Driven before the Storm

Front matter

■ ■ VOL. BY GERTRUDE FORDE, AUTHOR OF "a lady's tour in corsica," u in the old palazzo," etc., etc. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON : HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1887. All Rights reserved. Richard Clay and Sons, bread street hill, london, Bungo.y, Suffolk: CONTENTS OP THE SECOND VOLUME. CHAPTER PAG1- I. CROSSED SWORDS 1 II. A FATEFUL MEETING 30 III. GATHERING CLOUDS 51 iv. waif's treasure 73 V. STRUCK BY THE BOLT 89 VI. WAITING FOR TRIAL 103 VII. FOUND GUILTY 144 VIII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH . . 164 IX. A RAY IN THE DARKNESS 180 X. VISIONS OF HORROR 197 XI. JOHN TONSONBY, Q.C 228 XII. THE Q.C. UNDERTAKES AN ILLEGAL COMMISSION 249 XIII. IS ALL HOPE OVER?

Chapter I. Crossed Swords

' God ofttimes would enrich, But finds not where to place His treasure — nor in hand Nor heart a vacant place.' — Old MSS. The next day Barrington returned to town by the mid-day train. He was more in love than ever ; but inclined to take Mr. Brereton's opposition with a good-humoured indifference, in the face of his happy con viction that no earthly influence would be likely to shake Nell's constancy. He was VOL. II. B only sorry for her, poor child, having to undergo harassing discussions and perhaps petty persecutions on the score of her enp-ao-ement ; but he felt clear that all this would in time blow over, and he and his fiancee be able to see each other, as was fitting, at her own home. For the present, however, they must content themselves with the prospect of meeting shortly in the house of a friend near London, where Nell was engaged to pay a visit, and where he had promised to call upon her.

Meanwhile, Barrington was once more in his London chambers, seeing a good many friends, and dining out a good deal, but employed also in some business transactions, which took up a fair amount of time and thought. These transactions had for basis the effort he was making to understand more exactly the condition of his own affairs, pecuniary and otherwise ; and to see how far it would be feasible and advisable, in the event of his marriap-e, for him to take up his permanent abode at his child hood's home. He had every confident in the lawyer who had charge of his affairs ; and until now had made no great attempt to comprehend legal details or precise facts and figures. But now he felt it was a differeut matter. He must know exactly how far he was correct in believing himself to be in a position to marry a woman accustomed to every refinement and luxury of life ; and also whether it would be in his power to bring her to the home where undoubtedly she would be likely to hold a better position than elsewhere.

The result of his investigations was on the whole a cheering one. All his father's creditors had been satis- B fied, and one or two of the principal mort gages on the property paid off. The present income was not a large one, but it was upon the increase ; and, with care in his expenditure, there was no reason why he should not return to his father's county, and to the family home. These details were in their course duly transmitted to Mr. Brereton, who received them politely, but with a guarded caution. That they were not without their effect, however, was shown by the fact that Nell began now to hint at the possibility of an invitation arriving soon for him to the Cedars, and to speak of her step-father's opposition as gradually dying away into a mere querulous irritability. She did not, however, tell him how hard a battle she had fought to wring this invitation from Mr. Brereton ; nor how bitter had been the sneers of her step-brother when informed of the intention.

It was quite curious to note the exceeding antipathy felt by Robert Brereton towards De Witt. He would probably, however, have experienced small cordiality towards any man aspiring to be Nell's husband ; and this for substantial although not highly honourable reasons. If Mr. Brereton were fond of money, his son Robert was mean and covetous ; if the father were irritable and unpleasant tempered, the son was morose and vindic tive. He was his father intensified and narrowed, mentally and morally the type which, in the elder man, was not a lofty one, in the younger was still further debased. Mr. Brereton was close in regard to money matters, but to a certain degree he was just and honourable ; it is more than doubtful whether this could be said of Robert, who moreover was extravagant and even dissipated— unknown to the elder man, who was strict to severity, as the other knew, on all matters pertaining to morality.

