George Gissing
Demos
A Story of English Socialism
Chapter I
Stanbury Hill remote but two hours walk from a region blasted with mine and
factory and furnace shelters with its western slope a fair green valley a land
of meadows and orchard untouched by poisonous breath At its foot lies the
village of Wanley The opposite side of the hollow is clad with native wood
skirting for more than a mile the bank of a shallow stream a tributary of the
Severn Wanley consists in the main of one long street the houses are
stonebuilt with mullioned windows here and there showing a picturesque gable
or a quaint old chimney The oldest buildings are four cottages which stand at
the end of the street once upon a time they formed the country residence of the
abbots of Belwick The abbey of that name still claims for its ruined self a
portion of earths surface but as it had the misfortune to be erected above
the thickest coalseam in England its walls are blackened with the fume of
collieries and shaken by the strain of mighty engines Climb Stanbury Hill at
nightfall and looking eastward you behold far off a dusky ruddiness in the
sky like the last of an angry sunset with a glass you can catch glimpses of
little tongues of flame leaping and quivering on the horizon That is Belwick
The good abbots who were wont to come out in the summer time to Wanley would
be at a loss to recognise their consecrated home in those sooty relics Belwick
with its hundred and fifty firevomiting blastfurnaces would to their eyes
more nearly resemble a certain igneous realm of which they thought much in their
sojourn upon earth and which, we may assure ourselves they dream not of in the
quietness of their last long sleep
A large house which stands aloof from the village and a little above it is
Wanley Manor The county history tells us that Wanley was given in the fifteenth
century to that same religious foundation and that at the dissolution of
monasteries the Manor passed into the hands of Queen Catherine The house is
halftimbered from the height above it looks old and peaceful amid its
immemorial trees Towards the end of the eighteenth century it became the home
of a family named Eldon the estate including the greater part of the valley
below But an Eldon who came into possession when William IV was King brought
the fortunes of his house to a low ebb and his son seeking to improve matters
by abandoning his prejudices and entering upon commercial speculation in the
end left a widow and two boys with little more to live upon than the income
which arose from Mrs Eldons settlements The Manor was shortly after this
purchased by a Mr Mutimer a Belwick ironmaster but Mrs Eldon and her boys
still inhabited the house in consequence of certain events which will shortly
be narrated Wanley would have mourned their departure they were the
aristocracy of the neighbourhood and to have them ousted by a name which no one
knew a name connected only with blastfurnaces would have made a distinct fall
in the tone of Wanley society Fortunately no changes were made in the structure
by its new owner Not far from it you see the church and the vicarage these
also unmolested in their quiet age Wanley it is to be feared lags far behind
the times painfully so when one knows for a certainty that the valley upon
which it looks conceals treasures of coal of ironstone blackband to be
technical and of fireclay Some ten years ago it seemed as if better things
were in store there was a chance that the vale might for ever cast off its
foolish greenery and begin vomiting smoke and flames in humble imitation of its
metropolis beyond the hills There are men in Belwick who have an angry feeling
whenever Wanley is mentioned to them
After the inhabitants of the Manor the most respected of those who dwelt in
Wanley were the Walthams At the time of which I speak this family consisted of
a middleaged lady her son of oneandtwenty and her daughter just eighteen
They had resided here for little more than two years but a gentility which
marked their speech and demeanour and the fact that they were well acquainted
with the Eldons from the first caused them to be looked up to It was
conjectured and soon confirmed by Mrs Walthams own admissions that they bad
known a larger way of living than that to which they adapted themselves in the
little house on the side of Stanbury Hill whence they looked over the village
street Mr Waltham had in fact been a junior partner in a Belwick firm which
came to grief He saved enough out of the wreck to make a modest competency for
his family and would doubtless in time have retrieved his fortune but death
was beforehand with him His wife in the second year of her widowhood came
with her daughter Adela to Wanley her son Alfred had gone to commercial work in
Belwick Mrs Waltham was a prudent woman and tenacious of ideas which
recommended themselves to her practical instincts such an idea had much to do
with her settlement in the remote village which she would not have chosen for
her abode out of love of its oldworld quietness But at the Manor was Hubert
Eldon Hubert was four years older than Adela He had no fortune of his own but
it was tolerably certain that some day he would be enormously rich and there
was small likelihood that he would marry till that expected change in his
position came about
On the afternoon of a certain Good Friday Mrs Waltham sat at her open
window enjoying the air and busy with many thoughts among other things
wondering who was likely to drop in for a cup of tea It was a late Easter and
warm spring weather had already clothed the valley with greenness today the
sun was almost hot and the west wind brought many a sweet odour from gardens
near and far From her sittingroom Mrs Waltham had the best view to be
obtained from any house in Wanley she looked as I have said right over the
village street and on either hand the valley spread before her a charming
prospect Opposite was the wooded slope freshening now with exquisite shades of
newborn leafage looking north she saw fruitgardens making tender harmonies
southwards spread verdure and tillage Yet something there was which disturbed
the otherwise perfect unity of the scene an unaccustomed trouble to the eye In
the very midst of the vale perhaps a quarter of a mile to the south of the
village one saw what looked like the beginning of some engineering enterprise
a great throwingup of earth and the commencement of a roadway on which metal
rails were laid What was being done The work seemed too extensive for a mere
scheme of drainage Whatever the undertaking might be it was now at a
standstill seeing that old Mr Mutimer the owner of the land had been in his
grave just three days and no one as yet could say whether his heir would or
would not pursue this novel project Mrs Waltham herself felt that the view was
spoilt though her appreciation of nature was not of the keenest and she would
never have thought of objecting to a scheme which would produce money at the
cost of the merely beautiful
»I scarcely think Hubert will continue it« she was musing to herself »He
has enough without that and his tastes dont lie in that direction«
She had on her lap a local paper at which she glanced every now and then
but her state of mind was evidently restless The road on either side of which
stood the houses of the village led on to the Manor and in that direction Mrs
Waltham gazed frequently The church clock chimed halfpast four and shortly
after a rosycheeked young girl came at a quick step up the gravelled pathway
which made the approach to the Walthams cottage She saw Mrs Waltham at the
window and when she was near spoke
»Is Adela at home«
»No Letty shes gone for a walk with her brother«
»Im so sorry« said the girl whose voice was as sweet as her face was
pretty »We wanted her to come for croquet Yet I was half afraid to come and
ask her whilst Mr Alfred was at home«
She laughed and at the same time blushed a little
»Why should you be afraid of Alfred« asked Mrs Waltham graciously
»Oh I dont know«
She turned it off and spoke quickly of another subject
»How did you like Mr Wyvern this morning«
It was a new vicar who had been in Wanley but a couple of days and had
this morning officiated for the first time at the church
»What a voice he has« was the ladys reply
»Hasnt he And such a hairy man They say hes very learned but his sermon
was very simple didnt you think so«
»Yes I liked it Only he pronounces certain words strangely«
»Oh has Mr Eldon come yet« was the young ladys next question
»He hadnt arrived this morning Isnt it extraordinary He must be out of
England«
»But surely Mrs Eldon knows his address and he cant be so very far away«
As she spoke she looked down the pathway by which she had come and of a
sudden her face exhibited alarm
»Oh Mrs Waltham« she whispered hurriedly »If Mr Wyvern isnt coming to
see you Im afraid to meet him Do let me pop in and hide till I can get away
without being seen«
The front door stood ajar and the girl at once ran into the house Mrs
Waltham came into the passage laughing
»May I go to the top of the stairs« asked the other nervously »You know
how absurdly shy I am No Ill run out into the garden behind then I can steal
round as soon as he comes in«
She escaped and in a minute or two the new vicar presented himself at the
door A little maid might well have some apprehension in facing him for Mr
Wyvern was of vast proportions and leonine in aspect With the exception of one
ungloved hand and the scant proportions of his face which were not hidden by
hair he was wholly black in hue an enormous beard the colour of jet
concealed the linen about his throat and a veritable mane dark as night fell
upon his shoulders His features were not illmatched with this sable garniture
their expression was a fixed severity his eye regarded you with stern scrutiny
and passed from the examination to a melancholy reflectiveness Yet his
appearance was suggestive of anything but illnature contradictory though it
may seem the face was a pleasant one inviting to confidence to respect if he
could only have smiled the tender humanity which lurked in the lines of his
countenance would have become evident His age was probably a little short of
fifty
A servant replied to his knock and after falling back in a momentary
alarm introduced him to the sittingroom He took Mrs Walthams hand silently
fixed upon her the full orbs of his dark eyes and then whilst still retaining
her fingers looked thoughtfully about the room It was a pleasant little
parlour with many an evidence of refinement in those who occupied it Mr
Wyvern showed something like a look of satisfaction He seated himself and the
chair creaked ominously beneath him Then he again scrutinised Mrs Waltham
She was a lady of fair complexion with a double chin Her dress suggested
elegant tastes and her hand was as smooth and delicate as a ladys should be A
long gold chain descended from her neck to the watchpocket at her waist and
her fingers exhibited several rings She bore the reverend gentlemans scrutiny
with modest grace almost as if it flattered her And indeed there was nothing
whatever of illbreeding in Mr Wyverns mode of instituting acquaintance with
his parishioner one felt that he was a man of pronounced originality and that
he might be trusted in his variance from the wonted modes
The view from the windows gave him a subject for his first remarks Mrs
Waltham had been in some fear of a question which would go to the roots of her
souls history it would have been in keeping with his visage But with native
acuteness she soon discovered that Mr Wyverns gaze had very little to do with
the immediate subject of his thought or what was much the same thing that he
seldom gave the whole of his attention to the matter outwardly calling for it
He was a man of profound mental absences he could make replies even put
queries and all the while be brooding intensely upon a wholly different
subject Mrs Waltham did not altogether relish it she was in the habit of
being heard with deference but to be sure a clergyman only talked of worldly
things by way of concession It certainly seemed so in this clergymans case
»Your prospect« Mr Wyvern remarked presently »will not be improved by the
works below«
His voice was very deep and all his words were weighed in the utterance
This deliberation at times led to peculiarities of emphasis in single words
Probably he was a man of philological crotchets he said for instance
»prospect«
»I scarcely think Mr Eldon will go on with the mining« replied Mrs
Waltham »Ah you think not«
»I am quite sure he said that unconsciously« the lady remarked to herself
»Hes thinking of some quite different affair«
»Mr Eldon« the clergyman resumed fixing upon her an absent eye »is Mr
Mutimers soninlaw I understand«
»His brother Mr Godfrey Eldon was« Mrs Waltham corrected
»Ah the one that died«
He said it questioningly then added
»I have a difficulty in mastering details of this kind You would do me a
great kindness in explaining to me briefly of whom the family at the Manor at
present consists«
Mrs Waltham was delighted to talk on such a subject
»Only of Mrs Eldon and her son Mr Hubert Eldon The elder son Godfrey
was lost in a shipwreck on a voyage to New Zealand«
»He was a sailor«
»Oh no« said the lady with a smile »He was in business at Belwick It
was shortly after his marriage with Miss Mutimer that he took the voyage
partly for his health partly to examine some property his father had had an
interest in Old Mr Eldon engaged in speculations I believe it was
flaxgrowing The results unfortunately were anything but satisfactory It was
that which led to his son entering business quite a new thing in their family
Wasnt it very sad Poor Godfrey and his young wife both drowned The marriage
was as you may imagine not altogether a welcome one to Mrs Eldon Mr Mutimer
was quite a self-made man quite I understand he has relations in London of the
very poorest class labouring people«
»They probably benefit by his will«
»I cant say In any case to a very small extent It has for a long time
been understood that Hubert Eldon inherits«
»Singular« murmured the clergyman still in the same absent way
»Is it not He took so to the young fellows no doubt he was flattered to be
allied to them And then he was passionately devoted to his daughter if only
for her sake he would have done his utmost for the family«
»I understand that Mr Mutimer purchased the Manor from them«
»That was before the marriage Godfrey Eldon sold it he had his fathers
taste for speculation I fancy and wanted capital Then Mr Mutimer begged them
to remain in the house He certainly was a wonderfully kind old old gentleman
his behaviour to Mrs Eldon was always the perfection of courtesy A stranger
would find it difficult to understand how she could get on so well with him but
their sorrows brought them together and Mr Mutimers generosity was really
noble If I had not known his origin I should certainly have taken him for a
county gentleman«
»Yet he proposed to mine in the valley« observed Mr Wyvern half to
himself casting a glance at the windows
Mrs Waltham did not at first see the connection between this and what she
had been saying Then it occurred to her that Mr Wyvern was aristocratic in his
views
»To be sure« she said »one expects to find a little of the original of
the moneymaking spirit Of course such a thing would never have suggested
itself to the Eldons And in fact very little of the lands remained to them Mr
Mutimer bought a great deal from other people«
As Mr Wyvern sat brooding Mrs Waltham asked
»You have seen Mrs Eldon«
»Not yet She is too unwell to receive visits«
»Yes poor thing she is a great invalid I thought perhaps you But I
know she likes to be very quiet What a strange thing about Mr Eldon is it
not You know that he has never come yet not even to the funeral«
»Singular«
»An inexplicable thing There has never been a shadow of disagreement
between them«
»Mr Eldon is abroad I believe« said the clergyman musingly
»Abroad Oh dear no At least I Is there news of his being abroad«
Mr Wyvern merely shook his head
»As far as we know« Mrs Waltham continued rather disturbed by the
suggestion »he is at Oxford«
»A student«
»Yes He is quite a youth only twoandtwenty«
There was a knock at the door and a maidservant entered to ask if she
should lay the table for tea Mrs Waltham assented then to her visitor
»You will do us the pleasure of drinking a cup of tea Mr Wyvern we make a
meal of it in the country way My boy and girl are sure to be in directly«
»I should like to make their acquaintance« was the grave response
»Alfred my son« the lady proceeded »is with us for his Easter holiday
Belwick is so short a distance away and yet too far to allow of his living
here unfortunately«
»His age«
»Just oneandtwenty«
»The same age as my own boy«
»Oh you have a son«
»A youngster studying music in Germany I have just been spending a
fortnight with him«
»How delightful If only poor Alfred could have pursued some more more
liberal occupation Unhappily we had small choice Friends were good enough to
offer him exceptional advantages not long after his fathers death and I was
only toe glad to accept the opening I believe he is a clever boy only such a
dreadful Radical« She laughed with a deprecatory motion of the hands »Poor
Adela and he are at daggers drawn no doubt it is some terrible argument that
detains them now on the road I cant think how he got his views certainly his
father never inculcated them«
»The air Mrs Waltham the air« murmured the clergyman
The lady was not quite sure that she understood the remark but the
necessity of reply was obviated by the entrance of the young man in question
Alfred was somewhat undergrown but of solid build He walked in a sturdy and
rather aggressive way and his plump face seemed to indicate an intelligence
bright indeed but of the less refined order His head was held stiffly and
his whole bearing betrayed a desire to make the most of his defective stature
His shake of the band was an abrupt downward jerk like a pull at a bellrope
In the smile with which he met Mr Wyvern a supercilious frame of mind was not
altogether concealed he seemed anxious to have it understood that in him the
clerical attire inspired nothing whatever of superstitious reverence Reverence
in truth was not Mr Walthams failing
Mr Wyvern as his habit was at introductions spoke no words but held the
youths hand for a few moments and looked him in the eyes Alfred turned his
head aside uneasily and was a trifle ruddy in the cheeks when at length he
regained his liberty
»Bytheby« he remarked to his mother when he had seated himself with
crossed legs »Eldon has turned up at last He passed us in a cab or so Adela
said I didnt catch a glimpse of the individual.«
»Really« exclaimed Mrs Waltham »He was coming from Agworth station«
»I suppose so There was a trunk on the fourwheeler Adela says he looked
ill though I dont see how she discovered so much«
»I have no doubt she is right He must have been ill«
Mr Wyvern in contrast with his habit was paying marked attention he
leaned forward with a hand on each knee In the meanwhile the preparations for
tea had progressed and as Mrs Waltham rose at the sight of the teapot being
brought in her daughter entered the room Adela was taller by half a head than
her brother she was slim and graceful The air had made her face bloom and the
smile which was added as she drew near to the vicar enhanced the charm of a
countenance at all times charming She was not less than ladylike in
selfpossession but Mr Wyverns towering sableness clearly awed her a little
For an instant her eyes drooped but at once she raised them and met the severe
gaze with unflinching orbs Releasing her hand Mr Wyvern performed a singular
little ceremony he laid his right palm very gently on her nutbrown hair and
his lips moved At the same time he all but smiled
Alfreds face was a delightful study the while it said so clearly
»Confound the parsons impudence« Mrs Waltham on the other hand looked
pleased as she rustled to her place at the teatray
»So Mr Eldon has come« she said glancing at Adela »Alfred says he looks
ill«
»Mother« interposed the young man »pray be accurate I distinctly stated
that I did not even see him and should not have known that it was he at all
Adela is responsible for that assertion«
»I just saw his face« the girl said naturally »I thought he looked ill«
Mr Wyvern addressed to her a question about her walk and for a few minutes
they conversed together There was a fresh simplicity in Adelas way of speaking
which harmonised well with her appearance and with the scene in which she moved
A gentle English girl this dainty home set in so fair and peaceful a corner of
the world was just the abode one would have chosen for her Her beauty seemed a
part of the burgeoning springtime She was not lavish of her smiles a timid
seriousness marked her manner to the clergyman and she replied to his
deliberately posed questions with a gravity respectful alike of herself and of
him
In front of Mr Wyvern stood a large cake of which a portion was already
sliced The vicar at Adelas invitation accepted a piece of the cake having
eaten this he accepted another then yet another His absence had come back
upon him and as he talked he continued to eat portions of the cake till but a
small fraction of the original structure remained on the dish Alfred keenly
observant of what was going on pursed his lips from time to time and looked at
his mother with exaggerated gravity leading her eyes to the vanishing cake
Even Adela could not but remark the reverend gentlemans abnormal appetite but
she steadily discouraged her brothers attempts to draw her into the joke At
length it came to pass that Mr Wyvern himself stretching his hand mechanically
to the dish became aware that he had exhibited his appreciation of the sweet
food in a degree not altogether sanctioned by usage He fixed his eyes on the
tablecloth and was silent for a while
As soon as the vicar had taken his departure Alfred threw himself into a
chair thrust out his legs and exploded in laughter
»By Jove« he shouted »If that man doesnt experience symptoms of disorder
Why I should be prostrate for a week if I consumed a quarter of what he has put
out of sight«
»Alfred you are shockingly rude« reproved his mother though herself
laughing »Mr Wyvern is absorbed in thought«
»Well he has taken the best means I should say to remind himself of
actualities« rejoined the youth »But what a man he is How did he behave in
church this morning«
»You should have come to see« said Mrs Waltham mildly censuring her sons
disregard of the means of grace
»I like Mr Wyvern« observed Adela who was standing at the window looking
out upon the dusking valley
»Oh you would like any man in parsonical livery« scoffed her brother
Alfred shortly betook himself to the garden where in spite of a decided
freshness in the atmosphere he walked for halfanhour smoking a pipe When he
entered the house again he met Adela at the foot of the stairs
»Mrs Mewling has just come in« she whispered
»All right Ill come up with you« was the reply »Heaven defend me from
her small talk«
They ascended to a very little room which made a kind of boudoir for Adela
Alfred struck a match and lit a lamp disclosing a nest of wonderful purity and
neatness On the table a drawingboard was slanted it showed a text of
Scripture in process of illumination
»Still at that kind of thing« exclaimed Alfred »My good child if you want
to paint why dont you paint in earnest Really Adela I must enter a protest
Remember that you are eighteen years of age«
»I dont forget it Alfred«
»At eightandtwenty at eightandthirty you propose still to be at the
same stage of development«
»I dont think well talk of it« said the girl quietly »We dont
understand each other«
»Of course not but we might if only youd read sensible books that I could
give you«
Adela shook her head The philosophical youth sank into his favourite
attitude legs extended hands in pockets nose in air
»So I suppose« he said presently »that fellow really has been ill«
Adela was sitting in thought she looked up with a shadow of annoyance on
her face
»That fellow«
»Eldon you know«
»I want to ask you a question« said his sister interlocking her fingers
and pressing them against her throat »Why do you always speak in a contemptuous
way of Mr Eldon«
»You know I dont like the individual.«
»What cause has the individual given you«
»Hes a snob«
»Im not sure that I know what that means« replied Adela after thinking
for a moment with downcast eyes
»Because you never read anything Hes a fellow who raises a great edifice
of pretence on rotten foundations«
»What can you mean Mr Eldon is a gentleman What pretence is he guilty
of«
»Gentleman« uttered her brother with much scorn »Upon my word that is the
vulgarest of denominations Who doesnt call himself so nowadays A mans a man
I take it and what need is there to lengthen the name Thank the powers we
dont live in feudal ages Besides he doesnt seem to me to be what you imply«
Adela had taken a book in turning over the pages she said
»No doubt you mean Alfred that for some reason you are determined to
view him with prejudice«
»The reason is obvious enough The fellows behaviour is detestable he
looks at you from head to foot as if you were applying for a place in his
stable Whenever I want an example of a contemptible aristocrat theres Eldon
readymade Contemptible because hes such a sham as if everybody didnt know
his history and his circumstances«
»Everybody doesnt regard them as you do There is nothing whatever
dishonourable in his position«
»Not in sponging on a rich old plebeian a man he despises and living in
idleness at his expense«
»I dont believe Mr Eldon does anything of the kind Since his brothers
death he has had a sufficient income of his own so mother says«
»Sufficient income of his own Bah Five or six hundred a year likely he
lives on that Besides havent they soaped old Mutimer into leaving them all
his property The whole affair is the best illustration one could possibly have
of what aristocrats are brought to in a democratic age First of all Godfrey
Eldon marries Mutimers daughter you are at liberty to believe if you like
that he would have married her just the same if she hadnt had a penny The old
fellow is flattered They see the hold they have and stick to him like leeches
All for want of money of course Our aristocrats begin to see that they cant
get on without money nowadays they cant live on family records and they find
that people wont toady to them in the old way just on account of their name
Why it began with Eldons father didnt he put his pride in his pocket and
try to make cash by speculation Now I can respect him he at all events faced
the facts of the case honestly The despicable thing in this Hubert Eldon is
that having got money once more and in the dirtiest way he puts on the
topsawyer just as if there was nothing to be ashamed of If he and his mother
were living in a small way on their few hundreds a year he might hawhaw as
much as he liked and I should only laugh at him hed be a fool but an honest
one But catch them doing that Family prides too insubstantial a thing you
see Well as I said they illustrate the natural course of things the
transition from the old age to the new If Eldon has sons theyll go in for
commerce and make themselves if they can millionaires but by that time
theyll dispense with airs and insolence see if they dont«
Adela kept her eyes on the pages before her but she was listening intently
A sort of verisimilitude in the picture drawn by her Radicalminded brother
could not escape her her thought was troubled When she spoke it was without
resentment but gravely
»I dont like this spirit in judging of people You know quite well Alfred
how easy it is to see the whole story in quite another way You begin by a harsh
and worldly judgment and it leads you to misrepresent all that follows I
refuse to believe that Godfrey Eldon married Mrs Mutimers daughter for her
money«
Alfred laughed aloud
»Of course you do sister Adela Women wont admit such things thats their
aristocratic feeling«
»And that is too worthless and a sham Will that too be done away with
in the new age«
»Oh depend upon it When women are educated they will take the world as it
is and decline to live on illusions«
»Then how glad I am to have been left without education«
In the meantime a conversation of a very lively kind was in progress between
Mrs Waltham and her visitor Mrs Mewling The latter was a lady whose position
much resembled Mrs Walthams she inhabited a small house in the village
street and spent most of her time in going about to hear or to tell some new
thing She came in this evening with a look presageful of news indeed
»Ive been to Belwick to day« she began sitting very close to Mrs
Waltham whose lap she kept touching as she spoke with excited fluency »Ive
seen Mrs Yottle My dear what do you think she has told me«
Mrs Yottle was the wife of a legal gentleman who had been in Mr Mutimers
confidence Mrs Waltham at once divined intelligence affecting the Eldons
»What« she asked eagerly
»Youd never dream such a thing what will come to pass An unthoughtof
possibility« She went on crescendo »My dear Mrs Waltham Mr Mutimer has left
no will«
It was as if an electric shock had passed from the tips of her fingers into
her hearers frame Mrs Waltham paled
»That cannot be true« she whispered incapable of utterance above breath
»Oh but theres not a doubt of it« Knowing that the news would be
particularly unpalatable to Mrs Waltham she proceeded to dwell upon it with
dancing eyes »Search has been going on since the day of the death not a corner
that hasnt been rummaged not a drawer that hasnt been turned out not a book
in the library that hasnt been shaken not a wall that hasnt been examined for
secret doors Mr Mutimer has died intestate«
The other lady was mute
»And shall I tell you how it came about Two days before his death he had
his will from Mr Yottle saying he wanted to make changes probably to execute
a new will altogether My dear he destroyed it and death surprised him before
he could make another«
»He wished to make changes«
»Ah« Mrs Mewling drew out the exclamation shaking her raised finger
pursing her lips »And of that too I can tell you the reason Mr Mutimer was
anything but pleased with young Eldon That young man let me tell you has been
conducting himself oh shockingly Now you wouldnt dream of repeating this«
»Certainly not«
»It seems that news came not so very long ago of a certain actress singer
something of the kind you understand Friends thought it their duty
rightly of course to inform Mr Mutimer I cant say exactly who did it but
we know that Hubert Eldon is not regarded affectionately by a good many people
My dear he has been out of England for more than a month living oh such
extravagance And the moral question too You know those women Someone they
say of European reputation of course no names are breathed For my part I
cant say I am surprised Young men you know and particularly young men of
that kind Well it has cost him a pretty penny hell remember it as long as he
lives«
»Then the property will go «
»Yes to the working people in London the roughest of the rough they say
What will happen It will be impossible for us to live here if they come and
settle at the Manor The neighbourhood will be intolerable Think of the
ragtagandbobtail they will bring with them«
»But Hubert« ejaculated Mrs Waltham whom this vision of barbaric onset
affected little in the crashing together of a great airy castle
»Well my dear after all he still has more to depend upon than many we
could instance Probably he will take to the law that is if he ever returns
to England«
»He is at the Manor« said Mrs Waltham with none of the pleasure it would
ordinarily have given her to be first with an item of news »He came this
afternoon«
»He did Who has seen him«
»Alfred and Adela passed him on the road He was in a cab«
»I feel for his poor mother What a meeting it will be But then we must
remember that they had no actual claim on the inheritance Of course it will be
a most grievous disappointment but what is life made of Im afraid some people
will be anything but grieved We must confess that Hubert has not been exactly
popular and I rather wonder at it Im sure he might have been if he had liked
Just a little too too selfconscious dont you think Of course it was quite
a mistake but people had an idea that he presumed on wealth which was not his
own Well well we quiet folk look on dont we Its rather like a play«
Presently Mrs Mewling leaned forward yet more confidentially
»My dear you wont be offended You dont mind a question There wasnt
anything definite Adela I mean«
»Nothing nothing whatever« Mrs Waltham asserted with vigour
»Ha« Mrs Mewling sighed deeply »How relieved I am I did so fear«
»Nothing whatever« the other lady repeated
»Thank goodness Then there is no need to breathe a word of those shocking
matters But they do get abroad so«
A reflection Mrs Mewling was justified in making
Chapter II
The cab which had passed Adela and her brother at a short distance from Wanley
brought faces to the windows or door of almost every house as it rolled through
the village street The direction in which it was going the trunk on the roof
the certainty that it had come from Agworth station suggested to everyone that
young Eldon sat within The occupant had however put up both windows just
before entering the village and sight of him was not obtained Wanley had
abundant matter for gossip that evening Huberts return giving a keener edge
to the mystery of his so long delay would alone have sufficed to wagging
tongues but in addition Mrs Mewling was on the warpath and the intelligence
she spread was of a kind to run like wildfire
The approach to the Manor was a carriageroad obliquely ascending the hill
from a point some quarter of a mile beyond the cottages which once housed
Belwicks abbots Of the house scarcely a glimpse could be caught till you were
well within the gates so thickly was it embosomed in trees This afternoon it
wore a cheerless face most of the blinds were still down and the dwelling
might have been unoccupied for any sign of human activity that the eye could
catch There was no porch at the main entrance and the heavy nailstudded door
greeted a visitor somewhat sombrely On the front of a gable stood the words
Nisi Dominus
The vehicle drew up and there descended a young man of pale countenance
his attire indicating long and hasty travel He pulled vigorously at the end of
a hanging bellchain and the door was immediately opened by a manservant in
black Hubert for he it was pointed to his trunk and whilst it was being
carried into the house took some loose coin from his pocket He handed the
driver a sovereign
»I have no change sir« said the man after examining the coin
But Hubert had already turned away he merely waved his hand and entered
the house For a drive of two miles the cabman held himself tolerably paid
The hall was dusky and seemed in need of fresh air Hubert threw off his
hat gloves and overcoat then for the first time spoke to the servant who
stood in an attitude of expectancy
»Mrs Eldon is at home«
»At home sir but very unwell She desires me to say that she fears she may
not be able to see you this evening«
»Is there a fire anywhere«
»Only in the library sir«
»I will dine there And let a fire be lit in my bedroom«
»Yes sir Will you dine at once sir«
»In an hour Something light I dont care what it is«
»Shall the fire be lit in your bedroom at once sir«
»At once and a hot bath prepared Come to the library and tell me when it
is ready«
The servant silently departed Hubert walked across the hall giving a
glance here and there and entered the library Nothing had been altered here
since his fathers nay since his grandfathers time That grandfather his
name Hubert had combined strong intellectual tendencies with the extravagant
tastes which gave his already tottering house the decisive push The large
collection of superblybound books which this room contained were nearly all of
his purchasing for prior to his time the Eldons had not been wont to concern
themselves with things of the mind. Hubert after walking to the window and
looking out for a moment on the side lawn pushed a small couch near to the
fireplace and threw himself down at full length his hands beneath his head In
a moment his position seemed to have become uneasy he turned upon his side
uttering an exclamation as if of pain A minute or two and again he moved this
time with more evident impatience The next thing he did was to rise step to
the bell and ring it violently
The same servant appeared
»Isnt the bath ready« Hubert asked His former mode of speaking had been
brief and decided be was now almost imperious
»I believe it will be in a moment sir« was the reply marked perhaps by
just a little failure in the complete subservience expected
Hubert looked at the man for an instant with contracted brows but merely
said »Tell them to be quick«
The man returned in less than three minutes with a satisfactory
announcement and Eldon went upstairs to refresh himself
Two hours later he had dined with obvious lack of appetite and was
deriving but slight satisfaction from a cigar when the servant entered with a
message from Mrs Eldon she desired to see her son
Hubert threw his cigar aside and made a gesture expressing his wish to be
led to his mothers room The man conducted him to the landing at the head of
the first flight of stairs there a female servant was waiting who after a
respectful movement led the way to a door at a few yards distance She opened
it and drew back Hubert passed into the room
It was furnished in a very oldfashioned styleheavily richly and with
ornaments seemingly procured rather as evidences of wealth than of taste
successive Mrs Eldons had used it as a boudoir The present lady of that name
sat in a great chair near the fire Though not yet fifty she looked at least
ten years older her hair had streaks of white and her thin delicate features
were much lined and wasted It would not be enough to say that she had evidently
once been beautiful for in truth she was so still with a spiritual beauty of a
very rare type Just now her face was set in a sternness which did not seem an
expression natural to it the fine lips were much more akin to smiling
sweetness and the brows accepted with repugnance anything but the stamp of
thoughtful charity
After the first glance at Hubert she dropped her eyes He stepping quickly
across the floor put his lips to her cheek she did not move her head nor
raise her hand to take his
»Will you sit there Hubert« she said pointing to a chair which was placed
opposite hers The resemblance between her present mode of indicating a wish and
her sons way of speaking to the servant below was very striking even the
quality of their voices had much in common for Huberts was rather
highpitched In face however the young man did not strongly evidence their
relation to each other he was not handsome and had straight low brows which
made his aspect at first forbidding
»Why have you not come to me before this« Mrs Eldon asked when her son had
seated himself with his eyes turned upon the fire
»I was unable to mother I have been ill«
She cast a glance at him There was no doubting the truth of what he said
at this moment he looked feeble and painworn
»Where did your illness come upon you« she asked her tone unsoftened
»In Germany I started only a few hours after receiving the letter in which
you told me of the death«
»My other letters you paid no heed to«
»I could not reply to them«
He spoke after hesitation but firmly as one does who has something to
brave out
»It would have been better for you if you had been able Hubert Your
refusal has cost you dear«
He looked up inquiringly
»Mr Mutimer« his mother continued a tremor in her voice »destroyed his
will a day or two before he died«
Hubert said nothing His fingers locked together before him twitched a
little his face gave no sign
»Had you come to me at once« Mrs Eldon pursued »had you listened to my
entreaties to my commands« her voice rang right queenly »this would not
have happened Mr Mutimer behaved as generously as he always has As soon as
there came to him certain news of you he told me everything I refused to
believe what people were saying and he too wished to do so He would not write
to you himself there was one allsufficient test he held and that was a
summons from your mother It was a test of your honour Hubert and you failed
under it«
He made no answer
»You received my letters« she went on to ask »I heard you had gone from
England and could only hope your letters would be forwarded Did you get them«
»With the delay of only a day or two«
»And deliberately you put me aside«
»I did«
She looked at him now for several moments Her eyes grew moist Then she
resumed in a lower voice
»I said nothing of what was at stake though I knew Mr Mutimer was
perfectly open with me I have trusted him implicitly he said because I
believe him as staunch and true as his brother I make no allowances for what
are called young mans follies he must be above anything of that kind If he is
not well I have been mistaken in him and I cant deal with him as I wish to
do You know what he was Hubert and you can imagine him speaking those words
We waited The bad news was confirmed and from you there came nothing I would
not hint at the loss you were incurring of my own purpose I should have
refrained from doing so and Mr Mutimer forbade me to appeal to anything but
your better self If you would not come to me because I wished it I could not
involve you and myself in shame by seeing you yield to sordid motives«
Hubert raised his head A choking voice kept him silent for a moment only
»Mother the loss is nothing to you you are above regrets of that kind and
for myself I am almost glad to have lost it«
»In very truth« answered the mother »I care little about the wealth you
might have possessed What I do care for is the loss of all the hopes I had
built upon you I thought you honour itself I thought you highminded Young as
you are I let you go from me without a fear Hubert I would have staked my
life that no shadow of disgrace would ever fall upon your head You have taken
from me the last comfort of my age«
He uttered words she could not catch
»The purity of your soul was precious to me« she continued her accents
struggling against weakness »I thought I had seen in you a love of that
chastity without which a man is nothing and I ever did my best to keep your
eyes upon a noble ideal of womanhood You have fallen The simpler duty the
point of everyday honour I could not suppose that you would fail in From the
day when you came of age when Mr Mutimer spoke to you saying that in every
respect you would be as his son and you for your part accepted what he
offered you owed it to him to respect the lightest of his reasonable wishes
The wish which was supreme in him you have utterly disregarded Is it that you
failed to understand him I have thought of late of a way you had now and then
when you spoke to me about him it has occurred to me that perhaps you did him
less than justice Regard his position and mine and tell me whether you think
he could have become so much to us if he had not been a gentleman in the highest
sense of the word When Godfrey first of all brought me that proposal from him
that we should still remain in this house it seemed to me the most impossible
thing You know what it was that induced me to assent and what led to his
becoming so intimate with us Since then it has been hard for me to remember
that he was not one of our family His weak points it was not difficult to
discover but I fear yon did not understand what was noblest in his character
Uprightness cleanheartedness good faith these things he prized before
everything In you in one of your birth he looked to find them in perfection
Hubert I stood shamed before him«
The young man breathed hard as if in physical pain His eyes were fixed in
a wide absent gaze Mrs Eldon had lost all the severity of her face the
profound sorrow of a pure and noble nature was alone to be read there now
»What« she continued »what is this class distinction upon which we pride
ourselves What does it mean if not that our opportunities lead us to see
truths to which the eyes of the poor and ignorant are blind Is there nothing in
it after all in our pride of birth and station That is what people are
saying nowadays you yourself have jested to me about our privileges You almost
make me dread that you were right Look back at that man whom I came to honour
as my own father He began life as a toiler with his hands Only a fortnight ago
he was telling me stories of his boyhood of seventy years since He was without
education his ideas of truth and goodness he had to find within his own heart
Could anything exceed the noble simplicity of his respect for me for you boys
We were poor but it seemed to him that we had from nature what no money could
buy He was wrong his faith misled him No not wrong with regard to all of us
my boy Godfrey was indeed all that he believed But think of himself what
advantage have we over him I know no longer what to believe Oh Hubert«
He left his chair and walked to a more distant part of the room where he
was beyond the range of lamp and firelight Standing here he pressed his hand
against his side still breathing hard and with difficulty suppressing a groan
He came a step or two nearer
»Mother« he said hurriedly »I am still far from well Let me leave you
speak to me again tomorrow«
Mrs Eldon made an effort to rise looking anxiously into the gloom where he
stood She was all but standing upright a thing she had not done for a long
time when Hubert sprang towards her seizing her hands then supporting her in
his arms Her selfcommand gave way at length and she wept
Hubert placed her gently in the chair and knelt beside her He could find no
words but once or twice raised his face and kissed her
»What caused your illness« she asked speaking as one wearied with
suffering She lay back and her eyes were closed
»I cannot say« he answered »Do not speak of me In your last letter there
was no account of how he died«
»It was in church at the morning service The pewopener found him sitting
there dead when all had gone away«
»But the vicar could see into the pew from the pulpit The death must have
been very peaceful«
»No he could not see the front curtains were drawn«
»Why was that I wonder«
Mrs Eldon shook her head
»Are you in pain« she asked suddenly »Why do you breathe so strangely«
»A little pain Oh nothing I will see Manns tomorrow«
His mother gazed long and steadily into his eyes and this time he bore her
look
»Mother you have not kissed me« he whispered
»And cannot dear There is too much between us«
His head fell upon her lap
»Hubert«
He pressed her hand
»How shall I live when you have gone from me again When you say goodbye
it will be as if I parted from you for ever«
Hubert was silent
»Unless« she continued »unless I have your promise that you will no
longer dishonour yourself«
He rose from her side and stood in front of the fire his mother looked and
saw that he trembled
»No promise Hubert« she said »that you cannot keep Rather than that we
will accept our fate and be nothing to each other«
»You know very well mother that that is impossible I cannot speak to you
of what drove me to disregard your letters I love and honour you and shall
have to change my nature before I cease to do so«
»To me Hubert you seem already to have changed I scarcely know you«
»I cant defend myself to you« he said sadly »We think so differently on
subjects which allow of no compromise that even if I could speak openly you
would only condemn me the more«
His mother turned upon him a griefstricken and wondering face
»Since when have we differed so« she asked »What has made us strangers to
each others thoughts Surely surely you are at one with me in condemning all
that has led to this If your character has been too weak to resist temptation
you cannot have learnt to make evil your good«
He kept silence
»You refuse me that last hope«
Hubert moved impatiently
»Mother I cant see beyond today I know nothing of what is before me It
is the idlest trifling with words to say one will do this or that when action
in no way depends on ones own calmer thought In this moment I could promise
anything you ask if I had my choice I would be a child again and have no
desire but to do your will to be worthy in your eyes I hate my life and the
years that have parted me from you Let us talk no more of it«
Neither spoke again for some moments then Hubert asked coldly
»What has been done«
»Nothing« replied Mrs Eldon in the same tone »Mr Yottle has waited for
your return before communicating with the relatives in London«
»I will go to Belwick in the morning« he said Then after reflection »Mr
Mutimer told you that he had destroyed his will«
»No He had it from Mr Yottle two days before his death and on the day
after the Monday Mr Yottle was to have come to receive instructions for a
new one It is nowhere to be found of course it was destroyed«
»I suppose there is no doubt of that« Hubert asked with a show of
indifference
»There can be none Mr Yottle tells me that a will which existed before
Godfreys marriage was destroyed in the same way«
»Who is the heir«
»A greatnephew bearing the same name The will contained provision for him
and certain of his family Wanley is his the personal property will be divided
among several«
»The people have not come forward«
»We presume they do not even know of Mr Mutimers death There has been no
direct communication between him and them for many years«
Huberts next question was »What shall you do mother«
»Does it interest you Hubert I am too feeble to move very far I must find
a home either here in the village or at Agworth«
Ho looked at her with compassion with remorse
»And you my boy« asked his mother raising her eyes gently
»I Oh the selfish never come to harm be sure Only the gentle and
helpless have to suffer that is the plan of the worlds ruling«
»The world is not ruled by one who thinks our thoughts, Hubert«
He had it on his lips to make a rejoinder but checked the impulse
»Say goodnight to me« his mother continued »You must go and rest If you
still feel unwell in the morning a messenger shall go to Belwick You are very
very pale«
Hubert held his hand to her and bent his head Mrs Eldon offered her cheek
he kissed it and went from the room
At seven oclock on the following morning a bell summoned a servant to
Huberts bedroom Though it was daylight a lamp burned near the bed Hubert lay
against pillows heaped high
»Let someone go at once for Dr Manns« he said appearing to speak with
difficulty »I wish to see him as soon as possible Mrs Eldon is to know
nothing of his visit you understand me«
The servant withdrew In rather less than an hour the doctor made his
appearance with every sign of having been interrupted in his repose He was a
spare man full bearded and spectacled
»Something wrong« was his greeting as he looked keenly at his summoner »I
didnt know you were here«
»Yes« Hubert replied »something is confoundedly wrong I have been playing
strange tricks in the night I fancy«
»Fever«
»As a consequence of something else I shall have to tell you what must be
repeated to no one as of course you will see Let me see when was it
Saturday today Ten days ago I had a pistolbullet just here« he touched
his right side »It was extracted and I seemed to be not much the worse I have
just come from Germany«
Dr Manns screwed his face into an expression of sceptical amazement
»At present« Hubert continued trying to laugh »I feel considerably the
worse I dont think I could move if I tried In a few minutes ten to one I
shall begin talking foolery You must keep people away get what help is needed
I may depend upon you«
The doctor nodded and whistling low began an examination
Chapter III
On the dun borderland of Islington and Hoxton in a corner made by the
intersection of the New North Road and the Regents Canal is discoverable an
irregular triangle of small dwellinghouses bearing the name of Wilton Square
In the midst stands an amorphous structure which on examination proves to be a
very ugly house and a still uglier Baptist chapel built back to back The pair
are enclosed within iron railings and more strangely a circle of trees which
in due season do veritably put forth green leaves One side of the square shows
a second place of worship the resort as an inscription declares of Welsh
Calvinistic Methodists The houses are of one storey with kitchen windows
looking upon small areas the front door is reached by an ascent of five steps
The canal maladetta e sventurata fossa stagnating in utter foulness
between coalwharfs and builders yards at this point divides two
neighbourhoods of different aspects On the south is Hoxton a region of
malodorous market streets of factories timber yards grimy warehouses of
alleys swarming with small trades and crafts of filthy courts and passages
leading into pestilential gloom everywhere toil in its most degrading forms
the thoroughfares thundering with highladen waggons the pavements trodden by
working folk of the coarsest type the corners and lurkingholes showing
destitution at its ugliest Walking northwards the explorer finds himself in
freer air amid broader ways in a district of dwellinghouses only the roads
seem abandoned to milkmen catsmeat vendors and costermongers Here will be
found streets in which every window has its card advertising lodgings others
claim a higher respectability the houses retreating behind patches of
gardenground and occasionally showing plastered pillars and a balcony The
change is from undisguised struggle for subsistence to mean and spiritbroken
leisure hither retreat the betterpaid of the great slavearmy when they are
free to eat and sleep To walk about a neighbourhood such as this is the
dreariest exercise to which man can betake himself the heart is crushed by
uniformity of decent squalor one remembers that each of these deadfaced
houses often each separate blind window represents a home and the
associations of the word whisper blank despair
Wilton Square is on the north side of the foss on the edge of the quieter
district and in one of its houses dwelt at the time of which I write the family
on whose behalf Fate was at work in a valley of midEngland Joseph Mutimer
nephew to the old man who had just died at Wanley Manor had himself been at
rest for some five years his widow and three children still lived together in
the home they had long occupied Joseph came of a family of mechanics his
existence was that of the harmless necessary artisan He earned a living by dint
of incessant labour brought up his family in an orderly way and departed with
a certain sense of satisfaction at having fulfilled obvious duties the only
result of life for which he could reasonably look With his children we shall
have to make closer acquaintance but before doing so in order to understand
their position and follow with intelligence their several stories it will be
necessary to enter a little upon the subject of ancestry
Joseph Mutimers father Henry by name was a somewhat remarkable personage
He grew to manhood in the first decade of our century and wrought as a
craftsman in a Midland town He had a brother Richard some ten years his
junior and the two were of such different types of character each so
pronounced in his kind that after vain attempts to get along together they
parted for good heedless of each other henceforth pursuing their sundered
destinies Henry was by nature a political enthusiast of insufficient ballast
careless of the main chance of hot and ready tongue the Chartist movement gave
him opportunities of action which he used to the utmost and he became a member
of the socalled National Convention established in Birmingham in 1839 Already
he had achieved prominence by being imprisoned as the leader of a torchlight
procession and this taste of martyrdom naturally sharpened his zeal He had
married young but only visited his family from time to time His wife for the
most part earned her own living and ultimately betook herself to London with
her son Joseph the single survivor of seven children Henry pursued his career
of popular agitation supporting himself in miscellaneous ways writing his wife
an affectionate letter once in six months and making himself widely known as an
uncompromising Radical of formidable powers Newspapers of that time mention his
name frequently he was always in hot water and once or twice narrowly escaped
transportation In 1842 he took active part in the riots of the Midland
Counties and at length was unfortunate enough to get his head broken He died
in hospital before any relative could reach him
Richard Mutimer regarded with detestation the principles to which Henry had
sacrificed his life From childhood he was staid earnest and ironwilled to
whatsoever he put his hand he did it thoroughly and it was his pride to
receive aid from no man Intensely practical he early discerned the truth that
a mans first object must be to secure himself a competency seeing that to one
who lacks money the world is but a great debtors prison To make money
therefore was his aim and anything that interfered with the interests of
commerce and industry from the capitalists point of view he deemed unmitigated
evil When his brother Henry was leading processions and preaching the Peoples
Charter Richard enrolled himself as a special constable cursing the tumults
which drew him from business but determined if he got the opportunity to
strike a good hard blow in defence of law and order Already he was well on the
way to possess a solid stake in the country and the native conservatism of his
temperament grew stronger as circumstances bent themselves to his will a
proletarian conquering wealth and influence naturally prizes these things in
proportion to the effort their acquisition has cost him When he heard of his
brothers death he could in conscience say nothing more than »Serve him right«
For all that he paid the funeral expenses of the Chartist angrily declining
an offer from Henrys cozealots who would have buried the martyr at their
common charges and proceeded to inquire after the widow and son Joseph
Mutimer already one or twoandtwenty was in no need of help he and his
mother naturally prejudiced against the thriving uncle declared themselves
satisfied with their lot and desired no further connection with a relative who
was practically a stranger to them
So Richard went on his way and heaped up riches When already middleaged he
took to himself a wife his choice being marked with characteristic prudence
The woman he wedded was turned thirty had no money and few personal charms
but was a lady Richard was fully able to appreciate education and refinement
to judge from the course of his later life one would have said that he had
sought money only as a means the end he really aimed at being the satisfaction
of instincts which could only have full play in a higher social sphere No doubt
the truth was that success sweetened his character and developed as is so
often the case those possibilities of his better nature which a fruitless
struggle would have kept in the germ or altogether crushed His excellent wife
influenced him profoundly at her death the work was continued by the daughter
she left him The defects of his early education could not of course be
repaired but it is never too late for a man to go to school to the virtues
which civilise Remaining the sturdiest of Conservatives he bowed in sincere
humility to those very claims which the Radical most angrily disallows birth
hereditary station recognised gentility these things made the strongest
demand upon his reverence Such an attitude was a testimony to his own capacity
for culture since he knew not the meaning of vulgar adulation and did in truth
perceive the beauty of those qualities to which the uneducated Iconoclast is
wholly blind It was a joyous day for him when he saw his daughter the wife of
Godfrey Eldon The loss which so soon followed was correspondingly hard to bear
and but for Mrs Eldons gentle sympathy he would scarcely have survived the
blow We know already how his character had impressed that lady such respect
was not lightly to be won and he came to regard it as the most precious thing
that life had left him
But the man was not perfect and his latest practical undertaking curiously
enough illustrated the failing which he seemed most completely to have outgrown
It was of course a deplorable error to think of mining in the beautiful valley
which had once been the Eldons estate Richard Mutimer could not perceive that
He was a very old man and possibly the instincts of his youth revived as his
mind grew feebler he imagined it the greatest kindness to Mrs Eldon and her
son to increase as much as possible the value of the property he would leave at
his death They of course could not even hint to him the pain with which they
viewed so barbarous a scheme he did not as much as suspect a possible
objection Intensely happy in his discovery and the activity to which it led he
would have gone to his grave rich in all manner of content but for that fatal
news which reached him from London where Hubert Eldon was supposed to be
engaged in sober study in an interval of University work Doubtless it was this
disappointment that caused his sudden death and so brought about a state of
things which could he have foreseen it would have occasioned him the bitterest
grief
He had never lost sight of his relatives in London and had made for them
such modest provision as suited his view of the fitness of things To leave
wealth to young men of the working class would have seemed to him the most
inexcusable of follies if such were to rise at all it must be by their own
efforts and in consequence of their native merits otherwise let them toil on
and support themselves honestly From secret sources he received information of
the capabilities and prospects of Joseph Mutimers children and the items of
his will were regulated accordingly
So we return to the family in Wilton Square Let us before proceeding with
the story enumerate the younger Mutimers The firstborn now aged
fiveandtwenty had his greatuncles name Joseph Mutimer married and no
better off in worldly possessions than when he had only himself to support came
to regret the coldness with which he had received the advances of his uncle the
capitalist and christened his son Richard with half a hope that some day the
name might stand the boy in stead Richard was a mechanical engineer employed
in certain ironworks where hydraulic machinery was made The second child was a
girl upon whom had been bestowed the names Alice Maud after one of the Queens
daughters on which account and partly with reference to certain personal
characteristics she was often called the Princess Her age was nineteen and
she had now for two years been employed in the showrooms of a City warehouse
Last comes Henry a lad of seventeen he had been suffered to aim at higher
things than the rest of the family In the industrial code of precedence the
rank of clerk is a step above that of mechanic and Henry known to relatives
and friends as Arry occupied the proud position of clerk in a drainpipe
manufactory
Chapter IV
At ten oclock on the evening of Easter Sunday Mrs Mutimer was busy preparing
supper She had laid the table for six had placed at one end of it a large
joint of cold meat at the other a vast ricepudding already diminished by
attack and she was now slicing a conglomerate mass of cold potatoes and cabbage
prior to heating it in the fryingpan which hissed with melted dripping just on
the edge of the fire The kitchen was small and everywhere reflected from some
bright surface either the glow of the open grate or the yellow lustre of the
gasjet red curtains drawn across the window added warmth and homely comfort to
the room It was not the kitchen of pinched or slovenly working folk the air
had a scent of cleanliness of freshly scrubbed boards and polished metal and
the furniture was superabundant On the capacious dresser stood or hung
utensils innumerable cupboards and chairs had a struggle for wall space every
smallest object was in the place assigned to it by use and wont
The housewife was an active woman of something less than sixty stout
freshfeatured with a small keen eye a firm mouth and the look of one who
conscious of responsibilities yet feels equal to them on the whole a kindly
and contented face if lacking the suggestiveness which comes of thought At
present she seemed on the verge of impatience it was supper time but her
children lingered
»There they are and there they must wait I spose« she murmured to
herself as she finished slicing the vegetables and went to remove the pan a
little from the fire
A knock at the house door called her upstairs She came down again followed
by a young girl of pleasant countenance though pale and anxiouslooking The
visitors dress was very plain and indicated poverty she wore a long black
jacket untrimmed a boa of cheap fur tied at the throat with black ribbon a
hat of grey felt black cotton gloves
»No one here« she asked seeing the empty kitchen
»Goodness knows where they all are I spose Dicks at his meeting but
Alice and Arry had ought to be back by now Sit you down to the table and Ill
put on the vegetables theres no call to wait for them Only I aint got the
beer«
»Oh but I didnt mean to come for supper« said the girl whose name was
Emma Vine »I only ran in to tell you poor Janes down again with rheumatic
fever«
Mrs Mutimer was holding the fryingpan over the fire turning the contents
over and over with a knife
»You dont mean that« she exclaimed looking over her shoulder »Why its
the fifth time aint it«
»It is indeed and worse to get through every time We didnt expect shed
ever be able to walk again last autumn«
»Dear dear what a thing them rheumatics is to be sure And youve heard
about Dick havent you«
»Heard what«
»Oh I thought maybe it had got to you Hes lost his work thats all«
»Lost his work« the girl repeated with dismay »Why«
»Why What else had he to expect Taint likely theyll keep a man as goes
about making all his mates discontented and calling his employers names at every
street corner Ive been looking for it every week Yesterday one of the guvnors
calls him up and tells him just in a few civil words as perhaps it ud be
better for all parties if hed find a place where he was more satisfied Well
an good says Dick you know his way and there he is«
The girl had seated herself and listened to this story with downcast eyes
Courage seemed to fail her she drew a long quiet sigh Her face was of the
kind that expresses much sweetness in irregular features Her look was very
honest and gentle with pathetic meanings for whoso had the eye to catch them a
peculiar mobility of the lips somehow made one think that she had often to exert
herself to keep down tears She spoke in a subdued voice always briefly and
with a certain natural refinement in the use of uncultured language When Mrs
Mutimer ceased Emma kept silence and smoothed the front of her jacket with an
unconscious movement of the hand
Mrs Mutimer glanced at her and showed commiseration
»Well well dont you worrit about it Emma« she said »youve quite
enough on your hands Dick dont care not he he couldnt look more
highflyin if someone had left him a fortune He says its the best thing as
could happen Nay I cant explain hell tell you plenty soon as he gets in
Cut yourself some meat child do and dont wait for me to help you See Ill
turn you out some potatoes you dont care for the greens I know«
The fry had hissed vigorously whilst this conversation went on the results
were brown and unctuous
»Now if it aint too bad« cried the old woman losing selfcontrol »That
Arry gets later every Sunday and he knows very well as I have to wait for the
beer till he comes«
»Ill fetch it« said Emma rising
»You indeed Id like to see Dick if he caught me asending you to the
publichouse«
»He wont mind it for once«
»You get on with your supper do Its only my fidgetiness I can do very
well a bit longer And Alice wheres she off to I wonder What it is to have a
girl that age I wish they was all like you Emma Get on with your supper I
tell you or youll make me angry Now it aint no use taking it to eart in
that way I see what youre worritin over Dick aint the man to be out o work
long«
»But wont it be the same at his next place« Emma inquired She was trying
to eat but it was a sad pretence
»Nay theres no telling Its no good my talkin to him Why dont you see
what you can do Emma Taint as if hed no one but his own self to think
about Dont you think you could make him see that If anyone has a right to
speak its you Tell him as hed ought to have a bit more thought Its wait
wait wait and likely to be if things go on like this Speak up and tell him as
«
»Oh I couldnt do that« murmured Emma »Dick knows best«
She stopped to listen there was a noise above as of people entering the
house
»Here they come at last« said Mrs Mutimer »Hear him laughin Now dont
you be so ready to laugh with him Let him see as it aint such good fun to
everybody«
Heavy feet tramped down the stone stairs amid a sound of loud laughter and
excited talk The next moment the kitchen door was thrown open and two young
men appeared The one in advance was Richard Mutimer behind him came a friend
of the family Daniel Dabbs
»Well what do you think of this« Richard exclaimed as he shook Emmas
hands rather carelessly »Mother been putting you out of spirits I suppose
Why its grand the best thing that could have happened What a meeting weve
had tonight What do you say Dan«
Richard represented too favourably to make him anything but an exception
the best qualities his class can show He was the English artisan as we find him
on rare occasions the issue of a good strain which has managed to procure a
sufficiency of food for two or three generations His physique was admirable
little short of six feet in stature he had shapely shoulders an erect
wellformed head clean strong limbs and a bearing which in natural ease and
dignity matched that of the picked men of the upper class those fine creatures
whose career from public school to regimental quarters is one exclusive course
of bodily training But the comparison on the whole was to Richards
advantage By no possibility could he have assumed that aristocratic vacuity of
visage which comes of carefully induced cerebral atrophy The air of the
workshop suffered little colour to dwell upon his cheeks but to features of so
pronounced and intelligent a type this pallor added a distinction He had dark
brown hair thick and long and a cropped beard of hue somewhat lighter His
eyes were his mothers keen and direct but they had small variety of
expression you could not imagine them softening to tenderness or even to
thoughtful dreaming Terribly wide awake they seemed to be always looking for
the weak points of whatever they regarded and their brightness was not seldom
suggestive of malice His voice was strong and clear it would ring out well in
public places which is equivalent to saying that it hardly invited too intimate
conference You will take for granted that Richard displayed alike in attitude
and tone a distinct consciousness of his points of superiority to the men among
whom he lived probably he more than suspected that he could have held his own
in spheres to which there seemed small chance of his being summoned
Just now he showed at once the best and the weakest of his points Coming in
a state of exaltation from a meeting of which he had been the eloquent hero
such light as was within him flashed from his face freely all the capacity and
the vigour which impelled him to strain against the strait bonds of his lot set
his body quivering and made music of his utterance At the same time his free
movements passed easily into swagger and as he talked on the false notes were
not few A working man gifted with brains and comeliness must be sure of it
pay penalties for his prominence
Quite another man was Daniel Dabbs in him you saw the proletarian pure and
simple He was thickset squareshouldered rolling in gait he walked with
head bent forward and eyes glancing uneasily as if from lack of
self-confidence His wiry black hair shone with grease and no accuracy of
razorplay would make his chin white A man of immense strength but bullnecked
and altogether ungainly his heavy fist with its black veins and terrific
knuckles suggested primitive methods of settling dispute the stumpy fingers
engrimed hopelessly and the filthy broken nails showed how he wrought for a
living His face if you examined it without prejudice was not ill to look
upon there was much good humour about the mouth and the eyes shrewd enough
could glimmer a kindly light His laughter was roofshaking always a good sign
in a man
»And what have you got to say of these fine doings Mr Dabbs« Mrs Mutimer
asked him
»Why its like this ere Mrs Mutimer« Daniel began having seated
himself with hands on widelyparted knees »As far as the theory goes Im all
for Dick any man must be as knows his two times two But about the Longwoods
well I tell Dick theyve a perfect right to get rid of him finding him a
dangerous enemy you see It was all fair and above board Young Stephen
Longwood ups ansays leastways not in these words but them as means the same
says he Look ere Mutimer he says weve no fault to find with you as a
workman but from what we hear of you it seems you dont care much for us as
employers Hadnt you better find a shop as is run on Socialist principles
Thats all about it you see its a case of incompatible temperaments theres
no illfeelin not as between man and man And thats what I say too«
»Now Dick« said Mrs Mutimer »before you begin your sermon whos agoin
to fetch my beer«
»Right Mrs Mutimer« cried Daniel slapping his leg »Thats what I call
coming from theory to practice Beer squares allleastways for the time being
only for the time being Dick Wheres the jug Better give me two jugs weve
had a thirsty night of it«
»Well make capital of this« said Richard walking about the room in
Daniels absence »The great point gained is theyve shown theyre afraid of
me Well write it up in the paper next week see if we dont Itll do us a
sight of good«
»And wheres your weekly wages to come from« inquired his mother
»Oh Ill look after that I only wish theyd refuse me all round the more
of that kind of thing the better for us Im not afraid but I can earn my
living«
Through all this Emma Vine had sat with her thoughtful eyes constantly
turned on Richard It was plain how pride struggled with anxiety in her mind
When Richard had kept silence for a moment she ventured to speak having tried
in vain to meet his look
»Janes ill again Richard« she said
Mutimer had to summon his thoughts from a great distance his endeavour to
look sympathetic was not very successful
»Not the fever again«
»Yes it is« she replied sadly
»Going to work in the wet I suppose«
He shrugged his shoulders in his present mood the fact was not so much
personally interesting to him as in the light of another case against
capitalism Emmas sister had to go a long way to her daily employment and
could not afford to ride the fifth attack of rheumatic fever was the price she
paid for being permitted to earn ten shillings a week
Daniel returned with both jugs foaming his face on a broad grin of
anticipation There was a general move to the table Richard began to carve
roast beef like a freeman not by any means like the serf he had repeatedly
declared himself in the course of the evenings oratory
»Her Royal Ighness out« asked Daniel with constraint not solely due to
the fact that his mouth was full
»Shes round at Mrs Tooks I should think« was Mrs Mutimers reply
»Staying supper peraps«
Richard after five minutes of surprising trencherwork recommenced
conversation The proceedings of the evening at the hall which was the centre
for Socialist gatherings in this neighbourhood were discussed by him and Daniel
with much liveliness Dan was disposed to take the meeting on its festive and
humorous side for him economic agitation was a mode of passing a few hours
amid congenial uproar Whenever stamping and shouting were called for Daniel
was your man Abuse of employers it was true gave a zest to the occasion and
to applaud the martyrdom of others was as cheery an occupation as could be
asked Daniel had no idea of sacrificing his own weekly wages and therein
resembled most of those who had been loud in uncompromising rhetoric Richard
on the other hand was unmistakably zealous His sense of humour was not strong
and in any case he would have upheld the serious dignity of his own position
One saw from his way of speaking that he believed himself about to become a
popular hero already in imagination he stood forth on platforms before vast
assemblies and heard his own voice denouncing capitalism with force which
nothing could resist The first taste of applause had given extraordinary
impulse to his convictions and the personal ambition with which they were
interwoven His grandfathers blood was hot in him tonight Henry Mutimer
dying in hospital of his broken skull would have found euthanasia could he in
vision have seen this worthy descendant entering upon a career in comparison
with which his own was unimportant
The highpitched voices and the clatter of knives and forks allowed a
newcomer to enter the kitchen without being immediately observed It was a tall
girl of interesting and vivacious appearance she wore a dress of tartan a very
small hat trimmed also with tartan and with a red feather a tippet of brown fur
about her shoulders and a muff of the same material on one of her hands Her
figure was admirable from the crest of her gracefully poised head to the tip of
her wellchosen boot she was in line and structure the type of mature woman
Her face if it did not indicate a mind to match her frame was at the least
sweetfeatured and provoking characterless somewhat but void of
dangersignals doubtless too good to be merely played with in any case very
capable of sending a ray in one moment or another to the shadowy
dreamingplace of graver thoughts Alice Maud Mutimer was nineteen For two
years she had been thus tall but the grace of her proportions had only of late
fully determined itself Her work in the City warehouse was unexacting she had
even a faint impress of rosepetal on each cheek and her eye was excellently
clear Her lips unfortunately never quite closed betrayed faultless teeth Her
likeness to Richard was noteworthy beyond question she understood the charm of
her presence and one felt that the consciousness might in her case constitute
rather a safeguard than otherwise
She stood with one hand on the door surveying the table When the direction
of Mrs Mutimers eyes at length caused Richard and Daniel to turn their heads
Alice nodded to each
»What noisy people I heard you out in the square«
She was moving past the table but Daniel suddenly backing his chair
intercepted her The girl gave him her hand and by way of being jocose he
squeezed it so vehemently that she uttered a shrill »Oh«
»Leave go Mr Dabbs Leave go I tell you How dare you Ill hit you as
hard as I can«
Daniel laughed obstreperously
»Do do« he cried »What a mighty blow that ud be Only the left hand
though I shall get over it«
She wrenched herself away gave Daniel a smart slap on the back and ran
round to the other side of the table where she kissed Emma affectionately
»How thirsty I am« she exclaimed »You havent drunk all the beer I hope«
»Im not so sure of that« Dan replied »Why there aint more than arf a
pint thats not much use for a Royal Ighness«
She poured it into a glass Alice reached across the table raised the glass
to her lips and emptied it Then she threw off hat tippet and gloves and
seated herself But in a moment she was up and at the cupboard
»Now mother you dont you dont say as theres not a pickle«
Her tone was deeply reproachful
»Why there now« replied her mother laughing »I knew what it ud be I
meant to a got them last night Youll have to make shift for once«
The Princess took her seat with an air of much dejection Her pretty lips
grew mutinous she pushed her plate away
»No supper for me The idea of cold meat without a pickle«
»Whats the time« cried Daniel »Not closing time yet I can get a pickle
at the Dukes Arms Give me a glass Mrs Mutimer«
Alice looked up slily half smiling half doubtful
»You may go« she said »I like to see strong men make themselves useful«
Dan rose and was off at once He returned with the tumbler full of pickled
walnuts Alice emptied half a dozen into her plate and put one of them whole
into her mouth She would not have been a girl of her class if she had not
relished this pungent dainty Fish of any kind green vegetables eggs and
bacon with all these a drench of vinegar was indispensable to her And she
proceeded to eat a supper scarcely less substantial than that which had appeased
her brothers appetite Start not dear reader the Princess is only a
subordinate heroine and happens moreover to be a living creature
»Wont you take a walnut Miss Vine« Daniel asked pushing the tumbler to
the quiet girl who had scarcely spoken through the meal
She declined the offered dainty and at the same time rose from the table
saying aside to Mrs Mutimer that she must be going
»Yes I suppose you must« was the reply »Shall you have to sit up with
Jane«
»Not all night I dont expect«
Richard likewise left his place and when she offered to bid him
goodnight said that he would walk a little way with her In the passage above
which was gaslighted he found his hat on a nail and the two left the house
together
»Dont you really mind« Emma asked looking up into his face as they took
their way out of the square
»Not I I can get a job at Baldwins any day But I dare say I shant want
one long«
»Not want work«
He laughed
»Work Oh plenty of work but perhaps not the same kind We want men who
can give their whole time to the struggle to go about lecturing and the like
Of course it isnt everybody can do it«
The remark indicated his belief that he knew one man not incapable of
leading functions
»And would they pay you« Emma inquired simply
»Expenses of that kind are inevitable« he replied
Issuing into the New North Road where there were still many people
hastening one way and the other they turned to the left crossed the canal
black and silent and were soon among narrow streets Every corner brought a
whiff of some rank odour which stole from closed shops and warehouses and hung
heavily on the still air The publichouses had just extinguished their lights
and in the neighbourhood of each was a cluster of lingering men and women merry
or disputatious MidEaster was inviting repose and festivity tomorrow would
see culmination of riot and after that it would only depend upon pecuniary
resources how long the muddled interval between holiday and renewed labour
should drag itself out
The end of their walk was the entrance to a narrow passage which at a few
yards distance widened itself and became a street of fourstoreyed houses At
present this could not be discerned the passage was a mere opening into massive
darkness Richard had just been making inquiries about Emmas sister
»Youve had the doctor«
»Yes were obliged she does so dread going to the hospital again Each
time shes longer in getting well«
Richards hand was in his pocket he drew it out and pressed something
against the girls palm
»Oh how can I« she said dropping her eyes »No dont Im ashamed«
»Thats all right« he urged not unkindly »Youll have to get her what the
doctor orders and it isnt likely you and Kate can afford it«
»Youre always so kind Richard But I am I am ashamed«
»I say Emma why dont you call me Dick Ive meant to ask you that many a
time«
She turned her face away moving as if abashed
»I dont know It sounds perhaps I want to make a difference from what the
others call you«
He laughed with a sound of satisfaction
»Well you mustnt stand here its a cold night Try and come Tuesday or
Wednesday«
»Yes I will«
»Good night« he said and as he held her hand bent to the lips which were
ready
Emma walked along the passage and for some distance up the middle of the
street Then she stopped and looked up at one of the black houses There were
lights more or less curtaindimmed in nearly all the windows Emma regarded a
faint gleam in the topmost storey To that she ascended
Mutimer walked homewards at a quick step whistling to himself A latchkey
gave him admission As he went down the kitchen stairs he heard his mothers
voice raised in anger and on opening the door he found that Daniel had
departed and that the supper table was already cleared Alice her feet on the
fender and her dress raised a little was engaged in warming herself before
going to bed The object of Mrs Mutimers chastisement was the youngest member
of the family known as Arry even Richard who had learnt to be somewhat
careful in his pronunciation could not bestow the aspirate upon his brothers
name Henry aged seventeen promised to do credit to the Mutimers in physical
completeness already he was nearly as tall as his eldest brother and even in
his lankness showed the beginnings of wellproportioned vigour But the shape
of his head which was covered with hair of the lightest hue did not encourage
hope of mental or moral qualities It was not quite fair to judge his face as
seen at present the vacant grin of half timid half insolent resentment made
him considerably more simian of visage than was the case under ordinary
circumstances But the features were unpleasant to look upon it was Richards
face distorted and enfeebled with impress of sensual instincts
»As long as you live in this house it shant go on« his mother was saying
»Sunday or Monday its no matter youll be home before eleven oclock and
youll come home sober Youre no better than a pig«
Arry was seated in a far corner of the room where he had dropped his body
on entering His attire was such as the cheap tailors turn out in imitation of
extreme fashions trousers closely moulded upon the leg a buff waistcoat a
short coat with pockets everywhere A very high collar kept his head up against
his will his necktie was crimson and passed through a brass ring he wore a
silver watchchain or what seemed to be such One hand was gloved and a cane
lay across his knees His attitude was one of relaxed muscles his legs very far
apart his body not quite straight
»What d you call sober Id like to know« he replied with looseness of
utterance »Im as sober s anybody in this room If a chap cant go out with s
friends t Easter an all «
»Easter indeed Its getting to be a regular thing Saturday and Sunday
Get up and go to bed Ill have my say out with you in the morning young man«
»Go to bed« repeated the lad with scorn »Tell you I aint had no supper«
Richard had walked to the neighbourhood of the fireplace and was regarding
his brother with anger and contempt At this point of the dialogue he
interfered
»And you wont have any either that Ill see to Whats more youll do as
your mother bids you or Ill know the reason why Go upstairs at once«
It was not a command to be disregarded Arry rose but halfdefiantly
»What have you to do with it Youre not my master«
»Do you hear what I say« Richard observed yet more autocratically »Take
yourself off and at once«
The lad growled hesitated but approached the door His motion was
slinking he could not face Richards eye They heard him stumble up the stairs
Chapter V
On ordinary days Richard of necessity rose early a holiday did not lead him to
break the rule for free hours were precious He had his body well under
control six hours of sleep he found sufficient to keep him in health and
temptations to personal ease in whatever form he resisted as a matter of
principle
Easter Monday found him downstairs at half past six His mother would
today allow herself another hour Arry would be down just in time for
breakfast not daring to be late The Princess might be looked for some time
in the course of the morning she was licensed
Richard for purposes of study used the front parlour In drawing up the
blind he disclosed a room precisely resembling in essential features hundreds
of front parlours in that neighbourhood or indeed in any workingclass
district of London Everything was clean most things were brighthued or
glistening of surface There was the giltframed mirror over the mantelpiece
with a yellow clock which did not go and glass ornaments in front There was
a small round table before the window supporting wax fruit under a glass case
There was a hearthrug with a dazzling pattern of imaginary flowers On the blue
cloth of the middle table were four showilybound volumes arranged
symmetrically On the head of the sofa lay a covering worked of blue and yellow
Berlin wools Two armchairs were draped with long white antimacassars ready to
slip off at a touch As in the kitchen there was a smell of cleanliness of
furniture polish hearthstone and blacklead
I should mention the ornaments of the walls The pictures were a striking
landscape of the Swiss type an engraved portrait of Garibaldi an unframed view
of a certain insurance office a British baby on a large scale from the
Christmas number of an illustrated paper
The one singular feature of the room was a small glassdoored bookcase
full of volumes They were all of Richards purchasing to survey them was to
understand the man at all events on his intellectual side Without exception
they belonged to that order of literature which if studied exclusively and for
its own sake as here it was brands a man indelibly declaring at once the
incompleteness of his education and the deficiency of his instincts Social
political religious under these three heads the volumes classed themselves
and each class was represented by productions of the extreme school The books
which a bright youth of fair opportunities reads as a matter of course rejoices
in for a year or two then throws aside for ever were here treasured to be the
guides of a lifetime Certain writers of the last century long ago become only
historically interesting were for Richard an armoury whence he girded himself
for the battles of the day cheap reprints or translations of Malthus of Robert
Owen of Volneys Ruins of Thomas Paine of sundry works of Voltaire ranked
upon his shelves Moreover there was a large collection of pamphlets titled
wonderfully and of yet more remarkable contents the authoritative utterances of
contemporary gentlemen and ladies who made it the end of their existence to
prove that there cannot by any possibility be such a person as Satan that the
story of creation contained in the Book of Genesis is on no account to be
received that the begetting of children is a most deplorable oversight that to
eat flesh is wholly unworthy of a civilised being that if every man and woman
performed their quota of the worlds labour it would be necessary to work for
one hour and thirtyseven minutes daily no jot longer and that the author in
each case is the one person capable of restoring dignity to a downtrodden race
and happiness to a blasted universe Alas alas On this food had Richard
Mutimer pastured his soul since he grew to manhood on this and this only
English literature was to him a sealed volume poetry he scarcely knew by name
of history he was worse than ignorant having looked at this period and that
through distorting media and congratulating himself on his clear vision because
he saw men as trees walking the bent of his mind would have led him to natural
science but opportunities of instruction were lacking and the chosen directors
of his prejudice taught him to regard every fact every discovery as for or
against something
A library of pathetic significance the individual alone considered Viewed
as representative not without alarming suggestiveness to those who can any
longer trouble themselves about the worlds future One dreams of the age when
free thought in the popular sense will have become universal when art shall
have lost its meaning worship its holiness when the Bible will only exist in
comic editions and Shakespeare be downcried by most sweet voices as a
mountebank of reactionary tendencies
Richard was to lecture on the ensuing Sunday at one of the branch
meetingplaces of his society he engaged himself this morning in collecting
certain data of a statistical kind He was still at his work when the sound of
the postmans knock began to be heard in the square coming from house to house
drawing nearer at each repetition Richard paid no heed to it he expected no
letter Yet it seemed there was one for some member of the family the letter
regular tread ascended the five steps to the door and then two small
thunderclaps echoed through the house There was no letterbox Richard went to
answer the knock An envelope addressed to himself in a small formal hand
His thoughts still busy with other things he opened the letter mechanically
as he reentered the room He had never in his life been calmer the early hour
of study had kept his mind pleasantly active whilst his breakfast appetite
sharpened itself Never was man less prepared to receive startling intelligence
He read then raised his eyes and let them stray from the papers on the
table to the waxfruit before the window thence to the young leafage of the
trees around the Baptist Chapel He was like a man whose face had been
overflashed by lightning He read again then holding the letter behind him
closed his right hand upon his beard with thoughtful tension He read a third
time then returned the letter to its envelope put it in his pocket and sat
down again to his book
He was summoned to breakfast in ten minutes His mother was alone in the
kitchen she gave him his bloater and his cup of coffee and he cut himself a
solid slice of bread and butter
»Was the letter for you« she asked
He replied with a nod and fell patiently to work on the dissection of his
bony delicacy In five minutes Henry approached the table with a furtive glance
at his elder brother But Richard had no remark to make The meal proceeded in
silence
When Richard had finished he rose and said to his mother
»Have you that railwayguide I brought home a week ago«
»I believe I have somewhere Just look in the cupboard«
The guide was found Richard consulted it for a few moments
»I have to go out of London« he then observed »Its just possible I shant
get back tonight«
A little talk followed about the arrangements of the day and whether anyone
was likely to be at home for dinner Richard did not show much interest in the
matter he went upstairs whistling and changed the clothing he wore for his
best suit In a quarter of an hour he had left the house
He did not return till the evening of the following day It was presumed
that he had gone after a job
When he reached home his mother and Alice were at tea He walked to the
kitchen fireplace turned his back to it and gazed with a peculiar expression
at the two who sat at table
»Dicks got work« observed Alice after a glance at him »I can see that in
his face«
»Have you Dick« asked Mrs Mutimer
»I have Work likely to last«
»So well hope« commented his mother »Where is it«
»A good way out of London Pour me a cup mother Wheres Arry«
»Gone out as usual«
»And why are you having tea with your hat on Princess«
»Because Im in a hurry if you must know everything«
Richard did not seek further information He drank his tea standing In five
minutes Alice had bustled away for an evening with friends Mrs Mutimer cleared
the table without speaking
»Now get your sewing mother and sit down« began Richard »I want to have
a talk with you«
The mother cast a rather suspicious glance There was an impressiveness in
the young mans look and tone which disposed her to obey without remark
»How long is it« Richard asked when attention waited upon him »since you
heard anything of fathers uncle my namesake«
Mrs Mutimers face exhibited the dawning of intelligence an unwrinkling
here and there a slight rounding of the lips
»Why what of him« she asked in an undertone leaving a needle unthreaded
»The old mans just dead«
Agitation seized the listener agitation of a kind most unusual in her Her
hands trembled her eyes grew wide
»You havent heard anything of him lately« pursued Richard
»Heard Not I No more did your father ever since two years afore we was
married Id always thought he was dead long ago What of him Dick«
»From what Im told I thought youd perhaps been keeping things to yourself
Twouldnt have been unlike you mother He knew all about us so the lawyer
tells me«
»The lawyer«
»Well Id better out with it Hes died without a will His real property
that means his houses and land belongs to me his personal property thats
his money ll have to be divided between me and Alice and Arry Youre out
of the sharing mother«
He said it jokingly but Mrs Mutimer did not join in his laugh Her palms
were closely pressed together still trembling she gazed straight before her
with a faroff look
»His houses his land« she murmured as if she had not quite heard »What
did he want with more than one house«
The absurd question was all that could find utterance She seemed to be
reflecting on that point
»Would you like to hear what it all comes to« Richard resumed His voice
was unnatural forcibly suppressed quivering at pauses His eyes gleamed and
there was a centre of warm colour on each of his cheeks He had taken a
notebook from his pocket and the leaves rustled under his tremulous fingers
»The lawyer a man called Yottle just gave me an idea of the different
investments and so on The real property consists of a couple of houses in
Belwick both let and an estate at a place called Wanley The old man had begun
mining there theres iron Ive got my ideas about that I didnt go into the
house people are there still Now the income«
He read his notes »So much in railways so much averaged yearly from
ironworks in Belwick so much in foreign securities so much disposable at
home Total «
»Stop Dick stop« uttered his mother under her breath »Them figures
frighten me I dont know what they mean Its a mistake theyre leading you
astray Now mind what I say theres a mistake No man with all that money ud
die without a will You wont get me to believe it Dick«
