Words of Command (Hervey 12) (Matthew Hervey) (49 page)

To The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Aberdeen, Sec. of State Foreign Dept.

The Hague, September 7, 1830

My Lord
,

The Baron Verstolk has just read to me a despatch, which is forwarded this evening to Monsieur de Falck, and which will be equally addressed to-morrow to His Netherland Majesty’s Ministers at Vienna, St Petersburgh and Berlin, upon the subject of the modifications which it may become necessary to make in the
Loi Fondamentale
, under the project of a separate administration of the two great divisions of this kingdom, and of the manner in which such modifications may be thought to affect the objects and stipulations of the Powers, parties to the eight Articles of the Treaty of London.

This despatch directs M. de Falck, and the King’s Ministers at the above-mentioned Courts, to request, that in the event of discussions becoming necessary upon this latter point, instructions may be sent to me, and to the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian Ministers at The Hague, to enter into conference upon the subject, with the Plenipotentiary who may be appointed by His Netherland Majesty for that purpose.

I have the honour &c
,

    
Charles Bagot.

Fairbrother gave it back with a look that said these were indeed momentous events.

But it hardly needed a letter – certainly not one written a fortnight ago – to tell them they were amidst history in the making. Or rather, had returned to the midst of history-making, for events had moved rapidly while they’d been out of the city. News of the riot the night of the opera had reached The Hague on the 27th, and the Prince of Orange, evidently, had urged the king to accept the resignation of the justice minister and to take a conciliatory stand with the southern provinces, but he’d refused flatly either to dismiss Van Maanen or treat with the rebels. However, he did give the prince permission to return to Brussels with a ‘mission of enquiry’, and agree to receive a deputation from Brussels, while ordering more troops south – and when the prince reached Vilvoorde, just outside the city, he sent an aide-de-camp to Baron D’Hoogvoort, the magistrate, one of the few men (in Hervey’s view) to be acting with both calmness and determination, to bring him to a conference there. But the news of the gathering troops whipped Brussels into a frenzy, and at the conference D’Hoogvoort urged the prince not to bring them to the city, for the separatists threatened to oppose them ‘
à outrance
’, to the limit, and to come instead with just his personal suite under his (D’Hoogvoort’s) own protection.

And, indeed, the prince did make his entry thus, on 1 September, the streets lined with the Garde Civile. As he had no authority to concede anything, however, after three days he returned to Vilvoorde. Meanwhile, the king had received the Brussels delegation at The Hague, but said he would not treat with any while a pistol was at his head. Instead he issued a proclamation, which no sooner was it posted on the walls in Brussels than it was torn down, and the unrest spread wide and fast thereafter. Five hundred armed men from Liège alone marched on the capital, and others from Louvain, Jemappes, and Wavre. And, like the fiends of legend rising from the nether regions, the miners of the Borinage
en masse
quit their world below ground to join them, so that Brussels filled with men as revolutionary as any Paris mob. Reform was then no longer the cry, only independence.

And so, last night, all order had been overthrown, and the provisional government proclaimed. It was well that the regiment was leaving.

‘I’m sorry we shan’t see what becomes of it all, though,’ said Fairbrother, jauntily. ‘I never saw a full-blown revolution before.’

Hervey shrugged. ‘You may stay if you wish. You are not under orders. For myself I believe we have done all we can here, and it’s better that we return to England as soon as may be. As soon as Ostend is able to arrange matters.’

‘And a “Protestant wind” if there’s no steam.’

Hervey smiled at last. ‘Indeed. But the wind always changes, if you have the patience.’

Fairbrother wondered, though, for there was more to it than a happy return. A fair wind would speed them to England, but his friend also to the emptiness of the matrimonial bed. He’d put his tribulations behind him when they’d crossed the Channel hither, yet once returned to England …
Heaven send the prince a better companion
.

He shut away the thought. ‘And you have the question of Mr Rennie’s successor decided, at least.’

Perhaps it was the talk of winds that made him tactless – ill ones that blew no good &c. He checked himself.

‘I meant no hurt. I know what a business it’s been.’

Hervey shook his head. ‘I’ve escaped the choice. I’d no right to.’

Fairbrother frowned. ‘Put it from your mind. Either man would have made an admirable sar’nt-major. And it doesn’t diminish Armstrong’s appointment, your not having made the choice.’

