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diff --git a/45201.txt b/45201.txt deleted file mode 100644 index be14777..0000000 --- a/45201.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8250 +0,0 @@ - FALLEN FORTUNES - - - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: Fallen Fortunes -Author: Evelyn Everett-Green -Release Date: March 24, 2014 [EBook #45201] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FALLEN FORTUNES *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - - -[Illustration: The scheming kinsman (page 46).] - - - - - FALLEN - FORTUNES - - - E. EVERETT-GREEN - - - - THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD. - LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK - 1906 - - - - - *CONTENTS.* - - I. On the Field of Ramillies - II. Hartsbourne - III. The Scheming Kinsman - IV. On the Road - V. A High-born Dame - VI. The Pastimes of the Town - VII. A Fair Face - VIII. A Startling Discovery - IX. "A Mad World, my Masters" - X. "The Old Lion" - XI. The Lion's Den - XII. Triumph - XIII. The Hero of the Hour - XIV. Fickle Fortune - XV. Dark Days - XVI. A Night Adventure - XVII. In the House of the Duke - XVIII. "Good Queen Anne" - XIX. Love's Triumphing - XX. Merry as a Marriage Bell - - - - - *LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.* - -The scheming kinsman. . . . . . . Frontispiece - -The old garden was another favourite haunt of hers. - -He stood quite still to watch Lord Sandford lead away the fair -Geraldine. - -The hero of the hour. - - - - - *FALLEN FORTUNES.* - - - *CHAPTER I.* - - *ON THE FIELD OF RAMILLIES.* - - -"By the beard of the Prophet, we are in luck's way at last, Dicon; for -if that be not the armies of the French and the Allies drawn up in -battle array, my name is not Grey Dumaresq!" - -The speaker had just pushed his horse over the brow of a slope which he -and his servant had for some time been mounting, through the steamy -warmth of a foggy May morning. The thick haze which lay heavy in this -region of marshy ground had hidden the surrounding country from them -hitherto; but as they reached the summit of the gradual rise they had -been ascending, the cloud wreaths suddenly drifted away, and the sun -began to shine out upon the undulating plain stretched before their -eyes; and lo, the plain was alive with squadrons of soldiers--infantry, -cavalry, artillery--drawn up in battle array; and the note of the bugle -rang through the air, whilst away in the distance, on the opposite side -of the plain, there was a movement which told that already the battle -had begun. A sullen roar from the guns boomed forth, and the whole -plain shook with the reverberation. Great masses of smoke rolled along -and slowly dispersed after each salvo; but it was upon the evolutions of -the bodies of horsemen and footmen that the keen eyes of the youthful -traveller were intently fixed. - -"Dicon," he cried, "this is in all sooth a battle; and where the battle -rages, there will the great victor of Blenheim be. We have not chanced -upon this route in vain. Men warned us of the perils of seeking passage -through a country which has become the theatre of war; but fortune's -star has befriended us thus far, and now, if I mistake me not, we stand -within sight of the greatest warrior of the age. For greatly shall I be -astonished if the Duke of Marlborough himself be not conducting the -evolutions of yonder squadrons." - -The brilliant dark eyes of the young man lighted with a great glow of -excitement and admiration. He shaded them with his hand, and intently -followed the evolutions of the moving masses in the plain stretched -before his eyes. He was looking upon the village of Tavieres and the -mound of Ottomond, and the waters of the Mehaign rolled below at his -feet. The right wing of the French army rested here, as he quickly saw; -but for the moment the main activity lay over in the distance beyond -Ramillies and Offuz, in the direction of Anderkirk. Yet as the -traveller stood intently gazing, he saw a movement in the line of the -allied army on this nearer side, and he exclaimed aloud in his -excitement,-- - -"See, Dicon, see! That attack yonder is but a feint. The key of the -position lies here beneath us at Tavieres, with its Tomb of Ottomond. -See yonder those regiments of marching soldiers creeping round beneath -the shelter of that rising ground! They will fling themselves upon the -enemy's right, whilst the French general is diverting his available -forces to protect his left. Villeroi, my friend, you did not well to -dispose your forces in concave lines. You lose time in passing from -place to place; and with such a general as our English Duke pitted -against you, you cannot afford to lose any point in the game. Ha! See -that? The Dutch and English soldiers are charging down upon Tavieres! -Watch how they come on--a great resistless tide of well-drilled -veterans. See how they sweep all before them! See how the French fly -forth! Ha, Villeroi, what think you now? Yes, you see your error; fain -would you hurry back your reserves from left to right. But the time has -gone by. They are miles away, and here are the Allies carrying all -before them! Hurrah for old England! hurrah for the great Duke! Dicon, -have you stomach for the fight? Do you remember Barcelona and -Mountjuich? If we were men enough to help there, why not here too?" - -The fellow thus addressed grinned from ear to ear, and looked to the -pistols in his holsters and the sabre slung at his side. It would not -have been easy to define by a glance the nationality of this pair, who -evidently stood to each other in the relation of master and man. Their -faces were tanned by sun and wind, their dress, which was somewhat -travel-stained and worse for wear, had plainly been purchased as need -suggested--a piece here, and a piece there, and not all in the same -land. - -The speaker wore upon his fair curling hair--which was his own, and not -one of the immense periwigs then in vogue at home and abroad--a Spanish -sombrero of picturesque shape. His faded doublet, with its gold -lacings, might have been English made, and was well cut, showing off the -graceful lines of the slender, well-proportioned figure; but he wore -buskins of soft Spanish leather with gold eyelets, and the short cloak -slung across the saddle-bow had been purchased in Italy. He rode a -strong, mettlesome barb, whose glossy bay coat shone like satin in the -sunlight. The horse of the servant looked somewhat jaded, but that of -the master might have just been taken from the stable. He was one of -those splendid chargers, half Irish, half Spanish by blood, whose -sureness of foot, untiring energy, and unquenchable spirit and mettle, -made them at once the pride and joy of their owners. Young Dumaresq -might have cut a finer figure in his own person, had he not elected to -spend so large a portion of his remaining fortune upon the beast he now -bestrode. But he had never for a moment regretted the purchase; and he -boasted that Don Carlos had saved his life on more occasions than one. - -The young man's eyes were full of fire; his hand was upon the hilt of -his sword, which lay loose in its scabbard; the horse was pawing the -ground and pulling on the rein, for the sound of battle was in his ears, -and he was snorting with eagerness to hurl himself into the ranks of the -combatants. The blare of the bugles, the roar of the guns, the shouts, -screams, cheers of soldiers, the clash of sabres and the rattle of -musketry, were as music to his ears. Suddenly flinging up his head, and -uttering something between a snort and a neigh, the creature was off -like an arrow from a bow, heading wildly, yet with a restraint and -self-control which spoke worlds for his training, towards the -hurly-burly raging through the battlefield below. Grey Dumaresq cast a -half-laughing glance in the direction of his servant behind, who had set -spurs to his steed and was following. - -"Needs must, where the devil drives!" he said with a laugh. "Don Carlos -will make soldiers of us, whether we will or no." - -The battle of Ramillies was now raging. Marlborough's generalship had -already made its mark. Tavieres was in his hands; the right wing of the -enemy was shaken, and the Dutch and English soldiers were preparing to -charge the closely-serried lines of the French, even before the -travellers had reached the scene of action. They heard whilst they were -yet half a mile away the concussion of that charge, the yells of the -soldiers, the cheers of the Allies as they felt the wavering of their -foes. But the French, though the first line had been broken, were not -vanquished yet. The second line was composed of the pick of the young -nobility--men careless of personal peril, disdainful of death, desirous -only of glory and of victory. Upon these picked troops the Allies flung -themselves in fury; but they stood their ground and hurled back the -attacking lines, as the rocks of an iron-bound coast fling back the -oncoming waves of the ocean. It was now impossible for the traveller to -gauge what was happening. He was too near the scene of the tumult; but -he was in the very nick of time to bear a share in one of the minor -incidents of the day, which might have proved one of infinite disaster -to the cause of his country. - -The Duke of Marlborough, who had been directing the attack upon the -French right, saw that this second charge was less successful than the -first, and giving orders for reinforcements to be hurried up, he himself -galloped in the direction of the fight, to encourage with his own -presence the wavering soldiers, and direct the next critical operations -in person. He was exceedingly well mounted, and his horse, wild with -excitement, and feeling all that sympathy with his master's mood which -is natural to these noble creatures, carried him so swiftly forward, -that after he had galloped along the lines, giving orders here, there, -and everywhere as he passed, he overshot his position, and without -noting it in the confusion, was almost alone and at some small distance -from his own lines. Before he could pull up his excited horse, there -was a sudden rush from the French lines. Several young nobles and -gentlemen had recognized the Duke, had taken in the accidental isolation -of his position, and galloping forward with one consent, surrounded him -before he was well aware what had happened. - -It was just at this critical moment that the two travellers, half -stunned by the noise of the battle, ignorant of what was happening, but -eager for a share in the fray, topped a little rise in the ground which -hid the plain from them, and came full upon the scene of the Duke's -danger. The great General never lacked presence of mind, was never -daunted by personal peril. He had realized his position, and setting -his horse at a furious gallop, he had already broken through the ring of -would-be captors, and was charging furiously for his own lines. At the -very moment when Grey Dumaresq and his servant took in the meaning of -what they saw, he had put his horse at a wide ditch which lay across his -path, and the animal was rising to the leap. - -"Zounds! but the beast is down! They will have him again!" - -This shout rose from Dicon's throat. Grey set his teeth hard. - -"It is the Duke himself; they shall never take him. Don Carlos shall -save him from that!" - -The Duke's horse had fallen heavily, throwing his rider over his head. -Others besides his foes were heading wildly for the spot. All who saw -it knew how much hung upon the turn of the next few seconds. First of -all came the young stranger, who flung himself from his splendid horse, -just as Marlborough rose to his feet, bruised and shaken, but with every -faculty alert. - -"Mount, sire, mount!" cried the traveller, holding the horse by the head -to still his excited plunging. "The enemy are closing round; but only -mount, and he will carry you safely. I will stake my last ducat upon -it!" - -The Duke had hold of the saddle by now; one of his own officers sprang -forward to hold the stirrup. Next instant the General was in the saddle; -but the head of the Colonel who stood at the stirrup was rolling upon -the ground. A cannon ball had carried it off. How the Duke had escaped -was a marvel and a mystery. - -Excitement and lust of battle had fast hold of Grey Dumaresq and his -horse. The gallant animal carried the Duke safely back to his own -lines, amid the cheers of his soldiers. The young man swung himself -upon the back of the riderless horse belonging to the killed Colonel, -and followed him, scarce thinking what he was doing. None forbade him. -Many had seen his prompt and timely action; many watched him as the tide -of battle raged this way and that, and saw that, whether a trained -soldier or not, this young stranger was no novice in the art of war. -The Duke himself turned more than once to watch him, as he joined in -some headlong charge, and turned and wheeled, or gave thrust or parry -with the ease of practice and the skill which only comes through -experience. Once in a pause he beckoned the young man to his side, and -said,-- - -"I would speak with you, sir, when I am at leisure. Come to my -quarters, wherever they may be, when the battle is over. I have -somewhat to say to you." - -The young man bowed low, and promised compliance with this request; but -it was many long hours before he and the victorious General stood face -to face. The battle itself had been won in less than four hours, but -the pursuit had been long, lasting far into the night; and the dawn was -well-nigh breaking in the eastern sky when Grey received a message that -the Duke desired speech of him in the house at Meklert, where he had -stopped short, whilst his soldiers continued the pursuit of the flying -foe almost up to the walls of Louvain. - -Marlborough was sitting at a table, whereon stood the remains of a hasty -meal; and from the writing materials before him, it was plain that he -had been penning one of those dispatches to his wife without which he -could never rest, even after the most arduous day's campaigning. He had -changed some of his clothes, and though pale and somewhat jaded, -preserved that air of elegance and distinction which was always one of -his most marked characteristics. But even without spotless linen and -fine array, there was something in the high-bred courtesy of -Marlborough's manner, and in the singular beauty of his face and person, -which always won the hearts of those about him, and particularly so -during those years when the magnificence of his military genius was -making him the man of greatest mark in Europe. - -He rose as the young stranger was ushered in, and offered his hand with -a frank and gracious courtesy free from any alloy of condescension or -patronage. - -"I wish to thank you in person, sir, for the great service you this day -rendered me with such timely promptitude. I have never bestridden a -better horse, and owe you much for the loan. I would fain learn the -name of the gentleman to whom I am so deeply indebted." - -"My name, your Grace, is Grey Dumaresq; and that of my horse, Don -Carlos. I thank you for your gracious words. We shall feel honoured -for all time in that kind Fortune gave us the chance of rendering you -some small aid in a moment of peril. The world would have been terribly -the poorer by this day's work, had mischance touched the Duke of -Marlborough!" - -The General smiled, and motioned the young man to be seated. He himself -took a seat opposite, and studied him with some attention. - -"If you and your good horse are in any sort disposed to put your -strength and skill at the service of your country, Mr. Dumaresq, I think -I can promise you a position not far from my own person, which will not -be without opportunities of profit, and will give scope to your prowess -with sword and lance, which I have had the opportunity of observing more -than once this day." - -The young man's face flushed with pleasure. He looked eagerly into the -face of the great man. - -"Were I a free agent, your Grace, most gladly would I take advantage of -your offer, asking nothing better at Fortune's hands than to serve you -faithfully. But I am on my way to England to learn news of my father. -For three years I have been absent from my native shores. For three -years I have been a wanderer, and, I fear me, a spendthrift to boot. I -have spent or squandered the fortune with which I started forth. Rumour -has reached me that my father's health has given way, and that I am -needed at home. I fear me I have not been a good son to him heretofore. -I must therefore seek to be the solace of his declining years, if the -reports I have heard concerning him be true." - -Marlborough mused awhile with a slight smile upon his lips. He had a -good memory for names, and had an idea that Sir Hugh Dumaresq, the -probable father of the youth before him, had not been a man to inspire -any very deep affection in the heart of his son. He bore the reputation -of being a rake of the first order. It was said that he had broken his -wife's heart, and cared nothing for the boy who would succeed him. - -"That is a pious resolution on your part, my friend. I trust you may be -rewarded, and I will not seek to stay you. Methinks your mother was a -good and gentle woman. Her son will live to do her credit yet." - -The young man's eyes lighted, and his face softened. - -"My mother was an angel upon this earth. Would God I had not lost her -so soon! Did you know her, my lord? She was kinswoman to the hapless -Lord Grey, who took up the cause of the Duke of Monmouth twenty years -since, and whom your Grace defeated and routed on the field of -Sedgemoor, fatal to so many. She gave me her name, and she bequeathed -to me the small fortune which passed into my keeping three years ago, -when I came of age. Since then I have been a wanderer in many lands. I -have seen hard blows given and taken; I have been in many perils and -battles. I was with Lord Peterborough when he fell upon the fort of -Mountjuich, and made himself master of Barcelona, just when all hope of -taking it seemed at an end. I have fought in the ranks of the Duke of -Savoy against the veterans of France. I have been a soldier of fortune -for this year or more, and though often in peril and hard pressed, have -never received aught but a scratch now and again. I did hope that I -should not travel northwards without seeing something of the campaign -under the great Duke, whose name is in all men's mouths; but I did not -dare to ask or hope for the honour which has been mine to-day." - -Marlborough's eyes lighted as the young man spoke, and he asked many -quick and pertinent questions of the traveller anent those lands of -Spain and Italy, in whose politics and disposition of parties he was so -keenly interested. He had desired above all things to prosecute this -summer an Italian campaign. Difficulties with the Dutch field-deputies -alone hindered the more dashing and offensive policy which he would so -gladly have adopted. He listened with keen interest to Grey's account -of his journey through Savoy, his interview with Victor Amadeus, and his -successful feat of carrying important dispatches into Turin, though -hemmed in by the French, and waiting sorrowfully for relief; and his -escape thence, and journey to the camp or Prince Eugene, who was seeking -to carry relief to the Duke of Savoy, and eventually to drive the French -back over their own borders. - -All this was intensely interesting to Marlborough, and he more than ever -felt a desire to keep in his service a youth who seemed to possess so -many of the qualifications which he most prized. But he was a man, too, -who never undervalued the domestic side of life, or willingly interfered -with the duties engendered by filial or conjugal ties. So he checked -the words which had well-nigh risen once again to his lips, and only -said graciously,-- - -"You have indeed been smiled upon by Dame Fortune, Mr. Dumaresq. Many a -young blood would give half his fortune for the chances you have had. -Methinks the world will hear of you yet. The brow of a poet, the thews -of a warrior, a head calm and well-balanced, and a soul that shrinks not -in the hour of peril--" - -He paused a moment, and the young man's cheek glowed. - -"Your Grace thinks too highly of my poor merits, I fear me. I trust I -have not spoken as a braggart; for, in sooth, it is little I have to -boast me of. A good horse beneath me, a faithful comrade by my side, a -keen Toledo blade in mine hand, and all else came of itself. I have -been happy in my days of peril and adventure; but now I must lay aside -my weapons and my roving habits, and strive to show myself a good son, -and take up my duties as my father's right hand and helper, if it be -true that he is laid aside from active life, and needs me with him -henceforth." - -Marlborough had taken up a pen, and was writing a few lines upon a sheet -of paper which lay upon the table. When he had finished, he handed it -open to the young man. - -"A pass for yourself and your servant, Mr. Dumaresq; you may find it -useful in passing through a disturbed country. But you will be wise to -avoid the French frontier, and all cities where they have garrisons, and -to confine yourself to the Dutch Netherlands, to make your way to the -Hague, and thence to England. With this pass in your possession, you -should then have small difficulty in travelling without molestation. -And let me ask you if you have funds sufficient for your needs, since it -is dear work at times travelling through a country devastated by war, -and I would not have my benefactor crippled for lack of a few pieces of -gold." - -The young man's face flushed slightly, but his eyes were frank and -smiling. He laid his hand upon an inner breast pocket, and tapped it -significantly. - -"I thank your Grace from my heart; but, albeit I have squandered my -fortune something too lavishly, I have yet enough and to spare to take -me home. Were it otherwise," he added, with a very engaging look upon -his handsome features, "there is nobody to whom I would be more gladly -indebted than to his Grace of Marlborough." - -The Duke's face was pleasant to see. He had taken a great liking for -this young man. He hesitated a moment, and said,-- - -"You would not care to sell your horse? I would give a goodly price for -such a charger." - -"My lord, if I loved him less, most gladly would I beg your Grace's -acceptance of him, and would rejoice that Don Carlos should be thus -honoured. As it is, he is the greatest friend and best comrade I -possess in the world. I trow I must needs take him home with me." - -"You are right, boy, you are right. And it is better so; for he might -meet a bloody end any moment in these rough campaigning days. But you -must not go hence without some token of the good will and gratitude John -Churchill bears you. Take this ring, and wear it for my sake. And -should ever trouble, or loss, or misfortune fall upon you, and you be in -need, in my absence abroad, of a friend at home, take it and show it to -my wife. I shall write to her of this day's peril, and how I was saved -in the nick of time; and when she sees that ring in your hands, she will -know who was her husband's deliverer, and will know, too, how to receive -and reward him." - -The ring held out was a large amethyst of great brilliance and beauty, -with a curious oriental-looking head engraved upon it, with what might -be a legend in some Eastern tongue. It was a trinket which, once seen, -would not easily be forgotten, and Grey Dumaresq slipped it upon his -finger with a smile of gratification. It was no small thing to feel -himself thus honoured by Europe's greatest general. - -He rose to his feet and bowed low; but Marlborough held out his hand and -pressed his fingers warmly. "I shall not forget you, my friend. I trust -that yours will be one of the faces that will greet me first, when I -shall return home to England after the close of the campaign." - -The young man's face lighted with pleasure at these words. - -"I think your Grace may rely upon that," he said. "I thank you with all -my heart for this most gracious reception." - -"The thanks are mine to give--yours to receive," spoke the Duke with his -winning graciousness. "Farewell, my friend. May Dame Fortune continue -to smile upon your career; and may you live to be prosperous and famous, -and find one to love and be loved by faithfully--for, believe me, -without true conjugal love, a man's life is desolate and empty, and -nothing can fill the ache of a heart that has no loving ones at home to -rejoice with him in his joy and weep at his misfortunes. Ambition may -go far, success may be sweet; but it is love which is the true elixir of -life. A man who loves and is loved can defy misfortune, poverty, even -age and sickness and death; for love alone is eternal." - -He spoke like one inspired, and his whole face kindled. Grey Dumaresq -never forgot the smile upon the face of the great victorious General, as -he saw it in that little room at Meldert on the morrow of the victory of -Ramillies. - - - - - *CHAPTER II.* - - *HARTSBOURNE.* - - -The soft June dusk was falling with dewy freshness over smiling meadow -and forest glade, and the long, long shadows were melting away in the -dimness of a night that would never be dark, when Grey Dumaresq halted -upon the brow of a little hill, and gazed before and around him with -eager pleasure, not untinged with wistfulness. - -Somewhere amid those swelling woodlands lying to the south-west lay his -childhood's home. He had hoped to make this spot ere the sun sank; and -then he knew he could have traced the gleam of the shining streamlet, -slipping like a silver streak between masses of sombre green. He might -even, if the leaves had not made too thick a screen, have descried the -twisted chimneys and timbered gables of the old house itself. His heart -beat and his throat swelled as he gazed out over the darkening prospect. -How he had loved that home of his so long as it had been blessed by his -mother's presence there! With what proud delight had he sometimes -pictured to himself the time when it might be his own, his very own! -From childhood he had been called "the little master--the little heir." -If his mother had not dubbed him so, the servants had. For Sir Hugh -Dumaresq, alas, had not been a man to inspire either affection or -respect in the hearts of servants or of son, and the child had dreamed -dreams of the golden days which he and his mother might some day enjoy, -when he should be lord of all, and live to wipe away tears from her -eyes, and ensure that nothing should trouble or harass her again. - -That fond dream had died its own death when the mother was laid to sleep -beneath the churchyard sod, and the boy, broken-hearted and indifferent -to his fate, had gone forth first to school and then to college, and had -known the sweet word "home" no longer. - -It was years now since he had seen Hartsbourne. At first he could not -bear the idea of revisiting it, to find it empty of the one loved -presence which had made it what it was to him. Afterwards his father -had ceased to dwell there, had lived more and more in London, had even -let the old Manor, as Grey heard before he quitted England for the -roving life of the past three years. - -He had been somewhat hurt and angry when this was told him; for he had -planned to go and bid the old place farewell, and he no longer cared to -do so then. True, it was a kinsman who dwelt there now. His father had -spoken of him with a cynical smile. - -"He is next of kin, after you, my son; and he has a greater gift of -thrift than will ever be mine or yours, I take it. If anything should -befall you on these wanderings upon which your heart is set, he would be -the one to come after me, and take title and estates in his own right. -If he like now to pay me my price, he may share the old house with the -rats and the bats, for all I care. I love not to spend good money upon -leaking roofs and bowing walls. Give me the parks and the -coffee-houses, the Mall and the play-house! The devil may fly away with -that rotten old house, for all I care!" - -This sentiment, rapped out with a good many of the fashionable oaths of -the time, had been Grey's first intimation that his beloved old home was -falling into decay. As a child it had seemed all the more perfect from -that lack of newness or primness, the wildness of the garden, the -encroachments of weed and woodland, which mark the first stages of -decay. These words had opened his eyes to the fact that his father was -letting the old place take care of itself, without regard to the future, -and even then he had been conscious of the stirrings of a certain vague -resentment. But he had been powerless to act; for although he had just -received a small fortune which his mother had hoarded for him, and which -had been nursed for him by a kinsman on the Grey side, he had no power -to take over Hartsbourne and expend his wealth upon the old home; -moreover, by that time the longing for travel and adventure was keen -upon him, and he had made every arrangement for a tour of the then known -world. His father rather encouraged than lamented his proposed absence; -and the youth longed to be his own master, and to feel the strength of -his wings. - -Yet now, after three years' wandering about the world, Grey found -himself gazing with a swelling heart upon the familiar outlines of the -region of his childhood's home, and the voices of the past seemed -calling him aloud--tender, sweet-toned voices, which had been silent for -long, but which awoke now to cry aloud with strange insistence. - -The solemn moon rose over the tree-tops as Grey gazed breathlessly upon -the dim panorama before him, and instantly the world became flooded with -a mystic radiance. A church spire stood suddenly out like a silver -beacon, and Grey caught his breath as he watched; for his mother's grave -lay beneath the walls of that little church, and the cross upon its apex -seemed like a finger beckoning to him to come. - -"Yonder is our goal, Dicon," spoke the young man, as his servant, whom -he had outridden in his eager haste, spurred up the ridge to his side. -"You cannot see the house in this uncertain light; but it lies in yon -deep hollow, away to the right from the church. The river winds about -it, guarding it from ill, as I used to think in my boyish fantasy. I -have seen the harts and does come down from the forest to drink at its -waters. Hartsbourne was the name they gave the house, and methinks it -was well named. Ah me!--to think how many years have passed since I -beheld it all! Hark! Can you not hear the old familiar voices calling -the wanderer home?" - -The honest servant nodded his head with a smile upon his rugged -features. He loved his young master devotedly, and was not unaccustomed -to share his musings, whether they were dashed with poetic melancholy or -were full of reckless daring. Whatever his master's mood, honest Dick -admired him with equal fervour. As their horses picked a way down the -descent in the darkness, he hazarded a question. - -"You think you will find your noble father there, sir?" - -"Why, surely yes, Dicon. Where should a man be when failing in health -and strength, if not at his own home?" - -"As for that, sir, I know nothing. But you have told me how that he -loved not his own house, but gave it over into the hands of his kinsman, -that he might take his pleasure elsewhere." - -"Very true, Dicon; but that was when he was hale and strong. When -ill-health and feebleness overtook him, I doubt not that all was -changed. True, I have not heard from him these many months; but that is -no marvel, since I myself have been a very wandering Jew. But the -gentleman who brought me news of him unawares did say that he was about -to quit London, for whose giddy round he had no longer strength or -inclination. I have never doubted but that Hartsbourne would be the -place of his choice; and hither have I come. I might have learned news -of him by going straight to London; but why turn aside from our way for -that, when I feel so sure that it is here we shall find him? Doth not -nature call every man home to his bed at night, and to his own home at -the close of his life? My father is not old--Heaven send he may live -long yet; but if disease has crippled his powers and robbed him of his -zest of life, I doubt not but that it is here we shall surely find him." - -Two days previously the travellers had landed safely at the port of -Harwich, having had a safe and speedy crossing from the Hague. The pass -given them by the Duke of Marlborough had rendered their journey from -Louvain an easy one. From the seaport, Grey had taken the direct road -into Hertfordshire, feeling certain that here, and not in London, would -he now find his father. He had hoped to arrive ere set of sun; but a -few mischances along the road, and the sultry heat of the midday hours, -had delayed them. Nevertheless, being now so near, he pressed on -steadily. He could not rest so near to home, save beneath the old -roof-tree. As the windings of the path grew more familiar, his heart -throbbed in his breast. Here they passed the boundary of his father's -estate. That broken cross marked the spot. And yonder, sleeping in the -moonlight, hoary and beautiful, lay the ruined fragments of what had -once been an old priory. He could see that the walls had crumbled away -during his years of absence; but one beautiful arch still stood as of -old, the delicate tracery showing clear in the moonlight. White owls -flitted from the thick wreaths of ivy, and hooted weirdly as they sailed -by on noiseless wing. A wild cat leaped out with a menacing yell, and -both horses snorted and plunged at the sight and sound. Dick's hand was -on his pistol stock; but seeing what it was, he uttered a half uneasy -laugh. - -"A bad omen, my master," he spoke, as he quieted his horse. "That wild -black thing was liker some witch or devil than aught I have clapped eyes -on this many a day. Saints preserve us from spell or charm!" - -For Dick, albeit a good Protestant by profession, had caught some of the -phrases of the people in whose lands he had dwelt, and he was by no -means free from superstition, though a bold enough rogue to meet any -peril that he could combat with sword or bullet. - -"Tush, Dicon! Dost fear a cat, man? For my part, I love all the wild -things of the woods, and would be the friend of all. See yonder! There -should be a tangled path leading down through the forest glade, and -across the stream by a ford to the house itself. Methinks I cannot lose -the way, though the path be overgrown, and the light -treacherous.--Onward, good Carlos! Fodder and rest are nigh at hand. -Within the space of half an hour you and I should both be installed -safely at home." - -Home! The word was as music to his ears. It seemed to set itself to -the beat of the horses' hoofs along the tangled path, which Grey had -some trouble in finding. But once found, he was able to trace it -without difficulty; and soon the soft whisper of the water fell upon his -ears, and the stream lay before him shining in the moonlight. - -How beautiful it was upon this still June night! The young green of the -trees could not shut out the silvery beams of the moon. The forest was -full of whispering voices, and every voice seemed to be welcoming back -the stranger-son. The warblers amid the sedges and the fringe of alders -along the course of the winding stream filled the air with soft music, -not less sweet, if less powerful, than that of the nightingale pouring -out his heart in song a little farther away. Sometimes a sleeping deer -in some deep hollow sprang up almost from beneath their feet, and -dashed, phantom-like, away into the dim aisles of the wood. - -And now the wall loomed up before them which separated the house and its -precincts from the wilderness of wood and water beyond. Grey well knew -this mouldering wall, from which the coping had fallen in many places, -and which showed more than one ill-repaired breach in the once sound -masonry. The ivy had grown into a tangled mass upon it, and was helping -to drag it down. Any active marauder could have scaled it easily. But -Grey turned his horse, and skirted round it for some distance. For he -knew that a door at the angle gave entrance into the stable-yard, and -from thence to the courtyard and entrance-hall of the old house; and as -it was already past midnight, he preferred to take this way rather than -approach by the avenue to the front of the house. - -He turned the angle of the wall, and there was the entrance he was -making for. But how desolate it all looked! The double doors had -rusted from off their hinges, and stood open, none seeming to care to -close them at night. The courtyard was so grass-grown that the feet of -the horses scarcely sounded as they entered. A range of stables stood -half open, some mouldy straw rotting in the stalls, but no signs of life -either in the stables below or the living-rooms above. Grey directed -Dicon to the forage store, and bade him look if there were not something -to be found there for the horses; and whilst the man was thus engaged, -finding enough odds and ends to serve for a meal for the beasts, the -master passed through an inner door into a second courtyard, and gazed -upward at a range of lancet windows which, in former days, had belonged -to the rooms occupied by the servants. - -Not a light glimmered in any casement; not a dog barked challenge or -welcome. It was not wonderful that the house should be dark and silent -at such an hour; but it was more than darkness which reigned here. -There was a look of utter desolation and neglect brooding over the -place. Broken casements hung crazily, and swung creaking in the night -air. Tiles had slipped from the roof, chimney stacks seemed tottering to -their fall. True, the great nail-studded oaken door, which Grey well -remembered as leading through a long arched passage past the servants' -quarters and into the front entrance-hall, was closed and locked; but -rust had eaten deep into all the iron work, and cobwebs hung in festoons -from the eaves of the dilapidated porch. - -In vain Grey beat upon the door with the pommel of his sword. Not a -sound from within betokened the presence of living creature. A sudden -fear shook him lest he had come too late. This idea had never troubled -him before. His father was still young in years. Dissipation might -have weakened him, made him an easy prey to disease; but surely, surely -had aught worse than that befallen, he would have heard it--he would -have been summoned back. It was not any very tender bond that had -existed betwixt father and son; but after all, they had no one else. -Grey felt his heart grow suddenly cold within him. - -Then a new idea entered his head. He turned away from the door, and -passed hastily through the courtyard into a walled enclosure beyond, -which had plainly once been a fine kitchen-garden, where giant espaliers -still lined the paths, and masses of apple blossom glimmered ghostly in -the moonlight. Striding along one of the paths under the house wall, -where shuttered windows, looking like blind eyes, gave back a stony -stare, he reached at last a quaint little offshoot of the house, set in -an angle where house and garden wall joined; and he uttered a short -exclamation of satisfaction as he saw that here there were traces of -habitation in clean, bright window panes, flowers in a strip of border -beneath, and a door that looked as though it could move upon its hinges. -Upon this door he thumped with hearty good will. - -"Jock! Jock! Wake up, man--wake up! Don't tell me that you are a -ghost too--that the old house is peopled only with ghosts of the -past.--A dog's bark! Good! Where there is dog, there is man.--Wake up, -Jock! Wake up and open the door. Have no fear. It is I--the young -master." - -"God bless my soul! Ye don't say so!" cried a cracked voice from -within.--"Quiet, Ruff; be still, man!--Yes, yes, I'm comin', I'm -comin'." - -The sound of a bolt slipped back gave evidence of this, and next moment -the door was opened from within, a shaggy head was thrust forth, and an -old man, evidently just risen from his bed, gazed for a moment at the -intruder, who stood plainly revealed in the moonlight and uttered a -heartfelt exclamation. - -"Heaven be praised!--it is Sir Grey himself!" - -The young man fell back as though before a blow. "Sir Grey! What mean -you by that, Jock? Sir Grey!" - -"Why, master dear, you surely have heard the news! You have been Sir -Grey since the week after Christmas." - -"You mean--my father--nay, Jock--how can I speak the words?" - -"He died two days after Christmas, Sir Grey. He had me with him to the -last. He never trusted that knave of a kinsman, not he, though he had -let himself get fast into his clutches. Ah, if you had but been with us -then! Woe is me! for we wanted you sorely. It was hard upon All -Saints' Day that the old master came back. He was sick; he had lost the -use of his limbs. The leeches said they could do naught for him, but -that he might live to be an old man yet. He made light of it at first. -He vowed he would cheat them all. But we all saw death in his face. In -two months he lay over yonder by the side of our sweet lady." - -Jock, though no great speaker at ordinary times, had made, for him, a -long speech, because the young master said not a word, but stood leaning -against the angle of the wall as though overcome by the news he had -heard. - -"And why was I not sent for?" The words were a whisper. - -"You were, Sir Grey, you were--leastways the master told me so. He said -that Mr. Barty had written many letters, and sent them after you by -trusty messengers. But Lord, if 'twere only what that rogue said, -belike the trusty messenger was nothing better than the fire, into which -he dropped his own letters after satisfying the master by writing them." - -"What mean you, Jock?" asked Grey, with dry lips. "And who is this Mr. -Barty of whom you speak?" - -"Faith, none other but him as hopes one day to style himself Sir -Bartholomew Dumaresq--your father's cousin, Sir Grey, and next of kin -after you. 'Tis he as has got his grip so fast upon Hartsbourne that -it'll be a tough bit of work to shake it off. He's got mortgages on the -place, the old master told me at the last, and he's been squeezing it -like a sponge these many years--cutting the timber, grinding the -tenants, living like a miser in one corner of the house, letting all -else go to wrack and ruin, that there may be nothing for the heir to -come into. Oh, the master saw through him at the last, that he did; but -'twas too late then. Here he is, stuck fast like a leech to the old -place, and sucking its life-blood dry, and protected by the law, so that -even you can't touch him; the master told me that before he died. He'd -got him to sign papers when he was merry with wine, and knew not nor -cared what he signed. So long as Mr. Barty supplied him with money, he -cared for naught else; and now he's got such a grip on house and lands -that it'll be a matter of years before ever he can be got out, if ever -that day come at all." - -A numb feeling began to creep over Grey. He felt like one walking in a -bad dream. The blow of hearing of his father's death was a heavy one. -It seemed to shake the foundations of his life to their very base. And -now his home was lost to him! Little as he understood the machinations -of his kinsman, he grasped that he had come into nothing but a barren -title and nominal possession of a ruinous and dilapidated old house, the -revenues of which were in some way alienated to another. He had heard -such tales before. He did not discredit old Jock's recital. It fitted -in only too well with what he knew of his father's recklessness and -selfish expenditure, and his kinsman's artful grasping policy. So, -after all, he had come to a home that was not his; and he would have to -face the world again as something very like a beggar. - -Old Jock's hand upon his arm aroused him to a sense of outward things. -Dicon had come up, and was listening with wide eyes and falling jaw to -the recital of the same story as had been told in outline to Grey. The -fuller details only made it sound more true and lifelike. - -"Come in, Sir Grey, come in. There's bite and sup for you in the -cupboard. The old master didn't forget me, and I can make shift to earn -my bread by hook or by crook even without regular wage. Come in, come -in, and I'll give ye what I've got for ye. 'Twas all the old master had -left from his hoard; but he said it would give you a start in life, and -that your wits must do the rest. He gave it me private like, when Mr. -Barty was off the place, and I buried it beneath the hearthstone that -same day. 'Tis all safe for you, Sir Grey; and you won't go penniless -into the world, for all that this villain of a kinsman reigns at -Hartsbourne, where you should be." - - - - - *CHAPTER III.* - - *THE SCHEMING KINSMAN.* - - -They sat face to face in a room which Grey well remembered. It had been -lined with folios in those days--great tomes in which he had dug with -breathless delight, for the treasures of wood-cuts and the strange -stories they possessed--and illuminated missals, where, amid a mass of -gilding and wonderful colours, the story of saint or martyr could be -traced. Other and more modern works had been also there, specimens of -the art of printing as carried on through the days of the Stuarts. But -where were all these tomes and scrolls and books now? Grey swept the -empty shelves with quick, indignant glances. A motion of his hands -seemed to ask the question his lips were too proud to speak. - -A small and wizened man sat before him, his eyes furtively scanning the -young man's face with an unwinking attention. He could not have been -old, this parchment-faced kinsman--not more than five-and-forty at the -most--and yet he wore the look of an old man, and was fond of speaking -of himself as such. The unhealthy pallor of his face bespoke a life of -inaction, and the lines and wrinkles on the puffy skin, and the -emaciation of the frame and claw-like hands, seemed either to indicate -some wasting disease, or else a miser-like habit of life which denied -its owner the common necessaries of existence. Grey fancied that -perhaps this latter surmise might be the right one; for he himself would -have fared ill at breakfast that morning, had it not been for the fish -which Dicon had caught and cooked for the pair, ere he presented himself -at the meal to which his kinsman invited him on hearing of his advent to -the old house. That meal had been so frugal that Grey almost disdained -to partake of it. And now he and Mr. Dumaresq sat facing each other in -the green light which fell through the big north window, against which -the trees almost brushed, rather like combatants in a duel, each of -which measures the strength and skill of the other before attempting to -strike. - -The wizened man made a deprecating gesture with his hand, and answered -the unspoken question. - -"Sold, sold--every one of them! I did my best to keep them in the -family, but it was of no avail. Your father would have money--no matter -at what cost. I was toiling all I knew for him, as it was. Everything -that could be got out of the estate I squeezed out for him. Never man -had so faithful a steward as I was to my poor cousin. But it was like -pouring water through a sieve. Nay, you need not look so fiercely at -me. I am not traducing the dead. Ask those with whom he consorted. Ask -the boon companions he made in gay London town. Ask his very servants, -an you will. You will hear the same tale from all. He spent money like -water. Never did he trouble his head where it was to come from. I have -papers; I can show them if you have knowledge of the law enough to -understand. I advanced him sum after sum, on such poor security as this -tumble-down house and impoverished estate has to offer. I beggared -myself for his sake. He was the only kinsman left me. I could deny him -nothing. And when my funds were gone, I must needs squeeze all that -could be squeezed out of the house and land. The books went; the timber -was felled; the pictures were taken away; the best of the furniture went -to adorn the houses of merchants and parvenus. I argued and entreated -in vain. When the wild fit was upon him, Hugh would listen to nothing. -I had to content myself with serving him, by seeing that he was not -cheated beyond bearing by the crew of harpies he had around him. At -least I secured him equitable prices for family heirlooms; but it went -to my heart to see them vanish one by one. And now, what is left save -the shell of the old house, and an estate burdened and impoverished -well-nigh beyond the power of redemption?" - -He heaved a great sigh, looking cunningly at the young man out of the -corners of his ferret-like eyes. Grey's glance was stern and direct. -His words were quietly and coldly spoken. - -"We will see about that. I am here to take up my burden. I will learn -whether or not Hartsbourne be past redemption." - -"You!" cried 'Mr. Dumaresq quickly; "and pray what can you do?" - -"I can live here quietly, and see what can be done towards retrieving -the past. Even if I toil with my own hands, I shall think it no shame, -if it be for the home of my forefathers." - -"You live here!" sneered the other, seeking to mask the sneer by a -smile; "and by what right will you do that, pray?" - -"I am the owner," answered Grey proudly. "I presume that I have the -right to live in my own house, and to administer such revenues as may be -left to the estate?" - -"Oh yes, fair kinsman, so soon as the mortgages be paid. I will get -them out for your high mightiness to examine. Pay them off, and house -and manor are yours to do with as you will. But till that time come, I, -and not you, am master here. The revenues are mine; the house I have -the right to occupy, to the exclusion of any other. It is all writ fair -to see--signed and sealed. Will you see the papers for yourself? They -will make pleasant study for a summer morning." - -"I will look at the papers anon," answered Grey quietly; "but first I -would know from you what it all means. It is you, not I, to whom -Hartsbourne belongs, then? You are the master, and I am the guest?" - -"For the present, yes; but a welcome guest, none the less," spoke the -older man with a repulsive leer. "The situation, my bold young cousin, -is easily understood. Your father loved not the old family house. I did -love it. Could he have sold it, it would have been mine long since; but -he had not the power to alienate it from the title. But he did all else -that was possible. He raised mortgage upon mortgage upon it--first on -the house, then on the land. I came to live in the house, and paid him -rent for it once. Then I supplied him with money and took up the -mortgages. He and I had been boys together. The tie between us was -strong. I verily believe he was glad to have me here, and when he was -sick and smitten with mortal disease he came hither to die, and I was -with him to the last. He was grateful for my devoted service. He was -glad to think that I should live on here afterwards. 'It is no life for -a young man,' he said almost at the last. 