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OR,
33Y THE AUTHOR OF
"A BEGGAR ONl I-IMSEBACK," "GWENDOLINE'S HARVEST,"'
"cCARLYON'S YEAR," "ONE OF-THE FAMILY,"
"WON -NOT WOOED,") &C.
WITH I.L.LUSTRA.TIONS.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1 8 72.



James Payn's N**ovels.
A WOMAN'S. VENGEA4NCE. (lit Press.)
A4 BE GGAR ONVHORSEBA4CK; or, A County Family. Svo, Paper, 3 5 cents.
BRED IN THE BONE; or, Like Father, Like Son. Illustrated. 8vo.,
Paper, 5o cents.
CAR.LYON'S YEAR. 8vo, Paper, 25 cents.
CECIL'S TR YST. Svo, Paper, 50 cents.
FOUNDI DEAD. 8vo, Paper, 5o cents.
G WEND OLINVE'S HAR VEST. 8vo, Paper, 25 cents.
ONzE OF THE FA4MIL Y. 8vo, Paper, 25 cents.
WON-NOT WOOED. 8vo, Paper, 5o cents.
PUBLISHED By HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK.
Ur HARPER & B3ROTHERS will send any of the above works by mazl,'Pzostage f relaid, toanart of te
United States, on recezjt of tke h5rice.




BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER I.                   better than his own chaplain; and was, or had
been, so diligent a student of Holy Writ, that
CARE  OF CROMPTON.bhe could give you chapter and verse for every
HAD you lived in Breakneckshire twenty years thing. But it must be allowed that others were
ago, or even any where in the Midlands, it would not wanting to whisper that these traits of
be superfluous to tell you of Carew of Crompton. scholarship were greatly exaggerated, and that
Every body thereabout was acquainted with him  all the wonder lay in the fact that the Squire
either personally or by hearsay. You must al- knew any thing of such matters at all; nay, a few
most certainly have known somebody who had even ventured to express their opinion that, but
had an adventure with that eccentric personage for his recklessness and his money, there was no-one who had been ridden down by him, for thing more remarkable in Carew than in other
that mighty hunter never turned to the right spendthrifts; but this idea was never mooted
hand nor to the left for any man, nor paid atten- within twenty miles of Crompton.  The real
tion to any rule of road; or one who, more for- truth is, that the time was unsuitable to the distunate, had been "cleared" by him on his fa- play of the Squire's particular traits. He would
mous black horse Trebizond, an animal only sec- have been an eminent personage had he been a
ond to his master in the popular esteem. There Norman, and lived in the reign of King John.
are as many highly colored pictures of his per- Even now, if he could have removed his estabformance of this flying feat in existence as there lishment to Poland, and assumed the character
are of "Dick Turpin clearing the Turnpike- of a Russian proprietor, he would doubtless have
gate."  Sometimes it is a small tradesman cow- been a great prince. There was a savage magering down in his cart among the calves, while nificence about him, and also certain degrading
the gallant Squire hurtles over him  with a traits, which suggested the Hetman Platoff. Un" Stoop your head, butcher." Sometimes it is a fortunately, he was a Squire in the Midlands.
wagoner, reminding one of Commodore Trun- The contrast, however, of his splendid vagaries
nion's involuntary deed of "derring-do," who, with the quiet time and industrious locality in
between two high banks, perceives with marked which he lived, while it diminished his influence,
astonishment this portent flying over himself and did, on the other hand, no doubt enhance his
convoy. But, at all events, the thing was done; reputation. He was looked upon (as Waterford
perhaps on more than one occasion, and was al- and Mytton used to be) as a lusus naturce, an
lowed on all hands not only as a fact, but as eccentric, an altogether exceptional personage, to
characteristic of their sporting idol. It was whoin license was permitted; and the charitable
"Carew all over," or "Just like Carew."     divided the human race, for his sake, into Men,
This phrase was also applied to many other Women, and Carew.
heroic actions. The idea of "keel-hauling," for   The same philosophic few, however, who deinstance, adapted from the nautical code, was nied him talent, averred that he was half mad;
said to be practically enforced in the case of and indeed Fortune had so lavishly showered her
duns, attorneys, and other objectionable persons, favors on him from his birth, that it might well
in the lake at Crompton; while the administra- be that they had turned his head. His father
tion of pommelings to poachers and agricultur- had died while Carew was but an infant, so that
ists generally, by the athletic Squire, was the the surplus income from his vast estates had actheme of every tongue. These punishments, cumulated to an enormous sum when he attained
though severe, were much sought after by a cer- his majority. In the mean time, his doting motain class, the same to which the purchased free ther had supplied him with funds out of all proand independent voter belongs, for the clenched portion to his tender years. At ten years old,
fist invariably became an open hand after it had he had a pack of harriers of his own, and hunted
done its work-a golden ointment, that is, was the county regularly twice a week. At the pubalways applied after these inflictions, such as lic school, where he was with difficulty persuaded
healed all wounds.                          to remain for a short period, he had an allowCarew of Crompton might at one time have ance the amount of which would have sufficed
been member for the county, if he had pleased; for the needs of a professional man with a wife
but he desired no seat except in the saddle, or on and family, and yet it is recorded of him that he
the driving-box.  He showed such skill in rid- had the audacity - "the boy is father to the
ing, and with "the ribbons," that some persons man," and it was "so like Carew," they said-to
supposed that his talents must be very consider- complain to his guardian, a great lawyer, that
able in other matters, and affected to regret their his means were insufficient.  He also demanded
misuse; there were reports that he knew Latin a lump sum down, on the ground that (being at




~~~6     ~BRED IN THE BONE.
the ripe age of fourteen) he contemplated mar- idea of saving in any thing, it is certain, never
riage. The reply of the legal dignitary is pre- entered into his head.  The time indeed, was
served, as well as the young gentleman's appli- slowly but surely coming when the park should
cation: "If you can't live upon your allowance, know no more not only its wild-cattle, but many
you may starve, Sir; and if you marry, you shall a rich copse and shadowy glade.  Not a stately
t have your allowance."                     oak nor far-spreading beech but was doomed,
You had only-having authority to do so-to  sooner or later, to be cut down, to prop for a moadvise Carew, and he was positively certain to go ment the falling fortunes of their spendthrift owncounter to your opinion; and did you attempt er; but at the time of which we speak there was no
to oppose him in any purpose, you would infal- visible sign of the coming ruin.  It is recorded
libly insure its accomplishment. He did not mar- of a brother prodigal, that after enormous losses
ry at fourteen, indeed, but he did so clandestinely  and expenses, his steward informed him that if
in less than three years afterward, and had issue; he would but consent to live upon seven thousand
but at the age of five-and-thirty, when our stage a year for the next ten years, the estate would reopens, e ad neither wife nor child, but lived as cover itself.  "Sir," returned he in anger, I
bachelor at Crompton, which was sometimes would rather die than live on seven thousand a
called "the open house," by reason of its profuse year."  Our Carew would have given the same
hospitalities; and sometimes "Liberty Hall," reply had twice that income been suggested to
on account of its license; otherwise it was never. him, and been applauded for the gallant answer.
called any thing but Crompton; never Cromp- The hint of any necessity for curtailment would
ton Hall, or Crompton Park-but simply Cromp- probably have caused him to double his expenditon, just like Stowo or Blenheim.  And yet the ture forthwith, though, indeed, that would have
park at Crompton was as splendid an appanage been difficult to effect. He had already two packs
of glebe and avenue, of copse and dell, as could of hounds, with which he hunted on alternate
be desired.  It was all laid out upon a certain  days, and he had even endeavored to do so on
plan-somewhere in the old house was the very the Sunday; but the obsequious "county"  ad
parchment on which the chase was ordered like declined to go with him to that extent, and this
a garden; a dozen drives here radiated from  anomaly of the nineteenth century had been
one another like the spokes of a wheel, and here compelled to confine himself on the seventh day
rfour mighty avenues made a St. Andrew's cross to cock-fighting in the library.  He kept a bear
in the very centre-but the area was so immense, to bait (as well as a chaplain to bully), and ferand the stature of the trees so great, that nothing rets ran loose about Crompton as mice do in other
of this formality could be observed in the park houses.  He had a hunter for every week in the
itself.  Not only were the oaks and beeches of year, yet he often iode his horses to death.  He
large, and often of giant proportions, but the had a stud of racers, and it was this, or rather his
very fer  grew so tall that whole herds of fal- belief in their powers, which eventually drained
low deer were hidden in it, and could only be his vast resources.  Not one of them ever won
traced by their nounds.  There were red deer a great race.  This was not their fault, nor that
also, almost as numerous, with branching ant- of their trainer, but his own; he interfered in
lers, curiously mossed, as though they had ac- their management, and would have things his
quired that vegetation by rubbing, as they often own way; he would command every thing, exdid, against the high wooden pale-itself made cept success, which was beyond his power, and
picturesque by age-which hedged them in their in missing that he lost all.  Otherwise, he was
sylvan prison for miles.  Moreover, there were lucky as a mere gambler. His audacity, and the
wild-cattle, as at Chartley (though not of the funds he always had at his disposal, carried him
same breed), the repute of whose fierceness kept triumphantly, where many a more prudent but
the few public paths that intersected this wild less wealthy player withdrew from the contest.
domain very unfrequented.  These animals, im- Games of skill had no attraction for~ him'' but at
ported half a century ago, were of no use nor an earlier date in his career he-had been a terof particular beauty, and would have dwindled ror to the club-keepers in St. James's, where his
away, from the unfitness of the locality for their luck and obstinacy had broken a dozen banks.
support, but that they were recruited periodical- It was'said-and very likely with truth-that he
ly, and at a vast expense.  It was enou~gh to had'once cut double or quits for ten thousand
cause their present owner to strain every nerve pounds.
to retain them, because they were so universally    His moral character, as respected the softer
objected to. They had gored one man to death, sex, was such as you might expect from these
and occasionally maimed others, but, as Carew, traits.  NoT  modest' woman had been seen at
to do him justice, was by no means afraid of Crompton for many a year; although not a few
them himself, and ran the same risk, and far oft- such-if at least good birth' and high position inener than other people, he held he had a right to dlude modesty-had, since his majority, striven
retain them.  Nobody was obliged to come into to give a lawful mistress to the place. J11is echis park unless they liked, he said, and if they centricities had not alarmed them, and his shamedid, they must "chance a tossing."  The same lessness had not abashed them. Though his condetractors, whose opinion we have already quot- stitution was said to be breaking u' p through uned, affirmed that the Squire kept these cattle for paralleled excesses, his heart, it was currently
the very r eason that was urged against their  ex- reported in domestic circles, was sound: and
istence; the fear of these horned police kept the what a noble feat would it be. to reclaim him!
park free from strangers, and thereby saved him. It was also reckoned impossible thatQiy amount.
half a dozen keepers.                          of extravagance could have seriously embarrassed,
That his determination in the matter was pig- such a property as he had inherited, indeed long'
headed and brutal, there is no doubt; but the since, bfit of which he had had the sole control
Squire's nature was far from exclusive, and the only a few years. At the time of which we speak




BRED IN THE BONE.                                       7
Carew was but thirty-five, though he looked much and if the veracious Squire did not steal foxes
older.  His muscles were still firm, his limbs yet (which he did, by-the-by, indirectly, for a bagged
active, and his hand and eye as steady with the one was his delight), he was guilty of much worse
gun or bridle as ever.  But his bronzed face things. However, this is certain, that Carew of
showed signs of habitual intemperance; his head Crompton never told a lie.
was growing prematurely bald; and once or twice,
though the fact was known to himself only, his
iron nerve had of late failed him. The secret
consciousness of this last fact made him more                CHAPTER II.
venturesome and reckless than ever.  "Time,"
he swore, "should never play him tricks.  ie        WAITING FOR AN INTRODUTION.
was as good a man as ever he was. There was   WE have said that Carew was not exclusive;
a quarter of a million, more or less, to be got so long as he had his own way in every thing he
through yet, and, by Jove, he would see it out!" wasgood-tempered, andso verygood-naturedthat
Of course he did not swear by Jove; for, as we he permitted not only his friends but his dependhave said, he kept a chaplain, and was therefore ents to do pretty much as they would. He was
no heathen.                                   a tyrant only by fits and starts, and in the mean
One of the arguments that the mothers of those time there was anarchy at Crompton. Every
young ladies who sought his hand were wont to soul in the place, from the young lords, its masmake use of, to their great comfort, was that Mr. ter's guests, down to the earth-stopper's assistCarew was a churchman.  There was a private ant, who came for his quantum of ale to the backchapel at Crompton, the existence of which, of door, did pretty much as seemed right in his own
course, explained why his presence did not grace eyes. There were times when every thing had
the parish church.  Then his genealogy was of to be done in a moment under the master's eye,
the most satisfactory description.  Carews had no matter at what loss, or even risk to limb or
dwelt at Crompton in direct succession for many life; but usually there was no particular time
a century.  Charles I., it is almost unnecessary for any thing-except dinner. The guests arose
to state, had slept there-that most locomotive in the morning, or lay in bed all day, exactly as
of monarchs seems to have honored all old En- they pleased, and had their meals in public or in
glish mansions with a night's visit-and had their own rooms; but when the great dinnerhunted in the chase next morning.  Queen gong sounded for the second time it was expectElizabeth had also been most graciously pleased ed that every man should be ready for the feast,
to visit her subject, John Carew, on which oc- and wearing (with the single exception of the
casion a wooden tower had been erected for her chaplain) a red coat.  The dinner-parties at
in the park, from  which to see "ten buckes, Crompton-and there was a party of the most
all having fayre lawe, pulled down with grey- heterogeneous description daily-were literally,
houndes;" she shot deer, too, with her own vir- therefore, vyery gay affairs; the banquet was
gin hands, for which purpose "a cross-bowe was sumptuous, and the great cellars were laid under
delivered to her by a nymph with a sweet song." heavy contribution. Only, if a guest did happen
These things, however, were in no way commem- to be unpunctual, from whatever cause, even if
orated.  Carew was all in all: his devouring it were illness, the host would send for his bear,
egotism swallowed up historical association. His or his half-dozen bull-dogs, and proceed to the
favorite female bull-dog, with her pups, slept in sick man's room, with the avowed intention (and
the royal martyr's apartment.  The places in he always kept his word) of "drawing thebadgCrompton Chase held remarkable were those er."  In spite of his four-legged auxiliaries, this
where its present owner had made an unprece- was not always an easy task. His recklessness,
dentedly long shot, or had beaten off one of the though not often, did sometimes meet with its
wild cattle without a weapon, or had run down match in that of the badger; and in one chama stag on foot.  There was no relic of ancient ber door at Crompton we have ourselves seen a
times preserved whatever, except that at mid- couple of bullet-holes, which showed that assault
summer, as in Lyme, that very curious custom  on one side had met with battery upon the other.
was kept of driving the red deer round the park, With such rough manners as Carew had, it may
and then swimming them through the lake before seem strange that he was never called to account
the house-a very difficult feat, by-the-by, to any for them at twelve paces; but, in the first place,
save those who have been accustomed to "drive it was thoroughly understood that hecwould have
deer."  One peculiar virtue of Carew-he was "gone out" (a fact which has doubtless given
addressed, by-the-way, by all his inferiors, and pause to many a challenge), and would have shot
some of his equals, as "Squire" only-was, we as straight as though he were partridge-shooting;
had almost forgotten to say, his regard for truth, and secondly, as we have said, he had a special
which may truly be said to have been "passion- license for practical jokes; the subjects of them,
ate," if we consider the effect produced in him  too, were not men of delicate susceptibilities, for
when he discovered that any one had told him a none such, by any accident, could have been his
falsehood.  He would fall upon them tooth and guests.  In consideration of good fare, good
nail, if they were menials; and if guests, he wine, a good mount in the hunting-field, excelwould forbid them his house.  This was surely lent shooting, and of a loan from the host whenone excellent trait.  Yet it was maintained by ever they were without funds, men even of good
those carpers already alluded to, that to tell truth position were found to "put up" very good-nawas comparatively easy in one who was as care- turedly with the eccentricities of the master of
less of all opinion as he was independent in Crompton, and he had his house full half the
means; moreover, that a love of truth is some- year. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that
times found to exist in very bad company, as in his servants were found willing to compound for
the case of the Spartan boy who stole the fox, some occasional ill usage, in return for general




8                               BRED IN TILE BONE.
laxity of rule, and many unconsidered trifles in literally stuffed full of these strange feathered
the way of perquisites. His huntsmen and whips visitants, which had fallen victims to the keepgot now and then a severe beating; his grooms er's gun. The horse-hair sofa had a noble cover
found it very inconvenient when "Squire" took of deer-skin; the foot-stool and the fire-rug were
it into his mad head to sally forth on horseback made of furs, or skins that would have fetched
across country by moonlight; and still worse, their price elsewhere, and been held rare, alwhen he would have the whole stud out, and set though once worn by British beast or " varmint."
every servant in his employ, not excepting his The walls were stuck with antlers, and the very
fat French cook, in the saddle, to see how they handle of the bell-rope was the fore-foot of a
would comport themselves under the unaccus- stag. Each of these had its story; and nothing
tomed excitement of a steeple-chase. But upon pleased the old man better than to have a listenthe whole, the retainers at Crompton had an easy er to his long-winded tales of how and where
berth of it, and seldom voluntarily took their dis- and when the thing was slain. All persons whose
charge.                                     lives are passed in the open air, and in comparaPerhaps the best situations, as being less liable tive solitude, seem in this respect to be descendto the per contras in the shape of the master's ants of Dame Quickly; their wearisome digrespassionate outbursts, were those of the park-keep- sions and unnecessary preciseness as to date and
ers, of whom old Walter Grange was one. He place try the patience of all other kinds of men,
was a bachelor, as almost all of them were. It and this was the chief cross which Grange's
was not good for any one with wife or daughter lodger had to bear as an offset to the excellence
(if these were young, at least) to take service of his quarters. It must be confessed that he
with Carew at all; and living in a pleasant cot- did not bear it meekly. To stop old Walter in
tage, far too large for him, in the very heart of mid-talk-without an open quarrel-was an abthe chase, Grange thought it no harm to take a solute impossibility; but his young companion
lodger. The same old woman who cooked his would turn the stream of his discourse, without
victuals and kept his rooms tidy would do the much ceremony, from the records of slaughter
same office for another who was not very partic- into another channel (almost as natural to it)ular in his food, and could rough it a little in the characteristics and peculiarities of his master
other respects; and such a one had Walter late- Carew. Of this subject, notwithstanding that
ly found in the person of a young landscape- that other made him firet and fume so, Yorke
painter, Richard Yorke. This gentleman was a never seemed to tire.
stranger to Crompton and its neighborhood; but   " I should like to know your master," he had
having (as he said) happened to see a certain said, half musingly, after listening to one of these
guarded advertisement in the Tines headed, strange recitals, soon after his arrival; to which
"To Artists and Others," that lodgings in the Grange had answered, laughing: "Well, Squire's
midst of forest scenery could be procured for a very easy one to know. He picks up friends
what seemed next to nothing, he had come down by every road-side, without much troubling himfrom London in the autumn on the chance, and self as to who they are, I promise you."
found them suitable.                          The young man's face grew dark with anger;
To poet or painter's eye, indeed, the lodge but the idea of self-respect, far less of pride, was
was charming; it was small, of course, but very necessarily strange to a servant of Carew's. So
picturesquely built, and afforded the new tenant Grange went on, unconscious of offense: " Now,
a bow-windowed sitting-room, with an outlook if you were a young woman," he chuckled, "and
such as few dwellings in England, and probably as good-looking as you are as a lad, there would
none elsewhere, could offer. In the fore-ground be none more welcome than yourself up at the
was an open lawn, on which scores of fine-plu- big house. Pretty gals, bless ye, need no intromaged pheasants strutted briskly and myriads duction yonder; and yet one would have thought
of rabbits came forth at eve to play and nibble-  that Squire would know better than to meddle
bordered by crops of fern, above which moved with the mischievous hussies-he took his lesson
statelily the antlered deer. A sentry oak or two early enough, at all events. Why, he married beof mighty girth guarded this open space; but on fore he was your age, and not half so much of a
both sides vast glades shut in the prospect with man to look at, neither. You have heard talk
a wall of checkered light and shadow that deep- of that, I dare say, however, in London?"
ened into sylvan gloom. But right in front the   Richard Yorke, as the keeper had hinted, was
expanding view seemed without limit, and ex-a very handsome lad-brown-cheeked, blue-eyed,
hibited all varieties of forest scenery; coppices and with rich clustering hair as black as a sloe;
with " Autumn's fiery finger" on their tender but at this moment he did not look prepossessleaves; still, shining pools, where water-fowl bred ing. He frowned and flashed a furious glance
and dwelt; broad pathways, across which the upon the speaker; but old Grange, who had an
fallow deer could bound at leisure; or one would eye like a hawk, for the objects that a hawk deleap in haste, and half a hundred follow in sires, was as blind as a mole to any evidence of
groundless panic. The wealth of animal life in human emotion short of a punch on the head,
that green solitude, where the voice of man was and went on unheeding:
hardly ever heard, was prodigious; the rarest   "Well, I thought you must ha' heard o' that
birds were common there; even those who had too. We folk down here heard o' nothing else
their habitations by the sea were sometimes lured for all that year. She got hold o' Squire, this
to this as silent spot, and skimmed above its un- ere woman did, though he was but a school-boy,
dulating dells as o'er the billow. The eagle and and she old enough to be his mother, bless ye,
the osprey had been caught there; and, indeed, and was married to him. And they kep' it sea specimen of each was caged in a sort of aviary, cret for six months; and that's what bangs me
which Grange had had constructed at the back most about it all. For Carew, he can keep noof the lodge; while Yorke's sitting-room was thing secret-nothing: he blurts all out; and




BRED IN THE BONE.                                      9
that's why he seems so much worse than he is to though I don't know exactly what. Young as
some people. Oh, she must have been a deep he was, Carew was not quite child enough to be
one, she must!"                             at a dame's school, that's true: But she was not
"You never saw her, then?" asked Yorke, a mere servant-girl, as some said, any way, for
carelessly shading his eyes, as though from the she could play and sing-ay, songs that pleased
westering sun, which Midas-like, was turning ev- him too-and she had book-learning, I've heard,
ery thing it touched in that broad landscape into such as would have astonished you; so that some
gold.                                       folks said she was a witch, and had the devil's
" Oh yes, I see her; she was here with Squire help to catch Carew. But a woman don't want
near half a year. Mrs. Carew-the old lady, I magic, bless you, to come over a lad of seventeen
mean-was at Crompton then; and the young -not she. What nonsense people talk! If any
one-though she was no chicken neither-she pretty girl about Crompton was to take a fancy
tried to get her turned out; but she wasn't clev- to you now, as is like enough, do you suppose-"
er enough, clever as she was, for that job.  Ca-   "But I thought you said that Mrs. Charles
rew loved his mother, as indeed he ought, for she Carew was not a girl?"
had never denied him any thing since he was   "Nor more she was: she was five-and-thirty
born; and so, in that pitched battle between the if she was a day; and yet-there was the wonder
women, he took his mother's side. And in the of it-she did not look much over twenty! I've
end the old lady took his, and with a vengeance. heard our gentlemen, when out shooting, liken
I do think that if it had not been for her, young her to some fine Frenchwoman as never grew
madam would have held on-  Why, what's the old, and was fell in love with unbeknown by her
matter, young gentleman? That was an oath grandson. Now, what was her name? I got it
fit for the mouth of Squire hisself."       written down somewhere in my old pocket-book;
" It's this cursed toothache," exclaimed Yorke, it was summut like Longclothes."
passionately.  "It has worried me so ever since   "Ninon de l'Enclos?" suggested Yorke, withyou began to speak that I should have gone mad out a smile.
if I had not let out at it a bit.  Never mind    "Ay, that's the name. Well, Mrs. Charles
me; I'm better now."                        Carew, as you call her, was just like her, and a
"Well, that's like the Squire again," returned regular everlasting!  She was not what you
the keeper, admiringly., "He seems allus to would call pretty, but very "taking" looking,
find hisself better for letting out at things, and and with a bloom and freshness on her as would
at people too, for the matter of that. To hear have deceived any man.  Her voice was like
him  sometimes, one would almost think the music itself, and she moved like a stag o' ten;
ground must open; not that he means any harm, and the Squire being always manly looking and
but it's a way he's got; but it does frighten them  swarthy, like yourself, there was really little difas is not used to him, surely. I mind that day ference between them to look at. I dare say she's
when he first took the fox-hounds out, and Mr. gone all to pieces now, as women will do, while
Howard the sheriff as was that year-he's dead the Squire looks much the same as he did
and gone long since, and his grandson is sheriff  then."
now again, which is cur'ous-well, he happened    "I have never even seen him," said the landto ride a bit too forward with the dogs, and our scape-painter, moodily.
young master-  Oh dear, dear," and the old    "Well, don't you stare at him, young master,
man began to chuckle like a hen that has laid when you do get that chance, that's all. Some
two eggs at a time, "how he did swear at the comes down here merely to look at him, as if he
old man!"                                  was a show, and that puts him in a pretty rage,
"You were talking about Mrs. Carew the eld- I promise you; though to get to know him, as I
er," observed the artist, coolly.           say, is easy enough, if you go the right way about
" Was I? True, so I was. Well, she and it. If you were a good rider, for instance, and
the young Squire was for all the world like a deer could lead the field one day when the hunting
with her fawn —all tenderness and timidity, so begins, he'd ask you to dinner to a certainty; or
long as he was let alone; but when this'ere wo- if you could drive stags-why, he would have
man came, as she considered his enemy, she was given you a hundred pounds last midsummer,
as bold as a red stag-nay, as one of our wild-cat- when we couldn't get the beasts to swim the
tle. It was through her, I say, that the bride lake. There's a pretty mess come o' that, bygot the sack at last; and when that was done the-by; for, out of the talk there was among the
the old lady seemed to have done her work, and gentlemen about that difficulty, the Squire laid a
was content enough when her son portioned her bet as he would drive stags; not as we do, mind
off, and persuaded her to live at the dower-house you, but in harness, like carriage-horses; and,
at Morden; and indeed she could hardly have cuss me, if he hasn't had the break out half a
staid at Crompton, with such goings on as there dozen times with four red deer in it, and you
are now-feastings and fightings and flirtings-" may see him  tearing through the park, with
"Just so," interrupted the young painter; mounted grooms and keepers on the right and
"she got her way, I know. But with respect left of him, all galloping their hardest, and the
to the younger lady, Mrs. Charles Carew, what Squire with the ribbons, a-holloaing like mad!
was she like, and what did people say of her?"   For my part, I don't like such pranks, and would
"Well, not much good, I reckon. What much sooner not be there to see'em. There will
could they say of a school-mistress who marries be mischief some day with it yet, for all that old
her pupil?"                                 Lord Orford, down at Newmarket some fifty
"A school-mistress, was she?" said Yorke, in years ago, used to do the same thing, they say.
a strange husky voice.  "We never heard that It ain't in nature that stags should be druv fourin London."                                 in-hand, even by Carew. However, the Squire
"Well, she was summat of that sort, Sir, won his wager; and we haven't seen none o'that




10                              BRED IN TIHE BONE.
wild work o' late weeks, though we may see it no market for such a commodity-that is, in the
again any day."                             case of people such as you describe," observed
"I have heard of that strange exploit," ob- Yorke, yawning.
served Yorke; "but as driving deer, even in the   "Market!" echoed the keeper, contemptuousordinary way, is not my calling, and as I am no ly; " there'd be a market to-morrow morning for
great rider, even if I had a horse, I don't see how  the whole herd o' our wild-cattle, if they were
I am to introduce myself to your mad Squire, stolen to-night; there'd be a market for a rhiand yet I have a great fancy for his acquaintance. noceros or a halligator, if we happened to keep
Do you think he'd buy any of these drawings,'em, bless'ee, as easy as for a sucking pig! But
taken in his own park, from his own timber?" I don't call that poaching-I mean the fawnThe young man touched a port-folio, already well stealing. It's the professionals from the Midstocked with studies of oak and beech.  "Here land towns as come by tens and twenties at a
is a sketch of the Decoy Pond, for instance, with time as is our trouble. We generally gets wind
the oldest tree in the chase beside it; would not of'em beforehand, and then out we all goes, and
that interest him, think you? You think not?" Squire with us-for he dearly loves a fight-and
"Well, young gentleman," said the keeper, then there's broken crowns and bloody noses;
frankly, "if I say no, it ain't that I mean any but, thank God, there's been no murder done,
slight to your drawing. It's like the tree enough, at least, not in my time, at Crompton. And that
for certain, with the very hoop of iron as I put reminds me, Sir, that it's time for me to start on
round it with my own hands twenty years ago-  my evening rounds."
and, by the same token, it will want another be-   "Well, when you next have any news of such
fore this winter's out; but I don't think the an incursion, Grange, I hope you will let me
Squire cares much for such matters. He might, make one of your party," said Yorke, good-humaybe, just give a look at it, or he might bid you moredly.  "I can hit out straight from the
go to the devil for a paper-staining son of a-  shoulder; and perhaps I might get to know the
well-what you will. He does not care a far- Squire that way."
thing, bless'ee, for all the great pictures in his   "And as likely a road to lead you into his
own gallery, though they cost his grandfather a good graces, Sir," said the keeper, rising, "as
mint of money, and are certainly a fine sight-  any I know. Are you for a walk round the park
so far as the frames go. And, on the other this fine evening, Sir?"
hand, if he happens to be cross-grained that day,   "No; not to-night, thank you, Grange. I
he might tear it up before you could say'Hold,' have got to fill in this sketch a bit that I took
and kick you down the Hall steps into the bar- this morning."
gain, as he has done to many a one. That's where   "Then, good-night, Sir, for I sha'n't return beit is, you see, the Squire is so chancy."   fore daylight."
"1 don't think he would kick me down his   But it was not till long after the keeper had
Hall steps," said Yorke, grimly.            taken his departure that Richard Yorke turned
The keeper grinned. "Well, you see, nobody hand or eye to his unfinished drawing. He sat
can tell that till it's tried. The Squire is a regu- staring straight before him with steadfast eyes
lar bruiser, I promise you, though I grant you and thoughtful face, for hours, murmuring to
are a strapping young fellow, and you have told himself disjointed sentences; and ever and anon
me that you know how to use your fists. That's he started up and paced the little room with
a great thing, mind you, for a man to ha' learnt; rapid strides. "He shall see me, and know me,
a deal better than Latin or such-like, in my opin- too," muttered he, at last, between his clenched
ion. Folks talk of life-preservers and pistols, but teeth, "though it should cost one of us our lives.
there's nothing like a good pair of well-handled She shall not say I came down to this wilderness,
fists when one has to tackle a p6acher. I've been like some hunted beast to covert, for nothing."
at Crompton, man and boy, these fifty years, and
had a good many rough-and-tumbles With that
sort, and I have never had the worst of it yet.
It prevents bloodshed on both sides; for if you           CHAPTER III.
haven't no shooting-iron, there's few Englishmen,      THE NIGHTWATH.
poachers or not, who will draw trigger on you;
and as for a bludgeon, it's as likely to be in my   IT was an easy thing enough, as Walter Grange
hand as another's after the first half minute."   had said, to make acquaintance with Carew of
"Is there much poaching now at Crompton?" Crompton, and possible even to become his bosom
inquired Yorke, mechanically.  It would have friend at a short notice, for his friendships, all
been plain to any less obtuse observer than his made in wine, at play, or in the hunting-field,
companion that he no longer gave him his atten- were soon cemented; but then, if the introduction
tion.                                       was effected in an unpropitious time or manner,
"Well, no; nothing to be called serious has it was like enough to end in affront or downright
happened lately; though I dare saywe shall have insult. A gulf might be fixed just where you
some scrimmages as the winter comes on; there's wanted a causeway, and of this-though he had
allus a good deal of what I calls hanky-panky feigned to inquire about it so innocently of the
work in the fawn season. Women and children honest park-keeper-Richard Yorke was well
-especially children-will come into the park, aware. He had, as has been hinted, come down
under pretense o' picking up sticks; and they'll to Crompton with the express view of throwing
put away a new dropped fawn in their bundles, himself in the way of its eccentric master, and
if they get the chance; and then they take it to do so opportunely, and he was content to bide
home, to be reared until it grows up, and can be his time.  Thus, though the autumn had far
sold for venison."                          advanced, and the time had come for men of
"I should have thought there would have been his craft to hasten from the dropping, dripping




BRED IN THE BONE. 
woods, no longer fair, to hive at home their sweet   "You should be there at ten at latest, Sir.
memorials of the summer time, Richard remained There'll be plenty of us within whistle-call, you
at Crompton, not willingly, indeed, nor even pa- understand.  But nobody will come aneist you
tiently, ut with that sort of dogged resolve which as has any business there; so whoever you see
is engendered, even in a restless spirit, by long you must go in at."
watching. He had stopped so long that he would   Yorke nodded, smiling, and doubling his white
not now give up his watch; the fortress, indeed, fists, hit out scientifically with his right.
showed no more sign of breach than when he    "You're one after the Squire's own heart
first sat down before it; but still he would not exclaimed the keeper, admiringly; "and I do
raise the siege. This persistency excited no sur- wish you could foregather with him. What a
prise in his house companion; Walter Grange reach of arm  you've got, and what a play of
was no gossip, nor curious about other men's af- muscle!  The fist is the weapon for a oacherfairs; it was easy, even for him, to see that his that is, I mean agin him-if you only know how
tenant had a proudstomach, andhehad set down to use it. I can depend on the Decoy being
his talk about desiring an introduction to Carew  guarded by ten, Sir, can I? for I must be off to
as merely another phrase for wishing for a good the head-keeper's with the rest."
cance of disposing of his wares to best advant-   "Yes, you can."
age in that market to which so many of such    "Then, good-by, Sir, for the present."
various calling  thronged.  He did not think,   "Now what a poor fool is that!" soliloquize
as he had honestly confessed, that there was the young painter, contemptuously, as the door
much chance of the Squire becoming a patron closed upon his late companion.    To think
of the fine arts, but he wished the young fellow  that I should risk my life against a poacher's on
luck, and was glad, for more than one reason, even terms!  Of course, if they suffice, I shall
~~that he staid on.  ~only treat him to my knuckles; but if not-if e
It was at least three months after his young be a giant, or there be more than one of them
lodger's arrival that Walter burst into his sit- then here is a better ally than mere bone and
ting-room one afternoon, without his usual knock sinew."  Yorke took out of a drawer a life-prat the door, with the great news that he had server, made of lead and whalebone, struck with
just had word, by a safe hand, that a gang of it once, to test its weight and elasticity, then
poachers would be in the Home Park that very slipped it into his shooting-jacket pocket. "That
night, and that all the staff of keepers would be will enlarge their organs of locality," said  e,
out in waiting for them.                  grimly; "they will not forget thDecoyPondin
"You know, said he, quite indignant that a hurry whose heads knock against this."
the young man did not show his enthusiasm,   He made a better supper than was usualwith
you told me I was to be sure and let you know, him that night; filled his pocket-flask with branMr. Yorke; but, of course, you needn't make one dy, and his pouch with tobacco; and the  maof us unless you like."                      ing sure that the whistle Grange had given him,
"IOh Yes, I'll come," laughed the young fel- and which he had hung round his neck, was within
low-" that is, provided it is fine. I can't fight easy reach of his fingers, sallied out, well wrapped
in the rain, even for the game laws."         up as to his throat, and with his hands in his
"IIt'11 be a lovely night, Sir, with just enough pockets. If Richard Yorke was doomed not to
of moonlight to know friends from foes, " went on have life made easy for him, he made it as easy
the keeper, rubbing his hands, and unconsciously as he could.  He never omitted a precaution,
moistening them in his excitement.  "II knew  unless it gave him trouble to take it out of proyou'd come. I said to myself:' Mr. Yorke'11. portion to the advantage it conferred; he was
never turn tail;' and we shall be really glad of never imprudent, unless the passion of the moyour help, for the fact is we are short-handed. meat was too strong for him; but sometimes,
Napes is down with the rheumatics, and two of unfortunately, his mere whims were in their inour men are away from home, and there ain't tensity passions, and his passions, while they'
time to send to the out-beaters. So we shall he lasted, fits of madness.  He was a landscapeonly nine - including yourself - in all. Let's painter, partly because he had some taste that
see," continued the old man, counting on his fin- way, but chie~fly because he hated regular work
gers: "there'll be Bill Nokes, and Robert Sloane, of any sort. He had no real love for his art,
and-"                                         and not the least touch of poetic feeling. He
"Spare me the roll-call, Grange," interrupted knew an oak from a beech-tree, and the sort of
the'painter; " and tell me, where I am to be, touch that should be used in delineating the foliahd when, and I'll be there."                 age of each; a yellow primrose was to him a
"Very-good, Sir," said the keeper, musing. yellow primirose and he could mix the colors
"I'll put you at the Squire's oak-the one as deftly enough which made up its hue.  His edyou drawed so nicely-that'11 be at the Decoy ucation had been by no means neglected, but it
down yonder, and close to home.  You have had been of a strange sort; every thing he had
only to use this whistle, and you'll get help learned was, as it were, for immediate use, and
enough if you chance to;be set upo n; there will of a superficial but attractive character.  The
be a fight, no doubt. They must be a daring lot advocates of a classical'curriculum would have
to poach the near park, within sound of the shaken their heads at what Richard Yorke did
house: they ain't a done that these ten year; know, almost as severely as at his lack of knowlfol- the last time they brought Squire and his edge. lHe had read a good deal of all kinds of
hull-dogs out, which was a lesson to one or two literature, including much garbage; he could
of'em. 1-Jowever, he's for townthey say, to-day." play a little on the piano, and speak French with
"All right, Grange; we must do without an excellent accent. In a word, he had learned evhim, then, returned the young man, cheerfully. ery thing that had pleased him, as well as a little
"IWhat time am I to be on guard?"           Latin and some mathemnatics, which had not. He




12                              BRED IN THE BO2NE.
knew English history far better than most young   In such a case, the choice of the wayfarer beEnglishmen; but the sight of tomb or ruin had comes boundless, and is only limited by the ho.
never made his heart pulse faster with an evoked rizon and circumstances. As matters were, he
idea by a single beat.  Historical associations had scarcely enough to live on-not nearly
had no charm for him. This mighty oak, for enough to do so as his tastes and habits suggestexample, under the shadow of which he now  ed; and yet, by one bold stroke, with luck to
stands sentry, and which he had transferred so back it, he might, not "one day" (that would
deftly to his port-folio, has no longer any inter- have had small charm for him), but at once, and
est for him. He has "done it," and its use and for his life-long, be rich and prosperous. He
pleasure are therefore departed in his eyes. He could not be said to have expectations, but his
knows quite well that though it is called the position was not without certain contingencies,
Squire's, in token, probably, of some wholesale the extreme brilliancy of which might almost
slaughter of wild-ducks effected by Carew from  atone for their vagueness. It was from a dream
its convenient cover, that this tree is hundreds of future greatness, or what seemed to him as
of years old -the oldest in all the chase. He such, wherein he saw himself wealthy and powhas read the "Talking Oak," for indeed he can erful, surrounded with luxury and with the miquote Tennyson by the yard, and in dulcet voice; isters of every pleasure, that he was suddenly
and it would have been natural enough, one and sharply awakened by a trifling incident-the
would think, in such a time and place, that some snapping of a dead twig in the copse hard by.
thoughts of what this venerable monarch of the In an instant the glittering gossamer of thought
forest must have witnessed would perforce come was swept aside, and the young fellow was all
into his mind. The same moonlight that now  ear and eye. The wind had dropped for some
shines down between its knotted naked branches time, and the silence was intense; that solemn
must have doubtless lit on many a pair of lovers, hush seemed to pervade the forest which some
for it was ever a favorite place for tryst in by- poet has attributed to the cessation of spiritual
gone years.  The young monk, perhaps, may life, as though the haunters of the glade were
here (when Crompton was an abbey) have given waiting for the resumption of their occupations
double absolution, to himself and to the girl who until the interloping mortal should pass by.
confessed to him her love. Roundhead maiden Nothing stirred, or, if so, it was motion without
and Cavalier gallant must many a time have sound, as when the full-feathered owl slid softly
forgotten their political differences beneath this through the midnight air above him.  Not a
oak, as yet a tree not sacred to royalty; nay, dead leaf fell; and where the leaves had fallen
perhaps even those of-York and Lancaster may there they lay. How was it, then, that a twig
here have been compounded for, in one red rose broke? The deer were couched; the pheasants
of a blush. Bluff Harry had haply hunted be- sat at roost, their heads beneath that splendid
neath its once wide-spreading arms, and certain- coverlet, their wing; and though there were
ly the martyr king had done so, with a score of creeping things which even midnight did not
generations of men of all sorts, dead and gone, woo to rest in that vast wilderness, Yorke had
God alone knows whither.  Though no more imbibed enough of forest lore to know that the
the bugle sounded, nor the twanging bow was noise which he had heard was produced by none
heard, there was surely an echo of their far- of these. A rat in the water-rushes, or a stoat
away music in the young painter's ear! No, pushing through the undergrowth, would have
there was none.                             announced itself in a different fashion. Again
Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard   the sound was heard, and this time it was no
Are sweeter,                             longer the crackling of a twig, but the breaking
was a line Richard Yorke had read, perhaps, but of a branch; then cautious footsteps fell upon
certainly had not understood.  He heard the the frosty leaves, and, with a light leap on the
bare branch creak and sway above his head as bank that fringed the copse, the poacher stood
the wind slowly took it; he heard the night-jar in the open.
croak, as it flew by on silent wing; and now    That such he was, Yorke had no doubt whatand then he heard, or thought he heard, the ever; the moonlight streamed full upon him, and
sound of the voices of his fellow-watchers a great showed him to be none of the Crompton keepers,
way off, which was his only touch of fancy. unless, indeed, he was disguised.  For an inThey were all silent, and in close hiding.  stunt, it passed across his mind that this might
It is not to be supposed, however, that his mind be Walter Grange himself- he was about the
was fixed upon the matter in which he was en- same height and build-come to play a trick upon
gaged, so that other subjects were thereby ex- him to test his courage, for the man's face was
cluded from it. The repression of night-poach- blackened like a burglar's; but this idea was dising was not a matter that interested him either missed as soon as entertained. The keeper, he
in principle or practice.  He would just as soon reflected, thought far too seriously of the night's
that the keeper had not reminded him of his of- doings to make jest of them, and besides, lhe
fer to share his watch-the whim that had once could never have sprung upon the bank as yonseized him to do so had died away; but having der fellow did, his limbs, though sturdy, being
once promised his company, he was not one to stiff with age and occasional rheumatism. The
break his word.  So here he was.            intruder seemed quite alone, and it was probable,
The young man's thoughts were busy, then, while his confederates paid attention to the pheasneither with the past nor the present, but with ants in the Home Park, that he was bent upon
the future-that is, his own future.  The path making a private raid upon the sleeping waterof life did not lie straight before Richard Yorke, fowl. He had no gun, however, nor, as far as
as it does before most men of his age, and in fact Yorke could make out, any other weapon; and
it came, so to speak, abruptly to a termination as soon as he had got near enough to the pond
exactly where he stood.                     to admit of it the watcher sprang out from be







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BRED IN THE BONE.                                   13
neath the shadow of the oak, and placed himself   A mocking laugh burst from the poacher, albetween the stranger and the copse from which ready nearing the opposite bank.
he had emerged. Yorke was the taller by full   "Dang him! If I'd got a gun, I'd shoot him.
six inches, and believing himself to be mbre than Run, man!" cried Walter, excitedly -" run,
a match for his antagonist, had not so much as man, run! He can never get along in his wet
laid finger on his concealed weapon; but if he clothes." And off the two men started in hot
had now any thought of doing so, it was too late; pursuit.
for, with a cry of eager rage, the man turned at   Yorke watched them toiling round the pond,
once, and sprang at him like a tiger. It needed while the poacher landed, shook himself like any
all his skill and coolness to parry the fierce blows water-dog, and leisurely: trotted off.
which fell upon him like hail, and which he had   " It was lucky for him," murmured he, as he
scarcely time to return. Yorke was an adept at replaced his weapon in his pocket, "that the
boxing, and in the chance encounters into which help came on my side;" then lit his pipe, and
a somewhat dissipated and reckless youth had leisurely walked home.
led him, he had been an easy victor; but it now    Three hours later returned the keeper (for
took all he knew to "keep himself.' An in- whose arrival he had been sitting up), with
stant's carelessness, or the absence of a hand in twinkling eye and a look of triumph.
search of that which he would now have gladly   "Well, you caught the beggar, did you,
seized, and his guard would have been broken Grange?"
through, and himself placed at his foe's mercy.   " Oh yes, we caught him fast enough," reNothing but his long reach preserved him from  sponded the other, grinning; " we caught the
those sledge-hammer blows, which seemed as whole lot of them. And who d'ye think they
though each must break the arm they fell upon. were? Why, it was the whole party from the
As for using his whistle, the opportunity, of house, as had come out to play at poachers!
course, was not afforded him; and, moreover, he Who ever heard of such a game? Some on'em
had no breath to spare for such a purpose. got it hot, I reckon, in the new spinney yonder.
Breath, however, was also a desideratum with But. that was no matter. We've all had our
the poacher, and the more so inasmuch as he ac- skins full of rum punch, and a sov. apiece, becompanied every blow-as Brian de Bois-Guil- cause Squire sayswe proved ourselves goodwatchbert was'wont to hammer home his mace-strokes dogs. And here," continued the old man, exultwith " Ha! Beauseant, Beauseant!"-with some ingly, " are a couple of sovs. for yourself.'Give
amazing oath. It is recorded of an American them to that tall young fellow,' says Squire,' as
gentleman, much given to blasphemy, that he you posted by the Decoy Pond, for he knows
could entertain " an intelligent companion" for how to use his fists.' Why, that'ere chap as
half a day with the mere force and ingenuity of you had the tussle with was Carew hisself!"'
his expletives; and this singular talent seemed   A deadly paleness overspread the young man's
to be shared by Richard Yorke's antagonist. cheeks.
That one of the most accomplished roughs of the   "Was that Carew?" he said.
Midlands had fallen to the young painter's lot   "Yes, indeed, it was; though none of us
in that night's melee, he could not for a moment know'd it. You needn't look so skeared. He
doubt; but this reflection did not go far to soothe ain't annoyed with you; he's pleased, bless'ee,
him. He did not care for fighting for its own and here's the proof of it."
sake, while his pride revolted against thus being   "You may keep the guineas, Grange," said
kept at bay by a brutal clown. If he could but Yorke, gravely; "only keep my secret too. If
get the chance, he made up his mind to end this he thinks I was a night-watcher, let him continue
matter once for all, and at last the opportunity in that belief."
seemed to be afforded. The poacher suddenly   "Why, it's the best introduction to Carew as
stepped back to the very margin of the pond, a you could have!" insisted the astonished keeper.
long oval piece of water, and not very deep, and "You have only to go up to the great house toquick as thought, Yorke drew his deadly weapon. morrow, and say:'Here's the man as proved
But at the same moment there was a sound of your match last night,' and-"
racing feet, and down the drive there came two   "You must allow me to be the best judge of
men at headlong speed. Yorke did not doubt my own affairs," interrupted the young fellow,
that they were poachers; but. his blood was up, haughtily; "so you will be so good as to say
and he was armed-he felt like an iron-clad nothing more about the matter."
against whom three wooden ships were about to   "Just as you please, Sir; and I am sure you
pit themselves. "Where I hit now I make a are very kind," answered the keeper, slipping the
hole," he muttered, savagely, and stood firm; coins into his pocket. "Squire hisself could not
nor did he even put his lips to the whistle that be more liberal, that's certain. You are tired, I
hung round his neck.                       see; and I wish you good-night, Sir, or rather
But as the men came nearer, in the foremost good-morning."
he recognized Walter Grange, and at the same   "Good-night, Grange."
moment saw his late antagonist plunge wildly   " Now, that's what I call pride," said Walter,
into the ice-cold pond, and begin to wade and grimly, as he closed the door upon his lodger;
swim across it.                            " and I am sure I hope, for his sake, it may nev"Cuss him! I durst not do it, " gasped Walter, er have a fall."
just too late, and mindful, even in his passionate   When Richard Yorke was thus left to himself
disappointment, of rheumatic pains. " Dash aft- he did a curious thing; he took out the life-preer him, Bob, while Mr. Yorke and I run round." server from its receptacle, and having made up
But Bob had had the rheumatism too, or had the fire, placed it in the centre of the burning
seen the unpleasant effects of it in others, and mass, so that in the morning there was nothing
shook his shaggy head.                    left of it save a dull lump of lead.




It                              BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER IV.                   sight of by one of his own packs of hounds, which
were now in full pursuit of him, like another AcACEROSS THE THRESHOLD.            teton. The terrified stags, with that deep-mouthed
A DAY or two passed by, and nothing more menace of their natural enemies ringing in their
was heard of Carew's combat with the young ears, at once threw off all control, and had left
watcher; some other mad frolic had doubtless their grooms behind them in half a dozen bounds.
entered into the Squire's head and driven that If only the harness held, they would be at the
one out. The hot punch imbibed after his swim  lodge gate in a very few minutes; but, on the
in the Decoy Pond seemed to have averted all other hand, the hounds were nearer to that point,
evil consequences, or perhaps he was case-hard- which they were approaching diagonally. They
ened to such things. Itwas not uncommon with were running, of course, by sight, like greyhim to spend whole winter nights on a neighbor- hounds, and with greyhounds' speed.  Above
ing "broad," in pursuit of the mere-fowl that their eager mellow notes, and the mad shouting
haunted it, in water or ice or swamp.  He treat- of the excited sportsmen, and the ceaseless winded his body as an enemy, and strove to subdue ing of the disregarded horn, above the thunder
it-though not for the good reasons of the Apos- of his own wheels, and of the hoofs of his strange
tle-by every sort of harshness and imprudence; steeds upon the wintry road, rang out Carew's
or rather he behaved toward it as a wayward hoarse tones: "The gate, the gate!"  If only
father toward his child-at one time with cruel that wooden wall could be interposed between
severity, at another with the utmost luxury and his stags and their pursuers, all might yet be
indulgence. No rich man, probably, ever gave well. But, though the lodge-keeper had been
his heir so many chances of inheritance, or ex- drawn by the tumult to his door, he stood there
cited in him so many false hopes, as did the like one amazed and fascinated by the spectacle
Squire of Crompton, who had no heir.        before him, and paralyzed with the catastrophe
The hunting season had begun with him after that seemed impending.
its usual fashion; he seldom troubled himself to   "Gate, gate, you gaping idiot!" roared the
find a fox, but turned one out of a bag to in- Squire, with a frightful curse; but the poor
sure sport, or ran a drag over the most diffi- shaking wretch had not the power to stir; it
cult and dangerous country that could be se- was Yorke himself who dashed at the latch, and
lected.                                     threw the long gate wide to let the madman
Yorke had almost made up his mind to take pass, and then slammed it back upon the very
the keeper's advice, and distinguish himself by jaws of the hounds. They rushed against the
putting his neck to the same risks as Carew, on solid wood like a living battering-ram, and howlhorseback, in order to recommend himself to his ed with baffled rage; and some leaped up and
notice, when an event occurred by which he at- got their fore-paws over it, and would have got
tained his end in another way.              in yet, but that Richard beat them back with his
Tired of the park, wherein he had dwelled so bare hands.
long, and which every day the approach of winter   In the mean time Carew and his stags swept
made more bare and desolate, he had taken a up the park like a whirlwind, and presently,
solitary walk along the highway which led to coming to a coppice, the frightened creatures
the market-town.  He was returning, and had dashed into it, doubtless for covert, where wheel
reached the top of the long hill where the park and rein and antler, tangling with trunk and
fence began, and a high solid gate-so that no branch, soon brought them to a full stop.
dogs could enter-gave access to that wild do-   " Good lad!" exclaimed Carew, as Yorke hurmain, when a confused murmur in the keen blue ried up to help him; "you are a good plucked
air caused him to look back. For a mile or one, you are; you shall keep the lodge, if you
more the road was straight, and the leafless trees will, instead of that lily-livered scoundrel who
and hedges left the prospect open to him in all *was too frightened to move. Oh, I ask pardon;
directions; at the extremity of the road was you are a gentleman, are you?"
some huge moving object, which, advancing at   "Sir, I hope so," answered the young man,
great speed, disclosed the Squire's mail phaeton, stiffly, his anger only half subdued by the nedrawn by four antlered stags, and followed at cessity for conciliation.
some distance by three or four mounted grooms,   "Then, come up to the house and dine, whoapparently unable to keep up with him. Carew  ever you are; I'll lend you a red coat. Curse
himself was standing up like some charioteer of those grooms! what keeps them? One can't sit
old, and, although he already outstripped the upon a stag's head to quiet him as though he
very wind, was laying about him frantically with were a horse."  (Two of the stags were down,
his whip, as up the hill the frightened creatures and butting at one another with their horns.)
tore as if the ground were level. The reason of "What a pace we came up White Hill! I tried
this headlong speed was at the same time made to time them, but I could not get my watch out.
evident by the appearance of a pack of hounds, You moved yourself like a flash of lightning, else
which, followed by a numerous field in scarlet, I thought we must have pinned you against the
was coming across the grass-land in full cry. gate.  It was well done, my lad, well done;
The spectacle, though weird and strange, was by and I'm your debtor."
no means without a certain grandeur-like some   The Squire held out his hand, for the first
barbarous pageant. Yorke understood the situ- time, for Yorke to shake.
ation at a glance. He had heard the keeper say   " Why, what's this?" said he, peering into the
that, not content with his wild progresses through other's eyes. " I have seen your face before, my
the park, the Squire had sworn to drive his stags friend."
one day into the market-town, and this he had    "Yes, Sir; a week or two ago I played the
doubtless actually accomplished; but, on his re- part of night-watcher in your preserves —it was
turn, he had had the misfortune to be caught, a mad prank; but'?-and. here the young follow




BRED IN. THE BONE.                                   15
smiled roguisllly-"it was better than poaching, ton for the first time on foot.  The Squire's
you must admit."                            jovial friends used for the most part strange con"What!" cried the Squire, delighted, "are veyances, such as tandems and randems, and the
you the fellow that had that bout with me in the great flower-beds in the lawn in front gave tign
Decoy Pond? Why, I thought you were one that some such equipage had been lately driven
of my own men, and sent you something; but, up not altogether with dexterity. It is difficult
of course, my scoundrels drank it. I'm glad to at all times to drive " unicorn," and more so if
see you, Sir, by daylight.  It was the uncertain the horses are not used to that method of promoonshine that hampered me, else, by Jove, I'd gression, and still more so if the charioteer is
have given you'one, two!' We must have it somewhat inebriated; and all these conditions
out another day, for a drawn battle is just the had been fulfilled a few minutes previously in
thing I hate.  What's your name, young gen- the case of Mr. Frederick Chandos, a young gentleman, and where do you live?"            tleman of twenty-one years of age, but of varied
"I live close by, Sir; I am in lodgings for experience, who had just arrived that day on his
the present."                               first visit.  But when Yorke appeared at the
"Ay, ay, for the hunting, I suppose," said the front-door, there was no less attention paid to
impetuous Squire.  "Hark to those devils of him than if he had driven up with four-in-hand.
dogs; they are howling yet; they would have Obsequious footmen assisted him to take off his
had my stags by this time but for you. Well, wrappers in the great hall, whosevastness dwarfed
well; send for your portmanteau, and take up your the billiard-table in its centre to bagatelle proporquarters at Crompton; you shall have a hearty tions. A profusion of wax-lights-and no others
welcome; only don't be late for dinner-seven, were permitted at Crompton, save in the servants'
Sir, sharp. Here are my knavish grooms at last." offices-showed eight shining pillars of rare marAnd, under cover of the fire of imprecations ble, and a grand staircase broad enough for a
which the Squire poured upon his approaching coach-and-four, and up which, indeed, Carew had
retainers, the young landscape-painter withdrew. ridden horses for a wager; while all the walls
Hie had obtained his end at last, and he wished were hung with huge-figured tapestry-" The
to retire before Carew should put that question Tent of Darius" and " The Entry of Alexander
to him for a second time-what is your name? into Babylon,"bothmiracles ofpatient art. The
-which, at such a moment, it would, for certain grandeur of the stately place was marred, howreasons, have been embarrassing to answer.  ever, by signs of revel and rough usage. The
He betook himself at once to the keeper's Persian monarch, spared by his Grecian conlodge, and packing up his wardrobe, which, queror, had been deprived, by some more modern
though of modest dimensions, comprised all that barbarian, of his eyes; while the face of his royal
was requisite for a gentleman's costume, dis- consort had been cut out of the threaded picture,
patched it to the great house. He followed it to judge by the ragged end of the canvas, by a
himself shortly afterward, only waiting to dash penknife.  The very pillars were notched in
off a note by the afternoon's post for town. It places, as though some mad revelers had striven
was literally a " hurried line," and would have to climb to the pictured ceiling, from which gods
better suited these later telegraphic days, when and men looked down upon them with amaze;
thoughts, though wire-drawn, are compressed, the thick-piled carpet of the stairs was cut and
and brevity is the soul of cheapness, as of wit. torn, doubtless by horses' hoofs; and here and
" I have got my foot in, and however it may be there a gap in the gilt balusters showed where
pinched, will keep the door open.  Direct to me they had been torn away in brutal frolic. A
at Crompton."                               groom of the chambers preceded the new guest
It was not a nice trait in the young man, if it up stairs, and introduced him to a bachelor's
was a characteristic one, that he did not take apartment, small, but Kwell furnished in the modthe trouble even to leave so much word as that ern style, whither his portmanteau had been alfor the old keeper, who was engaged in his out- ready taken.  " Squire has given orders, Sir,"
door duties, but simply inclosed the few shillings said he, respectfully, " that he should be informed
in which he was indebted to him inside an en- as soon as you arrived. What name shall I say,
velope, addressed to Walter Grange. The old Sir?  But here he is himself."
man liked him, as he well knew, and would have   As the groom withdrew, Carew made his apprized a few words of farewell; but Yorke was pearance at the. open door. IIe was smoking a
in a hurry to change his quarters for the better; cigar, although it was within an hour of dinnerlie had climbed from low to high, and gave no time; and at his heels slouched a huge bull-dog,
further thought to the ladder which had so far who immediately began to growl and sniff at the
served him. But yet he had some prudence too. new guest.  "Quiet, you brute!" exclaimed the
Though he had dwelled so long in the Carew do- Squire, with his customary garnish of strong exmains, so careful had he been not to intrude his pletive. "Welcome to Crompton, Mr.-  I forpresence inopportunely on its master, that he had get your name; or rather you forgot, I think, to
never so much as seen, except at a distance, the favor me with it."
mansion to which he was now an invited guest.   "My name is Richard Yorke, Sir."
hIow grand it showed, as his elastic step drew    "Yorke, Yorke-that sounds easterly. You
near it, with tower and turret standing up against are of the Cambridgeshire stock, I reckon, are
the gloomy November sky, and all its broad- you not?"
winged front alive with light!  How good it   "No, Sir," returned the other,f with a slight
would be to call so fine a place his home!  tremor in his voice, which he could not control;
How excellent to be made heir to the childless "I come from nearer home. Your wife's first
man who ruled it, and who could leave it to husband was called Yorke, if you remember, and
whomsoever his whim might choose!          I bear his name, although I am her lawful son,
It was unusual for a guest to approach Cromp- by you, Sir."
B




16                             BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER V.                    truth must be as, difficult to you, considering the
stock you come of, as dancing on the tight-rope.
AT CROMPTON.                Your mother, indeed, was; a first-rate rope-dancer
AFTER the bold avowal made at the conclusion in that way, and I rarely caught her tripping;
of the last chapter, Richard Yorke and his father but you-"
(for such indeed he was) stood confronting one   "Sir," interrupted the young man, passionateanother, for near a minute, without a word. A  ly, "is this your hospitality?"
tempest of evil passions swept over Carew's   " True, lad, true," answered the Squire, goodswarthy face, and his eyes flashed with a fire humoredly; "I had intended to have forgotten
that seemed to threaten personal violence. The Madam Yorke's existence. Well, Sir, what are
bull-dog, too, as though perceiving his master's you?-what do you do, I mean, for a livelihood
irritation with the stranger, began to growl again; -beside' night-watching?'"
and this, perhaps, was fortunate for the young   "I am a landscape-painter, Sir."
man, as affording a channel for the Squire's pent-   "Umph!" grunted Carew, contemptuously;
up wrath. With a great oath, leveled alike at "you don't get fat on that pasture, I reckon.
man and brute, he raised his foot, and kicked the Have you never done any thing else?"
latter to the other side of the room.         For a single instant the young man hesitated
"Impudenit bastard!" cried he; "how dare to reply; then answered, " Never."
you show your face beneath my roof?"         "You are quite sure of that?" inquired the
"How dare I?" responded the young man, other, suspiciously.
excitedly, and with his handsome face aglow.   "Quite sure."
"Because there was naught to fear; and if there   " Good! Here, come with me."
were, I should not have feared it."           His host led the way along an ample corridor,
" Tut, tut! so bold a game could never have hung with tall pictures of their common ancesentered into your young head.  Your mother tors, and opened the door of another bedroom.
must have set you on to do it-come, Sip, the It was of a vast size; and even when the Squire
truth, the truth."                          had lit the candles upon the mantle-piece, and
I" She did not set me on, father," insisted the those which clustered on either side of the great
other, earnestly. " I came here of my own will. pier-glass, the darkness did but give place to a
I have been dwelling within a stone's-throw of sort of shining gloom: the cause of this strange
your house these six months, in hopes to see you effect was the peculiarity of the furniture; the
face to face. She told me not to come-I swear walls were of bog-oak, relieved, like those of a
she did."                                   ball-room, by silver sconces; the chairs were of
So much the better for her," ejaculated the the same material. The curiosity of the room
Squire, grimly.  " If I thought that she had any was, however, the bedstead; this was of an im?
hand in this, not another shilling of my money mense size, and adorned above with ostrich
should she ever touch. It was agreed between feathers, which gave it the appearance of a fuus,"he continued, passionately-" and I, for my neral car; the pillars were of solid ebony, as
part, am a man who keeps his word-that she were also the carved head and foot boards; it
and hers should never meddle more with me and was hung with crimson damask curtains, trimmed
mine; and now she has broken faith."        with gold braid; and upon its coverlet of purple
"'Nay, Sir, but she has not," returned the silk lay a quilt of Brussels point lace of exquisite
young man, firmly.  "I tell you it was against design.
her will that I came hither."                 "I will have your traps brought in here," said
" The devil it was!" exclaimed the Squire, Carew, throwing away the end of his cigar, and
suddenly bursting into a wild laugh.  "If you drawing from his pocket a heap of filberts; " it
get your way with her, when she says' no,' you will be more convenient. You will find a room
must be a rare one. You are my son for certain, through yonder door, where you can sit and
however, or you would never dare to stand here. paint to your heart's content."
It was a rash step, young Sir, and might have   " You lodge me so splendidly, Sir, that I shall
ended in the horse-pond. I had half a mind to feel like Christopher Sly," observed the young
set my bull-dog at you. Since you are here, fellow, gratefully.
however, you can stay. But let us understand    "Ay, sly enough, I'll warrant," returned the
one another. I am your father, in a sense, as I Squire, who had just cracked a nut and found it
am father, for aught I know, to half the parish; a bad one. " That's Bred in the Bone with you,
but as to being lawfully so, the law has happened I reckon. Look yonder!" As he spoke, a porceto have decided otherwise. I know what you lain vase clock upon the chimney-piece struck
would say about'the rights of it;' but that's the half hour, and a gilt serpent sprang from the
beside the question; the law, I say, for once, is pedestal, showing its fang, which was set in brillon my side, and I stand by it. Egad, I have iants. " That's my serpent clock, which always
good reason to do so; and if your mother had reminds me of Madam, your mother, and the
been your wife, as she was mine, you would be more so, because it goes for a twelvemonth,
with me so far. Now, look you," and here again which was just the time she and I went in douthe speaker's manner changed with his shifting ble harness. But here are your clothes, and you
mood, " if ever again you venture to address me must be quick in getting into them, for we dine
as your father, or to boast of me as such, I will sharp at Crompton. —Watson, go to my man, and
have you turned out neck and crop; but as Mr. bid him fetch a red coat for this gentleman.Richard Yorke, my guest, you will be welcome You'll hear the gong, Mr. Yorke, five minutes
at Crompton, so long as we two suit each other; before dinner is served."  And with a careless
only beware, young Sir, that you tell me no lies. nod to his guest, and a whistle to his four-footed
I shall soon get rid of you on these terms," con- companion, Carew sauntered off.
tinued the Squire, with a chuckle; "for to speak   The young man would have given much to




IBRED IN THE BONE.                                   17
have had half an hour at his disposal to think fires-of which there were no less than three
over the events of the last few minutes, and to alight-or lolled at full length upon the damask
reflect upon his present position; but there was sofas. These persons were not, upon the whole,
no time to lose, if he would avoid giving umrn- of an aristocratic type; many of them, indeed,
brage to his host by being late. He therefore were of good birth, and all had taken the usual
dressed in haste, and before the first note of the pains with their costume, but a life of dissipation
gong was heard was fully equipped.  If the had set its vulgaiizing mark on them: on the
Squire, in introducing him to this splendid lodg- seniors the pallid and exhausted look of the rout
ing, had had it in his mind to overcome him by was indeed rarely seen-country air and rough
a mere exhibition of magnificence, the design exercise had forbidden that-but drink and hard
had failed; it was only Yorke's artistic sense living had written their autographs upon them
that had been impressed; the fact was that the in another and worse handwriting. Blotches and
young fellow was of that character on whom su- pimples had indeed so erased their original likeperiority of any sort has small effect; while in ness to gentlemen that it was even whispered by
the present case the signs of wealth about him  the scandalous that it was to prevent the congave him self-confidence, rather than any feeling fusion with his menials, that must needs have
of inferiority; insomuch as he considered him- otherwise arisen, that the Squire of Crompton
self " by rights," as the Squire had said, the heir compelled his guests to wear red coats. The
of all he saw, and by no means despaired of be- habitues of the place, who were the contemporacoming so, not only de jure, but de facto.  Cer- ries of the Squire, had, as it were, gone to seed.
tainly, as he now regarded himself in the pier- But there was a sprinkling of a better class, or,
glass in his scarlet coat, it was not to be won- at all events, of a class that had not as yet sunk
dered at that he reflected complacently that, so so low as they in the mire of debauchery: a
far as personal appearance went, he was not like- young lord or two in their minority, whom their
ly to find a superior in any of the company he parents or guardians could not coerce into keepwas about to meet. A handsomer young fellow  ing better company; and other young gentlemen
had indeed never answered the importunate sum- of fashion, in whose eyes Carew was "A devilmons of the Crompton gong.                  ish good fellow at bottom;" " Quite a character,
He had no difficulty about finding his way to by Jove!" and "A  sort of man to know."
the drawing-room, for a stream of red-coated Among these last was Mr. Frederick Chandos,
guests was already setting thither from their re- who had so lately got among the chrysanthespective chambers, and he entered it with them  mums with his gig-wheels, and Mr. Theodore
unannounced. This was the only apartment in Fane, his bosom friend, who always sat beside
the house which did not bear traces of mischiev- him on his driving-seat, and,in return for sharous damage, because, as on the present occasion, ing his perils, was reported to have the whipit was used for exactly five minutes every even- hand of him. Nor was old age itself without its
ing, and at no other time whatever. After din- representative in the person of Mr. Byam Ryll,
ner the Squire's guests invariably adjourned to once a master of fox-hounds, now a pauperized
the billiard-table or the library, and the yellow  gourmand, who, in consideration of his coarse
drawing-room was left alone in its magnificence. wit and " gentlemen's stories," was permitted to
This neglected apartment had probably excited have the run of his teeth at Crompton. This
more envy in the female mind than any at Falstaff to the Squire's Prince Hal was a rotund
Crompton, although there were drawing-rooms and portly man, like his great prototype, but singalore there, as well as one or two such exquisite gularly handsome. His smile was winning yet,
boudoirs as might have tempted a nun from her and, in spite of his load of years and fat, he still
convent. It was a burning shame, said the ma- considered himself agreeable to the fair sex.
trons of Breakneckshire, that the finest room in   For this information and much more, respectthe county should not have a lawful mistress to ing the character of his fellow-guests, Yorke was
grace it; and it was not their fault (as has been indebted to a very singular personage, who had
hinted) that that deficiency had not been sup- introduced himself to him as "Parson Whymplied. It was really a splendid room, not divid- per," and whom he now knew to be the Squire's
ed in any way, as is usual with rooms of such chaplain. The reverend divine was as proud of
vast extent, but comprehending every description that office (and infinitely more comfortable in it)
of architectural vaglary-bay-windows, in each as though he had been chaplain to an archbishop.
of which half a dozen persons might sit and He was the only man present who wore a black
move, and recesses where as many could en- coat, and he had a grave voice and insinuating
sconce themselves, without their presence being manner, which really did smack something of
dreamed of by the occupants of the central the pulpit.
space.                                        "Mr. Yorke," said he, blandly, "I make no
At present, however, the flood of light that apology for introducing myself to you; Carew
poured from chandelier and bracket, and flashed and I have been just having a talk about you,
upon the gorgeous furniture and on the red coats and he has no secrets from his ghostly adviser.
of the guests, seemed to forbid concealment, and I take your hand with pleasure. I seem to feel
certainly afforded a splendid spectacle-a diplo- it is the flesh and blood of my best friend. Soonmatic reception, or a fancy-ball, could for brill- er or later, mark me, he will own as much, and,
iancy scarcely have exceeded it, though the par- be sure, no effort of mine shall be wanting to inallel went no farther; for, with all this pomp and sure so desirable a consummation."
circumstance, there was not the slightest trace   Yorke flushed with pleasure, not at the honof ceremony. New guests, like Yorke himself, eyed terms, nor the good-will they evidenced, but
flocked in, and stood and stared, or paraded the at the news itself-the fact of his father having
room; while the less recent arrivals laughed and revealed their relationship to him seemed so full
chatted together noisily, with their backs to the of promise-and yet he resented the man's pro



18                             BRED IN TUiE BONE.
fessions, the audacity of which seemed certainly and, after all, there is no great harm-in it. De
to imply that he was taken for a fool.      minimis non curat lex, you know."
"I am sure, Mr. Whymper," said he, stiffly,   " That does not hold good with respect to the
"I ought to be greatly obliged to you."    law of affiliation, parson," observed Mr. Byam
"Hush!  Not Mr. Whymper, if you please, Ryll, who sat on the other side of him, "ift at
for that's a fine here. Every body at Crompton least, I have not forgotten my Burns."
calls me'Parson.' Obliged, Sir!  Not at all.   "I always understood that Burns had very
It is only natural that, being what I am, I should loose views upon such matters," returned the
wish you well. The law, it is true, has decided chaplain, demurely.
against your legitimacy, but the Church is bound    "My dear parson, your remark is like that
to think otherwise.  In my eyes you are the excellent condiment which I wish I could see at
Squire's only son"-here he made a whispering- this otherwise well-provided table-caviare to the
trumpet of his brawny hands, and added with multitude. Why is it not furnished? You have
great significance-" and heir."             only to say the word." HIere he addressed him" I see," said Yorke, smiling in spite of him- self to Yorke: " This worthy divine who sits at
self.                                       the bottom of the table, young gentleman, and
" Of course you do; did you think I was tri- who has neglected his duty in not having introfiing with your intelligence? I tell you that it duced us, is all-powerful here; and we all enis quite on the cards that you may recover your dearer to make fiiends of him; nor is that cirlost position, and regain what is morally your cumstance, it is whispered, the only respect in
own again. Carew is delighted with you, not which he resembles the mammon of unrightso much because you saved his stags as because eousness."
you fought such a good battle with him by the   A shadow of annoyance crossed the parson's
Decoy Pond. He has been consulting me pro- smiling face.
fessionally as to whether it would be contrary to    "Mr. Richard Yorke," said he, "this is Mr.
the tables of affinity to have another set-to with Byam Ryll, our unlicensed jester."
you. I am sorry my reply was in the negative,   "The parson, on the contrary," retorted the
for, now I look at you, I do believe you would other, with twinkling eyes, "is our Vice, and
have thrashed him; but I was so afraid of his gives himself every license. What is the matgetting the better of you, which might have ter with Carew to-night?  He looks glum. I
ruined your fortunes."                      dare say he has been eating greens and bacon
Richard could only repeat his thanks for the at some farm-house, and is now regretting the
good clergyman's kindness.  "You know no- circumstance.  He has no moral courage, poor
body here, I suppose, " observed the latter, " and, fellow, and knows not how to deny his appewith a few exceptions, which I will name to you, tite."
that is not of much consequence. It is a shift-   " You never did such a wasteful thing in your
ing lot: they are here to-day and gone to-mor- life, Byam, I'll warrmfnt," said the parson, smilrow, as says the Scripture, and I wish they were ing; " and yet some say that you have been a
all going to-morrow except Byam Ryll. That's profligate."
old Byam  yonder, with the paunch and his   "I know it," replied the gourmand, shaking
hands behind him; he has nowhere else to put his head; " and I forgive them. They call me a
them, poor fellow." And here Parson Whymper slave to my stomach; if it be so, I at least serve
launched into biography as aforesaid.       a master of some capacity, which is not the case
The clock on the chimney-piece, on which the with every body."
two were leaning, broke in upon the divine's   "You are saving something about me, you big
scarcely less dulcet accents with its silver quar- fit man," cried Carew, fiom the other end of the
ter.                                        table, and his voice had a very unpleasant grasp
" This is the first time, " said Whymper, "that in it.  " Come, out with it!"
I have ever known your father late; and to you    " If our venerable friend does not stoop to debelongs the honor of having caused him to trans- ception," whispered the parson into Yorke's ear,
gress his own immutable rule."              " he will now find himself in an ugly hole. "
While he was yet sp~eaking a hunting-horn    "I was observing that you did not eat your
was blown in the hall beneath, and the whole lamperns, Squire," said the stout gentleman,
company turned en masse, like a field of poppies " and remarked that you were in no want of a
before a sudden wind, to the door where Carew  feeder."
was standing.                                 "What's a feeder?" returned the host, illtemperedly. " If it's a bib, you'll soon want one
yourself, for, egad, you're getting near your secCHAPTER VI.                   ond childhood!"
TH~E FEAST OF LAFITILE.             " It must have been my plumpness and innocence which suggested that idea," responded the
THE host himself led the way down stairs; other, smiling.  "But if you have never known
while the rear of the party was brought up by a feeder, you have missed a great advantage,
Mr. Whymper, to whom Yorke attached himself. Squire.  When you dine with my Lord Mayor
When they reached the dining-room, and be- the question is. always asked, Will you have a
fore they took their seats at the ample table, the feeder, or will you not? If you say'Yes,' you
chaplain, with sonorous voice, gave a view hol- pay your half-guinea, and get him. He is genloa! which was the Crompton grace.          erally a grave old gentleman like myself, and
"It is very distressing to me to have to act much resembles a beneficed clergyman.  iHe
in this way," whispered he to his young friend, stands behind your chair throughout the feast,
whose countenance betrayed considerable aston- and delicately suggests what it is best for you to
ishmaent; "but it is the custom of the house; eat, to drink, and to avoid.'No; no salmon,' h




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    19
murmurs, if you have had turbot already; and, that of his master of the ceremonies. Many a'Now, a glass of Burgundy, if you please, Sir;' rudeness in that house would have been bitterly
or,'Now, a glass of sherry.' If an-indigestible avenged, and many a quarrel would have had a
or ill-compounded entree is handed, he will whis- serious termination, but for the good offices of
per:' No, Sir: neither now nor never,' with quite Parson Whymper.  Nor would Mr. Byam Ryll
an outburst of honest indignation; nor will he have been considered by every body to earn an
suffer you to take Gruyere cheese, nor port with easy livelihood in making jests out of every
your Stilton. The consequence is, that the next occasion, to tickle the fancy of a dull-witted
norning you feel as lively as though you had not audience and of a patron, as often as not, mofeasted on the previous evening, and convinced rose; yet the flesh-pots of Egypt had attracted
that you made a good investment of your half- both these men to the Squire's service, their
guinea in securing his services. If there was poverty as well as their will consenting; and in
a feeder at Crompton," concluded the old gour- exchange for meat and drink, and lodging of
mand, sighing, and with a hypocritical look, "it the best, they had sold themselves into slavery.
would be a boon to some of you young fellows, Upon the whole, they were well disposed to one
and might produce a healthy and devout old age." another; the bond of intelligence united them
"That's a good one!" "Well done, Byam!" against the rich " roughs" with whom they had
"You won't beat that! " resounded from  all to deal; they tilted together, side by side, against
sides, for such were the terms in which the gal- the canaille; yet each, from the bitter consciouslery at Crompton expressed their approbation, ness of his own degradation, took pleasure in the
whether of man or beast; but Mr. Frederick humiliation or discomfiture of the other, at the
Chandos and a few others, inclusive of Mr. The- rude hands of their common master.
odore Fane, kept a dignified silence, as over a    "Profeision," said Chandos, in reply to Cajoke that was beyond their capacities-they re- rew's last remark;'gad, your ancient friend is
served their high approval for "gentlemen's sto- lucky to have found one in these days. They
ries" only. As for the grim Squire, for whom  tell me that no young gentleman can now get his
alone the narrative had been served and gar- living without answering questions, writing down
nished, at so very short a notice, he observed things, drawing maps, and passing-  What the
upon it, that " when he had used up old Byam'9 deuce do they call them?"
brains he should now have the less scruple in   "Hanged ifIknow,"saidthe Squire. "Ask
turning him out-of-doors, inasmuch as it seemed Byam; he knows every thing."
there was a profession in town that was just suit-   "I say, Mr. Byam," drawled the young man,
ed to him."                                 somewhat insolently, but without being aware
How wondrous is the power of naked wealth- that he was addressing a stranger by his Chrisof the mere money! Simply because he had a tian name, "Carew says you know every thing.
large rent-roll, this mad Carew could find not What is it that a gentleman is now obliged to go
only companions of his own calibre-reckless through before he can get any of these snug
good-for-na-ughts, or dull debauchees-but could things one used to get for the asking? What is
command graybeard experience, wit, the art of the confounded thing one has to pass?"
pleasing, in one man; and in another (what he   "Muster," answered Ryll, derisively, as though
was not less destitute of, and needed more), poli- it was a riddle.
tic management and common-sense. We do riot   Carew laughed aloud. The nearer a retort
say, as the Squire himself sometimes did, when in approached to a practical joke, provided it was
a good-humor with his two satellites, that Parson not at his own expense, the better he liked it.
Whymper and Byam Ryll had more brains in    " What did the old beggar say?" inquired Mr.
their little fingers than all his other friends had Frederick Chandos, his fair face crimson with
in their whole bodies, but it was certain that, anger.
even when drunk, they were wiser than the oth-   "He asked for the mustard; he didn't hear
ers when sober; the one had astuteness enough you," answered the Squire, mischievously; "he
for a great statesman (or what has passed for never does hear a fellow who lisps."
such in England) to hold the most discordant   "I asked you, Mr. Byam," repeated the young
elements together, and to make what is rotten man with tipsy gravity, "what is the name of
seem almost sound; and, indeed, without his those examinations?"
chaplain's dextrous skidding, Carew would long   " The name of the gentleman on my left, Mr.
ago have irretrievably lost social caste, and dis- Chandos, is Ryll, and not Byam-except to his
sipated his vast means to the last shilling.  On intimate friends," interposed the chaplain; "and
the other hand, Byam Ryll was gifted with even the name you are in want of is competitive."
rarer qualities; he was essentially a man of mark    " That's it," said the young man, slapping the
and character, and might have made his fortune table, and forgetting both his mistake and his
in any pursuit by his own wits; but his fortune anger in the unaccustomed acquisition of an idea.
had been ready-made when he came of age, and "I Competitive examination is what they call it,
lie had occupied himself very agreeably instead Well, you know, there was my young brother —in getting through it, in which he had quite confound him i-looking to me to pay his bills;
succeeded. Parson Whymper, who had never and, in fact, having nothing to live upon, poor
known what it was to have a ten-pound note to devil, except what I gave him. So, of course,
call his own, was now no worse off than he. I was anxious to get him off my hands."
They would both have frankly owned, had they   " Very natural," assented Carew.  "For my
been asked, that they detested work of any kind. part, I could never see what younger brothers
Yet the chaplain had almost as much business on were born for."
his hands as the bursar of a great college, in the   "You'd see it less if you had one to keep,"
administration of Carew's affairs, besides filling continued Chandos. " In old times, now, I could
an office which was by no means a sinecure, in have got Jack something warm and snug under




20                             BRED IN THE BONE.
government, or in the colonies; and so I should whose hands his work was in fhese days to pass
now, but for one thing-that he had to pass one he could not have hit upon more apt devices.
of these cursed examinations first. However, His Satvrs and his Centaurs had here their repas it. had to be done, and as Jack, according to resentatives in the flesh; while the thews and
his own account, was as much out of form for sinews of the son of Alcmene had their counterone as another of them, I recommended him- to part in those of the man who now stood up at
try his luck for something in India; for as long the head of that splendid table, and drank such
as you can keep a fellow on the other side of the a draught as though the port were porter. It
world he can't dun you-not to hurt; it ain't was a feat to hold it with one hand, and therelike coming and calling himnself; and you needn't fore Carew did so; but to empty it at a draught
read his letters unless you like. Well,'India was, even for him, an impossibility, for it held
be it,' says Jack;'that's as good a place as an- three bottles of wine. Though the Squire could
other;' though, in my opinion, he never expect- be acquitted of entertaining reverence for any
ed to go there. He thought he had no chance thing human or divine, he had a sort of superstiwhatever of pulling through, and so did I, for tious regard for his beaker, and believed that so
the fact is, Jack is a born fool."          long as he had it in his possession —like the " Luck
" Did you say he was your brother, or only of Eden Hall" —no great harm could happen to
your half-brother?" inquired Mr. Byam iRyll, him. lie attached all the importance of a religwith an appearance of great interest.       ious ceremony-and, indeed, it was the only one
" My very own brother, Sir," replied the un- he practiced-to the using of this goblet, and re.
conscious Chandos, flattered to find such atten- sented any levity during the process as though it
tion paid to him; "and as like to me as one were sacrilege. But to stand up after dinner,
thimble, I mean as one pea, is to another. Well, and much less to support this elaborate drinkingthe strange thing is, the deuce alone knows how  vessel, was not always an easy matter with the
it happened, but Jack got through."  Here he Squire's guests, and so it happened on the prestook a bumper of port, as though in honor of ent occasion. The usage was, that one held the
that occasion.  "It's a perfect marvel, but the cover while his- neighbor drank from the cup,
best thing for himl (as well as for me) in the after a ceremonious bow to him; and it fell to
world. Nobody ever went out under better au- the lot of Mr. Frederick Chandos to perform this
spices, for the governor of Bengal is our cousin, latter duty immediately after his host, and while
and Jack was to school with his private sec.: it's there was still much wine in the goblet. Una first-rate connection.  Our family has been certain as to his footing, and trembling with irconnected with India for ever so long. I'll tell ritation, as well as with the weight of his burden,
you how."                                   he hesitated to drink. Perhaps, in his already
"It is a most admirable connection," observed wine-muddled brain, he had some vague idea of
Mr. Byam Ryll; " and, the whole circumstances passing the vessel on, and thereby showing his
of the case will, I have no doubt, be interesting displeasure; but, at all events, the hesitation
in the highest degree to the natives of Bengal. was unfortunate for him, for, with a fierce ejacuYour brother should embody them in a neat lation of impatience, Carew crammed the great
speech, and deliver it from the deck of the steam- cover on the young man's head, which, like the
er-before he lands."                        helmet of Otranto, came down over nose and chin.
