Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell (читать лучшие читаемые книги TXT) 📗

that you are even quicker than poor Nicholas in saying the pretty

thing.”

“But I have never said a pretty thing to a lady before in all my

life,” he replied. “And except to you, I never shall. From the first

moment I saw you in the doorway, I knew well that I love d you. I do

love you, and for me there will be no other woman.”

“Then may I ask you a favour—a great favour?” she whispered.

“I will do anything for you,” he whispered back. “What is it?”

“That you will tell me that again when we are alone beneath the

stars? Will you?”

“When? Soon?”

“I hope so, “ she breathed back gently.

Now it was easier than might be imagined for these two young lovers

to whisper about such intimate things. First the girl’s mother, who sat

directly opposite, was slow to understand English, and both her host and

hostess had moved their chairs as close to hers as possible, so that

they could speak the plainer in her ears. Also Sir Henry, who was

secretly enjoying this ripening love affair, tactfully moved a large

bowl of flowers, which screened their faces into a comparative privacy,

and of this Doctor Syn certainly made the best advantage, for just

before Lady Pembury suggested that they should retire to the drawing room and leave the gentlemen to their port, he had taken Imogene’s hand

in his beneath the table, had felt an answering pressure to his own, and

then seen, to his utmost joy, her lips frame silently the words, “I love

you too.”

Then, owing to Sir Henry’s gout, he claimed the privilege of

escorting the ladies to the door, and since the girl was last to leave,

he managed to whisper without the butler hearing, “Upon the terrace.

Soon. Beneath the stars.”

And the look she gave him was assent.

All very romantic, and cleverly done. But Doctor Syn had really no

cause to think, as he did, that he had deceived not only Sir Henry, but

the butler; for as he gazed after the girl until she disappeared into

the drawing-room,

Sir Henry was guilty of bestowing a solemn wink upon the ancient and

stately man-servant, who respectfully and solemnly returned the wink to

his master.

- 14 -

But of this Doctor Syn was ignorant, as he returned to the table and,

picking up his glass, toasted “All beneath the roof of Lympne Castle.”

“Sit down here, Doctor,” said the Squire of Lympne. “I told you that

you seemed to be the sort of young man who can get what he wants, and I

am most eager to help you.”

“That is very good of you, sir,” replied Doctor Syn, with a smile of

gratitude.

“I suggest,” continued Sir Henry, “that I despatch one of my stablemen down to Dymchurch with a note from me to say that you are staying

the night with us here, for it has occurred to me that the evenings

being still long, the stars may be plaguey late coming out upon the

terrace.”

“Faith, sir,” laughed the Doctor, “either I talk too loud, or your

hearing is very acute.”

“Or your speaking is always clear, even in whisperings,” said Sir

Henry. “But listen to my further suggestions, and see if they commend

themselves to you. Tomorrow you will escort the lady and her Spanish

companions to Dymchurch, and make them acquainted with our good friends,

the Cobtrees. Sir Charles, being your guardian, will no doubt be glad

of the opportunity of looking well upon the face and person of the

Senorita, for I may drop such a hint to him in my letter. I then

suggest that while he talks with our Spanish ladies, you take the

opportunity of packing up your traps and having them put into the boot

of my coach. I then suggest that you persuade the Cobtrees how very

essential it is for you to return to Lympne and finish your vacation

with us. Young Cobtree will certainly excuse you, since he must be in

the same frame of mind which your visit to Lympne has framed you in too.

My further suggestion is that, since the Senorita is a keen horsewoman,

and owing to the fact that your whisperings inside the coach might be

too clear, you two shall ride behind the coach at a distance sufficient

to avoid the dust of the wheels. I mention the back of the coach in

order that my good coachman shall have nothing to distract his attention

from the horses before him. And now, if you are in agreement, bring me

those writing materials, and I will pen the letter on the table here.

But let me first recharge our glasses, and drink to Doctor Syn, and one

other that shall be nameless.”

“And to our kind host,” replied the Doctor.

“And since I like to be undisturbed when toiling with the pen,” went

on Sir Henry, “I suggest that when you have helped me finish this

bottle, you rejoin the ladies in the drawing -room.”

Before carrying out this last suggestion, Doctor Syn unfolded his

anxiety concerning the Squire of Iffley, telling Sir Henry in confidence

all that he knew of the uncle and the nephew.

To this, Sir Henry listened gravely, and then asked, “How long is it

since you visited these Tappitt people, then?”

“For nearly a year I have avoided Iffley,” replied Syn. “I formed

the opinion they were not the sort of people with whom a

clerical official of my college should be associated. I have too many

young and impressionable youths under my charge, and have to set them an

example. Warning them against such rakes as the Tappitts, I had in all

honesty to take the warning to myself.”

“And have you heard nothing of the uncle since?” asked Sir Henry.

“Nothing to his credit, believe me, sir.”

“You tell me that he had a bad reputation where women are concerned,”

went on Sir Henry. “But when you knew him, he was a bachelor, I

understand.”

“He certainly had no wife to insult with the presence of the many

questionable ladies that resorted there.”

- 15 -

“Then, since a woman can so often change a man for the better,” said

Sir Henry, “perhaps even Bully Tappitt has mend his ways. I have a

letter here that you may read. The Senora had another couched in the

same terms. As you see, this is addressed to Lady Pembury and myself,

telling us what a pleasure it will be to receive our Spanish guests, and

asking when they may expect them. It is signed, as you see, by Elinor

Tappitt, wife to the Squire of Iffley.”

Saying which, he handed the parson a letter which he took from his

pocket.

Doctor Syn read the letter through, and then glanced up at Sir Henry.

“Well, sir,” he said, “at the risk of seeming suspicious and perhaps

uncharitable, I believe this letter to be false.

“The Squire of Iffley thinks, quite rightly, that if our Spanish

ladies realize he is a bachelor and has no wife to welcome and protect

them, they would decline to sojourn under his roof. This would not suit

Bully Tappitt. He needs money for his gaming, and if he can get our

friends into his power he will do what he likes with their money. Now,

I know a landlady in Oxford of the strictest integrity, where our

friends could be lodged most comfortable, and I suggest, sir, in my

turn, that we shall be fortunate in having Tony Cobtree in our company,

for since he has already been called to the Bar, his advice on any

document that may be presented to the ladies for signature will be of

the greatest help.”

“And the very nature of his journey will keep him in Oxford some

time, no doubt,” laughed Sir Henry. “Well, my lad, since you are to be

the ladies’ escort, this Squire of Iffley be contemplating any rascally

tricks, I warrant you and young Cobtree will be more than a match for