Why not? inquired Mildred.
Do not ask me to explain, he rejoined. I am scarcely my own master, and where I to make a promise, I might not be able to fulfil it. I must now begone.
Stay! cried Sir Bridgnorth; can I not bring about a reconciliation between you and Mrs. Calveriey? I think I could accomplish it, if you will consent to some arrangement.
Never, replied Chetwynd. And I beg that my visit and its object may not be mentioned to her.
How did you discover I was in this room? asked Mildred.
Old Norris, whom I saw on my arrival, told me I should find you in the library, and I concluded you were alone; but I have found a friend as well. And now I can answer no more questions.
Ever mysterious and incomprehensible! cried Mildred. I do not like to part with you thus.
You must! he rejoined. It is necessary that I should be in London to-night.
He then bade them both farewell, tenderly embracing his sister, and renewing his thanks to Sir Bridgnorth.
Just as he was about to depart, the door was opened by old Norris, who called out, Mrs. Calverley is coming to the library!
I wont see her! cried Chetwynd, fiercely.
But there was no retreat, and he was compelled to remain.
In another moment, Mrs. Calverley appeared. Her astonishment at beholding Chetwynd may be imagined; nor, though she strove to veil it, could she altogether conceal her annoyance.
I did not expect to find you here, Chetwynd, she said.
I came to see my sister, madam, he replied, haughtily; and, having had a brief interview with her, I am now about to depart.
And, with a stiff bow, he quitted the room.
As soon as she could recover her speech, Mrs. Calverley observed to Sir Bridgnorth, You see with what impracticable material I have to deal. Any friendly overture on my part is always scornfully rejected. Well, Chetwynd must take his own course; and if he suffers for his wilfulness, he has only himself to blame. Do you feel at liberty to tell me what he came about, Mildred?
I do not, she replied.
You were present at the interview, I suppose, Sir Bridgnorth?
Quite unintentionally, madam, he answered. And my lips are sealed.
This incident rather threw a damp upon the pleasure of the day.
Mrs. Calverley looked displeased, and Mildred appeared anxious and thoughtful, so Sir Bridgnorth ordered his carriage.
But before taking his departure, he had a little private conversation with Mildred, and promised to come over again to Ouselcroft on an early day.
VI. BRACKLEY HEATH
Mrs. Calveriey had a very pretty pony phaeton, which she was accustomed to drive herself. Easy as a lounging-chair, and with the two long-tailed bay ponies attached to it, the luxurious little vehicle formed a very nice turn-out.
One fine morning, about a week after Sir Bridgnorths visit, Mrs. Calverley and Mildred set out in the pony phaeton with the intention of calling on Lady Barfleur and her daughter, at Brackley Hall, which was about six or seven miles from Ouselcroft.
Usually, they were attended by a groom, but on this particular occasion he was left at home.
The ponies were full of spirit, and eager to get on, but the ladies would not indulge them, and proceeded quietly along the pleasant lanes, through a rich and fertile district, abounding in farms, where some of the best cheeses in the county are made.
To reach Brackley Hall, however, they had to cross an extensive heath, a great part of which was very wild and marshy.
But this brown and uncultivated tract, where turf alone was cut, and where there were two or three dangerous swamps, offered the charm of contrast to the rich meadows they had just quitted. Here there were no farm-houses, no cow-sheds, no large bams, no orchards; but the air was fresh and pleasant, and lighted up by the brilliant sunshine, even Brackley Heath looked well. At least, our fair friends thought so, and the ponies were compelled to walk in consequence. Yet there was nothing remarkable in the prospect, as the reader shall judge. The whole scene owed its charm to the fine weather.
On the left the heath was bordered by the woods belonging to Brackley Hall, and, through a break in them, the upper part of the fine old timber and plaster mansion could be descried.
On the right the country was flat and uninteresting, planted in places by rows of tall poplars, and a canal ran through it, communicating with the River Mersey.
In front, but at some distance, rose a hill crowned by the ruins of an old castle, and having a small village and grey old church in the immediate neighbourhood.
In bad weather the heath had a dreary and desolate aspect. Here and there a hut could be perceived, but these miserable habitations were far removed from the road, and might have been deserted, since no smoke issued from them, and nothing could be seen of their occupants. A few sheep were scattered about in spots where the turf was covered with herbage; but they seemed wholly untended. Rooks there were in flocks from Brackley Park, plovers, and starlings. Even seagulls found their way to the morass.
While the ladies were contemplating this scene, which they thought highly picturesque, and commenting upon its beauties, they were startled, and indeed terrified, by the sudden appearance of two formidable-looking fellows, who had been watching their approach from behind an aged and almost branchless oak that grew near the road.