It is probable that Mr. Frederick Chandos Maddened with the insult, Chandos dashed the
would have so far misunderstood the nature of contents of the goblet into what he thought was
this observation as to have accepted it as a com- the Squire's face, but which was indeed the white
pliment had not Carew burst into a series of wild cravat and waistcoat of his opposite neighbor;
laughs, which betokened high approval, and was and then began a scene that Smollett alone could
one of his few tokens of enjoyment. He had have described or Hogarth painted. It was as
evinced unmistakable signs of discontent and though a concerted signal had been given for a
boredom before his intellectual henchman had free fight among all the Squire's guests. The
thus struck in on his behalf; and he was really one art that was practiced among them was that
gratified for the rescue. Chandos was mutter- of boxing, and almost every man present had a
ing some drunken words of insolence and anger; neat way of hitting out with one hand or the
but Carew bore him down.                    other, which he believed to be unique, and the
"Pooh, pooh! Old Byam was right!" cried effect of which he was most curious to observe.
he, with boisterous mirth.  " I dare say all that The less skillful with their fists used any other
long story of yours may interest those black fel- weapons that came handy. The dessert service
lows; but for me, I care nothing about it. It's of Dresden porcelain, elaborately enameled with
all rubbish. Be quiet, you young fool, I say; views of the chief towns of Germany, had once
it's too early yet for buffets. Here, bring the been the marriage portion of a princess, and was
beaker."                                    justly held to be one of the rarest treasures of
This was a magnificent tankard, the pride of Crompton; but it was no more respected now
Crompton, which, at the conclusion of dinner, than if it had furnished forth the table of Pirithwas always filled with port-wine, and passed ous. The plates skimmed about like quoits, and
round the table. It was lined with silver gilt, all the board became a wreck of glass and china.
but made of ivory, and had a cover of the same, Above the clamor and the fighting could be heard
both finely carved. On the bowl was portrayed Carew's strident voice demanding his beaker,
a Forest Scene, with Satyrs pursuing Nymphs; pouring unimaginable anathemas against any one
on the lid was the Battle of the Centaurs; while who should do it damage, and threatening to unthe stem was formed by a sculptured figure of muzzle and bring in his bear. The servants, not
Hercules. If the artist, Magnus Berg, who had unused to such mad tumults, gathered in a mass
fashioned it long ago in his own Rhine Land, at the doorway, and awaited with equanimity the
had had foresight of the sort of company into subsidence of the storm among their betters  It




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    21
came at last, and found the scene of contest not per, who ran him very close in skill. and someunlike a ship after storm-the decks all but clean times divided the spoil with him; but on the
swept, and the crew (who had broken into the present occasion he had a wordy weapon to baffle
spirit-room) exhausted.                     even that foe. This. consisted in constant alluRichard Yorke, who, with his two neighbors, sion to the latter's supposed reversionary interest
had taken no part in the affray beyond defend- in the living at Crompton, the incumbent whereing himself from blows or missiles, was even of was ancient and infirm, and which was in the
more astonished at the general good-humor that Squire's gift. This piece of preferment was the
now succeeded than at the fracas itself. If there object of the chaplain's dearest hopes, and the
had been any bad blood among the combatants, last subject he would have chosen to jest upon,
it seemed to have been spilled, for there was now  especially in the presence of its patron.
nothing but laughter and applausive drumming    " Is he to have it,:Squire, or is he not?" would
of fists upon the table. The company were as be Tub Ryll's serious inquiry, just as it was the
pleased with their own performance as the holi- parson's turn to play on him; or, "Who backs
day faces that greet with such exuberant joy the the vicar elect?"-observations which seldom
havoc upon the stage at pantomime time. The failed to cost that expectant divine a sovereign,
habitues of Crompton, indeed, werel not unlike for the play at the Hall table, although not so
wild school-boys, with a Lord of Misrule for high as was going on in the Library with those
their master, and "give and take" for their one who patronized cards, was for considerable stakes.
good precept. Nay, the rude outbreak had even Carew, who enjoyed, above all things, this ema beneficial effect, for it cut short the orgie, which barrassing pleasantry, would return an ambigumight, and probably would, have otherwise been ous reply, so that the problem remained without
prolonged for hours. There was no dissentient a solution. But when the disgusted chaplain at
voice when Mr. Byam Ryll arose and observed, last threw up his cue, in a most unusual fit of
in demure accents: "Suppose, my dear friends, dudgeon, the Squire put the question to the
that we join the ladies."                   company, as a case of -church preferment of
which he was unwilling to take the sole responsibility.  "The sum," he said, "which had been
offered to him for the next presentation would
CHAPTER VII.                   exactly defray the cost of his second pack of
YORKE REPORTS PROGRESS.            hounds, which his chaplain himself had advised
him to put down; so the point to be considered-"
I TRUST it will not be imagined, and far less   " The hounds, the hounds!" broke in this imhoped for, by any reader of this sober narrative, patient audience, amidst roars of laughter. And
that the phrase which concluded the last chapter nobody knew better than poor Parson Whymper
implies that he or she is about to be introduced that this verdict would be more final than that
to bad company. The fair sex will not be with- of most other ecclesiastical synods, and that he
out their representatives in our story, and that had lost his preferment. It was Carew's humor
soon; but they will not be such as blushed un- to take jest for earnest (as it was to turn into ridseen (if they blushed at all) in the bowers at icule what was serious), and to pretend that his
Crompton. Mr. Ryll's suggestion, " Let us join word was pledged to decisions to which nobody
the ladies," was only an elegant way he had, and else would have attached the slightest weight;
which was well understood by his audience, of it pleased him to feel that his lightest word was
proposing an adjournment to the billiard-room. law, or perhaps it was a part of the savage adolf that worthy old gentleman could be said to ration which he professed to pay to truth.
have had any source of income whatever, it was   Byam Ryll felt a genuine regret that he had
the billiard-table; and hence it was that he was pushed matters so far, though Whymper himalways ready to proceed thither. Nor had he self was to blame for having shown temper, and
boasted without reason, a while ago, of his pow- thereby precipitated the catastrophe.  But he
ers of self-denial, for he would often forego a did not play the less skillfully on that account;
glass of generous wine (when he felt that he had and, moreover, had no rival to divide the pool
had enough), in order to keep his hand steady with him.
for the game at pool, which invariably took place   " I would give five pounds if somebody would
at Crompton after dinner. His extreme obesity, beat him, "muttered the discontented parson withthough it deprived him of some advantages in in Yorke's hearing, who was standing aloof with
the way of "reach," was, upon the whole, a ben- his cigar watching the game.
efit to him. His antagonists lost the sense of   " I think I could," said the young man, quietly,
his superiority of skill in their enjoyment of the " if I had five pounds."
ridiculous and constrained postures in which he   As the pool was two pounds, and the lives
was compelled to place himself, and he was well were one, this was exactly the amount of pecunoontent to see them laugh and lose. None but iary risk to be run, and which want of the necesa first-rate player could have held his own among sary funds had alone prevented the young man
that company, whose intelligence had been di- from incurring.
rected to this particular pursuit for most of their   " Here is a fiver," replied the parson, softly.
natural lives; and even "Tub Ryll," as they    "But I really have no money," remonstrated
called him,had to supplement his dexteritybyoth- Yorke, though his fine face lit up for a moment
er means to make success secure. His liveliest with delight (for he was a gambler to the core),
sallies, his bitterest jests, were all reserved for " nor any expectation of —"
these occasions, so that mirth or anger was for-   "Yes, yes; you have expectations enough,"
ever unstringing the nerves of his competitors, answered the other, hurriedly. "You may give
and diminishing their chance of gain. It was me that living yet yourself-who knows? Take
difficult to unstring the nerves of Parson Whym- a ball, man-take a ball."




22                              BRED IN THE BONE.
So, when another game commenced, the young art-furniture, this latter apartment would have
landscape-painter, who had spent at least as been pronounced a perfect gem. Here also every
much of his short life at those boards of green article was of ebony, and flashed back the blaze
cloth called "public tables" as in studying the from the red coals like dusky mirrors. Yorke
verdant hues of nature, made one of the com- lit the candles-huge waxen ones, such as the
batants, and not a little astonished them by his pious soul in peril sees in his mind's eye, and
performance. He had the eye of a hawk, with promises to his saint-and looked around him
the litheness of a young panther; and his pru- with curiosity.  Like the little Marchioness of
dence during the late debauch had preserved his Mr. Richard Swiveller, he had never seen such
steadiness of hand. Mr. Theodore Fane had the things, "except in shops;" or rather, he had
misfortune to be his immediate predecessor, and seen single specimens of such exposed in winwas "potted" at long distances.             dows of great furniture warehouses, rather as a
"By Jove!" exclaimed he, sulkily, upon los- wonder and a show than with any hope to tempt
ing his last life by a double, "you must have a purchaser. On one hand stood an ebony cablived by your wits, young gentleman, to have inet, elaborately carved with fruit and flowers;
learned to play pool like that."            it was divided into three parts, and their shut
"I have," returned Yorke, without moving a doors faced with plate-glass gave it the appearmuscle, and preparing to strike again.  "You ance of a tripartite altar with its sacred fire kinwill come to do the same, if you play much at dled. A casket almost as large glowed close bethis game-but your sad end will not be protract- side it, enriched with figures and landscapes, and
ed. You will starve to death with -considerable with shining locks and hinges, as he afterward
rapidity."                                  discovered, of solid gold. A book-case of the
"My dear Mr. Yorke," said Byam Ryll, ap- same precious wood was filled with volumes
provingly, "you have won my heart, though I bound in scarlet-all French novels, superbly if
can't afford to let you win my sovereigns; I like not very decorously illustrated. But the article
you, but I must kill you off, I see."       which astonished the new tenant of this chamber
"Unless-" said Yorke.                     most was the ebony escritoire that occupied its
"Unless what?" inquired Ryll, as he made centre, with every thing set out for ornament or
his stroke at Yorke's ball, which was quite safe, use that is seen on a lady's writing-table. It
and grazed it with his own, which, gliding off was impossible that such nick-nacks as he there
another ball, found its way into a pocket. For beheld could be intended for male use, and still
once, he had really allowed himself to be "put less for such men as were the Squire's guests.
off" his aim.                               Did this chamber and its neighbor apartment
"Unless you commit suicide," replied the usually own a female proprietress? and if so,
young fellow, smiling.  "I was about to warn why was he placed there?  This idea by no
you of the danger of that kiss."            means alarmed the young landscape-painter, who
"'You are worse than a highway robber, young had no more mauvaise honte, nor dislike to adSir," said the annoyed old gentleman.       ventures of gallantry, than Gil Blas de Santil" That's true,' returned Yorke, "for I take lane. He sat down at the escritoire, and, taking
your mdney and your'life.'  up a gilt pen with a ridiculous silk tassel, began
The young fellow repaid his loan that night, a letter to the same person to whom that day he
besides putting half a dozen sovereigns into his had already dispatched a missive; but this time
own pocket; and there was other fruit from that it was not so brief: the day of brilliant dies and
investment.                                 illuminated addresses had not as vet set in, so he
Carew  was delighted with his son's skill, wrote at the top of the little scented sheet, in a
though his wit was somewhat wasted on him. bold free hand, the word Crompton! and put a
"Whv the deuce did you not play in the first note of admiration after it. Had you seen his
game?" said he, when the party broke up to ad- face as he did so, you would have said it was a
journ to the hazard-table.  " I suppose it was note of triumph.
your confounded cunning" (and here his face
grew dark, as though with some recollection of   "MY DEAR MOTHER, — Vena, vidi, vici-I
the past); "you wanted to see how they played have come, I have seen him, and I am at all
before you pitted yourself against them-did events tolerated.  The perilous moment was
you?  How like, how like!"                  when I told him who I was. He said he was
"I had no money, Sir, until Parson Whym- half disposed to set his bull-dog at me, but he
per lent me some."                          didn't; on the contrary, he at once bid me
"Oh, that was it-was it?" said the Squire. exchange my bachelor's quarters for the two
"Well, well, that was not your fault, lad, nor chambers I at present occupy, and which remind
shall it be mine-here, catch," and out of his me of the Arabian Nights.  I have never seen
breeches-pocket he took a roll of crumpled notes any thing like them; the furniture of both is of
and flung them at him; then suddenly turned ebony; but the most curious part of the affair is,
upon his heels, with what sounded like a mut- that they are evidently designed for a lady. Imtered execration at his own folly.          agine your Richard sleeping under a coverlet of
Yorke did not risk this unexpected treasure on real Brussels lace! Every thing in the house,
the chances of the dice, but retired to his own however, is magnificent, or was so once, before
room. It was a dainty chamber, as we have it was damaged by barbarous revel. Such orgies
said, and offered in its appointments a curious as I have witnessed to-night would seem incredcontrast to his late sleeping-room in the keeper's ible, if I wrote them; the Modern Midnight Enlodge. He opened the door of communication tertainment of old:Hogarth will supply you with
to which the Squire had referred, and found him- the dramatis personce; but the splendor of the
self in a sort of boudoir,?n which, as in his own surroundings immensely heightened the effect of
room, a good fire was burning. By the lover of it all. Carew and his friends might have sat for




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    23
Alaric and his Goths carousing amidst the wreck other profession than that of landscape-painting.
of the art treasures of Rome. Nothing that he Would it not be strangely comical if he should
has affords him any satisfaction; though, if it is bestir himself to get me some Civil appointment!
of great cost, Chaplain Whymper tells me that I almost fancied he must have been thinking of
he derives a momentary pleasure from its willful doing so, from some scraps of talk I heard him
damage. This man and one other are the only let fall at dinner. Curiously enough, by-the-by,
persons of intelligence about Carew; but even who should have been sitting at his right-hand,
they have no influence with him that can be de- but Frederick Chandos, Jack's brother!'Good
pended on. If madness were always hereditary Heaven!' (you will say),' suppose it had been
indeed, I might consider myself doomed. You Jack himself;' however, it was not."
were right there, I own; but you must needs allow that in undertaking this adventure contrary             _
to your advice I have effected something. The
chaplain is already speculating upon my future           CHAPTER VIII.
fortunes, and he knows his patron better than
any body; at all events, if I am turned out of  HO1  BENEDICT BECAME A BACHELOR.
doors to-morrow (which I am aware is quite on   NOTWITHSTANDING the late hour at which
the cards), I shall have three hundred pounds in Yorke retired to his sumptuous couch, he was
my pocket, which Carew, with a'Catch that,' up the next morning betimes.  He was restless,
threw me in notes, exactly as you throw a chick- and eager to explore the splendors of the house,
en-bone to Dan(dy as he sits on his hind-legs, that had been so nearly his inheritance, for it
though I did not'beg' for them, I do assure you. was not without a stubborn contest that the law
The immediate cause of my being invited hither had deprived him of what he still believed to be
was as follows [here the writer described his ex- his rights. Nor had Crompton, in his eyes (as
ploit with the stags].  This, with our match at we have hinted), only the interest of Might-havefisticuffs by moonlight, had greatly inclined Ca- been; it had that of Might-be also. If not abrew to favor me; yet, when the disclosure of my solutely sanguine, he was certainly far from hopeidentity was made, I thought for a moment all less of fortune making him that great amends;
my pains were lost. He resented the intrusion at all events, while the opportunity was afforded
exceedingly; but then he had himself invited me him, which he well knew might be lost forever
to be his guest; and he holds his word as good by his own imprudence, or through the caprice
as his bond. Indeed, by what the chaplain tells of another, he resolved not to neglect it. It was
me, it will soon be held something better, for broad daylight, yet not a soul was stirring in all
even his vast estate is crumbling away, acre by the stately place; nothing but the echo of his
acre, beneath the load of lavish expenditure it own footsteps, as he trod the corridor, and enhas to bear. There must be much, however, at tered the great Picture-gallery, met his attentive
the worst, to be picked up among the debris of ear. The collection of old masters at Crompton
such a fortune.                             was varied and valuable; he could have spent
"I am aware that it is in the last degree im- hours among them with infinite pleasure, if the
probable that Carew will be persuaded to make a intoxicating thought that they all might be one
will in any body's favor at present.  He imag- day his own had not been present to mar their
ines, I think, that the whole world is made for charms.  tie regarded them less as an admiring
his sole enjoyment-it almost might be so, for all disciple, or a connoisseur, than as an appraiser.
he sees to the contrary-and never dreams that he The homely life-scenes of Jan Stein, the saintly
will die. But it is also certain that he will die creations of Paul Veronese, the warmth of Ruearly; and more than likely that he will come to bens, and the stateliness of Vandyck, were all
grief, when he has lost his nerve, in one or other measured by one standard —that of price. The
of the mad exploits which he will be too proud contents of this one room alone, thought he,
to discontinue. Then will your Richard become " represent no moderate fortune."
the most assiduous and painstaking of nurses   When his eve strayed to the tall windows, and
that ever humored crack-brained patient. But rested on the wooded acres which owned in mad
there! I have made a dozen programmes of what Carew a nominal master, the beauty of dale and
is to happen, and this is but a specimen.  Who upland touched him not at all.  "I wonder
can tell? I may be heir of Crompton yet, or I now," sighed he, " how much of this is dipped?'
may come back to you to-morrow like a bad pen- It was a good sign, he thought, that in one room
ny, and with what the vulgar describe as a flea in he found a cabinet containing no less than fifty
my ear.                                     antique cameos; for, if the pressure of pecunia"It will not surprise you to learn that you are ry difficulty had really begun to be severe, the
personally held in great disfavor here, though the Squire would surely have parted with what must
chaplain (who has heard all from the Squire's have been in his view useless lumber, and was so
lips) speaks of you with due respect. The last easily convertible into cash. The Library ofthing that is desired at Crompton is, of course, fered a strange spectacle: chairs thrown down,
the return of its lawful mistress.  Carew him- and broken glasses, bore witness to the wildness
self is very bitter against you, which is doubtless of last night's revel; the splendid carpet was
owing to the good offices of grandmamma. The strewn with the ends and ashes of cigars, and
clock has just struck four, which bids me close with packs of cards; and on the table, scratched
this letter, though of all the Squire's guests, to in all directions by the sharp spurs of fightingjudge by the wrangling that is going on in the cocks, still lay the dice and caster. The atmosLibrary below stairs, the first to retire will be phere was so heavy with the fumes of wine and
your affectionate son,  RICHARD YORKE.   smoke that Yorke was glad to escape from it,
"P. S. —I forgot to say that Carew made the through a half-opened window, into the morning
most pointed inquiries as to whether I had any air.




24  BRED IN THE BONE.
How bright and fresh it Was!  How much  "you must have risen early yourself to know
there was of bracing enjoyment, of wholesome that there was a mist. It's clear enough now all
gayety, in the mere breath of it; how much of round.  I suppose our impatient friends yoninvigorating delight in the mere sight of the glit- der," pointing to the kennel, where all the dogs,
tering turf, the beaded trees, to which the hoar- hearing the chaplain's voice, were now in full
frost had lent its jewels! But such cheap luxu- chorus, " will have their will this morning?"
ries are not only unknown to those who are sleep-   "Yes; it is this pack's turn to hunt."
ing off their debauch of the past, night during the   "I wish, for your sake, Mr. Whymper, that
brightest hours of the day; they are also lost there was only one pack," observed Yorke, with
upon these who rise early in the.morning, to fol- good-natured earnestness.
low the strong drink of greed and envious expect-   "Ah, you are referring to that foolish talk
ation. Richard Yorke enjoyed them not, save about the living last night. Poor Ryll is quite
that he felt his lungs play more freely. A couple broken-hearted about it this morning; and, in
of gardeners were at work upon the lawn, of one fact, he did-do me an ill turn, though, I am sure,
of whom he asked the way to the stables, the re- without intending it. It is the misfortune of a
port of the completeness and perfection of which professed wit-and especially of a poor one-that
had often reached him. The.house and its fur- he can not afford to be silent."
niture-nay, the house and its inmates-were of   "You take it more good-humoredly than I
less consequence in the Squire's eyes than the should," said Yorke. "II should be inclined to
arrangements of his loose-boxes. The old dynas- charge something for a joke made at my own ex.
ty of Houyhnhnms was re-established at Cromp- pense, where the loss was so considerable."
ton; the Horse bare sway, or was at least held    "You don't look of a very revengeful disin higher account than the Human. The Horse, position, neither," returned the chaplain, critthe Hound, the Pheasant, the Bag-fox, and, fifth- ically.
ly, Man, were there the gradations of rank; and    "I have never experienced the feeling of rea compound being-half man, half brute-was, venge," answered the young man, frankly; "but
by a not unparalleled freak of fortune, the master I know what it is to feel wronged, and I think it
of all. Carew had never fed his mares with hu- is lucky that it is the law, and not an individual,
man flesh, but there was a legend that he had that has done me the mischief-one can't have
rubbed a friend over with anise-seed, and offered a vendetta against the law, you know. But, if
that dainty morsel to his dogs. The victim was it were a man, ay, though he were my own flesh
snatched away again, however, by some officious and blood, he should pay for it-yes, sevenfold.
underling, who justified his interference upon I would not put up with injustice from any huthe ground that the hounds would have been man being; and where I could, if the law would
spoiled by such an indulgence; and the Squire not help me, I would right myself with the strong
had pardoned him. This was one of the stories hand."
about the Master of Crompton which divided the   It was curious to see the effect which this obcountry into those who believed it and those jectless passion wrought upon the young man's
who did not; but Walter Grange had told it to face, and even figure. His lithe limbs seemed
Richard as a characteristic fact.           to grow rigid; his right hand was clenched conThe stables were indeed a marvel, not only of vulsively; his handsome Spanish countenance
cleanliness and comfort, but, if it had been pos- was lit up with a sort of dusky glow.
sible by any arts of daintiness to make them cox-   " My dear young friend," said the chaplain,
combs, such would Carew's horses have become. quietly, " my profession, perhaps, ought to sugThey had looking-glasses in their own glossy gest to me some serious arguments against the
coats, and yet it was not well for one of them to disposition which you so unmistakably evince;
be an especial favorite with its master, for it but I will confine myself to saying that such a
more than once happened that he would ride temper as yours is not to be kept for nothing. It
such so often and so long that it fell under him, is only men in'your father's position who can
killed with kindness, overwhelmed with his op- indulge themselves in such a luxury, I do assure
pressive favor. On such occasions, if the Squire you. You'll come to grief with it some day."
happened to have been as devoted as usual to his   Yorke laughed, good - humoredly.  "What
brandy flask, he would shed copious tears, which must be, will be. Let us hope there will be no
many instanced as a proof that he was neither occasion for the display of my fire-works.  I
selfish nor cold-hearted.                   suppose, what with his two packs of hounds and
The kennels were of vast proportions, hedged the rest of it, even my father will be brought to
in by high palisades, through the interstices of behave himself demurely, sooner or later."
which many a black muzzle now protruded,   "I should liketo see Carew demure," said the
sniffing like ill-tempered women, or uttering chaplain, smiling; "although not reduced to
shrill whines of despair.- As Yorke, with his that state by the extremities of poverty. Yes,
hands buried in his pockets, for they were cold, as you say," he added, in a graver tone, "the
though his head was too well provided with clus- pace at which he has been going these twenty
tering hair to be conscious of the absence of a years has begun to tell on his fortune. But it is
hat, was contemplating this spectacle with cyn- not the dogs that will ruin him (as they ruined
ical amusement, up strode the chaplain, whole- poor Ryll, with his few thousands), nor yet his
some and ruddy-looking.                     hunters.  It is his race-horses on the Downs
" You are up betimes-as Crompton hours go yonder that will bring him to.his piece of bread."
-Mr. Yorke; I hope such good habits will not   " I suppose so," said Yorke, sighing, not so
be undermined by evil associations. How I envy much on Carew's account as on his own; " he
you your constitution, to be able to face this backs a horse because it is his own. That is his
November mist with a bare head!"           confounded egotism."
"Nay, parson," rejoined the young man,   "Your tie of relationship, Mr. Yorke, does




BRED IN THE BON1.                                   25
not, I perceive, make you blind to your father's   " The true story?" echoed Parson Whymper.
foibles."                                   " Nay; I can not vouch for being possessed of
"Why should it?" rejoined the young man, that. I have only heard it from your grandpassionately. "Am I to feel grateful to him for mother: the counsel for the prosecution is scarcebegetting me? What has he done to make me ly a reliable authority for the facts of a case."
feel that I owe him aught?  Do you suppose   "And I have only heard the defense," said
I thank him for being admitted here, unacknowl- Yorke.  " Let me now, for the first time, know
edged, uninvited in my own proper person? For what was urged upon the other side, and so
being permitted to take my fill at the common weightily,"the young man gloomily added, " that
trough along with his drunken swine?"      it made my mother anaoutcast, and myself a dis"'Nay, my friend," interposed the chaplain, graced and penniless lad. You see, I know excoldly; "the food and wine are of the best; actly what was the end of it all, so do not fear to
and we should never scoff at good victual. If shock me."
you have so proud a stomach, why are you here?   " There can be no disgrace where one has not
it embarrasses you to answer the question. Let one's self to blame," urged the chaplain.
me, then, shape the reply.'I have a sense of   " You think so?" broke in the other, bitterly.
my own dignity,' you would say,'far keener " What! not when one's mother is to blame, for
than that of my father's flatterers and favorites; instance? Well, please begin."
but, on the other hand, I humiliate myself for a   "I had much rather not," said the chaplain,
much greater stake."'                       "It would be much better for you to get the
"I humiliate myself?" reiterated the young newspaper report of the case-I can tell you the
man, angrily.                               exact date-and read both pro and con."
"' You take money that is not very gracefully    "No report was ever published, Mr. Whymoffered for your acceptance, my young friend," per; the case was heard with closed doors, or
said the chaplain, quietly.                 suppressed by Carew's influence. So much, per"You saw him, did you?" cried Richard, haps-to judge by your face-thebetter for me."
hoarse with shame and passion.                "I think it would be better for you not to
"No; I did not; but I heard him swearing hear it, even now, Mr. Yorke," returned the
at you at the hazard-table for having emptied chaplain, not without a touch of tenderness in
his pockets; and I am familiar with his mode his tone. "But, if you insist upon it, come to
of bestowing presents. You must forgive me, my private room, and let us breakfast together
Mr. Yorke," added Parson Whymper, dryly; first, then we will have the story over our cigars."
"but you ought to know that when a man has   Accordingly, the two repaired to the apartlost his own self-respect, he is naturally averse ment in question-a very snug one, on the
to the profession of independence in another."   ground-floor, but so strewn with documents and
"If you deem  yourself a dependent, Mr. letters that it resembled a lawyer's sanctum.
Chaplain," replied Yorke, bitterly, "you still The morning meal-which, in the host's case,
permit yourself some frankness."            consisted of a game-pie and a tankard of strong
"Yes; that is one of the few virtues which ale-having been here dispatched, and their ciare practiced at Crompton. You will find me gars lighted, Parson Whymper began as follows:
speak the truth."                             "It must have been in the autumn of 1821
There was irony in Parson Whymper's tone; that Carew finally left school-the public school
and yet the young man felt that he was not the of Harton.  He got into some difficulties with
subject of its cynicism.  Was it possible that the authorities-refused, I believe, to apologize
this hard-drinking, hard-riding, hard-headed di- for some misdemeanor-so that he had to be
vine was scornful of himself, and of his own de- privately withdrawn-"
graded position? Yorke did not credit him with    " I beg your pardon there," remarked Yorke,
any such fine feeling. He had read of Swift at hastily.  "He was expelled, as I happen to
Temple's, and could understand the great Dean's know for certain."
bitterness against a shallow master and his inso-   " Very likely," said the chaplain, slowly exlent guests, but that a man should become despi- pelling the smoke from his lips; "indeed, I
cable to himself, was unintelligible to him.  should say most likely. But remember mine is
" Of course,", continued the chaplain, smiling professedly an ex parte statement. Mrs. Carew
at his evident bewilderment, " I could have been -I mean Mrs. Carew the elder-is solely reas smooth-spoken as you please, my young sponsible for it. Of course, she softened down
friend; but I had estimated your good sense too the facts against her son, and I have no doubt
highly to endeavor to conciliate you by such va- made compensation for so doing by highly colorpid arts."                                  ing the offenses of her daughter-in-law. I told
"Ithankyou,"saidYorke, thoughtfully. "I you, you would not like the story. Is it still
hope you were right there; I am sure at least your wish that I should proceed with it?"
that from your mouth 1 could hear home truths,   "Yes, yes," said Yorke; "go on. I was a
which from another's would be very unpalatable. fool to interrupt you." But the chaplain noticed
You are good enough to speak as though you that the young man held his open palm before
would wish us to be friends. I am going to ask his face, under pretense of shielding it from the
you, therefore, to do me a favor."          fire, and that his cheeks grew scarlet as the tale
" I will do any thing that lies in my power; went on, nevertheless.
but do not, for your own sake, press me to influ-   " Carew was not seventeen then, when he left
ence your father-"                          school for the house of a gentleman of the name
" No, no; it is not that," broke in the other, of Hardcastle, in Berkshire, as his private pupil.
hastily.  " It lies with yourself to grant my re- It was understood that he was to have his particquest. I wish to hear from you the true story ular care and attention, but not his exclusive
of Carew's marriage with my mother."        services, There were one or two other pupils



26                               BRED IN THE BONE.
rather queer ones, as it would seem; but Mr.   "Without cause?" inquired Yorke, gloomily.
Hardcastle advertised in the newspapers for lads His cigar had gone out, though he still held it
of position, but neglected education-young fel- between his white lips.
lows, in short, who had proved unmanageable at   " No; not without cause.  That is a point, I
home-and undertook to reform them by his sys- fancy, about which my informant had her real
tem. It was no wonder, then, that Carew found sons for not being explicit."
some strange companions. The strangest of all,   "What!" cried the young man, indignantly.
however, under the circumstances, was surely the " She threw some one in her son's way, to divert
tutor's niece, Miss Hardcastle herself. "     his attention from his lawful wife?"
"Why strangest?" interrupted Yorke.         "Perhaps; I can't say for certain. I am not
"' I think Mrs. Carew the elder meant td imply defending her, Mr. Yorke; but remember, she
that this young lady, being possessed of great loved her son.  She beheld him a victim to an
physical advantages, should have been the last artful woman.  He was not in her eyes as he is
person selected by Mr. Hardcastle as his house- in mine, and perhaps in yours. Hfe had, she
keeper, and the companion of his pupils, and the argued, capabilities of good, an affectionate and
more so since he was well aware, as it afterward trustful nature; he was the best parli in the
turned out, that she had already succeeded in county, and had chosen his tutor's niece-a wovictimizing (such was Mrs. Carew's expression) man old enough to have borne him.  Besides,
one of these very lads. That was years ago, it is she was not his lawful wife. The dowager had
true; and it might well be imagined that a lady secretly taken legal opinion upon that matter, and
of the mature age of five-and-thirty might have was only waiting for an opportunity to test it. It
outlived her charms; but in her particular case was essential for this that her son should desire
this was not so. Miss Hardcastle, as she was his own freedom; and at last he did so. I have
called, was still very beautiful, high-spirited, and told you the occasion.  In the whirlwind of her
an excellent horsewoman. She was also-if that wrath, your mother told Carew  some home
had been necessary to obtain her purpose-well- truths; above all, let him know she despised
read and accomplished.  Being clever, good- him, and had inveigled him into marriage.  He
looking, and not easily shocked, however, she was had no other name for her, henceforth, but Sermore than competent to secure the affections of pent."
young Carew. She was, nevertheless, as I have    " I know," said Yorke.  " Go on."
said, literally old enough to be his mother; and    " It was within two months of your birth that
the idea of the affair having been a love-match, this quarrel took place.  HIad you been born,
in the usual sense of the expression, was simply and especially here at Crompton, I think the
preposterous.  That Miss Hardcastle was her- rupture would never have happened.  Your
self of this opinion seems evident from her hav- grandmother felt that too, and did her utmost to
ing enjoined secrecy upon her youthful bride- precipitate matters, and, as you know, she was
groom. They lived together as man and wife, successful.  Her daughter-in-law was compelled
under Mr. Hardcastle's roof, for near six months to leave the house, and an action was commenced
before their marriage was proclaimed.  Then in an ecclesiastical court. The validity of the
young Mrs. Carew took a bold step: she per- marriage was contested on the ground of undue
suaded her husband to bring her to his house, publication of the bans, both parties having a
under the roof of which his mother was then re- knowledge of the fact.  I am a parson, you
siding.  But they did not come (as one might know, and this bit of law lies in my way.  The
have imagined) in the fashion of two runaway bride appeared in the register as spinster, wherelovers, who seek forgiveness for their youthful as she was the widow of an old pupil of her unardor with penitence and submission.  The cle's, whose surname you bear.  It was not an
bridegroom was full of wild mirth at having at easy victory by any means.  The judge of the
last done something seriously to astonish the Consistory Court held that the inaccuracy in
world.  He was fond of his mother, after his question was insufficient to invalidate the cereown fashion; but so far from entreating her for- mony; but Carew, or rather your grandmother,
giveness, he did not even perceive any particular appealed to the Court of Arches, and got the denecessity for conciliation. The bride was full of cision reversed.  The marriage was therefore
triumph; she had not risked much, and she had declared null and void. Very hard lines it was
won a great stake.  It would have been better for you, Mr. Yorke; and-and that's the whole
for her could she have borne her success with story."
more modesty.  Her mother-in-law was trans-   "I thank you," said the young man, gravely.
ported with rage, which she was too wise to ex- " I can easily imagine that it might have been
hibit. She knew her son far better than his new  told by other lips in harsher terms."
wife did; and she felt that opposition was for   They were silent for full a minute, Yorke busythe present hopeless; but she took counsel with ing himself with the titles of the documents upon
her son's guardian, and bided her time. It came the table, written out in the chaplain's sprawling
at last, though very slowly. Carew was devoted hand.
to his spouse for a whole twelvemonthl-a longer   " Your mother must be a most remarkable
time than youth and beauty combined have ever woman," observed the latter, thoughtfully.  "Is
enthralled him since.  Even when her tender she still young-looking for her age?"
tones-for she had the sweetest voice that ever   "Yes; very. What a queer docket is here!
woman possessed-failed to thrill him, and her' Tin Mine. Refused.' What does that mean?"
queenly form to charm, he would probably not   "It is an application from one Trevethick, an
have consented to take part against her, but for inn-keeper, to purchase a disused mine at Gethin,
her own imprudence.  She lost her temper with on the west coast of Cornwall, which Carew has
him upon a matter where it is difficult for the declined. Two thousand pounds was offered on
wisest of her sex to keep it: she grew jealous." the nail, a sum far beyond its value; but it is one




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    27
of his crazes that his property there is very val- for us; if vilely, viciously, there is no end to the
uable, and it's evident that this Trevethick thinks contaminating association.  It is to escape this
so too-whereas it is only picturesque.  For that some men work, and others pray.  The
grandeur of position, Gethin Castle, or rather furniture of the room was peculiar to the neighwhat is left of it, for it is a ruin, is indeed un- borhood; massive, yet cheap. It had been good
equaled!  You should take your sketch-book once; but long before it came into the hands of
down there, some day. May I ask, by-the-by, her who now owned it. There was the round
are you only an amateur in that way, or a pro- bulging looking-glass; the side-board was adaptfessional?"                                 ed for quite a magnificent show of plate and
" I am an artist by profession. I live by my tankards-only there were none; a horse-hair
pencil, save for what my mother allows me out sofa, from which you would have seen the intesof Carew's pittance.  That is small enough, you tines protruding had it not been for the continknow.  Hollo! there are the hounds coming uous gloom. If the sun ever visited Rupert
round to the front!  I suppose Carew and the Street, it shone on the other side of the way.
rest of them will soon be in the saddle?"  On the mantel-piece were two of those huge
"And you have never made money by any shells in which the tropic deep is ever murmurother means?" pursued the chaplain, thought- ing. Who that has taken lodgings in London
fully.                                      does not know them? Who has not sometimes
"Never. Why do you ask?"                 forgotten the commonplaces of his life in listen"' Well, it seemed so strange that a lad like ing to those cold lifeless lips? If you take them
you should find purchasers for his works, " re- up on their own tropic shore, they will tell you
turned the chaplain, carelessly.  " The Picture- of the roar of London streets.
gallery here will be of service to you, no doubt."   There were two articles in the room, however,
"Yes. I shall get my education at Cromp- which were peculiar to itself. The one was a
ton, if I get nothing else," said Yorke; "and human skull-to all appearance, the same as all
indeed, as I have no desire to peril my neck out other skulls, the virtue of which has gone out of
hunting, I shall set to work at once. Good- them, though it had once belonged to no common
morning, Mr. Chaplain, and many thanks." And man. The second object could still less be termed
with a nod and a smile, the young man left the an ornament than the first, although it was a
room.                                       picture. It depicted a woman of frightful asParson Whymper looked after him with a pect, having but one eye, and a hare-lip; she
grave face.  "I wonder whether Fane was was standing up, and appeared to be declaiming
right," he muttered.  "He seemed quite posi- or dictating; while an old cripple, at a table betive; though,'tis true, he owed him a grudge side her, took down her words in writing. If you
for potting him at pool. There was something had gone all over the rest of the house-and it
wrong in that young fellow's face as he said was a large one-you would have found nothing'Never,' when I asked him that question as to else remarkable, or which did not smack of
whether he gained money by other means. If Bloomsbury.  It was, indeed, nothing but a
he lied, the lying must have come from the mo- lodging-house, and the room we have described
ther's side. That woman must be a marvel. was the private apartment of its mistress. She
Well, I'm sorry, for I should have liked Richard might consult her own private taste, she considYorke to have had his chance here."         ered, in her own room, else the skull and the
picture occasionally rather shocked " the daintier sense" of the new lodgers, to whom the landlady gave audience in this apartment. She is as
CHAPTER IX.                   little like a lodging-house keeper, to look at, as
can be imagined.  Her cheeks are firm  and
fresh-colored, her teeth white and shining, her
IT was the evening of the day after Yorke had eyes quite bright, and her hands plump. To one
listened to his own biography, and night had who knows her age, as we do-she is fifty-three
long fallen upon the shivering woods of Cromp- -she looks like an old woman who has found
ton; the rain fell heavily also upon roof and out the secret of perpetual youth, but has kept it
sky-light with thud and splash. It was a wretch- for her own use, as, in such a case, every woed night, even in town, where main has sought man probably would do. There is only one piece
out so many inventions to defy foul weather and of deception in her appearance; her black hair,
the powers of darkness. The waste-pipes could which clusters over her forehead like a girl's, is
not carry off the water from the houses fast dyed of that color: it is in reality as white as
enough, choke and gurgle as they would; the snow. By lamp-light, as you see her now, she
contents of the gutters overflowed the streets; might be a woman of five-and-twenty, penning a
and wherever the gas-lights shone was reflected letter to her love. But she is, in fact, writing to
a damp glimmer. In a large room on the ground- her son; for it is Mrs. Yorke. Writing to him,
floor of Rupert Street, Bloomsbury, sat a woman but not thinking of him, surely, when she frowns
writing, and undisturbed by the dull beating of as now, and leans back in her chair with that
the rain without. She often raised her head, in- menacing and angry look. No; her anger is
termitted her occupation, and appeared to listen; not directed against him, although he has left
but it was to the voices of her Past that she was her and home, long since, upon an adventure of,
giving heed, and not to the ceaseless patter of which she disapproved.
the rain. What power they have with us, those    " You will gain nothing for yourself, Richard,"
voices!  While they speak to us we hear no- was her warning; "and, perhaps, may wreck
thing else; we know of nothing that is taking even my scanty fortunes." But, as we know, her
place; there is no Present at all; we are living son had taken his own way (as he was wont to
our lives again. If purely, so much the better do), and had so far prospered. She was writing




28                             BRED IN THE BONE.
a reply to the letter she had received from him  heard. Mrs. Yorke drew forth her watch-a
from Crompton that very morning, and the task  jeweled trinket of exquisite beauty, one of the
was one that naturally evoked some bitter mem- few relics of her palmy time. "Past midnight, "
ories.                                      she murmured, "and all the lodgers are within.
" So he put him in the ebony chamber, did Who can it be?"
he?" they ran on.  "Ay, that was mny room    The bell pealed forth again.
once. What a pretty chime that serpent-clock   She went into the hall, where the gas was
had; and how often have I heard it in the early burning, and unlocked the door. At the same
morning as I lay there —alone! If it had not time somebody flung himself violently against it,
been for that hateful woman, I might have been but the chain was up.
listening to it now! He seems as mad as ever,   "Who is it?" inquired she; and it was
by Dick's account, and, I do not doubt, as brutal strange, at such a moment, to hear how very
and as selfish! And yet it was lie that suffered, soft and musically she spoke, although, when
he that was wronged, he that was to be pitied i! talking to herself a while ago, her tones had been
His wife was the adventuress, forsooth! who de- harsh and bitter as her mood.
served all she got. Oh, these men, these men,   "It is I, mother," returned the voice from outthat treat us as they please, because they are so side.
sure of sympathy, even from our fellow-slaves   She unhitched the chain and let him in.  "I
and sisters!"                              knew it would be so, Dick," said she, quietly.
She bent again to her occupation, but only for   Richard was pale and haggard, and shone
a minute.  "All this is labor in vain, Dick," from head to foot with the rain, which poured
muttered she, laying down her pen; " the luck off his water-proof coat in streams.
is gone both from you and from me. If I were   " You were right, mother," said he, as he
thirty years younger, indeed, and might have my kissed her cheek.  "No reproaches. Let me
chance once more, I would tame your father yet. have food and fire."
I ought to have beaten his meek-faced mother   She brought him socks and slippers, made a
out of doors; I ought to have trained his bold- cheerfull blaze, and set cold meat and spirits upon
eyed girl to work my will with him. She should the table.
have been my accomplice, and not hers; but,   He ate voraciously, and drank his hot brandynow, what boots it that old age has spared me? and-water, while Mrs. Yorke worked busily at
Yonder is the only woman!"-she looked toward an antimacassar, in silence.
the picture-" who has found a way to win man-   "You are not disappointed at seeing me,
kind, save as their toy. My reign has been lon- that's one thing, mother?"
ger than that of most; but it is over." She rose,   "No. Read that." She pushed across to him
and, holding up the lamp, surveyed herself, with the letter she had been writing to him that evena mocking face, in the round glass.  "And this ing, and pointed to this sentence: "You have
was once Jane Hardcastle, was it?  This was my good wishes, but not my hopes-I have no
her face, and this her figure!  No drunkard, hopes. I shall be surprised if I do not have you
staggering home through such a night as this, back again before the week is out."
could take me for her now! She had wits too;   "Just so," said the young man, cynically..
and better for me had I lost them with all the " You have the pleasure, then, which your dear
rest; then I should not have the sense to be so friend Joanna there never enjoyed, of seeing
bitter! What a future she must ofice have had your own prophecy accomplished; and I, for my
before her, if she had but known what men were part, have three hundred pounds to solace mymade of! It is only when too late that such wo- self with for what has certainly been a disapmen discover what they have missed. This mad pointment."
Carew was tinder to a flash of these bright eyes;   " I am glad you are so philosophic, Dick. It
and the fool Yorke, except in his wild creeds, as is the best thing we can be, if we can't be religpliant as a hazel twig. I used to think yonder ious. How did it all happen?"
woman was an idiot, because she believed in a   "I scarcely know the plot (for there was a
place of torment; but she was right there. Yes, plot), but only the denouement. I had offended
Joanna," she continued, apostrophizing the pic- a certain Mr. Fane, toady-in-ordinary to Fredture, "I'm  compelled to confess that you are erick Chandos."
right; for, being in hell, it is idle to deny its ex-   "Ah!" cried Mrs. Yorke, shaking her head.
istence."                                     "Yes; you were right again, mother, thereShe placed the lamp once more upon the table, the whole affair is a tribute to your sagacity, if
yet did not seat herself beside it, but walked hast- you will only permit me to narrate it to you. I
ily up and down the room.  " To be young no say that this fellow Fane, when walking with his
more, to be poor and powerless, to have no hope patron's brother, stupid Jack, had me pointed
in this world nor belief in a better, to have lost out to him in town one day as the man who had
even belief in one's self-is not that to be in Ge-'pulled him through,' as he called it. Can you
henna?  I am punished for my sins, men say. imagine how even such a fool as he could have
Hypocrites! liars!  Why is he not punished? been so mad?  It was an act of suicide, which,
Why is he proud, and strong, and prosperous? so far as I know, fools never commit.  Well,
Sins? If Judgment-day should come to-mor- Fane was pretty certain of the identity of your
row, my soul would be as pure as snow beside humble selrvant, which he was, moreover, anxthat man's! ay, and beside most men's! Joan- ious to establish, because I had beaten him at
na here knew that-I suppose by inspiration; pool, and given him  the rough side of my
fbr how else should she? What's that?"    tongue."
Amidst the pelting of the rain, which had in-   "Oh, Dick, Dick! have skillful hand and
creased within the last few hours rather than di- ready speech been only given you to make eneminished, the pulling of the house-bell could be I mies?"




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    29
Richard laughed, and lighted a cigar.       He did not answer, but stood with his back to
"Well, sometimes, mother, the most prudent the fire, moodily stroking his silken mustache.
of us are carried away by our own genius. I am    "Richard"-she rose, and placed her plump
told that even you, for instance, lost your temper white hand upon his shoulder-" it is very, very
upon a certain occasion down at Crompton-  seldom that I ask a favor of you, but I am about
gave a' piece of your mind' to my father, which, to do so now. Promise me that you will never
it seems, he took as a sample of the whole of it. again undertake for another what you undertook
There, don't be angry: the provocation, it must for this man Chandos."
be allowed, was in your case greater than mine;   He laughed, as he had laughed before, in bitter
but then you pique yourself on your self-control! fashion.  "Why not?  It was fifty pounds
However, this Fane did hate me, and told the down; and apparently no risk: that is, no risk
chaplain of his suspicions; the good parson was from the law, which has omitted to provide for
my friend, however, and all might have gone the contingency. Next to being above the law
well, but for this oaf-this idiot Jack-coming is surely to be ahead of it. Besides, I am really
down to Carew's in person. He could never get a public benefactor. Without my help, the state
any coin out of' Fred,' it appears, by letter; or, would already have been deprived of the services
perhaps, he couldn't' write!' But there he was of four young gentlemen, all of excellent families.
in the big drawing-room when I went in last Of course, such a calling has its disadvantages.
night, and Caf'ew saw his jaw drop at the sight It is very difficult to obtain clients. The offer of
of me. He had not the sense to shut it even one's valuable assistance is liable to be declined
afterward, though I told him he had made a uncivilly-it requires the talents of a diplomatist
mistake, and gave him every chance. I could to convey it without offense-still, I possess those
have persuaded him, indeed, out of his own iden- talents. Again, undoubtedly the profession is in
tity-and much more mine-only that he ap- itself temporary, can never be permanent; but
pealed to Fane; and then the game was up. It then, has not nature especially favored me for it,
would have made me laugh had I not been so after my mother's model?  Shall I not be a boy
savage. Carew turned us both out of the house at forty, and blooming at fifty-three? The idea
together. His love of truth would not permit of you being fifty-three, mother!"
him, it seems, to harbor us. So Jack and I   As they stood together side by side it seemed,
went to the inn, played ecarte all night, and part- indeed, impossible that this young man could be
ed the best of friends this morning. But I'll be her son, far less the offspring of her middle age.
even with that fellow Fane-yes; by Heaven, I She smiled upon him sadly, patting his handwill, if it's a score of years hence!"      some cheek.  "And is my Richard so fullPerhaps the light satiric tone which the young grown a man," said she, " as, to flatter, and not
man had used throughout his narrative was little to grant?" It was impossible to imagine a more
in accordance with the feelings which really agi- winsome voice, or a more tender tone.
tated him; but, at all events, his last few words   " Nay, mother; I will promise, if you please,"
were full of malignant passion.             said the young fellow, kissing her. " And now,
"Be even, Dick, by all means, with every let us divide this Crompton spoil together." He
body," observed Mrs. Yorke, coolly, "but do pulled out his purse, and counted the contents.
not indulge yourself in revenge. Revenge is like " There is Carew's three hundred, a few pounds
a game at battledoor, wherein one can never tell I won at pool, and dull Jack's I O U for twenty
who will have the last hit."                -worth, perhaps, five. Come, we two are part"At the same time, it is one of those few lux- ners in the game of life, you know, and must
uries which those who have least to lose can best share alike."
afford," said Richard, with the air of a moral-   "No, Dick,no,"returned his mother, tenderly;
ist.                                        " it is enough for me to see you win." She shut
"It is not cheap, however, even to them," re- the purse, and forced it back into his unwilling
turned Mrs. Yorke, still busy with her antima- hand. " Some day, I trust, you will sweep away
cassar.  "It may cost one one's life, for in- a great stake-though not as you gained this."
stance."                                      "Ah, you mean an heiress! You think that
" And what then?" inquired Richard, care- every woman must needs fall in love with me,
lessly.                                     because you have done so, mother."
"Nobody knows'what then,' Dick.  Our   His rage and bitterness had vanished, as
fanatic yonder had one opinion; our philosopher though by magic; her tone and touch had spirthere"-she pointed to the skull-"another. ited them away.
Both of them know by this time, and yet can not   "Perhaps I do, dear. Go to bed, and dream
tell us. It is the one case where the experience of one. You must be very tired. I ought not
of others can not benefit ourselves."       to say that I am glad to see you back, Dick;
This subject had no charms for Richard. yet how can I help it?"
When we are what is vulgarly called "in the
sulks," and displeased (if we were to own it)
with the system of universal government in this
world, the next seems of but little importance.           CHAPTER X.
There may be a miscarriage of justice (that is, a
thwarting of our particular wishes) even there.
Perhaps Mrs. Yorke was aware that her son's  IT was one of the peculiarities of Jane Yorke
clouded face did not portend religious or meta- that she took but little sleep. The household
physical speculation, for she abruptly changed had long retired, and she put the remains of her
the subject.                                son's meal away with her own hands, then sat
"And what are you going to do, Dick, now  down by the fire, thinking. She had more subthat this Crompton plan has failed?"       ject for thought than most women; her life had




30                             BRED IN THIE BONE.
been eventful, her experience strange. We know    In Leonard Yorke, if she did not comprehend
what her second husband-the man who repu- his doctrine of " perpetual subsistence," she perdiated her and her child-had been and was. ceived a provision for her future. At one-andHer first husband had been scarcely less remark- twenty, indeed, he made his pupil his wife, to
able. Leonard Yorke was a young man of re- the astonishment rather than the scandal of the
spectable family, and of tolerable means. His neighborhood.  They opined that it was only in
parents were dead, and his relatives and himself the East, or in royal families who wedded by
had parted company early. They were sober, proxy, that brides ran so young. Jane IHardsteady people, connected with the iron trade: a castle, however, was in reality eighteen years of
share in their house of business at Birmingham, age.
carried on in the name of his two uncles, was the   Yorke Brothers, of Birmingham, had nothing
only tie between him and them, save that of kin- to say against the match, but they objected to a
ship. They were strong Unitarians, strong po- Swedenborgian partner in the iron trade, and
litical economists, strong in their rugged material bought their nephew at a fair price out of the
fashion every way. They did not know what to business. They did not offer to take him back
do with a nephew who was a religious zealot, again, when, five years later, he became a true
and thought all the world was out of joint; and believer in the faith of Mary Joanna Southcott
they had characteristically sought for assistance and the coming of the young Shiloh. This lady,
in the advertising columns of the Ti7nes. Mr. whose portrait, with that of her spiritual amanHardcastle therein proclaimed himself as having uensis, hung in Mrs. Yorke's sitting-room, had
a specialty for the reduction and reform of in- been her only rival in the affections of her hustractable young gentlemen, and they had con- band.  She had not been jealous of her upon
signed Leonard to his establishment.  It was that account, feeling pretty certain, perhaps, that
the best thing that they could think of-for they the " affinity" between them was Platonic; but
were genuinely conscientious men-and they did she had rather grudged the money with which
not grudge the money, though the tutor's terms he had so lavishly relieved the " perplexities" of
were high. Jane was then a very young girl- "the handmaid." The amanuensis used to issue
so young, indeed, that parents and guardians I 0 U's at Joanna's dictation, to be paid with
would scarcely have taken alarm had they been enormous interest IIereafter, and Leonard Yorke
aware of her being beneath the same roof with was always ready to discount her paper. There
their impressionable charges; and she was child- was no one that subscribed more munificently
ish-looking even for her tender years. Leonard than he did toward the famous " cradle," or
Yorke, gentle and good-humored, was moved looked more devoutly for its expected tenant.
with -compassion toward the orphan girl, as Even when that long-looked-for 19th of October
guileless-eyed as a saint in a picture; he pitied had come and gone without sign, and two months
her poverty, and, still more, the worldly charac- later his poor deluded idol passed away into that
ter of her uncle and her surroundings.  She was future with which she had been so rashly familwholly ignorant of the spiritual matters which iar, he was faithful to her yet, and kept the
engrossed his being, and yet so willing to be "seal" which she had given him-his passport
taught. She sat at his feet, and listened by the to the realms of bliss-as his dearest treasure.
hour to the outpourings of his fervid zeal. If she He had scarcely any other "effects" by that
did not understand them, she was in no worse time, for, actuated by his too fervent faith, he
position than himself. His tongue was fluent. had been living upon the principle of his fortune;
His words were like a lambent flame, playing and at five-and-thirty years of age Mrs. Yorke
with some indestructible material.  His mind found herself a widow, with a stock of very varied
was weak, and devoted to metaphysical specula- experience indeed, but not much more of worldtions-mysticisms: the arcana colestia of Swe- ly wealth than she had had to start with. It was
denborg was Holy Writ to him. He believed hard, after half a lifetime, to resume the same
in three heavens, and their opposites. Jane's semi-relative, semi-dependent position under her
endeavors were directed to make him believe in uncle's roof which she had occupied before; but
a fourth heaven. Childlike and immature in ap- no better offered itself, and she was glad to acpearance, she was in character exceedingly pre- cept it. Her natural attractions were still woncocious. Her intelligence was keen and practi- drously preserved to her; and, perhaps, on the
cal. In very early years it had been instilled occasion of her second nuptials (and the fact of
into her that her future welfare would depend her first was carefully concealed), her age excited
upon her own exertions, and she never forgot less astonishment than her youth had done in
the lesson.  Her uncle was very generous to the former instance.
her; but he was not the man to have saved   Yet now at fifty-three, this woman, as remarkmoney for his own offspring, if he had had any, able for her talents as for her beauty, and who,
and far less for his niece; he spent every shilling if but for a brief period, had once stood " on forof his income. Little Jane would secretly have tune's crowning slope," found herself with little
preferred to receive in hard cash the sums which beyond a bare subsistence, which she received
he lavished upon her in indulgences; she would without gratitude from  the hands of Carew.
have dispensed with her pony, and kept a steed What she derived from her lodging-house dein the stable for herself of another sort. The frayed the somewhat lavish expenditure of her
rainy day was certain to come some time or oth- son Richard.  She was far, however, from comer to her, and she would have liked to have made plaining of his extravagances.  She wished him
provision for it-a difficult matter for most of to live like a gentleman, and not to soil his hands
us, and for her impossible.  She was, wise with ignoble pursuits. She felt a genuine pleasenough, even then, to know how Uncle Hard- ure-only known to mothers-in gathering toilcastle would have received any suggestion of a somely together what she knew he would lightly
prudential nature, and she held her tongue.  spend.  She was for the present amply repaid by




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    31
the reflection that her Dick was as handsome ant to her son, and yet she had not succeeded.
and well-appointed a young fellow as was to be It was not so much that he found his allowance
seen in London, with an air and manner that insufficient, for he had various means of supplewould become a prince. It was only a question menting it, one of them (at which we have alof time, she thought, when the princess should ready hinted) a strange one enough; but the
appear, be captivated, and raise him to the sphere wayward fit was on him that takes so many of
for which she had taken care to fit him. In the us in the early dawn of manhood; he was restmean time, it was only natural that he should en- less and eager for change, and the lessons which
joy himself after the manner of other youth of his mother had caused him to receive in landgreat expectations.  She was not averse to his scape-painting furnished him with an excuse for
dissipations, for in them  indeed lay his best wandering.  She had had him taught to sketch,
chance of getting acquainted with young men of because it was a likely sort of accomplishment to
this class; nor, so far, had she been-disappointed. aid the scheme of life which she had planned for
It would be surprising to many a stately pater- him; and he had taken up with the art more sefamilias to learn how easily acquaintanceship, riously than with any thing else. But it was not
and even friendship, is contracted with his male in Richard's nature to apply himself with assioffspring, if they be among the pleasure-seekers duity to any pursuit. Such callings as lay within
of the town. A young man of good address and his means and opportunities he was incapacitated
exterior, with plenty of money in his pocket, for by education and temper. lIe could not have
does not require introduction. The club door occupied any subordinate position that required
soon flies open to him, but not that of the home. respectful behavior-submission to the will of a,
Richard was on tolerably intimate terms with master. He had had to put the greatest restraint
Chandos, and other young men of the same class upon himself during  his brief residence- at
-but he had never been introduced to their sis- Crompton, and it was more than doubtful if he
ters. It was here that Mrs. Yorke made her mis- could have maintained his position there as a detake: she thought she understood society because pendent in any case. He was gentle and goodshe had studied two exceptional phases of it. humored, genial and agreeable, when pleased;
There is nobody more short-sighted than the but he had that personal pride which is as stubBohemian, who imagines he is a citizen of the born as any haughtiness of descent, and infiworld; his round of life may have no fence in nitely more inflammable. It was no idle brag
the shape of convention, yet it is often very lim- when he told the Crompton chaplain that he
ited, and it is outside every other.        would put up with injustice from no man (if he
Mrs. Yorke judged of all men by her knowl- could help it), and would repay his wrong-doer
edge of her late husband and of Carew, and of sevenfold (if he got the chance). His sense of
women by herself. If it had not been for the right was very acute and sensitive, especially as
artificialities of society, she might have been respected himself.  All his passions were strong.
right; but they are powerful, and she knew little Much of this might probably be said of any
about them. In some matters she was exceed- young gentleman of position accustomed to have
ingly sagacious.  She did not entertain the alarm  his own way: lads of spirit (who can afford it)
which would have been felt by some mothers do not put up with slights; young noblemen in
with respect to her son's morals, probably ex- moments of exhilaration may even pitch into
posed to some danger by his mode of life; per- policemen; and generally, where there is no
haps she had not their scruples; and yet it is temptation to offend, much is forgiven.  The
strange to see how light those weigh, even with danger in Richard Yorke's case was that his poour severest matrons, when any question of " po- sition was far from assured, while he had done
sition" is in the other scale: they will not only some things which might prove great obstacles to
permit their sons to herd with roues, provided his ever winning one. He had all the sensitivethey are persons of distinction, but even accept ness and impatience of one born to fortune, withthem for their sons-in-law. Mrs. Yorke, being out the money.
daughterless, had no temptation to commit this    Irs. Yorke was too wise a woman not to be
latter crime, but she was not displeased toimag- acquainted with her son's character. Her love
ine her Richard a man of gallantry; he would in for him was very great; as great and disinterthat case be less likely to fall a victim to undow- ested as that with which the most religious and
ered charms.  " It is not your man-about-town well-principled of women regard their offspring;
who sacrifices his future in a love-match," was but it did not blind her to his faults. Her exher reflection. On the other hand, no one knew  perience of life had not led her to expect perfecbetter than herself what an easy prey to woman's tion; her standard of morals was of very moderwiles is a young gentleman without experience. ate height, and Dick came fully up to it; yet she
It was for this reason, as well as because she felt that her son was headstrong, impulsive, and
loved to have her-boy about her, that she had op- occasionally ungovernable. He had taken his
posed Richard's going to Midlandshire.  She own line in respect to his dealings with Chandos
knew Carew too well to hope that he would ever and with others, in spite of her urgent entreaties.
take into favor a son of hers, and she distrusted Her opposition, though fruitless, had indeed been
the country, with its opportunities for ensnaring so strenuous that the subject was a sore one beyouth into matrimonial engagements. Thirty tween them; and had the opportunity been less
years ago, in a fortnight of village life together, palpable, she would scarcely have ventured to reshe would have backed herself to have got a vert to it that night. She had done so, however,
promise of marriage out of the Pope; and she and carried her point. He had passed his word
did not believe this to be one of the lost arts to her that he would undertake no more such
among young persons of her sex.             hazards, and Dick's word was as steadfast as CaThus Mrs. Yorke had strained every nerve to rew's. He was aimless and indolent; but as a
get the necessary funds to make town-life pleas- mean man, who brings himself to perform some
C




32                              BRED IN THE BONE.
act of munificence, will effect it unsparingly, or all events, right or wrong, judicious or otherwise,
a selfish man, "when he is about it," will be all her scheme must now be adhered to: it was too
self-abnegation; so, when he had made up his late to take up with any other. The vision of
mind, his determination was rock. Mrs. Yorke its failure had faded away, and she could think
then felt sure of her son so far, and rejoiced at the matter out with her usual calmness.
it. But she was disturbed about him on other   The gray dawn creeping through the shutteraccounts. Perhaps, notwithstanding her asser- chinks found her thinking still; but ere the dull
tion to the contrary, she may have had some sounds of awakening life were heard above stairs,
scanty hopes of her son's success at Crompton; and. before the coming of the sleepy, slatternly
or perhaps his wantof it placed before herfor-the maid to "do the parlor," Mrs. York had arfirst time the gigantic obstacles that lay in his.so- rived at her conclusion.
cial path. Were the times really gone by which   The early matin prime, she was wont to say,
she had known, wherein personal beauty, and was always her brightest hour, but it found her,
youth, and grace of manner could win their way on the present occasion, white and worn, not
to any height? Or did she misjudge her own with her long vigil, but because it was "borne
sex, while so sagacious an observer of the other? in upon her," as poor Joanna used to say, that
Her Dick was still very young; but his appear- her son and she must part for his own good:
ance should surely have done something for him  so soon as the spring should come she would bid
even now; yet hitherto it had won him nothing him go. London, where all was prudence and
but friendships of doubtful value, one of which, constraint, was no place to win the bride she
indeed, had just done him infinite hurt. Were sought for him. He should go forth into the
girls with fortunes, then, as prudent and calcu- country, where even heiresses were still girls,
lating as those who were penniless, as she had and win her, as troubadour of old, but with
been?  It did not strike her that they were in- sketch-book in hand instead of harp.  Not a
finitely more unapproachable; or rather, such promising scheme, one might say; but then,
was her estimation of her son's attractions, that what schemes for a young man's future, who
she thought he had only to be seen in his opera- has no money, are promising nowadays?  Morestall to beqome the magnet of every female heart. over, it could be said of it (as can not be often
Had she been mistaken altogether in her plan for said) that, such as it was, her Richard was by
his future?                                nature adapted for it; and-though this was a
As she sat over the dropping embers of the less satisfactory reflection-was adapted for nofire, while the ceaseless rain huddled against the thing else.
pane without, a terrible vision crossed her mind.,
She saw her son, no longer young, wan with dissipation and excess, peevish and fretting for the         CHAPTER XI.
luxuries which she herself, old and decrepit, could
no longer procure for him. She even heard a            THE GUIDE TO GETHIN.
voice reproaching her as the cause of their com-   IT is the spring-time, that time of all the year
mon ruin: "Why did you humor me, woman, when those "in city pent" desire most to leave
when I should have been corrected? Why did it, if only for a day or two, and breathe the air
you bring me up to beggary, as though I had of the mountain or the sea: the time when the
been a prince? why have taught me nothing freshest incense arises from the great altar of
whereby I could now at least earn my daily Nature, and all men would come to worship at it
bread? Why did you let me lavish in my youth if they could. Even the old. who so far from
the money whlich, frugally husbanded, might now  the East have traveled that they have well-nigh
have supported us in comfort? Why did you do forgotten their priesthood, feel the sacred longall this-vou who were so boastful of your world- ing; in their sluggish blood there still beats a
ly wisdom?"  For a moment, so great was her pulse in spring-time, as the sap stirs in the anmental anguish, that she almost looked her age cient tree; but the young turn to ihe open fields
-not that the picture had any terrors for her- with rapture, and drink the returning sunbeams
self, but upon her son's account alone.  She in like wine. To draw breath beneath the broad
may not have been penitent, -as good folks are, sky is to them an intoxication, and the very air
but her heart was full of another's woe, and had kisses their cheek like the red lips of love.
no room left for one selfish regret. She had (in   With his face set ever southward or westward,
her vision) ruined both; but it was only for dear Richard Yorke has traveled afoot for days, nor
Dick that her tears fell. If the guardian angel, yet has tired; neither coach nor train has carwhich is said to watch for a time by every one lied him, and all the luggage that he possesses is
of us, had not given up his disappointing vigil at in the knapsack on his back, to which is strapped
poor Mrs. Yorke's elbow, a tremor of delight then his sketch-book, like a shield. He is striding
stirred him limb and wing. Nay, perhaps in the across a heath-clad moor, with stony ridges, and
Great Day, when all our plans shall be scruti- here and-there a distant mine-chimney-a desonized, whether they have been carried out or late barren sceneenough, but with sunshine, and
not, this poor, impotent, fallacious one, which a breeze from  the unseen sea. It is classic
worldly Mrs. Yorke had formed for her son's ground, for here, or hereabouts, twelve centuries
future, will stand, perchance, when others which ago, was fought " that last weird battle in the
recommend themselves better to human eyes west," wherein King Arthur perished, and many
have toppled down, because built on the rotten a gallant knight, Lancelot, or Galahad, may have
foundations of self.  There will certainly be pricked across that Cornish moor before him on
many worse ones. She did not propose to sell a less promising quest than even his. How siher offspring, as match-making mothers do, to lent and how solitary it was; for even what men
evil bidders. In her doting thought her Dick were near were underground, and not a roof to
would make any woman happy as his wife. At be seen any where, nor track of man nor beast,




BRED IN THIE BONE.                                   33
nor even a tree. There had been men enough, to lure him on to it?  He gave a great shout,
and beasts and trees too, in old times-heathen and the harmonious voice, already faint, grew
and ravening creatures, and huge forests; but it still at once. He cried out again: "I am a
seemed, as the wayfarer looked around him, as stranger here, and have lost my way; pray, help
though all things had been as he now beheld me."
them from the beginning of creation.  Richard,   Then once more through the mist came the
artist though he was by calling, had not the soul young girl, this time without her song, and stood
to take pleasure in a picture for the filling in of before him; she was very beautiful, but with a
which so much imagination was required; and pale face and frightened eyes.  " She is crazed,
he turned aside to one of the stony hills, and poor soul," thought Richard; and he smiled
climbed it, in hopes to see some dwelling-place upon her with genuine pity.  She put her hand
of man.  He was gregarious by nature, and, be- to her side, as though in pain, or to repress some
sides, he was in want of his mid-day meal.  tumult of her healt.
There was feast enough before him  for his   "Where is it you wish to go, Sir?"
eyes.                                          "To Gethin; where there is an inn, I believe.
In front lay a great table-land, indented here Is it not so?"
and there with three chasm-like bays, which    "Yes, Sir."  Her words were sane and conshowed how high the cliffs were which they cut. cise enough, but the tone in which they were
In one, nestled a fishing-town, with its harbor; spoken was tremulous and alarmed.
in another, a low white range of cottages hung    "You are not afraid of me, are you?" said
on the green hill-side; and in the third, at sea, Richard, in the voice that he had inherited from
as it appeared, stood up an ancient castle, huge his mother.
and rugged. This last object was of such enor-   "No, Sir, no," answered she, hurriedly;
mous size that Richard rubbed his eyes like one " only the fog was so thick, and I was startled.
in a dream. HIe had heard of Cornish giants, I did not expect to find any body here. It is
and certainly here was a habitation fit for the very lonely about Gethin, and we do not in genking of them. A lonely church upon the cliff- eral see any of the quality who come to sketch
top beyond it, by affording him some measure and such like"-and she pointed to his port-folio
of the probable size of this edifice, increased his -" until much later in the year."
incredulity.  IHe looked again, and saw that it   "I am  not the quality," rejoined Richard,
was not a castle, though the sun vet seemed to smiling, "but only a wandering artist, who has
light up) tower and battlement quite vividly, but heard of the beauties of Gethin. What has been
only one isolated rock of vast size and pictur- told me, however, comes far short of the reality,
esque proportions; upon the crown of which, believe me;" and he cast a glance of genuine
howevei; there were certainly walls, and what admiration upon the blushing girl.
looked to be broken towers.  "That must be   A slender fair-haired maiden she was, with
Gethin," said the young man, cheerily. "I must soft blue eves, over which the lids were modestly
be at the end of my journey."  Unless, indeed, but attractively drooped. One who had a great
he should take ship, there was not much more experience of the sex-if not a very respectable
opportunity for travel. Before him stretched in one-has left on record a warning against eyeall directions the limitless sea.           lids.  "A wicked woman," says he, " will take
So magnificent had been the prospect that, you with her eyelids."
when Richard descended and pursued his track-   It does not, however, require wickedness to
less way again along the moor, he half doubted ensnare a young gentleman by these simple
whether that fair vision had not been a mere fig- means.
ment of his brain; the more so, since what view    "I wish, my pretty damsel," said Richard,
there was about him seemed now to contract softly, "'that I painted figures instead of landrather than to expand; the horizon grew more scapes, for then I should ask you to be my modlimited; and presently nor sea, nor land, nor el."
even sky was to be seen. There was no rain,   It was not modesty so much as sheer ignobut his hair and mustache were wet with a fog rance which kept the young girl silent; she had
that was as thick as wool. By touch rather never heard of a painter's model; but the tone in
than by sight he presently became aware that he which her new acquaintance spoke implied a
had left the heath, and was walking on down- compliment, and she looked more confused than
land. Suppose he were nearing the verge of that ever.
line of cliffs which he had just seen, and should    "Have vou often so thick a fog as this at
come to it before he was aware! As he paused, Gethin?"
in some apprehension of this, all of a sudden a   " Not often, Sir; this is a very bad one, and
song broke upon his ear, like a solemn chant:   you might have come to harm in it. Some folks
believe that in such weather the Pixies come
Under thtine own almighty wf kings."  abroad, as they do at night, to mislead travelers
who have lost their way; and, indeed, the cliffHe did not recognize the words, but the tone top lies not a hundred yards in front of you."
in which they were sung, though muffled by the    "Oh, you think I was misled by a bad fairy,
dense atmosphere, struck him as especially sweet do you?" returned Richard, in an amused and
and earnest. The next instant, walking rapidly, bantering tone.  "Well, at all events, I have
with a light and graceful motion, the dim figure now met with a good one; and may I ask what
of a young girl passed in front of him, and the name she goes by?"
mist closed behind her, though he still heard her   " My name is Trevethick, Sir," said the dampious psalm. Richard stood like one enchanted. sel, simply.  "I am no angel, but I am going
Was she an angel sent to warn him of his peril, to the place you seek; it is this way, Sir."
or an evil spirit clothed in beauty and holiness   It was evident that'his banter had not pleased




34                              BRED IN THE BONE.
her.  The same tone that is found agreeable in before storm, up yonder; you may hear them
the town does not always prove welcome in the calling out each other's names."
country. She motioned with her hand to the   "Have you ever heard them?"
southward, and began to walk so fast that Rich-   "Not I, Sir, thanks be to Heaven.  I would
ard could not easily keep pace with her.     not venture there at night for the best cargo that
"But are there really fairies about here?" in- ever came to Turlock."
quired he, seriously. "I am quite a stranger to   "Where is Turlock?"
these parts, and should be glad to learn all I   "The port there behind us, Sir; you can see
can."                                       the houses now, but not the harbor. It winds
"Nay, Sir, I can not say; I have myself nev- beneath the cliff, so that a ship can scarcely
er seen one, though I know some who have, or make it, save in smooth weather, though, when it
say they have. There are tales of worse than once does so, it is safe enough. To see the great
Pixies told about that moor you have come green waves rush in and turn, and turn, and
across. You might have met the Demon Horse waste themselves in their wild fury, as though
that tempts the tired traveler to mount him, and they searched for it in anger-ah! it's an awful
then carries him nobody knows whither; but, sight."
for certain, he is never seen again."           That is in winter-time only, I suppose?"
" Then the spirits about here are all bad, are'" Nay, Sir; we have storms at other seasons.
they? I suppose to make up for the goodness Whenever I see such a sign as the castle without
and the beauty of the mortals, eh?"        the crag-it's all clear now, you see, because the
"Nay, they are not all bad, Sir," continued wind is rising-then am I thankful that my fathe young girl, gravely; "' the Spriggans, who ther is no sailor. Most folk are such at Gethin
guard the buried treasures of the giants, have that are not miners."
often helped a poor man out of their store; or,   "Then your father is a miner, is he?"
at least,'tis said so."                       " No, Sir, not now, though he once was. Ev"And the giants-are they all dead?"      cry body knows John Trevethick about here, and' Yes, indeed, Sir, long ago," answered the why he don't work underground."
damsel; "though that they lived here once is   "HIow  was that, then?" inquired Richard,
true enough. There's Bonza's Chair, you must with interest. "You must remember I am a
have passed before the fog came on, and could stranger, and know nothing."
not but have noticed; and the hurling-stones he   "IWell, Sir, it was years ago, and before I was
used to throw for pastime with his brother, they born. Father was just married, though'he was
are to be seen still; but all that about his having not a young man for a bridegroom, and was
such long arms that he could snatch the. sailors down Turlock pit-hole with Harry Coe (Solofrom the decks of ships as they went by, is, in mon's father), putting in shot for blasting. They
my judgment, but an old wife's tale, and I don't had worked underground together for five-andcredit it. There, see, Sir; the fog is thinning; twenty years, and were fast friends, though Coe
that is the castle yonder. When you see it thus was an older man, and a widower, with Solomon
in air it is a sign of storm."              almost of age.  They were deep down in the
The mist, instead of lifting, was growing less shaft, and one at a time was all that the man at
*dense above, as it melted before the rays of the the windlass above could haul up; and they had
sun, and the ruin which Richard had seen from  put in their shot, and given them  the signal.
the hill-range was now once more visible, with- One was to go up first, of course, and then the
out the pedestal of rock on which it was placed. second to light the match, and follow him with
It was a glorious sight, though weird and spec- all speed. Now, while they were still both at
tral, and the young painter halted in mute ad- the bottom, it struck Coe that the match Was too
miration.  The scene seemed scarcely of the long, and he took a couple of stones, a flat and a
earth at all.                               sharp one, to cut it shorter. Hie did cut it short" Most folks are pleased with that when the' er, but at the same time kindled the match.
first see it," remarked his companion, with the Both shouted their loudest, and sprang at the
flattered air of one who exhibits some wonder of basket, but the man at the windlass could not
his own to a well-pleased stranger.  "You are lift the double weight.  You see, Sir, it'was
very lucky, Sir; it is not often one gets so good certain death to both of them, unless one should
a view."                                     give way. Then Coe jumped out, crying to fa"I am lucky, too, in having so fair a guide to ther:'Go aloft, John. In one minute I shall
show it me," said Richard, gallantly.   There be in heaven.' It was he who had caused the
is a church in air too: what is that?"      disaster, and therefore, as he doubtless thought,
"That is Gethin church, Sir. It stands all should be the one to suffer for it; besides, he
by itself, a mile from the village; but folks say reflected, perhaps, that he was an old man, and
that the tower was first built for a landmark for had no bride at home to mourn for him; still, it
the ships, and that the church and church-yard was a noble deed, and I never denied it."
were added afterward."                         "Denied it!" exclaimed Richard; "I should
"Then people die here, do they, even in this think not. Why should you?" and he looked
land of dreams?" said Richard, half to himself. up with wonder into his companion's face. It
"Die, Sir?  Oh yes," answered the young was one blush from brow to chin.
girl, sadly; "my own mother died two years   "Well, Sir," continued she, disregarding his
ago, and lies buried there in yonder lonesome interruption, "my father was hurried up; and as
place. But it is not usual for Gethin folks to he looked over the basket the charge exploded,
die so young, except by shipwreck."         and the great stones flew up and blackened his
"Are there many wrecks here, then?"      face. In a minute more he was safe above"Yes, Sir, and will be to all time; our church- ground."
yard is half full of drowned men. On the nights   "But the poor man below?"




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    35
" lie was dead, Sir. It could not have been ing (you were the first to learn it, Harry), when
otherwise. Father took it so to heart that he off he set, in good-humor enough with all the
never did a day's work underground again. And world.-You'll come across John Trevethick, if
when I was born, a few months afterward, I was you want him, young man, over at Dunloppel,
christened Harry-though that's a lad's name-  though I doubt whether you will find him much
in memory of the friend that saved his life by the of a customer-unless you are in the iron and
sacrifice of his own."                      steel line."
" IIe might well have done that, and even    "I am in the knife-and-fork line just at presmore," said Richard, " if more could have been ent," answered Richard, good-humoredly; "and,
done. "                                     if you will be good enough to move aside, I should
" That's just what father says, Sir," answered like to order my dinner."
the young girl, quietly. " But when things have   " I ax pardon," said Solomon, sulkily, withhappened so long ago-before one was born-  drawing himself from the doorway.  "I did not
they don't come home to one quite so strong, you know I was hindering custom.-Who is this
see. Father keeps not only his old gratitude, but young spark, Iharry?" added he, in a low tone,
his old tastes. He cares more for mines and as the other entered the house.
machinery and such like than for any thing else;   "Well, he's a young gentleman, Solomon, as
he is a better mechanic than any in Turlock, you could see very well if you chose," answered
where I have just been to the watch-maker's to the girl, angrily.  "He don't look much like a
get him some steel springs. You should see the bagman, I think, any ways. I am sure father
locks he makes, and the rings he turns. He will would not like you to treat his customers in that
be so pleased if you ask him to show them to fashion."
vou."                                          "I am sure he wouldn't like your escorting
"I shall certainly ask him to do so, if I get such customers over Turlock Down alone."
the chance," said Richard, eagerly.  "Is that   "That's father's business, and not yours, at
your house with the pretty garden?"        present, Solomon," retorted the girl, tartly; "and
"No, Sir; that's the parson's. Nobody can perhaps it never may be yours. You take as
get flowers to grow as he does. The next house much upon yourself because of your new copper
at the top of the hill is ours."            vein as if it was gold."
"Why, I thought that would be the inn!"   "Nay, don't say that, Harry," replied the othexclaimed Richard, looking at the little white- er, with an admiring look, from which every trace
washed house, with its sign-board, or what seem- of ill feeling seemed to have departed.  "If it
ed to be such, swinging in the rising breeze.  were gold, I should be more pleased upon your
"It is the inn," said his companion, quietly, account than my own, you may depend upon it.
but not without a roguish smile. " Father keeps You think I am jealous, now, of yonder bit of a
the Gethinl Castle, although he has many other lad, but-"
trades."                                       "I think nothing of the kind," answered Har" And is that he, at the door yonder?" in- ry, impetuously.
quired Richard, pointing to a tall, thick-set man    "Well, well," returned Solomon, soothingof middle age, who was standing beneath the ly; " then we'll say no more about it. Trevelittle portico, with a pipe in his mouth.   thick wanted me to be away with him to pit, but
"No, Sir, that is not father," replied the girl, I said:'No; I'll wait for Harry, and bring her
with sudden gravity; "that is Solomon Coe."   with me to Dunloppel.' It's a great find, my
girl, and may be the making of us all."
"I Nay, a walk to Turlock and back is enough
for one day's work, Solomon; and, besides, I'm
CHAPTER XII.                   wet through with the fog, and must change my
things.-Hannah! Hannah!" and, raising her
fA t Ehe R In L OU" S CinLqud  IteM yu.   g voice to landlady pitch, she addressed some one
"Is father in?" inquired the young girl of within doors, "didn't you hear the parlor bell
Solomon, as he stood in the doorway, without ringing?-So never mind me, Solomon; I dare
moving aside to let Richard pass into the house. say I shall hear enough about the lode when you
" No, he is not," returned the person ad- and father come back;" and with that, and a
dressed, his keen blue eye fixed suspiciously on careless nod of her shapely head, the young girl
the stranger.  "As you were so long on your pushed past her disappointed swain, and ranl up
errand, he gave up his lock-work, and has gone stairs.
off to the pit. He said he had never known you   The Gethin Castle Inn was a much better
loiter so."                                 house of entertainment than might have been
"I did not loiter at all," returned the maiden, looked for in a spot so secluded from the world,
indignantly; " if it had not been for the fog, I and far from the great arteries of travel. A
should have been home an hour ago; but one coast-road passed through the little village leadcan't walk through wool as if it were air. You ing from Turlock to the now almost disused harhad the fog here yourselves, hadn't ye?"   bor at Polwheel, and that was the sole means of
It was strange to note the change in the girl's getting to Gethin save on foot or horseback.
speech; not only were her air and tone quite There was no traffic-to be called such-in the
different from what they had been —her modesty district.  Dunloppel, always a productive mine,
or shyness exchanged for a confidence and even was, like its more famous brother, Botallack, sita touch of defiance-but her phraseology had be. uated on the sea-coast, so that neither road nor
come blunt and provincial.                  tramway had been created for its needs; the land
"Well, any way he was angered, Harry," re- about was barren, except in minerals; and not a
turned Solomon, "until I told him of the new  tree was to be seen for miles. Indeed, with the
Copper lode, as I whispered to you of this morn- exception of the parson's garden, there was




36                              BRED IN THE BONE.
scarcely a cultivated spot in the whole parish.   "I suppose," said he, looking in at the window
The graceful sprays of the sea-tamarisk, howev- of the room he had just left, and where Hannah,
er, flourished every where, in lieu of foliage, and who was waiting-maid as well as cook, except
in places where certainly foliage is seldom seen. "in the season," was clearing away the remnants
Not only did it grow luxuriantly on banks and of the repast, " one can get to the castle without
similar exposed positions, as though the roaring a guide?"
sea-winds, which cut off all other vegetation, fa-   " Nay, Sir; you must get the key first, for the
vored and nourished it, but waved its triumphant man don't bide at the cottage, except in summerpennant upon walls and house-tops.  Stony time, and the gate has got spikes at the top.
places have a special attraction for this weed; and Miss Harry has got it somewheres, if you'll wait
it takes root so readily that the story of its im- a minute."
portation into Gethin might have had more foun-   Miss Harry herself brought it out to him.
dation in fact than some other local legends She had changed her attire for what was an even
equally credited.  Only a few years back the more becoming one than that she had worn beplant had been unknown there, but a wagoner fore, and her bright brown hair was arranged
of the place, on his return journey, had plucked with greater care, and perhaps with more view
a sprig of it in some locality where it grew, to to effect.
serve the purpose of a whip; and, when he   "The guide has not begun his duties yet, Sir,"
reached home, had thrown it carelessly on the she explained, with a smile; " and so we keep
top of an earthen wall, where it had struck root, the key here. You can't fail to find the road;
and multiplied.                             but the precipice-path is a bit awkward in a wind
The cliffs, and the sea, and, above all, the like this, and you must be careful to take the
ruined castle upon the rock, were the sole at- right one; the old ledge was broken in by the
tractions then which Gethin possessed-and that storm last month, and has an ugly gap."
they'did attract was an unceasing subject of won-   " But why not show me the way yourself, Miss
der to its inhabitants.  Whatever could the fine Harry?" pleaded the young fellow. "You know
folk see in a heap of stones or a waste of water, how easily I lose myself; and if I should come
to bring them there for hundreds of miles, was a to harm, by taking the wrong turning, you would
mystery unexplained; but the villagers were no be sorry, I'm sure."
more unwilling than professional spiritualists to   "Indeed I should, Sir," returned the young
take a practical advantage of the Inexplicable. girl, simply; " and I doubt whether you will find
In the winter they reaped the harvest of the sea, any body else in the village.  This news from
or explored the bowels of the earth; in the sum- the mine has taken them all off, it seems; and
mer they transformed themselves into " guides," you wouldn't know rock from castle, unless you
and set up curiosity-shops of shells and minerals; had one to tell you, they are so alike."
while, to supply accommodation to the increasing   The fact was that Harry's conscience smote
throng of'visitors, John Trevethick, who had al- her for her wish to be of service to this handways a keen eye for profit, had leased the village some young fellow, since she had just refused to
beer-house, and enlarged it to the dimensions of a accompany Solomon to Dunloppel, on the score
respectable inn. Even now, however, the house of fatigue. It was level walking, or nearly so,
exhibited a curious ignorance or disregard of the to the pit-mouth, and it was a climb of many
tastes of those for whose use it was built-the hundreds of feet to the ruin. Still, she felt no
windows of all its sitting-rooms opened upon the longer tired, if she had done so a while ago, and
straggling street, while the glorious prospect of the stranger might come to harm without a guide.
cliff and ocean which it commanded behind was   "But you're not coming without a bonnet?"
totally ignored. Thus Richard Yorke found him- exclaimed Richard.
self located in an apartment which, though oth-   "Nay, Sir; I should come home without one
erwise tolerably comfortable, might as well have if I went up yonder in such a wind as this," anbeen in Bloomsbury for the view which it afford- swered she, laughing; "and I recommend you
ed. The walls were ornamented by colored pic- to fasten on your hat, if you wish to see it
tures of the Royal Exchange and of the Thames again."
