Torwood's Trust. A novel

Front matter

TORWOOD'S TRUST. A stood. BV EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN. 1 Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety ... I protest, our plot is as good a plot as ever was laid.' Henry IV., Pt. I, Act H., Sc. III. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON : RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON, ftvtbUshtxs in ©ritnars to g)« JBaj«stB the fljtwtn. 1884. [All Rights Reserved.} CONTENTS OF VOL. II. CHAPTER PAGE I. A SECOND ALFRED BELASSIS 1 II. MRS. BELASSIS VISITS LADYWELL- - - 21 III. THE MISSING PAPER 40 IV. WILD OATS 59 V. A VISIT TO GERMANY - - 79 VI. DISCOMFITED 97 VII. BETSY LONG 117 VIII. BETROTHED - - - - - - - 135 IX. A GUEST FROM ITALY 155 X. FRIEND OR FOE? - Contents. IV CHAPTER PAGli XI. MRS. BELASSIS FINDS AN ALLY - - - 197 XII. MISS MARJORY'S OPINIONS - 218 XIII. PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS - 237 XIV. AN AGREEABLE DINNER - 258 XV. MAUD'S DECISION - - - TORWOOD'S TRUST.

Chapter I

A SECOND ALFRED BELASSIS. ISS MARJORY'S carefully planned dinner was a marked success, and was followed by a very pleasant evening, spent partly in the SAveet, old fashioned and faultlessly kept garden, and partly in the cool, softly lighted drawing room. Miss Marjory's guest and deputy landlord made himself most agreeable. He talked politics and science with Miss Marjory, told anecdotes and traA'eller's tales to Ethel, and discussed town talk with Horace, Avho had not long left London for Whitbury. AVhen Tor reached his room that night, it VOL. II. was with the consciousness that he had made at least one valuable friend, but at the same time with the fear that his position was gradually growing less and less secure. Troublesome reflections would crowd into his mind, and it was anything but a pleasant possibility that loomed before him, the thought that he might be branded as a felon and taste the sweets of convict-life !

That Avould be rather a heavy penalty to pay for the fraud he had practised for friendship's sake ; and yet it was just possible that an adverse fate might driA'e matters eA'en to such a crisis as that. What then Avould become of his in tended proposal to Maud ? She would be as hopelessly beyond his reach as if she were the wife of Lewis Belassis. The reflection was not inspiriting, but Tor shook himself, ' pulled himself together,' and smiled at his own depression. ' Never say die ! What can have come to me? There's no reason why I should be betrayed, or betray myself. Old Belassis will have enough on his hands, I should say, after my hints, without trying to upset my claim. I wonder what Miss Marjory knows about him. I must haA'e some more conversation AAdth her to-morrow. She is a clever woman, I am sure ; and will, I think, stand my friend.' So Tor argued himself out of his fears, and soon regained his customary elasticity of spirit.

He slept soundby, and woke in a happier frame of mind. He and Miss Marjory made the breakfast table very liA-ely ; and when she requested him to make a tour of inspection round house and gardens, Ethel and Horace smiled at one another, and said that Cousin Marjory had eA'idently made a conquest, and would haA'e no trouble in getting her OAvn way with the landlord, even were her demands more ex orbitant than they were known to be. Very brisk and business-like did Miss Marjory show herself as she conducted ' Mr. Debenham ' round ' his friend's ' propert}\ No smallest allusion did she make to Avhat had passed betAA'een them on the preA'ious afternoon, but confined herself exclusively to the matter in hand. She showed what had been done in house and garden since her father had taken out the lease, explained what 21—2 she wanted done now, and discussed with him Avhat she considered to be her share of the undertaking, and AA'hat she believed the landlord should be ready to do.

Her demands Avere both just and reasonable, and Tor assented readily to all she proposed, and would have eA'en done more, only that Miss Marjory checked him. ' Oh no, thank you. I don't wish to be extortionate; and besides, that AA'ould be Avasteful. I don't say but what the stables might haA'e been better arranged originally ; but they have done very well for us these twenty-eight years, and AAdll do so till the end of the chapter. There's no end to the expense when once you begin to dabble in bricks and mortar; and if you take my advice you'll let the matter alone. I've told you Avhat I Avant — the Avell, and the iron fencing, and general outside repairs. Yrou will have to spend a good deal over those. Don't run into needless expense.' ' Well, Miss Marjory, I will be guided by your judgment ; but you have done so much yourself, that it would be shabby of me not to be Avilling to meet you more than halfway.

