Victor and Vanquished, etc

Front matter

■ ■ ■ VOL. I. BT MARY CECIL HAY, AUTHOR OF " HIDDEN PERILS," &a. Ac. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARYBOROUGH STREET. 1874. Alt rights reserved. LONDON : PRINTED BV MACDONALD AND TUG WELL. BLENHEIM HOUSE. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. OILAPTEE PAGE I. Among the Hills 1 IT. The First Night at High Athelston . 23 IH. SOAVING THE BlTTER SEED .... 33 IV. .Marjorie ... ... 55 V. Night in Nether Lane .... 91 VI. Marjorie's Home 106 VLL Face to Face 128 VIII. Jelfrey's Tactics 158 IX. The Mountain Tarn 173 X. The Birth of a Plot . . . .212 XL Laying the Train 223 XII. Stolen . . ■ 240 XIII. The Artist's Cottage . . . .250 XIV. Gone 266 XV. Marjorie forms a Resolution . . .276

Chapter I. Among The Hills

s WOULD rather not state exactly whether it ■*■ lies in the North of England, or the South, or the East, or the West, for some old inhabit ant may swoop down npon me with proof of the fogginess of my memory, or the inaccuracy of my local geography. But I do assert that High shire is one of England's most beautiful coun ties, and that it owes its beauty chiefly to the glorious hills that guard, and almost encircle, the small county town of Churchill. Hill beyond hill, hill behind hill, they stretch for twenty miles. The highest of the group — throughout the district called, par excellence, The VOL. I. B Mountain — rises seventeen hundred feet above the level of the sea. Yet its ascent is easy now, as a carriage -drive has been constructed round it, railed to ensure the safety of the many horses which are brought here through the Summer months.

The summit of the mountain is a vast table-land, and its sides are rich in furze and heath and bracken ; but it is hardly so favourite a resting-place for the pic-nic parties which flock here from Spring to Autumn, as is the beautiful ravine which separates the mountain from the opposite hills. At the head of this ravine, a restless stream falls over the rocks, and forms a cascade of considerable height ; then, following its irre gular course, it dances on, from right to left, and left to right, through the soft green turf,Avhile countless small streams from the hills opposite rush, with a laughing music, down to join it, swelling it at last to an imposing rivulet before it darts from the turf under the low stone bridge beloAV the valley gate. For the low sweep of level turf, lying between the moun tain and the chain of smaller hills, is wide enough here (where it meets the road) to be termed a valley, though but a narrow and a rugged ravine where the hills close above it near the waterfall.

Behind and beyond the Fall, as the ravine grows wilder and more rug ged, and the hills toAver higher still on either side, the scene is Avild and desolate, the isola tion complete, and the way dangerous. The sides of the hills are so broken into deep nar row passes Avith precipitous sides, and the rocks rise now so sharp and pointed, now so treach erous in their smooth, sheer descent, that Avhat wonder is it that in Churchill records there are names of those who have been lost among these hills ? A little above the Fall, and in a hollow which the foot-path does not reach, though it is grad ual and verdant, lies a silent mountain tarn, a still lake, which has an unspeakable gloom about it, beyond that gloom which seems to belong to all water lying in the shadow of the hills. No one who stands a moment upon its brink, wondering at its stillness, but is glad to leave it, and pass down into the valb2 ley, where the sunshine falls so widely and so Avarmly.

But we can leave the valley now. We pass through the gate — beside which stands a pic turesque little cottage, where tea is provided for pic-nic parties, aud stabling for the horses, which are seldom taken beyond here — and find ourselves out in the turnpike road. On our right, bordering the \-alley, lies the steep Avell-ordered garden of the Rectory ; and from its sloping drive, or from the door of the handsome modern house, our eyes can take in a wide stretch of the valley below. Be hind, the carriage-drive round the mountain, skirts the farm-yard of the Rectory — for the Reverend Henry Jorden is no mean farmer, and his comely wife does not fancy the produce of any dairy but her OAvn. A quarter ofa mile more of wide, white roadAve traverse, and then we come upon the old grey church, standing high and grave among the mountain shadows, looking ahvays down upon the one steep street which forms the little town of Churchill.