Tunnel, London; and upon the mantel-piece    "But you'll catch cold," urged Richard.
was an equestrian figure (in china) of Field-   "We don't mind air at Gethin, Sir; and this
marshal the Duke of Wellington as he appears shawl will cover my head, if that's all."
upon the arch of Constitution Hill. The only   It really was Harry Trevethick's custom to go
attempt at " local coloring" was found in the bareheaded in fine weather about her own home,
book-case-composed of two boards and a cat's though, perhaps, the consciousness that she never
cradle-in which three odd volumes of the " Tales looked so well in even her Sunday head-gear, as
of the Castle" had been placed, no doubt with with her own ample tresses for a covering, may
reference to the grand old ruin whose tottering have influenced her resolve. Chignons were unwalls beckoned " the quality" to Gethin.    known at that time, and never had the young
His simple meal of bacon and eggs having man beheld such wealth of gold-tinged locks as
been dispatched, and gratitude failing to invest that which blew about his fair companion's brow,
with interest the lean pigs that searched in vain and presently streamed out behind her, as they
for cabbage-stalks, or the dyspeptic fowls that neared the cliffs, and met the full force of that
were moulting digestive pebbles in the street with- Atlantic breeze.  It blew fireshly and shrilly
out, Richard lit a cigar, and prepared to saunter enough up the winding gorge through which
forth. The fog had vanished; all the sky was they had to descend to the foot of the castled
blue and bright. The keen and gusty air in- rock; but by the time they reached the beach
creased in him that elasticity of spirit with which the wind had risen to a gale. They stopped a
luncheon at all stages of their life-journey in- minute within shelter of a hollowed cliff to view
spires mankind,                             the place. It was a noble spectacle. The great




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    37
waves. came roaring in, and dashed themselves   "Well, Sir, it's only gossip, for he has never
against the walls of slate in sheets of foam, to set foot here in his life, I reckon; but, from what
fall back baffled and groaning. They had eaten we hear, he must fling away his money finely.
the cliff away in two dark frowning spots, which However, as father says, there's one excuse for
his guide said were caverns, approachable at low- him-he has neither chick nor child of his own.
water; but the rock itself on which the castle Eh, but you're looking white, Sir; Gethin air is
stood defied thetn; they had only succeeded in apt to nip pretty sharp those who are not accusinsulating it, except for a narrow tongue of land, tomed to it. You had best not try the castle
which now formed the sole access to it from the to-day."
shore. Even without any historical or poetic    "Yes, yes; we will go at once," cried Richassociation, the object before them-rising bare ard, impatiently; and, drawing the girl's hesiand sheer into the air to such a height-on which tating arm through his own, he moved rapidly
a swarm of gulls, shrunk to the size of bees, were along the wind-swept way.  Under the circumclanging faintly, was grand and striking; but the stances, there really was some danger; but, had
place had been the hold of knights and kings a there been twice the peril, he would not have
thousand years ago and more. The young girl shrunk from it at that moment-the chance obpointed out to Richard where the main-land cliff servation of the young girl about Carew's having
had once projected so as to meet the rock, and no offspring had turned his blood to a white heat
showed him on the former's brow some fragments of wrath. Although his mother had studiously
of rude masonry.  "That was the ancient bar- instilled in him how foolish it was to indulge in
bacan," she said, "once joined to the castle by any expectations with respect to the Squire, he
a draw-bridge, as was supposed, which, when had always entertained some secret hopes in that
drawn up, left Gethin so that neither man nor quarter until he had proved their fallacy by exbeast could approach it without permission of its periment; and the failure of his expedition to
defenders. Even now, with none to hinder one, Crompton rankled in his mind. He regarded
it is a steep and perilous way, especially in a his father with the bitterest resentment; he did
wind like this. Perhaps it would be better not not altogether forgive his mother for the share
to venture."                                which she had had (through her misrepresenta"But you shall take my arm, Harry," said tion of her own position in the register) in deRichard; "only let me pin your shawl about priving him of his birth-right, and he felt himself
your head first, lest those long locks of yours at odds with all the world. He had come to
blind us both."                             Gethin partly on account of what Parson Whym" I can do that myself, Sir, thank you," said per had told him of its picturesqueness, but chiefHIarry, austerely; then added, with a smile, to ly because it was an out-of-the-way spot, unfrereassure him-for why should she be angry?-  quented by that society with whom he had such
"you would only have pricked your fingers, as good grounds for quarrel, and where he was not
Solomon does. No man is clever with his hands, likely to have his pride wounded afresh by any
excepting father."                          reference to his position; and yet he had not
" And you say that to a painter, do you, Miss been two hours in the place before the only perHIarry-a man who lives by his handiwork?"    son in it in whom he was likely to be interested
" I forgot that," said IIarry, penitently; " be- had galled him keenly. He could not long be
sides, I was only saying what Solomon says."   angry with her, however, for her involuntary of"That was the gentleman who took me for a fense, nor angry at all in such fair company.
peddler, eh?" said Richard. "He is not quite so She clung to him, perforce, upon the narrow
wise as his namesake-is he?"                causeway, and shrank with him into whatever
"Oh yes, Sir; Solomon Coe has a long head: shelter was afforded, here and there, upon their
the longest, father says, of any in these parts. toilsome path, when they took breath, and gathlie has made his own way famously in the world ered strength together for once again confronting
-or, rather, under it, for he is a miner. He used that pitiless blast. If either of them had known
to work in the coal-pits up Durham way, but-" how fierce a gale was imminent, they would not
"Is that why he looks so black?" interposed certainly have ventured upon such an expediRichard, laughing.                          tion; but, having done so, they were resolved to
"Nay, Sir, I didn't notice tlat," said Harry, go through with it. Harry had plenty of coursimply.  "Very likely he was down Dunloppel age, and fought her way with practiced eye and
this morning. It half belongs to him, father hand along the winding ledge; and Richard was
says; and if this lode turns out well, he will be not one to own himself vanquished by difficulvery rich."                                 ties before which a woman did not quail. Twice
"And your father would be glad of that, and thrice, however, they were both driven back
would he not?"                             again round some comparatively sheltered cor" Yes, indeed, Sir; for Solomon is the son of ner by the mere fury of the wind, which battled
his old friend and preserver, as I told you."  with them as stubbornly as though it were the
" But it would not please you quite so much- disembodied spirits of the ancient defenders of
eh, Miss Harry?"                           the place; and when, mechanically, and almost
"Not so much as father-certainly not," an- of necessity, Richard's arm  sought the young
swered the girl, gravely.  " It seems to me folks girl's waist, whose garments made it more diffiare rich enough when they don't spend half they cult for her to advance than for him, she did not
get; just as other folk-like Mr. Carew, who reject its welcome aid. Then, just as his disenowns all about here-are poor enough, with all gaged hand was clinging to a pinnacle of rock,
their wedlth, who pay out of their purse twice his hat blew off, exactly as she had predicted,
what comes into it."                        and his dark curls mixed with hers in wild con" Mr. Carew is known here for a spendthrift, fusion. Thus, foot by foot, they won their way,
is he, then?"                               and reached at last the iron-spiked door, the




38                              BRED IN THE BONE.
only work of modern hands on that gray rock.   "I am here," she cried.  "Be of good courThis screened them from the gale; and, as they age, Sir."
stood a while to rest beneath its shelter, she   She had nothing to offer in the way of help at
showed him what a handsome key her father the moment; but she was well aware of what
had made for it, with cunning wards, more suit- vital importance it was that he should not lose
able for a banker's safe than for such ancient heart. She lay down with her face on the bare
relics as they guarded, and told him how the rock, and strove to reach him; but, even had
gate was put there to exclude the summer visit- her arm been long enough, he had no hand to
ors, who would otherwise enter without fee.    spare to clasp her own. The whole force of the
"Nay, but I will pay my fee," said Richard, gale was full upon her, and carried her hair to
gallantly; and, since their cheeks were almost windward like a whip.
touching as it was, the debt was easily discharged    " Do -not come too near the edge, brave girl,"
on her ripe lips.                           cried Richard, beginning to be conscious of her
" For shame, Sir! " cried the girl, indignantly; efforts.  " Is there no rope nor ladder?"
and there was something in her face and voice   " Yes," answered the girl.  " Keep heart. Do
which showed him that her anger was not feign- not look down. I must be five minutes goneed.  " I am sorry I brought you here, mistaking not more."
you for a gentleman.  Iere is the key, Sir; but   She was up, and with the gate-key in her hand,
I go back alone."  And she freed herself rough- ere she had done speaking. Great Heaven! would
ly from his arm, and turned to go.          that door never open? How her trembling hands
"For Heaven's sake, don't!" cried Richard, missed the keyhole; and when the key was in,
earnestly.  "You may call me any thing you how the rusty wards opposed its turning. Then
please, but do not let my rudeness prove your when the door was opened, it seemed as though
peril. I was rude, but, on my honor, I did not the winds had husbanded their strength behind
intend to be so. I meant no harm, although I it for one wild sortie, with such fury did they rush
see I have vexed you. Forgive me, pray; I did out to beat her back. But she struggled in somenot mean to be either ungenerous or ungrate- how, and on across the howling waste of cliffful. Is it thought so very wrong at Gethin-  top to a little hut of stone, which formed the coveven with such great temptation-"           ering of a well.  There, as she expected, she
"Yes, Sir, it is," she broke in, vehemently; found a rope coiled up, which was used to draw' and I was wrong to come with you."        up water in an iron cup, to gratify the curiosity
"Nay, don't say that, " pleaded the young fel- of visitors as much as to quench their thirst; for
low.  " How could you be wrong to do so great it was strange, indeed, to meet with fresh water
a kindness to a stranger as you have done to there, the presence of which, no doubt, had
me? It was my sense of it-my heartfelt sense, caused the place to be chosen for a fastness in
believe me, of the trouble and toil you have un- old time. With this she hurried back; and fixdergone for my sake; and I don't deny, Harry, ing one end firmly round the door-post, she
your beauty too, of which I have never seen the looped the other in a slip-knot, and lowered it
like.  But there, I am  offending you again. carefully to Richard.  "Put this beneath your
Pray, come into the shelter; it makes me sick arms," she said; " the rope is strong and firmly
to see you in such danger;" and to make room  fastened.  You must climb up by it, hand over
for her, and at the same time to stand as much hand."
apart from her as possible, he stepped back, for-   It was not so easy a task for the young artist
getting the scanty space on which he stood, and as for a Gethin man; but he was strong and
-fell!                                     active; and where his chief difficulty lay, which
A yard-a mile-he scarcely could say which, was at the cliff-top, the girl's willing arms assistso overwhelming for the instant was his sense of ed him.
peril!  He only knew that he was flying through   I" You. have saved my life, Harry," were his
space. Then, suddenly, his feet found foothold, first words, when he stood in safety.  "How
and his hands clung to the gray rock, and the shall I ever repay you?"
driving wind beat on his body ceaselessly, and   Then this brave girl, who had never faltered
seemed to nail him where he clung.          where action was necessary, began to sob and cry.
Was it the scream of gull, or piercing cry of   He took her hand and covered it with kisses.
some spirit of the air, that rang through his "I may kiss this," said he, plaintively, "may I
brain? or was it, indeed, the agonizing shriek not?"
of a woman? He heard it plainly; but Harry   She did not withdraw her fingers, but neither
never knew whether she had shrieked or not. did she cease from weeping.  Her grief seemed
She was aware of nothing except that this un- to be something more than that resulting from
happy man was perishing-had, perhaps, already the tension of strong feelings suddenly relaxed.
perished-for her sake; through fear for her   "Let me go home, let me go home!" was her
safety, and his wish not to give her offense. She sole reply to all his entreaties that she should
was on her knees upon the. ledge, and craning rest a while, and strive to calm herself. It was
over it with horror-stricken face the next instant, with difficulty that he could support her down
and could see him plainly. His feet had fallen the steep, so violently did she tremble. When
upon that very part of the old path which the they reached the foot of it she turned to Richard
storms of last winter had torn and jagged away. and murmured: "I have one favor to ask of
A few jolting fragments of tock were all that you, Sir. Will you grant it to me?"
was left of it-insufficient even for a practiced    "Most certainly, dear girl. It would be gross
cragsman to make his way along on either side. ingratitude indeed if I did not."
His head-she could not see his face-was but   " Then never speak," returned she, earnestly,
a yard beneath her; but how could she get at " of what has occurred to-day. Never show by
him?                                       your manner that you feel-as you say-grateful




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    39
for what service I have been able to be to you. picture by Haydon; his talk must have been
Let not father nor Solomon ever know."      better worth listening to than that of most. Is
" It will be very hard, Harry, to keep silence-  nothing true that one hears or reads, I wonder?
to owe you so great a debt, without acknowledg- Here is where I kissed her! I wouldn't kiss her
ing it," said Richard, tenderly; " but, since such again, if I had the chance; I swear I would not.
is your wish, I will obey it."              I am a good boy now-all morality, if not relig" Thank you, Sir. And now I will go home ion-for they do say that hell is paved with good
alone. I was deterred by the wind, the steep- intentions-which seems hard. If one is to be
ness-any thing you please-from accompanying punished for one's wicked thoughts-even if they
you up yonder; remember that. You will not do not bear fruit-it is surely but reasonable that
mind waiting a while behind me?"           one's good ones-even if never carried into prac" Surely not," said Richard, wonderingly.    tice-should be set down on the credit side of
And the next moment she had hurried round the ledger."
an angle of the main-land cliff, and was gone.  With an exclamation of contempt or impatience, he turned from the dizzy sight of cliff
and sea, and shouldered his way through the
wind-kept doorway on to the open summit of the
CHAPTER XIII.                  rock. It was a wild waste place indeed, yet not
FISHING FOR AN INVITATION.          without ample indications of having been inhabited in days of old. Low but massive walls
W' WHAT a strange girl! " muttered Richard, as sketched out the ground-plan of many a chamhe stood in the same hollowed rock, alone, where ber, the respective uses of which could only now
Harry and he had first taken shelter. " What a be guessed at. But beneath one broken arch
compound of strength and weakness-as my mo- there was a heap of rude steps with a stone somether says all girls are, though I have never known thing on it, which Richard rightly imagined had
them strong before!  How eager she seemed to once formed an altar.  Man had worshiped
part company with me, and how anxious to get there thirteen hundred years ago. Nay, not far
home without me-and I am never to speak of off, and in the very centre of this desolate hold,
what has happened, to her father nor to Solo- there was a burial-ground, with a low wall of
mon! This Solomon is her unwelcome wooer, earth about it, which neither time, nor the curithat is clear. He is neither young nor handsome ous barbarism which marks our epoch, had much
-nor attractive in any way in her eyes, I reckon. defaced. The archreologists had been there, of
And what a beauty she is, to be thrown away on course, and discovered evidence which had satissuch a boor!"                             flied them of the presence of the remains of their
The recollection that the door at the top of the fellow-creatures; but with that they had been
rock had been left open, and the key inside it, content.  The dead had, for the most part, been
here flashed upon him.  "She will be sorry left undisturbed in their rocky graves, to await
about that key," he thought; "and glad and the summons in the faith of which-and pergrateful to me if I go back and fetch it. The old haps even for it-they had died. For these
man will be wroth with her for having trusted a were King Arthur's men (as Richard had read)
stranger with such a treasure. This Trevethick -the warriors who had helped the blameless king
must be an ingenious fellow, and a long-sighted " to drive the heathen and to slay the beast, to
one, no doubt. It was he who applied to Parson fell the forest and let in the sun."
Whymper for a lease of the old mine, if I re-   The lonely desolation of the place, and its
member right. Perhaps the chaplain may help natural sublimity, combined with the recollecme to get it him, for I owe him something for tion of his late deadly peril, tinged the young
his daughter's sake. The idea of his having man's thoughts with an unusual seriousness; and
such a daughter!  What rubbish is this we art- yet he could not restrain the cynicism that was
ists talk of birth and beauty! Neither in life habitual to him whenever his attention was comnor on canvas have I ever seen one so fair as pelled to solemn subjects.
this girl."  He meditated for a moment, then    "Now, are these poor folks-whose creed
cried out, angrily: "Heaven curse me, if I must have been any thing but orthodox, by all
harm her! What an ungrateful villain should I accounts-all in eternal torments, I wonder, or
be! If there be a Gehenna, and but one man in only waiting to be so, for a few hundreds of
it, I should deserve to be that man!"       years longer?  Such was my mother's friend,
Then he began to climb the rock.  He did Joanna's, comfortable creed, and it is shared, as
not tarrythis time for breath nor shelter, though I understand, by all the most excellent people.
the wind had no whit abated, but trod right on How much better (if so) would it have been for
till he reached the spot where the catastrophe them to have been born and cradled on this
which had been so near fatal to him had occurred. rock as sea-gulls! Gad, to dwell here and fight
"It was a narrow escape," mused he, looking for a king about whose very existence posterity
down upon the place, not without aslight shudder. is to be in doubt in this world, and then to go to
"What odd things come into the head when the devil! What a nightmare view of life it
Death is whispering in the ear! If it had not seems! If, an hour ago or so, things had turned
been for my fair guide, where should I have been out otherwise with me, I should have solved the
by this time?  Beneath the sea, for certain. problem for myself. I almost wish I had. And
IBut what else?  How strange it seems that if yet it was not so when I was clinging tooth and
there is any'else,' no one, from the beginning nail to the cliff yonder; and these folks would
of time till now, of all the millions who have not have died if they could have helped it, neiexperienced it, should have come back to tell us I ther. There's something ugly in black Death
And yet there was a man who came back from  that disinclines man to woo her. This wind
the grave once. Who was he?  I recollect his bites to the marrow, and I'll go. I've seen




40                              BRED IN THE BONE.
Gethin now, and there's an end."  He turned,   Then the window was slammed down with no
and walked as slowlv as the blast would let him  gentle hand, and the men went out laughing
toward the gate.  " And yet, if it was warmer, heartily, and for the first time leaving room for
and summer-time," continued he, "I should Richard to pass in. He did not look toward the
like to sketch these things, or some of them, es- bar window, but, as though he had heard nopecially if Harry were with me." IIe came out, thing, walked quickly past it into the sittingand locked the door, and once more stood in the room, which had been allotted to him. It was
shelter of it, with the key in his hand.  " She'll strange, since what he had just heard only conbe glad I went back for this, and know that it firmed the suspicions which he had already enwas done for her sake. If she had but money, tertained, that the words should give him annoynow-this girl-and was a lady, and all that! ance; but they certainly did so.  What was
Or if I could choose whom I would!"  lie be- more natural than that this inn-keeper's daughgan to descend slowly, step by step; the furious ter should be engaged to marry her father's
gale forgotten; his late escape from death unre- friend-a man apparently well-to-do, and with a
membered; one thought alone monopolizing his prospect of doing better? What could be more
mind-the thought that monopolizes all men's unreasonable than for Mr. Richard Yorke, a young
minds (or nearly all) at his age. It was here gentleman whose only hope in life was to marry
that his hat had blown off, and her soft curls had a girl-or an old woman, for that matter-with
played about his face; it was there that he had a good fortune, to be irritated at such intellifirst clasped her waist, and had not been rebuked. gence, especially after an acquaintance with this
Then he fell to thinking of all that had happened "Miss Harry" of about three hours at most?
between them during the few hours that were After a minute or two of reflection the idea
already an epoch in his life.  Why had she seemed to strike even himself in the same light;
looked so frightened at first seeing him?  Had for he gave a short sharp laugh, and said what
he seemed to come upon her as her "fate," as a fool he was, and then lit his pipe. Even tosome girl- say?  lie would ask her that some bacco, however, that balm of hurt minds, did
day-perhaps up yonder amidst the ruins.  He not altogether soothe him. He could think of
had not missed the look of annoyance which she nothing but this young girl, whose beauty had
wore when Solomon had spoken to him so rough- bewitched him, and to whose courage and presiy, nor failed to couple it with the expressions ence of mind he owed his life. He had sworn
she had before made use of with reference to Coe to himself-and there was no necessity to repeat
the elder, and the gratitude with which her fa- it-that he meant her no harm.  Indeed, it
ther regarded his memory. This Solomon might would not be less than she deserved to ask her
be a suitor who was backed by the old man, but to be his wife. Perhaps, if this mine, in which
certainly not encouraged by Harry. Was she her father had a share, should turn out well, she
already engaged to him, tacitly or otherwise? would not be so bad a match, even in point of
It was impossible, being what she was, that she money; but to this he did not attach much imshould not have been wooed by somebody.     portance.  He was indulging in a dream, which
Richard Yorke was not one of those exacting he fondly imagined was unselfish and honorable
characters vwho demand that the object of their to himself in a high degree. Quite a virtuous
affections should never have attracted those of glow seemed to mingle with his ardent passion;
another; he was even reasonable enough to have though the fact simply was (as it often is in such
forgiven her (if necessary) for having returned cases) that, for a personal gratification, he was
them, in ignorance of the existence of a more prepared to barter his future prospects.  He did
worthy admirer in himself.  There are many not doubt but that what he contemplated would
more varieties of Love than even the poets have be for the benefit of this young girl; he must
classified; and perhaps it is in despair of deal- seem like an angel to her (for love does not aling with this Proteus that we elders so often ig- ways touch us with the sense of'unworthiness);
nore him in our calculations.               as, indeed, by comparison with this man Coe, he
The day was darkening by the time Richard was. His mother would be a good deal "put
reached the village. Around the inn door were out," it was true, but then she was too fond of
a group of miners, who stared at his bare head him to be angry with him for long, far less to
hard enough, but gave way to him civilly. They break with him. He was his own master, for
were talking and laughing loudly, and wiping some time to come, at all events, for he had two
their mouths with the backs of their hands. It hundred pounds in his pocket.
was evident that somebody had been "standing   What nonsense do the greatest philosophers
treat" in the narrow passage; and leaning their sometimes discourse, when their topic is Selfelbows on the sill of the.little bar window were interest! It is likely enough that self-interest
more miners, each with his pint pot of ale.  actuates them, and in a supreme degree. When
"Here's luck to Trevethick and Coe," said folks are by nature wise and prudent-or if their
one, " for a parting toast."                tastes are studious, and their vices few-or when,
" Ia, ha, that's good!" cried another, in ap- above all, the brain is seasoned, and the blood
preciation of this commercial epigram; " Treve- moves sluggishly in the veins, then men do act
thick and Coe; to be sure."                 for their own advantage, and keep their eyes
"Trevethick and Coe. and may the copper fixed on the main chance.  But with most of
last!"                                     us, especially when young, self-interest, properBut one, emboldened by the liquor, or natu- ly so called, is often but a feather's weight in
rally more audacious than the rest, put his head the balance of Motive. Revenge makes it kick
and shoulders through the open window, and, the beam; and Passion; and even momentary
making a trumpet of his two hands, whispered in Whim. It was one of the arguments advanced
a hoarse voice, audible to every one: "And is it by Christian men in favor of slavery, that no man
to be Coe and Trevethick also, Miss Ilarry-eh?" would ill-use his slave, because it was his own




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    41
property; as though the lust of cruelty in a bru- walls. A good deal of trouble, however, seems
tal nature were, while it lasted, not ten times as to have been taken to prevent people from runstrong as the lust of gain. There are moments ning away with them, to judge by this;" and he
when a man is ready to part with not only his held up the key.
earthly prospects, but his hopes of heaven, rath-   " Well, the castle is mine, Sir-or, at least, I
er than be balked of an immediate satisfaction: pay my rent for it; and, I suppose, I can do
that of striking his brother to the heart, or grow- what I like with my own. If there was no gate
ifig rich by one stroke of fraud, or ruining for- there, do you think any body would pay me for
ever the woman that loves him best; and there viewing the place?  Not they. Why, there's
are many men, in no such desperate case, whose some parties ain't even content with the key, but
only guide is Impulse, and whose care for the must have a guide too, or else they buttons up
morrow is dwarfed to nothing matched with the their pockets."
gratification of to-day. These are said to have   It was so impossible to misunderstand the
no enemies but themselves, but they have victims; bearing of this remark that Richard burst out
and, though not apt for plots, are often more into a good-humored laugh; he was really pleased
dangerous than the most designing knaves.   because the landlord's hint assured him that he
Pipe after pipe smoked Richard Yorke as he was in ignorance that he had had a guide.  "I
sat over the fire in the deepening twilight, so shall certainly pay my footing, Mr. Trevethick,
deep in thought that it quite startled him, when, the same as if I had had an attendant-of which,
suddenly looking up, he found that all was dark. however, I should have been glad at one or two
Then he rang the bell, and Hannah entered with places; the wind did take my hat, and very
the wished-for candles.                     nearly the rest of me.  But what I meant by
" Is your master in?"                    the trouble that was taken to secure your ruins
"I'll see, Sir. Do you wish to see him?"    from intruders was with reference not to the
"Yes. First bring( me a bottle of sherry and door, but to the key of it. Why, if it were a real
two glasses, then ask him to step in."      castle, full of furniture, it could not be more efThe serving-maid obeyed; and presently there fectually guarded. You must have good lockwas a heavy step in the passage, and in strode smiths hereabout, if that's a specimen of their
John Trevethick, a man of sixty years or so, but work."
straight as a pine, and strong as an oak.     The icy landlord thawed again.
" Your servant, Sir," said he, in a gruff voice,   " Well, Sir, the fact is, I made that key with
and with no such inclination of the head as land- my own hands."
lords use.                                     "You?" cried Richard, in affected astonish"Good-evening, Mr. Trevethick. I am afraid ment.  " Why, you must be a mechanical genI'm putting you to some inconvenience by com- ins.  Look at the work! look at the wards!"
ing to Getbin so many weeks before the usual and he scrutinized them admiringly close to the
time."                                      candle.  "Do take another glass, Mr. Treve"Nay, Sir; my house is open summer and thick."
winter."                                       "Nay, Sir; I've a friend in the parlor waiting
"Now I wonder is this the natural manner of for me," rejoined the landlord, dryly.  He apthis boor," thought Richard, "or has he been peared already to regret having given way to
already prejudiced against me by the other?- that momentary feeling of self-esteem.
And an excellent house it is, Mr. Trl'levethick;    "I wish I had," observed Richard, smiling.
I little expected to find so good a one down here, " It's lonely work coming down here by one's
I promise you."                             self, and finding nobody to speak to."
"Well, I built it myself, Sir," said the land-   There was a short pause, during which Richlord; "so it don't become me to say much of ard was rapt in admiration of the key.
that. It cost me a good bit of money, however;   "Now, if his thick skin prove impervious to
and it's hard to get it back, when one's season flattery," thought he, "then will I fly my last
only lasts for a month or tiwo."            shaft into his very gizzard."
"Ah! I'm the first swallow that you've seen   Mr. Trevethick's skin was quite complimentthis year, I dare say. Well, I hope I herald a proof, if an invitation into the bar parlor was to
lucky summer. Take a glass of your own sher- be the evidence of its having been pierced.
ry, will you?"                                " You should come down in the summer-time,
The landlord looked suspiciously at his guest: Sir," said he, coolly; " then you will find lots of
perhaps the phrase " your own sherry" smote his folks to talk with. At present I am afraid you
conscience, knowing the price he paid for it, and must put up with your own company." And the
what it was, and what he meant to charge; huge frame of the landlord was already moving
but grunting: " Here's to you, Sir," he filled his toward the door.
glass, and smacked his lips over it slowly.    "I am afraid so, indeed," said Richard, care" Solomon has not set him against me," was lessly. "Parson Whymper ought to have known
Richard's conclusion.  " The graceful manner better than to send me down here at such a time
of this Cornish giant is natural to him.-You as this."
have a fine castle here, Mr. Trevethick, and nobly   John Trevethick stopped at once, and Richplaced. Indeed, I never saw the like before."  ard saw reflected in the glass above the fire-place
" So most folks say," answered the landlord.  a look of intense interest. He could not have
"There is not much left of it, however," said supposed so phlegmatic a face was capable of so
Richard, smiling.                           much expression.
" Well, it'll last my time, at all events, and I   " Parson who, did you say, Sir? Whymper?"
dare say yours," was the morose reply.        "Yes; an excellent friend of me and mine;
" Indeed it will, and that of many a genera- the chaplain of Mr. Carew, of Crompton. It was
tion to come. It is seldom one sees such massive he who told me how I might fill mly ketch-book




42                              BRED IN THE BONE.
with the beauties of Gethin; and added, that I at Gethin as among the Esquimaux-stood a
should have a hearty welcome from one John mighty punch-bowl; and on the mantel-piece
Trevethick, if I gave his name."            was a grotesque piece of earthen-ware, used for
"And that you shall, Sir,"cried the landlord, holding tobacco, about which some long clay
returning to the table, and striking his broad pipes and peacocks' feathers were artistically arpalm  upon it, to give emphasis to his words. ranged. A smell of nutmeg and lemons pervaded
"A friend of Mr. Whymper's should be always this apartment, and pleasantly accorded with its
welcome here. How is he, Sir? And how is almost tropical temperature; and the contrast it
Mr. Carew?"                                altogether afforded to his own more stately but
"I have seen neither of them  since I was desolate "private sitting-room," with its disused
staying at Crompton three months ago or so," air and comfortless surroundings, struck Richard
said Richard, coolly.  " They were well enough very agreeably. On a chintz-covered sofa, in the
then, though the Squire was doing his best, as most retired corner of this parlor, sat Solomon
usual, to exhaust his constitution and his purse; Coe and Harry Trevethick, and it was difficult
and the chaplain, as usual, also, was making  to say in which of their countenances the most
things as straight as he could, and putting the astonishment appeared when the young painter
skid on where he dared. But you know all presented himself at the door. Harry's cheeks,
about that, Mr. Trevethick, I dare say, almost as which were not pale before, became crimson,
well as I do. I am sorry you won't take anoth- though she neither moved nor spoke. But Soler glass of wine."                          omeon rose, and, with a frown, seemed to be ask"I think I will, if you permit me to change ing of Trevethick the reason of this unexpected
my mind, Sir," said the other, suiting the action intrusion.
to the word.  " Now, the idea of your being so   " This is a friend of Mr. Whymper's," said the
intimate with Parson Whymper, and having landlord, setting down the sherry on the table;
staid at Squire Carew's! Why, the Squire's my  "' and therefore, I am sure, the friend of all of
landlord, and owns all about here-leastway, us. That's my daughter Harry, Sir; and that"
short of Dunloppel. It's unlucky that this cop- (and here he grinned) " is Solomon Coe, a very
per should have cropped out just beyond him, as intimate friend of hers-as you may see. We
it were."                                   are a family party, in fact, or shall be some day;
"There is no mine here belonging to him  so, pray, make yourself at home."
then, ell?"                                    I have seen Mr. Coe before," said Richard,
"Well, no, Sir; not, properly speaking, a frankly, and shaking that gentleman's unwilling
mine, there ain't;" and the well-practiced hand hand; " and, though he took me for a bagman,
of the landlord shook as he put down the glass, I bear him no malice on that account."
so that it clanked against the bottle.         "A bagman! Lor, Sol, what could you ha'
Richard Yorke laughed a short dry laugh, ap- been thinking about?" laughed Trevethick, grirnparently at some reflection of his own.     ly.  " Why, this here gentleman has been stop-'"Well, I'm sorry you've got your friend, land- ping at Crompton with the Squire! But you
lord, and therefore can-not have a chat with me; mustn't mind Sol, Sir; his mind ain't free just
for it is evident we should find something to talk now. Well, Harry, lass, why don't you get up
about together."                            and shake hands with the gentleman?"
"And I'm sorry too, Sir. Though, if you    "I have seen this young lady before, also,"
wouldn't be too proud to come into our bar par- explained Richard. "It was she who was good
lor - but then I can scarcely ask a gentleman enough to get me the key of the castle, which I
as has been used to Crompton to do that."   have just returned, by-the-by, to your father," he
"Indeed, I shall be very pleased to come," added.
said Richard, frankly.  " I have nothing to be   Harry gave him a look which showed him that
proud of, I assure you; and if I had, why should his second pilgrimage up the rock was not unapI not accept the company of an honest man?"   preciated.
"Very good, Sir. There's only me, and my    " Did you see the chapel, Sir, and the tombs?"
daughter Harry, and this friend of mine, Solo- inquired she.
mon Coe. If you'll please to walk this way."   "I hardly know, indeed," said Richard. " It
" Let's take the bottle with us, and then, per- was the climb itself that I enjoyed the most, and
haps, Mr. Coe will help us to finish it."   shall never forget as long as I live."
And bearing that token of amity in his hand,   " Oh, but you must go properly over our ruins,
John Trevethick led the way into the bar parlor. young gentleman," said Trevethick, with the air
of a proprietor. "My girl here, or Solomon,
must show you them to-morrow, for they need
a bit of explanation. Sol knows all about them.
CHAPTER XIV.                   Don't you, Sol?"
" Oh yes; I know," answered Solomon, doggedly; "but nobody won't go up to the castle
THE bar parlor of the Getlhin Castle was a to-morrow, I reckon, with this sou'wester a-blowsmall snug apartment in the rear of the house, ing."
and therefore exposed to the full fury of the At-   "It is a wild night, indeed," said Richard,
lantic winds, which were now roaring without, putting aside the curtain, and looking out through
and enhanced, by their idle menace, the comfort the shutterless window.', The clouds are driving
of its closely drawn red curtains, and its ample by at a frightful speed."
fire, the gleam of which was cast back from a   "Ay, and it ain't only the clouds," said Trevgoodly array of glasses and vessels of burnished ethick, filling his pipe, and speaking with great
pewter. Upon a well-polished oak chest-the gravity; " the Flying Dutchman was seen off the
pride of the house, for oak was almost as rare point not two hours ago."




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    43
"By old Madge, I suppose?" observed Solo- my words.' That was twelve hours, ay, and
mon, derisively.                            more, before she struck."
" Yes, by old Madge," retorted the landlord,   " Forgive me for interrupting," said Richard;
sturdily.  "She as knew our life-boat was lost " but I don't understand this matter. Is it suplast year with all hands long before she drove posed that a vessel announces her own destrucinto Turlock Bay, bottom upward."           tion beforehand?"
"But how was that?" inquired Richard, with    "Sometimes," said Trevethick, gravely. "A
interest.                                   ship is as well known here-if she belongs to
"Well, Sir, it was this way," said Trevethick. this part of the coast-as a house is known in
" It was a stormy night, though not so bad a one the Midlands. Well, if she's doomed, Madgeas this is like to be, and the life-boat had gone and it ain't only Madge neither-will see her
out to a disabled Indiaman. She had been away days before she comes to her end. This Firefly,
three hours or more, when, as I was sitting in for example, belonged to Polwheel, and had
this very parlor, in came Madge, looking scared been away for weeks."
enough. She had been to Turlock on an errand    "But still she was expected home?" interrofor me. So,'Sit down,' says I,'and take a glass, gated Richard.
for you look as though the wind had blown your   "Ay, that's it," said Solomon, once more nodwits away, old woman.' "Tain't that, John ding approval.  "The old woman had that in
Trevethick,' says she;'but I'm near frightened her mind."
to death. I've seen a sight as I shall never for-   "Why so?" argued Trevethick.  "What
get to my dying day. I have just seen our lifd- was the Firefly to her that she should think she
boat men-all nine of'em. The Lord have saw her drive into the bay, and break to pieces
mercy on their souls!''Well, why not?' says against the rock out yonder?  And why should
I.' Why shouldn't you ha' seen'em? They've she tell her vision to Harry?"
got back sooner than we hoped for-that's all.'   " That certainly seems strange, indeed," said'Nay,' said she;'but I met'em coming out of Richard, " as showing she attached importance
Gethin-away from home-the home they will to the affair herself. It was a most curious coinnever see again-all wet and white like corpses. cidence, to say the least of it. But what is this
They're drowned men, as sure as you stand there,:Flying Dutchman, of which you also spoke? I
John Trevethick.' And so it turned out, poor did not know he ever came so far out of his
fellows!"                                  proper latitude as this."
"And did you tell any body of this before you    "He's seen before great storms, however,"
knew that they were drowned?" inquired Richard. said Trevethick; " you ask the coast-guard men,
"Ay, that's the point," muttered Solomon, and hear what they say. There's many a craft
approvingly.                                has put out to her from Gethin, and come quite
"No," said Trevethick.  "I didn't believe close, so that a mall might almost reach her with
the old woman, and I thought her story would a boat-hook, and then, all of a sudden, there is
be very ill taken; so I kept it to myself. But it nothing to be seen but the big waves."
turned out true for all that; the thing happened   John Trevethick had more to say to the same
just as I say. John Trevethick ain't no liar."  effect, to which Richard listened with attentive
"Of course you are stating what you believe courtesy; while at the same time he held to
to be the fact," said Richard, in a conciliating the same skeptical view entertained by Solomon.
tone; "I don't doubt that."                 Thus he won the good opinion of both men;
-"Just so; he's told it so often that he really and of that of the girl he felt already assured.
does believe it," said Solomon, laughing. "But He scarcely ever addressed himself to Harry, and
what seems curious is, that it is always Madge-  as much as possible avoided gazing at her. If
a purblind old woman, as wants to be thought a the idea of his paying any serious attention to
witch-as sees these things-drowned sailors, and her had ever been put into her father's mind, the
Flying Dutchmen, and so forth. I should like intelligence that he had been the fiiend and
to know who else has ever had the chance?"    guest of Carew's had been probably sufficient to
" Lots of folks," said the landlord, doggedly.  dissipate it: the social position which that fact
"Well, you've been here these forty years," implied seemed to make it out of the question
said Solomon, "have you seen'em?  And Har- that he should be Harry's suitor. It only rery here has been at Gethin all her life, has she mained for him to disabuse Solomon of the same
seen'em?"                                 notion. This was at first no easy task; but the
There was an awkward silence. Harry had stubbornness with which his rival resisted his atturned very pale-in terror, as Richard thought, tempts at conciliation gave way by degrees, and
of the dispute between her father and Solomon at last vanished. To have been able to make
becoming serious.                           common cause with him upon this question of
"That's naught to do with it," said Treve- local superstition was a great point gained. Solthick, sharply.  " You're no Gethin man, Solo- omon had a hard head, and prided himself upon
mon, or you wouldn't talk so.  Why, didn't his fieedom from such weaknesses; and he hailed
Madge describe the very ship as was lost off an ally in a battle-field on which he had conCastle Rock, the night before we ever set eyes tended at odds, five nights out of every seven,
on her? and wasn't it printed in the paper?",   for vears. Harry, as we have seen, shared her
"In the next Saturday's paper: yes," replied father's sentiments in the matter; and it was a
Solomon, curtly.                            great stroke of policy in Richard to have espoused
"Nay, I heard the old woman with my own the other side. He would, of course, have much
ears," said Harry, gravely.  "There had been preferred to agree with her-to have embraced
no wreck when she told me she had seen the any view which had the attraction Of her advoschooner.'The Firefly,' said she,'will never cacy; but it now gave him genuine pleasure to
conre nearer home than Gethin Bay: you mark find his opposition exciting her to petulance.




44                              BRED IN THE BONE.
She was not petulant with Solomon, but left her the old man had done. "My own life," added he,
father to tilt with him after his own fashion.    in a lower tone, "was once preserved by one whom
From the superstitions of the coast they fought I shall love and honor as long as I have breath."
their way to those of the mines.  Old Treve-   He saw the color glow on the young girl's
thick believed in "Knockers" and "Buccas," cheek, and the fire-light shine with a new brillspirits who indicate the position of good lodes by iance in her eyes. Neither Trevethick nor Soloblows with invisible picks; and, as these had mon had caught his observation; at the moment
more immediate connection with his own affairs it was made the former was stretching out his
than the nautical phenomena, he clung to his great hand to the latter, moved by that memory
creed with even greater tenacity than before. of twenty years ago, and, perhaps, in token of
So fierce was their contention that it was with forgiveness for his recent skepticism.
difficulty that Richard could put in an inquiry as   "Then there's the Dead Hand at Wheal
to whence these spirits came who thus interested Danes, father," observed Hariy, in somewhat
themselves in the success of human ventures.    hasty resumption of the general subject. "That's
" I know nothing of that," said Trevethick, as curious as any, and more terrible."
frankly, "any more than I know where that   "Wheal Danes!" said Solomon.   Why,
wind comes from that is shaking yonder pane; how comes that about, when nobody can never
I only know that it is there."              have been killed there?  It's been disused ever
"Nay, father, but I know," said Harry, with since the Roman time, I thought?"
a little blush at her own erudition: " the Buc-   " Yes, yes; so it has," answered Trevethick,
cas are the ghosts of the old Jews who crucified impatiently.
our Lord, and were sent as slaves by the Roman    "But I thought you told me about it youremperor to work the Cornish mines."         self, father?" persisted Harry.  "IIow you saw
"Very like," said Trevethick, approvingly, al- the Tlhing, with a flame at the finger-tops, going
though probably without any cleat conception up and down where the ladders used to be, and
of the historical picture thus presented to him. heard voices calling from the pit."
"It's the least they could do in the spirit, after   " Not I, wench-not I. That was only what
having done so much mischief in the flesh."  was told me by other folks. —Take another glass
The contradiction involved in this exemplary of your own sherry before supper, Sir; and after
remark, combined with the absurdity of repent- that we will have a bowl of punch."
ance taking the form of interest in mining spec-   The hospitalities of Mr. Trevethick were, in
ulations, was almost too much for Richard's fact, profuse, and his manner toward Richard
sense of humor; but he only nodded with gravi- most conciliatory.
ty, as became a man who was imbibing informa-   "We'll be glad to see you, Sol and I, in our
tion, and inquired further, whether, in addition little parlor, whenever you feel in want of comto these favorers of industry, there were any pany," were his last words at parting for the
spirits who worked ill to miners.           night. And, "Ay, ay, that's so," had been Sol"Well, I can't say as there are," said the land- omon's indorserment.
lord, with the air of a man who can afford to   Harry had said nothing; but the tender pressgive a point in an argument; " but there's a ure of his hand, when he wished her good-night,
many things not of this world that happen un- had not gone unreturned, and was an invitation
derground, leastway in our mines, for Sol there more welcome than words. The events of the
is from the north, and it mayn't be the same in day, the conversation of the evening, had given
those parts."                               him plenty of matter for reflection; but the touch
"It certainly is not," interrupted Solomon, of those soft fingers was more potent, and the
taking his pipe out of his mouth to intensify the dreams evoked by it swallowed up all soberer
positiveness of his position..   thoughts. He sat up for hours that night, pie"I say," continued Trevethick, reddening, turing to himself a future altogether new to his
"that down in Cornwall here there is scarce a imagination; and when he went to bed it was
mine without its spirit o' some sort. At Wheal not to rest. His excited brain was fed with a
Vor, for example, a man and his son were once nightmare vision. He thought that he was once
blown to pieces while blasting; and, nothing be- more with Harry on the castled rock; his lips
iilg left of thenm but fragments of flesh, the en- were pressed to hers; his arm was around her
gine-man put'em  into the furnace with his waist, just as they had been; but, instead of
shovel; and now the pit is full of little black his slipping alone over the precipice, they fell todogs. I've seen one of'em myself.'         gether; and as they did so-not without a wild
Solomon laughed aloud.                    delight mingling with his despair-she was sudRichard was expecting an explosion of wrath. denly plucked away from him, and, as he sank
The old man turned toward him quietly, and ob- headlong down, down, he saw that Solomon Coe
served with tender gravity: "And in a certain had caught her in his arms, and, with her father,
mine, which Sol and I are both acquainted with, was looking down upon him with savage and rea white rabbit always shows itself before any ac- lentless glee!
cident which proves fatal to man. It was seen
on the day that Sol's father sacrificed his life for
mine." Then he told the story which Richard
had already heard from Harry's lips, while Sol-           CHAPTER XV.
omon smoked in silence, and Harry looked hard
at the fire, as though-as Richard thought-to
avoid meeting the glance of her father's heredit-   THERE are wild places yet in the world, and
ary benefactor.                             primitive folk. Even in England there are lo"You are right to remember such a noble calities of which the phrase, "It is a hundred
deed as long as you live," said Richard, when years behindhand," still holds good; and so it




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    45
was with Gethin.  Its wind-swept moors, its proved more lucrative than that of his hand.
rock-bound coast, had inhabitants altogether dif- He had invented several improvements in the
fering from the men of fields and farms; to Rich- working machinery of the mine which had so
ard, a man of pleasure from the town, they seem- nearly proved his tomb; these had been adopted a foreign race. They were rough in externals, ed, with considerable profit to himself, in other
but kindly and genial at heart; given to hospi- places; and the money thus acquired he had not
tality, and, though good at a bargain, by no means frittered away (as is usual in such cases) in specgreedy of gain. Above all there were no beggars. ulative investments. In the interim between his
The poorest Gethin man would open a gate for giving up his trade and his reaping the fruits of
you, or walk a hundred yards out of his way to his inventions he had tasted the bitterness of
show you your road, without asking for, or even poverty, and that had made him very cautious.
expecting, a coin. They were, however, as de- But he had a small share in Dunloppel, which
lighted as surprised to get it; and before the seemed likely to turn out very profitable; and
open-handed young artist had been a week in he had built the inn, the returns from which
the place he had demoralized it by his largesses. were more than. sufficient to support him-inAs, however, his smile and his thanks always deed, it was rumored that John Trevethick had
accompanied these presents, he was served more been laying by a pretty penny, and could hold
for love's sake than the money's, and enjoyed a his head much higher if he pleased.  IHis pleaspopularity which can not be purchased,and which ures were certainly not expensive, for they conyet is impossible to be won by one who has no- sisted in fancy iron-working, the results of which
thing to give.  He had the reputation among brought him in a considerable sum; and in octhese simple folks, who knew how to be'frugal casionally getting drunk, which, being a publican,
themselves, of having  a superfluity of wealth; he could accomplish at the most reasonable fighis air and manner showed he had been always ure. He was a hard unlovable man, and interused to be lavish (as indeed he had), and nour- esting only as statistics may be said to be as
ished this delusion, which extended, though upon compared with literature-in a hard, practical
other grounds, to the tenants of the little inn.   way. If superstitious, he was by Tno means reJohn Trevethick and his friend Solomon would ligious; and, though honest, he was grasping.
not have been much impressed with the expend- IHe took time to resolve upon a matter; but,
iture of a few pounds by an improvident youth; when once his resolution was fixed, his will was
but the former was well aware that the guests iron, and his heart was stone. It was certainly
of Carew of Crompton were almost without ex- curious that one of Trevethick's character should
ception very wealthy men, and he judged of have entertained so long and fieshly his sentiment
Richard's social position accordingly.  He had of gratitude even to a man that had saved his life
no idea that his landscape-painting was any at the expense of his own; but even this may
thing else than an amusement-as it was prac- have had its roots in egotism. IIad the person
ticed by half the young ladies and gentlemen saved been his wife or his daughter the feeling
who visited Gethin in the summer months; he would not perhaps have been so enduring; and
took him for an amateur; and if he had seen in carrying it out, as he fully purposed to do, by
his sketches, and been a judge of art, he would bestowing Harry's hand upon Solomon, he was
have been only fortified in his conclusion.  He certainly not uninfluenced by the fact that the
liked the young fellow upon his own account, latter was, pecuniarily speaking, an excellent
though not so much as his handsome face and match.
pleasant manners, combined with his desire to   Like himself, his intended son-in-law was the
please, caused others to do; for Mr. Trevethick architect of his own fortunes; but he had built
was not at all impressionable in such matters. them up in a different way. His youth had been
Richard hated him in his heart for the scanty spent in the coal-mines of the north; and, though
crop of regard he seemed to get out of him, not- nb lucky stroke of the pick can there make one
withstanding all his pains; he had never made rich, as it can in other underground localities, his
so continued an effort to make himself agreeable strength and skill had met with their full reward.
and with so small a result; but his self-love And what he had gained he had not wasted.
would have been more deeply wounded had he Pound after pound he had laid by, until enough
known that his own exertions would not have had been saved for investment; and it was Soleven gained him what they did, had they not omon's boast in after-years that he had never got
been seconded by a hidden ally in the landlord's less than ten per cent. for any of it. It was all
breast. Richard's desire to conciliate was fully ventured on underground speculations, some of
reciprocated by Trevethick, who wished above them hazardous enough-but all had prospered;
all things to make friends with the friend 9f and here John Trevethick's judgment, though the
Parson Whymper; only conciliation was so old man himself had not the courage to follow it,
much out of his line.  The old man and the had been of great advantage to him. Every thing
young had absolutely nothing in common except he touched turned, if not to gold, at least to tin
their love for Harry.                       or copper; and before the lode ceased to yield
Upon the other hand, John Trevethick and Sol- Solomon had sold his shares at a good premiomon Coe were cast almost in the same mould. um, and placed the proceeds in another pit.  lie
Notwithstanding the former's superstition he was had sown, as it were, his money in the earth,
intelligent and shrewd enough in practical mat- and reaped a golden harvest. And now Dunlopters, and had, indeed, quite a genius for mechan- pel, his last venture, seemed likely to prove his
ics. Deprived of his underground occupation by best: and it was another strand in the strong
the catastrophe Kwith which we are acquainted, he bond between himself and Trevethick that the
had set his wits to work at home on the matters latter had also a share in that undertaking.
with which he had hitherto but physically con- There are some men with whom a common pecerned himself; and the labor of his head had cuniary interest is'the most binding tie of sym



46                              BRED IN THE BONE.
pathy of which their nature is capable; and nev- gifts of eloquence. It interested Richard in spite
er had the landlord of the Gethin Castle been of himself; and Solomon was not indifferent to
more closely attached to his guest and son-in- the flattery which the young artist's attention
law elect than at this time, when Richard Yorke conveyed, and scarcely needed the entreaties of
proposed to himself to part them; as though a Trevethick to persuade him to throw off his nagilded summer skiff should thrust itself between tive reticence. What he forgot, and had mentwo laden coal-barges, and bid them budge.  tioned in former narrations, the landlord suppleIt was at least a week before Solomon Coe mented; and when "Sol" became technical and
could be induced to open his lips before Richard, obscure the other performed the part of chorus
beyond the utterance of a few pithy sentences; or explainer.  If the former had been some giftnot that the smouldering embers of jealousy had ed animal, and the latter its proprietor, he could
been fanned in the mean time-for Richard hbd not have taken a greater pride in the exhibition
been prudence itself in his behavior to Harry- of its talent than did the landlord in these narbut because the miner could not comprehend the rations.  Now he would look at Richard, and
young fellow, and therefore distrusted him. The nod and wink, as though to bespeak his special
light and airy manners, which were as natural to attention to what was coming; and now he would
Richard as was John Trevethick's ponderous cun- wave his pipe, like a dumb orchestra playing slow
ning or his own self-satisfied reticence, seemed to music, to express the tremendous nature of a sitSolomon mere affectation, and even his appear- uation. Perhaps he was genuinely impressed by
ance effeminate and dandified; but when he saw  these thrice-told tales-perhaps he was endeavthat he wore no other air when conversing with oring, by a feigned admiration for Sol's experithe pitmen of Dunloppel-an expedition under- ences and exploits, to justify his choice of a sontaken with himself at Richard's special invita- in-law not altogether suited to his Harry. To
tion-and marked how actively he climbed the do the raconteur justice, he was by no means so
tall, steep ladders, and how fearlessly he trusted egotistic as his aider and abettor, and Trevethick
himself to the rope, he acquitted him of such would express his regrets to Richard that it was
artful fopperies. Of Richard's intelligence he so hard to get Sol to dismiss generalities and talk
had formed a good opinion from the time when about himself. " It's on account of Harry being
the latter had enlisted himself upon his side in here, you see," explained he behind his horny
the argument concerning superstition; and it hand, but in a tone perfectly audible to the othflattered his vanity to find so sensible and ac- er tenants of the bar parlor; " or else he would
complished a young fellow deferring to his opin- tell you how the timbering of the pit once fell
ion upon all practical points, and apparently de- upon him, so as nothing was free but his head
sirous of obtaining his views upon them.    and his left hand; and yet he never lost his wits
There was one subject, the experience of his in all his agony, but told the men where to saw
early years, upon which Solomon was never and what to do; but he don't like to boast beaverse to descant, could he once be got to talk  fore the'gal.'"
at all; and it was a certain token-as one, at   Then Richard, taking the hint, inquired of
least, of the company well knew-that his preju- Solomon whether any incident particularly strikdice against Richard was quite surmounted when ing had ever happened to himself during his unSolomon began to unfold to him, over their punch derground experience; and Solomon replied, with
in the bar parlor, the annals of his underground affected carelessness;'No, not as I know on;
career.  Often had he done so to Harry-like nothing particular."
another Othello (and almost as swarthy) narra-   Then Trevethick broke in with, "What! not
ting his adventures to his Desdemona-but nev- when you was shut up in the seam at Dunston?"
er had she been so pleased to listen as now, when    "Oh yes, to be sure," said Sol, as though the
~he needed but to seem to hear, and, without the recollection of the circumstance had only just
penalty of reply, could feed her eyes upon young occurred to him; "there was that, certainly;
Richard's listening face. It is hard when, in the but it was when I was quite a boy. I was not
race for woman's favor, one has to waste one's quite seventeen when Dunston Colliery was
breath in making the running for one's rival.   drowned.  The Gatton poured right in upon
And vet the talk of Solomon Coe was well it, and they have not got the water out of it in
worth listening to. He told of the great war places to this day. It was always said that the
which is always being waged by man beneath pit was being worked too near the river; but
the earth against the powers of Water, and Fire, that was little thought about by those as was
and Foul Air, and of the daring deeds he had most concerned, and it never disturbed the head
seen wrought against them. He told of coal-pits of a lad like me, of course. It was in the afterthat had been on fire from time immemorial, noon of the 12th of December, a date as I am
above which no snow would lie, by reason of the not likely to forget, when the thing happened.
heat beneath, and where the grass of the mead- Two mates-one old man and a middle-aged
ows was always green.  He told of others which one-and myself were at work in a heading tohad been suddenly inundated by a neighboring gether, when suddenly we heard a noise like
river, or by the waters from old workings, let in thunder.'That's never blasting,' says one.
by a single unlucky blow, whereby scores and'The Lord have mercy on us,' cries the other;
scores of strong men were overwhelmed, whose'it's the river come in at last!' For, as I say,
corpses floated about for months in the dark the risk was quite well known, though it lwas
drowned pit before their fellows above-ground considered small, and made a frequent jest of.
could get at them.                          Nothing that ever I heard was equal to that
His speech was somewhat sullen and hesita- noise; the waves in Gethin caverns here, during
ting, and what he said was interrupted by whiffs storm, are a whisper to it; the whole pit seemed
of smoke and sips of liquor; but the nature of to be roaring in upon us. We all ran up the
the subject was so absorbing that it needed no gallery, which, fortunately for us, had a great




BRED-IN THE BONE.                                   47
slope, and crouched down at the end of it. We er stirred a limb nor uttered a cry. His fate
heard the water pouring in and filling all the discouraged and alarmed us two survivors exworkings beneath us, and then pouring in and ceedingly. If help was coming, we now felt it
filling ours. It reached our feet, and left us but would. never come in time. We dug into the
a very limited space, in which the air was cornm- shale with the handles of our lamps and with our
pressed, when the noise of the inundation ceased. fingers, to make our position more secure. We
There was a singing in our ears, so that we could did not venture to speak of our late companion's
scarcely hear one another speak. We knew that fate to one another. Horror overwhelmed us, so
the whole mine had become a lake by that time, enfeebled had we become through famine and
and that it would take months to drain her, if fatigue. We had devoured our leather belts,
she was ever drained. We knew that we were and even crumbled the rotten wood of the timburied alive hundreds of feet beneath the earth; ber-props in water, and eaten that; but we were
and yet we did not quite lose heart. There was now consumed by thirst, which we dared no
this gleam of hope: supposing that the next gal- longer quench. We were afraid to venture down
lervy, which was on a higher level than our own, as before for the water in which the old man had
was not also flooded, we could be got at through sunk to death; and,it was that which had kept
the seam. We did not know the fact that it was us alive."
more than sixty feet of solid coal, and would   "Don't forget about how you made a bucket of
have taken under ordinary circumstances at least your boots, Sol," suggested Trevethick, gravely.
four weeks to dig through; we only knew that,   "Yes, at last we tied a string to a boot, and
if a door of escape was to open any where, it got the water up that way," continued Solomon;
must open there. We kept tapping with the "but our stomachs turned against it."
heels of our boots at equal intervals against this   " It was not so good as my punch," observed
wall."                                     the landlord, parenthetically, and emptying his
"The miner's signal," explained the landlord, steaming glass.
with a wave of his pipe.                     "More dark days came and went, though, of
"We felt that if we were once heard, and if course, we could not tell how many; then, all
hard work could do it, that our mates would of a sudden, we heard a human voice, inquiring:
save us vet; and we encouraged one another as'How many are you?''WYe.are three,' was
well as we could. But presently the oil in our our reply. We had not the courage even then
lamps gave out, and we were left in darkness; to own that one of us had already been taken;
and then our hope grew faint indeed. We had death seemed still so near to us. The aperture
knocked for four-and-twenty hours unintermit- which had thus let in the world upon us was also
tingly without any reply. We did not cease, very small."
however, to discuss the possibilities of escape.   " And what was it you asked for first?" interWe knew that all was being done for us above- rupted the landlord, with a nod at Richard, as
ground that could be done; that the surveys of much as to say: "Listen now; this is curious."
the mine were well executed; and that it was   "What we wanted was light.'Light above
known exactly where we were, if we were alive all things!' was our cry. But our deliverers
at all. There were more than a hundred men could give us but little of that, for they had
employed in the lower workings, and it was a scarcely any themselves. They had been workcertainty that not one of them could have es- ing in a narrow gallery, by means of five inclined
caped death; the attention, therefore, of the en- driftways, at each of which only one man could
gineers would be concentrated upon those parts of ply his pick at a time, and where light and air
the mine that might possibly be left above water. could only be procured artificially.  The coal
" On the second night of our imprisonment we was carried out in baskets as fast as it was hewn
heard a distinct reply to our signal; the old man out: the atmosphere in which they thus toiled
who was of our company began to weep for joy, like giants, naked to the waist, was almost sufthough he was doomed, as it turned out, poor focating; yet, under these conditions, they had
soul! never to see the light.'We shall be literally effected in four days, to save our lives,
saved,' he said;'do not fear.' We knocked what it would have taken them four weeks to do,
again, and again the reply was heard-they had had they been working by the piece for wages.
found us out, and would never relax their efforts They had even been compelled to put up vqntito save us.'God bless them!' said we all. lators, and their lamps would only burn when
We laid our ears close to the rock, and presently close to these. They gave us broth through a
heard the strokes of the pick, but not very dis- tin pipe; but almost another day elapsed before
tinctly. When the other said he was afraid the the hole was large enough for them to carry us
rock was thick, the old man cried out:' No, it through it in their arms."
was not that; it was because we were dull of   "And there was nobody else saved, was
hearing.' The fact was, that the seam was not there?" inquired the landlord, with a triumphonly thick, but very hard. It was strange, in- ant look.
deed, though sounds are easily transmitted    "There was not," said Solomon, expressing
through rocks of considerable thickness, how  his tobacco smoke very slowly. "Out of a hunour feeble taps had been heard at all. Day aft- dred and thirteen men who had been caught by
er day, and each day a black night, went on; the flood in Dunston, we two were the sole surevery hour was to be the last of our captivity, vivors."
according to the old man; as for me, I was al-   Many other stories of the like sort had Solomost worn out, and heavy with sleep, but he mon to tell, and for not one of them was he inwas in constant motion, knocking and listening. debted to his imagination. IIis experience of
Then suddenly we heard a splash in the water life had been remarkable, and it had impressed
beneath us-he had lost his balance, slid down itself upon his character. His will was as strong
the inclined plane, and been drowned. IIe nev- as that of Trevethick, but he had less of caution;
D




48                              BRED IN TIIE BONE.
and he was at the same time both plodding and    "But why were the Polwheel mermaids so
audacious.                                  cruel, Harry?  I always imagine them  bright
It would not be well, thought Richard occa- and beautiful beings, with golden hair almost as
sionally, to have either of these men for an ene- long as yours, and with nothing to do but to
my; and he was right. Unhappily, it was im- comb it."
possible to win Harry without a quarrel with, at   " That is so, when they are let alone," said
least, one of them, and rather than lose her he Harry, simply; " but even the weakest creatures
was prepared to defy them both. If he could love revenge, and will get it if they can."
but have lifted a corner of the curtain that veils   "And quite right too," interrupted Richard;
the future-well, even then, so mad was he by " but for fear of that the strong would be more
this time with the love of her, that he would al- uncivil even than they are."
most have defied them still.                   " Well, a mermaid was once cruelly treated
by a Polwheel man-he fell in love with her,
and deserted her-and then her sisters choked
up the harbor bar."
CHAPTER XVI.                      " But how did he come to court the mermaid?
That must have been difficult; though, if I saw
you sitting under water yonder, I should certainTHERE is a beauty in woman that takes the ly dive, and try."
stranger, and another the changeful charm of   " You would have no breath to make me pretwhich wins its way deeper and deeper daily into ty speeches then, " said Harry, demurely. " This
the heart of man; but in the person of Harry mermaid was, however, a changed child. A PolTrevethick these two beauties were combined. wheel woman was bathing her infant in the pool
Richard thought he had never seen any face half yonder beneath that arched rock, when it sudso fair as that which shone upon him through denly gave a cry of joy, and leaped from her
the mist on the first day when he came to Geth- arms into the sea. She thought it was drowned,
in; and when he had dwelt there for weeks he but it came up the next instant more beautiful
was of the same opinion still. Harry was inno- and bright than ever. She did not herself know
cent, tender-hearted, and gay, and so far the ex- but that it was her own child, but there were old
pression of her features told you truth; but it folks in the town who knew that it was in reality
also told you more than that, which you must a mermaid's changeling. She grew up to be a
needs believe, though it was not the fact. Her lovely woman, and the Squire of Polwheel at
face was not the index of her mind in all re- that time-for his race has died out since-fell
spects; it was rather like the exquisite and in love with her; he treated her very ill, and she
costly dial-plate of a time-piece the works of died broken-hearted, at Gethin, and was buried
which are indifferent. Her air was spiritual; in our church-yard, where I can show you the
her voice thrilled your being with its sweet tone; tomb."
her eyes were full of earnest tenderness; but she   "And did no punishment overtake the scounwas weak of purpose, vacillating rather than im- drel Squire?"
pulsive, credulous, and given (not from choice,   "Yes. After a great revel one night, he was
but fear) to dissimulation. That last fault Rich- returning home by the sands, and in the moonard willingly forgave her, since it worked to his light beheld a beautiful lady sitting by this same
advantage; and to the others he would have pool. She was so like his dead love to lock at
been more than human had he not been blind. that he was frightened at first, but she smiled
For Harry loved him. She had never said so; and beckoned to him, and then, clasping him in
he had never asked her to say so; but it was her arms, leaped into the sea, and drowned him;
taken for granted on both sides. They were and in the storm that arose that night the merry
thrown much together, for Dunloppel-a treas- maids filled up the harbor."
ure-house, which proved richer and richer the   "That was hard upon Polwhvheel," observed
more it yielded-monopolized the attention of Richard, "though the Squire only got what he
both Trevethick and Solomon; they were in deserved. He must have been a bad lot."
high good-humor, and not at all disposed for   "But the mermaid was very foolish to bequarrel or suspicion. Harry had always been lieve him," added Harry-" very."
the mistress of her own movements, and she   They visited the Fairy Bower, did these young
went, as usual, whither she liked, and Richard people-the only spot about Gethin where trees
went with her.                              grew; a beautiful ravine, with a fall of water,
The spring was advancing, and brought its and a caverned cell beside it, where a solitary
soft hues even to the barren moors of Gethin, hermit was said to have dwelt. Notwithstandand bathed its gray rocks in sunshine. There ing which celibate association, it had a wishingwas much to see that was worth seeing, and who well besides, into which a maiden had but to
so fit as Harry to point out these objects of at- drop a pin, and wish her wish, and straightway
traction with which she had been familiar from  the face of her future husband was mirrored in
her childhood? They strolled along the beach to the water. Through its clear depths you might
Polwheel, and she showed him how the harbor see the bottom of the qool quite paved with pins.
there had been silted up through the wrath of    "And does the charm always work?" asked
the merrnaids, or "merry maids, "as sihe called Richard, laIglffrg.  " Try it t-day-."
them, still (under favorable circumstances) some-   "No, no," answered Harry, gravely; " one
times seen sitting on the slate cliff ledges beneath must be quite alone for that, and beneath the
the clear blue sea. Far from ridiculing her su- moonlight."
perstitions, he led her on to talk of them; he   On Morven Point, a grand old promontory,
did not much mind what she talked about so which pushed out many a yard to meet the enlong as he could look at her and listen.    i croaching waves, and battled with them long be



BRED IN THE BONE.                                    49
fore they reached the main land, they sat and would have me serious?" asked Richard, rewatched the sunsets; looked down upon the proachfully.  "Come, tell me why you shrank
busy hive of men that worked upon the slate from me-as you can not to-day, dear, for, see, I
quarry beneath, or gazed upon the ships that have got you close-and why your large eyes
tacked and wore to make Turlock Haven.  There looked so wild and strange that I half thought
was a tower on this place, half ruined and with you mad? Did you take me for a ghost?"
broken steps, up which they climbed together on    " No; but I had just seen what is far worse
one occasion, and stood supporting one another than any ghost. Did you not mark how pale I
upon its dizzy top. There lay around them a got that same night?  I thought I should have
splendid prospect of sea and land, but they were fainted when I was asked" (it was Solomon who
looking into one another's eyes, and yet they did had put the question, but Solomon's name was
not speak of that which was nearest to their never mentioned between these two young peohearts.  It was a topic to be avoided as long as pie) " if I had ever seen a spectre ship. I had
possible. They only enjoyed these blissful oppor- seen one that very day-only a few minutes betunities-they had only been permitted to thus fore I met you-and on this very cliff."
stroll out together alone and unsuspected-upon    " WVell, and what then?" said Richard, smilthe tacit understanding that no such thing as ing.  "Neither your father, nor any one in
love could exist between them. If Harry had whom you have an interest, goes to sea. The
not plighted faith to Solomon, her engagement Flying Dutchman did not concern you, I reckon,
to him tacitly existed nevertheless, and it was even if he did pay you a call."
under its agis alone that they had been protected    "You do not understand," said Harry, seriand indulged. It was a part of the character of ously; "it was not that at all. But when the
the young girl to persuade herself that she was mists rise over Turlock sands, as they did that
doing no harm so long as it was possible to en- day, a black, square-rigged vessel glides across
tertain that delusion; and it was all one to them, which bodes ill to those who see her; and
Richard what their love was called so long as it I saw her as plain as I see you."
was love. Else, as they stood alone together in   "But not so near," said Richard, fondly.
the noonday stillness, his arm around her waist,   "She was coming from Turlock to the quarry
as it had not been since that first afternoon upon yonder-"
the castled rock, he must needs have told her   "To fetch slates," interrupted the other-" nowhy the heart that pressed so close against her thing more likely."
side was beating high. Just then, however, he   " Nay, not she; no craft would have attemptdared not. Suppose that, by any possibility, he ed that in such weather; and, besides, there was
had mistaken her sentiments; suppose, that is, not a soul on board of her. She was sailing
an extorted promise, or fear of her father's an- against what little wind there was, and against
ger, or what not, should compel her to deny his the tide."
suit, and cleave to Solomon; suppose even that   "But even if this was so, Harry, what of it?
her simplicitywas such-and it was in some things What harm has come of it?"
marvelously great-that she had accepted his   "Nothing as yet; nor was I greatly frightened
affection as that of a brother-a friend of her fa- at the time. That omen bodes unhappiness to
ther's and of " Sol's"-but no; he felt certain him or her who sees it, and I was already unthat she loved him; suppose, at all events, for happy."
whatever reason, she was once again to reprove   "Because I was not here to comfort you,
him for yielding to the temptation of her lips, he Harry. Well, that is remedied."
felt that such a rebuke must of necessity finish   She shook her head, and did not return the
all. She could not forgive him twice, unless she reassuring pressure of his hand. " Listen!" she
gave him license to offend forever.  He dared said.  "This misery comes through the person
not, therefore, speak directly of that which both whom he who has seen the vision shall next
were thinking of; and yet he could not altogeth- meet; and I thought I knew who I should meet
er ignore so sweet a subject.               on my way home-one from whom"-she sank
"That is the moor yonder, Harry, over which her voice to a whisper-" I already expected
I first came to Gethin-how long ago!"      misery."
"Has the time, then, hung so very heavy on    "You mean-" began Richard, eagerly.
your hands?" asked she, seriously.            "No matter whom I mean. It was not he
" No, Harry, no; on the contrary, I have nev- who met-me; that was you."
er been so happy; but when one has a new ex-   The hand which he held in his was cold as ice;
perience, however charming it may be, it seems her face was pale; and her limbs trembled under
to dwindle down one's past to nothing. I have her.
had two lifetimes, as it seems to me-one else-   "This is folly, Harry dear. Am I likely to
where, and one here; and yet it is but six weeks do you harm, to make you miserable?"
since I met you first, Harry, out yonder, gleam-   "II do not know," said she.' I sometimes
ing like a sunbeam through the fog."        think you are."
"'I remember it well," said Harry, with a   He put the long hair back from her forehead,
slight shiver.                              and gazed into her eyes, which were now fast
"But not to sigh about it, dear, I trust? You filling with tears.  " I love you, Harry, with all
are not afraid of me now, as you were then? my heart," sighed he-" you know I do. And,
Do you recollect how scared you were when I though you are sometimes cold, and at others
called you back that day?"                 seem  as though you purposely avoided me, I
" Yes, well," answered the young girl, earnest- think you love me-just a little-too. Better,
ly. " I had a reason for being scared, though at all events, than the man with whom you youryou Nwould laugh at me if I told you what it was. " self have just confessed you expect nothing but
"1)o I ever laugh at you, Harry, when you misery."




50                              BRED IN THIE BONE.
"Hush, hush!" moaned she. "'IfI said that,   "I dare not, Richard-I dare not promise
it was very wrong."                         you," she murmured.
"It was the truth, Harry.  How could it be   "But if your father gives me leave?" whisotherwise? He is not a lover meet for such as pered he, his lips to her warm cheek.
you; he is twice your age, and rough and rude   She uttered a soft cry of passionate joy that
of speech even as a suitor. Do you think he told him more than a hundred phrases of assent
will be more tender when he is a husband? He how dear he was to her, and hid her face upon
is no mate for you, Harry, nor you for him."    his breast.
Again she shook her head, with a slow mourn-   Oh happy hour, so bright, and yet so brief!
ful movement, as though less in dissent from his Oh golden noon, already on the verge of eve and
statement than in despair of remedy.        blackest night!
" What! " cried he, " because his father was   How often in the after-time did that fair andt
your father's friend, does that give him the right sunny scene recur to them, a bitter memory;
to be your husband?"                       how often was that first kiss of love renewed by
The young girl answered only with her cruel fancy and in mocking dreams, its sweetsobs.                                       ness changed to gall!
"Now tell me, darling-did you ever promise   Better for one-better, perhaps, for both-if,
to be this man's wife in words?"            clasped in one another's arms, they had fallen
"Yes-no-I am not sure.'Oh yes, I must from that tall tower's top, and then and there
be his; my father has set his mind upon it. had ended life and love together!
Nay, do not smile at that; you don't know what
my father is. He is not one to cross;" and, as
if at the very thought of her stern parent's wrath,
she lifted up her head from Richard's breast, and        CHAPTER XVII.
looked around in fear.
"But suppose I win him to my side, sweetORIING ON A PIVOT.
Harry?"                                      NEVER had Richard been in such high spirits
"That you could never do," sighed she.  "I as on the evening of that day on which Harry
tell you you don't know him. "              had made confession to him of her love, and had
" Nay; but I think I do, dear; and, if I could promised to be his wife should her father's conshow him that it was to his own advantage to sent be gained. It was true that she had been
have me for his son-in-law, in place of-"   far from sanguine upon the latter point; but
"You would not persuade him," interrupted Richard had his reasons for being of a different
the young girl, firmly-" not even if you were opinion.  It would be better, every way, if he
Carew of Crompton's heir."                  could obtain Trevethick's good-will; not that he
The words she had used were meant to ex- at all shared in the girl's dread of his anger, but
press exhaustless wealth-for with such was the because it really seemed that if he married her
owner of Gethin still credited in that far-away from her father's roof he should be fulfilling his
corner of his possession-but they startled and mother's injunctions in making alliance with an
offended Richard.  "I may not be Carew's heiress. What with his two thousand pounds in
heir," said he, haughtily; "but I have some gold, and his inn, and his lucky mine, it was
power at Crompton, and I can exert it in your plain that the old man would have no despicable
fhther's favor."                            sum to leave behind him; and vet, to do RichHarry shook her head.  "I e wants for no- ard justice, this only formed an additional incenthing," she said, "that you can give him. He tive to a project upon which, at all events, he
is wealthier than you imagine.  He has two had long set his heart.  lie had resolved at all
thousand pounds in notes, for which he has no hazards to make the girl his wife. His love for
use; they lie in the strong-box in my room. her was as deep as it was passionate; and now
But there, I promised not to speak of that. "  that he was assured from her own lips of its be"I am not a burglar in disguise," said Rich- ing returned, his heart was filled with joy, and
ard, smiling, " and would make your father rich- spoke out of its abundance. It had been hitherer rather than rob him.  But why should he to his habit in that family circle round the barkeep so large a sum by him?"               parlor fire to play the part of listener rather than
"I do not know; but there it is, locked with of talker.  He had mainly confined himself to
a letter padlock which he made himself. No hu- the exhibition of an attentive interest in Soloman being can open it, he says, who does not mon's stories, or in his host's sagacious observaknow the secret."                           tions with respect to the investment of capital,
Richard was silent. Something else than love such as: "One couldn't be too cautious where
was occupying his thoughts, though his fingers one put one's money;" and, " Where the interest
were making marriage rings for themselves of was high the risk was great, and where it was
Harry's golden hair. It is like entertaining angels low it was not worth while to let it leave one's
unawares to find after one has fallen in love that hand." Next to the subject of local superstition,
it is with an heiress.                      "investment" was the favorite subject of debate
"Dear Harry," said he at last, "'I think I between Trevethick and "Sol;" and Richard,
shall take you from your father's willing hands; whose ignorance insured his impartiality, had
I have good hope of it, and better since I have been the judicious scale-holder between them.
heard you so despairing; but, at all events, you But upon the present occasion it was the young
will be mine. Let me hear those sweet lips say artist who led the talk and chose the matter. lie
so. Promise me, promise me, my darling, that told them of the splendors of Crompton and of
you will be my wife."                       the marvelous prodigality of its owner, and they
He caught and clasped her close, and she did listened with greedy ears. To vulgar natures,
not repulse him.                            the topic of mere wealth is ever an attractive




BRED IN THE BO.NE.                                   51
one, and in the present instance there was an ad-.  "That's just what I did mean, " said the old
(litional whet to appetite in the connection of man, frankly.  " Six months ago or so I made
CLarew with Gethin. He was naturally an object a certain proposition to the Squire, which would
of curiosity to his tenant Trevethick, and never have been exceedingly to his advantage to acbefore had the old man had the opportunity of cept-"
hearing at first hand of the eccentricities of the   "And not to yours?" interrupted Richard,
Squire.  In relating them Richard took good slyly.
care to show by implication on what intimate   "Nay, I don't say that, Sir," answered the
terms he stood with him, and hinted at the ob- other.  "But it was one that he ought to have
ligation under which he had put him by throwing been glad to accept in any case, and which it
his park gate open so opportunely. The impres- was downright madness in him to refuse, if he
sion which he left upon his audience, and desired wanted cash.  It was a chance, too, I will yento leave, was, that Carew was indebted to him  ture to say, that will never offer itself from any
for having saved his life.                  other quarter.  Mr. Whymper acknowledged
" Then it is likely the Squire would do any that himself."
thing for you that you chose to ask him?" ob-   "I know all about the matter, Mr. Treveserved Trevethick, with the thought of his own thick: the Squire behaved like the dog in the
debt to Solomon's father doubtless in his mind.  manger to you. He won't work the mine him" Well, he certainly ought to do so," answered self, nor yet let you work it."
Richard, carelessly; " but, on the other hand, it is   "For mercy's sake, be quiet!" cried the landnot very probable that I shall put him to the test. " lord, earnestly, and looking cautiously about him.
" Just so," returned Trevethick, sucking at his "If you know all about it, you need not let othpipe; " you're independent of the likes of him." ers know. What mine are you talking about?
" Altogether," was Richard's reply.       Give it a name-but speak it under your breath,
The old man spoke no more, but sat in a cloud man."  The old man leaned forward with a
of smoke and thought for the rest of the evening. white moist face, and peered into Richard's eyes
Even when " Sol" rose up to go-Harry having as though he would read his soul.
retired long since, for they kept very early hours   "Wheal Danes was the name of the place, if I
at the Gethin Castle-the landlord did not, as remember right," said Richard.  " Carew has a
usual, accompany him, but mixed himself anoth- notion that the Romans did not use it up, and
er glass of his favorite liquor. As for Richard, that it only wants capital to make it a paying
it was not his custom to seek his bed until after concern. It is one of his mad ideas, doubtless."
midnight; so Trevethick and he were left to one   Mr. John Trevethick was not by nature a
another's company.  It was an opportunity to quick appreciator of sarcasm, but he could not
which the latter had been looking forward for misunderstand the irony expressed in Richard's
many a day, but which he had never desired so words.
keenly as at that moment.                     " And is tlhat what you came down to Gethin
" Are you likely to be at Crompton soon about?" inquired he, with a sort of grim despair,
again?" inquired the landlord, pursuing the sub- which had nevertheless a comical effect.
ject of the evening's talk.                   Richard could only trust himself to nod his
"I have no intention of going there at pres- head assentingly.
ent," returned Richard.  "The fact is, Mr.   "Well," cried the other, striking the table
Trevethick, between ourselves, I am but a poor with his fist, " if I didn't think you was as deep
mlan in comparison with many of those I meet as the devil the very first day that I set eyes on
there, and their ways and habits are too expens- you! So you are Parson Whymper's man, are
ive for me."                                you?" And here, in default of language to ex" Ay! gambling and such like, I suppose?" press his sense of the deception that, as he supobserved the landlord, cunningly. "It is'Light posed, had been practiced on him, Mr. Trevecome light go' with the money of that sort of thick uttered an execration terrible enough for
folk, I reckon."                            a Cornish giant.
"Just so; and though my money comes light   "I am not Mr. Whymper's man at all," obenough-that is, I have not to earn it, since my served Richard, coolly.  " Mr. Whymper is may
mother makes me an allowance-I don't choose man-or at least he will be one day or another."
to risk it at the card-table."                "How so?" inquired the landlord, his eyes at
" Quite right, quite right, young gentleman," their full stretch, his mouth agape, and his neganswered the other, approvingly.  "But there lected pipe in his right hand.  "Who, in the
are some prudent gentry even at Crompton, I Fiend's name, are you?"
suppose.  Parson Whynrper, for instance, he   "I am the only son and heir of Carew of
don't gamble, do he?"                      Crompton," answered the young man, deliber" Certainly not; he is much too sagacious a ately.
man, even if he were rich enough, to play; but   " You?  Why, Carew never had a son," exfor hinm, indeed, some say the Squire would have claimed Trevethick, incredulously; "' leastways,
come to the end of his tether before this. He not a lawful one. He was married once to a
rmanages every thing at Crompton, as you know. " wench of the name of Hardcastle,'tis true; but
"And yet Carew don't want money?" said that was put aside."
the landlord, musing.                          "I tell you I am Carew's lawful son, never"W' ell, I have been his guest," returned Rich- theless, " persisted Richard.' "My mother was
ard, smiling; "and it is scarcely fair of me to privately married to him. Ask Parson Whyms;peak of his embarrassments.  He does not cer- per, and he will tell you the same. It is true
tainly want it so much but that he can still af- that my father has not acknowledged me, but I
ford to indulge his whims, Mr. Trevethick, if shall have my rights some day-and Wheal
thzat's what you mean,"                     Danes along with the rest."




52                              BRED IN THE BONE.
The news of the young man's paternity must there may be worth tens of thousands, hundreds
have been sufficiently startling to him who thus of thousands, millions!"  Never had the numerreceived it for the first time, and would, under ation table been invested with such significance.
any other circumstances, have doubtless excited Trevethick's giant frame shook with emotion;
his phlegmatic nature to the utmost; but what his eyes literally glared with greed.
concerns ourselves in even a slight degree is,   "You have been there since?" observed Richwith some of us, more absorbing than the most ard, interrogatively.
vital interests of another; and thus it was with   "Often, often," answered the other, hoarsely;
Trevethick.  The ambitious pretensions of his "I could not keep away.  But nobody else has
lodger sank into insignificance-notwithstanding been there. The place is dark and perilous;
that, for the moment, he believed in them; for there are rats, and bats, and eerie creatures all
how, unless he was what he professed to be, about it. And folks are afraid, because of the
could he know so much?-before the disappoint- Dead Hand and the Flame."
ment which had befallen himself in the overthrow    " lour hand and torch?"
of a long-cherished scheme.                    "Yes. I did my best to keep the place my
"Why, Mr. Whymper wrote me with his own; my thoughts were never absent from it for
own hand," growled he, "that in his judgment a day. And when I had earned a little money
the mine was worthless, and that he had done I put it by, and more to that, and more to that
all he could to persuade the Squire to sell. And again, till I had got enough to make a bid for the
yet you come down here to gauge and spy."   lease of the old mine. But Carew was under
" All stratagems are fair in war and business," age; so that fell through. I bided my time, and
answered the young man, smiling. "Come, Mr. bid again; not much-not enough, as I fondly
Trevethick; whatever reasons may have brought thought, to excite suspicion —but still what
me here, I assure you, upon my honor, that they would seem a good price for a disused pit. Then
do not weigh with me now, in comparison with I bid more and more; but Carew will neither
the great regard I feel for you and yours. If sell nor let; and my money grows and grows in
vou will be frank with me, I will also be so with vain. I tell you I have laid by a fortune only
you; and let me say this at the outset, that no- to pour into his hand. It is ready for him tothing which may drop from your lips shall be night; there would be no haggling, no asking
made use of to prejudice your interests. I have for time-it would be paid him in hard cash.
gathered this much for myself, that Wheal-"   How long, thought I, will this madman balk me
" Hush, Sir! for any sake, hush!" implored with his whim?  Ile will die some day in his
the landlord, earnestly, and holding up his huge cups, or break his neck in hunting, and I shall
hand for silence.  "Do not give it a name surely come in with my offer to his heir, and
again; there is some one moving above stairs."  have my way at last, and win my prize. But
"It is only Solomon," observed Richard, now, after all my patience and my pains, I am
quietly.                                    overmatched by a Parson and a Boy."  He
"I don't want Sol nor any other man alive to spoke with uncommon heat and passion-not
hear what we are talking about, Mr. Yorke," an- complainingly. Iis face was dark, and his tone
swered Trevethick, hoarsely.  "You have gath- violent, and even menacing.  There was no
ered for yourself, you were about to say, that the mistake about his having accepted his companmine is rich, and well worth what I have offered ion's invitation to be fiank.
for it."                                       "Mr. Trevethick," said Richard, gravely,
"And a good deal more," interrupted Rich- " your disappointment would be natural enough,
ard.  "Perhaps a hundred times, perhaps a if your long-cherished plan had really failed;
thousand times as much. We don't make so but you have misunderstood me altogether. I
close a secret of a matter without our reasons. am grateful to you for confiding to me the whole
We don't see Dead Hands, with flames of fire at of what I had already guessed in part; and you
the finger-tips, going up and down ladders that shall have no reason to repent your confidence.
don't exist, without the most excellent reasons, Your secret is safer now than it has ever been;
Mr. Trevethick.  What we wish no eye to see, for from my lips Mr. Whymper shall never have
nay, no ear to hear spoken of, is probably a sub- his suspicions with respect to Wheal Danes conject of considerable private importance to our- firmed. I have been too long your guest, I feel
selves. Come, we are friends here together; I myself too much the friend of you and yours, to
say again, let us be frank."                act in any way to your disadvantage."
Trevethick was silent for a little; he felt a   Trevethick looked at him inquiringly, suspilump rise in his throat, as though nature itself cion and disfavor glowing in his dusky face.
forbade him to disclose the secret he had kept so "But if your story is true, young gentleman,
long and so jealously guarded. "I have known this mine will be your own some day?"
it for these fifty years," he began, in a half-   "It may, or it may not be, Mr. Trevethick.
choking voice.  "I found it out as a mere lad, My father's intentions are not to be counted
when I went down into the old mine one day for upon, as you must be well aware, for twenty-four
sport, with some schoolmates. The vein lies in hours. But if ever Wheal Danes is mine-"
the lowest part of the old workings, at a depth Richard hesitated a m6ment, while the landthat we think nothing of nowadays, though it lord devoured him with his eves.
was too deep for the old masters of the pit. I   "Well," cried he, impatiently, "what then?"
remember, as though it was yesterday, how my    " I am willing to make over to you, as soon
heart leaped within me when my torch shone as I come of age, by deed, all interest that I may
upon it, and how I fled away, lest my school- have in it-on one condition."
fellows should see it also. I came back the next   "Make over Wheal Danes to me by deed!
day alone, to certify my great discovery. It is a What! at my own price?"
good vein, if ever there was one. The copper   " For nothing; you shall have it for a free gift,"




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    53
"But the condition?  What is it that you but-   Oh, here it is!"  He picked it up, and
want of me that is not money?"             replaced it in the hollow of his great silver watch.
"I want permission from you, Mr. Trevethick,   Richard, who was sitting where he had left
to wed, that is-for I would not speak of love him, looked up with a glance of careless inquiry.
without your leave-to woo your daughter."    "Good-night again, Mr. Trevethick."
"To wed my daughter!" cried Trevethick,   "Good-night, Sir."  And again the landlord
starting from his seat; "my Harry!"        smiled in his grim fashion.
" I say provided that my suit is not displeasing to her," answered Richard, not without a                ~
tremor in his voice, for the old man's face was
terrible to look upon. Hatred and Wrath were             CHAPTER XVIII.
struggling there with Avarice, and had the upper hand.                                                  BY MOONLIGHT.
lie rocked himself to and fro, then answered,   RICHARD sat over the fire, revolving his late
in a stifled voice, "My daughter's hand is al- conversation with Trevethick in his mind, and
ready promised, young man."                 picturing to himself what would probably come
"It may be so, Mr. Trevethick, but not by of it. Although the declaration of his love for
her, I think; and that her heart has not been Harry had been thus suddenly made, it had not
given to the man you have designed for her is been made unadvisedly. Though he had not excertain. You may see that for yourself."    pected the opportunity for stating it would have
"I tell you I have passed my word to Solo- offered itself so soon, he had planned his whole
mon Coe that she shall be his wife," returned the argument out beforehand, with Wheal Danes for
other, gl'oomily, " and I am not one to go back its pivot. And, upon the whole, he felt satisfied
from a bargain."                             with its effect upon his host. The latter had not
" One can only promise what is in one's power," surprised him (except by his frankness) in his
urged Richard; " your daughter's heart is not disclosure respecting the rich promise of the mine.
yours to give. In backing this man's suit you Richard's own observation, aided by the clew
have already redeemed your word to him. If which Parson Whymper's few chance sentences
he has failed to win her affections-and I think had given him, had convinced him that Wheal
he has-let me try my chance. I am a fitter Danes was a most coveted object in the landmatch for her in years; I am a gentlemar, and lord's eyes; and had it happened to have fallen
therefore fitter for her, for she is a true lady. I into his own hands, he did really suspect enough
love her a thousand times as much as he. As to have had it searched for ore from top to botfor Wheal Danes, I would give you twenty such, tom. Trevethick had therefore lost nothing by
if I had them, for the leave I ask for, and the his revelation (as his sagacity had doubtless foreend I hope for."                            seen), while he had made a very favorable imIt was curious to mark how the mere mention pression upon Richard by his candor. Cornish
of the mine by name affected the old man; his giants, thought the latter, might be rude and
wrath, which seemed on the very point of explo- brutal, but duplicity was foreign to their characsion, was checked and smoothed at once, like ter; it was not Blunderbore, but Jack the Giantraging waves by oil; his brow, indeed, was still killer, who dug pitfalls, and pretended to swallow
dark and frowning, but he resumed his seat, and what he only put in a bag.
listened, or seemed to listen, to Richard's im-   Trevethick had certainly shown strong disfavor
passioned pleading. His genuine feeling made the to the young man's suit, backed though it was by
young fellow eloquent, and gave a tender charm  such great pretensions; and it was evident that
to his always handsome face and winning tones. but for his hold upon him with respect to the
Perhaps even the unsympathetic Trevethick mine, Richard would not have been listened to
was really somewhat touched; at all events, he so patiently. However, his mouth had not been
did not interrupt him, but when he had quite peremptorily closed at once (as he had expected
finished took out his watch, and said, in a soft- it would have been), which was a great point
ened tone: " The hour is late, Mr. Yorke, and gained, and the longer the old man took to think
you have given me much to think about, to which about the matter the more, likely was self-interI can not reply just now. Your communication est to gain the day with him.  Supposing Richhas taken me altogether by surprise. I will an- ard's representations to have been correct, he
swer neither' Yes' nor' No' at present.  Good- was certainly " a better match" for Harry than
night, Sir."  He nodded, which was his usual Solomon was; and he had no apprehension of
salute at parting; but upon the young man's their being refuted. Trevethick would in all
eagerly stretching out his hand, he took it readi- probability write to Mr. Whymper to inquire into
ly enough, and gave it such a squeeze with his the truth of them-but what then?  He would
giant fingers as made Richard wince. Then, certainly make no reference to the mine; and as
smiling grimly, he retired.                 to Richard being Carew's lawful son, had not the
As his heavy step toiled up stairs Richard chaplain himself (whom he could count on as a
perceived a slip of paper on the floor, which had friend to say all that was to his advantage beapparently fluttered out of the old man's watch- sides) admitted that, in his eyes, he was born in
case. Upon it were written the three letters, B, honest wedlock? At all events, there would be
N, Z. As he held it in his hand he heard the ample excuse for his having taken such a view of
landlord's tread returning with unusual haste, the case; while, as to his prospects, he had frankand had only just time to replace the paper, face ly confessed that he was, for the present, undownward, on the sanded floor, before the other acknowledged by the Squire. So long, in fact,
reappeared.                                 as he could keep up the pretense of influence,
"I have dropped a memorandum, some- either present or contingent, atCrompton, he felt
where," said lhe. " It is of no great consequence, his position with Trevethick tolerably secure.




