Part 30 (1/2)

”Sink me, Sir Robert Volney should be well enough known not to be badgered by every country b.o.o.by with a king's commission. Lard, I vow I'll have a change when Fritz wears the crown.”

With that I turned on my heel in a simulation of petty anger, offered my arm to Aileen, and marched up the stairs with her. My manner and my speech were full of flowered compliments to her, of insolence to the young gentleman below, for there is nothing more galling to a man's pride than to be ignored.

”'Twas the only way,” I said to Aileen when the door was closed on us above. ”'Tis a shame to flout an honest young gentleman so, but in such fas.h.i.+on the macaroni would play the part. Had I stayed to talk with him he might have asked for my proof. We're well out of the affair.”

But we were not out of it yet. I make no doubt that no sooner was my back turned than the little rat in fustian, his mind set on a possible reward, was plucking at the lad's sleeve with suggestions and doubts. In any case there came presently a knock at the door. I opened. The boy officer was there with a red face obstinately set.

”Sir, I must trouble you again,” he said icily. ”You say you are Sir Robert Volney. I must ask you for proofs.”

At once I knew that I had overdone my part. It had been better to have dealt with this youth courteously; but since I had chosen my part, I must play it.

”Proofs,” I cried blackly. ”Do you think I carry proofs of my ident.i.ty for every country b.u.mpkin to read? Sink me, 'tis an outrage.”

He flushed, but hung doggedly to his point.

”You gain nothing by insulting me, Sir Robert. I may be only a poor line officer and you one high in power, but by Heaven! I'm as good a man as you,” cried the boy; then rapped out, ”I'll see your papers, if you have me broke for it.”

My papers! An inspiration shot into my brain. When Volney had subst.i.tuted for me at Portree he had given me a pa.s.s through the lines, made out in his name and signed by the Duke of c.u.mberland, in order that I might present it if challenged. Hitherto I had not been challenged, and indeed I had forgotten the existence of it, but now-- I fished out the sheet of parchment and handed it to the officer. His eye ran over the pa.s.sport, and he handed it back with a flushed face.

”I have to offer a thousand apologies for troubling you, Sir Robert. This paper establishes your ident.i.ty beyond doubt.”

”Hope you're quite satisfied,” I said with vast irony.

”Oh, just one more question. The lady travelling with you?”

I watched him silently.

”She is from the Highlands, is she not?” he asked.

”Is she?”

”To be sure 'tis sufficient if Sir Robert Volney vouches for her.”

”Is it?”

”And of course the fact that she travels in his company----”

My answer was a yawn, half stifled behind my hand. The lad glared at me, in a rage at me for my insolence and at himself for his boyish inability to cope with it. Then he swung on his heel and stamped down-stairs. Five years later I met him at a dinner given by a neighbour of mine in the country, and I took occasion then to explain to him my intolerable conduct. Many a laugh we have since had over it.

We reached London on a dismal Wednesday when the rain was pouring down in sheets. Aileen I took at once to our town house that she might be with Cloe, though I expected to put up with my old nurse in another part of the city. I leave you to conceive the surprise of Charles and my sister when we dropped in on them.

The news they had for us was of the worst. Every week witnessed the execution of some poor Jacobites and the arrival of a fresh batch to take their place in the prisons. The Scotch Lords Balmerino, Cromartie and Kilmarnock were already on trial and their condemnation was a foregone conclusion. The thirst for blood was appalling and not at all glutted by the numerous executions that had already occurred. 'Twas indeed for me a most dismal home-coming.

CHAPTER XV

A REPRIEVE!

”My Lord of March, is Arthur Lord Balmerino guilty of High Treason?”

Lord March, youngest peer of the realm, profligate and scoundrel, laid his hand on the place where his heart ought to have been and pa.s.sed judgment unctuously.