Ill Weeds. A novel

Front matter

At Every Library and of Every Bookseller. FOURTH EDITION 01 GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA'S NEW WORK, PARIS HERSELF AGAIN. 2 Vols., demy, handsomely bound, 25s. PRONOUNCED BY THE ENTIRE PRESS TO BE MR. SALA'S BEST WORK. REMINGTON & CO., 5, Arundei. Street, Strand, W.C. ILL WEEDS. a iaoDfi. BY MADAME F 0 L I, AUTHOR OF " THE SPANISH COUSINS." Jfoubort : REMINGTON AND CO., 5, Arundei. Street, Strand, W.C. 1880. [All Rights Reserved.] TO THE MOST NOBLE THE DOWAGER MARCHIONESS OF DOWNSHIRE, IN WHOSE KINDLY GENTLE HEAltT NO " ILL WEEDS " EVER FOUND A 1'LAc E, THIS WO UK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY' DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR.

Preface

HEAD IT, CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. In the Snow... ... ... ... ... ■■• 1 II. The Lady Clotilda 23 III. The Charity Brat 40 IV. Pegfern Hall 61 V. The Future Countess 70 VI. A Recognition ... ... ■■• ■• ■■ 82 VII. The Opera 93 VIII. A Fair Exchange : a Fortune for a Name ... 105 IX. The Bal Costume- 114 X. An Old Acquaintance 132 XL An Independent Lodger ... ... ... ... 140 XII. Tom's Home 148 XIII. An Untimely Interruption ... ... ... ... 158 XIV. The Earl's Ally 165 XV. A Rough Reception 170 XVI. Joe Brings News 176 XVII. " The Old, Old Story " 179 XVIII. Strange Doubts 188 XIX. Listeners Sometimes Hear Good of Themselves... 193 XX. Repentance 198 XXI. Brought to the Dust 204 XXII. Explanation 208 XXIII. A Bruised Heart 213 XXIV. A Last Appeal 218 XXV. Plain Speaking CHAP. PAGE XXVI. Tom Changes his Occupation 233 XXVII.

Maternal Despair 239 XXVIII. Glencliffe 246 XXIX. Lost for Aye 257 XXX. Guarding a Treasure 261 XXXI. A Fearful Discovery 272 XXXII. On the Watch 280 XXXIII. Caught in a Trap 287 XXXIV. Trusted Again 294 XXXV. Playing a Deep Game 301 XXXVI. Checkmated 310 XXXVII. Ben Sees a Ghost 314 XXXVIII. Tom Falls Heir to a Double Concern ... 317 XXXIX. Mysterious Doings ... ... ... 325 XL. The Midnight Chase 334 XLI. The Rescued Dead 345 XLII. The Household Spy 350 XL1II. A Traitor Unmasked 355 XLIV. Lust or Dead 359 XLV. On the Track 365 XLVI. A Friend in Need 377 XLVII. Preparing the Mine 383 XLVIII. Denounced 389 XLIX. Loved to the Last

Chapter I. In The Snow

St. James' Park seemed dressed for a Holiday in its icy white robe. The laurels drooped mournfully, as each succeeding flake of snow perched jauntily on their overburthened branches. The saucy prickly holly seemed to bristle into greater dignity, as it received its quota of the feathery ice ; and the smaller shrubs, with their tiny intricate sprays, seemed to catch every flake that fell ; for all that could be discerned was a mazy network of frosted silver. Ducks waddled miserably on the surface of the frozen lake, seeking in vain for some break in the ice to refresh themselves in. It was not firm enough for skaters to venture on, but was yet too strong for the forlorn waddlers to make any impression with their flat beaks, although they pegged at it with laudable perseverance. Faster fell the snow, and a bleak, raw wind tore through the trees, carrying the snow with it in all directions, blinding the passers-by in its fury, and play ing all manner of mad freaks.

