CHAPTER XXIX. THE DAWN OF CONVALESCENCE
Stepping noiselessly over the carpet, with an air at once animated andregardful of the sick man, Lord Netherby was at Forester's side beforehe could arise to receive him; and pressing him gently down with bothhands, said, in a voice of most silvery cadence,--
"My dear Lord--you must not stir for the world--Halford has onlypermitted me to see you under the strict pledge of prudence; and now,how are you? Ah! I see--weak and low. Come, you must let me speak foryou, or at least interpret your answers to my own liking. We have somuch to talk over, it is difficult where to begin."
"How is Lady Netherby?" said Forester, with a slight hesitation betweenthe words.
"Still very feeble and very nervous. The shock has been a dreadful oneto her. You know that poor Augustus was coming home on leave--when--whenthis happened."
Here his Lordship sighed, but not too deeply, for he remembered that thelaw of primogeniture is the sworn enemy to grief.
"There was some talk, too, of his being sent on a special embassy toParis,--a very high and important trust,--and so really the afflictionis aggravated by thinking what a career was opening to him. But, as theDean of Walworth beautifully expressed it, 'We are cut down like flowersof the field.' Ah!"
A sigh and a slight wave with a handkerchief, diffusing an odor ofeau-de-Portugal through the chamber, closed this affecting sentiment.
"I trust in a day or two I shall be able to see my mother," saidForester, whose thoughts were following a far more natural channel."I can walk a little to-day, and before the end of the week Halfordpromises me that I shall drive out."
"That 's the very point we are most anxious about," said Lord Netherby,eagerly: "we want you, if possible, to take your seat in 'the Lords'next week. There is a special reason for it. Rumor runs that theEgyptian expedition will be brought on for discussion on Thursday next.Some malcontents are about to disparage the whole business, and, inparticular, the affair at Alexandria. Ministers are strong enough toresist this attack, and even carry the war back into the enemy's camp;but we all think it would be a most fortunate moment for you, whenmaking your first appearance in the House, to rise and say a few wordson the subject of the campaign. The circumstances under which youjoined--your very dangerous wound--have given you a kind of prerogativeto speak, and the occasion is most opportune. Come, what say you? Wouldsuch an effort be too great?"
"Certainly not for my strength, my Lord, if not for my shame' sake; forreally I should feel it somewhat presumptuous in me, a man who carriedhis musket in the ranks, to venture on a discussion, far more a defence,of the great operations in which he was a mere unit; one of those rankand file who figured, without other designation, in lists of killed andwounded."
"This is very creditable to your modesty, my dear Lord," said the oldpeer, smiling most blandly; "but pardon me if I say it displays a greatforgetfulness of your present position. Remember that you now belong tothe Upper House, and that the light of the peerage shines on the past ason the future."
"By which I am to understand," replied Forester, laughing, "that theevents which would have met a merited oblivion in Dick Forester's lifeare to be remembered with honor to the Earl of Wallincourt."
"Of course they are," cried Lord Netherby, joining in the laugh. "Ifan unlikely scion of royalty ascends the throne, we look out for theevidences of his princely tastes in the sports of his boyhood. Nay, if aclever writer or painter wins distinction from the world, do we not 'tryback' for his triumphs at school, or his chalk sketches on coach-housegates, to warrant the early development of genius?"
"Well, my Lord," said Forester, gayly, "I accept the augury; and asnothing more nearly concerns a man's life than the fate of those whohave shown him friendship, let me inquire after some friends of mine,and some relations of yours,-the Darcys."
"Ah, those poor Darcys!" said Lord Netherby, wiping his eyes, andheaving a very profound sigh, as though to say that the theme was onefar too painful to dwell upon, "theirs is a sad story, a very sad storyindeed!"
"Anything more gloomy than the loss of fortune, my Lord?" askedForester, with a trembling lip, and a cheek pale as death. Lord Netherbystared to see whether the patient's mind was not beginning to wander.That there could be anything worse than loss of fortune he had yetto learn; assuredly he had never heard of it. Forester repeated hisquestion.
