Part 86 (2/2)
Sir Arthur was reading the letter when she entered.
”Here's Skeff gone off to what he calls the 'front;' he says that Tony Butler has joined the insurgents, and he must get him out of their hands at any price.”
”But of course, papa, you 'll not permit it; you 'll forbid him peremptorily,” broke in Bella.
”I 'm not so sure of that, Bella; because, amongst other reasons, I 'm not so sure he 'd mind me. Our gifted friend is endowed with considerable self-will.”
”Immense determination, I should rather call it, papa; but, pray, try to stop this mad freak. He is not certainly called on to expose such a life as his, and at such a moment.”
”What am I to do?”
”Go over to him at once; declare that you have the right to speak on such a subject. Say that if he is pleased to overlook the necessity of his presence here at this crisis, he ought to remember his position with regard to us,--ought to think of _me_,” said she, with a burst of grief that ended in a shower of tears, and drove her from the room.
Sir Arthur was far more disposed to sit down to his dinner than go off on this mission of affection; but Lady Lyle took the same view of the case as her daughter, and there was no help for it. And although the bland butler repeated, ”Soup is served, sir,” the poor man had to step downstairs to his carriage and drive off to the Legation.
On arriving there, he learned that his Excellency had gone to see the Prime Minister. Sir Arthur set off in the pursuit, which led him from one great office of the state to another, always to discover that the object of his search had just left only five minutes before; till, at length, his patience became exhausted on hearing that Mr. Darner was last seen in company with an officer of rank on the road to Castelamare, whither, certainly, he determined not to follow him.
It was near nine o'clock when he got home to report himself unsuccessful, to meet dark looks from his wife and daughter, and sit down alone to a comfortless dinner, chagrined and disconcerted.
Lady Lyle tried to interest him by relating the news of Tony Butler's accession to fortune; but the re-heated mutton and the half-cold _entrees_ were too trying to leave any portion of his nature open to such topics, and he sulkily muttered something about the folly of ”having snubbed the young fellow,”--a taunt Lady Lyle resented by rising and leaving him to his own reflections.
And now to turn to Skeff Darner. I am forced to confess, and I do not make the confession without a certain pain, that our gifted friend had not that amount of acceptance with the Ministers of the King that his great talents and his promise might be supposed to have inspired; nor had he succeeded in acquiring for the country he represented the overwhelming influence he believed to be her due. When, therefore, he drove to Caraffa's house, the Prince frankly told him, what certainly was true, that he had affairs far too weighty on his mind to enter upon that small question H. M.'s Charge d'Affaires desired to discuss. ”Try Carini,” said he, ”the Minister of Grace and Justice; he looks after the people who break the law.” Skeff grew angry, and the Minister bowed him out. He went in succession to some five or six others, all occupied, all overwhelmed with cares, troubles, and anxieties. At last, by a mere accident, he chanced upon Filangieri going off to wait on the King; he was accompanied by a small man, in a very gorgeous uniform, studded over with stars and decorations.
In a few hurried words Skeff told how his friend, a man of rank and fortune, had been seduced by some stupid representations to take service with Garibaldi, and that it was all-important to rescue him from such evil a.s.sociations, and restore him at once to his friends and country.
”Where is he?”
”Wherever Garibaldi may be,--I can't tell.”
”He's nearer than we like,” said the other, with a faint smile. ”Are you sure your friend will return with you, even if you should track him out?”
”I think I can answer for him. I am almost certain that I can.”
”Can you answer for Garibaldi, too?--will _he_ give him up?”
”I believe Garibaldi cares a great deal for the good opinion of England; and when he sees me, her Majesty's--”
”Yes, yes, I can understand that. Well, I have no time to give you for more consideration of the matter; but I 'll do better. I'll give you this gentleman,--my aide-decamp, Colonel the Count M'Caskey; he'll pa.s.s you through our lines, and go, as flag of truce, to the head-quarters of the rebels. The whole thing is a blunder, and I am doing exceedingly wrong; but here we are, making one mistake after another every day, and all regularity and order are totally forgotten.” Turning to M'Caskey, he took him aside for a few seconds and spoke eagerly and rapidly to him, and then, once more shaking Skeff's hand, he wished him well through his adventure and drove off.
”Whenever you have all in readiness, sir,” said M'Cas-key, slightly raising his hat,--”and I hope your carriage is a comfortable one,--take me up at the Aquila d' Oro, two doors from the Cafe di Spagno;” uttering the words in a tone of such positive command that Skeffy had only to accede; and, coldly bowing to each other, they separated.
CHAPTER LV. AMONGST THE GARIBALDIANS
By heavy bribery and much cajolery, Skeff Darner secured a carriage and horses, and presented himself at the Cafe di Spagna a little before midnight. It was not, however, till he had summoned M'Caskey for the third time that the gallant Colonel arose and joined him.
”I suspect that waiter did not tell you I was here, and waiting for you?” said Skeff, somewhat irritated.
”I rather apprehend,” replied M'Caskey, ”that you were not aware I was at supper.”
<script>