Richard laughed excitedly »Believe it or not mother Ive got my ears and
eyes I hope And theres a particular reason why he left no will There was
one but something I dont know what happened just before his death and he
was going to make a new one The will was burnt He died in church on a Sunday
morning if hed lived another day hed have made a new will Its no more a
mistake than the Baptist Chapel is in the square« A comparison which hardly
conveyed all Richards meaning but he was speaking in agitation more and more
quickly at last almost angrily
Mrs Mutimer raised her hand »Be quiet a bit Dick Its took me too
sudden I feel queer like«
There was silence The mother rose as if with difficulty and drew water in
a teacup from the filter When she resumed her place her hands prepared to
resume sewing She looked up solemnly sternly
»Dick its bad bad news Im an old woman and I must say what I think It
upsets me it frightens me I thought he might a left you a hundred pounds«
»Mother dont talk about it till youve had time to think« said Richard
stubbornly »If this is bad news what the deuce would you call good Just
because Ive been born and bred a mechanic does that say Ive got no common
sense or selfrespect Are you afraid I shall go and drink myself to death You
talk like the people who make it their business to sneer at us the
improvidence of the working classes and such dd slander Its good news for
me and itll be good news for many another man Wait and see«
The mother became silent keeping her lips tight and struggling to regain
her calmness She was not convinced but in argument with her eldest son she
always gave way affection and the pride she had in him aiding her instincts of
discretion In practice she still maintained something of maternal authority
often gaining her point by merely seeming offended To the two who had not yet
reached the year of emancipation she allowed in essentials no appeal from her
decision Between her and Richard there had been many a sharp conflict in former
days invariably ending with the lads submission the respect which his mother
exacted he in truth felt to be her due and it was now long since they had
openly been at issue on any point Mrs Mutimers views were distinctly
Conservative and hitherto she had never taken Richards Radicalism seriously
on the whole she had regarded it as a fairly harmless recreation for his leisure
hours decidedly preferable to a haunting of publichouses and musichalls The
loss of his employment caused her a good deal of uneasiness but she had not
ventured to do more than throw out hints of her disapproval and now as it
seemed the matter was of no moment Henceforth she had far other apprehensions
but this first conflict of their views made her reticent
»Just let me tell you how things stand« Richard pursued when his
excitement had somewhat subsided and he went on to explain the relations
between old Mr Mutimer and the Eldons which in outline had been described to
him by Mr Yottle And then
»The will he had made left all the property to this young Eldon who was to
be trustee for a little money to be doled out to me yearly just to save me from
ruining myself of course« Richards lips curled in scorn »I dont know
whether the lawyer thought we ought to offer to give everything up he seemed
precious anxious to make me understand that the old man had never intended us to
have it and that he did want these other people to have it Of course weve
nothing to do with that Lucks luck and I think I know wholl make best use of
it«
»Why didnt you tell all this when Alice was here« inquired his mother
seeming herself again though very grave
»Ill tell you I thought it over and it seems to me itll be better if
Alice and Arry wait a while before they know whatll come to them They cant
take anything till theyre twentyone Alice is a good girl but «
He hesitated having caught his mothers eye He felt that this prudential
course justified in a measure her anxiety
»Shes a girl« he pursued »and we know that a girl with a lot o money
gets run after by men who care nothing about her and a good deal about the
money Then its quite certain Arry wont be any the better for fancying
himself rich Hes going to give us trouble as it is I can see that We shall
have to take another house of course and we cant keep them from knowing that
theres money fallen to me But theres no need to talk about the figures and
if we can make them think its only me thats better off so much the better
Alice neednt go to work and Im glad of it a girls proper place is at home
You can tell her you want her to help in the new house Arry had better keep
his place awhile I shouldnt wonder if I find work for him myself before long
Ive got plans but I shant talk about them just yet«
He spoke then of the legal duties which fell upon him as nextofkin
explaining the necessity of finding two sureties on taking out letters of
administration Mr Yottle had offered himself for one the other Richard hoped
to find in Mr Westlake a leader of the Socialist movement
»You want us to go into a big house« asked Mrs Mutimer She seemed to pay
little attention to the wider aspects of the change but to fix on the details
she could best understand those which put her fears in palpable shape
»I didnt say a big one but a larger than this Were not going to play the
donothing gentlefolk but all the same our life wont and cant be what it has
been Theres no choice Youve worked hard all your life mother and its only
fair you should come in for a bit of rest Well find a house somewhere out
Green Lanes way or in Highbury or Holloway«
He laughed again
»So theres the best of it the worst of it as you say Just take a night
to turn it over Most likely I shall go to Belwick again tomorrow afternoon«
He paused and his mother after bending her head to bite off an end of
cotton asked
»Youll tell Emma«
»I shall go round tonight«
A little later Richard left the house for this purpose His step was firmer
than ever his head more upright Walking along the crowded streets he saw
nothing there was a fixed smile on his lips the smile of a man to whom the
world pays tribute Never having suffered actual want and blessed with sanguine
temperament he knew nothing of that fierce exultation that wrathful triumph
over fate which comes to men of passionate mood smitten by the lightningflash
of unhoped prosperity At present he was welldisposed to all men even against
capitalists and profitmongers he could not have railed heartily Capitalists
Was he not one himself Aye but he would prove himself such a one as you do not
meet with every day and the foresight of deeds which should draw the eyes of
men upon him which should shout his name abroad softened his judgments with
the charity of satisfied ambition He would be the glorified representative of
his class He would show the world how a self-taught working man conceived the
duties and privileges of wealth He would shame those dunderheaded
calloushearted aristocrats those ravening bourgeois Opportunity what else
had he wanted No longer would his voice be lost in petty lecturehalls
answered only by the applause of a handful of mechanics Ere many months had
passed crowds should throng to hear him his gospel would be trumpeted over the
land To what might he not attain The educated the refined men and women
He was at the entrance of a dark passage where his feet stayed themselves
by force of habit He turned out of the street and walked more slowly towards
the house in which Emma Vine and her sisters lived Having reached the door he
paused but again took a few paces forward Then he came back and rang the
uppermost of five bells In waiting he looked vaguely up and down the street
It was Emma herself who opened to him The dim light showed a smile of
pleasure and surprise
»Youve come to ask about Jane« she said »She hasnt been quite so bad
since last night«
»Im glad to hear it Can I come up«
»Will you«
He entered and Emma closed the door It was pitch dark
»I wish Id brought a candle down« Emma said moving back along the
passage »Mind theres a pram at the foot of the stairs«
The perambulator was avoided successfully by both and they ascended the
bare boards of the staircase On each landing prevailed a distinct odour first
came the damp smell of newlywashed clothes then the scent of fried onions
then the workroom of some small craftsman exhaled varnish The topmost floor
seemed the purest it was only stuffy
Richard entered an uncarpeted room which had to serve too many distinct
purposes to allow of its being orderly in appearance In one corner was a bed
where two little children lay asleep before the window stood a sewingmachine
about which was heaped a quantity of linen a table in the midst was half
covered with a cloth on which was placed a loaf and butter the other half
being piled with several dresses requiring the needle Two black patches on the
low ceiling showed in what positions the lamp stood by turns
Emmas eldest sister was moving about the room Hers were the children her
husband had been dead a year or more She was about thirty years of age and had
a slatternly appearance her face was peevish and seemed to grudge the
halfsmile with which it received the visitor
»Youve no need to look round you« she said »Were in a regular pigstye
and likely to be Wheres there a chair«
She shook some miscellaneous articles on to the floor to provide a seat
»For mercys sake dont speak too loud and wake them children Berties had
the earache hes been crying all day What with him and Jane weve had a
blessing I can tell you Can I put these supper things away Emma«
»Ill do it« was the others reply »Wont you have a bit more Kate«
»Ive got no mind for eating Well you may cut a slice and put it on the
mantelpiece Ill go and sit with Jane«
Richard sat and looked about the room absently The circumstances of his own
family had never fallen below the point at which it is possible to have regard
for decency the growing up of himself and of his brothers and sister had
brought additional resources to meet extended needs and the Mutimer
characteristics had formed a safeguard against improvidence He was never quite
at his ease in this povertycumbered room which he seldom visited
»You ought to have a fire« he said
»Theres one in the other room« replied Kate »One has to serve us«
»But you cant cook there«
»Cook We can boil a potato and thats about all the cooking we can do
nowadays«
She moved to the door as she spoke and before leaving the room took
advantage of Richards back being turned to make certain exhortatory signs to
her sister Emma averted her head
Kate closed the door behind her Emma having removed the eatables to the
cupboard came near to Richard and placed her arm gently upon his shoulders He
looked at her kindly
»Kates been so put about with Bertie« she said in a tone of excuse »And
she was up nearly all last night«
»She never takes things like you do« Richard remarked
»Shes got more to bear Theres the children always making her anxious She
took Alf to the hospital this afternoon and the doctor says he must have I
forget the name somebodys food But its twoandninepence for ever such a
little tin They dont think as his teeth ll ever come«
»Oh I daresay they will« said Richard encouragingly
He had put his arm about her Emma knelt down by him and rested her head
against his shoulder
»Im tired« she whispered »Ive had to go twice to the Minories today
Im so afraid I shant be able to hold my eyes open with Jane and Kates
tireder still«
She did not speak as if seeking for sympathy it was only the natural
utterance of her thoughts in a moment of restful confidence Uttermost weariness
was a condition too familiar to the girl to be spoken of in any but a patient
matterof-fact tone But it was priceless soothing to let her forehead repose
against the heart whose love was the one and sufficient blessing of her life
Her brown hair was very soft and fine a lover of another kind would have
pressed his lips upon it Richard was thinking of matters more practical At
another time his indignation in such a case right good and manful would have
boiled over at the thought of these poor women crushed in slavery to feed the
worlds dastard selfishness this evening his mood was more complaisant and he
smiled as one at ease
»Hadnt you better give up your work« he said
Emma raised her head In the few moments of repose her eyelids had drooped
with growing heaviness she looked at him as if she had just been awakened to
some great surprise
»Give up work How can I«
»I think I would Youd have more time to give to Jane and you could sleep
in the day And Jane had better not begin again after this Dont you think it
would be better if you left these lodgings and took a house where thered be
plenty of room and fresh air«
»Richard what are you talking about«
He laughed quietly on account of the sleeping children
»How would you like« he continued »to go and live in the country Kate and
Jane could have a house of their own you know in London I mean a house like
ours they could let a room or two if they chose Then you and I could go where
we liked I was down in the Midland Counties yesterday had to go on business
and I saw a house that would just suit us Its a bit large I daresay theres
sixteen or twenty rooms And theres trees growing all about it a big garden «
Emma dropped her head again and laughed happy that Richard should jest with
her so goodhumouredly for he did not often talk in the lighter way She had
read of such houses in the weekly storypapers It must be nice to live in them
it must be nice to be a denizen of Paradise
»Im in earnest Emma«
His voice caused her to gaze at him again
»Bring a chair« he said »and Ill tell you something thatll keep you
awake«
The insensible fellow Her sweet pale wondering face was so close to his
the warmth of her drooping frame was against his heart and he bade her sit
apart to listen
She placed herself as he desired sitting with her hands together in her
lap her countenance troubled a little wishing to smile yet not quite
venturing And he told his story told it in all details with figures that
filled the mouth that rolled forth like gold upon the bankscales
»This is mine« he said »mine and yours«
Have you seen a child listening to a long fairy tale every page a new
adventure of wizardry a story of elf or mermaid or gnome of treasures
underground guarded by enchanted monsters of bells heard silverly in the depth
of old forests of castles against the sunset of lakes beneath the quiet moon
Know you how light gathers in the eyes dreaming on vision after vision ever
more intensely realised yet ever of an unknown world How when at length the
readers voice is silent the eyes still see the ears still hear until a
movement breaks the spell and with a deep involuntary sigh the little one
gazes here and there wondering
So Emma listened and so she came back to consciousness looking about the
room incredulous Had she been overcome with weariness Had she slept and
dreamt
One of the children stirred and uttered a little wailing sound She stepped
lightly to the bedside bent for a moment saw that all was well again and came
back on tiptoe The simple duty had quieted her throbbing heart She seated
herself as before
»What about the country house now« said Richard
»I dont know what to say Its more than I can take into my head«
»Youre not going to say like mother did that it was the worst piece of
news shed ever heard«
»Your mother said that«
Emma was startled Had her thought passed lightly over some danger She
examined her mind rapidly
»I suppose she said it« Richard explained »just because she didnt know
what else to say thats about the truth But there certainly is one thing Im a
little anxious about myself I dont care for either Alice or Arry to know the
details of this windfall They wont come in for their share till theyre of
age and its just as well they should think its only a moderate little sum So
dont talk about it Emma«
The girl was still musing on Mrs Mutimers remark she merely shook her
head
»You didnt think you were going to marry a man with his thousands and be a
lady Well I shall have more to say in a day or two But at present my idea is
that mother and the rest of them shall go into a larger house and that you and
Kate and Jane shall take our place I dont know how long itll be before those
Eldon people can get out of Wanley Manor but as soon as they do why then
theres nothing to prevent you and me going into it Will that suit you Em«
»We shall really live in that big house«
»Certainly we shall Ive got a lifes work before me there as far as I can
see at present The furniture belongs to Mrs Eldon I believe well furnish
the place to suit ourselves«
»May I tell my sisters Richard«
»Just tell them that Ive come in for some money and a house perhaps thats
enough And look here Ill leave you this fivepound note to go on with You
must get Jane whatever the doctor says And throw all that sewing out of the
windows well have no more convict labour Tell Jane to get well just as soon
as it suits her«
»But all this money«
»Ive plenty The lawyer advanced me some for present needs Now its
getting late I must go Ill write and tell you when I shall be home again«
He held out his hand but the girl embraced him with the restrained
tenderness which in her spoke so eloquently
»Are you glad Emma« he asked
»Very glad for your sake«
»And just a bit for your own eh«
»I never thought about money« she answered »It was quite enough to be your
wife«
It was the simple truth
Chapter VI
At eleven oclock the next morning Richard presented himself at the door of a
house in Avenue Road St Johns Wood and expressed a desire to see Mr
Westlake That gentleman was at home he received the visitor in his study a
spacious room luxuriously furnished with a large window looking upon a lawn
The day was sunny and warm but a clear fire equalised the temperature of the
room There was an odour of good tobacco always most delightful when it blends
with the scent of rich bindings
It was Richards first visit to this house A few days ago he would in spite of
himself have been somewhat awed by the manservant at the door the furniture
of the hall the air of refinement in the room he entered At present he smiled
on everything Could he not command the same as soon as he chose
Mr Westlake rose from his writingtable and greeted his visitor with a
hearty grip of the hand He was a man pleasant to look upon his face full of
intellect shone with the light of goodwill and the easy carelessness of his
attire prepared one for the genial sincerity which marked his way of speaking
He wore a velvet jacket a grey waistcoat buttoning up to the throat grey
trousers furbordered slippers his collar was very deep and instead of the
ordinary shirtcuffs his wrists were enclosed in frills Longhaired
fullbearded he had the forehead of an idealist and eyes whose natural
expression was an indulgent smile
A man of letters he had struggled from obscure poverty to success and ample
means at threeandthirty he was still hard pressed to make both ends meet but
the ten subsequent years had built for him this pleasant home and banished his
long familiar anxieties to the land of nightmare »It came just in time« he was
in the habit of saying to those who had his confidence »I was at the point
where a man begins to turn sour and I should have soured in earnest« The
process had been most effectually arrested People were occasionally found to
say that his books had a tang of acerbity possibly this was the safetyvalve at
work a hint of what might have come had the old hungerdemons kept up their
goading In the man himself you discovered an extreme simplicity of feeling a
frank tenderness a noble indignation For one who knew him it was not difficult
to understand that he should have taken up extreme social views still less that
he should act upon his convictions All his writing foretold such a possibility
though on the other hand it exhibited devotion to forms of culture which do not
as a rule predispose to democratic agitation The explanation was perhaps too
simple to be readily hit upon the man was himself so supremely happy that with
his disposition the thought of tyrannous injustice grew intolerable to him Some
incidents happened to set his wrath blazing and henceforth in spite of not a
little popular ridicule and much shaking of the head among his friends Mr
Westlake had his mission
»I have come to ask your advice and help« began Mutimer with directness He
was conscious of the necessity of subduing his voice and had a certain pleasure
in the ease with which he achieved this feat It would not have been so easy a
day or two ago
»Ah about this awkward affair of yours« observed Mr Westlake with
reference to Richards loss of his employment, of which as editor of the
Unions weekly paper he had of course at once been apprised
»No not about that Since then a very unexpected thing has happened to me«
The story was once more related vastly to Mr Westlakes satisfaction
Cheerful news concerning his friends always put him in the best of spirits
He shook his head laughing
»Come come Mutimer thisll never do Im not sure that we shall not have
to consider your expulsion from the Union«
Richard went on to mention the matters of legal routine in which he hoped
Mr Westlake would serve him These having been settled
»I wish to speak of something more important« he said »You take it for
granted I hope that Im not going to make the ordinary use of this fortune As
yet Ive only been able to hit on a few general ideas Im clear as to the
objects I shall keep before me but how best to serve them wants more
reflection I thought if I talked it over with you in the first place «
The door opened and a lady half entered the room
»Oh I thought you were alone« she remarked to Mr Westlake »Forgive me«
»Come in Heres our friend Mutimer You know Mrs Westlake«
A few words had passed between this lady and Richard in the lectureroom a
few weeks before She was not frequently present at such meetings but had
chanced on the occasion referred to to hear Mutimer deliver an harangue
»You have no objection to talk of your plans Join our council will you«
he added to his wife »Our friend brings interesting news«
Mrs Westlake walked across the room to the curved windowseat Her age
could scarcely be more than three or fourandtwenty she was very dark and her
face grave almost to melancholy Black hair cut short at its thickest behind
her neck gave exquisite relief to features of the purest Greek type In
listening to anything that held her attention her eyes grew large and their
dark orbs seemed to dream passionately The white swans down at her throat
she was perfectly attired made the skin above resemble richhued marble and
indeed to gaze at her long was to be impressed as by the sad loveliness of a
supreme work of art As Mutimer talked she leaned forward her elbow on her
knee the back of her hand supporting her chin
Her husband recounted what Richard had told him and the latter proceeded to
sketch the projects he had in view
»My idea is,« he said »to make the mines at Wanley the basis of great
industrial undertakings just as any capitalist might but to conduct these
undertakings in a way consistent with our views I would begin by building
furnaces and in time add engineering works on a large scale I would build
houses for the men and in fact make that valley an industrial settlement
conducted on Socialist principles Practically I can devote the whole of my
income my personal expenses will not be worth taking into account The men must
be paid on a just scheme and the margin of profit that remains all that we can
spare from the extension of the works shall be devoted to the Socialist
propaganda In fact I should like to make the executive committee of the Union
a sort of board of directors and in a very different sense from the usual
for the Wanley estate My personal expenditure deducted I should like such a
committee to have the practical control of funds All this wealth was made by
plunder of the labouring class and I shall hold it as trustee for them Do
these ideas seem to you of a practical colour«
Mr Westlake nodded slowly twice His wife kept her listening attitude
unchanged her eyes dreamed against a distant goal
»As I see the scheme« pursued Richard who spoke all along somewhat in the
lectureroom tone the result of a certain embarrassment »it will differ
considerably from the Socialist experiments we know of We shall be working not
only to support ourselves but every bit as much set on profit as any capitalist
in Belwick The difference is that the profit will benefit no individual but
the Cause Therell be no attempt to carry out the idea of every man receiving
the just outcome of his labour not because I shouldnt be willing to share in
that way but simply because we have a greater end in view than to enrich
ourselves Our men must all be members of the Union and their prime interest
must be the advancement of the principles of the Union We shall be able to
establish new papers to hire halls and to spread ourselves over the country
Itll be fighting the capitalist manufacturers with their own weapons I can see
plenty of difficulties of course All England ll be against us Never mind
well defy them all and well win Itll be the work of my life and well see
if an honest purpose cant go as far as a thievish one«
The climax would have brought crashing cheers at Commonwealth Hall in Mr
Westlakes study it was received with wellbred expressions of approval
»Well Mutimer« exclaimed the idealist »all this is intensely interesting
and right glorious for us One sees at last a possibility of action I ask
nothing better than to be allowed to work with you It happens very luckily that
you are a practical engineer I suppose the mechanical details of the
undertaking are entirely within your province«
»Not quite at present« Mutimer admitted »but I shall have valuable help
Yesterday I had a meeting with a man named Rodman a mining engineer who has
been working on the estate He seems just the man I shall want a Socialist
already and delighted to join in the plans I just hinted to him«
»Capital Do you propose then that we shall call a special meeting of the
Committee Or would you prefer to suggest a committee of your own«
»No I think our own committee will do very well at all events for the
present The first thing of course is to get the financial details of our
scheme put into shape I go to Belwick again this afternoon my solicitor must
get his business through as soon as possible«
»You will reside for the most part at Wanley«
»At the Manor yes It is occupied just now but I suppose will soon be
free«
»Do you know that part of the country Stella« Mr Westlake asked of his
wife
She roused herself drawing in her breath and uttered a short negative
»As soon as I get into the house« Richard resumed to Mr Westlake »I hope
youll come and examine the place Its unfortunate that the railway misses it
by about three miles but Rodman tells me we can easily run a private line to
Agworth station However the first thing is to get our committee at work on the
scheme« Richard repeated this phrase with gusto »Perhaps you could bring it up
at the Saturday meeting«
»Youll be in town on Saturday«
»Yes I have a lecture in Islington on Sunday«
»Saturday will do then Is this confidential«
»Not at all We may as well get as much encouragement out of it as we can
Dont you think so«
»Certainly«
Richard did not give expression to his thought that a paragraph on the
subject in the Unions weekly organ the »Fiery Cross« might be the best way of
promoting such encouragement but he delayed his departure for a few minutes
with talk round about the question of the prudence which must necessarily be
observed in publishing a project so undigested Mr Westlake who was
responsible for the paper was not likely to transgress the limits of good
taste and when Richard on Saturday morning searched eagerly the columns of
the Cross he was not altogether satisfied with the extreme discretion which
marked a brief paragraph among those headed »From Day to Day« However many of
the readers were probably by that time able to supply the missing propername
It was not the fault of Daniel Dabbs if members of the Hoxton and Islington
branch of the Union read the paragraph without understanding to whom it
referred Daniel was among the first to hear of what had befallen the Mutimer
family and from the circle of his fellowworkmen the news spread quickly Talk
was rife on the subject of Mutimers dismissal from Longwood Brothers and the
sensational rumour which followed so quickly found an atmosphere well prepared
for its transmission Hence the unusual concourse at the meetingplace in
Islington next Sunday evening where as it became known to others besides
Socialists Mutimer was engaged to lecture Richard experienced some vexation
that his lecture was not to be at Commonwealth Hall where the gathering would
doubtless have been much larger
The Union was not wealthy The central hall was rented at Mr Westlakes
expense two or three branches were managing with difficulty to support regular
places of assembly such as could not being obliged as yet to content themselves
with openair lecturing In Islington the leaguers met in a room behind a
coffeeshop ordinarily used for festive purposes benches were laid across the
floor and an estrade at the upper end exalted chairman and lecturer The walls
were adorned with more or less striking advertisements of nonalcoholic
beverages and with a few prints from the illustrated papers The atmosphere was
tobaccoey and the coffeeshop itself through which the visitors had to make
their way suggested to the nostrils that bloaters are the working mans chosen
delicacy at Sunday tea A table just within the door of the lectureroom exposed
for sale sundry Socialist publications the latest issue of the Fiery Cross in
particular
Richard was wont to be among the earliest arrivals tonight he was full ten
minutes behind the hour for which the lecture was advertised A group of friends
were standing about the table near the door they received him with a bustle
which turned all eyes thitherwards He walked up the middle of the room to the
platform As soon as he was well in the eye of the meeting a single pair of
hands Daniel Dabbs owned them gave the signal for uproar feet made play on
the boarding and one or two of the more enthusiastic revolutionists fairly gave
tongue Richard seated himself with grave countenance and surveyed the
assembly from fifty to sixty people were present among them three or four
women and the number continued to grow The chairman and one or two leading
spirits had followed Mutimer to the place of distinction where they talked with
him
Punctuality was not much regarded at these meetings the lecture was
announced for eight but rarely began before halfpast The present being an
occasion of exceptional interest twenty minutes past the hour saw the chairman
rise for his prefatory remarks He was a lank man of jovial countenance and
jerky enunciation There was no need he observed to introduce a friend and
comrade so well known to them as the lecturer of the evening »Were always glad
to hear him and tonight if I may be allowed to int as much were
particularly glad to hear him Our friend and comrade is going to talk to us
about the Land Its a question we cant talk or think too much about and
Comrade Mutimer has thought about it as much and more than any of us I think I
may say I dont know« the chairman added with a sly look across the room
»whether our friends got any new views on this subject of late I shouldnt
wonder if he had« Here sounded a roar of laughter led off by Daniel Dabbs
»Howsever be that as it may we can answer for it as any views he may hold is
the right views and the honest views and the views of a man as means to do a
good deal more than talk about his convictions«
Again did the stentornote of Daniel ring forth and it was amid thunderous
cheering that Richard left his chair and moved to the front of the platform His
Sunday suit of black was still that with which his friends were familiar but
his manner though the audience probably did not perceive the detail was
unmistakably changed He had been wont to begin his address with short stinging
periods with sneers and such bitterness of irony as came within his compass
Tonight he struck quite another key mellow confident hinting at personal
satisfaction a smile was on his lips and not a smile of scorn He rested one
hand against his side holding in the other a scrap of paper with jotted items
of reasoning. His head was thrown a little back he viewed the benches from
beneath his eyelids True the pose maintained itself but for a moment I
mention it because it was something new in Richard
He spoke of the land he attacked the old monopoly and visioned a time when
a claim to individual ownerships of the earths surface would be as ludicrous as
were now the assertion of title to a feesimple somewhere in the moon He
mustered statistics he adduced historic and contemporary example of the just
and the unjust in landholding he gripped the throat of a certain English duke
and held him up for flagellation he drifted into oceans of economic theory he
sat down by the waters of Babylon he climbed Pisgah Had he but spoken of
backslidings in the wilderness But for that fatal omission the lecture was of
its kind good By degrees Richard forgot his pose and the carefully struck note
of mellowness he began to believe what he was saying and to say it with the
right vigour of popular oratory Forget his struggles with the hfiend forget
his syntactical lapses you saw that after all the man had within him a clear
flame of conscience that he had felt before speaking that speech was one of the
uses for which Nature had expressly framed him His invective seldom degenerated
into vulgar abuse one discerned in him at least the elements of what we call
good taste of simple manliness he disclosed not a little he had some command
of pathos In conclusion he finished without reference to his personal
concerns
The chairman invited questions preliminary to debate
He rose halfway down the room the man who invariably rises on these
occasions He was oldish with bent shoulders and wore spectacles probably a
clerk of forty years standing In his hand was a small notebook which he
consulted He began with measured utterance emphatic loud
»I wish to propose to the lecturer seven questions I will read them in
order I have taken some pains to word them clearly«
Richard has his scrap of paper on his knee He jots a word or two after each
deliberate interrogation smiling
Other questioners succeeded Richard replies to them He fails to satisfy
the man of seven queries who after repeating this and the other of the seven
professes himself still unsatisfied shakes his head indulgently walks from the
room
The debate is opened Behold a second inevitable man he is not wellwashed
his shirtfront shows a beerstain he is angry before he begins
»I dont know whether a man as doesnt old with these kind o theories ll
be allowed a fair earin «
Indignant interruption Cries of »Of course he will« »Who ever refused to
hear you« and the like
He is that singular phenomenon that selfcontradiction that expression
insoluble into factors of commonsense the Conservative working man What do
they want to be at he demands Do they suppose as this kind of talk ll make
wages higher or enable the poor man to get his beef and beer at a lower rate
Whats the dd good of it all Figures eh He never heered yet as figures made
a meal for a man as hadnt got one nor yet as they provided shoes and stockings
for his young uns at ome It made him mad to listen that it did Do they
suppose as the rich man ll give up the land if they talk till alls blue
Wasnt it human natur to get all you can and stick to it
»Pigs nature« cries someone from the front benches
»There« comes the rejoinder »Didnt I say as there was no fair earing for
a man as didnt say just what suits you«
The voice of Daniel Dabbs is loud in goodtempered mockery Mockery comes
from every side an angry note here and there for the most part tolerant
jovial
»Let him speak Ear him Hoy Hoy«
The chairman interposes but by the time that order is restored the
Conservative working man has thrust his hat upon his head and is off to the
nearest publichouse muttering oaths
Mr Cullen rises at the same time rises Mr Cowes These two gentlemen are
fated to rise simultaneously They scowl at each other Mr Cullen begins to
speak and Mr Cowes after a circular glance of protest resumes his seat The
echoes tell that we are in for oratory with a vengeance Mr Cullen is a short
stout man very seedily habited with a great rough head of hair an aquiline
nose lungs of vast power His vein is King Cambyses he tears passion to
tatters he roars leonine he is your man to have at the pamperd jades of Asia
He has got hold of a new word and that the verb to exploit I am exploited
thou art exploited he exploits Who Why such men as that English duke whom
the lecturer gripped and flagellated The English duke is Mr Cullens bugbear
never a speech from Mr Cullen but that duke is most horribly mauled His
groundrents yah Another word of which Mr Cullen is fond is strattum
usually spelt and pronounced with but one t midway You and I have the
misfortune to belong to a social strattum which is trampled flat and hard
beneath the feet of the landowners Mr Cullen rises to such a point of fury
that one dreads the consequences to himself Already the chairman is on his
feet intimating in dumb show that the allowed ten minutes have elapsed there
is no making the orator hear At length his friend who sits by him fairly grips
his coat and brings him to a sitting posture amid mirthful tumult Mr Cullen
joins in the mirth looks as though he had never been angry in his life And
till next Sunday comes round he will neither speak nor think of the social
question
Mr Cowes is unopposed After the preceding enthusiast the voice of Mr
Cowes falls soothingly as a stream among the heather He is tall meagre bald
he wears a very broad black necktie his hand saws up and down Mr Cowes tone
is the quietly venomous in a few minutes you believe in his indignation far
more than in that of Mr Cullen He makes a point and pauses to observe the
effect upon his hearers He prides himself upon his grammar goes back to
correct a concord emphasises eccentricities of pronunciation for instance he
accents capitalist on the second syllable and repeats the words with grave
challenge to all and sundry Speaking of something which he wishes to stigmatise
as a misnomer he exclaims »Its what I call a misnomy« And he follows the
assertion with an awful suspense of utterance He brings his speech to a close
exactly with the end of the tenth minute and on sitting down eyes his unknown
neighbour with wrathful intensity for several moments
Who will follow A sound comes from the very back of the room such a sound
that every head turns in astonished search for the source of it Such voice has
the wind in garretchimneys on a winter night It is a thin wail a prelude of
lamentation it troubles the blood The speaker no one seems to know he is a
man of yellow visage with head sunk between pointed shoulders on his crown a
mere scalplock He seems to be afflicted with a disease of the muscles his
malformed body quivers the hand he raises shakes paralytic His clothes are of
the meanest what his age may be it is impossible to judge As his voice gathers
strength the hearers begin to feel the influence of a terrible earnestness He
does not rant he does not weigh his phrases the stream of bitter prophecy
flows on smooth and dark He is supplying the omission in Mutimers harangue is
bidding his class know itself and chasten itself, as an indispensable
preliminary to any great change in the order of things He cries vanity upon all
these detailed schemes of social reconstruction Are we ready for it he wails
Could we bear it if they granted it to us It is all good and right but hadnt
we better first make ourselves worthy of such freedom He begins a terrible
arraignment of the People then of a sudden his voice has ceased You could
hear a pin drop It is seen that the man has fallen to the ground there arises
a low moaning people press about him
They carry him into the coffeeshop It was a fit In five minutes he is
restored but does not come back to finish his speech
There is an interval of disorder But surely we are not going to let the
meeting end in this way The chairman calls for the next speaker and he stands
forth in the person of a rather smug little shopkeeper who declares that he
knows of no single particular in which the working class needs correction The
speech undeniably falls flat Will no one restore the tone of the meeting
Mr Kitshaw is the man Now we shall have broad grins Mr Kitshaw enjoys a
reputation for mimicry he takes off musichall singers in the barparlour of a
Saturday night Observe he rises hems pulls down his waistcoat there is
bubbling laughter Mr Kitshaw brings back the debate to its original subject
he talks of the Land He is a little haphazard at first but presently hits the
mark in a fancy picture of a country still in the hands of aborigines as yet
unannexed by the capitalist nations knowing not the meaning of the verb
exploit
»Imagine such a happy land my friends a land I say which nobody hasnt
ever thought of developing the resources of thats the proper phrase I
believe There are the people with clothing enough for comfort and ahem
good manners but mark you no more No manufacture of luxurious skirts and
hulsters and togs o that kind by the exploited classes No for no exploited
classes dont exist All are equal, my friends Up an down the fields they
goes all day long arminarm Jack and Jerry aye and Liza an Sairey Ann
for they have equality of the sexes mind you Up an down the fields I say in
a devilmaycare sort of way with their sweethearts and their wives No factory
smoke O dear no Theres the rivers with tropical plants ashading the banks
O my There they goes up an down in their boats devilmaycare astrumming on
the banjo« he imitated such action »and asinging their nigger minstrelsy
with light earts Why Cause they aint got no work to get up to at arfpast
five next morning Their times their own Thats the condition of an
unexploited country my friends«
Mr Kitshaw had put everyone in vast good humour You might wonder that his
sweetly idyllic picture did not stir bitterness by contrast it were to credit
the English workman with too much imagination Resonance of applause rewarded
the sparkling rhetorician A few of the audience availed themselves of the noise
to withdraw for the clock showed that it was close upon ten and publichouses
shut their doors early on Sunday
But Richard Mutimer was on his feet again and this time without regard to
effect there was a word in him strongly demanding utterance It was to the
speech of the unfortunate prophet that he desired to reply He began with
sorrowful admissions No one speaking honestly could deny that that the
working class had its faults they came out plainly enough now and then Drink
for instance Mr Cullen gave a resounding »Hear hear« and a stamp on the
boards What sort of a spectacle would be exhibited by the publichouses in
Hoxton and Islington at closing time tonight »True« from Mr Cowes who also
stamped on the boards Yes but Richard used the device of aposiopesis
Daniel Dabbs took it for a humorous effect and began a roar which was summarily
interdicted »But« pursued Richard with emphasis »what is the meaning of these
vices What do they come of Whos to blame for them Not the working class
never tell me What drives a man to drink in his spare hours What about the
poisonous air of garrets and cellars What about excessive toil and inability to
procure healthy recreation What about defects of education due to poverty
What about diseased bodies inherited from over slaved parents« Messrs Cowes
and Cullen had accompanied these queries with a climax of vociferous approval
when Richard paused they led the tumult of hands and heels »Look at that poor
man who spoke to us« cried Mutimer »Hes gone so I shant hurt him by
speaking plainly He spoke well mind you and he spoke from his heart but what
sort of a life has his been do you think A wretched cripple a miserable
weakling no doubt from the day of his birth cursed in having ever seen the
daylight and such as he is called upon to fight for his bread Much of it he
gets Who would blame that man if he drank himself into unconsciousness every
time he picked up a sixpence« Cowes and Cullen bellowed their delight »Well
he doesnt do it so much you can be sure of In some vile hole here in this
great city of ours he drags on a life worse aye a thousand times worse
than that of the horses in the Westend mews Dont clap your hands so much
fellowworkers Just think about it on your way home talk about it to your
wives and your children Its the sight of objects like that that makes my blood
boil and thats set me in earnest at this work of ours I feel for that man and
all like him as if they were my brothers And I take you all to witness all you
present and all you repeat my words to that Ill work on as long as I have life
in me that Ill use every opportunity thats given me to uphold the cause of
the poor and downtrodden against the rich and selfish and luxurious that if I
live another fifty years I shall still be of the people and with the people
that no man shall ever have it in his power to say that Richard Mutimer misused
his chances and was only a new burden to them whose load he might have
lightened«
There was nothing for it but to leap on to the very benches and yell as long
as your voice would hold out
After that the meeting was mere exuberance of mutual congratulations Mr
Cullen was understood to be moving the usual vote of thanks but even his vocal
organs strove hard for little purpose Daniel Dabbs had never made a speech in
his life but excitement drove him on the honourable post of seconder The
chairman endeavoured to make certain announcements then the assembly broke up
The estrade was invaded everybody wished to shake hands with Mutimer Mr
Cullen tried to obtain Richards attention to certain remarks of value failing
he went off with a scowl Mr Cowes attempted to buttonhole the popular hero
finding Richard conversing with someone else at the same time he turned away
with a covert sneer The former of the two worthies had desired to insist upon
every member of the Union becoming a teetotaller the latter wished to say that
he thought it would be well if a badge of temperance were henceforth worn by
Unionists On turning away each glanced at the clock and hurried his step
In a certain dark street not very far from the lecture Mr Cullen rose on
tiptoe at the windows of a dull little publichouse A Unionist was standing at
the bar Mr Cullen hurried on into a street yet darker Again he tiptoed at a
window The glimpse reassured him he passed quickly through the doorway
stepped to the bar gave an order Then he turned and behold on a seat just
under the window sat Mr Cowes a short pipe in his mouth a smoking tumbler
held on his knee The supporters of total abstinence nodded to each other with
a slight lack of spontaneity Mr Cullen having secured his own tumbler came
by his comrades side
»Deal o fine talk to wind up with« he remarked tentatively
»He means what he says« returned the other gravely
»Oh yes« Mr Cullen hastened to admit »Mutimer means what he says Only
the way of saying it I meant Ive got a bit of a sore throat«
»So have I After that there hot room«
They nodded at each other sympathetically Mr Cullen filled a little black
pipe
»Got a light«
Mr Cowes offered the glowing bowl of his own clay they put their noses
together and blew a cloud
»Of course theres no saying what time ll do« observed tall Mr Cowes
sententiously after a gulp of warm liquor
»No more there is« assented short Mr Cullen with half a wink
»Its easy to promise«
»As easy as tellin lies«
Another silence
»Dont suppose you and me ll get much of it« Mr Cowes ventured to
observe
»About as much as you can put in your eye without winkin« was the others
picturesque agreement
They talked till closing time
Chapter VII
One morning late in June Hubert Eldon passed through the gates of Wanley Manor
and walked towards the village It was the first time since his illness that he
had left the grounds on foot He was very thin and had an absent troubled
look the natural cheerfulness of youths convalescence seemed altogether
lacking in him
From a rising point of the road winding between the Manor and Wanley a
good view of the valley offered itself here Hubert paused leaning a little on
his stick and let his eyes dwell upon the prospect A year ago he had stood
here and enjoyed the sweep of meadows between Stanbury Hill and the wooded slope
opposite the orchardpatches the flocks along the margin of the little river
Today he viewed a very different scene Building of various kinds was in
progress in the heart of the vale a great massive chimney was rising to
completion and about it stood a number of sheds Beyond was to be seen the
commencement of a street of small houses promising infinite ugliness in a
little space the soil over a considerable area was torn up and trodden into
mud A number of men were at work carts and waggons and trucks were moving
about In truth the benighted valley was waking up and donning the true
nineteenthcentury livery
The young mans face hitherto thoughtfully sad changed to an expression of
bitterness he muttered what seemed to be angry and contemptuous words then
averted his eyes and walked on He entered the village street and passed along
it for some distance his fixed gaze appearing studiously to avoid the people
who stood about or walked by him There was a spot of warm colour on his cheeks
he held himself very upright and had a painfully selfconscious air
He stopped before a dwellinghouse rang the bell and made inquiry whether
Mr Mutimer was at home The reply being affirmative he followed the servant up
to the first floor His name was announced at the door of a sittingroom and he
entered
Two men were conversing in the room One sat at the table with a sheet of
paper before him sketching a rough diagram and scribbling notes this was
Richard Mutimer He was dressed in a light tweed suit his fair moustache and
beard were trimmed and the hand which rested on the table was no longer that of
a dailygrimed mechanic His linen was admirably starched altogether he had a
very fresh and cool appearance His companion was astride on a chair his arms
resting on the back a pipe in his mouth This man was somewhat older than
Mutimer his countenance indicated shrewdness and knowledge of the world He was
dark and wellfeatured his glossy black hair was parted in the middle his
moustache of the cut called imperial his beard short and peaked He wore a
canvas jacket a white waistcoat and knickerbockers at his throat a blue
necktie fluttered loose When Huberts name was announced by the servant this
gentleman stopped midway in a sentence took his pipe from his lips and looked
to the door with curiosity
Mutimer rose and addressed his visitor easily indeed but not
discourteously
»How do you do Mr Eldon Im glad to see that you are so much better Will
you sit down I think you know Mr Rodman at all events by name«
Hubert assented by gesture He had come prepared for disagreeable things in
this his first meeting with Mutimer but the honour of an introduction to the
latters friends had not been included in his anticipations Mr Rodman had
risen and bowed slightly His smile carried a disagreeable suggestion from which
Mutimers behaviour was altogether free he rather seemed to enjoy the
situation
For a moment there was silence and embarrassment Richard overcame the
difficulty
»Come and dine with me tonight will you« he said to Rodman »Here take
this plan with you and think it over«
»Pray dont let me interfere with your business« interposed Hubert with
scrupulous politeness »I could see you later Mr Mutimer«
»No no Rodman and I have done for the present« said Mutimer cheerfully
»Bytheby« he added as his righthand man moved to the door »dont forget to
drop a line to Slater and Smith And I say if Hogg turns up before two
oclock send him here Ill be down with you by halfpast«
Mr Rodman gave an »All right« nodded to Hubert who paid no attention and
took his departure
»Youve had a long pull of it« Richard began as he took his chair again
and threw his legs into an easy position »Shall I close the windows Maybe you
dont like the draught«
»Thank you I feel no draught«
The working man had the advantage as yet Hubert in vain tried to be at
ease whilst Mutimer was quite himself and not ungraceful in his assumption of
equality For one thing Hubert could not avoid a comparison between his own
wasted frame and the others splendid physique it heightened the feeling of
antagonism which possessed him in advance and provoked the haughtiness he had
resolved to guard against The very lineaments of the men foretold mutual
antipathy Huberts extreme delicacy of feature was the outward expression of a
character so compact of subtleties and refinements of high prejudice and
jealous sensibility of spiritual egoism and allpervading fastidiousness that
it was impossible for him not to regard with repugnance a man who represented
the combative principle even the triumph of the uncultured classes He was no
hidebound aristocrat the liberal tendencies of his intellect led him to scorn
the pageantry of longdescended fools as strongly as he did the blind
imagebreaking of the mob but in a case of personal relations temperament
carried it over judgment in a very highhanded way Youth and disappointment
weighed in the scale of unreason Mutimer on the other hand though fortune
helped him to forbearance saw or believed he saw the very essence of all he
most hated in this proudeyed representative of a county family His own
roughsculptured comeliness corresponded to the vigour and practicality and zeal
of a nature which cared nothing for form and all for substance the essentials
of life were to him the only things in life instead of as to Hubert Eldon the
mere brute foundation of an artistic superstructure Richard read clearly enough
the sentiments with which his visitor approached him who that is the object of
contempt does not readily perceive it His way of revenging himself was to
emphasise a tone of good fellowship to make it evident how well he could afford
to neglect privileged insolence In his heart he triumphed over the disinherited
aristocrat outwardly he was civil even friendly
Hubert had made this call with a special purpose
»I am charged by Mrs Eldon« he began »to thank you for the courtesy you
have shown her during my illness My own thanks likewise I hope you will accept
We have caused you I fear much inconvenience«
Richard found himself envying the form and tone of this deliverance he
gathered his beard in his hands and gave it a tug
»Not a bit of it« he replied »I am very comfortable here A bedroom and a
place for work thats about all I want«
Hubert barely smiled He wondered whether the mention of work was meant to
suggest comparisons He hastened to add
»On Monday we hope to leave the Manor«
»No need whatever for hurry« observed Mutimer goodhumouredly »Please
tell Mrs Eldon that I hope she will take her own time« On reflection this
seemed rather an illchosen phrase he bettered it »I should be very sorry if
she inconvenienced herself on my account«
»Confound the fellows impudence« was Huberts mental comment »He plays
the forbearing landlord«
His spoken reply was »It is very kind of you I foresee no difficulty in
completing the removal on Monday«
In view of Mutimers selfcommand Hubert began to be aware that his own
constraint might carry the air of petty resentment Fear of that drove him upon
a topic he would rather have left alone
»You are changing the appearance of the valley« he said veiling by his
tone the irony which was evident in his choice of words
Richard glanced at him then walked to the window with his hands in his
pockets and gave himself the pleasure of a glimpse of the furnacechimney above
the opposite houses He laughed
»I hope to change it a good deal more In a year or two you wont know the
place«
»I fear not«
Mutimer glanced again at his visitor
»Why do you fear« he asked with less command of his voice
»I of course understand your point of view Personally I prefer nature«
Hubert endeavoured to smile that his personal preferences might lose
something of their edge
»You prefer nature« Mutimer repeated coming back to his chair on the seat
of which he rested a foot »Well I cant say that I do The Wanley Iron Works
will soon mean bread to several hundred families how many would the grass
support«
»To be sure« assented Hubert still smiling
»You are aware« Mutimer proceeded to ask »that this is not a speculation
for my own profit«
»I have heard something of your scheme I trust it will be appreciated«
»I dare say it will be by those who care anything about the welfare of the
people«
Eldon rose he could not trust himself to continue the dialogue He had
expected to meet a man of coarser grain Mutimers intelligence made impossible
the civil condescension which would have served with a boor and Hubert found
the temptation to pointed utterance all the stronger for the dangers it
involved
»I will drop you a note« he said »to let you know as soon as the house is
empty«
»Thank you«
They had not shaken hands at meeting nor did they now Each felt relieved
when out of the others sight
Hubert turned out of the street into a road which would lead him to the
church whence there was a fieldpath back to the Manor Walking with his eyes
on the ground he did not perceive the tall dark figure that approached him as
he drew near to the churchyard gate Mr Wyvern had been conducting a burial he
had just left the vestry and was on his way to the vicarage which stood five
minutes walk from the church Himself unperceived he scrutinised the young man
until he stood face to face with him his deepvoiced greeting caused Hubert to
look up with a start
»Im very glad to see you walking« said the clergyman
He took Huberts hand and held it paternally in both his own Eldon seemed
affected with a sudden surprise as he met the large gaze his look showed
embarrassment
»You remember me« Mr Wyvern remarked his wonted solemnity lightened by
the gleam of a brief smile Looking closely into his face was like examining a
map in relief you saw heights and plains the intersection of multitudinous
valleys rivercourses with their tributaries It was the visage of a man of
thought and character His eyes spoke of late hours and the lamp beneath each
was a heavy pocket of skin wrinkling at its juncture with the cheek His teeth
were those of an incessant smoker and in truth you could seldom come near him
without detecting the odour of tobacco Despite the amplitude of his
proportions there was nothing ponderous about him the great head was finely
formed and his limbs must at one time have been as graceful as they were
muscular
»Is this accident« Hubert asked »or did you know me at the time«
»Accident pure accident Will you walk to the vicarage with me«
They paced side by side
»Mrs Eldon profits by the pleasant weather I trust« the vicar observed
with grave courtesy
»Thank you I think she does I shall be glad when she is settled in her new
home«
They approached the door of the vicarage in silence Entering Mr Wyvern
led the way to his study When he had taken a seat he appeared to forget
himself for a moment and played with the end of his beard
Hubert showed impatient curiosity
»You found me there by chance that morning« he began
The clergyman returned to the present His elbows on either arm of his round
chair he sat leaning forward thoughtfully gazing at his companion
»By chance« he replied »I sleep badly so it happened that I was abroad
shortly after daybreak I was near the edge of the wood when I heard a
pistolshot I waited for the second«
»We fired together« Hubert remarked
»Ah It seemed to me one report Well as I stood listening there came out
from among the trees a man who seemed in a hurry He was startled at finding
himself face to face with me but didnt stop he said something rapidly in
French that I failed to catch pointed back into the wood and hastened off«
»We had no witnesses« put in Hubert »and both aimed our best I wonder he
sent you to look for me«
»A momentary weakness no doubt« rejoined the vicar drily »I made my way
among the trees and found you lying there unconscious I made some attempt to
stop the bloodflow then picked you up it seemed better on the whole than
leaving you on the wet grass an indefinite time Your overcoat was on the
ground as I took hold of it two letters fell from the pocket I made no
scruple about reading the addresses and was astonished to find that one was to
Mrs Eldon at Wanley Manor Wanley being the place where I was about to live on
my return to England I took it for granted that you were Mrs Eldons son The
other letter as you know was to a lady at a hotel in the town«
Hubert nodded
»And you went to her as soon as you left me«
»After hearing from the doctor that there was no immediate danger The
letters I suppose would have announced your death«
Hubert again inclined his head The imperturbable gravity of the speaker had
the effect of imposing selfcommand on the young man whose sensitive cheeks
showed what was going on within
»Will you tell me of your interview with her« he asked
»It was of the briefest my French is not fluent«
»But she speaks English well«
»Probably her distress led her to give preference to her native tongue She
was anxious to go to you immediately and I told her where you lay I made
inquiries next day and found that she was still giving you her care As you
were doing well and I had to be moving homewards I thought it better to leave
without seeing you again The innkeeper had directions to telegraph to me if
there was a change for the worse«
»My pocketbook saved me« remarked Hubert touching his side
Mr Wyvern drew in his lips
»Came between that readystamped letter and Wanley Manor« was his comment
There was a brief silence
»You allow me a question« the vicar resumed »It is with reference to the
French lady«
»I think you have every right to question me«
»Oh no It does not concern the events prior to your accident« Mr Wyvern
savoured the word »How long did she remain in attendance upon you«
»A short time two days I did not need «
Mr Wyvern motioned with his hand kindly
»Then I was not mistaken« he said averting his eyes for the first time
»in thinking that I saw her in Paris«
»In Paris« Hubert repeated with a poor affectation of indifference
»I made a short stay before crossing I had business at a bank one day as I
stood before the counter a gentleman entered and took a place beside me A
second look assured me that he was the man who met me at the edge of the wood
that morning I suppose he remembered me for he looked away and moved from me
I left the bank and found an open carriage waiting at the door In it sat the
lady of whom we speak I took a turn along the pavement and back again The
Frenchman entered the carriage they drove away«
Huberts eyes were veiled he breathed through his nostrils Again there was
silence
»Mr Eldon« resumed the vicar »I was a man of the world before I became a
Churchman you will notice that I affect no professional tone in speaking with
you and it is because I know that anything of the kind would only alienate you
It appeared to me that chance had made me aware of something it might concern
you to hear I know nothing of the circumstances of the case merely offer you
the facts«
»I thank you« was Huberts reply in an undertone
»It impressed me that letter ready stamped for Wanley Manor I thought of
it again after the meeting in Paris«
»I understand you Of course I could explain the necessity It would be
useless«
»Quite But experience is not or should not be useless especially when
commented on by one who has very much of it behind him«
Hubert stood up His mind was in a feverishly active state seeming to
follow several lines of thought simultaneously Among other things he was
wondering how it was that throughout this conversation he had been so entirely
passive He had never found himself under the influence of so strong a
personality exerted too in such a strangely quiet way
»What are your plans your own plans« Mr Wyvern inquired
»I have none«
»Forgive me there will be no material difficulties«
»None I have four hundred a year«
»You have not graduated yet I believe«
»No But I hardly think I can go back to school«
»Perhaps not Well turn things over I should like to hear from you«
»You shall«
Hubert continued his walk to the Manor Before the entrance stood two large
furniturevans the doorway was littered with materials of packing and the hall
was full of objects in disorder Footsteps made a hollow resonance in all parts
of the house for everywhere the long wonted conditions of sound were disturbed
The library was already dismantled here he could close the door and walk about
without fear of intrusion He would have preferred to remain in the open air
but a summer shower had just begun as he reached the house He could not sit
still the bare floor of the large room met his needs
His minds eye pictured a face which a few months ago had power to lead him
whither it willed which had in fact led him through strange scenes as far from
the beaten road of a college curriculum as well could be It was a face of
foreign type Jewish possibly most unlike that ideal of womanly charm kept in
view by one who seeks peace and the hearts home Hubert had entertained no
thought of either The romance which most young men are content to enjoy in
printed pages he had acted out in his life He had lived through a glorious
madness as unlike the vulgar oatsowing of the average young man of wealth as
the latest valse on a streetorgan is unlike a passionate dream of Chopin
However unworthy the object of his frenzy and perhaps one were as worthy as
another the pursuit had borne him through an atmosphere of fire tempering him
for life marking him for ever from plodders of the dusty highway A reckless
passion is a patent of nobility Whatever existence had in store for him
henceforth Hubert could feel that he had lived
An hours communing with memory was brought to an end by the ringing of the
luncheonbell Since his illness Hubert had taken meals with his mother in her
own sittingroom Thither he now repaired
Mrs Eldon had grown older in appearance since that evening of her sons
return Of course she had discovered the cause of his illness and the incessant
torment of a great fear had been added to what she suffered from the
estrangement between the boy and herself Her own bodily weakness had not
permitted her to nurse him she had passed days and nights in anguish of
expectancy At one time it had been life or death If he died what life would
be hers through the brief delay to which she could look forward
Once more she had him by her side but the moral distance between them was
nothing lessened Mrs Eldons pride would not allow her to resume the
conversation which had ended so hopelessly for her and she interpreted Huberts
silence in the saddest sense Now they were about to be parted again A house
had been taken for her at Agworth three miles away in her state of health she
could not quit the neighbourhood of the few old friends whom she still saw But
Hubert would necessarily go into the world to seek some kind of career No hope
shone for her in the prospect
Whilst the servant waited on them at luncheon mother and son exchanged few
words Afterwards Mrs Eldon had her chair moved to the window where she could
see the garden greenery
»I called on Mr Mutimer« Hubert said standing near her Through the meal
he had cast frequent glances at her pale noblylined countenance as if
something had led him to occupy his thoughts with her He looked at her in the
same way now
»Did you How did he impress you«
»He is not quite the man I had expected more civilised I should suppose he
is the better kind of artisan He talks with a good deal of the workingclass
accent of course but not like a wholly uneducated man«
»His letter you remember was anything but illiterate I feel I ought to
ask him to come and see me before we leave«
»The correspondence surely suffices«
»You expressed my thanks«
»Conscientiously«
»I see you found the interview rather difficult Hubert«
»How could it be otherwise The man is well enough of his kind but the
kind is detestable«
»Did he try to convert you to Socialism« asked his mother smiling in her
sad way
»I imagine he discerned the hopelessness of such an undertaking We had a
little passage of arms quite within the bounds of civility Shall I tell you
how I felt in talking with him I seemed to be holding a dialogue with the
twentieth century and you may think what that means«
»Ah its a long way off Hubert«
»I wish it were farther The man was openly exultant he stood for Demos
grasping the sceptre I am glad mother that you leave Wanley before the air is
poisoned«
»Mr Mutimer does not see that side of the question«
»Not he Do you imagine the twentieth century will leave one green spot on
the earths surface«
»My dear it will always be necessary to grow grass and corn«
»By no means depend upon it Such things will be cultivated by chemical
processes There will not be one inch left to nature the very oceans will
somehow be tamed the snowmountains will be levelled And with nature will
perish art What has a hungry Demos to do with the beautiful«
Mrs Eldon sighed gently
»I shall not see it«
Her eyes dreamed upon the softswaying boughs of a young chestnut Hubert
was watching her face its look and the meaning implied in her words touched him
profoundly
»Mother« he said under his breath
»My dear«
He drew nearer to her and just stroked with his fingers the silver lines
which marked the hair on either side of her brows He could see that she
trembled and that her lips set themselves in hard selfconquest
»What do you wish me to do when we have left the Manor«
His own voice was hurried between two quiverings of the throat his mothers
only whispered in reply
»That is for your own consideration Hubert«
»With your counsel mother«
»My counsel«
»I ask it I will follow it I wish to be guided by you«
He knelt by her and his mother pressed his head against her bosom
Later she asked
»Did you call also on the Walthams«
He shook his head
»Should you not do so dear«
»I think that must be later«
The subject was not pursued
The next day was Saturday In the afternoon Hubert took a walk which had been
his favourite one ever since he could remember every step of the way associated
with recollections of childhood boyhood or youth It was along the lane which
began in a farmyard close by the Manor and climbed with many turnings to the top
of Stanbury Hill This was ever the first route reexamined by his brother
Godfrey and himself on their return from school at holidaytime It was a rare
region for birdnesting so seldom was it trodden save by a few farmlabourers
at early morning or when the days work was over Hubert passed with a glance of
recognition the bramble in which he had found his first spinks nest the
shadowed mossy bank whence had fluttered the hapless wren just when the approach
of two prowling youngsters should have bidden her keep close Boys on the
eggtrail are not wont to pay much attention to the features of the country but
Hubert remembered that at a certain meadowgate he had always rested for a
moment to view the valley some mute presage of things unimagined stirring at
his heart Was it even then nineteenth century Not for him seeing that the
life of each of us reproduces the successive ages of the world Belwick roaring
a few miles away was but an isolated black patch on the earths beauty not as
he now understood it a malignant cancerspot spreading day by day corrupting
an augury of death In those days it had seemed fast in the order of things that
Wanley Manor should be his home through life how otherwise Was it not the
abidingplace of the Eldons from of old Who had ever hinted at revolution He
knew now that revolution had been at work from an earlier time than that whilst
he played and rambled with his brother the framework of their life was crumbling
about them Belwick was already throwing a shadow upon Wanley And now behold
he stood at the old gate rested his hands where they had been wont to rest
turned his eyes in the familiar direction no longer a mere shadow there was
Belwick itself
His heart was hot with outraged affection with injured pride On the
scarcely closed grave of that passion which had flamed through so brief a life
sprang up the flower of natural tenderness infinitely sweet and precious For
the first time he was fully conscious of what it meant to quit Wanley for ever
the past revealed itself to him lovelier and more loved because parted from him
by so hopeless a gulf Hubert was not old enough to rate experience at its true
value to acquiesce in the law which wills that the day must perish before we
can enjoy to the full its light and odour He could only feel his loss and
rebel against the fate which had ordained it
He had climbed but halfway up the hill from this point onwards there was
no view till the summit was reached for the lane proceeded between high banks
and hedges To gain the very highest point he had presently to quit the road by
a stile and skirt the edge of a small rising meadow at the top of which was an
old cowhouse with a few trees growing about it Thence one had the finest
prospect in the county
He reached the stone shed looked back for a moment over Wanley then walked
round to the other side As he turned the corner of the building his eye was
startled by the unexpected gleam of a white dress A girl stood there she was
viewing the landscape through a fieldglass and thus remained unaware of his
approach on the grass He stayed his step and observed her with eyes of
recognition Her attitude both hands raised to hold the glass displayed to
perfection the virginal outline of her whiterobed form She wore a straw hat of
the plain masculine fashion her brown hair was plaited in a great circle behind
her head not one tendril loosed from the mass a white collar closely circled
her neck her waist was bound with a red girdle All was grace and purity the
very folds towards the bottom of her dress hung in sculpturesque smoothness the
form of her halfseen foot bowed the herbage with lightest pressure From the
boughs above there fell upon her a dancing network of shadow
Hubert only half smiled he stood with his hands joined behind him his eyes
fixed upon her face waiting for her to turn But several moments passed and she
was still intent on the landscape He spoke
»Will you let me look«
Her hands fell all but dropping the glass still she did not start with
unbecoming shrug as most people do the instinctive movement of guarding against
a stroke the falling of her arms was the only abrupt motion her head turning
in the direction of the speaker with a grace as spontaneous as that we see in a
fawn that glances back before flight
»Oh Mr Eldon How silently you have come«
The wild rose of her cheeks made rivalry for an instant with the richer
garden blooms and the subsiding warmth left a pearly translucency as of a lily
petal against the light
She held her hand to him delicately gloved warm the whole of it was
hidden within Huberts clasp
»What were you looking at so attentively« he asked
»At Agworth station« replied Adela turning her eyes again in that quarter
»My brothers train ought to be in by now I think He comes home every
Saturday«
»Does he«
Hubert spoke without thought his look resting upon the maidens red girdle
»I am glad that you are well again« Adela said with natural kindness »You
have had a long illness«
»Yes it has been a tiresome affair Is Mrs Waltham well«
»Quite thank you«
»And your brother«
»Alfred never had anything the matter with him in his life I believe« she
answered with a laugh
»Fortunate fellow Will you lend me the glass«
She held it to him and at the same moment her straying eye caught a glimpse
of white smoke far off
»There comes the train« she exclaimed »You will be able to see it between
these two hills«
Hubert looked and returned the glass to her but she did not make use of it
»Does he walk over from Agworth« was Huberts next question
»Yes It does him good after a week of Belwick«
»There will soon be little difference between Belwick and Wanley« rejoined
Hubert drily
Adela glanced at him there was sympathy and sorrow in the look
»I knew it would grieve you« she said
»And what is your own feeling Do you rejoice in the change as a sign of
progress«
»Indeed no I am very very sorry to have our beautiful valley so spoilt
It is only «
Hubert eyed her with sudden sharpness of scrutiny the look seemed to check
her words
»Only what« he asked »You find compensations«
»My brother wont hear of such regrets« she continued with a little
embarrassment »He insists on the good that will be done by the change«
»From such a proprietor as I should have been to a man of Mr Mutimers
activity To be sure that is one point of view«
Adela blushed
»That is not my meaning Mr Eldon as you know I was speaking of the
change without regard to who brings it about And I was not giving my own
opinion Alfreds is always on the side of the working people he seems to
forget everybody else in his zeal for their interests And then the works are
going to be quite a new kind of undertaking You have heard of Mr Mutimers
plans of course«
»I have an idea of them«
»You think them mistaken«
»No I would rather say they dont interest me That seems to disappoint
you Miss Waltham Probably you are interested in them«
At the sound of her own name thus formally interjected Adela just raised
her eyes from their reflective gaze on the near landscape then she became yet
more thoughtful
»Yes I think I am« she replied with deliberation »The principle seems a
just one Devotion to a really unselfish cause is rare I am afraid«
»You have met Mr Mutimer«
»Once My brother made his acquaintance and he called on us«
»Did he explain his scheme to you in detail«
»Not himself Alfred has told me all about it He of course is delighted
with it he has joined what he calls the Union«
»Are you going to join« Hubert asked smiling
»I I doubt whether they would have me«
She laughed silverly her throat tremulous like that of a bird that sings
How significant the laugh was the music of how pure a freshet of life
»All the members I presume« said Hubert »are to be speedily enriched from
the Wanley Mines and Iron Works«
It was jokingly uttered but Adela replied with some earnestness as if to
remove a false impression
»Oh that is quite a mistake Mr Eldon There is no question of anyone
being enriched least of all Mr Mutimer himself The workmen will receive just
payment not mere starvation wages but whatever profit there is will be devoted
to the propaganda«
»Propaganda Starvation wages Ah I see you have gone deeply into these
matters How strangely that word sounds on your lips propaganda«
Adela reddened
»Why strangely Mr Eldon«
»One associates it with such very different speakers it has such a terrible
canting sound I hope you will not get into the habit of using it for your own
sake«
»I am not likely to use it much I suppose I have heard it so often from
Alfred lately Please dont think« she added rather hastily »that I have
become a Socialist Indeed I dislike the name I find it implies so many things
that I could never approve of«
Her way of speaking the last sentence would have amused a dispassionate
critic it was so distinctively the tone of Puritan maidenhood From lips like
Adelas it is delicious to hear such moral babbling Oh the gravity of
conviction in a whitesouled English girl of eighteen Do you not hear her say
those words »things that I could never approve of«
As her companion did not immediately reply she again raised the fieldglass
to her eyes and swept the prospect
»Can you see your brother on the road« Hubert inquired
»No not yet There is a trap driving this way Why Alfred is sitting in
it Oh it is Mr Mutimers trap I see He must have met Alfred at the station
and have given him a ride«
»Evidently they are great friends« commented Eldon
Adela did not reply After gazing a little longer she said
»He will be home before I can get there«
She screwed up the glasses and turned as if to take leave But Hubert
prepared to walk by her side and together they reached the lane
»Now I am going to run down the hill« Adela said laughing »I cant ask
you to join in such childishness and I suppose you are not going this way
either«
»No I am walking back to the Manor« the other replied soberly »We had
better say goodbye On Monday we shall leave Wanley my mother and I«
»On Monday«
The girl became graver
»But only to go to Agworth« she added
»I shall not remain at Agworth I am going to London«
»To to study«
»Something or other I dont quite know what Goodbye«
»Wont you come to say goodbye to us to mother«
»Shall you be at home tomorrow afternoon about four oclock say«
»Oh yes the very time«
»Then I will come to say goodbye«
»In that case we neednt say it now need we It is only goodafternoon«
She began to walk down the lane
»I thought you were going to run« cried Hubert
She looked back and her silver laugh made chorus with the joyous refrain of
a yellowhammer piping behind the hedge Till the turn of the road she
continued walking then Hubert had a glimpse of white folds waving in the act of
flight and she was beyond his vision
Chapter VIII
Adela reached the house door at the very moment that Mutimers trap drove up
She had run nearly all the way down the hill and her soberer pace during the
last ten minutes had not quite reduced the flush in her cheeks Mutimer raised
his hat with much aplomb before he had pulled up his horse and his look stayed
on her whilst Alfred Waltham was descending and taking leave
»I was lucky enough to overtake your brother in Agworth« he said
»Ah you have deprived him of what he calls his constitutional« laughed
Adela
»Have I Well it isnt often Im here over Saturday so be can generally
feel safe«
The hat was again aired and Richard drove away to the Wheatsheaf Inn where
he kept his horse at present
Brother and sister went together into the parlour where Mrs Waltham
immediately joined them having descended from an upper room
»So Mr Mutimer drove you home« she exclaimed with the interest which
provincial ladies lacking scope for their energies will display in very small
incidents
»Yes By the way Ive asked him to come and have dinner with us tomorrow
He hadnt any special reason for going to town and was uncertain whether to do
so or not so I thought I might as well have him here«
Mr Alfred always spoke in a somewhat emphatic first person singular when
domestic arrangements were under discussion occasionally the habit led to a
passing unpleasantness of tone between himself and Mrs Waltham In the present
instance however nothing of the kind was to be feared his mother smiled very
graciously
»Im glad you thought of it« she said »It would have been very lonely for
him in his lodgings«
Neither of the two happened to be regarding Adela or they would have seen a
look of dismay flit across her countenance and pass into one of annoyance When
the talk had gone on for a few minutes Adela interposed a question
»Will Mr Mutimer stay for tea also do you think Alfred«
»Oh of course why shouldnt he«
It is the country habit Adela might have known what answer she would
receive She got out of the difficulty by means of a little disingenuousness
»He wont want us to talk about Socialism all the time will he«
»Of course not my dear« replied Mrs Waltham »Why it will be Sunday«
Alfred shouted in mirthful scorn
»Well thats one of the finest things Ive heard for a long time mother
Itll be Sunday and therefore we are not to talk about improving the lot of the
human race Ye gods«
Mrs Waltham was puzzled for an instant but the Puritan assurance did not
fail her
»Yes but that is only improvement of their bodies Alfred food and
clothing The six days are for that you know«
»Mother mother you will kill me You are so uncommonly funny I wonder
your friends havent long ago found some way of doing without bodies altogether
Now I pray you do not talk nonsense Surely that is forbidden on the Sabbath
if only the Jewish one«
»Mother is quite right Alfred« remarked Adela with quiet affirmativeness
as soon as her voice could be heard »Your Socialism is earthly we have to
think of other things besides bodily comforts«
»Who said we hadnt« cried her brother »But I take leave to inform you
that you wont get much spiritual excellence out of a man who lives a harder
life than the niggerslaves If you women could only put aside your theories and
look a little at obstinate facts Youre all of a piece Which of you was it
that talked the other day about getting the vicar to pray for rain Ho ho ho
Just the same kind of thing«
Alfreds combativeness had grown markedly since his making acquaintance with
Mutimer He had never excelled in the suaver virtues and now the whole of the
time he spent at home was devoted to vociferous railing at capitalists priests
and women his mother and sister serving for illustrations of the vices
prevalent in the lastmentioned class In talking he always paced the room
hands in pockets and at times fairly stammered in his endeavour to hit upon
sufficiently trenchant epithets or comparisons When reasoning failed with his
auditors he had recourse to volleys of contemptuous laughter At times he lost
his temper muttered words such as fools idiots and flung out into the open
air It looked as if the present evening was to be a stormy one Adela noted the
presage and allowed herself a protest in limine
»Alfred I do hope you wont go on in this way whilst Letty is here You
maynt think it but you pain her very much«
»Pain her Its her education Shes had none yet no more than you have
Its time you both began to learn«
It being close upon the hour for tea the young lady of whom there was
question was heard to ring the doorbell We have already had a passing glimpse
of her but since then she has been honoured by becoming Alfreds affianced
Letty Tew fulfilled all the conditions desirable in one called to so trying a
destiny She was a pretty supple sweetmannered girl and as is the case with
such girls found it possible to worship a man whom in consistency she must have
deemed the most condemnable of heretics She and Adela were close friends
Adela indeed had no other friend in the nearer sense The two were made of
very different fibre but that had not as yet distinctly shown
Adelas reproof was not wholly without effect her brother got through the
evening without proceeding to his extremest truculence Still the conversation
was entirely of his leading consequently not a little argumentative He had
brought home as he always did on Saturday a batch of ultra periodicals among
them the Fiery Cross and his own eloquence was supplemented by the reading of
excerpts from these lively columns It was a combat of three to one but the
majority did little beyond throwing up hands at anything particularly
outrageous Adela said much less than usual
»I tell you what it is you three« Alfred cried at a certain climax of
enthusiasm addressing the ladies with characteristic courtesy »well found a
branch of the Union in Wanley I mean in our particular circle of thickheads
Then as soon as Mutimers settlement gets going we can coalesce Now you two
girls give next week to going round and soliciting subscriptions for the Fiery
Cross People have had time to get over the first scare and you know they cant
refuse such as you Quarterly oneandeightpence including postage«
»But my dear Alfred« cried Adela »remember that Letty and I are not
Socialists«
»Letty is because I expect it of her and you cant refuse to keep her in
countenance«
The girls laughed merrily at this anticipated lordship but Letty said
presently
»I believe father will take the paper if I ask him One is better than
nothing isnt it Alfred«
»Good We book Stephen Tew Esquire«
»But surely you mustnt call him Esquire« suggested Adela
»Oh he is yet unregenerate let him keep his baubles«
»How are the regenerate designated«
»Comrade we prefer«
»Also applied to women«
»Well I suppose not As the word hasnt a feminine call yourselves plain
Letty Tew and Adela Waltham without meaningless prefix«
»What nonsense you are talking Alfred« remarked his mother »As if
everybody in Wanley could address young ladies by their Christian names«
In this way did Alfred begin the propaganda at home Already the village was
much occupied with the vague new doctrines represented by the name of Richard
Mutimer the parlour of the Wheatsheaf was loud of evenings with extraordinary
debate and gossips of a higher station had at length found a topic which
promised to be inexhaustible Of course the vicar was eagerly sounded as to his
views Mr Wyvern preserved an attitude of scrupulous neutrality contenting
himself with correction of palpable absurdities in the stories going about »But
surely you are not a Socialist Mr Wyvern« cried Mrs Mewling after doing her
best to pump the reverend gentleman and discovering nothing »I am a Christian
madam« was the reply »and have nothing to do with economic doctrines« Mrs
Mewling spread the phrase economic doctrines shaking her head upon the
adjective which was interpreted by her hearers as condemnatory in significance
The halfdozen shopkeepers were disposed to secret jubilation it was probable
that in consequence of the doings in the valley trade would look up Mutimer
himself was a centre of interest such as Wanley had never known When he walked
down the street the news that he was visible seemed to spread like wildfire
every house had its gazers Excepting the case of the Walthams he had not as
yet sought to make personal acquaintances appearing rather to avoid
opportunities On the whole it seemed likely that he would be popular The
little group of mothers with marriageable daughters waited eagerly for the day
when by establishing himself at the Manor he would throw off the present
semiincognito and become the recognised head of Wanley society He would
discover the necessity of having a lady to share his honours and preside at his
table Persistent inquiry seemed to have settled the fact that he was not
married already To be sure there were awesome rumours that Socialists
repudiated laws divine and human in matrimonial affairs but the more sanguine
were inclined to regard this as calumny their charity finding a support in
their personal ambitions The interest formerly attaching to the Eldons had
altogether vanished Mrs Eldon and her son were now mere obstacles to be got
rid of as quickly as possible It was the general opinion that Hubert Eldons
illness was purposely protracted to suit his mothers convenience Until
Mutimers arrival there had been much talk about Hubert whether owing to Dr
Manns indiscretion or through the servants at the Manor it had become known
that the young man was suffering from a bulletwound and the story circulated
by Mrs Mewling led gossips to suppose that he had been murderously assailed in
that land of notorious profligacy known to Wanley as abroad That however was
now become an old story Wanley was anxious for the Eldons to go their way and
leave the stage clear
Everyone of course was aware that Mutimer spent his Sundays in London a
circumstance it was admitted not altogether reassuring to the ladies with
marriageable daughters and his unwonted appearance in the village on the
evening of the present Saturday excited universal comment Would he appear at
church next morning There was a general directing of eyes to the Manor pew
This pew had not been occupied since the fateful Sunday when at the conclusion
of the morning service old Mr Mutimer was discovered to have breathed his
last It was a notable object in the dim little church having a wooden canopy
supported on four slim oak pillars with vermicular moulding From pillar to
pillar hung dark curtains so that when these were drawn the interior of the pew
was entirely protected from observation Even on the brightest days its
occupants were veiled in gloom Today the curtains remained drawn as usual and
Richard Mutimer disappointed the congregation Wanley had obtained assurance on
one point Socialism involved Atheism
Then it came to pass that someone saw Mutimer approach the Walthams house
just before dinner time saw him moreover ring and enter A couple of hours
and the ominous event was everywhere being discussed Well well it was not
difficult to see what that meant Trust Mrs Waltham for shrewd generalship
Adela Waltham had been formerly talked of in connection with young Eldon but
Eldon was now out of the question and behold his successor in a double sense
Mrs Mewling surrendered her Sunday afternoon nap and flew from house to house
of course in time for the dessert wine at each Her cry was haro Really this
was sharp practice on Mrs Walthams part it was stealing a march before the
commencement of the game Did there not exist a tacit understanding that
movements were postponed until Mutimers occupation of the Manor Adela was a
very nice young girl to be sure a very nice girl indeed but one must confess
that she had her eyes open Would it not be well for united Wanley to let her
know its opinion of such doings
In the meantime Richard was enjoying himself with as little thought of the
Wanley gossips as of shall we say, the old curtained pew in Wanley Church He
was perfectly aware that the Walthams did not represent the highest gentility
that there was a considerable interval for example, between Mrs Waltham and
Mrs Westlake but the fact remained that he had never yet been on intimate
terms with a family so refined Radical revolutionist though he was he had none
of the grossness or obstinacy which would have denied to the bourgeois household
any advantage over those of his own class At dinner he found himself behaving
circumspectly He knew already that the cultivated taste objects to the use of a
tableknife save for purposes of cutting on the whole he saw grounds for the
objection He knew moreover that manducation and the absorption of fluids must
be performed without audible gusto the knowledge cost him some selfcriticism
But there were numerous minor points of convention on which he was not so clear
it had never occurred to him for instance that civilisation demands the
breaking of bread that in the absence of silver a fork must suffice for the
dissection of fish that a napkin is a graceful auxiliary in the process of a
meal and not rather an embarrassing superfluity of furtive application Like a
wise man he did not talk much during dinner devoting his mind to observation
Of one thing he speedily became aware namely that Mr Alfred Waltham was so
very much in his own house that it was not wholly safe to regard his demeanour
as exemplary Another point well certified was that if any person in the world
could be pointed to as an unassailable pattern of comely behaviour that person
was Mr Alfred Walthams sister Richard observed Adela as closely as good
manners would allow
Talking little as yet the young man at the head of the table gave others
every facility for silence Richard could occupy his thought in many
directions Among other things he instituted a comparison between the young
lady who sat opposite to him and someone not a young lady it is true but of
the same sex and about the same age He tried to imagine Emma Vine seated at
this table the effort resulted in a disagreeable warmth in the lobes of his
ears Yes but he attacked himself not Emma Vine dressed as he was
accustomed to see her suppose her possessed of all Adela Walthams exterior
advantages As his imagination was working on the hint Adela herself addressed
a question to him He looked up he let her voice repeat itself in inward echo
His ears were still more disagreeably warm
It was a lovely day warm enough to dine with the windows open The
faintest air seemed to waft sunlight from corner to corner of the room
numberless birds sang on the near boughs and hedges the flowers on the table
were like a careless gift of goldhearted prodigal summer Richard transferred
himself in spirit to a certain square on the borders of Hoxton and Islington
within scent of the Regents Canal The house there was now inhabited by Emma
and her sisters they also would be at dinner Suppose he had the choice there
or here Adela addressed to him another question The square vanished into
space
How often he had spoken scornfully of that word lady Were not all of the
sex women What need for that hateful distinction Richard tried another
experiment with his imagination »I had dinner with some people called Waltham
last Sunday The old woman I didnt much care about but there was a young woman
« Well why not On the other hand suppose Emma Vine called at his lodgings
»A young woman called this morning sir « Well why not
Dessert was on the table He saw Adelas fingers take an orange her other
hand holding a little fruitknife Now who could have imagined that the simple
paring of an orange could be achieved at once with such consummate grace and so
naturally In Richards country they first bite off a fraction of the skin then
dig away with what of fingernail may be available He knew someone who would
assuredly proceed in that way
Metamorphosis Richard Mutimer speculates on æsthetic problems
»You gentlemen I dare say will be wicked enough to smoke« remarked Mrs
Waltham as she rose from the table
»I tell you what we shall be wicked enough to do mother« exclaimed Alfred
»We shall have two cups of coffee brought out into the garden and spare your
furniture«
»Very well my son Your two cups evidently mean that Adela and I are not
invited to the garden«
»Nothing of the kind But I know you always go to sleep and Adela doesnt
like tobacco smoke«
»I go to sleep Alfred You know very well that I have a very different
occupation for my Sunday afternoons«
»I really dont care anything about smoking« observed Mutimer with a
glance at Adela
»Oh you certainly shall not deprive yourself on my account Mr Mutimer«
said the girl goodnaturedly »I hope soon to come out into the garden and I