Look at all the glass you have put up.' ' Yes ; that's my hobby. I can't do with out floA\'ers; and when you once begin, you must go on. There's no end to what one wants. I should like to haA'e seven acres of glass, like Veitch.' ' And OA'erlook all yourself, Miss Marjory ?' asked Tor, Avith a smile. ' Yes, of course. I always do want my finger in everybody's pie. I suppose you think I couldn't do it — an old woman like me. ' I have a A'ery strong impression that you coidd do anything you've a mind to, Miss Marjory,' answered Tor; and Miss Marjory laughed and shook her head at him in implied rebuke. ' Trying to practise on the credulity of an old woman, Mr. Debenham. As if I did not know all your tricks by heart — idle young good-for-nothings ! Come now, we have not quite done our business yet.

I have told my factotum tradesman to meet you here to-day, to give you a sort of general estimate as to time and cost. Y"ou AA'ill find him a very honest and capable man, this Alfred Belassis, and you cannot do better than employ him.' Tor's eyes opened wide. ' What name did you say ?' 'Alfred Belassis; lie is quite our model tradesman in Whitbury, for anything in the building line, Avithin or Avithout — a capital workman, though still young.' Tor was looking hard at Miss Marjory. ' Alfred Belassis!' he said slowly. 'Alfred Belassis! Hoav very curious!' ' Yes, it. is rather curious, isn't it ?' said Miss Marjory coolly ; ' the same name as that uncle of your friend's — of yours, I mean — of Avhom you think so highly. He will be here shortly, and my advice to you is — look well at him.' The significance of the last four Avords convinced Tor that Miss Marjory kneAV, or suspected, more than a mere coincidence in this identity of names ; but no more was said then, for the said Alfred Belassis was already approaching them, having been directed by the servants to the spot AA'here Miss Marjory and the landlord Avere consulting together.

The talk that followed Avas chiefly carried on betAveen the tradesman and Miss Mar jory, Tor contenting himself by assenting to what AA*as proposed, and throwing in an observation from time to time for form's sake. He followed Miss Marjory's adAnce to the letter, hoAA'ever, and looked well at Belassis, bestowing such careful scrutiny upon him as would have astonished him, had he been made aware of it. Yes, Tor Avas quite conA'inced that there Avas some vague likeness betAveen this young builder and Philip's Uncle Belassis. There was something similar in build and in voice; and several little tricks of manner were strongly alike. The younger man was a far pleasanter specimen of humanity, quiet, civil, ancl unassuming, yet thoroughly up to his work, and able to grasp Miss Marjory's meaning, and eA'en to make notes, in spite of her rapid delivery, which puzzled Tor more than once.

So he watched attentively, and the convic tion became stronger, and a sense of vague bewilderment grew up, as he traced more and more of the Belassis form and colouring in this Whitbury tradesman who bore their name. What it could all mean, he Avas at a loss to imagine. When Belassis was gone, Miss Marjory turned round with something of triumph in her tone. ' Well, and what do you say to that ? What have you made out there ?' ' He must come of the same stock, I think,' said Tor slowly. ' He certainly is rather like my uncle, unless my fancy has deceiA'ed me.' ' I do not imagine that it has,' said Miss Marjory significantly. ' Yrou believe he belongs to that family?' asked Tor. ' I haA'e never heard of him !' ' Probably not.' ' You think, as a poor relation, he has been kept in the background purposely ?' ' Alfred Belassis is by no means a poor man.

