The Highwayman Page 3

  CHAPTER III

  A MAN OF MANY WORLDS

  There came in a man of many colours. Dazzled eyes, recovering from theirfirst dismay, might admit that his splendours were harmonious. A red coatwith gold buttons, a waistcoat of gold satin embroidered in blue,breeches of blue velvet with golden garters were topped by a face burntbrown and a great jet-black periwig. He carried off all this with airyease. "My lady, your most humble and devoted," he bowed to Lady Waverton."Harry, dear lad," he held out his hands, and Harry, rising, foundhimself embraced and kissed on both cheeks.

  "Colonel Boyce is it?" said Lady Waverton with some emphasis onthe title.

  "In the service of your ladyship," he laughed, and bowed to her again,and turned upon the company. "Pray present me, dear lady." She madesome stumbling about it, but Colonel Boyce appeared to enjoy himselfwith an "I account myself fortunate, ma'am," for Miss Lambourne; with a"My boy's friends are mine, sir--and his debts too," for Geoffrey; andto Mr. Hadley, "You have served, sir?" with a look of respect at theempty sleeve.

  Hadley nodded. "Ay, ay. The red field of honour. Well, there's nolife like it."

  "That's why I left it," Hadley grunted.

  "Come, sir, draw up a chair and join us," Geoffrey said. "Be sure you arevery welcome."

  "Ten thousand thanks." Without enthusiasm Colonel Boyce looked at thecalf's head. "But--egad, I am sorry for it now--but I have dined."

  "At least you'll drink a glass of wine with us?"

  "Oh, I can't deny myself the pleasure, sir." He drew up a chair, Geoffreyreached at a decanter, and so Lady Waverton rose and Alison after her.

  Colonel Boyce started up. "But no--not at that price. Damme, that wouldpoison the Prince's own Tokay. Nay, you are too cruel, my lady. I come,and you desolate the table to receive me. Gad's life, ma'am, our friendshere will be calling me out for my daring to exist."

  Lady Waverton was very well pleased. "Sir, you will let me give you adish of tea. I warrant the men were already sighing to be rid of us."

  "Then I vow they be blind," quoth Colonel Boyce, and opened the door,from which he came back with a laugh to his glass of port. Over drinkingit he went through all the tricks of the connoisseur and ended with acultured ecstasy.

  "I see you are a man of the world, Colonel," Hadley sneered.

  "A man of many worlds, sir," the Colonel laughed easily.

  "I wonder which this is?"

  "Why, this is the world of good company and good fellowship--" he smiledand bowed to Geoffrey--"of sound wine and sound learning."

  "Sir, you are very good. But I hope my wine is better than myscholarship. This is our man of learning," he slapped Harry on theshoulder. "And Harry counts me a mere trifler, a literary exquisite, anamateur of elegances."

  "If your scholarship has the elegance of your wine, Mr. Waverton, you dovery well. I doubt my Harry is no judge of the graces. He has always beensomething of a plodder."

  "Have I?" Harry found his tongue. "How did you know?"

  The Colonel laughed. "He has me there, the rogue. The truth is,gentlemen, I have not seen him in these six years. Damme, Harry, you aregrown no fatter."

  "Servitors don't make flesh," said Harry.

  "And soldiers don't make money. Still; there's enough for two now, boy."

  "I am glad you have been fortunate," the tone suggested that thoughthe father had quite enough for two; there would be none to sparefor the son.

  "Why, sir," Waverton was grandly genial, "I hope you don't mean to rob meof Harry. He's the most useful fellow, and, I promise you; I value him."

  "Thank you very much," said Harry.

  "I'll take you into my confidence, Mr. Waverton," the Colonel leanedacross the table.

  "Then I'll take my leave," said Hadley.

  "No need, sir. At this time, we all know, there are higher claims on aman than a friend's or a father's."

  "I feel like a pawn," Harry complained.

