'Neath the Hoof of the Tartar; Or The Scourge of God Read online

  CHAPTER III.

  MASTER STEPHEN'S PAGE.

  Libor, as already remarked, had never had the least intention of leavingMaster Peter's house so soon after his arrival as he had threatened todo, if he could by any possibility avoid doing so.

  The fact was he had a little business of his own on hand, as anyoneobservant might have found out from his air of mystery, and the factthat, if he was on his way to Pest, he had had to come so far out of it,that Master Stephen would certainly have employed another messenger hadLibor not particularly desired to come.

  Master Peter was not very observant, but even he wondered in himselfonce or twice what the fellow wanted, and came to the conclusion thathis new dignity had turned his head.

  Dora wondered a little also, and felt that the young man had beenimpertinent, not only in his remarks, but in the way in which he hadfollowed her about with his eyes throughout the interview.

  He was not a person of much consequence, however, and both father anddaughter quickly dismissed him from their thoughts.

  And here, by way of explaining matters, we must mention that many yearsago, when Dora was quite a tiny child, it had been settled between herfather and HA(C)dervAiry the Palatine, that she should marry the latter'sson Paul. HA(C)dervAiry was Master Peter's oldest and closest friend, one towhom he was much attached; and Dora, though no heiress, was a daughterof one of the proudest and noblest houses in Hungary. The match wasconsidered perfectly suitable, therefore, and the HA(C)dervAirys were muchattached to their "little daughter," as they constantly called her. Paulhimself admired and liked the bride chosen for him quite as much as wasnecessary, and it is needless to say that Dora's father thought himextremely fortunate in having a girl so sweet, so clever, sowell-educated, so good-looking, so altogether charming, for his wife.

  Dora herself no one thought of consulting. As a good, dutiful daughter,she would, of course, accept without question the husband approved byher father; and there was no denying that Paul was calculated to win anygirl's admiration, for he was an imposing, gallant-looking personage,and accomplished withal. They would certainly make a handsome, even astriking pair.

  Every time Paul came to stay he found Dora more attractive; and thoughhe had never in any way alluded to his hopes, of which she was quiteignorant, he could not help feeling that she was the very bride he wouldchoose, or rather, would have chosen for himself, but for oneunfortunate defect--her small dowry! It was a very serious defect in hiseyes, though his parents thought little of it, for he was ambitious. Hisgreat desire was to make a fine figure in the eyes of the world, to beadmired, courted, looked up to; and though the HA(C)dervAirys were wealthy,more wealth never comes amiss to those who wish to shine in society.

  Was it any wonder therefore that Paul should presently begin to reflectthat Dora's cousin JolAinta would suit him better than herself? Not thathe liked her as well, for, though a pretty, gentle girl, she had notmuch character, and she was not nearly so clever and amusing; but shewas an heiress, a considerable heiress, and Paul was convinced that heliked her quite well enough to make her his wife.

  Dora was now nearly eighteen, and very soon he would be expected to askher father's consent to their marriage. To Dora herself he would ofcourse not say a word until he had her father's leave.

  He was in a most difficult position, poor fellow! He was fond of Dora;and he was fond of his parents, who would be greatly vexed if hedisappointed them in this matter. It was a serious thing to vex one'sparents, especially when they had it in their power to disinherit one!His father was a generous, hot-tempered soldier; he would warmly resentany insult put upon his old friend's daughter; Master Peter might resentit too, though no word had yet passed between himself and his intendedson-in-law. Truly a difficult position! But for all that, he meant toplease himself, if he could safely do so.

  Paul was turning these things over in his mind, and was pitying himselfand racking his brains to discover some way by which his parents mightbe induced to take a reasonable view of things, when it occurred to himthat two heads were better than one.

  He was staying just now with the Szirmays at their castle, where he wasalways made much of, and Master Stephen was constantly arranging huntingparties and other country amusements in his honour.

  Somehow, he never quite knew how it was, he found himself, during amoment of leisure, near the room occupied by one of the pages; and justfor the sake of talking to somebody he went in, and was received withobsequious delight by Libor, who murmured his thanks for the greathonour done him by the visit of so high and mighty a gentleman.

