about in theneighbourhood of Lynderton; and at most of them Harry, who was growinginto a remarkably fine-looking young man, had become a great favourite.He danced well, could talk agreeably, and was always ready to makehimself useful. He was a welcome guest, especially at Stanmore Park,the residence of Colonel Everard. The Colonel was one of therepresentatives of the oldest and most influential families in that partof the country. General Tryon had been an old friend of his, and he wasvery glad when Lady Tryon acknowledged her grandson, and took him underher protecting wing. Had the Colonel been a more acute observer than hewas, he might not have so readily congratulated the boy on his goodfortune. Colonel Everard had an only daughter, Lucy; and a niece,Mabel, who resided with him. The latter was the daughter of hisbrother, Captain Digby Everard, who was constantly at sea. When he cameon shore for a short period he took up his residence at Stanmore Park.A maiden sister, always called Madam Everard, who superintended hishousehold, was the only other constant member of his family. StanmorePark was a fine old place of red brick, with spreading wings. A longdrive under an avenue of noble trees led up to the front of the house,and looked out on a wide extent of park land. There was a beautifulview of the sea from the windows on the opposite side. There was amagnificent lawn of thick shrubberies, and lofty umbrageous trees, andextensive lakes, across which were bits of woodland scenery, thegraceful trees of varied foliage being reflected in the calm water.Altogether, Stanmore Park was a very delightful place. Harry, however,although he was very fond of going there, liked the inhabitants evenmore than the place itself. Madam Everard was a good kind woman who,though advanced in life, had feelings almost as fresh as those of heryoung nieces, who were pretty, attractive girls. Harry thought so, andas he saw a good deal of them, he was well able to judge. His happiestdays were spent in their society; sometimes attending them on horseback,sometimes fishing with them in the lake, sometimes rowing them in a boaton the largest piece of water. Captain Everard had had a miniaturefrigate placed on the lake; and Harry was present while it was beingfitted out and rigged, so that he learnt the name of every rope and sailbelonging to her. It was wonderful how much nautical knowledge hegained on that occasion.
CHAPTER FIVE.
TWO YOUNG FIRE-EATERS OUT-GENERALLED.
Lynderton was about that time made a depot of a foreign legion, andalthough the presence of a large body of military did not add much tothe morality of the place, there was a considerable number of talentedpersons among the officers and their wives. Instruction could now beprocured in abundance, in foreign languages, dancing, singing, in theuse of all sorts of instruments, from pianos down to flageolets, and indrawing and painting. Counts and barons were glad to obtainremuneration for their talents, and many a butcher's or grocer's billwas liquidated by the instruction afforded to the female portions of thecommercial families of the place in dancing and singing. ColonelEverard engaged a very charming countess to instruct his daughter andniece in dancing, and as it was convenient to have a third person, Harrywas invited over to join the lessons. The name of the French lady whotaught them dancing was Countess de Thaonville. She was a very handsomeperson, but there was a deep shade of melancholy on her countenance. Nowonder. Her history was a sad one, as was that of many of hercountrywomen and countrymen, now exiles in a foreign land. Harrybenefited greatly by these lessons. They contributed to civilise andrefine him. Had, however, Madam Everard known a little more of theworld, as years rolled on, she would probably not have invited him sooften to come to the house. In his young days he had looked on Lucy andMabel very much in the light of sisters, but somehow or other he beganto prefer one to the other. Mabel was certainly his favourite. How itcame to pass he could not tell, but he was happier in her society thanin that of her cousin, or in that of anybody else. He was only abouttwo years her senior, while Lucy was several years older. This mighthave made some difference. Occasionally the Countess brought a youngofficer of the legion, Baron de Ruvigny, to the house to assist in themusic, as he played the violin well. He was a mere youth, but verygentlemanly and pleasing, and he became a great favourite with MadamEverard. Harry did not quite like his coming; he thought he seemedrather too attentive to Mabel. However, he was a very good fellow,although he could not play cricket or row a boat, and as Mabel certainlygave him no encouragement, Harry began to like him.
