M«M,im»«>IMlBX»ZT-».-^^-«»»^ CaptainHaverty's Woo in MMnmr-n - L I E) R.ARY OF THE U N IVER5 ITY or ILLINOIS &Z3 T743c CAPTAIN HAVERTY'S WOOING. Jl llobd. BV FRANK TROLLOPE, author of 'broken fetters,' 'the marked man,' 'an old man's secret,' 'a womain's error,' etc., etc. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : CHAELE3 J. SKEET, 10, KING WILLIAM STREET, CHARIXG CKOSS. 1880. [All Bights Beserved.'] -^ • I. 'S* THE MOST HONOURABLE ^ THE MARCHIONESS OF SALISBURY THESE VOLUMES ARE, ^ BY KIND PEHMISSION AND PROFOUND RESPECT, BY § HER LADYSHIP'S (JQ OBEDIENT, HUMBLE SERVANT, ^ FRANK TROLLOPE. >3 v>- Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/captainhavertysw01trol CAPTAIN HAYEETY'S WOOING. CHAPTEE I. The village of Bilford is, perhaps, one of the most picturesque spots in England, scarcely known to the outer world till within the last thirty years« It is sheltered by surround- ing hills, not alone from the piercing easterly winds, but from the prying eyes of tourists. Shut out as it seems to be from the busv world, it is barely three miles from a cathedral town of considerable size and population, a^id not more than a mile from a turnpike road. Bilford w^as as little known to the world as the world was known to it. Nevertheless^, it had its fashions and its societ}^ as well as Scarborou^rh, Brisfhton. and Tunbrido^e Wells. It had, too, its ov/n opinions upon the VOL. r. 1 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. political and other topics that reached it from without, to say nothing of those that arose within itself; the latter often carried to an extreme of punctilious stiffness and formality that would have greatly astonished the outer world. Seldom visited by strangers, and relying chiefly on its own resources for support, the village of Bilford was little beholden to the external world for anything it possessed or en- joyed. It boasted of having its own butcher, grocer, baker, shoemaker, blacksmith and tailor. It had, too, its own surgeon, par- son, and parish clerk, the latter being by trade a carpenter and undertaker as well as sexton. Existing in itself and, as w^e may say, for itself, Bilford had little occasion to mix much with the rest of the world, with which it was but slightly acquainted. Its 'society' con- sisted of the clergyman, the surgeon, and the few families who occupied some eight or ten moderate-sized houses. The villao-e had one lonsf strao^crlino^ street of thatched cottages. It had never been known to de- part from its customary habits, nor to take a single step either backward or forward, downward or upward. CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 3 With the exception of the * society ' ah'eady mentioned, the inhabitants of Bilford were entirely of the humbler order and rustic habits ; still they were cleanly, and, with one or two exceptions, well-behaved in their conduct to the eight or ten occupiers of the larger houses. The ' society ' of Bilford was very select, and though small in number, considered them- selves exceedingly ** genteel." It was, how- ever, divided into two distinct classes, the first of which, as a matter of course, con- sisted of the parson and his family, a retired judge and his family, two half pay military officers, a banker and his wife, and two or three outsiders, who resided a short distance from the village, and came within the sphere of its influence. Among these were two families of considerable local importance, of which they were perfectly aware, and took especial care that the fact should be well known to others. One of these was Henry Ingram, Esq., of the firm of Henry Ingram and John Day, baukers in Weston. We must not omit to mention the fact that Bil- ford had its own post-ofiice_, and an inn called the Ingram Arms. Mr. Henry Ingram lived at Ingram 1—2 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. Park — so named in honour of its owner. The house was large, and the park, shrub- beries, gardens, and ornamental pleasure- grounds extensive and beautiful, especially a fernery, which was not surpassed by anything of the kind in Encrland. Mr. Inorram's establishment consisted of a butler, footman, pagOj cook, kitchen-maid, and four female servants, four gardeners, coachman, groom, and stable-help ; three carriages and four horses. Mr. Ingram's partner — John Day, Esq. — and famil}^ resided in another fine place called Sunnydown House, and lived in equal style. Both these estates were about a mile and a quarter from Bilford, but in somewhat oppo- site directions, and the owners were both magistrates. In the outskirts of the village was also the residence of General Fielden, a gallant officer and county magistrate ; and at a short dis- tance beyond, an old companion-in-arms, a Colonel Haverty and his wife lived. General Fielden's wife had been dead some years, and his only son had fallen in India in the cause of his country. We must not forget to mention Bilford Hall, the residence of a small, but rather CAPTAIN HAVEKTYS WOOING. 5 T^'ealthy, landed proprietor named Wyndham, his wife and beautiful daughter, Blanche. The second class was headed by the sur- geon, who resided in a rather small house in the middle of the village, but not among the fashionable residences to w4iich we have alluded; a solicitor, whose position was not sufficiently elevated to entitle him to the entree of the upper class. One or two mer- chants and their families, with occasional visitors from Westdon, formed the chief body of the second class. Colonel Haverty could scarcely be said to belong to either class in particular. Although a strict observer of every rule relating to military etiquette, he had great contempt for the petty jealousies and distinctions of con- ventional society as generally exhibited — more especially in smaller communities — and w^a^ too free-hearted and outspoken, and too ex- pansive in his sympathies, either to study to conform to the one class to the exclusion of the other, or to content himself wdth the narrow sphere of its social intercourse, while a wider or more general circle was within his reach. The colonel and his family were almost the only ones in the village w^ho mingled freely with both classes in Bilford. At iirst CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOIXG. his conduct in this respect gave rise to con- siderable animadversion on the part of the first class ; but his good-humoured indepen- dence of character, coupled with his own high social standing, soon convinced the exclusives of the utter uselessness of attempting to con- fine him to their own clique ; while, at the same time, he was a man of far too much mark to be slighted or shunned by them. He and his family, therefore, formed a connecting link between these two otherwise Avidely separated, though nearly connected, classes. For its general knowledge of what was going on in the world Bilford was in- debted to one or two weekly newspaper^, published in Westdon ; one of which, the faithful organ and representative of the elite of that city, was written and supported by the cathedral ' dignitaries,' and consequently purchased by a few elderly ladies and the vicar, and nearly the whole of their * circle ' The other paper, less attached to the special interests and views of the same dignitaries, and occasionally treating the opinions of the august bishop himself wdth the most profane disrespect — as they called the criticisms of the paper in question upon the eccentric vagaries of that episcopal prince — and of CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. / more liberal sentiments. The other was, of course, hi<^h Tory in its politics, and conse- quently much more * respectable' in the eyes of the first-class than its contemporary, which was chiefly bought by the second section of Bilford 'society.' These, with an occasional stray London paper which came to the colonel, were almost the sole means of infor- mation that the villas^e of Bilford possessed of the busy world. It consequently happened that often the most important events were only beginning to be discussed there when almost forgotten at the scenes of their occur- rence, or had almost ceased to be of interest to the rest of the world. Thus, some time after the battle of Alma had been fought, they heard that the united armies of England and France had landed in the Crimea ; and it w^as not till the allies w^ere preparing to evacuate that scene of so much suffering, mismanagement, and ulti- mate triumph, that the intelligence reached Bilford that the great object of the campaign had been accomplished, and Sebastopol had fallen before the En owlish and French forces, after one of the fiercest and most sanofuinary struo'ofles in the records of war. But what, it may be asked, had the fall of 8 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING, Sebastopol to do with the quiet village of Bilford ? We shall see presently. Even this peaceful valley, which seemed so cut off from the rest of the world that if London itself had fallen it could hardly have felt it, was not unaffected by the terrible conflict in the distant Crimea. Colonel Haverty was, of course, the great oracle and source of infor- mation, as well as reference, on this subject, not only on account of his being a military man, but also that his son had been engaged in the war ; w;hich was a double reason in the eyes of his neisfhbours and friends for con- sulting his opinion and deferring to his ex- perience and information. At length, as we have said, the intelligence that the great stronghold of Russian aggres- sion had fallen reached even Bilford, and the colonel and his wife had the inexpressible satisfaction of learninf^ that their son, thousrh severely wounded in the last fearful struggle, in which he had most honourably distin- guished himself, and had received the warmest praise from the lips of his commanding officer, the gallant old Sir Colin Campbell, was still alive, and on his way home to recruit his health and strength after the privations he had so long endured, and the severe wounds he CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. had received when leading on his men against the deadly batteries of Sebastopol. This was agreeable news to one or two of the mothers in the neighbourhood, as well as to the colonel himself and his good wife, and not a few young ladies, who all looked for- w^ard to the return of the young Captain Haverty with no small degree of interest and anxiety ; not only on account of the fresh life he was expected to instil into the society of the place, but of the reasonable probability there was of his either falling in love Avith one or other of the young ladies themselves, or of being manoeuvred into matrimony by their mothers. For though it was well enough known that Colonel Haverty was not by any means a wealthy man, and that his son had little beyond his pay to live upon, yet there were some young ladies in and near the village of Bilford who would have no objection to share the fortunes of the gallant young officer, and whose parents would be equally willing to secure the same object. There was, however, one young lady who looked forward to the return of Captain Haverty with the most aftectionate interest ; this was the daughter and only child of Mr. Wyndham, of Bilford Hall, which place lay 1 CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. a little to the left, about half a mile from the village, at the end of the valley. Blanche Wynclham and William Haverty had known each other ever since they were children, and had grown up together into mutual affection. The parents on both sides being on intimate terms, almost daily visiting each other, their children had been contin- ually in each other's society, which had re- sulted in the reciprocal attachment of Blanche Wyndham and William Haverty. The former, from a bright-eyed, dark-haired, rosy-cheeked, high-spirited child, had grown into a tall, handsome, elegant, and beautiful girl, of the most gentle character and amiable disposi- tion, admired by all who saw her, and loved by all w^ho knew her; and the latter, from a quick, intelligent, impetuous boy, had be- come a fervent, fearless, handsome young man and gallant officer of the 78th High- landers, at the head of whom he had scaled the terrible Heights of Alma and driven the Russians from the entrenched camp at the top of the hill, chased ten times his own numbers before him at Inkermann, and faced the tremendous guns of Sebastopol, when the last grand attack was made upon it, and materially assisted in its capture. CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. U The attachment between WiUiam Haverty and Blanche Wyndham, the former now in his twenty-fifth year and the latter about three years young^er, w^as not unknown to the parents on either side, though their affection for each other had rather been exhibited by looks or tones of voice, or any other of the delicate media of intercommunication be- tween two young and faithful hearts, than by words or language, even to themselves. It was only at their last parting that either of them had betrayed any of the strong feelings of regard which had long lain almost dornjant in their breasts for each other, or uttered a word indicative of their affection ; and amid the many loving hearts that watched with agonising anxiety the fluctuating vicis- situdes of that dreadful campaign in the Crimea, there w^as not a truer, w^armer, or braver than that of Blanche Wyndham's ; and when the account of his gallant deeds and honourable advancement reached his anxious parents, not even they felt more proud satis- faction than she did, or more anxiety to welcome him home. Nor was she less anxious for his return on another ground. A few months ago she had been prevailed upon to attend one of the county balls w^hich 12 CAPTAIN HAVERTt's WOOING. were periodically held in Westdon, where she had met with a Mr. James Murray, who had been introduced to her by one of her female acquaintances, and who not only paid her much more attention during the rest of the evening than was agreeable to her, but had continued to do so ever since ; and she felt the more uneasy on the score that she began to see that her parents, to whom Mr. James Murray had been hitherto only partially known, not only seemed to suspect the motives of his frequent visits, but apparently approved them • and she hoped that the return of Captain Haverty would relieve her of that gentleman's attentions for the future. Mr. James Murray was about forty-one or forty-two years of age ; a big, heavy, coarse, proud man, a county magistrate, and of very old family ; supposed to be wealth}^, which latter was a great mistake, as every acre of land that had ever belonged to his ancestors was mortgaged to the very utmost of its value. And it was only because he had heard that Blanche W3aidham was likely to be well endowed that he had paid her any attention, and fancied he saw the prospect of recovering the title-deeds of at least a CAPTAIN HAVERTY'S WOOING, 13 portion of the Glemham Hall estates by means of her expected fortune ; otherwise, not even the beauty, merits, and accomphsh- ments of Blanche Wyndham would have attracted the lofty notice of Mr, James Murray. For though of an old and highly respectable family, the Wyndhams were perhaps as proud, in their own fashion, as he was, but were rather characterised by thrifty economy than a desire for local influence or distinction, which very probably was the principal reason of their encouraging than discountenancing the visits of a suitor to their daughter, who was thought to possess much property in the county. They w^ere well aware of the attachment between their daughter and William Haverty, but never for a moment doubted whatever feelinos Blanche might have had for her early play- fellow, that they would speedily vanish before the prospect of so much more advan- tageous a match as this would be, than with an officer who had little, if anything, but his pay to live upon. Now it so happened that, although neither Blanche Wyndham nor her parents knew^ of it, that this same James Murray and William Haverty were already upon any- 1 4 CAPTAIN HAVERTY*S WOOIXG. thing but friendly terms with each other. A short time before the breaking out of the Russian war had called the latter away to fight the battles of his country in the cause of freedom, Lieutenant Haverty, being home for a week on leave of absence, having met James Murray at an archery meeting in the neighbourhood, and carried off a prize which the other seemed to have made sure of winning, in the heat of his vexation and dis- appointment Mr. Murray had boastfully made use of some expressions of a personal and insulting kind, which the fiery descen- dant of the gallant Havertys took up in a manner which, but for the innate cowardice of his opponent, combined with the inter- ference of some of the friends of both parties, mio-ht have led to serious and disagreeable consequences. But Mr. Murray having, by the advice of his friends, consented to make an apology and retract the offensive expres- sions he had used, Lieutenant Haverty, partly out of contempt for his big, burly rival, and partly from an unwillingness to engage in any quarrel, had allowed the matter to drop, though he had ever after- ward no small dislike and aversion to Mr. Murray, which was fully reciprocated by the CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 15 other, with this difference, however, that few thino^s would have given greater satisfaction to the latter than an opportunity for revenge upon the lieutenant. Such was the state of affairs in the village of Bilford when intelligence reached it of the fall of Sebastopol and the expected return of Captain Haverty, for such was the rank he had attained by his gallantry at Alma and Iiikermann, and which he had held at the time he was severely wounded by the guns of the Mamelon. CHAPTER II. Ca!>tain Haverty, having partially recovered of his wounds before he reached England, after landing at Dover came on to London, to attend a lev&e of the Queen and receive from her hands the Victoria Cross, which he had so well earned by his bravery in the face of the enemy. His gallant heart swelled proudly as that honourable decoration was placed upon his bosom, amid the enthusiastic cheers of as- sembled thousands, for, thanks to the Times ^ his noble deeds and those of his brave com- panions-in-arms were well known to his admiring and grateful countrymen — and countrywomen too — for never had the noble and generous sympathies of the female cha- racter been exhibited in more beautiful colours than they were, not only in their CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 17 affectionate reception of the returning heroes, but throuQfhout the whole of the terrible sufferings and struggle of the war. It was not alone the cheers of the crowd that made his h»^art beat with joy and pride as the w^ell-merited decoration was placed on his breast; it was the thought that he could carry back to his beloved j^arents, and her w^ho in his triumph he felt was dearer to him than ever, this proof of his courage and token of his gentle and warm-hearted Queen's appreciation of his gallant services in her cause and that of his country. Impatient to see his beloved parents, and not less to receive the expected welcome of Blanche Wyndham, Captain Haverty hurried over some business he had to execute in London, and, accompanied by a faithful Irish servant, who had followed and shared with him all the dangers, privations, and vicissi- tudes of the Crimean campaign, hastened off towards Bilford as fast as an express train could carry them. Though considerably recovered from the effects of the sufferinofs he had underorone and the wounds he had received, Ca])tain Haverty was still far froai enjoying his usual health and strength, and by the time he VOL. I. 2 18 CAPTAi>i haverty's wooiNa. arrived at Westdon StatioHj a distance of nearly two hundred miles from London, he felt considerably fatigued with his journey, and tired with sitting so long, for, except for a few minutes at Swindon Station, he had not left his seat in the carriage during the whole of the journey. The distance between the Westdon Station and Bilford was about three miles, and feel- ing rather chilled and stiff from the want of exercise, Captain Haverty, instead of taking a cab, instructed the stationmaster, to whom he was known, to forward his luggage for him, and, followed by his servant, Patrick Brien by name, who carried a small carpet- bag in his hand, he took his way down the side of a river, by a sort of foot-path, toward the bridge, which stood upon the outskirts of the town, about half a mile farther down, where he crossed over. After walking for some time he left the main thoroughfare and proceeded by a foot- path well known to him, across the fields and over the hill towards the village of Bil- ford, which lay in the valley below. What might also have no slight share in inducing him to take this road was that it led within a tew yards past Bilford Hall, the residence CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 19 of Blanche Wyndham and her parents, near to which it again joined the main road. It was a cold, frosty afternoon near the end of December, and the train, which should have reached Westdon at half-past three o'clock, did not arrive till a quarter to four. It was consequently dusk before he left the station, and by the time he commenced his walk across the fields, after leaving the main road already mentioned, it was almost dark, though the moon was now visible, and shedding a faint light over the dim land- scape. But Captain Haverty's thoughts were too much occupied, and his heart too much ex- cited by the anticipated happiness of so soon meeting those dear to him, to care for this. From childhood the path had been familiar to him, and he had no fear of missing his way or meeting wdth any interruption, al- though the loneliness of the road and the rather doubtful character of one or two houses which stood within a short distance of it, near to where it branched off from the main thoroughfare, rendered it not over safe for travellers at night. But even Captain Haverty, had he thought of this — which he had not — would not have 2—2 20 CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. been deterred from takinor the road that soonest led him home, had he even been by himself, much less when he had his trusty follower, Patrick O'Brien, to assist him in case of any attack. No occurrence of this kind entered his thoughts as he strode along m the cold, clear evening, invigorated by the fresh air and exercise, and forgetful of his fatigue and recent weak health in the natural excitement of approaching his home. His servant, whom he had picked up at Alma, being a stranger to the neighbourhood, as well as without the same cause for agitation, was consequently more alive to surrounding objects, ' I beg your honor's pardon,' said O'Brien in a suppressed voice, stepping up to hismaster, who had been walking rapidly on a few^ paces before him at a rate which seemed to try the speed of his servant to keep up with him — ' I beg your honor's pardon,' said he, touch- ing his hat as he spoke with a military air, * but, captain, didn't you see a suspicious- looking spalpeen looking over that ould clay wall just now, as them villanous Eooshans did over the walls o' Sebastopoul w^hen they were pointing their rifles at your honor's own person wdien ye resaived that same CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 21 wound which has left its mark on yer own forehead there ? Bad hick to them !' ' No, O'Brien, I didn't see anyone,' repUed the captain, stopping short and smihng at the rather far-fetched comparison, as he thought. ' But you don't expect to meet any Russians here, do you, to shoot us, over these walls ? That's only the clay wall of a market-garden, and if you saw anyone, I dare say it was only a labourer looking at us in the hope that we were going to buy some holly with which to decorate our rooms at Christmas.' ' Och ! niver a bit of that, captain. He had the very looks of a villin that would make no bones of shooting a gintleman through a hedge or over a wall. By St. Patrick ! there he is agin,' said O'Brien in a whisper, pointing a little before them, w^here a slouched hat was just seen over the top of the wall. ' I don't like the looks of that spalpeen at all, at all. I^et me, your honor, just march forward and challenge him afore ye advance, in case he's an inimy on the look-out for yer honor, and I'll settle the matter with him without any risk to yer honor's dignity from such mane rascals as him.' 22 CAPTAIN HAVERTt's WOOING. ' Nonsense, Patrick ! there's no one can have any object in waylaying me. Besides, no one knew I was to come home to-day ; not even my father and mother are certain of it. But if that is a man he would be rather cautious about attacking us, seeing that the odds are aofainst him.' ' Och, but he may be only the scout or picket o' the main body o' the inimy/ replied Patrick. ' By my faith, I don't like the looks o' that slouching hat o' his at all.' ^ People don't shoot each other over walls or through hedges in this country, O'Brien, as they do in Ireland. Besides, as I have said, there is no one who can have any en- mity against me, or any knowledge of my return to-night.' ' Och, I'm not so sure about that enmity ye spake of. There may be more reason than yer honor thinks of why some people shouldn't have wished ye to come home agin, and may have got to know of yer ex- pected return in some w^ay or other. May- hap there may be some young lady who looks for yer return, and some young gintleman who would ha' been very glad to have niver seen ye back agin, on account of that same young lady, and wouldn't mind trying to CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 23 prevint it even now, either himself or paying somebody ilse to try his hand at doing so,' repHed O'Brien, with a knowing, half-grin- ning look at his master, who, half amused and half struck with the remarks of his servant, but quite sceptical of his belief that anyone could possibly be watching him, re- sumed his walk, while the latter mechani- cally fell a few steps behind and followed him. The foot-path had hitherto ran along and close to the side of some market-gardens and orchards, which were only separated from it by a sort of mud- wall, here and there over- grown with brambles, ivy, or some other tangled brushwood, on the one hand ; with a high-jagged hedge, bordering some meadows, on the other. The road was narrow, and owing to the wall on the one side and the hedge on the other, and numbers of large trees overhanging it, made it also very dark. However, as Captain Haverty had nothing to fear from anyone as far as he knew, and would not have turned back or paused if he had, he walked steadily but briskly forward, amused with the quaint notion of his servant, and perhaps more interested in his observa- 24 CAPTAIN haverty's wooiNa tions than even that quick-sighted, keen- witted Hibernian suspected, who from some casual remark of his master's, as well as his impatience to reach home, had come to the conclusion that there was someone else as well as his parents he was anxious to see, while his later remark had merely been the result of a sudden thought that occurred to him. That he was pretty near the truth with respect to the first, the