'Grey will carve out a career -for himself. Here he could only rot and starve like a rat in a hole.' -And I pointed out that you were my natural heir, and that you might not -have very long to wait before coming a second time into your -inheritance." - -Grey sat silent and baffled. It was little he knew of the law; but he -had heard before this of men who had left nothing save debts and -troubles for those who came after them. Many a fair manor and estate -passed into alien hands for years, or even for generations, when trouble -fell upon the owners. He understood only too well how it had been here -at Hartsbourne--everything squeezed out of the estate, nothing put in, -till at last the house was falling into ruin, and the rights of the lord -of the manor had passed away from the owner. It was no consolation to -Grey that a Dumaresq had supplanted him. He was cut to the heart by the -selfish extravagance of his father, and the way in which he had played -into the hands of this schemer. He saw how impossible it would be to -attempt to live here himself, even if he could establish a legal right -to do so. He was not certain if his father could have done anything -which should actually hinder him from claiming possession of the house -which was his, but to find money to pay off the mortgages--he might as -well have sought for money to buy the moon! And even then, how could he -live in a house without money, without servants, without friends? No; -he must seek to carve out a fortune for himself. His fair dream of a -peaceful life in England as a country squire was shattered into a -thousand pieces. Some day perhaps--some day in the dim and distant -future, when fortune and fame were his--he might come back to take -possession of his own. It should be his dream--the goal of his -ambition--to dwell at Hartsbourne as its lord and master. But for the -present he could call nothing his own save the good horse cropping the -lush June grass in the paddock, and that casket so carefully hidden -beneath the hearthstone of old Jock's living-room. He would look at the -papers. He would make careful study of them. He would take notes as to -the amount necessary to clear the estate and make him master in reality. -And then he would go; he would not be beholden to this kinsman, whose -shifty face he distrusted heart and soul, though his words were smooth -and fair. He would ride forth into the fair world of an English -midsummer, and would see what the future held there for him. - -It was not an exhilarating hour which he spent over the parchments -spread out before his eyes, which were eagerly explained to him by the -lynx-eyed kinsman, who seemed half afraid to trust them out of his own -claw-like clutches. But Grey perused them with attention, making notes -the while; and after studying these at the close, whilst the deeds were -being locked away, he said,-- - -"Then when I return with thirty thousand pounds in my pocket, I can take -over Hartsbourne, house and lands and all, and be master of my own -estate in deed as well as in word?" - -"And how are you to come by this thirty thousand pounds, fair coz?" -asked Mr. Dumaresq, with something slightly uneasy in his shifty glance. -"Right gladly would I receive mine own, and make way for a gallant -gentleman like you; but where are these riches of Aladdin to come from?" - -"Perchance from the same source as yours did come, sir," answered Grey, -looking full at his interlocutor. "The Dumaresqs have not ranked as a -wealthy family since the days of the Civil War, when they lost so much. -But you seem to have found fortune's golden key; and if you, why not I?" - -Did he shrink and cower under these words, or was it only Grey's fancy -that he did so? The young man could not be sure, though he had his -suspicions. At any rate he spoke suavely enough. - -"Thrift and care, my young friend, care and thrift--these qualities are -better than any golden key of hazard. My father was a careful, saving -man, and at his death bequeathed me greater wealth than I dreamed he did -possess. I followed in his footsteps until, for your father's sake, I -elected to prop the falling fortunes of the house rather than live in -selfish affluence on my own revenues. Well, I did what seemed right; -and my reward shall be the hope of seeing Hartsbourne one day restored -to its former glories. But for the present I must needs live like a -poor man, though that is no trouble to one who has ever made thrift the -law of life." - -Grey went forth from the presence of his kinsman with a cloud on his -brow and a fire in his heart. - -"Why doth he speak of himself as poor?" he asked of himself. "He takes -to himself all the revenues of the estate; and when I was a boy, I -always heard that the farms were prosperous, the land fertile, the -timber fine, game and deer plentiful, and the tenants able to pay their -dues. If all that comes in goes into his pocket, wherefore doth he live -like a miser? wherefore doth he let the house fall into decay? he ruined -himself for my father's sake? Tush! A man with that face sacrifice -himself for another! Nay; but he is hoarding up gold for himself, or I -greatly mistake me. Truly do I believe that he is playing some deep -game of his own. Well, I can but wait and see what time will bring -forth. It is a shame that the old house should be left to go to ruin -like this, with its revenues falling regularly into the hands of a -Dumaresq! Why doth he not spend them upon the fine old structure, to -make it what it was before? Why, now I see. He thinks it would -stimulate me to fresh desire to make myself master. He may haply think -that I care not for a habitation given up to rats and ghosts and -cobwebs. He little thinks that every fallen stone seems to cry out -aloud to me, and that the lower falls the old house in ruin and neglect, -the more urgent is the voice with which it urges me to come and save -it." - -The young man was walking up and down the grass-grown avenue as he thus -mused. From thence he could see in perspective the long south front, -with its many mullioned windows, its beautiful oriels, and the terrace -up and down which he had raced in the days of his happy childhood. -Straight in front was the eastern portion of the house, with its great -entrance doors, led up to by a fine double stairway, beneath which a -coach could stand, and its occupants in wet weather enter by a lower -door. But the stone work was chipped and broken; the balustrade had -lost many of its balls, which lay mouldering in the long grass that grew -up to the very walls. Moss and lichen and stone-crop clothed all, and -the creepers which clung about the house itself were wild and tangled, -and in many cases had completely overgrown the very windows, so that -scarce a trace of them could be seen. - -Yet even in its decay the old house was strangely beautiful, and Grey's -heart was stirred to its depths. He wandered through the tangled garden, -and out towards the fish-ponds beyond and then by a winding pathway he -made his way to the churchyard, and stood bare-headed at his mother's -grave. - -"I will win it back, mother; I will win it back!" He spoke the words -aloud, in a low-toned, earnest voice. "You loved the place, and you -taught me to love it. For that alone I would seek to call it one day -mine own. I will win it back, and methinks your heart will rejoice when -your son is ruling there at last." - -Grey had meant to leave that very day; but there was much he longed to -see, and his kinsman had given him an earnest invitation to pass the -night beneath the old roof-tree. Repugnant as this man was to him, and -bitterly as he resented his conduct and distrusted his motives, it was -not in the young man's nature to be churlish. Every hour of daylight he -spent wandering about the place, revisiting his boyish haunts, and -chatting with old Jock, who, without being able to give any exact reason -for it, distrusted and despised the present master as heartily as Grey -himself. - -"The old master did too, at the last. I am main sure of it," he said; -"else for why should he have given me yon box, sir? And why should he -have bidden me hide it and guard it, and let none see it till Sir Grey -should claim it himself? For years he had thought him a friend; but I -trow he knew him for a false one at the last. You'll best him yet, Sir -Grey--see if you don't. A villain always outwits himself in the end. -You'll be master here one day, please God, or my name's not Jock -Jarvis!" - -Grey had taken out the casket, and found that it contained three hundred -golden guineas--the remnant of his father's fortune, and all that he had -been able to preserve to his son of what had once been a fine estate. A -few words cautioned Grey to be careful of the hoard, and let no one know -of its existence--"no one" plainly meaning his kinsman. It also -contained a few faintly traced words of farewell, and just a plea for -forgiveness--evidently written when mortal weakness was upon the -writer--which brought sudden tears to the eyes of the son, and blotted -out the bitterness of heart which had been growing up as he mused upon -his fallen fortunes and his lost inheritance. - -That evening Grey supped with his kinsman in a corner of the despoiled -library, which seemed the only room in the house now lived in. He had -walked through some of the other state apartments, denuded of their -pictures and the best of the furniture, and looking ghostlike with -closed shutters and overgrown windows. He had not had heart to pursue -his investigations far; and all that he carried away with him were -saddened memories, and one little mouldering volume of poems, with his -mother's name on the fly leaf, which he had found lying in a corner of -the little room with the sunny oriel, where she had passed the greater -part of her time. He thought he even remembered the book in her hands; -and he slipped it into his breast as though it were some great treasure. -The sneering smile of his kinsman as he bade him keep the volume, and -saw where he placed it, did not endear him any the more. He wished he -could get rid of his companionship, but that seemed impossible; and Grey -soon gave up the tour of the house, and let himself be led back to the -library. - -"No, I have no plans," he said briefly, as they sat at their frugal -supper, to which, in honour of the occasion, a small flagon of wine had -been added. "I think I shall remain in England. I have been a wanderer -something too long. A homely saying tells us that the rolling stone -gathers no moss. I have youth and health and strength, and the world -lies before me. Men have won success with more against them before -this, and why not I?" - -"I should have thought the battlefield would have tempted you. There is -honour and renown to be won there, to say nothing of the spoils of a -vanquished foe," spoke Mr. Dumaresq, looking at him in a peering, crafty -fashion. "Surely a gallant young gentleman of your birth and training -would not lack for opportunities of distinction amid the perils and -glories of war!" - -Suddenly Grey became aware that his kinsman was anxious for him to go -and fight in the cause of the Allies. It could not be that he had heard -of the happy chance which had made Marlborough his friend, for he had -spoken of that to none; and even if Dicon had boasted to old Jock, -neither cared to have aught to do with the deaf and cross-grained -serving-man who waited upon the master within doors. A moment more and -Grey had found the clue, and realized that his own death would make -Bartholomew Dumaresq not only absolute master of Hartsbourne, but a -baronet to boot; and in every battle thousands of brave soldiers were -left dead upon the field, whilst many fell victim to wounds and the -ravages of disease caught during the hard weeks of campaigning. - -"I think I shall remain in England," he answered quietly. "I have seen -something of war, but a career of peace has more attractions for me;" -and he smiled to see the look of chagrin which played for a moment over -the crafty face of his kinsman. - -Grey did not find it easy to sleep when he had climbed up into the great -canopied bed in the guest chamber allotted to him. He scarcely -remembered this room. It was very large, and before he went to rest -Grey drew aside all the mouldering draperies from the windows, and -opened every casement wide to the summer night. Even so the place felt -musty. There were strange creakings and groanings of the furniture, and -the owls without hooted and hissed in the ivy wreaths. More than one -bat flew in and out, circling over his head in uncanny flight; and had -it not been that the previous night had been an almost sleepless one, -Grey would scarce have closed an eye. As it was, he grew drowsy -gradually, and felt a strange swimming in his head to which he was a -stranger. He was just wondering whether the wine he had taken at -supper, the taste of which seemed curious to him at the time, could have -anything to do with this, when sleep suddenly fell upon him like a pall, -and for a space he could not gauge he remained lapped in the -unconsciousness of oblivion. - -What was it roused him? Or was he indeed awake? The moonlight streamed -into the room, and lay like bars upon the floor. Its radiance was -sufficient to light every corner of the room, and Grey found himself -lying still as a stone, yet sweeping every corner with his gaze, for -surely he was not alone. He felt some presence close beside him, yet -where could it be? - -Suddenly his gaze travelled upwards, and for a few awful seconds he lay -gazing as the bird before the gaze of the snake. - -A shining poniard hung, as it were, over his head. He saw the gleaming -silver of the blade. Its haft was grasped by a hand--a lean, claw-like -hand. Its point was aimed at his own heart. - -For a few endless seconds Grey lay staring up helplessly. Then the -blade moved swiftly downwards. With a motion as swift, the young man -threw himself sidewise out of bed and upon the floor, and turning, -sprang to his feet to meet the murderous foe. - -Behold there was nothing! He was alone in the great moonlit room. The -curtains behind the bed's head were slightly shaken--nothing more. - -Horrified and bewildered, Grey dashed them aside. Behind was a wall -panelled like the rest of the room in black oak. Was it his fancy, or -had he heard just as he sprang to his feet the click as of a closing -spring? Grey passed his hand over and over the woodwork, but could find -nothing to give a clue. Old memories of secret sliding panels, unknown -passages to hiding-places, and ghostly visitants to sleeping guests, -rose in succession before him. But this was something more than an -ordinary ghostly visitor. Grey saw again the murderous gleam of cold -steel over his head--saw the claw-like hand in its faded russet sleeve, -the fierce downward sweep of the weapon. - -"It was my kinsman, and he sought to do me to death--here in the haunted -chamber, where perhaps some infernal machinery exists whereby the corpse -could have been quickly and quietly removed and heard of no more. Who -would care save Dicon, and what could a poor varlet like that do if the -master of Hartsbourne were to assert that his kinsman had ridden off in -the early hours of the morning, he knew not whither? Did he drug the -wine? Was this in his head all the while? Or was the idea suggested -only by my refusal to place my neck in peril at the wars? O Barty, -Barty Dumaresq, a pretty villain art thou! Before this I might perhaps -have been tempted to return to the Duke, and seek to win my spurs at his -side; but now--no. I will take the safer, if the slower, path to fame -and fortune, and I will live to make you rue the day you sought to rid -yourself, by secret assassination, of the man in whose shoes you hope -some day to stand." - - - - - *CHAPTER IV.* - - *ON THE ROAD.* - - -With the first streak of midsummer dawn Grey Dumaresq was in the -paddock, looking well to the condition of his horse, and grooming the -soft, satin coat lovingly with his own hands. - -"We must be up and away, my beauty, ere the sun be high. This is no -place for either you or me, albeit every foot of ground is mine own, and -it will go hard if I let that weasel-faced scoundrel filch it altogether -from me. I know him now in his true colours. Heaven send the day may -come when I shall repay with interest that which I owe him." - -The horse tossed his head and neighed as though in response; and perhaps -Dicon heard the sound from where he slept, for almost at once he was at -his master's side; and old Jock came cautiously out by the doorway -leading towards the house, and looked relieved and gratified to see the -young master abroad. - -"Eh, but I have been sore troubled with bad dreams this night," he said, -as he shambled up. "Yon house is full of such, I take it. How slept -you, my master? and how fare you this morn? It is good to see you -looking so spruce and sound. Bad luck to the dreams that drove sleep -from my pillow at last." - -"I had my dreams too, Jock, and I have not slept since," answered Grey, -with a significant glance at the old man. "Tell me, good fellow, what -know you of the panelled guest-chamber, with the row of windows looking -south over the park? Ha! why look you so, man? What know you of the -chamber?" - -"Did he put you there, my master? Then Peter lied to me, the -false-tongued knave. If I had known that! No wonder the dreams were -bad that came to me. The haunted room! Tush! it is not ghosts that -hurt, but men who come and go at will and leave no trace behind." - -"I thought so," spoke Grey composedly. "Then there is a secret way of -entrance into that room?" - -"Ay, behind the bed. I do not know the trick, but I have heard of it. -Men have been done to death in that room ere this, and none the wiser -for it. Oh if I had but known!" - -Grey's eyes were fixed full upon the pallid face of the old man. He put -the next question gravely and almost sternly. - -"Tell me truly, my friend. Think you that this kinsman of mine would -plot to do me hurt? He made profession of friendship." - -"He made the same to Sir Hugh," answered Jock in a trembling voice, "and -for long the master believed in him. But methinks he never would have -died as he did, had he not come to live here with Mr. Barty at -Hartsbourne." - -Grey started and changed colour, clinching his hand, - -"You think that this kinsman of ours compassed his death?" - -Jock looked over his shoulder as though fearful of listening ears. He -drew a step nearer; and Dicon, with fallen jaw and staring eyes, came up -close to listen. - -"How can I tell? I was seldom in the house. I work in the garden, and -because I am a cheap servant, asking no money, but making a pittance by -what I can sell, Mr. Barty has kept me here where he found me. But when -the old master came, he often sent for me. Before he became too ill, he -sometimes crawled to my little cottage yonder for a bit of chat. He told -me the doctors and leeches told him he had but to rest and live simply -in the country for a few years to be a sound man again. But for all -that he dwindled and dwindled away, and was gone in two months." - -"Did no leech attend him here?" asked Grey breathlessly. - -"Not till the very last, when they sent me to Edgeware to fetch one who -could do naught. Mr. Barty professed to know many cures, and the master -believed in him. He eased his pain, but he sank into an -ever-increasing, ever-mastering drowsiness, and he shrank away to skin -and bone. It went to my heart to see him. Many's the time when I have -wondered whether it would have ended so if he had not taken Mr. Barty's -simples and draughts." - -"Was he poisoned, then?" asked Grey, between his shut teeth. - -Jock looked nervously over his shoulder; the word seemed to frighten -him. He shook his old head from side to side. - -"Nay, nay, how can I tell--a poor old ignorant man like me? But he used -to say that you would likely never come home again (travellers met such -a deal of peril, he would say), and then his eyes would gleam and -glisten, for there was but the old master's life and yours betwixt him -and the title and all." - -Grey ground his teeth, and his eyes flashed. Somehow he did not doubt -for a moment that foul play had been used to compass his father's death. -Had he not escaped assassination himself that night only by the skin of -his teeth? - -"Could any man living throw light upon this matter?" he asked. "The -leech from Edgeware, or any other?" - -"I misdoubt me if any could, save wall-eyed Peter, Mr. Barty's man; and -I trow his master makes it worth while for him to hold his tongue and -know nothing." - -"Gold will sometimes unloose a miscreant's tongue." - -"Ay, ay, maybe; but Mr. Barty's purse is longer than yours, Sir Grey, -and his mind is crookeder and his ways more artful. Don't you go for to -anger him yet: hurt might come to you an you did. Get you gone from the -place, and that right soon; for the sooner you leave Hartsbourne behind -you, the safer it will be for you." - -"Yes, my master; let us indeed be gone," pleaded Dicon earnestly. "This -is a God-forsaken hole, not fit for you to dwell in. Take the store of -gold pieces, and let us begone, for I trow that harm will come to you if -you linger longer here." - -It took little to persuade Grey to be off and away. Old Jock provided -them with a meal, and they could break their fast at the old inn at -Edgeware, through which they would pass. He had no desire to go through -the farce of a farewell to his kinsman. He only desired to shake off -the dust of his feet against him; and ere the chimes of the church rang -out the hour of six, Grey was turning on the crest of a ridge of rising -ground, to look his last for the nonce upon the old home he had dreamed -of so many a time, and round which so many loving thoughts centred. - -"Let kind Fortune but smile upon me, Dicon, and show me the way to -affluence and fame, and I will yet be lord and master there, and the -manor of Hartsbourne shall be one of the fairest in the land!" - -"Why, so you shall, Sir Grey, and that right speedily!" cried honest -Dick, who had an unbounded admiration for his young master, and an -immense confidence in his luck, albeit no special good fortune had -befallen him since he had taken service with him. - -Dick had led a seafaring life during his earlier years, and Grey had -picked him up in a shipwrecked, ragged, and starving condition on the -coast of Spain some two years previously. In those days ship-wrecked -sailors often had a hard time of it, even though the terrors of the -galleys or the Inquisition did not loom quite so perilously before them -as had been the case a century before. To find himself taken into the -service of a young English gentleman of quality, and to be the companion -of his travels, had been a piece of luck that Dick thanked Providence -for every day of his life. He had been one of four servants at the -outset; but as Grey's resources diminished, or his roving life took him -into perils for which some men had little stomach, he gradually lost his -retinue, till, for the past year, Dick alone had followed him, and the -two had become friends and comrades, as well as master and servant. Now -at their first halting-place, where they paused to let the horses -breathe after a steady half-hour's gallop, Grey opened the wallet at his -side, which he had filled with gold pieces from the casket (the rest he -had sewn carefully into his clothes for safety), and counted out a -certain number, which he shook in his fist as he spoke. - -"Dicon, I am going to London to try my luck there. But, as I have -ofttimes heard, fortunes are as easily lost there as won, wherefore it -may be that I shall become a beggar instead of growing in wealth and -greatness." - -"Heaven forbid!" ejaculated Dick in passionate protest. - -"Well, Heaven watches over the undeserving as well as the virtuous, so -there is e'en hope for me," answered Grey with his winning smile. "But -look ye here, Dicon. You have been a faithful rogue, and have served me -well, and I hope we may company together many a long day yet. But -inasmuch as there are uncertainties in life, and we are going forth into -a new world, where perchance I may sink rather than swim, I desire to -give you six months' wage in advance, whilst I have my pockets lined -with gold, so that should any untoward chance befall me, as it has -befallen better men than myself, I shall not have to turn you adrift -unrewarded, nor will you, if you can be a wise varlet, and husband your -resources, be thrown on the world without some means of support." - -Dick seemed about to protest, but either the look on his master's face -or some idea which had entered his own head held him silent. He took -the coins without counting them, and producing a greasy leathern pouch, -such as sailors often carry with them, he dropped the gold pieces into -it one by one, tied it up, and fastened it safely in an inner pocket. - -"That pouch stuck by me when I lost everything else in the world, and -well-nigh my own life," said the fellow with a grin. "My mother did -give it me when I first went to sea, and she told me as a wise witch -woman had given it her. She thought 'twas the caul of a child; and like -enough it be, for salt water never hurts it, and I was the only one -saved of all the crew that went down off the Spanish coast. I'd sooner -part with the gold pieces than with the pouch that holds them." - -They both rode on with thoughtful faces after this brief interlude. -Grey was turning over a dozen different schemes in his mind; but all -were vague and chimerical. Now and again he looked at an amethyst ring -upon his finger, and it came over him that the shortest cut to fortune -might be to present himself as a suppliant for favour at the feet of the -great Duchess of Marlborough, who was said to rule the Queen with a rod -of iron, and whose known devotion to her husband would be certain to -raise high in her favour any person who had rendered him so timely a -service as that which Grey had been able to offer on the day of -Ramillies. - -But then, again, it seemed to Grey that to claim reward for that chance -service, which had cost him nothing, was little better than playing the -beggar or the sycophant. There was in his nature a strong strain of -chivalrous romance--of love of adventure for its own sake, without -thought of reward or favour. That encounter with the great Duke, the -interview which had followed, the consciousness that he had done his -country a notable service that day--all these things were very sweet to -him, forming an episode pleasant to look back upon. If he now presented -himself on the strength of it as a petitioner for place or favour, at -once the whole thing would be vulgarized--he would be lowered in his own -estimation, sinking to the level of one of the crowd of greedy -flatterers and place-hunters who thronged the antechambers of the rich -and great, and fawned upon them for the crumbs of patronage which they -were able to dispense as the price of this homage. - -Grey had seen this sort of thing at foreign courts, and his soul had -sickened at it. Doubtless, in this great world of London it was the -same. As a baronet, a young man of parts, with an attractive person, -and, at present, a well-filled purse, he might not improbably please the -fancy of the Duchess, and obtain some post in her household or about the -Court that would give him a chance at least to rise. But the more he -thought of this the less he liked the idea, and at last he flung it from -him in scorn. - -"I would sooner live in Grub Street, and drive a quill!" he said half -aloud. "I could praise a hero with my pen, but I cannot fawn and -flatter with my lips. And methinks I am not fit for the life of a -place-man: I have been too long mine own master. Surely there are ways -by which a man may rise in the world without abasing himself in his own -esteem first. I will go to London, and look about me with open eyes. -There are the world of politics, the world of art and literature, and -the theatre of war, if other spheres should fail. Surely there must be -a place for me somewhere; but I will not choose the latter if I can help -it. I fear not death on mine own account; but I desire to live, and to -grow rich, that I may square matters with yonder villain, and avenge -upon him my father's untimely death!" - -For that his father had been in some sort done to death by his false -kinsman, Grey did not now doubt, though whether he would be able to -bring that crime home to him later, he could not at present surmise. -Much might be possible to a man with friends in high places; but these -would have to be found and won ere any step could be taken. - -Grey often felt within himself the stirrings of ambition. He had shown -promise of something akin to genius in his Oxford days, and there had -not been lacking those among his companions and tutors who had declared -that he could win fame and fortune through academic laurels. But Grey -had then turned a deaf ear to such propositions. He desired to travel -and see the world, and he had done this with much zest. But the muse -within had not been altogether silent, and he had many times covered -sheets of paper with flowing stanzas or stately sonnets, which bore -witness to the fire that burned within. His pencil, too, was not -without cunning; and his study of the treasures of many an art gallery, -many a foreign church, had given him knowledge and culture beyond what -the average gallant of the day could boast. The double strand in his -nature was very marked--a reckless love of adventure, and a delicate -appreciation of the beautiful. Often he longed after the days of the -early troubadours, when the two walked hand in hand. He pondered these -matters in his busy brain as he rode onward in the sunny brightness of -the June morning, and found it in his heart to wish that he was not thus -possessed by such conflicting passions. He felt he would have had a -better chance of success had his bent in any one direction been more -decided. - -They pulled up at the quaint old inn at Edgeware, and rode into the -courtyard, where lackeys and hostlers were making merry together, and -where some handsome horses were being groomed down, prior to being put -into the cumbersome but very handsome coach that stood beneath the -protecting galleries which ran round the court. The lackeys wore a -livery of snuff-coloured cloth, with a quantity of gold lace about it. -The panels of the coach were snuff-coloured, and there was much heavy -gilding about it, which was being polished with great zeal by the -servants of the inn. It was plainly the equipage of some person of -quality, and had evidently put up there for the night, but was likely to -be wanted shortly for the road again. - -Grey dismounted, and leaving Dick in charge of the horses, made his way -in through the low-browed entrance, along a sanded passage, and so to -the public room, the door of which stood open. As a boy he had known -this house, and it still seemed familiar to him, though it had changed -hands since he had been there last, and his face was not known to mine -host. - -"Your pardon, sir," spoke this functionary, bustling forward on his -entrance, "but this room is bespoke for my Lord Sandford. If you are -wanting a meal, it shall be quickly served elsewhere--" - -But at that moment a rollicking voice from the foot of the adjacent -staircase broke in upon the excuses of the host. - -"Gadzooks, man, but it shall be nothing of the sort. Set a cover for -the gentleman at my table. Gosh! is a man so enamoured of his own -company that he must needs drive all the world away?--Come in, sir, come -in, and take pot-luck with me.--Landlord, see you give us of your best, -or I'll spit you on your own jack! I've a great thirst on me, mind you; -and let the dishes be done to a turn.--Take a seat in the window, sir; -the air blows fresh and pleasant, but it will be infernally hot ere -noon. I must be off and away in good time. In London streets you can -find shade; but these country roads--hang them all!--get like -What's-his-name's fiery furnace seven times heated if they don't chance -to run through forest land!" - -The speaker was a young man of perhaps seven-and-twenty, though reckless -dissipation had traced lines in his face which should not so early have -been there. He was dressed according to the most extravagant fashion of -the day, with an immense curled wig, that hung half-way down his back; a -coat of velvet, richly laced, the sleeves so short that the spotless -lawn and ruffles of the shirt showed half-way up the forearm; a -wonderful embroidered vest, knee breeches of satin equally gorgeous, and -silk stockings elaborately gartered below the knee with bands of gold -lace. He carried a fashionably cocked hat beneath his arm, with a -gold-headed cane; and a small muff was suspended from his neck by gold -chains. The muff held a golden snuff-box, with a picture on the lid -which modesty would refuse to describe; and the young spark took snuff -and interlarded his talk with the fashionable oaths of the day as a -matter of course. - -He looked curiously at Grey when they had taken their seats; for the -traveller, though dressed with exceeding simplicity, and wearing his own -hair in loose, natural curls, just framing his face and touching his -shoulders, was so evidently a man of culture and of gentle blood that -the dandy was both impressed and perplexed by him. For high-bred look -and instinctive nobility of bearing Lord Sandford could not hold a -candle to Grey Dumaresq. - -"I saw you ride into the yard just now. Fine horse that of yours, -sir--very fine horse! If he's ever for sale, mind you let me know of -him. Lord Sandford--your very humble servant--always to be heard of at -Will's Coffee House or the Mohawk Club. Seem to remember your face; but -dash me if I can give it a name. Awful memory for names I have--know -too many fellows, I suppose. Not that there are so many like you, -either; but hang me, I must have met you somewhere before." - -Grey had caught the fleeting memory, and answered at once,-- - -"We were at Oxford together, my lord. Not at the same college, though; -but we have met, doubtless. My name is Grey Dumaresq--" - -"Why, to be sure. Gad! but that's strange! Thought I wasn't wrong about -a face! I heard you spout forth a poem once. Lord, it was fine, though -I didn't understand one word in ten! Latin or Greek--rabbit me if I -know which! And I knew your father, too; met him in London now and -again. He's not been seen anywhere these eight or nine months." - -"My father died last Christmas," spoke Grey gravely. "I did not know it -myself, being abroad." And led on by Lord Sandford's questions, which, -if not very delicately put, showed a real interest in the subject, Grey -gave him a bare outline of his own life since quitting Oxford, and of -the position in which he now found himself. - -"Oddsfish, man--as our merry monarch of happy memory used to say--but -yours is a curious tale. The ladies will rave over the romance of -it--coupled with that face of yours. Oh, never say die, man! You've the -world before you. What more do you ask than such a face, such a story, -and a few hundred pounds in your pocket? Why, with decent luck, those -hundreds ought to make thousands in a very short time. You trust -yourself to me, my young friend. I know my London. I know the ropes. -I will show you how fortunes are made in a night; and you shall be the -pet of the ladies and the envy of the beaux before another month has -passed. We will find you an heiress for a wife, and--heigh, -presto!--the thing is done." - -Grey started, and made a gesture as of repulsion, whereat Lord Sandford -roared with laughter; and there was something so heartwhole and -infectious in his laugh that Grey found himself joining in almost -without knowing it. The man had a strong personality, that was not to -be doubted, and at this moment Grey felt himself singularly lonely, -singularly perplexed about his own immediate future. He did not know -London. He had scarcely set foot within its precincts, save on the -occasion when he went to bid his father farewell, and when it seemed to -him that he stepped into Pandemonium itself. Since then he had visited -many foreign capitals, and had accustomed himself to the life there to -some extent; but only to the life of a traveller--an onlooker. Now he -felt that something more lay before him--that it was as a citizen and a -unit in the great hive that he must go. And how to steer his bark -through the shoals and quicksands of the new life, he had very small -idea. To win fame and fortune was his wish; but how were these good -things to be achieved? Never had it entered his head to look upon -marriage as a way of gaining either. - -"Zounds, man, don't look like that! Better men than you or I have not -been shamed to thank their wives for their promotion. But there are -more ways of killing a cat than hanging. We'll look about and see. You -put yourself in my hands, and I'll show you the ropes. No, no; no -thanks. I want some diversion myself. Poor Tom Gregory, my boon -companion, made a fool of himself over the wine the other night, and got -spitted like a cockchafer by Captain Dashwood. I've felt bad ever -since. I tried what a trip into the country would do for me. But dash -it all, I can't stand the dreariness of it. I am on my way back to town -as fast as may be. And you shall come with me. Nay, I'll take no -denial. A man must have something to do with his time, or he'll get -into a pretty peck of mischief. I've taken a liking to you; and I -always get my own way, because I won't listen to objections." - -So an hour later, when the coach rumbled out from under the archway of -the old inn, Grey Dumaresq sat within by Lord Sandford's side, and Dick, -with a puzzled but satisfied face, led his master's horse behind. - - - - - *CHAPTER V.* - - *A HIGH-BORN DAME.* - - -Westward from Whitehall, just after one had left behind the streets and -lanes of the fashionable westerly portion of London town, and emerged -into a fair region of smiling meadows, blossoming fruit-trees, orchards, -and woodlands, were in those days to be found many pleasant and stately -houses, varying in size and splendour according to the condition of the -owner, but fair mansions for the most part, and inhabited by persons of -quality, many of whom held posts at Court, and found this proximity to -Whitehall a matter of no small convenience. - -Some of the fairest and seemliest of these mansions were those which lay -along the river banks, with gardens terraced to the water's edge, where -light wherries could deposit gay gallants at the foot of the steps -leading to the wide gravelled walks, and where a gay panorama of -shipping could be seen by those who paced the shady walks, or sat in the -little temples and bowers which made a feature of so many of these -gardens. - -There was one house in particular that in these days had a notoriety of -its own. It had been an old manor house in the time when London had not -extended so far to the west, and it lay embosomed in a quaint old -garden, where fair and tall trees made a pleasant shade through the hot -summer days, where the turf was emerald green and soft to the foot, and -roses flourished in wild abundance. Now there was a formal Dutch garden -set in the midst of the old-time wilderness, where clipped box edges -divided the parterres of brilliant-hued blossoms sent from Holland, and -where nymphs disported themselves around marble fountains, and heathen -divinities on pedestals kept watch and ward over the long terraces which -lined the margin of the river. But in spite of these innovations of -modern taste, the silvan charm of the old garden had by no means been -destroyed, and there were many who declared that not even Hampton Court -itself could hold a candle to Lord Romaine's riverside garden for beauty -and brightness and the nameless fascination which defies analysis. Lord -Romaine was accounted a rising man. The friend of Marlborough and -Godolphin, a moderate Whig in politics, a courtier above all else, and -loyal to the backbone, he had been regarded with favour by the late -King, who had given him some appointment about the Court, which had been -confirmed by the Queen on her accession. And although Queen Anne was -herself of such strong Tory leanings, she was beginning to find that the -moderate Whigs were the men most useful and most to be depended upon; -and the shrewd Duchess Sarah--her dear "Mrs. Freeman"--herself a convert -from high Tory principles to those of their moderate opponents, was -using her influence steadily and strongly to bring the Queen round to -the same state of mind. - -So Lord Romaine's star was likely to rise with the rising tide of Whig -supremacy; and as he was a man of very large private means, and kept -open house in a lavish fashion, it was likely enough that he would make -his mark in the world. It would be certainly no fault of his wife if he -did not. - -Truth to tell, Lady Romaine's head had been somewhat turned when, three -years before, her husband succeeded to his father's title and estates, -and from being Viscount Latimer, with moderate means and only a measure -of Court favour to depend upon, became an earl with a very large -rent-roll, and a great fortune in ready money, which his father, who -lived a secluded existence in the country, had amassed during the later -years of his life. As Lord and Lady Latimer this couple had lived at -the riverside house they still occupied when in town; but it had not -then worn the aspect that it did to-day, albeit the garden had been -something of a hobby to its owner for many years. - -The lady cared little for the garden, save for the admiration it aroused -in others; but she longed with a mighty longing to furbish up the old -house after her own design, and as soon as the funds for this were in -their hands, not a moment was lost in the carrying out of her cherished -plans and projects. With a rapidity that astonished the town, a great -new front was added to the old building, converting it into a -quadrangle, in the centre of which a great fountain threw its waters -high into the air. All the new rooms were large, stately, and imposing, -and furnished according to the latest mode. Inlaid cabinets from the -far East, crammed with curios of which my lady knew not even the names; -crooked-legged chairs and sofas of French make; furniture in the new -mahogany wood, just beginning to attract attention and admiration; rich -carpets and hangings from India, Persia, or China; embroideries from all -quarters of the globe; Italian pottery, Spanish inlaid armour, silver -trinkets from Mexico, feather work from the isles of the west--all these -things, jostled and jumbled together in rich confusion, made Lady -Romaine's new house the talk of the town; and her tall powdered lackeys -and turbaned negro pages were more numerous and more sumptuously attired -than those of any other fashionable dame of her acquaintance. - -My lady was at her toilet upon this brilliant June morning; and as -custom permitted the attendance of gentlemen at this function, in the -case of married ladies, the hall and staircase leading up to her suite -of private apartments were already thronged by a motley crew. - -There were dandies, fresh from their own elaborate toilets, reeking of -the perfume in which they had bathed themselves, displaying in their own -persons all the hues of the rainbow, and all the extravagant fripperies -of the day, laughing and jesting together as they mounted the -softly-carpeted stairs, their cocked hats under their arms, or descended -again after having paid their _devoirs_ to my lady, often cackling with -mirth over some _bon mot_ they had heard or uttered. There were -chattering French milliners or French hair-dressers, with boxes or -bundles of laces, silks, perfumes, or trinkets, wherewith to tempt the -fancy of their patroness. There were gaily-dressed pages running to and -fro with scented notes; turbaned negro boys carrying a lap-dog or monkey -or parrot to the doting mistress, who had suddenly sent for one of her -pets. Tire-women pushed themselves through the throng, intent on the -business of the toilet, which was such an all-absorbing matter; and the -whole house seemed to ring with the loud or shrill laughter and the -ceaseless chatter of this motley throng, bent on killing time in the -most approved fashion. - -Some of the dandies about to depart, who were sipping chocolate from -cups of priceless Sevres china, and talking in their free, loose fashion -with each other, kept looking about them as though in hope or -expectation, and more than once the name of "Lady Geraldine" was bandied -about between them. One young blood asked point blank why she was never -to be seen at her mother's toilet. A laugh broke from his companions. - -"If it's Lady Geraldine you come to see, you can save yourself the -trouble of the visit. They say she was brought up by a Puritan -grandmother, who died last year, and left her all her fortune. However -that may be, the Lady Geraldine never appears when she can escape doing -so. My lady gives way to her. They say she does not care to have a -grown-up daughter at her heels, she who might pass for four-and-twenty -herself any day, but for that damning evidence. But they say the father -is beginning to declare that his daughter is no longer to be kept in the -background. I suppose the next thing will be that they will marry her -to some young nobleman. Gadzooks! with that face and that fortune--if -the fortune be not a clever myth--they ought not to find it a difficult -task!" - -"I heard it said at the club that Sandford was the favoured suitor for -the hand of Lady Geraldine," said one young exquisite, speaking with a -lisp and taking snuff. - -There was a laugh from the group of men standing by. - -"Oh, Sandford is my lady's favourite! They say he is a kinsman; and he -amuses her vastly, and gives her all the homage her heart desires. But -Lord Romaine may have something to say to that. Sandford is going the -pace that kills, and is playing old Harry with his fortune and estate. -And as for my Lady Geraldine--well, 'tis said the pretty little Puritan -will look at none of us. Split me! but it will be a pretty comedy to -watch! The awakening of Aphrodite; isn't that the thing to call it? -But Aphrodite is not generally credited with much coyness--ha, ha, ha! -Perhaps it is but a pose on the part of the pretty maid. The sweet -creatures are so artful in these days, one can never be too cautious." -And a roar of laughter answered this sally, caution being about the last -quality ever cultivated by the speaker. - -Whilst all this was going on within doors, the object of these latter -remarks was enjoying a silvan solitude in the most secluded portion of -the beautiful old garden. - -Far away from the house, far out of earshot of all the fashionable -clamour resounding there, set in the midst of a dense shrubbery of ilex -and yew, was an arbour--itself cut out of a giant yew-tree--commanding a -view of a portion of the river, slipping by its alder-crowned banks, and -overlooking a small, square lawn, sunk between high turf walls, in the -centre of which stood an ancient moss-grown sundial, whose -quaintly-lettered face was a source of unending interest to the fair -girl, who had made of this remote and sheltered place a harbour of -refuge for herself. - -She was seated now just within the arbour, an open book of poetry upon -her knee; but she was not reading, for her chin rested in the palm of -her hand, as she leaned forward in an unstudied attitude of grace, her -elbow on her knee, her wonderful dark eyes fixed full upon the shining -river, a dreamy smile of haunting sweetness playing round her lips. At -her feet a great hound lay extended, his nose upon his paws, his eyes -often lifted to the face of his mistress, his ears pricked at the -smallest sound, even at the snapping of a twig. Nobody could surprise -the Lady Geraldine when she had this faithful henchman at her side. - -The girl was dressed with extreme simplicity for the times she lived in, -when hoops were coming in, stiff brocades, laces and lappets, -high-heeled coloured shoes, and every extravagance in finery all the -rage. True, the texture of her white silk gown was of the richest, and -it was laced with silver, and fastened with pearl clasps that must have -cost a great sum; but it was fashioned with a simplicity that suggested -the rustic maiden rather than the high-born dame. Yet the simple -elegance of the graceful, girlish figure was displayed to such advantage -that even the modish mother had been able to find no fault with the -fashion in which her daughter instructed that her gowns should be cut; -and surmises and bets were freely exchanged by the gallants crowding -Lord Romaine's house as to whether it were a deep form of coquetry or -real simplicity of taste which made the Lady Geraldine differ so much -from the matrons and maids about her. - -She wore no patches upon her face, though the dazzling purity of her -complexion would thereby have been enhanced. And in days when the hair -was dressed into tower-like erections, and adorned with powder, laces, -ribbons, and all manner of strange fripperies, this girl wore her -beautiful waving golden tresses floating round her face in the fashion -of the ladies of Charles the Second's reign, or coiled them with -careless grace about her head in a natural coronet. With powder or -pomatum, wires or artificial additions, she would have nothing to do. -She had been brought up in the country by her grandmother, a lady of -very simple tastes, who would in no wise conform to the extravagant -fashions which had crept in, and were corrupting all the old-time grace -and simplicity of female attire. - -"Leave those fripperies to the gallants," had been the old lady's -pungent remark; "what do we want with powder and periwigs, patches and -pomatum?" - -She remembered the simple elegance of the court-dresses of the ladies in -the Stuart times, and had no patience with the artificial trappings that -followed. Moreover, albeit not a Puritan in any strict sense of the -word--being a loyal advocate of the Stuart cause--she was a woman of -great piety and devotion, and studied her Bible diligently; so that she -took small pleasure in the adornment of the person in gaudy clothing, -and the broidering of the hair, and in fine array. She taught her -granddaughter to think more of the virtue of the meek and quiet spirit, -and to seek rather to cultivate her mind, and store it with information -and with lofty aspirations, than to give her time and thoughts to the -round of folly and dissipation which made up the life of the lady of -fashion. - -Geraldine was so happy in the care of her grandmother, and felt so -little at home with her fashionable mother, that her visits had been few -and far between hitherto, until the sudden death of Mrs. Adair six -months previously had obliged her to return permanently to her father's -roof. - -Here she found a state of things which amazed and troubled her not a -little, and greatly did she marvel how her mother could be the daughter -of the guardian of her childhood. True, Lady Romaine had married very -young, and early escaped from the watchful care of her judicious mother; -but it seemed marvellous that so close a tie could have existed between -them, and the girl would look on with amaze and pain at her mother's -freaks and follies, wondering how any woman could find entertainment in -the idle, foolish, and often profane vapourings of the beaux who -fluttered about her, and how any sane persons could endure such a life -of trivial amusement and ceaseless meaningless dissipation. - -Pleading with her father her grief at her grandmother's death, she had -obtained a six months' respite from attendance at the gay functions -which made up life to Lady Romaine. Those six months had been spent, -for the most part, in the privacy of her own apartments, which she had -furnished with the dim and time-honoured treasures of her grandmother's -house, all of which were now her own, and which made her quarters in the -old part of the house like an oasis of taste, and harmony, and true -beauty in an ocean of confused and almost tawdry profusion. The old -garden was another favourite haunt of hers, for there were portions of -it which were seldom invaded by the gay butterflies who often hovered -about the newer terraces and the formal Dutch garden, and the hound -always gave her ample warning of any approaching footstep, so that she -could fly and hide herself before any one could molest her. - -So here she prosecuted her studies, read her favourite authors, and when -the house was quiet--her mother having flown off to some gay rout or -card-party or ball--she would practise her skill on the lute, virginal, -spinet, or harp, and her fresh young voice would resound through the -house, drawing the servants to the open windows to hear the sweet -strains. - -Lady Romaine would have humoured the girl's fancy for seclusion -indefinitely. She felt almost humiliated by the presence of a daughter -so stately and so mature. Geraldine was nineteen, but might have passed -for more, with her grave, refined beauty, and her lack of all the -kittenish freakishness which made many matrons seem almost like girls, -even when their charms began to fade, and nature had to be replaced by -art. Lady Romaine fondly believed that her admirers took her for -four-and-twenty; and now to have to pose as the mother of a grown-up -daughter was a bitter mortification, and one which disposed her to make -as speedy a marriage for Geraldine as could well be achieved. Lord -Romaine had at last insisted that his daughter should appear in the -world of fashion, and she had been once or twice to Court in her -parents' train, where her striking beauty and unwonted appearance had -made some sensation. Geraldine had little fault to find with what she -saw and heard there. Good Queen Anne permitted nothing reprehensible in -her neighbourhood, and her Court was grave to the verge of dullness. -She was a loving and a model wife; and the Duchess was devoted to her -husband, though often making his life a burden by her imperious temper. -Anything like conjugal infidelity was not tolerated therefore by either -of these ladies, and decorum ruled wherever the Queen was to be found. - -But at other places and in other company matters were far different, and -already Geraldine began to shrink with a great disgust and distaste from -the compliments she received, from the coarse, foolish, affected talk -she heard, and from the knowledge of the senseless dissipation which -flowed like a stream at her feet, and which seemed to encircle the span -of her life in a way that made escape impossible. - -But she had been taught obedience as one of the cardinal virtues, and -the days of emancipated daughters were not yet. When her father bade -her lay aside her mourning and join in the life of the house, she knew -she must obey. But she had asked from him the favour of being permitted -to design her own dresses, and to follow her own tastes in matters -pertaining to her own toilet, and also that she might be excused -attendance at her mother's morning levee; for the spectacle of crowds of -men flocking in and out of her mother's apartments, and witnessing the -triumphs of the coiffeurs and tire-women, was to her degrading and -disgusting; and though Lord Romaine laughed--being himself so inured to -the custom--and told her she was a little fool, and must get the better -of her prudery, he gave way to her in this, and the more readily because -she represented to him how that these morning hours were now the only -ones she could command for study; and he was proud to find in his -daughter an erudition and talent very rare amongst women in those days. - -[Illustration: The old garden was another favourite haunt of hers (page -96).] - -But now an approaching footstep warned the girl that her pleasant -morning was over. The dog sprang up, but did not growl. It was -Geraldine's own serving-woman approaching with the girl's white-plumed -hat and long silver-laced gloves. - -"My lady's coach waits, and she desires your presence," was the message -that reached her. Geraldine sat down to let the woman fasten the hat -upon her head, and with a sigh she put away her books in their basket, -and gave it to the charge of the faithful hound. She had found that her -treasures were far more carefully safeguarded by him than when left in -the care of a giddy maid, who was more bent on having the same kind of -amusement with the men-servants that her mistress had with the gallants -than of seeking to discharge her duties faithfully and well. - -"Hasten, child, hasten!" cried Lady Romaine's shrill voice from the -entrance-hall, as Geraldine approached. She was a wonderful object as -she stood there in the full light of the June sunshine, her stiff amber -brocade sweeping round her in great billows, her waist laced in like -that of a wasp, and accentuated by the style of the long-pointed bodice; -her high-heeled shoes, ornamented to extravagance, the heels being -bright red and the uppers sewed with precious stones; gems glittering in -the mass of laces at her throat, and in a number of clasps fastened to -the bodice; her hair towering upwards to such a height that she could -scarce sit comfortably in her lofty coach, and could wear nothing in the -way of head-gear save the laces and ribbons which were worked in with -much skill by the French hair-dresser. She was redolent of perfume; -gloves, lace handkerchief, dainty muff, every little knickknack, of -which she possessed so many, all emitted the same cloying sweetness. -Geraldine felt herself heave a sigh of oppression as she followed this -grotesque object into the coach. She was growing used to the aspect -presented by the dames of fashion, but there were moments when her first -disgust came over her in great waves. - -"I marvel that you like to make yourself such a figure of fun, child," -remarked the mother, as she settled herself in her coach, smirked -towards the piece of looking-glass let in opposite, and turned a -sidelong glance upon her daughter; "'tis enough to set the gallants -laughing to see how you habit yourself. Well, well; you are a lucky -girl to have found a suitor so soon. Now take good heed to show him no -saucy airs, should he present himself at our box at the play to-day. He -has been away these last days, but he can never long absent himself from -town. Mind you have a smile for him when he appears, or I shall have -somewhat to say to you later, Miss Impertinence." And the lady's ivory -fan came down somewhat smartly upon Geraldine's arm. - -"Of whom are you speaking, ma'am?" she asked, whilst the colour mounted -suddenly in her fair face. - -"Oh, come now; so we are already posing as a belle of many beaux! Pray -who has ever cast a glance upon you save my good kinsman Sandford? And, -mind you, he is a man of taste and fashion, and it is a great compliment -that he has singled you out for notice. There be girls would give their -ears for a kind glance from his eyes, and there are as good fish in the -sea as ever came out of it; so mind your manners, miss, and treat him to -no tricks. It is high time you were wed, and had a husband to look -after you, and that is why I take you about. For, as for pleasure in -such company, one might as well play bear-leader to a snow queen!" - -"I did not know that Lord Sandford had done me any favour," spoke -Geraldine quietly. "I have seen him but seldom, and he has spoke not -over much to me. But I will bear your wishes in mind, madam, should he -appear to-day." - -"Ha! there he is!" suddenly cried my lady, becoming excited, and rapping -smartly with her fan on the glass of the window. The next minute the -coach had pulled up, and Lord Sandford, attired in the very height of -the fashion, was bowing over her hand with his courtliest air. - - - - - *CHAPTER VI.