JANET MACKELPIE'S NOTES.
August 9, 1907.
To me it seems very providential that Rupert was not at home when
that dreadful young man Ernest Melton arrived, though it is possible
that if Rupert had been present he would not have dared to conduct
himself so badly. Of course, I heard all about it from the maids;
Teuta never opened her lips to me on the subject. It was bad enough
and stupid enough for him to try to kiss a decent young woman like
Julia, who is really as good as gold and as modest as one of our own
Highland lassies; but to think of him insulting Teuta! The little
beast! One would think that a champion idiot out of an Equatorial
asylum would know better! If Michael, the Wine Master, wanted to
kill him, I wonder what my Rupert and hers would have done? I am
truly thankful that he was not present. And I am thankful, too, that
I was not present either, for I should have made an exhibition of
myself, and Rupert would not have liked that. He--the little beast!
might have seen from the very dress that the dear girl wore that
there was something exceptional about her. But on one account I
should have liked to see her. They tell me that she was, in her true
dignity, like a Queen, and that her humility in receiving her
husband's kinsman was a lesson to every woman in the Land. I must be
careful not to let Rupert know that I have heard of the incident.
Later on, when it is all blown over and the young man has been got
safely away, I shall tell him of it. Mr. Rooke--Lord High Admiral
Rooke, I should say--must be a really wonderful man to have so held
himself in check; for, from what I have heard of him, he must in his
younger days have been worse than Old Morgan of Panama. Mr. Ernest
Roger Halbard Melton, of Humcroft, Salop, little knows how near he
was to being "cleft to the chine" also.
Fortunately, I had heard of his meeting with Teuta before he came to
see me, for I did not get back from my walk till after he had
arrived. Teuta's noble example was before me, and I determined that
I, too, would show good manners under any circumstances. But I
didn't know how mean he is. Think of his saying to me that Rupert's
position here must be a great source of pride to me, who had been his
nursery governess. He said "nursemaid" first, but then stumbled in
his words, seeming to remember something. I did not turn a hair, I
am glad to say. It is a mercy Uncle Colin was not here, for I
honestly believe that, if he had been, he would have done the
"cleaving to the chine" himself. It has been a narrow escape for
Master Ernest, for only this morning Rupert had a message, sent on
from Gibraltar, saying that he was arriving with his clansmen, and
that they would not be far behind his letter. He would call at
Otranto in case someone should come across to pilot him to Vissarion.
Uncle told me all about that young cad having offered him one finger
in Mr. Trent's office, though, of course, he didn't let the cad see
that he noticed it. I have no doubt that, when he does arrive, that
young man, if he is here still, will find that he will have to behave
himself, if it be only on Sir Colin's account alone.
THE SAME (LATER).
I had hardly finished writing when the lookout on the tower announced
that the Teuta, as Rupert calls his aeroplane, was sighted crossing
the mountains from Plazac. I hurried up to see him arrive, for I had
not as yet seen him on his "aero." Mr. Ernest Melton came up, too.
Teuta was, of course, before any of us. She seems to know by
instinct when Rupert is coming.
It was certainly a wonderful sight to see the little aeroplane, with
outspread wings like a bird in flight, come sailing high over the
mountains. There was a head-wind, and they were beating against it;
otherwise we should not have had time to get to the tower before the
arrival.
When once the "aero" had begun to drop on the near side of the
mountains, however, and had got a measure of shelter from them, her
pace was extraordinary. We could not tell, of course, what sort of
pace she came at from looking at herself. But we gathered some idea
from the rate at which the mountains and hills seemed to slide away
from under her. When she got over the foot-hills, which are about
ten miles away, she came on at a swift glide that seemed to throw the
distance behind her. When quite close, she rose up a little till she
was something higher than the Tower, to which she came as straight as
an arrow from the bow, and glided to her moorings, stopping dead as
Rupert pulled a lever, which seemed to turn a barrier to the wind.
The Voivode sat beside Rupert, but I must say that he seemed to hold
on to the bar in front of him even more firmly than Rupert held to
his steering-gear.
When they had alighted, Rupert greeted his cousin with the utmost
kindness, and bade him welcome to Vissarion.
"I see," he said, "you have met Teuta. Now you may congratulate me,
if you wish."
