Part 39 (1/2)
”What!” exclaimed Harry. ”I thought of taking a ride to-morrow. I am very anxious to go over to Downside.”
”Totally out of the question, Mr Harry. You would very likely bring on a fever, and I could not answer for the consequences.”
”Have you seen the Miss Pembertons lately?” asked Harry.
”Yes. Miss Jane, though she generally considers her skill superior to mine, sent for me to attend the young lady who lives with them, and I suspect, Mr Harry, that you had something to do with her illness, though I am happy to say there is nothing serious. She heard somewhat abruptly of your having been attacked by the robbers, and it was said that you had only just time to reach the hall and fall down in a dead faint. When I a.s.sured her that you were in no danger at all, and would soon recover if you followed my advice, she quickly got better, and I hope to find her quite well when I next call.”
”Though I may not ride, could I not drive there?” asked Harry. ”I must see her, or she may still be fancying that I am worse than is the case.”
”Not with my leave, certainly,” said the doctor. ”I will take care to let her know how you are getting on, and if, as I suspect, you are not indifferent to the young beauty, I shall be happy to bring you any message she may send you.”
”I will write to her,” exclaimed Harry. ”I will not detain you long.”
”No, no, my friend, I am happy to convey any verbal message, but must decline being the carrier of written despatches. I might possibly hand them to the wrong persons, and instead of a prescription which I had intended to leave, some demure middle-aged maiden might find herself in possession of a love letter. I know well enough all you have to say, and trust me for making the young lady understand you.”
”By-the-bye, have you seen Dame Halliburt? I wish to know how she and her husband bear the loss of their son.”
”She is about again, and both keep up their spirits in the hopes that the lad will manage to make his escape from the smugglers, and return to them before long. It is a sore trial for them though, as he was their only remaining child.”
”The doctor forgets May,” thought Harry; and very naturally did not mention her, by which he lost the opportunity of learning a fact which might have been of considerable consequence to him.
The doctor as he went down saw Lady Castleton and Julia, and charged them on no account to let Harry go out.
”I cannot be answerable for his life if he does,” he observed, more, perhaps, for the sake of inducing them to be firm on the subject than because he had any apprehension of Harry's safety.
Sir Ralph kept to his resolution of going over to Downside. He set out followed by his groom, both of them carrying pistols in their holsters, while the baronet in addition wore a sword by his side, in case any of the gang of ruffians who had attacked his son might set upon him.
The Miss Pembertons had in the meantime kept to their purpose of making a will in favour of Maiden May. Mr Shallard arrived unexpectedly one morning. They explained their views, and as there was nothing intricate, he was able to draw it up at once, and Adam Halliburt and their gardener, who had been sent for, acted as witnesses. Adam's satisfaction at seeing his Maiden May thus amply provided for was very great.
”G.o.d bless you, ladies,” he exclaimed; ”if there is anything that could make me feel happy it is this.”
”I remember your mentioning the little girl to me some years ago,”
observed Mr Shallard to Adam; ”and I am afraid we have been remiss in not making more efforts to ascertain to what family she can belong, although the difficulties have increased by the length of time which has elapsed. The expense, however, will, I fear, be considerable, though really for the sake of so interesting a young lady I should be happy to bear it.”
”If it would prove to May's interest to discover her parents I would also a.s.sist, and so would my sister Mary,” said Miss Jane.
”We will see what can be done,” said Mr Shallard, at length preparing to take his departure. Just as he reached the hall door, Sir Ralph rode up. ”Good-day, Mr Shallard. What, have my good cousins been requiring your services?”
”Had I called professionally I should have been bound not to reveal the business even to you, my most respected client,” answered the lawyer evasively. ”I trust you can give me a favourable account of Lieutenant Castleton. We must hunt up the scoundrels who attacked him, but as yet the myrmidons of justice have made no progress I fear.”
”They have not, and the country is indeed in an unsatisfactory condition when such outrages as have lately occurred can be perpetrated with impunity,” observed Sir Ralph.
Mr Shallard, however, not wis.h.i.+ng to have any longer conversation with the baronet, wished him ”good morning,” and rode off.
May had just been summoned to the drawing-room after the lawyer's departure. She was seated by Miss Mary's side, engaged with her needle, the light which streamed through the bay window falling on her fair countenance, and showing the golden hue in her hair. Had she intentionally placed herself in a position for appearing to the best advantage, she could not have been more successful. Miss Jane was seated nearer the door, when the baronet entered.
”Though your visits are rare we are glad to see you whenever you do come, Sir Ralph,” she said, rising and putting out her hand, which the baronet lifted to his lips with his usual courtly politeness. ”Here is Sir Ralph, Mary,” added Miss Jane.
Miss Mary rose as did May in a graceful way, standing with one hand on the chair, as she felt an unusual trepidation seize her.