Julia had learned that "a soft answer turneth away wrath," or, that if that cannot be uttered, "silence is the best." She adopted the last resource, and left her father and mother alone.
"I am thankful our boy has escaped, and I can only hope that he will be induced to act with wisdom and discretion. I am placed in rather an awkward position with regard to the Duke of Oldfield. Under the belief of Harry"s death, I have arranged to forward a match between the Marquis of Underdown and Julia. The duke a.s.sured me that he admired her greatly when they last met in London, and believing her to be my heiress, he was ready to sanction his son"s offer, because he frankly told me that the Marquis must marry a girl of fortune, though he should object unless she was of good family. Underdown will arrive here to-day, and Sir John and Lord Frederick, and the other men I asked, were merely to act as foils, though I should not object to either of them, should the Marquis fail; but I believe that a ducal coronet will carry the day with any girl not excluding our daughter Julia."
"I never venture to oppose your wishes, Sir Ralph, and my earnest endeavour has been to secure Julia"s happiness," said Lady Castleton humbly. "I fear, however, that her affection for Captain Headland is too deeply rooted to allow even the Marquis any prospect of success."
"But when the marquis finds that Harry is alive, his prudence will probably make him beat a rapid retreat, or at all events the duke will recall him," remarked Sir Ralph, with a sneer. "You will thus see my wisdom in asking the other gentlemen, and I must insist that you use every effort to induce our daughter to give up this naval officer, and accept either of them who comes forward. We must at all events manage her, though we may find Harry more obstinate than his sister."
"I can only do my best," said Lady Castleton, endeavouring to suppress a sigh.
Sir Ralph enquired about the Misses Pemberton, and hearing that they were at Downside, remarked--
"I wish they with their ward could be induced to go away again, they have been thorns in my side since I came to Texford. It would have been wiser had we at once ignored their existence, and Harry would have had no excuse for visiting them."
The expected guests arrived, and were cordially greeted by Sir Ralph, who watched the countenance of the young marquis as he was informed of the fact of Harry"s existence. From its expression the keen man of the world argued that the young n.o.bleman would not long honour him as his guest.
Julia, who was in very good spirits, received the visitors with her usual frank and easy manner. She had greater difficulty next day to maintain her composure, as she was looking forward to the arrival of Harry and his mysterious companion, the father of Headland.
Lady Castleton received in the morning another letter from Harry, which he had written that she might show it to his father. He stated what he had already done to Julia, adding that he hoped Sir Ralph would give a warm greeting to his friend, who a.s.sured him that they had formerly been well acquainted.
"Who he can be I have no conception," exclaimed Sir Ralph. "I wish Harry had told me. We must ascertain who he is first. It is possible he may be some impostor who has discovered his anxiety to find a father for his friend. I shall be very careful how I trust him."
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.
ATTACKED.
Mr Grooc.o.c.k, afraid of alarming the ladies, had not informed them of the warning he had received, but as soon as he had an opportunity of speaking to Sir Ralph he told him what had occurred; and of the precautionary measures he had taken.
"I suspect the old mad woman has practiced on your credulity," observed Sir Ralph. "However, do as you think fit, it may be as well to be prepared, in case that fellow Gaffin should venture on so daring a deed.
With so many gentlemen in the house, backed by the servants, he will not think of attacking the hall."
"I suspect, Sir Ralph, that desperate as he is, there is nothing he would not dare to do."
The steward, fearing that some mistake might occur had ridden over to Morbury, to beg that Mr Shallard would see that the men he had applied for were sent in time. It was fortunate that he went, for Mr Shallard had been away from home though expected back every minute. Mr Grooc.o.c.k anxiously waited his return. He arrived at length, when the steward explained his object, and asked if he had not received a letter he had sent about it. Mr Shallard found it on his table with several others.
"Here is also a requisition," he said, glancing at another letter, "from the Misses Pemberton to obtain protection for Downside. She has been warned as you were, by an old mad woman, and she a.s.sures me that she feels confident the warning should not be disregarded. Though I have no great fears on the matter, my gallantry compels me to ride over there at once to afford the ladies such security as the presence of a gentleman can give; and I will beg that a body of fencibles may be sent to arrive soon after dusk. If no more men can be spared, we must obtain a few cavalry, as fortunately some troops arrived here a few days ago, and are to remain a short time to obtain recruits in the neighbourhood. I will see their commanding officer, and take care that they are sent off in time to reach Texford by dark. You may go home, therefore, Mr Grooc.o.c.k, with your mind at rest on the subject. They will soon be at your heels, and you will, I daresay, look after them and see that they are provided with a supply of good cheer, such as soldiers expect under the circ.u.mstances."
"No fear of that, Mr Shallard," answered the steward. "I must no longer delay, for I am already late, and with my own good will I would rather not be out after dusk, considering the sort of people likely to be abroad."
