Читать книгу A Gilded Serpent - James Edward Muddock - Страница 8

Table of Contents

HOW far Jim Spedwick would have carried the castigation of his rival it is difficult to say; he felt that he had a heavy score to wipe off, and he was aroused to a pitch of temper which made self-restraint very difficult. But when the astonishment, which the sudden attack caused the country people, had passed off, Jim was seized and forcibly held back. His self- possession almost immediately returned, and throwing down the whip, which had been broken by the force of the blows, he said—

"That man has sought to ruin me in this my native town, and when I demanded the satisfaction I was entitled to, he added insult to insult. I have, therefore, publicly whipped him, and I as publicly accuse him of having wilfully lied in order to bring discredit upon me."

Mr. Pym did not show to any advantage in this encounter. He seemed to have entirely lost his nerve, and made no attempt to defend himself beyond raising his arms to protect his face. But despite that, his face was cut and blood dripped from the wounds. He was deadly pale, and appeared confused and almost stupefied. He had never dreamed that his rival would have shown so much spirit; and not for a moment had he anticipated such a scene as this.

"If there is law in the land you shall pay for this outrage," he gasped, in hot and choking anger. His pride was wounded to the quick, and he felt that he been worsted.

"Never mind the law," growled Jim; "if you have any honour and you think it's wounded, I'll render you satisfaction when and where you will; for the present I'll leave you."

It was many a long day since Ministerfield had had such a sensation as this attack on a baronet's son in the open market place. The simple farmers and country folk who thronged the market knew nothing of the merits of the quarrel between the two men, but it became common knowledge that they were rivals for the hand of the same lady, and that fact added greatly to the interest. The question that was asked was, what would Pym do? Socially, the opponents were not considered to be on equal terms, but it was admitted that unless Randolph could substantiate the serious charge he had made, he was bound to withdraw it and apologize; or, failing that, Jim was within his rights in demanding satisfaction. Jim's vigorous action certainly won him a good many supporters. Anyway, there would be some pretty developments, and a quarrel between two young men, arising out of a love episode, was so much more interesting than one due to a dispute about some nice point of honour. The developments, however, that were subsequently to startle the town would prove very different from anything that could possibly be imagined. The quarrel was simply the prologue to a strange and sensational drama, destined to take a prominent place in the history of the quiet old town.

When Spedwick left the Market Square he went straight to his home and told his father what had happened. Mr. Spedwick did not reproach his son. What had happened was only what might have been expected under the circumstances, but he could not help feeling some uneasiness about the future. He felt certain that this horsewhipping would lead to results, but what the results were likely to be he could not guess.

The Hon. Randolph Pym adjourned to the Half Moon inn to wash the blood from his face and compose himself. Of course the news of the incident soon spread, and he found himself an object of interest as well as sympathy, for most of the people knew him, and some of them described what they were pleased to term "The unprovoked attack" as "dastardly." Pym being a baronet's son had his followers. In a little while Mr. Lacey arrived. He had been transacting some business in the town when he was made acquainted with the incident that was being so freely discussed, and he hastened at once to Pym to express his sympathy with him and his indignation with the author of "the outrage." In order that the legal aspects of the case might be discussed, an attorney, a Mr. John Saunders, the employer of Ralph Tinker, was sent for, and all the facts were placed before him. He was a shrewd man with a good deal of legal acumen and a faculty for weighing all the nice points of a case as they were likely to influence, pro and con, a judge or jury. To the disappointment of Mr. Lacey and his prospective son-in-law he came to the conclusion that they were not likely to gain much by taking the case into the court; and his reasons were clear. Pym had accused Spedwick of cheating, but his accusation apparently was unsupported. Spedwick was within his rights in challenging him, but while Pym could refuse to meet him, he was wrong in describing him as a blackleg, which was a very opprobrious epithet in those days, and commonly applied to people who were known to be card and dice cheats. If Pym prosecuted his opponent it would be urged that Spedwick had received very great provocation, and he would in all probability be acquitted, or at the worst but lightly fined. On the other hand it would be open to Spedwick to bring an action for slander, and unless Pym was prepared with indubitable proof he might be cast in heavy damages.

"It seems to me, gentlemen," said this Solomon in conclusion, "that only one of two courses is open—either to fight or let it drop. You, Mr. Pym, accused, somewhat rashly in my opinion, your rival of cheating. You were not one of his party; you were not playing with him. He retaliates by thrashing you. Now if you carry it into a court of law think of the scandal. And Mr. Spedwick being a rival lover is certain to be an object of much sympathy. It's a pretty quarrel as it stands, but I think that the less it is made public the better it will be for all concerned."

The soundness of the legal man's arguments was incontestable, but needless to say both Pym and Lacey were very disappointed. Pym's vanity, and he was an exceedingly vain young man, was sorely wounded; and Mr. Lacey's fears were that his daughter, who had a great deal of self-will and determination, would be more closely drawn to Spedwick's side. It was a complicated situation bristling with all sorts of difficulties, and they both felt that the only solution of the problem was to get rid of Spedwick. But how?

