CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
AN UNPLEASANT INTERVIEW.
Mr Farrell kept to his determination to see none of his visitors untilhe was able to come downstairs, but he sent a message by James, to theeffect that he would be annoyed if his indisposition were allowed tointerfere in any way with social engagements. Therefore, dinner-partiesbeing the order of the day, the four young people feasted abroad everyevening, and spent the afternoons at various tennis and croquet partiesinstituted in their honour.
The rush of gaiety was in full swing, and the list of invitations whichought to be accepted stretched so far ahead that it seemed as if therewould be little time left in which to entertain in return. In earlierdays the girls had delighted to discuss gorgeous and bizarre ideas,smacking more of the Arabian Nights than of an English country house, bythe execution of which they hoped to electrify the county and provetheir own skill as hostesses; but of late these schemes had beenunmentioned. Ruth was too much crushed by her disappointment to havespirit for frivolities, and the shadow of the universal depression athome, as well as at the Court, cast its shadow over Mollie also.
In a half-hearted way both girls were glad of the engagements whichprevented _tete-a-tetes_, which had grown difficult and embarrassing,yet with the unreasonableness of her sex Ruth felt doubly hurt torealise that Victor shared in her relief. She had expected to havedifficulty in avoiding him, and to hear reproaches for her coldness, butneither expectation was fulfilled.
"I suppose he thinks that he has made things safe with me by that lastconversation, and can afford to take a little holiday and enjoy himself.He does not want to compromise himself too far!" Ruth told herself,with a touch of bitterness which had developed during the last few days.
She knew that Victor's long absences in the morning were spent in tryingto waylay Lady Margot in her walks and drives, and had the bestauthority for knowing him to have been successful more than once, forMargot had been present at one of the dinner-parties and had seized anopportunity to have a quiet word.
"I have met Mr Druce twice this week. I could have avoided him bystaying in the grounds, but I do not wish to rouse his suspicions. Hewon't risk anything definite until matters are decided between you andMr Farrell, and then he shall learn his lesson. From which of us helearns it, it does not matter. In the meantime, I shall make no change,and he can come and go as he sees fit."
"You must be very--very sure of yourself!" said Ruth wistfully; at whichMargot reared her little head with a haughty gesture.
"Absolutely sure! If he had dared to ask me six months ago, I mighthave given up everything to be the wife of the imaginary Victor, but nowI will not alter the slightest plan out of consideration for the realMr Druce. I can trust myself; but,"--she turned a grave, direct gazeon the other's face--"can _you_ trust me, Ruth? I don't concern myselfabout appearances, so it is possible you may hear rumours which may notseem in keeping with our agreement. Can you trust me enough to believethat, however strange things may seem, I am really considering yourinterests even more than my own?"
"I think I can--oh yes, I am sure I can!" replied Ruth hesitatingly.
But even as she spoke a doubt crept up in her mind. If Victor did,indeed, become the owner of the Court, and remained persistent in hiswooing, could Margot withstand him? She had loved him once. Would notthe old feeling revive, and prove too strong for argument? It wasRuth's nature to distract herself with doubts and fears, and the littleconversation did not help to raise her spirits.
On the fifth morning after Mr Farrell's seizure he came downstairs tohis study, and was reported by the doctor to be in fairly good health.He did not appear at luncheon, however, and there was something darklymysterious about James's manner when he came into the dining-room whenthe meal was nearly over to announce that his master wished to see theyoung ladies, with Mr Druce and Mr Melland, in the library at fiveo'clock.
"And me--surely he wishes to see me also!" Mrs Wolff cried, in aninjured tone.
But James only bowed, and repeated inflexibly--
"Only the young ladies and gentlemen, ma'am. I understand that hewishes to see them on business."
Business! That word was enough to keep five minds working busily duringthe hours between luncheon and the time appointed for the interview.Had Uncle Bernard come to some definite conclusion during those quietdays upstairs? Was the period of probation over, or did the summonssimply imply some new and eccentric phase of the old routine?
Conjecture ran riot; but at the first sight of the old man's face allpleasant expectations died a sudden death, for it was fixed in a stern,unbending anger, such as his guests had never seen before. Hardlyreplying to their congratulations and inquiries, he motioned themimpatiently to the seats ranged in readiness facing his chair, exactlyas they had been on that first important interview five weeks before.Only five weeks, thirty-five short days, yet each of the squire's guestsfelt as if a lifetime of experience yawned between that day and this!
