Part 35 (1/2)
shoe of the peasant galls the kibe of the courtier. The lower ranks have their quarrels, sir, and their points of honour, and their revenges, which they must bring, forsooth, to fatal arbitrament. But well, well! it will last my time--let us have in this fellow, this Vanbeest Brown, and make an end of him at least for the present.”
CHAPTER XLIII.
--'Twas he ye Gave heat unto the injury, which returned, Like a petard ill lighted, into the bosom Of him gave fire to't. Yet I hope his hurt Is not so dangerous but he may recover. Fair Maid of the Inn.
The prisoner was now presented before the two wors.h.i.+pful magistrates. Glossin, partly from some compunctious visitings, and partly out of his cautious resolution to suffer Sir Robert Hazlewood to be the ostensible manager of the whole examination, looked down upon the table, and busied himself with reading and, arranging the papers respecting the business, only now and then throwing in a skilful catchword as prompter, when he saw the princ.i.p.al, and apparently most active magistrate, stand in need of a hint. As for Sir Robert Hazlewood, he a.s.sumed on his part a happy mixture of the austerity of the justice, combined with the display of personal dignity appertaining to the baronet of ancient family.
”There, constables, let him stand there at the bottom of the table.--Be so good as look me in the face, sir, and raise your voice as you answer the questions which I am going to put to you.”
”May I beg, in the first place, to know, sir, who it is that takes the trouble to interrogate me?” said the prisoner; ”for the honest gentlemen who have brought me here have not been pleased to furnish any information upon that point.”
”And pray, sir,” answered Sir Robert, ”what has my name and quality to do with the questions I am about to ask you?”
”Nothing, perhaps, sir,” replied Bertram but it may considerably influence my disposition to answer them.”
”Why, then, sir, you will please to be informed that you are in presence of Sir Robert Hazlewood of Hazlewood, and another justice of peace for this county--that's all.”
As this intimation produced a less stunning effect upon the prisoner than he had antic.i.p.ated, Sir Robert proceeded in his investigation with an increasing dislike to the object of it.
”Is your name Vanbeest Brown, sir?”
”It is,” answered the prisoner.
”So far well;--and how are we to design you further, sir?”
demanded the justice.
”Captain in his Majesty's regiment of horse,” answered Bertram.
The Baronet's ears received this intimation with astonishment; but he was refreshed in courage by an incredulous look from Glossin, and by hearing him gently utter a sort of interjectional whistle, in a note of surprise and contempt. ”I believe, my friend,” said Sir Robert, ”we shall find for you, before we part, a more humble t.i.tle.”
”If you do, sir,” replied his prisoner, ”I shall willingly submit to any punishment which such an imposture shall be thought to deserve.”
”Well, sir, we shall see,” continued Sir Robert. ”Do you know young Hazlewood of Hazlewood?”
”I never saw the gentleman who I am informed bears that name excepting once, and I regret that it was under very unpleasant circ.u.mstances.”
”You mean to acknowledge, then,” said the Baronet, ”that you inflicted upon young Hazlewood of Hazlewood that wound which endangered his life, considerably lacerated the clavicle of his right shoulder, and deposited, as the family surgeon declares, several large drops. or slugs in the acromion process?”
”Why, sir,” replied Bertram, ”I can only say I am equally ignorant of and sorry for the extent of the damage which the young gentleman has sustained. I met him in a narrow path, walking with two ladies and a servant, and before I could either pa.s.s them or address them, this young Hazlewood took his gun from his servant, presented it against my body, and commanded me in the most haughty tone to stand back. I was neither inclined to submit to his authority, nor to leave him in possession of the means to injure me, which he seemed disposed to use with such rashness. I therefore closed with him for the purpose of disarming him; and just as I had nearly effected my purpose, the piece went off accidentally, and, to my regret then and since, inflicted upon the young gentleman a severer chastis.e.m.e.nt than I desired, though I am glad to understand it is like to prove no more than his unprovoked folly deserved.”
”And so, sir,” said the Baronet, every feature swollen with offended dignity,--”You, sir, admit, sir, that it was your purpose, sir, and your intention, sir, and the real jet and object of your a.s.sault, sir, to disarm young Hazlewood of Hazlewood of his gun, sir, or his fowling-piece, or his fuzee, or whatever you please to call it, sir, upon the king's highway, sir?--I think this will do, my worthy neighbour! I think he should stand committed?”
”You are by far the best judge, Sir Robert,” said Glossin, in his most insinuating tone; ”but if I might presume to hint, there was something about these smugglers.”
”Very true, good sir.--And besides, sir, you, Vanbeest Brown, who call yourself a captain in his Majesty's service, are no better or worse than a rascally mate of a smuggler!”
”Really, sir,” said Bertram, ”you are an old gentleman, and acting under some strange delusion, otherwise I should be very angry with you.”
”Old gentleman, sir! strange delusion, sir!” said Sir Robert, colouring with indignation. ”I protest and declare--Why, sir, have you any papers or letters that can establish your pretended rank, and estate, and commission?”