MISCHIEF IN A HOUSEHOLD.
It seems that no sooner did Parson Chowne discover how cleverly I had
escaped him (after leaving my mark behind, in a way rather hard to put
up with), than he began to cast about to win the last stroke somehow.
And this, not over me alone, but over a very much greater man, who had
carried me off so shamefully--that is to say, Captain Bampfylde.
Heaviside was not there as yet, but with us in the Alcestis, so that he
could not describe exactly the manner of Chowne's appearance. Only he
heard from the people there, that never had such terror seized the house
within human memory. Not that Chowne attempted any violence with any
one; but that all observed his silence, and were afraid to ask him.
What was done that night between Sir Philip and the Parson, or even
between the Parson and Sir Philip's heir, the Squire (whose melancholy
room that Chowne had dared to force himself into), nobody seemed to be
sure, although every one craved to have better knowledge. But it was
certain that Isabel Carey went to her room very early that night, and
would have no Nanette for her hair; and in the morning was "not fit for
any one to look at," unless it were one who loved her.
Great disturbances of this sort happen (by some law of nature), often in
large households. Give me the quiet cottage, where a little row, just
now and then, comes to pass, and is fought out, and lapses (when its
heat is over) into very nice explanations, and women's heads laid on
men's shoulders, and tears that lose their way in smiles, and reproach
that melts into self-reproach. However, this was not the sort of thing
that any sane person could hope for in thirty miles' distance from
Master Stoyle Chowne, after once displeasing him. And what do you think
Parson Chowne did now, or at least I mean soon afterwards? That night he
had pressed his attentions on the beautiful young lady, so that in
simple self-defence she was forced to show her spirit. This aroused the
power of darkness always lurking in him, so that his eyes shone, and his
jaws met, and his forehead was very smooth. For he had a noble forehead;
and the worse his state of mind might be, the calmer was his upper brow.
After frightening poor Miss Carey, not with words, but want of them
(which is a far more alarming thing, when a man encounters women), he
took out his rights in the house by having an interview with Sir Philip;
and no one could make any guess about what passed between them. Only it
could not be kept from knowledge of the household, that Parson Chowne
obtained or took admission to Squire Philip also.
Of this unhappy gentleman very little has been said, because I then knew
so little. I am always the last man in the world to force myself into
private things; and finding out once that I must not ask, never to ask
is my rule of action, unless I know the people. However, it does not
look as if Master Heaviside had been gifted with any of this rare
delicacy. And thus he discovered as follows.
Squire Philip's brain was not so strong as Captain Bampfylde's. He had
been very good at figures, while things went on quietly; also able to
ride round and see the tenants, and deal with them, as the heir to a
large estate should do. The people thought him very good: and that was
about the whole of it. He never hunted, he never shot, he did not even
care for fishing. A man may do without these things, if he gets repute
in other ways (especially in witchcraft), but if he cannot show good
cause for sticking thus inside four walls, an English neighbourhood is
apt to set him down for a milksop. And tenfold thus, if he has the means
to ride the best horse, and to own the best dogs, and to wear the best
breeches that are to be bought.
Squire Philip must not be regarded, however, with prejudice. He had good
legs, and a very good seat, and his tailor said the same of him. Also,
he took no objection to the scattering of a fox, with nothing left for
his brush to sweep up, and his smell made into incense; nor was the
Squire, from any point of view, or of feeling, squeamish. Nevertheless
he did not give satisfaction as he should have done. He meant well, but
he did not outspeak it; only because to his quiet nature that appeared
so needless. And the rough, rude world undervalued him, because he did
not overvalue himself. This was the man who had withdrawn, after deep
affliction, into a life, or a death, of his own, abandoning hope too
rapidly. He had been blessed, or cursed, by nature, with a large, soft
heart; and not the flint in his brains there should be for a wholesome
balance. I know the men. They are not very common; and I should like to
see more of them.
