Love's Crosses. A novel

Front matter

> LOVE'S CROSSES. A flobcl. By F. E. M. NOTLEY, AUTHOR OF 1 OLIVE VARCOE,' 'FAMILY PRIDE,' l BENEATH THE WHEELS,' 'TIME SHALL TRY,' ETC. 'O waly, waly up the bank, And waly, waly down the brae, And waly, waly yon burnside, Where I and my love wont to gae. ' O waly, waly, but love is bonnie A little time while it is new.' IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON : RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON ftttblishn-s in (DtVmavv to g)ev .pajists ±1« <Q.xtun. 1878. [Ali Rights Reserved.]

Chapter I

PPIPiH PROFOUND sensation was created S&^S in the crowded room where the f__Wl__ coroner's jury sat when Poppy's name was suddenly called out as a witness. She entered leaning on Lord Ramsden's arm, and a way was made for her silently with a quickness which bespoke the intense interest her presence excited. As she came forward to be sworn, all eyes scanned her eagerly. Every detail of her dress was noted, every changing expression of her face marked, while the sound of her voice was waited for with a breathless hush. Her robe was of a fragile, clinging texture — it VOL. III. Ul, was black ; so also were her Gainsborough hat and feather. Nothing relieved the sombre hue of her dress but the white roses she wore on her breast and carried in her hand. She was very calm and pale. Whatever the task was she had nerved herself to perform, it was evident she would go through with it quietly. ' You have volunteered to give evidence in this inquiry, I believe V This was the first question addressed to her. ' Yes,' she answered simply. ' And from what cause have you delayed to do this V ' I waited, by my mother's wish, for the return of my step-father, the Marquis of Ramsden.' These words caused a little rustle or move ment in the crowd.

The name of a marquis carries weight even if he was once only a poor Captain Lammager. Eyes beamed favourably now upon Poppy, and many a whisper passed that she was right to delay until she had proper protection. ' And you desire now to inform us where your brother was on the night of the twenty ninth, when Mr. Richard Lancross met with his death ?' ' I do. I was with my brother all that night. I drove to Tavistock with him. We did not return till four in the morning.' The sensation created by these words was so great that for a moment no further ques tion could be asked. ' Was Lady Ramsden aware of this fact ?' ' No ; it was a sudden freak of mine, after I joined my brother on leaving Mrs. Wer rington's. He told me he was going to Tavistock, and I instantly said, " I will go with you." ' ' And you were not afraid that Lady Ramsden would be alarmed V ' No ; I knew, on the contrary, that she would retire to rest making sure that my brother would bring me home safely.

She was not in the habit of sitting up for me. For the last week or two I had stayed rather late at the Werringtons'.' ' Quite true,' murmured the Major. His voice was distinctly audible. It gained him an impatient ' hush !' but it had fallen into 1—2 ears readj^ to receive it. The next question was put in a manner which showed its deep importance. ' And you can swear that your brother never quitted you until after you returned to your mother's house on the morning of the thirtieth V ' I can,' said Poppy, in a sweet low distinct voice that was heard clearly in every part of the crowded room. ' On his reaching home he read a telegram lying on the table, the contents of which apprised him of his mother's marriage V 'Yes.' ' And he was very angry V ' Very. I have never seen him so moved with anger.' ' After discussing the matter, he left you about five o'clock to go to Major Wer rington's V ' He did.' ' And you have never seen him since V 'No.' At this point the resolute girl for a single instant broke down.

Her eyelids quivered, her lips trembled, her pale cheeks flushed a momentary crimson, which when it died away left her a face of snow. The questioner paused, the Major bit his lip, the Marquis rose quickly and handed her a glass of water. She drank very little ; she was composed and calm again as swiftly as she had grown agitated. Hidden among the crowd one man watched her with heart ready to die within him. He kept sedulously beyond her ken. Not to have saved his own hfe would Luffincot have let Poppy's glance fall upon his face while she was thus striving to save her brother. ' Have you any reason to believe, from remarks made by your brother respecting your mother's marriage, that it was his in tention to absent himself for a time V 'Yes, I have. He said he would meet neither my mother nor Lord Ramsden.

