Part 9

“Yes, the rooms will be in order for your uncle and our welcome Susan. Mrs. Averill has been sending me a lot of things—I presume owing to your distrust of my capacity to keep house. I have at least laid in a stock of patience for use when your uncle comes, and have got out and dusted my other unused virtues. I received last week a kind note from Colonel La Grange, with a check for my settlement of the damaged cotton. You may guess how much—enough to make it easier to deal with your uncle.

“You ask in your last whom I see, and would like to know what I do all day. You ask if I have made any new friends. I scent the wicked weed jealousy in the garden of love. Fie for shame! More people have been able this year to get away. I see no women except Mrs. Averill, and if you are jealous of any woman it must be of Rosalind or Portia or Lady Macbeth. I have been refreshing myself with the company of these ladies in your absence. Horses are so plenty that I have been able to ride a few times with La Grange, and I begin to think of the joy of some day riding with you.

“Poor Wilson is dead; and, as you desired, I took care of the funeral. The rest may keep. Everything goes well, and there are still flowers,—oh, in abundance! I hear that the rector is not well and has given up. A young man named Kent has taken his place. I had some distant relatives named Kent. I never saw them. You may tell Susan that La Grange, who knows Mr. Kent, says he is young and very good-looking. That is all my news. Do take care of yourself.”

“Poor Susan!” thought Constance; “I think she prefers them old. I imagine Susan in a mild clerical flirtation!”

XI

On the evening of the first of October, Constance found herself, to her great joy, again in her own home. They arrived late, and Mr. Hood very tired. He appeared, however, at breakfast next morning, having slept unusually well. After an ample meal, during which he found time to complain of the butter, the eggs, the corn-bread, and his cocoa, he informed Susan that she had better take a rest, and that Constance, at eleven o’clock, would go with him to show him the way to Mr. Greyhurst’s office and to the general’s. At five in the afternoon George would drive him about the country. He desired to see his lands. In the evening he would be prepared to discuss matters with Trescot.

The family, thus disposed of, rose in revolt. Trescot had affairs which would keep him busy; there would be a buggy and Coffin to drive Mr. Hood about. It was too far for him to walk, and Constance would be occupied. Susan declined to be advised. She had to unpack. He gave up at once.

Trescot said: “It would be as well not to call on Mr. Greyhurst. But if you do, may I ask that you will not commit yourself in any way until the general and I have been able to lay before you more fully what has been done.”

“Of course not, Trescot; I have not been a business man all my life without having learned caution.” He had a brisk little air of assurance. “I hope to make the acquaintance of some of the Confederate officers. I think you said Mr. Greyhurst was one of them. With my views of the late disastrous war, everything will become easy.”

“I trust, sir,” said Trescot, as he was about to go out, “that you may enable me, now that you are here, to act as I have not been as yet authorized to do. Unless you can make up your mind to yield a little, you will find difficulties, as we have done.”

Mr. Hood waved them away. “Difficulties are not for the resolute.”

Constance shook her head at her husband, who, thus advised, quietly gave up; and the little old man went out on the porch to get his morning exercise. He walked up and down, with his hands behind his back, smiling at intervals, and contemplating with satisfaction novel opportunities for the exercise of his adroitness in affairs. Meanwhile, Susan also disappeared.

As Constance left him at the door, Trescot said: “There are limitless capacities for mischief in that old man.”

“There are; but he is as timid as a house-fly. The general has already disposed him to yield. He is only making believe to be very bold; and if Mr. Greyhurst represents to him the state of feeling here, he will be pretty well alarmed at the attitude of his Confederate friends.”

“That is very sensible, dear, and no doubt true; but he will say yes to-day, and no to-morrow, and I shall be presumed to have advised him. That is where the mischief will come in. And now I must go.”

Constance was fully resolved to have her own share in these counsels. She saw her husband’s uneasiness, and was sensible that there was peril in the air, and a general belief that this absentee millionaire was standing in the way of progress and threatening men who had been soldiers and for whom the deepest sympathy was felt. She was as clear as George that to relieve the squatters and make easy settlements with the owners of mortgaged lands would leave only the larger matter of the more valuable land-claim on the bend. She cared nothing for what her uncle might make or lose, but she had had one stern illustration of the methods of the rude men who considered themselves wronged, and how the issues were to affect her husband had been from the first her chief anxiety. She had been fortunate in her venture with Coffin, and now again she meant to act, and was the more resolute because she was not quite at ease in regard to Trescot’s health. He had felt the summer’s heat, and more often than before carried his right arm caught for support in his waistcoat.

