Delville Wood

“ CHAPTER XXVIII SIGNORA CASALMONTE Three years and more had passed since Will’s visit to the Tyrol. Events had moved fast for his fortunes meanwhile. He was a well-known man now in theatrical circles. Florian Wood went about, indeed, boasting in clubs and drawing-rooms that ’twas he who had discovered and brought out Will Deverill. “It’s all very well to be a poet,” he said, “and it’s all very well to be born with a head full of rhymes and tunes, of crochets, clefs, and quavers; but what’s the use of all that, I ask you my dear fellow, without a critic to push you? ”

“ It is all better, no doubt, as it is; this, I must admit, however lonely my heart may throb in saying it. I had hoped to be happy in holding you to that heart, as one of its own rightful treasures. I will now strive to make myself happy in seeing her so I could not win. Whenever you want a friend, my child—one faithful and sincere, and uninfluenced by selfish motives—you will ever find one in the old man who has dared to love you, and whom you have this day rejected."
Della placed both hands in General Delville's, and looked up earnestly and trustfully into his noble face. ”

“ Anticipating some such answer, Delvin had meanwhile taken refuge among the Carn mountains, where he defied all the efforts of Sir Richard Wingfield to capture him. His castle of Cloughoughter was taken and also his little son, and he himself ‘enforced as a wood-kerne in mantle and trouses to shift for himself.’ Still there was a danger in allowing him to remain at large in the event of the return of the northern earls, and Chichester thought it ‘not amiss to promise him his life’ as an inducement to submit. ”

“ Denville and Mary did not go in, but contented themselves with looking in the doorway. It was piled high with wood, and Mrs. Denville asked her little daughter if she knew why there was so much wood there.
“No,” said Mary, “I do not.”
“It is a frugal way that farming people have,” replied her mother. “Mr. Gleason was telling us about it last evening. The farmers cut their wood sometimes a year in advance, and pile it up under cover to dry 205thoroughly. It lasts longer, and is easier to burn than green wood. Now let us go on to the big barn.” ”

“ He is characterised by Wood as ‘a person well known for his sincerity in conversation, generality of learning, gravity of judgment, and soundness of doctrine.’ In Prince's ‘Worthies’ and Polwhele's ‘Devonshire’ there is quoted a long epitaph on his wife Jane, who died at Tedburn in 1613. The brass containing the epitaph was removed from the church on rebuilding the chancel, and is now in the possession of the rector. He married again, for at his death, which took place at Tedburn in the winter of 1618, he left a widow named Mary. ”

“ If General Delville has lived in New-Orleans till he has grown old enough to be my grandfather, he can't have much of a heart left."
"Della, you astonish me!" said her father, with the frown deepening. "One would think you had no ambition whatever to make a good match."
"Papa, do you love me at all?"
Mr. Delancey started at the abrupt question, and gazed upon his daughter in surprise.
"Love you, Della? the whole of my heart is centred in you." ”

“ Sir Julian heard about the twitter towards February or March every year, and received the news of it with modified enthusiasm only.
As soon as they were alone, Edna drew a long breath, flung her head back, and said with a sort of restrained ardour:
"Julian, whom do you suppose I met this afternoon in the beech-wood?"
"The first squirrel of the year," suggested Sir Julian, with perfect indifference.
"I am not laughing."
"Neither am I. Do you mean a human being, or a harbinger of spring?"
"I met Mark," said Lady Rossiter very gravely. ”

“ Deville, “is altogether mutual. At any rate, we can see as little of each other as possible. I wish you a good morning.”
He raised his cap presumably to me, although he did not glance in my direction, and went off across the lawn, taking huge strides, and crossing our flower beds with reckless unconcern. My father watched him go with a dark shadow resting upon his face. He laid his fingers upon my arm, and their touch through my thin gown was like the touch of fire. I looked into his still, calm face, and I wondered. It was marvellous that a man should wear such a mask. ”

“ Delorane. “I don’t like young men to be idle; leads ’em into temptation. We’ll make him head clerk here, next to you, and give him a couple of hundred a-year. If—what’s the matter?”
For the strange look on his manager’s face had caught the eye of Mr. Delorane. St. George drew three or four deep breaths.
“Have you thought of Miss Delorane, sir—of her interests—in planning this?” he presently asked.
“Why, that’s what I do think of; nothing else. You may be sure I shouldn’t think of it for the interest of Brook. All the same, I like the young man, and always shall. ”