He avowed his intention of writing to them.' ' But he has not done so V ' Not yet.' ' Are you surprised at his continued absence and silence V ' He was so incensed that I am not much surprised that he still delays to write.' ' Where do you imagine him to be V ' I imagine he has got on board some pilot boat or fishing-smack, and is gone for a rough cruise.' ' Is his temper so vehement and impulsive that he is likely to do a thing of this kind although on the eve of marriage ?' ' Yes, he is extremely impetuous ; and he has a strong will, and carries out his sudden resolves with unmoved determination.' ' What reason have you for supposing him to be on a cruise V ' I think so because, were he on land, he would see newspapers, and their contents would bring him home.' This reply also made an impression in Thurlstone's favour. ' You deem it possible, if he is on board a pilot-boat, that he has been kept out at sea longer than he wished V ' Yes.' ' You are aware that his being absent with out leave involves serious consequences to him?' ' Yes.' ' Yet you still believe that he rushed impulsively on some rough cruise without thought V ' Not exactly.

He may have intended to return on the same day, or he may have swum out too far and been picked up by some foreign boat.' ' But no clothes have been found on the shore.' ' Sometimes he rowed out alone and bathed in very deep water,' said Poppy. ' The small boat is missing which we keep on our beach.' ' That is an important fact,' observed the •coroner, making a note of it. ' Now I have a question to ask more serious than any yet put to you. How can you account for your brother's knowledge that his pistol had done some mischief?' Poppy's hand closed tightly on her roses ; she raised them to her face and held them for an instant to her lips to hide their shaking. ' If he really said that to Major Werring ton, they were words that I had put into his mouth — words that I myself had said to him.' ' Will you explain yourself more clearly,.

Miss Saterleigh V Poppy turned her face towards her questioner. There was something of her brother's force of will upon that pale and beautiful face now, and her eyes seemed black as night, yet as full of fire as a soldier's. in battle. ' If I explain, I shall have to make a con fession affecting myself,' she said, her voice faltering by just a shade. ' What can she be going to say ?' asked a woman close by Luffin cot's ear. He turned on her a savage look ; his eyes were blazing with an expression that made her move away in terror. ' If he were not dead,' muttered the young man between his teeth, ' if he were not shot like a dog, I would do it myself. Ah, what is she going to say ? Why does not Lord Ramsden stop her ?' ' You have sworn to speak the truth,' said the dry legal voice again ; ' therefore you must answer the question put to you.' ' Then I have to confess,' said Poppy, ' that I lent my brother's pistols about three weeks ago to Mr. Richard Lancross.' There was a sudden excited movement in the crowd ; every eye was bent on the pale, slender girl whose unexpected words had thrilled through every nerve.

There was silence for a time — a breathless time — -that was felt, not measured. ' And you have withheld this important fact for three days !' said the astonished coroner, his voice breaking into the stillness with a sort of shock to the nerves. ' My mother and I stood alone until Lord Ramsden's return,' replied Poppy steadfastly. ' And I did not know the charge was so grave till yesterday. I resolved then to speak.' Lord Ramsden rose here and made a remark in a quiet but distinct tone. ' I beg to state that Lady Ramsden and my step-daughter telegraphed for me the moment they became aware that there was a charge made against Captain Thurlstone.' ' We understand, my lord, that such was the fact. Doubtless Miss Saterleigh has come forward as early as possible.' On receiving this reply Lord Ramsden sat down again.

