An English Vendetta. A novel

Chapter I. Page Introductions - - - - - 1

CHAPTER 11. TWO YEARS

- - - - - 36 CHAPTER HI. MARIAN - - 70 CHAPTER TV. JESSIE STARTS IN LIFE .... 106

CHAPTER V.

Marian's birthday - 139

CHAPTER VI.

A christmas gathering - 174

CHAPTER VII. AN ADVENTURE

- - - - 208

CHAPTER VIII. MISS ADELE FAIRBRIGHT

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CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTIONS.

" I wish you to read this letter, Fred." " With pleasure, sir, of course ; but you know that my opinion on matters of busi ness is not generally valued — Anonymous, by Jove ! Oh, at that sort of thing, per haps, I'm as clever as another ! " " 'Sir Philip Vallence is informed that Mr. James Farrar is very bad off indeed. His friends are poor, though honest and hardworking. For any assistance you could give they would be grateful. VOL. I. B « ■ P.S.— J. F. lives at 5, Boulton's Build ings, Chancery Lane.' Rather an odd style, isn't it, sir ? But I seem to recollect the name of Farrar.'' " Very likely. He was a draughtsman in my employ forty years ago ; and he suggested some improvements in machinery, which we adopted. There was a little vulgar talk about our relations with Farrar, and you may have heard something when you were a boy."

" It seems vaguely connected with Uncle Anthony." " Perhaps. He was the only one of us who could get along with the man. Like so many inventors, James fancied himself a kind of prophet, whom ordinary mortals should revere. That sort of thing is not tolerable in a factory. I was obliged to dismiss him at last." "It's necessary to tell me all this, I suppose ? " Fred murmured. " Yes. I want you to visit Boulton's INTRODUCTIONS. Buildings. Now, James thinks himself ill treated. It did not strike him so at the time, for I have the letter he wrote, ex pressing warm gratitude for my consideration. Not for ten years afterwards did the idiot begin to complain — it was the moment when we took a fresh start in business. He then published some statements, accusing me of robbing him, and there were people enough ready to take them up.

But I stopped that sort of thing very quick — made the editor of the Watchman apologise, and pay me a hundred guineas into the bargain, and I would have got money's worth out of James, only he vanished." Fred Vallence made no observation ; his father went on presently — " I paid the fellow what he asked for his invention ; if it was a small sum, he named it himself. And when he left us I gave him — gave, Fred, you understand ! — five thou sand pounds. "We weren't great people then, and old Thomas — that was your b uncle's father— put us through a general inspection, I can tell you, before he would advance the money. To be charged with swindling after all that would try the Christian graces of most folks ! Well, I didn't hear of James for another ten years or so. You can just recollect the time when I was asked to stand for Shuttleton ?

I shouldn't have consented, but before my mind was quite made up the Watchman brought out the old story again. Some of your cousins went to the office straight, and told Fox that if he didn't retract they'd knock his head off his shoulders. He swore it had been inserted without his knowledge, and I don't doubt that was true. Next day a flat contradiction and apology was pub lished, but I lost another hundred guineas by your cousins' foolishness. However, the point is that James had sent in the para graph. So it seems he hadn't come to his senses then, and I don't suppose he has now." INTRODUCTIONS. 5 " But you wish me to call on the fellow, sir?" " Yes. He deserves kicking, but he seems to have got his deserts. I've been thinking what to do about that letter. The invention has put a deal of money in my pocket, I can't forget that ; and the in ventor has come to grief.

Now, I propose to do something substantial for James, and there an end ! He must be an old man, with a family, no doubt, and I'm not going to have his children quartered on me. As for the amount — what do you think ?" " I leave it in your hands, sir, with equal confidence and indifference." " I won't preach a sermon, my boy, because I know you better than you know yourself. Though you're a soldier, you're a Vallence, and you'll see the value of money in good time. But meanwhile don't proclaim your indifference. You would blame a man who emptied his pockets every night, telling a servant he did not know how much was on the table ? It's just thc same thing, on a larger scale. However, my notion is to repeat the sum I originally paid James." " Five thousand pounds ? Very good ! And you wish me to carry him the news to-morrow ?

