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Read Ebook: Mistress Nancy Molesworth: A Tale of Adventure by Hocking Joseph
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Ebook has 2958 lines and 97174 words, and 60 pages
Colman Killigrew's welcome was by no means warm, while each of the sons looked at him distrustfully, almost savagely. But he did not seem to heed their evident dislike.
"I would like a word with you alone," he said to the squire.
"I am alone," was the reply. "I have no secrets from my sons."
"But there is a stranger among you," retorted Polperro.
"He is a friend who honours us by staying with us. He is of the same religion and hath the same interests."
I winced at this, and rose to leave, but Colman Killigrew, by a gesture, bid me remain.
"But this is not an affair for the ears of all," retorted Polperro.
"I have no affairs with you that may not be discussed by all here," was the cool response.
I wondered at this, for I could not fathom the old man's design. Perhaps he thought that by treating me as one of his family, even though I was a stranger, he would cause me to be more obedient to his wishes in the future. I listened eagerly, however, for I remembered why I was there.
"Be it so, then," replied Polperro with a touch of anger in his voice. "You know, then, that I have met Mistress Nancy Molesworth?"
The old man nodded.
"I love her."
Colman Killigrew betrayed no emotion whatever, but the sons made a movement expressive of scorn and derision.
Polperro saw this, and the colour began to mount to his cheeks. I could see, too, that he had difficulty in refraining from angry words; but he mastered himself.
"I have reason to believe that my sentiments are not unrequited."
Still Colman Killigrew was silent.
"You know that a messenger was sent to you. He bore a letter containing an offer of marriage. This you received and read."
The old man nodded.
"This you received and read," repeated John Polperro, "but I cannot think you fairly understood the purport of the letter, otherwise you would have sent back a different answer."
"The answer was plain."
"But curt and uncivil. It was not such an answer as one gentleman may send to another."
"I said that eagles mate not with hawks."
"That is why I cannot think you understood. My family is at least as old as your own."
"On the father's side, perchance--but on the mother's?--Bah! we will not speak of it."
Young John Polperro's hand played nervously with the hilt of his sword; but still he kept his temper under control.
"I am come with my father's consent and approval," he continued; "I am come in person to offer my name and fortune--a name as good as your own, a fortune more than equal to that of the Killigrews."
"I give you the same answer that I gave to your messenger," was the response.
John Polperro still kept outwardly cool.
"Then I have another proposition to make," he continued, but this time his voice took a loftier tone. "I am here to offer Mistress Nancy Molesworth the protection of my father's house. I am here to offer her safety and honour!"
The old man started to his feet. He had been pricked on the quick at last. "What mean you, sir?" he cried.
"It is well known that ever since she came from the convent, she has been afraid to live here!" cried Polperro. "That your sons pay her attention which she hates; that she loathes the thought of living where modesty, virtue, and honour are all outraged!"
I think he was sorry he had uttered these words as soon as they had passed his lips.
All the Killigrews looked as though they would have liked to have struck him dead. On my part, however, I had a feeling of admiration. Courage is always good, even although it be shown at the wrong time. Nothing was said or done, however. They remembered that the man stood in their own house.
"The maid has had but one occasion to speak of her woes to any one," continued Polperro. "You allowed her to visit Mistress Arundell, where she met with a friend she had known at the convent school. There, as you know, it was my good fortune to meet her."
I felt he was a fool. Why could he not have spoken more guardedly? If he wanted to do Mistress Nancy an injury, he could not have accomplished his purpose better. I saw, too, that old Colman Killigrew ground his teeth with rage, and I heard him mutter something about his being mad to let the girl go a-gadding about at people's houses. For a moment I thought he would have answered Polperro angrily; but such was not his plan.
"You stand in my own hall, or it might go hard with you," he said presently. "But enough. You spoke in hot blood, just as a lovesick fool may. Let me also say this, although you deserve not this explanation: Mistress Nancy Molesworth is betrothed to my eldest son Otho according to her father's wish. Therefore her honour is safe, and she will be wedded to one of her own degree."
"Is this by her own will?" cried Polperro.
"A maid's will is like the wind in April," replied the old man, "and is no more to be relied on. But I tell you this, she shall be guarded safely."
"Kept in prison!" retorted Polperro; "and these," looking with scorn on the young men, "will be her gaolers."
He turned to leave the room, but did not flinch at the angry looks bestowed upon him. Benet Killigrew turned to follow him, but he was stopped by his father's word.
"He stands in my own hall, Benet, and must be treated as a guest," he said. "The time may come when the laws of courtesy may not hinder you from giving him the chastisement he deserves."
"I did not think you would witness such a scene, Roger Penryn," said the old man when he had gone, "for in truth I did not believe the lad had so much spirit."
"He spoke stoutly," I responded, not daring to ask the questions which hung on my lips. "He sadly lacked wisdom, however, and will land himself in trouble if he be not careful."
"I had many things to say to you to-night," remarked old Colman Killigrew, "but they must stand over. I am not as young as I was, and young Polperro's words have ill prepared me to speak on matters which lie near my heart, and I trust to yours also. But the opportunity will come to-morrow."
I bent my head gravely. I was glad he had put off his questionings, for, truth to tell, I dreaded the man. I instinctively felt his eyes probing me. I knew he had been making plans all through the evening to find out who I was, and why I had come northward.
"I will retire to rest," he said; "perchance you, too, will be glad to get to your room?"
"I will go with him," said Otho Killigrew; "it is easy for a stranger to lose his way in this house."
So I said good-night to his brothers, who pressed me to stay among them and drink another bottle of wine, and walked up a broad stairway with Otho by my side.
On reaching the top of the stairway I saw a man walking to and fro; but he seemed to pay no heed to us as we passed by him.
"You will stay a day or two with us, I trust?" remarked Otho.
I answered in the affirmative.
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