am not at all sure that my objection to tobacco is serious«
Ah if Mrs Mewling could have heard that speech Mrs Mewlings age was
something less than fifty probably she had had time to forget how a young girl
such as Adela speaks in pure frankness and never looks back to muse over a
double meaning
It was nearly three oclock Adela compared her watch with the sittingroom
clock and the gentlemen having retired moved about the room with a look of
uneasiness Her mother stood at the window seemingly regarding the sky in
reality occupying her thoughts with things much nearer She turned and found
Adela looking at her
»I want just to run over and speak to Letty« Adela said »I shall very soon
be back«
»Very well dear« replied her mother scanning her face absently »But
dont let them keep you«
Adela quickly fetched her hat and left the house It was her habit to walk
at a good pace always with the same airy movement as though her feet only in
appearance pressed the ground On the way she again consulted her watch and it
caused her to flit still faster Arrived at the abode of the Tews she
fortunately found Letty in the garden sitting with two younger sisters one a
child of five years Miss Tew was reading aloud to them her book being
Pilgrims Progress At the sight of Adela the youngest of the three slipped down
from her seat and ran to meet her with laughter and shaking of curls
»Carry me round carry me round« cried the little one
For it was Adelas habit to snatch up the flaxen little maiden seat her
upon her shoulder and trot merrily round a circular path in the garden But the
sister next in age whose thirteenth year had developed deep convictions
interposed sharply
»Eva dont be naughty Isnt it Sunday«
The little one saved on the very brink of iniquity turned away in
confusion and stood with a finger in her mouth
»Ill come and carry you round tomorrow Eva« said the visitor stooping
to kiss the reluctant face Then turning to the admonitress »Jessie will you
read a little I want just to speak to Letty«
Miss Jessie took the volume made her countenance yet sterner and having
drawn Eva to her side began to read in measured tones reproducing as well as
she could the enunciation of the pulpit Adela beckoned to her friend and the
two walked apart
»Im in such a fix« she began speaking hurriedly »and there isnt a
minute to lose Mr Mutimer has been having dinner with us Alfred invited him
And I expect Mr Eldon to come about four oclock I met him yesterday on the
Hill he came up just as I was looking out for Alfred with the glass and I
asked him if he wouldnt come and say goodbye to mother this afternoon Of
course Id no idea that Mr Mutimer would come to dinner he always goes away
for Sunday Isnt it dreadfully awkward«
»You think he wouldnt like to meet Mr Mutimer« asked Letty savouring the
gravity of the situation
»Im sure he wouldnt He spoke about him yesterday Of course he didnt say
anything against Mr Mutimer but I could tell from his way of speaking And
then its quite natural isnt it Im really afraid Hell think it so unkind
of me I told him we should be alone and I shant be able to explain Isnt it
tiresome«
»It is really But of course Mr Eldon will understand To think that it
should happen just this day«
An idea flashed across Miss Tews mind
»Couldnt you be at the door when he comes and just just say you know
that youre sorry that you knew nothing about Mr Mutimer coming«
»Ive thought of something else« returned Adela lowering her voice as if
to impart a project of doubtful propriety »Suppose I walk towards the Manor and
and meet him on the way before he gets very far Then I could save him the
annoyance couldnt I dear«
Letty widened her eyes The idea was splendid but
»You dont think dear that it might be a little that you might find it
«
Adela reddened
»It is only a piece of kindness Mr Eldon will understand Im sure He
asked me so particularly if we should be alone I really feel it a duty Dont
you think I may go I must decide at once«
Letty hesitated
»If you really advise me not to « pursued Adela »But Im sure I shall be
glad when its done«
»Then go dear Yes I would go if I were you«
Adela now faltered
»You really would go in my place«
»Yes yes Im sure I should You see it isnt as if it was Mr Mutimer you
were going to meet«
»Oh no no That would be impossible«
»He will be very grateful« murmured Letty without looking up
»If I go it must be at once«
»Your mother doesnt know he was coming«
»No I dont know why I havent told her really I suppose we were talking
so much of other things last night And then I only got home just as Alfred did
and he said at once that he had invited Mr Mutimer Yes I will go Perhaps
Ill come and see you again after church«
Letty went back to Pilgrims Progress Her sister Jessie enjoyed the sound
of her own voice and did not offer to surrender the book so she sat by little
Evas side and resumed her Sunday face
Adela took the road for the Manor resisting the impulse to cast glances on
either side as she passed the houses at the end of the village She felt it to
be more than likely that eyes were observing her as it was an unusual time for
her to be abroad and the direction of her walk pointed unmistakably to one
destination But she made no account of secrecy her errand was perfectly simple
and with an object that no one could censure If people tattled they alone were
to blame For the first time she experienced a little resentment of the public
criticism which was so rife in Wanley and the experience was useful one of
those inappreciable aids to independence which act by cumulative stress on a
character capable of development and softly mould its outlines
She passed the church then the vicarage and entered the hedgeway which by
a longe curve led to the Manor She was slackening her pace not wishing to
approach too near to the house when she at length saw Hubert Eldon walking
towards her He advanced with a look which was not exactly indifferent yet
showed no surprise the smile only came to his face when he was near enough to
speak
»I have come to meet you« Adela began with frankness which cost her a
little agitation of breath »I am so very sorry to have misled you yesterday As
soon as I reached home I found that my brother had invited Mr Mutimer for
today I thought it would be best if I came and told you that that we were
not quite alone as I said we should be«
As she spoke Adela became distressed by perceiving or seeming to perceive
that the cause which had led her to this step was quite inadequate Of course it
was the result of her having to forbear mention of the real point at issue she
could not say that she feared it might be disagreeable to her hearer to meet
Mutimer But put in the other way her pretext for coming appeared trivial
Only with an extreme effort she preserved her even tone to the end of her
speech
»It is very kind of you« Hubert replied almost warmly »Im very sorry you
have had the trouble«
As she disclaimed thanks Eldons tack discovered the way of safety Facing
her with a quiet openness of look he said in a tone of pleasant directness
which Adela had often felt to be peculiarly his own
»I shall best thank you by admitting that I should have found it very
unpleasant to meet Mr Mutimer You felt that and hence your kindness At the
same time no doubt you pity me for my littleness«
»I think it perfectly natural that such a meeting should be disagreeable I
believe I understand your feeling Indeed you explained it to me yesterday«
»I explained it«
»In what you said about the works in the valley«
»True Many people would have interpreted me less liberally«
Adelas eyes brightened a little But when she raised them they fell upon
something which disturbed her cheerfulness This was the face of Mrs Mewling
who had come up from the direction of Wanley and was clearly about to pay a
visit at the Manor The lady smiled and murmured a greeting as she passed by
»I suppose Mrs Mewling is going to see my mother« said Hubert who also
had lost a little of his naturalness
A few more words and they again parted Nothing further was said of the
postponed visit Adela hastened homewards dreading lest she had made a great
mistake yet glad that she had ventured to come
Her mother was just going out into the garden where Alfreds voice sounded
frequently in laughter or denunciation Adela would have been glad to sit alone
for a short time for Mrs Waltham seemed to wish for her company She had only
time to glance at herself in her lookingglass and just press a palm against
each cheek
Alfred was puffing clouds from his briar pipe but Mutimer had ceased
smoking Near the latter was a vacant seat Adela took it as there was no
other
»What a good thing the day of rest is« exclaimed Mrs Waltham »I always
feel thankful when I think of the poor men who toil so all through the week in
Belwick and how they must enjoy their Sunday You surely wouldnt make any
change in that Mr Mutimer«
»The change I should like to see would be in the other direction« Richard
replied »I would have holidays far more frequent In the towns you can scarcely
call Sunday a holiday Theres nothing to do but to walk about the streets On
the whole it does far more harm than good«
»Do they never go to church« asked Adela She was experiencing a sort of
irritation against their guest a feeling traceable to more than one source
Mutimers frequent glances did not tend to soothe it She asked the question
rather in a spirit of adverse criticism
»The working people dont« was the reply »except a Dissenting family here
and there«
»Perhaps that is one explanation of the Sundays being useless to them«
Adela would scarcely have ventured upon such a tone in reference to any
secular matter the subject being religion she was of course justified in
expressing herself freely
Mutimer smiled and held back his rejoinder for a moment By that time Alfred
had taken his pipe from his lips and was giving utterance to unmeasured scorn
»But Mr Mutimer« said Mrs Waltham waving aside her sons vehemence
»you dont seriously tell us that the working people have no religion Surely
that would be too shocking«
»Yes I say it seriously Mrs Waltham In the ordinary sense of the word
they have no religion The truth is they have no time to think of it«
»Oh but surely it needs no thought «
Alfred exploded
»I mean« pursued his mother »that however busy we are there must always
be intervals to be spared from the world«
Mutimer again delayed his reply A look which he cast at Adela appeared to
move her to speech
»Have they not their evenings free as well as every Sunday«
»Happily Miss Waltham you cant realise their lives« Richard began He
was not smiling now Adelas tone had struck him like a challenge and he
collected himself to meet her »The man who lives on wages is never free he
sells himself body and soul to his employer What sort of freedom does a man
enjoy who may any day find himself and his family on the point of starvation
just because he has lost his work All his life long he has before his mind the
fear of want not only of straitened means mind you but of destitution and
the workhouse How can such a man put aside his common cares Religion is a
luxury the working man has no luxuries Now you speak of the free evenings
people always do when theyre asking why the working classes dont educate
themselves Do you understand what that free evening means He gets home say
at six oclock tired out he has to be up again perhaps at five next morning
What can he do but just lie about half asleep Why thats the whole principle
of the capitalist system of employment its calculated exactly how long a man
can be made to work in a day without making him incapable of beginning again on
the day following just as its calculated exactly how little a man can live
upon in the regulation of wages If the workman returned home with strength to
spare employers would soon find it out and workshop legislation would be
revised because of course its the capitalists that make the laws. The
principle is that a man shall have no strength left for himself its all paid
for every scrap of it bought with the wages at each week end What religion
can such men have Religion I suppose means thankfulness for life and its
pleasures at all events thats a great part of it and what has a
wageearner to be thankful for«
»It sounds very shocking« observed Mrs Waltham somewhat disturbed by the
speakers growing earnestness Richard paid no attention and continued to
address Adela
»I dare say youve heard of the early trains workmens trains that they
run on the London railways If only you could travel once by one of those
Between station and station theres scarcely a man or boy in the carriage who
can keep awake there they sit leaning over against each other their heads
dropping forward their eyelids that heavy they cant hold them up I tell you
its one of the most miserable sights to be seen in this world If you saw it
Miss Waltham youd pity them Im very sure of that You only need to know what
their life means People who have never known hardship often speak more cruelly
than they think and of course it always will be so as long as the rich and the
poor are two different races as much apart as if there was an ocean between
them«
Adelas cheeks were warm It was a novel sensation to be rebuked in this
unconventional way She was feeling a touch of shame as well as the slight
resentment which was partly her classinstinct partly of her sex
»I feel that I have no right to give any opinion« she said in an undertone
»Meaning Adela« commented her brother »that you have a very strong
opinion and stick to it«
»One thing I dare say you are thinking Miss Waltham« Richard pursued »if
youll allow me to say it You think that I myself dont exactly prove what Ive
been saying I mean to say that I at all events have had free time not only
to read and reflect but to give lectures and so on Yes and Ill explain that
It was my good fortune to have a father and mother who were very careful and
hardworking and thoughtful people I and my sister and brother were brought up
in an orderly home and taught from the first that ceaseless labour and strict
economy were the things always to be kept in mind All that was just fortunate
chance Im not praising myself in saying Ive been able to get more into my
time than most other working men its my father and mother I have to thank for
it Suppose theyd been as ignorant and careless as most of their class are made
by the hard lot they have to endure why I should have followed them thats
all Weve never had to go without a meal and why Just because weve all of us
worked like slaves and never allowed ourselves to think of rest or enjoyment
When my father died of course we had to be more careful than ever but there
were three of us to earn money fortunately and we kept up the home We put our
money by for the club every week whats more«
»The club« queried Miss Waltham to whom the word suggested Pall Mall and
vague glories which dwelt in her imagination
»Thats to make provision for times when were ill or cant get work«
Mutimer explained »If a wageearner falls ill what has he to look to The
capitalist wont trouble himself to keep him alive theres plenty to take his
place Well thats my position or was a few months ago I dont suppose any
working man has had more advantages Take it as an example of the most we can
hope for and pray say what if amounts to Just on the right side just keeping
afloat just screwing out an hour here and there to work your brain when you
ought to be taking wholesome recreation Thats nothing very grand it seems to
me Yet people will point to it and ask what there is to grumble at«
Adela sat uneasily under Mutimers gaze she kept her eyes down
»And Im not sure that I should always have got on as easily« the speaker
continued »Only a day or two before I heard of my relatives death Id just
been dismissed from my employment that was because they didnt like my
opinions Well I dont say they hadnt a right to dismiss me just as I suppose
youve a right to kill as many of the enemy as you can in time of war But
suppose I couldnt have got work anywhere I had nothing but my hands to depend
upon if I couldnt sell my muscles I must starve thats all«
Adela looked at him for almost the first time She had heard this story from
her brother but it came more impressively from Mutimers own lips A sort of
heroism was involved in it the championship of a cause regardless of self. She
remained thoughtful with troublous colours on her face
Mrs Waltham was more obviously uneasy There are certain things to which in
good society one does not refer first and foremost humiliating antecedents The
present circumstances were exceptional to be sure but it was to be hoped that
Mr Mutimer would outgrow this habit of advertising his origin Let him talk of
the workingclasses if he liked but always in the third person The good lady
began to reflect whether she might not venture shortly to give him friendly
hints on this and similar subjects
But it was nearly teatime Mrs Waltham shortly rose and went into the
house whither Alfred followed her Mutimer kept his seat and Adela could not
leave him to himself though for the moment he seemed unconscious of her
presence When they had been alone together for a little while Richard broke
the silence
»I hope I didnt speak rudely to you Miss Waltham I dont think I need
fear to say what I mean but I know there are always two ways of saying things
and perhaps I chose the roughest«
Adela was conscious of having said a few hard things mentally and this
apology delivered in a very honest voice appealed to her instinct of justice
She did not like Mutimer and consequently strove against the prejudice which
the very sound of his voice aroused in her it was her nature to aim thus at
equity in her personal judgments
»To describe hard things we must use hard words« she replied pleasantly
»but you said nothing that could offend«
»I fear you havent much sympathy with my way of looking at the question I
seem to you to be going to work the wrong way«
»I certainly think you value too little the means of happiness that we all
have within our reach rich and poor alike«
»Ah if you could only see into the life of the poor you would acknowledge
that those means are and can be nothing to them Besides my way of thinking in
such things is the same as your brothers and I cant expect you to see any
good in it«
Adela shook her head slightly She had risen and was examining the leaves
upon an apple branch which she had drawn down
»But Im sure you feel that there is need for doing something« he urged
quitting his seat »Youre not indifferent to the hard lives of the people as
most people are who have always lived comfortable lives«
She let the branch spring up and spoke more coldly
»I hope I am not indifferent but it is not in my power to do anything«
»Will you let me say that you are mistaken in that« Mutimer had never
before felt himself constrained to qualify and adorn his phrases the necessity
made him awkward Not only did he aim at polite modes of speech altogether
foreign to his lips but his own voice sounded strange to him in its forced
suppression He did not as yet succeed in regarding himself from the outside and
criticising the influences which had got hold upon him he was only conscious
that a young lady the very type of young lady that a little while ago he would
have held up for scorn was subduing his nature by her mere presence and
exacting homage from him to which she was wholly indifferent »Everyone can give
help in such a cause as this You can work upon the minds of the people you talk
with and get them to throw away their prejudices The cause of the working
classes seems so hopeless just because theyre too far away to catch the ears of
those who oppress them«
»I do not oppress them Mr Mutimer«
Adela spoke with a touch of impatience She wished to bring this
conversation to an end and the man would give her no opportunity of doing so
She was not in reality paying attention to his arguments as was evident in her
echo of his last words
»Not willingly but none the less you do so« he rejoined »Everyone who
lives at ease and without a thought of changing the present state of society is
tyrannising over the people Every article of clothing you put on means a life
worn out somewhere in a factory What would your existence be without the toil
of those men and women who live and die in want of every comfort which seems as
natural to you as the air you breathe Dont you feel that you owe them
something Its a debt that can very easily be forgotten I know that and just
because the creditors are too weak to claim it Think of it in that way and Im
quite sure you wont let it slip from your mind again«
Alfred came towards them announcing that tea was ready and Adela gladly
moved away
»You wont make any impression there« said Alfred with a shrug of
goodnatured contempt »Argument isnt understood by women Now if you were a
revivalist preacher «
Mrs Waltham and Adela went to church Mutimer returned to his lodgings leaving
his friend Waltham smoking in the garden
On the way home after service Adela had a brief murmured conversation with
Letty Tew Her mother was walking out with Mrs Mewling
»It was evidently prearranged« said the latter after recounting certain
details in a tone of confidence »I was quite shocked On his part such conduct
is nothing less than disgraceful Adela of course cannot be expected to know«
»I must tell her« was the reply
Adela was sitting rather dreamily in her bedroom a couple of hours later
when her mother entered
»Little girls shouldnt tell stories« Mrs Waltham began with playfulness
which was not quite natural »Who was it that wanted to go and speak a word to
Letty this afternoon«
»It wasnt altogether a story mother« pleaded the girl shamed but with an
endeavour to speak independently »I did want to speak to Letty«
»And you put it off I suppose Really Adela you must remember that a girl
of your age has to be mindful of her selfrespect In Wanley you cant escape
notice besides «
»Let me explain mother« Adelas voice was made firm by the suggestion that
she had behaved unbecomingly »I went to Letty first of all to tell her of a
difficulty I was in Yesterday afternoon I happened to meet Mr Eldon and when
he was saying goodbye I asked him if he wouldnt come and see you before he
left Wanley He promised to come this afternoon At the time of course I didnt
know that Alfred had invited Mr Mutimer It would have been so disagreeable for
Mr Eldon to meet him here I made up my mind to walk towards the Manor and tell
Mr Eldon what had happened«
»Why should Mr Eldon have found the meeting with Mr Mutimer disagreeable«
»They dont like each other«
»I dare say not Perhaps it was as well Mr Eldon didnt come I should most
likely have refused to see him«
»Refused to see him mother«
Adela gazed in the utmost astonishment
»Yes my dear I havent spoken to you about Mr Eldon just because I took
it for granted that he would never come in your way again That he should have
dared to speak to you is something beyond what I could have imagined When I
went to see Mrs Eldon on Friday I didnt take you with me for fear lest that
young man should show himself It was impossible for you to be in the same room
with him«
»With Mr Hubert Eldon My dearest mother what are you saying«
»Of course it surprises you Adela I too was surprised I thought there
might be no need to speak to you of things you ought never to hear mentioned
but now I am afraid I have no choice The sad truth is that Mr Eldon has
utterly disgraced himself When he ought to have been here to attend Mr
Mutimers funeral he was living at Paris and other such places in the most
shocking dissipation Things are reported of him which I could not breathe to
you he is a bad young man«
The inclusiveness of that description Mrs Walthams head quivered as she
gave utterance to the words for at least half of the feeling she expressed was
genuine To her hearer the final phrase was like a thunderstroke In a certain
profound work on the history of her country which she had been in the habit of
studying the author discussing the character of Oliver Cromwell achieved a
most impressive climax in the words He was a bold bad man The adjective bad
derived for Adela a dark energy from her recollection of that passage it
connoted every imaginable phase of moral degradation Dissipation too to her
pure mind the word had a terrible sound it sketched in lurid outlines hideous
lurking places of vice and disease Paris and other such places With the name
of Paris she associated a feeling of reprobation Paris was the headquarters of
sin at all events on earth In Paris people went to the theatre on Sunday
that fact alone shed stormlight over the iniquitous capital
She stood mute with misery appalled horrified It did not occur to her to
doubt the truth of her mothers accusations the strange circumstance of
Huberts absence when every sentiment of decency would have summoned him home
corroborated the charge And she had talked familiarly with this man a few hours
ago Her head swam
»Mr Mutimer knew it« proceeded her mother noting with satisfaction the
effect she was producing »That was why he destroyed the will in which he had
left everything to Mr Eldon I have no doubt the grief killed him And one
thing more I may tell you Mr Eldons illness was the result of a wound he
received in some shameful quarrel it is believed that he fought a duel«
The girl sank back upon her chair She was white and breathed with
difficulty
»You will understand now my dear« Mrs Waltham continued more in her
ordinary voice »why it so shocked me to hear that you had been seen talking
with Mr Eldon near the Manor I feared it was an appointment Your explanation
is all I wanted it relieves me The worst of it is other people will hear of
it and of course we cant explain to everyone«
»Why should people hear« Adela exclaimed in a quivering voice It was not
that she feared to have the story known but mingled feelings made her almost
passionate »Mrs Mewling has no right to go about talking of me It is very
illbred to say nothing of the unkindness«
»Ah but it is what we have to be prepared for Adela That is the world my
child You see how very careful one has to be But never mind it is most
fortunate that the Eldons are going I am so sorry for poor Mrs Eldon who
could have thought that her son would turn out so badly And to think that he
would have dared to come into my house At least he had the decency not to show
himself at church«
Adela sat silent The warring of her heart made outward sounds indistinct
»After all« pursued her mother as if making a great concession »I fear it
is only too true that those old families become degenerate One does hear such
shocking stories of the aristocracy But get to bed dear and dont let this
trouble you What a very good thing that all that wealth didnt go into such
hands isnt it Mr Mutimer will at all events use it in a decent way it wont
be scattered in vulgar dissipation Now kiss me dear I havent been scolding
you pet it was only that I felt I had perhaps made a mistake in not telling
you these things before and I blamed myself rather than you«
Mrs Waltham returned to her own room and after a brief turning over of
speculations and projects begotten of the new aspect of things found her reward
for conscientiousness in peaceful slumber But Adela was late in falling asleep
She too had many things to revolve not worldly calculations but the troubled
phantasies of a virgin mind which is experiencing its first shock against the
barriers of fate
Chapter IX
Richard Mutimer had strong domestic affections The English artisan is not
demonstrative in such matters and throughout his life Richard had probably
exchanged no word of endearment with any one of his kin whereas language of the
tempestuous kind was common enough from him to one and all of them for all that
he clung closely to the hearth and nothing in truth concerned him so nearly as
the wellbeing of his mother his sister and his brother For them he had
rejoiced as much as for himself in the blessing of fortune Now that the
excitement of change had had time to subside Richard found himself realising
the fact that capital creates cares as well as removes them and just now the
centre of his anxieties lay in the house at Highbury to which his family had
removed from Wilton Square
He believed that as yet both the Princess and Arry were ignorant of the
true state of affairs It had been represented to them that he had come in for a
handsome legacy from his relative in the Midlands together with certain
business responsibilities which would keep him much away from home they were
given to understand that the change in their own position and prospects was
entirely of their brothers making If Alice Maud was allowed to give up her
work to wear more expensive gowns even to receive lessons on the pianoforte
she had to thank Dick for it And when Arry was told that his clerkship at the
drainpipe manufactory was about to terminate that he might enter upon a career
likely to be more fruitful of distinction again it was Dicks brotherly
kindness Mrs Mutimer did her best to keep up this deception
But Richard was well aware that the deception could not be lasting and had
the Princess alone been concerned he would probably never have commenced it It
was about his brother that he was really anxious Arry might hear the truth any
day and Richard gravely feared the result of such a discovery Had he been
destined to future statesmanship he could not have gone through a more
profitable course of experience and reasoning than that into which he was led by
brotherly solicitude For Arry represented a very large section of Demos alike
in his natural characteristics and in the circumstances of his position Arry
being Arry was on the threshold of emancipation and without the smallest
likelihood that the event would change his nature Hence the nut to crack Given
Arry by what rapid process of discipline can he be prepared for a state in
which the Arrian characteristics will surely prove ruinous not only to himself
but to all with whom he has dealings
Richard saw reason to deeply regret that the youth had been put to clerking
in the first instance, and not rather trained for some handicraft clerkships
being about the least hopeful of positions for a workingclass lad of small
parts and pronounced blackguard tendencies He came to the conclusion that even
now it was not too late to remedy this error Arry must be taught what work
meant and before he came into possession of his means he must if possible
be led to devote his poor washy brains to some pursuit quite compatible with the
standing of a capitalist to acquire knowledge of a kind which he could
afterwards use for the benefit of his own pocket Deficient bodily vigour had
had something to do with his elevation to the office of the drainpipe factory
but that he appeared to have outgrown Much pondering enabled Richard to hit at
length on what he considered a hopeful scheme he would apprentice Arry to
engineering and send him in the evenings to follow the courses of lectures
given to working men at the School of Mines In this way the lad would be kept
constantly occupied he would learn the meaning of work and study and when he
became of age would be in a position to take up some capitalist enterprise Thus
he might float clear of the shoals of blackguardism and develop into a tolerable
member of society at all events using his wealth in the direct employment of
labour
We have seen Richard engaged in æsthetic speculation now we behold him
busied in the training of a representative capitalist But the world would be a
terrible place if the men of individual energy were at all times consistent
Richard knew well enough that in planning thus for his brothers future he was
inconsistency itself; but then the matter at issue concerned someone in whom he
had a strong personal interest and consequently he took counsel of facts When
it was only the world at large that he was bent on benefiting too shrewd a
sifting of arguments was not called for and might seriously have interfered
with his oratorical effects In regulating private interests one cares
singularly little for anything but hard demonstration and the logic of cause and
effect.
It was now more than a month since Arry had been removed from the
drainpipes and set going on his new course and Richard was watching the
experiment gravely Connected with it was his exceptional stay at Wanley over
the Sunday he designed to go up to London quite unexpectedly about the middle
of the ensuing week that he might see how things worked in his absence It is
true there had been another inducement to remain in the village for Richard had
troubles of his own in addition to those imposed upon him by his family The
Manor was now at his disposal as soon as he had furnished it there was no
longer a reason for delaying his marriage In appearance that is to say
inwardly there had been growing for some weeks reasons manifold They tormented
him For the first time in his life he had begun to sleep indifferently when he
had resolutely put from his mind thought of Alice and Arry and seemed ready
for repose there crept out of less obvious lurkingplaces subtle temptations
and suggestions which fevered his blood and only allured the more the more they
disquieted him This Sunday night was the worst he had yet known When he left
the Walthams he occupied himself for an hour or two in writing letters
resolutely subduing his thoughts to the subjects of his correspondence Then he
ate supper and after that walked to the top of Stanbury Hill hoping to tire
himself But he returned as little prepared for sleep as he had set out Now he
endeavoured to think of Emma Vine by way of help he sat down and began a
letter to her But composition had never been so difficult he positively had
nothing to say Still he must think of her When he went up to town on Tuesday
or Wednesday one of his first duties would be to appoint a day for his marriage
And he felt that it would be a duty harder to perform than any he had ever
known She seemed to have drifted so far from him or he from her It was
difficult even to see her face in imagination another face always came instead
and indeed needed no summoning
He rose next morning with a stern determination to marry Emma Vine in less
than a month from that date
On Tuesday he went to London A hansom put him down before the house in
Highbury about six oclock It was a semidetached villa stuccoed bowwindowed
of two storeys standing pleasantly on a wide road skirted by similar dwellings
and with a row of acacias in front He admitted himself with a latchkey and
walked at once into the front room it was vacant He went to the diningroom
and there found his mother at tea with Alice and Arry
Mrs Mutimer and her younger son were in appearance very much what they had
been in their former state The mothers dress was of better material but she
was not otherwise outwardly changed Arry was attired nearly as when we saw him
in a festive condition on the evening of Easter Sunday the elegance then
reserved for high days and holidays now distinguished him every evening when the
guise of the workshop was thrown off He still wore a waistcoat of pronounced
cut a striking collar a necktie of remarkable hue It was not necessary to
approach him closely to be aware that his person was sprinkled with perfumes A
recent acquisition was a heavylooking ring on the little finger of his right
hand Had you been of his intimates Arry would have explained to you the
double advantage of this ring not only did it serve as an adornment but as
playful demonstration might indicate it would prove of singular efficacy in
pugilistic conflict
At the sight of his elder brother Arry hastily put his hands beneath the
table drew off the ornament and consigned it furtively to his waistcoat
pocket
But Alice Maud was by no means what she had been In all that concerned his
sister Mutimer was weak he could quarrel with her and abuse her roundly for
frailties but none the less was it one of his keenest pleasures to see her
contented even in ways that went quite against his conscience He might rail
against the vanity of dress but if Alice needed a new gown Richard was the
first to notice it The neat little silver watch she carried was a gift from
himself of some years back with difficulty he had resisted the temptation to
replace it with a gold one now that it was in his power to do so Tolerable
taste and handiness with her needle had always kept Alice rather more ladylike
in appearance than the gills of her class are wont to be but such comparative
distinction no longer sufficed After certain struggles with himself Richard
had told his mother that Alice must in future dress as a lady he authorised her
to procure the services of a competent dressmaker and within the bounds of
moderation to expend freely And the result was on the whole satisfactory A
girl of good figure pretty face and moderate wit who has spent some years in
a City showroom does not need much instruction in the art of wearing
fashionable attire becomingly Alice wore this evening a gown which would not
have been out of place at five oclock in a Westend drawingroom the sleeves
were rather short sufficiently so to exhibit a very shapely lower arm She had
discovered new ways of doing her hair at present it was braided on either side
of the forehead a style which gave almost a thoughtful air to her face When
her brother entered she was eating a piece of spongecake which she held to her
lips with peculiar delicacy as if rehearsing graces
»Why there now« cried Mrs Mutimer pleased to see her son »If I wasnt
saying not five minutes ago as Dick was likely to come some day in the week
Wasnt I Alice Whatll you have for your tea Theres some chops all ready in
the ouse if youd care for them«
Richard was not in a cheerful mood He made no reply immediately but went
and stood before the fireplace as he had been accustomed to do in the old
kitchen
»Will you have a chop« repeated his mother
»No I wont eat just yet But you can give me a cup of tea«
Mrs Mutimer and Alice exchanged a glance as the former bent over the
teapot Richard was regarding his brother askance and it resulted in a
question rather sharply put
»Have you been to work today«
Arry would have lied had he dared as it was he made his plate revolve
and murmured »No he adnt«
»Why not«
»I didnt feel well« replied the youth struggling for selfconfidence and
doing his best to put on an air of patient suffering
Richard tapped his teacup and looked the look of one who reserves
discussion for a more seasonable time
»Daniel called last night« remarked Mrs Mutimer »He says he wants to see
you I think its something particular he seemed disappointed you werent at
the meeting on Sunday«
»Did he Ill see if I can get round tonight If you like to have something
cooked for me about eight oclock mother« he added consulting his watch »I
shall be ready for it then«
He turned to his brother again
»Is there a class tonight No Very well when theyve cleared away get
your books out and show me what youve been doing What are you going to do with
yourself Alice«
The two addressed as well as their mother appeared to have some special
cause for embarrassment Instead of immediately replying Alice played with
crumbs and stole glances on either side
»Me and Arry are going out« she said at length with a rather timid smile
and a poise of the head in pretty wilfulness
»Not Arry« Richard observed significantly
»Why not« came from the younger Mutimer with access of boldness
»If youre not well enough to go to work you certainly dont go out at night
for your pleasure«
»But its a particular occasion« explained Alice leaning back with crossed
arms evidently prepared to do battle »A friend of Arrys is going to call and
take us to the theatre«
»Oh indeed And what friend is that«
Mrs Mutimer who had been talked over to compliance with a project she felt
Richard would not approve she had no longer the old authority and spent her
days in trying to piece on the present life to the former found refuge in a
habit more suitable to the kitchen than the diningroom she had collected all
the teaspoons within reach and was pouring hotwater upon them in the
slopbasin the familiar preliminary to washing up
»A genleman as lives near here« responded Arry »He writes for the
newspapers His names Keene«
»Oh And how came you to know him«
»Met him« was the airy reply
»And youve brought him here«
»Well hes been here once«
»He said as he wanted to know you Dick« put in Mrs Mutimer »He was
really a civilspoken man and he gave Arry a lot of help with his books«
»When was he here«
»Last Friday«
»And tonight he wants to take you to the theatre«
The question was addressed to Alice
»It wont cost him anything« she replied »He says he can always get free
passes«
»No doubt Is he coming here to fetch you I shall be glad to see him«
Richards tone was ambiguous He put down his cup and said to Alice
»Come and let me hear how you get on with your playing«
Alice followed into the drawingroom For the furnishing of the new house
Richard had not trusted to his own instincts but had taken counsel with a firm
that he knew from advertisements The result was commonplace but not
intolerable His front room was regarded as the Princesss peculiar domain she
alone dared to use it freely declined indeed to sit elsewhere Her mother
only came a few feet within the door now and then if obliged by Alice to sit
down she did so on the edge of a chair as near to the door as possible Most of
her time Mrs Mutimer still spent in the kitchen She had resolutely refused to
keep more than one servant and everything that servant did she herself
performed over again even to the making of beds To all Alices objections she
opposed an obstinate silence What was the poor woman to do She had never in
her life read more than an occasional paragraph of police news and could not be
expected to take up literature at her age Though she made no complaint signs
were not wanting that she had begun to suffer in health She fretted through the
nights and was never really at peace save when she anticipated the servant in
rising early and had an honest scrub at saucepans or fireirons before
breakfast Her main discomfort came of the feeling that she no longer had a
house of her own nothing about her seemed to be her property with the exception
of her old kitchen clock and one or two articles she could not have borne to
part with From being a rather talkative woman she had become very reticent she
went about uneasily with a look of suspicion or of fear Her children she no
longer ventured to command the secret of their wealth weighed upon her she was
in constant dread on their behalf It is a bad thing for one such as Mrs
Mutimer to be thrown back upon herself in novel circumstances and practically
debarred from the only relief which will avail her free discussion with her
own kind The result is a species of shock to the system sure to manifest
itself before long in one or other form of debility
Alice seated herself at the piano and began a finger exercise laboriously
imperfectly For the first week or two it had given her vast satisfaction to be
learning the piano what more certain sign of having achieved ladyhood It
pleased her to assume airs with her teacher a very deferential lady to put
off a lesson for a fit of languidness to let it be understood how entirely time
was at her command Now she was growing rather weary of flats and sharps and
much preferred to read of persons to whom the same nomenclature was very
applicable in the books she obtained from a circulating library Her reading had
hitherto been confined to the fiction of the penny papers to procure her
pleasure in three gailybound volumes was another evidence of rise in the social
scale it was like ordering your wine by the dozen after being accustomed to a
poor chance bottle now and then At present Alice spent the greater part of her
day floating on the gentle milky stream of English romance Her brother was made
a little uneasy by this taste he had not studied the literature in question
At half past six a loud knock at the front door announced the expected
visitor Alice turned from the piano and looked at her brother apprehensively
Richard rose and established himself on the hearthrug his hands behind him
»What are you going to say to him Dick« Alice asked hurriedly
»He says he wants to know me I shall say Here I am«
There were voices outside Arry had opened the door himself and now he
ushered his acquaintance into the drawingroom Mr Keene proved to be a man of
uncertain age he might be eightandtwenty but was more probably ten years
older He was meagre and of shrewd visage he wore a black frock coat rather
shiny at the back and his collar was obviously of paper Incipient baldness
endowed him in appearance with a noble forehead he carried eyeglasses
Whilst Arry mumbled a form of introduction the journalist so Mr Keene
described himself stood in a bowing attitude one hand to his glasses seeming
to inspect Richard with extreme yet respectful interest When he spoke it was
in a rather mincing way with interjected murmurs the involuntary overflow as
it were of his deep satisfaction
»There are few persons in England whose acquaintance I desire more than that
of Mr Richard Mutimer indeed I may leave the statement unqualified and say at
once that there is no one I have heard you speak in public Mr Mutimer My
profession has necessarily led me to hear most of our platform orators and in
one respect you distance them all in the quality of sincerity No speaker ever
moved me as you did I had long been interested in your cause I had long wished
for time and opportunity to examine into it thoroughly Your address I speak
seriously removed the necessity of further study I am of your party Mr
Mutimer There is nothing I desire so much as to give and take the hand of
brotherhood«
He jerked his hand forward still preserving his respectful attitude
Richard gave his own hand carelessly smiling as a man does who cannot but enjoy
flattery yet has a strong desire to kick the flatterer out of the room
»Are you a member of the Union« he inquired
»With pride I profess myself a member Some day and that at no remote date
I may have it in my power to serve the cause materially« He smiled meaningly
»The press you understand« He spread his fingers to represent wide dominion
»An ally to whom the columns of the bourgeois press are open you perceive It
is the task of my life«
»What papers do you write for« asked Mutimer bluntly
»Several several Not as yet in a leading capacity In fact I am feeling
my way With ends such as I propose to myself it wont do to stand committed to
any formal creed in politics Politics indeed Ha ha«
He laughed scornfully Then turning to Alice
»You will forgive me I am sure Miss Mutimer that I address myself first
to your brother I had almost said your illustrious brother To be confessed
illustrious some day depend upon it I trust you are well«
»Thanks Im very well indeed« murmured Alice rather disconcerted by such
politeness
»And Mrs Mutimer That is well Bytheby« he proceeded to Richard »I
have a piece of work in hand that will deeply interest you I am translating the
great treatise of Marx Das Capital It occurs to me that a chapter now and then
might see the light in the Fiery Cross How do you view that suggestion«
Richard did not care to hide his suspicion and even such an announcement as
this failed to move him to cordiality
»You might drop a line about it to Mr Westlake« he said
»Mr Westlake Oh but I quite understood that you had practically the
conduct of the paper«
Richard again smiled
»Mr Westlake edits it« he said
Mr Keene waved his hand in sign of friendly intelligence Then he changed
the subject
»I ventured to put at Miss Mutimers disposal certain tickets I hold
professionally for the Regents Theatre tonight the dress circle I have
five seats in all May I have the pleasure of your company Mr Mutimer«
»Im only in town for a night« Richard replied »and I cant very well
spare the time«
»To be sure to be sure I was inconsiderate Then Miss Mutimer and my
friend Harry «
»Im sorry theyre not at liberty« was Richards answer to the murmured
interrogation »If they had accepted your invitation be so good as to excuse
them I happen to want them particularly this evening«
»In that case I have of course not a word to say save to express my deep
regret at losing the pleasure of their company But another time I trust I I
feel presumptuous but it is my earnest hope to be allowed to stand on the
footing not only of a comrade in the cause but of a neighbour I live quite
near Forgive me if I seem a little precipitate The privilege is so
inestimable«
Richard made no answer and Mr Keene forthwith took his leave suave to the
last When he was gone Richard went to the diningroom where his mother was
sitting Mrs Mutimer would have given much to be allowed to sit in the kitchen
she had a room of her own upstairs but there she felt too remote from the
centre of domestic operations and the diningroom was a compromise Her chair
was always placed in a rather dusky corner she generally had sewing on her lap
but the consciousness that her needle was not really in demand and that she
might just as well have sat idle troubled her habits of mind She often had the
face of one growing prematurely aged
»I hope you wont let them bring anyone they like« Richard said to her
»Ive sent that fellow about his business hes here for no good He mustnt
come again«
»They wont heed me« replied Mrs Mutimer using the tone of little
interest with which she was accustomed to speak of details of the new order
»Well then theyve got to heed you and Ill have that understood Why
didnt Arry go to work to day«
»Didnt want to I spose«
»Has he stayed at home often lately«
»Not at ome but I expect he doesnt always go to work«
»Will you go and sit with Alice in the front room Ill have a talk with
him«
Arry came whistling at the summons There was a nasty look on his face the
look which in his character corresponded to Richards resoluteness His brother
eyed him
»Look here Arry« the elder began »I want this explaining What do you
mean by shirking your work«
There was no reply Arry strode to the window and leaned against the side
of it in the attitude of a Sunday loafer waiting for the dramshop to open
»If this goes on« Richard pursued »youll find yourself in your old
position again Ive gone to a good deal of trouble to give you a start and it
seems to me you ought to show a better spirit Wed better have an
understanding do you mean to learn engineering or dont you«
»I dont see the use of it« said the other
»What do you mean I suppose you must make your living somehow«
Arry laughed and in such a way that Richard looked at him keenly his brow
gathering darkness
»What are you laughing at«
»Why at you Theres no more need for me to work for a living than there is
for you As if I didnt know that«
»Whos been putting that into your head«
No scruple prevented the lad from breaking a promise he had made to Mr
Keene the journalist when the latter explained to him the disposition of the
deceased Richard Mutimers estate it was only that he preferred to get himself
credit for acuteness
»Why you dont think I was to be kept in the dark about a thing like that
Its just like you to want to make a fellow sweat the flesh off his bones when
all the time theres a fortune waiting for him What have I got to work for Id
like to know I dont just see the fun of it and you wouldnt neither in my
case Youve took jolly good care you dont work yourself trust you I aint
agoing to work no more so there it is plain and flat«
Richard was not prepared for this he could not hit at once on a new course
of procedure and probably it was the uncertainty revealed in his countenance
that brought Arry to a pitch of boldness not altogether premeditated The lad
came from the window thrust his hands more firmly into his pockets and stood
prepared to do battle for his freemans rights It is not every day that a youth
of his stamp finds himself gloriously capable of renouncing work There was
something like a glow of conscious virtue on his face
»Youre not going to work any more eh« said his brother half to himself
»And whos going to support you« he asked with rather forced indignation
»Theres interest per cent coming out of my money«
Arry must not be credited with conscious accuracy in his use of terms he
merely jumbled together two words which had stuck in his memory
»Oh And what are you going to do with your time«
»Thats my business How do other men spend their time«
The reply was obvious but Richard felt the full seriousness of the
situation and restrained his scornful impulses
»Sit down will you« he said quietly pointing to a chair
His tone availed more than anger would have done
»You tell me I take good care not to do any work myself There youre wrong
Im working hard every day«
»Oh we know what kind of work that is«
»No I dont think you do Perhaps it would be as well if you were to see I
think youd better go to Wanley with me«
»What for«
»I dare say I can give you a job for awhile«
»I tell you I dont want a job«
Richards eye wandered rather vacantly From the first it had been a
question with him whether it would not be best to employ Arry at Wanley but on
the whole the scheme adopted seemed more fruitful Had the works been fully
established it would have been a different thing Even now he could keep the lad
at work at Wanley though not exactly in the way he desired But if it came to a
choice between a life of idleness in London and such employment as could be
found for him at the works Arry must clearly leave town at once In a few days
the Manor would be furnished in a few weeks Emma would be there to keep house
There was the difficulty of leaving his mother and sister alone It looked
as if all would have to quit London Yet there would be awkwardness in housing
the whole family at the Manor and besides
What the besides implied Richard did not make formal even in his own
thoughts It stood for a vague objection to having all his relatives dwelling at
Wanley Alice he would not mind it was not impossible to picture Alice in
conversation with Mrs and Miss Waltham indeed he desired that for her And
yet
Richard was at an awkward pass Whithersoever he looked he saw
stumblingblocks the more disagreeable in that they rather loomed in a sort of
mist than declared themselves for what they were He had not the courage to
approach and examine them one by one he had not the audacity to imagine leaps
over them yet somehow they had to be surmounted At this moment whilst Arry
was waiting for the rejoinder to his last reply Richard found himself wrestling
again with the troubles which had kept him wakeful for the last two nights He
had believed them finally thrown and got rid of Behold they were more stubborn
than ever
He kept silence so long that his brother spoke
»What sort of a job is it«
To his surprise Richard displayed sudden anger
»If you werent such a young fool youd see whats best for you and go on
as I meant you to What do you mean by saying you wont work If you werent
such a thickhead you might go to school and be taught how to behave yourself
and how a man ought to live but its no use sending you to any such place
Cant you understand that a man with money has to find some sort of position in
the world I suppose youd like to spend the rest of your life in publichouses
and musichalls«
Richard was well aware that to give way to his temper was worse than
useless and could only defeat every end but something within him just now
gnawed so intolerably that there was nothing for it but an outbreak The
difficulties of life were hedging him in difficulties he could not have
conceived till they became matter of practical experience. And unfortunately a
great many of them were not of an honest kind they would not bear exposing For
a man of decision Mutimer was getting strangely remote from practical roads
»I shall live as I like« observed Arry thrusting out his legs and bending
his body forward a combination of movements which I know not why especially
suggests dissoluteness
Richard gave up the contest for the present and went in silence from the
room As he joined his mother and sister they suddenly ceased talking
»Dont cook anything for me« he said remaining near the door »Im going
out«
»But you must have something to eat« protested his mother »See« she rose
hastily »Ill get a chop done at once«
»I couldnt eat it if you did I dare say youve got some cold meat Leave
it out for me I dont know what time I shall get back«
»Youre very unkind Dick« here remarked Alice who wore a mutinous look
»Why couldnt you let us go to the theatre«
Her brother vouchsafed no reply but withdrew from the room and almost
immediately left the house He walked half a mile with his eyes turned to the
ground then noticed a hansom which was passing empty and had himself driven to
Hoxton He alighted near the Britannia Theatre and thence made his way by foul
streets to a publichouse called the Warwick Castle Only two customers occupied
the bar the landlord stood in his shirtsleeves with arms crossed musing At
the sight of Mutimer he brightened up and extended his hand
»How dyou do how dyou do sir« he exclaimed »Glad to see you«
The shake of the hands was a tribute to old times the sir was a recognition
of changed circumstances Mr Nicholas Dabbs the brother of Daniel was not a
man to lose anything by failure to acknowledge social distinctions A short time
ago Daniel had expostulated with his brother on the use of sir to Mutimer
eliciting the profound reply »Dyou think hed have ad that glass of whisky if
Id called him Dick«
»Dan home yet« Mutimer inquired
»Not been in five minutes Come round sir will you I know be wants to see
you«
A portion of the counter was raised and Richard passed into a parlour
behind the bar
»Ill call him« said the landlord
Daniel appeared immediately
»I want a bit of private talk« he said to his brother »Well have this
door shut if you dont mind«
»You may as well bring us a drop of something first Nick« put in Richard
»Give the order Dan«
»Wouldnt have ad it but for the sir« chuckled Nicholas to himself »Never
used to when he come here unless I stood it«
Daniel drew a chair to the table and stirred his tumbler thoughtfully his
nose over the steam
»Were going to have trouble with Arry« said Richard who had seated
himself on a sofa in a dispirited way »Of course someones been telling him
and now the young fool says hes going to throw up work I suppose I shall have
to take him down yonder with me«
»Better do so« assented Daniel without much attention to the matter
»What is it you want to talk about Dan«
Mr Dabbs had a few minutes ago performed the customary evening cleansing of
his hands and face but it had seemed unnecessary to brush his hair which
consequently stood upright upon his forehead a wiry rampart just as it had
been thrust by the vigorouslyapplied towel This combined with an unwonted
lugubriousness of visage made Daniels aspect somewhat comical He kept
stirring very deliberately with his sugarcrusher
»Why its this Dick« he began at length »And understand to begin with
that Ive got no complaint to make of nobody its only things as are awkard
Its this way my boy When you fust of all come and told me about what I may
call the great transformation scene you said Now it aint agoin to make no
difference Dan you said Now wait till Ive finished I aint complainin of
nobody Well and I tried to ope as it wouldnt make no difference though I
ad my doubts Come an see us all just as usul you said Well I tried to do
so and three or four weeks I come reglar lookin in of a Sunday night But
somehow it wouldnt work something ad got out of gear So I stopped it off
Then comes Arry aaskin why I made myself scarce sayin as th old lady and
the Princess missed me So I looked in again but it was wuss than before I saw
Id done better to stay away So Ive done ever since Y understand me Dick«
Richard was not entirely at his ease in listening He tried to smile but
failed to smile naturally
»I dont see what you found wrong« he returned abruptly
»Why Im atellin you my boy I didnt find nothing wrong except in
myself as you may say Whats the good o beatin about the bush Its just
this ere Dick my lad When I come to the Square you know very well who it
was as I come to see Well it stands to reason as I cant go to the new ouse
with the same thoughts as I did to the old Mind I cant say as shed ever a
listened to me its more than likely she wouldnt But now thats all over and
the sooner I forget all about it the better for me And th only way to forget
is to keep myself to myself see Dick«
The listener drummed with his fingers on the table still endeavouring to
smile
»Ive thought about all this Dan« he said at length with an air of
extreme frankness »In fact I meant to have a talk with you Of course I cant
speak for my sister and I dont know that I can even speak to her about it but
one thing I can say and that is that shell never be encouraged by me to think
herself better than her old friends« He gave a laugh »Why that ud be a good
joke for a man in my position What am I working for if not to do away with
distinctions between capital and labour Youll never have my advice to keep
away and that you know Why who am I going to marry myself Do you suppose I
shall cry off with Emma Vine just because Ive got more money than I used to
have«
Daniels eye was upon him as he said these words an eye at once reflective
and scrutinising Richard felt it and laughed yet more scornfully
»I think we know you better than that« responded Dabbs »But it aint quite
the same thing you see Theres many a man high up has married a poor girl I
dont know how it is perhaps because women is softer than men and takes the
polish easier And then we know very well how it looks when a man as has no
money goes after a girl as has a lot No no it wont do Dick«
It was said with the voice of a man who emphasises a negative in the hope of
eliciting a stronger argument on the other side But Richard allowed the
negative finality in fact if not in appearance
»Well its for your own deciding Dan All I have to say is that you dont
stay away with my approval Understand that«
He left Daniel idly stirring the dregs of his liquor and went off to pay
another visit This was to the familiar house in Wilton Square There was a
notice in the window that dressmaking and millinery were carried on within
Mrs Clay Emmas sister Kate opened to him She was better dressed than in
former days but still untidy Emma was out making purchases but could not be
many minutes In the kitchen the third sister Jane was busy with her needle
at Richards entrance she rose from her chair with evident feebleness her
illness of the spring had lasted long and its effects were grave The poor girl
she closely resembled Emma in gentleness of face but the lines of her
countenance were weaker now suffered from pronounced heart disease and the
complicated maladies which rheumatic fever so frequently leaves behind it in
women She brightened at sight of the visitor and her eyes continued to rest on
his face with quiet satisfaction
One of Kates children was playing on the floor The mother caught it up
irritably and began lamenting the necessity of washing its dirty little hands
and face before packing it off to bed In a minute or two she went up stairs to
discharge these duties Between her and Richard there was never much exchange of
words
»How are you feeling Jane« Mutimer inquired taking a seat opposite her
»Better oh very much better The cough hasnt been not near so
troublesome these last nights«
»Mind you dont do too much work You ought to have put your sewing aside by
now«
»Oh this is only a bit of my own Im sorry to say there isnt very much of
the other kind to do yet«
»Comes in slowly does it« Richard asked without appearance of much
interest
»Itll be better soon I dare say People want time you see to get to know
of us«
Richards eyes wandered
»Have you finished the port wine yet« he asked as if to fill a gap
»What an idea Why theres four whole bottles left and one as Ive only
had three glasses out of«
»Emma was dreadfully disappointed when you didnt come as usual« she said
presently
Richard nodded
»Have you got into your house« she asked timidly
»It isnt quite ready yet but Ive been seeing about the furnishing«
Jane dreamed upon the word It was her habit to escape from the suffering
weakness of her own life to joy in the lot which awaited her sister
»And Emma will have a room all to herself«
Jane had read of ladies boudoirs it was her triumph to have won a promise
from Richard that Emma should have such a chamber
»How is it going to be furnished Do tell me«
Richards imagination was not active in the spheres of upholstery
»Well I cant yet say« he replied as if with an effort to rouse himself
»How would you like it to be«
Jane had ever before her mind a vague vision of brighthued drapery of
glistening tables and chairs of nobly patterned carpet setting which her heart
deemed fit for that priceless jewel her dear sister But to describe it all in
words was a task beyond her And the return of Emma herself saved her from the
necessity of trying
Hearing her enter the house Richard went up to meet Emma and they sat
together in the sittingroom This room was just as it had been in Mrs
Mutimers day save for a few ornaments from the mantelpiece which the old lady
could not be induced to leave behind her Here customers were to be received
when they came a room upstairs was set apart for work
Emma wore a slightly anxious look it showed even through her happiness
None the less the very perceptible change which the last few months had wrought
in her was in the direction of cheerful activity her motions were quicker her
speech had less of self-distrust she laughed more freely displayed more of
youthful spontaneity in her whole bearing The joy which possessed her at
Richards coming was never touched with disappointment at his sober modes of
exhibiting affection The root of Emmas character was steadfast faith She did
not allow herself to judge of Richard by the impulses of her own heart those
she argued were womanly a man must be more independent in his strength Of
what a man ought to be she had but one criterion Richards self Her judgment
on this point had been formed five or six years ago she felt that nothing now
could ever shake it All of expressed love that he was pleased to give her she
stored in the shrine of her memory many a light word forgotten by the speaker
as soon as it was uttered lived still as a part of the girls hourly life but
his reticences she accepted with no less devout humility What need of
repetitions He had spoken to her the decisive word and it was a column
established for ever a monument of that over which time had no power Women are
too apt to make their fondness a source of infinite fears in Emma growth of
love meant growth of confidence
»Does all go well at the works« was her first question For she had made
his interests her own and was following in ardent imagination the undertaking
which stamped her husband with nobility
Richard talked on the subject for some moments it was easier to do so than
to come at once to the words he had in mind But he worked round by degrees
fighting the way hard
»The house is empty at last«
»Is it And you have gone to live there«
»Not yet I must get some furniture in first«
Emma kept silence the shadows of a smile journeyed trembling from her eyes
to her lips
The question voiced itself from Richard
»When will you be ready to go thither«
»Im afraid I dont think I must leave them just yet for a little
longer«
He did not look at her Emma was reading his face the characters had become
all at once a little puzzling her own fault of course but the significance
she sought was not readily discoverable
»Cant they manage without you« he asked He believed his tone to express
annoyance in fact it scarcely did so
»I think it wont be very long before they can« Emma replied »we have some
plain sewing to do for Mrs Robinson at the Queens Head and shes promised to
recommend us Ive just called there and she really seems anxious to help If
Jane was stronger I shouldnt mind so much but she mustnt work hard just yet
and Kate has a great deal to do with the children Besides Kate cant get out
of the slop sewing and of course that wont do for this kind of work Shell
get the stitch very soon«
Richard seemed to be musing
»You see« she moved nearer to his side »its only just the beginning
Im so afraid that they wouldnt be able to look about for work if I left them
now Jane hasnt the strength to go and see people and Kate well you know
Richard she cant quite suit herself to peoples fancies Im sure I can do so
much in a few weeks just thatll make all the difference The beginnings
everything isnt it«
Richards eye travelled over her face He was not without understanding of
the nobleness which housed in that plainclad simplefeatured woman there
before him It had shot a ray to the secret places of his heart before now it
breathed a passing summer along his veins at this present
»What need is there to bother« he said of purpose fixing his eye steadily
on hers »Work ll come in time I dare say Let them look after their house«
Perhaps Emma detected something not wholly sincere in this suggestion She
let her eyes fall then raised them more quickly
»Oh but its far better Richard and we really have made a beginning
Jane Im sure wouldnt hear of giving it up Its wonderful what spirits she
has And shed be miserable if she wasnt trying to work I know so well how it
would be Just a few weeks longer She really does get much better and she says
its all the business It gives her something to occupy her mind«
»Well its just as you like« said Richard rather absently
»But you do think it best dont you dear« she urged »Its good to finish
things you begin isnt it I should feel rather dissatisfied with myself if I
gave it up and just when everythings promising I believe its what you really
would wish me to do«
»All right Ill get the house furnished But I cant give you much longer«
He continued to talk in a mechanical way for a quarter of an hour
principally of the works then said that he had promised to be home for supper
and took a rather hasty leave He called goodnight to the sisters from the top
of the kitchen stairs
Janes face was full of joyous questioning as soon as her sister reappeared
but Emma disclosed nothing till they two were alone in the bedroom To Emma it
was the simplest thing in the world to put a duty before pleasure she had no
hesitation in telling her sister how matters stood And the other accepted it as
pure love
»Im sure itll only be a week or two before we can manage for ourselves«
Jane said »Of course people are far readier to give you work than they would
be to me or Kate But itll be all right when were once started«
»I shall be very sorry to leave you dear« murmured Emma »Youll have to
be sure and let me know if youre not feeling well and I shall come at once«
»As if you could do that« laughed the other »Besides itll be quite
enough to keep me well to know youre happy«
»I do hope Kate wont be trying«
»Oh Im sure she wont Why its quite a long time since she had one of
her worst turns It was only the hard work and the trouble as worried her And
now thats all over Its you we have to thank for it all Em«
»Youll have to come and be with me sometimes Jane I know therell always
be something missing as long as youre out of my sight And you must see to it
yourself that the sheets is always aired Kates often so careless about that
You will promise me now wont you I shall be dreadfully anxious every washing
day I shall indeed You know that the least thing ll give you a chill«
»Yes Ill be careful« said the other half sadly She was lying in her
bed and Emma sat on a chair by the side »But you know its not much use love
I dont suppose as I shall live so very long But I dont care as soon as I
know youre happy«
»Jane I should never know happiness if I hadnt my little sister to come
and talk to Dont think like that dont for my sake Janey dear«
They laid their cheeks together upon the pillows
»Hell be a good husband« Jane whispered »You know that dont you Emmy«
»No better in all this world Why do you ask so«
»No no I didnt mean anything He said you mustnt wait much longer
didnt he«
»Yes he did But hed rather see me doing whats right I often feel myself
such a poor thing by him I must try and show him that I do my best to follow
his example Im ashamed almost sometimes to think I shall be his wife It
ought to be some one better than me«
»Where would he find any one better Id like to know Let him come and ask
me about that Theres no man good enough for you sister Emmy«
Richard was talking with his sister Alice the others had gone to bed and
the house was quiet
»I wasnt at all pleased to see that man here tonight« he said »You
shouldnt have been so ready to say yes when he asked you to go to the theatre
It was like his impudence«
»Why what evers the harm Dick Besides we must have some friends and
really he looks a gentleman«
»Ill tell you a secret« returned her brother with a halfsmile
halfsneer »Yon dont know a gentleman yet and youll have to be very careful
till you do«
»How am I to learn then«
»Just wait Youve got enough to do with your music and your reading Time
enough for getting acquainted with gentlemen«
»Arent you going to let anybody come and see us then«
»You have the old friends« replied Richard raising his chin
»Youre thinking of Mr Dabbs I suppose What did he want to see you for
Dick«
Alice looked at him from the corner of her eye
»I think Ill tell you He says he doesnt intend to come here again Youve
made him feel uncomfortable«
The girl laughed
»I cant help how he feels can I At all events Mr Dabbs isnt a
gentleman is he now«
»Hes an honest man and thats saying a good deal let me tell you I
rather thought you liked him«
»Liked him Oh in a way of course But things are different«
»How different«
Alice looked up put her head on one side smiled her prettiest and asked
»Is it true what Arry says about the money«
He had wanted to get at this and was on the whole not sorry to hear it
Richard was studying the derivation of virtue from necessity
»What if it is« he asked
»Well it makes things more different even than I thought thats all«
She sprang to her feet and danced across the room one hand bent over her
head It was not an ungraceful picture Her brother smiled
»Alice youd better be guided by me I know a little of the world and I
can help you where youd make mistakes Just keep to yourself for a little my
girl and get on with your piano and your books You cant do better believe
me Never mind whether youve any one to see you or not theres time enough
And Ill tell you another secret Before you can tell a gentleman when you see
him youll have to teach yourself to be a lady Perhaps that isnt quite so
easy as you think«
»How am I to learn then«
»Well find a way before long Get on with your playing and reading«
Presently as they were about to leave the room the Princess inquired
»Dick how soon are you going to be married«
»I cant tell you« was the answer »Emma wants to put it off«
Chapter X
The declaration of independence so nobly delivered by his brother Arry
necessitated Richards stay in town over the following day The matter was laid
before a family council held after breakfast in the diningroom Richard opened
the discussion with some vehemence and appealed to his mother and Alice for
support Alice responded heartily Mrs Mutimer was slower in coming to
utterance but at length expressed herself in no doubtful terms
»If he dont go to his work« she said sternly »its either him or mell
have to leave this house If he wants to disgrace us all and ruin himself he
shant do it under my eyes«
Was there ever a harder case A highspirited British youth asserts his
intention of living a life of elegant leisure and is forthwith scouted as a
disgrace to the family Arry sat under the gross injustice with an air of
doggish defiance
»I thought you said I was to go to Wanley« he exclaimed at length angrily
glaring at his brother
Richard avoided the look
»Youll have to learn to behave yourself first« he replied »If you cant
be trusted to do your duty here youre no good to me at Wanley«
Arry would give neither yes nor no The council broke up after formulating
an ultimatum
In the afternoon Richard had another private talk with the lad This time he
addressed himself solely to Arrys selfinterest explained to him the
opportunities he would lose if he neglected to make himself a practical man
What if there was money waiting for him The use of money was to breed money
and nowadays no man was rich who didnt constantly increase his capital As a
great ironmaster he would hold a position impossible for him to attain in any
other way he would employ hundreds perhaps thousands of men society would
recognise him What could he expect to be if he did nothing but loaf about the
streets
This was going the right way to work Richard found that he was making an
impression and gradually fell into a kinder tone so that in the end he brought
Arry to moderately cheerful acquiescence
»And dont let men like that Keene make a fool of you« the monitor
concluded »Cant you see that fellows like him ll hang on and make their
profit out of you if you know no better than to let them You just keep to
yourself and look after your own future«
A suggestion that cunning was required of him flattered the youth to some
purpose He had begun to reflect that after all it might be more profitable to
combine work and pleasure He agreed to pursue the course planned for him
So Richard returned to Wanley carrying with him a small satisfaction and
many great anxieties Nor did he visit London again until four weeks had gone
by it was understood that the pressure of responsibilities grew daily more
severe New Wanley as the industrial settlement in the valley was to be named
was shaping itself in accordance with the ideas of the committee with which
Mutimer took counsel and the undertaking was no small one
In spite of Emmas cheerful anticipations the business meanwhile made
little progress A graver trouble was the state of Janes health the sufferer
seemed wasting away Emma devoted herself to her sister Between her and Mutimer
there was no further mention of marriage In Emmas mind a new term had fixed
itself that of her sisters recovery but there were dark moments when dread
came to her that not Janes recovery but something else would set her free In
the early autumn Richard persuaded her to take the invalid to the seaside and
to remain with her there for three weeks Mrs Clay during that time lived
alone and was very content to receive her future brotherinlaws subsidy
without troubling about the work which would not come in
Autumn had always been a peaceful and bounteous season at Wanley then the
fruittrees bent beneath their golden charge and the air seemed rich with sweet
odours But the autumn of this year was unlike any that had visited the valley
hitherto Blight had fallen upon all produce the crop of apples and plums was
bare beyond precedent The west wind breathing up between the hillsides only
brought smoke from newlybuilt chimneys the face of the fields was already
losing its purity and taking on a dun hue Where a large orchard had flourished
were two streets of small houses glaring with new brick and slate The works
were extending by degrees and a little apart rose the walls of a large building
which would contain library readingrooms and lecturehall for the use of the
industrial community New Wanley was in a fair way to claim for itself a place
on the map
The Manor was long since furnished and Richard entertained visitors He had
provided himself with a housekeeper as well as the three or four necessary
servants and kept a saddlehorse as well as that which drew his trap to and fro
when he had occasion to go to Agworth station His establishment was still a
modest one all things considered it could not be deemed inconsistent with his
professions Of course stories to the contrary got about among his old
comrades in London thoroughgoing Socialists like Messrs Cowes and Cullen who
perhaps thought themselves a little neglected by the great light of the Union
there passed occasionally nods and winks which were meant to imply much There
were rumours of banqueting which went on at Wanley the Manor was spoken of by
some who had not seen it as little less than a palace nay it was declared by
one or two of the shrewder tongued that a manservant in livery opened the door
a monstrous thing if true Worse than this was the talk which began to spread
among the Hoxton and Islington Unionists of a certain young woman in a poor
position to whom Mutimer had in former days engaged himself and whom he did not
now find it convenient to marry A few staunch friends Richard had who made it
their business stoutly to contradict the calumnies which came within their
hearing Daniel Dabbs the first of them But even Daniel found himself before
long preferring silence to speech on the subject of Emma Vine He grew
uncomfortable about it and did not know what to think
The first of Richards visitors at the Manor were Mr and Mrs Westlake
They came down from London one day and stayed over till the next Other
prominent members of the Union followed and before the end of the autumn
Richard entertained some dozen of the rank and file all together paying their
railway fares and housing them from Saturday to Monday These men be it noted
in passing distinguished themselves from that day onwards by unsparing
detraction whenever the name of Mutimer came up in private talk though of
course they were the loudest in applause when platform reference to their
leader demanded it Besides the expressly invited there was naturally no lack
of visitors who presented themselves voluntarily Among the earliest of these
was Mr Keene the journalist He sent in his name one Sunday morning requesting
an interview on a matter of business and on being admitted produced a copy of
the Belwick Chronicle which contained a highly eulogistic semibiographic
notice of Mutimer
»I feel I ought to apologise to you for this liberty« said Keene in his
flowing way »and that is why I have brought the paper myself You will observe
that it is one of a series notable men of the day I supply the Chronicle with
a London letter and give them one of these little sketches fortnightly I knew
your modesty would stand in the way if I consulted you in advance so I can only
beg pardon post delictum as we say.«
There stood the heading in bold type MEN OF THE DAY and beneath it XI Mr
Richard Mutimer Mr Keene had likewise brought in his pocket the placard of the
newspaper whereon Richard saw his name prominently displayed The journalist
stayed for luncheon
Alfred Waltham was frequently at the Manor Mutimer now seldom went up to
town for Sunday if necessity took him thither he chose some weekday On
Sunday he always spent a longer or shorter time with the Walthams frequently
having dinner at their house He hesitated at first to invite the ladies to the
Manor in his uncertainty on social usages he feared lest there might be
impropriety in a bachelor giving such an invitation He appealed to Alfred who
naturally laughed the scruple to scorn and accordingly Mrs and Miss Waltham
were begged to honour Mr Mutimer with their company Mrs Waltham reflected a
little but accepted Adela would much rather have remained at home but she had
no choice
By the end of September this invitation had been repeated and the Walthams
had lunched a second time at the Manor no other guests being present On the
afternoon of the following day Mrs Waltham and her daughter were talking
together in their sittingroom and the former led the conversation as of late
she almost invariably did when alone with her daughter to their revolutionary
friend
»I cant help thinking Adela that in all essentials I never knew a more
gentlemanly man than Mr Mutimer There must be something superior in his
family no doubt we were altogether mistaken in speaking of him as a mechanic«
»But he has told us himself that he was a mechanic« replied Adela in the
impatient way in which she was wont to speak on this subject
»Oh that is his modesty And not only modesty his views lead him to pride
himself on a poor origin He was an engineer and we know that engineers are in
reality professional men Remember old Mr Mutimer he was a perfect gentleman
I have no doubt the family is really a very good one Indeed I am all but sure
that I remember the name in Hampshire there was a Sir something Mutimer Im
convinced of it No one really belonging to the working class ever bore himself
as Mr Mutimer does Havent you noticed the shape of his hands my dear«
»Ive only noticed that they are very large and just what you would expect
in a man who had done much rough work«
Mrs Waltham laughed noisily
»My dear child how can you be so perverse The shape of the fingers is
perfect Do pray notice them next time«
»I really cannot promise mother to give special attention to Mr Mutimers
hands«
Mrs Waltham glanced at the girl who had laid down a book she was trying to
read and with lowered eyes seemed to be collecting herself for further
utterance
»Why are you so prejudiced Adela«
»I am not prejudiced at all I have no interest of any kind in Mr Mutimer«
The words were spoken hurriedly and with a ring almost of hostility At the
same time the girls cheeks flushed She felt herself hard beset A network was
being woven about her by hands she could not deem other than loving it was time
to exert herself that the meshes might not be completed and the necessity cost
her a feeling of shame
»But your brothers friend my dear Surely you ought not to say that you
have no interest in him at all«
»I do say it mother and I wish to say it so plainly that you cannot after
this mistake me Alfreds friends are very far from being necessarily my
friends Not only have I no interest in Mr Mutimer I even a little dislike
him«
»I had no idea of that Adela« said her mother rather blankly
»But it is the truth and I feel I ought to have tried to make you
understand that sooner I thought you would see that I had no pleasure in
speaking of him«
»But how is it possible to dislike him I confess that is very hard for me
to understand I am sure his behaviour to you is perfect so entirely
respectful so gentlemanly«
»No mother that is not quite the word to use You are mistaken Mr
Mutimer is not a perfect gentleman«
It was said with much decision for to Adelas mind this clenched her
argument Granted the absence of certain qualities which she held essential in a
gentleman there seemed to her no reason for another word on the subject
»Pray when has he misbehaved himself« inquired her mother with a touch of
pique
»I cannot go into details Mr Mutimer has no doubt many excellent
qualities no doubt he is really an earnest and a wellmeaning man But if I am
asked to say more than that it must be the truth as it seems to me Please
mother dear dont ask me to talk about him in future And there is something
else I wish to say I do hope you wont be offended with me but indeed I I
hope you will not ask me to go to the Manor again I feel I ought not to go It
is painful I suffer when I am there«
»How strange you are today Adela Really I think you might allow me to
decide what is proper and what is not My experience is surely the best judge
You are worse than unkind Adela its rude to speak to me like that«
»Dear mother« said the girl with infinite gentleness »I am very very
sorry How could I be unkind or rude to you I didnt for a moment mean that my
judgment was better than yours it is my feelings that I speak of You wont ask
me to explain to say more than that You must understand me«
»Oh yes my dear I understand you too well« was the stiff reply »Of
course I am oldfashioned and I suppose oldfashioned people are a little
coarse their feelings are not quite as fine as they might be We will say no
more for the present Adela I will do my best not to lead you into disagreeable
situations through my lack of delicacy«
There were tears in Adelas eyes
»Mother now it is you who are unkind I am so sorry that I spoke You wont
take my words as they were meant Must I say that I cannot let Mr Mutimer
misunderstand the way in which I regard him He comes here really so very often
and if we begin to go there too People are talking about it indeed they are
Letty has told me so How can I help feeling pained«
Mrs Waltham drew out her handkerchief and appeared mildly agitated When
Adela bent and kissed her she sighed deeply then said in an undertone of gentle
melancholy
»I ask your pardon my dear I am afraid there has been a little
misunderstanding on both sides But we wont talk any more of it there
there«
By which the good lady of course meant that she would renew the subject on
the very earliest opportunity and that on the whole she was not discouraged
Mothers are often unaware of their daughters strong points but their
weaknesses they may be trusted to understand pretty well
The little scene was just well over and Adela had taken a seat by the
window when a gentleman who was approaching the front door saw her and raised
his hat She went very pale
The next moment there was a knock at the front door
»Mother« the girl whispered as if she could not speak louder »it is Mr
Eldon«
»Mr Eldon« Mrs Waltham drew herself up with dignity then started from
her seat »The idea of his daring to come here«
She intercepted the servant who was going to open the door
»Jane we are not at home«
The maid stood in astonishment She was not used to the polite fictions of
society never before had that welcome mortal an afternoon visitor been
refused at Mrs Walthams
»What did you say please mum«
»You will say that we are not at home neither I nor Miss Waltham«
Even if Hubert Eldon had not seen Adela at the window he must have been dull
not to read the meaning of the servants singular face and tone He walked away
with a quiet »Thank you«
Mrs Waltham cast a side glance at Adela when she heard the outer door
close The girl had reopened her book
»Im not sorry that he came Was there ever such astonishing impudence If
that is gentlemanly then I must confess I Really I am not at all sorry he
came it will give him a lesson«
»Mr Eldon may have had some special reason for calling« Adela remarked
disinterestedly
»My dear I have no business of any kind with Mr Eldon and it is
impossible that he can have any with me«
Adela very shortly went from the room
That evening Richard had for guest at dinner Mr Willis Rodman so that
gentleman named himself on his cards and so he liked to be announced Mr
Rodman was invaluable as surveyor of the works his experience appeared
boundless and had been acquired in many lands He was now a Socialist of the
purest water and already he enjoyed more of Mutimers intimacy than anyone
else Richard not seldom envied the easy and as it seemed to him polished
manner of his subordinate and wondered at it the more since Rodman declared
himself a proletarian by birth and in private was fond of referring to the
hardships of his early life That there may be no needless mystery about Mr
Rodman I am under the necessity of stating the fact that he was the son of a
prosperous railway contractor that he was born in Canada and would have
succeeded to a fortune on his fathers death but for an unhappy contretemps in
the shape of a cheque whereof Mr Rodman senior the name was not Rodman but
the true one is of no importance disclaimed the signature From that day to the
present good and ill luck had alternated in the young mans career His fortunes
in detail do not concern us just now there will be future occasion for
returning to the subject
»Young Eldon has been in Wanley today« Mr Rodman remarked as he sat over
his wine after dinner
»Has he« said Richard with indifference »Whats he been after«
»I saw him going up towards the Walthams«
Richard exhibited more interest
»Is he a particular friend of theirs« he asked He had gathered from Alfred
Waltham that there had been a certain intimacy between the two families but
desired more detailed information than his disciple had offered
»Well he used to be« replied Rodman with a significant smile »But I
dont suppose Mrs W gave him a very affectionate reception today His little
doings have rather startled the good people of Wanley especially since he has
lost his standing It wouldnt have mattered much I dare say but for that«
»But was there anything particular up there«
Mutimer had a careworn expression as he asked and he nodded his head as if
in the direction of the village with a certain weariness
»Im not quite sure Some say there was and others deny it as I gather
from general conversation But I suppose its at an end now in any case«
»Mrs Waltham would see to that you mean« said Mutimer with a short
laugh
»Probably«
Rodman made his glass revolve his fingers on the stem
»Take another cigar I suppose theyre not too well off the Walthams«
»Mrs Waltham has an annuity of two hundred and fifty pounds thats all
The girl Miss Waltham has nothing«
»How the deuce do you get to know so much about people Rodman«
The other smiled modestly and made a silent gesture as if to disclaim any
special abilities
»So he called there today I wonder whether he stayed long«
»I will let you know tomorrow«
On the morrow Richard learnt that Hubert Eldon had been refused admittance
The information gave him pleasure Yet all through the night he had been
earnestly hoping that he might hear something quite different had tried to see
in Eldons visit a possible salvation for himself For the struggle which
occupied him more and more had by this time declared its issues plainly enough
daily the temptation became stronger the resources of honour more feeble In
the beginning he had only played with dangerous thoughts to break faith with
Emma Vine had appeared an impossibility and a marriage such as his fancy
substituted the most improbable of things But in men of Richards stamp that
which allures the fancy will if circumstances give but a little encouragement
soon take hold upon the planning brain His acquaintance with the Walthams had
ripened to intimacy and custom nourished his selfconfidence moreover he
could not misunderstand the all but direct encouragement which on one or two
recent occasions he had received from Mrs Waltham That lady had begun to talk
to him when they were alone together in almost a motherly way confiding to
him this or that peculiarity in the characters of her children deploring her
inability to give Adela the pleasures suitable to her age then again pointing
out the advantage it was to a girl to have all her thoughts centred in home
»I can truly say« remarked Mrs Waltham in the course of the latest such
conversation »that Adela has never given me an hours serious uneasiness The
dear child has I believe no will apart from her desire to please me Her
instincts are so beautifully submissive«
To a man situated like Mutimer this tone is fatal In truth it seemed to
make offer to him of what he supremely desired No such encouragement had come
from Adela herself but that meant nothing either way Richard had already
perceived that maidenly reserve was a far more complex matter in a girl of
gentle breeding than in those with whom he had formerly associated for all he
knew increase of distance in manner might represent the very hope that he was
seeking That hope he sought in all save the hours when conscience lorded over
silence with a reality of desire such as he had never known Perhaps it was not
Adela and Adela alone that inspired this passion it was a new ideal of the
feminine addressing itself to his instincts Adela had the field to herself and
did indeed embody in almost an ideal degree the fine essence of distinctly
feminine qualities which appeal most strongly to the masculine mind Mutimer was
not capable of love in the highest sense he was not again endowed with strong
appetite but his nature contained possibilities of refinement which in a
situation like the present constituted motive force the same in its effects as
either form of passion He was suffering too from the malaise peculiar to men
who suddenly acquire riches secret impulses drove him to gratifications which
would not otherwise have troubled his thoughts Of late he had been yielding to
several such caprices One morning the idea possessed him that he must have a
horse for riding and he could not rest till the horse was purchased and in his
stable It occurred to him once at dinner time that there were sundry delicacies
which he knew by name but had never tasted forthwith he gave orders that these
delicacies should be supplied to him and so there appeared upon his breakfast
table a pâté de foie gras Very similar in kind was his desire to possess Adela
Waltham
And the voice of his conscience lost potency though it troubled him more
than ever even as a beggar will sometimes become rudely clamorous when he sees
that there is no real hope of extracting an alms Richard was embarked on the
practical study of moral philosophy he learned more in these months of the
constitution of his inner being than all his literature of free thought had been
able to convey to him To break with Emma to cast his faith to the winds to be
branded henceforth in the sight of his intimate friends as a mere traitor and
an especially mean one to boot that at the first blush was of the things so
impossible that one does not trouble to study their bearings But the wall of
habit once breached the citadel of conscience laid bare what garrison was
revealed With something like astonishment Richard came to recognise that the
garrison was of the most contemptible and tatterdemalion description Fear of
peoples talk absolutely nothing else stood in his way
Had he then no affection for Emma Hardly a scrap He had never even tried
to persuade himself that he was in love with her and the engagement had on his
side been an affair of cool reason His mother had practically brought it about
for years it had been a pet project of hers and her joy was great in its
realisation Mrs Vine and she had been lifelong gossips she knew that to Emma
had descended the larger portion of her parents sterling qualities and that
