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"You shall be satisfied," she said, and looked at him gravely. "And I I am not afraid, Harry." Mr. Hadley and Sir John Burford in the hall at Tetherdown looked at each other across the fire. "Would you call for a pipe now, Charles?" says Sir John, fidgeting. "There'll be none in the house, sir. Geoffrey has no stomach for tobacco."
Even as the first blundering remonstrances had irritated Alison's wanton will into passionate resolution, so this ensuing vacillation and delay gave it opportunity. If the tale had been told to Lady Waverton, no doubt but Harry would have been banished from Tetherdown that night. It is likely, indeed, that the ultimate fates of Alison and Harry would have been the same.
Hadley rode on with right good will. But when they came to Tetherdown it was announced that Mr. Waverton had gone riding. "Why, then we'll wait for him." Sir John strode in. The butler looked dubious. Mr. Waverton had said nothing of when he would come back. "Why the devil should he?" Sir John stretched his legs before the fire. "He'll dine, won't he?" The butler bowed.
If it irks you that I remind you of it, do not give the blame to me." "I shall blame you for being tedious, by your leave." Alison yawned. "Wait till all's told. Well, ma'am, I left Tetherdown with Colonel Boyce, and we rode posthaste to Newhaven. He was there joined by some half-dozen fellows, low fellows to my eye.
"You rogue, who set you on Mr. Boyce?" "How would I know he was a friend of yours? 'Twas a squire out of Hornsey. Squire Waverton of Tetherdown. Paying handsome to have him downed. Oh, gad, captain, don't be hard. I ha' had no luck since you turned me off." Now the constables came running up and Colonel Boyce turned to them: "Secure that fellow.
"Pray, sir, did you know that Mr. Waverton this morning left Tetherdown in your father's company, your father taking him, as he says in a letter, to the wars?" "Knew?" Lady Waverton chose to speak out of her swoon. "To be sure they knew. They would not have dared else. Dear Geoffrey! A villain! And you, miss you whom he trusted! Oh!" She again took scent.
The ladies who lamented that were, for the most part, consoled by his eyes large, dark eyes of a liquid melancholy. But my Lord Wharton complained that they looked at him like a hound's. Mr. Waverton was an only son, and fatherless. He had also great possessions. From his house of Tetherdown all the fields that he could see stretching away to the Essex border were of his inheritance.
"We have not seen you at Tetherdown in this long while," Mr. Waverton complained genially. "I believe not," says Susan. Alison stared at her. "Why do you come here? You know you despise me." "I do not come to people I despise," says Susan placidly. "Well. I am private with dear Geoffrey, if you please." "My dear Alison! I must be riding. We have finished our business, I think.
"Well, my lad, I ha' thought over that business and I'm taking horse to ride over to Tetherdown." "Oh Lord," said Mr. Hadley. "And what then, sir?" "I'll talk to Master Geoffrey." "Oh Lord," said Mr. Hadley again. "Do it delicately." "Delicate be damned," said Sir John. "I had better ride with you," said Mr. Hadley. "Good boy. Here, Roger Mr. Hadley's horse." Susan stood up.
What's the matter?" "Humph, I suppose my stomach is weakening," said Colonel Boyce. "I don't digest things as I did." In this pensive temper they came back to Tetherdown. The Colonel's servant was waiting for him with letters, and he was seen no more that night. Harry did not know till afterwards that Mr. Waverton, as well as letters, was taken to the Colonel's room.
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