reader needs not to be told ; but how far he was correct with respect to the latter, remains to be seen. The moment Captain Haverty approached the spot where he thought he had seen the hat that his servant pointed out to him, it gradually drew down and disappeared behind the wall, so, thinking both O'Brien and him- self had been mistaken, he walked on, and in a few seconds had quite forgotten the sub- ject. Patrick, however, who felt sure that he had not only seen a man looking over the wall, but that they were followed by some one, evidently with no good or friendly in- tention, failed not to keep a sharp look-out, both behind and before, in case of any sudden attack. Carefully marking the spot where he had CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 25 seen the head, he stopped for a moment when he reached it, and, crouching down close to the wall, listened attentively for any sound that might indicate the approach or proxi- mity of anyone on the other side. Nor had he paused many seconds when he heard a suppressed voice behind the wall, as of a man speaking to a dog to keep it quiet, and then hurry off, to get before the captain and himself again, which a sudden, sharp turn in the foot-path enabled him to do the more readily. Patrick O'Brien lost no time in overtaking his master, who was now forty or fifty yards ahead, and acquainting him with what he had heard. ' I dare say it's someone going up the hill to hunt for rabbits,' remarked the captain, as he listened to the statement of his servant without stopping. ' In a few minutes we shall be out of this dark lane, and then we shall be able to see if anyone ibllows us across the open ground.' ' An' if I catch anyone following us in that thievish, hang-dog manner it's just myself that'll sarve him, or a couple either, for that matter, as I sarved that same skulk- inof thief of a Rooshan behind the hillock 26 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. afore Sebastopoul, and pointing his rifle at yer honor, when I had the plaishir of giving him a knock on the head with the butt end o' his own gun, which I was jist in time to catch hould on, and lave him to be picked up by his comrades next morninsr wi' a biofo^er hole in his head than was convanient for any man to have who had respict for the sarvice.' * Well, Patrick, I confess that your eyes, as well as your hands, had the advantao^e of me on that occasion,' replied his master, good-humouredly ; * but I don't apprehend a similar adventure here.' In a few minutes they came to the turn in the road already alluded to, and Captain Haverty, who was again slightly in advance, all at once discovered two men, with a roug^h- haired dog at their heels, standing in the hedge^ almost hidden by the dark shadow of some overhanging trees above them, only a few paces before him, while, at the same instant, the sound of Patrick O'Brien's voice behind him caused him to pause. ' Och. thin, if ye're an honest man — w^iich, by my faith, I'm rather doubtful on — why don't ye come over that clay embankment of yours an' w^alk along by th' side o' me, if CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 27 ye're so anxious to get a look at me, instead of skulkin' behind there, an' looking at me like a thaif at a gintleman he wants to re- lieve of his purse.' ' What is it, Patrick V inquired the captain in a firm voice, as his servant approached, at the same time putting a loaded revolver into his hand, which he had, perhaps more from habit than from any anticipation of requiring it, brought with him, and taking another himself, while he silently pointed to the two men and the dog, who were dimly discernible before them. * Och, it's only a gintleman wants to ha' a look at me over the wall, becase he's too modest to come on to the foot-path and look me in the face,' rephed O'Brien in a tone of affected indifference, while, at the same time, he gave a quick glance at the revolver his master had put into his hand, to see, as far as the darkness would enable him to do, if it was all ready for action ; and then seemed as if he wished to take the advance from his master, that he might have the ' first brush with the inimy,' as he called it. 'No, stay behind, Patrick,' said the cap- tain in a whisper of authority. ' If there's danger I shall be the first to meet it ;' and 23 CAPTAIN HAVEETy's WOOING. then, in a commanding tone, said aloud : ' Whoever you are, in front there, or whatever may be your object, I request you to come forward or to pass on.' For a few moments there was no response or any movement made by the men, except one of them lifting his foot and giving the dog a kick, to check a low, angry growl which was beginning to issue from its ap- parently half-muzzled mouth as the captain spoke ; but probably not liking the sharp click indicative of the cock of a pistol which accompanied his words, after a moment's hesitation they came forward, and then, with- out speaking, walked on before him, at first slowly and doggedly, till, gradually quicken- ing their pace, they went off, running as fast as they could. '' Och, the cowardly spalpeens ! to run off without exchanging fire in that way ! Why, they were worse than the Rooshans. How- ever, I shall know that same dog if I meet it again, at all events,' said O'Brien, as he took up the carpet-bag, which he had for the moment put down in anticipation of having other use for his hands. ' I daresay those fellows are poachers, and were in hopes that we might pass by them/ CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOINCx. 29 returned the captain as he walked on, and in a few minutes besfan to ascend the hill, where the foot-path, gradually leaning to the left, went across the open ground, away from everything that could give shelter or conceal- ment to anyone who might meditate an attack on our two pedestrians. Without interruption they passed over the brow of the hill, and descended towards the vale on the ojoposite side. As they ap- proached Blanche Wyndham's house Captain Haverty's heart swelled and throbbed with mingled emotions of long- cherished love and a vague kind of uneasiness which he could neither account for nor dispel. He longed to rush in and receive from her his first wel- come home, and hear from her voice the first congratulation on his advancement and the honours he had achieved. The impulse was so strong that but for the presence of his servant he would scarcely have been able to resist the temptation. Then he thouofht, what was she doingr at that moment ? Was she thinkino^ of his ex- pected return, which he doubted not she knew of, and wishing to see him again after his long absence, dangers, and well-won honours ? Or had she forgotten all their 30 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. past affection for each other, or merely re- garded it now as the fooHsh dream of inex- perienced childhood, which the awakened knowledge of maturer judgment had no wish to see realised ? He could not believe this, although the thought not only occurred to him but brought a painful presentiment of coming unhappiness with it. Somehow the apparently casual remark of his servant about the possibility of a rival having risen up in his absence left a more uneasy im- pression on his mind than he had hitherto experienced in his thoughts of Blanche Wyndham. He had now reached a small gate where a narrow gravel-walk led from the foot-path through a small shrubbery and across the lawn up to the house. Everything was, as far as he was able to see, the same as when he left it, more than two years ago, and as it had been ever since he used to run about there, playing with her whose image seemed to be impressed on and to give life and interest to all around him ; and could it be that she had changed while they had remained the same ? or that another had, during his absence, taken his place in her heart, and among those silent objects so full of her CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 31 presence and his past happiness ? No, he would not beheve it; and yet he could not altogether dispel the uneasy doubts that had been excited in his mind. Again, to go in, receive her smile of wel- come, or to know the worst, came strongly upon him, and he had half mechanically laid his hand upon the gate as if to open it, for he had already paused beside it, when, probably wondering at what appeared the irritation of his master, Patrick O'Brien ap- proached and volunteered his services to assist in doing so. ' This is not the house we are going to. My father does not live here. It is only the house of some old friend, and I was half in- clined to go in and see how they all are in passing,' said the captain, recalled to himself, in a slightly embarrassed tone. ' Sure, now, an it's mysilf that would let tliim come an' welcome me first,' replied O'Brien in a tone of respectful remonstrance, which probably, being half a dozen years older than his master, to say nothing of his great attachment to him, gave him, in his own eyes, the privilege of employing. ' Sure, now, I'd let thim come first, yer honor, and welcome me ; an' if they don't do 32 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. that, then bad luck to thim ! they're not worth the honor o' yer honor's visit/ ' Hush, Patrick,' said the captain, check- ing the remarks of his servant ; * they are very dear old friendvS who live here, and must not be spoken of in such a way. But,' he continued, after a pause, ^3'OU are right, so far. It is only proper that I should see my father and mother before anyone else.' So saying, Captain Hav«^rty was about to resume his walk toward his father's house, when the footsteps of someone walking within the shrubbery caused him to stop. Thinking it might be Mr. Wyndham, he told O'Brien he might be walking slowly on, and he would overtake him in a few minutes, and remained by the gate, waiting the approach of the person whose steps he had heard coming towards him. He knew they were those of a man ; but the firm, somewhat heavy tread was hardly that of Mr. Wyndham. Still he thought he would stay and see, as, especially in case of its being anyone else, he could easily pass on without being seen. In a few moments a bend in the gravel- walk brought the person w^ho was approach- ing into sight. It was not Mr. Wyndham, CAPTAIN hayerty's avooing. 33 biii a much larger, stronger, and apparently younger man. Overcome by some myste- rious influence, Captain Haverty felt riveted to the spot, and had only power to draw him- self closer into the shade of a large evergreen that overhung the wall, and completely hid him from being seen from the inside of the gate, without interfering materially with his own means of observation, when, to his ab- tonishment, he discovered that the person before him was no other than Mr. James Murray. Captain Haverty felt as if he could have dropped upon the ground at this discovery, and in an instant the doubts and uneasiness which had lately been excited in his mind respecting Blanche Wyndham returned upon him Avith tenfold force; in fact, with the most convincing certainty. And of all men, too, he thought that James Murray, the pompous, vulgar, overbearing coward ! the only man he had ever known that he really despised and disliked, but whose existence he had almost forgotten — could it be pos- sible that he was the accepted suitor of Blanche Wyndham ? It was almost too much for him to believe. Yet what else could bring him there ? Mr. Wyndham and VOL. I. 3 34 CAPTAIN HAYERTt's WOOING. he had never been even upon visiting terms before ; nor was it Hkely that they would have been now, but for some reason of this kind. Unable to move, Captain Haverty stood hke one paralysed, while these thoughts, quick as a flash of lightning, in a moment rushed through his mind ; and, even had he had power to do so, he could not have moved away without being seen. He therefore re- maiued perfectly still, scarcely breathing, though his heart was swelling as if it would break, thinking that if the other came out at the gate he would pass him without notice. But it appeared it was not Mr. Murray's intention to pass through the gate, for after coming close to it, and pausing for a moment as if in deep thought, he uttered a fierce oath and returned toward the house. ' So,' he muttered between his teeth, suffi- ciently loud for Captain Haverty to hear — ' So that infernal Irish puppy is to be home again in a few days to interfere with my plans ; curse him ! And that's why she has ])ut me ofl" so long, to see if he still cares anything for her before she gives me an answer; but — ' here he paused, while another CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. 33 fierce oath broke from his compressed Hps — *but,' he repeated, turnirij^ and facing the gate again, ' I shall make her rue her trifling when she cannot help herself ! Only let the mumbling priest perform his absurd cere- mony, and let me once get hold of the money that her wretched old father has promised to give her, then she'll soon find out if I'm to be fooled by her silly face and bound to her apron-strings always !' He was so near to Captain Haverty that he could hear the heavy breathing of his repressed rage. James Murray stepped nearer the gate, and then, after a moment's halt, turned once more toward the house, w^hile he muttered to himself : ' But I will stand this no longer. I will insist upon her giving a positive answer when I come to-morrow, as her father has promised I shall have, or he will give it him- self, without consulting her feelings or fancies any longer. Her feelings ! as if I cared a straw what her feelings are !' Captain Haverty heard no more. The sound as of a horse being brought round from the stables at the back of the house toward the front door roused him from the sort of stunning stupor w^hich had, for a 3—2 36 CAPTAIN HAVERTT S WOOING. moment, fallen upon his heart and nerve>s ; and, almost maddened by what he had heard^ he turned hastily away from the gate in the direction of his father's house, a little further up the valley. CHAPTER III. Captain Ha vert y walked rapidly on, and soon overtook Patrick O'Brien, who had just paused at the end of the foot-path where it joined the main road, and, without speaking, strode past towards the village, while Patrick, wondering very much at the sudden change in the manner of his master, silently followed with his carpet-bag. At this moment the tramp of a horse's feet was heard rapidly approaching on the road behind them ; and O'Brien, who was a few yards in the rear of his master, drew himself close in to the hedge to prevent being ridden over in the dark, and, seeing the ab- sorbing excitement with which his master had passed him, called to him at the same time, just at the instant that the horseman was riding quickly by. 38 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' Hollo !' exclaimed the equestrian, sud- denly reining up his grey horse, evidently a good deal startled and alarmed at seeing one man so close to him, hiding, as he thought, against the hedge, and perceiviug another only a few paces before him. * Hollo 1 who are you ? What is it ?' he inquired, in a tone much more indicative of discretion than valour. ' Och, yer honor, I w^as only calling to my masther, who is a little in front there, to make room for yer worship to pass, in case ^16 had not heard ymj replied Patrick civilly. Now, whether it was the conciliatory tone of Patrick O'Brien that inspired Mr. James Murray with an unusual degree of courage, and that he did not fear any retaliation from him, or that his present state of mind had the effect, we cannot say, but instead of pro- ceeding on his way, as one might have ex- 13ected, he reined his horse close in to the side of the road, and made a dash at the head of poor O'Brien with his heavy riding- whip, which the latter, fortunately for him- self, avoided. * I'll teach you to set up your Irish howd- ing to frighten my horse when I'm riding CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 39 past/ said Mr. IVrurray, with a coarse oath, as he inade a second lash with his whip, which O'Brien also avoided. * I didn't mane to frisfhten either ver honor or yer horse,' replied Patrick ; ' but I tell ye what, if it's fightin' ye want, I'm just the lad that knows a little of that same ; so be aisy now, and don't be afther strikin' at me w^itli that whip o' yours, or I may take the trouble o' pullin' ye off yer horse an' lavin' the mark o' my knuckles on that ill-favoured face o' yours to carry home wid ye.' ' What, you Irish scoundrel ! Will you dare to threaten me — a gentleman and a magistrate ! You idle vagabond ! I shall have you sent to the treadmill T cried Mr. James Murray in a fierce, bullying tone. ' I beg yer honor's pardon,' returned Patrick in a half-submissive, half-tauntiuij: tone; 'I would rather be excused o' that same; an' if yer honor's a magistrate, as ye say, ye ought to know the law better thin to threaten to send a man to the thridmill for defendin' himself from the inimy when he's attacked.' ^ Curse your Irish brogue !' cried Mr. Murray, making another swinge with his whip, this time striking O'Brien a sharp 40 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. blow across the face and shoulders, at the same moment spurring his horse to get out of his reach before he could carry his hint about pulling him from his horse into execu- tion. Patrick, however, w^as too quick for him, and seizing the rein with one hand, with the other he snatched the whip from its owner and laid it about his shoulders and back with an energy and force which made the big^ insolent coward shriek with pain, rage, and terror. ' There I that's the way we administer the law in the good ould counthry when people aren't civil and don t behave dacent,' said the Irishman, pausing, with a sarcastic sneer. * Hollo, Patrick! what's the matter V asked his master, hastening back ; the noise of the fray and the cries of Mr. James Murray having suddenly attracted his attention from his own absorbing thoughts. 'Plaise, yer honor,' replied O'Brien, 'it's only this gintleman and T settlin' a disputed point o' law between us, that's all. He says he's a magistrate, and doesn't know that it's agin the law to attack a paiceable man on the Queen's highway road ; an' I've jist taken the liberty o' provin' he's wrong, yer honor, that's all.' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 41 Without stopping to inquire further into the matter, Captain Haverty felt convinced in his own mind that his servant was not the aggressor ; but he was unwilling to create any disturbance on his return home, though few things at that moment would have given him greater satisfaction than to have taken the whip out of O'Brien's hand and applied it to Mr. Murray's back. He however desired his servant to give up the whip to its owner, and let him go, trying, at the same time, to avoid being recognised by that gentleman, who in a domineering tone demanded his name and address, saying that he would hold the master responsible for the attack made upon him by his servant. * If you had not first attacked my servant he would not have attacked you,' replied CajDtain Haverty, with difficulty repressing his wrath. ' My name and address are always at the command of everyone wdio has any right to demand them, but as I neither re- cognise your right nor believe my servant lias done anything more than I should have done myself had I been in his place, I beg at once to say you shall not have them.' ' You w^on't ? then I shall follow you til] I see w4iere you go, and then fetch a policeman 42 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's ^YOOING. and give you both into custody. I'll let you know what it is to commit an assault on a gentleman bearing her Majesty's commission of the peace on the public thoroughfare,' re- turned the magistrate. Captain Haverty required all his self- command to restrain his indio-nation, which contempt for the person before him, and his desire to remain unrecoo^nised, alone enabled him to do. ' Now, sir, if you take my advice, you'll be gone,' said he in a cool, firm voice, which the otber did not relish over much, for, find- ing his horse free, he gave it a sharp spur with his heels, and in another moment was out of their reach, swearing with many a fierce oath, as soon as he was at a safe dis- tance, that he would send the police to dis- cover them the next day, and have them both taken up for assault and highway- robbery on the person of one of her Majesty's magistrates. Now this incident, thou2:h far from beingr agreeable in itself, gave a turn to the thoughts of Captain Haverty, which was rather a relief than otherwise, diverting, for the time at least, his mind from the more painful subject which had occupied it, and CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 43 even, in some degree, lessened the despon- dency that had a few minutes before fallen upon him. Resumino^ his walk, he muttered to him- self, with a feeling of inward satisfaction and contempt : ' And this is the wretched cur that would marr}^ Blanche Wyndham, and of w^hom, it seems, her parents approve 1 By heaven, if I thought she gave any encouragement to such a hound, she should have him for me ! But I cannot believe it ; Blanche Wyndham never could have become so untrue to her own nature as this. No, no ; the delay he complains of is a proof of her unwillingness and aversion to him. She is still true to me. If she has not forgotten the happiness of our past days, and still loves me, not all the villainy of that man, nor all the injustice of her parents, shall force her into a marriage contrary to her own wishes and affections I To-morrow I shall know more of this ; now let me hide these thoughts within my own breast, and meet my father and mother witli an unclouded face.' Thus mused William Haverty as he ap- proached the door of his parents' house on his return home from the Crimea-. And oh, 44 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOIJ^G. how many young, brave, and honeful as him- self had left their homes with him, and never more returned to gladden the hearts of their beloved and loving ones ! whose bones are how bleaching in the sun or crumbling be- neath the ruined walls and covered trenches of that terrible fortress, which cost Ens^land so much suffering, treasure, and blood, and filled the homes of thousands of British fami- lies with lamentation and grief ! CHAPTER IV. Both Colonel Haverty and his wife had been anxiously and daily looking for the return of their son ; and had almost given up the hope of seeing him for that day. They were there- fore agreeably surprised when they heard a knock at the door — for it was always locked after dark— which they instinctively and in a moment knew was his, and, before the servant had time to reach the hall, the colonel had snatched up a candle, sprung to his feet with an exclamation of joy, and, closely followed by his wife, had unlocked the door, admitted his son, and embraced him in the transport of his happiness, shout- ing with all the fervour of glad surprise : ' God Almighty be praised for bringing you safe back to your poor old parents, my son r and the next moment handed him over 46 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. to his agitated, trembling mother, whose gentle heart was too full of happiness to give utterance to more than a few broken words of joyful surprise, as she threw herself into the open arms of her beloved son, and, sup- ported on his manly breast, gave expression to her feelings in tears. As soon as the first welcoming embrace was over, the colonel and his wife, one on each side of him, led their son into the room where they had been sitting, and where a large family Bible and a prayer-book were lying on the table, indicative of the sacred occupation in which they had been employed when he came to the door ; leaving the ser- vant, who had now made her appearance, to close the door and show Patrick O'Brien, who had remained outside in the porch, into the kitchen, where he soon made himself quite at home, and became a great favourite with the cook and housemaid. While the captain, in the joy of meeting his beloved parents, in an instant forgot all the painful thoughts and emotions which had so recently agitated his bosom with respect to Blanche Wyndham. After all the dangers, privations, and sufferings he had undergone, who can tell CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 47 the joy of William Haverty's fondly affec- tionate parents as they saw their beloved sun once more safe under their own roof? There is something so sacred and so mysterious in the love of parents for their children that it makes one almost afraid to venture upon any description of it. Next to that still more powerful and still more sacred and myste- rious love which God has for His children, the love of a parent is, perhaps, the most wonderful thing in existence. What anxious, prayerful nights and days Colonel Haverty and his affectionate wife had spent on account of that son who now stood before them, or rather between them, with one arm support- ing his dear old mother and the other in the grasp of the only hand of his white-haired, proudly-excited father ; the whole forming one of the most beautifully touching scenes that could well be imagined. Conscious of our inability to do justice to it, we will not attempt to fill up the picture, but leave the reader to do so for himself. Mrs. Haverty was a quiet, homely, woman- hearted old lady, wdiose whole soul was de- voted to her husband, her cliildren, and hur God ; for both she and her husband had the strongest religious feelings and conviction s. 4B CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. which they had carefully endeavoured to instil into the hearts of their children. Nor had their eftbrts been in vain, for not only their now married daughters, but their son iikewise, had ever evinced the most sincere interest in and attachment to their religious duties. Colonei Haverty, though nearly seventy years of age, was still full of the vivacity, good-humour, and gallantry which form such prominent features in the characteristics of his countrymen ; and which were all the more developed in him by the noble profes- sion of vrhich he was a member, and the stirring incidents of his early life. His natural good temper, inherent flow of higli spirits, and generosity of disposition were inexhaustible, though the whole were refined and controlled by an innate delicacy of feeling and gentlemanly deportment, and marked and elevated by an earnest spirit of religious fervour, true piety, and Christian charity, w^hich gave a still higher tone to his cha- racter. Captain Haverty, though still a little pale and thinner than usual, from his late priva- tions and wounds, was yet in sufl^icient health and • strength to relieve any anxiety his CAPTAIN HAVERTy's "WOOING. 