CHAPTER LI. HOW HERBERT'S UNINVITED GUESTS WERE ENTERTAINED. "But, oh! mankind are unco' weak, If self the wavering balance shake, "'Tis conscience doth make cowards of us all." "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, BURNS. SHAKESPEARE. It only wanted about half an hour to dinner, when Herbert reached home that evening, as he had gone some miles out of his way for the purpose of calling on an aged couple whom he had been earnestly requested to visit, and whose necessities, both temporal and spiritual, he found even greater than was represented. His thoughts were so occupied with what he had been seeing and hearing that he scarcely remembered his expected visitor; and it was with considerable astonishment he detected unmistakable signs of bustle pervading the usually orderly household. He was walking straight to the dining-room, when James Gordon placed himself before the door, as if to prevent his entering-not, however, until he had obtained a glimpse of the table spread with abundance of plate, and apparently laid for eight at the very least. He also saw two respectable and well-dressed men-servants, one engaged at the sideboard, and the other arranging a bouquet of pink and white camelias in an elegant epergne, which occupied the centre of the table. "My dear James!" he exclaimed, viewing his faithful and indefatigable adherent in utter bewilderment, "what extraordinary fancy is this?" 66 If you will let me follow you to your dressing-room for a minute," said Gordon, in a low tone, "I will explain everything." 66 Come, then; for I confess I am completely stupefied," replied Herbert, turning away. When they approached the drawing-room door, he was about to turn the handle, but a sudden movement of Gordon's arrested him; and, with a slight smile, he passed on to his own apartment. 66 'Now, James, take pity on me, and unravel this mystery," he observed, throwing himself down on a seat; "why are all these preparations going on below? and why did you wish to prevent me from going into the drawing-room?" "The fact is," answered Gordon, who was industriously bringing forward such articles of apparel as he wished our hero to appear in, "Sir Edward Stanley and a friend of his, who has returned with him from M- are there, and when I said that you "Sir Edward here!" cried Herbert, starting up; "why, then, should I not go to him?" "Wait a moment, sir," said Gordon, eagerly opening his dressing.case: please get ready first, and then I will tell you why I am in so great a hurry." "Indeed, your conduct needs explanation," replied Herbert, goodnaturedly receiving a coat, which Gordon seemed anxious for him to wear; "I never knew you care about such things before." "Now these, sir,"-handing him a pair of dress-boots, in lieu of the ones in which he had been walking. "I certainly ought to apologise for treating you so unceremoniously; but I know you can trust me." "Trust you, my friend!" replied Herbert, turning quickly round, and giving his hand a fervent grasp, "aye, that I do!" "And if I should have acted contrary to what you would have advised," remarked Gordon-a smile of complacency lighting up his face, on observing that Herbert's toilet was nearly completed-" you will excuse it?" "Of course, of course," answered Herbert pleasantly; "you surely do not suppose that I am vain-glorious enough to consider my own way the best." And then Gordon, knowing that the other guests would be arriving very soon, hurriedly told him how he had undesignedly overheard sufficient of Reginald Grafton's conversation with his friends to show him that, although he had allowed Herbert to understand he should visit him alone, it was all the time his intention to bring his companions with him, solely for the purpose of enabling them to enjoy his discomfiture, and make themselves acquainted with the imperfections or deficiences which might haply be discoverable in the ordering and conducting of his menage, prefatory to turning them into ridicule; and how he had taken measures to deprive them of their anticipated diversion by being prepared to receive them in a very different manner from what they expected. "But the expense, James?" observed Herbert, thoughtfully; "have you made any calculation?” 66 Quite a trifle," briskly responded Gordon. "Are you sure we can meet it without encroaching upon the fund laid aside for supplying some of the wants of our poorer brethren?" "Oh, dear, yes, sir; I would not think of asking you to touch that." Then seeing that Herbert still looked somewhat uncertain, he added, with a smile "You know, sir, I am not, on the whole, a bad manager." "So it appears," said Herbert, reflectingly. "I often ask myself how you can possibly contrive so well with so little. You never seem to be at a loss for means, and yet I know by the smallness of the sums you receive it must at times be no easy matter to keep up the semblance of respectability." 