"No, no, perhaps not, if you understand by that phrase what I do," saidLord Netherby, almost pettishly. "If, like me, you take in all the longtrain of ruin and decay such loss implies,--pecuniary distress, moneyeddifficulties, fallen condition in society, inferior association--"
"Nay, my Lord, in the present instance, I can venture to answer forit, such consequences have not ensued. You do your relatives scarcelyjustice to suppose it."
"It is very good and very graceful, both, in you," said Lord Netherby,with an almost angelic smile, "to say so. Unfortunately, these arenot merely speculative opinions on my part. While I make this remark,understand me as by no means imputing any blame to them. What could theydo?--that is the question,--what could they do?"
"I would rather ask of your Lordship, what have they done? When I knowthat, I shall be, perhaps, better enabled to reply to your question."
In all likelihood it was more the manner than the substance of thisquestion which made Lord Netherby hesitate how to reply to it, and atlast he said,--
"To say in so many words what they have done, is not so easy. It would,perhaps, give better insight into the circumstances were I to say whatthey have not done."
"Even as you please, my Lord. The negative charge, then," said Forester,impatiently.
"Lord Castlereagh, my Lord!" said a servant, throwing open the door; forhe had already received orders to admit him when he called, though, hadForester guessed how inopportune the visit could have proved, he wouldnever have said so.
In the very different expressions of Lord Netherby and the sick man'sface, it might be seen how differently they welcomed the new arrival.
Lord Castlereagh saluted both with a courteous and cordial greeting,and although he could not avoid seeing that he had dropped in somewhat_mal-a-propos_, he resolved rather to shorten the limit of his staythan render it awkward by any expressions of apology. The conversation,therefore, took that easy, careless tone in which each could join withfreedom. It was after a brief pause, when none exactly liked to be thefirst to speak, that Lord Netherby observed,--
"The very moment you were announced, my Lord, I was endeavoring topersuade my young friend here to a line of conduct in which, if I haveyour Lordship's co-operation, I feel I shall be successful."
"Pray let me hear it," said Lord Castlereagh, gayly, and halfinterrupting what he feared was but the opening of an over-lengthyexposition.
Lord Netherby was not to be defeated so easily, nor defrauded of a themewhereupon to expend many loyal sentiments; and so he opened a wholebattery of arguments on the subject of the young peer's first appearancein the House, and the splendid opportunity, as he called it, of a maidenspeech.
"I see but one objection," said Lord Castlereagh, with a well-affectedgravity.
"I see one hundred," broke in Forester, impatiently.
"Perhaps _my_ one will do," rejoined Lord Castlereagh.
"Which is--if I may take the liberty--" lisped out Lord Netherby.
"That there will be no debate on the subject. The motion is withdrawn."
"Motion withdrawn!--since when?"
"I see you have not heard the news this morning," said Lord Castlereagh,who really enjoyed the discomfiture of one very vain of possessing theearliest intelligence.
"I have heard nothing," exclaimed he, with a sigh of despondency.
"Well, then, I may inform you, that the 'Pike' has brought us verystirring intelligence. The war in Egypt is now over. The French havesurrendered under the terms of a convention, and a treaty has beenratified that permits their return to France. Hostages for the guaranteeof the treaty have been already interchanged, and"-
-here he turnedtowards Forester, and added--"it will doubtless interest you to hearthat your old friend the Knight of Gwynne is one of them,--an evidencethat he is not only alive, but in good health also."
"This is, indeed, good news you bring me," said Forester, with aflashing eye and a heightened complexion. "Has any one written? DoColonel Darcy's friends know of this?"
"I have myself done so," said Lord Castlereagh. "Not that I mayattribute the thoughtful attention to myself, for I received his RoyalHighness's commands on the subject I need scarcely say that such acommunication must be gratifying to any one."
"Where are they at present?" said Forester, eagerly.
"That was a question of some difficulty to me, and I accordingly calledon my Lord Netherby to ascertain the point. I found he had left home,and now have the good fortune to catch him here." So saying, LordCastlereagh took from the folds of a pocket-book a sealed butun-addressed letter, and dipping a pen in the ink before him, preparedto write.
There were, indeed, very few occurrences in life which made LordNetherby feel ashamed. He had never been obliged to blush for anysolecism in manner or any offence against high breeding, nor had theeven tenor of his days subjected him to any occasion of actual shame, sothat the confusion he now felt had the added poignancy of being a new aswell as a painful sensation.
