As I approached the smithy, late though the hour was (and George
made it a rule to have the fire going by six every morning), no
sound of hammer reached me, and coming into the place, I found it
empty. Then I remembered that to-day George was to drive over to
Tonbridge, with Prudence and the Ancient, to invest in certain
household necessities, for in a month's time they were to be
married.
Hereupon I must needs contrast George's happy future with my
dreary one, and fall bitterly to cursing myself; and, sitting on
the Ancient's stool in the corner, I covered my face, and my
thoughts were very black.
Now presently, as I sat thus, I became conscious of a very
delicate perfume in the air, and also, that some one had entered
quietly. My breath caught in my throat, but I did not at once
look up, fearing to dispel the hope that tingled within me. So I
remained with my face still covered until something touched me,
and I saw that it was the gold-mounted handle of a whip,
wherefore I raised my head suddenly and glanced up.
Then I beheld a radiant vision in polished riding-boots and
speckless moleskins, in handsome flowered waistcoat and
perfect-fitting coat, with snowy frills at throat and wrists;
a tall, gallant figure, of a graceful, easy bearing, who stood,
a picture of cool, gentlemanly insolence, tapping his boot
lightly with his whip. But, as his eye met mine, the tapping
whip grew suddenly still; his languid expression vanished, he
came a quick step nearer and bent his face nearer my own--a
dark face, handsome in its way, pale and aquiline, with a
powerful jaw, and dominating eyes and mouth; a face (nay, a
mask rather) that smiled and smiled, but never showed the man
beneath.
Now, glancing up at his brow, I saw there a small, newly healed
scar.
"Is it possible?" said he, speaking in that softly modulated
voice I remembered to have heard once before. "Can it be
possible that I address my worthy cousin? That shirt! that
utterly impossible coat and belcher! And yet--the likeness is
remarkable! Have I the--honor to address Mr. Peter Vibart--late
of Oxford?"
"The same, sir," I answered, rising.
"Then, most worthy cousin, I salute you," and he removed his hat,
bowing with an ironic grace. "Believe me, I have frequently
desired to see that paragon of all the virtues whose dutiful
respect our revered uncle rewarded with the proverbial shilling.
Egad!" he went on, examining me through his glass with a great
show of interest, "had you been any other than that same virtuous
Cousin Peter whose graces and perfections were forever being
thrown at my head, I could have sympathized with you, positively
--if only on account of that most obnoxious coat and belcher, and
the grime and sootiness of things in general. Poof!" he
exclaimed, pressing his perfumed handkerchief to his nostrils,
"faugh! how damnably sulphur-and-brimstony you do keep yourself,
cousin--oh, gad!"