* - - *THE PASTIMES OF THE TOWN.* - - -"The sun shines once again," quoth Lord Sandford, as he raised the -extended hand of Lady Romaine to his lips, and dropped a light kiss upon -her scented glove. "The sun shines in the sky; but let him beware and -look to his laurels, for there are stars abroad of such dazzling lustre -that Phoebus must have a care lest the brightness of his shafts be -quenched in a more refulgent glow." And the young man gazed into the -lady's eyes with a bold laughing stare that pointed the meaning of the -compliment. - -"La! but you talk the greatest nonsense!" cried Lady Romaine, highly -delighted, as she tapped him smartly with her fan. "Come, tell me where -you have been these many days. Some said you had been a-wooing in the -country, and others that your dolts of tradesmen were dunning you to -distraction, and others that you had fought a duel and had need to fly; -but, pardieu! if one believed all the gossip of the town, one would have -enough to do. I know there has been a duel, and I am aching to hear all -about it. I'll warrant you know all the story, since he was your -friend. Come, get into the coach, and tell me all about it. Were you -there? What was it all about? And what sort of an end did he make?" - -Lady Romaine's face expressed the eager pleasure and curiosity of a -child talking over some trivial pleasure; she flirted her fan, cast -languishing glances, and played off upon the young Earl all those -countless little airs and graces which characterized the fine lady of -the period. - -But Geraldine drew back in her corner, her face growing cold and pale. -She had scarcely acknowledged Lord Sandford's presence, only just -bending her head in response to his bow. He had not addressed her as -yet, and he appeared engrossed by the mother; but he flashed one quick -glance upon her now, and possibly read something of the pain and disgust -which possessed her, for he answered,-- - -"Nay, madam, let us not talk of what is past and done. How can thought -of gloom and death dwell in so radiant a presence? In sooth, all dark -thoughts take to themselves wings in this company, and will not be -caught or caged. I forget that we are not in the bowers of Arcadia; -for, in sooth, I am transported thither so soon as these poor eyes be -dazzled by the light of those twin stars of love and beauty!" - -Again Lady Romaine tapped him with her fan. She loved a compliment, -however fulsome; but she wanted at this moment to be entertained by the -account of the duel, which had made a little stir in the town, from the -fact of one of the combatants having been the boon companion and friend -of Lord Sandford. - -"You dear, tormenting devil! But I will have the story yet! And we are -all dying to know how you will get on without your Fidus Achates. By my -troth, you do not look as though you had wasted away in fruitless -longing. Perchance you have found already another to fill his place?" - -"Perhaps I have, madam," was the negligent reply. "I had not known the -town had so much thought to spare for worthless me. I' faith, I am a -bigger man than I thought for. But I must not keep your coach standing -in this blaze of sunshine. Whither are you bound, fair ladies? To some -Arcadian bowers of Paphos, I doubt not, where Orpheus will charm you -with his lyre, and nymphs will cluster round in envy, marvelling at -those charms which not even Aphrodite herself can rival." - -"Oh fie! you are a sad flatterer!" cried Lady Romaine, sinking back upon -her cushions and waving her hand. "We are bound to Lady Saltire's -hazard table for an hour's play. Shall we meet you there, my lord? -Afterwards, we take supper at our favourite India house, and then to the -play--Wynstanly's water theatre. He has a new piece--monstrous fine, -those who have seen it vow. They have nymphs, and mermaids, and -tritons, and I know not what beside; and they ask a pretty price for the -boxes, I can tell you. But la! one must go and see what all the world -is talking of. Mind you come to our box if you be there. We shall -expect you, and shall welcome you and any friend you like to bring." - -"Even the new Fidus Achates, of whom you spoke just now?" asked Lord -Sandford, with a slightly ironical bow. - -"Oh gracious, yes!" cried Lady Romaine, excited by the very idea; "bring -him at once and present him to us. I hope he is a pretty fellow, and -can turn a merry quip and tell a story. You should have heard Beau -Sidney last night! Sakes! I thought I should have split my sides!" - -At this juncture the horses became so fidgety with standing in the glare -of the sun that Lord Sandford stepped back, and the coach rolled upon -its way. Lady Romaine waved her scented kerchief, and then routed her -scent-bottle out of her reticule, and turning sharply upon her daughter, -said,-- - -"Why sit you ever like a stuffed owl, without so much as a word or a -smile? I die for shame every time I take you out. What have I done to -be punished with such a daughter? One would think you to be a -changeling child, if you did not so favour the Adairs. How think you -you will ever get wed, sitting gaping there like a farm-house wench, who -is afraid to open her lips lest she should betray herself by her speech. -You put me to shame, child; I could cry with mortification. What will -the world say, save that I have an idiot for a daughter?" - -Geraldine knew not what to answer. As she listened to the fatuous and -stilted talk which was fashionable in her mother's world, with its -senseless mythological allusions and high-flown extravagances, it often -seemed to her that these gay dandies and dames were all playing at -madmen together. Her tongue had never learned the trick of such talk. -It perplexed and disgusted her, seeming trivial and childish when it was -not improper or profane. She saw other young girls who listened -eagerly, and as eagerly reproduced the flowery nonsense amongst -themselves and their admirers; but it seemed impossible to her to do the -like, and she listened in humble silence to her mother's tirades, -wondering whether there were something radically wrong about herself, or -whether the absurdity and folly were in others. - -"But, madam," she said gently at the last, "why should I get me a -husband so soon? My grandmother was against very early marriages, and -as she lay dying she often warned me to make very careful choice ere I -gave my hand in troth-plight. She said I must needs be certain of mine -own heart, for that no more wretched life could exist for woman than -when she was tied to a man she could not love or respect." - -"Tush, child! Your grandmother was a good woman. I speak no hurt of -her. But she knew less of life than many a girl of eighteen does -nowadays, and her ideas were all topsy-turvy. A woman wants a fine -establishment, her powdered footmen, her negro boys, her dresses, her -jewels, and all the world doing her homage. That is what makes the -pleasure of life. A good husband who can give you all that is what you -want; and what can you ask better than the addresses of Lord Sandford? -I tell you there are half the girls in town would give their ears for -his smiles. He has been extravagant, 'tis true; but the estate can -stand a heavy drain, and he is lucky at cards. He soon finds himself on -his legs again. When he marries he will open his great house in the -Strand, of which he uses but one wing now. With your fortune and his -estates and his luck in gaming, you might be the gayest couple in town. -Look to it, girl, that you show him no airs. I am ashamed to have such -a mannerless wench for a daughter. If you are not more careful, you -will drive all the beaux away; and then, when it is too late, you will -be sorry." - -Geraldine had her own ideas on that point. It was her one desire just -now to keep at arm's length all those gay popinjays that fluttered about -her mother. Lord Sandford, it is true, was somewhat removed from the -crowd by a handsomer person, a more distinguished air, and by a greater -force of character. On more than one occasion, when he had put himself -about to gain her ear, she had found that he could drop his mask of gay -affectations, and be both shrewd and entertaining. Some of his -criticisms had even interested and aroused her; but she was very far -from being captivated. She did not know whether it would be possible to -give to such a man either love or reverence, and without either one or -other Geraldine had resolved not to marry, though she knew that it was a -hard task for a daughter to set at naught the wishes of her parents in -these matters. She saw that both father and mother, though for -different reasons, desired her to make a speedy choice, and take up her -position in the fashionable world as a lady of title and importance. - -However, she was spared further strictures by the arrival of the -carriage at Lady Saltire's fine house: and shortly she found herself -standing behind her mother's chair at the hazard table, half stunned by -the clatter and clamour of voices, watching with grave, pained eyes the -eager faces of the players, their excited gestures as they reached for -their winnings, their rage and disappointment when the luck went against -them, the greed she saw in all faces--that lust after gold which is of -all vices one of the most hateful and degrading. - -Old men and young girls, matrons and aged dames, all crowded round the -tables, their hoops crushing together, their tall powdered heads -sometimes meeting in sharp collision. There were scented dandies, who -regarded this "ladies' play" as the merest bagatelle, and lost or won -their gold pieces with careless grace, thinking of the more serious play -which awaited them later at the club, or at the lodgings of some member -of their own set. - -Amongst this motley crowd, gaily apparelled servants moved to and fro, -handing coffee, chocolate, and delicate confectionery, or offering -scented waters for the refreshment of the ladies. The gentlemen -preferred stronger potations, and congregated together, laughing and -jesting. But not infrequently they would be joined by some giddy young -matron, who called them all by their Christian names, passed jests with -them that would not bear repetition in these days, and even toasted some -"pretty fellow," laughing gaily and giddily the while. - -There were a few graver spirits congregated together in one small room, -and Geraldine could catch fleeting glimpses of them through an open -door. She knew some of the faces, and that they were politicians and -men of letters; and she thought they were discussing some literary -point, for one held a paper in his hand, and he seemed to be reading -from it to the others. - -"I'll warrant they have got a new ode to my Lord of Marlborough yonder," -spoke a voice at Geraldine's elbow; and turning she saw an elderly man -whose face was known to her from his having been a guest at her father's -house. "They had a great trouble after the victory of Blenheim to find -a poet able to hymn the triumph in periods sufficiently fine; but I -think it was Lord Halifax who discovered Mr. Addison, whose noble lines -set the city wondering. Belike he has broken forth into lyric or epic -praise over the battle of Ramillies, and the marvellous effects it has -had abroad. Shall we go and listen to his periods?" - -Geraldine was thankful to get away from the heated atmosphere of the -card-room, and to find herself amongst men and women who had other -fashions of thought and speech. But she was not allowed much peace in -these different surroundings; for she was quickly summoned to her -mother's side, taken from house to house, ever seeing and hearing the -like vapourings, the like fripperies and follies. It was the same thing -at the dinner or supper, where her mother had a whole train of young -bloods in her wake. She gave them the best the house afforded, and -spent her time quizzing the dresses of the other ladies at the -surrounding tables, learning all the gossip about any person whose face -or costume struck her, and drinking in flattery and adulation as a bee -sips honey from the flowers. - -In spite of her efforts to please her mother, Geraldine found it -impossible to take any share in this strange sort of gaiety. Her -answers were little more than monosyllables. Often she did not even -understand the allusions or the far-fetched metaphors of those who -addressed her. More often she shrank from their glances and their open -compliments, feeling degraded by both, but powerless to repel them. She -was thankful when at last she found herself by her mother's side in the -box at Wynstanly's; for here she hoped she might find some measure of -peace, since the box would not hold any great number of persons, and her -mother was never satisfied without the attention of four or five -gentlemen at once. - -If the play in itself were not very entertaining, the effects of fire -and water were rather magnificent, and something new, so that more -attention was given to the stage than was usual at such entertainments -in those days. The fashionable listeners did not turn their backs upon -the players and talk at the top of their voices all the while the play -was in progress, as in some houses, and Geraldine was quite wrapped in -contemplation of the monsters and mermaids and denizens of the deep, -with Father Neptune and his trident at their head, so that she knew -nothing of what went on in the box where she sat, till a voice at her -elbow spoke insistently. - -"They lack but one thing more--snow-white Aphrodite rising in peerless -beauty from the foam of the sea; and yet the audience has but to turn -its eyes hither, and behold they will see that crowning marvel for -themselves!" - -The girl started, and looked full into the eyes of Lord Sandford, bent -upon her with a significance there was no misunderstanding. He was -dressed in a daring costume of scarlet and gold, with quantities of lace -and sparkling jewels. Even his well-turned legs were encased in scarlet -stockings, and his shoes were of the same flaming hue. His height and -breadth of shoulder always made him a notable figure; and the immense -wig he wore, which to-night was cunningly powdered so as to look almost -like frosted silver, added to the distinction of his appearance. Gilded -popinjay Lord Sandford with all his extravagances could never be called. -There was something too virile and strong about his whole personality -for that. - -"I do not like compliments, my lord," she answered, the words escaping -her lips almost before she was aware; "I have heard something too much -of Venus and Cupid, Pallas and Hymen, since I made my appearance in -London routs. I am but a simple country maid, and desire no high-flown -compliments. I am foolish enough to regard them rather as honeyed -insults. I pray you pardon my freedom of speech." - -"I pray you pardon mine," spoke Lord Sandford quickly. "You have -spoken, Lady Geraldine, a deeper truth than perchance you know. I, for -one, will not offend again. I would that all our sisters, wives, and -daughters would look as you and speak as you." - -The frank sincerity in face and voice pleased her, and a smile dawned in -her eyes. It was the first he had ever seen bent on him, and he was -struck afresh with the pure unsullied beauty of this girl's face. Truth -to tell, his first attraction towards her had been the rumour of her -fortune, for he was more deeply in debt than he wished the world to -know; but something in the remoteness and isolation in which she seemed -to wrap herself piqued and interested him; for his jaded palate required -fresh food when it was to be had, and the vein of manliness and strength -which his life had never altogether warped or destroyed responded to the -sincerity he read in Lady Geraldine's fair face. - -The curtain was down now. For a few minutes he spoke of the play and -the water apparatus, worked by a windmill on the roof, which was -exciting so much interest in London. Geraldine's eyes meantime -travelled round the box. She saw her mother engrossed in gay talk with -a small circle of admirers; but one of these edged himself somewhat away -from the rest, and finally stood apart, leaning against the wall of the -box and surveying the house from that vantage point. - -Geraldine's eyes were riveted with some interest upon this newcomer, -whom she was certain she had never seen before. In some indefinable way -he was different from the men she had been used to meet at such places. -For one thing, he wore his own hair; and the floating brown curls, like -Cavalier love-locks, seemed to her infinitely more becoming than the -mass of false hair which was so much in vogue in all ranks save the -lowest. His dress, too, though far more simple than that of the beaux -fluttering round her mother, seemed to her far more graceful and -distinguished. His stockings, breeches, and vest were all of white, -with a little silver frosting. His coat was of pale blue, with silver -buttons; and his lace cravat, though small and unostentatious, was rich -in quality, and fastened by a beautiful pearl. He carried neither muff -nor snuff-box, cane nor toothpick. He did not simper nor ogle, nor look -as though he desired to attract the eyes of the house upon himself. But -he was, notwithstanding, a rather notable figure as he stood looking -gravely and thoughtfully downwards; there was something very graceful in -his attitude, and in the carriage of his head, and his features were so -remarkably handsome that Lady Romaine turned her eyes upon him many -times, and exerted all her artifices to draw him back to her immediate -neighbourhood. But he was perfectly unconscious of this, not hearing -the chatter which went on about him, lost in some reverie of his own, -which brought a peculiar dreamy softness into his eyes. - -Lord Sandford, following the direction of Geraldine's glance, looked at -this motionless figure, then back at the girl, and laughed. - -"Lady Geraldine, pray permit me to present to you my newly-made friend -and comrade, Sir Grey Dumaresq, who, I doubt not, is dying to make his -bow to so fair a lady." - -She flashed him a glance half merry, half reproachful, and he suddenly -laid his hand upon his lips, a laugh rolling from them hearty and full. - -"I' faith I had forgot! How shall I teach my rebel tongue a new -language? But Sir Grey will atone for all my defects.--Here is a lady, -if you will believe it, O friend, who loves not the sugared and honeyed -phrase of adulation, but seeks in all things truth, virtue, and I know -not what else beside. It is whispered to me that she is a mistress of -all the _belles lettres_, and perchance a poetess herself." - -"Nay, my lord," answered Geraldine, with a blush and a smile--"only one -who loves the poesy of those who have lived before, and left their -treasures for us who come after, and would fain drink in all the beauty -of their thoughts and of their lives." - -Lord Sandford good-naturedly yielded his seat to Grey, whose sensitive -face had lighted at the girl's words. - -"Methought I had come to a world where naught was dreamed of save -fashion and frippery, false adulation and falser scorn. I am well-nigh -stunned by the clamour of tongues, the strife of parties, the bustle of -this gay life of fashion." - -"Oh, and I too--I too!" breathed the girl softly: and he flashed at her -a quick, keen glance of sympathy and interest. - -"I was bred in the country; my grandam brought me up. I lived with my -books, amid silvan solitudes, the songs of birds, the scent of flowers. -This great glittering world of folly and fashion is like a fiery wheel -going round in my head. Ofttimes I could cry aloud for mercy, the pain -and bewilderment are so great. I know there must be noble men and good -in this strange Pandemonium; but I know not where to find them, and my -heart grows sick. Would that I could go back to my books and my dreams! -But alas! a maiden may not choose for herself." - -"Still there is life here," spoke Grey quickly, "and it behoves us to -know men as well as books. I have studied both. I will study them -again. I would fain learn all that life has to teach, whether for weal -or woe. No hermit-monk was ever truly a man. Yet there be times when -one shrinks in amaze from all one sees and hears." - -The chord of sympathy was struck. They passed from one thing to -another. She found one at last who knew and loved the poets of her -childhood's dreams--who could talk of Spenser and Sidney, of Watson, -Greville, and Drayton, quoting their verses, and often lighting upon her -favourite passages. Here was a man who knew Milton and Clarendon, -Hobbes, Herbert, Lovelace and Suckling, Lord Herbert of Cherbury and -Izaak Walton. He had read eagerly, like herself, poetry and prose, -drama and epic, lyric and sonnet. He could speak of Poetry as one who -had loved and courted her as a mistress. The girl longed to ask him if -he had written himself, but maiden shyness withheld her. Yet her eyes -brightened as she talked, and the peach-like colour rose and deepened in -her cheeks; and Lord Sandford, turning back once again from the mother -to look at the daughter, was struck dumb with admiration and delight. - -"There is a rose worth winning and wearing, though the stem may not be -free from a sharp thorn," he said to himself; and Lady Romaine, who -chanced to catch sight of Geraldine during a shifting of the admirers -who surrounded her, gave something very like a start, and felt a curious -thrill run through her in which pride and envy were blended. - -"Gracious! I did not know I had so handsome a daughter! I must wed her -as fast as may be, else shall I find my beaux going from me to her," was -her unspoken thought; and aloud she said, tapping Lord Sandford with her -fan, "Pray tell my daughter that I am about to depart. We have had -enough of the naiads and dryads, and I am tired and hungry. Who will -come home with me to supper--to take pot-luck with us?" - -There was an eager clamour in response; but when the supper-party -assembled round Lady Romaine's chocolate tables in her favourite private -parlour, she noted that Geraldine had disappeared to bed, and that Sir -Grey Dumaresq had not availed himself of her open invitation. - - - - - *CHAPTER VII.* - - *A FAIR FACE.* - - -If Grey Dumaresq was a man who craved a variety of experiences, and -wished to see life under different aspects, he was getting his wish now; -for the gay world of fashion, into which he suddenly found himself -plunged, differed _in toto_ from any of his former experiences; and so -swift was the pace, and so shifting the throng amid which he moved, that -he often felt as though his breath were fairly taken away, and as though -he had suddenly stepped into a new existence. - -Lord Sandford had chanced upon the young baronet at a moment when a -blank had been made in his own life by the sudden and violent death of -one who had been his boon companion and friend. The gay young man, who -had fallen in a foolish duel a few weeks before, had been the inmate of -his house and the companion in all his freaks and follies; so much so, -that without him the young nobleman felt for the moment bewildered and -lost, and had absented himself from town with a view to "getting over -it," as he hoped: for he despised himself for any sign of weakness, and -would not for worlds have had his comrades and boon companions know how -the loss had affected him. - -Then, as it seemed just by a lucky chance, this young and attractive man -had fallen as from the very skies at his feet. Grey Dumaresq, new to -the world of London, curious and speculative, willing to see all, learn -all, participate in all, seemed exactly the person to fill the gap in -his life. Grey had no place of abode; why, then, should he not occupy -the vacant chambers in the wing of the great mansion in the Strand which -Lord Sandford used as his customary lodging, when he was not spending -his time with friends, or making one of a gay party elsewhere? Grey had -no valid reason for declining the invitation pressed upon him. Lord -Sandford was a masterful man, and his strong personality impressed -itself upon Grey with something between attraction and repulsion. But, -on the whole, attraction seemed the stronger power, and curiosity to -know more of this man and his life held Grey's soul in thrall. He had -always experienced a vivid curiosity to taste life in its various forms, -to know and understand the thoughts, the feelings, the aspirations, the -ambitions of other men. His travels had given him insight into many -matters; but he felt that these new experiences were likely to be more -searching, more exciting, more full of keen personal interest. He had -been, as it were, a spectator heretofore; now he was to be a -participator. - -He had not meant to be any man's guest; he had meant to take a modest -lodging of his own, and look about him for something in the way of -employment, but Lord Sandford had roared with laughter over such a -notion. - -"What! Sir Grey Dumaresq going cap in hand to some proud place-giver to -ask for patronage, or I know not what! Gadzooks, man, with that face, -that figure, that horse, and a purse full of guineas, you can do better -than that! Trust yourself to me. I'll show you where fame and fortune -lie. You shall redeem your rat-infested old house in a very brief -while, if you will but trust yourself to my guidance. You be Damon to -my Pythias--or is it t'other way round, eh?--and I'll show you the royal -road to the goal you want." - -For lack of any definite plans, Grey had consented for the nonce to -accept Lord Sandford's advice, and had quickly found himself installed -in some gloomy and stately yet luxurious chambers in a vast house, of -which only a portion was open for use, and the rest given over to a -neglect and decay that Hartsbourne itself could scarcely rival. - -"But we shall change all that some day," spoke Lord Sandford, with a -careless laugh, as Grey expressed his surprise at the vast rooms and -long galleries shut up and infested by rats and spiders. "Oh yes, we -shall change all that some day; but what does a bachelor want with such -a house as this? What should I be the better for a crowd of liveried -servants, eating off their heads, idling away their time dicing and -drinking? What have I to give an army of scullions and cooks to do--I -who seldom take a meal at home after my morning chocolate? No, no; I -know a trick worth two of that. I don't ruin myself to keep a crew of -fat, lazy rogues about me, cheating me at every turn. Half a dozen -fellows and a few kitchen wenches do well enow for me; but when Lady -Sandford comes to her husband's home--ah well! then we shall see the -difference." - -But though he talked jestingly from time to time of the Lady Sandford -that was to be, he gave Grey no hint as to whether his fancy inclined -more to one or another of the many gay maidens with whom he chatted and -flirted, danced and romped, in the fashion of the day; and so -bewildering and dazzling were these young madams and their surroundings -that the newcomer was lost in a maze of wonder and bewilderment, and -found it hard to distinguish one face from another, until he met one, -different from all the rest. - -But Grey was not left idle; he had small time for musing. The very -first day of his sojourn in London he was surrounded by a fluttering -crowd of tailors, glove-sellers, barbers, fencers, sellers and purveyors -of every imaginable ware, who all professed their eagerness to serve -him, and quoted Lord Sandford as a patron who could swear to their -honesty and the excellence of their goods. - -Into the midst of this motley throng Lord Sandford thrust himself, -laughing his great hearty laugh, and quickly sent to the right-about -two-thirds of the importunate crowd--a jest here, a keen thrust there, a -slap on back or shoulder in another quarter, emphasizing his forcible -hints. And when the room was cleared of all but the lucky few, he flung -himself into an armchair with another laugh, telling Grey he was sorry -his knaves of servants, who looked for perquisites everywhere, had let -in this flood of rogues upon him, but added that he must needs have the -wherewithal to cut a proper figure in London town, and forthwith set -about the business of ordering an outfit for the young man which almost -took his guest's breath away. - -"Poof!" he cried, when the latter strove to remonstrate, "you have -plenty of money; and these rascals can wait if it suits your pleasure. -Father's memory! Oh, be hanged to all such mawkish sentiment! You need -not think less of your father because you wear a blue coat in lieu of a -black! Rabbit me! but you are of a different world from this if you keep -alive your father's memory for six months after his decease! No, no; -you must cut a figure. Sir Hugh's name is clean forgot by now. I'll eat -my boots if 'tis not so. I'll have you as gay as my fancy paints you. -No black--no sables for the gentleman, I tell you. Let us see those -other patterns. Ah! here is something more like." - -Grey submitted. In sooth, he cared but little for the colour of his -clothes, or the set of his hat, or the cut of his coat. He let Lord -Sandford have his way for the most part, only insisting here and there -upon soft and tender tints, and showing a predilection for white, which -his friend quite approved. - -"You shall be a foil to me, not a rival. I have learned that art from -the ladies. I like to blaze like old Sol in his strength; you shall -rather recall gentle Luna amid her galaxy of stars. Faugh! One's tongue -gets into this silly trick of speech, so that one cannot drop it even -betwixt man and man! But you are right to think that white becomes you -well. You will look a pretty fellow, in all conscience, when you have -added a peruke to your other adornments." - -But here Grey stood firm. Nothing would induce him to cumber his head -with one of those mountains of hair. In vain the perruquiers displayed -their wares; in vain Lord Sandford bantered and laughed, and made out -that he would be reckoned as a mad fellow by the young bloods of the -city. Grey would not yield an inch. He had always found his own hair -sufficient and comfortable, and he would wear it to the end. And as the -discomfited perruquier at last departed, Lord Sandford broke into -another of his great laughs. - -"I' faith you are right, man. I like you the better that you have the -courage of your opinions, and care no whit for fashion. You'll be a -match for more than the perruquiers yet. There's a fighting strain in -your blood. I can see it in the glint of your eye. Well, you shall not -lack opportunity to fight as well as to laugh here in London town; but -we'll not have cold steel or hot lead again. I've seen enough of that -cursed duelling to last me for a lifetime." - -Grey was quickly to discover the nature of the battles in which he was -to take a part, and at the first he shrank from them with an instinctive -aversion he could not well have defined, being no grave moralist or -philosopher. Contests of skill or of luck at the gaming tables were all -the rage of the day with the young dandies of the town, and the man who -could keep a steady head, and in some cases a steady hand, was certain -in the long run to obtain advantage over his fellows. At one club a -game something like our modern billiards was all the rage; and, of -course, a man who was moderate in his cups could score heavily over the -reckless, dissipated bloods, who were seldom sober after sundown. Dice -and cards had their vogue at other places; and though some of the games -played were those purely of chance, others required no small skill and a -clear head to ensure success, and it was here that Lord Sandford's -strong head and Grey's cool blood and temperate habits gave them the -advantage. - -The young man had not been a fortnight in town before finding his -capital doubled, as well as all bills paid to the astonished tradesmen, -who seldom looked to receive their money within a twelvemonth. He was -disposed to be troubled at this easy fashion of making money; but Lord -Sandford laughed him to scorn. - -"Zounds, man, what does it matter? Those young popinjays are bound to -lose their money to some one. Why not then to honest fellows like you -and me, who pay our bills and do good to the community with the money? -Scruples! Faugh! you must rid yourself of them! Sir Hugh Dumaresq's -son need not trouble himself thus. Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow -we die. Isn't that good Scripture?" But the reckless young lord paled -a little at the sound of his own words. He had seen sudden death once -too often for his peace of mind of late. - -In sooth, Grey felt but little scruple in taking his winnings. The -young man was not greatly in advance of his age, although he was indued -with a nature more finely strung and aspirations more lofty than -belonged to most. Gambling was so much a matter of course both in this -and in other lands, and the devotees of the amusement so numerous and so -bent upon their sport, that it would have needed stronger convictions -than Grey as yet possessed to make any stand on such a point. He took -the same risks as the others, and if his coolness of head, steadiness of -hand, and quick observation and memory served to make for success in his -case, he rather regarded this as a witness to his superiority, and felt -only a small sense of reluctance in pocketing his gains; which -reluctance he could only attribute to a lingering memory of words spoken -by his mother when he was a growing boy, and news came to them from time -to time of Sir Hugh's losses over cards, and the necessity for further -retrenchments upon the already impoverished estate. - -But the cases being so dissimilar, Grey did not see that he need debar -himself from this easy highroad to fortunes, as it then seemed. Nobody -was dependent upon him. Nobody was there to grieve over his troubles or -to rejoice over his success. His honest serving-man was in sooth the -only being in any way deeply attached to him; and Dick was as delighted -at his master's brave appearance, and at the golden stream running into -his pocket, as though he had achieved some great success or triumph. - -There was one way by which Grey had pocketed considerable sums of money -that was very congenial to him, and had given him some very happy hours. -This was the speed and strength of his horse, which Lord Sandford had -made boast of, vowing in the hearing of some of the smartest dandies of -the town that Don Carlos would beat any steed against whom he was -pitted--a challenge eagerly taken up by the young bloods, proud of their -own horses and horsemanship, to whom trials of skill and strength, and -contests over which wagers might freely be exchanged, were as the very -salt of life. - -So either out at Hampstead, or at Richmond or Hampton Court, Don Carlos -had been set to show the metal of which he was made, and had come off -easy victor in every race and every match, whether flat running, or -leaping, or a course of the nature of a steeplechase had been elected. -His strength and speed, sagacity and endurance, had never once failed -him, and already he was the talk of the town, and Grey could have sold -him for a great price had he been willing to part with his favourite. - -Many bright eyes had smiled upon the young centaur, many languishing -glances had been cast at him. He had been called up again and again to -be presented to some high-born dame, or some bevy of laughing maidens, -and he had bowed with courtly grace, and received their sugared -compliments with suitable acknowledgments. But no face had attracted -him as that face he had seen once at the water theatre, almost upon his -first appearance in the gay world. He knew that it belonged to Lady -Geraldine Romaine; and often his eyes roved round some gay assemblage, -searching half unconsciously for a sight of her tall and graceful -figure, and the sweet, earnest face, so different from the laughing and -grimacing crowd in which he now moved. Grey had not known much of -women, so far. His college life first, and then his roving career of -adventure, had hindered him from making friendships save with those of -his own sex; and his deep love for his mother had preserved as a living -power his chivalrous belief in women, and a resolute determination to -disbelieve the idle, malicious, and vicious tales he heard of them on -all sides. Womanhood was sacred to him, and should be sacred to the -world. That was his inalienable conviction; and he had striven to be -blind and deaf to much of what had often been passing around him, that -he might not sink to the level of the men he met, who would tear to -tatters a woman's reputation for an evening's pastime, or revel in every -ugly bit of scandal or tittle-tattle that the young beaux' valets -learned from the lackeys of other fine folk, and retailed with additions -at the door of the theatre, the gates of the Park, or on the staircases -of the fashionable houses whither their masters and mistresses flocked -for amusement, unconscious or heedless of the gossip spread abroad about -them by their servants at the doors. - -Grey took no pleasure in the society of these fashionable dames. His -tongue had not learned the trick of the artificial language then in -vogue. He was disgusted by the gross flattery every lady looked to -receive, and the lisping platitudes of the attendant beaux filled him -with scorn. It was small wonder that he chose rather the society of men -of more virility and stronger fibre, such as Lord Sandford and his -chosen friends; for though many of them were wild young rakes, and not a -few had a very doubtful record, yet Grey knew little enough about that, -and found them not without attraction, although the higher part of his -nature revolted from much that he saw and heard. Nevertheless, he -regarded it all as a part of the experience in life which he craved, and -he might have become in a short while just such another as these, had it -not been for an incident which suddenly arrested him in his career of -dissipation, and turned his thoughts into different channels. - -It had been early June when he came to town, and now July had come, with -its sultry suns and breathless nights, when Grey ofttimes felt after an -evening over cards that it was mockery to go to bed, and lounged away -the residue of the night at his open window, enjoying the only coolness -and freshness that was to be had, as the wind came whispering from the -river charged with refreshing moisture. - -Sometimes the river seemed to call him; and at such times he would lay -aside his finery, clothe himself in some plainer habit, and betake -himself through the silent house, where the night watchman was always -found slumbering at his post, out through the big courts and down to the -river steps, where a few light wherries were always kept moored, one of -which he would select, and shoot out upon the glimmering river to meet -the new day there. - -Some of his happiest hours were spent thus; and at such times as these -he felt rising within him a vague sense of unrest and of disgust. He -had come to the world of London to conquer fate, to make for himself a -name and a career; and here he was wasting day after day in -coffee-houses or clubs, with a crowd of idlers whose thoughts never rose -above the fancy of the hour, whose only ambition was to kill time as -easily and pleasantly as possible, and to line their pockets with gold, -that they might have more to throw away on the morrow. - -Was this what he would come to? Was this what he was made for? Would -he become like unto them, a mere roisterer and boon companion, a man -without aspirations and without ambition? His cheeks burned at the -thought; and he sent his light craft spinning rapidly up the stream as -the questions formed themselves. - -It was an exquisite summer morning. The bells in the many towers and -steeples of the city had chimed the hour of five. The sun had long been -up, yet the glamour and glory of the new-born day still lay upon the -sleeping city and the dewy meadows of the opposite shore. Grey rowed on -rapidly, yet drinking in the beauty of all he saw. He knew not how far -he had rowed; he had lost count of his surroundings; he was absorbed in -a deep reverie, when he was suddenly brought up breathless and wondering -by the sound of a voice singing--a voice so clear and sweet and true -that he asked himself whether it could be any creature of earth that -sang, or whether it might be some nymph or mermaid such as sailors spoke -of in their wondrous tales. - -He gazed about him. He saw that he was passing a garden, and that a -group of weeping willows overhung the water at this spot. The singing -seemed to come from thence. Burning curiosity possessed him, and he -very slowly and softly rowed himself onwards, till the prow of his boat -met the drooping boughs with a soft rustle. The song ceased suddenly. -Grey turned in his seat, and drew himself within the sheltering shade; -as he did so, a quick exclamation broke from him. He dropped his oars -as he exclaimed,-- - -"The Lady Geraldine!" - - * * * * * - -How had it come about? Grey never could have said. But now it was all -told--the story of his chequered life. She had been silent at the -first--not exactly resentful of his intrusion, not unwilling to let him -have speech of her again, but quiet, with a maidenly reserve and dignity -which had acted upon him like a charm. It brought back to him the -memory of his mother, and her noble dignity. The look in her eyes -recalled those things that he had learned at her knee, and those -aspirations after true greatness of life which she had cherished and -fostered. Suddenly his present life looked to him utterly sordid, mean, -and unworthy; and in a burst of confidence, for which he could have -given no reason, he told her all his tale, encouraged by the soft and -earnest glances of her beautiful eyes, although she scarcely spoke a -word from beginning to end. - -And now she looked at him with a great compassion in her face. - -"Oh, it is sad, it is sad!" she said in her earnest musical tones. "I -know a little how sad it is. I see it too. But you are a man. You are -strong, you are your own master. Why do you let yourself be made the -sport and plaything of fate? Oh, do not do it! Rise to your calling as -a man, as a gentleman, as a Christian! You can--I know you can! I read -it in your face! What is Lord Sandford to you? The acquaintance of a -few weeks. What are his comrades to you? You know that in your heart -you despise them. Then will you make yourself as one of them? Will you -sink to their level? Oh no, no, no! Break the fetters; they cannot be -fast riveted yet. Break them, and stand a free man, and then see what -the world has to offer you." - -She was gazing at him now, not shyly, not as a maiden archly coquetting -with a handsome young swain, but as a woman yearning to reclaim one -whose footsteps had well-nigh slipped in the mire, and whose whole soul -was stirred by the effort. - -Grey listened like a man who dreams; and yet his eyes were on fire, and -his heart was kindled to a great flame--shame at his own weakness, -yearnings after vanished memories and half-forgotten aspirations -struggling together with some new and utterly unknown emotion which -seemed to come surging over him like a flood, leaving him speechless, -motionless. - -She had risen, and now held out her hand. - -"You will triumph yet. I am assured of it. And I shall pray God to -give you His strength and grace. Farewell, sir; we may meet again -sometimes. I shall hear of you. I shall listen to hear naught but -good. Your mother's voice shall plead through mine. Give up evil -companions; give up idle dissipation, and all that it brings in its -train. Lead the higher life of the Courteous Knight, the Spotless -Knight, the Knight of the Holy Grail. Did we not speak of them all when -first we met, and methought you looked such a one yourself? Be true to -that better self; and so I say farewell again. May God be with you!" - -She was gone, and Grey stood looking after her as a man who sees a -vision. - - - - - *CHAPTER VIII.* - - *A STARTLING DISCOVERY.* - - -As Grey Dumaresq drifted downstream with the tide that sunny July -morning, he felt as though something new and wonderful had come into his -life, as though some great and marvellous change had fallen upon him, -which, for good or ill, must leave its mark upon his life. - -He did not try to analyze the strange feelings which possessed him. For -a time he did not even consciously think. He seemed to be drifting -along a shining pathway--drifting, he scarce knew whither, and did not -care to ask. His heart was strangely heavy, and yet strangely light. A -curious loathing and shame at himself was blended with a sense of -exultant triumph, which held him in a mood of ecstasy. For a long while -he drifted onwards, scarce thinking or knowing whither he went, till a -sudden consciousness that he was passing Lord Sandford's house brought -him to himself with a sense of shock. He had left that house only two -hours before; yet it might have been as many years that had rolled over -his head, so different were his feelings, so changed was his outlook -upon life. - -He moored his boat, and went up to his room. Before long he would be -expected to drink coffee or chocolate at his friend's levee, meet all -those of his comrades who had energy to pay their customary _devoirs_ to -their patron, and discuss the plans for the ensuing day and night. Grey -dashed some cold water over his hot head, and sat down to think. - -What would Lord Sandford say if he suddenly expressed his intention of -giving up gambling in all its many insidious forms, in order to enter -upon a life totally different from that of the past weeks? It was not as -though he had any alternative plan to unfold to him. He was as ignorant -how his fortune was to be made now, after several weeks in gay London -town, as he had been on his first approach to that city. He could -almost hear the great guffaw of laughter with which Lord Sandford would -greet his confession. He half feared the powerful personality and the -imperious temper of the man who had been a good friend to him, and who -had the reputation of being a dangerous enemy when his will was crossed. -Grey knew that this man liked him--went near to loving him--would not -easily let him go. He knew that he would appear both ungrateful and -capricious; and the young man writhed at the thought of seeming either -the one or the other. But yet he must break away. Pacing up and down -the room, he seemed to see the soft earnest eyes of the Lady Geraldine -bent upon him. He had pledged his word to her, and in spirit to his -dead mother. From that pledge there was no drawing back. Yet how could -the break best be made? - -He thought over the engagements already entered into. Was it needful -that these should be kept? He thought not--at least not those which were -but promises to meet at such and such clubs or coffee-houses for the -purposes of card-playing and similar recreations. But there was one -engagement that Grey did not see his way honourably to break. He had -promised to ride Don Carlos the following Saturday in a course against -three other picked horses, and heavy wagers, he knew, had been laid upon -or against his steed. This engagement he felt he could not break; but -the rest he would. He might even make the excuse that Don Carlos wanted -attention, and that he was going to take him into the country for -purposes of training; and, once away from Sandford House, he ought to be -able to pen a letter to the master which might excuse his return, and -explain the nature of the change which had come over him. - -Yes, that would be the way. He would not go open-mouthed to him this -morning, to be perhaps scoffed or cajoled into some rash compromise. -Grey knew that his ability to see both sides of a question often led him -into difficulties and the appearance of vacillation. Surely he could -keep his pledge if he made the break with a certain diplomatic skill. -Not only would it be easier to himself, but it might prove the safer -method also. - -When he saw Lord Sandford in the midst of his friends, laughing at the -last bit of scandal, passing jokes over the latest repartee of the -redoubtable Duchess of Marlborough to the meek Queen, discussing the -rivalries of the ministers, and the other rivalries (to them more -important) of the reigning beauties of the gay world, Grey felt that it -would indeed be impossible to speak in this company of any of those -things which were in his mind. He contented himself by standing aloof, -looking out of the window and sipping his chocolate, whilst the gay -flood of talk surged around him, and he caught a word here and a phrase -there, but always heard when Lord Sandford's resonant tones dominated -those of all others. - -"Talk of rival beauties; we shall see sport to-night. Lady Romaine and -Lady Saltire--dearest friends and dearest foes--are to go to Vauxhall -Gardens to-night, each in a new toilet specially designed and ordered -for the occasion. It will be a ladies' battle, in very truth; and -public opinion must needs decide which of the rival queens is fairest to -look upon. I have promised both the dear creatures to be there, to give -my admiration to both alike. Shall I risk the undying enmity of either -by giving the palm to one? No such fool, gentlemen--no such fool is -Sandford. I vow I will have ready such a pretty speech or couplet for -each that she shall go away with a better opinion of me than ever! Ha, -ha, ha! I love to see the pretty dears, tricked out in their finery, -and ready to tear each other's eyes out! So, gentlemen, I cancel all -previous engagements for to-night. I am for Vauxhall, and Heaven only -knows how late we shall be detained there by the battle of beauty." - -"We will all be there!" cried the young bloods, who were at all times -ready to follow Lord Sandford to whatever place of entertainment he -elected to go; and one voice followed with a laughing question,-- - -"Will the snow maiden be there in the train of her mother?" - -Grey felt himself start, and was glad his face was turned away. He -would not for worlds that the sharp mocking eyes of Lord Sandford should -see him at this moment, albeit he had no notion of any sort that he had -special interest in his spotless Lady Geraldine. - -[Illustration: He stood quite still to watch Lord Sandford lead away the -fair Geraldine (page 155).] - -"I trow so," was the carelessly-spoken reply of Lord Sandford, as he -adjusted his wig and suffered his valet to spray some delicate perfume -over his person, as a finishing touch to his toilet. "The Lady -Geraldine is no longer to lead the life of a nun. It has been decreed -that she is to show her lovely face abroad, and add thereby a lustre to -her mother's charms." - -"A lustre her ladyship would well dispense with," laughed another. "She -would sooner pose as the stepmother than the mother of a grown-up -daughter--ha, ha! How comes it that this young beauty hath never been -shown before to the world? Other damsels make their _debut_ at sixteen; -but the Lady Geraldine can scarce be less than twenty, and has the -dignity of matronhood." - -"A vast deal more dignity than the most part of our matrons do show -forth," spoke Lord Sandford incisively. "Doubtless she learned it from -her grandam, her mother's mother and her father's aunt; for my Lord and -my Lady Romaine are cousins, and Mrs. Adair was trusted and revered by -both. Young children are in the way of such gay ladies of fashion, -wherefore the babe was sent to its grandam, and remained with her till -the virtuous and discreet old lady died, having bequeathed her store of -wisdom and discretion to the beautiful maid she had reared." - -"And her fortune too," sniggered one gay dandy. "Do not forget that -item, my lord. It is whispered that it will make the biggest of her -charms. What is the figure? Doth anybody know?" - -All disclaimed any precise information, and Lord Sandford spoke no word; -his brow was slightly furrowed, and there was a subdued gleam in his eye -which warned those who saw it that something in the conversation was not -to his mind. They therefore hastened to change it, and many of them -said adieu and sauntered away. Only a small knot remained with their -patron, discussing the plans for the day; and Grey stood still in the -embrasure of the window, his heart still beating with curious violence -and rapidity. When those men were speaking of Geraldine, he had scarce -been able to keep his fingers from their throats. What business had -they taking her pure name upon their lips? And why had they spoken of -her fortune? Could it be true that she was so great an heiress? He -hated to believe it; yet what was it to him? He was wakened from his -reverie by a quick question from Lord Sandford, which he heard as -through the mists of a dream, and answered,-- - -"'Tis true I am not quite myself. I slept not at all last night, and -have been on the river well-nigh since sunrise to rid me of the vapours. -Methinks I will seek some sleep in mine own rooms ere night. Reckon not -on me for to-day's pastime." - -"Ay, you have the air of a man squeamish and in need of rest. Go get -thee a good sleep, friend Grey, for we must keep you in fettle for the -match on Saturday. Man and beast must come to the field strong and -robust, with nerve and wind and muscle true and taut. But you must make -one of our party to Vauxhall to-night. There will be many bright eyes -on the lookout for the gay cavalier, as the ladies call you for your -love-locks. You must not fail us there." - -For a moment Grey hesitated, prudence and passion fighting together for -mastery. But the overwhelming desire to see Geraldine again--perhaps to -speak a word of farewell--overcame him, and he answered briefly as he -strolled through the room on his way out,-- - -"I shall be ready enough for that; you can reckon on me." - -How the day passed Grey never knew, and it was still broad daylight when -he and his comrades started for the gardens of Vauxhall, where it was -the fashion to spend the evening hours when nothing more attractive -offered, and where such music and such illuminations as the times had to -offer were to be enjoyed, and where ladies and their attendant beaux -fluttered about like so many gay butterflies, and found opportunity as -the dusk fell for walks and talks of a more private nature in the bosky -alleys and shady paths than they could hope to gain in crowded routs and -card-parties. Supper could be obtained too, and pleasant little parties -made up; and the fashionable world found it agreeable on these hot -summer nights to take their pleasure out in the open air. - -Grey detached himself from his friends upon the first opportunity, and -wandered alone through the gardens, avoiding encounters with persons he -knew, though often accosted with laugh and jest and challenge by masked -ladies, or young bloods eager to make friends with one whose face and -figure began to be known, owing to his successes in horsemanship with -Don Carlos, and his friendship with Lord Sandford. But Grey made small -response to overtures, quickly shook himself free, and pursued his -solitary ramble, till at length a sound of gay voices, laughter, and -almost uproarious mirth, in which the tones of Lord Sandford could -plainly be heard, drew him to a wide open space where an illuminated -fountain seemed to have drawn a great concourse of people; and there, -amid a tossing crowd of gaudy gallants, and ladies with towering heads, -mincing, giggling, uttering little shrieks, little jests, or playing off -an infinitude of coquetries and artifices to attract admiration, he -beheld the stately white-robed figure around which his thoughts and -fancies had been playing all through the long hours of the day. - -He saw not the rival queens of beauty in their gorgeous apparel. He saw -not the surging crowd that eddied around them, appraising, flattering, -admiring, laughing. He only saw one white figure, standing aloof and -for the moment alone, the moonbeams glimmering upon the shining -whiteness of her dress, the fair face bent, as though in some sort of -sorrow or shame. He saw it, and he was instantly at her side. - -Whether or not he spoke, he knew not. He offered his arm, and the next -moment he was leading her away from that giddy, mocking crowd; and he -felt the clinging clasp of her fingers thrilling him to his heart's -core. He heard the breath of relief as the chorus of flippant merriment -died away in the distance. He paused, and a quick exclamation escaped -his lips. - -"This is no place for you, Lady Geraldine. Why do they bring you -hither?" - -She answered not, but turned her gaze for a moment towards him, and then -dropped her eyes. With an impulse for which he could not account, he -covered the fingers which lay upon his arm with his own disengaged hand, -and passionate words sprang to his lips. - -"Give me only the right, fair lady, and I will save you from them all. -I ask only to live and die as your knight--your champion--without -wages--without reward!" - -Then he was silent. His breath came thick and fast. He felt the quiver -of the hand he held. He knew not how long the silence lasted, it was so -strangely sweet, so full of mysterious meaning. - -"I thank you, sir. I trow that you speak truth, and that your words are -not idle froth--gone in a moment--as the words of so many of yonder -gallants. But it may not be. I may not give you such a right. A maiden -is not free to choose her friends; and the knights of chivalry are long -since vanished from the earth. I would that I might call you friend, -that sometimes we might meet and hold converse together. I trust that I -may learn a good report of you, that one day I may speak with pride of -having known you in your youth. But that must suffice us. Let it be -enough for both. I may not--" - -She hesitated, and her voice died into silence. She spoke with a -repressed emotion which he scarcely understood. The tumult of his own -heart was such that he could not seek to gauge the depths of her -feelings. - -"If I may not be your knight, let me at least be your friend--your -servant!" he pleaded. "And if there is anything wherein I can serve -you--" - -She seemed struck by the phrase. She lifted her bent head and gazed -earnestly at him; but the words she spoke seemed strange. - -"You are the friend of Lord Sandford; is it not so?" - -"I have been his comrade these many weeks. He has shown me much -kindness and good-fellowship. I owe him gratitude." - -"And you must know him well, I doubt not. Tell me, Sir Grey--and I pray -you deceive me not--what kind of a man is this same Lord Sandford? Is -he leal and true, faithful, loving, and loyal? Is he better than the -crowd who follow at his heels and ape his manners, use his name as a -watchword, and fawn upon his favour? Tell me, what think you of him? A -friend must needs speak sooth." - -"Lady, you have asked a hard question, inasmuch as I know but little of -the man, albeit I have lived with him above a month. He attracts me, -and yet there be moments when he repels me too. He is a good friend--I -would not speak a word against him; yet it is said that he can be a -bitter and an unscrupulous enemy; and those who have lost his favour -withdraw themselves as speedily as possible from his notice, fearful -lest some evil may befall them." - -"Is he then cruel and rancorous?" - -"I can believe that he might be, were his passions roused. He has that -forceful nature which tends to vehement liking and bitter hatred. I -have experienced the one; I have not tasted of the other. For the rest, -he is a man of parts, and can do all well to which he puts his hand. -Methinks he would be strong enough to break off his reckless and vicious -habits, had he but motive sufficient to make him! desire to do so. But -for the nonce he floats with the current, and lives as the world lives. -More I cannot say." - -At that moment a swift, firm tread was heard approaching along the dim -alley; and Geraldine looked hastily round, her hand dropping from Grey's -arm. - -"It is he!" she whispered, and there was a catch in her voice which the -young man heard without understanding. He faced round, and beheld the -towering figure of Lord Sandford beside them. - -"Well chanced upon!" quoth he in his resonant tones. "I was sent by -your mother in search of you, Lady Geraldine. The court of beauty has -sat. To her has been adjudged the prize. She now desires the presence -of her daughter, to share her triumph. We shall sup anon, and the table -will not be complete without one gracious and lovely presence. Lady -Geraldine, honour me by accepting my escort.