Nevertheless, so strongly had recent events appealed to his curiosity, so ardently did he desire to search into the reality of his own peculiar powers, that it is very doubtful whether he might not have withstood both the behests of affection and of admiration had it not been that they took to themselves an ally, whose force is one of the moving spirits of the world.This ally was fear.Just as the Prophet was beginning to feel obstinate and to steel himself to resistance, he remembered the fierce and horrible threats of Malkiel the Second.If he should cease to concern himself with the stars, if he should cease to prophesy, not alone should he restore peace to his beloved grandmother, and pay the tribute of respect to Sir Tiglath, but he should do more.
He should preserve his quick from being searched and his core from being probed.His marrow, too, would be rescued from the piercing it had been so devoutly promised.The dread, by which he was now companioned--of Malkiel, of that portentous and unseen lady who dwelt beside the secret waters of the Mouse, of those imagined offshoots of the prophetic tree, Corona and Capricornus--this would drop away.He would be free once more, light-hearted, a happy and mildly intellectual man of the town, emerged from the thrall of bogies, and from beneath the yoke which he already felt laid upon his shoulders by those august creatures who were the centre of the architectural circle.
All these things suddenly presented themselves to the Prophet's mind with extraordinary vividness and force.His resolve was taken in a moment, and, turning to his eager grandmother and to the still slightly inflated astronomer, he exclaimed without further hesitation,--"Very well.I'll give it up.I promise you."Mrs.Merillia clapped her mittens together almost like a girl.
"Thank you, Sir Tiglath," she cried."I knew you would persuade the dear boy."The astronomer beamed like the rising sun.
"Let the morning stars--freed from insult--sing together!" he roared.
The Prophet glanced towards Lady Enid.She was looking almost narrow and not at all pleased.She, and all her family, had a habit of suddenly appearing thinner than usual when they were put out.This habit had descended to them from a remote Highland ancestor, who had perished of starvation and been very vexed about it.The Prophet felt sure that she did not applaud his resolution, but he could not discuss the matter with her in public, and she now got up--looking almost like a skeleton--and said that she must go.Sir Tiglath immediately rolled up out of his chair and roared that he would accompany her.
"The old astronomer will protect the injudicious young female," he exclaimed, "lest she wander forth into accursed places.""I'm only going to Hill Street," said Lady Enid, rather snappishly.
"Come to see me to-morrow at three," she whispered to the Prophet as she took his hand."We must have a talk.Don't tell anybody!"The Prophet nodded surreptitiously.He felt that she was curious to her finger-tips as he gently pressed them.
When he and his grandmother were alone together he rang the drawing-room bell.Mr.Ferdinand appeared.
"Mr.Ferdinand," said the Prophet, "kindly call Gustavus to your aid and take away the telescope.""Sir!" said Mr.Ferdinand in great astonishment.
"Take away the telescope."
"Certainly, sir.Where shall we place it, sir?""Anywhere," said the Prophet."In the pantry--the square--in Piccadilly if you like--it's all the same to me."And, unable to trust himself to say more, he hurried almost tumultuously from the room.
"Here's a go, Gustavus," remarked Mr.Ferdinand a moment later as he entered the servants' hall.
"Where, Mr.Ferdinand?" replied Gustavus, glancing up from a dish of tea and a couple of Worthing shrimps with which he was solacing an idle moment.
"Here, in this mansion, Gustavus.Me and you've got to take the telescope out of the drawing-room, and Master Hennessey says if we wish we can chuck it in Piccadilly."The round eyes of Gustavus brightened.
"That is my wish, Mr.Ferdinand," he exclaimed."Here's a lark!"He sprang up.But Mr.Ferdinand checked his very agreeable vivacity.
"I am your head, Gustavus," he remarked, with severe ambiguity, "and master having also said that, if we wish, we can set the instrument in the butler's pantry, I have decided that so it shall moreover be.It will be very useful to us there.""Useful, Mr.Ferdinand! However--?"
"Never mind, Gustavus, never mind," replied Mr.Ferdinand with some acrimony.
Being of a dignified nature he did not care to explain to a subordinate that there was a very pleasant-looking second-cook just arrived at the house of the Lord Chancellor on the opposite side of the square.