He had thrown a shield over Poppy which guarded her from many a lance, and he felt he had done well to speak. The examination went on. 'You say you lent these pistols to Mr. Lancross three weeks ago V 'Yes, or a little longer.' ' And your brother was not aware of it?' 'No.' ' Will you explain what words you used to him which you suppose led to his remark to Major Werrington V ' I confessed that I had lent his pistols, and I told him that one of them hung fire, and that I hoped no mischief would happen through it.' A certain whiteness crept over Poppy's face, even to the lips, in saying this, but her voice did not falter. ' What induced you to make that remark ? Had you any reason to suppose the pistol dangerous V ' Yes ; it had hung fire once or twice ; and, seeing this, I gave it to Mr. Lancross to get it repaired.

I gave him both pistols in order that, if a new lock were required, the gunsmith might make it exactly like the other.' ' How did you know the pistol hung fire ? Ladies seldom use fire-arms.' Poppy waited for the space of a moment or two before she replied to this question. Possibilities and consequences were flashing on her thoughts, all resting on her next words, and she had to gather all her faculties on one point before she dared to speak. ' I had been practising at a mark,' she said slowly. Something like a sob rose in Luffincot's throat ; he thrust it back upon his heart, and pressed forward through the throng. At all risks he would let Poppy see him now, and read a speechless warning on his face. She caught his look and smiled at it. So she was resolved to ruin herself for her brother's sake !

Luffincot could bear no more. He rushed away from the crowded court into the free air. Rightly or wrongly, he never loved this wilful sinful girl as he loved her now. ' You practised at a mark. And for what purpose V was the next question. ' For amusement only. My brother and I often shot together.' ' Did he miss his pistols V ' No ; he was too much engaged of late to ask for them.' ' He had ill-feelings towards Mr. Lan cross ; the knowledge that you had lent him his pistols would have increased these V Poppy did not answer this. ' All social intercourse had ceased between your family and Mr. Lancross, I believe, since the quarrel V ' Yes.' ' How often have you seen Mr. Lancross yourself since then V ' Almost daily,' said Poppy in an unflinch ing voice. ' I met him at public places often, and bowed to him if I was with my friends, and if I was alone, I spoke.' ' And was it before or after the quarrel you lent him the pistols V Again Poppy paused before her answer came. ' It must have been afterwards — very soon afterwards.' ' And Mr. Lancross was still visiting you ?* ' No ; but there was no quarrel between him and me.' ' That is not my meaning.

How could you give him your brother's pistols if you had no opportunity of seeing him except in accidental meetings ?' Poppy half smiled ; she held her roses to her face again, then looked down, and a sud den colour crimsoned her cheeks. ' Our meetings were not all accidental. Mr. Lancross sometimes stopped in his rides and spoke to me when I was alone in the grounds adjoining our house. It was on one of these occasions that I gave him the pistols.' ' You knew Mr. Lancross was engaged to another lady V ' I knew it,' said Poppy, the vivid colour flashing over her face again. ' And I am grieved to be thus compelled to confess that, in spite of his engagement, he sought oppor tunities of seeing me, and continuing atten tions which all the wTorld knows he has paid me.' She lifted her head half defiantly, and the light of her amber eyes fell with a gleam of their old fire on Lady Broadmead 's fat face.

That lady fanned herself in virtuous terror and disgust. ' How can she dare to throw a slur on poor Richard V she whispered to her companion. ' The bare-faced, bold girl, she is swearing through thick and thin to save her wicked brother ; and I know quite well that since his engagement Richard has neither met that girl nor spoken to her. She is asserting this falsehood in order to make her story of lend ing him the pistols appear true. But there — no sensible person will believe her.' Lady Broadmead's opinion was shared by others, and Poppy was looked on as a brave witness stretching many points for a brother's sake. Still her evidence had changed the whole aspect of the case, and, should corroborative testimony be forth coming, it would certainly clear Thurlstone from all suspicion. There was the crucial test though of cross-examination to come first, and in all likelihood the extraordinary statements made by this bold and daring girl would entirely break down beneath it. ' Was your brother ignorant of the fact that Mr. Lancross was still seeking oppor tunities to pay you attention V ' He was quite ignorant of it.' ' And was this your reason for concealing from him that you had handed his pistols to Mr. Lancross to get repaired V ' That was my reason.

