donal grant-第26章

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Straightway　Mrs。　Leper　appeared　from　somewhere　to　answer　the　squall
of　the　shrill…tongued　summoner。　　Donal　asked　if　Eppy　was　ready　to
go。　　The　woman　stared　at　him　a　moment　in　silence。

〃Eppy　wha；　said　ye？〃　she　asked　at　length。

〃Eppy　Comin；〃　he　answered。

〃I　ken　naething　aboot　her。Lucy！〃

A　good…looking　girl；　with　a　stocking　she　was　darning　drawn　over　one
hand　and　arm；　followed　her　mother　into　the　shop。

〃Whaur's　Eppy　Comin；　gien　ye　please？〃　asked　Donal。

〃I　ken　naething　aboot　her。　　I　haena　seen　her　sin'　this　day　week；〃
answered　the　girl　in　a　very　straight…forward　manner。

Donal　saw　he　had　been　tricked；　but　judging　it　better　to　seek　no
elucidation；　turned　with　apology　to　go。

As　he　opened　the　door；　there　came　through　the　house　from　behind　a
blast　of　cold　wind：　there　was　an　open　outer　door　in　that　direction！
The　girl　must　have　slipped　through　the　house；　and　out　by　that　door；
leaving　her　squire　to　cool　himself；　vainly　expectant；　in　the　street！
If　she　had　found　another　admirer；　as　probably　she　imagined；　his
polite　attentions　were　at　the　moment　inconvenient！

But　she　had　tried　the　trick　too　often；　for　she　had　once　served　her
fisherman　in　like　fashion。　　Seeing　her　go　into　the　baker's；　Kennedy
had　conjectured　her　purpose；　and　hurrying　toward　the　issue　from　the
other　exit；　saw　her　come　out　of　the　court；　and　was　again　following
her。

Donal　hastened　homeward。　　The　moon　rose。　　It　was　a　lovely　night。
Dull…gleaming　glimpses　of　the　river　came　through　the　light　fog　that
hovered　over　it　in　the　rising　moon　like　a　spirit…river　continually
ascending　from　the　earthly　one　and　resting　upon　it；　but　flowing　in
heavenly　places。　　The　white　webs　shone　very　white　in　the　moon；　and
the　green　grass　looked　gray。　　A　few　minutes　more；　and　the　whole
country　was　covered　with　a　low…lying　fog；　on　whose　upper　surface　the
moon　shone；　making　it　appear　to　Donal's　wondering　eyes　a　wide…spread
inundation；　from　which　rose　half…submerged　houses　and　stacks　and
trees。　　One　who　had　never　seen　the　thing　before；　and　who　did　not
know　the　country；　would　not　have　doubted　he　looked　on　a　veritable
expanse　of　water。　　Absorbed　in　the　beauty　of　the　sight　he　trudged
on。

Suddenly　he　stopped：　were　those　the　sounds　of　a　scuffle　he　heard　on
the　road　before　him？　　He　ran。　　At　the　next　turn；　in　the　loneliest
part　of　the　way；　he　saw　something　dark；　like　the　form　of　a　man；
lying　in　the　middle　of　the　road。　　He　hastened　to　it。　　The　moon
gleamed　on　a　pool　beside　it。　　A　death…like　face　looked　heavenward：
it　was　that　of　lord　Forguewithout　breath　or　motion。　　There　was　a
cut　in　his　head：　from　that　the　pool　had　flowed。　　He　examined　it　as
well　as　he　could　with　anxious　eyes。　　It　had　almost　stopped　bleeding。
What　was　he　to　do？　　What　could　be　done？　　There　was　but　one　thing！
He　drew　the　helpless　form　to　the　side　of　the　way；　and　leaning　it　up
against　the　earth…dyke；　sat　down　on　the　road　before　it；　and　so
managed　to　get　it　upon　his　back；　and　rise　with　it。　　If　he　could　but
get　him　home　unseen；　much　scandal　might　be　forestalled！

On　the　level　road　he　did　very　well；　but；　strong　as　he　was；　he　did
not　find　it　an　easy　task　to　climb　with　such　a　burden　the　steep
approach　to　the　castle。　　He　had　little　breath　left　when　at　last　he
reached　the　platform　from　which　rose　the　towering　bulk。

He　carried　him　straight　to　the　housekeeper's　room。　　It　was　not　yet
more　than　half…past　ten；　and　though　the　servants　were　mostly　in　bed；
mistress　Brookes　was　still　moving　about。　　He　laid　his　burden　on　her
sofa；　and　hastened　to　find　her。

Like　a　sensible　woman　she　kept　her　horror　and　dismay　to　herself。
She　got　some　brandy；　and　between　them　they　managed　to　make　him
swallow　a　little。　　He　began　to　recover。　　They　bathed　his　wound；　and
did　for　it　what　they　could　with　scissors　and　plaster；　then　carried
him　to　his　own　room；　and　got　him　to　bed。　　Donal　sat　down　by　him；　and
staid。　　His　patient　was　restless　and　wandering　all　the　night；　but
towards　morning　fell　into　a　sound　sleep；　and　was　still　asleep　when
the　housekeeper　came　to　relieve　him。

