Volume I Part 2 (1/2)

A few steps further brought us to the north face of the mansion, in which was the princ.i.p.al entrance. Notwithstanding the broad sweep in front of the steps, and the avenue branching right and left, there did not seem s.p.a.ce enough as contrasted with the vast ma.s.s of trees. The scene was like a clearing in a forest, where the openings are artificial, and the wood comes by nature rather than the converse, and even in that September day the air struck chill. The griffins that guarded the great stone steps had lost, the one an ear, and the other a wing, and the steps themselves were chipped and cracked. The gra.s.s which grew there unchecked at other seasons, had however been sc.r.a.ped out, because Sir Ma.s.singberd's guests were expected immediately for the shooting. None of them, however, had as yet arrived. The great bell which answered our summons clanged through the place as though there had been neither furniture nor people within it. The vast door was opened long before its echoes ceased, and indeed with marvellous quickness.

When the man saw who we were, he looked vexed at having put himself in a flurry without necessity. He thought doubtless it was his master who demanded admittance, and had come post haste from the pantry, it being very dangerous to keep the baronet waiting. We were ushered into the great hall, and left there while the man went to seek Sir Ma.s.singberd.

This huge apartment was evidently used as a sitting-room. There were couches and comfortable chairs in profusion, and a fine aroma of tobacco pervaded everything. The walls were ornamented with antlers and the heads of foxes; a number of fis.h.i.+ng rods stood in one corner; in another lay some of those clubs that are used for exercising the muscles. On the table was an open pocket-book, stuck full of gorgeous artificial flies.

Presently the man reappeared. Sir Ma.s.singberd would see us in his private sitting-room. We walked over polished oak, on which I could with difficulty keep my footing, down a long pa.s.sage hung with grim portraits of the Heath family--”all dead and judged,” as Marmaduke subsequently informed me--until we came to a short flight of steps on the left hand; these we descended, and following the footsteps of our conductor, in almost perfect darkness, came upon double doors, the inner of which, a baize one, admitted us into the presence of the proprietor. The baronet was in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves, cleaning a double-barrelled gun.

”This is my pupil, Peter Meredith,” said Mr. Long.

”I know the young gentleman,” replied Sir Ma.s.singberd, curtly, and the horse-shoe upon his brow contracted as he spoke. ”What makes you bring him here?”

”Well, Sir Ma.s.singberd,” observed my tutor, forcing a laugh, ”that is scarcely a hospitable observation. I bring this friend of your nephew's because what I have to propose concerns them both. It is good for these boys to be together, not to live solitary lives; and to keep them mewed up at home, as they are now, is a positive cruelty. Marmaduke is getting thinner and paler every day; and Meredith--”

”Do you really think so, parson?” asked the baronet eagerly, omitting for a moment to use the dirty-looking piece of oiled flannel which had previously monopolized his attention.

”I do, indeed, Sir Ma.s.singberd. I believe that if a doctor was to give his opinion about that boy--”

”The Heaths never send for doctors, or for clergymen,” interrupted the baronet, with a sneer.

”And yet they have often needed advice, both spiritual and temporal,”

quoth my tutor, stoutly. ”I say you should get a horse for your nephew's riding; it need be no trouble to you whatever. I am going over to Crittenden Fair next week myself to purchase one for my pupil; now, let me get one for your nephew also.”

At first Sir Ma.s.singberd's countenance expressed nothing but angry impatience, but presently he began to rub the gun-barrel less and less violently. ”And who is to find the money?” inquired he.

”I think that can be managed, Sir Ma.s.singberd. Mr. Clint will doubtless listen to such an application on behalf of Marmaduke; he will risk advancing a few pounds--”

”For thirty-five guineas one can get a very good pony,” observed the baronet, reflectively.

”Or even for less,” returned Mr. Long, drily; and then, to my excessive terror, he added in quite as loud a key, ”He wants to keep the difference; that's his plan.”

”And he means to do it, too,” observed Sir Ma.s.singberd grimly. ”No, you needn't apologize, parson, for your thinking aloud; you don't suppose I am going to do anything without being paid for it, do you? Then there's the keep of the animal. Now, what will Mr. Clint allow me for that, do you suppose? Oats and beans are very expensive, and you wouldn't have me feed my dear nephew's pony upon hay!”

Sir Ma.s.singberd was a formidable object at all times, but I really think he inspired more fear when he was pleased--when some wicked notion tickled him--than even when he was in wrath.

”I think, Sir Ma.s.singberd, the question of expense can be managed to your satisfaction,” said my tutor, not a little overwhelmed by having thus involuntarily expressed his suspicion of the baronet; ”and, as I have said, I will save you all trouble by selecting the horse myself.”

”Certainly not, sir,” exclaimed Sir Ma.s.singberd savagely; ”I suffer no man to choose my horses for me.”

”Very good,” replied Mr. Long, biting his lip. ”I have only to stipulate, then, that if your nephew gets the horse, he is to ride it. I shall have to make myself answerable for that much to Mr. Clint.”

”Oh, he shall ride it,” quoth the baronet, with a horrid imprecation; ”you may take your oath of that. And by the by, since you are here, parson, I want to have some talk with you about that same fellow Clint, who has been behaving devilish ill to me, I think. You may go away, young gentleman, you may. You'll find your future riding companion--he has about as much notion of riding as old Gr.i.m.j.a.w yonder--sulking in his own room, I dare say. Gr.i.m.j.a.w, show the young gentleman up to Marmaduke's room.”

At these words a dog of horrible aspect came out from under the very sofa on which I sat, and trotted off towards the door. He was the oldest and ugliest dog I ever beheld. He had only one eye, which was green; he had no teeth, and was therefore not to be feared as a combatant; but his aspect was loathsome and repulsive to the last degree. The people of Fairburn imagined this animal to be Sir Ma.s.singberd's familiar demon, and, until of late years, when the creature had become incapacitated by age from accompanying him much, the two were scarcely ever seen apart.

Old as he was, however, the hideous Gr.i.m.j.a.w had some instinct left, which, after the word ”Marmaduke” had been once more shrieked at him, caused him painfully to precede me up the oak staircase, and along another gallery to a chamber door, at which he sat and whined. This was immediately opened by his young master, who, with a ”Come in, Grim,”

was only giving sufficient s.p.a.ce for the entrance of the dog, when I cried out, laughing: ”What, have you no welcome for your friend? Like uncle, like nephew! What a pair of curmudgeons inhabit Fairburn Hall!”

The astonishment of Marmaduke at hearing my voice was excessive.

Notwithstanding his pleasure, his first thought, as usual, was: ”Did Sir Ma.s.singberd know?”

”Yes,” said I coolly; ”of course he knows. He received me down-stairs with his usual politeness. Mr. Long and he are conversing upon some private matters, so I came up here to see you. It is arranged that each of us is to have a horse, and that we are to go out riding together.”

”A horse! Oh, impossible!” exclaimed Marmaduke, clapping his hands.