49 parents might still have on his account. A couple or three inches taller than his father, he stood between him and his mother one of the most perfect specimens of manly vigour and filial tenderness that an admiring parent ever looked upon ; while the open, generous expression of his countenance was rendered all the more interesting by a slight scar, the remains of a sword-cut, upon his forehead, over his left eyebrow ; and his military air and bearing were all the more distinctly marked by the dark moustache upon his upper lip, and the bright shining medal of the Victoria Cross, and a couple or three clasps suspended on the front of his full, well-formed chest. Well might his parents have been proud and happy in such a son ; and well might a son have been proud and happy in such parents. The moment the first embrace was over, the mother's few next thoughts were to pro- vide some refreshment for her son. ' Now, William, my dear, what will you have to eat V she inquired aflfectionately. ' You must be both cold and hungry.' ' If you have a mutton-chop in the house, I should like that and a cup of tea as well as VOL. I. 4 50 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. anything, I think/ rephed the son. ' My walk from the station has warmed me pretty well, and I am just hungry enough to enjoy a nice chop and a cup of tea/ ^ Then you shall have them immediately,' rejoined Mrs. Haverty, ringing the bell and ordering the servant, who at the same mo- ment entered the room, to desire the cook to prepare a chop and tea as quickly as possible. ' But you haven't walked all the way from the station, have you?' inquired the colonel, while his wife was giving the above instruc- tions to the servant. * Yes, father ; I didn't find it too much. I was so very cold when we arrived at the station, and stiff* sitting so long in the railway- carriage, that I thought the walk would do me more sfood than ridinof in one of those rickety old flys ; so I left my traps, desiring the stationmaster to send them after me, and came on, bringing merely a carpet-bag with me, which my servant, Patrick O'Brien, carried in his hand.' •You don't mean to tell me that your servant is a countryman of mine !' cried the colonel gaily. * Yes ; I picked him up at Alma, where CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 51 he was w^anclering about without a master, his last havinuf been killed at that place, and has been with me ever since, and a more faithful or better servant I don't think any man ever had.' ' Send him out a glass of whisky, my dear, to drink while something else is beinof ^>"ot ready for him,' said the colonel, addressing his wife, who took out a bottle from the cel- laret of the sideboard, filled a wine-glass with whisky, and sent it out by the servant. * It was he, I suppose, w4io attended so w^ell to you after you received your wounds,' remarked Mrs. Haverty kindly. ' Yes ; and a better or more careful and attentive nurse never entered a sick-room. And I certainly think I should have lost my life on another occasion but for his coura^re and presence of mind in striking dowm a skulkinof villain of a Russian, who was takinsr aim at me with his rifle from behind a mound, which hid him from my observation.' * God bless him !' exclaimed t!ie colonel warmly. * He shall have another glass of whisky for that.' ' Well, one, I think, will be enough for him just at present, father,' replied the captain, who with the English blood of hi^ mother 52 CAPTAIN haverty's wooing. perhaps inherited a httle of its proverbial caution. ^ I don't know that he would take more than what is necessary if it were even Oifered to him. I have always found him remarkably steady, and never once saw him in the sligfhtest deo^ree intoxicated : nor ever found him help himself to either wine or jspirits when he often enough might have done so ; but at least till he has had some- thing to eat, I think it better not to give him more than one glass, for I have not forgotten either the strength of your whisky or the isize of mother's wine-oflasses.' ' So that's the new bado['e of honour — the Victoria Cross,' said the colonel, taking hold of the massive gold medal suspended from the breast of his son. and examinino- it as he spoke wath the proud eye of a father and the interest of a gallant old soldier. It is a handsome-looking thing, and the first I have seen. I heard they were to be distributed about the time you expected to reach London, and was in hopes you would get yours, as you had told us you expected to receive one w^hile you w^ere there.' ' Yes ; I was the first who had the honour of receiving one,' replied Captain Haverty, ' and I confess, proud though T felt at having CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 53 such a distinction conferred upon me by the hands of our noble-hearted queen, not the least part of my haj^piness was in the thought of the pleasure I should have in showing it to you and my mother.' ' Isn't it a handsome thing, my dear V said the colonel, handing the decoration to his wife with a look of the most tender affection at his aged partner, mingled with pride and love for his son. ' Yes, it is indeed,' replied Mrs. Haverty, w^ith a look of much interest at the medal ; adding, with the true instincts of a mother : ' But it was very near too dearly bought.' * Well, I certainly have not received it wdthout having encountered some danger, though, if my duty had not led me to do so, the mere wish to gain the medal, however honourable its possession might be, would never have done it,' said the son, with an affectionate glance at his mother. ' God grant that you may long be preserved to wear it, and that you may never again have to encounter similar dangers, my sun,' said the mother tenderly, as she refastened the medal on the breast of his coat. 'At any rate, I hope we shall be better prepared for them if ever we are again, and 54 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. have better men at the head of both our government and army than we have had in this war,' returned the colonel. 'But here comes your tea and chop ; take them while they are hot. We can talk after- wards.' * Oh, I can eat and talk at the same time,' said the captain, ' and shall enjoy them all the more that you and mother are going to sit with me,' he added, as he turned to the table and saw that the cups and saucers were placed for them also. * Well, we all dined early to-day ; I thought we might just as well have our tea at the same tune, and I knew you would hke yours all the better if we had,' replied Mrs. Haverty. ' Ay, that I shall,' said the son warmly. ' So you have heard of our frightful suffer- ings and the terrible mismanagement of our aftairs in the Crimea V he remarked as they sat down to the table. * Yes, that we did,' replied the colonel fer- vidly ; ' and often has my heart bled to read and hear the appalling accounts that came of the awful privations and sufferings endured by our brave soldiers, nearly the whole of which miffht have been avoided with better CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. 55 ministers at home and abler generals at the head of our army.' ' Well, certainly tlie mismanagement at home was the most flagrantly culpable that ever disgraced a ministry, and nearly ruined as fine an army of British soldiers as ever walked the earth ; and for a long time it almost looked as if we had been merely sent out to perish by want and neglect, without any of the necessary provisions being made by the government for our maintenance, to say nothing of our comforts. But better leaders than some, at least of those we had, no army could have desired,' said the captain ardently. ' Well, I always thought that a great many of the censures that were made respecting poor Lord Raglan's want of competency were unjust. Perhaps his age might have been against him ; but I knew him in the Penin- sula and was with him at the storming of Badajos and the battles of Vittoria and Salamanca, and I could never believe that the lion-hearted yet judicious leader of those days could have degenerated into the imbe- cile bungler that he was represented to be in the Crimea.' ^ Nor were you mistaken. Had Lord 56 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. Raglan not been hampered and held back by the want of support and unanimity of action on the part of our government and the leaders of our allies, the campaign would have been very different. Had St. Arnaud, gal- lant and noble soldier thouo^h he was, acted as Lord Raglan wished, and as Sir Colin Campbell, your own old brother-in-arms and my own gallant commander, urged, we should have entered Sebastopol immediately after the battle of the Alma. But Lord Raglan, as I have said, and we all knew it, was so hampered and held back by the w^ant of proper support and unanimity of action — the latter of which is always consequent upon a divided command — that he could neither act upon his own plans nor those of his generals under him. The noble-hearted, gallant old man certainly died as much from grief at seeing so devoted and brave an army sacri- ficed and rendered powerless by the imbe- cility or obstinate stupidity of the home government, and the difference of (»pinion — not from any want of courage on the part of either their generals or men, but simply from the divergence of opinions and plans on the part of the French — as from any other cause. A braver, more devoted soldier than Luid CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 57 Baglan never lived ; and many a general with not half his abilities, but with more judicious assistance from his country, has been looked upon as a great commander by his men and a great conqueror by the world.' ' I am glad to hear you say that of my old leader,' said the colonel, * for I have always regarded him as a most able and gallant soldier, as well as one of the most kind- hearted and generous of men I ever knew. And what a pity Sir Colin Campbell or some other really tried, experienced man w^as not appointed to the command at his death. For it was very much doubted by military men of tried ability, and many officers who had had great experience under the Duke of Wellington, whether Lord Raglan's suc- cessors had been accustomed to command any large number of men, such as were engaged in the Crimea, as well as being competent for leading a British army, and carrying on the siege of such a fortress as Sebastopol, and against men of such expe- rience as GortschakofF and others of eminence in the Russian ranks. * It was certainly either a great mistake or a most disgraceful piece of favouritism on OO CAPTAIN HAYERTY S WOOING. the part of our government to have placed such men over such an army, in which so many really competent men were to be found,' replied Captain Haverty ; * and great was the surprise and disappointment in the army, on the death of Lord Raglan, when it was found that such men as Sir Colin Camp- bell and De Lacy Evans had been over- looked, and others placed in command who w^ere comparatively untried and less qualified for such important duties. But, thank God, it is all over now ; only T hope the next time we go to war we shall have better and true men in the government, and then we shall have abler generals to command.' * I trust we shall never have any more war to require them,' said Mrs. Haverty earnestly. *Well, I hope so too, mother,' returned her son ; * only I am afraid it is a hope not likely to be realised on this side of the mil- lennium, at least, for while there are in all communities bad and lawless men who can only be kept in check by policemen and prisons, there will, I fear, be always de- spotic and ambitious rulers who, not content with tyrannising over their own subjects. CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 59 will try to encroach on the rights and liber- ties of other nations.' * It is an awful thin^,' said the colonel, ^viih something like a shudder, ' to see two great armies of brave, gallant, and mortal men standing up, full of life, energy, and power, ready to rush forward at the bidding of a fellow-man, whose only quality is too often the gratification of his own petty vanity or sinful ambition ; and still more awful — horribly awful — is it to see them, amid the deafening roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry, slashing and hacking at each other like fiends, with the shattered limbs, mangled and distorted bodies of their companions and friends — late so buoyant with health, hope, and strength — lying scattered around them, and their warm blood soaking into the earth, or standing in red, reeking pools beneath the trampling feet of the contending armies ! Oh ! when I have seen this, and thought of it afterwards — for it is only afterwards, w^hen the maddening thrill of the struggle is over, that one really and fully feels this — during the time the conflict is going on, the mind is too much occupied and excited to think of anything but how to defeat the enemy and achieve the victory ; but after all this is over 60 CAPTAIN haverty's wooiNa and one stands calmly and silently amonor the heaps of his dead mangled and wounded comrades, it gives a chill to the heart and shows us what an awful responsibility a nation incurs that provokes a war, and what a fearful thing a battle is ! Perhaps 1 think of it more now than I did when I w^as younger, but I cannot look back upon many of the scenes I have witnessed without a deep feeling of the most intense horror, and, but for the inward knowledge and conviction that the cause in which I and our armies were engaged was the cause of freedom, justice, and humanity, as well as that of our own country, I should feel that I had been engaged in one of the most appalling human butcheries that ever took place on the face of the earth. But thanks be to God for not only giving us the victory over our enemies, but for giving us a good cause to fight for !' There was a fervid earnestness in the colonel's tone and manner as he said this. ^ But the crime of war — when it is a crime — rests rather with the orio^inators than the instruments, don't you think V said the son, after a moment's silence. ^ Yes, a soldier's first duty is to obey his king — or queen, as in our case, bless her noble CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 61 heart 1 and his next to do it conscientiously and with as Httle personal injury to even his enemies as he consistently can with its due execution and efficient performance/ replied the colonel. * Well, the instigator of the Russian war has been called to his account sooner than he calculated upon, at all events/ rejoined the son. ' Ay, and a fearful account he will have had to answer ! A more gratuitous, un- necessary and wicked war was never pro- voked by any man than the late Crimean war. And yet, cunning, mendacious, fierce aggressor though he was, I cannot but wish that he had had more time to atone for his crimes and prepare for the judgment he has been called to. May the Lord have mercy on his soul, as well as on the souls of the thousands he has been the cruel cause of sending into eternity ! And yet, if he had not died, perhaps the war would not have been over now, as, thanks be to God, it is.' ' I doubt if it would,' said the son ; * and apart from the bloodshed and suffering con- sequent on war — which of course ought always to be the first consideration — but except for this I could have wished that, as we w^ere at 62 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. it, it had lasted a little longer. I mean for the credit of our country and the honour of armies.' ^ Then you think you would have stood another campaign better, do you V ' Better ! Yes, fifty times. We were just beginning to get into something like order, when the sudden peace came and prevented us from employing the immense power and resources we had at length collected, as well as hindered our army from showing wdiat it could do. The disorganisation and distress which for a long time had prevailed, owing to the utter mismanaofement and want of foresight on the part of the government, had been pretty well overcome, and we had at last as fine an army as ever entered a battle- field, and, however incompetent the com- mander-in-chief, one or two as fine fellows under him as ever led an army or a division of one ; and, depend upon it, we should very soon have shown the world that the British army was still worthy of its ancient fame, and could still conquer any enemy that dared to encounter it. I believe there was not a man in the Crimea — from even Codrington himself (who, as you are aware, w^as our last commander), down to the youngest drummer- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 63 boy — who did not long for another cani- paion against the Russians, and regret the peace which restrained them in the very moment of their fitness and confidence of future triumphs. The only thing was that the French w^ere almost exhausted, and, with- out great exertions on the part of their emperor, they could hardly have contiaued the war. But we were just getting into a proper state to let both our allies and our enemies see, and feel too, what we really could do ; so w^e must be content with the small share of the glory that has fallen to us, and the confidence of what we could have done had we had further opportunity, and thank God that it is all oyer.' ' I wonder what the old duke would have said had he been alive V said the colonel, half musingly. * Ay, if w^e had had such a man to com- mand us, you would have seen what w^e could do,' said the captain ardently. * For though we had two or three of his pupils, even those who had any ability or experience were so hampered and held back by the want of support from home, or the difference of opinion on the part of our allies, that they could not do what they would have done. G4 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. Whereas he would not only have had far i^reater ability and experience, but would have compelled the government at home to act with greater discretion and justice, as well as had more influence over the plans and arrangements of the French generals.' ' Ay, if Lord Eaglan had only had the talents of his old master, how different it would have been v/ith you T * Yes, or had he even been allowed to exercise the talents he possessed, it would have been very different, for though of course neither he nor any other man in the army is to be compared to the Duke of Wellington, yet the pupil was not unworthy of his teacher ; and a more generous, warm-hearted, kind, and considerate man for others, never lived than Lord Raglan. The army would have done anything for him, and looked upon him almost as a friend and father as much as a leader,' said the captain with enthusiastic respect. * Ay, he was a glorious fellow !' said the colonel warmly. ' And how it must have torn his noble heart to find his energies wasted, and his gallant army suffering as it did from the grievous mismanagement, if not disloyal supineness, of those who ought CAPTAIN HAVERTY*S WOOING. 65 to have supported him with all the resources of the country from the very first ; and then the folly of appointing his successor.' ^ Yes, that was generally admitted to be a most unfortunate piece of business. But were not one or both of them Wellington's pupils V ' Yes, I believe so ; but you know there's many a great master who has had pupils whose heads were as thick, and whose under- standing was so weak, that it w^as utterly im- possible to either hammer anything into the one or to bring anything out of the other ; and I beheve, had the duke been asked his opinion, that is just what he would have said. There is not the sliu^htest doubt that it was a great error in judgment, if not something worse, in not appointing that gallant old officer Sir Colin Campbell, to succeed Lord Raglan. It was a grievous mistake, if not great injustice, committed by the Horse Guards. Oh, it was a most unpardonable piece of injustice ! May God forgive them, whoever they were, that so wickedly im- perilled the safety and honour of our country, our army, and queen ; but I cannot !' said the colonel, almost fiercely. * Now, my dear, you must not get excited ; VOL. I. 5 ^G CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. you know you can't stand it,' said Mrs. Haverty in a quiet, soothing voice to her husband, * Oh, my dear,* returned the colonel, with an affectionate smile, * you know^ I am an Irishman as well as an old soldier I Tiie former perhaps makes me a trifle more violent than I should be at times, and renders it hard for me to look at what is wrong with composure ; and the latter makes me too keenly alive to the honour of our army as well as the security of our country, to see it im- perilled without indignation and grief ' And how are all our old friends in the neighbourhood V inquired Captain Haverty, after a short pause, during which the servant cleared the table of the tea-things. * Oh, very well, I believe,' said Mrs. Haverty quietly. * And the Wyndhams V continued the son. ' I believe they are all well,' said the mother, glancing uneasily at her husband ; * but we don't see them quite so much as we used to do before you left Bilford.' ^ Indeed I' returned the son, trying to con- ceal his own uneasiness : ^ there hasn't been any disagreement between you and them, I hope V CAPTAIN HAVERTy'3 WOOING. 67 ' Oh no, not exactly — only, you know, we are getting old, and don't care about going out much now : and then, we were so anxious about you, while you were at the Crimea, that we cared still less for going out, or see- ing anybody,' replied Mrs. Haverty, who evidently had something on her mind that she shrank from communicating to her son. ^ But I should have thought, as they used to be such intimate friends, you would rather have liked to have had them to chat to and to cheer you in your anxiety,' remarked the son, afraid to look his mother in the face. * Ah, my dear son, there is only one Friend to support and cheer us when we really want comfort, and He is always the same.' There was a short pause, during which each of the three seemed to shrink from meeting the eye of the other. ' I suppose some of the young ladies in the neighbourhood, that I left looking out for husbands, have got them before this V said the captain at length, breaking tlie embar- rassino^ silence. ' Well, one or two I think have,' replied the mother. ' My old sweetheart, Miss Wyndham — 5—2 68 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. Blanche, I mean,' said the captain, with feigned composure, ^ is not among the number, is she V ^ No,' replied Mrs. Haverty, with another uneasy glance at her husband ; ' but they say, thouofh I don't know whether it is true or not — but they say she is to be married be- fore long.' ^ Indeed ! but I hope — I mean — you sa}^ you don't know whether it is true or not T returned the son, with ill-repressed embarrass- ment and anxiety. ' No one can ever tell about those matters, you know ; as reports of the kind are so often without any foundation/ rejoined the old lady, evasively. * Then you don't think it is true V 'Well, your father and I hardly know what to think. The Wyndhams have never mentioned the subject to us, nor we to them.' ' I wonder at that, knowing how much — I mean, how intimate you all used to be,' said the captain, with increasing uneasiness ; in- quiring, after a moment's pause : * And to whom does report say it is to be ? I hope some one more — I mean, really worthy — of such^of her.' * Well, you c^-n't always believe what CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 69 people say ; but we've heard it is to be Mr. James Murray of Gleraham Hall, who 1 dare say you've met or heard of before.' ' Oh yes, I remember him, and a more vulgar, pompous blockhead, or a more boast- ing coward, is not to be found in the county. Nor are these his worst faults, T believe,' re- plied the son, with mingled bitterness and contempt. ' But surely Blanche Wyndham can never be going to marry such a fellow as that I He must be almost twice her age, too !' ' Well, I don't know, but people say so ; and it is thouofht to be a o^ruat match for her. For, though the Wyndhams are said to be "wealthy and are a highly respectable family, t'ley never have been — in fact, they never ap])eared to care about being taken up by the aristocratic people ; and this Mr. James Murray is both a magistrate and belonging to one of the oldest families in the county, as well as the owner of a very grand house and large estates,' said Mrs. Haverty. * Well, William, to tell you the truth, we once met the fellow when we called there ; and I saw enough to make me suspect his object,' said the colonel, quietly; * and we were neither of us at all pleased with him. 70 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. My opinion of him pretty much agrees with your own, though I was not aware you knew so much about him.' * Well, I don't know very much about him ; only I do not like the little I do know,' re- plied William, evasively ; ^ and I doubt very much if it would be such a great match for Blanche Wyndham as people seem to think : I have some suspicions on that point. But even if it were, I should have thought dif- ferently of her than to suppose that con- siderations of this kind would have swayed her heart and feelings, for I cannot believe that she can either esteem or love such a man as James Murray.' 'Well, his personal appearance, certainly, is not likely to induce young ladies to fall in love with him : otherwise they are much easier pleased than they were when I was a young man,' said the colonel, with a sly, affectionate look at his wife. * Ah, there are not many of them so for- tunate as to get hold of such a good, dear, handsome young fellow as you were,' Mrs. Haverty replied, returning with quiet pride the affectionate glance of her husband. * Well,' said the colonel, resuming the con- versation with his son, * I confess I am CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOTNG. 71 I'cather puzzled to make out what Blanche Wyndbam can see in that James Murray, unless it is his supposed wealth and position in the county. Besides, William, I always had an idea that you and she would make a match of it one of these days,' he added with rather a forced smile, glancing at his son. ' Oh, you know, father, it wouldn't do for me to marry at present.' replied the son, with a good deal of confusion in his look ; adding, with something like disappointment in his tone : ' besides, if I even were dis- posed to marry anyone, very few young ladies, I'm afraid, would be inclined to have me with my small prospects and little beyond my pay to live upon.' ^ You don't give the ladies much credit fcr disinterestedness then, William,' said the mother, with a grave smile. *I believe there are many ladies who would sacrifice any worldly prospects and comforts, yea, their very lives, were it neces- sary, for those they love. I could not be so unjust to the sex that has my own generous, noble-hearted mother among it as to say or believe otherwise,' returned the captain, with an affectionate look at his mother. ' But I 72 CAPTAIN HAVERTYS WO(..IXG. believe they are the exception rather than the rule.' ^ Then you don't think Blanche Wyndham is one of the exceptions f ^ Well, according to appearances, if she is really ^^oing to marry this nmn, I can hardly think her one,' rejoined the son. ' Only it may not be true, after all/ he added, after a moment's hesitating pause, as if his heart smote him for giving utterance to anything so unfavourable to the mind and heart of his old sweetheart. * I can scarcely believe it, William/ replied his mother ; ' and I am rather afraid that her father has much more to do with the match than she has herself He was always a very close man and fond of his money, and as this Mr. Murray is thought to be wealthy and has, I believe, a very fine estate, I strongly suspect that the old man is at the bottom of it.' 