With the first two I could not define the alternative; though some dark design, based upon the slight of filial and fraternal love, was lurking within my bosom.
For Ringgold, should he refuse to give the truth, my resolve was first to "cowhide" him, then kick him out of doors, and finally command him never again to enter the house — the house, of which henceforth I was determined to be master.
As for etiquette, that was out of the question; at that hour, my soul was ill attuned to the observance of delicate ceremony. No rudeness could be amiss, in dealing with the man who had tried to murder me.
Chapter Sixty
A Lover’s Gift
As I have said, it was my design to make an entrance unobserved; consequently, it was necessary to observe caution in approaching the house. To this end, as I drew near the plantation, I turned off the main road into a path that led circuitously by the rear. This path would conduct me by the hommock, the bathing-pond, and the orange-groves, without much danger of my approach being noticed by any one. The slaves at work within the enclosures could see me as I rode through the grounds; but these were the "field-hands." Unless seen by some of the domestics, engaged in household affairs, I had no fear of being announced.
My messenger had not gone directly back; I had ordered him to await me in an appointed place, and there I found him.
Directing him to follow me, I kept on; and having passed through the fields, we rode into the thick underwood of the hommock, where halting, we dismounted from our horses. From this point I proceeded alone.
As the hunter steals upon the unexpecting game, or the savage upon his sleeping foe, did I approach the house — my home, my father’s home, the home of mother and sister. Strange conduct in a son and a brother — a singular situation.
My limbs trembled under me as I advanced, my knees knocked together, my breast was agitated by a tumult of wild emotions. Once I hesitated and halted. The prospect of the unpleasant scene I was about to produce stayed me. My resolution was growing weak and undecided.
Perhaps I might have gone back — perhaps I might have waited another opportunity, when I might effect my purpose by a less violent development — but just then voices fell upon my ear, the effect of which was to strengthen my wavering resolves. My sister’s voice was ringing in laughter, that sounded light and gay. There was another — only one. I easily recognised the squeaking treble of her despicable suitor. The voices remaddened me — the tones stung me, as if they had been designedly uttered in mockery of myself. How could she behave thus? how riot in joy, while I was drooping under dark suspicions of her misbehaviour?
Piqued as well as pained, I surrendered all thought of honourable action; I resolved to carry through my design, but first — to play the listener.
I drew nearer, and heard clearer. The speakers were not in the house, but outside, by the edge of the orange grove. Softly treading, gently parting the boughs, now crouching beneath them, now gliding erect, I arrived unobserved within six paces of where they stood — near enough to perceive their dresses glistening through the leaves — to hear every word that passed between them.
Not many had been spoken, before I perceived that I had arrived at a peculiar moment — a crisis. The lover had just offered himself for a husband — had, perhaps for the first time, seriously made his declaration. In all probability it was this had been eliciting my sister’s laughter.
"And really, Mr Ringgold, you wish to make me your wife? You are in earnest in what you have said?"
"Nay, Miss Randolph, do not mock me; you know for how many years I have been devoted to you."
"Indeed, I do not. How could I know that?"
"By my words. Have I not told you so a hundred times?"
"Words! I hold words of little value in a matter of this kind. Dozens have talked to me as you, who, I suppose, cared very little about me. The tongue is a great trifler, Mr Arens."
"But my actions prove my sincerity. I have offered you my hand and my fortune; is not that a sufficient proof of devotion?"
"No, silly fellow; nothing of the sort. Were I to become your wife, the fortune would still remain your own. Besides, I have some little fortune myself, and that would come under your control. So you see the advantage would be decidedly in your favour. Ha, ha, ha!"
"Nay, Miss Randolph; I should not think of controlling yours; and if you will accept my hand — "
"Your hand, sir? If you would win a woman, you should offer your heart — hearts, not hands, for me."
"You know that is yours already; and has been for long years: all the world knows it."
"You must have told the world, then; and I don’t like it a bit."
"Really, you are too harsh with me: you have had many proofs of how long and devotedly I have admired you. I would have declared myself long since, and asked you to become my wife — "
"And why did you not?"
Ringgold hesitated.
"The truth is, I was not my own master — I was under the control of my father."
"Indeed?"
"That exists no longer. I can now act as I please; and, dearest Miss Randolph, if you will but accept my hand — "
"Your hand again! Let me tell you, sir, that this hand of yours has not the reputation of being the most open one. Should I accept it, it might prove sparing of pin-money. Ha, ha, ha!"
"I am aspersed by enemies. I swear to you, that in that sense you should have no cause to complain of my liberality."
"I am not so sure of that, notwithstanding the oath you would take. Promises made before marriage are too often broken after. I would not trust you, my man — not I, i’ faith."
"But you can trust me, I assure you."
"You cannot assure me; besides, I have had no proofs of your liberality in the past. Why, Mr Ringgold, you never made me a present in your life. Ha, ha, ha!"
"Had I known you would have accepted one — it would gratify me — Miss Randolph, I would give you anything I possess."
"Good! Now, I shall put you to the test: you shall make me a gift."
"Name it — it shall be yours."
"Oh, you fancy I am going to ask you for some trifling affair — a horse, a poodle, or some bit of glittering bijouterie. Nothing of the sort, I assure you."
"I care not what. I have offered you my whole fortune, and therefore will not hesitate to give you a part of it. Only specify what you may desire, and I shall freely give it."
"That sounds liberal indeed. Very well, then, you have something I desire to possess — and very much desire it — in truth, I have taken a fancy to be its owner, and had some designs of making offers to you for the purchase of it."
"What can you mean, Miss Randolph?"
"A plantation."
"A plantation!"
"Exactly so. Not your own, but one of which you are the proprietor."
"Ah!"
"I mean that which formerly belonged to a family of half-bloods upon Tupelo Creek. Your father purchased it from them, I believe!"
I noted the emphasis upon the word "purchased." I noted hesitation and some confusion in the reply.
"Yes — yes," said he; "it was so. But you astonish me, Miss Randolph. Why care you for this, when you shall be mistress of all I possess?"
"That is my affair. I do care for it. I may have many reasons. That piece of ground is a favourite spot with me; it is a lovely place — I often go there. Remember, my brother is owner here — he is not likely to remain a bachelor all his life — and my mother may desire to have a home of her own. But no; I shall give you no reasons; make the gift or not, as you please."
"And if I do, you will — "
"Name conditions, and I will not accept it — not if you ask me on your knees. Ha, ha, ha!"