Part 95 (1/2)
”Yates says there were no letters or papers to be found when he entered the room----”
”I placed them all in my pocket,” interrupted Grenfell. ”There were so many people about, and that fellow of young Ladarelle's too, that I thought it best not to leave anything at their mercy.”
”It was very kind and very thoughtful. Where are they?”
”Here. I sealed them up in their own envelope.”
The old man took the paper with a trembling hand, and placed it under his pillow. He had little doubt but that they had been read--his old experiences in diplomacy gave no credit to any sense of honour on this head--but he said not a word of this.
”Adolphus has married the girl you saw here--my ward, he used to call her,” said he, in a low whisper.
”Indeed! Is it a good match? Has she fortune?”
”Not a s.h.i.+lling. Neither fortune nor family.”
”Then you are not pleased with the connexion?”
Sir Within drew a long sigh, and said: ”It is no affair of mine. His father will, perhaps, not like it.”
”How did it come about? Where did it take place?”
”Nothing--nothing but misery before her!” muttered the old man, unheeding his question.
”Do you think he will treat her ill?”
”A life of sorrow--of sorrow and shame!” murmured he, still lower. ”Poor girl!--poor unhappy girl!”
Grenfell was silent, and the other, after a pause, went on:
”His father is sure to be displeased; he is a violent man, too, and one can't say to what lengths temper may carry him. And all this will fall upon _her!_”
”Do you think so?”
”I know him well!” He mused for several minutes, and then said to himself: ”I could not--I could not--not for worlds!” And then aloud: ”But I could leave this--leave the Castle, and let them come here. How she loved it once! Oh, if you knew how happy she was here!” He covered his face with his hands, and lay thus a considerable time.
”And do you mean to invite them here?” asked Grenfell at last.
”You can write it for me,” said he, still pursuing his own train of thought. ”You can tell him that, not being well--having some difficulty in holding a pen--I have begged of you to say that the Castle is at their disposal--that I mean to leave this--where shall I say for?--to leave this for the south of France, or Italy.”
”Are you equal to such a journey? Have you strength for it?”
”Far more than to stay here and meet her--_them_--meet _them_,” added he, almost peevishly. ”I have not health nor spirits for seeing company, and of course people will call, and there will be dinners and receptions--all things I am unfit for. Say this for me, dear Mr.
Grenfell, and tell Yates that I mean to go up to town to-morrow.”
Grenfell shook his head to imply dissent, but the other resumed:
”If you knew me better, Sir, you would know that my energy never failed me when I called upon it. I have been tried pretty sorely once or twice in life, and yet no disaster has found me faint-hearted!” As he spoke, a gleam of pride lighted up his features, and he looked all that he thought himself. ”Will you take this key of the gem-room,” said he, after a pause; ”and in the second drawer of the large ebony cabinet you will find a green morocco-case; it has my mother's name on it, Olivia Trevor. Do me the favour to bring it to me. This was a wedding present some eighty years ago, Mr. Grenfell,” said he, as he unclasped the casket that the other placed in his hands. ”It was the fas.h.i.+on of those days to set gems on either side, and here you have emeralds, and here are opals. Ladies were wont to turn their necklaces in the course of an entertainment; they are content with less costly changes now: they merely change their affections.” He tried to smile, but his lips trembled, and his voice all but failed him.
”It is very magnificent!” exclaimed Grenfell, who was truly surprised at the splendour of the jewels.