B Two little boys of the respective ages of eight and twelve were plodding on their way through the snow on the pathway that skirted the lake. Boys never appear to realise the discomfort of the cold ; they rather seem to like it than otherwise, for who ever heard of any boy, no matter what his station, who was willing to give up a game of buttons, peg top, or any other amusement, on account of the cold ? And what boy would forego the faintest prospect of a slide on the ice, even if he had to Avalk miles to find a frozen gutter ? Our small pedestrians were fair samples of juvenile perseverance in pursuit of pleasure. Many a weary mile had they Avalked in the hope of seeing some skating on the Serpen tine. A vague rumour having reached their ears, in the morning at school, that the lakes in the parks were frozen over, and as it was half-holiday, they determined to see the rare sight.

Great was their disappointment at finding Hyde Park all but deserted, and the ice so thin that they dared not venture even a slide at the margin. Weary and hungry from their long Avalk, they sat down on one of the benches, and began simultaneously to blow on the tips of their fingers to restore animation to those half frozeu members. After resting for a few minutes, they became painfully conscious of having committed an indiscretion that if not speedily remedied might occasion them great discomfort for the remainder of their walk. When seating themselves on the bench to rest, with the usual thoughtlessness of youth in robust health, they had ignored the circum stance that three or four inches of snow had fallen and cushioned the seat. After a while, cause and effect became clearly demonstrated by the snow on which they were enthroned beginning to melt, and an uncomfortable sensation of numbness of their nether boy caused them to abdicate with an alacrity that resembled the bound of an indiarubber ball.

They trudged on with renewed vigour in the hope of drying themselves by sharp walking. After a quarter of an hour's smart trotting they crossed over into St. James' Park, to set a near cut into Westminster. The wind made a dead set at the younger boy's ears, Avhich stood out in alto-relievo like sails on a Avindmill, and tinged them with as many hues as the famous coat of old that Joseph owned ; but though scarlet and purple predominated, they were so subtly amalgamated no one could decide which was the winning colour. The appearance of both boys betokened them of the poorer class. Attired in corduroy trousers that had long bid adieu to their best days, coloured striped com forters (that was a misnomer, as they were no comfort at all) enveloped their necks ; birt from the frequent washing they had received in the course of their useful career had become the shadows of their former selves — looking meagre, pinched, and lean, uncom monly like their wearers.

It is said " people become like each other from living together;" it may be questioned whether our clothes do not partake of the same peculiarity, and become, in looks at least, a part of ourselves. The original colours of those comforters had become un swearable — the brilliant scarlet had sadly dwindled into a gloomy brown ; the flaunting green now resembled the hue of a boiled Swedish turnip ; and the brazen yellow dis guised itself in a shade that has never had a name, and never will, for no human caprice could ever make it a fashionable colour. All this fearful change was from the effects of soap. Why will the thoughtless commit such wanton destruction ? Children's eyes, wool, and poor people who imbibe alcoholic spirits, are specially antagonistic to soap. Then why soap them ? Let them join the countless band of the great unwashed — go soapless, and be happy.

But we digress ; let us return to our muttons, or rather our lambs. Little no shaped, Avell worn caps covered their heads. The once shiny fronts were nearly torn off, and hanging by a double piece of pack thread ; and as they were assailed by the rude blast, threatened immediate dismember meut. The thick, ugly, hobnailed boots they wore showed that the principal view in their purchase had been utility, not beauty ; but strong as they originally were, those obdurate demons of the poor, " Avear and tear," had claimed them for their own, and doomed them to decay and destruction. The younger youth was one of those nice little inoffensive boys, with very small features, whom one is sure to meet on cold days every where ; who is very thinly clad, with his poor little frozen hands thrust into his pockets, and his poor little nose half raw ; who has ahvays staring blue eyes, bleared with the cold, and close cropped brown hair.

He in variably whistles, to persuade himself he is not cold ; but nevertheless buries his head in bis shoulders to keep warmer. His name is sure to be " Johnny " or " Tommy." This one was a Tommy. The elder boy was a fa,c simile of the younger in dress, but there the likeuess ended. He had a more discontented, mature air, in fact he looked as if he were a " Sam," or a " Dick," but he was neither; he was a compromise between the two, viz., a " Fred," with a face of wonderful intelligence, and the eye of an eagle. The boys stopped presently to look at the ducks trying to peg their way into the water. " My eye ! " ejaculated the small Tommy. We would enquire en passant why all per sons of the lower class invariably appeal to their eye in all cases of astonishment and ejaculation. "My eye ! Fred, isn't that duck fat neither ?

