The Fat of the Land. A novel

Front matter

A NOVEL BY MARY L E S T E I! . . > (MARIA SOLTEEA) AUTHOR OF ' A LADY'S RIDE ACROSS SPANISH HONDURAS ' IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS EDINBURGH AND LONDON MDCCCLXXXVIII AU Rights reserved CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. CHAP. PAOE i. hunter's lodge, ...... 1 II. HTGIEIA, ....... 23 III. SOME RETROSPECTION, ..... 46 IV. MISS FANSHAWE, ...... 63 V. THE WORKING OP THE EAST WIND, ... 86 VI. THE BANKS OP THE YAR, .... 110 VII. SOME MEMBERS OF THE LA TOUCHE FAMILY, . 134 VIII. MR GLASCOTT, ...... 159 IS. COLONEL LEPPELL IN LONDON, . . . »181 X. IN BE MARMADUKE, ..... 202 XI. COLONEL LEPPELL AT PARIS, .... 231 XII. STEPHEN LA TOUCHE AT PINNACLES, . 253 XIII. JONATHAN SIKES, ......

Chapter I

hunter's lodge. "When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions." — Shakespeare. A still night in the end of March, wherein the crisp air was tempered by the faint perfume which a recent rainfall had drawn forth from the early spring blossoms and the newly upturned earth. This shower had not only freshened the budding trees, but it had effect ually laid low the dust, which for weeks past had powdered alike every hedgerow and tussock in the village of Blythe, and taken away for the nonce the palm for bright delicate spring tints and emerald green turf, which had been for years past conceded to this charming nook of East Yarneshire. The night was wearing on, and it was strange at this season to see the mistress of Hunter's Lodge pace vol. i. A up and down the gravel walk in front of the house, and occasionally pass through the broad barred gate which opened upon the road, and look about her anxiously in the direction of the county -town of Yarne, from whence, it was evident, she was in ex pectation for somebody who ought to come.

Usually this lady was of a quiet imperturbable nature, and seldom demonstrative for either joy or sorrow. Her experience of life hitherto had been such, that to take the rough with the smooth was (if not always the wiser), for her, the more expedient plan. When much aggravated or disturbed, Mrs Leppell — ox-eyed as Juno — would open her splendid orbs to their fullest extent, and fix them with a' scintillating light, which, together with the working of her exqui sitely curved nostrils, served not only to make her look handsomer than she really was, but also to convince the beholder that fire did exist beneath, not the ice, but the india-rubber, so to speak, of her com position. A hesitation of speech and a certain timidity, which were inseparable to her, had ever restrained this lady from overstepping the bounds of conventionalism, and a natural indolence of disposition sometimes did duty for long-suffering and forbearance.

A more sensitive woman in Mrs Leppell's position would have been not only miserable herself, but most probably would at the same time have been the cause of much suffering to others ; and a more spirited woman would have murdered Colonel Leppell (her husband), or have been herself speedily and violently extinguished by that irascible gentleman. Here, then, was the right woman in the right place : and on this night the March wind had tempered itself undeniably to this shorn lamb ; for she was wellnigh overwhelmed with trouble, and her only alleviation under its burden was to go forth into the silent garden, and there in the soothing air commune with her troubled spirit, and think out what was best to be done, how best to break the news to her husband when he should come — and such news ! She pulled her warm knitted shawl closely round her, and then turned and looked up at the windows of the Lodge.

Her nursery children had long been asleep ; only here and there did a light now shine out into the darkness. At one particular casement Mrs Leppell looked intensely. "Mary ought to be undressed by this time," she said to herself. " I sent her to her room early : her father may want to get speech of her at once, but he will never have the child called out of her bed at this time of night. Yet, he is so inconsiderate, so regard less of others " The sudden extinction of the candle in that partic ular room put an end to Mrs Leppell's ruminations, and a feeling of satisfaction brightened her face. " Mary is safe in bed — that's a comfort," she whispered. And then she turned her eyes in the direction of a bow-windowed apartment, on the ground-floor, at the extreme end of the building, — this was her mother's, Lady Asher's, room, — and from thence, between the openings of the window-curtains, Mrs Leppell descried the glimmer of a lamp, and wondered why the old lady had not retired to rest.