Mr. Melton made a long rodomontade about her beauty, but presently,
stumbling about in his speech, said something regarding it being
unlucky to appear in grave-clothes. Rupert laughed, and clapped him
on the shoulder as he answered:
"That pattern of frock is likely to become a national dress for loyal
women of the Blue Mountains. When you know something of what that
dress means to us all at present you will understand. In the
meantime, take it that there is not a soul in the nation that does
not love it and honour her for wearing it." To which the cad
replied:
"Oh, indeed! I thought it was some preparation for a fancy-dress
ball." Rupert's comment on this ill-natured speech was (for him)
quite grumpily given:
"I should not advise you to think such things whilst you are in this
part of the world, Ernest. They bury men here for much less."
The cad seemed struck with something--either what Rupert had said or
his manner of saying it--for he was silent for several seconds before
he spoke.
"I'm very tired with that long journey, Rupert. Would you and Mrs.
Sent Leger mind if I go to my own room and turn in? My man can ask
for a cup of tea and a sandwich for me."
RUPERT'S JOURNAL.
August 10, 1907.
When Ernest said he wished to retire it was about the wisest thing he
could have said or done, and it suited Teuta and me down to the
ground. I could see that the dear girl was agitated about something,
so thought it would be best for her to be quiet, and not worried with
being civil to the Bounder. Though he is my cousin, I can't think of
him as anything else. The Voivode and I had certain matters to
attend to arising out of the meeting of the Council, and when we were
through the night was closing in. When I saw Teuta in our own rooms
she said at once:
"Do you mind, dear, if I stay with Aunt Janet to-night? She is very
upset and nervous, and when I offered to come to her she clung to me
and cried with relief."
So when I had had some supper, which I took with the Voivode, I came
down to my old quarters in the Garden Room, and turned in early.
I was awakened a little before dawn by the coming of the fighting
monk Theophrastos, a notable runner, who had an urgent message for
me. This was the letter to me given to him by Rooke. He had been
cautioned to give it into no other hand, but to find me wherever I
might be, and convey it personally. When he had arrived at Plazac I
had left on the aeroplane, so he had turned back to Vissarion.
When I read Rooke's report of Ernest Melton's abominable conduct I
was more angry with him than I can say. Indeed, I did not think
before that that I could be angry with him, for I have always
despised him. But this was too much. However, I realized the wisdom
of Rooke's advice, and went away by myself to get over my anger and
reacquire my self-mastery. The aeroplane Teuta was still housed on
the tower, so I went up alone and took it out.
When I had had a spin of about a hundred miles I felt better. The
bracing of the wind and the quick, exhilarating motion restored me to
myself, and I felt able to cope with Master Ernest, or whatever else
chagrinable might come along, without giving myself away. As Teuta
had thought it better to keep silence as to Ernest's affront, I felt
I must not acknowledge it; but, all the same, I determined to get rid
of him before the day was much older.
When I had had my breakfast I sent word to him by a servant that I
was coming to his rooms, and followed not long behind the messenger.
He was in a suit of silk pyjamas, such as not even Solomon in all his
glory was arrayed in. I closed the door behind me before I began to
speak. He listened, at first amazed, then disconcerted, then angry,
and then cowering down like a whipped hound. I felt that it was a
case for speaking out. A bumptious ass like him, who deliberately
insulted everyone he came across--for if all or any of his efforts in
that way were due to mere elemental ignorance he was not fit to live,
but should be silenced on sight as a modern Caliban--deserved neither
pity nor mercy. To extend to him fine feeling, tolerance, and such-
like gentlenesses would be to deprive the world of them without
benefit to any. So well as I can remember, what I said was something
like this:
"Ernest, as you say, you've got to go, and to go quick, you
understand. I dare say you look on this as a land of barbarians, and
think that any of your high-toned refinements are thrown away on
people here. Well, perhaps it is so. Undoubtedly, the structure of
the country is rough; the mountains may only represent the glacial
epoch; but so far as I can gather from some of your exploits--for I
have only learned a small part as yet--you represent a period a good
deal farther back. You seem to have given our folk here an
exhibition of the playfulness of the hooligan of the Saurian stage of
development; but the Blue Mountains, rough as they are, have come up
out of the primeval slime, and even now the people aim at better
manners. They may be rough, primitive, barbarian, elemental, if you
will, but they are not low down enough to tolerate either your ethics
or your taste. My dear cousin, your life is not safe here! I am
told that yesterday, only for the restraint exercised by certain
offended mountaineers on other grounds than your own worth, you would
have been abbreviated by the head. Another day of your fascinating
presence would do away with this restraint, and then we should have a
scandal. I am a new-comer here myself--too new a comer to be able to
afford a scandal of that kind--and so I shall not delay your going.
