Kestell of Greystone

Front matter

VOL BY ESME STUART AUTHOR OF ' A FAIRE DAMZELL,' ' MURIEL'S MARRIAGE,' etc, etc. ' If you loved only what were worth your love, Love were clear gain, and wholly well for you.' IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, LIA1ITED, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1891. AU rights reserved. CONTENTS OP THE SECOND VOLUA1E. CHAFTEB PAOE I. Beihg Questioned 1 II. An Accident on the Line .... 15 III. Worthless Papers 34 IV. Amice's Resolution 56 V. A Man's Honour 69 VI. Restitution of all Things ... 88 VII. Who is John Pellew ? .... Ill VIII. Elva's Protector 130 IX. In London on Business .... 154 X. A Gleam of Light 173 XI. Thick Darkness 185 XII. The Unsigned Will . . . .202 XI [I. At the Greystone Hotel . . . . 214 XIV. Hoel knows all 227 XV. Mistaken Silence ... . 240 XVL Happy Waiting 254 XVII. At an End 268 XVIII. The Law of a Man's own Mind 284 XIX. Self-Exiled 301 XX. Hoel's Teacher • ....

Chapter I. Being Questioned

' There is no sort of wrong deed of which a man can bear tha punishment alone, you can't isolate yourself and say that tho evil which is in you shall not spread.' ' Tabula rasa,' the white page which the great bounding heart of youth is so anxious to see filled in Avith the sweet experience of life and of love. Hoav very easily it expands ready for this beauti ful picture to be photographed on it ; and then all at once the young discover that the finger which is writing slowly on that soft, easily impressed substance, is spelling, not the word Joy, but the two syllables Sorrow. Joy is not a myth, hoAvever, though one is sometimes tempted to ask — Avhat is it ? Is it to VOL. II. B be found in success, in possessions, in admiration, or in love 1 All in succession ansAver ' No ;' and yet every young heart disbelieves, and says, positively : ' It is somewhere, and I must find it.' And Elva Kestell's warm loving heart said, very loudly indeed : ' Joy is in love, and I am finding it.' The pair of grey ponies at the door of Rush brook House pawed impatiently for the time when they might trot off.

They appeared to know they were starting on a joyous errand, and Avere going to meet a lo\-er ; but, though Elva was also eager to be off, she yet could not start without first saying good-bye to her father. Air. Kestell had not been very well lately. It was nothing serious, the doctor said he ' wanted tone ;' by which happy expression the members of the faculty cover a large amount of ignorance concerning the diseases of their fellow-creatures, because their minds are so rigidly fixed upon flesh and blood that they smile at the word spirit. If you want tone, you must have a tonic ; and so neatly Avrapped-up and labelled bottles had been carried by Jones into the study, Avith as much care as at night he carried the Bible, before prayers, into the drawing-room. One good of Air. Kestell's Avanting tone Avas, that his wife reviA'ed visibly, in order to be able to tell him oftener that there really was nothing the matter with him, and that the doctor Avas all Avrong.

Airs. Kestell, like many invalids, had a rooted objection to anyone but herself being on the sick list ; so she did all she could to persuade her husband that the best thing he could do was to go to Greystone as usual. But Air. Kestell appeared quite glad to be able to rest for a Avhole week and to enjoy the society of his wife and his daughters ; or rather of Elva, for every day seemed to make a Avider breach between him and Amice. There Avas no apparent reason for this ; but, though both kneAv the fact, no one noticed anything A'ery different in their intercourse. Elva entered the study to-day Hke a strong, joyous, summer breeze, and, at the sight of her, Mr. Kestell's face brightened visibly. ' Papa, I'm off; the ponies are impatient. You must look more like yourself by the time Hoel comes.