Emma was the one wife for such a man as Richard She talked him into approval
In those days Richard had no dream of wedding above his class and he understood
very well that Emma Vine was distinguished in many ways from the crowd of
working girls There was no one else he wished to marry Emma would feel herself
honoured by his choice and what he had not himself observed his mother led
him to see that yet deeper feelings were concerned on the girls side This
flattered him a form of emotion to which he was ever susceptible and the
match was speedily arranged
He had never repented The more he knew of Emma the more confirmation his
favourable judgments received He even knew at times a stirring of the senses,
which is the farthest that many of his kind ever progress in the direction of
love Of the nobler features in Emmas character he of course remained ignorant
they did not enter into his demands upon woman and he was unable to discern
them even when they were brought prominently before him She would keep his
house admirably would never contradict him would mother his children to
perfection and even would go so far as to take an intelligent interest in the
Propaganda What more could a man look for
So there was no strife between old love and new so far as it concerned
himself to put Emma aside would not cost a pang The garrison was absolutely
mere tongue mere gossip of publichouse bars firesides etc more serious
of the Socialist lecturerooms And what of the girls own feeling Was there no
sense of compassion in him Very little And in saying so I mean anything but to
convey that Mutimer was conspicuously hardhearted The fatal defect in working
people is absence of imagination the power which may be solely a gift of nature
and irrespective of circumstances but which in most of us owes so much to
intellectual training Half the brutal cruelties perpetrated by uneducated men
and women are directly traceable to lack of the imaginative spirit which comes
to mean lack of kindly sympathy Mutimer we know had got for himself only the
most profitless of educations and in addition nature had scanted him on the
emotional side He could not enter into the position of Emma deserted and
hopeless Want of money was intelligible to him so was bitter disappointment at
the loss of a good position but the former he would not allow Emma to suffer
and the latter she would in the nature of things soon get over Her love for
him he judged by his own feeling making allowance of course for the weakness
of women in affairs such as this He might admit that she would fret but the
thought of her fretting did not affect him as a reality Emma had never been
demonstrative had never sought to show him all that was in her heart hence he
rated her devotion lightly
The opinion of those who knew him What of the opinion of Emma herself Yes
that went for much he knew shame at the thought perhaps keener shame than in
anticipating the judgment say of Daniel Dabbs No one of his acquaintances
thought of him so highly as Emma did to see himself dethroned the object of
her contempt was a bitter pill to swallow In all that concerned his own
dignity Richard was keenly appreciative he felt in advance every pricking of
the blood that was in store for him if he became guilty of this treachery Yes
from that point of view he feared Emma Vine
Considerations of larger scope did not come within the purview of his
intellect It never occurred to him for instance that in forfeiting his honour
in this instance he began a process of undermining which would sooner or later
threaten the stability of the purposes on which he most prided himself A
suggestion that domestic perfidy was in the end incompatible with public zeal
would have seemed to him ridiculous and for the simple reason that he
recognised no moral sanctions He could not regard his nature as a whole he had
no understanding for the subtle network of communication between its various
parts Nay he told himself that the genuineness and value of his lifes work
would be increased by a marriage with Adela Waltham he and she would represent
the union of classes of the wageearning with the bourgeois between which two
lay the real gist of the combat He thought of this frequently and allowed the
thought to inspirit him
To the question of whether Adela would ever find out what he had done and
if so with what result he gave scarcely a moment Marriages are not undone by
subsequent discovery of moral faults on either side
This is a tabular exposition of the mans consciousness Logically there
should result from it a self-possessed state of mind bordering on cynicism But
logic was not predominant in Mutimers constitution So far from contemplating
treason with the calm intelligence which demands judgment on other grounds than
the common he was in reality possessed by a spirit of perturbation Such reason
as he could command bade him look up and view with scorn the ragged defenders of
the forts but whence came this hail of missiles which kept him so sore Clearly
there was some element of his nature which eluded grasp and definition a misty
influence making itself felt here and there To none of the sources upon which I
have touched was it clearly traceable in truth it arose from them all The man
had never in his life been guilty of offence against his graver conscience he
had the sensation of being about to plunge from firm footing into untried
depths His days were troubled his appetite was not what it should have been
he could not take the old thorough interest in his work It was becoming clear
to him that the matter must be settled one way or another with brief delay
One day at the end of September he received a letter addressed by Alice On
opening it he found with much surprise that the contents were in his mothers
writing It was so very rarely that Mrs Mutimer took up that dangerous
instrument the pen that something unusual must have led to her doing so at
present And indeed the letter contained unexpected matter There were numerous
errors of orthography and the hand was not very legible but Richard got at the
sense quickly enough
»I write this« began Mrs Mutimer »because its a long time since
youve been to see us and because I want to say something thats better
written than spoken I saw Emma last night and Im feeling
uncomfortable about her Shes getting very low and thats the truth
Not as she says anything nor shows it but shes got a deal on her
hands and more on her mind You havent written to her for three weeks
Youll he saying its no business of mine but I cant stand by and see
Emma putting up with things as there isnt no reason Jane is in a very
bad way poor girl I cant think shell live long Now Dick what Im
aiming at youll see I cant understand why you dont get married and
done with it Jane wont never be able to work again and that Kate ll
never keep up a dressmaking Why dont you marry Emma and take poor
Jane to live with you where she could be well looked after for she
wont never part from her sister And she does so hope and pray to see
Emma married before she goes You cant surely be waiting for her death
Now theres a good lad of mine come and marry your wife at once and
dont make delays Thats all but I hope youll think of it and so
from your affectionate old mother
S MUTIMER«
Richard read the letter several times and sat at home through the morning in
despondency It had got to the pass that he could not marry Emma for all his
suffering he no longer gave a glance in that direction Not even if Adela
Waltham refused him to have a lady for his wife was now an essential in his
plans for the future and he knew that the desired possession was purchasable
for coin of the realm No way of retreat any longer movement must be forward
at whatever cost
He let a day intervene then replied to his mothers letter He represented
himself as worked to death and without a moment for his private concerns it was
out of the question for him to marry for a few weeks yet He would write to
Emma and would send her all the money she could possibly need to supply the
sick girl with comforts She must keep up her courage and be content to wait a
short while longer He was quite sure she did not complain it was only his
mothers fancy that she was in low spirits except of course on Janes
account
Another fortnight went by Skies were lowering towards winter and the sides
of the valley showed bare patches amid the richhued death of leaves ere long a
night of storm would leave ruined choirs Richard was in truth working hard He
had just opened a course of lectures at a newly established Socialist branch in
Belwick The extent of his daily correspondence threatened to demand the
services of a secretary in addition to the help already given by Rodman
Moreover an event of importance was within view the New Wanley Public Hall was
completed and its formal opening must be made an occasion of ceremony In that
ceremony Richard would be the central figure He proposed to gather about him a
representative company not only would the Socialist leaders attend as a matter
of course invitations should also be sent to prominent men in the conventional
lines of politics A speech from a certain Radical statesman who could probably
be induced to attend would command the attention of the press For the sake of
preliminary trumpetings in even so humble a journal as the Belwick Chronicle
Mutimer put himself in communication with Mr Keene That gentleman was now a
recognised visitor at the house in Highbury there was frequent mention of him
in a close correspondence kept up between Richard and his sister at this time
The letters which Alice received from Wanley were not imparted to the other
members of the family she herself studied them attentively and with much
apparent satisfaction
For advice on certain details of the approaching celebration Richard had
recourse to Mrs Waltham He found her at home one rainy morning Adela aware
of his arrival retreated to her little room upstairs Mrs Waltham had a slight
cold it kept her close by the fireside and encouraged confidential talk
»I have decided to invite about twenty people to lunch« Richard said »Just
the members of the committee and a few others Itll be better than giving a
dinner Westlakes lecture will be over by four oclock and that allows people
to get away in good time The workmens tea will be at halfpast five«
»You must have refreshments of some kind for casual comers« counselled Mrs
Waltham
»Ive thought of that Rodman suggests that we shall get the Wheatsheaf
people to have joints and that kind of thing in the refreshmentroom at the Hall
from halfpast twelve to halfpast one We could put up some notice to that
effect in Agworth station«
»Certainly and inside the railway carriages«
Mutimers private line which ran from the works to Agworth station was to
convey visitors to New Wanley on this occasion
»I think I shall have three or four ladies« Richard pursued »Mrs Westlake
ll be sure to come and I think Mrs Eddlestone the wife of the Trades Union
man you know And Ive been rather calculating on you Mrs Waltham do you
think you could «
The ladys eyes were turned to the window watching the sad steady rain
»Really youre making a downright Socialist of me Mr Mutimer« she
replied with a laugh which betrayed a touch of sore throat »Im half afraid to
accept such an invitation Shouldnt I be there on false pretences dont you
think«
Richard mused his legs were crossed and he swayed his foot up and down
»Well no I cant see that But I tell you what would make it simpler do
you think Mr Wyvern would come if I asked him«
»Ah now that would be capital Oh ask Mr Wyvern by all means Then of
course I should be delighted to accept«
»But I havent much hope that hell come I rather think he regards me as
his enemy And you see I never go to church«
»What a pity that is Mr Mutimer Ah if I could only persuade you to think
differently about those things There really are so many texts that read quite
like Socialism I was looking them over with Adela on Sunday What a sad thing
it is that you go so astray It distresses me more than you think Indeed if I
may tell you such a thing I pray for you nightly«
Mutimer made a movement of discomfort but laughed off the subject
»Ill go and see the vicar at all events« he said »But must your coming
depend on his«
Mrs Waltham hesitated
»It really would make things easier«
»Might I in that case hope that Miss Waltham would come«
Richard seemed to exert himself to ask the question Mrs Waltham sank her
eyes smiled feebly and in the end shook her head
»On a public occasion Im really afraid «
»Im sure she would like to know Mrs Westlake« urged Richard without his
usual confidence »And if you and her brother «
»If it were not a Socialist gathering«
Richard uncrossed his legs and sat for a moment looking into the fire Then
he turned suddenly
»Mrs Waltham may I ask her myself«
She was visibly agitated There was this time no affectation in the
tremulous lips and the troublous unsteady eyes Mrs Waltham was not by nature
the scheming mother who is indifferent to the upshot if she can once get her
daughter loyally bound to a man of money Adelas happiness was a very real care
to her she would never have opposed an unobjectionable union on which she found
her daughters heart bent but circumstances had a second time made offer of
brilliant advantages and she had grown to deem it an ordinance of the higher
powers that Adela should marry possessions She flattered herself that her study
of Mutimers character had been profound the necessity of making such a study
excused she thought any little excess of familiarity in winch she had
indulged for it had long been clear to her that Mutimer would some day make an
offer He lacked polish it was true but really he was more a gentleman than a
great many whose right to the name was never contested And then he had
distinctly high aims such a man could never be brutal in the privacy of his
home There was every chance of his achieving some kind of eminence already she
had suggested to him a Parliamentary career and the idea had not seemed
altogether distasteful Adela herself was as yet far from regarding Mutimer in
the light of a future husband it was perhaps true that she even disliked him
But then a young girls likes and dislikes have as a rule small bearing on her
practical content in the married state so at least Mrs Walthams experience
led her to believe Only it was clear that there must be no precipitancy Let
the ground be thoroughly prepared
»May I advise you Mr Mutimer« she said in a lowered voice bending
forward »Let me deliver the invitation I think it would be better really We
shall see whether you can persuade Mr Wyvern to be present I promise you to
in fact not to interpose any obstacle if Adela thinks she can be present at the
lunch«
»Then Ill leave it so« said Richard more cheerfully Mrs Waltham could
see that his nerves were in a dancing state Really he had much fine feeling
Chapter XI
It being only midday Richard directed his steps at once to the Vicarage and
had the good fortune to find Mr Wyvern within
»Be seated Mr Mutimer Im glad to see you« was the vicars greeting
Their mutual intercourse had as yet been limited to an exchange of
courtesies in public and one or two casual meetings at the Walthams house
Richard had felt shy of the vicar whom he perceived to be a clergyman of other
than the weakbrained type and the circumstances of the case would not allow
Mr Wyvern to make advances The latter proceeded with friendliness of tone
speaking of the progress of New Wanley
»Thats what Ive come to see you about« said Richard trying to put
himself at ease by mentally comparing his own worldly estate with that of his
interlocutor yet failing as often as he felt the scrutiny of the vicars
darkgleaming eye »We are going to open the Hall« He added details »I shall
have a number of friends who are interested in our undertaking to lunch with me
on that day I wish to ask if you will give us the pleasure of your company«
Mr Wyvern reflected for a moment
»Why no sir« he replied at length using the Johnsonian phrase with grave
courtesy »Im afraid I cannot acknowledge your kindness as I should wish to
Personally I would accept your hospitality with pleasure but my position here
as I understand it forbids me to join you on that particular occasion«
»Then personally you are not hostile to me Mr Wyvern«
»To you personally by no means«
»But yon dont like the movement«
»In so far as it has the good of men in view it interests me and I respect
its supporters«
»But you think we go the wrong way to work«
»That is my opinion Mr Mutimer«
»What would you have us do«
»To see faults is a much easier thing than to originate a sound scheme I am
far from prepared with any plan of social reconstruction«
Nor could Mr Wyvern be moved from the negative attitude though Mutimer
pressed him
»Well Im sorry you wont come« Richard said as he rose to take his leave
»It didnt strike me that you would feel out of place«
»Nor should I But you will understand that my opportunities of being useful
in the village depend on the existence of sympathetic feeling in my
parishioners It is my duty to avoid any behaviour which could be
misinterpreted«
»Then you deliberately adapt yourself to the prejudices of unintelligent
people«
»I do so deliberately« assented the vicar with one of his fleeting
smiles
Richard went away feeling sorry that he had courted this rejection He would
never have thought of inviting a parson but for Mrs Walthams suggestion After
all it mattered little whether Adela came to the luncheon or not He had
desired her presence because he wished her to see him as an entertainer of
guests such as the Westlakes whom she would perceive to be people of
refinement it occurred to him too that such an occasion might aid his suit by
exciting her ambition for he was anything but confident of immediate success
with Adela especially since recent conversations with Mrs Waltham But in any
case she would attend the afternoon ceremony when his glory would be
proclaimed
Mrs Waltham was anxiously meditative of plans for bringing Adela to regard
her Socialist wooer with more favourable eyes She too had hopes that
Mutimers fame in the mouths of men might prove an attraction yet she suspected
a strength of principle in Adela which might well render all such hopes vain
And she thought it only too likely though observation gave her no actual
assurance of this that the girl still thought of Hubert Eldon in a way to
render it doubly hard for any other man to make an impression upon her It was
dangerous she knew to express her abhorrence of Hubert too persistently yet
on the other hand she was convinced that Adela had been so deeply shocked by
the revelations of Huberts wickedness that her moral nature would be in arms
against her lingering inclination After much mental wear and tear she decided
to adopt the strong course of asking Alfreds assistance Alfred was sure to
view the proposed match with hearty approval and though he might not have much
influence directly he could in all probability secure a potent ally in the
person of Letty Tew This was rather a brilliant idea Mrs Waltham waited
impatiently for her sons return from Belwick on Saturday
She broached the subject to him with much delicacy
»I am so convinced Alfred that it would be for your sisters happiness
There really is no harm whatever in aiding her inexperience that is all that I
wish to do Im sure you understand me«
»I understand well enough« returned the young man »but if yon convince
Adela against her will youll do a clever thing Youve been so remarkably
successful in closing her mind against all arguments of reason «
»Now Alfred do not begin and talk in that way It has nothing whatever to
do with the matter This is entirely a personal question«
»Nothing of the kind Its a question of religious prejudice She hates
Mutimer because he doesnt go to church theres the long and short of it«
»Adela very properly condemns his views but thats quite a different thing
from hating him«
»Oh dear no theyre one and the same thing Look at the history of
persecution She would like to see him and me too I dare say brought to the
stake«
»Well well of course if you wont talk sensibly I had something to
propose«
»Let me hear it then«
»You yourself agree with me that there would be nothing to repent in urging
her«
»On the contrary I think she might consider herself precious lucky Its
only that« he looked dubious for a moment »Im not quite sure whether shes
the kind of girl to be content with a husband she found she couldnt convert I
can imagine her marrying a rake on the hope of bringing him to regular
churchgoing but then Mutimer doesnt happen to be a blackguard so he isnt
very interesting to her«
»I know what youre thinking of but I dont think we need take that into
account And indeed we cant afford to take anything into account but her
establishment in a respectable and happy home Our choice as you are aware is
not a wide one I am often deeply anxious about the poor girl«
»I dare say Well what was your proposal«
»Do you think Letty could help us«
»Hm cant say Might or might not Shes as bad as Adela Ten to one itll
be a point of conscience with her to fight the project tooth and nail«
»I dont think so She has accepted you«
»So she has to my amazement Women are monstrously illogical She must
think of my latter end with mixed feelings«
»I do wish you were less flippant in dealing with grave subjects Alfred I
assure you I am very much troubled I feel that so much is at stake and yet the
responsibility of doing anything is so very great«
»Shall I talk it over with Letty«
»If you feel able to But Adela would be very seriously offended if she
guessed that you had done so«
»Then she mustnt guess thats all Ill see what I can do tonight«
In the home of the Tews there was some difficulty in securing privacy The
house was a small one and the sacrifice of general convenience when Letty
wanted a whole room for herself and Alfred was considerable Tonight it was
managed however the front parlour was granted to the pair for one hour
It could not be said that there was much delicacy in Alfreds way of
approaching the subject he wished to speak of This young man had a scorn of
periphrases If a topic had to be handled why not be succinct in the handling
Alfred was of opinion that much time was lost by mortals in windy talk
»Look here Letty whats your idea about Adela marrying Mutimer«
The girl looked startled
»She has not accepted him«
»Not yet Dont you think it would be a good thing if she did«
»I really cant say« Letty replied very gravely her head aside »I dont
think any one can judge but Adela herself Really Alfred I dont think we
ought to interfere«
»But suppose I ask you to try and get her to see the affair sensibly«
»Sensibly What a word to use«
»The right word I think«
»What a vexatious boy you are You dont really think so at all You only
speak so because you like to tease me«
»Well you certainly do look pretty when youre defending the castles in the
air Give me a kiss«
»Indeed I shall not Tell me seriously what you mean What does Mrs
Waltham think about it«
»Give me a kiss and Ill tell you If not Ill go away and leave you to
find out everything as best you can«
»Oh Alfred youre a sad tyrant«
»Of course I am But its a benevolent despotism Well mother wants Adela
to accept him In fact she asked me if I didnt think youd help us Of course
I said you would«
»Then you were very hasty Im not joking now Alfred I think of Adela in a
way you very likely cant understand It would be shocking oh shocking to try
and make her marry him if she doesnt really wish to«
»No fear We shant manage that«
»And surely wouldnt wish to«
»I dont know Girls often cant see whats best for them I say you
understand that all this is in confidence«
»Of course I do But its a confidence I had rather not have received I
shall be miserable I know that«
»Then youre a little goose«
»You were going to call me something far worse«
»Give me credit then for correcting myself Youll have to help us
Lettycoco«
The girl kept silence Then for a time the conversation became graver It
was interrupted precisely at the end of the granted hour
Letty went to see her friend on Sunday afternoon and the two shut
themselves up in the dainty little chamber Adela was in low spirits with her a
most unusual state She sat with her hands crossed on her lap and the sunny
light of her eyes was dimmed When she had tried for a while to talk of ordinary
things Letty saw a tear glisten upon her cheek
»What is the matter love«
Adela was in sore need of telling her troubles and Letty was the only one
to whom she could do so In such spiritgentle words as could express the
perplexities of her mind she told what a source of pain her mothers
conversation had been to her of late and how she dreaded what might still be to
come
»It is so dreadful to think Letty that mother is encouraging him She
thinks it is for my happiness she is offended if I try to say what I suffer
Oh I couldnt I couldnt«
She put her palms before her face her maidenhood shamed to speak of these
things even to her bosom friend
»Cant you show him darling that that he mustnt hope anything«
»How can I do so It is impossible to be rude and everything else it is so
easy to misunderstand«
»But when he really speaks then it will come to an end«
»I shall grieve mother so Letty I feel as if the best of my life had gone
by Everything seemed so smooth Oh why did he fall so Letty and I thought he
cared for me dear«
She whispered it her face on her friends shoulder
»Try to forget darling try«
»Oh as if I didnt try night and day I know it is so wrong to give a
thought How could he speak to me as he did that day when I met him on the hill
and again when I went just to save him an annoyance He was almost the same as
before only I thought him a little sad from his illness He had no right to
talk to me in that way Oh I feel wicked that I cant forget I hate myself
for still for still «
There was a word Letty could not hear only her listening heart divined it
»Dear Adela pray for strength and it will be sure to come to you How hard
it is to know myself so happy when you have so much trouble«
»I could have borne it better but for this new pain I dont think I should
ever have shown it even you wouldnt have known all I felt Letty I should
have hoped for him I dont mean hoped on my own account but that he might
know how wicked he had been How how can a man do things so unworthy of
himself when its so beautiful to be good and faithful I think he did care a
little for me once Letty«
»Dont let us talk of him pet«
»You are right we mustnt His name ought never to pass my lips only in my
prayers«
She grew calmer and they sat hand in hand
»Try to make your mother understand« advised Letty »Say that it is
impossible you should ever accept him«
»She wont believe that Im sure she wont And to think that even if I
did it only to please her people would believe I had married him because he is
rich«
Letty spoke with more emphasis than hitherto
»But you cannot and must not do such a thing to please any one Adela It is
wrong even to think of it Nothing nothing can justify that«
How strong she was in the purity of her own love good little Letty So they
talked together and mingled their tears and the room was made a sacred place
as by the presence of sorrowing angels
Chapter XII
The New Wanley Lecture Hall had been publicly dedicated to the service of the
New Wanley Commonwealth and only in one respect did the days proceedings fall
short of Mutimers expectations He had hoped to have all the Waltham family at
his luncheon party but in the event Alfred alone felt himself able to accept
the invitation Mutimer had even nourished the hope that something might happen
before that day to allow of Adelas appearing not merely in the character of a
guest but as it were ex officio By this time he had resolutely forbidden his
eyes to stray to the right hand or the left and kept them directed with hungry
relentless steadiness straight along the path of his desires He had received no
second letter from his mother nor had Alice anything to report of
dangersignals at home from Emma herself came a letter regularly once a week a
letter of perfect patience chiefly concerned with her sisters health He had
made up his mind to declare nothing till the irretrievable step was taken when
reproaches only could befall him to Alice as little as to any one else had he
breathed of his purposes And he could no longer even take into account the
uncertainty of his success to doubt of that would have been insufferable at the
point which he had reached in selfabandonment Yet day after day saw the
postponement of the question which would decide his fate Between him and Mrs
Waltham the language of allusion was at length put aside he spoke plainly of
his wishes and sought her encouragement This was not wanting but the mother
begged for time Let the day of the ceremony come and go
Richard passed through it in a state of exaltation and anxiety which
bordered on fever Mr Westlake and his wife came down from London by an early
train and he went over New Wanley with them before luncheon The luncheon
itself did not lack festive vivacity Richard in surveying his guests from the
head of the board had feelings not unlike those wherein King Polycrates lulled
himself of old there wanted in truth one thing to complete his
selfcomplacence but an extra glass or two of wine enrubied his imagination
and he already saw Adelas face smiling to him from the tables unoccupied end
What was such conquest in comparison with that which fate had accorded him
There was a satisfactory gathering to hear Mr Westlakes address Richard
did not fail to note the presence of a few reporters only it seemed to him that
their pencils might have been more active Here too was Adela at length every
time his name was uttered perforce she heard every encomium bestowed upon him
by the various speakers was to him like a new bud on the tree of hope After
all why should he feel this humility towards her What man of prominence of
merit at all like his own would ever seek her hand The semblance of chivalry
which occasionally stirred within him was in fact quite inconsistent with his
reasoned view of things the English working class has on the whole as little
of that quality as any other people in an elementary stage of civilisation He
was a man she a woman A lady to be sure but then
After Mutimer Alfred Waltham had probably more genuine satisfaction in the
ceremony than any one else present Mr Westlake he was not quite satisfied
with there was a mildness and restraint about the style of the address which to
Alfreds taste smacked of feebleness he was for Cambyses vein Still it
rejoiced him to hear the noble truths of democracy delivered as it were from the
bema To a certain order of intellect the word addressed by the living voice to
an attentive assembly is always vastly impressive when the word coincides with
private sentiment it excites enthusiasm Alfred hated the aristocratic order of
things with a rabid hatred In practice he could be as coarsely overbearing with
his social inferiors as that scion of the nobility existing of course
somewhere who bears the bell for feebleness of the pia mater but that made
him none the less a sound Radical In thinking of the upper classes he always
thought of Hubert Eldon and that name was scarlet to him Never trust the
thoroughness of the man who is a revolutionist on abstract principles personal
feeling alone goes to the root of the matter
Many were the gentlemen to whom Alfred had the happiness of being introduced
in the course of the day Among others was Mr Keene the journalist At the end
of a lively conversation Mr Keene brought out a copy of the »Belwick
Chronicle« that days issue
»Youll find a few things of mine here« he said »Put it in your pocket
and look at it afterwards Bytheby there is a paragraph marked I meant it
for Mutimer Never mind give it him when youve done with it«
Alfred bestowed the paper in the breast pocket of his greatcoat and did not
happen to think of it again till late that evening His discovery of it at
length was not the only event of the day which came just too late for the
happiness of one with whose fortunes we are concerned
A little after dark when the bell was ringing which summoned Mutimers
workpeople to the tea provided for them Hubert Eldon was approaching the
village by the road from Agworth he was on foot and had chosen his time in
order to enter Wanley unnoticed His former visit when he was refused at the
Walthams door had been paid at an impulse he had come down from London by an
early train and did not even call to see his mother at her new house in
Agworth Nor did he visit her on his way back he walked straight to the railway
station and took the first train townwards Today he came in a more leisurely
way It was certain news contained in a letter from his mother which brought
him and with her he spent some hours before starting to walk towards Wanley
»I hear« Mrs Eldon had written »from Wanley something which really
surprises me They say that Adela Waltham is going to marry Mr Mutimer The
match is surely a very strange one I am only fearful that it is the making of
interested people and that the poor girl herself has not had much voice in
deciding her own fate Oh this money Adela was worthy of better things«
Mrs Eldon saw her son with surprise the more so that she divined the cause
of his coming When they had talked for a while Hubert frankly admitted what it
was that had brought him
»I must know« he said »whether the news from Wanley is true«
»But can it concern you Hubert« his mother asked gently
He made no direct reply but expressed his intention of going over to
Wanley
»Whom shall you visit dear«
»Mr Wyvern«
»The vicar But you dont know him personally«
»Yes I know him pretty well We write to each other occasionally«
Mrs Eldon always practised most reserve when her surprise was greatest an
excellent rule bytheby for general observation She looked at her son with a
halfsmile of wonder but only said »Indeed«
»I had made his acquaintance before his coming to Wanley« Hubert explained
His mother just bent her head acquiescent And with that their conversation
on the subject ended But Hubert received a tender kiss on his cheek when he set
forth in the afternoon
To one entering the valley after nightfall the situation of the
muchdiscussed New Wanley could no longer be a source of doubt Two
blastfurnaces sent up their flare and lit luridly the devastated scene Having
glanced in that direction Hubert did his best to keep his eyes averted during
the remainder of the walk He was surprised to see a short passenger train rush
by on the private line connecting the works with Agworth station it was taking
away certain visitors who had lingered in New Wanley after the lecture Knowing
nothing of the circumstances he supposed that general traffic had been
commenced He avoided the village street and reached the Vicarage by a path
through fields
He found the vicar at dinner though it was only halfpast six The welcome
he received was in Mr Wyverns manner almost silent but when he had taken a
place at the table he saw satisfaction on his hosts face The meal was very
plain but the vicar ate with extraordinary appetite he was one of those men in
whom the demands of the stomach seem to be in direct proportion to the activity
of the brain A question Hubert put about the train led to a brief account of
what was going on Mr Wyvern spoke on the subject with a gravity which was not
distinctly ironical but suggested criticism
They repaired to the study A volume of Plato was open on the readingtable
»Do you remember Socrates prayer in the Phædrus« said the vicar bending
affectionately over the page He read a few words of the Greek then gave a free
rendering »Beloved Pan and all ye other gods who haunt this place give me
beauty in the inward soul and may the outward and inward be at one May I
esteem the wise alone wealthy and may I have such abundance of wealth as none
but the temperate can carry«
He paused a moment
»Ah when I came hither I hoped to find Pan undisturbed Well well after
all Hephæstus was one of the gods«
»How I envy you your quiet mind« said Hubert
»Quiet Nay not always so Just now I am far from at peace What brings you
hither today«
The equivoque was obviated by Mr Wyverns tone
»I have heard stories about Adela Waltham Is there any truth in them«
»I fear so I fear so«
»That she is really going to marry Mr Mutimer«
He tried to speak the name without discourtesy but his lips writhed after
it
»I fear she is going to marry him« said the vicar deliberately
Hubert held his peace
»It troubles me It angers me« said Mr Wyvern »I am angry with more than
one«
»Is there an engagement«
»I am unable to say Tattle generally gets ahead of fact.«
»It is monstrous« burst from the young man »They are taking advantage of
her innocence She is a child Why do they educate girls like that I should
say how can they leave them so uneducated In an ideal world it would be all
very well but see what comes of it here She is walking with her eyes open into
horrors and curses and understands as little of what awaits her as a lamb led
to butchery Do you stand by and say nothing«
»It surprises me that you are so affected« remarked the vicar quietly
»No doubt I cant reason about it But I know that my life will be hideous
if this goes on to the end«
»You are late«
»Yes I am late I was in Wanley some weeks ago I did not tell you of it I
called at their house they were not at home to me Yet Adela was sitting at the
window What did that mean Is her mother so contemptible that my change of
fortune leads her to treat me in that way«
»But does no other reason occur to you« asked Mr Wyvern with grave
surprise
»Other reason What other«
»You must remember that gossip is active«
»You mean that they have heard about «
»Somehow it had become the common talk of the village very shortly after my
arrival here«
Hubert dropped his eyes in bewilderment
»Then they think me unfit to associate with them She Adela will look
upon me as a vile creature But it wasnt so when I saw her immediately after my
illness She talked freely and with just the same friendliness as before«
»Probably she had heard nothing then«
»And her mother only began to poison her mind when it was advantageous to do
so«
Hubert laughed bitterly
»Well there is an end of it« he pursued »Yes I was forgetting all that
Oh it is quite intelligible I dont blame them By all means let her be
preserved from contagion Pooh I dont know my own mind Old fancies that I
used to have somehow got hold of me again If I ever marry it must be a woman
of the world a woman with brain and heart to judge human nature It is gone as
if I had never had such a thought Poor child to be sure but thats all one
can say«
His tone was as far from petulance as could be Huberts emotions were never
feebly coloured his nature ran into extremes and vehemence of scorn was in him
the true voice of injured tenderness Of humility he knew but little least of
all where his affections were concerned but there was the ring of noble metal
in his selfassertion He would never consciously act or speak a falsehood and
was intolerant of the lies petty or great which conventionality and warped
habits of thought encourage in those of weaker personality
»Let us be just« remarked Mr Wyvern his voice sounding rather sepulchral
after the outburst of youthful passion »Mrs Walthams point of view is not
inconceivable I as you know am not altogether a man of formulas but I am not
sure that my behaviour would greatly differ from hers in her position I mean as
regards yourself«
»Yes yes I admit the reasonableness of it« said Hubert more calmly
»granted that you have to deal with children But Adela is too old to have no
will or understanding It may be she has both After all she would scarcely
allow herself to be forced into a detestable marriage Very likely she takes her
mothers practical views«
»There is such a thing as blank indifference in a young girl who has
suffered disappointment«
»I could do nothing« exclaimed Hubert »That she thinks of me at all or
has ever seriously done so is the merest supposition There was nothing binding
between us If she is false to herself experience and suffering must teach
her«
The vicar mused
»Then you go your way untroubled« was his next question
»If I am strong enough to overcome foolishness«
»And if foolishness persists in asserting itself«
Hubert kept gloomy silence
»Thus much I can say to you of my own knowledge« observed Mr Wyvern with
weight »Miss Waltham is not one to speak words lightly You call her a child
and no doubt her view of the world is childlike but she is strong in her
simplicity A pledge from her will or I am much mistaken bear no two meanings
Her marriage with Mr Mutimer would be as little pleasing to me as to you but I
cannot see that I have any claim to interpose or indeed power to do so Is it
not the same with yourself«
»No not quite the same«
»Then you have hope that you might still affect her destiny«
Hubert did not answer
»Do you measure the responsibility you would incur I fear not if you have
spoken sincerely Your experience has not been of a kind to aid you in
understanding her and I warn you to make her subject to your caprices would
be little short of a crime whether now heed me or hereafter«
»Perhaps it is too late« murmured Hubert
»That may well be in more senses than one«
»Can you not discover whether she is really engaged«
»If that were the case I think I should have heard of it«
»If I were allowed to see her So much at least should be granted me I
should not poison the air she breathes«
»Do you return to Agworth tonight« Mr Wyvern inquired
»Yes I shall walk back«
»Can you come to me again tomorrow evening«
It was agreed that Hubert should do so Mr Wyvern gave no definite promise
of aid but the young man felt that he would do something
»The night is fine« said the vicar »I will walk half a mile with you«
They left the Vicarage and ten yards from the door turned into the path
which would enable them to avoid the village street Not two minutes after their
quitting the main road the spot was passed by Adela herself who was walking
towards Mr Wyverns dwelling On her inquiring for the vicar she learnt from
the servant that he had just left home She hesitated and seemed about to ask
further questions or leave a message but at length turned away from the door
and retraced her steps slowly and with bent head
She knew not whether to feel glad or sorry that the interview she had come
to seek could not immediately take place This day had been a hard one for
Adela In the morning her mother had spoken to her without disguise or
affectation and had told her of Mutimers indirect proposal Mrs Waltham went
on to assure her that there was no hurry that Mutimer had consented to refrain
from visits for a short time in order that she might take counsel with herself
and that the mothers voice trembled on the words absolute freedom was of
course left her to accept or refuse But Mrs Waltham could not pause there
though she tried to She went on to speak of the days proceedings
»Think what we may my dear of Mr Mutimers opinions no one can deny that
he is making a most unselfish use of his wealth We shall have an opportunity
today of hearing how it is regarded by those who who understand such
questions«
Adela implored to be allowed to remain at home instead of attending the
lecture but on this point Mrs Waltham was inflexible The girl could not offer
resolute opposition in a matter which only involved an hour or twos endurance
She sat in pale silence Then her mother broke into tears bewailed herself as a
luckless being entreated her daughters pardon but in the end was perfectly
ready to accept Adelas selfsacrifice
On her return from New Wanley Adela sat alone till teatime and after that
meal again went to her room She was not one of those girls to whom tears come
as a matter of course on any occasion of annoyance or of grief her bright eyes
had seldom been dimmed since childhood for the lightsomeness of her character
threw off trifling troubles almost as soon as they were felt and of graver
afflictions she had hitherto known none since her fathers death But since the
shock she received on that day when her mother revealed Hubert Eldons
unworthiness her emotional life had suffered a slow change Evil previously
known but as a dark mystery shadowing far off regions had become the constant
preoccupation of her thoughts Drawing analogies from the story of her faith
she imaged Hubert as the angel who fell from supreme purity to a terrible
lordship of perdition Of his sins she had the dimmest conception she was told
that they were sins of impurity and her understanding of such could scarcely
have been expressed save in the general language of her prayers Guarded
jealously at every moment of her life the world had made no blur on the fair
tablet of her mind her Eden had suffered no invasion She could only repeat to
herself that her heart had gone dreadfully astray in its fondness and that
whatsoever it cost her the old hopes the strength of which was only now
proved must be utterly uprooted And knowing that she wept
Sin was too surely sorrow though it neared her only in imagination In a
few weeks she seemed to have almost outgrown girlhood her steps were measured
her smile was seldom and lacked mirth The revelation would have done so much
the added and growing trouble of Mutimers attentions threatened to sink her in
melancholy She would not allow it to be seen more than she could help cheerful
activity in the life of home was one of her moral duties and she strove hard to
sustain it It was a relief to find herself alone each night alone with her
sickness of heart
The repugnance aroused in her by the thought of becoming Mutimers wife was
rather instinctive than reasoned From one point of view indeed she deemed it
wrong since it might be entirely the fruit of the love she was forbidden to
cherish Striving to read her conscience which for years had been with her a
daily task and was now become the anguish of every hour she found it hard to
establish valid reasons for steadfastly refusing a man who was her mothers
choice She read over the marriage service frequently There stood the promise
to love to honour and to obey Honour and obedience she might render him but
what of love The question arose what did love mean Could there be such a
thing as love of an unworthy object Was she not led astray by the spirit of
perverseness which was her heritage
Adela could not bring herself to believe that to love in the sense of the
marriage service and to be in love as her heart understood it were one and the
same thing The Puritanism of her training led her to distrust profoundly those
impulses of mere nature And the circumstances of her own unhappy affection
tended to confirm her in this way of thinking Letty Tew certainly thought
otherwise but was not Lettys own heart too exclusively occupied by worldly
considerations
Yet it said love Perchance that was something which would come after
marriage the promise observe concerned the future But she was not merely
indifferent she shrank from Mutimer
She returned home from the lecture today full of dread dread more active
than she had yet known And it drove her to a step she had timidly contemplated
for more than a week She stole from the house bent on seeing Mr Wyvern She
could not confess to him but she could speak of the conflict between her
mothers will and her own and beg his advice perhaps if he appeared
favourable ask him to intercede with her mother She had liked Mr Wyvern from
the first meeting with him and a sense of trust had been nourished by each
succeeding conversation In her agitation she thought it would not be hard to
tell him so much of the circumstances as would enable him to judge and counsel
Yet it was with relief on the whole that she turned homewards with her
object unattained It would be much better to wait and test herself yet further
Why should she not speak with her mother about that vow she was asked to make
She did not seek solitude again but joined her mother and Alfred in the
sittingroom Mrs Waltham made no inquiry about the short absence Alfred had
only just called to mind the newspaper which Mr Keene had given him and was
unfolding it for perusal His eye caught a marked paragraph one of a number
under the heading Gossip from Town As he read it he uttered a »Hullo« of
surprise
»Well heres the latest« he continued looking at his companions with an
amused eye »Something about that fellow Eldon in a Belwick newspaper What do
you think«
Adela kept still and mute
»Whatever it is it cannot interest us Alfred« said Mrs Waltham with
dignity »We had rather not hear it«
»Well you shall read it for yourself« replied Alfred on a second thought
»I think youd like to know«
His mother took the paper under protest and glanced down at the paragraph
carelessly But speedily her attention became closer
An item of intelligence wrote the London gossiper which I dare say will
interest readers in certain parts of shire A lady of French extraction who
made a name for herself at a leading metropolitan theatre last winter and who
really promises great things in the Thespian art is back among us from a
sojourn on the Continent She is understood to have spent much labour in the
study of a new part which she is about to introduce to us of the modern
Babylon But Albion it is whispered possesses other attractions for her
besides appreciative audiences In brief though she will of course appear under
the old name she will in reality have changed it for one of another nationality
before presenting herself in the radiance of the footlights The happy man is
Mr Hubert Eldon late of Wanley Manor We felicitate Mr Eldon
Mrs Walthams hands trembled as she doubled the sheet there was a gleam of
pleasure on her face
»Give me the paper when you have done with it« she said
Alfred laughed and whistled a tune as he continued the perusal of Mr
Keenes political and social intelligence on the whole as trustworthy as the
style in which it was written was terse and elegant Adela finding she could
feign indifference no longer went from the room
»Where did you get this« Mrs Waltham asked with eagerness as soon as the
girl was gone
»From the writer himself« Alfred replied visibly proud of his intimacy
with a man of letters »Fellow called Keene Had a long talk with him«
»About this«
»Oh no Ive only just come across it But he said hed marked something
for Mutimer Im to pass the paper on to him«
»I suppose this is the same woman «
»No doubt«
»You think its true«
»True Why of course it is A newspaper with a reputation to support cant
go printing peoples names at haphazard Keenes very thick with all the London
actors He told me some firstclass stories about «
»Never mind« interposed his mother »Well to think it should come to this
Im sure I feel for poor Mrs Eldon Really there is no end to her
misfortunes«
»Just how such families always end up« observed Alfred complacently »No
doubt hell drink himself to death or something of that kind and then we shall
have the pleasure of seeing a new tablet in the church inscribed with manifold
virtues or even a stainedglass window the last of the Eldons deserves
something noteworthy«
»I think its hardly a subject for joking Alfred It is very very sad And
to think what a fine handsome boy he used to be But he was always dreadfully
selfwilled«
»He was always an impertinent puppy How hell play the swell on his wifes
earnings Oh our glorious aristocracy«
Mrs Waltham went early to her daughters room Adela was sitting with her
Bible before her had sat so since coming upstairs yet had not read three
consecutive verses Her face showed no effect of tears for the heat of a
consuming suspense had dried the fountains of woe
»I dont like to occupy your mind with such things my dear« began her
mother »but perhaps as a warning I ought to show you the news Alfred spoke of
It pleases Providence that there should be evil in the world and for our own
safety we must sometimes look it in the face especially we poor women Adela
Will you read that«
Adela read She could not criticise the style but it affected her as
something unclean Huberts very name suffered degradation when used in such a
way Prepared for worse things than that which she saw no shock of feelings was
manifest in her She returned the paper without speaking
»I wanted you to see that my behaviour to Mr Eldon was not unjustified«
said her mother »You dont blame me any longer dear«
»I have never blamed you mother«
»It is a sad sad end to what might have been a life of usefulness and
honour I have thought so often of the parable of the talents only I fear this
case is worse His poor mother I wonder if I could write to her Yet I hardly
know how to«
»Is this a a wicked woman mother« Adela asked falteringly
Mrs Waltham shook her head and sighed
»My love dont you see that she is an actress«
»But if all actresses are wicked how is it that really good people go to
the theatre«
»I am afraid they oughtnt to The best of us are tempted into thoughtless
pleasure But now I dont want you to brood over things which it is a sad
necessity to have to glance at Read your chapter darling and get to bed«
To bed but not to sleep The childs imagination was aflame This scarlet
woman this meteor from hell flashing before the delighted eyes of men she
then had bound Hubert for ever in her toils no release for him now no ransom
to eternity No instants doubt of the news came to Adela in her eyes
imprimatur was the guarantee of truth She strove to picture the face which had
drawn Hubert to his doom It must be lovely beyond compare For the first time
in her life she knew the agonies of jealousy
She could not shed tears but in her anguish she fell upon prayer spoke the
words above her breath that they might silence that terrible voice within Poor
lost lamb crying in the darkness sending forth such pitious utterance as might
create a spirit of love to hear and rescue
Rescue none When the fire wasted itself she tried to find solace in the
thought that one source of misery was stopped Hubert was married or would be
very soon and if she had sinned in loving him till now such sin would
henceforth be multiplied incalculably she durst not as she valued her soul so
much as let his name enter her thoughts And to guard against it was there not
a means offered her The doubt as to what love meant was well nigh solved or at
all events she held it proved that the love of the marriage service was
something she had never yet felt something which would follow upon marriage
itself Earthly love had surely led Hubert Eldon to ruin oh not that could be
demanded of her What reason had she now to offer against her mothers desire
Lettys arguments were vain they were but as the undisciplined motions of her
own heart Marriage with a worthy man must often have been salvation to a
rudderless life for was it not the ceremony which after all constituted the
exclusive sanction
Mutimer it was true fell sadly short of her ideal of goodness He was an
unbeliever But might not this very circumstance involve a duty As his wife
could she not plead with him and bring him to the truth Would not that be
loving him to make his spiritual good the end of her existence It was as
though a great light shot athwart her darkness She raised herself in bed and
as if with her very hands clung to the inspiration which had been granted her
The light was not abiding but something of radiance lingered and that must
stead her
Her brother returned to Belwick next morning after an early breakfast He
was in his wonted high spirits and talked with much satisfaction of the
acquaintances he had made on the previous day while Adela waited upon him Mrs
Waltham only appeared as he was setting off
Adela sat almost in silence whilst her mother breakfasted
»You dont look well dear« said the latter coming to the little room
upstairs soon after the meal
»Yes I am well mother But I want to speak to you«
Mrs Waltham seated herself in expectation
»Will you tell me why you so much wish me to marry Mr Mutimer«
Adelas tone was quite other than she had hitherto used in conversations of
this kind It was submissive patiently questioning
»You mustnt misunderstand me« replied the mother with some nervousness
»The wish dear must of course be yours as well You know that I that I
really have left you to consult your own «
The sentence was unfinished
»But you have tried to persuade me mother dear« pursued the gentle voice
»You would not do so if you did not think it for my good«
Something shot painfully through Mrs Walthams heart
»I am sure I have thought so Adela really I have thought so I know there
are objections but no marriage is in every way perfect I feel so sure of his
character I mean of his character in a worldly sense And you might do so much
to to show him the true way might you not darling Im sure his heart is
good«
Mrs Waltham also was speaking with less confidence than on former
occasions She cast side glances at her daughters colourless face
»Mother may I marry without feeling that that I love him«
The face was flushed now for a moment Adela had never spoken that word to
anyone even to Letty she had scarcely murmured it The effect upon her of
hearing it from her own lips was mysterious awful the sound did not die with
her voice but trembled in subtle harmonies along the chords of her being
Her mother took the shaken form and drew it to her bosom
»If he is your husband darling you will find that love grows It is always
so Have no fear On his side there is not only love he respects you deeply he
has told me so«
»And you encourage me to accept him mother It is your desire I am your
child and you can wish nothing that is not for my good Guide me mother It is
so hard to judge for myself You shall decide for me indeed you shall«
The mothers heart was wrung For a moment she strove to speak the very
truth to utter a word about that love which Adela was resolutely excluding But
the temptation to accept this unhoped surrender proved too strong She sobbed
her answer
»Yes I do wish it Adela You will find that I that I was not wrong«
»Then if he asks me I will marry him«
As those words were spoken Mutimer issued from the Manor gates uncertain
whether to go his usual way down to the works or to pay a visit to Mrs Waltham
The latter purpose prevailed
The evening before Mr Willis Rodman had called at the Manor shortly after
dinner He found Mutimer smoking with coffee at his side and was speedily
making himself comfortable in the same way Then he drew a newspaper from his
pocket »Have you seen the Belwick Chronicle of today« he inquired
»Why the deuce should I read such a paper« exclaimed Richard with
goodhumoured surprise He was in excellent spirits tonight the excitement of
the day having swept his mind clear of anxieties
»Theres something in it though that you ought to see«
He pointed out the paragraph relating to Eldon
»Keenes writing eh« said Mutimer thoughtfully
»Yes he gave me the paper«
Richard rekindled his cigar with deliberation and stood for a few moments
with one foot on the fender
»Who is the woman« he then asked
»I dont know her name Of course its the same story continued«
»And concluded«
»Well I dont know about that« said the other smiling and shaking his
head
»This may or may not be true I suppose« was Richards next remark
»Oh I suppose the man hears all that kind of thing I dont see any reason
to doubt it«
»May I keep the paper«
»Oh yes Keene told me bytheby that he gave a copy to young Waltham«
Mr Rodman spoke whilst rolling the cigar in his mouth Mutimer allowed the
subject to lapse
There was no impossibility no improbability even in the statement made by
the newspaper correspondent yet as Richard thought it over in the night ho
could not but regard it as singular that Mr Keene should be the man to make
public such a piece of information so very opportunely He was far from having
admitted the man to his confidence but between Keene and Rodman as he was
aware an intimacy had sprung up It might be that one or the other had thought
it worth while to serve him why should Keene be particular to put a copy of the
paper into Alfred Walthams hands Well he personally knew nothing of the
affair If the news effected anything so much the better He hoped it might be
trustworthy
Among his correspondence in the morning was a letter from Emma Vine He
opened it last anyone observing him would have seen with what reluctance he
began to read it
»My dear Richard« it ran »I write to thank you for the money I would
very much rather have had a letter from you however short a one It
seems long since you wrote a real letter and I cant think how long
since I have seen you But I know how full of business you are dear
and Im sure you would never come to London without telling me because
if you hadnt time to come here I should be only too glad to go to
Highbury if only for one word We have got some mourning dresses to
make for the servants of a lady in Islington so that is good news But
poor Jane is very bad indeed She suffers a great deal of pain and most
of all at night so that she scarcely ever gets more than halfanhour
of sleep at a time if that What makes it worse dear Richard is that
she is so very unhappy Sometimes she cries nearly through the whole
night I try my best to keep her up but Im afraid her weakness has
much to do with it But Kate is very well I am glad to say and the
children are very well too Bertie is beginning to learn to read He
often says he would like to see you Thank you dearest for the money
and all your kindness and believe that I shall think of you every
minute with much love From yours ever and ever
EMMA VINE«
It would be cruel to reproduce Emmas errors of spelling Richard had sometimes
noted a bad instance with annoyance but it was not that which made him hurry to
the end this morning with lowered brows When he had finished the letter he
crumbled it up and threw it into the fire It was not heartlessness that made
him do so he dreaded to have these letters brought before his eyes a second
time
He was also throwing the envelope aside when he discovered that it
contained yet another slip of paper The writing on this was not Emmas the
letters were cramped and not easy to decipher
»Dear Richard come to London and see me I want to speak to you I must
speak to you I cant have very long to live and I must must see you
JANE VINE«
This too he threw into the fire His lips were hard set his eyes wide And
almost immediately he prepared to leave the house
It was early but he felt that he must go to the Walthams He had promised
Mrs Waltham to refrain from visiting the house for a week but that promise it
was impossible to keep Janes words were ringing in his ears he seemed to hear
her very voice calling and beseeching So far from changing his purpose it
impelled him in the course he had chosen There must and should be an end of
this suspense
Mrs Waltham had just come downstairs from her conversation with Adela when
she saw Mutimer approaching the door She admitted him herself Surely
Providence was on her side she felt almost young in her satisfaction
Richard remained in the house about twenty minutes Then he walked down to
the works as usual
Shortly after his departure another visitor presented himself This was Mr
Wyvern The vicars walk in Huberts company the evening before had extended
itself from point to point till the two reached Agworth together Mr Wyvern
was addicted to nightrambling and he often covered considerable stretches of
country in the hours when other mortals slept Tonight he was in the mood for
such exercise it worked off unwholesome accumulations of thought and feeling
and good counsel often came to him in what the Greeks called the kindly time He
did not hurry on his way back to Wanley for just at present he was much in need
of calm reflection
On his arrival at the Vicarage about eleven oclock the servant informed him
of Miss Walthams having called Mr Wyvern heard this with pleasure He thought
at first of writing a note to Adela begging her to come to the Vicarage again
but by the morning he had decided to be himself the visitor
He gathered at once from Mrs Walthams face that events of some agitating
kind were in progress She did not keep him long in uncertainty Upon his asking
if he might speak a few words with Adela Mrs Waltham examined him curiously
»I am afraid« she said »that I must ask you to excuse her this morning
Mr Wyvern She is not quite prepared to see anyone at present In fact« she
lowered her voice and smiled very graciously »she has just had an an
agitating interview with Mr Mutimer she has consented to be his wife«
»In that case I cannot of course trouble her« the vicar replied with
gravity which to Mrs Waltham appeared excessive rather adapted to news of a
death than of a betrothal The dark searching eyes too made her feel
uncomfortable And he did not utter a syllable of the politeness expected on
these occasions
»What a very shocking thing about Mr Eldon« the lady pursued »You have
heard«
»Shocking Pray what has happened«
Hubert bad left him in some depression the night before and for a moment
Mr Wyvern dreaded lest some fatality had become known in Wanley
»Ah you have not heard It is in this newspaper«
The vicar examined the column indicated
»But« he exclaimed with subdued indignation »this is the merest
falsehood«
»A falsehood Are you sure of that Mr Wyvern«
»Perfectly sure There is no foundation for it whatsoever«
»You dont say so I am very glad to hear that for poor Mrs Eldons sake«
»Could you lend me this newspaper for today«
»With pleasure Really you relieve me Mr Wyvern I had no means of
inquiring into the story of course But how disgraceful that such a thing
should appear in print«
»I am sorry to say Mrs Waltham that the majority of things which appear
in print nowadays are more or less disgraceful However this may claim
prominence in its way«
»And I may safely contradict it It will be such a happiness to do so«
»Contradict it by all means madam You may cite me as your authority«
The vicar crushed the sheet into his pocket and strode homewards
Chapter XIII
In the church of the Insurgents there are many orders To rise to the supreme
passion of revolt two conditions are indispensable to possess the heart of a
poet and to be subdued by poverty to the yoke of ignoble labour But many who
fall short of the priesthood have yet a share of the true spirit bestowed upon
them by circumstances of birth and education developed here and there by the
experience of life yet rigidly limited in the upshot by the control of material
ease the fatal lordship of the comfortable commonplace Of such was Hubert
Eldon In him despite his birth and breeding there came to the surface a rich
vein of independence obscurely traceable no doubt in the characters of
certain of his ancestors appearing at length where nineteenthcentury
influences had thinned the detritus of convention and class prejudice His
nature abounded in contradictions and as yet selfstudy in itself the note of
a mind striving for emancipation had done little for him beyond making clear
the manifold difficulties strewn in his path of progress
You know already that it was no vulgar instinct of sensuality which had made
severance between him and the respectable traditions of his family Observant
friends naturally cast him in the category of young men whom the prospect of a
fortune seduces to a life of riot his mother had no means of forming a more
accurate judgment Mr Wyvern alone had seen beneath the surface aided by a
liberal study of the world and no doubt also by that personal sympathy which is
so important an ally of charity and truth Mr Wyverns early life had not been
in smooth waters in him too revolt was native tempered also by spiritual
influences of the most opposite kind He felt a deep interest in the young man
and desired to keep him in view It was the first promise of friendship that had
been held out to Hubert who already suffered from a sense of isolation and was
wondering in what class of society he would have to look for his kith and kin
Since boyhood he had drawn apart to a great extent from the companionships which
most readily offered The turn taken by the circumstances of his family affected
the pride which was one of his strongest characteristics his house had fallen
and it seemed to him that a good deal of pity if not of contempt mingled with
his reception by the more fortunate of his own standing He had never overcome a
natural hostility to old Mr Mutimer the bourgeois virtues of the worthy
ironmaster rather irritated than attracted him and he suffered intensely in
the thought that his mother brought herself to close friendship with one so much
her inferior just for the sake of her sons future In this matter he judged
with tolerable accuracy Mrs Eldon finding in the old man a certain unexpected
refinement over and above his goodness of heart consciously or unconsciously
encouraged herself in idealising him that the way of interest might approach as
nearly as might be to that of honour Hubert with no understanding for the
craggy facts of life inwardly rebelled against the whole situation He felt
that it laid him open to ridicule the mere suspicion of which always stung him
to the quick When therefore he declared to his mother in the painful
interview on his return to Wanley that it was almost a relief to him to have
lost the inheritance he spoke with perfect truth Amid the tempest which had
fallen on his life there rose in that moment the semblance of a star of hope
The hateful conditions which had weighed upon his future being finally cast off
might he not look forward to some nobler activity than had hitherto seemed
possible Was he not being saved from his meaner self that part of his nature
which tended to conventional ideals which was subject to empty pride and
ignoble apprehensions Had he gone through the storm without companion hope
might have overcome every weakness but sympathy with his mothers deep distress
troubled his selfcontrol At her feet he yielded to the emotions of childhood
and his misery increased until bodily suffering brought him the relief of
unconsciousness
To his mother perhaps he owed that strain of idealism which gave his
character its significance In Mrs Eldon it affected only the inner life in
Hubert spiritual strivings naturally sought the outlet of action That his
emancipation should declare itself in some exaggerated way was quite to be
expected impatience of futilities and insincerities made common cause with the
fiery spirit of youth and spurred him into reckless pursuit of that abiding
rapture which is the dream and the despair of the earths purest souls The
pistol bullet checked his course happily at the right moment He had gone far
enough for experience and not too far for selfrecovery The wise man in looking
back upon his endeavours regrets nothing of which that can be said
By the side of a passion such as that which had opened Huberts intellectual
manhood the mild progressive attachments sanctioned by society show so
colourless as to suggest illusion Thinking of Adela Waltham as he lay
recovering from his illness he found it difficult to distinguish between the
feelings associated with her name and those which he had owed to other maidens
of the same type A week or two at Wanley generally resulted in a conviction
that he was in love with Adela and had Adela been entirely subject to her
mothers influences had she fallen but a little short of the innocence and
delicacy which were her own whether for happiness or the reverse she would
doubtless have been pledged to Hubert long ere this The merest accident had in
truth prevented it At home for Christmas the young man had made up his mind to
speak and claim her he postponed doing so till he should have returned from a
visit to a college friend in the same county His friend had a sister five or
six years older than Adela and of a warmer type of beauty with the finished
graces of the town Hubert found himself once more without guidance and so left
Wanley behind him journeying to an unknown land
Hubert could not remember a time when he had not been in love The objects
of his devotion had succeeded each other rapidly but each in her turn was the
perfect woman His imagination cast a halo about a beautiful head and hastened
to see in its possessor all the poetry of character which he aspired to worship
In his loves as in every other circumstance of life he would have nothing of
compromise for him the world contained nothing but his passion and existence
had no other end Between that past and this present more intervened than Hubert
could yet appreciate but he judged the change in himself by the light in which
that early love appeared to him Those were the restless ardours of boyhood he
could not henceforth trifle so with solemn meanings The ideal was harder of
discovery than he had thought perhaps it was not to be found in the world at
all But what less perfect could henceforth touch his heart
Yet throughout his convalescence he thought often of Adela perhaps because
she was so near and because she doubtless often thought of him His unexpected
meeting with her on Stanbury Hill affected him strangely the world was new to
his eyes and the girls face seemed to share in the renewal it was not quite
the same face that he had held in memory but had a fresh significance He read
in her looks more than formerly he had been able to see This impression was
strengthened by his interview with her on the following day Had she too grown
much older in a few months
After spending a fortnight with his mother at Agworth he went to London
and for a time thought as little of Adela as of any other woman New interests
claimed him interests purely intellectual the stronger that his mind seemed
just aroused from a long sleep He threw himself into various studies with more
zeal than he had hitherto devoted to such interests not that he had as yet any
definite projects but solely because it was his nature to be in pursuit of some
excellence and to scorn mere acquiescence in a life of everyday colour He
lived all but in loneliness and when the change had had time to work upon him
his thoughts began to revert to Adela to her alone of those who stood on the
other side of the gulf She came before his eyes as a vision of purity it was
soothing to picture her face and to think of her walking in the spring meadows
He thought of her as of a white rose dewbesprent and gently swayed by the
sweet air of a sunny morning a white rose newly spread its heart virgin from
the hands of shaping Nature He could not decide what quality what absence of
thought made Adela so distinct to him Was it perhaps the exquisite delicacy
apparent in all she did or said Even the most reverent thought seemed gross in
touching her the mind flitted round about her kept from contact by a supreme
modesty which she alone could inspire If her head were painted it must be
against the tenderest eastern sky all associations with her were of the
morning when heatless rays strike level across the moist earth of simple
devoutness which renders thanks for the blessing of a new day of mercy robed
like the zenith at dawn
His study just now was of the early Italians in art and literature There
was more of Adela than he perceived in the impulse which guided him in that
direction When he came to read the Vita Nuova it was of Adela expressly that
he thought The poets passion of worship entered his heart transferring his
present feeling to his earlier self he grew to regard his recent madness as a
lapse from the true love of his life He persuaded himself that he had loved
Adela in a far more serious way than any of the others who from time to time had
been her rivals and that the love was now returning to him strengthened and
exalted He began to write sonnets in Dantes manner striving to body forth in
words the new piety which illumined his life Whereas love had been to him of
late a glorification of the senses, he now cleansed himself from what he deemed
impurity and adored in mere ecstasy of the spirit Adela soon became rather a
symbol than a living woman he identified her with the ends to which his life
darkly aspired and all but convinced himself that memory and imagination would
henceforth suffice to him
In the autumn he went down to Agworth and spent a few days with his mother
The temptation to walk over to Wanley and call upon the Walthams proved too
strong to be resisted His rejection at their door was rather a shock than a
surprise it had never occurred to him that the old friendly relations had been
in any way disturbed he explained Mrs Walthams behaviour by supposing that
his silence had offended her and perhaps his failure to take leave of her
before quitting Wanley Possibly she thought he had dealt lightly with Adela
Offence on purely moral grounds did not even suggest itself
He returned to London anxious and unhappy The glimpse of Adela sitting at
the window had brought him back to reality after all it was no abstraction that
had become the constant companion of his solitude his love was far more real
for that moments vision of the golden head and had a very real power of
afflicting him with melancholy He faltered in his studies and once again had
lost the motive to exertion Then came the letter from his mother telling of
Adelas rumoured engagement It caused him to set forth almost immediately
The alternation of moods exhibited in his conversation with Mr Wyvern
continued to agitate him during the night Now it seemed impossible to approach
Adela in any way now he was prepared to defy every consideration in order to
save her and secure his own happiness Then after dwelling for awhile on the
difficulties of his position he tried to convince himself that once again he
had been led astray after beauty and goodness which existed only in his
imagination that in losing Adela he only dismissed one more illusion Such
comfort was unsubstantial he was in truth consumed in wretchedness at the
thought that she once might easily have been his and that he had passed her by
What matter whether we love a reality or a dream if the love drive us to
frenzy Yet how could he renew his relations with her Even if no actual
engagement bound her she must be prejudiced against him by stories which would
make it seem an insult if he addressed her And if the engagement really
existed what shadow of excuse had he for troubling her with his love
When he entered his mothers room in the morning Mrs Eldon took a small
volume from the table at her side
»I found this a few weeks ago among the books you left with me« she said
»How long have you had it Hubert«
It was a copy of the »Christian Year« and writing on the flyleaf showed
that it belonged or had once belonged to Adela Waltham
Hubert regarded it with surprise
»It was lent to me a year ago« he said »I took it away with me I had
forgotten that I had it«
The circumstances under which it had been lent to him came back very clearly
now It was after that visit to his friend which had come so unhappily between
him and Adela When he went to bid her goodbye he found her alone and she was
reading this book She spoke of it and in surprise that he had never read it
begged him to take it to Oxford
»I have another copy« Adela said »You can return that any time«
The time had only now come Hubert resolved to take the book to Wanley in
the evening if no other means offered Mr Wyvern would return it to the owner
Might he enclose a note Instead of that he wrote out from memory two of his
own sonnets the best of those he had recently composed under the influence of
the »Vita Nuova« and shut them between the pages Then he made the book into a
parcel and addressed it
He started for his walk at the same hour as on the evening before There was
frost in the air and already the stars were bright As he drew near to Wanley
the road was deserted his footfall was loud on the hard earth The moon began
to show her face over the dark top of Stanbury Hill and presently he saw by the
clear rays that the figure of a woman was a few yards ahead of him he was
overtaking her As he drew near to her she turned her head He knew her at
once for it was Letty Tew He had been used to meet Letty often at the
Walthams
Evidently he was himself recognised the girl swerved a little as if to let
him pass and kept her head bent He obeyed an impulse and spoke to her
»I am afraid you have forgotten me Miss Tew Yet I dont like to pass you
without saying a word«
»I thought it was the light makes it difficult « Letty murmured sadly
embarrassed
»But the moon is beautiful«
»Very beautiful«
They regarded it together Letty could not help glancing at her companion
and as he did not turn his face she examined him for a moment or two
»I am going to see my friend Mr Wyvern« Hubert proceeded
A few more remarks of the kind were exchanged Letty by degrees summoning a
cold confidence then Hubert said
»I have here a book which belongs to Miss Waltham She lent it to me a year
ago and I wish to return it Dare I ask you to put it into her hands«
Letty knew what the book must be Adela had told her of it at the time and
since had spoken of it once or twice
»Oh yes I will give it her« she replied rather nervously again
»Will you say that I would gladly have thanked her myself if it had been
possible«
»Yes Mr Eldon I will say that«
Something in Huberts voice seemed to cause Letty to raise her eyes again
»You wish me to thank her« she added inconsequently perhaps but with a
certain significance
»If you will be so kind«
Hubert wanted to say more but found it difficult to discover the right
words Letty too tried to shadow forth something that was in her mind but
with no better success
»If I remember« Hubert said pausing in his walk »this stile will be my
shortest way across to the Vicarage Thank you much for your kindness«
He had raised his hat and was turning but Letty impulsively put forth her
hand »Goodbye« he said in a friendly voice as he took the little fingers
»I wish the old days were back again and we were going to have tea together as
we used to«
Mr Wyverns face gave no promise of cheerful intelligence as he welcomed
his visitor
»What is the origin of this I wonder« he said handing Hubert the »Belwick
Chronicle«
The state of the young mans nerves was not well adapted to sustain fresh
irritation He turned pale with anger
»Is this going the round of Wanley«
»Probably I had it from Mrs Waltham«
»Did you contradict it«
»As emphatically as I could«
»I will see the man who edits this tomorrow« cried Hubert hotly »But
perhaps he is too great a blackguard to talk with«
»It purports to come you see from a London correspondent But I suppose
the source is nearer«
»You mean you think that man Mutimer has originated it«
»I scarcely think that«
»Yet it is more than likely I will go to the Manor at once At least he
shall give me yes or no«
He had started to his feet but the vicar laid a hand on his shoulder
»Im afraid you cant do that«
»Why not«
»Consider You have no kind of right to charge him with such a thing And
there is another reason he proposed to Miss Waltham this morning and she
accepted him«
»This morning And this paper is yesterdays Why it makes it more likely
than ever How did they get the paper Doubtless he sent it them If she has
accepted him this very day «
The repetition of the words seemed to force their meaning upon him through
his anger His voice failed
»You tell me that Adela Waltham has engaged herself to that man«
»Her mother told me only a few minutes after it occurred«
»Then it was this that led her to consent«
»Surely that is presupposing too much my dear Eldon« said the vicar
gently
»No not more than I know to be true I could not say that to anyone but
you you must understand me The girl is being cheated into marrying that
fellow Of her own free will she could not do it This is one of numberless
lies You are right its no use to go to him he wouldnt tell the truth But
she must be told How can I see her«
»It is more difficult than ever Her having accepted him makes all the
difference Explain it to yourself as you may you cannot give her to understand
that you doubt her sincerity«
»But does she know that this story is false«
»Yes that she will certainly hear I have busied myself in contradicting
it If Mrs Waltham does not tell her she will hear it from her friend Miss
Tew without question«
Hubert pondered then made the inquiry
»How could I procure a meeting with Miss Tew I met her just now on the road
and spoke to her I think she might consent to help me«
Mr Wyvern looked doubtful
»You met her She was coming from Agworth«
»She seemed to be«
»Her father and mother are gone to spend to with friends in Belwick I
suppose she drove into Wanley with them and walked back«
The vicar probably meant this for a suggestion at all events Hubert
received it as one
»Then I will simply call at the house She may be alone I cant weigh
niceties«
Mr Wyvern made no reply The announcement that dinner was ready allowed him
to quit the subject Hubert with difficulty sat through the meal and as soon as
it was over took his departure leaving it uncertain whether he would return
that evening The vicar offered no further remark on the subject of their
thoughts but at parting pressed the young mans hand warmly
Hubert walked straight to the Tews dwelling The course upon which he had
decided had disagreeable aspects and involved chances anything but pleasant to
face he had however abundance of moral courage and his habitual scorn of
petty obstacles was just now heightened by passionate feeling He made his
presence known at the housedoor as though his visit were expected Letty
herself opened to him It was Saturday night and she thought the ring was
Alfred Walthams Indeed she half uttered a few familiar words then
recognising Hubert she stood fixed in surprise
»Will you allow me to speak with you for a few moments Miss Tew« Hubert
said with perfect selfpossession »I ask your pardon for calling at this hour
My business is urgent I have come without a thought of anything but the need of
seeing you«
»Will you come in Mr Eldon«
She led him into a room where there was no fire and only one lamp burning
low
»Im afraid its very cold here« she said with extreme nervousness »The
other room is occupied my sister and the children I hope you «
A little girl put in her face at the door asking »Is it Alfred« Letty
hurried her away closed the door and whilst lighting two candles on the
mantelpiece begged her visitor to seat himself
»If you will allow me I will stand« said Hubert »I scarcely know how to
begin what I wish to say It has reference to Miss Waltham I wish to see her I
must if she will let me have an opportunity of speaking with her But I have
no direct means of letting her know my wish doubtless you understand that In
my helplessness I have thought of you Perhaps I am asking an impossibility
Will you can you repeat my words to Miss Waltham and beg her to see me«
Letty listened in sheer bewilderment The position in which she found
herself was so alarmingly novel it made such a whirlpool in her quiet life
that it was all she could do to struggle with the throbbing of her heart and
attempt to gather her thoughts She did not even reflect that her eyes were
fixed on Huberts in a steady gaze Only the sound of his voice after silence
aided her to some degree of collectedness
»There is every reason why you should accuse me of worse than impertinence«
Hubert continued less impulsively »I can only ask your forgiveness Miss
Waltham may very likely refuse to see me but if you would ask her «
Letty was borne on a torrent of strange thoughts How could this man who
spoke with such impressive frankness with such persuasiveness be the abandoned
creature that she had of late believed him With Adelas secret warm in her
heart she could not but feel an interest in Hubert and the interest was
becoming something like zeal on his behalf During the past two hours her mind
had been occupied with him exclusively his words when he left her at the stile
had sounded so good and tender that she began to question whether there was any
truth at all in the evil things said about him The latest story had just been
declared baseless by no less an authority than the vicar who surely was not a
man to maintain friendship with a worthless profligate What did it all mean
She had heard only half an hour ago of Adelas positive acceptance of Mutimer
and was wretched about it secure in her own lovematch it was the mystery of
mysteries that Adela should consent to marry a man she could scarcely endure
And here a chance of rescue seemed to be offering was it not her plain duty to
give what help she might
»You have probably not seen her since I gave you the book« Hubert said
perceiving that Letty was quite at a loss for words
»No I havent seen her at all today« was the reply »Do you wish me to go
tonight«
»You consent to do me this great kindness«
Letty blushed Was she not committing herself too hastily
»There cannot be any harm in giving your message« she said half
interrogatively her timidity throwing itself upon Huberts honour
»Surely no harm in that«
»But do you know that she have you heard «
»Yes I know She has accepted an offer of marriage It was because I heard
of it that I came to you You are her nearest friend you can speak to her as
others would not venture to I ask only for five minutes I entreat her to grant
me that«
To add to her perturbation Letty was in dread of hearing Alfreds ring at
the door she durst not prolong this interview
»I will tell her« she said »If I can I will see her tonight«
»And how can I hear the result I am afraid to ask you if you would write
one line to me at Agworth I am staying at my mothers house«
He mentioned the address Letty who felt herself caught up above the world
of common experiences and usages gave her promise as a matter of course
»I shall not try to thank you« Hubert said »But you will not doubt that I
am grateful«
Letty said no more and it was with profound relief that she heard the door
close behind her visitor But even yet the danger was not past Alfred might at
this moment be approaching so as to meet Hubert near the house And indeed this
all but happened for Mr Waltham presented himself very soon Letty had had
time to impose secrecy on her sisters such an extraordinary proceeding on her
part that they were awed and made faithful promise of discretion
Letty drew her lover into the fireless room she had blown out the candles
and turned the lamp low again fearful lest her face should display signs
calling for comment
»I did so want you to come« she exclaimed »Tell me about Adela«
»I dont know that theres anything to tell« was Alfreds stolid reply
»Its settled thats all I suppose its all right«
»But you speak as if you thought it mightnt be Alfred«
»Didnt know that I did Well I havent seen her since I got home Shes
upstairs«
»Cant I see her tonight I do so want to«
»I dare say shed be glad«
»But what is it my dear boy Im sure you speak as if you werent quite
satisfied«
»The mater says its all right I suppose she knows«
»But youve always been so anxious for it«
»Anxious I havent been anxious at all But I dare say its the wisest
thing she could do I like Mutimer well enough«
»Alfred I dont think hes the proper husband for Adela«
»Why not Theres not much chance that shell get a better«
Alfred was manifestly less cheerful than usual When Letty continued to tax
him with it he grew rather irritable
»Go and talk to her yourself« he said at length »Youll find its all
right I dont pretend to understand her theres so much religion mixed up with
her doings and I cant stand that«
Letty shook her head and sighed
»What a vile smell of candlesmoke there is here« Alfred cried »And the
room must be five or six degrees below zero Lets go to the fire«
»I think I shall run over to Adela at once« said Letty as she followed him
into the hall
»All right Dont be vexed if she refuses to let you in Ill stay here with
the youngsters a bit«
The truth was that Alfred did feel a little uncomfortable this evening and
was not sorry to be away from the house for a short time He was one of those
young men who will pursue an end out of mere obstinacy and who through default
of imaginative power require an event to declare itself before they can
appreciate the ways in which it will affect them This marriage of his sister
with a man of the working class had possibly he now felt other aspects than
those which alone he had regarded whilst it was merely a matter for speculation
He was not seriously uneasy but wished his mother had been somewhat less
precipitate Well Adela could not be such a simpleton as to be driven entirely
counter to her inclinations in an affair of so much importance Girls were
confoundedly hard to understand in short probably they existed for the purpose
of keeping one mentally active
Letty found Mrs Waltham sitting alone she too seemingly not in the best of
spirits There was something depressing in the stillness of the house Mrs
Waltham had her volume of family prayers open before her her handkerchief lay
upon it
»She is naturally a little a little fluttered« she said speaking of
Adela »I hoped you would look in Try and make her laugh my dear thats all
she wants«
The girl tripped softly upstairs and softly knocked at Adelas door At her
»May I come in« the door was opened Letty examined her friend with surprise
in Adelas face there was no indication of trouble rather the light of some
great joy dwelt in her eyes She embraced Letty tenderly The two were as nearly
as possible of the same age but Letty had always regarded Adela in the light of
an elder sister that feeling was very strong in her just now as well as a
diffidence greater than she had known before
»Are you happy darling« she asked timidly
»Yes dear I am happy I believe I am sure I have done right Take your
hat off its quite early Ive just been reading the collect for tomorrow
Its one of those I have never quite understood but I think its clearer to me
now«
They read over the prayer together and spoke of it for a few minutes
»What have you brought me« Adela asked at length noticing a little parcel
in the others hand
»Its a book I have been asked to give you I shall have to explain Do you
remember lending lending someone your Christian Year«
The smile left Adelas face and the muscles of her mouth strung themselves
»Yes I remember« she replied coldly
»As I was walking back from Agworth this afternoon he overtook me on the
road and asked me to return it to you«
»Thank you dear«
Adela took the parcel and laid it aside There was an awkward silence Letty
could not look up
»He was going to see Mr Wyvern« she continued as if anxious to lay stress
on this »He seems to know Mr Wyvern very well«
»Yes You didnt miss Alfred I hope He went out a very short time ago«
»No I saw him He stayed with the others But I have something more to tell
you about about him«
»About Alfred«
»About Mr Eldon«
Adela looked at her friend with a grave surprise much as a queen regards a
favourite subject who has been overbold
»I think we wont talk of him Letty« she said from her height
»Do forgive me Adela I have promised to to say something There must
have been a great many things said that were not true just like this about his
marriage I am so sure of it«
Adela endeavoured to let the remark pass without replying to it But her
thought expressed itself involuntarily
»His marriage What do you know of it«
»Mr Wyvern came to see mother this morning and showed her a newspaper that
your mother gave him It said that Mr Eldon was going to marry an actress and
Mr Wyvern declared there was not a word of truth in it But of course your
mother told you that«
Adela sat motionless Mrs Waltham had not troubled herself to make known
the vicars contradiction But Adela could not allow herself to admit that
Finding her voice with difficulty she said
»It does not at all concern me«
»But your mother did tell you Adela« Letty persisted emboldened by a
thought which touched upon indignation
»Of course she did«
The falsehood was uttered with cold deliberateness There was nothing to
show that a pang quivered on every nerve of the speaker
»Who can have sent such a thing to the paper« Letty exclaimed »There must
be someone who wishes to do him harm Adela I dont believe anything that
people have said«
Even in speaking she was frightened at her own boldness Adelas eyes had
never regarded her with such a look as now
»Adela my darling Dont dont be angry with me«
She sprang forward and tried to put her arms about her friend but Adela
gently repelled her
»If you have promised to say something Letty you must keep your promise
Will you say it at once and then let us talk of something else«
Letty checked a tear Her trustful and loving friend seemed changed to
someone she scarcely knew She too grew colder and began her story in a
lifeless way as if it no longer possessed any interest
»Just when I had had tea and was expecting Alfred to come somebody rang the
bell I went to the door myself and it was Mr Eldon He had come to speak to
me of you He said he wanted to see you that he must see you and begged me to
tell you that Thats all Adela I couldnt refuse him I felt I had no right
to he spoke in such a way But I am very sorry to have so displeased you dear
I didnt think you would take anything amiss that I did in all sincerity I am
sure there has been some wretched mistake something worse than a mistake
depend upon it But I wont say any more And I think Ill go now Adela«
Adela spoke in a tone of measured gravity which was quite new in her
»You have not displeased me Letty I dont think you have been to blame in
any way I am sure you had no choice but to do as he asked you You have
repeated all he said«
»Yes all all the words that is There was something that I cant repeat«
»And if I consented to see him how was he to know«
»I promised to write to him He is staying at Agworth«
»You mustnt do that dear I will write to him myself then I can thank him
for returning the book What is his address«
Letty gave it
»It is of course impossible for me to see him« pursued Adela still in
the same measured tones »If I write myself it will save you any more trouble