" " I wish vou to carry him the cheque. It's possible that such a cantankerous fellow will refuse it. In that case I shall give him nothing ! '' Fred did not feel enough interest in the matter to reflect on this proposal. It occurred to him that his father showed a forgiving spirit and an unreasonable gene rosity which the acquaintances of Sir Philip Vallence did not expect. But this child of fortune was used to take things as they came, satisfied as yet with the outside of them. He was only twenty-two, just gazetted to a lieutenancy in a crack regi ment of hussars. Everybody liked him, those in especial who knew him best ; but INTRODUCTIONS. 7 Fred honestly thought himself stupid in the business of life. It was not unnatural for a modest youth under the circumstances. Compared with members of that family whose shrewd brain, strong character, and firm will had been nurtured and finished in the strife of existence at Shuttleton, very few men are clear-headed in affairs.

From the day of his birth, Fred had not known what it is to struggle. Success of various kinds had fallen to his share, but, conscious that he had made no great exertion, he put the result down to luck. The Vallence family was large in every sense ; some people called it tremendous. Sir Philip had four brothers, of whom Anthony alone survived, but Guy and Jack had left many children. Of his three sisters, all dead, one married a kinsman, John Edgar, and their son was now second partner in the great firm ; one the banker of Shuttleton, Thomas ; and one a cousin. Nearly all their sons and grandsons were connected with the factory, and that throng, when gathered at Christmas, or on such occasions, could hardly be matched. The men had a strong resemblance in feature, they averaged six feet or thereabouts, and every one was big in proportion.

The likeness was not confined to externals. Excepting Fred, and his second cousin, Philip Edgar, all had a rough, burly, good humoured recklessness which made small account of laws human or divine. It may have been thought odd that Mr. Fox, of the Watchman, took no steps to defend himself when some of them threatened to knock his head off. He understood the situation too well. Those desperate young giants would have heen held over to keep the peace, no doubt, and would have been severely punished afterwards ; but meantime Mr. Fox would have suffered. Sir Philip was a very old man, excel lently preserved. For many years past, since Farrar's invention established him on INTRODUCTIONS. 9 the road to fortune, his life had been easy, rising step by step to boundless wealth. This unbroken prosperity had wrought its natural effect on a man of strong passions and harsh will.

Sir Philip showed the family characteristics, mental as physical. A handsome veteran he was, but his good humour would not bear the semblance of contradiction. The blood rushed swiftlv to his face at a hint of resistance, his eyes were quick and keen, his mouth drawn downward at the corners, his voice loud and emphatic. Ho himself had a persistent dread of apoplexy. I know not why this sort of man gene rally buries several helpmates. It was the first Lady Vallence, but the third wife, who presented him with an heir that lived ; — and he was again a widower. The boy was not brought up to trade. In Sir Philip's idea of things business is only a means to re establish the successful man's proper position of landowner. He himself had not striven for dignities — knighthood, and a great estate, are prizes enough for the first generation ; but Fred was to be a peer.

His father did not concern himself much about the process through which this end might be won. He had worked hard and very carefully, but he believed implicitly in luck ; Fred had learned the same superstition from his con stant teaching. Sir Philip always assumed that any serious wish of his must come to pass. So the boy was sent to Eton and Oxford; after a short stay there — at his own request, but on the counsel, emphatic though kindly, of the authorities — he went into training for the service, and won a commission. Decidedly a Vallence was this youth, but circumstances had wrought a difference. The strong and overbearing temper changed, in one who had seldom known refusal and never failure, to easy recklessness and cheerful obstinacy. His aims hitherto had been such as he himself did not greatly care INTRODUCTIONS. 11 for, saving his " pass," which demanded but a trifling effort ; but, if at a future time he should desire strongly, no honourable means to gain the end would revolt him probably.

