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Title:MyLadyCaprice
Author:JefferyFarnol
PostingDate:November19,2008[EBook#2025]
ReleaseDate:January,2000
[ThisfilelastupdatedSeptember5,2010]
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKMYLADYCAPRICE***


MyLadyCaprice
by


JefferyFarnol


CONTENTS
I. TREASURETROVE
II. THESHERIFFOFNOTTINGHAM
III. THEDESPERADOES
IV. MOONMAGIC
V. THEEPISODEOFTHEINDIAN'SAUNT
VI. THEOUTLAW
VII. THEBLASTEDOAK

VIII. THELANDOFHEART'SDELIGHT

I
TREASURETROVE
Isatfishing.Ihadnotcaughtanything,ofcourse—Irarelydo,noramIfond
of fishing in the very smallest degree, but I fished assiduously all the same,
becausecircumstancesdemandedit.
IthadallcomeaboutthroughLadyWarburton,Lisbeth'smaternalaunt.Who
Lisbeth is you will learn if you trouble to read these veracious narratives—
sufficeitforthepresentthatshehasbeenanorphanfromheryouthup,withno
livingrelativesavehermarriedsisterJuliaandherAunt(withacapitalA)—the
LadyWarburtonaforesaid.
LadyWarburtonissmallandsomewhatbony,withasharpchinandasharper
nose, and invariably uses lorgnette; also, she is possessed of much worldly
goods.
Preciselyaweekago LadyWarburtonhadrequestedmetocalluponher—
had regarded me with a curious exactitude through her lorgnette, and gently


though firmly (Lady Warburton is always firm) had suggested that Elizabeth,
though a dear child,wasyoung andinclinedto be alittle self-willed. Thatshe
(Lady Warburton) was of opinion that Elizabeth had mistaken the friendship
whichhadexistedbetweenussolongforsomethingstronger.Thatalthoughshe
(Lady Warburton) quite appreciated the fact that one who wrote books, and
occasionally a play, was not necessarily immoral— Still I was, of course, a
terribleBohemian,andtheairofBohemiawasnotcalculatedtoconducetothat
degree of matrimonial harmony which she (Lady Warburton) as Elizabeth's
Aunt,standingtoherinplaceofamother,couldwishfor.That,therefore,under
thesecircumstancesmyattentionswere—etc.,etc.
HereIwouldsayinjusticetomyselfthatdespitethetorrentofhereloquence

I had at first made some attempt at resistance; but who could hope to contend
successfullyagainstawomanpossessedofsuchanindomitablenoseandchin,
and one, moreover, who could level a pair of lorgnette with such deadly
precision? Still, had Lisbeth been beside me things might have been different
even then; but she had gone away into the country—so Lady Warburton had
informedme.Thusaloneandathermercy,shehadsucceededinwringingfrom
meahalfpromisethatIwouldceasemyattentionsforthespaceofsixmonths,
"justtogivedearElizabethtimetolearnherownheartinregardtothematter."
ThiswaslastMonday.OntheWednesdayfollowing,asIwanderedaimlessly
along Piccadilly, at odds with Fortune and myself, but especially with myself,
myeyeencounteredtheDuchessofChelsea.
TheDuchessisfamiliarlyknownasthe"ConversationalBrook"fromthefact
thatwhenonceshebeginsshegoesonforever.Hence,beinginmythenframeof
mind,itwaswithafeelingofrebellionthatIobeyedthesummonsofherparasol
andcrossedovertothebrougham.
"So she's gone away?" was her greeting as I raised my hat—"Lisbeth," she
nodded,"Ihappenedtohearsomethingabouther,youknow."
It is strange, perhaps, but the Duchess generally does "happen to hear"
something about everything. "And you actually allowed yourself to be bullied
intomakingthatpromise—Dick!Dick!I'mashamedofyou."
"HowwasItohelpmyself?"Ibegan."Yousee—"
"Poor boy!" said the Duchess, patting me affectionately with the handle of


her parasol, "it wasn't to be expected, of course. You see, I know her—many,
manyyearsagoIwasatschoolwithAgathaWarburton."
"Butsheprobablydidn'tuselorgnettesthen,and—"
"Her nose was just as sharp though—'peaky' I used to call it," nodded the
Duchess. "And she has actually sent Lisbeth away—dear child—and to such a
horrid,quietlittleplace,too,whereshe'llhavenobodytotalktobutthatyoung

Selwyn.
"Ibegpardon,Duchess,but—"
"HoraceSelwyn,ofSelwynPark—cousintoLordSelwyn,ofBrankesmere.
Agatha has been scheming for it a long time, under the rose, you know. Of
course,itwouldbeagoodmatch,inaway—wealthy,andallthat—butImust
sayheboresmehorribly—soveryseriousandprecise!"
"Really!"Iexclaimed,"doyoumeantosay—"
"I expect she will have them married before they know it—Agatha's
dreadfullydetermined.Hercharacterliesinhernoseandchin."
"ButLisbethisnotachild—shehasawillofherown,and—"
"True,"noddedtheDuchess,"butisitamatchforAgatha'schin?Andthen,
too,itisrathermorethanpossiblethatyouarebecometheobjectofherbitterest
scornbynow.
"But,mydearDuchess—"
"Oh, Agatha is a born diplomat. Of course she has written before this, and
withoutactuallysayingithasmanagedtoconveythefactthatyouareamonster
ofperfidy;andLisbeth,poorchild,isprobablycryinghereyesout,orimagining
she hates you, is ready to accept the first proposal she receives out of pure
pique."
"Greatheavens!"Iexclaimed,"whatonearthcanIdo?"
"Youmightgofishing,"theDuchesssuggestedthoughtfully.


