Henrietta Temple: A Love Story

  CHAPTER VIII.

  _A Visit to Glastonbury's Chamber_.

  IT WAS arranged that Ferdinand should join his regiment by the nextMediterranean packet, which was not to quit Falmouth for a fortnight.Glastonbury and himself, therefore, lost no time in bidding adieu totheir kind friends in London, and hastening to Armine. They arrived theday after the Gazette. They found Sir Ratcliffe waiting for them atthe town, and the fond smile and cordial embrace with which he greetedGlastonbury more than repaid that good man for all his exertions. Therewas, notwithstanding, a perceptible degree of constraint both on thepart of the baronet and his former tutor. It was evident that SirRatcliffe had something on his mind of which he wished to disburdenhimself; and it was equally apparent that Glastonbury was unwilling toafford him an opportunity. Under these rather awkward circumstances, itwas perhaps fortunate that Ferdinand talked without ceasing, giving hisfather an account of all he had seen, done, and heard, and of all thefriends he had made, from the good Duke of-----to that capital fellow,the guard of the coach.

  They were at the park gates: Lady Armine was there to meet them. Thecarriage stopped; Ferdinand jumped out and embraced his mother.She kissed him, and ran forward and extended both her hands to Mr.Glastonbury. 'Deeds, not words, must show our feelings,' she said, andthe tears glittered in her beautiful eyes; Glastonbury, with a blush,pressed her hand to his lips. After dinner, during which Ferdinandrecounted all his adventures, Lady Armine invited him, when she rose,to walk with her in the garden. It was then, with an air of considerableconfusion, clearing his throat, and filling his glass at the same time,that Sir Ratcliffe said to his remaining guest,

  'My dear Glastonbury, you cannot suppose that I believe that the daysof magic have returned. This commission, both Constance and myselffeel, that is, we are certain, that you are at the bottom of it all. Thecommission is purchased. I could not expect the Duke, deeply as I feelhis generous kindness, to purchase a commission for my son: I couldnot permit it. No! Glastonbury,' and here Sir Ratcliffe became moreanimated, '_you_ could not permit it, my honour is safe in your hands?'Sir Ratcliffe paused for a reply.

  'On that score my conscience is clear,' replied Glastonbury.

  'It is, then,--it must be then as I suspect,' rejoined Sir Ratcliffe. 'Iam your debtor for this great service.'

  'It is easy to count your obligations to me,' said Glastonbury, 'butmine to you and yours are incalculable.'

  'My dear Glastonbury,' said Sir Ratcliffe, pushing his glass away as herose from his seat and walked up and down the room, 'I may be proud,but I have no pride for you, I owe you too much; indeed, my dear friend,there is nothing that I would not accept from you, were it in your powerto grant what you would desire. It is not pride, my dear Glastonbury;do not mistake me; it is not pride that prompts this explanation;but--but--had I your command of language I would explain myself morereadily; but the truth is, I--I--I cannot permit that you should sufferfor us, Glastonbury, I cannot indeed.'

  Mr. Glastonbury looked at Sir Ratcliffe steadily; then rising from hisseat he took the baronet's arm, and without saying a word walked slowlytowards the gates of the castle where he lodged, and which we havebefore described. When he had reached the steps of the tower he withdrewhis arm, and saying, 'Let me be pioneer,' invited Sir Ratcliffe tofollow him. They accordingly entered his chamber.

  It was a small room lined with shelves of books, except in one spot,where was suspended a portrait of Lady Barbara, which she had bequeathedhim in her will. The floor was covered with so many boxes and casesthat it was not very easy to steer a course when you had entered.Glastonbury, however, beckoned to his companion to seat himself in oneof his two chairs, while he unlocked a small cabinet, from a drawer ofwhich he brought forth a paper.

  'It is my will,' said Glastonbury, handing it to Sir Ratcliffe, who laidit down on the table.

  'Nay, I wish you, my dear friend, to peruse it, for it concernsyourself.'

  'I would rather learn its contents from yourself, if you positivelydesire me,' replied Sir Ratcliffe.

  'I have left everything to our child,' said Glastonbury; for thus, whenspeaking to the father alone, he would often style the son.

  'May it be long before he enjoys the 'bequest,' said Sir Ratcliffe,brushing away a tear; 'long, very long.'

  'As the Almighty pleases,' said Glastonbury, crossing himself. 'Butliving or dead, I look upon all as Ferdinand's, and hold myself but thesteward of his inheritance, which I will never abuse.'

  'O! Glastonbury, no more of this I pray; you have wasted a precious lifeupon our forlorn race. Alas! how often and how keenly do I feel, thathad it not been for the name of Armine your great talents and goodnessmight have gained for you an enviable portion of earthly felicity; yes,Glastonbury, you have sacrificed yourself to us.'

  'Would that I could!' said the old man, with brightening eyes and anunaccustomed energy of manner. 'Would that I could! would that any actof mine, I care not what, could revive the fortunes of the house ofArmine. Honoured for ever be the name, which with me is associated withall that is great and glorious in man, and [here his voice faltered, andhe turned away his face] exquisite and enchanting in woman!

  'No, Ratcliffe,' he resumed, 'by the memory of one I cannot name, bythat blessed and saintly being from whom you derive your life, you willnot, you cannot deny this last favour I ask, I entreat, I supplicate youto accord me: me, who have ever eaten of your bread, and whom your roofhath ever shrouded!'

  'My friend, I cannot speak,' said Sir Ratcliffe, throwing himself backin the chair and covering his face with his right hand; 'I know not whatto say; I know not what to feel.'

  Glastonbury advanced, and gently took his other hand. 'Dear SirRatcliffe,' he observed, in his usual calm, sweet voice, 'if I haveerred you will pardon me. I did believe that, after my long andintimate connection with your house; after having for nearly forty yearssympathised as deeply with all your fortunes as if, indeed, your nobleblood flowed in these old veins; after having been honoured on yourside with a friendship which has been the consolation and charm of myexistence; indeed, too great a blessing; I did believe, more especiallywhen I reminded myself of the unrestrained manner in which I had availedmyself of the advantages of that friendship, I did believe, actuated byfeelings which perhaps I cannot describe, and thoughts to which I cannotnow give utterance, that I might venture, without offence, upon thisslight service: ay, that the offering might be made in the spirit ofmost respectful affection, and not altogether be devoid of favour inyour sight.'

  'Excellent, kind-hearted man!' said Sir Ratcliffe, pressing the hand ofGlastonbury in his own; 'I accept your offering in the spirit of perfectlove. Believe me, dearest friend, it was no feeling of false pride thatfor a moment influenced me; I only felt-'

  'That in venturing upon this humble service I deprived myself of someportion of my means of livelihood: you are mistaken. When I cast my lotat Armine I sank a portion of my capital on my life; so slender are mywants here, and so little does your dear lady permit me to desire,that, believe me, I have never yet expended upon myself this apportionedincome; and as for the rest, it is, as you have seen, destined for ourFerdinand. Yet a little time and Adrian Glastonbury must be gathered tohis fathers. Why, then, deprive him of the greatest gratification ofhis remaining years? the consciousness that, to be really serviceable tothose he loves, it is not necessary for him to cease to exist.'

  'May you never repent your devotion to our house!' said Sir Ratcliffe,rising from his seat. 'Time was we could give them who served ussomething better than thanks; but, at any rate, these come from theheart.'