Suppose you come, too V B ' Three's not company, miss,' he said, holding the bright face between his hands, ' and so you are a little impatient, too, as well as the ponies. AA'ill he get his ansAver to-day ?' Eh'a blushed. That was a good sign, her father thought. ' Are you anxious to get rid of me, papa V she said. ' I don't want to be selfish, darling ; and the more I see of Hoel Fenner the better I like him.' ' So do I, papa ;' and Elva laughed so happily that Air. Kestell gaA-e a little sigh of relief. ' Then Avhy Avait longer before giving him certainty V Elva stood up quite straight, looking taller than usual, the dark-grey eyes seeming to light up with a new expression of hope and happiness. ' Because, though I do like him better every time I see him, I am not quite sure if I love him enough ; and, as he must always be my friend, I Avant to be quite, quite sure.

The other day I read this : " He that does a base thing for his friend burns the golden thread that ties their hearts together." I am so afraid of saying " Yes " to please him before I am quite, quite sure myself.' Air. Kestell looked up at his child Avith a strange expression, which made Elva say quickly, and in a tone a httle hurt : ' You don't believe me, papa V ' Good heavens, child, of course I believe you ; but I am anxious not to keep him Avaiting too long. It seems hardly fair, I mean ' ' Oh, papa, I do belieA'e the doctor is right, you do AA'ant something to set you up again. You are not a bit like yourself. It is ever since — oh, yes, I remember — since that time Jesse Vicary came here. Hoel says that he can make nothing of his refusal, and that there must be some mystery about it which we cannot fathom.' ' My dear Elva, remember the ponies ; you really must not keep them Avaiting any longer.

Take care Avhen you get to Greystone not to I mean Jupiter does not like the train.' ' AVell, yes, I must go. Good-bye, you dear old dad ; take all that bottle of stuff before I come back, so as to be fit society for that cleA'er Air. Fenner. isn't it strange he cares about me so much V ' Not at all strange, child. Now good-bye.' Amice was in the hall, ready to go out into the A'illage. She had a covered basket in her hand ; but to those who kneAv her she seemed paler, more thoughtful than usual, if that were possible. Elva nodded and smiled at her mother, Avho looked out of the drawing-room window at her, told Amice to see that there were fresh flowers in the drawing-room, and then stepped quickly into the pretty pony-chaise, and drove off. Air. Kes tell stood watching his darling with loA-ing eyes ; and so engaged was he in this occupation, that he did not notice that Amice still remained near to him till he was startled by her voice saying : ' Papa.' He turned round quickly ; all the look of joy died out of his eyes, and only an anxious ex pression remained. ' AVell, my dear Amice ?

I thought you had gone on. The afternoon seems clouding over, and you must be at home when Air. Fenner comes back.' It was only the expression of his face that altered, the words were as gentle and as kind as if they were addressed to Elva. ' I am going, but I Avanted to ask you some thing, papa ; and yet I hardly knoAv if I may?' It Avas so rare for Amice to originate a remark, that it Avas no wonder her father looked sur prised. He did more, he turned away from those terrible blue eyes that looked him full in the face. ' AA'hat is it, my dear ? Make haste ; I am very busy this afternoon with accounts.' ' What made Jesse Vicary change his mind about Air. Fenner's offer?' Mr. Kestell's lips parted, as if he were indulging in a silent sigh of relief. ' You seem to interest yourself strangely about that young man, Amice.

I don't think it is quite — quite what your mother would like. The reason of his refusing the offer is, howeA'er, per fectly simple. I made him see that to refuse was the wisest course.' Amice looked puzzled. ' He did it of his own free will V ' Certainly.' ' He was very unhappy about it. Papa, 1 saw him that evening, and I shall never forget his face. It seems to haunt me wherever I go ; and I cannot help fancying that, somehoAv or other, Ave are to blame for it. Oh, I don't knoAv how; but you know — you know. Papa, don't look like that ! Forgive me if I am saying something wrong. If I am wrong I am punished.' Air. Kestell did not understand Amice's meaning in the least ; but he gave her words an in terpretation of his OAvn. He looked round to see if his wife was near, or if any serA-ant was about ; but no one was there, and he began walking down the steps so as to draw her away from the house.

