|Chetwynd was pacing to and fro on the lawn, occupied with painful and
distracting thoughts, and scarcely knowing what course to pursue,
when he was joined by Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, who saw he was greatly
disturbed, and kindly inquired what was the matter.
Chetwynd found it somewhat difficult to explain, as he did not desire
for the present to enter into details; but he mentioned that his sister
had been taken ill during the night, and was still rather seriously
indisposed. This was quite sufficient to account for his anxious looks.
However, Chetwynd desired to consult his friend; and, therefore, said to
him:
“I have a communication to make to you, dear Sir Bridgnorth, which I am
convinced will give you great surprise, and very likely induce you to
take a totally different view of certain matters now before you. My
sister and myself have hitherto been completely in the dark in regard to
a very important provision of my father's will.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the baronet. “I should not have conceived that
possible. What is it, pray?”
“From examination of the will, it appears that if Mrs. Calverley marries
again, the whole of the property bequeathed her by my father goes to
Mildred.”
“Now, indeed, you surprise me!” exclaimed the baronet. “And is it
possible this very important proviso has only just been discovered? Such
negligence is inconceivable!”
“The proviso cannot, I think, have been known to Mrs. Calverley, or
she would not have proceeded so far with her present matrimonial
arrangements. But, whether known to her or not, it is the fact. Now
comes the important question--does she mean to marry Lord Courland?”
“I have no doubt of it,” replied Sir Bridgnorth. “Unless prevented, she
will marry him.”
“Most assuredly, then, she will forfeit her property. Besides, she can
make no settlement upon him.”
“Yes; she has property of her own. She can settle that.”
“True; but will that be sufficient?”
“I cannot say,” replied Sir Bridgnorth. “I am not in Lord Courland's
confidence.”
“As yet, I don't think his lordship has been let into the secret.”
“Nor is it desirable he should be. He must look after his own affairs.
It is not your business to prevent the marriage, but to forward it.
If Mrs. Calver-ley does not choose to tell her noble suitor how she is
circumstanced, that is her own concern. She is a very clever woman,
and can take care of herself. I should not have thought her capable of
making such a sacrifice as this for any man. But she seems to be really
in love with Lord Courland; or, perhaps, she is resolved at whatever
cost to make an important match. At any rate, her scheme must not be
thwarted.”
“Not unless it should turn out to be mischievous,” observed Chetwynd.
“It cannot be mischievous to Mildred,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “Lord
Courland, probably, will be disappointed when he finds the property pass
away from him; but that will be the worst that can happen. And if his
lordship is a loser, Charles Danvers will be an immense gainer.
How oddly things turn out! After all, Charles may become master of
Ouselcroft, in right of his wife. Ah! here he comes!” he added, as the
captain made his appearance. “I wish I could tell him what a brilliant
prospect he has before him; but I musn't.”
“Well; are you laying out your plans for the day?” said Captain Danvers,
as he came up.
“No; we were talking about you,” replied Sir Bridgnorth. “I was wishing
you might be able to reside here.”
“Ah, that's out of the question now!” rejoined the captain. “It's a
charming place, but I fancy both Chetwynd and myself shall soon be shut
out of it. Lord Courland is certain to make a great change, and bring in
a new set. If I had been master here, my aim would have been to keep my
old friends about me. Chetwynd should always have had his room, and old
Norris should have remained in his place.”
“I'm glad to hear you say so,” remarked Sir Bridgnorth. “I'm certain Mr.
Calverley never meant his property to be disposed of in this fashion.
It's a great pity half didn't go to Mildred.”
“Ay; it ought to have been divided between Chetwynd and his sister. That
would have been the right thing to do. Now, Mildred is not even to marry
except With her step-mother's consent.”
“You need have no uneasiness on that score,” remarked Chetwynd. “Mildred
will have her marriage portion, and something besides.”
“You think so?” said Captain Danvers.
“I'll answer for it,” rejoined Chetwynd.
“And if you require an additional guarantee, I'm ready to give it,” said
Sir Bridgnorth. “But mind! should you ever come to be master here, I
shall hold you to your promise to make us all at home.”
“You shan't need to remind me of it, should that fortunate day ever
arrive,” said the captain.
At that moment, the person who seemed to stand most in the captain's way
came forth, and wished them “Good morning.”
They all fancied he assumed a little of the air of the master of the
house.
“I must consult you on a little matter after breakfast, Sir Bridgnorth,”
he said. “I know you are a man of great taste. It strikes me some
alterations might be made in the garden.”
“I hope your lordship won't touch the lawn,” remarked Sir Bridgnorth. “It
is very much admired.”
“The lawn itself is charming,” said Lord Courland; “but I don't like
those two sombre cedars.”
“They were my father's especial favourites,” observed Chetwynd. “I hope
your lordship will spare them.”
“I should consider it a sacrilege to remove them,” said Sir Bridgnorth.
“I don't carry my veneration for trees quite so far,” rejoined Lord
Courland; “and, as I have no particular associations connected with the
two cedars, I shall merely consider whether my lawn cannot be improved.”
“_My_ lawn!” whispered Chetwynd to Captain Danvers. “He is master here
already.”
“I will get you to walk round with me presently, Sir Bridgnorth,”
said Lord Courland, “and favour me with your opinion on the general
arrangements.”
“If I may venture to give your lordship my opinion, without walking
round,” replied Sir Bridgnorth, “I would strongly advise you to let
the gardens and grounds alone. It is allowed to be one of the prettiest
places in the country, and I should be sorry if it was destroyed.”
“But I don't mean to destroy the place; I desire to improve it.”
“Such improvements as your lordship contemplates, I fear would destroy
its character,” said Sir Bridgnorth; “and that is what I should regret.”
Just then the breakfast bell put an end to the discourse, and attracted
the party to the house.