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John came out in about half an hour, with a cheerful countenance; told me he was going over to Coltham for an hour or two would I wait his return? "And all is settled?" I asked. "Will be soon, I trust. I can't stay to tell you more now. Goodbye." I was no man of business, and could assist in nothing.
Of the many loquacious visitors who came that morning to pour upon Lady Oldtower all the curiosity of Coltham fashionable Coltham, famous for all the scandal of haut ton there was none who did not speak of Lord Luxmore and his affairs with an uncomfortable, wondering awe.
Near as we lived to Coltham, I had only been there once in my life; but John Halifax knew the town pretty well, having latterly in addition to his clerkship been employed by my father in going about the neighbourhood buying bark. I was amused when the coach stopped at an inn, which bore the ominous sign of the "Fleece," to see how well accustomed he seemed to be to the ways of the place.
"So am I, young man," returned the other, no way disconcerted; indeed, he seemed a person whose frank temper nothing could disconcert. "But starvation is excuse me, unpleasant; and necessity has no law. It is of vital consequence that I should reach Coltham to-night; and after walking twenty miles one cannot easily walk ten more, and afterwards appear as Macbeth to an admiring audience."
"But are you safe? your life " For a sudden fear crossed me a fear not unwarranted by more than one event of this year this terrible 1825. "Safe? Yes " and his eyes were lifted, "I believe my life is safe if I have work to do. Still, for others' sake, I have carried this month past whenever I go to and from the Coltham bank, besides my cash-box this."
They were a mere handful not above two score apparently the relics of the band which had attacked the mill, joined with a few plough-lads from the country around. But they were desperate; they had come up the Coltham road so quietly, that, except this faint murmur, neither I nor any one in the town could have told they were near.
We knew that it was by no means to learn the truth, but to confront us with it, that my father reaching the parlour, and opening the shutters that the hard daylight should shame us more and more asked the stern question "Phineas, where hast thee been?" John answered for me. "At the theatre at Coltham. It was my fault. He went because I wished to go." "And wherefore didst thee wish to go?"
But the wearer carried off this anomalous costume with an easy, condescending air, full of pleasantness, humour, and grace. "Sir," said he, approaching John Halifax with a bow that I feel sure the "first gentleman of his day," as loyal folk then entitled the Prince Regent, could not have surpassed "Sir, will you favour me by informing us how far it is to Coltham?"
"I got away after you, father. I I wanted to find some strawberries and I wanted to speak to you." "Speak on, little lady." He linked her arm in his, and she paced between us up and down the broad walk but without diverging to the strawberry-beds. She was grave, and paler than ordinary. Her father asked if she were tired? "No, but my head aches. Those Coltham people do talk so.
John said nothing; but his eyes, sad indeed, yet lit with a proud tenderness, rested upon her as she spoke. Soon after, he rose up to take leave. "Do not go yet; I want to ask about Norton Bury. I had no idea you lived there. And Mr. Fletcher too?" I replied in the affirmative. "In what part of the town?" "On the Coltham Road, near the Abbey."
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