  The little room was of the plainest description, and not too light, butthe unglazed windows were at least filled in with bladder-skin, and thebare walls were painted white; the furniture consisted of a small openstove of earthenware, a roughly-made, unpainted bedstead, a primitivewooden table, and two or three stools. It was bare enough for a monk'scell, and it was unceiled, open to the roof, which appeared to consistof old boards and lattice-work of a rough description.

  Libor was attired in a pair of red trousers, rather the worse for wear,and fastened round his waist by a leather strap, a waistcoat of the samecolour, and a coarse shirt with wide, hanging sleeves. He was wearingneither coat nor jacket, and he had a slender reed pen stuck behind hisear. There were writing materials and a book or two on the table, andthe page was busy with his pen, when, to his immense surprise, thereentered the haughty young noble, a tall handsome personage clad in a"dolmAiny" of bright blue woollen stuff which reached down to his ankles,and was not unlike a close-fitting dressing-gown.

  Libor started to his feet, and bowed almost to the ground as heexpressed his sense of the great man's condescension, while he wonderedin his own mind to what it was due, and what was wanted ofhim--something, he felt pretty confident, and he was quite ready toserve such an one as Paul, who would be sure to make it worth his while.But what could it be?

  After a little beating about the bush, and a little judicious flattery,which drew forth many humble thanks for his good opinion from Libor,coupled with an expression of his hope that Mr. HA(C)dervAiry would findthat opinion justified if ever he should need his services, Paul at onceproceeded to business.

  Some men would have been disgusted to see a fellow-man, bowing, bending,and cringeing before them, as Libor was doing, but to Paul it was merelynatural, and it pleased him, as showing that the clerk had a properrespect for his "betters."

  "I am going to tell you something, clerk, which I have not told toanother soul," began Paul, and Libor bowed again and felt as if he wereon hot coals.

  "You have guessed, I daresay, that I don't come here merely to pay anordinary visit?"

  Libor said nothing, judging it more prudent not to mention any surmisesif he had them.

  "Well, the fact is that I am here this time by desire of my parents toask the hand of Master Peter's daughter."

  Libor smiled.

  "Yes, Libor, _deAik_, but--well, I have the deepest respect for myparents, and I would not willingly cross their wishes, but for all that,I am of age, I am four-and-twenty, and such matters as this I shouldprefer to manage in my own way."

  "Most natural, sir, I am sure," said Libor, with another deep bow;"marriage is an affair which--which----"

  "Which needs careful deliberation, you mean; just so! And the more Iconsider and weigh matters, the more I feel that it is Master Stephen'sdaughter JolAinta who is the one for me."

  "A most charming young lady! and I quite understand Mr. HA(C)dervAiry'schoice; and, if I might hazard the remark, I would suggest, with allpossible deference, that the fair Mistress Dora is not nearly as wellprovided for as Mr. Stephen's daughter; though her father has a quantityof gold and silver plate, his property is not large, and he cannot giveher much."

  "Say 'nothing,' Libor, and you will be nearer the mark! I know it, and Iam glad to see you don't try to hide anything from me. Well, of course,property never comes amiss even to the wealthiest, and 'if the masterprovides dinner, it is well for the mistress to provide supper,' as theysay. But I had rather take JolAinta empty-handed than Dora with all thewealth of the world. I like property, I don't deny it, who does not? ButI don't care a straw for Dora, and I do for JolAinta."

  "Ah, then of course that settles it! But suppose Master Peter shouldhave suspected your intentions?"

  "There is just the rub! He is an old friend of my father's, and I shouldbe sorry to hurt him; but I have made up my mind to ask for JolAinta."

  "H-m, h-m," murmured the page thoughtfully. "Rather an awkward state ofthings, sir."

  "Of course it is! but look you here, Libor, if you can help me out ofit, I will make it worth your while. I know how modest and unselfish youare, but I shall be able to find you something, something which will setyou up for life."

  Libor's eyes sparkled. This was even more than he had looked for.

  But Paul was growing rather impatient; this long interview with a personso far beneath him was distasteful to him, and he cut short the page'sservile protestations of devotion and gratitude. What was to be done?that was the question.

