The Black Moth: A Romance of the XVIIIth Century Page 3

  CHAPTER III

  INTRODUCING THE HON. RICHARD CARSTARES

  Wyncham! A stately old house with mullioned windows, standing high onits stone terraces, half-covered by creepers; a house surrounded bylawns, rolling down on the one side to a river that rippled and murmuredits way along beneath overhanging trees and a blue sky, over bouldersand rocks, so clear and sparkling that the myriad pebbles could be seendeep down on its bed.

  In the other direction, the velvet lawns stretched away till they metthe orchards and the quiet meadowland.

  On two sides the house had its terraces, very white in the sunshine,with stone steps leading down to a miniature lake where water-liliesgrew, and where the tiny fish darted to and fro unconcernedly.

  Flagged walks there were, running between flower beds a riot of colour,and solemn old trees that had stood there through all the years. Coolwoodland lay beyond the little river, carpeted with dark moss, where inspring the primroses grew. So thick was the foliage of the trees thatthe sun but penetrated in uneven patches.

  Up the terrace walls crept roses, yellow and red, pink and white, andtossed their trailing sprays across the parapet. Over the walls of thehouse they climbed, mingling with purple clematis, jasmine, and sicklyhoneysuckle. The air was heavy with their united perfumes, while, waftedfrom a bed below, came the smoky scent of lavender.

  The old house seemed half asleep, basking in the sunlight. Save for apeacock preening its feathers on the terrace steps, there was no sign oflife....

  The old place had harboured generations of Carstares. Earl had succeededEarl and reigned supreme, and it was only now that there was no Earlliving there. No one knew where he was. Scarce a month ago one died, butthe eldest son was not there to take his place. For six years he hadbeen absent, and none dared breathe his name, for he disgraced thatname, and the old Earl cast him off and forbade all mention of him. Butthe poor folk of the countryside remembered him. They would tell oneanother tales of his reckless courage; his sweet smile and his winningways; his light-heartedness and his never-failing kindness andgood-humour. What a rider he was! To see him sit his horse! What aswordsman! Do ye mind the time he fought young Mr. Welsh over yonder inthe spinney with half the countryside watching? Ah, he was a one, wasMaster Jack! Do ye mind how he knocked the sword clean out o' Mr.Welsh's hand, and then stood waiting for him to pick it up? And do yemind the way his eyes sparkled, and how he laughed, just for the sheerjoy o' living?

  Endless anecdotes would they tell, and the old gaffers would shake theirheads and sigh, and long for the sight of him again. And they would jerktheir thumbs towards the Manor and shrug their old shoulderssignificantly. Who wanted Mr. Richard for squire? Not they, at least.They knew he was a good squire and a kindly man, but give them MasterJohn, who would laugh and crack a joke and never wear the glum looksthat Mr. Richard affected.

  In the house, Richard Carstares paced to and fro in his library, everynow and again pausing to glance wretchedly up at the portrait of hisbrother hanging over his desk. The artist had managed to catch theexpression of those blue eyes, and they smiled down at Richard in justthe way that John was always wont to smile--so gaily, and withal sowistfully.

  Richard was twenty-nine, but already he looked twice his age. He wasvery thin, and there were deep lines on his good-looking countenance.His grey eyes bore a haunted, care-worn look, and his mouth, thoughwell-shaped, was curiously lacking in determination. He was dressedsoberly, and without that touch of smartness that had characterised himsix years ago. He wore black in memory of his father, and it may havebeen that severity, only relieved by the lace at his throat, that madehis face appear so prematurely aged. There was none of his brother'sboyishness about him; even his smile seemed forced and tired, and hislaughter rarely held merriment.

  He pulled out his chronometer, comparing it with the clock on themantelpiece. His pacing took him to the door, and almost nervously hepulled it open, listening.

  No sound came to his ears. Back again, to and fro across the room,eagerly awaiting the clanging of a bell. It did not come, but presentlya footfall sounded on the passage without, and someone knocked at thedoor.

  In two strides Richard was by it, and had flung it wide. Warburton stoodthere.

