Chapter 7 Introducing Sundry New Characters #3
‘Well,’ said Fortescue laughing, ‘there’s nearly always some good in the very worst of men. I count on that – and your kindness to me.’
‘I should be interested to know when I have been kind to you – beyond the time when I was compelled to teach you to leave me and my affairs alone.’
‘I was not referring to that occasion,’ was the dry answer. ‘I had not seen your act in that light. I meant well over the episode.’
‘You could not damn yourself more effectually than by saying that,’ said his Grace calmly. ‘But we wander from the point. When have I done you an act of kindness?’
‘You know very well. When you extricated me from that cursed sponging-house.’
‘I remember now. Yes, that was good of me. I wonder why I did it?’
‘’Tis what I want to know.’
‘I suppose I must have had some sort of an affection for you. I would certainly never have done such a thing for anyone else.’
‘Not even for your own brother!’ said Frank sharply.
They had crossed the Circus and were walking down Gay Street now.
‘Least of all for them,’ came the placid response. ‘You are thinking of Andrew’s tragic act? Most entertaining, was it not?’
‘You evidently found it so.’
‘I did. I wanted to prolong the sensation, but my esteemed brother-in-law came to the young fool’s rescue.’
‘Would you have assisted him?’
‘In the end I fear I should have had to.’
‘I believe there must be a kink in your brain!’ cried Fortescue. ‘I cannot else account for your extraordinary conduct!’
‘We Belmanoirs are all half-mad,’ replied Tracy sweetly, ‘but I think that in my case it is merely concentrated evil.’
‘I will not believe it! You have shown that you can behave differently! You do not try to strip me of all I possess – why all those unfortunate youths you play with?’
‘You see, you possess so little,’ the Duke excused himself.
‘Neither do you sneer at me in your loathsome fashion. Why?’
‘Because I have hardly ever any desire to. I like you.’
‘Tare an’ ouns! you must like someone else in the world besides me?’
‘I can think of no one. And I do not exactly worship the ground you tread on. The contemplation of my brothers appals me. I have loved various women, and shall no doubt love many more –’
‘No, Tracy,’ interposed Fortescue, ‘you have never loved a woman in your life. ’Tis that that might save you. I do not allude to the lustful passion you indulge in, but real love. For God’s sake, Belmanoir, live clean!’
‘Pray do not distress yourself, Frank. I am not worth it.’
‘I choose to think that you are. I cannot but feel that if you had been loved as a boy – Your mother –’
‘Did you ever see my mother?’ inquired his Grace lazily.
‘No – but –’
‘Have you ever seen my sister?’
‘Er – yes –’
‘In a rage?’
‘Really, I –’
‘Because, if you have, you have seen my mother. Only she was ten times more violent. In fact, we were a pleasant party when we were all at home.’
‘I understand.’
‘Good Gad! I believe you are sorry for me?’ cried Tracy scornfully.
‘I am. Is it a presumption on my part?’
‘My dear Frank, when I am sorry for myself you may be sorry too. Until then –’
‘When that day comes I shall no longer pity you.’
‘Very deep, Frank! You think I shall be on the road to recovery? A pretty conceit. Luckily, the happy moment has not yet come – and I do not think it is like to. We appear to have arrived.’
They were standing outside one of the tall houses where Fortescue lodged. He turned and grasped his friend’s shoulders.
‘Tracy, give up this mad life you lead! Give up the women and the drink, and the excessive gaming; for one day, believe me, you will overstep yourself and be ruined!’
The Duke disengaged himself.
‘I very much object to being man-handled in the street,’ he complained. ‘I suppose you still mean well. You should strive to conquer the tendency.’
‘I wonder if you know how insolent is your tone, Belmanoir?’ asked Fortescue steadily.
‘Naturally. I should not have attained such perfection in the art else. But pray accept my thanks for your good advice. You will forgive me an I do not avail myself of it, I am sure. I prefer the crooked path.’
‘Evidently,’ sighed the other. ‘If you will not try the straight and narrow way, I can only hope that you will fall very deeply and very honestly in love; and that the lady will save you from yourself.’
‘I will inform you of it when it comes to pass,’ promised his Grace. ‘And now good-night!’
‘Good-night!’ Frank returned the low bow with a curt nod. ‘I shall see you tomorrow – that is, this morning – at the Baths?’
‘Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,’ was the smiling rejoinder. ‘Sleep soundly, Frank!’ He waved an ironic farewell and crossed the road to his own lodgings, which stood almost directly opposite.
‘And I suppose you will sleep as soundly as if you have not a stain on your conscience – and had not tried your uttermost to alienate the regard of the only friend you possess,’ remarked Frank bitterly to the darkness.
‘Damn you, Tracy, for the villain you are!’ He walked up the steps to his own front door and turned the key in the lock.
He looked over his shoulder as a door slammed across the street.
‘Poor Devil!’ he said. ‘Oh, you poor Devil!’