XIV. AN UNPLEASANT INQUIRY.
|Next morning, about eleven o'clock, Chetwynd found his way, as usual, from the “Grosvenor Hotel” to the house in Belgrave Square.
He had breakfasted very pleasantly with Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, who was staying at the same hotel as himself, and had not the slightest idea that anything disagreeable awaited him; but he was rather struck by Higgins's manner, as he let him in.
Evidently the butler had something to communicate.
It may be proper to mention that, since Chetwynd's resumption of his own name, and appearance in his true character at Lady Thicknesse's, no allusion to the past had ever been made by Higgins, who had always been particularly respectful.
“Mr. Calverley,” he said, as they stood together in the vestibule, “I must prepare you for an interview with her ladyship and Mr. Scrope Danvers. They are in the dining-room, and I am directed to conduct you thither on your arrival. I know nothing, but should any questions be asked me, you may rely on my discretion.”
“I am greatly obliged to you, Higgins,” replied Chetwynd; “but you are at liberty to tell all you know respecting me. I desire no concealment. Of course, I should be glad to throw a veil over the past if I could; but that is impossible.”
No more was said.
The butler ushered him into the dining-room, where he found Lady Thicknesse and her nephew.
Her ladyship received him with her customary good nature, and begged him to be seated; but Scrope's manner was cold and haughty.
After a few preliminary remarks by Lady Thicknesse, Scrope interposed, and in a very grave tone said:
“Will you allow me to ask you a few questions, Mr. Calverley? I shall be sorry to give you pain, but circumstances compel me to adopt this disagreeable course.”
“Since the questions you desire to put refer, no doubt, to a very painful period of my life, it might, perhaps, have been better if you had spoken to me in private,” rejoined Chetwynd. “But proceed.”
“Pray understand that it is at my particular request that Lady Thicknesse is present,” said Scrope. “We have long been aware that some time ago you were in great difficulties, and on bad terms with your father and stepmother; but, until very lately neither of us knew you had attempted to commit suicide.”
“What you have heard is quite true, sir,” replied Chetwynd. “I was driven to desperation by my own folly; but I have never ceased to feel deep remorse for the attempt, and I daily thank Heaven that I was saved from the commission of the sinful act.”
Hitherto Lady Thicknesse had looked down, but she now regarded him with an interest she had never felt before.
“These sentiments do you credit, sir,” said Scrope. “But I must now ask what steps you took immediately after the attempt?”
“I endeavoured to obtain employment.”
“In what way?”
“I decline to answer that question, sir,” replied Chetwynd.
“As you please, sir,” said Scrope. “I can easily obtain the requisite information.”
And he rang the bell. The summons was promptly answered by the butler.
“Higgins,” observed Scrope, “when Charles Brown-low, the former footman, was discharged, did Mr. Tankard apply for the place?”
“He did, sir.”
“For his son?”
“No, sir; for a young man named Walter Liddel.”
“Are you certain that was his real name?”
“I can't be quite sure, sir,” replied Higgins. “At any rate it was the name given me by Mr. Tankard.”
“Did you see the party spoken of?”
“Oh, yes, sir! I saw him at Mr. Tankard's house, and was very much pleased with his appearance. The livery suited him extremely well.”
“Oh! then he had on the livery?”
“Yes, sir. I wished to see how it fitted, and it did fit him to admiration. I never saw such a fine-looking footman in my life.”
“And you engaged him?”
“At once, sir. I thought him a great catch.”
“Did he enter on the situation?”
“Something prevented him. Either his father died quite suddenly, and left him a large fortune, or else he married; I don't recollect which.”
“Be serious, if you please, Higgins. Have you ever seen him since?”
“Not that I am aware of, sir.”
“Should you know him again if you saw him?”
“I don't think I should, sir. I only saw him in livery, and a handsome livery like ours sets a man off to advantage. Are these all the questions you propose to ask me, sir?”
“One more, and I have done; and I beg you will answer it distinctly. Do you see him now?”
“Walter Liddel? No, sir.”
“You are a very cautious fellow, Higgins, but it won't do,” said Scrope.
“Speak out, Higgins,” said Chetwynd. “I have no wish for concealment.”
“Now I look again,” remarked the butler to Scrope, “I should say there is a very strong resemblance between Walter Liddel and Mr. Chetwynd Calverley.”
“Enough!” cried Scrope. “You may retire.” Higgins bowed, and left the room.
“And now,” said Chetwynd, “may I ask the meaning of this inquiry?”
“My object is merely to establish a fact,” replied Scrope. “Lady Thicknesse and myself have just learnt, to our great surprise and annoyance, that our charming relative, Emmeline Barfleur, has had the imprudence to form an engagement with you.”
“Imprudence, sir!” cried Chetwynd.
“I might use a stronger term, but that will suffice. It cannot be very agreeable to those connected with her, that the daughter of the proud Sir Leycester Barfleur, who might marry any one she pleases, should throw herself away upon a—footman!”
Chetwynd absolutely started, but controlled himself by a great effort.
“I now understand your anxiety to secure Lady Thicknesses presence at our interview,” he said. “You have aimed a cowardly blow at me, but it has failed in effect. I treat your observation with scorn!” Then, turning to Lady Thicknesse, he added, “Since your nephew refuses to give me credit for acting like a gentleman, I must inform your ladyship that Emmeline is acquainted with the ridiculous circumstance of which so much has been made, and it merely excited her laughter. I have confessed all my follies and faults to her—all!—and she has forgiven me, because she believes in my promises of amendment.”
As he spoke the door opened, and Emmeline herself entered the room, accompanied by Mildred and Sir Bridgnorth Charlton.