The girls had got home, hard breathing, panting, from the haste they had
made. But though supper was announced as set, they did not think of
sitting down to it, but instead, entered the withdrawing-room, a large
apartment, with windows facing front. In the bay of one of these, their
dresses unchanged and their hoods still on, they took stand, with eyes
bent down the avenue, all visible from the window. At intervals along
the road they had heard behind them the trampling of hoofs, and knew
from what horses it proceeded. The sounds, at first faint and distant,
had grown more distinct as they reached the park gate, and they had come
up the avenue with a run, to the surprise and somewhat alarm of their
father, who at the time was outside awaiting their return.
Already in wonder at their being so late, he would have inquired into
the cause. But they anticipated him by at once telling him where they
had been, what seen, and who, as they supposed, was advancing along the
Ruardean road.
This last bit of intelligence seemed greatly to excite him; and while
his daughters watched from the window, he himself was also keeping vigil
in the porch outside. After hearing what they had to say, he had
remained there, letting them pass in.
For a time the gaze of all was fixed on the park entrance, at the lower
end of the long avenue, where a massive oak gate traversed between two
piers of mason-work, old and ivy-mantled. Only for a short while were
they kept in suspense. The flurried girls had barely got back their
breath when a grey horse was seen, with head jam up against the gate,
his rider bending down in the saddle to undo its fastenings.
In an instant after it was pushed open, and they saw Reginald Trevor
come riding on towards the house, for they were now sure of its being
he. He was yet at too great a distance for them to read the expression
upon his face; but one near enough might have noted it as strange,
without being able to interpret it. All the more because of its seeming
to undergo constant and sudden changes; now as one advancing reluctantly
to the performance of some disagreeable duty, wavering and seeming
half-inclined to back out of it; anon, with resolution restored through
some opposing impulse, as anger, this shown by the fire flashing in his
eyes.
Never had he ridden up that avenue swayed by such feelings, or under the
excitement of emotions so varied or vivid. Those he had hitherto felt
while approaching Hollymead House were of a different nature. Confident
always, or, if doubting, not enough to give him any great uneasiness.
Vaga Powell resist him! She, a green country girl; he, a skilled,
practised Lothario, conqueror in many a love combat! He could not think
of failure. Nor would he have thought of it yet, believing the sole
obstruction to his suit lay in the father. But now he had to face that
father in a way likely to make his hostility more determined--turn it
into very hate, if it was not so already.
In truth, a _role_ of a very disagreeable kind was Reginald Trevor
called upon to play; and more than once since entering on it he had felt
like cursing Sir John Wintour in his heart--the King as well.
As he drew near to the house, and saw the two fair faces in the window--
a little surprised seeing hoods over their heads at that hour--he more
than ever realised the awkwardness of his errand. And, possibly, if at
that last moment Vaga Powell had come forth, as oft before, to give him
greeting, or even bestowed a smile from where she stood, he would have
risked all, forgiven the insult he had received, and left his duty
undone.
But no smile showed upon the girl's face, no glance gave him welcome;
instead, he saw something like a frown, as never before. Only with a
glimpse of that face was he favoured; Vaga, as he drew up in front,
turning her back on him, and retiring into the shadowed obscurity of the
room, whither her sister had preceded her.
It may have been only a seeming rudeness on their part, and
unintentional. Whether or no, it once more roused his resentment
against their father; who, still in the porch, received him with a
countenance stern, as his own was vexed and angry.
There was a short interval of silence after the unexpected visitor had
drawn up, still keeping to his saddle. He could not well dismount
without receiving invitation; and that was not extended to him, much
less word of welcome. Moreover his presence there, after what had
passed, not only called for explanation, but by all the rules of
politeness required his giving it before aught else should be said.
He did not, however; seeming embarrassed, and leaving the master of
Hollymead no choice but to take the initiative. Which the latter at
length did, saying sourly, and somewhat satirically--
"What may you be wanting with me, Mr Reginald Trevor? I take it your
business is with _me_."
"With you it is," brusquely returned the other, still further nettled at
the way he was addressed.
"Have the goodness then to tell me what it is. I suppose it's something
that can be settled by you in the saddle. If not, you may alight and
come indoors."
Speech aggravating, terribly insulting, as Ambrose Powell intended it
should be. He had long ago taken the measure of the man, and wished to
drive him to a distance, even further off than he had already done. His
last words were enough, without the contemptuous look that accompanied
them. But, stung by both, the emissary of Sir John Wintour stood
proudly up in his stirrups, as he replied, with a touch of satire
too,--"No need, sir, to enter your very hospitable house, or even get
off my horse's back. My errand can be accomplished by delivering this
at your door. But, as you chance to be in it, permit me to hand it
direct to you."
While speaking he had drawn from under the breast of his doublet a
folded sheet, a letter, on which was a large disc of red wax, stamped
with the King's seal.
The master of Hollymead was not so impolite as to refuse taking the
letter from his hands; and, as soon as in his own, he tore it open and
read,--
"For Ambrose Powell, Gentn.
"Trustie and well-beloved, Wee greete you well. Having obserued in the
Presidents and custome of former times that all the Kings and Queenes of
the Realme, vpon extraordinary occasions, haue vsed either to resort to
those Contributions, which arise from one generalitie of Subiects, or to
the priuate helpes of some well affected in particular, by way of loane:
In which latter course Wee being at this time inforced to proceed, for
supply of some portions of Treasure for diuers publique seruices, and
particularly for continuing and increasing our magazins in some large
proportion in our Realme of Ireland, in our Nauie, and in our ffortes:
in all which greater summes have been expended of late, both in building
and repairing, and in making sundry prousions, than haue bene in twentie
yeares before: We haue now in Our Eye an especiall care, that such
discretion may be obserued in the choise of the lenders, and such an
indifferent distribution, as the summes that Wee shall receiue may be
raised with an equall Consideration of men's abilities: And therefore,
seeing men haue had so good experience of Our repayment of all those
summes which we haue euer required in this kinde, Wee doubt not but Wee
shall now receiue the like Argument of good affection from you (amongst
other of Our Subiects), and that with such alacrity and readiness as may
make the same so much the more acceptable, especially seeing Wee require
but that of some which few men would deny a friend, and haue a minde
resolued to expose all our earthly fortune for the preseruation of the
generall. The summe that Wee require of you by vertue of these presents
is three thousand Pounds, Which we do promise in the name of Us, our
heires and successors, to repay to you or your Assignes within eighteene
monethes after the payment thereof vnto the Commissioner. The person
that we have appointed to receiue it is our worthy servant, Sir Jno.
Wintour, To whose hands Wee do require you to send it within twelue days
after you have receiued this Priuy Seale, which, together with the
Commissioner's acquittance, shall be sufficient Warrant unto the
Officers of our receipt for the repayment thereof at the time
limitted.--Giuen under our Priuy Seale at our Pallace of Westminster.
"Carolus Rex."
So ran the curious communication put into the hands of Ambrose Powell.
A letter of "Loan by Privy Seal" even more execrable both as to grammar
and diction than the documents emanating from Royalty at the present
day--and that is admitting much.