Читать книгу The Forger's Wife - Lang John - Страница 7

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CAPTAIN and Mrs. Harcourt went to Brighton, and there rented a house in a very quiet neighbourhood. For several months Emily was as happy as a woman constantly in the society of a man whom she loves can make herself. She now and then regretted that she had left her home so abruptly, but a kind word from her husband speedily put her sorrow to flight.

The Captain told Emily that it was his intention to "sell out," since he feared taking her to such a bad climate as that of the West Indies, where his regiment was quartered; and he wrote several letters to the Horse Guards on the subject of retiring from the service, and gave Emily to understand that he was going out to post them; but instead of doing this, he tore them up in a public-house, and converted them into pipe-lights; for wedlock had in no way diminished the Captain's taste for tobacco and gin-and-water.

Over his pipe and his glass, in the back parlour of a tavern, Captain Harcourt would sit gloomily. He appeared to have something on his mind, and to feel relieved by these stolen visits to the various public-houses. The aroma consequent on smoking and drinking he dispelled by chewing lemon-peel previous to rejoining his wife; and from this the reader will conclude that the Captain was not altogether destitute of consideration for Emily's feelings.

One morning at breakfast, Captain Harcourt suddenly threw down the newspaper which he was reading, became deadly pale and much agitated.

Emily was alarmed, and wished to send for a doctor. "No, dearest," the Captain said; "it is only a passing spasm. I shall be better presently."

During the whole of that day, however, the Captain seemed very unwell. He complained of a bad headache, and a pain in the side,—expressed a fear that the air of Brighton did not agree with him, and proposed seeking a change by going that night to Portsmouth. Emily, who never opposed Reginald's wishes, declared herself quite ready. A post-chaise was instantly ordered, their trunks speedily packed, and, at ten o'clock, Captain and Mrs. Harcourt were away from Brighton.

"It was all the air," said the Captain, when they had travelled about five miles. "I knew it was. I feel better already. My spirits are quite buoyant. I feel now up to all sorts of fun." And to prove this, the Captain took off Emily's bonnet, put it upon his own head, tied her boa closely round his neck, and a scarf over his mouth, put on his wife's spare cloak, thrust his hands into a muff, and said, "Emmy dear, should I not make a capital woman? Put my hair in paper, dearest; three curls on each side. Is it long enough, darling?"

"Oh, quite long enough, Reginald dear," said Emily; and by the moon's light she gratified her husband's funny humour, and tightly twisted up his hair, according to his directions, "three curls on each side."

Captain Harcourt did make an excellent woman, for a very inquisitive and impertinent man, who had been following the post-chaise on horseback, opened the door, and peered in, when they stayed to pay the first toll, and, after satisfying his curiosity, said, "Two ladies: all right. Beg your pardon."

The Captain's funny humour, this whim of his, lasted all night. He went to sleep (?) in the curl papers and Emily's bonnet, and did not divest himself of the female attire till daylight next morning.

"What a funny creature you are, Reginald," said Emily, while she was combing out the Captain's curls.

"Always was," he replied. "Child of impulse, Emmy."

* * * * * * *

Having arrived in safety at Portsmouth, Captain and Mrs. Harcourt took a small cottage, and enjoyed the sweets of solitude for several weeks. But one night, alas! a coarse man, in top-boots and corduroy breeches, and a blue double-breasted coat, with brass buttons upon it, without being announced, broke in upon them, and said, in the most familiar manner, to the Captain, "Hulloa, my pippin! Oh! Charley!"

Captain Harcourt was naturally very indignant, and asked the intruder what he meant. The intruder in reply put out his tongue at the Captain, squinted hideously, and drew from his pocket a piece of parchment.

Captain Harcourt protested that it was all a mistake; and Emily's anger now being aroused, she desired the intruder to leave the house.

"I will do that immediately, mam," said the intruder; "but you'll excuse me for saying that this gentleman, the Captain—Captain Harcourt—mam—the Captain, mam—the Captain must go along with me. Particular business demands it, mam."

"Emily, dearest," said Captain Harcourt, in a whisper, "I am not the first person in the world that has been subjected to inconvenience by a false identity. It once happened to the great Duke of Marlborough—ay, royalty itself has not escaped. Compose yourself, dearest. By going at once it will be the sooner over. The law shall be altered. I will soon be back. Now, don't cry, that's a darling."