--Grey, will you join us?" - -He spoke the last words over his shoulder, and there was a note in his -voice which the young man had never heard before, and which he did not -fully understand. It seemed to sting him, but he knew not why. - -"I thank you--no," he answered. "I am going home." - -And then he stood quite still to watch Lord Sandford lead away the fair -Geraldine, who threw him one strange, half-appealing glance over her -shoulder, but spoke no word of farewell. - -Grey had meant to go home, but somehow he could not bring himself to do -so. His brain seemed on fire, and his heart with it. He knew not what -ailed him, but a fever was consuming him. He left the gardens, but -walked on and on, not knowing or caring whither he went. The night was -far spent, and the dawn was beginning to blush in the eastern sky, -before he found himself in the region of Sandford House again. - -The place was still and deserted. The revellers and roisterers seemed -all at home. A watchman dozed at his post, thankful for the peace of -the streets, and Grey met no interruption, till suddenly, round a -corner, he came face to face with his host, who gave him a look, uttered -a short laugh, and linked his arm within his. - -"Well met, friend Grey! You too have had no desire to woo the somnolent -god? We find metal more attractive elsewhere. Say now, what think you -of the future Lady Sandford? Methought you had eyes but for her -to-night. Will she not queen it right royally here--the beautiful -stately creature? You have taste, Grey, and I am well pleased that you -have. Those painted, patched, and powdered Jezebels, smirking and -ogling and running all over the town for the adulation of the crowd, are -as little to your mind as to mine. We can flatter and fool and make -mock with the best; but when it comes to marriage! Faugh! one's soul -sickens at the thought. What man in his senses would trust his -happiness or his honour in the hands of that tawdry crew? Gilt and -tinsel do very well to play with; but when one desires to purchase, one -asks for gold." - -Grey's heart seemed to stand still within him. He felt growing numb and -cold. As they passed beneath the gateway, and the lamp shone upon his -face, Lord Sandford saw that it was white as death, and a strange gleam -came into his own eyes. - -"Come, my friend, you do not answer. What think you of the wife that I -have chosen? What think you of the Lady Geraldine Adair? Is she not a -matchless creature? Who would have believed such a sport could come -from such a tree?" - -Grey commanded himself by a great effort. - -"Is the Lady Geraldine Adair, then, your affianced wife?" - -"That, or next door to it. My suit is approved of her parents. We -shall be betrothed ere long. I thought you might be learning as much -from her own lips to-night. Did I not hear my name pass between you -twain?" - -"She did ask some question anent you," answered Grey, who had no desire -to fence or parry--he felt too stunned and bewildered; "but she spoke -not of any troth-plight. Why should she?" - -"True, why should she? She is not one of your empty-headed chatterers. -She wears not her heart upon her sleeve. And your acquaintance is of -the slightest; is it not so? Have you met before, since that evening in -the water theatre when I did first present you to each other?" - -"I have seen her but once between," answered Grey, still in the same -quiet, stunned fashion; and when they had entered the house, he made -excuse to go at once to his room, declining all proffer of refreshment -or further converse. - -Lord Sandford looked after him with an intent look upon his face, which -slowly clouded over, till there was something almost malignant and -ferocious in his aspect. - -"So it is as I thought. He has been hit, and hard hit. Where can he -have seen her in the interim? They would not have been standing thus, -talking thus, if some bond had not been established between them. Yet I -thought I had kept an eye upon him. I knew there might be danger. I -saw it the first moment that they met. There is something akin in their -natures. They feel it themselves. Hr-r-r-rr! that must be put a stop -to. I will have no rival in Geraldine's heart. She does not love me -yet; but she fears me a little, and she thinks of me. That is no bad -basis to build upon. I shall win her yet, if I have a fair field. But -a rival--no, that must not be! And yet I read somewhat in her eyes -to-night which had not been there before. The fiend take all false -friends! I must rid myself of this one, and that speedily. I have -liked him; but he shall not stand in my way. Well, 'tis I have made -him: I can quickly unmake him. Let me but think of the way and the -means. Grey Dumaresq, you are a pretty fellow and a pleasant comrade; -but you shall never be suffered to stand in the light of Sandford's -hopes and plans and desires. Look to yourself, my friend; for evil is -abroad for you!" - - - - - *CHAPTER IX.* - - *"A MAD WORLD, MY MASTERS."* - - -"Master, master, wake up! What ails you? Have you forgot the day, and -what has to be done?" - -Dick, with an expression of uneasiness and determination upon his face, -was shaking Grey somewhat vehemently by the shoulder. The latter seemed -to find it hard to wake; and when his eyes opened at last, there was a -lack-lustre expression in them that was strange and unnatural. Dick's -honest face clouded over yet more. - -"I was certain there was some devilry afoot when they all came here last -night. I have never seen my master in such a mad mood of merriment," he -muttered half aloud, as he turned away to get a brimming glass of pure -cold water from the table. "What has come over them, I don't know. But -I like not the change. I liked not the look in Lord Sandford's eyes. He -is a great man, I doubt it not; but I wish my master had chanced upon -another as a friend and comrade in this great Babylon of a city. There -is more going on here than I well understand." - -"What are you grumbling over there to yourself, Dicon?" asked Grey from -his bed, and his voice sounded more natural and quiet than his servant -had heard it yet; "and where am I? For sure this room is strange to -mine eyes, nor have I any recollection of it overnight; and how come you -to be here, for that matter, honest Dicon? Methought you were at -Hampstead, watching over Don Carlos, that he might be ready for -Saturday's race." - -"Yes, master, and so I am; and this is the hostelry at Hampstead where I -have taken up my quarters with the horse; and hither it was that you -came yestere'en, with Lord Sandford and his friends, to be ready for the -match to-day. But beshrew me if I did think yesterday you would be fit -for the saddle to-day! Is it strange I should mutter and grumble to -myself when such things happen?" - -"Nay now, what things, good Dicon? I pray you tell me," spoke Grey, as -he drained at one draught the ice-cold water, and drew a long breath of -relief. "I feel like a man waking from a strange and fevered dream; for, -in sooth, I know but little of what has been passing these last days. -Some strange madness seems to have possessed me. I had meant to say -farewell to Lord Sandford and his world, and seek mine own fortunes in -some other field. Yet methinks I have not made the break. I have -visions of wild orgies and furious gaming--such as I held aloof from -before. Dicon, I fear me I have made a desperate fool of myself, and of -my fortunes too. Tell me, what money have I with me now?" - -"Not much, master. I took what you had--a matter of some twenty guineas -perhaps. I have it safe in a bag. But surely that is not all. You had -won a fortune, you did tell me--" - -"Ay, and now I have lost it. I can recollect how the guineas flew, and -how the stakes were doubled, and how I lost again and yet again. I take -it I am a ruined man, good Dicon. These twenty guineas saved from the -wreck are all the fortune I possess, and belike it is better so--better -so." - -"Better!" echoed the dismayed Dick; "nay, my master. But you will win -it back again. The luck cannot always be against you. Think how it was -at the first!" - -"Yes, Dicon, and perchance it had been better had the luck been worse. -I love not such gains as these. Besides, there is somewhat in this -beyond my ken. Lord Sandford desired my friendship and company then, and -luck was with me. Now that he desires it no more, the luck has changed, -and that so strangely and desperately that one might almost say there -was magic in it." - -Dick's jaw dropped; he longed to know more, but feared to intrude too -much upon his master's secrets. Grey, however, knew how faithful and -attached was his stanch henchman, and as he went through his morning -toilet he told him a little of the events of the past three days, in as -far as he himself could remember them. - -"I have offended Lord Sandford doubly," he said, "though he will not -openly admit it. But I know--I feel the change. I trow that he is my -enemy. Nay, Dicon, look not so aghast; it will matter little in the -future, since to-day I take my leave of him, and most like in this great -whirling world our paths will not again cross, either for weal or woe." - -"But how?--what? He did seem to love you well." - -"I think he did; but a mischance befell. He did not tell me of his -troth-plight to a fair lady--a lady of surpassing beauty, and of a -virtue and purity which make her like a bright particular star amid the -painted dames and mincing damsels of this giddy London town. Twice or -thrice did I meet her and pay homage to her wondrous beauty and -goodness. It was words she spoke to me that decided me, ere ever any -ill-blood had been aroused, to leave off from this life of -pleasure-seeking and distraction, and seek a nobler career than that of -the butterfly dandy fluttering round the town. But Lord Sandford -thought that there was somewhat more than this betwixt us. Of that I am -assured. A flame of jealousy swept over him; and when I told him of my -resolution, I trow that his suspicions received confirmation. I did not -see it then, but I see it now. He thought I left him to pursue my ends -alone, and, perchance, to seek to win the lady of his choice. But he -spoke nothing of this--only insisted that for this week my engagements -should be kept, and that after to-day's race I might go my own way, an I -was so resolved. He was not unkindly; yet there was something strange -and stern in his bearing and language, and you have seen how his -imperious temper and will sweep all before them. I myself was strangely -dazed and something sorrowful. I scarce do know why my heart was so -heavy within me. I let him have his way; and you behold what that way -has been. I am a ruined man, beggared of all my winnings; and methinks -my Lord Sandford has plotted for this very thing." - -"It is a shame! Would I could take my horsewhip to him--" - -"Nay, nay, good Dicon; be not so wroth," spoke Grey calmly and quietly. -"In sooth, I know not that I owe him aught but thanks. When all is said -and done, it was but ill-gotten gain. I would sooner face life with -none of it upon me. I had a few guineas to start with--well, it was -more than a few; yet had I spent my time in London, I should have had -but little left by now. I have learned many lessons, and I shall start -clear of debt, and without my pockets filled with other men's gold." - -Dick was scarce moralist enough to understand or appreciate his master's -scruples--scruples new, indeed, to Grey himself--but the faithful fellow -was ready to accept any verdict and any decision made by the man he -loved and served; and as he put the finishing touches to the workmanlike -riding toilet which he had in readiness, he remarked with a short -laugh,-- - -"Faith, master, you and I betwixt us, with Don Carlos and my good nag -for company, and a few guineas in our pockets, need not fear the future; -and I trow it will be well for you to be quit for ever of my Lord -Sandford's company. I liked him not greatly for your friend; I hate him -with a goodly hatred since he shows himself your foe. Shall we turn our -backs upon him and upon London town, and seek our fortunes with the army -over the water, where his Grace of Marlborough will give you welcome?" - -"I scarce know what the future will bring for me, Dicon," was the reply, -spoken gravely, yet with a certain listless indifference not lost upon -the servant; "I have made no plans as yet. Let us see what this day -brings forth first." - -"I wager it will fill our pockets anew with gold!" - -"I will not touch their gold!" spoke Grey with eyes that suddenly -flashed fire. "I have cancelled all my wagers. I will take nothing at -their hands. I will ride Don Carlos and ride my best for mine own honour -and that of the good steed I shall bestride; but their money will I not -touch. I have done with all that. Nay, stare not in such amaze, good -Dicon. I have not taken leave of my senses; rather, I trow, I have come -to my better mind. Now get me somewhat to eat here, and then we will to -the stables to see my beauty. This match once over, we turn a new page -in our life's story. Who knows what the next will be?" - -It was not much that Grey could eat. The three days which had passed -since he and Lord Sandford had come to an understanding, which was -well-nigh a rupture, had left a mark upon him. Moreover there was a -weary ache at his heart which he did not fully understand, and which was -harder to bear than aught beside. Dimly he knew that it had some -connection with the Lady Geraldine Adair; but he feared to search too -deeply into that matter. She was as far removed from him as the moon in -the heavens, and he believed her plighted to another, and that one a man -who had stood his friend, even though suspicion, jealousy, and an -imperious temper had changed friendship into something very like enmity. -Grey never for a moment dreamed of regarding himself as an aspirant for -that fair hand; but he knew that the motive which was urging him to -change the manner of his life and become a worthier and a better man was -the hope that she might watch his career, and hear a whisper of his fame -or his success; or that he might win some laurels in the fields of -literature, art, or politics, which he might perchance in some sort lay -at her feet. - -This, however, lurked in the background of his thoughts. He scarcely -owned to himself that he expected ever to look upon that fair face -again; hence the sensation of heart sickness which had rendered him -well-nigh desperate for a few days, and had helped him to squander -without a qualm the hoard which his previous successes had accumulated. -And now the end of this mad life of gay folly had come. He had drained -the cup to the dregs, and found it bitter to the taste. He had neither -liking nor respect for the companions with whom he had associated. -Towards Lord Sandford his feelings were very mixed. The power of the man -was too great to be shaken off entirely, nor could he despise or dislike -him. But the tie of friendship had snapped asunder. A chasm had opened -between them, and he felt that he was regarded, if not as a foe, yet as -something akin, and it needed not Dick's words of warning to tell him -that the less he saw of this man in the future the better it would be -for himself. - -Sounds of laughter and revelry greeted his ears as he slipped quietly -out towards the paddock and shed where his horse had been stabled these -past weeks, tended and exercised by Dick, and ready for whatever demand -might be made upon him. He greeted his master with a neigh of -recognition, dropped his nose in the extended hand, and stood tranquil -and content under Grey's quiet caresses. The glossy coat was satin -smooth, the delicate tracery of veins could be distinctly seen, and each -muscle stood out hard and taut; there was no superfluous flesh, but a -firmness and excellence of condition that brought a smile of -satisfaction to Grey's face. He turned with a smile to Dick, who stood -by beaming. - -"Not much fear of him to-day, eh, Dicon?" - -"He would jump the moon, master, if you asked it of him," was the proud -and confident answer. - -"How do the others look? Have you seen them?" - -"Pretty bits of horseflesh every one; and there is a black stallion of -Mr. Artheret's that will take some beating. But he's too heavy for some -of the jumps. He don't take off fast enough. And he's a nasty temper -too. There's a gray Arab with pace; but he falls away behind, as they -all do. I don't think Don Carlos will be troubled long by him. None of -the others will take much beating. Pretty to look at, but not trained -for what they've got to do. Lord Sandford was here yesterday early, -looking at the jumps, and he had several of them made stiffer; but -there's nothing Don Carlos cannot sail over like a bird!" - -"Let us go and see," said Grey. "I will take a canter on the turf to -warm myself to the saddle. Soh, boy, soh!" as he lightly vaulted to his -seat, and the horse curveted beneath him. "We will take a look at these -obstructions. The stiffer they are, the better you and I will be -pleased--eh, my beauty?" - -Dick mounted his nag, and rode beside his master to the course, where -the horses were to be matched against each other when Lord Sandford and -his friends should have finished their merry meal, and be ready to -witness the exhibition. It was a fine stretch of ground which had been -chosen--nearly a mile in length, and with several natural obstacles, -which had been increased in some cases artificially, to test better the -strength and skill of horse and rider. A stream of water with rather -awkward banks ran across the course in one place, and in another was a -dip in the ground filled with gorse bushes--a nasty place to get -entangled in, if the horse could not be persuaded to clear the whole -thing with a flying leap. A broken stone wall with a ditch in front was -another obstacle; and the last was a barrier entirely artificial, made -of hurdles and bushes high enough to tax the mettle of any horse, though -not absolutely insurmountable. Still it was a formidable object enough, -and Grey looked at it critically, walking Don Carlos up and down, to let -the creature take his own observations with regard to the leap he was to -make. - -"It was here they were busy yesterday, but I could not see all they did. -I was afraid to leave Don Carlos with so many strangers about. Some of -the grooms with the other horses looked up to mischief. But I heard them -say afterwards that Lord Sandford had not been satisfied with the field -as it was. He said they must have something that really would be a -test, or the black stallion and Don Carlos were like to come in -together." - -But now a horn blew gaily, and horsemen were seen approaching from many -quarters. In the neighbourhood of the inn all was bustle and -excitement, whilst from all sides there appeared streams of people -converging to this spot. Some fine carriages had been driven out from -London, with bedecked ladies eager to witness the contest. Others had -stayed the night in the neighbourhood to be ready; and all the natives -of the place who could get a holiday had come to gape at the fine folks, -and see the grand gentlemen racing their own horses. - -Indeed the hour for the contest had well-nigh come. Grey could see that -the other horses were assembling, their riders decked in every colour of -the rainbow, quite eclipsing the quiet and workmanlike suit of buff -which he wore. But Grey's taste had always disinclined him to gaudy -colours. The soft leather, finely chased and stamped in gold, pleased -his eye more than rich-hued cloths or velvets. His breeches were of -white buckskin cut by Lord Sandford's own tailor, and he wore long boots -fitted with silver spurs, albeit he scarcely ever had need of the latter -when he bestrode Don Carlos. His scarf was of white silk fringed with -gold, and his only adornment was a cravat of fine lace, fastened with a -diamond clasp. His cocked hat matched his buff coat, and was adorned -with a white plume. Altogether, as he rode forward to his place, it -would have been hard to find a fault with his dress or person; and the -ladies behind their fans audibly praised his elegant figure, graceful -seat, and distinguished and handsome face. - -Grey, all unconscious of the favour bestowed upon him, rode up and -saluted courteously the gentlemen who were to meet him and each other in -rivalry. Lord Sandford, splendidly mounted, was to act as judge at the -winning post. Another of his friends was to be starter; and gentlemen -were posted at various points along the course to see that all the rules -laid down were observed, and that no rider deviated from the -well-pegged-out route prescribed for all. The spectators scattered -hither and thither, taking up stations wherever their fancy prompted. -The course seemed marked out by a glittering border extending down both -sides. The sun shone brilliantly in the sky, and all nature seemed in -gladsome mood. - -Grey cast a keen look at the seven rival steeds as they were brought -into line for the start. He picked out in a moment the two of whom -Dicon had spoken, and saw that he had judged well. Then he gave his -whole mind to the task in hand, checked with hand and voice the prancing -of the excited Don Carlos, and brought him up to his appointed place -docile and motionless. - -The word was given, but the black stallion had bounded off a few seconds -too soon, and had to be recalled. A second start was spoiled by two -other competitors, who suddenly reared at each other, and strove to -fight. One iron hoof, indeed, inflicted such a wound upon the shoulder -of his neighbour that that horse had to be taken away limping and -bleeding. - -It was trying to all, horses and riders alike; but at the third start -all got off, though Grey saw that again the black stallion had made his -bound a second too soon. This gave him a few yards the advantage, -which, as his rider pressed him hard from the first, and his temper was -evidently up, he increased in the next minute to more than a length. -The Arab and Don Carlos were neck and neck, and sailed over the first -easy jump side by side, the stallion having cleared it with a tremendous -bound a couple of seconds earlier. - -The water jump was next, and it was obvious that one spot offered -greater advantages to the horse than any other. The stallion made for -this spot with a rush, took off and bounded clear over, just as Don -Carlos and the Arab came rushing up neck and neck, each rider desirous -of the advantage of the sound bank. Grey set his teeth and glanced at -his adversary. A collision at the leap might be fatal to one or both, -so far as the race went. His rival would not budge an inch--that he -saw. With a muttered oath between his teeth, he pulled his left rein, -and used his knees. Don Carlos felt, and instantly understood: swerving -slightly, he gathered himself together, and rose magnificently where the -water was wider and the bank less safe; but he landed safely, and with a -hardly perceptible scramble found his feet again, and amid the plaudits -of the people raced on after the Arab, who, having got a momentary -advantage, was now slightly in advance. - -The black stallion had just reached the downward dip leading to the deep -ditch filled with gorse bushes. His rider had had perforce to pull him -up somewhat, lest he should slip and fall, for the ground was sandy and -treacherous. But Don Carlos had been born and bred to this sort of wild -work, and dashing onwards and downwards with the agility of a deer, came -neck and neck with his rival, and having passed the Arab, cleared with a -bound the treacherous gully, landing true and safe upon the opposite -side. The Arab followed in his tracks, his rider taking advantage of -the lead given; but the black stallion slipped and snorted, could not be -made to try the leap till another of the horses came up and took it, -after which he sprang across with a vicious energy which tried the -horsemanship of his rider, and tore like a wild thing after the leading -pair. - -These had cleared one after the other the wall and ditch; but the Arab -was showing signs of distress, whilst Don Carlos looked fresh and eager -as at the start. There now remained only a quarter of a mile of smooth -sward, and then the last critical jump; and Grey, knowing himself first, -and not knowing what had betided his rivals, sailed happily onward, -secure of victory, though he heard behind him the thud of flying horse -hoofs, and knew that the black stallion was not beaten yet. It was he -who snorted with such excitement and fury, and seemed to awaken thunders -with his iron-shod hoofs. - -One glance over his shoulder, and Grey passed his whip very lightly -across the neck of Don Carlos. The gallant animal sprang forward like an -arrow from a bow, showing how well within himself he had been travelling -so far. The sound of other beating hoofs was fainter now. Grey looked -keenly at the great obstacle looming up in his path, and measured the -height at various places, deciding where the leap could best be taken. - -He felt the tension of the muscles beneath him. Don Carlos was gathering -himself together for the leap. He would not fail, falter, or refuse. -The great mass seemed rushing up against him. He felt the slackening -with which Don Carlos faced his task, the motion of his flanks as he -took off and rose. Then what was it happened? The sound of a click, -sharp and clear--a sickening sensation of falling, sinking, struggling, -plunging. Grey felt for a moment as though the end had come. He and -his horse seemed falling into the very bowels of the earth. A black -shadow almost overhead showed him that the stallion had cleared the -barrier, and the air was full of shouts, screams, cheers, and cries. - -Next moment he felt strong hands lifting and dragging him upwards. -Dick's white face looked into his own, and the first words he heard were -hissed in his ear by his faithful henchman. - -"Foul play, foul play, my master. That ditch was dug and concealed--ay, -and more than concealed; it has been an old well at some time, and it -will open with a spring. You have been grossly tricked and cozened. It -has been a trap cleverly laid and baited. But let me only get at -them--my Lord Sandford--" - -Dick almost choked in his fury; but Grey was now on his feet, and his -one thought was for the good horse, who had dropped downwards into this -unseen, unsuspected pit, and was gasping in affright, but might possibly -have escaped serious injury. He himself felt little ill effects, having -had a marvellous escape. But his soul was stirred within him, and in -getting out the horse he saw plainly that Dick had been right, and that -some sort of old trap-door concealed an opening into the ground which -might have been at one time a well, but was now silted up with sand. By -luring the foremost rider to this particular spot to take the leap, any -astute enemy aware of the nature of the ground could almost certainly -ensure his overthrow and defeat; and Grey had his suspicions that Lord -Sandford had hoped that he might then and there break his neck--a thing -which might very well have happened. - -There was a crowd round the spot now, and great horror was expressed by -many at sight of the unsuspected well, no voice being louder than Lord -Sandford's in proclaiming astonishment and indignation. But Grey took no -notice of the clamour, only busying himself about his horse; and -presently, with some difficulty, the sagacious and docile creature was -got out, and it appeared that no limb was broken, though one hock was -deeply cut, and one shoulder badly strained. - -Grey stood in silent thought awhile, his hand upon the neck of his -favourite, who stood with drooping head and dejected mien, as though -wondering whether he would ever be whole and sound again. Dick was -binding up the wound, his face like a thunder-cloud. A knot of persons -of all ranks stood watching at a little distance; but Grey had -courteously waved away all proffers of help, and indicated that he -desired no attentions. - -"Dicon," he said in a low tone, "we must now part for a while. Don -Carlos will need you more than I. He is now my sole fortune, and must -be respected as such. Take him and your own nag, and walk them both by -easy stages to Hartsbourne. There are paddocks enough and to spare, and -I surely have the right to pasture my horse in one; but if the thing -should come to my kinsman's ears, give him what is due in money, and I -will repay you. Old Jock Jarvis will be your friend. He will rejoice -in your company and give you house-room with him, and it is not so far -but that I can get news of you from time to time. Your good horse will -bring you to London in three hours or less any day you have a mind to -come; and you can watch for me what goes on yonder, and bring me word -again." - -It was a grief to Dick to part from his master; but he saw the need, and -he loved the horse only second to Grey himself. - -"I will do your behest, master. Nay, I want no money; I have plenty for -all my needs. I too have made some modest wealth here in this great -city. Only tell me where I may find you, and I will be gone, and do what -can be done for the poor beast." - -"You shall always get news of me at Wills' Coffee House, good Dicon," -was the answer. "Where I go and how I live, I know not yet; but I will -leave word there for you. So now, farewell. I turn a new page in my -life from this day forth." - - - - - *CHAPTER X.* - - *"THE OLD LION."* - - -Grey Dumaresq, having settled matters with his servant, and adjusted the -disarray of his own dress and person, turned towards a group of men who -were standing round Lord Sandford, making believe to laugh and jest, but -showing some vague symptoms of uneasiness as they cast sidelong glances -in the direction of their erstwhile comrade. - -Grey walked straight up to Lord Sandford, and looked him full in the -eyes. Did the glance of the other quail ever so little before his? He -thought so, but could scarce be certain. - -"My lord," he said, "I have to thank you for many acts of kindness and -courtesy, and a certain liberality of treatment which I have received at -your hands and within your doors. In taking my farewell, I wish freely -to acknowledge all this debt. But other matters which I need not -specify, yet which are well understood by your lordship, have transpired -to change the relations betwixt us; and I wish to add that I desire to -be beholden to no man. In the rooms allotted to me in your lordship's -house there is a quantity of wearing apparel, jewels, trinkets, for -which I have no more use. I pray you have them sold, and the amount -thus realized will reimburse you for all charges you have been at in my -maintenance during the time I have dwelt beneath your roof. That is all -I have to say.--Gentlemen, I wish you a very good day." - -And lifting his hat with quiet dignity and grace, Grey made them a -general salute and turned upon his heel. - -But Lord Sandford's voice came thundering after him. "Do you desire to -insult me, sir? Am I a beggarly inn-keeper, that I should sell a -guest's belongings to pay my bill? What do you mean by such words? Do -you desire that I should demand satisfaction for them at your hands?" - -Grey did not know whether this man desired to fasten a quarrel upon him -or not, and, truth to tell, he did not care. He just turned his head -over his shoulder, and threw back an answer in tones of scarcely veiled -contempt. - -"That is for your lordship to decide. I shall have pleasure in giving -any satisfaction demanded at any time, and in any place appointed. For -the rest, a man who has sought to compass the death of a comrade by a -foul trick need scarcely fear to soil his hands by the touch of his -gold. Again I wish you good-day, my lord." - -And without so much as turning his head again, Grey Dumaresq walked off, -his head held high, neither observing nor returning the many salutes and -bright arch glances shot at him from the lane of bystanders through -which he needs must pass, but walking like a man in a dream, and so -disappearing from view along the white road which led Londonwards. - -Round Lord Sandford men were buzzing like bees disturbed. - -"Insolent young jackanapes!" "What did he mean?" "What was his motive -in such an insult?" "What will you do, my lord?" "Whither has he gone? -Whither will he go?" "Is it true that he is ruined?" "He has lost his -horse, at least. None will give him a score of guineas for the beast -now." "How did it chance?" "Was it an accident?" "What meant he by -his words?" All were pouring out these and like questions; but there -was none to answer them, till Lord Sandford himself spoke. - -"The fellow's wits are gone astray," he cried in his loud, dominating -tones. "It is the Dumaresq blood. Sir Hugh was just such another--mad -as a March hare half his time, flinging his gold to the winds, and -quarrelling with every man he met. Like father, like son. It has been -coming on for days. I misdoubted me if ever he would ride this race. He -came and told me he must reform. That was ever his father's cry, and he -would disappear into the country for a while, and reappear again as gay -as ever. 'Tis the same with the son. I saw it then, and I strove to -combat the madness; but 'tis ill dealing with the lunatic. You see what -we get for our pains! Tush! let the fellow alone. I did wrong to -answer him. Let him go his own way, and we will think of him no more." - -And Lord Sandford, with a heavy cloud upon his brow, and a look about -the corners of his mouth which warned those about him to say no more, -but leave matters as they were, flung away from them, and made his way -back alone to the inn, from which he was presently seen to issue forth -in his gorgeous chariot, driving furiously along the road which led to -St. Albans. - -His boon companions, thus left to their own devices, went over to the -spot where the strange thing had befallen at the race, and where the -country folk had gathered with shakings of the head and questionings -beneath their breath; and there, plain for all men to see, was the -yawning hole with the open trap hanging down, and the marks of the heavy -fall of the good horse, whose escape with whole bones was little short -of a miracle. - -An old countryman was holding forth to a knot of eager questioners, now -swelled by Lord Sandford's friends. - -"I mind well when there was a house here; 'twas pulled down when I were -a young chap. And the well must ha' bin hereabouts. That old trap has -been in the ground ever since I can mind; but there be no water now, and -the sand has pretty nigh silted it up. I've a-looked in many a time, -and the hole gets less and less deep. When I saw them setting up the -brushwood and things here, I made sure they had covered the trap well. -I walked about it, but never saw sign of it. If I'd a thought of -danger, I'd ha' told one of the fine folks. I suppose they never seed -it. The grass and stuff do grow long and rank this time o' year. And -so the gentleman's horse trod on it, and it gave way with him. Mercy -me, but 'tis a wonder he didn't break his neck then and there!" - -Lord Sandford's comrades looked each other in the eyes, and drew a -little away. All knew that something strange had passed upon him of -late, and that there was some rupture betwixt him and the man who had -but lately accused him of seeking to compass his death. - -"Did he know?" "Was it plot or plan of his?" whispered one and another; -but none could give the answer. - - * * * * * - -A wild, wet September day was drawing to its close, amid pelting squalls -of cold rain, when a tall young man, gaunt and hollow-eyed, pushed his -way into a small coffee-house in an obscure thoroughfare somewhere in -the region of Drury Lane, and took a seat in a dark corner as near to -the stove as he could get, for he looked pinched with cold, and his -plain and rather threadbare black suit was pretty well wet through. As -soon as he was seated, he drew from his breast a roll of paper, which he -regarded with solicitude. That at least was dry, and he heaved a sigh -that sounded like one of satisfaction. - -In this narrow street the daylight had completely faded, though it was -not yet six o'clock. The room was furthermore darkened by clouds of -tobacco smoke which the guests were puffing forth. The smell of coffee -mingled with the ranker fumes of the tobacco, and the clink of cup and -spoon made ceaseless accompaniment to the talk, which went on in a -continuous stream. - -Grey (for it was he) leaned his head on his hand wearily, and fell into -something like a doze as he sat in his shadowy corner. He was exhausted -in mind and in body. He was faint with hunger, and yet half afraid to -order food; for his funds were dwindling almost to the vanishing point, -and as yet he had found no means of replenishing his exchequer. But he -had not been able to resist the temptation to escape from the buffetings -of the tempest, and when the boy in attendance upon the guests came to -ask his pleasure, he ordered some coffee and bread, and devoured it with -a ravenous appetite when it was set before him. - -The pangs of hunger stayed, if not appeased, he began to look about him, -and to wonder into what manner of company he had thrust himself. He had -never before been inside this house, though he had, in the first days of -his new career, taken his meals in some of the numerous coffee or -chocolate houses, or the taverns which abounded throughout the town. -Latterly he had generally bought his food at the cheapest market, and -had eaten it in the attic to which he had removed himself and his few -belongings. He was beginning to wonder how long he should be able even -to retain that humble abode as his own. Dame Fortune's smiles seemed -quite to have deserted him, and abject poverty stared him grimly in the -face. - -A smoking lamp had been brought in, and hung overhead, lighting up the -faces of the company with its yellow glare. There was something strange -and Rembrandt-like in the effect of the picture upon which Grey's eyes -rested. Leaning back dreamily with his head against the wall, he could -almost fancy himself back in one of those foreign picture galleries, in -which heretofore he had delighted, and where so many hours of his time -had been spent. - -But this was a living picture, shifting, changing, breaking up into -groups and re-forming again; and the hum of talk went on unceasingly, as -one after another took up the word and launched forth his opinions, -generally in florid and flowery language, and with much gesticulation -and indignation. - -What first struck Grey as strange was the anger which seemed to possess -all these men. That they were in no good case was well-nigh proved by -the shabbiness of their dress, and by the fact of their being gathered -in this very humble and cheap place of resort, which would not tempt any -but those in adverse circumstances. But over and above their poverty, -they seemed to be railing at neglect or injustice of some sort, and ever -and anon would break out into virulent abuse of some person or persons, -whose names were unknown to Grey, but who evidently were characters well -known to the others of the company. - -"There is no such thing as justice left, or purity of taste, or any such -thing!" shouted a handsome, well-proportioned fellow, whose face had -attracted Grey's notice several times, and seemed dimly familiar to him. -"Look at the mouthing mountebanks that walk the boards now! They strut -like peacocks, they gibber like apes. They have neither voice, nor -figure, nor talent, nor grace. But, forsooth, because some fine dame -has smiled upon them, or they are backed by a nobleman's patronage, they -can crow it over the rest of us like a cock upon his dunghill, and we, -who have the talent and the gifts, may rot like rats in our holes!" - -"Shame! shame! shame!" cried an admiring chorus. - -"Look at me!" thundered the young man, his eyes flashing. "Who dares -say I cannot act? Have I not held spellbound, hanging on my lips, whole -houses of beauty and fashion? Have I lost my skill or cunning? Has my -voice or has my grace departed from me? Wherefore, then, do I sit here -idle and hungry, whilst men not fit to black my boots hold the boards -and fill their pouches with gold? Why such injustice, I say?" - -A chorus of indignation again arose; but out of the shadows came a deep -voice. - -"The answer is easy, friend Lionel; arrogance and drink have been the -cause of your downfall. How could any manager continue to engage you? -How many times has it happened that you have come to the theatre sodden -with drink? How many representations have you spoiled by your bestial -folly? They were patient with you. Oh yes, they were very patient; for -they knew your gifts and recognized them. But you met friendly rebuke -or warning with haughtiness and scorn. You would listen to no counsel; -you would heed no warnings. The end should have been plain to you from -the beginning, an you would not mend your ways. I told you how it needs -must be; and now the time has come when you see it for yourself. Worse -men are put in the parts that you excelled in, because they can be -depended upon. No drunkard can ever become great. Put that in your -pipe and smoke it, Lionel Field." - -At the sound of this new voice, speaking out of the shadows of the -ingle-nook, a great hush had fallen upon the room. Grey leaned forward -to obtain a view of the speaker, and the firelight played upon the -striking features and iron-gray hair of a very remarkable-looking old -man of leonine aspect, whose voice was of that penetrating quality which -makes itself heard without being raised; and it was plain that something -in the personality of the man lifted him above his fellows, for all -listened in silence whilst he spoke, and even the arrogant young actor -looked for the moment abashed. - -"Who is it?" whispered Grey to the man next him; and the answer came -readily, though spoken in a cautious whisper. - -"His name is Jonathan Wylde. Once he, too, was a famous actor; but long -illness crippled his limbs, and he has fallen into poverty. He is -always called the Old Lion, and methinks the name suits him well. He is -a very lion for courage, else would he not dare to rebuke Master Lionel -Field. For he is one who is ready with his fist, or with knife or -bludgeon, and it is ill work meeting him when he is in his cups." - -Grey looked with interest and attention at the old man in the shadows; -but he was leaning back again, and spoke no more. The talk surged round -him again from the rest; they spoke of the plays that were being enacted -at the various theatres, and of those who were playing the various -_roles_. Some of them stood up and rolled forth bits of Congreve's -witty and sparkling dramas, and disputed as to whether the "Old -Bachelor" or the "Way of the World" were his happiest effort; whilst -some declared that the "Double Dealer" was the best of all. They talked -excitedly of the revival at Drury Lane of Farquhar's "Love and a -Bottle," which had scored such a success some fourteen or fifteen years -previously. And there were some who lauded and some who depreciated -Colley Cibber and his "Careless Husband" and "Love's Last Shift," which -were favourites throughout the town. - -It was a new world to Grey; but he listened with a certain fascination, -for the drama had always attracted him, and he watched the gestures of -the actors and listened to their mouthing periods with something between -wonder and amusement. He could understand that these men had been -failures. Only Lionel Field appeared to have any true histrionic gift, -and the cause of his downfall was plain to be read after the speech of -the "Old Lion." From time to time, as the light flickered upon the -striking face in the ingle, Grey caught a fine-lipped smile upon it, and -once or twice he thought the old actor's eyes met his in a gleam of -humour. But of that he could not be sure--it might be but the trick of -the firelight; and presently wearied nature asserted itself, and the -young man passed from drowsiness to actual sleep, and knew nothing more -till a sharp grip upon his arm roused him to a sense of his -surroundings. - -It was the tapster who thus shook him; and when he opened his eyes, Grey -saw--or thought, at least--that the room was empty. What the time was -he had no idea; but it must be late, and he rose hastily to his feet -with a muttered apology at having overstayed the closing time. - -At that moment there emerged out of the shadows of the ingle-nook a bent -figure, dignified even in its infirmity, and the voice which Grey had -heard before spoke in quietly authoritative accents. - -"Bring hither coffee and a dish of eggs for two. The wind and rain yet -howl around the house. This gentleman will sup with me ere we go home. -Go and serve us quickly, for we have both a good stomach, and would eat -ere we depart hence." - -The tapster vanished quickly to do the bidding of the guests, and Grey -turned a wondering glance upon the Old Lion, whose face, framed in its -shaggy gray hair, looked more leonine than ever, the bright eyes shining -out of deep caverns from under bushy brows, the rugged features full of -power, not unmixed with a curious underlying ferocity. But the glance -bent upon Grey was kindly enough. - -"Sit down, young man; I would know more of you. I have a gift for -reading faces. I have marked yours ever since you entered this room. -Tell me your name. Tell me of yourself, for you were not born to the -state to which you have now fallen." - -"My name is Grey," was the ready answer. Grey had dropped his title and -patronymic with his fallen fortunes, and used his mother's name alone. -"My father was a country gentleman. I was gently reared, and was at one -time a scholar at Oxford, where I dreamed many dreams. Afterwards I -travelled abroad, returning to find my father dead and my home in the -hands of a kinsman to whom it was mortgaged by my father. The small -fortune I received I squandered foolishly in a few weeks of gay living -with young bloods of the town. I wakened from my dream to find myself -well-nigh penniless, disgusted alike with myself and those I had called -my friends. I have ever been something ambitious. I misdoubt me I am a -fool; but I did think that I might win laurels upon the field of -literature. I have never lost the trick of rhyming, and jotting down -such things as pleased my fancy, whether in prose or in verse. Do I -weary you with my tale?" - -"No, sir--far from it. Let me hear you to the end. I did see you take -forth a roll of paper from your breast as you came in. That action, -together with your face, told me much. You have the gift of a creative -fancy. You have written a poem or a play." - -"Neither the one nor the other, but a romance," answered Grey, the -colour flushing his face as it flushes that of a maiden when the love of -her heart is named by her. "I scarce know how to call it, but methinks -it savours more of a romance than of aught besides. When I was rudely -awakened from my pleasure-loving life, saw the folly and futility -thereof, and desired to amend, I did take a quiet lodging high up in a -building off Holborn, and there I did set myself to the task, and right -happy was I in it. I had a score of gold pieces still left me, and my -needs I did think modest; though, looking back, they seem many to me -now. The weeks fled by, and my work reached its close. When my romance -was finished, my money was all but spent. For the past week or more I -have been seeking a publisher for it. In my folly I did think that it -would bring me gold as fast as I wanted. My eyes have been rudely -opened these last days." - -The Old Lion nodded his head many times. - -"You made a mistake in seeking a publisher, young sir. You should first -have sought a patron." - -Grey's face flushed slightly, and he hesitated before he spoke. - -"Others have said the same to me; but there are difficulties. I have -not learned to go cap in hand to cringe for patronage to the great ones -of the earth." But, as Grey saw a slight smile flicker in the old man's -eyes, he added rather hastily, "And then I desire not to be known and -recognized by those whom I did know ha my former life. There is scarce -an antechamber in those fine houses where patrons dwell where I might -not meet the curious and impertinent regard of those who would know me -again. That I will not brook." And now Grey's eyes flashed, thinking of -Lord Sandford, and how he would chuckle to hear how low his rival had -fallen. "No; if I am to succeed at all, I must needs do so without a -patron. If I fail, there is one resource left. Able-bodied paupers are -sent to the wars. I can go thither and fight." - -Again a smile flickered over the Old Lion's face; but the tapster was -entering with the smoking viands, and the gleam in Grey's eyes bespoke -the wolf within him. - -"Set to, my friend, and make a good meal. When we have cleared the -trenchers, you shall come with me to my lodging. I would hear the end -of your tale; but that can wait till after supper." - - - - - *CHAPTER XI.