A messenger was soon on the way to Ridley Court, and in a little upper room Jacques was caring for his master.
CHAPTER IX. HE FINDS NEW SPONSORS
Gaston lay for many days at “The Whisk o’ Barley.” During that time the inn was not open to customers. The woman also for two days hung at the point of death, and then rallied. She remembered the events of the painful night, and often asked after Gaston. Somehow, her horror of her son’s death at his hands was met by the injury done him now. She vaguely felt that there had been justice and punishment. She knew that in the room at Labrador Gaston Belward had been scarcely less mad than her son.
Gaston, as soon as he became conscious, said that his assailant must be got out of the way of the police, and to that end bade Jacques send for Mr. Warren Gasgoyne. Mr. Gasgoyne and Sir William arrived at the same time, but Gaston was unconscious again. Jacques, however, told them what his master’s wishes were, and they were carried out; Jock’s friend secretly left England forever. Sir William and Mr. Gasgoyne got the whole tale from the landlord, whom they asked to say nothing publicly.
Lady Belward drove down each day, and sat beside him for a couple of hours-silent, solicitous, smoothing his pillow or his wasting hand. The brain had been injured, and recovery could not be immediate. Hovey the housekeeper had so begged to be installed as nurse, that her wish was granted, and she was with him night and day. Now she shook her head at him sadly, now talked in broken sentences to herself, now bustled about silently, a tyrant to the other servants sent down from the Court. Every day also the headgroom and the huntsman came, and in the village Gaston’s humble friends discussed the mystery, stoutly defending him when some one said it was “more nor gabble, that theer saying o’ the poacher at the meetin.’”
But the landlord and his wife kept silence, the officers of the law took no action, and the town and country newspapers could do no more than speak of “A vicious assault upon the heir of Ridley Court.” It had become the custom now to leave Ian out of that question. But the wonder died as all wonders do, and Gaston made his fight for health.
The day before he was removed to the Court, Mrs. Cawley was helped up-stairs to see him. She was gaunt and hollow-eyed. Lady Belward and Mrs. Gasgoyne were present. The woman made her respects, and then stood at Gaston’s bedside. He looked up with a painful smile.
“Do you forgive me?” he asked. “I’ve almost paid!”
He touched his bandaged head.