The baronet was so much in the habit of seeing his humble neighbours, that an intimacy had grown up between them. Sir Wycherly, who was anything but an acute observer, felt an interest in the melancholy-looking, and almost heart-broken mother, without knowing why; or certainly without suspecting the real character of her habitual sadness; while Mildreds youth and beauty had not failed of producing the customary effect of making a friend of the old bachelor. He shook hands all round, therefore, with great cordiality; expressing his joy at meeting Mrs. Dutton, and congratulating the daughter on her complete recovery.
I see Tom has been attentive to his duty, he added, while Ive been detained by a silly fellow about a complaint against a poacher. My namesake, young Wycherly, has not got back yet, though it is quite two hours past his time; and Mr. Atwood tells me the admiral is a little uneasy about his despatches. I tell him Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe, though I have not the honour of ranking him among my relatives, and he is only a Virginian by birth, is a young man to be relied on; and that the despatches are safe, let what may detain the courier.
And why should not a Virginian be every way as trustworthy and prompt as an Englishman, Sir Wycherly? asked Mrs. Dutton. He is an Englishman, merely separated from us by the water.
This was said mildly, or in the manner of one accustomed to speak under a rebuked feeling; but it was said earnestly, and perhaps a little reproachfully, while the speakers eye glanced with natural interest towards the beautiful face of her daughter.
Why not, sure enough, my dear Mrs. Dutton! echoed the baronet. They are Englishmen, like ourselves, only born out of the realm, as it might be, and no doubt a little different on that account. They are fellow-subjects, Mrs. Dutton, and that is a great deal. Then they are miracles of loyalty, there being scarcely a Jacobite, as they tell me, in all the colonies.
Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe is a very respectable young gentleman, said Dutton; and I hear he is a prime seaman for his years. He has not the honour of being related to this distinguished family, like Mr. Thomas, here, it is true; but he is likely to make a name for himself. Should he get a ship, and do as handsome things in her, as he has done already, His Majesty would probably knight him; and then we should have two Sir Wycherly Wychecombes!
I hope not I hope not! exclaimed the baronet; I think there must be a law against that. As it is, I shall be obliged to put Bart. after my name, as my worthy grandfather used to do, in order to prevent confusion; but England cant bear two Sir Wycherlys, any more than the world can bear two suns. Is not that your opinion, Miss Mildred?
The baronet had laughed at his own allusion, showing he spoke half jocularly; but, as his question was put in too direct a manner to escape general attention, the confused girl was obliged to answer.
I dare say Mr. Wychecombe will never reach a rank high enough to cause any such difficulty, she said; and it was said in all sincerity; for, unconsciously perhaps, she secretly hoped that no difference so wide might ever be created between the youth and herself. If he should, I suppose his rights would be as good as anothers, and he must keep his name.
In such a case, which is improbable enough, as Miss Mildred has so well observed, put in Tom Wychecombe, we should have to submit to the knighthood, for that comes from the king, who might knight a chimney-sweep, if he see fit; but a question might be raised as to the name. It is bad enough as it is; but if it really got to be two Sir Wycherlys, I think my dear uncle would be wrong to submit to such an invasion of what one might call his individuality, without making some inquiry as to the right of the gentleman to one or both his names. The result might show that the king had made a Sir Something Nobody.
The sneer and spite with which this was uttered, were too marked to escape notice; and both Dutton and his wife felt it would be unpleasant to mingle farther in the discourse. Still the last, submissive, rebuked, and heart-broken as she was, felt a glow on her own pale cheek, as she saw the colour mount in the face of Mildred, and she detected the strong impulses that urged the generous girl herself to answer.
We have now known Mr. Wychecombe several months, observed Mildred, fastening her full, blue eye calmly on Toms sinister-looking face; and we have never known any thing to cause us to think he would bear a name or names that he does not at least think he has a right to.
This was said gently, but so distinctly, that every word entered fairly into Tom Wychecombes soul; who threw a quick, suspicious glance at the lovely speaker, as if to ascertain how far she intended any allusion to himself. Meeting with no other expression than that of generous interest, he recovered his self-command, and made his reply with sufficient coolness.
