little novels-第54章

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〃Well？〃

〃Oh；　never　mind；　it　doesn't　matter。〃

〃It　does　matter。　What　did　you　do　with　my　flower？〃

〃I　gave　it　a　sly　kiss　while　they　were　measuring　the　ground；　and　（don't　tell　anybody！）　I　put　it　next　to　my　heart　to　bring　me　luck。〃

〃Was　that　just　before　he　shot　at　you？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃How　did　he　shoot？〃

〃He　walked　（as　the　seconds　had　arranged　it）　ten　paces　forward；　and　then　he　stopped；　and　lifted　his　pistol〃

〃Don't　tell　me　any　more！　Oh；　to　think　of　my　being　the　miserable　cause　of　such　horrors！　I'll　never　dance　again　as　long　as　I　live。　Did　you　think　he　had　killed　you；　when　the　bullet　wounded　your　poor　neck？〃

〃No；　I　hardly　felt　it　at　first。〃

〃Hardly　felt　it？　How　he　talks！　And　when　the　wretch　had　done　his　best　to　kill　you；　and　when　it　came　to　your　turn；　what　did　you　do？〃

〃Nothing。〃

〃What！　You　didn't　walk　your　ten　paces　forward？〃

〃No。〃

〃And　you　never　shot　at　him　in　return？〃

〃No；　I　had　no　quarrel　with　him；　poor　fellow；　I　just　stood　where　I　was；　and　fired　in　the　air〃

Before　he　could　stop　her；　Charlotte　seized　his　hand；　and　kissed　it　with　an　hysterical　fervor　of　admiration；　which　completely　deprived　him　of　his　presence　of　mind。

〃Why　shouldn't　I　kiss　the　hand　of　a　hero？〃　she　cried；　with　tears　of　enthusiasm　sparkling　in　her　eyes。　〃Nobody　but　a　hero　would　have　given　that　man　his　life；　nobody　but　a　hero　would　have　pardoned　him；　while　the　blood　was　streaming　from　the　wound　that　he　had　inflicted。　I　respect　you；　I　admire　you。　Oh；　don't　think　me　bold！　I　can't　control　myself　when　I　hear　of　anything　noble　and　good。　You　will　understand　me　better　when　we　get　to　be　old　friendswon't　you？〃

She　spoke　in　low　sweet　tones　of　entreaty。　Percy's　arm　stole　softly　round　her。

〃Are　we　never　to　be　nearer　and　dearer　to　each　other　than　old　friends？〃　he　asked　in　a　whisper。　〃I　am　not　a　heroyour　goodness　overrates　me；　dear　Miss　Charlotte。　My　one　ambition　is　to　be　the　happy　man　who　is　worthy　enough　to　win　_you_。　At　your　own　time！　I　wouldn't　distress　you；　I　wouldn't　confuse　you；　I　wouldn't　for　the　whole　world　take　advantage　of　the　compliment　which　your　sympathy　has　paid　to　me。　If　it　offends　you；　I　won't　even　ask　if　I　may　hope。〃

She　sighed　as　he　said　the　last　words；　trembled　a　little；　and　silently　looked　at　him。

Percy　read　his　answer　in　her　eyes。　Without　meaning　it　on　either　side　their　heads　drew　nearer　together；　their　cheeks；　then　their　lips；　touched。　She　started　back　from　him；　and　rose　to　leave　the　conservatory。　At　the　same　moment；　the　sound　of　slowly…approaching　footsteps　became　audible　on　the　gravel　walk　of　the　garden。　Charlotte　hurried　to　the　door。

〃　My　father！　〃　she　exclaimed；　turning　to　Percy。　〃Come；　and　be　introduced　to　him。〃

Percy　followed　her　into　the　garden。

CHAPTER　VII。

POLITICS。

JUDGING　by　appearances；　Mr。　Bowmore　looked　like　a　man　prematurely　wasted　and　worn　by　the　cares　of　a　troubled　life。　His　eyes　presented　the　one　feature　in　which　his　daughter　resembled　him。　In　shape　and　color　they　were　exactly　reproduced　in　Charlotte；　the　difference　was　in　the　expression。　The　father's　look　was　habitually　restless；　eager；　and　suspicious。　Not　a　trace　was　to　be　seen　in　it　of　the　truthfulness　and　gentleness　which　made　the　charm　of　the　daughter's　expression。　A　man　whose　bitter　experience　of　the　world　had　soured　his　temper　and　shaken　his　faith　in　his　fellow…creaturessuch　was　Mr。　Bowmore　as　he　presented　himself　on　the　surface。　He　received　Percy　politelybut　with　a　preoccupied　air。　Every　now　and　then；　his　restless　eyes　wandered　from　the　visitor　to　an　open　letter　in　his　hand。　Charlotte；　observing　him；　pointed　to　the　letter。