Another glance, and she interpreted matters aright. " That is Prothero's lamp : Prothero has seen that something is amiss, although she has made no remark. It is as well that she should be up, though I do not know why I should think so ; but still, it is as well. Yes ; it is possible that she may be wanted, so I won't interfere with her now." Prothero was Lady Asher's maid. Her mistress and this attendant lived at Hunter's Lodge as part of its regular household, bearing much for Mrs Leppell's sake, and enduring much for the dear memory's sake of honest Gilbert Asher, whose only daughter Adelaide was the wife of the Honourable Colonel Ralph Leppell. Satisfying herself that Prothero was at hand, quietly and unobtrusively on the watch maybe (for there had been occasions whereon the powerful aid and discreet bearing of that handmaiden had been of infinite ser vice to the wife when Colonel Leppell returned "lively " from a convivial dinner-party or a hunt-supper at the town of Yarne, or from some place in the county), Mrs Leppell betook herself to the garden gate.

She had scarcely leaned over it ten minutes when she found herself counting the strokes of the great clock of Yarne Cathedral, as it tolled out the eleventh hour of the night. The air was so still that the sound seemed to carry itself almost in a direct line towards Blythe ; but the nerves of the watcher were strung to their utmost tension, and as every sense was in con sequence painfully on the alert, the warning of the clock fell with unwonted distinctness on her ear. " Eleven o'clock ! " she exclaimed aloud as the chime ceased ; " he cannot be long now." Then she fell to wondering if her husband had stayed in Yarne to dine at the militia mess, or if he had been to his office in Red Lion Square, whereat he transacted his business as staff-officer of pensioners, and secured his letters, together with a visiting-card, which she knew awaited him there ; or had he trav elled straight from London, where he had been for ten days, and, finding it late, had just got his horse at the hotel and ridden home ?

She hoped he had taken the latter course, for it was her desire to speak with him, before stern accurate correspondence should acquaint him that disgrace, and possibly utter ruin, had befallen his name. " Sometimes the Colonel takes it into his head to walk home from Yarne by the short cut upon the river bank," thought she ; " but he is not likely to do this, I should think, for the path by the Yar is not quite safe even in daylight. No, no ; he will never do so foolish a thing as that." A clang of horse-hoofs advancing at a rapid trot caused Mrs Leppell to pass out into the road and stand there. A horseman soon appeared in sight. As he approached near enough to be recognised, she called out; — " Ralph !— Colonel Leppell, is that you ? " " Yes. What do you want ? " answered a loud voice. " Why, Adelaide ! what in the name of fortune brings you out here ?

" "Never mind now; I am so glad you have come home," she answered. " Don't stop at the stable gates ; come forward here, where I stand." Colonel Leppell dismounted in the road, and draw ing the bridle through his arm, walked towards his wife. " Good gracious, Adelaide ! " he said, in an alarmed tone, " are the grooms all gone ? you can't take the horse. Why am I not to halt at the stable gate ? and why the deuce are you waiting in the road at this time of night ? " " I want to see you, to speak to you before any one else does," she replied. " I was afraid you would go to your den at the stables, and lie down on the sofa there, and fall fast asleep as you so often do. Come into the house at once ; Ben is sitting up by the kitchen fire waiting to take the horse. I have news for you, Ralph, and we must be alone when I tell it."

She had satisfied herself, by his manner, that her husband had not secured the letters which were awaiting him at his office : her conjecture was correct, — he had travelled from London, left his portmanteau at the station, and had ridden straight home. Again she spoke. " Knock at the shutter of the kitchen window, and when Ben comes out, follow me to the hall door, where I wdl wait. Bring the horse through the front gate ; Ben is expecting you." She spoke with a tone of decision so unusual to her, that the Colonel looked at her in some perplexity and wondered what he should do. It was so new to him to be ordered by her, to find plans for his guidance so readily arranged, that surprise chained his tongue ; so they passed through the garden gate in silence. He, doing as he had been directed, made for the kitchen window — his wife, meanwhile, wending her way towards the steps of the hall door.

Her face was very pale, but she was quite calm as she found herself confronted with the disagreeable, painful task before her. There was no evading or putting off this duty : her husband had arrived, and now she had to tell him strange things of Marmaduke, their eldest and their favourite son. A son much treasured, for a fell fever had carried off two boys who were born to them in the first years of their married life, and so " Duke," as he was called, was precious in his parents' sight. " Come in, and please bolt the door," Mrs Leppell said, as the Colonel joined her. " There is supper laid for you in the morning-room, and I've had a good fire ; you must be both hungry and tired, and it is very chilly now." " I know what you have to tell me," said the Colonel, savagely, as they entered the little room ; " there's no use in trying to awe me with these solemn airs of preparation : I see through it all.

