The Star-Gazers Part 15

"Yes, father," she said, in a whisper which caused her intense suffering "you are right."

"There, ma'am, are you satisfied?"

"No," said Mrs Rolph in a husky voice, "I am not satisfied, but it cannot be. My son's welfare is at stake."

She rose, and tried to speak again, but unable to utter another word, she left the cottage, father and daughter watching her till she disappeared among the dark aisles of the firs.

Volume 1, Chapter VIII.

MARS IN THE ASCENDANT.

"Better get it over," said Captain Rolph, the next day, as he indulged himself in what he called a short "spin" down the lane by the side of The Warren, and in the direction of the Alleynes' home, which stood up, grim and bleak, out of the sandy desert land. "What with the old man, and the major, and the mater, and Madge, and--oh, hang it all! I'm not going to stand any humbug from Judy, and so I tell her. There, I'll go and get it over at once."

He stopped running, braced himself up, and marched in regular military fashion, back to The Warren, to see Marjorie seated at one of the front windows, ready to give him a smile in response to his short nod.

The next moment he stopped short, gazing sharply down the avenue at the broad, bent back of the keeper, who, with head down, was striding away toward the gate.

"What's he been here for?--to see me?"

Rolph entered the house, walked noisily into his study--a gun-room, for the study of fowling-pieces and fishing rods, with a museum-like collection of prize cups and belts dotted about, in company with trophies of the chase, heads, horns and skins. Here he rang the bell, which was very promptly answered by the butler, Captain Rolph being a follower of the celebrated Count Shucksen, and using so much military drill-sergeant powder with his orders that they went home at once.

"Hayle been to see me, Smith?" he asked, sharply.

"No, sir. Came to bring up your guns after my mistress had been down to the keeper's lodge this morning."

"Brought up my guns," said Rolph, wonderingly. "What for?"

The man looked at him rather curiously in silence.

"Well, idiot, why don't you speak?"

"Not my business, sir. In trouble, I suppose. Benjamin Hayle and me has never been friends, and so he said nothing, on'y one word as he went out."

"And what was that?"

"Sack, sir--sack!"

"That'll do."

"Yes, sir--I knew it would come some day," said the butler to himself.

"Sticking up a notorious poacher on a level with respectable servants, and putting his daughter over 'em, making my lady of her. But pride always did have a fall."

"Humph!" muttered Rolph, with a laugh, "the old girl strikes first blow without knowing what was coming. All right. Now for it. Just as well, perhaps. But he was a good keeper."

He went out into the hall just in time to meet Marjorie, who was tripping blithely down the stairs, singing the while.

"What a lovely day it is, Rob," she said.

"Is it?" he said grimly.

"Isn't it, dear? Why, what's the matter? Are you going in to see auntie on business?"

"Yes, on that business. Did you and my mother hatch up that dodge between you?"

"I don't know what you mean, Rob."

"Of course not, my clever little schemer. Come in, too, and hear how I've flanked you both."

A sudden change came over the girl's smiling countenance, with its air of wonder, and it was with a vindictive flash of her eyes that she suddenly caught Rolph by the arm.

"Not married?" she said in a harsh whisper.

"No; not yet."

"Hah!"

It was a catching sigh of relief as Rolph threw open the drawing-room door, and, with mock politeness, stood aside for Marjorie to enter.

Mrs Rolph looked troubled and disturbed, and evidently welcomed the appearance of Marjorie, making a sign for the girl to come to her side, and then drawing herself up in her most stately way ready to receive her son's attack, which was not long in coming.

"Why did you go to Hayle's this morning?"

"On business, Rob."

"What for?"

"To tell him that the time had come when I required his services no longer, and that he must go at once."

"What! My keeper?"

"Mine, Robert," said Mrs Rolph, firmly. "You forget the terms of your father's will. You have your income; I have mine, with undisturbed possession of everything at The Warren while I live. You occupy the position of my guest when you are here."

"Humph! all right. And so you have discharged Ben, eh? When does he go?"

"To-day."

"Sharp practice, mother; and all because poor Judy is pretty."

"And all because, as I told him, I wished to save--I will speak plainly, even in your cousin's presence--a weak, vain girl from disgrace."

"Humph! pretty plain speaking that, mother."

"There are times when plain speaking is necessary, my son, and when strong action is required to save you from the consequences of a mad pa.s.sion."

"Rubbish!"

"What! Don't you know Ben Hayle better than that? Do you think he is the man to sit down quietly when he knows the truth? Have you not seen that the foolish fellow believes thoroughly what he as good as told me to my face this morning--that he expects to see his daughter some day mistress here?"