lying dangerously ill, if he be yet alive, at Bangor. +He wanted to bring these papers over himself, but was only able to get +so far when the fever came on him again." + +"Is he alone?" + +"Quite alone, ma'am, no one knows even his name. He would not let me +say who he was." + +Miss Daly turned towards Bicknell, and spoke for several minutes in a +quick and eager voice. Meanwhile Freney, now convinced that he had not +to deal with a spy or a thief-catcher, came near and addressed Linwood. + +"I did n't mean to hurt ye till I was sure ye deserved it, but never +play that game any more." + +Linwood appeared to receive both apology and precept with equal +discontent. + +"Another thing," resumed Freney: "I 'm sure you are an agreeable young +man in the housekeeper's room and the butler's parlor, very pleasant +and conversable, with a great deal of anecdote and amusing stories; +but, mind me, let nothing tempt ye to talk about what ye heard me +say tonight. It's not that I care about myself,--it's worse than +jail-breaking they can tell of me,--but I won't have another name +mentioned. D 'ye mind me?" + +As if to enforce the caution, he seized the listener between his finger +and thumb; and whether there was something magnetic in the touch, or +that it somehow conveyed a foretaste of what disobedience might cost, +but Linwood winced till the tears came, and stammered out,-- + +"You may depend on it, sir, I 'll never mention it." + +"I believe you," said the robber, with a grin, and fell back to his +place. + +"I will not lose a post, rely upon it, madam," said Bick-nell; "and am I +to suppose you have determined on this journey?" + +"Yes," said Miss Daly, "the case admits of little hesitation; the young +man is alone, friendless, and unknown. I 'll hasten over at once,--I am +too old for slander, Mr. Bicknell. Besides, let me see who will dare to +utter it." + +There was a sternness in her features as she spoke that made her +seem the actual image of her brother. Then, turning to Linwood, she +continued,-- + +"I 'll go over this evening to Bangor in the packet, let me find you +there." + +"I 'll see him safe on board, ma'am," said Freney, with a leer, while, +slipping his arm within the valet's, he half led, half drew him from the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. A LESSON IN POLITICS + +In the deep bay-window of a long, gloomy-looking dinner-room of a Dublin +mansion, sat a party of four persons around a table plentifully covered +with decanters and bottles, and some stray remnants of a dessert which +seemed to have been taken from the great table in the middle of the +apartment. The night was falling fast, for it was past eight o'clock of +an evening in autumn, and there was barely sufficient light to descry +the few scrubby-looking ash and alder trees that studded the barren +grass-plot between the house and the stables. There was nothing to cheer +in the aspect without, nor, if one were to judge from the long pauses +that ensued after each effort at conversation, the few and monotonous +words of the speakers, were there any evidences of a more enlivening +spirit within doors. The party consisted of Dr. Hickman and his son Mr. +O'Reilly, Mr. Heffernan, and "Counsellor" O'Halloran. + +At first, and by the dusky light in the chamber, it would seem as if +but three persons were assembled; for the old doctor, whose debility had +within the last few months made rapid strides, had sunk down into the +recess of the deep chair, and save by a low quavering respiration, gave +no token of his presence. As these sounds became louder and fuller, +the conversation gradually dropped into a whisper, for the old man was +asleep. In the subdued tone of the speakers, the noiseless gestures as +they passed the bottle from hand to hand, it was easy to mark that +they did not wish to disturb his slumbers. It is no part of our task +to detail how these individuals came to be thus associated. The assumed +object which at this moment drew them together was the approaching trial +at Galway of a record brought against the Hickmans by Darcy. It was +Bick-nell's last effort, and with it must end the long and wearisome +litigation between the houses. + +The case for trial had nothing which could suggest any fears as to the +result. It was on a motion for a new trial that the cause was to come +on. The plea was misdirection and want of time, so that, in itself, the +matter was one of secondary importance. The great question was that a +general election now drew nigh, and it was necessary for O'Reilly to +determine on the line of political conduct he should adopt, and thus +give O'Halloran the opportunity of a declaration of his client's +sentiments in his address to the jury. + +The conduct of the Hickmans since their accession to the estate of +Gwynne Abbey had given universal dissatisfaction to the county gentry. +Playing at first the game of popularity, they assembled at their +parties people of every class and condition; and while affronting the +better-bred by low association, dissatisfied the inferior order by +contact with those who made their inferiority more glaring. The +ancient hospitalities of the Abbey were remembered in contrast with the +ostentatious splendor of receptions in which display and not kindness +was intended. Vulgar presumption and purse-pride had usurped the place +once occupied by easy good breeding and cordiality; and even they who +had often smarted under the cold reserve of Lady Eleanor's manner, were +now ready to confess that she was born to the rank she assumed, and +not an upstart, affecting airs of superiority. The higher order of the +county gentry accordingly held aloof, and at last discontinued their +visits altogether; of the second-rate many who were flattered at first +by invitations, became dissatisfied at seeing the same favors extended +to others below them, and they, too, ceased to present themselves, +until, at last, the society consisted of a few sycophantic followers, +who swallowed the impertinence of the host with the aid of his claret, +and buried their own self-respect, if they were troubled with such a +quality, under the weight of good dinners. + +Hickman O'Reilly for a length of time affected not to mark the change +in the rank and condition of his guests, but as one by one the more +respectable fell off, and the few left were of a station that the fine +servants of the house regarded as little above their own, he indignantly +declined to admit any company in future, reduced the establishment to +the few merely necessary for the modest requirements of the family, +and gave it to be known that the uncongenial tastes and habits of his +neighbors made him prefer isolation and solitude to such association. + +For some time he had looked to England as the means of establishing for +himself and his son a social position. The refusal of the minister to +accord the baronetcy was a death-blow to this hope, while he discovered +that mere wealth, unassisted by the sponsorship of some one in repute, +could not suffice to introduce Beeeham into the world of fashion. +Although these things had preyed on him severely, there was no urgent +necessity to act in respect of them till the time came, as it now had +done, for a general election. + +The strict retirement of his life must now give way before the +requirements of an election candidate, and he must consent to take +the field once more as a public man, or, by abandoning his seat in +Parliament, accept a condition of what he knew to be complete obscurity. +The old doctor was indeed favorable to the latter course,--the passion +for hoarding had gone on increasing with age. Money was, in his +estimation, the only species of power above the changes and caprice of +the world. Bank-notes were the only things he never knew to deceive; and +he took an almost fiendish delight in contrasting the success of his own +penurious practices with all the disappointments his son O'Reilly had +experienced in his attempts at what he called "high life." Every +slight shown him, each new instance of coldness or aversion of the +neighborhood, gave the old man a diabolical pleasure, and seemed to +revive his youth in the exercise of a malignant spirit. + +O'Reilly's only hope of reconciling his father to the cost of a new +election was in the prospect held out that the seat might at last be +secured in perpetuity for Beeeham, and the chance of a rich marriage in +England thus provided. Even this view he was compelled to sustain by +the assurance that the expense would be a mere trifle, and that, +by the adoption of popular principles, he should come in almost for +nothing. To make the old doctor a convert to these notions, he had +called in Heffernau and O'Halloran, who both, during the dinner, had +exerted themselves with their natural tact, and now that the doctor had +dropped asleep, were reposing themselves, and recruiting the energies so +generously expended. + +Hence the party seemed to have a certain gloom and weight over it, +as the shadow of coming night fell on the figures seated, almost in +silence, around the table. None spoke save an occasional word or two, as +they passed round the bottle. Each retreated into his own reflections, +and communed with himself. Men who have exhibited themselves to each +other, in a game of deceit and trick, seem to have a natural repugnance +to any recurrence to the theme when the occasion is once over. Even they +whose hearts have the least self-respect will avoid the topic if +possible. + +"How is the bottle?--with you, I believe," said O'Reilly to Heffernan, +in the low tone to which they had all reduced the conversation. + +"I have just filled my glass; it stands with the Counsellor." + +O'Halloran poured out the wine and sipped it slowly. "A very remarkable +man," said he, sententiously, with a slight gesture of his head to the +chair where the old doctor lay coiled up asleep. "His faculties seem as +clear, and his judgment as acute, as if he were only five-and-forty, and +I suppose he must be nearly twice that age." + +"Very nearly," replied O'Reilly; "he confesses commonly to eighty-six; +but when he is weak or querulous, he often says ninety-one or two." + +"His memory is the most singular thing about him," said Heffernan. "Now, +the account of Swift's appearance in the pulpit with his gown thrust +back, and his hands stuck in the belt of his cassock, brow-beating the +lord mayor and aldermen for coming in late to church,--it came as fresh +as if he were talking of an event of last week." + +"How good the imitation of voice was, too," added Heffernan: "'Giving +two hours to your dress, and twenty minutes to your devotions, you come +into God's house looking more like mountebanks than Christian men!'" + +"I 've seldom seen him so much inclined to talk and chat away as this +evening," said O'Reilly; "but I think you chimed in so well with his +humor, it drew him on." + +"There was something of dexterity," said Heffernan, "in the way he kept +bringing up these reminiscences and old stories, to avoid entering +upon the subject of the election. I saw that he would n't approach that +theme, no matter how skilfully you brought it forward." + +"You ought not to have alluded to the Darcys, however," said O'Halloran. +"I remarked that the mention of their name gave him evident displeasure; +indeed, he soon after pushed his chair back from the table and became +silent." + +"He always sleeps after dinner," observed O'Reilly, carelessly. "It was +about his usual time." + +Another pause now succeeded, in which the only sounds heard were the +deep-drawn breathings of the sleeper. + +"You saw Lord Castlereagh, I think you told me?" said O'Reilly, anxious +to lead Heffernan into something like a declaration of opinion. + +"Oh, repeatedly; I dined either with him or in his company, three or +four times every week of my stay in town." + +"Well, is he satisfied with the success of his measure?" asked +O'Halloran, caustically. "Is this Union working to his heart's content?" + +"It is rather early to pass a judgment on that point, I think." + +"I'm not of that mind," rejoined O'Halloran, hastily. "The fruits of the +measure are showing themselves already. The men of fortune are flying +the country; their town houses are to let; their horses are advertised +for sale at Dycer's. Dublin is, even now, beginning to feel what it may +become when the population has no other support than itself." + +"Such will always be the fortune of a province. Influence will and must +converge to the capital," rejoined Heffernan. + +"But what if the great element of a province be wanting? What if we have +not that inherent respect and reverence for the metropolis provincials +always should feel? What if we know that our interests are +misunderstood, our real wants unknown, our peculiar circumstances either +undervalued or despised?" + +"If the case be as you represent it---" + +"Can you deny it? Tell me that." + +"I will not deny or admit it. I only say, if it be such, there is still +a remedy, if men are shrewd enough to adopt it." + +"And what may that remedy be?" said O'Reilly, calmly. + +"An Irish party!" + +"Oh, the old story; the same plot over again we had this year at the +Rotunda?" said O'Reilly, contemptuously. + +"Which only failed from our own faults," added Heffer-nan, angrily. +"Some of us were lukewarm and would do nothing; some waited for others +to come forward; and some again wanted to make their hard bargain with +the minister before they made him feel the necessity of the compact." + +O'Reilly bit his lip in silence, for he well understood at whom this +reproof was levelled. + +"The cause of failure was very different," said O'Hallo-ran, +authoritatively. "It was one which has dissolved many an association, +and rendered many a scheme abortive, and will continue to do so, as +often as it occurs. You failed for want of a 'Principle.' You had rank +and wealth, and influence more than enough to have made your weight +felt and acknowledged, but you had no definite object or end. You were a +party, and you had not a purpose." + +"Come, come," said Heffernan, "you are evidently unaware of the nature +of our association, and seem not to have read the resolutions we +adopted." + +"No,---on the contrary, I read them carefully; there was more than +sufficient in them to have made a dozen parties. Had you adopted one +steadfast line of action, set out with one brief intelligible +proposition,--I care not what,--Slave Emancipation, or Catholic +Emancipation, Repeal of Tests Acts, or Parliamentary Reform, any of +them,--taken your stand on that, and that alone, you must have +succeeded. Of course, to do this is a work of time and labor; some men +will grow weary and sink by the way, but others take up the burden, and +the goal is reached at last There must be years long of writing and +speaking, meeting, declaring, and plotting; you must consent to be +thought vulgar and low-minded,--ay, and to become so, for active +partisans are only to be found in low places. You will be laughed at and +jeered, abused, mocked, and derided at first; later on, you will be +assailed more powerfully and more coarsely; but, all this while, your +strength is developing, your agencies are spreading. Persuasion will +induce some, notoriety others, hopes of advantage many more, to join +you. You will then have a press as well as a party, and the very men +that sneered at your beginnings will have to respect the persistence and +duration of your efforts. I don't care how trumpery the arguments used; +I don't value one straw the fallacy of the statements put forward. Let +one great question, one great demand for anything, be made for some +five-and-twenty or thirty years,--let the Press discuss, and the +Parliament debate it,--you are sure of its being accorded in the end. +Now, it will be a party ambitious of power that will buy your alliance +at any price; now, a tottering Government anxious to survive the session +and reach the snug harbor of the long vacation. Now, it will be the high +'bid' of a popular administration; now, it will be the last hope of +second-rate capacities, ready to supply their own deficiencies by +incurring a hazard. However it come, you are equally certain of it." + +There was a pause as O'Halloran concluded. Heffernan saw plainly to what +the Counsellor pointed, and that he was endeavoring to recruit for that +party of which he destined the future leadership for himself, and +Con had no fancy to serve in the ranks of such an army. O'Reilly, who +thought that the profession of a popular creed might be serviceable in +the emergency of an election, looked with more favor on the exposition, +and after a brief interval said,-- + +"Well, supposing I were to see this matter in your light, what support +could you promise me? I mean at the hustings." + +"Most of the small freeholders, now,-all of them, in time; the priests +to a man, the best election agents that ever canvassed a constituency. +By degrees the forces will grow stronger, according to the length and +breadth of the principle you adopt,--make it emancipation, and I 'll +insure you a lease of the county." Heffernan smiled dubiously. "Ah, +never mind Mr. Heffernan's look; these notions don't suit him. He 's +one of the petty traders in politics, who like small sales and quick +returns." + +"Such dealing makes fewest bankrupts," said Heffernan, coolly. + +"I own to you," said O'Halloran, "the rewards are distant, but they 're +worth waiting for. It is not the miserable bribe of a situation, or a +title, both beneath what they would accord to some state apothecary; but +power, actual power, and real patronage are in the vista." + +A heavy sigh and a rustling sound in the deep armchair announced that +the doctor was awaking, and after a few struggles to throw off the +drowsy influence, he sat upright, and made a gesture that he wished for +wine. + +"We 've been talking about political matters, sir," said O'Reilly. "I +hope we didn't disturb your doze?" + +"No; I was sleeping sound," croaked the old man, in a feeble whine, "and +I had a very singular dream! I dreamed I was sitting in a great kitchen +of a big house, and there was a very large, hairy turnspit sitting +opposite to me, in a nook beside the fire, turning a big spit with a +joint of meat on it. 'Who's the meat for?' says I to him. 'For my Lord +Castlereagh,' says he, 'devil a one else.' 'For himself alone?' says I. +'Just so,' says he; 'don't you know that's the Irish Parliament that we +'re roasting and basting, and when it's done,' says he, 'we 'll sarve +it up to be carved.' 'And who are you?' says I to the turnspit. 