'Well, from what I heard this — I mean, from what you have told me, I strongly suspect so too/ said the son, with some em- barrassment. ' But it is a most cruel piece of business to force his daughter to marry a fellow she cannot have the sliofhtest aflfection or respect for, simply because he is supposed CAPTAIN HAVERTy's AVOOING. 73 to l;e rich, which from something I heard — 1 mean I once heard — I have strong sus- picion lie is very far from being ; and I feel quite sure that, with all her attractions and virtues, which he is utterly incapable of eithei' appreciating or caring for, as Blanche Wyndham's father is well known to be a man of considerable property, her fortune is the only thing he cares one straw about.' ' Come, my boy, we must not judge too harshly. Let us be a little charitable, and give him the credit of having some good quali- ties, thouofh we mav be io-norant of them.' ' For Blanche Wyndham's sake 1 heartily wish he may have.' ' I suppose you will call upon them — the Wyndhams I mean — to-morrow, to let them know of your return V said the old lady, after a short pause. ^ I scarcely know, mother. Perhaps they may not care about seeing me now their daughter is to be married into one of the great county families,' he replied, with a s'ight sneer in his tone. ' Besides, if they have not been so attentive to you of late they don't deserve it,' he added rather proudly. ' Oh, that has been entirely our own fault, /4 CAPTAIN HAYERTY S "WOOING. William,' replied the mother soothingly. * It is rather we who have been less atten- tive to them than they to us. But, to tell you the truth, neither your father nor I liked this Mr. Murray, who always seemed such a pompous, rude sort of man, and was so much there that we have not gone so often to their house as we used to do ; and, unless T am much mistaken, there is at least one there who will still be glad to see you, and whom it may save from much future unhap- piness if you go. Poor Blanche has neither looked so well nor so cheerful as she used to do for a long time back, and, unless I am greatly deceived, this projected marriage of hers is the cause of it.' ' Why doesn't she refuse to marry the man if she dislikes him V returned the son some- w^iat sternly. ' Oh, my dear boy, you don't know what it is for a daughter to resist or disobey the wishes of her parents, and how difficult it is for her to incur the terrible responsibility of doinof so. I know she was much attached to you, and believe she is so still, but how does she know that you still regard her with any aifection ? I have always loved her, and be- lieve her to be a good, dutiful, and affection- CAPTAIN haverty's ^yOOIXG. 75 ate girl ; and her very gentleness and sense of duty to her parents may be the only cause of her compliance with their wishes in marry- ing this Mr. Murray, if she really is to do so, which, as I have said, we don't know for certain — only that it is reported she is.' * Well, we will talk the matter over in the morning, mother,' said her son, with feigned indifference, and, complaining of being a little tired, wished his parents good-night and re- tired to his own room, where a good fire had already been kindled for him. CHAPTEH V. When Captain Haverty retired to his bed- room it was not to seek sleep ; it was rather to try to compose the agitation of his mind by silent reflection with himself than to find repose for his body. The whole conversa- tion relating to Blanche Wyndham had been a most severe test to his feelings and powers of self-restraint. Several times his amtation almost betrayed him, and at last it became so great that he was forced to leave the sitting-room and seek his own chamber to conceal his emotion from his parents. The last words from his mother fully con- firmed his own suspicions with regard to the projected marriage of Blanche Wyndham. He felt perfectly convinced that such a union could neither be of her own choice nor in accordance with her own feelings. But what CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 11 was he to do ? Most probably the matter had ah^eady gone so far that she could not break it off, even if he had sufficient influence over her feelings to make her wish it. Again, why should he suppose that she would wish to break it off for his sake ? Might not the reofard which he believed she once entertained for him have become cold and obHterated during his absence ? Miofht not this same James Murray possess more merits in her eyes than he supposed ? And what right had he to try to turn her from the marriage ? Or, was it possible that she still retained any of her old regard for him, and was yielding to the suit of another simply in obedience to the wishes of her parents, as his mother had suggested ? Perhaps, too, uncertain of his real feelings toward her, might she not sup- pose that his sentiments toward her had be- come chanofed ; and if he refrained from call- ing upon her would it not assure her of this \ Of course it would. But then, with the re- collection of past days upon him and the knowledge of what he had already seen and heard since he came home, how was he to meet her ? If it really was true that she was soon to become another's, how could he look upon that face, clasp that hand, and listen to 78 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. that voice when the heart that throbbed within her was changed ? But could it really be so ? No I he could not and would not believe it unless he had it from her own lips. He would see her and hear it from herself, and then, if it was so ! farewell to all his young dreams of cherished happiness ! and farewell to the one bright star that had spurred him on in the paths of honour, that had sustained him in every trial, that had cheered him in every despondency, and given life and energy to his heart in pain and sickness ! Yes, if she was changed then farewell to this and every other bright vision of his life and future happiness ! At the thought of this William Haverty bent his head upon his knees and covered his face with his hands, and groaned aloud. But the pang, though bitter, was only momentary. Raising himself from his despondency he en- deavoured to take a more hopeful view of the matter, and resolved at least to wait till he had seen her before he tried to strangle the affection he had so long cherished toward her in his heart. Then he tried to think of somethinor else. He glanced around his old familiar room, which carried his mind back almost as far as CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 79 he had any recollection. Everything was the same as w^ien he had last been in it, nearly three years ago, shortly before he joined his regiment to go to the Crimea. Scarcely an article seemed to have been touched, save to dust or wash it. The whole room looked just as if he had only left it the day before, and now returned to it again after a few hours' absence. But what vicissitudes, privations, and dangers had he not seen, endured, and en- countered since he last saw it ! and yet every- thinof here seemed to have remained unaffected by time or change. The chairs, the bed, the curtains, the ornaments on the chimney-piece, his slippers by the side of the fireplace, the dressing-table and looking-glass, the w^ash- stand — they were all there, and had been all affectionately taken care of and preserved by his fond mother as endearing relics of her beloved son. Nor was Captain Haverty unappreciative of the tender devotion of that mother who had so care Fully retained these memorials of himself. He loved her too much for that ; and a heart much less sensitively affectionate than his might have been touched by such eloquent witnesses of a mother's sympathy 80 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. and love. How grateful he felt, too, after all he had suffered and gone through, to be per- mitted once again to visit, in comparative health and streno^th, the home of his child- hood, and to find his beloved parents still alive, in health and vigour, to welcome him. He had indeed much, very much, to be grateful for — ay, and for which he was deeply and truly grateful. Kneeling by his bedside, he poured out his deep, earnest thanks to Him who had been so good and gracious to them and himself; and prayed long and earnest thanks that He who had hitherto preserved him amid so many great dangers would still continue to do so, and to bless both his parents and him- self, and that He would give him patience and resignation under any disappointments or trials to his feelings that might be in store for him. He rose from his knees calmer, more hopeful, and lighter at heart than he had been since his return. It was however long before he went to bed, having no inclination to sleep, and sat musing in front of the fire long after he had heard his father and mother go upstairs, and after pausing for a moment outside his door — during which he could hear CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 81 a slight whisper and then a low, but fervent, * God bless him ' breathed from each of their lips — pass on to their own room. Again in the silence of his quiet chamber and the stillness of night his thoughts re- verted to Blanche Wyndham, though with much less bitterness of heart and despon- dency of hope than before. His mind dwelt rather on her as she was when he last left her than as she mioiit now have become. He recalled to mind the happy days of their childhood and youth, Avhen they had neither doubts, fears, nor anxieties, to trouble or dis- turb their felicity. He thought of her as the bright- eyed, rosy-cheeked girl, with the dis- hevelled ringlets waving round her small, well-formed neck and snowy shoulders, and her merry laugh ringing in his ears was like the glad voice of an angel; and then he thouo^ht of her as the idol of his more ado- lescent years, the beautiful, accomplished, gentle, intelligent young girl just rising into womanhood, as she was when he last saw her; of all the happiness he had felt and hoped for in her society, of their last tender parting, and of the many bright hours the remembrance of that parting had given him while sittinof in his comfortless tent in the VOL. I. 6 82 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. far-off Crimea, standing in the cold wet trenches before Sebastopol, or lying on his weary couch in the hospital of Balaclava — and now was he to resign this at the very moment when he had hoped to realise the happiness he had so long anticipated ? No, he would not. What he had heard of Blanche Wynd- ham's going to be married to another must be a mistake. His own heart told him so, and that could not deceive him. He would see her again and renew the felicitous com- munion that had so long^ existed between them ; and even if her parents had been trying to force her into a marriage against her own wishes while he was away, as it had not yet taken place, now that he was returned, and with such honourable distinction too, they could not attempt to give their daughter to another if she still really loved him. And they should not if he could prevent it. With such thoughts passing through his mind, now chasing each other like clouds in a windy sky, now tumbling and tossing each other like the surf upon the seashore in a stormy day, and now falling softly and sooth- ingly upon his heart, like a gentle breeze upon a fevered forehead, William Haverty CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 83 sat musing before the decaying bedroom-fire till lono' after midniojht. At lenofth he rose, undressed, and laid himself down to sleep, which gradually and gently came upon him, and he awoke in the morning soothed, refreshed, and inspirited, resolved to call at Bilford Hall as soon after breakfast as politeness and the usages of society would admit. 6—2 CHAPTER YI. Soon after breakfast, Captain Haverty and his father went out for a short walk in the garden, which, although it was now very near the close of the year, owing to the mild- ness of the climate and the shelteredness of the position, still retained many traces of its summer beauty. Colonel Haverty's residence was in its style neither English, Italian, nor Swiss, but a kind of mongrel mixture of all three, sur- rounded by garden, small shrubbery, and lawn, the latter being in front of the house, and having three or four pine and yew trees upon it, which in summer gave a pleasant, cool appearance to the whole. There was a short, gravelled carriage-way, entered by a wooden gate, painted green, leading from the road up to the front of the house, which it CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 85 approached with circular bend, and then passed off at the opposite side, where it led to the now-unused coach-house and stabling, which were behind, a.nd almost hidden from view by a thick high screen of leafy ever- greens. The morning was bright, clear, and dry : just one of those mornings that gives life, tone, and vigour to the body, as well as ani- mation and cheerfulness to the spirits ; espe- cially to one who has lately been an invalid. William Haverty felt his whole energy re- vived and his spirits cheered by the fresh, cool air of that December morning, as he walked to and fro, by the side of his happy father, through the neat garden and little shrubbery, now and then pausing to admire some flower which still remained in bloom, while he listened to some piece of news of the neighbourhood, or the recital of some interestino' incident in his own life, from the lips of his father, or related some anecdote or adventure of his own during the war from which he had just returned. Nothing was said by the colonel or his son about the Wyndhams, though several times the thoughts of our hero went off in that direction, returning to his mind with a certain 86 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. vague, uneasy sense of depression, which it was impossible for him entirely to shake off; and he could not help feeling that the fact of Mr. James Murray being at Bilford Hall the evening before, coupled with what he had overheard as he passed the house, and with what his mother had told him, was strongly confirmatory of the report that Blanche Wyndham was soon to become the wife of that gentleman, who evidently only wished to marry her for what he expected her father would give her, and did not care whether it was in accordance with her own feelings and wishes or not, which William Haverty felt sure were utterly opposed to a union with such a man as James Murray. Still he tried not to think of this, but to wait till he had seen Blanche herself, before he made up his mind to any particular course of action in the matter. After walking for some time through the garden and grounds with his father, he went into the house to make a slioiit alteration in his dress, preparatory to his going to call upon the Wyndhams. It was nearly mid- day, therefore, when he went out for that purpose. He had dressed himself in his plain walking attire, without any sign or in- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 87 dication of his military character, except what was discernible in his erect, manly bearing and soldier-like air ; and who can wonder if his fond mother cast a proud look after him as he walked down the drive toward the gate, and prayed in her heart that He who had given her such a son, and preserved him amid so many dangers, would continue to watch over and bless him in all his goings and desires. Captain Haverty, not wishing to increase their anxiety on his account, had refrained from telling his parents anything of the previous night's adventure with Mr. James Murray : and he was in hopes that he might avoid meeting that gentleman by making his call upon the Wyndhams as early in the day as possible. This, as well as his anxiety to see Blanche, was one reason why he had not delayed his visit till after lunch. In the meantime, Patrick O'Brien, who had already contrived to ingratiate himself completely into the good opinion of both the cook and housemaid, was very busy cleaning and arranging his master's arms and regi- mentals, brushing his clothes, and assisting in various other household duties indoors — at all of which he was most useful and handy, 88 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. and was as much at home as if he had been in the house for years. O'Brien, hke most of his countrymen, was full of humour, vivacity, and good -temper, and had plenty to say for both himself and his master. The two staid domestics of the colonel, who had seldom been beyond their own native vale in their life, and certainly never farther than the neiofhbourinp^ town of Westdon, or beyond the sight of their own hills, were startled a little at first by what they considered the somewhat free-and-easy manner of our gallant Hibernian. But his perfect good -humour, gay spirits, and willing- ness to oblige and assist them, soon gained their entire favour. Then, too, he had so many amusing stories to tell them, and wonderful adventures to relate, and dangers to recount, that they could not help being amused and interested in him, without at all takinof into consideration that, althouoh he might be half a dozen years older than his master, he was still a young man ; and one, too, who had a very fair share of good looks as well as a lively tongue to recommend him. It is not, then, to be wondered at that Patrick O'Brien soon became a great favourite with both the female servants, especially with CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 89 the laughing-faced^ smart, good-tempered housemaid, Mary Packer, who was certainly quite as ready to show him where to find or to place things, to assist and arrange his master's clothes and carrying his trunks up- stairs, and put his linen in the draAvers, as there was any occasion for. Mary — who had overlooked the fact that her master was an Irishman — always had had the idea that an Irishman was little better than a kind of cannibal or savage : and O'Brien was a stranger in the house, and w^anted some one to tell him things and to show him about. Besides, O'Brien was such an amusing fellow, that she could not do otherwise than as she did. * But, Patrick ' — she had got his name quite pat — ' but^ Patrick/ she said, looking more than half- frightened at a revolver the other had just put down upon the top of a chest of draw^ers in the dressing-room, ad- joining his master's bedroom, ' jou. don't mean to say that our young master used to kill people Avith that pistol ? and with that big sword, too ! I dare say, if the truth was known ' ' Och, sure an' he did ! Lots o' them !' re- turned Patrick, with the most perfect sang- 90 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. froid, ' An' what, sure, might ye think they were intended for, if not for killing the inemy with ?' he inquired. ' Why, I thought as how the officers didn't fight, but only ordered the soldiers to do it,' returned Mary, with a half-incredulous look. ^ Sure, an' ye didn't think that Patrick O'Brien was goin' to demane himself by en- gagin' a masther that didn't hke fightin', but wanted that part o' the duties done for him — though I was just the boy to have done it, too, if he had wanted ! My masther was not the sort o' gintleman for that at all, at all! Och, my jewel, 'twould have done yer heart good to have seen how he rushed into the battles, like the devil himself at Donny- brook fair, and cared no more for the cannon- balls and rifle-bullets that were falliiiQf around him, and murthering the souldgers by thou- sands, than if they had been only boiled paise or cook'd potaties thrown at liim in fun by the inemy I Och, by my soul ! but it was a trate to see how nately he brought down the Rooshans with that same convanient little revolver 1 an' lopped off their heads with that illegant paice of bright steel there ! with the smoke an' sweat on his face, an' the blood dripping from his sword ' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 91 * Stop, Patrick !' cried Mary Packer, with a shudder ; ^ if you go on talking that way, I shall never be able to come into this room again, or look at them dreadful things, with- out thinking I see dead men or ghosts before me.' ' Och, then,' returned Patrick, with a sly look, * isn't it just myself now that will come wid ye, an' kape the dead men from hurfcin' ye, an' disparse the ghosts, as St. Patrick disparsed the sarpents out o' that nate little island o' ours, called Ould Ireland.' ' Oh, indeed !' said Mary, wdth a coquettish toss of the head ; ' I dare say you would like that, wouldn't you, now V * Och, sure an' I would,' replied Patrick, gaily. ' Well, don't you wish you may get the chance !' replied the saucy little housemaid, w^ith a provoking grin, as she ran out of the room, leaving the captivated Patrick to finish the arrangement of his master's things in the dressino'-room. She had not been long gone, however, when she re-entered the room with an anxious expression in her face, w^hich O'Brien ob- serving, good-humouredly exclaimed : ' Sure an' ye haven't seen any o' them men 92 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. an' ghosts already, have ye, my pretty darhnt ? Let me see them an' I'll soon dis- parse them as the glorious Ninety-third dis- parsed the inimy on the heights of Alma !' ^ Oh, don't be foolish !' said Mary Packer, rather impatiently, though evidently not displeased with the gallantry of the Irishman. ' But didn't you say that the gentleman you had the shindy with, as you called it, in the lane last night was a magistrate, and that he threatened to send a policeman after you this morning V for O'Brien had already related to her and the cook his encounter with Mr. James Murray. ' Yes, sure an' I did ; for he tould me so himself,' replied Patrick decisively ; ' but I didn't belaive him, the unmannerly spalpeen !' * Well, you may then, for there's a police- man been w^alking backward and forward on the road before the house, cook says, for the last half-hour ; though how he should have known you were here is more than I can tell,' said Mary Packer, forgetting that she had heard the cook telling the baker's man in the morning that her young master had come home, and had brought such a nice young man with him, which latter piece of intel- ligence was not so gratifying to the said CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 93 baker's man as mio^ht have been wished, owing to some secret thoughts entertained by himself respecting the pretty housemaid, which the advent of our friend Patrick O'Brien he feared might perhaps interfere with the fulfihiient of. No doubt the artful poUceman had found out, from the baker's man, the arrival of Cap- tain Haverty and his servant the night before, and thought that they might in some way be able to afford some clue to the perpe- trators of the outragfe that had been com- mitted upon the person of Mr. James Murray, especially as that gentleman had said he thought they were strangers, and that one of them, at least, was an Irishman ; and knowing that Colonel Haverty was himself an Irish- man, and that his son was expected home from the Crimea, who might very likely have brougfht an Irish servant with him, and mio^ht possibly have been the person who had attacked the magistrate — for Mr. Murray had said that the other person concerned was slightly in advance when the first man attacked him and tried to pull him from his horse — he thought if he could by any chance meet with either of the colonel's servants, both of w^hom he knew, he might be able to 94 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. find out from them how far his surmise was correct ; and for this reason had been ap- parently sauntering about the road in front of the house near the gate for some time back. ' Och, an' he's besaigin' me, an' walking sentry outside the walls, is he V exclaimed Patrick O'Brien with a half-contemptuous, half-surprised look. ' Give me the revolver and that bit o' polished stall, an' I'll clear the way o' sich a spalpeen as he is.' ^ Stop, Patrick !' exclaimed Mary in terror, running betw^een him and the door. 'You mustn't go out with them dreadful things ; you'll commit murder and get hanged for it if you do.' * Now be aisy, an' don't be afther frettin' that darlint heart o' yours on account of Patrick O'Brien doin anything o' the kind, for there's no danger o' the inimy staying to be killt,' said the Irishman. ' But, as it's only a policeman, this will do just as well,' he added, taking up a stout walking-stick which happened to be standing in a corner of the room. * Patrick O'Brien never was the boy to take unfair advantage o' an inimy, and it shan't be said that he attack'd even his natural inimy, the polaice, with superior arms. So let me pass, an' I'll make a sally CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 95 out upon his forces, an' compil him to raise the saioe at once.' ^ No, you mustn't go out. He doesn't want to fight you,' returned Mary, without moving from her place at the door. ' What the divil does he want, then V ex- claimed Patrick with an incredulous, dis- appointed look. ' If it ain't fightin' he wants, what does he mane by reconnoitrin' or be- saigin me in this house V ' Now hear me, and leave off your big soldiering words, which I don't know any- thing about,' said Mary. ' I tell you I've no doubt but the magistrate has been to the Police Station, and sent the policeman to try to find out who it was that attacked him last nio'ht ' ' Halt now, my angel ! for you've already lost the step. Ye mane who he attacked,' cried O'Brien, interrujDting her. * W ell, never mind. You say you took the whip out of his hand and struck him with it,' continued Mary. ' Troth and I did,' he replied complacently, interrupting her. ' But sure an' it was aft her he had struck me with it, the ungentail blacko'uard.' ^Well, never mind, I tell 3^ou,' replied 96 CAPTAIN haverty's WOOINa. Mary, impatiently; ' I dare say you gave him quite as much as he gave you ' ' Och, an' ye didn't think that I was the boy to behave so unmannerly as not to pay the gintlemen for what he gave me !' cried Patrick, again breaking in. ' Now, if you don't hold your tongue I won't speak at all,' cried the housemaid sharply. ' You acknowledge that you struck the gentleman, and he has been and sent the police to find out who it was ; and if you go out at all he's sure to suspect you of it, and take you away to prison at once, and perhaps my master and yours too for having you in the house !' ^ Och, now, be aisy about that same,' re- turned Patrick. 'I'm not the boy to be taken prisoner by one man, at all, at all.' ' But if he should see you and want you to go with him, you must go,' argued Mary. 'By the powers, now, don't be taisin' o' me in that way ! Do you think I would de- mane myself an' dishonour the sarvice by yieldin' to one inimy T replied Patrick, half indignantly. ' I see it's no use talking to you,' said Mary, preparing to try wiiat power a little crying might have upon the incorrigible CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 97 Irishman. 