Oh ! wouldn't I like to have him to take home to mother ; I don't believe she ever tasted duck." " Have you ? " enquired the other, in a tone that implied that he was sure he had not. " Oh, haven't I though ! once at the school dinner ; someone sent a whole lot at Christmas," responded little Tommy, in ecstacy at the recollection. " True, I forgot the charity dinner, once a year." " Well, ain't that better than nothink ? '' enquired Tommy, philosophically. " No, not for me ; I never go, and never intend to." " Oh ! wont I though, whenever I gets the chance, and won't I pitch into the plum pudden neither, and stuff all I can into my pockets for mother." "Ah, Tommy, I wish I was as quiet and contented as you are," said the other boy, sadly. " Why don't you be quiet then? " enquired his young companion in amazement, at the same time dexterously applying the sleeve of his jacket in lieu of a pocket handkerchief, thereby increasing the already rubicund hue of his small proboscis to a furious crimson.

" I can't, I feel so sad, Tommy, I shall never be anything but a poor wretched boy. I can never rise ; who will ever care for a charity brat ? My father, a poor common policeman, too." " But mother says it is no disgrace to be poor, but it's precious inconvenient. You are better off than I am, Fred, for I have got no father, except ' Our Father which art in Heaven,' " said poor little Tommy sadly, quoting from his daily prayers. " True, you make me feel ashamed of my self. It is a rebuke I deserve," replied the elder boy, passing an arm caressingly around the shoulders of his young companion, who repaid the caress by withdrawing one of his little frost-bitten hands from his pocket, and clasping that of the elder boy which hung OA7er his shoulder. " Don't do that, Tommy," said Fred, gazing with pity on the poor blue fingers.

" You will freeze your hand, put it in your pocket again." " Oh, I ain't a bit cold," responded the little fellow, manfully stepping out faster to prove the truth of his assertion ; and disin terring his head and neck from his shoulders, where they had lain deeply buried during his lonowalk. But the chattering; teeth and shivering limbs, that would tremble in spite of every effort to repress them, told a different tale. " Poor Tommy," muttered Fred, in soliloquy, as his active mind wandered over the shadowy chaos of the future, and pictured to himself the hapless Tommy driving a donkey cart; or as the independent pro prietor of a baked potato can, with the re sponsibility of ten small children with very large appetites. " Poor Tommy, what a fate !" thought Fred. He pitied his young friend for having no ambition, for being contented to live and die " in that state of life, to which it had pleased God to call him," as he repeated in his catechism every Sunday morning.

It was pity ill-bestowed, for Tommy was blessed with a peaceful temper aud a contented mind, the greatest gifts God bestows on mortals. Tommy could have said, with more reason, " Poor Fred." " I say, Fred," said the small youth abruptly, breaking up the meditations of his friend, " Have you got anythink ready for the examine at breaking up ? " " Yes," responded Fred, brightening up, and a strange light glittering in his eye. " Then you intend to try for the prize, eh? " enquired Tommy with delight. " No ; for I should not get it, at least, not for this composition," he added, smiling. " My father says I shall stay at the charity school till I am 14, but I don't think they will want me so long ; at any rate I shall not stay, I don't learn anything." "Don't learn anythink ?" echoed the as tounded Tommy.

" Why, I heard old Skinner say you were ' the cleverest boy in the school,' and that they must keep their eye on you, and cane it out cf you, or one day you would either turn out to be a great Chartist leader or a poet, or something very dreadful like that." " Old Skinner may prove a prophet yet, but I shall take care they don't cane it out of me. 1 have no intention to become a Chartist leader though, for I don't understand it, and have a great antipathy to be a mob hero," said Fred. " That's right," nodded his listener ap provingly, although he did not understand a word of his friend's reply, but had an innate conviction that it must be ri°-ht if Fred said O so. " I thought of trying for my fourth class prize," said Tommy timidly, "but mother says she don't think it AA7ill do. I ain't old enough, and yet I'm past eight."