It was undoubtedly a sore point with Mr. Brereton to contemplate the loss of his step-daughter's income from the general fund, justly as he told himself he had applied it to her sole use and benefit ; but to Robert, who foresaw, at her departure, a shortened allowance, fewer horses to ride, a less luxuriously appointed table — and to whom all these things meant the very essence of life, the enjoyments for which he existed, it was a fact to be regarded with unmitip-ated anger and disgust. But this was not all. His dislike was not general only; it was also personal. It was Barrington's usual fate to go through life making many friends and few enemies ; but, in this case, perhaps the very qualities which gave him popularity with the world at large, had most excited the animosity of Robert Brereton.

Much as the latter de clared he despised society, yet in his heart he most hated those men, whose unlikeness to himself made them most shine in society ; and De Witt's easy good-breeding, as much as his good looks and imperturbable sweet temper, he felt to be, on all occasions when they had been in each other's company, a most undesirable and humiliating foil to his own manners and appearance. Then, too, despite the good-humoured politeness of Barrington's tone and manner, he had somehow arrived at a suspicion of the light in which the other really regarded him. I suppose the poorest nature is not beneath some faint desire for its own good opinion and the good opinion of others ; and probably the least gentlemanly man breathing would rather not be thought a cad. Be that as it may, Robert Brereton did not love his future brother-in-law ; and the latter might be said to reciprocate the feeling thoroughly after his own fashion.

John Ponsonby had been a frequent caller at Barrington's rooms, as frequent at least as his now busy career would permit him to be. The two had taken to each other first in the Naples hotel, and now renewed the intimacy, smoking many a quiet cigar over De Witt's fire, or dining together snugly at Ponsonby's club, pre paratory to an evening stroll, or the seeing of a new play. Ponsonby amused his friend consider ably one night. He was often amusing, but usually consciously so. To-nio-ht he provided his companion with entertainment of an involuntary nature, as he sat stretch ing his legs out towards the pleasant blaze, and enjoying, with a Sybaritic calm, the warm room with its heavy curtains that shut out the remains of a dull October day. John Ponsonby was erratic in all his movements, and he now suddenly leapt to his feet and bent over the mantelpiece. ' Who's that ? ' he asked, indicating a vignette photograph that adorned the mirror. ' What a beautiful face, by Jove !

You hadn't that here before, De Witt.' ' I'm glad you like her,' said Barrington smiling ; ' for she is a great friend of mine.' ' Not your fiancee ? ' ' Rather not ! ' ' I don't see any rather about it. You might be proud enough if she were.' Barrington broke into a peal of laughter — laughter which was so infectious, because he always seemed to enjoy it so much himself — but John Ponsonby looked at him puzzled and half-frowning. ' Don't be hot about it, old fellow ! I'm a great admirer of hers too, I assure you, though she isn't my fiancee. But she's single, if you like to try your chance. Only I warn you she is older than you.' ' Really % ' asked the other. ' Then this photograph has been taken some time ? ' ' No, only last year. She doesn't look a day older than that ; and she is very pretty.

But I couldn't very well marry her, John, seeing that she is my aunt.' ' Your aunt ! Impossible ! ' Barrington burst into another peal ' Poor old Pon ! Don't look so disap pointed. Wait till you see her. I believe it's a real case of love at first sio-ht' Ponsonby returned to his seat, first ad ministering a shake en passant to his friend's shoulder. ' Stop that guffawing, you fool you ! I never saw such a fellow as you for enjoying jokes that no one else sees.' ' I so seldom have the chance of laupdiinp; at you, Ponsonby. You barristers are too sharp to be caught often. You're so accustomed to make everybody else ridicul ous that it's extra sweet to turn the tables on you. An hour later, when Ponsonby rose to go, taking another cigar from Barrington's box to console him on his way, he turned for one more glance at the photograph. ' I wonder now,' he remarked specul atively, ' how it came to pass that a woman with a face like that remained unmarried ? ' ' Not for want of the asking, I imagine,' replied Barrington with a smile ; for a man in love is apt to drop some of the more conceited dogmas of his sex. ' I suppose she was hard to please,' said Ponsonby, as he struck a fusee. ' She hadn't seen you then, my dear fellow, you know ! ' 1 And she's your aunt !