He is very well-to-do in the world.' ' But still in trade.' ' Yes, in trade ; but do you think a wealthy man, eA'en in trade, would be quite beneath Alfred Belassis' notice ?' ' I see you knoAV more than I do, Miss Marjory,' said Tor, the feeling of perplexity growing slowly upon him. ' Won't you confide in me now, and tell me Avhat it is?'' 1 Come into the shrubbery, then, where we can talk uninterrupted. I do not know much, but I suspect a good deal. Perhaps Ave can piece it together.' Tor followed her, wondering, but not seeing the end. Was this what she meant by ' putting a spoke in Belassis' wheel ' ? ' Now,' said Miss Marjory, seating herself upon a rustic chair, and bidding Tor follow her example. ' I suppose, as you are a man, you don't see an inch before your nose as yet ? Men neA'er do.' Tor was forced to admit that he didn't. ' Now, who do you suppose was the father of that young man ?' ' Was it a brother of Belassis ? — a brother who made a low marriage and was cast off, and never heard of more ?

That's what I fancy must have taken place.' ' Well, you might have made a worse shot,' returned Miss Marjory indulgently. ' How ever, you haven't quite got to the rights of it yet, as you Avill see when I tell you that the father's name was the same as the son s Alfred Belassis.' ' Alfred Belassis !' ' Yes, Alfred Belassis, brothers are not usually called by the same name.'_ ' A cousin ?' suggested Tor feebly ; but Miss Marjory cut him ruthlessly short. ' Cousin, indeed ! Don't make yourself out denser than you are ! I believe you have grasped the situation now.' ' Do you mean that you think he is my uncle's son?' quoth Tor. 'Impossible!' ' I believe he is Philip Debenham's uncle's son, most assuredly ; and so Avill you too, if you Avill only listen to me.' ' But has he, then, a right to his name ?' Tor could not help asking. ' Do you mean that Belassis has been twice married ?' ' Oh yes, he Avas married fast enough.

Mr. Longmore married them — my pretty Avaiting maid, Nelly Roberts, and that young loafer Alfred Belassis, whom Ave none of us kneAA', and none of us liked. But they Avould go their own way, and nobody could hinder the marriage. Nelly Avas one-and-tAventy, and he a little older. He made out that he Avas Avellto-do, and would make a lady of her ; and her silly head was turned, and they got married, and liA'ed for a few months at the Angler's Arms, Avhere he had been stopping for the fishing. And then one fine morning he got some letters from home, he told her, and must go away for a few days on business. He left no address, saying he would Avrite when he reached his destination, and she was too confiding to ask questions. He went away in ga}' good spirits, and neA'er returned again ; nor did any word or message from him ever reach her from that day forward.' ' The scoundrel !' muttered Tor. ' So AA'e all said,' assented Miss Marjory — ' all but Avho was convinced that some evil chance had befallen him.

There had been a bad coaching accident somewhere in the country on the day he had left her, and she was fully per suaded that he had been killed in it. Nobody else believed this theory, for we had none of us liked the young man, who was vulgar and pretentious, without having anything to re commend him. I told Nelly that no doubt his moA'ements could be traced, and her sus picion either verified or OA'erthrown ; and that if he Avas still liA'ing he could be made to support her. But her pride revolted against such a course. She showed AA'hat I considered a A'ery proper spirit, and said that if he had left her of his own free will, he might leaA'e her. She Avould never force herself Avhere she AA-as not Avanted, and make him support her, noAv that he Avas tired ofher, and despised her love. If he was dead, as she believed, search would be useless ; and if not, she AA'ould still not haA'e him found.

He could come back to her of his oaa'ii accord if he Avould ; if not, he might stay aAvay, and she would never trouble him more. We Whitbury people belieA'ed she had judged wisely for herself — such a marriage could only end in unhappiness — and we all pitied and helped her, for she Avas an orphan, poor child, and had no rela tiA'es in the neighbourhood.' Tor Avas listening intently, an uncomfortable feeling groAving up in his mind. ' Did she live long ?' be asked. ' I suppose she is not alive noAv ?' ' No. She li\-ed several years though, and brought np her little boy, Alfred, well and respectably ; but when lie was about four or five years old, as nearly as I can remember, her health failed A'ery much, and the charge of the child became more of a burden than she could undertake. I found a home for the boy in an institution, where he would be Avell cared for, and taught a useful trade ; and his mother, quite satisfied, went to live Avith some relatives in the South of England, avIio had offered her a home.

