Tom swore back. He thrust his hands deep in his pockets and sank into that att.i.tude of dejection common to drunkards. Suddenly he pulled himself up.
""Shblood! Here"s Richard t" draw from. Lemme have fifty pounds, Richard."
"Not a farthing," I said, unmoved.
"You say wha" shall be done with my father"s money!" he cried. "I call tha" d.a.m.ned cool--Gad"s life! I do. Eh, Courtenay?"
Courtenay had the sense not to interfere.
"I"ll have you dishcharged, Gads death! so I will!" he shouted. "No d.a.m.ned airs wi" me, Mr. Carvel. I"ll have you know you"re not wha" you once were, but, only a cursht oversheer."
He struggled to his feet, forgot his wrath on the instant, and began to sing drunkenly the words of a ribald air. I took him by both shoulders and pushed him back into his chair.
"Be quiet," I said sternly; "while your mother and sister are here you shall not insult them with such a song." He ceased, astonished. "And as for you, gentlemen," I continued, "you should know better than to make a place of resort out of a gentleman"s house."
Courtenay"s voice broke the silence that followed.
"Of all the cursed impertinences I ever saw, egad!" he drawled. "Is this your manor, Mr. Carvel? Or have you a seat in Kent?"
I would not have it in black and white that I am an advocate of fighting. But a that moment I was in the mood when it does not matter much one way or the other. The drunken man carried us past the point.
"The d.a.m.ned in--intriguing rogue"sh worked himself into my father"s grashes," he said, counting out his words. "He"sh no more Whig than me.
I know"sh game, Courtenay--he wants t" marry Patty. Thish place"ll be hers."
The effect upon me of these words, with all their hideous implication of gossip and scandal, was for an instant benumbing. The interpretation of the doctor"s innuendo struck me then. I was starting forward, with a hand open to clap over Tom"s mouth, when I saw the laugh die on Courtenay"s face, and him come bowing to his legs. I turned with a start.
On the stairs stood Patty herself, pale as marble.
"Come with me, Tom," she said.
He had obeyed her from childhood. This time he tried, and failed miserably.
"Beg pardon, Patty," he stammered, "no offensh meant. Thish factor thinks h" ownsh Gordon"s now. I say, not"ll h" marries you. Good fellow, Richard, but infernal forward. Eh, Courtenay?"
Philip turned away, while the doctor pretended to examine the silver punch-ladle. As for me, I could only stare. It was Patty who kept her head, and made us a stately curtsey.
"Will you do me the kindness, gentlemen," said she, "to leave me with my brother?"
We walked silently into the parlour, and I closed the door.
"Slife!" cried Courtenay, "she"s a vision. What say you, Philip? And I might see her in that guise again, egad, I would forgive Tom his five hundred crowns!"
"A buxom vision," agreed my cousin, "but I vow I like "em so." He had forgotten his cold.
"This conversation is all of a piece with the rest of your conduct,"
said I, hotly.
The candles were burning brightly in the sconces. The doctor walked to the gla.s.s, took snuff, and burnished his waistcoat before he answered.
"Sure, a fortune lies under every virtue we a.s.sume," he recited. "But she is not for you, Richard," says he, tapping his box.
"Mr. Carvel, if you please," I replied. I felt the demon within me. But I had the sense to realize that a quarrel with Dr. Courtenay, under the circ.u.mstances, would be far from wise. He had no intention of quarrelling, however. He made me a grand bow.
"Mr. Carvel, your very obedient. Hereafter I shall know better than to forget myself with an overseer." And he gave me his back. "What say you to a game of billiards, Philip?"
Philip seemed glad to escape. And soon I heard their voices, mingling with the click of the b.a.l.l.s. There followed for me one of the bitterest half hours I have had in my life. Then Patty opened the hall door.
"Will you come in for a moment, Richard?" she said, quite calmly.
I followed her, wondering at the masterful spirit she had shown. For there was Tom all askew in his chair, his feet one way and his hands another, totally subdued. What was most to the point, he made me an elaborate apology. How she had sobered his mind I know not. His body was as helpless as the day he was born.
Long before the guests thought of rising the next morning, Patty came to me as I was having the mare saddled. The sun was up, and the clouds were being chased, like miscreants who have played their prank, and were now running for it. The sharp air brought the red into her cheeks. And for the first time in her life with me she showed shyness. She glanced up into my face, and then down at the leaves running on the ground.
"I hope they will go to-day," said she, when I was ready to mount.
I began to tighten the girths, venting my feelings on Firefly until the animal swung around and made a vicious pa.s.s at my arm.
"Richard!"
"Yes."
"You will not worry over that senseless speech of Tom"s?"
"I see it in a properer light now, Patty," I replied. "I usually do--in the morning."
She sighed.
"You are so--high-strung," she said, "I was afraid you would--"
"I would--?"
She did not answer until I had repeated.
"I was very silly," she said slowly, her colour mounting even higher," I was afraid that you would--leave us." Stroking the mare"s neck, and with a little halt in her voice, "I do not know what we should do without you."
Indeed, I was beginning to think I would better leave, though where I should go was more than I could say. With a quick intuition she caught my hand as I put foot in the stirrup.
"You will not go away!" she cried. "Say you will not! What would poor father do? He is not so well as he used to be."
The wild appeal in her eyes frightened me. It was beyond resisting. In great agitation I put my foot to the ground again.
"Patty, I should be a graceless scamp in truth," I exclaimed. "I do not forget that your father gave me a home when mine was taken away, and has made me one of his family. I shall thank G.o.d if I can but lighten some of his burdens."
But they did not depart that day, nor the next; nor, indeed, for a week after. For Philip"s cold brought on a high fever. He stuck to his bed, and Patty herself made broth and dainties for him, and prescribed him medicine out of the oak chest whence had come so much comfort. At first Philip thought he would die, and forswore wine and cards, and some other things the taste for which he had cultivated, and likewise worse vices that had come to him by nature.
I am greatly pleased to write that the stay profited the gallant Dr.
Courtenay nothing. Patty"s mature beauty and her manner of carrying off the episode in the hall had made a deep impression upon the Censor. I read the man"s mind in his eye; here was a match to mend his fortunes, and do him credit besides. However, his wit and his languishing glances and double meanings fell on barren ground. No tire-woman on the plantation was busier than Patty during the first few days of his stay.
After that he grew sulky and vented his spleen on poor Tom, winning more money from him at billiards and picquet. Since the doctor was too much the macaroni to ride to hounds and to shoot ducks, time began to hang exceeding heavy on his hands.