The Two Admirals Read online

  CHAPTER XIII.

  "_Videsne quis venit?_" "_Video, et gaudeo._"

  NATHANIEL ET HOLOFERNES.

  Tom Wychecombe had experienced an uneasiness that it is unnecessary toexplain, ever since he learned that his reputed uncle had sent amessenger to bring the "half-blood" to the Hall. From the moment he gota clue to the fact, he took sufficient pains to ascertain what was inthe wind; and when Sir Reginald Wychecombe entered the house, the firstperson he met was this spurious supporter of the honours of his name.

  "Sir Reginald Wychecombe, I presume, from the arms and the liveries,"said Tom, endeavouring to assume the manner of a host. "It is gratefulto find that, though we are separated by quite two centuries, all theusages and the bearings of the family are equally preserved andrespected, by both its branches."

  "I am Sir Reginald Wychecombe, sir, and endeavour not to forget thehonourable ancestry from which I am derived. May I ask what kinsman Ihave the pleasure now to meet?"

  "Mr. Thomas Wychecombe, sir, at your command; the _eldest_ son of SirWycherly's next brother, the late Mr. Baron Wychecombe. I trust, SirReginald, you have not considered us as so far removed in blood, as tohave entirely overlooked our births, marriages, and deaths."

  "I have _not_, sir," returned the baronet, drily, and with an emphasisthat disturbed his listener, though the cold jesuitical smile thataccompanied the words, had the effect to calm his vivid apprehensions."_All_ that relates to the house of Wychecombe has interest in my eyes;and I have endeavoured, successfully I trust, to ascertain _all_ thatrelates to its births, _marriages_, and deaths. I greatly regret thatthe second time I enter this venerable dwelling, should be on anoccasion as melancholy as this, on which I am now summoned. How is yourrespectable--how is Sir Wycherly Wychecombe, I wish to say?"

  There was sufficient in this answer, taken in connection with thedeliberate, guarded, and yet expressive manner of the speaker to makeTom extremely uncomfortable, though there was also sufficient to leavehim in doubts as to his namesake's true meaning. The words emphasized bythe latter, were touched lightly, though distinctly; and the cold,artificial smile with which they were uttered, completely baffled thesagacity of a rogue, as common-place as the heir-expectant. Then thesudden change in the construction of the last sentence, and thesubstitution of the name of the person mentioned, for the degree ofaffinity in which he was supposed to stand to Tom, might be merely arigid observance of the best tone of society, or it might be equivocal.All these little distinctions gleamed across the mind of Tom Wychecombe;but that was not the moment to pursue the investigation. Courtesyrequired that he should make an immediate answer, which he succeeded indoing steadily enough as to general appearances, though his sagaciousand practised questioner perceived that his words had not failed ofproducing the impression he intended; for he had looked to theirestablishing a species of authority over the young man.

  "My honoured and beloved uncle has revived a little, they tell me," saidTom; "but I fear these appearances are delusive. After eighty-four,death has a fearful hold upon us, sir! The worst of it is, that my poor,dear uncle's mind is sensibly affected; and it is quite impossible toget at any of his little wishes, in the way of memorials and messages--"

  "How then, sir, came Sir Wycherly to honour _me_ with a request to visithim?" demanded the other, with an extremely awkward pertinency.

  "I suppose, sir, he has succeeded in muttering your name, and that anatural construction has been put on its use, at such a moment. His willhas been made some time, I understand; though I am ignorant of even thename of the executor, as it is closed in an envelope, and sealed withSir Wycherly's arms. It cannot be, then, on account of a _will_, that hehas wished to see you. I rather think, as the next of the family, _outof the direct line of succession_, he may have ventured to name you asthe executor of the will in existence, and has thought it proper tonotify you of the same."

  "Yes, sir," returned Sir Reginald, in his usual cold, wary manner;"though it would have been more in conformity with usage, had thenotification taken the form of a request to serve, previously to makingthe testament. My letter was signed 'Gervaise Oakes,' and, as they tellme a fleet is in the neighbourhood, I have supposed that the celebratedadmiral of that name, has done me the honour to write it."