As the day proved cool, Mr. Hood decided to walk. When he stood in front of the one-story wooden office of John Greyhurst, he considered with disapproval the want of fresh paint and the ill-kept window-panes. They gave him a sense of superiority. He was himself as neat as a cat.

He went up the entry, and in a moment was in the presence of Greyhurst, who knew at a glance that the eager little gentleman in well-fitting gray summer dress must be Mr. Hood. As he rose to welcome him,—large, square-shouldered, and powerful,—the contrast was striking.

“Mr. Hood, I am sure.”

“Yes.”

There was a cordial greeting. Greyhurst removed some law books from a chair, and they sat down, Mr. Hood saying: “It gives me great pleasure to see you. You may not be aware that I am one of the many at the North whose sympathies were with the South, and I have long felt that if I could venture, at my age, to come to St. Ann, I might”—he remembered Trescot’s warning—“I might clear up some misunderstandings.”

The lawyer was not one of those who, like Trescot, could let a man go on to tangle himself in the net of his own garrulity. He said: “Oh, there have been more than enough troubles, sir. You are quite correct, but I should hesitate to call them misunderstandings, unless Mr. Trescot has utterly set aside your wishes. He is a bolder man than your former agent,—I may say, a rasher man. He has taken measures to turn out some broken-down soldiers from their miserable little clearings. He has given notices of merciless foreclosures. To some of these people it is ruin.”

Hood had not the frankness to say that these had been his own very positive orders, nor that Trescot had insisted on milder measures. He moved uneasily as he returned:

“I am inclined to be lenient, but business is business, Mr. Greyhurst.”

“Yes, no doubt; but I think that you ought to be aware that we are a wrecked people; that people with no money cannot pay; and, worst of all, there is that land-claim at the bend. One of our oldest families is interested, and has the sympathy of our entire community. The failure to settle this is standing in the way of our prosperity and limiting our river facilities. I do not imagine, sir, that you know our hot-blooded people. There is risk, sir,—peril,—in the course that is being pursued.”

“Peril!” said the little old gentleman, sitting up. “I do not understand.” He was imposed upon by the emphatic statements of the stalwart, dark-faced man. “I should be glad to be enlightened. Who is in danger?”

Greyhurst had no desire to go beyond vague generalities.

“Yes, I said there was peril. If you lived here you would understand. No Southern community will tamely submit to these measures. A compromise, with a fair division of the water-front at the bend, would quiet the feeling. The rest would be easy to manage. I have urged this in vain. Mr. Trescot pleads your orders. As a lawyer I assure you your claim will not stand.”

Hood held up the hand of appeal. “I—I, sir, will consider the matter. I will talk it over with Mr. Trescot. I will speak to the general.”

He had come hither to talk business, as he called it, and was scared and humiliated. This was not business. He went on: “We would be prepared to go into any reasonable propositions.”

“I have invited them over and over.”

“Dear me! that is bad, very bad.”

“Then you agree to divide the water-front?”

“Oh, no; I could not say that; I—I am accustomed to discuss such matters. I don’t quite know.”

He was getting confused and nervous, and as eager to get away as he had been to come. He rose. “It has been a great pleasure to see you. Ah! my hat, thank you; I must go on to see Averill.”

“I shall have the pleasure to call, and meanwhile you may trust me to do all I can to restrain the feeling here. It is bitter, very bitter—in fact, dangerously bitter. Good morning.”

“Bless me!” said the old gentleman, as he entered the street, and stood wiping his forehead, “what an abrupt person! I must talk to George Trescot.”

As he moved on he reflected that Greyhurst had no direct connection with the affairs of the squatters, nor with the mortgages. If he intended to alarm him, Rufus Hood, he should learn that it was not easy. The further he got away from the impressive physical bulk and threatening manner of the lawyer, the more he resolved to have his rights. He was, as I have said, close and narrow in business affairs, but outside of them not ungenerous, and very willing to let the left hand know of the bounty of the right. After he had ousted these land robbers he might help them—might do something. The idea of thus posing as a benefactor refreshed him. He went on to Averill’s.

He found the general rather doubtful as to the very valuable land at the bend. It was a difficult matter; nor was he much disposed to make that or any of Hood’s business appear easy. He said nothing of the new evidence. Mr. Hood would have to yield and not drive men to extremities. He told him that Trescot would set before him in full, as concerned the water-front, the state of the evidence in his favor. It must rest largely on their ability to prove the bounds of a survey made for Mr. Hood’s father forty years back. If they failed, then the Baptiste heirs would come in under an old French title. When Hood mentioned what the lawyer had said of violence and public opinion, Averill laughed. “A little bluff. The man is not very sure of his case. After Mr. Trescot talks to you, we will be better able to decide if it be well to compromise.”