Hervey brightened somewhat. ‘I know it. You are quite right, as ever. Well, almost ever.’

‘I am at your service.’

Hervey knew him to be – and looked thoughtful again. ‘Tell me something; it has puzzled me. When I told you that Kennett had withdrawn his allegations against Collins, you showed no surprise.’

‘Why should it have been surprising? You told me General Gifford had offered him a captaincy.’

‘But I told you he’d withdrawn before I myself knew of the offer.’

Fairbrother looked faintly uncomfortable, if only momentarily. ‘I don’t recall.’

‘Mm.
Ex Africa semper aliquid novi
…’

He smiled. ‘I have left the Africans behind me.’

‘And they you?’

Fairbrother shrugged. ‘You mean “blood will out”?’

Now Hervey smiled. ‘I mean that I wondered if the ways of the Africans – the
Royal
Africans – commended themselves to colder climes.’

Fairbrother shook his head. ‘Thou speakest in riddles.’

‘Mm.’ But he was sure his meaning was clear nevertheless.

‘By the bye – and of this I’m certain – the exact quote from Pliny runs
Semper aliquid novi Africam adferre
. And it’s a Greek proverb he quotes.’
^fn1

‘Then I happily stand corrected, and will enquire no more.’ He leaned forward to take a look at his friend’s reading. ‘What is your book?’

‘It is called
Pride and Prejudice
.’

Hervey knew of it. Henrietta had once pressed it on him, though he’d never taken it up. ‘You’re still intent on closer acquaintance with society then?’

‘And on human nature.’

‘And you find it instructive?’

‘And entertaining.’

‘Are there military men in it? Does Miss Austen – it is Miss Austen, isn’t it? – draw them faithfully?’

‘Only Militia.’

‘Ah.’

‘But you would find it … Well, let us say there is much to recommend it.’ Though he doubted his friend would ever begin on such a book, and certainly never finish it.

There was a knock at the door, and Johnson came in.

‘Mr Lincoln’d like to ’ave a word, Colonel.’

Fairbrother rose. ‘I shall repair to my quarters. I think by now my baggage will have been brought from the Grande Place.’

Hervey nodded. ‘You will join us all at dinner, I trust.’

‘Thank you; I shall. But I would come with you first to see Collins.’

‘By all means.’

He left and the quartermaster came in.

‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Colonel, but word has just come from Ostend that the shipping is arranged for Friday – steamers. We can march out of here tomorrow. I’ve arranged to hand the barracks to the commandant at midday, though with things as they are I shan’t be surprised if I have to lock up and leave the keys at Ostend.’

Hervey raised an eyebrow. ‘Indeed. And Sar’nt-Major Collins?’

‘I’ve got him a
dormeuse
.’

‘Excellent. I’m about to go and see him. I think it best that he travels with the colonel-in-chief’s guard after she takes leave of them tomorrow?’

‘That is the adjutant’s intention, Colonel.’

The princess and her suite were to set out at dawn. He would take his own leave when he saw Collins.

‘Very well.’

Lincoln hesitated.

‘Is there anything more?’

‘Colonel, I had intended waiting until we returned to Hounslow, but I believe it better to inform you now. I shall be sending in my papers presently. Mrs Lincoln and I are to purchase a small hotel at Brighton.’

Hervey was dumbstruck. Lincoln had been a part of the regiment since the day he’d joined. His attestation papers had long since been conveniently lost …

He rose and looked at him directly, hoping the curious anxiety that assailed him did not show. ‘Mr Lincoln, I’m truly sorry to hear this, although of course I sincerely wish you well at Brighton. Is there nothing I can say to change your mind? You are … so much the regiment.’

Lincoln shook his head. ‘No, Colonel, there’s nothing. My mind is quite made up. But thank you for the sentiment. It goes without saying, I hope, that I much regret I shall be leaving during your command, but I cannot stay at duty for ever, and it’s best that I go before my time than after it.’

Hervey smiled, and held out his hand. ‘Admirably put, Mr Lincoln. And I thank you for that sentiment too … Your establishment in Brighton will surely become the most comfortable and efficient on the south coast.’