Forget it if I seemed unkind dear«
»Adela I cant forget it You are not like yourself not at all Oh how I
wish this had happened sooner Why why cant you see him darling I think you
ought to I do really think so«
»I must be the best judge of that Letty Please let us speak of it no
more«
The sweet girlface was adamant its expression a proud virginity an
ascetic sternness moulded the small delicate lips Lettys countenance could
never have looked like that
Left to herself again Adela took the parcel upon her lap and sat dreaming
It was long before her face relaxed when it did so the mood that succeeded was
profoundly sorrowful One would have said that it was no personal grief that
absorbed her but compassion for the whole worlds misery
When at length she undid the wrapping her eye was at once caught by the
papers within the volume She started and seemed afraid to touch the book Her
first thought was that Eldon had enclosed a letter but she saw that there was
no envelope only two or three loose slips At length she examined them and
found the sonnets They had no heading but at the foot of each was written the
date of composition
She read them Adelas study of poetry had not gone beyond a schoolbook of
selections with the works of Mrs Hemans and of Longfellow and the »Christian
Year« Huberts verses she found difficult to understand their spirit the very
vocabulary was strange to her Only on a second reading did she attain a
glimmering of their significance Then she folded them again and laid them on
the table
Before going to her bedroom she wrote this letter
»Dear Mr Eldon I am much obliged to you for returning the Christian
Year Some papers were left in its pages by accident and I now enclose
them
Miss Tew also brought me a message from you I am sorry that I
cannot do as you wish I am unable to ask you to call and I hope you
will understand me when I say that any other kind of meeting is
impossible
I am yours truly
ADELA WALTHAM«
It was Adelas first essay in this vein of composition The writing cost her an
hour and she was far from satisfied with the final form But she copied it in a
firm hand and made it ready for posting on the morrow
Chapter XIV
»Between Richard Mutimer bachelor and Adela Marian Waltham spinster both of
this parish«
It was the only announcement of the kind that Mr Wyvern had to make this
Sunday To one of his hearers he seemed to utter the names with excessive
emphasis his deep voice reverberating in the church The pews were high Adela
almost cowered in her corner feeling pierced with the eyes with the thoughts
too of the congregation about her
She had wondered whether the Manor pew would be occupied today but it was
not When she stood up her eyes strayed towards it the red curtains which
concealed the interior were old and faded the wooden canopy crowned it with
dreary state In three weeks that would be her place at service Sitting there
it would not be hard to keep her thoughts on mortality
Would it not have been graceful in him to attend church today Would she in
future worship under the canopy alone
No time had been lost Mr Wyvern received notice of the proposed marriage
less than two hours after Adela had spoken her worldchanging monosyllable She
put in no plea for delay and her mother though affecting a little
consternation at Mutimers haste could not seriously object Wanley discussing
the matter at its Sunday teatables declared with unanimity that such
expedition was indecent By this time the disapproval of the village had
attached itself exclusively to Mrs Waltham Adela was spoken of as a martyr to
her mothers miserable calculations Mrs Mewling went about with a story that
only by physical restraint had the unhappy girl been kept from taking flight
The name of Hubert Eldon once more came up in conversation There was an
unauthenticated rumour that he had been seen of late lurking about Wanley The
more boldly speculative gossips looked with delicious foreboding to the results
of a marriage such as this Given a young man of Eldons reputation ah me
The Walthams all lunched or dined at the Manor Mutimer was in high
spirits or seemed so there were moments when the cheerful look died on his
face and his thoughts wandered from the conversation but if his eye fell on
Adela he never failed to smile the smile of inner satisfaction She had not yet
responded to his look and only answered his questions in the briefest words
but her countenance was resolutely bright and her beauty all that man could
ask Richard did not flatter himself that she held him dear indeed he was a
good deal in doubt whether affection as vulgarly understood was consistent
with breeding and education But that did not concern him he had gained his
end and was jubilant
In the course of the meal he mentioned that his sister would come down from
London in a day or two Christmas was only a week off and he had thought it
would be pleasant to have her at the Manor for that season
»Oh thats very nice« assented Mrs Waltham »Alice her name is didnt
you say Is she dark or fair«
»Fair and just about Adelas height I should think I hope youll like
her Adela«
It was unfortunate that Richard did not pronounce the name of his bride
elect quite as it sounds on cultured lips This may have been partly the result
of diffidence but there was a slurring of the second syllable disagreeably
suggestive of vulgarity It struck on the girls nerves and made it more
difficult for her to grow accustomed to this form of address from Mutimer
»Im sure I shall try to« she replied to the remark about Alice this time
endeavouring to fix her obstinate eyes for a moment on Richards face
»Your brother wont come then« Mrs Waltham asked
»Not just yet Im afraid Hes busy studying«
»To read and write I fear« was the ladys silent comment On the score of
Alice too Mrs Waltham nursed a certain anxiety The damsels of the working
class are or so she apprehended somewhat more difficult of acceptance than
their fathers and brothers and for several reasons An artisan does not
necessarily suggest indeed is very distinct from, the footman or even groom
but to dissociate an uneducated maiden from the lower regions of the house is
really an exertion of the mind. And then it is to be feared the moral tone of
such young persons leaves for the most part much to be desired Mrs Waltham was
very womanly in her distrust of her sex
After luncheon there was an inspection of the house Adela did not go
farther than the drawingroom her brother remained with her whilst Mutimer led
Mrs Waltham through the chambers she might care to see The lady expressed much
satisfaction The furnishing had been performed in a substantial manner without
display one might look forward to considerable comfort at the Manor
»Any change that Adela suggests« said Richard during this tour »shall of
course be carried out at once If she doesnt like the paper in any of the
rooms shes only got to say so and choose a better Do you think shed care to
look at the stables Ill get a carriage for her and a horse to ride if she
likes«
Richard felt strongly that this was speaking in a generous way He was not
aware that his tone hinted as much but it unmistakably did The vulgarity of a
man who tries hard not to be vulgar is always particularly distressing
»Oh how kind« murmured Mrs Waltham »Adela has never ridden I should
think carriage exercise would be enough for her We mustnt forget your
principles you know for Im sure they are very admirable«
»Oh I dont care anything about luxuries myself but Adela shall have
everything she wants«
Alfred Waltham who knew the house perfectly led his mother to inspect the
stables Mutimer remaining with Adela in the drawingroom
»Youve been very quiet all dinnertime« he said taking a seat near her
and bending forward
»A little perhaps I am thinking of so many things«
»What are they I wonder«
»Will you let me have some books about Socialism and the other questions in
which you are interested«
»I should think I will You really mean to study these things«
»Yes I will read and think about them And I shall be glad if you will
explain to me more about the works I have never quite understood all that you
wish to do Perhaps you will have time when you come to see us some evening«
»Well if I havent time Ill make it« said Richard laughing »You cant
think how glad I am to hear you say this«
»When do you expect your sister«
»On Tuesday at least I hope it wont be later Im sure youll like her
you cant help She hasnt such looks as you have you know but weve always
thought her very fairlooking What do you think we often call her The
Princess Thats part because of her name Alice Maud and part from a sort of
way shes always had Not a flighty way but a sort of well I cant describe
it I do hope youll like her«
It was the first time Adela had heard him speak in a tone which impressed
her as entirely honest not excepting his talk of the Propaganda Here she
felt was a side of his character that she had not suspected His voice was
almost tender the play of his features betokened genuine feeling
»I can see she is a great favourite with you« she replied »I have no doubt
I shall like her«
»Youll find a good deal that wants altering Ive no doubt« he pursued
now quite forgetful of himself »She hasnt had much education you know till
just lately But youll help her in that wont you Shes as goodnatured as
any girl living and whenever you put her right you may be sure shell only
thank you Ive wanted to have her here before only I thought Id wait till I
knew whether you know what I mean«
As if in a sudden gloom before her eyes Adela saw his face draw nearer It
was a moments loss of consciousness, in which a ghastly fear flashed upon her
soul Then with lips that quivered she began to talk quickly of Socialism
just to dispel the horror
On the following afternoon Mutimer came bringing a number of books
pamphlets and newspapers Mrs Waltham had discreetly abandoned the
sittingroom
»I dont want to frighten you« he said laying down his bundle »You
havent got to read through all these I was up nearly all last night marking
pages that I thought youd better study first of all And heres a lot of back
numbers of the Fiery Cross I should like you to read all thats signed by Mr
Westlake hes the editor you know«
»Is there anything here of your own writing« Adela inquired
»No I havent written anything Ive kept to lecturing it comes easier to
me After Christmas I shall have several lectures to give in London Perhaps
youll come and hear me«
»Yes of course«
»Then you can get to know Mrs Westlake I dare say Shes a lady you know
like yourself Theres some poetry by her in the paper it just has her
initials SW Shes with us heart and soul as youll see by her writing«
»Is Alice a Socialist« Adela asked after glancing fitfully at the papers
Richard laughed
»Oh shes a princess it would be too much to expect Socialism of her But
I dare say shell be beginning to think more now I dont mean shes been
thoughtless in the wrong way its just a I cant very well describe it But I
hope youll see her tomorrow night May I bring her to you when she comes«
»I hope you will«
»Im glad your brother wont be here I only mean you know Id rather she
got accustomed just to you first of all I dare say shell be a bit timid you
wont mind that«
Adela returned to the graver subject
»All the people at New Wanley are Socialists«
»Yes all of them They join the Union when they come to work and we take a
good deal of care in choosing our men«
»And you pay higher wages than other employers«
»Not much higher but the rents of the cottages are very low and all the
food sold at the store is cost price No we dont pretend to make the men rich
Weve had a good lot coming with quite mistaken ideas, and of course they
wouldnt suit us And you mustnt call me the employer All I have I look upon
as the property of the Union the men own it as much as I do Its only that I
regulate the work just because somebody must Were not making any profits to
speak of yet but thatll only come in time whatever remains as clear profit
and I dont take anything out of the works myself goes to the Propaganda fund
of the Union«
»Please forgive my ignorance Ive heard that word Propaganda so often but
I dont know exactly what it means«
Mutimer became patronising quite without intending it
»Propaganda Oh thats the spreading our ideas, you know printing paper
giving lectures hiring places of meeting and so on Thats what Propaganda
means«
»Thank you« said Adela musingly Then she continued
»And the workmen only have the advantage at present of the low rents and
cheap food«
»Oh a good deal more To begin with theyre housed like human beings and
not like animals Some day you shall see the kind of places the people live in
in London and other big towns You wont believe your eyes Then they have
shorter hours of work theyre not treated like omnibus horses calculating just
how much can be got out of them without killing them before a reasonable time
Then theyre sure of their work as long as they keep honest and dont break any
of our rules thats no slight thing I can tell you Why on the ordinary
system a man may find himself and his family without food any week end Then
theres a good school for the children they pay threepence a week for each
child Then theres the readingroom and library and the lectures and the
recreationgrounds You just come over the place with me some day and talk with
the women and see if they dont think theyre well off«
Adela looked him in the face
»And it is you they have to thank for all this«
»Well I dont want any credit for it« Mutimer replied waving his hand
»What would you think of me if I worked them like niggers and just enjoyed
myself on the profits Thats what the capitalists do«
»I think you are doing more than most men would There is only one thing«
She dropped her voice
»Whats that Adela«
»Ill speak of it some other time«
»I know what you mean Youre sorry Ive got no religion Ay but I have
Theres my religion down there in New Wanley Im saving men and women and
children from hunger and cold and the lives of brute beasts I teach them to
live honestly and soberly Theres no publichouse in New Wanley and there
wont be« It just flashed across Adelas mind that Mutimer drank wine
himself »Theres no bad language if I can help it The children ll be brought
up to respect the human nature thats in them to honour their parents and act
justly and kindly to all they have dealings with Isnt there a good deal of
religion in that Adela«
»Yes but not all Not the most important part«
»Well as you say well talk over that some other time And now Im sorry I
cant stay any longer Ive twenty or thirty letters to get written before
posttime«
Adela rose as he did
»If theres ever anything I can do to help you« she said modestly »you
will not fail to ask me«
»That I wont What I want you to do now is to read what Ive marked in
those books You mustnt tire your eyes you know theres plenty of time«
»I will read all you wish me to and think over it as much as I can«
»Then youre a rightdown good girl and if I dont think myself a lucky
man I ought to«
He left her trembling with a strange new emotion the beginning of a
self-conscious zeal an enthusiasm forced into being like a hothouse flower It
made her cheeks burn she could not rest till her study had commenced
Richard had written to his sister saying that he wanted her that she must
come at once To Alice his thoughts had been long turning now that the time for
action had arrived it was to her that he trusted for aid Things he would find
it impossible to do himself Alice might do for him He did not doubt his power
of persuading her With Alice principle would stand second to his advantage He
had hard things to ask of her but the case was a desperate one and she would
endure the unpleasantness for his sake He blessed her in anticipation
Alice received the letter summoning her on Monday morning Richard himself
was expected in Highbury expected too at a sad little house in Hoxton for he
had constantly promised to spend Christmas with his friends The present letter
did not say that he would not come only that he wanted his sister immediately
She was to bring her best dress for wear when she arrived He told her the train
she was to take on Tuesday morning
The summons filled Alice with delight Wanley whence had come the
marvellous fortune was in her imagination a land flowing with milk and honey
Moreover this would be her first experience of travel as yet she had never
been farther out of London than to Epping Forest The injunction to bring her
best dress excited visions of polite company All through Monday she practised
ways of walking of eating of speaking
»What can he want you for« asked Mrs Mutimer gloomily »I shd a thought
he might a taken you with him after Christmas It looks as if he wasnt
coming«
The old woman had been habitually gloomy of late The reply she had received
to her letter was not at all what she wanted it increased her impatience she
had read it endless times trying to get at the very meaning of it Christmas
must bring an end to this wretched state of things at Christmas Dick would come
to London and marry Emma no doubt he had that time in view Fears which she
would not consciously admit were hovering about her night and day She had begun
to talk to herself aloud a consequence of overstress on a brain never used to
anxious thought she went about the upper rooms of the house muttering »Dicks
an honest man« To keep moving seemed a necessity to her the chair in the dim
corner of the diningroom she now scarcely ever occupied and the wonted
employment of her fingers was in abeyance She spent most of her day in the
kitchen already two servants had left because they could not endure her fidgety
supervision She was growing suspicious of every one Alice had to listen ten
times a day to complaints of dishonesty in the domestics or the tradespeople
the old woman kept as keen a watch over petty expenditure as if poverty had
still to be guarded against And she was constantly visiting the Vines she
would rise at small hours to get her housework done so as to be able to spend
the afternoon in Wilton Square That in truth was still her home the new
house could never be to her what the old was she was a stranger amid the new
furniture and sighed with relief as soon as her eyes rested on the familiar
chairs and tables which had been her household gods through a lifetime
Arry had given comparatively little trouble of late beyond an occasional
return home an hour or so after midnight his proceedings seemed to be perfectly
regular He saw a good deal of Mr Keene who as Alice gathered from various
remarks in Richards letters exercised over him a sort of tutorage It was
singular how completely Richard seemed to have changed in his judgment of Mr
Keene »His connection with newspapers makes him very useful« said one letter
»Be as friendly with him as you like I trust to your good sense and
understanding of your own interest to draw the line« When at the house Mr
Keene was profoundly respectful his position at such times was singular for as
often as not Alice had to entertain him alone Profound too was the
journalists discretion in regard to all doings down at Wanley Knowing he had
several times visited the Manor Alice often sought information from him about
her brothers way of life Mr Keene always replied with generalities He was a
man of humour in his way and Alice came to regard him with amusement Then his
extreme respect flattered her insensibly she took him for her criterion of
gentility in men He supplied her with society journals and now and then
suggested the new novel that it behoved her to read Richard had even withdrawn
his opposition to the theatregoing about once in three weeks Mr Keene
presented himself with tickets and Alice accompanied by her brother accepted
his invitation
He called this Monday evening Mrs Mutimer after spending a day of fretful
misery had gone to Wilton Square Arry was away at his classes Alice was
packing certain articles she had purchased in the afternoon and had just
delighted her soul with the inspection of a travelling cloak also bought
today When the visitor was announced she threw the garment over her shoulders
and appeared in it
»Does this look nice do you think« she asked after shaking hands as
joyously as her mood dictated
»About as nice as a perfect thing always does when its worn by a perfect
woman« Mr Keene replied drawing back and inclining his body at what he deemed
a graceful angle
»Oh come thats too much« laughed Alice
»Not a bit Miss Mutimer I suppose you travel in it tomorrow morning«
»How did you know that«
»I have heard from your brother today I thought I might perhaps have the
great pleasure of doing you some slight service either tonight or in the
morning You will allow me to attend you to the station«
»I really dont think theres any need to trouble you« Alice replied These
respectful phrases always stirred her pleasurably in listening to them she bore
herself with dignity and endeavoured to make answer in becoming diction
»Trouble What other object have I in life but to serve you Ill put it in
another way you wont refuse me the pleasure of being near you for a few
minutes«
»Im sure youre very kind I know very well its taking you out of your
way but it isnt likely I shall refuse to lot you come«
Mr Keene bowed low in silence
»Have you brought me that paper« Alice asked seating herself with careful
arrangement of her dress »The Christmas number with the ghost story you spoke
of you know«
In the course of a varied life Mr Keene had for some few months trodden the
boards of provincial theatres an occasional turn of his speech and still more
his favourite gestures bore evidence to that period of his career Instead of
making direct reply to Alices question he stood for a moment as if dazed then
flinging back his body smote his forehead with a ringing slap and groaned »O
Heaven«
»Whats the matter« cried the girl not quite knowing whether to be amused
or alarmed
But Mr Keene was rushing from the room and in an instant the house door
sounded loudly behind him Alice stood disconcerted then thinking she
understood laughed gaily and ran upstairs to complete her packing In a quarter
of an hour Mr Keenes return brought her to the drawingroom again The
journalist was propping himself against the mantelpiece gasping his arms
hanging limp his hair disordered As Alice approached he staggered forward
fell on one knee and held to her the paper she had mentioned
»Pardon forgive« he panted
»Why where ever have you been« exclaimed Alice
»No matter what are time and space Forgive me Miss Mutimer I deserve to
be turned out of the house and never stand in the light of your countenance
again«
»But how foolish As if it mattered all that What a state youre in Ill
go and get you a glass of wine«
She ran to the diningroom and returned with a decanter and glass on a
tray Mr Keene had sunk upon a settee one arm hanging over the back his eyes
closed
»You have pardoned me« he murmured regarding her with weary rapture
»I dont see what there is to pardon Do drink a glass of wine Shall I pour
it out for you«
»Drink and service for the gods«
»Do you mean the people in the gallery« Alice asked roguishly recalling a
term in which Mr Keene had instructed her at their latest visit to the theatre
»You are as witty as you are beautiful« he sighed taking the glass and
draining it Alice turned away to the fire decidedly Mr Keene was in a gallant
mood this evening hitherto his compliments had been far more guarded
They began to converse in a more terrestrial manner Alice wanted to know
whom she was likely to meet at Wanley and Mr Keene in a light way sketched
for her the Waltham family She became thoughtful whilst he was describing Adela
Waltham and subsequently recurred several times to that young lady The
journalist allowed himself to enter into detail and Alice almost ceased
talking
It drew on to halfpast nine Mr Keene never exceeded discretion in the
hours of his visits He looked at his watch and rose
»I may call at nine« he said
»If you really have time But I can manage quite well by myself you know«
»What you can do is not the question If I had my will you should never know
a moments trouble as long as you lived«
»If I never have worse trouble than going to the railway station I shall
think myself lucky«
»Miss Mutimer «
»Yes«
»You wont drop me altogether from your mind whilst youre away«
There was a change in his voice He had abandoned the tone of excessive
politeness and spoke very much like a man who has feeling at the back of his
words Alice regarded him nervously
»Im not going to be away more than a day or two« she said smoothing a
fold in her dress
»If it was only an hour or two I couldnt bear to think youd altogether
forgotten me«
»Why of course I shant«
»But Miss Mutimer Im abusing confidence Your brother trusts me hes
done me a good many kindnesses But I cant help it upon my soul If you betray
me Im done for You wont do that I put myself in your power and youre too
good to hurt a fly«
»What do you mean Mr Keene« Alice asked inwardly pleased yet feeling
uncomfortable
»I cant go away tonight without saying it and ten to one it means I shall
never see you again You know what I mean Well harm me as you like Id rather
be harmed by you than done good to by any one else Ive got so far theres no
going back Do you think some day you could do you think you could«
Alice dropped her eyes and shook her pretty head slowly
»I cant give any promise of that kind« she replied under her breath
»You hate me Im a disagreeable beast to you Im a low «
»Oh dear dont say such things Mr Keene The idea I dont dislike you a
bit but of course thats a different thing «
He held out his hand sadly dashing the other over his eyes
»Goodbye I dont think I can come again Ive abused confidence When your
brother hears of it But no matter Im only a a sort of crossingsweeper in
your eyes«
Alices laugh rang merrily
»What things you do call yourself Now dont go off like that Mr Keene
To begin with my brother wont hear anything about it «
»You mean that You are so noble so forgiving Pooh as if I didnt know
you were Upon my soul Id run from here to South Kensington like the
ragamuffins after the cabs with luggage only just to get a smile from you Oh
Miss Mutimer oh«
»Mr Keene I cant say yes and I dont like to be so unkind to you as to
say no Youll let that do for the present wont you«
»Bless your bright eyes of course I will If I dont love you for your own
sake Im the wretchedest turnipsnatcher in London Goodbye Princess«
»Who taught you to call me that«
»Taught me It was only a word that came naturally to my lips«
Curiously this was quite true It impressed Alice Maud and she thought of
Mr Keene for at least five minutes continuously after his departure
She was extravagantly gay as they drove in a fourwheeled cab to the station
next morning Mr Keene made no advances He sat respectfully on the seat
opposite her with a travelling bag on his knees and sighed occasionally When
she had secured her seat in the railway carriage he brought her sand wiches
buns and sweetmeats enough for a voyage to New York Alice waved her hand to
him as the train moved away
She reached Agworth at one oclock Richard had been pacing the platform
impatiently for twenty minutes Porters were eager to do his bidding and his
instructions to them were suavely imperative
»They know me« he remarked to Alice with his air of satisfaction »I
suppose youre half frozen Ive got a footwarmer in the trap«
The carriage promised to Adela was a luxury Richard had not ventured to
allow himself Alice mounted to a seat by his side and he drove off
»Why on earth did you come secondclass« he asked after examining her
attire with approval
»Ought it to have been first It really seemed such a lot of money Dick
when I came to look at the fares«
»Yes it ought to have been first In London things dont matter but here
Im known you see Did mother go to the station with you«
»No Mr Keene did«
»Keene eh« He bent his brows a moment
»I hope he behaves himself«
»Im sure hes very gentlemanly«
»Yes you ought to have come firstclass A princess riding second ll never
do You look well old girl Glad to come eh«
»Well guess And is this your own horse and trap Dick«
»Of course it is«
»Who was that man He touched his hat to you«
Mutimer glanced back carelessly
»Im sure I dont know Most people touch their hats to me about here«
It was an ideal winter day A feathering of snow had fallen at dawn and now
the clear cold sun made it sparkle far and wide The horses tread rang on the
frozen highway A breeze from the northwest chased the blood to healthsome
leaping and caught the breath like an unexpected kiss The colour was high on
Alices fair cheeks she laughed with delight
»Oh Dick what a thing it is to be rich And you do look such a gentleman
its those gloves I think«
»Now were going into the village« Mutimer said presently »Dont look
about you too much and dont seem to be asking questions Everybody ll be at
the windows«
Chapter XV
Between the end of the village street and the gates of the Manor Mutimer gave
his sister hasty directions as to her behaviour before the servants
»Put on just a bit of the princess« he said »Not too much you know but
just enough to show that it isnt the first time in your life that youve been
waited on Dont always give a thank you one every now and thenll do I
wouldnt smile too much or look pleased whatever you see Keep that all till
were alone together We shall have lunch at once Ill do most of the talking
whilst the servants are about you just answer quietly«
These instructions were interesting but not altogether indispensable Alice
Maud had by this time a very pretty notion of how to conduct herself in the
presence of menials The trying moment was on entering the house it was very
hard indeed not to utter her astonishment and delight at the dimensions of the
hall and the handsome staircase This point safely passed she resigned herself
to splendour and was conducted to her room in a sort of romantic vision The
Manor satisfied her idea of the ancestral mansion so frequently described or
alluded to in the fiction of her earlier years If her mind had just now
reverted to Mr Keene which of course it did not she would have smiled very
royally indeed
When she entered the drawingroom clad in that best gown which her brother
had needlessly requested her to bring and saw that Richard was standing on the
hearthrug quite alone she could no longer contain herself but bounded towards
him like a young fawn and threw her arms on his neck
»Oh Dick« she whispered »what a thing it is to be rich How ever did we
live so long in the old way If I had to go back to it now I should die of
misery«
»Lets have a look at you« he returned holding her at arms length »Yes
I think thatll about do Now mind you dont let them see that youre excited
about it Sit down here and pretend to be a bit tired They may come and say
lunch is ready any moment«
»Dick I never felt so good in my life I should like to go about the
streets and give sovereigns to everybody I met«
Richard laughed loudly
»Well well theres better ways than that Ive been giving a good many
sovereigns for a long time now Im only sorry you werent here when we opened
the Hall«
»But you havent told me why you sent for me now«
»All right weve got to have a long talk presently It isnt all as jolly
as you think but I cant help that«
»Why what can be wrong Dick«
»Never mind itll all come out in time«
Alice came back upon certain reflections which had occupied her earlier in
the morning they kept her busy through luncheon Whilst she ate Richard
observed her closely on the whole he could not perceive a great difference
between her manners and Adelas Difference there was but in details to which
Mutimer was not very sensitive He kept up talk about the works for the most
part and described certain difficulties concerning rights of way which had of
late arisen in the vicinity of the industrial settlement
»I think you shall come and sit with me in the library« he said as they
rose from table And he gave orders that coffee should be served to them in that
room
The library did not as yet quite justify its name There was only one
bookcase and not more than fifty volumes stood on its shelves But a large
writingtable was well covered with papers There were no pictures on the walls
a lack which was noticeable throughout the house The effect was a certain
severity there was no air of home in the spacious chambers the walls seemed to
frown upon their master the hearths were cold to him as to an intruding alien
Perhaps Alice felt something of this on entering the library she shivered a
little and went to warm her hands at the fire
»Sit in this deep chair« said her brother »Ill have a cigarette Hows
mother«
»Well she hasnt been quite herself« Alice replied gazing into the fire
»She cant get to feel at home thats the truth of it She goes very often to
the old house«
»Goes very often to the old house does she«
He repeated the words mechanically watching smoke that issued from his
lips »Suppose shell get all right in time«
When the coffee arrived a decanter of cognac accompanied it Richard had got
into the habit of using the latter rather freely of late He needed a stimulant
in view of the conversation that was before him The conversation was difficult
to begin For a quarter of an hour he strayed over subjects each of which he
thought might bring him to the point A question from Alice eventually gave him
the requisite impulse
»Whats the bad news youve got to tell me Dick« she asked shyly
»Bad news Why yes I suppose it is bad and its no use pretending
anything else Ive brought you down here just to tell it you Somebody must
know first and it had better be somebody wholl listen patiently and perhaps
help me to get over it I dont know quite how youll take it Alice For
anything I can tell you may get up and be off and have nothing more to do with
me«
»Why what ever can it be Dick Dont talk nonsense Youre not afraid of
me I should think«
»Yes I am a bit afraid of you old girl It isnt a nice thing to tell you
and theres the long and short of it Im hanged if I know how to begin«
He laughed in an irresolute way Trying to light a new cigarette from the
remnants of the one he had smoked his hands shook Then he had recourse again
to cognac
Alice was drumming with her foot on the floor She sat forward her arms
crossed upon her lap Her eyes were still on the fire
»Is it anything about Emma Dick« she asked after a disconcerting silence
»Yes it is«
»Hadnt you better tell me at once It isnt at all nice to feel like this«
»Well Ill tell you I cant many Emma Im going to marry someone else«
Alice was prepared but the plain words caused her a moments consternation
»Oh what ever will they all say Dick« she exclaimed in a low voice
»Thats bad enough to be sure but I think more about Emma herself I feel
ashamed of myself and thats the plain truth Of course I shall always give her
and her sisters all the money they want to live upon but that isnt altogether
a way out If only I could have hinted something to her before now Ive let it
go on so long Im going to be married in a fortnight«
He could not look Alice in the face nor she him His shame made him angry
he flung the halfsmoked cigarette violently into the fireplace and began to
walk about the room Alice was speaking but he did not heed her and continued
with impatient loudness
»Who the devil could imagine what was going to happen Look here Alice if
it hadnt been for mother I shouldnt have engaged myself to Emma I shouldnt
have cared much in the old kind of life shed have suited me very well You can
say all the good about her you like I know itll be true Its a cursed shame
to treat her in this way I dont need telling that But it wouldnt do as
things are why you can see for yourself would it now And thats only half
the question Im going to marry somebody I do really care for Whats the good
of keeping my word to Emma only to be miserable myself and make her the same
Its the hardest thing ever happened to a man Of course I shall be blackguarded
right and left Do I deserve it now Can I help it«
It was not quite consistent with the tone in which he had begun but it had
the force of a genuine utterance To this Richard had worked himself in fretting
over his position he was the real sufferer though decency compelled him to
pretend it was not so He had come to think of Emma almost angrily she was a
clog on him and all the more irritating because he knew that his brute
strength if only he might exert it could sweep her into nothingness at a blow
The quietness with which Alice accepted his revelation encouraged him in
selfdefence He talked on for several minutes walking about and swaying his
arms as if in this way he could literally shake himself free of moral
obligations Then finding his throat dry he had recourse to cognac and Alice
could at length speak
»You havent told me Dick who it is youre going to marry«
»A lady called Miss Waltham Adela Waltham She lives here in Wanley«
»Does she know about Emma«
The question was simply put but it seemed to affect Richard very
disagreeably
»No of course she doesnt What would be the use«
He threw himself into a chair crossed his feet and kept silence
»Im very sorry for Emma« murmured his sister
Richard said nothing
»How shall you tell her Dick«
»I cant tell her« he replied throwing out an arm »How is it likely I can
tell her«
»And Janes so dreadfully bad« continued Alice in the undertone »Shes
always saying she cares for nothing but to see Emma married What shall we do
And everything seemed so firstrate Suppose she summonses you Dick«
The noble and dignified legal process whereby maidens right themselves
naturally came into Alices thoughts Her brother scouted the suggestion
»Emmas not that kind of girl Besides Ive told you I shall always send
her money Shell find another husband before long Lots of men ud be only too
glad to marry her«
Alice was not satisfied with her brother The practical aspects of the
rupture she could consider leniently but the tone he assumed was jarring to her
instincts Though nothing like a warm friendship existed between her and Emma
she sympathised in a way impossible to Richard with the sorrows of the
abandoned girl She was conscious of what her judgment would be if another man
had acted thus and though this was not so much a matter of consciousness, she
felt that Richard might have spoken in a way more calculated to aid her in
taking his side She wished in fact to see only his advantage and was very
much tempted to see everything but that
»But you cant keep her in the dark any longer« she urged »Why its
cruel«
»I cant tell her« he repeated monotonously
Alice drew in her feet It symbolised retiring within her defences She saw
what he was aiming at and felt not at all disposed to pleasure him There was a
long silence Alice was determined not to be the first to break it
»You refuse to help me« Richard asked at length between his teeth
»I think it would be every bit as bad for me as for you« she replied
»That you cant think« he argued »She cant blame you youve only to say
Ive behaved like a blackguard and youre out of it«
»And when do you mean to tell mother«
»Shell have to hear of it from other people I cant tell her«
Richard had a suspicion that he was irretrievably raining himself in his
sisters opinion and it did not improve his temper It was a foretaste of the
wider obloquy to come upon him possibly as hard to bear as any condemnation to
which he had exposed himself He shook himself out of the chair
»Well thats all Ive got to tell you Perhaps youd better think over it
I dont want to keep you away from home longer than you care to stay Theres a
train at a few minutes after nine in the morning«
He shuffled for a few moments about the writingtable then went from the
room
Alice was unhappy The reaction from her previous high spirits as soon as
it had fully come about brought her even to tears She cried silently and to
do the girl justice at least half her sorrow was on Emmas account Presently
she rose and began to walk about the room she went to the window and looked
out on to the white garden The sky beyond the thin boughs was dusking the
wind which sang so merrily a few hours ago had fallen to sobbing
It was too wretched to remain alone she resolved to go into the
drawingroom perhaps her brother was there As she approached the door somebody
knocked on the outside then there entered a dark man of spruce appearance who
drew back a step as soon as he saw her
»Pray excuse me« he said with an air of politeness »I supposed I should
find Mr Mutimer here«
»I think hes in the house« Alice replied
Richard appeared as they were speaking
»What is it Rodman« he asked abruptly passing into the library
»Ill go to the drawingroom« Alice said and left the men together
In half an hour Richard again joined her He seemed in a better frame of
mind for he came in humming Alice having glanced at him averted her face
again and kept silence She felt a hand smoothing her hair Her brother leaning
over the back of her seat whispered to her
»Youll help me Princess«
She did not answer
»You wont be hard Alice Its a wretched business and I dont know what I
shall do if you throw me over I cant do without you old girl«
»I cant tell mother Dick You know very well what itll be I darent do
that«
But even that task Alice at last took upon herself after another
halfhours discussion Alas she would never again feel towards her brother as
before this necessity fell upon her Her life had undergone that impoverishment
which is so dangerous to elementary natures the loss of an ideal
»Youll let me stay over tomorrow« she said »Theres nothing very
pleasant to go back to and I dont see that a day ll matter«
»You can stay if you wish Im going to take you to have tea with Adela now
If you stay well have her to dinner tomorrow«
»I wonder whether we shall get along« Alice mused
»I dont see why not Youll get lots of things from her little notions of
all kinds«
This is always a more or less dangerous form of recommendation even in
talking to ones sister To suggest that Adela would benefit by the acquaintance
would have been a far more politic procedure
»Whats wrong with me« Alice inquired still depressed by the scene she had
gone through
»Oh theres nothing wrong Its only that youll see differences at first
from the people youve been used to I mean But I think youll have to go and
get your things on its nearly five«
In Alices rising from her chair there was nothing of the elasticity that
had marked her before luncheon Before moving away she spoke a thought that was
troubling her
»Suppose mother tries to stop it«
Richard looked to the ground moodily
»I meant to tell you« he said »Youd better say that Im already married«
»Youre giving me a nice job« was the girls murmured rejoinder
»Well its as good as true And it doesnt make the job any worse«
As is wont to be the case when two persons come to mutual understanding on a
piece of baseness the tone of brother and sister had suffered in the course of
their dialogue At first meeting they had both kept a certain watch upon their
lips feeling that their position demanded it a moral limpness was evident in
them by this time
They set forth to walk to the Walthams Exercise in the keen air together
with the sense of novelty in her surroundings restored Alices good humour
before the house was reached She gazed with astonishment at the infernal glare
over New Wanley Her brother explained the sight to her with gusto
»It used to be all fields and gardens over there« he said »See what money
and energy can do You shall go over the works in the morning Perhaps Adela
will go with us then we can take her back to the Manor«
»Why do they call the house that Dick« Alice inquired
»Is it because people who live there are supposed to have good manners«
»May be for anything I know« was the capitalists reply »Only its spelt
different you know I say Alice you must be careful about your spelling
there were mistakes in your last letter Wont do you know to make mistakes if
you write to Adela«
Alice gave a little shrug of impatience Immediately after they stopped at
the threshold sacred to all genteel accomplishments so Alice would have
phrased it if she could have fully expressed her feeling and they speedily
entered the sittingroom where the table was already laid for tea Mrs Waltham
and her daughter rose to welcome them
»We knew of your arrival« said the former, bestowing on Alice a maternal
salute »Not many things happen in Wanley that all the village doesnt hear of
do they Mr Mutimer Of course we expected you to tea«
Adela and her future sisterinlaw kissed each other Adela was silent but
she smiled
»Youll take your things off my dear« Mrs Waltham continued »Will you go
upstairs with Miss Mutimer Adela«
But for Mrs Walthams persistent geniality the hour which followed would
have shown many lapses of conversation Alice appreciated at once those
differences at which her brother had hinted and her present frame of mind was
not quite consistent with patient humility Naturally she suffered much from
selfconsciousness Mrs Waltham annoyed her by too frequent observation Adela
by seeming indifference The delicacy of the latter was made perhaps a little
excessive by strain of feelings Alice at once came to the conclusion that
Dicks future wife was cold and supercilious She was not predisposed to like
Adela The circumstances were in a number of ways unfavourable Even had there
not existed the very natural resentment at the painful task which this young
lady had indirectly imposed upon her it was not in Alices blood and breeding
to take kindly at once to a girl of a class above her own Alice had warm
affections as a ladys maid she might very conceivably have attached herself
with much devotion to an indulgent mistress but in the present case too much
was asked of her Richard was proud of his sister he saw her at length seated
where he had so often imagined her and in his eyes she bore herself well He
glanced often at Adela hoping for a return glance of congratulation when it
failed to come he consoled himself with the reflection that such silent
interchange of sentiments at table would be ill manners In his very heart he
believed that of the two maidens his sister was the better featured Adela and
Alice sat over against each other their contrasted appearances were a chapter
of social history Mark the difference between Adelas gently closed lips every
muscle under control and Alices which could never quite close without forming
a saucy pout or a self-conscious primness Contrast the foreheads on the one
hand that tenderly shadowed curve of brow on the other the surface which always
seemed to catch too much of the light which moved irregularly with the arches
above the eyes The grave modesty of the one face the now petulant now
abashed now vacant expression of the other Richard in his heart preferred the
type he had so long been familiar with a state of feeling of course in no way
inconsistent with the emotions excited in him by continual observation of Adela
The two returned to the Manor at halfpast seven Alice rising with evident
relief when he gave the signal It was agreed that the latter part of the next
morning should be spent in going over the works Adela was very willing to be of
the party
»They havent much money have they« was Alices first question as soon as
she got away from the door
»No they are not rich« replied her brother »You got on very nicely old
girl«
»Why shouldnt I You talk as if I didnt know how to behave myself Dick«
»No I dont I say that you did behave yourself«
»Yes and you were surprised at it«
»I wasnt at all What do you think of her«
»She doesnt say much«
»No shes always very quiet Its her way«
»Yes«
The monosyllable meant more than Richard gathered from it They walked on in
silence and were met presently by a gentleman who was coming along the village
street at a sharp pace A lamp discovered Mr Willis Rodman Richard stopped
»Seen to that little business« he asked in a cheerful voice
»Yes« was Rodmans reply »We shall hear from Agworth in the morning«
»All right Alice this is Mr Rodman My sister Rodman«
Richards righthand man performed civilities with decidedly more finish
than Richard himself had at command
»I am very happy to meet Miss Mutimer I hope we shall have the pleasure of
showing her New Wanley tomorrow«
»She and Miss Waltham will walk down in the morning Good night Rodman
Cold eh«
»Why didnt you introduce him this afternoon« Alice asked as she walked on
»I didnt think of it I was bothered«
»He seems very gentlemanly«
»Oh Rodmans seen a deal of life Hes a useful fellow gets through work
in a wonderful way«
»But is he a gentleman I mean was he once«
Richard laughed
»I suppose you mean had he ever money No hes made himself what he is«
Tea having supplied the place of the more substantial evening meal Richard
and his sister had supper about ten oclock Alice drank champagne a few
bottles remained from those dedicated to the recent festival and Mutimer felt
the necessity of explaining the presence in his house of a luxury which to his
class is more than anything associated with the bloated aristocracy Alice drank
it for the first time in her life and her spirits grew as light as the foam
upon her glass Brother and sister were quietly confidential as midnight drew
near
»Shall you bring her to London« Alice inquired without previous mention of
Adela
»For a week I think We shall go to an hotel of course Shes never seen
London since she was a child«
»She wont come to Highbury«
»No I shall avoid that somehow Youll have to come and see us at the
hotel Well go to the theatre together one night«
»What about Arry«
»I dont know I shall think about it«
Digesting much at his ease Richard naturally became dreamful
»I may have to take a house for a time now and then« he said
»In London«
He nodded
»I mustnt forget you you see Princess Of course youll come here
sometimes but thats not much good In London I dare say I can get you to know
some of the right kind of people I want Adela to be thick with the Westlakes
then your chance ll come See old woman«
Alice too dreamed
»I wonder you dont want me to marry a Socialist working man« she said
presently as if twitting him playfully
»You dont understand One of the things we aim at is to remove the
distinction between classes I want you to marry one of those they call
gentlemen And you shall too Alice«
»Well but Im not a working girl now Dick«
He laughed and said it was time to go to bed
The same evening conversation continued to a late hour between Hubert Eldon and
his mother Hubert was returning to London the next morning
Yesterday there had come to him two letters from Wanley both addressed in
female hand He knew Adelas writing from her signature in the »Christian Year«
and hastily opened the letter which came from her The sight of the returned
sonnets checked the eager flow of his blood he was prepared for what he
afterwards read
»Then let her meet her fate« so ran his thoughts when he had perused the
cold note unassociable with the Adela he imagined in its bald formality »Only
life can teach her«
The other letter he suspected to be from Letty Tew as it was
»Dear Mr Eldon I cannot help writing a line to you lest you should
think that I did not keep my promise in the way you understood it I did
indeed You will hear from her she preferred to write herself and
perhaps it was better I should only have had painful things to say I
wish to ask you to have no unkind or unjust thoughts I scarcely think
you could have Please do not trouble to answer this but believe me
yours sincerely
L TEW«
»Good little girl« he said to himself smiling sadly »I feel sure she did her
best«
But his pride was asserting itself always restive under provocation To
rival with a man like Mutimer Better that the severance with old days should be
complete
He talked it all over very frankly with his mother who felt that her sons
destiny was not easily foreseen
»And what do you propose to do Hubert« she asked when they spoke of the
future
»To study principally art In a fortnight I go to Rome«
Mrs Eldon had gone thither thirty years ago
»Think of me in my chair sometimes« she said touching his hands with her
wan fingers
Chapter XVI
Alice reached home again on Christmas Eve It was snowing she came in chilled
and looking miserable Mrs Mutimer met her in the hall passed her and looked
out at the open door then turned with a few white flecks on her gown
»Wheres Dick«
»He couldnt come« replied the girl briefly and ran up to her room
Arry was spending the evening with friends Since teatime the old woman
had never ceased moving from room to room up and down stairs She had got out
an old pair of Richards slippers and had put them before the diningroom fire
to warm She had made a bed for Richard and had a fire burning in the chamber
She had made arrangements for her eldest sons supper No word had come from
Wanley but she held to the conviction that this night would see Richard in
London
Alice came down and declared that she was very hungry Her mother went to
the kitchen to order a meal which in the end she prepared with her own hands
She seemed to have a difficulty in addressing any one Whilst Alice ate in
silence Mrs Mutimer kept going in and out of the room when the girl rose from
the table she stood before her and asked
»Why couldnt he come«
Alice went to the fireplace knelt down and spread her hands to the blaze
Her mother approached her again
»Wont you give me no answer Alice«
»He couldnt come mother Something important is keeping him«
»Something important And why did he want you there«
Alice rose to her feet made one false beginning then spoke to the point
»Dicks married mother«
The old womans eyes seemed to grow small in her wrinkled face as if
directing themselves with effort upon something minute They looked straight
into the eyes of her daughter but had a more distant focus The fixed gaze
continued for nearly a minute
»What are you talking about girl« she said at length in a strange
rattling voice »Why Ive seen Emma this very morning Do you think she
wouldnt a told me if shed been a wife«
Alice was frightened by the look and the voice
»Mother it isnt Emma at all Its someone at Wanley We cant help it
mother Its no use taking on Now sit down and make yourself quiet It isnt
our fault«
Mrs Mutimer smiled in a grim way then laughed a most unmusical laugh
»Now whats the good o joking in that kind o way Thats like your father
that is hed often come ome an tell me sich things as never was an expect
me to believe em An I used to purtend I did jist to please him But Im too
old for that kind o jokin Alice wheres Dick How long ll it be before
hes here Where did he leave you«
»Now do just sit down mother here in this chair Just sit quiet for a
little do«
Mrs Mutimer pushed aside the girls hand her face had become grave again
»Let me be child And I tell you I have seen Emma today Do you think she
wouldnt a told me if things o that kind was goin on«
»Emma knows nothing about it mother He hasnt told any one He got me to
come because he couldnt tell it himself It was as much a surprise to me as to
you and I think its very cruel of him But its over and we cant help it I
shall have to tell Emma I suppose and a nice thing too«
The old woman had begun to quiver her hands shook by her sides her very
features trembled with gathering indignation
»Dick has gone an done this« she stammered »Hes gone an broke his given
word Hes deceived that girl as trusted to him an couldnt help herself«
»Now mother dont take on so Youre going to make yourself ill It cant
be helped He says he shall send Emma money just the same«
»Money There youve hit the word its money as as ruined him and as ll
be the ruin of us all Send her money What does the man think shes made of Is
all his feelings got as hard as money and does he think the same of every one
else If I know Emma shell throw his money in his face I knew what ud come
of it dont tell me I didnt That very night as he come ome an told me what
had appened there was a cold shiver run over me I told him as it was the
worst news ever come into our ouse and now see if I wasnt right He was angry
with me cause I said it an whos a right to be angry now Its my belief as
moneys the curse o this world I never knew a trouble yet as didnt somehow
come of it either cause there was too little or else too much And Dicks gone
an done this And him with all his preachin about rights and wrongs an what
not Him as was always acryin down the rich folks cause they hadnt no
feelin for the poor What feelings he had Id like to know Its him as is
rich now an wheres the difference tween him and them as he called names No
feelin for the poor An whats Emma Vine Poor enough by now Theres Jane as
cant have not a week more to live an she a her night an day Hell give her
money has he got the face to say it Nay dont talk to me girl Ill say
what I think if its the last I speak in this world Dont let him come to me
Never a word again shall he have from me as long as I live Hes disgraced
himself an me his mother an his father in the grave A poor girl as couldnt
help herself as trusted him an wouldnt hear not a word against him for all
he kep away from her in her trouble Id a fear o this but I wouldnt believe
it of Dick I wouldnt believe it of a son o mine An Arry ll go the same
way Its all the money an a curse go with all the money as ever was made An
you too Alice wi your fine dresses an your piannerin an your faldedals
But I warn you my girl There ll no good come of it I warn you Alice Youre
ashamed o your own mother oh Ive seen it But its a mercy if youre not a
disgrace to her Im thankful as I was always poor I might a been tempted i
the same way«
The dogma of a rude nature full of secret forces found utterance at length
under the scourge of a resentment of very mingled quality Let half be put to
the various forms of disinterested feeling at least half was due to personal
exasperation The whole change that her life had perforce undergone was an
outrage upon the stubbornness of uninstructed habit the old woman could see
nothing but evil omens in a revolution which cost her bodily discomfort and the
misery of a mind perplexed amid alien conditions She was prepared for evil for
months she had brooded over every sign which seemed to foretell its approach
the egoism of the unconscious had made it plain to her that the world must
suffer in a state of things which so grievously affected herself Maternal
solicitude kept her restlessly swaying between apprehension for her children and
injury in the thought of their estrangement from her And now at length a bitter
shame added itself to her torments She was shamed in her pride as a mother
shamed before the girl for whom she nourished a deep affection Emmas injuries
she felt charged upon herself she would never dare to stand before her again
Her moral code as much a part of her as the sap of the plant and as little the
result of conscious absorption declared itself on the side of all these rushing
impulses she was borne blindly on an exhaustless flux of words After vain
attempts to make herself heard Alice turned away and sat sullenly waiting for
the outburst to spend itself Herself comparatively unaffected by the feelings
strongest in her mother this earafflicting clamour altogether checked her
sympathy and in a great measure overcame those personal reasons which had made
her annoyed with Richard She found herself taking his side even knew something
of his impatience with Emma and her sorrows When it came to rebukes and charges
against herself her impatience grew active She stood up again and endeavoured
to make herself heard
»Whats the good of going on like this mother Just because youre angry
thats no reason you should call us all the names you can turn your tongue to
Its over and done with and theres an end of it I dont know what you mean
about disgracing you I think you might wait till the time comes I dont see
what Ive done as you can complain of«
»No of course you dont« pursued her mother bitterly »Its the money as
prevents you from seeing it Them as was good enough for you before you havent
a word to say to now a man as works honestly for his living you make no account
of Well well you must go your own way «
»What is it you want mother You dont expect me to look no higher than
when I hadnt a penny but what I worked for Ive no patience with you You
ought to be glad «
»You havent no patience of course you havent And Im to be glad when a
son of mine does things as he deserves to be sent to prison for I dont
understand that kind o gladness But mind what I say do what you like with
your money Ill have no more part in it If I had as much as ten shillings a
week of my own Id go and live by myself and leave you to take your own way
But I tell you what I can do and what I will Ill have no more servants
awaitin on me I wasnt never used to it and Im too old to begin I go to my
own bedroom upstairs and there I live and there ll be nobody go into that
room but myself Ill get my bits o meals from the kitchen Taint much as I
want thank goodness an it wont be missed Ill have no more doins with
servants understand that an if I cant be left alone i my own room Ill go
an find a room where I can an Ill find some way of earnin what little I
want Its your own house and youll do what you like in it Theres the keys
Ive done with em an heres the money too Im glad to be rid of it An
youll just tell Dick I aint one as says what I dont mean nor never was as
that you know You take your way an Ill take mine An now may be Ill get a
nights sleep the first Ive had under this roof«
As she spoke she took from her pockets the house keys and from her purse
the money she used for current expenses and threw all together on to the table
Alice had turned to the fireplace and she stood so for a long time after her
mother had left the room Then she took the keys and the money consulted her
watch and in a few minutes was walking from the house to a neighbouring
cabstand
She drove to Wilton Square Inspecting the front of the house before
knocking at the door she saw a light in the kitchen and a dimmer gleam at an
upper window It was Mrs Clay who opened to her
»Is Emma in« Alice inquired as she shook hands rather coldly
»Shes sitting with Jane Ill tell her Theres no fire except in the
kitchen« Kate added in a tone which implied that doubtless her visitor was
above taking a seat downstairs
»Ill go down« Alice replied with just a touch of condescension »I want
to speak a word or two with Emma thats all«
Kate left her to descend the stairs and went to inform her sister Emma was
not long in appearing the hue of her face was troubled for she had deceived
herself with the belief that it was Richard who knocked at the door What more
natural than for him to have come on Christmas Eve She approached Alice with a
wistful look not venturing to utter any question only hoping that some good
news might have been brought her Long watching in the sick room had given her
own complexion the tint of illhealth her eyelids were swollen and heavy the
brown hair upon her temples seemed to droop in languor You would have noticed
that her tread was very soft as if she still were moving in the room above
»Hows Jane« Alice began by asking She could not quite look the other in
the face and did not know how to begin her disclosure
»No better« Emma gave answer shaking her head Her voice too was
suppressed it was weeks since she had spoken otherwise
»I am so sorry Emma Are you in a hurry to go up again«
»No Kate will sit there a little«
»You look very poorly yourself It must be very trying for you«
»I dont feel it« Emma said with a pale smile »She gives no trouble Its
only her weakness now the pain has almost gone«
»But then she must be getting better«
Emma shook her head looking aside As Alice kept silence she continued
»I was glad to hear youd gone to see Richard He wouldnt I was afraid he
mightnt have time to get here for Christmas«
There was a question in the words a timorously expectant question Emma had
learnt the sad lesson of hope deferred always to meet discouragement halfway
It is thus one seeks to propitiate the evil powers to turn the edge of their
blows by meekness
»No he couldnt come« said Alice
She had a muff on her left hand and was turning it round and round with the
other Emma had not asked her to sit down merely because of the inward
agitation which absorbed her
»Hes quite well«
»Oh yes quite well«
Again Alice paused Emmas heart was beating painfully She knew now that
Richards sister had not come on an ordinary visit she felt that the call to
Wanley had had some special significance Alice did not ordinarily behave in
this hesitating way
»Did did he send me a message«
»Yes«
But even now Alice could not speak She found a way of leading up to the
catastrophe
»Oh mother has been going on so Emma What do you think She wont have
anything to do with the house any longer Shes given me the keys and all the
money she had and shes going to live just in her bedroom She says shell get
her food from the kitchen herself and she wont have a thing done for her by
any one Im sure she means it I never saw her in such a state She says if
shed ever so little money of her own shed leave the house altogether Shes
been telling me Ive no feeling and that Im going to the bad that I shall
live to disgrace her and I cant tell you what Everything is so miserable She
says its all the money and that she knew from the first how it would be And
Im afraid some of what she says is true I am indeed Emma But things happen
in a way you could never think I half wish myself the money had never come
Its making us all miserable«
Emma listened expecting from phrase to phrase some word which would be to
her a terrible enlightenment But Alice had ceased and the word still unspoken
»You say he sent me a message«
She did not ask directly the cause of Mrs Mutimers anger Instinct told
her that to hear the message would explain all else
»Emma Im afraid to tell you Youll blame me like mother did«
»I shant blame you Alice Will you please tell me the message«
Emmas lips seemed to speak without her volition The rest of her face was
fixed and cold
»Hes married Emma«
»He asked you to tell me«
Alice was surprised at the self-restraint proved by so quiet an
interrogation
»Yes he did Emma Im so so sorry If only youll believe Im sorry
Emma He made me come and tell you He said if I didnt youd have to find out
by chance because he couldnt for shame tell you himself And he couldnt tell
mother neither Ive had it all to do If you knew what Ive gone through with
mother Its very hard that other people should suffer so much just on his
account I am really sorry for you Emma«
»Who is it hes married« Emma asked Probably all the last speech had been
but a vague murmur to her ears
»Some one at Wanley«
»A lady«
»Yes I suppose shes a lady«
»You didnt see her then«
»Yes I saw her I dont like her«
Poor Alice meant this to be soothing Emma knew it and smiled
»I dont think she cares much after all« Alice said to herself
»But was that the message«
»Only to tell you of it Emma There was something else« she added
immediately »not exactly a message but he told me and I dare say he thought I
should let you know He said that of course you were to have the money still as
usual«
Over the listeners face came a cloud a deep turbid red It was not anger
but shame which rose from the depths of her being Her head sank she turned and
walked aside
»Youre not angry with me Emma«
»Not angry at all Alice« was the reply in a monotone
»I must say goodbye now I hope you wont take on much And I hope Jane ll
soon be better«
»Thank you I must go up to her she doesnt like me to be away long«
Alice went before up the kitchen stairs the dark narrow stairs which now
seemed to her so povertystricken Emma did not speak but pressed her hand at
the door
Kate stood above her on the first landing and as Emma came up whispered
»Has he come«
»Something has hindered him« And Emma added »He couldnt help it«
»Well then I think he ought to have helped it« said the other tartly
»When does he mean to come Id like to know«
»Its uncertain«
Emma passed into the sickroom Her sister followed her with eyes of
illcontent then returned to the kitchen
Jane lay against pillows Red light from the fire played over her face
which was wasted beyond recognition She looked a handmaiden of Death
The atmosphere of the room was warm and sickly A small greenshaded lamp
stood by the lookingglass in front of the window it cast a disk of light
below and on the ceiling concentric rings of light and shade which flickered
ceaselessly and were at times all but obliterated in a gleam from the
fireplace A kettle sang on the trivet
The sick girls hands lay on the counterpane one of them moved as Emma came
to the bedside and rested when the warmer fingers clasped it There was eager
inquiry in the sunken eyes her hand tried to raise itself, but in vain
»What did Alice say« she asked in quick feeble tones »Is he coming«
»Not for Christmas Im afraid dear Hes still very busy«
»But he sent you a message«
»Yes He would have come if he could«
»Did you tell Alice I wanted to see her Why didnt she come up Why did she
stay such a short time«
»She couldnt stay tonight Jane Are you easy still love«
»Oh I did so want to see her Why couldnt she stop Emma It wasnt kind
of her to go without seeing me Id have made time if it had been her as was
lying in bed And he doesnt even answer what I wrote to him It was such work
to write I couldnt now and he might have answered«
»He very seldom writes to any one you know Jane He has so little time«
»Little time I have less Emma and he must know that Its unkind of him
What did Alice tell you Why did he want her to go there Tell me everything«
Emma felt the sunken eyes burning her with their eager look She hesitated
pretended to think of something that had to be done and the eyes burned more
and more Jane made repeated efforts to raise herself as if to get a fuller
view of her sisters face
»Shall I move you« Emma asked »Would you like another pillow«
»No no« was the impatient answer »Dont go away from me dont take your
hand away I want to know all that Alice said You havent any secrets from me
Emmy Why does he stay away so long It seems years since he came to see you
Its wrong of him Theres no business ought to keep him away all this time
Look at me and tell me what she said«
»Only that he hadnt time Dear you mustnt excite yourself so Isnt it
all right Jane as long as I dont mind it«
»Why do you look away from me No it isnt all right Oh I cant rest I
cant lie here Why havent I strength to go and say to him what I want to say
I thought it was him when the knock came When Kate told me it wasnt I felt as
if my heart was sinking down and I dont seem to have no tears left to cry It
ud ease me a little if I could And now youre beginning to have secrets
Emmy«
It was a cry of anguish The mention of tears had brought them to Emmas
eyes for they lurked very near the surface and Jane had seen the firelight
touch on a moist cheek For an instant she raised herself from the pillows Emma
folded soft arms about her and pressed her cheek against the heat which consumed
her sisters
»Emmy I must know« wailed the sick girl »Is it what Ive been afraid of
No not that Is it the worst of all You must tell me now You dont love me if
you keep away the truth I cant have anything between you and me«
A dry sob choked her she gasped for breath Emma fearful lest the very
life was escaping from her embrace drew away and looked in anguish Her
involuntary tears had ceased but she could no longer practise deception The
cost to Jane was greater perhaps than if she knew the truth At least their
souls must be united ere it was too late
»The truth Emmy«
»I will tell it you darling« she replied with quiet sadness »Its for
him that Im sorry I never thought anything could tempt him to break his word
Think of it in the same way as I do dear sister dont be sorry for me but for
him«
»Hes never coming He wont marry you«
»Hes already married Jane Alice came to tell me«
Again she would have raised herself but this time there was no strength
Not even her arms could she lift from the coverlets But Emma saw the vain
effort raised the thin arms put them about her neck and held her sister to
her heart as if for eternity
»Darling darling it isnt hard to bear I care for nothing but your love
Live for my sake dearest dear I have forgotten every one and everything but
you Its so much better I couldnt have changed my life so I was never meant
to be rich It seems unkind of him but in a little time we shall see it was
best Only you Janey you have my whole heart and Im so glad to feel it is
so Live and Ill give every minute of my life to loving you poor sufferer«
Jane could not breathe sound into the words she would have spoken She lay
with her eyes watching the fireplay on the ceiling Her respiration was quick
and feeble
Mutimers name was not mentioned by either again that night by one of them
never again Such silence was his punishment
Kate entered the room a little before midnight She saw one of Janes hands
raised to impose silence Emma still sitting by the bedside slept her head
rested on the pillows The sick had become the watcher
»Shed better go to bed« Kate whispered »Ill wake her«
»No no You neednt stay Kate I dont want anything Let her sleep as she
is«
The elder sister left the room Then Jane approached her head to that of the
sleeper softly softly and her arm stole across Emmas bosom and rested on her
farther shoulder The fire burned with little whispering tongues of flame the
circles of light and shade quivered above the lamp Abroad the snow fell and
froze upon the ground
Three days later Alice Mutimer as she sat at breakfast was told that a
visitor named Mrs Clay desired to see her It was nearly ten oclock Alice had
no passion for early rising and since her mothers retirement from the common
table she breakfasted alone at any hour which seemed good to her Arry always
or nearly always left the house at eight oclock
Mrs Clay was introduced into the diningroom Alice received her with an
anxious face for she was anticipating trouble from the house in Wilton Square
But the trouble was other than she had in mind
»Jane died at four oclock this morning« the visitor began without
agitation in the quick unsympathetic voice which she always used when her
equanimity was in any way disturbed »Emma hasnt closed her eyes for two days
and nights and now I shouldnt wonder if shes going to be ill herself I made
her lie down and then came out just to ask you to write to your brother Surely
hell come now I dont know what to do about the burying we ought to have some
one to help us I expected your mother would be coming to see us but shes kept
away all at once Will you write to Dick«
Alice was concerned to perceive that Kate was still unenlightened
»Did Emma know you were coming« she asked
»Yes I suppose she did But its hard to get her to attend to anything
Ive left her alone cause there wasnt any one I could fetch at once Will you
write today«
»Yes Ill see to it« said Alice »Have some breakfast will you«
»Well I dont mind just a cup o coffee Its very cold and I had to walk
a long way before I could get a bus«
Whilst Kate refreshed herself Alice played nervously with her teaspoon
trying to make up her mind what must be done The situation was complicated with
many miseries but Alice had experienced a growth of independence since her
return from Wanley All she had seen and heard whilst with her brother had an
effect upon her in the afterthought and her mothers abrupt surrender into her
hands of the household control gave her when she had time to realise it a
sense of increased importance not at all disagreeable Already she had hired a
capable servant in addition to the scrubby maidofallwork who had sufficed for
Mrs Mutimer and it was her intention that henceforth domestic arrangements
should be established on quite another basis
»Ill telegraph to Dick« she said presently »Ive no doubt hell see that
everythings done properly«
»But wont he come himself«
»We shall see«
»Is your mother in«
»Shes not very well I dont think I must disturb her with bad news Tell
Emma Im very sorry will you I do hope she isnt going to be ill You must see
that she gets rest now Was it sudden« she added showing in her face how
little disposed she was to dwell on such gloomy subjects as death and burial
»She was wandering all yesterday I dont think she knew anything after
eight oclock last night She went off in a sleep«
When the visitor had gone Alice drove to the nearest telegraph office and
despatched a message to her brother giving the news and asking what should be
done By three oclock in the afternoon no reply had yet arrived but shortly
after Mr Keene presented himself at the house Alice had not seen him since her
return He bowed to her with extreme gravity and spoke in a subdued voice
»I grieve that I have lost time Miss Mutimer Important business had taken
me from home and on my return I found a telegram from Wanley Your brother
directs me to wait upon you at once on a very sad subject I fear He instructs
me to purchase a grave in Manor Park Cemetery No near relative I trust«
»No only a friend« Alice replied »Youve heard me speak of a girl called
Emma Vine Its a sister of hers She died this morning and they want help
about the funeral«
»Precisely precisely You know with what zeal I hasten to perform your« a
slight emphasis on this word »brothers pleasure be the business what it may
Ill see about it at once I was to say to you that your brother would be in
town this evening«
»Oh very well But you neednt look so gloomy you know Mr Keene Im
very sorry but then shes been ill for a very long time and its really almost
a relief to her sisters I mean«
»I trust you enjoyed your visit to Wanley Miss Mutimer« said Keene still
preserving his very respectful tone and bearing
»Oh yes thanks I dare say I shall go there again before very long No
doubt youll be glad to hear that«
»I will try to be Miss Mutimer I trust that your pleasure is my first
consideration in life«
Alice was to speak vulgarly practising on Mr Keene He was her first
visitor since she had entered upon rule and she had a double satisfaction in
subduing him with airs and graces She did not trouble to reflect that under the
circumstances he might think her rather heartless and indeed hypocrisy was not
one of her failings Her naïveté constituted such charm as she possessed in the
absence of any deep qualities it might be deemed a virtue for it was
inconsistent with serious deception
»I suppose you mean youd really much rather I stayed here«
Keene eyed her with observation He himself had slight depth for a man
doomed to live by his wits and he was under the disadvantage of really feeling
something of what he said He was not a rascal by predilection merely driven
that way by the forces which in our social state abundantly make for rascality
»Miss Mutimer« he replied with a stage sigh »why do yon tempt my
weakness I am on my honour I am endeavouring to earn your good opinion Spare
me«
»Oh Im sure theres no harm in you Mr Keene I suppose youd better go
and see after your your business«
»You are right I go at once Princess I may call you Princess«
»Well I dont know about that Of course only when theres no one else in
the room«
»But I shall think it always«
»That I cant prevent you know«
»Ah I fear you mean nothing Miss Mutimer«
»Nothing at all«
He took his leave and Alice enjoyed reflecting upon the dialogue which
certainly had meant nothing for her in any graver sense
»Now thats what the books call flirtation« she said to herself »I think
I can do that«
And on the whole she could vastly better than might have been expected of
her birth and breeding
At six oclock a note was delivered for her Richard wrote from an hotel in
the neighbourhood asking her to come to him She found him in a private
sittingroom taking a meal
»Why didnt you come to the house« she asked »You knew mother never comes
downstairs«
Richard looked at her with lowered brows
»You mean to say shes doing that in earnest«
»That she is She comes down early in the morning and gets all the food she
wants for the day I heard her cooking something in a fryingpan today She
hasnt been out of the house yet«
»Does she know about Jane«
»No I know what it would be if I went and told her«
He ate in silence Alice waited
»You must go and see Emma« was his next remark »Tell her theres a grave
in Manor Park Cemetery her father and mother were buried there you know
Keenell look after it all and hell come and tell you what to do«
»Why did you come up«
»Oh I couldnt talk about these things in letters Youll have to tell
mother she might want to go to the funeral«
»I dont see why I should do all your disagreeable work Dick«
»Very well dont do it« he replied sullenly throwing down his knife and
fork
A scene of wrangling followed without violence but of the kind which is at
once a cause and an effect of demoralisation The old disagreements between them
had been in another tone at all events on Richards side for they had arisen
from his earnest disapproval of frivolities and the like Richard could no
longer speak in that way To lose the power of honest reproof in consequence of
a moral lapse is to any man a widereaching calamity to a man of Mutimers
calibre it meant disaster of which the end could not be foreseen
Of course Alice yielded her affection and Richards superior force always
made it a foregone result that she should do so
»And you wont come and see mother« she asked
»No Shes behaving foolishly«
»Its precious dull at home I can tell you I cant go on much longer
without friends of some kind Ive a good mind to marry Mr Keene just for a
change«
Richard started up with his fist on the table
»Do you mean to say hes been talking to you in that way« he cried angrily
Alice had spoken with thoughtless petulance She hastened eagerly to correct
her error
»As if I meant it Dont be stupid Dick Of course he hasnt said a word I
believe hes engaged to somebody I thought so from something he said a little
while ago The idea of me marrying a man like that«
He examined her closely and Alice was not afraid of telltale cheeks
»Well I cant think youd be such a fool If I thought there was any danger
of that Id soon stop it«
»Would you indeed Why that would be just the way to make me say Id have
him Youd have known that if only you read novels«
»Novels« he exclaimed with profound contempt »Dont go playing with that
kind of thing its dangerous At least you can wait a week or two longer Ive
only let him see so much of you because I felt sure youd got common sense«
»Of course I have But whats to happen in a week or two«
»I should think you might come to Wanley for a little We shall see If
mother had only Arry in the house she might come back to her senses«
»Shall I tell her youve been to London«
»You can if you like« he replied with a show of indifference
Jane Vine was buried on Sunday afternoon her sisters alone accompanying her to
the grave Alice had with difficulty obtained admission to her mothers room
and it seemed to her that the news she brought was received with little emotion
The old woman had an air of dogged weariness she did not look her daughter in
the face and spoke only in monosyllables Her face was yellow her cheeks like
wrinkled parchment
Manor Park Cemetery lies in the remote East End and gives sleepingplaces
to the inhabitants of a vast district There Janes parents lay not in a grave
to themselves but buried amidst the nameless dead in that part of the ground
reserved for those who can purchase no more than a portion in the foss which is
filled when its occupants reach statutable distance from the surface The
regions around were then being built upon for the first time the familiar
streets of pale damp brick were stretching here and there continuing London
much like the spreading of a disease Epping Forest is near at hand and nearer
the dreary expanse of Wanstead Flats
Not grief but chill desolation makes this cemetery its abode A country
churchyard touches the tenderest memories and softens the heart with longing
for the eternal rest The cemeteries of wealthy London abound in dear and great
associations or at worst preach homilies which connect themselves with human
dignity and pride Here on the waste limits of that dread East to wander among
tombs is to go hand in hand with the stark and eyeless emblem of mortality the
spirit fails beneath the cold burden of ignoble destiny Here lie those who were
born for toil who when toil has worn them to the uttermost have but to yield
their useless breath and pass into oblivion For them is no day only the brief
twilight of a winter sky between the former and the latter night For them no
aspiration for them no hope of memory in the dust their very children are
wearied into forgetfulness Indistinguishable units in the vast throng that
labours but to support life the name of each father mother child is as a
dumb cry for the warmth and love of which Fate so stinted them The wind wails
above their narrow tenements the sandy soil soaking in the rain as soon as it
has fallen is a symbol of the great world which absorbs their toil and
straightway blots their being
It being Sunday afternoon the number of funerals was considerable even to
bury their dead the toilers cannot lose a day of the wage week Around the
chapel was a great collection of black vehicles with shamtailed mortuary
horses several of the families present must have left themselves bare in order
to clothe a coffin in the way they deemed seemly Emma and her sister had made
their own funeral garments and the former, in consenting for the sake of poor
Jane to receive the aid which Mutimer offered had insisted through Alice that
there should be no expenditure beyond the strictly needful The carriage which
conveyed her and Kate alone followed the hearse from Hoxton it rattled along at
a merry pace for the way was lengthy and a bitter wind urged men and horses to
speed The occupants of the box kept up a jesting colloquy
Impossible to read the burial service over each of the dead separately time
would not allow it Emma and Kate found themselves crowded among a number of
sobbing women just in time to seat themselves before the service began Neither
of them had moist eyes the elder looked about the chapel with blank gaze often
shivering with cold Emmas face was bent downwards deadly pale set in
unchanging woe A world had fallen to pieces about her she did not feel the
ground upon which she trod there seemed no way from amid the ruins She had no
strong religious faith a wail in the darkness was all the expression her heart
could attain to; in the present anguish she could not turn her thoughts to that
far vision of a life hereafter All day she had striven to realise that a box of
wood contained all that was left of her sister The voice of the clergyman
struck her ear with meaningless monotony Not immortality did she ask for but
one more whisper from the lips that could not speak one throb of the heart she
had striven so despairingly to warm against her own
Kate was plucking at her arm for the service was over and unconsciously
she was impeding people who wished to pass from the seats With difficulty she
rose and walked the cold seemed to have checked the flow of her blood she
noticed the breath rising from her mouth and wondered that she could have so
much whilst those dear lips were breathless Then she was being led over hard
snow towards a place where men stood where there was newturned earth where a
coffin lay upon the ground She suffered the sound of more words which she could
not follow then heard the dull falling of clods upon hollow wood A hand seemed
to clutch her throat she struggled convulsively and cried aloud But the tears
would not come
No memory of the return home dwelt afterwards in her mind The white earth
the headstones sprinkled with snow the vast grey sky over which darkness was
already creeping the wind and the clergymans voice joining in woful chant
these alone remained with her to mark the day Between it and the days which
then commenced lay formless void
On Tuesday morning Alice Mutimer came to the house Mrs Clay chanced to be
from home Emma received the visitor and led her down into the kitchen
»I am glad you have come« she said »I wanted to see you today«
»Are you feeling better« Alice asked She tried in vain to speak with the
friendliness of past days that could never be restored Her advantages of
person and dress were no help against the embarrassment caused in her by the
simple dignity of the wronged and sorrowing girl
Emma replied that she was better then asked
»Have you come only to see me or for something else«
»I wanted to know how you were but Ive brought you something as well«
She took an envelope from within her muff Emma shook her head
»No nothing more« she said in a tone removed alike from resentment and
from pathos »I want you please to say that we cant take anything after
this«
»But what are you going to do Emma«
»To leave this house and live as we did before«
»Oh but you cant do that What does Kate say«
»I havent told her yet Im going to do so today«
»But shell feel it very hard with the children«
The children were sitting together in a corner of the kitchen Emma glanced
at them and saw that Bertie the elder was listening with a surprised look
»Yes Im sorry« she replied simply »but we have no choice«
Alice had an impulse of generosity
»Then take it from me« she said »You wont mind that You know I have
plenty of my own Live here and let one or two of the rooms and Ill lend you
what you need till the business is doing well Now you cant have anything to
say against that«
Emma still shook her head
»The business will never help us We must go back to the old work we can
always live on that I cant take anything from you Alice«
»Well I think its very unkind Emma«
»Perhaps so but I cant help it Its kind of you to offer I feel that
but Id rather work my fingers to the bone than touch one halfpenny now that I
havent earned«
Alice bridled slightly and urged no more She left before Kate returned
In the course of the morning Emma strung herself to the effort of letting
her sister know the true state of affairs It was only what Kate had for a long
time suspected and she freely said as much expressing her sentiments with
fluent indignation
»Of course I know you wont hear of it« she said »but if I was in your
place Id make him smart Id have him up and make him pay see if I wouldnt
Trust him he knows youre too softhearted and he takes advantage of you Its
girls like you as encourages men to think they can do as they like Youve no
right you havent to let him off Id have him in the newspapers and show him
up see if I wouldnt And he shant have it quite so easy as he thinks neither
Ill go about and tell everybody as I know Only let him come alecturin
hereabouts thats all«
»Kate« broke in the other »if you do anything of the kind I dont know
how I shall speak to you again Its not you hes harmed youve no right to
spread talk about me Its my affair and I must do as I think fit Its all
over and theres no occasion for neither you nor me to speak of him again Im
going out this afternoon to find a room for us and we shall be no worse off
than we was before Weve got to work thats all and to earn our living like
other women do«
Her sister stared incredulously
»You mean to say hes stopped sending money«
»I have refused to take it«
»Youve done what Well of all the « Comparisons failed her »And Ive
got to take these children back again into a hole like the last Not me You do
as you like I suppose you know your own business But if he doesnt send the
money as usual Ill find some way to make him see if I dont Youre off your
head I think«
Emma had anticipated this and was prepared to bear the brunt of her
sisters anger Kate was not originally blessed with much sweetness of
disposition and an unhappy marriage had made her into a sour nagging woman
But in spite of her wretched temper and the low moral tone induced during her
years of matrimony she was not evilnatured and her chief safeguard was
affection for her sister Emma This seldom declared itself for she was of those
unhappily constituted people who find nothing so hard as to betray the
tenderness of which they are capable and as often as not are driven by a
miserable perversity to words and actions which seem quite inconsistent with
such feeling For Jane she had cared far less than for Emma yet her grief at
Janes death was more than could be gathered from her demeanour It had in
fact resulted in a state of nervous irritableness an outbreak of anger came to
her as a relief such as Emma had recently found in the shedding of tears On
her own account she felt strongly but yet more on Emmas coarse methods of
revenge naturally suggested themselves to her and to be thwarted drove her to
exasperation When Emma persisted in steady opposition exerting all the force
of her character to subdue her sisters ignoble purposes Kate worked herself to
frenzy For more than an hour her voice was audible in the street as she poured
forth torrents of furious reproach and menace all the time Emma stood patient
and undaunted her own anger often making terrible struggle for mastery but
ever finding itself subdued For she too was of a passionate nature but the
treasures of sensibility which her heart enclosed consecrated all her being to
noble ends One invaluable aid she had in a contest such as this her inability
to grow sullen Righteous anger might gleam in her eyes and quiver upon her
lips but the fire always burnt clear it is smoulder that poisons the air
She knew her sister pitied her always made for her the gentlest
allowances It would have been easy to stand aside to disclaim responsibility
and let Kate do as she chose but the easy course was never the one she chose
when endurance promised better results To resist to the uttermost even to
claim and exert the authority she derived from her suffering was she knew the
truest kindness to her sister And in the end she prevailed Kate tore her
passion to tatters then succumbed to exhaustion But she did not fling out of
the room and this Emma knew to be a hopeful sign The opportunity of strong
placid speech at length presented itself, and Emma used it well She did not
succeed in eliciting a promise but when she declared her confidence in her
sisters better self Kate made no retort only sat in stubborn muteness
In the afternoon Emma went forth to fulfil her intention of finding
lodgings She avoided the neighbourhood in which she had formerly lived and
after long search discovered what she wanted in a woful byway near Old Street
It was one room only but larger than she had hoped to come upon fortunately
her own furniture had been preserved and would now suffice
Kate remained sullen but proved by her actions that she had surrendered
she began to pack her possessions Emma wrote to Alice announcing that the
house was tenantless she took the note to Highbury herself and left it at the
door together with the house key The removal was effected after nightfall
Chapter XVII
Movements which appeal to the reason and virtue of humanity and are
consequently doomed to remain long in the speculative stage prove their
vitality by enduring the tests of schism A Socialistic propaganda in times such
as our own an insistence upon the principles of Christianity in a modern
Christian state the advocacy of peace and goodwill in an age when falsehood is
the foundation of the social structure and internecine warfare is presupposed
in every compact between man and man might anticipate that the test would come
soon and be of a stringent nature Accordingly it did not surprise Mr
Westlake when he discerned the beginnings of commotion in the Union of which he
represented the cultured and leading elements A comrade named Roodhouse had of
late been coming into prominence by addressing himself in fiery eloquence to
openair meetings and at length had taken upon himself to more than hint that
the movement was at a standstill owing to the lukewarmness in guise of
practical moderation of those to whom its guidance had been entrusted The
reports of Comrade Roodhouses lectures were of a nature that made it difficult
for Mr Westlake to print them in the Fiery Cross one such report arrived at
length that of a meeting held on Clerkenwell Green on the first Sunday of the
new year to which the editor refused admission The comrade who made it his
business to pen notes of the new apostles glowing words had represented him as
referring to the recognised leader in such very uncompromising terms that to
publish the report in the official columns would have been stultifying In the
lecture in question Roodhouse declared his adherence to the principles of
assassination he pronounced them the sole working principles to deny to
Socialists the right of assassination was to rob them of the very sinews of war
Men who affected to be revolutionists but were in reality nothing more than
rosewater romancers would of course object to anything which looked like
business they liked to sit in their comfortable studies and pen daintily worded
articles thus earning for themselves a humanitarian reputation at a very cheap
rate That would not do à bas all such pennyaliner pretence Blood and iron
that must be the revolutionists watchword Was it not by blood and iron that
the present damnable system was maintained To arms then secretly of course
Let tyrants be made to tremble upon their thrones in more countries than Russia
Let capitalists fear to walk in the daylight This only was the path of
progress
It was thought by the judicious that Comrade Roodhouse would if he repeated
this oration find himself the subject of a rather ugly indictment For the
present however his words were ignored save in the Socialist body To them
of course he had addressed himself and doubtless he was willing to run a
little risk for the sake of a most practical end that of splitting the party
and thus establishing a sovereignty for himself this done he could in future
be more guarded His reporter purposely sent copy to Mr Westlake which could
not be printed and the rejection of the report was the signal for secession