  "Egad, sir, a pawn may save a queen or check a king."

  "But do you suppose it enjoys it?"

  "Are you away to the war, sir?" Geoffrey smiled. "I doubt our Harry hasno turn for soldiering."

  "You are always right, Mr. Waverton," Harry nodded at him.

  "It is not only soldiers who fight our battles, Mr. Waverton," said theColonel with dignity. "There's danger enough for a quick wit and a cooljudgment far behind the lines. And you need not go to Flanders to findthe war. It's flaming all over England, all over--France," he dropped thelast word in a lower tone, as if his heat had carried him away and it wasa blunder. He flung himself back and emptied his glass, and lookedgloomily at the empty decanter. "Why, Mr. Waverton, you have made me intoa babbler. It's time you delivered me to the ladies."

  "Aye, aye," Hadley yawned. "Let's try another of the worlds."

  They marched out, but the Colonel and Waverton, waiting on each other,were some distance behind the other pair.

  "You must know I have often had some desire for the life of action," saidMr. Waverton.

  To which the Colonel earnestly, "I have never known a man more fit forit," and upon that they entered my lady's drawing-room.

  Miss Lambourne was singing Carey's song of the nightingale:

  "While in a Bow'r with beauty blest The lov'd Amintor lies,While sinking on Lucinda's breast He fondly kiss'd her Eyes.A wakeful nightingale who long Had mourn'd within, the ShadeSweetly renewed her plaintive song And warbled through the Glade."

  On the coming of the men the wakeful nightingale broke off her plaintivesong abruptly.

  Lady Waverton, who was again at full length on her couch, then openedher eyes. "Delicious, delicately delicious," she sighed. "Why did youstop, dear?" she controlled a yawn. "Oh, the men! Odious creatures!" sherose on her elbow and looked at them, and looked down at her dress andpatted it.

  Colonel Boyce accepted the challenge briskly, and marched upon her."Egad, my lady, your name is cruelty."

  "Who--I, sir? I vow I never had the heart to see any creature suffer."

  "Nay, your very nature is cruelty. You exist but to torture us."

  "Good lack, sir," says my lady, well pleased, "and must I die to serveyour pleasure?"

  "Why, there it is. We can neither bear to be with you nor to be withoutyou. I protest, ma'am, your sex was made for our torture. 'Tis why youparade it and delight in it."

  "Lud, sir, you are mighty rude," my lady simpered. "I parade my sex?Alack, my modesty!"

  "Modesty--that's but another weapon to madden us. Fie, ma'am, why do youclothe yourself in such beauty but to flaunt upon our senses that sex ofyours?" My lady was duly shocked and hid behind her fan. "Aye, there itis! We catch a whiff of paradise and straightway it is denied us. Ournightingale there is silent when we draw near. Our Venus here hidesherself when our eyes would enjoy her. As His Grace said to me, you womenare like heaven to a damned soul."

  "You are a wicked fellow," said Lady Waverton with relish.

  Geoffrey at his elbow put in, "'His Grace,' Colonel?"

  "The Old Corporal, Mr. Waverton. The Duke of Marlborough."

  "You have served with him, sir?"

  Colonel Boyce gave a laugh of genial condescension. "Why, yes, Mr.Waverton, I stand as close to His Grace as most men."

  After a moment of impressive silence, the Wavertons vigorously directedthe conversation to the Duke of Marlborough. Colonel Boyce made noobjection. In the most obliging manner he admitted them to a piquantintimacy with His Grace's manners and customs. He mingled things personaland high politics with a fascinating air of letting out secrets at everyword; and, throughout, he maintained a tantalizing discretion about hisown position. My lady and Mr. Waverton were more and more fascinated.

  So that Miss Lambourne had good opportunity to try her maiden steel uponHarry. As soon as he came in, he withdrew himself to a cabinet of medalsin a remote corner. Mr. Hadley approached the harpsichord and reached itjust before it fell silent. Miss Lambourne looked up into his face.