I did not wish to let him know that I was on friendly terms with the man with whom he had quarrelled.' ' And you considered your brother to blame in that quarrel ?' ' Partly. And so, from an obstinate sense of justice, I would not drop Mr. Lancross's acquaintance.' Lord Ramsden at this juncture placed a line, written in pencil, in the hand of the friendly gentleman questioning Poppy. He nodded, and immediately said to her — ' But the daily interchange of civility be tween you and Mr. Lancross was slight, I believe V ' It was necessarily very slight,' returned Poppy. ' And, if he spoke to you in his rides on seeing you alone in your mother's grounds, the conversation lasted only a very few minutes V ' Yes. Sometimes it amounted to a mere " Good-morning." This was sufficient. Every one understood the drift of these questions, and most of the men considered Lord Ramsden had done right to make Poppy vindicate herself from the insinuations that would certainly be cast on her by a wicked world.

The next ques tion was more momentous as affecting Thurl stone. ' Did you stop anywhere — at Tavistock or near it ?' ' Yes ; we stopped at a little wayside inn, where the horse had some water from a trough standing beneath a tree, and a man opened a window, and looked out and spoke to us.' ' What did he say V ' He said, "You are late travellers ;" and my brother answered, " No, we are early ones. ' Did you see or speak to any one else on the road V ' Not to notice them, as far as I remember.' ' How did you enter the house on returning at four in the morning V ' My brother had a key of the door. He drove into the stable-yard, and unharnessed tlie horse himself before entering.' ' But you entered V ' No. I strolled into the garden, to the edge of the cliff, and waited there till he called to me.' ' Ah — and it was then you throwed the pistol in the sea, my pretty !' murmured old Dan Tregoon in his own mind. ' And you be swearing up bravely for that onloocky brother of yours ; but you won't save 'un, I reckon.' Dan Tregoon had lost a day's work in his eagerness to hear Poppy's evidence ; but he counted the loss as little, his superstition respecting Thurlstone having gained such a hold upon him of late that, as he himself expressed it, he could have no peace in his boat or his bed till the inquest was over.

One more question was asked and answered, and then the hungry coroner and his ' twelve true men ' adjourned for refreshment. ' It was after reading the telegram that you told your brother you had lent the pistols to Mr, Lancross V VOL. III. ' Yes ; he asked for them, saying that he might need them ; and then I told him who had them. I spoke, too, of the lock, and the risk of danger through it.' ' Then you imagine now, perhaps, that Mr. Lancross may have shot himself by an accident V It was the one question too many which this strange resolute witness could not an swer. The great courage with which she had borne her examination broke down sud denly ; her face drooped upon her hands, and with a low cry she fell fonvard, and would have sunk to the ground but for the ready arms which saved her. ' Stand back — give her air — she is faint !' cried the voices near by. It was true. Poppy had gone through her task like a man ; but when it was finished she fainted like a woman.

Chapter II

' EHHil GENTLEMAN wishing to see L^^^^ me?' said Edgar Davenant in | ual.'rlM surprise. ' And he will not speak to the manager V ' No, sir, he will speak only to you, he says.' In uttering this the clerk laid a card before Edgar's eyes. He took it up and read Luffincot's name. He remembered him as Thurlstone's friend, and his face clouded over with the shade of many vexed thoughts. ' Show him in,' he said in a hard tone. Luffincot came straight up to him with a fiery flush overspreading his honest counte nance ; it was not till this subsided that the haggardness of his young face was visible. 2—2 ' Mr. Davenant, you guess why I am come to you V ' I presume your errand has somewhat to do with your friend Captain Thurlstone ; beyond that I cannot guess.' ' It has to do with his sister. She has given evidence to-day.' ' So I have heard,' returned Edgar coldly. ' And she is now so ill and exhausted that her cross-examination is delayed until to morrow.' ' I am sorry to hear it,' Edgar answered in a tone of ice. ' Mr. Davenant,' resumed Luffincot, bending forward eagerly, ' let me speak frankly to you.' ' You are welcome to speak as frankly as you choose, Mr. Luffincot.' ' Thank you — I will do so.