Upon my word, Mrs. Dutton, he cried, laughing; we young men will all of us have to get over the cliff, and hang dangling at the end of a rope, in order to awaken an interest in Miss Mildred, to defend us when our backs are turned. So eloquent and most especially, so lovely, so charming an advocate, is almost certain of success; and my uncle and myself must admit the absent gentlemans right to our name; though, heaven be praised, he has not yet got either the title or the estate.
I hope I have said nothing, Sir Wycherly, to displease you, returned Mildred, with emphasis; though her face was a thousand times handsomer than ever, with the blushes that suffused it. Nothing would pain me more, than to suppose I had done so improper a thing. I merely meant that we cannot believe Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe would willingly take a name he had no right to.
My little dear, said the baronet, taking the hand of the distressed girl, and kissing her cheek, as he had often done before, with fatherly tenderness; it is not an easy matter for you to offend me; and Im sure the young fellow is quite welcome to both my names, if you wish him to have em.
And I merely meant, Miss Mildred, resumed Tom, who feared he might have gone too far; that the young gentleman quite without any fault of his own is probably ignorant how he came by two names that have so long pertained to the head of an ancient and honourable family. There is many a young man born, who is worthy of being an earl, but whom the law considers here Tom paused to choose terms suitable for his auditor, when the baronet added,
A filius nullius thats the phrase, Tom I had it from your own fathers mouth.
Tom Wychecombe started, and looked furtively around him, as if to ascertain who suspected the truth. Then he continued, anxious to regain the ground he feared he had lost in Mildreds favour.
Filius nullius means, Miss Mildred, exactly what I wish to express; a family without any legal origin. They tell me, however, that in the colonies, nothing is more common than for people to take the names of the great families at home, and after a while they fancy themselves related.
I never heard Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe say a word to lead us to suppose that he was, in any manner, connected with this family, sir, returned Mildred, calmly, but quite distinctly.
Did you ever hear him say he was not, Miss Mildred?
I cannot say I ever did, Mr. Wychecombe. It is a subject that has seldom been introduced in my hearing.
Filius nullius means, Miss Mildred, exactly what I wish to express; a family without any legal origin. They tell me, however, that in the colonies, nothing is more common than for people to take the names of the great families at home, and after a while they fancy themselves related.
I never heard Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe say a word to lead us to suppose that he was, in any manner, connected with this family, sir, returned Mildred, calmly, but quite distinctly.
Did you ever hear him say he was not, Miss Mildred?
I cannot say I ever did, Mr. Wychecombe. It is a subject that has seldom been introduced in my hearing.
But it has often been introduced in his! I declare, Sir Wycherly, it has struck me as singular, that while you and I have so very frequently stated in the presence of this gentleman, that our families are in no way connected, he has never, in any manner, not even by a nod or a look of approbation, assented to what he must certainly know to be the case. But I suppose, like a true colonist, he was unwilling to give up his hold on the old stock.
Here the entrance of Sir Gervaise Oakes changed the discourse. The vice-admiral joined the party in good spirits, as is apt to be the case with men who have been much occupied with affairs of moment, and who meet relaxation with a consciousness of having done their duty.
If one could take with him to sea, the comforts of such a house as this, Sir Wycherly, and such handsome faces as your own, young lady, cried Sir Gervaise, cheerfully, after he had made his salutations; there would be an end of our exclusiveness, for every petit maître of Paris and London would turn sailor, as a matter of course. Six months in the Bay of Biscay gives an old fellow, like myself, a keen relish for these enjoyments, as hunger makes any meat palatable; though I am far, very far, indeed, from putting this house or this company, on a level with an indifferent feast, even for an epicure.
Such as it is, Sir Gervaise, the first is quite at your service, in all things, rejoined the host; and the last will do all in its power to make itself agreeable.
Ah here comes Bluewater to echo all I have said and feel. I am telling Sir Wycherly and the ladies, of the satisfaction we grampuses experience when we get berthed under such a roof as this, with womans sweet face to throw a gleam of happiness around her.
Admiral Bluewater had already saluted the mother, but when his eye fell on the face and person of Mildred, it was riveted, for an instant, with an earnestness and intentness of surprise and admiration that all noted, though no one saw fit to comment on it.
