The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Blot on the Scutcheon, by May Wynne This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: A Blot on the Scutcheon Author: May Wynne Release Date: October 29, 2010 [EBook #34164] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BLOT ON THE SCUTCHEON *** Produced by Al Haines [Transcriber's note: the leaf containing pages 175 and 176 was missing from the source book. Should you happen to have access to a complete copy of this book, please send scans of the missing pages to Project Gutenberg's errata system (errata2010_AT_pglaf.org). A BLOT ON THE SCUTCHEON BY MAY WYNNE AUTHOR OF "HENRY OF NAVARRE," "A MAID OF BRITTANY," "FOR CHURCH AND CHIEFTAIN," ETC. SECOND EDITION MILLS & BOON, LIMITED 49 WHITCOMB STREET LONDON W.C. TO MY MOTHER Published, January 12, 1910 Second Edition, February, 1910 CONTENTS CHAP. I. SIR HENRY'S HEIR II. SWEETHEARTS TRUE III. A TRAITOR'S SON IV. ON THE COACH FROM OXFORD V. A LEGACY VI. MISTRESS GABRIELLE GOES PRIMROSING VII. THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN VIII. AT LANGTON HALL IX. "WHEN TWO'S COMPANY AND THREE NONE" X. THE COUSIN FROM BRITTANY XI. THE ADVANTAGES OF A KEYHOLE XII. AN UNPRINCELY JEST XIII. A WOMAN'S WILL XIV. ON BRETON SOIL XV. CÉCILE DE QUERNAIS XVI. A MORNING ADVENTURE XVII. FAITH AND UNFAITH XVIII. MY LORD AWAITS HIS HOST XIX. AND WELCOMES A HOSTESS XX. MORRY EXPLAINS XXI. A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE XXII. COUNT JÉHAN IS NOT CONVINCED XXIII. THE MEETING IN THE FOREST XXIV. THE HUT OF NANETTE LEROC XXV. BERTRAND TELLS A TALE XXVI. A BLIND ATONEMENT XXVII. WHO MICHAEL MET ON THE ROAD TO VARENAC XXVIII. LORD DENNINGHAM FIGHTS XXIX. "I AM THE MARQUIS DE VARENAC" XXX. THE TERROR COMES TO KÉRNAK XXXI. THE CALVARY ON THE MOORS XXXII. "MICHAEL! MICHAEL!" XXXIII. THE CAVE OF LOST SOULS A Blot on the Scutcheon CHAPTER I SIR HENRY'S HEIR The evening sunshine fell athwart the pleasant gardens of Berrington Manor, glorifying all. Stray beams of light stole through the mullioned windows of the old grey building, peeping unbidden into dusty corners and dim recesses. They shone, too, on the figure of an old man, seated near an open casement, in the wainscotted library. But Sir Henry Berrington was heedless of the dancing shafts of glory which played daringly amongst the powdered hairs of his wig and shone on the gold buttons adorning his blue coat. He was busy adjusting his lace cravat, as though it choked him, whilst he addressed his friend, Squire Poynder, who sat opposite, sipping his port and puffing smoke from a long and blackened pipe. "My heir, indeed," Sir Henry was crying, with much heat, and a twisted frown of displeasure on his fine old face, "that gawk of a lad! with the brains of a mouse, I'll be sworn, and a name which any honest Englishman would be ashamed of. Michael! Michael! Faith, Hugh, you laugh at me, but it's sober truth I'm telling you. Heir of mine he is, I'll not deny it. And the son of his father, too, unless I'm mistaken. Thus more shame and dishonour to the name I'm proud —or was proud—to bear. Lord grant I may be in my grave before the boy proves my words." Squire Poynder puffed at his pipe in silence. It was not often that his friend ever alluded—even indirectly—to his son. It was time to change the conversation. The Squire gulped an inspiring draught of wine, pulled his pipe reluctantly from his lips, and, remarking hastily that the lad was young, turned his host's attention to the points of a certain black mare which a neighbour had for sale. And, meantime, in the garden, perched on the bough of a chestnut-tree, overhanging a sunken wall, sat the object of Sir Henry's dislike and choler, one Michael Berrington, sole heir to Berrington Manor, its wide estates—and something more, of which, as yet, he was in pleasant ignorance. A well-grown lad of fifteen, his clothes the shabbier for rough usage rather than long wear, curly brown hair caught back by a black ribbon, a long face which gave the impression of being one of many points, accentuated by the long, thin nose; lean cheeks, fine grey eyes, and a mouth which showed sensitiveness and a love of humour, closing, too, with the resoluteness of a strong will. An expressive, if not a handsome, face, with possibilities of improvement when the owner reached maturity; above all, the desire for laughter and mischief dominant. And what wonder, since his mother was Irish and a pretty little wit to boot before she married Stephen Berrington? Michael's mother had not been sorry when Death's call had dried her tears shed for a worthless husband. Yet she had laughed for her boy's sake, laughed with a breaking heart, and Michael had grown up laughing till that mother of his died. He had wept then. And afterwards his grandfather had sent for him, and he had come to Berrington Manor, in the county of Kent, in that year of grace, 1780. Once there he had quickly discovered two things. First, that his grandfather hated him; secondly, that, with no soft eyes to utter mute reproaches, he could let that spirit of dare-devilry within him run riot. He did not fear canings. So he sat, swinging long, lean legs over the sunken wall, and then, heedless of a rent in his plum-coloured coat, gave a quick leap to the ground and set off at a swinging pace across the meadow. He was going with Jake Williams to see a cock-fight at Dunley Town that evening, regardless of certain injunctions anent late hours. The road was rough after the soft springiness of the meadow, and Michael paused once to shake out a stone which had slipped sideways into his buckled shoe. As he did so, the unexpected trifle, which was to change his whole life, happened. Bounce! Only the falling of a soft ball from over a high wall near. An absurdly trivial