Meanwhile, the unsuspicious admired his smiling equanimity as the token of a guileless spirit ; but the wild youths of his family and his regiment knew that Fred Vallence received the invitation to a tea-party and to a perilous adventure with a like calm. In all England, perhaps, there was no youth so fortunate — good looks, superb strength, prospects and riches unlimited were his. Boulton's Buildings, Chancery Lane, re present the outcome of an unnatural union betwixt philanthropy and business. They were raised by amiable persons who wished to benefit their species at a minimum of three per cent, return. But the calculation has proved wrong somewhere. A certificate of virtue from a " clergyman in residence," or a magistrate, officer in the army or navy, or even a householder, is not easily obtained by the class who seek lodgings at a maxi mum of four shillings weekly.

Philanthropy was not discouraged as yet, but Business complained. Fred had expected a visit to slums, the only kind of diversion for which he had no taste, but the great building was clean, respectable, and cold to the degree which suggested a model workhouse. The in ventor occupied an attic ; a girl of ten or eleven answered his knock. Very pretty was she, and very self-possessed. " I wish to see Mr. Farrar," said Fred, with his pleasant smile. " Tell him Sir Philip Vallence's son has called.'' Her look darkened suddenly, and she shut the door in his sac 3 ; hut returned in a moment. " Walk in, sir," the child said, with an air of passion suppressed. James Farrar lay in bed, a gaunt, weary looking man, whose eyes had brightened and cheek flushed at the announcement of this visit. Fred saw that he was dying, but INTRODUCTIONS. not of want or neglect.

The room in its poor way was so neat and comfortable that he did not regard it. " I'm sorry to find you ill, Mr. Farrar. We only learned your address the day before yesterday, or my father would have sent to you. May I sit down ? " " You may, but I'd rather hear what you've got to say at once, and have done with it ! " " I rather expected this tone," Fred replied calmly, seating himself. " You cherish ill-will against us ? " " What have you come for ? " " To disabuse you, Mr. Farrar. One's memory of events is apt to fail after forty years — at least, I suppose so, for I don't speak by experience yet " >. " I say, sir, what have you come for ? " " As a disinterested individual " " If I could leave this bed, old as I am, I'd teach you to respect honest poverty ! Disinterested individual ! You, who live like a prince in your father's palace on the stolen earnings of my brain !

" Fred was only a boy, and one who had never before confronted asituation in the remotest degree like this. Of course he respected honest poverty — what need to make a fuss about it ? His tone changed to something of the irritation that springs from bewilderment. " I understand, sir, that you sold the earnings of your brain for five thousand pounds." " Ay, but on compulsion ! My life wasn't safe ! Ask any one who was in Shuttleton at the time — ask Thomas, the banker ! He knows how your father and your uncles treated me." This was rather uncomfortable. Fred could not doubt that the Vallences of forty years ago would be terribly rough in their method of expelling a man whom they dis liked ; — even the milder generation of to-day would be tempted to brutality under such INTRODUCTIONS. 15 circumstances.

He answered shortly : " I am to tell you that, though Sir Philip admits no claim upon him, he feels that the payment you accepted bears too small pro portion to the sums your ingenuity has gained for the firm. It was fixed by your self, and was not raised without difficulty, but he is ready " " That's quite enough ! I refuse ! " " What ? It's five thousand pounds ! " " Will you go, sir ? " ''But, do you understand? Sir Philip asks nothing in return ! He merely " " Go — go — you whelp ! " Utterly incomprehensible ! Of the hard words and the passion, Fred took no notice at all, but the firmness of soul struck him. He kept silence a moment. The little girl had seated herself on the floor by the window, a book open in her lap. He crossed to her. " Will you plead with your father, my child ? I bring him the means of regaining health, and, I hope, prosperity.