Sir Gervaise is so established an admirer of the sex, said the rear-admiral, recovering himself, after a pause; that I am never astonished at any of his raptures. Salt water has the usual effect on him, however; for I have now known him longer than he might wish to be reminded of, and yet the only mistress who can keep him true, is his ship.
And to that I believe I may be said to be constant. I dont know how it is with you, Sir Wycherly, but every thing I am accustomed to I like. Now, here I have sailed with both these gentlemen, until I should as soon think of going to sea without a binnacle, as to go to sea without em both hey! Atwood? Then, as to the ship, my flag has been flying in the Plantagenet these ten years, and I cant bear to give the old craft up, though Bluewater, here, would have turned her over to an inferior after three years service. I tell all the young men they dont stay long enough in any one vessel to find out her good qualities. I never was in a slow ship yet.
For the simple reason that you never get into a fast one, that you do not wear her fairly out, before you give her up. The Plantagenet, Sir Wycherly, is the fastest two-decker in His Majestys service, and the vice-admiral knows it too well to let any of us get foot in her, while her timbers will hang together.
Let it be so, if you will; it only shows, Sir Wycherly, that I do not choose my friends for their bad qualities. But, allow me to ask, young lady, if you happen to know a certain Mr. Wycherly Wychecombe a namesake, but no relative, I understand, of our respectable host and one who holds a commission in His Majestys service?
Certainly, Sir Gervaise, answered Mildred, dropping her eyes to the floor, and trembling, though she scarce knew why; Mr. Wychecombe has been about here, now, for some months, and we all know something of him.
Then, perhaps you can tell me whether he is generally a loiterer on duty. I do not inquire whether he is a laggard in his duty to you, but whether, mounted on a good hunter, he could get over twenty miles, in eight or ten hours, for instance?
I think Sir Wycherly would tell you that he could, sir.
He may be a Wychecombe, Sir Wycherly, but he is no Plantagenet, in the way of sailing. Surely the young gentleman ought to have returned some hours since!
Its quite surprising to me that he is not back before this, returned the kind-hearted baronet. He is active, and understands himself, and there is not a better horseman in the county is there, Miss Mildred?
Mildred did not think it necessary to reply to this direct appeal; but spite of the manner in which she had been endeavouring to school her feelings, since the accident on the cliff, she could not prevent the deadly paleness that dread of some accident had produced, or the rush of colour to her cheeks that followed from the unexpected question of Sir Wycherly. Turning to conceal her confusion, she met the eye of Tom Wychecombe riveted on her face, with an expression so sinister, that it caused her to tremble. Fortunately, at this moment, Sir Gervaise turned away, and drawing near his friend, on the other side of the large apartment, he said in an under tone
Luckily, Atwood has brought ashore a duplicate of my despatches, Bluewater, and if this dilatory gentleman does not return by the time we have dined, I will send off a second courier. The intelligence is too important to be trifled with; and after having brought the fleet north, to be in readiness to serve the state in this emergency, it would be rare folly to leave the ministry in ignorance of the reasons why I have done it.
Nevertheless, they would be almost as well-informed, as I am myself, returned the rear-admiral, with a little point, but quite without any bitterness of manner. The only advantage I have over them is that I do know where the fleet is, which is more than the First Lord can boast of.
True I had forgot, my friend but you must feel that there is a subject on which I had better not consult you. I have received some important intelligence, that my duty, as a commander-in-chief, renders it necessary I should keep to myself.
Sir Gervaise laughed as he concluded, though he seemed vexed and embarrassed. Admiral Bluewater betrayed neither chagrin, nor disappointment; but strong, nearly ungovernable curiosity, a feeling from which he was singularly exempt in general, glowed in his eyes, and lighted his whole countenance. Still, habitual submission to his superior, and the self-command of discipline, enabled him to wait for any thing more that his friend might communicate. At this moment, the door opened, and Wycherly entered the room, in the state in which he had just dismounted. It was necessary to throw but a single glance at his hurried manner, and general appearance, to know that he had something of importance to communicate, and Sir Gervaise made a sign for him not to speak.