Old Court. A novel

Prologue

. THE BROTHERS. L l'AGE The Younger Brother 3 II. The Elder Brother 25 III. Neal Evesham 38 IV. Amice 45 V. Presentiments of III VI CONTENTS. VI. PAGE Kit's Coity House ?4 VII. How the two Rogues were caught in a Trap . . 87 VIII. What became of the two Rogues .... 100 IX. The Vow 106

Book I. Lucetta And Her Lovers

I. In which Lucetta receives two Offers . . . 129 II. A third Offer 159 III. Osbert Leigh 168 IV. A Poor Gentleman 1S7 V. The Visit to Old Court CONTENTS. VII »I. PAGE Introduces Mr. Vandeleur la Hogue . . . 209 VII. The Picture in the Closet 229

Book II. The Expedition

I. The Contents of the Casket 253 II. How eurther Information was obtained at Dover . 01k €mt

PROLOGUE.

. THE BROTHERS, VOL. I, B I THE YOUNGER BROTHER. Some two-and-twenty years ago, a remarkably handsome young man, plainly attired, but of gen tlemanlike appearance, and looking like an officer in the army, rode into the yard of the Bell, at Aylesford, in the pleasant county of Kent, and consigning his horse, who seemed to have done a good day's work, to the ostler, entered the inn. As he passed through a side-door into the house he encountered the landlord, a stout, red-faced man, who, bowing obsequiously, ushered him into a small parlour. "Any orders, captain?" inquired the host. B2 "Yes, let me have some dinner," replied the guest, complacently surveying his handsome features in the little mirror over the mantelpiece, and twisting the points of his moustaches. " What would you like, captain?" said the host.

" Give me what you please," said the guest. "It's now just six o'clock. Let dinner be ready at seven precisely. I've ridden from Hounslow barracks since breakfast, and am infernally hungry, as you may suppose." " No wonder you're hungry, captain, if you've ridden from Hounslow," said the landlord, smiling. "Well, you shall have a roast fowl and broiled ham, and if that don't satisfy your appetite, there's a cold sirloin cf beef to make out with." " Put the sirloin on the table with the fowl, landlord." " It shall be done," replied the host. " Perhaps you want a bed. Shall the chambermaid show you a room?" " No, I shan't sleep here. I'm going farther." " I should think your horse can't go much farther, captain." " I don't intend to try him. He will take his rest in your stable to-night. By-the-by, I hope you have got some good claret, landlord."

"First-rate, captain — first-rate. I'll back my claret against any you'll get at Maidstone or Ro chester. It's Lafitte, captain." "Lafitte, is it?" remarked the guest, in an in credulous tone. " Of what vintage, pray?" " There you puzzle me," replied the host, rather taken aback. " All I know is it's the real thing, as I'm sure you'll admit, captain, when you taste a glass of it." "I suppose you can tell the price?" " Better wait till you get the bill, captain," remarked the host, knowingly. " You won't find the charge out of the way." " Well, if the wine's really good, I shan't complain. But mind, I'm accounted the best judge of claret at our mess, and can't be imposed upon." " I'm not afraid, captain. ■ My wine will stand the trial. If you're not content, you shan't pay me." "That's a fair offer, and proves you to be an honest man, landlord.

Moreover, it shows you have faith in your wine. I'll stroll to the church while dinner is getting ready. Stay, has anybody inquired after me — Captain Chetwynd?" " Why, bless my heart and body ! " exclaimed the landlord, staring at him. "It can't be Cla rence Chetwynd, of Old Court, whom I used to know as a boy ?" " The very same," replied the other, laughing, and slapping him on the shoulder as he spoke. " My name is Clarence Chetwynd just as certainly as yours is Sam Plessets." " And Sam Plessets is my name, as everybody knows," said the host. " Only to think that I shouldn't recognise you." "Not so strange, Sam," rejoined Captain Chet wynd. " You haven't seen me since I was a boy. But I knew you, Sam, the moment I set eyes upon you. You're not much changed — only fatter. Shake hands, old fellow ! — shake hands !