" What is your theme ? " asked Fred, greatly amused at the ambition of the small candidate for scholastic honours, well know ing his limited abilities. " It aiu't about a team, it's about a guinea pig ; I wrote it and learnt it by heart in three days." " I should like to hear it," said Fred, nearly bursting with suppressed laughter. " Should you, though ? Then here goes," said Tommy in ecstacy, and delivered the fol lowing essay without the slightest variation of tone, and a conscientious stoppage between each word. " The, Guinea, Pig, is, a, useful, animal ; it's food is, pollard, and, parsley ; when, he, can, get, it; but he, will, eat, almost, any think. He, is, just, like, a, rabbit, because, he's, got, a, furry, coat ; but, he's, got, no, tail, and, very, little, ears, so, he, isn't, like, a, rabbit, a, bit.

He, must, onct, have, been, a very, expensive, animal, by, his, name ; but, now, they, can, be, had, for, fourpence a pair, if you buy the young ones, and that's all. There ! " exclaimed the young orator exultingly. Tommy had raised his voice as he pro ceeded, evidently feeling his soul expand with his subject. The better to give effect to his composition he had stopped on the margin of the lake, and turning his back on the path way, apostrophised the half frozen lagoon and its waddling settlers, so did not notice the ap proach of a pedestrian, who stopped to hear Tommy's harangue. At its conclusion a burst of uproarious laughter caused both boys to turn so suddenly that Tommy lost his balance and rolled head over heels on to the thin ice ; in trying to rise to his feet and return to the bank, bis weight, slight as it was, caused the ice to give way, and poor Tommy disappeared beneath.

Fred rushed down the bank to rescue his little friend, but the stranger held him back. " Stay, my boy, ifyougo on that ice, you will both be drowned ; he rolled, out too far for you to reach him. I will fetch assistance in a moment, and if he can be saved, they will save him." " Let me go, sir, while you are talking he is drowning," said Fred, struggling in the stranger's grasp, and breaking from him, sprang with a bound on to the ice, and reached the hole where Tommy sunk. Crash ! went the brittle surface, and the elder boy also disappeared. In his descent he felt a bundle that seemed wedged to a stick that was frozen in ; self preservation made him seize it, and then he knew by the touch it was a human body, so he grasped it the tighter as his heart told him it was little Tommy. 1 le soon rose again and battled with the ice and under current, which, slight as it was, threatened to drag him and his burthen beneath.

The welcome sound of a hearty shout greeted the ear of the almost ex hausted boy, and the stranger came tearing alor.g the pathway, accompanied by several men with drags, and other necessary ap paratus for extracting the boys from their perilous position. The elder youth felt a strength he had never before experienced, and held on to his young companion tighter than ever, taking care to keep his head above the water. " That's it," said the stranger, as they drew the two boys from the water. No one could positively assert that they knew precisely what " it " Avas, but every one seemed to concur in the sentiment. Tommy was conveyed with all haste to the lodge, where he was despoiled of his dripping garments, and rolled about till the vital spark again quivered through his body. " There, he will do now," said the doctor ; " he will be all right in half an hour ; " and according to the medico's prognostic, Master Tommy was soon (to speak metaphorically) as right as a trivet ; his immersion had been so short, that it was a matter of no difficulty to revive him.

" Oh ! wasn't it precious cold, though," Avas the first observation of the young patient, as the unpleasant recollection of the frozen bath passed before his mental vision, on awakening from his deep sleep, doubtless oc casioned more from the effects of hot brandy and water (that had been freely administered to help the reviving process) than from the fatigue he had undergone. " Oh ! wasn't it precious cold neither," agaiu demanded Tommy of his audience, still alluding to the temperature of the bath he had so unwittingly taken. No one ventured to gainsay Tommy's queried assertions, as each and every one felt an inward conviction that it must have been " precious cold." " Oh, my goodness, where's my cap ? It was my Sunday cap. Oh, my ! I shall ketch it so, and mother '11 be so wild," exclaimed little Tommy, in agonised anticipation of what he should " ketch," and in despair at the savage state of mind the loss of his Sunday cap might plunge his mother into.