As　soon　as　Mrs。　Brookes　left　Donal　with　lord　Forgue；　she　went　to
Eppy's　room；　and　found　her　in　bed；　pretending　to　be　asleep。　　She
left　her　undisturbed；　thinking　to　come　easier　at　the　truth　if　she
took　her　unprepared　to　lie。　　It　came　out　afterwards　that　she　was　not
so　heartless　as　she　seemed。　　She　found　lord　Forgue　waiting　her　upon
the　road；　and　almost　immediately　Kennedy　came　up　to　them。　　Forgue
told　her　to　run　home　at　once：　he　would　soon　settle　matters　with　the
fellow。　　She　went　off　like　a　hare；　and　till　she　was　out　of　sight　the
men　stood　looking　at　each　other。　　Kennedy　was　a　powerful　man；　and
Forgue　but　a　stripling；　the　latter　trusted；　however；　to　his　skill；
and　did　not　fear　his　adversary。　　He　did　not　know　what　he　was。

He　seemed　now　in　no　danger；　and　his　attendants　agreed　to　be　silent
till　he　recovered。　　It　was　given　out　that　he　was　keeping　his　room
for　a　few　days；　but　that　nothing　very　serious　was　the　matter　with
him。

In　the　afternoon；　Donal　went　to　find　Kennedy；　loitered　a　while　about
the　village；　and　made　several　inquiries　after　him；　but　no　one　had
seen　him。

Forgue　recovered　as　rapidly　as　could　have　been　expected。　　Davie　was
troubled　that　he　might　not　go　and　see　him；　but　he　would　have　been
full　of　question；　remark；　and　speculation！　　For　what　he　had　himself
to　do　in　the　matter；　Donal　was　but　waiting　till　he　should　be　strong
enough　to　be　taken　to　task。




CHAPTER　XXVI。

CONFRONTMENT。

At　length　one　evening　Donal　knocked　at　the　door　of　Forgue's　room；
and　went　in。　　He　was　seated　in　an　easy　chair　before　a　blazing　fire；
looking　comfortable；　and　showing　in　his　pale　face　no　sign　of　a
disturbed　conscience。

〃My　lord；〃　said　Donal；　〃you　will　hardly　be　surprised　to　find　I　have
something　to　talk　to　you　about！〃

His　lordship　was　so　much　surprised　that　he　made　him　no　answeronly
looked　in　his　face。　　Donal　went　on：

〃I　want　to　speak　to　you　about　Eppy　Comin；〃　he　said。

Forgue's　face　flamed　up。　　The　devil　of　pride；　and　the　devil　of　fear；
and　the　devil　of　shame；　all　rushed　to　the　outworks　to　defend　the
worthless　self。　　But　his　temper　did　not　at　once　break　bounds。

〃Allow　me　to　remind　you；　Mr。　Grant；〃　he　said；　〃that；　although　I　have
availed　myself　of　your　help；　I　am　not　your　pupil；　and　you　have　no
authority　over　me。〃

〃The　reminder　is　unnecessary；　my　lord；〃　answered　Donal。　〃I　am　not
your　tutor；　but　I　am　the　friend　of　the　Comins；　and　therefore　of
Eppy。〃

His　lordship　drew　himself　up　yet　more　erect　in　his　chair；　and　a
sneer　came　over　his　handsome　countenance。　　But　Donal　did　not　wait
for　him　to　speak。

〃Don't　imagine　me；　my　lord；〃　he　said；　〃presuming　on　the　fact　that　I
had　the　good　fortune　to　carry　you　home：　that　I　should　have　done　for
the　stable…boy　in　similar　plight。　　But　as　I　interfered　for　you　then；
I　have　to　interfere　for　Eppie　now。〃

〃Damn　your　insolence！　　Do　you　think　because　you　are　going　to　be　a
parson；　you　may　make　a　congregation　of　me！〃

〃I　have　not　the　slightest　intention　of　being　a　parson；〃　returned
Donal　quietly；　〃but　I　do　hope　to　be　an　honest　man；　and　your　lordship
is　in　great　danger　of　ceasing　to　be　one！〃

〃Get　out　of　my　room；〃　cried　Forgue。

Donal　took　a　seat　opposite　him。

〃If　you　do　not；　I　will！〃　said　the　young　lord；　and　rose。

But　ere　he　reached　the　door；　Donal　was　standing　with　his　back
against　it。　　He　locked　it；　and　took　out　the　key。　　The　youth　glared
at　him；　unable　to　speak　for　fury；　then　turned；　caught　up　a　chair；
and　rushed　at　him。　　One　twist　of　Donal's　ploughman…hand　wrenched　it
from　him。　　He　threw　it　over　his　head　upon　the　bed；　and　stood
motionless　and　silent；　waiting　till　his　rage　should　subside。　　In　a
few　moments　his　eye　began　to　quail；　and　he　went　back　to　his　seat。