"Fishing!"Irepeated,"—er,tobesure,but—"
"Riverdale is a very pretty place they tell me," pursued the Duchess in the
samethoughtfultone;"thereisahousethere,afineoldplacecalledFaneCourt.
Itstandsfacingtheriver,andadjoinsSelwynPark,Ibelieve."
"Duchess," I exclaimed, as I jotted down the address upon my cuff, "I owe
youadebtofgratitudethatIcannever—"
"Tut,tut!"saidherGrace.

"IthinkI'llstartto-day,and—"
"Youreallycouldn'tdobetter,"noddedtheduchess.
AndsoitbefellthatonthisAugustafternoonIsatintheshadeofthealders
fishing,withthesmokeofmypipefloatingupintothesunshine.
By adroit questioning I had elicited from mine host of the Three Jolly
AnglerstheprecisewhereaboutsofFaneCourt,theabodeofLisbeth'ssister,and
guided by his directions, had chosen this sequestered spot, where by simply
turningmyheadIcouldcatchaglimpseofitstallchimneysabovetheswaying
greenofthetreetops.
Itisafairthinguponasummer'shotafternoonwithinsomeshadybowerto
lieuponone'sbackandstareupthroughanetworkofbranchesintothelimitless
bluebeyond,whiletheairisfullofthestirofleaves,andthemurmurofwater
amongthereeds.Orproppedonlazyelbow,towatchperspiringwretches,short
of breath and purple of visage, urge boats upstream or down, each deluding
himself into the belief that he is enjoying it. Life under such conditions may
seemveryfair,asIsay;yetIwasnothappy.ThewordsoftheDuchessseemed
everywhereaboutme.
"Youarebecometheobjectofherbitterestscornbynow,"sobbedthewind.
"Youarebecome,"etc.,etc.,moanedtheriver.Itwasthereforewithnolittle
trepidationthatIlookedforwardtomymeetingwithLisbeth.
It was this moment that the bushes parted and a boy appeared. He was a


somewhatdiminutiveboy,cladinavelvetsuitwithalacecollar,bothofwhich
were plentifully bespattered with mud. He carried his shoes and stockings
beneathonearm,andintheotherhandswungahazelbranch.Hestoodwithhis
littlebrownlegswellapart,regardingmewithacriticaleye;butwhenatlength
hespokehisattitudewasdecidedlyfriendly.
"Hallo,man!"
"Hallo,"Ireturned;"andwhommayyoube?"

"Well,myrealnameisReginaldAugustus,buttheycallme'TheImp.'"
"Icanwellbelieveit,"Isaid,eyeinghismuddyperson.
"Ifyouplease,whatisanimp?"
"Animpisasortofan—angel."
"But,"hedemurred,afteramoment'sthought,"Ihaven'tgotwingsan'things
—oratrumpet."
"Yourkindneverdohavewingsandtrumpets."
"Oh,Isee,"hesaid;andsittingdownbegantowipethemudfromhislegs
withhisstockings.
"Rather muddy, aren't you?" I hinted. The boy cast a furtive glance at his
draggledperson.
"'Fraid I'm a teeny bit wet, too," he said hesitatingly. "You see, I've been
playing at 'Romans' an' I had to wade, you know, because I was the standard
bearerwhojumpedintotheseawavinghisswordan'crying,'Followme!'You
rememberhim,don'tyou?—he'sinthehistorybook."
"Tobesure,"Inodded;"atrulyheroiccharacter.ButifyouweretheRomans,
whereweretheancientBritons?"
"Oh,theywerethereeds,youknow;yououghttohaveseenmeslaythem.It
wasfine;theywentdownlike—like—"


"Cornbeforeasickle,"Isuggested.
"Yes,just!"hecried;"thebattleragedforhours."
"Youmustberathertired."
"'Coursenot,"heanswered,withanindignantlook."I'mnotagirl—andI'm
nearlynine,too."
"I gather from your tone that you are not partial to the sex—you don't like
girls,eh,Imp?"
"Shouldthinknot,"hereturned;"sillythings,girlsare.There'sDorothy,you
know; we were playing at executions the other day—she was Mary Queen of