"It may seem very strange to you, my Lord," said he, in a broken andhesitating voice; "not but that, on a little reflection, the case willbe easily accounted for; but--so it is--I--really must own--I mustfrankly acknowledge--that I am not at this moment aware of my dearcousin's address."
If his Lordship had not been too much occupied in watching LordCastlereagh's countenance, he could not have failed to see, and bestruck by, the indignant expression of Forester's features.
"How are we to reach them, then, that's the point?" said LordCastlereagh, over whose handsome face not the slightest trace of passionwas visible. "If I mistake not, Gwynne Abbey they have left many a daysince."
"I think I can lay my hand on a letter. I am almost certain I had onefrom a law-agent, called--called--"
"Bicknell, perhaps," interrupted Forester, blushing between shame andimpatience.
"Quite right,--you are quite right," replied Lord Netherby, with asignificant glance at Lord Castlereagh, cunningly intended to draw offattention from himself. "Well, Mr. Bicknell wrote to me a very tiresomeand complicated epistle about law affairs,--motions, rules, and soforth,--and mentioned at the end that Lady Eleanor and Helen were livingin some remote village on the northern coast."
"A cottage called 'The Corvy,'" broke in Forester, "kindly lent to themby an old friend, Mr. Bagenal Daly."
"Will that address suffice," said Lord Castlereagh, "with the name ofthe nearest post-town?"
"If you will make me the postman, I 'll vouch for the safe delivery,"said Forester, with an animation that made him flushed and pale withinthe same instant.
"My dear young friend, my dear Lord Wallincourt!" exclaimed LordNetherby, laying his hand upon his arm. He said no more; indeedhe firmly believed the enunciation of his new title must be quitesufficient to recall him to a sense of due consideration for himself.
"You are scarcely strong enough, Dick," said Lord Castlereagh, coolly."It is a somewhat long journey for an invalid; and Halford, I 'm sure,wouldn't agree to it."
"I 'm quite strong enough," said Forester, rising and pacing theroom with an attempted vigor that made his debility seem still moreremarkable: "if not to-day, I shall be to-morrow. The travelling,besides, will serve me,--change of air and scene. More than all, I amdetermined on doing it."
"Not if I refuse you the despatches, I suppose?" said Lord Castlereagh,laughing.
"You can scarcely do that," said Forester, fixing his eyes steadfastlyon him. "Your memory is a bad one, or you must recollect sending medown once upon a time to that family on an errand of a different nature.Don't you think you owe an amende to them and to me?"
"Eh! what was that? I should like to know what you allude to," said LordNetherby, whose curiosity became most painfully eager.
"A little secret between Dick and myself," said Lord Castlereagh,laughing. "To show I do not forget which, I 'll accede to his presentrequest, always provided that he is equal to it."
"Oh, as to that--"
"It must be 'Halfordo non obstante,' or not at all," said LordCastlereagh, rising. "Well," continued he, as he moved towards thedoor, "I 'll see the doctor on my way homeward, and if he incline to thesafety of the exploit, you shall hear from me before four o'clock. I'll send you some extracts, too, from the official papers, such as mayinterest your friends, and you may add, _bien des choses de ma part_, inthe way of civil speeches and gratulation."
Lord Netherby had moved towards the window as Lord Castlereagh withdrew,and seemed more interested by the objects in the street than anxious torenew the interrupted conversation.
Forester--if one were to judge from his preoccupied expression--appearedequally indifferent on the subject, and both were silent. Lord Netherbyat last looked at his watch, and, with an exclamation of astonishment atthe lateness of the hour, took up his hat. Forester did not notice thegesture, for his mind had suddenly become awake to the indelicacy, tosay no worse, of leaving London for a long journey without one effort tosee his mother. A tingling feeling of shame burned in his cheek andmade his heart beat faster, as he said, "I think you have your carriagebelow, my Lord?"
"Yes," replied Lord Netherby, not aware whether the question mightportend something agreeable or the reverse.
"If you 'll permit me, I 'll ask you to drive me to Berkeley Square. Ithink the air and motion will benefit me; and perhaps Lady Netherby willsee me."