thing! It would have been so easy to throw it back, especially as he had caught the sound of a childish cry of dismay from the other side. But Michael did not throw it back. Instead, he climbed like a monkey up the wall, hanging on to sturdy strands of ivy till he had swung himself to the top. "Ah!" It was a mutual exclamation. The boy, looking down, saw a vision of the daintiest of seven-year-old maidens,—a study in brown, from her little, brown, flowered-cotton dress with its quaint fichu, to the brown curls, partly hidden by a muslin cap, whilst great brown eyes, soft as velvet, and coy under their long lashes, were raised shyly to his. And the brown eyes saw a broad-shouldered lad, lean of limb and face, with pointed nose, high cheek-bones, laughing mouth, and grey eyes, which made her own rosy cheeks dimple in amusement. "Ah, I thank you," cried the Brown Fairy, dropping the demurest of curtsies; "I cried for my ball." "Fie!" he laughed; "you are no baby. See! I mean to give you the ball myself, and you shall give me something too." She watched him breathlessly, as he clambered down the old, gnarled medlar-tree which grew against the wall, and clapped her hands when he offered her the ball with the grandest and most courtly of bows. "I like you, boy," she said. "You shall stay here and play ball with me." "With pleasure, little mistress," he made gay answer. "But you must give me a kiss first for bringing you your plaything." At this, child though she was, she made a fine show of indignation. "I am no village wench to be kissed at will, sir," she declared, with a faintly foreign accent which was very fascinating. "I am Gabrielle de Varenac Conyers, and one day I shall be a grand lady." And she nodded her brown curls at him. "Gabrielle? 'tis a nice name," responded Michael critically, "and you are a very pretty Gabrielle. So instead of being a grand lady you shall be my little sweetheart, and one day we will be married, and I will love you and share all that I have. So kiss me now, Gabrielle, and promise." But the Brown Fairy only dimpled afresh and shook her curls. "Bah!" she retorted. "I tell you I am going to be a very grand lady. Perhaps I shall have to go away, however, from this dear garden and home, and be Madame la Marquise, far off over the sea. I do not want to go away. So, if you will let me stay here always and have my white rabbits and dear old Nurse Bond, why, then I perhaps will be your little sweetheart." She announced this with much deliberation, so that Michael's eyes twinkled merrily. "You shall certainly stay here," he said. "For I am Michael Berrington, and one day the old Manor yonder will be mine, and then I shall come for you, Gabrielle, and you shall be my lady." She nodded, dancing first on one foot then on the other. "It is better than playing ball all alone," she cried gleefully. "I am glad I threw it over the wall and that you brought it back, for now you will have to be my brave knight, such as Nurse has told me of, and I will be your sweet lady." Michael bowed. "Yes," he promised, "I will be your knight, and you shall give me kisses when I ask for them." Again she clapped her hands, then paused, a pink finger pressed against her lips. "And will you fight the dragons when they come?" she asked, "and save me from being devoured?" "Of course," he replied, thinking that never before had he seen so pretty a baby-maid or listened to so sweet a voice. Her eyes were bright as stars as she came a step nearer. "Then you may kiss me, my knight," she said with quaint gravity. "And I will be your true love for ever and ever, like the princesses and queens in old Nurse's tales." And Michael bent his dark head to the level of pouting lips. CHAPTER II SWEETHEARTS TRUE So Michael found the way to Langton Hall and to little Mistress Gabrielle Conyers's heart. But never a word said he of his discovery, not even when Jake Williams upbraided him with being late for the first round with the cocks. And they were mettled birds too. So summer days glided past, and Sir Henry, hearing first of one mischievous prank, then another, swore again and again that the devil himself must be in his grandson, and urged on Master Timothy Parblett to spare not the rod. But Master Timothy, though he talked boastfully before Sir Henry, was a very lamb in the presence of his pupil, for Michael had muscle in his long arms, and a breadth of chest which made the worthy tutor tremble as he viewed it. But the devil had gone out of the lad, it seemed, when he scaled the wall of Langton Hall and greeted the little Brown Fairy who waited there for him. There was no one to love Gawky Mike, with his impish pranks, at Berrington Manor; and so dewy kisses from sweet, childish lips were the more cherished, and the very thought of them stirred unknown depths in the boy's soul. And Gabrielle—little coquette—knew her power. The sauciness of the pretty baby! What a tyrant she was, refusing him any grace till he had done her will—sometimes treating him with disdain, at others with a friendliness which was enchanting; Michael, great booby, taking it all in deadliest earnest. Then, one day, her lips pouted in earnest. "Morice is coming to-day," she confided to her loyal knight. "Bah! I am not glad, although Nursie says it is wicked, seeing that he is my only brother. But then he should not pull my hair and call me Mistress Mouse. I do not like it; and he is very rough. He is not like you, Michael." And Michael, rough, dare-devil Michael, smiled triumphantly into approving brown eyes. He had ever been gentle knight on this side of the old wall. The next day found Gabrielle in tears, nursing a black bruise on a dimpled arm. It is true the tears had been squeezed into evidence as soon as she heard a certain voice humming a merry tune in the road yonder. But sympathy is welcome balm in trouble. The Brown Fairy told a harrowing tale of how Morry had caught her arm because she stole his peach at breakfast. Michael vowed vengeance hot and strong. The opportunity came sooner than they expected, for, at this moment, who should come down the path but Morry himself! A fine young cockerel, this, of nearly seventeen summers, attired according to the latest mode, and flicking, with a little ebony cane, at the heads of yellow marigolds. 