"I have sent for you, as it is necessary to speak on an unpleasanttopic, which, however, cannot be avoided," Mr Farrell began. "It ispainful for me to open it, especially as I am urged to avoid excitement;but I have no alternative. You may remember that shortly before I wastaken ill, I referred to the draft of my will which was lying in thisdesk." He stretched out his hand, and laid it on the polished surface."It was kept here with other important papers, arranged in a specialmanner, which I have adopted for years, partly for the sake of neatness,partly to ensure them against interference, for it is impossible thatthey should be touched without my knowledge. This morning, on comingdownstairs, my first task was to add some memoranda to one of thesepapers. I opened the desk, and discovered at once that my will had beenopened and read--"
He stared grimly across the room, and four flushed, bewildered facesstared back at him. The silence lasted for several moments; then Jackspoke in his haughtiest and most intolerant tone--
"You do not, of course, wish to imply, sir, that you suspect us ofhaving any hand in the matter? I presume you want our help inunravelling the mystery? My own detective powers are not of a highorder; but if you will explain your system--"
Mr Farrell interrupted him with a raised hand.
"Thank you, I prefer to make my own inquiries. As I said before, it isa disagreeable duty; but when a duty is forced upon one, the best courseis to perform it in the most strict and business--like manner possible.You are the people most concerned in my will, the people who wouldnaturally feel most interest and curiosity in seeing it; therefore,apart from sentimental considerations, on you the first suspicion mustfall, and it is right that I should question you before outsiders."
Jack's eyes flashed. He rose from his chair and limped across thefloor, as if unable to keep still.
"I am afraid it will be of little use. If a fellow is sweep enough topry into another man's secrets, he is equal to lying about it into thebargain, and in that case you have no chance in finding out the truth.You have been upstairs for five days. It is impossible to account forall that may have happened during that time."
"I have been upstairs five days, as you say, but it happens that I canreduce the time to a much narrower limit. On the evening after I wastaken ill, it occurred to me that I had not locked my desk the nightbefore, as I expected to return to the library as usual after dinner. Isent James downstairs to make sure. He found it open, locked it, andbrought me back the key. The lock is a patent one, and has not beentampered with, therefore whoever examined the will must have done so onWednesday morning or afternoon."
Victor looked up quickly.
"You allowed your man to lock it, you trusted him with the key?"
"Certainly. He has been twenty years in my service, and knows exactlywhat provision I have made for his future. He will not need to workafter my death, and has no personal interest in my will. Moreover, Itrust him as I would myself."
Mr Farrell spoke sharply, evidently annoyed that any doubt should becast upon his favour
ite. As he finished his eyes met Mollie's fixedupon him with an angry challenge, to which he was not slow to respond--
"Well, what have you to say, young lady? Can you throw any light onthis mystery?"
"I have not opened your desk and pried among your papers, if you reallymean to ask me such a question. I have lots of faults, but I've neverbeen suspected of anything so mean as that, and I don't care to stay ina house where anyone can believe it possible! I don't want to see thehorrid old will! We should all have been content and happy if it hadnot been for the thought of it; and I never want to hear it mentionedagain. I don't know how you dare insult us so, Uncle Bernard!"
"That will do, Mollie; you have given me your answer. There is no needto get excited. You had better go back to the drawing-room while Ispeak to your companions."
The squire leant back in his chair, waiting for her to go; and, willingor unwilling, there was no defying that grim silence. Mollie marchedacross the floor with defiant tread, opened the door, and closed itbehind her with a bang, so expressive of temper that Jack could notresist a smile. It vanished quickly enough, however, as he listened toMr Farrell's next words--
"I must ask you to tell me in so many words whether you know anything ofthis matter. If a sudden access of curiosity should have proved toostrong for resistance, a candid confession would be the best means ofobtaining forgiveness. I could overlook anything better than deceit."He looked at the three young faces before him with a scrutiny that hadsomething pathetic in its earnestness; but, as it met with no response,his expression hardened. "Perhaps you would be good enough to tell me,in the first place, whether any of you were in the library onWednesday?"
He looked at Victor as he spoke, and the dark eyes met his without amoment's hesitation.
"I went out for a long walk immediately after breakfast, and returnedwhen luncheon was on the table. Afterwards Melland and I smoked on theterrace until it was time to drive over to a tennis-tea. I forget whichhouse it was held at, but I remember we heard that the carriage was atthe door, and had to rush for it. That was so, wasn't it, Melland? Ithink I should have little difficulty in proving an alibi for the wholeday."
Mr Farrell hesitated for a minute, then turned towards Jack.
"And you, Melland?"
"Oh, I was about the house! I don't remember going into the library,but I might have done so half a dozen times, and forgotten all about it.You gave me permission to borrow books as I chose, and I have beenconstantly in and out. I could not undertake to say positively what Idid on any particular day."