The interest of five thousand pounds will pay a doctor, give him fresh air and rest. He will recover his peace of mind, and bring out some clever invention, and then he can repay Sir Philip, if he likes. Don't let him throw the chance away ! " She looked towards the bed, hesitating ; Farrar, worn out, only motioned with his hand impatiently, murmuring words of which Fred caught only a name, " Sybil." " For yourself, little one," he continued, "think what a change it will be — school fellows, and toys, and playmates " The childish face told him he had wandered into a wrong track, but, before he could recover himself, she broke out : " A morsel of bread from you or yours would choke us ! " " Good Heavens ! " " That's your answer ! " the sick man cried, hoarsely. " Amen ! — amen ! " Fred was positively thunderstruck.

What INTRODUCTIONS. 17 beings were these — unknown to his philo sophy — rebels against the blessed spirit of the time — desperate creatures ! He rose, saying frankly, " I don't understand you at all, sir ! Re member that five thousand pounds is depo sited in the Bank of England in your name at call — I will add your daughter's name, if you tell me what it is. How are you called, my dear ? " "Don't tell him!" Indeed, it was clear she had no intention of doing so. " Well, I suppose we can get over that! The money will be paid this afternoon into the West End branch of the Bank of Eng land, at Burlington Gardens — recollect the address, little girl ! If you don't claim it, sir, I suppose the nation will be so much richer." He walked out. The child ran swiftly to her father, and nestled by his side.

" Try to sleep and forget it, dear," she whispered, " your heart is beating so ! " VOL. I. C He kissed her, and lay still for many minutes ; but his eyes did not close, and presently he grew restless. " I should not have refused, darling, and, above all, I ought to have told him your name. It's not a great thing for a man who's almost dead to throw five thousand pounds in a scoundrel's face, but I should have remembered my girl. It was all so sudden ! What did he say at last ? " " He said the money would be paid into the Bank of England this afternoon." "Ay, hut won't he put it in his pocket now ? I saw the cheque, child ! Five thousand ! — Lord ! If I could have that chance again ! " " Shall I write ? " The young voice was harsh. "Never ! I'll not demean myself to that! — What kind of man did he look ?

" " He looked like a soldier." "Aye! That cheque will never be paid in '.' ! INTRODUCTIONS. " I shouldn't think he'd be false." " I must see ! Don't tell your aunt She's a good woman, but trust nobody, child! You shall write to the Bank to morrow. — But look, Sybil ! — it's for you I do it ! As you said, a morsel from their hands would choke me ! Now, I'll doze, if I can. Your aunt is coming presently, isn't she ? Not a word to her ! " Sybil kissed him, and withdrew to her hook. The light faded gradually ; she closed the volume, and sat absorbed in thought. Farrar had been well-off in a modest way when she was born, but her earliest memory recalled him as anxious and depressed. His wife died when she was very young, and that bitter loss he never recovered. It had the effect of concentrating all his mind on those long-past grievances — I do not know how far they were justified, nor does it matter ; inventors have been swindled and wronged so generally that the exact report c of one case is unimportant.

That those who remembered the story thought Farrar ill treated is certain. That Sir Philip himself was uneasy in his old age his conduct showed. But it may very well be that the victim — fanciful, suspicious, timid — exagge rated the rough temper of the Vallences. I cannot tell. The grave point is that Sybil was brought up to regard them as ruffianly thieves, who had robbed and personally ill-treated her father. Hatred for them became the strongest article of her creed, which, in truth, had few clauses. Once on their devious wanderings Farrar took her to see Vallence Hall, the stately dwelling which Sir Philip had built on the edge of the moor land, thirty miles from Shuttleton. Stronger than any argument to a child's intelligence was that great mansion on which they looked down, contrasted with their poor lodgings.