This had the desired effect. Amice followed him down the driA*e, through the gate, and along the road by the Pools. ' You saw Vicary the last eA'ening he Avas here,' said Mr. Kestell, very slowly ; ' and pray what did he say to you ? AVhy did you not tell me this before V ' Because I was afraid to speak . . .' Amice turned avvay her head, and added, almost under her breath : ' It is dreadful to be always afraid.' ' Afraid of what V said Air. Kestell. He did not lose his temper ; he was A'ery gentle, for he feared to frighten Amice before hearing all she had to say. ' Afraid of the cry of the fatherless, which goes straight up to Heaven. It is poAverful, so very poAverful.' Air. Kestell paused close by the pool, whose dark Avaters, at the upper end, seemed to reflect nothing of heaven. The water had a strange fascination for him ; it attracted him as fire oc casionally attracts and paralyses animals.

Some times he appeared not to be able to move away from it. He seemed to be saying Amice's last words OA'er to himself, as if to take in their meaning. The two formed a strange picture in the stillness of the afternoon. All Avas so motionless aud restful round them, all except the minds of the father and daughter. Sud denly Air. Kestell recovered himself as he turned away from the water and grasped his daughter's arm firmly. ' Amice, you have somehow got distorted notions about the truth. AVhy you should suddenly develop this suspicion about me, I know not. I should be very glad indeed to set your mind at rest on the subject of Jesse Vicary, if that Avere possible. AAt-ite to him yourself, and ask him any question you please. I think you will find that I have honestly tried to do the best I could for him.

I gave in about this offer of Air. Fenner, for fear he should mistake my intentions. As to Symee's moA'ements, cannot you see yourself that it Avould hardly be kind to let the poor girl share a A'ery small income ? Now, Amice, what else are you afraid of? Such ridiculous nonsense as you talk is very — displeasing to me. I never find Elva setting you such an example.' Mr. Kestell paused, and this time it was his turn to look straight at Amice, and to see what effect his words had upon her. On her side, Amice only appeared frightened and disturbed. She passed her hand over her forehead as if to clear her ideas. Evidently, when she spoke, her mood had changed ; she was noAv deeply contrite. ' Papa, forgive me. I can't explain this feeling which comes OA*er me. There, it is gone now ; perhaps your explanation will send it away for ever.

Oh, I hope so ; I hope so !' ' AVhat do you mean, child ? Are you mad?' Mr. Kestell would not be mollified by his child's evident distress. The tAvo were alone, quite alone, so he could afford for once to speak his mind. ' I hope not ; I hope not. I can't be mad ; though I sometimes ask myself if this may not be the case. It is so difficult to judge, so diffi cult. If only I could tell you everything ; but you Avould be angry.' ' Tell me everything !' Amice shook her head ' It is gone noAv. There, papa, -will you for give me ? 1 can't think why I dare question you like that. You must be the best judge. I know you will be fair in all your dealings with Symee and her brother. Haven't you been their best friend always ? They have both told me so.' ' Very well, then, pray remember this, my dear, and don't let us hear of this nonsense any more.

I will think the case over again, and see if I can in any way help Vicary further. He fancies his present work distasteful to him ; he may like to change it. I will think it all over again. And now, dear, go off to your business, and remember, Amice, never mention a Avord of all this to your mother; it would distress her very much.' Amice seemed gradually to recover her pres ence of mind ; her blue eyes filled with tears, and she heaved a httle sigh of relief. ' I hope it will be the last time I shall vex you, papa, I do really hope so. I am so glad you spoke quite plainly to me.' Amice turned away, and disappeared quietly with a brighter, firmer step than usual, and Air. Kestell walked on slowly along the road leading by the Pools. Everything Avas still and quiet, save for the sounds of Nature.

A moor-hen now and then splashed along the reeds ; the birds, especially the robins, sang songs to the departing year, and one shoAved great pleasure in nipping a stout worm in two ; beneath the cloak of song and beauty there is much cruelty — as we are apt to interpret the Avord. Every step in the law of Nature seems at tended with something Avhich revolts our higher nature. Is it that our higher nature sees but very imperfectly, or is it that Nature has no affinity with spirit, and cannot be made to folloAv the same rules ? Air. Kestell watched the robin intently till he had finished both halves of his Avorm and had returned to his bough to sing a jubilant thanks giving for his supper. AVith the spirit of a lawyer he even wondered Avhich best deserved to suffei-. Anyhow, it was the robin that re ceiA'ed the praise and the good dinner; only morbid enthusiasts would Avaste their pity on the worm.