" " Dear ! dear ! I'm heartily glad to see you, Cla rence — beg pardon, Captain Chetwynd. And now I look closer at you, I can make out something of the old face that used to smile upon me so good humouredly ten years ago, when you were a lad of fourteen or fifteen. Ah ! you were a handsome lad, Clarence — beg pardon again — Captain Chet wynd, I ought to have said." " Call me what you please, Sam. To you I shall always be Clarence Chetwynd." " Well, as I was saying, you were a handsome lad, captain — and a mischievous lad —everlastingly getting into scrapes — ha! ha!" " I've not lost the old habit yet, Sam. I'm everlastingly getting into scrapes still. I'm in a con foundedly awkward one at the present moment." " Sorry to hear it, sir," remarked Plessets, in a sympathetic tone — " very sorry.

I've helped you out of a great many scrapes years ago. Can I help you now?" "Much obliged to you, Sam, but I fear not. This is a serious matter." " Still I may be of some use. Try me, sir." "You're a good fellow, Sam, and if I could trust any one, I would trust you. But " "Excuse me for a minute, captain," interrupted Plessets. "I'll just order your dinner, and come back directly." The landlord was not long absent, and when he returned, he found the captain reclining in an arm-chair in a very nonchalant attitude, with his hat pulled over his brows. Plessets had taken the precaution of closing the door as he came in, so as to exclude all listeners, and stepping towards the glossy table near which his guest was seated, he took a chair beside him. " What sort of scrape is it, captain ? " he asked.

" A devilish bad one, I tell you, Sam," rejoined the other, tapping his right boot, which he had swung over the arm of the chair — " a devilish bad one, and likely — nay, certain — to lead to unplea sant consequences — very unpleasant consequences, Sam." "What have you been about, sir? Gambling? Lost money on the turf, or what?" " I've lost lots of money, Sam. But it's not that which bothers me now." "I see what it is!" exclaimed Plessets, as if suddenly struck by an idea. "You're just the gentle man to do it. You've been and run off with another gentleman's wife." "No, you're out there, Sam," replied Captain Chetwynd, laughing. "But you're right so far that I've got into this infernal scrape about a woman. I've been fool enough to fall in love." " I don't see any great folly in that, sir, pro vided " " But you will see the folly of it, when I tell you that, by falling in love, I've deeply offended my brother, Sir Hugh.

We shall never be friends a^ain: but that I shouldn't care so much about, for he's so cursed proud there's no tolerating him, only he has stopped my allowance. It's no secret that I am dependent upon my brother, Sam." " I've heard so, certainly, captain," replied Ples sets. "But can't the quarrel be made up? Can't you be reconciled to Sir Hugh by giving up the lady?" "Impossible, Sam. I haven't made you clearly understand how I have incurred my brother's displeasure. He's my rival, Sam. He's in love with the lady himself, and jealousy makes him so aw fully savage. He'd kill me if be could, but as he daren't do that for fear of the consequences, be is content to make me a beggar — hoping, I suppose, that I shall become desperate, and blow out my brains. But I'll balk him." "Come, come, captain.

You do Sir Hugh an injustice," said Plessets. "He's not so bad as that. He may be angry with you just now; but he'll cool down in time." " I don't care whether he does or not," cried Captain Chetwynd, springing suddenly up. "I hate my brother, Sam. He would rob me of the woman I adore, he could — but he can't. But he can rob me of my money, and that he intends to do. I hate him, I tell you, Sam — worse than the devil." " I'm sorry to hear you say so, sir — you ought not to harbour such unchristian-like feelings. You talk of Sir Hugh robbing you, but mightn't he retort, and say you have robbed him of his sweet heart. Maybe, he thinks so. Maybe, he's right in thinking so. But you're his brother, after all, and he must forgive you. Consider how you're circum stanced " "My circumstances require no consideration, Sam," interrupted the captain.

