The Weird Of The Wentworths Volume I Part 24

But none are there, and not a brake hath borne Nor gout of blood, nor shred of mantle torn; Nor fall nor struggle hath defaced the gra.s.s, Which still retains a mark where murder was."

_Lara._

When L'Estrange opened his eyes it was with that delightful oblivion of all past events with which the slumberer first awakens. For a moment everything was forgotten; but then came the crushing remembrance of his guilt, and all that had pa.s.sed a few hours ago. At first he felt inclined to doubt its reality; it was surely a wild dream--some terrible vision that had scared his sleep. He rubbed his eyes to see if he was awake. Alas! it was too true; there was the table, with the emptied decanters and wine-gla.s.ses still on it; the chairs on which they had sat; all d.a.m.ning proofs of the dread reality. The sun was shining brightly; the birds singing among the bushes; all was sunshine and happiness without; but within his sun had set; his joy was vanished; and he only rose to enact villainy. He started from his couch--his head still ached, and he felt sick in his heart as he walked across the chamber; and when he looked in the gla.s.s he started back with horror from his reflection; how haggard, pale, and wild were his looks; he scarce knew himself again! He bathed his face in cold water; it refreshed, without invigorating him. However, he felt better, and tried to steel himself up for the deed. He tried to laugh away his weakness and fears, as he hastily dressed. At last he was ready to go down stairs; but how should he face Ellen Ravensworth, if she should be alone, as he had sometimes found her? He stood irresolute for nearly five minutes, and then, suddenly nerving himself up for the worst, threw open his door--walked quickly along the pa.s.sage--ran down the broad flight of stairs, and opened the parlour door. Two ladies stood near the window; one was Ellen, but, thank G.o.d! she was not alone. Lady Florence stood, all smiles, beside her. Trying to a.s.sume a careless tone of voice, he bade them good morning. His voice sounded strange to his ears!

Had he come five minutes earlier he would have met Ellen alone--perhaps if he had, he might have confessed all to her--such had been a pa.s.sing thought; but as it was it only sealed his purpose. The ladies returned his salute, and made some casual remark on the fine morning. L'Estrange sat down near the open window; the cool morning air was delicious as it fanned his burning face; he put his hand to his brow, and sat speechless.

"Are you unwell, Captain L'Estrange?" asked Ellen, in a sweet voice; "you look so pale."

"It is nothing; a mere pa.s.sing headache. I am somewhat subject to them since I caught a fever in India," answered L'Estrange, in a choking voice; and walking to the sideboard he poured out a gla.s.s of cold water and drank it, remarking, "I shall be better by-and-by. I hope you are well, Miss Ravensworth, after your fatigues yesterday."

"I am very well, thank you; though I had not the best of nights. I do not know what kept me awake."

"Nor I, either, Ellen," said Lady Florence. "What a noise there was! I am sure I heard some one up very late; it was like John's step."

L'Estrange shuddered again, as he saw Ellen's smiling brow, and then thought how he, like a fiend, was to change her joy to wretchedness!

It was not long before the whole party a.s.sembled round the breakfast-table, on which was spread a regular Scotch breakfast, with strawberries and other summer fruits, besides the usual dainties.

"What is the order of the day?" asked the Captain.

"Everyone to his own taste, I believe," answered the Earl. "For myself, business takes me to Edinburgh."

"Whither I will accompany you," said the Marquis.

"Most of us ladies are going out riding; who will gallant us?"

"I shall have much pleasure," said Sir Richard; "especially if you grace the party with your fair presence, Lady Florence."

"And I." "And I," said Scroop and another young officer.

"I shall ride, too, then," said Johnny.

"That is as we please, Master Johnny," answered Lady Florence.

"I," said the Duke, "shall amuse myself in a quieter manner by seeing the gardens and hot-houses. Will you come, Mr. Lennox? and you, Mr.

Ravensworth? We are the three steady ones."

"I never knew your Grace was steady," said the Earl.

"I shall have the utmost satisfaction," said Mr. Lennox, "being myself a great connoisseur in horticulture."

"I too shall consider myself at your Grace's service."

"Just as you please, Mr. Ravensworth."

"I am going a-fishing. Who comes with me?" asked Captain Wilson. "Though I can stick on a horse, I do not like the thoroughbreds here very much, and prefer angling. Will you come, Captain?"

The Captain stared, without replying; and Lady Edith answered for her brother.