* - - *THE LION'S DEN.* - - -"Welcome to the Lion's Den!" spoke the man Wylde, as he threw open the -door of a room which he had unlocked, and kicking a smouldering log upon -the hearth, evoked a cheery blaze, by the aid of which he lighted a lamp -that swung over a table littered with books, papers, and quills. - -Grey stepped within the threshold, and looked about him with curious -eyes. The house they had entered a few minutes before was a tall and -narrow one in Harpe Alley, leading from Shoe Lane. It was not an old -house, for it came within the area of the great fire of fifty years -back, and had been rebuilt, like the whole of the surrounding buildings, -with greater speed than discretion. Grey had once come across Sir -Christopher Wren in his other life, and had talked with him of the -short-sighted policy observed in the rebuilding of the city. The great -architect declared that had his plans been carried out, London would -have been the finest city in the world: but the haste and false economy -of the citizens and city companies had thwarted his plans, and the old -lines of narrow and crooked streets were kept as before, to the cost of -succeeding generations. - -This house had been hastily run up, like those surrounding it, and the -tempest from without rattled and shook the walls and windows as though -to drive them in. But the room itself, though no more than an attic, -bore an air of comfort very pleasant to the eyes of the homeless Grey, -whose own quarters only contained the barest necessities of life; for -there were some rough shelves full of books in one corner, and a rug -before the fire gave a look of comfort to the place. Two armchairs of -rude pattern, but furnished with down cushions, seemed to invite repose; -and everything was scrupulously clean, even to the boards of the floor. - -"'A poor thing, but mine own,'" spoke the Old Lion, with his grim smile, -as he motioned to Grey to take one chair, and he himself pulled up the -other. "I have dwelt here two years and more now, and I have not been -unhappy; albeit I never thought to end my days in a garret, as belike I -shall do now." - -"Fortune has been hard upon you," spoke Grey earnestly. "You have the -gifts and the powers; it is cruel that your limbs should have become -crippled." - -"We must take the rough and the smooth of life as we find it," answered -the other. "I have had my moments of rebellion--I have them still; but -I seek the consolations of philosophy; and I have never yet wanted for -bread or shelter. But there be times when the future looks dark before -me. Those who remember me, and pity my misfortunes, drop away one by -one. I lacked not for patrons at the first. When I could not longer -tread the boards, I was ofttimes engaged to make men laugh or weep at -some gay rout at a nobleman's house. Then, too, my jests and quips were -in request at gay supper-parties, and I was paid to set the table in a -roar, which in all sooth was not difficult when the wine-bottle was -going round and round. Oh, I knew gay times for many a year after my -stage career closed. But patrons have died off one by one. I am more -crippled than I was, and the young wits are pushing to the front, whilst -the Old Lion has been crowded out. My pen still serves me in a measure. -I can turn an epigram, or write a couplet, or even make shift to pen a -sonnet that lacks not the true ring. Grist yet comes to the mill, but -more and more slowly. There come moments when I wonder what will be the -end of the Old Lion's career--the poorhouse, or a death by slow -starvation in some garret!" - -"No, no," cried Grey almost fiercely; "that would be shame indeed. -Surely, if nothing better turn up, there must be places of refuge for -fallen genius. Have not almshouses been built, again and again, by the -well-disposed for such men as sickness has laid aside? You smile, but -in sooth it is so." - -"Ay, and how many are there to claim the benefits of pious founders? -Yet no matter. I brought you not here to talk of my troubles, but of -yours. That romance of which you speak--" - -"It would seem the world cares little for such things. I did hear the -same tale everywhere. Was it a pamphlet I had to give them, a lampoon -upon some great man, an attack against the Tories, the Whigs, the -Dissenters? If so, they would read it; for there was great eagerness -amongst the people to read such things, and no matter what side was -attacked, there were hundreds eager to buy and to read. But a -romance--no; that was a mistake altogether. A writer of successful -pamphlets might perhaps find readers for a merry tale, or even a -romance; but for an unknown aspirant to fame--no, that was another -matter. No one would buy it; no one would even read it; though there -were one or two who took it and glanced through some pages, praised the -style and the easy flow of words, and advised me to take to -pamphleteering, promising that they would read anything like that." - -"That is it, that is it!" cried the Old Lion, rising and pacing up and -down the room with his halting stride. "Write a filthy lampoon, a -scurrilous libel, a fiery diatribe against any great or notable man, and -all the world will read and set themselves agog to know the writer. -Look at Swift, with his 'Tale of a Tub;' look at De Foe, with his crowd -of pamphlets--men of talent, I do not doubt or deny, but full of gall -and bitterness. Yet they are read by all the world. Fame, if not -fortune, has come to them, and fortune will doubtless follow. The late -King, they say, would have made Swift a bishop. The Queen will not: his -ribald wit disgusts her; but he has admirers and patrons everywhere. It -is the bold and unscrupulous who flourish like the grass of the field. -True poetry and literary beauty are not asked, or even desired. A pen -dipped in gall is a pen dipped in gold in these days of party strife. -And the genius that wields not this bitter pen sits in dust and ashes, -asking bread, and that well-nigh in vain." - -"How should I write these party diatribes--I who know little of their -cries? Whig or Tory, Tory or Whig--what care I? The Tory of one -Parliament is the Whig of the next. Have not Lords Marlborough and -Godolphin gone over to the Whigs? The Queen herself, they say, is -changing slowly." - -"Nay, the Queen herself will never change!" cried Wylde, with an -emphatic gesture. "The Duchess has changed, and she seeks to use her -influence with the Queen to make her change also, and give up her Tory -advisers altogether. But she will not succeed. The Queen may be timid -and gentle, but she has all her father's tenacity and obstinacy. Let my -Lady of Marlborough look to it! She may strain the cord to breaking -point. Already they say that the new favourite, Mrs. Masham, is ousting -her kinswoman, the Duchess, from the foremost place in the Queen's -affections. Favourites have fallen ere this through too great -arrogance. The victories of Ramillies and Oudenarde, and the successes -that have followed, make the Duke the idol of the nation and the -favourite of the Queen yet; but the day may come when this may change, -and then the high Tories may come in once more with a rush." - -"I should be sorry for the Duke to lose favour," spoke Grey -thoughtfully. "I did see him once, and had speech with him after the -battle of Ramillies, and a more gracious and courtly gentleman it has -never been my lot to meet." - -Suddenly the Old Lion's eyes flashed fire. - -"You have seen and had speech with the Duke on the field of Ramillies? -You saw the battle, or something of it? Speak! Tell me all! I must -hear this tale. It may mean much to us both." - -"In sooth it is little I can tell you of the battle, for I was in the -thick of it myself. It was by accident that my servant and I came upon -the rival armies; and another happy accident gave me the chance of doing -a small service for the Duke. After the battle, when we were hard by -Louvain, he called me to him, and spoke many gracious words. I would -fain hope that some day I may see him again." - -"You had speech with him? You saw his manner and his port? Tell -me--show me--how did he carry himself?" - -Grey rose to his feet, laughing. He humoured the whim of the old actor. -He was not lacking in the histrionic gift, and threw himself into his -part with good will. He uttered quick commands, as though to his -officers; he threw out his arms, as though directing one man here, -another there. He recalled numbers of words spoken by the General, and -these he reproduced faithfully and with an excellent imitation of -Marlborough's polished, courteous, yet commanding air. Then he let his -face soften, and addressed the old man as he himself had been addressed, -with words of thanks and with promises of friendship. Finally, throwing -off the mask, he broke into a laugh, and was astonished at the eager -change which had come upon the Old Lion. - -"Boy!" he cried, with a new access of energy, "I trow I see for both of -us a way to fame and fortune." - -Grey's eyes lighted as he eagerly asked his meaning. - -"That is soon told. Have you heard how, after the victory of Blenheim, -none could be found to hymn the praises of the great General till the -poet Addison was introduced to notice, and penned his immortal lines? -Now, since the victory of Ramillies, I have burned with desire to show -the world by somewhat more than verse alone the power and genius of -England's mighty soldier. See here!" - -The old man rose and crossed to his table, where he fetched from a -drawer a scroll covered with writing, which he put in the hands of his -companion. Grey saw that it was a dialogue cast in dramatic form, and -though he could not read it then and there, he could see, by casting his -eyes over it, that there were many very fine periods in it, and that it -was filled with descriptive passages of some great battle, and the -energy and glory of the General in command. He raised his eyes -inquiringly to the impassioned face of the author, which was working -with excitement. - -"See you not something of the form? It is a dramatic interlude. It -should be played upon the stage during the intervals of the play. Time -sits aloft, aged and grim, his scythe in his hand, his hour-glass beside -him, and he speaks of the decay of mankind--that the world's greatness -is vanishing, its men of genius growing ever fewer and fewer. That is -my part. I take the _role_ of Time. To him then enters one in the -guise of youth--one in the flush of manhood's prime--one who has seen -great and doughty deeds, and comes to rehearse the same in the ears of -old Time, to bid him change his tune, to tell him that giants yet live -upon the earth. This youth comes with songs of victory; he speaks of -what he has seen; he describes in burning words and glowing colours that -last great fight wherein England's General put to flight the hosts of -the haughty monarch of France. For months has this been written; for -months have I gone about seeking the man to take the part of youth and -manhood. But I have sought in vain. All those whom I would have chosen -have other work to do, and did but laugh at me. Those who would gladly -do my bidding, I will none of. You saw how they did mouth and rant -to-night, thinking to show their talent, when they only displayed their -imbecile folly. But here have I found the very man for whom I have long -waited. You have youth, beauty--that manly beauty which transcends, to -my thinking, the ephemeral loveliness of woman; you have the gift; you -have seen the great hero: you have caught the very trick of his words -and speech. Oh, I know it! Once did I hear him address the House of -Lords, and when you spoke I seemed to see and hear him again. The great -world of fashion will go mad over you. We shall draw full houses; we -shall succeed. I know it! I feel it! The Old Lion is not dead yet! -He shall roar again in his native forest. Say, boy, will you be my -helper in this thing? And in the gains which we shall make we will -share and share alike." - -It was a very different sort of fame from anything Grey had pictured for -himself, and for a moment he hesitated; for he realized that were this -dramatic sketch to take hold of the imagination of the town, and draw -fashionable audiences, he could scarcely avoid recognition, disguise -himself as he might. But as against this there was the pressing need of -the moment. He was well-nigh penniless; his romance seemed likely to be -but so much waste paper. He was hiding now even from Dick, who -periodically visited London to see him, lest the honest fellow should -insist upon maintaining him from his own small hoard. Here was an -opening, as it seemed, to something like prosperity; and the alternative -of being drafted into the army as a pauper recruit was scarcely -sufficiently attractive to weigh in the balance. Moreover, there was -something so earnest and pathetic in the glance bent upon him by the Old -Lion that he had not the heart to say him nay, and he held out his hand -with a smile. - -"I will be your helper; and as for the gains, let them be yours, and you -shall give me what wage I merit. The play is yours, the thought is -yours: it is for you to reap the harvest. I am but the labourer--worthy -of his hire, and no more." - -The compact was sealed, and the old man then insisted that Grey should -take his bed for the night, as he must sit up and remodel his play upon -lines indicated by the young man, who had seen the field of Ramillies -and the disposition of troops. Grey furnished him with sundry diagrams -and notes, and left him perfectly happy at his task, which would -doubtless occupy him during the night, whilst the weary guest slumbered -peacefully upon the humble bed in the little alcove beyond the larger -room. - -When Grey awoke next morning, the sun was shining; a frugal but -sufficient meal was spread upon the table; a fire was blazing cheerily -upon the hearth; and there was the Old Lion, with his manuscript before -him, muttering beneath his breath, and throwing out his hand in telling -gesture, making so fine a picture with his leonine face and shaggy mane -of hair that Grey watched him awhile in silence before advancing. - -"Good-morrow, and welcome to you, my son," was the greeting be received. -"I have had a beautiful night. The muse was hot upon me. The rounded -periods seemed to flow from my pen without effort. Let us to breakfast -first; then shall you read what I have written, and together we will -amend it, if need be. But first shall you remove hither from that -unsavoury lodging of which you did speak. Here is money: pay your -reckoning, and bring hither any goods and chattels you may value. We -must dwell together these next weeks. We will work hard, and before the -week closes I will have some manager here to listen to our rendering of -this scene. We will have the world crowding to see and hear us -yet!--King Fortune, I salute thee, and I thank thee from my heart that -thou didst send this goodly youth to me, and didst prompt my heart from -the first to take note of him and seek his friendship." - -The removal of Grey's simple belongings took but little time, and lucky -did he feel himself to be able to call this comfortable abode his home. -A small attic upon the same floor of the house made him a sleeping -chamber at very small cost, and his days were spent in the sunny south -garret, which was called the Lion's Den; and there they studied, and -wrote, and rehearsed this eulogy upon the Duke, and the prowess of the -English arms, the old man introducing here and there allusions and -innuendoes which Grey scarcely understood, but which Wylde declared -would bring down thunders of applause from the house--as, indeed, proved -to be the case. - -Grey had a faint misgiving at the first that no manager might be -forthcoming to admit the dialogue to his boards; but there the old actor -knew his ground. He succeeded in inviting two of the most successful -managers to listen to a performance in the attic, without the -accessories which would add much to the effect upon the stage; and even -so the scene proved so telling, the acting of the Old Lion was so superb -in its quiet dignity, and Grey (who had learned and studied patiently -and diligently) went through his part with such spirit, such power, such -dramatic energy, that even his instructor was surprised at his success, -and the managers exchanged glances of astonishment and pleasure. - -It was just the sort of piece to catch the public favour at this -juncture. Marlborough was still the idol of the nation, and might be -expected home some time before the winter closed--perhaps before -Christmas itself. The nation was discussing how to do him honour, and -would flock to see a piece wherein his praises were so ably sung. - -"With a wig such as the Duke wears, and with military dress, Mr. Grey -could be made to look the very image of the great General," cried one. - -"He has something the same class of face--handsome, regular features, -grace of action and bearing. He does but want to be transformed from -fair to dark, and his acting of the Duke will bring down veritable -thunders of applause from all." - -And then began a gratifying rivalry as to terms, in which the Old Lion -sustained his part with dignity and firmness. Both managers desired to -secure this interlude for their respective theatres, and at the last it -was settled that the performance was to be given two nights a week at -Drury Lane, and two at Sadler's Wells, the astute old actor retaining -the right to make his own terms at private houses upon the two remaining -nights of the working week. The costumes were to be provided by the -managers, but were to be the property of the actors, who would undertake -to replace them should any harm befall them at private representations. - -When these matters had been satisfactorily settled, and certain other -details arranged, the great men took their leave in high good humour; -and the Old Lion, shaking back his mane of shaggy hair, grasped Grey by -the hands, his eyes sparkling in his head. - -"Your fortune is made, young man! your fortune is made! You will never -need to fear poverty again. What life so grand as that of the man who -can sway the multitude, make men laugh or weep at his bidding, hold them -suspended breathless upon his lips, move them to mirth, or rouse them to -the highest realm of passion? Ah, that is life! that is life! Have I -not tasted it? Do I not know? And that life lies before you, my son. -I will be your guide and mentor; you have but to use patience and -discretion, and with your gifts and with your person you shall hold all -men in thrall. Ay, and you shall write, too--Cibber shall find a rival. -Men shall sing your praise. The world shall lie at your feet. And I -shall see it--I, who have found and taught you, who have discerned your -powers with pen and tongue. I shall be content. I ask nothing better -of fortune. Ah, my son, it was indeed a providence which made our paths -to cross!" - -Grey smiled, and was silent. The life of an actor was not the life of -his ambition, and he doubted if it would enthrall him as it had -enthralled the Old Lion. But it would be at least a new experience. He -was ready and willing to make trial of it. As matters now stood with -him, he had scarce a choice. He would go through with this thing that -was planned, and with the future he would not immediately concern -himself. - -So he smiled back at the old man, and took his hand, saying simply,-- - -"I am well pleased that I have acquitted myself to your liking. I will -seek to do you credit in the eyes of the world." - - - - - *CHAPTER XII.* - - *TRIUMPH.* - - -Grey gazed at himself in astonishment. His fear of the eyes of quondam -friends vanished into thin air. Scarce would he have known himself. -That others would know him, he could not believe. He had had no idea of -the transforming properties of one of the great flowing wigs of the -period; but when his own brown curls were covered and hidden beneath -this mass of perfumed hair, his brows darkened and the skin of his face -olive-tinted, his figure padded and arrayed in full military finery such -as the Duke of Marlborough was wont to wear, he could almost believe -that he saw that great warrior before his eyes, so cunningly had the -artificers wrought. He looked younger than the General, but that was -intended--an impersonation of youth and manly beauty and war-like -prowess. This was what the author of the interlude aimed at, and this -Grey looked to perfection, as he stood habited in the garments in which -he was to appear before the public. - -The Old Lion, himself transformed into an excellent presentment of -Father Time, stood gazing at the young man with glowing eyes, directing -the attendants to give a touch here or there to accentuate any point he -wished brought out. Satisfaction beamed from every feature of his face. -He seemed to see the town at his feet. In a week's time all London -would be ringing with the fame of Jonathan Wylde. - -It was just the sort of artificial scene likely to catch the popular -taste. There was a rage for semi-mythological representations--dryads -and nymphs and mermaids at the water theatre, Cupids and Psyches and -heathen or classical deities at other places, whilst stilted and absurd -allusions to Arcadian joys, nectar and ambrosia, spicy breezes of -Paphos, or Hymen's seductive temples, fell trippingly from the tongues -of every dandy with any claim to be a man of fashion, and were echoed in -simpering accents by the ladies to whom this flowery nonsense was -addressed. - -The setting of the dramatic interlude had been carefully arranged. -Father Time, with his flowing white beard, his scythe leaning against -him, and his hour-glass at his feet, was seated aloft at one side of the -stage overlooking a dim and vague expanse, which was supposed to -represent the earth. There was something very majestic in the aspect of -the old actor, whose name many still remembered, and a burst of applause -followed the rise of the curtain. Curiosity was raised to a high pitch -by the gossip already excited in dramatic circles, and the house was -crowded to the ceiling with breathless and eager spectators. - -The Old Lion delivered his harangue with all the fire and dignity for -which his acting had been celebrated in past years. Seated upon his -throne, surveying, as it were, the world, the crippled limbs no longer -hampered him. A few telling gestures of the brown and skinny hand, the -play of facial expression, the thunder or the melting pathos of his rich -voice--these were all the aids he needed, and he used them with -excellent effect. The audience sat spellbound. The young bloods even -shrank and quailed and exchanged shamefaced glances as Father Time -launched his thunders of scorn at the decadence of manhood, the decay of -all true chivalry, the gilded luxury, the senseless folly, the gross -extravagance he beheld on all hands. Where were the men? he asked, -pointing a long and skinny finger straight at the house filled to -overflowing with the fashion and wealth of the town. How did the youth -of the great cities show their valour now? Why, by scouring the streets -at night, setting upon helpless citizens, using them shamefully, even to -leaving them half dead, with eyes gouged out, in emulation of the -barbarous fashion of the Indian tribes, after which these gallants were -not ashamed to call themselves. In the past men had laid down their -lives to defend their country and the liberties of the subject; now they -banded together to maltreat the very men who were set to maintain law -and order. Of old, womanhood was sacred, and knights went forth to do -doughty deeds for the honour of their ladies, and for the upholding of -all the laws of chivalry, which they held dearer than life itself. Now -young gallants delighted to show their reverence for womanhood by -rolling some hapless citizen's wife or daughter down a sloping street in -a barrel, laughing the louder if she screamed piteously, or even swooned -with fright. - -Was there a man yet left in the land? Where was such to be found? And -tears streamed down the face of Father Time, as he made his moan, -lamenting the days which had gone by, and fearing he would never see the -like again. - -Then came a telling pause of deep silence. The applause, which had -broken out once and again during the monologue, had been hushed into -shamed stillness at the last. Murmurs of sympathy and approval rose -from the many present who hated and lamented the folly and extravagances -of the day, and delighted to hear them so tellingly and scathingly -reproved. Even the young bloods themselves could not but admire the -skill and power of the speaker. They recognized the truth of the -indictment, and felt a sense of shame and uneasiness which no preacher -in the pulpit had ever aroused--perhaps because they so seldom went to -listen, and only stayed to mock. - -And then the silence was as suddenly broken by a tumultuous burst of -amazed applause. A second figure had stepped upon the stage--tall, -graceful, alert, instinct with strength and manly beauty; and a -thundering shout went up from all the house,-- - -"The Duke! The Duke!" - -Paying no heed to the tumult of applause, the Youth went slowly forward -towards the throne upon which sat Father Time, and to him he made a deep -obeisance. Then amid the breathless hush of the house began the -animated dialogue betwixt the twain, wherein the Youth did strive to -show that manhood was not yet dead, and to call to the notice of Father -Time the things which he had seen, and which were yet taking place upon -the face of the globe. - -Then after a good deal of discussion, in which telling phrases were -dropped on both sides, which evoked roars of applause and approval, the -young man was called upon to tell of those great acts of which he spoke. -Whereupon came Grey's great speech, descriptive of the battle of -Ramillies, and the superb generalship and dauntless personal courage of -England's great General. - -The audience hung spellbound upon the words and gestures of the speaker. -A breathless hush told of the effect produced. To those who had known -the Duke, it seemed as though he himself were recounting the story of -his victory. To those who had not, it was still a marvellous and -soul-stirring oration, as though the strictures lately passed upon -manhood by Father Time were in some sort swept away, and England's -honour vindicated by this young champion, who represented the nation's -idol. - -The thing was an unqualified success. Behind the scenes the two actors -were received with warm congratulation scarcely tinged by jealousy. Old -Wylde was greeted by many a friend who had not troubled to recognize him -during his days of eclipse; and in addition to the ovations from -managers and actors, scores of men, and even of fine ladies, crowded -round behind the scenes to shake hands with the heroes of the night, and -satisfy their curiosity by gazing at them at close quarters. - -This part of the business was little to the taste of Grey, who desired -nothing so little as any recognition by former acquaintances. He saw -one or two faces that he knew, but no one came near him to whom he -remembered having spoken in his past life. He retained his heavy wig -and military dress as he talked with those pressing round him. But as -soon as he was able he disengaged himself from the crowd, and ordering a -coach to be called, he and his comrade drove home together, weary but -exultant. - -"I told you how it would be!" spoke the Old Lion, as they stood together -in their upper chamber, smiling at the remembrance of the scene just -passed through. "I knew I had but to find the right man, and our fortune -would be made! You were fine, boy; you were fine! I had reckoned upon -you; yet one never knows how it will be till the moment comes. Some are -struck with stage-fright, and blunder and trip, till all illusion -vanishes. Others mouth and strut through pure terror of the myriad eyes -bent upon them, and bring down ridicule and contempt upon their heads. -But I had confidence in you, and my confidence was not misplaced. We -have taken the town by storm this night; and as we have begun, so shall -it be to the end." - -Certainly it seemed as though this prediction were to be fulfilled, for -every performance was crowded to the utmost limit of the two theatres; -and the extraordinary resemblance of the young actor--whose name was -quite unknown to the world--to the great Duke of Marlborough was the -talk of the whole town, and raised an immense curiosity, which spread -through all classes. - -Grey called himself Edward White upon the playbills, and was thus known -to the theatre managers, who could give no information about the young -man save that he was a pupil of the old actor Wylde, who had written the -piece, and cast it especially for himself and his _protege_. When it -was urged that the young man must have known the Duke, else how could he -so accurately reproduce his tricks of voice and speech and manner, they -drily shook their heads, saying that of his past history they were -ignorant, but that as an actor they were satisfied with his capacity, -and were struck by his similarity in figure and bearing to the great -General. - -The talk spread through the town, the theatres filled to overflowing, -and crowds flocked behind the scenes nightly to get speech with the -successful actors. - -It was perhaps a week after the first performance, and Grey was just -meditating the possibility of escape from the attentions of the -fashionable mob, when a loud and resonant laugh broke upon his ear, and -his face flushed deeply beneath its olive tinting. - -Lord Sandford made his way through the crowd about him, and in a moment -the two were face to face. - -Grey had of set purpose taken up a station, according to his custom, in -a place where the light was sufficiently bad. The passages and rooms -behind the scenes were never brilliantly illuminated, and the shadows -fell somewhat deeply upon his face; yet it seemed to him well-nigh -impossible, as he looked full into the eyes of the man he had trusted, -and who had failed him, that he should not at once be discovered. - -But there was no trace of recognition in Lord Sandford's bold glance, -though it rested upon his face with a shrewd curiosity. - -"Good-even, sir. I have desired to see your performance ere this, but -have always been hindered. A fine piece of acting as ever I saw. And -yet your name is unknown to me, and I thought I knew every actor in the -town and in the country." - -"It is my first appearance, your lordship," answered Grey in his stage -voice. "I owe my success to the kindliness of Mr. Wylde. I have had no -previous training. I have to thank the public for a very kind -reception." - -"No previous training for the boards? I can believe that, my friend. -But I warrant me you have had previous acquaintance with the great -world. You are no stranger to my lord of Marlborough--that I will -warrant." - -"I did see him once, my lord; and there are some persons whom once to -see and hear is always to remember. The impression of a great -personality is not easily effaced." - -Lord Sandford's bold eyes were roving over Grey's face and figure in a -way that was disconcerting, but he would not flinch or abase his gaze. -He, at least had nothing of which to be ashamed. - -"I have seen you before, Mr. White," he remarked suddenly; "I cannot yet -say where or when. But you have been in my company ere this. Say, is -not that true?" - -"To have been in your lordship's company is surely no great -distinction," answered Grey, with slightly veiled irony. "Is it not -well known that Lord Sandford goes everywhere, is seen everywhere, and -keeps company with all sorts and conditions of men?" - -The young peer threw back his head and broke into a great laugh. - -"Gadzooks, you have a ready tongue, my friend, and are not afraid to use -it. Well, well, if you desire to tell me nothing, I will ask no more. -Every man has a right to his own secret, though I make no pledge that I -will not discover yours ere long. I have a mighty curiosity about some -men's affairs, which I will gratify at my pleasure." - -"Was it a threat?" asked Grey of himself, "and had he any suspicion?" -He scarce thought so. He would have seen a glint of recognition in his -eyes had he been known beneath his disguise. But he was glad when Lord -Sandford turned away with another loud laugh, though his heart seemed to -throb with a painful intensity as he heard his loud voice speaking to -his companions,-- - -"Well, I must away to my Lord Romaine's house. My lady holds a rout -to-night, and will be ill pleased if I present not myself. The Lady -Geraldine will expect to see me. We must not disappoint the pretty -birds. Who is for the rout, and who to stay for what fare they give us -here?" - -Grey turned away with his heart on fire. What meant that jesting -allusion to the Lady Geraldine? Could it be that she had plighted her -troth to him? What else could he expect to hear than that she would obey -the wishes of her parents? If Lord Sandford were the husband chosen for -her, how could she escape the fate of becoming his wife? Would she even -desire to escape it? How could a pure and innocent maiden know the sort -of life which he had hitherto led? - - -Lady Romaine's rooms were full of gay company, and a clamour of laughter -and chatter rose up in a never-ceasing hum. The card-tables were -crowded, and little piles of gold coins were constantly changing hands. -Gay gallants fluttered hither and thither like great painted -butterflies, first stopping before one fair lady and then hovering round -another; taking snuff with one another; bandying jest or anecdote, quip -or crank; putting their heads eagerly together over some bit of new -scandal, and then going off in high glee to tell the news elsewhere. - -There were a few grave politicians gathered together in one corner -discussing the affairs of the day--the successful campaign on the -Continent, and the possibilities of an honourable peace. There were -none of the high Tories to be seen at Lord Romaine's house. He belonged -to the Whig faction, and pinned his faith to Godolphin, whom he thought -the finest statesman of the day. He was on friendly terms with all the -men of the so-called Whig junto, and Lord Halifax and Lord Sunderland -were to be seen at his house to-night, foremost amongst those who -preferred quiet converse on weighty matters to the laughter and giddy -talk in the larger rooms. - -The Lady Geraldine had betaken herself to the inner apartment, where her -father was to be found in converse with his friends. It interested her -far more to listen to the topics of the day discussed by them than to -receive the vapourings of the gilded dandies, or to hear the chatter of -painted dames. To her great relief Lord Sandford had not appeared at -the rout, and sincerely did she hope he would continue to absent -himself. Of late his attentions had become more pressing, and every day -she feared to hear from her father that he had made formal application -for her hand, and had been accepted. - -Geraldine did not want to marry him. From the first she had shrunk from -his admiration, but had not been able to satisfy herself as to whether -such shrinking were just or right. She knew her mother favoured him, -and that her father thought he would rise to eminence if once he could -shake off the follies and extravagances of youth, and settle down to -wedded life with the woman of his choice. There was something -attractive in his great strength, and in the manhood which was never -eclipsed even when he followed the fashion of the day in dress and talk. -But whilst she was hesitating, something had come into her life which -seemed quite to have changed its current; and from that time forward she -had resolutely set herself against Lord Sandford's suit, and received -his attentions with a coldness and aloofness which whetted his desire -and piqued his vanity as nothing else could have done. - -There was one face for which Geraldine looked in vain, and had looked -for many long weary weeks. Why she so desired to see that face, she -could scarce have told; yet thus it was. But it never came. She asked -questions now and again of some young beau who had lived in Lord -Sandford's world; but it was little she could learn of what she so much -wished. - -"Oh, Sir Grey and my Lord Sandford had a quarrel. None know the cause, -but they say 'twas about a woman. I know naught of it. But they parted -company; and belike he has gone off to the wars, for none of us have set -eyes upon him since the day when he lost the race, and went near to lose -his life." - -"How was that?" Geraldine had asked with whitening lips. - -Then she had heard, with sundry embellishments, the story of the race, -and the suspicions which had been aroused as to whether or not a trap -had been laid for the young baronet, into which he had fallen, and had -only escaped severe injury by a happy chance. - -Geraldine's heart had been filled with horror. - -"Think you that Lord Sandford had a hand in it?" had been her whispered -question, to which a careless laugh was the answer. She gathered from -more than one source that his companions believed Lord Sandford quite -capable of such a deed; for he had the reputation of being a man good as -a friend, but bad to quarrel with, and absolutely unscrupulous when his -passions were roused. None would ever answer for what he might do. - -A great horror had fallen upon Geraldine at hearing this tale--a horror -which haunted her still after all these weeks. She could not forget how -Lord Sandford had come upon her and Grey in the gardens of Vauxhall, and -how he had spoken in a stern voice, and had carried her off with an air -of mastery that she had been unable to resist. And almost immediately -after this had come the quarrel--which men said was about a woman--and -the disappearance of Sir Grey Dumaresq from the world which had known -him. Her heart often beat fast and painfully as she mused on these -things. Had he not promised her to give up that idle life, that gaming -and dissipation which in their hearts they both despised? And he had -kept his promise. He had broken loose from his fetters. He might now -be living a life of honourable purpose elsewhere. But she had hoped to -see and know more of him. She had not thought of his exiling himself -altogether. True, if Lord Sandford were his foe, and such a dangerous -one to boot, it were better he should be far away. And yet she longed -to see him again, to hear his voice, to know how it went with him. -Oft-times in the midst of such gay scenes as the one before her eyes her -thoughts would go roving back to that golden summer morning when he had -come to her upon the shining river; and she would rehearse in her memory -every word that had passed, whilst her eyes would grow dreamy, and her -lips curve softly, and her whole face take an expression which was -exquisite in its tenderness and purity. - -"Good-even, Lady Geraldine! I trust that your thoughts are with your -poor servant now before you, who has been chafing in sore impatience at -the delay in presenting himself here." - -She raised her eyes, and there was Lord Sandford standing before her; -and they seemed almost alone, for no one was near, the group of -politicians having moved farther away towards the doorway commanding the -larger suite. - -She rose and made him the sweeping curtsy of the day; but he possessed -himself of her hand, and carried it to his lips. - -"I pray you treat me with none such ceremony, sweet lady. We may surely -call ourselves something more than acquaintances, after all that has -passed betwixt us. I may safely style myself your friend, I trow. Is -it not so, Lady Geraldine?" - -There was something almost compelling in the glance he bent upon her. -There was a ring of mastery in his words, despite the gentleness he -strove to assume. She felt it, and she inwardly rebelled, although she -gave no sign. - -"Friendship, I trow, my lord, doth mean something very near and intimate -and sacred. I scarce know myself at what point an acquaintance doth -become a friend. I would that all true and noble-hearted men and women -would honour me by their friendship, for I prize not any other." - -He looked at her searchingly, wondering what she meant, and if she were -levelling any taunt at himself. The thought was like the sting of a -lash upon his skin, and a flush rose slowly to his brow, out his voice -was steady as he answered,-- - -"I care not how intimate and near and sacred such friendship be, -provided it be vouchsafed to me, madam. I have not been thought by -those who know me to be a bad friend; but it would ill become me to sing -mine own praises to win the regard of the woman who is queen of my -heart." - -It was the first time he had spoken quite so openly, and Geraldine's -fair, pale face flushed beneath his ardent gaze. What she would have -answered she never knew; he held her gaze almost as the snake holds that -of the bird it has in thrall. Yet, all the while, her heart was -rebelling fiercely, and her vague doubts and misgivings were changing -rapidly into a very pronounced fear and distrust and loathing. - -But ere she had time to think what she should say, or he to make further -protestations, a great rustling of silken skirts was heard, and in -rushed Lady Romaine in a state of her usual artificial excitement and -animation. - -"Ah, my lord, there you are! They did tell me you had come. And it is -said that you have been to see the representation of which all men are -talking--the dreadful old Father Time, who says such horrid things, but -is put to shame by a wonderful youth who is as like the Duke of -Marlborough as though they were cast in the same mould. Tell me, is -this so? What is it like, this performance? I have been dying to see -it, yet never have done so. Tickets are scarce to be had--and such a -price! All the town is flocking. Tell us truly, is it such a wonderful -thing, or is it just something for empty heads to cackle over?" - -"It is well enough," answered Lord Sandford carelessly, wishing the -ogling lady farther at this moment. "The acting is good, and the piece -not bad; there is power and wit in it, as all may hear, and it lacks not -for boldness neither. But 'tis the resemblance of the young actor to -the great Duke which is the attraction to the populace. I went to speak -with him after all was over, to see if the likeness was as great close -at hand as it seems on the stage." - -"And is it so?" asked the lady breathlessly. - -"No; the features in no way favour the Duke's, save that both are -handsome and regular. But the carriage, the action, the voice--these -are excellent. The fellow must have known his Grace in days gone by. -But no man knows who he is nor whence he comes. He calls himself Edward -White; but none know if that be his name or not." - -A sudden flush mounted to Geraldine's face, and faded, leaving her -snow-white. A thought had flashed into her mind; it set her heart -beating violently. White! How often had he said to her, "Would I were -white as thou!" He had gifts; she had told him of them. He had seen -and known the Duke, and was tall and comely to look upon; and she had -heard him speak with his voice and manner as he told her of their -meeting. Everything seemed whirling in a mist about her. She was -recalled to herself by hearing her mother exclaim, in her shrill, eager -tones,-- - -"Then, by my troth, we will have them here, and see for ourselves what -they can do, without the crowding we should suffer at the theatre. We -will engage them for the first night they can come." - - - - - *CHAPTER XIII.* - - *THE HERO OF THE HOUR.* - - -Grey's heart was beating to suffocation as he put the finishing touches -to his toilet. The Old Lion sat beside the fire in his costume of -Father Time, bending forward to the blaze, but giving vent from time to -time to a hollow cough, which at a less all-engrossing moment might have -caused Grey some uneasiness. But to-night his head was filled with -other thoughts. He was about to start for Lord Romaine's house. The -representation of "Time and the Youth" was to be given there before a -large and fashionable assembly. _She_ would be there! That was his -first thought. She would watch the performance. He might even be able -to pick her out from crowded audience, and feast his eyes upon her pure, -pale beauty. At least for an hour he would be near her. That alone was -enough to set his heart beating in tumultuous fashion. She would be -there. At Lord Romaine's own house it was impossible it should be -otherwise. Their eyes might meet; and though she would know him -not--better that she should not, indeed--he would gaze upon those -features which were dearest to him out of all the world. And whether -for weal or woe, Grey knew by this time that the love of his whole being -was centred in Lady Geraldine Adair, though he was schooling himself to -the thought of seeing her and knowing her to be another man's wife. To -him she could only be as a star in the firmament of heaven--as a -benignant influence guiding him to higher and nobler paths. That was -how he must ever learn to regard her, for her world and his were poles -asunder. And what had he to offer to any woman--he whose future lay all -uncertain before him, and whose fortunes were yet in the clouds? - -A message from below warned them that the coach which was to convey them -to Lord Romaine's house was now at the door. - -"You are tired, sir," spoke Grey, suddenly waking from his reverie and -turning to the old man, who rose with an air of lassitude which his -strong will could not entirely conceal; "I fear me you are not quite -yourself to-night. This constant acting is something too great a strain -upon you." - -"Ay, my boy, I am growing old," answered the other, with a note of pain -in his voice; "I feel it as I never felt it before. My triumph has come -just a little too late. I am too old to take up the threads of the past -again. The Old Lion has risen once again to roar in the forest, but he -must needs lay him down soon in his den--to die." - -Over Grey's face there passed a quick spasm of anxiety and pain. - -"Nay, nay; say not so. I have never heard you speak in such vein -before. What ails you to-night, dear master?" - -"No matter, boy, no matter; heed not my groanings," answered Wylde, -assuming more of his usual manner, though he held tightly to Grey's arm -as they descended the stairs. "I have been somewhat out of sorts these -last few days, and you know how they did tell me at the theatre that my -voice was not well heard the other night--" - -"Ah, but you had that rheum upon you. It is better now. Yesterday your -notes rang forth like those of a clarion." - -"Ah yes, that may be; but what has happened once may chance again. Boy, -did you observe a gray-headed man standing in the slips and watching my -every action, his lips following mine as I spoke my part?" - -"I did. I thought he seemed to know every word by heart himself. He -had the face of an actor, methought." - -"He is one, and a favourite with the people--Anthony Frewen is his name. -He and I have held many an audience spellbound ere now. What think you -he was there for?" - -"Nay, I know not, save to watch and learn and admire." - -"Ay, truly, to watch and learn, that he may step into Father Time's -part, should the day come when I can hold my throne no longer." - -A violent fit of coughing here interrupted the old man's words, seeming -to give a point to his speech that otherwise it might have lacked. - -Grey supported him tenderly whilst the paroxysm lasted; but he sat -aghast, thinking what might be coming upon his master and friend. If, -indeed, he were to be laid aside by illness, how could the successful -dramatic interlude be carried on, save by another actor? And did it not -look as though theatre managers were foreseeing this contingency, and -preparing for it? - -"Could they, indeed, supersede you, sir?" he asked at length. "Have -they the right to do so, since the thing was written by you? Must they -not rather wait for you to take up your part again, should the cold -seize upon you, and for a time render you unfit for your part?" - -"Nay, nay, they will not do that; and they have purchased the rights to -produce the piece as long as they will. I could not complain. I could -only submit." He stopped and drew his breath rather hard, and then -broke out with something of his old fire: "But what matter? what matter? -It is nature's law! The old must give way to the young. I have lived my -life. I have shown men what I can do. I have aroused me from sleep, -and shone like a meteor in the sky ere my long eclipse shall come. I am -content. I ask no more. Let Elisha take up the mantle which falls from -Elijah. My work will be remembered when the hand that penned it is -dust." - -Grey was almost horrified by these words. It seemed to him as though -the Old Lion were almost making up his mind to some approaching -calamity; and at the thought of losing his one friend, the young man's -heart stood still. He had become greatly attached to Wylde; but he knew -that amid those of his own profession he had many enemies. Nor had he -been many weeks amongst actors before he had learned the jealousies and -emulations that burned so fiercely amongst them, and how eagerly every -vacant place was snapped up by one of a crowd of eager aspirants. Who -knew but that somebody might even now be studying his part of the Youth, -ready to step into his shoes should any untoward event occur to -incapacitate him? He had constantly seen the handsome but unsteady -Lionel Field hanging about the theatre, and once or twice he had come to -see them in their lodgings, and had asked the Old Lion to speak a good -word for him, declaring that he had resolved upon turning over a new -leaf, and becoming steady and sober again. Grey remembered now how many -questions he had put about the Duke of Marlborough, asking how Grey had -become so well acquainted with his person and voice and gestures. These -he himself had imitated, not without success, for the young man had -considerable natural gifts, and far more training than Grey could boast, -although he had won so great success through the close instructions of -an able master. - -The young man knew perfectly by this time that Wylde was somewhat feared -in dramatic circles for his keen criticisms, his autocratic temper, and -his scathing powers of retort. He knew, likewise, that he was regarded -as something of an interloper--a man who had risen suddenly into notice -by what might be called "back-stair" influence. Grey was fully aware -himself that he had served no apprenticeship to his present calling, -that he had stepped into success simply and solely through a series of -happy accidents. He could not wonder that to others he should seem to be -something of an impostor and a fraud. Whilst under the Old Lion's -immediate patronage, nobody dared to flout or insult him; but he was -sometimes conscious of an undercurrent of hostile jealousy directed -against him, which increased with his increasing popularity with the -public. He could not doubt that if some mischance were to befall him or -his patron, his fall would be acclaimed in many circles with delight, as -making room for another to fill his vacant place. And Grey, looking at -the hollow cheeks and the gaunt frame of the Old Lion, hearing from time -to time his painful coughing, began to fear that he, indeed, would not -long be able to face the world or fight his own battle; and doubtful, -indeed, did he feel of his own power and ability to fight that battle -for himself single-handed. - -[Illustration: The hero of the hour (page 251).] - -These fears and misgivings, however, though somewhat dismal at the -moment, were all driven away as the carriage rolled under the archway of -Lord Romaine's house, and he found himself at his journey's end, and so -close to the object of his heart's desire. - -The actors were not, of course, taken into any of the thronged -drawing-rooms; the day for the reception of dramatists as honoured -guests at the houses of the nobility was not yet. They were, however, -respectfully conducted to a small apartment and offered refreshments, -which they partook of sparingly, and then conducted through the garden -to a large temporary structure, which Lady Romaine had insisted on -having run up, so that she might invite a very large audience to her -house for the occasion. - -There was a well-arranged stage for the actors, and the scenery, such as -it was, had been well painted, in imitation of that at the theatres; -Father Time's throne was a very fine erection, and all the arrangements -were excellent. The old man seemed to throw off his lassitude as he -made his observations, and the fire came back to his eyes and the power -to his voice. Grey forgot his uneasiness in the excitement of the -moment, and in the realization of where he was and who might at any -moment appear before his eyes, and he was resolved that this -representation should be the finest which had ever been seen heretofore. - -In the grand reception-rooms of the Countess, Geraldine stood apart as -one who dreams. She saw the throng of fashionable persons assembling; -she heard delighted exclamations about the wonders of the little theatre -which all had heard of. It had been brought from Spring Gardens, and -the moving of it had been quite a small excitement for the fashionable -world, who declared that Lady Romaine was the cleverest and most -delightful of women, and that it was quite too charming to be able to -witness this representation, of which all the town was talking, without -the crush and fatigue of attending the theatres. - -Geraldine heard as in a dream all this hubbub and clatter. She herself -was as eager as any to witness the dramatic interlude, but from a motive -different from that of the rest of the world. There was an unwonted -flush upon her cheeks, a brilliance in her dreamy eyes. Many persons, -who had scarcely noticed her before, or had passed her by with the -epithet, "a maid of ice," "a snow-queen," now regarded her with greater -attention, and said one to another that the Lady Geraldine was a more -beautiful creature than they had fancied before. - -Lord Sandford, pushing his way through the throng towards her, felt a -peculiar thrill of triumph run through him as his eyes dwelt upon her -face. - -"She is a splendid woman--just fit to be the future Lady Sandford, the -mother of those who shall come after me! My wooing shall not last much -longer. I know the mind of her mother, and though her father promises -nothing, he wishes me well. He will not have her coerced, nor would I. -She must come to me willingly; but come she shall. She has no mind -towards marriage, as other maids and damsels. Better so, better so. I -would not have my mistress one of those whose ears are greedy for the -flattery of all the world--one who looks upon each man as he appears in -the light of a possible suitor. No, I would have my white lily just as -she is--pure, spotless, calm, cold. It is for me to kindle the fire, -for me to unlock the heart; and I will not grumble if the task be -something hard, for better is the prize for which we have toiled and -sweated, than the one which drops into our hands at the first touch." - -So thinking, he pushed his way till he stood by Geraldine's side, and -met the clear, steady glance of her eyes. - -"Fair lady, I give you greeting. You are not going to absent yourself -from the representation this night? We never know in our garish world -where the Lady Geraldine will appear, or what places she will illumine -with the light of her countenance. I rejoice to see you here to-night." - -"I have a great desire to see this spectacle of which I have heard so -much," answered Geraldine quietly; "I would fain have gone to the -theatre, if so be that my mother had not arranged this representation -here. I have heard of the Old Lion of the stage, though never have I -seen him. There is something grand in the story I have heard of his -talent, his early successes, and his bravely endured eclipse and -poverty. I am right glad he has lived again to taste success and the -plaudits of the people." - -Lord Sandford laughed at her earnestness. - -"You are a philanthropist in sooth, Lady Geraldine, to interest yourself -in the affairs of such persons as these." - -"Are they not of our own flesh and blood, my lord?" she asked. - -"Faith, I know not, and I care not! At least, they are not of our -world, which is more to the point in these days." - -Geraldine turned away with a look upon her face which roused the hot -blood of Lord Sandford; he was not used to scorn. - -"Lady Geraldine," he began; but a sudden stir and as sudden a hush in -the great rooms brought his words to an abrupt stop. The Duchess of -Marlborough herself was making her formal entry, and there was almost -the same respect paid to her as though royalty itself were appearing. -They were only waiting for her to troop through the covered way into the -theatre; and Geraldine, taking advantage of the movement and the -confusion incident to this, escaped from Lord Sandford, who would have -given her his arm, made her way rapidly downstairs by a private way, and -took up a position in the theatre where he was quite unable to get near -her. - -She had decided beforehand where she would sit--near to a side-door into -the garden, which, standing half-open, let in a current of cool air into -the heated place. It had been warmed beforehand, and was dimly lighted -by a number of small lanterns overhead, such as were used in the gardens -of Vauxhall and Ranelagh. - -Her heart was beating almost to suffocation as the curtain went up, and -she saw the often-described figure of Time upon his throne. But it was -not of his rounded periods nor his telling gestures that she had been -dreaming; and though she listened and watched with a sense of -fascination, she knew that she was waiting--waiting--waiting for the -next actor, with a sense almost of suffocation in her throat. - -Why had she thought this thing? Why had it seemed to her no -impossibility that Sir Grey Dumaresq, vanished utterly from his old -world, should be masquerading now in this part of the Youth? She could -not have answered even to herself these questions, yet her heart was all -in a tumult. Had he not once said to her, as he plucked a white rosebud -and gave it her, "Why was my name not White instead of Grey? Then it -would be like unto you"? Was that enough to build upon? Hardly, but -yet she could not help it. Did not men speak of his grace, dignity, -manly beauty? and did not many say of him that his face seemed familiar -in some sort, yet none could say who he was? And now a thunder of new -applause rent the air. For a moment her vision grew dim and she could -not see. Then it cleared, and her heart gave a great bound. Clear -silver tones fell upon her ear, and the ring of a voice that she knew. -His face for the moment was turned away. He was addressing himself to -Father Time; but as he turned towards the house and gazed full upon the -audience sitting in spellbound silence, the foot-lights fell full upon -his face, and she knew him! - -She knew him--that was enough! What he said or did, she knew not--cared -not. She sat with her gaze fastened full upon him. She recked not why -that alone seemed enough. A strange trance that was half dream fell -upon her. She gazed, and gazed, and gazed. - -"Good lack, but the fellow is the very mirror of my husband! I had not -believed it, had I not seen it with mine own eyes." The voice of the -Duchess was clearly heard above the clarion notes of the actor. She was -not one to hush her tones, and she was not a little astonished by the -performance. Pleasure, gratification, and surprise were all written -upon the hard but handsome features of the Queen's favourite; and every -now and again she would tap her long ivory fan with some vehemence upon -the back of the seat in front, and would exclaim aloud,-- - -"Vastly good! Vastly well done! Faith, but he is a pretty fellow, and -knows what he is about. I must have speech with him. I would learn -more of this. Beshrew me, but the Duke must see this when he returns!" - -This loud-voiced praise could not but reach the ears of the actors, and -they could not fail to know who it was that spoke. All knew that the -Duchess was to be present, as a special mark of good will and -condescension, and that she should speak such open praise seemed to set -a seal upon the success of the entertainment. Lady Romaine could scarce -contain herself for delight. - -Geraldine still sat as in a maze of bewildered happiness. It was not -till just as the performance was closing that she was awakened from her -trance, and that somewhat rudely. The last words of the interlude were -being spoken. Father Time and the Youth were standing together making -their last speeches to the audience, and she was gazing with all her -eyes into the face of one whom she alone out of all the company had -recognized, when one of the lanterns overhead, insecurely fastened, -burnt its way loose, and fell flaring and blazing upon the light train -of her dress. Instantly she was in a blaze. The flames shooting up made -a glare all over the house, and a hundred piercing shrieks attested the -terror of the ladies at the sight. - -But one had seen even before the flames shot up. Already the young actor -had leaped like a deer to the floor of the house; in a moment he had -reached the side of the lady. He had caught up in his hands a great rug -which was picturesquely flung over the throne of Father Time, and before -any other person in the room had recovered presence of mind sufficient -to stir, he had the flaming figure wrapped round in this rug, and had -borne it out through the half-open door into the safety of the grassy -garden without, where, laying his burden down upon the ground tenderly, -despite his haste, he was quickly able to stifle the flames and -extinguish the last spark. - -He bent over her, his face white and ghastly in the moonlight. - -"You are not hurt--say you are not hurt!" - -"I think not; you were so quick--so quick. How can I thank you?" - -Her eyes looked into his; it was just one moment before the people came -rushing out upon them in a frantic crowd. But that moment was their -own. They looked into each other's eyes, and a thrill passed from heart -to heart that never could be forgotten. Out rushed Lord Romaine, frantic -with anxiety; out followed a motley crowd--some weeping, some gasping, -some exclaiming, some even laughing in hysterical excitement. Grey -stood up suddenly, and slipped away like a wraith in the moonlight. - -Lord Romaine bent tenderly over his daughter, who was struggling to her -feet, still encumbered by the folds of the great rug. She was -dishevelled, her dress was torn and burnt, she held the folds of the -covering wrap about her still; but her voice was only a little tremulous -as she clung to her father's arm. - -"I am not hurt; no, I am sure I am not. The hot breath of the fire just -scorched for a moment; but then it was crushed out.. Please send the -people away. I do not want to be stared at. I am not hurt. Please -take me in, and let me go to my own room." - -"Bless me, but what a pretty kettle of fish!" cried a loud and imperious -voice. "Let me see the child and be sure she is all safe. Ha, there -you are, my pretty white bird! A nice scare you gave us all wrapped -about in a ring of fire like--who was the woman?--Brynhild, or some such -outlandish name. But it was a fine ending to the drama. We have not -quite lost our heroes yet. My faith, how he leaped down! He must have -seen it before any of the rest of us. Well, well, well; it is a good -thing that his fine show of bravery was not all in words. He is a -mettlesome youth, and deserves the praise of the town. He will be more -the hero of the hour than ever. Where is the boy? I would have speech -of him myself." - -The Duchess looked about her; but no one like the Youth was to be seen. -He had vanished altogether; but, doubtless, he would be somewhere on the -place, and could be fetched to receive the thanks of the parents and the -compliments of the Duchess. - -It was too cold to stand out in the moonlight, and there was a general -move towards the house, Geraldine still clinging to her father's arm, -avoiding the shrill questions, comments, and congratulations of the -company, and shrinking back especially when Lord Sandford would have -approached. - -"The luck was not for me to-night," he said; "nevertheless, give me the -chance, Lady Geraldine, and you shall see what I will do. But that -actor chap shall not lose his reward for his promptitude. I will see to -that." - -She started as though she had been stung. - -"My lord, do not insult him!" - -He stared at her in amaze; but she slipped away and vanished like a -wraith. He strode moodily about the rooms, joining in the general -inquiry after the young actor whom the Duchess had sent for; but the -servants came back after some time to say that the young man could not -be found. He seemed to have disappeared into thin air. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIV.* - - *FICKLE FORTUNE.* - - -Grey had a double reason for his rapid disappearance from the scene of -his recent exploit. For one thing, he had recognized amid the audience -assembled by Lady Romaine to witness the performance quite a number of -men whom he had known with more or less intimacy in the former days, and -whom he now desired to avoid. He knew that both his flowing wig and his -fine clothes had received some injury from the fire, and moreover he -quickly felt that his hands and one of his arms had suffered from the -flames. If he were to be taken possession of by friendly or -compassionate persons, to have these matters looked to, there was no end -to the possible complications which might arise. The sensitive pride of -the young man of gentle birth rose in arms against being unmasked in the -midst of old associates. He pictured the laugh with which Lord Sandford -would make the discovery that the youthful baronet, his whilom friend, -was playing upon the boards of the theatre for a livelihood. That was a -thing he could not and would not endure. And he had fled hastily from -the coming crowd, so soon as he had been assured that Lord Romaine was -on the spot to take care of his daughter. - -Again, he was frightened by the intensity of his own feelings. When he -held Geraldine in his arms, and when their eyes met, and he knew himself -recognized, the flood of emotion which surged over him had well-nigh -mastered him and led him into some wild act of folly. He had had much -ado to stay the burning words which rushed like a torrent to his lips. -He dared not trust himself to look again upon Geraldine's fair face. He -was frightened at the immensity of the temptation which had assailed him -to break into some wild declaration of love. - -But when he had reached the waiting coach which was to convey him and -his companion back to town, his thoughts were directed into quite -another channel by the frightened faces of the servants who stood by. - -"You had better get Master Wylde home without delay," spoke one, "and -have a leech for him. He was taken with bleeding at the mouth almost as -soon as he left the stage. He has only spoken once, and that was to ask -for you. He should be got to bed as quick as may be, and kept there -till he is better." - -With a pale and anxious face Grey threw himself into the coach where the -Old Lion was sitting, leaning back feebly against the cushions, his face -ghastly, his hand holding to his mouth a kerchief stained and spotted -with blood. In a great fright the young actor bade the man drive fast, -and stop on his way at the residence of one of the many physicians, or -quacks, who drove so brisk a trade in these times, each having some -wonderful nostrum of his own for the cure of all ills under the sun, and -some of them thriving so mightily that they drove four or six horses in -their coaches, and had lackeys in scarlet and silver lace running beside -them and distributing small leaflets, in which the wonders their master -had performed were set forth. - -Grey had heard of some of these men, and that they performed wonderful -cures; and he cared not what he paid, at that moment, so that his master -and friend might be relieved and healed. - -With no small trouble he got him up the stairs to their attic, and put -him to bed. But more than once the hacking cough brought back the -dreaded bleeding; and by the time that the leech arrived, pompous and -haughty, and none too well pleased at being summoned from the convivial -gathering of friends whither he had betaken himself, he looked more like -a corpse than a living man. - -Grey was in a fever of anxiety, and listened with earnest heed to the -words of the leech, and his instructions for the relief of the patient. -He bought every suggested medicament, regardless of the cost, and made -no hesitation in handing the exorbitant fee demanded by the great man -for his valuable services. He cared for nothing, so that his master -should recover; and the leech, finding that gold was plentiful in this -humble abode, and rather interested in the discovery that he was -attending the actor whose Father Time had made such talk in the town, -really began to take some interest in the case, and to put forth his -best skill; so that before very long the death-like hue of the patient's -face changed to something more natural, and the hemorrhage was for the -time being checked. - -"He must be kept perfectly quiet. On no account must he exert his -voice, or leave his bed, or take any liberties. Nature must be -humoured, my dear sir; nature must be helped and aided. She is a kind -mother to her obedient and reasonable children, but she has many a rod -for the backs of those who despise her warnings. Our worthy friend has -been tendering a deaf ear to her counsels; therefore has she chastened -him somewhat severely. But let him show himself mild and docile under -her rod, and it may be that she will restore him to favour again, and -that the world will once more pay to him its tribute of admiration and -praise." - -So saying the leech took his departure, promising to come at any hour of -the day or night that he might be sent for; and Grey was left alone with -his patient, who had been soothed off to a quiet sleep by a draught -administered. And it must be said in justice to these men--half -physician, half quack--who flourished at this time, that some of their -remedies were of no small value when properly applied. They used herbs -and concoctions brewed from the leaves and roots of plants far more -freely than has since become fashionable. Many purchased their nostrums -from old women, who went forth into the fields and lanes, and distilled -from their spoil mixtures which they regarded as remedies of infallible -potency. Much ignorance prevailed as to the action of these simples -upon the human body; but many of them were of no small value in -sickness, and when used in cases where it chanced to be the thing -required, worked wonders in rapid healing, and became at once the -favourite elixir of the moment amongst those who had known of the cure. - -So the Old Lion was at least soothed to quiet sleep, and in the warm -atmosphere of the attic his breathing was sensibly relieved. Grey was -able now to strip off his own finery, rather aghast at the sorry state -of his coat, the total destruction of his costly ruffles, and the singed -condition of his wig. - -"These must be made good quickly, or I shall not be fit to appear on the -boards on Monday night," he mused, as he looked at them. Luckily as -this was Saturday night, he felt as though there were breathing time -before him. "I must send word to Mr. Butler of what has befallen. -Anthony Frewen, or some other, must needs play Father Time for a score -of performances at least, I fear me. It will be a loss: I shall earn -but the half of what was given us before. Still it will suffice to keep -us, and I trust and hope that it will not be long ere he recover, to -take his place once more." - -A troubled look came over Grey's face as he looked towards the bed, and -noted the patient's sunken cheek and cavernous eyes. He wondered that -he had not before seen how thin and shrunken the old man was getting; -but there was always so much fire about him that it deceived even those -who saw him oftenest and loved him best. - -"It has been too much for him," mused Grey, as he sat beside the fire, -pain of body and anxiety of mind precluding all thought of sleep. His -hands were becoming increasingly painful, and he had forgotten to ask -the leech for any medicament for them. However, he applied linen rag -steeped in oil; and the burning smart lessened somewhat, though he had -no disposition to seek sleep. - -"It hath been too much for him--the triumph, the adulation, the -excitement of taking again his old place before the world. It meant so -much to him, this play. It was like the child of his old age. It -brought him his final triumph; but it took much out of him also. The -fires of life blazed up too fiercely. Now they seem sinking down to -ashes. Heaven grant that we may feed them yet, that he may recover him -of this sickness. Yet will he ever be able to face the world again as -heretofore? It is hard that his trumpet voice should be taken--the last -of those attributes which made him the idol of the stage. Oh, it has -been hard how one thing has followed another with him! Some men seem -born to success and triumph, whilst others with equal gifts and powers -are doomed to misfortune and sorrow." - -Grey fell into a reverie of a sombre nature. "Was he fated to be one of -those luckless mortals, ever falling lower and lower in fortune's -favour, till perhaps a pauper's grave should at last close over him? - -"What has life given me heretofore? A good old name, which I may not -use for very pride; an estate so burdened and crippled that it is none -of mine, save in name. I have had my days of glory and happiness; but -what lies before me now? If my master dies, or lies sick and helpless, -what will become of us in the future? I may play the part of the Youth -with Anthony Frewen or some other till the world tires of it; but what -then? Shall I join the crowd of cringing, hollow-eyed men, crowding the -taverns and the stage doors of the theatres, and begging for some -inferior part upon the boards? Shall I go vaunting my powers, or -chaffering my wares in a market already overstocked, that wants none of -me? No. Whatever happens, I will have none of that. I have tasted of -the life, but it hath no charms for me. Rather would I gird my sword -upon my thigh, and go forth as a soldier in foreign lands; and, indeed, -were I alone in the world, methinks I would hesitate no longer, but -offer myself for this." - -As he spoke, his eyes turned to the bed where the old man lay, and a -softer look came over his face. - -"I cannot leave him. With him I must stay till he recover, or till he -die. He took me in in my hour of need. To desert him in his would be -base beyond all words. I will play the part of son to him so long as he -needs me; and for his sake will I go through my part as before, though -without him the joy will be gone. But it will bring us the needful -gold; and we are not without our hoard, as it is. Truly my master was -wise when he decided not to leave these rooms--not to live like rich men -on the strength of our earnings. We have sufficient gold laid by -against a rainy day. Ere that is spent, doubtless there will come some -change to our fortunes." - -But with the dawn of another day Grey found himself in very sorry -plight. Great blisters had risen over his hand and arm, and the fingers -were so swollen and painful that he could scarcely move them. He was -forced to contrive a sling in which to carry his left hand and arm, and -he could only just use his right sufficiently for the needful attendance -upon the sick man, and that not without considerable pain. He began to -feel feverish and weak himself from the effects of pain and shock. - -It began to come over him with more and more conviction that he himself -would be unfit to appear upon the stage on the morrow. And as soon as -the morning light had fully come, he sent the servant of the house -wherein they lodged to the rooms occupied by Mr. Butler of the Drury -Lane theatre management, asking him to come at once to see him upon a -matter of importance. - -Mr. Butler was part proprietor of the theatre, and the practical stage -manager, and he listened with great interest and concern to Grey's tale, -looking earnestly at the sick man muttering to himself upon the bed, but -taking no notice of what went on about him, and bending over him not -untenderly, to see if could elicit some response. But the Old Lion -unclosed his dim eyes for a few moments, looked into his face, and then -turned restlessly and began the mutterings as before, interrupted -sometimes by fits of coughing, which left him visibly exhausted, -although there was no return of the hemorrhage. - -"I have had my fears of this," spoke Mr. Butler, turning back to Grey. -"He is scarce fit for the strain of the past weeks. He uses himself up -too fast. The fires burn within too fiercely; and his long illness, -though seeming only to cripple his limbs, has told upon him. I have -feared it might be so, therefore we are not altogether unprovided." - -"I know," answered Grey quietly. "I was going to say as much. Anthony -Frewen has the part of Father Time at his fingers' ends. He can play it -for Mr. Wylde till this illness be overpassed." - -"That is true. I am glad you should know. He is ready at any time to -take the part. It will be for him a great opportunity. But it would be -well for you to rehearse with him ere appearing before the public. -Shall we arrange for this to-morrow forenoon? As for this dress, it -must be given at once into the hands of tailor and perruquier. But -there should be no difficulty in having it repaired in time. A few -guineas will set that matter to rights." - -"At my cost," answered Grey promptly. "Let that be understood. It is -in the bond; though I shall be grateful if you will see to the matter -for me. As for the rehearsal, and even the performance to-morrow and -the next few nights, I am not certain if I myself shall be able to go -through my part. See here!" and Grey drew from the sling his maimed and -stiffened hand, showing even a greater extent of injury in the daylight -than he had observed before. His white face and drawn brows showed that -he was suffering considerable pain; and Mr. Butler whistled in dismay. - -"This is serious," he said, with a look of perplexity on his face. - -"Yet methinks there is a way out of the difficulty," spoke Grey, with -some eagerness. "Could you find and send to me the young actor Lionel -Field, who has lodgings somewhere in these regions, for he comes and -goes at the theatre, and has visited us often, albeit he has never told -me where he dwells?" - -"I could find the fellow, doubtless," was the answer; "but do you know -your man? A fellow sober one day, drunk the next, upon whom no reliance -can be placed, though his talent is considerable, and he has caught the -public taste before now." - -"Ay, and adversity has something sobered and tamed him," answered Grey -eagerly. "I have a sort of liking for the fellow, though he has a -jealous feeling towards me, in that I have stepped into a place without -serving apprenticeship thereto. But believe me, he could act this part -of mine. I am sure of it. He has studied it, I know. He has sat many a -time in that chair whilst I have been going through my paces before my -master. I have seen him watching and following all. Send him hither to -me. I will undertake that he shall be ready to act for me till I am my -own man again. Let him have the chance. I am sure he will remain sober. -He has been steadier for long; and this, he knows, may give him just -that lift for which he has been waiting and longing. It may be the -beginning for him of better things; and since we are much of the same -height, and he is only something broader and more stoutly built, there -will be little trouble with the dress. Let him play the Youth for one -week at least in my place, and I will give my time to my sick friend -yonder, and let my injured hands recover their strength and suppleness." - -The manager had been studying Grey's face with some attention. He saw -that it would be impossible for the young man to act for some days to -come. There was a look of fever about him, and the state of his hands -was quite prohibitive. He spoke with a note as of warning in his voice. - -"Do you know what it is that you would do?" he asked. "Have you heard -the tale of the countryman who warmed a viper at his hearth, which -afterwards did him to death?" - -"The fable I know," answered Grey with a smile, "but I do not see the -application in the present." - -"Perchance you may have reason to understand it, if you do as you -purpose towards Lionel Field. A man consumed by vanity and envy is not -the safest wearer of one's discarded shoes." - -"But is there any other?" asked Grey. "I know of none." - -"No, nor I, i' faith. We have feared that the old man might break -down--he has been growing so gaunt and hollow-eyed of late; but we had -never thought of such a thing as the Youth failing us. We have no -substitute for you, Mr. White. If you fall ill, the interlude must -cease; and it were pity too, for it still draws us crowded houses." - -"No, it need not cease," spoke Grey with energy. "Send me only Lionel -Field this day, and I will undertake that by to-morrow forenoon he shall -be fit for the rehearsal with Anthony Frewen in the theatre. Let him -take my place till I am ready to fill it again. He will do it better -than I, with these maimed hands, and with my heart so full of anxious -fears for Mr. Wylde." - -"Then so be it," answered the manager, with audible relief in his tones. -He had no wish to withdraw the piece whilst it was still so high in -favour. No one knew how soon the capricious public might tire of it; but -for the moment, with the Duke of Marlborough the popular idol, and -expected home week by week, nothing that gave him praise and honour -could fail to catch the popular taste. The house filled double as full -on those nights on which Time and the Youth were to appear as it did on -the others. Grey knew this, and would not for the world have had the -performances to cease on his account. He had no petty jealousy of an -understudy. He simply desired that a man he had come to pity sincerely -should have the chance he so coveted; and when Lionel Field stood before -him, flushed, excited, filled with strenuous desire to succeed--to fill -the part as ably as it had been filled before--Grey's only desire was to -help him to this end. - -It was a strange day that was passed in that upper chamber. On the bed -lay the sick man, for the most part lying in the lethargy of weakness, -but from time to time rousing up, watching with sudden feverish -eagerness the actions of the young men, and occasionally in whispering -tones giving some fragment of keen criticism or dramatic suggestion. At -the other end of the room stood Lionel, going through his part again and -yet again, with an unwearied energy and with increasing grip and power; -whilst Grey, white-faced and exhausted, but still bent on the task -before him, sat beside the fire watching, listening, instructing, rising -every now and again to show how a certain trick of manner or of voice -must be managed, to recall the great Duke to those who knew him. The -master was in earnest; the pupil was eager and resolved to excel. -Lionel had never lacked talent. What he had lacked was the power of -self-restraint, whilst vanity had led him into the snare of thinking -himself invaluable. A bitter lesson had followed, and he had learned -wisdom by experience. His chance had now come to him most unexpectedly. -He meant to use it well. He was grateful to Grey for selecting him at -this juncture. He did not consciously meditate doing him an ill turn, -but he resolved in his heart that this opportunity should be used to the -uttermost. It would bring him once more before the public which once -had favoured him. He would take care he did not sink into obscurity -again. - -It was dusk before he left with his part perfect, and everything learned -that Grey could teach him. As his footsteps clattered down the wooden -stairs, Grey sank back exhausted into his chair, closing his eyes in -utter lassitude. It was more than an hour before he moved, and then -nothing but the necessity for giving food to Wylde would have roused -him. - -The Old Lion was awake now, and his breathing, though very rapid, was -somewhat easier. He was excessively weak; but the quiet day spent in -the warm attic and without any exertion on his part had not been without -effect, and there was more comprehension in the gaze now bent upon -Grey's face than he had seen there since the previous night, when the -old man had been taken suddenly ill. - -"What is the matter, boy, and what have you been doing all day? Who was -that went out at dusk? Methought it looked like young Lionel Field." - -"It was he, sir. He came to learn--or rather to perfect--the part of -the Youth. You and I are to take a week's holiday, and enjoy a rest -together. Your cough is too bad for you to go abroad, and I have burnt -my hands and must needs get them healed ere I step the boards again. -Anthony Frewen and Lionel Field will take our places for the nonce; and -after we are restored to our former health, and strength, the public -will welcome us back the more gladly for our absence." - -The Old Lion's eyes flashed suddenly from beneath their heavy lids. He -half raised himself in his bed. - -"I shall never tread the boards again. My acting days are done. I -murmur not. I have had my heart's desire. I can now depart in peace. -But you, boy--you! Why have you given up the place that was yours? I -hear the knell tolling for you too. Not for your life--nay, you will -live after these limbs are laid in the grave; but for your triumph--for -your fame. You have given up your birthright to the supplanter. You -will never take your rightful place again--never--never!" - -Grey smiled at the sorrowful intensity with which these words were -spoken. He laid the old man down, and spoke to him soothingly. - -"Nay, do not fear; do not let such thoughts trouble you. I have seen -Mr. Butler. All will be well. My place will be kept for me till my -return. When I am able for it, I shall play the 'Youth' again; and we -will live upon the proceeds till you are hale and strong; and then you -shall write a great play which shall hold the whole world captive and -enthralled. But now trouble not yourself of these matters. Only rest, -and all will be well." - -"Well, well; yes, for me all will soon be well," was the old man's -dreamy answer. "But for you, my son--for you, what will befall? Fickle -Fortune did smile at you; but her smile has changed to a frown. The open -door is closing in your face, and where will you find another?" - -Grey smiled and answered not. At the present moment he was too worn out -in mind and body even to care what the future might hold. - - - - - *CHAPTER XV.* - - *DARK DAYS.* - - -For above a fortnight things went very strangely for Grey in that upper -room which had been for so long his home. The Old Lion was very -ill--dangerously ill for many days; and though the leech was called in -several times, and sometimes gave a medicine which brought relief, it -was little his skill availed, and the tender nursing of the young man -was undoubtedly the means under Providence whereby the sick man's life -was saved. - -But Grey himself was suffering from severe prostration, from an -intermittent fever, and from much pain from his burns, which were slow -to heal and made his task of nursing very difficult. - -Nevertheless he would let no one else rob him of this labour of love; -for none could soothe the sick man as he could, and if left to other -care, he always became restless and feverish. - -As for the world without, that was altogether blotted out from Grey's -thoughts. He never even heard of the return of the Duke of Marlborough -from his glorious campaign of victory; he never knew of the grand -procession through the streets from Whitehall to Guildhall, and thence -to the Vintners' Hall, where the victor of Ramillies was feasted by the -civic authorities, after the standards taken at the great battle had -been flaunted through the streets and acclaimed by a huge and -enthusiastic crowd. - -All this, if he heard rumour of it, passed through his brain unheeded. -He did not even know that the Duke attended a performance at Drury Lane -of "Time and the Youth," and laughed and applauded the representation, -in which so much subtle flattery had been introduced. Always eager for -popular applause, the Duke was not a little delighted by the ovation he -received in his own person, and in the words of the interlude itself, -which were cheered to the echo by a house crowded to suffocation. -Afterwards the actors were summoned before him, and each received a -purse of gold from the hands of the Duchess. And she told the Duke how -that the young actor had been so brave and prompt in the saving of the -life of her favourite, Lady Geraldine, at the private performance of the -piece a short while back. So great a lady as the Duchess could not be -expected to note any difference in the actors of the interlude, and none -explained her error, for what did it matter? Anthony Frewen and Lionel -Field were drawing just as well as the original pair had done, since the -enthusiasm for the Duke was increasing with his presence in England. -They asked lower terms for their services, and they gave none of the -trouble that the Old Lion had done by his autocratic demands and his -hasty temper. The managers of both theatres were well content with -matters as they were, and congratulated themselves that nothing more had -been heard of their former employes. Wylde's uncertain health would -render his re-engagement a matter of some difficulty, if not of -impossibility; and Anthony Frewen had openly declared that he would act -only with Field. They had studied together. They understood each -other, and they wanted no "interloper" coming between them. - -This was in substance what Grey heard when, after three weeks of anxiety -and watching, he found that their exchequer was almost empty, and -realized that he must bestir himself again to earn the needful weekly -sum to enable them to live comfortably, and provide the wherewithal for -the sick man's needs. His hands were now almost well. He had discarded -his sling and could use his arm freely. The fever had left him somewhat -weak, but he believed he had power to take his part without any fear of -failure, and he sought out the friendly stage-manager, Mr. Butler, to -tell him as much. Little did he anticipate the answer he received. - -The matter was fully and kindly explained; but there seemed no -hesitation about the decision. - -"I am sorry--very sorry--Mr. White. But what are we to do? Frewen and -Field are both old stage favourites. Their return has been hailed with -approval in many quarters. They have acted all this time together, and -Frewen declines to act with any other. It is possible that he fears in -you a rival; for there is a dash and a divine afflatus (if I may use the -phrase) in your acting which is lacking in that of Field. Talent is -always ready to be jealous of genius. It may be that the matter lies in -that nutshell. However this may be, these are the facts. These two mean -to do well; they refuse to be separated, and therefore--" - -"I understand," answered Grey quietly. "It is quite right, I suppose. -For myself I care little, but for Mr. Wylde I have my regrets. After -all, it is his piece that is filling your pockets. Has he no claim upon -you for that? I know not what the law may be; but can you suffer him to -be in want whilst his genius is bringing you such success?" - -"Well, well, well, we will see what we can do. I am sorry, very sorry, -that you ever gave up your part. Oh, I know it was inevitable. You -were not able for it; and you showed magnanimity in your instruction of -another. But it was a mistake on your own part--the countryman and the -viper--did I not warn you? A man of more worldly wisdom would have done -differently." - -"If you will only see that Mr. Wylde lacks not for the necessaries of -life, I care nothing for my own loss," answered Grey with perfect -truthfulness. "I am young and strong; I have the world before me. But -whilst he is ill I cannot leave him; and if I lose my post here, how can -I hope to support him through the bitter winter now upon us? I can face -destitution for myself, but it were shame to let him suffer." - -"Well, well, he shall not starve; we will do something for him. I -promise you that. But it was a thousand pities that you did not receive -the purse of gold from the hands of the Duchess last week. That would -have set you on your feet for some time to come; and, after all, it was -for you it was really meant. Field should be made to divide it." - -"No, no," answered Grey, with sudden haste and imperiousness; "I touch -no gold that I do not earn." And when he heard the story of the -performance at which the Duke had been present, he rejoiced greatly that -he had not played the "Youth" that night. He felt as though the eagle -eyes of the Duke would have penetrated his disguise; and how could he -have met the victor of Ramillies again in the garb of an actor, winning -his bread on the London boards? - -There was a curious strain of pride in the young man's nature. Although -his short dramatic career had been so successful, he shrank with the -deepest distaste from recognition by any of his former friends. He hated -the very thought that the name of Grey Dumaresq should be linked with -that of the actor of the "Youth." - -In the same way he had always abstained from making any use of the token -of favour bestowed upon him by the Duke of Marlborough as a pledge of -friendship. He always carried the ring about his person, hung round his -neck by a silken cord. But although he knew it would win for him the -patronage of the great Duchess, whose influence with the Queen, if not -the paramount power it once was, was still very great, he had never been -able to make up his mind to use it. He had not learned how to present -himself as a suppliant for favour. He felt that he had talent. He -desired to see that talent recognized and rewarded. But to go about -seeking for a patron to push him into notice was a thing he had never -brought himself to do. Whilst living with the Old Lion he had rewritten -his romance, and had made of it a very delicate piece of workmanship, -which might well win him fame if he could but get it taken up. But -hitherto he had been too busy to think much about the matter. The -romance must wait his greater leisure. Now, however, turning away from -the theatre feeling very certain that his dramatic career had closed as -suddenly as it had opened, he began to realize that something must be -done to keep the wolf from the door; and his thoughts instinctively -turned to his pen with a certain joy and pride. For therein lay more -real delight to him than in the plaudits of assembled crowds. If he -could win fame in the realms of literature, he would with joy say -farewell to his brief career as actor. - -Walking thoughtfully along, he almost ran into two men who were -strolling arm in arm along the pavement. Stopping short from the recoil, -he looked at them, and saw that they were Anthony Frewen and Lionel -Field--the very two whose amicable partnership had ousted him from his -hoped-for employment. But there was no rancour in Grey's heart. Already -his facile and eager mind had turned to other themes. He would have held -out his hand in fellowship to his quondam pupil; but the young actor's -face had suddenly flushed a deep crimson, and he pulled his companion -down a side alley, laughing loudly, and affecting not to have seen the -other. Plainly, he feared reproaches and recriminations, and was stung -by the goad of an uneasy conscience. - -Grey smiled a little as he pursued his way. - -"It is something strange," he mused, "how that a man can never forgive -one whom he has injured! Had I supplanted him, he might have swaggered -up to demand explanation or redress, and we might even have made it up -again; but since he has injured me, he will have none of it. I am -henceforth to him an outcast." - -Grey was not disposed at once to return home, to encounter the keen eyes -and perhaps the burst of righteous indignation which no doubt his news -would awaken within the breast of the Old Lion. That Wylde had had some -fears of what the event had justified, Grey was aware. He knew the -emulations, jealousies, and small cabals of the theatre, and how a young -actor, raised by lucky chance to a post of eminence, is suspected and -plotted against by others as an interloper. His own reputation and -Grey's brilliant success had served them in good stead so long as he was -able to retain his own place; but now that his influence was withdrawn, -and Grey had shown himself not indispensable, the thing which he foresaw -had come to pass; and the young man regretted it more for his master's -sake than for his own, save for the immediate difficulty of seeing where -the daily necessities of life were to come from. - -But at least he had obtained a promise that something should be done for -the old man, and he could surely fend for himself. - -He was walking northward along the frost-bound road. A spell of bitter -weather had succeeded the torrents of rain which had characterized the -earlier part of the winter. Icicles hung from the eaves, and the water -was frozen in the gutters and puddles. The sun hung like a red ball in -the clear frosty sky, and there was a biting keenness in the air which -made rapid motion a necessity. - -Grey was not depressed, though he was grave and thoughtful. He walked -on rapidly, one thought chasing another through his brain. Had it not -been for the necessity of taking care of his old friend, he would have -liked well enough to walk all the way to Hartsbourne, to see old Jock -and faithful Dick, from whom the recent almost impassable state of the -roads had sundered him. During the days of his extreme poverty Grey had -hidden himself even from Dick. But with brighter times he had written to -his faithful henchman; and once the latter had visited him at his new -abode, and had accompanied him to the theatre to watch the performance -there, which had filled him with pride and joy at his master's triumph, -albeit he felt a pang of pain to see him reduced to such a method of -earning his bread. - -That was the last time they had met, for the constant rains had made the -roads well-nigh impassable. But the frost had come as a friend to -travellers, and Grey felt sure that Dick would not be long in availing -himself of the changed conditions for a visit to town. It might be -indeed that they would meet one another, if only he persevered in his -walk. He wanted news of Don Carlos--now his one valuable asset. Much -as it went against him to sell his beautiful horse, he brought himself -to contemplate it as a possibility. As a poor man in London, the -creature was of little use to him, and there were a score of wealthy -young bloods who had offered again and again to purchase the horse at -his own price. The strained shoulder had entirely recovered. The -creature was as sound as ever. Perhaps--perhaps--Grey had got as far as -that, when he suddenly heard himself hailed in rapturous tones as -"Master! master!" and there was Dick racing to meet him at the top of -his speed. - -But the honest fellow's face was troubled; and scarce had Grey time to -greet him ere the evil news was out. - -"He is stolen, master--he is stolen! Don Carlos is gone! Oh, it has -been foul play from first to last! We had kept him so safely, Jock and -I. The old skinflint had no notion of his being there. He grazed out -of sight of the house, and at night was never brought in till after -dark. But that one-eyed Judas must have discovered the secret at last, -and told his master. We never suspected it; but I will wager it was so. -Then they played this scurvy trick on me. They said the old man was -dying. The doctor must be fetched at all cost. I and my nag, who paid -our board, were known to be living with old Jock. I galloped off to -Edgeware for the leech, and Jock was kept within doors, making hot large -quantities of water, never allowed for a moment outside the brew-house, -where stood the great copper filled with water. I rode away gleefully -enough, for I had no fears for the old man's life, though of course I -would not have him die for lack of succour. I found the leech, and bade -him ride back with me full speed; but we had both been long making the -journey, for the roads were like troughs of mire, and the beasts flagged -sorely when urged. We were forced to let them pick their way as they -could, and so it was well-nigh dusk ere we arrived. He went up to the -sick-room, and I to groom down my jaded horse and fetch in Don Carlos. -When I went for him to the far paddock, he was gone! The rails were -down. There was abundant trace of trampling hoofs and footprints of -men. He had given them trouble; but they had him at last. The horse -was stolen!" - -Grey listened in silence. He felt somewhat as did the patriarch Job -when one after another the messengers of evil tidings came with their -words of woe. He scarce heard all that Dick was saying now--whom he -suspected of being in complicity with his unscrupulous kinsman in this -matter. But one name arrested his attention, and he stopped to ask a -quick question. - -"Lord Sandford! What said you of him?" - -"Why, master, as I was telling you, when I began to make inquiry here, -there, and everywhere, I heard that my Lord Sandford had been seen as -near as Edgeware, and that he had been asking something about a horse. -More I cannot find out; but it is enough for me. There is devilry in -the matter, and Barty Dumaresq and Lord Sandford are both mixed up in -it. I have come to town to see you first, and then to get some -knowledge of his lordship's stables, and I'll wager I'll find out before -very long where the Don is hidden away." - -Grey's eyes flashed with anger. Was it possible that this man should -sink to plotting a common theft? Or was it his kinsman who had stolen -the horse, and sold him for a great sum to the young nobleman, who had -always coveted the creature? This was most probably the truth, for the -recluse of Hartsbourne had plainly feigned illness to get Dick and Jock -out of the way. The whole thing was a dishonourable conspiracy, and he -could only hope that Lord Sandford's part in it had been merely that of -purchaser. If he had stooped to plot a theft with the old miser, he -would be a worse and a meaner villain than Grey would willingly believe, -since it was already the talk of the town that he would wed with the -Lady Geraldine Adair so soon as the spring-tide should come. - -Master and man discussed the matter for some time, and Grey agreed that -Dick should carry out his plans, and report to him of the result at -intervals. It was above a week since the horse had vanished; but the -state of the roads had prevented the man from attempting the walk to -London before, and he did not desire to be burdened with his own horse, -as he knew not where he might have to lodge, or what was likely to turn -up. - -"Our fortunes are at a low ebb just now, good Dicon," said Grey as they -parted. "You have but a few gold pieces left, and our exchequer is -almost bare. But we must hope that Dame Fortune, who has shown a -frowning face of late, will treat us to some of her smiles again. For -the world is a harder place than once I thought it, and life a sorer -struggle." - -"But you have the Duke's token still, sir?" spoke Dick eagerly. "You -need not despair whilst that remains. They say he is in London now. -Why not take it boldly to him, and remind him of yourself and his -promise? They say he has a kindly heart, as well as a gracious manner." - -"I believe that is true," answered Grey with a smile. "Yes, why not go -to him? Why not? Ah, Dicon, I would that life looked as simple to me -as it does to you. But perhaps--perhaps-- Who knows what may next -betide? At least, so long as the token remains, I have still a card to -play; and who can tell but that the last card shall take the trick and -win the game?" - -The sunlight had faded by the time Grey reached the attic, and the fire -had burnt itself out to a handful of ashes. Wylde was turning -restlessly upon his bed, coughing more than he had done of late; and -Grey reproached himself with his long absence, though he quickly had -things comfortable and bright again. But the old man must needs hear of -his journey to the theatre; and though he professed himself in no wise -astonished, it was plain that the blow struck home. - -His _protege_ had been set aside for another. They ceased to regard him -as a power. He was laid upon the shelf, and another had stepped into -his place. His word carried no weight. No one cared whether he lived or -died. He had brought success and prosperity by his talents to others, -but he was to be left to die in obscurity and want. Ah well, better men -than he had been treated just so. He desired of Grey to leave him to -die alone, and to go forth and make his own way in the world that had no -room for a feeble and broken man whose work was done. - -Grey soothed him as well as he was able, but he could not find much to -say that was hopeful or encouraging. He dared not speak of any promise -of help from the theatres, lest the old man should wrathfully refuse to -receive alms, where justice was denied. So he represented that there was -still money left in their purse, which was in a measure true; but the -funds were so excessively scanty that in a few days they would be quite -exhausted. And when the old man at last passed into slumber, Grey went -carefully over all his possessions, which had increased somewhat of -late, and carefully detached from his clothing any ornaments which might -be sold for small sums to eke out their subsistence till something -should turn up. For it was evident that Wylde must not be left long by -himself, as this day's experiment had proved. And how was Grey to obtain -any sort of paid work, were he to be tied to this attic and to almost -constant attendance upon his old friend and master? - -How the next days passed by Grey scarcely knew, for the Old Lion had a -relapse, medicines had to be obtained, together with food such as his -condition required; and although a small sum of money had been sent by -Mr. Butler, with an intimation that the same amount should be paid -weekly for the present, it had soon melted away, and there came a night -when Grey had not so much as a penny left in the purse, and he himself -was almost faint for want of food. - -But the old man lay sleeping peacefully; the fire burned clear and -bright. The night was fine and cold, and Grey slipped forth into the -streets, wrapping himself well up in a voluminous cloak belonging to his -friend, which completely disguised him. - -A strange desperation seized him, and he cared not what he did. He -entered tavern after tavern, singing a roundelay in one, telling a story -in another, reciting a speech or a part of a dramatic scene in another, -and once going through the whole dialogue of "Time and the Youth," -taking both parts himself, but so changing his aspect from moment to -moment that his audience was electrified, and silver coins as well as -coppers were his portion on this occasion. - -He had now enough for two days' needs. He had supped well, and now must -return home. He felt as though he had passed through a strange black -dream; but he had learned how at a pinch the next day's wants might be -supplied--at least until he had been the round of all the taverns and -coffee-houses, and men were tired of him. But he would not think of -that yet. - -He, Sir Grey Dumaresq, had sunk to playing the buffoon in pot-houses, to -earn coppers from the idle sots who frequented such places. He laughed -aloud as the thought presented itself to him thus. Dame Fortune had -proved a sorry shrew so far as he was concerned. Was there any lower -turn in her wheel that he must presently experience? - -He had wandered some distance from home, since after having supped he -had been fired to try his luck at some of the more fashionable resorts -of the day; and his last performance had been given at a coffee-house in -one of the better localities, though for the life of him he could not -exactly tell where he was. - -It was long since he had walked in these wider streets, and the night, -though starlight, was very dark. Suddenly a sound as of blows and cries -wakened him from his reverie. Instinctively he started to run in the -direction whence they came, and almost directly he met some fellows -wearing livery fleeing helter-skelter, as for dear life, from a band of -young Mohawks or Scourers, as they termed themselves, who made the -terror of the town at night. In the distance there was still some -tumult going on, and Grey, half guessing the cause, rushed onward, not -heeding the pursuit he passed. A lamp dimly burning over a house showed -him the outline of one of those chairs in which ladies of fashion were -carried to and fro from house to house. Plainly the liveried servants -in charge of the chair had been chased away, and its occupant was now at -the mercy of the half-drunken young bloods against whom Father Time had -inveighed so eloquently. - -Grey understood in a moment, and with a cry of rage and scorn he flung -himself into the heart of the fray, intent upon the rescue of the lady -in the chair, whoever she might be. - - - - - *CHAPTER XVI.