*CHAPTER IX.*
*"A MAD WORLD, MY MASTERS."*
"Master, master, wake up! What ails you? Have you forgot the day, andwhat 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 seemedto find it hard to wake; and when his eyes opened at last, there was alack-lustre expression in them that was strange and unnatural. Dick'shonest face clouded over yet more.
"I was certain there was some devilry afoot when they all came here lastnight. I have never seen my master in such a mad mood of merriment," hemuttered half aloud, as he turned away to get a brimming glass of purecold water from the table. "What has come over them, I don't know. ButI like not the change. I liked not the look in Lord Sandford's eyes. Heis a great man, I doubt it not; but I wish my master had chanced uponanother as a friend and comrade in this great Babylon of a city. Thereis more going on here than I well understand."
"What are you grumbling over there to yourself, Dicon?" asked Grey fromhis bed, and his voice sounded more natural and quiet than his servanthad heard it yet; "and where am I? For sure this room is strange tomine eyes, nor have I any recollection of it overnight; and how come youto be here, for that matter, honest Dicon? Methought you were atHampstead, watching over Don Carlos, that he might be ready forSaturday's race."
"Yes, master, and so I am; and this is the hostelry at Hampstead where Ihave taken up my quarters with the horse; and hither it was that youcame yestere'en, with Lord Sandford and his friends, to be ready for thematch to-day. But beshrew me if I did think yesterday you would be fitfor the saddle to-day! Is it strange I should mutter and grumble tomyself when such things happen?"
"Nay now, what things, good Dicon? I pray you tell me," spoke Grey, ashe drained at one draught the ice-cold water, and drew a long breath ofrelief. "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 sayfarewell to Lord Sandford and his world, and seek mine own fortunes insome other field. Yet methinks I have not made the break. I havevisions of wild orgies and furious gaming--such as I held aloof frombefore. Dicon, I fear me I have made a desperate fool of myself, and ofmy fortunes too. Tell me, what money have I with me now?"
"Not much, master. I took what you had--a matter of some twenty guineasperhaps. I have it safe in a bag. But surely that is not all. You hadwon a fortune, you did tell me--"
"Ay, and now I have lost it. I can recollect how the guineas flew, andhow the stakes were doubled, and how I lost again and yet again. I takeit I am a ruined man, good Dicon. These twenty guineas saved from thewreck are all the fortune I possess, and belike it is better so--betterso."
"Better!" echoed the dismayed Dick; "nay, my master. But you will winit back again. The luck cannot always be against you. Think how it wasat 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 thisbeyond my ken. Lord Sandford desired my friendship and company then, andluck 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 therewas magic in it."
Dick's jaw dropped; he longed to know more, but feared to intrude toomuch upon his master's secrets. Grey, however, knew how faithful andattached was his stanch henchman, and as he went through his morningtoilet he told him a little of the events of the past three days, in asfar as he himself could remember them.
"I have offended Lord Sandford doubly," he said, "though he will notopenly admit it. But I know--I feel the change. I trow that he is myenemy. Nay, Dicon, look not so aghast; it will matter little in thefuture, since to-day I take my leave of him, and most like in this greatwhirling 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 histroth-plight to a fair lady--a lady of surpassing beauty, and of avirtue and purity which make her like a bright particular star amid thepainted dames and mincing damsels of this giddy London town. Twice orthrice did I meet her and pay homage to her wondrous beauty andgoodness. It was words she spoke to me that decided me, ere ever anyill-blood had been aroused, to leave off from this life ofpleasure-seeking and distraction, and seek a nobler career than that ofthe butterfly dandy fluttering round the town. But Lord Sandfordthought that there was somewhat more than this betwixt us. Of that I amassured. A flame of jealousy swept over him; and when I told him of myresolution, I trow that his suspicions received confirmation. I did notsee it then, but I see it now. He thought I left him to pursue my endsalone, and, perchance, to seek to win the lady of his choice. But hespoke nothing of this--only insisted that for this week my engagementsshould be kept, and that after to-day's race I might go my own way, an Iwas so resolved. He was not unkindly; yet there was something strangeand stern in his bearing and language, and you have seen how hisimperious temper and will sweep all before them. I myself was strangelydazed and something sorrowful. I scarce do know why my heart was soheavy within me. I let him have his way; and you behold what that wayhas been. I am a ruined man, beggared of all my winnings; and methinksmy 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 saidand done, it was but ill-gotten gain. I would sooner face life withnone of it upon me. I had a few guineas to start with--well, it wasmore than a few; yet had I spent my time in London, I should have hadbut little left by now. I have learned many lessons, and I shall startclear of debt, and without my pockets filled with other men's gold."
