little novels-第57章

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〃I　was　getting　the　vegetables；　ma'am；〃　Amelia　proceeded；　〃when　I　heard　voices　on　the　other　side　of　the　paling。　The　wood　is　so　old　that　one　can　see　through　the　cracks　easy　enough。　I　saw　my　master；　and　Mr。　Linwood；　and　Captain　Bervie。　The　Captain　seemed　to　have　stopped　the　other　two　on　the　pathway　that　leads　to　the　field；　he　stood；　as　it　might　be；　between　them　and　the　back　way　to　the　houseand　he　spoke　severely；　that　he　did！〃

〃What　did　Captain　Bervie　say？〃

〃He　said　these　words；　ma'am：　'For　the　last　time；　Mr。　Bowmore；'　says　he；　'will　you　understand　that　you　are　in　danger；　and　that　Mr。　Linwood　is　in　danger；　unless　you　both　leave　this　neighborhood　to…night？'　My　master　made　light　of　it。　'For　the　last　time；'　says　he；　'will　you　refer　us　to　a　proof　of　what　you　say；　and　allow　us　to　judge　for　ourselves？'　'I　have　told　you　already；'　says　the　Captain；　'I　am　bound　by　my　duty　toward　another　person　to　keep　what　I　know　a　secret。'　'Very　well；'　says　my　master；　'_I_　am　bound　by　my　duty　to　my　country。　And　I　tell　you　this；'　says　he；　in　his　high　and　mighty　way；　'neither　Government；　nor　the　spies　of　Government；　dare　touch　a　hair　of　my　head：　they　know　it；　sir；　for　the　head　of　the　people's　friend！'　〃

〃That's　quite　true；〃　said　Mrs。　Bowmore；　still　believing　in　her　husband　as　firmly　as　ever。

Amelia　went　on：

〃Captain　Bervie　didn't　seem　to　think　so；〃　she　said。　〃He　lost　his　temper。　'What　stuff！'　says　he；　'there's　a　Government　spy　in　your　house　at　this　moment；　disguised　as　your　footman。'　My　master　looked　at　Mr。　Linwood；　and　burst　out　laughing。　'You　won't　beat　that；　Captain；'　says　he；　'if　you　talk　till　doomsday。'　He　turned　about　without　a　word　more；　and　went　home。　The　Captain　caught　Mr。　Linwood　by　the　arm；　as　soon　as　they　were　alone。　'For　God's　sake；'　says　he；　'don't　follow　that　madman's　example！'　〃

Mrs。　Bowmore　was　shocked。　〃Did　he　really　call　my　husband　a　madman？〃　she　asked。

〃He　did；　indeed；　ma'amand　he　was　in　earnest　about　it；　too。　'If　you　value　your　liberty；'　he　says　to　Mr。　Linwood；　'if　you　hope　to　become　Charlotte's　husband；　consult　your　own　safety。　I　can　give　you　a　passport。　Escape　to　France　and　wait　till　this　trouble　is　over。'　Mr。　Linwood　was　not　in　the　best　of　tempersMr。　Linwood　shook　him　off。　'Charlotte's　father　will　soon　be　my　father；'　says　he；　'do　you　think　I　will　desert　him？　My　friends　at　the　Club　have　taken　up　my　claim；　do　you　think　I　will　forsake　them　at　the　meeting　to…morrow？　You　ask　me　to　be　unworthy　of　Charlotte；　and　unworthy　of　my　friendsyou　insult　me；　if　you　say　more。'　He　whipped　round　on　his　heel；　and　followed　my　master。〃

〃And　what　did　the　Captain　do？〃

〃Lifted　up　his　hands；　ma'am；　to　the　heavens；　and　lookedI　declare　it　turned　my　blood　to　see　him。　If　there's　truth　in　mortal　man；　it's　my　firm　belief〃

What　the　housemaid's　belief　was；　remained　unexpressed。　Before　she　could　get　to　her　next　word；　a　shriek　of　horror　from　the　hall　announced　that　the　cook's　powers　of　interruption　were　not　exhausted　yet。

Mistress　and　servant　both　hurried　out　in　terror　of　they　knew　not　what。　There　stood　the　cook；　alone　in　the　hall；　confronting　the　stand　on　which　the　overcoats　and　hats　of　the　men　of　the　family　were　placed。

〃Where's　the　master's　traveling　coat？〃　cried　the　cook；　staring　wildly　at　an　unoccupied　peg。　〃And　where's　his　cap　to　match！　Oh　Lord；　he's　off　in　the　post…chaise！　and　the　footman's　after　him！〃