Good Heavens ! ' ' Well, she isn't so very old for all that.' ' What does she do with herself ? ' ' Well, till the last two years she was always busy nursing an invalid mother. Now, she's dead, and Aunt Judy lives with a widowed friend of hers in Kensington.' 'Aunt Judy! Good Lord!' ejaculated his companion, as he slowly lit his cigar and turned to go, indifferent to Barrington's amused countenance. A day or two after this De Witt called at the house of the friend with whom Miss Lingwood was staying, and who, having been put au fait of the latter's engagement, good-naturedly planned so that the two should spend several hours together ; and here Nell informed him that he was ex pected shortly at her own home, and that even now a letter was on its way, she believed, containing Mr. Brereton's invitation.

Sir Simon, she said, had written a most kind and cordial note of congratulation to his old acquaintance, Mr. Brereton, speaking in terms of affection of his young cousin ; and this incident it was, Nell thought, which had finally broken down the last straw of opposition, and convinced her step-father that he must openly countenance the engagement. The next morning the letter arrived ; and a week later saw De Witt on his way from Town to the little station of Cotswold Moors. A carriage and pair met him this time, and he drove up in state to the Cedars, Mr. Brereton greeting him upon his arrival after a fashion that was perfectly civil if not exactly cordial, whilst Mrs. Brereton, no longer obliged to warp her natural inclina tions by the force of circumstances and the pressure of her husband's will, at once resumed a kindly, almost affectionate, manner.

She was the most lenient and good-natured of chaperones ; indeed she seemed inclined to consider chaperonage scarcely necessary betwixt Nell and her affianced lover, and let the two young people manage matters pretty much as it pleased them. Mr. Brereton, it seemed to De Witt, spent the greater part of the day in his study, transacting magistrate's business or writing letters. His only other occupation of interest appeared to be an incessant criticism, generally unfavourable, of the mode in which the cook sent up the details of the breakfast or dinner, on which subject he worried his wife a good deal. He troubled Barrington little, however, rarely addressing him except during meal times, when the conversation of every one was apt to be a little stiff and disjointed. The only member of the household wdio in any way interfered with the enjoyment of the two was Robert ; and neither of them could have told why it was that Robert was such a perpetual thorn in the flesh to both.

Robert never opened a book, and had no private den to which to retire ; hence, except when out with his gun, he was usually to be seen with his hands in his pockets standing before the fireplace or gazing out of the window, or maybe wandering aimlessly from room to room with no apparent purpose. He was more taciturn than ever in De Witt's presence ; and the latter felt in tuitively that he hated him. He seemed to have a talent — perhaps the only one he possessed — of conveying insult by his manner, and a sneer by his looks, whilst avoiding open or verbal incivility. At first Barrington took little notice of this ; but, as by degrees he observed more of the nature of the young man, he came to the conclusion that Robert was not merely an unpleasant companion, but that he could also be a dangerous opponent.

There was more of cunning and of a certain low ability about him than Barrington had at first supposed. He was, he began to think, less foolish and more vicious than he had at first appeared to be. He began to avoid Nell's step-brother, and to address him as little as possible ; and he sometimes found himself engaged in a half-contemptuous scrutiny of the latter, which was possibly perceptible to its object. Nell was sorry to see the growing dislike between the two young men ; but how could she blame her fiance? He was always polite outwardly to Robert, as to every one ; and could she be astonished if the expres sion of his features manifested feelings which in her heart she fully shared ? Mrs. Brereton, however, before whom perhaps Robert may have displayed his more un reserved animosity, was frightened by the strength of the latter 's dislike, and greatly dreaded her husband's making the discovery of this reciprocal and unfortunate sentiment, which, with her usual good-natured but not VOL. II. c over-wise mode of tactics, she strove to disguise or to smooth over.