  "You are not mistaken, sir; Sir Gervaise Oakes is in the house--ah--herehe comes to receive you, accompanied by Rear-Admiral Bluewater, whom thesailors call his mainmast."

  The foregoing conversation had taken place in a little parlour that ledoff from the great hall, whither Tom had conducted his guest, and inwhich the two admirals now made their appearance. Introductions werescarcely necessary, the uniform and star--for in that age officersusually appeared in their robes--the uniform and star of Sir Gervaise atonce proclaiming his rank and name; while, between Sir Reginald andBluewater there existed a slight personal acquaintance, which had grownout of their covert, but deep, Jacobite sympathies.

  "Sir Gervaise Oakes," and "Sir Reginald Wychecombe," passed between thegentlemen, with a hearty shake of the hand from the admiral, which wasmet by a cold touch of the fingers on the part of the other, that mightvery well have passed for the great model of the sophisticatedmanipulation of the modern salute, but which, in fact, was the result oftemperament rather than of fashion. As soon as this ceremony was gonethrough, and a few brief expressions of courtesy were exchanged, the newcomer turned to Bluewater, with an air of greater freedom, andcontinued--

  "And you, too, Sir Richard Bluewater! I rejoice to meet an acquaintancein this melancholy scene."

  "I am happy to see you, Sir Reginald; though you have conferred on me atitle to which I have no proper claim."

  "No!--the papers tell us that you have received one of the lately vacantred ribands?"

  "I believe some such honour has been in contemplation--"

  "Contemplation!--I do assure you, sir, your name is fairly anddistinctly gazetted--as, by sending to my carriage, it will be in mypower to show you. I am, then, the first to call you Sir Richard."

  "Excuse me, Sir Reginald--there is some little misapprehension in thismatter; I prefer to remain plain Rear-Admiral Bluewater. In due season,all will be explained."

  The parties exchanged looks, which, in times like those in which theylived, were sufficiently intelligible to both; and the conversation wasinstantly changed. Before Sir Reginald relinquished the hand he held,however, he gave it a cordial squeeze, an intimation that was returnedby a warm pressure from Bluewater. The party then began to converse ofSir Wycherly, his actual condition, and his probable motive in desiringto see his distant kinsman. This motive, Sir Gervaise, regardless of thepresence of Tom Wychecombe, declared to be a wish to make a will; and,as he believed, the intention of naming Sir Reginald his executor, ifnot in some still more interesting capacity.

  "I understand Sir Wycherly has a considerable sum entirely at his owndisposal," continued the vice-admiral; "and I confess I like to see aman remember his friends and servants, generously, in his last moments.The estate is entailed, I hear; and I suppose Mr. Thomas Wychecombehere, will be none the worse for that precaution in his ancestor; letthe old gentleman do as he pleases with his savings."

  Sir Gervaise was so much accustomed to command, that he did not feel thesingularity of his own interference in the affairs of a family of whatmight be called strangers, though the circumstance struck Sir Reginald,as a little odd. Nevertheless, the last had sufficient penetration tounderstand the vice-admiral's character at a glance, and the peculiaritymade no lasting impression. When the allusion was made to Tom'ssuccession, as a matter of course, however, he cast a cold, butwithering look, at the reputed heir, which almost chilled the marrow inthe bones of the jealous rogue.

  "Might I say a word to you, in your own room, Sir Gervaise?" asked SirReginald, in an aside. "These matters ought not to be indecentlyhurried; and I wish to understand the ground better, before I advance."

  This question was overheard by Bluewater; who, begging the gentlemen toremain where
they were, withdrew himself, taking Tom Wychecombe withhim. As soon as they were alone, Sir Reginald drew from his companion,by questions warily but ingeniously put, a history of all that hadoccurred within the last twenty-four hours; a knowledge of the reallyhelpless state of Sir Wycherly, and of the manner in which he himselfhad been summoned, included. When satisfied, he expressed a desire tosee the sick man.