This Squire Philip's hair was whiter than his father's now, they said;
and his way of sitting, and of walking, growing older. No wonder, when
he never took a walk, or even showed himself; rather like a woman
yielding, who has lost her only child. It is not my place to defend him.
All our ways are not alike. To my experience he seemed bound to grieve
most about his children. For a man may always renew his wife more easily
than his children. But Squire Philip's view of the matter took a
different starting-point. It was the loss of his wife that thus unwisely
overcame him.
Accordingly he had given orders for women alone to come near him,
because they reminded him of his wife, and went all around in a
flat-footed way, and gave him to see that they never would ask, yet
gladly would know, his sentiments. And living thus, he must have grown a
little weak of mind, as all men do, with too much of a female circle
round them.
What Parson Chowne said to this poor gentleman, on the night we are
speaking of, was known to none except themselves and two or three maids
who listened at the door, because their duty compelled them thus to
protect their master. And all of these told different stories, agreeing
only upon one point; but the best of them told it, as follows. Chowne
expressed his surprise and concern at the change in his ancient friend's
appearance, and said that it was enough to make him do what he often had
threatened to do. Squire Philip then asked what he meant by this; and he
answered in a deep, low voice, "Bring to justice the villain who, for
the sake of his own advantage, has left my poor Philip childless: and
with all the fair Isabel's property too! Greedy, greedy scoundrel!" They
could not see the poor Squire's face, when these words came home to him;
but they knew that he fell into a chair, and his voice so trembled that
he could not shape his answer properly.
"Then you too think, as I have feared, as I have prayed, as I would die,
rather than be forced to think. My only brother! And I have been so kind
to him for years and years. That he was strong and rough, I know--but
such a thing, such a thing as this----"
"He began to indulge his propensities for slaughter rather early--I
think I have heard people say."
"Yes, yes, that boy at school. But this is a wholly different
thing--what had my poor wife done to him?"
"Did you ever hear that Drake Bampfylde offered himself to the Princess,
while you were away from home, and a little before you did?"
"I never heard anything of the kind. And I think that she would have
told me."
"I rather think not. It would be a very delicate point for a lady.
However, it may not be true."
"Chowne, it is true, from the way you say it. You know it to be true;
and you never told me, because it prevents any further doubt. Now I see
everything, everything now. Chowne, you are one of the best of men."
"I know that I am," said the Parson, calmly; "although it does not
appear to be the public opinion. However, that will come right in the
end. Now, my poor fellow, your wisest plan will be to leave yourself
altogether to a thoroughly trustworthy man. Do you know where to find
him?"
"Only in you, in you, my friend. My father will never come to see me,
because--you know what I mean--because--I dared to think what is now
proved true."
"Now, Philip, my old friend, you know what I am. A man who detests every
kind of pretence. Even a little inclined perhaps to go too far the other
way."
"Yes, yes; I have always known it. You differ from other men; and the
great fault of your nature is bluntness."
"Philip, you have hit the mark. I could not have put it so well myself.
My fine fellow, never smother yourself while you have such abilities."
"Alas! I have no abilities, Chowne. The whole of them went, when my
good-luck went. And if any remained to me, how could I care to use them?
After what you have told me too. My life is over, my life is dead."
All the maids agreed at this point, and would scorn to contradict, that
poor Squire Philip fell down in a lump, and they must have run in with
their bottles and so on, only that the door was locked. Moreover, they
felt, and had the courage to whisper to one another, that they were a
little timid of the Parson's witchcraft. There had been a girl in
Sherwell parish who went into the Parson's service, and because she
dared to have a sweetheart on the premises, she had orders for half an
hour, before and after the moon rose, to fly up and down the river Yeo,
from Sherwell Mill to Pilton Bridge; and her own mother had seen her.
Therefore these maids only listened.
