Thereby Hangs a Tale Part 44

"Laugh away," said Pratt, who looked nettled--"only give me credit for my warning when you find I am right."

"That I will," said Trevor. "Now then, go on! What's the next plot against my peace of mind?"

"Suppose I ask you a question or two!"

"All right--go on!"

"Have you noticed anything wrong with Humphrey?"

"Been precious sulky lately."

"Sulky! The fellow's looked daggers at you, and has barely answered you civilly."

"Well, he has been queer, certainly."

"Why is it?" said Pratt.

"Bilious--out of order--how should I know?"

"The poor fellow's in love!"

"Poor Strephon," said Trevor, idly.

"And he sees a powerful rival in the path," continued Pratt.

"The deuce he does!" said Trevor, laughing. "Is that Van, too? But hang it, Frank!" he cried, starting up, "seriously, I won't stand any nonsense of that kind. If Van's been making love to that little la.s.s, I'll put a stop to it. Why, now I think of it, I did see him looking at her!"

"No!" said Pratt, quietly. "It isn't Van--he's too busy at Tolcarne!"

"Silence, croaker!" cried, Trevor, laughing in a constrained fashion.

"But, come--who is the powerful rival?"

"d.i.c.k, old fellow, I'm one of those, and no humbug, who have a habit of trying to ferret out other people's motives."

"Don't preach, Franky. Is it Flick? because if it is, the girl's laughing at him."

"No," said Pratt; "it isn't Flick."

"Then who the deuce is it?"

"You!"

Trevor burst into a hearty laugh.

"Why, Frank!" he exclaimed, "if ever there was a mare's-nesting old humbug, it's you. Why, whatever put that in your head?"

Pratt sat looking at him in silence for a few moments.

"d.i.c.k," he said, "if ever there was a deliciously unsuspicious, trusting fellow, you are he."

"Never mind about that," said Trevor. "I want to get this silly notion out of your head."

"And I want to get it into yours."

"Well, we'll both try," said Trevor. "You begin: I'll settle you after."

"To begin, then," said Pratt. "You've several times met that girl in the lane yonder."

"Yes; now you mention it--I have."

"About the time when you've been going up to Tolcarne?"

"Yes; and it was evident that she was there to meet Humphrey. Why, I laughed and joked the pretty little la.s.s about it."

"Yes; and did you ever meet Humphrey afterwards?"

"Bravo! my little cross-examining barrister. Yes I did--two or three times. I'm not sworn, mind," added Trevor, laughing.

"True men don't need swearing," said Pratt.

"Thanks for the compliment. Well?"

"How did Humphrey look?"

"Well--yes--now you mention it--to be sure! He looked black as thunder.

Oh, but, Franky, I'll soon clear that up. I wouldn't hurt the poor lad's feelings for the world."

"Wait a bit," said Pratt. "What, more mystery? Well, go on."

"Did it ever strike you as strange that you should encounter a pretty, well-spoken little girl like that in your walks?"

"No; I told you I thought she was out to see Humphrey."

"Or that you should meet her in the pa.s.sages at home here, to bring you letters, or messages from Mrs Lloyd?"

"Well, now you mention it, yes: it has struck me as odd once or twice."

"Never struck you that the girl came of her own accord?"

"Never, and I'm sure she never did. She rather avoided me than not; so come, Master Counsellor, you're out there."

"Did it never strike you that she was sent?"

Trevor did not answer, but sat gazing in his friend's face for a few moments, as if he were trying to catch his drift, and then in a flash he seemed to read all the other meant; for his brow grew cloudy, and he sat down hastily, then got up, and took a few strides up and down before reseating himself.

"Well," said Pratt, "can you see it?"

"I see what you mean, Franky; but I can't quite think it. The old woman would never have the impudence to plan such a thing."