Part 25 (1/2)

CHAPTER XV.

AN ATTEMPT AT TERRORISM.

All the world was driving, riding, or walking in the great avenue of the Park. The Governor had just gone by on horseback, accompanied by his sister and his A.D.C.'s, and Lady Eynesford's carriage was drawn up by the pathway. The air was full of gossip and rumours, for although it was an ”off-day” at the House, and nothing important was expected to happen there before the following Monday, there had been that morning a meeting of the Premier's princ.i.p.al adherents, and every one knew or professed to know the decision arrived at. One said resignation, another dissolution, a third coalition, a fourth submission, and the variety of report only increased the confidence with which each man backed his opinion. Sir Robert Perry alone knew nothing, had heard nothing, and would guess nothing--by which adroit att.i.tude he doubled his reputation for omniscience. And Mr. Kilshaw alone cared nothing: the Ministry was ”cornered,” he said, and that was enough for him. Eleanor Scaife was insatiable for information, or, failing that, conjecture, and she eagerly questioned the throng of men who came and went, paying their respects to the Governor's wife, and lingering to say a few words on the situation. Sir John Oakapple fixed himself permanently by the steps of the carriage, and played the part of a good-humoured though cynical chorus to the s.h.i.+fting drama.

Presently, a little way off, Mr. c.o.xon made his appearance, showing in his manner a pleased consciousness of his importance. They all wanted a word with him, and laid traps to catch a hint of his future action; he had explained his motives and refused to explain his intentions half-a-dozen times at least. If this flattering prominence could last, he must think twice before he accepted even the most dignified of shelves; but his cool head told him it would not, and he was glad to remember the provision he had made for a rainy day. Meanwhile he basked in the sun of notoriety, and played his _role_ of the man of principle.

”Ah,” exclaimed Eleanor, ”here comes the hero of the hour, the maker and unmaker of Ministries.”

”As the weather-c.o.c.k makes and unmakes the wind,” said Sir John, with a smile.

”What? Mr. c.o.xon?” said Lady Eynesford, and, pleased to have an opportunity of renewing her politeness without revoking her edict, she made the late Minister a very gracious bow.

c.o.xon's face lit up as he returned the salutation. Had his reward come already? He had been right then; it was not towards him as himself, but towards the Medlandite that Lady Eynesford had displayed her arrogance and scorn. Smothering his recurrent misgivings, and ignoring the weakness of his theory, he laid the balm to his sore and obliterated all traces of wounded dignity from his response to Lady Eynesford's advance.

”My husband tells me,” she said, ”that I must leave my opinion of your exploits unspoken, Mr. c.o.xon. Why do you laugh, Sir John?”

”At a wife's obedience, Lady Eynesford.”

”Then,” said c.o.xon, ”I shall indulge myself by imagining that I have your approbation.”

”And what is going to happen?” asked Eleanor, for about the twentieth time that day.

c.o.xon smiled and shook his head.

”They all do that,” observed Sir John. ”Come, c.o.xon, admit you don't know.”

”We'd better suppose that it's as the Chief Justice says,” answered c.o.xon, whose smile still hinted wilful reticence.

”But think how uninteresting it makes you!” protested Eleanor.

”Oh, I don't agree,” said Lady Eynesford. ”I am studying every line of Mr. c.o.xon's face, and trying to find out for myself.”

”I told you,” he said in a lower voice, and under cover of a joke Sir John was retailing to Eleanor, ”that I was a bad hand at concealment.”

”I hope you have not remembered all I said then as well as all you said?

I was so surprised and--and upset. Was I very rude?”

The implied apology disarmed c.o.xon of his last resentment.

”I was afraid,” he said, ”it meant an end to our acquain----”

”Our friends.h.i.+p,” interposed the lady with swift graciousness. ”Oh, then, I was much more disagreeable than I meant to be.”

”It didn't mean that?”

”You don't ask seriously? Now do tell me--what about the Ministry?”

He sank his voice as he answered,