Evidently, from their peculiar garb, tawny skin, black eyes, and raven locks, these individuals were gipsies. They did not leave their purpose in doubt for a moment, but rushing towards the ladies with threatening gestures, shouted to them to stop.
Mrs. Calverley tried to whip on the ponies, but before they could start off they were checked by one of the gipsies, who seized the reins, while his comrade, addressing Mrs. Calverley, demanded her whip, and, as she hesitated to give it up, he snatched it from her, and threw it on the ground.
Excuse my freedom, my lady, he said, in accents meant to be polite, but that sounded gruff and menacing. We cant allow you to go till weve had some talk with you; but we wont detain you longer nor we can help. We wants any money you may have about you, together with ornaments, rings, watches, ear-rings, and sich like. Deliver em up quietly, and you wont be molested will they, Ekiel?
No, replied the other ruffian, who stood at the heads of the ponies. It would hurt our feelins to use wiolence to two sich lovely creaters.
Meanwhile, Mildred, who wished to preserve her watch, which had been given her by her father, was trying to detach it from the guard, but could not accomplish her object without attracting the attention of the gipsy near Mrs. Calverley.
Dashing round to the other side of the carriage, he caught hold of the chain, and broke it, but failed to secure the watch.
Mildred screamed loudly, though she had little expectation of help.
Look quick, Clynch! shouted Ekiel, in a warning voice.
Give me the watch without more ado! cried the gipsy to Mildred.
But she spread her hands over it, and redoubled her outcries.
Here, take my purse and begone! said Mrs. Calverley.
Thank ye, my lady, rejoined Clynch, quickly appropriating the purse. But thats not enough. We must have everything youve got about you!
You shall have nothing more, fellow! cried Mrs. Calverley, with great spirit. And see! assistance is at hand! If you stay a minute longer you will be caught!
And, as she spoke, a gentleman was seen galloping towards them, followed by a groom.
Baulked of their prey, the gipsies ran off, and made for the morass, with the intricacies of which they seemed well acquainted.
A minute or so afterwards their deliverer came up. A fine-looking young man, between twenty and thirty, and having decidedly a military air, but a stranger to them both.
VII. CAPTAIN DANVERS
The robbers have taken, my purse, replied Mrs. Calverley; and but for your timely aid, they would have carried off all our ornaments.
My chain is gone, said Mildred. But I dont mind it. They did not get my watch, which I value extremely. I owe its preservation entirely to you, sir, she added, with a grateful look at the stranger.
I am happy to find I have been of any service to you, he replied, bowing. Follow the rascals, Tom, he added to his groom, and try to capture one or both of them.
Impossible, I fear, captain, replied the groom. They can go where no horse can go in that marsh, if they know the ground, as they seem to do. But Ill do my best.
And he speeded after the fugitives, who were still in sight.
Hold the reins for a minute, Mildred, while I pick up my whip, said Mrs. Calverley.
Allow me! cried the stranger.
And, jumping down from the saddle, he presented the whip to Mrs. Calverley, who gracefully acknowledged the attention.
We are really very much indebted to you, sir, she said.
You greatly overrate the service, he rejoined. I have literally done nothing. Hearing cries, and perceiving you were stopped by robbers, I galloped on to your aid that is all.
May we learn the name of our deliverer? she asked.
I am Captain Charles Danvers, he replied; nephew to Sir Lycester Barfleur, of Brackley Hall, which you can see through the trees yonder. But I dare say you know the place?
We were on our way thither, to call on Lady Barfleur, when we met with this alarming adventure, observed Mrs. Calverley.
An idea seemed suddenly to occur to Captain Danvers.
Are you not Mrs. Calverley, of Ouselcroft? he inquired.
She replied in the affirmative; adding, And this is my step-daughter, Miss Calverley.
I felt convinced of it! he cried, again bowing. I am indeed fortunate in obtaining an introduction to a young lady of whom I have heard so much.
You can pay compliments as well as rescue ladies from robbers, it seems, Captain Danvers, observed Mildred, slightly blushing. We should have met you, I have no doubt, at Brackley Hall.
Very likely, he rejoined. But I prefer an accidental meeting of this kind; it is more romantic. I hope you are not going to turn back. If you are, you must allow me to escort you. But they will be delighted to see you, I am sure, at Brackley, and you can recount your adventure to them.
And extol your gallantry at the same time, Captain Danvers, laughed Mildred. I have quite recovered from my fright, mamma, so I think we may as well go on.
Do, by all means! cried Captain Danvers, vaulting on his horse.
Mrs. Calverley assented; and they were just setting off, when the groom was seen returning, so they waited until he came up.