Part 2 (2/2)

HOW A BROTHER, HAVING OFFENDED, WAS FORGIVEN

I found my father sitting as his wont was in the high wainscoted book-room beyond the hall. When I entered he looked up from a pile of papers he had been diligently perusing, and smiled upon me pleasantly.

I was surprised to note the serenity of his brow, having indeed prepared myself for a worse condition of health in him than Peter Sprot had allowed. But whatever trouble he had he laid it by to bid me good-morrow, and to excuse himself for so hastily summoning me.

”Upon so fine a morning, Denis,” he said, ”I would not willingly have cut short your pleasure, and do not so for my own business, which is simple enough at most times, as a man's should be who hath ever studied to be quiet.” He paused a small while and cast his eye over an open book that lay beside him on the table, and I knew it to be the ”Discourses of Epictetus.” A wonder crept into my mind at this, that while the words of Scripture would oftentimes be in his mouth, his reading was generally in the heathens, and his way of life more according to the ancient Stoicks (of whom Mr. Jordan had often discoursed), than to the precepts of the Church of England of which he nevertheless professed himself a member. Such fancies however being foreign to the matter, I put them from me, expecting the sequel anxiously, and in the meantime a.s.suring my father that I would never have gone thus upon my twilight journey had I known he required me; which was indeed true, and he acknowledged it handsomely.

”I know where to trust and where to doubt, Denis,” he said, in his quiet voice, ”and I know likewise that where trust is broken there stands occasion for lenity, though the using of it is hard at all times; severity being more aptly come by, and by the vulgar commended.”

I knew by this that his thoughts had slid from the present into that sad channel of the past, and marvelled that he could speak so of forgiveness where his honour had been engaged, and, in the event, my mother's life forfeit.

”'Twas well that Peter had some inkling of your road,” my father went on and in a livelier manner, ”else we might still be seeking you o'er half Exmoor. But tell me what it was led you to Dunster, lad?” And he looked at me methought somewhat keenly as he spoke.

”I had hoped to meet with Captain Cutts,” I returned boldly, though I was conscious of the emptiness of the reason, ”and to hear of the chance of war.”

To my surprise my father appeared relieved by my answer, but presently explained himself.

”It had lain upon me that you were perhaps courting some la.s.s there, Denis; not that I should censure you therefor, but having need of you myself awhile, I would not suddenly interfere with that is proper enough for you to consider of at your age. Well, so much for prologue,” he broke off swiftly, and betook himself again to scanning the papers on his desk.

”So Mr. Cutts having avoided the town before you arrived,” he said presently, glancing up, ”the direct purpose of your errand failed.”

I was about to reply when he added: ”You have little cause to grieve in that, Denis, seeing his commission is cancelled and he to be apprehended for malpractices of which I have here the note before me.”

”I would all such villains were hanged as soon as apprehended,” cried I, in a sudden rage at this disclosed infamy; but my father put up his hand peremptorily to stop me.

”Hast ever heard of thine uncle Botolph?” he asked me presently, and with the same piercing glance as before.

I told him yes, and that Peter Sprot had related some part of his story to me.

”That was not altogether well,” replied my father with a little movement of his brows, ”and not what I looked for from his discretion.”

He set his ruff even and took up his pen as if to write, but sat so awhile without either writing or speaking.

”I forced him to tell me,” I said, for I thought he blamed Peter for what was truly my own curiosity.

”Tut,” said my father, ”'tis a small matter, and being known saves many words to no purpose. I have received a letter from him,” he said.

This amazed me, for I had thought him (I know not wherefore) to be dead.

”Why, where is he?” I asked.

”He is in the Tower,” said my father.

At these words my blood leapt to my heart in a tumult, for I knew well enough what this meant, and that in such a time of danger as now we lived in, when all was suspicion and betrayal, few men that had once come into that foul dungeon ever left it living. Until now I had found frequent matter for rejoicing in this very process and summary action of the Council, being confident that 'twas for the better security of the realm, and deriding them that would have accorded an open trial to all, and the means of a man's clearing himself at the law. But now that our own family stood thus impeached, I had nothing to say, nor aught to think, but upon the terror of it and the disgrace to our house and ancient name.

”What is the cause?” I inquired, when I had something recovered myself; but my lips were dry and my face (I am a.s.sured) as white as paper.

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