"Delighted--charmed to see you--my dear young friend," said LordNetherby, who having, in his own person, some experience of the sway andinfluence her Ladyship was habituated to exercise, calculated largely onthe effect of an interview between her and her son. "I don't believe youcould possibly propose anything more gratifying nor more likely to serveher. She is very weak and very nervous; but to see you will, I know, beof immense service. I 'm sure you 'll not agitate her," added he, aftera pause. If the words had been "not contradict," they would have beennearer his meaning.
"You may trust me, for both our sakes," said Forester, smiling. "By theby, you mentioned a letter from a law-agent of the Darcys, Mr. Bicknell;was it expressive of any hope of a favorable termination to the suit, ordid he opine that the case was a bad one?"
"If I remember aright, a very bad one,--bad, from the deficiency ofevidence; worse, from the want of funds to carry it on. Of course I onlyspeak from memory; and the epistle was so cramp, so complex, and withsuch a profusion of detail intermixed, that I could make little out ofit, and retain even less. I must say that as it was written without mycousin's knowledge or consent, I paid no attention to it. It was, so tosay, quite unauthorized."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Forester, in an accent whose scorn was mistaken bythe hearer, as he resumed.
"Just so; a mere lawyer's _ruse_, to carry on a suit. He proposed, Iown, a kind of security for any advance I should make, in the personof Miss Daly, whose property, amounting to some three or four thousandpounds, was to be given as security! There always is some person of thiskind on these occasions--some tame elephant--to attract the rest; butI paid no attention to it. The only thing, indeed, I could learn of thelady was, that she had a fire-eating brother who paid bond debts with apistol, and small ones with a horsewhip."
"I know Mr. Daly and his sister too. He is a most honorable andhigh-minded gentleman; of her I only needed to hear the trait yourLordship has just mentioned, to say that she is worthy to be his sisterin every respect."
"I was not aware that they were acquaintances of yours."
"Friends, my Lord, would better express the relationship betweenus,--friends, firm and true, I sincerely believe them. Pray, if notindiscreet, may I ask the date of this letter?"
"Some day of June last, I think. The case was to come on for trial ne
xtNovember in Westport, and it was for funds to carry on the suit, itwould seem, they were pressed."
"You did n't hear a second time?"
"No, I 've told you that I never answered this letter. I was quitewilling, I am so at this hour, to be of any service to my dear cousin,Lady Eleanor Darcy, and to aid her to the fullest extent; but toprosecute a hopeless lawsuit, to throw away some thousands in aninterminable Equity investigation,--to measure purses, too, against oneof the richest men in Ireland, as I hear their antagonist is,--this, Icould never think of."
"But who has pronounced this claim hopeless?" said Forester,impatiently.
A cold shrug of the shoulders was all Lord Netherby's reply.
"Not Miss Daly, certainly," rejoined Forester, "who was willing to perileverything she possessed in the world upon the issue."
The sarcasm intended by this speech was deeply felt by Lord Netherby, aswith an unwonted concession to ill-humor, he replied,--
"There is nothing so courageous as indigence!"
"Better never be rich, then," cried Forester, "if cowardice be the firstlesson it teaches. But I think better of affluence than this. I sawthat same Knight of Gwynne when at the head of a princely fortune; andI never, in any rank of life, under any circumstances, saw the qualitieswhich grace and adorn the humblest more eminently displayed."
"I quite agree with you; a more perfectly conducted household it isimpossible to conceive."
"I speak not of his retinue, nor of his graceful hospitalities, my Lord,nor even of his generous munificence and benevolence; these are richmen's gifts everywhere. I speak of his trusting, confiding temper; thehopeful trust he entertained of something good in men's natures atthe moment he was smarting from their perfidy and ingratitude; theforgiveness towards those that injured, the unvarying kindness towardsthose that forgot him."
"I declare," said Lord Netherby, smiling, "I must interdict acontinuance of this panegyric, now that we have arrived, for you knowColonel Darcy was a first love of Lady Netherby."
Nothing but a courtier of Lord Netherby's stamp could have made such aspeech; and while Forester became scarlet with shame and anger, a newlight suddenly broke upon him, and the rancor of his mother respectingthe Knight and his family was at once explained.
"Now to announce you," said Lord Netherby, gayly; "let that be my task."And so saying, he lightly tripped up the stairs before Forester.