It was not often that Mr. Thomas Swain honoured Gordon's Pride with his
presence. He vowed that the sober Whig company his father brought there
gave him the vapours. He snapped his fingers at the articles of the
Patriots' Association, and still had his cocked hats and his Brussels
lace and his spyglass, and his top boots when he rode abroad, like any
other Tory buck. His intimates were all of the King's side,--of the
worst of the King's side, I should say, for I would not be thought to
cast any slur on the great number of conscientious men of that party.
But, being the son of one of the main props of the Whigs, Mr. Tom went
unpunished for his father's sake. He was not uncondemned.
Up to 1774, the times that Mr. Swain mentioned his son to me might
be counted on the fingers of one hand. It took not a great deal of
shrewdness to guess that he had paid out many a pretty sum to keep Tom's
honour bright: as bright, at least, as such doubtful metal would polish.
Tho' the barrister sought my ear in many matters, I never heard a
whimper out of him on this score.
Master Tom had no ambition beyond that of being a macaroni; his
easy-going nature led him to avoid alike trouble and responsibility.
Hence he did not bother his head concerning my position. He appeared
well content that I should make money out of the plantation for him to
spend. His visits to Gordon's Pride were generally in the late autumn,
and he brought his own company with him. I recall vividly his third
or fourth appearance, in October of '73. Well I may! The family was
preparing to go to town, and this year I was to follow them, and take
from Mr. Swain's shoulders some of his private business, for he had been
ailing a little of late from overwork.
The day of which I have spoken a storm had set in, the rain falling in
sheets. I had been in the saddle since breakfast, seeing to an hundred
repairs that had to be made before the cold weather. 'Twas near the
middle of the afternoon when I pulled up before the weaving house. The
looms were still, and Patty met me at the door with a grave look, which
I knew portended something. But her first words were of my comfort.
“Richard, will you ever learn sense? You have been wet all day long, and
have missed your dinner. Go at once and change your clothes, sir!” she
commanded severely.
“I have first to look at the warehouse, where the roof is leaking,” I
expostulated.
“You shall do no such thing,” replied she, “but dry yourself, and march
into the dining room. We have had the ducks you shot yesterday, and some
of your experimental hominy; but they are all gone.”
I knew well she had laid aside for me some dainty, as was her habit.
I dismounted. She gave me a quick, troubled glance, and said in a low
voice:
“Tom is come. And oh, I dare not tell you whom he has with him now!”
“Courtenay?” I asked.
“Yes, of coarse. I hate the sight of the man. But your cousin, Philip
Carvel, is here, Richard. Father will be very angry. And they are making
a drinking-tavern of the house.”
I gave Firefly a slap that sent her trotting stable-ward, and walked
rapidly to the house. I found the three of them drinking in the hall,
the punch spilled over the table, and staining the cards.
“Gad's life!” cries Tom, “here comes Puritan Richard, in his broad rim.
How goes the crop, Richard? 'Twill have to go well, egad, for I lost an
hundred at the South River Club last week!”
Next him sat Philip, whom I had not seen since before I was carried off.
He was lately come home from King's College; and very mysteriously, his
father giving out that his health was not all it should be. He had not
gained Grafton's height, but he was broader, and his face had something
in it of his father. He had his mother's under lip and complexion.
Grafton was sallow; Philip was a peculiar pink,--not the ruddy pink of
heartier natures, like my grandfather's, nor yet had he the peach-like
skin of Mr. Dix. Philip's was a darker and more solid colour, and I have
never seen man or woman with it and not mistrusted them. He wore a red
velvet coat embroidered with gold, and as costly ruffles as I had ever
seen in London. But for all this my cousin had a coarse look, and his
polished blue flints of eyes were those of a coarse man.
He got to his feet as Tom spoke, looking anywhere but at me, and came
forward slowly. He was loyal to no one, was Philip, not even to his
father. When he was got within three paces he halted.
“How do you, cousin?” says he.
“A little wet, as you perceive, Philip,” I replied.
I left him and stood before the fire, my rough wool steaming in the
heat. He sat down again, a little awkwardly; and the situation began to
please me better.
“How do you?” I asked presently.
“I have got a devilish cold,” said he. “Faith, I'll warrant the doctor
will be sworn I have been but indifferent company since we left the
Hall. Eh, doctor?”