Dick was scarce moralist enough to understand or appreciate his master'sscruples--scruples new, indeed, to Grey himself--but the faithful fellowwas ready to accept any verdict and any decision made by the man heloved and served; and as he put the finishing touches to the workmanlikeriding toilet which he had in readiness, he remarked with a shortlaugh,--
"Faith, master, you and I betwixt us, with Don Carlos and my good nagfor 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 LordSandford's company. I liked him not greatly for your friend; I hate himwith a goodly hatred since he shows himself your foe. Shall we turn ourbacks upon him and upon London town, and seek our fortunes with the armyover 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 uponthe servant; "I have made no plans as yet. Let us see what this daybrings forth first."
"I wager it will fill our pockets anew with gold!"
"I will not touch their gold!" spoke Grey with eyes that suddenlyflashed fire. "I have cancelled all my wagers. I will take nothing attheir hands. I will ride Don Carlos and ride my best for mine own honourand that of the good steed I shall bestride; but their money will I nottouch. I have done with all that. Nay, stare not in such amaze, goodDicon. I have not taken leave of my senses; rather, I trow, I have cometo my better mind. Now get me somewhat to eat here, and then we will tothe stables to see my beauty. This match once over, we turn a new pagein our life's story. Who knows what the next will be?"
It was not much that Grey could eat. The three days which had passedsince he and Lord Sandford had come to an understanding, which waswell-nigh a rupture, had left a mark upon him. Moreover there was aweary ache at his heart which he did not fully understand, and which washarder to bear than aught beside. Dimly he knew that it had someconnection with the Lady Geraldine Adair; but he feared to search toodeeply into that matter.
She was as far removed from him as the moon inthe heavens, and he believed her plighted to another, and that one a manwho had stood his friend, even though suspicion, jealousy, and animperious temper had changed friendship into something very like enmity.Grey never for a moment dreamed of regarding himself as an aspirant forthat fair hand; but he knew that the motive which was urging him tochange the manner of his life and become a worthier and a better man wasthe hope that she might watch his career, and hear a whisper of his fameor his success; or that he might win some laurels in the fields ofliterature, art, or politics, which he might perchance in some sort layat her feet.
This, however, lurked in the background of his thoughts. He scarcelyowned to himself that he expected ever to look upon that fair faceagain; hence the sensation of heart sickness which had rendered himwell-nigh desperate for a few days, and had helped him to squanderwithout 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 drainedthe cup to the dregs, and found it bitter to the taste. He had neitherliking nor respect for the companions with whom he had associated.Towards Lord Sandford his feelings were very mixed. The power of the manwas too great to be shaken off entirely, nor could he despise or dislikehim. But the tie of friendship had snapped asunder. A chasm had openedbetween them, and he felt that he was regarded, if not as a foe, yet assomething akin, and it needed not Dick's words of warning to tell himthat the less he saw of this man in the future the better it would befor himself.
Sounds of laughter and revelry greeted his ears as he slipped quietlyout towards the paddock and shed where his horse had been stabled thesepast weeks, tended and exercised by Dick, and ready for whatever demandmight be made upon him. He greeted his master with a neigh ofrecognition, dropped his nose in the extended hand, and stood tranquiland content under Grey's quiet caresses. The glossy coat was satinsmooth, the delicate tracery of veins could be distinctly seen, and eachmuscle stood out hard and taut; there was no superfluous flesh, but afirmness and excellence of condition that brought a smile ofsatisfaction to Grey's face. He turned with a smile to Dick, who stoodby beaming.
"Not much fear of him to-day, eh, Dicon?"
"He would jump the moon, master, if you asked it of him," was the proudand confident answer.
"How do the others look? Have you seen them?"
"Pretty bits of horseflesh every one; and there is a black stallion ofMr. Artheret's that will take some beating. But he's too heavy for someof the jumps. He don't take off fast enough. And he's a nasty tempertoo. There's a gray Arab with pace; but he falls away behind, as theyall do. I don't think Don Carlos will be troubled long by him. None ofthe others will take much beating. Pretty to look at, but not trainedfor what they've got to do. Lord Sandford was here yesterday early,looking at the jumps, and he had several of them made stiffer; butthere'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 towarm myself to the saddle. Soh, boy, soh!" as he lightly vaulted to hisseat, and the horse curveted beneath him. "We will take a look at theseobstructions. The stiffer they are, the better you and I will bepleased--eh, my beauty?"
