He was awaiting his sister in his new house on a little crest above the town. She had been at the time of her mothers death, and since, a private boarder in the Sacred Heart Convent at Santa Clara, whence she had been summoned to the funeral, but had returned the next day. Few people had noticed in her brothers carriage the veiled figure which might have belonged to one of the religious orders; still less did they remember the dark, lank, heavy-browed girl who had sometimes been seen about Rough and Ready. For she had her brothers melancholy, and greater reticence, and had continued of her own free will, long after her girlish pupilage at the convent, to live secluded under its maternal roof without taking orders. A general suspicion that she was either a religious crank, or considered herself too good to live in a mountain mining town, had not contributed to her brothers popularity. In her abstraction from worldly ambitions she had, naturally, taken no part in her brothers family pretensions. He had given her an independent allowance, and she was supposed to be equally a sharer in his good fortune. Yet she had suddenly declared her intention of returning to Atherly, to consult him on affairs of importance. Peter was both surprised and eager; there was but little affection between them, but, preoccupied with his one idea, he was satisfied that she wanted to talk about the family.
But he was amazed, disappointed, and disconcerted. For Jenny Atherly, the sober recluse of Santa Clara, hidden in her sombre draperies at the funeral, was no longer to be recognized in the fashionable, smartly but somewhat over-dressed woman he saw before him. In spite of her large features and the distinguishing Roman nose, like his own, she looked even pretty in her excitement. She had left the convent, she was tired of the life there, she was satisfied that a religious vocation would not suit her. In brief, she intended to enjoy herself like other women. If he really felt a pride in the family he ought to take her out, like other brothers, and give her a show. He could do it there if he liked, and she would keep house for him. If he didnt want to, she must have enough money to keep her fashionably in San Francisco. But she wanted excitement, and that she WOULD HAVE! She wanted to go to balls, theatres, and entertainments, and she intended to! Her voice grew quite high, and her dark cheek glowed with some new-found emotion.
Astounded as he was, Peter succumbed. It was better that she should indulge her astounding caprice under his roof than elsewhere. It would not do for the sister of an Atherly to provoke scandal. He gave entertainments, picnics, and parties, and Jinny Atherly plunged into these mild festivities with the enthusiasm of a schoolgirl. She not only could dance with feverish energy all night, but next day could mount a horseshe was a fearless riderand lead the most accomplished horsemen. She was a good shot, she walked with the untiring foot of a coyote, she threaded the woods with the instinct of a pioneer. Peter regarded her with a singular mingling of astonishment and fear. Surely she had not learned this at school! These were not the teachings nor the sports of the good sisters! He once dared to interrogate her regarding this change in her habits. I always FELT like it, she answered quickly, but I kept it down. I used sometimes to feel that I couldnt stand it any longer, but must rush out and do something, she said passionately; but, she went on with furtive eyes, and a sudden wild timidity like that of a fawn, I was afraid! I was afraid IT WAS LIKE MOTHER! It seemed to me to be HER blood that was rising in me, and I kept it down,I didnt want to be like her,and I prayed and struggled against it. Did you, she said, suddenly grasping his hand, ever feel like that?
But Peter never had. His melancholy faith in his fathers race had left no thought of his mothers blood mingling with it. But, he said gravely, believing this, why did you change?
Because I could hold out no longer. I should have gone crazy. Times I wanted to take some of those meek nuns, some of those white-faced pupils with their blue eyes and wavy flaxen hair, and strangle them. I couldnt strive and pray and struggle any longer THERE, and so I came here to let myself out! I suppose when I get marriedand I ought to, with my moneyit may change me! You dont suppose, she said, with a return of her wild-animal-like timidity, it is anything that was in FATHER, in those ATHERLYS,do you?
But Peter had no idea of anything but virtue in the Atherly blood; he had heard that the upper class of Europeans were fond of field sports and of hunting; it was odd that his sister should inherit this propensity and not he. He regarded her more kindly for this evidence of race. You think of getting married? he said more gently, yet with a certain brotherly doubt that any man could like her enough, even with her money. Is there any one here wouldsuit you? he added diplomatically.
NoI hate them all! she burst out. There isnt one I dont despise for his sickening, foppish, womanish airs.
Nevertheless, it was quite evident that some of the men were attracted by her singular originality and a certain good comradeship in her ways. And it was on one of their riding excursions that Peter noticed that she was singled out by a good-looking, blond-haired young lawyer of the town for his especial attentions. As the cavalcade straggled in climbing the mountain, the young fellow rode close to her saddle-bow, and as the distance lengthened between the other stragglers, they at last were quite alone. When the trail became more densely wooded, Peter quite lost sight of them. But when, a few moments later, having lost the trail himself, they again appeared in the distance before him, he was so amazed that he unconsciously halted. For the two horses were walking side by side, and the strangers arm was round his sisters waist.