By the time Harry was eighteen Mabel had become a lovely and an amiablegirl. No wonder that being much in her society he should have lovedher. Lady Tryon, who had always indulged him, was not long indiscovering the state of his affections, and instead or attempting tocheck him, she encouraged him in his wish to obtain the hand of MabelEverard.
Colonel Everard, like many old soldiers, was an early riser. Heusually, in the summer, took a walk before breakfast through thegrounds. His figure was tall and commanding. Although considerablymore than seventy, he still walked with an upright carriage andsoldier-like air. He carried a stick in his hand, but often placed itunder his arm, as he was wont in his youth to carry his sword. Thefront part of his head was bald, and his silvery locks were securedbehind in a queue, neatly tied with black ribbon. His features wereremarkably fine, and age had failed to dim the brightness of his blueeye. His invariable morning costume was an undress military coat, whichhad seen some service, while no one could look at him without seeingthat he was a man accustomed to courts as well as camps. One morning hewas stopping to look at a flower-bed lately laid out by his daughterLucy, when he heard footsteps approaching him. A turn of the walkconcealed him from the house.
"Well, Paul, what is it?" he asked, looking up.
"I have something to communicate, Colonel."
The speaker was a tall thin man, with a mark of a sword-cut on one ofhis well-bronzed and weather-beaten cheeks, which had not added to hisbeauty. There was, notwithstanding this, an honest, pleasant expressionin his countenance which was sure to command confidence. His air wasthat of an old soldier; indeed, as he spoke, his hand went mechanicallyup to his hat, while as he halted, he drew himself as upright as one ofthe neighbouring fir-trees. Paul Gauntlett, the Colonel's faithfulfollower and body servant, had left Lynderton with him upwards of fiftyyears before, and had been by his side in every battle in which he hadbeen engaged.
"There's mischief brewing, and if it is not put a stop to, harm willcome of it," he continued.
"What do you mean?" asked the Colonel.
"Just this, sir. I was lying down close to the lake to draw in a nightline I set last night, when who should come by but young Master HarryTryon with his fishing-rod in his hand, and his basket by his side. Iwas just going to get up and speak to him, for he did not see me, when Isaw another person, who was no other than that young foreigner, theBaron de Ruvigny, as he calls himself. Master Harry asked him what hewas doing, and he said that it was no business of his, as far as I couldmake out. Then Master Harry got very angry, and told him that he shouldnot come to the park at all, and the other said that he was insulted.Then Master Harry asked him what business he had to write letters toyoung ladies, and the end of it was that they agreed to go into the townand get swords or pistols and settle the matter that way. If they fixon pistols it may be all very well; but if they fight with swords,Master Harry's no hand with one, and the young Frenchman will pink himdirectly they cross blades."
"I am glad you told me of this," observed the Colonel. "It must be puta stop to, or the hot-headed lads will be doing each other a mischief.Who could the Frenchman have been writing to? Not my daughter or nieceI hope. It will not do to have their names mixed up in a brawl."
"I think we could manage it at once, sir; they have not yet left thegrounds. They spoke as if they did not intend to fight till theevening, as each of them would have to look out for his seconds. Whenthey parted, Master Harry walked on along the side of the lake and beganto fish, looking as cool as a cucumber, while the young Frenchman wentback into the summer-house, where he had been sitting when Master Harryfound him, and went on writing away on
a sheet of paper, he had spreadon his hat. Now, sir, if you go down the walk you are pretty sure tofind him there still, and I have no doubt that I shall be able to fallin with Master Harry, and I can tell him you want to see him atbreakfast, and that he must come, and make no excuse."
Great was Harry's surprise to find the young Frenchman in thebreakfast-room, where the Colonel and the rest of the party were alreadyassembled. He was, as usual, cordially welcomed, and the butler shortlyafterwards announced that the fish he had caught would be speedilyready.
"We are very glad you have come, Harry," said Madam Everard, "you canhelp us in arranging an important matter. The Colonel has just heardthat his Majesty intends honouring us with a visit in the course of aday or two. The King sends word that he shall ride over from Lyndhurst,and that we are to make no preparations for his reception; but he isalways