The present Jordas was, however, of less immediate kin to the owners, being only the son of a former Jordas, and in the enjoyment of a Christian name, which never was provided for a first-hand Jordas; and now as his mistress looked out on the terrace, his burly figure came duly forth, and his keen eyes ranged the walks and courts, in search of Master Lancelot, who gave him more trouble in a day, sometimes, than all the dogs cost in a twelvemonth. With a fine sense of mischief, this boy delighted to watch the road for visitors, and then (if barbarously denied his proper enjoyment and that of the dogs) he still had goodly devices of his own for producing little tragedies.
Mr. Jellicorse knew Jordas well, and felt some pity for him, because, if his grandmother had been wiser, he might have been the master now; and the lawyer, having much good feeling, liked not to make a groom of him. Jordas, however, knew his place, and touched his hat respectfully, then helped the solicitor to dismount, the which was sorely needed.
You came not by the way of the ford, Sir? the dogman asked, while considering the leathers. The water is down; you might have saved three miles.
Better lose thirty than my life. Will any of your men, Master Jordas, show me a room, where I may prepare to wait upon your ladies?
Mr. Jellicorse walked through the old arched gate of the reevers court, and was shown to a room, where he unpacked his valise, and changed his riding clothes, and refreshed himself. A jug of Scargate ale was brought to him, and a bottle of foreign wine, with the cork drawn, lest he should hesitate; also a cold pie, bread and butter, and a small case-bottle of some liqueur. He was not hungry, for his wife had cared to victual him well for the journey; but for fear of offense he ate a morsel, found it good, and ate some more. Then after a sip or two of the liqueur, and a glance or two at his black silk stockings, buckled shoes, and best small-clothes, he felt himself fit to go before a duchess, as once upon a time he had actually done, and expressed himself very well indeed, according to the dialogue delivered whenever he told the story about it every day.
Welldrum, the butler, was waiting for hima man who had his own ideas, and was going to be put upon by nobody. If my father could only come to life for one minute, he would spend it in kicking that man, Mrs. Carnaby had exclaimed, about him, after carefully shutting the door; but he never showed airs before Miss Yordas.
Come along, Sir, Welldrum said, after one professional glance at the tray, to ascertain his residue. My ladies have been waiting this half hour; and for sure, Sir, you looks wonderful! This way, Sir, and have a care of them oak fagots. My ladies, Lawyer Jellicorse!
CHAPTER V
DECISION
The sun was well down and away behind the great fell at the back of the house, and the large and heavily furnished room was feebly lit by four wax candles, and the glow of the west reflected as a gleam into eastern windows. The lawyer was pleased to have it so, and to speak with a dimly lighted face. The ladies looked beautiful; that was all that Mr. Jellicorse could say, when cross-examined by his wife next day concerning their lace and velvet. Whether they wore lace or net was almost more than he could say, for he did not heed such trifles; but velvet was within his knowledge (though not the color or the shape), because he thought it hot for summer, until he remembered what the climate was. Really he could say nothing more, except that they looked beautiful; and when Mrs. Jellicorse jerked her head, he said that he only meant, of course, considering their time of life.
The ladies saw his admiration, and felt that it was but natural. Mrs. Carnaby came forward kindly, and offered him a nice warm hand; while the elder sister was content to bow, and thank him for coming, and hope that he was well. As yet it had not become proper for a gentleman, visiting ladies, to yawn, and throw himself into the nearest chair, and cross his legs, and dance one foot, and ask how much the toy-terrier cost. Mr. Jellicorse made a fine series of bows, not without a scrape or two, which showed his goodly calf; and after that he waited for the gracious invitation to sit down.
If I understood your letter clearly, Mistress Yordas began, when these little rites were duly accomplished, you have something important to tell us concerning our poor property here. A small property, Mr. Jellicorse, compared with that of the Duke of Lunedale, but perhaps a little longer in one family.
The duke is a new-fangled interloper, replied hypocritical Jellicorse, though no other duke was the husband of the duchess of whom he indited daily; properties of that sort come and go, and only tradesmen notice it. Your estates have been longer in the seisin of one family, madam, than any other in the Riding, or perhaps in Yorkshire.
We never seized them! cried Mrs. Carnaby, being sensitive as to ancestral thefts, through tales about cattle-lifting. You must be aware that they came to us by grant from the Crown, or even before there was any Crown to grant them.
I beg your pardon for using a technical word, without explaining it. Seisin is a legal word, which simply means possession, or rather the bodily holding of a thing, and is used especially of corporeal hereditaments. You ladies have seisin of this house and lands, although you never seized them.
The last thing we would think of doing, answered Mrs. Carnaby, who was more impulsive than her sister, also less straightforward. How often we have wished that our poor lost brother had not been deprived of them! But our fathers will was sacred, and you told us we were helpless. We struggled, as you know; but we could do nothing.
That is the question which brought me here, the lawyer said, very quietly, at the same time producing a small roll of parchment sealed in cartridge paper. Last week I discovered a document which I am forced to submit to your judgment. Shall I read it to you, or tell its purport briefly?
Whatever it may be, it can not in any way alter our conclusions. Our conclusions have never varied, however deeply they may have grieved us. We were bound to do justice to our dear father.
Certainly, madam; and you did it. Also, as I know, you did it as kindly as possible toward other relatives, and you only met with perversity. I had the honor of preparing your respected fathers will, a model of clearness and precision, consideringconsidering the time afforded, and other disturbing influences. I know for a fact that a copy was laid before the finest draftsman in London, byby those who were displeased with it, and his words were: Beautiful! beautiful! Every word of it holds water. Now that, madam, can not be said of many; indeed, of not one in
Pardon, me for interrupting you, but I have always understood you to speak highly of it. And in such a case, what can be the matter?
The matter of all matters, madam, is that the testator should have disposing power.
He could dispose of his own property as he was disposed, you mean.
You misapprehend me. Mr. Jellicorse now was in his element, for he loved to lecturean absurdity just coming into vogue. Indulge me one moment. I take this silver dish, for instance; it is in my hands, I have the use of it; but can I give it to either of you ladies?
Not very well, because it belongs to us already.
You misapprehend me. I can not give it because it is not mine to give. Mrs. Carnaby looked puzzled.
Eliza, allow me, said Mistress Yordas, in her stiffer manner, and now for the first time interfering. Mr. Jellicorse assures us that his language is a model of clearness and precision; perhaps he will prove it by telling us now, in plain words, what his meaning is.