The Finger of Fate Part 4

"With what, my child?"

"With--with--well, to have Henry Harding for your son-in-law. Does it satisfy you?"

"My dearest child," answered the Indian officer's widow, with that cautious air peculiar to her country--she was Scotch. "It is a serious question this; very serious, and requires careful consideration. You know how very straitened are our circ.u.mstances--how your poor dear father left little to support us--having but little to leave?"

"I should think I do know," peevishly interposed Belle. "Twice turning my ball dresses, and then dyeing them into wearing silks, has taught me all that. But what has it to do with my marrying Henry Harding? All the more reason why I should. He, at all events, is not likely to be troubled with straitened circ.u.mstances."

"I am not so sure of that, my child."

"Ah! you know something about his expectations then? Something you have not told me? Is it so, mamma?"

"I know very little. I wish it were otherwise, and I could be sure."

"But his father is rich. There are but two sons; and you have already told me that the estate is not entailed, or whatever you call it. Of course he will divide it equally between them. Half would satisfy me."

"And me too, child, if we were sure of half. But there lies the difficulty. It is the fact of the estate not being entailed that makes it. Were that done, there would be none."

"Then I could marry Henry?"

"No, Nigel."

"Oh, mamma! what do you mean?"

"The estate would then be Nigel's by the simple law of entail. As it is now, it is all uncertain how they will inherit. It will depend on the will. It may go by a caprice of their father--and I know General Harding well enough to believe him capable of such caprice."

In her turn Belle became silent and thoughtful.

"There is reason to fear," continued the match-making, perhaps match-spoiling, mother, "that the General may leave Henry nothing, or at most only a maintenance. He is certainly very much dissatisfied with his conduct, and for a long time has been vainly endeavouring to change it. I won't say the young man is loose in his habits; if he were, I would not hear of him for your husband. No, my child, poor as we are, it needn't come to that."

As the widow said this she looked half interrogatively towards her daughter, who replied with a smile of a.s.senting significance.

"Henry Harding," continued the cautious mother, "is too generous--too profuse in his expenditures."

"But, mamma, would not marriage cure him of that? He would then have me to think of, and take better care of his money."

"True, true; supposing him to be possessed of it. But therein lies the doubt--the difficulty, I may call it--about the prudence of your accepting him."

"But I love him; I do indeed!"

"I am sorry for that, my child. You should have been more cautious, until better a.s.sured about his circ.u.mstances. You must leave it to time. You will, if you love me."

"And if, as I have told you--this afternoon--what answer?"

"Evasive, my dear. Nothing easier. You have me to fall back upon. You are my only child; my consent will be necessary. Come, Belle! you need no instructions from me. You will lose nothing by a little procrastination. You have nothing to fear from it, and everything to gain. Without it, you may become the wife of one poorer than ever your father was; and, instead of having to turn your silk dresses, you may have none to turn. Be prudent, therefore, in the step you are about to take."

Belle only answered with a sigh; but it was neither so sad or so deep as to cause any apprehension to her counsellor; while the sly look that accompanied it told, that she determined upon being _prudent_.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

FATHER AND SON.

General Harding was accustomed to spend much time in his studio, or library it might be called--since it contained a goodly number of books.

They were mostly volumes that related to Oriental subjects, more especially works upon India and its campaigns; but there were also many devoted to science and natural history, while scattered here and there upon tables were odd numbers of the _Oriental Magazine_, the _Transactions of the Asiatic Society_, and the _Calcutta Englishman_.

There were also large pamphlets in blue parliamentary covers, that related only to the affairs of the Hon. E.I.C.

In poring over these volumes, the retired _militaire_ was accustomed to pa.s.s much of his time. The subjects, with the descriptions attached, recalled scenes in his past life, the souvenirs of which gave him pleasure, enabling him to while away many an hour that, amidst the seclusion of the Chiltern Hills, might have otherwise hung rather heavily on his hands. Each new book about India was sure to find its way into the General's library, and, though never a very keen sportsman, he could enjoy the descriptions of hunting scenes to be found in the pages of "Markham" and the "Old Shikaree," since in both there is something to interest not only the sportsman but the student of Nature.

On a certain morning he had entered his studio, but with no intention of devoting himself to the tranquil study of his books. On the contrary, he did not even seat himself, but commenced pacing the floor with a quick step; while his clouded brow denoted agitation of mind. Every now and then he would stop, strike his clenched hand against his forehead, mutter a few words to himself, and then move on again. Among his mutterings could be distinguished some words that guided to the subject of his thoughts. The names "Nigel" and "Henry" constantly occurring, told that both his sons had a share in his cogitations, though chiefly the latter, whose cognomen was most frequently p.r.o.nounced.

"This boy Henry has half driven me mad with his wild ways. And now, worse than all, his affair with this girl. From what I have heard, there can be no doubt that she's entangled him; no doubt of its having become serious. It won't do; must be broken off, cost what it will.

She's not the stuff to make an honest man's wife out of. I'd care less if it were Nigel. But no, she won't do for either--for no son of mine.

I knew her mother too well. Poor Mainwaring! Many a dog's day he spent with her in India. Like mother, like daughter. By heavens, it won't do; and I shall put a stop to it! I think I know how," continued he reflectingly. "If he's mad, she isn't; and therein I may find my means for saying the poor lad from the worst of all misfortunes--a wicked wife."

The General made several turns in silence, as if maturing some plan.

"Yes; that's the way to save him!" he at length joyfully exclaimed; "perhaps the only way. And there's no time to be lost about it. While I'm thinking he may be acting--may have gone too far for me to get him out of the sc.r.a.pe. I shall see him at once--see and question him."

The General stooped over the table; pressed upon a spring-bell; and then resumed his pacing.

The bell brought up the butler, a portly individual, who so far as could be judged by appearance, was as respectable as the General himself.

"Williams! I wish to see my son Henry;--find out if he's upon the premises."

"He's on the premises, General. He's down at the stables. Groom says he's going to mount the brown filly."

"The brown filly? Why she's never been ridden before!"

"She never has, General. I think it very dangerous; but that's just what Master Henry likes. I tried to persuade him against it, but then Master Nigel told me to mind my own business."

"Send quick to the stable; tell him I forbid his riding the filly. Tell him to come hither. Haste, Williams, haste!"

"Ever running into danger, as if he loved it," said the General, continuing his soliloquy; "so like what I was myself. The brown filly!

Ah! I wish this was all. The Mainwaring damsel's a worse danger than that."

At this moment Henry made his appearance, breeched, booted, and spurred, as if for the hunting-field.

"Did you send for me, father?"

"Of course I did. You were going to mount the brown filly?"

"I am going. Have you any objection to my doing so?"

"Do you want your neck broken?"

"Ha, ha, ha! There's not much fear of that. I think you make light of my horsemanship, papa."