Scotsan'Iwastheheadsman.Imadealovelyaxewithwoodandsilverpaper,
youknow;andwhenIcutherheadoffshecriedawfully,andIonlygaveherthe
weeniest little tap—an' they sent me to bed at six o'clock for it. I believe she
criedonpurpose—awfullycaddish,wasn'tit?"
"MydearImp,"saidI,"theolderyougrow,themorethedepravityofthesex
willbecomeapparenttoyou."
"Doyouknow,Ilikeyou,"hesaid,regardingmethoughtfully,"Ithinkyou
arefine."
"Now that's very nice of you, Imp; in common with my kind I have a
weaknessforflattery—pleasegoon."
"Imean,Ithinkyouarejolly."
"Astothat,"Isaid,shakingmyheadandsighing,"appearancesareoftenvery
deceptive;attheheartofmanyafairblossomthereisacankerworm."
"I'mawfull'fondofworms,too,"saidtheImp.
"Indeed?"
"Yes.Igotapocketfulyesterday,onlyAuntyfoundoutan'mademeletthem
allgoagain."


"Ah—yes,"Isaidsympathetically;"thatwasthewomanofit."
"I'veonlygotoneleftnow,"continuedtheImp;andthrustingahandintothe
pocketofhisknickerbockershedrewforthsixinchesorsoofslimywormand
helditouttomeuponhissmall,grimypalm.
"He'sniceandfat!"Isaid.
"Yes," nodded the Imp; "I caught him under the gooseberry bushes;" and
droppingitbackintohispocketheproceededtodonhisshoesandstockings.
"FraidI'mabitmuddy,"hesaidsuddenly.
"Oh,youmightbeworse,"Iansweredreassuringly.
"Do you think they'll notice it?" he inquired, contorting himself horribly in
ordertoviewthesmallofhisback.

"Well,"Ihesitated,"italldepends,youknow."
"I don't mind Dorothy, or Betty the cook, or the governess—it's Auntie
LisbethI'mthinkingabout."
"Auntie—who?"Iexclaimed,regardlessofgrammar.
"AuntieLisbeth,"repeatedtheImp.
"Whatisshelike?"
"Oh,she'sgrownupbig,onlyshe'snice.ShecametotakecareofDorothy
an'mewhilemothergoesawaytogetniceanstrong—ohAuntieLisbeth'sjolly,
youknow."
"Withblackhairandblueeyes?"
TheImpnodded.
"Andadimpleatthecornerofhermouth?"Iwentondreamily—"adimple
thatwouldleadamantothe—OldGentlemanhimself."
"Whatoldgentleman?"


"Oh,aratherdisreputableoldgentleman,"Iansweredevasively.
"An'doyouknowmyAuntieLisbeth?"
"Ithinkitextremelyprobable—infact,I'msureofit."
"Thenyoumightlendmeyourhandkerchief,please;Itiedminetoabushfor
aflag,youknow,an'itblewaway."
"You'dbettercomehereandI'llgiveyouarub-downmyImp."Heobeyed,
withmanyprofuseexpressionsofgratitude.
"HaveyougotanyAunties?"heinquired,asIlaboureduponhismiryperson.
"No," I answered, shaking my head; "unfortunately mine are all Aunts and
thatisvastlydifferent."
"Oh,"saidtheImp,regardingmewithapuzzledexpression;"aretheynice—
I mean do they ever read to you out of the history book, and help you to sail
boats,an'paddle?"
"Paddle?"Irepeated

"Yes.MyAuntieLisbethdoes.Theotherdaywegotupawfull'earlyan'went
forawalkan'wecametotheriver,sowetookoffourshoesan'stockingsan'we
paddled;itwaseversojolly,youknow.An'whenAuntiewasn'tlookingIfound
afrogan'putitinherstocking."
"Highlystrategic,myImp!Well?"
"Itwasawfulfunny,"hesaid,smilingdreamily."Whenshewenttoputiton
shegavealittlehigh-upscreamlikeDorothydoeswhenIpinchherabit—an'
thenshethrowedthembothaway,'causeshewasafraidtherewasfrogsinboth
ofthem.Thensheputonhershoeswithoutanystockingsatall,soIhidthem."
"Where?"Icriedeagerly.
"Reggie!" called a voice some distance away—a voice I recognised with a
thrill."Reggie!"


"Imp,wouldyoulikehalfacrown?"
"'Course I would; but you might clean my back, please," and he began
rubbinghimselffeverishlywithhiscap,afterthefashionofascrubbingbrush.
"Lookhere,"Isaid,pullingoutthecoin,"tellmewhereyouhidthem—quick
—andI'llgiveyouthis."TheImpheldouthishand,butevenashedidsothe
bushespartedandLisbethstoodbeforeus.Shegavealittle,lowcryofsurprise
atsightofme,andthenfrowned.
"You?"sheexclaimed.
"Yes,"Ianswered,raisingmycap.AndthereIstopped,tryingfranticallyto
remember the speech I had so carefully prepared—the greeting which was to
haveexplainedmyconductanddisarmedherresentmentattheveryoutset.But
rackmybrainasIwould,Icouldthinkofnothingbutthereproachinhereyes—
herdisdainfulmouthandchin—andthatonehauntingphrase:
"'IsupposeIambecometheobjectofyourbitterestscornbynow?'"Ifound
myselfsaying.
"Myauntinformedmeof—ofeverything,andnaturally—"

