Part 24 (1/2)
A Lieutenant came in and respectfully, but with evident over-haste, reported that Captain Farnsworth had been shot and was at Roussillon place in care of the surgeon.
”Take this girl into custody. Confine her and put a strong guard over her.”
In giving the order Hamilton jerked his thumb contemptuously toward Alice, and at the same time gave Beverley a look of supreme defiance and hatred. When Helm began to speak he turned fiercely upon him and stopped him with:
”None of your advice, sir. I have had all I want of it. Keep your place or I'll make you.”
Then to Beverley:
”Retire, sir. When I wish to see you I'll send for you. At present you are not needed here.”
The English Lieutenant saluted his commander, bowed respectfully to Alice and said:
”Come with me, Miss, please.”
Helm and Beverley exchanged a look of helpless and enquiring rage. It was as if they had said: ”What can we do? Must we bear it?” Certainly they could do nothing. Any interference on their part would be sure to increase Alice's danger, and at the same time add to the weight of their own humiliation.
Alice silently followed the officer out of the room. She did not even glance toward Beverley, who moved as if to interfere and was promptly motioned back by the guard. His better judgement returning held him from a rash and futile act, until Hamilton spoke again, saying loudly as Alice pa.s.sed through the door:
”I'll see who's master of this town if I have to shoot every French hoyden in it!”
”Women and children may well fear you, Colonel Hamilton,” said Beverley. ”That young lady is your superior.”
”You say that to me, sir!”
”It is the best I could possibly say of you.”
”I will send you along with the wench if you do not guard your language. A prisoner on parole has no license to be a blackguard.”
”I return you my parole, sir, I shall no longer regard it as binding,”
said Beverley, by a great effort, holding back a blow; ”I will not keep faith with a scoundrel who does not know how to be decent in the presence of a young girl. You had better have me arrested and confined.
I will escape at the first opportunity and bring a force here to reckon with you for your villainy. And if you dare hurt Alice Roussillon I will have you hanged like a dog!”
Hamilton looked at him scornfully, smiling as one who feels safe in his authority and means to have his own way with his victim. Naturally he regarded Beverley's words as the merest vaporings of a helpless and exasperated young man. He saw very clearly that love was having a hand in the affair, and he chuckled inwardly, thinking what a fool Beverley was.
”I thought I ordered you to leave this room,” he said with an air and tone of lofty superiority, ”and I certainly mean to be obeyed. Go, sir, and if you attempt to escape, or in any way break your parole, I'll have you shot.”
”I have already broken it. From this moment I shall not regard it. You have heard my statement. I shall not repeat it. Govern yourself accordingly.”
With these words Beverley turned and strode out of the house, quite beside himself, his whole frame quivering.
Hamilton laughed derisively, then looked at Helm and said:
”Helm, I like you; I don't wish to be unkind to you; but positively you must quit breaking in upon my affairs with your ready-made advice. I've given you and Lieutenant Beverley too much lat.i.tude, perhaps. If that young fool don't look sharp he'll get himself into a beastly lot of trouble. You'd better give him a talk. He's in a way to need it just now.”
”I think so myself,” said Helm, glad to get back upon fair footing with the irascible Governor. ”I'll wait until he cools off somewhat, and then I can manage him. Leave him to me.”
”Well, come walk with me to see what has really happened to Farnsworth.
He's probably not much hurt, and deserves what he's got. That girl has turned his head. I think I understand the whole affair. A little love, a little wine, some foolishness, and the wench shot him.”