'I'm Con +Heffernan,' says he; 'and the devil a bit of the same meat I 'm to get, +after cooking it till my teeth 's watering.'" + +A loud roar of laughter from O'Halloran, in which Heffernan endeavored +to take a part, met this strange revelation of the doctor's sleep, nor +was it for a considerable time after that the conversation could be +resumed without some jesting allusion of the Counsellor to the turnspit +and his office. + +"Your dream tallies but ill, sir, with the rumors through Dublin," said +O'Reilly, whose quick glance saw through the mask of indifference by +which Heffernan concealed his irritation. + +"I did n't hear it. What was it, Bob?" + +"That the ministry had offered our friend here the secretaryship for +Ireland." + +"Sure, if they did--" He was about to add, "That he 'd have as certainly +accepted it," when a sense of the impropriety of such a speech arrested +the words. + +"You are mistaken, sir," interposed Heffernan, answering the unspoken +sentence. "I did refuse. The conditions on which I accorded my humble +support to the bill of the Union have been shamefully violated, and I +could not, if I even wished it, accept office from a Government that +have been false to their pledges." + +"You see my dream was right, after all," chuckled the old man. "I said +they kept him working away in the kitchen, and gave him none of the meat +afterwards." + +"What if I had been stipulating for another, sir?" said Heffernan, with +a forced smile. "What if the breach of faith I allude to had reference +not to me, but to your son yonder, for whom, and no other, I asked--I +will not say a favor, but a fair and reasonable acknowledgment of the +station he occupies?" + +"Ah, that weary title!" exclaimed the doctor, crankily. "What have we to +do with these things?" + +"You are right, sir," chimed in O'Halloran. "Your present position, +self-acquired and independent, is a far prouder one than any to be +obtained by ministerial favor." + +"I 'd rather he'd help us to crush these Darcys," said the old man, as +his eyes sparkled and glistened like the orbs of a serpent. "I 'd rather +my Lord Castlereagh would put his heel upon _them_ than stretch out the +hand to _us_." + +"What need to trouble your head about them?" said Heffernan, +conciliatingly; "they are low enough in all conscience now." + +"My father means," said O'Reilly, "that he is tired and sick of the +incessant appeals to law this family persist in following; that these +trials irritate and annoy him." + +"Come sir," cried O'Halloran, encouragingly, "you shall see the last of +them in a few weeks. I have reason to know that an old maiden sister +of Bagenal Daly's has supplied Bicknell with the means of the present +action. It's the last shot in the locker. We 'll take care to make the +gun recoil on the hand that fires it." + +"Darcy and Daly are both out of the country," observed the old man, +cunningly. + +"We 'll call them up for judgment, however," chimed in O'Halloran. "That +same Daly is one of those men who infested our country in times +past, and by the mere recklessness of their hold on life, bullied and +oppressed all who came before them. I am rejoiced to have an opportunity +of showing up such a character." + +"I wish we had done with them all," sighed the doctor. + +"So you shall, with this record. Will you pledge yourself not to object +to the election expenses if I gain you the verdict?" + +"Come, that's a fair offer," said Heffernan, laughing. + +"Maybe, they 'll come to ten thousand," said the doctor, cautiously. + +"Not above one half the sum, if Mr. O'Reilly will consent to take my +advice." + +"And why wouldn't he?" rejoined the old man, querulously. "What +signifies which side he takes, if it saves the money?" + +"Is it a bargain, then?" + +"Will you secure me against more trials at law? Will you pledge yourself +that I am not to be tormented by these anxieties and cares?" + +"I can scarcely promise that much; but I feel so assured that your +annoyance will end here, that I am willing to pledge myself to give you +my own services without fee or reward in future, if any action follow +this one." + +"I think that is most generous," said Heffernan. + +"It is as much as saying, he 'll enter into recognizances for an +indefinite series of five-hundred-pound briefs," added O'Reilly. + +"Done, then. I take you at your word," said the doctor; while stretching +forth his lean and trembling hand, he grasped the nervous fingers of the +Counsellor in token of ratification. + +"And now woe to the Darcys!" muttered O'Halloran, as he arose to say +good-night, Heffernan arose at the same time, resolved to accompany +the Counsellor, and try what gentle persuasion could effect in +the modification of views which he saw were far too explicit to be +profitable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. THE CHANCES OF TRAVEL. + +Neither our space nor our inclination prompt us to dwell on Forester's +illness; enough when we say that his recovery, slow at first, made at +length good progress, and within a month after the commencement of the +attack, he was once more on the road, bent on reaching the North, and +presenting himself before Lady Eleanor and her daughter. + +Miss Daly, who had been his kind and watchful nurse for many days and +nights ere his wandering faculties could recognize her, contributed more +than all else to his restoration. The impatient anxiety under which he +suffered was met by her mild but steady counsels; and although she never +ventured to bid him hope too sanguinely, she told him that his letter +had reached Helen's hand, and that he himself must plead the cause he +had opened. + +"Your greatest difficulty," said she, in parting with him in Dublin, +"will be in the very circumstance which, in ordinary cases, would be +the guarantee of your success. Your own rise in fortune has widened the +interval between you. This, to your mind, presents but the natural means +of overcoming the obstacles I allude to; but remember there are others +whose feelings are to be as intimately consulted,--nay, more so than +your own. Think of those who never yet made an alliance without feeling +that they were on a footing of perfect equality; and reflect that even +if Helen's affections were all your own, Maurice Darcy's daughter can +enter into no family, however high and proud it may be, save as the +desired and sought-for by its chief members. Build upon anything lower +than this, and you fail. More still," added she, almost sternly, "your +failure will meet with no compassion from me. Think not, because I +have gone through life a lone, uncared-for thing, that I undervalue the +strength and power of deep affection, or that I could counsel you to +make it subservient to views of worldliness and advantage. You know +me little if you think so. But I would tell you this, that no love +deserving of the name ever existed without those high promptings of +the heart that made all difficulties easy to encounter,--ay, even those +worst of difficulties that spring from false pride and prejudice. It +is by no sudden outbreak of temper, no selfish threat of this or that +insensate folly, that your lady-mother's consent should be obtained. +It is by the manly dignity and consistency of a character that in the +highest interests of a higher station give a security for sound judgment +and honorable motives. Let it appear from your conduct that you are not +swayed by passion or caprice. You have already won men's admiration for +the gallantry of your daring. There is something better still than this, +the esteem and regard that are never withheld from a course of honorable +and independent action. With these on your side, rely upon it, a +mother's heart will not be the last in England to acknowledge and glory +in your fame. And now, good-bye; you have a better travelling-companion +than me,-you have hope with you." + +She returned the cordial pressure of his hand, and was turning away, +when, after what had seemed a kind of struggle with her feelings, she +added,-- + +"One word more, even at the hazard of wearying you. Above all and +everything, be honest, be candid; not only with others, but with +yourself! Examine well your heart, and let no sense of false shame, let +no hopes of some chance or accident deceive you, by which your innermost +feelings are to be guessed at, and not avowed. This is the blackest of +calamities; this can even embitter every hour of a long life." + +Her voice trembled at the last words; and as she concluded, she wrung +his hand once more affectionately, and moved hurriedly away. Forester +looked after her with a tender interest. For the first time in his life +he heard her sob. "Yes," thought he, as he lay back and covered his eyes +with his hand, "she, too, has loved, and loved unhappily." + +There are few sympathies stronger, not even those of illness itself, +than connect those whose hearts have struggled under unrequited +affection; and so, for many an hour as he travelled, Forester's thoughts +recurred to Miss Daly, and the last troubled accents of her parting +speech. Perhaps he did not dwell the less on that theme because it +carried him away from his own immediate hopes and fears,--emotions that +rendered him almost irritable by their intensity. + +While on the road, Forester travelled with all the speed he could +accomplish. His weakness did not permit of his being many hours in a +carriage, and he endeavored to compensate for this by rapid travelling +at the time. His impatience to get forward was, however, such that he +scarcely arrived at any halting-place without ordering horses to be at +once got ready, so that, when able, he resumed the road without losing a +moment. + +In compliance with this custom, the carriage was standing all ready +with its four posters at the door of the inn of Castle Blayney; while +Forester, overcome by fatigue and exhaustion, had thrown himself on +the bed and fallen asleep. The rattling crash of a mail-coach and its +deep-toned horn suddenly awoke him: he started, and looked at his watch. +Was it possible? It was nearly midnight; he must have slept more than +three hours! Half gratified by the unaccustomed rest, half angry at +the lapse of time, he arose to depart. The night was the reverse of +inviting; a long-threatened storm had at last burst forth, and the rain +was falling in torrents, while the wind, in short and fitful gusts, +shook the house to its foundation, and scattered tiles and slates over +the dreary street. + +So terrible was the hurricane, many doubts were entertained that the +mail could proceed further; and when it did at length set forth, gloomy +prognostics of danger--dark pictures of precipices, swollen torrents, +and broken bridges--were rife in the bar and the landlord's room. These +arguments, if they could be so called, were all renewed when Forester +called for his bill, as a preparation to depart, and all the perils that +ever happened by land or by water recapitulated to deter him. + +"The middle arch of the Slaney bridge was tottering when the up-mail +passed three hours before. A horse and cart were just fished out of +Mooney's pond, but no driver as yet discovered. The forge at the cross +roads was blown down, and the rafters were lying across the highway." +These, and a dozen other like calamities, were bandied about, and +pitched like shuttlecocks from side to side, as the impatient traveller +descended the stairs. + +Had Forester cared for the amount of the reckoning, which he did not, he +might have entertained grave fears of its total, on the principle well +known to travellers, that the speed of its coming is always in the +inverse ratio of the sum, and that every second's delay is sure to swell +its proportions. Of this he never thought once; but he often reflected +on the tardiness of waiters, and the lingering tediousness of the +moments of parting. + +"It's coming, sir; he 's just adding it up," said the head waiter, for +the sixth time within three minutes, while he moved to and fro, with the +official alacrity that counterfeits despatch. "I 'm afraid you 'll have +a bad night, sir. I 'm sure the horses won't be able to face the storm +over Grange Connel." + +Forester made no reply, but walked up and down the hall in moody +silence. + +"The gentleman that got off the mail thought so too," added the waiter; +"and now he 's pleasanter at his supper, iu the coffee-room, than +sitting out there, next to the guard, wet to the skin, and shivering +with cold." + +Less to inspect the stranger thus alluded to than to escape the +impertinent loquacity of the waiter, Forester turned the handle of +the door, and entered the coffee-room. It was a large, dingy-looking +chamber, whose only bright spot seemed within the glow of a blazing +turf-fire, where at a little table a gentleman was seated at supper. His +back was turned to Forester; but even in the cursory glance the latter +gave, he could perceive that he was an elderly personage, and one who +had not abandoned the almost bygone custom of a queue. + +The stranger, dividing his time between his meal and a newspaper,--which +he devoured more eagerly than the viands before him,--paid no attention +to Forester's entrance; nor did he once look round. As the waiter +approached, he asked hastily, "What chance there was of getting +forward?" + +"Indeed, sir, to tell the truth," drawled out the man, "the storm seems +getting worse, instead of better. Miles Finerty's new house, at the end +of the street, is just blown down." + +"Never mind Miles Finerty, my good friend, for the present," rejoined +the old gentleman, mildly, "but just tell me, are horses to be had?" + +"Faith! and to tell your honor no lie, I 'm afraid of it." Here he +dropped to a whisper. "The sick-looking gentleman, yonder, has four +waiting for him, since nine o'clock; and we 've only a lame mare and a +pony in the stable." + +"Am I never to get this bill?" cried out Forester, in a tone that +illness had rendered peculiarly querulous. "I have asked, begged for it, +for above an hour, and here I am still." + +"He's bringing it now, sir," cried the waiter, stepping hastily out of +the room, to avoid further questioning. Forester, whose impatience had +now been carried beyond endurance, paced the room with hurried strides, +muttering, between his teeth, every possible malediction on the whole +race of innkeepers, barmaids, waiters,--even down to Boots himself. +These imprecating expressions had gradually assumed a louder and +more vehement tone, of which he was by no means aware, till the old +gentleman, at the pause of a somewhat wordy denunciation, gravely +added,-- + +"Insert a clause upon postboys, sir, and I 'll second the measure." + +Forester wheeled abruptly round. He belonged to a class, a section of +society, whose cherished prestige is neither to address nor be addressed +by an unintroduced stranger; and had the speaker been younger, or of any +age more nearly his own, it is more than likely a very vague stare of +cool astonishment would have been his only acknowledgment of the speech. +The advanced age, and something in the very accent of the stranger, +were, however, guarantees against this conventional rudeness, and he +remarked, with a smile, "I have no objection to extend the provisions +of my bill in the way you propose, for perhaps half an hour's experience +may teach me how much they deserve it." + +"You are fortunate, however, to have secured horses. I perceive that the +stables are empty." + +"If you are pressed for time, sir," said Forester, on whom the quiet, +well-bred manners of the stranger produced a strong impression, "it +would be a very churlish thing of me to travel with four horses while I +can spare a pair of them." + +"I am really very grateful," said the old gentleman, rising, and bowing +courteously; "if this be not a great inconvenience--" + +"By no means; and if it were," rejoined Forester, "I have a debt to +acquit to my own heart on this subject. I remember once, when travelling +down to the west of Ireland, I reached a little miserable country town +at nightfall, and, just as here, save that then there was no storm--" +The entrance of the long-expected landlord, with his bill, here +interrupted Forester's story. As he took it, and thus afforded time for +the stranger to fix his eyes steadfastly upon him, unobserved, Forester +quickly resumed: "I was remarking that, just as here, there were only +four post-horses to be had, and that they had just been secured by +another traveller a few moments before my arrival. I forget the name of +the place--" + +"Perhaps I can assist you," said the other, calmly. "It was Kilbeggan." + +Had a miracle been performed before his eyes, Forester could not have +been more stunned; and stunned he really was, and unable to speak for +some seconds. At length, his surprise yielding to a vague glimmering of +belief, he called out, "Great heavens! it cannot be--it surely is not--" + +"Maurice Darcy, you would say, sir," said the Knight, advancing with an +offered hand. "As surely as I believe you to be my son Lionel's brother +officer and friend, Captain Forester." + +"Oh, Colonel Darcy! this is, indeed, happiness," exclaimed the young +man, as he grasped the Knight's hand in both of his, and shook it +affectionately. + +"What a strange rencontre," said the Knight, laughing; "quite the +incident of a comedy! One would scarcely look for such meetings +twice,--so like in every respect. Our parts are changed, however; it is +your turn to be generous, if the generosity trench not too closely on +your convenience." + +Forester could but stammer out assurances of delight and pleasure, and +so on, for his heart was too full to speak calmly or collectedly. + +"And Lionel, sir, how is he,-when have you heard from him?" said the +young man, anxious, by even the most remote path, to speak of the +Knight's family. + +"In excellent health. The boy has had the good fortune to be employed +in a healthy station, and, from a letter which I found awaiting me at my +army agent's, is as happy as can be. But to recur to our theme: will you +forgive my selfishness if I say that you will add indescribably to the +favor if you permit me to take these horses at once? I have not seen my +family for some time back, and my impatience is too strong to yield to +ceremony." + +"Of course,--certainly; my carriage is, however, all ready, and at the +door. Take it as it is, you 'll travel faster and safer." + +"But you yourself," said Darcy, laughing,--"you were about to move +forward when we met." + +"It's no matter; I was merely travelling for the sake of change," said +Forester, confusedly. + +"I could not think of such a thing," said Darcy. "If our way led +together, and you would accept of me as a travelling companion, I +should be but too happy; but to take the long-boat, and leave you on +the desolate rock, is not to be thought of." The Knight stopped; and +although he made an effort to continue, the words faltered on his lips, +and he was silent. At last, and with an exertion that brought a deep +blush to his cheek, he said: "I am really ashamed, Captain Forester, to +acknowledge a weakness which is as new to me as it is unmanly. The best +amends I can make for feeling is to confess it. Since we met that same +night, circumstances of fortune have considerably changed with me. I am +not, as you then knew me, the owner of a good house and a good estate. +Now, I really would wish to have been able to ask you to come and see +me; but, in good truth, I cannot tell where or how I should lodge you +if you said 'yes.' I believe my wife has a cabin on this northern shore, +but, however it may accommodate us, I need not say I could not ask a +friend to put up with it. There is my confession; and now that it is +told, I am only ashamed that I should hesitate about it." + +Forester once more endeavored, in broken, disjointed phrases, to express +his acknowledgment, and was in the very midst of a mass of contradictory +explanations, hopes, and wishes, when Linwood entered with, "The +carriage is ready, my Lord." + +The Knight heard the words with surprise, and as quickly remarked that +the young man was dressed in deep mourning. "I have been unwittingly +addressing you as Captain Forester," said he, gravely; "I believe I +should have said--" + +"Lord Wallincourt," answered Forester, with a slight tremor in his +voice; "the death of my brother--" Here he hesitated, and at length was +silent. + +The Knight, who read in his nervous manner and sickly appearance the +signs of broken health and spirits, resolved at once to sacrifice mere +personal feeling in a cause of kindness, and said: "I see, my Lord, you +are scarcely as strong as when I had the pleasure to meet you first, and +I doubt not that you require a little repose and quietness. Come along +with me then; and if even this cabin of ours be inhospitable enough not +to afford you a room, we 