  "First make sure of Mistress JolAinta herself, before anything was saidto her father," suggested Libor, "and then finish his visit and take hisleave without proposing for either. Visits were not always bound to endwith a proposal, and Master Peter could not possibly be hurt therefore.As for Mr. Stephen, when the time should come to ask his consent, hewould certainly not refuse such a son-in-law as the son of the Palatine.Mr. HA(C)dervAiry's parents"--Libor hesitated a little--"they could notblame him if--suppose--disappointed they might be, but they could notblame him--if he were able to say that Dora had another suitor, and onewhom she preferred to himself, though Master Peter was not aware of thefact."

  "H-m!" said Paul, "that would settle it
, of course; but--there is none."

  "No, there is not," said the clerk thoughtfully, with one of hisdeferential laughs, "but--we might find or invent someone."

  "Find someone! Who is there?"

  "Well, let us see--if--if we can invent no one else, there is myself!"

  "You!" cried Paul, with evident and intense disgust, "you! But how? inwhat way?" and he broke into a laugh.

  "That is my affair, sir; and if you have confidence in me----"

  "Hush! I hear footsteps. Not another word now, I will contrive to seeyou again privately before I go from here. Just one thing more. I wonderwhether you would undertake to do me a small service without telling theMr. Szirmays, and without leaving this house."

  "What am I to understand, sir?" asked the page, with marked attention.

  And Paul explained that if he succeeded in arranging matters withMistress JolAinta, he should want someone on whom he could depend, tokeep him informed of all that went on in the house, in case, forinstance, Master Stephen should be thinking of another match for hisdaughter, and--in fact, there might be many things which he ought toknow; and then if he came again himself during the winter, he shouldwant someone to see that he had comfortable quarters prepared for him onthe road, and so on.

  Libor was only too delighted to serve such a magnificent gentleman, agentleman who was so open-handed and so condescending moreover, and thebargain was struck. Paul handed the page a well filled purse, tellinghim to keep a fourth part of the contents for himself, and to use theremainder to cover any expenses to which he might be put in sendingmessengers, etc.

  "And look you here, Libor, from to-day you are in my service,remember--one of my honourable pages; and if ever you should wish to tryyour fortune elsewhere, there will be a place ready for you in myestablishment."

  Libor bowed himself to the ground as he answered, "With heart and soul,sir."

  Meantime the footsteps had drawn nearer, and a tap at the door put astop to the conversation.

  "The gentlemen are waiting, sir," said the governor, or seneschal, ofthe castle, a dignified-looking man clad in a black gown, and wearing athis girdle a huge bunch of keys; for the governor of such a castle asthat of the Szirmays, was keeper, steward, seneschal, as well as captainof the men-at-arms.

  "In a moment," replied Paul, and as soon as the old man's back wasturned, he whispered hurriedly, "If anyone should happen to ask what Icame to your room for, you can say that I wanted a letter written."

  Paul stayed yet a few days longer, and was so well entertained withhunting, horse-races, foot-races, feats of arms, and banquets that hecould hardly tear himself away from the cordial hospitality of hishosts. He and Libor met but once again in private; but when he was goneLibor held his head higher than he had ever done before. Up to this timehe had been the least well off of the pages, and had been deferential tohis companions, but now all this was changed. To the Szirmays, on theother hand, and especially to Master Peter, he was more deferential,more attentive, than ever before.

  Weeks, months passed, and if Master Peter was somewhat surprised thathis old friend's son had not yet declared himself, he was much too proudto show it. And he was far too proud also to show how much hurt he waswhen he presently learnt that Paul was a suitor for the hand of hisniece, and had been accepted by her father and herself.

  Master Peter was deeply hurt indeed, and he felt too that his brotherhad not behaved well to him, knowing, as he did, the arrangement betweenhimself and his friend.

  Stephen also felt guilty; and the end of it was, that, though thebrothers were sincerely attached to one another, and though no word onthe subject passed between them, both felt a sort of constraint. The oldhappy intercourse was impossible; and for this reason Master Peter camereluctantly to the conclusion that he should be wiser to set up a homeof his own again, and leave his brother in possession of thefamily-dwelling.

  Paul had had considerable trouble with his parents, however. They wouldnot hear a word in depreciation of Dora, and at the first insinuation ofanything to her actual discredit, HA(C)dervAiry had flown into a rage,denounced it as idle, shameless gossip, and declared hotly that Paulought to be ashamed of himself for giving a moment's heed to such lyingrumours.