Had Peter any sense of humor he might have smiled at this weakness in his Amazonian sister, but he saw only the serious, practical side of the situation, with, of course, its inevitable relation to his one controlling idea. The young man was in good practice, and would have made an eligible husband to any one else. But was he fit to mate with an Atherly? What would those as yet unknown and powerful relatives say to it? At the same time he could not help knowing that Jinny, in the eccentricities of her virgin spinsterhood, might be equally objectionable to them, as she certainly was a severe trial to him here. If she were off his hands he might be able to prosecute his search for his relatives with more freedom. After all, there were mesalliances in all families, and being a woman she was not in the direct line. Instead, therefore, of spurring forward to join them, he lingered a little until they passed out of sight, and until he was joined by a companion from behind. Him, too, he purposely delayed. They were walking slowly, breathing their mustangs, when his companion suddenly uttered a cry of alarm, and sprang from his horse. For on the trail before them lay the young lawyer quite unconscious, with his riderless steed nipping the young leaves of the underbrush. He was evidently stunned by a fall, although across his face was a livid welt which might have been caused by collision with the small elastic limb of a sapling, or a blow from a riding-whip; happily the last idea was only in Peters mind. As they lifted him up he came slowly to consciousness. He was bewildered and dazed at first, but as he began to speak the color came back freshly to his face. He could not conceive, he stammered, what had happened. He was riding with Miss Atherly, and he supposed his horse had slipped upon some withered pine needles and thrown him! A spasm of pain crossed his face suddenly, and he lifted his hand to the top of his head. Was he hurt THERE? No, but perhaps his hair, which was flowing and curly, had caught in the brancheslike Absaloms! He tried to smile, and even begged them to assist him to his horse that he might follow his fair companion, who would be wondering where he was; but Peter, satisfied that he had received no serious injury, hurriedly enjoined him to stay, while he himself would follow his sister. Putting spurs to his horse, he succeeded, in spite of the slippery trail, in overtaking her near the summit. At the sound of his horses hoofs she wheeled quickly, came dashing furiously towards him, and only pulled up at the sound of his voice. But she had not time to change her first attitude and expression, which was something which perplexed and alarmed him. Her long lithe figure was half crouching, half clinging to the horses back, her loosened hair flying over her shoulders, her dark eyes gleaming with an odd nymph-like mischief. Her white teeth flashed as she recognized him, but her laugh was still mocking and uncanny. He took refuge in indignation.
What has happened? he said sharply.
The fool tried to kiss me! she said simply. And IIlet out at himlike mother!
Nevertheless, she gave him one of those shy, timid glances he had noticed before, and began coiling something around her fingers, with a suggestion of coy embarrassment, indescribably inconsistent with her previous masculine independence.
You might have killed him, said Peter angrily.
Perhaps I might! OUGHT I have killed him, Peter? she said anxiously, yet with the same winning, timid smile. If she had not been his sister, he would have thought her quite handsome.
As it is, he said impetuously, you have made a frightful scandal here.
HE wont say anything about itwill he? she inquired shyly, still twisting the something around her finger.
Peter did not reply; perhaps the young lawyer really loved her and would keep her secret! But he was vexed, and there was something maniacal in her twisting fingers. What have you got there? he said sharply.
She shook the object in the air before her with a laugh. Only a lock of his hair, she said gayly; but I didnt CUT it off!
Throw it away, and come here! he said angrily.
But she only tucked the little blond curl into her waist belt and shook her head. He urged his horse forward, but she turned and fled, laughing as he pursued her. Being the better rider she could easily evade him whenever he got too near, and in this way they eventually reached the town and their house long before their companions. But she was far enough ahead of her brother to be able to dismount and hide her trophy with childish glee before he arrived.
She was right in believing that her unfortunate cavalier would make no revelation of her conduct, and his catastrophe passed as an accident. But Peter could not disguise the fact that much of his unpopularity was shared by his sister. The matrons of Atherly believed that she was fast, and remembered more distinctly than ever the evil habits of her mother. That she would, in the due course of time, take to drink, they never doubted. Her dancing was considered outrageous in its unfettered freedom, and her extraordinary powers of endurance were looked upon as masculine by the weaker girls whose partners she took from them. She reciprocally looked down upon them, and made no secret of her contempt for their small refinements and fancies. She affected only the society of men, and even treated them with a familiarity that was both fearless and scornful. Peter saw that it was useless to face the opposition; Miss Atherly did not seem to encourage the renewal of the young lawyers attentions, although it was evident that he was still attracted by her, nor did she seem to invite advances from others. He must go awayand he would have to take her with him. It seemed ridiculous that a woman of thirty, of masculine character, should require a chaperon in a brother of equal age; but Peter knew the singular blending of childlike ignorance with this Amazonian quality. He had made his arrangements for an absence from Atherly of three or four years, and they departed together. The young fair-haired lawyer came to the stage-coach office to see them off. Peter could detect no sentiment in his sisters familiar farewell of her unfortunate suitor. At New York, however, it was arranged that Jinny should stay with some friends whom they had made en route, and that, if she wished, she could come to Europe later, and join him in London.
