Sawn Off Part 6

"Doctor Salado, pray, pray don't take that tone with me!" cried Denis appealingly.

"What other tone can you expect, after the treatment I have received?"

"I know, sir. It has been most painful; but I have come to apologise."

As he spoke he glanced at Veronica, who was seated, looking pale and troubled, with her eyes cast down.

"Oho! An apology? That alters the case. Then his lords.h.i.+p is apologetic, and acknowledges that he is in the wrong?"

The young man flushed.

"I--I regret to say, sir, that my father does not know of my visit."

"Then you have came to apologise for him without his leave?"

"No, sir; I have come to apologise for myself, and to ask you not to think ill of my father."

"Humph! Very right of you to defend your father, young man."

"He is a little hasty and irritable, sir. He has been put out ever since you took this place, for he had set his mind upon it for years.

It was a disappointment to him, sir."

"I had set my mind upon having the place, and it would have been a bitter disappointment to me to have missed it. Let me see, Mr Rolleston: with the paddock, garden, and orchard there are about six acres."

"So I have heard, sir."

"And your father has thousands of acres?"

"Yes, sir."

"And he grudges me my little bit. Hardly fair, eh?"

"I can make no defence, sir. I only throw myself upon your mercy. My father is too unwell and irritable to see the matter in the light I do."

"Ah! you are a prejudiced observer," said the Doctor drily.

"I hope not, sir: I wish to be just; and I ask you not to think ill of us for this affair."

"Humph! And are you apologising for Lady Pinemount too?"

"For my mother, sir? There is no need."

"Oh! Why, I thought when Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard, the queen--"

"Doctor Salado!" cried Denis, springing from his seat with flas.h.i.+ng eyes, "how dare you. It is an insult to my dear mother, who is as pained and grieved as I am."

"I beg her ladys.h.i.+p's pardon humbly," said the Doctor, as he saw Denis glance again at Veronica, and that she made him an imploring sign.

"I--I beg yours, sir," faltered Denis.

"What for, my lad? Defending your mother? It was quite right. Shake hands."

Denis caught the Doctor's hand, and Veronica uttered a sigh of relief.

"There now, sit down, and let's talk sensibly; and next time a man insults Lady Pinemount like that, knock him down. So you have come to apologise, eh?"

"Yes, sir. It is most painful to me. I have no authority, but I know you to be a straightforward English gentleman who sees my position, and I ask you to be lenient with my father and forbearing towards him."

"But you see this is all selfishness, Denis Rolleston."

"Yes, sir; but you don't know all."

"All what? That you have a silly, boyish liking for my child."

"Silly! boyis.h.!.+" cried the young man, flus.h.i.+ng. "Don't you be hard upon me too."

"It's the simple truth," said the Doctor drily; "and very simple too.

Here are you, son of the n.o.bleman who holds this handsome estate, with a right to look very high in a matrimonial alliance, and yet you come hanging about here after a young lady, daughter of such a n.o.body as an eccentric old naturalist who has spent the past thirty years abroad.

You must be very weak-minded, young man."

"Words, sir," cried Denis eagerly. "You know in your heart you think I am as wise as I know I am."

His eyes met Veronica's again, and there was a proud look of happiness in his glance.

"Bah--bah--bah! Heroics, sentiment. Rubbis.h.!.+" cried the Doctor.

"Come, be frank. Your father knows of your inclinations?"

"Yes, sir."

"And he flew into a rage when he found it out?"

Denis was silent.

"Of course he did, and threatened to disown you, eh? There, you need not answer: I know it all by heart. Quite natural. You expect to be Lord Pinemount some day, and must choose a suitable wife."

"You told me not to indulge in heroics, sir, so I will remain silent."

"Quite right. It will not do. Your father threatened to disown you, disinherit you, and all that sort of thing, eh?" Denis made no answer.

"There, you see, Veronica, my child. You have done wrong in encouraging this young man so far. You don't want to blight his prospects?"

"Ah, no, papa," cried Veronica, with the tears slowly welling over from her eyes.

"Then you are quite ready to forget what has pa.s.sed?" Veronica slowly covered her eyes with her hands, and was silent, while Denis stepped to her side and took her hand.

"Let me answer for her, sir," he said firmly. "I have never spoken out plainly to her in the happy days I have known your daughter. It has seemed enough to be near her, and to feel that I might hope; but I do speak out now, and say--`Veronica, I love you dearly: let me tell your father that you care for me, and will never change.'"

"Very pretty and sentimental," said the Doctor coldly, "but I cannot let this go on. I believe your father would disinherit you if you persisted in this--this--this _mesalliance_."