'Twas a flaunting flower he should have cherished. Full gape he stood at sight of Gabrielle being comforted by a dust-begrimed youth in plum-coloured coat and breeches, and with a face grim set at sight of him. "An' who the devil are you, sir?" he cried, with a mighty fashionable oath to set seal to his aping manhood. "Be off on the instant if you don't want my cane about your shoulders." But Michael did not waste time in words. Two soft brown eyes had been swimming in tears as a round, white wrist was raised for his inspection of a certain ugly mark on it. With a wild snort he leapt across the marigolds and snatched the dainty cane out of its owner's clasp. "Now fight me like a man," he roared, bull-like in his rage, "or else sure you'll take the soundest thrashing you've tasted yet, for a coward born." Mr. Morice St. Just Conyers was not accustomed to such a challenge. It shocked his delicate sensibilities, yet, after all, he had fight in him. Little Gabrielle watched them from the shelter of the old medlar-tree, sobbing in very terror as she saw the raining of hard blows and the blood on Michael's face. But the lads paid no heed to her sobs and prayers, for their blood was up, and they were as hard set to their work as game cockerels in the pit. And Michael was the winner, though he panted vigorously as he stood over his fallen adversary. "And if ye want more at any time, sir," quoth he, with immense dignity, "you'll find Michael Berrington ready enough to teach you another lesson." Young Conyers' face had not been pretty before, but, at sound of his enemy's name, it became uglier still. "Michael Berrington," he screamed. "What! the son of that foul coward, Stephen Berrington? Faugh! I would have sent the lackeys to beat you from the place had I known it." The colour crept up in a dull flush under Michael's tan. "I can't hit a man who is down," he growled; "but be careful of your words, sir, or I'll cram them down your throat another day." But Morice Conyers had risen slowly to his feet, white of cheek, swollen of feature, but scornful-eyed. "I'll not waste words with the son of a traitor and murderer," said he slowly, and beckoned to his little sister. "Come, Gay," he said; "there will be a talking for you when we reach home, an' a whipping into the bargain if you do not promise amendment of such ways. Fie on you for a naughty chit." But Gabrielle's eyes were glowing as she looked from her brother to the blood-stained countenance of her true knight. Had he not fought for her? With a defiant toss of brown curls she had flown to Michael's side. "I hate Morry," she cried, flinging warm arms around his neck. "And ... and I love you, Michael." The words rang in the boy's ears as he stood alone amongst trampled marigolds long after an indignant brother had dragged off to summary justice a sobbing and rebellious sister. CHAPTER III A TRAITOR'S SON "So you fought Morice Conyers?" Michael nodded. He had found that the shorter his answers the better pleased his grandfather was. The old man's hand, resting idly on his knee, clenched and unclenched. Outside the birds were singing carols of love to the roses after the joy of a summer shower. The scent of wet, brown earth was alluring to Michael, yet he sat still, knowing that something momentous stirred in the evening air. The lines round Sir Henry's mouth were hardening. "Who won?" "I, sir." "Ah!" It was an enigmatical sound. Michael plucked up courage and met the stare of cold blue eyes steadily. "He had used his little sister roughly." "What was that to you?" "She is a playmate of mine, sir." "Playmate of yours!" "Yes, sir." "A Conyers playmate to your father's son? What do you mean, boy?" Michael drew himself up stiffly and told the tale in brief. He had played with little Gabrielle Conyers—and fought for her. He did not say how he was for ever and ever her true knight. Yet when he had finished, the old man opposite was sneering. "It was well for you her father knew nought of such play," said he sourly, "or I might have had to look farther for an heir." Michael's eyes blazed. "May I speak, sir?" he asked huskily, and never waited even for the curt nod of acquiescence. "I would know about my father," he said slowly and very steadily. "My mother wept when I spoke of him, but she would say no word save that I should know well enough one day. Neither would she tell me whether he were alive or dead. But I am a child no longer, and will be at the mercy of no man who dares call my father foul names, whilst I have no knowledge to enable me to slit their tongues for such lies." Silence in the wainscotted room. How the bird-song without jarred. "So you would know?" said Sir Henry dully. "Then I will tell you." The proud, aristocratic old face was very hard and set. "Your father," he said monotonously, "was my only son. He was handsome—you shall see his portrait presently. And I was proud of him. So was his mother. But she should not have hidden his faults from me. It is so with women: they weaken with their pampering where discipline should strengthen. I knew nothing of his gambling at Oxford, or his reputation later on at Arthur's and White's, where Stephen Berrington became, I believe, a notable figure—as a pigeon ready for plucking. "I remained here and knew nothing, only picturing