Matters, however, after a while culmin ated, and determined De Witt to bring his visit to a somewhat abrupt conclusion. The climax came about on this wise. He was seated one morning on the stile lead ing from the park towards the wood, smoking an early cigar, when he noticed AVill Barrett approaching from the direction of the cottage. The young gamekeeper had his head bent downwards, and he did not seem to observe Barrington at first. ' Good morning,' said the latter, with a friendly nod, ' where are we going to shoot to-day ? ' Will glanced up hastily, and De Witt saw that his face was crimson, and his eyes full of a suppressed rage. He stood stdl, touching his cap instinct ively ; but it was clear that he had not heard the question addressed to him. ' Are you a friend of the young squire up there ? ' he asked, with uncontrollable passion, pointing with his thumb towards the Cedars.

De Witt removed his cigar from his lips, and gazed at him in astonishment without replying. The young man was usually so civil, that, although reported to be of a violent temper, the transformation of his ordinary quiet taciturn manner was startling. ' Because, if you are,' he continued, in the same tone, ' you may warn him not to go hanging about our house any more, or he'll pay for it ! ' And before Barrington had time to reply, he was off, and had disappeared down one of the winding paths with a rapid, angry stride. c i The incident made an impression, as was natural, upon De Witt's mind ; but he kept it to himself for some days, drawing his own conclusions of the truth — conclusions necessarily unflattering to Robert Brereton. It was no part of his duty to bestow upon that young man a warning which might possibly have, for sole result, the dismissal of Will Barrett from his situation.

His sympathies entirely sided with the young gamekeeper, who, moreover, excited his amused pity by the nervous civility of his manner on the next occasion of their coming into contact with each other. Poor Will seemed to have repented heartily of his temporary display of passion, and to be terribly afraid lest Barrinoton should deliver him up to judgment. His politeness became almost servile to the guest, and brought a smile to the lips of the latter, after the first incident had almost faded from his memory. A few days later, however, it recurred to his mind. It was on a damp, chilly after noon — too raw a day for Nell, who had a slight cold, to go out — when, returning homewards from a solitary stroll with his gun, two or three birds in his pocket, he saw coming towards him down the avenue, Robert Brereton and Lucy Barrett, side by side.

There was no by-path of any sort ; but, on perceiving his approach, the young girl broke away hastily from her companion, and fled onwards, passing De Witt wdthout recognition, and with a shamefaced air. Robert paused a moment in deliberation ; then he turned leisurely to go homewards, his pace so slow that De Witt could scarcely avoid coming up with him. The latter, however, had taken his resolution, and, as he reached young Brereton, paused and walked beside him. Something about the pretty, terrified face of the poor child who had scudded past him like a frightened hare, seemed to appeal to his sense of manliness, to his protection. To any man worth his salt, who is in love, all women become, after a fashion, as sisteis — the honour of all and every one is sacred. He felt his task the easier as he glanced towards the countenance of his companion, rendered even less attractive than usual by its undisguised temper. ' Why don't you let that girl alone ? ' he asked tersely. ' You will have an account to settle with her brother some day, I expect, if you don't look out.' ' Why don't you mind your own business ? ' retorted the other. ' It's every man's business to keep a nice girl from being ruined,' was the prompt reply.