Midway down this long street stands the old-fashioned pump, with its three lamps above ; and, opposite this, a narrow side street ends abruptly in the railway-station. We pass the sleepy shops and quaint old houses of the main thoroughfare, and reach the more pretentious dwellings in the suburbs — dwellings over Avhose grey stone walls the holly bulges with a look of comfortable abundance, hiding the " genteel villa " from the vulgar gaze. Then again, we find ourselves in the hedge-bound road, which winds on before us to Bleaborough, the county toAvn of Highshire ; and behind us, through Churchill, on, and on, and on, to London. Two miles, uninterrupted by any dwelling we need mention, then upon our right rises the high grey wall which bounds the park of High Athelston, broken presently by the bronze gates and. ivy-covered lodges.

Two lamps hang high above the gates, and between them stands a great stone shield, bearing the arms of the Athelstons — a leopard couchant. A grand old mellow house is High Athelston, standing among the rich and heavy trees, as it has stood for centuries. From the wide gates a stately avenue leads to the pillared entrance. Passing this without entering, we descend one of the flights of steps which lead from terrace to terrace on the western side of the house, and turn aside into a by-path across the park; thread our way through a sombre shrubbery, where thick dark arches of yew and holly make tAvi light of the sunniest Summer noon ; and reach a narrow green door in the north wall of the park. Passing through this, saluted noisily from the rookery in the high old limes above us, we find ourselves in Nether Lane, a narrow road bordered by two rows of Ioav elms, which in Summer time throw heavy bars of shade across the sunlit way.

Midway between this door and Churchill — for the lane merges into the high-road ou the outskirts of the town — stand the only two cottages which the lane con tains. They are built under one roof, and Ue back in a vegetable garden, divided into two by a narrow paling. The sheltering trees do not extend beyond the cottages; the lane is open then, and when we reach the end we stand once more in the suburbs of Churchill. But we have now a journey to make beyond the town in the opposite direction, so again Ave pass the picturesque old lamp half way up the hilly street ; linger a moment looking into the peaceful churchyard; then walk on along the higlrway, which the Churchill people designate " the London road," while on the other side of the town it is known only as " the Bleaborough road." And now, after only a few minutes' walk, we reach The Anchorage, the pleasant sunny little estate of Colonel Alick Stuart, who brought his young wife here four years ago, but is a widower noAv, and has his sister and her little boy staying with him.

On still further from the town, back among the woods and close down beside the lazy river, lies the old manor-house of HaAvkedale, which has been in the possession of the Castillains for almost as long a time as the Athelstons have held sway at High Athelston ; and which is possessed now by the first Castillain who, for two hundred years, has had no son to succeed him ; a matter of rejoicing among those who believe in the old proverb, " Like father like son." A handsome old manor is Hawkedale, but both without and within are evidences unmistakeable of the grinding nature of its old master, whose mania for saving is as inexplicable as it is pitiful. Heaven only knew — as his younger daughter used to say — for what or whom he had been saving through all his three-score years and ten, and would save still for three score years and ten more, if the pleasure could be extended for him through that length of time.

No ; Heaven only knew ! " We have nothing here as they have at High Athelston or at the Anchorage," Avould some times be the thought of Marjorie Castillain, as she tried with her oavu hands to cut the shrubs, or get her flowers to bloom in the old conserva tories, which were not even weather-proof. " At High Athelston they have everything to make the place magnificent; luxuries and games and enticements everywhere ; great stone figures on the terraces, and splendid foreign trees and shrubs ; and servants to keep the place beautiful from end to end. And at the Anchorage they have — oh ! such rare, sweet flowers, and such a wonderful atmosphere of peace and ease and rest ; while we — well, we have our grim old trees, at any rate," the girl would add, with laughing philosophy, "and our river ; and these two things have a beauty of their own which the famous family miserliness cannot extinguish."