Believe me, my dear cousin, Ernest Roger Halbard Melton, of Humcroft,
Salop, that I am inconsolable about your resolution of immediate
departure, but I cannot shut my eyes to its wisdom. At present the
matter is altogether amongst ourselves, and when you have gone--if it
be immediately--silence will be observed on all hands for the sake of
the house wherein you are a guest; but if there be time for scandal
to spread, you will be made, whether you be alive or dead, a European
laughing-stock. Accordingly, I have anticipated your wishes, and
have ordered a fast steam yacht to take you to Ancona, or to whatever
other port you may desire. The yacht will be under the command of
Captain Desmond, of one of our battleships--a most determined
officer, who will carry out any directions which may be given to him.
This will insure your safety so far as Italian territory. Some of
his officials will arrange a special carriage for you up to Flushing,
and a cabin on the steamer to Queenboro'. A man of mine will travel
on the train and steamer with you, and will see that whatever you may
wish in the way of food or comfort will be provided. Of course, you
understand, my dear cousin, that you are my guest until you arrive in
London. I have not asked Rooke to accompany you, as when he went to
meet you, it was a mistake. Indeed, there might have been a danger
to you which I never contemplated--a quite unnecessary danger, I
assure you. But happily Admiral Rooke, though a man of strong
passions, has wonderful self-control."
"Admiral Rooke?" he queried. "Admiral?"
"Admiral, certainly," I replied, "but not an ordinary Admiral--one of
many. He is THE Admiral--the Lord High Admiral of the Land of the
Blue Mountains, with sole control of its expanding navy. When such a
man is treated as a valet, there may be . . . But why go into this?
It is all over. I only mention it lest anything of a similar kind
should occur with Captain Desmond, who is a younger man, and
therefore with probably less self-repression."
I saw that he had learned his lesson, and so said no more on the
subject.
There was another reason for his going which I did not speak of. Sir
Colin MacKelpie was coming with his clansmen, and I knew he did not
like Ernest Melton. I well remembered that episode of his offering
one finger to the old gentleman in Mr. Trent's office, and, moreover,
I had my suspicions that Aunt Janet's being upset was probably in
some measure due to some rudeness of his that she did not wish to
speak about. He is really an impossible young man, and is far better
out of this country than in it. If he remained here, there would be
some sort of a tragedy for certain.
I must say that it was with a feeling of considerable relief that I
saw the yacht steam out of the creek, with Captain Desmond on the
bridge and my cousin beside him.
Quite other were my feelings when, an hour after, The Lady came
flying into the creek with the Lord High Admiral on the bridge, and
beside him, more splendid and soldier-like than ever, Sir Colin
MacKelpie. Mr. Bingham Trent was also on the bridge.
The General was full of enthusiasm regarding his regiment, for in
all, those he brought with him and those finishing their training at
home, the force is near the number of a full regiment. When we were
alone he explained to me that all was arranged regarding the non-
commissioned officers, but that he had held over the question of
officers until we should have had a suitable opportunity of talking
the matter over together. He explained to me his reasons, which were
certainly simple and cogent. Officers, according to him, are a
different class, and accustomed to a different standard altogether of
life and living, of duties and pleasures. They are harder to deal
with and more difficult to obtain. "There was no use," he said, "in
getting a lot of failures, with old-crusted ways of their own
importance. We must have young men for our purpose--that is, men not
old, but with some experience--men, of course, who know how to behave
themselves, or else, from what little I have seen of the Blue
Mountaineers, they wouldn't last long here if they went on as some of
them do elsewhere. I shall start things here as you wish me to, for
I am here, my dear boy, to stay with you and Janet, and we shall, if
it be given to us by the Almighty, help to build up together a new
'nation'--an ally of Britain, who will stand at least as an outpost
of our own nation, and a guardian of our eastern road. When things
are organized here on the military side, and are going strong, I
shall, if you can spare me, run back to London for a few weeks.
Whilst I am there I shall pick up a lot of the sort of officers we
want. I know that there are loads of them to be had. I shall go
slowly, however, and carefully, too, and every man I bring back will
be recommended to me by some old soldier whom I know, and who knows
the man he recommends, and has seen him work. We shall have, I dare
say, an army for its size second to none in the world, and the day
may come when your old country will be proud of your new one. Now
I'm off to see that all is ready for my people--your people now."
