|Little did the many guests staying at Ouselcroft imagine what had
occurred during the night. They slept on, undisturbed by any idea that a
direful deed was being enacted in an adjoining chamber.
Rose's nocturnal visit to Mrs. Calverley was heard by no one; and, since
then, all had been tranquil. Was Mildred better? Was she sleeping? At
all events, those with her were quiet.
Thus, when the large establishment arose, at an early hour, for they had
an unusually busy day before them, no alarm whatever had been given.
No report was brought down-stairs that Miss Calverley had been taken ill
during the night; but the housemaids were bustling about, and getting
the rooms ready for the guests, who might be expected to make their
appearance some two or three hours later.
Rose had promised Harry Netterville overnight that she would meet him in
the garden at six o'clock, and they would have a stroll together; but,
though the morning was charming, the young damsel did not make her
appearance, greatly to Harry's disappointment.
Monsieur Zephyrus was more fortunate. Laura had engaged to meet him at
the same early hour, and she was true to her appointment.
She must have been up soon after it was light, for she had evidently
spent some time over her toilette. Zephyrus was enraptured by her
costume and looks, and paid her many high-flown compliments in French,
the import of which she understood. Undoubtedly she looked very
captivating.
The amorous pair did not remain long on the lawn, though they met there,
but sought a retired walk. They had not, however, proceeded far, when
they saw another couple advancing towards them, whom they instantly
recognised as Tom Tankard and Clarissa.
Salutations were exchanged in the most approved style, praises bestowed
on the beauty of the morning, and on the delightful singing of the
birds; and they were about to separate, when Laura thought proper to
give Tom a friendly caution.
“If you don't want to meet your father,” she said, “I advise you to keep
clear of the lawn. He's there with Mr. Higgins and our old butler, Mr.
Norris.”
“Since that's the case, we'll turn back, if you please, Miss Clarissa.
My guv'nor's an odd sort of man, and he don't like my paying attention
to young ladies.”
Clarissa, who was very good-natured, did not mind which way she went, so
Laura suggested they should walk together to the fish-ponds, which were
about half a mile distant, and they set off in that direction.
Amongst those who were early astir on that fine morning, and who had
come forth into the garden, was Chetwynd.
Of course, he know nothing that had happened during the night; but
a strange foreboding of ill oppressed him. He found old Tankard and
Higgins on the lawn; and, after a brief converse with them, he was
proceeding to the stables, when Norris came up and begged to have a word
with him, and they went into the library together.
“I am going to ask you a singular question, sir,” said the old butler;
“and I will explain my motive for doing so presently. Do you think this
marriage with Mrs. Calverley and Lord Courland will really take place?”
“I believe it will, Norris,” replied Chetwynd. “I see nothing to prevent
it. I don't know whether all the preliminary arrangements are settled;
but his lordship appears perfectly satisfied. And so he ought to be, if
what I hear is true.”
“It will be more advantageous to you than to him,” said Norris.
“I don't understand you,” rejoined Chetwynd, regarding him fixedly.
“When I say advantageous to you, sir, I mean to your sister,” observed
the butler. “But it cannot fail to be beneficial to you. You ought to
pray that the marriage may take place, instead of opposing it.”
“What the deuce are you driving at, Norris?”
“It appears to me, sir, that you have never read your father's will.”
“You are right; I have not. But I know that the property is left
entirely to his wife.”
“Very true, sir--very true. But there is a most important proviso, of
which you are evidently ignorant. In the event of the widow marrying
again, she forfeits the property, which then goes to the testator's
daughter, Mildred.”
“Are you sure of this, Norris?” cried Chetwynd, astounded.
“Quite sure, sir,” replied the old butler. “I have read the will myself,
most carefully. As I have already said, the best thing that can happen
to you is that your step-mother should marry again. But will she make
this sacrifice? I fear not.”
“Can she be aware of the proviso you have mentioned, Norris?”
“Impossible to say,” rejoined the old butler. “I should think so. She
has the will in her possession. I. do not see how it can fail to act as
a bar to a second marriage, unless she comes to some arrangement with
Miss Mildred.”
“That she will never do,” said Chetwynd. “My sister, I am certain, will
never surrender her rights to her.”
“Has the matter been broached to Miss Mildred?” inquired Norris.
“Impossible, or I should have heard of it.”
“Then nothing is left Mrs. Calverley but to break off the match, and
that is the point from which I started,” said Norris.
“It is incomprehensible she should have allowed the affair to proceed
so far,” said Chetwynd. “I am altogether perplexed. But I will have an
early interview with my sister this morning, and hear what she has to
say. Something must be done forthwith. She cannot give a tacit assent to
the arrangement.”
At this moment Rose Hartley appeared at the open window, and Chetwynd
called her in.
“I was looking for you, sir,” said Rose, who appeared very anxious. “I
came to tell you Miss Calverley is very ill.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Chetwynd, surprised and alarmed.
“She was taken ill in the night with a renewal of the attack she
experienced the other day at Brackley, but recovered for a time, and
obtained some hours' sleep; but she is worse again this morning.”
“What ails her?” asked Chetwynd.
“I can scarcely describe her illness; but she suffers a great deal of
pain. I think she ought to have immediate advice.”
“She shall,” replied Chetwynd. “I should wish to see her myself.”
“Not now, sir; later on.”
“Has Mrs. Calverley seen her?” he asked eagerly.
“No, sir; but she sent her some _eau de luce_ by me.”
“Some _eau de luce?_”
“Yes, sir. I knocked at her chamber door in the middle of the night,
and she gave me a small bottle that was standing by her bedside. Miss
Calverley only took a few drops of it.”
“Quite enough, I should think,” muttered Norris.
“Well, don't give her any more at present,” said Chetwynd.
“I haven't got any more to give her,” replied Rose. “I took back the
phial.”
“Mark that, sir,” observed Norris.
“Why mark it?” inquired Rose.
“Never mind him,” said Chetwynd. “Go back to my sister at once, and
remain with her till Doctor Spencer arrives. Don't give her anything
more, and don't let Mrs. Calverley come near her if you can help it.”
“Mind that!” said Norris, emphatically.
Rose looked at him, but made no remark.
“Tell her I have something to say to her, and must see her this morning;
but don't make her uneasy,” said Chetwynd. “I suppose Miss Barfleur is
with her?”
“Yes, you may be sure she won't leave her, sir,” replied Rose. “Your
message shall be delivered to your sister, and your instructions
attended to.”
As soon as Rose was gone, Norris could no longer contain himself.
“Here we have it as plain as possible, sir,” he cried. “The sole bar
to the marriage is to be removed. Don't you see it, sir? I do, plainly
enough. How else should she fall suddenly ill just at this time?”
“Whatever you may think, Norris; and however difficult you may find it
to do so, I insist upon it that you hold your tongue,” said Chetwynd,
authoritatively. “If you disobey me, you'll ever afterwards lose my
favour. Now go and send for Doctor Spencer at once, and leave the rest
to me.”
“Don't fear me, sir,” said Norris. “I'll keep silence as long as you
enjoin me.”
And he proceeded to the stables, and sent off a mounted groom for Doctor
Spencer.