I heard from her from time to time, and then I AA'ent abroad for a couple of years, during Avhich period her letters quite ceased. When I came back, and could make inquiries, I found out that she had died, though how and when, I do not exactly know.' When she had died was, in Tor's mind, an important point. Miss Marjory and he Avere both thinking the same thing. ' Do you knoAV when your uncle's second marriage took place?' asked Miss Marjory abruptly. ' I haA'e been considering — I think it must haA'e been in or A'ery much about the year 1850.' ' Nelly Belassis Avas living in November, 1849,' remarked Miss Marjory — ' living, and in fair health, for I heard from her then. I do not know how long she lived after- Avards.' ' But surely Belassis knew,' said Tor. ' He is a villain, and a clumsy A'illain, too ; but I think he knows better than to perpetrate bigamy.

He must have kept his eye upon her, and A'erified her death.' ' It is possible, of course ; but I do not know hoAv he managed it, if he did. Nelly never heard one syllable from him during the years that folloAved the desertion, and you may be sure he would not let his face be seen in Whitbury. He had left too many bad debts behind him, perpetrated too many questionable actions, in addition to his conduct towards poor Nelly, eA'er to care to appear here again in a hurry. When Nelly left, I belieA'e nobody but myself knew whither she had gone ; so that, even if he did start an inquiry after her, there is every probability he would haA'e been baffled. It is my very firm impression that he just looked upon his doings here as a crop of wild oats that he had sown in his youth ; and trusted to the thousand and one chances of life, that if ever there came to be a harvest, it would not be his hand that would reap it.' Tor thought this supposition quite in keep ing with the clumsy rascality of Belassis, as he had seen it.

He had no opinion at all of Phil's uncle's capacity. His wife's shrewdness and his own dossed determination and brazen dis honesty had carried him safely on so far, when not opposed by any far-seeing or strong minded foe ; but he could quite believe him capable of running a tremendous risk rather than lose a present opportunity of good, or face a distinctly awkward position. ' You may be right,' he said slowly. ' He is a pitiful coward, and as covetous as Judas. I suppose to have acknoAvledged such a marriage would have ruined his prospects for life.' ' Just so. I imao;ine his father would have had scant mercy, if it had come to his ears.' ' If Belassis takes after his father, I should say he would.' There was a pause for reflection. ' I suppose you do not know much of this uncle's past history ?' ' No, little enough.

The real Phil might know more, perhaps, though I don't think it would come to much. I could find out, though, I dare say.' ' From Avhom ?' ' From Mrs. Lorraine, my aunt pro tern. Mrs. Belassis' sister, and Mrs. Debenham's.' ' From what you tell me of your mother's family — I mean, of course, Mr. Debenham's mother's family — they seem very Avell born people — quite superior to the Belassis'.' ' Yes, quite, I should say.' ' Then what made one of the sisters marry Alfred Belassis ?' ' That I don't know, but I might find out.' ' Do so if you can. Of course, a match like that would be an immense advantage to a man in his position ; one can understand that if such a thing as that Avere in vieAv, he Avould be reluctant enough to confess his former marriage with a lady's-maid. I Avonder if Nelly Avas dead at the time, and if he knew it.

Mr. Debenham, unless you can make sure of that fact, don't let your sister marry Lewis Belassis on any account.' ' I will not,' said Tor resolutely. ' You must find out the exact date of the A\-edding, and I will endeavour to find out that of Nelly's death. Unluckily, as all these things happened more than a quarter of a century ago, I am doubtful if I have even a record left of the place the poor girl went to. It Avas Devonshire or Dorsetshire, I think, but I can be sure of nothing. Still, I will do my best ; where there's a will there's a Avay. And I think you haA-e uoav another hold upon your Avorthy uncle.' ' I think so,' ansAA'ered Tor, with some satisfaction in his tone. ' If I Avish to be specially agreeable to him, or if he has been particularly pleasant to me, I can tell him that I haA'e been over to Whitbury, and ask him if he has any knowledge of the place.' Miss Marjory seemed to enjoy the idea of this question very much. ' Yes, Whitbury must recall many very pleasant associations ; for, as I tell you, he sowed plenty of Avild oats here before he spoilt poor Nelly's life.

