Though the Viscount might regard Martin’s change of face with suspicion, Theo and Miss Morville observed it with feelings of hope, and of relief.
‘I think,’ Miss Morville said thoughtfully, ‘that the sweetness of his lordship’s temper has had its effect upon Martin. He was at first inclined to see in it a lack of manly spirit, and now that he has discovered how far this is from the truth he begins to respect him – and with Martin, you know, respect must be the foundation of liking.’
‘Exactly so!’ Theo said warmly. ‘Your observation is very just, Drusilla! For my part, I believe Martin has seen the folly of his former conduct, and means to do better in the future.’
‘And for my part,’ interpolated Ulverston, ‘I think your precious Martin has had a fright, and is set on making us all think him reconciled to Ger’s existence!’
‘A harsh judgment!’ Theo said, smiling. ‘I have known Martin almost from his cradle, and I cannot believe that there is any real harm in him. He is hot-at-hand, often behaves stupidly, but that there is vice in him I will not think!’
‘Ay, there you have the matter in a nutshell!’ said Ulverston. ‘You will not think it!’
‘I know what is in your mind, but I believe him to have repented most sincerely.’
‘Lord, Frant, do you take me for a flat? If he repents, it is because he caused Ger’s horse to cut his knees!’ He encountered a warning look cast at him from under Theo’s brows, and added impatiently: ‘Nonsense! Miss Morville was with him, and must know the truth!’
‘Drusilla, is this so indeed? And you said nothing?’
‘I do know the cause of the accident,’ she replied calmly. ‘His lordship desired me to hold my peace, however, and I have done so, because I think him very well able to conduct his own affairs without my interference.’
‘None better!’ said the Viscount. ‘Never knew anyone with a better understanding! He ain’t the man to be taken in by a hoax, and if he don’t see that all this brotherly love that whelp is showing him is too smoky by half, he ain’t such a deep ’un as I’ve always thought!’
‘Remember, though you may know Gervase, I have reason to know Martin!’ Theo said. ‘I must continue to hold by my opinion! I don’t deny that I have been made to feel a greater degree of uneasiness than perhaps you have any idea of, but events have so turned out that I begin to think that I shall be able to leave Stanyon with a quiet mind presently.’
‘Leave Stanyon? Do you mean to do so?’ asked the Viscount, surprised.
‘Oh, not for ever! Merely, I ought, a week ago, to have set forth on my travels, and have postponed my journey. I am my cousin’s agent, you know, and at this season I, in general, spend some days at his various estates.’
‘Ay, do you so? And why have you postponed your journey?’ demanded the Viscount.
Theo laughed. ‘Yes, yes, you have me there! But that is to be a thing of the past, if you please! If Martin’s passions have led him to play some dangerous pranks on his brother, he will do so no more! See if I am not right!’
Martin himself seemed anxious to reassure his cousin. His reason for doing so was not far to seek, and he stated it bluntly, saying: ‘You need not spy on me, Theo! I know you think I may play some trick on St Erth, but I shall not!’
‘My dear Martin!’
‘Well, you do think it!’ Martin insisted. ‘Merely because I didn’t warn him about that bridge! Such a kick-up as you made!’
‘Are you surprised?’
‘Oh, well! I own I shouldn’t have cared if he had fallen into the river, then; but I have come to think he is not such a bad fellow – if only one knew how to take him!’
‘Is it so difficult?’
‘It may not be for you, because he likes you.’
‘He has given you little cause to suppose that he does not like you,’ Theo said, in a dry tone.
‘You may as well say that I gave him cause not to like me, for that’s what you mean, I collect!’ said Martin rather angrily. ‘I don’t know what you think I may do to tease him, but I wish you will stop hovering about me, as though you were my gaoler, or some such thing!’
‘This is fancy, Martin!’
‘No, it ain’t. Why did you choose to go with us, when I took Gervase round the new coverts?’
‘Good God! Why should I not go with you?’
‘That wasn’t the only time, either!’ pursued Martin. ‘I suppose you thought, when I challenged him to shoot against me, I might fire my pistol at him instead of the mark, unless you were there to watch us?’
‘No, Martin: in spite of what occurred when you tried to match him with foils, I did not think that.’