All my endeavors to ascertain the steps by which I came to occupy my
present abode were fruitless, inasmuch as Captain Bubbleton contrived to
surround his explanation with such a mist of doubtful if not impossible
circumstances, that I gave up the effort in despair, and was obliged to
sit down satisfied with the naked fact, that it was by some soldiers
of his company I was captured, and by them brought to the guard-house.
Strangely enough, too, I found, that in his self-mystification the
worthy captain had invested me with all the honors of a stanch loyalist
who had earned his cracked skull in defence of the soldiery against the
mob; and this prevailing impression gave such a tone to his narrative,
that he not only set to work to trace back a whole generation of Burkes
famed for their attachment to the House of Hanover, but also took a peep
into the probable future, where he saw me covered with rewards for my
heroism and gallantry.
Young as I was, I hesitated long how far I dare trust him with the real
state of the case. I felt that in so doing I should either expose him to
the self-reproach of having harbored one he would deem a rebel; or, by
withdrawing from me his protection, give him perhaps greater pain
by compelling him to such an ungracious act. Yet how could I receive
attention and kindness under these false colors? This was a puzzling
and difficult thing to resolve; and a hundred times a day I wished I had
never been rescued by him, but taken my chance of the worst fortune had
in store for me.
While, therefore, my strength grew with every day, these thoughts
harassed and depressed me. The continual conflict in my mind deprived me
of all ease, and scarcely a morning broke in which I had not decided
on avowing my real position and my true sentiments; and still, when the
moment came, the flighty uncertainty of Bubbleton's manner, his caprice
and indiscretion, all frightened me, and I was silent. I hoped, too,
that some questioning on his part might give me a fitting opportunity
for such a disclosure; but here again I was deceived. The jolly captain
was far too busy inventing his own history of me, to think of asking for
mine; and I found out from the surgeon of the regiment, that according
to the statement made at the mess-table, I was an only son, possessed of
immense estates,--somewhat encumbered, to be sure (among other debts, a
large jointure to my mother); that I had come up to town to consult the
Attorney-General about the succession to a title long in abeyance in my
family, and was going down to the House in Lord Castlereagh's carriage,
when, fired by the ruffianism of the mob I sprang out, and struck one of
the ringleaders, etc.
How this visionary history had its origin, or whether it had any save in
the wandering fancies of his brain, I know not; but either by frequent
repetition of it, or by the strong hold a favorite notion sometimes will
take of a weak intellect, he so far believed it true that he wrote more
than one letter to Lord Castlereagh to assure him that I was rapidly
recovering, and would be delighted to receive him; which, whether from a
knowledge of the captain's character, or his indifference as to my fate,
the Secretary certainly never took any notice of whatever.
Bubbleton had too much experience of similar instances of neglect to
be either afflicted or offended at this silence; on the contrary, he
satisfied his mind by an excuse of his own inventing, and went about
saying, “I think we 'll have Castlereagh down to-day to see Burke,”
until it became a cant on parade and a jest at mess.
Meanwhile his active mind was not lying dormant. Indignant that
no inquiries had been made after me, and astonished that no
aide-de-camp--not even a liveried menial of the Viceroy's household--had
come down to receive the daily bulletin of my health, and somewhat
piqued, perhaps, that his own important services regarding me remained
unacknowledged, he set about springing a mine for himself which very
nearly became my ruin.
After about ten days spent by me in this state of painful vacillation,
my mind vibrating between two opposite courses, and seeing arguments
for either, both in the matter-of-fact shortness of Miss Bubbleton's not
over-courteous manner, and the splendidly liberal and vast conceptions
of her brother, I went to my bed one night resolved that on the very
next morning I would hesitate no longer; and as my strength would now
permit of my being able to walk unassisted, I would explain freely to
Bubbleton every circumstance of my life, and take my leave of him, to
wander, I knew not where. This decision at length being come to, I slept
more soundly than I had slept for many nights, nor awoke until the
loud step and the louder voice of the captain had aroused me from my
slumbers.
“Eh, Tom! a good night, my lad? How soundly you sleep! Just like the
Lachigong Indians; they go to bed after the hunting season, and never
wake till the bears come in next fall. I had the knack myself once; but
then I always took six or seven dozen of strong Burton ale first; and
that, they said, was n't quite fair. But for a white man, I 'd back
myself for a thousand to-morrow. But what 's this I have to tell you?
Something or other was in my head for you. Oh, I have it! I say, Tom,
old fellow, I think I have touched them up to some purpose. They did
n't expect it. No, hang it! they little knew what was in store for them;
they weren't quite prepared for it. By Jove, that they were n't!”
“Who are they?” said I, sitting up in my bed, and somewhat curious to
hear something of these astonished individuals.
“The Government, my lad; the Castle; the Private Sec.; the Major; the
Treasury; the Board of Green Cloth; the--what d' ye call them?--the
Privy Council.”
“Why, what has happened them?”
“I 'll show you what 's happened. Lie down again and compose yourself.
He won't be here before twelve o'clock; though, by the bye, I promised
on my honor not to say a word about his coming. But it 's over now.”