Comrade Roodhouse printed at his own expense a considerable number of leaflets
and sowed them broadcast in the Socialist meetingplaces There were not wanting
disaffected brethren who perused these appeals with satisfaction Schism
flourished
Comrade Roodhouse was of course a man of no means but he numbered among his
followers two extremely serviceable men one of them a practical printer who
carried on a small business in Camden Town the other an oil merchant who
because his profits had never exceeded a squalid two thousand a year whereas
another oil merchant of his acquaintance made at least twice as much was
embittered against things in general and ready to assist any subversionary
movement yea even with coin of the realm on the one condition that he should
be allowed to insert articles of his own composition in the new organ which it
was proposed to establish There was no difficulty in conceding this trifle
and the Tocsin was the result The name was a suggestion of the oil merchant
himself and no bad name if Socialists at large could be supposed capable of
understanding it but the oil merchant was too important a man to be thwarted
and the argument by which he supported his choice was incontestable »Isnt it
our aim to educate the people Very well then let them begin by knowing what
Tocsin means I shouldnt know myself if I hadnt come across it in the
newspaper and looked it up in the dictionary so there you are«
And there was the Tocsin a weekly paper like the Fiery Cross The first
number appeared in the middle of February so admirably prepared were the plans
of Comrade Roodhouse It appeared on Friday the next Sunday promised to be a
lively day at Commonwealth Hall and elsewhere At the original headquarters of
the Union addresses were promised from two leading men Comrades Westlake and
Mutimer Comrade Roodhouse would in the morning address an assembly on
Clerkenwell Green in the evening his voice would summon adherents to the
meetingplace in Hoxton which had been the scene of our friend Richards
earliest triumphs With few exceptions the Socialists of that region had gone
over to the new man and the new paper
Richard arrived in town on the Saturday and went to the house in Highbury
whither disagreeable business once more summoned him Alice who owing to her
mothers resolute refusal to direct the household had not as yet been able to
spend more than a day or two with Richard and his wife sent nothing but ill
news to Wanley Mrs Mutimer seemed to be breaking down in health and Arry was
undisguisedly returning to evil ways For the former, it was suspected a
locked door prevented certainty that she had of late kept her bed the greater
part of the day a servant who met her downstairs in the early morning reported
that she looked very bad indeed The case of the latter was as hard to deal
with Arry had long ceased to attend his classes with any regularity and he
was once more asserting the freemans right to immunity from day labour
Moreover he claimed in practice the freemans right to get drunk four nights
out of the seven No one knew whence he got his money Richard purposely stinted
him but the provision was useless Mr Keene declared with lamentations that
his influence over Arry was at an end nay the youth had so far forgotten
gratitude as to frankly announce his intention of knockin Keenes lights out if
he were further interfered with To the journalist his lights were
indispensable in no sense of the word did he possess too many of them so it
was clear that he must abdicate his tutorial functions Alice implored her
brother to come and do something
Richard though a married man of only six weeks standing had troubles
altogether in excess of his satisfactions Things were not as they should have
been in that earthly paradise called New Wanley It was not to be expected that
the profits of that undertaking would be worth speaking of for some little time
to come but it was extremely desirable that it should pay its own expenses and
it began to be doubtful whether even this moderate success was being achieved
Various members of the directing committee had visited New Wanley recently and
Richard had talked to them in a somewhat discouraging tone his fortune was not
limitless it had to be remembered a considerable portion of old Mutimers
money had lain in the vast Belwick concern of which he was senior partner the
surviving members of the firm were under no specified obligation to receive
Richard himself as partner and the product of the realised capital was a very
different thing from the share in the profits which the old man had enjoyed
Other capital Richard had at his command but already he was growing chary of
encroachments upon principal He began to murmur inwardly that the entire fortune
did not lie at his disposal willingly he would have allowed Alice a handsome
portion and as for Arry the inheritance was clearly going to be his ruin The
practical difficulties at New Wanley were proving considerable the affair was
viewed with hostility by ironmasters in general and the results of such
hostility were felt But Richard was committed to his scheme all his ambitions
based themselves thereupon And those ambitions grew daily
These greater troubles must to a certain extent solve themselves but in
Highbury it was evidently time as Alice said to do something His mothers
obstinacy stood in the way of almost every scheme that suggested itself Richard
was losing patience with the poor old woman and suffered the more from his
irritation because he would so gladly have behaved to her with filial kindness
One plan there was to which she might possibly agree and even have pleasure in
accepting it but it was not easy to propose The house in Wilton Square was
still on his hands upon the departure of Emma and her sister a certain Mrs
Chattaway a poor friend of old times who somehow supported herself and a
grandchild had been put into the house as caretaker for Richard could not sell
all the furniture to which his mother was so attached and he had waited for her
return to reason before ultimately deciding how to act in that matter Could he
now ask the old woman to return to the Square and it might be live there with
Mrs Chattaway In that case both Arry and Alice would have to leave London
On Saturday afternoon he had a long talk with his sister To Alice also it
had occurred that their mothers return to the old abode might be desirable
»And you may depend upon it Dick« she said »shell never rest again till
she does get back I believe youve only got to speak of it and shell go at
once«
»Shell think it unkind« Richard objected »It looks as if we wanted to get
her out of the way Why on earth does she carry on like this As if we hadnt
bother enough«
»Well we cant help what she thinks I believe itll be for her own good
Shell be comfortable with Mrs Chattaway and thats more than shell ever be
here But what about Arry«
»Hell have to come to Wanley I shall find him work there I wish Id done
so months ago«
There were no longer the objections to Arrys appearance at Wanley that had
existed previous to Richards marriage none the less the resolution was
courageous and proved the depth of Mutimers anxiety for his brother Having
got the old woman to Wilton Square and Alice to the Manor it would have been
easy enough to bid Mr Henry Mutimer betake himself whither his mind directed
him Richard could not adopt that roughandready way out of his difficulty
Just as he suffered in the thought that he might be treating his mother
unkindly so he was constrained to undergo annoyances rather than abandon the
hope of saving Arry from ultimate destruction
»Will he live at the Manor« Alice asked uneasily
Richard mused then a most happy idea struck him
»I have it He shall live with Rodman The very thing Rodmans the fellow
to look after him Yes thats what well do«
»And Im to live at the Manor«
»Of course«
»You think Adela wont mind«
»Mind How the deuce can she mind it«
As a matter of form Adela would of course be consulted but Richard had no
notion of submitting practical arrangements in his own household to his wifes
decision
»Now we shall have to see mother« he said »Hows that to be managed«
»Will you go and speak at her door«
»That be hanged Confound it has she gone crazy Just go up and say I want
to see her«
»If I say that Im quite sure she wont come«
Richard waxed in anger
»But she shall come Go and say I want to see her and that if she doesnt
come down Ill force the door Therell have to be an end to this damned
foolery Ive got no time to spend humbugging Its four oclock and I have
letters to write before dinner Tell her I must see her and have done with it«
Alice went upstairs with small hope of success She knocked twice before
receiving an answer
»Mother are you there«
»What do you want« came back in a voice of irritation
»Dicks here and wants to speak to you He says he must see you its
something very important«
»Ive nothing to do with him« was the reply
»Will you see him if he comes up here«
»No I wont«
Alice went down and repeated this After a moments hesitation Mutimer
ascended the stairs by threes He rapped loudly at the bedroom door No answer
was vouchsafed
»Mother you must either open the door or come downstairs« he cried with
decision »This has gone on long enough Which will you do«
»Ill do neither« was the angry reply »What right have you to order me
about Id like to know You mind your business and Ill mind mine«
»All right Then I shall send for a man at once and have the door forced«
Mrs Mutimer knew well the tone in which these words were spoken more than
once ere now it had been the preliminary of decided action Already Richard had
reached the head of the stairs when he heard a key turn and the bedroom door
was thrown open with such violence that the walls shook He approached the
threshold and examined the interior
There was only one noticeable change in the appearance of the bedroom since
he had last seen it The dressingtable was drawn near to the fire and on it
were a cup and saucer a few plates some knives forks and spoons and a
folded tablecloth A kettle and a saucepan stood on the fender Her bread and
butter Mrs Mutimer kept in a drawer All the appointments of the chamber were
as clean and orderly as could be
The sight of his mothers face all but stilled Richards anger she was
yellow and wasted her hair seemed far more grizzled than he remembered it She
stood as far from him as she could get in an attitude not devoid of dignity
and looked him straight in the face He closed the door
»Mother Ive not come here to quarrel with you« Mutimer began his voice
much softened »Whats done is done and theres no helping it I can understand
you being angry at first but theres no sense in making enemies of us all in
this way It cant go on any longer neither for your sake nor ours I want to
talk reasonably and to make some kind of arrangement«
»You want to get me out o the ouse Im ready to go an glad to go Ive
earnt my livin before now an Im not so old but I can do it again You always
was one for talkin but the fewest words is best Them as talks most isnt all
us the most straightforard«
»It isnt that kind of talk thatll do any good mother I tell you again
Im not going to use angry words You know perfectly well Ive never behaved
badly to you and Im not going to begin now What Ive got to say is that
youve no right to go on like this Whilst youve been shutting yourself up in
this room theres Alice living by herself which it isnt right she should do
and theres Arry going to the bad as fast as he can and just because you wont
help to look after him If youll only think of it in the right way youll see
thats a good deal your doing If Arry turns out a scamp and a blackguard its
you that ll be greatly to blame for it You might have helped to look after
him I always thought youd more common sense You may say what you like about
me and I dont care but when you talk about working for your living you ought
to remember that theres work enough near at hand if only youd see to it«
»Ive nothing to do neither with you nor Arry nor Alice« answered the old
woman stubbornly »If Arry disgraces his name he wont be the first as has
done it I done my best to bring you all up honest but that was a long time
ago and things has changed Youre old enough to go your own ways an your
ways isnt mine I told you how it ud be an the only mistake I made was
comin to live here at all Now I cant be left alone an Ill go Youve no
call to tell me a second time«
It was a long miserable wrangle lasting half an hour before a possibility
of agreement presented itself Richard at length ceased to recriminate and
allowed his mother to talk herself to satiety He then said
»Im thinking of giving up this house mother What I want to know is
whether it would please you to go back to the old place again I ask you because
I can think of no other way for putting you in comfort You must say and think
what you like only just answer me the one question as I ask it that is
honestly and goodtemperedly I shall have to take Arry away with me I cant
let him go to the dogs without another try to keep him straight Alice ll have
to go with me too at all events for a time Whether we like it or not shell
have to accustom herself to new ways and I see my way to helping her I dont
know whether youve been told that Mrs Chattaways been living in the house
since the others went away The furnitures just as you left it I dare say
youd feel it like going home again«
»Theyve gone have they« Mrs Mutimer asked as if unwilling to show the
interest which this proposal had excited in her
»Yes they went more than a month ago We put Mrs Chattaway in just to keep
the place in order I look on the house as yours You might let Mrs Chattaway
stay there still perhaps but thats just as you please You oughtnt to live
quite alone«
Mrs Mutimer did not soften but after many words Richard understood her
to agree to what he proposed She had stood all through the dialogue now at
length she moved to a seat and sank upon it with trembling limbs Richard
wished to go but had a difficulty in leaving abruptly Darkness had fallen
whilst they talked they only saw each other by the light of the fire
»Am I to come and see you or not mother when you get back to the old
quarters«
She did not reply
»You wont tell me«
»You must come or stay away as it suits you« she said in a tone of
indifference
»Very well then I shall come if its only to tell you about Arry and
Alice And now will you let Alice come up and have some tea with you«
There was no answer
»Then Ill tell her she may« he said kindly and went from the room
He found Alice in the drawingroom and persuaded her to go up
»Just take it as if there d been nothing wrong« he said to his sister
»Shes had a wretched time of it I can see that Take some teacakes up with
you and talk about going back to the Square as if shed proposed it herself We
mustnt be hard with her just because she cant change poor old soul«
Socialistic business took him away during the evening When he returned at
eleven oclock Arry had not yet come in Shortly before one there were sounds
of ineffectual effort at the frontdoor latch Mutimer who happened to be
crossing the hall heard them and went to open the door The result was that
his brother fell forward at full length upon the mat
»Get up drunken beast« Richard exclaimed angrily
»Beast yourself« was the hiccupped reply repeated several times whilst
Arry struggled to his feet Then propping himself against the doorpost the
maligned youth assumed the attitude of pugilism inviting all and sundry to come
on and have their lights extinguished Richard flung him into the hall and
closed the door Arry had again to struggle with gravitation
»Walk upstairs if you can« ordered his brother with contemptuous severity
After much trouble Arry was got to his room thrust in and the door
slammed behind him
Richard was not disposed to argue with his brother this time He waited in
the diningroom next morning till the champion of liberty presented himself
then scarcely looking at him said with quiet determination
»Pack your clothes some time today Youre going to Wanley tomorrow
morning«
»Not unless I choose« remarked Arry
»You look here« exclaimed the elder with concentrated savageness which did
credit to his powers of command »What you choose has nothing to do with it and
that youll please to understand At halfpast nine tomorrow morning youre
ready for me in this room hear that Ill have an end to this kind of thing or
Ill know the reason why Speak a word of impudence to me and Ill knock half
your teeth out«
He was capable of doing it Arry got to his morning meal in silence
In the course of the morning Mr Keene called Mutimer received him in the
diningroom and they smoked together Their talk was of the meetings to be held
in the evening
»Therell be nasty doings up there« Keene remarked indicating with his
head the gathering place of Comrade Roodhouses adherents
»Of what kind« Mutimer asked with indifference
»Theres disagreeable talk going about Probably theyll indulge in
personalities a good deal«
»Of course they will« assented the other after a short pause »Westlake
eh«
»Not only Westlake Theres a more important man«
Mutimer could not resist a smile though he was uneasy Keene understood the
smile it was always an encouragement to him
»What have they got hold of«
»Im afraid therell be references to the girl«
»The girl« Richard hesitated »What girl What do you know about any girl«
»Its only the gossip Ive heard I thought it would be as well if I went
about among them last night just to pick up hints you know«
»Theyre talking about that are they Well let them It isnt hard to
invent lies«
»Just so« observed Mr Keene sympathisingly »Of course I know theyd
twisted the affair«
Mutimer glanced at him and smoked in silence
»I think Id better be there tonight« the journalist continued »I shall
be more useful there than at the hall«
»As you like« said Mutimer lightly
The subject was not pursued
Though the occasion was of so much importance Commonwealth Hall contained
but a moderate audience when Mr Westlake rose to deliver his address The
people who occupied the benches were obviously of a different stamp from those
wont to assemble at the Hoxton meetingplace There were perhaps a dozen
artisans of intensely sober appearance and the rest were men and women who
certainly had never wrought with their hands Near Mrs Westlake sat several
ladies her personal friends Of the men other than artisans the majority were
young and showed the countenance which bespeaks meritorious intelligence rather
than ardour of heart or brain Of enthusiasts in the true sense none could be
discerned It needed but a glance over this assembly to understand how very
theoretical were the convictions that had brought its members together
Mr Westlakes address was interesting very interesting he had prepared it
with much care and its literary qualities were admired when subsequently it saw
the light in one of the leading periodicals Now and then he touched eloquence
the sincerity animating him was unmistakable and the ideal he glorified was
worthy of a noble mind Not in anger did he speak of the schism from which the
movement was suffering even his sorrow was dominated by a gospel of hope
Optimism of the most fervid kind glowed through his discourse he grew almost
lyrical in his anticipation of the good time coming For tonight it seemed to
him that encouragement should be the prevailing note it was always easy to see
the dark side of things Their work he told his hearers was but just
beginning They aimed at nothing less than a revolution and revolutions were
not brought about in a day None of them would in the flesh behold the reign of
justice was that a reason why they should neglect the highest impulses of their
nature and sit contented in the shadow of the worlds mourning He spoke with
passion of the millions disinherited before their birth with infinite
tenderness of those weak ones whom our social system condemns to a life of
torture just because they are weak One loved the man for his great heart and
for his gift of moving speech
His wife sat as she always did when listening intently her body bent
forward one hand supporting her chin Her eyes never quitted his face
To the second speaker it had fallen to handle in detail the differences of
the hour Mutimers exordium was not inspiriting after the richrolling periods
with which Mr Westlake had come to an end his hard voice contrasted painfully
with the others cultured tones Richard was probably conscious of this for he
hesitated more than was his wont seeking words which did not come naturally to
him However he warmed to his work and was soon giving his audience clearly to
understand how he Richard Mutimer regarded the proceedings of Comrade
Roodhouse Let us be practical this was the burden of his exhortation We are
Englishmen and women not flighty frothy foreigners Besides we have the
blessings of free speech and with the tongue and pen we must be content to
fight other modes of warfare being barbarous Those who in their inconsiderate
zeal had severed the Socialist body were taking upon themselves a very grave
responsibility not only had they troubled the movement internally but they
would doubtless succeed in giving it a bad name with many who were hitherto
merely indifferent and who might in time have been brought over Let it be
understood that in this hall the true doctrine was preached and that the Fiery
Cross was the true organ of English Socialism as distinguished from foreign
crazes The strength of England had ever been her sobriety Englishmen did not
fly at impossibilities like noisy children He would not hesitate to say that
the revolutionism preached in the newspaper called the Tocsin was dangerous was
immoral And so on
Richard was not at his best this evening You might have seen Mrs Westlake
abandon her attentive position and lean back rather wearily you might have
seen a covert smile on a few of the more intelligent faces It was awkward for
Mutimer to be praising moderation in a movement directed against capital and
this was not exactly the audience for eulogies of Great Britain at the expense
of other countries The applause when the orator seated himself was anything but
hearty Richard knew it and inwardly cursed Mr Westlake for taking the wind
out of his sails
Very different was the scene in the meetingroom behind the coffeeshop
There upon Comrade Roodhouses harangue followed a debate more stirring than
any on the records of the Islington and Hoxton branch The room was thoroughly
full the roof rang with tempestuous acclamations Messrs Cowes and Cullen were
in their glory they roared with delight at each depreciatory epithet applied to
Mr Westlake and his henchmen and prompted the speakers with words and phrases
of a rich vernacular If anything Comrade Roodhouse fell a little short of what
was expected of him His friends had come together prepared for gory language
but the murderous instigations of Clerkenwell Green were not repeated with the
same crudity The speaker dealt in negatives not thus and thus was the social
millennium to be brought about it was open to his hearers to conceive the
practical course For the rest the heresiarch had a mighty flow of vituperative
speech Aspirates troubled him so that for the most part he cast them away and
the syntax of his periods was often anacoluthic but these matters were of no
moment
Questions being called for Mr Cowes and Mr Cullen of course started up
simultaneously The former gentleman got the ear of the meeting With
preliminary swaying of the hand he looked round as one about to propound a
question which would for ever establish his reputation for acumen In his voice
of quiet malice with his frequent deliberate pauses with the wonted emphasis
on absurd pronunciations he spoke somewhat thus
»In the course of his address I shall say nothin about its qualities the
time for discussion will come presently our Comrade has said not a few ard
things about certain individooals who put themselves forward as perractical
Socialists «
»Not ard enough« roared a voice from the back of the room
Mr Cowes turned his lank figure deliberately and gazed for a moment in the
quarter whence the interruption had come Then he resumed
»I agree with that involuntary exclamation Certainly not ard enough And
the question I wish to put to our Comrade is this Is he or is he not aweer of
certain scandalous doins on the part of one of these said individooals I might
say actions which from the Socialist point of view amount to crimes If our
Comrade is aweer of what I refer to then it seems to me it was his dooty to
distinctly mention it If he was not aweer then we in this neighbourhood shall
be only too glad to enlighten him I distinctly assert that a certain
individooal we all have in our thoughts has proved himself a traitor to the
cause of the people Comrades will understand me And thats the question I wish
to put«
Mr Cowes had introduced the subject which a considerable number of those
present were bent on publicly discussing Who it was that had first spread the
story of Mutimers matrimonial concerns probably no one could have determined
It was not Daniel Dabbs though Daniel partly from genuine indignation partly
in consequence of slowly growing personal feeling against the Mutimers had
certainly supplied Richards enemies with corroborative details Under ordinary
circumstances Mutimers change of fortune would have seemed to his old mates a
sufficient explanation of his behaviour to Emma Vine they certainly would not
have gone out of their way to condemn him But Richard was by this time vastly
unpopular with most of those who had once glorified him Envy had had time to
grow and was assisted by Richards avoidance of personal contact with his
Hoxton friends When they spoke of him now it was with sneers and sarcasms Some
one had confidently asserted that the socalled Socialistic enterprise at Wanley
was a mere pretence that Mutimer was making money just like any other
capitalist and the leaguers of Hoxton firmly believed this They encouraged one
another to positive hatred of the working man who had suddenly become wealthy
his name stank in their nostrils This in a great measure explained Comrade
Roodhouses success personal feeling is almost always the spring of public
action among the uneducated In the excitement of the schism a few of the more
energetic spirits had determined to drag Richards domestic concerns into
publicity They suddenly became aware that private morality was at the root of
the general good they urged each other to righteous indignation in a matter for
which they did not really care two straws Thus Mr Cowess question was
received with vociferous approval Those present who did not understand the
allusion were quickly enlightened by their neighbours A crowd of Englishmen
working itself into a moral rage is as glorious a spectacle as the world can
show Not one of these men but heartily believed himself justified in reviling
the traitor to his class the betrayer of confiding innocence Remember too
how it facilitates speech to have a concrete topic on which to enlarge in this
matter a West End drawingroom and the Hoxton coffeeshop are akin Regularity
of procedure was at an end question grew to debate and debate was riot Mr
Cullen succeeded Mr Cowes and roared himself hoarse defying the feeble
protests of the chairman He abandoned mere allusion and rejoiced the meeting
by declaring names His example was followed by those who succeeded him
Little did Emma think as she sat working Sunday though it was in her poor
room that her sorrows were being blared forth to a gross assembly in venomous
accusation against the man who had wronged her We can imagine that the
knowledge would not greatly have soothed her
Comrade Roodhouse at length obtained a hearing It was his policy to
deprecate these extreme personalities and in doing so he heaped on the enemy
greater condemnation There was not a little art in the heresiarchs modes of
speech the less obtuse appreciated him and bade him live for ever The
secretary of the branch busily took notes
When the meeting had broken up into groups a number of the more prominent
Socialists surrounded Comrade Roodhouse on the platform Their talk was still of
Mutimer of his shameless hypocrisy his greed his infernal arrogance Near at
hand stood Mr Keene a word brought him into conversation with a neighbour He
began by repeating the prevalent abuse then perceiving that his hearer merely
gave assent in general terms he added
»I shouldnt wonder though if there was some reason we havent heard of
I mean about the girl you know«
»Think so« said the other
»Well I have heard it said but then one doesnt care to repeat such
things«
»Whats that eh« put in another man who had caught the words
»Oh nothing Only the girls made herself scarce Dare say the fault wasnt
altogether on one side«
And Mr Keene winked meaningly
The hint spread among those on the platform Daniel Dabbs happened to hear
it repeated in a gross form
»Whos been asayin that« he roared »Where have you got that from eh«
The source was already forgotten but Daniel would not let the calumny take
its way unopposed He harangued those about him with furious indignation
»If any mans got a word to say against Emma Vine let him come an say it
to me thats all Now look ere all o you I know that girl and I know that
anyone as talks like that about her tells a damned lie«
»Most like its Mutimer himself as has set it goin« observed someone
In five minutes all who remained in the room were convinced that Mutimer had
sent an agent to the meeting for the purpose of assailing Emma Vines good name
Mr Keene had already taken his departure and no suspicious character was
discernible a pity for the evening might have ended in a picturesque way
But Daniel Dabbs went home to his brothers publichouse obtained
notepaper and an envelope and forthwith indited a brief epistle which he
addressed to the house in Highbury It had no formal commencement and ended
with Yours etc Daniel demanded an assurance that his former friend had not
instigated certain vile accusations against Emma and informed him that whatever
answer was received would be read aloud at next Sundays meeting
The one not wholly ignoble incident in that evenings transactions
Chapter XVIII
In the partial reconciliation between Mrs Mutimer and her children there was no
tenderness on either side The old conditions could not be restored and the
habits of the family did not lend themselves to the polite hypocrisy which
lubricates the wheels of the refined world There was to be a parting and
probably it would be for life In Richards household his mother could never
have a part and when Alice married doubtless the same social difficulty would
present itself. It was not the future to which Mrs Mutimer had looked forward
but having said her say she resigned herself and hardened her heart At least
she would die in the familiar home
Richard had supper with his sister on his return from Commonwealth Hall and
their plans were discussed in further detail
»I want you« he said »to go to the Square with mother tomorrow and to
stay there till Wednesday You wont mind doing that«
»I think shed do every bit as well without me« said Alice
»Never mind I should like you to go Ill take Arry down tomorrow
morning then Ill come and fetch you on Wednesday Youll just see that
everythings comfortable in the house and buy her a few presents the kind of
things shed like«
»I dont suppose shell take anything«
»Try at all events And dont mind her talk it does no harm«
In the morning came the letter from Daniel Dabbs Richard read it without
any feeling of surprise still less with indignation at the calumny of which it
complained During the night he had wondered uneasily what might have occurred
at the Hoxton meeting and the result was a revival of his ignoble anger against
Emma Had he not anxiety enough that she must bring him new trouble when he
believed that all relations between him and her were at an end Doubtless she
was posing as a martyr before all who knew anything of her story why had she
refused his money if not that her case might seem all the harder It were
difficult to say whether he really believed this in a nature essentially
egoistic there is often no line to be drawn between genuine convictions and the
irresponsible charges of resentment Mutimer had so persistently trained himself
to regard Emma as in the wrong that it was no wonder if he had lost the power
of judging sanely in any matter connected with her Her refusal to benefit by
his generosity had aggravated him actually no doubt because she thus deprived
him of a defence against his conscience
He was not surprised that libellous rumours were afloat simply because
since his yesterdays conversation with Keene the thought of justifying himself
in some such way should it really prove necessary had several times occurred
to him suggested probably by Keenes own words That the journalist had found
means of doing him this service was very likely indeed He remembered with
satisfaction that no hint of such a thing had escaped his own lips Still he
was uneasy Keene might have fallen short of prudence with the result that
Daniel Dabbs might be in a position to trace this calumny to him Mutimer It
would not be pleasant if the affair thus represented came to the ears of his
friends particularly of Mr Westlake
He had just finished his breakfast and was glancing over the newspaper in a
dull and irritable mood when Keene himself arrived Mutimer expected him Alice
quitted the diningroom when he was announced and Arry who at the same moment
came in for breakfast was bidden go about his business and be ready to leave
the house in halfanhour
»What does this mean« Richard asked abruptly handing the letter to his
visitor
Keene perused the crabbed writing and uttered sundry Ahs and Hums
»Do you know anything about it« Mutimer continued in a tone between mere
annoyance and serious indignation
»I think I had better tell you what took place last night« said the
journalist with side glances He had never altogether thrown off the
deferential manner when conversing with his patron and at present he emphasised
it »Those fellows carry party feeling too far the proceedings were scandalous
It really was enough to make one feel that one mustnt be too scrupulous in
trying to stop their mouths If Im not mistaken an action for defamation of
character would lie against halfadozen of them«
Mutimer was unfortunately deficient in sense of humour He continued to
scowl and merely said »Go on what happened«
Mr Keene allowed the evenings proceedings to lose nothing in his
narration He was successful in exciting his hearer to wrath but to his
consternation it was forthwith turned against himself
»And you tried to make things better by going about telling what several of
them would know perfectly well to be lies« exclaimed Mutimer savagely »Who
the devil gave you authority to do so«
»My dear sir« protested the journalist »you have quite mistaken me I did
not mean to admit that I had told lies How could I for a moment suppose that a
man of your character would sanction that kind of thing Pooh I hope I know you
better No no I merely in the course of conversation ventured to hint that as
you yourself had explained to me there were reasons quite other than the vulgar
mind would conceive for for the course you had pursued To my own apprehension
such reasons are abundant and I will add most conclusive You have not
endeavoured to explain them to me in detail I trust you felt that I was not so
dull of understanding as to be incapable of of appreciating motives when
sufficiently indicated Situations of this kind are never to be explained
grossly I mean of course in the case of men of intellect I flatter myself
that I have come to know your ruling principles and I will say that beyond a
doubt your behaviour has been most honourable Of course I was mistaken in
trying to convey this to those I talked with last night they misinterpreted me
and I might have expected it We cannot give them the moral feelings which they
lack But I am glad that the error has so quickly come to light A mere word
from you and such a delusion goes no farther I regret it extremely«
Mutimer held the letter in his hand and kept looking from it to the
speaker Keenes subtleties were not very intelligible to him but even with a
shrewd suspicion that he was being humbugged he could not resist a sense of
pleasure in hearing himself classed with the superior men whose actions are not
to be explained by the vulgar Nay he asked himself whether the defence was not
in fact a just one After all was it not possible that his conduct had been
praiseworthy He recovered the argument by which he had formerly tried to
silence disagreeable inner voices a man in his position owed it to society to
effect a union of classes and private feeling must give way before the higher
motive He reflected for a moment when Keene ceased to speak
»What did you say« he then asked still bluntly but with less anger »Just
tell me the words as far as you can remember«
Keene was at no loss to recall inoffensive phrases in another long speech
full of cajolery sufficiently artful for the occasion he represented himself as
having merely protested against misrepresentations obviously sharpened by
malice
»It is just possible that I made some reference to her character« he
admitted speaking more slowly and as if desirous that no word should escape
his hearer »but it did not occur to me to guard against misunderstandings of
the word I might have remembered that it has such different meanings on the
lips of educated and of uneducated men You of course would never have missed
my thoughts«
»If I might suggest« he added when Mutimer kept silence »I think if you
condescend to notice the letter at all you should reply only in the most
general terms Who is this man Dabbs I wonder who has the impudence to write
to you in this way«
»Oh one of the Hoxton Socialists I suppose« Mutimer answered carelessly
»I remember the name«
»A gross impertinence By no means encourage them in thinking you owe
explanations Your position doesnt allow anything of the kind«
»All right« said Richard his illhumour gone »Ill see to it«
He was not able after all to catch the early train by which he had meant
to take his brother to Wanley He did not like to leave without some kind of
goodbye to his mother and Alice said that the old woman would not be ready to
go before eleven oclock After half an hour of restlessness he sat down to
answer Daniels letter Keenes flattery had not been without its fruit From
anger which had in it an element of apprehension he passed to an arrogant
selfconfidence which character and circumstances were conspiring to make his
habitual mood It was a gross impertinence in Daniel to address him thus What
was the use of wealth if it did not exempt one from the petty laws binding on
miserable handtomouth toilers He would have done with Emma Vine his time was
of too much value to the world to be consumed in wranglings about a workgirl
What if here and there someone believed the calumny Would it do Emma any harm
That was most unlikely On the whole the misunderstanding was useful let it
take its course Men with large aims cannot afford to be scrupulous in small
details Was not New Wanley a sufficient balance against a piece of injustice
which after all was only one of words
He wrote
»Dear Sir I have received your letter but it is impossible for me to
spend time in refuting idle stories Whats more I cannot see that my
private concerns are a fit subject for discussion at a public meeting
as I understand they have been made You are at liberty to read this
note when and where you please and in that intention let me add that
the cause of Socialism will not be advanced by attacks on the character
of those most earnestly devoted to it I remain yours truly
RICHARD MUTIMER«
It seemed to Richard that this was the very thing alike in tone and phrasing A
week or two previously a certain statesman had written to the same effect in
reply to calumnious statements and Richard consciously made that letter his
model The statesman had probably been sounder in his syntax but his imitator
had no doubt the advantage in other points Richard perused his composition
several times and sent it to the post
At eleven oclock Mrs Mutimer descended to the hall ready for her journey
She would not enter any room Her eldest son came out to meet her and got rid
of the servant who had fetched a cab
»Goodbye for the present mother« he said giving his hand »I hope youll
find everything just as you wish it«
»If I dont I shant complain« was the cold reply
The old woman had clad herself since her retreat in the garments of former
days and the truth must be told that they did not add to the dignity of her
appearance Probably no costume devisable could surpass in ignoble ugliness the
attire of an English workingclass widow when she appears in the streets The
proximity of Alice always becomingly clad drew attention to the poor mothers
plebeian guise Richard watching her enter the cab felt for the first time a
distinct shame His feelings might have done him more credit but for the repulse
he had suffered
Arry contented himself with standing at the front window his hands in his
pockets
Later in the same day Daniel Dabbs who had by chance been following the
British workmans practice and devoting Monday to recreation entered an omnibus
in which Mrs Clay was riding She had a heavy bundle on her lap shopwork
which she was taking home Daniel had already received Mutimers reply and was
nursing a fit of anger He seated himself by Kates side and conversed with
her
»Heard anything from him lately« he asked with a motion of the head which
rendered mention of names unnecessary
»Not we« Kate replied bitterly her eyes fixing themselves in scorn
»No loss« remarked Daniel with an expression of disgust
»Hell hear from me some day« said the woman »and in a way as he wont
like«
The noise of the vehicle did not favour conversation Daniel waited till
Kate got out then he too descended and walked along by her side He did not
offer to relieve her of the bundle in primitive societies woman is naturally
the burdenbearer
»I wouldnt a thought it o Dick« he said his head thrust forward and
his eyes turning doggedly from side to side »They say as how too much money
aint good for a man but its changed him past all knowin«
»He always had a good deal too much to say for himself« remarked Mrs Clay
speaking with difficulty through her quickened breath the bundle almost more
than she could manage
»I wish just now as hed say a bit more« said Daniel »Now see heres a
letter Ive just got from him I wrote to him last night to let him know of
things as was goin round at the lecture Theres one or two of our men you
know think hed ought to be made to smart a bit for the way hes treated Emma
and last night they up an spoke you should just a eard them Then someone
set it goin as the fault wasnt Dicks at all See what I mean I dont know
who started that I cant think as hed try to blacken a girls name just to
excuse himself thats goin a bit too far«
Mrs Clay came to a standstill
»Hes been saying things of Emma« she cried »Is that what you mean «
»Well see now I couldnt believe it an I dont rightly believe it yet
Ill read you the answer as hes sent me«
Daniel gave forth the letter getting rather lost amid its pretentious
periods with the eccentric pauses and intonation of an uneducated reader
Standing in a busy thoroughfare he and Kate almost blocked the pavement
impatient pedestrians pushed against them and uttered maledictions
»I suppose thats Dicks new way o sayin he hadnt nothin to do with it«
Daniel commented at the end »Money seems always to bring long words with it
somehow It seems to me hed ought to speak plainer«
»Whos done it if he didnt« Kate exclaimed with shrill anger »You dont
suppose theres another man ud go about telling coward lies The mean wretch
Says things about my sister does he Ill be even with that man yet never you
mind«
»Well I cant believe it o Dick« muttered Dabbs »He says ere you see
as he hasnt time to contradict idle stories I suppose that means he didnt
start em«
»If he tells one lie wont he tell another« cried the woman She was
obliged to put down her bundle on a doorstep and used the moment of relief to
pour forth vigorous vituperation Dick listened with an air half of approval
half doggedly doubtful He was not altogether satisfied with himself
»Well I must get off ome« he said at length »Its only right as you
should know whats goin on Theres no one believes a word of it and that you
can tell Emma If I hear it repeated you may be sure Ill up an say what I
think It wont go no further if I can stop it Well so long Give my respects
to your sister«
Daniel waved his arm and made off across the street Kate clutching her
bundle again panted along byways reaching the housedoor she rang a bell
twice and Emma admitted her They climbed together to an upper room where Kate
flung her burden on to the floor and began at once to relate with vehemence all
that Daniel had told her The calumny lost nothing in her repetition After
listening in surprise for a few moments Emma turned away and quietly began to
cut bread and butter for the children who were having their tea
»Havent you got anything to say« cried her sister »I suppose hell be
telling his foul lies about me next Oh hes a goodearted man is Mutimer
Perhaps youll believe me now Are you going to let him talk what he likes about
you«
Since the abandonment of the house in Wilton Square Kate had incessantly
railed in this way it was a joy to her to have discovered new matter for
invective Emmas persistent silence maddened her even now not a word was to be
got from the girl
»Cant you speak« shrilled Mrs Clay »If you dont do something I let you
know that I shall Im not going to stand this kind o thing dont think it If
they talk ill of you theyll do the same of me Its time that devil had
something for himself You might be made o stone I only hope I may meet him in
the streets thats all Ill show him up see if I dont Ill let all the
people know what he is the cur Ill do something to make him give me in
charge and then Ill tell it all out before the magistrates I dont care what
comes Ill find some way of paying out that beast«
Emma turned angrily
»Hold your tongue Kate If you go on like this day after day we shall have
to part I cant put up with it so there now Ive begged and prayed you to
stop and you dont pay the least heed to me I think you might have more
kindness Youll never make me say a single word about him do what you will
Ive told you that many a time and I mean what I say Let him say what he likes
and do what he likes Its nothing to me and it doesnt concern you Youll
drive me out of the house again like you did the other night I cant bear it
Do you understand Kate I cant bear it«
Her voice shook and there were tears of uttermost shame and misery in her
eyes The children sitting at the table though accustomed to scenes of this
kind looked at the disputants with troubled faces and at length the younger
began to cry Emma at once turned to the little one with smiles of reassurance
Kate would have preferred to deal slaps but contented herself with taking a cup
of tea to the fireside and sulking for half an hour
Emma unrolled the bundle of work and soon the hum of the sewingmachine
began to continue late into the night
Chapter XIX
You remember that one side of the valley in which stood New Wanley was clad with
trees Through this wood a public path made transverse ascent to the shoulder of
the hill a way little used save by Wanley ramblers in summer time The section
of the wood above the path was closed against trespassers among the copses
below anyone might freely wander In places it was scarcely possible to make a
way for fern bramble and underwood but elsewhere mossy tracks led one among
hazels or under arches of foliage which made of the midday sky a cool golden
shimmer One such track abruptly turning round a great rock over the face of
which drooped the boughs of an ash came upon a little sloping lawn which
started from a high hazelcovered bank The bank itself was so shaped as to
afford an easy seat shaded even when the grass in front was all sunshine
Adela had long known this retreat and had been accustomed to sit here with
Letty especially when she needed to exchange deep confidences with her friend
Once just as they were settling themselves upon the bank they were startled by
a movement among the leaves above followed by the voice of someone addressing
them with cheerful friendliness and making request to be allowed to descend and
join them It was Hubert Eldon just home for the long vacation Once or twice
subsequently the girls had met Hubert on the same spot there had been a picnic
here too in which Mrs Eldon and Mrs Waltham took part But Adela always
thought of the place as peculiarly her own To others it was only a delightfully
secluded corner of the wood fresh and green for her it had something
intimately dear as the haunt where she had first met her own self face to face
and had heard the whispering of secrets as if by another voice to her tremulous
heart
She sat here one morning in July six months after her marriage It was more
than a year since she had seen the spot and on reaching it to day it seemed to
her less beautiful than formerly the leafage was to her eyes thinner and less
warm of hue than in earlier years the grass had a coarser look and did not
clothe the soil so completely An impulse had brought her hither and her first
sense on arriving had been one of disappointment Was the change in her way of
seeing or had the retreat indeed suffered perchance from the smoke of New
Wanley The disappointment was like that we experience in revisiting a place
kept only in memory since childhood Adela had not travelled much in the past
year but her growth in experience had put great tracts between her and the days
when she came here to listen and wonder It was indeed a memory of her childhood
that led her into the wood
She had brought with her a German book on Socialism and a little German
dictionary At the advice of Mr Westlake given some months ago on the occasion
of a visit to the Manor she had applied herself diligently to this study But
it was not only with a view to using the time that she had selected these books
this morning In visiting a scene which would strongly revive the past instinct
rather than conscious purpose had bidden her keep firm hold upon the
present On experiencing her disillusion a sense of trouble had almost led her
to retrace her steps at once but she overcame this and seating herself on the
familiar bank began to toil through hard sentences Such moments of
self-discipline were of daily occurrence in her life she kept watch and ward
over her feelings and found in efforts of the mind a short way out of inner
conflicts which she durst not suffer to pass beyond the first stage
Near at hand there grew a silver birch Hubert Eldon on one of the
occasions when he talked here with Adela and Letty had by chance let his eyes
wander from Adela to the birch tree and his fancy just then active among
tender images suggested a likeness between that graceful gleaming stem with
its delicately drooping foliage and the sweetfeatured girl who stood before him
with her head bowed in unconscious loveliness As the silver birch among the
trees of the wood so was Adela among the men and women of the world And to one
looking upon her by chance such a comparison might still have occurred But in
face she was no longer what she had then been Her eyebrows formerly so smooth
and smiling now constantly drew themselves together as if at a thought of pain
or in some mental exertion Her cheeks had none of their maiden colour Her lips
were closed too firmly and sometimes trembled like those of old persons who
have known much trouble
In spite of herself her attention flagged from the hard dull book the
spirit of the place was too strong for her and as in summers gone by she was
lost in vision But not with eyes like these had she been wont to dream on the
green branches or on the sward that lay deep in sunlight On her raised lids sat
the heaviness of mourning she seemed to strain her sight to something very far
off something which withdrew itself from her desire upon which her soul called
and called in vain Her cheeks showed their thinness her brow foretold the
lines which would mark it when she grew old It was a sob in her throat which
called her back to consciousness a sob which her lips welltrained warders
would not allow to pass
She forced herself to the book again and for some minutes plied her
dictionary with feverish zeal Then there came over her countenance a strange
gleam of joy as if she triumphed in selfconquest She smiled as she continued
her work clearly making a happiness of each mastered sentence And looking up
with the smile still fixed she found that her solitude was invaded Letty Tew
had just appeared round the rock which sheltered the green haven
»You here Adela« the girl exclaimed »How strange«
»Why strange Letty«
»Oh only because I had a sort of feeling that perhaps I might meet you Not
here particularly« she added as if eager to explain herself »but somewhere
in the wood The day is so fine it tempts one to walk about«
Letty did not approach her friend as she would have done when formerly they
met here Her manner was constrained almost timid it seemed an afterthought
when she bent forward for the kiss Since Adelas marriage the intercourse
between them had been comparatively slight For the first three months they had
seen each other only at long intervals in part owing to circumstances After
the fortnight she spent in London at the time of her marriage Adela had
returned to Wanley in far from her usual state of health during the first days
of February there had been a fear that she might fall gravely ill Only in
advanced spring had she begun to go beyond the grounds of the Manor and it was
still unusual for her to do so except in her carriage Letty had acquiesced in
the altered relations she suffered and for various reasons but did not
endeavour to revive an intimacy which Adela seemed no longer to desire Visits
to the Manor were from the first distressing to her the natural subjects of
conversation were those which both avoided and to talk in the manner of mere
acquaintances was scarcely possible Of course this state of things led to
remark Mrs Waltham was inclined to suspect some wrong feeling on Lettys side
though of what nature it was hard to determine. Alfred on the other hand took
his sisters behaviour ill more especially as he felt a distinct change in her
manner to himself Was the girl going to be spoilt by the possession of wealth
What on earth did she mean by her reserve her cold dignity Wasnt Letty good
enough for her now that she was lady of the Manor Letty herself when the
subject was spoken of pretended to recognise no change beyond what was to be
expected So far from being hurt her love for Adela grew warmer during these
months of seeming estrangement her only trouble was that she could not go often
and sit by her friends side sit silently hand holding hand That would have
been better than speech which misled or at best was inadequate Meantime she
supported herself with the hope that love might some day again render her worthy
of Adelas confidence That her friend was far above her she had always gladly
confessed she felt it more than ever now that she tried in vain to read Adelas
secret thoughts The marriage was a mystery to her to the last moment she had
prayed that something might prevent it Yet now that Adela was Mrs Mutimer
she conscientiously put away every thought of discontent and only wondered what
high motive had dictated the choice and for such she knew it must be the
sacrifice
»What are you reading« Letty asked sitting down on the bank at a little
distance
»Its hardly to be called reading I have to look out every other word Its
a book by a man called Schaeffle on the Social Question«
»Oh yes« said the girl hazarding a conjecture that the work had something
to do with Socialism »Of course that interests you«
»I think Im going to write a translation of it My husband doesnt read
German and this book is important«
»I suppose you are quite a Socialist Adela« Letty in quired in a tone
which seemed anxious to presuppose the affirmative answer She had never yet
ventured to touch on the subject
»Yes I am a Socialist« said Adela firmly »I am sure anyone will be who
thinks about it and really understands the need for Socialism Does the word
still sound a little dreadful to you I remember so well when it did to me It
was only because I knew nothing about it«
»I dont think I have that excuse« said the other »Alfred is constantly
explaining But Adela «
She paused not quite daring to speak her thoughts Adela smiled an
encouragement
»I was going to say Im sure you wont be offended But you still go to
church«
»Oh yes I go to church You mustnt think that everything Alfred insists
upon belongs to Socialism I believe that all Christians ought to be Socialists
I think it is part of our religion if only we carry it out faithfully«
»But does Mr Wyvern think so«
»Yes he does he does indeed I talk with Mr Wyvern frequently and I
never knew before he showed me how necessary it is for a Christian to be a
Socialist«
»You surprise me Adela Yet he doesnt confess himself a Socialist«
»Indeed he does When did you hear Mr Wyvern preach a sermon without
insisting on justice and unselfishness and love of our neighbour If we try to
be just and unselfish and to love our neighbour as ourself we help the cause
of Socialism Mr Wyvern doesnt deal with politics it is not necessary he
should That is for men like my husband who give their lives to the practical
work Mr Wyvern confines himself to spiritual teaching He would injure his
usefulness if he went beyond that«
Letty was awed by the exceeding change which showed itself not only in
Adelas ways of thought but in her very voice and manner of speaking The tone
was so authoritative so free from the diffidence which had formerly kept Adela
from asserting strongly even her cherished faiths She felt too that with the
maiden hesitancy something else had gone at all events in a great degree
something that it troubled her to miss namely that winning persuasiveness
which had been one of the characteristics that made Adela so entirely lovable
At present Mrs Mutimer scarcely sought to persuade she uttered her beliefs as
indubitable A competent observer might now and then have surmised that she felt
it needful to remind herself of the creed she had accepted
»You were smiling when I first caught sight of you« Letty said after
reflecting for a moment »Was it something in the book«
Adela again smiled
»No something in myself« she replied with an air of confidence
»Because you are happy Adela«
»Yes because I am happy«
»How glad I am to hear that dear« Letty exclaimed for the first time
allowing herself to use the affectionate word »You will let me be glad with
you«
Her hands stole a little forward but Adela did not notice it for she was
gazing straight before her with an agitated look
»Yes I am very happy I have found something to do in life I was afraid at
first that I shouldnt be able to give my husband any help in his work I seemed
useless But I am learning and I hope soon to be of real use if only in little
things You know that I have begun to give a tea to the children every
Wednesday Theyre not in need of food and comforts Im glad to say nobody
wants in New Wanley but its nice to bring them together at the Manor and
teach them to behave gently to each other and to sit properly at table and
things like that Will you come and see them today«
»I shall be very pleased«
»Today Im going to begin something new After tea we shall have a reading
Mr Wyvern sent me a book this morning Andersens Fairy Tales«
»Oh Ive read them Yes thatll do nicely Read them The Ugly Duckling
Adela its a beautiful story I thought perhaps you were going to read
something something instructive you know«
Adela laughed It was Adelas laugh still but not what it used to be
»No I want to amuse them They get enough instruction in school I hope
soon to give another evening to the older girls I wonder whether you would like
to come and help me then«
»If only you would let me There is nothing I should like more than to do
something for you«
»Bat you mustnt do it for me It must be for the girls sake«
»Yes for theirs as well but ever so much more for yours dear You cant
think how glad I am that you have asked me«
Again the little hand was put forward and this time Adela took it But she
did not soften as she once would have done With eyes still far away she talked
for some minutes of the hopes with which her life was filled Frequently she
made mention of her husband and always as one to whom it was a privilege to
devote herself Her voice had little failings and uncertainties now and then
but this appeared to come of excessive feeling
They rose and walked from the wood together
»Alfred wants us to go to Malvern for a fortnight« Letty said when they
were near the gates of the Manor »We were wondering whether you could come
Adela«
»No I cant leave Wanley« was the reply »My husband« she never referred
to Mutimer otherwise than by this name »spoke of the seaside the other day
but we decided not to go away at all There is so much to be done«
When Adela went to the drawingroom just before luncheon she found Alice
Mutimer engaged with a novel Reading novels had become an absorbing occupation
with Alice She took them to bed with her so as to read late and lay late in
the morning for the same reason She must have been one of Mr Mudies most
diligent subscribers She had no taste for walking in the country and could
only occasionally be persuaded to take a drive It was not surprising that her
face had not quite the healthy colour of a year ago there was negligence too
in her dress and she had grown addicted to recumbent attitudes Between her and
Adela no semblance of friendship had yet arisen though the latter frequently
sought to substitute a nearer relation for superficial friendliness Alice never
exhibited anything short of goodwill but her first impressions were lasting
she suspected her sisterinlaw of a desire to patronise and was determined to
allow nothing of the kind With a more decided character Alices prepossessions
would certainly have made life at the Manor anything but smooth as it was
nothing ever occurred to make unpleasantness worth her while Besides when not
buried in her novels she gave herself up to absentmindedness Adela found
conversation with her almost impossible for Alice would answer a remark with a
smiling »Yes« or »No« and at once go off into dreamland so that one hesitated
to disturb her
»What time is it« she inquired when she became aware of Adela moving about
the room
»All but halfpast one«
»Really I suppose I must go and get ready for lunch What a pity we cant
do without meals«
»You should go out in the morning and get an appetite Really you are
getting very pale Alice Im sure you read far too much«
Adela had it on her lips to say too many novels but was afraid to
administer a direct rebuke
»Oh I like reading and I dont care a bit for going out«
»What about your practising« Adela asked with a playful shake of the head
»Yes I know its very neglectful but really it is such awful work«
»And your French«
»Ill make a beginning tomorrow At least I think I will I dont neglect
things wilfully but its so awfully hard to really get at it when the time
comes«
The luncheonbell rang and Alice with a cry of dismay sped to her room
She knew that her brother was to lunch at home today and Richard was terrible
in the matter of punctuality
As soon as the meal was over Alice hastened back to her low chair in the
drawingroom Richard and his wife went together into the garden
»What do you think Rodmans been advising me this morning« Mutimer said
speaking with a cigar in his mouth »Its a queer idea I dont quite know what
to think of it You know therell be a general election some time next year and
he advises me to stand for Belwick«
He did not look at his wife Coming to a gardenseat he put up one foot
upon it and brushed the cigar ash against the back Adela sat down she had not
replied at once and was thoughtful
»As a Socialist candidate« she asked when at length he turned his eyes to
her
»Well I dont know Radical rather I should think It would come to the
same thing of course and thered be no use in spoiling the thing for the sake
of a name«
Adela had a Japanese fan in her hand she put it against her forehead and
still seemed to consider
»Do you think you could find time for Parliament«
»That has to be thought of of course but by then I should think we might
arrange it Theres not much that Rodman cant see to«
»You are inclined to think of it«
Adelas tone to her husband was not one of tenderness but of studious
regard and deference She very seldom turned her eyes to his but there was
humility in her bent look If ever he and she began to speak at the same time
she checked herself instantly and Mutimer had no thought of giving her
precedence This behaviour in his wife struck him as altogether becoming
»I almost think I am« he replied »Ive a notion I could give them an idea
or two at Westminster It would be news to them to hear a man say what he really
thinks«
Adela smiled faintly but said nothing
»Would you like me to be in Parliament« Richard asked putting down his
foot and leaning back his head a little
»Certainly if you feel that it is a step gained«
»Thats just what I think it would be Well we must talk about it again
Bytheby Ive just had to send a fellow about his business«
»To discharge a man« Adela asked with pain
»Yes Its that man Rendal I was talking about him the other day you
remember Hes been getting drunk Ill warrant its not the first time«
»And you really must send him away Couldnt you give him another chance«
»No He was impudent to me and I cant allow that Hell have to go«
Richard spoke with decision When the fact of impudence was disclosed Adela
felt that it was useless to plead She looked at her fan and was sorrowful
»So you are going to read to the youngsters today« Mutimer recommenced
»Yes Mr Wyvern has given me a book that will do very well indeed«
»Oh has he« said Richard doubtfully »Is it a religious book That kind of
thing wont do you know«
»No it isnt religious at all Only a book of fairy tales«
»Fairy tales« There was scorn in his way of repeating the words »Couldnt
you find something useful A history book you know or about animals or
something of that kind We mustnt encourage them in idle reading And that
reminds me of Alice You really must get her away from those novels I cant
make out whats come to the girl She seems to be going off her head Did you
notice at lunch she didnt seem to understand what I said to her Do try and
persuade her to practise if nothing else«
»I am afraid to do more than just advise in a pleasant way« said Adela
»Well I shall lose my temper with her before long«
»How is Harry doing« Adela asked to pass over the difficult subject
»Hes an idle scamp If some one ud give him a good thrashing thats what
he wants«
»Shall I ask him to dinner tomorrow«
»You can if you like of course« Richard replied with hesitation »I
shouldnt have thought you cared much about having him«
»Oh I am always very glad to have him I have meant to ask you to let him
dine with us oftener I am so afraid he should think we neglect him and that
would be sure to have a bad effect«
Mutimer looked at her with satisfaction and assented to her reasoning
»But about the fairy tales« Adela said presently when Richard had finished
his cigar and was about to return to the works »Do you seriously object to
them Of course I could find another book«
»What do you think I am rather surprised that Wyvern suggested reading of
that kind he generally has good ideas«
»I fancy he wished to give the children a better kind of amusement« said
Adela with hesitation
»A better kind eh Well do as you like I dare say its no great harm«
»But if you really «
»No no read the tales I dare say they wouldnt listen to a better book«
It was not very encouraging but Adela ventured to abide by the vicars
choice She went to her own sittingroom and sought the story that Letty had
spoken of From »The Ugly Duckling« she was led on to the story of the mermaid
from that to the enchanted swans The book had never been in her hands before
and the delight she received from it was of a kind quite new to her She had to
make an effort to close it and turn to her specified occupations For Adela had
so systematised her day that no minutes margin was left for selfindulgence
Her reading was serious study If ever she was tempted to throw open one of the
volumes which Alice left about a glance at the pages was enough to make her
push it away as if it were impure She had read very few stories of any kind
and of late had felt a strong inclination towards such literature the spectacle
of Alices daylong absorption was enough to excite her curiosity even if there
had not existed other reasons But these longings for a world of romance she
crushed down as unworthy of a woman to whom life had revealed its dread
significances and though she but conjectured the matter and tone of the
fiction Alice delighted in instinctive fear would alone have restrained her
from it For pleasure in the ordinary sense she did not admit into her scheme of
existence the season for that had gone by Henceforth she must think and work
and pray Therefore she had set herself gladly to learn German it was a
definite task to which such and such hours could be devoted and the labour
would strengthen her mind Her ignorance she represented as a great marsh which
by toil had to be filled up and converted into solid ground She had gone
through the library catalogue and made a list of books which seemed needful to
be read and Mr Wyvern had been of service in guiding her as well as in
lending volumes from his own shelves The vicar indeed had surprised her by
the zealous kindness with which he entered into all her plans at first she had
talked to him with apprehension remembering that chance alone had prevented her
from appealing to him to save her from this marriage But Mr Wyvern with whose
philosophy we have some acquaintance exerted himself to make the best of the
irremediable and Adela already owed him much for his unobtrusive moral support
Even Mutimer was putting aside his suspicions and beginning to believe that the
clergyman would have openly encouraged Socialism had his position allowed him to
do so He was glad to see his wife immersed in grave historical and scientific
reading he said to himself that in this way she would be delivered from her
religious prejudices and some day attain to free thought Adela as yet had no
such end in view but already she understood that her education in the serious
sense was only now beginning As a girl her fate had been that of girls in
general when she could write without orthographical errors and could play by
rote a few pieces of pianoforte music her education had been pronounced
completed In the profound moral revolution which her nature had recently
undergone her intellect also shared when the first numbing shock had spent
itself she felt the growth of an intellectual appetite formerly unknown
Resolutely setting herself to exalt her husband she magnified his acquirements
and as a duty directed her mind to the things he deemed of importance One of
her impulses took the form of a hope which would have vastly amused Richard had
he divined it Adela secretly trusted that some day her knowledge might be
sufficient to allow her to cope with her husbands religious scepticism It was
significant that she could face in this way the great difficulty of her life
the stage at which it seemed sufficient to iterate creeds was already behind
her Probably Mr Wyverns conversation was not without its effect in aiding her
to these larger views but she never spoke to him on the subject directly Her
native dignity developed itself with her womanhood and one of the
characteristics of the new Adela was a reserve which at times seemed to indicate
coldness or even spiritual pride
The weather made it possible to spread the childrens tea in the open air
At four oclock Letty came and was quietly happy in being allowed to
superintend one of the tables Adela was already on affectionate terms with many
of the little ones though others regarded her with awe rather than warmth of
confidence This was strange when we remember how childlike she had formerly
been with children Bat herein too there was a change she could not now have
caught up Lettys little sister and trotted with her about the garden as she was
used to do She could no longer smile in the old simple endearing way it took
some time before a child got accustomed to her eyes and lips Her movements
though graceful as ever were subdued to matronly gravity never again would
Adela turn and run down the hill as after that meeting with Hubert Eldon But
her sweetness was in the end irresistible to all who came within the circle of
its magic You saw its influence in Letty whose eyes seemed never at rest save
when they were watching Adela who sprang to her side with delight if the
faintest sign did but summon her You saw its influence moreover when the tea
over the children ranged themselves on the lawn to hear her read After the
first few sentences everywhere was profoundest attention the music of her
sweetly modulated voice the art which she learnt only from nature so allied
themselves with the beauty of the pages she read that from beginning to end not
a movement interrupted her
Whilst she was reading a visitor presented himself at the Manor and asked
if Mrs Mutimer was at home The servant explained how and where Mrs Mutimer
was engaged for the party was held in a quarter of the garden hidden from the
approach to the front door
»Is Miss Mutimer within« was the visitors next inquiry
Receiving an affirmative reply he begged that Miss Mutimer might be
informed of Mr Keenes desire to see her And Mr Keene was led to the
drawingroom
Alice was reposing on a couch she did not trouble herself to rise when the
visitor entered but held a hand to him at the same time scarcely suppressing a
yawn Novel reading has a tendency to produce this expression of weariness Then
she smiled as one does in greeting an old acquaintance
»Who ever would have expected to see you« she began drawing away her hand
when it seemed to her that Mr Keene had detained it quite long enough »Does
Dick expect you«
»Your brother does not expect me Miss Mutimer« Keene replied He
invariably began conversation with her in a severely formal and respectful tone
and today there was melancholy in his voice
»Youve just come on your own because you thought you would«
»I have come because I could not help it Miss Mutimer It is more than a
month since I had the happiness of seeing you«
He stood by the couch his body bent in deference his eyes regarding her
with melancholy homage
»Mrs Mutimer has a teaparty of children from New Wanley« said Alice with
a provoking smile »Wont you go and join them Shes reading to them I
believe no doubt its something that would do you good«
»Of course I will go if you send me I would go anywhere at your command«
»Then please do Turn to the right when you get out into the garden«
Keene stood for an instant with his eyes on the ground then sighed deeply
groaned in fact smote his breast and marched towards the door like a soldier
at drill As soon as he had turned his back Alice gathered herself from the
couch and as soon as she stood upright called to him
»Mr Keene«
He halted and faced round
»You neednt go unless you like you know«
He almost ran towards her
»Just ring the bell will you I want some tea and Ill give you a cup if
you care for it«
She took a seat and indicated with a finger the place where he might
repose It was at a three yards distance Then they talked as they were wont
to with much coquetry on Alices side and on Keenes always humble
submissiveness tempered with glances and sighs They drank tea and Keene used
the opportunity of putting down his cup to take a nearer seat
»Miss Mutimer «
»Yes«
»Is there any hope for me You remember you said I was to wait a month and
Ive waited longer«
»Yes you have been very good« said Alice smiling loftily
»Is there any hope for me« he repeated with an air of encouragement
»Less than ever« was the girls reply lightly given indeed but not to be
mistaken for a jest
»You mean that Come now you dont really mean that There must be at all
events as much hope as before«
»There isnt There never was so little hope Theres no hope at all not a
scrap«
She pressed her lips and looked at him with a grave face He too became
grave and in a changed way
»I am not to take this seriously« he asked with bated breath
»You are Theres not one scrap of hope and its better you should know
it«
»Then there there must be somebody else« he groaned his distress no
longer humorous
Alice continued to look him in the face for a moment and at length nodded
twice
»There is somebody else «
She nodded three times
»Then Ill go Goodbye Miss Mutimer Yes Ill go«
He did not offer to shake hands but bowed and moved away dejectedly
»But youre not going back to London« Alice asked
»Yes«
»Youd better not do that Theyll know youve called Youd far better stay
and see Dick dont you think so«
He shook his head and still moved towards the door
»Mr Keene« Alice raised her voice »Please do as I tell you It isnt my
fault and I dont see why you should pay no heed to me all at once Will you
attend to me Mr Keene«
»What do you wish me to do« he asked only half turning
»To go and see Mrs Mutimer in the garden and accept her invitation to
dinner«
»I havent got a dresssuit« he groaned
»No matter If you go away Ill never speak to you again and you know you
wouldnt like that«
He gazed at her miserably his face was one which lent itself to a
miserable expression and the venerable appearance of his frockcoat and light
trousers filled in the picture of mishap
»Have you been joking with me«
»No Ive been telling you the truth But thats no reason why you should
break loose all at once Please do as I tell you go to the garden now and stop
to dinner I am not accustomed to ask a thing twice«
She was almost serious Keene smiled in a sickly way bowed and went to do
her bidding
Chapter XX
Among the little girls who had received invitations to the teaparty were two
named Rendal the children of the man whose dismissal from New Wanley had been
announced by Mutimer Adela was rather surprised to see them in the garden They
were eight and nine years old respectively and she noticed that both had a
troubled countenance the elder showing signs of recent tears She sought them
out particularly for kind words during teatime After the reading she noticed
them standing apart talking to each other earnestly she saw also that they
frequently glanced at her It occurred to her that they might wish to say
something and had a difficulty in approaching She went to them and a question
or two soon led the elder girl to disclose that she was indeed desirous of
speaking in private Giving a hand to each she drew them a little apart Then
both children began to cry and the elder sobbed out a pitiful story Their
mother was wretchedly ill and had sent them to implore Mrs Mutimers good word
that the father might be allowed another chance It was true he had got drunk
the words sounded terrible to Adela from the young lips but he vowed that
henceforth he would touch no liquor It was ruin to the family to be sent away
Rendal might not find work for long enough there would be nothing for it but to
go to a Belwick slum as long as their money lasted and thence to the workhouse
For it was well understood that no man who had worked at New Wanley need apply
to the ordinary employers they would have nothing to do with him The mother
would have come herself but could not walk the distance
Adela was pierced with compassion
»I will do my best« she said as soon as she could trust her voice »I
promise you I will do my best«
She could not say more and the children evidently hoped she would have been
able to grant their fathers pardon forthwith They had to be content with
Adelas promise which did not sound very cheerful but meant more than they
could understand
She could not do more than give such a promise and even as she spoke there
was a coldness about her heart The coldness became a fear when she met her
husband on his return from the works Richard was not in the same good temper as
at midday He was annoyed to find Keene in the house of late he had grown to
dislike the journalist very cordially and he had heard that the Rendal
children had been to the party which enraged him You remember he accused the
man of impudence in addition to the offence of drunkenness Rendal foolishly
joking in his cups had urged as extenuation of his own weakness the wellknown
fact that Arry Mutimer had been seen one evening unmistakably intoxicated in
the street of Wanley village Someone reported these words to Richard and from
that moment it was all over with the Rendals
Adela in her eagerness to plead quite forgot or perhaps she had never
known that with a certain order of men it is never wise to prefer a request
immediately before dinner She was eager too to speak at once a fear which
she would not allow to become definite drove her upon the undertaking without
delay Meeting Richard on the stairs she begged him to come to her room
»What is it« he asked with small ceremony as soon as the door closed
behind him
She mastered her voice and spoke with a sweet clearness of advocacy which
should have moved his heart to proud and noble obeisance Mutimer was not very
accessible to such emotions
»Its like the fellows impertinence« he said »to send his children to
you Im rather surprised you let them stay after what I had told you Certainly
I shall not overlook it The things finished its no good talking about it«
The fear had passed but the coldness about her heart was more deadly For a
moment it seemed as if she could not bring herself to utter another word she
drew apart she could not raise her face which was beautiful in marble pain
But there came a rush of such hot anguish as compelled her to speak again
Something more than the fate of that poor family was at stake Is not the
quality of mercy indispensable to true nobleness Had she voiced her very
thought Adela would have implored him to exalt himself in her eyes to do a
good deed which cost him some little effort over himself For she divined with
cruel certainty that it was not the principle that made him unyielding
»Richard are you sure that the man has offended before«
»Oh of course he has Ive no doubt of it I remember feeling uncertain
when I admitted him first of all I didnt like his look«
»But you have not really had to complain of him before Your suspicions may
be groundless And he has a good wife I feel sure of that The children are
very clean and nicely dressed She will help him to avoid drink in future It is
impossible for him to fall again now that he knows how dreadful the results
will be to his wife and his little girls«
»Pooh What does he care about them If I begin letting men off in that way
I shall be laughed at Theres an end of my authority Dont bother your head
about them I must go and get ready for dinner«
An end of my authority Yes was it not the intelligence of her maiden heart
returning to her She had no pang from the mere refusal of a request of hers
Richard had never affected tenderness not what she understood as tenderness
and she did not expect it of him The union between them had another basis But
the understanding of his motives was so terribly distinct in her It had come
all at once it was like the exposure of something dreadful by the sudden
raising of a veil And had she not known what the veil covered Yet for the poor
peoples sake for his own sake she must try the womans argument
»Do you refuse me Richard I will be guarantee for him I promise you he
shall not offend again He shall apologise humbly to you for his his words
You wont really refuse me«
»What nonsense How can you promise for him Adela Ask for something
reasonable and you may be sure I shant refuse you The fellow has to go as a
warning It mustnt be thought were only playing at making rules I cant talk
any more I shall keep dinner waiting«
Pride helped her to show a smooth face through the evening and in the night
she conquered herself anew She expelled those crying children from her mind
she hardened her heart against their coming misery It was wrong to judge her
husband so summarily nay she had not judged him but had given way to a wicked
impulse without leaving herself a moment to view the case Did he not
understand better than she what measures were necessary to the success of his
most difficult undertaking And then was it certain that expulsion meant ruin to
the Rendals Richard would insist on the letter of the regulations just as he
said for the examples sake but of course he would see that the man was put in
the way of getting new employment and did not suffer in the meantime In the
morning she made atonement to her husband
»I was wrong in annoying you yesterday« she said as she walked with him
from the house to the garden gate »In such things you are far better able to
judge You wont let it trouble you«
It was a form of asceticism Adela had a joy in humbling herself and
crushing her rebel instincts She even raised her eyes to interrogate him On
Richards face was an uneasy smile a look of puzzled reflection It gratified
him intensely to hear such words yet he could not hear them without the
suspicions of a vulgar nature brought in contact with nobleness
»Well yes« he replied »I think you were a bit too hasty youre not
practical you see It wants a practical man to manage those kind of things«
The reply was not such as completes the blessedness of pure submission
Adela averted her eyes Another woman would perchance have sought to assure
herself that she was right in crediting him with private benevolence to the
family he was compelled to visit so severely Such a question Adela could not
ask It would have been to betray doubt she imagined a replying glance which
would shame her To love to honour to obey many times daily she repeated to
herself that threefold vow and hitherto the first article had most occupied her
striving heart But she must not neglect the second perhaps it came first in
natural order
At the gate Richard nodded to her kindly
»Goodbye Be a good girl«
What was it that caused a painful flutter at her heart as he spoke so She
did not answer but watched him for a few moments as he walked away
Did he love her The question which she had not asked herself for a long
time came of that hearttremor She had been living so unnatural a life for a
newly wedded woman a life in which the intellect and the moral faculties held
morbid predominance »Be a good girl« How was it that the simple phrase touched
her to emotion quite different in kind from anything she had known since her
marriage more deeply than any enthusiasm as with a comfort more sacred than
any she had known in prayer As she turned to go back to the house a dizziness
affected her eyes she had to stand still for a moment Involuntarily she
clasped her hands upon her bosom and looked away into the blue summer sky Did
he love her She had never asked him that and all at once she felt a longing to
hasten after him and utter the question Would he know what she meant
Was it the instantaneous reward for having conscientiously striven to honour
him That there should be love on his side had not hitherto seemed of so much
importance probably she had taken it for granted she had been so preoccupied
with her own duties Yet now it had all at once become of moment that she should
know »Be a good girl« She repeated the words over and over again and made
much of them Perhaps she had given him no opportunity no encouragement to say
all he felt she knew him to be reserved in many things
As she entered the house the dizziness again troubled her But it passed as
before
Mr Keene who had stayed overnight was waiting to take leave of her the
trap which would carry him to Agworth had just driven up Adela surprised the
poor journalist by the warmth with which she shook his hand and the kindness of
her farewell She was not deceived as to the motive of his visit and just now
she allowed herself to feel sympathy for him though in truth she did not like
the man
This morning she could not settle to her work The dreaming mood was upon
her and she appeared rather to encourage it seeking a quiet corner of the
garden and watching for a whole hour the sundappled trunk of a great elm At
times her face seemed itself to be a source of light so vivid were the thoughts
that transformed it Her eyes were moist once or twice and then no dream of
artistsoul ever embodied such passionate loveliness such holy awe as came to
view upon her countenance At lunch she was almost silent but Alice happening
to glance at her experienced a surprise she had never seen Adela so beautiful
and so calmly bright
After lunch she attired herself for walking and went to the village to see
her mother Lest Mrs Waltham should be lonely it had been arranged that Alfred
should come home every evening instead of once a week Even thus Adela had
frequently reproached herself for neglecting her mother Mrs Waltham however
enjoyed much content The material comforts of her life were considerably
increased and she had many things in anticipation Adelas unsatisfactory
health rendered it advisable that the present year should pass in quietness but
Mrs Waltham had made up her mind that before long there should be a house in
London with the delights appertaining thereto She did not feel herself at all
too old to enjoy the outside view of a London season more than that it would
probably be difficult to obtain just yet Today she was in excellent spirits
and welcomed her daughter exuberantly
»You havent seen Letty yet« she asked »Today I mean«
»No Has she some news for me«
»Alfred has an excellent chance of promotion That old Wilkinson is dead
and he thinks theres no doubt hell get the place It would be two hundred and
fifty a year«
»Thats good news indeed«
Of course it would mean Lettys immediate marriage Mrs Waltham discussed
the prospect in detail No doubt the best and simplest arrangement would be for
the pair to live on in the same house For the present of course Alfred was
now firm on the commercial ladder and in a few years his income would doubtless
be considerable then a dwelling of a very different kind could be found With
the wedding too she was occupying her thoughts
»Yours was not quite what it ought to have been Adela I felt it at the
time but then things were done in such a hurry Of course the church must be
decorated The breakfast you will no doubt arrange to have at the Manor Letty
ought to have a nice a really nice trousseau I know you will be kind to her
my dear«
As Alice had done Mrs Waltham noticed before long that Adela was far
brighter than usual She remarked upon it
»You begin to look really well my love It makes me happy to see you How
much we have to be thankful for Ive had a letter this morning from poor Lizzie
Henbane I must show it you Theyre in such misery as never was Her husbands
business is all gone to nothing and he is cruelly unkind to her How thankful
we ought to be«
»Surely not for poor Lizzies unhappiness« said Adela with a return of her
maiden archness
»On our own account my dear We have had so much to contend against At one
time just after your poor fathers death things looked very cheerless I used
to fret dreadfully on your account But everything you see was for the best«
Adela had something to say and could not find the fitting moment She first
drew her chair a little nearer to her mother
»Yes mother I am happy« she murmured
»Silly child As if I didnt know best Its always the same but you had
the good sense to trust to my experience«
Adela slipped from her seat and put her arms about her mother
»What is it dear«
The reply was whispered Adelas embrace grew closer her face was hidden
and all at once she began to sob
»Love me mother Love me dear mother«
Mrs Waltham beamed with real tenderness For half an hour they talked as
mother and child alone can Then Adela walked back to the Manor still dreaming
She did not feel able to call and see Letty
There was an afternoon postal delivery at Wanley and the postman had just
left the Manor as Adela returned Alice who for a wonder had been walking in
the garden saw the man going away and thinking it possible there might be a
letter for her entered the house to look Three letters lay on the hall table
two were for Richard the other was addressed to Mrs Mutimer This envelope
Alice examined curiously Whose writing could that be She certainly knew it it
was a singular hand stiff awkward untrained Why it was the writing of
Emmas sister Kate Mrs Clay Not a doubt of it Alice had received a note from
Mrs Clay at the time of Jane Vines death and remembered comparing the hand
with her own and blessing herself that at all events she wrote with an elegant
slope and not in that hideous upright scrawl The postmark Yes it was
London EC But if Kate addressed a letter to Mrs Mutimer it must be with
sinister design a design not at all difficult to imagine Alice had a
temptation To take this letter and either open it herself or give it secretly
to her brother But the servant might somehow make it known that such a letter
had arrived
»Anything for me Alice«
It was Adelas voice She had approached unheard Alice was so intent upon
her thoughts
»Yes one letter«
There was no help for it Alice glanced at her sisterinlaw and strolled
away again into the garden
Adela examined the envelope She could not conjecture from whom the letter
came certainly from some illiterate person Was it for her husband Was not the
Mrs a mistake for Mr or perhaps mere illwriting that deceived the eye No
the prefix was so very distinct She opened the envelope where she stood
Mrs Mutimer I dare say you dont know me nor my name but I write to you
because I think it only right as you should know the truth about your husband
and because me and my sister cant go on any longer as we are My sisters name
is Emma Vine She was engaged to be married to Richard M two years before he
knew you and to the last he put her off with makebelieve and promises though
it was easy to see what was meant And when our sister Jane was on her very
deathbed which she died not a week after he married you and I know well as it
was grief as killed her And now we havent got enough to eat for Emma and me
and my two little children for I am a widow myself But that isnt all Because
he found that his friends in Hoxton was crying shame on him he got it said as
Emma had misbehaved herself which was a cowardly lie and all to protect
himself And now Emma is that ill she cant work its come upon her all at
once and whats going to happen God knows And his own mother cried shame on
him and wouldnt live no longer in the big house in Highbury He offered us
money I will say so much but Emma was too proud and wouldnt hear of it
And then he went giving her a bad name What do you think of your husband now
Mrs Mutimer I dont expect nothing but its only right you should know Emma
wouldnt take anything not if she was dying of starvation but Ive got my
children to think of So thats all I have to say and Im glad Ive said it
Yours truly KATE CLAY
Adela remained standing for a few moments when she had finished the letter
then went slowly to her room
Alice returned from the garden in a short time In passing through the hall
she looked again at the two letters which remained Neither of them had a
sinister appearance being addressed to the Manor they probably came from
personal friends She went to the drawingroom and glanced around for Adela but
the room was empty Richard would not be home for an hour yet she took up a
novel and tried to pass the time so but she had a difficulty in fixing her
attention In the end she once more left the house and after a turn or two on
the lawn strolled out of the gate
She met her brother a hundred yards along the road The sight of her
astonished him
»Whats up now Princess« he exclaimed »House on fire Novels run short«
»Something that I expect you wont care to hear Who do you thinks been
writing to Adela Someone in London«
Richard stayed his foot and looked at his sister with the eyes which
suggested disagreeable possibilities
»Who do you mean« he asked briefly »Not mother«
The change in him was very sudden He had been merry and smiling
»No worse than that Shes got a letter from Kate«
»From Kate Emmas sister« he asked in a low voice of surprise which would
have been dismay had he not governed himself
»I saw it on the hall table I remember her writing well enough Just as I
was looking at it Adela came in«
»Have you seen her since«
Alice shook her head She had this way of saving words Richard walked on
His first movement of alarm had passed and now he affected to take the matter
with indifference During the week immediately following his marriage he had
been prepared for this very incident the possibility had been one of the things
he faced with a certain recklessness But impunity had set his mind at ease and
the news in the first instant struck him with a trepidation which a few minutes
thought greatly allayed By a mental process familiar enough he at first saw the
occurrence as he had seen it in the earlier days of his temptation when his
sense of honour yet gave him frequent trouble he had to exert himself to
recover his present standpoint At length he smiled
»Just like that woman« he said turning half an eye on Alice
»If she means trouble youll have it« returned the girl sententiously
»Well its no doubt over by this time«
»Over Beginning I should say« remarked Alice swinging her parasol at a
butterfly
They finished their walk to the house in silence and Richard went at once
to his dressingroom Here he sat down After all his mental disquiet was not