Sybil was not old enough to grasp the matters at issue. A notion formed INTRODUCTIONS. 21 itself in her mind that Vallence Hall belonged of right to her father, and though, in time, the merits of the case were better under stood, the impression remained. As they fell deeper and deeper into poverty these two became all in all to one another. Sybil had scarcely known a play mate. Her father's ill-health demanded constant attention, and they seldom rested long in one neighbourhood. He undertook her teaching, and an unconventional system was his. Like all men self-educated, Farrar disliked to study at second-hand. We receive our facts and notions through a hundred media, softened, coloured, often distorted. Ordinary people never look to the first authority ; in truth, the most of us hardly know where to seek it, saving in reli gious matters.

But this man did not read commentaries and treatises if the originals could be found. He thus saved time and money also, for old literature is cheap at the bookstalls. Sybil was deeply learned in abstruse odds and ends, and she had gathered unconsciously a philosophic system of ethics that would have shocked or diverted persons of the usual training. Farrar taught his child to seek first principles in everything. All that is not reason is superstition, in his point of view. Each of us is a judge to himself; and, subject to natural laws which we feel but cannot define, every one may act as pleases him. For the rest, Sybil read French perfectly, and spoke it like her own tongue — in the literal meaning of that expression. She knew some Latin, and in mathematics would have made a name possibly under other circumstances.

The fire had been suffered to die down, lest it should disturb the invalid, and the small room was dark when a tap at the door roused her. She opened cautiously. " Father's asleep, but I expect him to wake soon. Would you mind sitting in the INTRODUCTIONS. dusk a few moments, aunt? Let me lead you ? " " That's provoking, when I'm in a hurry, but we'll wait a little. I can find my way " The first step upset a chair, which rattled noisily upon the fire-irons. " Dear me ! " Mrs. Hammond exclaimed, peevishly. " I'm sorry, James." She paused for a reply. " Well, my dear, if that did not wake him you may venture to light a candle, I think." With hands trembling in sudden alarm, Sybil struck a match, and looked towards the bed ; her father lay quiet. Mrs. Hammond approached him, and turned abruptly.

" He's in a better world now ! Re member that, you poor dear, and don't give way ! " But she threw herself upon the corpse, screaming. " There, there, poor little thing ! It's what we must all come to, and a blessed release for James ! I'll go and fetch a neighbour. You'll not be afraid if I leave you a moment ? " Sybil was mazed with distress and horror. The aunt saw it, and quietly withdrew, returning with a woman. " Now, dear, kind Mrs. Slater will watch whilst I take you home " " Oh, don't ! I can't bear to leave him here ! Oh, let me stay ! '' " It is impossible, child ! You shall see him again. Now look out your things, for there's much to do to-night ! " But Sybil could not assist her. Mrs. Hammond packed what was necessary, and moved the hysteric girl almost by force. A good woman enough was she, but oppressed with many cares, and wanting in sympathy.

A large family at home awaited supper ; from Chancery Lane to Clapham is a long way, and she must return at once. I have not to describe the scene further. Fred Vallence strolled westwards thought- INTRODUCTIONS. fully, after fulfilling his mission. It would be too much, perhaps, to say that he had never beheld a touching spectacle, but cer tainly he had never been so impressed. The passionate refusal of the dying man, the child's defiance, struck him. That persons should reject charity was intelligible, for it is known that many do ; but the imagina tion of this gilded youth was not strong enough to grasp the feeling which urged them. He had no experience wherewith to picture it. But this case differed anyhow. Upon the other hand, Fred could quite catch the impulse of a man, or even a girl, who resented outrage and injustice to the degree that they would perish rather than accept an act of friendship from the wrong doer.

He did not blame his parent or his kinsmen knowingly, for their conduct was a matter of business, no doubt ; and in business he thought himself utterly unable to form an opinion. But his sympathy with Farrar, and more especially for that odd and charming little girl, was warm. He almost thought of calling again presently, when they had made up their mind to accept his aid. Sir Philip would certainly expect his cheque to be returned, but Fred had not the least intention of gratifying this natural desire. He handed it to a clerk in the Bank of England, directing the sum to be placed to the credit of James Farrar and his daughter — and turned to leave. But the astonished youth called after him, insisting that he should see the manager. That personage was very well acquainted with Sir Philip, of course, and recognised his son.

