The Master of the Ceremonies Part 80

This to Mellersh, who came to him from where he had laid Rockley.

"I don't know," was the answer to the abrupt query. "Only stunned, I think. Head cut with the broken gla.s.s."

"Not killed then?" said Linnell bitterly.

"No. Such as he generally come off easily," replied Mellersh. "What's to be done?"

"Better send our man back for a fresh post-chaise," said Linnell quickly. "Will you attend to Miss Denville?" he whispered. "I think I'll take one of the horses and ride back myself for the chaise."

"Why not let me go, d.i.c.k?"

"No," said Linnell in sombre tones. "I've stopped this wretched flight.

My part's done. Mellersh, I trust to you to place her once more under her father's charge."

"Will not you do it?"

"I? No. I have done. We'll send this man for the chaise, though.

That scoundrel Rockley may come to again and be troublesome."

"Lookye here, gents," said the man who had ridden the wheeler, "we want to know who's going to pay for this night's job. My leg's bad; my 'oss is dead; and the chay's all to pieces."

"Wait and see, my man," said Mellersh sternly. "You will be recompensed."

"But fine words b.u.t.ter no parsnips, you know, sir. I want to know--"

"Hold your tongue, fellow! I am Colonel Mellersh, of Saltinville. That man you were driving is Major Rockley, of the --th Dragoons. Of course everything will be paid for, and you will be recompensed. Now then, which of you can ride back for a fresh chaise?"

"Well, sir, I--"

"d.a.m.n it, man, don't talk. Five guineas if a chaise is here within an hour."

"Ah, that's business, sir. Come on, mate. We'll be back before then."

The man seemed to forget his bruised leg, and with the help of his comrade the girths were unbuckled, and the saddle dragged off the dead horse, placed upon the other, and they were about to start when the first postboy asked whether it would be safe to leave the injured chaise where it was.

As it happened, in the struggle it had been dragged off the road on to the gra.s.s border, and lay there, so that there was ample room for pa.s.sers-by; and, satisfied with this, the postboys were off at a rapid trot.

"Rather an awkward position if that fellow is seriously injured," said Linnell grimly.

"Pooh! man; it was an accident, and he was engaged in an unlawful act,"

said Mellersh coolly, but with a peculiar meaning in his tone.

Linnell winced, for the mental pang was sharp. His old friend suggested that Claire might have been a willing partner in that night's adventure.

He made no reply. He dared not, for fear that it should be an angry retort; and content that he had certainly for the present frustrated Rockley's machinations, he walked to his side, and, seeing that his temple was bleeding, he knelt down by him, took out his handkerchief, and bound up the cut, furtively watching Mellersh the while as he stood by the other prostrate figure on the turf.

Linnell longed to go to her and kneel there, holding her little hand in his, but he was too heartsore; and, telling himself that there was more dignity in keeping aloof and playing the manly part of ceasing to care for one whom he believed to be unworthy of his love, even if he rendered help when there was need, he contented himself with deputing the care he would gladly have bestowed to another.

It had grown darker during the past few minutes, a thicker cloud having veiled the sky, when, as Linnell rose from where he knelt, he heard a sigh which went through him.

"She is coming round," he muttered. "Poor girl! Poor, weak, foolish girl! I--"

"Why, d.i.c.k!" cried Mellersh in a sharp, angry voice. "Come here!"

"What is it? There is no danger, is there?" cried Linnell, hastening across the road.

"Danger? No," cried Mellersh angrily. "Whom do you suppose we have stopped here?"

"Whom? Miss Denville, of course, and--Good Heavens!--Miss Dean!"

"What is it? Where am I? You--Mr Linnell!--Colonel Mellersh!" said Cora confusedly, as she struggled up into a sitting position.

"At your service, madam," said Mellersh, with a peculiar bitterness in his voice.

"What has happened?" cried Cora, holding her hand to her head, and staring wildly round till her eyes lighted upon the broken chaise.

"Oh!"

She said no more, but struggled to her feet, turned giddy, and would have fallen, had not Mellersh caught her arm and supported her.

It was evident that she had realised her position in that one glance, and she seemed to shudder slightly. At the end of a few minutes, though, she recovered, and, shrinking from Mellersh, she looked round.

"Give me that cloak," she said calmly. "It is cold."

Linnell, who was half-stunned by the discovery, hurriedly stooped and picked up the cloak, spreading it rather clumsily and placing it upon her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said coldly; and there was an awkward pause, during which Mellersh walked to and fro with the look of a caged wild beast.

"Well?" said Cora suddenly. "Why are we waiting, Colonel Mellersh?

Will you kindly see me home?"

"See you home?" he replied.

"Where is that man--Major Rockley?" cried Cora hastily.

"I am afraid he is incapacitated for further service, Miss Dean," said Mellersh coldly. "The accident has prevented him from carrying out-- shall I say your wishes?"

"What?" she replied. "Do you think I--! Pah!"

She turned her back upon him angrily.

"Mr Linnell," she said, "you will not insult me if I ask you to see me safely home, even if I do not enter into any explanations. Let us go at once."

There was a strange resentful hauteur in her tone, and Linnell offered her his arm.

"We will walk a little way if you wish it, Miss Dean," he said; "but we ought hardly to leave Major Rockley in this state. My friend Colonel Mellersh--"

"Don't mind me, d.i.c.k," said the latter. "I'll play hospital nurse, if Miss Dean will trust me with the care of the Major."