my son according to my fancy. Then the inevitable happened. He got mixed up in one of those bubble Jacobite plots which were for ever being blown by the friends of poor Prince Charlie. He and his bosom companion, Ralph Conyers, were burning, it seemed, with zeal for the royal exile. I do not say that I altogether disapproved, though warning them of the penalties of rashness. "They did not listen—I hardly expected them to, though I warned them again before they set out on that fatal day to Ireland, where, in due course, their hero was to land. "I need not tell you the story in detail. They failed. The cracking of an egg-shell was no harder than the quashing of such a plot, though there were brave gentlemen concerned in it. Too much heart and too little brain is a bad mixture for success in such enterprises. Stephen was imprisoned at Dublin Castle with Ralph Conyers and others." A long pause. Sir Henry's face was ashen, his old lips twitching nervously. Michael's dark head was bent eagerly forward, but there was fear in his grey eyes. "Yes," he muttered. "He was imprisoned?" "For treason. When I heard the news I wept for my son, yet I honoured him, thinking he was giving his life for a gallant cause." "He escaped?" The old man's lips were twisted into that bitterly sarcastic smile of his. "Ay," he replied. "Stephen Berrington escaped scot free by betraying his comrades." Tick, tick, tick. The solemn, monotonous chant of the great clock in the corner was the only sound in the room. Michael sat, white and rigid as the stern old man opposite. "Betrayed!" "Betrayed. I learnt that the son I mourned as dead was alive—free; but the price was dishonour. I cursed him then, as I curse him now." It was very terrible, the concentrated and undying fury in those quiet, even tones. Michael shuddered, covering his face with his hands. "The son of a traitor," he moaned—"a traitor! And he was right." "Who?" "Morice Conyers. Yet I would have killed him for calling me a traitor's son." "He spoke truth. His father was one of those who suffered even more, perhaps, than those whom my son's words helped to send to the scaffold. Ralph Conyers was imprisoned for ten years and came back a cripple, whose limbs were twisted and bent with rheumatism and ague. Do you wonder if he too curses the name of Berrington?" "My father! And such an act!" "You do well to tremble. It is an ill heritage for you, lad,—a stained and blotted scutcheon, with coward and traitor written across an unsullied sheet." "And he—is still alive?" "I do not know. Yet I pray Heaven he is not. I have never seen him since. And he knew better than to come whining to me. I would have had him whipped from the doors. His mother saw him by stealth once, and he told her a tale. I did not listen to it. She died soon after; I think of a broken heart. It did not help me to love my son better. He wrote once to tell me of his marriage to an Irishwoman and of your birth. I did not answer. He has not written again." "My mother wept," said Michael slowly, "whenever I asked concerning him. Yet I do not think he is dead." "And why not?" "A letter came once, not long since. The messenger who brought it was from abroad. My mother did not welcome him very warmly, and afterwards she cried. The messenger went away laughing, and that maddened me. I ran after him, demanding that he should fight, but he caught me by the wrist, looking down for a long time into my face. "'Your father's son? Impossible!' he mocked. 'Impossible save for that big nose of yours and the set of your shoulders. Ha, ha! So you would not run away in face of an enemy? Morbleu! A game cockerel, I protest.' "So, making me a very mocking bow, he went away. And my mother wept again very sorely and very often, till the day she died." "Saying nought of him?" "As I knelt beside her, at the last, she put her arms around me closely. "'Pray God you may not meet him!' she moaned, 'or, if you do, pray God you may save him from——' But she died before she finished her words." Sir Henry's chin was sunk on his breast. The reopening of an unhealable wound is sore enough work. Let it be closed henceforth. Yet, being open, he would tell the lad all now, before forbidding mention of such subject again. "Come," he said, rising, clutching at his ebony stick with the sudden weakness of age. "You shall see his likeness, and then—well, it is good that the dead past buries its dead." Sir Henry Berrington did not believe in ghosts. Yet they haunted the picture-gallery up there. Ah yes! Curse he might and did, yet the ghosts laughed and sang with merry, boyish voices, shouting in glee as they romped with Chieftain and Bride, the great deerhounds, crying aloud to tell father or mother of some youthful sport, carolling out some brave, rollicking ditty of gallant deeds. Ah, yes! It was not the old mother alone who had wept on the neck of these ghosts, holding out wide, empty arms to embrace shadows, and turning away—alone. But the old man's step was firmer now as he trod the gallery floor, head erect and shoulders set as he passed between rows of smiling or frowning ancestors, followed by a lean, dark-browed boy, whose head was a trifle bent and his eyes deprecating as they met the fixed stare of painted ones around. Was it his fault that the scutcheon they left so fair was stained and blotted by a foul and treacherous deed? The setting sun sent a flare of light through the great window, with its blazonment of arms and rich colouring, at the end of the gallery. It shone strangely on the dusty curtain which hung there over the last picture on the wall. Force himself though he would, Sir Henry's hand trembled as he drew back the velvet folds. And Michael, looking, saw the picture of a young man, dressed in the extravagant fashion of a period twenty years