The com bination of so many evils (the loss of his best cap no doubt predominating), was too much for the mental force of Master Tommy, who was not gifted with sufficient strength of character to philosophically support so man}7 misfortunes at one fell swoop, so he did what any other boy of his age would naturally be expected to do, viz., he inserted the knuckles of his first fingers into his eyes and blubbered forth his woe in a most dismal and heart rending manner. This time-honoured practical illustration of juvenile grief ; had the effect of awakening feelings of sympathy in the paternal bosom of the stranger, who forthwith proceeded to administer consolation to the afflicted Tommy. " Don't cry, my man." " My man," cried the harder, for there is something in the voice of sympathy that en courages the "luxury of woe."

The flood gates that open so readily at the voice of kindness let loose the saline torrent with an overwhelming rush, and threatens to swamp both mourner aud consoler. " Don't noAv," said the stranger soothingly, but still he did. " I know how you feel, my little lad, having lost your cap ; for I know what a whacking my Dick might expect if he came home without his, but don't cry any more, and I will buy you a new one." "Will you, though? " burst forth from the grief-stricken Tommy, in an accent of hope ful incredulity, literally drying up in a twinkling. " Yes, that I will ; and you shall both come home with me and have something to eat." The delight with which the promise was received was a sufficient guarantee of its rarity, so Tommy and Fred trotted beside their new-found friend (apparently none the worse for their ducking) in joyful anticipation of a feast.

The ceremonial of buying a cap had at last been accomplished, though a work of some difficulty, as Tommy had his eye on a military shako, and could scarcely be per suaded it was not in accordance with his fustian jacket, corduroys, and washed out comforter ; but on Fred's assurance that all the boys would laugh at and bonnet him (a process peculiar to youth, who envy each other's new hats), he unwillingly resigned the coveted shako and accepted a nice black cloth cap, adorned with two gilt buttons. The stranger turned into St. James' Square, and telling the boystoAvait outside a large house, disappeared through the door that was already opened to receive him. In a few minutes a gentleman, gorgeously arrayed in pink silk stockings, over calves that looked like two knotted horse-radishes, and splendid blue plush shorts, made his appearance at the door, and addressed the youngsters in a way that proved his education had been sadly neglected in his early years, or that he had forgotten all about it.

" Was you two boys told to wait for a gentleman ? " asked he of the plush shorts. " Yes, sir," eagerly responded little Tommy, with a low bow,anxious to propitiate soelegant a specimen of the genus homo. " Scrape yer feet and come in then," was the cordial rejoinder, given in a tone that bespoke no great amount of rejoicing at their arrival. Accepting the invitation, though not in the spirit with which it was given, the boys ascended the short flight of steps, and Avere ushered by the gentleman in plush raiment into a comfortably furnished room, with a large fire glowing in the grate. Several easy chairs were placed in inviting proximity to the fire, and heaA7y satin damask curtains fell in rich folds, till they swept the brilliant carpet. " Oh, my eye ! " ejaculated Tommy, ap pealing again to his optic, and taking a mental inventory of the splendours that surrounded him, " shouldn't I like to live here, and mother too," he hastily added, as if afraid any one might think he Avould be happy any where without his mother.

" I say, sir, is this your house?" he asked of the radiant creature in the silk lower extremities. "Hum — hum — I can't say as how it is," he responded slowly, not wishing to dispel the sweet illusion that he was mistaken for the master of the house, " but I does as I likes, so it's pretty much the same." "Wouldn't I like to have such splendid clothes, aud live in a big house, where all the washing is put out, and be a gentleman like you," said Tommy, overwhelmed with ad miration of the blue plushes. " I dessay you would," smiled the tall gentleman, drawing himself up to a little more than his full height, and gazing com placently at his figure reflected in a large mirror. " John," said a voice sharply at the door; the gentleman uttered a short — "Yes, sir." " Go and see if the housekeeper has everything ready, as no doubt these youngsters are hungry."

John bowed and slunk out of the room, as crestfallen as a peacock who has had his tail feathers plucked out. "Who is that gentleman?" enquired Tommy, as Mr. John left the room. " A servant, one of the footmen of the house." "Then who are you?" Tommy naively asked. " I am the butler to Mr. Clentworth, the great banker; and this is his house. I have a son, named Dick, who is at school, and a fine fellow he is too, although I do say it myself. Now, as I have told you who I am, let me hear a little about you." " All ready, sir," said Mr. John, appearing at the door, not knowing what meal to call it. "Very well; come boys, follow me, and we will talk as we eat." Nothing loath, the youngsters folio ved the hospitable butler, into a small cosy parlour, Avhere i table was set out that made their eyes water to look at.

