XV. HOW DOCTOR SPENCER WAS SENT FOR.
Little did the many guests staying at Ouselcroft imagine what had occurred during the night. They slept on, undisturbed by any idea that a direful deed was being enacted in an adjoining chamber.
Rose's nocturnal visit to Mrs. Calverley was heard by no one; and, since then, all had been tranquil. Was Mildred better? Was she sleeping? At all events, those with her were quiet.
Thus, when the large establishment arose, at an early hour, for they had an unusually busy day before them, no alarm whatever had been given.
No report was brought down-stairs that Miss Calverley had been taken ill during the night; but the housemaids were bustling about, and getting the rooms ready for the guests, who might be expected to make their appearance some two or three hours later.
Rose had promised Harry Netterville overnight that she would meet him in the garden at six o'clock, and they would have a stroll together; but, though the morning was charming, the young damsel did not make her appearance, greatly to Harry's disappointment.
Monsieur Zephyrus was more fortunate. Laura had engaged to meet him at the same early hour, and she was true to her appointment.
She must have been up soon after it was light, for she had evidently spent some time over her toilette. Zephyrus was enraptured by her costume and looks, and paid her many high-flown compliments in French, the import of which she understood. Undoubtedly she looked very captivating.
The amorous pair did not remain long on the lawn, though they met there, but sought a retired walk. They had not, however, proceeded far, when they saw another couple advancing towards them, whom they instantly recognised as Tom Tankard and Clarissa.
Salutations were exchanged in the most approved style, praises bestowed on the beauty of the morning, and on the delightful singing of the birds; and they were about to separate, when Laura thought proper to give Tom a friendly caution.
“If you don't want to meet your father,” she said, “I advise you to keep clear of the lawn. He's there with Mr. Higgins and our old butler, Mr. Norris.”
“Since that's the case, we'll turn back, if you please, Miss Clarissa. My guv'nor's an odd sort of man, and he don't like my paying attention to young ladies.”
Clarissa, who was very good-natured, did not mind which way she went, so Laura suggested they should walk together to the fish-ponds, which were about half a mile distant, and they set off in that direction.
Amongst those who were early astir on that fine morning, and who had come forth into the garden, was Chetwynd.
Of course, he know nothing that had happened during the night; but a strange foreboding of ill oppressed him. He found old Tankard and Higgins on the lawn; and, after a brief converse with them, he was proceeding to the stables, when Norris came up and begged to have a word with him, and they went into the library together.
“I am going to ask you a singular question, sir,” said the old butler; “and I will explain my motive for doing so presently. Do you think this marriage with Mrs. Calverley and Lord Courland will really take place?”
“I believe it will, Norris,” replied Chetwynd. “I see nothing to prevent it. I don't know whether all the preliminary arrangements are settled; but his lordship appears perfectly satisfied. And so he ought to be, if what I hear is true.”
“It will be more advantageous to you than to him,” said Norris.
“I don't understand you,” rejoined Chetwynd, regarding him fixedly.
“When I say advantageous to you, sir, I mean to your sister,” observed the butler. “But it cannot fail to be beneficial to you. You ought to pray that the marriage may take place, instead of opposing it.”
“What the deuce are you driving at, Norris?”
“It appears to me, sir, that you have never read your father's will.”
“You are right; I have not. But I know that the property is left entirely to his wife.”
“Very true, sir—very true. But there is a most important proviso, of which you are evidently ignorant. In the event of the widow marrying again, she forfeits the property, which then goes to the testator's daughter, Mildred.”
“Are you sure of this, Norris?” cried Chetwynd, astounded.
“Quite sure, sir,” replied the old butler. “I have read the will myself, most carefully. As I have already said, the best thing that can happen to you is that your step-mother should marry again. But will she make this sacrifice? I fear not.”
“Can she be aware of the proviso you have mentioned, Norris?”
“Impossible to say,” rejoined the old butler. “I should think so. She has the will in her possession. I. do not see how it can fail to act as a bar to a second marriage, unless she comes to some arrangement with Miss Mildred.”
“That she will never do,” said Chetwynd. “My sister, I am certain, will never surrender her rights to her.”
“Has the matter been broached to Miss Mildred?” inquired Norris.
“Impossible, or I should have heard of it.”
“Then nothing is left Mrs. Calverley but to break off the match, and that is the point from which I started,” said Norris.
“It is incomprehensible she should have allowed the affair to proceed so far,” said Chetwynd. “I am altogether perplexed. But I will have an early interview with my sister this morning, and hear what she has to say. Something must be done forthwith. She cannot give a tacit assent to the arrangement.”
At this moment Rose Hartley appeared at the open window, and Chetwynd called her in.
“I was looking for you, sir,” said Rose, who appeared very anxious. “I came to tell you Miss Calverley is very ill.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Chetwynd, surprised and alarmed.
“She was taken ill in the night with a renewal of the attack she experienced the other day at Brackley, but recovered for a time, and obtained some hours' sleep; but she is worse again this morning.”
“What ails her?” asked Chetwynd.
“I can scarcely describe her illness; but she suffers a great deal of pain. I think she ought to have immediate advice.”
“She shall,” replied Chetwynd. “I should wish to see her myself.”
“Not now, sir; later on.”
“Has Mrs. Calverley seen her?” he asked eagerly.
“No, sir; but she sent her some eau de luce by me.”
“Some eau de luce?”
“Yes, sir. I knocked at her chamber door in the middle of the night, and she gave me a small bottle that was standing by her bedside. Miss Calverley only took a few drops of it.”
“Quite enough, I should think,” muttered Norris.
“Well, don't give her any more at present,” said Chetwynd.
“I haven't got any more to give her,” replied Rose. “I took back the phial.”
“Mark that, sir,” observed Norris.
“Why mark it?” inquired Rose.
“Never mind him,” said Chetwynd. “Go back to my sister at once, and remain with her till Doctor Spencer arrives. Don't give her anything more, and don't let Mrs. Calverley come near her if you can help it.”
“Mind that!” said Norris, emphatically.
Rose looked at him, but made no remark.
“Tell her I have something to say to her, and must see her this morning; but don't make her uneasy,” said Chetwynd. “I suppose Miss Barfleur is with her?”
“Yes, you may be sure she won't leave her, sir,” replied Rose. “Your message shall be delivered to your sister, and your instructions attended to.”
As soon as Rose was gone, Norris could no longer contain himself.
“Here we have it as plain as possible, sir,” he cried. “The sole bar to the marriage is to be removed. Don't you see it, sir? I do, plainly enough. How else should she fall suddenly ill just at this time?”
“Whatever you may think, Norris; and however difficult you may find it to do so, I insist upon it that you hold your tongue,” said Chetwynd, authoritatively. “If you disobey me, you'll ever afterwards lose my favour. Now go and send for Doctor Spencer at once, and leave the rest to me.”
“Don't fear me, sir,” said Norris. “I'll keep silence as long as you enjoin me.”
And he proceeded to the stables, and sent off a mounted groom for Doctor Spencer.