66 Ah, sir, forgive me for saying so; but you are not a competent judge in these pecuniary matters," answered Gordon, who always began to feel uneasy when Herbert spoke thus. "But about Sir Edward," he went on, wishing to change the subject. "Knowing how thoroughly you can depend upon him, and not being quite sure as to the time you would be here, after telling him how we are situated, I begged him to remain and assist you this evening, which he instantly agreed to do." "His presence will be a great advantage," said Herbert, smiling quietly; "and now that I have obeyed your behest, my good James, I suppose I may consider myself at liberty to join him?" "Yes, you are all right now, sir;" and Gordon accompanied his words with a glance of admiring satisfaction. "It will be odd indeed," he murmured below his breath, "if they are able to detect a fault in him, and for the rest, we shall see." A grim smile stole to his lips, as at that moment an impatient pull was made at the door-bell, and, with his stateliest air, he immediately opened it himself. Not a muscle of his countenance moved, as his eye rested on the six young men who were congregated outside, waiting for admission, and on the showy carriage which was slowly moving from the gate. Apparently the sight of him, attired in plain black cloth, and also of one of the other men, who stood in the hall, perplexed and amazed Reginald Grafton and his friends; for they exchanged looks of excessive surprise, and one or two of the least assuming among them stepped back as if reluctant to enter. "Does Mr. Seymour live here?" roughly demanded Reginald, viewing Gordon with a haughty stare. "Yes, sir," he answered, his features undergoing no shadow of change: "will you not walk in?" "Come along," cried Reginald, looking back; "what are you all standing there for?" "Really, Grafton," said one, touching his arm, and speaking in a suppressed voice, "this is all so contrary to what you led us to expect, that I hardly like intruding.” "Intruding! stuff and nonsense!" ejaculated Reginald, with a hoarse laugh. "It can't be helped now," he added more softly; we must put a good face upon it." Thus saying, he pressed forward, followed by the others. "I hope we shall not be disturbing Mr. Seymour?" observed the last of the group, civilly addressing Gordon. "Oh, no, sir," he answered, purposely raising his voice; "my master expects Mr. Grafton, I believe." "Is he alone?" inquired Reginald (who was half-way up the stairs), glancing over his shoulder. "Sir Edward Stanley and Major Ramsay are with him at present." "Major Ramsay!" echoed Reginald, starting back, to the imminent danger of himself and those behind him. "What a nuisance! Who would have thought of meeting him here?" he muttered. "I feel strongly disposed to wait until he is gone. What say you, Cleveland?" appealing to his nearest neighbour. "He is not the only major of that name," remarked his friend. "I greatly fear, though, it will prove my old adversary," returned Reginald, discontentedly; "for I have some faint recollection of being told that he was distantly related to the Stanleys." "Well, it is too late to talk of that," impatiently retorted Cleveland, as the man who had preceded them upstairs threw open the drawingroom door, and announced Mr. Grafton; "all you can do is to make the best of it." And Reginald seemed to be of the same opinion; for he quickly resumed his old blustering manner; and, saluting Herbert with outstretched hands, and an empressement bordering on the ridiculous, he proceeded to introduce his companions with the same coolness and sang froid as if it had been an understood thing that they should accompany him. The sensation which he had hoped to make was, however, thanks to Gordon's penetrative foresight, entirely unverified; for Herbert received his unbidden guests with that easy courtesy which always distinguished him, and appeared neither disconcerted nor annoyed at their number. 