|It was Chetwynd.
He looked pale and haggard, and his features had a sombre and stern
expression, very different from that depicted in the canvas before them.
He closed the door after him as he came in, and started on perceiving
Sir Bridgnorth, whom he evidently had not expected to find there.
Uttering an exclamation of mingled surprise and delight, Mildred sprang
towards her brother, and flung her arms round his neck. While returning
her embrace, he said in a low voice, “Who have you got with you?”
“Sir Bridgnorth Charlton,” she replied. “He takes great interest in you,
and has just been making inquiries about you.”
“Not many minutes ago, I told your sister it would give me sincere
pleasure if I could render you any service,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “I did
not expect so soon to have an opportunity of saying the same thing to
you. I beg you will look upon me as a friend.”
“I am greatly beholden to you, Sir Bridgnorth,” replied the young man.
“I have very few friends left.”
“Mine are not mere idle professions, as you will find, if you choose to
put them to the proof,” said Sir Bridgnorth.
“You speak so earnestly and so kindly that I cannot but credit what you
say,” rejoined Chetwynd; “and I am the more inclined to believe you,
since I have never done you a favour. Indeed, if my recollection serves
me right, you have more reason to dislike than to befriend me.”
“Your sister will tell you that the past is forgotten.”
“Sir Bridgnorth has a noble heart,” said Mildred. “You may speak freely
before him. He knows all that has occurred, and is aware that you have
refused to accept any allowance from Mrs. Calverley.”
“And I may add that I sympathise with you,” said Sir Bridgnorth.
“What has brought you back so suddenly?” said Mildred. “Are you in any
difficulty?”
“In a most desperate difficulty,” he replied. “I want two hundred
pounds, and must have the money by to-morrow morning. I could procure
it at once from Carteret; but I would rather shoot myself than accept a
farthing from Mrs. Calveriey. Can you help me?”
“_I_ can,” interposed Sir Bridgnorth, quickly. “Luckily, I have the
amount about me. In this pocket-book,” he added, producing one as
he spoke, “you will find the sum you require. Repay me at your
convenience.”
“A thousand thanks, Sir Bridgnorth?” cried Chetwynd. “You have, indeed,
conferred a very great obligation upon me, and I shall not speedily
forget it. Ere long, I hope to be able to return you the money.”
“Don't trouble yourself on that score; but let me see you soon. Come to
me at Charlton.”
“I cannot promise to visit you immediately, Sir Bridgnorth,” replied the
young man.
“Why not?” inquired Mildred.
“Do not ask me to explain,” he rejoined. “I am scarcely my own master,
and where I to make a promise, I might not be able to fulfil it. I must
now begone.”
“Stay!” cried Sir Bridgnorth; “can I not bring about a reconciliation
between you and Mrs. Calveriey? I think I could accomplish it, if you
will consent to some arrangement.”
“Never,” replied Chetwynd. “And I beg that my visit and its object may
not be mentioned to her.”
“How did you discover I was in this room?” asked Mildred.
“Old Norris, whom I saw on my arrival, told me I should find you in the
library, and I concluded you were alone; but I have found a friend as
well. And now I can answer no more questions.”
“Ever mysterious and incomprehensible!” cried Mildred. “I do not like to
part with you thus.”
“You must!” he rejoined. “It is necessary that I should be in London
to-night.”
He then bade them both farewell, tenderly embracing his sister, and
renewing his thanks to Sir Bridgnorth.
Just as he was about to depart, the door was opened by old Norris, who
called out, “Mrs. Calverley is coming to the library!”
“I won't see her!” cried Chetwynd, fiercely.
But there was no retreat, and he was compelled to remain.
In another moment, Mrs. Calverley appeared. Her astonishment at
beholding Chetwynd may be imagined; nor, though she strove to veil it,
could she altogether conceal her annoyance.
“I did not expect to find you here, Chetwynd,” she said.
“I came to see my sister, madam,” he replied, haughtily; “and, having
had a brief interview with her, I am now about to depart.”
And, with a stiff bow, he quitted the room.
As soon as she could recover her speech, Mrs. Calverley observed to Sir
Bridgnorth, “You see with what impracticable material I have to deal.
Any friendly overture on my part is always scornfully rejected. Well,
Chetwynd must take his own course; and if he suffers for his wilfulness,
he has only himself to blame. Do you feel at liberty to tell me what he
came about, Mildred?”
“I do not,” she replied.
“You were present at the interview, I suppose, Sir Bridgnorth?”
“Quite unintentionally, madam,” he answered. “And my lips are sealed.”
This incident rather threw a damp upon the pleasure of the day.
Mrs. Calverley looked displeased, and Mildred appeared anxious and
thoughtful, so Sir Bridgnorth ordered his carriage.
But before taking his departure, he had a little private conversation
with Mildred, and promised to come over again to Ouselcroft on an early
day.