"Letmeexplain,"Ibegan.
"Really,itisnotatallnecessary."
"But,Lisbeth,Imust—Iinsist—"
"Reginald,"shesaid,turningtowardtheImp,whowasstillbusywithhiscap,
"it'snearlytea-time,and—why,whateverhaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?"
"Forthelasthalfhour,"Iinterposed,"wehavebeenexchangingouropinions
onthesex."
"An'talking'boutworms,"addedtheImp."Thismanisfondofworms,too,
AuntieLisbeth—Ilikehim."
"Thanks," I said; "but let me beg of you to drop your very distant mode of
address,CallmeUncleDick."


"Butyou'renotmyUncleDick,youknow,"hedemurred.
"Notyet,perhaps;butthere'snoknowingwhatmayhappensomedayifyour
Auntie thinks us worthy—so take time by the forelock, my Imp, and call me
UncleDick."
WhateverLisbethmightormightnothavesaidwascheckedbythepatterof
footsteps,andalittlegirltrippedintoview,withasmall,fluffykittencuddledin
herarms.
"Oh,AuntieLisbeth,"shebegan,butstoppedtostareatmeoverthebackof
thefluffykitten.
"Hallo,Dorothy!"criedtheimp;"thisisUncleDick.Youcancomean'shake
handswithhimifyoulike."
"Ididn'tknowIhadanUncleDick,"saidDorothy,hesitating.
"Oh, yes; it's all right," answered the Imp reassuringly. "I found him, you
know,an'helikesworms,too!"
"How do you do, Uncle Dick?" she said in a quaint, old-fashioned way.
"Reginaldisalwaysfindingthings,youknow,an'helikesworms,too!"Dorothy
gavemeherhanddemurely.

Fromsomewherenearbytherecamethesilverychimeofabell.
"Why, there's the tea-bell!" exclaimed Lisbeth; "and, Reginald, you have to
change those muddy clothes. Say good-bye to Mr. Brent, children, and come
along."
"Imp," I whispered as the others turned away, "where did you hide those
stockings?"AndIslippedthehalfcrownintohisreadypalm.
"Alongtheriverthere'satree—verybigan'awfull'fat,youknow,withalot
ofstickie-outbranches,an'aholeinitsstomach—they'reinthere."
"Reginald!"calledLisbeth.
"Upstreamordown?"


"Thatway,"heanswered,pointingvaguelydownstream;andwithanodthat
broughttheyellowcurlsoverhiseyeshescamperedoff.
"Along the river," I repeated, "in a big, fat tree with a lot of stickie-out
branches!" It sounded a trifle indefinite, I thought—still I could but try. So
havingpackedupmyrodIsetoutuponthesearch.
Itwasstrange,perhaps,butnearlyeverytreeIsawseemedtobeeither"big"
or"fat"—andallofthemhad"stickie-out"branches.
Thus the sun was already low in the west, and I was lighting my fifth pipe
whenIatlengthobservedthetreeinquestion.
Agreatpollardoakitwas,standingupontheveryedgeofthestream,easily
distinguishable by its unusual size and the fact that at some time or another it
hadbeenrivenbylightning.Afterall,theImp'sdescriptionhadbeeninthemain
correct;itwas"fat,"immenselyfat:andIhurriedjoyfullyforward.
IwasstillsomewayoffwhenIsawthedistantflutterofawhiteskirt,and—
yes, sure enough, there was Lisbeth, walking quickly too, and she was a great
dealnearerthetreethanI.
Prompted by a sudden conviction, I dropped my rod and began to run.
ImmediatelyLisbethbeganrunning,too.Ithrewawaymycreelandsprintedfor

all I was worth. I had earned some small fame at this sort of thing in my
university days, yet I arrived at the tree with only a very few yards to spare.
Throwingmyselfuponmyknees,Icommencedafeverishsearch,andpresently
—morebygoodfortunethananythingelse—myrandomfingersencountereda
soft,silkenbundle.WhenLisbethcameup,flushedandpanting,Iheldthemin
myhands.
"Givethemtome!"shecried.
"I'msorry—"
"Please,"shebegged.
"I'mverysorry—"
"Mr. Brent." said Lisbeth, drawing her self up, "I'll trouble you for my—


them."
"Pardonme,Lisbeth,"Ianswered,"butifIrememberanythingofthelawof
'treasure-trove'oneoftheseshouldgototheCrown,andonebelongstome."
Lisbethgrewquiteangry—oneofherfewbadtraits.
"Youwillgivethemupatonce—immediately?
"Onthecontrary,"Isaidverygently,"seeingtheCrowncanhavenousefor
one,Ishallkeepthembothtodreamoverwhenthenightsarelongandlonely."
Lisbethactuallystampedherfootatme,andItucked"them"intomypocket.
"Howdidyouknowthey—theywerehere?"sheinquiredafterapause.
"Iwasdirectedtoatreewith'stickie-out'branches,"Ianswered.
"Oh,thatImp!"sheexclaimed,andstampedherfootagain.
"Doyouknow,I'vegrownquiteattachedtothatnephewofminealready?"I
said.
"He'snotanephewofyours,"criedLisbethquitehotly.
"Not legally, perhaps; that is where you might be of such assistance to us
Lisbeth.Aboywithonlyanaunthereandthereisunbalanced,sotospeak;he
requires the stronger influence of an uncle. Not," I continued hastily, "that I