"I'm a younger son, entirely dependent upon a rich elder brother. I haven't a [sixpence except what comes from him. True, I am his heir — heir to Old Court — heir to the baronetcy. But what of that? Sir Hugh — devil seize him! — has it in his power to cut off all my expectations. He may marry and have sons. He's only two years older than I am. What chance have I of succeeding to the property or the title? I wish somebody would shoot him through the head. I've half a mind to do it myself." He uttered the words so fiercely, that Plessets ab solutely recoiled. " Don't talk in that way, captain, I beg you," he said. " However, I know you don't mean it, and I can make all allowances for your excitement." " Web, perhaps, I wouldn't shoot him, Sam," remarked Captain Chetwynd ; " but I shouldn't be sorry to hear of his death.

You look shocked. But if you had an elder brother possessed of a baronetcy, of a large estate, of an old family mansion, of a lar»e park full of fine old timber, with rents coming in regularly from his tenants, and a heavy balance at his banker's ; and if you yourself were just as proud as he, but had neither title, mansion, park, nor rents, and an overdrawn account at your banker's, you'd hate your elder brother, Sam." "Maybe I might, though I hope not. At all events, I shouldn't wish to deprive him of his title and possessions by unfair means. Neither would you, captain, I'm persuaded." Captain Chetwynd took no notice of the remark, but he looked as if he should like to have the property, come how it might. " However, all this has nothing to do with the point in question," pursued Plessets.

"You say that you and Sir Hugh have come to a complete rupture about a lady. Is there no chance of settling the quarrel?" "None whatever, Sam," rejoined Captain Chet wynd, sternly. " Words have passed between me and Sir Hugh that can never be forgotten or for. given on either side. I have told you thus much, but I will tell you something more. I have spoken of the object of my devotion and of my brother's devotion as a lady, but to be candid witb you, she is not a lady by birth. However, though she can not boast high descent, she has as good manners as any lady in the land, and you may be quite sure she must have more than ordinary personal attrac tions, since she has contrived to inflame the breast of Sir Hugh Chetwynd. Cold and fastidious as he is, be couldn't resist my Amice. I know that he made the strongest efforts to conquer his passion — that he went abroad for the purpose, hoping by change of scene to effect a cure.

In vain. The image of Amice haunted him wherever he went. He could not banish it, and he speedily returned more violently in love than ever. Now imagine what this proud man must have felt. Imagine how completely he must have been en thralled. Imagine what it must have cost him to stoop from his high place, and offer his hand to a simple farmer's daughter. For her sake he was willing to brave all the ridicule which such a match was sure to bring upon him. He offered his hand. She refused him." " Why on earth did she refuse him ? " exclaimed Plessets — " a baronet, young, handsome, wealthy. Excuse my saying so, but she must be a fool to refuse such an offer." " She refused it because she loved another," rejoined Captain Chetwynd, with a self-satisfied smile. "May I ask one question, sir," said Plessets.

" Was Sir Hugh made aware of the reason why he was refused?" " Of course. It could not be concealed from him. When he learnt who was his rival — his successful rival — his rage nearly drove him mad. He stormed furiously, taxed me with treachery and ingratitude, and vowed he would make me bitterly repent my base and dishonourable conduct. It would be no use to detail our meeting to you, Sam. The upshot was, that we are no longer brothers." " A most unfortunate business altogether," ex claimed Plessets, shaking his head dolefully. " Any advice I might give would, I fear, be useless; but, if you would condescend to listen to me, I would counsel you to make matters up with your bro ther. You have clearly injured him." "Injured him!" exclaimed Captain Chetwynd, sharply. " I don't see in what way.

