A RIDE THROUGH THE WOODS.
The next morning, when the three were seated at the breakfast table,
Mr. Grey said:
"Jasper, I think I shall leave you to amuse yourself this morning. I
propose to invite Gilbert to accompany me on a drive."
"All right, father. Where do you intend driving?"
"I scarcely know, yet. There are many pleasant places in the
neighborhood which it is worth while to visit."
"I wonder what the old man's up to?" thought Jasper. "No good to
Gilbert, I'll be bound. Well, I've had my turn, and it's no more than
right that he should take his. I won't ask any inconvenient questions."
"Will that arrangement be agreeable to you?" asked James Grey, turning
to his young visitor.
"I shall be happy to accompany you, Mr. Grey," answered our hero,
politely.
"Then it is settled. I will order the chaise round to the door at ten
o'clock."
"I will be ready, sir."
Jasper looked at his father curiously, as Gilbert left the room. His
look was returned by one equally significant.
"Ask no questions," it said, and Jasper sauntered out of the room, in
mute obedience.
Ten o'clock found the chaise before the door. Gilbert was on hand, and
so was his uncle.
"Jump in, Gilbert," said Mr. Grey.
Our hero did so, and James Grey followed.
Jasper stood near, and looked on.
"He isn't coming back," he said to himself. "I saw it in my father's
eyes. He won't dare to kill him, I wonder?"
The question, which should have produced a feeling of horror, only
caused a feeling of curiosity, and he walked away, in the confidence
that the dangerous foe to his prospects was to be disposed of somehow.
"It is a pleasant morning for driving," said Mr. Grey, by way of
opening the conversation.
"Yes, sir, very pleasant."
"Did you have any more trouble with Bucephalus yesterday?"
"No, sir. He has given up the contest."
"I am glad to hear it."
"How large is your estate, Mr. Grey?"
This was a simple question, but James Grey understood it as implying
curiosity on the part of our hero to learn how large a property he
could claim.
"There are about two hundred acres," he answered. "By the way, we have
not yet spoken of your claim."
"No, sir."
"I have been meaning to go to Alton to consult my lawyer. I have
delayed it longer, perhaps, than I should. To-morrow I will attend to
it, and report to you the result."
"Thank you, sir. I don't like to hurry you, but a decision is so
important to my plans in life that I should like the matter decided as
soon as possible."
"Of course, your feeling is only natural. Indeed, I have reason to feel
in the same way, for if your claim is sustained it will reduce me to
comparative poverty, and my poor boy also."
James Grey spoke with affected feeling, and Gilbert responded, quickly:
"Don't think so meanly of me, Mr. Grey, as to suppose that I should be
willing to reduce you and Jasper to poverty. I can not give up my
rights, but I will take care that you are saved from any pecuniary
want."
"Will you, indeed?" said Mr. Grey to himself, with a sneer. "Thank you
for nothing, young man; I intend to provide against that contingency
myself."
What he said aloud was something very different.
"I feel sure that in any event I can rely on your forbearance," he
said. "But the decision may be in my favor, and in that case I will not
be behind you in generosity. I will do what I can to further your
interests, though I do not promise to do as much for you as an own
son."
"Of course not, sir. I thank you for your offer."
Mr. Grey spoke so frankly and fairly--he was one of those who could
assume a virtue though he had it not--that Gilbert was partially
deceived--so far, at least, as to question the correctness of his
former impressions of his uncle. Nevertheless, he could not help
calling to mind that this man, fairly as he now spoke, had in all
probability conspired against him, dooming him to privation and penury
for nearly ten years, while he and his son had been living luxuriously.
On the whole, his uncle was a puzzle to him. He exhibited such a
contrariety of character and disposition, that he knew not to what
decision it would be right to come respecting it.
"I am going to avoid the village, Gilbert," said his uncle, "and drive
you along a very charming road, or rather cart-path, threading the
woods. The trees are now looking very beautiful with their changing
foliage, and I think you will like it better than the ordinary road."
"You are right, sir, I should," answered Gilbert.
"It will give you an idea of our Western forests. I suppose you are
only familiar with those in the East?"
"I am not familiar with any. I have always lived in the city--first in
New York, and afterward in Cincinnati."
Gilbert would have mentioned his residence in Australia, but he thought
that the reference to it might be construed by his uncle into a tacit
reproach, and therefore forbore.
They turned from the main road into one not much frequented, and
speedily entered the forest. Not a suspicion of his uncle's bad faith,
or of any conspiracy against himself, entered the mind of our hero. He
had not yet fathomed the depth of his uncle's wickedness.
"Jasper never cares to ride in this direction," said Mr. Grey. "He has
no love for Nature."
"He has told me that he would rather live in the city."
"Yes, he would; but I am attached to the country. I suppose when he
grows older that he will insist upon leaving me. That will leave me
indeed solitary."
They kept on till they were in the heart of the woods. As Mr. Grey had
said, the road was now but a cart-path, bordered on either side by
tall, straight trees. Suddenly, from a covert of underbrush, a ruffian
sprang out, and seized the horse by the bridle.