woulddepreciateaunts—bytheway,hehasbutone,Ibelieve?"Lisbethnodded
coldly.
"Of course," I nodded; "and very lucky in that one—extremely fortunate.
Now, years ago, when I was a boy, I had three, and all of them blanks, so to
speak.Imeannoneofthemeverreadtomeoutofthehistorybook,orhelped
metosailboats,orpaddledandlosttheir—No,mineusedtolecturemeabout
myhairandnails,Iremember,andglareatmeoverthebigteaurnuntilIchoked
into my teacup. A truly desolate childhood mine. I had no big-fisted uncle to
thump me persuasively when I needed it; had fortune granted me one I might
havebeenaverydifferentman,Lisbeth.Youbeholdinmeahorribleexampleof
whatonemaybecomewhoseboyhoodhasbeendenudedofuncles."


"Ifyouwillbesoveryobligingastoreturnmy—myproperty."
"My dear Lisbeth," I sighed, "be reasonable; suppose we talk of something
else;"andIattempted,thoughquitevainly,todirectherattentiontotheglories
ofthesunset.
A fallen tree lay near by, upon which Lisbeth seated herself with a certain
determinedsetofherlittle,roundchinthatIknewwell.
"And how long do you intend keeping me here?" she asked in a resigned
tone.
"Always,ifIhadmyway."
"Really?"shesaid,andwholevolumescouldneverdescribeallthescornshe
managedtoputintothatsingleword."Yousee,"shecontinued,"afterwhatAunt
Agathawroteandtoldme—"
"Lisbeth,"Ibrokein,"ifyou'llonly—"
"Inaturallysupposed—"
"Ifyou'llonlyletmeexplain—"
"Thatyouwouldabidebythepromiseyoumadeherandwait—"
"Untilyouknewyourownheart,"Iputin."Thequestionis,howlongwillit

takeyou?Probably,ifyouwouldallowmetoteachyou—"
"Yourpresenceherenowstampsyouas—ashorriblydeceitful!"
"Undoubtedly," I nodded; "but you see when I was foolish enough to give
that promise your very excellent Aunt made no reference to her intentions
regardingacertainMr.Selwyn."
"Oh!" exclaimed Lisbeth. And feeling that I had made a point, I continued
withredoubledardour:
"Shegavemetounderstandthatshemerelywishedyoutohavetimetoknow
yourownheartinthematter.Now,asIsaidbefore,howlongwillittakeyouto


findout,Lisbeth?"
Shesatchininhandstaringstraightbeforeher,andherblackbrowswerestill
drawn together in a frown. But I watched her mouth—just where the scarlet
underlipcurveduptomeetitsfellow.
Lisbeth's mouth is a trifle wide, perhaps, and rather full-lipped, and
somewhere at one corner—I can never be quite certain of its exact location,
becauseitsappearanceis,asarule,soverymeteoric—butsomewherethereisa
dimple.Now,ifevertherewasanarranttraitorinthisworlditisthatdimple;for
letherexpressionbeeversoguileless,letherwistfuleyesberaisedwithalook
oftearsintheirbluedepths,despiteherselfthatdimplewillspringintolifeand
undoitallinamoment.Soitwasnow,evenasIwatcheditquiveredroundher
lips,andfeelingherselfbetrayed,thefrownvanishedaltogetherandshesmiled.
"Andnow,Dick,supposeyougivememy—my—"
"Conditionally,"Isaid,sittingdownbesideher.
Thesunhadset,andfromsomewhereamongthepurpleshadowsofthewood
therich,deepnotesofablackbirdcametous,withpausesnowandthen,filled
inwiththerustleofleavesandthedistantlowingofcows.
"NotfarfromthevillageofDowninKent,"Ibegandreamily,"therestands
anoldhousewithquaint,high-gabledroofsandtwistedTudorchimneys!Many

yearsagoitwasthehomeoffairladiesandgallantgentlemen,butitsgloryis
longpast.Andyet,Lisbeth,whenIthinkofitatsuchanhourasthis,andwith
youbesideme,Ibegintowonderifwecouldnotmanagebetweenustobring
backtheoldorderofthings."
Lisbethwassilent.
"It has a wonderful old-fashioned rose garden, and you are fond of roses,
Lisbeth."
"Yes,"shemurmured;"I'mveryfondofroses."
"Theywouldbeinfullbloomnow,"Isuggested.
Therewasanotherpause,duringwhichtheblackbirdperformedthreeorfour
difficultariaswithastonishingeaseandprecision.