Tommy needed no invitation, but rushed sans ceremonie into the first chair he came to at the table. Fred, after depositing his cap, waited for an invita tion to be seated, which soon came, however, from his friend Tommy, who was fast arriving at the conclusion that he was the happiest of boys. He had wriggled himself almost under the table, his chest tightly jammed against the edge, so that it would have puzzled any one to conjecture how he could find space to stow away any edibles, packed as closely as he was. "Come on, Fred, ain't this stunning? Don't I Avish mother was here, that's all," said little Tommy, giving another hitch to his chair that brought him the eighth of an inch closer, but had the effect of nearly upsetting the table. " Come, Fred, if that's your name, sit down and make yourself as much at home as Tommy does," said their host.

Fred, like most boys, had a keen appetite, and his immersion in the lake had rather in creased than diminished it, so needed no c second invitation. Tommy lost very little time in talking for the next half hour, merely remarking to Fred in a side speech — "Oh, my eye, wouldn't I like to get drownded every day, that's all ! " but as his eyes were eagerly scanning the good things before him, his companion readily comprehended his idea of being " drownded " meant the feast of his resurrection. As the repast drew to a conclusion, Tommy began to grow fidgetty and uncomfortable. " What's the matter, my boy ? " enquired the butler, kindly ; noticing his younger guest's unhappy aspect. " Nothink, sir, thank you, only — " Tommy paused. " Only, what ? Speak out, child ! " " Only, that I wish mother could taste seme of these nice things," replied Tommy, the tears almost blinding him to think he had been eating what his mother could not taste.

" God bless the boy ! " said the butler, " it does one good to see that boy's love for his mother," and rising hastily from the table, applied his handkerchief to his nose with a vehemence that betrayed it was a ruse to hide his emotion. " Noav Tommy, here's a basket; fill it with every thing you like for mother; and if it won't hold enough stuff your pockets." Tommy hastened to obey the injunction Avith great alacrity, and laid in a stock of provisions that ought to have lasted any reasonable woman a week, but the dutiful Tommy doubtless measured her appetite by his own, so packed basket, trousers and jacket pockets; finally he thought of his new cap, but concluded not to risk spoiling it; so with a sigh of regret, he said to the butler — " I can't hold any more, sir." " And do you not Avant to take some to your mother ?

" asked their friend, addressing Fred. " I have no mother, she died six months ago," replied Fred, with a quivering lip. A rustling of feminine ararments caused him to look up, and there at the doorway stood a fairy like looking girl, about ten years old, Avith long massive, golden, curls, and very dark blue eyes, with a skin so dazzlingly fair that she seemed almost transparent. " Ah, Miss Olga, have you come to see my little fellow who was so nearly drowned?" said the butler, addressing the little fairy. " No, I have come to see the boy who risked his life to save his friend," replied the young lady, looking steadily at Fred. " So the housekeeper has told you all about it, eh, Miss Olga ? " " Yes, aud I want to see what he is like ; he don't look like a common boy," she bluntly exclaimed, deliberately scanning Fred's dark curly head, and large expressive brown eyes, " and looks clever," she continued.

" Oh, ain't he, though ! " broke in little Tommy, anxious to add his testimony to his friend's merits, and delighted to hear him praised. " Old Skinner says he is the cleverest boy in the school." " Ah ! What school do you go to ? " enquired the butler. Fred's face grew deadly white, and turning to Tommy, he endeavoured to interrupt him, but it was too late. "We both go to St. Mathew's Charity School, Bethnal Green, but we don't wear the charity dress, only when we go to school, because mother says it is so ugly, sir; and the well off people's boys callus names; they call us ' charity brats,' and Fred's father, Avho is a policeman, don't like to see him in the nasty ugly dress, because Fred's mother used to cry Avhen she savv him in it." Fred glanced at the door where the little fairy had stood, and saw her retreating with out uttering a Avord.