it4                             BRED IN TIIE BONE.
In all this scheme of dark deceit his love for but not before he had recognized his Harry;
Harry was interwoven like a golden thread, and and, closing the inn door softly behind him, lhe
amidst all his plots and plans her glorious face started after her like an arrow from the bow.
would suddenly rise unbidden, and charm him    The scene of this pursuit was strange and
from them.  He had long since resolved to win weird enough, had Richard possessed eyes for
her, but the late avowal of her love for him, and any thing but the object of it. The sky was
now his partial success to gain her father's favor, without a cloud, and the sea-which showed on
seemed to have made her his own already. How its cold blue surface a broad and shining path
beautiful she had looked that day upon the tower, where the moon-beams lay —without a ripple.
with the sunlight on her hair!  How fresh and On shore there was even less of motion. The
guileless were her ways! Her very weaknesses bramble that threw its slender shadow on the
were lovable, and the cause of love. How touch- road moved not a twig. Nature, green and pale,
ing was her simple faith in omens, and how pleas- seemed to be cast in an enchanted sleep' and even
ant to combat it, his arm about her dainty waist, to suspend her breathing. From the point Richllas though to protect her from the shadow of ard had reached he could see the road stretching
harm! How pitiful her fear of her gruff father, for a full mile, like a white ribbon, save in the
and of this Cornish Solomon; and how sweet to middle, where it dipped between high banks.
calm it, kissing her tears away! Once more his It led to Turlock only, but at this place a footloving arms embraced her-once more his lips path struck across the fields to the Fairies' Bowtouched her warm cheeks-when a sudden noise er. To his astonishment, though indeed he had
awakened him from his dream of bliss.       scarcely capacity enough for further wonder,
The parlor fire had long gone out.  It was Harry took this path; he saw her climb the
warm for the time of year; but had it been oth- stile, and then for the first time look round; he
erwise he would not have replenished it.  The sank under the hedge, to hide himself; and when
candles, too, had burned out, and the moon-beams he cautiously looked forth again the girl had
were streaming through the window; but had it vanished.  But he knew whither she was going
been dark he would scarce have been aware of now. He had assisted her across that very stile
it. The house had long ago been hushed in re- but a few days ago; he had walked with her
pose, and vet Richard felt certain that he had through the hazel copse, and skirted the clear
heard a movement in the passage.            trout-stream by her side; and he could follow
A stealthy step, yet not that of thief or bur- her now at utmost speed, and with less caution,
glar; a fairy footfall, rather, which was music for the path was green and noiseless. He could
to his ear.  His heart leaped up to tell him that hear his heart beat-not from want of breathon the other side of the door was Harry Treve- as though in accord with the silver treble of the
thick. He held his breath, and trembled-not stream, as he sped along. Through the scanty
for fear. Was it possible that, knowing he was foliage of the dell he saw her light dress gleam
sitting there alone, she had come down of her across the wooden bridge, but he himself stopped
own choice to bear him company? Had her fa- beside it, peering through the lattice of the
ther told her something-some glad tidings branches upon her as she stood on the green
which she could not keep from her lover even for bank of the Wishing-Well.
a night? Or, filled with sweet dreams of him, as   Never had moon-beams shone upon a sight
he of her, had she risen in her sleep, and been more fair. Harry was attired as she had been
drawn involuntarily toward him by the loadstone on the previous evening, except that she wore a
of love? But-hark! The bolt that fastened shawl, which also served her as head-gear, like a
the house-door was softly drawn, and the latch hood. This she now unfastened, and taking out
gently lifted. What could that mean? Why the pin that had joined it together, held it above
was she thus going forth alone, and clandestine- the well, which showed, as in a mirror, her leanly, at midnight?  His heart beat faster than ing face and curving form, her wealth of hair,
ever. For an instant all that he had read or her frightened yet hopeful eyes, and the rise and
heard from his wild companions, and what he fall of her bosom, filled with anxiety and superhad himself believed until he came to Gethin, of stitious awe. She had come to test her futurethe wiles and inconstancy of woman, flashed to foresee her fate-at Gethin Wishing-Well.
upon his mind. Had he, bred in the town, and For an instant she poised the pin, her lips at the
familiar with all the ways of vice, been flattered same time murmuring some simple charm-then
and hoodwinked by a country wanton? Impos- dropped it into the well's clear depths, and
sible. For, though there were no virtue in the watched it fall. As she did so, another figure
world, he felt assured that Harry loved him, and seemed to glide upon the liquid mirror, at the
him alone. She must be walking in her sleep. sight of which she clasped her hands and trenmSoftly, but very swiftly, he left the parlor, and bled. Superstitious as she was, Harry had only
hurried to the front-door.  It was closed, but half expected that her foolish curiosity would be
unfastened. He opened it, and looked out. All actually gratified.  Moved by the avowal of
was as light as day, and yet so different. Every Richard's love that morning, the obstacles to
object in the street, every stone in the cottage which seemed to her so formidable, she had
opposite, stood out distinct and clear, but bathed wished to see her future husband, to know how
in a pale and ghostly atmosphere. T'he distant fate would decide between him she loved and
murmur of the sea came to him like the sigh of him whom her father had chosen for her, and yet
one just freed from pain. Nothing else was to she was terrified now that that which she had
be heard; no human tread disturbed the mid- desired was vouchsafed her. She scarcely dared
night stillness; but along the winding road that to look upon yonder shadowy form, although its
led to Turlock he caught the far-off flutter of a presence seemed to assure her of the fulfillment
woman's dress. She was going at rapid speed, of her dearest wish. It was the counterfeit preand the next moment had turned the corner, sentment of Richard Yorke himself; barehead



BRED IN THE BONE.                                    55
ed, just as she had seen him last in the bar par- bird in the copse had made a rustling in the unlor, but with heightened color, an eager smile, derwood, but her fears gave it a human shape.
and a loving gratitude in his eyes, which seemed What if Sol should have followed them thither,
to thank her for having thus summoned him be- as Richard had followed her! What if her fafore her. The figure was at light angles from  ther should have heard her leave his roof, as
her own, but the face was turned toward her. Richard had, or should miss her from it-and
She gazed upon it intently, looking for it to faint -oh shame! - miss him!' "Home! home!"
and fade, since its mission had been accom- shecried. "Letmegohome." Andshelooked
plished. She even drew back a little, as though sowild with fright that he durst not hinder her.
to express content, yet there was the vision still, Hardly could he keep pace with her along the
a glorious picture in its fair round frame of moss winding path, with such frantic speed she ran.
and greenery. Supposing it should remain there At the stile she forbade him to accompany her
(her pale face flushed at the thought) indelibly and farther.
forever, to tell the secret of her heart to all the   "What! leave you to walk alone, and at such
world! Then a whisper, that seemed to tremble an hour, my darling?" It was nearly two o'clock.
beneath its freight of love, whispered, " Harry!   "Why not?" she cried, turning upon him
Harry!" and she looked up, and saw the sub- fiercely.  " I am afraid of none but you, and of
stance of the shadow, her lover, standing upon those whom I should love, but of whom you
the little wooden bridge!                  make me afraid."  Then up the white road she
Though Folly be near kin to Vice, she does glided like a ghost.
not acknowledge the relationship, and, to do   Richard watched her with anxious eyes as
Harry Trevethick justice, she would never have long as he could, then sat upon the stile, a prey
made a midnight assignation with Richard in the to apprehensions.  To what dangers might he
Fairies' Bower.  She was more alarmed and not have already exposed her by his inconsidershocked at the too literal fulfillment of her wish ate pursuit! Suppose some eye had seen them on
than pleased to see him there.  She shed tears their way, or should meet her now on her return!
for very shame.  Whatever reserve she had Suppose her own fears should prove true, and
hitherto maintained, with respect to her affection her father had already discovered their absence!
for hirq, had now, she perceived, been swept His thoughts were loyally occupied with Harry
away by her own act. The scene to which he alone; but the peril to himself was considerable.
had just been an unsuspected witness was more It was impossible that he could satisfactorily exthan equivalent to a mere declaration of love: plain his companionship with the inn-keeper's
it was a leap-year offer of her hand and heart. daughter at such a place and hour. The truth
She had no strong-hold of Duty left to which to would never be believed, even if it could be rebetake herself, nor even a halting-place, such as lated. She had got home by this time; but had
cov maidens love to linger at a little before they she done so unobserved?  Otherwise, it was
murmur, "I am yours."                       more than probable that he should find two
There was nothing left her but revilings. She Cornish giants waiting, if not "to grind his
poured upon him a torrent of contumely, re- bones to make their bread," at least to break
proaching him for his baseness, his cowardice, them  with their cudgels.  In their eyes he
his treachery in tracking her hither, like a spy, would seem to have been guilty of a deliberate
to overhear a confession that should have been seduction, the one of his daughter, the other of
sacred with him of all men. Whatever that con- his destined bride. Yet, not to return to Gethin
fession might have been-and, to say truth, so in such a case would be worse than cowardice,
utterly possessed had she been by her passion- since his absence would be sure to be associated
ate hopes, her loving yearnings, that she knew  with Harry's midnight expedition. He had hithnot what she had merely felt, what uttered aloud erto only despised this Trevethick and his friend,
-she now retracted it; she had no tenderness but now, since he feared them, he began to hate
for eaves-droppers, for deceivers, for-she did not them.  Bodily discomfort combined with his
know what she was saying-for wicked young mental disquietude. For the first time he felt
men. Above all things it seemed necessary to the keenness of the moonlit air, and shivered in
be in a passion; to be as irritated and bitter it, notwithstanding the hasty strides which he
against him as possible. The copiousness of her now was taking homeward. Upon the hill-top
vocabulary of abuse surprised herself, and she he paused, and glanced about him. All was as it
did not shrink from tautology. She only stopped had been when he set out; there was no sign of
at last for want of breath, and even then, as change nor movement. The inn, with its drawnthough she knew how dangerous was silence, she down blinds, seemed itself asleep.  The frontbemoaned herself with sobs and sighs.       door had been left ajar, doubtless by Harry; he
Then Richard, all tenderness and submission, pushed his way in, and silently shut it to, and
explained his presence there; showed how little shot the bolt; then he took of his boots, and
he was to blame in the matter, and, indeed, how  walked softly up stairs in his stockinged feet.
there was neither blame nor shame to be attached He knew that there was at least one person in
to either of them; spoke of his late interview  that house who was listening with beating heart
with her father, gilding it with brightest hopes, for every noise.
and cited the marvelous attributes of the Wish-   The ways of clandestine love have been justly
ing-Well itself in support of his position.  IIe described as "full of cares and troubles, of fears
felt himself already her affianced husband; the and jealousies, of impatient waiting, tediousness
question of their union had become only one of of delay, and sufferance of affronts, and amazetime. She was listening to him now, and had ments of discovery;" and though Richard Yorke
suffered him to kiss her tears away, when sud- had never read those words of our great English
denly she started from his embrace with a muf- divine, he had already begun to exemplify them,
fled cry of terror. Some movement of beast or and was doomed to prove them to the uttermost.




56                              BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER XIX.                  | ther, went his plans for the future. Hie knew
that his mother would not refuse to offer them a
RICHARD BUYRNrS HIS BOATS.          home, even if his wife should come to him empIT was strange enough that day after day and ty-handed; and the more he humored the old
week after week went by without John Treve- man, and abstained from demanding a decision,
thick making any reference to the application when it was clear the other preferred to procrashis guest had made for his daughter's hand. tinate, the better favor he would have with him,
His silence certainly seemed to favor it; and the and consequently the better chance of gaining a
more so since, notwithstanding what he knew, dowry with his daughter.  Even if he should
he put no obstacles in the way of the young peo- press matters, it was probable, he reasoned, that
ple's meeting and enjoying each other's society Trevethick had no decisive reply to give him.
as heretofore.  Perhaps he had too strong a IIe had doubtless written to Mr. Whymper, and
confidence in Harry's sense of duty, or in the learned all that Richard had already divulged
somewhat more than filial fear in which she to him-and no more; that is to say, that he
stood of him. Perhaps Richard's prudent and was, though an unacknowledged offspring of the
undemonstrative behavior toward the girl in the Squire, in a very different position, at all events,
presence of others deceived him.  But, at all toward him than that of a mere natural son.
events, the summer came and still found Richard Trevethick could not have heard less-that is,
under the same roof with Harry, and more like less to his advantage-or he certainly would not
one of the family than ever. Tourists of the have kept silence for so long.
young man's own position in life, and even of   Such was the state of affairs at Gethin. Harthe same profession, began to visit Gethin, and ry with her two suitors; her father with his two
of course "put up" at the Castle, but he found expectant sons-in-law, each of whom had more
nothing so attractive in their company as to or less of reason for his expectation. Though
withdraw him from that homely coterie in the Richard might be satisfied with it, it was clear
bar parlor for a single evening. He was always it could not last forever-nor for long. The
made welcome there by both his host and Solo- day on which the change took place, though it
mon; and without doubt, so far as the former was in no wise remarkable in other respects, he
wvas concerned, a less sanguine man than the never forgot: every incident connected with it,
young landscape-painter might have considered though disregarded at the time, impressed itself
that his suit was tacitly acceded to.       upon his mind, to be subsequently dwelt upon a
Even Harry herself —to whom her father's thousand times. It might have been marked in
conduct was surprising enough-had come at the hitherto sunny calendar of his life as the
last to this conclusion. Only one thing militated  "Last day of Thoughtless Gayety. Here Love
against this pleasant view of affairs-it was cer- and Pleasure end."
tain that the old man had not yet opened his   It was fine weather, and there were more
lips to " Sol" upon the matter. It was clear that tourists at the inn than could be accommodated,
the miner still considered himself in the light of so Richard had given up his private sitting-room
Harry's accepted suitor. As a lover, he was to their temporary use. This, however, did not
fortunately phlegmatic, and did not demand throw him more in Harry's society than usual,
those little tributes of affection in the shape of since their presence naturally much occupied her
smiles and whispers, secret glances, silent press- time. He had not, indeed, seen her since the
ures, which his position might have exacted; mid-day meal which he had taken in the bar
but he would now and then pay her a blundering parlor; but she had promised, if she could get
compliment in a manner that could not be mis- away, to call for him at a certain spot where he
interpreted, or even make some direct allusion had gone to sketch-the church-yard on the hill.
to their future settlement in life, which embar- The attraction of the castled rock was such that
rassed her still more. The young girl, as we few visitors sought the former spot, notwithhave hinted, was by no means incapable of dis- standing its picturesque and wild position. How
simulation, but she naturally revolted against the church maintained itself on that elevated and
having to support such a role as this, and would unsheltered hill, despite such winds as swept it
have even run the risk of precipitating what might in the winter, was almost a miracle: but there
have been a catastrophe by undeceiving him. it stood-as it had done for centuries-gray, solBut Richard bade her have patience.  He had itary, sublime. It was of considerable size, but
strong reasons, if they were not good ones, for small in comparison with its God's-acre, which
being well satisfied with the present state of af- was of vast extent, and only sparsely occupied by
fairs.  In love, notwithstanding much savage graves. The bare and rocky moor was almost
writing to the contrary, it is the woman who suf- valueless; it is as easy for one duly qualified to
fers; it is she who is the small trader, who can consecrate a square mile as an acre; and the
least afford to wait, while man is the capitalist. materials of the low stone wall that marked its
Richard saw no immediate necessity for pressing limits had. been close at hand. In one or two
the matter of his marriage, upon which his heart spots only did the dead lie thickly; where shipwas, nevertheless, as deeply set as ever. He wrecked mariners -the very names of whom
would not (to do him justice) have been parted were unknown to those who buried them-were
from his Harry now for all the wealth of Carew. interred; and where the victims of the Plague
But he was not parted from her, and he did not reposed by scores. Even Gethin had not escaped
wish to risk even a temporary separation by any the ravages of that fell scourge; and, what was
act of impetuosity. Living was cheap as well as very singular, had suffered from it twice over;
pleasant at the Gethin Castle, and it was of im- for, on the occasion of an ordinary burial having
portance to husband his funds-to reserve as taken place many generations after the first camuch of his resources as he could for the ex- lamity, in the same spot, the disease had broken
penses of his honey-moon. So far, and no far- forth afresh, and scattered broadcast in the little




BRED IN TIlE BONE.                                   57
hamlet ancient death. The particulars of the    "I hear you say so," was the other's grim recatastrophe, so characteristic of this home of ply; " but I shall be better pleased to hear you
antique legend and hoary ruin, were engraven on prove it."
a stone above the spot, which had never since   "Prove what?"
been disturbed.                                " Two things-that you are not a bastard, nor
In a lone corner, as though seeking in its hu- a pauper."
mility to be as distant from the sacred edifice as   Richard leaped down from the wall with a
possible, was a quaint old cross. It was prob- fierce oath; and for a moment it really seemed
ably not so old by half a dozen centuries as the that he would have flung himself against his gigrave-mounds on the rock where the ruined cas- gantic opponent, like a fretful wave against a
tie stood, but it seemed even older, because there rock of granite.
were words cut in its stone in a tongue that was   Trevethick uttered an exclamation of conno longer known to man. Seated on the low  tempt.  "Pick up your sketch-book, young
wall beside it, Richard was transferring to his man, or one of those pretty pictures will be
sketch-book this relic of the past in his usual in- spoiled by which you gain your bread. You've
termittent manner-now gazing out upon the far- acted the fine gentleman at Gethin very well,
stretching sea, here blue and bright, there shad- but the play is over now."
owed by a passing cloud; now down into the    " I don't understand you, Mr. Trevethick. If
village, which stood on a lower hill, with a ra- you must needs be insolent, at all events, be exvine between. He had seen the post-cart come plicit. You have miscalled me by two namesand go-for it came in and went out simulta- Bastard and Pauper. Who has put those lies
neously at that out-of-the-way hamlet, where into your mouth, the taste of which you seem to
there was no one to write complainingly to the relish so?"
papers concerning the inefficiency of the mail   Trevethick reached forth his huge hand, and
service-and it was almost time for Harry to seized the other's shoulder with a gripe of steel.
come and fetch him, as she had appointed. But It seemed to compress bone and sinew as in a
presently the reason for her absence made itself vice; the arm between them was as a bar of
apparent in the person of her father. It was iron. Richard felt powerless as a child, and
not unusual for old Trevethick, at the close of could have cried like a child-not from pain,
the day, to call at the cottage in the ravine, though he was in great pain, but from vexation
which the guide to the ruin inhabited in the and rage.  It was maddening to find himself
summer months, and see how business was do- thus physically subjugated by one whom he so
ing in that quarter. If he had no eye for the utterly despised.
picturesque, he had a very sharp one for the    "Keep a civil tongue in your head, cockshillings which were made out of it; and Rich- sparrow," growled the giant, "lest I wring your
anrd was not surprised to see the landlord de- neck. You're a nice one to talk of lying; you,
scending the opposite hill.  "This will keep with your tales of son and heirship to the Squire,
Harry at home; confound him!" muttered the and your offers of copper-mines for the asking!
young man to himself, and then resumed his oc- Who told me how I had been fooled?  Why,
cupation. As there was now no one to watch Carew himself! You thought I should write to
for, he worked with more assiduity, and with the parson, eh?"
such engrossment in his subject that he was first   Richard certainly had thought that he would
made conscious that he was not alone by the have written to the parson, but he strove to look
sudden presence of a shadow on his sketch-book. as calm and free from disappointment as he
He looked up, not a little startled, and there was could, as he replied: " It was quite indifferent
John Trevethick standing beside him, his huge to me to whom you wrote, Mr. Trevethick.
form black against the sun.                 There was only one account to give of my af"You may well be frightened, young gentle- fairs; and it was the same I had already given
man," were his first ominous words; " it is only to you. I told you that my father did not choose
a guilty conscience that starts at a shadow."    to acknowledge me for the present, and I have
Richard had a guilty conscience; and yet the no doubt that your questioning him upon the
remark that was thus addressed to him, uncon- matter has made him very bitter against me;
ciliatory, if not directly hostile, as it was, rather the more so because he is well aware that he is
reassured him than otherwise.               fighting against the truth; he knows that he was
Trevethick's presence there, for he had never married to my mother in a lawful way, and that
made pretense of seeking Richard's society for I am the issue of that marriage. It is true that
its own sake-was of evil augury; his tone and technical objections have been raised against it,
manner were morose and threatening; his swarthy but his own conscience warns him that they are
face was full of pent-up wrath; and yet it was worthless. Mr. Whymper will tell you the same."
obvious to the other that the secret was yet safe,   " Never you mind Mr. Whymper," said the
the divulging of which he had most cause to fear. landlord, gruffly, but at the same time relaxing
Had it been otherwise there would have been no his grasp upon the young man's shoulder; "the
mere thunder-cloud, but a tornado.  " The post parson needs all his cleverness to take care of
has brought some ill news from Crompton," was himself in this matter, and will have no helping
what flashed across the young man's brain; and hand to spare for you. The Squire is in a pretty
the thought, though sufficiently uncomfortable, temper with you both, I promise you. Here's
was a relief compared with that he had first en- his letter, if you'd like to see what he says of you
tertained, and which had driven the color from  in black and white; not that there's much white
his cheeks.                                 in it, egad!"
"I have no cause to be frightened, that I   It was a custom of the Squire of Crompton,
know of, either of you or any other man, Mr. unconsciously plagiarized from the Great NapoTreve+et,:k," observed Lichard, haughtily.  leon, to let all letters addressed to hinm in an un



58                              BRED IN THE BONE.
familiar hand answer themselves.  They were stated them to you one whit. That my father is
not destroved, but lay for weeks or months un- furious with me is clear enough; that is, because
opened, until the fancy seized him to examine he is in the wrong, and feels it. HIe is angry,
their contents.  He made, it was true, a gallant you see, even with Mr. Whymper, because he
exception in the case of those whose superscrip- knows that his view of my case is such as I detion seemed to promise a lady correspondent; scribed to you. I confessed from the first that
but that had not been the case with the commu- my interest at Crompton was a contingent one.
nication from Trevethick, and hence the long in- You are treating me with great injustice, Mr.
terval that had elapsed before it-was attended Trevethick."
to. Trevethick's business letters had hitherto,   "What! Have you so much brass left as to
as was the case with all tenants of Crompton say that?  You, that have asked my permission
estate, been addressed to the chaplain only, so to pay court to my daughter, under the pretense
that he was unaware of this peculiarity of Ca- that you were a fine gentleman, independent at
rew, and had naturally construed his silence into present, and the heir-presumptive to one of the
a tacit admission of the truth of Richard's state- richest commoners in the kingdom! How durst
ment.                                       you do it?  You vagabond! you scoundrel!"
If force of language and bitterness of tone    " You will be sorry for having said those
could have made up for his previous neglect, the words some day," said Richard, hoarsely; he was
Squire's letter was an apology in itself. It was choking with rage, and yet it was necessary to
short, but sharp and decisive.  "The grain of restrain himself.  He felt that this man would
truth," he wrote, "among the bushel of lies that presently forbid him his house-would separate
this young gentleman has told you is, that he him from his Harry forever; and that would be
was once a guest under my roof-I forget wheth- like tearing out his heart-strings. Always audaer for two nights or three. He will never be cious, there was nothing that he was not now
there again-neither now nor after I am in my prepared to say or do to avert this. " I tell you,
box" (this was the Squire's playful way of allud- Mr. Trevethick, this letter is full of lies, or rathing to the rites of sepulture). " He has no more er it is written by a madman. I am not a basclaim upon me than any other of my bastards-  tard; I am not a pauper.  I have an independof whom I have more than I know of-and in ence of my own, though, indeed, it is small coInfact less, for I may have deceived their mothers, pared with my expectations. My mother makes
whereas his played a trick on me. As to his me a good allowance. I am a gentleman, and I
expectations from me, I can only tell you this have a right to be listened to by any man, when
much, that I expect he will come to be hanged; I ask leave to be his daughter's lover."
as for interest, whatever he may have with my    "Let us leave alone your gentility, Sir, and
son of a she-dog of a chaplain, he has none with your mother's allowances," sneered the landlord,
me; and as for money, so far as I know, he is "since there is no means of gauging either the
a pauper, and likely to remain so as long as he one or the other. As for your independent
lives." There were other sentences spurted from  property-I don't believe you have a hundred
the volcano of the Squire's wrath, but to the pounds in the world; but it is easy enough to
same effect.                                prove that I am mistaken there. Let me see
"A nice letter of recommendation, truly, and the money down. Show me your three or four
from his own father, of the young gentleman who thousand pounds in gold, or notes that I know,
asked me for my daughter's hand!" growled for I must needs be particular with so clever a
Trevethick.  "You ought to be thankful to get young gentleman; notes of the Bank of Enout of Gethin with whole bones. If'Sol' was gland, or of the Miners' Bank at Plymouth.
to come to know of what you asked of me, I Let me hold them in my hand, and then I shall
would not answer for even so much as that, I feel that you are speaking the truth. At prespromise you."                               ent, I tell you faiilly, that if I saw a check of
"'$Sol' might have known of it had you not yours, I should look upon it as so much waste
chosen to keep it from him, for reasons best paper until I also saw it honored."
known to yourself," said Richard, quietly. "You    "Three thousand pounds is a large sum, Mr.
have taken some time to make up your mind be- Trevethick," said Richard, thoughtfully.
tween us."                                     " Let us say two, then," returned the landlord,
Trevethick winced; for the promise of the mockingly.  "Sell out two thousand pounds of
young man's interest with respect to Wheal this independent fortune of yours, that has been
Danes had, in fact, been the bait which had invested in the Deep Sea Cockle Mine, or in detempted him to temporize so long. He had nev- bentures of the Railway in the Air. Let me see
er meant to give his daughter to Richard; but but two thousand pounds, Mr. Richard Yorke,
he had hoped to reap an advantage, present or and then —and not before-may you open your
future, out of the implied intention; nor did he lips to me again respecting my daughter Harry."
know even yet in what relation Richard stood He turned upon his heel with a bitter laugh;
with Parson Whymper.                        while Richard, as white as the sketch-book he
"At all events, it's made up now," answered still held in his hand, remained speechless. A
the landlord, curtly.                       perilous thought had taken possession of his
"'This letter has caused you to decide against mind-a thought that it would have been better
me, then?"                                 for him to have dropped down there dead than
"'That letter? Well, of course it has. Not to have entertained, but it grew and grew apace
that there ain't a heap of other reasons; but within him like a foul weed.  Had his life of
that one's enough, I should think, even for you." selfish pleasure angered the long-suffering gods,
" It is just such a letter as I should have ex- and, having resolved upon his ruin, were they
pected Carew to pen," observed Richard, coolly, already making him mad?  He ran after the
"and does not alter the facts of the case as I old man, who did not so much as turn to look




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   59
behind him, though he could not but have heard But you will keep yourself to yourself, if you
his rapid steps.  " Mr. Trevethick, I will do it," please, in the mean time. The bar parlor will
he gasped out.                             no longer be open to you, until you have proved
"Do what?" said the other, contemptuously, your right to be there. And I don't mean to
striding on. " Go hang yourself, or jump off promise any thing certain by that, neither; but
Gethin rock into the sea?"                what with your fast talking and fine speaking
" I will get you the money that you speak of-  I'm all in a buzz. "
the two thousand pounds. You shall have it in   Honest John Trevethick did not, indeed, know
your hand, and keep it for that matter, if you what to think, what to believe, or what to proplease."                                   pose to himself for the future. His brain, unacm
" What?" Unutterable astonishment stared customed to much reflection, and dulled by pretout from the landlord's face. For the first time ty frequent potations, was fairly muddled. Most
since the receipt of Carew's letter he began to dis- heartily did he wish that this young landscapecredit its contents. If this young fellow had real- painter had never set foot in Gethin; but yet
ly the immediate command of so large a sum, he could not make up his mind to summarily
there was probably much more "behind him." eject him. Upon the whole, he was almost as
He must either have a fortune in his own right, glad to temporize in the matter as Richard was
or if Carew had settled such a sum of money on himself.
him. he must have had a reason for it-the very   In point of fact, Richard Yorke had won the
reason Richard had assigned. And if so, Wheal battle, and was for the present master of the
Danes might be his to dispose of even yet. But field; but what a struggle it had been, and at
Trevethick was not the man to hint a doubt of what a loss he had obtained the victory, you
his foregone conclusions.  "You have not got might have read in his white face and haggard
this money in your pocket, have you?" said he, eyes.  As to whether it would be possible to
with a short dry laugh.                    hold the advantage he had gained was a prob" No, Sir; but I can get a check for it from  lem he had yet to solve.  He had committed
my mother, in course of post."             himself to a policy which might-nay, very prob"A check!" cried the other, contemptuously, ably would-succeed; but if it should fail, there
all his suspicions returning with tenfold force. would be no escape from utter ruin. He had
"I would not give one penny for such a check." burned his boats, and broken down the bridge
"I will get it changed myself, Mr. Treve- behind him.
thick, at Plymouth. The post has gone, but I              -
will write to-morrow, and within the week-"
" You shall not stay here a week, nor another         CHAPTER XX.
twenty-four hours," roared Trevethick.  " I
have been made a fool of long enough. I will           ON T H E B R I N K.
not listen to another word."                 Fon four more days, Richard Yorke continued
But he did listen, nevertheless.  No longer at the Gethin Castle-to outward appearance, in
hampered by vague fears and difficulties, with the same relation with the landlord and his famwhich he knew not how to grapple, but with a ily as before, but in reality on a totally different
distinct plan of operations before him, Richard's footing. Trevethick had not found it practicable
eloquence was irresistible. Deceit, if not habit- to exclude his late guest from the bar parlor;
ual with him, had been practiced too often to he could not do so without entering into an exlack the gloss of truth from his ready tongue. planation with its other tenants, which he was not
He actually had a scheme for procuring the sum  prepared for, or without devising some excuse
in question, and when he possessed confidence far beyond his powers.  Notwithstanding his
himself, it was rarely, indeed, that he failed to bluff ways, he could tell a lie without moving a
inspire it in others. For the second time, the muscle; but he was incapable of any such amlandlord of the Gethin Castle found himself in bitious flight of deceit as the present state of afdoubt; he was staggered by the positiveness of fairs demanded.  He had, indeed, no aptitude
the young man's assertions, and by the force and for social diplomacy of any kind, and suffered
flow of his glowing words. In spite of himself, his change of feeling toward the young landhe began once more to think that he might have scape-painter to appear so plainly that even the
been mistaken in condemning him as an impos- phlegmatic Solomon observed it. He was rathtor, after all; as Richard had said, Carew was er pleased than otherwise to do so. IHe had
scarcely sane, and when excited by wrath, a acquiesced in the hospitality with which Richard
downright madrlman. His resolves, too, were as had been treated, but without the slightest symuntrustworthy and fickle as the winds. Treve- pathy with it; and, in fact, he had no sympathick felt tolerably convinced that the money thies save those which were connected with his
would, at all events, be forthcoming; and the personal interests. It was evident enough that
sum-large in itself-seemed the earnest of much his father-in-law elect had had some reasons of
more. Last, but not least, there were the possi- his own-probably in relation to the property he
bilities in connection with the mine. If he broke held under Carew-for conciliating this young
altogether with Richard, and turned him out of gentleman; and " Sol" had taken it for granted
his house outright, might not his first act be to they were good, that is, substantial, ones. If
reveal to Parson Whymper, in revenge, all that these reasons no longer existed, the sooner this
he knew about Wheal Danes!                 young gentleman was got rid of the better. It
"Well, weil, you shall stay at Gethin, then, was true he had behaved himself very civilly;
till your check comes, young gentleman," said but his presence among them had been, on the
he, in a tone that was meant to be conciliatory. whole, oppressive. "Sof" rather chafed at Rich" I don't wish to be uncivil to any man, and cer- ard's social superiority, though it was certainly
tainly not to one who has been my guest so long. never intruded, and, at all events, he preferred




60                              BRED IN THE BONE.
the society of his own class, among whom he felt presenting themselves to the old man's mind.
himself qualified to take the lead. But the idea True, he had promised his daughter to Solomon,
of jealousy had never entered into his mind. In and would much rather have had him for a sonhis eves Richard was a mere boy, whose years, in-law; but there were unquestionably great adas well as his position in life, precluded him  vantages in the position of this other claimant.
from any serious intentions with respect to Har- Trevethick was not quite the slave to gratitude
ry, whom, moreover, Solomon regarded as his which he had professed himself to be, with rebetrothed. If he had been married to her, he spect to Coe's father.  He did feel sincerely
would certainly have forbidden her "gadding grateful; but he had himself exaggerated the
about" so much with this young fellow; but at feeling, with the very intention of making Harry
present she was under her father's rule, and the understand that her fate was fixed. IIe had not
old man knew very well what he was about. He been blind to the fact, that from the first she had
was glad that there now seemed a prospect, to never regarded "Sol" with favor as a suitor,
judge from the latter's manner, that the lad's and it was still possible to break off the match
intimacy with Harry, and the family generally, without disgrace, upon the ground of her disinwas about to end; but it might have lasted clination to it. Above all, perhaps, he was actsix months longer without " Sol's" opening his uated by the apprehension that Richard, if remouth about it, so prudently had Richard played fused a hearing, would disclose the secret of
his cards - so irreproachably behaved " before Wheal Danes, and wreck the scheme upon which
folk."                                      his heart had been set for near half a century.
Solomon went, as usual, daily to look after af- One word from him would divert the unsuspectfairs at Dunloppel, but Trevethick remained ed wealth, over which he had so long gloated in
within doors, under pretense that the influx of anticipation, into another's hand. But he did
guests, which was in fact considerable, demand- not like the young man better for the precious
ed his presence. He took care that Richard and knowledge which he alone shared with him;
Harry should have no opportunity of meeting far otherwise; he hated him for it, and, without
alone throughout the day; while in the evening being a murderer in his heart, would have gladly
he sat in almost total silence, sucking his pipe, welcomed the news that his mouth was closed
and frowning gloomily-a wet blanket upon the forever by death.
little company, and the source of well-grounded    "I wish such or such a one was in heaven,"
terror to his daughter Harry.               is a common expression, the meaning of which
Richard had told her how the matter stood; is of still more general acceptation. The idea,
protested that he could get the money; and ar- in fact, has doubtless flitted across the minds of
gued that when that was done, her father could most of us, though few, let us hope, would help
have no excuse for forbidding his suit. But she to realize it; for, notwithstanding its agreeable
knew the old man better than he, and trembled. form, it is not a benevolent aspiration. The reOn the fifth day Richard received a letter, ception of the individual in question into the
inclosing a check for two thousand pounds upon realms of bliss has less interest with us than his
a London bank, from his mother, and, with an removal fiom  the earth's surface, and, conseair of quiet triumph, showed it to his host.  quently, from our path upon it. We may be
" That is worth nothing here, " observed Treve- very civil toward this person, and we often are;
thick, coldly; "for all I know, the bank may but we seldom  desire him  for a son-in-law.
not exist, or she mav have no account there." John Trevethick did not. But still less did he
But it was plain he was surprised, and disap- desire his open enmity; the longer, at all events,
pointed.                                    the declaration of war could be deferred the bet"Notice has been sent to Plymouth, as I am  ter.
here informed," said Richard; "so that I can    "Come," urged Richard; "I am only deget the check changed there, if you are still dis- manding the redemption of your promise —-one,"
satisfied; which, you must pardon me for saying, added he, precipitately, "that it lies in your own
I do not think you really are.  Come, take my power to redeem."
hand, and allow that you have behaved ungener-   "The conditions, Mr. Yorke, have not yet
ously. You're a man of your word, I know. been fulfilled," said Trevethick, pointing to the
This proves to you I am at least no pauper. I check. "I must see that money in bank-notes."
claim the right which you agreed to grant on   He had not the least doubt of the genuineness
that condition, to ask your daughter's hand, and of the document; but his objection would at
demand of you to leave her, at all events, to least give him the respite of another day or two,
grant it if she pleases. I affirm, once more, the and a respite seemed almost a reprieve.
truth of all that I have told you as regards my-   "As you will," answered Richard, with a faint
self. I am Carew's only son. begotten in lawful smile.  "It is a matter of perfect indifference
wedlock.  lie will acknowledge as much him- to me, and only costs me a journey to Plymouth.
self some day, even though he should delay it to If you will be so good as to let me have some
his dying hour. If ever I come to possess it vehicle to take me as far as Turlock, I will pack
(and I think I shall), Wheal Danes shall be my carpet-bag and start at once."
yours, without the payment of a shilling. Even   The landlord nodded, and withdrew without a
now, I do not offer myself empty-handed. This word.
is the sum that you yourself agreed I should   Left to himself, the smile faded from Richard's
show myself possessed of; but there is more face, and was succeeded by a look of the utmost
where this comes from. I ask again, then, give dejection and disappointment. All had been gome my fair chance with Harry: let her choose ing so well up to that very last moment, and now
between me and this man Coe."               all remained to be done, just as though nothing
This was a wily speech; for Richard was had been done at all. The dangerous path that
recapitulating the very arguments which were he had marked out for himself had to be trodden




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    61
from first to last, at the very moment when he lock," answered Richard, good-naturedly, "by
had seemed to have reached his journey's end by taking a glass of what you will together."
a safe short-cut. He knew that it was the small-   Accordingly, when they reached the little
est grain of suspicion, if not the mere desire to town, and while the post-horses were getting
procrastinate, that had turned the scale in Treve- ready which were to.take him on the next stage
thick's mind, and imposed this task upon him. of his journey, Richard called for some liquor.
The genuineness of the check had been almost   " Here's yourwgood health, Sir," said the man,
taken for granted —entire success had been and added, in a roguish whisper, "and our
missed, as it were, by a hair's-breadth. And young missus's too, Sir."
now he was as far from it as ever. Had he been    "By all means," said Richard, coolly. " But
but a little more earnest, or a little more careless why couple hers with mine?"
in his own manner, all might have been well.   "Well, Sir, it do come natural like, some-'The obstacle that intervened between him and how," said the man, becoming suddenly stolid,
his desire still stood there, though only by an ac- on perceiving that his remark was by no means
cident, as though, after he had fairly blown it relished.  "I suppose it's seeing you so much
into the air, it had resettled itself precisely in the about together; but I meant no offense."
same spot.                                     "I am sure of that," said Richard. It was
Richard felt like some offender against the on the tip of his tongue to pursue the subject, but
law who had been foiled in an ingenious scheme he restrained himself. If he had alleady given
by the stupidity rather than the sagacity of him  occasion for gossip, he did not wish to provide
he would have defrauded; or, rather, like one fresh fuel for it in his absence from Gethin.
who has been brought to justice by misadventure   When a mile or two away from Turlock he
-through some blunder which Fate itself had produced the check which was the apparent
suggested to his prosecutor. He was filled with cause of his irksome journey, and tearing it into
bitterness and mortification, and also with fear. minute fragments, scattered them  out of the
This miscarriage now imposed a necessity upon window.
him, which he had contemplated, indeed, but   Upon the second day he arrived at Plymouth,
never looked fairly in the face; he had always but too late for banking-hours, and drove to an
hoped it might be evaded. The only alternative hotel.  He had had little to eat upon his jourthat presented itself was to give up his Harry; ney, yet he now sent his dinner away almost unthis swept across his mind for a single instant-  tasted; on the other hand, tliough it was unusua black shadow that seemed to plunge his whole al with him to take much wine, he drank a botbeing in night-then left it firmly set upon its tle of Champagne and some sherry, then lit a ciperilous purpose.                           gar, and strolled out of doors. It was a beautiHe did not seek to see her before he left; he ful evening; and he sauntered on the IHoe, gazcould not trust himself so far even as to turn his ing upon that glorious prospect of sea and shore
head and wave her a good-by, as he started from  which it affords, without paying regard to any
the inn door, although he felt that she was watch- thing, although all was as- new as fair.  I is
ing him from an upper window. He was afraid mind, however, took in every object mechanicof the anxiety that consumed him being visible ally, and often presented them to him again in
to those loving eyes. She knew upon what er- after-years, just as it did that summer scene
rand he was going, but not the dangers of it. upon the ruined tower. Was it laying in proviBut he spoke cheerfully to Trevethick, who stood sion for itself against the time, now drawing so
beneath the porch with moody brow, and testily nigh, when his physical eyes should have no
found fault with horse and harness.         more of such fair sights to feed upon? Or was
" The master's in a queer temper to-day, Sir," the circumstance only such as attends all great
was the driver's remark, as they slowly climbed changes and crises of our lives; for is not every
the hill out of the village.                feature of the face of Nature, upon the eve of
"So  it seems," answered Richard, absent- any vital event, thus engraven on our recollecly.                                         tion?  Do we not note the daisies on the lawn
The road they traveled was the same on which forever, when for one instant we look out upon
he had pursued Harry on that eventful night, it from the darkened room wherein our loved
now months ago; every object recalled her to one lies a-dving?
him-the ruined tower on the promontory, the   It presently grew too late for the ordinary signs
Fairies' Bower in the glen; but they suggested and tokens of life; but Richard still paced to
less of love than of the peril that, for love's sake, and fro, and gazed upon the darkening waters;
he was about to undergo.  When they reached he saw the light leap out upon them from the
the point where he had met her first, on the distant Eddystone, and from the craft in harmargin of the moor, now bright with gorse and bor, and from the houses that were built upon
heather, and with its gray rocks sparkling in the its margin: blue and red, and white and yelsun, an overwhelming melancholy seized him. low.
Was it possible that the omen which had alarmed   There was one large vessel a great way off
her simple mind was really in the course of ful- that he had not hitherto observed, but which now
fillment? Was he, indeed, fated to be the cause became conspicuous by its green light. llichard,
of misfortune to her he loved so well?  If evil vaguely interested in this exceptional beacon, inshould befall him, it was only too certain that it quired of a miserable-looking man, who had in
would include her in its consequences.      vain been offering his services as cicerone, what
"You seem a cup too low, Mr. Yorke," said it signified.
the driver, wondering at the young man's unus-   " Well, Sir, them colors as the ships show all
ual silence; for his habit was to be brisk and mean something different; the red is from the
lively with every body.                     floating powder-magazine, and the yellow is-"
"We'll remedy that when we get to Tar-   "I said the green light," broke in Richard,




62                             BRED IN THE BONE.
with his usual impatience of prolixity.  " What to his own condition, it would have made but lit.
is that vessel there, I say?"             tle impression upon him, and this was not very
"Oh, that's the convict ship, Sir; they say pertinent in its application. He was by no means
she is waiting until after the'sizes, to take the without hope. He had come to Plymouth full
drab-jackets to Portland."                 of hope, though disappointed at its not having
Richard nodded, and threw the man a shil- been already exchanged for certainty. He had
ling; then walked hastily away into the town. good hope of inspiring John Trevethick with
The night was mild, but his teeth chattered, and confidence in his social position, and consequenthe shook in every limb.                    ly of obtaining his consent to marry the woman
who had now become indispensable to his happiness. He had even some hope of yet inheriting
a portion of his father's great estate. He could
CHAPTER XXI.                  not be accused of spiritual ambition. Any other
THE WMINERS' BAN K.              sort of hope than that of being in a position to
enjoy himself thoroughly had never entered into
As, though Richard had fasted long, he could his mind. Just now, however, he was far from
not eat, so, though he was fatigued with the enjoying himself; he was a prey to anxiety, and
travel of the last two days, he could not sleep. any opportunity of forgetting it was welcome to
He turned from side to side upon his pillow  him. Not without an effort to be interested,
throughout the weary night, and strove to lose therefore, he reflected upon these words, which
himself, and shut out thought, in vain, even for seemed rather to have been spoken in his ear
an instant. He got up and paced the room; aloud than merely to have caught his eye. He
and, when the streaks of dawn began to show  had already shut the book with contemptuous
themselves, drew up the blind, and looked forth. impatience, but he found himself, nevertheless,
It was a very different scene from that he had repeating: "Having no hope, and without God
been accustomed to contemplate at Gethin. In in the world," and pondering upon their meanplace of the waste of ocean, specked by a sail or ing. He wondered at himself for taking the
two, whose presence only served to intensify its trouble to do so; but if he didn't do that, his
sblitary grandeur, the thick-peopled city lay be- thoughts would, he knew, be even less pleasantfore him. But as yet there were no tokens of ly occupied; so he let them slip into this novel
waking life; the streets were empty, the win- channel. How could a man be without God in
dows shrouded, and a steady drizzle of rain was the world, if God was every where? as he had
falling, which gave promise of a wretched day. somewhere seen or heard stated, and which he
Even when the morning advanced, it was diffi- believed to be the fact. It was one of the objeccult to make out the individual buildings; but tions against the Bible, was his peevish refleche had had the Miners' Bank pointed out to him  tion, that it was self-contradictory in its asseron the previous day, and he thought he recog- tions, and unmistakably distinct only in its denized it now. It was there that the business nunciations of wrath. Here was a case in point,
which he had proposed to himself was to be ef- and one which might justly be "taken up" by
fected, and he gazed at it with interest..The a fellow, if it was worth while. As for himself,
wisest of us are simple in some things, and he was no skeptic.  Exeter Hall might have
though so knowing in the ways of the world-  clasped him to her breast (and would) upon that
that is, of his world-Richard knew nothing of ground. He was accustomed to use the name
banks whatever, and wondered whether he would of the Creator whenever he wished to be partichave any difficulty in carrying out his object. ularly decisive; but for any other purpose he
He could not foresee any; it seemed to him that had never named it with his lips. Even as a
the banking folks would be glad to oblige him in child, his mother had never taught him to do
the matter in question, since, if there was any so. She had never spoken to him on religious
advantage, it would be on their side. But there subjects except in humorous connection with the
were six hours yet before he could perform this Heads of the two Churches to which her first
business, and since sleep was denied him, how  husband had belonged-Emanuel Swedenborg
was he to pass the time? There was a large and JoannaSouthcott. If the expression" withbook upon the drawers, which he had not hith- out God in the world" meant the living in it witherto observed, with the royal arms stamped upon out the practice of religion, it certainly did have
it, and the name of the hotel inscribed beneath an application to himself, but also to every one
them. It did not look like a devotional work, but else with whom he was acquainted. Of course
it was the New Testament-a work that was very he had known people who went to church-young
literally new to Richard Yorke. He had seen men of his own age, whom their parents comit, of course, often; was acquainted by hearsay pelled to do so, and who envied him the liberty
with its contents, and had joked about them. he enjoyed in that respect; and the poor folks
It is the easiest book in the world to make jokes at Gethin went to chapel.  But, even. there,
upon, which, perhaps, accounts for its being so shrewd fellows like Trevethick and Solomon did
favorite a subject of ridicule with foolish persons. not trouble themselves to do so. True, Harry
Shakspeare is also easy to make fun of, but the went! But then women, unless they were unsoupfon of blasphemy is in that case wanting, commonly clever, like his own mother, always
which, to many, forms the chief charm of witty did go to hear the parsons. Parsons, as a rule,
converse. Richard looked at it as a dog looks were hypocrites. He had met one or two of
at a stick; but he took it up, and opened it at them in town under circumstances that showed
random.  "Having no hope, and without God they had really no more " nonsense about them"
in the world."                             than other people, but in the pulpit they were
He was not a believer in sortilege. If the text bound to cant. Look at Mr. Whymper, for inhe had chanced upon had been ever so applicable stance-the best specimen of them, by-the-by, he




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    63
had ever known-who could doubt that his mind revelation which he most dreaded would only, by
was wholly set upon the main chance? To what exposing the true state of affairs, precipitate his
slights and insolences did he submit himself for happiness. Trevethick would then be as eager
the sake of feathering his own nest; and how he as himself to hasten Harry's marriage.
had counted upon that fat living, of which the   Thus he reasoned until something of equanimSquire had so cruelly disappointed him! Talk of ity returned to him. Then he attired himself,
religion! why, there was Carew himself, with thir- buttoning his frock-coat carefully over his chest,
ty thousand a year, and did not spend a shilling and went down stairs. As he reached the next
of it on religion! True, he kept a chaplain, but landing, a gentleman emerged from the room
only as a check upon his steward, to manage his immediately beneath his own, like himself, fully
estate for him. If there was really any thing in dressed, and carrying his hat and great-coat. He
it, would not a rich man like him have put aside was a small stout man, with bushy red whiskers,
a portion of his wealth, by way of insurance-in- a good-natured face, and little twinkling black
surance against fire?-and here Richard chuckled eyes. With a civil bow he made way for Richto himself.                                 ard to pass him, and then followed him down
It was all rubbish, these texts and things. stairs into the coffee-room.  It was a huge
IHe would dress himself, and go out and take a apartment, and quite empty except for their two
walk, although it was so early. He had already selves. Most persons meeting in such a Sahara
heard sounds in the house, as though somebody would have exchanged a salutation; and Richwas astir; so he rang the bell. It was answered ard, gregarious by nature besides, being eager
by a sleepy and disheveled personage, whom he to divert his thoughts,'at once entered into conscarcely recognized for the sleek "night cham- versation.
berlain, " whose duty it was to watch while others   " You are the gentleman who arrived by the
slept, and who had given him a bed-candle not mail this morning, I conclude," said he, " othermany hours before.                          wise you would scarcely keep such early hours."
" What! still up, my man?" said Richard,   "Just so, Sir," answered the other, smiling.
gayly.                                       "I thought it was not worth while to go to bed,
"Yes, Sir. The morning mail has but just but just gave myself a wash and brush up; and
come in; we had a passenger by it. I put him  here I am, sharp-set for breakfast."
in the room under you; but he seemed a quiet   It was plain this man was not a gentleman,
one, and I didn't think he'd'a disturbed you."  but Richard cared very little about that. He
"He did not," said Richard.  "I have been would have talked to the waiter, in default of any
awake all night, and never so much as heard other companion.
him. Can I have some hot water?"              "Well, I have been to bed," said Richard,
"Not yet, Sir, I'm  afraid; there's no fire smiling, "though something I took at dinner
alight at present. I can get you some brandy- disagreed with me, and kept me awake all
and-soda, Sir."                             night. Do you mean to say you are not going
"No, no," answered Richard, smiling; "I to take any horizontal refreshment at all?"
sha'n't want that; and as for the hot water, I   "Well, no; I had some sleep in the coach,
can do without it; but, now you're here, just tell and a very little of that article does for me. If
me, for I am quite a stranger to your town, isn't you eat and drink enough, as I do, it is astonthat high roof yonder, " and he pointed to the ob- ishing how well you can get on without rest."
ject in question, "the Miners' Bank?"        "Indeed," said Richard.  "I should like to
"Yessir, that's it. Ah, if the morning was see the substitutes you take for what I have albut a little finer, you would have a lovely view  ways found an indispensable necessity. Suppose
from this here window-half the town and a we have breakfast together, and you shall order
good slice of the harbor!  There's a splendid it."
building out to the left there, if the clouds would   "But not pay for it," stipulated the stout genbut lift a little. That's the County Jail, Sir."  tleman, in a tone that you might take as either
"' Indeed," said Richard, carelessly, and turned jest or earnest. " We'll go shares in that, eh?"
away.  "Just take my boots down with you, as   "Unless you will allow me to be your host,
I shall want them as soon as you can get them  we will certainly go shares," said Richard, woncleaned."                                   dering to himself whether in all Gethin so great
The man did as he was bid. Directly he had a boor as this could be found above-ground or
left the room, Richard pulled down the window- beneath it, or making his business on the waters,
blind, and staggered to a chair. Perhaps want but rather amused nevertheless.
of food and sleep had weakened him; but he sat   "I don't like misunderstandings," explained
down, looking very pale and haggard, like one the little man, " nor yet obligations. It's not
who has received a sudden shock. Why should that I grudge my money, or have not as much
one man have answered him last night, "the of it as I want, thank Heaven!"
convict ship," and now this fellow have pointed    "Then vou've got more than any body else I
out the jail?  It was only a coincidence, of know," said Richard, laughing; "and I am accourse; but if there was ever such a thing as an quainted with some rich men too."
evil augury, he had surely experienced it on   "I dare say, Sir; you are a rich man yourthose two occasions.  "This is what comes of self, I hope.  You look like a young gentleman
burying one's self at Gethin," thought he, smil- with plenty of money in your pocket."
ing faintly at his own folly.  "If I staid there   At any other time Richard would not have
much longer, I should begin to believe in mer- been displeased by such an observation, which
maids and the Flying Dutchman." Jail! Why, was, moreover, a perfectly just one. He looked
if the very worst should happen, the matter would from head to heel like a young man of fortune,
only require to be explained; he was in no real and had been brought up as idly and uselessly
peril from the law, after all. Indeed. the very as any such; but now he blushed and felt unE




61                              BRED IN THE BONE.
comfortable; and his fingers, in spite of him-   " Now I'll tell you what I'11 do. I'll put this
self, sought that breast-pocket which he had so in my pocket, if you'll allow me, young gencarefully buttoned up, as though his companion's tleman, for a treat when I get home. After an
observation had had a literal and material mean- early morning breakfast, I generally prefer a
ing.                                        pipe;" and he produced one accordingly from
"Do you know Plymouth?" asked he of the his pocket.
stranger, by way of turning the conversation.  The room was melancholy to the last degree,
"Perfectly.  Indeed, I live here; but I did being lit only from a sky-light; relics of the last
not wish to arrive at home at such an unseason- night's dissipation, in the shape of empty glasses
able hour as the coach comes in. If, as a resi- and ends of cigars, were still upon the small
dent, I can be of any service to you, pray com- round tables; while a two-days-old newspaper
mand me. But you don't eat, Sir."           was the only literature of which the apartment
Richard, indeed, was only playing with a piece could boast.
of toast, while eggs and ham and marmalade    " This place and hour would be dull enough,
were disappearing with marvelous rapidity down Sir, without your society," observed Richard,
the throat of his companion.                genially. " I don't think I was ever up so early
"I am not like you," he answered.  "Want in my life before, nor in such a den of a place."
of sleep produces want of appetite with me.   "It's reckoned a good inn, too, is the George
With respect to Plymouth, you are very good to and Vulture; but the life of a hdtel, you see,
offer me your hospitality, but-"            don't begin till later on in the day."
" Services, Sir-services while in the town, I   " That's a pity," said Richard, laughing, " as
said," observed the little man. "Let us have no I sha'n't have the opportunity of seeing it at its
misunderstanding, nor yet obligation; that's my best. I hopo to be away by 9.30, or 10 at
motto. Now, what can I do for vou, short of latest."
that?"                                        "Ah," said the little man, "indeed!"  His
"Well, I shall not greatly tax your prudence," words were meaningless enough, but thdre was
rejoined Richard, this time laughing heartily, really a genuine air of interest in his tone.  He
"though you must certainly be either a Scotch- was a vulgar fellow, no doubt; but Richard
mnan or a lawyer, to be so anxious to act'with- rather liked him, mainly because it was evident
out prejudice.' The only information I have to that the other was captivated by him. He had
ask of you is, at what time the bank opens; for laid himself out to please John Trevethick and
I have got some business to do there, which I his friend Solomon for the last six months, withwant to effect as soon as possible, and then be off." out success, yet here was a man who had evi"The bank! Well, there's more than one dently appreciated him at once. If he was but
bank in Plymouth," observed the little man, a bagman, or something of that sort, it was only
scraping up the last shreds of marmalade on his the more creditable to his own powers of pleasplate.  "They open at different hours."     ing; and his vanity-and Richard was as vain
"The Miners' Company is the one I want to of his social attractions as a girl-was flattered
go to."                                     accordingly.  In his solitude and wretchedness,
"That opens at nine, Sir. It's on mv way too, the society of this stranger had been very
home, and I shall be glad to show it vou."  welcome.
"Thank you; but it was pointed out to me   "I am sorry," said Richard, when they had
last night," said Richard, stiffly; for he preferred passed some hours together, and it was getting
to effect the business which lie had on hand near nine o'clock, "that I am obliged to leave
alone.  "It is still raining. What do you say Plymouth so soon.  It would have given me
to a cigar in the smoking-room?"            great pleasure if you could have come and dined
"With pleasure, when I have just written with me; though, indeed, I fear I have already
three words to tell my people of my arrival," an- detained you from your family. It was the act
swered the stranger; "however, I can do that of a good Samaritan to keep me company so
as well there as here."                     long, and I thank you heartily."
And so eager did he seem for Richard's so-   "Don't mention it, Sir-don't mention it,"
ciety that he had pen and paper brought into the said the little man, quite huskily. " I have only
hotel divan, and from thence dispatched his note. done my duty."
"' Take one of my cigars," said Richard, good-   This  courteous sentiment made  Richard
naturedly, offering his case.               laugh.  "Your duty to your neighbor, eh?"
"No, no," replied the little man, shaking his said he.  "Well, I must now wish you goodhead, and looking very grave; "you know my by;" and he held out his hand with a frank
motto, Sir."                                smile.  "Perhaps we may meet again some
"A cigar," urged Richard, "is one of those day."
things that one can accept even from a stranger   "Perhaps so, Sir," said the other, knocking
without that sense of obligation from which you the ashes out of his pipe, and accompanying him
shrink so sensitively.  Seriously, my good Sir, into the hall.
I shall feel offended if you refuse me this small.   At the hotel door Richard called a fly, as it
favor."                                     was now raining heavily.  " Shall I take you as
"-Sooner than that shall be, Sir, I1l take vour far as the bank," said he, "since your road home
cigar," said the little man. Ile held it up to the lies that way? or is even that little service conlight, and sniffed at it with great zest.  " This trary to your motto?"
is no common brand, I reckon."                 "I have got to see to my luggage," answered
"Well, it is better than you will get out of the other, evasively.
the waiter's box, I dare say," answered Richard,   "Well, good-by, then."
smiling; for his cigars, like every thing else he   " Good-by."
had about him, were of the best.              The vehicle rattled down a street or two, then




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   C5
stopped before a building of some pretension, wheedle the devil, if once you let him talk. Be
with a tall portico and a flight of stone steps be- off with him!"
fore it. Another fly drove up at the same mo-   The next moment Richard's wrists were
ment, but it did not attract Richard's attention, seized, and he was hurried out between two men
which was concentrated upon the business he -his late acquaintance of the hotel and a pohad in hand, and made his heart beat very fast. liceman-down the bank steps, and into a fly
He pushed his way through the huge swinging that stood there in waiting.
door, and found himself in a vast room, with a   "To the County Jail!" cried Solomon, as he
large circular counter, at which clerks were entered the vehicle after them. Then he turned
standing, each behind a little rail. He had nev- to the red-whiskered man, and inquired fiercely,
er been inside a bank before, and he looked why he hadn't put the darbies on the scoundrel.
around him curiously.  On the left was an   "Never you mind that," was the sharp reply.
opaque glass door, with "Manager's Room" " I'm responsible for the young gentleman's safepainted on it; on the right was an elevated keeping, and that's enough."
desk, from which every part of the apartment   "Young gentleman! I am sure the young
could be commanded; the clerk who sat there gentleman ought to be much obliged to you," relooked down at him for an instant as he en- plied Solomon, contemptuously. "Young felon,
tered, but at once resumed his occupation. Ev- you mean."
ery body was busy with pen and ledger; men   "Nobody's a felon until after trial and conwere thronging in and out like bees, giving or viction," observed the little man, decisively.
receiving sheaves of bank-notes, or heaps of gold " Let's have no misunderstanding and no obliand silver. Richard waited until there was a gation, Mr. Coe; that's my motto."
vacant place at the counter, then stepped up   Here the wheels began to rumble, and a shadwith: " I want to exchange some Bank of En- ow fell over the vehicle and those it held: they
gland notes, please, for your own notes."  were passing under the archway of the jail.
"Next desk, Sir," said the man, not even
looking up, but pointing with the feather of his               0
quill pen, then scratching away again as though
he would have overtaken the lost time.                 CHAPTER XXII.
There was a singing in Richard's ear as he repeated his request, and fumbled in his breastpocket for the notes; then a silence seemed to   WHAT wondrous and surpassing change may
fall upon the place, which a moment before had be in store for us when the soul and body have
been so alive and noisy. Every pen seemed to parted company none can guess; but of all the
stop; the ring of the gold, the rustle of paper, changes of which man has experience in this
ceased; only the tick of the great clock over world, there is probably none so great and overthe centre door was heard.  "Thief, thief! whelming as that which he undergoes when, for
thief, thief!" were the words it said.    the first time, he passes the material barrier that
" How much is there'?" inquired the clerk, separates guilt from innocence, and finds himself
taking the bundle of notes from Richard's hand; in the clutches of the criminal law. To be no
and his voice sounded as though it was uttered longer a free man is a position which only one
in an empty room.                          who has lost his freedom is able to realize; the
"Two thousand pounds," said Richard. "Is shock, of course, is greater or less according to
there any difficulty about it? If so, I can take his antecedents.  The habitual breaker of the
them elsewhere."                          law is aware that sooner or later to the " stone
But the clerk had got them already, and was jug" he nmust come; his friends have been there,
beginning to put down the number of each in a and laughed and joked about it, as Eton boys
great ledger. Richard had not calculated upon who have been " swished" make merry with the
this course of procedure, and had his reasons for block and rod, and affect to despise them; the
objecting to it.                          situation is, in idea at least, familiar to him; yet
"80,431, 80,432, 80,433," read out the clerk even he, perhaps, feels a sinking of the heart
aloud, and every soul in the room seemed listen- when the door of the prison-cell clangs upon
ing to him.                                him for the first time, and shuts him from the
"That will do," said another voice close to world.  The common liberty to go where we
Richard's ear, and a light touch was laid upon will is estimated, while we have it, at nothing;
his arm. Scarlet to the very temples, he looked but, once denied, it becomes the most precious
up, and there stood the little red-whiskered man boon in life.  How infinitely more poignant,
from whom he had parted not ten minutes be- then, must be the feelings of one thus unhappily
fore. A very grave expression was now in those circumstanced, to whom the idea of such a catwinkling black eyes.  "I have a warrant for tastrophe has never occurred; who has always
your apprehension, young man, upon a charge looked upon the law from the vantage-ground
of theft," said he.                        of a good social position, and acquiesced in its
"Of theft!" said Richard, angrily.  "What working with complacence, as in something
nonsense is this?"                        which could have no personal relation to him"Those notes are stolen," said the little man. self!
"Your name is Richard Yorke, is it not?"    Thus it was with Richard Yorke when, for the
"What's that to you?" said Richard.  "I first time, he found himself a prisoner in the
decline-"                                  hands of Mr. Dodge, the detective, and his blueHere the door of the manager's room was coated assistant.  For the time he felt utteropened, and out strode Solomon Coe, with a look ly unmanned, and might have even fainted, or
of cruel triumph on his harsh features. " That's burst into tears, but for the consciousness that
your man, right enough," said he.  " He'd Solomon Coe was sitting opposite to him. The




66                              BRED IN THE BONE.
presence of that gentleman acted as a cordial no revolver; but what astonished himself more
upon him; the idea that he owed his miserable than it did the searcher was that a cigar was
position to that despised boor wounded him to found loose in his breast-pocket.
the quick, but at the same time gave him an    "Why, this must be the one that I gave to
outward show of calmness: he could not have you this morning, Mr. Dodge."
broken down before that man, though he had    "Just so, Sir. I put it back again as we
been standing beneath the gallows-tree.  De- came along. You know my motto. When you
spondency would have utterly possessed him but come to be your own master again-which I
for hate and rage-hate of his rival and all who hope'11 be soon-then I'll smoke it with you with
might be concerned in this catastrophe, and rage pleasure; they'll keep it for you very careful,
at the arrest itself. For, though he had not the you may depend upon it, and baccar is a thing
consciousness of innocence to support him, he as don't spoil.  That's a pretty bit of jewelry
had no sense of guilt. He had had no intention now-that is."  Mr. Dodge's remark referred to
of absolutely stealing Trevethick's money; and a gold locket, with the word " Harry" outside it,
yet he foresaw how difficult it would be to clear written in diamonds; and within a portrait of
himself of that grave charge.  He also looked her, which he had executed himself.  "That's
back, and perceived for the first time the magni- a token of some favorite brother, I dare say?"
tude of the folly which he had committed.  He   " Yes," said Richard. "Might I keep that,
felt no shame for it as a crime-he had not prin- if you please; or, at all events, might I ask that
ciple enough for that; but he recognized the ex- it should not be shown to the man in yonder
tent of the imprudence, and its mad audacity; room? It's my own, Mr. Dodge," added he,
yet he was mad and audacious still.  He had earnestly, "upon my word and honor."
been brought up as much his own master as any    "lNo doubt, Sir; no doubt.  There's no
youth in England, no matter how rich or nobly charge against you except as to these notes. I
born; he had never known control, nor even must put it down on the list, because that's the
(except during those few days at Crompton) law; but you can keep it, and welcome, so far
what it was to control himself; and he could not as I am concerned; though I am afraid the
realize the fact that he might actually come to Cross Key folks will not be so very easy with
share the fate of common thieves; to wear a you."
prison garb; to be shut up within stone walls   "The Cross Key folks?"
for months or even years; no longer a man, but   "Well, Mr. Yorke, it's no use to hide from
a convict, known only by his number from other you that you will be sent to Cross Key; that's
jail-birds. He did not think it could even come the nearest jail to Gethin, I believe. I am afraid
to his standing in the felon's dock, subject to the the beak will be for committing you; the sum is
curious gaze of a hundred eyes, the indifferent so large, and the case so clear, that I doubt
regard of the stern judge, the-  In the midst whether he'll entertain the question of bail. You
of these bitter thoughts, which were indeed dis- have no friends in Plymouth, either, you told
putations with his fears, the fly had stopped at me."
the jail gate, and Mr. Dodge. with a cheerful   "None," said Richard, sadly; "unless," he
air, observed: "We must get out here, if you added, in a whisper, "I can count you as one."
please, Mr. Yorke."                            "Officer, just fetch a glass of water," said
Richard hesitated; he was mistrustful of his Dodge; " the prisoner says he feels faint. —Look
very limbs, so severely had the sight of those here, young gentleman," continued he, earnestly,
stone walls shaken him.                      as soon as they were alone, "this is no use; I
"Your young friend does not seem much to can do nothing for you whatever, except wish
like the idea of lodging here," said Solomon, with you luck, which I do most heartily.  I am as
a brutal laugh.                             helpless as a baby in this matter. I can only
"That is fortunate," answered the detective, give you one piece of good advice: when the
dryly, "since he will not have to do so.  In beak asks if you've any thing to say, unless you
my profession, Mr. Coe, we hold it a mean trick have something that will clear you, and can be
to kick a man when he is down.-This way, Sir, proved-you know best about that-say,'I reif you please."  For, at the sound of. Solomon's serve my defense;' then, as soon as you're
voice, Richard was up and out in a moment. committed, ask to see your solicitor; send for
"It is merely a form that you have to go through Weasel of Plymouth; your friends have money,
before we go before the beak."               I conclude.  Hush!  Here's the water, young
"A form?" asked Richard, hoarsely; "what man; just sip a little, and you'll soon come
form?"                                     round."
"We shall have to search you, Sir; that's   Not another word, either then or afterward,
all."                                        did Mr. Dodge exchange with his prisoner.
" That's all," echoed Solomon, with a grin.   Perhaps he began to think he had acted contraRichard's face changed from  white to red, ry to the motto which was his guide in life in the
from red to white, by turns.                good-will he had already shown him. Perhaps
" Mir. Coe will stay where he is," said Dodge, he reseited the favorable impression that the
peremptorily, as he led the way into a little room  attractions and geniality of his acquaintance at
that opened from the gate-keeper's parlor.  the hotel had made upon him as unprofessional.
"I thank you for that, Mr. Dodge," said At all events, during their drive from the jail to
Richard, gratefully.                        the office where the magistrate was sitting-it
" Not at all, Sir.  If you have any thing of was not open at the hour when Richard had been
a compromising nature about you-revolvers or arrested, or he would have been searched theresuch like-that's my business and the beak's, Mr. Dodge seemed to have lost all sympathy foi
not his. -Officer do your duty."            his "young gentleman," chatting with the officer
Richard was searched accordingly. He had quite carelessly upon matters connected with




BRED IN THIE BONE.                                   67
their common calling, and even offering Mr. Coe would Harry say when she came to hear of it?
a pinch from his snuff-box, without extending What would she not suffer?  Richard cast himthat courtesy to Yorke. Nay, when they were self back in his seat, and groaned aloud. The
just at their journey's end, he had the want of man at his side exchanged, a glance with his
feeling to look his prisoner straight in the face, companion.  " He is guilty, this young fellow."
and whistle an enlivening air. The melody was " Without doubt, he's booked."  They had their
not so popular as it has since become, or perhaps little code of signals for such occasions.
Mr. Dodge had doubts of his ability to render it   The day drew on, and the soft sweet air of
with accuracy, but, as if to inform all whom it evening began to rise. They had stopped here
might concern what it was that he was execu- and there for refreshments, but Richard had
ting, he hummed aloud the fag-end of the tune, taken nothing; he had, however, always accomkeeping time with his fist upon his knee, "Pop panied his custodians within doors at the various
goes the weasel, pop goes the weasel."      halting-places.  He was afraid of the crowd
Richard understood, and thanked him with that might gather about the vehicle to look at
his eyes. IIe had no need, however, to be re- the man that was being taken to prison. There
minded of the good-natured detective's word of was nothing to mark him as such, but it seemed
advice. The ignominy which he had just under- to him that nobody could fail to know it. He
gone had had the effect of revealing to him the welcomed the approach of night.  They still
imminence as well as the full extent of the peril traveled on for hours, since there was no House
in which he stood.  Henceforward he could of Detention at which he could be placed in
think of nothing-not even revenge-save the safety on the road; at last the wheels rumbled
means of extricating himself from the toils which over the uneven stones of a little country town;
every moment seemed to multiply about him. they stopped before a building similar, so far as
The time for action was, indeed, but short; if he he could see by the moonlight, to that to which
was ever (for it already seemed "ever") to be he had been taken at Plymouth: all jails are
free again, the means must be taken to deliver alike, especially to the eyes of the prisoner. A
him at once.  The assizes would be held at great bell was rung; there was a parley with the
Cross Key-he had heard the Gethin gossips talk keeper of the gate. The whole scene resembled
of them, little thinking that they would have any something which Richard remembered to have
interest for him-in three weeks. Until then, at read in a book; he knew not what, nor where.
all events, he must be a prisoner; beyond that A door in the wall was opened; they led him up
time he would not, dared not, look.         some stone steps; the door closed behind him
Within ten minutes Richard Yorke stood com- with a clang; and its locks seemed to bite into
mitted to Cross Key Jail.                   the stone.
He followed his friend's counsel in all respects.   "This way, prisoner, " said a gruff voice.
But the messenger dispatched for Mr. Weasel   Door after door, passage after passage; a labreturned with the news that that gentleman was yrinth of stone and iron. At last he was ushered
out of town; he was very busy at that season-  into a small chamber, unlike any thing he had
there were other folks in difficulties besides our ever seen in his life.  His sleeping-room at the
hero, urgent for his consolation and advice as keeper's lodge at Crompton was palatial comto their course of conduct before my Lord the pared with it. The walls were stone; the floor
Judge. Mr. Dodge, however, assured Richard, of a shining brown, so that it looked wet, though
upon taking leave, that he would dispatch the it was not so. His jailer-chamberlain pointed to
attorney after him that very night.         a low-lying hammock, stretched upon two straps
The road to Cross Key was, for many miles, between the walls.  "There, tumble in," he
the same which he had lately traveled in the re- said; " you will have your bath in the morning.
verse direction; yet how different it looked! Look alive!"
lie had been in far fi'om good spirits on that oc-   Richard obeyed him at once.  " Good-night,
casion, but how infinitely more miserable was he warder," said he.
now! The hills, the rocks, the streams were far   "Night!" grumbled the other; " it's mornmore beautiful than he had ever thought them, in'. A pretty time to be knockin' up people at
but they mocked him with their beauty.  He a respectable establishment. If you want any
longed to get out of the vehicle, and feel the thin'-broiled bones, or deviled kidneys" —for
springy turf, the yielding heather, beneath his the man was a wag in his quaint way-" ring
feet; to lave his hands in the sparkling brook, this'ere belL  As for the other rules and reguto lie on the moss-grown rock, and bask in the lations of her Majesty's jail, you'll learn them at
blessed sun. Perhaps he should never see them  breakfast-time."
any more —these simple everyday beauties, of   The door slammed behind him.
vlwhich he had scarcely taken- any account when   How the doors did slam in that place! And
they were freely offered for his enjoyment.  He Richard was left alone. If, instead of the metal
looked back on even the day before, wherein he ewer of water that stood by his bed-head, there
had certainly been wretched enough, with yearn- had been a glass of deadliest poison, he would
ing regret. He had at least been a free man, have seized it greedily, and emptied it to the
and when should he be free again?  Ah, when! dregs.
lie was, as it were, in a prison on wheels, guarded by two jailers. Escape would have been hopeless, even had it been judicious to make the at-        CHAPTER XXIII.
tempt.  His only consolation was, that Solomon
Coe was no longer with him to jeer at his de-         T     L  T T    L O C K.
jected looks. He had started for Gethin with   ON the day that Richard left Gethin, which
the news, doubtless as welcome to Trevethick as was itself an incident to keep the tongues of its
to himself, of the prisoner's committal. What gossips wagging for a good week, another occur



68                              BRED IN THE BONE.
rence took place in that favored neighborhood,   There was not the slightest excuse for doing
and one of even more absorbing interest-the so; if Solomon had been of a less phlegmatic
workings of Dunloppel were suspended.` This, disposition, he might have married her a year
of course, was not a wholly unexpected catas- ago, young as she was.  "Read this," said he,
trophe. The new vein, after giving an exceed- producing a letter from his pocket, "and tell
ingly rich yield for some months, had of late, it me what you think of it. It's old Stratum's rewas whispered, evinced signs of exhaustion, al- port upon the mine."
though the fact was not known that for several   "Ay, ay," said Trevethick, diving into his caweeks the undertaking had been carried on at a pacious pocket for his silver spectacles. As a
loss.  Neither Trevethick nor Solomon, who general rule, he was wont to receive all such rewere the principal proprietors, was the sort of ports with discredit, and to throw cold water
man to play long at a losing game, or to send upon Sol's more sanguine views; but it was sevgood money after bad; so, for the present, the pit eral minutes before he could get himself into his
was closed. But Solomon believed in Dunlop- normal state of dissatisfied depression, so much
pel; contrary to his custom, he had not disposed relieved was he to find that his daughter was not
of a single share when the mine was at a pre- to be the topic of the conversation.
mium, and his stake in it was very large.     " Here's the plan," continued Solomon, "'which
Only a few minutes after Richard had departed accompanied the letter. I got it just after I disfor Plymouth with his check, Solomon returned missed the men; and, upon my life, I'd half a
to the inn with thoughtful brow.            mind to set them on again. But I thought I'd
~Trevethick was moodily smoking his pipe in just have a talk with you first."
the porch, still balancing the rival claims of his   "Ay," said Trevethick-" well?"  lie was
sons-in-law elect, and dissatisfied with both of quite himself again now-crafty, prudent, retithem. He did not share Solomon's hopes, and cent; about as unpromising a gentleman to " get
he detested losing his money above every thing. on with," far less get the better of in a bargain,
"Well, you've packed off all those fellows, I as a Greek Jew. But Solomon was quite achope, that have been eating me out of house and customed to him.
home for these three weeks?"                 " Stratum feels confident about the continua-'I've closed the mine, if that's what you tion of the lode, you see; and also that the fault
mean," said Solomon.  "But" (he looked canu- is not considerable.  We shall not have to sink
tiously up at the windows of the inn, which were fifty feet, he thinks, before we come on the vein
all open-the guests were out in search of the again."
picturesque, and Harry was on the tower, strain-   " He thinks," said Trevethick, contemptuousing her eyes after Richard) " I want to have a ly. "Is he ready to sink his own money in it?"
word with you in private, Trevethick."        " It's no good asking him that," said Solomon,
" Come into the bar parlor, then," grunted the coolly, "because he's got none. But I have allandlord, for he did not much relish the idea of ways found Stratum pretty correct in his judga confidential talk with Solomon just then, since ment; and, as for me, I believe in Dunloppel.
it. might have relation to a matter about which The question is, Shall I go on with it singlehe had not fully made up his mind to give him  handed, or will you go shares?"
an answer.                                     " If it's so good a thing, why not keep it your" Is that young painter fellow out of the way, self, Sol?"
then?" asked Solomon.  "We have never had    "Because my money is particularly well laid
a place to ourselves, it seems to me, since hIe out at present, and I don't want to shift it."
came to Gethin."                               "That's just the case with mine," said Treve"'Yes, yes, he's far enough off," answered thick, from behind the plan.
Trevethick, more peevishly than before, for Sol's   "I thought you might have five hundred
remark seemed to foreshadow the very subject pounds or so lying idle, that's all," returned the
he would fain have avoided talking about. other.  "I'd give six per cent. for it just now."
"He's gone to Plymouth, he is, and won't be   "Oh, that's another thing. Perhaps I have.
back these five days."                      I'll see about it."' Umph!" said Sol. If he had said, " I wish    "If you could get it me at once, that would
he would never come back at all," he could not be half the battle," urged Solomon. "There are
have expressed his feelings more clearly.   some good men at the mine whom I should not
"Well," growled Trevethick, when they were like to lose. If I could send round to-night to
in his sanctum, and had shut the door, " what is tell them not to engage, themselves elsewhere,
it now?. Bad news, of course, of some sort."   since they're opening so many new pits just now,
It was a habit with Trevethick, as it is with that would be a relief to my mind."
many men of his stamp, to have a perpetual   "Very good; you may do that, then.  I'll
grievance against Providence-to profess them- write for the money to-morrow."
selves as never astonished at any bad turn that It   So blunt, straightforward, and exceedingly
may do them-and, besides, he was on the pres- unpleasant a man as John Trevethick was, ought
ent occasion desirous of taking up a position of to have been the very incarnation of Truth,
discontent beforehand, so that the expected topic whereas that last observation of his was, to say
might not appear to have produced it.       the least of it, Jesuitical. There was no occa"No; it's good news, Trevethick," said Sol- sion to write to any body for what he had got
omon, quietly-" the best of news, as it seems to above stairs, locked up in his private strong-box.
me; and I hope to bring you over to the same But he did not wish all the world to know that,
opinion."                                   nor even his alter ego, Solomon Coe.
"He's got some scheme for marrying Harry   Trevethick, although a close-fisted fellow, was
out of hand," thought the harassed landlord. no miser in the vulgar sense. He kept this vast
"' How the deuce shall I put him off?"      sum at hand, partly because he had no confi



BRED IN THE BONE.                                   69
dence in ordinary securities, and partly because things, and things that have brought him more
he wished to be in a position, at a moment's no- money, but those spring leaves are dearest to
tice, to accomplish his darling scheme. If Ca- him of all. So it was with Trevethick's spring
rew should happen to change his mind, it would lock. He adjusted the hands, and the padlock
be because he was in want of ready money, and sprang open; he lifted the lid, and the box was
he would be in mad haste to get it. His impa- empty; the two thousand pounds in Bank of
tience on such occasions brooked no delay on the England notes were gone.
score of advantage; and the man that could offer HI  e was a big bull-necked man, of what is
him what he wanted, as it were, in his open hand, called (in the reports of inquests) " a full habit
would be the financier he would favor in prefer- of body," and the discovery was almost fatal to
ence to a much less grasping accommodator, who him.  His face grew purple, the veins in his
might keep him waiting for a week. It was not forehead stood out, and his well-seasoned head,
so much the tempting bait of ready money that which liquor could so little affect, went round
caught the Squire as the fact of his wishes being and round with him, and sang like a hummingobeyed upon the instant. He had not been top. He was on the very brink of a fit, which
used to wait, and his pride revolted against it; might have " annihilated space and time" (as far
and many a time had a usurer missed his mark as he was concerned), "and made two lovers
by not understanding with how great a bashaw  happy." But the star of Richard Yorke was not
he had to deal in the person of Carew of Cromp- in the ascendant. The old man held on by the
ton.- Trevethick was aware of this, and indeed shelf of the cupboard, and gradually came to
the chaplain had given him a hint to keep the himself. He did not even then comprehend the
proposed purchase-money within easy reach, in whole gravity of the position; the sense of his
case the Squire's mood might alter, or his neces- great loss-not only of so much wealth, but of
sities demand his consent to what Mr. Whymper that which he had secured with such toil, and
honestly believed to be a very advantageous of- laid by unproductively so long for the accomfer. Otherwise, Trevethick was not one to keep plishment of his darling purpose-monopolized
a hoard in his house for the mere pleasure of his mind. Who could have been the thief? was
gloating over it. He had not looked into his the one question with which he concerned himstrong-box for months, nor would he have done self, and the answer was not long delayed. It
so now, but for this unexpected demand upon was the coincidence of amount in the sum stolen
it. It was safe enough, he knew, in his daugh- with that which Richard had gone to Plymouth
ter's room; and as for its having been opened, to realize, that turned his suspicions upon the
that was an impossibility; the padlock hung in young artist.  Why, the scoundrel had fixed
front of it as usual, and it would have taken a upon that very sum as the test of his possessing
man half a lifetime to have hit upon its open an independence for a reason that was now clear
sesame by trial. He was justly proud of that enough: it was the exact limit of what he knew
letter lock, which was his own contrivance, in- he could lay his hand upon. But how did he
vented when he was quite a young man, and had know?-or, rather (for the old man's thoughts
been perforce compelled to turn his attention to were still fixed upon the mechanical mysteryof his
mechanics, and he considered it a marvel of loss), how did he open the padlock? Then there
skill. It was characteristic in him that he had flashed upon his mind that incident of his having
never revealed its secret even to his daughter. dropped the memorandum out of his watch-case
Indeed, with the exception of IIarry, nobody at in the bar parlor in Richard's presence, and the
Gethin-save, perhaps, Hannah, when she dust- whole affair seemed as clear as day. It was
ed her young mistress's room-had ever set eyes Richard's intention to change the notes at Plyupon it, nor, if they had, would they have under- mouth for the paper of the Miners' Bank, or for
stood its meaning.                         gold, and then to exhibit it to him in- its new
It was therefore without the slightest suspicion form as his own property. He did not believe
of its having been tampered with, that, an hour that the young artist intended to steal it; but he
or two after the conversation just narrated, was by no means less furious with him upon that
Trevethick repaired to his strong-box, with the account-quite otherwise. He piqued himself
intention of taking from it the sum of money re- upon his caution and long-headedness and required by Solomon. The padlock was like a lit- sented every deception practiced upon him even
tie clock, except that it had the letters of the al- more than an injury.  Moreover, he felt that
phabet round its face instead of figures, and three but for Solomon's unexpected request for the
hands instead of two; this latter circumstance loan the plan would have succeeded.  In all
insured, by its complication, the safety of the probability, he would not have discovered his loss
treasure, but at the same time rendered it useless until it had been too late-he would not have
-unless he broke the box open-to the possess- known how to refuse the young man leave to beor himself if by any accident he should forget come his daughter's suitor; and once his son-inthe letter time at which he had set it; and ac- law, he could scarcely have prosecuted him for
cordingly Trevethick was accustomed to carry a replacing two thousand pounds' worth of bankmemorandum of this about with him; even if he notes in his strong-box by notes of another kind.
lost it, it would be no great matter, for what Exasperated beyond all measure as Trevethick
meaning would it convey to any human being to was, it did credit to his sagacity that even at
find a bit of paper with the letters B, N, Z upon such a moment he did not conceive of Richard
it?  Harry, as we have said, was out of the Yorke as being a common thief. But he conhouse, so his daughter's room was untenanted. eluded him to be much worse, and deserving of
He went to a cupboard, and took down the box far heavier punishment, as a man that would have
from its usual shelf, with the same feeling of obtained his daughter under false pretenses.
satisfaction that an old poet recurs to his first He went down stairs, taking the box with him,
volume of verse; he may have written better to seek his friend. Solomon had just returned




70                             BRED IN THE BONE.
from the cottage over the way, where he had not paralyze a man. You've got a memoranbeen giving orders to one of the best miners to dum of the numbers of the notes?"
still hold himself engaged at Dunloppel, and had    " Yes, yes; I have somewhere."
bidden him tell others the same.  He was in   "Well, go and fetch it, while I order out a
high spirits, and was twirling about in his large horse. I can get to Plymouth before wheels can
hands Mr. Stratum's diagnosis of the mine.  do it, and shall catch this scoundrel yet. He'll
"You may put that away and have done with be going there to change the notes, I reckon?"
it," said Trevethick, hoarsely; I" I have no mon-   " Yes, yes," said Trevethick; "he'll be at the
ey to lend you for that, nor nothing else. This George and Vulture; so he said."
box held two thousand pounds of mine, but it's   "Good," replied Solomon.  "I'll get a warall gone now."                              rant from old Justice Smallgood on my way.