'We shall be all took'd up for 'sault and battery and sent to prison, all through you I and you don't care nothing for none of us !' she said, putting her apron to her eyes. * Och, bad luck to my mother's son for makin' ye unaisy, my jewel I' exclaimed Patrick, perfectly subdued, putting down the stick and looking the agitated housemaid tenderly in the face ; ' only tell me what ye wish an' I'll do it, my beautiful T * I don't want you to do nothing/ replied Mary, pretending to dry her eyes, ^ only to stay in the house for fear the policeman sees you.' ' Well, be aisy now an' I will,' said Patrick entreatingly ; ' though sure an' it's mighty hard to be besaiged by one solitary man, an' a policeman too I But to plaise ye I'll re- main in the fortress till the inimy is driven away, or has to raise the saige for want o' provisions.' ' Thank you ; I'm so glad !' cried the house- maid, with a pleased look. ' Now mind your promise,' she added, preparing to leave the room. ' Sure, now, an' ye don't mane to leave the room that way while the inimy is at the VOL. I. 7 98 CAPTAIN HAYERTy's WOOING. gate, too/ said Patrick with a cunning look, making an attempt to get near her. But before he could touch her she had opened the door and fled to the landing ; turning back, however, as she began to descend the stairs, with a provoking toss of her little cap, saying : ' Now, mind, I have your promise. If you break it I shall never speak to you again.' 'Well, ye don't deserve me to keep it,' rejoined Patrick; 'but,' he muttered, as he turned back and resumed the arranging of his master's things, ' I've given my parole, an' the word o' a soldyer mustn't be broken.' Shortly after this the rural policeman, probably despairing of seeing either of the colonel's servants, or having other duties to perform or orders to obey, took his departure from opposite the house, much to the relief of both the cook and housemaid, and espe- cially of the latter, who had certainly begun to feel a greater degree of interest in the safety and welfare of the gallant Patrick O'Brien than one might have expected from so short an acquaintance. CHAPTER VII. As William Haverty went out at the gate of his father's house and turned into the road which led towards Bilford Hall he met one of the county constabulary walking toward the gate, who seemed to look unusually hard at him ; beyond observing this he took no further notice of the man, but quietly pur- sued his walk, his mind being too much occupied with his anticipated interview with Blanche Wyndham and her parents to have any thoughts to bestow on the probable busi- ness of the policeman. At first Captain Haverty's mind was com- paratively calm and composed ; after about a quarter of an hour's steady walking, as he approached the house, which stood on a small lawn, flanked on each side by a shrubbery, much of his mental composure forsook him, 100 CAPTAIN HAVERTt's WOOING. and as he laid his hand upon the gate that opened upon the road up to the front of the liouse, so great was his agitation that he felt strongly disposed to turn back and postpone his visit till he was better able to allay and control his feelings ; but at that moment, happening to see one of the servants at the door, which was about forty or forty-five yards back from the road, he threw off his hesitation, opened the gate, and walked up toward the house with a firm step and com- posed air, which but little agreed w^ith the secret emotions that were swelling and throb- bin o^ within him. * Oh, Mr. Haverty !' exclaimed the servant as she opened the door, with a look of agree- able surprise, dropping a curtsey as she spoke ; ' I'm so glad to see you safe home again, sir.' ' Thank you, Eliza,' said the captain, pleased with the kindly welcome of the servant. ^ I hope the family are all well,' he added, with assumed composure, rubbing his boots on the hall-mat. ' Yes, thank you ; master and missus are both very well, at least,' she replied, with something like hesitation in her manner. ' Miss Wyndham is not unwell, I hope V CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 101 said the captain quickly, with some uneasi- ness. ' Oh, I don't know as how young missus is ill, sir,' returned Eliza, rather embarrassed ; * only she'll be glad to see you, I'm sure. She knows you've come home, sir.' ' Indeed, Eliza ! how did she know that already ? I only arrived last evening,' said Captain Haverty, not without some pleasure at hearing there was still sufficient regard felt for him to be interested in his return. ' The baker told me this morning, sir. He heard it from your cook when he left the bread at your house, and I told Miss Blanche as soon as she came out from breakfa^^t ; and though she didn't say much at the time, only " Oh indeed, Eliza," I saw^ she was quite took'd up with it, and she runn'd off to her own room, and didn't come out again for near an hour, and when she did, oh, sir, her dear eyes were so red and her sweet face was so pale you would hardly have know'd her. But she hasn't the beautiful colour on her cheeks she used to have, nor the light, merry voice, nor the happy look she had when you went away, sir.' * Indeed, Eliza, I am sorry to hear it,' said Captain Haverty, scarcely able to conceal his 102 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. agitation, and riveted to the spot by the words of the old domestic, with whom he was always a great favourite, and who was much attached to her young mistress. Eliza had long seen the deep affection which existed between Blanche Wyndham and William Haverty, and had set her heart on seeing them married. Great, therefore, was her disappointment when it was lately discovered in the household that her favourite scheme was to be frustrated, and Mr. James Murray was to be the husband of Miss Wyndham, after all. She would, howesrer, have borne cheerfully the disappointment if she had thought the happiness of her young mistress would be secured thereby. But this she felt confident would not be the case, and she also saw that the projected marriage was not only entirely in compliance with the wishes of her father, but utterly opposed to Blanche's own feelings. It was, therefore, with no small amount of gratification that she saw the re-appearance of one who might yet put a stop to the ill-sorted union, and defeat the designs of Mr. James Murray, for whom she had the most intense aversion and dislike. * It doesn't seem as if your information CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 103 had been particularly gratifying or agreeable to her,' after a moment's pause. * Ah, sir, you wouldn't have said so if you'd seed her when she com'd out of her room and met me on the landing upstairs, and — though you mustn't think she had ever spoken to me on the subject before — no, sir ; she knows too well what's fit and proper for that. But when I met her as she com'd out of her room afterward she put her dear head upon my shoulder, and, though she could hardly speak for the sobbing of her dear, noble heart, she said : " God bless you, Eliza 1 you've given a relief to my heart that 1 almost despaired of ever receiving. But are you sure what you told me is quite true V* *• Yes, dear Miss Blanche," I replied, though I could scarcely speak myself, I felt so over- com'd by my dear young mistress's crying and sobbing — though she didn't do it aloud either, for fear anybody else heard. ''Yes," I said, " the baker told me this morning that the captain had com'd last night, and that you had brought a servant with you too, who your cook said was such a nice young man, and had been through all the great battles in the Crimeer with him," ' added Eliza, pausing, and wiping her eyes with the 104 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. corner of her apron. ^ But I beg your par- don, sir/ she continued, ' for being so fami- liar in speaking to you ; but I'm so glad you've com'd home, and thought you might like to hear that Miss Blanche hasn't forgot you.' 'Thank you, Eliza; I am very much ob- liged to you for your good feeling and for what you have told me,' said the captain, struggling to conceal his emotion. ' Shall I show you in, sir V inquired Eliza, who had now assumed her usual manner of respectful deference. ' If you please, Eliza, unless the family are particularly engaged, or that I am too early to find any of them at home.' Without waiting to give any reply slie opened the door of a morning-room and showed the captain in. Now it so happened that she did not know that another of the servants had, only a few minutes before, shown in Mr. James Murray, who w^as at that moment giving Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham a full, particular, and much exaggerated ac- count of the desperate attack that had been made upon him the evening before close to the house, while Blanche was sitting at the opposite side of the room, looking abstract- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 105 cdly out of the window, hearing, but scarcely noticing, wdiat was said. The moment Eliza saw who was in the room she shrank back, and would have closed the door, had not her mistress asked what it was and called her to come in. * Mr. Haverty, ma'am !' replied EHza, showing the captain in, and hastily closing the door, as if afraid of beinof called back to show him out again. Had a cannon-ball or a thunderbolt sud- denly fallen in the room it could hardly have created greater astonishment. Mrs. Wynd- ham turned first pale, then red, then pale again, but moved not from her seat, utterly unable to conceal her feelinsfs as she heard these words. Mr. Wyndham rose from his chair with a half-angry, half-surprised stare ; and Mr. James Murray sprang to his feet like one who suddenly finds himself brought face to face with a man he equally fears and dislikes ; while Blanche Wyndham started up with a half-joyful, half-startled look, ex- claiming : * Oh, William — Captain Haverty !' and seemed as if about to rush forward to wel- come him, when her eyes met the stern look of her father and the repeUing glance of Mr. lOG CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. James Murray, from which, with a sudden shrinking look of submissive indifference, she sank back upon her chair, and hung down her head, as if afraid to look upon him who had so unexpectedly entered the room. ^ Blanche, my love !' said Mrs. Wyndham half-chidingly, for, poor old lady, she had not the heart to do it wholly, even to please her husband ; for though at first ,she had been quite as anxious for her daughter to marry Mr. James Murray as her husband, yet, when she saw her only child beginning to droop and the fair bloom to leave her cheeks, her heart began to relent, and would will- ingly have foregone all further attempts at forcing her into a union against her owm in- clination. Not so, however, Mr. Wyndham. Though in every other respect a most tender parent and affectionate husband, he looked upon his daughter's aversion to Mr. James Murray as a piece of mere girlish caprice, in which he w^ould. not, as a parent, allow her to indulge ; and the more her reluctance increased the greater became his determination to make her yield to his views. Of course, too, he regarded the marriage of his daughter with CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 107 the great Mr. James Murray of Glemham Hall, the proud descendant of one of the highest and oldest families in the county, as one of the best things that could possibly happen to herself, as well as gratifying to his own feelings, believing that gentleman to be not only what we have just stated, but the possessor, which he ostensibly was, of one of the finest estates in the county. ' Blanche, my dear,' said her mother, ' you should remember you are no longer a child, or Mr. Haverty a boy, especially now that you are so soon to become the ' ' Mother !' cried the pale girl, flushing red as crimson, * for mercy's sake spare me a little longer, and don't let me hear that fatal word while I am still free from it ' ' Blanche !' exclaimed the father, interrupt- ing her, in a severe, angry tone ; ^ how dare you talk so in the presence of your — of JMr. Murray — and of a stranger too !' he added wdth emphasis, glancing at Captain Haverty, who stood in an awkward state of embarrass- ment and agitation, easier imagined than described. For a moment he felt half in- clined to retreat from the room, but a second impulse bound him to the spot, and he stood staring first at one and then at another, so 108 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. confused and bewildered that for several seconds hei was unable to speak. In a single glance he comprehended the entire position of affairs. That sudden start and that peculiar exclamation of mingled joyfal surprise and painful embarrassment, as well as her whole appearance, had not only told him of Blanche Wyndham's utter aver- sion to the projected marriage with Mr. James Murray, but assured him of her un- changed and unchangeable love for him- self He therefore determined that nothing on earth within the limits of honour and duty should prevent him from endeavouring, to the very utmost of his power, to frustrate that impending ill-assorted union, or induce him to give up his long-cherished affection for Blanche Wyndham. * Mr. Haverty ! Oh, how do you do V at length stammered Mrs. Wyndham, rising and formally holding out her hand. ' You will excuse us for being a little taken by surprise. Your entrance w^as so sudden and — so unex- pected, I might almost say, as indeed it was — that we were all rather startled at fii'st. It is so very long since we have seen you, and my daughter and you having been such CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 109 friends when you were children, it was only natural, wasn't it ? that she should be rather startled at your appearance, to congratulate her upon her approaching ' At this moment the mother met the de- jected, imploring look of her daughter, and, understanding it, refrained from pronouncing the objectionable word w^hich was already on her tongue. * I am very sorry, madam,' said Captain Haverty, assuming all the composure he was able, * to have intruded so suddenly, and in- terrupted you when you were engaged ; but, presuming on our old intimacy, and not knowing there was anyone here but your- selves, I ventured to call upon you rather earlier in the day than I otherwise should have done ; and have thus, I am afraid, in- terrupted you, but ' * Oh, never mind, Mr. Haverty,' inter- rupted Mr. Wyndham, whose natural good feeling and sense of hospitality would not permit him to treat an old friend or a visitor with discourtesy. ' How are you V he asked, holding out his hand, which the captain took hold of and shook somewhat formally. ' I heard you were expected home, but didn't know you had arrived.' 110 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' I reached my father's last night/ rephed the captain. ' Well, I'm glad to see you, after that terrible affair in the Crimea. And so you've had an advance, too, I hear,' rejoined Mr. Wyndham. ' Yes ; I have been fortunate enough to make a little progress since I last saw you.' * I am glad to hear it. Oh, let me intro- duce you to my intended son-in-law — Mr. James Murray of Glemham Hall,' said Mr. Wyndham, in a tone evidently intended to crush any latent thoughts or hopes he might have of attaining that happiness himself ' I daresay you have heard of Mr. James Murray before. He is the representative of one of the oldest families in the county' ' Yes ; I have heard of the name, and also have had the honour of meeting Mr. Murray before, I think,' replied the captain with sup- pressed feelings, as he stiffly bowed to that aristocratic gentleman, and thinking of what he had heard when passing the house the night before. ' Humph ! ha ! Mister — or Lieutenant, I think — Haverty,' returned Mr. Murray, with a lofty air of affected indifference and CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. Ill feigned forgetfulness of such an obscure personage. * No ; Captain, is it not now, Mr. Haverty?' said Mrs. Wyndham suggestively. ' I have the honour of bearing a captain's commission now, madam,' replied our hero, with a glance of indignant contempt at the last descendant of the Murray s of Glemham Hall, who walked away toward the window where Blanche Wyndham was sitting ; but the moment he approached she rose hastily and took a seat at the opposite side of the room, undeterred by the angry glances of both her father and her mother as she did so, while her intended, feigning not to have observed it, returned to his chair between Mrs. Wyndham and her husband. ^ So you've got back again to see your father and mother, and I suppose to look out for a wife, too, like the rest of the young- men,' said Mr. Wyndham, addressing our hero. * I daresay some of your old sweet- hearts won't refuse you now that you are a captain.' * How do you know that Mr. Haverty has not found one already ?' remarked Mrs. Wyndham, glancing first at her daughter and then at her husband. 112 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' Ay, to be sure ; why shouldn't he V re- turned the latter, with a forced laugh. ' I always thought you Avould bring back a Mrs. William Haverty with you.' ' Then you have been deceived/ replied the captain, ' for nothing could have been further from both my own thoughts and my expectations.' 'Ah, well; plenty of time yet. You young men in the army are all the better for not hampering yourselves with wives too early.' William Haverty saw in a moment that this conversation was intended by Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham to show him that they had not the slightest idea of his having any regard for their daughter, and had quite forgotten the tacit acquiescence they had previously given to his attentions to her. ' Why, Blanche,' said the mother, as if she had just thought of it, * don't you want to shake hands with your old friend Mr. Haverty ? You observe,' continued the mother with forced composure, for it was evident her heart knew otherwise, ' you see, William — captain, I should say — but you perceive that I even almost forget you are no longer a boy — or what you used to be,' she CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 113 said with some confusion — ' but you see, con- sidering w^hat we were just talking about when you came in, and the near approach of — of — I dare say you have heard about it from your father or mother — of what is going to take place — it is only natural that she should feel a little embarrassed and bashful before a stranger, or rather, before an old friend as you once w^ere, and in the presence of her future hus — ■ — ' ^ Mother !' shrieked the daughter, in a wild, melancholy, tone, interrupting her, 'unless you wish to kill me, do not pronounce a word that goes through my head like a knife !' ' Well, well, if you don't like to hear it yet, I won't say it,' returned the mother, who was evidently acting against her own nature to please her husband. ^ Blanche ! I'm ashamed of you/ said her father, with an angry frown, ^ to behave so foolishly, not only before your — your — before Mr. James Murray, but Mr. Haverty also.' William Haverty 's heart felt as if it would burst with anguish, as he beheld the intense agony of his beloved Blanche, who again, before the stern voice and angry look of her father, shrank back into a corner of the sofa, where she was now sitting as if utterly VOL. I. 8 114 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. heart-crushed beneath the prospect of the doom that was approaching her. ' I am sorry to see Blanche — Miss Wynd- ham — looking so poorly,' said William, after a brief but painful pause. ^ Humph 1 Yes, she certainly does not look quite so well as she used to do, but it's rather an anxious time with her just now, you know, and that does not make her quite in such good spirits — I mean, it makes her more thoughtful, perhaps, than usual,' replied the father. ^ Poor Blanche 1' thought William, with a deep though repressed sigh ; ' how little your parents seem to study your happiness in try- ing to force you into a marriage so contrary to your own feelings ; with a man, too, who evidently has no regard or sympathy with either your emotions or sentiments.' Fain would he have approached and spoken to her, but had too great difficulty in con- cealing his feelings to venture upon any severe trial to his self-command. ' Mr. Murray has just been telling us of a dreadful attack that was made upon him by two ruffians, almost close to the house, last evening, shortly after dark,' said Mrs. Wynd- ham, addressing Captain Haverty. CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 115 ' Oh, indeed !' he replied ; ' I hope he has received no serious injury,' he added, with a shght glance of secret contempt at that gentleman, who was sitting with his face partially turned from him, talking to Mr. Wyndham. * No, I believe not. But he says it re- quired all his strength to get clear of them. However, he has just told us he has sent the police on their track, so I hope they will soon be discovered and brought to punishment.' * What does he suppose was their motive for attacking him V inquired the captain, secretly amused, in spite of his painful emotions. ' Well, he can hardly tell, unless it was to rob him ; for what else could they want V re- plied Mrs. Wyndham. ^ Was he walking, or on horseback V ^ Oh, riding. He had just left here, and was on his way to Glemham Hall, Avhere he lives.' ' Did he lose anything in the fray ?' asked our hero. * I believe not.' * Well, that scarcely looks as if robbery had been intended.' ' I suppose, being a powerful, courageous 8—2 116 CAPTAIN HAVERTt's WOOING. man, he prevented them from accomplishing their object. But one of them, who, by-the- bye, he says, he thinks was an Irishman, by his brogue, struck him violently with — what was it, Mr. Murray, that dreadful man struck you with last night T asked Mrs. Wyndham, addressinof that o-entleman. ' Well, as it was rather dark, I can hardly tell, Mrs. Wyndham,' said he, with a slightly confused look, as he met the keen, scruti- nizing glance of Captain Haverty ; ' it seemed like a stout bludo^eon or touo-h walkino^-stick, as far as I can judge.' ' What a mercy it was he escaped as he did r said Mrs. W3'ndham, again addressing the captain. ' Had he been seriously injured, I don't know what we should have done. My poor daughter would have been dis- tracted.' Could Mrs. Wyndham really believe what she said ? No ; it was quite impossible. She was evidently tr34ng to force herself to beheve what her own womanly nature and mother's heart told her were utterly false. Had it not been that the imao^e of the Mrs. Wyndham he had known in former days rose up before him and soothed his feelings, William Haverty would have almost turned CAPTAIN HAVERTt's WOOING. 117 away from her with scorn and indignation for her duphcity and self-deceit. He paused for a moment, thinking if it might not be as well to explain the matter at once by telling that the two ' ruffians' were no others than himself and his servant, and that the ' bludgeon' was only Mr. James Murray's own riding- whip, that his servant had snatched out of his hand, after having been struck with it. But the delicacy of his position, and the fear lest it might not have been imputed by them to a feeling of jealousy against a rival, restrained him, as a similar reason induced him to with- hold from Blanche and her parents what he had overheard near the gate the same even- ing. Just as these thoughts w^ere passing throuf^-h the mind of William, a servant entered to say that Mr. James Murray was wanted, who immediately rose a ad left the room, casting a peculiar glance of mingled jealousy and inward hate at our hero as he went out. ' It's a policeman, I suppose,' remarked Mr. Wyndham, looking very mysteriously at his wife. ' Mr. Murray told me he desired them to see him here, if they were able to discover anything.' 118 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' I hope the police have found out who it was,' returned Mrs. Wyndham. ' Well, I fancy he has some suspicion who they were, but I hope he's mistaken,' said Mr. Wyndham, with a glance at the captain. ^ Indeed !' rejoined his wife, wonderingly. ' Who does he think they were V 'Well, just as he was rising to leave the room, he gave me a slight hint that led me to think he has some idea who to ^x it upon, but he didn't say who it is, though I guess pretty w^ell who he meant.' 'Mr. James Murray wishes to speak to you, if you please, sir, in the dining-room,' said a servant at this moment, entering the room. Mr. Wyndham instantly rose and went out, while, whether it was from some secret fore- boding of her own, or that she, in her occasional furtive glances at the face of William Haverty, had discovered by his countenance that he knew something of the matter, it was, perhaps, difficult to say ; but as her father left the room, Blanche Wyndham ca'st a quick, intelligent look at our hero, as if to warn him to be on his guard, in case he was in any way concerned in the attack upon Mr. Murray, for although he regarded the whole CAPTAIN HAVERTy's AVOOING. 