East Lynne [152]
"Don't agitate yourself, Richard," whispered Mr. Carlyle, "there is no real danger. I will go and keep him safely."
But when Mr. Carlyle got through his sister's bedroom, he found that lady had taken the initiative, and was leaning over the balustrades, having been arrested in the process of dressing. Her clothes were on, but her nightcap was not off; little cared she, however, who saw her nightcap.
"What on earth brings you up in this weather?" began she, in a tone of exasperation.
"I want to see Carlyle. Nice news I have had!"
"What about? Anything concerning Anne, or her family?"
"Anne be bothered," replied the justice, who was from some cause, in a furious temper. "It concerns that precious rascal, who I am forced to call son. I am told he is here."
Down the stairs leaped Mr. Carlyle, four at a time, wound his arm within Mr. Hare's, and led him to a sitting-room.
"Good-morning, justice. You had courage to venture up through the snow! What is the matter, you seem excited."
"Excited?" raved the justice, dancing about the room, first on one leg, then on the other, like a cat upon hot bricks, "so you would be excited, if your life were worried out, as mine is, over a wicked scamp of a son. Why can't folks trouble their heads about their own business, and let my affairs alone? A pity but what he was hung, and the thing done with!"
"But what has happened?" questioned Mr. Carlyle.
"Why this has happened," retorted the justice, throwing a letter on the table. "The post brought me this, just now--and pleasant information it gives."
Mr. Carlyle took up the note and read it. It purported to be from "a friend" to Justice Hare, informing that gentleman that his "criminal son" was likely to have arrived at West Lynne, or would arrive in the course of a day or so; and it recommended Mr. Hare to speed his departure from it, lest he should be pounced upon.
"This letter is anonymous!" exclaimed Mr. Carlyle.
"Of course it is," stamped the justice.
"The only notice /I/ should ever take of an anonymous letter would be to put it in the fire," cried Mr. Carlyle, his lip curling with scorn.
"But who has written it?" danced Justice Hare. "And /is/ Dick at West Lynne--that's the question."
"Now, is it likely that he should come to West Lynne?" remonstrated Mr. Carlyle. "Justice, will you pardon me, if I venture to give you my candid opinion."
"The fool at West Lynne, running into the very jaws of death! By Jupiter! If I can drop upon him, I'll retain him in custody, and make out a warrant for his committal! I'll have this everlasting bother over."
"I was going to give you my opinion," quietly put in Mr. Carlyle. "I fear, Justice, you bring these annoyances upon yourself."
"Bring them upon myself!" ranted the indignant justice. "I? Did I murder Hallijohn? Did I fly away from the law? Am I hiding, Beelzebub knows where? Do I take starts, right into my native parish, disguised as a laborer, on purpose to worry my own father? Do I write anonymous letters? Bring them upon myself, do I? That cobs all, Carlyle."
"You will not hear me out. It is known that you are much exasperated against Richard--"
"And if your son serves you the same when he is grown up, shan't you be exasperated, pray?" fired Justice Hare.
"Do hear me. It is known that you are much exasperated, and that any allusion to him excites and annoys you. Now, my opinion is, justice, that some busybody is raising these reports and writing these letters on purpose to annoy you. It may be somebody at West Lynne, very near to us, for all we know."
"That's all rubbish!" peevishly responded the justice, after a pause. "It's not likely. Who'd do it?"
"It is very likely; but you may be sure they will not give us a clue as to the 'who.' I should put that letter in the fire, and think no more about it. That's the only way to serve them. A pretty laugh they have had in their sleeve, if it is anybody near, at seeing you wade up here through the snow this morning! They would know you were bringing the letter, to consult me."