  "Yes, shall we lay our heads togethe
r?" said he.

  "But I doubt mine would turn yours."

  "If you'll risk it, ma'am, I will."

  "La, sir, is this an offer? I protest I am all one blush."

  "Then your imagination is bolder than mine, ma'am. I mean--"

  "Oh, fie for shame! To disgrace a poor maid so! To betray her weakness!It is unmanly, Mr. Hadley. Sure, my father (in the general resurrection)will have your blood. I leave you to your conscience, sir," which shedid, making for Harry.

  Mr. Hadley, remaining by the harpsichord, contemplated them, and with hisone hand caressed his chin. "It's a fascinating family, the family ofBoyce," said he to himself.

  Miss Lambourne sat herself down beside Harry before he chose to be awareof her coming. He started up and obsequiously drew away.

  "You are very coy, Mr. Boyce," said the lady.

  Harry replied, with the servile laughter of a dependent, "Oh, ma'am, youare mocking me."

  "Tit for tat"--Alison's eyes had some fire in them.

  "Tat, ma'am?"

  "Lud, now, don't be tedious. Sir, the house of Waverton is entranced byyour splendid father: and Charles Hadley (as usual) is entranced byhimself. You have no audience Mr. Boyce. Stop acting, and tell me--whatis wrong with me?"

  Harry considered her with calm criticism. "It's not for me to tell MissLambourne that she is too beautiful."

  "Indeed, I thought you had more sense."

  "Too beautiful," Harry persisted deliberately; "too beautiful to begood company."

  "That will not serve, sir. You are not so inflammable. Being more in thenature of a tortoise."

  "If you had a flaw or so: if your nose had a twist; if your cheeks hadfelt the weather; if--I fear, ma'am, I grow intimate. In fine, if youwere less fine, you would be a comfort to a man. But as it is--permit thetortoise to keep in his shell."

  "I advise you, Mr. Boyce--I resent this."

  Harry bowed. "I dare to remind you, ma'am--I did not demand theconversation."

  "The conversation!" Her eyes flashed. "What do I care if a lad'simpudent? Perhaps I like it well enough, Mr. Boyce. There is more thanthat between you and me. You have done me something of a service, andyou'll not let me avow it nor pay you. Well?"

  "Well, ma'am, you're telling the truth," said Harry placidly.

  The lady made an exclamation. "I shall bear you a grudge for this, sir."

  "I am vastly obliged, ma'am."

  The lady drew back a little and looked at him full, which he borecalmly. "I suppose I am beneath Mr. Boyce's concernment."

  "Not beneath, ma'am. Above. Above. Do you admire the Italian medals?They are of a delicate restraint," He turned to the cabinet and beganto lecture.

  Miss Lambourne was not repulsed. He maintained a steady flow ofinstruction. She waited, watching him.

  By this time Colonel Boyce was growing tired of his Duke of Marlboroughand his State secrets, and seeking diversion. "Odds fish, it's a hardroad that leads to fortune. You are happy, Mr. Waverton. You were bornwith yours."

  "I conceive, sir, that every man of high spirit must needs take theroad to fame."

  "A dream of a shadow, Mr. Waverton," said the Colonel, with melancholygrandeur. "'Take the goods the gods provide you,'" he waved his hand atthe crowded opulence of the room and then, smiling paternally, at MissLambourne.

  Lady Waverton simpered at her son. He chose to ignore the hint."Why, Colonel, if a man is happily placed above vulgar needs, themore reason--"

  "Vulgar needs! Oh, fie, Mr. Waverton. A divine creature." ColonelBoyce looked wicked, and his easy hand designed in the air MissLambourne's shape.

  Lady Waverton tittered. Geoffrey blushed, and "You do me too much honoursir, indeed," he stammered.