* - - *A NIGHT ADVENTURE.* - - -The all-important Duchess of Marlborough had taken one of her sudden and -somewhat vehement and exacting likings for the Lady Geraldine. This was -a matter of no small gratification to Lord and Lady Romaine, -notwithstanding the fact that the mother felt some jealousy and vexation -that her daughter should have been singled out for this distinguished -lady's favour, whilst she herself was entirely passed over. Still she -was woman of the world enough to accept the situation with philosophy. -She always declared freely that the Duchess bored her to death, and that -she would never be able to put up with her temper and her autocratic -ways. But she was glad enough to let Geraldine visit at Marlborough -House whenever an invitation (or rather summons) came for her; and -Geraldine herself was glad and thankful to go, for here at least she was -safe from the unwelcome and ever more pressing attentions of Lord -Sandford. And above and beyond this, her parents were disposed to treat -her with more respect since she had been "taken up" by the Queen's -favourite. When she begged of her father not to make any promise to -Lord Sandford regarding the disposition of her hand, he laughingly -consented to wait awhile; for in his heart he began to wonder whether -his beautiful daughter might not do better for herself. Lord Sandford's -reckless expenditure was becoming the talk of the town, and unless he -had larger reserve funds to draw upon than were known, he might possibly -find himself in awkward straits. In the house of the Duchess, Geraldine -might possibly meet admirers with more to recommend them or at least -with prospects more sound and secure. It is true that Lady Romaine -still upheld her favourite Sandford's suit as warmly as ever; but Lord -Romaine was quite willing to accede to his daughter's request, and to -let things take their own course without bringing matters at once to a -climax. Lord Sandford was not to be dismissed; but Geraldine was not to -be coerced. - -It was natural that the girl should welcome with pleasure and gratitude -a friendship which brought her immunity from what promised to become -something very like persecution. Her occasional visits to Marlborough -House formed the brightest spots in her present life. - -If the Duchess were proud, capricious, autocratic, and uncertain in -temper, as her detractors declared, at least she possessed warm and deep -feelings, and could be infinitely agreeable and kindly when she chose. -To Geraldine she was uniformly gentle and sympathetic. Perhaps she -already felt that she had passed the meridian of her days of power. The -kinswoman, Abigail Hill (now Mrs. Masham), whom she had first introduced -to the Queen, was rapidly rising in royal favour, and seemed likely to -prove not only a rival, but a supplanter. It had not come to that yet; -and the return of the Duke, covered with glory and honour, averted for a -while the calamity already overshadowing her. But so clever and astute -a woman could not be altogether blind to the Queen's waning affection; -and perhaps the consciousness of her own faults and shortcomings, and -her unguarded temper, helped at this juncture to soften the asperities -of this rough but sterling nature, and disposed her to take pleasure in -the sincere and undisguised affection and admiration of this beautiful -girl. - -Geraldine on her part took great pleasure in the society of one who held -in a semi-masculine contempt the follies, frivolities, and buffooneries -of the present day code of manners. Of men and women alike, the Duchess -spoke with hearty scorn, her eyes flashing and her lips curling in a -fine contempt. Her influence at Court had always been on the side of -gravity, decorum, and what the fashionable dames and gallants called -"dullness." She and the Queen were at one in all these matters, as they -were at one in their ideas of conjugal fidelity and the sacredness of -the marriage bond. The Queen was as devoted to her weak-minded husband -as the Duchess to her victorious lord. Both held in detestation the -laxity which prevailed in the world of fashion, and neither cared for -the criticisms passed upon the dullness of the Court, so long as its -virtue was preserved untainted. - -Geraldine, sickened by what she saw and heard at the gay routs to which -she had been taken in her mother's train, felt the solemn stately -gravity of the Duchess's house as a haven of rest. She spent her time -during her visits in the private apartment of the great lady, where the -latter came and sat whenever she had leisure to do so, writing short -notes to her husband, to be dispatched by special couriers, or talking -of him and his triumphs, or the prospects of the war or of parties at -home, to one who was eager to learn and ready to take a keen and -intelligent interest in all, and whose sincere admiration and affection, -expressed rather in looks and little unconscious actions than in words, -seemed to soothe and refresh her not a little, accustomed as she was to -full-mouthed flatteries to her face, and the scheming of jealousy behind -her back. - -With the return of the Duke came a break in these pleasant visits. But -the break was not final in any sense of the word, and Geraldine received -many little affectionate notes, expressing a hope of seeing more of her -when they could escape from attendance at Court, and enjoy a season of -privacy in their own house. At first it was necessary for the Duke to -be constant in his attendance at Whitehall or Kensington Palace, and the -Duchess went with him. But a day came at last when Geraldine was -summoned to Marlborough House, to spend the afternoon with the Duke and -Duchess, and to remain through the evening with the latter, as the Duke -had to attend a meeting of friends at Lord Halifax's house, and the -Duchess desired to keep the girl, asking that her chair might not be -sent for her until eleven o'clock. - -Geraldine was pleased and excited by this prospect; for as yet she had -never seen the Duke at close quarters, though from all she had heard of -him from his wife and others she felt as though he were familiar to her, -and her admiration for him was very great. She had heard of his weakness -where money was concerned, and she knew that he had more than once -changed sides in his politics, and even in his loyalty. But those were -days of change and confusion, when it was often difficult to see the way -clear before one, and when the outlook varied so continually with -changes of dynasty and of foreign and domestic policy that a perfectly -consistent and straightforward walk in life was a thing almost -impossible of achievement. The girl was not disposed to criticise him or -suspect him of overmuch self-seeking. Still less so when the charm of -his personality was brought to bear upon her. She well understood all -she had heard respecting his powers of fascination, and felt that she -could have listened for ever to the music of his voice, watching the -changing expressions of his handsome, mobile features, and the graceful -telling gestures of his beautiful white hands. - -They enjoyed a little quiet dinner in their private apartments, almost -unattended by servants. And it was as they sat with wine and dried -fruits before them, awaiting the moment when the Duke must take his -leave, that he suddenly addressed his wife,-- - -"Ha, Sarah! There is a question I have wanted to put a hundred times, -but ever when it sprang to my lips the moment was not favourable. Tell -me, has a young gentleman of prepossessing appearance ever presented -himself to you with my amethyst ring as token of his good faith? I did -surely tell you of the narrow escape I had at the battle of Ramillies, -and how that I was saved and helped by the timely assistance of a -gallant young English traveller." - -"You did, my good lord; and I have greatly desired myself to see and to -thank this young gentleman for the service rendered. You did warn me -that you had bidden him come to me, if in need of any favour or -influence. A warm welcome should have been his at any time, but he has -never presented himself." - -"Let us hope, then, that he has prospered without our aid," spoke the -Duke. "He did tell me somewhat of himself, and I do remember how that I -thought his future something uncertain. But the details of his story -have escaped my memory, and I fear even his name is not clearly -remembered. It was Grey--the Christian name--that do I recollect; for -he said it was that of a kinsman of his whom I had overthrown at -Sedgemoor in the days of the rebellion in the west. Grey, Grey--yes, -that is clear; but for the rest--" - -"Could it have been Sir Grey Dumaresq?" - -Geraldine's was the voice which broke in here. They turned and looked at -her. Her face was flushed: her eyes were bright. The Duke smiled as he -made instant reply. - -"Grey Dumaresq--that was the name. Say, fair lady, is this man known to -you? I would fain renew my acquaintance with him, and show him some -token of gratitude." - -"I know not where he is now," answered Geraldine. "For a while he was -dwelling with Lord Sandford, as his friend and comrade. But they say -that they had some quarrel. Strange stories were told of them. And Sir -Grey disappeared--no man knows whither. Many whispers and rumours have -gone forth concerning him, even to the one which said that he had taken -the part of the Youth in the representation you did witness, your Grace, -at the theatre." - -"It was not Grey Dumaresq whom I did see afterwards," spoke Marlborough -quickly. "I do not forget faces. I should have known him instantly. -That report could not be true." - -Geraldine's face was changing colour every moment; her breath came thick -and fast. Heretofore she had spoken no word of this matter, which had -been on her mind night and day for long. Now an impulse of speech came -over her. - -"Ah, but the actors have changed," she said. "I did hear from our -servants that the old man who played Father Time was taken ill the very -night that they played at our house; and your Grace doth know," turning -to the Duchess, "how that my dress caught fire, and how that the young -actor did spring down and extinguish the flames, escaping away ere we -could call him back to thank him. It was then that I made sure. I had -suspected it before; but when I saw his face so near, I could not doubt. -It was he." - -"Extraordinary!" exclaimed the Duke. "How could things have come to -such a pass with him? Why had he not sought you out, and told of his -adversity? To be sure, many a gentleman born to fortune falls upon evil -days, sometimes through no fault of his own. But with my token--well, -there was no need for this. I must consider what should be done. Have -you seen him since, Lady Geraldine?" - -"Nay; and he has not been acting of late. Two strangers, or rather two -other actors, have been playing the parts since that night. I did ask -of my mother leave to send and seek him out, that we might at least give -him thanks for the service rendered me; but she would not believe I had -recognized him aright--she said it was but my fantasy; and for the rest, -if the man wanted a guerdon, he had but to come and ask for it. Hence, -nothing has been done." - -"Well, 'tis a strange story; and yet, as I saw that representation at -the theatre, I did say within myself that some eye-witness of the battle -of Ramillies must have planned and written it. We will think and speak -more of it anon. Stranger things have befallen ere this. It would -please me well to befriend a gallant and chivalrous youth, too proud or -too noble to ask favours for himself. I told him he had something of -the poet in him. He may have a career before him yet. Well, -sweetheart, I must needs be going now; but I will return ere midnight, -and Lady Geraldine will beguile the hours of my absence." - -He rose, and kissed his wife with a lover-like devotion which sat -gracefully upon him, and which to Geraldine seemed in no wise -ridiculous, notwithstanding the fact that this couple had grown-up -children, married themselves. It was a beautiful thing, she thought, to -see how their love survived, and grew in depth and intensity. She was -able to speak of the Duke, when he had gone, in terms which brought -smiles of pleasure to the wife's face. - -It was a happy evening for Geraldine; for the flame of hope leaped up in -her heart, and she felt as though something bright and beautiful had -come into her life. The Duke had shown interest in the subject of the -young actor, who had saved her from injury on the night of the -performance at their house. He did not gibe at her half-formed fancy. -On the contrary, he seemed disposed to examine for himself the possible -truth of the tale. He would seek out Grey--for Grey, she knew, it was. -He would raise him out of obscurity and poverty into the position to -which he was born. There seemed no end to the possibilities of good -fortune which might come to him with the favour and gratitude of the -Duke. The girl passed a happy, dreamy evening, these fancies weaving -themselves into a background for her thoughts, whilst she talked with -the Duchess of the Duke's magnificent reception, of the palace of -Blenheim being erected at the cost of the nation for a residence for -him, and of the honours to which he was likely to attain through his -genius and the favour of her Majesty. - -She was in the same happy frame of mind when she got into her chair -shortly before midnight; for the Duchess kept her talking till past the -time arranged, and it never occurred to her to be afraid of the darkness -of the ill-lighted streets. She had her bearers--her father's liveried -servants. And, after all, the distance to traverse was not so very -great. - -She had not proceeded far, however, before she was aroused from her -pleasant reverie by the sounds of shouts, yells, and hurrying steps. -She felt her own bearers break into a run, and the chair swayed from -side to side in a fashion that was alarming. Something struck sharply -against the panels, then a shower of missiles seemed to rattle against -its side. Her own men yelled aloud in fear or pain, and next moment the -chair seemed to be heavily dropped, and the air was rent with sounds of -strife, the fall of weapons, and cries of pain and terror. There was no -mistaking what had happened. She was the object of some attack from the -street bullies; but whether by a luckless chance or by premeditation and -design, the frightened girl could not guess. The thought of Lord -Sandford and his unscrupulous ways flashed into her mind, and a shudder -ran through her frame. She could see little or nothing of what was going -on without. Her breath had dimmed the window-panes; there was scarcely -any light in the streets. Never was any creature more helpless than a -lady shut into one of the cumbersome chairs of the period. She could by -no means get out, or even let down a window from within; and before many -minutes had elapsed, the girl was perfectly certain that her bearers had -run wildly away to save their own skins, and that she was left to the -mercy of one of the lawless bands of street marauders, the terror of the -helpless old watchmen, powerless to cope with them, the scandal of the -whole town. - -For a moment it seemed as though pursuers and pursued had alike left her -alone, and she made at that juncture a frantic but useless effort to -escape from her prison. Then roars of laughter and the trampling of -feet assured her that her foes were coming back, and she closed her eyes -and set her teeth, and, clasping her hands, tried to frame a few words -of prayer, for she knew not what next would betide her. A hand seemed -fumbling with the chair. In another moment it would be thrown open. But -ere that moment had arrived a new sound arose. More footsteps came -tearing along--a fierce voice--shouts of derision--more blows--more -oaths--cries of pain and anger--fierce threats--savage recriminations. -What was going on? Had some one flown to the rescue? Oh, when would -the horrid scene end? These men were capable of doing to death any -single or unarmed man who tried to stand between them and their brutal -pastimes. - -But what was this? Another sound! The roll of wheels--a commanding -voice that she knew ringing through the darkness of the night, -dominating all other sounds. - -"It is the Duke--the Duke himself!" cried Geraldine, falling back almost -fainting on the cushions; but the next minute lights were flashing round -her, then the head of the chair was lifted off, and she saw the Duke -himself bending towards her, his face full of concern and anxiety. - -"What! The Lady Geraldine! Then, indeed, I come in good time. Are you -hurt, sweet lady? Answer quick! For these villains shall not escape so -easily, if you are." - -"No, no, I am not hurt; but I fear me some one is who came to my rescue. -I heard him shout to them to stop their coward play. They were about to -look inside the chair, but they all turned upon him with shouts of -derision and fury. I trow he gave them blow for blow, for I heard them -yell and swear the fiend was in him. Oh, I fear me they must have been -too many for him, and that he has been injured in my defence. Pray, -your Grace, let your people see to it. I might have been grossly -ill-treated but for his opportune arrival." - -"There is a young man lying in the roadway here, your Grace," spoke one -of the servants, "his clothes half torn from his back, his head -bleeding, and his arm broken. I think he is not of that band we -dispersed, for I saw one of them deal him a kick and swear a lusty oath -at him as they ran off." - -"Oh, it is my preserver--I know it is!" cried Geraldine, with tears in -her eyes. "Ah, your Grace will know what to do." - -"Why, put him into the coach, and take him home," spoke Marlborough at -once, his well-known humanity towards his wounded soldiers extending -instantly to this injured citizen, who had risked perhaps life itself on -behalf of law and order, and in defence of some unknown victim. "And as -for you, Lady Geraldine, you must likewise return with me. I cannot -suffer you to be abroad with these bands of ruffians prowling the -streets. I will send a message to your father's house, and your -dispersed servants will doubtless find their way home in time. Lord -Romaine shall know you safe; but you must return with me to-night." - -Geraldine was only too thankful to do so. The very presence of the -great Duke, calm and fearless, dissipated her fears and gave her -confidence. She saw him superintend the lifting of the injured and -unconscious man into the coach, heard him give directions to the -servants to drive direct to Marlborough House, and then he himself took -up his position beside her chair, and walked with it till they entered -the hall of his great house, where she was suffered to alight, to be met -by the Duchess (to whom a messenger had been hastily dispatched), and -embraced by her with a motherly solicitude of which Lady Romaine would -have been quite incapable. - -"My dearest girl, what a terrible fright has been yours! Oh, how I -rejoice that no hurt has come to you! I should never have forgiven -myself for detaining you so long. Ah! and what have we here? Poor -creature! he surely is not dead! What a ghastly object! Come away, -dearest; it is no sight for you. What? He came to your rescue? One -against a band? No wonder he has been roughly handled. Oh, he shall be -well tended; I warrant you that. Yes, let him be carried into yonder -ante-room. He shall have his wounds washed and dressed, and we will hear -his story later. Geraldine, my love, what ails you? What do you see -that you should look like that?" - -For Geraldine's eyes, fixed upon the face of the wounded man being -carried into the hall under the personal direction of the humane Duke, -had grown fixed and glassy, and every drop of blood had ebbed from her -face, leaving it of a marble hue. - -As the sense of the Duchess's questions penetrated to her senses, the -girl grasped her by the hand and whispered in tones of unrestrainable -emotion,-- - -"It is he! it is he! And he has laid down his life for me!" - -"It is who? What mean you, child? Do you know the--the gentleman?" -asked the Duchess, perplexed and bewildered in her turn. - -Geraldine's grip on her hands was firmer and faster. - -"It is he of whom we were speaking but this evening. It is Sir Grey -Dumaresq himself." - -With an exclamation of amaze, the Duchess stepped forward to get a -better view of the white and blood-stained face. She saw now that, -despite his torn and muddy garments, his lack of all the fine adjuncts -of the man of fashion, even to the falling wig, so essential to the -equipment of the "gentleman" of the day, it was no low-born personage -who had been carried into their stately house. Something of the -refinement of the young man's face and features could be distinguished -even in the midst of the disfiguring wounds and bruises and mire stains. -She grasped her husband by the arm, and whispered in his ear,-- - -"Husband, look well at yonder man, for Geraldine declares it to be Sir -Grey Dumaresq, of whom we were speaking but a few hours back. What a -strange thing, if it be!" - -Marlborough bent over the young man, less with the intent of identifying -him at the present moment as of ascertaining the extent of his injuries, -and whether life yet remained whole in him. Experience on the -battlefield had given him considerable powers of discerning these -things, and he knew that the bludgeons and rapiers of the young bloods -of London streets could do as deadly work as the bullets and -sword-thrusts of actual battle. - -Opening the young man's vest to ascertain whether the heart still beat, -he saw something sparkling lying within, and the next moment had uttered -a quick, sharp exclamation of astonishment. - -Beckoning to his wife to approach, he held up the token--the amethyst -ring which he himself had given to the stranger who had risked so much -for him upon the field of Ramillies. - -"Then Geraldine is right!" cried the Duchess in great excitement. "It -is Grey Dumaresq; he is found at last." - - - - - *CHAPTER XVII.* - - *IN THE HOUSE OF THE DUKE.* - - -When Grey became next aware of any sensation, it was of a throbbing pain -in his head, which gradually asserted itself and dissipated the black -cloud of unconsciousness which had blotted out for the moment time and -space and memory itself. He had no desire to open his eyes; but in a -faint and feeble fashion he began to wonder what it was that had -happened, and what was the cause of this pain. Gradually he felt also a -strange powerless numbness in one of his arms, which he was unable to -move. Also he felt that he was reposing on something very soft, with a -scent of lavender in his nostrils, and a warmth and comfort to his body -that went far to atone for pain in some of his members. - -He heard the fall of coals in the grate; he knew that he was lying -between smooth linen sheets; his soothed senses seemed to take in an -atmosphere other than that of the attic which had so long been his home. -He thought of Hartsbourne; it almost seemed as though he were back there -once more. He decided that either this was a dream, or else that all -which had gone before was one. Perhaps he was, in truth, a boy, and had -been dreaming of manhood's struggles, manhood's crosses. Perhaps when -he awoke, it would be to find his mother bending over him, and to hear -of some boyish escapade in which he had hurt himself. Such things had -been in the past, and might be again; but sleep overtook his drowsy -brain ere he had reasoned matters out. - -How long he slept he knew not; but suddenly he woke with a mind more -clear. The events of the previous evening came back to him sharply -defined--the emptiness of their treasury; the urgent need upon him to -obtain food and money; the shifts to which he had been reduced in so -doing; and last of all, that race towards some lady's chair, attacked by -street ruffians; the short, sharp tussle round it, and the rain of blows -which had stretched him senseless in the gutter. - -Yes, he remembered it all now, and could account for the pain in his -head and arm. But what had befallen him since, and where was he now? -As these questions asserted themselves, Grey opened his eyes; and what -did he see? - -He was lying in one of those huge canopied beds in which our ancestors -delighted. He lay deep in a nest of down, fair linen sheets and silken -coverlets were spread over him, and crimson curtains were drawn round -three sides of the bed. He saw lace ruffles upon the night-robe in -which he lay, and the air was charged with an aromatic fragrance which -might haply proceed from a mixture of drugs and perfumes. But it was -not upon these matters that Grey's attention was concentrated, but upon -a quiet figure seated at a small table beside a brightly-blazing fire, -his eyes bent fixedly upon the pages of a roll of manuscript spread open -before him, and illumined by the soft radiance of a cluster of wax -tapers set in a rich silver candlestick of many branches. This man was -attired in a flowing dressing-gown (as we now call such a garment) of -richly-embroidered silk, fastened at the throat with a jewelled clasp, -and bound at the waist by a girdle of golden cord. The falling hair -from the ponderous wig served in part to veil the face, which was turned -slightly away from the bed; but as the reader moved to turn the page, -and to trim one of the candles with the silver snuffers, his face was -fully revealed to Grey, and the young man uttered an exclamation of -astonishment, striving to start up in bed as he did so. - -"The Duke himself!" - -The words were scarcely articulate, for his tongue was dry and his voice -sounded hoarse and strange in his own ears; but at the sound of it the -Duke rose quickly from his seat, and came forward towards the bed with a -pleasant smile upon his face. - -"Ah, my young friend, so you have come to your senses. That is -well--that is very well. Nay, nay; seek not to move. You must needs -remain quiet awhile, to mend you of your hurts; but I trust they are of -no very serious nature, and that you will soon be sound and whole." - -"But, your Grace, how come I here? What means it that I find myself in -such a place as this? I surely am not dreaming. It can be none other -but the great Duke of Marlborough himself!" - -"And wherefore not," questioned the Duke, smiling, "since it was hard by -my house that you were felled by ruffians, and in defence of a lady who -had but lately left my doors? So now the mystery is explained; and we -meet again, Grey Dumaresq, not on the field of battle this time, albeit -you, who escaped without a scar or scratch at Ramillies, lie wounded -here at Marlborough House. And right glad am I to welcome you within my -doors; for it was but a few hours earlier that I was speaking of you -with my wife, and wishing that I might meet you once more." - -"Your Grace does me too much honour," spoke Grey in bewildered accents, -"to bring me to your house, to sit up by my side--" - -"Tush! That is but the habit of an old campaigner. My couch wooes me -not as it does other men. I am used to little sleep and hard days. I -live something too soft when I reach this land. Besides, yonder scroll -absorbed me. For that you are responsible, my friend. Did I not tell -you when first we met that you had the face of a poet? And for me there -is stronger attraction in the poetry of prose than in that which -expresses itself in rhyme and metre, which has a fashion of halting, -like a horse whose legs begin to fail him, and who changes his feet or -stumbles ever and anon." - -The colour swept over Grey's pale face. He remembered now that the -packet containing his romance was buttoned up tightly in the breast -pocket of the outer coat which he wore that day. Doubtless, it had -fallen out when they took off his clothes, and there it lay spread out -upon, the table, more than three parts read by the Duke himself. - -"I ask no pardon for my boldness in thus scanning your romance," -proceeded the great man kindly, "albeit I did open the packet with -intent to discover if it might contain your place of abode, so that I -might send word to your friend where you were and what had befallen you. -Now wherefore this start and upraising? Did I not tell you it behoved -you to lie still? Must I call the physician from his slumbers to repeat -his orders himself?" - -"I crave your Grace's pardon," answered Grey, sinking back upon his -pillows; "but your words did bring back to me the remembrance of a sick -old man, dependent upon me for tendance and care. When I left him, I -knew that for many hours he had all that he did need beside him. But if -I am long detained from his side, he must needs suffer lack and hurt." - -"Nay; but I will see that he does neither. Tell me only where he may be -found, and I will send a trusty messenger to do all that is needful, and -make arrangements for his comfort during the time which may elapse -before you can return." - -So Grey gave the needful information, and the Duke issued some orders to -his servants in the outer room, returning to the bedside with a face -expressive of a kindly curiosity and wonder. - -Sitting down at the bedside, and entering into friendly talk with the -young man, it was not difficult to draw from him a full and detailed -account of all that had betided since they first met upon the field of -Ramillies, and Grey had gone back to his native land to see what fortune -had in store for him there. - -The Duke made an excellent and sympathetic listener. He was sincerely -interested in this young man. He owed him a personal debt of gratitude. -Both he and his wife suspected that Lady Geraldine Adair, her favourite, -was more than a little attracted by young Sir Grey Dumaresq, whom she -had admitted to have met more than once during his brief career as a -gentleman of fashion and the friend of Lord Sandford. They had seen -self-betrayal in her face last night when he was carried in senseless, -and she knew that he was her unknown preserver, who had diverted the -attack of the young street ruffians from her chair, and had thus given -time for the Duke's carriage to come up; and it had recalled to their -minds and hearts the memory of their own young courting days, when John -Churchill was paying his addresses to Sarah Jennings, and they could see -and think of nothing but each other and their love. That Grey Dumaresq -had fallen upon evil times there could be no manner of doubt, and that -his fortunes were at the lowest ebb was manifest; yet the Duke, as he -listened to the tale, was revolving many matters in his mind, and only -spoke to lead the young man on by some well-timed question to express -himself with more freedom and detail. - -As for Grey, when once the ice had been broken, he had no desire for -reserve. There was a strange sense of comfort and relief in pouring out -his tale into sympathetic ears. The only matters he held back were his -suspicions of others--firstly, those respecting his kinsman, and any -possible hand he might have had in hastening his father's death; and -secondly, those concerning Lord Sandford and his possible treachery -towards himself. It seemed to him unfair to speak of unproven -suspicions of crime or evil plotting to one so high in station as the -Duke of Marlborough, whose smile or frown might mean so much to those -who merited it. But of all else he spoke with frank freedom and -unreserve; and at the last, when his tale was told, he saw the kindly -gaze of the Duke bent upon him with shrewd searching inquiry. - -"And so, Grey Dumaresq, you came actually to know the lack of food; and -yet you bore upon your person all the while the token I had given you, -telling you that you had but to show the same to my wife, and she would -find means of rewarding you for the service done to her husband." - -"I had had my reward in your Grace's favour and kindness," answered Grey -with quiet dignity; "I prized that token as a thing most precious. Yet -I never desired to use it as a means of gain. I will not say I never -thought of it," he added, after a moment's pause, his colour slightly -rising as he spoke; "and perchance had matters gone so with my old -friend Jonathan Wylde that privation or starvation nearly threatened -him, I might e'en have swallowed my pride, and become a suppliant for -favour. But I should have fallen in my own esteem had I been forced to -such a step. It may be pride--false pride--haughtiness of spirit--I -know not; but in the days of my prosperity I would not seek to curry -favour by making capital out of something which I desired to retain as a -pleasant memory. And when poverty had fallen upon me, and I had dropped -my name and my title, and was known only as a poor actor, living in -obscurity and poverty, how could I hope to be admitted to the presence -of the Duchess? How could I desire to parade my fallen fortunes before -the eyes of her train of servants? Your Grace had called me -friend--that was my reward." - -With a smile the great man slowly shook his head. Although a love for -money amounting to greed was his own besetting sin, he could admire -disinterestedness and honourable pride in others. He knew that had Grey -played his cards well, seeking only personal advancement and place, he -might by this time have risen, through the influence of the Duchess, -into some position which would have secured him ease and affluence. He -knew that in his place he would not have scrupled to do this, nor would -nine-tenths of the men of the day. Although he smiled at the romantic -folly and chivalrous scruples of the youth of poetical temperament, he -could yet admire those highly unpractical qualities which had gone near -to bring him to ruin. - -"Well, my young friend," he said at last, "there must be an end of this -masquerading in rags and tatters. I shall make it my business to bring -your case before the Queen herself. I trow that you have been scurvily -treated by your kinsman, and that that matter requires investigation. -In addition to this, no man with that book in his hands," and he pointed -to the roll upon the table, "should lack for daily bread. There should -be a fortune in it, or in the hands of the man who owns the brain that -conceived and the hand that penned it. See here, Sir Grey. The Queen -is not exactly a critic of literature or a patron of all genius, but she -has a love for what is pure and beautiful and simply true. I warrant -that yonder romance will go home to her heart. My wife shall take it -and read it to her this very afternoon, when she is to be in attendance -upon her Majesty. When that has been done, take my word for it, you -will have half the publishers of the town crowding cap in hand to crave -the favour of bringing it out for the world to read. Oh, you need not -blush, like a young mother when her firstborn babe is praised! I trow I -know a good book when I see it; and that is one which will mightily -please her Majesty, since it sings the praise of pure love and -chivalrous fidelity, and all those virtues which seem well-nigh out of -date, but which the Queen would fain see restored as in the bygone days -of knights-errant and King Arthur's Round Table." - -"I was told that there was no sale nowadays for aught but scurrilous -libels and bitter lampoons, or at best for political pamphlets treating -of subjects of which I know naught." - -"Ay, men love garbage, when they can get it; and the strife of bitter -tongues is entertaining to those who would fain believe all that is bad -of their fellows. Yet are there enough pure and loving souls left in -this great Babylon to appreciate such work as yonder; and when once her -Majesty's favour has been shown to it and its writer, you will see how -these same publishers will change their tone. Every aspirant to -literary fame needs a patron, and your patron shall be the Queen." - -It was almost too wonderful for belief. Grey was not sure still that he -did not dream. And after he had swallowed the draught which his host -mixed and held to his lips, he quickly fell into a sound slumber from -which even dreams were banished. But when he woke again the sun must -long have been up, and surely he was again dreaming; for here was Dick -himself, clad once more in the livery of a well-to-do servant, standing -at his bedside with a tray containing a light but savoury breakfast. - -"Dicon! Why, will wonders never cease? Man alive, how came you here?" - -"Why, if you will but sit up, and let me give you of this broth which -has been specially prepared for you, I will gladly tell you all. -Master, my dear master, I trow that all our troubles are ended now!" - -"If I could be sure I were not dreaming, good Dicon, belike I might say -the same; but my head is so bewildered, I know not what to believe. Yet -it is good to see your honest face again, even in a dream." - -"Faith, I am no dream, master, and my tale can soon be told. I came -into the town soon after dawn, to tell you I had discovered Don Carlos -in Lord Sandford's stables at St. Albans, where he keeps the beasts he -uses for racing and such like. And no sooner had I stepped into a -tavern not so far from here for a pot of ale and crust of bread, when I -did hear that all the town was ringing with the tale of how young Sir -Grey Dumaresq, who had disappeared mysteriously not long since had -risked his life not far from Marlborough House in beating off a gang of -Mohawks from besetting and perhaps injuring the Lady Geraldine Adair, -who was returning homewards after an evening spent with the Duchess. -Nay, master, what ails you? You are white as a ghost. Lie down again, -and let me fetch the leech." - -"Nay, nay, good Dicon; 'tis but a passing qualm. Heed it not. So it was -the Lady Geraldine who was in that chair?" - -"Yes; and there is no knowing what might have befallen her, but for the -timely arrival of Sir Grey. That is what all the town is buzzing about. -Well, when I heard that, I thought I would make bold to present myself -here, and lay claim to be your servant. And who should come to speak -with me but the Duke himself, who even remembered having seen my face -that day at Ramillies! I vow he did talk with me for hard upon an hour; -and I did tell him--oh, I told him everything that I could think -of--things I have not yet dared to speak to you, my master. I have told -him what Jock Jarvis and I do think of old Barty at Hartsbourne, and -what I think of my Lord Sandford, and how he did first seek to cause you -to break your neck, and then robbed you by foul means of your horse--the -horse that carried his Grace so bravely through the battle of Ramillies. -Oh, I saw how his eyes flashed. I trow he will have a rod in pickle for -my Lord Sandford yet! He is a noble and knightly gentleman; and when he -had heard all I had to say, he did call me an honest fellow; and he gave -me some gold pieces, and sent me out with one of his servants to get me -a livery such as it became Sir Grey's servant to wear. And he told me -to come back to wait upon you, my master, for that he and her Grace were -about to go to Whitehall to attend upon the Queen this afternoon and -evening; and I warrant they will tell a tale to her Majesty which will -put a spoke in some fine gentleman's wheel." - -Grey lay back upon his pillows breathless with wonder and excitement; -but it was excitement of that joyful kind which acts rather as a tonic -upon the system than as a deterrent to recovery. He sent Dick away to -make inquiries about the Old Lion; and as the man went out, the Duke's -physician entered and examined the wound upon Grey's head and the -condition of the broken arm, which he had skilfully set, and ended by -permitting his patient, after other two hours of quiet rest, to leave -his bed for a few hours to sit in the adjoining room for a while under -the care of his servant. - -"Had you been like too many of our young gallants, full-blooded, heated -with wine, softened by gluttony and rich living, these injuries might -have involved blood-letting and other severe remedies. But your -temperate life and meagre living of late tell in your favour now. You -need heartening up and strengthening by good food and a little old wine -carefully administered, and you will soon cease to feel any ill effects. -I congratulate you heartily on the occasion which has brought you once -again into the notice of the Duke, who can be a stanch and true friend, -as I have reason to know." - -When Dick returned to him he was laden with fine clothing, such as Grey -had been wont to wear, and which the man spread out with an air of pride -and delight that was good to see. - -"See there! The Duke's own clothes--those he wore some few years since, -when he was something slimmer than now. He bade his man look them out -for you, seeing that your own garments were all torn and -mud-bespattered--" - -"Ay, and of fustian, in lieu of cloth, and silk, and velvet," added -Grey, as he looked smilingly at the rich clothing before him. "Well, -well, Dicon, when one comes suddenly into the midst of an enchanted -palace, one must take the good the gods provide. But tell me of Mr. -Wylde. Have you learned aught concerning him?" - -"Why, truly yes. I saw the messenger who had been to him; and at the -sight of the Duke's livery the whole house was astir, and not a creature -there but will wait hand and foot upon the old man till other -arrangements for him can be made. The fellow saw him and gave him news -of you, and he was right well content. He said he should lack for -nothing; and the man did leave with the host two gold pieces sent by his -Grace, and told him that he would have to answer to the Duke if aught -went amiss with him. After that you need have no fear." - -Grey's last anxiety thus set at rest, he seemed to have nothing left to -wish for. He drowsed away another hour in peaceful dreamy fashion, and -felt fully equal to the fatigue of being dressed by Dick, and walking -with the help of his arm into the adjoining room--a pleasant sunny -apartment, on the table of which stood a great bowl of pure white -snowdrops, at which Grey gazed with an infinite delight; for the sight -of white flowers always brought back to his mind one particular face and -form, and the very thought of his nearness to her last night set his -heart beating tumultuously within him. - -He was lying back luxuriously in a deep armchair, beside the glowing -heat of the fire. The sunlight filtered in through the great mullions -of the window, and the light seemed to concentrate itself upon the -whiteness of the flowers near at hand. Dick had retired into the inner -room to set his master's things in order there. Grey was alone--alone -with his bewildering thoughts of happiness to come, scarce knowing how -much of all he had heard could be true, or what would be the outcome. - -Had he slept as he sat there musing? What was that sound somewhere in -the room? He lifted his head and looked round. A tall, slender, -white-robed figure was standing outlined against the rich tapestry of -the wall behind. He had not heard the door open or the arras lifted. -But she was there; and somehow he was not astonished. It seemed only -natural to see her, the golden shafts of sunlight seeming to cling to -her, and to follow her as she came slowly forward with that inimitable -grace of movement he knew so well. - -For one moment he sat spellbound, and then struggled to his feet, -holding out his hands. - -In a moment she was beside him, holding them--holding them fast; for he -was weaker than he knew, and he swayed a little, a mist before his eyes. -Then he was back in his chair, and she was standing over him. She was -holding something to his lips. He drank, and his senses cleared. - -"Forgive me," she said; "I should not have come yet; but I so longed to -thank you myself, and to be assured that you had not suffered too much -in my service." - -"I could not suffer too much in such service," he answered. "And from -my heart I thank you for coming. I have been so hungry for the sight of -you, Geraldine." - -"And I too," she answered in the lowest whisper, as she just touched his -hair lightly with her hand. - - - - - *CHAPTER XVIII.* - - *"GOOD QUEEN ANNE."* - - -Sir Grey Dumaresq bent the knee before the little upright figure in the -great carved chair, and the courtiers and ladies pressed one upon the -other, as far as etiquette permitted, to get a sight of a personage who, -for the moment, was all the talk of the town. - -In her gentle, rather thin and high-pitched voice the Queen spoke, and a -deep hush fell upon the great room. - -"Rise, Sir Grey. I have sent for you here, inasmuch as I have heard -much of your story from both the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, my -very good friends; and I have desired to see you, and to hear somewhat -of many matters from your own lips." - -"Your Majesty has but to speak, and I will answer." - -"I hear that you did first encounter his Grace of Marlborough upon the -field of Ramillies, and that you did there render him no small succour -in a moment of personal peril." - -"It was my good fortune, madam, to possess a horse of great courage, and -strength, and mettle; and when the Duke was for the moment surrounded by -a party of the enemy, and had to force his own horse to a perilous leap, -which caused him to fall and become useless, I was able, being close at -hand, to mount him upon my good steed, which carried him through that -day, which his own genius and courage has rendered for ever glorious." - -"How came it that you did adventure yourself into the heart of the -danger, not being a soldier, or having any call to risk your life in the -cause?" - -"Madam, I am an Englishman, and every true-born Englishman is called to -adventure himself wherever he may by happy chance be able to serve his -country. That is my excuse for being where perchance I had no right to -be, save the right of which I have spoken, and of which I pray that your -Majesty will not rob me. To serve his Queen and his country must needs -be the desire of every man worthy the name, be he soldier or be he -none." - -A smile played over the pleasant countenance of the Queen. The pale, -handsome face, the graceful bearing, the courtly address of the young -man, pleased her well. Simply attired, without any of the extravagances -of frippery which distinguished so many courtiers, and with his own -curly brown locks floating round his head, his appearance was striking -and prepossessing enough. To be sure, the Queen could resent any too -great easiness in dress amongst her courtiers; and when one of her -ministers, coming in haste, had appeared before her in a small wig, such -as gentlemen used at their toilets, rather than in full dress, she had -remarked to her ladies that she supposed his lordship would present -himself in his night-cap next! But there was nothing slovenly in the -rich plainness of Grey's attire; and he looked so much the poet and the -dreamer, with the pallor of illness still upon him, and that slimness of -figure partly due to privations now past, and partly to his active and -temperate life, that the Queen regarded him with increasing favour, and -a smile of decided approval was his reward. - -"Well and bravely spoken, my young knight. And let me in my own person -thank you for the service rendered that day to one who has been, and -still will be, I doubt not, his country's most able defender. Had aught -befallen the Duke on the field of Ramillies, a glorious victory would -have become, I cannot doubt, a fearful defeat. France would have swept -the Netherlands with her victorious armies, and there would have been -none with genius and power to roll back the tide of battle. Wherefore -England herself owes you a debt of gratitude, Sir Grey, which must not -be forgotten." - -"Madam, I have been richly repaid already for any poor service of -mine--first by the gracious favour of the Duke, and now in still fuller -measure by these words from your Majesty. Had fortune not so far -favoured me that I was close at hand at the moment, I cannot doubt but -that a score of others would have done what I was favoured by doing. To -serve the man who serves his country so well is its own reward." - -"Ah, my young friend, it is easy to see you were never bred up in -courts," spoke the Queen, with a smile for Grey, and a quick searching -glance round at the knots of courtiers and gentlemen filling the room. -At this most of them shrank back, a little abashed at her look and her -words. Shameless place-hunting was all the fashion of the day; and for -any man to make light of service rendered, and to desire no reward, was -a thing almost unheard of. - -But after having just launched this shaft, the Queen said no more on -that subject. She was by nature timid and gentle, and though not -lacking in wit or in a quiet penetration, which was not always -appreciated by those about her, was for the most part an indulgent -mistress, not disposed to overmuch blame even where she saw weakness. - -"And I hear more of you than this, Sir Grey. You are not only a man of -prompt action, but you are also a dreamer and a poet. I have read with -pleasure your romance of pure chivalry, and I would that we could find -in these degenerate days more knights and gentlemen, more spotless -maidens and virtuous women, such as those of whom your pen delights to -tell, and my ears delight to hear." - -The young man bowed low, the crimson flush, which praise of his courage -had not evoked, dyeing his cheek now that the child of his brain and -hand was praised. The Queen continued graciously,-- - -"I have heard the whole romance, and its beauty touches my heart, and -pleases also those amongst my ladies and gentlemen as are best able to -appraise the merits of such poetic work. I desire, Sir Grey, that you -will dedicate the tale to me, as one who has read and approved it, and -would desire it to be widely known and read in the land. To be a patron -of all true and beautiful art is the privilege of rulers, and therefore -do I give this charge to you. I desire that such a story as you have -conceived and penned should be circulated amongst my faithful subjects. -They will learn from it loyalty, love, purity, and singleness of heart, -and surely no nation can thrive or excel in which these virtues be -absent." - -A little buzz of amaze and gratulation went round the room as the Queen -spoke thus. The young man's fortune as a writer was assuredly made. A -second Philip Sidney had suddenly come to light. All the world would -delight to honour the man approved of royalty. - -Grey himself was speechless. Such a eulogy was altogether unexpected -and bewildering. If Dame Fortune had, in the past, showed an unkind -face towards him, surely she was atoning for her frowns by the most -gracious of smiles now. - -Perhaps the young author's confused and blissful silence pleased the -Queen more than any florid words of gratitude such as she was used to -hear. She spoke again, still in her most gracious and kindly way. - -"Moreover, Sir Grey, I have heard somewhat of your history from his -Grace of Marlborough, and it doth appear to me that you have been -scurvily treated with respect to your rightful inheritance, the manor of -Hartsbourne, which, though your property, you are debarred from -enjoying. I have made strict inquiry into this matter, and have sent -down special commissioners to seek speech with your kinsman now in -possession, and to make some settlement with him for the restitution to -you of the estate. It is not fitting that one to whom the country and -its Queen owe a debt of gratitude should be ousted from his inheritance -either by the cunning craft of a greedy miser, or for lack of means to -satisfy a creditor and release his lands from debt. From what hath been -told me, I misdoubt that unscrupulous means have been employed to oust -you from possession and enjoyment of your house and lands. But whether -or not this be so, it is not fitting that things should longer continue -as now. Sir Grey Dumaresq of Hartsbourne Manor must live upon his -hereditary acres in becoming style. That fiat hath already gone forth. -England's Queen and people will have it so. It were shame to both if the -preserver of her great General should go unrewarded." - -Grey, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the grace bestowed upon him, could -only sink upon his knees before the Queen, murmuring some confused but -heartfelt words of gratitude and loyalty. The royal lady gave him her -hand to kiss, and looked smilingly upon him. - -"Sir Grey," she said gently, "had you come hither to the Court at once -on your return, boasting of what you had done, displaying the Duke's -token, and seeking fame and fortune for yourself, belike I should have -thought but little of the matter. I am for ever hearing the petitions -of those seeking great things for themselves--seeking place, preferment, -emoluments, with or without desert. Had you come thus, you had been -lost in a crowd. I perchance should scarce have heard your name. But -you have asked nothing for yourself. You endured hardship, privation, -misery; you thought not scorn to win your bread--and the bread of -another who had befriended you--by following a humble vocation. With -that in your possession which would have at least placed you above want, -you faced want itself rather than stultify your noble act by seeking to -trade upon it. You rather sought to win the fame you merit by using -those great gifts of poetry and art which it hath pleased God to bestow -upon you. Therefore are you different from others; therefore hath your -story touched the heart of your Queen; therefore is her favour won, in -that she can value a man who seeks and asks nothing for himself, but -rather desires that the glory of a noble deed shall be its own reward." - -Again she tendered her hand, which Grey kissed in deepest reverence and -gratitude. Then at a sign from the Duchess, who had all this time been -standing behind the Queen's chair, he rose and made a deep inclination. - -"I thank your Majesty a thousand times," he said in a very low voice. -"I have no words in which to tell my gratitude, but I pray Heaven that -in the future I may have the opportunity to show how deep and true that -gratitude is." - -"Deeds, and not words, will be your motto through life, I take it, Sir -Grey; and in such fashion shall you best please your Queen and serve -your country." - -Then Grey found himself, he scarce knew how, in the outer room, thronged -by courtiers and nobles and gentlemen, all eager to make his -acquaintance, all agog to hear such parts of his story as were yet -unknown to them, and above all eager to read the book of which it had -pleased the Queen to speak in such high praise. To these