The Splendid Spur | Page 8

too, after all, that I was angry with, that had spent fourpence to see
the rhinoceros at a fair, and rode on the ranter- go-round (with
"Marjory," no doubt, as 'twas for her, no doubt, the silver buttons were
bought). So that, with quick forgiveness, I hurried after him, and laid a
hand on his shoulder.
He stood by the entrance, counting up his money, and drew himself up
very stiff.
"I think, sir," said I, "this paper is yours."
"I thank you," he answered, taking it, and eyeing me. "Is there anything,
besides, you wished to say?"
"A great deal, maybe, if your name be Anthony."
"Master Anthony Killigrew is my name, sir; now serving under Lord
Bernard Stewart in His Majesty's troop of guards."
"And mine is Jack Marvel," said I.
"Of the Yorkshire Marvels?"

"Why, yes; though but a shoot of that good stock, transplanted to
Cumberland, and there sadly withered."
"'Tis no matter, sir," said he politely; "I shall be proud to cross swords
with you."
"Why, bless your heart!" I cried out, full of laughter at this childish
punctilio; "d'ye think I came to fight you?"
"If not, sir"--and he grew colder than ever--"you are going a cursed
roundabout way to avoid it."
Upon this, finding no other way out of it, I began my tale at once: but
hardly had come to the meeting of the two men on the bowling- green,
when he interrupts me politely----
"I think, Master Marvel, as yours is like to be a story of some moment,
I will send this fellow back to my lodgings. He's a long- ear'd dog that I
am saving from the gallows for so long as my conscience allows me.
The shower is done, I see; so if you know of a retir'd spot, we will talk
there more at our leisure."
He dismiss'd his lackey, and stroll'd off with me to the Trinity Grove,
where, walking up and down, I told him all I had heard and seen the
night before.
"And now," said I, "can you tell me if you have any such enemy as this
white-hair'd man, with the limping gait?"
He had come to a halt, sucking in his lips and seeming to reflect--
"I know one man," he began: "but no--'tis impossible."
As I stood, waiting to hear more, he clapp'd his hand in mine, very
quick and friendly: "Jack," he cried;--"I'll call thee Jack--'twas an
honest good turn thou hadst in thy heart to do me, and I a surly rogue to
think of fighting--I that could make mincemeat of thee."
"I can fence a bit," answer'd I.

"Now, say no more, Jack: I love thee."
He look'd in my face, still holding my hand and smiling. Indeed, there
was something of the foreigner in his brisk graceful ways--yet not
unpleasing. I was going to say I had never seen the like--ah, me! that
both have seen and know the twin image so well.
"I think," said I, "you had better be considering what to do."
He laugh'd outright this time; and resting with his legs cross'd, against
the trunk of an elm, twirl'd an end of his long lovelocks, and looked at
me comically. Said he: "Tell me, Jack, is there aught in me that offends
thee?"
"Why, no," I answered. "I think you're a very proper young man--such
as I should loathe to see spoil'd by Master Settle's knife."
"Art not quick at friendship, Jack, but better at advising; only in this
case fortune has prevented thy good offices. Hark ye," he lean'd
forward and glanc'd to right and left, "if these twain intend my hurt--as
indeed 'twould seem--they lose their labor: for this very night I ride
from Oxford."
"And why is that?"
"I'll tell thee, Jack, tho' I deserve to be shot. I am bound with a letter
from His Majesty to the Army of the West, where I have friends, for
my father's sake--Sir Deakin Killigrew of Gleys, in Cornwall. 'Tis a
sweet country, they say, tho' I have never seen it."
"Not seen thy father's country?"
"Why no--for he married a Frenchwoman, Jack, God rest her dear
soul!"--he lifted his hat--"and settled in that country, near Morlaix, in
Brittany, among my mother's kin; my grandfather refusing to see or
speak with him, for wedding a poor woman without his consent. And in
France was I born and bred, and came to England two years agone; and
this last July the old curmudgeon died. So that my father, who was an

only son, is even now in England returning to his estates: and with him
my only sister Delia. I shall meet them on the way. To think of it!" (and
I declare the tears sprang to his eyes): "Delia will be a woman grown,