And now we haAre ended our Avalk round Churchill. One high lamp flickers feebly upon the platform of the Churchill Station, and one burns a little more steadily in the booking-office. The down express has just gone on its way, after having deposited one passenger, and two boxes which the porter is carrying. The station master, holding in leash two handsome grey hounds, which have the couchant leopard em broidered on their coats, stops and speaks respectfully to the solitary passenger upon the platform. " We've a fire in the office, miss. If you'll stay there, I'll see that all is right about your luggage." There are moments when a kind word Avill summon tears which coldness cannot bring, and for Lina Chester this was one. She felt them starting painfully to her eyes as she ansAvered that she had hoped a cab would be here to take her to High Athelston.

" Not yet, miss," the station-master said, smiling to hear her use a word almost unknown in Churchill ; " there is no fly here to-night. But Sir Neil Athelston Avill be sending soon for these greyhounds of his, which came by your train." "Thank you," said the girl, entering the office with a sIoav and spiritless step, " then I Avill Avait." As 6he sat beside the fire, a gentleman came into the room, and began to compare his Avatch Avith the clock that hung there. " I was afraid I should miss the up-train," he remarked, pleasantly, to the station-master ; " but I see it is not due yet. I am a little fast." Though Colonel Stuart stood, to all appearance, intent upon altering his watch, he Avas still keenly aAvare of the presence of the lonely girl who sat waiting so quietly in the dingy room.

He noticed — for he could not help noticing it — the delicate beauty of her face, the rare unusual beauty of a face Avith no colour on the creamy Avhite cheeks, no brilliance in the dark grey eyes, no smile upon the small curved lips ; but he noticed, most of all, the indescribable, almost indefinable sense of utter quiet loneliness that seemed to surround her. " There is generally a fly sent to meet this train," he said to her, in a kindly, pleasant AToice ; " but it is not here to-night, of course, because it is wanted. I shall be calling at the 'Leopard' on my way back. May I send one round for you then ?" Lina — because he spoke so gently and so warmly to her — half turned away her face, for fear of those tears that were so near her eyes to-night, and so saw nothing of the grave and pitiful gaze he bent upon her.

" I am come to meet my sister and my little nephew," he went on. "If you are going in our direction " "I am going to High Athelston," rephed Lina, glancing up at last. " Oh !" said Colonel Stuart; and she detected an accent almost of pity in his gentle, genial tones. "Lady Athelston is an invalid, and rather forgetful ; so you will, Tm sure, excuse her not having sent the carriage. She will be mortified when she recollects." Lina smiled, knowing the words were in tended to cheer her ; and just at that moment a carriage was heard rolling up to the station gate. A quick, authoritative voice called the station-master by name, then whistled a sum mons which the greyhounds were quick to answer. Lina's breath came a little quicker. Was some one come now to take her to her new, strange home? She heard the station-master whispering when he led the dogs out, and she guessed that he was telling their master how she Avas waiting there to be convey ed to High Athelston.

Her cheeks burnt hotly when she caught the impatient answer. " Best thing she can do, too. Send for a fly from the ' Leopard.' What is the use of de taining me ? My horses cannot stand here all night. Now, Ridley, look sharp after Coquette ; she is at her old tricks. Ah ! Stuart, you here?" Then the loud tones ceased, and Lina Ches ter knew that the gentleman who had for ten minutes been her companion was conferring with Sir Neil Athelston in a semi-whisper, as the station-master had done, and on the same subject. The ansAver was less impatient now, but more careless. "Not very likely, Stuart. It's not in my line ; nor can I spare Ridley to go i-ound by the ' Leopard.' Send a fellow from here. Tm too infernally tired to drive myself." The sad, girlish face beside the smouldering fire grew whiter and whiter, while Colonel Stuart pleaded again.