earlier. Rich setting to rich beauty. Stephen Berrington, aged twenty-two, was a son any mother might have been proud of. Surely it was no traitor's face, but rather that of a very pretty gentleman. Weak? Yes; chin and mouth proved that —a youth to be led rather than born to rule. And Satan had led him to his own destruction. So Sir Henry said, even whilst Stephen's mother wept for her son on her knees. A woman puts love before honour where a brave man makes the latter his deity. Thus Michael looked on his father's face and found scorn overcoming the pity. A traitor—and his father! No wonder Morice Conyers had mocked him. Yet he would prove that a man can be a traitor's son, and yet no traitor himself. The blood drummed in his head and through his pulses at the thought. Yes, he would prove that, and, by his own deeds, wipe out the stain which seemed ready to tear his shrinking soul. The curtain fell back into its place. Sir Henry turned to his grandson. They did not speak, but stood there in the dying sunlight, whilst grey eyes alone spoke their promise to sunken blue ones. Then the old, withered hand fell on the lad's shoulder. "You understand?" he said simply. Michael understood. CHAPTER IV ON THE COACH FROM OXFORD A rough night, cold and wet, with a thin sleet falling and the wind blowing from the north-east full against the great coach which lumbered on its way from Oxford to London. Passengers inside huddled together, stamping benumbed feet and wishing for the journey's end. Passengers outside poured anathemas against the weather and the slowness of the horses into the depths of fur-lined coats, wherein their faces were buried. Only two or three of the younger men perched near the driver were able to crack occasional jokes, whilst one alone strove huskily to troll a stanza of some popular ditty. Insulting! Positively insulting to sing of drinking and being jolly, or drowning melancholy either, in face of such a gale, and the coach an hour behind time! Even his comrades upbraided him, whilst one beetroot-nosed individual near looked positively murderous. But Michael Berrington was made that way, and—so an Oxford wag declared—would have found food for laughter with a noose around his neck. "Hi, there! Hi! hi. For Heaven's sake, my masters! Hey——" Michael leant over the side of the coach and called aloud to the driver to pull up. A man, in holland smock, and face as white as chalk, had burst through the hedge on their left and was running frantically after them. "Hey, hi, for Heaven's——" He was breathless before he reached them, and the anathemas of the beetroot-nosed passenger rose high above his fur collar. But Michael—nimble now as when, ten years before, he had scaled a high garden wall with a child's ball—had swung himself down on to the ground beside the man. "Come," he cried gaily; "you've been running. Have a drink, my friend, and tell us the merry news afterwards. I'll wager it's worth the hearing." The man gulped down the contents of the extended flask readily enough, and proceeded to tell his tale in crescendo tones. He had been working yonder with the mangels for Farmer Benton's sheep, and had just stepped into the copse near, when he heard voices on the other side of it, and the jingling of bits. Gentlemen of the road they were,—three of them, black-masked, and dainty in their dress as any lords. How they laughed too, little dreaming of the mangel-digger, as they discussed how they and the rest of their band meant to rob the Oxford coach at Craven's Hollow, not far from Reading. Seven was the hour, and the prey secure. A lonely place, my masters, and rich booty. They had news of a certain gentleman whose valise was worth risking their necks for. The man told his tale in the broad Berkshire dialect, but the outline of it was enough for those who rode on the Oxford coach. Marry! What a to-do there was! Gabbling, crying, cursing,—one urging this thing, one the other, whilst the excitement of the beetroot-nosed passenger caused more than one to wonder what his valise contained. And above all the cackling and hysterical shrieks of the women, rose a rollicking voice. "The hour of seven," cried Michael Berrington, with gusty laughter. "And it's not six of the clock yet. Why, troth, we'll be miles away past Craven's Hollow and through Reading itself before then, so you give me leave to handle the ribbons." More clamour at this you may be sure, more cursings too, and cries that to be robbed by highwaymen was better than to have their necks broken by a mad young blood from Oxford University. But Michael's friends were nearest the driver, and the beetroot-nosed passenger stood their champion, so that, before more could be said, the driver of the "Red Reindeer" was whisked from his seat and stowed struggling away in the custody of two chuckling Oxonians, whilst Michael gathered up the reins with a cry of encouragement to the horses, which were growing restive with long standing in the cold. It was Tom Blakeley who wound the horn, and he of the beetroot nose who cried "Well played," as the greys leapt forward under the light touch of the lash, leaving the mangel-digger—richer by many a coin of the realm—to pass the time of night with a certain bearded traveller who swore, with mighty pretty oaths and hectorings, that he would rather tramp it through the slush to Reading than trust his neck to any devil-may-care Oxford scholar. And meantime Michael Berrington drove as surely those four sleek but sweating greys had never been driven before. Those within the coach vowed that their last hour had come, and clung together, the women in hysterics, and the men swearing as a sudden jolt would fling them one against the other, whilst shrieks and groans told of bumps and bruises manifold. Outside, however, things wore a