  "By the way, Sir Reginald," said the vice-admiral, with his hand on thelock of the door, arresting his own movement to put the question; "Isee, by your manner of expressing yourself, that the law has not beenentirely overlooked in your education. Do you happen to know what'half-blood' means? it is either a medical or a legal term, and Iunderstand few but nautical."

  "You could not apply to any man in England, Sir Gervaise, betterqualified to tell you," answered the Hertfordshire baronet, smilingexpressively. "I am a barrister of the Middle Temple, having beeneducated as a younger son, and having since succeeded an elder brother,at the age of twenty-seven; I stand in the unfortunate relation of the'half-blood' myself, to this very estate, on which we are nowconversing."

  Sir Reginald then proceeded to explain the law to the other, as we havealready pointed it out to the reader; performing the duty succinctly,but quite clearly.

  "Bless me!--bless me! Sir Reginald," exclaimed the direct-minded and_just_-minded sailor--"here must be some mistake! A fortieth cousin, orthe king, take this estate before yourself, though you are directlydescended from all the old Wychecombes of the times of thePlantagenets!"

  "Such is the common law, Sir Gervaise. Were I Sir Wycherly'shalf-brother, or a son by a second wife of our common father, I couldnot take from _him_, although that common father had earned the estateby his own hands, or services."

  "This is damnable, sir--damnable--and you'll pardon me, but I can hardlybelieve we have such a monstrous principle in the good, honest,well-meaning laws, of good, honest, well-meaning old England!"

  Sir Reginald was one of the few lawyers of his time, who did notrecognize the virtue of this particular provision of the common law; acircumstance that probably arose from his having so _small_ an interestnow in the mysteries of the profession, and so _large_ an interest inthe family estate of Wychecombe, destroyed by its _dictum_. He was,consequently, less surprised, and not at all hurt, at the evident mannerin which the sailor repudiated his statement, as doing violence equallyto reason, justice, and probability.

  "Good, honest, well-meaning old England tolerates many grievous things,notwithstanding, Sir Gervaise," he answered; "among others, it toleratesthe law of the half-blood. Much depends on the manner in which men viewthese things; that which seems gold to one, resembling silver in theeyes of another. Now, I dare say,"--this was said as a feeler, and witha smile that might pass for ironical or confiding, as the listenerpleased to take it--"Now, I dare say, the clans would tell us thatEngland tolerates an usurper, while her lawful prince was in banishment;though _you_ and _I_ might not feel disposed to allow it."

  Sir Gervaise started, and cast a quick, suspicious glance at thespeaker; but there the latter stood, with as open and guileless anexpression on his handsome features, as was ever seen in the countenanceof confiding sixteen.

  "Your supposititious case is no parallel," returned the vice-admiral,losing every shade of suspicion, at this appearance of carelessfrankness; "since men often follow their feelings in their allegiance,while the law is supposed to be governed by reason and justice. But, nowwe are on the subject, will you tell me. Sir Reginald, if you also knowwhat a _nullus_ is?"

  "I have no farther knowledge of the subject, Sir Gervaise," returned theother, smiling, this time, quite naturally; "than is to be found in theLatin dictionaries and grammars."

  "Ay--you mean _nullus, nulla, nullum_. Even we sailors know _that_;as we all go to school before we go to sea. But, Sir Wycherly, inefforts to make himself understood, called you a 'half-blood.'"

  "And quite correctly--I admit such to be the fact; and that I have nomore _legal_ claim, whatever on this estate, than you have yourself. My_moral_ right, however, may be somewhat better."

  "It is much to your credit, that you so frankly admit it, Sir Reginald;for, hang me, if I think even the judges would dream of raising such anobjection to your succeeding, unless reminded of it."

  "Therein you do them injustice, Sir Gervaise; as it is their duty toadminister the laws, let them be what they may."

  "Perhaps you are right, sir. But the reason for my asking what a_nullus_ is, was the circumstance that Sir Wycherly, in the course ofhis efforts to speak, repeatedly called his nephew and heir, Mr. ThomasWychecombe, by that epithet."

  "Did he, indeed?--Was the epithet, as you well term it, _filiusnullius_?"

  "I rather think it was _nullus_--though I do believe the word _filius_was muttered, once or twice, also."