Mr. Davenant, I am trenching on delicate ground, but you have not kept your feelings secret ; you have been and doubtless still are attached to Miss Challacombe.' ' And what then V asked Edgar brusquely. 'And then I ask, do you wish to win her ?' ' Pardon me, Mr. Luffincot, but that is an unwarrantable and extraordinary question.' ' I grant it would be under any other cir cumstances, but not now,' said Luffincot. ' My friend Thurlstone is utterly ruined ; even if his friends succeed in exonerating him from this charge, it will cling to him through life and take all honour and useful ness from his career. In fact his career is over. Unless he returns to his regiment at once, he will shortly be gazetted as dismissed Her Majesty's Service for being absent with out leave. This is the least disaster that can happen to him ; and it is great enough to disgrace and ruin him.

He can never now be Miss Challacombe's husband.' Edgar Davenant's face changed ; a slight gleam of joy sprang into his eyes. ' If you, his friend, acknowledge this, I need not tell you what Miss Challacombe's friends say.' ' You need not. I perfectly understand that the marriage is impossible. At the same time, I know also that Thurlstone has a friend in Miss Challacombe herself. She is not a girl whose feelings will change lightly.' Edgar smiled gloomily. Lilian, he thought, had once loved him, and he believed she could change again. ' Time alone can prove the truth of that,' he said. ' I grant it. I grant also that even if she remains constant she cannot marry a man upon whom disgrace and ruin have fallen so blackly. I think, therefore, that the day will come when you will be her husband.' These words fell upon Edgar Davenant's ear as a flame falls upon a dry tree.

They pierced his heart to the core with a burning hope. He found it hard to hide his agitation. ' You are welcome to your opinion, of course,' he said, with forced calm. ' It is the opinion of the world in general,' returned Luffincot. ' I have heard many express it.' He was ignorant of the strength of the fire he was feeding; he did not note the quivering, longing eagerness with which Edgar listened. ' Well,' he said, smiling at last, ' and are you come to tell me this V ' No ; I am come to ask you to spare Miss Saterleigh the pain and misery of a cross examination V ' How can I do that?' asked Edgar abruptly. ' I don't know how it can be done. I must leave that to you. I think it can be managed through Mrs. Lancross. It is she who presses this charge against Thurlstone.' • But the matter is in the hands of the coroner now.

And I have done more already, Mr. Luffincot, for your friend than you are aware of. Do you know the writing on that envelope ?' ' Yes,' said Luffincot, his strained eyes fixed on Poppy's writing and his face growing pinched and white. ' And you see to whom it is addressed ? Well, I am about to seal it up now, and I shall give it to you to return to the writer. I have not forgotten that Captain Thurlstone saved my life. I do this for him in exchange. You must not ask me to run further risk — -I can do no more.' ' Not for him,' cried Luffincot eagerly, ' but for his sister, and through her for yourself.' 'Myself?' ' Yes. Show kindness and forbearance to Thurlstone's sister, and you will win Miss Challacombe's gratitude. It will be worth much to you. If I did not feel from the depth of my heart that no turn that circum stances may take can alter her fate as regards Thurlstone, I would not, for his sake, say this to you.

But I do my friend no harm in showing you how to do yourself good. I know she can never be his wife.' With his hand pressed upon his brow Edgar Davenant remained a moment in thought ; he did not wish Thurlstone's friend to read his face and note the change his words made on it. ' Mr. Luffincot,' he said gravely, ' the poor young fellow who is dead was my friend and partner, and yet I have held aloof from this inquiry and taken no share in it. I could not appear as the persecutor of a man who saved my life and who was my rival.' ' Quite right,' agreed Luffincot ; ' you would have been called vindictive and un grateful.' Edgar coloured slightly. ' I have said as much to Mrs. Lancross,' he resumed, 'and she understands my apparent indifference ; but I cannot carry that so far as to go over to the enemy's side, and positively ask her, from a selfish motive of my own, to quash evidence which ought to be wrung from the sister of the man she truly believes to have caused the death of her son.' Luffincot grew white.

