Part 45 (1/2)
”Na, na, your honor; a s.h.i.+lling's no for a man that understands the sceence o' b.u.t.tany: a s.h.i.+lling's for a flunky in livery; but as for me, I couldna conscientiously condescend upon less than ten o' them, or may be a pund British, but I'm feart that's contrair to your honor's habits.”
”Well, then,” said Sir Robert, ”I have no more silver, and so I leave you to the agreeable society of Robinson Crusoe.”
Reilly had watched Sir Robert's motions, as well as his countenance, in a manner as furtively as possible. Sometimes, indeed, he stared at him broadly, and with a stupid, oafish look, and again placed himself in such a position behind the range of flower-pots which were placed upon the ledges, that he could observe him without being perceived himself.
The force of habit, however, is extraordinary. Our hero was a man exceedingly remarkable for personal cleanliness, and consequently made a point to wash his hands morning and evening with peculiar care. Be this as it may, the lynx eye of Sir Robert observed their whiteness, and he instantly said to himself, ”This is no common laborer; I know that he is not, from the whiteness of his hands. Besides, he is disguised; it is evident from the length of his beard, and the unnecessary coa.r.s.eness of his apparel. Then his figure, the symmetry and size of which no disguise can conceal; this, and everything else, a.s.sures me that he is disguised, and that he is, besides, no other individual than the man I want, William Reilly, who has been hitherto my evil genius; but it shall go hard with me, or I shall be his now.” Such were his meditations as he pa.s.sed along with the squire to join him at lunch.
When they had left the garden, Reilly addressed his _Cooleen Bawn_ as follows:
”Helen, I am discovered.”
”Discovered! O my G.o.d, no!”
”Unquestionably, there is no doubt of it; it is certain.”
”But how do you know that it is certain?”
”Because I observed that Whitecraft's eyes were never off my hands; he knew that a common laborer could not possibly have such hands. Helen, I am discovered, and must fly.”
”But you know that there is a change of Administration, and that the severity of the laws has been relaxed against Catholics.”
”Yes, you told me so, and I have no fear for myself; but what I apprehend is that this discovery, of which I feel certain, will precipitate your marriage with that miscreant; they will entrap you into it, and then I am miserable for ever.”
”Then, William, we must fly this very night; we will proceed to the Continent, to some Protestant state, where we can get married without any danger to the clergyman who may unite us.”
”It is all that is left for us,” replied Reilly; ”I should sooner lose life than you, my beloved Helen; and now, what is to be done? fly we must; and in antic.i.p.ation of the necessity of this step I left a suit of clothes with Lanigan: or rather with a poor widow, who was a pensioner of mine--a Mrs. Buckley, from whom Lanigan got them, and has them. I could not think of accompanying you in this vile dress. On your way in, try to see Lanigan, and desire him to come out to me. There is not a moment to be lost; and, my dear Helen, show no marks of agitation; be calm and firm, or we are undone.”
”Rely on me, dear Reilly, rely on me; I shall, send Lanigan to you.”
She left him, and went to her room, when she rang the bell, and her maid, the faithful Connor, who had been restored to her service, came to her.
”Connor,” said she, ”I shall not be able to dine with papa to-day, especially as that wretch Whitecraft is likely to dine with him. Go to Lanigan, and tell him to come to me, for I wish to know if he has any thing light and delicate that he could send to my room; Connor, I am very unhappy.”
”But, miss, sure they say that the laws are changed, and that Mr. Reilly may go at large if he wishes.”
”I know that, Connor; but send Lanigan to me immediately.”
”When Lanigan entered he found the _Cooleen Bawn_ in tears.
”My G.o.d, Miss Folliard,” said he, ”what is the matter with you? why are you crying, or what have they done to you?”
”Lanigan,” she replied, wiping her eyes, ”you and Connor only are in our secret; we must fly this night.”
”This night, Miss Folliard!”
”This night, Lanigan; and you must a.s.sist us.”
”To the last drop of my blood, I will.”