Courtenay, with his feet stretched out, bestowed an amiable but languid
wink upon me, as much as to say that I knew what Mr. Philip's company
was at best. When I came out after my dinner, they were still sitting
there, Courtenay yawning, and Tom and Philip wrangling over last night's
play.
“Come, my man of affairs, join us a hand!” says the doctor to me. “I
have known the time when you would sit from noon until supper.”
“I had money then,” said I.
“And you have a little now, or I am cursed badly mistook. Oons! what do
you fear?” he exclaimed, “you that have played with March and Fox?”
“I fear nothing, doctor,” I answered, smiling. “But a man must have a
sorry honour when he will win fifty pounds with but ten of capital.”
“One of Dr. Franklin's maxims, I presume,” says he, with sarcasm.
“And if it were, it could scarce be more pat,” I retorted. “'Tis Poor
Richard's maxim.”
“O lud! O my soul!” cries Tom, with a hiccup and a snigger; “'tis time
you made another grand tour, Courtenay. Here's the second Whig has got
in on you within the week!”
“Thank God they have not got me down to osnabrig and bumbo yet,” replies
the doctor. Coming over to me by the fire, he tapped my sleeve and added
in a low tone: “Forbearance with such a pair of asses is enough to make
a man shed bitter tears. But a little of it is necessary to keep out of
debt. You and I will play together, against both the lambs, Richard. One
of them is not far from maudlin now.”
“Thank you, doctor,” I answered politely, “but I have a better way to
make my living.” In three years I had learned a little to control my
temper.
He shrugged his thin shoulders. “Eh bien, mon bon,” says he, “I dare
swear you know your own game better than do I.” And he cast a look up
the stairs, of which I quite missed the meaning. Indeed, I was wholly
indifferent. The doctor and his like had passed out of my life, and I
believed they were soon to disappear from our Western Hemisphere. The
report I had heard was now confirmed, that his fortune was dissipated,
and that he lived entirely off these young rakes who aspired to be
macaronies.
“Since your factor is become a damned Lutheran, Tom,” said he, returning
to the table and stripping a pack, “it will have to be picquet. You
promised me we could count on a fourth, or I had never left Inman's.”
It was Tom, as I had feared, who sat down unsteadily opposite. Philip
lounged and watched them sulkily, snuffing and wheezing and dipping into
the bowl, and cursing the house for a draughty barn. I took a pipe
on the settle to see what would come of it. I was not surprised that
Courtenay lost at first, and that Tom drank the most of the punch. Nor
was it above half an hour before the stakes were raised and the tide
began to turn in the doctor's favour.
“A plague of you, Courtenay!” cries Mr. Tom, at length, flinging down
the cards. His voice was thick, while the Selwyn of Annapolis was never
soberer in his life. Tom appealed first to Philip for the twenty pounds
he owed him.
“You know how damned stingy my father is, curse you,” whined my cousin,
in return. “I told you I should not have it till the first of the
month.”
Tom swore back. He thrust his hands deep in his pockets and sank into
that attitude of dejection common to drunkards. Suddenly he pulled
himself up.
“'Shblood! Here's Richard t' draw from. Lemme have fifty pounds,
Richard.”
“Not a farthing,” I said, unmoved.
“You say wha' shall be done with my father's money!” he cried. “I call
tha' damned cool--Gad's life! I do. Eh, Courtenay?”
Courtenay had the sense not to interfere.
“I'll have you dishcharged, Gads death! so I will!” he shouted. “No
damned airs wi' me, Mr. Carvel. I'll have you know you're not wha' you
once were, but, only a cursht oversheer.”
He struggled to his feet, forgot his wrath on the instant, and began to
sing drunkenly the words of a ribald air. I took him by both shoulders
and pushed him back into his chair.
“Be quiet,” I said sternly; “while your mother and sister are here you
shall not insult them with such a song.” He ceased, astonished. “And as
for you, gentlemen,” I continued, “you should know better than to make a
place of resort out of a gentleman's house.”
Courtenay's voice broke the silence that followed.
“Of all the cursed impertinences I ever saw, egad!” he drawled. “Is this
your manor, Mr. Carvel? Or have you a seat in Kent?”
I would not have it in black and white that I am an advocate of
fighting. But a that moment I was in the mood when it does not matter
much one way or the other. The drunken man carried us past the point.
“The damned in--intriguing rogue'sh worked himself into my father's
grashes,” he said, counting out his words. “He'sh no more Whig than me.
