The Great Roxhythe · Book I · Chapter 1 3 (2/2)

“We shall see,” was all that Ashley vouchsafed.

On his way through the hall, Christopher met Mr. Hyde whom he had seen once or twice before at Ashley’s house. He bowed and went on to the front door. Hyde’s horse stood waiting in charge of his servant. Christopher glanced at the man idly. Then he walked on down the street.

That afternoon, punctual to the minute, he arrived at Bevan House, and was ushered into the library. A spacious room, this, with oriel windows to the south, and a wide fireplace with an oaken mantelshelf, very cunningly carved. A writing-table stood at one end of the room near a door, other than the one at which he had entered. He sat down near this, and waited.

The minutes ticked by; he grew impatient. Roxhythe had bidden him to come not later than four o’clock; he had obeyed, and behold! there was no Roxhythe. His foot tapped the ground angrily. When Roxhythe at length came into the room, he rose and bowed stiffly.

“I came as you desired me, sir, at four o’clock,” he said. He glanced at the timepiece a trifle pointedly.

“Yes?” said Roxhythe. “I remember now; I did ask you to come then. Pray be seated!”

“Thank you,” answered Christopher. He remained standing. Roxhythe’s manner was insufferable, he decided.

My lord walked to the table where lay a sheaf of papers. One of these he picked up, and folded into three.

“Well, Mr. Dart?”

“I have thought over the matter, sir, and I have spoken to Lord Ashley, it but remains to inform you of my decision.” He spoke very coldly. In that moment he knew that he was going to refuse the post offered to him. Then Roxhythe looked up and across at him, smiling.

“But will you not sit down, Mr. Dart?”

Christopher sat down.

“I had⁠—thought to⁠—accept your offer, Lord Roxhythe.”

The quizzical brown eyes held his.

“But since you have seen me again you realize that it were impossible to work with one so utterly distasteful to you as myself.”

For a moment Christopher stared.

“I confess, sir, that was in my mind. However, I trust I put my Country before my personal feelings. I will accompany you to Holland.” He had not intended to say that. Even as the words left his mouth he regretted them.

“Why, that is very well,” nodded his lordship. “But are you quite sure that you mean it?”

There was another silence.

“Yes, sir,” said Christopher meekly.