Dick mounted his nag, and rode beside his master to the course, wherethe horses were to be matched against each other when Lord Sandford andhis friends should have finished their merry meal, and be ready towitness the exhibition. It was a fine stretch of ground which had beenchosen--nearly a mile in length, and with several natural obstacles,which had been increased in some cases artificially, to test better thestrength and skill of horse and rider. A stream of water with ratherawkward banks ran across the course in one place, and in another was adip in the ground filled with gorse bushes--a nasty place to getentangled in, if the horse could not be persuaded to clear the wholething with a flying leap. A broken stone wall with a ditch in front wasanother obstacle; and the last was a barrier entirely artificial, madeof hurdles and bushes high enough to tax the mettle of any horse, thoughnot absolutely insurmountable. Still it was a formidable object enough,and Grey looked at it critically, walking Don Carlos up and down, to letthe creature take his own observations with regard to the leap he was tomake.
"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 ofthe grooms with the other horses looked up to mischief. But I heard themsay afterwards that Lord Sandford had not been satisfied with the fieldas it was. He said they must have something that really would be atest, or the black stallion and Don Carlos were like to come intogether."
But now a horn blew gaily, and horsemen were seen approaching from manyquarters. In the neighbourhood of the inn all was bustle andexcitement, whilst from all sides there appeared streams of peopleconverging to this spot. Some fine carriages had been driven out fromLondon, with bedecked ladies eager to witness the contest. Others hadstayed the night in the neighbourhood to be ready; and all the nativesof 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 thatthe other horses were assembling, their riders decked in every colour ofthe rainbow, quite eclipsing the quiet and workmanlike suit of buffwhich he wore. But Grey's taste had always disinclined him to gaudycolours. The soft leather, finely chased and stamped in gold, pleasedhis eye more than rich-hued cloths or velvets. His breeches were ofwhite buckskin cut by Lord Sandford's own tailor, and he wore long bootsfitted with silver spurs, albeit he scarcely ever had need of the latterwhen he bestrode Don Carlos. His scarf was of white silk fringed withgold, and his only adornment was a cravat of fine lace, fastened with adiamond clasp. His cocked hat matched his buff coat, and was adornedwith a white plume. Altogether, as he rode forward to his place, itwould have been hard to find a fault with his dress or person; and theladies behind their fans audibly praised his elegant figure, gracefulseat, and distinguished and handsome face.
Grey, all unconscious of the favour bestowed upon him, rode up andsaluted courteously the gentlemen who were to meet him and each other inrivalry. Lord Sandford, splendidly mounted, was to act as judge at thewinning post. Another of his friends was to be starter; and gentlemenwere posted at various points along the course to see that all the ruleslaid down were observed, and that no rider deviated from thewell-pegged-out route prescribed for all. The spectators scatteredhither and thither, taking up stations wherever their fancy prompted.The course seemed marked out by a glittering border extending down bothsides. The sun shone brilliantly in the sky, and all nature seemed ingladsome mood.
Grey cast a keen look at the seven rival steeds as they were broughtinto line for the start. He picked out in a moment the two of whomDicon had spoken, and saw that he had judged well. Then he gave hiswhole mind to the task in hand, checked with hand and voice the prancingof the excited Don Carlos, and brought him up to his appointed placedocile and motionless.
The word was given, but the black stallion had bounded off a few secondstoo soon, and had to be recalled. A second start was spoiled by twoother competitors, who suddenly reared at each other, and strove tofight. One iron hoof, indeed, inflicted such a wound upon the shoulderof his neighbour that that horse had to be taken away limping andbleeding.
It was trying to all, horses and riders alike; but at the third startall got off, though Grey saw that again the black stallion had made hisbound 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 wasevidently 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 firsteasy jump side by side, the stallion having cleared it with a tremendousbound a couple of seconds earlier.
The water jump was next, and it was obvious that one spot offeredgreater advantages to the horse than any other. The stallion made forthis spot with a rush, took off and bounded clear
over, just as DonCarlos and the Arab came rushing up neck and neck, each rider desirousof the advantage of the sound bank. Grey set his teeth and glanced athis 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 hesaw. With a muttered oath between his teeth, he pulled his left rein,and used his knees. Don Carlos felt, and instantly understood: swervingslightly, he gathered himself together, and rose magnificently where thewater was wider and the bank less safe; but he landed safely, and with ahardly perceptible scramble found his feet again, and amid the plauditsof the people raced on after the Arab, who, having got a momentaryadvantage, was now slightly in advance.
