Our Admirable Betty Part 72

"What, is there to be no violence now, your honour?" he sighed.

"Violent methods are ever clumsy, Zeb, I propose to use the element of surprise."

"Ah!" exclaimed the Sergeant and smiling grimly up at the moon he slowly closed one eye and opened it again.

After this they rode some time in silence, the Sergeant's mind preoccupied with the "Element of Surprise" as applied to the odds of five to two, while the Major, looking round about on the calm beauty of the night, dreamed ever of my lady Elizabeth Carlyon as had become his wont and custom.

In due time they reached a certain quiet bye-lane and here the Major checked his horse.

"Sergeant," said he, "'tis a fair night for walking what with the moon---er--the moon d'ye see and so forth----"

"Moon, sir?"

"Aye, the moon!" said the Major, dismounting. "Do you go on with the horses, I've a mind for walking." So he handed Sergeant Zebedee the reins of his horse and turned aside down this quiet bye-lane.

This lane that led away between blooming hedges, that wandered on, haphazard as it were, to lose itself at last in a little wood where nightingales sang; this bye-lane wherein he had walked with her that never-to-be-forgotten night and stood with her to watch the world grow bright and joyous with a new day; this leafy sheltered lane that held for him the sweet magic of her presence and was therefore a hallowed place.

Thus as he walked, his slow steps falling silent on soft mosses and dewy gra.s.s, the Major took off his hat.

Bareheaded and with reverent feet he wandered on dreaming of those joys that were to be, G.o.d willing, and turning a sharp bend in the lane stopped all at once, smitten to sudden, breathless immobility.

She sat upon the wall, dainty foot a-swing, while below stood Mr.

Dalroyd who seized that shapely foot in irreverent hands, stooped and covered it with kisses that grew more bold and audacious until she, stifling laughter in her cloak, freed herself with a sudden, vigorous kick that sent Mr. Dalroyd's hat flying--

The Major turned and hurried away looking neither right nor left; becoming conscious of the hat in his hand, he laughed and crammed it on his head. So he went with great strides until he reached a stile beside the way and halting, he leaned there, with face bowed upon his arms. Long he stood thus, silent and motionless and with face hidden.

At last he raised his head, looked up at heaven and round about him like one who wakes in a new world, and limped slowly homewards.

"Sir," said the Sergeant, meeting him at the door, "Colonel Cleeve is here."

"O!" said the Major, slowly. "Is he, Zeb? That is well!"

"A-snoring in the library, sir!"

"Aye, to be sure--to be sure!" said the Major vaguely.

"Y' see 'tis getting late, your honour," continued Sergeant Zebedee, viewing the Major's drawn features anxiously.

"Why then--go you to bed, Zebedee."

"Can I get you aught first, sir--a bite o' something--a bottle or so?"

"No, Zeb, no--stay! Bring me my Ramillie coat."

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII

HOW THE MAJOR MADE HIS WILL

Colonel Lord George Cleeve, blissfully slumbering in deep armchair beside the library fire, choked upon a snore and, opening his eyes, perceived the Major opposite in another deep chair; but the Major was awake, his frowning gaze was bent upon the fire and ever and anon he sighed deeply.

"Refuse me, Jack!" exclaimed the Colonel, "to hark to you one would think you in love and--er--d.a.m.nably forlorn, you sigh, man, you sigh, aye, let me perish, you puff grief like any bellows."

"And you snore, George, you snore man, aye, egad, like a very grampus!

None the less I joy to see thee, George," said the Major, rising and extending his hand. "When did you arrive?"

"Some half-hour since. And snore, did I? Well, 'tis late enough, o'

conscience. Faith Jack, Sir Benjamin brews a devilish strong punch--I supped with the company at the George. Then strolled over with Tom to visit ya' charming neighbours. Man Jack, she's a d.a.m.ned fine creature--ha?"

"She is!" sighed the Major.

"And with an air, Jack--an air." The Major sighed and seemed lost in thought. "I say an air, Jack."

"An air George, as you say."

"Full up o' womanly graces and adornments feminine."

"True, George."

"And thoroughbred, Jack!" The Major stared pensively into the fire.

"I say all blood and high breeding, Jack."

"Aye, true George, true!"

"Well then, a man might do worse--ha?" The Major started. "How think ye, Jack? I'm not a marrying man, Jack, as you know, the s.e.x hath never been a weakness o' mine but I'm touched at last, Jack--aye touched with a curse on't!"

"G.o.d--bless--my--soul!" exclaimed the Major, staring harder than ever.

"'Fore Gad, man Jack, it came on me like a charge o' cavalry. Like you I meant to live and die a free man and now--O Gad! 'Tis her eyes, I think, I see 'em everywhere--blue, you'll mind, Jack, blue as--as--well, blue."

"Aye, they're blue!" nodded the Major, all grave attention at last.

"Well, 'tis her eyes, Jack, or else her dooced demure airs, or her languishing graces, or her feet, or her shape, or the way she smiles, or--O damme! Howbeit I'm smitten, Jack--through and through--done for and be curst to it!"

"You too!" sighed the Major and stared into the fire again.

"Aye--and why not i' faith? I'm a man sound in wind and limb and but few years ya' senior--why the devil not? She's free to wed and if she's willing and I've a mind for't who the devil's going to stay me--ha?" The Major sighed and shook his head. "Save us, Jack, but ya're curst gloomy, I think!"

"Why as to that, as to that, George, I fear I am. Perhaps if we crack a bottle before we go to bed--how say you?"

"With all my heart!" So the Major brought bottle and gla.s.ses and, having filled to each other, they sat awhile each staring into the fire. "And now," continued the Colonel, "what's to stop me a-marrying, Jack, if I'm so minded, come?"

"Is she likely to--to make you happy, George?"

"Rabbit me--and why not?"

"Well," said the Major hesitatingly, "her age----"