Lynderton was about that time made a depot of a foreign legion, and
although the presence of a large body of military did not add much to
the morality of the place, there was a considerable number of talented
persons among the officers and their wives. Instruction could now be
procured in abundance, in foreign languages, dancing, singing, in the
use of all sorts of instruments, from pianos down to flageolets, and in
drawing and painting. Counts and barons were glad to obtain
remuneration for their talents, and many a butcher's or grocer's bill
was liquidated by the instruction afforded to the female portions of the
commercial families of the place in dancing and singing. Colonel
Everard engaged a very charming countess to instruct his daughter and
niece in dancing, and as it was convenient to have a third person, Harry
was invited over to join the lessons. The name of the French lady who
taught them dancing was Countess de Thaonville. She was a very handsome
person, but there was a deep shade of melancholy on her countenance. No
wonder. Her history was a sad one, as was that of many of her
countrywomen and countrymen, now exiles in a foreign land. Harry
benefited greatly by these lessons. They contributed to civilise and
refine him. Had, however, Madam Everard known a little more of the
world, as years rolled on, she would probably not have invited him so
often to come to the house. In his young days he had looked on Lucy and
Mabel very much in the light of sisters, but somehow or other he began
to prefer one to the other. Mabel was certainly his favourite. How it
came to pass he could not tell, but he was happier in her society than
in that of her cousin, or in that of anybody else. He was only about
two years her senior, while Lucy was several years older. This might
have made some difference. Occasionally the Countess brought a young
officer of the legion, Baron de Ruvigny, to the house to assist in the
music, as he played the violin well. He was a mere youth, but very
gentlemanly and pleasing, and he became a great favourite with Madam
Everard. Harry did not quite like his coming; he thought he seemed
rather too attentive to Mabel. However, he was a very good fellow,
although he could not play cricket or row a boat, and as Mabel certainly
gave him no encouragement, Harry began to like him.
By the time Harry was eighteen Mabel had become a lovely and an amiable
girl. No wonder that being much in her society he should have loved
her. Lady Tryon, who had always indulged him, was not long in
discovering the state of his affections, and instead or attempting to
check him, she encouraged him in his wish to obtain the hand of Mabel
Everard.
Colonel Everard, like many old soldiers, was an early riser. He
usually, in the summer, took a walk before breakfast through the
grounds. His figure was tall and commanding. Although considerably
more than seventy, he still walked with an upright carriage and
soldier-like air. He carried a stick in his hand, but often placed it
under his arm, as he was wont in his youth to carry his sword. The
front part of his head was bald, and his silvery locks were secured
behind in a queue, neatly tied with black ribbon. His features were
remarkably fine, and age had failed to dim the brightness of his blue
eye. His invariable morning costume was an undress military coat, which
had seen some service, while no one could look at him without seeing
that he was a man accustomed to courts as well as camps. One morning he
was stopping to look at a flower-bed lately laid out by his daughter
Lucy, when he heard footsteps approaching him. A turn of the walk
concealed him from the house.
"Well, Paul, what is it?" he asked, looking up.
"I have something to communicate, Colonel."
The speaker was a tall thin man, with a mark of a sword-cut on one of
his well-bronzed and weather-beaten cheeks, which had not added to his
beauty. There was, notwithstanding this, an honest, pleasant expression
in his countenance which was sure to command confidence. His air was
that of an old soldier; indeed, as he spoke, his hand went mechanically
up to his hat, while as he halted, he drew himself as upright as one of
the neighbouring fir-trees. Paul Gauntlett, the Colonel's faithful
follower and body servant, had left Lynderton with him upwards of fifty
years before, and had been by his side in every battle in which he had
been engaged.
"There's mischief brewing, and if it is not put a stop to, harm will
come of it," he continued.
"What do you mean?" asked the Colonel.
"Just this, sir. I was lying down close to the lake to draw in a night
line I set last night, when who should come by but young Master Harry
Tryon with his fishing-rod in his hand, and his basket by his side. I
was just going to get up and speak to him, for he did not see me, when I
saw another person, who was no other than that young foreigner, the
Baron de Ruvigny, as he calls himself. Master Harry asked him what he
was doing, and he said that it was no business of his, as far as I could
make out. Then Master Harry got very angry, and told him that he should
not come to the park at all, and the other said that he was insulted.
Then Master Harry asked him what business he had to write letters to
young ladies, and the end of it was that they agreed to go into the town
and get swords or pistols and settle the matter that way. If they fix
on pistols it may be all very well; but if they fight with swords,
Master Harry's no hand with one, and the young Frenchman will pink him
directly they cross blades."
"I am glad you told me of this," observed the Colonel. "It must be put
a stop to, or the hot-headed lads will be doing each other a mischief.
Who could the Frenchman have been writing to? Not my daughter or niece
I hope. It will not do to have their names mixed up in a brawl."
"I think we could manage it at once, sir; they have not yet left the
grounds. They spoke as if they did not intend to fight till the
evening, as each of them would have to look out for his seconds. When
they parted, Master Harry walked on along the side of the lake and began
to fish, looking as cool as a cucumber, while the young Frenchman went
back into the summer-house, where he had been sitting when Master Harry
found him, and went on writing away on a sheet of paper, he had spread
on his hat. Now, sir, if you go down the walk you are pretty sure to
find him there still, and I have no doubt that I shall be able to fall
in with Master Harry, and I can tell him you want to see him at
breakfast, and that he must come, and make no excuse."
Great was Harry's surprise to find the young Frenchman in the
breakfast-room, where the Colonel and the rest of the party were already
assembled. He was, as usual, cordially welcomed, and the butler shortly
afterwards announced that the fish he had caught would be speedily
ready.
"We are very glad you have come, Harry," said Madam Everard, "you can
help us in arranging an important matter. The Colonel has just heard
that his Majesty intends honouring us with a visit in the course of a
day or two. The King sends word that he shall ride over from Lyndhurst,
and that we are to make no preparations for his reception; but he is
always pleased when there is some little surprise and above all things
he likes to see his subjects making themselves happy."
"The Baron de Ruvigny says he is certain that Colonel Lejoille will lend
the band of the regiment, and we must have the militia and volunteer
bands. Will it not be delightful?" exclaimed Mabel.
"We must have two large tents put up on one side of the lawn, so as not
to shut out the view from the windows."
"There must be one for dancing," said Lucy, who was especially fond of
dancing. "There will be no want of partners, as there used to be before
the foreign officers came here. How very kind of the King to say he
will come."
"Do you think that Cochut will have time to prepare a breakfast?" asked
the Colonel, looking at his sister. "We must send for him at once to
receive his orders. Baron, we must leave the bands of the regiments to
you. Harry, you must arrange with Mr. Savage, the sail-maker, for the
tents."
"Now, recollect you two young men are to devote all your time and
energies to these objects," said Madam Everard, looking at them with a
meaning glance.
"I must see you both in my study before you leave," said the Colonel,
"and now, lads, go to breakfast."
The two young men looked at each other, and possibly suspected that the
Colonel might, by some wonderful means, have heard of their quarrel.