Then he dreAv an analogy, which he did not put into words. ' What nonsense !' he said to himself, walking on more briskly. ' Analogies constantly fail ; they are bound to fail ; there are no such things. But this A'ery precaution I took has added to the danger. So Hoel Fenner thinks it strange. But no, he is too much on his own side to Avander into the unknown. And Amice ? Good God ! sometimes I fancy that girl has second sight ; and yet that is impossible. Scotch blood — nonsense ! Her grandmother was Scotch. But I don't belieA-e in such things. I expect she is naturally tender-hearted, and she was upset by meeting Vicary. I have done my best for him — my very best. His education cost me every penny of that money. I have kept nothing of it — not a penny. The laAv is plainly on my side. I — I Good heavens !' Mr. Kestell leaned against the trunk of an old oak-tree, Avhose leaves fell sloAvly and A'ery occasionally to the earth. ' Not yet, not yet — it has been safe so long — not yet. Elva must be happy — must be. My darling must never know — never ; anything to prevent that — anything or everything.'

Chapter II. An Accident On The Line

1 1 took you — how could I otherwise ? For a world to me, and more ; For all, love greatens and glorifies Till God's a-glow, to the loving eyes, In what was mere earth before.' ' Miss Kestell is waiting in the carriage,' remarked the porter at Greystone station. ' She's Avaiting for the down-train, for the gennelman as came last Saturday,' said the other porter, with the decided tone of a man Avho has a good memory and knows hoAV to use it. 'Eh?' said the first speaker, who never looked at anything attentively, unless it was luggage properly labelled. It Avas in the midst of this quiet, lazy fashion of proceeding that a whirlwind of excitement broke over the little country station, and, like the unforeseen storm, no one knew how it had first been felt. ' An accident on the line !' Everyone seemed to know it at once without exactly asking or being told. ' It's the down-train ; just outside Rigby's Tunnel.

Three carriages gone off the rails. — Everybody killed ? — No ; ten dead, and all wounded. — Hoav was it smashed up? — A carriage came uncoupled, dragged some more along with it down an embankment. — Greystone doctor required, and help at once.' How much of all this Elva heard and under stood she could not remember afterwards, but it all flashed suddenly upon her when the groom, regardless of all that was right and dignified, rushed into the station to find out ; and Avhen the porter Avith a good memory came rushing past her to fetch some one. Elva's heart seemed for a moment to stop beating ; then, as the groom came back pale and excited with the news, all the blood rushed back to Aliss Kestell's face. ' Rigby's Tunnel ; it's only three miles off. Quick, Ben ! I'll drive on. We might help, if — with ' She was afraid somebody Avould stop her ; and she felt she must go.

Suppose Hoel Fenner was No, not that — not that. Hoel, so clever, so wonderful — not that ; it could not be. She Avhipped the ponies fiercely, and they trotted off. There AA'as no engine at Greystone to send, but seA'eral men had already started off running along the rails, knowing all the other trains were stopped. A dog-cart which had been Avaiting near to Elva also took the road to Rigby's Tunnel. Altogether it was a curious experience of wild excitement, with no time to express it in. Elva had only one aim in view — to get there as quickly as possible, and to know the truth. Hoel's wonderful personality suddenly assumed quite different proportions in her eyes; her heart beat strong and quick. At this moment she felt that the knowledge of his danger had altered her whole vieAV of him. He might be killed just because he had been coming in this train, and coming to see her !