"AuntAgathaisfondofroses,too!"saidLisbethatlastverygravely."Poor,
dearAunt,Iwonderwhatshewouldsayifshecouldseeusnow?"
"Suchthingsarebetterlefttotheimagination,"Ianswered.
"Ioughttowriteandtellher,"murmuredLisbeth.
"Butyouwon'tdothat,ofcourse?"
"No,Iwon'tdothatif—"
"Well?"
"Ifyouwillgiveme—them."
"One,"Idemurred.
"Both!"
"Ononeconditionthen—justonce,Lisbeth?"
Her lips were very near, her lashes drooped, and for one delicious moment
shehesitated.ThenIfeltalittletugatmycoatpocketandspringingtoherfeet
shewasawaywith"them"clutchedinherhand.
"Trickery!"Icried,andstartedinpursuit.
There is a path through the woods leading to the Shrubbery at Pane Court.
Downthisshefled,andherlaughtercametomeonthewind.Iwascloseupon

her when she reached the gate, and darting through, turned, flushed but
triumphant.
"I'vewon!"shemocked,noddingherheadatme.
"Whocancopewiththeduplicityofawoman?"Iretorted!"But,Lisbeth,you
willgivemeone—justone?"
"Itwouldspoilthepair."
"Oh,verywell,"Isighed,"goodnight,Lisbeth,"andliftingmycapIturned
away.


Therecamearippleoflaughterbehindme,somethingstruckmesoftlyupon
thecheek,andstooping,Ipickedupthatwhichlayhalfunrolledatmyfeet,but
whenIlookedroundLisbethwasgone.
So presently I thrust "them" into my pocket and walked back slowly along
theriverpathtowardthehospitableshelteroftheThreeJollyAnglers.

II
THESHERIFFOFNOTTINGHAM
Tositbesideariveronagoldenafternoonlisteningtoitswhisperedmelody,
while the air about one is fragrant with summer, and heavy with the drone of
unseen wings!—What ordinary mortal could wish for more? And yet, though
conscious of this fair world about me, I was still uncontent, for my world was
incomplete—nay,lackeditsmostessentialcharm,andIsatwithmyearsonthe
stretch,waitingforLisbeth'schancefootsteponthepathandthesoftwhisperof
herskirts.
The French are indeed a great people, for among many other things they
alonehavecaughtthatmagicsoundawoman'sgarmentsmakeasshewalks,and
givenittotheworldintheoneword"frou-frou."
Owondrousword!Owordsublime!Howfullartthouofdelicatesuggestion!
Truly,therecanbenosweetersoundtoearsmasculineuponagoldensummer

afternoon—oranyothertime,forthatmatter—thanthesoft"frou-frou"thattells
himSHEiscoming.
At this point my thoughts were interrupted by something which hurtled
throughtheairandsplashedintothewateratmyfeet.Glancingatthisobject,I
recognisedtheloud-tonedcricketcapaffectedbytheImp,andreachingforit,I
fisheditoutontheendofmyrod.Itwasahideousthingofred,white,blue,and
green—a really horrible affair, and therefore much prized by its owner, as I
knew.


Behindmethebankrosesomefourorfivefeet,crownedwithwillowsand
underbrush,fromtheothersideofwhichtherenowcameaprodigiousrustling
andpanting.Risingtomyfeettherefore,Ipartedtheleaveswithextremecare,
andbeheldtheImphimself.
He was armed to the teeth—that is to say, a wooden sword swung at his
thigh, a tin bugle depended from his belt, and he carried a bow and arrow.
Oppositehimwasanotherboy,particularlyraggedatkneeandelbow,whostood
withhandsthrustintohispocketsandgrinned.
"Base caitiff, hold!" cried the Imp, fitting an arrow to the string: "stand an'
deliver!Givememycap,thouvarlet,thou!"Theboy'sgrinexpanded.
"Givememycap,baseslave,orI'llshootyou—bymytroth!"Ashespoke
theImpaimedhisarrow,whereupontheboyduckedpromptly.
"Iain'tgotyercap,"hegrinnedfromtheshelterofhisarm."It'sbeenan'gone
an'throweditselfintotheriver!"TheImpletflyhisarrow,whichwasanswered
byayellfromtheBaseVarlet.
"Yah!" he cried derisively as the Imp drew his sword with a melodramatic
flourish."Yah!putdownthatstickan'I'llfightyer."
The Imp indignantly repudiated his trusty weapon being called "a
stick"—"an'Idon'tthink,"hewenton,"thatRobinHoodeverfoughtwithouthis
sword. Let's see what the book says," and he drew a very crumpled papercoveredvolumefromhispocket,whichheconsultedwithknittedbrows,while

theBaseVarletwatchedhim,open-mouthed.
"Oh, yes," nodded the Imp; "it's all right. Listen to this!" and he read as
followsinastern,deepvoice:
"'Then Robin tossed aside his trusty blade, an' laying bare his knotted arm,
approachedthedastardlyruffianwithmanyamerryquipandjest,preparedfor
thefiercedeath-grip.'"
HereupontheImplaidasidehisbookandweaponsandproceededtorollup
hissleeve,havingdonewhichtohissatisfaction,hefacedroundupontheBase
Varlet.


