‘Be a man, Herkles,’ the sergeant had said, as the boy stood snivelling at the door of the casemated room, which represented the whole of the Larkins’ establishment. ‘Eat your cake.’ They had provided him with a huge slice of bun-loaf, upon which little Sennacherib Larkins, a freebooter like his Assyrian sponsor, had made many inroads while Herbert’s attention was distracted by the new cares of property and the pangs5 of making his adieux.
‘Eat your cake, and keep up your heart; me and the missus’ll be over to see you before the month’s out, and we’ll bring Rechab and Senn and Jemimer Ann.’
[38]
‘It’s all for your own good, Herbert,’ said Mrs. Larkins. ‘They’re going to make a gentleman of you. You’ll get learning, and Latin, and French mathematics; and by and by you’ll be an officer, perhaps, and live like a lord.’
The prospect6 was brilliant, but remote. Herbert, as a child of the barracks, had been brought up to believe that officers were almost superior beings. He saw his father, the sergeant, and all soldiers salute7 them always, and pay them extraordinary deference8. When in uniform they were resplendent in crimson9 and gold; when out of it they drove dog-carts and played cricket and owned dogs, all of which Herbert would have liked to have done too. Yet the off-chance of some day becoming an officer himself did not reconcile him to separation from the best friends he had in[39] the world; and as he left Triggertown casemates, he wept bitterly, and refused to be comforted.
If life looked black and forbidding then, it was a thousand times worse when he got to school. A cross-grained old man—it was Mr. Bellhouse, Lady Farrington’s solicitor—escorted him thither10, and snubbed him all the way. The old lawyer was a little sick of her ladyship’s caprices, and considered this last the most serious of all. But it was none of Herbert’s fault, and the poor woe11-begone home-sick lad did not deserve to be made to answer for Lady Farrington’s sins. At school he was left stranded12, like a waif of the sea upon an unknown shore. Presently the natives, troops of little savage13 school-boys, swooped14 down upon him to scalp and torture him. He was pestered15 with questions, and his[40] hair pulled, his strange wide-awake was jeered16 at, and given to the winds.
But the instincts of self-defence are strong, and Herbert, if new to school life, was not new to the use of his fists. His tormentors were numerous, but with one or two exceptions were not much older or bigger than himself, and when it came to a question of blows and hard knocks he was physically17 well able to take care of himself. Presently a ‘straight un’ from the shoulder relieved him of the most troublesome of his assailants, and a second, planted upon the nose of a tall bully18, proved that Herbert thought nothing of disparity in height when disposing of his foes19. Boys are sensibly affected20 by the display of pluck, especially against superior odds21, and Herbert soon gained for himself the respect[41] due to his prowess, and immunity22 from further annoyance23.
He was vexed24 and irritated no more, but he went to his bed, a far more cleanly and luxurious25 couch than that which he had been accustomed to in the crowded casemate at Triggertown, with a sad and sorrowful heart. There are no woes26 so acute as those of early youth. Happily they are as transient as they are intense. Herbert at night was in the depths of woe; next morning he was already in a fair way to recover his spirits, and before the day was out, in the excitement of the new life opening before him, he had forgotten his sorrows and was as happy as a bird. He was just the boy to get on at school. Brisk and buoyant in disposition27, with a well-knit vigorous frame, a predilection28 for games of every kind in which, with a little experience,[42] he soon excelled, he rapidly advanced in the estimation of his fellows. He was liberal and free-handed too, which did not make him the less appreciated, and he had plenty to give away. ‘His people,’ as boys call their friends, were evidently of the right sort. The old lady with the snow-white hair and large mournful eyes, who came to see him regularly every month, was right royal in her tips, and not to him alone, but to any whom he called particular friends. He got tuck baskets continually and presents of all kinds to which others administered as freely as himself. These are substantial grounds for school popularity, and Herbert enjoyed it in the highest degree.
As he grew in years and developed in strength and good looks, Lady Farrington’s affectionate admiration29 knew no bounds.[43] She lavished30 caresses31 on him without ceasing, declaring that he was daily becoming more and more fitted for the station which would some day be his.