"All this shows a noble vein of softness in you, my good friend"--this
was the next thing they could hear--"it is truly good and grand. What a
happy thing to have a darling wife and two sweet children, for the
purpose of having them slain, and then in the grandeur of soul
forgiving it! This is noble, this is true love! How it sets one
thinking!" This was the last that the maids could hear; for after that
all was whispering. Only it was spread in every street, and road, and
lane around, in about twelve hours afterwards, that a warrant from
Justices Chowne and Rambone, and, with consent of Philip Bampfylde, was
placed in the hands of the officers of the peace for the apprehension of
Captain Drake, upon a charge of murder.
When Sir Philip heard of this outrage on himself--and tenfold
worse--upon their blameless lineage, he ordered his finest horse to be
saddled, and put some of his army-clothes on; not his best, for fear of
vaunting, but enough to know him by. Then he rode slowly up and down the
narrow streets of Barnstaple, and sent for the mayor and the
town-council, who tumbled out of their shops to meet him. To these he
read a copy of the warrant, obtained from the head-constable, and asked,
upon what information laid, such a thing had issued. Betwixt their
respect for Sir Philip Bampfylde and their awe of Parson Chowne, these
poor men knew not what to say, but to try to be civil to every one. Sir
Philip rode home to Narnton Court, and changed his dress, and his horse
as well, and thus set off for Chowne's house.
What happened there was known to none except the two parsons and the
General; but every one was amazed when Chowne, in company with Parson
Jack, rode into Barnstaple at full gallop, and redemanded his warrant
from the head-constable, who held it, and also caused all entries and
copies thereof to be destroyed and erased, as might be; and for this he
condescended to assign no reason. In that last point he was consistent
with his usual character; but that he should undo his own act, was so
unlike himself that no one could at first believe it. Of course people
said that it was pity for Sir Philip's age and character and position,
that made him relent so: but others, who knew the man better, perceived
that he had only acted as from the first was his intention. He knew that
the Captain could not be taken, of course, for many a month to come, and
he did not mean to have him taken or put upon his trial; for he knew
right well that there was no chance of getting him convicted. But by
issue of that warrant he had stirred up and given shape to all the
suspicions now languishing, and had enabled good honest people to lay
their heads together and shake them, and the boldest of them to whisper
that if a common man had done this deed, or been called in question of
it, the warrant would have held its ground, until he faced an impartial
jury of his fellow-countrymen. And what was far more to Chowne's
purpose, he had thus contrived to spread between Sir Philip and his
eldest son a deadly breach, unlikely ever to be bridged across at all,
and quite sure to stand wide for healing, up to the dying hour. Because
it was given to all to know that this vile warrant issued upon oath of
Squire Philip and by his demanding; and the father's pride would never
let him ask if this were so.
Now people tried to pass this over, as they do with unpleasant matters,
and to say, "let bygones go;" yet mankind will never have things
smothered thus, and put away. When a game is begun, it should be played
out: when a battle is fought, let it be fought out--these are principles
quite as strong in the bosoms of spectators, as in our own breasts the
feeling--"let us live our lives out."
But Isabel Carey's wrath would not have any reason laid near it. Her
spirit was as fine and clear almost as her lovely face was, and she
would not even dream that evil may get the upper hand of us.
She said to Sir Philip, "I will not have it. I will not stay in a house
where such things can be said of any one. I am very nearly eighteen
years old, and I will not be made a child of. You have been wonderfully
kind and good, and as dear to me as a father; but I must go away now; I
must go away."
"So you shall," said poor Sir Philip; "it is the best thing that can be
done. You have another guardian, more fortunate than I am; and, my dear,
you shall go to him."
Then she clung to his neck, and begged and prayed him not to think of it
more, only to let her stop where she was, in the home of all her
happiness. But the General was worse to move than the rock of Gibraltar,
whenever his honour was touched upon.
"My dear Isabel," he answered, "you are young, and I am old. You were
quicker than I have been, to see what harm might come to you. That is
the very thing which I am bound to save you from, my darling. I love you
as if you were my own daughter; and this sad house will be, God knows,
tenfold more sad without you. But it must be so, my child. You ought to
be too proud to cry, when I turn you out so."