"By-the-bye, I have not congratulated you on Lieutenant Castleton"s safe return. I received the news from Miss Pemberton just as I was leaving home yesterday, and nothing has given me greater pleasure in life. A fine young fellow your future baronet, and I heartily wish that all difficulties in the way of his happiness may be overcome. He will prove a worthy successor to his excellent uncle. I have no doubt about that, though neither you nor I, Mr Grooc.o.c.k, can properly wish him to come into possession for many years."
"I wish that all were like him. He will make a kind master whoever serves him, but my head will be laid at rest before then," answered the steward, with a sigh. "However, I must be on my journey," and Mr Grooc.o.c.k, shaking hands with the lawyer, mounted his cob and rode back towards Texford.
The family at Texford were a.s.sembled in the drawing-room. Dinner had been put off, as they were every minute expecting the arrival of Harry and his friends, and Sir Ralph, usually so calm, kept moving about the room, frequently expressing his surprise that they had not come.
"I hope nothing has happened to them," he said to himself. "Is it possible that they can have encountered that fellow Gaffin and his ruffian crew?"
Julia in vain endeavoured to understand what the Marquis and Lord Frederick were saying to her, but could only give the vaguest of replies.
The window of the back drawing-room, which looked towards the park, was open. Sir Ralph had looked out several times in the hopes of hearing the carriage wheels. He rang the bell, and a servant appearing, he ordered dinner to be served.
"By-the-bye," he asked, "has Mr Grooc.o.c.k returned from Morbury?"
"No, Sir Ralph," was the answer.
"Let me know when he comes," said the baronet.
At that instant the sound of a shot was heard; it came from the direction of the park gate. It was followed by several others.
"What can that mean?" asked most of the gentlemen in a breath.
Sir Ralph, without answering, rang the bell violently, when the butler hurried into the room with a look of alarm.
"Tell the servants to get their arms, and have the shutters of all the lower rooms closed. Gentlemen," he added, turning to his guests, "if any of you have firearms or swords, pray get them. I received a warning that the house was to be attacked by a desperate gang of smugglers, but took no notice of it, though I fear from these sounds I ought to have done so."
Most of the gentlemen, who had fowling-pieces or pistols with them, hurried off to get them ready. Lady Castleton sank on the sofa, another lady fainted, and two shrieked out in their terror, believing that the next instant they should see the ruffians breaking into the house.
Julia endeavoured to calm her mother and their guests, while Sir Ralph went to the front door to see that it was bolted and barred. At that moment he heard carriage wheels rolling at a rapid rate up the avenue.
Again several shots were heard much nearer than the first. He ordered the door to be opened. The horses, panting and foaming, were pulled up by the postillion, and Harry sprang out of the chaise, followed by General Sampson. They both turned round to a.s.sist out another person, while a fourth leaped from the box.
"Drive round to the coachyard, and tell the grooms to close the gates,"
cried Harry, while he led the stranger up the steps. On seeing his father he greeted him affectionately.
"We were fired on by a band of ruffians, but as we returned their salute briskly, they did not venture to come to nearer quarters. They may, however, be following, and we should be prepared for them." Sir Ralph was on the point of giving some further directions to the servants, when General Sampson and his companion reached the hall. Sir Ralph started, and gazed with a bewildered look.
"Who are you? Speak. I well remember those features," he exclaimed.
"And I remember yours, Ralph," said the stranger, stepping forward and taking his hand. "However, we will say no more on the subject at present. Your son and General Sampson know me as Mr Hastings; let me retain that name till we can converse in private. In the meantime, continue your preparations to receive the ruffians, who are close at hand. Thanks to the speed at which we were driving, the volley they fired did us no harm."
Sir Ralph seemed scarcely to comprehend what Mr Hastings said, but continued gazing in his face without replying.
General Sampson, at once comprehending the state of affairs, took upon himself the command of the garrison, and ordered the servants to see that all the other entrances to the house were closed. He then requested those who had firearms to load them with ball, and to be ready to make use of them if required. Scarcely had he done so than a thundering knock was heard at the door, and a man from the outside announced himself as a sergeant from the -- Dragoons, who had been sent over from Morbury with a party of fifteen men to guard the Hall.
On this the door was opened, when a fine soldier-like fellow appeared, who requested to know where he should post his men.
"My orders are to remain here if Sir Ralph Castleton wishes it, but if not, to proceed to Downside Cottage, at Hurlston. As the smugglers, or whatever they are, caught sight of us just as we entered the avenue, they are not likely to attack this place."
Harry, who had just been receiving his mother"s and sister"s embraces, heard what was said.
"Let some of your men accompany me, and I will show them the way to Downside," he exclaimed; and he directed one of the servants to bring a horse round without a moment"s delay.
"Where are you going, Harry?" exclaimed Sir Ralph, recovering himself, on seeing Harry hurrying down the steps. "The troopers will look after the ruffians."
"To a.s.sist those who require protection," answered Harry. "There is no time to be lost."
"Just like him," cried General Sampson. "The ruffians won"t stand a charge if he leads it. I"ll be after you, Harry. One of you get me a horse."
"Thank you, general," exclaimed Lady Castleton, "We cannot tell what these desperate men will venture to do, and you may be of the greatest a.s.sistance."