"John never goes fishing, Captain Wilson; he thinks it far too slow. If Frank was here, he is a zealous disciple of old Walton's gentle art. I fear you will have to angle alone."

"No matter, Lady Arranmore, I am well accustomed to my own company."

Breakfast over, the various followers of various amus.e.m.e.nts departed.

The Earl and Marquis rode off to town; the Duke and his two friends walked to find the head gardener; Captain Wilson set off with an under-keeper for the burn, rod in hand; and the young ladies, including the Marchioness and her sister, as well as Ellen Ravensworth, retired to accoutre themselves for their ride, whilst their beaux strolled to the stables to select their horses, with Wilton's aid.

Captain L'Estrange, as soon as breakfast was over, took his hat and riding-whip and left the Castle. First he sauntered through the extensive gardens--narrowly escaping the Duke, Mr. Lennox, and Ravensworth. The gardens lay on the side of the hills, having a southern aspect, and rose tier on tier. Up this moderately steep ascent our hero climbed, knocking off the heads of the flowers with his whip, to the great annoyance of several gardeners, who, however, did not make any remark. At the top of the uppermost garden was a high wall, covered with fruit-trees, dividing the gardens from the woods and mountains immediately outside; opening the door that led out, L'Estrange commenced climbing a steep path that traversed the woods, and finally led him to the open hills. On his left gushed the burn, and between it and the outside walls of the gardens the same path led to the back of the stables, and the holly walk, a green road between two walls of holly-hedge, running at right angles to the stables. When he had reached the summit of the woods, L'Estrange sat down on a fallen tree, and looked at the landscape: at his feet lay the castle, apparently so near he could have tossed a stone on it; behind were the mountains; and on either side dense woods; before the castle stretched the park for many a rood. He sat on the log for more than half an hour in a contemplative mood; then, looking at his watch, he suddenly sprung up, and bounded down the woods like a roebuck; he pa.s.sed the garden, continuing down the rough pathway, reached the stable, and ran along the smooth holly-walk.

At the end stood Archy Forbes, holding a horse ready saddled.

"Have you been long waiting?"

"Ay, sir, half an hour, may be, and may be mair."

"Good G.o.d!" said L'Estrange, as he threw himself across the horse, "what made me delay?"

Just as he was about to gallop off a horse and horseman broke from behind the hedge, at the near end of the walk.

"Not off yet?" said the Captain.

"I am just going to start," said L'Estrange, in a husky voice.

"What the deuce frightens you? There is nothing to be afraid of. Only take the back way, and see you don't fall in with Lennox, that meddling old c.o.xcomb. _Adieu!_ Off you go!"

"_Au diable!_" thought the other, as he galloped away.

The Captain spoke a few words to Archy, and then trotted to the Towers, where he found the riding party a.s.sembled, and Johnny showing off on a spirited little pony, which he had learned to manage with some address.

"Capital, young 'un!" shouted the Captain, as he cleared the park fence.

"There is the making of a good horseman in you--plenty of pluck. We must get you into the 7th."

"Are you coming with us, Cap?" said Johnny, elated at the compliment.

Vouchsafing no reply, the Captain rode on with the party till he reached the Edinburgh road, where, taking off his hat to the ladies, he put spurs to his horse and rode to Edinburgh, where he probably met the Marquis and his brother at the favourite pump of the Irish lord, as the three rode back together.

When the whole party rea.s.sembled at dinner, L'Estrange's chair was again vacant. No notice was taken of this till the meal was more than half finished, and still the chair remained unoccupied, when the Earl remarked, "Captain L'Estrange is very unpunctual at his meals; in England we consider it a breach of the eleventh commandment."

"He wants Sir Henry Maynard to discipline him again, by Jove!"

"You need not speak, John," said Lady Florence. "Do you remember our joke at your always coming in late to dinner, and always stumbling into the room, with an oath, over the wolf-skin at the door."

"Enough to make most fellows swear, catching one's spurs in the d--d fur. I am glad it is gone now."

"Andrew," said the Earl, "send a footman to Captain L'Estrange's room; and tell him dinner is almost done."

The servant returned shortly with the reply, that the Captain was not in his room; nor had he been in the castle since morning.

"Then I'll be bound he has ridden off to Dalkeith, or Newbattle, and been asked to dinner," said Sir Richard. "He might have let me know, or sent a man to say so, at least."