〃Now；　my　lord；〃　said　Donal；　following　his　example　and　sitting　down；
〃will　you　hear　me？〃

〃I'll　be　damned　if　I　do！〃　he　answered；　flaring　up　again　at　the　first
sound　of　Donal's　voice。

〃I'm　afraid　you'll　be　damned　if　you　don't；〃　returned　Donal。

His　lordship　took　the　undignified　expedient　of　thrusting　his　fingers
in　his　ears。　　Donal　sat　quiet　until　he　removed　them。　　But　the　moment
he　began　to　speak　he　thrust　them　in　again。　　Donal　rose；　and　seizing
one　of　his　hands　by　the　wrist；　said；

〃Be　careful；　my　lord；　if　you　drive　me　to　extremity；　I　will　speak　so
that　the　house　shall　hear　me；　if　that　will　not　do；　I　go　straight　to
your　father。〃

〃You　are　a　spy　and　a　sneak！〃

〃A　man　who　behaves　like　you；　should　have　no　terms　held　with　him。〃

The　youth　broke　out　in　a　fresh　passion。　　Donal　sat　waiting　till　the
futile　outburst　should　be　over。　　It　was　presently　exhausted；　the
rage　seeming　to　go　out　for　want　of　fuel。　　Nor　did　he　again　stop　his
ears　against　the　truth　he　saw　he　was　doomed　to　hear。

〃I　am　come；〃　said　Donal；　〃to　ask　your　lordship　whether　the　course
you　are　pursuing　is　not　a　dishonourable　one。〃

〃I　know　what　I　am　about。〃

〃So　much　the　worsebut　I　doubt　it。　　For　your　mother's　sake；　if　for
no　other；　you　should　scorn　to　behave　to　a　woman　as　you　are　doing
now。〃

〃What　do　you　please　to　imagine　I　am　doing　now？〃

〃There　is　no　imagination　in　thisthat　you　are　behaving　to　Eppy　as
no　man　ought　except　he　meant　to　marry　her。〃

〃How　do　you　know　I　do　not　mean　to　marry　her？〃

〃Do　you　mean　to　marry　her；　my　lord？〃

〃What　right　have　you　to　ask？〃

〃At　least　I　live　under　the　same　roof　with　you　both。〃

〃What　if　she　knows　I　do　not　intend　to　marry　her？〃

〃My　duty　is　equally　plain：　I　am　the　friend　of　her　only　relatives。
If　I　did　not　do　my　best　for　the　poor　girl；　I　dared　not　look　my
Master　in　the　face！Where　is　your　honour；　my　lord？〃

〃I　never　told　her　I　would　marry　her。〃

〃I　never　supposed　you　had。〃

〃Well；　what　then？〃

〃I　repeat；　such　attentions　as　yours　must　naturally　be　supposed　by
any　innocent　girl　to　mean　marriage。〃

〃Bah！　she　is　not　such　a　fool！〃

〃I　fear　she　is　fool　enough　not　to　know　to　what　they　must　then
point！〃

〃They　point　to　nothing。〃

〃Then　you　take　advantage　of　her　innocence　to　amuse　yourself　with
her。〃

〃What　if　she　be　not　quite　so　innocent　as　you　would　have　her。〃

〃My　lord；　you　are　a　scoundrel。〃

For　one　moment　Forgue　seemed　to　wrestle　with　an　all　but
uncontrollable　fury；　the　next　he　laughedbut　it　was　not　a　nice
laugh。

〃Come　now；〃　he　said；　〃I'm　glad　I've　put　you　in　a　rage！　　I've　got
over　mine。　　I'll　tell　you　the　whole　truth：　there　is　nothing　between
me　and　the　girlnothing　whatever；　I　give　you　my　word；　except　an
innocent　flirtation。　　Ask　herself。〃

〃My　lord；〃　said　Donal；　〃I　believe　what　you　mean　me　to　understand。　　I
thought　nothing　worse　of　it　myself。〃

〃Then　why　the　devil　kick　up　such　an　infernal　shindy　about　it？〃

〃For　these　reasons；　my　lord：〃

〃Oh；　come！　don't　be　long…winded。〃

〃You　must　hear　me。〃

〃Go　on。〃

〃I　will　suppose　she　does　not　imagine　you　mean　to　marry　her。〃

〃She　can't！〃

〃Why　not？〃

〃She's　not　a　fool；　and　she　can't　imagine　me　such　an　idiot！〃

〃But　may　she　not　suppose　you　love　her？〃

He　tried　to　laugh。

〃You　have　never　told　her　so？never　said　or　done　anything　to　make
her　think　so？〃

〃Oh；　well！　she　may　think　soafter　a　sort　of　a　fashion！〃

〃Would　she　speak　to　you　again　if　she　heard　you　talking　so　of　the
love　you　give　her？〃

〃You　know　as　well　as　I　do　the　word　has　many　meanings？〃