merrier aspect. The Oxford grads were enjoying themselves, trolling out jocular songs as though they sat to see the finish of the punch-bowl at a College wine, rather than a likely finish in a neighbouring ditch with a broken neck or two thrown in. But the stranger with the nose and valise neither sang nor swore, but sat behind Michael, urging him to quicken his steeds' pace again and again, in tones which were inflected with growing anxiety. But Michael needed no urging. He was at least half an Irishman and was bred for a sportsman; moreover, he meant winning that race. Faith! those inside might split, slit, and confound themselves and others till they were hoarse, the coachman, pinioned firmly by Nat and Horace Goulden, might entreat and implore for pity on horses and passengers, but Michael heeded nothing of them all. High above the shrieking wind and creaking of tossing boughs overhead rose his strong, young voice, whooping on the straining, panting steeds as they dashed downhill at a gallop. It was Providence that looked to the wheels of the coach. A yell from Tom Blakeley, perched behind, set hearts a-thumping lustily. Cross roads and a stretch of common land had shown keen eyes the sight of a group of horsemen riding with loose rein to meet them. Half a mile lower was Craven's Hollow, and our merry gentlemen of the road were on their way for their tryst. But the Oxford coach was half an hour before her time. "Hola! Hola! Hola!" It was a wonder those chanting grads did not fling themselves from the coach-top in their excitement. They were ahead of their pursuers. Blunderbusses and pistols had been handed up from the arm-chest below, but it was agreed that a fight was to be avoided. These gentry of the black mask were straight shooters and might let more hot blood than was desirable. "Hola! Hola! gallant greys! The best feed Reading can provide, and no more journeyings to-night if you do it." Michael's voice, coaxing at first, rose to shrill command, as the long whip cracked, and the great coach swung round a corner at such an angle as nearly sent Tom Blakeley spinning after his horn. But the men behind quite understood the game now, and were ready enough to play it out. One does not see a rich prize disappearing round the corner without giving chase. And their horses were fresh. Yet the coach had a good start. Craven's Hollow at last! "Steady there, Michael, steady! Bad going, and a rickety old bridge which wants treating with respect." But Michael was deaf to caution. To steady down meant capture, and one must risk something for success. So down the hollow rattled the great, clumsy vehicle, and even the youngsters grouped round the box-seat forgot to sing and shout now, but clung on in silence—wondering—— Over! A positive gasp of relief went up as the greys, galloping across the wooden bridge, went sturdily up the hill, whilst the coach swayed and rocked from side to side of the rough lane. "Huzza, huzza!" cried Blakeley, waving his hat; and the shout was taken up with growing fervour as the passengers, looking back, saw half a dozen horsemen come down the Hollow pell-pell. La! what a crash and what a yell of triumph from the hill-top. The bridge, strained to its last plank by the coach, had split and broken as the pursuers set horse-hoof on it, thus precipitating two of the foremost riders into the stream. It was highly regrettable that they could not wait to see the end of the adventure; but the greys were already half- way down the hill, and yonder twinkled the lights of Reading. It was unlikely that the gentry behind would leave their comrades to drown in a swollen torrent, since there is considerable honour amongst thieves; so the Oxford coach proceeded at a more respectable rate towards the town, thus enabling those within to right and congratulate themselves on being alive. On the outside a merry chorus was being sung, and one Michael Berrington, much patted on the back, urged to write himself down hero as he drove his panting horses up to the sign of the "Blue Boar." Even the beetroot-nosed traveller asked leave to shake hands and congratulate the finest young whip he had ever driven behind. Michael, being no swaggerer, laughed, and passed off the honours with a jest. But it was good to know that the name of Berrington was being toasted that night in the little inn-parlour of a Reading posting-house. One day—ah well! Youth must have its dreams, and we all figure as heroes to ourselves in them some time in our lives. CHAPTER V A LEGACY Oxford to London, London to Berrington. And arriving there to be greeted with the news that old Sir Henry was dying. Shock enough for the young man to whom Sir Henry meant everything of affection in life. Ten years had passed since he had come, a raw, uncouth lad fresh from the little Irish village and his mother's death-bed. Sir Henry had been as much bogey to him then as he had been thorn in flesh to Sir Henry. But the years had altered that,—years, and the story of his father. That story had changed young Michael Berrington from a scapegrace lad into something of sterner, more manlike, mould; though, at twenty-four, he was known at Oxford as Hotspur Mike by reason of the devilry of his pranks. Yet it was a Hotspur who had won himself a certain honour, and there was no mud thrown against the name. And Sir Henry had come to love this big, stalwart grandson of his, finding him true stuff, with Berrington honour to stiffen his backbone for all his wild Irish blood. Michael's pranks were not those of a coward, and his grey eyes looked straight and fearless in owning a fault, punishment or no. So the ten years had passed in strengthening fibres which grew down into native soil, and the old man and young one had been drawn very near to each other. And now Sir Henry was