  Richard caught his hand.

  "Warburton! At last! I have been waiting this hour and more!"

  Mr. Warburton disengaged himself, bowing.

  "I regret I was not able to come before, sir," he said primly.

  "I make no doubt you travelled back as quickly as possible--come in,sir."

  He led the lawyer into the room and shut the door.

  "Sit down, Warburton--sit down. You--you found my brother?"

  Again Warburton bowed.

  "I had the felicity of seeing his lordship, sir."

  "He was well? In good spirits? You thought him changed--yes? Agedperhaps, or--"

  "His lordship was not greatly changed, sir."

  Richard almost stamped in his impatience.

  "Come, Warburton, come! Tell me everything. What did he say? Will hetake the revenues? Will he--"

  "His lordship, sir, was reluctant to take anything, but upon maturerconsideration, he--ah--consented to accept his elder son's portion. Therevenues of the estate he begs you will make use of."

  "Ah! But you told him that I would touch nought belonging to him?"

  "I tried to persuade his lordship, sir. To no avail. He desires you touse Wyncham as you will."

  "I'll not touch his money!"

  Warburton gave the faintest of shrugs.

  "That is as you please, sir."

  Something in the suave voice made Richard, from his stand by the desk,glance sharply down at the lawyer. Suspicion flashed into his eyes. Heseemed about to speak, when Warburton continued:

  "I believe I may set your mind at rest on one score, Mr. Carstares: hislordship's situation is tolerably comfortable. He has ample means."

  "But--but he lives by--robbery!"

  Warburton's thin lips curled a little.

  "Does he not?" persisted Carstares.

  "So he would have us believe, sir."

  "'Tis true! He--waylaid me!"

  "And robbed you, sir?"

  "Rob me? He could not rob his own brother, Warburton!"

  "Your pardon, Mr. Carstares--you are right: his lordship could not rob abrother. Yet have I known a man do such a thing."

  For a long minute there was no word spoken. The suspicion that had dweltlatent in Carstares' eyes sprang up again. Some of the colour drainedfrom his cheeks, and twice he passed his tongue between his lips. Thefingers of his hand, gripping a chair-back, opened and shutspasmodically. Rather feverishly his eyes searched the lawyer's face,questioning.

  "John told you--told you--" he started, and floundered hopelessly.

  "His lordship told me nothing, sir. He was singularly reticent. Butthere was nothing he could tell me that I did not already know."

  "What do you mean, Warburton? Why do you look at me like that? Why doyou fence with me? In plain words, what do you mean?"

  Warburton rose, clenching his hands.

  "I know you, Master Richard, for what you are!"

  "Ah!" Carstares flung out his hand as if to ward off a blow.

  Another tense silence. With a great effort Warburton controlled himself,and once more the mask of impassivity seemed to descend upon him. Afterthat one tortured cry Richard became calm again. He sat down; on hisface a look almost of relief, coming after a great strain.

  "You learnt the truth ... from John. He ... will expose me?"

  "No, sir. I have not learnt it from him. And he will never expose you."

  Richard turned his head. His eyes, filled now with a species of dullpain, looked full into Warburton's.

  "Oh?" he said. "Then you...?"

  "Nor I, sir. I have pledged my word to his lordship. I would not speakall these years for your father's sake--now it is for his." He choked.

  "You ... are fond of John?" Still the apathetic, weary voice. />
  "Fond of him--? Good God, Master Dick, I love him!"

  "And I," said Richard, very low.

  He received no reply, and looked up.

  "You don't believe me?"

  "Once, sir, I was certain of it. Now--!" he shrugged.

  "Yet 'tis true, Warburton. I would give all in my power to undo thatnight's work."

  "You cannot expect me to believe that, sir. It rests with you alonewhether his name be cleared or not. And you remain silent."

  "Warburton, I--Oh, do you think it means nothing to me that John isoutcast?"

  Before the misery in those grey eyes some of Warburton's severity fellaway from him.