"Ruth?"
Ruth lifted a miserable face, and shot a glance across the room. Therewas none of Mollie's righteous indignation in that glance, only anervous shrinking which amounted almost to fear.
"I--I was in the library, Uncle Bernard! I photographed it severaltimes that morning. It seemed a good opportunity, as you were upstairs,and I wanted the room for my collection."
"You were photographing. That means that you would be some little timealone in the room?"
"Yes--no; I came and went. Not so very long," stammered Ruthhesitatingly. It was terrible to be cross-examined like this, with theeyes of the three men fixed upon her, grave and questioning. She lookedwistfully at the door, and half rose from her seat. "I know nothing--Idid nothing! I can tell you nothing more! May I go now? There is nouse staying any longer."
"One moment, please! You all deny having touched the will, and I shall,of course, accept your word; but you must help to find the real culpritby giving me every clue in your power. Was any reference made to thewill in your presence? Has anyone, for instance, expressed curiosityrespecting it and its contents?"
Victor's eyes turned to Ruth with a glance which brought the colourrushing into her cheek. He did not speak, but his expression was tooeloquent to be misread. The old man looked keenly from one to theother, and his voice took an added sharpness as he spoke--
"Well, Druce, out with it--out with it! What is it that you have tosay?"
"Nothing, sir--nothing worth repeating. Your question reminded me of achance remark; but I would rather say no more about it."
"You have said too much already. Pray go on, since you have begun!"cried Ruth, with a sudden blaze of anger. Her small head was thrownback with a defiant gesture, and the Farrell eyebrows met in a straightblack line across her brow. "_I_ spoke of your will, Uncle Bernard--Isaid I wished that I could see it. I _did_ want to see it! It wasimpossible to know that it was lying there, and not feel curious."
"Of course it was. We were all curious, but some of us had not thehonesty to confess it," Jack cried quickly. "Surely it is not necessaryto keep Miss Ruth any longer, sir? She has told you that she can giveyou no more information. It is cruel to the girl--" He broke off as ifafraid of speaking too strongly; and Mr Farrell lay back in his chairwith a sudden weary slackening of muscle.
"Yes, yes, she may go; you may all go! We can prove nothing at present;but time will show--time will show!" And he raised his hand with agesture of dismissal.
Ruth and Victor rose and hurriedly left the room only Jack stood hisground, nervously tugging at his moustache. He had something to say,and was determined to say it, but the sight of the old man's figure inits physical and mental depression turned his anger into commiseration.It was in almost an apologetic voice that he broke the silence.
"I stayed because I wanted to have five minutes' quiet talk with you,sir. My ankle is now practically well, and I am anxious to return totown. Please don't think I am unappreciative of your kindness inwishing me to stay, but as I said before I have no wish to be consideredas a candidate for your fortune. It is owing to my accident that I haveremained so long, and not to any change of mind. I hear from my partnerthat the business is suffering from my absence, and we have had such astruggle to work it up to its present condition, that you can understandI am in a fever to get back."
Contrary to his expectation Mr Farrell showed no sign either ofsurprise or anger. Perhaps he had been expecting the announcement as aresult of convalescence, perhaps he was simply too weary to feel anystrong interest in passing events. In any case, his face scarcelychanged in expression, as he replied--
"After five weeks' visit to the Court you still keep to your originalopinion, that the chance of possessing it is not worth a littleinconvenience, or even monetary loss?"
Jack pursed his lips with an impatient dissent.
"Oh, the Court is beautiful--an ideal place in every respect. I wouldgo through a good deal to earn it--in a straightforward fashion. What Iobject to is the mystery, and the idleness, and the feeling ofcompetition. You have every right to manage your own affairs in yourown way, sir, but you must allow me the same privilege. You must havefound out by this time that I have a large amount of obstinacy in mycomposition. I have made up my mind that for every reason it is my dutyto return to town."
"You have calculated, of course, that even if your business succeeds toan extraordinary extent, you are never likely to make anything like asmuch money as will come to my heir?"
"I have always heard that you are enormously wealthy. You are probablyquite right; but,"--Jack paused in front of the lounge-chair and lookeddown at the shrunken figure from the height of six-foot-one,--"lookingback on your own life, sir, has your greatest happiness come from theamount of your possessions? Has it increased as they increased? Canyou honestly advise me as a young man to sacrifice everything formoney?"
There was silence for several minutes, while Mr Farrell winced andshrank within himself, as if the words had touched a hidden sore. Henever referred to his own domestic life; but it was well-known that foryears it had been one of ideal happiness, and that with the loss of wifeand son, his real life had closed for ever. He avoided a direct replyto Jack's question by asking another in return.