  "Yes, sir, this has been the case; and I am not sorry Sir Wycherly isaware of the fact, as I hear that the young man affects to considerhimself in a different point of view. A _filius nullius_ is the legalterm for a bastard--the 'son of nobody,' as you will at once understand.I am fully aware that such is the unfortunate predicament of Mr. ThomasWychecombe, whose father, I possess complete evidence to show, was nevermarried to his mother."

  "And yet, Sir Reginald, the impudent rascal carries in his pocket even,a certificate, signed by some parish priest in London, to prove thecontrary."

  The civil baronet seemed surprised at this assertion of his militarybrother; but Sir Gervaise explaining what had passed between himself andthe young man, he could no longer entertain any doubt of the fact.

  "Since you have seen the document," resumed Sir Reginald, "it must,indeed, be so; and this misguided boy is prepared to take any desperatestep in order to obtain the title and the estate. All that he has saidabout a will must be fabulous, as no man in his senses would risk hisneck to obtain so hollow a distinction as a baronetcy--we are equallymembers of the class, and may speak frankly, Sir Gervaise--and the willwould secure the estate, if there were one. I cannot think, therefore,that there is a will at all."

  "If this will were not altogether to the fellow's liking, would not themarriage, beside the hollow honour of which you have spoken, put thewhole of the landed property in his possession, under the entail?"

  "It would, indeed; and I thank you for the suggestion. If, however, SirWycherly is desirous, _now_, of making a _new_ will, and has strengthand mind sufficient to execute his purpose, the _old_ one need give usno concern. This is a most delicate affair for one in my situation toengage in, sir; and I greatly rejoice that I find such honourable anddistinguished witnesses, in the house, to clear my reputation, shouldany thing occur to require such exculpation. On the one side, SirGervaise, there is the danger of an ancient estate's falling into thehands of the crown, and this, too, while one of no _stain_ of blood,derived from the same honourable ancestors as the last possessor, is inexistence; or, on the other, of its becoming the prey of one of baseblood, and of but very doubtful character. The circumstance that SirWycherly desired my presence, is a great deal; and I trust to you, andto those with you, to vindicate the fairness of my course. If it's yourpleasure, sir, we will now go to the sick chamber."

  "With all my heart. I think, however, Sir Reginald," said thevice-admiral, as he approached the door; "that even in the event of anescheat, you would find these Brunswick princes sufficiently liberal torestore the property. I could not answer for those wandering Scotchmen;who have so many breechless nobles to enrich; but, I think, with theHanoverians, you would be safe."

  "The last have certainly one recommendation the most," returned theother, smiling courteously, but in a way so equivocal that even SirGervaise was momentarily struck by it; "they have fed so well, now, atthe crib, that they may not have the same voracity, as those who havebeen long fasting. It would be, however, more pleasant to take theselands from a Wychecombe--a Wychecombe to a Wychecombe--than to receivethem anew from even the Plantagenet who made the first grant."

  This terminated the
private dialogue, as the colloquists entered thehall, just as the last speaker concluded. Wycherly was conversing,earnestly, with Mrs. Dutton and Mildred, at the far end of the hall,when the baronets appeared; but, catching the eye of the admiral, hesaid a few words hastily to his companions, and joined the twogentlemen, who were now on their way to the sick man's chamber.

  "Here is a namesake, if not a relative, Sir Reginald," observed SirGervaise, introducing the lieutenant; "and one, I rejoice to say, ofwhom all of even your honourable name have reason to be proud."

  Sir Reginald's bow was courteous and bland, as the admiral proceeded tocomplete the introduction; but Wycherly felt that the keen, searchinglook he bestowed on himself, was disagreeable.

  "I am not at all aware, that I have the smallest claim to the honour ofbeing Sir Reginald Wychecombe's relative," he said, with cold reserve."Indeed, until last evening, I was ignorant of the existence of theHertfordshire branch of this family; and you will remember, SirGervaise, that I am a Virginian."

  "A Virginian!" exclaimed his namesake, taken so much by surprise as tolose a little of his self-command, "I did not know, indeed, that any whobear the name had found their way to the colonies."

