Great Britain -- History -- James III, 1701-1766 -- Fiction
He proceeded to explain his words. “I have talked in vain with
Atterbury. He will not abandon the enterprise even at King James'
commands. He urges that his majesty can have no conception of how the
matter is advanced; that he has been laboring like Hercules, and that
the party is being swelled by men of weight and substance every day;
that it is too late to go back, and that he will go forward with
the king's consent or without it. Should he or his agents approach
Ostermore, in the meantime, it will be too late for us to take such
measures as we have concerted. For to deliver up Ostermore then would
entail the betrayal of others, which is not to be dreamt of. So you'll
use dispatch.”
“If I do the thing at all, it shall be done to-morrow,” answered Mr.
Caryll.
“If at all?” cried Sir Richard, frowning again. “If at all?”
Caryll turned to him. He crossed to the table, and leaning across it,
until his face was quite close to his adoptive father's. “Sir Richard,”
he begged, “let us say no more to-night. My will is all to do the thing.
It is my--my instincts that rebel. I think that the day will be carried
by my will. I shall strive to that end, believe me. But let us say no
more now.”
Sir Richard, looking deep into Mr. Caryll's eyes, was touched by
something that he saw. “My poor Justin!” he said gently. Then, checking
the sympathy as swiftly as it rose: “So be it, then,” he said briskly.
“You'll come to me to-morrow after you have seen his lordship?”
“Will you not remain here?”
“You have not the room. Besides, Sir Richard Everard--is too well known
for a Jacobite to be observed sharing your lodging. I have no right at
all in England, and there is always the chance of my being discovered.
I would not pull you down with me. I am lodged at the corner of Maiden
Lane, next door to the sign of Golden Flitch. Come to me there to-morrow
after you have seen Lord Ostermore.” He hesitated a moment. He was
impelled to recapitulate his injunctions; but he forbore. He put out his
hand abruptly. “Good-night, Justin.”
Justin took the hand and pressed it. The door opened, and Leduc entered.
“Captain Mainwaring and Mr. Falgate are here, sir, and would speak with
you,” he announced.
Mr. Caryll knit his brows a moment. His acquaintance with both men was
of the slightest, and it was only upon reflection that he bethought him
they would, no doubt, be come in the matter of his affair with Rotherby,
which in the stress of his interview with Sir Richard had been quite
forgotten. He nodded.
“Wait upon Sir Richard to the door, Leduc,” he bade his man. “Then
introduce these gentlemen.”
Sir Richard had drawn back a step. “I trust neither of these gentlemen
knows me,” he said. “I would not be seen here by any that did. It might
compromise you.”
But Mr. Caryll belittled Sir Richard's fears. “Pooh! 'Tis very unlike,”
said he; whereupon Sir Richard, seeing no help for it, went out quickly,
Leduc in attendance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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