"'Two thousand pounds!" exclaimed Solo- Rouse up, man, rouse up; you shall have your
mon, too amazed at the magnitude of the sum to money back, I tell you, and see this rascal lagged
realize what had happened to it.  " Two thou- for life into the bargain."
sand pounds in a box!" He had always suspect-   "If I could only get him hanged!" answered
ed that the old man kept something in a stock- the old man, fiercely-" if I could only get him
ing-foot, and had often rallied him upon his un- hanged, Sol, I'd let the money go, and welcome!"
necessary caution with respect to investments;   Solomon stared after him, as he left the room
but this statement of his appeared incredible.    and tramped up stairs in search of the list of
"' What does it matter if it was twenty thou- notes, with a ludicrous expression of wonder.
sand, when I tell you it's gone," said Trevethick, In his eyes, no revenge at present seemed worth
sullenly. " That limb of the devil, Yorke, is off  so extravagant a price. But Trevethick had his
with every shilling of it."                 reasons, or thought he had, for this excess of
" Do you mean to say he's stolen it?" inquired hate; his slow-moving yet powerful nature rethe other, even more astonished than before.    sembled the python-it was exceedingly tena"' Ie's taken it to Plymouth with him, that's cious when its object was once grasped, and it
all."                                       was apt to glut itself.
Solomon Coe was a man of action, and prompt
in emergencies, but for the moment he was fair-                  o
ly staggered. He had no liking for Richard,
but such a charge as this appeared incredible;           CHAPTER XXIV.
it seemed more likely that the old man had repented of his late offer of the loan of five hundled pounds, and had invented this monstrous   SOLOMON had ridden off, and was half-way to
fiction to excuse himself.                  Turlock before Trevethick felt himself sufficient-' "Where was the box kept?" asked Solomon, ly collected to summon Hannah, and bid her
dryly.                                      send for her young mistress. He could not go
For a moment or two Trevethick was silent.  in search of her himself and speak what he had
" It is as I suspected," thought the other; to ask: no bird of the air must carry her reply,
"' the old man is making up the story as he goes no wind of heaven breathe it, if it was such as he
on. "                                       feared.  There must be no " scene" in public to
But the fact was that this question had gone let loose the gossips' tongues. He sat in the bar
to the very root of the matter, and opened parlor, with his huge head leaning on his hands,
Trevethick's dull eyes wide. In his chagrin at brooding over his wrongs, and waiting for herhis loss (though he did believe it would be tem- for the daughter by whose wicked connivance,
porary), and irritation at his sagacity having as he thought, he had been despoiled of his hardbeen set at naught, he had overlooked the most earned gains.  lie did not reproach himself for
serious feature of the whole catastrophe.  How  having thrown her so much with Richard, in orhad Yorke come to the knowledge that the der that the latter might be kept in good-humor,
strong-box was kept in Harry's room? and un- and apt to forward his plans as to Wheal Danes.
der what circumstances had. he obtained access He "wondered at their vice, and not his folly."
to it?                                     As to there being any thing beyond- a flirtation
" Where's Harry?" exclaimed Trevethick, between the young people, he did not suspect it;
starting up with a great oath; for it flashed but even as matters were, he was bitterly enraged
upon him  that she had fled with Richard. against Harry, and would have strangled Richard
" Where's my daughter?"                    out of hand if he could have got near him. It
"I saw her in the village just now," said Sol- was evident to him that this fellow had been
omon, "talking to old Madge. She had been courting his daughter, though he knew she was
for a stroll out Turlock way, she said. But plighted to another, and had wormed out of her
what's the use of vexing her about the matter? the secret of his hoarded wealth. Six months
Women are much best kept in the dark when ago she would not for her life have dared to tell
one don't want things to be talked about. The what she knew he wished to hide; and now this
more quiet you keep this story, the more chance young villain had wound himself so cunningly
you'll have of getting your money back, you may about her that she had no will but his, and had
depend upon it. It was in notes, of course?"   even helped him to rob her own flesh and blood.
"Yes, in notes," answered the other, with a His heel was on that serpent's hdad, however,
vacant look, and drumming on the table with his or would be in a day or two, and then-  The
right hand.                                 old man ground his teeth as though his enemy
"Come, come, Trevethick, you must keep were between them.
your head," remonstrated Solomon.  "I'll act   "Well, father, here I am; Hannah said you
for you quick enough, if you'll only supply me wanted me."
with the means. It's a great loss, but it should   Harry's voice was as calm as she could make








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BRED IN THE BONE.                                    73
it, but her young limbs trembled, and her face and without that hope he knew he could not win
was very pale.                              me. I only promised to be his on that condi"Come here —nearer!" cried Trevethick, tion. Speak to me, father; pardon me, father!
hoarsely, seizing her by the wrist.  "Do you i Don't look at me so. He never meant to thieve,
know that you are the only creature but two —  I am sure of that.  You asked of him  some
but one, I may say, for gratitude ain't love-that warrant of his wealth, some proof that he could
I have ever loved in this world-that I have afford to marry me. You would not have done
worked for you, planned for you, and for you that had you set your face utterly against him.
only, all my life?"'                       And I think-I fear-though Heaven is my wit"Yes, father; and I am very grateful for it," ness that I knew nothing of it until now, that he
answered she, submissively.                 took this money only to bring it back to you
"No doubt," sneered the old man; "and the again, and win your favor. It was an ill deed,
way you show how much you feel it, the way if he has really done it, which even yet I do not
you show your duty and your love to your father credit; but it was done for my sake; then for
in return, is to put a thief-a lying, cheating 7sy sake, father, pity him, pardon him!"  She
thief-in the road to rob him!"             had thrown herself upon her knees beside the old
"You must be mad, father!" exclaimed liar- man's chair; her long hair had come unfastened,
ry, in blank amazement. "'I know no thief!"  and trailed upon the sanded floor; her hands
"You know Richard Yorke, you wicked, wan- were clasped in an agony of supplication. No
ton wench!" interrupted Trevethick, passionate- pictured Magdalen ever looked more wretched or
ly.  "And how could he have heard of yonder more beautiful.
box except through you? Of course you'll lie;   "You have more to tell?" said the old man,
a. lie or two is nothing to one like you. But harshly..
here's the proof. The padlock has been opened,   She shook her head, and uttered a plaintive
the money taken. Who did it?  Who could moan.
have done it, except him, or you?"            "Then I have," continued he.  "You say
"As I am a living woman, father, as I hope you love this man; now I hate him! I do not
for heaven," answered Harry, earnestly, "I did regret that he has robbed me, since, by that act,
not do it, and I do not know who did."      he has placed himself in my power, and I mean
" You didn't, and you don't! The thing's in- to use it to the uttermost; but for his cozening
credible.  Reach here that Bible."  He still me to my face, as he has done so long, and for
held her by the wrist.  " You shall swear that, hid smooth, false ways, and for his impudent
and be damned forever!  What! you never tales, which I had half believed, and for his autold that villain where lmy: money lay?"   dacious attempt to pluck you from the hand for
" I- did tell Mr. Yorke that, father. Pray, which I had designed you, I hate him. I tell
pray, be patient.  It was long ago; we were you," cried out the'old man, fiercely, "if this
talking together about I know not what, and it villain had fifty lives, and the law would help me
slipped from me that you kept money in a strong- to them, I would exact them all! If he stood
box. That was all."                         here, I would brain him with yonder staff; and
"All," said the old man, bitte ly, and flinging if my curse could. follow.him beyond the grave
her arm away from him, the wrist all black and -as my vengeance shall to the grave's -brinkk —
bruisedwith his angry clutch. "What more, or he should perish in eternal fire!  Hate him'? I
worse, could you have told than the one secret I almost hate you for having loved him; and if I
had bid you keep? You told him the exact sum, thought you would dare to cross. me further
too, I'll warrant? Two thousand pounds!"   by holding to him now, I'd drive you from my
"Yes, father, I did. It was very wrong, and door this very hour. You will never see him
I was very sorry directly I had done it. But more; but I shall, once. This mouth shall witI knew the secret would be safe with a gentle- ness against him to the uttermost; these ears
man like Mr. Yorke."                        shall hear the judge pronounce on him his right"A  gentleman!  A  cheat, an impostor, a eous doom."
common rogue!"                                 "No, no," gasped the young girl, faintly.
"Oh no, oh no, father!"'                 "If you do not hate me yet, I pray you to un" But I say'yes.' To-morrow he will have say those words. When you curse Richard, fathe handcuffs on him! What! Have you tears ther, you are cursing you know not whom." She
for him, and none for me, you slut! Perhaps dragged upon his arm, and brought his ear down
you showed him where the box was kept, as well to the level of her mouth, and whispered in it.
as told him! Did you, did you?"              The old man started to his feet, and pushed
There was something in Harry's frightened her from him with a hideous oath; then made
face that made her father rise and lock the door. as though he would have unlocked the door and
"Speak low!" said he, in an awful voice; thrown it wide, to drive her; as'he had so lately
"you have something to tell me. Tell it."   threatened, from his roof. But there was a noise
"Only that I love him, father-oh, so much!" of many feet and chattering and laughter in the
pleaded Harry, passionately.  " Indeed, indeed, passage without, which showed that some of the
I could not help it! I tried to love Sol, because tourist guests had just come in. Only a plank
you wished it, but it was no use; I felt that even intervened between that little knot of giddy
before Richard came. We walked every day to- pleasure-seekers, with their jokes and small-talk,
gether for weeks and weeks, and he was so dif- and the father and daughter in their agony.
ferent from Sol, so bright and pleasant, and he   "Mercy! mercy!" cried the wretched girl.
loved me from the first, he said. He told me,   Trevethick clapped his hand upon her little
too, that you had listened with favor to his suit, mouth, with, " Hush, fool! hush!" and she felt
or, at all events, had not refused to listen-that thankful that he called her by no worse name.
there was good hope of your consenting to it,    "Forgive me-pity-pardon,"''murmured she.




74                             BRED IN THE BONE.
"Listen!" said he, in a stern whisper. " Obey She dared not mention him to her father, and
me now, you wicked, wanton slut, or I proclaim  still less could she apply for information to his
your shame before them all; one minute will de- rival, her now  affianced bridegroom.  How
cide your fate! Be stubborn, and you shall go much, or how little, her father had disclosed conforth through yonder door, discarded, friendless, cerning him to Sol she did not know; but the
infamous, to beg your bread, or win it how you latter had evidently closed with the terms which
will; be tractable, and even yet you shall have she had in her late strait accepted on her own
a father and a home. Make choice, and quick- part. The bans had been put up in the church
ly; and having made it, be you sure of this, that upon the hill, and in a month she would be this
it shall hold. Do you hear me, trollop?"   man's wife. She had been congratulated upon
"I hear! I hear!" she murmured, shudder- the coming event by all the neighbors. Some had
ing.  " I will obey you now, and ever."     slyly hinted-little guessing the pain they gave
" Then marry Solomon Coe-at once-within to that sore heart-at her late " goings-on" with
the month."                                 that young gentleman-painter; they had almost
" Oh, father, mercy!"                    suspected at one time that he would have supHis fingers were on the door, and the key planted her old flame; but they were glad to
grated in the lock.                         see matters as they were. Solomon was a steady,
"The sea-air makes one famish," said a gay sagacious man, as every body knew, and would
voice outside.                              get on in the world; and what he gained he
"It's lucky,"laughed another, "for there is would not waste in foolish ways. Such an old
sure to be nothing for dinner but the inevitable friend of her father's, too.  Nothing could be
ham and eggs."                              more fitting and satisfactory in all respects.
In another instant the final barrier between Solomon, notoriously a laggard in love, was likherself and public shame would have been with- ened to the tortoise, who had won the race
drawn by that relentless hand.              against the hare.
"I promise-I promise-spare me!" cried   To have to listen to all this well-meant twadthe unhappy girl, and fell fainting on the floor.  dle was misery indeed.  Perhaps, upon the
The old man drew a long, deep breath, and whole, good honest dullness does unknowingly
wiped his forehead. His victory had not been inflict more grievous wounds than the barbed
lightly won. He lifted his daughter up and car- satiric tongue.
ried her to the sofa; then raised the little clum-   To think, to picture to herself the condition
sy window, rarely opened, and propped it with of her lover-deplorable, she was convinced,
a stick, so that the breeze might blow upon her from the grim satisfaction upon Solomon's face
tear-stained cheek. How white and worn and when he first came back-was torture. She
emptied of all joy it looked! As he gazed upon could not read, for her mind fled from the page,
her, a touch of pity stole into her father's face. like breath from a mirror; there was nothing for
He poured out a little spirits in a glass, and put it but occupation. She busied herself as she had
it to her lips.  " Take a sup of this, and you'll never done before with the affairs of the house,
be better, child."                          which afforded some excuse for escaping from
She opened her heavy eyes, and shook her Sol's attentions, naturally grown somewhat presshead.                                       ing, now that his wedded happiness was drawing
"You said you would have mercy, father, if I so near. The Gethin Castle was not, however,
promised?"                                 very full of guests. It had been wet for a few
"Yes, yes; all shall be forgotten. We will days, and rain spoils the harvest of the inn-keepnot even speak of it to one another."       er even more than that of the farmer. One
"And you will pardon him g  You will not night, when it was pouring heavily, and such a
hurt my Richard?"                          windfall as a new tourist was not to have been
" Your Richard!"                          expected by the most sanguine Boniface, a lady
"Yes, for he was mine once. You will not arrived, alone, and took up her quarters in the
bear witness against him before the judge?  Is very room that Richard had vacated. Trevehe not punished enough in losing me? Am I thick himself was at the door when she had driven
not punished?"                             up and asked with some apparent anxiety wheth" Silence!" exclaimed the old man, in a ter- er she could be accommodated. -She was wrapped
rible voice. His hand, trembling with passion, up, and thickly veiled, but he had observed to
had struck against the strong-box, and at its his daughter what a well-spoken woman she was,
touch his wrath broke out in flame.  "That and an uncommon fine, one too, though her hair
man is dead to you henceforth! You gave your was gray. She had inquired whether there were
promise without conditions. Moreover, his fate any letters waiting for her, addressed to Mrs.
is in the hands of the law, and not in mine."    Gilbert; but there was no letter.
Harry took in the new arrival's supper with
her own hands.  It was the time when she
would otherwise. have been expected in the bar
CHAPTER XXV.                    parlor, to sit by Solomon's side, and feel his arm
AN UJNEXPECTED GUEST.             creep round her waist, more hateful than a serpent's fold. A fire had been lit in the sittingSix days had come and gone since her lover's room, on account of the inclement weather, and
departure from Gethin, but no tidings of him  Mrs. Gilbert was standing beside it with her elhad reached Harry's ears.  Solomon had re- bow on the mantel-piece.  She watched Harry
turned on the second day, and been closeted come in and out, without a word, but the exwith her father for some hours, doubtless in con- pression of her face was so searching and atsultation about Richard; but not a word had tentive that it embarrassed her. Under other
been spoken of him, in her presence, by either. circumstances she would certainly have dele



BRED IN THE BONE.                                    75
gated her duties to Hannah, but to evade Solo- my journey-and you will come and tend me in
mon's society she would have waited on the my own room presently. That can be managed,
Sphinx. She brought in each article one at a can't it?"
time, and when there was nothing more to bring    "Yes, madam, yes."
inquired deferentially whether there was any   "Then wipe your eyes —be a brave girl.
thing else that she could do for the lady.  Think of Richard, and not of yourself-think of
" Yes," said Mrs. Gilbert, gravely; the voice him, when yonder boor is clasping the hand that
was soft, but the manner most earnest and im- once rested in his-think of him, when those
pressive.  "I want five minutes' talk with you; alien lips press yours at parting, and be strong!
can I have it secure from interruption?"   If I were in your place, he would find that I had
" Certainly, madam," answered HarnT, trem- not deserted him in his trouble."
bling, she knew not why.                      "Desert him, madam?  I?  Oh, never!"
"Close the door, girl. Come nearer, and away    "To be weak is to desert him, girl-to let
from the window; we must not be overheard."  yonder man and your father suspect that any
Harry was constitutionally timid, and it struck friend of Richard's is beneath this roof is to deher that this poor lady was not in her right sert him-to weep when there is need to work
mind. She hesitated. The other seemed to is to desert him. Did I not tell you I was his
read her thoughts.                          own mother; and yet I shed no tears! Look
"I am not mad, child," said she, sorrowfully, up, and learn your lesson from me."
"though I have trouble enough to make me so.   The faces of the two women were indeed in
You are the daughter of the landlord of this inn, strong contrast-the younger, yielding, feeble,
I think?"                                   despairing; the elder, calm, patient of purpose,
"Yes, madam."                             and inflexible.  Her cheeks were plump, and
"And I am the mother of Richard Yorke."  radiant with health; her form erect and comShe was standing in the same position, and posed; her eyes, indeed, betrayed anxiety, but
had spoken coldly and as sternly as such a voice it was from want of confidence in the person she
as hers could speak, when something in the addressed, not in herself; the white hair seemed
young girl's face caused her whole manner to to fitly crown that figure, so full of earnestness
change. With a sudden impulse she turned to- and firmness.
ward her, and held out both her arms; and Har-   "I will do my best," cried the young girl,
ry threw herself into them with a passionate cry, "though I know I am but weak and foolish.
and sobbed as though her heart would break.    Pity me, and pray for me. I am going to the
" Iush! hush!" whispered the other, tender- torture, but I will be resolute. Tell Hannahly; "we must not weep now, but act!"       the servant-maid-that you wish me to attend
But the girl still sobbed on, without lifting up you in your room. Send for me soon, for merher face. Tears had been strangers to her heat- cy's sake! How I long to know how I can help
ed eyes for days, and she had longed in vain for our Richard!"
one sympathizing breast on which to lay her   As she left the room Mrs. Gilbert's face grew
head. " I have been his ruin," she murmured; dark. " A fool! a dolt!" she muttered, angrily.
" but for me he would never have done wrong. " How could he risk so much for such a stake!
How you, who are his mother, must hate me!"  Oh, Richard! Richard!"-her voice began to
"No, Harry, no!" answered the other, put- falter at that well-loved name-" was this to
ting aside those rich brown locks, and gazing have been the end of all my hopes? What fatal
upon the fair shut face attentively.  " I do not issue, then, may not my fears have end in! my
wonder at his loving you; for such beauty as beautiful, bright boy! The only light my lonely
yours many a man would lose his soul! I did life possessed! to think of you as like yourself,
hate you until now. But you love my Richard and then to think of you as you are now!"  She
truly, as I see; and we two can not afford to looked around her on the sordid walls, the vulbe enemies.  We must work together for his gar ornaments upon the mantel-piece, the
good to avert the ruin of which you speak, for wretched ill-chosen books; then listened to the
it is imminent. He has sent me to you, for he splash of the rain in the unpaved street. " And
can not come himself. He is in prison, Harry!" this was Paradise, was it, my poor boy, because
"In prison! O Heaven, have mercy!"       this girl dwelt in it! I ought to have known that
She sank down on her knees, and covered there was danger here.  His letters few and
her face with her hands.                    short and far between, his patient tarrying in
"Yes, Harry, think of it. Our Richard, so so wild a place, should have been enough to
bright, so dear, within prison walls!  He may warn me.  But not of this; in no nightmare
pass his life there for what he has done for your dream could I have conceived this unimaginable
sake, unless you help him."                 peril. Ah, me! ah, me!"  She sat down at
"Help him? I would die for him!"        the untasted meal, and strove to eat.  "I must
"Calm  yourself. Sit down.  To grieve is be strong, for Richard's sake," she murmured.
selfish where one can do better; when all is lost But she soon laid down her knife and fork to
it is time enough for that. All will be lost a muse again.  "This Trevethick is a hard, stern
fortnight hence, unless we bestir ourselves.  man, I see. There is no hope in his mercy.
Hush! I hear a step in the passage. Who is The only path of safety is that which the lawyer.
that?"                                      pointed out; but will this puling girl have the
"It is Sol, madam —Solomon Coe."          heart and head to tread it?  Will she not faint,
" The man you are to marry, is it not?"  as she nearly did just now, and lose her wits
A stifled groan was the girl's reply.     when my Richard most requires them?  And
"I can not speak what I have to say here," then, and then?" As if unable to continue such
said the other, thoughtfully. "Is there no other reflections, she rose and rang the bell, which
place?  Stay. I can be ill-overfatigued with Hannah answered.




76                             BRED IN THE BONE.
"Bring me a bed-candle, girl; I will seek my to change them, that he might pass their substiroom at once; and please ask Miss Trevethick tutes more easily. He counted upon your father
to look in upon me before she retires herself, for not missing them from his strong-box until it
I feel far from well."                      was too late. The case is clear against him
"Yes, ma'am." ITannah thought within her- that he stole them."
self that the new arrival looked uncommon fresh    "Great Heaven!" cried Harry, clasping her
and well considering her years, and that her hands in agony; "and yet he did not mean to
young mistress had far more need of rest and steal them."
"looking to" than she; but, nevertheless, she   "Of course not; nay more, he did not steal
gave the message; and Harry, at her usual time them, for you gave them to him."
for going to rest, repaired to the new-comer's    "I gave them  to him?  Nay, I never
room accordingly.                           did."
"Are they gone to bed, those men?" inquired    " You did-you did, girl; you acquiesced in
Mrs. Gilbert, anxiously, as soon as the door was his plan for obtaining your father's consent to
closed.                                     your engagement; you undertook to supply him
"No, madam; my father and Solomon al- temporarily with the money requisite to estabways sit up together now till late."        lish his pretensions as a man of fortune. - Or, if
" Ay; plotting against my boy, I doubt not. you did not"-and here her voice assumed an in
Well, let us, then, counterplot. Who sleeps on tense earnestness-" your Richard, the man you
either side of this room?"                 pretend to love, will be a convicted felon - a
"' No one, madam. Both rooms are empty at prisoner for all the summer of his life, and for
present; the last visitor, except yourself, left us the rest an outcast!"
this evening."                                Harry was silent; her hands were pressed to
" And the servants?"                     her forehead, as though to compel her fevered
" They have retired long ago up stairs."  brain to think without distraction.  " I see, I
" That's well. Sit here, then, close to me, see," she murmured, presently; -" his fate hangs
and listen. You know that Richard is in prison, upon my word.' So help me, God,' is what I
placed there by your father and that other man have first to say, and then say that!"
on a false charge. They know as well as I or   "Why not?" rejoined the other, stoutly.
you that he had no intention of committing the " Will not these men, too, call God to witness
crime of which he stands accused, and yet they what they know to be a lie?  Will not He disboth mean to swear the contrary.'           cern the motive that prompts you-desire to see
" Oh, madam, they will surely not do that!"   a wronged man righted, the innocent set free"But I say'Yes;' they want revenge upon and the motive that prompts them —malicious
him. I know them better than you, who have hate?  Or do you deem the all-seeing eye of
known them all your life; or perhaps you say Heaven is purblind? I tell you this, girl, if I
they will not, because you hope so. Is it pos- were in your place, and the man I loved stood
sible," she broke forth, impatiently, "that in such justly in such peril, I would swear a score such
a strait as this, girl, you can encourage such de- oaths to set him free! Yet here, with justice on
lusions! You are like the fool in the Scripture, your side and truth, and Heaven itself, you hesiof whom it is written, that though thou shouldst tate; you shrink from uttering a mere form of
bray him among wheat with a pestle, yet will not words, the spirit of which is contrary to the lethis foolishness depart from him."           ter, and for conscience sake, forsooth, will let
" I know I am not like you, madam,"answered your lover perish!  Your lover! yes, but you
Harry, piteously.  " Richard has often told me were never his, although he thinks so. I will go
how wise and brave you are; but yet my love hence, and tell him that you refuse to speak the
for him is as great as yours can be. Whatever thing that alone can save him  from life-long
you think fit that I should do to help him, that wretchedness; I will go and tell him that the
shall be done. Trust me; it shall, indeed."    girl for whose sake he has brought this load of
"That's well said, girl. Be you the hand, ruin on himself will not so much as lift it with
and I the head, then, of this enterprise, and we her little finger!  You fair, foul devil, how I
shall conquer yet.  I say again, that if they hate you!"  She drew herself up to her full
could, these men would swear my Richard's life height, and regarded the wretched girl with such
away.  They might as well do that as what contemptuous scorn that even in her abject misthey mean to do, and deprive him of his liberty; ery she felt its barb.
cast him for vears into prison, and herd with the   "I have not earned your hate," said Harry,
worst and basest of mankind; to work under a with some degree of firmness  "if I have earned
task-master with irons on. Do you understand, your scorn; nor is it meet that you should so
girl, what it is to which, unless we can hinder despise me, because I fear to anger God."
them, these wretches would doom him?"        "And man," added the other, with bitterness.
"Yes, yes, I do," she murmured, shuddering. " You fear your father's wrath far more than
"It is horrible, most horrible! God help us!"  Heaven's."
"We must help ourselves," answered Mrs.   That bolt went home: the unhappy girl did
Gilbert, sternly.                           indeed stand in greater terror of her father than
"Yet God is surely on our side, and for the of the sin of perjury; and the idea of affirming
truth, madam. If they swear falsely-"       upon oath what she had but a few days before
"You must swear also," interrupted the oth- so solemnly denied to him was filling her with
er, angrily; "you must meet them with their consternation and dismay. Still the picture that
own weapons, if you would defend the innocent had just been drawn of the ruin that would asagainst them. As it is, the law is with them, suredly befall her Richard, unless she interposed
and will prove the instrument of their vengeance. to save him, had more vivid colors even than
The notes were found upon his person; he strove that of Trevethick's anger. Let him kill her, if




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    77
he would, after the trial was over, but Richard          CHAPTER XXVI.
should go free.
"I will do your bidding, madam," said she,         MB. ROBERT BALFOUR.
suddenly, " though I perish, body and soul."  AN author of sensitive organization has always
" You say that now, girl, and it's well and a difficulty in treating the subject of prison life.
bravely said; but will you have strength to put If he avoids details, the critics do not ascribe it
your words to proof?  When I am gone, and to delicacy, but to incompetence; if, on the othtllhere are none but Richard's foes about you, will er hand, he enters into them, they nudge the elyou resist their menaces, their arguments, their bow of the public, and hint that this particular
cajolements, and be true as steel?"        phase of human experience is his specialty"I will, I will; I swear it," answered Harry, that he " ought to know," because he has been
passionately; " they shall never turn me from  " through the mill" himself. This is not kind,
it. But suppose they prevent me from leaving of course; but the expression, "a little more
Gethin, from attending at the trial at all?"  than kin and less than kind," is exceedingly ap"Well thought of!" answered Mrs. Gilbert, plicable to the critic in relation to his humble
approvingly; "she has some wits, then, after brother, the author. We will take a middle
all, this girl. As for their forbidding you to give course, then, and exhibit only just so much of
evidence, however, Mr. Weasel, who is Richard's Cross Key as may be seen in a "justice's visit."
lawyer, will see to that. You will be subpoenaed   Twenty years ago, the system of treatment of
as a witness for the defense. You will say, then, prisoners before trial incarcerated in her Majesthat it was you who opened the strong-box, and ty's jails was not so uniform as it now is. In
took out the notes, and gave them into Richard's some they were permitted few privileges not enhand."                                      joyed by the convicts themselves; in others a
"But how could Ilopen the letter padlock?"  considerable difference was made between the two
"Good, again!" answered the other; "you classes. The establishment at Cross Key leaned
have asked the very question for which I have to the side of indulgence. Its inmates who were
brought the answer. Now, listen!  Have you awaiting their trial were allowed to wear their
access to your father's watch at times when he own clothes; to write letters to their fiiends
does not wear it?"                         without supervision (though not without the sus"Yes; he does not always put it on-never on picion of it on their own part); and to mingle
the day he goes to market, for instance. He together for some hours in a common room,
comes back late, you see."                  where that unbroken silence which pervades all
" Just so; and sometimes, perhaps, not alto- our modern Bastiles, and is perhaps their most
gether sober.  Very good.  Now, you once terrible feature, was not insisted upon. In this
opened that watch from curiosity, and saw a pa- common room Richard Yorke was sitting on the
per in its case with B N Z upon it. Those letters afternoon following his incarceration. The prinformed the secret by which the lock was opened. cipal meal of the day had been just concluded,
You tried it, just in fun at first, and found they and himself and his fellow-guests were brooding
did. Do you understand?"                    moodily over their troubles. The platters, the
"I do," said Harry.                       block-tin knives, so rounded that the most de"You will not forget, then, what you have to termined self-destroyer could never job himself
say; or shall I recapitulate it?"          with them into Hades, and the metal mugs had
"There is no need," groaned Harry.  "I been removed, and their places on the narrow
shall remember it forever, be sure of that, and deal table were occupied by a few periodicals
on my death-bed most of all." With a wearied of a somewhat depressing character, though
look on her wan face, and a heavy sigh, the'" devoted to the cultivation of quiet cheerfulyoung girl rose to go.  " Good-night, madam. ness," and by a leaden inkstand much too large
We need not speak of this again to-morrow, need to be swallowed.  The prisoners - upon the
we "                                        ground, perhaps, of not needing the wings of lib" Surely not, child. My mission here is done. erty for any other purpose —were expected to
The rain is falling still, and that will be a suffi- furnish (firom  them) their own pens.  There
cient excuse for my departure. I had a sick were but half a dozen of these unfortunates; all,
headache to-night-remember that-but it will with two exceptions, were of the same type-that
be better after a night's sleep."           of the ordinary agricultural criminal. Ignorant,
" Do you sleep?" asked Harry, simply. "Ah slouching, dogged, they might have fired a rick,
me, I would that I could sleep!"           or killed a keeper, or even-sacrilegious but un"Of course I do. Is it not necessary for thinking boors-have shot a great man's pheasRichard's sake that I should be well and strong? ant. They did not make use of their privileges
I could weep all night and fast all day, if I let of conversation beyond a muttered word or two,
my foolish heart have its own will. It is easy but stared stupidly at the pictures in the magaenough to grieve at any time; one has only to zines, wondering (as well they might) at the bethink to do that. Sleep, child, sleep, and dream  nevolent faces of the landlords, clergymen, and
of him as he will be when you have set him free; all persons in authority therein portrayed, or
then wake to work his freedom. I will tell him  perhaps not wondering at them at all, but rather
that you will do so. Press your lips to mine, pondering whether Bet and the children had
that I may carry their sweet impress back to gone into "the House" or not by this time, or
him. One moment more. Do not get your lesson whether the man in the big wig would be hard
by heart, lest they should doubt you; but hold upon themselves next Wednesday three weeks.
by this one sentence, and never swerve from it:   One of these two exceptions was,- of course,'I gave Richard Yorke the notes with my own our hero, who looked, by contrast: with these
hand.' That is the key which can alone un- poor, simple malefactors, like a being from anlock his prison-door. Good-night, good night." other world, a fallen angel, but with the evil




78                               BRED IN THE BONE.
forces of his new abode already gathering fast ous toil.  His gray eyes looked keenly at Rich.
within him.  His capacities for ill, indeed, were ard from under their bushy brows, as he proten times theirs; and the dusky glow of his dark pounded a second inquiry:
eyes evinced that they were at work, though    "What are you in for?  Forgery or embezthey did but ineffectually reflect the hell of hate zlement, I reckon-which is it?"
that was beginning to be lit within him.  It   "Neither," answered Richard, laconically, a
flamed against the whole world of his fellow- bitter smile parting his lips in spite of himself.
creatures, so mad he was with pride and scorn    "Well, now, that's curious," observed the
and rage; his hand should be against every man other, coolly. " If it was not that you were sent
henceforth, as theirs was now against him; his here with the rest of us, and not shut up by yourmotto, like the exeunt exclamation of the mob in self, I should have guessed'Murder' outright,
the play, should be: " Fire, burn, slay!"  He for you were looking all that a minute ago; and
was like a spoiled child who for the first time since it could not be murder, I thought it must
has received a severe punishment-for a wonder, be one of the other two."
not wholly deserved-and who wishes, in his   "I don't know what I am  here for," said
vengeful passion, that all mankind might have Richard, gloomily, "except that the charge is
one neck in common with his persecutor, that false."
(forgetting he is no Hercules) his infant arms    "Oh, of course," rejoined the other, with a
might throttle it off-hand. The love which he grim chuckle; " it's always false the first time,
still felt for Harry and his mother, far from soft- and as often afterward as we can get the juries
ening him  toward others, rather increased his to believe us.  I'm an old hand myself, and my
bitterness of spirit.  They, too, were suffering feelings are not easily wounded; but I have nevwrong and ill-treatment, and needed an avenger. er yet disgraced myself by pleading guilty.  It's
His fury choked him, so that he had eaten no- throwing a chance away, unless you are a very
thing of what had been set before him, and he beautiful young woman who has put away her
now sat leaning with his elbows on the bare baby, and that I never was, nor did."
boards, staring with heated eyes at the blank    "Beauty in distress mollifies the court, does
wall before him, and feeding on his own heart.  it?" inquired Richard, willing to be won from
"This is your first time in quod, I guess, his own wretchedness by talk even with a man
young gentleman," observed a quiet voice beside like this.
him.                                            " Mollifies!-yes, it makes a molly of every
Richard started. He had thrown one con- body.  I have known a judge shed tears about
temptuous glance upon the company when they it, which he is not bound to do unless he has the
first assembled, and had decided that they pos- black cap on-that always set him going like an
sessed no more interest for him than a herd of onion. Why, I've seen even an attorney use his
cattle; buried in his own sombre thoughts, he pocket-handkerchief because of a pretty face in
had lost consciousness of their very presence, as trouble; but then she was his client, to be sure.
of that of the warder, who was pacing up and Talking of attorneys, you'll have Weasel, of
down the room with monotonous tread.  But course?"
now that his attention was thus drawn to his   Richard nodded an affirmative.
next neighbor, he saw that he differed some-   "Quite right. I should have him myself, if
what from the rest; not that he was more in- there was a shadow of a chance; but, as it is,
telligent-looking-for, indeed, there was a reck- it's throwing good money out o' winder. I wish
less brutality in his expression which the others you better luck, young gentleman, than mine is
lacked-but there was a certain resolution and like to be; not that you want luck, of course,
strength of will in his face, which at least told but only justice."
of power. But it was the tone of voice, which,   Richard did not relish this tone of banter, and
coming from such a man, though it was a gruff  he showed it in his look.
voice enough in itself, had something conciliato- " Come, come," said the other, good-humorry and winning in it, that chiefly attracted Rich, edly, " it is a pity to curdle such a handsome
ard. Perhaps, too, the phrase "young gentle- face as yours with sour thoughts.  Let us be
man" flattered his vanity.  We can not throw  friends, for you may be glad of even a friend like
off all our weaknesses at a moment's notice, no me some dirty day."
matter how stupendous the crisis in our fortunes,' It is very likely," answered Richard, bitterany more than, though our boat be sinking under ly.':I see no fine days ahead, nor yet fine
us, we can divest ourselves of our clothes with a friends."
single shrug; and sympathy and deferential re-   "I hope you will see both," answered the
spect had still their weight with Richard Yorke. other, frankly.  " The first time one finds one's
Perhaps, too, his nature had not yet even got self provided for so extra careful as this," with a
quit of its gregariousness, and he was not sorry glance at the iron bars across the low-arched
to have his acquaintance sought, though by this windows, " the prospect always does seem dark.
hang-dog thief.                               But one learns to look upon the bright side at
" I have never been in prison before, if that is last.  Is the figure very heavy that you're in
what you mean," returned he, civilly.         for?  Excuse my country manners: I don't
He who asked the question was a stout-built, mean to be rude, nor do I ask the question from
grizzled fellow, of about fifty years.  He was mere curiosity; but you don't look like one to
dressed like a well-to-do farmer, but his accent have come here for a mere trifle."
smacked of London rather than the country;   "The amount in question is two thousand
and his hands, Richard observed, were not so pounds."
coarse and rough as might be expected in one   "No whistling there!" cried the warder, perused to manual labor, though his limbs and emptorily, for the "' old hand" had not been able
frame were powerful enough for the most ardu- to repress an expression of emotion at this an



BRED IN THE BONE.                                    79
nouncement.  He looked at Richard with an    "You would not write a letter for me, though,
air of self-complacency, such as a gentleman of the would you?" inquired the other, wistfully.  "I
middle classes exhibits on suddenly discovering should like to tell-somebody as I've left at home
that he has been in familiar converse with a per- -where I am gone to; and the fact is, I can't
son of title, or a small trader on being brought write; I never learned how to do it."
into unexpected connection with a merchant   A blush came over Bob Balfour's face for the
prince. The gigantic character of the " opera- first time; the man was ashamed of his ignotion" had invested this young man with an in- rance, though not of his career of crime.  "If
creased interest in the stranger's eye.     it's too much trouble, say so," added he, gruffly.
"That's a great beginning," said he, admir- "Perhaps it was too great a favor to ask of a
ingly, "and could scarcely have happened with gentleman born."
a poor devil like me. One requires to be born a   "Not at all," said Richard, hastily, "if the
gentleman to have such opportunities.  Now, I man will bring us pen and paper."
don't mind telling you," here he sank his voice   "Hush! the officer, if you please," said Balto a whisper, and looked cautiously about him, four. "They like to be' officered,' these gentry,
" that I was forty years of age before I ever got every one of them. Some friends of mine always
such a haul as yours. I've done better since, addresses'em as'dogs;' but that's a mistake,
but it's been up-hill work, for all that."  when they has to watch you."
"It doesn't seem  to have been very hard   Mr. Robert Balfour spoke a few respectful
work," said Richard, with a meaning glance at words to the warder, and the requisite materials
the other's hand.                           were soon laid upon the table. Richard dipped
"'Well, no, I can't say as it's been hard; a his pen in the ink, and waited for directions.
neat touch is what is wanted in my profession." " It's only a fewv words," muttered Mr. Balfour,
"Why, you're not a pick-'' Richard hesitated apologetically, "to my old mother.  Perhaps
from motives of delicacy.                   you have a mother yourself, young gentleman?"
" A pickpocket?  Well, I hope not, Sir, in-   "I have."  He had written to her guardedly
deed," interrupted the other, indignantly.  the previous day, before he left Plymouth, to tell
" Then what are you?" said Richard, bluntly. her the same sad news which he was now, as he
As a coy maiden blushes and hangs her head supposed, about to repeat for another, and to urge
in silence when asked the question which she is her to repair to Cross Key at once.
yet both proud and pleased to answer in the af-   Mr. Balfour beat softly on the table with his
firmative, so did Mr. Robert Balfour (for such forefinger for a moment, and then, as though he
was the name of our new acquaintance) pause had found the key-note of the desired composiand in graceful confusion rub his stubble chin tion, dictated as follows:
with his closed fist ere he replied: "Well, the
fact is, I have been in the gold and precious stone   "MY DEAR MOTHEn,-When this comes to
line these thirty years, and never in the provinces hand, I shall have took your advice, and started
until this present summer, when I came down for the New World. There's a ship a-sailing
here, as a Yankee pal of mine once put it,'to from Plymouth in a day or two, and my passage
open a little jewelry store.'"'             in her is booked. I didn't like to come back to
" With a crowbar?" suggested Richard, with a town again, for fear I should change my mind,
faint smile.                                and turn to the old trade. The post is queer
" Just so," said the other, nodding; "and it and doubtful, they tell me, in these far-away
so happened that yours truly, Bob Balfour, was parts; but you shall hear from me whenever I
caught in the very act."                    have an opportunity. All as is mine is yours,
" And what term of punishment do you ex- remember; so, use it. I have no need of money'
pect for such a-"                           myself, for there's a place being kep for me, out
" Such a misfortune as that?" answered Mr. yonder, in the carpentering line. Hoping this
Balfour, hastening to relieve Richard's embar- finds you well, as it leaves me, I am your dutiful
rassment. " Well, if I had got the swag, I should son,             ROBERT BALFOUR."
-considering the testimonials that will be handed in-have been a lifer. But since I did not   " Then you don't tell her any thing about
realize so much as a weddin' ring, twenty years what's happened to you?" said Richard, wonought to see me through it now."            deringly.
Twenty years! Why, this man would be over   " Why should I?  The poor soul's over sevseventy before he regained his liberty!    enty, and will never see me again. It's much
" Great Heaven!" cried Richard, " can you better that she should have a pretty picture to
be cheerful with such a future before you! and look at than such a reality as this; ain't it?"
at the end of it, to be turned old and penniless   "Well, I suppose it is."
into the wide world!"                        This delicate feeling on the part of Mr. Balfour
A genuine pity showed itself in the young jarred upon Richard. He had taken no pains
man's look and tone. A minute before he had to break the news of his imprisonment to his
thought himself the most wretched of human be- mother; on the contrary, he had painted the
ings; yet here was one whose fate was even wretchedness of his position, with a view to set
harder, and who met it without repining. Com- forth the urgent necessity for help, in its most
nmunity of trouble had already touched the heart sombre colors. Of course there was a great difwhich he had thought was turned to stone.   ference in the two cases, an immense difference;
"Are you sorry for me, young gentleman," but still he resented this exhibition of natural
inquired the convict, in an altered voice, "you piety, as contrasting unpleasantly with his own
who have got so much trouble of your own to conduct,
bear?"                                       The other, however, had no suspicion of this.
"'I am, indeed," said Richard, frankly.   His thoughts, just then, were far away; and the
II




80                              BRED IN THE BONE.
subject of them gave an unwonted softness to his   Richard drew back his extended arm and turntone as he observed: "I thank you for this, ed crimson.
kindly, young gentleman.  Here's the address-   "Don't be offended, Sir, " said the lawyer; " but
Earl Street, Spitalfields.  It's her own house; the fact is, the authorities here don't like it.
and she will have enough, and to spare, while There are some parties in this place who employ
she lives, thank the Lord!  Well, that's done very queer legal advisers; and in shaking hands,
with; and if Bob Balfour can do you a good turn a file or a gimlet, and a bit of tobacco, are as
for it, he will. Hello, you're wanted."     likely to pass as not. That warder can see every
" Richard Yorke!" repeated the warder, loud- thing, my dear young Sir; but he can no more
ly.  "Can't you hear?"                     hear what we say than he can understand what a
Richard had heard well enough; but the idea couple of bumble-bees are murmuring about who
that it was his mother who had come to see him  are barred up in a double window. We can
had for the moment unmanned him; he well therefore converse with one another as much
knew how proud she had been of him; and how  without reserve as we please, or rather"-and here
was he to meet her now, disgraced, disheartened, the little man's eyes twinkled significantly-" as
in prison, a reputed thief! But the next instant you please. What I hear from a client in this
he reflected that her arrival could not be possibly ridiculous place is never revealed beyond it, exlooked for for some days; perhaps it was Treve- cept so far as it may serve his interests. If Mr.
thick, who had, in the mean time, learned all, and Dodge (to whose favor, as I understand, I owe
was come to announce his willingness to with- this introduction) has told you any thing concerndraw from the prosecution; perhaps Harry her- ing me, he will, I am sure, have advised you to
self was with him; perhaps-                 be quite frank and candid."
But there was no time for further prognostica-   "There was no necessity for such a warning,
tion; a second warder was at the door, beckon- Mr.Weasel, in my case, I do assure you," answering impatiently, and Richard rose at once. The ed Richard, earnestly.  "I have nothing to condull faces of the rest were all raised toward him  ceal from you with respect to the circumstances
with a malign aspect; they feared that some of my position: they are unfortunate, and doubtgood news was come for him, that they were less very suspicious; but I am as innocent of this
about to lose a companion in misfortune.  Only disgraceful charge-"
one held out his hand, with a "Good luck to    "Hush, hush! my dear Sir; this will never do.
you, young gentleman; though I never see you It is mere waste of time, though it might have
again, I shall not forget you."             been much worse.  Good Heavens! suppose you
"Silence there!" cried the officer in charge, had been guilty, and told me that! youwould have
as Richard passed out into the stone passage. placed me in the most embarrassing situation, as
"You ought to know our ways better than that, your professional adviser, it is possible for the
Balfour."                                   human mind to conceive. What I want to know
is your story, so far as these two thousand pounds
"*                     found in your possession are concerned. Whether it is true or not, does not matter a button. I
CHAPTER XXVII.                  want to know whether it seems true; whether
it will seem true to ajudge andjury.  You have
thought the matter over, of course; you have
IN a hall of stone stood a room of glass, and gone through it in your own mind from beginin that room the inmates of Cross Key Jail were iling to end-now please to go over it to me."
permitted to have access to their legal advisers.   The little man whipped out a note-book, leaned
They were not lost sight of by the jealous guard- forward in his chair, and looked all eye and ear,
inns of the place, one of whom perambulated the like a terrier watching at a rat-hole.
hall throughout the interview; but though lie   After a moment's pause, Richard stated his case
could see all that passed, he could hear nothing. pretty much as we are already acquainted with it;
Mr. Weasel of Plymouth was very well known at the little lawyer interrupting him now and then by
Cross Iey as being a frequent visitor to that trans- a gesture, but never by a word, in order that he
parent apartment, and those prisoners whom he might set down a point or a memorandum.
favored with his attentions were justly held in    "Very good," said Mr. Weasel, when he had
high estimation by the warders, as gentlemen quite finished.  "That's your story, is it?"
who, though in difficulties, had at least some con-   "It's the truth, Sir."
siderable commandofready money. IHlewaswait-   "Hush! my dear young Sir. We shall have
ing now, with his hat on (which he always wore, enough of that-the truth, the whole truth, and
to increase his very limited stature), in this cham- nothing but the truth-a fortnight hence. What
ber of audience; and so withered up he looked, you and I have to consider are the probabilities.
and such a sharp, shrunk face he had, that Rich- Why did you go to Plymouth, more than any other
ard, seeing him in the glass case, might have place, to change these notes?"
thought him some dried specimen of humanity,    "Because I had heard there was a Miners' Bank
not alive at all, had he not chanced to be in the there, and Trevethick had mentioned the notes
act of taking snuff; and even that was ghostly of that company as being as good, in his opinion,
too, since it produced the pantomimic action of as those of the Bank of England.  I thought it
sneezing without its accompanying sound.    would be easier to get the Mining notes in ex"Mr. Richard Yorke, I believe?" said be, as change for those of the Bank of England, than
soon as they were shut up within the walls of others of the same bank."
glass.' I am glad to make your acquaintance,   " The check which you showed this Trevethick
Sir, though I wish, for your' sake, that it happened was not, then, a 6onedficle piece of paper, eh?"
in another place, You'll excuse my not offering    "It was not," said lichard, casting down his
you my hand,"                                eyes,




BRED IN THE BONE.                                      81
"Verv good," answered the lawyer, so cheer- as we hold. I could go to Gethin myself, though
fully that you would have thought his client had it would be most inconvenient at this busy time,
cleared himself of the least suspicion upon t/hat and refiesh this young woman's memory;. but it
score, at all events. "Now, where did youget it?" is a delicate task, and would be looked upon by the
" MIy mother sent me a blank check, at my re- other side with some suspicion. Now, is there no
quest, and I filled it in."                   judicious fiiend that can be thoroughly depend" That check is destroyed, you say-you burn- ed upon-a female fiiend, if possible, since the
ed it, of course?"                           affair may require tact and sympathy-to effect
"No; I tore it up, and threw it out of the this little negotiation?  Think, my good Sir,
window of the carriage."                     think."
"The devil you did!" said Mr. Weasel, in    "Why, there is my mother herself!" ejacuperturbation.  " That is not the way to destroy lated Richard, suddenly.  " She is the wisest of
checks.  Had your mother an account at the women, and the very one to conduct this matter,
bank on which it was drawn?"                 if properly instructed."
"Of course." said Richard, simply.            "Is she, now, is she?" said the lawyer, cheeri"There is nothing'of course,' Mr. Yorke, ly. " Cme, come, that's well, and I begin to see
in this matter," answered the lawyer, gravely. a little light. Let her go down to Gethin, where,
"Are you quite sure?"                        as I conclude, she is not known, and see Miss
"Quite.  She has always had an account Trevethick herself.  I should like to see her bethere; though to no such amount as two thou- forehand, however; indeed, that is absolutely
sand pounds."                                 necessary."
" It is a large sum," muttered the lawyer,   "In my note to her, yesterday, I asked her to
thoughtfully, "but still they have not lost one call at your office in Plymouth on her way hithpenny of it. In case things went against you, er," stammered Richard.  "I thought it better
Mr. Yorke, would an appeal to the prosecutor be -that is, in the first instance-that she should
likely to be of service?"                    hear from you how matters stood."
" Certainly not," answered Richard, hastily.   Mr. Weasel took a copious pinch of snuff, and
"I would not accept mercy at his hands; besides, shut his eyes, as though he were going to sneeze.
it is not a question of mercy."               Whenever a client got upon an embarrassing topic
"It may come to that," observed the other, Mr. Weasel took snuff, to obviate the necessity
gravely.  "We must not deceive ourselves, Mr. of looking him in the face; while, in case of any
Yorke."                                       compromising disclosure, Mr. Weasel sneezed, to
"Good HIeasens! do you believe, then, that I obviate hearing it.
took this money with intent to steal it?"      "In a case of this kind, Mr. Yorke, not a mo" What my belief is is of no consequence, one ment is to be lost. I should advise your mother's
way or the other; but my opinion is that the jury going direct to Gethin from my house, and makwill take that view, if they hear your story as you ing sure of this young lady's evidence.  There is
tell it. The fact is, you have left out the most even a possibility-I don't say it is probable, but
important incident of all: the whole case will there is just a chance, you see-that she may be
hinge upon the young lady's having given you subpoenaed by the other side."
these notes with her own hand. It is evident, of    "Just so," assented Ricl!ard, so naively that
course, that she sympathized with you in your a smile flitted across the little lawyer's face.
scheme," pursued the lawyer, rapidly, and holding    " Under these circumstances, then, this is
up his finger to forbid the protest that was already what we will do, my dear young Sir: Mrs. Yorke
rising to Richard's lip: "nothing could be more will go to the Get/iaz Castle as a guest, and, as I
natural, though most imprudent and ill judged, shall venture to suggest, under another name;
than her behavior.  She had no more idea of she will then find an opportunity of speaking to
stealing the money than you had; how should she, Miss Trevethick without awakening her father's
since it was in a manner her own, she being her suspicions; and when she comes to Cross Key,
father's sole heiress.  You and I see that clearly she w\vill have, I trust, some good news to bring
enough, but to a jury used to mere matters of fact, you, something to talk about (although you must
motive haslittle digniificanceunlessput into action. be very careful and guarded, mind that, for you
What we want, and what we must have, is evi- will not be left alone together, as we are) besides
dence that you got these notes, not only for this mere regrets and lamentations; don't you see,
girl's sake, but from her fingers.  Nobody can don't you see?"
hurt her, you know. Trevethick could never   Richard saw exceedingly well, and felt more
prosecute his own daughter; indeed, the whole grateful to the lawyer for devising such an araffair dwindles down to a lover's stratagem, and rangenment than he would like to have confessed;
there is no need for prosecuting any body, if we nevertheless, he did thank him heartily.
can only put Harry Trevethick into the witness-   "Not at all, not at all, my dear young Sir,"
box. Now can we, Mr. Yorke, or can we not? drawing on one of his gloves, in signal of departthat's the question."                         ure.  " In a case like this, we must consult feelRichard was silent; the lawyer's argument ings as well as array our facts; we must bring
struck him with its full force. lie had no scru- heart and head to bear together.  Speaking of
ples on the matter for his own part, but he feared head reminds me, by-the-by, of the subject of
that Harry might entertain them —they would be counsel.  I propose to instruct Mr. Smoothbore,
only too much in keeping with her credulous and who leads upon this circuit; I gather from your
superstitious nature.                         letter that there will be no difficulty with respect
"If I could talk to her alone for five min- to funds."
utes," muttered Richard, uneasily.              " Whatever may be necessary, Mr. W'easel, for
"That is impossible," said Mr. Weasel, with my defense will be, you may rest assured, forthdecision.  "We can only play with such cards coming.  My mother-"




82                              BRED IN TiHE BONE.
The smile disappeared from the lawyer's face that the warder was not too near, and lowered
with electrical rapidity. " Pardon me, my young his voice to a whisper.  " Is this little affair your
friend," said he; " but as a professional man, I first, my dear young Sir?  I mean," added he,
only deal with principals in these matters. The " have you ever been in trouble with the law beword forthcoming is a little vague. Counsel are fore?"
paid beforehand, you must remember."          "Certainly not," replied Richard. smiling.
We must not be angry with Mr. Weasel, who    "I had anticipated your answer," said the litwas really a good sort of man after his kind. He tle lawyer, gayly; "but I thought it right to
was naturally cautious, and if he had been the make quite certain. Because. if the affair should
most trustful of mankind his experience would happen to reach a stage where the question of
have taught him prudence, He did like to see'character' is mooted (though it won't get so fir
his money down; and really, as to Mr. Yorke, all as that, I trust, in our case), one doesn't like to
he knew of his pecuniary position was with rela- be taken altogether by surprise, do you see?
tion to that blank check, the history of which You have been a landscape-painter, you say. A
was not of a nature to inspire confidence.  most innocent and charming occupation, I am
"I was about to observe," said tichard, sure, and one which Smoothbore will make the
haughtily, "that my mother would satisfy all very most of. The case altogether will afford
claims; but, in the mean time, there were over him such opportunities that he really ought to do
a hundred pounds in notes and gold which were it cheap. And you've never been any thing else,
found upon me when I was searched at Ply- have you? never had any other calling, or obmouth. If you doubt me, you have only to make tained your livelihood by any other than quite
inquiries."                                 legaland permissible means-eh? What, what?
"My dear young Sir," returned the lawyer, You have not been quite frank and candid with
earnestly, "this is not courteous, this is not kind. me, my dear Sir, I fear."
I never doubted you from the first moment that   "It is really not of much consequence," said
I saw you; no one with any knowledge of man- Richard, hesitating.
kind could do so. Professional etiquette com-   " You must allow me to be the judge of that,
pelled me to remark that I could treat with prin- Mr. Yorke," said the other, gravely, taking off
cipals only, that is all. Let me see," added he, his hat once more and one of his gloves.  "hImnconsulting his note-book, "have I any thing agine yourself a good Catholic, if you please,
more to say? Yes, yes. With respect to this with Father Weasel for your priest."
votng lady, Miss Harry Trevethick-I did not   The confession lasted for some minutes.
like to interrupt you at the time, but I see I have   "I think you will admit that what I have told
made a memorandum-is she pretty?"          you has not much bearing upon the matter in
"She is very, very beautiful," said Richard, hand," said Richard, when he had finished.
earnestly, the remembrance of her beauty giving    "None at all, none at all-that is, I hope.a tenderness to his tone.                  not," answered the other, thoughtfully.  " But
"'That's capital!" nodded thelawyer.  "Old what an interesting revelation it is!  What a
Bantam is our judge this session, and he likes a nice point as to whether the matter is an offense
pretty face. So do we all, for the matter of that, against the law or not! IIow prettily SmoothI hope. You are young and good-looking your- bore would treat the subject, if it. chanced to
self, too; Smoothbore will make something of come in his way!" He looked at Richard with
that, you may depend upon it.'Gracious Heav- admiration.  "You're a most remarkable young
ens, is the iron arm of the law to sunder these man, Sir; I wish that circumstances permitted
happy lovers for a mere indiscretion, and make of my shaking you by the hand.  Good-morning,
their bright young lives a blank forever?' He'll my dear Sir.  You may depend upon my not
give them  something like that, Sir, in a voice permitting the grass to grow under my feet.
broken by emotion, and bring you off with flying When your mother comes she will have good
colors."                                    news for you.  Good-morning."
"I don't care about the colors, if he only   The warder took possession of Richard, while
brings me off," said Richard, grimly.       Mr. Weasel, followed by the young man's long" A very natural remark, my dear young Sir, ing eyes, was ushered to the opposite door, on
for one, in your present situation; but three the other side of which was liberty. But the
weeks hence, as I both hope and believe, you will lawyer's mind was still within the prison walls,
not be so easily satisfied; the more we have, the though his legs were free, and walking up the
more we want, you know-except in the matter street of the little town toward his inn.
of time. I have very little to spare of it just   " Now, that is really a most remarkable young
now, and must therefore take my leave."     man," he murmured to himself.  "A  most inMr. Weasel had put on his other glove and his genious young fellow, upon my word. The idea
hat, and, with a cheerful nod, had actually placed of his having invented a new crime! Why, bless
his fingers on the door-handle, when he sudden- my heart, it's quite an epoch-quite an epoch!"
ly turned round, and said: " By-the-by, I had
almost forgotten a little form of words, which in
your case I am sure will be but a form, and yet
I do not like to omit it. I never leave a client       CHAPTER XXVIII.
in your position without asking him the question;E IRON C
so you must excuse me, my young friend, and
not be offended."                             So long as Richard had had Mr. Weasel to bear
" I am not in a position to be very sensitive him company, half his troubles-so elastic was
about what is said to me," answered Richard, his nature, and so apt for social intercoursebitterly.  " Pray ask whatever you please."    seemed to have been removed; but now that that
Mr. Weasel looked cautiously round, to see brisk, confident voice was heard no more, and




BRED IN THE BONE.                                      83
the stone passages only echoed to the tread of mant, for the hour, that, however long delayed,
the warder and himself, his spirits sank even must come at last-of vengeance!  He thought
lower than they had been before.  Alone in his of Solomon Coe as one of a dominant race thinks
comfortless cell, he went over the lawyer's talk of the slave who has become his master, and was
anew, and it was strange how the sparks of com- his murderer in his heart ten times a day. IHe
fort died out of it. It was clear that in the first thought of him as the man who would marry
instance his companion had taken a gloomy view  Trevethick's daughter, his own Harry, while he
of his case, that he looked upon Richard's own (Richard) rotted in jail.
story with utter disbelief, and was convinced it   Such were the bitter reflections, creeping fears.
would not hold water before a jury. IHis remark and meagre hopes which consumed him when lie
about the money having been recovered must was alone, that is to say, for five-sixths of the day
have had reference to a possible mitigation of and all the weary night.  In the society of BIalthe sentence, and therefore took conviction for four he found, if not solace, at least some respite
granted.  Nor, upon reconsideration of the case from his gnawing cares.  The importance which
with calmness-the calm of loneliness and despair this man had attached to the recovery of stolen
— was, Richard himself admitted, any other con- goods as mitigating the punishment of crime, and
clusion to be arrived at by a stranger.  Those to good looks in the case of a female witness or
who were acquainted with his rash and impulsive prisoner, corroborated as it had been by the judicharacter and reckless ways would understand cial experience of Mr. Weasel, gave him confithat he had no serious intention of robbing dence in the convict's intelligence; or, at least,
Trevethick-except, that is, of his daughter; in his judgment with respect to the matter on
even Trevethick himself must be aware of that; which Richard's thoughts were solely concenthough, with that same exception before his eyes, trated.  He was never weary of asking this
it was more than doubtful whether he would ac- man's opinion on this point and on that of his
knowledge it.  Smarting with the sense of the own case, the details of which he fully confided
deceit that Richard had practiced (almost with to him.  Balfour, on his part, gave him his best
success) upon hirn, he might conceal his real im- advice, and whatever comfort he could. He did
pression of the affair, and treat it as a common not resent, nor even seem to be aware of the fact,
felony.  Taking the brutality of Solomon's man- that the position in which he stood himself awoke
ner to him when he was arrested as an index of no corresponding sympathy in Richard.  iHe
his prosecutor's purpose, he felt that this was had taken a fancy to this young fellow, so differwhat would happen; and if so, what chance ent from any companion that he had ever known;
would he have against such evidence?  Would was flattered by his confidence; and felt that
the judge and jury be persuaded to believe that enthusiasm toward him which friendship, when
he had acted with the romantic folly that had it exists between two persons of widely different
in reality possessed him?  And if not, to what grades, sometimes begets in the inferior.
protracted wretchedness might he not be doomed!   A week passed on, and then, at the same time
His old hopes, in short, lay dead within him, and place as before, Richard was summoned from
and he felt that his late adviser had been right in his fellow-prisoners.  lie turned pale in spite of
suggesting the evidence of Harry Trevethick as himself, as he rose fiom the table to meet for
the only means to secure his acquittal.  He did the first time, since disgrace had overwhelmed
not look beyond that for an hour. Life for the him, his mother's face.
next three weeks would have but one event for   "Don't give way, my young master," whishim-his trial and its result.  The little attorney, pered Balfour, good-naturedly, "'for that will
whom he had seen but once, the suasive barrister, only make the old woman fret."
of whom he had only heard, were friom henceforth   Richard nodded, and followed the warder, who
the two persons upon earth who had the most in- on this occasion led the way through a different
terest for him of all mankind.  If they failed door.  " It ain't Mr. Weasel this time," said the
him, all was lost.  If they succeeded, all, or latter, in answer to his look of surprise; "it's a
what had now become his all, was gained.  He private friend, and therefore we can't let you
thought of Harry only as the being upon whose have the glass box." He ushered him into what
testimony his fate depended; he did not picture would have been a stone court-yard, except that
her to himself in any other character, though it had a roof also of stone. In the middle of
perhaps he would have refused to part with her this, running right across it, was a sort of cage
even at the price of that liberty which had be- of iron, or rather a passage some six feet broad,
come so precious in his eyes. She would surely shut in on either side by high iron rails; within
not refuse to say the half-dozen words which this paced an officer of the prison; and on the
were the "open sesame" that alone could set him  other side of it stood a female figure, whom
free! He thought of his mother, not so much as Richard at once recognized as his mother. It
such-the truest and most unselfish fiiend he was with this iron cage between them, and in the
had-as the person best qualified to win Harry presence of an official, that prisoners in Cross
over to speak those words. He was no longer Key Jail were alone permitted to receive the
ashamed to see her; his heart was so fall of visits of their friends and kinsfolk. It was no
anxious fear that there was no room for shame; wonder that in an interview under such restricbut he was glad that the lawyer had recommend- tions, Mr. Weasel should have recommended
ed her to visit Gethin before coming to Cross caution.
Key. What he thirsted for was hope, a gleam    To do Richard justice, however, that was not.
of sunshine, a whisper of good news.  If his the reflection that now passed through his mind.
mother had not that to give him, let her stay For all his selfish thoughts and calculations, he
away.  He did not wish his heart to be melted had really yearned to cast himself on his mowitlhin him by regrets and tears; if there was no ther's breast, and feel once more her loving arms
hope, let it harden on, till it was as hard as ada- around him; to whisper in her ever-ready ear




84                             BRED IN THE BONE.
his sorrow for the past, his anxieties for the fu-   "I knew it," exclaimed Richard, stamping his
ture; and when he saw that this was not to be, foot on the stone floor.  " Those sullen brutes,
the heart that he would have poured out before Trevethick and the other, would have my life,
her seemed to sink and shrink within him. In if they could. There is nothing that they would
this material obstacle between them he seemed stick at, be assured of that-and do you put
to behold a type of the dread doom that was im- Weasel on his guard-to work my ruin. How
pending over him-separation from humanity, could he be such a dolt as to let them be beforeexclusion from the world without, a life-long en- hand with him, when he himself said there was
tombment within stone walls. He put his hand not an hour to be lost!"
and arm through the bars, mechanically, to touch    "Indeed, Richard, all was done for the best.
his mother's fingers, and when he found he could One could scarcely expect Mr. Weasel to adnot reach them, he burst into tears. It was only vance so large a sum as was required, without
by a great effort that Mrs. Yorke could main- security; and he did communicate with Mr.
tain her self-control; but she, nevertheless, did Smoothbore as soon as he had satisfied himself
do so. Her face was calm, and her eves, though upon that score. He assures me Mr. Balais is
full of tenderness and pity, were tearless; only quite as clever a counsel. Indeed, I should not
her low, soft voice gave token of the woe with- have told you of the change, had you not pressed
in her in its tremulous and faltering tones.  the question so directly."
"Dear Richard," it said, "my own dear Rich-   "Tell me all, mother; tell me every thing; I
ard, take heart; a few days hence, and you will adjure you:to keep nothing back. To think and
be folded in your mother's arms; not to stray guess and fear, in a place like this, is worse than
from them again, I trust, my boy, my boy!" not to know the worst. Trevethick is a miser,
She pressed her forehead with its fine white hair and yet you say he is spending with a lavish
against the cruel bars, and seemed to devour him  hand. How is it you know that?"
with her loving eyes.  " All will yet be well,"   "Why, Mr. Smoothbore's clerk is a friend of
she continued; "your innocence can not fail to Mr. Weasel's, and he hears from him that his
be established, and this dreadful time will be for- master has never received so large a retaining
gotten like an evil dream."                 fee as on this occasion. The sum we offered,
" Have you been to Gethin, mother?"     two days afterward, though larger than is cus"Yes, dear; I only came from thence this tomary, was, he said, but a trifle compared with
morning. Harry sent you her best love. Your it."
faith in her, she bade me tell you, is not mis-   "You have something else to tell me yet, moplaced; she will be in the witness-box, for cer- ther-I see it in your eyes. If you go away
tain."  This last sentence was uttered in the with it untold, you leave me on the rack."
French tongue, and very rapidly.              "There is nothing more," answered his mo"I am very sorry, ma'am," interrupted the ther, hesitatingly, "or almost nothing."
official, who had retired to the further extremity    "What is it?" cried Richard, hoarselyof the cage, " but my orders are to prohibit con- " what is it?"
versation between prisoners and their friends in   "Well, merely this: that thinking that no
a foreign language."                        money should be spared to help you in this
" I will take care not to transgress again," said dreadful trouble, Richard, and having but a very
Mrs. Yorke, with a sweet smile; " your consider- little of my own, I-I forgot my pride and stead,
ation for us I am sure demands all obedience."  fast resolution never to ask your father-"
"Ias Mr. Weasel made his arrangements,   "You did not apply to Carew for money,
mother?"                                    surely?" ejaculated Richard, angrily.  "To let
" Yes, all; the subpcena will be sent to Gethin him know that I was here was ruin."
to morrow. Ile is most confident as to the re-   "It may have been ill judged, indeed, dear
sult."                                      Richard," replied his mother, quietly; "but it
"And what does Mr. Smoothbore say? I-Iave was not ill meant. Do you suppose it cost me
you seen him?"                             nothing to be his suppliant r Do you suppose I
"No, dear, no. But the matter on which I have no scorn nor hate, as you have, for those
went to Gethin having been satisfactorily ar- who have wronged me and you?  If fury could
ranged, we may consider that is all settled. avail to set you fiee, your mother would be as
Your counsel has no doubt of being able to estab- the tigress robbed of her young. It is an easy
lish your innocence, notwithstanding the malice thing enough to fume and foam; it is hard to
of your enemies."                           have to clasp the knees of those whom you de" But what is he like, this Smoothbore?"  spise, in vain."
"Well, the fact is, Richard, we have not got'6 He refused you, then-this man?"
him, but another man, Mr. Balais-quite his   "He did, Richard. He told me-what I had
equal, Mr. Weasel assures me, in all respects."  not learned from you; I do not say it to reproach
"Not got him!" cried Richard, impatiently. you, dear-what it was that had so long detain"Why, Weasel told me Smoothbore led the cir- ed you at Gethin.  Ile mentioned, in coarsest
cuit. Why have we not secured him?"        terms, your love for Harry, and how you had
"He has been retained by the other side," an- misrepresented yourself to'I'revethick as the heir
swered Mrs. Yorke, in a tone that she in vain of Crompton in order to win her. He expressed
endeavored to render cheerful.  "To say the a callous indifference to your present peril, and
truth, Richard, the prosecutor is exhibiting the added something more in menace than in warnutmost vindictiveness, and straining every nerve ing respecting that affair with Chandos which
for a conviction.  Money, which he was said to caused you to leave his roof. Since it seemed
be so fond of, is now no object with him, or at you had made no secret of the matter to Mr.
least he spares none. But he can not bribe Weasel, I showed himn Careew's note; and his
twelve honest men, nor a righteous judge."  opinion is that Trevethick hats spies at work to




BRED IN TU11E BONE.                                  85
track your past.  This may or may not injure had heard the heavy fluttering sigh that betokenyou. Mr. Weasel thinks that it will not; but ed Richard's return to consciousness, and knew
it shows the rancor with which this case is press- that the worst was over; unless, indeed, the comed by Trevethick-a malice which we are alto- ing back to life might not be the worst of all.
gether at a loss to understand."
Richard ground his heel upon the stone without reply, while his mother looked at him in
gravest sorrow.                                          CHAPTER XXIX.
"Your time is almost up, ma'am," said the
warder; "there's only a minute more."                      THE COURT-HOuSE.
" You told her how much depended on her,   Ir is proposed by some elevators of the public
mother, did you?" said Richard, rousing himself mind to make us all philosophers, and to abolin the effort.                              ish the morbid interest which mankind at pres"Yes, dear. She will not fail us, never fear. ent entertains in the issues of life and death.
Keep heart and hope; and as for me, you will be They hold it weakness that we should become
sure that not a moment of my waking thoughts excited by incident, or enthralled by mystery,
is wasted upon aught but you. I shall see you and prophesy a future when intelligence shall
again, once more at least, before your-before reign supreme, to the extinction of the vulgar
the trial comes on; and Mr. Weasel will be here passion for sensation. In the mean time, hownext week again. Is there any thing, my own ever, the sympathetic hopes and fears of humandear boy, that I can do for you?"          ity remain pretty much as they have been within
" One moment, mother.  Carew has not pun- all living memory; and one of the greatest treats
ished you on my account, I trust? He'has not that can be provided for the popular palate is a
cut off-l"                                  criminal trial.  There are many reasons why
"The annuity?  Yes; he has stopped that." this should be the case; the courts of law are
"May he rot on earth, and perish everlasting- free, and a sight that can be seen for nothing is
ly!"                                       of itself attractive, since we are, at all events,
"Hush, hush, dear; pray be calm; there is not losing our time and money too. Again, the
no need to firet. I can support myself without most popular drama, the most popular novel, are
his aid; indeed I can; and perhaps he may relent those to which the denouements can not easily
when he gets sane, for he was like a madman at be guessed; and in the court-house we see
my coming to Crompton.  Mr. Whymper will drama and novel realized with the verdict of the
do all he can, I am sure. How cruel it was of jury and the sentence of the judge-a matter of
me to heed your words, and tell you —  Look to anxious speculation to the very last. Where
him, warder, look to my son!" she screamed.   theatres and books are rare the passion for such
Richard had indeed turned deadly pale, and scenes is proportionally stronger, and perhaps
though his fingers still mechanically clutched the there is no periodical event which so deeply stirs
iron rail, was swaying to and fro; the warder the agricultural interest-speaking socially, and
unlocked the passage-gate, and ran to him just not politically-as the advent of the Judges of
in time to save his falling headlong on the pave- Assize.
rnent.                                        At Cross Key, at all events, there was nothing
"Are you a man," said the agonized woman, else talked of for weeks beforehand; and the
" or iron like this"-and she beat against the case which above all others was canvassed, and
railing passionately-" that you will not let a prejudged, and descanted upon over all sorts of
mother kiss her son when he is dying?"      boards-fiom  the mahogany one in the dining" Nay, nay, ma'am; it's not so bad as that," room at Cross Key Park to the deal tripod which
said the warder, good-naturedly; " see, he's a- held the pots and pipes at the road-side beercoining round agen all right. I've seen a many house —was that of Richard Yorke, the young
took like that. In half a minute he'll be himself gentleman-painter, who had run away with old
again. It's his trouble as does it, bless you. If John Trevethick of Gethin's hoarded store. The
you'll take my advice, you'll spare both your son rumor had got abroad that he had almost run
and yourself the pain of parting, and leave him  away with his daughter also, and this intensified
as he is.  I'd go bail for it, it's just a faint, the interest immensely. The whole female popthat's all."                                ulation, from the high-sheriff's wife down to the
"Let me kiss him once," implored the unhap- woman who kept the apple-stall in the marketpy woman.  " Oh, man, if you have ever known place, was agog to see this handsome young Loa mother's love, let me kiss him once! Here is thario, and especially to hear the evidence of his
a five-pound note-take it, and leave me still (clandestinely) betrothed, who was known to
your debtor-but one kiss."                  have been subpoenaed for the defense.
"Nay, ma'am, I can't take your money; of   There were innumerable biographies of the
which, as I couldn't help hearing you say, you prisoner to be had for nothing. He was a noblehave not got too much to spare. But you shall man in disguise; he was the illegitimate son of
kiss your bonnie boy, and welcome;" and with the prime minister; he was indirectly but imthat the stout warder took the unconscious lad mediately connected with royalty itself; he could
up in his arms, and bore him within the passage; speak every European language (except Polish),
and hismother put her lips between the bars and and painted landscapes like an angel; he had
pressed them to his forehead once, twice, thrice. four thousand a year in land, only waiting for
"There, there, ma'am; that will do," mutter- him to come of age, which carried with it half
ed the man, impatiently; " and even that is as the representation of a Whig borough; he had
much as my place is worth. Now, just tap at not a penny in the world, but had hitherto supyonder door, and they'll let you out."      ported himself in luxury by skillful forgeries;
Mrs. Yorke obeyed him without a word. She vyoung as he was, he was a married man, and




86                             BRED IN TIIE BONE.
had a wife (three times his age) alive. All these his mother there? thought Richard, and above
particulars were insisted upon and denied forty all, Was Harry there?  He looked round once
times a day. The least scraps of trust-worthy upon that peering throng; but he could catch
intelligence concerning him were greedily de- sight of neither. The former, with a thick veil
voured.  The turnpike-man who had opened over her features, was, indeed, watching him
gate to let him through on the night he came to from a corner of the court; but the only face he
the jail was cross-examined as to his appearance recognized was that of his attorney, seated imand demeanor. The rural policeman of the dis- mediately behind a man with a wig, whom he
trict (who had never had a chance of seeing him) rightly concluded to be Mr. Sergeant Balais.
was treated to pots of ale, and suddenly found   There was a sudden silence, following upon
himself the best of company. The Castle at the question, ";How say you, Richard Yorke,
Gethin was thronged by local tourists, who, un- are you guilty of this felony, or not guilty?"
der pretense of being attracted by the scenery, The turnkey by the prisoner's side muttered
came to stare at Harry, and, having seen her, re- harshly behind his hand, " They have called on
tured to Cross Key with marvelous stories of her you to plead "
charms. As the time drew on the applications   "Not guilty," answered Richard, in a loud,
for admittance to the court-house made the life firm voice, and fixing his eyes upon the judge.
of the under-sheriff a burden, and caused the   A murmur of satisfaction ran softly through
hearts of his subordinates (who got the half- the court-house.  His hesitation had alarmed
crowns) to sing for joy.                    the curious folks; they were afraid that he
The unhappy Richard was wholly ignorant of might have pleaded " Guilty," and robbed themt
all this excitement.  When he pictured the of their treat. Not a few of them, and perhaps
court-house to himself, as he often did, he only all the women, were also pleased upon his own
beheld a crowd of indifferent persons, who would account. He was so young and handsome that
pay no more attention to his own case than to they could not choose but wish him well, and out
that of Balfour, or any other that might follow  of his peril.
or precede it. He saw himself taken out in cus-   Then Mr. Smoothbore rose, and was some
tody, and carried in some conveyance, such as time about it. He was six feet four inches high,
he had arrived in, through the gaping street; but and it seemed as though you would never see the
the idea of that ordeal gave him no uneasiness. last of him. ("Oh, Jerryusalem, upon wheels!"
Those who saw him would forget him the next was the remark that Mr. Robert Balfour mutmoment, or confuse him with some other in the tered to himself when some hours afterward he
same wretched plight. His mind always revert- found himself confronted by the same gigantic
ed from such reflections, as comparatively trivial, counsel, instructed specially by the crown to
to the issue of the trial itself.  Indeed, that prosecute so notorious a marauder.) The twelve
thought might be said to be constant, though men in the box opposite at once became all ear.
others intruded on it occasionally without obscur- Some leaned forward, as though to anticipate
ing it, like light clouds that cross the moon. As by the millionth of a second the silvery accents
to the details of the scene of which he was about to of Mr. Smoothbore; others leaned back with
be so prominent an actor, he knew nothing; for head aside, as though to concentrate their intelthe warders never opened their lips to him, ex- ligence upon them; and the foreman held his
cept officially, and Mr. Balfour had never hap- head with both his hands, as though that portion
pened to come to grief in the course of his profes- of his person was not wholly under control, but
sional practice in that particular locality before.  might make some erratic twist, and thereby lose
But the fact was that the jail of Cross Key, him  some pregnant sentence.  These honest
though situated in so out-of-the-way a spot, was men did not know Mr. Smoothbore, and thought
a model establishment in its way, and built upon (for the first five minutes) that they could sit and
the very highest principles of architecture, as listen to him forever; before they had done vith
connected with the administration of the crimin- him they began to think that they should have
al law. No prisoner was ever taken out of it for to do it.
trial at all, but was conducted by an underground   Far be it from us to emulate the prolixity wilth
passage into the court-house itself-indeed, into which the learned counsel set forth his case; it
the very heart of it, for a flight of steps, with a must be conceded that he did not hang over it;
trap-door at the top, led straight into the dock, his words ran as smoothly as, oil, and with perin which he made his appearance like a Jack-in- feet distinctness, and if any body missed his
the-box, but much more to his own astonishment meaning, it was not for want of its being suffithan to that of the spectators.             ciently expressed.  To a listener of average
Imagine the unhappy Richard thus confront- ability, however, he became insupportable by
ed, wholly unexpectedly, with a thousand eager repetition, which is, unhappily, not exclusively
eyes!  They devoured him on the right hand  "the vice of the pulpit."'We will take care to
and on the left, befbre him and behind him; avoid his error. It will be sufficient to say that
they looked down upon him from the galleries when he had finished Richard stood accused not
above with a hunger that was increased by dis- only of having stolen two thousand pounds from
tance. Even the barristers in the space between John Trevethick, but of having compassed that
him and the judge turned round to gaze at him, crime under circumstances of peculiar baseness.
and the judge himself adjusted his spectacles He had taken advantage of his superior educaupon his nose to regard him with a searching tion, manners, and appearance, to impose himlook. Not a sound was to be heard except the self upon the honest Cornishman as the legitimonotonous voice of the clerk reading the in- mate son of his landlord, and secutred within that
dictment; it was plain that every one of that humble home a footing of familiarity, only the
vast concourse knew him, and needed not that better to compass a scheme of villainy, which
his neighbor should whisper, " That is he." Was must have occurred to him at a very early pea iod




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    87
of their acquaintance. Indeed, Mr. Smoothbore    "You have a daughter, I believe, Mr. Trevehinted that the prisoner's profession of landscape- thick?" and the Sergeant looked at the jury, with
painting was a mere pretense and pretext, and elevated eyebrows, as though he would have
that it was more than probable that, having heard said, " If we can get even that admission out
by some means of Trevethick's hoard, he had of this hoary miscreant, we may consider ourcome down to Gethin with the express intention selves fortunate."
of becoming possessed of it, which his accidental   And indeed John Trevethick did hesitate for
discovery of the secret of the letter padlock en- one instant ere he replied.  He had not even
abled him to do. In short, by artful innuendo at looked at the prisoner before, but at that questhis or that part of the story, Richard was paint- tion he gave an involuntary glance toward him,
ed as a common thief, whose possession of such and met Richard's answering look. When two
faculties as dexterity and finesse only made him  men are fighting, each with his hands upon the
a more dangerous enemy of society. There had throat of the other, not for dear life, but for the
been rumors, Mr. Smoothbore admitted, of cer- longed-for death of his foe, it is possible that in
tain romantic circumstances connected with the their faces some such inextinguishable lurid fire
case, but he was instructed to say that they were of hatred may be seen burning as then flashed
wholly baseless, and that the matter which the from witness-box to dock, from dock to witnessjury would have to decide upon was simply an box; but scarcely under any other circumstances
impudent and audacious robbery, committed in could such a look of deadly malice be exchanged
a manner that he might stigmatize as being quite between man and man. It passed, however, in
exceptionally void of extenuation.          an instant, like the electric fire, and was gone,
The speech for the prosecution immensely dis- leaving no trace behind it.
appointed the general public, already half-con-   " I have a daughter," replied Trevethick; and
vinced, in spite of themselves, by Mr. Smooth- as he spoke his face, though somewhat pale, bebore's impassioned clearness and straightforward came as blank and hard and meaningless as a
simplicity, while it pleased the jury, who were wall of stone.
glad to hear that the matter in hand was, after   "This man is about to perjure himself,"
all, an ordinary one, which would necessitate no thought the experienced Mr. Balais; and he
deprivation of victuals, nor absence of fire and looked around him with the air of one who was
candle. The witnesses for the prosecution ap- convinced of the fact.
peared, as usual, in an order in inverse ratio to   "The prisoner at the bar was, I believe, your
the interest and importance of their respective daughter's lover, was he not?"
testimonies-the clerk of the Miners' Bank into    "Not that I knew of."
whose hands the notes had been paid, police-   "Not that you know of?" repeated Mr. Bamen, Mr. Dodge, and others, who only repeated lais.  "Will you venture to repeat that?"
what we already know. Even the appearance   "The witness said knew," interposed the
of Solomon Coe was marked by nothing especial, judge, demurely, and ordered a sky-light to be
save to the eyes of the accused. In the triumph- closed, the draught from which inconvenienced
ant bearing of this witness, and in the malignant him. Every body looked at the officer of the
glance which he had shot toward him ere he be- court who pulled the string and shut the skygan his tale, Richard read that the charge against light, as though it had been the most ingenious
him was to be pushed to the bitter end. It was contrivance known to man. Not that it was
in this man's power, more than in any other's a relief to them to do so, but from that inex(save one), to extenuate or to set down in mal- plicable motive which prompts us all to observe
ice; and there was no doubt in his rival's mind trivial circumstances with which we have no(though his rancor took so blunt a form that it thing whatever to do, on any occasion of enmight well have been mistaken by others for out- grossing interest.  Even Richard regarded this
spoken candor) which of the two courses Solo- little process of ventilation with considerable conmon had chosen. He showed neither scruple cern, and wondered whether the judge would feel
nor hesitation; every word was distinct and de- himself better after it.
cisive, and on one occasion (though the repeti-   "Oh, you didn't know of this attachment betion of it was forbidden by the judge) even ac- tween the prisoner and your daughter at the time
companied by a blow with his sledge-hammer it was going on under your roof, but you knew
fist in the way of corroboration. It seemed that of it afterward, did you? You read of it in the
the story he had to tell was, after all, a very plain papers, I suppose, eh?"
one.                                          " i heard of it, after the robbery was discovWhen John Trevethick, who was the last wit- ered, from my daughter herself."
ness examined for the prosecution, strode into    " And, upon your oath, you did not know of
the box, this feeling was intensified. His giant it before then?"
frame and massive features seemed, somehow,   "I did not."
to associate themselves with a plain story; and    " Nor suspect it even, perhaps?"
his evidence was as much in consonance with his   " Nor even suspect it."
counsel's speech as evidence could be with plead-   Mr. Balais smiled, shrugged his shoulders.
ing.                                        His principles of oratory were Demosthenean;
But when he had quite done with his unvar- his motto was "Action, action, action."  IIis,
nished tale, and when Mr. Smoothbore had given firiends on circuit called him the Balais of action.
him a parting nod in sign that he had done with He had had some experience of the depravity of
him, Sergeant Balais rose, for the first time, with human nature, said the shrug, but this beat evan uplifted finger, as though, but for that signal ery thing, and would be really amusing but for
of delay, the honest landlord would have fled its atrocious infamy. Good Heavens!
incontinently, and hanged himself, like another   "Then you never had any conversation with the
Judas.                                      prisoner with reference to your daughter at all?"




88                              BRED IN THE BONE.
"Never."                                  by at once allowing the main facts which the
Mr. Balais bent down and interchanged a prosecution had proved-that the notes had been
word or two with Mr. Weasel behind him.     taken from Trevethick's box, and found in the
" Now be so good as to give me your best prisoner's possession, who had been detected in
attention, Mr. Trevethick, for upon my next the very act of endeavoring to change them for
question more may depend than you may be notes of another banking company. But what
aware of. If you have any regard for your own he maintained was, that this exchange was not,
interests you will answer it truly; for as sure as Mr. Smoothbore had suggested, effected for
as-1"                                       the purpose of realizing the money, but simply of
" Is this necessary, Brother Balais?" inter- throwing dust in the prosecutor's eyves. He had
rupted the judge, scratching his forehead with changed the notes only with the intention of rehis forefinger, and looking up at the sky-light, turning his own money to Trevethick under anas though that matter was not satisfactorily set- other form. ~ Even so young a man, and one so
tied even yet.                              thoroughly ignorant of the ways of the world and
" My lud, I am instructed that nothing less of business matters as was his client, must surely
than a conspiracy has been entered into against have been aware, if using the money for himself
my unfortunate client."                     had been his object, that it could be traced in
The judge nodded slightly, shivered consider- notes of the Mining Company as easily as in
ably, and made a mental note to complain of notes of the Bank of England; nay, by this very
that infernal draught before he should dismiss proceeding of his, he had even given them  a
the grand jury.                             double chance of being traced.  Tie (Mr. Balais)
"I ask you, Mr. Trevethick," continued the lwas not there, of course, to justify the conduct
counsel, solemnly, " whether or not, in a con- of the prisoner at the bar. It was unjustifiable,
versation which you held with the prisoner upon it was reprehensible in a very high degree; but
a certain day last month, you mentioned two what he did maintain was that, even taking for
thousand pounds as the sum you must needs see granted all that had been put in evidence, this
in his possession before you could listen to any young man's conduct was not criminal; it was
proposition of his with respect to your daughter's not that of a thief. IHe had never had the least
hand?"                                     intention of stealing this money; his scheme had
" I did not."                             been merely a stratagem to obtain the object of
"You never spoke of that particular sum to his affections for his wife. This Trevethick was
him at all?"                               a hard and grasping man, and it was necessary
" Never at all."                          for the young fellow to satisfy him that he was
It was Mr. Balais who looked up at the sky- possessed of certain property before he would
light this time-as though he expected a thtln- listen to any proposition for his daughter's hand.
der-bolt.                                   His idea-a wrong and foolish one, indeed, but
" The notes, of which we have heard so much, then look at his youth and inexperience-u-axs to
as being hoarded in this ingenious box of yours-  impose upon this old miser, by showing him his
and that you are a very ingenious man, Mr. Trev- own money in another form, and then, when he
ethick, there is no doubt-this box, I say, was had gained his object, to return it to him. Mir.
kept in a certain cupboard, was it not?"   Balais was, for his own part, as certain of such
"It was."                                 being the fact as that he was standing in that
"And now, please to look at the jury when court-house. Let them turn their eles on the
vou answer me this question: Where was this unhappy prisoner in the dock, and judge for
particular cupboard situated, Mr. Trevethick?"  themselves whether lie looked like the mere
Into the landlord's impassive face there stole felon which his learned fiiend had painted him,
for the first time a look of disquiet, and his harsh, or the romantic, self-deceiving, thoughtless lad,
monotonous voice grew tremulous as he replied, such as he (Mr. Balais) felt convinced he was.