readily to be dismissed it even grew as he speculated and viewed likelihoods
from all sides Probably Kate had made a complete disclosure How would it
affect Adela
You must not suppose that his behaviour in the case of the man Rendal had
argued disregard for Adelas opinion of him Richard was incapable of
understanding how it struck his wife that was all If he reflected on the
matter no doubt he was very satisfied with himself feeling that he had
displayed a manly resolution and consistency But the present difficulty was
grave Whatever Adela might say there could be no doubt as to her thought she
would henceforth yes despise him That cut his thick skin to the quick his
nature was capable of smarting when thus assailed For he had by no means lost
his early reverence for Adela nay in a sense it had increased His primitive
ideas on woman had undergone a change since his marriage Previously he had
considered a wife in the light of property intellectual or moral independence
he could not attribute to her But he had learnt that Adela was by no means his
chattel He still knew diffidence when he was inclined to throw a joke at her
and could not take her hand without involuntary respect a sensation which
occasionally irritated him A dim inkling of what was meant by womans strength
and purity had crept into his mind he knew in his heart he knew that he was
unworthy to touch her garment And to face the whole truth he all but loved
her that was the meaning of his mingled sentiments with regard to her A danger
of losing her in the material sense would have taught him that better than he as
yet knew it the fear of losing her respect was not attributable solely to his
restless egoism He had wedded her in quite another frame of mind than that in
which he now found himself when he thought of her He cared much for the high
opinion of people in general Adela was all but indispensable to him When he
said »My wife« he must have been halfconscious that the word bore a
significance different from that he had contemplated On the lips of those among
whom he had grown up the word is desecrated or for the most part so it has
contemptible and ridiculous and vile associations scarcely ever its true
meaning Formerly he would have laughed at the thought of standing in awe of his
wife nay he could not have conceived the possibility of such a thing it would
have appeared unnatural incompatible with the facts of wedded life Yet he sat
here and almost dreaded to enter her presence
A man of more culture might have thought A woman cannot in her heart be
revolted because another has been cast off for her Mutimer could not reason so
far It would have been reasoning inapplicable to Adela but from a certain
point of view it might have served as a resource Richard could only accept his
instincts
But it was useless to postpone the interview come of it what would he must
have it over and done with He could not decide how to speak until he knew what
the contents of Kates letter were He was nervously anxious to know
Adela sat in her boudoir with a book open on her lap After the first
glance on his entering she kept her eyes down He sauntered up and stood before
her in an easy attitude
»Who has been writing to you from London« he at once asked abruptly in
consequence of the effort to speak without constraint
Adela was not prepared for such a question She remembered all at once that
Alice had seen the letter as it lay on the table Why had Alice spoken to her
brother about it There could be only one explanation of that and of his coming
thus directly She raised her eyes for a moment and a slight shock seemed to
affect her
She was unconscious how long she delayed her reply
»Cant you tell me« Richard said with more roughness than he intended He
was suffering and suffering affected his temper
Adela drew the letter from her pocket and in silence handed it to him He
read it quickly and before the end was reached had promptly chosen his
course
»What do you think of this« was his question as he folded the letter and
rolled it in his hand He was smiling and enjoyed complete selfcommand
»I cannot think« fell from Adelas lips »I am waiting for your words«
He noticed at length now he was able to inspect her calmly that she looked
faint painstricken
»Alice told me who had written to you« Richard pursued in his frankest
tones »It was well she saw the letter you might have said nothing«
»That would have been very unjust to you« said Adela in a low regular
voice »I could only have done that if if I had believed it«
»You dont altogether believe it then«
She looked at him with full eyes and made answer
»You are my husband«
It echoed in his ears not to many men does it fall to hear those words so
spoken Another would have flung himself at her feet and prayed to her Mutimer
only felt a vast relief mingled with gratitude The man all but flattered
himself that she had done him justice
»Well you are quite right« he spoke »It isnt true and if you knew this
woman you would understand the whole affair I dare say you can gather a good
deal from the way she writes Its true enough that I was engaged to her sister
but it was broken off before I knew you and for the reasons she says here Im
not going to talk to you about things of that kind I dare say you wouldnt care
to hear them Of course she says I made it all up Do you think Im the kind of
man to do that«
Perhaps she did not know that she was gazing at him The question
interrupted her in a train of thought which was going on in her mind even while
she listened She was asking herself why when they were in London he had
objected to a meeting between her and his mother He had said his mother was a
crotchety old woman who could not make up her mind to the changed circumstances
and was intensely prejudiced against women above her own class Was that a very
convincing description She had accepted it at the time but now after reading
this letter But could any man speak with that voice and that look and lie
Her agitation grew intolerable Answer she must could she could she say »No«
with truth Answer she must for he waited In the agony of striving for voice
there came upon her once more that dizziness of the morning but in a more
severe form She struggled felt her breath failing tried to rise and fell
back unconscious
At the same time Alice was sitting in the drawingroom in conversation with
Mr Willis Rodman Arry having been invited for this evening Rodman was asked
with him as had been the case before Arry was at present amusing himself in
the stables exchanging sentiments with the groom Rodman sat near Alice or
rather he knelt upon a chair so that at any moment he could assume a standing
attitude before her He talked in a low voice
»Youll come out tonight«
»No not tonight You must speak to him tonight«
Rodman mused
»Why shouldnt you« resumed the girl eagerly in a tone as unlike that she
used to Mr Keene as well could be She was in earnest her eyes never moved
from her companions face her lips trembled »Why should you put it off I
cant see why we keep it a secret Dick cant have a word to say against it you
know he cant Tell him tonight after dinner Do do«
Rodman frowned in thought
»He wont like it«
»But why not I believe he will He will he shall he must Im not to
depend on him surely«
»A day or two more Alice«
»I cant keep up the shamming« she exclaimed »Adela suspects I feel sure
Whenever you come in I feel that hot and red« She laughed and blushed »If you
wont do as I tell you Ill give you up I will indeed«
Rodman stroked his moustache smiling
»You will will you«
»See if I dont Tonight It must be tonight Shall I call you a pretty
name Its only because I couldnt bear to be found out before you tell him«
He still stroked his moustache His handsome face was half amused half
troubled At last he said
»Very well tonight«
Shortly after Mutimer came into the room
»Adela isnt up to the mark« he said to Alice »Shed better have dinner by
herself I think but shell join us afterwards«
Brother and sister exchanged looks
»Oh its only a headache or something of the kind« he continued »Itll be
all right soon«
And he began to talk with Rodman cheerfully so that Alice felt it must
really be all right She drew aside and looked into a novel
Adela did appear after dinner very pale and silent but with a smile on her
face There had been no further conversation between her and her husband She
talked a little with Arry in her usual gentle way then asked to be allowed to
say goodnight Arry at the same time took his leave having been privately
bidden to do so by his sister He was glad enough to get away in the
drawingroom his limbs soon began to ache from inability to sit at his ease
Then Alice withdrew and the men were left alone
Adela did not go to bed She suffered from the closeness of the evening and
sat by her open windows trying to read a chapter in the New Testament About
eleven oclock she had a great desire to walk upon the garden grass for a few
minutes before undressing perhaps it might help her to the sleep she so longed
for yet feared she would not obtain The desire became so strong that she
yielded to it passed quietly downstairs and out into the still night She
directed her steps to her favourite remote corner There was but little
moonlight and scarcely a star was visible When she neared the laburnums behind
which she often sat or walked her ear caught the sound of voices They came
nearer on the other side of the trees The first word which she heard
distinctly bound her to the spot and forced her to listen
»No I shant put it off« It was Alice speaking »I know what comes of that
kind of thing I am old enough to be my own mistress«
»You are not twentyone« replied Richard in an annoyed voice »I shall do
everything I can to put it off till you are of age Rodman is a good enough
fellow in his place but it isnt hard to see why hes talked you over in this
way«
»He hasnt talked me over« cried Alice passionately »I neednt have
listened if I hadnt liked«
»Youre a foolish girl and you want someone to look after you If youll
only wait you can make a good marriage This would be a bad one in every
sense«
»I shall marry him«
»And I shall prevent it Its for your own sake Alice«
»If you try to prevent it Ill tell Adela everything about Emma Ill tell
her the whole plain truth and Ill prove it to her So hinder me if you dare«
Alice hastened away
Chapter XXI
In the month of September Mr Wyvern was called upon to unite in holy matrimony
two pairs in whom we are interested Alice Mutimer became Mrs Willis Rodman
and Alfred Waltham took home a bride who suited him exactly seeing that she was
never so happy as when submitting herself to a stronger will Alfred and Letty
ran away and hid themselves in South Wales Mr and Mrs Rodman fled to the
Continent
Half Alices fortune was settled upon herself her brother and Alfred
Waltham being trustees This was all Mutimer could do He disliked the marriage
intensely and not only because he had set his heart on a far better match for
Alice he had no real confidence in Rodman Though the latters extreme
usefulness and personal tact had from the first led Richard to admit him to
terms of intimacy time did not favour the friendship Mutimer growing daily
more ambitious and more punctilious in his intercourse with all whom
notwithstanding his principles he deemed inferiors from the social point of
view often regretted keenly that he had allowed any relation between himself
and Rodman more than that of master and man Experience taught him how easily he
might have made the most of Rodman without granting him a single favour The
first suggestion of the marriage enraged him in the conversation with Rodman
which took place moreover at an unfavourable moment he lost his temper and
flung out very broad hints indeed as to the suitors motives Rodman was calm
life had instructed him in the advantages of a curbed tongue but there was
heightened colour on his face and his demeanour much resembled that of a proud
man who cares little to justify himself but will assuredly never forget an
insult It was one of the peculiarities of this gentleman that his exterior was
most impressive when the inner man was most busy with ignoble or venomous
thoughts
But for Alices sake Mutimer could not persist in his hostility Alice had a
weapon which he durst not defy and the marriage being inevitable he strove
hard to see it in a more agreeable light even tried to convince himself that
his prejudice against Rodman was groundless He loved his sister and for her
alone would put up with things otherwise intolerable It was a new exasperation
when he discovered that Rodman could not be persuaded to continue his work at
New Wanley All inducements proved vain Richard had hoped that at least one
advantage might come of the marriage that Rodman would devote capital to the
works but Rodmans Socialism cooled strangely from the day when his ends were
secured He purposed living in London and Alice was delighted to encourage him
The girl had visions of a life such as the heroines of certain novels rejoice
in For a wonder her husband was indispensable to the brightness of that
future Rodman had inspired her with an infatuation Their relations once
declared she grudged him every moment he spent away from her It was strangely
like true passion the difference only marked by an extravagant selfishness She
thought of no one cared for no one but herself Rodman having become part of
that self With him she was imperiously slavish her tenderness was a kind of
greed she did not pretend to forgive her brother for his threatened opposition
and having got hold of the idea that Adela took part against Rodman she hated
her and would not be alone in her company for a moment On her marriage day she
refused Adelas offered kiss and did her best to let everyone see how delighted
she was to leave them behind
The autumn was a time of physical suffering for Adela Formerly she had
sought to escape her mothers attentions now she accepted them with
thankfulness Mrs Waltham had grave fears for her daughter doctors suspected
some organic disease one summoned from London going so far as to hint at a
weakness of the chest Early in November it was decided to go south for the
winter and Exmouth was chosen chiefly because Mrs Westlake was spending a
month there Mr Westlake whose interest in Adela had grown with each visit he
paid to the Manor himself suggested the plan Mrs Waltham and Adela left
Wanley together Mutimer promised visits as often as he could manage to get
away Since Rodmans departure Richard found himself overwhelmed with work None
the less he resolutely pursued the idea of canvassing Belwick at the coming
general election Opposition from whomsoever it came aggravated him He was
more than ever troubled about the prospects of New Wanley there even loomed
before his mind a possible abandonment of the undertaking He had never
contemplated the sacrifice of his fortune and though anything of that kind was
still very far off it was daily more difficult for him to face with equanimity
even moderate losses Money had fostered ambition and ambition full grown had
more need than ever of its nurse New Wanley was no longer an end in itself, but
a steppingstone You must come to your own conclusions in judging the value of
Mutimers social zeal the facts of his life up to this time are before you and
you will not forget how complex a matter is the mind of a strong man with whom
circumstances have dealt so strangely His was assuredly not the vulgar self- of
the gilded bourgeois who covets an afterdinner sleep on Parliamentary benches
His ignorance of the machinery of government was profound though he spoke
scornfully of Parliament and its members he had no conception of those powers
of dulness and respectability which seize upon the best men if folly lures them
within the precincts of St Stephens He thought poor fellow that he could
rise in his place and thunder forth his indignant eloquence as he did in
Commonwealth Hall and elsewhere he imagined a consciencestricken House he
dreamed of passionate debates on a Bill which really had the good of the people
for its sole object Such Bill would of course bear his name shall we condemn
him for that
Adela was at Exmouth drinking the mild air wondering whether there was in
truth a life to come and if so whether it was a life wherein Love and Duty
were at one A year ago such thoughts could not have entered her mind But she
had spent several weeks in close companionship with Stella Westlake and
Stellas influence was subtle Mrs Westlake had come here to regain strength
after a confinement the fact drew her near to Adela whose time for giving
birth to a child was not far off
Adela at first regarded this friend with much the same feeling of awe as
mingled with Lettys affection for Adela herself Stella Westlake was not only
possessed of intellectual riches which Adela had had no opportunity of gaining
her character was so full of imaginative force of dreamy splendours that it
addressed itself to a mind like Adelas with magic irresistible and permanent
No rules of the polite world applied to Stella she spoke and acted with an
independence so spontaneous that it did not suggest conscious opposition to the
received ways of thought to which ordinary women are confined but rather a
complete ignorance of them Adela felt herself startled but never shocked even
when the originality went most counter to her own prejudices it was as though
she had drunk a draught of most unexpected flavour the effect of which was to
set her nerves delightfully trembling and make her long to taste it again It
was not an occasional effect the result of an effort on Stellas part to
surprise or charm the commonest words had novel meanings when uttered in her
voice a profound sincerity seemed to inspire every lightest question or remark
Her presence was agitating she had but to enter the room and sit in silence
and Adela forthwith was raised from the depression of her broodings to a
vividness of being an imaginative energy such as she had never known Adela
doubted for some time whether Stella regarded her with affection the little
demonstrations in which women are wont to indulge were incompatible with that
grave dreaminess and Stella seemed to avoid even the common phrases of
friendship But one day when Adela had not been well enough to rise and as she
lay on the borderland of sleeping and waking she half dreamt half knew that a
face bent over her and that lips were pressed against her own and such a
thrill struck through her that though now fully conscious she had not power to
stir but lay as in the moment of some rapturous death For when the presence
entered into her dream when the warmth melted upon her lips she imagined it
the kiss which might once have come to her but now was lost for ever It was
pain to open her eyes but when she did so and met Stellas silent gaze she
knew that love was offered her a love of which it was needless to speak
Mrs Waltham was rather afraid of Stella privately she doubted whether the
poor thing was altogether in her perfect mind When the visitor came the mother
generally found occupation or amusement elsewhere conversation with Stella was
so extremely difficult Mr Westlake was also at Exmouth but much engaged in
literary work There was too an artist and his family with whom the Westlakes
were acquainted their name Boscobel Mrs Boscobel was a woman of the world
fiveandthirty charming intelligent she read little but was full of
interest in literary and artistic matters and talked as only a woman can who
has long associated with men of brains To her Adela was interesting personally
and still more as an illustration of a social experiment
»How young she is« was her remark to Mr Westlake shortly after making
Adelas acquaintance »It will amuse you the thought I had I really must tell
it you She realises my idea of a virgin mother Havent you felt anything of
the kind«
Mr Westlake smiled
»Yes I understand Stella said something evidently traceable to the same
impression her voice she said is full of forgiveness«
»Excellent And has she much to forgive do you think«
»I hope not«
»Yet she is not exactly happy I imagine«
Mr Westlake did not care to discuss the subject The lady had recourse to
Stella for some account of Mr Mutimer
»He is a strong man« Stella said in a tone which betrayed the Socialists
enthusiasm »He stands for earthsubduing energy I imagine him at a forge
beating fire out of iron«
»Hm Thats not quite the same thing as imagining him that beautiful
childs husband No education I suppose«
»Sufficient With more he would no longer fill the place he does He can
speak eloquently he is the true voice of the millions who cannot speak their
own thoughts If he were more intellectual he would become commonplace I hope
he will never see further than he does now Isnt a perfect type more precious
than a man who is neither one thing nor another«
»Artistically speaking by all means«
»In his case I dont mean it artistically He is doing a great work«
»A friend of mine you dont know Hubert Eldon I think tells me he has
ruined one of the loveliest valleys in England«
»Yes I dare say he has done that It is an essential part of his protest
against social wrong The earth renews itself, but a dead man or woman who has
lived without joy can never be recompensed«
»She of course is strongly of the same opinion«
»Adela is a Socialist«
Mrs Boscobel laughed rather satirically
»I doubt it«
Stella when she went to sit with Adela either at home or by the seashore
often carried a book in her hand and at Adelas request she read aloud In this
way Adela first came to know what was meant by literature as distinguished from
works of learning The verse of Shelley and the prose of Landor fell upon her
ears it was as though she had hitherto lived in deafness Sometimes she had to
beg the reader to pause for that day her heart and mind seemed overfull she
could not even speak of these new things but felt the need of lying back in
twilight to marvel and repeat melodies
Mrs Boscobel happened to approach them once whilst this reading was going
on
»You are educating her« she said to Stella afterwards
»Perhaps a little« Stella replied absently
»Isnt it just a trifle dangerous« suggested the understanding lady
»Dangerous How«
»The wife of the man who makes sparks fly out of iron The man who is on no
account to learn anything«
Stella shook her head saying »You dont know her«
»I should much like to« was Mrs Boscobels smiling rejoinder
In Stellas company it did not seem very likely that Adela would lose her
social enthusiasm yet danger there was and that precisely on account of Mrs
Westlakes idealist tendencies When she spoke of the toiling multitude she saw
them in a kind of exalted vision she beheld them glorious in their woe
ennobled by the tyranny under which they groaned She had seen little if
anything of the representative proletarian and perchance even if shi had the
momentary impression would have faded in the light of her burning soul Now
Adela was in the very best position for understanding those faults of the
working class which are ineradicable in any one generation She knew her
husband knew him better than ever now that she regarded him from a distance
she knew Arry Mutimer and now she was getting to appreciate with a
thoroughness impossible hitherto the monstrous gulf between men of that kind
and cultured human beings She had too studied the children and the women of
New Wanley and the results of such study were arranging themselves in her mind
All unconsciously Stella Westlake was cooling Adelas zeal with every fervid
word she uttered Adela at times with difficulty restrained herself from crying
»But it is a mistake They have not these feelings you attribute to them Such
suffering as you picture them enduring comes only of the poetryfed soul at
issue with fate« She could not as yet have so expressed herself but the
knowledge was growing within her For Adela was not by nature a social
enthusiast When her heart leapt at Stellas chant it was not in truth through
contagion of sympathy but in admiration and love of the noble woman who could
thus think and speak Adela and who will not be thankful for it was before
all things feminine her true enthusiasms were personal It was a necessity of
her nature to love a human being this or that one not a crowd She had been
starving killing the self which was her value This home on the Devon coast
received her like an earthly paradise looking back on New Wanley she saw it
murky and lurid it was hard to believe that the sun ever shone there But for
the most part she tried to keep it altogether from her mind tried to
dissociate her husband from his public tasks and to remember him as the man
with whom her life was irrevocably bound up When delight in Stellas poetry was
followed by fear she strengthened herself by thought of the child she bore
beneath her heart for that childs sake she would accept the beautiful things
offered to her some day to bring them as rich gifts to the young life Her own
lot was fixed she might not muse upon it she durst not consider it too deeply
There were things in the past which she had determined if by any means it were
possible utterly to forget For the future there was her child
Mutimer came to Exmouth when she had been there three weeks and he stayed
four days Mrs Boscobel had an opportunity of making his acquaintance
»Who contrived that marriage« she asked of Mr Westlake subsequently »Our
lady mother presumably«
»I have no reason to think it was not well done« replied Mr Westlake with
reserve
»Most skilfully done no doubt« rejoined the lady
But at the end of the year the Westlakes returned to London the Boscobels
shortly after Mrs Waltham and her daughter had made no other close
connections and Adelas health alone allowed of her leaving the house for a
short drive on sunny days At the end of February the child was born
prematurely it entered the world only to leave it again For a week they
believed that Adela would die Scarcely was she pronounced out of danger by the
end of March But after that she recovered strength
May saw her at Wanley once more She had become impatient to return The
Parliamentary elections were very near at hand and Mutimer almost lived in
Belwick it seemed to Adela that duty required her to be near him as well as to
supply his absence from New Wanley as much as was possible She was still only
the ghost of her former self but disease no longer threatened her and activity
alone could completely restore her health She was anxious to recommence her
studies to resume her readings to the children and she desired to see Mr
Wyvern She understood by this time why he had chosen Andersens Tales for her
readings of many other things which he had said causing her doubt the meaning
was now clear enough to her She had so much to talk of with the vicar so many
questions to put to him not a few of a kind that would she thought surprise
and trouble him None the less they must be asked and answered Part of her
desire to see him again was merely the result of her longing for the society of
wellread and thoughtful people She knew that he would appear to her in a
different light from formerly she would be far better able to understand him
She began by seeking his opinion of her husbands chances in Belwick Mr
Wyvern shook his head and said frankly that he thought there was no chance at
all Mutimer was looked upon in the borough as a mischievous interloper who
came to make disunion in the Radical party The son of a lord and an ironmaster
of great influence were the serious candidates Had he seen fit Mr Wyvern
could have mentioned not a few lively incidents in the course of the political
warfare such for instance as the appearance of a neat little pamphlet which
purported to give a full and complete account of Mutimers life In this
pamphlet nothing untrue was set down nor did it contain anything likely to
render its publisher amenable to the law of libel but the writer a gentleman
closely connected with Comrade Roodhouse most skilfully managed to convey the
worst possible impression throughout Nor did the vicar hesitate to express his
regret that Mutimer should be seeking election at all Adela felt with him
She found Richard in a strange state of chronic excitement On whatever
subject he spoke it was with the same nervous irritation and the slightest
annoyance set him fuming To her he paid very little attention and for the most
part seemed disinclined to converse with her Adela found it necessary to keep
silence on political matters once or twice he replied to her questions with a
rough impatience which kept her miserable throughout the day so much had it
revealed of the working man As the election day approached she suffered from a
sinking of the heart almost a bodily fear a fear the same in kind as that of
the wretched woman who anticipates the return of a brutehusband late on
Saturday night The same in kind no reasoning would overcome it She worked
hard all day long that at night she might fall on deep sleep Again she had
taken up her hard German books and was also busy with French histories of
revolution which did indeed fascinate her though as she half perceived
solely by the dramatic quality of the stories they told And at length the
morning of her fear had come
When he left home Mutimer bade her not expect him till the following day
She spent the hours in loneliness and misery Mr Wyvern called but even him
she begged through a servant to excuse her her mother likewise came and her
she talked with for a few minutes then pleaded headache At nine oclock in the
evening she went to her bedroom She had a soporific at hand remaining from the
time of her illness and in dread of a sleepless night she had recourse to it
It seemed to her that she had slept a very long time when a great and
persistent noise awoke her It was someone knocking at her door even as she at
length became aware turning the handle and shaking it Being alone she had
locked herself in She sprang from bed put on her dressinggown and went to
the door Then came her husbands voice impatiently calling her name She
admitted him
Through the white blind the morning twilight just made objects visible in
the room Adela afterwards remembered noticing the drowsy pipe of a bird near
the window Mutimer came in and without closing the door began to demand
angrily why she had locked him out Only now she quite shook off her sleep and
could perceive that there was something unusual in his manner He smelt strongly
of tobacco and as she fancied of spirits but it was his staggering as he
moved to draw up the blind that made her aware of his condition She found
afterwards that he had driven all the way from Belwick and the marvel was that
he had accomplished such a feat probably his horse deserved most of the credit
When he had pulled the blind up he turned propped himself against the
dressingtable and gazed at her with terribly lacklustre eyes Then she saw
the expression of his face change there came upon it a smile such as she had
never seen or imagined a hideous smile that made her blood cold Without
speaking he threw himself forward and came towards her For an instant she was
powerless paralysed with terror but happily she found utterance for a cry and
that released her limbs Before he could reach her she had darted out of the
room and fled to another chamber that which Alice had formerly occupied where
she locked herself against him To her surprise he did not discover her retreat
she heard him moving about the passages stumbling here and there then he
seemed to return to his bedroom She wrapped herself in a counterpane and sat
in a chair till it was full morning
He was absent for a week after that Of course his polling at the election
had been ridiculously small compared with that of the other candidates When he
returned he went about his ordinary occupations he was seemingly not in his
usual health but the constant irritableness had left him Adela tried to bear
herself as though nothing unwonted had come to pass but Mutimer scarcely spoke
when at home if he addressed her it was in a quick offhand way and without
looking at her Adela again lived almost alone Her mother and Letty understood
that she preferred this Letty had many occupations before long she hoped to
welcome her first child The children of New Wanley still came once a week to
the Manor Adela endeavoured to amuse them to make them thoughtful but it had
become a hard hard task Only with Mr Wyvern did she occasionally speak
without constraint though not of course without reserve speech of that kind
she feared would never again be possible to her Still she felt that the vicar
saw far into her life On some topics she was more open than she had hitherto
ventured to be a boldness almost a carelessness for which she herself could
not account possessed her at such times
Late in June she received from Stella Westlake a pressing invitation to come
and spend a fortnight in London It was like sunshine to her heart almost
without hesitation she resolved to accept it Her husband offered no objection
seemed to treat the proposal with indifference Later in the day he said »If
you have time you might perhaps give Alice a call«
»I shall do that as soon as ever I can«
He had something else to say
»Perhaps Mrs Westlake might ask her to come whilst you are there«
»Very likely I think« Adela replied with an attempt at confidence
It was only her second visit to London the first had been in winter time
and under conditions which had not allowed her to attend to anything she saw
But for Stellas presence there she would have feared London her memory of it
was like that of an ill dream long past her mind only reverted to it in darkest
hours and then she shuddered But now she thought only of Stella Stella was
light and joy a fountain of magic waters Her arrival at the house in Avenue
Road was one of the most blissful moments she had ever known The servant led
her upstairs to a small room where the veiled sun made warmth on rich hangings
on beautiful furniture on books and pictures on ferns and flowers The goddess
of this sanctuary was alone as the door opened the notes of a zither trembled
into silence and Adela saw a light robed loveliness rise and stand before her
Stella took both her hands very gently then looked into her face with eyes
which seemed to be new from some high vision then drew her within the paradise
of an embrace The kiss was once more like that first touch of lips which had
come to Adela on the verge of sleep she quivered through her frame
Mr Westlake shortly joined them and spoke with an extreme kindness which
completed Adelas sense of being at home No one disturbed them through the
evening Adela went to bed early and slept without a dream
Stella and her husband talked of her in the night Mr Westlake had at the
time of the election heard for the first time the story of Mutimer and the
obscure workgirl in Hoxton and had taken some trouble to investigate it It
had not reached his ears when the Hoxton Socialists made it a subject of public
discussion Comrade Roodhouse had inserted only a very general report of the
proceedings in his paper the Tocsin and even this Mr Westlake had not seen
But a copy of the pamphlet which circulated in Belwick came into his hands and
when he began to talk on the subject with an intimate friend who without being
a Socialist amused himself with following the movement closely he heard more
than he liked To Stella he said nothing of all this His own ultimate judgment
was that you cannot expect men to be perfect and that great causes have often
been served by very indifferent characters
»She looks shockingly ill« he began tonight when alone with Stella
»Wasnt there something said about consumption when she was at Exmouth Has she
any cough«
»No I dont think it is that« Stella answered
»She seems glad to be with you«
»Very glad I think«
»Did the loss of her child affect her deeply«
»I cannot say She has never spoken of it«
»Poor child«
Stella made no reply to the exclamation
The next day Adela went to call on Mrs Rodman It was a house in Bayswater
not large but richly furnished Adela chose a morning hour hoping to find her
sisterinlaw alone but in this she was disappointed Four visitors were in the
drawingroom three ladies and a man of horsey appearance who talked loudly as
he leaned back with his legs crossed a walkingstick held over his knee his
hat on the ground before him The ladies were all apparently middle aged one of
them had a great quantity of astonishingly yellow hair and the others made up
for deficiency in that respect with toilets in very striking taste The subject
under discussion was a recent murder The gentleman had the happiness of being
personally acquainted with the murderer at all events had frequently met him at
certain resorts of the male population When Mrs Rodman had briefly welcomed
Adela the discussion continued Its tone was vulgar but perhaps not more so
than the average tone among middleclass people who are on familiar terms with
each other The gentleman still leading the conversation kept his eyes fixed
on Adela greatly to her discomfort
In less than half an hour these four took their departure
»So Dick came a cropper« was Alices first remark when alone with her
sisterinlaw
Adela tried in vain to understand
»At the election you know I dont see what he wanted to go making himself
so ridiculous Is he much cut up«
»I dont think it troubles him much« Adela said »he really had no
expectation of being elected It was just to draw attention to Socialism«
»Of course hell put it in that way But Id no idea you were in London
Where are you living«
Alice had suffered had suffered distinctly in her manners and probably in
her character It was not only that she affected a fastness of tone and
betrayed an illbred pleasure in receiving Adela in her fine drawingroom her
face no longer expressed the idle goodnature which used to make it pleasant to
contemplate it was thinner less wholesome in colour rather acid about the
lips Her manner was hurried she seemed to be living in a whirl of frivolous
excitements Her taste in dress had deteriorated she wore a lot of jewellery of
a common kind and her headgear was fantastic
»We have a few friends tomorrow night« she said when the conversation had
with difficulty dragged itself over ten minutes »Will you come to dinner Im
sure Willis will be very glad to see you«
Adela heard the invitation with distress Fortunately it was given in a way
which all but presupposed refusal
»I am afraid I cannot« she answered »My health is not good I never see
people Thank you very much«
»Oh of course I wouldnt put you out« said Alice inspecting her
relatives face curiously And she added rather more in her old voice »Im
sorry you lost your baby I believe youre fond of children I dont care
anything about them myself I hope I shant have any«
Adela could not make any reply she shook hands with Alice and took her
leave only breathing freely when once more in the street All the way back to
St Johns Wood she was afflicted by the thought that it would be impossible to
advise a meeting between Stella and Mrs Rodman Yet she had promised Richard to
do so Once more she found herself sundered from him in sympathies Affection
between Alice and her there could be none yet Alice was the one person in the
world whom Richard held greatly dear
The enchanted life of those first weeks at Exmouth was now resumed The
golden mornings passed with poetry and music in the afternoon visits were paid
to museums and galleries or to the studios of artists who were Mrs Westlakes
friends and who as Adela was pleased to see always received Stella with
reverential homage The evening save when a concert called them forth was
generally a time of peaceful reading and talking the presence of friends making
no difference in the simple arrangements of the home If a man came to dine at
this house it was greatly preferred that he should not present himself in the
costume of a waiter and only those came who were sufficiently intimate with the
Westlakes to know their habits One evening weekly saw a purely Socialist
gathering three or four artisans were always among the guests On that occasion
Adela was sorely tempted to plead a headache but for several reasons she
resisted It was a trial to her for she was naturally expected to talk a good
deal with the visitors several of whom she herself had entertained at Wanley
Watching Stella she had a feeling which she could not quite explain or justify
she was pained to see her goddess in this company and felt indignant with some
of the men who seemed to make themselves too much at their ease There was no
talk of poetry
Among the studios to which Stella took her was that of Mr Boscobel Mrs
Boscobel made much of them and insisted on Adelas coming to dine with her An
evening was appointed Adela felt reproofs of conscience remembering the excuse
she had offered to Alice but in this case it was impossible to decline Stella
assured her that the party would be small and would be sure to comprise none
but really interesting people It was so in fact Two men whom on arriving
they found in the drawingroom Adela knew by fame and the next to enter was a
lady whose singing she had heard with rapture at a concert on the evening
before She was talking with this lady when a new announcement fell upon her
ear a name which caused her to start and gaze towards the door Impossible for
her to guard against this display of emotion the name she heard so distinctly
seemed an unreal utterance a fancy of her brain or else it belonged to another
than the one she knew But there was no such illusion he whom she saw enter was
assuredly Hubert Eldon
A few hot seconds only seemed to intervene before she was called upon to
acknowledge him for Mrs Boscobel was presenting him to her
»I have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Mutimer before« Hubert said as
soon as he saw that Adela in voice and look recognised their acquaintance
Mrs Boscobel was evidently surprised She herself had met Hubert at the
house of an artist in Rome more than a year ago but the details of his life
were unknown to her Subsequently in London she happened once to get on the
subject of Socialism with him and told him as an interesting story what she
heard from the Westlakes about Richard Mutimer Hubert admitted knowledge of the
facts and made the remark about the valley of Wanley which Mrs Boscobel
repeated at Exmouth but he revealed nothing more Having no marriageable
daughter Mrs Boscobel was under no necessity of searching into his
antecedents He was one of ten or a dozen young men of possible future whom she
liked to have about her
Hubert seated himself by Adela and there was a moment of inevitable
silence
»I saw you as soon as I got into the room« he said in the desperate
necessity for speech of some kind »I thought I must have been mistaken I was
so unprepared to meet you here«
Adela replied that she was staying with Mrs Westlake
»I dont know her« said Hubert »and am very anxious to Boscobels
portrait of her I saw it in the studio just before it went away was a
wonderful thing«
This was necessarily said in a low tone it seemed to establish confidence
between them
Adela experienced a sudden and strange calm in a world so entirely new to
her was it not to be expected that things would happen of which she had never
dreamt The tremor with which she had faced this her first evening in general
society had allayed itself almost as soon as she entered the room giving place
to a kind of pleasure for which she was not at all prepared a pleasure
inconsistent with the mood which governed her life Perhaps had she been
brought into this world in those sunny days before her marriage just such
pleasure as this only in a more pronounced degree would have awoke in her and
have been fearlessly indulged The first shock of the meeting with Hubert having
passed she was surprised at her selfcontrol at the ease with which she found
she could converse Hubert took her down to dinner on the stairs he twice
turned to look at her face yet she felt sure that her hand had betrayed no
agitation as it lay on his arm At table he talked freely did he know she
asked herself that this would relieve her And his conversation was altogether
unlike what it had been two years and a half ago so long it was since she had
talked with him under ordinary conditions There was still animation and the
note of intellectual impatience was touched occasionally but the world had
ripened him his judgments were based on sounder knowledge he was more
polished more considerate gentler Adela afterwards said to herself And
decidedly he had gained in personal appearance a good deal of the bright eager
boy had remained with him in his days of storm and stress but now his features
had the repose of maturity and their refinement had fixed itself in lines of
strength
He talked solely of the present discussed with her the seasons pictures
the books the idle business of the town At length she found herself able to
meet his glance without fear even to try and read its character She thought of
the day when her mother told her of his wickedness Since then she had made
acquaintance with wickedness in various forms and now she marvelled at the way
in which she had regarded him »I was a child a child« she repeated to
herself Thinking thus she lost none of his words He spoke of the things which
interested her most deeply how much he could teach her were such teaching
possible
At last she ventured upon a personal question
»How is Mrs Eldon«
She thought he looked at her gratefully certainly there was a deep kindness
in his eyes a look which was one of the new things she noted in him
»Very much as when you knew her« he replied »Weaker I fear I have just
spent a few days at Agworth«
Doubtless he had often been at Agworth perchance he was there so close by
in some of the worst hours of her misery
When the ladies withdrew Mrs Boscobel seated herself by Adela for a moment
»So you really knew Mr Eldon«
»Yes but it is some time since I saw him« Adela replied simply smiling in
the joy of being so entirely mistress of herself
»You were talking pictures I heard You can trust him there his criticism
is admirable You know he did the Grosvenor for the «
She mentioned a weekly paper
»There are so many things I dont know« Adela replied laughingly »and that
is one of them«
Hubert shortly after had his wish in being presented to Mrs Westlake Adela
observed them as they talked together Gladness she could hardly bear possessed
her when she saw on Stellas face the expression of interest which not everyone
could call forth She did not ask why she was so glad for this one evening it
might be allowed her to rest and forget and enjoy
There was singing and the sweetest of the songs went home with her and
lived in her heart all through a night which was too voiceful for sleep Might
she think of him henceforth as a friend Would she meet him again before her
return to to the darkness of that ravaged valley Her mood was a strange one
conscience gave her no trouble appeared suspended And why should conscience
have interfered with her Her happiness was as apart from past and future as if
by some magic she had been granted an intermezzo of life wholly distinct from
her real one These people with whom she found living so pleasant did not really
enter her existence it was as though she played parts to give her pleasure she
merely looked on for the permitted hour
But Stella was real real as that glorious star whose name she knew not the
brightest she could see from her chamber window To Stella her soul clung with
passion and worship Stellas kiss had power to make her all but faint with
ecstasy it was the kiss which woke her from her dream the kiss which would for
ever be to her a terror and a mystery
Chapter XXII
Her waking after a short morning sleep was dark and troubled The taste of last
nights happiness was like ashes on her tongue fearing to face the daylight
she lay with lids heavily closed on a brain which ached in its endeavour to
resume the sensations of a few hours ago The images of those with whom she had
talked so cheerfully either eluded her memory or flitted before her
unexpectedly mopping and mowing so that her heart was revolted It is in
wakings such as these that Time finds his opportunity to harry youth every such
unwinds from about us one of the veils of illusion bringing our eyes so much
nearer to the horrid truth of things Adela shrank from the need of rising she
would have abandoned herself to voiceless desolation have lain still and dark
whilst the current of misery swept over her deeper and deeper When she viewed
her face its ringeyed pallor fascinated her with incredulity Had she looked
at all like that whilst Hubert Eldon and the others were talking to her What
did they secretly think of her The others might attribute to her many more
years than she had really seen but Hubert knew her age Perhaps that was why he
glanced at her twice or thrice on the stairs
For the first time she wished not to be alone with Stella fearing lest the
conversation should turn on Hubert Yet when they had sat together for nearly
an hour and Stella had not named him she began to suffer from a besieging
desire to speak of him a recurrent impulse to allude to him however distantly
so that her companion might be led to the subject The impulse grew to a
torment more intolerable each time she resisted it And at last she found
herself uttering the name involuntarily overcome by something stronger than her
dread
»I was surprised to meet Mr Eldon«
»Did you know him« Stella asked simply
»He used to live at Wanley Manor«
Stella seemed to revive memories
»Oh that was how I knew the name Mr Westlake told me of him at the time
when the Manor passed to Mr Mutimer«
Her husband was from home so had not been at the Boscobels last evening
Adela could rest now that she had spoken She was searching for a means of
leading the conversation into another channel when Stella continued
»You knew him formerly«
»Yes when he still lived at Wanley I have not met him since he went away«
Stella mused
»I suppose he came to live in London«
»I understood so«
At length Adela succeeded in speaking of something else Mental excitement
had set her blood flowing more quickly as though an obstruction were removed
Before long the unreasoning lightness of heart began to take possession of her
again It was strangely painful To one whom suffering has driven upon
selfstudy the predominance of a mere mood is always more or less a troublesome
mystery in Adelas case it was becoming a source of fear She seemed to be
losing selfcontrol in looking back on last evening she doubted whether her own
will had been at all operative in the state of calm enjoyment to which she had
attained Was it physical weakness which put her thus at the mercy of the
moments influences
There came a letter from Mutimer today in it he mentioned Alice and
reminded Adela of her promise This revived a trouble which had fallen out of
activity for a day or two She could not come to any decision When at Alices
house she had not even suggested a return visit at the moment it had seemed so
out of the question for Alice to meet Mrs Westlake In any case was it worth
while exposing Stella to the difficulties of such a meeting when it could not
possibly lead to anything further One reason against it Adela was ashamed to
dwell upon yet it weighed strongly with her she was so jealous of her friends
love so fearful of losing anything in Stellas estimation that she shrank from
the danger of becoming associated with Mrs Rodman in Stellas mind Could she
speak freely of Alice Mutimers affectionate solicitude was honourable to him
and might veil much that was disagreeable in Alice But the intimacy between
Adela and Mrs Westlake was not yet of the kind which permits a free disclosure
of troubles to which rightly or wrongly there attaches a sense of shame Such
troubles are always the last to be spoken of between friends friendship must be
indeed farreaching before it includes them within its scope They were still
but learning to know each other and that more from silent observation from the
sympathy of looks from touchings of hands and lips than by means of direct
examination or avowal The more she strove with her difficulty the less able
Adela felt herself to ask Mrs Rodman to come or to mention her to Stella The
trouble spoilt her enjoyment of a concert that evening and kept her restless in
the night for though seemingly a small matter it had vital connection with
the core of her lifes problem it forced her relentlessly to a consciousness of
many things from which she had taught herself to avert her eyes
Another thing there was which caused her anxious debate a project which
had been in her mind for nearly a year You will not imagine that Adela had
forgotten the letter from Mrs Clay The knowledge it brought her made the
turningpoint of her life No word on the subject passed between her and Mutimer
after the conversation which ended in her faintingfit The letter he retained
and the course he had chosen made it advisable that he should pay no heed to its
request for assistance Adela remembered the address of the writer and made a
note of it but it was impossible to reply Her state of mind after overhearing
the conversation between Richard and his sister was such that she durst not even
take the step of privately sending money lest her husband should hear of it and
it should lead to further question She felt that hard as it was to live with
that secret to hear Mutimer repeat his calumnies would involve her in yet worse
anguish leading perhaps to terrible things for on her return to the house
that night she suffered a revelation of herself which held her almost mute for
the following days In her heart there fought passions of which she had not
known herself capable above all a scorn so fierce that had she but opened her
lips it must have uttered itself That she lived down by the aid of many strange
expedients but she formed a purpose which seemed indeed nothing less than a
duty to use the opportunity of her first visit to London to seek for means of
helping Emma Vine and her sister Her long illness had not weakened this
resolve but now that she was in London the difficulties of carrying it out
proved insuperable She had always imagined herself procuring the services of
some agent but what agent was at hand She might go herself to the address she
had noted but it was to incur a danger too great even for the end in view If
Mutimer heard of such a visit and she had no means of assuring herself that
communication between him and those people did not still exist how would it
affect him
Adelas position would not suffer the risk of ever so slight a difference
between herself and her husband She had come to fear him and now there was
growing in her a yet graver fear of herself
The condition of her health favoured remissness and postponement An hour of
mental agitation left her with headache and a sense of bodily feebleness Emma
Vine she felt in the end obliged to dismiss from her thoughts the difficulty
concerning Alice she put off from day to day
The second week of her visit was just ending and the return to Wanley was
in view when on entering the drawingroom in the afternoon she found Hubert
Eldon sitting there with Mrs Westlake If it had been possible to draw back her
foot and escape unnoticed But she was observed Hubert had already risen Adela
fancied that Stella was closely observing her it was not so in reality but the
persuasion wrung her heart to courage Hubert who did make narrow observance of
her face was struck with the cold dignity of her smile In speaking to him she
was much less friendly than at the Boscobels He thought he understood and was
in a measure right A casual meeting in the world was one thing a visit which
might be supposed half intended to herself called for another demeanour He
addressed a few remarks to her then pursued his conversation with Mrs
Westlake Adela had time to consider his way of speaking it was entirely
natural that of a polished man who has the habit of society and takes pleasure
in it With utter inconsistency she felt pain that he could be so at his ease in
her presence In all likelihood he had come with no other end save that of
continuing his acquaintance with Mrs Westlake As she listened to his voice
once more an inexplicable and uncontrollable mood possessed her a mood of
petulance of impatience with him and with herself with him for almost ignoring
her presence with herself for the distant way in which she had met him An
insensate rebellion against circumstances encouraged her to feel hurt by a
mystery of the mind intervening time was cancelled and it seemed unnatural
hard to bear that Hubert should by preference address another than herself An
impulse similar to that which had forced her to speak his name in conversation
with Stella now constrained her to break silence to say something which would
require a reply Her feeling became a sort of self-pity he regarded her as
beneath his notice he wished her to see that his indifference was absolute why
should he treat her so cruelly
She added a few words to a remark Mrs Westlake made and the moment she
had spoken was sensible that her tone had been strangely impulsive Stella
glanced at her Hubert too turned his eyes smiled and made some reply she
had no understanding of what he said Had not force failed her she would have
risen and left the room Her heart sank in yet crueller humiliation she
believed there were tears in her eyes yet had no power to check them He was
still addressing Mrs Westlake herself he deemed incapable of appreciating what
he said Perhaps he even the thought made clanging in her ears like a rude
bell perhaps he even regarded her as a social inferior since her marriage It
was almost hysteria to such a pitch of unreason was she wrought Her second
self looked on anguished helpless The voices in the room grew distant and
confused
Then the door was opened and the servant announced
»Mr Mutimer«
It saved her She saw her husband enter and an icecold breath made frigid
her throbbing veins She fixed her eyes upon him and could not remove them
they followed him from the door to where Stella stood to receive him She saw
that he almost paused on recognising Eldon that his brows contracted that
involuntarily he looked at her
»You know Mr Eldon« Stella said perhaps in not quite her ordinary voice
for the meeting could in no case be a very happy one
»Oh yes« replied Mutimer scarcely looking at Hubert and making an idle
effort at a bow
Hubert did not reseat himself He took leave of Stella cordially to Adela
he inclined himself at respectful distance
Mrs Westlake supplied conversation Adela leaving her former chair took a
seat by her friends side but could not as yet trust her voice Presently her
husband addressed her it was for the first time he had not even given his
hand
»Alice is very anxious that you should dine with her before you go home Do
you think Mrs Westlake could spare you this evening«
And on Stellas looking an inquiry he added
»My sister Mrs Rodman I dont think you know her«
Adela had no choice but to procure her hostesss assent to this arrangement
»Ill call for you at seven oclock« Mutimer said
Adela knew that he was commanding himself his tone was not quite
discourteous but he had none of the genial satisfaction which he ordinarily
showed in the company of refined people She attributed his displeasure to her
neglect of Alice But it did not affect her as it had been wont to she was
disposed to resent it
The time between his departure and seven oclock she spent by herself
unoccupied sitting as if tired She put off the necessary changing of garments
till there was scarcely time for it When at length she was summoned she went
down with flushed face
»I feel as if I were going to have a fever« she said to Stella in the
drawingroom She could not help uttering the words but laughed immediately
»Your hand is really very hot« Stella replied
Mutimer had a cab at the door and was waiting in the hall
»Youre a long time« was his greeting with more impatience than he had
ever used to her
When they were together in the hansom
»Why did you refuse Alices invitation before« he asked with displeasure
»I didnt think she really wished me to accept it«
She spoke without misgiving still resenting his manner
»Didnt think Why what do you mean«
She made no reply
»You didnt ask her to call either«
»I ought to have done so I am very sorry to have neglected it«
He looked at her with surprise which was very like a sneer and kept silence
till they reached the house
One of the ladies whom Adela had already met and a gentleman styled Captain
something were guests at dinner Alice received her sisterinlaw with evident
pleasure though not perhaps that of pure hospitableness
»I do hope it wont be too much for you« she said »Pray leave as soon as
you feel you ought to I should never forgive myself if you took a cold or
anything of the kind«
Really Alice had supplied herself with most becoming phrases The novels
had done much and then she had been living in society At dinner she laughed
rather too loud it might be and was too much given to addressing her husband
as »Willis« but her undeniable prettiness in lownecked evening dress condoned
what was amiss in manner Mr Rodman looked too gentlemanly he reminded one of
a hero of polite melodrama on the EnglishFrench stage The Captain talked
stockexchange and was continually inquiring about some one or other »Did he
drop much«
Mutimer was staying at the house overnight After dinner he spoke aside
with Adela
»I suppose you go back tomorrow«
»Yes I meant to«
»We may as well go together then Ill call for you at two oclock«
He considered and changed the hour
»No Ill come at ten I want you to go with me to buy some things Then
well have lunch here«
»And go back for my luggage«
»Well take it away at ten oclock and leave it at the station I suppose
you can be ready«
»Yes I can be ready« Adela answered mechanically
He drove back with her to Avenue Road in the Rodmans carriage and left her
at the door
Mr Westlake was expected home tonight but had telegraphed to say that he
would return in the morning Stella had spent the evening alone Adela found her
in the boudoir with a single lamp reading
»Are yon still feverish« Stella asked putting to her cheek the ungloved
hand
»I think not I cant say«
Stella waited to hear something about the evening but Adela broke the
silence to say
»I must leave at ten in the morning My husband will call for me«
»So early«
»Yes«
There was silence again
»Will you come and see me before long Stella«
»I will« was the gentle reply
»Thank you I shall look forward to it very much«
Then Adela said good night speaking more cheerfully
In her bedroom she sat as before dinner The fever had subsided during the
past two hours but now it crept into her blood again insidious tingling And
with it came so black a phantom of despair that Adela closed her eyes
shudderingly lay back as one lifeless and wished that it were possible by the
will alone to yield the breath and cease The night pulsed about her beat
regularly like a great clock and its pulsing smote upon her brain
Tomorrow she must follow her husband who would come to lead her home
Home what home had she What home would she ever have but a grave in the grassy
churchyard of Wanley Why did death spare her when it took the life which panted
but for a moment on her bosom
She must leave Stella and go back to her duties at the Manor must teach the
children of New Wanley must love honour obey her husband Returning from
Exmouth she was glad to see her house again now she had rather a thousand
times die than go back Horror shook her like a palsy all that she had borne
for eighteen months seemed accumulated upon her now waited for her there at
Wanley to be endured again Oh where was the maiden whiteness of her soul What
malignant fate had robbed her for ever of innocence and peace
Was this fever or madness She rose and flung her arms against a hideous
form which was about to seize her It would not vanish it pressed upon her She
cried fled to the door escaped and called Stellas name aloud
A door near her own opened and Stella appeared Adela clung to her and was
drawn into the room Those eyes of infinite pity gazing into her own availed to
calm her
»Shall I send for some one« Stella asked anxiously but with no weak
bewilderment
»No it is not illness But I dread to be alone I am nervous«
»Will you stay with me dear«
»Oh Stella let me let me I want to be near to you whilst I may«
Stellas child slept peacefully in a crib the voices were too low to wake
it Almost like another child Adela allowed herself to be undressed
»Shall I leave a light« Stella asked
»No I can sleep Only let me feel your arms«
They lay in unbroken silence till both slept
Chapter XXIII
In a character such as Mutimers there will almost certainly be found a
disposition to cruelty for strong instincts of domination even of the nobler
kind only wait for circumstances to develop crude tyranny the cruder of
course in proportion to the lack of native or acquired refinement which
distinguishes the man We had a hint of such things in Mutimers progressive
feeling with regard to Emma Vine The possibility of his becoming a tyrannous
husband could not be doubted by any one who viewed him closely
There needed only the occasion and this at length presented itself in the
form of jealousy Of all possible incentives it was the one most calamitous for
it came just when a slow and secret growth of passion was making demand for room
and air Mutimer had for some time been at a loss to understand his own
sensations he knew that his wife was becoming more and more a necessity to him
and that too when the progress of time would have led him to expect the very
opposite He knew it during her absence at Exmouth more still now that she was
away in London It was with reluctance that he let her leave home only his
satisfaction in her intimacy with the Westlakes and his hopes for Alice induced
him to acquiesce in her departure Yet he could show nothing of this A lack of
self-confidence a strange shyness embarrassed him as often as he would give
play to his feelings They were intensified by suppression and goaded him to
constant restlessness When at most a day or two remained before Adelas return
he could no longer resist the desire to surprise her in London
Not only did he find her in the company of the man whom he had formerly
feared as a rival but her behaviour seemed to him distinctly to betray
consternation at his arrival She was colourless agitated could not speak
From that moment his love was of the quality which in its manifestations is
often indistinguishable from hatred He resolved to keep her under his eye to
enforce to the uttermost his marital authority to make her pay bitterly for the
freedom she had stolen His exasperated egoism flew at once to the extreme of
suspicion he was ready to accuse her of completed perfidy Mrs Westlake became
his enemy the profound distrust of culture which was inseparable from his
mental narrowness however ambition might lead him to disguise it seized upon
the occasion to declare itself that woman was capable of conniving at his
dishonour even of plotting it He would not allow Adela to remain in the house
a minute longer than he could help Even the casual absence of Mr Westlake
became a suspicious circumstance Eldon of course chose the time for his visit
Adela was once more safe in the Manor under lock and key as it were He
had not spoken of Eldon though several times on the point of doing so It was
obvious that the return home cost her suffering that it was making her ill He
could not get her to converse he saw that she did not study It was impossible
to keep watch on her at all moments of the day yet how otherwise discover what
letters she wrote or received He pondered the practicability of bribing her
maid to act as a spy upon her but feared to attempt it He found opportunities
of secretly examining the blotter on her writingdesk and it convinced him that
she had written to Mrs Westlake It maddened him that he had not the courage to
take a single open step to forbid for instance all future correspondence with
London To do so would be to declare his suspicions He wished to declare them
it would have gratified him intensely to vomit impeachments to terrify her with
coarseness and violence but on the other hand by keeping quiet he might
surprise positive evidence and if only he did
She was ill he had a distinct pleasure in observing it She longed for
quiet and retirement he neglected his business to force his company upon her
to laugh and talk loudly She with difficulty read a page he made her read
aloud to him by the hour or write translations for him from French and German
The pale anguish of her face was his joy it fascinated him fired his senses
made him a demon of vicious cruelty Yet he durst not as much as touch her hand
when she sat before him Her purity which was her safeguard stirred his venom
he worshipped it and would have smothered it in foulness
»Hadnt you better have the doctor to see you« he began one morning when he
had followed her from the diningroom to her boudoir
»The doctor Why«
»You dont seem up to the mark« he replied avoiding her look
Adela kept silence
»You were well enough in London I suppose«
»I am never very strong«
»I think you might be a bit more cheerful«
»I will try to be«
This submission always aggravated his disease by what other name to call
it He would have had her resist him that he might know the pleasure of
crushing her will
He walked about the room then suddenly
»What is that man Eldon doing«
Adela looked at him with surprise It had never entered her thoughts that
the meeting with Eldon would cost him more than a passing annoyance she knew
he disliked him and least of all that such annoyance would in any way be
connected with herself It was possible of course that some idle tongue had
gossiped of her former friendship with Hubert but there was no one save Letty
who knew what her feelings really had been and was not the fact of her marriage
enough to remove any suspicion that Mutimer might formerly have entertained But
the manner of his question was so singular the introduction of Eldons name so
abrupt that she could not but discern in a measure what was in his mind
She made reply
»I dont understand Do you mean how is he engaged«
»How comes he to know Mrs Westlake«
»Through common friends some people named Boscobel Mr Boscobel is an
artist and Mr Eldon appears to be studying art«
Her voice was quite steady through this explanation The surprise seemed to
have enabled her to regard him unmoved almost with curiosity
»I suppose hes constantly there at the Westlakes«
»That was his first visit We met him a few evenings before at the
Boscobels at dinner It was then he made Mrs Westlakes acquaintance«
Mutimer moved his head as if to signify indifference But Adela had found an
unexpected relief in speaking thus openly she was tempted to go further
»I believe he writes about pictures Mrs Boscobel told me that he had been
some time in Italy«
»Well and good I dont care to hear about his affairs So you dined with
these Boscobel people«
»Yes«
He smiled disagreeably
»I thought you were rather particular about telling the truth You told
Alice you never dined out«
»I dont think I said that« Adela replied quietly
He paused then
»What fault have you to find with Alice eh«
Adela was not in the mood for evasions she answered in much the same tone
as she had used in speaking of Hubert
»I dont think she likes me If she did I should be able to be more
friendly with her Her world is very different from ours«
»Different You mean you dont like Rodman«
»I was not thinking of Mr Rodman I mean that her friends are not the same
as ours«
Mutimer forgot for a moment his preoccupation in thought of Alice
»Was there anything wrong with the people you met there«
She was silent
»Just tell me what you think I want to know What did you object to«
»I dont think they were the best kind of people«
»The best kind I suppose they are what you call ladies and gentlemen«
»You must have felt that they were not quite the same as the Westlakes for
instance«
»The Westlakes«
He named them sneeringly to Adelas astonishment And he added as he walked
towards the door
»There isnt much to be said for some of the people you meet there«
A new complexity was introduced into her life Viewed by this recent light
Mutimers behaviour since the return from London was not so difficult to
understand but the problem of how to bear with it became the harder There were
hours when Adelas soul was like a bird of the woods cagepent it dashed itself
against the bars of fate and in anguish conceived the most desperate attempts
for freedom She could always die but was it not hard to perish in her youth
and with the worlds cup of bliss untasted Flight Ah whither could she flee
The thought of the misery she would leave behind her the disgrace that would
fall upon her mother this would alone make flight impossible Yet could she
conceive life such as this prolonging itself into the hopeless years
renunciation her strength and her reward duty a grinning skeleton at her
bedside It grew harder daily More than a year ago she thought that the worst
was over and since then had known the solace of self-forgetful idealisms of
ascetic striving It was all illusion the spinning of a desolate heart There
was no help now for she knew herself and the world Foolish foolish child who
with her own hand had flung away the jewel of existence like a thing of no
price Her lot appeared single in its haplessness She thought of Stella of
Letty even of Alice they had not been doomed to learn in suffering To her
alone of all women knowledge had come with a curse
A month passed Since Rodmans departure from Wanley Arry Mutimer was
living at the Manor Her husband and Arry were Adelas sole companions the
former she dreaded the approach of the latter always caused her insuperable
disgust To Letty there was born a son Adela could not bend to the little one
with a whole heart her own desolate motherhood wailed the more bitterly
Once more a change was coming Alice and her husband were going to spend
August at a French wateringplace and Mutimer proposed to join them for a
fortnight Adela of course would be of the party The invitation came from
Rodman who had reasons for wishing to get his brotherinlaw aside for a little
quiet talk Rodman had large views was at present pondering a financial scheme
in which he needed a partner one with capital of course He knew that New
Wanley was proving anything but a prosperous concern commercially speaking he
divined moreover that Mutimer was not wholly satisfied with the state of
affairs By judicious management the Socialist might even be induced to abandon
the nonpaying enterprise and though not perhaps ostensibly embark in one
that promised very different results at all events to Mr Rodman The scheme
was not of mushroom growth it dated from a time but little posterior to Mr
Rodmans first meeting with Alice Mutimer Arry had been granted appetising
sniffs at the cookery in progress though the youth was naturally left without
precise information as to the ingredients The result was a surprising
selfrestraint on Arrys part The influence which poor Keene had so bunglingly
tried to obtain over him the more astute Mr Rodman had compassed without
difficulty beginning with the loan of small sums to be repaid when Arry
attained his majority he little by little made the prospective man of capital
the creature of his directions in something less than two more years Rodman
looked to find ample recompense for his expenditure and trouble But that was a
mere parergon to secure Richard Mutimer was the great end steadily held in
view
Rodman and his wife came to Wanley to spend three days before all together
set out for the Continent Adela accepted the course of things and abandoned
herself to the stream For a week her husband had been milder we know the
instinct that draws the cats paws from the flagging mouse
Alice no longer much interested in novels must needs talk with some one
she honoured Adela with much of her confidence seeming to forget and forgive
in reality delighted to recount her London experiences to her poor tame
sisterinlaw Alice too had been at moments introduced to her husbands
kitchen she threw out vague hints of a wonderful repast in preparation
»Willis is going to buy me a house in Brighton« she said among other
things »I shall run down whenever I feel it would do me good Youve no idea
how kind he is«
There was in fact an advancement clause in Alices deed of settlement If
Mr Rodman showed himself particularly anxious to cultivate the friendship of
Mr Alfred Waltham possibly one might look for the explanation to the terms of
that same document
There came a Sunday morning Preparations for departure on the morrow were
practically completed The weather was delightful Adela finished breakfast in
time to wander a little about the garden before it was the hour for church her
husband and Rodman breakfasted with her and went to smoke in the library Alice
and Arry did not present themselves till the church bells had ceased
Adela was glad to be alone in the dusky pew She was the first of the
congregation to arrive and she sat as always with the curtains enclosing her
save in front The bells ringing above the roof had a soothing effect upon her
and gave strange turns to her thought So had their summoning rung out to
generation after generation so would it ring long after she was buried and at
rest Where would her grave be She was going for the first time to a foreign
country perhaps death might come to her there Then she would lie for ever
among strangers and her place be forgotten Would it not be the fitting end of
so sad and short a life
In the front of the pew was a cupboard the upper portion which contained
the service books was closed with a long narrow door opening downwards on
horizontal hinges the shelf on which the books lay went back into darkness
being perhaps two feet broad Below this shelf was the door of the lower and
much larger receptacle it slid longitudinally and revealed a couple of
buffets kept here to supplement the number in the pew when necessary Adela had
only once opened the sliding door and then merely to glance into the dark
hollows and close it again Probably the buffets had lain undisturbed for years
On entering the pew this morning she had as usual dropped the upper door
and had laid her large church service open on the shelf where she could reach
it as soon as Mr Wyvern began to read Then began her reverie From thoughts of
the grave she passed to memories of her wedding day How often the scene of that
morning had reenacted itself in her mind Often she dreamed it all over and
woke as from a nightmare She wished it had not taken place in this church it
troubled the sacred recollections of her maiden peace She began to think it
over once more attracted by the pain it caused her and on coming to the
bestowal of the ring an odd caprice led her to draw the circlet itself from her
finger When she had done it she trembled The hand looked so strange Oh her
hand her hand Once ringless indeed once her own to give to stretch forth in
pledge of the hearts imperishable faith Now a prisoner for ever but thus
ringless so like a maiden hand once more There came a foolish sense of ease
She would keep her finger free yet a little perhaps through the service She
bent forward and laid the ring on the open book
More dreams quite other than before then the organ began its prelude a
tremor passing through the church before the sound broke forth Adela sank
deeper in reverie At length Mr Wyverns voice roused her she stood up and
reached her book but she had wholly forgotten that the ring lay upon it and
was only reminded by a glimpse of it rolling away on the shelf rolling to the
back of the cupboard But it did not stop there surely it was the ring that she
heard fall down below behind the large sliding door She had a sudden fright
lest it should be lost and stooped at once to search for it
She drew back the door pushed aside the buffets then groped in the
darkness She touched the ring But something else lay there it seemed a long
piece of thick paper folded This too she brought forth and having slipped
the ring on her finger looked to see what she had found
It was parchment She unfolded it and saw that it was covered with writing
in a clerkly hand How strange
This is the last will and testament of me RICHARD MUTIMER
Her hand shook She felt as if the sides of the pew were circling about her
as if she stood amid falling and changing things
She looked to the foot of the sheet
In witness whereof I the said Richard Mutimer have hereunto set my hand
this seventeenth day of October 187
The date was some six months prior to old Richard Mutimers death This
could be nothing but the will which every one believed him to have destroyed
Adela sank upon the seat Her ring Had she picked it up Yes it was again
upon her finger How had it chanced to fall down below She rose again and
examined the cupboard there was a gap of four or five inches at the back of the
upper shelf
Had the will fallen in the same way Adela conjectured that thus it had been
lost though when or under what circumstances she could not imagine We who are
calmer may conceive the old man to have taken his will to church with him on
the morning of his death he being then greatly troubled about the changes ho
had in view Perhaps he laid the folded parchment on the shelf and rested one of
the large books in front of it He breathed his last Then the old woman whose
duty it was to put the pews in order hurriedly throwing the books into the
cupboard as soon as the dead man was removed perchance pushed the document so
far back that it slipped through the gap and down behind the buffets
At all events no one has ever hit upon a likelier explanation
Chapter XXIV
She could not sit through the service yet to leave the church she would have to
walk the whole length of the aisle What did it matter It would very soon be
known why she had gone away and to face for a moment the wonder of Sundayclad
villagers is not a grave trial Adela opened the pew door and quitted the
church the parchment held beneath her mantle
As she issued from the porch the sun smote warm upon her face it encouraged
a feeling of gladness which had followed her astonishment She had discovered
the tenor of the will it affected her with a sudden joy undisturbed at first
by any reflection The thought of self was slow in coming and had not power to
trouble her greatly even when she faced it Befall herself what might she held
against her heart a power which was the utmost limit of that hearts desire So
vast so undreamt so mysteriously given to her that it seemed preternatural
Her weakness was become strength with a single word she could work changes such
as it had seemed no human agency could bring about
To her to her it had been given What was all her suffering crowned with
power like this
She durst not take the will from beneath her mantle though burning to
reassure herself of its contents Not till she was locked in her room If any
one met her as she entered the house her excuse would be that she did not feel
well
But as she hurried toward the Manor she all at once found herself face to
face with her brother Alfred was having a ramble rather glad to get out of
hearing of the baby this Sunday morning
»Hollo whats up« was his exclamation
Adela feared lest her face had betrayed her She was conscious that her look
could not be that of illness
»I am obliged to go home« she said »I have forgotten something«
»I should have thought youd rather have let the house burn down than
scutter away in this profane fashion All right I wont stop you«
She hesitated tempted to give some hint But before she could speak Alfred
continued
»So Mutimers going to throw it up«
»What« she asked in surprise
He nodded towards New Wanley
»Throw it up«
»So I understand Dont mention that I said anything I supposed you knew«
»I knew nothing You mean that he is going to abandon the works«
»Something of the kind I fancy I dont know that its decided but that
fellow Rodman well time enough to talk about it Its a pity thats all I
can say Still if hes really losing «
»Losing But he never expected to make money«
»No but I fancy hes beginning to see things in a different light I tell
you what it is Adela I cant stand that fellow Rodman Ive got an idea hes
up to something Dont let him lead Mutimer by the nose thats all But this
isnt Sunday talk Youngster rather obstreperous this morning«
Adela had no desire to question further she let her brother pass on and
continued her own walk at a more moderate pace
Alfreds words put her in mind of considerations to which in her excitement
she had given no thought New Wanley was no longer her husbands property and
the great Socialist undertaking must come to an end In spite of her personal
feeling she could not view with indifference the failure of an attempt which
she had trained herself to regard as nobly planned and full of importance to
the world at large Though she no longer saw Mutimers character in the same
light as when first she bent her nature to his direction she still would have
attributed to him a higher grief than the merely selfregarding she had never
suspected him of insincerity in his public zeal Mutimer had been scrupulous to
avoid any utterance which might betray halfheartedness in his sullen fits of
late he had even made it a reproach against her that she cared little for his
own deepest interests To his wife last of all he would have confessed a failing
in his enthusiasm jealousy had made him discourteous had lowered the tone of
his intercourse with her but to figure as a hero in her eyes was no less nay
more than ever a leading motive in his life But if what Alfred said was true
Adela saw that in this also she had deceived herself the man whose very heart
was in a great cause would sacrifice everything and fight on to the uttermost
verge of hope There was no longer room for regret on his account
On reaching the Manor gates she feared to walk straight up to the house she
felt that if she met her husband she could not command her face and her
tongue would falter She took a path which led round to the gardens in the rear
She had remembered a little summerhouse which stood beyond the kitchengarden
in a spot sure to be solitary at this hour There she could read the will
attentively and fix her resolution before entering the house
Trees and bushes screened her She neared the summerhouse and was at the
very door before she perceived that it was occupied There sat Arry and a
kitchenmaid very close to each other chatting confidentially Arry looked up
and something as near a blush as he was capable of came to his face The kitchen
damsel followed the direction of his eyes and was terrorstricken
Adela hastened away An unspeakable loathing turned her heart She scarcely
wondered but pressed the parchment closer and joyed in the thought that she
would so soon be free of this tainted air
She no longer hesitated to enter and was fortunate enough to reach her room
without meeting any one She locked the door then unfolded the will and began
to peruse it with care
The testator devised the whole of his real estate to Hubert Eldon to Hubert
also he bequeathed his personal property subject to certain charges These were
first the payment of a legacy of one thousand pounds to Mrs Eldon secondly
of a legacy of five hundred pounds to Mr Yottle the solicitor thirdly of an
annuity of one hundred and seven pounds to the testators greatnephew Richard
Mutimer such sum being the yearly product of a specified investment The
annuity was to extend to the life of Richards widow should he leave one but
power was given to the trustee to make over to Richard Mutimer or to his widow
any part or the whole of the invested capital if he felt satisfied that to do
so would be for the annuitants benefit It is not my wish these words
followed the directions to put the said Richard Mutimer above the need of
supporting himself by honest work but only to aid him to make use of the
abilities which I understand he possesses and to become a credit to the class
to which he belongs
The executors were Hubert Eldon himself and the lawyer Mr Yottle
A man of the world brought face to face with startling revelations of this
kind naturally turns at once to thought of technicalities evasions
compromises Adelas simpler mind fixed itself upon the plain sense of the will
that meant restitution to the uttermost farthing For more than two years Hubert
Eldon had been kept out of his possessions others had been using them and
lavishly Would it be possible for her husband to restore He must have expended
great sums and of his own he had not a penny
Thought for herself came last Mutimer must abandon Wanley and whither he
went thither must she go also Their income would be a hundred and seven
pounds Her husband became once more a working man Doubtless he would return to
London their home would be a poor one like that of ordinary working folk
How would he bear it How would he take this from her
Fear crept insidiously about her heart though she fought to banish it It
was a fear of the instinct clinging to trifles in the memory feeding upon
tones glances the impressions of forgotten moments She was conscious that
here at length was the crucial test of her husbands nature and in spite of
every generous impulse she dreaded the issue To that dread she durst not
abandon herself to let it grow even for an instant cost her a sensation of
faintness a desire to flee for cover to those who would naturally protect her
To give up all and to Hubert Eldon She recalled his voice when the other day
he spoke of Hubert He had not since recurred to the subject but his manner
still bore the significance with which that conversation had invested it No
dream of suspicions on his part had come to her but it was enough that
something had happened to intensify his dislike of Hubert Of her many fears
here was one which couched dark and shapeless in the background
A feeble woman would have chosen anyone her mother her brother rather
than Mutimer himself for the first participant in such a discovery Adela was
not feeble and the very danger though it might chill her senses nerved her
soul Was she not making him too ignoble Was she not herself responsible for
much of the strangeness in his behaviour of late The question she had once
asked herself whether he loved her she could not answer doubtfully was it not
his love that had set her icily against him If she could not render him love in
return that was the wrong she did him the sin she had committed in becoming
his wife Adela by this time knew too well that in her threefold vows love had
of right the foremost place honour and obedience could not exist without love
Her wrong was involuntary none the less she owed him such reparation as was
possible she must keep her mind open to his better qualities A man might fall
yet not be irredeemably base Oh that she had never known of that poor girl in
London Base doubly and trebly base had been his behaviour there for one ill
deed had drawn others after it But his repentance his humiliation must have
been deep and of the kind which strengthens against illdoing in the future
It had to be done and had better be done quickly Adela went to her boudoir
and rang the bell The servant who came told her that Mutimer was in the house
She summoned him
It was five minutes before he appeared He was preoccupied though not
gloomily so
»I thought you were at church« he said regarding her absently
»I came away because I found something this«
She had hoped to speak with calmness but the interval of waiting had
agitated her and the fear which no effort could allay struck her heart as he
entered She held the parchment to him
»What is it« he asked his attention gradually awakened by surprise He did
not move forward to meet her extended hand
»You will see it is the will that we thought was destroyed old Mr
Mutimers will«
She rose and brought it to him He looked at her with a sceptical smile
which was involuntary and lingered on his face even after he had begun to read
the document
Adela seated herself again she had scarcely power to stand There was a
long silence
»Where did you find this« Mutimer inquired at length His tone astonished
her it was almost indifferent But he did not raise his eyes
She explained It was needless she thought to give a reason for her search
in the lower cupboard but the first thing that occurred to Mutimer was to
demand such reason
A moments hesitation then
»A piece of money rolled down behind the shelf on which the books are there
is a gap at the back I suppose that is how the will fell down«
His eye was now steadily fixed upon her coldly scrutinising as one regards
a suspected stranger Adela was made wretched by the inevitable falsehood She
felt herself reddening under his gaze
He seemed to fall into absentmindedness then reread the document Then he
took out his watch
»The people are out of church Come and show me where it was«
With a deep sense of relief she went away to put on her bonnet To escape
for a moment was what she needed and the self-command of his voice seemed to
assure her against her worst fears She felt grateful to him for preserving his
dignity The future lost one of its terrors if only she could respect him
They walked side by side to the church in silence Mutimer had put the will
into his pocket At the wicket he paused
»Will Wyvern be in there«
The question was answered by the appearance of the vicar himself who just
then came forth from the front doorway He approached them with a hope that
Adela had not been obliged to leave through indisposition
»A little faintness« Mutimer was quick to reply »We are going to look for
something she dropped in the pew«
Mr Wyvern passed on Only the pewopener was moving about the aisles She
looked with surprise at the pair as they entered
»Tell her the same« Mutimer commanded under his breath
The old woman was of course ready with offers of assistance but a word from
Richard sufficed to keep her away
The examination was quickly made and they returned as they had come
without exchanging a word on the way They went upstairs again to the boudoir
»Sit down« Mutimer said briefly
He himself continued to stand again examining the will
»I should think« he began slowly »its as likely as not that this is a
forgery«
»A forgery But who could have «
Her voice failed
»Hes not likely to have run the risk himself I suppose« Mutimer pursued
with a quiet sneer »but no doubt there are people who would benefit by it«
Adela had an impulse of indignation It showed itself in her cold steady
reply
»The will was thick with dust It has been lying there a long time«
»Of course They wouldnt bungle over an important thing like this«
He was once more scrutinising her The suspicion was a genuine one and
involved even more than Adela could imagine If there had been a plot such plot
assuredly included the discoverer of the document Could he in his heart charge
Adela with that There were two voices at his ear and of equal persuasiveness
Even to look into her face did not silence the calumnious whispering Her beauty
was fuel to his jealousy and his jealousy alone made the supposition of her
guilt for a moment tenable It was on his lips to accuse her to ease himself
with savage innuendoes those easy things to understand which come naturally
from such a man in such a situation But to do that would be to break with her
for ever and the voice that urged her innocence would not let him incur such
risk The loss of his possessions was a calamity so great that as yet he could
not realise its possibility the loss of his wife impressed his imagination more
immediately and was in this moment the more active fear
He was in the strange position of a man who finds all at once that he dare
not believe that which he has been trying his best to believe If Adela were
guilty of plotting with Eldon it meant that he himself was the object of her
utter hatred a hideous thought to entertain It threw him back upon her
innocence Egoism had to do the work of the finer moral perceptions
»Isnt it rather strange« he said not this time sneeringly but seeking
for support against his intolerable suspicions »that you never moved those
buffets before«
»I never had need of them«
»And that hole has never been cleaned out«
»Never clearly never«
She had risen to her feet impelled by a glimmering of the thought in which
he examined her What she next said came from her without premeditation Her
tongue seemed to speak independently of her will
»One thing I have said that was not true It was not money that slipped
down but my ring I had taken it off and laid it on the Prayerbook«
»Your ring« he repeated with cold surprise »Do you always take your ring
off in church then«
As soon as the words were spoken she had gone deadly pale Was it well to
say that Must there follow yet more explanation She with difficulty overcame
an impulse to speak on and disclose all her mind the same kind of impulse she
had known several times of late Sheer dread this time prevailed The eyes that
were upon her concealed fire what madness tempted her to provoke its outburst
»I have never done so before« she replied confusedly
»Why today then«
She did not answer
»And why did you tell why did you say it was money«
»I cant explain that« she answered her head bowed »I took off the ring
thoughtlessly it is rather loose my finger is thinner than it used to be«
On the track of cunning Mutimers mind was keen enough only amid the
complexities of such motives as sway a pure heart in trouble was he quite at a
loss This confession of untruthfulness might on the face of it have spoken in
Adelas favour but his very understanding of that made him seek for subtle
treachery She saw he suspected her was it not good policy to seem perfectly
frank even if such frankness for the moment gave a strengthening to suspicion
What devilish ingenuity might after all be concealed in this woman whom he had
taken for simplicity itself.
