The Star-Gazers Part 57

"Going to do? I'm going to horsewhip that fellow, and make him write a humble letter of apology to Rob. If he doesn't, Rob shall call him out."

"Now, my dear Jack, don't talk nonsense!" cried the major.

"Nonsense, sir? It isn't nonsense. It's all very fine for you, with your scientific humbug, to be making friends with the star-gazing scoundrel. You fellows always hang together and back each other up.

But look here, Jem, I'm not going to be meddled with in this matter.

You have interfered enough."

"I only want you, as a gentleman, to behave like a gentleman to Mr Alleyne."

"You leave me alone for that, Jem. Insolence! The poor girl came home all of a tremble. She's quite white this morning, and looks as if she ought to have a doctor to her. It's your fault too, Jem, 'pon my word it is."

"My fault, my dear brother," said the major earnestly; "indeed, no. I would not say a word that should interfere with Glynne's happiness."

"But you did, sir; you did when she was first engaged."

"Only to you, Jack. I did not like the engagement, and I don't like it; but I have always since I got over the first shock--"

"Hang it, Jem, don't talk like that, man. Anyone would think that you had been stricken down by some terrible trouble."

"It was and has been a terrible trouble to me, Jack," said the major quietly. "But there, I have done. Don't be angry with me. Let's talk about what you are going to do."

All this time Sir John had been moving slowly in the direction of The Firs, with the major's hand resting upon his arm.

"There's no occasion to talk about it that I see; I'm going to have a few words with that Mr Alleyne, and this I conceive it to be my duty to do. There, there's an end to it."

"Well, but is it wise?" said the major. "It seems that Mr Alleyne has formed a deep attachment to Glynne."

"Such insolence! A man in his position!"

"And, carried away by his feelings, he declared his love for her."

"As if such a man as he has a right to force himself upon a girl in Glynne's position. It is preposterous."

"It was in bad taste--a mistake, for a man who knew of Glynne's engagement to speak as he did. But young men do not always think before they speak, nor old ones neither, Jack."

"Tchah! nonsense. There, go on and hunt fungi. Be off now, Jem."

"Be off? No; I'm coming with you as far as The Firs."

"What! Coming with me?"

"Yes; I shall come and be present at the meeting. I don't want my brother to forget himself."

"Jem!"

"There, my dear Jack, it is of no use for you to be cross--I mean what I say. It will not do for you to get into one of your pa.s.sions."

"My pa.s.sions?"

"Yes, your pa.s.sions. It will cause trouble with Alleyne."

"A scoundrel!"

"No, he is not a scoundrel, Jack. It will upset his little sister."

"A confounded jade!" cried Sir John. "If I had known what I know now, the minx should never have entered my doors."

"Steady, Jack."

"I am steady, sir. A little heartless flirt, setting her cap at every man she sees. Rolph won't own to it, but I have it on very good authority that the poor fellow could not stir without that vixen being on the watch for him, and meeting him somewhere."

The major was silent.

"And all the time she knew that he was engaged to Glynne, and she was professing to be the best of friends to the poor child."

The major drew his breath very hard.

"There, you'd better be off now, Jem," cried Sir John. "I'm going just to let that fellow Alleyne have a bit of my mind, and then I shall be better."

"But Mrs Alleyne is a most estimable lady. Had you not better give the matter up? Let it slide, my dear Jack. These troubles soon die a natural death."

"I'm going to kill this one, Jem. Then we'll bury it," said Sir John grimly. "Now, you be off. I sha'n't upset Mrs Alleyne. I won't see her."

"Nor yet Lucy Alleyne?"

"Not if she keeps out of my way. Ugh! I haven't patience with the smooth-spoken little minx. It's horrible: such depravity in one so young."

The major sighed, and kept tightly hold of his brother's arm. Two or three times over he had turned rather red in the face, the flush playing to and fro as if an angry storm were arising, but he mastered himself, and held his squadron of angry words well in hand.

"Now, look here, Jem," said the baronet at last, as they came in sight of The Firs, "I don't want to be hampered with you. Do go back."

"My dear Jack, as an old soldier, let me tell you that it is next to impossible to make an advance without being hampered with baggage and the commissariat. You may call me which you please, but if you are going to attack the people at The Firs, you must have me on your back, so take it as calmly as you can."

Sir John uttered an angry grunt, and was disposed to explode, but, by a strong effort, he got over his fit.

"If you will insist upon having a finger in the pie, come on then," he cried.

"Yes, I'll come on," said the major, "and I know I need say no more to you about being calm and gentlemanly. There, I won't say another syllable."

In fact neither spoke a word till they had climbed up the sandy path and reached the gate at The Firs, where Sir John set the bell clanging loudly, and Eliza hurried down.

Yes; master was at home, and missus and Miss Lucy, the girl hastened to reply.

"I want to see Mr Alleyne," said Sir John sharply, and Eliza showed them into the drawing-room, up and down whose faded carpet Sir John walked, fuming, while the major bent down over a few pretty little water-colour sketches, evidently the work of Lucy at some idle time.

Meanwhile Eliza had hurriedly made a communication to Mrs Alleyne, and terribly alarmed Lucy, who was for preventing Alleyne from meeting the brothers.

"No," said Mrs Alleyne sternly, "he must see them. If he is to blame, let him frankly own it. If the fault be on their side, let them apologise to my son."