dying. Michael's hand fell listless on the great head of Comrade, the deerhound, as he sat opposite to the little, black- coated doctor who took his snuff and ran nervous fingers through his wig, as his manner was in breaking ill news. This young man, with the white, set face and enigmatical grey eyes, disturbed him far more than the vapourings and hysterical screaming with which my lady received the news of the passing of my lord. "He is dying?" "I regret very greatly to say—yes, Mr. Michael. It is a case of inflammation around the heart. I fear——" "May I go to him?" "As I was about to say, Mr. Michael, Sir Henry has asked to see you. Any moment——" "Any moment?" "May be his last. The valves of the heart being——" But Michael did not want explanations. His grandfather was dying and had asked for him. That was enough. Instinct and canine sympathy brought Comrade with drooping tail and ears at his heels. In the great, wainscotted bedroom, with its huge, four-poster bed and dark hangings, Sir Henry Berrington lay dying. It was very gloomy, that room, and though lights flared in the silver candlesticks on the table and mantel-shelf, yet there were shadows—heavy shadows. Shadows too under the tired old eyes; but there was no fear in the latter. A true Berrington feared only one thing—dishonour. Poor Sir Henry. Was it that ghost which haunted him even now! A strong, lean hand was gently drawing back the bed curtain. "Ah, Michael." The tremulous voice spoke a hundred unuttered welcomes in the brief sentence. "Grandfather." It was not weakness which shook the other tones. Sir Henry smiled. How good the touch and clasp of warm young fingers is on those that grow cold and chill! For a moment the shadows have gone, as blue eyes look into the clear depths of grey. This is a Berrington who will hold honour high—a Berrington whom he can trust to remember all that is due to the name. The old man's heart throbbed quickly, whilst mute lips thanked God for such an heir. Then, once more, the shadow fell. Bending low, Michael listened to the faintly gasping breaths. "He ... may be ... alive. If so ... he ... will come back ... when he hears. He ... was always afraid ... of me. That was how ... it began. My boy ... Stephen ... I ... have cursed him ... but his mother ... loved him. If he comes ... back ... I leave the ... honour of ... Berrington in your hands, ... Michael. Swear you will ... watch over it ... always?" "I swear." A smile broke over the tired lips, as though a burden had been dropped from weary arms into the safe clasp of stronger ones. "Michael," whispered the old man. "Yes ... can trust ... Michael. He ... has not failed me.... Would ... God he had ... been my son. Yet Mary ... loved Stephen.... Poor lad ... afraid of me ... and then ... a traitor.... May God ... forgive ——" One long sigh, and Sir Henry had gone to finish his plea for pardon in the presence of Heaven itself. * * * * * But Michael sat pondering long by the dead man's side, pondering on many things, till the candles guttered and went out with a final flare, leaving him alone in the darkness with Death. Yet he was not afraid, even though the sigh which broke from his lips presently was half a sob. Supposing his father were yet alive? "I swear." It was the mute reiteration of an oath. CHAPTER VI MISTRESS GABRIELLE GOES PRIMROSING "I vow that I would sooner be a nun than live here all my life alone." And Beauty in a passion stamped her little foot, scolded her dog, and then ran upstairs to put her hat on. At seventeen one's own company is apt to be wearisome; but then, as Morice said, there was no pleasing his sister. She refused to come to London under the chaperonage of my Lady Helmington, and as often as not she stayed upstairs in her chamber when he drove his friends down from London. It is true that the friends were of a convivial spirit, and had on one occasion treated Mistress Gabrielle de Varenac Conyers as if she were Betty the serving-wench at some ale-house, instead of a very haughty young lady. And Gabrielle, being of a high spirit, had greatly resented the treatment, and vowed, many times over, that she would never again put in an appearance at her brother's orgies, or run risk of such insults. Morice, however, had only laughed and driven away. A gay buck was he, such as a man in the Prince of Wales's set need be. Ah! the tales he could have told of Carlton House and the goings on there! Of course Gabrielle, little fool, wouldn't listen to a word of them, and was scathing in her remarks when he told the story of how the Prince himself had driven Richmond, the black boxer, down to Moulsey, and held his coat for him when he beat Dutch Sam, or how that merry Princeling another time dressed a second champion of the gloves up as a bishop, and took him with him thus attired to a fête. Miss Gabrielle, a disdainful maiden of sweet seventeen, tilted a very pretty nose, and declared His Royal Highness to be nothing better than a buffoon. Perhaps she was right. At any rate no wonder she sighed, picturing the absent Morry at the dicing-board, or under the table snoring away in drunken slumbers till the morning. In those halcyon days of youth "Prince Florizel's" set was more notorious for riotous living than for respectability. And, in the meantime, pretty Gabrielle lived virtually alone at the dull old Hall in Surrey. Her father was dead. Poor, rheumatic, growling old man—prematurely old—cursing against Fate and the friend who had betrayed him. Cursing at a Government, too, which had given him the name of rebel, and a King who was little better than usurper—a stodgy German—half madman—whom an English people chose for their liege Sovereign. But Gabrielle did not trouble about politics, and, though she shed a few filial tears for a cantankerous parent