worthies Grey -was already a rising star, and they longed to bask in the light of his -rays. - -Quietly and courteously Grey replied to direct questions and to the -advances showered upon him by the Court; but he disengaged himself as -quickly as he could, and was glad to find himself in the coach which had -brought him, and on his way to Marlborough House, where he was still a -guest. For although he had quickly mended from his hurts, his hosts -would not hear of his returning to his old quarters; and the Old Lion -had been equally insistent on this point when Grey visited him, which he -did on the first opportunity, to tell in person his marvellous tale. - -"Nay, nay, my boy; you are now Sir Grey Dumaresq, and your life will run -in different grooves. I did guess from the first that you were not what -you seemed, and ever have I hoped that you would be restored to your -rightful position in the world. As for me, I am well content. I have -no lack of tendance--thanks to the liberality of the Duke, and to that -wonderful personal visit he did pay me, which has raised me to a -pinnacle of glory in the eyes of all men here. It contents me well to -know that I am not forgotten, that you still have kindly thought to -spare for the Old Lion. But for us to dwell beneath the same roof would -not now be fitting or seemly. So think of that no more." - -"When I have a roof of mine own I shall think of it much," spoke Grey -with quick decision; "but for the nonce I am naught but a guest beneath -that of the hospitable Duke. Well, let it remain so in the present; but -for the future I make no pledge." - -It was more than a week now since those words had been spoken, but they -recurred to Grey's mind as he was driven homewards through the sunny -streets. Hartsbourne! The name seemed to thrill in his ears like a -clarion note of joy. Hartsbourne--his own old home--so well-beloved, so -fair! Could it be possible that he would be master there again? The -thought filled him with a sense akin to intoxication. The blood mounted -to his head; he almost laughed aloud in his joy. Hartsbourne and its -revenues his own! His romance published, and bringing him gold as well -as fame! What might he not accomplish? How often had he dreamed in -bygone years of what he would do for the restoration and adornment of -the beautiful old house, and how he and his mother would live there in -peace and happiness! True, that last part of the dream could not be -realized now. His mother lay sleeping beneath the churchyard sod. Her -eyes beheld, he doubted not, fairer sights than these. But yet, must -his dream be altogether without fulfilment? Was there none -other--nearer, dearer, if possible, than a mother--who might be the -sharer of his joys? Had he not read something dazzling, wonderful, -well-nigh unbelievable, in one pair of sweet eyes whose light seemed -shining on him now? His lips had not dared to frame as yet either -question or protestation; but did they not understand each other? His -heart beat high with rapture. Perfect love had cast out fear. He knew -that they belonged to each other for time and for eternity. And now -what hindered him from taking her to his heart, and telling her that he -had loved her from the first moment of their meeting? - - -The Duke sat in his private closet, where he transacted his more -important business, and Grey stood before him, having been summoned -thither from his own apartments. He was received with a pleasant smile, -and bidden to be seated. - -"Well, my young friend," questioned the Duke, who, having been absent -from home for a few days, had not seen his guest in private just -recently, "and how has the world been serving you? And how goes the -matter of the book?" - -"Ah, I must tell you of that. I had, as your Grace did warn me, quite a -levee of publishers desiring to issue it, each with some tempting offer -as to payment. But I did as you bade me, and referred the matter to Mr. -Poysner, by whose advice, I told them, I should be guided. And, in -sooth, methinks he hath advised well; for not only have I received a -handsome sum in gold already for the work, but I shall receive more -according to the sale; and it is even now being printed as fast as the -presses can work. Her Majesty is to have the first copy, bound with the -choicest skill that can be brought to bear upon such work. Other -choicely-bound volumes are to be reserved for my friends, after which it -will be sold to the public; and already they say that the book is being -eagerly asked for. Truly the word of a Queen and the patronage of the -great are mighty factors in the world of letters!" - -"As men of letters are fast learning, my young friend," replied the Duke -with a smile. "Genius without a patron is like (as some wag remarked -not long since) 'Paradise Lost' without the devil! It falls flat and -unfruitful on unheeding ears. But now for another matter of import to -yourself. Have you had news from Hartsbourne since her Majesty did -speak to you anent that matter?" - -"No, my lord; I have heard nothing. My servant Dick was sent thither by -request to answer certain questions made by her Majesty's messengers, -but he hath not yet returned, and I know nothing of what has transpired -there." - -His face expressed a keen desire for information, and the Duke at once -satisfied this wish. - -"Something strange has happened there which simplifies matters not a -little. Your kinsman, Mr. Dumaresq, when questioned by the Queen's -Commissioners as to his rights and position there, showed a number of -papers which seemed on the face of them fair and right; but his -uneasiness was manifest, and awoke suspicion. Also it was not clear -that he possessed all the rights he claimed over the estate, or that Sir -Hugh had signed all the papers; for upon some the writing of the name -looked to practised eyes little like his. The more Mr. Dumaresq was -questioned, the more uneasy did he become. So they left him that day, -saying that they would come again on the morrow and finish the inquiry. -By that time your man Dick had arrived, and he with an old man upon the -place had long talk with the messengers that night in the old man's -room. It seems as though Mr. Dumaresq or his servant must have had some -way of listening to what passed. A terrible suspicion was broached that -your father's end was hastened by foul means. This was a point which -the Commissioners declared must be thoroughly investigated later. They -went away, but on the morrow returned--to find Mr. Dumaresq dead in his -bed. His servant said he had been subject to seizures of late, and that -agitation had probably caused the attack. Old Jock Jarvis and your man -Dick are, however, strongly of opinion that he precipitated his own end -by the use of perhaps the very same drug which he is suspected of having -employed in your father's case. Be that as it may, the man is dead, and -he has died without a will, so that whether or not he was ever legally -entitled to what he so long held, you are now absolute master of -Hartsbourne and all its revenues, without the need of any action or -interference upon the part of the lawyers of the Queen." - -Grey stood like one in a dream. He could scarce take in the meaning of -it all. He had known that Hartsbourne was to be restored to him--he had -had the Queen's word for that--but he had expected vexatious delays, -complications, and difficulties. He had not dared to let himself hope -to escape these. And now the Gordian knot had been cut--cut in a rather -terrible fashion, perhaps, but still effectually cut. He was absolute -master of his own again. He could ride to Hartsbourne and take -possession so soon as his kinsman was laid to rest in the grave, where -all enmity and all unhallowed secrets are buried. He had not found his -tongue to express his feelings before the door opened and a secretary -glided in and whispered something into the Duke's ear. - -"He comes in good time," spoke Marlborough; "let him enter at once. -Probably he brings news of the matter in hand." - -Grey looked up, and behold there was Dick, travel-stained and -bespattered with mud, but with a glowing, eager face, evidently full of -news. - -"Well, sirrah," spoke the Duke, smiling, "so you have come post haste -with news. What wonderful tidings do you bring?" - -The man made his semi-military salute, first to the Duke and then to his -master. He needed no further encouragement in order to unburden himself -of his tale. - -"May it please your Grace, and you, my master, I have news of a -wonderful discovery made by Jock and myself at Hartsbourne at dawn -to-day. We have had our eye sharp upon old Judas, as we call Mr. -Barty's wall-eyed Peter; and we have known right well that he has been -up to some trick of his own ever since his master died. He has been -prowling like a wild beast all about the house. We have heard him -knocking and even sawing, when he thought himself alone there. It was -old Jock to whom the thought first came. 'The old man has some secret -hoard; and Judas knows of it, but not the place. He is looking for it, -trying to find it ere he is turned out. Well, that is a game that two -can play at. You and I will look too, Dicon.' That is what old Jock -said. Whilst Mr. Dumaresq was buried, and his man must for decency's -sake go and stand beside the grave, we searched the house from basement -to garret; but we had no more luck than Judas had." - -"But you have had luck ere this, honest fellow; I see it in your eyes," -spoke Marlborough with a laugh. "Come, let us know what you found, and -what is the value of the treasure." - -"It was to me the thought came," spoke Dick, with honest pride. "I was -lying awake at night puzzling and pondering, when suddenly I remembered -that first and only night you spent there, master, and how that you saw -the old man suddenly appear behind your bed with a shining knife in his -hand, and that he vanished ere you could grapple with him, and it seemed -more like a vision than a reality. But I sprang from my bed, and I -roused old Jock, and I yelled in his ear, 'Man, man, I know where the -treasure is hid! Behind the wall of the tapestried guest-chamber, where -my master slept, and where the wall did move from behind the bed head, -and let his foe steal upon him unawares!'" - -"Good thought!" ejaculated Grey excitedly; "and was it so?" - -"We rose and dressed, and made our way into the house and up to the -bed-chamber, and a tough job we had. And, my master, you must pardon us -for the havoc we have made of woodwork and panelling; for the trick of -the opening we could not find till all had been hewn away. But when it -was at last laid bare, we saw the spring, and then the wall swung -inwards with a noiseless, ghostlike motion, and within was a secret -chamber well-nigh filled with coffers, some containing jewels--Dumaresq -jewels, I doubt not--some gold pieces, some silver vessels. We did not -open all. We had found enough. Master, there are the savings of -years--the revenues of the broad lands which were paid to him--stowed -away in yonder chamber. Oh, I can almost forgive him his villainies, -now that all hath come to you! It is all there: it is all safe. We did -pack Judas off with his wages and his belongings, and his master's -clothes, which, I trow, none will grudge him; and we did get in a few -trusty fellows from the place who hate Barty and long to see Sir Grey -reigning at Hartsbourne again. And having made all safe, and the house -in charge, under Jock, of these trusty lads, I did take horse forthwith -to bring the news to my master, and here am I." - -"And you shall not lose your reward, my trusty Dicon," spoke Grey with -fervour; "for the love and trust of a loyal heart is worth more than -treasure and gold." - - - - - *CHAPTER XIX.* - - *LOVE'S TRIUMPHING.* - - -"Mother, I cannot. I have tried--in all truth, I have. But it is all -of no avail. I cannot love Lord Sandford. I cannot be his wife." - -"You could be his wife very well, if you chose obstinate girl; and as -for loving him--poof!--love matters little when there is wealth and -title, broad lands, and all that heart can desire into the bargain. You -put me out of all patience with your mincing ways and disdainful airs. -What more do you want than Lord Sandford offers? Does a countess's -coronet not satisfy you? Do you desire to be a duchess, and take -precedence of your own mother?" - -And Lady Romaine brought her ivory fan down upon her daughter's shoulder -with a tap that was almost like a blow. Tears of vexation and -disappointment stood in her eyes. In her hand held an open letter, -across the bottom of which the word "Sandford" could be easily read, -traced in a large and firm hand. - -Before Geraldine had found words in which to reply, Lady Romaine had -burst out again more petulantly than ever. - -"To think of all the trouble I have been at with you! Do you think I -want a great lumbering girl, looking ten years older than her years, and -with all the affectations of a Quaker--horrid people!--in her gait and -dress and speech, for ever in my train? Do you think it is pleasant for -me to hear men laughing at your prim ways and silly scruples, and -wondering where you learned them? Do you know what they call you behind -your back? 'Mistress "No, I thank you, sir."' Faugh! it makes me sick. -Who are you, to hold up your opinions against the whole world? It makes -me blush with shame and anger. And then, when I have gotten you a -suitor in one of the best known nobles of the gay town, and reckon to -have you off my hands and in the keeping of a husband who will know how -to deal with your airs and graces, you must needs turn stubborn as a -mule, and refuse his offer. Lard! it makes me sick to think I should -have such a daughter." - -"I am very sorry that you are vexed, mother," answered Geraldine -quietly, "but my father does not seem greatly to desire the match with -my Lord Sandford. He did speak of it to me awhile back, but of late I -have heard nothing anent the matter from him." - -"Tush, girl! your father is no judge in such matters. He is wrapped up -in politics, and has no thought to spare for other things more close at -home. And because, forsooth, Lord Sandford finds the Court too dull for -him, and is seen there but seldom, your father must needs think lightly -of him. As though half the gayest and most fashionable of the younger -nobility did not eschew the deadly dullness of the Queen's -presence-chamber! Why, I should die of boredom in a week had I to dance -attendance on her Majesty. Lord Sandford shows his good sense by staying -away. Oh to hear the tales some of them tell! Saints preserve me from -the like!" - -Geraldine answered no word. She hoped that the had now blown itself -out. Not to her mother could she speak of those tender, wonderful, -beautiful thoughts and hopes and feelings which had lately come into her -life. In her heart of hearts she knew herself beloved of Grey -Dumaresq--knew that it would not be long ere he declared himself. She -had heard also rumours of what the world was saying about him--that his -name was becoming known to all men, and that he was regarded as one who -would rise to eminence and prosperity. But it was not for these things -that she loved him. Her heart had been his long before--almost before -she knew it herself--in the days of his poverty and obscurity, when she -dreamed of him, rather than thought consciously, wondering whither he -had gone, and what he was doing, and whether he was holding fast to the -resolutions he had made. She knew how her heart had leaped at sight of -him in the guise of the Youth--how he had flown to her rescue before all -others when peril menaced her. Then her eyes had been opened to the -love which had sprung up all unknown in her heart; but she had lost him -once more, only to find him again in the unknown champion who had risked -his life, without knowing for whom he did it, in the dark streets of -London some few weeks back now. Since then she had seen him but once, -and their words had been few, but their eyes had spoken more eloquently -than their lips, and she knew that she had only to possess her soul in -patience, and that all would be well. The Duke and the Duchess were her -friends: that would be enough, and more than enough, for her father. As -for Lady Romaine, she had always been the warm advocate of Lord -Sandford's suit, and being ignorant of what was passing elsewhere, -jealous of her daughter's friendship with the Duchess, wrapped up in her -own trivial round of vanity and pleasure, imagined that the only way of -getting rid of the incubus of this grave and stately daughter was by -marrying her off-hand to the only suitor whom the girl had ever -tolerated for a moment. Therefore this absolute refusal on Geraldine's -part, and the indifference of Lord Romaine, who had merely told her he -would not have the girl forced to any such step against her will, awoke -in her a chagrin and vexation which were hard to bear, and which vented -themselves in positive tears of passion and pain. - -"Then you shall give the man his dismissal yourself, you minx, you -obstinate hussy!" cried the enraged lady at last, flinging down the -letter upon the table. "He says he will come to hear his fate to-morrow -evening, and I vow I will have no hand in the telling of the tale of -your shilly-shally and folly. Here have you been leading him on all -these months--" - -"Mother, that is not true," spoke Geraldine, rising to her feet and -flashing one of her strange, earnest glances full upon her mother's -face; "I did never lead him on. I did never encourage him. I did but -obey your strict injunctions to speak with him, to make his -acquaintance, to try if so be that I might learn to return the affection -with which he professed to honour me." - -"And was that not enough to encourage him, in one who played the prude -or the vixen so well in other quarters?" fumed Lady Romaine. "That you, -who chose to send away every other man who addressed compliments to you -with a flea in his ear--that you should suffer him to attend upon you, -and seem to take pleasure in his converse--was not that enough? Why -make yourself the talk of the town with him, to send him away now?" - -The injustice of this accusation caused the girl's cheek to flame; but -she retained her self-control, and answered gently: "Methinks you are -hard to please, mother; for whether I send men away or listen to them -awhile, I am always in the wrong. I did but do your bidding in the -matter of Lord Sandford, and I do not deny that I found him ofttimes an -interesting talker, and that for a while I was willing to regard him as -a friend. But then, as I came to know more and to hear more, my opinion -was forced to change. I fear me that Lord Sandford himself did change, -and for the worse. Nevertheless, I would not judge him; only this I -say--that I cannot and I will not marry him." - -"Then go your own way and die a spinster, soured with your own tempers -and megrims!" cried Lady Romaine in a towering passion, as she swept -from the room, her high heels clattering on the polished floor, her -draperies making an angry hissing, like that of a snake disturbed. "I -wash my hands of you from this time forth. Give Lord Sandford his -dismissal yourself, and lose me one of my best and most useful friends. -That is always the way with daughters. Young vipers they should be -called!" And having now reached the door, Lady Romaine passed out and -banged it hard behind her, as a further mark of her displeasure. - -Geraldine, left alone, took up the letter and read it. It contained a -definite proposal for her hand, was written to her mother (always Lord -Sandford's friend and ally in this), and asked leave for the writer to -present himself upon the following evening to learn his fate. The girl -raised her eyes with a start, for it was upon the following day that the -Duke and Duchess had invited themselves to dine with Lord and Lady -Romaine, and to bring with them a guest whom they desired to present -afresh to their hosts. Lady Romaine had shrugged her shoulders and -professed to be bored at the prospect, though in reality somewhat -gratified at the idea of entertaining such illustrious guests. Her lord -had been undisguisedly gratified, and believing the invitation in some -sort due to his daughter, had regarded her with increased favour. But as -Geraldine revolved the situation, it seemed to her a strange and rather -dangerous complication that Lord Sandford should appear upon that very -night; for was it not said that he and Sir Grey Dumaresq had quarrelled -bitterly, and that the former had even sought to compass the life of his -friend? - -Geraldine went to seek her father, but he was not to be found. Her -mother refused her entrance into her rooms, and the girl was forced to -await the result of the following evening without communicating her -vague fears to any one. After all, who would be likely to heed them, -and what could she say? It was only the vaguest rumours she had heard; -the rest was but her own intuitions, which others would never consider. - - -"Sir Grey Dumaresq, let me present you to my daughter, Lady Geraldine -Adair, whom you will perhaps lead to the dinner-table when the time -comes." - -So spoke Lord Romaine, his face beaming with gratification and pleasure. -The Duke and Duchess had arrived, the last of the select company invited -for that day, and the Duke had held a short, low-toned conversation with -his host, which had brought many gratified smiles to the face of his -interlocutor. Now Geraldine's hand was within that of the young baronet, -and her voice trembled a little as she said to her father,-- - -"Sir Grey and I have met before." - -"Ah yes; I believe that is so. But Sir Grey's appearance was something -too brief and meteor-like that last time. Now I hope he comes as a -fixed star to shine steadily in the sky. If all we hear be true, his -brilliance will add a lustre to the times in which he lives." - -"You do me too much honour, sir," answered Grey a bow; but there was no -time for more, for the company was already moving, and Geraldine's hand -was upon his arm, and the delicate fragrance which seemed always to -cling about her brought a strange intoxication to his senses, which made -speech at the first difficult to him. - -Perhaps she shared this feeling, for she was silent too; but the -delicate flush upon her face, and the soft shining of her eyes, enhanced -her beauty to an extent which made many marvel that they had not -observed it before. Now and again the eyes of the undeclared lovers met -in a quick, eloquent glance; but for a while they did not directly -address one another, for the table was silent, listening to the words of -the Duke, who was addressing his host, and discussing with him some -matter of general interest. It was only later on, when the hum of talk -became more dispersed, that Geraldine was able to say in a low voice,-- - -"I have heard of the success of your book. It has made my heart glad -and happy. I did read some or it ere it went to the Queen. I thought -it more beautiful than I can say." - -"It should be beautiful, in all sooth, fair lady," answered Grey in a -very low voice, "for the thought of it was inspired by the looks and -words of one who is of all living creatures the fairest, the purest, the -most precious. If my poor work meets with success in the world, it will -be due not to any skill of mine, but to the goodness of two gracious -ladies, one who inspired and the other who approved its motive." - -Geraldine's face burned; there was a great joy in her heart. She could -not misunderstand the look he bent upon her. Could it indeed be true -that she had had any part or lot in this matter? The thought was -bewildering, unspeakable. She sat as one in a dream. She heard him -tell softly the tale of those strange events which had brought him -unexpected wealth and prosperity. She realized that the time of trial -and poverty and struggle was over, and that the sun of success was -shining in his sky, and her heart was glad within her. Yet she rejoiced -to think that he had faced privation and poverty bravely, and had sought -by no unworthy way to mend his broken fortunes. She had trusted him and -loved him in the hour of darkness: she was not ashamed to admit it now; -she was proud and glad that it had been so. - -Later on in the evening they found themselves together and alone in the -little room at the far end of the reception suite, where they could talk -undisturbed and unheard. It was sweet with the scent of violets, and -the soft light of the wax candles in silver sconces illumined it only -dimly. He closed the door, and let the curtain fall across it, and then -he held out his uninjured hand to her. The broken arm, though mending -fast, was still in a sling. - -"Geraldine! my beloved!" - -She went straight to him then, like a bird to its nest. No -protestations were needed between them. They loved each other, and they -knew it. - -How long they had been alone, they did not know--time flies so quickly -at times like these. It seemed but a few minutes to them, though it -might well have been an hour, when the handle of the door was turned, -and the curtain drawn back. Geraldine uttered a little cry of startled -amaze. It was Lord Sandford who hail entered, and she had forgotten his -very existence! - -Had her mother, in one of her spiteful moods, told him that he would -find her here? It was not impossible; and the girl's face grew a little -white, for Lord Sandford's rapier dangled at his side, as was indeed the -fashion of the times, and he was a man upon whose hot passions nobody -could absolutely reckon. Strange stories had been told of him before -this. - -The young Earl stood for a moment framed in the doorway, his powerful -face set in lines the meaning of which it were hard to read aright. -Grey had risen and stood close to Geraldine, his eyes fixed vigilantly -upon the massive figure of the man who had once been his friend. To the -girl it seemed as though their eyes met, and glanced one against the -other, like the blades of duellists in a preliminary pass. Her breath -came thick and fast. She felt the anxious, tumultuous beating of her -heart. - -Lord Sandford was the first to break the tense silence. - -"Lady Geraldine, I came hither to-night to receive an answer to the -offer of marriage which I sent to you through your mother, Lady Romaine. -Is this the answer you have prepared for me?" - -He looked straight at the girl, and then at Grey, with a wide, unabashed -gaze that did not shrink or falter. Grey made one step forward, and -spoke in low, quiet tones. - -"My lord, you may receive your answer at my hands, for the Lady -Geraldine Adair is now my promised wife." - -"Lady Geraldine," spoke Lord Sandford, "is this the truth?" - -"It is, my lord, albeit I had not meant to give you your answer in such -like fashion. I thank you for the honour you have done me; but my heart -is given elsewhere." - -"Right!" spoke Lord Sandford, in his resonant and emphatic tones. He -had dropped the curtain behind him, and now came forward several paces. -His face was not easy to read, but he held his head proudly, and looked -the lovers straight in the eyes. "I would not have it otherwise, Lady -Geraldine; for you have chosen well. You have chosen such an one as you -must needs choose. Like will seek like; virtue, fidelity, purity, and -honour must fly upward, will not be dragged downward. I saw it from the -first; and at the first I rebelled. I swore it should not be so. I -stooped to dishonour to remove an obstacle from my path. I thought I had -succeeded; but soon I knew I had not advanced my cause one whit. I was -rightly served. I did wrong with open eyes. I sinned, as it were, with -a cart-rope; and I have had my deserts. I lost my friend, but I won no -wife. I was outwitted, at every point. I went on hoping. I am not a -man who easily gives up what my heart is set on. Up to the last I hoped -to win. But yesterday, after my letter was written and dispatched, I -knew that I was beaten at every point." - -"Yesterday," faltered Geraldine. - -"Even so, lady. I have been absent from town of late; but yesterday in -the afternoon I returned. I went as usual to the coffee-house to learn -the news, and I learnt it." - -Lord Sandford's gaze flashed full upon Grey. He stood squarely in front -of him, and held out his hand. - -"Grey Dumaresq, I did once seek to do you a great and a grievous wrong. -I confess the same with shame of heart. Will you accept my hand in -friendship now, and with it my heartiest good wishes for your happiness -in life with the lady of your choice?" - -Grey did not hesitate; his hand was in Lord Sandford's, clasping it -close. All was forgotten, at that moment save the old attraction and -fascination which this man had exercised upon him from the first. - -"I love the lady of your choice," spoke the Earl, without the faintest -shade of hesitation in his tone. "I have loved her long. I doubt me if -ever I shall love another in like fashion. And because I love her with -every best and truest feeling of my heart, so am I able to desire above -all else in the world her best happiness. That happiness she will find -with you rather than with me. I am not fool enough not to know that. -If I could have won her, I would have sought to make her happy. I swear -it before God! But having failed, I yet desire above all things to see -her happy with the man of her choice; and I say that she has chosen -wisely." - -It was indeed a triumph of love. The innate strength and nobility of -this man's nature had been brought out by the honest fervour of his -love. He had enough greatness of soul to be able to give the right hand -of fellowship to his successful rival, though he himself must forego -that happiness which he had long been seeking to attain. Grey felt that -in the days that were to come Lord Sandford must needs show himself in -different colours from those of the past. This victory must surely be a -stepping-stone on which he would rise to higher and nobler things. - -Geraldine now stood before him, all shrinking over, her eyes alight with -pure womanly gratitude, admiration, and affection. - -"I thank you, my lord, for such good words. Forgive me if I have ever -misjudged you." - -"Nay, lady, you never did that; you did but appraise me too truly." - -"Yet I had ever some liking for you, my lord--think it not -otherwise--save when I thought, I feared--" - -"Yes, yes; I know, I understand. Friendship you had for me, so long as -I deserved it; but love--never. And you were right, Lady Geraldine; you -were right to withhold that. Perchance if your sweet eyes, like wells -of liquid light, had not seen so clearly, had not read the secrets I -sought to hide, my own love might not have blazed so fiercely. It is -ever the unattainable which men desire to possess. But let us think of -that no more. Let us bury the past, and live anew in the future. -Friendship is left to us--a friendship which, I trust, will last a -lifetime." And so speaking he turned once more to Grey, and said with a -smile lighting his face,-- - -"And shall I, for a wedding-gift, restore to you your good horse, Don -Carlos, at present in my stables at St. Albans?" - -He spoke so freely and openly that Grey heard him in amaze. - -"Have you Don Carlos?" spoke Geraldine, much astonished. "I did think -that he was stolen from Sir Grey." - -"And so think I; but I have had no hand in that business, save that I -did hear something of the matter, and fearing foul play I resolved to -become master of the gallant beast. Grey had disappeared, I knew not -where. My evil anger had burned itself out, and I loathed myself for -what I had done in the past. I thought that I might perchance make some -reparation by purchasing the good horse he loved, since I heard it was -to be sold, that I might keep it awhile, and restore it to its owner if -kind fortune gave me the chance. It seemed to me all the amends I might -ever make to the steed and his rider for the mischief I sought once to -do to both. So, my friend, the horse is yours whensoever you like to -lay claim to him. I restore him the more readily in that none of my -people can ride him. He brooks not long a strange rider on his back. -He has condescended to carry me for a brief while, but he goes -unwillingly; he frets after his old master. He would win no races for a -new one. So tell me only where and when to deliver him, and you shall -have him so soon as you desire. I trow the old miser of Hartsbourne, -who, I hear, is now dead, filched him from you by subtlety, for you -would never sell your friend." - -Grey, ashamed of the thoughts he had harboured against Lord Sandford in -this matter, told the whole tale of the creature's disappearance; but he -added, with a smile,-- - -"I suspect that whatever price you paid for him is lying in one of the -coffers now discovered in the old house, and I will gladly buy him -back." - -"Nay, nay; that must not be. It is my wedding-gift to you or to your -gentle lady here; and all I ask is, that upon some future day you will -suffer me to visit you in your wedded home at Hartsbourne, and see Don -Carlos and his master united once more." - - - - - *CHAPTER XX.* - - *MERRY AS A MARRIAGE BELL.* - - -The brilliant light of a sunny June morning was illumining the private -chapel, where a marriage was being solemnized in presence of the Queen, -and of certain favoured persons connected with the Court, of whom the -Duchess of Marlborough was one. - -The Duke himself was in Holland, whither he had gone so soon as the army -was able to leave its winter quarters. The year of victory, from which -he had returned a few months before, was destined to be followed by a -year of disaster to the Allies, and already the brow of the Duchess -seemed somewhat clouded by care. She had her own troubles, too, at -Court. The Queen's favour was distinctly waning, and the imperious -temper of the Duchess knew not how to put up with what seemed to her -coldness or slights. She felt the influence of Harley, and of her -kinswoman and his, Mrs. Masham, gaining ground daily; and the presage of -coming trouble seemed to be hanging over her now. Yet she bore herself -bravely, and to-day her face was wreathed in smiles; for Sir Grey -Dumaresq was her particular favourite, and had been her guest for a -great part of the year, whenever he was in town; and the Queen's -interest in the young man and his career and success was one of the -strongest links which still bound them together. - -And to-day Grey Dumaresq was to wed the Lady Geraldine, and the Queen -had decreed that the ceremony should take place at an early hour in her -own private chapel in Kensington Palace, that she might witness the -nuptials herself; for she had been greatly pleased by the beauty and -modesty and gentleness of Geraldine, who had been presented to her by -the Duchess, and she desired to show her approval of the young baronet's -choice by her own presence at his espousals. - -Lady Romaine had forgotten her anger and jealousy against her daughter -in her pride and delight at the honour bestowed upon them. It had -pleased her to speak slightingly of the Queen and her Court at such -times as she had been uncertain of the nature of her own reception -there; but now she could not boast sufficiently of the condescension and -kindness of the Queen, of her intimacy with the Duchess, and of the -favour in which her son-in-law-elect was held by royalty and by all the -Court. The matron had even found it well to throw aside some of those -frivolities and follies that hitherto had been jealously retained, as -giving her favour in the eyes of the young bloods of fashion, with whom -she had been wont to amuse herself. Her ready observation told her that -she was derided for these by graver persons, and that at the Court they -would hinder rather than help her advance to favour. With quick -adaptability, she had sought to model herself upon the graver ladies -surrounding the Queen, and even to emulate the Duchess of Marlborough in -her stately dignity of demeanour. If she had not succeeded in this, she -had at least gained much that had hitherto been lacking, and her husband -and daughter rejoiced heartily in the change. If some of her admirers -forsook her, she found their place taken by men of far greater standing, -who regarded Lord Romaine as a man likely to be useful to his party, and -paid a certain polished court to his handsome wife. The lady began to -talk politics now, to discuss the Act of Union, the Occasional -Conformity Bill, and other topics of the day, with an air of interest -and knowledge; and being gifted with considerable quickness and powers -of assimilation and reproduction, she was soon able to hold her own, and -pass for a woman of acuteness and observation. - -She had found her daughter of great use to her at the first, for -Geraldine was remarkably well educated, and had a very clear notion of -the state of parties and the history of public movements. All her -stores of information were at her mother's disposal, and so a new link -had been formed between them during the months of the girl's betrothal, -and instead of the mother's looking forward with delight to being rid of -the incubus of a grown-up daughter, she was disposed to be pathetic over -the separation and her own personal loss. - -Now this was a very happy change for Geraldine, for the lack of a -mother's love had been very keenly felt by her. Her face, as she stood -at the altar, plighting her troth to the man she loved, was full of a -wonderful happiness and joy--a different face from the grave and almost -wistful one of the past; different, and yet with an enhanced beauty -which riveted the eyes of all beholders, and caused the Queen to wipe -her eyes with her lace kerchief as she gazed, whisper softly in the ear -of one of her ladies,-- - -"Ah me! it is good to be young and beloved! Heaven send she may never -know aught to dim that joy and that love!" - -Sir Grey's happiness and joy was no whit less than that of his bride, -and was written almost as clear upon his face. Bride and bridegroom -were both clad in white, as became the season and the ceremony; and the -young man's gleaming whiteness was well set off by the gorgeous colours -of Lord Sandford's attire, as he stood beside him as his supporter and -"best man." This he did by his own request, and with the ready consent -of the Queen. She had been told enough of Lord Sandford to be -interested in that rather remarkable personage. She had given him -audience more than once, and had intrusted him earlier in the year with -a special embassy to the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, which he -had so ably carried out that it was whispered he was likely to obtain -more such secret service errands. It was the sort of work for which he -was eminently fitted, and the responsibility had sobered him and kept in -check all disposition on his part to break out into any of the wild -excesses with which he had been wont to amuse himself in order to while -away the time. He was now setting to work to get his affairs into -order. Having failed to win the fortune of the heiress, he had to turn -his mind to other methods. He had sold his horses for large sums to the -gilded dandies who fluttered about him, and with some heavy winnings at -the card-tables he paid off a number of his debts, and began to feel -like a free man. The sale of his property at St. Albans, which he no -longer wanted, enabled him to pay off a mortgage upon his ancestral -acres; and with a little care and moderate luck in gaming (for Lord -Sandford was not possessed of the scruples which had harassed Grey, and -which were far in advance of his day), he hoped soon to retrieve the -position of a man of wealth and position, which he had been inclined to -fling away for the pleasures of a careless and vicious age. - -His friendship with Grey Dumaresq, strangely begun, and strangely -broken, was now cemented afresh, and seemed likely to last and to -increase. It was by his own wish that he stood beside him on his -marriage day. He had so schooled himself that he could do this without -pain, and he would have grudged the place to any other, claiming his own -right as being Grey's oldest available friend. - -And now the brief ceremony was ended. Sir Grey and his bride came down -from the steps of the altar to receive the felicitations and -gratulations of their friends. The Queen kissed the bride upon her -brow, wished her happiness, and presented her with a beautiful clasp of -diamonds and pearls, which she took from the laces about her throat, and -bade the young wife wear for her sake. Then when the royal lady had -taken her departure, and the little procession had left the chapel, -other friends and well-wishers crowded round, prophesying happiness and -all other good things to the youthful pair. They streamed out--a -rainbow-tinted bevy--into the courtyard, where coaches waited to convey -them to the wedding feast at Lord Romaine's house; and this they found -laid out in _al fresco_ fashion beneath the trees of the beautiful old -garden, which had been Geraldine's place of refuge for so long, and to -which she would be half sorry now to bid farewell. - -"Do you remember, sweetheart," whispered Grey in her ear, as they stood -together and a little apart at the conclusion of the banquet--"do you -remember that summer morning a year ago when I did hear you singing, and -could not keep away?" - -"Remember! Do I ever forget it as I stand here looking at the shining -river? Ah dear my lord, methinks it was upon that day that my heart -first did leave mine own keeping, albeit it was long ere I knew it!" - -"Could we but have seen how it would be a year hence with us, how little -would the clouds and darkness which followed have disturbed and troubled -our peace!" - -"And yet methinks, dear love, it is better not to know; for so do we -learn to trust the love of our heavenly Father, and to put our faith and -confidence in Him. So He leads us from darkness into light, and our -hearts are filled with love and gratitude towards Him." - -Grey bent and kissed her on the brow. - -"You shall teach me more of your pure faith and love, my wife, that we -may be one in all things." - - -Don Carlos was pawing the stones of the courtyard, in fretted impatience -which Dick had some ado to curb. Beside him stood a light, graceful -barb, bearing a lady's saddle on his back. A little in the rear were -some half-dozen horses and some liveried servants. The clock in the -tower of Lord Romaine's house had just struck the hour of three. - -The doors were flung open wide, and forth there came a gay company of -guests, all eager to speed upon their way the newly-wedded pair. These -had changed their wedding finery for riding dress. Grey wore his -favourite workman-like suit of fine buff, stamped in silver, with white -buckskin breeches and long boots. His lady was habited in a -riding-dress of white face-cloth, with lacings of golden cord, a white -hat with a drooping plume, and long white gauntlet gloves. Her palfrey -was snow-white too, as became the bearer of a bride; and as Grey swung -her deftly to her saddle, the pretty creature curveted and pranced, as -though in pride at bearing so fair a burden. - -The next minute the bridegroom had leaped upon Don Carlos, and both -riders were waving their hands in response to the eager clamour of -gratulation and farewell which sprang to the lips of the bystanders. -Smiling and waving his hat, Grey put Don Carlos at a trot, and the -little procession swept out of the courtyard in all the glory of the -summer afternoon, with the voices of their friends sounding gaily in -their ears. - -"We shall be at Hartsbourne ere the day dies, sweet wife," spoke Grey, -as he looked up at the sunny sky. "You will not be fatigued by the -ride, after all you have gone through? You would not rather spend a -night upon the way?" - -"Ah no; this is rest," answered Geraldine, as her light, mettlesome -palfrey cantered gently alongside the stalwart Don Carlos. "I could -ride for ever through this clear, soft sunshine, with the wind fanning -our faces. Nay, nay, but we will reach Hartsbourne to-night. Have I -not waited long enough to see my future home, O tyrant husband, who -would not take me there before?" and a laugh sparkled in her eyes as she -spoke these words, for it had always been one of their cherished jests -that not till she came there as his wife should she look upon the -beauties and the charms of Hartsbourne. - -"Did you desire it then so much, dearest?" he asked. "It was my wish -that it should be made a meet and fitting home for you ere I did bring -you thither. It looked so desolate when I reached it after being long -absent. I did desire to take away that air of desolation ere your dear -eyes should behold it. Yet had I thought you wished it so much--" - -"I wish nothing but to do your will, good my lord," she answered, with a -look in her eyes that set his heart beating tumultuously within him. -"And is not this worth waiting for? Can any sight of it be precious as -this one will be, when my husband takes me home?" - -They had distanced their servants, and were riding alone in the lane; -for they skirted the great city instead of passing through it, and kept -to the softer, pleasanter tracks through fields and woodlands; so he -could reach forth and take her hand, and hold it in his as they rode -onwards with free elastic stride. - -"My beloved, my beloved, my beloved!" he replied, and his tongue refused -all other words. - - -The glory of the summer sunset was in the sky as they breasted the last -wooded ridge which hid them from the hollow in which Hartsbourne lay. -The woods, shimmering in their exquisite dress of golden green, seemed -to take fire from the level glory of the ruddy rays lying across them. -The waving grass tossed like a restless sea of light, as the breeze -played over it; and the birds in the thickets, silent during the hours -of heat, now burst into liquid melody to sing to rest the dying day. - -Halting at the top of the ridge, as Grey had halted there so long ago, -as it now seemed to him, he pointed downwards with his whip, and there -was a little quiver in his voice as he said,-- - -"Yonder, in that hollow, lies our home. You can scarce see it for the -screen of the trees; but you will see it anon--there where the shining -stream meanders and the glades of the wood open out. Come, let us leave -the road, and ride through my favourite glade. So shall I show you a -glimpse of your home, where to my eyes it looks the fairest." - -They moved along side by side. The horses' feet made scarce a sound, -sunk deep in grass and moss. The golden glamour of the beech wood -encircled them, lights and shadows played hide-and-seek along the sward, -flowers gemmed the hollows, and the breath of the honeysuckle was sweet -to their senses as they pursued their way. The deer got up in haste at -their approach, and scuttled away into deeper shadow; and squirrels and -rabbits whisked hither and thither, astonished at this sudden invasion -of their silvan solitude. - -But the bride and bridegroom scarce exchanged a word; their hearts were -well-nigh too full. The happiness was almost oppressive. Suddenly Grey -paused, and, drawing her a little to the left, pointed through an -opening in the trees and said,-- - -"There is your home, my dearest!" - -She saw it then, and her heart gave a great throb. They were looking -upon the west front of the gray old house, no longer lying desolate, -forlorn, shut up, its windows broken or shuttered, neglect and decay -everywhere. No, all that was changed now. The windows shone between -their carved mullions; the creepers which curtained the walls had been -cut and trained, so that they could bloom and breathe once more, instead -of hanging in vast masses, almost broken down by their own weight. The -last of the sunlight gilded the tracery of oriel window and ancient -carving; lay like a caress upon the smooth green of the wide terrace in -front, with its clipped yew trees, its stone vases and statues, and its -ancient sundial. Two stately peacocks walked up and down, uttering from -time to time their strange, melancholy trumpet note. A great hound rose -up from a sheltered corner, threw his head into the air, sniffed for a -few moments, and then bounded towards them with a mighty baying sound. - -"Our first welcome, dear heart," spoke Grey. "This is one of the -guardians of Hartsbourne's treasure. Well, he must learn that he has a -new and a greater treasure to guard now." - -The hound knew the master well. He fawned upon him with delight; and, -after having gravely sniffed at Geraldine's proffered hand, took her -once and for all beneath his protection, and shared the love of his -faithful heart betwixt her and her lord. - -The young wife slipped from her saddle as they reached the little wooden -bridge which led over the stream, and the servants coming up in a few -moments took the horses round by the road, whilst husband and wife went -onwards with the hound in attendance, up the sloping greensward, where -flowers gemmed the borders, and roses gave forth their sweetness upon -the evening air; through the gardens, already partially restored, and in -time to be made yet more beautiful; towards the house which was their -home, lying dim and dreamlike in the gathering twilight. - -"Dear heart, we are at home. Welcome to Hartsbourne!" spoke he. And -she could only lift her quivering lips to his, for she had no words in -which to answer him. - -And so they passed into the ancient house together, to receive the -loving greetings of their retainers and servants, who all knew the -master by this time, and were eager and joyfully ready to receive the -bride of his choice. Old Jock was there, in the glory of his new place -as house-steward, the tears of joy standing in his eyes as he kissed the -hand the lady graciously extended, when she thanked him for his -protestations of devotion, and told him how she had heard of his -fidelity to his master. It was all so happy, so full of simple joy and -good will. She read affection to her lord in every face; she saw by the -flower-decked rooms and the loving care everywhere visible throughout -the quaint old house how much all had desired that this home-coming -should bring joy to their hearts and bespeak the welcome of loving -service. That was more to her than the beauty of the things her eyes -rested upon--the soft hangings, the quaint carvings, the pictures, the -plenishings, the rare and costly objects which met her gaze at every -turn. - -"They were found in the secret chamber, most of them," Grey told her as, -after having supped, they walked hand in hand through the house, which -was all lighted up for their inspection. "When and how and whence they -came there, I know not. Jock declares that many are heirlooms, which -must have been hidden away in some time of peril--possibly at the rising -of Monmouth, or at the Revolution; some perhaps even in the civil war; -others, methinks, my poor father must have won from luckless gamblers, -and have sold to his kinsman, or paid over to him as interest upon -debts. I know not, I cannot tell; but here they are, and all men tell -me they are mine. They will serve to make a fitting setting for the -priceless jewel which my house doth now enshrine; and in so doing, they -and we must needs find contentment." - -It would have been hard, in sooth, not to feel contentment in such -environment. Grey had taken care not to destroy, but to restore, when -the old house passed into his keeping once more. The old world charm -hung yet upon it; nothing garish or bizarre was to be found there, as in -the houses of fashionable dames such as Lady Romaine, who loved to -jumble together trophies and curiosities from every part of the globe in -confusion worse confounded. There was none of this lavish profusion or -confusion here; but each thing looked in its own place, set off by -polished panelling or dusky arras. And even the scent of rose leaves -was the same as in his mother's day; and Grey whispered to his bride -that he liked to think she could see them now, and share in some sort -their happiness. - -As they reached the end of a long gallery, which brought their -wanderings almost to a close, Grey paused before the door of a certain -room, and instead of turning the handle immediately, he knocked upon the -panels of the door. - -A deep sonorous voice bade him enter; and taking his wife's hand in his, -he led her into a large, low, airy apartment, which had windows looking -both south and west, where, upon a cleverly-contrived couch, running -very easily upon wheels, lay an old man with a lion-like face and a mass -of snow-white hair, whose hands were extended in eager yet restrained -and dignified greeting. - -"Welcome--thrice welcome--happy bridegroom! Methought you would not fail -to come and visit me to-night!" - -"Of course I should not fail, good friend; and here I bring you my wife, -whom you have ofttimes desired to see.--Geraldine, need I tell you that -this is my friend, Mr. Jonathan Wylde, whom last you saw as Father Time -with his scythe and hour-glass? Well, he has cheated both, you see, -albeit he was like to be mown down once. He will remain as our honoured -guest and friend so long as he is spared to us. For he did come to my -aid when I was very near to desperation and despair, and we have stood -shoulder to shoulder ever since." - -"I know all the tale," answered Geraldine, and she knelt down and took -the old man's hands in hers, bending upon him one of her sweetest -glances. "It is a tale that goes to my heart, for it is hard to think -even of sufferings past, where those we love are concerned. I thank you -from my heart for all you did at that time for my husband. And indeed -it was (under Providence) through you that his bark reached at the last -so fair a haven, and that we are here together this night." - -The tears which had sprung to the old man's eyes slowly rolled down his -cheeks. His happiness in seeing again the man he loved with his bride -at his side was almost too much for him. Geraldine saw this, and -pressed his hands gently, rising to her feet at the same time. - -"Nay, nay," he answered brokenly; "I was but an instrument in the hands -of Providence--a link of the chain not made by human hands." - -"Yes, truly, we will think of it like that. It is God who has brought -good out of evil, peace out of strife, calm out of storm for us all. To -Him will we give the thanks and the praise. And now, good friend, we -must bid you farewell, though only till the morrow." - -He took their hands, one in each of his, and looked at them as one of -the old patriarchs might have gazed upon his beloved ones. - -"God bless and prosper you, my children!" he said; and they softly -answered, "Amen." - - - - - PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT - THE PRESS OF THE PUBLISHERS. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FALLEN FORTUNES *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45201 - -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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