Loving her might be his death-bloAv. The dog-cart in front of her suddenly drew up as Dr. Pink, the parish doctor, came running out of a small house. The news had reached C VOL. H. him, and he seized the first opportunity that pre sented itself of driving to the scene of action. This delay gave Elva the start; and now, re gardless of the correct speed at which a lady should drive, she whipped up the ponies, and made them go quicker than they had ever gone before. Never had she done the distance in such a short time. Noav she was within sight of the spot, and, though for a moment her eyes became dim from fear and excitement, she noticed that already a crowd had collected ; that there Avere seA-eral heaps of broken debris ; and that the crowd was thickest at the bottom of the small embankment.

Eh'a ueA-er once thought of herself. She pulled up the ponies, threw the reins to the groom, and ran to the spot. 'The doctor is coming; he is close behind me. Where are the Avounded — the ' She could not say those Avho are killed. She spoke in vain, however; it was not easy to get through the crowd. The guard and several gentlemen Avere trying to keep people off. ' They're Avorking hard at rescuing. You see some of them,' said an old man near to her. ' The doctor is here,' said Elva again, and this time the Avord acted like a talisman ; for AA'hen Dr. Pink jumped clown from the dog-cart everyone made way for him ; and Elva, follow ing close behind, was able to get near to the scene of the accident. Noav she paused and saw how little she could do. Only the men could Avork amongst that mass of broken woodwork ; and she saw that she was in a crowd of frightened women aud children, most of whom were un harmed passengers from the unfortunate train.

All at once her heart gave a leap of intense joy and relief. There was Hoel himself, work ing Avith the rest. He Avas safe, thank Heaven ! It seemed like an ansAver to prayer. She saAv him pulling aAvay debris, going on his knees to lift something, then carrying it away with the help of two or three more men. Something The crowd told her what it Avas. ' It's a poor lady. They say she's dead, or fainted.' Elva could not keep quiet now. She broke through the crowd, and hurried to the foot of the embankment, meeting Hoel face to face as he C was hurrying back. Their hands met ; there seemed to be no poAver of words, saA'e about the suffering. ' The doctor is seeing to her ; go and help him. She is a third-class passenger, but a lady, I am sure. I must go back ; there are others.' 'You are not hurt ?' she said, and her eyes, meeting his, said much more.

Hoel felt the look, though he did not stop for more than a shake of his head, whilst Eh-a went on toAvards the little group which surrounded the lady. ' Dr. Pink, can I do anything ? Is she alive ?' Dr. Pink kneAv Elva well. He looked up, glad to see a lady. ' Thank you, Aliss Kestell. Your handker chief, please ; and kindly come and hold this lady's head. I think she has fainted.' Elva did as she Avas bid, though not Avithout a little shudder as she saw that the doctor Avas binding up a crushed hand. It Avas a sight too terrible to look at; so she looked away, determined to do as she was bid, and not giA'e Avay to her feelings. The worst was that the accident had taken place in a country spot, with hardly a cottage in sight, and no restoratives at hand except such as the passengers could provide. 'Are there many buried?' asked Elva, as, though she strained her eyes to see Hoel, she was just out of sight of the debris. ' Ten, in all, we fear.' 'Dr. Pink — here, you are Avanted.

Here's a man who must be attended to at once.' Another doctor had arrived now, and there was a case of immediate amputation, so that Elva Avas left in charge of the lady. 'I must go, Miss Kestell. Here's a drop of brandy iu this flask ; moisten her lips. Except for the hand, 1 see no other injury. It may be merely a faint. Do your best. I must go to this other case.' Eh'a nodded, and, looking up, saw Hoel once again helping to bear a burden. There was a cattle-shed in the field close by. She saw that the party went there. She dared not look further. ' A man's true nature comes out in an emer gency,' she thought, as she bathed her patient's face ; ' and I— I fancied he was only a literary man. I see I was wrong.' Presently she found all her thoughts Avere required for her patient, who suddenly opened her eyes, and, gradually recovering consciousness of Avhat had happened, began to cry.

