The English Heiress Read Free Page A

see.”
    “Yes, and don’t say ‘I see’ that way, as if you are confirmed that Henry is buffleheaded. He isn’t at all—at least, not generally, although I don’t understand… Well, let me tell you in a logical way so that you will see why Compton is worried.”
    “If he weren’t worried, with what has been happening in France over these last two years, he would be an idiot,” Roger exclaimed.
    “Is it so bad as that?” Sir Joseph asked, frowning “I haven’t paid much attention, you know. I’ve never been overfond of the French.”
    Sir Joseph’s face was carefully devoid of expression. Roger shrugged his shoulders and gripped his father’s forearm for a moment They had never discussed Solange, although after the gaming room scandal, Sir Joseph had offered to supplement Roger’s income. Roger had refused, assuring his father that in one way he had sufficient funds, and in another the income from the Royal Treasury would not be enough, since Solange’s wants expanded geometrically with the ability to satisfy them. Sensibly, Sir Joseph had never offered his son sympathy. That would have smacked too much of “I told you so”.
    “It wasn’t so bad in the beginning, except in Paris,” Roger explained. “There was only a little rioting in the smaller cities and minor disturbances in the towns and countryside, but matters are growing more and more serious. The émigrés say that this constitution, which frees the serfs and revokes the forest laws and such matters, has provoked an orgy of license among the peasantry. Of course, they are bound to be strongly prejudiced, but I believe there is a kernel of truth inside the shell of self-pity. The central government does seem to have lost control of the provinces. The Prussians and Austrians have thrown the French army out of Belgium, and there is good evidence that they intend to invade France itself soon”
    “Damn and blast!” Sir Joseph exploded. “I take it all back Henry is buffleheaded. Why the devil did he not come home when he saw everything falling apart?”
    “Perhaps he couldn’t,” Roger suggested. “Or he may not have realized how disordered everything was. Often when one is directly involved, one doesn’t see the whole picture. What I don’t like is the fact that Compton couldn’t reach him by letter as early as June. As far as I know, there hasn’t been such a generalized disruption in the country at large that letters wouldn’t have got through. If Compton wrote more than once, as he must have done, and Henry de Conyers was living in the country, and there has been no answer…”
    “Well, go on,” Sir Joseph urged impatiently.
    “He—he may not be alive, sir, or he may be in serious trouble,” Roger responded reluctantly.
    “But you said it was only Paris that was completely out of control,” Sir Joseph protested.
    “Unfortunately not, sir, although that has mostly been the case. Still, there have been serious incidents—in Caen and Mouton and a number of other cities I don’t have on the tip of my tongue. Although… Do you know when there was last news of de Conyers?”
    “Curse it, no, and Compton didn’t say. I heard from Joseph pretty regularly, at least Alice wrote, but I assume Joseph asked her to do so. But I only heard of Henry through Stour. Naturally I have no news later than 1788 or so.” Sir Joseph paused a moment then sighed. “Damn and blast,” he repeated, but with more resignation than rage. “Something must be done. I suppose I must post up to London and speak to Compton. He will have the latest intelligence. Then I can—”
    “I don’t think you should, sir,” Roger interrupted firmly. “London is hotter than the hinges of hell just now. It wouldn’t agree with you at all. Why don’t you allow me to handle this? Perhaps when Compton has told me where de Conyers was when he heard from him last, one of the firms I dealt with in Paris will send a man to give him the news or discover what is