they had soon been dried. If only Morry had been different they two might have been very happy together. But Morry was a natural product of the times, and not likely to change so long as he and his boon comrades had money to spend at the gaming-table, or a bottle of good wine to get drunk on, not omitting other delights such as boxing, racing, the smiles of French ballet-dancers, and the latest fantasies of the mode. Poor little Gabrielle! It was a good thing for her that she had a will and virtue of her own, and shrank from the blustering offers of an introduction into London society, under the painted wing of my Lady Helmington. Still, seventeen is not apt to be prosaic, and therefore small wonder that a tear stole down a pink cheek as a slim little maiden wandered aimlessly down a garden path and through a wicket-gate. What was the use of being pretty and sweet as a May morning, as old Nurse Bond had just called her, when there was no one to see her but a set of drunken young jackanapes? What use that the brimming laughter of fun and coquetry rose to her lips when there was no lover to be enthralled? Ah! a lover! Blush as she might at such forward desires, yet that was what she wanted. Such a lover as one read of in the romances. A Romeo to whom she might play Juliet. The picture was a fitting one for springtide. But where was he? Not here, alas! though the setting would have been ideal,—a wood carpeted with primrose blossoms, birds warbling their prettiest and gayest amongst larches and slender ash, all dressed in the freshest of green robes, and, in the centre, herself,—a Queen amongst her feathered subjects, with sunshine to crown her tumbled curls, and a hat, turned basket, half filled with flowers. Eden and the most seductive Eve, all waiting for an errant Adam! He came. Of course he came! She knew he would at last, and smiled a welcome which set the dimples in her cheek playing at hide-and-seek in the most bewitching way. After all she was but a child, tired of her own company, and she knew the name of her Adam though she had not seen him for three years, nor spoken to him for ten. So she dropped him the merriest of curtsies, laughing as she watched the colour creep up under his skin at sight of her. His own bow was formal enough, but he raised his hat with grace. "Sure, sir, you have been long in coming," she cried, swinging her hat by its blue ribbon, and eyeing him with some show of admonition. She was quite aware that he did not know her. "Your pardon, mistress," stammered Michael Berrington, shame-faced as a girl. "I almost—forget——" She checked him, clapping her hands. "Fie, sir, but that is what a man of honour should never do, though, certes, it is many a long year since you vowed to be my true knight for ever and ever." She blushed rosy-red over the last words, only afterwards realising their meaning. But the blush became her, rendering her more enchanting than ever. Michael, however, had paled, for he knew now that this was the little Brown Fairy of other days, grown into lovelier girlhood. Yet was not her name Gabrielle Conyers, daughter to the man whom his father had betrayed? Instinct and impulse ofttimes help a woman better than long training in worldly wisdom. Gabrielle had heard the story of Stephen Berrington. But she held out friendly hands to his son. "I am all alone," she murmured plaintively, "and very dull. Come and help me gather my primroses." Half-conquered by a flash from hazel eyes, the young man took a step forward. "But——" he answered with an effort. "Perhaps, madam, you do not know my name is Berrington." An adorable dimple completed the conquest. "Michael, not Stephen," she retorted boldly. "Old stories and memories should have no place in the present, sir, so forget, pray, your name, if it displeases you, and remember only your ancient vow. I hold you to it." She would not have coquetted thus with any of the fops and lordlings whom Morry brought from town, but that same woman's instinct of hers told her that this stalwart young man with the lean face of many angles, and steadfast grey eyes, was to be trusted. He yielded, tossing aside misgivings with one of those sudden changes of mood which characterized him, and knelt beside her on the mossy bank to gather the sweet-scented blossoms with which her hands were already half-filled. Spring-time and youth, sunshine, bird-song, the seductive spell of a woodland glade, all helped to cast their glamour, and, before him, the slim, girlish figure in its simple gown of white, with a bunch of blue ribbons loosely knotted in the fichu at her breast, and a face which Greuze would have loved to paint, framed in a mass of tumbled curls. No wonder that Michael Berrington's blood quickened in his veins and his grey eyes kindled. Love is like the dawn which, slow of coming in northern skies, yet breaks through the trammels of night to swift and glorious radiance in the south. So, in passionate, impulsive natures, love sometimes dawns, with no warning murmurs, no slowly stirring desire, but swift and warm as the King of Day himself. Thus surely came love to Michael Berrington, as he gathered primrose-posies in the sunshine of a spring day, and looked long into a young maid's laughing eyes. Yet he did not call this strange new sweetness, love, but was content to feel it thrilling and animating his whole being. So lonely he had been since old Sir Henry's death, haunted with ghosts as the old Manor seemed,—ghosts of living and dead, which remorselessly pursued him. But winter blackness had rolled suddenly aside as a girl's rippling laugh broke on his ear. "Dreaming, Sir Knight. Fie on you again! You should be minding your devoir. I asked you to gather me primroses." He was awake once more, and dreams put aside for a more profitable moment.