“Who is it?” said I, eagerly.
“Oh, I can't tell now. You 'll see him very soon; and right glad he 'll
be to see you, so he says. But here they are; here 's the whole affair.”
So saying, he covered the bed with a mass of news' papers, and blotted,
ill-written manuscripts, among which he commenced a vigorous search at
once.
“Here it is; I've found it out. Listen to this: 'The Press, Friday,
August 10. The magnificent ourang-outang that Captain Bubbleton is about
to present to the Lady-Lieutenant--' No, that is n't it; it must be
in Faulkner. Ay, here we have it: 'In Captain Bubbleton's forthcoming
volume, which we have been favored with a private perusal of, a very
singular account is given of the gigantic mouse found in Candia, which
grows to the size of a common mastiff--'No, that 's not it. You 've
heard of that, Tom, though, have n't you?”
“Never,” said I, trying to repress a smile.
“I 'm amazed at that; never heard of my curious speculations about the
Candian mouse! The fellow has a voice like a human being; you 'd hear
him crying in the woods, and you 'd swear it was a child. I 've a notion
that the Greeks took their word 'mousikos' from this fellow. But that
's not what I 'm looking for; no, but here it is. This is squib
No. 1: 'Tuesday morning. We are at length enabled to state that the
young gentleman who took such a prominent part in defending the military
against the savage and murderous attack of the mob in the late riot in
College Green is now out of danger; being removed to Captain Bubbleton's
quarters in George's Street Barracks, he was immediately trepanned--'”
“Eh? trepanned!”
“No, you weren't trepanned; but Pepper said you might have been though,
and he 'd just as soon do it as not; so I put in trepanned. 'The pia
mater was fortunately not cut through.' That you don't understand; but
no matter,--hem, hem! 'Congestion of--' hem, hem! 'In our next, we hope
to give a still more favorable report.' Then here's the next: 'To the
aide-decamp sent to inquire after the “hero of College Green,” the
answer this morning was, “Better; able to sit up.”' Well, here we
go,--No. 3: 'His Excellency mentioned this morning at the Privy Council
the satisfaction he felt at being able to announce that Mr. (from
motives of delicacy we omit the name) is now permitted to take some
barley gruel, with a spoonful of old Madeira. The Bishop of Ferns and
Sir Boyle Roach both left their cards yesterday at the barracks.' I
waited a day or two after this; but--would you believe it?--no notice
was taken; not even the Opposition papers said a word, except some
insolent rascal in 'The Press' asks, 'Can you tell your readers, Are we
to have anything more from Captain Bubbleton?' So then I resolved to
come out in force, and here you see the result: 'Friday, 20th. It is now
our gratifying task to announce the complete restoration of the young
gentleman whose case has, for some weeks past, been the engrossing topic
of conversation of all ranks and classes, from the table of the Viceroy
to the humble denizen of Mud Island. Mr. Burke is the only son and heir
to the late Matthew Burke, of Cremore, county of Galway. His family have
been long distinguished for their steady, uncompromising loyalty; nor
is the hereditary glory of their house likely to suffer in the person
of the illustrious youth, who, we learn, is now to be raised to the
baronetcy under the title of Sir Thomas Bubbleton Burke, the second name
assumed to commemorate the services of Captain Bubbleton, whose--'Of
course I dilated a little here to round the paragraph. Well, this
did it; here was the shell that exploded the magazine. For early this
morning I received a polite note from the Castle,--I won't tell you the
writer, though; I like a good bit of surprise. And egad, now I think on
't, I won't say anything more about the letter either, only that we 're
in luck, my lad, as you 'll soon acknowledge. What 's the hour now? Ah!
a quarter to twelve. But wait, I think I hear him in the next room. Jump
up, and dress as fast as you can, while I do the honors.”
With this the captain bustled out of the room; and, although he banged
the door after him, I could hear his voice in the act of welcoming some
new arrival.
In spite of the sea of nonsense and absurdity through which I had waded
in the last half-hour, the communication he had made me excited my
curiosity to the utmost, and in some respect rendered me uneasy. It was
no part whatever of my object to afford any clue to Basset by which he
might trace me; and although much of the fear I had formerly entertained
of that dreaded personage had evaporated with increased knowledge of the
world, yet old instincts preserved their influence over me, and I felt
as though Tony Basset would be a name of terror to me for my life long.
It was quite clear, however, that the application from the Castle to
which he alluded could have no reference to the honest attorney; and
with this comforting reflection, which I confess came somewhat late, I
finished my dressing, and prepared to leave my room.
“Oh, here he comes!” cried Bubbleton, as he flung open my door, and
announced my approach. “Come along, Tom, and let us see if your face
will let you be recognized.”
I scarcely had crossed the threshold when I started back with affright,
and had it not been for the wall against which I leaned, must have
fallen. The stranger, whose visit was to afford me so much of pleasure
was no other than Major Barton; there he stood, his arm leaning on the
chimney-piece, the same cool malicious smile playing about the angles of
his mouth which I noticed the first day I saw him in the glen. His sharp
eyes shot on me one quick, searching glance, and then turned to the
door; from which again they were directed to me as if some passing
thought had moved them.