Thus relieved of one, Peter Atherly of Atherly started on his cherished quest of his other and more remote relations.
CHAPTER II
Peter Atherly had been four months in England, but knew little of the country until one summer afternoon when his carriage rolled along the well-ordered road between Nonningsby Station and Ashley Grange.
In that four months he had consulted authorities, examined records, visited the Heralds College, written letters, and made a few friends. A rich American, tracing his genealogical tree, was not a new thingeven in that dayin London; but there was something original and simple in his methods, and so much that was grave, reserved, and un-American in his personality, that it awakened interest. A recognition that he was a foreigner, but a puzzled doubt, however, of his exact nationality, which he found everywhere, at first pained him, but he became reconciled to it at about the same time that his English acquaintances abandoned their own reserve and caution before the greater reticence of this melancholy American, and actually became the questioners! In this way his quest became known only as a disclosure of his own courtesy, and offers of assistance were pressed eagerly upon him. That was why Sir Edward Atherly found himself gravely puzzled, as he sat with his family solicitor one morning in the library of Ashley Grange.
Humph! said Sir Edward. And you say he has absolutely no other purpose in making these inquiries?
Positively none, returned the solicitor. He is even willing to sign a renunciation of any claim which might arise out of this information. It is rather a singular case, but he seems to be a rich man and quite able to indulge his harmless caprices.
And you are quite sure he is Philips son?
Quite, from the papers he brings me. Of course I informed him that even if he should be able to establish a legal marriage he could expect nothing as next of kin, as you had children of your own. He seemed to know that already, and avowed that his only wish was to satisfy his own mind.
I suppose he wants to claim kinship and all that sort of thing for societys sake?
I do not think so, said the solicitor dryly. I suggested an interview with you, but he seemed to think it quite unnecessary, if I could give him the information he required.
Ha! said Sir Edward promptly, well invite him here. Lady Atherly can bring in some people to see him. Is heahemWhat is he like? The usual American, I suppose?
Not at all. Quite foreign-lookingdark, and rather like an Italian. There is no resemblance to Mr. Philip, he said, glancing at the painting of a flaxen-haired child fondling a greyhound under the elms of Ashley Park.
Ah! Yes, yes! Perhaps the mother was one of those Southern creoles, or mulattoes, said Sir Edward with an Englishmans tolerant regard for the vagaries of people who were clearly not English; theyre rather attractive women, I hear.
I think you do quite well to be civil to him, said the solicitor. He seems to take an interest in the family, and being rich, and apparently only anxious to enhance the family prestige, you ought to know him. Now, in reference to those mortgages on Appleby Farm, if you could get
Yes, yes! said Sir Edward quickly; well have him down here; and, I say! YOULL come too?
The solicitor bowed. And, by the way, continued Sir Edward, there was a girl too,wasnt there? He has a sister, I believe?
Yes, but he has left her in America.
Ah, yes!very goodyes!of course. Well have Lord Greyshott and Sir Roger and old Lady Everton,she knows all about Sir Ashley and the family. Anderis he young or old?
About thirty, I should say, Sir Edward.
Ah, well! Well have Lady Elfrida over from the Towers.
Had Peter known of these preparations he might have turned back to Nonningsby without even visiting the old church in Ashley Park, which he had been told held the ashes of his ancestors. For during these four months the conviction that he was a foreigner and that he had little or nothing in common with things here had been clearly forced upon him. He could recognize some kinship in the manners and customs of the people to those he had known in the West and on the Atlantic coast, but not to his own individuality, and he seemed even more a stranger herewhere he had expected to feel the thrill of consanguinitythan in the West. He had accepted the invitation of the living Atherly for the sake of the Atherlys long dead and forgotten. As the great quadrangle of stone and ivy lifted itself out of the park, he looked longingly towards the little square tower which peeped from between the yews nearer the road. As the carriage drove up to the carved archway whence so many Atherlys had issued into the world, he could not believe that any of his blood had gone forth from it, or, except himself, had ever entered it before. Once in the great house he felt like a prisoner as he wandered through the long corridors to his room; even the noble trees beyond his mullioned windows seemed of another growth than those he had known.