  "Master Richard, I want to think the best I can of you. Master Jackwould tell me nothing. Will you not--can you not explain how it camethat you allowed him to bear the blame of your cheat?"

  Richard shuddered.

  "There's no explanation--no excuse. I forced it on him! On Jack, mybrother! Because I was mad for love of Lavinia--Oh, my God, the thoughtof it is driving me crazed! I thought I could forget; and then--andthen--I met him! The sight of him brought it all back to me. Ever sincethat day I have not known how to live and not shriek the truth toeveryone! And I never shall! I never shall!"

  "Tell me, sir," pleaded Warburton, touched in spite of himself.

  Richard's head sunk into his hands.

  "The whole scene is a nightmare.... I think I must have been mad.... Iscarce knew what I was about. I--"

  "Gently, sir. Remember I know hardly anything. What induced you to markthe cards?"

  "That debt to Gundry. My father would not meet it; I had to find themoney. I could not face the scandal--I tell you I was mad for Lavinia! Icould think of nought else. I ceased to care for John because I thoughthim in love with her. I could not bear to think of the disgrace whichwould take her from me.... Then that night at Dare's. I was losing; Iknew I could not pay. Gad! but I can see my notes of hand underMilward's elbow, growing... growing.

  "Jack had played Milward before me, and he had won. I remember theylaughed at him, saying his luck had turned at last--for he always lostat cards. Milward and I played with the same pack that they hadused.... There was another table, I think. Dare was dicing withFitzgerald; someone was playing faro with Jack behind me. I heard Jacksay his luck was out again--I heard them laugh.... And all the time Iwas losing ... losing.

  "The pin of my cravat fell out on to my knee. I think no one saw it. AsI picked it up the thought that I should mark the cards seemed to flashinto my mind--oh, it was despicable, I know! I held the ace of clubs inmy hand: I scratched it with that pin--in one corner. It was easilydone. By degrees I marked all four, and three of the kings.

  "No one noticed, but I was nervous--I dared do no more. I replaced thatpin. Soon I began to win--not very much. Then Tracy Belmanoir cameacross the room to watch our play. From that moment everything seemed togo awry. It was the beginning of the trouble.

  "Tracy stood behind me watching.... I could feel him there, like someblack moth, hovering.... I don't know how long he stayed like that--itseemed hours. I could feel his eyes.... I could have shrieked--I'llswear my hands were trembling.

  "Suddenly he moved. I had played the ace of hearts. He said: 'Onemoment!' in that soft, sinister voice of his.

  "Milward was surprised. I tried to tell myself that Devil had noticednothing.... The mark on that card was so faint that I could scarce seeit myself. I thought it impossible that he, a mere onlooker, shoulddiscover it. He stepped forward. I remember he brushed my shoulder. Iremember how the light caught the diamonds he was wearing. I think mybrain was numbed. I could only repeat to myself: 'Extravagant Devil!Extravagant Devil!' and stare at those winking jewels. Then I thought:'He is Lavinia's brother, but I do not like him; I do not like him...'--little foolish things like that--and my throat was dry--parched.

  "He bent over the table ... stretched out his white, white hand ...turned over the ace ... lifted his quizzing glass ... and stared down atthe card. Then he dropped the glass and drew out his snuff-box.... Ithad Aphrodite enamelled on the lid. I remember it so distinctly.... Iheard Tracy ask Milward to examine the ace. I wanted to spring up andstrangle him.... I could scarce keep my hands still." Richard paused. Hedrew his hand across his eyes, shuddering.

  "Milward saw the scratch. He cried out that the cards were marked!Suddenly everyone seemed to be gathered about our table--all talking!Jack had his hand on my shoulder; he and Dare were running through thepack. But all the while I could look at no one but Tracy--Andover. Heseemed so sinister, so threatening, in those black clothes of his. Hiseyes were almost shut--his face so white. And he was looking at me! Heseemed to be reading my very soul.... For an instant I thought he knew!I wanted to shout out that he was wrong! I wanted to shriek to him totake his eyes away! Heaven knows what I should have done!... but helooked away--at Jack, with that sneering smile on his damned mask of aface! I could have killed him for that smile! I think Jack understoodit--he dropped the cards, staring at Tracy.