'll find something near us on the coast, and I +have no doubt we 'll set you on your legs again." + +"It is a favor I would have asked, if I dared," said Forester, feebly. +He then added: "Indeed, sir, I will confess it, my journey had no +other object than to present myself to Lady Eleanor Darcy. Through the +kindness of my relative, Lord Castlereagh, I was enabled to send her +some tidings of yourself, of which my illness prevented my being the +bearer, and I was desirous of adding my own testimony, so far as it +could go." Here again he faltered. + +"Pray continue," said the Knight, warmly; "I am never happier than when +grateful, and I see that I have reason for the feeling here." + +"I perceive, sir, you do not recognize me," said the young man, +thoughtfully, while he fixed his deep, full eyes upon the Knight's +countenance. + +Darcy stared at him in turn, and, passing his hand across his brow, +looked again. "There is some mystification here," said he, quickly, "but +I cannot see through it." + +"Come, Colonel Darcy," said Forester, with more animation than before. +"I see that you forget me-, but perhaps you remember this." So saying, +he walked over to a table where a number of cloaks and travelling-gear +were lying, and taking up a pistol, placed it in Darcy's hand. "This you +certainly recognize?" + +"It is my own!" exclaimed the Knight; "the fellow of it is yonder. I had +it with me the day we landed at Aboukir." + +"And gave it to me when a French dragoon had his sabre at my throat," +continued Forester. + +"And is it to your gallantry that I owe my life, my brave boy?" cried +the old man, as he threw his arm around him. + +"Not one half so much as I owe my recovery to your kindness," said +Forester. "Remember the wounded Volunteer you came to see on the march. +The surgeon you employed never left me till the very day I quitted the +camp; although I have had a struggle for life twice since then, I never +could have lived through the first attack but for his aid." + +"Is this all a dream," said the Knight, as he leaned his head upon +his band, "or are these events real? Then you were the officer whose +exchange was managed, and of which I heard soon after the battle?" + +"Yes, I was exchanged under a cartel, and sailed for England the day +after. And you, sir,--tell me of your fate." + +"A slight wound and a somewhat tiresome imprisonment tells the whole +story,--the latter a good deal enlivened by seeing that our troops were +beating the French day after day, and the calculation that my durance +could scarcely last till winter. I proved right, for last month came +the capitulation, and here I am. But all these are topics for long +evenings to chat over. Come with me; you can't refuse me any longer. +Lady Eleanor has the right to speak _her_ gratitude to you; I see you +won't listen to _mine_." + +The Knight seized the young man's arm, and led him along as he spoke. +"Nay," said he, "there is another reason for it. If you suffered me to +go off alone, nothing would make me believe that what I have now heard +was not some strange trick of fancy. Here, with you beside me, feeling +your arm within my own, and hearing your voice, it is all that I can do +to believe it. Come, let me be convinced again. Where did you join us?" + +Forester now went over the whole story of his late adventures, omitting +nothing from the moment he had joined the frigate at Portsmouth to the +last evening, when as a prisoner, he had sent for Darcy to speak to him +before he died. "I thought then," said he, "I could scarcely have more +than an hour or two to live; but when you came and stood beside me, I +was not able to utter a word, I believe, at the time. It was rather a +relief to me than otherwise that you did not know me." + +"How strange is this all!" said the Knight, musing. "You have told me a +most singular story; only one point remains yet unelucidated. How came +you to volunteer,--you were in the Guards?" + +"Yes," said Forester, blushing and faltering; "I had quitted the Guards, +intending to leave the army, some short time previous; but--but--" + +"The thought of active service brought you back again. Out with it, +and never be ashamed. I remember now having heard from an old friend of +mine, Miss Daly, how you had left the service; and, to say truth, I +was sorry for it,--sorry for _your_ sake, but sorrier because it always +grieves me when men of gentle blood are not to be found where hard +knocks are going. None ever distinguish themselves with more honor, and +it is a pity that they should lose the occasion to show the world that +birth and blood inherit higher privileges than stars and titles." + +While the miles rolled over, they thus conversed; and as each became +more intimately acquainted and more nearly interested in the other, they +drew towards the journey's end. It was late on the following night when +they reached Port Ballintray; and as the darkness threatened more than +once to mislead them, the postilion halted at the door of a little cabin +to procure a light for his lamps. + +While the travellers sat patiently awaiting the necessary preparation, a +voice from within the cottage struck Darcy's ear; he threw open the +door as he heard it, and sprang out, and rushing forward, the moment +afterwards pressed his wife and daughter in his arms. + +Forester, who in a moment comprehended the discovery, hastened to +withdraw from a scene where his presence could only prove a constraint, +and leaving a message to say that he had gone to the little inn and +would wait on the Knight next morning, he hurried from the spot, his +heart bursting with many a conflicting emotion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. HOME + +Perhaps in the course of a long and, till its very latter years, a most +prosperous life, the Knight of Gwynne had never known more real unbroken +happiness than now that he had laid his head beneath the lowly thatch of +a fisherman's cottage, and found a home beside the humble hearth where +daily toil had used to repose. It was not that he either felt, or +assumed to feel, indifferent to the great reverse of his fortune, and to +the loss of that station to which all his habits of life and thought +had been conformed. Nor had he the innate sense that his misfortunes had +been incurred without the culpability of, at least, neglect on his +own part. No; he neither deceived nor exonerated himself. His present +happiness sprang from discovering in those far dearer to him +than himself powers of patient submission, traits of affectionate +forbearance, signs of a hopeful, trusting spirit, that their trials +were not sent without an aim and object,--all gifts of heart and mind, +higher, nobler, and better than the palmiest days of prosperity had +brought forth. + +It was that short and fleeting season, the late autumn, a time in which +the climate of Northern Ireland makes a brief but brilliant amende for +the long dreary months of the year. The sea, at last calm and tranquil, +rolled its long waves upon the shore in measured sweep, waking the +echoes in a thousand caves, and resounding with hollow voice beneath the +very cliffs. The wild and fanciful outlines of the Skerry Islands were +marked, sharp and distinct, against the dark blue sky, and reflected not +less so in the unruffled water at their base. The White Rocks, as they +are called, shone with a lustre like dulled silver; and above them the +ruined towers of old Dunluce hung balanced over the sea, and even in +decay seemed to defy dissolution. + +The most striking feature of the picture was, however, the myriad of +small boats, amounting in some instances to several hundreds, which +filled the little bay at sunset. These were the fishermen from +Innisshowen, coming to gather the seaweed on the western shore their +eastern aspect denied them,--a hardy and a daring race, who braved the +terrible storms of that fearful coast without a thought of fear. Here +were they now, their little skiffs crowded with every sail they could +carry,--for it was a trial of speed who should be first up after the +turn of the ebb-tide,--their taper masts bending and springing like +whips, the white water curling at the bows and rustling over the +gunwales; while the fishermen themselves, with long harpoon spears, +contested for the prizes,--large masses of floating weed, which not +unfrequently were seized upon by three or four rival parties at the same +moment. + +A more animated scene cannot be conceived than the bay thus presented: +the boats tacking and beating in every direction, crossing each other +so closely as to threaten collision,--sometimes, indeed, carrying off a +bowsprit or a rudder; while, from the restless motion of those on +board, the frail skiffs were at each instant endangered,--accidents that +occurred continually, but whose peril may be judged by the hearty cheers +and roars of laughter they excited. Here might be seen a wide-spreading +surface of tangled seaweed, vigorously towed in two different directions +by contending crews, whose exertions to secure it were accompanied by +the wildest shouts and cries. There a party were hauling in the prey, +while their comrades, with spars and spears, kept the enemy aloof; and +here, on the upturned keel of a capsized boat, were a dripping group, +whose heaviest penalty was the ridicule of their fellows. + +Seated in front of the little cottage, the Darcys and Forester watched +this strange scene with all the interest its moving, stirring life could +excite; and while the ladies could enjoy the varying picture only for +itself, to the Knight and the youth it brought back the memory of a more +brilliant and a grander display, one to which heroism and danger had +lent the most exciting of all interests. + +"I see," said Darcy, as he watched his companion's countenance,--"I see +whither your thoughts are wandering. They are off to the old castle of +Aboukir, and the tall cliffs at Marmorica." Forester slightly nodded an +assent, but never spoke, while the Knight resumed: "I told you it would +never do to give up the service. The very glance of your eye at yonder +picture tells me how the great original is before your miud. Come, a few +weeks more of rest and quiet, you will be yourself again. Then must you +present yourself before the gallant Duke, and ask for a restitution to +your old grade. There will be sharp work erelong. Buonaparte is not the +man to forgive Alexandria and Cairo. If I read you aright, you prefer +such a career to all the ambition of a political life." + +Forester was still silent; but his changing color told that the Knight's +words had affected him deeply, but whether as they were intended, it +was not so plain to see. The Knight went on: "I am not disposed to vain +regrets; but if I were to give way to such, it would be that I am not +young enough to enter upon the career I now see opening to our arms. Our +insular position seems to have moulded our destiny in great part; but, +rely on it, we are as much a nation of soldiers as of sailors." Warming +with this theme, Darcy continued, while sketching out the possible turn +of events, to depict the noble path open to a young man who to natural +talents and acquirements added the high advantages of fortune, rank, and +family influence. + +"I told you," said he, smiling, "that I blamed you once unjustly, as +it happened, because, as a Guardsman, you did not seize the occasion to +exchange guard-mounting for the field; but now I shall be sorely grieved +if you suffer yourself to be withdrawn from a path that has already +opened so brightly, by any of the seductions of your station, or the +fascinations of mere fashion." + +"Are you certain," said Lady Eleanor, speaking in a voice shaken by +agitation,--"are you certain, my dear, that these same counsels of yours +would be in strict accordance with the wishes of Lord Wallincourt's +friends, or is it not possible that _their_ ambitions may point very +differently for his future?" + +"I can but give the advice I would offer to Lionel," said Darcy, "if my +son were placed in similarly fortunate circumstances. A year or two, at +least, of such training will be no bad discipline to a young man's mind, +and help to fit him to discuss those terms which, if I see aright, will +be rife in our assemblies for some years to come--" Darcy was about +to continue, when Tate advanced with a letter, whose address bespoke +Bicknell's hand. It was a long-expected communication, and, anxious +to peruse it carefully, the Knight arose, and making his excuses, +re-entered the cottage. + +The party sat for some time in silence. Lady Eleanor's mind was in a +state of unusual conflict, since, for the first time in her life, had +she practised any concealment with her husband, having forborne to tell +him of Forester's former addresses to Helen. To this course she had +been impelled by various reasons, the most pressing among which were +the evident change in the young man's demeanor since he last appeared +amongst them, and, consequently, the possibility that he had outlived +the passion he then professed; and secondly, by observing that nothing +in Helen betrayed the slightest desire to encourage any renewal of those +professions, or any chagrin at the change in his conduct. As a mother +and as a woman, she hesitated to avow what should seem to represent +her daughter as being deserted, while she argued that if Helen were as +indifferent as she really seemed, there was no occasion whatever for +the disclosure. Now, however, that the Knight had spoken his counsels so +strongly, the thought occurred to her, that Forester might receive the +advice in the light of a rejection of his former proposal, and suppose +that these suggestions were only another mode of refusing his suit. +Hence a struggle of doubt and uncertainty arose within her, whether she +should at once make everything known to Darcy, or still keep silence, +and leave events to their own development. The former course seemed the +most fitting; and entirely forgetful of all else, she hastily arose, and +followed her husband into the cabin. + +Forester was now alone with Helen, and for the first time since that +well-remembered night when he had offered his heart and been rejected. +The game of dissimulating feelings is almost easiest before a numerous +audience; it is rarely possible in a _tete-a-tete_. So Forester soon +felt; and although he made several efforts to induce a conversation, +they were all abrupt and disjointed, as were Helen's own replies to +them. At length came a pause; and what a thing is a pause at such a +moment! The long lingering seconds in which a duellist watches his +adversary's pistol, wavering over the region of his heart or brain, is +less torturing than such suspense. Forester arose twice, and again sat +down, his face pale and flushed alternately. At length, with a thick and +rapid utterance, he said,-- + +"I have been thinking over the Knight's counsels,--dare I ask if they +have Miss Darcy's concurrence?" + +"It would be a great, a very great presumption in me," said Helen, +tremulously, "to offer an opinion on such a theme. I have neither the +knowledge to distinguish between the opposite careers, nor have I any +feeling for those sentiments which men alone understand in warfare." + +"Nor, perhaps," added Forester, with a sudden irony, "sufficient +interest in the subject to give it a thought." + +Helen was silent; her slightly compressed lips and heightened color +showed that she was offended at the speech, but she made no reply. + +"I crave your pardon, Miss Darcy," said he, in a low, submissive accent, +that told how heartfelt it was. "I most humbly ask you to forgive my +rudeness. The very fact that I had no claim to that interest should +have protected you from such a speech. But see what comes of kindness +to those who are little used to it; they get soon spoiled, and forget +themselves." + +"Lord Wall incourt will have to guard himself well against flattery, if +such humble attentions as ours disturb his judgment." + +"I will get out of the region of it," said he, resolutely; "I will take +the Knight's advice. It is but a plunge, and all is over." + +"If I dare to say so, my Lord," said Helen, archly, "this is scarcely +the spirit in which my father hoped his counsels would be accepted. His +chivalry on the score of a military life may be overstrained, but it has +no touch of that recklessness your Lordship seems to lend it." + +"And why should not this be the spirit in which I join the army?" said +he, passionately; "the career has not for me those fascinations which +others feel. Danger I like, for its stimulus, as other men like it; but +I would rather confront it when and where and how I please, than at the +dictate of a colonel and by the ritual of a despatch." + +"Rather be a letter of marque, in fact, than a ship-of-the-line,--more +credit to your Lordship's love of danger than discipline." + +Forester smiled, but not without anger, at the quiet persiflage of her +manner. It took him some seconds ere he could resume. + +"I perceive," said he, in a tone of deeper feeling, "that whatever my +resolves, to discuss them must be an impertinence, when they excite no +other emotion than ridicule--" + +"Nay, my Lord," interposed Helen, eagerly; "I beg you to forgive my +levity. Nothing was further from my thoughts than to hurt one to whom +we owe our deepest debt of gratitude. I can never forget you saved +my father's life; pray do not let me seem so base, to my heart, as to +undervalue this." + +"Oh, Miss Darcy," said he, passionately, "it is I who need +forgiveness,--I, whose temper, rendered irritable by illness, suspect +reproach and sarcasm in every word of those who are kindest to me." + +"You are unjust to yourself," said Helen, gently,--"unjust, because you +expect the same powers of mind and judgment that you enjoyed in health. +Think how much better you are than when you came here. Think what a few +days more may do. How changed--" + +"Has Miss Darcy changed since last I met her?" asked he, in a tone that +sank into the very depth of her heart. + +Helen tried to smile; but emotions of a sadder shade spread over her +pale features, as she said,-- + +"I hope so, my Lord; I trust that altered fortunes have not lost their +teaching. I fervently hope that sorrow and suffering have left something +behind them better than unavailing regrets and heart-repinings." + +"Oh, believe me," cried Forester, passionately, "it is not of this +change I would speak. I dared to ask with reference to another feeling." + +"Be it so," said Helen, trembling, as if nerving herself for a strong +and long-looked-for effort,-"be it so, my Lord, and is not my answer +wide enough for both? Would not any change, short of a dishonorable one, +make the decision I once came to a thousand times more necessary now?" + +"Oh, Helen, these are cold and cruel words. Will you tell me that my +rank and station are to be like a curse upon my happiness?" + +"I spoke of _our_ altered condition, my Lord. I spoke of the +impossibility of your Lordship recurring to a theme which the sight of +that thatched roof should have stifled. Nay, hear me out. It is not of +_you_ or _your_ motives that is here the question; it is of _me_ and +_my_ duties. They are there, my Lord,--they are with those whose hearts +have been twined round mine from infancy,--mine when the world went +well and proudly with us; doubly, trebly mine when affection can replace +fortune, and the sympathies' of the humblest home make up for all the +flatteries of the world. I have no reason to dwell longer on this to one +who knows those of whom I speak, and can value them too." + +"But is there no place in your heart, Helen, for other affections than +these; or is that place already