Then the answer was a little quieter, though even more selfish. " Very well. Here, Ridley, go round to the 'Leopard 'for a cab, and make haste, man. I cannot wait, so you may drive home on it. I wish to Heaven, Stuart, that the old lady Avould remember to give her own orders. I hope this girl has a memory long enough to serve for both." Without a word of reply, Colonel Stuart re entered the office, and spoke quietly to Lina. " Sir Neil Athelston's servant is gone to hasten the fly. It is too cold for you to drive three miles in a dog-cart, as Sir Neil himself is doing, with his dogs." Lina had understood it all too Avell for any smile to visit her eyes or lips in answer to his, aud she Avas glad when another train dashed into the station, aud Colonel Stuart went out to meet it. It Avas Avhile she sat once more waiting alone, that the same imperatiAre voice called to the station-master, while from a door in the booking-office — opposite that which led to the platform — a gentleman advanced and impa tiently looked round him in the dimness.

A tall gentleman, Lina saw he Avas, as he came on into the light, tall and broad-shouldered, with a Saxon face, handsome though indolent and sensual, a thick fair moustache, strong blue eyes, and short curling light hair. " Where the deuce is that fellow?" Sir Neil Athelston gave a start — a real start though it Avas imperceptible to Lina — then came on easily, and stood beside the fire opposite her. A certain superficial, scornful expression which was habitual to him, gave place to a deep in tentness as he looked into the girl's face, so purely and delicately beautiful, and he raised his hat with a slow, satisfied smile. " A dismal waiting-room," he said, and his tone, though condescending, was a little eager too. No answer. This was Sir Neil Athelston, and Lina remembered how he had spoken of her on the platform both to the station-master and to Colonel Stuart.

" If I understand aright, I have the pleasure of addressing Miss Chester. If so, may I drive her to High Athelston I" "No, thank you," answered Lina, feehng her loneliness most keenly at that moment. " You said that to Avait for the cab was the best thing I could do." Sir Neil laughed, but spoke still more eagerly, with his eyes fixed upon the young, white face. " You had better come, Miss Chester ; do let me drive you. I did not intend you to wait in this bole." " You are too tired to drive even yourself," Lina said, raising her eyes fully to his for the first time. " Besides it is not in your line, yon said." " Pray pardon those stupid words of mine," said Neil Athelston, flushing hotly, and feeling awkward as he never remembered having done before ; actually forgetting for that moment that he was at present the idol of many a Lon don drawing-room, and withal the handsomest young baronet in half-a-dozen counties.

" It is unkind of you to recall those absurd speeches of mine," he added, feeling terribly anxious now to win another glance from the beautiful, sad eyes. " I did not think that you would hear. I did not — you know I had not seen you, and so you ought not to reproach me." " I did not reproach you," said Lina tiredly ; " but I would rather Avait here until your servant comes with the cab." By this time the train had left the station, and the passengers whom it had deposited fol lowed Colonel Stuart into the office. These Avere his sister and her son, with the boy's tutor, an aristocratic, foreign-looking man of three and thirty, just three years younger than the' bearded English soldier whose hair Avas thin upon his temples, and whose eyes were so deeply and gravely thoughtful. Sir Neil Athelston turned and greeted Mrs. Esdaile ; and she, glancing kindly at Lina, and evidently understanding Avho she was, asked him to introduce her.

" As we are to be neigh bours," she added, in a voice as pleasant as her brother's. Neil Avent through the ceremony, his voice lazy and rather haughty, but the colour mount ing sloAvly into his face. " Mr Jelfrey, Miss VOL. I. c Chester," he ended, as the tutor bowed low be fore Lina. Then Neil Athelston's eyes filled with a great surprise, for he had neATer before introduced two people Avho received his introduction as did these tAvo. And yet he could not have told how this Avas if he had tried. A something quite indefinable there was in the gaze of each. Was it fear, or Avas it only astonishment _ " Mr. Jelfrey, Miss Chester." The A\-ords were scarcely uttered, when Lina shivered with an uncontrollable suddenness. Mr. Jelfrey had left the door open, and the chill night Avind crept in. Quietly he moved from Sir Neil's side, and shut the door ; then, returning, looked full into Lina's small, Avhite face, as if questioning her in an eager, unin telligible silence.