  "And if they had, sir, they would have met with a set of fellows everyway fit to be their associates, Sir Reginald. We English are a littleclannish--I hate the word, too; it has such a narrow Scotch sound--butwe _are_ clannish, although generally provided with garments to ournether limbs; and we sometimes look down upon even a son, whom the loveof adventure has led into that part of the world. In my view anEnglishman is an Englishman, let him come from what part of the empirehe may. That is what I call genuine liberality, Sir Reginald."

  "Quite true, Sir Gervaise; and a Scotchman is a Scotchman, even thoughhe come from the north of Tweed."

  This was quietly said, but the vice-admiral felt the merited rebuke itcontained, and he had the good-nature and the good sense to laugh at it,and to admit his own prejudices. This little encounter brought the partyto Sir Wycherly's door, where all three remained until it wasascertained that they might enter.

  The next quarter of an hour brought about a great change in thesituation of all the principal inmates of Wychecombe Hall. The interdictwas taken off the rooms of Sir Wycherly, and in them had collected allthe gentlemen, Mrs. Dutton and her daughter, with three or four of theupper servants of the establishment. Even Galleygo contrived to thrusthis ungainly person in, among the rest, though he had the discretion tokeep in the background among his fellows. In a word, both dressing-roomand bed-room had their occupants, though the last was principally filledby the medical men, and those whose rank gave them claims to be near theperson of the sick.

  It was now past a question known that poor Sir Wycherly was on hisdeath-bed. His mind had sensibly improved, nor was his speech any worse;but his physical system generally had received a shock that renderedrecovery hopeless. It was the opinion of the physicians that he mightpossibly survive several days; or, that he might be carried off, in amoment, by a return of the paralytic affection.

  The baronet, himself, appeared to be perfectly conscious of hissituation; as was apparent by the anxiety he expressed to get hisfriends together, and more especially the concern he felt to make a duedisposition of his worldly affairs. The medical men had long resistedboth wishes, until, convinced that the question was reduced to one of afew hours more or less of life, and that denial was likely to produceworse effects than compliance, they finally and unanimously consented.

  "It's no a great concession to mortal infirmity to let a dying man havehis way," whispered Magrath to the two admirals, as the latter enteredthe room. "Sir Wycherly is a hopeless case, and we'll just consent tolet him make a few codicils, seeing that he so fairvently desires it;and then there may be fewer hopeless deevils left behind him, when he'sgathered to his forefathers."

  "Here we are, my dear Sir Wycherly," said the vice-admiral, who neverlost an occasion to effect his purpose, by any unnecessary delay; "herewe all are anxious to comply with your wishes. Your kinsman, SirReginald Wychecombe, is also present, and desirous of doing yourpleasure."

  It was a painful sight to see a man on his death-bed, so anxious todischarge the forms of the world, as the master of the Hall now appearedto be. There had been an unnecessary alienation between the heads of thetwo branches of the family; not arising from any quarrel, or positivecause of disagreement, but from a silent conviction in both parties,that each was unsuited to the other. They had met a few times, andalways parted without regret. The case was now different; the separationwas, in one sense at least, to be eternal; and all minor considerations,all caprices of habits or despotism of tastes, faded before the solemnimpressions of the moment. Still, Sir Wycherly could not forget that hewas master of Wychecombe, and that his namesake was esteemed a man ofrefinement; and, in his simple way of thinking he would fain havearisen, in order to do him honour. A little gentle violence, even, wasnecessary to keep the patient quiet.

  "Much honoured, sir--greatly pleased," muttered Sir Wycherly, thewords coming from him with difficulty. "Same ancestors--samename--Plantagenets--old house, sir--head go, new one come--none better,than--"

  "Do not distress yourself to speak, unnecessarily, my dear sir,"interrupted Sir Reginald, with more tenderness for the patient thanconsideration for his own interest, as the next words promised to relateto the succession. "Sir Gervaise Oakes tells me, he understands yourwishes, generally, and that he is now prepared to gratify them. Firstrelieve your mind, in matters of business; and, then, I shall be mosthappy to exchange with you the feelings of kindred."