  Colonel Boyce turned smiling upon Lady Waverton. "I vow, ma'am, a manhath twice the modesty of a maid."

  "You are a bad fellow," said Lady Waverton, very well pleased.

  "You go too fast, sir;" with so much mirth about him Geoffrey feared forhis dignity. "There is nothing between me and Miss Lambourne."

  The Colonel shook his head. "I confess I thought better of you, sir.What, is miss her own mistress?"

  "Miss Lambourne has no father or mother, sir."

  "And her face is her fortune? Egad, 'tis the prettiest romance!"

  Geoffrey and his mother laughed together. "Not quite all her fortune,sir. She is the only child of Sir Thomas Lambourne."

  "What! old Tom Lambourne of the India House?" Colonel Boyce whistled. Helooked with a new interest at her as she stood by Harry, absorbing thelecture on medals, and as he looked his face put on a queer air ofmockery. This he presented to Geoffrey. "Something of a plum, sirrah.Well, well, some folks have but to open their mouths."

  Mr. Waverton, not quite certain whether the Colonel ought to be sofamiliar, concluded to be pleased, and laughed fatuously. During whichmusic the butler announced "Mrs. Weston."

  Lady Waverton and Geoffrey exchanged a glance of disgust. Lady Wavertonmurmured, "What a person!" It escaped their notice that Colonel Boyce hadstiffened at the name. His full face lost all its geniality, allexpression. He was for the first time singularly like his son.

  Mrs. Weston was Alison's companion of the coach, a woman of middle age,inclining to be stout; but her face was thin and lined, belying hercomfortable aspect,--a wistful face which had known much sorrow, and hadstill much tenderness to give.

  Lady Waverton put out a languid and supercilious hand. "I hope youare better."

  "Thank you. I have not been ill."

  "Oh, I always forget."

  "Your servant, ma'am." Geoffrey bowed.

  "Oh,"--Lady Waverton turned on her elbow. "Colonel Boyce--Mrs. Weston,Alison's companion. Faith, duenna, I think."

  "Your most obedient, ma'am." Colonel Boyce bowed low.

  Mrs. Weston stared at him, seemed to try to speak, said nothing, andhurried across the room.

  "Alison, dear, are you ready?" her voice sounded hoarse.

  "Am I ever ready?" Alison laughed. "Weston, dear, we are finding friendshere;" she pointed to Harry.

  Colonel Boyce had followed. He laid his hand on Harry's shoulder: "Myson, ma'am," said he.

  Mrs. Weston's eyes grew wide, and her face was white and drawn, and sheswayed. As Harry bowed to her, a lacquered box was swept off the tablewith a great clatter, and Colonel Boyce cried, "Odds life, Harry, you area clumsy fellow. Here, man, here," and made a great commotion overpicking it up.

  Alison had her arm about Mrs. Weston: "Why, Weston, dear, what is it? Areyou seeing a ghost?" She laughed. "Pray, Mr. Boyce, come to life."

  "I ask pardon, ma'am." Harry rose with the box.

  "'Bid me to live and I will live,'" said the Colonel, with a grand air.

  "Come away, dear, come," Mrs. Weston gasped, in much agitation.

  "Why, Weston, he is not our highwayman, you know," Alison was stilllaughing, and then seeing her distress real, took it in earnest. "You areshaken, poor thing. Come!" She mothered the woman away and, turning,called over her shoulder--

  "_Revanche_, Mr. Boyce." There was an explanation to Lady Waverton: poorWeston had been so alarmed by the highwaymen that she was not fit to beout of her bed, and anything alarmed her; even Mr. Boyce; so dear LadyWaverton must forgive them. And Geoffrey took them to their carriage.

  "What a person!" said Lady Waverton.

  Mr. Hadley came out of his corner and looked Harry up and down withdislike. "Let me know when you play the next act, Mr. Boyce," hesaid, and turned to Lady Waverton. "My lady, I beg leave to go withmy friends."