  When Paul went a step further and obstinately asserted his belief thatDora was carrying on a secret flirtation with Libor the page, the oldwarrior's fury was great, and he vowed that he would ride off instantlyand tell his friend everything.

  Yet, after all, he did nothing of the sort! (Paul and Libor perhapscould have told why.) So far from taking any step of the kind, he heldhis peace altogether, and finally acquiesced in his son's choice. Hegave his consent, very unwillingly, it is true, but he gave it!

  Master Peter came to him on a visit not long after, and was so far frombetraying any annoyance that he joked and congratulated his friend onhaving a rich daughter-in-law instead of a poor one, and was full ofpraise of JolAinta, whom he declared to be a dear girl whom no one couldhelp loving. If Dora's father did not care, why should Paul's?

  All difficulties in Paul's way seemed to have been removed; but it wouldbe necessary, as he reminded Libor, to keep up the fiction of Dora'sattachment for some little time to come, or he would be found out, andhis father's anger in that case would be something not easily appeased.It hurt his pride to employ the clerk in such a matter, and to have itsupposed that a girl who might have married his honourable self couldpossibly look with favour upon such a young man as Libor, but thereseemed to be no help for it. He was already in Libor's power.

  And Libor was more than willing to play the part assigned to him. He hadas keen an eye to the main chance as Paul, and Paul had not only beenliberal in money for the present, but had held out brilliant hopes forthe future.

  If he stayed on with Master Stephen, argued Libor with himself, he wouldbe called "clerk" all the days of his life, and end by marrying somelittle village girl. If, on the other hand, he obliged young HA(C)dervAiry,made himself necessary to him, and, above all, entered into apartnership with him of such a nature as HA(C)dervAiry would not on anyaccount wish to have betrayed--why then he might kill two birds with onestone! He had already had a few acres of land promised him; if, inaddition to this, he could obtain some gentlemanly situation such asthat of keeper, or governor, or perhaps even marry a distant connectionof the family, an active, sensible man such as himself might rise toalmost anything! Young HA(C)dervAiry might be to him a mine of wealth.

  This settled the matter, and no sooner had Master Peter left hisbrother's house than Libor found reasons without end for going to seehim. There were various articles to be sent after him in the firstplace; then there were settlements, arrangements to be made, letters ormessages from JolAinta to be carried; and Libor was always ready andeager to be the messenger. The other pages had not a chance now, for hewas always beforehand with them; so much so indeed that both they, theservants, and at last even Master Stephen, could not help noticing that,whereas formerly Libor had been a stay-at-home, now he seemed never tobe so well pleased as when he was on the move.

  Master Stephen wondered what he could want with his brother Peter, andthe young pages, and sometimes the servants, joked him and tried to findout what made him so ready to undertake these more or less adventurousjourneys. Libor said nothing, but looked volumes; and they noticed, too,that the old red trousers and waistcoat had quite disappeared, and thatthe page now thought much of his appearance and came out quite a dandywhenever he was going on his travels.

  Master Stephen held it beneath his dignity to joke with his inferiors,but JolAinta had been more condescending to Libor of late than she hadever been before; and naturally so, as he was in Paul's confidence, andevery now and then had news of him, or even a message from him to giveher. It brought them nearer together, and, innocently enough, JolAintaonce asked him merrily what it was that made him like to go on suchlong-expeditions, when it would have been just as easy to send someoneelse. Whereupon Libor assumed such an expression of shamefaced modestythat JolAinta, who had spoken in the merest jest, began to fancy thatperhaps the page really had a reason, and might be courting one ofDora's maids. That it could possibly be Dora herself, never crossed hermind for a moment.

  But others saw matters in a different light. The servants had theirgossip and their suspicions; the young pages jested, and looked on Liborwith eyes of envy; and Libor, though careful not to commit himself,managed somehow to encourage the idea that he and Dora were deeplyattached to one another.

  Of course, neither servants nor pages held their tongues, and soonpeople were whispering about Dora Szirmay in a way that would havehorrified herself and all her family had they known it. But thosechiefly concerned are the last to be reached by such rumours. Whether inany shape they had reached Paul's parents it is impossible to say; but,at all events, he had married JolAinta with their consent, and Libor hadcontinued his visits to Master Peter whenever he could find or devise apretext.