“ Delafield hung over the surging water in a strange exaltation, half physical, half moral. The wild salt strength and savor of the sea breathed something akin to that passionate force of will which had impelled him to the enterprise in which he stood. No mere man of the world could have dared it; most men of the world, as he was well aware, would have condemned or ridiculed it. But for one who saw life and conduct sub specie æternitatis it had seemed natural enough.
The wind blew fierce and cold. He made his way back to Julie's side. ”

“ Bernard, standing still, thought fashionable people talked like imbeciles. Dolly, shy, though no one saw it, was in a glow of triumph.
Their way home led through woods. So much rain had fallen that the mossy bridle-path was scored with deep ruts full of water, and Dolly had to hold her skirt away from the black leaf-mould. [59] Rain-drops held in crumpled copper leaves shone gemlike, smooth young stems glistened; only the grey boles of the forest trees looked warm and dry. Dolly, herself like a russet leaf, harmonised with the woodland scenery, which seemed a frame made for her. ”

“ One evening in late autumn Nicholas went into Delphy's cabin after supper and found Eugenia seated upon the hearth, facing Uncle Ish and Aunt Verbeny. Between them Delphy's son-in-law, Moses, was helping Bernard mend a broken hare trap, while Delphy, herself, was crooning a lullaby to one of her grandchildren as she carded the wool which she had taken from a quilt of faded patchwork. On the stones of the great fireplace the red flames from lightwood splits leaped over a smouldering hickory log, filling the cabin with the penetrating odour of burning, resinous pine. ”

“ And that is how matters at present stood in Dallory.
One autumn day, when the woods were glowing with their many colours, and the guns might be heard making war on the partridges, Richard North overtook one of his Flemish workmen at the base of a hill about half-a-mile from his works. The man was wheeling a wheelbarrow that contained sand, but not in the handy manner that an Englishman would have done it, and Richard took it himself.
"Can't you learn, Snaude?" he said, addressing the man. "See here; you should stoop: you must not get the barrow nearly upright. See how you've spilt the sand." ”

“ We went down to breakfast, and there I was afforded an opportunity of verifying the subtle likeness in Devlin's face to the portrait of Lemon on the wall, the evil-looking bird in its glass case, and the stone figure, half monster, half man, on the mantelshelf.
"There is a likeness," said Devlin pleasantly, "between my works and me, and if you will attribute me with anything human, you can attribute it to a common human failing. It springs from the vanity and the weakness of man that he can evolve only that which is within himself. ”

“ Oh, how good the cool ripply water did feel! and how they chuckled with glee as they felt the wavelets plashing round their ankles.
Across the brook were the dearest wild flowers,—pink, yellow, and white.
“We must gather some,” said Dolly. “Can we wade across?”
“Yep; I guess so. It doesn’t look deep. Come on.”
Taking hands again, they stepped cautiously, and succeeded in crossing the shallow brook, though, incidentally, well dampening the piqué skirt, and the grey knickerbockers. ”

“ The pale thin youth took the money, laid down his cue, and left us to ourselves. When he was gone I placed a chair at an angle against the handle of the door, there being no key in the lock, and thus prevented the entrance of any person without notice. It was the leisure time of the day, and there was little fear of our being disturbed. The extra gratuity I had given to the marker would insure privacy. As I took my station at the window, from which Mr. Dowsett's house was in full view, Devlin nodded approval of my proceedings.
"You are a man of resource," he said. ”

“ I can plainly distinguish the features of the two men upon whom we are gazing. One is young. Who is he?"
"His name," I replied, believing that entire frankness would be more likely to win Devlin to my side, "is George Carton."
"I recognise him; he was in your house yesterday morning. He seems distressed. There is a troubled look in his face."
"He was the murdered girl's lover."
"Ah! And the other, the elder man, casting anxious glances upon the younger--who may he be?"
"His name is Mr. Kenneth Dowsett. He is young Carton's guardian." ”

