MARK WYLDER'S SUBMISSION.
Every day the position grew more critical and embarrassing. The day
appointed for the nuptials was now very near, and the bridegroom not only
out of sight but wholly untraceable. What was to be done?
A long letter from Stanley Lake told Lord Chelford, in detail, all the
measures adopted by that energetic young gentleman for the discovery of
the truant knight:--
'I have been at his club repeatedly, as also at his lodgings--still
_his_, though he has not appeared there since his arrival in town. The
billiard-marker at his club knows his haunts; and I have taken the
liberty to employ, through him, several persons who are acquainted with
his appearance, and, at my desire, frequent those places with a view to
discovering him, and bringing about an interview with me.
'He was seen, I have reason to believe, a day or two before my arrival
here, at a low place called the "Miller's Hall," in the City, where
members of the "Fancy" resort, at one of their orgies, but not since. I
have left notes for him wherever he is likely to call, entreating an
interview.
'On my arrival I was sanguine about finding him; but I regret to say my
hopes have very much declined, and I begin to think he must have changed
his quarters. If you have heard from him within the last few days,
perhaps you will be so kind as to send me the envelope of his letter,
which, by its postmark, may possibly throw some light or hint some theory
as to his possible movements. He is very clever; and having taken this
plan of concealing his residence, will conduct it skilfully. If the case
were mine I should be much tempted to speak with the detective
authorities, and try whether they might not give their assistance, of
course without _éclat_. But this is, I am aware, open to objection, and,
in fact, would not be justifiable, except under the very peculiar urgency
of the case.
'Will you be so good as to say what you think upon this point; also, to
instruct me what you authorise me to say should I be fortunate enough to
meet him. At present I am hardly in a position to say more than an
acquaintance--never, I fear, very cordial on his part--would allow;
which, of course, could hardly exceed a simple mention of your anxiety to
be placed in communication with him.
'If I might venture to suggest, I really think a peremptory alternative
should be presented to him. Writing, however, in ignorance of what may
since have passed at Brandon, I may be assuming a state of things which,
possibly, no longer exists. Pray understand that in any way you please to
employ me, I am entirely at your command. It is also possible, though I
hardly hope it, that I may be able to communicate something definite by
this evening's post.
'I do not offer any conjectures as to the cause of this very embarrassing
procedure on his part; and indeed I find a great difficulty in rendering
myself useful, with any likelihood of really succeeding, without at the
same exposing myself to an imputation of impertinence. You will easily
see how difficult is my position.
'Whatever may be the cause of Mark Wylder's present line of conduct, it
appears to me that if he really did attend that meeting at the "Miller's
Hall," there cannot be anything _very_ serious weighing upon his spirits.
My business will detain me here, I rather think, three days longer.'
By return of post Lord Chelford wrote to Stanley Lake:--
'I am so very much obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken. The
measures which you have adopted are, I think, most judicious; and I
should not wish, on consideration, to speak to any official person. I
think it better to trust entirely to the means you have already employed.
Like you, I do not desire to speculate as to the causes of Wylder's
extraordinary conduct; but, all the circumstances considered, I cannot
avoid concluding, as you do, that there must be some _very_ serious
reason for it. I enclose a note, which, perhaps, you will be so good as
to give him, should you meet before you leave town.'
The note to Mark Wylder was in these terms:--
'DEAR WYLDER,--I had hoped to see you before now at Brandon. Your
unexplained absence longer continued, you must see, will impose on me the
necessity of offering an explanation to Miss Brandon's friends, of the
relations, under these strange circumstances, in which you and she are to
be assumed to stand. You have accounted in no way for your absence. You
have not even suggested a postponement of the day fixed for the
completion of your engagement to that young lady; and, as her guardian, I
cannot avoid telling her, should I fail to hear explicitly from you
within three days from this date, that she is at liberty to hold herself
acquitted of her engagement to you. I do not represent to you how much
reason everyone interested by relationship in that young lady has to feel
offended at the disrespect with which you have treated her. Still hoping,
however, that all may yet be explained,
'I remain, my dear Wylder, yours very truly,
'CHELFORD.'
Lord Chelford had not opened the subject to Dorcas. Neither had old Lady
Chelford, although she harangued her son upon it as volubly and fiercely
as if he had been Mark Wylder in person, whenever he and she were
_tête-à-tête_. She was extremely provoked, too, at Dorcas's evident
repose under this astounding treatment, and was enigmatically sarcastic
upon her when they sat together in the drawing-room.
She and her son were, it seemed, not only to think and act, but to feel
also, for this utterly immovable young lady! The Brandons, in her young
days, were not wanting in spirit. No; they had many faults, but they were
not sticks or stones. They were not to be taken up and laid down like wax
dolls; they could act and speak. It would not have been safe to trample
upon them; and they were not less beautiful for being something more than
pictures and statues.
This evening, in the drawing-room, there were two very pretty ormolu
caskets upon the little marble table.
'A new present from Mark Wylder,' thought Lady Chelford, as these objects
met her keen glance. 'The unceremonious bridegroom has, I suppose, found
his way back with a peace-offering in his hand.' And she actually peered
through her spectacles into the now darkened corners of the chamber, half
expecting to discover the truant Wylder awaiting there the lecture she
was well prepared to give him; but the square form and black whiskers of
the prodigal son were not discernible there.
'So, so, something new, and very elegant and pretty,' said the old lady
aloud, holding her head high, and looking as if she were disposed to be
propitiated. 'I think I can risk a conjecture. Mr. Wylder is about to
reappear, and has despatched these heralds of his approach, no doubt
suitably freighted, to plead for his reacceptance into favour. You have
heard, then, from Mr. Wylder, my dear Dorcas?'