occupied?" + +"My Lord, you have borne my frankness so well, I must even submit to +yours with a good grace. Still, this is a question you have no right to +ask, or I to answer. I have told you that whatever doubt there might +be as to _your_ road in life, _mine_ offered no alternative. That ought +surely to be enough." + +"It shall be," said Forester, with a low sigh, as, trembling in every +limb, he arose from the seat. "And yet, Helen," said he, in a voice +barely above a whisper, "there might come a time when these duties, to +which you cling with such attachment, should be rendered less needful by +altered fortunes. I have heard that your father's prospects present more +of hope than heretofore, have I not? Think that if the Knight should be +restored to his own again, that then--" + +"Nay,--it is scarcely worthy of your Lordship to exact a pledge which is +to hang upon a decision like this. A verdict may give back my father's +estate; it surely should not dispose of his daughter's hand?" + +"I would exact nothing, Miss Darcy," said Forester, stung by the tone of +this reply. "But I see you cannot feel for the difficulties which +beset him who has staked his all upon a cast. I asked, what might your +feelings be, were the circumstances which now surround you altered?" + +Helen was silent for a second or two; and then, as if having collected +all her energy, she said: "I would that you had spared me--had spared +yourself--the pain I now must give us both; but to be silent longer +would be to encourage deception." It was not till after another brief +interval that she could continue: "Soon after you left this, my Lord, +you wrote a letter to Miss Daly. This letter-I stop not now to ask with +what propriety towards either of us--she left in my hands. I read it +carefully; and if many of the sentiments it contained served to elevate +your character in my esteem, I saw enough to show me that your resolves +were scarcely less instigated by outraged pride than what you fancied +to be a tender feeling. This perhaps might have wounded me, had I felt +differently towards you. As it was, I thought it for the best; I deemed +it happier that your motives should be divided ones, even though you +knew it not. But as I read on, my Lord,--as I perused the account of +your interview with Lady Wallincourt,--then a new light broke suddenly +upon me; I found what, had I known more of life, should not have +surprised, but what in my ignorance did indeed astonish me, that my +father's station was regarded as one which could be alleged as a reason +against your feeling towards his daughter. Now, my Lord, _we_ have our +pride too; and had your influence over me been all that ever you wished +it, I tell you freely that I never would permit my affection to be +gratified at the price of an insult to my father's house. If I were to +say that your sentiments towards me should not have suffered it, would +it be too much?" + +"But, dearest Helen, remember that I am no longer dependent on my +mother's will,--remember that I stand in a position and a rank which +only needs you to share with me to make it all that my loftiest ambition +ever coveted." + +"These are, forgive me if I tell you, very selfish reasonings, my +Lord. They may apply to _you_; they hardly address themselves to _my_ +position. The pride which could not stoop to ally itself with our house +in our days of prosperity, should not assuredly be wounded by suing us +in our humbler fortunes." + +"Your thoughts dwell on Lady Netherby, Miss Darcy," said Forester, +irritably; "she is scarcely the person most to be considered here." + +"Enough for me, if I think so," said Helen, haughtily. "The lady your +Lordship's condescension would place in the position of a mother +should at least be able to regard me with other feelings than those of +compassionate endurance. In a word, sir, it cannot be. To discuss the +topic longer is but to distress us both. Leave me to my gratitude to +you, which is unbounded. Let me dwell upon the many traits of noble +heroism I can think of in your character with enthusiasm, ay, and with +pride,--pride that one so high and so gifted should have ever thought +of one so little worthy of him. But do not weaken my principle by hoping +that my affection can be won at the cost of my self-esteem." + +Forester bowed with a deep, respectful reverence; and when he lifted +up his head, the sad expression of his features was that of one who had +heard an irrevocable doom pronounced upon his dearest, most cherished +hopes. Lady Eleanor at the same moment came forward from the door of the +cottage, so that he had barely time to utter a hasty good-bye ere she +joined her daughter. + +"Your father wishes to see Lord Wallincourt, Helen. Has he gone?" But +before Helen could reply the Knight came up. + +"I hope you have not forgotten to ask him to dinner, Eleanor?" said he. +"We did so yesterday, and he never made his appearance the whole +evening." + +"Helen, did you?" But Helen was gone while they were speaking; so that +Darcy, to repair the omission, hastened after his young friend with all +the speed he could command. + +"Have I found you?" cried Darcy, as, turning an angle of the rocky +shore, he came behind Forester, who, with folded arms and bent-down +head, stood like one sorrow-struck. "I just discovered that neither my +wife nor my daughter had asked you to stop to dinner; and as you are +punctilious, fully as much as they are forgetful, there was nothing for +it but to run after you." + +"You are too kind, my dear Knight,--but not to-day; I'm poorly,--a +headache." + +"Nay; a headache always means a mere excuse. Come back with me: you +shall be as stupid a _convive_ as you wish, only be a good listener, for +I have got a great budget from my man of law, Mr. Bicknell, and am dying +for somebody to inflict it upon." + +"With the best grace he could muster,--which was still very far from +a good one,--Forester suffered himself to be led back to the +cottage, endeavoring, as he went, to feel or feign an interest in the +intelligence the Knight was full of. It seemed that Bicknell was very +anxious not only for the Knight's counsel on many points, but for his +actual presence at the trial. He appeared to think that Darcy being +there, would be a great check upon the line of conduct he was apprised +O'Halloran would adopt. There was already a very strong reaction in the +West in favor of the old gentry of the land, and it would be at least +an evidence of willingness to confront the enemy, were the Knight to be +present. + +"He tells me," continued the Knight, "that Daly regretted deeply not +having attended the former trial,--why, he does not exactly explain, but +he uses the argument to press me now to do so." + +Forester might, perhaps, have enlightened him on this score, had he so +pleased, but he said nothing. + +"Of course, I need not say, nothing like intimidation is meant by this +advice. The days for such are, thank God, gone by in Ireland; and it +was, besides, a game I never could have played at; but yet it might be +what many would expect of me, and at all events it can scarcely do harm. +What is your opinion?" + +"I quite agree with Mr. Bicknell," said Forester, hastily; "there is +a certain license these gentlemen of wig and gown enjoy, that is more +protected by the bench than either good morals or good manners warrant." + +"Nay, you are now making the very error I would guard against," said +Darcy, laughing. "This legal sparring is rather good fun, even though +they do not always keep the gloves on. Now, will you come with me?" + +"Of course; I should have asked your leave to do so, had you not invited +me." + +"You 'll hear the great O'Halloran, and I suspect that is as much as I +shall gain myself by this action. We have merely some points of law to +go upon; but, as I understand, nothing new or material in evidence to +adduce. You ask, then, why persist? I 'll own to you I cannot say; but +there seems the same punctilio in legal matters as in military; and it +is a point of honor to sustain the siege until the garrison have eaten +their boots. I am not so far from that contingency now, that I should be +impatient; but meanwhile I perceive the savor of something better, and +here comes Tate to say it is on the table." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. AN AWKWARD DINNER-PARTY + +When the reader is informed that Lady Eleanor had not found a fitting +moment to communicate to the Knight respecting Forester, nor had Helen +summoned courage to reveal the circumstances of their late interview, +it may be imagined that the dinner itself was as awkward a thing as need +be. It was, throughout, a game of cross purposes, in which Darcy alone +was not a player, and therefore more puzzled than the rest, at the +constraint and reserve of his companions, whose efforts at conversation +were either mere unmeaning commonplaces, or half-concealed retorts to +inferred allusions. + +However quick to perceive, Darcy was too well versed in the tactics of +society to seem conscious of this, and merely redoubled his efforts +to interest and amuse. Never had his entertaining qualities less of +success. He could scarcely obtain any acknowledgment from his hearers; +and stores of pleasantry, poured out in rich profusion, were listened to +with a coldness bordering upon apathy. + +He tried to interest them by talking over the necessity of their speedy +removal to the capital, where, for the advantage of daily consultation, +Bicknell desired the Knight's presence. He spoke of the approaching +journey to the West, for the trial itself; he talked of Lionel, of Daly, +of their late campaigns; in fact, he touched on everything, hoping +by some passing gleam of interest to detect a clew to their secret +thoughts. To no avail. They listened with decorous attention, but no +signs of eagerness or pleasure marked their features; and when Forester +rose to take his leave, it was full an hour and a half before his usual +time of going. + +"Now for it, Eleanor," said the Knight, as Helen soon after quitted the +room; "what's your secret, for all this mystery must mean something? +Nay, don't look so in-penetrable, my dear; you'll never persuade any +man who displayed all his agreeability to so little purpose, that his +hearers had not a hidden source of preoccupation to account for their +indifference. What is it, then?" + +"I am really myself in the dark, without my conjectures have reason, +and that Lord Wallincourt may have renewed to Helen the proposal he once +made her, and with the same fortune." + +"Renewed--proposal!" + +"Yes, my dear Darcy, it was a secret I had intended to have told you +this very day, and went for the very purpose of doing so, when I found +you engaged with Bicknell's letters and advices, and scrupled to break +in upon your occupied thoughts. Captain Forester did seek Helen's +affections, and was refused; and I now suspect Lord Wallincourt may have +had a similar reverse." + +"This last is, however, mere guess," said Darcy. + +"No more. Of the former Helen herself told me; she frankly acknowledged +that her affections were disengaged, but that he had not touched them. +It would seem that he was deeper in love than she gave him credit for. +His whole adventure as a Volunteer sprang out of this rejected suit, and +higher fortunes have not changed his purpose." + +"Then Helen did not care for him?" + +"That she did not once, I am quite certain; that she does not now, is +not so sure. But I know that even if she were to do so, the disparity of +condition would be an insurmountable barrier to her assent." + +Darcy walked up and down with a troubled and anxious air, and at length +said,-- + +"Thus is it that the pride we teach our children, as the defence +against low motives and mean actions, displays its false and treacherous +principles; and all our flimsy philosophy is based less on the +affections of the human heart than on certain conventional usages we +have invented for our own enslavement. There is but one code of right +and wrong, Eleanor, and that one neither recognizes the artificial +distinctions of grade, nor makes a virtue of the self-denial; that is a +mere offering to worldly pride." + +"You would scarcely have our daughter accept an alliance with a house +that disdains our connection?" said Lady Eleanor, proudly. + +"Not, certainly, when the consideration had been once brought before her +mind. It would then be but a compromise with principle. But why should +she have ever learned the lesson? Why need she have been taught to +mingle notions of worldly position and aggrandizement with the emotions +of her heart? It was enough--it should have been enough--that his +rank and position were nearly her own, not to trifle with feelings +immeasurably higher and holier than these distinctions suggest." + +"But the world, my dear Darcy; the world would say--" + +"The world would say, Eleanor, that her refusal was perfectly right; +and if the world's judgments were purer, they might be a source of +consolation against the year-long bitterness of a sinking heart. Well, +well!" said he, with a sigh, "I would hope that her heart is free: go +to her, Eleanor,--learn the truth, and if there be the least germ of +affection there, I will speak to Wallincourt to-morrow, and tell him to +leave us. These half-kindled embers are the slow poison of many a noble +nature, and need but daily intercourse to make them deadly." + +While Lady Eleanor retired to communicate with her daughter, the Knight +paced the little chamber in moody reverie. As he passed and repassed +before the window, he suddenly perceived the shadow of a man's figure +as he stood beside a rock near the beach. Such an apparition was strange +enough to excite curiosity in a quiet, remote spot, where the few +inhabitants retired to rest at sunset. Darcy therefore opened the +window, and moved towards him; but ere he had gone many paces, he was +addressed by Forester's voice,--"I was about to pay you a visit, Knight, +and only waited till I saw you alone." + +"Let us stroll along the sands, then," said Darcy; "the night is +delicious." And so saying, he drew his arm within Forester's, and walked +along at his side. + +"I have been thinking," said Forester, in a low, sad accent,--"I have +been thinking over the advice you lately gave me; and although I own +at the time it scarcely chimed in with my own notions, now the more +I reflect upon it the more plausible does it seem. I have lived long +enough out of fashionable life to make the return to it anything but a +pleasure; for politics I have neither talent nor temper; and soldiering, +if it does not satisfy every condition of my ambition, offers more to my +capacity and my hopes than any other career." + +"I would that you were more enthusiastic in the cause," said Darcy, who +was struck by the deep depression of his manner; "I would that I saw you +embrace the career more from a profound seuse of duty and devotion, than +as a 'pis aller.'" + +"Such it is," sighed Forester; and his arm trembled within Darcy's as +he spoke. "I own it frankly, save in actual conflict itself, I have no +military ardor in my nature. I accept the road in life, because one must +take some path." + +"Then, if this be so," said Darcy, "I recall my counsels. I love the +service, and you also, too well to wish for such a _mesalliance_; no, +campaigning will never do with a spirit that is merely not averse. +Return to London, consult your relative, Lord Castlereagh,--I see +you smile at my recommendation of him, but I have learned to read his +character very differently from what I once did. I can see now, that +however the tortuous course of a difficult policy may have condemned him +to stratagems wherein he was an agent,--often an unwilling one,--that +his nature is eminently chivalrous and noble. His education and his +prejudices have made him less rash than we, in our nationality, like +to pardon, but the honor of the empire lies next his heart Political +profligacy, like any other, may be leniently dealt with while it is +fashionable; but there are minds that never permit themselves to be +enslaved by fashion, when once they have gained a consciousness of their +own power: such is his. He is already beyond it; and ere many years +roll over, he will be equally beyond his competitors too. And now to +yourself. Let him be your guide. Once launched in public life, its +interests will soon make themselves felt, and you are young enough to be +plastic. I know that every man's early years, particularly those who +are the most favored by fortune, have their clouds and dark shadows. You +must not seek an exemption from the common lot; remember how much you +have to be grateful for; think of the advantages for which others strive +a life long, and never reach,-all yours, at the very outset; and then, +if there be some sore spots, some secret sorrows under all, take my +advice and keep them for your own heart. Confessions are admirable +things for old ladies, who like the petty martyrdom of small sufferings, +but men should be made of sterner stuff. There is a high pride in +bearing one's load alone; don't forget that." + +Forester felt that if the Knight had read his inmost feelings, his +counsel could not have been more directly addressed to his condition; he +had, indeed, a secret sorrow, and one which threw its gloom over all his +prosperity. He listened attentively to Darcy's reasonings, and followed +him, as in the full sincerity of his nature he opened up the history of +his own life, now commenting on the circumstances of good fortune, now +adverting to the mischances which had befallen him. Never had the genial +kindness of the old man appeared more amiable. The just judgments, +the high and honorable sentiments, not shaken by what he had seen of +ingratitude and wrong, but hopefully maintained and upheld, the singular +modesty of his character, were all charms that won more and more upon +Forester; and when, after a _tete-a-tete_ prolonged till late in the +night, they parted, Forester's muttered ejaculation was, "Would that I +were his son!" + +"It is as I guessed," said Lady Eleanor, when the Knight re-entered the +chamber; "Helen has refused him. I could not press her on the reasons, +nor ask whether her heart approved all that her head determined. But she +seemed calm and tranquil; and if I were to pronounce from appearance, I +should say that the rejection has not cost her deeply." + +"How happy you have made me, Eleanor!" exclaimed Darcy, joyfully; "for +while, perhaps, there is nothing in this world I should like better than +to see such a man my son-in-law, there is no misery I would not prefer +to witnessing my child's affections engaged where any sense of duty or +pride rendered the engagement hopeless. Now, the case is this: Helen can +afford to be frank and sisterly towards the poor fellow, who really did +love her, and after a few days he leaves us." + +"I thought he would go to-morrow," said Lady Eleanor, somewhat +anxiously. + +"No; I half hinted to him something of the kind, but he seemed bent on +accompanying me to the West, and really I did not know how to say nay." + +Lady Eleanor appeared not quite satisfied with an arrangement that +promised a continuation of restraint, if not of positive difficulty, +but made no remark about it, and turned the conversation on their +approaching removal to Dublin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL + +Our time is now brief with our reader, and we would not trespass on him +longer by dwelling on the mere details of those struggles to which Helen +and Forester were reduced by daily association and companionship. + +One hears much of Platonism, and, occasionally, of those brother and +sisterly affections which are