I had had arrangements made for the comfort of the clansmen and the
women, but I knew that the good old soldier would see for himself
that his men were to be comfortable. It was not for nothing that he
was--is--looked on as perhaps the General most beloved by his men in
the whole British Army.
When he had gone, and I was alone, Mr. Trent, who had evidently been
waiting for the opportunity, came to me. When we had spoken of my
marriage and of Teuta, who seems to have made an immense impression
on him, he said suddenly:
"I suppose we are quite alone, and that we shall not be interrupted?"
I summoned the man outside--there is always a sentry on guard outside
my door or near me, wherever I may be--and gave orders that I was not
to be disturbed until I gave fresh orders. "If," I said, "there be
anything pressing or important, let the Voivodin or Miss MacKelpie
know. If either of them brings anyone to me, it will be all right."
When we were quite alone Mr. Trent took a slip of paper and some
documents from the bag which was beside him. He then read out items
from the slip, placing as he did so the documents so checked over
before him.
1. New Will made on marriage, to be signed presently.
2. Copy of the Re-conveyance of Vissarion estates to Peter
Vissarion, as directed by Will of Roger Melton.
3. Report of Correspondence with Privy Council, and proceedings
following.
Taking up the last named, he untied the red tape, and, holding the
bundle in his hand, went on:
"As you may, later on, wish to examine the details of the
Proceedings, I have copied out the various letters, the originals of
which are put safely away in my strong-room where, of course, they
are always available in case you may want them. For your present
information I shall give you a rough synopsis of the Proceedings,
referring where advisable to this paper.
"On receipt of your letter of instructions regarding the Consent of
the Privy Council to your changing your nationality in accordance
with the terms of Roger Melton's Will, I put myself in communication
with the Clerk of the Privy Council, informing him of your wish to be
naturalized in due time to the Land of the Blue Mountains. After
some letters between us, I got a summons to attend a meeting of the
Council.
"I attended, as required, taking with me all necessary documents, and
such as I conceived might be advisable to produce, if wanted.
"The Lord President informed me that the present meeting of the
Council was specially summoned in obedience to the suggestion of the
King, who had been consulted as to his personal wishes on the
subject--should he have any. The President then proceeded to inform
me officially that all Proceedings of the Privy Council were
altogether confidential, and were not to be made public under any
circumstances. He was gracious enough to add:
"'The circumstances of this case, however, are unique; and as you act
for another, we have thought it advisable to enlarge your permission
in the matter, so as to allow you to communicate freely with your
principal. As that gentleman is settling himself in a part of the
world which has been in the past, and may be again, united to this
nation by some common interest, His Majesty wishes Mr. Sent Leger to
feel assured of the good-will of Great Britain to the Land of the
Blue Mountains, and even of his own personal satisfaction that a
gentleman of so distinguished a lineage and such approved personal
character is about to be--within his own scope--a connecting-link
between the nations. To which end he has graciously announced that,
should the Privy Council acquiesce in the request of
Denaturalization, he will himself sign the Patent therefor.
"'The Privy Council has therefore held private session, at which the
matter has been discussed in its many bearings; and it is content
that the change can do no harm, but may be of some service to the two
nations. We have, therefore, agreed to grant the prayer of the
Applicant; and the officials of the Council have the matter of the
form of Grant in hand. So you, sir, may rest satisfied that as soon
as the formalities--which will, of course, require the formal signing
of certain documents by the Applicant--can be complied with, the
Grant and Patent will obtain.'"
Having made this statement in formal style, my old friend went on in
more familiar way:
"And so, my dear Rupert, all is in hand; and before very long you
will have the freedom required under the Will, and will be at liberty
to take whatever steps may be necessary to be naturalized in your new
country.
"I may tell you, by the way, that several members of the Council made
very complimentary remarks regarding you. I am forbidden to give
names, but I may tell you facts. One old Field-Marshal, whose name
is familiar to the whole world, said that he had served in many
places with your father, who was a very valiant soldier, and that he
was glad that Great Britain was to have in the future the benefit of
your father's son in a friendly land now beyond the outposts of our
Empire, but which had been one with her in the past, and might be
again.
"So much for the Privy Council. We can do no more at present until
you sign and have attested the documents which I have brought with
me.
"We can now formally complete the settlement of the Vissarion
estates, which must be done whilst you are a British citizen. So,
too, with the Will, the more formal and complete document, which is
to take the place of that short one which you forwarded to me the day
after your marriage. It may be, perhaps, necessary or advisable
that, later on, when you are naturalized here, you shall make a new
Will in strictest accordance with local law."