I am not to blame because Amice prefers me to him. I was not called upon to surrender her to him because he chose to offer her his hand. You take a strangely perverted view of things, Sam." "I'm looking at your interest, sir. Circum stanced as you are, in my humble opinion you ought to have resigned the lady to your brother." " Even if I were capable of doing so, which I am not," said Captain Chetwynd, haughtily, " Amice would not have accepted him. She has given her heart to me, and could not transfer it to another." "Perhaps I don't understand such matters, sir; but it seems to me that there are very few women who would hesitate between a wealthy baronet and " a And a beggarly younger son, you would say, Sam. You are right in the main, no doubt. But Amice happens to be an exception to the rule.

She is a true-hearted woman, and not to be dazzled by rank or wealth. She quite compre hended that Sir Hugh's offer was far superior to mine — but, nevertheless, she refused it." " I'm sorry she did, both on her own account VOL. I. C and yours, captain," said Plessets, stoutly. " Don't be displeased by my freedom, but I must speak out. You seem to have set your mind upon marry ing this girl, but I sincerely hope the marriage will never take place, for I am satisfied no good will come of it." " Sam ! " exclaimed Captain Chetwynd, angrily. " Don't let your love blind you to the conse quences of the rash step you are about to take, sir," pursued Plessets. " If you marry the girl, you'll be miserable. You think you can endure poverty for her sake — but I know better. By-and by you will begin to feel what you have lost, and will reproach her.

Reproaches will lead to quar rels, and 1 don't like to complete the picture. But I have it before me, sir — I have it before me." Captain Chetwynd was evidently touched by these remarks, though reluctant to admit their truth. Perceiving he had gained a slight advan tage, Plessets determined to follow it up. " Now were I in your place, sir," he said, " I would write to Sir Hugh, and tell him that I deeply regretted what had occurred; that I would not interfere with his happiness, but would immediately withdraw my pretensions to the lady — and so forth." " You presume rather too far on our old ac quaintance, Sam, when you venture to counsel such mean conduct," said Captain Chetwynd, scornfuby. "I am the last man to act so con temptibly." " I teb you what it is, sir," cried Plessets, unable to restrain himself, and becoming warm in his turn, " you're infatuated about this farmer's daughter — infatuated, I say.

She may be all you represent her, and more — but you will fab to convince me that she is worth the sacrifice you are making for her. Act bke a man of sense. The girl will be happier with your brother than with you." "You think so?" said the captain. c2 "Pm sure of it," rejoined Plessets, confidently. " And what's more, you will be better without her. Let him take her, then. But make terms for the surrender — good terms. I'll show you how to do it. Act like a man of sense, I tell you." " I should act like a scoundrel if I acted as you would have me, Sam." "Well, I've done my duty. You'll rue your folly when too late. But I'll say no more," he added, with a groan. "I talk to deaf ears." "Harkee, Sam. While you're about it, why can't you show me how to get rid of Sir Hugh?" " Show you what?" cried Plessets, startled.

" Show me how to get rid of Sir Hugh," con tinued Captain Chetwynd, with a very serious look, " before he can deprive me of Old Court and the title by marrying and setting up an heir to the property. Since you are such a clever fel low, show me how to manage this — secretly, so that no suspicion can possibly attach to me." " What a horrible idea ! " exclaimed Plessets, staring aghast. " You've given me a chill down the back. What do you take me for, sir?" "I take you for a man of sense," replied Captain Chetwynd, gravely — " for a man not much troubled with scruples. I ask you again, how am I to get rid of my brother? " "This is going too far. If it is a joke, it's a very bad one. I don't like it. Do you suppose I would show you how to m — m — mur — der your brother?" " Certainly," replied Captain Chetwynd, with the utmost gravity.

" Why not ? " "Why not?" exclaimed Plessets, wiping his brow, which had suddenly become damp. " You've thrown me into a cold perspiration ; and no won der. How dare you make such an atrocious pro. posal to me? I feel myself insulted," he added, trying to get into a passion. "I'm glad to find you sensitive on some points, OLD COURT. Sam," cried Captain Chetwynd, bursting into a loud laugh. " My proposition is not a whit more injurious than yours, and I thought that a man who would advise such a base act as you have just done wouldn't stop at assassination. Ha ! ha ! " "Joke or no joke, it's plain to me, captain, that you would be very much obliged to anybody who would put your brother out of the way." "Why, so I should. I won't deny it," said Captain Chetwynd, still laughing. "So do it, Sam."