“Compromise! That I will never do. I am not a man to be scared out of my rights.”

Averill smiled and said: “Be gentle with the squatters and the rest. Their lands are of small value; the water is shoal near the town; soon or late all our business has got to go to the bend. I should willingly abandon all your other interests to insure that.”

Mr. Hood went away well pleased. Here was business and to spare. He would be firm, firm. He struck his stick on the broad sidewalk, and went on.

In the afternoon Constance took her uncle to drive in a buggy along a bad wood-road to see the lands so long in dispute. It gave her the opportunity she needed.

In the woods she tied the horse and walked about until her uncle was tired and much bewildered. Then they sat down on a log. He had been telling her over and over how determined he was. At last, during a pause in his repetitions, she said:

“What do you mean to do about the squatters?”

“Turn them out, of course. It is my land.”

“They are pretty lawless men, Uncle Rufus.”

“Oh, I have heard all about that from Mr. Greyhurst. I am not a man to be easily alarmed. The general says it is all talk—pure bluff.”

“Indeed? Were you ever shot at?”

“I! God bless me! no. What do you mean? Why should I be shot at?”

“When George first came here, or soon after, these men were told that you meant to eject them, and that he would act promptly. One of them shot at George; I had just left him; it was at night.”

The neat little old man was at once uneasy, and looked about him, saying: “Good gracious, Constance! It must have been an accident. Are you sure? Do they live near here?”

“The bullet broke a pane of glass. If you are curious, you can see the hole it made in the wall. Now, uncle, this is serious, and not a matter for doubt or delay. You have tied George up so that he is hated, and I do not know what may happen. He has done some things to quiet these men. He has settled certain of the mortgages, and you will have to stand by his acts; but there is still danger. If you had been here, it would have been you they would have shot at. You have been merciless, and it has got to stop. I will not have George killed in order that you may make a few thousand dollars. I will not have it!”

“How violent you are, Constance! You don’t suppose there is any—any danger now? It was most inconsiderate, most unusual. Of course the man was arrested.”

“Arrested? No; you can’t arrest a whole town. I mean that public opinion would be on his side. He got away, and no one knows of it. If you talk of it I will never, never forgive you.”

“I will not,” he said. “I never heard of such a thing. It is awful.”

She turned sharply as they sat on the log. “You say it is awful. It is you who made what would have been easy full of risk to my husband. It lies with you to put an end to this state of things. If you will not, I shall leave St. Ann with George—oh, at once! Now what do you mean to do? We have already talked of it—of leaving.”

“What do you want me to do?” he returned feebly.

“Will you agree to let George buy off the squatters?”

“I will talk to him. Women know nothing of business.”

“I do, uncle. George Trescot is my business. This trifling with my husband’s life and my happiness must end—now and here. You talk of business!” She rose and stood facing him. “_I_ am in the business of life. Either you do as I say, or I shall make George give up your affairs and go away. You have been entirely regardless of what might happen. George and the general wrote to you over and over; you did not reply or you refused to yield anything. These rebel friends of yours hate you; and now this attempt at murder comes as a result of your selfish folly.”

“No one mentioned this—this remarkable incident. I have been left in the most culpable ignorance. I am a perfectly reasonable man. Let Trescot clear them out, and I will—well, I will then see what may be done to help them.”

“Yes; you will see; and with George dead, and you too if you announce your intention and stay here. I will not have it. Will you do as George wants, or will you not?”

“I will not be bullied. I must think it over.”

“You will do no such thing. This life of suspense is simply unendurable. Have you no common sense—no compassion for me, no realization of the danger you have brought upon us?” She turned from him with a gesture of despair, crying: “You are an impossible person. You have neither common sense nor heart. I have done with you. I hope never to see you again.” As she ended, she moved away with quick steps through the darkening wood.

“Great heavens!” he cried, as he stood up. “Are you going to leave me here alone?”

“I am; you can walk home.”

“Constance! Constance!” he cried.

She turned back. “Well, what is it?”

“I will do it.”

“Yes—until you get home. Oh, you and your money! I want no more of it; I had rather sew or beg.”

“But I will do it. George may do as he likes.”

“And you will pay? You will let him settle with the squatters?”

“Yes, yes.”