Robert Brereton's face, as he turned it towards his companion, was not pleasant to see. De Witt had not thought it capable of so much energy of expression ; and for a moment it almost raised his opinion of the voung man to find he had it in him to go into a rousing passion. ♦ ' You whitewashed, insufferable dandy ! ' he exclaimed, throwing off all disguise of the feelings he entertained towards De Witt ; ' what do you mean by interfering in my affairs ? Do you think I want your advice how to conduct myself ? ' Barrington shrugged his shoulders with a contemptuous smile. ' You will do as you please, of course,' he said. ' I have given you my warning.' ' And who cares for your warning, do you think ? Doesn't your own game content you ? — establishing yourself in my father's house, and never speaking a civil word to him or me ' ' You don't suppose that I came down for the pleasure of seeing you ? ' asked De Witt.

But his calmness only seemed to add fuel to the flames of the other's fury. ' No,' he retorted, ' I'm not quite such a fool as to think that. I saw your game at Capri. You ain't the first fortune hunter I've met — with all your hypocritical moralities ! ' De Witt stood a moment before him in the path, barring the way. A slight flush had risen to his sunburnt cheek, but his tone was quieter than ever. ' That will do,' he said, looking down upon his companion from his superior height ; ' no more of that, if you please. Leave out allusions to — to Miss Lingwood. I have no wish to kick you as you deserve, because you cannot help being an unmiti gated snob ; but, if you bring in her name again, I will knock you head over heels into that brushwood ! So look out.' Robert stuttered, and, for a moment, looked as if he was inclined to strike at his companion ; but if so, he thought better of the temptation, and with a muttered curse walked on.

De Witt allowed him to pass, and turning back, sought another, longer, route to the house. It was not a comfortable idea to have to return to the Cedars ; it is not an agreeable thing to sit at the dinner-table opposite your host's son, directly after informing him that you consider him an unmitigated snob, and have offered to knock him over ; but, under certain circumstances, it is a discomfort which has to be endured. Barrington, however, at once decided to leave the house the next day ; a decision not affected by the fact that the other members of the Brereton family party clearly as yet knew no more of the fracas between the two, than might be guessed from the more than usually savage acerbity of Robert's manner at table. After De Witt's departure, no doubt he might possibly make capital out of the quarrel ; but, for the present, he evidently and wisely dreaded the origin of the dispute reaching his father's ears.

So Barrington, unwilling to state the truth, had to make what excuses he could ; a course which was rendered the easier by the fact that he had already remained almost as long as he intended with his fiancee's relations. Nell, however, guessed the facts at once, and taxed him with them. ' You and Robert have fallen out,' she exclaimed, when he informed her of his intended departure the following day. ' I knew it must come to that soon.' But Barrington would give her no answer but a smile. ' Don't you think I've been here long enough ? ' he asked. ' I'm afraid I have tired every one out but you, Nell. But I shall be down again in December. I can't do longer than that without a sight of you.' ' You will come to this house, Barrington ? ' ' I think not, my darling. I shall pro bably put up at the village inn, and come over to see you every day.

And I will bring down my horse, and we will have some rides together.' Nell made no reply, but her face looked a little sad ancl wistful ; and he planted a kiss upon the thoughtful frown that marked the white forehead. ' And then in March, my queen — -no more separation, no more village inns, no more Roberts after that ! What a shame it should be March — why couldn't it be December ? ' ' Yes, I think of that time, Barrington, when I feel I am losing patience and growing angry with these people who don't care for you. I say to myself it is only a little test — and perhaps a useful one. I must not grow irritable with them, and let myself be soured in temper ; nor must I worry over it, for fear it should make me grow old and ugly in face ! And oh, Barrington, I know I have a naughty temper, and I do worry — how I wish I were like you, who are always sweet-tempered.' ' Don't, my darling,' he whispered, as he took her in his arms ; ' you humiliate me by talking so.

It makes me feel sad to leave you, my Nell — I know your home is not as happy a one as it might be.' ' Dear mother means to be kind, Bar rington ; she cannot help being swayed by papa in everything ; and it is better for her that she should not have an obstinate nature, like me. But I am happy, clear. So long as we are one I can never be anything else.' ' God bless you ! ' he said softly ; and for a little while they sat on in the gathering twilight of the autumn day, in a silence full of that sweet unspoken sympathy which must surely be the speech of heaven.

