|Next morning, about eleven o'clock, Chetwynd found his way, as usual,
from the “Grosvenor Hotel” to the house in Belgrave Square.
He had breakfasted very pleasantly with Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, who
was staying at the same hotel as himself, and had not the slightest
idea that anything disagreeable awaited him; but he was rather struck by
Higgins's manner, as he let him in.
Evidently the butler had something to communicate.
It may be proper to mention that, since Chetwynd's resumption of his
own name, and appearance in his true character at Lady Thicknesse's, no
allusion to the past had ever been made by Higgins, who had always been
particularly respectful.
“Mr. Calverley,” he said, as they stood together in the vestibule,
“I must prepare you for an interview with her ladyship and Mr. Scrope
Danvers. They are in the dining-room, and I am directed to conduct you
thither on your arrival. I know nothing, but should any questions be
asked me, you may rely on my discretion.”
“I am greatly obliged to you, Higgins,” replied Chetwynd; “but you are
at liberty to tell all you know respecting me. I desire no concealment.
Of course, I should be glad to throw a veil over the past if I could;
but that is impossible.”
No more was said.
The butler ushered him into the dining-room, where he found Lady
Thicknesse and her nephew.
Her ladyship received him with her customary good nature, and begged him
to be seated; but Scrope's manner was cold and haughty.
After a few preliminary remarks by Lady Thicknesse, Scrope interposed,
and in a very grave tone said:
“Will you allow me to ask you a few questions, Mr. Calverley? I shall
be sorry to give you pain, but circumstances compel me to adopt this
disagreeable course.”
“Since the questions you desire to put refer, no doubt, to a very
painful period of my life, it might, perhaps, have been better if you
had spoken to me in private,” rejoined Chetwynd. “But proceed.”
“Pray understand that it is at my particular request that Lady
Thicknesse is present,” said Scrope. “We have long been aware that some
time ago you were in great difficulties, and on bad terms with your
father and stepmother; but, until very lately neither of us knew you had
attempted to commit suicide.”
“What you have heard is quite true, sir,” replied Chetwynd. “I was
driven to desperation by my own folly; but I have never ceased to feel
deep remorse for the attempt, and I daily thank Heaven that I was saved
from the commission of the sinful act.”
Hitherto Lady Thicknesse had looked down, but she now regarded him with
an interest she had never felt before.
“These sentiments do you credit, sir,” said Scrope. “But I must now ask
what steps you took immediately after the attempt?”
“I endeavoured to obtain employment.”
“In what way?”
“I decline to answer that question, sir,” replied Chetwynd.
“As you please, sir,” said Scrope. “I can easily obtain the requisite
information.”
And he rang the bell. The summons was promptly answered by the butler.
“Higgins,” observed Scrope, “when Charles Brown-low, the former footman,
was discharged, did Mr. Tankard apply for the place?”
“He did, sir.”
“For his son?”
“No, sir; for a young man named Walter Liddel.”
“Are you certain that was his real name?”
“I can't be quite sure, sir,” replied Higgins. “At any rate it was the
name given me by Mr. Tankard.”
“Did you see the party spoken of?”
“Oh, yes, sir! I saw him at Mr. Tankard's house, and was very much
pleased with his appearance. The livery suited him extremely well.”
“Oh! then he had on the livery?”
“Yes, sir. I wished to see how it fitted, and it _did_ fit him to
admiration. I never saw such a fine-looking footman in my life.”
“And you engaged him?”
“At once, sir. I thought him a great catch.”
“Did he enter on the situation?”
“Something prevented him. Either his father died quite suddenly, and
left him a large fortune, or else he married; I don't recollect which.”
“Be serious, if you please, Higgins. Have you ever seen him since?”
“Not that I am aware of, sir.”
“Should you know him again if you saw him?”
“I don't think I should, sir. I only saw him in livery, and a handsome
livery like ours sets a man off to advantage. Are these all the
questions you propose to ask me, sir?”
“One more, and I have done; and I beg you will answer it distinctly. Do
you see him now?”
“Walter Liddel? No, sir.”
“You are a very cautious fellow, Higgins, but it won't do,” said Scrope.
“Speak out, Higgins,” said Chetwynd. “I have no wish for concealment.”
“Now I look again,” remarked the butler to Scrope, “I should say there
is a very strong resemblance between Walter Liddel and Mr. Chetwynd
Calverley.”
“Enough!” cried Scrope. “You may retire.” Higgins bowed, and left the
room.
“And now,” said Chetwynd, “may I ask the meaning of this inquiry?”
“My object is merely to establish a fact,” replied Scrope. “Lady
Thicknesse and myself have just learnt, to our great surprise and
annoyance, that our charming relative, Emmeline Barfleur, has had the
imprudence to form an engagement with you.”
“Imprudence, sir!” cried Chetwynd.
“I might use a stronger term, but that will suffice. It cannot be very
agreeable to those connected with her, that the daughter of the proud
Sir Leycester Barfleur, who might marry any one she pleases, should
throw herself away upon a--footman!”
Chetwynd absolutely started, but controlled himself by a great effort.
“I now understand your anxiety to secure Lady Thicknesses presence at
our interview,” he said. “You have aimed a cowardly blow at me, but
it has failed in effect. I treat your observation with scorn!” Then,
turning to Lady Thicknesse, he added, “Since your nephew refuses to give
me credit for acting like a gentleman, I must inform your ladyship that
Emmeline is acquainted with the ridiculous circumstance of which so much
has been made, and it merely excited her laughter. I have confessed all
my follies and faults to her--_all!_--and she has forgiven me, because
she believes in my promises of amendment.”
As he spoke the door opened, and Emmeline herself entered the room,
accompanied by Mildred and Sir Bridgnorth Charlton.