  "Everyone was watching them ... no one looked at me. If they had theymust surely have learnt the truth; but they were hanging on Andover'slips, looking from him to Jack and back again.... I remember Fitzgeralddropped his handkerchief--I was absurdly interested in that. I waswondering why he did not pick it up, when Andover spoke again.... 'AndCarstares' luck turned...?' Like that, Warburton! With just that faint,questioning in his voice.

  "Before Jack could speak there was an outcry. Dare cried 'Shame!' toAndover. They laughed at him, as well they might. But I saw themexchange glances--they were wondering.... It was suspicious that Jackshould have had that run of luck--and that he should lose as soon as heleft that table.

  "Milward--poor, silly Milward--gaped at Tracy and stuttered that surely'twas another pack we had used. I could hardly breathe! Then Andovercorrected him--How did he _know_? No one else remembered, or thought ofnoticing--only he!

  "I can see Jack now, standing there so stiffly, with his head thrown up,and those blue eyes of his flashing.

  "'Do I understand you to accuse me, Belmanoir?' he said. Oh, but he wasfurious!

  "Tracy never said a word. Only his eyes just flickered to my face andaway again.

  "Jack's hand was gripping my shoulder hard. I could feel his anger....Dare called out that the suggestion was preposterous. That John shouldcheat!

  "Tracy asked him if the cards were his. Gad! I can hear his soft,mocking voice now!

  "Dare went purple--you know his way, Warburton.

  "'Opened in your presence on this table!' he cried.

  "'By Carstares!' smiled Tracy.

  "It was true. But why should Tracy remember it, and none other? Theystared at him, amazed. Dare turned to Jack for corroboration. He nodded.I think he never looked haughtier....

  "You know how fond of Jack Dare was? He tried to bluster it off--triedto get control over the affair. It was to no avail. We were puppets,worked by that devil, Belmanoir! One man managing that ghastly scene....He pointed out that only three of us had used that pack: Jack, Milwardand I.

  "Jack laughed.

  "'Next you will accuse Dick!' he snapped scornfully.

  "'One of you, certainly,' smiled Andover. 'Or Milward.'

  "Then everyone realised that one of us three must have marked the cards.Milward was upset, but no one suspected him. It was Jack--or me.

  "As long as I live I shall never forget the horror of those moments. IfI were exposed it meant the end of everything between Lavinia and me. Itell you, Warburton, I would have committed any sin at that moment!Nothing would have been too black--I could not bear to lose her. Youdon't know what she meant to me!"

  "I can guess, sir," said the lawyer, gravely.

  "No, no! No one could imagine the depths of my love for her! I think noteven Jack.... I felt his hand leave my shoulder.... The truth had dawnedon him. I heard the way the breath hissed between his teeth as herealised.... Somehow I got to my feet, clutching at the table, facinghim. I don't excuse myself--I know my
conduct was beyond wordsdastardly. I looked across at him--just said his name, as though I couldscarce believe my ears. So all those watching thought. But Jack knewbetter. He knew I was imploring him to save me. He understood all that Iwas trying to convey to him. For an instant he stared at me. Ithought--I thought--God forgive me, I prayed that he might take theblame on himself. Then he smiled. Coward though I was, when I saw thathurt, wistful little smile on his lips, I nearly blurted out the wholetruth. Not quite.... I suppose I was too mean-spirited for that.

  "Jack bowed to the room and again to Dare. He said: 'I owe you anapology, sir.'

  "Dare sprang forward, catching him by the shoulder--crying out that itcould not be true! When Jack laughed--he fell away from him as from theplague. And all of them! My God, to see them drawing away--not lookingat Jack! And Jack's face--growing paler and harder ... every moment....All his friends... turning their backs to him. Davenant--even JimDavenant walked away to the fireplace with Evans.