‘Yes, yes, the end cannot be far off now,’ she said one day as she sat in the headmaster’s drawing-room, holding Herbert’s hand in hers and patting it from time to time in the fulness of her contentment. ‘Who shall gainsay32 your claim when they see you thus, my Herbert’s living image? my son! My son, my lost unhappy son!’ and in a moment she was in a paroxysm of tears.
Herbert was quite accustomed to her now. At first he had been dismayed by her sudden outbursts. The rapid transition from joy to sorrow, from smiles to hysterical33 tears, were sufficient to frighten him, and when to these were added her wild talk, her bitter self-reproaches, her mysterious[44] hints of his coming greatness, he scarcely knew what to do or say. But by degrees he became familiar with her eccentricities34, and he felt that although she might be queer, she was certainly uncommonly35 kind.
‘I cannot control myself when I think of the miserable36 past. But, please God, in you I shall make some atonement for my sins, and soon, soon,—for the time draws nigh. You are equal, Herbert, I trust, to a great and arduous37 trial?’
He was now nearly seventeen, tall and well-built for his age; and as he shook his light curls and looked steadily38 at her with his clear, honest eyes, he seemed the incarnation of youth and hope.
‘I am game for anything, Lady Farrington, only try me. I’d face the whole world if you asked me.’
‘My own brave boy! The struggle[45] may be sharp, but with such a spirit the victory is certain to be ours.’
‘When may I know what it is that I have to do?’
‘The time draws nigh. It depends only on you and your fitness to play your part. You have not neglected your opportunities I know. Dr. Jiggs gives you a high character. You have profited by his studies, you have learnt to ride and shoot, and when you come to your own you will comport39 yourself as an English gentleman should.’
‘I am a gentleman born, then?’
‘Of the best,’ she replied proudly. ‘You are—why conceal40 it longer? Here you have for reasons been still known as Herbert Larkins, my ward41, but you are really my grandson, the only child of Herbert, my second boy. You are Sir Herbert[46] Farrington, the rightful heir of the family honours of an old name and wide estates.’
‘Is this certain, quite certain?’
‘Absolutely—at least to me. I have never doubted from the first. My instinct assured me I was right when I recognised you in Triggertown. But as the world needs more material proof I have sought them out, and hold them now all but one. This also I should have possessed42 had not one person failed me.’
‘Who was that?’
‘Mrs. Larkins. She alone can tell us what we want to know, and she has most unaccountably hesitated or refused to speak. This is why I have broken with her—why I have forbidden them to come and see you again.’
These honest people had paid several visits to Herbert at school, visits he had[47] received with delight. They had ceased suddenly, and he had wondered greatly thereat.
‘But if my mother—if Mrs. Larkins—’
‘Mrs. Larkins is not your mother, Herbert, of that you may rest assured.’
‘She was as good as one to me always, I know that. But if she is the only person who can help us in this matter, was it prudent43 to break with her altogether?’ Herbert asked very pertinently44.
‘I was annoyed, angry, and they were proud—I will seek them out again. They are necessary to us. Mrs. Larkins shall speak, and we will proceed at once to establish your claim. My patience is exhausted45 and Rupert’s cup is full.’
This conversation occurred at a time mentioned in a previous chapter when her[48] relations with Sir Rupert had become more and more constrained46. War had long been imminent47 between them, but a rupture48 had been precipitated49 by the overbearing harshness of his ways. She had spoken, therefore, a little rashly and prematurely50 perhaps, and in doing so had shown her hand. She had practically thrown down the glove, daring him to do his worst. He accepted the challenge, and acted with a promptitude and determination for which the poor cracked-brained old lady was certainly no match.
His first step was to put a watch upon Lady Farrington’s movements. Mr. Oozenam, the well-known private detective, was employed, who set about his task with his usual skill and despatch51. Within a week or two he came with his first report.
‘Lady Farrington goes once every month, often twice, to Deadham School, in[49] Essex. She has done so these five years past and more.’
‘Of course. The cub52, her protégé, is there. Well?’
