Captain Oliphant's motive for going to London was primarily to escape
for a while from the unearthly dullness of Maxfield. As long as the
prospect of a matrimonial alliance with Mrs Ingleton had been in view,
it had seemed to him good policy to submit to the infliction and remain
at his post. That vision was now unhappily past, and the good man felt
he deserved a change of scene and amusement. A further motive was to
evade a possible return of his dear friend Mr Ratman, whose abrupt
departure from Maxfield had both perplexed and relieved him. The second
of that gentleman's uncomfortable bills was falling due in a few days,
and as on the present occasion no lucky windfall had dropped in from an
American mayor, it seemed altogether a fitting occasion for dropping for
a season below the horizon.
When, however, Roger unexpectedly consented to accompany his guardian,
the visit assumed an altogether different aspect. The captain had long
desired to have his dear ward to himself, and the opportunity now
presented was certainly one not to be neglected.
"My dear boy," said he, as the two took their places in the London
train, "I hope you are well protected against the weather. Change seats
with me. You are so liable to cold, you know, that it is really hardly
safe for you to face the engine. We must take great care of you now--
greater than ever," and he sighed pathetically.
Roger was getting accustomed to, and a little tired of, these
demonstrative outbursts, and quietly took the seat in order to spare
discussion. He was already repenting of his journey. No one seemed to
commend it. Armstrong made no reference to it.
Dr Brandram stoutly disapproved of it. Rosalind tossed her head when
she heard of it, and hoped he might enjoy himself. Tom failed to see
why, when there was football in the air at Maxfield, any one could be
bothered to travel up to London for pleasure, unless indeed he intended
to take a season ticket for Christy's Minstrels. Altogether Roger did
not feel elated at the prospect of this visit. For all that, he
persuaded himself that duty called him thither, even if it was bad
temper which drove him from Maxfield.
"What has become of Ratman?" he inquired of his guardian casually during
the journey.
Captain Oliphant looked up from his paper sharply Mr Ratman's
whereabouts had been occupying his thoughts that very moment.
"I really do not know, my boy," said he. "He left very suddenly, and in
the sad trouble through which we have passed I have hardly had time to
think about him."