CHAPTER XXXIV.
A RIDE THROUGH THE WOODS.
The next morning, when the three were seated at the breakfast table,Mr. Grey said:
"Jasper, I think I shall leave you to amuse yourself this morning. Ipropose to invite Gilbert to accompany me on a drive."
"All right, father. Where do you intend driving?"
"I scarcely know, yet. There are many pleasant places in theneighborhood which it is worth while to visit."
"I wonder what the old man's up to?" thought Jasper. "No good toGilbert, I'll be bound. Well, I've had my turn, and it's no more thanright that he should take his. I won't ask any inconvenient questions."
"Will that arrangement be agreeable to you?" asked James Grey, turningto his young visitor.
"I shall be happy to accompany you, Mr. Grey," answered our hero,politely.
"Then it is settled. I will order the chaise round to the door at teno'clock."
"I will be ready, sir."
Jasper looked at his father curiously, as Gilbert left the room. Hislook was returned by one equally significant.
"Ask no questions," it said, and Jasper sauntered out of the room, inmute obedience.
Ten o'clock found the chaise before the door. Gilbert was on hand, andso was his uncle.
"Jump in, Gilbert," said Mr. Grey.
Our hero did so, and James Grey followed.
Jasper stood near, and looked on.
"He isn't coming back," he said to himself. "I saw it in my father'seyes. He won't dare to kill him, I wonder?"
The question, which should have produced a feeling of horror, onlycaused a feeling of curiosity, and he walked away, in the confidencethat the dangerous foe to his prospects was to be disposed of somehow.
"It is a pleasant morning for driving," said Mr. Grey, by way ofopening the conversation.
"Yes, sir, very pleasant."
"Did you have any more trouble with Bucephalus yesterday?"
"No, sir. He has given up the contest."
"I am glad to hear it."
"How large is your estate, Mr. Grey?"
This was a simple question, but James Grey understood it as implyingcuriosity on the part of our hero to learn how large a property hecould claim.
"There are about two hundred acres," he answered. "By the way, we havenot yet spoken of your claim."
"No, sir."
"I have been meaning to go to Alton to consult my lawyer. I havedelayed it longer, perhaps, than I should. To-morrow I will attend toit, and report to you the result."
"Thank you, sir. I don't like to hurry you, but a decision is soimportant to my plans in life that I should like the matter decided assoon as possible."
"Of course, your feeling is only natural. Indeed, I have reason to feelin the same way, for if your claim is sustained it will reduce me tocomparative poverty, and my poor boy also."
James Grey spoke with affected feeling, and Gilbert responded, quickly:
"Don't think so meanly of me, Mr. Grey, as to suppose that I should bewilling to reduce you and Jasper to poverty. I can not give up myrights, but I will take care that you are saved from any pecuniarywant."
"Will you, indeed?" said Mr. Grey to himself, with a sneer. "Thank youfor nothing, young man; I intend to provide against that contingencymyself."
What he said aloud was something very different.
"I feel sure that in any event I can rely on your forbearance," hesaid. "But the decision may be in my favor, and in that case I will notbe behind you in generosity. I will do what I can to further yourinterests, though I do not promise to do as much for you as an ownson."
"Of course not, sir. I thank you for your offer."
Mr. Grey spoke so frankly and fairly--he was one of those who couldassume a virtue though he had it not--that Gilbert was partiallydeceived--so far, at least, as to question the correctness of hisformer impressions of his uncle. Nevertheless, he could not helpcalling to mind that this man, fairly as he now spoke, had in allprobability conspired against him, dooming him to privation and penuryfor nearly ten years, while he and his son had been living luxuriously.On the whole, his uncle was a puzzle to him. He exhibited such acontrariety of character and disposition, that he knew not to whatdecision it would be right to come respecting it.
"I am going to avoid the village, Gilbert," said his uncle, "and driveyou along a very charming road, or rather cart-path, threading thewoods. The trees are now looking very beautiful with their changingfoliage, and I think you will like it better than the ordinary road."
"You are right, sir, I should," answered Gilbert.
"It will give you an idea of our Western forests. I suppose you areonly familiar with those in the East?"
"I am not familiar with any. I have always lived in the city--first inNew York, and afterward in Cincinnati."
Gilbert would have mentioned his residence in Australia, but he thoughtthat the reference to it might be construed by his uncle into a tacitreproach, and therefore forbore.
They turned from the main road into one not much frequented, andspeedily entered the forest. Not a suspicion of his uncle's bad faith,or of any conspiracy against himself, entered the mind of our hero. Hehad not yet fathomed the depth of his uncle's wickedness.
"Jasper never cares to ride in this direction," said Mr. Grey. "He hasno love for Nature."
"He has told me that he would rather live in the city."
"Yes, he would; but I am attached to the country. I suppose when hegrows older that he will insist upon leaving me. That will leave meindeed solitary."
They kept on till they were in the heart of the woods. As Mr. Grey hadsaid, the road was now but a cart-path, bordered on either side bytall, straight trees. Suddenly, from a covert of underbrush, a ruffiansprang out, and seized the horse by the bridle.