‘A ward of her ladyship’s, Herbert Larkins, is at school there. He is now seventeen years of age, is tall and well grown, has fair curly hair and greyish blue eyes. Her ladyship is said to take an immense interest in him. Their interviews are long. She must be very liberal to him; the lad is always well provided with money which he spends freely. He is a fair scholar, has been taught especially to ride and shoot, has learnt foreign languages and all extras.’
‘That is enough, Mr. Oozenam. You have handsomely earned your fee.’
‘It has gone very far,’ Sir Rupert said to himself as soon as he was alone. ‘What an idiot I have been not to have observed[50] her more closely! But let us hope it is not too late even now.’
And then, after a long cogitation53, he called for his carriage, and driving first into the neighbouring country town, where he made one or two calls, he bade the coachman next proceed to Farrington Court.
He asked for Lady Farrington, and was in due course ushered54 into her private boudoir.
‘The time has come, Lady Farrington, as you were good enough to say some time back—the time for plain speaking. I mean to put an end to your tomfooleries once for all. So long as they merely made you appear ridiculous I could have borne with you, although you scandalized our name. But I cannot permit you to plot against me and mine without protest and something more.’
‘Plot?’ she asked, in a voice which[51] anger and agitation55 combined to make nearly inarticulate.
‘I have discovered all. You have kept your secret well, but I have found it out. This base-born pretender—’
‘He is my own grandson. I have the proofs.’
‘They will not bear the test of legal scrutiny56, you know that. On the contrary, I can show that the whole affair is a conspiracy57 from beginning to end. That this Larkins is an adventurer—’
‘You will not harm him, surely? It is I, only I, who am to blame.’
‘I shall hand him over to the police, prosecute58 him, and make him pay dearly for his attempt to defraud59.’
‘You would not dare,’ she cried aghast. Surprise and indignation combined to confuse her mind, and she did not pause to[52] consider that he had no grounds of procedure; that his threats were vain, and could never be put into execution.
‘I shall not spare him nor you.’
‘Then you shall take the consequences. I will proclaim you to be the villain60 that you are; will tear you from your present exalted61 station, and will send you back to your former poverty and rags. You shall be dispossessed. You shall disgorge the rents and all that you have improperly62 acquired. You—’
He merely laughed at her, mockingly and rudely, which exasperated63 her beyond all bounds.
‘Begone, sir! You shall not remain here another second to insult me. Begone! or—’
He only laughed more loudly and mockingly than before. Instantly her rage[53] passed into fury which seemed uncontrollable.
‘Begone!’ she cried again, snatching up a sharp-pointed paper knife and rushing on him with so much intention that Sir Rupert precipitately64 retired65. She followed him downstairs with a wild shriek66, little recking how completely she was playing into his hands.
The butler had just admitted several other visitors, who heard and saw all that passed. Sir Rupert went up to them apparently67 for protection, but his first words showed that he was eager for more than this.
‘Gentlemen, you have arrived most opportunely68. You can see for yourselves. It is clearly not safe to leave her any longer at large.’
The butler had quelled69 poor Lady Farrington[54] almost instantly, but although he held her back she was still furious and foamed70 at the mouth.
‘Scarcely. We cannot refuse the certificate,’ said Mr. Burkinshaw, of Bootle, a local magistrate71 and magnate. ‘Sir Henry quite agrees with me, and the doctors have no manner of doubt. Poor woman, she ought clearly to be put under restraint.’
And she was, without unnecessary delay.
Thus Herbert Larkins lost his protectress just when his fortune seemed close at hand. The cup was dashed away just before he had lifted it to his lips, with consequences which were by no means pleasant to himself, as will be seen in the next chapter.
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1
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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8
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pestered
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| 使烦恼，纠缠( pester的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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jeered
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| v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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25
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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26
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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27
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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comport
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| vi.相称，适合 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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41
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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42
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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pertinently
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| 适切地 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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50
prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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51
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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52
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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53
cogitation
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| n.仔细思考，计划，设计 | |
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54
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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56
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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57
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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58
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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59
defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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60
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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improperly
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| 不正确地，不适当地 | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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66
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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67
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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69
quelled
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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