The quartermaster allowed himself a rare smile by return. ‘Thank you, Colonel. And …’ (he cleared his throat) ‘if young Pearce is to make his way in the army, it’s better that his father-in-law is no longer a presence.’

‘I trust that is
not
a consideration in your decision.’

‘No, not a consideration – more a happy consequence. And he ought, in any case, to exchange into another regiment. It would be for the best.’

One in which his wife, for all her beauty and accomplishments, would not be known as the daughter of a quartermaster? Hervey shook his head, though he would not discuss it now. Lincoln had quite enough to concern himself with. ‘It may be as well, but these things need not be hurried. And we need have no farewells now. There’ll be time and place – mark my words!’

Lincoln took his leave, the lump in his throat not entirely concealed.

Johnson reappeared.

‘A postboy’s just come from Ostend, Colonel.’

‘An express?’

‘No, ’e was carrying two bags.’

That much was a relief. The last thing he wanted was any change of plan. It was bound to be out of date.

‘Would you bring me some coffee, please. And I’d have you come with me when I go to see Sar’nt-Major Collins.’

‘Colonel.’

When Fairbrother returned, booted and spurred for the ride to Princess Augusta’s, he found his friend in noble spirits.

‘Something evidently pleases you. The postboy brought you good news too?’

‘Too?’

‘A considerable remittance from Jamaica, and a doubling of my allowance. You see before you a single man in possession of a good fortune. I must thereby be in want of a wife.’

‘Of what are you speaking? Want of a wife?’

Fairbrother smiled. ‘You really ought to read Miss Austen, you know. She has the keenest sense. Her book – it begins with that proposition, and how when such a man comes into a neighbourhood every mother of an eligible daughter at once has designs on him.’

‘And that’s what it’s about, is it – the marriage mart?’

‘That and a great deal else. But I shan’t sport with you on the question. I merely wished to share with you my satisfaction. What is
your
good news?’

Hervey handed him a letter. ‘Read this – from John Howard.’

The Horse Guards,
September 16, 1830.

My dear Hervey
,

I write in haste to catch the King’s Messenger leaving this evening for The Hague via Ostend and Antwerp. Yesterday the French ambassador had an audience of Lord Aberdeen and expressed his deepest regrets in regard to the untoward events of 30 Ultimo, over which the Foreign Secretary had made the most vigorous protest, and assured His Lordship that His Majesty the King of the French (as Louis Philippe is to be known) has no intention of interfering in the affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Lord Aberdeen communicated to Lord Hill his appreciation of the services rendered by the troops in Belgium, and having read the latest despatch of Sir Charles Bagot, Lord Hill this morning, in council with his Military Secretary and the Adjutant-General, directed that you should receive a Colonel’s Brevet. It will be gazetted as of today.

I send you my heartiest congratulations, and best wishes for yr safe return
,

    
Ever yr good friend
,

      
John Howard.

‘Well, my heartiest congratulations, too. And did I not foretell as much?’

‘Did you?’

‘At Hounslow, I seem to recall.’

Hervey nodded, smiling a little sheepishly. ‘Now I think of it, I do recall something of the sort.’

‘Well, we’d better be making for the princess’s, ought we not? You’ll tell her of it, of course?’

‘I … I don’t think it quite proper. Not until it’s gazetted.’

‘But you must, Hervey. She’ll take inordinate delight in it.’

‘Inordinate?’

Fairbrother shook his head. ‘Perhaps I should have said “prodigious”.’

‘What’s a brevet again, Captain Fairbrother, sir?’ asked Johnson, who was standing remarkably erect and NCO-like in the princess’s little ante-room, while in the library, which served as Collins’s convalescing-ward, Hervey waited for the surgeon to re-dress the wound.

Fairbrother was standing at the window observing the increasingly purposeful swallows. The swifts had been gone these three weeks: it would not be many days now before the skies would suddenly empty – and then another northern winter could not be far behind (and he shivered at the thought).

‘A brevet? It’s a sort of courtesy rank, temporary, but in the expectation that it will be made substantive in due course.’

‘I know Colonel ’Ervey ’as ’ad one once before, but I don’t remember why.’

‘The thing is, Corporal Johnson, the brevet gives a man the rank in the army but not in the regiment, so Colonel Hervey will be able to continue in command while his seniority as a colonel in the army is preserved.’