〃Have　you　any　bad　news　there；　papa？〃　she　asked。

〃Dreadful　news！〃　Mr。　Bowmore　answered。　〃Dreadful　news；　my　child；　to　every　Englishman　who　respects　the　liberties　which　his　ancestors　won。　My　correspondent　is　a　man　who　is　in　the　confidence　of　the　Ministers；〃　he　continued；　addressing　Percy。　〃What　do　you　think　is　the　remedy　that　the　Government　proposes　for　the　universal　distress　among　the　population；　caused　by　an　infamous　and　needless　war？　Despotism；　Mr。　Linwood；　despotism　in　this　free　country　is　the　remedy！　In　one　week　more；　sir；　Ministers　will　bring　in　a　Bill　for　suspending　the　Habeas　Corpus　Act！〃

Before　Percy　could　do　justice　in　words　to　the　impression　produced　on　him；　Charlotte　innocently　asked　a　question　which　shocked　her　father。

〃What　is　the　Habeas　Corpus　Act；　　papa〃'

〃Good　God！〃　cried　Mr。　Bowmore；　〃is　it　possible　that　a　child　of　mine　has　grown　up　to　womanhood；　in　ignorance　of　the　palladium　of　English　liberty？　Oh；　Charlotte！　Charlotte！〃

〃I　am　very　sorry；　papa。　If　you　will　only　tell　me；　I　will　never　forget　it。〃

Mr。　Bowmore　reverently　uncovered　his　head；　saluting　an　invisible　Habeas　Corpus　Act。　He　took　his　daughter　by　the　hand；　with　a　certain　parental　sternness：　his　voice　trembled　with　emotion　as　he　spoke　his　next　words：

〃The　Habeas　Corpus　Act；　my　child；　forbids　the　imprisonment　of　an　English　subject；　unless　that　imprisonment　can　be　first　justified　by　law。　Not　even　the　will　of　the　reigning　monarch　can　prevent　us　from　appearing　before　the　judges　of　the　land；　and　summoning　them　to　declare　whether　our　committal　to　prison　is　legally　just。〃

He　put　on　his　hat　again。　〃Never　forget　what　I　have　told　you；　Charlotte！〃　he　said　solemnly。　〃I　would　not　remove　my　hat；　sir；〃　he　continuing；　turning　to　Percy；　〃in　the　presence　of　the　proudest　autocrat　that　ever　sat　on　a　throne。　I　uncover；　in　homage　to　the　grand　law　which　asserts　the　sacredness　of　human　liberty。　When　Parliament　has　sanctioned　the　infamous　Bill　now　before　it；　English　patriots　may　be　imprisoned；　may　even　be　hanged；　on　warrants　privately　obtained　by　the　paid　spies　and　informers　of　the　men　who　rule　us。　Perhaps　I　weary　you；　sir。　You　are　a　young　man；　the　conduct　of　the　Ministry　may　not　interest　you。〃

〃On　the　contrary；〃　said　Percy；　〃I　have　the　strongest　personal　interest　in　the　conduct　of　the　Ministry。〃

〃How？　in　what　way？〃　cried　Mr。　Bowmore　eagerly。

〃My　late　father　had　a　claim　on　government；〃　Percy　answered；　〃for　money　expended　in　foreign　service。　As　his　heir；　I　inherit　the　claim；　which　has　been　formally　recognized　by　the　present　Ministers。　My　petition　for　a　settlement　will　be　presented　by　friends　of　mine　who　can　advocate　my　interests　in　the　House　of　Commons。〃

Mr。　Bowmore　took　Percy's　hand；　and　shook　it　warmly。

〃In　such　a　matter　as　this　you　cannot　have　too　many　friends　to　help　you；〃　he　said。　〃I　myself　have　some　influence；　as　representing　opinion　outside　the　House；　and　I　am　entirely　at　your　service。　Come　tomorrow；　and　let　us　talk　over　the　details　of　your　claim　at　my　humble　dinner…table。　To…day　I　must　attend　a　meeting　of　the　Branch…Hampden…Club；　of　which　I　am　vice…president；　and　to　which　I　am　now　about　to　communicate　the　alarming　news　which　my　letter　contains。　Excuse　me　for　leaving　youand　count　on　a　hearty　welcome　when　we　see　you　to…morrow。〃

The　amiable　patriot　saluted　his　daughter　with　a　smile；　and　disappeared。

〃I　hope　you　like　my　father？〃　said　Charlotte。　〃All　our　friends　say　he　ought　to　be　in　Parliament。　He　has　tried　twice。　The　expenses　were　dreadful；　and　each　time　the　other　man　defeated　him。　The　agent　says　he　would　be　certainly　elected；　if　he　tried　again；　but　there　is　no　money；　and　we　mustn't　think　of　it。〃

A　man　of　a　suspicious　turn　of　mind　might　have　discovered；　in　those　artless　words；　the　secret　of　Mr。　Bowmore's　interest　in　the　success　of　his　young　friend's　claim　on　the　Government。　One　British　subject；　with　a　sum　of　ready　money　at　his　command；　may　be　an　inestimably　useful　person　to　another　British　subject　（without　ready　money）　who　cannot　sit　comfortably　unless　he　sits　in　Parliament。　But　honest　Percy　Linwood　was　not　a　man　of　a　suspicious　turn　of　mind。　He　had　just　opened　his　lips　to　echo　Charlotte's　filial　glorification　of　her　father；　when　a　shabbily…dressed　man…servant　met　them　with　a　message；　for　which　they　were　both　alike　unprepared：