" No more of this, if you please, sir. Where is Sir Hugh, just now?" "At Old Court, I suppose. But I know no thing about him. I'm forbidden the house. Yet something is constantly telling me I shall find my self there again one of these days. Ay, and as lord of the mansion." "I hope that 'something' may be right, sir. And now," said Plessets, with some diffidence, " I hope I shan't offend you by the offer I'm goinoto make. Wib a hundred pounds be of any use to you? If so, say the word. I can lend it with out inconvenience." "Upon my soul you're a deuced good fellow, Sam, and I'm very much obliged to you. I accept your osier. But I don't know when I can repay you." " Never mind that. I don't want to be repaid just now. Any time will do for me. Suit your own convenience. I've got the money about me now," said Plessets, producing a fat and greasy looking pocket-book, and extracting a roll of bank notes from it.

" I was going to put these in the County Bank at Maidstone, but they'll be much better in your hands." " Thank ye, Sam — thank ye," cried Captain Chetwynd, as he took the roll, and, without un folding it, put it into his own smart red morocco pocket-book. " You're a deuced good fellow, OLD COURT. Sam. The money will be of immense service to me. A hundred pounds, isn't it?" "A hundred pounds, sir. Better count the notes, to make sure." "Not in the least necessary, ' Sam. I'll take your word for it," replied Captain Chetwynd, se curing the notes in his breast-pocket. "You've made me feel quite easy, for, to speak truth, I really do want the money. And now, since we've settled affairs so satisfactorily, I'll stroll to the churchyard and look at the view before it gets dark," he added, taking a cigar from his case, and lighting it.

" Dinner shall be ready against your return, sir," said Plessets, accompanying his guest to the outer door. The captain nodded, and puffing away at his cigar, sauntered up the street in the direction of the church. THE ELDER BROTHER. The sine old Norman church, towards which Captain Chetwynd was slowly wending his way, smoking his cigar as he sauntered along, and ever and anon halting beneath one of the elms which give so agreeable a character to Aylesford, occu pies a commanding position at the end of the single street forming that picturesque little town. Having ascended the eminence, he entered the churchyard, and looked round. He was not exactly in the serene frame of mind which would have best enabled him to enjoy a lovely prospect, and he was by no means an enthusiastic admirer of scenery in a general way, but he nevertheless contemplated, witb a certain sort of pleasure, the charming land scape now offered to his gaze.

The soft beauty of the scene produced a tranquillising effect on bis feelings, and awakened a train of thought to which he had been latterly a stranger. He watched the course of the gentle Medway, as it flowed placidly down from Maidstone through luxuriant hop-gardens, past woody banks and fertile meadows, until it swept through the grey arches of the ancient bridge of Aylesford. A peculiar character was also added to the pic ture by the sunset, which gave a glowing hue to the smooth surface of the Medway. The evening was perfectly calm — not a breath was stirring — but it was a stillness which seemed the prelude of a storm, for there were appearances in the sky that boded a change. Seated on a tombstone, with bis arms folded upon his breast, Captain Chetwynd gazed long at the scene around him, and dwelt pensively and almost fondly upon its beauties; and as the landscape darkened, as the glow upon the river faded away, as the woods of the chalk-hills on the opposite side of the river grew dark and sombre, as the tall festooned hop poles stood out against a patch of sky where some brightness yet lingered, melancholy thoughts took possession of him, and in spite of all his efforts to shake it off, his mental gloom deepened as the darkness drew on.