"Haveatye,dastardlyruffian!"hecried,andtherewithensuedabattle,fierce
andfell.
Ifhisantagonisthaditinheight,theImpmadeupforitinweight—heisa
particularly solid Imp—and thus the struggle lasted for some five minutes
withoutanyappreciableadvantagetoeither,when,ineludingoneoftheenemy's
desperate rushes, the Imp stumbled, lost his balance, and next moment I had
caughthiminmyarms.Foraspace"theenemy"remainedpantingonthebank
above,andthenwithanotheryellturnedanddartedoffamongthebushes.
"Hallo,Imp!"Isaid.
"Hallo,UncleDick!"hereturned.
"Hurt?"Iinquired.
"Wounded a bit in the nose, you know," he answered, mopping that organ
withhishandkerchief;"butdidyouseemepunch'yonvarlet'intheeye?"
"Didyou,Imp?"
"I think so, Uncle Dick; only I do wish I'd made him surrender. The book
saysthatRobinHoodalwaysmadehisenemies'surrenderan'begtheirlifeon
tremblingknee!'Oh,itmustbefinetoseeyourenemiesontheirknee!"
"Especiallyiftheytremble,"Iadded.
"Doyous'posethatboy—Imean'yonbasevarlet'wouldhavesurrendered?"

"Notadoubtofit—ifhehadn'thappenedtopushyouoverthebankfirst."
"Oh!"murmuredtheImpratherdubiously.
"Bytheway,"IsaidasIfilledmypipe,"whereisyourAuntieLisbeth?"
"Well,Ichasedherupthebigapple-treewithmybowan'arrow."
"Ofcourse,"Inodded."Veryrightandproper!"
"You see," he explained, "I wanted her to be a wild elephant an' she
wouldn't."


"Extremelydisobligingofher!"
"Yes,wasn'tit?SowhenshewasrightupItookawaytheladderan'hidit."
"Highlystrategic,myImp."
"SothenIturnedintoRobinHood.Ihungmycaponabushtoshootat,you
know,an''theBaseVarlet'cameupan'ranoffwithit."
"And there it is," I said, pointing to where it lay. The Imp received it with
profusethanks,andhavingwrungoutthewater,clappedituponhiscurlsandsat
downbesideme.
"Ifoundanothermanwhowantstobemeuncle,"hebegan.
"Oh,indeed?"
"Yes;butIdon'twantanymore,youknow."
"Of course not. One like me suffices for your every-day needs—eh, my
Imp?"
The Imp nodded. "It was yesterday," he continued. "He came to see Auntie
Lisbeth,an'Ifoundtheminthesummer-houseintheorchard.An'Iheardhim
say,'MissElizbeth,you'reprettierthanever!"
"Didhethough,confoundhim!"
"Yes,anthenAuntieLisbethlookedsilly,an'thenhesawmebehindatree
an' he looked silly, too, Then he said, 'Come here, little man!' An' I went, you
know, though I do hate to be called 'little man.' Then he said he'd give me a
shillingifI'dcallhimUncleFrank."

"Andwhatdidyouanswer?"
"'FraidI'mawfull'wicked,"sighedtheImp,shakinghishead,"'causeItold
himagreatbiglie."
"Didyou,Imp?"
"Yes.IsaidIdidn'twanthisshilling,an'Ido,youknow,mostawfully,tobuy


aspringpistolwith."
"Oh, well, we'll see what can be done about the spring pistol," I answered.
"Andsoyoudon'tlikehim,eh?"
"Should think not," returnedthe Imp promptly."He's always so—so awfull'
clean,an'wearsalittlemoustachewithteenysharppointsonit.
"Anyonewhodoesthatdeservesallhegets,"Isaid,shakingmyhead."And
whatishisname?"
"TheHonourableFrankSelwyn,an'helivesatSelwynPark—thenexthouse
toours."
"Oho!"Iexclaimed,andwhistled.
"UncleDick,"saidtheImp,breakinginuponasomewhatunpleasanttrainof
thoughtconjuredupbythisintelligence,"willyoucomean'be'Little-Johnunder
themerrygreenwoodtree?Do?"
"Whywhatdoyouknowabout'themerrygreenwood,'Imp?"
"Oh lots!" he answered, hastily pulling out the tattered book. "This is all
aboutRobinHoodan'Little-John.Ben,thegardener'sboy,lentittome.Robin
Hood was a finechap an' sowasLittle-Johnan' they usedto setambushesan'
capturetheSheriffofNottinghaman'allsortsofcaddishbarons,an'tiethemto
trees.
"MyImp,"Isaid,shakingmyhead,"thetimesaresadlychanged.Onecannot
tiebarons—caddishorotherwise—totreesinthesedegeneratedays."
"No, I s'pose not," sighed the Imp dolefully; "but I do wish you would be
Little-John,UncleDick."

