The Brown Mask Read online

  CHAPTER XXIII

  LORD ROSMORE AS A FRIEND

  A wave of colour swept into Harriet's face as Rosmore turned to her witha smile. Doubt and uncertainty had been hers a moment ago, and the stingof Crosby's words had hurt her; now this open declaration clothed herwith a pleasant confusion, vindicated her presence in these rooms, andit was natural, perhaps, that there should be gratification in her heartthat her former master should understand how important a person she hadbecome.

  Crosby remained silent. Was Rosmore speaking the truth? Could such a manmarry such a woman? It seemed impossible, and yet where love rules theimpossible constantly happens. He had grown so used to seeing HarrietPayne a serving maid at his manor at Lenfield that he had thought of herin no other position. As he looked at her now, standing with her hand inRosmore's, he was bound to admit that she made a pretty figure, thatmany an eye might turn upon her with pleasure, that she certainly lookedsomething more than a mere serving maid.

  "Have you no congratulations to offer, Mr. Crosby?" said Rosmore. "Willyou not withdraw some of the hard words you have spoken against thislady?"

  "I cannot forgive even your future wife for deceiving Mistress Lanison."

  "You will presently, when you understand that Mistress Lanison has beensaved from the intrigues of her uncle and guardian. For the rest, herhappiness lies chiefly in your hands, and you may find me more useful asa living friend than I should have proved as a dead enemy. Gad! you lookas if you doubted it. No man is such a villain as he is painted, and,being a lover myself, I sympathise with all lovers. Perhaps you areright to be cautious, wise not to trust me until I have proved myself.For a day or two you must be my guest, and you will forgive me if I,too, am cautious. You know my position in the West, and, truth to tell,I have used it in somewhat unwarrantable fashion on Mistress Lanison'sbehalf. I cannot afford to let you loose in Dorchester while you stillthink me an enemy. You must not blame me, then, if I have you guarded sothat you must remain my guest even against your will. It will only befor a day or two. To-morrow we will go into my scheme in detail, and inthe meanwhile I would remind you that your capture would rejoice thehearts of many. You will be wise to accept quietly the asylum I offeryou in this house."

  "I hope I shall live to thank you for your generosity," said Crosby.

  "Indeed, I hope so," Rosmore answered, and he called to the men who werewaiting without. "Make Mr. Crosby comfortable in one of the roomsupstairs. He is my guest, Sayers, and is to be well treated. That I havesuch a visitor is not to be spoken of, but you must see that he remainsmy guest. I do not ask for your parole, Mr. Crosby, because I do notbelieve you would give it, but I ask you to be wise for--for the sake ofMistress Lanison. Unfasten those bonds, Sayers--we do not keep prisonershere."

  "I do not understand you, Lord Rosmore," said Crosby, standing up. "Itmay be that I shall know you better to-morrow."

  "You will have slept, I trust, and clearer vision often comes with thenew day. Good-night."

  With a slight inclination of the head Crosby left the room with his twogaolers, for gaolers they surely were, although he had been called aguest. One of the triple alliance had grievously failed in his endeavourto help the woman who was in such sore distress; would the others failas ignominiously?

  "Are you satisfied?" asked Rosmore, turning to Harriet. "This prettyhead of yours must have thought of hating me as you heard my characterso basely spoken of."

  "I am a woman, and was suspicious."

  "And now, though still a woman, have no evil thoughts about me. Iwarrant you, this fellow Crosby will hardly be gracious enough to thankme when I place the woman he loves in his arms."

  "You have not told me your scheme." "Scheme!" Rosmore exclaimed. "Myhead is full of schemes, and one comes uppermost at this moment. It isnatural since it concerns you. I cannot let you serve another anylonger. There are many rooms in this house; you shall stay here. Nay,let this kiss stop all remonstrance. I will send at once for some decentwoman in the town who shall be your maid for the present, and MistressLanison shall have someone to wait on her in your place. I cannot havethe lady who is to be my wife stooping even to serve Mistress Lanison.Rosmores ever looked eye to eye with their fellows, and long ancestryand loyalty have given them privileges even in the presence of the King.Are you angry that I already teach you something of what my love means?"

  "Angry? No; proud."

  "Come, then. Let us see what is the best this house can do for you."

  "Am I to be guarded like your other guest?" she asked demurely.

  "Aye, far more strongly guarded, for at every exit Love shall standsentinel."

  She leaned towards him, and he kissed her again, even as a man will kissthe woman he worships. Then they went out.