  On the occasion of his present visit, when he had been the bearer of thesummons to the Diet, "on his way to Pest," he availed himself of MasterPeter's suggestion that he should take a look round the place, to makehimself thoroughly acquainted with the ins and outs of the court-yard,stables, and other out-buildings; for, as he reflected, such knowledgenever came amiss, and one could never tell when it might be useful. Heeven noticed absently that one part of the outer wall had not beenrepaired. More than this, while prowling about in the dusk, he hadaccidentally fallen in, not for the first time, with Dora's maid, Borka,whose favour he had won long ago by a few pretty speeches, notunaccompanied by some more solid token of his goodwill.

  It was always well to have a friend at Court.

  But just as he turned away from Borka, he came face to face withTalabor; and Talabor actually had the impude
nce to cross-question him asto what he was about. He was not to be shaken off, moreover, and atlast, apparently making a virtue of necessity, Libor confessed that hehad given the maid a note for Mistress Dora; but he begged and imploredTalabor not to betray him, for it would be the utter ruin of him if hedid.

  Of course he knew that it was most presumptuous that a poor young manlike himself could ever aspire to the hand of a daughter of theSzirmays; they both knew that their attachment was hopeless, but--well,they had spent several years under the same roof, and had hadopportunities of meeting, and--could not Mr. Talabor understand?

  Mr. Talabor understood perfectly, inasmuch as his own admiration ofMiss Dora had been growing ever since the first day he saw her. He hadworshipped her as something far above him, as all that was good,upright, and honourable, and it was a shock to have it even suggestedthat she could condescend to underhand dealings with anyone. It was odd,too, if she really cared for Libor, that she should have received andbehaved to him as she had done, and though Libor might protest thatMaster Peter had always shown him marked favour, Talabor was of opinionthat he shared his own dislike to the young man, and had shown it prettyplainly.

  "Master Peter ought to know what is going on," he said sturdily; butLibor thereupon became frantic in his entreaties. He implored, hepositively writhed in his anguish, not for himself, oh no! what did itmatter about a poor, insignificant fellow like him? it might ruin allhis prospects with the HA(C)dervAirys, probably would, and he should noteven be able to return to Master Stephen; he should be a vagabond, andbeggar--but that was no matter of course compared with Mistress Dora!She would be ruined in the eyes of the world if it came abroad that shehad stooped to care for such as he, and it was certain to get about ifTalabor betrayed them. Whereas now no one but themselves and Borka knewanything about it; and she was faithful, she would not open her lips,for he had made it worth her while to keep silence.

  "An odd sort of fidelity," it seemed to Talabor; but he was not quiteclear as to whether it were his business to interfere; and, if it were,to injure Mistress Dora----

  Libor saw his advantage and pressed it. He reminded Talabor that MasterPeter was hasty, and so incautious when his wrath was aroused that someone would be sure to hear of it; he would certainly tell his brother,Master Stephen would dismiss himself, and--well, the whole thing wouldcome out. Dora would be scorned by the world, and--besides, this wasprobably his last visit; he was going to a distance, and what was more,they had both realised that their attachment must be given up--it washopeless.

  "If it can't be, it can't!" said Libor, with a deep-drawn sigh.

  He threw himself upon Talabor's mercy, and Talabor promised.

  "But remember," said he, "it is only because speaking might do more harmthan good, as you are not coming again, but if ever you do, and I catchyou tampering with Borka, I go straight to Master Peter."

  "If I come, and if you catch me, so you may!" said Libor, with a sneer.

  "I understand all about it," he added to himself, as he turned away withthe announcement that he was going to see Moses _deAik_, the governor."I understand! You would give your eyes to be in my shoes, Mr. Talabor,or what you suppose to be mine! And why shouldn't they be? The ball hasbeen set rolling, and the farther it rolls the bigger it will grow.Borka will do her part with the servants, and they won't keep theirmouths shut! So! my scornful little beauty, you are not likely to getmany suitors whom Master Peter will favour, and who knows? Next time wemeet--next time we meet--we may both sing a different song."