The Master of the Ceremonies Part 98

Linnell seemed disposed to stand fast, but Mellersh took his arm.

"Look here, my dear boy," he whispered. "You don't want to interfere.

Let her go."

Linnell turned upon him fiercely, but he yielded to his companion's touch, and they walked on some twenty yards, followed by Burnett, who was laughing to himself and nibbing his hands.

"Lucky I heard," he said to himself. "I only want to be satisfied."

The steps approaching were not those of a lady and gentleman, but of Lord Carboro' and Barclay, who, in utter ignorance of anyone but the postboys being at hand, stood for a few minutes listening.

"Yes, Barclay," said the former. "I could not bear for the poor girl to go without making a step to save her. I'm an old fool, I know, but not the first of my kind. I tell you, asking nothing, expecting nothing, I'd give ten thousand pounds to feel that I had not been deceived in her."

"Pay up then, my lord, for I tell you that you have been deceived. Once more: the lady is May Burnett, her sister."

"I'm a.s.sured that it is Claire Denville, and if it is, Barclay, I'll save her, damme, I will, if I shoot the man."

"But, my lord--"

"Don't talk to me, sir. I tell you if I saw her going to the church with a fellow like young Linnell I'd give her a handsome present; but I can't bear for such a girl as that to be going wrong."

"Unless it was with you, my lord," said Barclay abruptly.

"You confounded rascal! How dare you!" snarled Lord Carboro'. "Do you think I have no good feeling in me? There, you wouldn't believe in my disinterestedness, any more than I would in yours. Don't talk. What shall we do? Pay the postboys and send them off?"

"No, my lord: stand aside, and make sure that we have made no mistake."

"If _you_ have made no mistake," said his lordship quickly; and he and his companion had hardly drawn aside into the convenient wood to swell the circle gathering round the intending evaders, when Richard Linnell made a step from his concealment and was arrested by Mellersh, as Burnett whispered:

"What are they here for?"

Just then one of the postboys yawned and stretched himself, making noise sufficient to awaken his fellow, who rose from the bank and flicked his whip.

"How long have we been here?" said the man on the horse.

"Hours, and not a soul come. My ticker's been asleep as well," he muttered, after pulling out his watch. "I believe the 'osses have been having a nap too. I say, I'm getting sick of this."

"Think they'll come?"

"Hang me if I know. Guv'nor seems to have been about right."

"Why, what did he say?"

"You was there and heard him."

"No: I was in the stable."

"Said two po'chays was ordered, and he'd only horses for one. That it was certain as it was a 'lopement, that both parties wouldn't come, and perhaps neither of 'em. If they did, Sir Matthy Bray and Sir Harry Payne had better fight it out, and the gals go home. Hist! Is that them?"

The two men listened attentively as steps were heard, and the listeners in the wood were all on the _qui vive_.

Directly after, Sir Harry Payne came up.

"Seen a lady, my lads?"

"No, sir. Been on the watch ever since we come, and no one's been near," said the first postboy.

"Humph! Past time. Horses fresh?"

"Fresh as daisies, Sir Harry. Don't you be afraid. No one'll catch us."

"Are you sure you've both been watching? Not been asleep, have you?"

"Sleep a-top of a horse, Sir Harry? Not we."

"Mount!" cried Sir Harry to the second man. "Here she comes."

What followed was the business of a few moments. A slight little veiled figure came panting up, and was caught in Sir Harry's arms.

"At last!" he cried. "This way, little pet-curse the woman! What are you doing here?"

Claire Denville's cloak dropped from her shoulders as, panting and utterly exhausted with the chase after her sister, she flung her arms about her and held her fast.

"May!" she panted. "Sister, are you mad?"

"You'll make me in a moment," cried Sir Harry. "Curse you! Why do you interfere?"

"May!" cried Claire again. "For pity's sake--for the sake of your husband, do not do this wicked thing. Come back with me; come back. No one shall know. Sister, dear sister, before it is too late."

"Nay, it is too late," whispered Sir Harry. "Choose; will you go back to misery and disgrace?"

At the edge of the wood the scene was just visible, but the words were inaudible. Burnett had not at first recognised his wife; but Claire's voice rang out clear, and with a sneer he turned to Richard Linnell:

"There!" he said. "What did I say? What are you going to do now?"

"Try and save your foolish wife, idiot, if you are not man enough to interfere."

He sprang out of the wood as he spoke, but ere he could reach the group, Sir Harry Payne, by a brutal exercise of his strength, swung Claire away from her sister; and as she staggered on the turf she would have fallen but for the quick way in which Richard Linnell caught her in his arms.

She clung to him wildly, as she strove to recover herself.

"Help! Mr Linnell! Quick! my sister!" she panted, as Sir Harry Payne hurriedly threw open the door of the chaise.

"In with you--no nonsense, now," he cried to May. "Be ready, my lads-- gallop hard. I'll pay!"

He was leaning towards the postboys as he spoke, but as the words left his lips they were half drowned by a piercing shriek that rang out upon the night, sending a thrill through every bystander. It was no hysterical cry, but the agony and dread-born appeal for aid from one in mortal peril.

Sir Harry held the door open, and stood as if paralysed by the cry, for as if instantaneously, a dark lithe figure had glided out from beneath the chaise, caught May's arm, and, as the word "_Perfida_!" seemed hissed in her ear, there was a flash as of steel, and a sharp blow was delivered like lightning, twice over.