Mr. Graves could, I fancy, lay his hands upon some papers which would be rather disconcerting to a man of his social standing. You could ask him if he remembers the lawyer Mr. GraA'es, or Miss Marjory vol. il Descartes. I should like to see his face if you did!' ' Did he know you, then ?' ' Oh, he knew me well enough to come and beg my intercession with Mr. Graves, for his poor dear Nelly's sake. I was a silly young thing in those days, with more money than wisdom ; and I was fond of Nelly, and did not Avant her to know what a precious sort of fellow this husband of hers was. So I gave him money, and got him off somehow ; but I don't imagine his "gratitude would teach him to welcome me very warmly now.' Tor smiled to himself. ' I could go on to sing your praises, and to assert my hope that some day I might see you at Ladywell.

May I really hope that you will visit us there one of these days ?' ' I'll come if you want me — if things are going badly with you, and a curb is wanted for Belassis. I'll come if my support will be of service to you ; but I don't often pay visits for pleasure. I always find that I wish myself home again in two days' time.' ' I trust you may not do that if you come to Ladywell,' said Tor gallantly. ' Such a promise almost makes a complication and danger desirable.' ' Stuff and nonsense ! don't talk rubbish to an old woman like me. I'll come if I'm needed ; and if not, I'll stay at home. But don't you be rash and drive Belassis to bay, or he might turn upon you. I'd advise you to say nothing about the kinsman you' A'e found here.' ' I shall not at present, at any rate. I have no vrish to drive things to a crisis ; but I think I shall be able to guess by his manner Avhether or not he knew of his first wife's death, before his second marriage.

I hope it is all right. I don't Avant, for the sake of wife and children, to drag up anything that would fall so hardly upon them ; but I don't care hoAv much of a dose's life I lead Belassis.' ' He deserves it all,' cried Miss Marjory, with energy ; ' only be careful.' ' I Avill. I live in a glass house myself ; but I shall certainly hold you over his head if he becomes objectionable.' ' Yes, you may do that. I rather like an encounter of Avits myself. In the days of my youth I was a good hand at retort. I don't 22—2 think my tongue has quite lost its cunning even now.' ' I don't think so either,' smiled Tor. ( Yes, we must certainlv contrive a meeting, face to face. ' Miss Marjory would make no definite promise, but Tor Avent away convinced that he had gained a valuable ally, and one who would never desert him, and AA'ho AA'ould, perhaps, be more dangerous to Belassis than he himself could be.

There was something in Miss Marjory's assured position and in the respect which she ahvays inspired, as well as in her age and experience, which was very encouraging to the young man, who certainly needed all the advantages he could secure ; and he was noAV exceedingly glad that the lease of his house had fallen in, and that Miss Marjory had sum moned him to Whitbury.

Chapter II. Mrs Belassis Visits Ladywell

I Avas on a Tuesday morning that Maud said good-bye to her brother, and saw him set out for Yorkshire ; and on the Wednesday morning, Avhilst riding out through the great avenue, she Avas sur prised to see her Aunt Celia, Avalking in her resolute way up to the house. Mrs. Belassis seldom visited LadyAvell, and never before had she been there at so un seasonable an hour. Maud looked wonderingly at her, and stopped her horse, as she met the business-like figure. ' Do you AA'ant anybody, Aunt Celia?' she asked. ' You Avill only find Aunt Olive at home. Phil has gone into Yorkshire, but he AA'ill be back this eA'ening. Can I do anything for you?' 'Your brother is away, is he?' asked Mrs. Belassis, as though surprised. In reality she was perfectly Avell aware of the fact. Had her nephew been at home, she would not haA-e taken the trouble to pay this visit. ' Yes; but he comes back to-night.