Not to dwell upon things too much--especially when grievous--Narnton
Court was compelled to get on without that bright young Isabel, and the
female tailors who were always coming after her, as well as the noble
gallants who hankered, every now and then, for a glimpse of her beauty
and property. Isabel Carey went away to her other guardian, Lord
Pomeroy, at a place where a castle of powder was; and all the old people
at Narnton Court determined not to think of it; while all the young folk
sobbed and cried; and take it on the average, a guinea a-year was lost
to them.
All this had happened for seven years now: but it was that last piece of
news, no doubt, almost as much as the warrant itself, that made our
Captain carry on so when we were in the lime-kiln. Because Lord Pomeroy
had forbidden Isabel to write to her lover, while in this predicament.
He, on the other hand, getting no letters, without knowing why or
wherefore, was too proud to send any to her.
We saw the force of this at once, especially after our own
correspondence (under both mark and signature) had for years been like
the wind, going where it listeth. So we resolved to stop where we were,
upon receipt of rations; and Heaviside told us not to be uneasy about
anything. For although he durst not invite us to his own little cottage,
or rather his wife Nanette's, he stood so well in the cook's good graces
that he could provide for us; so he took us into the kitchen of Narnton
Court, where they made us very welcome as Captain Drake's retainers, and
told us all that had happened since the departure of Miss Isabel,
between Narnton Court and Nympton. In the first place, Parson Chowne had
been so satisfied with his mischief, that he spared himself time for
another wedlock, taking as Mrs Chowne No. 4 a young lady of some wealth
and beauty, but reputed such a shrew that nobody durst go near her.
Before she had been Mrs Chowne a fortnight, her manners were so much
improved that a child might contradict her; and within a month she had
lost the power of frowning, but had learned to sigh. However, she was
still alive, having a stronger constitution than any of the Parson's
former wives.
Parson Jack had also married, and his wife was a good one; but Chowne
(being out of other mischief) sowed such jealousies between them for his
own enjoyment, that poor Master Rambone had taken to drink, and his wife
was so driven that she almost did the thing she was accused of. Very
seldom now did either of these two great parsons come to visit Sir
Philip Bampfylde. Not that the latter entertained any ill-will towards
Chowne for the matter of the warrant. For that he blamed his own son,
the Squire, having received Chowne's version of it, and finding poor
Philip too proud and moody to offer any explanation.
We had not been at Narnton Court more than a night, before I saw the
brave General; for hearing that I was in the house, and happening now to
remember my name, he summoned me into his private room, to ask about the
Captain, who had started off (as I felt no doubt) for the castle of Lord
Pomeroy. I found Sir Philip looking of course much older from the seven
years past, but as upright and dignified, and trustful in the Lord as
ever. Nevertheless he must have grown weaker, though he did his best to
hide it; for at certain things I told him of his favourite son, great
tears came into his eyes, and his thin lips trembled, and he was forced
to turn away without finishing his sentences. Then he came back, as if
ashamed of his own desire to hide no shame, and he put his flowing white
hair back, and looked at me very steadily.
"Llewellyn," he said, "I trust in God. Years of trouble have taught me
that. I speak to you as a friend almost, from your long acquaintance
with my son, and knowledge of our story. My age will be three score
years and ten, if I live (please God) till my next birthday. But I tell
you, David Llewellyn, and I beg you to mark my words, I shall not die
until I have seen the whole of this mystery cleared off, the honour of
my name restored, and my innocent son replaced in the good opinion of
mankind."
This calm brave faith of a long-harassed man in the goodness of his
Maker made me look at him with admiration and with glistening eyes; for
I said to myself that with such a deep knave as Chowne at the bottom of
his troubles, his confidence even in the Lord was very likely to be
misplaced. And yet the very next day we made an extraordinary discovery,
which went no little way to prove the soundness of the old man's faith.