The question was easily asked. It required a Sphinx to find the answer. The Spedwicks were well known, and as law-abiding citizens they had their rights. It wasn't a crime for Jim Spedwick to love a young lady, even though he was poor and she was the daughter of a rich man. Mr. Lacey, hot-headed as he was, could not close his eyes to the difficulties that confronted him, and he counselled Pym to take no further steps in the matter of a public nature. Jim Spedwick would have to be considered, but diplomacy was required and scandal must be avoided.

While this interview was going on, the subject it, that is, Jim Spedwick, resolved upon a bold and daring step. He penned a letter to Norah, giving her a succinct account of all that occurred, and begging her to send him a few lines to assure him that he might still hope. The delivery of the letter was entrusted to an old and faithful servant, who had entered the service of the Spedwick family before Jim was born. She was charged to go with speed to Runnell Hall and endeavour to deliver the letter into Norah's hands. Failing that, she was to bring the letter back, and under no circumstances be cajoled into parting with it, unless to Norah herself.

Jim's suspense and anxiety during the absence of his messenger may be easily imagined. He believed that the chances of success were in his favour, for he knew that as a rule Mr. Lacey came into town on a market day. Old Betty was cautious and trustworthy, and if any one could succeed in communicating with Norah she was the one to do it. Nevertheless, during her absence, the hours passed heavily enough. Even by the field paths, the shortest way, it was seven miles to the Hall, so that the old woman had to walk fourteen miles; but the country-bred as she was thought nothing of that.

The eventful day drew to a close. The stir and bustle died down as the country people took their departure, and the town began to resume its normal quietude, which would remain undisturbed until the next market day. But Jim Spedwick's heart was hot and restless. His present position was full of trouble, his future dark and uncertain, and all for the love of a lass. The idea of giving her up was not to be thought of for a moment; but if she gave him up, and was it not possible she might be coerced into doing so? his life, as it seemed to him at the moment, would not be worth living. And even supposing she resolved to be true to him, how were the difficulties to be surmounted? His lack of means rendered him powerless, and he was aware that Norah had no means of her own. If he returned to Jamaica, the probabilities were, he would not be able to revisit his home for some years. His uncle had opposed objections to his coming on this occasion, and would be hardly likely to sanction a second absence for some considerable time. To offend his uncle would be fatal to his hopes. This uncle was the rich man of the family, and his poor relations, who were numerous enough, turned their eyes wistfully and longingly to him. Jim's father felt he was doing a wise thing when he sent his son out to Jamaica, although it cost him and Mrs. Spedwick many a pang to part from their boy. But, as Mr. Spedwick argued with his wife, "It is for the lad's welfare." Jim was not indifferent to all this, and he recognized his duty. At the same time if it became a question of neglecting his duty or sacrificing Norah, he felt that he would have to undertake a tremendous struggle with himself. The mere thought of giving Norah up tortured him.

When darkness had fallen he could endure his suspense no longer, and started out to meet Betty as she came back from the Hall. He proceeded a considerable distance before he espied her trudging, somewhat wearily, along.

"Did you deliver the letter?" he cried, unable to restrain his impatience.

"'Deed I did," she answered breathlessly, for she had been hurrying. "I was told by a servant that the young leddy was out riding, so I bided till she returned, and slipped t' letter in her hand as soon as she got off her horse."

"Well, well, and did she give you an answer?"

"Aye, she did." The old woman produced a letter, tied with a piece of ribbon, from the bosom of her dress. Jim seized it, and so eager was he to learn its contents that he left Betty and hurried off, for the darkness prevented him from reading it there. He had covered at least a mile before he met an empty wain, and with a lantern hung in front of it, lumbered along. He stopped the sleepy driver, and by the dim light of the horn lanthorn he read the precious lines, which were as follows—

"Dear Heart of mine,

I am terribly distressed at your news and fear that trouble is brewing. But oh, Jim dear, I cannot, will not, give you up. Even if they flay me alive I will not marry Pym. I am yours, Jim, yours till death. I have been unable to communicate with you as all my movements are watched. The groom who accompanies me on my rides is a spy, and he saw old Betty give me your letter, therefore my people will know, but I don't care. Jim dear, I am most unhappy. What is to be done? Can't you carry me off and marry me? Then they couldn't separate us. But whatever happens, Jim, I will be true to you. I know you will be true to me. Father is going to take us all, and some of the servants, up to London, and this house is to be shut up for some time. Mr. Pym is to accompany us, so you know what sort of a life I shall lead. But trust me, Jim. Whatever they do they shall never make me become Mr. Pym's wife."

Spedwick read this letter with mixed feelings. The information Norah gave him was ominous; and if she was removed to London, what hope had he of seeing her again? In the first place he could not remain in England indefinitely. He had promised his uncle that he would return to the West Indies after a brief holiday. If he failed to redeem that promise he would jeopardize all his future prospects. His uncle was his only hope. To carry out Norah's suggestion, that is, bear her off and marry her, was impracticable owing to the want of means. But even if he could do that how could he support her?

Look which way he would he saw nothing but difficulties; and so utterly hopeless did his position seem that he was crushed by a sense of utter despair.