"Oh,certainly,Imp,ifitwillmakeyouanyhappier;thoughofatruth,bold
Robin,"Icontinuedafterthemannerofthestorybooks,"Little-Johnhathamind
tobideawhileandcommunewithhimselfhere;yetgivebutoneblastuponthy
bugle horn and thou shalt find my arm and quarter-staff ready and willing
enough,I'llwarrantyou!"


"Thatsoundsawfull'fine,UncleDick,only—youhaven'tgotaquarter-staff,
youknow."
"Yea,'tishere!"Ianswered,anddetachedthelowerjointofmyfishingrod.
TheImprose,andfoldinghisarms,surveyedmeasRobinHoodhimselfmight
havedone—thatistosay,withan'eyeoffire.'
"Sobeit,myfaithfulLittle-John,"quothhe;"meetmeattheBlastedOakat
midnight. An' if I shout for help—I mean blow my bugle—you'll come an'
rescueme,won'tyou,UncleDick?"
"Ay;trustmeforthat,"Ianswered,allunsuspecting.
"'Tis well!" nodded the Imp; and with a wave of his hand he turned and
scrambling up the bank disappeared. Of the existence of Mr. Selwyn I was
alreadyaware,havingbeennotifiedinthisparticularbytheDuchess,asIhave
toldintheforegoingnarrative.Now,arivalinair—intheabstract,sotospeak—
is one thing, but a rival who was on a sufficiently intimate footing to deal in
personal compliments, and above all, one who was already approved of and
encouragedbythepowersthatbe,inthepersonofLadyWarburton—Lisbeth's
formidableaunt—wasanotherconsiderationaltogether.
"MissElizabeth,you'reprettierthanever!"
Somehowtheexpressionrankled.Whatrighthadhetotellhersuchthings?
—andinasummer-house,too;—theinsufferableaudacityofthefellow!
Apipebeingindispensabletotheoccasion,Itookoutmymatchbox,onlyto
findthatitcontainedbutasolitaryvesta.
Theafternoonhadbeenhotandstillhitherto,withneversomuchasabreath

of wind stirring; but no sooner did I prepare to strike that match than from
somewhere—Heaven knows where—there came a sudden flaw of wind that
ruffledtheglassywatersoftheriverandseteveryleafwhispering.Waitinguntil
what I took to be a favourable opportunity, with infinite precaution I struck a
light.Itflickeredinasicklyfashionforamomentbetweenmyshelteringpalms,
andimmediatelyexpired.
Thisisbutoneexampleofthat"SpiritofthePerverse"pervadingallthings
mundane, which we poor mortals are called upon to bear as best we may.


Therefore I tossed aside the charred match, and having searched fruitlessly
through my pockets for another, waited philosophically for some "good
Samaritan" to come along. The bank I have mentioned sloped away gently on
myleft,thusaffordinganuninterruptedviewofthepath.
Now as my eyes followed this winding path I beheld an individual some
distance away who crawled upon his hands and knees, evidently searching for
something.AsIwatched,hesucceededinrakingaPanamahatfrombeneatha
bush,andhavingdusteditcarefullywithhishandkerchief,replacedituponhis
headandcontinuedhisadvance.
Withsomefainthopethattheremightbealoosematchhidingawayinsome
cornerofmypockets,Iwentthroughthemagainmorecarefully,butalas!with
no better success; whereupon I gave it up and turned to glance at the
approaching figure. My astonishment may be readily imagined when I beheld
himinpreciselythesameattitudeasbefore—thatistosay,uponhishandsand
knees.
I was yet puzzling over this phenomenon when he again raked out the
Panama on the end of the hunting-crop he carried, dusted it as before, looking
abouthimthewhilewithabewilderedair,andsettingitfirmlyuponhishead,
came down the path. He was a tall young fellow, scrupulously neat and well
groomedfromthepolishofhisbrownridingbootstohissmall,sleekmoustache,

whichwaspartedwithelaboratecareandtwistedintotwofinepoints.Therewas
abouthiswholepersonanindefinableairofself-complacentsatisfaction,buthe
carriedhispersonalityinhismoustache,sotospeak,which,thoughsmall,asI
say,andprecisetoahair,yetobtrudeditselfupononeinavaguelyunpleasant
way. Noticing all this, I thought I might make a very good guess as to his
identityifneedwere.
Allatonce,asIwatchedhim—likeabirdrisingfromhernest—thedevoted
Panamaroseintheair,turnedoveronceortwiceandfluttered(Iusetheword
figuratively)intoabramblebush.Badlanguagewaswritlargeineverylineof
hisbodyashestoodlookingabouthim,thehunting-cropquiveringinhisgrasp.
Itwasatthisprecisejuncturethathiseyeencounteredme,andpausingonly
torecoverhisunfortunateheadgear,hestrodetowardwhereIsat,"Doyouknow
anythingaboutthis?"heinquiredinasomewhataggressivemanner,holdingupa
lengthofblackthread.