Thereby Hangs a Tale Part 59

A cold, chilling feeling of despair came over him now. What would she think? Yes, how would she take it? All must be over between them now-- at least, for some years to come.

A servant announced dinner, and he bade him send it back. Locking the door after him, he sat down in an easy-chair, conscious that several times there had been knocks at the door, but paying no heed whatever.

Night fell, and he had not moved; and then, in a strange, fitful, dreamy fashion, the night pa.s.sed away.

He must have dozed at times, he knew; for his thoughts had wandered off into dreams, and the dreams had trailed off in turn into thoughts; and now it was morning, for the grey light was streaming through the antique cas.e.m.e.nt, and a feint glow overhead told of the rising sun.

He threw open the windows, and the cool morning breeze, fresh from the Atlantic, seemed to calm and refresh him. His thoughts grew more collected; and at last he left the window, and went out into the hall, to seek his bedroom.

A bitter smile crossed his lip as he noticed the luxurious air of wealth about him, and then a sigh drew his attention to the fact that the cause of all his agony had been watching at his door the night through, and was now on her knees stretching out her hands as if in supplication for pardon.

"Oh, my boy--my boy, what are you going to do," she groaned.

"Do?" he said, bitterly, as she crept to his feet. "Act like the gentleman you wanted me to be."

"What do you mean, Richard--my son? There, I give up about Polly. I'll never say another word. You shall do as you like."

"I need not ask you if what you told me yesterday was true," he said, calmly. "Well, we must make amends."

"How? What do you mean?" she said, starting up.

"Mean? Why, by giving up everything to the rightful owner, and leaving him possession at once."

"Richard," she cried, pa.s.sionately, catching him by the arm, "you would not be so mad."

"I shall be so honest," he said.

"What, give up--give up everything to Humphrey?"

"Everything," he said, coldly, "and at once."

"You're mad--mad!" gasped Mrs Lloyd. "And after all I have done for you--to make you a gentleman."

"These are its effects," he said, bitterly. "You made me a gentleman--I wish to act as one."

"But, Richard--think--your father--your old mother--we shall be turned out in disgrace--to starve," she cried, piteously.

"Mother, I cannot help the disgrace," he said, coldly. "I would save you if I could, but the disgrace would be greater to keep up this horrible imposture."

"Hush!" she whispered, "the servants will soon be down--they may hear us. Oh, you cannot mean, Richard, what you say."

"I told Humphrey yesterday," continued Richard, "that I begged he would care for you; but that is only for the present. As soon as I can find means to earn my bread, I will keep you both myself; so that you shall be spared the disgrace of taking alms from the man you wronged."

"Fool--idiot--mad boy!" hissed Mrs Lloyd, seizing his arm angrily, and shaking it. "You shall not act like this. I've been nearly thirty years building this up, and do you think I will have it crushed down like that? Say a word if you dare!"

"If I dare!" exclaimed Richard. "Do you know that Humphrey does more than suspect, that he knows all--heard all from your own lips in the lane yesterday?"

Mrs Lloyd's jaw dropped.

"The true-hearted, honest fellow refused to take advantage of his position."

"Of course, yes," cried Mrs Lloyd. "We'll pay him out, and let him go.

Yes, he shall have Polly," she added, with a look of pleasure on her troubled face.

"Enough of this," said Richard, firmly. "Loose my arm. Some day I may be able to talk to you again. Now, go to your room, and make arrangements either for leaving, or make your peace with your new lord.

He loves little Polly, and that will act as a shield for you."

"I say you shall not give in," cried Mrs Lloyd, in a hoa.r.s.e, angry voice.

But he dragged his arm free, and dashed up the stairs.

End of Volume Two.

Volume 3, Chapter I.

MISTAKEN ZEAL.

In the course of the morning Richard grew calmer. He had a long interview with Humphrey, giving him plenty of advice as to his future proceedings; and then sending for Mr Mervyn, whom Humphrey happened to mention as a gentleman in whom he had great confidence.

But the messenger was not needed, for Mr Mervyn was coming up the drive, and he was sent on another errand, with a couple of notes to Penreife--one to Sir Hampton, the other to Tiny.

"I was on my way here, Mr Trevor," he began.

"My name is Richard Lloyd, Mr Mervyn," said Richard, quietly.

"Yes--yes," said Mr Mervyn, "I have heard. It is all over the place."

"So soon?" said Richard, bitterly.

"Yes; and directly I heard," said Mervyn, "I came up. But, my dear sir, it's like a romance; it can't be true."

"It's true enough," said Richard, coldly.

"But under the circ.u.mstances, Mr Trev--Lloyd," said Mervyn, "Mr Humphrey here won't press--"

"That's what I want Master Richard here to understand," said Humphrey.

"As I says to him yesterday, sir, what's the good of it to me?"

"Exactly," said Mervyn, "right is right; but as Mr Trev--Lloyd is innocent in the matter, and has made engagements and the rest of it, why not come to some arrangement satisfactory to both?"

"Mr Mervyn, you are sent for here as the friend of Mr Humphrey Trevor."

"Exactly, Mr Tre--Lloyd. I beg your pardon, but my tongue is not so quick of apprehension as my brain."

"I want you to advise and help him in his novel position."

"I will," said Mervyn, frankly; "but I should like to advise and help you too. You see, Mr Tre--there--Mr Richard, you have possession."