A shout from a little crowd was the next thing that Elva remembered. ' Take care, take care ! Merciful heavens I the top has fallen in !' A feAV persons had gathered around, and, as the lady in her charge was slowly recovering, Elva rose, and took a few steps down the path to see Avhat was causing the new excitement. She noticed that a huge mass of debris, which had been lying on the edge of the embankment, had begun to slip. She saAv that Hoel, Avho had returned at that moment, could not avoid the spot. A great bar struck him, and he Avas completely knocked over. With a cry of horror, Elva rushed forward ; nor could she be stopped by several men, Avho called out to her not to go on. ' Stop, ma'am ; you mustn't go that way. It's not safe yet.' ' I must go. That gentleman, is he hurt ?' With the agility born of the free, out-of-door life she had led, Elva climbed the steep bank, determined to get round that Avay.

At the top, howeA'er, her passage was again barred. ' Miss Kestell — Elva, this is madness,' said a Ioav, harsh voice. ' AVhy are you here ?' It Avas Walter Akister, and Eh'a felt indig nant at the very fact of his being on the spot at all at this moment. ' Air. Fenner has just met with an accident. I must go and see if he is hurt. Let me pass.' Elva spoke haughtily, and almost passionately. Walter Akister did not seem to heed her words. He grasped her arms to prevent her progress. ' Hoav can you go into danger like this when there are so many real sufferers to attend to ? AVait here, I will go and find out what you want to knoAv.' Air. Akister's words were further strength ened by an official, Avho spoke with authority : 'You can't pass here, ma'am. There has been another fall of rubbish.

If you want to get past, you must go down the embankment and round that meadow. AVe can't have females here.' Perhaps Walter himself might not have been allowed to go by had he asked leave. As it Avas, he had safely passed the dangerous portion of roadway Avhilst the official Avas speaking to Elva. She saw him running doAvn the embank ment on the other side. She Avas not going to be ordered, however, or entirely thwarted. She had had too much her own Avay all her life long. Quickly she turned back, ran lightly down the embankment, and hurried OA'er a gate into a meadow to make the desired circuit. It was five minutes' Avalking. She never paused, but hurried on, her eyes eagerly straining to catch a sight of Hoel. At last she reached the gate ; several persons were leaning against it. 'Let me pass, please,' she said. ' Tell me, is that gentleman much hurt Avho Avas knocked down?

AVhere have they taken him ?' ' There's a sight of people hurt,' Avas the use less answer, and Elva hurried on toAvards the shed. Happily for her, Hoel was not inside ; and just outside she saw first Walter Akister, then Dr. Pink. They were bending over somebody, but that somebody was sitting on some saAvn wood. She at once recognised Hoel Fenner. ' Air. Fenner, are you hurt ?' Hoel Avas pale, but there Avas actually a smile on his face. ' Nothing at all to signify ; only my arm broken. It's set already ; but I'm afraid I'm useless now — eh, Dr. Pink ? Air. Akister, will you take my place ? There's only one more un fortunate to extricate.' AValter looked at Elva. He must have seen the tell-tale expression ; then, without a word, he walked aAvay to take Hoel's place ; but cer tainly Aliss Kestell never Avatched his efforts. ' Your carriage is here, I see, Aliss Kestell,' said Dr. Pink, hurriedly. ' Take Mr. Fenner home.

I advise his going to bed at once ; and I'll come round as soon as ever I can.' ' Yes, I suppose I must,' said Hoel ; ' but I'm sorry not to see the end.' 'I'm sure, sir,' said a raihvay-man, Avho had come to inquire, 'you've done wonders. I'm sorry that 'ere rubbish took to falling so unexpected like. The passengers wishes me to express their thanks to you.' Hoel waved his uninjured left hand, and tried to rise. Everyone then dispersed to help greater sufferers, and Elva said gently, and a little shyly : ' Will you take my arm ? Hoel did so. It Avas the sweetest moment in his life, he thought. But it was only for a few steps he accepted the offer. He would not let Elva fancy he Avas taking advantage of her because the situation was interesting. Just before they drove off, Dr. Pink brought a slip of paper to Elva. ' Will you leave this with Daulington at Greystone, and tell him to send this stuff at once ?' ' It is a bad case, I fear,' said Hoel, ' and I might have been in the same circumstance.' ' Poor fellow ; the amputation Avas the only chance, and I'm afraid he will sink.