adopted to compensate for dearer and +tenderer ties. Do they ever really exist? Has the world ever presented +one single successful instance of the compact? We are far, very far, +from doubting that friendship, the truest and closest, can subsist +between individuals of opposite sex. We only hazard the conjecture that +such friendships must not spring out of "Unhappy Love." They must not +be built out of the ruins of wrecked affection. No, no; when Cupid is +bankrupt, there is no use in attempting to patch up his affairs by any +composition with the creditors. + +We are not quite so sure that this is exactly the illustration Forester +would have used to convey his sense of our proposition; but that he was +thoroughly of our opinion, there is no doubt. Whether Helen was one +of the same mind or not, she performed her task more easily and more +gracefully. We desire too sincerely to part with our fair readers +on good terms, to venture on the inquiry whether there is not more +frankness and candor in the character of men than women? There is +certainly a greater difficulty in the exercise of this quality in the +gentler sex, from the many restraints imposed by delicacy and womanly +feeling; and the very habit of keeping within this artificial barrier +of reserve gives an ease and tranquillity to female manner under +circumstances where men would expose their troubled and warring +emotions. So much, perhaps, for the reason that Miss Darcy displayed +an equanimity of temper very different from the miserable Forester, and +exerted powers of pleasing and fascination which, to him at least, had +the singular effect of producing even more suffering than enjoyment. +The intimacy hitherto subsisting between them was rather increased than +otherwise. It seemed as if their relations to each other had been fixed +by a treaty, and now that transgression or change was impossible. If +this was slavery in its worst form to Forester, to Helen it was liberty +unbounded. No longer restrained by any fear of misconception, absolved, +in her own heart, of any designs upon his, she scrupled not to display +her capacity for thinking and reflecting with all the openness she would +have done to her brother Lionel; while, to relieve the deep melancholy +that preyed upon him, she exerted herself by a thousand little stratagems +of caprice or fancy, that, however successful at the time, were sure to +increase his gloom when he quitted her presence. Such, then, with its +varying vicissitudes of pleasure and pain, was the condition of their +mutual feeling for the remainder of their stay on the northern coast +Many a time had Forester resolved on leaving her forever, rather than +perpetuate the lingering torture of an affection that increased with +every hour; but the effort was more than his strength could compass, and +he yielded, as it were, to a fate, until at last her companionship had +become the whole aim and object of his existence. + +As winter closed in, they removed to Dublin, and established themselves +temporarily in an old-fashioned family hotel, selected by Bicknell, in +a quiet, unpretending street. Neither their means nor inclination would +have prompted them to select a more fashionable resting-place, while the +object of strict seclusion was here secured. The ponderous gloom of +the staid old house, where, from the heavy sideboard of almost black +mahogany to the wrinkled visage of the grim waiter, all seemed of a +bygone century, were rather made matters of mutual pleasantry among the +party than sources of dissatisfaction; while the Knight assured them +that this was in his younger days the noisy resort of the gay and +fashionable of the capital. + +"Indeed," added he, "I am not quite sure that this is not where the +'Townsends,' as the club was then called, used to meet in Swift's time. +Bicknell will tell us all about it, for he's coming to dine with us." + +Forester was the first to appear in the drawing-room before dinner. It +is possible that he hurried his toilet in the hope of speaking a few +words to Helen, who not un-frequently came down before her mother. +If so, he was doomed to disappointment, as the room was empty when he +entered; and there was nothing for it but to wait, impatiently indeed, +and starting at every footstep on the stairs and every door that shut or +opened. + +At last he heard the sound of approaching steps, softened by the deep +old carpet. They came,--he listened,--the door opened, and the waiter +announced a name, what and whose Forester paid no attention to, in his +annoyance that it was not hers he expected. The stranger-a very plump, +joyous little personage in deep black--did not appear quite unknown to +Forester; but as the recognition interested him very little, he merely +returned a formal bow to the other's more cordial salute, and turned to +the window where he was standing. + +"The Knight, I believe, is dressing?" said the new arrival, advancing +towards Forester. + +"Yes; but I have no doubt he will be down in a few moments." + +"Time enough,--no hurry in life. They told me below stairs that you were +here, and so I came up at once. I thought that I might introduce myself. +Paul Dempsey,--Dempsey's Grove. You've heard of me before, eh?" + +"I have had that pleasure," said Forester, with more animation of +manner; for now he remembered the face and figure of the worthy Paul, as +he had seen both in the large mirror of his mother's drawing-room. + +"Ha! I guessed as much," rejoined Paul, with a chuckling laugh; "the +ladies are here, too, ain't they?" + +Forester assented, and Paul went on. + +"Only heard of it from Bicknell half an hour ago. Took a car, and came +off at once. And when did _you_ come?" + +Forester stared with amazement at a question whose precise meaning he +could not guess at, and to which he could only reply by a half-smile, +expressive of his difficulty. + +"You were away, weren't you?" asked Dempsey. + +"Yes; I have been out of England," replied Forester, more than ever +puzzled how this fact could or ought to have any interest for the other. + +"Never be ashamed of it. Soldiering 's very well in its way, though I 'd +never any taste for it myself,--none of that martial spirit that stirred +the bumpkin as he sang,-- + + Perhaps a recruit + Might chance to shoot + Great General Buonaparte. + +Well, well! it seems you soon got tired of glory, of which, from all +I hear, a little goes very far with any man's stomach; and no wonder. +Except a French bayonet, there 's nothing more indigestible than +commissary bread." + +"The service is not without some hardships," said Forester, blandly, +and preferring to shelter himself under generality than invite further +inquisitiveness. + +"Cruelties you might call them," rejoined Dempsey, with energy. "The +frightful stories we read in the papers!--and I suppose they are all +true. Were you ever touched up a bit yourself?" This Paul said in +his most insinuating manner; and as Forester's stare showed a total +ignorance of his meaning, he added, "A little four-and-twenty, I mean," +mimicking, as he spoke, the action of flogging. + +"Sir!" exclaimed Forester, with an energy almost ferocious; and Dempsey +made a spring backwards, and intrenched himself behind a sofa-table. + +"Blood alive!" he exclaimed, "don't be angry. I wouldn't offend you for +the world; but I thought--" + +"Never mind, sir,-your apology is quite sufficient," said Forester, who +had no small difficulty to repress laughing at the terrified face before +him. "I am quite convinced there was no intention to give offence." + +"Spoke like a man," said Dempsey, coming out from his ambush with an +outstretched hand; and Forester, not usually very unbending in such +cases, could not help accepting the salutation so heartily proffered. + +"Ah, my excellent friend, Mr. Dempsey!" said the Knight, entering at the +same moment, and gayly tapping him on the shoulder. "A man I have long +wished to see, and thank for many kind offices in my absence.--I 'm glad +to see you are acquainted with Mr. Dempsey.--Well, and how fares the +world with you?" + +"Better, rather better, Knight," said Paul, who had scarcely recovered +the fright Forester had given him. "You've heard that old Bob's off? +Didn't go till he could n't help it, though; and now your humble servant +is the head of the house." + +While the Knight expressed his warm congratulations, Lady Eleanor and +Helen came in; and by their united invitation Paul was persuaded to +remain for dinner,--an event which, it must be owned, Forester could not +possibly comprehend. + +Bicknell's arrival soon after completed the party, which, however +discordant in some respects, soon exhibited signs of perfect accordance +and mutual satisfaction. Mr. Dempsey's presence having banished all +business topics for discussion, he was permitted to launch out into +his own favorite themes, not the least amusing feature of which was the +perfect amazement of Forester at the man and his intimacy. + +As the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room, Paul became more moody +and thoughtful, now and then interchanging glances with Bicknell, and +seeming as if on the verge of something, and yet half doubting how to +approach it. Two or three hastily swallowed bumpers, and a look, which +he believed of encouragement, from Bicknell, at length rallied Mr. +Dempsey, and after a slight hesitation, he said,-- + +"I believe, Knight, we are all friends here; it is, strictly speaking, a +cabinet council?" + +If Darcy did not fathom the meaning of the speech, he had that knowledge +of the speaker which made his assent to it almost a matter of course. + +"That's what I thought," resumed Paul; "and it is a moment I have been +anxiously looking for. Has our friend here said anything?" added he, +with a gesture towards Bicknell. + +"I, sir? I said nothing, I protest!" exclaimed the man of law, with an +air of deprecation. "I told you, Mr. Dempsey, that I would inform the +Knight of the generous proposition you made about the loan; but, till +the present moment, I have not had the opportunity." + +"Pooh, pooh! a mere trifle," interrupted Paul. "It is not of that I +was thinking: it is of a very different subject I would speak. Has +Lady Eleanor or Miss Darcy--has she told you nothing of me?" said he, +addressing the Knight. + +"Indeed they have, Mr. Dempsey, both spoken of you repeatedly, and +always in the same terms of grateful remembrance." + +"It isn't that, either," said Paul, with a half-sigh of disappointment. + +"You are unjust to yourself, Mr. Dempsey," said Darcy, good-humoredly, +"to rest a claim to our gratitude on any single instance of kindness; +trust me that we recognize the whole debt." + +"But it's not that," rejoined Paul, with a shake of the head. "Lord +bless us! how close women are about these things," muttered he to +himself. "There is nothing for it but candor, I suppose, eh?" + +This being put in the form of a direct question, and the Knight having +as freely assented, Paul resumed,--"Well, here it is. Being now at the +head of an ancient name, and very pretty independence,--Bicknell has +seen the papers,--I have been thinking of that next step a man takes who +would wish to--wish to-hand down a little race of Dempseys. You +understand?" Darcy smiled approvingly, and Paul continued: "And as +conformity of temper, taste, and habits are the surest pledges of such +felicity, I have set the eyes of my affections upon--Miss Darcy." + +So little prepared was the Knight for what was coming, that up to that +moment he had been listening with a smile of easy enjoyment; but when +the last word was spoken, he started as if he had been stung by a +reptile, nor could all his habitual self-control master the momentary +flush of irritation that covered his face. + +"I know," said Paul, with a dim consciousness that his proposition was +but half acceptable, "that we are not exactly, so to say, the same rank +and class; but the Dempseys are looking up, and--" + +"'The Darcys looking down,' you would add," said the Knight, with a +gleam of his habitual humor in his eye. + +"And, like the buckets in a well, the full and empty ones meet +half-way," added Dempsey, laughing. "I know well, as I said before, we +are not the same kind of people, and perhaps this would have deterred me +from indulging any thoughts on the subject, but for a chance, a bit of +an accident, as a body may call it, that gave me courage." + +"This is the very temple of candor, Mr. Dempsey," said the +Knight, smiling. "Pray proceed, and let us hear the source of your +encouragement; what was it?" + +"Say, who was it, rather," interposed Paul. + +"Be it so, then. Who was it? You have only made my curiosity stronger." + +"Lady Eleanor,--ay, and Miss Helen herself." + +A start of anger and a half-spoken exclamation were as quickly +interrupted by a fit of laughing; and the Knight leaned back in his +chair, and shook with the emotion. + +"You doubt it; you think it absurd," said Dempsey, himself laughing, +and not exhibiting the slightest irritation. "What if they say it's +true,--will that content you?" + +"I'm afraid it would not," said Darcy, equivocally; "there's nothing +less likely to do so. Still, I assure you, Mr. Dempsey, if the ladies +are of the mind you attribute to them, I shall find it very difficult to +disbelieve anything I ever hear hereafter." + +"I'm satisfied to stand or fall by their verdict," said Paul, +resolutely. "I'm not a fool, exactly; and do you think if I had not +something stronger than mere suspicion to guide me, that I'd have gone +that same journey to London? Oh, I forgot--I did not tell you about my +going to Lord Netherby." + +"You went to Lord Netherby, and on this subject?" said Darcy, whose face +became suffused with shame, an emotion doubly painful from Forester's +presence. + +"That I did," rejoined the unabashed Paul, "and a long conversation we +had over the matter. He introduced me to his wife too. Lord bless us, +but that is a bit of pride!" + +"You are aware that the lady is Lord Wallincourt's mother," interposed +Darcy, sternly. + +"Faith, so that she is n't mine," said the inexorable Paul, "I don't +care! There she was, lying in state, with a greyhound with silver bells +on his neck at her feet; and when I came into the room, she lifts up +her head and gives me a look, as much as to say, 'Oh, that's him.'--'Mr. +Dempsey, of Dempsey's Hole,'--for hole he would call it, in spite of +me,--'Mr. Dempsey, my love,' said my Lord, bowing as ceremoniously as +if he never saw her before; and so, taking the hint, I began a little +course of salutations, when she called out, 'Tell him not to do that, +Netherby,--tell him not to do that-'" + +This was too much for Mr. Dempsey's hearers, who, however differently +minded as to the narrative, now concurred in one outbreak of hearty +laughter. + +"Well, my Lord," said Darcy, turning to Forester, "you certainly have +shown evidence of a most enviable good temper. Had your Lordship--" + +"His Lordship!" exclaimed Paul, in amazement. "Is n't that your +son,--Captain Darcy?" + +"No, indeed, Mr. Dempsey," said the Knight; "I thought, as I came into +the drawing-room, that you were acquainted, or I should have presented +you to the Earl of Wallincourt." + +"Oh, ain't I in for it now!" cried Paul, in an accent of grief most +ludicrously natural. "Oh! by the powers, I 'm up to the knees in +trouble! And that was your mother! oh dear! oh dear!" + +"You see, my worthy friend," said Darcy, smiling, "how easy a thing +deception is. Is it not possible that your misconceptions do not end +here?" + +"I 'll never get over it, I know I'll not!" exclaimed Paul, wringing +his hands as he arose from the table. "Bad luck to it for grandeur!" +muttered he between his teeth; "I never had a minute's happiness since I +got the taste for it." And with this honest avowal he rushed out of the +room. + +It was some time before the party in the dining-room adjourned upstairs; +but when they did, they found Mr. Dempsey seated at the fire, recounting +to the ladies his late unhappy discomfiture,--a narrative which even +Lady Eleanor's gravity was not enabled to withstand. A kind audience +was always a boon of the first water to honest Paul; and very little +pressing was needed to induce him to continue his revelations, for the +Knight wisely felt that such pretensions as his could not be buried so +satisfactorily as beneath the load of ridicule. + +Mr. Dempsey's scruples soon vanished and thawed under the warmth of +encouraging voices and smiles, and he began the narrative of his night +at "The Corvy," his painful durance in the canoe, his escape, the +burning of the law papers, and each step of his progress to the very +moment that he stood a listener at Lady Eleanor's door. Then he halted +abruptly and said, "Now I'm dumb! racks and thumbscrews wouldn't get +more out of me." + +"You cannot mean, sir," said Lady Eleanor, calmly but haughtily, "that +you overheard the conversation that passed between my daughter and +myself?" + +"Every word of it!" replied Paul, bluntly. + +"Oh, really, sir, I can scarcely compliment you on the spirit of your +curiosity; for although the theme we talked on, if I remember aright, +was the speedy necessity of removing,--the urgency of seeking some place +of refuge--" + +"If I had n't heard which, I could not have assisted you in your +departure," rejoined the unabashed Paul: "the old Loyola maxim, 'Evil, +that Good may come of it.'" + +Helen sat pale and terrified all this time; for although Lady Eleanor +had forgotten the discussion of any other topic on that night save that +of their legal difficulties, she well remembered a theme nearer and +dearer to her heart. Whether from the distress of these thoughts, or in +the hope of propitiating Mr. Dempsey to silence, so it was, she fixed +her eyes upon him with an expression Paul thought he could read, and +he gave a look of such conscious intelligence in return as brought the +blush to her cheek. "I 'm not going to say one word about it," said he, +in a stage whisper that even the Knight himself overheard. + +"Then I must myself insist upon Mr. Dempsey's revelations," said Darcy, +not at all satisfied with the air of mystery Dempsey threw around his +intercourse. + +Another look from Helen here met Paul's, and he stood uncertain how to +act. + +"Really, sir," said Lady Eleanor, "however little the subject we +discussed was intended for other ears than our own, I must beg of you +now to repeat what you remember of it." + +"Well, what can I do?" exclaimed Paul, looking at Helen with an +expression of the most helpless misery; "I know you are angry, and I +know that when you like it, you can blaze up like a Congreve rocket. +Oh, faith! I don't forget the day I showed you the newspaper about the +English officer thrashing O'Halloran!" + +Helen grew scarlet, and turned away, but not before Forester had caught +her eyes, and read in them more of hope than his heart had known for +many a day before. + +"These are more mysteries, Mr. Dempsey; and if you continue to scatter +riddles as you go, we shall never get to the end of this affair." + +"Perhaps," interposed Bicknell, hoping to close the unpleasant +discussion,--"perhaps Mr. Dempsey, feeling that he had personally no +interest in the conversation between Lady Eleanor and Miss Darcy--" + +"Had n't he, then?" exclaimed Paul,--"maybe not. If I hadn't, then, who +had?