The black stallion had just reached the downward dip leading to the deepditch filled with gorse bushes. His rider had had perforce to pull himup somewhat, lest he should slip and fall, for the ground was sandy andtreacherous. But Don Carlos had been born and bred to this sort of wildwork, and dashing onwards and downwards with the agility of a deer, cameneck and neck with his rival, and having passed the Arab, cleared with abound the treacherous gully, landing true and safe upon the oppositeside. The Arab followed in his tracks, his rider taking advantage ofthe lead given; but the black stallion slipped and snorted, could not bemade 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 thehorsemanship of his rider, and tore like a wild thing after the leadingpair.
These had cleared one after the other the wall and ditch; but the Arabwas showing signs of distress, whilst Don Carlos looked fresh and eageras at the start. There now remained only a quarter of a mile of smoothsward, 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 horsehoofs, and knew that the black stallion was not beaten yet. It was hewho snorted with such excitement and fury, and seemed to awaken thunderswith his iron-shod hoofs.
One glance over his shoulder, and Grey passed his whip very lightlyacross the neck of Don Carlos. The gallant animal sprang forward like anarrow from a bow, showing how well within himself he had been travellingso far. The sound of other beating hoofs was fainter now. Grey lookedkeenly at the great obstacle looming up in his path, and measured theheight at various places, deciding where the leap could best be taken.
He felt the tension of the muscles beneath him. Don Carlos was gatheringhimself together for the leap. He would not fail, falter, or refuse.The great mass seemed rushing up against him. He felt the slackeningwith which Don Carlos faced his task, the motion of his flanks as hetook 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 andhis horse seemed falling into the very bowels of the earth. A blackshadow almost overhead showed him that the stallion had cleared thebarrier, 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 werehissed 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 itwill open with a spring. You have been grossly tricked and cozened. Ithas been a trap cleverly laid and baited. But let me only get atthem--my Lord Sandford--"
Dick almost choked in his fury; but Grey was now on his feet, and hisone thought was for the good horse, who had dropped downwards into thisunseen, unsuspected pit, and was gasping in affright, but might possiblyhave escaped serious injury. He himself felt little ill effects, havinghad a marvellous escape. But his soul was stirred within him, and ingetting out the horse he saw plainly that Dick had been right, and thatsome sort of old trap-door concealed an opening into the ground whichmight have been at one time a well, but was now silted up with sand. Byluring the foremost rider to this particular spot to take the leap, anyastute enemy aware of the nature of the ground could almost certainlyensure his overthrow and defeat; and Grey had his suspicions that LordSandford had hoped that he might then and there break his neck--a thingwhich might very well have happened.
There was a crowd round the spot now, and great horror was expressed bymany at sight of the unsuspected well, no voice being louder than LordSandford's in proclaiming astonishment and indignation. But Grey took nonotice of the clamour, only busying himself about his horse; andpresently, with some difficulty, the sagacious and docile creature wasgot out, and it appeared that no limb was broken, though one hock wasdeeply cut, and one shoulder badly strained.
Grey stood in silent thought awhile, his hand upon the neck of hisfavourite, who stood with drooping head and dejected mien, as thoughwondering whether he would ever be whole and sound again. Dick wasbinding up the wound, his face like a thunder-cloud. A knot of personsof all ranks stood watching at a little distance; but Grey hadcourteously waved away all proffers of help, and indicated that hedesired no attentions.
"Dicon," he said in a low tone, "we must now part for a while. DonCarlos will need you more than I. He is now my sole fortune, and mustbe respected as such. Take him and your own nag, and walk them both byeasy stages to Hartsbourne. There are paddocks enough and to spare, andI surely have the right to pasture my horse in one; but if the thingshould come to my kinsman's ears, give him what is due in money, and Iwill repay you. Old Jock Jarvis will be your friend. He will rejoicein your company and give you house-room with him, and it is not so farbut that I can get news of you from time to time. Your good horse willbring you to London in three hours or less any day you have a mind tocome; and you can watch for me what goes on yonder, and bring me wordagain."
It was a grief to Dick to part from his master; but he saw the need, andhe loved the horse only second to Grey himself.
"I will do your behest, master. Nay, I want no money; I have plenty forall my needs. I too have made some modest wealth here in this greatcity. Only tell me where I may find you, and I will be gone, and do whatcan 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 willleave word there for you. So now, farewell. I turn a new page in mylife from this day forth."