That young devil Dick has been riding the bay mare contrary to my express orders, and has let her go down, — that's all about it. I'll thrash the life out of him, the young scoundrel ! " " You are wrong," his wife answered. " Do not in dulge in your habit of jumping at conclusions : this is no question of Dick ; now don't bluster, — it is a much more serious matter, for it is a question of Duke." " Duke ! " cried the father, now thoroughly alarmed, " what of him ? don't look like that. I know : he has ridden the Barham steeplechase and has been — no, no, the boy is too good a rider — say it out, Adelaide ; the lad — Duke is — is killed." " No, no, Ralph ; listen patiently. Duke is unharmed and well as far as bodily health is concerned, but he is in hiding: an officer of the Court of Chancery was here yesterday making inquiries about him.

Oh, I was so thankful to be able to say with truth that the lad has not been here for months past." " Chancery ! what has Duke to do with Chancery ? He has not stolen any of their money, has he ? what do you mean ? " " He has not stolen any Chancery money," Mrs Lep pell repbed, " but he has carried off a ward of that court. In plain English, he ran away last week with an heiress from a boarding-school at Wisgate, who is a ward of Chancery. This offence is actionable, and renders him liable to imprisonment." " Duke is a minor," interposed Colonel Leppell, " and very likely does not know that he has committed any offence against the law." " So I said to the officer, but it appears that ignorance of the law is not admitted as any excuse for the infringement of it. Duke is turned twenty, and ought to know what lie is about.

Just look at the amount of money which has been spent on his education ! " " Who is the girl ? " inquired the Colonel briskly. " A Miss Lorton, an orphan : her father made a large fortune as a manufacturer of tin-ware baths, at a suburb near Dublin, I believe. She was placed, at his death, under the care of two ladies, distant rela tives, who keep a first-class school at Wisgate, not far from Dublin. How Duke first came to make her acquaintance is not known." " At any rate, Miss Lorton was not carried off by force," replied the Colonel exultingly ; " of course not. The girl was, no doubt, a consenting party, there can be no doubt of it : a handsome young fellow like Duke is not to be sneezed at, and his connection is a great one for mere tradespeople. Did they get married ? " " The officer was not sure of this ; but he seemed to entertain the idea that some ceremony might have been gone through at a registrar office.

However, they were pursued and overtaken at Dieppe, and the girl was returned to Wisgate, there to await the Chan cellor's pleasure. Duke managed to escape, and the authorities naturally assumed that he was hiding in this county." " Is that all ? " " Unfortunately no : Duke is charged with embezz ling money under false pretences by a firm in Liverpool. Writs are out against him ; the Sheriff's officer was here yesterday morning, and I had to hear and bear it all," the poor mother said. "The man was very good: he had inquired for you at Yarne, and finding that you were in London, came straight here for your address. He said that he would keep the matter quiet, and intimated that it was possible that some arrangement might be made ; in fact, he seemed to say that something might be done out of respect to my family, and mentioned that the merchant who had suffered this fraud knew my late father, and held him in much esteem.

It was only at the last moment that it was discovered by the head partner of the firm that Duke was the grandson of Gilbert Asher, — too late, however, to stop the issue of the writ." " Out of respect to your family, madam ! " thundered Colonel Leppell, his face crimson with indignation ; " this is the first time I have heard that you have any family to boast of — a set of cotton bags. I should think the family of Lord Hieover would be nearer the mark. Duke being the grandson of Viscount Hieover, and the eldest son of the Honourable Colonel Leppell, should carry weight, I rather think, eh ? " " In this case not, rather to the contrary," Mrs Leppell answered, without the least shade of annoy ance at the contemptuous mention made by her husband with regard to her own antecedents. " The respect is for good name, and the memory of an up right man.

Knowing that my mother has sacrificed more than half her income to assist you, I wonder at your speaking as you do. Let that pass: you have mentioned Lord Hieover ; an application has already been made to him from the Court of Chancery to know if he can supply any information regarding Duke." " Well, what did he say ? " " His lordship's answer, it appears, was curt enough. He knew nothing of the young scamp, nor did he want to know anything, and, moreover, he was resolved never to know anything about him. Let him dare to set his foot in Hieover Grange, the Viscount knew how to make that residence too hot to hold Mr Leppell. Your father, in fact, entirely disclaimed and disowned him." The Colonel looked rather aghast at this news. " What is to be done ? " he inquired at length. " / can't assist him.

I knew he was dipped, but I cannot think that my father would throw him over in that fashion. For the sake of keeping the thing quiet — for this covers the whole family with shame — his lordship must come forward. I'll go over and see him to-morrow. It's that sneaking hound Alex, who is in the way : by Jove ! though, I'm not the man to allow my brother to oust my son. Not likely ! " " Your brother is from home, at Wurstede ; he had nothing to do with this : you are always inclined to judge Alex, harshly," Mrs Leppell made reply. " Well, then, if it were not for Duke, I would cut the Viscount dead, though he is my own father. What business had he to insist upon Duke joining the Royal Goldspinners, if he did not mean to help him at a pinch ? " "You know, Ralph, when your father paid all Duke's expenses, only two years ago, and presented him with a handsome sum over and above that, he told us all to understand clearly that he would do nothing more.