119 affair with the most thorough contempt, it assured him of the interest and affection still felt by Blanche Wyndham for himself ' What can they want Wyndham for ? He does not know anything as to who it was, I should think/ said Mrs. Wyndham, wonder- ingiy, rising and going towards the window. ' Why, there's Colonel Haverty coming up to the door, and a policeman with a man alono: with him !' she exclaimed. ' For God's sake, WilHam — Captain Haverty,' cried Blanche Wyndham, spring- ing to his side and speaking in a deep and earnest whisper, as her mother was looking out of the window, ' if you have in any way been concerned in this affair, fly ! That man hates you, and will say or do anything to disgrace and injure you — to make sport of his victim I' He would have seized her in his arms and clasped her to his heart, but quick as light- ning she went from his side, and with a silent look of despairing love, glided from the room, just as her mother, hearing her move, turned round and left the window. The next moment Mr. Wyndham re- entered the room and asked Captain Haverty if he would step into another room for a few 120 CAPTAIN H AVERT y's WOOING. minutes, which he, without offering any re- mark, instantly compHed with, thinking more of the two agitated, earnest w^ords of Blanche than of any other subject, for in that brief moment, and in those few syllables he had heard enough to assure him of her unshaken love for himself and her anxiety for his safety and honour. He regretted he had not been able to assure her that he had been in no way concerned in any attack upon Mr. Murray, in case she imagined that he had, and was pre- vented from statingf the real extent of the matter to her. But the quickness with which she left the room rendered this impossible. ' Mr. — perhaps I should say Captain — Haverty,' said Mr. Wyndham, as he led him into a small room adjoining that in which they had been sitting, and closed the door behind them, ' this seems a very unjDleasant piece of business, but Mr. James Murray ap- pears to have some idea that you were one of the persons w^ho attacked him last evening near this house. I hope, however, he is mistaken ; I should be deeply grieved if his suspicions are correct. In fact, I cannot believe but he is wrono\ He attaches the most importance to it from the fact that your servant, who, it appears, came home CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 121 with you, is an Irishman, and that you and he were seen coming over the hill by the footpath from the town a short time before the attack was made upon himself I have too much confidence in your character, and respect for both yourself and your father and mother, not only to be unwilling to believe you capable of committing such an outrage as he says was perpetrated upon him, but also to be exceedingly grieved if he has any grounds for his suspicion. Your father, as well as your servant, have just arrived, I see, and, as I think it is better for your sake, as well as for Mr. Murray's, to have the matter inquired into at once, and on the spot, I have induced him to let me send off for a magis- trate. Thouoii a maofistrate himself, he cannot act as one in his own case, and I have proposed having the matter privately inquired into first, to avoid giving any unnecessary pain to you and your parents, in case of his beino' mistaken, which he has at leno-th con- sented to ; so I have sent for General Fielden, who, you are aware, is a magistrate, and asked him to come over as quickly as possible to get the thing settled. I am deeply grieved that anything so disagreeable should have occurred so soon after your arrival, though I 122 CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. sincerely trust it is all a mistake on the part of Mr. Murray.' I am much indebted to you, Mr. Wyndham, for your friendly offices and good feeling in the matter/ said Captain Haverty, more vexed than alarmed at the appearance of the affair, ' and glad to find that whatever change may have taken place in your estima- tion of me in other respects, you have not lost your good opinion or confidence in my honour.' ' No ; I think I know you too well ever to do that,' replied Mr. Wyndham, in his former friendly tone, although slightly embarrassed at the same time. ^ Yet/ continued William Haverty, ' Mr. Murray's suspicions are in some way correct, though his whole account of the matter is an utter, unmitigated falsehood !' * Indeed !' exclaimed Mr. Wyndham, with a startled look ; ^ then you did attack him after all !' ' No ; I did not so much as see him till the whole affair was ended, and it was only his cries that called me back, for I was a short distance in advance of my servant when it took place ; nor had I the slightest wish to have concealed it, except out of respect for CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 123 him, in regard to his probable connection with your family.' ^ But how did it occur at all, captain V inquired Mr. Wyndham, rather coldly. ^ The attack, according to Mr. Murray's account, was both very violent and unprovoked.' Just as William Haverty was about to reply, a servant came to say that his father wished to see him for a few minutes, who was accordingly, by the orders of Mr. Wyndham, shown into the room. CHAPTER VIII. ' How do you do, colonel V said Mr. Wynd- ham, shaking the solitary hand of the old soldier very cordially, for it was impossible to be otherwise with the free, open-hearted old gentleman. * This seems rather an un- pleasant piece of business, and I am sorry to ■find your son has actually been, much to my disappointment, concerned in it.' ' My son's servant has just told me the whole affair/ returned the colonel, drawing himself up somewhat proudly, as he cour- teously returned Mr. Wyndham's greeting, ' and had I been in my son's place — old as I am, and one-armed as I am, Mr. Wyndham, ay, or in his servant's place either — I doubt very much if Mr. Murray would have got off so easily as he did, after such an unprovoked assault.' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 125 ' Indeed, colonel/ returned the other rather stiffly, ' you must know that I feel rather in- terested in this matter, in respect to Mr. Murray's present position in my family, as well in regard to himself, especially as it took place so near my house, too.' ' I am well aware of it, Mr. Wyudham,' returned the colonel, * and were Mr. Murray here himself I could only repeat my words ; and I consider that the only object he has now in view is to annoy as far as possible, and injure my son and myself.' * Surely, colonel, you cannot think for a moment I would lend myself to anything so dishonourable/ said Mr. Wyndham, with a look of straightforward honesty, which in- stantly allayed the irritation of the fiery but generous old Irishman. ^ No, I don't believe you capable of any- thing of the kind, Mr. Wyndham/ replied Colonel Haverty frankly. ^ I have known you too long to have so mean an opinion of you ; and I am sorry to express so ungratify- ing an opinion of your intended son-in-law ; but I believe, nay, I am confident, that he was not only the aggressor, but that he has tried to make the affair seem fifty times greater than it really was.' 126 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. Further conversation was prevented by the intelhofence that General Fielden had arrived, and had been shown into a room where he wished to see Mr. Wyndham, who, leaving the father and son to themselves, went out to state to the general what he had been sent for. ^ I suppose, William, the account your servant has given me of this affair is correct V said the father, as Mr. Wyndham left the room. ^ I have no doubt but what he has told you is exactly as it occurred, for he knows the particulars much better than I do, as I saw nothing of it till it was all over,' replied the son, who, in a few words, related all he knew of the matter, not even omitting that part of the adventure wherein he had acci- dentally overheard the soliloquy of Mr. James Murray in the shrubbery as he passed the house. ^ What a cold-hearted villain, as well as a lying coward, the fellow must be !' muttered the colonel between his teeth, as he heard this. ^ But how is it, father, that you are here V inquired the son. * Well, as I was coming out of the gate CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 127 about half an hour ago, I saw a policeman coming towards me, who asked me if I had any objection to allow him to speak to the servant you had brought with you last even- ing, as he believed your man knew something about an assault that had been committed on a gentleman close to this house. Of course I looked upon it as all nonsense, but told him he might do so ; and in a few minutes, much to my surprise, he came and told me it would be necessary for the man to accompany him here, where he had appointed to see the gentleman upon whom the attack, as he called it, had been made. Of course I at once de- sired him to do so, and came with him, and Patrick O'Brien has told me the whole of the affair as we came along.' Just as the colonel finished his recital, Mr. Wyndham came back and asked them to accompany him into the room where General Fielden was ready to hear the case, which they accordingly did. The room was the same that our hero had been first shown into. ' Colonel Haverty, how do you do V said the general, shaking him heartily by the hand as he entered the room. * I am de- lighted to see you, and your gallant son, too I 128 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. How do you do, captain V he continued, shaking him cordially by the hand also ; ^ I am indeed pleased to see you so soon after your return from your dangerous but eminent services in the Crimea. But how is it that you are here ? They want me to inquire into some assault that was committed last night upon my brother magistrate here, Mr. James Murray. You don't know anything of it, do you, colonel V ^ No, general ; but they w^ant to make out that my son here was concerned in it.' * What ! Captain Haverty '? Impossible !' * Will you hear the case before you attempt to decide upon it, general V said Mr. James Murray, who did not overmuch relish the friendly tone of the conversation between him and Haverty. ^ Certainly, Mr. Murray,' returned the general, courteously, ' and will do my best to bring home conviction to the offender, even if it should be my young friend Captain Haverty, much as I should regret that, and, till it is proved, shall disbelieve his complicity in any outrage such as that of which you complain.' ' Well, w^e shall see,' replied Mr. Murray, casting his eye from the other end of the CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 129 room towards the captain, with a sHght sneer on his lip. * Well, then, shall we inquire into it in a judicial form, or treat it in a sort of friendly fashion V asked the sfeneral, takinof his seat in an arm-chair, which had been placed for him at one end of the table, while Mr. Wynd- ham and Mr. Murray sat down on one side, and Colonel Haverty and his son at the other, whilst the policeman and Patrick O'Brien stood just inside the door. ' In a strictly formal and legal manner,' re- plied Mr. Murray. ' Very well ; you are the complainant, I believe ? Let me hear how this occurred/ quietly returned the general, who evidently had no very high opinion of that gentleman, nor yet much real respect for him, though he treated him with the greatest courtesy and politeness. ^ Will you, Mr. James Murray, be so o'ood as to state the nature and circum- stances of this assault ? You have no objec- tion to be sworn, T suppose ?' Mr. James Murray rose, was formally sworn upon the New Testament brought in for the purpose, and thus spoke : ^ Last evening, about live o'clock or a little VOL. I. 9 130 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. after, I left this house, on horseback, to go home ; and had not proceeded more than from two to three hundred yards along the lane leading towards Westdon, when I was suddenly set upon by a man who beat me violently with a thick stick or some other hard instrument, and attempted to pull me from my horse ; but fortunately I foiled him in this design, and had just got clear of him by spurring my horse, which plunged and broke from him, when another person, who appeared to have been lying in wait a little further forward, in case the first had missed me, came to his assistance ; but in trying to catch hold of my horse's rein, he missed his aim, and I got past him, and was out of his reach before he could recover himself.' ' Have you any suspicions who they were who made this attack V inquired the magis- trate. ' To the best of my belief, it was that man standing by the door/ said Mr. James Murray, looking towards Patrick O'Brien, Avho had heard this account of the affair w4th much impatient astonishment, which the policeman had great difficulty in soothing down and controlling. * Can you swear to him V CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 131 * I am upon oath, and I say yes,' said the other, firmly. ' You are quite sure V * I am — positive/ ' But how are you so positive, Mr. Murray ? It was dark^ Avas it not ? Might you not be mistaken V ^ I am not mistaken : I know him bv his voice.' ' But you as a magistrate yourself, Mr. Murray, know that you cannot legally identify a man by his voice. Besides, we have not heard this man speak yet,' remarked the general. * I can tell this man by his peculiar Irish brogue,' persisted the other. ' Humph ! Well, we shall hear it pre- sently. Who is the other person you accuse — as being his accomplice V ^ The person sitting opposite,' said he, with a shrinking look at our hero, in a purposely oftensive tone. ' What ! Captain Haverty V * Yes, if he is such/ returned Mr. Murray, w^ith affected indifference, wdiile the colonel looked as if he would fain have sprung to his feet and called him to account there and then. 9—2 132 CAPTAIN HAVERTYS WOOING. ' Never mind, colonel,' said the general, courteously, seeing his flush of indignation ; and then, addressing the other, said : ^ I can inform you upon that point, if you are so jittle acquainted with concurrent events as not to know both that and the eminent ser- vices he has performed in the late war, from which he has just returned.' There was a slisrht tone of sarcasm in this, not at all gratifying to the pompous Mr. James Murray, w^ho replied rather tartly : ' As we are not here to discuss Captain Haverty's services, but to inquire into a rather less creditable performance, we may as well leave them out of the question at pre- sent.' * Quite right, Mr. Murray,' returned General Fielden, with perfect good-humour ; ' only, as you seem ignorant as to who and what the gentleman is you charge w^ith this offence, I ventured to inform you. Well, w^hat share did he take in this attack of which you complain V ' He is the second person who came up to me and tried to get hold of my horse to stop it.' ' Did he strike you V ^ I cannot swear that he did.' CAPTAIN HAVERTY S WOOING. 133 ' Oh, yoLi are not sure, then V said the general, quietly. ' I am not quite positive as to that.' ' But you surely must know if he struck you or not : he could not have done so with- out your feeling it,' said the general, with a suppressed smile. ' Did you see anything in his hand V he asked, after a moment's pause. ' I am not sure that I did.' * You are quite sure as to Captain Haverty being the same person V ' Yes, I believe he is.' ' Oh, you believe he is. Have you any witnesses in proof of it V ' There's a man here, your worship, who says he can identify the prisoners,' put in the policeman (who was standing beside Patrick O'Brien), at a look from Mr. Murray. * Silence, officer ! Captain Haverty is not a prisoner,' said the general, in a command ino' tone. ' I beg your worship's pardon,' said the officious policeman, and shrinking back ; ^ I meant ' ' Well, never mind what you meant. Show your witness in,' said the magistrate, while William Haverty stared with astonishment at the intellisrence. 134 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOIXG. ' What is your name ?' inquired the magis- trate, as the man came in, and stood at the opposite end of the table, after being sworn. He was a down-looking, meagre-like man, in corduroy trousers, velveteen coat and waistcoat, a slouch kind of hat, which he held in his hand as he came to the end of the table. ' What is your name V asked the general, looking the fellow in the face, whose eyes seemed to shrink from meeting the magistrate's glance. * Thomas Bilson,' replied the fellow, con- cisely. ^ Where do you live V ' At one of the houses Avith the fruit- gardens on the other side of the hill, as you go towards Westdon,' replied the man, ex- plicitly. * What are you V * I rent one of the gardens.' ' Do you do anything else V ' Yes ; I sell the fruit and work the ground,' returned the man, with an impudent look. * Just so,' said the imj^erturbable niagis- trate. ^ But there is no fruit to sell at this time of year, is there V ' I didn't say there was.' * Come, now, be a little less ready wdth that CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 135 tongue of yours,' said the magistrate, with a shght frown, who had a suspicion that this fellow was something more than what he pro- fessed to be. ' What do you do in winter evenings, now, when there's no fruit to sell and it is too dark to work the gj'ound V ' Nothino;.' ' Are you quite sure of that ?' * Yes ; of course I am.' ' Well, what do you know of this assault upon my brother magistrate, Mr. James Murray, that was committed last night V ^ I don't know nothing of it at all.' * Then what the — the ' said the general, checking an impatient expression ; ' what are you here for "? Mr. Murray, can you tell whv the officer has brouoiit this man for- ward V ' I believe he can identify the — the ' * Captain Haverty and his servant, you were going to say,' said the general, taking the word from Mr. Murray, who seemed to hesitate for a moment. ^Yes.' 'Why, the man has just said he knows nothincr of the affair.' ^ But he can, I believe, identify them as being the same persons who passed near his 136 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. house last eveninsf about half an hour before I was attacked, and were coming in the direc- tion of this house.' ^ Well, I doubt if such proof as that can be taken as evidence. However, we can hear' what he says, and if Captain Haverty wishes to ask him any questions afterwards he can do so. Where did you see the two persons accused of having made this attack upon Mr. James Murray V ' Coming up the foot-path towards the hill^ just beside my garden.' ^ What time was that V ^ About half-past four.' ^ How did you know what time it was ? It was dark^ was it not V ' Yes ; but I heard the cathedral clock strike the half-hour a few minutes before.' ^ But might it not be half-past ^ve, or six, or any other hour V ' No ; it hadn't been long enough dark for that.' ^ You are quite certain as to the time V *Yes.' ' Then tell me w^ho it was you saw. Do you see the same persons in this room V ' The s^entleman sittins^ at the side of the table there is one/ said he, pointing to Cap- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 137 tain Haverty, who from the first had sus- pected this was one of the fellows that were lurking about in the lane, ' and that man there is the other,' he added, pointing to Patrick O'Brien, whose fingers itched to get at his ill-looking countenance. ^ You are quite certain of that ?' * Quite.' ^ But you say it was dark. How is it that you are so sure V ^ Oh, I know it was them.' * But I ask you how you are so positive upon the point. How near were you to them V * Oh, quite close — only a yard or two.' ' Humph ! Whereabout was that V * Just after they passed the wall of my own garden.' ^ Where were you at the time you saw them V * In — I mean outside the garden,' returned the man, with something like hesitation in his manner. ^ Oh, outside your garden. In the lane, I suppose V said the magistrate, with a keen glance. ' Yes ; on the foot-path.' * Just so. Now what were vou doine out- 138 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. side your garden wall on the foot-path after it was dark V asked the general, with another searching glance. ' I suppose I can go there if I like without being called upon by everyone to give a reason for it/ returned the man sulkily. ^ What do other people do outside their gardens or houses or on the foot-path V 'Well, I am not asking you to tell me about other people. I only want to know what you were doing there last evening when you saw this gentleman and his servant pass up the foot-path V replied the general, in a quiet, commanding tone. The fellow paused for a moment, and then, after some hesitation, replied : -' Nothing.' ' Oh, nothing. But I suppose you were going to do something V ' I don't know as I Avas,' replied the fellow impudently. ' That would have depended on circum- stances, I suppose V said the magistrate. ' I am afraid, general, you are going into a great deal of unnecessary matter,' inter- posed Mr. James Murray, who appeared to feel as if this witness was not likely to prove of much service to him, after all. ' Had you CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 139 not better keep rather to the subject of his having seen these persons V ' Well, you must excuse me, gentlemen,' replied the general, addressing those around him, 'if I seem to be wasting your time; but I have my own reasons for the course I am taking, and, I assure you, my only object is to ascertain the truth and farther the ends of justice. I believe that the position of the gentleman accused of being concerned in this matter entitles him to have a full investiga- tion, as well as that of the complainant to full and unshrinking justice. What do you say, Mr. W3aidham ? You are a mutual friend of both parties, I believe. Shall we proceed with the examination of this witness, or hear wdiat the defendants have to say V Not observing a look from Mr. Murray, Mr. Wyndham said he was quite sure Gene- ral Fielden had no other object in view than the futherance of the ends of justice, and as he had none other himself, he left it entirely in his hands. ' Very well, then, wnth your permission we will proceed,' returned the magistrate, ' and I promise you I w^ll not occupy either your time or my own more than I can help. Now, Thomas Bilson, you say you were in the 140 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's AVOOIXG. lane when Captain Haverty and his servant passed, and that you were doing nothing at the time V ' Yes.' ^ Were you going anywhere V ' No.' ' Were you coming from anywhere, then V 'No.' * You were standing still, I suppose V ' Yes.' ' Were you alone, or was anyone else there beside yourself?' ' N — yes ; a friend was with me.' ' Oh, a friend was with you ! Is he here now V 'No.' ' Didn't you bring him, policeman V asked the magistrate, addressing that functionary. ' No, your worship. He lived some dis- tance off, and I hadn't time to go and fetch him, and thought this one would be enough.' ' You were talking with this friend of yours, I suppose V said the general, again addressing the witness. ' Yes.' * How near did you say you were to this gentleman when you saw him V * Only a yard or two.' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 141 * You're sure it wasn^t more V ' No/ ' It was not three or four yards, was it T ' No. It miofht be three, but wasn't four/ ^ You're positive upon that point V * Yes ; quite positive.' ^ Where were you when you saw them ? Were 3^0 u on the centre of the path or at the side V ' A Httle bit at the side,' repUed the man, showing: siorns of uneasiness. ' Eh— a Httle at one side ! Why did you go to one side V ' Why, to let them pass.' ' Oh, very polite of you. You are sure you had no other reason V ' No ; I had no other reason.' ' How far were you off the centre of the foot-path ? Were you close in to the hedge, or merely a little to one side ?' 'We went as close to the hedge as we could, so that they might pass without see- ing us.' '■ Oh !' exclaimed the general, with a quick glance ; * you didn't want them to see you ! Were you afraid of them V ' No ; I can't say we were afraid of them, only we didn't care about them seeing us, in 142 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. case they might have been startled Hke,' re- pHed the man with evident confasion. ' Then you did not want to frighten them, I suppose V 'No.' 'Are people sometimes frightened in that lane after it is dark V asked the magistrate, with a searching look. * How am I to know that V ' Oh no ; certainly not. You never were frightened yourself there, I suppose V ^ No ; I have no need to be.' ' Very true ; you have no need to be. Will you say that you were not more than three yards at the most from the persons you saw there ? Now, how were they dressed and what were they like V ' I can't tell exactly how they were dressed. It was too dark to see that ; besides, I didn't particularly notice.' ' Then how can you tell it was them you saw 1 Did you see their faces V ^Yes.' ' What — it was too dark to see liow they were dressed, and yet you saw their faces so distinctly that you can recognise them now V ' Yes.' ' That seems rather odd,' remarked the CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 143 magistrate, with a dubious look. ' Were they, or either of them, carrying anything when you saw them V he inquired, after a moment's pause. ^ Yes,' said the man concisely. ' What was it V ' I can't very positively say ; but one of them, the one behind, carried somethins" in his hand.' ' What was it hke ? Was it bulky V * Yes, something large.' ' Was it a walking-stick, or an umbrella, or anything of that sort ?' 'No.' * Had the one who was first anything in his hand ?' ' Yes.' ' What was it ? Had he a walking-stick ?' * No, not as I sas^^' ' You were near enough to have seen it if he had ?' ' Yes.' ' Well, what was it like f ' I can't exactly say what it was like, as I didn't see it very distinctly ; but I think it was a pistol.' ' A pistol ! What made you think it was a pistol ?' inquired the general, wonderingly. 144 CAPTAIN H AVERT y's w60ING. ' Because I heard it.' * What ! did he fire at you V ^ No, he didn't do that ; but I heard some- thing^ hke the cHck of the lock, as if he was cocking^ it.' ' What did you do then V * Me and my friend turned round and ran off.' ^ Oh, you didn't Hke the chck of the pistol/ said the magistrate, quietly. ^ No, not exactly.' ' How did you happen to hear of this atta,ck upon Mr. James Murray V asked the genera], after a brief pause. ' I heard of it this morning.' ^ I did not ask you when, I asked you how you heard of it,' returned the magistrate, looking at the witness, who was now evidently ill at ease. ' From the policeman.' * Which policeman ? This one V ' Yes.' ' How did you hear of it from him V ' Perhaps you had better ask the policeman himself, general,' suggested Mr. James Murray, Avho seemed to feel rather uneasy about his witness. ' Very well, Mr. Murray, if you wish it. CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOINa. 145 Now, policeman, tell me how you thought of mentioning the subject to Bilson.* * Well, your worship, I was met by Mr. James Murray this morning, who told me of the attack that had been made upon him last night, and desired by him to try and find out, after he had described the persons of the two defendants as well as he could, telling me that one of them, he thought, from his brogue, was an Irishman. Shortly after that I ascer- tained that Colonel Haverty's son had come home last night, and had brought an Irish servant with him. I then went off to see if I could find anyone who had seen them be- tween Westdon and Bilford, to learn if they agreed with the description that Mr. Murray gave of them, and to know the time they had left the railway-station ; and as I was going along I met this witness, to whom I happened to mention the affair, and he told me he had seen them himself, and could identify them if he saw them asfain. So I brouo^ht him back with me ; and after that I went and saw Colonel Haverty, and told him what had happened, and asked him if he had any ob- jection to my seeing the servant and bringing him here with me, where I had promised to VOL. I. 10 146 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOIXG. meet Mr. Murray, and give him an account of my inquiries/ ' That is all you know of the matter, then, I suppose?' ' Yes, your worship, that's all.' * Captain Haverty's servant did not object to come with you, I suppose V ' Well, he would have done, I think, only the colonel told him he must come — and came with us himself, too.' * How did you happen to suspect Captain Haverty and his servant as being the parties V * I didn't suspect them, your worship, at first, only, after I heer'd as how Captain Haverty had come home just about the time that this assault was committed, and that his servant was an Irishman, I thought as how it must have been the same parties, as no other Irishman had been seen in the neigh- bourhood but him.' ' Yes, but it did not follow that the man was going to remain in the neighbourhood, especially after having committed an outrage. He was all the more likely to get off as quickly as possible, in case of any inquiry being made,' remarked the general, quietly. There was a short pause. CHAPTER IX. ' Would you like to ask Bilson or the police- man any questions?' inquired General Fielden, addressing Captain Haverty. ' Thank you, I should,' replied the captain, risinof. * 1 have no doubt Bilson is perfectly correct in saying that he saw me near the gardens he mentions, as I also saw him ; though but for his own confession, I should not have ventured upon identifying him as one of the fellows who were lurking in the lane as I and my servant came along last evening. He is also quite correct in what he states about the pistols ; for, happening to have bought a couple of new revolvers in London, I had them with me, and, observing two men crouching close to the side of the dark heds^e when there was no occasion for it, unless their motive had not been a proper 148 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. one, after having called to them and received no answer, I took one of the pistols myself and gave the other to my servant, to defend ourselves in case of any attack being intended. After which, having, I suppose, heard the slight click of the lock that he talks of, he and his companion, who had a dog with them, came out from the hedge, and, after walking on before us for a minute or so, took to their heels and ran off. So far, therefore, he is right — though I believe it utterly impossible for him or anyone tp have recognised us again from what h,e saw of us then. But that, except to show his readiness to come forward to prove and swe^^r to anything that he thinks will suit the object of his patron — I was going to say, but perhaps I had better say to suit Mr. James Murray, even if we had not already heard enough from his owm lips to ex^cite considerable doubts — na}^ the strongest possible suspicion as to his real character and pursuits ; I say without even thinking of this, his whole evidence goes for nothing as far as the matter in question is concerned. I should, however, as he has been brought fojrward by Mr. Murray, like to ask him one or jbwo .questions about that same meeting in the Una with us. ' You say you were merely standing talk- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 140 ing with a friend when you first saw myself and my servant, and that your only motive for crouchinof into the hedsfeside was to escape observation, in case of alarming us,' said the captain, turning to the witness. ' Yes, I said so.' * Why should you have done that ? The path was wide enough, wasn't it, for us to pass without interfering with you V ^ I don't know,' said the man, with a con- fused look. ' So you did not see us before we saw you before us in the lane V ^ No.' ^ Are you quite sure V ^ Yes ; quite.' ' Very well ; that will do. Now I should like you to ask my servant a few" questions about this, General Fielden,' said Captain Haverty, turning to that gentleman as he resumed his seat beside his father. * Send him forward,' said the magistrate to the policeman. * I beg to remind you, General Fielden,' said Mr. James Murray, wdth a rather dis- concerted look, ' that Captain Haverty's ser- vant is an accused person, and not in a posi- tion, at present, to be examined as a witness.' 