--tell me that. Wasn't it then and there I first heard of the kind +intentions towards me?" + +"Towards you, sir! Of what are you speaking?" + +"Blood alive! will you tell me that I 'm not Paul Dempsey, of Dempsey's +Grove?" exclaimed he, driven beyond all patience by what he deemed +equivocation. "Will you tell me that your Ladyship didn't allude to the +day I brought the letter from Coleraine, and say that you actually +began to like me from that hour? Did n't you tell Miss Helen not to lie +down-hearted, because there were better days in store for us? Miss Darcy +remembers it, I see,--ay, and your Ladyship does now. Did n't you call +me rash and headstrong and ambitious? I forgive it all; I believe it is +true. And was n't I your bond-slave from that hour? Oh, mercy on me! the +pleasant time I had of it at Mother Fum's! Then came the days and nights +I was watching over you at Ballintray. Ay, faith, and money was very +scarce with me when I gave old Denny Nolan five shillings for the loan +of his nankeen jacket to perform the part of waiter at the little inn. +Do you remember a little note, in the shape of a friendly warning? Eh, +now, my Lady, I think your memory is something fresher." + +If the confusion of Lady Eleanor and her daughter was extreme at this +outpouring of Mr. Dempsey's confessions, the amazement of Darcy and the +utter stupefaction of Forester were even greater; to throw discredit +upon him would be to acknowledge the real bearing of the circumstances, +which would be far worse than all his imputations; so there was no +alternative but to lie under every suspicion his narrative might +suggest. + +Forester felt annoyed as much that such a person should have obtained +this assumed intimacy as by the pretensions he well knew were only +absurd, and took an early leave under the pretence of fatigue. Bicknell +soon followed; and now the Knight, arresting Dempsey's preparations for +departure, led him back towards the fire, and placing a chair for him +between Lady Eleanor and himself, obliged him to recount his scattered +reminiscences once more, and, what was a far less pleasing duty to him, +to listen to Lady Eleanor while she circumstantially unravelled the web +of his delusion, and, in order, explained on what unsubstantial grounds +he had built the edifice of his hope. Perhaps honest Paul was not more +afflicted at any portion of the disentanglement than that which, in +disavowing his pretensions, yet confessed that some other held the +favorable place, while that other's name was guarded as a secret. This +was, indeed, a sore blow, and he could n't rally from it; and willingly +would he have bartered all the gratitude they expressed for his many +friendly offices to know his rival's name. + +"Well," exclaimed he, as Lady Eleanor concluded, "it's clear I was n't +the man. Only think of my precious journey to London, and the interview +with that terrible old Countess,--all for nothing! No matter,--it's all +past and over. As for the loan, I 've arranged it all; you shall have +the money when you like." + +"I must decline your generous offer, not without feeling your debtor for +it; but I have determined to abandon these proceedings. The Government +have promised me some staff appointment, quite sufficient for my wishes +and wants; and I will neither burden my friends nor wear out myself by +tiresome litigation." + +[Illustration: 435] + +"That's the worst of all," exclaimed Dempsey; "I thought you would not +refuse me this." + +"Nor would I, my dear Dempsey, but that I have no occasion for the sum. +To-morrow I set out to witness the last suit I shall ever engage in; +and as I believe there is little doubt of the issue, I have nothing of +sanguine feeling to suffer by disappointment." + +"Well, then, to-morrow I 'll start for Dempsey's Grove," said Paul, +sorrowfully. "With very different expectations I quitted it a few days +ago. Good-bye, Lady Eleanor; good-bye, Miss Helen. I suppose there 's no +use in guessing?" + +Mr. Dempsey's leave-taking was far more rueful than his wont, and woe +seemed to have absorbed all other feeling; but when he reached the door, +he turned round and said,-- + +"Now I am going,--never like to see him again; do tell me the name." + +A shake of the head, and a merry burst of laughter, was all the answer; +and Paul departed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. THE LAST STRUGGLE + +That the age of chivalry is gone, we are reminded some twenty times +in each day of our commonplace existence, Perhaps the changed tone of +society exhibits nowhere a more practical but less picturesque advantage +than in the fact that the "joust" of ancient times is now replaced by +the combat of the law court. Some may regret--we will not say if we are +not of the number--that the wigged Baron of the Exchequer is scarcely so +pleasing an arbiter as the Queen of Love and Beauty. Others may deem +the knotted subtleties of black-letter a sorry recompense for the "wild +crash and tumult of the fray." The crier of the Common Pleas would +figure to little advantage beside the gorgeously clad Herald of the +Lists; nor are the artificial distinctions of service so imposing that +a patent of precedency could vie with the white cross on the shield of +a Crusader. Still, there are certain counterbalancing interests to be +considered; and it is possible that the veriest decrier of the law's +uncertainty "would rather stake life and fortune on the issue of a +'trial of law,' than on the thews and sinews of the doughtiest champion +that ever figured in an 'ordeal of battle.'" + +In one respect there is a strong similarity between the two +institutions. Each, in its separate age, possessed the same sway and +influence over men's minds, investing with the deepest interest events +of which they were hitherto ignorant, and enlisting partisans of opinion +in cases where, individually, there was nothing at stake. + +An important trial has all the high interest of a most exciting +narrative, whose catastrophe is yet to come, and where so many +influential agencies are in operation to mould it. The proofs +themselves, the veracity of witnesses, their self-possession and courage +under the racking torture of cross-examination, the ability and skill +of the advocate, the temper of the judge, his character of rashness +or patience, of doubt or decisiveness; and then, more vague than all +besides, the verdict of twelve perhaps rightly minded but as certainly +very ordinarily endowed men, on questions sometimes of the greatest +subtlety and obscurity. The sum of such conflicting currents makes up a +"cross sea," where everything is possible, from the favoring tide that +leads to safety, to the swell and storm of utter shipwreck. + +At the winter assizes of Galway, in the year 1802, all the deep +sympathies of a law-loving population were destined to be most heartily +engaged by the record of Darcy _versus_ Hickman, now removed by a change +of _venue_ for trial to that city. It needed not the unusual compliment +of Galway being selected as a likely spot for the due administration of +justice, to make the plaintiff somewhat popular on this occasion. The +reaction which for some time back had taken place in favor of the "real +gentry" had gone on gaining in strength, so that public opinion +was already inclining to the side of those who had earned a sort of +prescriptive right to public confidence. The claptraps of patriotism, +associated as they were often found to be with cruel treatment of +tenants and dependants, were contrasted with the independent bearing of +men who, rejecting dictation and spurning mob popularity, devoted the +best energies of mind and fortune to the interests of all belonging +to them. All the vindictiveness and rancor of a party press could not +obliterate these traits, and character sufficed to put down calumny. + +Hickman O'Reilly, accompanied by the old doctor, had arrived in +Galway the evening before the trial, in all the pomp of a splendid +travelling-carriage, drawn by four posters. The whole of "Nolan's" Head +Inn had been already engaged for them and their party, who formed a +tolerably numerous suite of lawyers, solicitors, and clerks, together +with some private friends, curious to witness the proceedings. + +In a very quiet but comfortable old inn called the "Devil and the Bag +of Nails,"--a corruption of the ancient Satyr and the Bacchanals,--Mr. +Bicknell had pitched his camp, having taken rooms for the Knight and +Forester, who were to arrive soon after him, but whose presence in +Ireland was not even suspected by the enemy. + +There was a third individual who repaired to the West on this occasion, +but who studiously screened himself from observation, waiting patiently +for the issue of the combat to see on which side he should carry his +congratulation: need we say his name was Con Heffernan? + +Bicknell had heard of certain threats of the opposite party, which, +while he did not communicate them to Darcy, were sufficient to give him +deep uneasiness, as they went so far as to menace a very severe reprisal +for these continued proceedings by a criminal action against Lionel +Darcy. Of what nature, and on what grounds sustained, he knew not; but +he was given to understand that if his principal would even now +submit to some final adjustment out of court, the Hickmans would treat +liberally with him, and, while abandoning these threatened proceedings +against young Darcy, show Bicknell all the grounds for such a procedure. + +It was past midnight when Darcy and Forester arrived; but before +the Knight retired to rest he had learned all Bicknell's doubts and +scruples, and unhesitatingly decided on proceeding with his suit. He +felt that a compromise would now involve the honor of his son, of which +he had not the slightest dread of any investigation; and, however small +the prospect of success, the trial must take place to evidence his utter +disregard, his open defiance of this menace. + +Morning came; and long before the judges took their seat, the court was +crowded in every part. The town was thronged with the equipages of the +neighboring gentry, all eager to witness the trial; while the country +people, always desirous of an exciting scene, thronged every avenue and +passage of the building, and even the wide area in front of it. Nothing +short of that passion for law and its interests, so inherent in an Irish +heart, could have held that vast multitude thus enchained; for the day +was one of terrific storm, the rain beating, the wind howling, and the +sea roaring as it swept into the bay and broke in showers of foam upon +the rocky shore. Each moment ran the rumor of some new disaster in the +town,--now it was a chimney fallen, now a roof blown in, now an entire +house, with all its inmates destroyed; fires, too, the invariable +accompaniment of hurricane, had broken out in various quarters, and +cries for help and screams of wretchedness were mingled with the wilder +uproar of the elements. Yet of that dense mob, few if any quitted their +places for these sights and sounds of woe. The whole interest lay within +that sombre building, and on the issue of an event of whose particulars +they knew absolutely nothing, and the details of which it was impossible +they could follow did they even hear them. + +The ordinary precursors to the interest of these scenes are the chance +appearances of those who are to figure prominently in them; and such, +indeed, attracted far more of attention on this occasion than all the +startling accidents by fire and storm then happening on every side. Each +lawyer of celebrity on the circuit was speedily recognized, and greeted +by tokens of welcome or expressions of disfavor, as politics or party +inclined. The attorneys were treated with even greater familiarity, +themselves not disdaining to exchange a repartee as they passed, in +which combats, be it said, they were not always the victors. At last +came old Dr. Hickman, feebly crawling along, leaning one arm on his +son's, and the other on the stalwart support of Counsellor O'Halloran. +The already begun cheer for the popular "Counsellor" was checked by the +arrival of the sheriff, preceding and making way for the judges, whose +presence ever imposed a respectful demeanor. The buzz and hum of voices, +subdued for a moment, had again resumed its sway, when once more the +police exerted themselves to make a passage through the throng, calling +out, "Make way for the Attorney-General!" and a jovial, burly personage, +with a face redolent of convivial humor and rough merriment, came up, +rather dragging than linked with the thin, slight figure of Bicknell, +who with unwonted eagerness was whispering something in his ear. + +"I'll do it with pleasure, Bicknell," rejoined the full, mellow voice, +loud enough to be heard by those on either side; "I know the sheriff +very well, and he will take care to let him have a seat on the bench. +What's the name?" + +"The Earl of Wallincourt," whispered Bicknell, a little louder. + +"That's enough; I'll not forget it" So saying, he released his grasp of +the little man, and pursued his vigorous course. In a few moments after, +Bicknell was seen accompanied by Forester alone; "the Knight" having +determined not to present himself till towards the close of the +proceedings, if even then. + +The buzz and din incident to a tumultuous assembly had just subsided to +the decorous quietude of a Court of Justice, by the judges entering and +taking their seats, when, after a few words interchanged between the +Attorney-General and the sheriff, the latter courteously addressed Lord +Wallincourt, and made way for him to ascend the steps leading to +the bench. The incident was in itself too slight and unimportant for +mention, save that it speedily attracted the attention of O'Halloran, +whose quick glance at once recognized his ancient enemy. So sudden was +the shock, and so poignant did it seem, that he actually desisted from +the occupation he was engaged in of turning over his brief, and sat down +pale and trembling with passion. + +"You are not ill?" asked O'Reilly, eagerly, for he had not remarked the +incident. + +"Not ill," rejoined O'Halloran, in a low, deep whisper; "but do you see +who is sitting next Judge Wallace, on the left of the bench?" + +"Forester, I really believe," exclaimed O'Reilly; for so separated were +the two "United" countries at that period that his accession to rank and +title was a circumstance of which neither O'Reilly nor his lawyer had +ever heard. + +"We 'll change the _venue_ for him, too, before the day is over," said +O'Halloran, with a savage leer. "Do not let him see that we notice him." + +While these brief words were interchanged, the business of the court +was opened, and, some routine matters over, the record of Darcy _versus_ +Hickman called on. After this, the names of the special jury list were +recited, and the invariable scene of dispute and wrangling incident +to their choice followed. In law, as in war, the combat opens by a +skirmish; a single cannon-shot, or a leading question, if thrown out, is +meant rather to ascertain "the range" than with any positive intention +of damage; but gradually the light troops fall back, forces concentrate, +and a mighty movement is made. In the present instance the preliminaries +were unusually long, the plaintiff's counsel not only stating all the +grounds of the present suit, but recapitulating, with painful accuracy, +the reasons for the change of _venue_, and reviewing and of course +rebutting by anticipation every possible or impossible objection +that might be made by his learned friend on "the other side." For our +purpose, it is enough if we condense the matter into a single statement, +that the action was to show that Hickman, in purchasing portions of the +Darcy estate, was and must have been aware that the Knight of Gwynne's +signature appended to the deed of sale was a forgery, and that he +never had concurred in, nor was even cognizant of, this disposal of his +property. A single case was selected to establish this fact, on which, +if proved, further proceedings in Equity would be founded. + +The plaintiff's case opened by an examination of a number of witnesses, +old tenants of the Darcy property. These were not only called to prove +the value of their holdings, as being very far above the price alleged +to have been paid by Hickman, but also that they themselves were in +total ignorance that the estate had been conveyed away to another +proprietor, and never knew till the flight and death of Gleeson took +place, that for many years previous they had ceased to be tenants of +Maurice Darcy, to become those of Dr. Hickman. + +The examination and cross-examination of these witnesses presented all +the varying and changeful fortunes ever observable in such scenes. +At one moment some obdurate old farmer resisting, with ludicrous +pertinacity, all the efforts of the examining counsel to elicit the very +testimony he himself wished to give; at another, the native humor of +the peasant was seen baffling and foiling all the trained skill and +practised dexterity of the pleader. Many a merry burst of laughter, many +a jest that set the court in a roar, were exchanged. It was in Ireland, +remember; but still the business of the day advanced, and a great +weight of evidence was adduced, which, however suggestive to common +intelligence, went legally only so far as to show that the tenantry +were, almost to a man, of an opinion which, whether well founded or not +in reason, turned out to be incorrect. + +Darcy's counsel, a man of quickness and intelligence, made a very able +speech, summing up the evidence, and commenting on every leading portion +of it. He dwelt powerfully on the fact that at the time of this alleged +sale the Knight, so far from being a distressed and embarrassed man, and +consequently likely to effect a sale at a great loss, was, in reality, +in possession of a princely fortune, his debts few and insignificant, +and his income far above any possible expenditure. If he studiously +avoided adverting to Gleeson's perfidy, as solely in fault, he assumed +to himself credit for the forbearance, alleging that less scrupulous +advisers might have gone perhaps further, and inferred connivance in a +case so dubious and dark. "My client, however," said he, "gave me but +one instruction in this cause, and it was this: 'If the law of the land, +justly administered, as I believe it will be, restores to me my own, I +shall be grateful; but if the pursuit of what I feel my right involve +the risk of reflecting on one honest man's fame, or imputing falsely +aught of dishonor to an unblemished reputation, I tell you frankly, I +don't think a verdict so obtained can carry with it anything but shame +and disgrace." + +With these words he sat down, amid a murmur of approving voices; +for there were many there who knew the Knight by reputation, if not +personally, and were aware how well such a speech accorded with every +feature of his character. + +There was a brief delay as he resumed his seat. It was already late, the +court had been obliged to be lighted up a considerable time previous, +and the question of an adjournmeut was now discussed. The probable +length of O'Halloran's reply would best guide the decision, and the +Chief Baron asked if the learned counsel's statement were likely to be +long. + +"Yes, my Lord," replied he; "it is not a case to be dismissed briefly, +and I have many witnesses to call." + +Another brief discussion took place on the bench, and the Chief Baron +announced that as there were many important causes still standing over +for trial, they should best consult public convenience by proceeding, +and that, after a few moments devoted to refreshment, the case should go +on. + +The judges retired, and many of the leading counsel took the same +opportunity to recruit strength exhausted by several hours of severe +toil. The Hickmans and O'Halloran never quitted their places; a decanter +of sherry and a sandwich from the hotel were served where they sat, +but the old man took nothing. The interest of the scene appeared