Part 30 (1/2)

In June, John Loveday being then at Westring, one morning O'Hara arrived, he, too, having left mediaeval chasubles to grind at war, and though he no longer taught Hogarth, a relation persisted between them; and always not far from O'Hara was to be found Harris, living now on the pinnacle of dandy bliss, twisting a dandy stick.

It was on the last night of this visit to Westring that O'Hara at a late hour went with stealth and hesitations along a corridor of the Hall, and finally tapped at Loveday's door, who, detesting the priest, and reading in bed, disgustedly dashed off his cigarette ash, as he called: ”Come in”.

And a long time they spoke of things other than the real object of O'Hara's visit, till O'Hara said: ”But--may I ask you something?”

”Do”.

”Well, now, you are a fellow more in the counsels of Hogarth than another. I want to ask you right out frankly--is it a fact that Hogarth is choosing Admirals for the islands?”

”I believe it is”, answered Loveday with his long-bow smile of amus.e.m.e.nt: ”I already know, for example, that Saltoun will admiral the _Homer_ in the Indian Ocean, Vladimir the _Ruskin_ in the Atlantic Crescent, and the young Marquis of Erroll the _Justice_ in the Yellow Sea”.

”Those all?”

”All I know of. I believe, however, that Hogarth is in the throes of decision as to the rest”.

”I see”.

There was a silence full of Loveday's smile.

”But”, said O'Hara, ”what I meant is this: you know what I have been to Hogarth; without me, what could the poor fellow have done, after all?

I have taught him to think, to dance, and to dine. Now, then, I ask you right out frankly--am _I_, my son, in the list of Admirals?”

Loveday, flus.h.i.+ng, started upright, and sank back. ”No, I don't fancy that your name is among those entertained, O'Hara”.

”We will see about that. Woe to Hogarth, and to his advisers, if he dare slight O'Hara, my son! What! after preparing myself with toilsome zeal for this post? and after two promises from Hogarth's own lips--?”

”I deny the promises on Hogarth's behalf”.

”Oh, you! Hogarth looks upon you as a plaything. I do a.s.sure you, you are not taken seriously, Mr. Loveday. How should such as you know what Hogarth promises or designs? ”--his cheeks trembling.

And, Loveday, smiling again, though pale: ”Well, if we admit the promises...but--have you accurately acquainted Hogarth with your past, sir?”

”Most decidedly, sir!”

”If you have not, I think he should know it”.

”Your threats do not affect me, sir! In three days I shall be in Petersburg with Hogarth, and shall take a pleasure in writing you the name of the island to which I am appointed”.

”In three days I also--!” He stopped: but O'Hara understood.

Now the door rushed open, and in looked Harris in under-vest and drawers, beneath his arm a bundle of walkingsticks, which he had been caring and telling.

And ”'Ere”, he drawled, ”when are you coming to 'ave that bit of cold mutton? It's past twelve o'clock as it is”.

”I am coming, boy”, said O'Hara, rising with brisk obedience.

”Then, come, why don't you! There were shepherds watching their pretty little flocks by night, but to leave a man watching the cold animal is a bit out. Come along!”--and O'Hara went.

He reached Petersburg twelve hours before Loveday, his reason for choosing that time being his knowledge that Frankl was in Petersburg, and with him Rebekah, Frankl being in a deal with the new-regime Minister of Finance.

For, as O'Hara had been asking himself the agonized question: ”By what absolute _finesse_ can I, _just now_, win Hogarth?” the mere presence of Rebekah in the same city with Hogarth drew him thither.