  "Yes, Sir Wycherly," put in Sir Gervaise, on this hint; "I believe Ihave now found the clue to all you wish to say. The few words written byyou, last night, were the commencement of a will, which it is yourstrong desire to make. Do not speak, but raise your right hand, if I amnot mistaken."

  The sick man actually stretched his right arm above the bed-clothes, andhis dull eyes lighted with an expression of pleasure, that proved howstrongly his feelings were enlisted in the result.

  "You see, gentlemen!" said Sir Gervaise, with emphasis. "No one canmistake the meaning of this! Come nearer, doctor--Mr. Rotherham--all whohave no probable interest in the affair--I wish it to be seen that SirWycherly Wychecombe is desirous of making his will."

  The vice-admiral now went through the ceremony of repeating his request,and got the same significant answer.

  "So I understood it, Sir Wycherly, and I believe now I also understandall about the 'half,' and the 'whole,' and the '_nullus_.' You meant totell us that your kinsman, Sir Reginald Wychecombe, was of the'half-blood' as respects yourself, and that Mr. Thomas Wychecombe, yournephew, is what is termed in law--however painful this may be,gentlemen, at such solemn moments the truth must be plainly spoken--thatMr. Thomas Wychecombe is what the law terms a '_filius nullius_.' If wehave understood you in this, also, have the goodness to give thiscompany the same sign of assent."

  The last words were scarcely spoken, before Sir Wycherly again raisedhis arm, and nodded his head.

  "Here there can be no mistake, and no one rejoices in it more than I domyself; for, the unintelligible words gave me a great deal of vexation.Well, my dear sir, understanding your wishes, my secretary, Mr. Atwood,has drawn the commencement of a will, in the usual form, using your ownpious and proper language of--'In the name of God, Amen,' as thecommencement; and he stands ready to write down your bequests, as youmay see fit to name them. We will take them, first, on a separate pieceof paper; then read them to you, for your approbation; and afterwards,transcribe them into the will. I believe, Sir Reginald, that mode wouldwithstand the subtleties of all the gentlemen of all the Inns of Court?"

  "It is a very proper and prudent mode for executing a will, sir, underthe peculiar circumstances," returned he of Hertfordshire. "But, SirGervaise, my situation, here, is a little delicate, as may be that ofMr. Thomas Wychecombe--others of the name and family, if any such therebe. Would it not be well to inquire if our pr
esence is actually desiredby the intended testator?"

  "Is it your wish, Sir Wycherly, that your kinsmen and namesakes remainin the room, or shall they retire until the will is executed? I willcall over the names of the company, and when you wish any one, inparticular, to stay in the room, you will nod your head."

  "All--all stay," muttered Sir Wycherly; "SirReginald--Tom--Wycherly--all--"

  "This seems explicit enough, gentlemen," resumed the vice-admiral. "Youare _all_ requested to stay; and, if I might venture an opinion, ourpoor friend has named those on whom he intends his bequests to fall--andpretty much, too, in the order in which they will come."

  "That will appear more unanswerably when Sir Wycherly has expressed hisintentions in words," observed Sir Reginald, very desirous that thereshould not be the smallest appearance of dictation or persuasion offeredto his kinsman, at a moment so grave. "Let me entreat that no leadingquestions be put."

  "Sir Gervaise understands leading in battle, much better than in across-examination, Sir Reginald," Bluewater observed, in a tone so low,that none heard him but the person to whom the words were addressed. "Ithink we shall sooner get at Sir Wycherly's wishes, by allowing him totake his own course."

  The other bowed, and appeared disposed to acquiesce. In the mean timepreparations were making for the construction of the will. Atwood seatedhimself at a table near the bed, and commenced nibbing his pens; themedical men administered a cordial; Sir Gervaise caused all thewitnesses to range themselves around the room, in a way that each mightfairly see, and be seen; taking care, however, so to dispose ofWycherly, as to leave no doubt of his handsome person's coming into thesick man's view. The lieutenant's modesty might have rebelled at thisarrangement, had he not found himself immediately at the side ofMildred.