〃Captain　Bervie　has　called；　Miss；　to　say　good…by；　and　my　mistress　requests　your　company　in　the　parlor。〃

CHAPTER　VIII。

THE　WARNING。

HAVING　delivered　his　little　formula　of　words；　the　shabby　servant　cast　a　look　of　furtive　curiosity　at　Percy　and　withdrew。　Charlotte　turned　to　her　lover；　with　indignation　sparkling　in　her　eyes　and　flushing　on　her　cheeks　at　the　bare　idea　of　seeing　Captain　Bervie　again。　〃Does　he　think　I　will　breathe　the　same　air；〃　she　exclaimed；　〃with　the　man　who　attempted　to　take　your　life！〃

Percy　gently　remonstrated　with　her。

〃You　are　sadly　mistaken；〃　he　said。　〃Captain　Bervie　stood　to　receive　my　fire　as　fairly　as　I　stood　to　receive　his。　When　I　discharged　my　pistol　in　the　air；　he　was　the　first　man　who　ran　up　to　me；　and　asked　if　I　was　seriously　hurt。　They　told　him　my　wound　was　a　trifle；　and　he　fell　on　his　knees　and　thanked　God　for　preserving　my　life　from　his　guilty　hand。　'I　am　no　longer　the　rival　who　hates　you；'　he　said。　'Give　me　time　to　try　if　change　of　scene　will　quiet　my　mind；　and　I　will　be　_your_　brother；　and　_her_　brother。'　Whatever　his　faults　may　be；　Charlotte；　Arthur　Bervie　has　a　great　heart。　Go　in；　I　entreat　you；　and　be　friends　with　him　as　I　am。〃

Charlotte　listened　with　downcast　eyes　and　changing　color。　〃You　believe　him？〃　she　asked　in　low　and　trembling　tones。

〃I　believe　him　as　I　believe　You；〃　Percy　answered。

She　secretly　resented　the　comparison；　and　detested　the　Captain　more　heartily　than　ever。　〃I　will　go　in　and　see　him；　if　you　wish　it；〃　she　said。　〃But　not　by　myself。　I　want　you　to　come　with　me。〃

〃Why？〃　Percy　asked。

〃I　want　to　see　what　his　face　says；　when　you　and　he　meet。〃

〃Do　you　still　doubt　him；　Charlotte？〃

She　made　no　reply。　Percy　had　done　his　best　to　convince　her；　and　had　evidently　failed。

They　went　together　into　the　cottage。　Fixing　her　eyes　steadily　on　the　Captain's　face；　Charlotte　saw　it　turn　pale　when　Percy　followed　her　into　the　parlor。　The　two　men　greeted　one　another　cordially。　Charlotte　sat　down　by　her　mother；　preserving　her　composure　so　far　as　appearances　went。　〃I　hear　you　have　called　to　bid　us　good…by；〃　she　said　to　Bervie。　〃Is　it　to　be　a　long　absence？〃

〃I　have　got　two　months'　leave；〃　the　Captain　answered；　without　looking　at　her　while　he　spoke。

〃Are　you　going　abroad？〃

〃Yes。　I　think　so。〃

She　turned　away　to　her　mother。　Bervie　seized　the　opportunity　of　speaking　to　Percy。　〃I　have　a　word　of　advice　for　your　private　ear。〃　At　the　same　moment；　Charlotte　whispered　to　her　mother：　〃Don't　encourage　him　to　prolong　his　visit。〃

The　Captain　showed　no　intention　to　prolong　his　visit。　To　Charlotte's　surprise；　when　he　took　leave　of　the　ladies；　Percy　also　rose　to　go。　〃His　carriage；〃　he　said；　〃was　waiting　at　the　door；　and　he　had　offered　to　take　Captain　Bervie　back　to　London。〃

Charlotte　instantly　suspected　an　arrangement　between　the　two　men　for　a　confidential　interview。　Her　obstinate　distrust　of　Bervie　strengthened　tenfold。　She　reluctantly　gave　him　her　hand；　as　he　parted　from　her　at　the　parlor…door。　The　effort　of　concealing　her　true　feeling　toward　him　gave　a　color　and　a　vivacity　to　her　face　which　made　her　irresistibly　beautiful。　Bervie　looked　at　the　woman　whom　he　had　lost　with　an　immeasurable　sadness　in　his　eyes。　〃When　we　meet　again；〃　he　said；　〃you　will　see　me　in　a　new　character。〃　He　hurried　out　of　the　gate；　as　if　he　feared　to　trust　himself　for　a　moment　longer　in　her　presence。

Charlotte　followed　Percy　into　the　passage。　〃I　shall