Simpleton　as　she　was；　the　woman　had　blundered　on　a　very　serious　discovery。

Coat　and　capboth　made　after　a　foreign　pattern；　and　both　strikingly　remarkable　in　form　and　color　to　English　eyeshad　unquestionably　disappeared。　It　　was　equally　certain　that　they　were　well　known　to　the　foot　man；　whom　the　Captain　had　declared　to　be　a　spy；　as　the　coat　and　cap　which　his　master　used　in　traveling。　Had　Mr。　Bowmore　discovered　（since　the　afternoon）　that　he　was　really　in　danger？　Had　the　necessities　of　instant　flight　only　allowed　him　time　enough　to　snatch　his　coat　and　cap　out　of　the　hall？　And　had　the　treacherous　manservant　seen　him　as　he　was　making　his　escape　to　the　post…chaise？　The　cook's　conclusions　answered　all　these　questions　in　the　affirmativeand；　if　Captain　Bervie's　words　of　warning　had　been　correctly　reported；　the　cook's　conclusion　for　once　was　not　to　be　despised。

Under　this　last　trial　of　her　fortitude；　Mrs。　Bowmore's　feeble　reserves　of　endurance　completely　gave　way。　The　poor　lady　turned　faint　and　giddy。　Amelia　placed　her　on　a　chair　in　the　hall；　and　told　the　cook　to　open　the　front　door；　and　let　in　the　fresh　air。

The　cook　obeyed；　and　instantly　broke　out　with　a　second　terrific　scream；　announcing　nothing　less；　this　time；　than　the　appearance　of　Mr。　Bowmore　himself；　alive　and　hearty；　returning　with　Percy　from　the　meeting　at　the　Club！

The　inevitable　inquiries　and　explanations　followed。

Fully　assured；　as　he　had　declared　himself　to　be；　of　the　sanctity　of　his　person　（politically　speaking）；　Mr。　Bowmore　turned　pale；　nevertheless；　when　he　looked　at　the　unoccupied　peg　on　his　clothes　stand。　Had　some　man　unknown　personated　him？　And　had　a　post…chaise　been　hired　to　lead　an　impending　pursuit　of　him　in　the　wrong　direction？　What　did　it　mean？　Who　was　the　friend　to　whose　services　he　was　indebted？　As　for　the　proceedings　of　the　man…servant；　but　one　interpretation　could　now　be　placed　on　them。　They　distinctly　justified　what　Captain　Bervie　had　said　of　him。　Mr。　Bowmore　thought　of　the　Captain's　other　assertion；　relating　to　the　urgent　necessity　for　making　his　escape；　and　looked　at　Percy　in　silent　dismay；　and　turned　paler　than　ever。

Percy's　thoughts；　diverted　for　the　moment　only　from　the　lady　of　his　love；　returned　to　her　with　renewed　fidelity。　〃Let　us　hear　what　Charlotte　thinks　of　it；〃　he　said。　〃Where　is　she？〃

It　was　impossible　to　answer　this　question　plainly　and　in　few　words。

Terrified　at　the　effect　which　her　attempt　at　explanation　produced　on　Percy；　helplessly　ignorant　when　she　was　called　upon　to　account　for　her　daughter's　absence；　Mrs。　Bowmore　could　only　shed　tears　and　express　a　devout　trust　in　Providence。　Her　husband　looked　at　the　new　misfortune　from　a　political　point　of　view。　He　sat　down　and　slapped　his　forehead　theatrically　with　the　palm　of　his　hand。　〃Thus　far；〃　said　the　patriot；　〃my　political　assailants　have　only　struck　at　me　through　the　newspapers。　_Now_　they　strike　at　me　through　my　child！〃

Percy　made　no　speeches。　There　was　a　look　in　his　eyes　which　boded　ill　for　Captain　Bervie　if　the　two　met。　〃I　am　going　to　fetch　her；〃　was　all　he　said；　〃as　fast　as　a　horse　can　carry　me。〃

He　hired　his　horse　at　an　inn　in　the　town；　and　set　forth　for　Justice　Bervie's　house　at　a　gallop。

During　Percy's　absence；　Mr。　Bowmore　secured　the　front　and　back　entrances　to　the　cottage　with　his　own　hands。

These　first　precautions　taken；　he　ascended　to　his　room　and　packed　his　traveling…bag。　〃Necessaries　for　my　use　in　prison；〃　he　remarked。　〃The　bloodhounds　of　Government　are　after　me。〃　〃Are　they　after　Percy；　too？〃　his　wife　ventured　to　ask。　Mr。　Bowmore　looked　up　impatiently；　and　cried　〃Pooh！〃as　if　Percy　was　of　no　consequence。　Mrs。　Bowmore　thought　otherwise：　the　good　woman　privately　packed　a　bag　for　Percy；　in　the　sanctuary　of　her　own　room。

For　an　hour；　and　more　than　an　hour；　no　event　of　any　sort　occurred。

Mr。　Bowmore　stalked　up　and　down　the　parlor；　meditating。　At　intervals；　ideas　of　flight　presented　themselves　attractively　to　his　mind。　At　intervals；　ideas　of　the　speech　that　he　had　prepared　for　the　public　meeting　on　the　next　day　took　their　place。　〃If　I　fly　to…night；〃　he　wisely　observed；　〃what　will　become　of　my　speech？　I　will　_not_　fly　to…night！　The　people　shall　hear　me。〃

