_ CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. VISITORS
Sir Ralph Castleton arrived at Texford in the middle of the next day after he left London. He was surprised to see his servants in their usual liveries, and still more so when Lady Castleton and Julia came out to greet him in coloured costume, instead of the black dresses they had lately worn.
"What means this?" he exclaimed. "You show but little respect to the memory of our boy by so soon discarding your mourning."
"We have no reason to mourn for him," said Lady Castleton, "he is alive and well, and will be here in a day or two at farthest."
She then briefly gave the account Harry had written from Deal. Sir Ralph expressed his satisfaction, though his words sounded cold to the ears of his wife and daughter.
"Let me see the letter," he said, "I can scarcely even now believe what you tell me."
Lady Castleton very unwillingly produced Harry's letter. A frown gathered on Sir Ralph's brow as he read it.
"I thought a few months would have cured him of his infatuation; but he still speaks of that girl as if I were of so yielding a character that I should ever consent to his committing so egregious a folly. And I see, Julia, that he alludes to Captain Headland. Clearly understand me that if he returns to England I must prohibit his appearance at Texford. I have every reason to believe that you may become a duchess if you act wisely; and I cannot allow a penniless adventurer to stand in the way."
Julia had learned that 'a soft answer turneth away wrath,' or, that if that cannot be uttered, 'silence is the best.' She adopted the last resource, and left her father and mother alone.
"I am thankful our boy has escaped, and I can only hope that he will be induced to act with wisdom and discretion. I am placed in rather an awkward position with regard to the Duke of Oldfield. Under the belief of Harry's death, I have arranged to forward a match between the Marquis of Underdown and Julia. The duke assured me that he admired her greatly when they last met in London, and believing her to be my heiress, he was ready to sanction his son's offer, because he frankly told me that the Marquis must marry a girl of fortune, though he should object unless she was of good family. Underdown will arrive here to-day, and Sir John and Lord Frederick, and the other men I asked, were merely to act as foils, though I should not object to either of them, should the Marquis fail; but I believe that a ducal coronet will carry the day with any girl not excluding our daughter Julia."
"I never venture to oppose your wishes, Sir Ralph, and my earnest endeavour has been to secure Julia's happiness," said Lady Castleton humbly. "I fear, however, that her affection for Captain Headland is too deeply rooted to allow even the Marquis any prospect of success."
"But when the marquis finds that Harry is alive, his prudence will probably make him beat a rapid retreat, or at all events the duke will recall him," remarked Sir Ralph, with a sneer. "You will thus see my wisdom in asking the other gentlemen, and I must insist that you use every effort to induce our daughter to give up this naval officer, and accept either of them who comes forward. We must at all events manage her, though we may find Harry more obstinate than his sister."
"I can only do my best," said Lady Castleton, endeavouring to suppress a sigh.
Sir Ralph enquired about the Misses Pemberton, and hearing that they were at Downside, remarked--
"I wish they with their ward could be induced to go away again, they have been thorns in my side since I came to Texford. It would have been wiser had we at once ignored their existence, and Harry would have had no excuse for visiting them."
The expected guests arrived, and were cordially greeted by Sir Ralph, who watched the countenance of the young marquis as he was informed of the fact of Harry's existence. From its expression the keen man of the world argued that the young nobleman would not long honour him as his guest.
Julia, who was in very good spirits, received the visitors with her usual frank and easy manner. She had greater difficulty next day to maintain her composure, as she was looking forward to the arrival of Harry and his mysterious companion, the father of Headland.
Lady Castleton received in the morning another letter from Harry, which he had written that she might show it to his father. He stated what he had already done to Julia, adding that he hoped Sir Ralph would give a warm greeting to his friend, who assured him that they had formerly been well acquainted.
"Who he can be I have no conception," exclaimed Sir Ralph. "I wish Harry had told me. We must ascertain who he is first. It is possible he may be some impostor who has discovered his anxiety to find a father for his friend. I shall be very careful how I trust him." _