He rose and rested his hand on the back of his chair ; in the other hand was Poppy's letter, which Edgar Davenant had sealed and given to him. ' Do you refuse to spare this unhappy girl ?' he said. ' I refuse. I can do nothing for her. She has sworn to certain things in order to screen her brother ; if she has sworn falsely, she must take the consequences. She should have counted the cost before undertaking such a task.' Luffincot was as pale now as living man could be ; his fingers grasped the rail of the chair tightly. ' You consider then that you have paid your debt to Captain Thurlstone by giving me this letter ?' ' Yes, and by refraining from making use of it, or in any way, overt or covert, assisting Mrs. Lancross in this lamentable inquiry.' ' Then, Mr. Davenant, allow me to tell you that I consider you have not done all a man of honour should do.

Your motives are visible to me. You are striving to screen Richard Lancross — -who was a scoundrel, as doubtless this letter would prove — and you are not trying to save Captain Thurlstone, who did but avenge his sister as a soldier should.' Edgar Davenant had risen also ; the two men confronted each other, each pale and steadfast. ' I am sorry that is your opinion, Mr. Luffincot. I am not an advocate myself of secret assassination for any cause. Even a duel in these days would be inexcusable, but a pistol-shot in the dark is murder.' The cruel sarcasm with which he spoke brought the blood back hotly to Luffincot's white face. ' Stop !' he cried, holding out his clenched hand. ' You have no right to say that until the charge is proved. I believe Miss Sater leigh's word ; and I tell you that, by refusing to spare this courageous girl a cross-examination that would injure her brother and perhaps ruin herself, you have made an enemy of me.

I shall throw my heart now into Thurlstone's service, and I shall yet clear his name in time to stop you from stepping into his place. If you were standing before the very altar with Miss Challacombe, and I could aid him to wrest the girl from you, I would do it.' ' I hope you will have the opportunity of trying,' said Edgar coolly, though he was white to the lips. ' I hope I shall,' returned Luffincot fiercely, ramming his hat down upon his head with needless force. ' Good-day, Mr. Davenant. I do not warn you not to repeat any word said between us respecting the two ladies we have named, because, after all, I give you credit for being a gentleman, not a sneak or a coward.' ' Thank you,' said Edgar. ' Perhaps you will spare me any further words, sir. I believe you know your way to the door.' ' For your precious friend's sake, with regard to whose reputation you are so careful,' resumed Luffincot, looking back with a dangerous fire in his blue eyes,' I should advise you to be silent, unless you wish every man with a man's heart in him to post the fellow's name as a scoundrel whenever it is mentioned in his hearing.' ' Leave dead men alone,' retorted Edgar, 'and deal with the living.

You and I can find a way to quarrel one day without drag ging women's names into the mud.' ' The nearer the day the better I shall be pleased,' said Luffincot. Edgar nodded ; the door was closed, and in another instant Luffincot was out in the hot street, with a blaze of sunshine on him, and a lamentable sense of failure cold at his heart, mingling with wrath and a violent desire to fight the whole world. -/T -«r Men like Dan Tregoon are reckoned among the uneducated, because the polite world chooses to consider that education is to be found only in books. This is one of the great mistakes which the next generation will rectify. There is nothing educates like a handicraft ; to deal with things themselves is better than to deal with books which prate of them. Old Dan had an observing eye and a skilful hand ; he knew the sea and the creatures that dwell therein ; and he knew the shore and the inhabitants thereof, and the wary eye and the cunning hand were wise to watch and crafty to hold.