Part 5 (1/2)
”Yes, now you've got the truth without any figures of speech,” jested the widow; ”and with him the crime is buried, and hushed up for ever.”
”With your permission, ladies, had there been a question of anything of that sort, the law would have taken its course,” observed Overberg; ”and I know for certain it was never brought before a court.”
”That I can believe,” answered the widow. ”The magistrate is a great friend of the Colonel's, plays cards with him every evening, and to palliate the affair, and silence public indignation, he made an official visit to the commandant's house. Francis Mordaunt was examined, and, as might be expected beforehand, came out of the affair snow-white--at least, according to the magistrate's report,”
added the widow, with a satirical shrug of the shoulders.
”But, madame,” interposed Overberg, evidently growing angry, ”do you mean to say you suspect the impartiality of the magistrate?”
”I suspect no one; I only tell you how the affair ended--namely, that it was hushed up, and the relations of the coachman bribed to keep quiet. Such people are easily frightened. One thing, however, is certain, and that is, Major Frank has not dared to show her face in our circle since; and besides this, it seems to have been the cause of her grandfather retiring from the service.”
”He had attained the age to be put on the retired list,” said the Captain; ”and with his pension he obtained the honorary rank of General.”
”Be that as it may, the General retired from the world to Castle de Werve,” observed the old lady.
”Where, now, Major Frank has the command,” put in the spinster.
”And spends her time in riding and shooting,” added the little widow, turning up her nose superciliously.
”I venture to contradict the latter part of the a.s.sertion with regard to the shooting,” said Overberg; ”for the General has not renewed his shooting license and has leased the shooting over his own estates to a client of mine, who, however, leaves the hares and partridges in perfect peace.”
This latter remark led to a long conversation amongst the gentlemen about the shooting and fis.h.i.+ng in the neighbourhood, whilst the ladies set to work to sharpen their tongues on other absent victims.
CHAPTER IX.
Notwithstanding all my efforts to appear calm and unconcerned, Overberg observed that the hard judgment pa.s.sed on Francis had made a deep impression on my mind. Taking me aside, he whispered in my ear--
”We will talk this subject over to-morrow morning before your departure; in the meantime don't let it trouble you. You know the proverb: 'The devil's not so black as he is painted.'”
It was easy for him to talk; but, alas! he knew not yet the reasons I had for being so deeply interested in this young lady.
I pa.s.sed a restless night. In the morning, when the carriage I had ordered over-night drove up to the door, I was still debating in my own mind whether I should go to the Werve, or tell my driver to take me to the nearest station and return to the Hague. After a few minutes, however, Overberg made his appearance, and accosted me in the following words--
”I believe I have guessed your n.o.ble intention, which is to make the acquaintance of Miss Mordaunt, and, if she please you, to remove all difficulties in the most amiable manner possible. I cannot tell you how praiseworthy, how wise and sensible, your plan seems to me; but what surprises me is that the testatrix never suggested it to you, she being a woman of such clear and sound judgment in matters of this sort.”
”She has given me such a hint--I will no longer try to conceal it from you--and it was my intention to follow her advice. But what I heard last night has quite changed my mind on that point.”
”Nonsense! Never let gossip have any influence over you. Remember that people living in a small town are possessed by the evil spirit of slander, and furthermore, that they express their opinions in a very crude manner.”
”That's all well and good; but in a small town where every one is known by his neighbour, people would not dare to calumniate and slander each other without grounds.”
”I will not attempt to contradict your statement; but let me remind you that certain uncommon occurrences and eccentric acts on the part of a young lady may be explained in different ways, and why should you believe the worse account of them, coloured as it certainly is by envy, hatred, and malice. I willingly confess I could not contradict all that was said about Miss Mordaunt last night; my business has always been with her grandfather, who speaks of her in the highest terms. For this reason I could not foresee that the ladies would be so severe on her conduct. Otherwise I should have avoided the subject, and made inquiries for you of people less prejudiced and more trustworthy.”