" The cupboard was in my daughter's bedroom. " They had all heard of the proverb that all things
"That will do, Mr. Trevethick,for the present," were fair in love as in war. When the jury had
observed Mr. Balais, with emphasis; " though I been young themselves perhaps some of them
shall probably have the opportunity of seeing you had acted upon that theory; at all events, it was
another time"-and he glanced significantly to- not an unnatural idea for young people to act
ward the dock-" in another place."          upon. Proverbs had always a certain weight
and authority of their own. They were not necessarily Holy Writ (Mr. Balais was not quite
certain whether the proverb in question was one
CHAPTER XXX.                    of Solomon's own or not, so he put it in this
cautious manner), but they smacked of it. This
F o It T HtE   D EI F E N SE.    Richard Yorke, perhaps, had thought it no great
WHEN Mr. Balais rose again it was to speak  harm to win his love by a false representation of
for the defense, and he addressed the jury amidst the state of his finances. He could not see his
an unbroken silence. So rapt, indeed, was the lway how otherwise to melt the stony heart of
attention of his audience that the smack of a this old curmudgeon, who had doubtless-notcarter's whip, as he went by in the street below, withstanding the evidence they had heard fiom
was resented by many a frown as an imperti- him that day-encouraged the young man's adnent intrusion; and even the quarters of the dresses so long as he believed him to be Mr.
church clock were listened to with impatience, Carew's lawful heir.  The whole question, in
lest its iron tongue should drown a single sen- fact, resolved itself into one of rnotive; and if
tence. This latter interruption did not, however, there was not a word of evidence forthcoming
often take place, for Mr. Balais was as brief in upon the prisoner's part, he (Mr. Balais) would
speech as he was energetic in action.  lIe began have left the case in the jury's hands, with the




BRED IN THE BONE.                                      89
confident conviction that they would never im- with the same modest color.  It was observed,
pute to that unhappy boy-who had already suf- with reference to this and to the innocence and
fered such tortures of mind and body as were gentleness of her expression, that she looked like
more than a sufficient punishment for his of- a dove; and a dove she seemed to Richard,
fense-the deliberate and shameful crime of bringing him the signal that the flood was abatwhich he stood accused.  He had lost his posi- ing, the deep waters of which had so nearly
tion in the world already; he had lost his sweet- overwhelmed both soul and body.  Even the
heart, for they had all heard that day that she  judge, as Mr. Weasel had foretold, regarded
was about to be driven into wedlock with his her through his double glasses with critical aprival, a man twice his age and hers; he had lost proval; for a most excellent judge he was-of
the protection of his father-his own flesh and female attractions.
blood-for since this miserable occurrence he had    Mr. Balais smiled triumphantly at the jury.
chosen to disown him; and yet here was the pros- " Did I not tell you," he seemed to say, "that
ecutor, who had lost nothing (except his own my client is guiltless in this matter?  Here is
self-respect, and the respect of all who had list- Truth herself come to witness in his favor.
ened to his audacious testimony that morning), Bless her!"  Richard's feverish eyes were fixed
pressing for a conviction, for more punishment; upon her; he knew no God, but here was his
in a word, for the gratification of a mean revenge. spring in the wilderness, his shadow of the great
If he (Mr. Balais) had nothing more, therefore, rock in a weary land.  As for her, she looked
to urge in his client's defense, he would have only at the judge, expecting-poor little ignorabeen content to leave the jury to deal with this mus-that it was he who would question her.
case —Englishmen, who detested oppression, and'You are the daughter of John Trevethick,
loved that justice only which is tempered with of Gethin?" said Mr. Balais.
mercy.  But as it so happened, there was no   This interrogatory, simple as it was, made her
need thus to leave it; no necessity to appeal to color rise, coming from that unexpected quarter.
mercy at all. IIe had only to ask them for the    "Yes, Sir."
barest justice.  He was happily in a position to   "lHe keeps an inn, does he not; the"-here
prove that the prisoner at the bar had no more Mr. Balais affected to consult his brief, to give
stolen this two thousand pounds than their own her time to recover herself from her modest conupright and sagacious foreman.                fusion-" the Gethin Castle, I believe?"
A sigh of relief was uttered from a hundred    "Yes, Sir."
gentle breasts.  " We are coming to something    "'The prisoner at the bar has been staying
at last," it seemed to say. A hundred fair faces there for some months, has he not?"
looked at Mr. Balais-who was growing gray    She stole another look at Richard: it spoke
and wrinkled, and found every new performance as plainly as looks could speak, " Oh yes; that
of his pantomime harder and harder-as though is how I came to know and love him."  But
they could have kissed him, nevertheless. "Yes, she only murmured, "Yes, Sir."
gentlemen of the jury, that money was given to    "Speak up, Miss Trevethick," said the counhim by the prosecutor's daughter with her own sel, encouragingly; " these twelve gentlemen are
hand."                                        all very anxious to hear what you have to say."
A murmur of satisfaction ran round the court- The judge nodded and smiled, as though in corhouse.                                       roboration, as )veil as to add, upon his own acThere was a romance-a love-story-in the count, that it would give hinm also much pleasure
case, then, after all.                       to hear her.
Mr. Balais concluded a most energetic speech    "Was the prisoner staying in the inn as an
with a peroration of great brilliancy, in which ordinary guest, or did he mix with the famRichard and Harry were exhibited like a trans- ily?"
parency in the bright colors of Youth, and Hope,   " He was in the bar parlor most nights, Sir,
and Passion, and finally sat down amidst what along with father and me and Solomon."
would have been a burst of applause but for the    "He was in the bar parlor most nights," reharsh voice of the usher nipping it in the bud peated Mr. Balais, significantly, for he was anxby proclaiming silence.                       ious that the jury should catch that answerThere was no need for his doing that when  "'with father and me and Solomon.'  And
Mr. Balais jumped up to his feet again, as though who introduced him into the parlor?"
lie were on springs, and called for hIarry Treve-   " Father brought him first, Sir, on the second
thick.  The judge was taking snuff at the time; day after he came to Gethin. "
and such was the stillness that you could hear   "Father brought him in, did he? Now, that
the overplus falling on the paper before him on is rather an unusual thing for the landlord of an
which he wrote down his notes. There was a inn to do, is it not? To introduce a young man
minute's delay, during which every eye was fixed whom he had known but twenty-four hours to
upon the witness-box, and then Harry appeared. his family circle, and to the society of his daughShe was very pale, and wore a look of anxious ter, eh?"
timidity; but a bright spot came into her cheeks    "Please, Sir, I don't know, Sir."
as she turned her face to the prisoner in the    "No, of course you don't, Miss Trevethick;
dock, and smiled upon him. From that mo- how should you?  But I think the jury know.
ment Richard felt that he was safe. Guarded  You have no idea, then, yourself, why your faas he was, and still in peril, he forgot his dan- ther introduced this young gentleman to you so
ger, and once more resolved that he would cleave early?"
to this tender creature, to whom he was about   "Father said he was a friend of Mr. Carew's,
to owe his safety, to his life's end.         of Crompton, who is father's landlord."
Harrv was simply yet attractively attired in a    "Just so," said Mr. Balais, with another sigpale violet silk dress, with a straw bonnet trimmed nificant glance at the attentive tw elve.  " Mr.




90                              BRED IN THE BONE.
Trevethick had already discovered that this you ever return one. of these many kisses, Miss
youth was of a good social position, and likely Trevethick?"
to prove an excellent match.'Will you walk   "Yes, Sir."
into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly;'I   "Did vou ever meet him alone at night in a
have the prettiest daughter that ever you did place, I believe, called the Fairies' Bower?"
spy.'"                                        "Yes, Sir."
Every body tittered  at this except Mr.   "Yes," repeated Mr. Balais, recapitulating
Smoothbore and his solicitor; even the judge these facts upon his fingers; "you were left
blew his nose.                              alone with him all day; you met him alone at
"Now, not only did the prisoner at the bar night, away from your father's roof; you respend most nights in the bar parlor, but, as I turned his kisses; and all this without the slightam  given to understand, he spent most days est suspicion-if we are to believe his evidence
there, or, at all events, in your society, did he -being aroused upon the part of your parent.
not?"                                      Now, Miss Trevethick, you were aware that )your
"Father and Solomon were away most days, father kept a large sum of money-these two
Sir, and so we were left a good deal together."  thousand pounds-in his strong-box, Nwere you
"Just so. Your father took care to be away not?"
most days, did he, in order that you should be   "I was, Sir."
left a good deal together?"                   "Did you ever speak to the prisoner at the
Mr. Smoothbore started to his feet.  "My bar about it?"
iud, I submit," etc.; meaning that this was a   "I think-yes, I did, Sir, on one occasion,"
mode of interrogating the witness that he could and here Harry's voice fluttered and faltered.
not submit to for an instant.               No one noticed it, however, except the prisoner;
" Very good," said Mr. Balais, smiling.  "I if any neighbor eyes had watched him narrowly
will not-put the question in that form, then. The -but they were all fixed upon the witness-they
form is of very little consequence.  You were would have seen his face whiten, and his brow
left together, however, and the consequence was grow damp. Why should she have laid that
that you two young people fell in love with one stress upon " on one occasion?"
another, eh?"                                "You told him that the two thousand pounds
Harry was crimson. "I-hle-we;" and there were in the box in the cupboard in your bedshe stuck.                                  room?"
"I am very sorry to embarrass you, my dear   " I did, Sir."
young lady, but I am necessitated to press this   "The fastening of the box was not an ordinaquestion. Did you fall in love with one another ry lock, I believe. It was what is called a letter
or not?"                                    padlock?"
No answer. Harry was thinking of Solomon,   "Yes, Sir."
to whom she was to be married within ten days,   "Did you ever open it?"
and hung her head.                             "No, Sir. "
"Come, did he fall in love with you, then?   A great bell seemed to be suddenly set tolling
There was ample apology forl it, I am sure, and in Richard's brain-it was the knell of all his
he ought to have been ashamed of himself if he hopes.
hadn't. Now, did he' court' you? I think you   "You had never opened it at that time, eh?"
must know what that means."                 continued Mr. Balais, cheerfully.  "But you
No answer.  Every eye was upon her, the learned the secret'afterward?"
judge's double glasses included. They might   "I-yes-I did."
have been burning-glasses, she felt so hot and    "Do you remember the letters that did open
frightened.                                 it?"
"Come, did this young gentleman ever give   "Yes, Sir."
you a kiss?"                                  "What were they?"
"Yes, Sir," murmured poor Harry, almost   "B, N, Z."
under her breath.                              "Very good. We have heard from the coun"Did you say'Yes' or'No?'" inquired the sel for the prosecution that they were so; and
judge, dipping his pen in the ink.          that Mr. Trevethick kept a memorandum  of
"I said'Yes,' my lord," said the unhappy them  on a piece of paper that fitted into his
Harry.                                      watch-case.  Did he always carry that watch
"There were more kisses than one, now, I about with him?"
dare say," said Mr. Balais, with a wink at the    "Not always. When he went out to market,
jury; "and they were not all on one side, eh?" and was likely to be late, he sometimes left it at
No answer.                                home."
" Some of them were on the other side, were   "In his own room, I suppose, where you or
they not? I don't mean on the other cheek, for any body else could get at it?"
I have no doubt he was perfectly indifferent as   " I suppose so, Sir."
to that."                                      "You suppose?  You know he did, do yon
Again there was a little titter.          not? Did you not open the watch-case yourself,
" She is your own witness, Brother Balais," and so discover the means of unlocking the box'?"
observed his lordship, "but it seems to me you   "No, Sir," said Harry, faintly: and once more
are giving her unnecessary pain."           she turned her eyes to Richard.  It was a true
He had a verv tender heart, had the old judge, and tender glance, one would have said, and acwhere a young and pretty woman was concerned companied by an attempt at a smile of encour-otherwise he was a Tartar.                 agement. But if it had been a glance of a gor"My lud, it is absolutely necessary to prove gon, it could not have had a more appalling efthat my client's passion was reciprocated.  Did feet; it literally seemed to turn him into stone.








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BRED IN THE BONE.                                      93
"iRecollect yourself, Miss Trevethick," said    Cross-examination was, of course, quite out of
Mr. Balais, earnestly; "you are getting con- the question; and, indeed, Mr. Smoothbore was
fused, I fear. Now please to give me your at- much too sagacious a man to wish to exercise
tention.  You say that you knew that the let- that privilege.  The failure of the witness for
ters B, N, Z were those which formed the key the defense had proved the case of the prosecuof the letter padlock, and yet that you did tion.
not open your father's watch-case.  How, then,   It was Mr. Smoothbore who could now best
did you become possessed of the secret?"     afford to praise the innocence and candor of the
No answer.  Harry caught her breath con- unhappy Harry.  Was it not evident that that
vulsively, and turned deadly pale.  She could tender creature had been tampered with, and alnever tell how Mrs. Yorke had endeavored to most persuaded to perjure herself, for the sake
suborn her.                                   of the prisoner at the bar-almost, but, happily
"Well, well, this is a matter of very little for the ends of justice, not quite persuaded!
consequence-though I see my learned fiiend is Her natural love of right had conquered the igmaking a copious note of it," said Mr. Balais, noble passion with which she had been inspired
gayly.  "The main point is what, as you have by this unscrupulous man.  What words could
told us, did occur-that you found out the secret sufficiently paint the baseness of the conduct of
somehow. When you got it, I suppose you opened the accused!  Was it not clear that he had enthe box?"                                    deavored to escape scot-free, at the sacrifice of this
No answer, save from Mr. Smoothbore, who poor girl's good name?  She, forsooth, was to
observed, tartly: " You have no right to assume proclaim herself thief, to save his worthless self!
that, Sergeant."                              It was not for Mr. Smoothbore-Heaven forbid!
"Let the young woman have a glass of water,"  -to exaggerate such wickedness, but was it possuggested the kindly judge.                   sible that the phrase, " Young in years, but old
"My lord, my lord!" cried Harry, with sud- in vice," had ever had a more appropriate appliden passion, " lihe is not guilty. Richard did not cation than in the present case! For the credit
mean to steal the money; indeed he did not. of human nature, he trusted not.  The point
lie only wished to get possession of it that my upon which his learned friend had mainly relied
father might believe him to be a man of wealth. having been thus proved wholly untenable-the
He did but-"                                  fact of Richard's taking the money having been
"Endeavor to compose yourself, young wo- incontestably brought home to him-it only reman," interposed the judge.    The learned coun- mained for him (Mr. Smoothbore) to notice wuhat
sel will only ask what is necessary."         had been said with respect to motive. If the
" Take your time, Aliss Trevethick, take your prisoner at the bar had even had the intention,
time," pursued Mr. Balais, in his blandest tones. which had been so gratuitously imputed to him,
" The question is, how the prisoner became pos- of returning this money to the prosecutor, when
se:4sed of this money. Now, tell us, did you not once the object of his supposed scheme had been
give it him with your own hands?"            effected, he would be no less guilty of the crime
The bell was still tolling in Richard's brain, that was laid to his charge.  It was possible,
and yet he could hear the buzzing of a fly against indeed, in such a case, that there might be exa window of the court- house, and the careless tenuating circumstances, but those would not afwhistle of some lad in the street without. It feet the verdict of the jury, however they might
was the same tune that the keeper at Crompton influence his lordship's sentence after that verhad been wont to whistle in his leisure moments diet had been truly given. And this he would
at home; and his mind reverted with a flash to say, after what had just occurred in that courtthe glades of the stately park, the herds of deer, after the painful scene they had just witnessedthe high-mossed gate, which he had shut in the the breaking down of that innocent girl in an act
face of the hounds when they were chasing Ca- of self-sacrifice, culpable in itself, but infinitely
rew's carriage. Was itthebang of the gate, or had more culpable in him who had incited her to do
Harry really answered in a firm voice, that resound- it-for he could not for an instant suppose that
ed through the silent court-house, "No, Sir?"  the prisoner's legal advisers could have suggested' MWhat!" said Mr. Balais, raising his voice a such a line of defense: taking all this into considlittle. " Do you mean to say, then-and recollect eration, he, Mr. Smoothbore, would confidently
that the fate of the prisoner at the bar may de- ask the jury whether the prisoner at the bar was
pend upon your reply to this question-that to be credited with merely a romantic stratagem,
Richard Yorke did not become possessed of or with a crime the heinousness of which was
these notes by your connivance, through your only exceeded by the means by which he had
means, at all?"                               striven to exculpate himself from it, and to
"No, Sir, no," answered Harry, passionately; evade the ends of justice.
"'I can't say that; indeed, Sir, I can not.  But   When Mr. Smoothbore had thus concluded a
he is innocent-Richard is innocent-he never lengthened and impassioned harangue, he sat
meant to steal them.  O God, help me!"  In down, wiping his hands upon his handkerchief,
her excitement, and not because she wished to as though implying that he had washed them of
do so, she had turned about, and once more the prisoner for good and all, and that a very
caught sight of the prisoner at the bar.  It was dirty job it had been; while the judge rose and
her turn now to shrink appalled and petrified. left the court, it.being the hour appointed to his
It was not reproach that she saw pictured in that system, by nature, for the reception of lunch.
well-loved face, but downright hate and loathing.
"He will never, never forgive me!" cried she,
with a piteous wail; and then scream followed 
scream, and she was borne out in haste, and a
doctor sent for.




94                              BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER XXXI.                   otherwise. Hem!" Then that common phrase,
THE SENTEN"You could have heard a pin drop," might have
TILEm SENTENCE.'been used with respect to that vast assemblage.
RICHARD remained in the dock. The warder That " hem!" was a very fatal sign with Mr.
who had charge of him gave him the option of Justice Bantam, as the bar well knew.
retiring, but he preferred to stay where he was   " I'll take you six to five in sovs he gives him
till all was over. He had at last caught sight seven years," whispered one learned gentleman
of his mother, straining her loving eyves toward to another, without moving his lips.
him-with still some hope in them-from a dis-   "It seems to me you are rather fond of a
tant corner of the gallery; and he kept his gaze good thing," returned the other, scornfully, but
fixed upon that spot. They had all the world with a like precaution.
against them now, these two, so clever, and yet   "Hem!" said the judge again.  " Is there
so wholly unable to combat with inexorable fate. any one in court able to give any information
Harry's evidence, and especially the manner of concerning the antecedents of the prisoner?"
it, had not needed Mr. Smoothbore's fieryv scorn    "We have no witnesses to character, my lud,"
to turn all hearts against the accused. To the said Mr. Balais, gravely; "we had hoped it
great mass of spectators it seemed as though would not have been necessary."
Richard would have made the girl change places   " There is a witness in court, please your ludwith himself, and become a vicarious sacrifice ship, a detective of the A division of metropolifir his worthless self.                     tan police, I believe," observed Mr. Smoothbore,
The majesty of the law having withdrawn it- "who knows something of the prisoner."
self, a hum of many voices filled the court-house;   " Let him stand up," said the judge.
a munching of biscuits, a sipping of flasks. The   Here was an extra excitement-an additional
silence of suspense no longer reigned.  The attraction, which had not been advertised in the
struggle was virtually over, and the victim was bills-and the public evinced their satisfaction
only waiting his doom. It was hoped it would accordingly by craning and crowding. Richard
be a severe one. The spectators were pitiless, turned his heated eyes in the direction of this
and had turned their thumbs toward their new enemy. He had no hope of seeing a friend.
breasts. As to the verdict there was no doubt. The individual in question was unknown to him.
Those who knew the character of the judge He was a tall, quiet-looking man, whose face
opined that this young gentleman would " get it might have been carved out of box-wood, it was
hot," notwithstanding that this was his first of- so hard and serious, but for its keen eves, which
fense. Odds were taken that he would have seemed to meet his own with a look of recognifourteen years.  "At all events," said one of tion.
the small officials, in answer to eager inquiries,   " I know the prisoner at the bar; that is to'more than he could do on his head."  With say, I have seen him on a previous occasion,
this enigmatical reply of the oracle its astonished when he passed under the name of Chandos,
questioners were compelled to be content.   and on other occasions, as I believe, under other
" Silence in the court-si-lence."  The judge names. From information received I attended
had returned. It was thought by some that it a competitive examination, under the authority
was in the prisoner's favor that the judge had of government."
lunched.  They were mistaken, or perhaps a   "Do you mean that you were employed by
fatal economy had provided Afiican sherry. the government, or that the examination was a
His charge was scarcely less dead against the government one?" interrupted the judge.
prisoner than had been Mr. Smoothbore's closing    " You'll hear something now," whispered Mr.
speech.  As for the motive, upon which such Weasel to Mr. Balais, "by Jove!"
stress had been laid by the counsel for the de-   "Both, my lord," explained the witness. "It
fense, that might be a plea for a recommenda- had come to the knowledge of the government
tion to mercy, if the jury believed it, but it could that there had been several cases of personanot affect the question of the prisoner's guilt. tion in the competitive examinations recently
That the stolen property had been found in the instituted both for the military and civil servpossession of the accused there was no sort of ices.  Not only were young gentlemen, who
doubt.  If the prisoner at the bar had not him- had apparently passed with credit, found grossly
self taklen it out of the prosecutor's strong-box, ignorant of the subjects which they had previwho had?                                    ously been examined upon, but their physical
Such was the form in which the case was left appearance was sometimes such as would have
for the jury.                               seemed to have disqualified them: it appeared
" It's U P," whispered Mr. Weasel behind his incredible that they should have passed the prehand to Mr. Balais.  Mr. Balais nodded indif- liminary medical examination. One was humpferently; the case was over so far as he was con- backed; another almost blind. It was undercerned, and he was not going to employ signif- stood that some systematized scheme of imposicant action gratuitously. That would have been ture, of mispersonation, was at work to produce
waste of power indeed at his age. The jury did these results, and I was instructed to inquire
not leave the box; they laid their heads togeth- into it. I did so. I came to the conclusion
er, like a hydra, and "deliberated" for half a that only one person was concerned in the matminute; that is to say, the foreman whispered, ter-the prisoner at the bar. I had had my sus"We can return but one verdict, I should say, picions of him for some time. I had seen him on
gentlemen;" and the eleven answered, "But three separate occasions as a candidate at public
one. "                                      examinations. His nomination was correct and
"We find the prisoner guilty, your lordship." genuine, but (as I have since discovered) it had
His lordship nodded approval.  "In  my been issued to another person. He succeeded
opinion, gentlemen, you could not have done in every instance in obtaining the appointments




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    95
in question for his employers, who received them  to set at naught those precautions by which your
in due course, though they have, I believe, since country has lately endeavored to secure for itself
been canceled. In the case of Chandos, a let- efficient public servants."
ter was written, by the supposed successful can-   "That's neat," whispered a learned friend to
didate, to the authorities of the government Mr. Balais, reverently shutting his eyes, as though
branch-the India Board-under which he was in rapt admiration.
to serve, so grossly misspelled that the fraud    "Very," returned that gentleman.  "He's
was at once suspected.  In this instance the bidding for the Lord Chief Justiceship."
guilt was brought home to the prisoner by the    "In the whole course of my legal experience,
confession of the young man Chandos himself, young man," continued the judge, "I have nevwho paid over to him a considerable sum of er seen a case which seems to me to call for more
money for the service in question. But I am  exemplary punishment than yours. The promnow in a position to prove that on several other ise of your future is dark indeed-bad for youroccasions the prisoner has committed the same self, and bad for that society which, though so
offense; and, in short, if he may be said to have fitted to adorn and benefit it, you have chosen
a calling, it is that of personating, at competitive to outrage. I will not, however, reproach you
examinations, young gentlemen of small ability, further; I will rather express a hope that when
who are thus enabled to secure situations and you return to the world after your long probation
appointments which they could otherwise never -and it will be as long as I am able to make itobtain."                                    you may be a wiser and better, as well as a much
Mr. Justice Bantam had his prejudices, but older man. The sentence of the court is, that
he had a fair and honest mind.              you be kept in penal servitude for the space of
" This is a most unlooked-for communication, twenty years."
Brother Balais," said he, doubtfully; "and it
is not permitted you to cross-examine upon a
point of character."
"II am sorry to say, my lud," returned Mr.            CHAPTER XXXII.
Balais, after a hurried conversation with the little attorney, "that my client is not in a position           BROODING.
to dispute the evidence just adduced. He pre-   NOT a syllable of the judge's exhortation was
fers to throw himself upon the mercy of the lost upon the prisoner at the bar. He listened
court, on the ground-a very tenable one, I to it as attentively as one who is waiting for the
think-of his youth and," he was going to add thunder listens to the muffled menace that pre"inexperience," but, under the circumstances, he cedes it, and the fall of each big drop of rain.
thought it better not-" of his extreme youth, When the words of doom smote upon his ear a
my lud; my unhappy client is barely eighteen solemn hush succeeded them; and then one
years of age."                              piteous, agonized shriek, and a dull fall in the
"Very good," said Mr. Justice Bantam, look- gallery above.
ing as if it could not be worse. "Hem! Pris-   "This way," said a warder, sharply; and
oner at the bar: after a careful and fair trial, in Richard was seized by the arm, and hurried
which you have had the benefit of the best legal through the trap-door, and down the stairs, by
aid, you have been found guilty of the charge of the way he had come. It seemed to him like
which you are accused. In that verdict I cord- descending into hell itself.
ially concur. The offense was a very serious one;   Twenty years' penal servitude!  It was albut the endeavor which you have made to screen most an eternity of torment! worse than death!
yourself, at the expense of that beautiful and in- and yet not so. He already beheld himself, at
nocent young girl, is, in my opinion, still more the end of his term of punishment, setting about
heinous and contemptible than the crime itself. the great work which alone was left him to do
Having made yourself master of her affections, on earth-the accomplishment of his revenge.
you used your power to the utmost to effect her He had recognized his mother's voice in that
moral and social hurt.  You would have had agonized wail, and knew that her iron will had
her perjure herself, and proclaim herself guilty given way; that the weight of this unexpected
of a crime she did not commit, in order that calamity had deprived aeen her elastic and vigyou might yourself escape justice. Nobody who orous mind of consciousness-had crushed out
heard her evidence-who saw her in yonder box of her, perhaps, even life itself.  Better so,
-can doubt it. Still, as your counsel has just thought he, in his bitterness, if it had; there
remarked, you are but a youth in years, and I would then be not a single human creature left
looked about me in hopes to find some extenua- to soften, by her attachment, his heart toward
ting circumstances in your past career-some his fellows-none to counsel moderation, mercy,
record of good-which might have justified me prudence.
in inflicting on you a more lenient sentence than   If the view taken by the judge had even been
your offense had earned. I had no other pur- a correct one, as to " motive," Richard had been
pose in asking whether any thing was known of hardly dealt with, most severely sentenced; but
your previous career. The reply to that question in his own eyes he was an almost innocent man
has astonished and shocked me, as it has shocked -the victim of an infamous conspiracy, in which
and astonished every right-thinking person in this she, who, was his nearest and dearest had treachcourt who heard it. We knew to what base pur- eronsly joined. After flattering him with false
pose you had used the comeliness and youth and hopes, she had deserted him at the eleventh
good address with which nature had endowed hour, and in a manner even more atrocious than
you; and now we have learned how evilly you the desertion itself. He knew, of course, that
have misused your talents-with what perverted it was mainly owing to her evidence, to which
ingenuity you have striven, at so early an age, he had looked for his preservation, that his ruil
G




96                             BRED IN TIE BONE.
had been so complete and overwhelming; but   "It is no use, young fellow," said the warder,
what he hated her worst for was for that smile coolly, as Richard looked at him like some huntshe had bestowed upon him as she entered the ed beast at bay.  " If you was to kill me and a
witness-box, and which had bade him hope where dozen more it would do -you not a morsel of
no hope was. He could not be mistaken as to good; the law has got you tight, and it's better
that. She had known that she was about to to be quiet."
doom him by her silence to years of misery, and   Richard uttered a low moan, more woeful than
yet she had had the devilish cruelty to smile any cry of physical anguish.  It touched his
upon him, as she had often smiled, when they jailer, used as he was to the contemplation of
had sat, cheek to cheek, together! Since they human misery.  "Look here," said he; "you
had done so, he could never lift his hand against keep up a good heart, and get as many V G's as
her (he felt that even now)-never strike her, you can. Then you'll get out on ticket-of-leave
slay her, nor even poison her; but he would in fifteen years: it ain't as if you were a lifer."
have revenge upon her for all that. He would   He meant it for consolation; but this unvarsmite her, as she had smitten him, no matter nished statement of the very best that could by
how long the blow might be in falling: if her possibility befall poor Richard seemed only to
affections should be entwined in any human creat- deepen his despondency.
ures, against them should his rage be directed;   "Why, when you've done it," pursued the
he would make her desolate, as she had ren- warder, "you'll be quite a young man stilldered him; he would turn their love for her to younger than I am. There's Balfour, now; he's
hate, if it were possible, and, if not, he would got some call to be down in the mouth, for he'll
destroy them. As for her father-as for that get it as hot as you, and he's an old un, yet he's
stone devil Trevethick-it choked him to think cheery enough up yonder"-and he jerked his
that nature herself might preserve him from his head in the direction of the court-house —" you
wrath, that the old man might die before his may take your'davey he is. You get V G's."
hour of expiation could arrive. But Solomon   "What are those?" said Richard, wearily.
Coe would live to feel his vengeance. His ha-   "Why, the best marks that can be got; and
tred was at white heat now; what would it be remember that every one of'em goes to shorten
after twenty years of unmerited torture?  To your time. You must be handier with your
think that this terrible punishment had befall- room, to begin with. You might be reported by
en him through such contemptible agencies-  some officers for the way in which that hammock
through such dull brains and vulgar hands-was is folded, and then away go your marks at once;
maddening; and yet he must needs feed upon and you must learn to sweep your room out
that thought for twenty years, and keep his cleaner. We couldn't stand that in one of our
senses too, that at the end they might work out regulars, you know;" and he pointed to some
his purpose to the uttermost. There was plenty specks of dust upon the shining floor.  " As for
of time to plan and scheme and plot before him, the oakum pickings which will be set you to-morand henceforth that should be his occupation. row, I'll show you the great secret of that art.
Revenge should be his latest thought and his Your fingers will suffer a bit at first, no doubt,
earliest, and all night long he would dream of but you'll be a clever one at it before long. Only
nothing else. Iis wrath against judge and jury, buckle to, and keep a civil tongue in your head,
and the rest of them-though if he could have young fellow, and you'll do."
slain them all with a word he would have uttered   "Thank you," said Richard, mechanically.
it-was slight compared with the vehemence of   "If you'll take my advice, you'll set about
his fury against those three at Gethin. Rage pos- something at once; sweepin', or polishin', or
sessed him wholly, and, though without numbing readin' your Bible. Don't brood. But you will
him to the painful sense of his miserable doom, do as you like for this afternoon, since you won't
rendered him almost unconscious of what was begin regular business till to-morrow."
going on about him.                          The warder looked keenly round the cell,
When he found himself in his cell again he probably to make sure that it afforded no facilihad no recollection of how he had got there; ties for suicide; but the gas was not yet turned
and the warder had to repeat his sharp com- on, and if it had been, his prisoner was unaware
mand, "Put on these clothes," before he could that by blowing it out, and placing the jet in his
get him to understand that he was to exchange his mouth, more than one in a similar strait to his
garments for the prison suit that lay before him. own has found escape from his prison woes forIt was a small matter, but it brought home to ever.
him the reality of his situation more than any   "I'll bring you some supper presently," he
thing that had yet occurred. With the depriva- added; and with a familiar nod, good-naturedly
tion of his clothes he seemed to be deprived of intended for encouragement, he slammed the
his individuality, and, in adopting that shameful iron door behind him.
dress, to become an atom in a congeries of out-   That he should have become an object of pity
-casts. From henceforth he was not even to bear and patronage to a man like this would in ita name, but must become a number-a unit of self have wounded Richard to the quick had he
that great sum of scoundrels which the world not been devoured by far more biting cares, and
was so willing to forget. That he was to suffer even now it galled him. His twenty years might
under a system which had authority and right possibly, then, by extremity of good luck, be curfor its basis made his case no less intolerable to tailed by five. By diligent execution of menial
him; he felt like one suddenly seized and sold drudgery; by performing to some overlooker's
into slavery. That his' master and tyrant was satisfaction his daily toil; by careful obedience
called the Law was no mitigation of his calamity; and subservience to these Jacks in office, themnay, it was an aggravation, since he could not selves but servants, and yet whose malice or illcut its throat.                            humor might cause them to report him for the




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    97
most trifling faults, or for none at all, and there- been playing his game long with these competiby destroy even this hope-he might be a free tive examinations?  That Chandos must be a
man in fifteen vears! He would, even then, he queer one, too-son of Lord Fitzbacon's, is he
was told, be still a young man. But that he not?"
would never be young again Richard was well   "I dare say," answered another, carelessly.
aware.  Within these last three weeks-nav,  "It is only vicariously that the juvenile aristocwithin that last hour, he had already lived a life, racy ever get an appointment in these days,
and one that had aged him beyond the power of having no wits of their own. This conviction
years. High spirits, pleasure, hopefulness, love, will be a great blow to them."
and all the attributes of youth, were dead with-   "Very good, Sharpshins! but you'd better
in him for evermore.  For the future he was not let old Bantam hear you, for he dearly loves
only to be strong and vigorous in a will that the Swells. By-the-by, what a pretty girl that
could not have its way for fifteen years at ear- witness for the defense was, who turned out to
liest.                                      be for the prosecution, ch?"
Through the grating of his narrow window a' Yes, she upset her lover's coach for him
few rays of the setting sun were streaming in, nicely. Is it true, I wonder, that the little traiand fell upon the bare brown wall behind him. tress is going to marry that dull, heavy fellow
What a flood of glory they were pouring on the whom  Smoothbore had such work to pump?
woods of Crompton, now in their autumn splen- Gad! if I had been she, I'd have stuck to the
dor-on the cliffs at Gethin-on the copse that other."
hid the Wishing Well-on the tower where he   " Yes; but kissing goes by favor. She marhad first clasped Harry in his arms! He saw  ries him next week, I hear. Is there any thing
them all, and the sunset hues upon them became of interest at Bodmin?"
suddenly blood-red.  He was once more at   "Nothing of interest to me, at all events.
Gethin, and in imagination taking his revenge Smoothbore and Balais get all there is between
upon old Trevethick, and for the moment he them, confound them!  I say, just pass that
was almost happy.  " Pity on his gray hairs?" claret."
No, not he-though the gallows loomed before   Not another word about Richard. The judge
him, though hell yawned for him, he would slake himself had forgotten him except as a case in his
his thirst in the life-blood of that perjured vil- notes.  The jury forgot him in a week.  A
lain; and as for her, he would drag her by the murder of a shipwrecked sailor happened soon
hair to look upon her father's corpse. Where afterward on that coast, and became the talk of
was she?  Ah, with Solomon upon the castled the country-side in his place. The world went
rock; and see!-he had pushed him from the on its way, and never missed him; the rank
edge, and there he hung exactly as he himself closed up where he had used to march, and left
had hung when Harry had preserved him! How  no gap.
long would a man hold on like that, even a   Richard Yorke was out of the world.
strong man like Coe, on such a narrow ledge,
with the gulls screaming about him?  Not
twenty years-no, nor fifteen!
The clatter of the trap in the door of his cell,     CHAPTER XXXIII.
as it fell in and formed a table, awoke him from
this gloating dream.  " Supper," said the warder, looking in at him  through this orifice.   WHAT tender-nurtured boy, newly-arrived at
" What! you're still brooding, are you? —that's school-that Paradise when looked back upon
bad;" then marched on to the next cell.   from afar, that Inferno of the present-has not
Some gruel and bread stood upon this little awakened from sweet dreams of home with a
improvised side-board.  If they had been the heavy heart? Who has not pictured to himself
greatest luxuries imaginable, he could not have the weary months that must elapse before he
swallowed a morsel.  The sunlight had faded once more regains his freedom and his friends?
away; his dream of retribution was over; he The burden (one may say) is light, but then the
seemed to be touching the utmost verge of hu- back is also weak that bears it. It is a genuine
man wretchedness. Was it possible to kill him- woe. Something of this, but tenfold in intensity
self?  His neckerchief had been taken away; of wretchedness, did Richard feel when he awoke
but'he had his braces. The gas-pipe was the for the first time a convicted felon. He had
only thing to which he could attach them, and dreamed that Carew was dead, and left him heir
it would never bear his weight. He had read of Crompton; his mother and he were there,
somewhere of some poor wretch who had suffo- and Harry as his wife. The splendor of the
cated himself by turning his tongue inward. house, the beauty of the grand domain about it,
Had he determination enough for such a device were as vividly presented to him as when he
as that? Plenty.  His will was iron; he felt saw them with his eyes; and they were all his
that; but it was set on something else than sui- own. The hope of his youth, the desire of his
cide-that afterward, or death or life of any manhood, were gratified to the uttermost; yet
kind, he cared not what; but in the first place, through all ran an undercurrent which mirrorand above all things, Vengeance!  In the mean ed a portion of the present reality. In the
time, there were twenty years in which to think marshy pond where he had fought the Squire by
upon it! Twenty years!                     moonlight lay two bodies; it was shallow, as it
The bar dined with the judge that night at really had been, and he could see their faces as
Cross Key, and talked, among other things, he peered into the water: they were those of
" shop."                                    Coe and Trevethick. He kept them there, and
" A  curious case that of that young fellow, would not have the pond dragged; but would go
Yorke," said one.  "I wonder whether he has thither and gloat upon them for half a summer's




98                             BRED IN TIIE BONE.
day. The mansion was full of gay folks-his the ever-moving circle: the old jail-bird, withold town companions invited to visit him, and out glancing toward him, threw his open hands
behold his greatness (as he had often imagined out twice. By this he conveyed to him that his
they should be): Tub Ryll was his jester now, own sentence was also twenty years. During
and Parson Whymper his "chaplain."  They the nine months that Richard remained at Cross
were all playing pool as usual, and he was just Key, this was all that happened to him which
about to make an easy hazard, when somebody could be called an incident. At the end of three
jogged his elbow. It was the warder of the months his mother essayed to visit him, but he
jail.                                       would not see her. She had been ill, it seemed,
" Come, come-this won't do," said he, gruff- ever since that dreadful day of the trial, and was
ly.  " You must jump up when the bell rings, only just convalescent; she had had lodgings in
or we shall quarrel. Fold up your hammock, the town, within a hundred yards of him, ever
and clean your room."                       since: it was something, poor soul, to know that
Even the school-boy does not begin on his first she was near him, however inexorably separated.
morning to reckon on his chimney almanac, " One " It would please him," she wrote, " to learn that,
day gone; twenty-four hours nearer to the holi- through Mr.Whymper's intercession, Carew had
days;" and how should Richard make that cheer- continued her pension. She had money enough,
ful note, who had twenty years of prison life be- therefore, and to spare, but intended to go on
fore him, save one day!                     with her business of lodging-house keeping in a
He did as he was ordered, wearily, with a new quarter of London, and under another name
heart that had no hope: it seemed to the warder (that of Basil), that she might save, and her
that his air was sullen.                    Richard find himself a rich man when he regain" If this happens again, young fellow, I report ed his liberty. In fifteen years-she had discovyou; and then good-by to your V G's."       ered that his time could be remitted to that exHe did not mean to be brutal; but Richard tent-there would be quite a little fortune for
could have stabbed him where he stood. There him. In the mean time, she thought of him
were times to come when the temptation to com- night and day."  But there was something else
mit such an act was to be very strong within in the letter.  " She confessed'that in her agohim; and when no thought of punishment, far ny at his dreadful doom, she had written to his
less of right, restrained him, but that of his pro- prosecutor to adjure him to appeal for mercy to
jected vengeance always did.  Every rough the crown, and he had refused to do so."  This
word, every insult, every wrong, was treasured news had driven Richard almost to frenzy. He
up in his mind, and added to the long account had written her such a letter as the prison auagainst those who had doomed him to such a thorities had refused to send, and now he would
fate. It should be paid in full one day; and in not see her.
the mean time the debt was out at compound   He wrote again; more moderately, however,
interest.                                   to bid her never mention Trevethick's name
lie took his sordid meals, his cocoa, his bread, again, nor Coe's, nor Harry's, if she wished him
his gruel, not because he had ever any appetite to think of her as his mother: they were dead
for them, but because without them he should to him, he said,for the present.  To be brief,
lose his strength. He must husband that for Richard never saw his mother after his convicthe long-expected hour when he might need it; tion. He wished to harden his heart, and not
when the moment had arrived to strike the blow  to have it melted within him; and perhaps his
for which his hand was clenched ten times a day. fury at her having appealed to Trevethick was
His hate grew every hour, and, like a petrifying purposely exaggerated with this object. His
spring, fell drop by drop about his heart, and recollection of " the cage, " it must be remember.
made it stone. In the mean time, a fiend in ed, was also not such as to make the idea of an
torment could alone imagine what he suffered. interview attractive; moreover, that his mother
He spoke to no one but his warders and the should see him in his convict dress, kept within
chaplain; for now he was a convict, there was iron bars like a wild beast, seemed to him to afno communication with his fellows; only once a ford a triumph to his deadly enemies.
day for an hour and a half he took his monoto-   In the tenth month, Richard, with the other
nous exercise in the high-walled prison-yard. convicts, was transferred to Lingmoor, one of
Tramp, tramp, tramp, each half a dozen paces the great penal settlements.  They were " rebehind the other, with an officer on the watch to moved," for some portion of the distance, in
see that the limit was preserved.           vans, like furniture, or, we might rather say, in
"' Keep your distance, you there, unless you caravans like wild beasts; but for some miles
want to be reported."                       they traveled by railway. They were handcuffRichard did not want that; but at times his ed and chained together two and two, as pointers
temper was like a devil unchained, and it got the are upon their journeys, except that the connecbetter of him, and even of his treasured purpose; tion was at the wrist instead of the neck. Sihe sometimes returned a sharp answer. This lence was strictly enjoined, but this one opportuweakness was almost the only feeling within nity of conversing with their fellow-creatures was
him that reminded him that he was human.  He not to be let slip. Richard's other half was a nowas put on bread and water within the first fort- torious burglar called Rolfe; -this man had passnight; then cursed his folly for thus postponing ed a quarter of a century in jail, and was conthe one object of his life, and amended. His versant with every plan of trickery and evasion of
case was quoted to the visiting justices as an ex- orders. His countenance was not at all of that
emplification of the efficacy of cutting short a bull-dog type with which his class is falsely though
prisoner's supplies.                        generally credited; he had good features, though
While exercising one day he recognized Bal- somewvhat hard in their expression, and very infour, who happened to be on the opposite side of  telligent gray eyes. Itl was their very intelli



BRED IN THE BONE.                                    99
gence, so sharp, so piercing, andyet which avoid- death thinks of nothing but a reprieve; the
ed your gaze, that showed to those who studied  " lifer" or the long-termer, thinks of nothing but
such matters what he was. After one glance at an escape-and (sometimes) vengeance.
Richard he never looked at him again, but stared    " Well, it was curious. There was a'Smashstraight before him, and talked in muttered tones er'" (utterer of counterfeit coin) "named Mounceasingly, and with lips as motionless as those of lony in for life there-a thin-shanked, shambling
a ventriloquist. He was doing fourteen years for fellow, as Smashers mostly are —mere trash.
cracking a public-house, and had cracked a good He had got a file, this fool, and dared not use it
many private ones, concerning the details of which -kept it as close as though it were'bacca,' and
enterprises he was very eloquent. When he had waited for his chance, instead of making his
concluded his autobiography he began to evince chance for himself. Damme, if I had a file!"
some interest in the circumstances of his com-   Mr. Rolfe's feelings of irritation were almost
panion. Richard, however, did not care to en- too much for him; he turned up the whites of
lighten him on his own concerns, but confined his his eyes, so that persons who were unacquainted
conversation to the one topic that was common with his views upon religious subjects might
between them-jails.  Rolfe gave him a synop- have supposed him to be engaged in some devo-'sis of the annals of Lingmoor, to which he was tional exercise.
bound not for the first time. It was a place that   " Next door to this fellow-though it seemed
had a bad reputation among those who became a long way off, for the cell was in an angle of
perforce its inmates; tobacco, for which else- the prison-there was one of the right sort;
where convenient warders charged a shilling an name of Jeffreys. No prison in England could
ounce, was there not less than eighteenpence: have held him if he had had a file. With a rusty
such a tariff was shameful, and almost amounted nail as he had picked up he dug through his cell
to a prohibition. A pal of his had hung him- wall, and came out one night, all of a sudden,
self there-it was supposed through deprivation upon the Smasher-thought he was out of doors,
of this necessary. It was "a queer case;'" for poor beggar, through this cursed angle, you see,
he had "tucked himself up" to the bars of his and after all had only changed his room."
cell by his braces, the buckles of which had left   "That must have been the devil," observed
livid marks upon his neck.  His Prayer-book had Richard.
been found open at the Burial of the Dead, and    " It was," said Mr. Rolfe, significantly.
it was understood that he had read that service   "'Why, how on earth did you do it?' asked
over himself before taking leave of the world. the Smasher. At least I suppose he did, for the
IHe had also written his will with a point of the conversation was not reported, as you shall hear.
said brace-buckles upon the brick of his cell. He'With a mere nail, too. Why, I've got a file,
himself (Mr. Rolfe) had been called as a witness and yet I never thought of that.'
at the inquest, and had thereby obtained two    "'A file!' cried Jeffreys.'Let's look. Give
hours' relaxation from labor; but upon the whole it to me.'
he would rather have been working with his gang   "But Molony wouldn't give it him.  The
-the affair had quite upset him; and, since its case was this, you see. If Jeffreys could have
occurrence, the inmates of Lingmoor were for- filed his irons off, and then the window-bars, he
bidden to use braces.                       could have made a push for it; but he couldn't
" Were there any escapes from Lingmoor by wait for the other; the night was too far gone
any other means?" inquired Richard.        for that-there was only time for one to free
"Escapes?"  Mr. Rolfe's countenance as- himself and get away. The Smasher was willsumed a more solemn vacuity than ever. It was ing enough to make an effort now; the other's
an indiscretion of his young friend to shape that pluck had put a good heart into him. But since
word with his lips while a warder sat in the he had been there so long, and never moved a
same carriage.  Yes, there had been such things hand to help hisself, Jeffreys thought he might
even at Lingmoor. But it was a difficult job, stop a little longer; it seemed to him dog-in-theeven for one used to cracking cribs. The outer manger like to be refused the file-at least that's
wall was not to be scaled without a ladder, and my view of what he thoaght; though he's been
ladders were even more difficult to procure than blamed a good deal for what afterward happened."
tobacco. Even if you did get over the outer   "But what did happen?"
wall, the space around the prison was very bare,   "Well, they got to high words; the t'other
and the sentries had orders to shoot you fleeing. wouldn't give up the file; and when Jeffrevs
If you got to Bergen Wood, two miles away, you tried to get hold of it, what did the aggravation
might be safe so far, but it was a dangerous busi- Smasher do-for you see he was'used to bolting
ness. Nobody had ever done it yet without half-crowns and such like-but swallow thefile!"
"putting somebody out."                       "Why, that must have killed him?" observed
This was a euphemism for murder, as Richard Yorke.
was by this time " old hand" enough to know.   " So Jeffreys concluded," returned Mr. Rolfe,
"Warders?" inquired he indifferently; for he coolly; " and indeed that was his defense when
had already learned to value that objectionable his trial came on. He pleaded that Molony was
class at a low figure.                      dead already.'I did not put the file down his
" Hush! Yes; you must kill' a dog' or two throat, though I did deprive him of it afterward.
before you say good-by to Lingmoor, unless you I was obliged to do it.' He made an anatomy
can put them to sleep."  (Bribery.)  " There of him with the nail, in fact, just as the surgeons
was a man once as had to kill his pal to do it."  do with their dissecting-knives, though not so
"How could that help him?" Richard felt neat, in order to get at the file. An ugly job, I
no interest whatever in these narratives as sto- call it; but it was a very pretty case, the lawyers
ries; but since they referred to escapes they said, as to whether murder had been done or
were entrancing.  The convict who is cast for not."




100                            BRED IN THE BONE.
"But did this Jeffreys get off?"          where they would fain have tarried if they could,
"Upon the trial-yes; but not from the pris- was left far behind them, while to some of them
on. He got into the yard all right, and climbed the road was doomed to be the veritable Valley
the wall by making steps of the file and the nail; of the Shadow. They were never to see the
but, in dropping on the other side, he broke his world, nor partake of its coarse and brutal pleasleg, and so they nabbed him. It's a very hard ures-the only ones they cared for, or perhaps
nut to crack, is Lingmoor, Ican tell you."  had experienced —any more. How bare, and
With these and similar incidents of prison- desolate,, and wretched was the prospect! There
life, Mr. Rolfe regaled his companion's ears. The was no living thing in sight; only the wild moorsound of this man's voice, muffled as it was, not- land streams hurried by, as if themselves desirous
withstanding the nature of his talk, was pleasant to escape from the barren solitude. Not a tree
to Richard after so many months of enforced si- was to be seen save Bergen Wood, which Richlence.  After long starvation the stomach is ard's companion indicated to him, as they nearthankful for even garbage; and so it is with the ed it, by a movement of the eyelid. It had been
mind. Moreover, any thing would have seemed the tomb of many a convict, who had striven for
better than to sit and think during that hateful freedom, and found death. As they emerged
journey. The railway part of it was by far the from it, Lingmoor prison presented itself, solid,
worst. To be made a show of at the various immense, and gloomy, as though it were built of
stations-every one curious to see how convicts steel-" Castle of Giant Despair."  Its guarded
looked in their full regimentals, chained and gate was swung back, and all were marched into
ironed; to behold the other passengers who a paved court-yard, where their names were callwere free; to see the happy meetings of lovers ed over, and their irons removed. Then each
and friends, of parents and children; and the was stripped and searched, and another uniform
partings' that were scarcely partings at all com- substituted for that they had worn at Cross Key.
pared with his own length of exile from all man- The old hands seemed to take a pride in knowkind: these were things the bitterness of which ing what was about to be done beforehand; in
Richard felt to the uttermost; his very blood ran being recognized by the warders, though their
gall. His friend Balfour was among his fellow- greeting was but a contemptuous shrug; and in
travelers, but they did not journey in the same threading the windings of the stone labyrinths
van nor railway carriage. Had it been other- with an accustomed step. Richard was ushered
wise Richard might have felt some sense of into a cell the exact counterpart of that he had
companionship; whereas the contact of this man lately inhabited; and yet he regarded it with the
Rolfe seemed to degrade him to his level, and interest which one can not fail to feel in what is
isolate him from humanity itself. At the same to be one's home for years.
time, he shrank with sensitiveness from the gaze   Home! Frightful misnomer for that place,
of the gaping crowd. It is so difficult, even with warm and well-ventilated as it was, and supplied
the strongest will to do so, to become callous and with the latest products of civilization.  The gas
hardened to shame except by slow degrees: ev- was burning brightly; fresh cool water flowed at
ery finger seemed to point at him in recognition, his will; at his touch a bell rang, and instantly,
every tongue to be telling of his disgrace and outside his door, an iron plate sprang out, and
doom; whereas, in simple fact, his own mother indicated to the warder in what cell his presence
would scarcely have known him in such a garb, was required.  "How clean and comfortable!"
and with those iron ornaments about his limbs; says the introduced-by-special-order visitor, to
his fine hair cropped to the roots; his delicate his obsequious acquaintance the governor, on obfeatures worn and sharpened with spare diet and serving these admirable arrangements.  "How
want of sleep; above all, with those haggard much better are these scoundrels cared for," cries
eyes, always watching and waiting for something the unthinking public, "than are our honest
a long way off-almost, indeed, out of sight at poor!"  It is not, however, that the convict is
present, but coming up, as a ship comes spar by pampered; but for this unkindly care he would
spar above the horizon, taking shape and dis- not be able to endure the punishment which justinctness as it nears. There were nineteen years tice has decreed for him. Science has meted out,and three months still, however, between him  to him each drop of gruel, each ounce of bread,
and it.                                     each article of clothing, and each degree of
warmth. Not one of all the recipients of this
cruel benevolence but would gladly have exCHAPTER XXXIV.                   changed places with the shivering tramp or the
O UT O F T H E W O R L D.   \Vwork-house pauper. To cower under the leafless
branches of Bergen Wood, while the November
THIS tedious, shameful travel came to an end night-blasts made them grind and clang, would
at nightfall. Their way had lain all day through have seemed paradise compared with that snug
landscapes of great beauty,'though about to lose lodging; nay, the grave itself, with its dim dread
the last remnants of their autumn splendor; but Hereafter, has been preferred before it.
when they left the rail, the woods, and glens, and   Life at Lingmoor was existenceby machineryrivers were seen no more. All was dreary moor- a monotony that sometimes maddened as well as
land, where winter had already begun to reign. slew. To read of it is to understand nothing of
A village or two were passed, among whose scanty this. The bald annals of the place reveal nopopulation their appearance created little excite- thing of this terrible secret.
ment: such sights were common in that locali-   Richard rose at five at clang of bell, cleaned
ty. They were on the high-road that leads to out his cell, and folded up his bed more neatly
Lingmoor, and to nowhere else. The way seem- than did ever chamber-maid; at six was breaked as typical of their outcast life-path as a page fast-porridge, and forty minutes allowed for its
out of the Pilrim's Progress.  Vanity Fair, enjoyment; then chapel and parade; then la



BRED IN THE BONE.                                   101
bor-mat-making was his trade, at which he be- loguing," "conspiracy, " and other terrible terms.
came a great proficient. His fingers deftly work- Brought before the authorities upon this serious
ed, while his mind brooded. At twelve was din- charge, Richard at once confessed himself alone
ner-bread and potatoes, with seventy minutes to blame; the fresh air had, in a manner, intoxallowed for its digestion; then exercise in the icated him, after his long confinement within
yard, and mat-making again till six in summer, stone walls; and the sight of his old acquaintand four in winter; prayers, supper, school till ance had caused him to forget the rules. On the
eight; when the weary day was done. On Sun- offense-list being examined, it was found, howday, except two hours of exercise and chapel, ever, that No. 421 was a good deal in the habit
Richard was his own master, to brood as much of forgetting. His cell-warder gave him but an
as he would. There were also no less than three indifferent character; and Richard, in a fury,
holidays in the year, on which it has been whis- committed the fatal indiscretion of rebutting this
pered with horror that the convicts have pudding. latter accusation by a countercharge of tyranny
There was, however, no such excess at Ling- and ill-usage. The next instant he could have
moor.                                       bitten his tongue out-but it was too late; he felt.
As for society, there was the chaplain. This that he had made an enemy of this body-servant,
gentleman could make nothing of Richard, who was also his master, for the remainder of
though he tried his best. It was evident to him  his term. An " old hand," unless he is a profes-.
that the young man had something on his mind; sional garroter (in which case he is generally too
if he would only confide in his spiritual adviser, much respected to be ill-used), is always careful
he assured him comfort could be administered. to keep on good terms with his attendant; otherBlut no confidence ever took place. It was a wise-since a warder's word, if it be not law, is at
most distressing case; here was a youth of supe- all events worth that of ten prisoners-there may
rior position, and well educated, as obstinate and be no end to your troubles. This is not because
stubborn as the most hardened criminal in the warders are not as a class a most respectable
establishment.  His Bible was never opened. body of men, but simply because you can't get all
One of his warders had expressed his opinion the virtues for a guinea a week. A strict apd
that No. 421 was vindictive, but he (the chap- impartial sense of justice is especially a rare and
lain) was bound to say he had observed nothing dear article-even governors have sometimes
of that. The remarks in his note-book respecting been deficient in it. Most men have their preju421 were these: "Richard Yorke-aged twenty, dices, as women have their spites; and a prejulooks ten years older; reserved and cynical; a dice against a fellow-creature is a thing that
hopeless infidel, but respectful, uncomplaining, grows. Richard's warder was no tyrant-only a
tand well-mannered."                        sullen, ignorant fellow, in a false position; he had
Richard had been reported more than once for an almost absolute power over his fellow-creat"inattention to orders," and had lost some of his ures, and like many-perhaps like most who
good marks accordingly. The cause of this was have ever possessed such a thing-it was too
one over which he could now be scarcely said to much for him.
have control. Ile had become so absent and dis-   "I am a tyrant, am I?" said he, significantly,
trait that he sometimes hardly knew what was as he marched Richard back to his cell after sengoing on about him. The perpetual brooding in tence was decreed. " Very well; we'll see.
which he indulged had, in fact, already postponed   Richard got bread and water for three days
the accomplishment of the very object which en- certain, and, what was far worse, another " monthralled his thoughts. The effect of this was se- strous cantle" might be cut out of that period of
rious; and he had good reason for the apprehen- remission which began to be all the dearer in his
sion which seized him, that his wits might leave eyes the more problematical it grew. Garrothim before that day of liberty arrived, which was ers, as we have said, were respected at Lingstill so many years distant. On account of his moor; they are so ready with their great apeprevious calling, which was described in the pris- like hands, and so dull-brained with respect to
on books as landscape-painter, he had been put consequences; yet Richard's warder, when he
to a handicraft trade; but he now applied for brought his bread and water, with a grin, that
borrow-work, and the surgeon seconded his ap- night, was probably as near to death by stranplication. This change of occupation, which was gling as he had ever been during his professional
destined in some respects to be beneficial, proved experience. It was not that he was on his own
at the outset most unfortunate. The outdoor toil account the object of his prisoner's wrath, but
was mostly spade and barrow labor on the moor, that by his conduct he had, as it were, suppleon which the convicts worked in gangs-each mented the inexpiable wrong originally commitgang under supervision of two warders, armed ted, and earned for himself a portion of the unwith sword and musket. The first face that dying hate which was due elsewhere. "I may
Richard's eyes lit on, when he found himself in kill this brute some day," thought Richard, ruethe open, with the free air of heaven blowing on fully, " in spite of myself." And he resolved on
him, and already, as it seemed, bearing the seeds the first opportunity to communicate a certain
of health and hope, was that of Robert Balfour. secret which was on his mind to a friendly ear;
In his joyous excitement he sprang forward and so that that at least should be utilized to the disheld out his hand; the other hesitated-for the advantage of his foes, in case incontrollable pasold cracksman was prudence itself-then, as if sion should one day compel him to sacrifice a
with an incontrollable impulse, grasped the of- lesser victim, and make his greaft revenge to fail.
fered fingers, with an "I am right glad to see It had not once entered into his mind that he
you, lad." The next instant they were both in couldforego his purpose, but only that circumcustody, and marched back to the prison, charged stances might render it impossible.
with the high crime and misdemeanor of con-   The occasion for which he looked was not long
versation, which at Lingmoor was called "col- in coming. His days of punishment concluded,,




102                            BRED IN THE BONE.
he was once more marched out upon the moor, honorable on my side. You have trusted me,
and again found himself in Balfour's company. and I'll trust you."
Not a sign passed between them this time, but as   " Have you any plan to get away from this?"
they delved they talked. "I fear you have been whispered Richard, eagerly., "All that I have
suffering for my sake," said Richard.       shall be yours: I swear it."
"It is no matter. My shoulders are broad    "Nay, lad; your word's enough," returned
enough for two," returned the other, kindly. "I the other, reproachfully.  "And I don't covet
am right glad to see your face again, though it is nothing of yours; indeed I don't."
so changed. You have been ill, have you not,   "I was a brute to talk so to you, Balfour,"
lad?"                                      answered Richard, penitently.  " But you don't
" I don't know. Something is wrong with me, know how I crave for freedom: it makes me
and I may be worse-that is why I want to speak mad to think of it."
to you. Listen!"                              "Ay, ay; I know," sighed the old fellow.
" All right. Don't look this way, and sink your "It used to be so with me once; but now it
voice if either of these dogs comes to leeward."  only comes on me when my term is nearly up.
"Ifyou get away from this place, andldon't-" One gets patient as one gets old, you'll find.
" Now, none of that, lad," interrupted the old No; I've no plan just now; though, if I ever
man, earnestly. "That's theworst thingyou can have, I promise you you shall be the man to
get into your head at Lingmoor, if you ever want know it. It's another matter altogether that I
to leave it. Never say die, nor even think it. I meant to tell you about. You've given me an
am three times your age, and yet I mean to get address to remember: let me give you another
out again and enjoy myself. It is but fifteen in exchange for it-No. 91 Earl Street East,
years now, without counting remission-though Spitalfields. That's where mother lives, if the
I've got into disgrace with my cursed watch-dog, poor soul is alive to whom you wrote for me from
and sha'n't get much of that-and you must keep Cross Key. She'll be dead, however, long bea good heart. "                             fore you or I get out of this, that's certain, or I
" I shall keep a firm one," answered Richard, should not be telling you what I do; for one's
" never fear. I wish to guard against contingen- mother is the best friend of all friends, and
cies, that's all. If I die-"                should come first and foremost.  Well, the
"Damned if you shall," said Balfour, sturdily, money will do her no good; and if any thing
quite innocent of any plagiarism from Uncle happehs to me, I have neither chick nor child to
Toby.                                       inherit it. I am speaking of this eight hundred
"Very good," continued Ricllhard, coolly. " If pound, lad. If I get into the world, I shall want
you get out of this before me, let us merely say, it for myself, for I doubt my limbs will be too
I have something to tell you which may be of stiff for work by that time; but if not, then you
service to you. There's a man in Breakneck- shall have it-every shilling. I am digging my
shire called Carew of Crompton-"            own grave, as it might be, with this spade, and
" I know him: the gentleman born as put on making my will, do you see?" said the old felthe gloves with Bendigo at Birmingham?"    low, smiling.
" Very likely; at all events, every body knows   "II thank you for your kind intentions," rehim in the Midlands. He will go to the dogs turned Richard, absently; "it's very good of
some day, and his estate will be sold. You have you, I'm sure."  His hopes of some scheme of
saved money, you tell me; if the chance occurs, present release had been excited by the old man's
you can't invest it better than in the lot called manner, and this faint and far-off prospect of a
Wheal Danes, a mine in Cornwall."           legateeship seemed but of little worth.'"I believe you every word," said Balfour; "but   "I may not have another chance to tell you
a mine would be rather over my figure, wouldn't about it," resumed Balfour.  "It is five years
it?  I have only got eight hundred pounds."    now since you and I spoke together last, and it
" That would be plenty. It's a disused mine, may be another five years before such good luck
and supposed to be worked out. There's only one happens again; so don't forget 91 Earl Street
man in England that knows it is not so, except East. It's under the middle stone of the back,myself. He will come or send to the auction, ex- kitchen, all in golden quids. You needn't mind
pecting to get it cheap; but do you bid two hun- it being' swag;' and as for those whose own it
dred pounds beforehand, and get it by private con- is by rights, I could not tell you who the half of
tract. Say you want the place-it's close to the it belonged to, if I would. It's the savings of
sea-for building purposes; they'll laugh at you, an industrious life, lad," added Mr. Balfour, paand jump at your offer. The fee-simple is not thetically; "and I should be sorry to think, if
supposed to be worth five shillings an acre. It any thing happened to me, that it should lie
will turn out a gold mine to whoever gets it."   there useless, or be found accidental like, and
"Wheal Danes," repeated Balfour, carefully. perhaps fall into the hands of the bluebottles.
" I'll remember that; and what is more, lad, I'll Your memory's good, my lad, I dare say, and
not forget the man as told me of it. It's not the you won't forget the number nor the street."
profit that I am speaking on: that will be yours,   " My memory is veryv good, friend," returned
I hope, as it should be in all reason, and not Richard, slowly; "and I have only two or three
mine; but it's the confidence."  The old man's things else to keep in it. And you, on your
voice grew husky with emotion.  "Damme, I part, you will not forget the mine?'
liked you from the first, as was natural enough;   "Nay, nay; I've got it safe: Wheal Danes,
but there was no reason why you should take a Wheal Danes."
fancy to an old thief like me more than any    "Silence, down there!" roared the warder;
other among this pretty lot here. The first as and nothing but the squeak of the barrow-wheel
speaks of secrets is of course the one as runs the and the clean slice of the spade was heard in all
risk, but I will do what I can to show myself that throng of involuntary toilers.




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   103
CHAPTER XXXV.                    dwells a certain eager care, not mere distress or
trouble, but an anxiety which is almost Fear.
BASIL.                      The three are now in one of the streets which
IT is nineteen years since Richard Yorke stood unite Cavendish Square with Oxford Street, as
in the dock at Cross Key and heard the words of a busy babbling rill connects the unruffled lake
doom. Almost a whole generation of his fellow- with the roaring river. It is composed both of
creatures has passed away from the earth.  Old shops and private houses, the latter of which in
men hove died, young men have become old, some cases deign, notwithstanding their genteel
and babes have grown to be young men. There appearance, to accommodate visitors by the week
are but some half dozen persons in the world or month.
who, if reminded of him by some circumstance,   " This is the sort of locality your father wished
can recollect him dimly. There are two who for, Charley," remarked Mrs. Coe, looking about
still keep him in their thoughts continually, just her; " it seems central, and yet tolerably quiet.
as he was-like a picture which bears no longer Let us try this house."
any resemblance to its original-and even these   The name of " Basil," without prefix, was ennever breathe his name.                     graved upon the door-plate; and in a corner of
Here is a young fellow walking with his mother the dining-room  window lurked an enameled
along Oxford Street who is not unlike him, who card with "Apartments" on it.
might be himself but for those nineteen years;   "There is no need to drag Agnes and you in,"
and the girl that walks upon the other side of Mrs. Coe went on, as they stood waiting for the
him might also be Harry Trevethick.  Youth bell to be answered. So Charles, well pleased,
and beauty are not dead because Richard Yorke was left outside Fwith the young girl, while his
is dead, or as good as dead. The name of this mother "went over the house." In a few mingirl is Agnes Aird, a painter's daughter, who is utes, however, she reappeared, and in a somealso a teacher of his art. The lad is her father's what hurried and excited tone observed, "I think
pupil, and has learned beneath his roof a lesson this place will do, my dears; but there is a good
not included in the artistic course; you.may deal to talk about and settle, which will take me
know that by the way in which his eyes devour some time. Therefore I think you had better
the girl, the intonation of his voice when he ad- go home together, and leave me."  Then, withdresses her, the silent pressure of the arm on out waiting for a reply, she retired within and
which her fingers rest. Charles Coe is in love closed the door.
with Agnes, and in all his studies of perspective    " How very curious!" exclaimed Agnes, wonbeholds her, a radiant figure beckoning him on dering.
to a happy future. His pencil strays from its   "Oh, not at all," said the young man, cheerobject to portray her features-to inscribe her fully; "my mother likes to do things for hername beside his own. Mr. Coe, his father, ex- self, and I dare say has not a very high opinion
ceedingly disapproves of this projected alliance, of our judgment in domestic matters. You don't
and has forbidden the young people to associate. seem over-pleased, it seems to me, Agnes, at the
This ukase, however, can scarcelybe obeyed while notion of a tete-i-tete with your humble ser —
the whole party are inmates of Mr. Aird's resi- ant;" and Mr. Charles pouted, half in fun and
dence, who "lets off " the upper part of his house half with annoyance.
as furnished apartments, which the Coes have  "iNo, no; it is not that, Charles," answered
now inhabited as lodgers for some weeks. Sol- the girl, hastily.  "' You know I have no pleasomon (now a very well-to-do personage, and a ure equal to that of being with you; but I don't
great authority on metalliferous soils) has come like your mother's looks; she had such a strange
to town on business, and left to his wife the air, and spoke so differently from her usual way.
choice of a residence; and she, to please her I really scarcely like to leave her."
son, had chosen the artist's dwelling, upon whose   " My dear Aghes, you don't know my mother,"
door-plate was inscribed the fact that he was a returned Charles, laughing. " One would someprofessor of drawing.  Solomon was not dis- times think she had all the care of the world
pleased that his son's tastes lay in that direc- upon her shoulders when every thing is going as
tibn; it might be useful to himself hereafter in smooth as oil. You don't appreciate the grave
the matter of plans and sections; but he is vio- responsibility of taking furnished lodgings for a
lently opposed to this ridiculous love affair, which week certain.  Come along, you little goose."
is to be stamped out at once. To that end he has And, drawing her still hesitating arm within his
instructed Mrs. Coe to look for lodgings in a dis- own, he marched away with her.
taut quarter, and it is on that errand that we now    Yet Agnes had reason for what she said; and
behold her. It is characteristic of the Harry Charles, somewhat selfish as he was, would have
whom we once knew that she permits these foregone his flirtation and remained by his moyoung people to accompany her-and one an- ther's side had he seen her the moment after the
other-on the very quest that has their final sep- house door had shut her in.
aration for its object. She can not resist mak-   With a throbbing heart, and a face as white as
ing them happy while she can; and she can re- the handkerchief she passed over her damp. brow,
fuse her Charley nothing. Moreover, Solomon she leaned against the wall of the passage, ere,
is in the City, looking after his mining interests, with trembling steps, she approached the open
and need never know.                        parlor door. An aged woman stood in the cenIn appearance, however, Harry Trevethick is tre of the room, with hair as white as snow, but
greatly changed. She is but seven-and-thirty, with a figure straight as a poplar, and drawn up
yet has already passed into the shade of middle rigidly to its full height.
life. Her hair, though still in profusion, is tinged    "Why do you come back again?" cried she,
with gray; her features are worn and sharp; her in accents soft as milk, yet bitter as gall. "Why
brow is wrinkled; and in her once. trustful eyes do you cross my threshold, you false witch, when




104                            BRED IN THE BONE.
there is nothing more to blight and blast?  Did    " Can this be true?" mused the old woman.
you think I should not know you, that you dared    "It is true, so help me Heaven!" cried Har.
to come? I should know you among all the fair- ry.  "I was a fool, a poor, weak, shuddering
faced fiends in hell."                      fool, but not a traitress. If you were in court,
"Mercy, mercy, Mrs. Yorke!" cried Harry, and saw me look at him-the smile I gave by
feebly; and she fell upon her knees, and made which I meant to assure him all was well, howas though she would have clasped the other's ever ill it seemed-  You did see it; I see you
garments with her stretched-out arms.       did. You do believe me. Oh, thank Heaven"Don't touch me, lest I strike you," answered thank Heaven!"
the old woman, fiercely, "as, nineteen years ago,   She began to sob and cry, and caught hold of
I would have struck you on your cruel lips, and the old woman's hand and kissed it, while the
spoiled the beauty that was the ruin of my boy! other stood silent, still in doubt.
May you have sons to perish through false wan-   " Oh, madam, pity me. That you have suftons, and to pine in prison! May you be deso- fered torments for long years is plain to see, and
late, and without heart or hope, as I am! Go, yet you have not, though he was your son, been
devil, go, and rid me of your hateful presence!"  tortured as I have. You could not have freed
"Hear me, hear me, Mrs. Yorke!" pleaded the him by a word as I could; and oh, I did not utother, with clasped hands. " Strike me, spit upon ter it! I seemed to be his judge, his jailer, the
me, if you will, but only hear me! Abject as I cause of all his woes, to the man I loved-and
look, wretched as I feel-as I knew I must needs loved beyond all others! I hated my own father
look and feel-I have longed for this hour to for his sake. I"-she shuddered-" I was marcome, as my boy longs for his bridal morning!" ried to Richard's rival. You at least have been
"May he wake the next to find his bride a alone, not companioned night and day by one
corpse; or, better still, to find her false, like you." who helped to doom him. Your case is hard
" I am not false; I never was; Heaven knows and bitter-but mine! not our own Richard, in
it!" cried Harry, passionately. " I do not blame his chains and toil, has suffered what Ihave sufyou for your bitter words. I have earned your feredL!  Look at me, madam, and tell me if I
curses, though I meant to earn your blessing."  speak truth or lie."
"My blessing!" Contempt and hatred strug-   "Yes, yes," mused Mrs. Yorke, in tender
gled for the mastery in her tone.  "Richard, tones, and passing her fingers over the other's
Richard! in your chains and toil, do you hear silvering hair and haggard face; "'.I do-I must
this? This woman meant to earn my blessing!" believe it. I should not have known you to-day
" Upon my soul-whose salvation I would have had you not called me by my name. You must
imperiled to save him-I did my best, although have mourned for him indeed. Is this the cheek
it seemed my worst," cried Harry. " That I was he loved to kiss? Is this the hair a lock of which
weak and credulous and fearful is most true; I took to comfort him in prison? Poor soulbut indeed, indeed, I was faithful to your son. poor soul!"
My father-he is dead, madam, and past your   "How  is he, madam?" whispered Harry,
judgment" (for the fury in the other's eyes had hoarsely.  "Is he well?  Is he free?"
blazed up afresh at the mention of him)-" de-   " Not yet, Harry. In a year hence lie will be.
ceived me with false hopes; for fear alone- I had a letter only yesterday. But you must
though I was timid too-would never have caused never see him; and if you really love him-I
me to break the promise I had passed to you. speak it for his sake, not theirs-you must never
He said, if I disgraced myself and him by the let him set eyes on your husband or your boy."
perjury I contemplated, that he would thrust me   "I do not wish to see him; it would be too
from his door forever; that in the lips of all the terrible to bear," groaned Harry.
world my name would become another word for   "But he must not see them," insisted the othshame and infamy; that even the man I loved er, gravely.  "You must put the sea between
would loathe me when I had thus served his turn. yourselves and him, or.there will be murder done.
I answered him,' No matter, so I save my Rich- His wrath is terrible, and will be the destruction
ard.' Then he said,' But you will not save him; of both them and him. The hope of vengeance
you will ruin him, rather, by this very evidence is the food he lives upon, and without which he
you purpose to give. We have proof enough of would have perished years ago. Even if you perthis Yorke's guilt, no matter what you swear; suaded him, as you have convinced me, that you
and we have proof, besides, of his having commit- yourself are innocent of his ruin, that would only
ted other offenses, if we choose to adduce it. All make him firmer in his purpose against your husyou will effect is to make yourself shameful.' band. He will have his life-blood, and then his
Then I hesitated, not knowing what to think. own will pay for it. If I had not seen you, I'The case is this,' argued my father:'I have no meant'to see this man, and give him warning six
grudge against this young scoundrel, since the months before Richard left the prison."
money has been all recovered, and I don't want   "Solomon would never heed it," exclaimed
revenge-else, as I say, I can easily get it. But Harry, "nor even believe it if I told him."
I'll have him taught a lesson; he must be pun-   "He will believe me," said the other, comished for the wrong he has done, but not severely. posedly. "You must bring him here that I may
Before the judge passes sentence, I, the prosecu- tell him. Your Solomon must be a fool indeed
ltor, will beg him off: such an appeal is always list- not to hearken when a mother warns him against
ened to, you know, and I will make it. But if her own son. Mind, I do not blame my Richyou dare to speak for him, as I hear you mean to ard, woman!" continued Mrs. Yorke, with suddo-if you, my daughter, call yourself thief and den passion; " he has had provocation enough;
trollop to save his skin, then shall he rot in jail! it is but right to kill such vermin, and I could
Hle shall, by Heaven! His fate hangs on my lips, stand by and smile to see him do it. But they
not yours.'"                                must be kept apart, I say-this man and Richard




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    105
-lest a worse thing befall him than has happen- not imagine that Richard could forgive you: he
ed already."                                never, never could."
"Never to see him more!" moaned Harry,   " I know it, I know it," sighed Harry, shudcovering her face with her hands; "never to dering; "and yet he would pity me if he did
tell him I was not the wretch I seemed! only to but know what my life has been - almost -as
fear him as an enemy to me and mine-"       much as I have pitied him. But you, madam,
"Ay, and to himself," interrupted the other, you at least have forgiven me; you believe me;
gravely.  " If you would not inflict far more on you will not refuse to bless me, as his mother,
him than you have done already; if you would before I go."
not-as you will, if you neglect my warning-    ",I believe you, and therefore I forgive you,"
designedly bring him to a shameful death, as you answered Mrs. Yorke, with tenderness; "and if
have involuntarily doomed him to a shameful I believed in blessings, and had the power of belife, keep these two men apart. If you love this stowing them, you should have your wish. From
son of yours, remove him from the reach of henceforth we two are friends —though I never
mine."                                      thought to kiss your cheek again, Harry-and
" Great Heaven!" cried Harry, shuddering, must work together for the good of him we love' would he harm my boy-my innocent boy?"  in common. You will be here to-morrow for
" Ay, as he would set his heel upon his father certain, then?"
-the viper and his brood. It is no idle menace   "Without fail we shall."
he has breathed so cautiously that the whisper
might well escape even another ear than mine, in
every letter for these many years. He thirsts for
liberty, not for his own sake, but for the slow-rip-    CHAPTER XXXVI.
ening vengeance it shall bear. He will have it,
unless we save him from himself by saving them               THE OMEN.
from him, as sure as yonder inky cloud will fall   MRs. COE was as good as her word, and her
in storm. The thought of it was full grown in husband and son were Mrs. Basil's lodgers within
his mind when he wrote from Cross Key:' They four-and-twenty hours.  Solomon Coe was not
are dead to me, those three, at present,' and for- very particular as to furnished apartments, and
bade me ever to mention them by name; and left such arrangements wholly to his wife. On
since then he has thought of nothing else. The the other hand, he confided to her but little reday of retribution is about to dawn. I say again, specting his affairs, nor was she, on her part, cubeware of him."                             rious to inquire into them. Man and wife had
"But he must be mad to cherish-"          few things in common, and affection was not one
"Perhaps he is," interrupted the old woman, of them.  Solomon had married Harry with the
coldly; "he will not be less dangerous on that full consciousness that another was preferred beaccount to those who made him mad."         fore him; the disclosures at the trial, and the
There was a long silence. Then Harry, in sub- subsequent gossip of his neighbors, had placed
missive tones, inquired what Mrs. Yorke would that fact beyond a doubt. But he was not to be
have her do.                                balked of the bride that had been promised him
"Bring your husband hither," returned she. so long; nor, above all, should his rival enjoy
" Take the rooms up stairs, and leave the task of even the barren victory of Harry's remaining untelling him his peril to me: the sooner it is done wedded for his sake. There are marriages born
the better. There is but a year at most-not of pique and spite on man's part as well as womuch too long to sell his goods, and get him  man's; and Solomon's was one of them, although
away across the world, erasing every footstep he reaped, of course, material advantages besides.
behind him. If he leave one-no matter how  Trevethick had survivedmore than ten years, durslight the clew-Richard will track him like a ing which he had largely increased his savings;
blood-hound."                               and at his death all these had, reverted to his
"We will come here at once-to-morrow," daughter and her husband. The wealth that had
cried Harry, eagerly.                       thus poured in upon Solomon through Harry's
"Good.  My name is Basil now, remember; means did not purchase for her any new regard 
not that it is likely," she added, bitterly, "that he had never ill-treated her, in a material sense,
you will call me Yorke from habit; it is not a but he had spoken ash-sticks, though he had used
household word with you, I reckon."         none. On the slightest quarrel, that "jail-bird
"It is never breathed," said Harry, simply; friend of yours" had been thrown in her face, and
"but, oh, madam, I think of him, indeed I do! the cowardly missile was still cast at her upon
He was my first love, and my last; and though occasion. The birth of their child had not cehe should kill me for the crime, of which I have mented their union. As he grew up his charshown myself guiltless, I should pray God bless acter showed itself as foreign to that of his father
him with my latest breath. Yet he must curse as was his personal appearance.  He was slight
me forever! He must never know but that I was in figure, delicate in appearance (though not in
the willing agent of his ruin!"            constitution), and fastidious in taste. His choice
"'Tis true, I dare not mention your name, of an artist's calling was not so objectionable to
Harry," said Mrs. Yorke, sadly; " and, if I told Solomon as might be imagined; he had not senshim, all the knowledge of the deception practiced itiveness enough to abhor it from association,
on you would only make him the more bitter and, as has been said, he thought it might be
against your husband-the man who, by conniv- made to co-operate with his own commercial
ance in your father's cruel falsehood, obtained schemes. But the artist nature was in antagoyou for his wife, while his rival pined in prison. nism to his own, and Charles and his father were
I do not blame you for your marriage-I know  not on affectionate terms with one another.
the force of stern necessity too well. J3ut do   The wayward, handsome lad was, on the other




106                             BRED IN THE BONE.
hand, adored by lis mother.  Her intelligence, Mrs. Coe had engaged new lodgings.  But even
not naturally acute, was quickened to see his now, so lightly did his father think of the matter,
faults, not indeed as such, but as possible causes that Charley was still to be permitted to visit at
of misfortune to him. His too lively impulses, Mr. Aird's daily, and take his drawing-lessons
his indecision, his love of pleasure, were all as heretofore.
sources of apprehension to her, though scarcely   An excuse for the change of residence had
ever of rebuke. She saw in Agnes Aird, his tu- been afforded in the fact that Soho was too far
tor's daughter-so simple, yet so sensible and from the parks, in which alone Mrs. Coe took
sterling, so faithful, pure, and true-the very girl pleasure in walking.  She was quite unaccusto make her son a fitting wife; an antidote for tomed to town life, and the roar and tumult of
what was amiss in him; her honest heart a the streets annoyed and even alarmed her. In
sheet-anchor to hold him fast, not in the turbid some respects, indeed, she was even a more nervocean of excess, for her Charley was too good to ous, timid creature than she had been as a girl;
tempt it, but through that sparkling sea of gayety the warning just received from Mrs. Yorke had
in which he was too apt to plunge.  She was not fallen upon her altogether unexpectedly,
beautiful enough even for him to mate with; she though she could not have been said to be prewas better born and better trained than he; for pared for it. A vague apprehension of Richard's
old Jacob Aird was none of those irregular gen- vengeance had haunted her whole married life;
iuses of the pencil, addicted to gin-punch and she did not fear for her own safety; something
Shelley, and selfish to the core, but a plain hon- told her that his anger would scorn to harm herest man, who had brought up his daughter well-  self; that it would pass over her head like a
in tastes a lady, but housewifely and wisely too. flaming sword, and smite her husband and her
As for the inequality of wealth between them, boy;. and as face after face passed by her in the
her son would have enough for both; and it was crowded street, she would shrink and tremble,
certain that Agnes did not love him for his ex- thinking that that of Richard Yorke would come
pectations, for they were unknown alike to her one day, and recognize her own, and track it
and him. Harry had never led him to believe home. Was he not fated to work their common
that he would be a rich man; her love, as we ruin?  Did not the spectre ship cross Turlock
have said, had -made her wise in all that con- Sands before she met his face for the first time?
cerned Charley; and as for his father, he was Though so mature in years, Harry was indeed as
naturally reticent in such matters. He did not superstitious as ever. A curious instance of this
spend one fifth part of his income. His habits occurred on the day that the Coes moved into
were as inexpensive as they had been in the old their new lodgings. The mother and son had
days at Gethin; and if the village folks had ever arrived first-Solomon being engaged in the City
hinted to the young fellow of his father's wealth, until evening-and Charley had strolled into the
he had no conception of its real extent.  The ground-floor parlor, while the landlady (whom he
idea itself, too, would have had no great interest had not yet seen) was engaged with his mother
for him; he liked to have money for the pleasure up stairs in the distribution of the luggage.
of spending it, but it was never the object of his Above the chimney-piece hung that striking if
thoughts; he was too careless, too much the not attractive portrait of Joanna Southcott and
creature of the hour, to forecast his future. His her amanuensis, with which we are already acmother gave him all she could, but he was aware quainted; and it tickled the young man's fancy
that it was obtained with difficulty; the cost of amazingly. He concluded it was a family group
his very education, which he had received at a -the likeness, perhaps, of Mrs. Basil and her late
school near Turlock, had, he knew, been grudged; husband engaged in making out their weekly achis father had often grumbled that it was money counts.  " I will beg Agnes not to be jealous of
thrown away, for, "Look at me," said he; "I our charming landlady," thought he, and took
taught myself."  There was always, in short, a out his note-book with the intention of transfertightness in the Coe money market that augured ring the likeness for that young lady's amuseany thing but pecuniary prosperity.         ment. While engaged in this occupation the
The very fact of their having taken lodgings door opened, and in stepped Mrs. Basil and her
at Mr. Aird's house, situated as it was in Soho, new tenant. In his alarm and haste he stepped
a respectable but far from fashionable locality, back suddenly, and overthrew a little table, on
argued but moderate means, and placed the artist which were some ornaments, he knew not what,
out of all suspicion of setting his pretty daughter which rolled to his mother's feet. She uttered
as a matrimonial snare for Charley. She was a cry of horror; and the landlady herself stood
pretty enough and good enough, the old man still, regarding him with a face of astonishment,
justly thought, for him or for his betters; and and even terror.
though he regarded the good-will which the    "Is that-your-son?" exclaimed she, clutchyoung people evidently entertained for one an- ing his mother by the arm.
other with favor, he saw in it neither condescen-   But Mrs. Coe did not seem to hear her.
sion nor advantage. Solomon, much engaged in    "Look, look!" cried she; "the skull, the
business affairs away from home, and estimating, skull! Oh, is it not a frightful omen!"
besides, the power of love at a low rate, was not   " I am really very sorry," said Charley, pickseriously alarmed at the growing attachment be- ing up the article in question; " it was very
tween his son and Agnes, nor would have been stupid of me, Mrs. Basil."
had it advanced much farther.  He thought he   "Don't mention it, young Sir," said the landhad only to say " No," to put a stop to it at any lady, who had apparently recovered from her
point. Still he had determined to place the boy sudden tremor; "the skull is no worse for its
out of the reach of such temptation as a pretty roll, you see; he was fortunately a hard-headed
girl living beneath the same roof must always gentleman who originally owned it."
offer to susceptible youth; and hence it was that   "Indeed," said Charley, taking it from her




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   107
hand with some curiosity, "it seems a curious   "Yes, yes; much better. But that skullornament for a sitting-room.  May I ask whom  oh, horrible! it rolled from him to me. What
it belonged to when it had flesh about it?"  an omen on your very threshold! Heaven guard
"It is the skull of Swedenborg," answered my Charles from evil!'