He　sat　down　and　crossed　his　arms　fiercely。　As　he　looked　at　his　wife　to　see　what　effect　he　had　produced　on　her；　the　sound　of　heavy　carriage…wheels　and　the　trampling　of　horses　penetrated　to　the　parlor　from　the　garden…gate。

Mr。　Bowmore　started　to　his　feet；　with　every　appearance　of　having　suddenly　altered　his　mind　on　the　question　of　flight。　Just　as　he　reached　the　hall；　Percy's　voice　was　heard　at　the　front　door。　〃Let　me　in。　Instantly！　Instantly！〃

Mrs。　Bowmore　drew　back　the　bolts　before　the　servants　could　help　her。　〃Where　is　Charlotte？〃　she　cried；　seeing　Percy　alone　on　the　doorstep。

〃Gone！〃　Percy　answered　furiously。　〃Eloped　to　Paris　with　Captain　Bervie！　Read　her　own　confession。　They　were　just　sending　the　messenger　with　it；　when　I　reached　the　house。〃

He　handed　a　note　to　Mrs。　Bowmore；　and　turned　aside　to　speak　to　her　husband　while　she　read　it。　Charlotte　wrote　to　her　mother　very　briefly；　promising　to　explain　everything　on　her　return。　In　the　meantime；　she　had　left　home　under　careful　protectionshe　had　a　lady　for　her　companion　on　the　journeyand　she　would　write　again　from　Paris。　So　the　letter；　evidently　written　in　great　haste；　began　and　ended。

Percy　took　Mr。　Bowmore　to　the　window；　and　pointed　to　a　carriage　and　four　horses　waiting　at　the　garden…gate。

〃Do　you　come　with　me；　and　back　me　with　your　authority　as　her　father？〃　he　asked；　sternly。　〃Or　do　you　leave　me　to　go　alone？〃

Mr。　Bowmore　was　famous　among　his　admirers　for　his　〃happy　replies。〃　He　made　one　now。

〃I　am　not　Brutus；〃　he　said。　〃I　am　only　Bowmore。　My　daughter　before　everything。　Fetch　my　traveling…bag。〃

While　the　travelers'　bags　were　being　placed　in　the　chaise；　Mr。　Bowmore　was　struck　by　an　idea。

He　produced　from　his　coat…pocket　a　roll　of　many　papers　thickly　covered　with　writing。　On　the　blank　leaf　in　which　they　were　tied　up；　he　wrote　in　the　largest　letters：　〃Frightful　domestic　calamity！　Vice…President　Bowmore　obliged　to　leave　England！　Welfare　of　a　beloved　daughter！　His　speech　will　be　read　at　the　meeting　by　Secretary　Joskin；　of　the　Club。　（Private　to　Joskin。　Have　these　lines　printed　and　posted　everywhere。　And；　when　you　read　my　speech；　for　God's　sake　don't　drop　your　voice　at　the　ends　of　the　sentences。）〃

He　threw　down　the　pen；　and　embraced　Mrs。　Bowmore　in　the　most　summary　manner。　The　poor　woman　was　ordered　to　send　the　roll　of　paper　to　the　Club；　without　a　word　to　comfort　and　sustain　her　from　her　husband's　lips。　Percy　spoke　to　her　hopefully　and　kindly；　as　he　kissed　her　cheek　at　parting。

On　the　next　morning；　a　letter；　addressed　to　Mrs。　Bowmore；　was　delivered　at　the　cottage　by　private　messenger。

Opening　the　letter；　she　recognized　the　handwriting　of　her　husband's　old　friend；　and　her　old　friendMajor　Mulvany。　In　breathless　amazement；　she　read　these　lines：

〃DEAR　MRS。　BOWMOREIn　matters　of　importance；　the　golden　rule　is　never　to　waste　words。　I　have　performed　one　of　the　great　actions　of　my　lifeI　have　saved　your　husband。

〃How　I　discovered　that　my　friend　was　in　danger；　I　must　not　tell　you　at　present。　Let　it　be　enough　if　I　say　that　I　have　been　a　guest　under　Justice　Bervie's　hospitable　roof；　and　that　I　know　of　a　Home　Office　spy　who　has　taken　you　unawares；　under　pretense　of　being　your　footman。　If　I　had　not　circumvented　him；　the　scoundrel　would　have　imprisoned　your　husband；　and　another　dear　friend　of　mine。　This　is　how　I　did　it。

〃I　must　begin　by　appealing　to　your　memory。

〃Do　you　happen　to　remember　that　your　husband　and　I　are　as　near　as　may　be　of　about　the　same　height？　Very　good；　so　far。　Did　you；　in　the　next　place；　miss　Bowmore's　traveling　coat　and　cap　from　their　customary　peg？　I　am　the　thief；　dearest　lady；　I　put　them　on　my　own　humble　self。　Did　you　hear　a　sudden　noise　in　the　hall？　Oh；　forgive　meI　made　the　noise！　And　it　did　just　what　I　wanted　of　it。