  Barbara Lanison was sorely troubled when Harriet Payne did not return.The girl had gone to try once more to get speech with Judge Marriott,and her mistress waited for her impatiently. So much depended on hersuccess, and never for a single instant had Barbara doubted her loyalty.As the hours passed and the girl did not return she grew anxious. Thetown was in the hands of rough soldiers, whose licence, if even half thestories she had heard were true, had gone unpunished. The officers wereno better than their men, and there must be a thousand dangers for agirl like Harriet Payne in the streets of Dorchester. Barbara blamedherself for letting her run into such danger, and, as she thought moreof her, thought less of the mission upon which she had sent her.

  It was late when the door opened and Watson came in. Barbara had crossedthe room hurriedly, supposing that it was Harriet, but stopped, seeingwho her visitor was.

  "I have just heard that your maid will not return," Said Watson.

  "Where is she?"

  The man shrugged his shoulders.

  "How can I know? She has probably found freedom more attractive thanthis place."

  "Tell me the truth," said Barbara.

  "I know no more than that she will not return. That was the bald messageshe sent, with a suggestion that someone else must be found to serveyou. To-night, it is too late to search the town for a woman willing toundertake the duty, but to-morrow--"

  "I want no other maid," said Barbara. "There is some reason why the girldoes not return to me, and you know that reason."

  "I can guess."

  "It is easy to understand," Barbara returned. "The streets of Dorchesterare not safe for any honest woman to-day."

  "That may be so, madam, but I do not think it is the reason of MistressPayne's desertion. I think fear has stepped in. At the best she did notseem to me a courageous person, at the worst she would be an easycoward. At any moment Judge Jeffreys may arrive in the town, and itwould seem that he has less pity on those who help rebels than on therebels themselves; I think that is why your maid does not return."

  Barbara did not answer. The coming of Judge Jeffreys must seal the fateof Gilbert Crosby. So important a prisoner would be quickly tried andspeedily executed. Her mission had failed.

  "Yes, I believe that is the reason," Watson went on after a pause. Hisconscience awoke for a moment and pricked him sharply, but the breakingof this woman's spirit meant money in his pocket, and his manner of lifehad made him an easy victim to such a temptation. Had Barbara shown fearand pleaded with him, she might have prevailed and gained a friend; asshe did not, the man found a certain brutal satisfaction in doing hisbest to destroy her courage by carrying out his master's instructions."I have no doubt that is the reason," he repeated with some emphasis,"and I hardly care to blame her. It is a good thing to keep out of theway of Judge Jeffreys. Have you heard about Lady Alice Lisle and whatthey did to her lately at Winchester?"

  "I have heard of her," said Barbara.

  "She was no rebel, I take it," said Watson, "She only assisted a coupleof fugitives, and for that paid the penalty."

  Barbara looked at him questioningly, and he entered into details,sparing her nothing of the history of this fiendish judicial murder, andcontrived to let her see that her own case was not unlike La
dy Lisle's.Barbara did not move, uttered no sound during the recital. When Watsonhad finished she looked at him.

  "It is a marvel to me that rebellion has been confined to the West," shesaid quietly. "Were I a strong man, I should be in revolt at suchinjustice."

  "You would be as others, afraid to speak."

  "There are some who are not afraid," she answered.

  "Aye, and will dangle from a gibbet for their pains. May a rough troopergive you a word of advice?"

  She bowed her head slowly.

  "If you have friends, make petition to them," said Watson. "Be humble,and endeavour to escape standing before Judge Jeffreys."

  "Can you tell me of what I shall be accused?" Barbara asked.

  "No, but means will be found to destroy you. I hear the gossip, and Idraw my conclusions."

  "Can you suggest anyone to whom I can apply?"

  Watson had no suggestion to make, but he promised that any message shemight send should be delivered.

  "I thank you for the advice and for the promise," said Barbara. "I canthink of no friend in Dorchester, and I am not sure that being a rebelis not the more honourable position to-day."

  "It means death."

  "Well? Are there not worse things than death?"

  "Truly, I think not. From all other ills a man may perchance recover,but from death--never."

  Barbara smiled. It was not likely that this man would understand.

  "Think over my advice to-night," said Watson. "There are many inDorchester who might help you. Think to-night, and give me the names ofsome friends to-morrow. I shall know whether they are in the town, andwould help you. To-morrow also I will seek for a new maid to serve you."

  "Spare yourself that trouble," Barbara said as he went to the door. "Soshort a service as I shall require is not worth anyone's taking."

  Watson was a soldier, and in his way a good soldier. He would have faceddeath at a moment's notice so long as he was well paid for doing so, andwould be loyal to those he served, unless perchance a very heavy bribewere offered him and there was a reasonable probability of safety inaccepting it. He had risen to some authority amongst his fellows, anddid not think meanly of himself. He was convinced that his treatment ofBarbara Lanison had been diplomatic, whereas his whole manner andconversation had put her upon her guard. He had succeeded in convincingher that he was laying a trap for her indiscretion, and that to trusthim would be only playing into the hands of her enemies. In the morningshe had thought of no friend to mention to him, and had decided not totrust him even with a message to Judge Marriott. Such a message was morelikely to be used against her than on her behalf. Shrugging hisshoulders, Watson departed, and did not disturb her again until theevening. Then he entered the room quietly, and dropped his voice to awhisper.