too +absorbing to admit of even a sense of hunger or weariness, and he sat +with his hands folded, and his eyes mechanically fixed upon the now +empty jury-box; for there, the whole day, were his looks riveted, to +read, if he might, the varying emotions in the faces of those who held +so much of his fortune in their keeping. + +While the noise and hubbub which characterize a court at such intervals +was at its highest, a report was circulated that increased in no small +degree the excitement of the scene, and gave a character of intense +anxiety to an assemblage so lately broken up by varied and dissimilar +passions. It was this: a large vessel had struck on a reef in the bay, +and the sea was now breaking over her. She had been seen from an early +hour endeavoring to beat to the southward; but the wind had drawn more +to the westward as the storm increased, and a strong shore current had +also drawn her on land. In a last endeavor to clear the headlands of +Clare, she missed stays, and being struck by a heavy sea, her rudder was +carried away. Totally unmanageable now, she was drifted along, till +she struck on a most dangerous reef about a mile from shore. Signals of +distress were seen at her masthead, but no boat could venture out. +The storm was already a hurricane, and even in the very harbor two +fishing-boats had sunk. + +As the dreadful tidings flew from mouth to mouth, a terrible +confirmation was heard in the booming of guns of distress, which at +brief intervals sounded amid the crashing of the storm. + +It was at this moment of intense excitement that the crier proclaimed +silence for the approaching entry of the judges. If the din of human +voices became hushed and low, the deafening thunder of the elements +seemed to increase, and the roaring of the enraged sea appeared to fill +the very atmosphere. + +As the judges resumed their seats, and the vast crowd ceased to stir or +speak, O'Halloran arose. His voice was singularly low and quiet; but yet +every word he uttered was distinctly heard through all the clamor of the +storm. + +"My Lords," said he, "before entering upon my client's case, I would +bespeak the kind indulgence of the court in respect to a matter purely +personal to myself. Your Lordships are too well aware that I should +insist upon it, that in a cause where the weightiest interests of +property are engaged, the mind of the advocate should be disembarrassed +and free,--not only free as regards the exercise of whatever knowledge +and skill he may possess, not merely free from the supposition of any +individual hazard the honest discharge of his duty might incur, but +free from the greater thraldom of disturbed and irritated emotions, +originating in the deepest sense of wounded honor. + +"Far be it from me, my Lords, long used in the practice of these courts, +and long intimate with the righteous principle on which the laws are +administered in them, to utter a syllable that in the remotest degree +might seem to impugn the justice of the bench; but, a mere frail and +erring creature, with feelings common to all around me, I wish to +protest against continuing my client's case while your Lordships' bench +is occupied by one who, in my person, has grossly outraged the sanctity +of the law. Yes, my Lords," said he, raising his voice, till the +deep tones swelled and floated through the vast space, "as the humble +advocate of a cause, I now proclaim that in addressing that bench, I +am incapable to render justice to the case before me, so long as I see +associated with your Lordships a man more worthy to figure in the dock +than to take his seat among the ermined judges of the land. A moment +more, my Lords. I am ready to make oath that the individual on your +Lordships' left is Richard Forester, commonly called the Honorable +Richard Forester;--how suitable the designation, your Lordships shall +soon hear--" + +"I beg to interrupt my learned friend," interposed the Attorney-General, +rising. "He is totally in error; and I would wish to save him from the +embarrassment of misdescription. The gentleman he alludes to is the Earl +of Wallincourt, a peer of the realm." + +"Proceed with your client's case, Mr. O'Halloran," said the Chief +Baron, who saw that to discuss the question further was now irrelevant. +O'Halloran sat down, overwhelmed with rage; a whispered communication +from behind told him that the Attorney-General was correct, and that +Forester was removed beyond the reach of his vengeance. After a few +moments he rallied, and again rose. Turning slowly over the pages of a +voluminous brief, he stood waiting, with practised art, till expectancy +had hushed each murmur around, when suddenly the crier called, "Way, +there,--make way for the High Sheriff!" and that functionary, with a +manner of excessive agitation, leaned over the bar, and addressed the +bench. "My Lords, I most humbly entreat your Lordships' forgiveness for +thus interrupting the business of the court; but the extreme emergency +will, I hope, pardon the indecorum. A large vessel has struck on the +rocks in the bay: each moment it is expected she must go to pieces. A +panic seems to prevail among even our hardy fishermen; and my humble +request is, that if there be any individual in this crowded assembly +possessing naval knowledge, or any experience in calamities of this +nature, he will aid us by his advice and co-operation." + +The senior judge warmly approved the humane suggestion of the sheriff; +and several persons were seen now forcing their way through the dense +mass,--the far greater part, be it owned, more excited by curiosity than +stimulated by any hope of rendering efficient service. Notwithstanding +Bicknell's repeated entreaties, and remembrances of his late severe +illness, Forester also quitted the court, and accompanied the sheriff +to the beach. And now O'Halloran, whose impatience during this interval +displayed little sympathy with the sad occasion of the interruption, +asked, in a manner almost querulous, if their Lordships were ready to +hear him? The court assented, and he began. Without once adverting to +the subject on which he so lately addressed them, he opened his case by +a species of narrative of the whole legal contest which for some time +back had been maintained between the opposite parties in the present +suit. Nothing could be more calm or more dispassionate than the estimate +he formed of such struggles; neither inclining the balance to one party +nor the other, but weighing with impartiality all the reasons that might +prompt men on one side to continue a course of legal investigations, +and the painful necessity on the other to provide a series of defences, +costly, onerous, and harassing. "I have only to point out to the court +the defendant in this action, to show how severe such a duty may become. +Here, my Lords, beside me, site the gentleman, bowed down with more +years than are allotted to humanity generally. Look upon him, and say if +it be not difficult to determine what course to follow,--the abandonment +of a just right, or its maintenance, at the cost of rendering the +few last years--why do I say years?--days, hours, of a life careworn, +distracted, and miserable!" + +Dwelling long enough on this theme to interest without wearying the +jury, he adroitly addressed himself to the case of those who, by a +system of litigious persecution, would seek to obtain by menace what +they must despair of by law. Beginning by vague and wide generalities, +he gradually accumulated a mass of allegations and inferences, which +concentrating to a point, he suddenly checked himself, and said: "Now, +my Lords, it may be supposed that I will imitate the delicate reserve of +my learned friend opposite, and while filling your minds with dark and +mysterious suspicions, profess a perfect ignorance of all intention to +apply them. But I will not do this: I will be candid and free-spoken; +nay, more, my Lords, I will finish what my learned friend has left +incomplete; and I will proclaim to the court, and this jury, what he +wished, but did not dare, to say,--that we, the defendants in this +action, were not only cognizant of a forgery, but were associated in the +act! There it is, my Lords; and I accept my learned friend's bland smile +as the warm acknowledgment of the truth of my assertion. My learned +friend is obliged to me. I see that he cannot conceal his joy at the +inaptitude of my avowal. But we have a case, my Lords, that can happily +dispense with the dexterity of an advocate, and make its truth felt, +even through means as unskilful as mine. They disclaimed, it is +true,--they disclaimed in words the wish to make this inference; but +even take their disclaimer as such, and what is it? An avowal of their +weakness, an open expression of the poverty of their proofs. Yes, my +Lords, their disclaimers were like the ominous sounds which break from +time to time upon our ear,--but signal-guns of distress. Like that fated +vessel, whose sad destiny is perhaps this moment accomplishing, they +have been storm-tossed and cast away,--their proud ensign torn, and +their rudder gone, but, unlike her, they cannot brave their fate without +seeking to involve others in the calamity." + +A terrible gust of wind, so sudden and violent as to be like a +thunderclap, now struck the building; and with one tremendous crash +the great window of the court-house was driven in, and scattered in +fragments of glass and timber throughout the court. A scene of the +wildest confusion ensued, for almost immediately the lights became +extinguished, and from the dark abyss arose a terrible chaos of voices +in every agony of fear and suffering. Some announced that the roof +was giving way and was about to crush them; others, in all the bodily +torture of severe wounds, cried for help. + +It was nearly an hour before the court could resume its sitting, which +at length was done in one of the adjoining courts, the usual scene +of the criminal trials. Here, now, lights were procured, and after a +considerable delay the cause proceeded. If the various events of the +night, added to the fatigue of the day, had impressed both the bench +and the jury with signs of greatest exhaustion, O'Halloran showed no +evidence of abated vigor. On the contrary, like one whose vengeance had +been thwarted by opposing accident, he exhibited a species of impatient +ardor to resume his work of defamation. With a brief apology for any +want of due coherence in an argument so frequently interrupted, he +launched out into the most ferocious attack upon the plaintiff in +the suit; and while repudiating the affected reserve of the opposite +counsel, boldly proclaimed that they would not imitate it; nay, further, +that they were only awaiting the sure verdict in their favor, to +commence a criminal action against the parties for the very crime they +dared to insinuate against them. + +"I shall now call my witnesses, my Lord; and if the Grand Cross of +the Bath, which this day's paper tells me is to be conferred upon the +plaintiff, be not meant, like the brand which foreign justice impresses +on its felons, as a mark of ignominy, I am at a loss to understand how +it has descended on this man. Call Nathaniel Leery." + +The examination of the witnesses was in perfect keeping with the +infamous scurrility of the speech, and the testimony elicited went +to prove everything the advocate desired. Though exposed by +cross-examination, and their perjury proved, O'Halloran kept a perpetual +recapitulation of their assertions before the jury, and so artfully +that few, save the practised minds of a legal auditory, could have +distinguished in that confused web of truth and falsehood. + +The business proceeded with difficulty; for, added to the uproar of the +storm, was a continued tumult of voices in the outer hall of the court, +and where now several sailors, saved from the wreck, had been brought +for shelter. By frequent loud cries from this quarter the court +was interrupted, and more than once its proceedings completely +arrested,--inconveniences which the judges submitted to with the most +tolerant patience,--when at length a loud murmur arose, which gradually +swelling louder and louder, all respect for the sacred precincts of the +judgment-seat seemed lost in the wild tumult. In a tone of sharp reproof +the Chief Baron called on the sheriff to allay the uproar, and if +necessary, to clear the hall. The order was scarcely given, when one +deafening shout was raised from the street, and, soon caught up, echoed +by a thousand voices, while shrill cries of "He has saved them! he has +saved them!" rent the air. + +"What means this, Mr. Sheriff?" + +"It is my Lord Wallincourt, my Lord, who has just rescued from the wreck +three men who persisted in being lost together rather than separate. +Hitherto only one man was taken at each trip of the boat; but this young +nobleman offered a thousand pounds to the crew who would accompany him, +and it appears they have succeeded." + +"Really, my Lords," said O'Halloran, who had heard the honorable mention +of a hated name, "I must abandon my client's cause. These interruptions, +which I conclude your influence is powerless to remove, have so +interfered with the line of defence I had laid down for adoption, and +have so confused the order of the proofs I had prepared, that I +should but injure, and not serve, my respected client by continuing to +represent his interests." + +A bland assurance from the court that order should be rigidly enforced, +and a pressing remonstrance from O'Reilly, overcame a resolve scarcely +maturely taken, and he consented to go on. + +"We will now, my Lords," said he, "call a very material witness,--a +respectable tenant on the property,--who will prove that on a day in +November, antecedent to Gleeson's death, he had a conversation with the +Knight of Gwynne--Really, my Lords, I cannot proceed; this is no longer +a court of justice." + +The remainder of his words were lost in an uproar like that of the sea +itself; and, like that element, the great mass swelled forward, and a +rush of people from the outer hall bore into the court, till seats and +barriers gave way before that overwhelming throng. + +For some minutes the scene was one of almost personal conflict. The mob, +driven forward by those behind, were obliged to endure a buffeting by +the more recognized possessors of the place; nor was it till police and +military had lent their aid that the court was again restored to quiet, +while several of the rioters were led off in custody. + +"Who are these men, and to what purpose are they here?" said the Chief +Baron, as Bicknell officiously exerted himself to make way for some +persons behind. + +"I come to tender my evidence in this cause," said a deep, solemn +voice, as a man advanced to the witness-table, displaying to the amazed +assembly a bold, intrepid countenance, on which streaks of blue and +yellow color were fantastically mingled, like the war-paint of a savage. + +"Who are you, sir?" rejoined O'Halloran, with his habitual scowl. + +"My name is Bagenal Daly. I believe their Lordships are not ignorant +of my rank and station; and this gentleman at my side is also here to +afford his testimony. This, my Lords, is Thomas Gleeson!" + +One cry of amazement rang through the assembly, through which a wild +shriek pierced with a clear and terrible distinctness; and now the +attention was suddenly turned towards old Hickman, who had fallen +forward senseless on the table. + +"My client is very ill,--he is dangerously ill. My Lord, I beg to +suggest an adjournment of the cause," said O'Halloran; while O'Reilly, +with a face like death, continued to whisper eagerly in his ear. "I +appeal to the plaintiff himself, if he be here, and is not devoid of the +feelings attributed to him, and I ask that the cause may be adjourned." + +"It is not a case in which the defendant's illness can be made use of +to press such a demand," said one of the judges, mildly; "but if the +opposite party consent--" + +"He is worse, my Lord." + +"I say, if the opposite party--" + +"He is dead!" said O'Halloran, solemnly; and letting go the lifeless +hand, it fell with a heavy bang upon the table. + +"Take your verdict," said O'Halloran, with the look of a demon; and, +bursting his way through the crowd, disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. CONCLUSION + +When Forester entered the Knight's room in the inn, where, in calm +quietude, he sat awaiting the verdict, he hesitated for a moment how he +should break the joyful tidings of Daly's arrival. + +"Speak out," said Darcy. "If not exactly without hope, I am well +prepared for the worst." + +"Can you say you are equally ready to hear the best?" asked Forester, +eagerly. + +"The best is a very strong word, my young friend," said Darcy, gravely. + +"And yet, I speak advisedly,--the best." + +"If so, perhaps I am not so prepared. My heart has dwelt so long on +these troubles, recognizing them as I felt they must be, that I would, +perhaps, ask a little time to think how I should hear tidings so remote +from all expectation. Of course, I do not speak of the mere verdict +here." + +"Nor I," interposed Forester, impatiently. "I speak of what restores you +to your ancient house and rank, your station and your fortune." + +"Can this be true?" + +"Ay, Maurice, every word of it," broke in Daly, who, having listened so +far, could no longer restrain himself. The two old men fell into each +other's arms with all the cordial affection with which they had embraced +as schoolfellows sixty years before. + +Great as was Darcy's amazement at seeing his oldest friend thus suddenly +restored, it was nothing in comparison to what he felt as Daly narrated +the event of the shipwreck, and his rescue from the sinking vessel by +Forester. + +"And your companions, who were they?" asked Darcy, eagerly. + +"You shall hear." + +"I guess one of them already," interposed the Knight "The trusty Sandy. +Is it not so?" + +"The other you will never hit upon," said Daly, nodding an assent. + +"I 'm thinking over all our friends, and yet none seem likely." + +"Come, Maurice, prepare yourself for surprise. What think you, if he to +whose fate I had linked myself, resolving that, live or die, we should +not separate,--if this man was--Gleeson--honest Tom Gleeson?" + +The words seemed stunning in their effect; for Darey leaned back, +and passing his hands over his closed lids, murmured, "I hope my poor +faculties are not wandering,--I trust this may be no delusion." + +"He is yonder," said Daly, taking the Knight's hand in his strong grasp; +"Sandy mounts guard over him. Not that the poor devil thinks of or +desires escape; he was too weary of a life of deception and sin when +we caught him, to wish to prolong it. Now rouse yourself, and listen to +me." + +It would doubtless be a heavy tax on our kind reader's patience were +we to relate, circumstantially, the conversation, that, now commencing, +lasted during the entire night and till late in the following morning. +Enough if we say that Daly, having, through Freney's instrumentality, +discovered that Gleeson had not committed suicide, but only spread this +rumor for concealment's sake, resolved to pursue him to America. Fearing +that any suspicion of his object might escape, he did not even +trust Bicknell with the secret; but by suffering him to continue +law proceedings as before, totally blinded the Hickmans as to the +possibility of the event. + +It would in itself be a tale of marvel to recount the strange adventures +which Daly encountered in his search and pursuit of Gleeson, who had +originally taken up his residence in the States, was recognized there, +and fled into Canada, where he wandered about from place to place, +conscience-stricken