The Talisman Ring Read Online Free PDF Page A

wore his wig, but he seemed suddenly to have grown frailer and more withdrawn. Only his eyes were very much alive, startlingly dark in his waxen face.
    Sir Tristram said in his deep voice: ‘I’m sorry, sir: I believe my visit has too much exhausted you.’
    ‘Thank you, I am the best judge of what exhausts me,’ replied Sylvester. ‘I shan’t last much longer, I admit, but by God, I’ll last long enough to settle my affairs! Are you going to marry that chit?’
    ‘Yes, I’ll marry her,’ said Shield. ‘Will that content you?’
    ‘I’ve a fancy to see the knot well tied,’ said Sylvester. ‘Fortunately, she’s not a Papist. What do you make of her?’
    Sir Tristram hesitated. ‘I hardly know. She’s very young.’
    ‘All the better, as long as her husband has the moulding of her.’
    ‘You may be right, but I wish you had broached this matter earlier.’
    ‘I’m always right. What did you want to do? Come a-courting her?’ jibed Sylvester. ‘Poor girl!’
    ‘You are forcing her to a marriage she may easily regret. She is romantic.’
    ‘Fiddlededee!’ said Sylvester. ‘Most women are, but they get the better of it in time. Is that damned mincing puppy-dog downstairs?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Shield.
    ‘He’ll put you in the shade if he can,’ said Sylvester warningly.
    Sir Tristram looked contemptuous. ‘Well, if you expect me to vie with his graces you’ll be disappointed, sir.’
    ‘I expect nothing but folly from any of my family!’ snapped Sylvester.
    Sir Tristram picked up a vinaigrette from the table by the bed and held it under his great-uncle’s nose. ‘You’re tiring yourself, sir.’
    ‘Damn you!’ said Sylvester faintly. He lifted his hand with a perceptible effort and took the bottle, and lay in silence for a time, breathing its aromatic fumes. After a minute or two his lips twitched in a wry smile, and he murmured: ‘I would give much to have been able to see the three of you together. What did you talk of?’
    ‘Ludovic,’ replied Shield with a certain cool deliberation.
    Sylvester’s hand clenched suddenly; the smile left his face. He said scarcely above a whisper: ‘I thought you knew his name is never to be mentioned in this house! Do you count me dead already that you should dare?’
    ‘You’re not a greater object of awe to me on your deathbed, Sylvester, than you have ever been,’ said Shield.
    Sylvester’s eyes flashed momentarily, but his sudden wrath vanished in a chuckle. ‘You’re an impudent dog, Tristram. Did you ever care for what I said?’
    ‘Very rarely,’ said Shield.
    ‘Quite right,’ approved Sylvester. ‘Damme, I always liked you for it! What have you been saying about the boy?’
    ‘Eustacie wanted to hear the story. Apparently you told her he was dead.’
    ‘He is dead to me,’ said Sylvester harshly. ‘Of what use to let her make a hero of him? You may depend upon it she would. Did you tell her?’
    ‘Basil told her.’
    ‘You should have stopped him.’ Sylvester lay frowning, his fingers plucking a little at the gorgeous coverlet. ‘Basil believed the boy’s story,’ he said abruptly.
    ‘I have never known why, sir.’
    Sylvester flashed a glance at him. ‘You didn’t believe it, did you?’
    ‘Did any of us, save only Basil?’
    ‘He said we should have let him stand his trial. I wonder. I wonder.’
    ‘He was wrong. We did what we could for Ludovic when we shipped him to France. Why tease yourself now?’
    ‘You never liked him, did you?’
    ‘You have only to add that I am something of a collector of antique jewellery, Sylvester, and you will have said very much what Basil has been saying, far more delicately, below stairs.’
    ‘Don’t be a fool!’ said Sylvester irritably. ‘I told you he’d do what he could to spoil your chances. Send him about his business!’
    ‘You will have to excuse me, sir. This is not my house.’
    ‘No, by God, and nor is it his!’ said Sylvester, shaken by a gust of anger. ‘The