"Miss Chester feels the place chilly," he said ; and Lina slid her travelling cloak over her hands, Avhieh Avere clasped rigidly together. " I am waiting for you, Miss Chester," pleaded Sh- Neil, trying to hide the real anxiety with which he spoke. "I am waiting for the fly," she ansAvered, calmly ignoring his Avords. "And we must go too. Alick," said Mrs. Esdaile to her brother. " Are you ready ?" " Quite ready," rejoined Colonel Stuart, who for the last minute had been curiously Avatch ing Jelfrey's face. " Come, Jack, jump up to your seat." Just as the carriage from the Anchorage left the station-yard, the hotel fly drove up, and Lina took her place. The men Avere putting her boxes on the roof, when Sir Neil, who had stood at the door ever since he had assist ed her in, spoke suddenly to his groom.

" I say, Ridley, drive on with the greyhounds ; they want looking after, and they make the dog-cart deucedly uncomfortable. I'll come on after you. Make haste." And the next moment, easily and patroniz ingly, he had taken his place beside Lina. On every subject that occurred to him, he talked through that drive in the closed fly, which, in itself, Avas a sore penance to him. Perhaps he Avished only to amuse her, and C2 shorten the distance for her; perhaps — and this was likely to be far nearer the truth — only to anuse himself, if he could, by drawing some few words from her quiet, beautiful lips, or making her eyes turn to his, as they had turned only once. But all his efforts Avere in A*ain. Except cool monosyllables, or an occasional indifferent remark, Lina did not speak at all ; and never once did she turn her eyes upon him from the moment the fly left the station, till it stopped before the portico at High Athelston.

The footmen, standing at the open door, Avith the rich light from the hall falling upon their powdered heads, saw, Avith intense and speechless aston ishment, that it Avas their master who issued from this thoroughly-to-be-despised vehicle, and turned and offered his hand to a lady ; saw, even with greater astonishment, that she passed it by Avithout noticing it. " Of course, the poor thing — only a com panion, you knoAv — was too confused to know what to do. She actually walked up the steps, leaving him to folloAV. He might well look angry and disgusted. What a little upstart she Avas ! — pretty though — very pretty ! only Avanting in colour." Thus the twin Mercuries ; while Sir Neil Athelston, following the slight, quiet figure into the brilliant hall, was puzzled in his thoughts as he had not been puzzled before.

What Avas there about this girl which made him feel so unusually strange? Why was she not aAvkward and shy in this first intro duction to his magnificent home? Why, she entered it with just such a quiet grace as he could fancy its young mistress what a ridiculous thought ! " Where's my lady, Martin ?" he asked, as the butler came towards them, looking quite as much a gentleman as Sir Neil himself, thought Lina in her ignorance and bitterness. " My lady has gone to her room, I believe, Sir Neil. She bid me tell Miss Chester that tea is seiwed for her in the blue morning-room." "Will you not dine, Miss Chester?" inter rupted Sir Neil, eagerly. " I Avould rather not," said Lina, shrinking ■22 VICTOR AND VANQUISHED. hastily from the idea of dining Avith him. " I would rather not." " She never attempts even any excuse for her avoidance of me," thought Neil, and his lips tightened rather cruelly under the hand some light moustache.

DraAving off his coat leisurely, he watched her pass on up the broad, lighted staircase, and he thought that, though so thoroughly at her ease, there was a certain shrinking in her eyes and steps, as if she avoided even seeing the handsome place, further than she need — a certain nameless shrinking, quite apart from any shyness.

Chapter II. The First Night At High Athelston

fTIHE blue morning-room, in which Miss Ches -*- ter's tea was laid, Avas a small luxurious apartment, rarely used by Sir Neil, but a fa vourite one Avith his mother, who preferred it, and her own boudoir and dressing-room, to the more grand and spacious rooms beloAv. A bright fire burned in the grate, for the air of the Spring night was chill ; and Lina sat doAvn before it, her heart literally croAvded With sad and busy thoughts. Unutterably lonely she felt : yet there was something beyond the loneliness Avhieh was even harder to bear. "lA something Avhieh I dare not think about to-night !" she cried to herself, pushing the dark hair from her temples, and looking eagerly round the room, as if seeking some thought that should chase this one aAvay. " Bright, pleasant things all round me," she Avhispered, in a voice that strove to be glad and brave.

