'I am not here to discuss politics,' a dignified Miss Allonby stated, 'but simply to find out in what way Frank has been slandered.'
Ormskirk lifted one eyebrow. 'It is not altogether a matter of politics. Rather, as I see it, it is a matter of common-sense. Under the Stuarts England was a prostitute among the nations, lackey in turn to Spain and France and Italy; under the Guelph the Three-per-cents. are to-day at par. The question as to which is preferable thus resolves itself into a choice between common-sense and bedlamite folly. But, unhappily, you cannot argue with a Jacobite: only four years ago Cumberland and Hawley and I rode from Aberdeen to the Highlands and left all the intervening country bare as the palm of your hand; I forget how many Jacobites we killed, but evidently not enough to convince the others. Very well: we intend to have no more such nonsense, and we must settle this particular affair by the simple device of hanging or beheading every man-Jack concerned in it.' He spoke without vehemence —rather regretfully than otherwise.
Miss Allonby was patient, yet resolute to keep to the one really important point. 'But what has Frank been accused of doing when it never even entered his head?'
'He has been conspiring,' said the Duke, 'and with conspicuous clumsiness. It appears, child, that it was their common idiocy which of late brought together some two hundred gentlemen in Lancashire. Being every one of them most unmitigated fools, they desired that sot at Avignon to come over once more and 'take back his own,' as the saying is. He would not stir without definite assurances. So these men drew up a petition pledging their all to the Chevalier's cause and—God help us!—signed it. I protest,' the Duke sighed, 'I cannot understand these people! A couple of penstrokes, you observe, and there is your life at the mercy of chance, at the disposal of a puff of wind or the first blunderer who stumbles on the paper.'
'Doubtless that is entirely true,' said Miss Allonby, 'but what about Frank?'
Ormskirk shrugged his shoulders and began to laugh. 'You are an incomparable actress, you rogue you. But let us be candid, for all that, since as it happens Lord Humphrey is not the only person in my employ. What occurred last night I now partly know, and in part guess, Degge played a bold game, and your Captain gambled even more impudently,—only the stakes, as it to-day transpires, were of somewhat less importance than either of them surmised. For years Mr. Vanringham has been a Jacobite emissary; now he tires of it; and so he devoted the entire morning, yesterday to making a copy of this absurd petition.'
'I do not understand,' said Miss Allonby; and in appearance, at least, she was no whit disconcerted.
'He carried only the copy. You burned only the copy. Mr. Vanringham, it develops, knew well enough what that bungling Degge had been deputed to do, and he preferred to treat directly with Lord Humphrey's principal. Mr. Vanringham is an intelligent fellow. I dare make this assertion, because I am fresh from an interview with Mr. Vanringham,' his Grace of Ormskirk ended, and allowed himself a reminiscent chuckle.
She had risen. 'O ungenerous! this Vanringham has been bribed!'
'I pray you,' said the Duke, 'give vent to no such scandal. Vanringham's life would not be worth a farthing if he had done such a thing, and he knows it. Nay, I have planned it more neatly. To-night Mr. Vanringham will be arrested—merely on suspicion, mind you,—and all his papers will be brought to me; and it is possible that among them we may find the petition. And it is possible that, somehow, when he is tried with the others, Mr. Vanringham alone may be acquitted. And it is possible that an aunt—in Wales, say,—may die about this time and leave him a legacy of some five thousand pounds. Oh, yes, all this is quite possible,' said the Duke; 'but should we therefore shriek
'He has turned King's evidence,' she said, 'and his papers will be brought to you—' Miss Allonby paused. 'All his papers!' said Miss Allonby.
'And very curious they will prove, no doubt,' said his Grace. 'So many love-sick misses write to actors. I can assure you, child, I look forward with a deal of interest to my inspection of Mr. Vanringham's correspondence.'
'Eh?—Oh, yes!' Miss Allonby assented—'all his papers! Yes, they should be diverting, I must be going home though, to make ready for Lady Mackworth's ball. And if I have nobody to dance with me, I shall know quite well whose fault it is. How soon will Frank be freed, you odious tyrant?'
'My child, but in these matters we are all slaves to red tape! I can promise you, however, that your Captain will be released from prison before this month is out, so you are not to worry.'
III
When she had left him the Duke sat for a while in meditation.
'That is an admirable girl, I would I could oblige her in the matter and let this Audaine live. But such folly is out of the question. The man is the heart of the conspiracy.
'No, Captain Audaine, I am afraid we must have that handsome head of yours, and set your spirit free before this month is out. And your head also, Mr. Vanringham, when we are done with using your evidence. This affair must be the last; hitherto we have tried leniency, and it has failed; now we will try extermination. Not one of these men must escape.
'I shall have trouble with Marian, since the two girls are inseparable. Yes, this Audaine will cause me some trouble with Marian. I heartily wish the fellow had never been born.'
Ormskirk took a miniature from his pocket and sat thus in the dusk regarding it. It was the portrait of a young girl with hazel eyes and abundant hair the color of a dead oak-leaf. And now his sleepy face was curiously moved.
'I shall have to lie to you. And you will believe me, for you are not disastrously clever. But I wish it were not necessary, my dear. I wish it were possible to make you understand that my concern is to save England rather than a twopenny captain. As it is, I shall lie to you, and you will believe. And Dorothy will get over it in time, as one gets over everything in time. But I wish it were not necessary, sweetheart.
'I wish…. I wish that I were not so happy when I think of you. I become so happy that I grow afraid. It is not right that anyone should be so happy.
'Bah! I am probably falling into my dotage.'
Ormskirk struck upon the gong. 'And now, Mr. Langton, let us get back to business.'
IV
Later in the afternoon Miss Allonby demanded of her maid if Gerald Allonby were within, and received a negative response. 'Nothing could be better,' said Miss Allonby. 'You know that new suit of Master Gerald's, Lottrum—the pink-and-silver? Very well; then you will do thus, and thus, and thus—' And she poured forth a series of directions that astonished her maid not a little.
'Law you now!' said Lottrum, 'whatever—?'
'If you ask me any questions,' said Dorothy, 'I will discharge you on the spot. And if you betray me, I shall probably kill you.'
Lottrum said, 'O Gemini!' and did as her mistress ordered.
Miss Allonby made a handsome boy, and such was her one comfort. Her mirror showed an epicene denizen of romance,—Rosalind or Bellario, a frail and lovely travesty of boyhood; but it is likely that the girl's heart showed stark terror. Here was imminent no jaunt into Arden, but into the gross jaws of even bodily destruction. Here was probable dishonor, a guaranteeable death. She could fence well enough, thanks to many bouts with Gerald; but when the foils were unbuttoned, there was a difference which the girl could appreciate.
'In consequence,' said Dorothy, 'I had better hurry before I am still more afraid.'
V