Can I give him any message?' Mrs. Belassis seemed to consider. ' Well, as I am so near I will go on and see your Aunt Olive,' she said indifferently. ' I had a question I wished to ask Philip ; but that can Avait. I will not interrupt you, my dear. I hope you will haA'e a pleasant ride.' Maud rode on, a disdainful look crossing her pretty face. ' I wonder if Aunt Celia is up to anything,' she mused. ' She generally is when she smiles and says " my dear," and puts on her gracious air. How I do loathe Aunt Celia! I do believe she is worse than Uncle Belassis. I am afraid she is Phil's enemy — not that that matters much, for she couldn't do him any harm. Sometimes 1 fancy Phil has something on his mind ; but I don't see that he need. I wonder why he said yesterday that he Avas sure Aunt Olive and I would always stand his friends, through thick and thin.

I should think I just Avould!' and Maud's eyes flashed. ' I'd stand by him Avhatever happened — Avhat ever he'd said or done, or Avhatever people said of him. There's nobody like my Phil. I loA'e his little finger better than all the rest of the world put together. If ever he is in any danger, won't I shoAv him how I love him !' Maud's whole face glowed, and she urged her horse to a gallop in her generous enthusiasm, and rode far and fast that day. Mrs. Belassis walked boldly up to the house. She did not ring the bell, although she was on anything but intimate terms with the household at Ladywell ; she preferred to walk straight into the great hall, where she paused and looked about her. Nobody was in sight. Neither manservant nor maidservant, bond nor free, had observed her entrance, and Avith a certain snake-like look of satisfaction, she quietly crossed the hall, and entered a small room Avhich looked o\'er the garden, and which generally went by the name of ' Phil's den.' Once inside this room, she closed the door softly and stealthily, and looked for a moment as though she Avould have locked it too ; but on second thoughts she seemed to decide against doing so, and muttering, ' It might look suspicious if anyone should come,' turned away.

The room was not large, and was furnished quite in bachelor fashion, with a shabby but luxuriously easy leather chair, a multitude of pipes and cigar - boxes ; one small table beside the easy-chair, Avhich Avas strewn with neAvspapers and smoking apparatus, and a large writing-table full of drawers Avhich stood in the AvindoAV. The Avails were adorned by guns and fishing-tackle, and by some en gravings which sliOAved greater taste for art, and less for sport, than do most bachelors' pictures. It was a snug, cosy room ; and the presence of a second and much daintier arm chair, in the opposite corner, seemed to in dicate that Maud liked at times to be her brother's ' den companion.' Mrs. Belassis' keen eye took all this in at a glance. She saw in a moment where lay her work, and she seated herself in a quiet business-like way at the writing table. ' It will be rather odd,' she muttered to herself, ' if amongst all his papers I clo not find something to give me a clue, if there is anything wrong, and I'm not generally deceived when I take an idea into my head.' Mrs. Belassis set to work in a methodical way.

She began with the small drawers at the top of the table, and turned the contents rapidly over, spreading out the papers and glancing quickly over them. She did not seem to find anything of any interest amongst these, and in ten minutes that part of her search was completed. It was with greater deliberation that she commenced to open the larger clraAvers on either side of her; and her face was more set, her eyes more curious than ever, as this task proceeded. First came papers and memoranda connected Avith the Ladywell property, bills, receipts, correspondence as to cattle, hay, poultry, and the thousand and one transactions necessitated by a farm and estate. Tor was not a specially orderly man, but he had a method of classi fication with his papers, Avhich enabled him to lay his hand readily upon anything he wanted.

A feAV minutes' study convinced Mrs. Belassis that there was nothing to be gained by a minute inspection of these papers, so they Avere replaced in their drawer, and the next one opened. * This contained private bills and correspondence, and Mrs. Belassis looked as if she anticipated considerable information from the heap of papers she drew out. ' Extravagant !' she muttered more than once ; a dark look crossing her face as she came across receipted bills for dresses, jewellery, and finery of all kinds for Maud, and hand some silks and laces, in which she knew her sister Olive had appeared. Still, amongst all these bills and papers she did not seem to find what she wanted, although more than enough to annoy and anger her. The letters were all addressed to ' Philip Debenham, Esq.,' and were for the most part petitions from charitable institu tions, notices from picturedealers, or offers of everything for nothing from companies and tradespeople.