Bubbleton was the first to speak, for not noticing either the agitation
I was under or the stern expression of Barton's features, he ran on:--
“Eh, Major! that's your friend, isn't it? Changed a bit, I suppose; a
little blanched, but in a good cause, you know,--that's the thing. Come,
Tom, you don't forget your old friend. Major--what 's the name?”
“Barton,” repeated the other, dryly.
“Yes, Major Barton; he 's come from his Excellency. I knew that last
paragraph would do it,--eh. Major?”
“You were quite right, sir,” said Barton, slowly and distinctly, “that
paragraph did do it; and very fortunate you may esteem yourself, if it
will not do you also.”
“Eh, what! how me? What d' you mean?”
“How long, may I beg to ask,” continued Barton, in the same quiet tone
of voice, “have you known this young gentleman?”
“Burke,--Tom Burke? Bless your heart, since the height of that fender.
His father and mine were schoolfellows. I 'm not sure he was n't my
godfather, or, at least, one of them; I had four.” Here the captain
began counting on his fingers. “There was the Moulah, one; the Cham,
two--”
“I beg your pardon for the interruption,” said Barton, with affected
politeness; “how long has he occupied these quarters? That fact may
possibly not be too antiquated for your memory.”
“How long?” said Bubbleton, reflectingly. “Let me see: here we are in
August--”
“Three weeks on Tuesday last,” said I, interfering, to prevent any
further drain on so lavish an imagination.
“Then you came here on the day of the riots?” said Barton.
“On that evening,” was my reply.
“On that evening,--just so. Before or after, may I isk?”
“I shall answer no further questions,” said I, resolutely. “If you have
any charge against me, it is for you to prove it.”
“Charge against you!” said Bubbleton, laughing. “Bless your heart,
boy, don't mistake him; they've sent him down to compliment you. Lord
Castlereagh mentions in his note--Where the devil did I throw that
note?”
“It's of no consequence, Captain,” said Barton, dryly; “his lordship
usually intrusts the management of these matters to me. May I learn, is
this young gentleman known in your regiment? Has he been at your mess?”
“Tom Burke known among us! Why, man, he 's called nothing but 'Burke of
Ours.' He 's one of ourselves; not gazetted, you know, but all the same
in fact. We could n't get on without him; he's like the mess-plate, or
the orderly-book, or the regimental snuffbox.”
“I 'm sincerely sorry, sir,” rejoined Barton, slowly, “to rob you and
the gallant Forty-fifth of one upon whom you place such just value; but
'Burke of Ours' must consent to be Burke of mine at present.”
“To be sure, my dear major, of course; anything convivial,--nothing
like good fellowship. We'll lend him to you for to-day,--one day, mark
me,--we can't spare him longer. And now I think of it, don't press him
with his wine; he 's been poorly of late.”
“Have no fears on that score,” said Barton, laughing outright; “our
habits of life, in his circumstances, are rigidly temperate.” Then,
turning to me, he continued, in an altered voice: “I need scarcely
explain to you, sir, the reason of my visit. When last we parted I did
not anticipate that our next meeting would have been in a royal barrack;
but you may thank your friend here for my knowledge of your abode--”
Bubbleton attempted to interpose here a panegyric on himself; but Barton
went on,--
“Here is an order of the Privy Council for your apprehension; and
here--”
“Apprehension!” echoed the captain, in a voice of wonderment and terror.
“Here, sir, is your committal to Newgate. I suppose you'll not give
me the trouble of using force; I have a carriage in waiting below, and
request that we may lose no more time.”
“I am ready, sir,” said I, as stoutly as I was able.
“To Newgate!” repeated Bubbleton, as, overcome with fright, he sank
back in a chair, and crossed his arms on his breast. “Poor fellow! poor
fellow! perhaps they 'll bring it in manslaughter, eh?--or was it a bank
robbery?”
Not even the misery before me could prevent my smiling at the worthy
captain's rapidly conceived narrative of me. I was in no merry mood,
however; and turning to him, grasped his hand.
“It may happen,” said I, “that we never meet again. I know not--indeed,
I hardly care--what is before me; but with all my heart I thank you for
your kindness. Farewell.”
“Farewell,” said he, half mechanically, as he grasped my hand in both
of his, and the large tears rolled down his cheeks. “Poor fellow! all my
fault; see it now.”
I hurried after Barton downstairs, a nervous choking in my throat nearly
suffocating me. Just as I reached the door the carriage drew up, and
a policeman let down the steps. Already my foot was on them, when
Bubbleton was beside me.
“I'll go with him, Major; you'll permit me, won't you?”
“Not at present, Captain,” said Barton, significantly; “it may happen
that we shall want you one of these days. Good-by.”
He pushed me forward as he spoke, and entered the carriage after me. I
felt the pressure of poor Bubbleton's hand as he grasped mine for the
last time, and discovered he had slipped something into my palm at
parting. I opened and found two guineas in gold, which the kindhearted
fellow had given me; perhaps they were his only ones in the world.