Mrs. Basil.  "A  near relative of mine was a    "This is weakness, Mrs. Coe. The skull is
disciple of his, and left it to me as a most pre- harmless; and it rolled because your son upset
cious relic."                               it."
"But how the deuce did he get possession of   "Yes, my son," gasped the other, trembling.
it?" inquired the young man.                "It is for him I fear. It augurs death-death"Well, not very fairly, as it seems to me," death!"
smiled the landlady.  " While your mother sits   There was a ring at the front-door, decisive,
down and rests herself-for I am afraid you have sharp, and resonant.
frightened her a bit —I'll tell you the story."  " Great Heaven!" cried Harry; "if it should
"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Coe, faintly; "I shall be he himself!  Hide me away; put me out of
be better presently; don't mind me."        sight."  Her terror was piteous to behold: she
" Well, the tale runs thus, Sir. Swedenborg shook in every limb.
was buried in the vault beneath the Swedish    "It is the post," said Mrs. Basil, contemptuembassador's chapel in Princes Square, Ratcliffe ously; and she was right. The servant brought
Highway; and a certain theologian having once in a letter for her mistress.
affirmed that all great philosophers took their   "I don't know the hand," mused she. " Blackbodies with them into the world of spirits, and bordered, and black-sealed too."  She opened it
that this gentleman had done the like, leave was without excitement, and read it through: it was
obtained to settle this point by actual examina- but a few lines.
tion. The body was found, and the theologian    "Your omen has proved true for once, Mrs.
confuted, but no trouble was taken to solder on Coe," said she, in quiet tones. "This speaks of
again the lid of the coffin. A thieving Swede, death."
attending a funeral of one of his countrymen in    "Whose death?" cried Harry.
the same vault, remarked this circumstance, and    "My husband's, Richard's father.  Carew of
stole the skull, with the intention of selling it to Crompton died last night."
some disciple of the great philosopher's; and I   There was no sorrow in the aged woman's
am ashamed to say that he found a purchaser in face: a gravity, unmixed with tenderness, pos —
my respected relative: and that's how I became sessed it.  Carew was naught to her, and had
possessed of Swedenborg's skull."           been naught for twoscore years.. But the tide
"Very curious, though rather larcenous," ob- of memory was at its flow within her brain; and
served the young man, laughing.  "And this because the Past is Past it touches us.  This
good lady over the mantel-piece, who is she?"  man had loved her once, after his own scornful
"That's Joanna Southcott. But, my good manner, when he was young, and before power
young gentleman, I will answer all your ques- and selfishness had made him stone.  He had
tions another time. Your mother and I will been the father of her only son, and now he was
have enough to do to arrange matters before Dead.
your father comes home, You will excuse my    "I am so sorry," said Harry, not quite knowfreedom, Sir."                              ing what to say.
"Certainly," said Charley, rather amused than    "'There is no need for sorrow," replied the
otherwise with tile landlady's bluntness.  "I other, quietly.  "Let us go up stairs and finish
know I'm in the way just now; so I'll step out our work."
for half an hour or so. I am sorry I frightened
you, dear mother."
He stooped and kissed her fondly; and then,          CHAPTER XXXVII.
with a smile and a nod at Mrs. Basil, stepped
into the little passage and out of doors, and,               WITCHERY.
whistling, passed the window down the street.  CAREW of Crompton was really dead, as men
"Your son has a light heart," said Mrs. Basil, said, " at last," not that he had been long dying,
looking at Harry very earnestly.  " How old is or was an old man, but that he had eventually
he?"                                       succumbed to one of those deadly risks to which
" Eighteen-or a little less."             he had so often voluntarily exposed himself. On
"He looks his age at least," observed the the occasion which had been fatal to him he had
other, emphatically.                        started from home one frosty morning at the gal" Yes; dark people always do."            lop, with a cigar in his mouth, the reins on his
"And your husband is dark, like him, I re- horse's neck, and both his hands in his pockets,
member."                                    and had been pitched off and broken his neck
"Yes; his complexion is swarthy, though he within half a mile of his own door. His chapis not slim, like Charles."                 lain, who had dispatched the news to Mrs. Basil,
Mrs. Coe, still in the arm-chair into which she had been riding by his side at the very moment.
had first sunk, here closed her eyes; either the " He was a good friend to me," was the laconic
faintness of which she had complained was com- remark that poor Parson Whymper had added
ing on again, or she did not wish to meet the to the bare intelligence.
other's searching gaze.                        To judge by the regretful excitement in the
There was a long pause, during which Mrs. Midlands, Carew might have been a good friend
Basil went to the cellaret, and pouring out a to every body. The news was at once telegraphed
glass of sherry, put it to her tenant's lips.  to town, and appeared in the evening papers.
"Do you feel better now?" said she, when The public interest in his mad freaks had of late
Harry had drunk it.                         years grown somewhat faint-his extravagances




108                             BRED IN THE BONE.
were, perforce, on a less splendid scale-but his   " And the place too, of course. It was a very
death revived it. " So that mad Carew has killed fine one, was it not? Plenty of pictures, and
himself, after all," was the observation frequently looking-glasses, and things?"
overheard that evening, as acquaintance met ac-   "It was very richly furnished."
quaintance on their homeward way from busi-  It was curious to mark the difference of manness. "Well, he's had his whack of most things," ner between questioner and respondent. Solowas the reply of the philosophers; " He has not mon, usually so reticent and reserved, was grown
left much to tempt his heirs to be extravagant, quite voluble. Mrs. Basil, on the other hand,
"I reckon," of the cynics; "IIe was a deuced naturally so apt in speech, seemed to reply with
good fellow at bottom, I believe," remarked those difficulty.  She was weighing every word.'who were secretly desirous of earning the same    "The estate, I suppose, was out of your beat;
eulogium for themselves; "He was altogether you did not have much to do with that?"
wrong at top," answered the charitable.       "I used to walk in the park, Sir, most days."
Solomon Coe came home to his new abode in    "Ay; but the property generally? The friend
such a state of elation that it even made him  who writes you to-day don't say any thing about
communicative to his wife. Mrs. Basil happen- that, I suppose-whether any of it is to be sold
ed to be with her in the drawing-room, but he or not, for instance?".'only acknowledged her presence by a hasty nod.   " The report-of course, being a servant, she
" Well,, what d'ye think, Carew of Crompton, can only speak from report-is that Mr. Carew's
that was your father's landlord and mine"-Sol- affairs are in a sad state. Every thing, I believe,
omon never said " ours" with reference to prop- is to be sold at once. The whole estate is said
erty —" has broken his neck at last!"      to be-I don't know if I use the right termOf course the very name of Carew was a sore mortgaged. "
subject, between man and wife, on account of   "Just so," replied Solomon; "yes, yes. That
Richard Yorke's connection with him; but it is so, no doubt." There was a slight pause; Mirs.
suited Solomon's purpose. on this occasion to ig- Basil courtesied, and was about to leave the room.
nore that circumstance. It would be necessary " Stop a bit, ma'am," said Solomon. " My wife
for some$ time to come to allude to the Crompton tells me that you are a lone woman-a widow.
property more or less, and it was just as well to Perhaps you'd like to take a bit of dinner with
begin at once; it was also less embarrassing to us to-day?"
do so in the presence of a third person.      Harry began to think her husband was intox" Yes, Solomon, I knew Mr. Carew was dead," icated. He did get occasionally so when any
said Harry, gravely. The next instant she turned particularly good stroke of business was in course
scarlet with the consciousness of her thoughtless of progress, and on such occasions his manner
indiscretion.                               was unusually affable; but she had never seen
" Oh," grunted her husband, annoyed at what him half so gracious as at present. Hospitality,
he deemed her sulky manner, when he himself though he did sometimes bring a mining agent
was so graciously inclined to be conciliatory, or a broker home to dinner, was by no means his
and also displeased to find his news anticipated, strong point. Mrs. Basil looked doubtfully at her
"you've been buying an evening paper, have dress, which, though homely, was perfectly wellyou?  You must have more money than you made and lady-like, and murmured something
know what to do with, it seems to me."      about its being almost the dinner-hour, and there
Harry was thankfully accepting this imputa- being " no time."
tion in silence, when Mrs. Basil's soft voice was   " Oh, never mind your gown" (which, by-theheard.  " No, Sir; it was I who told your good by, Solomon pronounced " gownd"); "we're quite
lady. I had a letter from Crompton by the aft- plain people ourselves, as my wife will tell you.
ernoon's post."                             You shall take pot-luck with us. Where's Char"The devil you did!" cried Solomon, turning ley? That boy's always late."
sharply upon her.  "How came that about?"    But at that very moment the young gentleman
"I was housekeeper at Crompton, Sir, in old in question entered the room, at the same time
Mrs. Carew's time, for some years, and one of as did the servant with the announcement that
the servants wrote to let me know of the acci- dinner was on the table.
dent."                                        The astonishment of the domestic'at seeing
"Housekeeper, were you?" said Solomon, with her mistress taken down to the dining-room by
interest.  " That must have been a good place, the new lodger was only exceeded by that of
with deuced good pickings, eh?"            Charley, as, with his mother on his arm, he fol"Solomon, Solomon," remonstrated his wife, lowed the strangely assorted pair. " I knew she
in a low voice, "Mrs. Basil is quite a lady. was a witch," he murmured, "with her human
Don't you see that you offend her?"         skull and her Joanna Southcott; but this beats
It is more than probable that, under ordinary old Margery's doings at Gethin."
circumstances, Mr. Coe would have resented this   "Hush, hush!" whispered his mother, for
rebuke with choleric vehemence; but he had-his Charley's high spirits and audacity always terrireasons for being good-humored in the present fled her when exhibited in his father's presence:
instance.  " You must excuse my country man- " they have found they have a common acquaintners, Mrs. Basil," said he.  "As my wife will ance, and so made friends."
tell you, I must always have my joke; but I mean    "Father didn't know Swedenborg, did he?"
no offense. So you were housekeeper at Cromp- answered the young man, slyly.  " My belief is,
ton, were you?  Well, now, that's curious, for he has fallen in love with her. I saw a black
Mrs. Coe's father and I myself, as you heard me cat on the stairs.  She can make any body do it,
saying, have had a great deal to do with Carew. as I was telling Aggey" (the young rogue had
You knew him well, of course?"             been to Soho since the morning); "I shall be
"Yes, Sir; I did."                        the next victim, no doubt. It's no use saying to




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    109
myself,'Thou shalt not marry thy grandmo- him, you see; I did see a black cat on the
ther.' Her charms are too powerful for the stairs."
rubric. You'll see she'll not say grace."     If she could have overheard her husband's
Mr. Charles was right in that particular of his talk, it would still have been inexplicable to her.
diagnosis of their new guest. Mrs. Basil did treat   " Then you think this sale at Crompton will
that devotional formula, which Mrs. Coe never take place directly after the funeral?"
omitted to pronounce, in spite of her husband's   "I should certainly imagine so-yes."
contemptuous shrugs, with considerable indiffer-   "There is something —you needn't tell my
ence. She sat opposite to Charley, and more wife, because I wish it to be a surprise for herthan once, when he looked up suddenly, he that I should like to buy at it; something I have
caught her gaze fixed earnestly upon him. Those long had my eye on."
wondrous eyes of hers yet shone forth bright   "Some piece of furniture, I suppose. Well,
and clear; her cheeks were still smooth; and, you must be prepared to give a good sum, I fear.
though her brow had many a wrinkle, they were From the curiosity of the thing-the reputation,
the footprints of thought and care, rather than I mean, of poor Mr. Carew-it is likely things
of vears.                                   will fetch more than their price."
The conversation, as was natural where the   "Perhaps so. But I should like to know, as
company and the guest were strangers to each soon as possible, when the sale comes off. From
other, turned upon the topics of the day, and the your connection with the place, you will be able
objects in the room, some of which, as we know, to get news of this before the general public-I
were sufficiently remarkable. At Charley's re- mean the exact date."
quest Mrs. Basil once more narrated the story    " No doubt. I will write to-morrow, and beg
of the skull; and then epitomized, with caustic that the information may be sent me."
tongue, the biography of poor Joanna.  Up    "I should feel much obliged if you would,
stairs, she said, she had one of that lady's Mrs. Basil."*
"seals"-a passport to eternal bliss-which she   "I'll write this very night. You wish to
would bestow as a present upon the young gen- know the day on which the sale of the furniture
tleman opposite. Her cynical humor delighted may be fixed?"
Charley, and won the approbation of his father   "Yes; and of all the other things: of the
-not the less so, perhaps, since he saw it an- estates as well, for instance; there may be some
noyed his wife.                             land that may prove a good investment. Don't
Poor Harry was a simple well-meaning woman make a fuss about it, but say you have a friend
in her way, and, had the circumstances of her who is interested. The catalogue ofeffects, with
life been less exceptional, would have earned the the dates appointed for the sale of each, will, of
reputation of a good creature and steadfast course, be settled down there. I want to have
chapel-goer. But our lives do not always fall in an early copy."
the places most suitable to our dispositions; the   " That is very simple," said Mrs. Basil, makrestive are often compelled to run in harness; ing a memorandum in her pocket-book: "you
and the quiet low-action goers, who would wel- shall be among Me very first to get one, Mr.
come restraint, are left without guide, and with Coe-you may rely on that."
no course marked out for them. Thus it was
with Mrs. Coe. The situation in which' Fate
had placed her it was altogether beyond her
powers to fill. She knew that Mrs. Basil was           CHAPTER XXXVIII.
rapidly ingratiating herself with her husband,            O        TIE ROOF.
and so far was furthering their common plan;
but, notwithstanding its supreme importance, she   RICHARD YORKE is still at Lingmoor; and
shrank from the means that were bidding fair to though but a twelvemonth intervenes between
accomplish her own end. She shuddered at her him and freedom-or perhaps partly because of
husband's vulgar ejaculations of assent and ap- it-prison life is growing insupportable.  It is
proval; at her son's thoughtless laughter; at the last year of "a long term," as all "old
this woman's sparkling and audacious talk, hands" will tell you, which is the most trying.
which seemed so purposeless, and yet was so full Impatience becomes more incontrollable as the
of design and craft. She had feared her and limit of suffering is neared; and just as, after a
shrank from her at Gethin, and she feared her tedious and dangerous illness, the convalescent
now. And yet how necessary was her assist- will rise too soon, and risk a relapse in his feverance! Of her own self she was well aware that ish desire to be well, so a prisoner will often
she could do nothing to avert that coming peril make some wild endeavors to escape, when, if
from her husband and her son, the shadow of he did but wait a little-a span of time compared
which had darkened all her married life, and with that in which he has lain captive-his jealwas now deepening into blackest doom. It was ous doors' would open of themselves to let him
absolutely necessary that Mrs. Basil should ob- pass in safety. But there are other reasons
tain the confidence of Solomon, and perhaps of which are pressing Richard toward flight, and
Charley also, and yet this unlooked-for and swift goading him (as he feels) to madness if he resuccess of hers was far from welcome to poor main quiescent.  He has quarreled with all
Harry. It really almost seemed that there was about him, and has suffered for it; and he is
truth in what her son had spoken in jest-that now menaced with worse things. His sullenness,
there was witchcraft in it.'his brooding ire, have long transformed his naSolomon was now talking earnestly to Mrs. ture; civility, and even obedience, have become
Basil in low tones, while Charley looked toward impossible for him. He kicks, as it were, against
his mother with raised eyebrows, and a comic a chevaux-de-frise of steel. He has been starved
expression, which seemed to say, " She's got on bread and water, and grown thin and fierce.




110                             BRED IN THE BONE.
He has been put, and not for nothing, into the    "Balfour, " said Richard, earnestly, " will you
dark cell for hours, to brood, as usual, and has do me a favor?"
come forth a more reckless devil than he went in.   "Yes, lad, any thing," replied the old man,
His warder and he are open foes.  That softly. The word "lad" seemed so inapplicable
cross-grained official has taken a strong antipa- to that gray-headed, care-lined face, which he
thy to him, which is more than reciprocated; had known so young and comely, that the misuse
and every time he enters his cell sets foot, of it touched the speaker.  "You know I will."
though unconscious of the fact, on the very   "Even though you should run a risk," said
threshold of the grave. He is the keeper of one Richard, " within a day or two of your freewho is almost a madman; but the latter is sane dom?"
on one point yet-he knows to whom his venge-   "Ay; for your sake, I would do that and
ance is mainly due; and while that knowledge more."
lasts his lesser foe is safe from him-safe, that   " God bless you, if there be a God!" answered
is, at present; but a provocation may be given those haggard lips.  "Ask leave to go to the
which would compel this long-suffering victim-  village to-morrow, and get me a file."
in years scarce a middle-aged man, in appear-   " Hush!-the warder."
ance gray and withered as the oldest within those   The conversation thus interrupted was resumed
prison walls-to give his passion way, and slay next day.
him.  If something should take place, which    "Here is the file," said Balfour; "hide it in
this warder himself has prophesied would hap- your mattress. But, lad, you will be mad to
pen, it will be so; and all Richard's hoarded use it. I pray you be patient. It is only a
hate would then be useless, since it would have twelvemonth now."
no kheir. There has been flogging in the pris-   Richard shook his head, with a ghastly smile.
on-an unusual punishment, and only inflicted "I must try," said he.
for great offenses, or for continued contumacy   "'Nay, nay; you will be retaken and flogged,
and bad conduct. A conspiracy was discovered, lad; think of that."
and seven of the ringleaders received three dozen    " I shall never be retaken, Balfour, at least
lashes each, in presence of all the inmates of the alive."
jail.  It was a punishment perhaps deserved   It was easy enough to read in Richard's face
and necessary, but sickening enough to witness. the corroboration of his words.
Richard's warder stood beside him, and while    "Have you any plan?" asked the old man,
the cat was descending on one wretch's naked disconsolately.
back, observed in a grim whisper: "Do you    "I have. From my window here I see an
take warning, my man; for if you are reported open shed, with a coil of rope in it. I shall file
again, the governor says you are to have a dose my bars, and get that rope to-night; climb back
of the same medicine."                      again here, and over the roof. I have calculated
Whether the man spoke truth or not, Richard the distance from outside. I feel sure I can
believed him. It was more than probable that reach the parapet with my finger-tips as I stand
he would be reported, and by the very voice that upon the window-ledge, then let myself down
uttered the menace. In a twelvemonth's time into the exercising-yard upon the west side."
there were three hundred and sixty-five opportu-   "The walls about that yard are sixty feet
nities, ten times told, of its being fulfilled. If high, lad."
such a sentence was ever passed upon him, as it   "There is a spout in the north corner which
was almost sure to be, Richard was well resolved will help me up; and if I reach the top without
that it should not be carried out; rather should a broken neck, I make fast my rope, and slide
this man die, and he himself, his slayer, be hung on to the moor. From thence, no matter how
for it. His desire for vengeance upon those who dark it is-and it will be pitch-dark, I reckon-I
had blasted his young life so cruelly was as can make Bergen Wood. No power on earth
strong as ever-nay, stronger, fiftyfold; but he shall stop me. If you told the warder yonder
knew that he could never bear the lash.  Some- of my plan this moment, I should still escape
how or other, therefore, at all risks, he must es- -in another and more certain fashion."  To
cape fieom Lingmoor.                        look at him and read the resolute despair in his
Robert Balfour was to be set free in a few  white face was to have no doubt of that.
days, his conduct, though not good, having earn-   "What must be must be," sighed the old
ed that much of remission.  Richard was not man.  "But for my sake, lad-for mine, who
envious of him, yet the contrast of their two po- love you as a father loves his own son-be pasitions made him perhaps more desperate and tient till to-morrow.  This is my last day at
reckless. Of late months the old man had been Lingmoor.  To-morrow I shall be free.  I'll
admitted to certain privileges accorded to such come at night to the wall of the west yard, and
as have almost worked out their time, or who throw a rope over the north corner, close by the
are otherwise recommended for them. He had spout you mention.  It shall be made fast on
been employed as "a cleaner," then as "a spe- my side, and if you do but lay hold of it, the
cial" —iu which position re was permitted to work rest is easy. Your scheme, as it now stands, is
out of doors without an attendant warder, and hopeless. No squirrel could climb that spout,
even (in his particular case, for he was growing far less a man reduced as you are;" and he
very old and feeble) to have leave of absence for glanced significantly at Richard's shrunken limbs.
an hour or two. On some occasions it was his   "You are the best of friends, Balfour-induty to bring round the prisoners' meals; and deed, the only man that ever was my friend."
then he saw Richard, and could even exchange He stopped, as if overcome by an emotion that
a word or two with him alone. This happened was so strange to him.  "At midnight, then,
upon the afternoon of the day when the public to-morrow, I shall begin my work; and in an
flogging had taken place.                   hour from that time, if all goes well, I shall be




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   111
at the spot appointed. If I fail, you will re- young and plump and vigorous. He was vigmember Wheal Danes?'                       orous now-the fever within him seemed to give
"Yes, yes; but you will not fail. Keep a him the strength of ten-but he was an old man
good heart," whispered the old man, as he hur- to look at, and the flesh had left his bones. So
ried away at an approaching footstep.       much the better; there were only two bars to file
But, in reality, Balfour had no hope. His instead of three. Finding the space sufficient,
experience of such attempts, and his knowledge he twisted his blanket into a rope, fastened it to
of the difficulties to be surmounted in the pres- the broken bars, and so, by its aid, slipped noiseent instance, forbade any expectation of Rich- lessly into the yard.
ard's success, even in the matter of getting out-   That portion of the prison was low, and conside the prison walls; and, supposing that was sisted but of two stories; another cell window
done, and the wood reached, what was to be was immediately beneath his own, but, as he
looked for further but slow starvation or death knew, it was not used for prisoners. Still, he
from the sharp-tipped arrows of the wintry wind? trembled as he slipped past it.. Suppose a hand
Still, Balfour's help was promised, and would be had been pushed through to clasp his limbs, or
given; the old cracksman had many faults and a voice had given the alarm, and warned the
vices, but he was not one to desert a friend at a watchful guards! But his feet touched ground
pinch, and Richard Yorke was really dear to in safety. Htis eyes, accustomed for long years
him.                                        to cleave the darkness, guided him straight to
As for Richard, notwithstanding the season- the shed and to the coil of rope. He seized it as
ableness of the other's offer, and although he the shipwrecked mariner clutches that which is
was himself almost convinced that without such thrown him from the shore to drag him through
aid he could never effect his object, no sooner the roaring breakers, and then, winding it about
was he left alone than he regretted that he had his waist, he retraced his steps. To return-to
passed his word to put off the attempt another his cell window was comparatively easy; but to
day. Suppose he should transgress some prison stand upon its narrow ledge, and, clutching the
regulation between this and then, or be reported parapet with his fingers, to draw himself up
by his hostile attendant without having commit- thereby, was a task that few, without the hope
ed a transgression! There were thirty-six hours of liberty to spur them, could have accomplished.
of such perilous delay before him, and his impa- Three times he failed; without something more
tience was already at fever-heat. By standing of purchase for his hold, he felt the thing was beon his metal wash-stand, and peering through yond his powers. The question was, how broad
his bars, he could see that the coil of rope still was the stone coping?  If, by a sudden spring,
lay in its accustomed place that afternoon, but he could catch the other side of it, he might sucwould it remain there till to-morrow night? ceed; but if he missed, his hands would slide
The very act of thus climbing to his window, from the smooth surface, his feet could not rewhich he could not resist, was a serious offense; gain their stand-point, and he would fall backand if by any chance he should be found in pos- ward twenty feet or so upon the stone courtsession of the file-then all was over. He was yard.
fully determined only to part with it with life   There was nothing for it but to run the risk.
itself. For once, the picture of Trevethick and He gathered his strength together, shut his eyes,
his son-in-law (for he had heard before he left and made a vigorous spring: one hand caught
Cross Key of Harry's marriage with his rival), a firm gripe, and, after a sharp struggle, the othunsuspecting, complacent, and exposed to the er gained it; then he drew himself slowly up,
full force of his revenge, failed to occupy his and lay down in the gutter of the roof to gather
gloating thoughts; they were fixed as ever there, breath and look about him. The prison was
but on the means and not upon the end-his whole built like the four spokes of a wheel; and, inbeing was engrossed in the coming enterprise. deed, with the high wall circling round it, did
He feared the warder should read that forbidden closely resemble that image. Nearly the whole
word " Escape" in his eager eyes, or on his rest- of the building could have been seen, had it been
less lips. A change of cell or a sudden exam- light enough, from his present position; but, as it
ination of his bed-furniture-no uncommon oc- was, only the west wing was dimly visible, with
currence-would prove his ruin.  He took the its guardian tower standing blackly up against
file out of his mattress, and placed it in his its dark back-ground of wintry night sky. He
breast: let that man beware who found it there! could not make out the sentry on its top; but
At last the long night, which should have now and then, when his circuit brought him
found him free, passed by, and the next weary nearest to his hiding-place, he could hear his
day. The appointed time had come.           measured foot-fall.
It was past midnight, and not a sound was   Like a creeping thing, for he scarce used
heard in the vast prison; there was no moon, hand or foot at all, Richard slowly crawled and
but a few stars shone on him as he worked at slid along the sloping roof, then swiftly over the
the iron bars; the noise of his file was muffled vertex, while the patrol was at the most distant
-he had rubbed it well with soap-but every portion of his round, and then once more, monow and then he paused and listened. He half tionless and almost breathless, he lay down befancied he could hear the distant tramp of the hind the western parapet. The exercising-yard,
patrols, who, musket in hand, watched the walls into which it was his object to drop, was just
of Lingmoor from the roofs of its four stone tow- below him; but it was necessary to find some
ers; but it was only fancy, and, at all events, no object to which to fasten his rope; and here he
one else but they was stirring.  Years ago he perceived how futile would have been his plan
had gauged those bars, and calculated that not of escape without assistance from without; for
less than three must be sawn through to give his here, having slid down it, he must needs leave
body room to pass; but that was when he was his rope tied to a neighboring chimney. There
H




112                            BRED IN THE BONE.
was not length enough to cut off, and be of any musket had not been, as he was, within easy
service afterward for the descent of the external gunshot of him; but it led from prison walls to
wall, nigh sixty feet in height. If Balfour failed liberty, and Richard did not hesitate for a mohim, it was now, indeed, clear to him that his ment to commit himself to it. Hand over hand,
whole design must fail. Yonder towering wall, foot after foot, he dragged himself with infinite
higher even than his own present elevated posi- effort slowly upward; but it was not now in his
tion, could never be scaled by foot and hand, power to watch the patrol, and secure the most
with only the help of a spout-nay, he doubted favorable moment for crossing the wall top, as
whether, even if he found the promised rope in he had done in the case of the roof. As ill luck
position, he could even make use of that; for, would have it, just as the sentry came to the
though agile, he had none of the sailor's cun- northward portion of his beat, Richard's form
ning.                                       was vaguely visible against the sky, upon the
He made fast the coil which he had with him, very summit of the wall. The next instant he
however, and watching his opportunity, slid off had crossed it, and at the hoarse cry, " Who's
the parapet into space. Such a feat seems easy there?" had glided rapidly down upon the other
enough to read of; but to slide without noise side. The sentry's gun was at his shoulder, and
down a loose and swinging rope for so great a its sharp report rang through the silent night
distance is no slight task to one unused to such  just as the convict reached the ground. The
gymnastics; and, besides, he had to check him- starlight was just sufficient, as the warder subself at intervals (which took the skin off from his sequently swore (and truly), to see the man was
hands, although at the time he did not feel it), hit; he staggered and fell, but crawled away dilest he should suddenly reach the ground with a rectly, and was lost in the surrounding gloom.
dull thud. He accomplished this in safety, and   At the same moment all the prison seemed to
once more paused, his back pushed hard to the wake to light and life, and the alarm-bell clashed
prison wall, while the warder passed, whose out its hoarse notes of warning on the wintry air.
form he could now even make out, it was so immediately above him; then he crossed the yard
with a swift but anxious step to its north corner, and peered about in the gloom for the prom-       CHAPTER XXXIX.
ised rope; the spout was there, smooth and in-       NEW  FROM LINGMOOR.
effectual enough as a means of exit, but no rope.
His heart died within him, and his hands   Mns. BASIL kept her word with her lodger,
trembled with anxiety and trepidation as they and (thanks to the chaplain) gave into his hand
felt in vain for it along the smooth and lofty a catalogue of the great Crompton sale some
wall. Richard's brain began to reel. He leaned hours at least before the details of it were made
his trembling brow against the cold iron of the public; on the receipt of which Solomon at once
spout, and endeavored to think the matter out. left town. His absence was felt to be a relief
lie was sure of Balfour; he felt certain that no- by all parties. The work of ingratiating herself
thing but sudden and dangerous illness would with his hard, coarse nature, independently of
have prevented him  from  keeping his word. the personal loathing with which Mrs. Basil reBut perhaps he had not been able to obtain a garded him, on Richard's account, was very
rope; such things were watchfully looked after hard, and rest was grateful to her.  Mrs. Coo
in the neighborhood of Lingmoor Prison, and was always more at ease when business took her
might even not be procurable.  Yet had such husband from his home. Charley hailed his debeen the case, Balfour would not have volun- parture, since he could now enjoy the society of
teered that form of assistance. Ile was of opin- his Agnes without stint.
ion that the rope was there, then, and if so, it   He was, as usual, at Soho one morning, when
must have been thrown over by means of a Harry, sitting alone in the drawing-room, engaged
stone, or weight of some kind. In that case, if in needle-work, was alarmed by a shrill shriek,
the stone had rolled after reaching the ground, followed by a heavy fall on the floor beneath, in
the rope might not be hanging like a plumb-line Mrs. Basil's parlor. She had heard the frontfrom the wall, but at an angle from it, and at door closed but a minute before, and the thought
some distance. He began to move, then, in a that was never wholly absent fiom her mind
parallel line from the wall, still feeling right and now flashed upon it with terrible distinctness
left; and on the third trial he caught in his -the Avenger had come at last!  Ier next
stretched-out hand a string-a string-line such hurried reflection was one of thankfulness that
as a boy uses for his kite; and for an instant, neither Charley nor Solomon was at home.
the sense of the inefficacy of such means to ef- Then, pale and trembling, she stole out on the
feet his purpose froze him with despair. But landing of the stairs, and listened intently. Not
presently pulling on the string, he found it gath- a sound was to be heard save the throbs of her
er in his hand, and pulling softly on, more own fluttering breast. The cook and the waitstring, and then an end of thin but wire-strong ing-maid, who alone composed the domestic
rope, and then more rope.  What was best of staff, had apparently not heard the noise; for
all was, that this rope was knotted at intervals the former was singing loudly in the kitchen, as
of every foot, so as to afford a strong, firm hold. was her wont when she had been "put out," as'
* After many yards of this had been hauled in happened some half dozen times per diem. It
he found resistance; the end of it was evidently was frightful to think that in yonder parlor her
fast on the other side. Richard passed the rope once-loved Richard might even then be closeted
round the bottom of the iron spout, and beneath with his mother, deaf to her appeals for mercy,
an iron clasp, that prevented its slipping upward, resolute for revenge, and only demanding where
and then made it taut. It was a perilous bridge his enemies might be found: it was better to
even then, and supposing the watcher with his face him than to picture him thus.  That his




BRED IN THE BONE.                                     113
sudden appearance had terrified Mrs. Basil into miniature, which was found upon your son on
a fit she had little doubt from that shriek and his arrival here. The rest of his property will be
fall; and, indeed, all was now so still within forwarded by rail."
there that she might be dead. The fear for her
offspring, however, made Harry almost bold.   This locket contained the little picture of HlarIndeed, as has been said, she did not entertain  ry painted by Richard himself, and which,though
any apprehension of personal violence at Rich- he had contrived to secrete while at Cross Key,
ard's hands; and, perhaps, in spite of Mrs. Ba- had been taken from him at Lingmoor.
sil's assurance to the contrary, she had some   Harry's breast was agitated by conflicting
hope of moving him from his set purpose by her emotions. To know that her boy was safe-that
pravers and tears.  Step by step, and clinging there could be no murder done-gave her a sense
to the hand-rail for support, for her limbs scarce- of intense relief, which could scarcely be called
ly obeyed her will, she descended the stairs, selfish. But that reflection was but transient,
stood a moment in the passage, listening like and a passionate burst of sorrow succeeded it.
a fiightened hare, and then opened the parlor The only man she had ever loved-around whom
door. There was no one within it: yes, upon centred her most precious memories-had died,
the hearth-rug lay the motionless form of Mrs. then, thus miserably, after miserable years of
Basil; she was lying on her face; and, rushing bondage endured on her account. She saw him
forward, Harry knelt down beside her, and strove with her mind's eye once more as when he had
to lift her in her arms.  Some instinct seemed clasped her in his arms for the first time upon
to forbid her to call for assistance.        the ruined tower-as when he had rained his
" What is it? what is it?" gasped the old wo- kisses on her lips beside the Wishing Well-in
man, looking vacantly up in the other's face.    his youth and beauty and passion.  Her nine" You have been unwell, dear madam. I am  teen years of loveless wedlock were swept away,
afraid you have had a fainting fit; but, thank and left her as she saw herself in the little porHeaven, you are better now."                 trait he himself had painted, and which was now
Harry was truly grateful; first, that her orig- his legacy. His menaces and vows of vengeance
inal suspicion had proved to be unfounded; see- against her and hers were all forgotten; her woondly, that Mrs. Basil was alive.  She had con- man's heart was loyal to him  whom  she had
trived to place her in a sitting posture, with her owned its lord, and once more did him fealty.
back against the heavy arm-chair; and now she    "Oh, Richard, Richard, my dear love," cried
brought a carafe of water from the side-board, she; "God knows I would have died to save
and sprinkled her face and hauds.            you!"
" Let me call Mary, and we will get you up to    " Come here, Harry-come here," whispered
your own room as soon as you feel equal to the Mrs. Basil, "and let me kiss you. I would that
effort."                                     I could weep like you; but the fountain of my
Mrs. Basil's eyes had closed again.  Her face tears has long been dry. I thought you would
was white and stiff as that of a corpse; but she have been glad to feel that you and yours were
shook her head with vehemence. " The door-  safe-that retribution was averted from the man,
lock the door!" she murmured.               your husband; but I now see I did you wrong.
Not without some hesitation, for she began to Your heart is touched-you remember him as
fear that her companion was wandering in her he was before the taint of crime was on him."
mind, Harry obeyed her.  "Get me into my    "It never was!" cried Harry, passionately.
chair.  Oh, why did I ever wake to weary life "' He never meant to wrong my father of a shilagain!"                                     ling."
"What has troubled you?  Can any new    "Well said, dear Harry; well said.  He was
misfortune have happened to us?" inquired himself a wronged-a murdered man. Imprislarrv, woefully.                             oned for nineteen years, and then to perish thus!
"'To you-no," answered the old woman, with And yet men talk of Heaven's justice! My boy!
sudden fierceness; "to me-yes.  Do you see my boy!"
that letter?"  She pointed to one lying beneath    The two women were silent for a while-the
the table.  " Twenty years ago that would have one gazing with dry eyes but tender yearning
been mv death-warrant; but now I am so used face upon the other, as she rocked herself to
to suffer that, like the man who lived on pois- and fro, and shook with stifled sobs.
ons, nothing kills.  Read it' —read it."        "Dear Harry, you must not desert me now,"
The letter was an offlicial one; the envelope pleaded the former, pitifully; "I am very old,
immense, with "'On her Majesty's Service" and this has broken me. He was my all-my
stamped upon it, and out of all proportion to the only one on earth-and he is dead. I shall not
scanty contents, which ran as follows:       trouble you long. We two, child, were the only
ones that loved him, and we love him still. Let
" LING.MooR PIrsoN, December 22.  me cling to you, Harry, since it is but for a little
" MAz)DA, —I am instructed by the Governor while; and let us talk of him together, when we
of this Jail to acquaint you with the sad news are alone, and think of what he was. So bright,
that your son, Richard Yorke, is no more. so gay, so-  Oh, my boy! my boy!"
Four weeks ago he escaped from  prison by   The tears rushed to the mother's eyes at last.
night, and took refuge in an adjoining wood. Hard Fate was softened for a while toward its
His body was discovered only four days ago, life-long victim; and side by side sat the two
and an inquest held upon it, when a verdict was bereaved women, each striving to comfort the
returned in accordance with the facts.  I am, other, after woman's fashion, by painting in its
Madam, yours obediently,                     brightest colors that dead Past which both de" THoMIAs SPARKES (for the Governor).   plored. Begotten of their common sorrow, Love
"I am  instructed to hiclose a locket with sprang up between them, and on, one side confi



114                            BRED IN THE BONE.
dence; and into Mrs. Basil's hungry ears Harry, imagined horrors! Each kept hold of the othfor the first time, poured the story of her court- er's hand, as though in sign of the dread bond
ship. Richard's death had cemented between between them, and sat close to one another in
them the bond which it would seem to have de- silence. Presently Harry started up, at the
stroyed. The fatal letter lay open on Harry's sound of a latch-key in the house door.
lap, but the envelope had fallen on the floor.   "That is Solomon," cried she.
Stooping to pick it up, she found something still   " Impossible," said Mrs. Basil.  " He told me
within it-some folded slips from a local newspa- himself that he should stop for the last day's sale,
per, with an account of the inquest, the details and to-day is but the fifth."
of which the governor's clerk had, perhaps hu-   "Hush! it is."
manely, preferred to communicate in that form,   Yes, it was certainly Solomon's voice in the
to be read or not as the mother's feelings might passage; and apparently, by the answering tone,
dictate to her. The two women read it together, he had a male companion with him.
not aloud, for neither had the voice for that.   Harry seized the letter, with its inclosures,
With most of the evidence there recounted we and thrust them into her bosom, which, full of
are already familiar. It was proved that No. grief for his victim, seemed to spurn her hbus421 had long been in a desponding, brooding band's approach. Thefi she heard him calling
state; but, as only a year intervened between her impatiently, as was his wont, from the foot
the expiration of his term of punishment, his at- of the stairs.
tempt to escape was almost unaccountable, and    " Harry, come down; I have brought a gencertainly unparalleled. No punishment was im- tleman home with me. Let's have something to
pending over him. The opinion of the authori- eat at once, will you?"
ties was expressed that the convict's reason was   " Answer him-answer him i" gasped Harry.
unhinged. The method of obtaining his freedom  She could not speak; her tongue seemed parashowed indeed considerable cunning, but also an lyzed.
audacity that was scarcely consistent with sanity.   Mrs. Basil rose at once, walked with steady
The height of the prisoner was known, and his step to the door, and opened it.  " Your wife is
proportionate reach of arm; and it seemed in- here, Mr. Coe. I am glad you are come home,
credible how he could have succeeded in reach- for she is far from well, and I was getting quite
ing the parapet above his cell window; in that nervous about her."
attempt he must have risked certain death. His   " She must be ill," grumbled Solomon, "not
descent from the roof was explained by the pres- to be able to say' Here,' when I am breaking a
ence of the rope.  The immediate means by blood-vessel with holloing to her in the attics.
which he surmounted the external wall were, of Come in here, Sir."  This to his companion-a
course, evident enough, since the rope was there man considerably his senior, thin and spare, who
also; but the question was, how did it come stood peering curiously at the landlady. "I am
there? The prisoner must have been assisted by sorry'to see you unwell, wife. I have brought a
some one outside the wall. The warder who friend to stay with us' for a day or two. Mr.
fired the shot which subsequently proved fatal Robert Balfour —Mrs. Coe."
had seen but one man; but the night was dark,
and the whole affair had passed very rapidly.
Indeed, the convict had only fully shown himself
when at the top of the wall, and the musket had          CHAPTER XL.
been fired almost at a venture. On the alarm
being given, pursuit was at once attempted;         A PROJECTED PARTNERSHIP.
but, under cover of the night, the fugitive had   THOUGH by no means in either the mental or
gained Bergen Wood. The next morning his physical condition in which a lady should be who
footsteps were traced so far, and it was proved is called upon to play the part of hostess, Harry
that he was unaccompanied.  A cordon was was not displeased that Solomon had not returnplaced round the wood, and the place itself ed alone. The presence of this stranger, whom
thoroughly searched for many days. It was she greeted mechanically, and almost without a
deemed certain, from the report of the scouts who glance at his features, was welcome to her, bewere made use of on such occasions, that the cause it was likely to distract from herself her
convict had not left that covert to seek shelter husband's regards. What she would like to have
in any hamlet in the neighborhood; the quest done would have been to shut herself up alone in
was therefore still continued. Not, however, un- her chamber, to weep and pray. As it was, she
til three weeks afterward was No. 421 discov- had to be cheerful, to affect an interest in her
ered. It was supposed that the unhappy fugitive husband's late expedition, and pleasure at his
had died of his wounds upon the very night of unexpected return. Mrs. Basil was here invaluhis escape, for the body was so decomposed that able; you would never have imagined that it was
it could never have been identified but for its the same woman-so stricken and full of anguish
convict clothes; the nights had been wet and but a few minutes befbre, and now so self-postempestuous, and it lay in an unsheltered part sessed and cheerful. But she had been used to
of the wood, a mere sodden heap of what had playing parts throughout her life, and acting was
been once humanity. The bullet that had been easy to her. She dreaded silence, lest with it
the cause of death was, however, detected in the should come observation and remark upon the
remains.                                    agitation and distress only too visible in Harry's
What an end to the high-spirited, handsome countenance; and yet it was difficult, even for
lad that had been the pride of his mother, the her, to keep up the ball of small-talk, for Solojoy of his betrothed! What wonder that they mon was always slow and scant of speech, and
sat over the bald record of it with bowed-down the new-comer rarely opened his mouth, and
faces, and filled up the gaps with only too easily then only to utter a monosyllable. His mann;elr,




BRED IN THE BONE.                                    115
too, was embarrassing; he turned his white and the contrary, seemed to ignore the fact of their
stony face fi-om one woman to the other, like an existence-never addressed them; and if either
automaton, but with a weird and searching gaze. spoke to him, replied as briefly as possible, and
They had never so much as heard his name then turned at once to Solomon or his son. Mrs.
before, for Richard had been cautious never to Basil concluded that he'was a vulgar fellow,
mention Balfour in his letters, since they were, who, having penetration enough to discover that
of course, perused by the authorities, and friend- the males had the upper hand in the establishships were not encouraged at Lingmoor; but, on ment, did not give himself the trouble to concilithe other hand, it was evident that these ladies ate the less important members of it; but Harhad an interest for the visitor.  Presently, while ry, always timid and suspicious, was alarmed at
they were yet all below stairs, arrived Charles him; his air had, in her eyes, something hostile
and Agnes, which effected, indeed, diversion in it as well as contemptuous. She could not unenough, but also a great disturbance and altera- derstapd, and therefore mistrusted, the influence
tion for the worse in Mr. Coe's temper.  No he had evidently obtained over her husband, and
sooner, as it seemed to him, had his back been which already had superseded that of Mrs. Basil.
turned, then, than the intimacy between this girl   That Solomon should no longer take pains to
and his son, which he had strictly forbidden, had make himself agreeable to the latter, now that
been recommenced, and with the connivance and he had obtained from her his object, was, to any
encouragement of his wife too, or else how should one who knew his character, explicable enough;
the lad dare thus to bring her home?  For the but why should this stranger have taken her
first time Solomon was openly rude to Agnes; place as his counselor and friend?  The idea of
and the latter, being a girl of spirit, resented it some personal advantage was, of course, at the
by quietly rising to depart. Charley, rash and bottom of it; but it was clear, not only to sage
impetuous, rose to accompany her. Solomon Mrs. Basil, but even to Harry-since even a modstormed displeasure; and it seemed that the erately skillful looker-on sees more of the game
presence of the visitor would have been wholly than the best player-that in any contest of wits
inadequate to prevent a family scene, when Ag- Solomon would have small chance with his new
nes herself interposed with  dignity.  "No, friend.  The opinion of Mrs. Basil was, that
Charles; I would rather go alone.  If your fa- some new speculation, in some manner connectther objects to my presence here, it shall not be ed with the Crompton sale, had been entered into
intruded; and if he considers your companya con- by the two men, and that Mr. Balfour would in
descension, I can not accept it upon such terms." the end secure the oyster,'while Mr. Coe was left
Charles would have taken her arm, in defiance with the shell. But Harry had darker forebodof all consequences, and led her off under Solo- ings still; she was instinctively confident that
mon's nose; but this opposition on her part of- there was enmity at work in the new-comer, as
fended him. He was almost as angry with her well as the readiness common to all speculators
for thwarting him as he was with his father. It to overreach a friend. There was a look in his
was a triangular duel, the combatants in which pallid face, when it glanced, as he thought unwere narrowly watched by the disregarded stran- heeded, on either Charles or Solomon, which, to
ger. When Agnes got her way and departed, her mind, boded ill. If it did so, it was certainThat's a girl of character," observed he, with a ly unsuspected by those on whom it fell. Mr.
cynical smile.                               Coe had apparently never found a companion so
"She is a girl without a penny," answered agreeable to him; and, curiously enough, this
Solomon, gloomily, with a scowl at his son, idea seemed to be shared by Charles. Accord" upon whom this young fool wishes to throw  ing to his own account, Mr. Balfour had been
himself away."                               abroad in Western America for many years, and
"What! so early?" observed Mr. Balfour, had there retrieved a fortune which, originally
good-humoredly addressing Charles.  "WhenI inherited, had been speedily dissipated in the
was your age, I thought of enjoying life, and not pleasures of the town. His long absence from
of marriage. I don't wonder, however, that any such scenes had by no means dulled his taste for
girl should strive to enslave so handsome a young them, and his conversation ran on little else. He
fellow as your son, Sir. It is quite natural, and had a light rattling way with him-that, to Harthere is no need to blame her, and far less hinm." ry's view, resembled youthful spirit no more than
Ashamed, perhaps, of having exhibited such galvanism in a corpse resembles life, and which
violence of temper before his guest, Solomon was was certainly not in harmony with his age and
very willing to be mollified, and grimly smiled appearance-and very graphic powers of descripapproval of these sentiments; Charles, too, tion; he expressed himself curious about the
though fully resolved to set himself right with changes in public amusements since he left town,
Agnes on the morrow, was not displeased with near twenty years ago, and seriously placed himthe visitor's remark; but the two women justly self under Charles's guidance on the expeditions
resented it as an impertinent freedom.  If of pleasure for which the latter was always ready.
Charles's thoughts had not been so preoccupied To this, strangely enough, Solomon made no obwvith his own wrongs-the deprivation of his Ag- jection, notwithstanding that his own pursenes's society, which he had promised himself for strings had to be drawn pretty wide to supply
the rest of the day, and the snub which he con- these extravagances. His new friend had only
ceived she had administered to him-he would to suggest that he should give the lad a fivehave noticed too, for he was by no means want- pound note to enjoy himself with, and the thing
ing in observation, that the new-comer's manner was done at once.
to his hostess and Mrs. Basil was not what it   As for himself, Mr. Balfour seemed to be made
should have been. It was not absolutely rude, of money, so freely did he spend it; and if he
but it was studiously careless of their presence. did not offer the use of his purse to his young
Hle no longer stared at them as at first, but, on comlanion, it was only, as he told him, because




116                             BRED  IN THE BONE.
he feared to offend his pride.  "Besides," said himself before I've done with him. I throw a
he, when they were alone together on one of these sprat to catch a whale; and neither you nor any
expeditions of amusement, from which Solomon, other fool shall interfere with my fishing. "
whose notions of enjoyment were mainly confined   Harry dared not say more; her husband had
to money-making, always excused himself upon been in the worst of humors ever since he had
pretense of having business to do, "it is only returned from Crompton, and was all the more
right your father should be made to fork out; he brutal and tyrannical to her that he had to be
is as rich as Crcesus. It is quite unreasonable civil and conciliatory to his new friend, and involthat he should stint you in enjoyment when, one untarily indulgent, upon his account, to Charles.
day or another, you will have all the pleasures of The unhappy mother was powerless to check the
life to pick and choose from."                evil the growth of which was so patent to her
It would have tested Solomon's new- born loving instinct, and there was none to whom she
friendship severely if he could have heard.Mr. could look for help.  Mrs. Basil had no longer
Balfour dilate upon this topic, which he did with any influence with Solomon, and, besides, she was
such earnestness and fervor that the lad was soon seriously ill, and had now been confined to her
convinced of those great expectations which the own room for weeks.'In her extremity, Harry
cautious reticence of his parents had so long con- had even resolved to make a personal appeal to
cealed from him. On the other hand, Charley's this man Balfour; to ask him in what her huscompanion deduced an argument from this fair band had injured him, to adjure him to forgive
prospect which was not so welcome to the lad; the wrong, or at least not to visit it upon her
he maintained that, under the circumstances, it Charley's innocent head.  But she shrank with
would be madness to risk his father's displeasure an inexplicable terror from putting this design
by uniting himself irretrievably to Agnes, or to into effect; she felt she should humiliate herself
any other young woman. "My good offices will to no purpose; lie would deny, in his cold, cynbe always at your disposal, my lad," urged he, ical way, that he entertained any thing but firiendgravely, "and I don't deny that, at present, I ship for her astute husband and affection for her
have considerable influence with Mr. Coe; but it bright and impulsive son. Besides, to say truth,
would not be proof against so flagrant an act of she was afraid to speak with the man; and she
disobedience as that which you contemplate. The had a suspicion that this weird and shadowy fear
great bulk of his property is at his own disposal; was in some degree shared by Mrs. Basil; at
and his nature, if I may speak plainly to you in times she even imagined that it was not so much
so important a matter, is obstinate and implaca- indisposition as a desire to avoid his presence
ble. At all events, there is no hurry, since you that caused the landlady to absent herself from
and this charming young lady are but boy and the family circle.
girl at present.  Life is uncertain, and you may   Mr. Coe, at all events, entertained no such
be your own master any day; wait till you are prejudice against his guest; day by day he grew
so, or wait for a little, at all events, to see what more communicative with him, and more somay turn up; and in the mean time, lad, enjoy licitous to hear his opinions, with which he selyourself." The last part of Mr. Balfour's advice, dom failed to agree.  The two men were in reat all events, was palatable enough, and that ality, as it was easy to see, as opposite in characmuch of it Charles accepted; in doing which, as ter as the poles. Mr. Balfour was, and apparentwas anticipated, the whole intention of his Men- ly always had been, a man of pleasure; but he
tor became fulfilled. Plunged in dissipation, the had seen men and cities, and his remarks were
young man thought less and less of his love; gave shrewd, and selfish, and worldly-wise enough.
himself little trouble, though he still avowed his It was rarely that his talk ever strayed to matunalterable attachment, to set himself right with ters of business, so that Solomon was perforce'a
her; grew more and more dissatisfied with his listener; but that unambitious part he played to
own home, at the same time that that of Agnes admiration.
became less and less attractive; and, in short, he   Upon one occasion, however, their after-dindrifted away daily farther and farther from the ner converse happened to turn upon partnersafe moorings of love and duty.              ships; Solomon urged their great convenience,
Harry perceived all this with a dread so deep how one man brought money and the other
that it even drove her to invoke her husband's aid brains, and how pleasant it must be for the former
against this man, who, inexplicable as his hostility to live at ease while the latter gathered honey for
might be, was bent, she firmly believed, upon the him, both for present use and for the wintry
ruin of her darling boy. With Solomon, as she store.  He rose with the familiar subject to quite
well knew, the fact of his son's dissipation was a flight of poetry.
not likely to move him to interfere; he saw that   Mr. Balfour, with half-shut eyes and a mockthe companionship of Balfour was gradually pro- ing smile, dilated upon the sentiment involved in
ducing an estrangement between Charles and the such communities of enterprise, the sympathy
portionless artist's daughter, and so far he cord- engendered by them, and the happy social effects
ially approved of it, nor cared to question by that were produced by them.  His host either
what means this new friend made himself agree- did not, or would not, perceive that these reable. She had no argument available except marks were ironical, and pursued the subject to
that of expense, and, to her astonishment and its details, proportions of profits, balance-sheets,
dismay, this failed to affect her prudent spouse.  etc., until Charles rose with a yawn, and left his
"Just let things be a while," was Solomon's two elders together.
reply, "and mind your own business. It is quite    "Well, Balfour," said Solomon, frankly, as
true the lad's throwing my money in the gutter at soon as they were alone, " this talk reminds me
a fine rate; but in the end I shall get it all back of the matter that first introduced us to one anagain, and more with it. This Balfour takes me other-your purchase of that outlying bit of the
for a foolish doting father, but he shall pay iobr all Cromapton property, Wheal Danes."








.1  WILL GIVrE YOU A THOUSAND POUNDS DOW\N FOR THAT C=.031PTON LOT.'
[!]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ij ]t ]!I 1'
II\
~II WILL GIVE YOU A THOUSAND I~OUNDS DOW~N FOR TIIA~T CE~O3[PTON LOT.")




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   119
"Ay," replied the other, carelessly lighting that you gave for it within a month; that's
another cigar. It was quite wonderful to see twelve hundred per cent. per annum."
how many cigars Mr. Balfour got through daily;   Balfour shook his head.  " I am not a religyou might have almost thought that he had been ious man, my dear Sir-far from it. But I bedenied tobacco for years by his physician, and had lieve, like Miss Joanna yonder, in inspirations:
only just been permitted to resume the habit.   all my whims are inspirations, and therefore sa"Yes; you disappointed me there immensely, cred. It was an inspiration that made me buy
I must confess. I went down to the sale on Wheal Danes, and I mean to keep it. If you ofpurpose to secure it."                      fered me ten thousand pounds, I'd keep it."
"So you told me, or, at least, so I guessed   Solomon was silent for a while, his heavy
from your manner; and yet I don't know why brows knit in thought; then once again he adyou should have been so sweet upon it. It's only vanced to the attack.  " You may keep it, and
a bare bit of ground with a round hole in it, yet share the profit, Mr. Balfour."
close by the sea."                            " The profit?"
"That's all," said Solomon, puffing at his   "Ay, the profit. I told you I was going to
clay pipe.  "What on earth could have made be frank with you, but you would never guess
you buy it?"                               how frank. I am about to put thousands a year
"Well, I told you once. I lost my yacht off into your pocket, on condition that you will let
Turlock, when coming to England last autumn, me fill my own at the same rate. We were
and very nearly my life with it. When one talking of partnerships just now; let us be partescapes with a whole skin from such a storm as ners in Wheal Danes."
wrecked me there, the first piece of dry land one   " Balfour and Coe sounds natural enough," recomes to seems very attractive. I happened to turned the other, coolly.  "But I must hear
be cast ashore beneath that very spot, and so I your plan."
took a fancy to it. If I had been a good Papist   " My plan is a secret-invaluable, indeed, as
I should have built a chapel there to my patron such-but which, once told, will be worth nosaint in gratitude for my preservation; as it thing-that is, to me."
was, I resolved to erect a villa for myself there.   "You may do as you like, my friend, about reIt will have an excellent view, and the situation vealing it," yawned Mr. Balfour. " I care nothing
is healthy. If you seek for any other reason for for your plan; only, until I hear it I stick to my
the purchase, I have none to give you; it was a plot, my lot, my acreage. Tell me the whole
whim, if you like, but then I can afford to in- story without reservation-don't attempt to dedulge my whims."                            ceive me on the slightest point-and then you
"This one cost vou a good deal, however; shall have your way. We will divide this land
you gave five hundred pounds for it, did you not?" of gold between us, or, as seems to me much
Balfour nodded assent.                    more likely, browse like twin donkeys on its
"A great sum for a few barren acres," said crop of thistles."
Solomon, thoughtfully.                        "I have nothing but your bare word to trust
"Yes; and so the trustees of the estate to," said Solomon, doubtfully; "but still, I must
thought, Mr. Coe. They closed with my offer risk it. Come, it's a bargain. Then, here's my
sharp enough, and withdrew the lot from public hand upon it."
competition; else, perhaps, I should have got it   "Never mind my hand, my good friend," recheaper."                                   turned the other, coolly.  "In the part of the
" Not if I had been bidding against you," ob- world from  which I hailed last, folks didn't
served the host, significantly.             shake hands, and I've fallen out of the habit.
" You don't say so! You were never ship- Come, give us this story of Wheal Danes."
wrecked thereabouts, were you?  Oh, I remem-   " It's a very old one, Mr. Balfour. The plot
bher: you were brought up in the neighborhood. of ground you purchased gets its strange name
You had some'tender recollection of the spot, from an ancient tin mine that is comprised in it,
perhaps, with relation to madame up stairs. once worked by the Romans, but disused since
What creatures of sentiment you men of busi- their time. There are many such in Cornwall."
ness sometimes are-dear me!"'So I've heard," said Balfour, while the other
"I did live near the spot," said Solomon, sipped his glass. It was curious to contrast the
slowly, " though I should deceive you if I pre- grave and earnest manner of the host with the
tended that that had any thing to do with my careless and uninterested air of his guest, who
wish to possess it."                        presently, as the narrative proceeded, leaned his
" You would not deceive me, my good friend," face upon his hand and gazed into the fire, an
answered Balfour, coolly; "but, as you were occasional glance sideways at his companion
about to say, it would not be frank. Let us be through his fingers alone testifying that his atfrank and open, above all things."          tention was still preserved.  He never stirred a
" I wish to be so, I assure you," was Solo- limb nor winked an eyelid when Solomon came
mon's meek reply.  " When I offered you a out with his great secret.
hundred pounds for your bargain, I think I show-   " This mine that is said to be worked out, Mr.
ed you that deception was no part of my nature. Balfour, and which you have purchased by mere
In all matters of business I always go straight to accident, as being in the same lot with your prothe point at once."                         posed building-ground, will, I have reason to be"As in the present instance, for example," lieve, turn out a gold mine."
remarked the guest, with an imperturbable   "You don't say so! I did not know that there
smile.                                      was gold in Cornwall."
"I am  coming to the point, Mr. Balfour-    "There is as good, or at least there are metonce for all. I will give you a thousand pounds als that bring gold-tin and copper; and Wheal
down for that Crompton lot-twice the money Danes is full of the latter. The old Rrnans




120                            BRED IN THE BONE.
worked it for tin only, and left their prize just as if this turns out to be a mare's nest, I sha'n't be
it was getting to be worth having. There's a pleased, my friend."
copper vein in the lowest level of that mine that   " It will not do that, Sir, you may take my
may be worth all the old Carew estate."     word for it," answered Solomon, earnestly; 6" and'And you have seen this vein?"           as for going incog., that matter's easy. I can
No; but my wife's father, John Trevethick, start for Gethin, which is my home, and but a
as good a judge as any man on earth, or under stone's-throw from the very place, on pretense of
it, saw it, and told me of its existence on his business; and you, a day or two after, may come
death-bed-"                                 down to the inn at Turlock, just to see your pur"When did he die, and how? Was it a lin- chase. We need not be so much as seen togethgering, painful death, or was he struck down sud- er, if you so prefer it."
denly?" interposed Balfour. "I ask," added he,   "I would much prefer it," observed Balfour,
hastily, for Solomon looked up in wonder at his sententiously.
companion's vehemence, "because the credibili-   " Very good. Then here's my plan: my faty of such a story as you tell me would depend ther-in-law used to visit Wheal Danes at night;
upon the state of the man's brain."         from his doing so, instead of its drawing dangerI" He did die a painful and a lingering death, ous attention to the place, as one would think,
but his wits were clear enough," answered Solo- the rumor arose that the old mine was haunted;
mon.  " It was ten years ago, and more, but I corpse-candles, with no hand to carry them, were
mind it as well as though it was but yesterday-  seen there going up and down the levels, and so
indeed, I've thought of little else since.'The the poor fools shunned it after dark. Well, let
best legacy I have to leave you, Sol, lies in these us take torch and ladder, and play at corpselast words of mine,' said he;'so do you listen, candle. What say you?"
and lay them to heart.' Then he told me how,   "Well, I'll come," said Balfour, reluctantly,
as a boy, he had once explored Wheal Danes in " though I don't much like the chance of being
play with other boys, and found the copper lode made a fool of. What day will suit you best to
in a certain spot. He was not so young even start?  All's one to me."
then but that he knew the value of such a find,   " I'll start to-morrow," said Solomon, with ex-,
and he had held his tongue; and though he vis- citement. " Do you come down, as if into Midited the place pretty often-for he couldn't help landshire, on Friday: that's an unlucky day with
that-he kept the secret close from that time un- Turlock folk, but not with you, I reckon?"
til his death."                               " You're right there, man," answered Balfour,
"He had never told any other person but slowly.  "Well?"
yourself, you think?" inquired Balfour, curiously.   " On Saturday, at midnight, I will meet you
" No one to speak of. There was one fellow  at the old pit's mouth. Come, there's my hand
who had an inkling of the thing, it seems, but he upon it."
is dead now. I read of it in the newspaper quite   This time Balfour took his companion's hand,
lately. He died in jail, or rather in escaping and griped it firmly.
from it, and had never been in a position to profit   "Then, that's a bargain, partner," cried Solby his suspicion. You may say, in fact, that not omon, gayly. " Fill up your glass. Ihere's luck
a living soul besides John Trevethick ever knew  to the old mine!"
this secret. For fifty years he strove to possess   "Here's luck," echoed Balfour, looking steadhimself of this mine; he even offered for it, val- ily at his host, " and to our next merry midnight
ueless as it was thought to be, four times the meeting!"
money you did; only Carew was mad and obsti-   "' Ay, good! itere's luck!" quoth Solomon.
nate; and now, for ten years, I have had my own
eyes fixed upon it, and got the earliest news of
when it was in the market, as I thought, when,
hlere, without a hint to guide you, a whiff of for-      CHAPTER XLI.
tune blows it to your hand. It's a hard case I
call it-devilish hard."                                    IN THE TOILS.
"Well, it is hard," said Balfour; "that is,  SOLOMON started for Gethin on the ensuing
supposing all you say is true. But frankly, my morning; but his wife did not,. as usual, find his
good Sir, I don't believe you. I mean no offense; departure a relief, since Balfour remained bebut, since you have not seen the lode with your hind. Her last instructions from her husband
own eyes, you must pardon me for doubting its were to treat this unwelcome guest with marked
existence."                                 consideration, and to let him have his way in
"Well, then, Sir, I have seen it, and that's the every thing.  He also hinted, though it was
long and short of it. I would not take such a scarcely necessary to insure her obedience, at
thing on trust from an angel."              certain brilliant prospects which were about to
"So I suspected," observed Balfour, coolly. present themselves, through Balfour's means, if
" But as you have told me one lie you may tell he were only kept in good-humor. Harry would
me another. What am I to believe now?"     have much preferred to relinquish his favor at
" The mine is yours, Sir," answered Solomon, the price of his absence; but not so her son.
gruffly.  " Let us go down together and look at Notwithstanding the disparity in their ages, he
it. If Trevethick and I were mistaken-and I'll and this new acquaintance were already fast
bet you a thousand pounds that we were not- friends. The latter had laid himself out to please
it is but coming back again, and-"          the lad, and had succeeded; partly, perhaps, from
"And being made the laughing-stock of all the very novelty of companionship, for Charley
the folks among whom I mean to spend my days," knew no one in town, and was tired of taking his
interrupted Balfour.  "No, no. If we go, Ill pleasure therein alone, but chiefly through his
not have a soul to know of i*. And mind you, store of agreeable anecdotes, all illustrative of




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   121
the enjoyments which wealth conferred, with offensive, was delivered with the most studied
which Balfour tickled his ears.             courtesy: it cut the hostess's ground from under
"In a few years-perhaps sooner, who knows? her; for it had answered the very objection which
-all these things of which I speak will be within she had intended to imply. She felt herself not
vour own means. You will be rich; and he who only defeated, but reproved.
is so can please himself in almost every thing.   "Let us hope you will both return together,"
You can then marry your Agnes, if you will, said she.
without fear of being disinherited; or, what is   "I do not think that very probable," answered
better and more likely, you may choose from a Mr. Balfour, slowly.
score of Agneses, or even take them all."     An hour later and he had departed, his hostHe had a light amusing way with him, this ess, under pretense of being engaged with her
Balfour, that hid the cynicism which would oth- sick fiiend up stairs, not having so much as
erwise have jarred upon his young companion; shaken his hand.  Charles, indignant at this
for Charles, though selfish and fond of pleasure, slight, would have accompanied him to the railwas good-natured, and had not reached that pe- way station, but Balfour would not hear of it.
riod of life when our sherry must needs not only For this he had two reasons: in the first place,
be dry, but have bitters in it. He was genuinely he was anxious to keep his route secret; and
fond of his mother; yet even in this short time secondly, it was a part of his system to give the
Balfour, as she well knew, had taught him to dis- young man no sort of trouble or inconvenience
obey her; not setting her at open defiance, in- on his account. He wished every association
deed, but regarding her advice and remonstrances that linked them together to be one of pleasure.
with a sort of tender contempt. She meant all   Mrs. Basil, as we have said, had not made her
for his good, his Mentor admitted, but women had appearance that morning below stairs; she was,
not much knowledge of the world; and if a young in fact, no better, but rather worse: that news
man was not to be his own master at eighteen, from Lingmoor, outwardly borne so well, had
he must look to be in leading-strings all his life. shaken her to the core. Still, no sooner had
Harry perceived her darling's plastic nature Balfour left than she made shift to rise, and
changing daily for the worse in the hands of this even came down to dinner. She discussed with
crafty potter; and though it was an admission Charley, who had a considerable regard for her,
humiliating to her, as a mother, to make, she the character of their late glest-not with hostilmade it to Mrs. Basil in her sick-room.     ity, as his mother was wont to do, but with the
" Mr. Balfour is doing my Charley harm," she air of one who asks for information, and has consaid. " ITe is an altered boy already, and yet my fidence in the verdict which she seeks. The lad,
husband talks as though we are never to be rid flattered by this implied compliment to his saof the man. What money, what gain, can ever gacity, answered her questions readily enough.
compensate for the demoralization of our child?" He praised his fiiend, of course, and thought he
" Nothing, indeed," said Mrs. Basil, quietly. praised him even when he spoke ill of him. Ile
"But have a little patience. Is not this gen- repeated his pungent sayings, and served up his
tleman going on Friday?"                   anecdotes-such of them as were adapted, at least,
"Yes; but he will come back again. It is only for the ears of the ladies-anew. By this means
some business that calls him into Midlandshire. he hoped to bring his hearers to a better opinion
Ile does not even take all his luggage away. I of so capital a fellow; and in Mrs. Basil's case
have a great mind to tell him point-blalnk that his he apparently succeeded. His mother still reitpresence in this house-at all events in Mr. Coe's erated her opinion that Mr. Balfour was a danabsence-is unwelcome; but I dare not do it; I gerous personage, and not a fit companion for
am afraid."                                 any young man. Charles smiled at this, for it
"Yes, your husband would be very angry, was the almost literal fulfillment of a prophecy
without doubt," said Mrs. Basil, thoughtfully.   which Balfour had made to him, and believed
"That is not it. I am afraid of the man him- in that gentleman's sagacity, accordingly, more
self. He reminds me of that hateful creature-  than ever. Women were so ludicrously prejuwhat is he? —in the opera, for which Mr. Aird diced; the fact of Mrs. Basil's —" the white
gave us th, tickets, and which Agnes went with witch"-not being so was an exception that
us to see-Mephistopheles."                  proved the rule. She had been evidently inter"What a strange fancy! lHe is only a sour, ested in his anecdotes, of one of which she had
pleasure-jaded man. If I was not so ill I would even requested to hear the particulars twice over;
speak to him myself; but you are right not to do not that, in his own judgment, it was the best,
so; that is your husband's place, who has brought but, being of a weird sort, it had probably struck
him here. Let things be as they aru till Fri- her fancy. It had lost in the telling, too-for he
day."                                       did not pretend to have the gift of narrative, as
Harry sighed, but perforce assented. Friday Mr. Balfour had-and his mother had seen in
came' and Mi. Balfour went as he had designed, the story in question nothing at all.
but not without stating at breakfast his intention   Mrs. Basil came down stairs no more after
of returning on the ensuing Monday or Tuesday that evening. She grew worse and worse, and
at latest, and even making an engagement with was not only confined to her room, but to her
Charley to spend the latter evening with hint at bed. Harry was not much with her; she seized
the theatre.                                with avidity this opportunity of being alone with
" Do you happen to know when my husband Charley to undo, as far as she could, Mr. Balwill be home?" inquired Harry, timidly.     four's work with him. This was not hard, for
" No, madam.  He was good enough to say, the boy was a creature of impulse, and swayed
however, that his absence was to make no differ- for good or ill with equal ease. But she discovonce as to my remaining here as his guest."  ered that it would be useless to attempt henceThis rep]', which might easily hav, been made forth to conceal from him the nature of his future




122                            BRED IN THE BONE.
prospects. He was now firmly convinced that   After dinner, which he scarcely touched, he
he was the heir to a large fortune, and she regret- wandered out-it was his habit to do so, as he
ted too late that she had left the disclosure to a told the hostler, who was also the night-chamstranger. What grieved her much more, and berlain-and did not return till long after midwith reason, was that an-attempt which she now  night. He observed, as he gave the man half
made to bring the influence of Agnes to bear a crown for sitting up for him to so late an hour,
upon him proved unsuccessful; the girl resolute- that the moon looked very fine upon the sea.
ly refused to come to the house in the absence of   " You must be a painter, I guess, Sir," said the
its master, and contrary, as she knew, to his ex- hostler, with a grin of intelligence.
press commandment. Charley himself, too, whose' Why?" asked Balfour, sharply.  "What
visits to Mr. Aird's studio had been intermitted makes you think that?"
for some time, was received in Soho with cold-   "Well, Sir," returned the man, apologetically,
ness. It was not in Harry's nature to under- "I mean no offense; but it is always the gentlestand this independence of spirit, and she deeply men-painters-or, at least, so they say at Gethin,
deplored it on her son's account.  She had and I wish more of'em came here-as is so free
looked to this young girl to be his guardian an- with their money, and so fond of the moon."
gel, and had never anticipated that she could    " Lunatics, eh?" said the new arrival,wvith a
possibly decline to watch over a charge so pre- loud, quick laugh.  " Well, I'm no painter, my
cious. She would not allow, even to herself, that friend."
her son's own conduct was as much the cause of   Then he took his candle and retired to his
this as her husband's ill favor; but she saw in it, room, but not to bed. He disarranged the bedclearly enough, the mark of the cloven hoof, the clothes and rumpled the pillow; then walked softwork of Balfour.                            lv to and fro in his slippers until morning.  On
Sick Mrs. Basil could give her small comfort, the following day he mnade no attempt to visit
though she did not attempt to defend their late his newly acquired property, but strolled about
visitor, as she had so unwarrantably appeared to the harbor, or stood. in sheltered and, therefore,
do when discussing him with Charley.        secluded places in the rocks, watching the winter
"The man is gone, my dear," said she, weari- sea. His meals at the inn were sent down ally; "perhaps he may never come back: let us most as they were served up, yet he showed no
not meet troubles half-way. Charley has a kind, sign of weakness or fatigue, but in the evening
good heart"-for "the white witch" showed sallied forth as before. The night was very
great favor to the lad at all times-" and all will cloudy, with driving showers, and the landlady
come right at last."                        good-naturedly warned him of the danger of yenShe seemed too ill and weary to argue the turing on the cliff-path, which was narrow, and
matter, and Harry left her, as she thought, to had been broken in places by a late storm.
repose. No sooner was she gone, however, than    "I will take care," said he, mechanically.
the closed lids of Mrs. Basil were opened wide,   "Perhaps you would like supper-some cold
and revealed a sleepless and unutterable woe. meat, or something-since you have eaten so
Her sharp, pinched face showed pain and fear. little, placed in your sitting-room  against your
IIer parched lips muttered unceasingly words return?"
like these, which were, perhaps, the ravings of    "Yes, yes," said he, approvingly; "you are
her fevered brain: "I am sure of it now, quite right; I shall doubtless be hungry to-night."
sure; those stags, those stags! There is no Then he went out into the bleak, black night.
room for hope. His heart has become a stone,   lie hung about the harbor as before until
which no power can soften. It is noi use to near eleven, when all the lights of the little town
speak, or rather I am like one in a dream who had faded away, save that at the inn, which was
SWatches murder done, and can not cry out."    burning for him alone; then he climbed the cliff,
and pushed southward along thevery path against
the dangers of which he had been cautioned.
lie walked fast, too, with his gaze fixed before
CHAPTER XLII.                  him, like one who has an appointment of importTHE 31INE AT MIDNIGHT.            ance for which there is a fear of being late.
Presently he struck inland over the down, when
MR. BALrOUR —for so we must call him now, he began to move less quickly, and to peer cansince he is attired respectably, travels first-class, tiously before him. All was dark: the grass on
and, moreover, even looks like a gentleman-did which he trod seemed to be black, until he sudnot go to the Midlands, as he had given out was denly arrived at a large circular patch of it which
his purpose, but took his ticket to Plymouth, was black, and made the surrounding soil less
to which place the railway had just extended in sombre by contrast. This was the mouth of a
those days. lie bought neither book nor news- great pit; and he sat on the brink of it, with his
paper, but sat in the corner, with his hat drawn face to seaward, and his ear in his hollowed hand,
over his eyes, for the whole nine hours, thinking. listening. Nothing was to be heard, however,
From Plymouth he posted to Turlock, where he but the occasional scud of the rain, and the
arrived late at night, and without having broken ceaseless roar of the now distant waves. Far
fast since morning. He took no pains either to out to sea there was a round red light, which
divulge or conceal his name; he asked no ques- fell upon him  at regular intervals, its absence
tions, nor was asked any except " whether he making the place which it had filled more dark
preferred to sleep between sheets or blankets"- than elsewhere. It had a weird effect, as though
for Turlock was still an out-of-the-way region, some evil spirit was keeping watch upon him, but
and the little inn about three-quarters of a cen- he knew it for what it was-the revolving lamp
tury behind our modern caravansaries, with their of a light-house. Presently, in the same direc" daily fly-bills" and " electric bells."   tion as the red light, he perceived a white one,




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   123
which, though moving slowly, was certainly ad- the northeastern corner. You will find I have
vancing toward him; nor did it, like the other, concealed nothing from you. Well, I have got
become obscure.                             my breath again now. Are you ready, Mr. Bal" He is coming," said Balfour to himself, with four?"
a great sigh. He had begun to have doubts of   " Quite; but walk slowly, I beg, for your lanthe other's keeping his appointment; though, tern is very dim."
indeed, it was not yet the time that he had him-   "Yes, yes. But wait a minute; I came here
self fixed for it. The light came on, quite close yesterday and hid something."  Solomon seated
to the ground, and with two motions-across as himself upon the edge of the pit, with his legs
well as along. It was that of a lantern, which hanging over, and began to peer and feel about
guided thus the footsteps of a tall, stout man, him.
who bore upon his shoulders a ladder so long    " Take care what you are at," cried Balfour,
that it both projected above his head and trailed eagerly; " you may slip down and kill yourself,
behind him. Balfour rose up, and stood motion- sliding along like that."
less in the path of the new-comer till this light   Solomon laughed contemptuously.  " Never
fell full upon him.  " Hollo!" cried the man, a fear, Sir; I have had too many mischances with
little startled by the white, worn face that so sud- mines to fear them. I have fallen down worse
denly confronted him, although he had been places, and been shut up in others far deeper and
looking for it.  " Is that you, Mr. Balfour?"    darker than Wheal Danes, without food or can"Yes. I1ush! There is no need to mention dle, for a week, and yet lived through it. The
names."                                     shaft has not yet been dug, I reckon, as will
"Quite true, Sir; but you gave me quite a prove-  Oh, here's the torch."
turn," remonstrated the other, "coming out of   He dragged from under the overhanging rim
the darkness like a ghost. This Wheal Danes, at of the pit a piece of wood like a bludgeon, one
midnight, puts queer thoughts into one's head."  end of which was smeared with pitch; and placing
" John Trevethick was not afraid of coming the lantern with its back to the wind, pushed the
here," observed Balfour.                    stick inside, which came out a torch, flaming and
"Well, so he always said. He told me at the dropping flame.
last that he only pretended to believe in any of   "There's our corpse-candle!" cried Coe, trithe foolish stories that folks talk about, and in umphantly; "that would keep us without witfavor of which he used to argue. But he's dead nesses, even if any one were so bold as, in a night
and gone, and that don't make this place less like this, to venture near Wheal Danes, to trespass
uncanny. Nobody since his time has been a-near on Tom Tiddler's ground, where we shall pick up
it; they think he haunts the pit, it seems, so every the gold and the silver."  There was a wild exbody gives it a wide berth, both night and day. citement, quite foreign to his habit, about this
We shall see, however, e:nd pretty soon, I hope, man, and he whirled the torch about his head in
whether that notion can not be got over. Why, flaring circles.
in six months' time we ought to have a hundred    "Keep your wits steady, if you please," obmen at work here."                         v served Balfour, sternly.
" Let us hope so. But in the mean time you    " It is over now, Sir, and I am in the countsay nobody comes here even in the daytime, eh?" ing-house again," answered Solomon, submiss" Never. The place lies out of the way, you ively.  "I felt a little exhilarated at the prossee: about midway between the cliff-path and pect of plucking a fruit that has been ripening
the road."                                  for fifty years, that's all. This Wheal Danes -is
" That's well," said Balfour, mechanically. the very aloe of mines, and it is about to blossom
"And you have not been babbling to any one for us only. You had better take the torch yourof our prospects, Mr. Coe — nor of me, I hope?"  self; the lantern will serve for me; but just show
" Certainly not, Sir; that was the first article a light here while I place the ladder."
of our partnership, as I understood. Not a soul   Balfour held the blazing pine aloft, and disat Gethin has heard a whisper of Wheal Danes, closed the gaping mouth of the old pit, its maror of your coming; they think I'm fast asleep at gin wet with the rain, and its sheer sides slippery
my own house, this instant. But it's been hard with the damps of ages.
work lugging this cursed ladder up here in such    " It would be easy enough to get down witha breakneck night as this, I can tell you, and I out this contrivance," observed Solomon, grimly,
am glad enough to rest a bit."              as he carefully adjusted the ladder, the foot of
"Well, it's all over now, Mr. Coe."       which was lost in gloom; " but it would take us
" Except that Ihave got to take it back again," some trouble to find our way back again without
grumbled Solomon.                           wings."
"True, I had forgotten that. We must not   "In daylight, however, I dare say it looks
leave it here, must we?"                   easier," said Balfour, carelessly.
"Of course not. I do not complain of the   "It may look so, but it ain't. Nothing but a
trouble, however, only you must admit I've kept sea-gull ever goes in and out of Wheal Danes;
my tryst under some little difficulties, eh, part- even the bats keep there, where indeed they are
ner?" and Solomon chuckled self-approval.   snug and warm enough."
" You will be paid in full for all, my good Sir,"   "It doesn't feel very warm at present," replied
answered Balfour, gravely; " that is," he added, the other, who did not seem to be in a hurry to'
hastily, "if the mine should turn out as you pre- explore this unpromising territory.
diet. How deep is it?  That ladder of yours   " Ay, but you wait till we get to the lower
will surely never reach the bottom."        level; you might live there, if the rats would let
"No, indeed. Did I not tell you that there you, for a whole winter, and never need a fire."
are three levels, each about the same depth?    " Oh, there are rats, are there?  Why, what
The copper lode lies at the bottom of the last, in do they live upon?"




124                              BRED IN THE BONE.
" Well, that's their look-out," laughed Solo- left off, as you shall see, upon the very threshold
mon; "they would be very glad to have us, no of fortune.  You have only to be a little careful,
doubt.  It would be only just in my case, for I because the ladder does not quite reach."
have lived on them before now; with rats and    He descended, as before, in advance, while
water a man may do very well for a week or Balfour followed slowly and cautiously.  " How
two."                                         steep and smooth the rock is!" observed he, ex"What! there is water laid on in this estab- amining its surface.
lishment, is there?"                           "Yes, indeed; it is like a wall of marble. But
"No; the low levels are quite dry. But come, what matters that?  It baffles the rats, but not
let us see for ourselves. We are losing time. I us.  Here is the land of gold, here is-   What
will start first, and do you follow close upon me, the devil are you at?"
but without treading on my fingers;" and Solo-   Solomon, in his impatience, had stridden on
mon placed his heavy foot upon the first rung.   to the object of his desires; and Balfour, halting
"No, no," said Balfour, drawing back; "I midway in his descent, suddenly retraced his
will not trust myself on the same ladder with a footsteps, and having reached the top, was dragman of your weight.  When you are at the bot- ging the ladder up after him.
tom give me a call, and then I'll join you."    Solomon heard this noise, with which his ear
"As you like, Sir," responded Solomon, civil- was familiar, and his tone had some alarm in it
ly; but'his thick lips curled contemptuously, and as he cried out, "I say, lno tricks, Mr. Balfour."
he muttered, " So this man is lily-livered after   There was no reply. He hastened back to the
all; so much the better: it is well to have a spot he hadjust left, and fromn thence could dimcoward for a partner."                       ly perceive his late companion sitting on the verge
The next moment his descending form was lost of the steep wall, peering down upon him.
in the gloom.                                   "Come, come, a joke is a joke," remonstrated
Balfour waited, torch in hand, until an "All Coe.  "What a fellow you are to be at such
right," that sounded like a voice from the tomb, games when an important matter is at stake!
assured him  that his companion had reached Why, here is the lode, man."
terra firma.  Then he descended very carefully,   " It is very valuable, I dare say, Mr. Coe, but
and joined him.                               it is worth more to one man than to two."
" Stand close to the wall, Sir, while I move the    " Great Heaven! what do you mean?" cried
ladder," said Coe; "your head don't seem made Solomon, while a sudden sweat bedewed his forefor these deep places. Ah, here's the spot. This head.  " You would not murder a man to disis a drop of twenty feet."                   solve a partnership?"
"And what is the depth of the last level?"   " Certainly not. I shall leave him to die, that's
" Five-and-twenty.  But don't you be afraid; all. He and the rats will have to settle it togeththe ladder will just reach it, only you won't have er.  Six months hence, perhaps, we may have a
so much to hold on by at the top.  It's only the picnic here, and explore the place. Then we
getting down that's unpleasant; you'll find going shall find, where you are now standing, some
back quite easy work. And then, just think of well-picked bones and the metal part of your lanthe lode!"                                    tern. That will cause quite an excitement; and
Solomon began to be anxious lest his compan- we shall search further, and in the northeast corion's fears should induce him to give tip the ex- ner there will be found a copper lode. I will
pedition altogether.  It had never entered into take your word for that."
his mind that what was so easy to himself could    "Mr. Balfour, I am sure you will not do this,"
prove so formidable to another; and, besides, lie pleaded the wretched man. " It is not in man's
had somehow concluded that Balfour was a man nature to treat a fellow-creature with such barof strong nerves.                             barity.  You are trying to frighten me, I know,
"Make haste," said the latter, in the tone of and I own you have succeeded. I know what it
one who has achieved some mental victory: "let is to be shut up in desolate, dark places alone, out
us go through with it."                       of reach of succor; and even for eight-and-forty
In the second level it was perceptibly warmer. hours or so it is terrible."
Dark, noiseless objects began to flit about the    "What.must it be, then, to suffer sofor twenty
torch, and once something soft struck against years?"
Balfour's foot, and then scampered away.        It was a third voice that seemed to wake the
He' looked behind him, and not a trace of light echoes of that lonesome cavern. Solomon looked
was to be discerned, while before him was im- up in terror, and beheld a third face, that of Robpenetrable gloom, except for the feeble gleam of ert Balfour, but transfigured. He held the glowhis companion's lantern. Above him the roof ing brand above him, so that his deep-lined featwas just discernible, from which long strings of ures could be distinctly seen, and they were all
fungi, white and clammy, hung down and brushed instinct with a deadly rage and malice. There
against his face as he moved slowly forward.    was a fire in his eyes that might well have been
" Come on!" said Solomon, impatiently, whose taken for that of madness, and Solomon's heart
spirits seemed to rise in this familiar scene. " We sank within him as he looked.
are only a few score yards from Golconda."      "Mr. Balfour," said he, in a coaxing voice,
Balfour stopped short.  " I thought you said  " come and look at your treasure.  It sparkles
there was another level?"  There was a strange in the light of my lantern like gold, and you shall
look of disappointment in his fiace, and even of have it all if you please; I do not wish to share
rage.                                        it with you."
" Yes, yes, and here it is," cried the other, put-   "So you take me for a madman, do you? Look
ting down the ladder, which he had carried from  again; look fixedly upon me, Solomon Coe. You
place to place. "It is only depth that separates do not recognize me even yet?  I do not wonus from it.  They dug well, those Romans, but der.  It is not you that are dull, but I that am




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   125
so changed by wrong and misery. My own mo- where the rats can not eat it, and it may prolong
ther does not know me, nor the woman of whom  your torments half a day. You can also eat the
you robbed me nineteen years ago. Yes, von horn of the lantern, but you will doubtless preknow me now. I am Richard Yorke!"          serve that for a bonne bouche. You are not su.