"There are other things which many men consider more important. I havesometimes imagined that you would agree with them. Have you reflectedthat in returning to town
you may be leaving behind even more than landor fortune, and thereby losing a dearer chance of happiness!"
The blood rushed into Jack's face. He could not affect to misunderstandthe drift of the old man's words, but to acknowledge their truth wasimpossible, and the orthodox protests seemed to come of their ownaccord.
"What do you mean? What am I leaving? I hardly understand..."
Mr Farrell laughed shortly.
"Young people seem to imagine that their elders cannot see what ishappening under their eyes. I have watched you and Mollie, and thoughtthat there might possibly be an interesting _denouement_ to yourfriendship. She has faults, but she has a kind heart and would make agood wife."
Jack's face stiffened.
"Hadn't we better keep her name out of the discussion, sir? I have thegreatest respect and admiration for both your nieces, but, as far asanything further is concerned, I am not in a position to think ofmarriage. It may be years before I can keep a house, and I would nevertie down a girl indefinitely."
"In this instance it might happen that the girl had a house of her own!Did it never strike you that you would be doubling your chances if youlinked them together?"
"I am not a fool, sir! Of course I realised as much from the first, andhave wondered if it was part of your scheme. My idea of marriage,however, is to be able to keep my wife, not to accept support. It maybe a weakness in my nature, which makes me wish to be head of my ownhousehold; but weakness or not, there it is, and I can't get rid of it.It would be detestable to me to marry an heiress, and if I were a girl Ishould despise a man who was content to live on his wife's money."
"Just so--just so! Very praiseworthy sentiments, no doubt; but I shouldhave been glad to know that the child had a protector. The stepfatheris a broken reed, and the mother is a child herself; however, you placeyour pride and your prejudice first, and that's the end of the business.You will go back to town, she to the North--a very effectualseparation!"
He shrugged his shoulders expressively; but Jack's eyes gave out asudden flash, he straightened himself, and cried eagerly--
"There are trains, there are boats--if it comes to that, it is only twohundred miles. If she were in trouble, one could _walk_! It would makeno difference if the woman one wanted were at the end of the world--onewould get to her _somehow_ when the hour arrived! Difficulty is aninspiration, sir, when one is young!"
"Yes, yes; when one is young--when one is young!" The smile which hadlightened the old man's face died away at the sound of those last words.He raised his hand and pushed the thin locks from his brow. "Well, itis your own life--you must live it in your own way! I cannot benefityou against your will. If your mind is made up I have no strength toargue the point. You had better arrange to leave to-morrow afternoon,and give instructions to that effect to the servants."
Jack's start of surprise was entirely disagreeable. He had not expectedto be dismissed in this summary fashion, and the thought of so speedy abreak with the new life came upon him with a positive shock. To-morrow!To-morrow, then, at this very hour he would be back in the dingylodgings which did duty for home, preparing to sit down to a solitarymeal, to spend a solitary evening, to sleep and wake up to a day's workin the stifling City, where the thought of green fields and rose-gardens, and wide, stretching lawns would seem as unreal as a dream. Aweight of depression settled on him, as he exclaimed--
"To-morrow! But--unless you wish it, there is no hurry--I could waituntil the end of the week. If I left on Saturday, I could still beginwork on Monday."
"For what object? Since you have decided not to remain, it is betterfor all reasons that you should return at once. You have put your workbefore everything else--then why delay in getting back to it? For myown part, since you refuse to consent to my conditions, it wouldsimplify matters if you returned at once. The position is difficult,and my strength is rapidly failing. I should have been glad if you hadconsented to grant me these few weeks out of your life, but, since it isnot to be, I prefer to finish the matter once for all." He held out hishand as he spoke. "Good-bye, Melland--my best wishes! I shall not seeyou in the morning!"
Jack took the proffered hand, and held it in silence, his face a studyof perplexity and remorse. An Englishman hates to express his emotions,but to a generous nature the sting of ungratefulness is even moreabhorrent. At that moment it seemed a little thing to spare a fewmonths of strong, young life to gratify the whim of a dying man. Jack'sheart reproached him, and he spoke in eager accents.
"If I could be a help to you, sir--if I felt that my presence gave youpleasure or comfort, I would stay willingly as long as you wished; butyou have kept so much apart, that there has been no opportunity--"
Mr Farrell disengaged his hand, and turned aside with a wearied air.
"Good-bye, Melland!" he repeated. "I wish you a pleasant journey!"
So far as any change of voice or manner was concerned, he might not haveheard the young man's protest. Jack turned away, miserable and abashed.It was the last time he ever saw Bernard Farrell alive.