“ Seated by her side, having rushed up to claim acquaintance with her on hearing Frederick Grey’s announcement, was a Mrs. Delcie. The acquaintance between them was very slight. They had met once or twice in some of the crowded rooms of London; but you know it is not all of us who get the chance to show to our sea-bathing friends that we are on speaking terms with a countess. Mrs. Delcie appeared inclined to make herself at home, and was already initiating Lady Oakburn into the politics of the place.
“You look tired, my dear child,” exclaimed Lady Oakburn, when Lucy came up. “It is hot here. ”

“ Dowsett: "To Lizzie Melladew."
Devlin: "What did you write?"
Mr. Dowsett: "A heart-broken woman implores you to meet her to-night at eleven o'clock in Victoria Park, and, so that she may recognise you, begs you to wear a bunch of white daisies in your belt. She will wear the same, so that you may recognise her. The life and welfare of Mr. Richard Carton hangs upon this meeting. If you fail, a dreadful fate awaits him, which you can avert. As you value his happiness and your own, come." ”

“ Beneath it should be words to the effect that it was the portrait of a man who knew, before its committal, that the murder of the poor girl Lizzie Melladew was planned, and who must, therefore, be implicated in it. The portrait would lead to your arrest, and then Mr. and Mrs. Lemon would come forward with certain facts. Mr. Devlin, I would make London too hot to hold you."
"An expressive phrase. Your plan is more than ordinarily clever; it is ingenious. And London," said Devlin thoughtfully, "is such a place to work in, such a place to live in, such a place to observe in! ”

“ Delancey stepped back to observe the effect.
"Charmante, ma chere!" she exclaimed. "Remember, love, your father and I wish you to be particularly agreeable to General Delville this evening. He is a splendid match, rich as a Jew, and of such fine family!"
"He is the gentleman who was of age when papa was born, isn't he, mamma?"
"Hush, child; what of that! He may be a little old, but all the better—you'll be left a charming young widow the sooner." ”

“ Doc! By gum, we got 'em!" a jubilant voice declared, as a runabout—of a breed which Dolliver scornfully called "tin bugs"—slid down the hill and stopped at the edge of the muddy stretch. Hearing new voices, Ruth again stepped out eagerly to the running-board of Dolliver's car, and the same voice exclaimed: "Hullo! There's two of 'em! What might your name be, miss?"
"Ruth Hazard."
"And shame on ye! Runnin' away with a married man!"
"I didn't!" she indignantly returned. "I was running away with somebody else! I thought Mr. Dolliver was taking me to him! He said he was! ”

“ And here's a— I don't know what it is, for Allan John—I think it's a whistle! And here's a little not-too-soggy real Morocco-bound blank book for Mr. Rollins when he comes down-stairs again! And——"
"And for Mr. Delville?" I teased. "And for Ann Woltor?"
With her hand slapped across her mouth in a gesture of childish dismay, the May Girl stared round at her companions.
"Oh dear—Oh dear—Oh dear!" she stammered. "None of us ever thought once of poor Mr. Delville and Miss Woltor!"
"It's hot eatments and drinkments that you'd better be thinking of now!" I warned them all with real concern. ”

“ The next moment I stood face to face with the strange creature, concerning whom my curiosity was raised to the highest pitch. He was sitting in a chair upon my entrance, and he did not rise from it; therefore I looked down upon him and he looked up at me. As my eyes rested on his face, I saw in it the inspiration of the evil expression in the faces of Mr. Lemon's portrait, the stone monster, and the bird's beak, which had made so profound an impression upon me in the parlour on the ground-floor.
"You have been in the house some time," said Devlin. ”

“ He stood and gazed at it in a second state of consternation equal to that in which he had just gazed after Rupert Trevlyn. "If I don't believe it's a fire!" ejaculated he.
Was every one running about madly? The words were escaping Mr. Apperley's lips when a second figure, white, breathless as the other, came flying over the road in the selfsame track. This one wore a smock-frock, and the farmer recognised Jim Sanders.
"Why, Jim, is it you? What's up?"
"Don't stop me, sir," panted Jim. "Don't you see the blaze? It's Chattaway's rick-yard."
"Mercy on me! Chattaway's rick-yard! What has done it? ”