I know'sh game, Courtenay--he wants t' marry Patty. Thish place'll be
hers.”
The effect upon me of these words, with all their hideous implication of
gossip and scandal, was for an instant benumbing. The interpretation
of the doctor's innuendo struck me then. I was starting forward, with
a hand open to clap over Tom's mouth, when I saw the laugh die on
Courtenay's face, and him come bowing to his legs. I turned with a
start.
On the stairs stood Patty herself, pale as marble.
“Come with me, Tom,” she said.
He had obeyed her from childhood. This time he tried, and failed
miserably.
“Beg pardon, Patty,” he stammered, “no offensh meant. Thish factor
thinks h' ownsh Gordon's now. I say, not'll h' marries you. Good fellow,
Richard, but infernal forward. Eh, Courtenay?”
Philip turned away, while the doctor pretended to examine the silver
punch-ladle. As for me, I could only stare. It was Patty who kept her
head, and made us a stately curtsey.
“Will you do me the kindness, gentlemen,” said she, “to leave me with my
brother?”
We walked silently into the parlour, and I closed the door.
“Slife!” cried Courtenay, “she's a vision. What say you, Philip? And I
might see her in that guise again, egad, I would forgive Tom his five
hundred crowns!”
“A buxom vision,” agreed my cousin, “but I vow I like 'em so.” He had
forgotten his cold.
“This conversation is all of a piece with the rest of your conduct,”
said I, hotly.
The candles were burning brightly in the sconces. The doctor walked to
the glass, took snuff, and burnished his waistcoat before he answered.
“Sure, a fortune lies under every virtue we assume,” he recited. “But
she is not for you, Richard,” says he, tapping his box.
“Mr. Carvel, if you please,” I replied. I felt the demon within me. But
I had the sense to realize that a quarrel with Dr. Courtenay, under
the circumstances, would be far from wise. He had no intention of
quarrelling, however. He made me a grand bow.
“Mr. Carvel, your very obedient. Hereafter I shall know better than to
forget myself with an overseer.” And he gave me his back. “What say you
to a game of billiards, Philip?”
Philip seemed glad to escape. And soon I heard their voices, mingling
with the click of the balls. There followed for me one of the bitterest
half hours I have had in my life. Then Patty opened the hall door.
“Will you come in for a moment, Richard?” she said, quite calmly.
I followed her, wondering at the masterful spirit she had shown. For
there was Tom all askew in his chair, his feet one way and his hands
another, totally subdued. What was most to the point, he made me an
elaborate apology. How she had sobered his mind I know not. His body was
as helpless as the day he was born.
Long before the guests thought of rising the next morning, Patty came to
me as I was having the mare saddled. The sun was up, and the clouds were
being chased, like miscreants who have played their prank, and were now
running for it. The sharp air brought the red into her cheeks. And for
the first time in her life with me she showed shyness. She glanced up
into my face, and then down at the leaves running on the ground.
“I hope they will go to-day,” said she, when I was ready to mount.
I began to tighten the girths, venting my feelings on Firefly until the
animal swung around and made a vicious pass at my arm.
“Richard!”
“Yes.”
“You will not worry over that senseless speech of Tom's?”
“I see it in a properer light now, Patty,” I replied. “I usually do--in
the morning.”
She sighed.
“You are so--high-strung,” she said, “I was afraid you would--”
“I would--?”
She did not answer until I had repeated.
“I was very silly,” she said slowly, her colour mounting even higher,” I
was afraid that you would--leave us.” Stroking the mare's neck, and with
a little halt in her voice, “I do not know what we should do without
you.”
Indeed, I was beginning to think I would better leave, though where I
should go was more than I could say. With a quick intuition she caught
my hand as I put foot in the stirrup.
“You will not go away!” she cried. “Say you will not! What would poor
father do? He is not so well as he used to be.”
The wild appeal in her eyes frightened me. It was beyond resisting. In
great agitation I put my foot to the ground again.
“Patty, I should be a graceless scamp in truth,” I exclaimed. “I do not
forget that your father gave me a home when mine was taken away, and has
made me one of his family. I shall thank God if I can but lighten some
of his burdens.”
But they did not depart that day, nor the next; nor, indeed, for a week
after. For Philip's cold brought on a high fever. He stuck to his bed,
and Patty herself made broth and dainties for him, and prescribed him
medicine out of the oak chest whence had come so much comfort. At first
Philip thought he would die, and forswore wine and cards, and some other
things the taste for which he had cultivated, and likewise worse vices
that had come to him by nature.