“And the other things—the foreclosures?”

“Yes, yes.” He rose, very shaky. She gave him her arm as he tottered.

“And about the lands here?”

“I will never give them up.”

She smiled, and, contented with her victory, said: “I would not if I were you. Here is the buggy.”

He was silent all the way home, nursing his wrath.

Her husband met them as they entered his library.

“Have you had a pleasant drive, Mr. Hood?”

“I have not, sir. It has been most disagreeable.”

“My uncle has agreed, George, that whatever terms you may make with the squatters, and about the mortgages, he will abide by them.”

Trescot was surprised. “Oh, thank you,” he cried. “It is a great relief, sir, great—”

“I agreed to it under compulsion,” said Hood. “On reflection, I am of opinion—”

Trescot turned on him. “Did you tell my wife you would do as she has said?”

“I did; but, upon reconsidering, I—”

“Then, sir, I shall act on your very wise decision; and it is time I did, and none too soon. I will talk it all over with you to-night or to-morrow.”

“We shall see,” said the old man; “I am too weak to discuss matters at present.”

“I have no desire to do so,” returned Trescot.

“Uncle,” said Susan, an amused listener, “you had better lie down before dinner; you must be tired.”

“Damn everybody!” said the old man, and disappeared, clutching at Susan’s arm.

“And now, dear,” said George, “as you have been acting for me in this business—”

“No, no; I was acting for myself.”

“I see, dear; and what did you say to that improbable old man?”

“I said you had been shot at.”

“Constance!”

“I did. He thinks he will be killed. I told him that would be a great relief. Oh, I said horrid things. He is half dead already.”

“Do you think you were altogether wise to make him angry?”

“What do I care? I am a woman in love, at bay. Oh, I used my claws; but he gave way; he always does. To-morrow he will change his mind.”

“Be at ease, dear; I am too relieved to give him a chance to escape. I could not have used any risk I run, or have run, to make your uncle give me a free hand; but I should simply have said, Either I am to do as seems best, or I give up the charge of your affairs.”

“I told him you would.”

Susan entered, laughing. “George,” she said, “my uncle wants a time-table of the railroad East. What have you done to him, Conny?”

George and Constance laughed as she replied, “I frightened him well.”

“He is a bit over-cooked, Conny,” said Susan. “Did you tell him he would be scalped? He is in a panic.”

“He won’t be to-morrow,” returned Constance, still a little cross.

“He thinks he will not get up for dinner. Whenever his feelings are hurt by you or me he decides to make a new will. I shall hear of it to-morrow. I have been very rich, steeped in poverty, and moderately well off. He tells me all about it every time. It would be very, very funny if there were not too much of it. It is money, money, money. I think there must be devil-saints and their blood-money. It is an obsession with Uncle Rufus. He is now being robbed and ruined by these unlucky squatters, and is talking of giving thousands to endow an asylum for the orphans of dead rebels! It all has its serious side, but I could not help being amused.”

“Amused? There is nothing amusing about it—nothing. Nothing as unreasonable as Uncle Rufus is amusing to me; and he is always acting, with himself for audience when the play doesn’t draw. He was horribly scared, Susan. Is he still? I have worse things in store if he should dare to change his mind. This is no matter for laughter. I hope he will go. This is all of my life. It is George Trescot.” She was becoming more and more excited and angry.

“I shall do nothing to keep him here,” said Trescot, laying a hand on her arm. “But be quiet, dear.”

Never before had he seen her swept by such a storm of passionate wrath.

She drew herself up at his touch, and was instantly quieted, like some splendid animal tamed and stilled by the touch of a master.

“I did not mean to laugh at you,” said Susan, her kindly face, with its great power of expression, becoming suddenly grave; “but you ought by this time to know, Conny dear, that everything has its droll side for me. You take uncle too seriously. You get superbly angry; I make him appear ridiculous. Either answers; and, dear, the anger hurts you; the ridicule is effective, and hurts no one. I am altogether on your side. But what about that time-table?”

“I have none,” said Trescot; “and he cannot go until we have set all this matter at rest. After that he cannot go too soon.”

“Very well; he shall stay just as long as you want,” said Susan, and left the room.

Then Constance sat down and burst into tears.

“What is it, my love?” said Trescot, comforting her.

“Oh, everything, George, everything; I did not think any one could be as heartless. I hope they will all go away—oh, soon; I want you to myself.”

“I do not think he will stay, and I do not want him; he will only muddle matters. Come out into the garden; we will talk of other things. Let this rest.”