I don't suppose that Lord Hieover will even now withdraw the annual allowance he makes to Duke." " I don't know," replied Colonel Leppell ; " it would be just like him if he did : he will be only too glad of an excuse. The idea of his disowning Duke ! it's dis gusting — bad form." " You must remember, though it is sad to say it, Duke is in disgrace, charged with embezzling money ; so, if that comes to your father's ears, the chances are that Lord Hieover will disclaim the whole of us. As yet, your father is cognisant of the elopement busi ness only ; and he was naturally very much annoyed at an officer of the Court of Chancery going to Hieover to seek Duke. It did transpire there that our son was deeply in debt, but there was no mention made, of course, of the more serious charge; that was the business of the Sheriff's officer."

" Haw ! the writ is the awkward part, and the accusation of fraudulency : it is dreadful to think of. Oh, how could he ? how could Duke act in such a manner ? he has never thought of me ; what could have bewitched the lad ? But did you not say that this wretched business might be arranged ? I cannot see how." She was silent for a moment : her magnificent eyes dilated, but not in anger ; the working and twitching of the lines about her mouth evinced nervousness not unmixed with dread. The slight hesitation in her speech was increased to a painful extent as these words dropped from her pale lips — " There — there is one person in the — the world who is able and — and quite will — willing to save our honour, Ralph. Don't be violent — don't, do not be angry. I could not help it, Ralph." " You are hard hit, Adelaide," said her husband more kindly, — " very hard hit, and I don't wonder.

Here, take a glass of wine ; " and the Colonel as he spoke poured out some sherry and carried it round to where Mrs Leppell sat, and placed the glass in her hand. He heard her teeth rattle against the edge of the glass as she swallowed the wine, and marked her tremble with a cold shiver as she drew her shawl close around her. As she did not speak, Colonel Leppell thought to assist her with a leading question. " Who is going to help us, did you say ? not your mother, — not Lady Asher, surely ? " " No, no ; she has done enough," replied Mrs Leppell, finding voice ; " she cannot, even if she would. You have had all till her death, and you are not so wicked as to wish for that." " No ; let the old woman live as long as she likes," returned the Colonel, patronisingly ; " she has often helped me, and I don't want to deny it.

But who is going to come forward now ? " " One who owes you neither honour nor justice, not common consideration even. Many years have passed away since we both agreed never to name, never to allude to him : time works strange marvels ! Don't: — don't be violent; I must name him now, — Everard Glascott." " Glascott ! " gasped the Colonel, sinking back on his chair as if he had been shot. " Yes," she answered resolutely, seeing that for the moment she had some advantage ; " Everard Glascott, noble heart, overlooking all, forgiving all, has come forward, and for my father's sake, — yes, and I dare to say it, for my sake also, — -he will save the honour of our son." These words seemed to inspire her with courage, for now Mrs Leppell looked her husband steadily in the face, and her speech no longer hesitated ; she was now calm and resolute.

" Has he written to you ? " inquired the Colonel, rising to his feet and drawing a deep breath. " What has he to do with all this ? " " He has written to you, and he has seen me this day in this room. I wonder I did not drop down and die for shame. He will save Duke, save exposure, arrange all ; but, Ralph, there is a price to be paid for all this, and you must consent to pay it. Wait, — I am breathless, — that price is — is Mary." Mrs Leppell uttered the last word with a great effort, and then remained like one who expects a raging storm to break forth. " Never ! " — and here Colonel Leppell swore an awful oath, — " never ! What ! give Mary to him — my beautiful girl — my heavenly Moll ! He, Mr Glascott, forgets that he is ten years older than you and I ; he is fifty-eight years of age : it's wicked, it's monstrous.

Give her to him ! does he think that because he was disappointed of the mother, he is to be repaid with the daughter ? " " Stop ! be quiet and don't run on so," cried Mrs Leppell, putting up her hand with a deprecatory ges ture. " It is not as you think ; our daughter is not to be sold to Mr Glascott — nothing of the kind. His young cousin, Francis Clavering, met Mary at the Chichesters last Christmas, and became desperately enamoured of her ; since that they have met here and there in the county." " What brought him into Yarneshire ? " "Mr Clavering is making some researches in the neighbourhood for the Geological Society, and so had brought several letters of introduction to various people in the town and county," Mrs Leppell replied. " Has he made any proposals ? does Moll allow his attention ?