Long ago, the rooks had re turned from the distant plains below Rochester to the trees of the Friary, which skirted the oppo site bank of the river, and ere this their cawing had ceased, and now the only sound that greeted his ears was the hooting of a spectral owl as it wheeled around him. A foreboding of ill seized him, and it almost seemed as if he were about to bid adieu to the world. At last, shaking off these gloomy thoughts, he arose from the tombstone, and turned to quit the churchyard. Just then he became aware of a tall dark figure standing near the church porch, apparently watch ing him. At once recognising his brother, Sir Hugh, Captain Chetwynd stopped, half inclined to turn back, and find some other means of egress from the churchyard than that offered by the gate. "What can he be doing here?" thought the captain.

" I would rather not have met him, but I won't turn out of my way." With this he marched on, intending to pass his brother without addressing him, but Sir Hugh stretched out his arm, and in an authoritative tone commanded him to stay. " What do you want with me, sir?" demanded Captain Chetwynd, halting. " I have a proposition to make to you — a final proposition," rejoined Sir Hugh. " Indeed ! " exclaimed the captain, with a bitter laugh. "I thought all was at an end between us. When last we parted, you said you never would exchange another word with me — that, regardless of all ties of relationship and affection, you had cast me off for ever, and bade me never again enter your house, or intrude upon your presence. I never will enter your house, sir — my father's house, while you occupy it — I never will come near you, if I can help it — but why, after using such lan guage to me — why do you dog me thus?

How did you know I was here? " "I have followed you to Aylesford," replied Sir Hugh, " and discovered that you had put up at the Bell, and strolled out to the churchyard. Learning this, I came hither." " You have given yourself a vast deal of unne cessary trouble, sir," said Captain Chetwynd, very haughtily. " After what has passed, I do not de sire to hold any intercourse with you whatever. I do not see by what right you should follow me to Aylesford — still less, why you should force your self upon me thus. It is better we should meet no more. Permit me to pass. I wish you good evening, sir." u Stay," said Sir Hugh, in the same authoritative tone as before. " We must have a few more words together. You must — you shall listen to me." " Shall 1 Sir Hugh," exclaimed the captain. " Understand, if you please, that I am not to be bullied.

If you have anything particular to say to me, be brief. I have no time to bestow upon you." " You may as web moderate your tone, Clarence, till you have heard what I have to say," rejoined Sir Hugh. " You may be sure I should not have sought you out without an important object. It costs me a great effort to make the avowal, but I own that I have behaved harshly to you." " I am glad you feel some compunction for your unnatural conduct," said Captain Chetwynd; "and the admission that you have acted badly is more than I expected from you. But it does not make much difference in my feelings towards you." " This quarrel must not be prolonged, Clarence," said Sir Hugh. " You must make some allowances for me. You know how hot-tempered I am, and how greatly you provoked me. I am anxious to make some reparation for my conduct towards you."

"This sounds well," said Captain Chetwynd. " I am not of an unforgiving nature. You have it in your power to make amends. Be liberal, and you shan't complain of want of gratitude on my part." " I always loved you, Clarence," said Sir Hugh, in a voice of deep emotion — " loved you more as a son than a brother. You were our dear mother's favourite." " You have an odd way of showing your regard for me," cried Captain Chetwynd, sceptically. " I wish you could display it in a more intelligible manner." " I have done my best for you, Clarence. I have paid your debts over and over again. At last I would do no more, because I felt it necessary to check your extravagance." "Very well, then, you can't expect gratitude from me." " But I haven't said that I won't help you now. I am coming to that. Will you exchange, and go to India?"

" That depends. I must sell out if you don't help me." " How much do you require? Tell me in a word, without disguise." "I can't tell you without a little consideration. Probably a few thousands." "A few thousands!" exclaimed Sir Hugh. "Is it so bad as that?" " You told me to have no disguise with you, and I have complied. Speaking roundly, I should say five thousand would cover all." " I will act towards you as your father would have acted," said Sir Hugh, speaking Avith forced calmness. " I will give you the five thousand pounds, and you" can either exchange into some regiment going out to India, or sell out and leave the army. If you consult your own interests, you will go to India." " I see you still want to get rid of -me," remarked the captain. " But make good your words, and I won't trouble you more.