  "I have found you a friend," he said, "a powerful friend who runs somerisk to serve you. Take my advice, and treat him courteously."

  "Who is he?"

  Watson did not answer, but went to the door. A closely-cloaked figureentered, and Watson went out, closing the door. Then the cloak wasthrown back.

  "Lord Rosmore!" Barbara exclaimed.

  "At your service, but speak low. I come secretly. This trooper found meout, but I had already been scheming on your behalf. He was able to helpme in my one remaining difficulty."

  She drew back from him.

  "I have not asked for your help," she said.

  "I know. You have misunderstood me, Mistress Lanison, and I grant youhave had some reason. I would have won you if I could, and, as manyanother lover has done, I have thought all ways honest. I was wrong. Iask your pardon."

  "What is the purpose of this visit?" she asked. She knew that she was ahelpless prisoner, she knew that this man was powerful in the West, yetshe stood before him, looking straight into his eyes, defying him tofrighten her or to bend her to his will.

  "To help you."

  "I have no need of your help," she answered.

  "I have more than words to prove my sincerity, yet I would justifymyself a little. I have loved you; even now I may think that your comingto the West was foolish, that the man you have jeopardised yourself tosave is hardly worthy, but--"

  "You have beaten me, Lord Rosmore," said Barbara quietly. "I amconvinced that I owe my position here in Dorchester to you and to myuncle. It may save you trouble and time if I tell you that your successends here. I would rather die the death of a traitor than marry you."

  "I know that," he returned just as quietly. "Love plays the fool with usall, even making Mistress Lanison of Aylingford Abbey fall a victim tothe worship of a highwayman. To help him you are even willing tosacrifice yourself to a brute like Judge Marriott."

  "I have indeed been betrayed by those I trusted," said Barbara.

  "It is the common fortune, and help conies, as it often does, from thosewe distrust and hate," was the answer. "Marriott would have let yousacrifice yourself, but he would have done little else. It makes me sickto think that I should have a rival in such a man. But let that pass.You were doomed to failure, for it is my business to know everythingthat happens in the West just now."

  "Again I say, Lord Rosmore, that between us there can be no terms."

  "Still, you must listen to me; so far you are in my power. Yourinfatuation for Galloping Hermit seemed to me so impossible a thing thatI confess I have done my utmost to save you. You are not to be saved;therefore I will help you. What your sacrifice could never have done, myknowledge of Marriott's vile character has accomplished. I have in mypossession two orders--one for your release, one for the release ofGilbert Crosby."

  A quick intake of her breath showed Barbara's sudden excitement. For aninstant the good news was everything, the next moment she rememberedfrom whom it came. Either the news was untrue, or there would beconditions.

  "I can see that you do not trust me," said Rosmore, reading the look inher eyes. "These are the orders signed by Judge Marriott."

  She looked at the papers which he held out.

  "Even these shall not tempt me to make terms."

  "There are no conditions except that you and your lover leaveDorchester--together," he said with a short laugh. "He will probablyhasten to get out of the country as soon as possible, since he hasbecome too notorious to live in it in safety, unless he still prefersthe excitement of the road to the quiet peacefulness of your love."

  "Is this some new trickery?" she asked.

  "Perhaps there is some little revenge in it," he answered. "There comesa time when a scorned lover may cease to care for the woman who floutshim, and will remember that the world holds fairer women. When he findsthis fairer love he is happy, but a spirit of retaliation may remain. Ithink this is my case. To be the wife of a notorious highwayman wouldnot appeal to many women; most women would prefer to be Lady Rosmore,whatever the drawbacks to such a position might be. Mistress Lanisonwill go her own way, and I should be more than human if I did not hopethat she may live to regret it. There is no trickery, and no conditionexcept that you leave Dorchester together. Once safely in his hands, Ican trust Gilbert Crosby not to let you escape him."

  "I ought to thank you, Lord Rosmore, but--"

  "But you may live to curse me for my help. It is possible, probableeven. You have three days to think it over. Escape will not be possibleuntil then."

  "There is some scheme against me," said Barbara passionately. "You andmy guardian have--"

  "I said I had more than words to prove my sincerity," said Rosmore,going to the door. He went out. "I will give you an hour," Barbara heardhim say, and then another closely-cloaked figure entered and the doorwas shut and locked.

  "Gilbert!" she cried, and the next moment she was sobbing in his arms.