"Mercy, mercy!" gasped Solomon, dropping perstitious, else I would suggest that your father.on his knees.                               in-law's spirit is exceedingly likely to haunt that
Richard laughed long and loud. The echoes of northeastern corner down yonder."
his ghastly mirth died slowly away, and when his   Here there was a dull scrambling noise, a viovoice was heard again it was stern and solemn. lent struggle as of feet and hands against a wall,
" It is my turn at last, man; I am the judge to- and then a heavy thud.
day, as you were the witness nineteen years ago   " Now that is very foolish of you, Solomon, to
who doomed me wrongfully to shame and mis- attempt to get out of a place which you yourself
ery. Night and day I have had, this hour in my informed me could never be escaped from withmind; the thought of it has been my only joy-  out wings. I sincerely hope you have not hurt
in chains and darkness, in toil and torment, fast- yourself much. I hear you moving slowly about
ing and wakeful on my prison pillow, I have again, so I may leave you without anxiety.
thought of nothing else. I did not know how it Good-by, Solomon."  Richard waited a moment,
would come about, but I was sure that it would a frightful figure of hate and triumph, peering
come. You swore falsely once that I was a thief; down into the pit beneath, where all was now
I am now about to be a murderer, and your whit- dark. " You are too proud to speak to a convict,
ening bones will not be able to witness against perhaps. Well, well, that is but natural in so
me."                                        honest a man. I take my leave, then. You
"I never swore it, Mr. Yorke,' pleaded Solo- have no message, I conclude, for home?"
mon, passionately.                            An inarticulate cry, like that of a wild animal
"Your memory is defective," answered Rich- caught in a snare, was the only reply.
ard, gloomily; "'you forget that I was in court   "That is the worst of letting his candle go
myself on that occasion. You did your very worst out," mused Richard, aloud; " some rat has got
to blacken me before judge and jury, and you suc- hold of him already."  Then, with a steady foot
ceeded."                                    and smiling face, which showed how all his pre" But it was Trevethick-it was father-in-law  vious fears had been assumed, he retraced his
who urged me to do it; it was indeed."      steps, and mounted to the upper air. The sky
"I know it," replied the other, coldly; "he was clearer now; and, casting the torch, for
was a greater villain than yourself, but unhappily which he had no further need, far into the mine,
an older one. Death has robbed me of him, and and shouldering the ladder, he started for Gethin
made my vengeance incomplete. Still there is at good speed. It was past two o'clock before
something left for me. While you die slowly he reached his inn at Turlock; but before he rehere-  But no; I shall wait at Turlock for that tired to rest he sat down to the supper that had
to happen. A strong man like you, who have been prepared for him, but without the appetite
rats to live upon, may last ten days, perhaps. which he had anticipated.
Well, when you are dead, I shall return to your
London house, and lead your son to ruin. You
permitted me to begin the work in hopes of getting half this mine; I shall finish it while you        CHAPTER XLIII.
are in sole possession of the whole of it."
THE SMOKING-ROOM OF THE GEORGE AND' Devil!" cried Solomon, furiously.                        VULTURE.
" The appellation is a true one, my good Sir;
but I was a man once. Evil is now my good,  ]ROBERT BALFOUR did not remain at Turthanks to your teaching. Look at me-look at lock, as he had originally intended. Perhaps
me, and see what you have brought me to at eight- the vicinity to Wheal Danes was not so attractive
and-thirty! You almost drove me mad, and it to him as he had promised himself that it would
was easy, for I had the Carew blood in my veins; be, although not for a single instant did his purbut I contrived to keep my wits for the enjoy- pose of revenge relax. Other considerations,
ment of this hour. I feel very old, and have few  had he needed them, were powerful, now that he
pleasures left, you see. It is impossible, unfor- had taken the first step, to keep him on that tertunately, to return here and see you rot; there rible path which he had so long marked out for
would be danger in it; just the least risk in the himself. To disclose the position of his victim
world of somebody coming here to look for us. now would have been not only to make void his
I must be off now, too, for there is a worthy man future plans, but to place his own fate at Solositting up for me at the inn, and I have got to mon's mercy. Yet he found his heart less hard
take this ladder back to Gethin."           than the petrifaction it had undergone, the conA cry of mingled rage and despair burst forth stant droppings of wrong and hardship for twenfrom Richard's foe.                         ty years, should have rendered it. Ile did not
"What! you had calculated upon the ab- wake until late, and the first sound that broke
sence of that ladder producing suspicion? It is upon his ear was the tinkling of the bell of the
curious how great wits jump together: that had little church, for it was Sunday morning. He
also struck me. I shall take it back, for I well compared it for a moment with something that
know where it ought to be; I am quite familiar he had been dreaming of: a man in a well chipwith your house at Gethin, as you may remem- ping footsteps for himself in the brick wall, up
ber, perhaps. You may keep the lantern, which which he climbed a few feet, and then fell down
will not be missed; but, if you will take my ad- again. Then a pitiful, unceasing cry of " Help,
vice, you will put out the light, to preserve the help!-help, help!" rang in his ears, instead of
candle-as an article of food. Put it somewhere the voice that called people to prayers. Even




1.26                           BRED IN THE BONE.
when that ceased, the wind and rain-for the   "Oh yes, Sir; a wife and son-a very hand,
weather was wild and wet-beating against the some, nice young gentleman."
window-pane, brought with them doleful shrieks.   " Then his widow will be rich, I suppose?"
Sometimes a sudden gust seemed to bear upon it   " Oh, pray, don't call her a widow yet, Sir; let
confused voices and the tramp of hurrying feet; us hope her husband may be found. It's a dreadand then he would knit his brow and clench his ful thing to be drowned like that on a Sunday
hand, with the apprehension that they had found morning; and for one who knows the cliff path
his enemy, and were bringing him to the door. so well as he did, too. He was a hard man,
Not the slightest fear of the consequences to and no favorite, but one forgets that now, of
himself in such a case agitated his mind; he had course."
quite resolved what to do, and that no prison    "You have also forgotten the Harvey Sauce,
walls should ever hem him in again; but the my good girl; oblige me by bringing it, will
bare idea that Solomon should escape his venge- you?" said Mr. Balfour, beginning to whistle
ance drove him  to the brink of frenzy. He something which did not sound like a psalm
would have left the place at once, but that he tune. "You must excuse my hard-heartedness,
thought the coincidence of his departure with the but I had not the pleasure of knowing this gendisappearance of his foe might possibly awaken tleman."
suspicion; so he staid on through the day, wait-   An hour afterward the solitary guest had left
ing for the news which he knew must arrive the inn, and was on his road to Plymouth.  His
sooner or later. At noon he thought the land- departure caused little surprise, for the weather
lady wore an unusually grave air, and he felt im- was such as to induce no visitor to prolong his
pelled to ask her what was the matter. But stay.
then, if there was nothing-if she only looked   Whether from his long enforced abstinence
sour, as folks often did, just because it was Sun- from society, or from the unwelcome nature of
day-she might think him too curious.        his thoughts, Robert Balfour was always disinFrom his window, a little later, he saw a knot clined to be alone. His expeditions with Charof people in the rain talking eagerly together, ley in search of pleasure had been, though he did
and one of them pointing with his hand toward not find pleasure, more agreeable to him than the
Gethin. But they were too far off to be over- being left to his own resources; and now this was
heard, and he did not dare go down and interro- more the case than ever.. He preferred even such
gate them. It was his, object to appear utterly company as that which the smoking-room of an
indifferent to local affairs, and as a total stran- hotel afforded to none at all. The voices of his
ger. He felt half stifled within doors, and yet, fellow-creatures could not shape themselves, as
if he should go out, he knew that he would be in- every inarticulate sound did to his straining ear,
controllably impelled to take the cliff path that into groans and feeble cries for aid. Not twenhe had followed the preceding night, to watch ty-four hours had elapsed since his prisoner was
that nobodyv came near the place that held his placed in hold, so that such sounds of weakness
prey, and thereby, like the bird who shows her and agony must have been in every sense chimernest by keeping guard too neat, attract atten- ical; and yet he heard them. What, then, if
tion. The tidings for which he waited came at these echoes from the tomb should always be
six o'clock, just as he was sitting down to his heard?  A terrible idea indeed, but one which
dinner. The parlor-maid who served him had bred no repentance. It was not likely that rethat happy and excited look which the possession morse should seize him in the very place where
of news, whether it be good or bad, but especial- his hated foe had clutched and consigned him to
ly the latter, always imparts to persons of her his living grave.
class.                                        The hotel at which he now put up was the
"There's. strange news come from Gethin, same at which he had then lodged; this public
Sir," said she, as she arranged the dishes.  room was the same in which he had smoked his
"Indeed," said Balfour, carelessly, though he last cigar upon his fatal visit to the Miners' Bank.
felt his brain spin round and his heart stop at the He had had only one companion then, but now it
same moment.  "What is it?"                was full of people. By their talk it was evident
" Mr. Coe, Sir, a very rich man-he as owns that they were townsfolk, and all known to one
all Dunloppel-has disappeared."             another; in fact, it was a tradesmen's club, which
"How's that?"                            met at the George and Vulture on Sunday nights
" Well, Sir, he went to his room last night, through the winter months. In spite of his willthey say, at his usual hour, but never slept in his ingness to be won from his thoughts, he could not
bed, and the front-door was found unlocked in fix his attention on the small local gossip that
the morning, so that he must have gone away of was going on about him. Men came in and out
himself. That would not be so odd, for he is a without his observing them; and indeed it was
secret sort of man, as is always coming and go- not easy to take note of faces through the cloud
ing; but he has taken nothing with him; only of smoke that filled the room; he was fast rethe clothes he stood in."                   lapsing into his own reflections, wondering what
"Well, I dare say he has come back again by Solomon was doing in the dark, and if he slept
this time, my good girl. What's this? Is there much, when an event occurred which roused-him
no fish?"                                  as thoroughly as the prick of a lance or a sudden
" No, Sir; the weather was too bad yesterday douche of cold water.
for catching them, and all last night there was a   " Let us have no misunderstanding and no
dreadful sea: that's what they fear about Mr. obligation-that is my motto."
Coe-that he has fell into the sea. His footsteps   The speaker was a thin, gray man, whose enhave been tracked to the cliff edge, and there trance into the apartment Balfour had not perthey stop."                                 ceived, and who was seated in an elevated chair,
"Poor fellow! Has he any relatives?"     which had apparently been reserved for him as




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   127
president of the assembly. The face was unfa- petitioning in her son's favor. She got down
miliar, for twenty years had made an old man of there the very day after his lying daughter was
the astute and lively detective; but his phrase, married to Solomon Coe, he as has got Dunlopand the manner of delivering it, identified him at pel, and is' a big man now. But he'll never be
once as his old friend Mr. Dodge.           any thing but a scurvy lot, if he was to be king
"It was in this very room," continued the lat- o' Cornwall. I shall never forget the way he inter, " that I sat and talked with him as sociable suited that poor young fellow when he was took
as could be, not a quarter of an hour before I put up. Damme, I would have given a ten-pound
the darbies on him; and it's a thing that has note to have had him charged with something,
been upon my mind ever since. I was only do- and I'd ha' seen that the handcuffs weren't none
ing my duty, of course, but still it seemed hard too big for his wrists neither."
to take advantage of such a frank young fel-   "And this Trevethick refused to help the lady,
low. As for stealing them notes, it's my belief did he?"
he had no more intention of doing it than I   "Why, of course he did. He broke her heart,
had."                                       poor soul. I saw her when she passed through
"And yet he got it hot at the'sizes, Mr. Plymouth afterward, and she looked twenty years
Dodge, didn't he?" inquired one of the cornm- older than before that trial. Even then she didn't
pany.                                       give the matter up, but laid it before the crown.
"Got it hot, Sir?" replied Mr. Dodge, with But poor Yorke had offended governmentdignity; "he got an infamous and most unjustly helped some fool or another through one ofthem
severe sentence, if you mean that, Sir. Of course public examinations; he had wits enough for any
what he did was contrary to law, but it's my opin- thing, had that young fellow. But there-I can't
ion as the law was strained agin him. There was a-bear to talk about him; and yet somehow I can't
some as swore hard and fast to get him punished help doing on it when I get into this room. He
as knew he deserved no such treatment. Why, sat just where that gentleman sits yonder. I
the girl as he loved, and whose picture I found think I see him now, smoking the best of cigars,
upon him myself when I searched him, and gave one of which he offered to me-for he was free
it him back, too-ay, that I did-even she took as free; but I was necessitated to restore it, for
a false oath, as Weasel himself told me, who was I couldn't take a gift from one as I was just
his lawyer, and had built up his case with that a-going to nab.'Thank you kindly,' says I,
same hussy for its corner-stone. Ah!" said Mr.'but let us have no misunderstanding and no obDodge, with a gesture of abhorrence, "if there ligation.' Poor fellow! poor fellow!"
ever was a murdered man, it was that poor young   No more was said about the case of Richard
fellow, Richard Yorke."                     Yorke; but it was evidently a standing topic
"But I thought he got twenty years' penal with the chairman of the George and Vulture
servitude," observed the same individual who club. A yearning to behold and embrace that
had interposed before, and whose thankless office mother who had done and suffered so much for
it seemed to be to draw the old gentleman out his sake took possession of Richard's soul. His
for the benefit of society.                 heart had been steeled against her when he found
" I say he was murdered, Sir. He was shut harbored under her roof the objects of his rage
up for nigh twenty years, and then shot in the and loathing; but he felt now that that must
back in trying to get away from Lingmoor. It have come to pass with some intention of benefit
was the hardest case I ever knew in all my pro- to himself. The very truth, indeed, flashed upon
fessional experience. Lord, if you had seen him  him that she entertained some plan of frustrating
-the handsomest, brightest, gayest young chap! his revenge against them, with the idea of proAnd he was what some folks call well-born, too; tecting him from the consequences that were
he was the son-that is, though, in a left-handed likely to ensue from it; and he forgave her,
sort of way, it's true-of mad Carew of Cromp- while he hated his foes the more. He would
ton, about whose death the papers were so full a carry out his design to the uttermost, but very
month ago or so; and that, in my judgment, was cautiously, and with a prudence that he would
the secret of all his misfortune: it was the Carew  certainly not have used had his own safety been
blood as did it. To take his own way in the alone concerned; and then, when he had avenged
world; to seek nobody's advice, nor use it if himself and her, he would disclose himself to her.'twas given; to be spoiled and petted by all the The statement he had just heard affected him
women and half the men as came nigh him; to deeply, but in opposite ways. The justification
own no master nor authority; to act without of himself in no way moved him-he did not
thought, and to scorn consequences-well, all need that; it was also far too late for his heart
that was bred in the bone with him."        to be touched by the expression of the old de"Then he had never any one to look after him  tective's good-will, though the time had been
at home, I reckon, Mr. Dodge?"             when he would have thanked him for its utter" Well, yes; he had a mother; and though ance with honest tears; but the revelation of his
she was a queer one too, she loved him dearly. mother's toil and suffering in his behalf reawakShe was the cleverest woman,Weasel used to say, ened all his dormant love for her, while it made
as ever he had to do with; and a perfect lady his purpose firmer than ever to be the Nemesis
too, mind you. She worked to get the poor lad of her enemies and his own.
off like a slave; and when all was over, instead   As he went to bed that night the clock struck
of breaking down, as most would, she swallowed twelve. It was just four-and-twenty hours since
her pride, and went down on her bended knees he had left his victim in the bowels of Wheal
to that old miserly devil, Trevethick, the prose- Danes. If a free pardon could have been offered
cutor, and to his son-in-law, Coe, likewise: they to him for the crime, and the mine been filled
lived down Cross Key way-where was it? —at with gold for him to its mouth, he would not
Gethin-and begged and prayed him to join in have stretched out his hand to save him.
I




128                            BRED IN THE BONE.
CHAPTER XLIV.                   There had been a time when he'had looked
(through his prison bars) on all men with rage
ISTILL IHUMAN.               and hatred; but now he caught himself, as it
MR. BALFOUR atoned for his previous indif- were, at attempts at self-justification with respect
ference to the wares of the news-boy by sending to the retribution he had exacted even from his
him next morning to the station for all the lo- enemy. Had he not been rendered miserable, he
cal papers. In each, as he expected, there was argued, supremely wretched, for more than half
a paragraph headed Mysterious Disappearance, his lifetime, through this man's agency? for it
and as lengthened an account as professional in- was certain that Solomon had sworn falsely, in
genuity could devise of the unaccountable depart- the spirit if not in the letter, and caused him to
ure of Mr. Solomon Coe from his house at Gethin. be convicted of a crime which his rival was well
The missing man was "much respected;" and, aware he had not in intention committed. His
"' as the prosperous owner of the Dunloppel mine, conduct toward him on the occasion of his arrest
which had yielded so largely for so many years, had also been most brutal and insulting; while,
he could certainly not have been pressed by pe- after conviction had been obtained, this wretch's
cnniary embarrassments, and therefore the idea malice, as Mr. Dodge had stated, had known no
of suicide was out of the question." Unlikely as cessation.  In the arms of his young bride he
it seemed in the case of one who knew the coun- had been deaf to the piteous cry of a mother betry so well, the most probable explanation of the seeching for her only son.
affair was that the unfortunate gentleman, in tak-   But, on the other hand, had not he (Richard)
ing a walk by night along the cliff top, must have deeply wronged this man in the first instance?
slipped into the sea. The weather had been very Had he not robbed him-for so much at least
rough of late and the wind blowing from off the must Solomon have known-of the love of his
land, which would have accounted-if this sup- promised wife?  If happiness from such an illposition was correct-for the body not having assorted union was not to have been anticipated,
been washed ashore.  "'In the mean time an still, had he not rendered it impossible? If their
active search was going on."                positions had been reversed, would not he have
Balfour had resolved not to return to London exacted expiation from such an offender to the
for at least ten days. Mrs. Coe and her son uttermost? He would doubtless have scorned to
would, without doubt, be telegraphed for, and he twist the law as Solomon had done, and make it,
could not repair to their house in their absence. as it were, the crooked instrument of his revenge.
The idea of being under the same roof alone with He would not, of course, have evoked its aid at
his mother was now repugnant to him. He felt all. But was that to be placed to his credit?
that he could not trust himself in such a position. He had put himself above the law throughout
It had been hard and grievous, notwithstanding his life; he had never acknowledged any authorhis resentment against her, to see her in compa- ity save that of his own selfish will; nay, he
ny with others, and her absence of late from table owned to himself that his bitterness against his
had been a great relief to him. With his pres- unhappy victim had been caused not so much
ent feeling toward her it would be impossible to by the wrong he had suffered at his hands as by
maintain his incognito; and, if that was lost, his the contempt which he (Richard) had entertainfuture plans-to which he well knew she would ed for him. Without materials such as his faoppose herself-would be rendered futile. He ther had possessed to back his pretensions he
had seen with rage and bitter jealousy that both had imagined himself a sort of irresponsible and
Harry and her boy, and especially the latter, were sovereign being. (Such infatuation is by no
dear to her; and it was certain she would inter- means rare, nor confined to despots and brigfere to protect them, for their sake as well as for ands, and when it exists in a poor man it is alhis own. He had other reasons also for not re- ways fatal to himself.) His education, if it could
turning immediately to town. It might hereafter be called such, had doubtless fostered this delube expedient to show that he had really been to sion; but Mr. Dodge was right; the Carew blood
Midlandshire, where he had given out he had de- had been as poison in his veins, and had destroyed
signed to go; and, moreover, though his purpose him.
was relentless as respected Solomon, he did not   All this might be true; but such philosophy
perhaps care to be in a house where hourly sug- could scarcely now obtain a hearing, while his engestions would be dropped as to the whereabouts emy was dying of starvation in his living tomb.
of his victim, or the fate that had happened to It was in vain for him to repeat mechanically
him. Harry and her son might even not have that he had also suffered a sort of lingering death
gone to Gethin, and in that case their apprehen- for twenty years. The present picture of his risions and surmises would have been insupport- val's torments presented itself in colors so lively
able.                                       and terrible that it blotted out the reminiscence
Richard was more human than he would fain of his own. The recollection of his wrongs was
believe himself to be. Though he had gone to no longer sufficient for his vindication.- He therebed so inexorable of purpose, it had been some- fore strove to behold his victim in another light
what shaken through the long hours of a night in than as his private foe-as the murderer of his
which he had slept but little, and waked to think friend Balfour, the history of whose end may
on what his feverish dreams had dwelt upon-  here be told.
the fate of his unhappy foe, perishing slowly be-   On the night that Richard escaped from Lingside his useless treasure. More than once, in- moor, it was Balfour, of course, who assisted him,
deed, the impulse had been strong upon him that and who was awaiting him in person at the foot
very morning to send word anonymously where of the prison wall. The old man's arms had reSolomon was to be found to the police at Ply- ceived him as he slipped down the rope; and the
mouth. Remorse had not as yet become chronic object at which the sentry had fired had been two
with him, but it seized him by fits and starts. men, though in the misty night they had seemed




BRED IN THE BONE,.                                  129
but one. Balfour had been mortally wounded, terrible an interest. for himself. He had not heard
and it was with the utmost difficulty that, laden that Trevethick was dead, but he knew it was so
Nwith the burden of his dying friend, Richard had the instant that his eyes fell upon Solomon Coe,
contrived to reach Bergen Wood. As his own and all his hate was at once transferred to his
footsteps were alone to be traced along the moor, younger enemy. The business-upon which this;
the idea of another having accompanied his flight man had come was as clear to him as though
-though they knew there was complicity-had it had been written on his forehead.. The first
not occurred to the authorities. Balfour had gleam of pleasure which had visited his dark
hardly reached that wretched asylum when he soul for twenty years was the sight of Solomon's
expired, pressing Richard's hand, and bidding countenance when, on the sixth day's sale, the
ihim remember Earl Street, Spitalfields. "What auctioneer gave out that lot 970 had been withyou find there is all yours, lad," was his dying drawn. Solomon might have received the intitestament and last words of farewell. And over mation long before but for the cautious prudence
his dead body Richard swore anew his vow of which had prevented him from making any invengeance against the man that had thus, though quiries upon the subject. For a minute or two
indirectly, deprived him of his only friend. He he stood stunned and silent, then hurriedly made
had watched by the dead body, on its bed of rot- his way to the rostrum. Richard, who was sitten leaves, through that night and the whole of tint at the long table with the catalogue before
the next day; then, changing clothes with it, he him, kept his eyes fixed upon its pages while the.
had fled under cover of the ensuing darkness, auctioneer pointed him bout as the purchaser of
and got away eventually to town.            the lot in question. He knew the inquiry that
He had found the house in Earl Street a wretch- was being asked, and its reply; he knew whose
ed hovel, tenanted by a few abjects, whom the burly form it was that thrust itself the next minmoney found on Balfour-which he had received ute in between him and his neighbor; every drop
on leaving prison-was amply sufficient to buy of blood in his body, every hair on his head, seemout. Once alone in this tenement, he had easily ed to be cognizant that the man he hated most.
possessed himself of the spoil so long secreted, on earth was seated cheek byvjowl with him-that
and, furnished with it, he had hastened down to the first step in the road of retribution had been
Crompton-the news of Carew's death having taken voluntarily by his victim himself. The.
reached London on the very day that he found rest is soon told. Solomon at once commenced
himself in a position to profit by it. The very his clumsy efforts at conciliation; and his enplan which he had suggested to Balfour, whose deavors to recommend himself to the stranger's
name he also assumed, he himself put into exe- friendship were suffered quickly to bear fruit.
cation. He made a private offer for the disused He invited him to his house in London, which,
mine, which was gladly accepted by those who to Richard's astonishment and indignation, he
had the disposal of the property, acting under found to be his mother's home; and, in short,
the advice of Parson Whymper. Trevethick, fell of his own accord into the very snare which
the only man that had attached any importance the other, had he had the fixing of it, would
to the possession of it, was dead; and it was not himself have laid for him.
likely that any one at the sale should bid one-   And now, as we have said, when all had gone
half of the sumn which this stranger was prepared exactly as Richard would have had it go, and
to give for the mere gratification of his whim. Solomon was being punished to the uttermost,
The mine itself, indeed, had scarcely been men- the executor of his doom was beginning to feel,tioned in the transaction; it merely formed a if not compunction, at all events remorse. No
portion in the lot comprising the few barren adequate retribution had indeed overtaken Haracres on which this capricious purchaser had ex- ry. To have made her a widow was, in fact, to
pressed his fancy to build a home. "Disposed of have freed her from the yoke of a harsh and unby private contract" was the marginal note writ- loved master; but the fact was, notwithstanding
ten in the auctioneer's catalogue which dashed the perjury of which he believed her to have:
Solomon's long-cherished hopes to the ground.  been guilty, he had never hated her as he had
Richard staid on in the neighborhood to at- hated the other authors of his wrongs. She had
tend the sale. It attracted an immense con- once on the rock-bound coast at Gethin precourse; and no less than a guinea a head was served his life; she had accorded to his passion
the price of admission to those who explored the all that woman can grant, and had reciprocated
splendid halls of Crompton, discussing the char- it; not even in his fiercest hour of despair had
acter of its late owner, and retailing wild stories he harbored the thought of raising his hand
of his eccentricities. Poor Parson Whymper, against her; he had hated her, indeed, as his bewho had not a shilling left to him-for Carew  trayer, and as Solomon's wife, but never regardhad died intestate, though, thanks to him, not ed her with that burning detestation which he
absolutely a beggar-was perhaps the only per- felt toward her husband. There was. another
son present who felt a touch of regret. He had motive also, though he did not even admit it
asked for his patron's signet-ring, as a keepsake, to himself, which, now that his chief foe was exand this request had been refused on the part of piating his offense, had no inconsiderable weight
the creditors; he wandered among the gay and in the scale of mercy as regarded the others.
jeering crowd like a ghost, little thinking that   His endeavors to win Charley's favor had had
the one man who looked at him with a glance of a reflex action. In spite of himself, a certain
pity was he whom he had once regarded as the good-will had grown up in him toward this boy,
heir of Crompton. It was the general opinion whom his mission it was to ruin. If there had
now that the unhappy chaplain had been Carew's been less of his mother in the lad's appearance,
evil genius, and had "led himon."  Even Rich- or any thing of his father in his character, his
ard bestowed but that single glance upon him; heart might have been steeled against his youth
he was looking in vain for the face that had so and innocence of transgression. As a mere son




130                            BRED IN THE BONE.
of Solomon Coe's he would have beheld in him  wrong scent, as folks already were, since the pathe whelp of a wolf, and treated him according- pers had suggested the man was drowned, why
ly; but between the wolf and his offspring there should they ever hit upon the right one? Wheal
was evidently as little of affection as there was Danes had not been explored for half a century.
of likeness. The very weaknesses of Charley's Why should not Solomon's bones lie there till
character-his love of pleasure, his credulity, the judgment-day?
his wayward impulsiveness, of all which Balfour   At this point in his reflections the door opened
had made use for his own purposes-were for- -he was taking his breakfast in a private siteign to the nature of the elder Coe; while the ting-room-and admitted, as he thought, the
lad's high spirit, demonstrativeness, and geniali- waiter. Richard stood in such profound thought
ty were all his own. If he had one to guide as that it was almost stupor, with his arms upon
well as love him-a woman with sound heart and the mantel-piece, and his head resting on his
brain, such as this Agnes Aird was represented hands. Ile did not change his posture; but
to be, what a happy future might be before this when the door closed, and there was silence in
youth!  Without such a wise counselor, how  place of the expected clatter of the breakfast
easy it would be, and how likely, for him  to things, he turned about, and beheld Harry standdrift on the tide of self-will and self-indulgence ing before him-in deep black, and, as it seemed
to the devil! The decision rested in Richard's to him, in widow's weeds!
own hands, he knew. Should he blast this
young life in the bud, in revenge for acts for
which he was in no way accountable, and which
were already being so bitterly expiated?  The            CHAPTER XLV.
apprehension that Solomon might even yet be
found alive perhaps alone prevented Richard
from resolving finally to molest Harry and her   IF Solomon himself, half starved and imbecile
son no further. If his victim should have been with despair, had suddenlypresented himself from
rescued, his enmity would have doubtless blazed his living tomb, Richard could not have been
forth afresh against them as inextinguishable as more astonished than at the appearance of his
ever, but in the mean time it smouldered, and present visitor. He had left her but three days
was dying out for want of fuel. If he had no ago for Midlandshire.  How was it possible she
penitence with respect to the terrible retribution had tracked him hither? With what purpose
he had already wrought, the idea of it disturbed she had done so he did not ask himself, for he
him. If he had no scruples, he had pangs: had already read it in her haggard face and hopewhen all was over-in a day or two, for even so less eyes.
strong a man as Solomon could scarcely hold out   " Have I come too late?" moaned she in a pitlonger-he would doubtless cease to be troubled eous, terror-stricken voice.
with them; when he was once dead Richard did   "For breakfast?-yes, madam," returned
not fear his ghost; but the thought of this per- Richard, coldly; "but that can easily be remishing wretch at present haunted him. He was edied;" and he feigned to touch the bell. His
still not far from Gethin, and its neighborhood heart was steel again; this woman's fear and
was likely to encourage such unpleasant feelings. care he felt were for his enemy, and for him
He had only executed a righteous judgment, alone. It was plain she had no longer fear of
since there was no law to right him; but even a himself.
judge would avoid the vicinity of a gallows on   "Where is my husband?" she gasped out. "Is
which hangs a man on whom he had passed sen- he still alive?"
tence.                                        "I am not your husband's keeper, madam."
He would go into Midlandshire-where he was   "But you are his murderer!" She held out
now supposed to be-until the affair had blown her arm, and pointed at him with a terrible sigover. That watching and waiting for the Thing nificance. There was something clasped in her
to be discovered would, he foresaw, be disagreea- trembling fingers which he could not discern.
ble, nervous work. And when it happened, how    " You speak in riddles, madam; and it seems
full the newspapers would be of it! How Solo- to me your humor is somewhat grim."
mon got to the place where he would be found   "II ask you once more, is my husband dead,
would be as much a matter of marvel as the ob- and have I come too late?"
ject of his going there. If the copper lode-the    "I have not seen him for some days; I left
existence of which Richard did not doubt-were him alive and well. What makes you think him
discovered, as it most likely would be when the otherwise, or that I have harmed him?"
mine became the haunt of the curious and the   "This"-she advanced toward him, keeping
morbid, it was only too probable that public at- her eyes steadily fixed upon his own-'" this was
tention would be drawn to the owner. The iden- found among your things after youleft myhouse!"
tification of Robert Balfour with the visitor who   It was a ticket-of-leave-the one that had been
had visited Turlock might then be established, given to Balfour on his discharge from Lingmoor.
whence would rise suspicion, and perhaps discov- It seemed impossible that Richard's colorless face
ery. Richard had no terrors upon his own ac- could have become still whiter, but it did so.
count, but he was solicitous to spare his mother   "Yes, that is mine," said he. "It was an
this new shame. He had been hitherto guiltless imprudence in me to leave such a token among
in her eyes, or, when blameworthy, the victim of curious people. You took an interest in my efcircumstances; but could her love for him sur- feets, it seems."
vive the knowledge that he was a murderer?   "It was poor Mrs. Basil who found it, and who
But why encourage these morbid apprehensions? gave it to me." Her voice was calm, and even
Was it not just as likely that the Thing would cold; but the phrase "poor Mirs. Basil" alarmed
never be discovered at all?  Once set upon a him.




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   131
"The good lady is still unwell, then, is she?"   "Listen, listen!" pleaded she; "then call me
"She is dead."                            what you will."
"Dead!" Richard staggered to a chair, and   He sat in silence while she poured forth all
pressed his hands to his forehead. The only the story of the trial, and of the means by which
creature in the world on whom his slender hopes her evidence had been obtained, listening at first
were built had, then, departed fi;om it! "When with a cold, cynical smile, like one who is predid she die?" inquired he in a hollow voice,':and pared for falsehood, and beyond its power; but
how?"                                      presently he drooped his head and hid his feat" On the evening of the day you left, and, as ures. She knew that she had persuaded him of
I believe, of a disease which one like you will her fidelity, but feared that behind those wrinkled
scarcely credit-of a broken heart."         hands there still lay a ruthless purpose. She had
Her manner and tone were hostile; but that exculpated herself, but only (of necessity) by
moved not Richard one whit; the cold and meas- showing in blacker colors the malice of his eneured tones in which she had alluded to his mo- mies. She knew that he had sworn to destroy
ther's death angered him, on the other hand, ex- them root and branch; and there was one green
ceedingly. If his mother had died of a broken bough which he had already done his worst to
heart, it was this woman's falsehood that had bend to evil ways.  "Richard, Richard!" said
broken it; and yet she could speak with calmness she, softly.
and unconcern of the loss which had left him ut-   He withdrew his chair with a movement which
terly forlorn! He forgot all his late remorse; she mistook for one of loathing.
and in his eyes glittered malice and cruel   "He hates me for their sake," thought she,
rage.                                       " although he knows me to be innocent. How
"I do not fear you," cried she, in answer to much more must he hate those who made me
this look; "for the wretched have no fear. The seem so guilty!" But, in truth, his withdrawal
hen will do battle with the fox, the rabbit with from her touch had a very different explanation.
the stoat, to save her young. If I can not save He would have kissed her, and held out both his
my husband, I will save my son. I have come hands, but for the blood which he dreaded might
down here to do it. You are known to me now  be even now upon them. He saw that she loved
for what you are —a jail-bird. If you dare to him still, and had ever done so, even when she
meet my Charley's honest face again, I will tell seemed his foe: all the old affection that he
him who and what you are."                  thought had been dead within him awoke to life,
": Did Mrs. Basil tell you that, then?"  and yet he dared not give it voice.
"Thus far she did," cried Harry, pointing to   "You have said my husband was alive and
the ticket which. Richard had taken from her well, Richard?"
hand.  "Is not that enough?  She warned me   "I said I had left him  so," answered he,
with her latest breath against you.' Beware of hoarsely.
him,' said she;'and yet pursue him, if you would   "Then you have spared him thus far; spare
save your husband and your son. Where Solo- him still, even for my sake; and, for Heaven's
mon is, there will this man also be. Pursue, pur- sake, spare my son! Harden not your heart
sue!' I did but stay to close her eyes."    against one more dear to me by far than life
"' And so she knew me, did she?"        itself. He has done you no wrong."
"She knew enough, as I do. Of course she   Richard shook his head; he yearned to clasp
could not guess-who could?-your shameful her to his breast; he could have cried, "I forpast, the fruit of which is there!" and again she give them all," but he could not trust himself to
pointed to the ticket.                      speak, lest he should say, " I love you."
"My shameful past!" cried Richard, rising    " You have seen my boy,Richard, many times.
and drawing himself to his full height.  " Who The friendship you have simulated for him must
are you, that dare to say so? Do you, then, need have made you know how warm-hearted and
one to rise from the dead to remind you of your kind and unsuspicious his nature is. You have
past! Look at me, Harry Trevethick-look at listened to his merry laugh, and felt the sunshine
me!"                                       of his gayety. Oh! can you have the heart to
"Richard!" It was but one word; but in the harm him?"
tone which she pronounced it a thousand mem-   Still he did not speak; he scarcely heard her
ories seemed to mingle. An inexpressible awe words. The murdered man was standing bepervaded her; she stood spell-bound, staring at tween her and him; and he would always stand
his white hair and withered face.           there, seen by him, though not by her. From
"Yes, it is Richard, "answered the other, mock- the grave itself he had come forth to triumph
ingly, "though it is hard to think so. Twenty over him to the end.
years of wretchedness have worked the change.   "Richard"-her voice had sunk to a tremulous
It is you he has to thank for it, you perjured whisper-" I must save my son, and save you
traitress!"                                from yourself, no matter what it costs me. You
" No, no; as Heaven is my judge, Richard, I little know on the brink of what a crime you
tell you No!" She threw herself on her knees stand."
before him; and as she did so her bonnet fell,   He laughed a bitter laugh; for was he not aland the rippling hair that he had once stroked so ready steeped in crime? She thought him pititenderly escaped from its bands; the color came less and malignant when he was only hopeless
into her cheeks, and the light into her eyes, with and self-condemned.
the passionate excitement of her appeal; and for   " Do you remember Gethin, Richard, and all
the moment she looked almost as he had known that happened there?  Can you not guess why
her in the far-back spring-tide of her youth.  I was made to marry-within-what was it?-a
"F air and false as ever!" cried Richard, bit- month, a week, a day-it seemed but the next
terly.                                      hour-after I lost you? You have had twenty




-132                            BRED IN THE BONE.
years of misery for my sake; but so have I for to the railway station, and she saw him hurry
yours. Did my husband love me, think you? into it.
Did he love my child? He had good cause, if he   " Fast! fast!" she heard him cry, through the
had only known, to hate us both.  Can you not open window; and then he was whirled away.
guess it?"
He looked at her with eager hope-a trembling
joy pervaded him. But hope and joy had been
strangers to him  so long that he could scarce          CHAPTER XLVI.
recognize them for what they were.
"My Charley is yours also, Richard-your
own son."                                     RICHARD had many subjects for thought to
Richard burst into tears. There was some- beguile his lonely way to Gethin, but one was
body still to love him in the world-his own flesh paramount, and absorbed the rest, though he
and blood-somebody to live for l The thought strove to dismiss it all he could.
intoxicated him with delight; a vision of happi-   He endeavored to think of his dead mother.
ness floated before him for an instant; then was His heart was full of her patient love and weary,
swallowed up in darkness, as a single star by the childless life; but her portrait faded from his
gloom of night. His own flesh and blood; ay, mind like a dissolving view, and in its, place
perhaps inheriting the same nature as his father. stood that of Solomon Coe, haggard, emaciated,
It was only too likely, from what he had seen of hideous. Still less could he think of Harry and
the lad; and he had himself done his best to de- her son, between whom and himself this spectre
velop the evil in him, and to crush the good.    of the unhappy man rose up at once, summoned
" Don't weep, dear Richard: kiss me."     by the thought of them, as by a spell. It did
He shrank from her proffered lips with a cold not occur to Richard even now that he had had
shudder. " Nay, I can not kiss you. Do not ask no right to kill him; but he shuddered to think,
me why, Harry. Never ask me; but I never if he had really done so, how this late opening
can."                                       flower of love which he had just discovered
She looked at him with wonder, for she saw  would blossom into fear and loathing. In that
that his wrath had vanished. His tone was ten- case his heart would have been softened only to
ler, though woeful, and his touch as he put her be pierced. His mother's death, the knowledge
aside was as gentle as a ehild's.           of Harry's fidelity, and of the existence of his
"As you please, Richard," said she, humbly, son, to whom his affection had been already
and with a deep blush. " I only wished for it as drawn, unknowingly and in spite of himself,
a token of your forgiveness. It is not necessary; had dissolved his cruel purpose. He was eager
those tears have told me we are reconciled. But to spare his mother's memory the shame of the
you will kiss Charley."                     foul crime he had contemplated, and passion"Nay; he must never know," answered Rich- ately anxious that in the veins of his new-found
ard gloomily.                               son there should at least run no murderer's
" I had forgotten," said Harry, simply. " You blood.
can guess by that the loyalty of my heart toward  "' Faster! faster!" was still his cry, though
you, Richard. I forgot that to reveal it would the horses galloped whenever it was practicable,
be to tell my darling of his mother's shame. But and the wheels cast the winter's mire into his
you will be kind and good to him; you will undo eager face. This haste was made, as he well
what you have done of harm; you will lead him  knew, upon the road to his own ruin. To find
back to Agnes, and then he will be safe."   Solomon alive was to be accused of having com"Yes, yes," muttered Richard, mechanically; passed his death. There was no hope in the
*I will undo so far as I can what I have done magnanimity of such a foe. But yesterday
of harm. I will do my best, as I have done my Richard had cared little or nothing.for his own
worst."                                     safety, and was only bent upon the prosecution
He rose hastily, and rang the bell. Harry of his scheme against his foe; now life had mvseyed him like some attached creature that sym- teriously become dear to him, and he was about
pathizes with but can not comprehend its master. to risk it in saving the man he had hated most
The waiter entered.                       on earth from the doom to which he had himself
"I shall not go by the train," said Richard; consigned him. lIe had calculated the possibil"let a carriage and pair be brought round in- ities which were in his own favor, and they had
stantly, without a moment's delay."         resolved themselves into this single chance-that
The waiter hurried out to execute the order.  Solomon might be induced, by the uncondition"But you will surely return home, Richard, al offer of Wheal Danes and its golden treasafter what has happened?" said Harry, thinking ure, to forego his revenge. His greed was great;
of his mother's funeral.                    but his malice, as Richard had good cause to
" The dead can wait," returned he, solemnly. know, was also not easily satisfied. Moreover,
" Go you back to town. In three days' time, if even if his victim should decline to be his prosyou do not hear from me, come down to Gethin ecutor, he would still stand in great peril. It
with Charles and Agnes."                    was only too probable that he would be recog"But I dare not, unless my husband send for nized at Gethin for the stranger that had so
me."                                        lately been staying at Turlock; he had not, in" He will send for you," said Richard, solemn- deed, mentioned his assumed name at the latter
ly;' or others will in his behalf."        place; but his lack of interest in the fate of SolWithout one word or sign of farewell he sud- omon-whose disappearance had been narrated
denly rushed by her, and was gone. A carriage to him by the waitress-and his departure from
stood at the front-door of the hotel, which had the town under such circumstances, would (in
just returned from taking a bride and bridegroom  case of his identification) be doubtless contrast



BRED IN THE BONE.                                   1'3
ed with this post-haste journey of his to deliver   " Their help, Sir?" said the astonished landthis same man. He had made up his mind, how- lord.
ever, to neglect no precautions to avoid this con-   " Yes; but say nothing for the present. Bring
tingency. It would be dark when he got to me a bottle of brandy and some meat-cold
Gethin; and his purpose once accomplished he chicken, if you have it; then let me have a word
might easily escape recognition, unless he should with you."
be denounced by Solomon himself.  In that   Richard did not order the food for himself.
case Richard was fully determined that he would While it was being brought he sat down in the
glut no more the curiosity of the crowd.  He very chair that he had used so often-for he had
would never stand in the prisoner's dock, or be been ushered into his old parlor —and gazed
consigned again to stone walls.  The gossips about him. There were the same tawdry ornashould have a dead man's face to gaze at, and ments on the mantel-piece, and the same books
welcome; they might make what sport they on the dusty shelf. Nothing was altered except
pleased of that, but not again of his living agony. the tenant of that room; but how great a change
Then, instead of his being Solomon's murderer, had taken place in him! What a face the dingy
he would be his victim. To judge by his pres- mirror offered him in place of that which it had
ent feeling, thought Richard, bitterly, this man shown him last! When the inn-keeper returned
would not enjoy his triumph even then.  Re- his mind involuntarily conjured up old Trevevenge, as his mother had once told him, was like thick, as he had received from him the key of
a game of battle-door-it is never certain who the ruin, and doggedly taken his compliments
gets the last stroke. If Solomon was now dead, upon its workmanship.  Truly, "'there is no
starved skeleton or rat-eaten corpse as he might such thing as forgetting;" and to recall our past
be, Richard felt that he would still have had the to its minutest details at the judgment-day will
advantage over him.                         not be so impracticable as some of us would de" What is it? Why are we stopping?" cried sire.
he, frantically, as the man pulled up on the top   Richard had made up his mind exactly as to
of a hill.                                  what he would say to this man, but a question
" Let me breathe the horses for an instant," suddenly presented itself, which had been absent
pleaded the driver; " we shall gain time in the from his thoughts from the moment that he had
end."                                       resolved to rescue his enemy. It was a very' How far are we still from Gethin?" inquired simple one, too, and would have occurred to any
Richard, impatiently.                       one else, as it had done already many times to
"In time, two hours, Sir, for the road is bad, himself.
though me and the horses will do our best; but   " Has Mr. Coe been found yet?"
the distance is scarce twelve miles. Do you see   He listened for the answer eagerly, for if such
that black thing out to seaward yonder? That's was the case, not only was his journey useless,
the castled rock.  He stands out fine against but had brought him into the very jaws of dethe sunset, don't he?"                      struction. He would have thrown away his life
"Yes, yes; make haste;" and on they sped for nothing.
again at a gallop.                            " No, Sir, indeed-and he never will be," reWithin a mile or two of this spot Richard had plied the inn-keeper. "When the sea don't give
first caught sight of that same object twenty a man up in four-and-twenty hours, it keeps him
years ago. The occasion flashed upon him with for good-at least we always find it so at Gethevery minutest circumstance, even to the fact of in."
how hungry he had been at the moment. The   "Well, listen to me. My name is Balfour.
world was all before him then, and life was young. I knew Mr. Coe, and have had dealings with him.
Now, prematurely aged, his interest centred in We had arranged a partnership together in a certhree human beings, and one of those was his tain mine; and it is my opinion that he came
bitter enemy.                               down here upon that business."
The dusk thickened into dark; and the tired   "Very like, Sir. He was much engaged that
horses-for the stage had been a very long one way, and made, they say, a pretty penny at it."
-made but slow way.                           " I was at Plymouth, on my way to join him,
"Faster! faster!" was Richard's constant when I heard this sad news. I came to-day
cry, till the brow of the last hill was gained, and post-haste in consequence of it. The search for
the scanty lights of Gethin showed themselves. him must be renewed to-night."
Then it suddenly struck him for the first time' Lor, Sir, it is easy to see you are a stranger
what unnecessary speed had been made. Why, in these parts! I wouldn't like to go myself
this man, Solomon, strong and inured to priva- where poor Mr. Coe met his end, on so dark a
tion, had, after all, been but eight-and-forty night as this. It's a bad path even in daylight
hours in the mine, and would surely be alive, along Turlock cliff."
unless the rats had killed him. Where had he   "He did not take that way, at least I think
somewhere read of a strong man overpowered in not. Have you a ladder about the premises?"
a single night by a legion of rats, and discovered.' Yes, sure."
a heap of clean-picked bones by morning?      "And a lantern?"
The inn, as usual at that season, showed few    "Now that's strange enough, Sir, that you
signs of life; but there were some half dozen should have inquired for a lantern; for we wanted
miners drinking at the bar.                 one just now to see to your horses, and, though
" Keep those men," said Richard to the inn- they're looking for it high and low, it can't be
keeper; for Solomon had long delegated that of- found nowhere."
fice to another, t.hough his own name was still   "It doesn't strike you, then, that Mr. Coe
over the door, and the Gethin Castle was still his might have taken it with him?"
home.  "I shall want their help to-night."    "Lor, Sir," cried the inn-keeper, with admi



'134                           BRED IN THE BONE.
ration, " and so he must ha' done! Of course nate or the less imaginative could hear or see noit strikes one when the thing has been putinto thing. But after a little darkness and silence
one's head.  Well,'twas a good lantern, and reigned supreme beneath them; they seemed
now'tis lost. Dear me, dear me!"          standing on the threshold of a tomb.
Golden visions of succeeding to the management of the inn, and of taking to the furniture
and fixings in the gross, had flitted across this
honest gentleman's brain, and the disappearance         CHAPTER XLVII.
of the lantern affected him with the acute sense
of pecuniary damage.  The general valuation     WHAT WAS FOUND IN WHEAL DANES.
would probably be no less because of the absence   A FULL half hour-which to the watchers above
of this article.                            seemed a much longer interval-had elapsed since
"Send out and borrow another, as many, in Richard had disappeared ini the depths of Wheal
fact, as you can get," said Richard, impatiently; Danes, and not a sign of his return had reached
"and get ready a torch or two besides. Pick the attentive throng.
out four of the strongest men yonder, and bid   "I thought he'd come to harm," muttered a
them come with me, and search Wheal Danes." fisherman to his neighbor; " it was a sin and a
"What! that old pit, Sir?  You'll not find shame to let him venture."
a man to do it-no, not if they knowed as mas-   "Ay, you may say that," returned the other,
ter was at the bottom of it. You wait till morn- aloud.  "I call it downright murder in them as
ing."                                       sent him."
"Your master is at the bottom of it. I feel   "It was not I as sent him," observed the innsure he took the lantern with him to search that keeper, with the honest indignation of a man that
mine. I will give them a pound apiece to start has not right habitually on his own side. "What
at once. Pack up this food, and lend them a I said to the gentleman was,'Wait till morning.'
mattress to bring him home upon. Be quick! Why should I send him?"  Here he stopped,
be quick!"                                though his reasons for not wishing to hurry matRichard's energy fairly overpowered the phIeg- ters would have been quite conclusive.
matic inn-keeper, whose conscience, perhaps, also   " Why was he let to go down at all, being a
smote him with respect to his missing master; stranger?" resumed the first speaker.  "Why
and he set about the execution of these orders didn't somebody show him the way?"
promptly. Wheal Danes, he had truly hinted,   "Because nobody knowed it," answered one
was a very unpopular spot with its neighbors aft- of the four miners whose services Richard had
er nightfall; but, on the other hand, sovereigns retained, and who justly imagined that the fishwere rare in Gethin, and greatly prized. In less erman's remark had been a reflection on his own
than half an hour the necessaries which Richard profession. " I'd ha' gone down Dunloppel with
had indicated were procured, and a party, con- him at midnight, or any other mine as can be
sisting of himself, four stalwart miners, and the called such; but this is different."
inn-keeper, started for the pit.'These were fol-   "Ay, ay, that's so," said a second miner.
lowed by half the inhabitants of the little village, " We know no more of this place than you fishattracted by the rumor of their purpose, which ermen. There may be as much water in it as in
had oozed out from the bar of the Gethin Castle. the sea, for aught we can tell."
The windy down had probably never known so   "It's my belief they're more afraid of the
strange a concourse as that which presently Dead Hand than the water," observed a voice
streamed over it, with torch and lantern, and from the crowd, the great majority of which was
stood around the mouth of the disused mine. composed of fisher folk.
The night was dark, and nothing could be seen   No reply was given to this; perhaps because
save what the flare of the lights they carried show- the speaker, an old cripple, the Thersites of the
ed them-a jagged rim of pit without a bottom. village, was beneath notice, perhaps because the
Notwithstanding their numbers there was but remarkwas unanswerable. The miners were bold
little talk among them; they had a native dread enough against material enemies, but they were
of this dismal place, and, besides, there might now  superstitious to a man.
be a ghastly secret hidden within it. A muffled   " If Solomnon Coe were alive," continued the
exclamation, half of admiration, half of awe, same voice, " he wouldn't ha' feared nothin'."
broke from  the circling crowd as, the ladder   "That's the first word, old man, as ever I
planted, Richard was seen descending it torch heard you speak in his favor," said a miner, conin hand.  No other man followed; none had temptuously; "and you've waited for that till
volunteered, and he had asked for no compan- he's dead."
ion. They watched him, as the countrymen of   "Still, he would ha' gone, and you durstn't,"
those who had formerly worked Wheal Danes observed the old fellow, cunningly, "and that's
might have watched Curtius when he leaped into the p'int. "
the gulf; and as in his case, when they saw the   These allusions to the Dead Iand and to the
ladder removed, and the light grow dim, and missing Solomon were not of a nature to inspire
finally die out before their eyes, it seemed that courage in those to whom it was already lackthe pit had closed on Richard-that he was swal- ing, and a silence again ensued.  There was
lowed up alive. No one, unless the strange story less light, for a torch or two had gone out, and
about their missing neighbor which this man had the mine looked blacker than ever.
brought was true, bhad ventured into Wheal Danes   "Well, who's a-going down?" croaked the
for these fifty years! They kept an awe-struck old cripple.  " The gentleman came from your
silence, straining eye and ear. Some thought inn, Jonathan, and it's your place, I should
they could still see a far-off glimmer, others that think, to look after him."
they could hear a stifled cry, when tho less fortu-   "Certainly nct," answered the inn-keeper,




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   136
hastily.  "These men here were hired for this   They stood and listened, peering down into
very service."                              the darkness beneath them; but there was no
"That's true," said the first miner.  "But repetition of the cries. The wounded man had
what's the use of talking when the gentleman apparently spent his last strength, perhaps his
has got the ladder with him?"              last breath, in uttering them.
" There's more ladders in the world than one,"   "Hemustbedownheresomewhere. Come on."
observed the cripple.  "Here's my grandson,   The situation was sufficiently appalling; but
John; he and half a dozen of these young fel- these men had lost half their terrors, now that
lows would fetch Farmer Gray's in less than no they knew there was a fellow-creature needing
time. Come, lads-be off with ye."           help. They descended slowly; and he who was
This suggestion was highly applauded, except foremost presently cried out, "I see him; here
by the miner who had so injudiciously compro- he is."
mised himself, and was carried out at once.   The man was lying on his face quite still;
When the ladder arrived the three other rmin- and when they lifted him, each looked at the
ers, ashamed of deserting their comrade, volun- other with a grave significance-they had carteered to descend with him.  The excitement ried too many from the bowels of the earth to
among the spectators was great, indeed, when the pit's mouth not to know when a man' was
these four men disappeared in the levels of Wheal dead. Even a senseless body is not the same to
Danes, as Richard bad done before them. The an experienced bearer as a dead vyeight. The
light of their combined torches lingered a little corpse was still warm, but the head fell back
in their rear; the sound of their voices, as they with a movement not of life.
halloed to one another or to the missing man,   "You were right, mate. His neck is broke;
was heard for several minutes. But darkness the poor gentleman pitched over on his head."
and silence swallowed them up also, and the   "Stop a bit," exclaimed the man addressed;
watchers gazed on one another aghast.       "see here. Why, it ain't him at all-it's SoloIt is not an easy thing, even for those accus- mon Coe."
tomed to underground labor, to search an unfa-   An exclamation of astonishment burst involmiliar spot by torch-light; the fitful gleam makes untarily from the other three.
the objects on which it falls difficult of identi-   "Then where's the other?" cried they all tofication. It is doubtful whether one has seen gether.
this or that before or not-whether we are not   " I am here," answered a ghastly whisper.
retracing old ground.  Even to practiced eyes   Within but a few feet of Solomon, so that they
these objects, too, are not so salient as the tree or could hardly have overlooked him had not the
the stone which marks a locality above-ground; former monopolized their attention, lay Richard,
add to this, in the present case, that the search- grievously hurt. Some ribs were broken, and
ers were momently in expectation of coming one of them was pressed in upon the lungs.
upon something which they sought and yet feared Still he was alive, and the men turned their atto find, and it will be seen that their progress was tention first to him, since Solomon was beyond
of necessity but slow. They kept together, too, their aid. By help of the two ladders, side by
as close as sheep, which narrowed the compass side, they bore him up the wall of rock; and so
of their researches, and caused their combined from level to level-a tedious and painful journey
torches to distribute only as much light as one to the wounded man-to the upper air.
man would have done provided with a chandelier.   He was carried to the inn upon the mattress
They knew, however, that their predecessor had which his own care had provided for another;
descended into the second level, so that they did while the four miners, to the amazement of the
not need to explore the first at all. The ground throng, once more descended into the pit for a
was hard, and gave forth echoes to their cautious still more ghastly burden.
but heavy tread; their cries of "Hollo!" "Are   Richard could speak a little, though with
you there?" which they reiterated, like nervous pain. By his orders a messenger was dispatched
children playing hide-and-seek, reverberatedfrom  that night to Plymouth to telegraph the news of
roof to wall.                               the discovery of her husband's body to Mrs. Coe.
Presently, when they stopped to listen for His next anxiety was to hear the surgeon's rethese voices of the rock to cease, there was heard port, not on his own condition, but on that of
a human moan. It seemed to come up from a Solomon.  This gentleman did not arrive for
great depth out of the darkness before them. some hours, and Richard was secretly well pleased
They listened earnestly, and the sound was re- at his delay. It was his hope, for a certain reapeated-the faint cry of a man in grievous pain.  son, that he would not arrive until the body was
"There must be another level," observed the stiff and cold.
miner who had volunteered the search.  "This   lie saw Richard first, of course.  The case
man has fallen down it."                    was very serious; so much so that he thought
They had therefore to go back for the ladder. it right to mention the fact, in order that his
Pushing this before them, the end began present- patient might settle his worldly affairs if they
ly to run freely, and then stopped; it had ad- needed settlement.
justed itself by the side of the shorter ladder   "There is no immediate danger, my good
which Richard had brought down with him.    Sir; but it is always well in such cases to have
"He could not have fallen, then," observed a the mind free from anxiety."
miner, answering his comrade's remark-as is I  "I understand; it is quite right," said Richthe custom with this class of great doers and ard, gravely. "Moreover, since the opportunity
small talkers-at a considerable interval.   may not occur again, let me now state how it all
"Yes, he could," replied the one who had first j happened."
spoken. " See, his ladder was short, and he may  N'ay, you must not talk. We know it all,
have pitched over. "                        or at least enough of it for the present."




136                             BRED IN THE BONE.
"What do you know?" asked Richard, with I owed you. In return you will doubtless denounce
his eyes half shut, but with eager ears.    me as having meant to murder you."
" That in your benevolent attempt to seek aft-   No answer.  If Richard had not hbeard his,
er Mr. Coe you met with the same accident-  cries, it would have seemed that this poor wretch
though I trust it will not have the same ending-  had lost the power of speech. His huge head
as that unfortunate gentleman himself.  He drooped upon his shoulder, and he leaned against
pitched upon his head and broke his neck, while the rocky wall as though his limbs could not have
you fell upon your side."                   otherwise supported themselves; they shook, in" That is so, " murmured Richard. "He and deed-but was it with weakness or with hate?I were partners, you see-"                  as though he had the palsy.
"There, there; not a word more," insisted    "Well, you will have reason to do so," conthe docfor; "your deposition can wait."     tinued Richard, calmly, " for I did mean to murAnd having done what he could for his pa- der you. In ten minutes hence you will find
tient, he left him, in order to examine the un- yourself among your neighbors, free to act as
fortunate Solomon. His investigation corrobo- you please.  I shall make no appeal to your
rated all that he had already heard of the cir- mercy; it would, I know, be as fruitless as was
eumstances of his death, with which also Rich- yours to mine the other day; but if you abstain
ard's evidence accorded. An observation made from molesting me, this mine, with all its hidden
by one of the miners who had found the body, treasure, shall be your own.  I have nothing
to the effect that it was yet warm when they more to say."
had come upon it, excited the surgeon's ridicule.   Solomon answered nothing. "Perhaps," thought
" It is now Tuesday morning, my friend," said Richard, " he still doubts me. —Well, here is the
he, "and this poor fellow met with his death on ladder;" and he suited the action to the word.
Saturday night for certain. He could not, there- Solomon's great hand flew out from his side, and
fore, have been much warmer when you found clutched a rung as a dog's teeth close upon a
him than he is now."                        bone; a dog's growl, too, half triumph and half
" Well, me and my mate here we both fan- threat, came from his deep chest; then he began
cied-"                                      slowly to ascend, keeping his eyes fixed on Rich"I dare say you did, my man," interrupted the ard. The latter drew back a little to give him
doctor; " and fancy is a vtery proper word to ap- space, and watched him with folded arms.
ply to such an impression. If you take my ad-   "Now," said Solomon, stepping off the ladder
vice, however, you will not repeat such a piece with the prolonged " Ha!" of one who breathes
of evidence when put upon your oath, for the freely after long oppression, "it is nmy turn!"
thing is simply impossible."                  "What are you about to do?' asked Richard,
"Then I suppose we be in the wrong," said calmly.
Dick to Jack; and on that supposition they acted.   "What! you think we are quits, Richard
In this way too self-reliant Science, whose Yorke, do you? or at least that when I had seen
mission it is to explode fallacies, occasionally as- you hung it would seem so to me?  You don't
sists in the explosion or suffocation of a fact, for know what it is to die here slowly in the dark;
Solomon Coe had not been dead half an hour you are about to learn that."
when his body was found.                       "Indeed."
When Richard, alone on his errand of mercy,   " Yes. You complained the other day of my
was approaching the brink of the third level, he having used the law against you. Well, you
could hear Solomon calling lustily for help. ~ Nay, shall not have to reproach me with that a secit was not only "H elp!" but " Murder!".that he ond time. We are about to change places, you
cried out; and notwithstanding the menace that and I, that's all. You shall keep sentry down
that word implied toward himself, Richard hur- yonder till Death comes to relieve you. It was
ried on, well pleased to hear it; the vigor of the indiscreet in you to venture here alone to dictate
cry assured him that his enemy was not only terms, my fiiend."
living, but unhurt. As the light he carried grew    Solomon's voice was grating and terrible; it
more distinct to him, indeed, these shouts re- had grown hoarse with calling. His form was
doubled; but when it came quite near, and dis- gaunt and pinched with hunger; his eyes flashed
closed the features of its bearer, there was a dead like those of some starving beast of prey.
silence. The two men stood confronting one an-   "I1 swear to you I came here to rescue you,
other-the one in light, distinctly seen, looking and with no other purpose," said Richard, earndown upon the other ii shade, just as they had estly. "I was not afraid of you when you were
parted only eight-and-forty hours ago. To one hale and strong, and much less now when you
of them, as we know, this space had been event- are weakened with privation; but I do not wish
ful; but to the other it had seemed a lifetime- to have your blood upon my hands. I came
an age of hopes and fears, and latterly of cold here to-night-"
despair, which had now been warmed once more   "Is it night?" interrupted the other, eagerly.
to hope only to freeze again. For was not this " I did not know that it was night; how should
man, to whom he had looked for aid, his cruel I, in this place, where there is no day? Well,
foe come back to taunt him-to behold him al- that was still more indiscreet of you, for I shall
ready half-way toward death, and to make its get away unseen, while you lie here unsought."
slow approach more bitter? But great as was his   "Your scheme is futile. There are fifty men
agony Solomon held his peace, nor offered to this about the pit's mouth now. I have told them-"
monarch of his fate the tribute of a groan.'" Liar!" Solomon darted forward; and Rich"I am come to rescue you," said Richard, in ard, throwing away the torch, as though disdainlow but distinct tones; "to undo the evil that ing to use any advantage in the way of weapon,
I have already done, although it was no less than grappled with him at once. At the touch of his
you deserved, nor an overpayment of the debt I foe his scruples vanished, and. his hate returned




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   137
with tenfold fury. But he was in the grasp of dently proved fatal to him. That he should have
a giant. Privation had doubtless weakened Sol- broken his neck just as Richard had broken his
omon, but he had still the strength of a powerful ribs on such a quest was by no means extraorman, and his rage supplied him for the time with dinary; but how he ever reached the spot where
all that he had lost. They clung to one another he was found at all, without the aid of a ladder,
like snakes, and whirled about with frantic vio- was inexplicable.  The line of evidence was
lence. Whichever fell undermost was a dead smooth enough but for this ugly knot, and it
man for certain. For a few moments the expir- troubled Richard much, though, as it happened,
ing torch still showed them each other's hot, vin- unnecessarily.  Had the place of the calamity
dictive faces; then they battled in the dark, with been a gravel-pit at Highgate, it would have been
laboring breath and eager strain, swaying they guarded by constabulary, and all things preserved
knew not whither. At last the huge weight of as they were until after the official investigation.
Solomon overbore his lesser antagonist. Rich- But Wheal Danes, from having been a deserted
ard's limbs gave way beneath him, and he fell, mine, had suddenly become the haunt of the cubut fell through space; for in their gyrations rious and the morbid. There was nothing more
they had, without knowing it, returned to the likely than that Solomon's ladder had been cartop of the ladder. His foe, faist clutched, fell ried off, and perhaps disposed of at a high price
with him, but, pitching on his head, was killed, per foot as an interesting relic. The presence
as we have seen, upon the instant.          of the half-extinguished torch that Richard had
This was the true history of what had oc- flung away in the second level (and which should
curred in the mine, as Richard, on his bed of by rights have been found in the third) was still
pain, recalled it step by step, and strove to shape more easily explained: there were a score of such
it to his ends.                             things now lying about the mine, which had been
left there by visitors.  In short, an " active"
coroner and an "intelligent" jury could have
CHAPTER XLVIII.                  come to no other conclusion than that of " accidental death;" and they came to it accordingly.
Other comforters had arrived to the wounded
WHETHER Richard's own injuries proved fatal man, before the receipt of that good news, in the
or not was with him a matter of secondary im- persons of Harry and her son and Agnes. There
portance. His anxiety was to prove that they was a reason why all three should be now warmwere received by misadventure; upon the whole, ly attracted toward him, which, while it effectumatters promised favorably for this, and were in ally worked his will in that way, gave him many
other respects as satisfactory as could reasonably a twinge. They looked upon him, as did the
be expected. The blood of Solomon Coe was rest of the world, as the man who had lost his
upon his own head. Richard had no need even life (for his wound was by this time pronounced
to reproach himself with having struck in self- to be fatal) to save his friend. He told them
defense the blow that killed his enemy; and he that it was not so, and they did not believe him.
did,not reflect that he was still to blame for hav- lIe had not the heart to tell them how matters
in:g, in the first instance, placed him in the mine. really stood; but their praise pained him more
He had at least done his best to extricate him, than the agony of his wound, and he peremptoand his conscience was (perhaps naturally) not rily forbade the subject to be alluded to. This
very tender respecting the man who had repaid command was not difficult to obey. Solomon's
his attempt at atonement with such implacable death, although the awful character of it shocked
animosity. At all events, Richard's mind was them much, was, in reality, regretted neither by
too much engaged in calculating the conse- wife nor son: such must be the case with every
quences of what had happened to entertain re- husband and father who has been a domestic
morse. The question that now monopolized it tyrant, no matter how dutifully wife and son may
was, what conclusion was likely to be arrived at strive to mourn: his loss was a release, and his
by the coroner's inquest that would, of course, be memory a burden that they very willingly put
held upon the body.  The verdict was of the aside; and, in particular, his name was never
most paramount importance to him, not because mentioned before Agnes without strong necesupon it depended his own safety (for he valued sity.
his life but lightly, and, besides, his inward pain   Mrs. Coe, always at her best and wisest in
convinced him that it was already forfeited), but matters wherein her son was concerned, had
all that now made life worth having-the good never told this girl of the part which Robert
regards of Harry and her son. He had no lon- Balfour had taken against her. It would have
ger any scruple on his own part with respect to wounded her self-love to have learned that the
accepting or returning their affection. His fear influence of a comparative stranger had been
was, lest, having been compelled to take so active used, and with some effect, to estrange her Chara part in the rescue of the unhappy Solomon, ley. She would scarcely have made sufficient
something should arise to implicate him in his allowance for a man of the world's insidious
incarceration.                              arts, notwithstanding the circumstances that had
Fortunately he was far too ill to be summoned so favored them. Thus Harry had justly reaas a witness.  His deposition alone could be soned, and kept silence concerning him. Agnes
taken, and that he framed with the utmost cau- had therefore set down the gradual cessation of
tion, and as briefly as was possible. His wound- her lover's visits to Soho, and his growing colded lung defended him from protracted inquiries. ness, solely to the hostility of Solomon. They
Solomon himself had proposed the idea of a part- had pained her deeply, though she had been too
nership in Wheal I)anes, and his interest in the proud to evince aught but indignation; still she
mine, the knowledge of which had suggested to strove to persuade herself it was but natural that
Richard the place of his concealment, had evi- this lad, entirely dependent upon his father for




138                             BRED IN TIlE BONE.
the means of livelihood, and daily exposed to his ally did not injure Balfour in the regards of Agmenaces or arguments, should endeavor to steel nes; she resented Charley's conduct, and did
himself against her; that he really loved her her best to redress it by manifesting her own
less she did not in her own faithful heart believe. good-will; she had herself had experience of his
It was, however, with no thought of regaining shifting moods and causeless changes of demeanhis affection that she had obeyed the widow's or, and perhaps she was willing to show what
hasty summons on the news of the catastrophe small importance she attached to his capricious
at Wheal Danes, but solely from sympathy and humors. Thus it happened that Richard and
affection. She had always loved and pitied her, herself " got on" together much better (as well,
for Harry had shown her kindness and great of course, as much more speedily) than the
good-will; and, notwithstanding the girl's high former could have hoped for; for indeed he had,
spirit, she did not now forget, as many would with reason, expected to find a bitter enemy in
have done, all other debts in that obligation so Agnes.  He improved this advantage to the uteasy of discharge, namely, "what she owed to most by taking occasion, in Charley's absence,
herself."                                   to praise the lad, under whose displeasure he
Her presence, notwithstanding the sad occa- manifestly lay.  She answered that he had not,
sion of it, at once reawakened Charley's slum- at least from 3Mr. Balfour's lips, deserved such
bering passion, and the coldness with which she praise.
received its advances only made it burn more   "Nay, nay," said Richard, gently; "it is I
brightly, like fire in frost. HIe felt that he had who have not deserved the lad's good-will; and
not even deserved the friendship she now offered you, my dear young lady, ought to be the last to
him in place of her former love, and was patient pity me, as I see you do."
and submissive under his just punishment.  He    "How so?" asked she, in surprise.
hoped in time to re-establish himself in her affec-   "Because," answered he, gravely, "I once
tions; but at present, somewhat to Mrs. Coe's strove to keep him from you."
indignation, she had showed no sign of yielding.   She looked annoyed, and cast a hurried glance
He did in reality occupy the same position in toward the place where Mrs. Coe had been sither heart as of old; but now that he was rich, ting; but there was now only an empty chair
and his own master (for his mother was his there.  The widow had purposely withdrawn
slave), she was not inclined to confess it.  Had herself, in accordance with Richard's wish. Aghe been poor and dependent, she would have nes could scarcely leave the sick man without
forgiven him readily enough; nor are such na- attendance.
tures unparalleled in her sex, notwithstanding   "When I say,'keep him fiom you,"' continued
the pictures which are nowadays presented to us Richard, " I mean that, being lonely and fiiendas types of girlhood.                       less (as you see I am but for you three), the
Such, then, was the mutual relation in which society of this bright boy was very dear to me,
these two young people stood, who ministered and I selfishly strove to secure it when he would
by turns (for Harry was always with him) to the fain have been elsewhere. I needed, as you may
wants of the dying Balfour. The feelings with well imagine, authority to back me in such efwhich he was regarded by all three were in curi- forts, but, unhappily for him, I possessed its aid.
ous contrast with their former ones. What those He now resents, and very naturally, the restraint
of Harry were now toward him we can easily which my companionship once imposed upon him,
guess; her hate and fear had vanished to make and sets down to my account the estrangement
room for love-not the love of old times, indeed, which he so bitterly rues. An old man's friendbut a deeper and a purer passion; it could never ship is of no great worth at any time; but weighed
bear fruit, she knew-it was but a prolonged in the balance against a woman's love-"
farewell. To-morrow, or the next day, Death    "Sir!" interrupted  Agnes, with indiglawould interpose between them; but in the mean tion.
time they were together, and she clung to him.    " Pardon me," continued Richard, gently; "L 
Charley, on the other hand, with whom Bal- see you do not love him. I am deeply grieved,
four had once been such a favorite, felt, though for the sake of this poor lad, who is as devoted
attentive to his needs, by no means cordially to- to you as ever, to find it so, and to feel that it
ward him. Gratitude for the fancied service he was in part myv fault. I will ask him to forgive
had done to his late father compelled him to me if he can."
give Richard his company; but it was not ac-   "Nay, Mr. Balfour, I beseech you, don't do
corded willingly, as heretofore. He could not that," cried Agnes, with crimson cheeks.
but set down to the account of his companion-   "As you please," murmured he, gravely.
ship the present frigidity of Agnes, and at first "But, remember, a few days hence, or perhaps
he had even seen him a material obstacle to his a few hours, and I may be beyond his forgivehopes. This audacious man of the world, who ness. It will then rest with you, young lady,
had at one time so excited his admiration, had to clear my memory. You are not angry with
suddenly become in his eyes an impudent ronue, me-you can not be vexed with a dying man."
who even' on his sick-bed was only too likely to    "No, no."  She was sobbing violently; her
make their past adventures together the subject of heart was touched, not only by his own condihis talk. True, his mother had told him that Mr. tion, as she would have had him believe, but by
Balfour was now an altered man; but the young these confidences respecting Charley. There is
gentleman had entertained some reasonable doubts nothing more dear to a young girl than the testof this conversion. His manner to the sick man imony of another man to her lover's fealty; the
was so reserved and cool, indeed, that it seemed witness himself is even guerdoned with some
to all but Richard (who guessed the cause of it, payment of the rich store he bears; and from
and yet felt its effect more bitterly than all) un- that moment Balfour was not only forgiven by
kind. This behavior on the part of his former Agnes, but even beloved by her.




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   139
CHAPTER XLIX.                   my death, but you may read it now. Please to
do so aloud."
REST AT LAST.
THAT the termination of Richard's malady    "MY DE.R YOUNG LADY,-When I am gone,
would be fatal did not from the first admit of it is my earnest desire that your marriage with
doubt, but he lingered on beyond all expectation. Charles Coe shall take place as early as may be
The spring came on and found him yet alive at found convenient. He will make a good husGethin. He was never moved from the room  band to you, I think; I am sure you will make
to which he had been carried after his mischance him a good wife. He loves you for your own
-the same which had been his bedroom in the sake, which is the only love worth having. But,
old times, when he was full of strength and vigor as it happens, you are very rich. In the mine
-wherein he had so often lain awake, revolving which I have left you-in the northeastern corschemes to win his Harry, or slept and dreamed ner of the bottom level-there is a copper lode,
of her.  The comparison of his "now" and the existence of which is known to me, and to
", then" was melancholy enough, but it was not me only. I have every reason to believe that it
bitter. His pain was great, but not out of pro- will be found in the highest degree productive,
portioh to his comfort. He had still Harry's and for your dear sake I trust it may be so.
love, and he had even that of two other hearts True, you will have money enough and to spare
besides, which he had reconciled and drawn to- for your own needs, but wealth will not spoil
gether. In him Charles had had an unwearying you-in your hands it will be a great good. To
advocate with Agnes, and at last he had won the two injunctions which here follow I have no
his cause. She had been driven to take refuge means to give effect, and must trust solely to
in her last intrenchment —her poverty-and your loyal heart to carry them out. I do so
Richard had made that untenable.            with the most perfect confidence. (1.) I wish
"You will not be an heiress, perhaps, my that this bequest of mine, be the value of it ever
dear," he had said to  er, " though you deserve so great, be strictly settled, upon your marriage,
to be one; but neither will you be undowered. I on yourself and your children, so that it can not
have left you all I have. Nay, it is not much be alienated by any act of your husband; and
-a few score acres by the sea-but they will this I do not from any preference to yourself
soon be yours."                             over him, or from any prejudice against him,
She had accepted them unwillingly, and under God knows. (2.) In case the estate of Crompprotest; but a day came when it became neces- ton, of which Wheal Danes formed a fragment,
sary for her to remonstrate with the sick man should again be in the market, and the mine
once again concerning this matter, sorry as she turn out so valuable that its proceeds should enwas to thwart or vex him; she therefore re- able you to purchase such estate (without inconquested to have a few minutes' talk alone with venience or damage to your interests), I do enjoin
him.                                        that you do so purchase it, and make Crompton
" Dear Mr. Balfour," said she, gently, " I am  your future home. This is a'sick man's fancy,'
going to disobey you in once more reopening the some will tell you; and yet you will not neglect it."
matter of your kind bequest.  Something has
happened which has given the affair a wholly    "And you will not, Agnes dear?" whispered
different aspect. Among the visitors yesterday Richard, eagerly, when she had thus finished.
to that dreadful mine, to which people still flock, " This is the last favor I shall ever ask of you.
there was a Mr. Stratum-a young engineer, it Promise me! promise me!"
seems, of some reputation; and in his researches   " Oh, Sir, I promise you," cried Agnes, earnin Wheal Danes they say he has hit upon a great estly, and scared by his anxious feebleness;
treasure, or what may turn out to be such."  "your wishes shall be obeyed in all points."
" Ay," said Richard, with a smile; "what's   "Good girl, good girl," sighed he; and though
that?"                                     the effort pained him sharply, his face exhibited
"'A copper lode. It is curious that so many a great content.  "Send Charley to me," said
folks should have come and gone there and never he, presently, in a faint voice.
found it before; but there it is, for certain. Mr.   "But you are tired alreadj," remonstrated
Stratum has seen Charles, and tells him that he Agnes.  "You have talked enough for to-day;
can hardly trust himself to speak of its probable see him to-morrow."
value."                                       "To-morrow! " repeated Richard, with a
" Well, I congratulate you, my dear, on being smile that chilled her heart. " There will be no
an heiress."                                to-morrow, dear, for me. Reflect hereafter that
" Nay, my dear Mr. Balfour, but this must you made my last day a happy one. Kiss me,
not be. Overborne by your kind pressure I con- daughter."  This term, which was uttered very
sented to receive this bequest-a considerable fondly, did not surprise her, for she little guessed
one in itself, indeed-for what it was. I could its full significance. She bent down, and kissed
not now take advantage of your ignorance of its his forehead.  "Send me Charley."
real value; it distresses me deeply to give you   Those were the last words she ever heard him
trouble in your present sad condition, but you speak.
must see yourself that circumstances compel   Agnes had told the young. fellow how much
me."                                        feebler Mr. Balfour seemed that day, and warned
"Give me the will, my dear; it is in yonder him to make his interview as brief as possible;
drawer. Here is a letter folded in it in my but Charley was of a sanguine temperament,
handwriting.  What does the superscription and to his view the sick man looked better. The
say?"                                       recent excitement had heightened his color, and,
"To Agnes Aird."                          besides, he always strove to look his best and
"Just so. You were to have opened it after cheerfulest with Charley.




140                            BRED IN THE BONE.
Balfour told him all that he had already said    "Don't ring," Wispered he, faintly. " Sit
to Agnes respecting the provision he had made down by me, Harry; put your little hand in
for her; he thought it better to relieve her from  mine. I am quite happy.  Our boy has kissed
that task. But, to do Charley justice, he was me."
neither grasping nor jealous. Nothing seemed   "You did not tell him? He does not know?"
more natural to him, or even more reasonable, inquired Harry, anxiously.
than that Agnes should be made sole heiress.  "Nay, dear, nay; I am not quite so selfish as
"As for me, I should only make a mess of so that," answered he, gently.
much money," said he, laughing.  "She under-   There was a long pause.
stands how to manage"-meaning that she had a   " Do you think my mother knew about him?"
talent for administration of affairs-" five thou- asked Richard, presently.
sand times better than I do. Her father has   " Oh yes —though I strove to deceive hertaught her all sorts of good things, and that from the first moment she saw him, Richard, she
among them. You see the poor governor and I knew it well. We never spoke of it, but it was,-we never pulled together. Perhaps if I had a secret we had in common. She loved him as
had a father a little less unlike myself, I might though he had been your very self; I am sure
have been a better son, and a wiser one. It was of that."
unfortunate, as Mrs. Basil used to say. You re-   "And she knew nme too, Harry."
member her, of course?"                       "Impossible!  She could never have con"Yes, indeed."                           cealed that knowledge-with you before her; for
The sick man's tone was so full of interest you were her idol, Richard."
that Charley, with great cheerfulness, proceeded   "It was afterward," murmured the dying
to pursue this subject.                    man.  "When I had left the house Charley
" She was an excellent old soul; and, for her told her something I had related to him, which
age, how sprightly and appreciative! I remem- convinced her of my identity. I see it all now.
ber-the very last time she came down to din- She felt that I was bent on vengeance, and sent
ner-telling her that story of yours about the you after me to use that weapon of which she
stags in harness, and it so interested her that knew you were possessed. If we once came
she made me repeat it. It seemed to remind face to face, and you reproached me, my secret
her of something that she had heard before; and was certain to come out-just as it did, Harry
yet the incident was original, and happened with- -and then you had but to say,'Charley is your
mn your own experience, did it not?"       son.'"' It did, " said Balfour, hoarsely.        " But why did she not tell me who you were?"' I am tiring you, my dear Sir," said Charley,   "Because, if you were too late-if the misanxiously.  " What a fool I have been to chat- chief had been done on which she deemed me
ter on so, when Agnes particularly told me to be bent-if your-if Solomon had come to harm,
brief! I shall leave you now, Sir; I shall indeed. she would not have had you know that Richard
Is there any thing I can do for you before I Yorke-the father of your child-had blood
leave?"                                   upon his hands. Oh, mother, mother, your last
"Nothing, nothing. If Istrovetotake Agnes thought was to keep my memory free from
fiom you, lad, I did my best to make her yours stain!"
again. You don't dislike me now, dear boy, do  lIe spoke no more for full a minute; no sound
you?"                                     was heard except the distant murmur of the sea,
"Dislike you, Sir!" cried the young man. for the day was fine and windless. The April
"That would indeed be base ingratitude; you sun shone brightly in upon the pair, as if to bless
were always most kind to me, and you have their parting.
loaded my Agnes with benefits. I can not say,   "Where is Charley?" murmured he.
Sir, how unhappy it makes me to see you lying   "He is gone with Agnes for a walk; they
here in pain, and-"                        will not be long; they talked of going to the
"And dying, Charley.  Yes, you are sorry Watch Tower. You remember the old Watch
for me, good lad."                         Tower, Richard?"
"Indeed, indeed I am, Sir."                "Well, ah, well!" answered he, smiling. "It
"When your Agnes left me last she kissed is just twenty years ago.  How often have I
me on the forehead-here. I would not ask it thought of it!"
else-but-kiss me, Charley."                  For a moment-before they separated forever
The sick man's voice was very weak and faint, -these two seemed to themselves to relive the
but its tones were full of pathos. In some sur- youth to which another generation had succeeded.
prise, but without the least hesitation, the young   " Agnes is a far better girl than I was, Richman stooped down and kissed him.  " I shall ard; but she can not love our boy more than I
leave you now, dear Mr. Balfour, and only hope loved you."
my thoughtless chatter may not have done you   Richard answered with a smile that glorified
mischief. I will send my mother to you, who each ghastly feature, and brought out in them a
is so quiet, and so good a nurse, as an antidote. likeness to himself of old.
Good-by for the present, Sir."                "She will be his good angel, Harry," whis"Good-by, dear lad-good-by."             pered Richard, gravely, "and will guard him
Richard well knew it was good-by, not for the from himself. He will need her aid, but it will
present, but forever.                      be sufficient. I trust, I believe, that evil is not
When Mrs. Coe came into the sick man's Bred in the Bone with him, as it was with me."
room she perceived in him a change for the   There was a long, long silence, broken by a
worse, so marked that it alarmed her greatly, silvery laugh, which came through the halfand she was about to softly pull the bell, when opened window like a strain of cheerful music,
Richard stopped her with a look.           then was suddenly cut short.




BRED IN THE BONE.                                   141
"Hush, Charley; you foriget," said the soft of that'ere Coe-she as was young Yorke's ruin
voice of Agnes; " he may be sleeping."      -is living at Crompton (in the very house his
Through the calm spring air the reproof was father had) with all her brood."
borne into the sick man's room as clearly as the   Mr. Dodge is right in his facts, if not in his
sound which had called it forth.            deductions. Out of the proceeds of the mine
"He is so happy," whispered Harry, gently; the whole home-estate of Crompton has been
"you must forgive him; remember he does not purchased by Charles Coe, or rather by his wife;
know."                                      and they both dwell there quite unconscious that
" Yes, yes; it is better so. Dear Charley-  he is the lineal descendant of the mad Carew,
happy, happy Charley!"                      with whose wild exploits the country side still
And a smile once more came over the sick teems. If the old blood shows itself, it is but in
man's face, which did not pass away, for Death quick starts of temper, and occasional "cursory
had frozen it there.                        remarks," which sound quite harmless in halls
that have echoed to the Squire's thunderous
tones; and even at such times Agnes can calm
him with a word. If the open hand which is
L'EN VOI.                  Bred in the Bone with him scatters its largesse
YEARS have passed since Richard Yorke was somewhat broadcast, the revenues of Crompton,
laid in the church-yard on the hill at Gethin, thanks to her, are in the main directed to good
close beside his mother, whose bones Harry's pi- ends. In that stately mansion, whose hospitality
ous care had caused to be transported thither.  is as proverbial though less promiscuous than of
If aught of things that here befall     old, not only is there room for Mrs. Coe the eldTouch a spirit among things divine-   er to dwell with her young folks, without jar, but
If love has force to move us there at all,    in a certain ground-floor chamber, the same he
her ghost was glad. " In time," thought Harry, used to inhabit in old times, there dwells an an" I too shall lie by his side, at last, once more." cient divine, once Carew's chaplain. He is still
Old Trevethick's prophecy was accomplished hale and stout, and has a quiet air that becomes
in the almost fabulous success that attended the his age and calling. Life's fitful fever is past,
working of Wheal Danes. If its shares are not and he lives on in calm.  The children-for
quoted in the market, that is because the family there is small chance of Crompton being heirless
have retained it in their own hands, in spite of in time to come-are very fond of him; and
the most dazzling offers.                   grandmamma spends so much time in the old
Mr. Dodge has a codicil to his story at Tle gentleman's apartments, that Charley declares it
George and Vulture now, and expresses his in- is quite scandalous. What can Parson Whymfinite satisfaction at the fact that "that'ere per and she have to talk about in common? In
Coe" came to grief in the end, as he had so spite of the attractions of her beautiful home,
richly deserved to do. "I don't doubt," says and the infirmities of advancing years, not a
he, "that while he was underground with the summer passes without Mrs. Coe the elder rebats and rats he thought of that poor lad as he visiting Gethin.  The castled rock, up which
had treated so spiteful.  Things mostly does she used to run so lightly, is beyond her powwork round all right" (he would add) "under ers; she is content to gaze on that with dewy
Providence, whose motto (if I may say so with- eyes; but she never fails to seek the church-yard
out disrespect) is summat like mine:'Let us on the hill.
have no misunderstandings and no obligation."'   " He was what one would call a hardish hnusOn the other hand, what " sticks in Mr. Dodge's band to her, was old Solomon," say the neighthroat," as he expresses it, and is "a'most enough bors; "and yet you see, when a man is dead,
to make a man an infidel," is, that " the widow  how a wife will keep his memory green!"
THE NND.