" " No proposals have been made by Mr Clavering ; and it is not likely that a girl would speak of a man's attentions until she is sure that he means something more than mere acquaintance. The truth is, that Mr Clavering, knowing of Mr Glascott's strong objection to you and to your connection, has been cautious in making advances till he could induce his guardian to give some kind of countenance to his suit. After seeing Mary, it appears young Clavering went to Paris, and vainly, in spite of entreaty and persua sion, sought to soften Mr Glascott. All he could do then was to promise to make no proposals until Mr Glascott should see Mary himself, without her know ing it." " Has he done so ? " asked the Colonel, with a lowering aspect. " Yes ; there was a ball at Frodsham, — you took Mary yourself, you'll remember.

Mr Glascott sat in the gallery which was erected for the spectators ; he saw the child, and speedily went his way. Like all the world, he was charmed with her beauty and her grace; but he still could not make up his mind to consent to Mr Clavering seeking an alliance with her, his hatred towards the Hieover race was so strong." " Clavering, Clavering, — it strikes me I have met the man," said Colonel Leppell suddenly. "Yes, he dined at Hieover Grange just after the New Year. He is one of the literati, or illuminati, or gnostics, or something. He goes lecturing about the country, and somebody said he was going to be made a professor of — I forget what. He does not hunt, though ; I wonder how he got introduced at Hieover." " I don't know, but his society is sought everywhere. He is one of the brilliant rising men of the day.

He went to Hieover as a member of the Geological Society possibly." " Has he any money ? that's the point." " I believe but little of his own at present. He is, however, Mr Glascott's heir, and the only son of a first cousin. Now, listen : for love of this young man (for Mr Glascott regards him as his son), Everard will not only forego his enmity against you, but he will immediately have the writs withdrawn which are out from the Liverpool Bank against Duke " " Can he do this ? is this in his power ? " interrupted Colonel Leppell. " It is in his power, seeing that Mr Glascott is a sleeping partner in the firm, and has the largest in terest in it." "Curious, by Jove!" exclaimed the Colonel ; "but what brought Mr Glascott out here ? " "The fact of your being absent from Yarne. He called at your office yesterday, and, to save time, finding that you were in London, he came here in a close carriage, and asked to see me.

His revenge has been noble." " Yes," answered the Colonel slowly ; " but his aid is a bitter pill for me to swallow. Oh, Duke, what have you done ? to have to bend, through you, to the man I hate, and who must hate me ! " " The injured are ever the first to forgive," returned Mrs Leppell. " Everard's life since the day we parted has been devoted to others. Self-sacrifice is a great softener. This Francis Clavering, and his sister, Willina, have been for years the objects of his love and solicitude ; he tells me that a parent's love could not be stronger than is his for these young people." VOL. I. B " Are there any more of these Claverings ? " " No ; these two are the eldest and the youngest of a large family. Miss Clavering is nearly eighteen; the brother is twenty-four." "The man I met looks older than that.

I don't like the whole thing. Mary must have given him some encouragement ; it cannot be otherwise, or why should Mr Clavering think it necessary to entreat Mr Glascott to overcome his scruples, and consent to his proposing for Mary as a favour. A girl, too, who might command a coronet : it is absurd." " People view things in a different light," Mrs Lep pell said. " You know, you have given out that no one without money is to come near your daughters : recollect, too, you withdrew your consent, after giving it in writing, to Henrietta's engagement to Captain Lasseter ; the consequence was, that they married without leave. You may not think it, but these things tell very seriously. No wonder that Mr Clav ering was anxious to obtain his cousin's consent ; without that, there would be no money wherewith to dower your daughter."

" As the matter stands, is Glascott prepared to pay down a proper sum in the event of Clavering being accepted ? " " He told me," answered Mrs Leppell, " that if Mary becomes the wife of Mr Clavering, by her own consent, given in writing, he will make over his small estate in Lancashire immediately, and settle an ade quate sum on his cousin, putting all out of his own power to retract or disannul. It seems Mr Claver ing is in a fair way to make a good income soon by his own talents ; he is a man who loves hard work, and he has had a brilliant education." " It is a handsome offer certainly," said the Colonel after a pause ; " but it goes against the grain, I tell you — confoundedly against the grain. If it were not for Duke " " Mr Glascott proposes to act with more than or dinary delicacy in the matter," interrupted Mrs Lep pell; "for, being convinced that you would refuse anything in the shape of a settlement coming from him, he intends to convey the estate of Tring absol utely to his cousin ; the money present is, I think, to take the form of an allowance.