and miserable. He was wretchedly poor, besides; +for on the bills and securities he carried away, many being on eminent +houses in America, payment was stopped, and being unable to risk +proceedings, he was reduced to beggary. + +It now appeared that at a very early period of life, when a clerk in the +office of old Hickman's agent, he had committed a forgery. It was for +a small sum, and only done in anticipation of meeting the bill by his +salary due a few weeks later. So far the fraud was palliated by the +intention. By some mischance the document fell into the possession of +Dr. Hickman, whose name it falsely bore. He immediately took steps to +trace its origin, and having succeeded, he sent for Gleeson. When the +youth, pale and terror-stricken by suspicion, made his appearance, he +was amazed that, instead of finding a prosecutor ready prepared for his +ruin, he discovered a benevolent patron, who, having long watched the +zeal and assiduity with which he discharged his duties, desired to be +of use to him in life. Hickman told him that if he were disposed to make +the venture on his own account, he would use his influence to procure +him some small agencies, and even assist him with funds, to make +advances to those landlords who might employ him. The interview lasted +long. There was much excellent advice and wise admonition on one side, +profuse expression of gratitude and lasting fidelity on the other. +"Very well, very well," said old Hickman, at the close of a very devoted +speech, in which Gleeson professed the most attached and the most +honorable motives,--for he was not at all aware that his bill was known +of,--"I am not ignorant of mankind; they are rarely, if ever, very bad +or very good; they can be occasionally faithful to their friends; +but there is one thing they are always--careful of themselves. See +this,"--here he took from his pocket-book the forged paper, and held it +before the almost sinking youth,--"there is what can bring you to the +gallows any day! Is this the first time?" + +"It is, so help me--" cried he, falling on his knees. + +"Never mind swearing. I believe you. And the last also?" + +"And the last!" + +"I see it must be, by the date," rejoined Hickman. + +"I can pay it, sir; I have the money ready--on Tuesday--" + +"Never mind that," replied Hickman, folding it up, and replacing it in +the pocket-book. "You shall pay me in something better than money,--in +gratitude. Come and dine with me alone to-day, and we 'll talk over the +future." + +It has never been our taste to present pictures of depravity to our +readers; we would more willingly turn from them, or, where that is +impossible, make them as sketchy as may be. It will be sufficient, +then, if we say that Gleeson's whole career was the plan and creation +of Hickman. The rigid and scrupulous honor, the spotless decorum, the +unshaken probity, were all devices to win public confidence and +esteem. That they were eminently successful, the epithet of "honest Tom +Gleeson," by which he was universally known, is the guarantee. The union +of such qualities with consummate skill and the most unwearied zeal soon +made him the most distinguished man in his walk, and made his services +not only an evidence of success, but of a rectitude in obtaining success +that men of character prized still more highly. + +Possessed of the titles of immense estates, invested with unbounded +confidence by the owners, cognizant of every legal flaw that +could excite uneasiness, aware of every hitch and strait of their +circumstances, he was less the servant than the master of those who +employed him. + +It was a period when habits of extravagance prevailed to the widest +extent. The proprietors of estates deemed spending their incomes their +only duty, and left its cares to the agents. The only reproach, then, +ever laid to Gleeson's door was that when a question of a sale or a +loan was agitated, honest Tom's scruples were often a most troublesome +impediment to his less scrupulous employer. In fact, Gleeson stood +before the public as a kind of guardian of estated property,--the +providence of dowagers, widows, and younger children! + +Such a man, with his neck in a halter, at any moment at the mercy of +old Dr. Hickman, was an agent for ruin almost inconceivable. Through his +instrumentality the old usurer laid out his immense stores of wealth +at enormous interest, obtained possession of vast estates at a mere +fraction of their worth, till at length, grown hardy by long impunity, +and daring by the recognition of the world, bolder expedients were +ventured on. Darcy's ruin was long the cherished dream of Hickman; and +when, after many a wily scheme and long negotiation, he saw Gleeson +engaged as his agent, he felt certain of victory. His first scheme was +to make Gleeson encourage young Lionel in every project of extravagance, +by putting his name to bills, assuring him that his father permitted him +an almost unlimited expenditure. This course once entered upon, and well +aware that the young man kept no record of such transactions, his name +was forged to several acceptances of large amount, and, subsequently, to +sales of property to meet them. + +Meanwhile great loans were raised by Darcy to pay off incumbrances, +and never so employed; till, at length, the Knight decided upon the +negotiation which was to clear off Hickman's mortgage,--the debt, of all +others, he hated most to think of. So quietly was this carried on, that +Hickman heard nothing of it; for Gleeson, long wearied by a life of +treachery and perfidy, and never knowing the day or the hour when +disclosure might come, had resolved on escaping to America with this +large sum of money, leaving his colleague in crime to carry on business +alone. + +"The Doctor" was not, however, to be thus duped. Secret and silent as +the arrangements for flight were, he heard of them all; and hastening +out to Gleeson's house, coolly told him that any attempt at escape would +bring him to the gallows. Gleeson attempted a denial. He alleged that +his intended going over to England was merely on account of this sum, +which Darcy was negotiating for, to pay off the mortgage. + +A new light broke on Hickman. He saw that his terrified confederate +could not much longer be relied upon, and it was agreed between them +that Gleeson should pay the money to redeem the mortgage, and, having +obtained the release, show it to the Knight of Gwynne. This done, he was +to carry it back to Hickman, and, for the sum of L10,000, replace it in +his hands, thus enabling the doctor to deny the payment and foreclose +the mortgage, while honest Tom, weary of perfidy, and seeking repose, +should follow his original plan, and escape to America. + +The money was paid, as Freney surmised and Daly believed; but Gleeson, +still dreading some act of treachery, instead of returning the release +and claiming the price, started a day earlier than he promised. The rest +is known to the reader. Whether the Hickmans credited the story of +the suicide or not, they were never quite free of the terror of a +disclosure; and, in pressing the matrimonial arrangement, hoped forever +to set at rest the disputed possession. + +It would probably not interest our readers were we to dwell longer on +Gleeson or his motives. That some vague intention existed of one day +restoring to Darcy the release of his mortgage, is perhaps not unlikely. +A latent spark of honor, long buried beneath the ashes of crime, often +shines out brightly in the last hour of existence. There might be, +too, a cherished project of vengeance against the man that tempted and +destroyed him. Be it as it may, he guarded the document as though it had +been his last hope; and when tracked, pursued, and overtaken near +Fort Erie by a party of the Delawares, of whom the Howling Wind, alias +Bagenal Daly, was chief, it was found stitched up in the breast of his +waistcoat. + +Our space does not permit us to dwell upon Bagenal Daly's adventures, +though we may assure our readers that they were both wild and wonderful. +One only regret darkened the happiness of his exploit. It was that he +was compelled so soon to leave the pleasant society of the Red +Skins, and the intellectual companionship of "Blue Fox" and "Hissing +Lightning;" while Sandy, discovering himself to be a widower, would +gladly have contracted new ties, to cement the alliance of the ancient +house of M'Grane with that of the Royal Family of Hickinbooke, or +the "Slimy Whip Snake," a fair princess of which had bid high for his +affections. Indeed, the worthy Sandy had become romantic on the subject, +and suggested that if the lady would condescend to adopt certain +articles of attire, he would have no objection to take her back to "The +Corvy." These were sacrifices, however, that not even love was called +upon to make, and the project was abortive. + +[Illustration: 458] + +So far have we condensed Bagenal Daly's narrative, which, orally +delivered, lasted till the sun was high and the morning fine and bright. +He had only concluded, when a servant in O'Reilly's livery brought +a letter, which he said was to be given to the Knight of Gwynne, but +required no answer. Its contents were the following:-- + +Sir,--The melancholy catastrophe of yesterday evening might excuse me +in your eyes from any attention to the claims of mere business. But the +discovery of certain documents lately in the possession of my father +demand at my hands the most prompt and complete reparation. I now know, +sir, that we were unjustly possessed of an estate and property that +were yours. I also know that severe wrongs have been inflicted upon you +through the instrumentality of my family. I have only to make the +best amende in my power, by immediately restoring the one, and asking +forgiveness for the other. If you can and will accord me the pardon I +seek, I shall, as soon as the sad duties which devolve upon me here are +completed, leave this country for the Continent, never to return. I have +already given directions to my legal adviser to confer with Mr Bicknell; +and no step will be omitted to secure a safe and speedy restoration +of your house and estate to its rightful owner. In deep humiliation, I +remain + +Your obedient servant, + +H. O'Reilly. + +"Poor fellow!" said Darcy, throwing down the letter before Daly; "he +seems to have been no party to the fraud, and yet all the penalty falls +upon him." + +"Have no pity for the upstart rascal, Maurice; I 'll wager a +hundred--thank Heaven, Mr. Gleeson has put me in possession of a +few--that he was as deep as his father. Give me this paper, and I 'll +ask honest Tom the question." + +"Not so, Bagenal; I should be sorry to think worse of any man than I +must do. Let him have at least the benefit of a doubt; and as to honest +Tom, set him at liberty: we no longer want him; the papers he has given +are quite sufficient,--more than we are ever like to need." + +Daly had no fancy for relinquishing his hold of the game that cost him +so much trouble to take; but the Knight's words were usually a law to +him, and with a muttering remark of "I 'll do it because I 'll have my +eye on him," he left the room to liberate his captive. + +"There he goes," exclaimed Daly, as, re-entering the room, he saw a +chaise rapidly drive from the door,--"there he goes, Maurice; and I own +to you I have an easier conscience for having let loose Freney on the +world than for liberating honest Tom Gleeson; but who have we here, with +four smoking posters?--ladies too!" + +A travelling-carriage drew up at the door of the little inn, and +immediately three ladies descended. "That 's Maria," cried Daly, rushing +from the room, and at once returned with his sister, Lady Eleanor, and +Miss Darcy. + +Miss Daly had, three days before, received a letter from + +Bagenal, detailing his capture of Gleeson, and informing her that he +hoped to be back in Ireland almost as soon as his letter. With these +tidings she hastened to Lady Eleanor, and concerted the journey which +now brought them all together. + +Story-tellers have but scant privilege to linger where all is happiness, +unbroken and perfect. Like Mother Cary's chickens, their province is +rather with menacing storm than the signs of fair weather. We have, +then, but space to say that a more delighted party never met than those +who now assembled in that little inn; but one face showed any signs of +passing sorrow,--that was poor Forester's. The general joy, to which he +had so much contributed by his exertions, rather threw a gloomier shade +over his own unhappiness; and in secret he resolved to say "Good-bye" +that same evening. + +Amid a thousand plans for the future, all tinged with their own bright +color, they sat round the fire at evening, when Miss Daly, whose +affection for the youth was strengthened by what she had seen during +his illness, remarked that he alone seemed exempt from the general +happiness. + +"To whom we owe so much," said Lady Eleanor, kindly. "My husband is +indebted to him for his life." + +"I can say as much, too," said Daly; "not to speak of Gleeson's +gratitude." + +"Nay!" exclaimed the young man, blushing, "I did not know the service I +was rendering. I little guessed how grateful I should myself have reason +to be for being its instrument." + +"All this is very well," said Miss Daly, abruptly; "but it is not +honest,--no, it is not honest. There are other feelings concerned here +than such amiable generalities as Joy, Pity, and Gratitude. Don't frown, +Helen,--that is better, love,--a smile becomes you to perfection." + +"I must stop you," said Forester, blushing deeply. "It will be enough +if I say that any observation you can make must give me the deepest +pain,--not for myself--" + +"But for Helen? I don't believe it. You may be a very sharp politician +and a very brave soldier, but you know very little about young ladies. +Yes, there 'a no denying it,-their game is all deceit." + +"Oh! Colonel Darcy--Lady Eleanor, will you not speak a word?" exclaimed +Forester, pale and agitated. + +"A hundred, my dear boy," cried the Knight, "if they would serve you; +but Helen's one is worth them all." + +"Miss Darcy, dare I hope? Helen, dearest!" added he, in a whisper, as, +taking her hand, he led her towards a window. + +"My Lord, the carriage is ready," said his servant, throwing wide the +door. + +"You may order the horses back again," said Daly, dryly; "my Lord is not +going this evening." + +Has our reader ever made a long voyage? Has he ever experienced in +himself the strange but most complete alteration in all his sentiments +and feelings when far away from land,--on the wild, bleak waters,--and +that same "himself," when in sight of shore, with seaweed around the +prow, and land-breezes on his cheek? But a few hours back and that +ship was his world; he knew her from "bow to taffrail;" he greeted the +cook's galley as though it were the "restaurant" his heart delighted in; +he even felt a kind of friendship for the pistons as they jerked up and +down into a bowing acquaintance. But now how changed are his sentiments, +how fixedly are his eyes turned to the pier of the harbor, and how +impatient is he at those tacking zigzag approaches by which nautical +skill and care approximate the goal! + +Already landed in imagination, the cautious manouvres of the crew are +an actual martyrdom; he has no bowels for anything save his own +enfranchisement, and he cannot comprehend the tiresome detail of +preparations, which, after all, perhaps, are scarcely five minutes +in endurance. At last, the gangway launched, see him, how he +elbows forward, fighting his way, carpet-bag in hand, regardless of +passport-people, police, and porters; he'll scarce take time to mutter a +"Good-bye, Captain," in the haste to leave a scene all whose interest is +over, whose adventure is past. + +Such is the end of a voyage; and such, or very nearly such, the end of +a novel! You, most amiable reader, are the passenger, we the skipper. +A few weeks ago you deemed us tolerable company, _faute de mieux_, +perhaps. We 'll not ask why, at all events. We had you out on the wide, +wild waters of uncertainty, free to sail where'er our fancy listed. +In our very waywardness there was a mock semblance of power, for the +creatures we presented to you were our own, their lives and fortunes in +our hands. Now all that is over,--we have neared the shore, and all our +hold on you is bygone. + +How can we hope to excite interest in events already accomplished? Why +linger over details which you have already filled up? Of course, say +you, all ends happily now. Virtue is rewarded--as novelists understand +rewarding--by matrimony, and vice punished in single blessedness. The +hero marries the heroine; and if they don't live happy, etc. + +But what became of Bagenal Daly? says some one who would compliment us +by expressing so much of interest. Bagenal, then, only waited to see the +Knight restored to his own, to retire with his sister to "The Corvy," +where, attended by Sandy, he passed the remainder of his days in peace +and quietude; his greatest enjoyment being to seize on a chance tourist +to the Causeway, and make him listen to narratives of his early life, +but which age had now so far commingled that the merely strange became +actually marvellous. + +Paul Dempsey grieved for a week, but consoled himself on hearing +that his rival had been a "lord;" and subsequently, in a "moment of +enthusiasm," he married Mrs. Fumbally. The Hickmans left Ireland for the +Continent, where they are still to be found, rambling about from city +to city, and expressing the utmost sympathy with their country's +misfortunes, but, to avoid any admixture of meaner feeling, suffering no +taint of lucre to mingle with their compassion. + +As for Lionel Darcy, his name is to be found in the despatches from the +East, and with a mention that shows that he has derogated in nothing +from the proud character of his race. + +Of all those who figured before our reader, but one remains on the stage +where they all performed; and he, perhaps, has no claim to be especially +remembered. There is always, however, somewhat of respectability +attached to the oldest inhabitant, that chronicler of cold winters and +warm summers, of rainy springs and stormy Octobers. Con Heffernan, +then, lives, and still wields no inconsiderable share of his ancient +influence. Each party has discovered his treachery, but neither can +dispense with his services. He is the last link remaining between the +men of Ireland's "great day" and the very different race who now usurp +the direction of her destiny. + +Of the period of which we have endeavored to picture some meagre +resemblance, unhappily the few traces remaining are those most to be +deplored. The poverty, the misery, and the anarchy survive; the genial +hospitality, the warm attachment to country, the cordial generosity of +Irish feeling, have sadly declined. Let us hope that from the depth +of our present sufferings better days are about to dawn, and a period +approaching when Ireland shall be "great" in the happiness of her +people, "glorious" in the development of her inexhaustible resources, +and "free" by that best of freedom,--free from the trammels of an +unmeaning party warfare, which has ever subjected the welfare of the +country to the miserable intrigues of a few adventurers. + +THE END. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II), by +Charles James Lever + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHT OF GWYNNE, II *** + +***** This file should be named 35756.txt or 35756.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/7/5/35756/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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