第66章 THE LIT CHAMBER(6)

The place had become bleak and tragic and Mr.Lovel felt the forlornness in his bones.Something had woke in him which shivered the fabric of a lifetime.The three faces, worn, anxious, yet of a noble hardihood, stirred in him a strange emotion.Hopes and dreams, long forgotten, flitted like spectres across his memory.He had something to say, something which demanded utterance, and his voice grew bold.

"What do you know of my straits?" he cried."Men of fortune like you! My race is old, but I never had the benefit of it.I was bred in a garret and have all my days been on nodding terms with starvation....What should I know about your parties? What should I care for Whig and Tory or what king has his hinderend on the throne? Tell me in God's name how should such as I learn loyalty except to the man who gives me gold to buy food and shelter? Heaven knows I have never betrayed a master while I served him."The shabby man with the lean face had secured an advantage.For a moment the passion in his voice dominated the room.

"Cursed if this does not sound like truth," said the boy, and his eyes were almost friendly.

But Talbot did not relax.

"By your own confession you are outside the pale of gentility.I do not trouble to blame you, but I take leave to despise you.By your grace, sir, we will dispense with your company."The ice of his scorn did not chill the strange emotion which seemed to have entered the air.The scarecrow by the fire had won a kind of dignity.

"I am going," he said."Will you have the goodness to send for my horse?.

..If you care to know, gentleman, you have cut short a promising career.

..To much of what you say I submit.You have spoken truth--not all the truth, but sufficient to unman me.I am a rogue by your reckoning, for Ithink only of my wages.Pray tell me what moves you to ride out on what at the best is a desperate venture?"There was nothing but sincerity in the voice, and Talbot answered.

"I fight for the King ordained by God and for a land which cannot flourish under the usurper.My loyalty to throne, Church, and fatherland constrains me."Lovel's eye passed to Lord Charles.The Highlander whistled very softly a bar or two of a wild melody with longing and a poignant sorrow in it.

"That," he said."I fight for the old ways and the old days that are passing."Nick Wogan smiled."And I for neither--wholly.I have a little of Talbot in me and more of Charles.But I strike my blow for romance--the little against the big, the noble few against the base many.I am for youth against all dull huckstering things."Mr.Lovel bowed.I am answered.I congratulate you, gentlemen, on your good fortune.It is my grief that I do not share it.I have not Mr.Talbot's politics, nor am I a great Scotch lord, nor have I the felicity to be young....I would beg you not to judge me harshly."By this time he had struggled into his coat and boots He stepped to the table and picked up the papers.

"By your leave," he said, and flung them into the fire.

You were welcome to them," said Talbot."Long ere they got to Marlborough they would be useless.""That is scarcely the point," said Lovel "I am somewhat dissatisfied with my calling and contemplate a change.""You may sleep here if you wish," said Lord Charles.

"I thank you, but I am no fit company for you.I am better on the road."Talbot took a guinea from his purse "Here's to help your journey," he was saying, when Nick Wogan flushing darkly, intervened."Damn you, James don't be a boor," he said.

The boy picked up the ring and offered it to Mr.Lovel as he passed through the door.He also gave him his hand.

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The traveller spurred his horse into the driving rain, but he was oblivious of the weather.When he came to Brampton he discovered to his surprise that he had been sobbing.Except in liquor, he had not wept since he was a child.