" I Avill always try to think only of the bright and pleasant things that are around me." Just as she thought that thought, there en tered the cheerful-looking young maid-servant Avho had A'olunteered to assist her Avhen she changed her travelling-dress. "My lady will be glad to see you in her dressing-room, Miss Chester, if you'll please to come. My lady's very deaf, 'em," the girl added, evidently for the sake of hovering curiously about Lina, yet speaking AA'ith thorough respect, and no air of gossiping, " and she likes persons to speak up like when they're talking to her. Fletcher, her oavii maid, has a curious voice that never Avants raising ; it goes sharp in like Avithout my lady's trumpet; and she hears Sir Neil nearly always, though he doesn't talk to her very much ; but she's bad Avith strangers.

If you're not very tired after your journey, 'em, it would be best just to speak up, as your voice is very — at least, it's been Arery quiet to me. Shall I come to your room to-night, 'em, to see if I can help you ? I'll always be glad to help you, Miss Chester, though I'm only under Fletcher. Margaret my name is, so you'll always know who to send for Avhen you Avant help — Avon't you ?" Lina thanked the girl pleasantly, even gratefully, -then followed her along a Avide, arched corridor, and into Lady Athelston's dressing-room. As the maid closed the door slowly upon Lina, a lady, Avho sat in a lounging-chair at the fire, turned round to scrutinize her. At a glance Lina could have told that this was Sir Neil's mother ; and at a glance she saw that the face Avhieh met hers Avas Aveak and uncer tain, a little querulous, and a little cruel.

But the helpless look which generally accompanies deafness, the mute, unconscious appeal of the attitude, Avon Lina's gentle sympathy in that first moment, and she advanced gratefully to take the outstretched hand, never giving one glance to where Sir Neil, in his faultless evening dress, leaned against the Ioav chimney piece opposite his mother. " Take this chair, Miss Chester," said Lady Athelston, pointing to one which had been placed beside her own. " Leave it where it is," she added, her eyes keenly fixed upon the girl ; " leave it there. I Avant you to sit where I can see you." And Neil, from his position opposite, seemed to think it was just as necessary that he, too, should be able to see her. Still aud quiet, Lina sat under the gaze of both mother and sou ; still aud quiet, yet with that nameless shrinking from them of which Sir Neil Avas all the time half conscious, as he watched her with a steadfast iutentness which made her lips shake, but brought no crimson to the delicate Avhite skin.

" You have had a cold journey, I fear, Miss Chester," said Lady Athelson, Avith sleepy gen tleness. " From where have you travelled to-day?" " Only from London," answered Lina, speaking through the trumpet which Lady Athelston held to her ear. •'From the house Avhere you haA'e been living as governess? — from the lady in Berkeley Square to A\Thom I Avrote about you ?" " Yes," said Lina, but in such a strange low \*oice of pain, almost of fear, that Sir Neil decided promptly in his own mind that her experience of governess life had been far from rose-coloured. •' Dreary life, Miss Chester, eh ?" he remarked. " Wouldn't you rather teach an intelligent dog to stand on his head than a child to work a sum V " I never tried the ' intelligent dog,' " answered Lina, with quiet carelessness. " I think you told me you had no home," put in Lady Athelston, unconscious this time of her son's speech.

" No ; no home," the girl answered, simply. " And no relations ?" " No, Lady Athelston." " Fortunate child !" put in Sir Neil As Lina spoke, her face had flushed slowly and duskily for the first time, and not a shade cf this Avas lost upon him. " Then Avhere do you live Avhen you have no engagement f" persisted the lady. '• I never had but one situation," said Lina, coldly, " and I left that only when I came here." " Now, mother," put in Neil, " Ave are getting tired." " You have a pretty name, Miss Chester," said Lady Athelston, readily understanding her son — as she could Avhen he chose that she should — and taking his hint, as she ahvays did, '• Is it an abbreviation of Helena ?" "No, my lady," ansAvered the girl, her lips stiff and proud. "Lina Chester, eh? Was your father any relation to the celebrated barrister?"