'No, Lady Chelford,' said the young lady with a grave serenity, turning
her head leisurely towards her.
'No? Oh, then where is my son? He, perhaps, can explain; and pray, my
dear, what are these?'
'These caskets contain the jewels which Mr. Wylder gave me about six
weeks since. I had intended restoring them to him; but as his return is
delayed, I mean to place them in Chelford's hands; because I have made up
my mind, a week ago, to put an end to this odious engagement. It is all
over.'
Lady Chelford stared at the audacious young lady with a look of incensed
amazement for some seconds, unable to speak.
'Upon my word, young lady! vastly fine and independent! You _chasser_ Mr.
Wylder without one moment's notice, and without deigning to consult me,
or any other person capable of advising you. You are about to commit as
gross and indelicate a breach of faith as I recollect anywhere to have
heard of. What will be thought?--what will the world say?--what will your
friends say? Will you be good enough to explain yourself? _I_'ll not
undertake your excuses, I promise you.'
'Excuses! I don't think of excuses, Lady Chelford; no person living has a
right to demand one.'
'Very tragic, young lady, and quite charming!' sneered the dowager
angrily.
'Neither one nor the other, I venture to think; but quite true, Lady
Chelford,' answered Miss Brandon, haughtily.
'I don't believe you are serious, Dorcas,' said Lady Chelford, more
anxiously, and also more gently. 'I can't suppose it. I'm an old woman,
my dear, and I sha'n't trouble you very long. I can have no object in
misleading you, and you have never experienced from me anything but
kindness and affection. I think you might trust me a little, Dorcas--but
that, of course, is for you, you are your own mistress now--but, at
least, you may reconsider the question you propose deciding in so
extraordinary a way. I allow you might do much better than Mark Wylder,
but also worse. He has not a title, and his estate is not enough to carry
the point _à force d'argent_; I grant all that. But _together_ the
estates are more than most titled men possess; and the real point is the
fatal slip in your poor uncle's will, which makes it so highly important
that you and Mark should be united; bear that in mind, dear Dorcas. I
look for his return every day--every hour, indeed--and no doubt his
absence will turn out to have been unavoidable. You must not act
precipitately, and under the influence of mere pique. His absence, I will
lay my life, will be satisfactorily accounted for; he has set his heart
upon this marriage, and I really think you will almost drive him mad if
you act as you threaten.'
'You have, indeed, dear Lady Chelford, been always very kind to me, and I
do trust you,' replied this beautiful heiress, turning her large shadowy
eyes upon the dowager, and speaking in slow and silvery accents, somehow
very melancholy. 'I dare say it is very imprudent, and I don't deny that
Mr. Wylder may have reason to complain of me, and the world will not
spare me either; but I have quite made up my mind, and nothing can ever
change me; all is over between me and Mr. Wylder--quite over--for ever.'
'Upon my life, young lady, this is being very sharp, indeed. Mr. Wylder's
business detains him a day or two longer than he expected, and he is
punished by a final dismissal!'
The old lady's thin cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shot a reddish
light, and altogether she made an angry sight. It was hardly reasonable.
She had been inveighing against Miss Brandon's apathy under Wylder's
disrespect, and now that the young lady spoke and acted too, she was
incensed. She had railed upon Wylder, in no measured terms, herself, and
even threatened, as the proper measure, that very step which Dorcas had
announced; and now she became all at once the apologist of this insolent
truant, and was ready to denounce her unreasonable irritation.
'So far, dear Lady Chelford, from provoking me to this decision, his
absence is, I assure you, the sole reason of my having delayed to inform
him of it.'
'And I assure you, Miss Brandon, _I_ sha'n't undertake to deliver your
monstrous message. He will probably be here to-morrow. You have prepared
an agreeable surprise for him. You shall have the pleasure of
administering it yourself, Miss Brandon. For my part, I have done my
duty, and here and now renounce all responsibility in the future
management of your affairs.'
Saying which, she rose, in a stately and incensed way, and looking with
flashing eyes over Dorcas's head to a far corner of the apartment,
without another word she rustled slowly and majestically from the
drawing-room.
She was a good deal shocked, and her feelings quite changed, however,
when next morning the post brought a letter to Chelford from Mark Wylder,
bearing the Boulogne postmark. It said--
'DEAR CHELFORD,
'Don't get riled; but the fact is I don't see my way out of my present
business'--(this last word was substituted for another, crossed out,
which looked like 'scrape')--'for a couple of months, maybe. Therefore,
you see, my liberty and wishes being at present interfered with, it would
be very hard lines if poor Dorcas should be held to her bargain.
Therefore, I will say this--_she is quite free_ for me. Only, of course,
I don't decline to fulfil my part whenever at liberty. In the meantime I
return the miniature, with her hair in it, which I constantly wore about
me since I got it. But I have no right to it any longer, till I know her
decision. Don't be too hard on me, dear Chelford. It is a very old lark
has got me into this present vexation. In the meantime, I wish to make it
quite clear what I mean. Not being able by any endeavour'--(here a
nautical phrase scratched out, and 'endeavour' substituted)--'of mine to
be up to time, and as these are P.P. affairs, I must only forfeit. I
mean, I am at the lady's disposal, either to fulfil my engagement the
earliest day I can, or to be turned adrift. That is all I can say.
'In more trouble than you suppose, I remain, dear Chelford, yours,
whatever you may think, faithfully,
'MARK WYLDER'