I am greatly pleased to write that the stay profited the gallant Dr.
Courtenay nothing. Patty's mature beauty and her manner of carrying off
the episode in the hall had made a deep impression upon the Censor. I
read the man's mind in his eye; here was a match to mend his fortunes,
and do him credit besides. However, his wit and his languishing
glances and double meanings fell on barren ground. No tire-woman on the
plantation was busier than Patty during the first few days of his stay.
After that he grew sulky and vented his spleen on poor Tom, winning more
money from him at billiards and picquet. Since the doctor was too much
the macaroni to ride to hounds and to shoot ducks, time began to hang
exceeding heavy on his hands.
Patty and I had many a quiet laugh over his predicament. And, to add
zest to the situation, I informed Singleton of what was going forward.
He came over every night for supper, and to my delight the bluff
Englishman was received in a fashion to make the doctor writhe and snort
with mortification. Never in his life had he been so insignificant a
person. And he, whose conversation was so sought after in the gay season
in town, was thrown for companionship upon a scarce-grown boy whose
talk was about as salted, and whose intellect as great, as those of the
cockerouse in our fable. He stood it about a se'nnight, at the end of
which space Philip was put on his horse, will-he-nill-he, and made to
ride northward.
I sat with my cousin of an evening as he lay in bed. Not, I own, from
any charity on my part, but from other motives which do me no credit.
The first night he confessed his sins, and they edified me not a little.
On the second he was well enough to sit up and swear, and to vow that
Miss Swain was an angel; that he would marry her the very next week and
his father Grafton were not such a stickler for family.
“Curse him,” says his dutiful and loyal son, “he is so bally stingy with
my stipend that I am in debt to half the province. And I say it myself,
Richard, he has been a blackguard to you, tho' I allow him some little
excuse. You were faring better now, my dear cousin, and you had not
given him every reason to hate you. For I have heard him declare more
than once 'pon my soul, I have--that he would rather you were his friend
than his enemy.”
My contempt for Philip kept me silent here. I might quarrel with
Grafton, who had sense enough to feel pain at a well deserved thrust.
Philip had not the intelligence to recognize insult from compliment. It
was but natural he should mistake my attitude now. He leaned forward in
his bed.
“Hark you, Richard,” whispers he, with a glance at the door, “I might
tell you some things and I chose, and--and it were worth my while.”
“Worth your while?” I repeated vaguely.
He traced nervously the figures on the counterpane. Next came a rush of
anger to redden his face.
“By Gad, I will tell you. Swear to Gad I will.” Then, the little
cunning inherited from his father asserting itself, he added, “Look you,
Richard, I am the son of one of the richest men in the colony, and I
get the pittance of a backwoods pastor. I tell you 'tis not to be borne
with. And I am not of as much consideration at the Hall as Brady, the
Irish convict, who has become overseer.”
I little wondered at this. Philip sank back, and for some moments eyed
me between narrowed lids. He continued presently with shortened breath:
“I have evidence--I have evidence to get you back a good share of the
estate, which my father will never miss. And I will do it,” he cries,
suddenly bold, “I will do it for three thousand pounds down when you
receive it.”
This was why he had come with Tom to Talbot! I was so dumfounded that
my speech was quite taken away. Then I got up and began pacing the room.
Was it not fair to fight a scoundrel with his own weapons? Here at last
was the witness Mr. Swain had been seeking so long, come of his own free
will. Then--Heaven help me!--my mind flew on. As time had passed I had
more than once regretted refusing the Kent plantation, which had put
her from whom my thought never wandered within my reach again. Good Mr.
Swain had erred for once. 'Twas foolish, indeed, not to accept a portion
of what was rightfully mine, when no more could be got. And now, if what
Philip said was true (and I doubted it not), here at last was the chance
come again to win her without whom I should never be happy. I glanced at
my cousin.
“Gad's life!” says he, “it is cheap enough. I might have asked you
double.”
“So you might, and have been refused,” I cried hotly. For I believe that
speech of his recalled me to my senses. It has ever been an instinct
with me that no real prosperity comes out of double-dealing. And
commerce with such a sneak sickened me. “Go back to your father,
Philip, and threaten him, and he may make you rich. Such as he live by
blackmail. And you may add, and you will, that the day of retribution is
coming for him.”