  "I could not look at Jack. I dared not. I could not go to him--stand byhim! I had not the right. I had to leave him there--in the middle of theroom--alone. The awful hurt in his eyes made me writhe. The room waswhirling round--I felt sick--I know I fell back into my chair, hiding myface. I hardly cared whether they suspected me or not. But they did not.They knew how great was the love between us, and they were not surprisedthat I broke down.

  "I heard Andover's soft voice ... he was telling some tale to Dare. Oh,they were well-bred those men! They skimmed over the unpleasant littleepisode--ignored Jack!

  "Jack spoke again. I could guess how bravely he was keeping a proudfront. I know word for word what he said: 'Mr. Dare, your Grace,Gentlemen--my apologies for being the cause of so unpleasant anincident. Pray give me leave.'

  "They paid no heed. I heard him walk to the door--heard him open it. Icould not look at him. He--he paused ... and said just one word: 'Dick!'quite softly. Heaven knows how I got to him! I know I overturned mychair. That drew Dare's attention. He said: 'You are not going, Dick?' Ishouted 'Yes,' at him, and then Jack took my arm, leading me out.

  "And--and all he said was: 'Poor old Dick!'... He--he had no word ofblame for me. He would not allow me to go back and tell the truth--as Iwould have done. Ay, Warburton, when Jack called me to him, I could havecried it aloud--but--he would not have it.... He said: 'For Lavinia'ssake.'..."

  Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.

  "You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father turned Jackout penniless--you know how his friends shunned him--you know my poormother's grief. And you know that he went away--that we could not findhim when--my mother died.... His last words to me--were: 'MakeLavinia-happy--and try to forget--all this.' Forget it! Heavens! Try asI might, I could hear nothing further of him until two months ago, whenhe--waylaid me. Then I was half-dazed at the suddenness of it. He--hegrasped my hand--and--laughed! It was so dark, I could scarce see him. Ionly had time to demand his address, and then--he was off--gallopingaway over the heath. I think--even then--he bore no malice."

  "He does not now!" said Warburton sharply. "But, Master Dick, if allthis is true, why do you not even now clear him? Surely--"

  Richard turned his head slowly.

  "Now I may not drag my wife's name through the mud. By clearing him--Iruin her."

  Warburton could find nothing to say. Only after some time did he clearhis throat and say that he was honoured by Carstares' confidence.

  "You--ah--you dwell on the part played by his Grace on that evening.Surely your--shall we say--overwrought imagination magnified that?"

  Richard was disinterested.

  "I suppose so. Mayhap 'twas his extraordinary personality dominating me.He cannot have pulled the wires as I thought he did. Not even Belmanoircould make me act as I did. But--but at the time I felt that he waspushing--pushing--compelling me to accuse Jack. Oh, doubtless I wasmad!"

  Warburton eyed the dejected figure compassionately. Then he seemed toharden himself and to regain some of his lost primness of manner.

  "You--ah--you are determined not to accept the revenues, sir?"

  "I have not yet sunk so low, Mr. Warburton."

  "His lordship leaves Wyncham and all appertaining to it at yourdisposal. He would be grieved at your refusal."

  "I will not touch it."

  The lawyer nodded.

  "I confess, Mr. Carstares, I am relieved to hear you say that. It willnot be necessary again to communicate with his lordship. I think he doesnot desire any intercourse with--his family. He finds it too painful.But he wished to be remembered to you, sir. Also to her ladyship."

  "Thank you.... You could--ascertain nothing of his situation? He did notconfide in you?"

  "He was very reticent, sir. I think he is not unhappy."

  "And not--embittered?"

  "Certainly not that, sir."

  Mr. Warburton rose, plainly anxious to be gone.

  Reluctantly Richard followed his example.

  "You--have nothing further to tell me of him?"

  "I regret, sir--nothing."

  Richard went slowly to the door, and opened it.

  "You must allow me to thank you, sir, for your goodness in undertakingwhat I know must have been a painful task. I am very grateful."

  Mr. Warburton bowed low.

  "I beg you will not mention it, sir. Nothing I might do for theCarstares could be aught but a pleasure."

  Again he bowed, and the next instant was gone.