Chapter II

A FATEFUL MEETING. ' No rush of the mournful waters Breaks on the ear — To tell us, when life is strongest, That death flows near.'— B. M. It was a beautiful January day — such a day as our continental neighbours, as well as many of ourselves, are in the habit of considering the exclusive property of the genial South, but which are, nevertheless, not so uncommon to England — clear, bright and sunny, with a blue sky and a suspicion of frost, but not a suspicion of wind to accentuate the frost. To De Witt — in the prime of life and health, going to meet the girl he loved, rich in friends, devoid of cares, and antici pating a happy future — it seemed as if the crisp brilliancy of the afternoon, so con genial to his cheerful mood, excelled in beauty that of any previous winters day ; and as he walked along the country lanes leading towards the Cedars, he alternately whistled and sang, every now and then sliding with boyish energy down some more propitious-looking rut or other that gave a faint indication of ice.

Waif, as usual, shared his companion's mood — for never was dog more completely one with his master than this dog — career ing back and forwards with an utterly lost sense of dignity, and giving vent to an occasional sharp, short bark of pure enjoyment, as he madly circled round, in true colley-wise. They were now approaching the drive and plantation ; and as De AVitt vaulted the stile leading into the grounds, he re called with a smile the last parting between Nell and himself, when she had escorted him to this spot on his way to the station some weeks ago. Five weeks ! It was a long time to have been without a sight of her sweet face. And still nearly three months before she would be his, for good ancl all. AA'hat unnecessary delay, enforced merely for the satisfying of old Brereton's whims !

Perhaps — poor old beggar — it did come rather rough on him to have to give up that thousand per annum ; after twelve years ordering, it must seem a grievance to lose it. No wonder he did not look with eyes of overweening affection upon his future step-son-in-law. It was but human nature. For his part, Barrington would have been quite willing to let him keep Nell's minority allowance — the residue of her fortune to come to her, according to the conditions of her father's will, on the attainment of her twenty-fourth birthday, was enough and more than he desired in the way of his wife's dowry ; but bequests, he knew, were not so easy to set aside, and wills have to be carried out. AAliat was the exact amount of the girl's fortune he was even yet not quite clear ; but that he would have preferred it less, he honestly felt.

He did not despise money, for — as has been justly said — none but fools do that ; but he cared little about the possession of wealth, especially when accruing to him from the side of the wife. He had always been in the habit of rather pitying men who married great heiresses, as placing themselves in an unpleasant VOL II. D position ; and at first had experienced some thing of a repulsion against the fact in his own case. But he had ceased to think of it of late. He loved Nell too exclusively for herself to trouble himself any longer about extraneous matters such as these. His arrival to-day was a little bit of a surprise to her. He had written to tell her he was coming down, but only the night before. He had preferred this course, in tending, as he did, to put up at the village inn. Even had he been pressed to do so, he could not take up his quarters at the Cedars.

Large house as it was, it was not large enough for himself and Robert Brereton. At this moment he started, for a gun was fired off but a few paces from him, and the shot whistled almost around his ears, coming apparently from a side-path parallel with the main avenue down which he walked. Into this path he turned aside quickly. Whatever sportsman were playing this foolish little game must be stopped — a dose of even small shot in the face would be neither agreeable nor strictly ornamental, either for himself or AVaif. AVaif, by the bye, was out of sight for a moment ; what was the dog doing ? — was he getting into mischief? Suddenly a voice fell upon his ear, and he turned the corner more rapidly, whilst his face took a new expression. ' I'll teach you to come poaching, you infernal hound ! ' growled discordant tones ; and as AVaif leapt backwards to meet his master, De AVitt came face to face with Robert Brereton, his gun still smoking, the elder keeper behind him.