150 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' And I beg to remind you, Mr. James Murray,' returned the general somewhat haughtily, * that the very fact of his being an accused person entitles him all the more to be heard in his defence. Besides, I am curious to know a little more about this rather officious witness of yours for my own satisfaction.' ' Well, if it is any satisfaction to you to waste time unnecessarily in inquiring into things not at all bearing upon the business in hand, I suppose, as we have called upon you to act, we must submit,' rejoined Mr. Murray in a vexed tone. * Mr. Murray,' said the general calmly and gravely, ^ I am an older man than you by very many years, and have been a magistrate much longer than you also ; I therefore feel that it is not only uncalled for, but unneces- sary for you either to offer any advice or adopt the tone you seem disposed to do. I hope my character as a magistrate in the county is sufficiently well known to render it superfluous for me to say that I have no other motive in this delicate inquiry than to elicit the truth and further the ends of jus- tice as far as lies in my power.' ' Hear, hear,' said Colonel Haverty and CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 151 Mr. Wyiidliam also, who knew the general too well and w^as too true an Englishman at heart not to approve of this. * Now, what is your name V inquired the magistrate after a moment's pause, fixing his eyes upon the open countenance of tie captain's servant, wdio had in the meantime taken his place at one side of the table, while the other witness still remained at the oppo- site end. 'Patrick O'Brien, plaise yer worship,' he replied, with a free, honest look. ' What are you V *An Irishman and a soldyer, yer woi- ship.' ' Why, I thought you were the servant of Captain Haverty.' * So I am, yer worship, an proud o' the honour I am to sarve sich a true gintle- man.' ' How is it you say you're a soldier, then V inquired the magistrate gravely. * An' so I am, plaise yer worship ; I've been in all the wars o' the Crimee with his honour, an' fought agin them Rooshans, an' killt as many as if I had been a full sargent or corporal,' replied Patrick complacently, while both Colonel Haverty and the magis- 153 CAPTAIN HAVERTYS WOOIXG. trate himself could with difficulty refrain from laughing. * Well, you are now, at all events, the ser- vant of Captain Haverty/ said the g-eneral, trying to look grave. ^ I am proud to say that I am^ yer honour,' replied Patrick heartily. * How long have you been the servant of your present master ^' ' Ever since mv last master died of cholera at Alma. May the sun shine on his grave, and an inimy's shadow never fall upon it,' rejoined Patrick in a tone of quick sympathy, which was not lost upon the discriminating magistrate, nor yet upon one or two others. ' That was shortly after the landing of the British forces in the Crimea V ' Yes, your worship.' ' And you have been with Captain Haverty ever since V ^ I have, yer worship ; an', I hope, sarved him honestly.' ' Have you ever been guilty, or accused of being guilty, of any crime since you became the servant of your present master V At first Patrick looked as if half-offended at this, but a kind look from his master soothed his rising anger, and he replied : CAPTxVIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 153 ' No, yer worship ; an' plaise God, I hope I never shall be.' ' Nor ever been tipsy, have you V ' If you will permit me, I will answer for him in this respect. I have never found him guilty, or had the least reason to suspect him of either dishonesty, drunkenness, or false- hood ; but, on the contrary, have every con- fidence in him in not only these, but in all other respects,' said his master, rising and addressino^ the magistrate. * Thank you. It is quite unnecessary for me to ask him any more questions on this point after that,' replied the magistrate with a satisfied look, and then, addressing Patrick, continued : ' I am glad to hear that Captain Haverty can speak so well of your character, not only for your own sake, but for the satis- faction of myself and these other gentlemen present, who are all anxious to see what light you can throw upon this unpleasant business. Now I want to ask you a few questions, which I hope you wiU answer freely and unhesitatingly. At the same time you are quite at liberty to refuse an- swering any question that might commit your- self in any way in the matter of the assault^ if you were in any way concerned in it.' 154 CAPTAIN haverty's avooixg. ' I shall tell your honour's worship the truth, an' nothin' but the truth.' ' Very well. What time did you and your master, Captain Haverty, leave the Westdon Station yesterday ? You came home yester- day, I believe, captain ?' said the general, looking at our hero, who replied in the affir- mative. ' Now tell me as near as you can what time you left the Westdon Station yes- terday ? I ask you this question rather with reference to w4iat Bilson has said, than w^ith reference to the more immediate subject of this inquiry.' ' Just a little after four o'clock, yer w^or- ship. ' * In the afternoon, I suppose.' * Yes, yer honour.' ' Humph ! And you and your master walked from the station, did you not ?' ' We did.' * By what way did you come V ^ We marched alongf the side o' the river till we came to a bridge, w^iich w^e crossed, and then through a dharty kind o' street afterwards.' * Yes ; and w^here then V ' Aither that, yer honor,' continued Patrick, seeing that his master wished him to proceed, CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 155 ' we turned to the left into a narrow foot- path, with a mud wall on one side and a hedge on the other, an' trees hangin' over it occasionally. * That was after you left the street you mentioned.' * Yes ; sure an' it was.' * And what time might it be then, do you think V ' Sure we had walk'd a good bit since we left the station at four o'clock, an it might ha' been about half-past four, yer honour.' ' Were you carrying anything V ^Yes, an' it was a carpet-bag o' my master.' ^ Hadn't you anything else, such as a walking-stick V * No, yer worship ; I hadn't.' * Had your master, Captain Haverty, a walking-stick ?' ' No, yer honour ; he had nothin' at all, at all, but them pair o' revoulvers that his honour lias tould ye on, which were in his pocket.' * Oh, you knew he had revolvers, then, did you V ' Sure, yer worship, I didn't till he put one into my hand, an' took the other himself, 156 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOIXG. when we saw the two suspicious-looking thieves concaihn' thimselves.in the hedge as we came along,' said Patrick unhesitatingly. ' Oh, you saw the two men in the hedge, too, did you V ^ I did, yer worship.' ' Who saw them first,- you or Captain Ha- verty V ' Sure,' an' it was mysilf that saw one o' them first,' replied Patrick; 'an' thin my master saw the two o* thim first.' ' What does he mean, Captain Haverty ? T can't understand him/ said the magistrate, with a puzzled look. ' Try if you can explain to the magistrate how and where you first saw the men,' said the captain, addressing his servant. *Well, plaise yer honor, as we were raarchin' along the narrow road, with the dark hedge on one side, an' the ugly mud- wall on the other, niy master in the front an' mysilf bringin' up the rair with the baggage, an' it bein rather a queer-lookin' spot, I kept a sharp look-out, in case of a sudden attack o' an inimy ; all at once T thought I saw a suspicious-lookin' slouched hat raised a little above the top o' the wall, with an ugly-lookin' face in it, betwain my master an' mysilf, an* CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 157 then drawn down again as I drew near it ' * Was it dark at the time V asked the general, interrupting him. ' Yes, yer honour ; it was purty dark, but the moon was shinin' a Httle, an' I could see purty cor reck.' ' Oh, it was not so dark but you could see any object that was near you V ^ No, yer honor,' replied Patrick, paus- ing. * Well, what did you see after that ? Go on with your account.' ^Well, yer worship, afther I saw that I kept a still sharper look-out, an' hadn't gone far when I agin saw the same slouch'd hat slowly raised over the top o' the wall jist a little bit before where my master was. So I slipped up to his honor an' tould him, an pointed it out to him, but he thought it was nothin', an' marched on, while I stopp'd whin I came to the place, an' heard a \oice, as if spakin' to a dog, close to the other side o' the wall, an' thin' someone got up an' run away.' *That was before you came to the place where the two men were.' * Yes, it was, yer honor.' 158 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. ' Did you speak at all V ' Sure an' I did, your worship/ replied Patrick. ' The next time T caught sight of the slouch'd hat raised above the clay wall I challenged the owner o' the same, and asked him why he didn't come over his battlement an' walk along like an honest man ; but the unmannerly spalpeen hadn't the dacency to return my salute, but ran off like a thief or a cowardly inimy, who was afraid to let me come within reach o' him, or wanted to take advantage o' the nature o' the ground we were marchin' in.' ^ And did you see any more of him after that ?' inquired the magistrate, seeing Patrick again pause. ' No, yer worship, till his honor, my master, shoved a revolver into my hand, and pointed out the two o' them before us at the side o' the hedge.' * What did you do, then ?' * Why, I wanted to push forward an dis- lodge the inimy, but my master held me back an' took the laid hisself — just as he did at Alma — ordered thim to come out o' that, which at first they didn't appear to be going to do, but, looking to see if the firearms were ready for action, the lock o' my re- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 159 voulver gave a bit o' a click, which alarmed thim, an' thin they com'd out o' their am- bush, an' afther walkin' a few steps in front of us, took to their heels without even giving us the chance of exchangin' fire with them,' said Patrick, with a disappointed look. ' Well, considering all things, I cannot say that they did not take the safest course,' said the general, with an amused smile. ' So you saw no more of them after that V ^ No, yer worship ; the inimy didn't make his appearance afther we dislodged him from his entrenchments in the hedge,' replied Patrick, with perfect gravity of countenance and manner. 'You said just now you thought the man behind the wall spoke as if to a dog. Did you see a dog V ' Sure an' I did. When my masther pointed the two to me I saw a dog held by one o' thim, which gave a sort of a growl, an' got a kick from the man for its pains,' replied Patrick. * So that was the last you saw of them ?' * It was, yer worship.' 'Do you think that man there is one of them V said the magistrate, looking toward Bilson, who stood with a dogged, impudent 160 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. expression of countenance at the end of the table. * Will yer worship tell him to put on his hat V asked Patrick deferentially. ' Put on your hat,' said the general to Bilson, who slowly, but sulkily, complied. * Sure now, yer worship, he is the very ill- looking fellow hisself that looked over the wall, an' aftherwards tried to concale hisself in the hedge,' said Patrick, after glancing at him for a moment. * You're sure he is V * Sure now, yer worship, the ould gentle- man hisself couldn't appear more like him than this.' * Policeman, take the witness Bilson out of the room for a few minutes. I will send for him again if I want him, when I have had a little conversation with Mr. James Murray and the other gentlemen here.' ' Now,' said the general, as the two left the room, addressing Mr. Murray, 'perhaps you will see why I have taken so much pains to sift the character of this Bilson. I know him to be a most inveterate poacher, have strong suspicions that he haunts that lonely lane for no good purpose after dark, and firmly believe that he meditated an attack CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. IGi upon Captain Haverty, no doubt to rob liim, but was prevented by that gentleman's cool- ness, presence of mind, the sound of the click of the pistols, and the presence of his servant. Now is it not possible that, having been de- feated in their object in the first instance, they went on and made the attack upon Mr. James Murray, of which he complains V ^ No ; I am most unmistakably certain that those men were not the parties,' replied Mr. Murray quickly. * Mr. Murray is perfectly correct so far,' said Captain Haverty, again rising, and, with a dignified look, addressing the magistrate, ' and I assure you, General Fielden, and the other gentlemen present, that it is from no desire to take advantage of the utter want of evidence against myself and my servant that I have allowed this inquiry to take the course it has done, and I at once unshrink- ingly and unhesitatingly say that it was I and my servant who met with Mr. ]\Iurray last evening.' There was a slight stare of astonishment in the countenance of General Fielden as the captain said this. He, however, said nothing, and our hero proceeded : ' But beyond this, I also unhesitatingly VOL. I. 11 162 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. and unshrinkingly say that the whole account given by Mr. Murray is utterly and entirely false.' Captain Haverty cast a quick, flashing glance across the table at Mr. Murray as he said this, who gave a slight start, and changed colour, but did not speak ; while the general looked gravely first at that gentleman, then at each of the others present, but made no remark, while Captain Haverty calmly and firmly continued : ^ I say, and again repeat, that the whole account of this matter, as given by Mr. James Murray, is absolutely and utterly false : and if anyone has reason to complain of an assault, it is myself, or rather my servant, who was most unprovokingly and violently attacked by that gentleman last evening. How was it possible that I, coming from the railway-station, after an absence of nearly three years, could by any chance know that Mr. Murray was to be there last evening, and at that particular hour, and lie in wait to attack him, even if I had any motive or been dishonourable enough to do so ? And in the case of my servant it is still more unlikely. He had never been in this part of England in his life before ; had never even heard of CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 163 the august name of Mr. James Murray,' he said, with sarcastic glance at that gentleman, ' and could not possibly have any desire to attack or alarm him — though I believe he unintentionally did do the latter. But per- haps, as you have already taken so much trouble in this matter, you will kindly ask my servant to give you his version of the occurrence ; and, in the first place, I accuse Mr. Murray of having committed an attack upon my servant, requesting that the latter may be allowed to state his charge, while I am quite ready to be examined as a wit- ness.' ' Oh, this is rather turning the tables,' said the general, with a grave smile. ' Shall we go on with the inquiry V he asked, looking first at Mr. Wyndham and then at Colonel Haverty. ' By all means, general/ said the colonel. ' The honour of my son and the character of his servant demand it.' ' Well, I think it is only justice to both parties to do so,' remarked the magistrate, quietly. ' Again, General Fielden,' said Mr. Murray, hastily, ' I object to the mode of procedure : an accused person ought not to 11—2 164 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. be, and cannot legally be examined as a wit- ness/ ^ I beg your pardon, Mr. Murray,' returned the general ; ' I have had no accusation as yet to disqualify him from being examined as a witness, if it were necessary : and, even if it were otherwise, he has a perfect right to be heard in his own defence. But the in- quiry appears to me to be assuming quite a different shape. You hear that Captain Haverty now positively charges you with an assault upon his servant, and I am bound to listen to his charge as Aveli as yours.' * But his is merely an after-thought to weaken my accusation against him and his servant,' persisted the other. ^ Well, w^e shall see : and, if such really proves to be the case, it shall neither preju- dice your case, nor benefit his,' returned the maofistrate. ' And now,' said he, addressino- Patrick, ' let me warn you to be careful.' ^ I will, your worship, an' nothing but that,' said Patrick, steadily. ' Very well, go on : and let me know how this assault took place. You say that Mr. Murray attacked you, and that you did not attack him at all.' * No, yer honor ; not till he had struck CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 165 me with his riding- whip, an then only in self-defence/ * Let me hear how it was.' ' That will I, if you plaise,' said Patrick, who paused for a moment, and seeing that the magistrate was waiting for him to go on, then proceeded : ' Well, my masther and my- silf were marchin' steadily along the road near to this house.' ^ Was it before or after you passed the house V said the magistrate. ^ Afther, yer honor. Then as my masther an' mysilf w^ere marchin' steadily along the road a httle beyond this house in the dark—' ' But I thought you said some time ago it was light enough for you to see the face of the man with the slouching baton,' remarked Mr. James Murray, evidently thinking he had caught him in an inconsistency. 'Ay, sure an I did. But I didn't say there was much light thin, either, masther,' replied O'Brien, not the least disconcerted. ' Quite right. You said, I think, that it was dark then, but that the moon was shining a little,' interposed the general, looking at some notes he had taken. ' True an' yer worship has jist said it,' re- 166 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. plied Patrick ; ' an' so it was now, only there were some big* dark trees hanofin' over the road that nearly hid it from the sight o' my eyes. Well, then, yer worship, as my masther and I were marchin* along, his honor a little in advance, an mysilf bringin' up the rair ' * What had you in your hand at the time V interrupted the general. ' Only the baggage.' '^' All your master's baggage V asked the general, with a look of surprise. ' No, yer honor, only part o' it — only a carpet-bag,' replied Patrick : ' the rest my masther left at the station to be sent afther us.' ' Very well, go on with your story.' ' Well, as I was bringin' up the rair a little bit behint my masther, under the shadow of the dark trees, I heer'd a horse comin' up behint me at a mighty quick pace, as if at full charge upon an inimy, an' stood aside, in case o' being ridden down in the dark, and shouted to my masther, lest he might not have been prepared, to file off an' let him pass.' ' Why should you have thought it neces- sary to shout to your master V asked the CAPTAIN haverty's avooing. 167 general. ' Didn't you think he would hear as well as you V Patrick was unwilling to acknowledge that his master had passed him only a few minutes previously, evidently very much agitated, and that he feared this might prevent him from hearinof the sound of the horse's feet before it was upon him. But an equally satisfactory answer was ready. ' Sure, yer honor, an' wasn't he anxious to get home, an' thinkin o' the gallant ould gintleman his father beside him there, an' the lady his mother, an' perhaps o' somebody else besides 1 An' wasn't that enous^h to make a gintleman not hear what was comin' behint him V ' Well, you thought so at least.' ' Sure an' I did, and shouted to him to stand clear ; and jist as I did so, the gintle- man drew up his horse an' ask'd me what I meant by tryin' to frighten him by my howl- in' ; an' I said to him, " I ask yer honor's pardon ; but I didn't mane to frighten you, only to warn my masther to get out o' your way," when the gintleman swore at me like a Rooshan, an' attacked me with his big, heavy ridin'-switch, which I at first kept clear on ; but at last he gave me a big slash 168 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. across the shoulders and over the face/ said Patrick, pointing to a slightly discoloured mark on his left cheek, ' an' thin, yer worship, I could stand it no longer ' ^ What did you do then ?' said the general, seeing him pause. ' Why, plaise yer worship, I returned the fire o' the inimy !' said O'Brien, steadily. ' What do you mean ? You didn't fire at him, did you V ^ Sure I didn't demane myself by doin' that same.' 'What did you do then? You told me before that you had no stick of any kind.' ' Sure I did, an neither I had. I tould him if it was fightin' he wanted, I was jist the boy that could acconiLuodate him with a little o' that same : an' as he was tryin' to strike me agin, I saized hould o' his whip an' disarmed him, and jist paid him back the little debt there an' thin, when his howlin' an' cryin' brought back my masther to his assistance, who ordered me to give up his whip, an' thin' the gintleman rode away, swearin' an' callin' both my masther an' my- silf all the bad names he w^as acquainted with.' ' It was then with his own riding- whip CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 1G1> that you struck him, was it V inquired the general, with a suppressed smile of contempt at his brother magistrate, who in vain tried to conceal his vexation and shame at so signal a proof of his cowardice and bullying temper. ^ Sure, yer worship, is jist right in that same, now,' replied Pat, wdth perfect com- posure. ' And you used no other instrument V ^ No, yer worship. Patrick O'Brien niver took unfair advantage o' an inimy in his life by fightin' him with different arms from his own ; an' as I couldn't do that convaniently jist thin, I waited till he had taken one turn at me, an' thin I took the liberty o' borrowin' his whip to pay him back with that same.' As O'Brien said this without the slightest indication of bravado, and with the most per- fect composure, it w^as almost impossible for those who heard and saw him to refrain from laughing, except, of course, Mr. James Murray, who sat with an expression on his countenance of mingled shame, embarrass- ment, and suppressed rage, which it is almost impossible to describe — we will leave the reader, therefore, to imagine it. Both General Fielden and Colonel Haverty laughed outright : and even Mr. Wyndham^ 170 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. with all his feeling for Mr. Murray, could not check a smile from passing over his face. Captain Havertj, who was more accustomed to the quaint drollery of his servant, was the only one who did not show any outward sign of amusement. There was only the smallest discernible smile of contempt on his countenance, as he cast a quiet, cool glance at Mr. Murray opposite, who, slightly colour- ing, rose from his chair, and said in an angry tone : ' I protest against the whole of what this impudent fellow has asserted. It is all a lie to shelter himself and his master from the jDunishment they ought to receive.' * Stop a moment, Mr. Murray,' said Cap- tain Haverty, using a dignified though some- what indignant look, before which the craven soul of the other quailed like a spaniel beneath the eye of its master ; ' before you talk of the punishment that both I and my servant ought to receive, you had better prove us guilty of the offence for which it is deserved. Now, I am quite ready to substantiate the greater portion of what my servant has said, who would no more have thought of attacking you or anyone else without very strong pro- vocation, than I would myself submit to an CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 17 1 insult without speedily calling anyone who dared to give it to an account.' There was something so calmly determined in the look and tone of William Haverty as he said this, that Mr. James Murray did not venture upon any further reply. There w^as a short pause. * Well, gentlemen,' at length said General Fielden, ' I have heard the whole of this case, and I regret very much that ever the thing should have occurred. As far as the charge against Captain Haverty and his ser- vant is concerned, I do not think there is the slightest ground for sustaining it. In fact, it would have been much more creditable to my brother magistrate, Mr. Murray, if it had never been made, and still more so, had the affair never occurred, for it is very evident to me that he has acted with anything but the temper and firmness becoming either a gentle- man or a magistrate. I will, however, give him the credit of supposing that, hearing some one suddenly call out close to him, he imagined it was done to startle him, as he is probably of a nervous temperament,' said the old general, with a sly look at the colonel and Captain Haverty, 'and in a moment of — I won't say fear — excitement he laid his w^hip 172 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's ^YOOIXG. rather sharply and suddenly upon the unfor- tunate subject of his anger, who in his turn, I dare say not much relishing this sort of treatment, retaliated in the best way he could by snatching the whip out of Mr. Murray's hand, and applying it to its owner's own shoulders. Now, in doing this, I really cannot see that this man, Patrick O'Brien, did one whit less or more than I should have done myself in similar circumstances — as I believe any other gentleman present would have done. I, therefore, think that as Mr, Murray himself was the aggressor in the first instance, he ought to have been content to let the matter drop, and said nothing further about it, only taking care in future to be more on his guard against similar occurrences when he chanced to be out by himself in the dark.' ^ Then you refuse to give me, a brother magistrate, any redress !' exclaimed Mr. Murray, in an offended tone. * It is really beyond my power,' said the general, calmly : ' you can carry the matter further if you wish ; but if you take my ad- vice you will let it rest where it is, as it will in nowise tend to the increase of either your credit or respect in the neighbourhood if you do.' CAPTAIN HAVERTY's AVOOING. 