66 Perhaps he does not intend to offer us any refreshment," whispered Reginald to Cleveland; "if so, that will account for his marvellous indifference." Aloud he said, "Well, Herbert, I promised you I would come and share your frugal dinner, and you see I have kept my word." "I trust you may have no reason to regret it," calmly replied Herbert. "I suppose, old fellow," continued Reginald, slapping him on the back, "these few friends of mine will be welcome, as well as myself?" "Oh, certainly, if they can do me the favour of remaining," was Herbert's polite response. "Isn't he cool, Cleveland?" exclaimed Reginald, in a low-breathed aside. But Cleveland made no answer. He was beginning to feel excessively uncomfortable, and heartily wished he could in some way extricate himself from the questionable position he occupied. While he was considering the propriety of apologising to Herbert for the irregularity of their conduct, Reginald's eyes were roving inquisitively around the room, and his face was unable to conceal the astonishment he felt at the superior and even elegant style of the furniture. "Parbleu !" he cried, in a tone more significant than refined, while his gaze reverted to the owner of the apartment. "You have not managed badly for yourself after all, my worthy cousin! I assure you, I had no idea I should find you the possessor of such comfortable quarters." "Allow me to introduce you to my friend and relative, Major Ramsay," said Sir Edward, coming to Herbert's assistance. "I believe it will be unnecessary," observed the Major, bowing stiffly; "I had for several years the honour of being acquainted with Mr. Grafton." A sudden flush dyed Reginald's cheek and brow, and he bit his lip furiously, but speedily recovering his wonted assurance, he held out his hand, crying in pretended surprise, 64 Why, Ramsay, this is an unlooked-for pleasure!" "I am glad you think so!" dryly returned the major. And Herbert could not avoid perceiving that he took no notice of Reginald's proffered hand. Ha! there is Mr. Vernon, too," pursued Major Ramsay, his piercing black eye singling out a short, thick-set young man, with a florid complexion and disagreeable-looking face, who was doing his best to elude observation. "How is your cousin, sir?" "Thank you," stammered the gentleman addressed, growing fearfully pale; "I He suddenly stopped, abashed by the bright penetrating gaze with which the Major continued to regard him. Perhaps you have spared yourself the trouble of inquiring after his welfare," sarcastically suggested Major Ramsay, turning haughtily away, and resuming his former seat near the window. Mr. Vernon hung his head mortified and crestfallen, though his small, ferret-like eyes twinkled angrily underneath his projecting brows. Herbert scarcely knew what to make of this little by-play, but it was sufficiently obvious that, so far as Reginald Grafton and his particular friend Mr. Vernon were concerned, their being thus unexpectedly brought into Major Ramsay's society was far from agreeable. Sir Edward, too, seemed greatly puzzled and embarrassed, not having been aware that his relative had any previous knowledge of Reginald Grafton. It was a decided relief to them all when at length the announcement that the dinner was served created a diversion. But if Reginald's surprise at what he had already witnessed was great, how was it augmented, on descending to the dining-room, where everything had been prepared under James Gordon's careful supervision, and the dinner which awaited them such as could not fail to satisfy even the most fastidious. Positively, this passes my comprehension!" said Reginald to Cleveland, who sat at his right hand, Mr. Vernon occupying a seat on his left, while Major Ramsay, to their annoyance and dismay, placed himself directly opposite; "what is the meaning of it?" "You ought to know best," replied Cleveland, pointing meaningly to the various articles of richly chased silver plate, which all bore Herbert's own initials. "Can he have divined our intention, and made ready accordingly?" continued Reginald, musingly. "Had you not better ask him?" said Cleveland; and, with an ironical smile, he bent his head over his plate. "I will presently," muttered Reginald, glancing furtively across the table. "A pretty mess we have got ourselves into, Grafton," remarked Mr. Vernon, in a sullen whisper; "I wish to goodness I had never agreed to join you in this mad freak. Why, he"-indicating by an expressive movement of the head, that it was Major Ramsay to whom he alluded "is the last man in the kingdom I should have consented to meet!" "How was I to know he would be here ?" retorted Reginald, fiercely; "I have as much reason to detest him as yourself." "Is it of me you are speaking?" coolly inquired the Major, whose hearing, like his sight, appeared to be remarkably acute; because, if so, I beg to return you my unfeigned thanks-to be detested by such characters as Mr. Grafton and Mr. Vernon" (these words were added in a low tone, and evidently meant for the exclusive benefit of the two most concerned)" is, in my estimation, the highest compliment they could pay me!" "Worsted again ! " unwittingly murmured Mr. Vernon, abstractedly fixing his eyes upon the tablecloth; "really this is one of the most unfortunate evenings I have ever spent." "It is well that you qualify your remark by inserting the little word one," said the Major, leaning forward, and contemplating him with |