For this reason, as he explained, the Bank would not actually refuse to accept the deposit, but certain forms were essential. In the first place, it must have the daugh ter's name. " I don't remember it at this moment," Fred replied. He began to find the thing a bore. INTRODUCTIONS. " Under those circumstances, Mr. Val lence, we must positively decline. There is a stringent rule among bankers " ' ' What a nuisance ! Can't you put it simply ' James Farrar's daughter ' ? " " Has he any more ? " " 'Pon my soul, I don't know !" " It would make no difference, anyway. I must have the name." " I believe it's Sybil ! Yes, by Jove, it must be ! " " This is a very odd way of dealing with such a large sum," said Mr. Williams, gravely amused. " But there is another formality — I must have the signature of both parties."

" Why, the daughter is only a child." " That does not signify." "Oh, well, I'll try to get them. Mean while, you take the money ? " " On your assurance that the signatures shall be forthcoming." " All right ! Very much obliged to you." It is scarcely necessary to say that Mr. Williams reminded him of the promise from time to time during the weeks that fol lowed ; still less necessary to add that Lieutenant Vallence paid no attention. At length the manager threatened an appeal to Sir Philip, which was rather alarming for several reasons. So Fred came to town and laid the matter before his uncle, Mr. Thomas, an authority on banking questions ; — it will be understood that I skip some weeks, in order to complete the history of this episode. Mr. Thomas showed a good deal of interest on hearing James Farrar's melan choly end.

In the matter at issue, he relieved his nephew's anxiety — such as it was. The Bank of England would not sur render its trust to Sir Philip or anybody, except Farrar's daughter — nor to her with out the clearest evidence of identity. In point of fact, it was almost certain, con sidering the circumstances, that the cash INTRODUCTIONS. 29 would never be recovered ; — in due time it would be paid over to the Commissioners of the National Debt. " You're a public benefactor, Fred," Mr. Thomas laughed, " and you've begun early, as so many benefactors do, at some one else's expense. What does your father say ? '' " Oh, he's ignorant of the complications, and I hope you won't inform him, uncle. It was rather a lively fifteen minutes I passed when I told him. Will that obliging fellow, Williams, get into a scrape?

" " I hope not, but he acted very impru dently — from a natural feeling of respect and confidence towards Sir Philip's heir. However, I'll explain to the authorities." Mr. Thomas did so, and Fred heard no more about it. I return to the events of our opening day, when other characters were presented From the Bank, Fred drove to Holmwood Lodge, Clapham Common. In the drawing-room of that handsome mansion he found a very tall, very striking man, a little older than him self, with a lady who presented such an exact type of the governess that I need not describe her ; she held a little girl on her knee. " Why, Phil Edgar ! This is cheering ! How are you, Miss Shalders ? Marian is as shy and as pretty as ever, I see." The child shrank from her cousin with a scared swelling of the lustrous eyes and a wrinkling of the brow, which was more than the timidity of her age.

"You don't know how to address little girls," said Philip. "Attention, eyes right, quick march, won't do for them. You must curl your mouth so, and say ' Sweet, sweet, sweety ! ' as if you were talking to a dicky bird. Then, if you have a sugar-plum about you — and it's always well to carry sugar when you go courting— bring it out like this, so that nobody can see, and turn your back, and hold it behind in the palm of your hand. That's the way to talk to little girls." INTRODUCTIONS. Marian did not take the sugar-plum, nor did she laugh ; but her strangely beautiful eyes followed the pantomime, and she looked up in Miss Shalders's face with almost a smile. But that lady thought it more prudent to carry her off. " What are you doing in town ? " Fred asked. " And what are you doing here ? " "My actions are controlled by the go vernor, and him you must question.