A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIVJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
General
A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIV
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Fiction
"No, no! Go at once, go at once," she cried; and Chandos, in obedience
to her wish, passed through between the pillars, and leaped the low
hedge which bordered a haw-haw that divided the grounds of Northferry
from the neighbouring fields. He had, at first, proposed to cross the
next enclosure at once, and return to his cottage; but it was lighter
beyond the precincts of the garden, than under the shadow of the
trees. He did not wish his brother to find him there; he wished to
assure himself that Rose got away unseen, and he remained on the other
side of the hedge, which, as he stood with his feet at the bottom of
the haw-haw, overtopped his head by about nine inches. He had no idea
that he would be witness to more than his brother passing by along the
walk, which approached within about ten paces of the haw-haw on one
side, and which skirted the little factitious ruin above the
fish-pond, within a foot or two, on the other. Had he had an idea of
the possibility even of his becoming an eves-dropper, he would not
have hesitated, but crossed the field at once; but the path was, as I
have said, at ten paces' distance, and unless the persons walking
along it spoke very loud, it was impossible for any one in the haw-haw
to hear more than an occasional word, unless the passers-by paused.
Thus much is necessary to the character of Chandos. He paused, but it
was to conceal himself, not to listen.
The moment after he had leapt the hedge, Sir William Winslow appeared
at the turn of the little path; but he was preceded a step by another.
His brother's figure Chandos recognised at once, notwithstanding the
growing obscurity; but, for an instant, he could not distinguish who
was his companion; for the short, slight-made man, who accompanied the
baronet, was wrapped in one of those loose formless sort of coats,
called paletôts. The next moment, however, the sound of their voices,
raised exceedingly high, and in angry tones, reached him as he stood
and gazed through the hedge; and he recognized that of Mr. Roberts.
None of the words were distinct; but it was evident that both were
highly excited; and, by the sharp and vehement gestures of Roberts, so
unlike his usual, quiet, and staid demeanour, and by the rapid pace at
which he walked, with the baronet following, Chandos judged that the
good steward was endeavouring to escape from provocation beyond
endurance, even to his tranquil and equable disposition. Just as they
came up to the little Greek temple, which had been built over the
fish-pond--that is to say, at the nearest point of the walk to the
spot where Chandos was concealed--Sir William Winslow laid a grasp
upon Roberts's collar, as if to stop him in his rapid advance,
exclaiming at the same moment, "Damn you, Sir, what do you mean?"
Roberts instantly shook off his grasp, and whirled round confronting
him. At the same moment he exclaimed vehemently, "I will not, Sir
William Winslow! If you will have it, I believe you burnt it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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