173 Mr. Murray was about to make further remarks, which, from his manner and looks, in all probability would have been neither well-timed nor very respectful, but was stopped by Mr. Wyndham, who rose and said that, in his opinion, if Captain Haverty was willing to agree to it, the matter had better drop^ as he could not see that any benefit could be derived by either party from continuing a subject anything but agreeable or satisfactory to anyone concerned in it. So, professing to yield to the solicitation of his friend Mr. Wyndham, for whose opinion and good offices he had the deepest and most respectful regard, rather than to his own con- viction of the justice of his case, Mr. James Murray, after a little more badly feigned re- sistance, affected to agree and abide by the ad- vice and opinion of his friend Mr. Wyndham, an experienced and esteemed brother magis- trate. General Field en, who, he felt sure, was actuated by the very best of motives in the course he had pursued in this painful inquiry, though he had taken an entirely difterent view of the case to what he, Mr. James Murray, expected, or which he, the said Mr. Murray, fancied he would have done had the case 174 CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOIXG. been brought before him instead of the general. General Fielden was a man of far too much experience and discrimination not to see through this shallow affectation of Mr. Murray ; and it was only his own high sense of courtesy, and his respect for the magisterial character of that gentleman, that withheld him from expressing the secret contempt he entertained for the dishonourable and cowardly part Mr. Murray had played in the whole affair. ^ Now, then, friend Wyndham, that this business is settled,' said the general, rising from his chair, and throwing off everything like a magisterial character, ^ as I am here, althouQ^h it is rather an unfashionable hour for calling upon ladies, I must just go and ask Mrs. Wyndham and your daughter how they are. Gentlemen, the court is dismissed/ he added, with a smile, as he was about to leave the room. ' Come, Colonel Haverty, won't you go with us V said Mr. Wyndham ; ' and you also, captain V he added, seeing the father and son preparing to take their departure. * You know I have already had the honour of paying my respects to the ladies this morn- CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 175 ing, Mr. Wyndham,' replied the latter, whose heart shrank from aofain meetinof Blanche in her present state of wretchedness, and yet longing to see her again, in the hope of find- ing an opportunity to speak to her by her- self ' Oh, never mind ; come on. It is long since we have seen you ; and you too, colonel, you have neglected us very much of late,' re- turned Mr. Wyndham, whose old feeling of respect and friendship for the colonel and his son was not without its effect upon him at the present moment, though it was evident it was not without an effort that he spoke. Mr. James Murray, who might now be almost regarded as one of the family, had in the meantime left the room, without any special notice or remark, except from the general, who said : ^ What, has Mr. Murray gone already V ' Oh no,' replied Mr. Wyndham, with something like confusion : ' he has only gone into the other room to see my wife and daughter, I dare say ; so come on, gentlemen, we will go too, and see if they can contrive to give us anything for lunch after all this.' * Oh, no lunch for me, Mr. Wyndham,' said the general^ as he followed the host ; ' I 176 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. cannot stay now to avail myself of your kind- ness. I must only say '* How d'ye do " to the ladies, and be off.' ' Mr. Wyndham will excuse me also, I know,' said the colonel ; ^ as this affair has quite upset my dear wife, and I am anxious to get back and let her know it's all over.' ' Patrick,' said the captain, addressing his servant, who had stepped into the hall to wait his master's orders, ^you can stay in the hall till we come out. We shall not be many minutes.' * Yes, yer honor,' replied Patrick, drawling himself up and giving a military salute ; ' I shall walk sentr}'^ till yer honor returns.' When they entered the sitting-room, where Mr. Wyndham expected to find his wife and daughter, neither of them was there, and he went off to inform them of the presence of the visitors. In a few minutes he re- turned with Mrs. W^mdham, who, having in the meantime been hastily and partially in- formed by her husband of the cause of the long inquiry, received her guests very cor- dially, and apologised for her daughter, who, she said, had been taken rather unwell, chiefly, she believed, on account of her anx- iety during their inquiry into the attack CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 177 that had been made upon Mr. Murray the previous eveninc^, and was unable to couie downstairs and see her old friends. ^ I am sorry to hear it/ said the general, who had already heard something of the in- tended marriage between that young lady and Mr. Murray, ^ and grieve very much that any- thing should have occurred so painful to her feelino^s.' ' Poor Blanche !' said the colonel, kindly. * I sincerely hope and trust she will soon be better.' ' Thank you, colonel, I've no doubt but she will,' replied the mother, perhaps not alto- gether pleased with the colonel's tone, which probably she thought implied sympathy for more than her daughter's present indisposi- tion. Mr. James Murray did not again make his appearance during the stay of the visitors. VOL. I. 12 CHAPTEK X. 'Now, colonel,' said General Fielden, as they left Mr. Wyndham's house, * I am going with you and your son to pay m}^ respects to Mrs. Haverty. ' ' She will be delighted to see you,' replied the colonel heartily, ' and I can almost for- give that Mr. James Murray for all the anxiety and annoyance he has caused both my dear wife and myself, as well as my son, since it has been the means of conferrino: upon us the honour and pleasure of a visit from yourself * Well, it has not spoilt your politeness and good-humour, at all events, though it almost made me forget mine once or twice,' returned the general. * Upon my word, it was as much as I could c^o to keep my temper and restrain myself,' exclaimed the colonel. CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 179 'That man of yours, captain, seems an oriofinal,' remarked the general to WiUiam Haverty, who was walking at one side of him, Patrick bringing up the ' rear behint,' as he called it. ' Yes, general, but as honest and faithful a creature, I believe, as ever breathed, and as brave as a lion,' replied the captain. 'You have no doubt, I suppose, but Murray attacked him first V ' None whatever. With all his utter in- difference to danger, he is one of the most peaceable and best-tempered fellows in the w^orld.' * He certainly does not look a quarrelsome fellow at all ; and he gave his account of the whole affair so disingenuously and with so little hesitation that it was impossible to doubt the truth of what he said. I was so amused, too, with his laying claim to the character of a soldier — though a splendid soldier he would make — and his di^-nified look and tone as he called himself " an irish- man and a soldier," like the Thracian robber who told Alexander that he was * a Thracian and a soldier T * I believe he was a soldier at one time till his late master bought his discharge, and he 12—2 1 80 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. would have been one aocain if I had not chanced to have him recommended to me as a servant, and engaged him/ remarked Cap- tain Haverty. ' There was no mistaking the first part of his assertion, at all events, was there, colonel V said General Fielden, with a smile. ' Oh no ! The first sound of that tongue of his would betray his country among a thousand voices,' cried the colonel, laughing, who himself still retained much of both the accent and manner, as well as the high spirits, of the ' Green Island.' 'You don't seem to have a very exalted opinion of that witness of Mr. Murray's — Bilston, I think his name is,' remarked the captain, addressing General Fielden. ' No ; I believe that fellow is a great black- guard,' said the general decisively. ' I've had my suspicions about him for some time. He is always prowling and lurking about that dark narrow foot-path behind his garden at night, and several robberies have taken place in that neighbourhood lately, and, as I said before, I know^ him to be a most inve- terate poacher. He is not at all a man of good character, and it is well for you that you were prepared, or you might have found CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 181 to your own experience what sort of rascal he is before this.' * Certainly my man was more alive to the danger of the spot than I was/ said the cap- tain. ' I wonder Mr. Murray should have brought forward a man of that kind as a wit- ness, especially as he could prove nothing as to the assault he pretended had been made upon him.' * 1 suppose my w^orthy brother magistrate/ replied the general, wdth a slight sneer, ^Avas not aware tha,t I knew so much about the fellow. But it is said Mr. Murray has more acquaintance with him than is altogether usual or becoming, considering the difference between their positions.' ^ Indeed ! You don't think he o^oes shares with him in his spoils, do you V said the cap- tain, laughing. ^ No ; but I am told he goes shares w^ith him in some of his domestic enjoyments/ returned the general mysteriously. ' Whew !' cried the colonel, with a sound between a lons^ low whistle and an exclama- tion of surprise. * Surely it cannot be true,' said the captain seriously. ' I am very much afraid it is, though. I 182 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. saw his horse standing there myself one evening about dusk a short time ago, and have been told by one or two others who have seen the same.' * Well, that looks very suspicious, certainly,' replied William, shocked to think of the sort of husband poor Blanche Wyndham was doomed to have. * And 1 have heard, too, that he is about to marry Miss Wyndham,' remarked the general. ' Is that true T he asked, looking at the captain. * It is reported so,' he replied, in vain try- ing to conceal his internal agitation and un- easiness. ' Then I am sorry for her, poor girl ! I always thought she had better taste and more good sense than to have chosen such a man as Murray for a husband, who is nearly twice her age into the bargain, I should say,' rejoined the general. ' I doubt very nuich if he is her own choos- ing,' said the colonel quietly. ' Why, captain, I always thought you stood first on the list there with both the young lady and her parents. That fellow hasn't gone and supplanted you during your absence, has he ?' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 183 Poor William Haverty felt this much more keenly than the good-hearted general either expected or intended. Fortunately he was spared any further embarrassment and pain from the bantering of the general, as well as the necessity of any reply, by approaching, at the moment, the door of his father's house. Mrs. Haverty, whose anxiety and uneasi- ness on account of her son had been intense, even distressing, during the absence of her husband, saw their return w^ith no small degree of pleasure, and received General Fielden with much evident cordiality and satisfaction, w^ho laughingly gave her a brief account of the lengthened inquiry in w^hich he had been engaged, and concluded with saying that for his part he was very glad of it, for it had not only informed him of the return of her son, but had given him an op- portunity of thus early paying his respects to her and congratulating both her and her husband on so auspicious an event, and also of welcoming the gallant and distinguished captain to the home of his youth and the heart of his esteemed parents. * How lung are you to stay, captain V he inquired, turn- ing to our hero. 184 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ' Not long, I — I expect/ replied the cap- tain, with repressed feelings and embarrass- ment. 'Oh, William, don't say that,' exclaimed his mother, with a tender, half-chiding glance. * Now that this terrible war is over 1 hope you w^on't have to go out of the country a^i^ain.' 'I'm afraid, mother, you would have a poor opinion of me as a soldier if I were content to remain at home idle while my country had use for me elsewhere,' returned her son. ' Well, your country does not require your services at present, does it V argued the mother, 'now that peace has been made. I hope we shall have no more war to take you away.' ' I have but little confidence in the peace, mother, and doubt much if it lasts long,' re- turned the son in the same affectionate and respectful tone. ' You don't think it is a sound or a safe peace V remarked General Fielden. ' I confess I do not. It is a piece of patch- w^ork which may last for a short time, or even a few years, but I don't believe it will be permanent.' CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 185 * I do not think myself we ought to have been content to leave the question for which we went into the war t) remain in so un- satisfactory a position as it still is. In fact, as far as the aggressive and encroaching ten- dencies of Kussia are concerned, we might just as well never have gone to war at all, for all the check that has been put upon her. In a few years she will be just as strong as ever in the Black Sea, and perhaps even more dangerous to Turkey than she has been,' replied the general. * I am quite of your opinion, general/ said the colonel. ' We have sacrificed an enor- mous amount of both valuable treasure and still more valuable lives without attaining, as far as I can see, one single object for which the war was undertaken ; and had the ministry either possessed or shown the slightest amount of either ability or courage before the Emperor Nicholas in- vaded Turkey, he never would have at- tempted it. But forgetting, or not know- ing, the spirit and power of the British people, he counted upon the weakness and pliancy of a feeble ministry, whose in- terests were not less bound up in keep- ing peace with him^ than their incapaci- 186 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. ties for governing a nation disqualified them for carrying on a war ; and, having deceived himself by thinking he had successfully ex- cited sufficient jealousy and mistrust between this country and France, he thought it was a favourable opportunity to carry out his long-cherished scheme of destroying the Turkish power and turning Constantinople into a Kussian capital or Muscovite depen- dency.' ' I find your opinion of the ministry has rot improved/ said the general, smiling. ' No, nor ever will, I'm afraid.' ' Well, let us hope that this peace which your friends in office have given us will be more lasting than we think,' returned Gene- ral Fielden. ' I hope it will. I don't want my son to be called away again while we are here/ said Mrs. Haverty fervently. ' But you would not wish your son to be always at home with you, Mrs. Haverty V asked the general in a friendly, cheerful tone. * You are a truer soldier's wife, as well as a soldier's mother, than that, I know.' * You are quite right,' said the colonel. * My dear wife has too much regard for both her son's and her old-fashioned husband's CAPTAIN HAVERTY's WOOING. 187 honour to wish William to neglect his duty to his country when it has any need of his services ; and I know he, with all his love and regard for his parents, has too high a sense of his own honour and duties to allow any private feelings to detain him at home if again called upon to leave us. But, thanks be to God, there's no immediate appearance of it, at all events/ * Well, I don't know, father,' returned the son. ' There was some talk before we left the Crimea, and 1 heard it again in London, that our regiment might possibly be sent out to India in the spring, for service there.' ' Oh, I hope not, William !' exclaimed his mother. ' 1 shouldn't mind if we were,' he replied, with just the smallest possible tone of his internal grief and disappointment betraying itself in his voice. * There's much more chance of seeing some active service there, as well as of advancement, than there is now at home, since this war is finished.' ' Oh, don't talk of active service and ad- vancement, as if you preferred them to your old mother and father !' said the old lady, with a sort of half-sorrowful laugh. ^ There is nothing on earth, mother, that I 188 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. prefer to that ; but I should scarcely be much credit to my parents if I didn't wish to follow the path of honour and duty, which 1 know they would never allow any private feelinofs of their own, however sorrowful, to turn them from,' replied William, affectionately. ' There, now, that's spoken like a brave soldier as well as a dutiful son, captain,' in- terrupted the general, cheerfully and kindly ; * but as you haven't received orders to start yet, your good mother may keep up her heart for the present.' ' And if you ever should go, I hope old Sir Colin Campbell will go with you,' remarked the colonel. * I hope so too,' replied William. * Old as he is, I would sooner be under his command than that of any other man in the British army.' ' Ay, a fine old soldier he is !' said the general, warmly ; ' and depend upon it, if any great emergency were to arise to-morrow, in which the government were suddenly called upon to entrust the honour and safety of the country to our army, Sir Colin Camp- bell would be the man who would be chosen to lead that army.' ^ Nor do I believe there is a man the army CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 189 would sooner follow,' said the captain, ear- nestly. ' Perhaps he w^onld not be inclined to go out to India at his time of life,' suofo-ested the colonel ; * though I do not for an instant suppose he would allow that or any other personal consideration to deter him from going anywhere, or from encountering any danger or fatigue, if he believed his country really required his services. I know the gallant old fellow too well for that !' ' Ay, and so do I, Haverty. And even if we had forgotten our own campaigning days, that dashing feat of the old fellow who scaled the cliffs of Alma so lately, at the head of his gallant followers, is too fresh in our memories to allow us to imagine either his spirit or his energies have failed him since we parted company with him at Bordeaux forty years ago. Such an affair as that, colonel, makes one's hands itch to be at work again. Why, I would have given ten years' pay to be present at such a sight as that !' exclaimed the general, enthusiastically. ' Ah, general, you and I, I'm afraid, must prepare ourselves and buckle on our armour for a yet more arduous fight than ever we 190 CAPTAIN HAYERTy's WOOIXG. have yet encountered,' replied the colonel, seriously. ' Ay, you're right,' returned the general, with a grave smile ; ' and let us trust to the merits and skill of our Commander, and do our duty like true men, as we have always done, and rely upon Him for the victory. But come,' he added, after a brief pause, * although, like good soldiers, we must never allow ourselves to be surprised by the enemy, or attacked unprepared, I hope the closing struggle of the campaign is not approaching just yet.' ^ No, not for many years, I hope !' ex- claimed the colonel, with his usual gay spirits, as the general rose to take his departure, who said, as he shook his old friend and his wife by the hand, that he should expect them and their son to come and see him at his house in a day or two. * Good-morning, captain,' said he, shaking hands with William, who walked down the road with him and saw him out at the sfate ; ^ remember I shall expect you within a couple of days.' ' We shall endeavour to avail ourselves of the pleasure of paying our respects to you by that time,' replied the captain^ returning the CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 191 hearty pressure of the fine old soldier, as he turned back to the house of his parents ; and the general went on, calmly and cheerfully, to his own now solitary home — for wife, sons, and daughters, one by one, had been all taken from him, till he was left alone in the world to finish his journey by himself, though sustained and cheered by the consciousness of having done his duty to the best of his ability in whatever position it had pleased Providence to place him ; by the respect and kindliest sympathy of all w^ho knew him, and still more by the calm, humble, patient hope of being one day re-united to those he had loved and lost, and whose memories he still secretly cherished with the most lively affec- tion, in another and a better w^orld, where they should never more be parted, but live for ever in the felicity of eternal communion with each other, and with Him who, for His own mysterious purpose, had thought fit to call them away before him, and leave him alone in the world to ' finish his course ' by himself, which, like a true soldier and a good Christian, he neither shrank from nor mur- mured at, but submitted to with the patience and resignation of one who feels and be- lieves that, whatever trials God pleases to J 92 CAPTAIN HAVERTYS WOOING. send, they are +hose best adapted to discipline the mind and prepare the heart for that in- heritance which never passeth away, and for the attainment of that crown which never fadeth — eternal in the heavens. CHAPTER XL During the time that Patrick O'Brien was waiting for his master in Bilford Hall, one of the servants, a middle-aged female, with a sharp, intelligent, though good-natured ex- pression of countenance, once or twice passed close to him, apparently in the performance of some household duties, though what they were Patrick was rather at a loss to make out, and each time she gave a sort of half- anxious, half-timid look, as if she wished to speak to him, but was either afraid or did not know how to begin. Now Patrick O'Brien was the very soul of gallantry itself, and was by no means over- burdened with bashfulness in the presence of a tolerably good-looking female face, even though past the first bloom of youth. He therefore speedily made up his mind to VOL. I. 13 194 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. challenge her, as he would have called it, without delay, and accordingly did so the next time she passed. ' Good-mornin' to ye/ said he, with a sort of half-courteous, half- familiar military salute, as she was passing him for the fourth time within as many minutes : * I hope I have the honour of seein' ye well.' * Yes, thank you,' said the domestic, stop- ping, with a slightly embarrassed look. * Sure, now, an' it's mysilf that's glad to hear it,' replied Patrick, as if the subject was one in which he felt the liveliest interest ; 'an' I hope their honors, the gintleman an' the lady, are the same, now.' * Yes, master and missus is both well, thank you,' returned the maid, still looking slightly confused. ' An' the young lady — sure an' I hope she's well,' said Patrick, hazarding an inquiry, with the object rather of trying to discover whether there was a young lady or not, which he strongly suspected there was, to whom his master might be attached, than that he felt particularly interested in the matter on his own account. * Oh, then, you know about Miss Blanche, do you r exclaimed the damsel, in a low voice, CAPTAIN HAVERTY*^ WOOING. 105 who was no other than that young lady's late nursemaid, and now faithful attendant, EHza Fleming. ' Och, an' why shouldn't I have heared o' the dear young lady V returned Patrick, evasively, plainly seeing that there was some- thing to follow. ^ Are you Captain Haverty's man ?' in- quired Eliza, abruptly, after a moment's pause. * Sure an' it's mysilf, Patrick O'Brien, that's proud to say so,' he replied, gaily. ' And your master has told you about Miss Blanche V said Eliza, in an inquiring tone, not without something of surprise in it. ' Sure now, an' ye don't think that his honor would so demane hissilf an' the young lady too — bless her sweet face ! — as to talk about her to his sarvent, do ye V said Patrick, half chidingly. * How did you know anything about them — I mean about her, then V inquired Eliza, with a surprised look. ' Och, wasn't it mysilf, now, that suspicted that same that ye've jist tould me V returned Patrick with a suppressed laugh, while Eliza looked at him as if half offended at having had her secret so suddenly drawn from her. 13—2 196 CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. * Well,' then, said she, after a moment's confused pause, ' as you've found it out I may just as well tell you all about it. But mind, if you go and tell Captain Haverty one word of what I say, I'll never speak to you again, as that would make my dear young mistress unhappy.' * Och, an' ye may be aisy on that point,' said Patrick, in a confidential tone ; * Patrick O'Brien isn't the boy to deprive himsilf o' that same plaisure, or to make a dear young lady unhappy by turnin' thraitor to yoursilf now.' • Then,' s^id Eliza, speaking in a low, earnest tone, and glancing round to see that no one was within hearing, * it's a great shame of master and missus, it is, to go and luake Miss Blanche marry that Mr. James ^lurray.' ' Sure an ye don't mane that same, do ye V exclaimed Patrick, in surprise. ' Yes, but I do, though,' returned Eliza indignantly ; * and I say it again, it's a cruel shame, as she doesn't like him herself, and thinks so much .of someone else, who was to have had her, and who still loves her so, too.' • Och^ sure an* it is,' said Patrick, who CAPTAIN HAVERTy's WOOING. 1 ^7 in an instant comprehended the whole aftair. ' I wish Captain Haverty or somebody else had killed him altogether last ni