The first bell for luncheon disturbed his reflections
»Please sit down« he said pointing to the chair »We cant end our talk
just yet«
She obeyed him glad again to rest her trembling limbs
»If you suspect it to be a forgery« she said when she had waited in vain
for him to speak further »the best way of deciding is to go at once to Mr
Yottle He will remember it was he drew up the will«
He flashed a glance at her
»Im perfectly aware of that If this is forged the lawyer has of course
given his help He would be glad to see me«
Again the suspicion was genuine Mutimer felt himself hedged in every
avenue of escape to which his thoughts turned was closed in advance There was
no one he would not now have suspected The full meaning of his position was
growing upon him it made a ferment in his mind
»Mr Yottle« Adela exclaimed in astonishment »You think it possible that
he Oh that is folly«
Yes it was folly her voice assured him of it proclaiming at the same time
the folly of his whole doubt It was falling to pieces and as it fell
disclosing the image of his fate inexorable inconceivable
He stood for more than five minutes in silence Then he drew a little nearer
to her and asked in an unsteady voice
»Are you glad of this«
»Glad of it« she repeated under her breath
»Yes shall you be glad to see me lose everything«
»You cannot wish to keep what belongs to others In that sense I think we
ought to be glad that the will is found.«
She spoke so coldly that he drew away from her again The second bell rang
»They had better have lunch without us« he said
He rang and bade the servant ask Mr and Mrs Rodman to lunch alone Then he
returned to an earlier point of the discussion
»You say it was thick with dust«
»It was I believe the lower cupboard has never been open since Mr
Mutimers death«
»Why should he take a will to church with him«
Adela shook her head
»If he did« Mutimer pursued »I suppose it was to think over the new one he
was going to make You know of course that he never intended this to be his
will«
»We do not know what his last thoughts may have been« Adela replied in a
low voice but firmly
»Yes I think we do I mean to say we are quite sure he meant to alter this
Yottle was expecting the new will«
»Death took him before he could make it He left this«
Her quiet opposition was breath to the fire of his jealousy He could no
longer maintain his voice of argument
»It just means this you wont hear anything against the will and youre
glad of it«
»Your loss is mine«
He looked at her and again drew nearer
»Its not very likely that youll stay to share it«
»Stay« She watched his movements with apprehension »How can I separate my
future from yours«
He desired to touch her to give some sign of his mastery whether tenderly
or with rude force mattered little
»Its easy to say that but we know it doesnt mean much«
His tongue stammered As Adela rose and tried to move apart he caught her
arm roughly then her waist and kissed her several times about the face
Released she sank back upon the chair pale terrified her breath caught with
voiceless sobs Mutimer turned away and leaned his arms upon the mantelpiece
His body trembled
Neither could count the minutes that followed An inexplicable shame kept
Mutimer silent and motionless Adela when the shock of repugnance had passed
over almost forgot the subject of their conversation in vain endeavours to
understand this man in whose power she was His passion was mysterious
revolting impossible for her to reconcile with his usual bearing with his
character as she understood it It was more than a year since he had mingled his
talk to her with any such sign of affection and her feeling was one of outrage
What protection had she The caresses had followed upon an insult and were
themselves brutal degrading It was a realisation of one of those halfformed
fears which had so long haunted her in his presence
What would life be with him away from the protections of a wealthy home
when circumstances would have made him once more the London artisan and in
doing so would have added harshness to his natural temper when he would no
longer find it worth while to preserve the semblance of gentle breeding Was
there strength in her to endure that
Presently he turned and she heard him speak her name She raised her eyes
with a halfsmile of abashment He approached and took her hand
»Have you thought what this means to me« he asked in a much softer voice
»I know it must be very hard«
»I dont mean in that way Im not thinking of the change back to poverty
Its my work in New Wanley my splendid opportunity of helping on Socialism
Think just when everything is fairly started You cant feel it as I do I
suppose You havent the same interest in the work I hoped once you would have
had«
Adela remembered what her brother had said but she could not allude to it
To question was useless She thought of a previous occasion on which he had
justified himself when accused
He still held her hand
»Which would do the most good with this money he or I«
»We cannot ask that question«
»Yes we can We ought to At all events I ought to Think what it means
In my hands the money is used for the good of a suffering class for the good of
the whole country in the end He would just spend it on himself like other rich
men It isnt every day that a man of my principles gets the means of putting
them into practice Eldon is well enough off long ago hes made up his mind to
the loss of Wanley Its like robbing poor people just to give money where it
isnt wanted«
She withdrew her hand saying coldly
»I can understand your looking at it in this way But we cant help it«
»Why cant we« His voice grew disagreeable in its effort to be insinuating
»It seems to me that we can and ought to help it It would be quite different if
you and I had just been enjoying ourselves and thinking of no one else« He
thought it a skilful stroke to unite their names thus »We havent done anything
of the kind weve denied ourselves all sorts of things just to be able to spend
more on New Wanley You know what Ive always said that I hold the money in
trust for the Union Isnt it true I dont feel justified in giving it up The
end is too important The good of thousands of hundreds of thousands is at
stake«
Adela looked him in the face searchingly
»But how can we help it There is the will«
Mutimer met her eyes
»No one knows of it but ourselves Adela«
It was not indignation that her look expressed but at first a kind of
shocked surprise and then profound trouble It was with difficulty that she
found words
»You are not speaking in earnest«
»I am« he exclaimed almost hopefully »In downright earnest Theres
nothing to be ashamed of« He said it because he felt that her gaze was breeding
shame in him »It isnt for myself its for the cause for the good of my
fellowmen Dont say anything till youve thought Look Adela youre not
hardhearted and you know how it used to pain you to read of the poor wretches
who cant earn enough to keep themselves alive Its for their sake If they
could be here and know of this theyd go down on their knees to you You cant
rob them of a chance Its like snatching a bit of bread out of their mouths
when theyre dying of hunger«
The fervour with which he pleaded went far to convince himself for the
moment he lost sight of everything but the necessity of persuading Adela and
his zeal could scarcely have been greater had he been actuated by the purest
unselfishness He was speaking as Adela had never heard him speak with
modulations of the voice which were almost sentimental like one pleading for
love In his heart he despaired of removing her scruples but he overcame this
with vehement entreaty A true instinct forbade him to touch on her own
interests he had not lived so long with Adela without attaining some perception
of the nobler ways of thought But as often as he raised his eyes to hers he saw
the futility of all his words Her direct gaze at length brought him to
unwilling silence
»Would you then« Adela asked gravely »destroy this will«
»Yes«
The monosyllable was all he cared to reply
»I can scarcely believe you Such a thing is impossible You could not do
it«
»Its my duty to do it«
»This is unworthy of you It is a crime in law and in conscience How can
you so deceive yourself After such an act as that whatever you did would be
worthless vain«
»Why«
»Because no one can do great work of the kind you aim at unless he is
himself guided by the strictest honour Every word you spoke would be a
falsehood Oh cant you see that as plainly as the light of day The results
of your work Why nothing you could possibly do with all this money would be
onehalf as good as to let everyone know that you honourably gave it up when it
was in your power dishonestly to keep it Oh surely that is the kind of example
that the world needs What causes all the misery but dishonesty and selfishness
If you do away with that you gain all you are working for The example You
should prize the opportunity You are deceiving yourself it is a temptation
that you are yielding to Think a moment you will see that I am right You
cannot do a thing so unworthy of yourself«
He stood for a moment doggedly then replied
»I can and I shall do it«
»Never« Adela rose and faced him »You shall listen to me till you
understand You who pride yourself on your high motives For your own sake
scorn this temptation Let me take the will away I will put it somewhere till
tomorrow You will see clearly by then I know how dreadful this loss seems to
you but you must be stronger«
He stood between her and the table on which the parchment lay and waved her
back as she approached Adelas voice trembled but there was not a note in it
that he could resent
»You wrong yourself and you are cruel to me How could I live with you if
you did such a thing How could I remain in this house when it was no longer
yours It is impossible a thousand times impossible You cannot mean it If you
do this in spite of everything I can say you are more cruel than if you raised
your hand and struck me You make my life a shame you dishonour and degrade
me«
»Thats all nonsense« he replied sullenly the jealous motive possessing
him again at the sight of her gleaming eyes »Its you who dont understand and
just because you have no sympathy with my work Any one would think you cared
for nothing but to take the money from me just to «
Even in his access of spiteful anger he checked himself and dropped to
another tone
»I take all the responsibility You have nothing to do with it What seems
right to me I shall do I am your husband and youve no voice in a thing like
this«
»No voice Have I no right to save you from ruin Must a wife stand by and
see her husband commit a crime Have you no duty to me What becomes of our
married life if you rob me of all respect for you«
»I tell you I am doing it with a good motive If you were a thorough
Socialist you would respect me all the more This money was made out of
overworked «
He was laying his hand on the will she sprang forward and grasped his arm
»Richard give it to me«
»No I shall not«
He had satisfied himself that if the will was actually destroyed she would
acquiesce in silence the shame she spoke of would constrain her He pushed her
away without violence and moved towards the door But her muteness caused him
to turn and regard her She was leaning forward her lips parted her eyes fixed
in despair
»Richard«
»Well«
»Are you trying me«
»What do you mean«
»Do you believe that I should let you do that and help you to hide it«
»You will come to see that I was right and be glad that I paid no heed to
you«
»Then you dont know me Though you are my husband I would make public what
you had done Nothing should silence me Do you drive me to that«
The absence of passion in her voice impressed him far more than violence
could have done Her countenance had changed from pleading to scorn
He stood uncertain
»Now indeed« Adela continued »I am doing what no woman should have to do«
Her voice became bitter »I have not a mans strength I can only threaten you
with shame which will fall more heavily on myself«
»Your word against mine« he muttered trying to smile
»You could defend yourself by declaring me infamous«
Did he know the meaning of that flash across her face Only when the words
were uttered did their full significance strike Adela herself
»You could defend yourself by saying that I lied against you«
He regarded her from beneath his eyebrows as she repeated the question In
the silence which followed he seated himself on the chair nearest to him Adela
too sat down
For more than a quarter of an hour they remained thus no word exchanged
Then Adela rose and approached her husband
»If I order the carriage« she said softly »will you come with me at once
to Belwick«
He gave no answer He was sitting with his legs crossed the will held over
his knee
»I am sorry you have this trial« she continued »deeply sorry But you have
won I know you have won«
He turned his eyes in a direction away from her hesitated rose
»Get your things on«
He was going to the door
»Richard«
She held her hand for the parchment
»You cant trust me to the bottom of the stairs« he asked bitterly
She all but laughed with glad confidence
»Oh I will trust you«
Chapter XXV
Adela and her husband did not return from Belwick till eight oclock in the
evening In the first place Mr Yottle had to be sent for from a friends house
in the country where he was spending Sunday then there was long waiting for a
train back to Agworth The Rodmans much puzzled to account for the disorder
postponed dinner Adela however dined alone and but slightly though she had
not eaten since breakfast Then fatigue overcame her She slept an unbroken
sleep till sunrise
On going down next morning she found Arry alone in the diningroom he was
standing at the window with hands in pocket and after a glance round averted
his face again a low growl his only answer to her morning salutation Mr
Rodman was the next to appear He shook hands as usual In his »I hope you are
well« there was an accent of respectful sympathy Personally he seemed in his
ordinary spirits He proceeded to talk of trifles but in such a tone as he
might have used had there been grave sickness in the house And presently with
yet lower voice and a smile of goodhumoured resignation he said
»Our journey I fear must be postponed«
Adela smiled not quite in the same way and briefly assented
»Alice is not very well« Rodman then remarked »I advised her to have
breakfast upstairs I trust you excuse her«
Mutimer made his appearance He just nodded round and asked as he seated
himself at table
»Whos been letting Freeman loose Hes running about the garden«
The dog furnished a topic for a few minutes conversation then there was
all but unbroken silence to the end of the meal Richards face expressed
nothing in particular unless it were a bad night Rodman kept up his smile
and eating little himself devoted himself to polite waiting upon Adela When
he rose from the table Richard said to his brother
»Youll go down as usual I shall be at the office in halfanhour«
Adela presently went to the drawingroom She was surprised to find Alice
sitting there Mrs Rodman had clearly not enjoyed the unbroken rest which gave
Adela her appearance of freshness and calm her eyes were swollen and red her
lips hung like those of a fretful child that has tired itself with sobbing her
hair was carelessly rolled up her attire slatternly She sat in sullen
disorder Seeing Adela she dropped her eyes and her lips drew themselves
together Adela hesitated to approach her but was moved to do so by sheer pity
»Im afraid youve had a bad night« she said kindly
»Yes I suppose I have« was the ungracious reply
Adela stood before her for a moment but could find nothing else to say She
was turning when Alice looked up her red eyes almost glaring her breast shaken
with uncontrollable passion
»I think you might have had some consideration« she exclaimed »If you
didnt care to speak a word for yourself you might have thought about others
What are we to do I should like to know«
Adela was struck with consternation She had been prepared for petulant
bewailing but a vehement outburst of this kind was the last thing she could
have foreseen above all to have it directed against herself
»What do you mean Alice« she said with pained surprise
»Why its all your doing I suppose« the other pursued in the same voice
»What right had you to let him go off in that way without saying a word to us
If the truth was known I expect you were at the bottom of it he wouldnt have
been such a fool whatever he says What right had you Id like to know«
Adela calmed herself as she listened Her surprise at the attack was
modified and turned into another channel by Alices words
»Has Richard told you what passed between us« she inquired It cost her
nothing to speak with unmoved utterance the difficulty was not to seem too
indifferent
»Hes told us as much as he thought fit His duty I like that As if you
couldnt have stopped him if youd chosen You might have thought of other
people«
»Did he tell you that I tried to stop him« Adela asked with the same
quietness of interrogation
»Why did you« cried Alice looking up scornfully
»No«
»Of course not Talk about duty I should think that was plain enough duty
I only wish hed come to me with his talk about duty Its a duty to rob people
I suppose Oh I understand him well enough Its an easy way of getting out of
his difficulties as well lose his money this way as any other He always thinks
of himself first trust him Hell go down to New Wanley and make a speech no
doubt and show off with his duty and all the rest of it Whats going to
become of me Youd no right to let him go before telling us«
»You would have advised him to say nothing about the will«
»Advised him« she laughed angrily »Id have seen if I couldnt do
something more than advise«
»I fear you wouldnt have succeeded in making your brother act
dishonourably« Adela replied
It was the first sarcasm that had ever passed her lips and as soon as it
was spoken she turned to leave the room fearful lest she might say things which
would afterwards degrade her in her own eyes Her body quivered As she reached
the door Rodman opened it and entered He bowed to let her pass searching her
face the while
When she was gone he approached to Alice whom he had at once observed
»What have you been up to« he asked sternly
Her head was bent before him and she gave no answer
»Cant you speak Whats made her look like that Have you been quarrelling
with her«
»Quarrelling«
»You know what I mean well enough Just tell me what you said I thought I
told you to stay upstairs Whats been going on«
»I told her she ought to have let us know« replied Alice timorous but
affecting the look and voice of a spoilt child
»Then youve made a fool of yourself« he exclaimed with subdued violence
»Youve got to learn that when I tell you to do a thing you do it or Ill know
the reason why Youd no business to come out of your room Now youll just find
her and apologise You understand Youll go and beg her pardon at once«
Alice raised her eyes in wretched bewilderment
»Beg her pardon« she faltered »Oh how can I Why what harm have I done
Willis Im sure I shant beg her pardon«
»You wont If you talk to me in that way you shall go down on your knees
before her You wont«
His voice had such concentrated savagery in its suppression that Alice
shrank back in terror
»Willis How can you speak so What have I done«
»Youve made a confounded fool of yourself and most likely spoilt the last
chance you had if you want to know In future when I say a thing understand
that I mean it I dont give orders for nothing Go and find her and beg her
pardon Ill wait here till youve done it«
»But I cant Willis you wont force me to do that Id rather die than
humble myself to her«
»Do you hear me«
She stood up almost driven to bay Her eyes were wet her poor crumpled
prettiness made a deplorable spectacle
»I cant I cant Why are you so unkind to me I have only said what any
one would I hate her My lips wont speak the words Youve no right to ask me
to do such a thing«
Her wrist was caught in a clutch that seemed to crush the muscles and she
was flung back on to the chair Terror would not let the scream pass her lips
she lay with open mouth and staring eyes
Rodman looked at her for an instant then seemed to master his fury and
laughed
»That doesnt improve your beauty Now no crying out before youre hurt
Theres no harm done Only youve to learn that I mean what I say thats all
Now I havent hurt you so dont pretend«
»Oh you have hurt me« she sobbed wretchedly witch her fingers round her
injured wrist »I never thought you could be so cruel Oh my hand What harm
have I done And you used to say youd never be unkind to me never Oh how
miserable I am Is this how youre going to treat me As if I could help it
Willis you wont begin to be cruel Oh my hand«
»Let me look at it Pooh whats amiss« He spoke all at once in his usual
goodnatured voice »Now go and find Adela whilst I wait here«
»Youre going to force me to do that«
»Youre going to do it Now dont make me angry again«
She rose frightened again by his look She took a step or two then turned
back to him
»If I do this will you be kind to me the same as before«
»Of course I will You dont take me for a brute«
She held her bruised wrist to him
»Will you will you kiss it well again«
The way in which she said it was as nearly pathetic as anything from poor
Alice could be Her misery was so profound and this childish forgiveness of an
outrage was so true a demonstration of womanly tenderness which her character
would not allow to be noble Her husband laughed rather uneasily and did her
bidding with an ill grace But yet she could not go
»Youll promise never to speak «
»Yes yes of course I promise Come back to me Mind I shall know how you
did it«
»But why What is she to us«
»Ill tell you afterwards«
There was a dawning of jealousy in her eyes
»I dont think you ought to make your wife lower herself «
His brow darkened
»Will you do as I tell you«
She moved towards the door stopped to dry her wet cheeks half looked
round What she saw sped her on her way
Adela was just descending the stairs dressed to go out Alice let her go
past without speaking but followed her through the hall and into the garden
Adela turned saying gently
»Do you wish to speak to me«
»Im sorry I said those things I didnt mean it I dont think it was your
fault«
The other smiled then in that voice which Stella had spoken of as full of
forgiveness
»No it is not my fault Alice It couldnt be otherwise Dont think of it
another moment«
Alice would gladly have retreated but durst not omit what seemed to her the
essential because the bitterest words
»I beg your pardon«
»No no« exclaimed Adela quickly »Go and lie down a little you look so
tired Try not to be unhappy your husband will not let harm come to you«
Alice returned to the house hating her sisterinlaw with a perfect hatred
The hated one took her way into Wanley She had no pleasant mission that
of letting her mother and Letty know what had happened The latter she found in
the garden behind the house dancing her babyboy up and down in the sunlight
Letty did not look very matronly it must be confessed but what she lacked in
mature dignity was made up in blueeyed and warm happiness At the sight of
Adela she gave a cry of joy
»Why mothers just getting ready to go and say goodbye to you As soon as
she comes down and takes this little rogue I shall just slip my own things on
We didnt think youd come here«
»Were not going today« Adela replied playing with the babys face
»Not going«
»Business prevents Richard«
»How you frightened us by leaving church yesterday I was on my way to ask
about you but Mr Wyvern met me and said there was nothing the matter And you
went to Agworth didnt you«
»To Belwick We had to see Mr Yottle the solicitor«
Mrs Waltham issued from the house and explanations were again demanded
»Could you give baby to the nurse for a few minutes« Adela asked Letty »I
should like to speak to you and mother quietly«
The arrangement was effected and all three went into the sittingroom There
Adela explained in simple words all that had come to pass emotionless herself
but the cause of utter dismay in her hearers When she ceased there was blank
silence
Mrs Waltham was the first to find her voice
»But surely Mr Eldon wont take everything from you I dont think he has
the power to it wouldnt be just there must be surely some kind of provision
in the law for such a thing What did Mr Yottle say«
»Only that Mr Eldon could recover the whole estate«
»The estate« exclaimed Mrs Waltham eagerly »But not the money«
Adela smiled
»The estate includes the money mother It means everything«
»Oh Adela« sighed Letty who sat with her hands on her lap bewildered
»But surely not Mrs Rodmans settlement« cried the elder lady who was
rapidly surveying the whole situation
»Everything« affirmed Adela
»But what an extraordinary what an unheardof thing Such injustice I never
knew Oh but Mr Eldon is a gentleman he can never exact his legal rights to
the full extent He has too much delicacy of feeling for that«
Adela glanced at her mother with a curious openness of look the expression
which by apparent negation of feeling reveals feeling of special significance
Mrs Waltham caught the glance and checked her flow of speech
»Oh he could never do that« she murmured the next moment in a lower key
clasping her hands together upon her knees »I am sure he wouldnt«
»You must remember mother« remarked Adela with reserve »that Mr Eldons
disposition cannot affect us«
»My dear child what I meant was this it is impossible for him to go to law
with your husband to recover the uttermost farthing How are you to restore
money that is long since spent and it isnt as if it had been spent in the
ordinary way it has been devoted to public purposes Mr Eldon will of course
take all these things into consideration And really one must say that it is
very strange for a wealthy man to leave his property entirely to strangers«
»Not entirely« put in Adela rather absently
»A hundred and seven pounds a year« exclaimed her mother protestingly »My
dear love what can be done with such a paltry sum as that«
»We must do a good deal with it dear mother It will be all we have to
depend upon until Richard finds finds some position«
»But you are not going to leave the Manor at once«
»As soon as ever we can I dont know what arrangement my husband is making
We shall see Mr Yottle again tomorrow«
»Adela this is positively shocking It seems incredible I never thought
such things could happen No wonder you looked white when you went out of
church How little I imagined But you know you can come here at any moment You
can sleep with me or well have another bed put up in the room Oh dear oh
dear It will take me a long time to understand it Your husband could not
possibly object to your living here till he found you a suitable home What will
Alfred say Oh you must certainly come here I shant have a moments rest if
you go away somewhere whilst things are in this dreadful state«
»I dont think that will be necessary« Adela replied with a reassuring
smile »It might very well have happened that we had nothing at all not even
the hundred pounds but a wife cant run away for reasons of that kind can
she Letty«
Letty gazed with her eyes of loving pity and sighed »I suppose not dear«
Adela sat with them for only a few minutes more She did not feel able to
chat at length on a crisis such as this and the tone of her mothers sympathy
was not soothing to her Mrs Waltham had begun to put a handkerchief to her
eyes
»You mustnt take it to heart« Adela said as she bent and kissed her cheek
»You cant think how little it troubles me on my own account Letty I look to
you to keep mother cheerful Only think what numbers of poor creatures would
dance for joy if they had a hundred a year left them We must be philosophers
you see I couldnt shed a tear if I tried ever so hard Goodbye dear mother«
Mrs Waltham did not rise but Letty followed her friend into the hall She
had been very silent and undemonstrative now she embraced Adela tenderly There
was still something of the old diffidence in her manner but the effect of her
motherhood was discernible Adela was childless a circumstance in itself
provocative of a gentle sense of protection in Lettys heart
»Youll let us see you every day darling«
»As often as I can Letty Dont let mother get low spirited Theres
nothing to grieve about«
Letty returned to the sittingroom Mrs Waltham was still pressing the
handkerchief on this cheek and that alternately
»How wonderful she is« Letty exclaimed »I feel as if I could never again
fret over little troubles«
»Adela has a strong character« assented the mother with mournful pride
Letty unable to sit long without her baby fetched it from the nurses
arms The infants luncheonhour had arrived and the nourishment was still of
Lettys own providing It was strange to see on her face the slow triumph of
this ineffable bliss over the grief occasioned by the recent conversation Mrs
Waltham had floated into a stream of talk
»Now what a strange thing it is« she observed after many other
reflections and when the sound of her own voice had had time to soothe »On the
very morning of the wedding I had the most singular misgiving a feeling I
couldnt explain One would almost think I had foreseen this very thing And you
know very well my dear that the marriage troubled me in many ways It was not
the match for Adela but then Adela as you say has a strong character she
is not very easy to reason with I tried to make both sides of the question
clear to her But then her prejudice against Mr Eldon was very strong and how
naturally poor child Young people dont like to trust to time they think
everything must be done quickly If she had been one to marry for reasons of
interest it might look like a punishment but then it was so far otherwise How
much better it would have been to wait a few years One really never knows what
is going to happen Young people really ought to trust others experience«
Letty was only lending half an ear The general character of her
motherinlaws monologues did not encourage much attention She was conscious
of a little surprise even now and then of a mild indignation but the baby
sucking at her breast lulled her into a sweet maternal apathy She could only
sigh from time to time and wonder whether it was a good thing or the contrary
that Adela had no baby in her trials
Chapter XXVI
Mutimer did not come to the Manor for luncheon Rodman who had been spending an
hour at the works brought word that business pressed a host of things had to
be unexpectedly finished off and put in order He Alice and Adela made
pretence of a midday meal then he went into the library to smoke a cigar and
meditate The main subject of his meditation was an interview with Adela which
he purposed seeking in the course of the afternoon But he had also halfadozen
letters of the first importance to despatch to town by the evening post and
these it was well to get off hand He had finished them by halfpast three Then
he went to the drawingroom but found it vacant He sought his wifes chamber
Alice was endeavouring to read a novel but there was recent tearshedding about
her eyes which had not come of the authors pathos
»Youll be a pretty picture soon if that goes on« Rodman remarked with a
frankness which was sufficiently brutal in spite of his jesting tone
»I cant think how you take it so lightly« Alice replied with utter
despondency flinging the book aside
»Whats the good of taking it any other way Wheres Adela«
»Adela« She looked at him as closely as her eyes would let her »Why do you
want her«
»I asked you where she was Please to get into the habit of answering my
questions at once Itll save time in future«
She seemed about to resent his harshness but the effort cost her too much
She let her head fall forward almost upon her knees and sobbed unrestrainedly
Rodman touched her shoulder and shook her but not roughly
»Do not be such an eternal fool« he grumbled »Do you know where Adela is
or not«
»No I dont« came the smothered reply Then raising her head »Why do you
think so much about Adela«
He leaned against the dressingtable and laughed mockingly
»Thats the matter eh You think Im after her Dont be such a goose«
»Id rather yon call me a goose than a fool Willis«
»Why theres not much difference Now if youll sit up and behave sensibly
Ill tell you why I want her«
»Really Will you give me a kiss first«
»Poor blubbery princess Pah your lips are like a babys Now just listen
and mind you hold your tongue about what I say You know there used to be
something between Adela and Eldon Ive a notion it went farther than we know
of Well I dont see why we shouldnt get her to talk him over into letting you
keep your money or a good part of it So you see its you Im thinking about
after all little stupid«
»Oh you really mean that Kiss me again look Ive wiped my lips You
really think you can do that Willis«
»No I dont think I can but its worth having a try Eldon has a soft
side I know The thing is to find her soft side Im going to have a try to
talk her over Now where is she likely to be out in the garden«
»Perhaps shes at her mothers«
»Confound it Well Ill go and look about I cant lose time«
»Youll never get her to do anything for me Willis«
»Very likely not But the things that you succeed in are always the most
unlikely as youd understand if youd lived my life«
»At all events I shant have to give up my dresses«
»Hang your dresses on the wardrobe pegs«
He went downstairs again and out into the garden thence to the entrance
gate Adela had passed it but a few minutes before and he saw her a little
distance off She was going in the direction away from Wanley seemingly on a
mere walk He decided to follow her and only join her when she had gone some
way She walked with her head beat walked slowly and with no looking about her
Presently it was plain that she meant to enter the wood This was opportune But
he lost sight of her as soon as she passed among the trees He quickened his
pace saw her turning off the main path among the copses In his pursuit he got
astray he must have missed her track Suddenly he was checked by the sound of
voices which seemed to come from a lower level just in front of him Cautiously
he stepped forward till he could see through hazel bushes that there was a
steep descent before him Below two persons were engaged in conversation and
he could hear every word
The two were Adela and Hubert Eldon Adela had come to sit for the last time
in the green retreat which was painfully dear to her Her husbands absence gave
her freedom she used it to avoid the Rodmans and to talk with herself She was
as we may conjecture far from looking cheerfully into the future Nor was she
content with herself with her behaviour in the drama of these two days In
thinking over the scene with her husband she experienced a shame before her
conscience which could not at first be readily accounted for for of a truth she
had felt no kind of shame in steadfastly resisting Mutimers dishonourable
impulse But she saw now that in the judgment of one who could read all her
heart she would not come off with unmingled praise Had there not been another
motive at work in her besides zeal for honour Suppose the man benefiting by the
will had been another than Hubert Eldon Surely that would not have affected her
behaviour Not in practice doubtless but here was a question of feeling a
scrutiny of the souls hidden velleities No difference in action be sure that
must ever be upright But what of the heroism in this particular case The
difference declared itself here there had been no heroism whatever To strip
herself and her husband when a moments winking would have kept them well clad
Yes but on whose behalf Had there not been a positive pleasure in making
herself poor that Hubert might be rich There was the fatal element in the
situation She came out of the church palpitating with joy the first assurance
of her husbands ignominious yielding to temptation filled her with not mere
scorn but with dread Had she not been guilty of mock nobleness in her voice
her bearing At the time she did not feel it for the thought of Hubert was kept
altogether in the background Yes but she saw now how it had shed light and
warmth upon her the fact was not to be denied because her consciousness had
not then included it She was shamed
A pity is it not It were so good to have seen her purely noble indignant
with unmixed righteousness But knowing our Adelas heart is it not even
sweeter to bear with her You will go far before you find virtue in which there
is no dear sustaining comfort of self. For my part Adela is more to me for the
imperfection infinitely more to me for the confession of it in her own mind
How can a woman be lovelier than when most womanly or more precious than when
she reflects her own weakness in clarity of soul
As she made her way through the wood her trouble of conscience was lost in
deeper suffering The scent undergrowths which always brought back to her the
glad days of maidenhood filled her with the hopelessness of the future There
was no return on the path of life every step made those memories of happiness
more distant and thickened the gloom about her She could be strong when it was
needful could face the world as well as any woman who makes a veil of pride for
her bleeding heart but here amid the sweet woodperfumes in silence and
secrecy selfpity caressed her into feebleness The light was dimmed by her
tears she rather felt than saw her way And thus with moist eyelashes she
came to her wonted restingplace But she found her seat occupied and by the
man whom in this moment she could least bear to meet
Hubert sat there bareheaded lost in thought Her light footfall did not
touch his ear He looked up to find her standing before him and he saw that she
had been shedding tears For an instant she was powerless to direct herself
then sheer panic possessed her and she turned to escape
Hubert started to his feet
»Mrs Mutimer Adela«
The first name would not have stayed her for her flight was as unreasoning
as that of a fawn The second her own name uttered with almost desperate
appeal robbed her of the power of movement She turned to bay as though an
obstacle had risen in her path and there was terror in her white face
Hubert drew a little nearer and spoke hurriedly
»Forgive me I could not let you go You seem to have come in answer to my
thought I was wishing to see you Do forgive me«
She knew that he was examining her moist eyes a rush of blood passed over
her features
»Not unless you are willing« Hubert pursued his voice at its gentlest and
most courteous »But if I might speak to you for a few minutes «
»You have heard from Mr Yottle« Adela asked without raising her eyes
trying her utmost to speak in a merely natural way
»Yes I happened to be at my mothers house He came last night to obtain my
address«
The truth was that a generous impulse partly of his nature and in part
such as any man might know in a moment of unanticipated good fortune had bade
him put aside his prejudices and meet Mutimer at once on a footing of mutual
respect Incapable of ignoble exultation it seemed to him that true delicacy
dictated a personal interview with the man who judging from Yottles report
had so cheerfully acquitted himself of the hard task imposed by honour But as
he walked over from Agsworth this zeal cooled Could he trust Mutimer to
appreciate his motive Such a man was capable of acting honourably but the
power of understanding delicacies of behaviour was not so likely to be his
Huberts prejudices were insuperable to his mind class differences necessarily
argued a difference in the grain And it was not only this consideration that
grew weightier as he walked In the great joy of recovering his ancestral home
in the sight of his mothers profound happiness he all but forgot the thoughts
that had besieged him since his meetings with Adela in London As he drew near
to Wanley his imagination busied itself almost exclusively with her distrust
and jealousy of Mutimer became fear for Adelas future Such a change as this
would certainly have a dire effect upon her life He thought of her frail
appearance he remembered the glimpse of her face that he had caught when her
husband entered Mrs Westlakes drawingroom the startled movement she could
not suppress It was impossible to meet Mutimer with any show of goodfeeling
he wondered how he could have set forth with such an object. Instead of going to
the Manor he turned his steps to the Vicarage and joined Mr Wyvern at
luncheon The vicar had of course heard nothing of the discovery as yet In the
afternoon Hubert started to walk back to Agworth but instead of taking the
direct road he strayed into the wood He was loth to leave the neighbourhood of
the Manor intense anxiety to know what Adela was doing made him linger near the
place where she was Was she already suffering from brutal treatment What
wretchedness might she not be undergoing within those walls
He said she seemed to have sprung up in answer to his desire In truth her
sudden appearance overcame him her tearful face turned to irresistible passion
that yearning which consciously or unconsciously was at all times present in
his life Her grief could have but one meaning his heart went out to her with
pity as intense as its longing Other women had drawn his eyes had captured him
with the love of a day but the deep still affection which is independent of
moods and impressions flowed ever towards Adela As easily could he have become
indifferent to his mother as to Adela As a married woman she was infinitely
more to him than she bad been as a girl from her conversation her countenance
he knew how richly she had developed how her intelligence had ripened how her
character had established itself in maturity In that utterance of her name the
secret escaped him before he could think how impossible it was to address her so
familiarly It was the perpetual keyword of his thoughts only when he had
heard it from his own lips did he realise what he had done
When he had given the brief answer to her question he could find no more
words But Adela spoke
»What do you wish to say to me Mr Eldon«
Whether or no he interpreted her voice by his own feelings she seemed to
plead with him to be manly and respect her womanhood
»Only to say the common things which anyone must say in my position but to
say them so that you will believe they are not only a form The circumstances
are so strange I want to ask you for your help my position is perhaps harder
than yours and Mr Mutimers We must remember that there is justice to be
considered If you will give me your aid in doing justice as far as I am able «
In fault of any other possible reply he had involved himself in a subject
which he knew it was far better to leave untouched He could not complete his
sentence but stood before her with his head bent
Adela scarcely knew what he said in anguish she sought for a means of
quitting him of fleeing and hiding herself among the trees His accent told her
that she was the object of his compassion and she had invited it by letting him
see her tears Of necessity he must think that she was sorrowing on her own
account That was true indeed but how impossible for him to interpret her
grief rightly The shame of being misjudged by him all but drove her to speak
and tell him that she cared less than nothing for the loss that had befallen
her Yet she could not trust herself to speak such words Her heart was beating
insufferably all the woman in her rushed towards hysteria and selfabandonment
It was well that Huberts love was of quality to stand the test of these
terrible moments Something he must say and the most insignificant phrase was
the best
»Will you sit rest after your walk«
She did so scarcely could she have stood longer And with the physical ease
there seemed to come a sudden mental relief A thought sprang up opening upon
her like a haven of refuge
»There is one thing I should like to ask of you« she began forcing herself
to regard him directly »It is a great thing I am afraid it may be
impossible«
»Will you tell me what it is« he said quietly filling the pause that
followed
»I am thinking of New Wanley«
She saw a change in his face slight but still a change She spoke more
quickly
»Will you let the works remain as they are on the same plan Will you allow
the workpeople to live under the same rules I have been among them constantly
and I am sure that nothing but good results have come of of what my husband
has done There is no need to ask you to deal kindly with them I know that But
if you could maintain the purpose It will be such a grief to my husband if
all his work comes to nothing There cannot be anything against your principles
in what I ask It is so simply for the good of men and women whose lives are so
hard Let New Wanley remain as an example Can you do this«
Hubert as he listened joined his hands behind his back and turned his
eyes to the upper branches of the silver birch which once in his thoughts he
had likened to Adela What he heard from her surprised him and upon surprise
followed mortification He knew that she had in appearance adopted Mutimers
principles but his talk with her in London at Mrs Boscobels had convinced him
that her heart was in far other things than economic problems and schemes of
revolution She had listened so eagerly to his conversation on art and kindred
topics it was so evident that she was enjoying a temporary release from a mode
of life which chilled all her warmer instincts Yet she now made it her entreaty
that he would continue Mutimers work Beginning timidly she grew to an
earnestness which it was impossible to think feigned He was unprepared for
anything of the kind his emotions resented it Though consciously harbouring no
single unworthy desire he could not endure to find Adela zealous on her
husbands behalf
Had he misled himself Was the grief that he had witnessed really that of a
wife for her husbands misfortune For whatever reason she had married Mutimer
and that could not be love married life might have engendered affection He
knew Adela to be deeply conscientious how far was it in a womans power to
subdue herself to love at the bidding of duty
He allowed several moments to pass before replying to her Then he said
courteously but coldly
»I am very sorry that you have asked the one thing I cannot do«
Adelas heart sank In putting a distance between him and herself she had
obeyed an instinct of self-preservation now that it was effected the change in
his voice was almost more than she could bear
»Why do you refuse« she asked trying though in vain to look up at him
»Because it is impossible for me to pretend sympathy with Mr Mutimers
views In the moment that I heard of the will my action with regard to New
Wanley was determined What I purpose doing is so inevitably the result of my
strongest convictions that nothing could change me«
»Will you tell me what you are going to do« Adela asked in a tone more
like his own
»It will pain you«
»Yet I should like to know«
»I shall sweep away every trace of the mines and the works and the houses
and do my utmost to restore the valley to its former state«
He paused but Adela said nothing Her fingers played with the leaves which
grew beside her
»Your associations with Wanley of course cannot be as strong as my own I
was born here and every dearest memory of my life connects itself with the
valley as it used to be It was one of the loveliest spots to be found in
England You can have no idea of the feelings with which I saw this change fall
upon it this desolation and defilement I must use the words which come to me
I might have overcome that grief if I had sympathised with the ends But as it
is I should act in the same way even if I had no such memories I know all that
you will urge It may be inevitable that the green and beautiful spots of the
world shall give place to furnaces and mechanics dwellings For my own part in
this little corner at all events the ruin shall be delayed In this matter I
will give my instincts free play Of New Wanley not one brick shall remain on
another I will close the mines and grass shall again grow over them I will
replant the orchards and mark out the fields as they were before«
He paused again
»You see why I cannot do what you ask«
It was said in a gentler voice for insensibly his tone had become almost
vehement
He found a strange pleasure in emphasising his opposition to her Perhaps he
secretly knew that Adela hung upon his words and in spite of herself was drawn
into the current of his enthusiasm But he did not look into her face Had he
done so he would have seen it fixed and pale
»Then you think grass and trees of more importance than human lives«
She spoke in a voice which sounded coldly ironical in its attempt to be
merely calm
»I had rather say that I see no value in human lives in a world from which
grass and trees have vanished But in truth I care little to make my position
logically sound The ruling motive in my life is the love of beautiful things I
fight against ugliness because its the only work in which I can engage with all
my heart I have nothing of the enthusiasm of humanity In the course of
centuries the world may perhaps put itself right again I am only concerned with
the present and I see that everywhere the tendency is towards the rule of mean
interests ignoble ideals«
»Do you call it ignoble« broke in Adela »to aim at raising men from
hopeless and degrading toil to a life worthy of human beings«
»The end which you have in mind cannot be ignoble But it is not to be
reached by means such as these« He pointed down to the valley »That may be the
only way of raising the standard of comfort among people who work with their
hands I take the standpoint of the wholly unpractical man and say that such
efforts do not concern me From my point of view no movement can be tolerated
which begins with devastating the earths surface You will clothe your
workpeople better you will give them better food and more leisure in doing so
you injure the class that has finer sensibilities and give power to the class
which not only postpones everything to material wellbeing but more and more
regards intellectual refinement as an obstacle in the way of progress Progress
the word is sufficient you have only to think what it has come to mean It
will be good to have an example of reaction«
»When reaction means misery to men and women and little children«
»Yes even if it meant that As far as I am concerned I trust it will have
no such results You must distinguish between humanity and humanitarianism I
hope I am not lacking in the former; the latter seems to me to threaten
everything that is most precious in the world«
»Then you are content that the majority of mankind should be fed and clothed
and kept to labour«
»Personally quite content for I think it very unlikely that the majority
will ever be fit for anything else I know that at present they desire nothing
else«
»Then they must be taught to desire more«
Hubert again paused When he resumed it was with a smile which strove to be
goodhumoured
»We had better not argue of these things If I said all that I think you
would accuse me of brutality In logic you will overcome me Put me down as one
of those who represent reaction and class prejudice I am all prejudice«
Adela rose
»We have talked a long time« she said trying to speak lightly »We have
such different views I wish there were less classprejudice«
Hubert scarcely noticed her words She was quitting him and he clung to the
last moment of her presence
»Shall you go eventually go to London« he asked
»I cant say My husband has not yet been able to make plans«
The word irritated him He half averted his face
»Goodbye Mr Eldon«
She did not offer her hand durst not do so Hubert bowed without speaking
When she was near the Manor gates she heard footsteps behind her She turned
and saw her husband Her cheeks flushed for she had been walking in deep
thought It seemed to her for an instant as if the subject of her preoccupation
could be read upon her face
»Where have you been« Mutimer asked indifferently
»For a walk Into the wood«
He was examining her for the disquiet of her countenance could not escape
his notice
»Why did you go alone It would have done Alice good to get her out a
little«
»Im afraid she wouldnt have come«
He hesitated
»Has she been saying anything to you«
»Only that she is troubled and anxious«
They walked on together in silence Mutimer with bowed head and knitted
brows
Chapter XXVII
The making a virtue of necessity though it argues lack of ingenuousness is
perhaps preferable to the wholly honest demonstration of snarling over ones
misfortunes It may result in good even to the hypocrite who occasionally
surprises himself with the pleasure he finds in wearing a front of nobility and
is thereby induced to consider the advantages of upright behaviour adopted for
its own sake Something of this kind happened in the case of Richard Mutimer
Seeing that there was no choice but to surrender his fortune he set to work to
make the most of abdication and with the result that the three weeks occupied
in settling his affairs at New Wanley and withdrawing from the Manor were full
of cheerful activity He did not meet Hubert Eldon all business being
transacted through Mr Yottle When he heard from the latter that it was Eldons
intention to make a clean sweep of mines works and settlements though for a
moment chagrined he speedily saw that such action by giving dramatic
completeness to his career at Wanley and investing its close with something of
tragic pathos was in truth what he should most have desired It enabled him to
take his departure with an air of profounder sadness henceforth no gross facts
would stand in the way of his rhetoric when he should enlarge on the
possibilities thus nipped in the bud He was more than ever a victim of cruel
circumstances he could speak with noble bitterness of his life work having been
swept into oblivion
He was supported by a considerable amount of epistolary sympathy The local
papers made an interesting story of what had happened in the old church at
Wanley and a few of the London journals reported the circumstances in this way
Mutimer became known to a wider public than had hitherto observed him Not only
did his fellowUnionists write to encourage and moralise but a number of those
people who are ever ready to indite letters to people of any prominence the
honestly admiring and the windily egoistic addressed communications either to
Wanley Manor or to the editor of the Fiery Gross Mutimer read eagerly every
word of each most insignificant scribbler his eyes gleamed and his cheeks grew
warm All such letters he brought to Adela and made her read them aloud he
stood with his hands behind his back his face slightly elevated and at a
listening angle At the end he regarded her and his look said »Behold the man
who is your husband«
But at length there came one letter distinct from all the rest it had the
seal of a Government office With eyes which scarcely credited what they saw
Mutimer read some twenty or thirty words from a Minister of the Crown a
gentleman of vigorously Radical opinions who had »heard with much regret that
the undertaking conceived and pursued with such singlehearted zeal« had come to
an untimely end Mutimer rushed to Adela like a schoolboy who has a holiday to
announce
»Read that now What do you think of that Now theres some hope of a
statesman like that«
Adela gave forth the letter in a voice which was all too steady But she
said
»I am very glad It must gratify you He writes very kindly«
»Youll have to help me to make an answer«
Adela smiled but said nothing
The ceremonious opening of the hall at New Wanley had been a great day
Mutimer tried his best to make the closing yet more effective Mr Westlake was
persuaded to take the chair but this time the oration was by the founder
himself There was a numerous assembly Mutimer spoke for an hour and a quarter
reviewing what he had done and enlarging on all that he might and would have
done There was as much applause as even he could desire The proceedings closed
with the reading of an address which was signed by all the people of the works
a eulogium and an expression of gratitude not without one or two sentences of
fiery Socialism The spokesman was a fine fellow of six feet two a man named
Redgrave the ideal of a revolutionist workman He was one of the few men at the
works whom Adela from observation of their domestic life had learnt sincerely
to respect Before reading the document he made a little speech of his own and
said in conclusion
»Heres an example of how the law does justice in a capitalist society The
man who makes a grand use of money has it all taken away from him by the man who
makes no use of it at all except to satisfy his own malice and his own
selfishness If we dont one and all swear to do our utmost to change such a
state of things as that all I can say is were a poor lot and deserve to be
worse treated than the animals that havent the sense to use their strength«
In his reply to the address Richard surpassed himself He rose in
excitement the words that rushed to his lips could scarcely find articulate
flow After the due thanks
»Tomorrow I go to London I go as poor as the poorest of you a mechanical
engineer in search of work Whether I shall find it or not theres no saying If
they turned me out because of my opinions three years ago its not very likely
that theyve grown fonder of me by this time As poor as the poorest of you I
say Most of you probably know that a small legacy is left to me under the will
which gives this property into other hands That money will be used every penny
of it for the furtherance of our cause«
It was a magnificent thought one of those inspirations which reveal latent
genius The hall echoed with shouts of glorification Adela who sat with her
mother and Letty Mrs Westlake had not accompanied her husband kept her eyes
fixed on the ground the uproar made her head throb
All seemed to be over and dispersal was beginning when a gentleman stood up
in the middle of the hall and made signs that he wished to be heard for a
moment Mutimer aided him in gaining attention It was Mr Yottle a
grizzleheaded ruddycheeked veteran of the law
»I merely desire to use this opportunity of reminding those who have been
employed at the works that Mr Eldon will be glad to meet them in this hall at
halfpast ten oclock tomorrow morning It will perhaps be better if the men
alone attend as the meeting will be strictly for business purposes«
Adela was among the last to leave the room As she was moving between the
rows of benches Mr Westlake approached her He had only arrived in time to take
his place on the platform and he was on the point of returning to London
»I have a note for you from Stella« he said »She has been ailing for a
fortnight it wasnt safe for her to come But she will soon see you I hope«
»I hope so« Adela replied mechanically as she took the letter
Mr Westlake only added his goodbye and went to take leave of Mutimer who
was standing at a little distance
Among those who remained to talk with the hero of the day was our old friend
Keene Keene had risen in the world being at present subeditor of a Belwick
journal His appearance had considerably improved and his manner was more
ornate than ever He took Mutimer by the arm and led him aside
»A suggestion something that occurred to me whilst you were speaking You
must write the history of New Wanley Not too long a thing that could be
printed in pamphlet form and sold at a penny or twopence Speak to Westlake see
if the Union wont publish Some simple title My Work in New Wanley for
instance Ill see that its well noticed in our rag«
»Not a bad idea« Mutimer exclaimed throwing back his head
»Trust me not half bad Be of use in the Propaganda Just think it over
and if you care to allow me to read it in manuscript Theres a kind of art
eh you know what I mean its only to be got by journalistic practice Yes My
Work in New Wanley I think that would do«
»Im going to lecture at Commonwealth Hall next Sunday« Mutimer observed
»Ill take that for my title«
»Bythebye how what was I going to say Oh yes how is Mrs Rodman«
»Tolerable I believe«
»In London presumably«
»Yes«
»Not much not taking it to heart much I hope«
»Not particularly I think«
»I should be glad to be remembered a word when you see her Thanks
Mutimer thanks I must be off«
Adela was making haste to reach the Manor that she might read Stellas
letter She and her husband were to dine this evening with the Walthams a
farewell meal With difficulty she escaped from her mother and Letty Stellas
letter demanded a quarter of an hour of solitude
She reached her room and broke the envelope Stella never wrote at much
length but today there were only a few lines
»My love to you hearts darling I am not well enough to come and I
think it likely you had rather I did not But in a few hours you will be
near me Come as soon as ever you can I wait for you like the earth for
spring
Stella«
She kissed the paper and put it in the bosom of her dress It was already time
to go to her mothers
She found her mother and Letty with grave faces something seemed to have
disturbed them Letty tried to smile and appear at ease but Mrs Waltham was at
no pains to hide the source of her dissatisfaction
»Did you know of that Adela« she asked with vexation »About the annuity
I mean Had Richard spoken to you of his intention«
Adela replied with a simple negative She had not given the matter a
thought
»Then he certainly should have done It was his duty I consider to tell me
It is in express contradiction of all he has led me to understand What are
you going to live on I should like to know Its very unlikely that he will
find a position immediately He is absolutely reckless wickedly thoughtless My
dear it is not too late even now I insist on your staying with us until your
husband has found an assured income The idea of your going to live in lodgings
in an obscure part of London is more than I can bear and now it really appals
me Adela my child its impossible for you to go under these circumstances
The commonest decency will oblige him to assent to this arrangement«
»My dear mother« Adela replied seriously »pray do not reopen that It
surely ought to be needless for me to repeat that it is my duty to go to
London«
»But Adela darling« began Letty very timorously »wouldnt it be
relieving your husband How much freer he would be to look about knowing you
are here safe and in comfort I really I do really think mother is right«
Before Adela could make any reply there sounded a knock at the front door
Richard came in He cast a glance round at the three The others might have
escaped his notice but Mrs Waltham was too plainly perturbed
»Has anything happened« he asked in an offhand way
»I am distressed more than I can tell you« began his motherinlaw
»Surely you did not mean what you said about the money «
»Mother« came from Adelas lips but she checked herself
Mutimer thrust his hands into his pockets and stood smiling
»Yes I meant it«
»But pray what are you and Adela going to live upon«
»I dont think we shall have any difficulty«
»But surely one must more than think in a matter such as this You mustnt
mind me speaking plainly Richard Adela is my only daughter and the thought of
her undergoing needless hardships is so dreadful to me that I really must speak
I have a plan and I am sure you will see that it is the very best for all of
us Allow Adela to remain with me for a little while just till you have have
made things straight It certainly would ease your mind She is so very welcome
to a share of our home You would feel less hampered I am sure you will consent
to this«
Mutimers smile died away He avoided Mrs Walthams face and let his eyes
pass in a cold gaze from Letty who almost shrank to Adela who stood with an
air of patience
»What do you say to this« he asked of his wife in a tone civil indeed but
very far from cordial
»I have been trying to show mother that I cannot do as she wishes It is
very kind of her but unless you think it would be better for me to stay I
shall of course accompany you«
»You can stay if you like«
Adela understood too well what that permission concealed
»I have no wish to stay«
Mutimer turned his look on Mrs Waltham without saying anything
»Then I can say no more« Mrs Waltham replied »But you must understand
that I take leave of my daughter with the deepest concern I hope you will
remember that her health for a long time has been anything but good and that
she was never accustomed to do hard and coarse work«
»We wont talk any more of this mother« Adela interposed firmly »I am
sure you need have no fear that I shall be tried beyond my strength You must
remember that I go with my husband«
The highhearted one She would have died rather than let her mother
perceive that her marriage was less than happy To the end she would speak that
word my husband when it was necessary to speak it at all with the confidence
of a woman who knows no other safeguard against the ills of life To the end she
would shield the man with her own dignity and protect him as far as possible
even against himself
Mutimer smiled again this time with satisfaction
»I certainly think we can take care of ourselves« he remarked briefly
In a few minutes they were joined by Alfred who had only just returned from
Belwick and dinner was served It was not a cheerful evening At Adelas
request it had been decided in advance that the final leavetaking should be
tonight she and Mutimer would drive to Agworth station together with Alfred
the first thing in the morning At ten oclock the parting came Letty could not
speak for sobbing she just kissed Adela and hurried from the room Mrs Waltham
preserved a rather frigid stateliness
»Goodbye my dear« she said when released from her daughters embrace »I
hope I may have good news from you«
With Mutimer she shook hands
It was a starry and cold night The two walked side by side without
speaking When they were fifty yards on their way a figure came out of a corner
of the road and Adela heard Letty call her name
»I will overtake you« she said to her husband
»Adela my sweet I couldnt say goodbye to you in the house«
Letty hung about her dear ones neck Adela choked she could only press her
cheek against that moist one
»Write to me often oh write often« Letty sobbed »And tell me the truth
darling will you«
»It will be all well dear sister« Adela whispered
»Oh that is a dear name Always call me that I cant say goodbye
darling You will come to see us as soon as ever you can«
»As soon as I can Letty«
Adela found her husband awaiting her
»What did she want« he asked with genuine surprise
»Only to say goodbye«
»Why shed said it once«
The interior of the Manor was not yet disturbed but all the furniture was
sold and would be taken away on the morrow They went to the drawingroom
After some insignificant remarks Mutimer asked
»What letter was that Westlake gave you«
»It was from Stella from Mrs Westlake«
He paused Then
»Will you let me see it«
»Certainly if you wish«
She felt for it in her bosom and handed it to him It shook in her fingers
»Why does she think youd rather she didnt come«
»I suppose because the occasion seems to her painful«
»I dont see that it was painful at all What did you think of my speech«
»The first one or the second«
»Both if you like I meant the first«
»You told the story very well«
»Youll never spoil me by overpraise«
Adela was silent
»About this« he resumed tapping the note which he still held »I dont
think you need go there very often It seems to me you dont get much good from
them«
She looked at him inquiringly
»Theirs isnt the kind of Socialism I care much about« he continued with
the air of giving a solid reason »It seems to me that Westlakes going off on a
road of his own and one that leads nowhere All that twaddle today about the
development of society I dont think he spoke of me as he might have done
Youll see there wont be half a report in the Fiery Cross«
Adela was still silent
»I dont mean to say youre not to see Mrs Westlake at all if you want
to« he pursued »I shouldnt have thought she was the kind of woman to suit
you If the truth was known I dont think shes a Socialist at all But then
no more are you eh«
»There is no one with a more passionate faith in the people than Mrs
Westlake« Adela returned
»Faith That wont do much good«
He was silent a little then went to another subject
»Rodman writes that hes no intention of giving up the money I knew it
would come to that«
»But the law will compel him« Adela exclaimed
»Its a roundabout business Eldons only way of recovering it is to bring
an action against me Then I shall have to go to law with Rodman«
»But how can he refuse It is «
She checked herself remembering that words were twoedged
»Oh he writes in quite a friendly way makes a sort of joke of it Weve
to get what we can of him he says But he doesnt get off if I can help it I
must see Yottle on our way tomorrow«
»Keene wants me to write a book about New Wanley« he said presently
»A book«
»Well a small one It could be called My Work at New Wanley It might do
good«
»Yes it might« Adela assented absently
»You look tired Get off to bed youll have to be up early in the morning
and itll be a hard day«
Adela went hopeful of oblivion till the hard day should dawn
The next morning they were in Belwick by halfpast nine Alfred took leave
of them and went off to business He promised to look them up in London before
very long probably at Christmas Between him and Mutimer there was makebelieve
of cordiality at parting they had long ceased to feel any real interest in each
other
Adela had to spend the time in the railway waitingroom whilst her husband
went to see Yottle It was a great bare place when she entered she found a
woman in mourning with a little boy sitting alone The child was eating a bun
his mother was silently shedding tears Adela seated herself as far from them as
possible out of delicacy but she saw the woman look frequently towards her
and at last rise as if to come and speak She was a feeble helplesslooking
being of about thirty evidently the need of sympathy overcame her for she had
no other excuse for addressing Adela save to tell that her luggage had gone
astray and that she was waiting in the hope that something might be heard of
it Finding a gentle listener she talked on and on detailing the wretched
circumstances under which she had recently been widowed and her miserable
prospects in a strange town whither she was going Adela made an effort to speak
in words of comfort but her own voice sounded hopeless in her ears In the
station was a constant roaring and hissing bellringing and the shriek of
whistles the heavy trundling of barrows the slamming of carriagedoors
everywhere a smell of smoke It impressed her as though all the world had become
homeless and had nothing to do but journey hither and thither in vain search of
a restingplace And her waiting lasted more than an hour But for the effort to
dry anothers tears it would have been hard to restrain her own
The morning had threatened rain when at length the journey to London began
the black skies yielded a steady downpour Mutimer was anything but cheerful
establishing himself in a corner of the thirdclass carriage he for a time
employed himself with a newspaper then throwing it on to Adelas lap closed
his eyes as if he hoped to sleep Adela glanced up and down the barren fields of
type but there was nothing that could hold her attention and by chance
looking at her husbands face she continued to examine it Perhaps he was
asleep perhaps only absorbed in thought His lips were sullenly loose beneath
the thick reddish moustache his eyebrows had drawn themselves together
scowling She could not avert her gaze it seemed to her that she was really
scrutinising his face for the first time and it was as that of a stranger Not
one detail had the stamp of familiarity the whole repelled her What was the
meaning now first revealed to her in that countenance The features had a
massive regularity there was nothing grotesque nothing on the surface
repulsive yet beholding the face as if it were that of a man unknown to her
she felt that a whole world of natural antipathies was between it and her
It was the face of a man by birth and breeding altogether beneath her
Never had she understood that as now never had she conceived so forcibly
the reason which made him and her husband and wife only in name Suppose that
apparent sleep of his to be the sleep of death he would pass from her
consciousness like a shadow from the field leaving no trace behind Their life
of union was a mockery their married intimacy was an unnatural horror He was
not of her class not of her world only by violent wrenching of the laws of
nature had they come together She had spent years in trying to convince herself
that there were no such distinctions that only an unworthy prejudice parted
class from class One moment of true insight was worth more than all her
theorising on abstract principles To be her equal this man must be born again
of other parents in other conditions of life »I go back to London a mechanical
engineer in search of employment« They were the truest words he had ever
uttered they characterised him classed him
She had no claims to aristocratic descent but her parents were gentlefolk
that is to say they were both born in a position which encouraged personal
refinement rather than the contrary which expected of them a certain education
in excess of lifes barest need which authorised them to use the service of
ruder men and women in order to secure to themselves a margin of life for lifes
sake Perhaps for three generations her ancestors could claim so much gentility
it was more than enough to put a vast gulf between her and the Mutimers
Favourable circumstances of upbringing had endowed her with delicacy of heart
and mind not inferior to that of any woman living mated with an equal husband
the children born of her might hope to take their place among the most beautiful
and the most intelligent And her husband was a man incapable of understanding
her idlest thought
He opened his eyes looked at her blankly for a moment stirred his limbs to
make his position easier
Pouring rain in London streets The cab drove eastward but for no great
distance Adela found herself alighting at a lodginghouse not far from the
reservoir at the top of Pentonville Hill Mutimer had taken these rooms a week
ago
A servant fresh from the blackleading of a grate opened the door to them
grinning with recognition at the sight of Mutimer The latter had to help the
cabman to deposit the trunks in the passage Then Adela was shown to her
bedroom
It was on the second floor the ordinary bedroom of cheap furnished
lodgings with scant space between the foot of the bed and the fireplace with a
dirty wallpaper and a strong musty odour The window looked upon a backyard
She passed from the bedroom to the sittingroom here was the same vulgar
order the same musty smell The table was laid for dinner
Mutimer read his wifes countenance furtively He could not discover how the
abode impressed her and he put no question When he returned from the bedroom
she was sitting before the fire pensive
»Youre hungry I expect« he said
Her appetite was far from keen but in order not to appear discontented she
replied that she would be glad of dinner
The servant her hands and face half washed presently appeared with a tray
on which were some muttonchops potatoes and a cabbage Adela did her best to
eat but the chops were illcooked the vegetables poor in quality There
followed a ricepudding it was nearly cold coagulated masses of rice appeared
beneath yellowish water Mutimer made no remark about the food till the table
was cleared Then he said
»Theyll have to do better than that The first day of course Youll have
a talk with the landlady whilst Im out tonight Just let her see that you
wont be content with anything you have to talk plainly to these people«
»Yes Ill speak about it« Adela replied
»They made a trouble at first about waiting on us« Mutimer pursued »But I
didnt see how we could get our own meals very well You cant cook can you«
He smiled and seemed half ashamed to ask the question
»Oh yes I can cook ordinary things« Adela said »But we havent a
kitchen have we«
»Well no If we did anything of that kind it would have to be on this
fire She charges us four shillings a week more for cooking the dinner«
He added this information in a tone of assumed carelessness
»I think we might save that« Adela said »If I had the necessary things I
should like to try if you will let me«
»Just as you please I dont suppose the stuff they send us up will ever be
very eatable But its too bad to ask you to do work of that kind«
»Oh I shant mind it in the least It will be far better better in every
way«
Mutimer brightened up
»In that case well only get them to do the housemaid work You can explain
that to the woman her name is Mrs Gulliman«
He paused
»Think you can make yourself at home here«
»Yes certainly«
»Thats all right I shall go out now for an hour or so You can unpack your
boxes and get things in order a bit«
Adela had her interview with Mrs Gulliman in the course of the evening and
fresh arrangements were made not perhaps to the landladys satisfaction though
she made a show of absorbing interest and vast approval She was ready to lend
her pots and pans till Adela should have made purchase of those articles
Adela had the satisfaction of saving four shillings a week
Two days later Mutimer sought eagerly in the Fiery Cross for a report of the
proceedings at New Wanley Only half a column was given to the subject the
speeches being sumarised He had fully expected that the weeks leader would be
concerned with his affairs but there was no mention of him
He bought the Tocsin Foremost stood an article headed The Bursting of a
Soap Bubble It was a satirical review of the history of New Wanley signed by
Comrade Roodhouse He read in one place »Undertakings of this kind even if
pursued with genuine enthusiasm are worse than useless they are positively
pernicious They are half measures and can only result in delaying the
Revolution It is assumed that working men can be kept in a good temper with a
little better housing and a little more money That is to aid the capitalists
to smooth over huge wrongs with petty concessions to cry peace where there is
no peace We know this kind of thing of old It is the whole system of
wageearning that must be overthrown the ideas which rule the relations of
employers and employed Away with these palliatives let us rejoice when we see
working men starving and illclad for in that way their eyes will be opened
The brute who gets the uttermost farthing out of the toil of his wageslaves is
more a friend to us and our cause than any nambypamby Socialist such as the
late Dukeling of New Wanley Socialist indeed But enough We have probably
heard the last of this parvenu and his loudly trumpeted schemes No true friend
of the Revolution can be grieved«
Mutimer bit his lip
»Heard the last of me have they Dont be too hasty Roodhouse«
Chapter XXVIII
A week later the scene the familiar kitchen in Wilton Square Mrs Mutimer
upon whom time has laid unkind hands since last we saw her is pouring tea for
Alice Rodman who has just come all the way from the West End to visit her
Alice too has suffered from recent vicissitudes her freshness is to seek her
bearing is no longer buoyant she is careless in attire To judge from the
corners of her mouth she is confirmed in querulous habits her voice evidences
the same
She was talking of certain events of the night before
»It was about halfpast twelve Id just got into bed when the servant
knocks at my door Please mum she says theres a policeman wants to see
master You may think if I wasnt frightened out of my life I dont think it
was two minutes before I got downstairs and there the policeman stood in the
hall I told him I was Mrs Rodman and then he said a young man called Henry
Mutimer had got locked up for making a disturbance outside a music hall and
hed sent to my husband to bail him out Well just as we were talking in comes
Willis Rare and astonished he was to see me with all my things huddled on and a
policeman in the house We did so laugh afterwards he said he thought Id been
committing a robbery But he wouldnt bail Arry and I couldnt blame him And
now he says Arryll have to do as best he can He wont get him another place«
»Hes lost his place too« asked the mother gloomily
»He was dismissed yesterday He says thats why he went drinking too much
Out of ten days that hes been in the place hes missed two and hasnt been
punctual once I think you might have seen he got off at the proper time in the
morning mother«
»Whats the good o blamin me« exclaimed the old woman fretfully »A deal
o use it is for me to talk If Im to be held countable he doesnt live here
no longer I know that much«
»Dick was a fool to pay his fine Id have let him go to prison for seven
days it would have given him a lesson«
Mrs Mutimer sighed deeply and lost herself in despondent thought Alice
sipped her tea and went on with her voluble talk
»I suppose hell show up some time tonight unless Dick keeps him But he
cant do that neither unless he makes him sleep on the sofa in their
sittingroom A nice comedown for my lady to be living in two furnished rooms
But its my belief theyre not so badly off as they pretend to be Its all very
well for Dick to put on his airs and go about saying hes given up every
farthing he doesnt get me to believe that He wouldnt go paying away his
pounds so readily And they have attendance from the landlady Mrs Adela
doesnt soil her fine fingers trust her You may depend upon it theyve
plenty She wouldnt speak a word for us if she cared to she could have
persuaded Mr Eldon to let me keep my money and then there wouldnt have been
all this law bother«
»What bothers that«
»Why Dick says hell go to law with my husband to recover the money he paid
him when we were married It seems he has to answer for it because hes what
they call the administrator and Mr Eldon can compel him to make it all good
again«
»But I thought you said youd given it all up«
»Thats my own money what was settled on me I dont see what good it was
to me I never had a penny of it to handle Now they want to get all the rest
out of us How are we to pay back the money thats spent and gone Id like to
know Willis says theyll just have to get it if they can And heres Dick going
on at me because we dont go into lodgings I dont leave the house before Im
obliged I know that much We may as well be comfortable as long as we can«
»The mean thing that Adela« she pursued after a pause »She was to have
married Mr Eldon and broke it off when she found he wasnt going to be as rich
as she thought then she caught hold of Dick I should like to have seen her
face when she found that will I wish it had been me«
Alice laughed unpleasantly Her mother regarded her with an air of curious
inquiry then murmured
»Dick and she did the honest thing Ill say so much for them«
»Ill be even with Mrs Adela yet« pursued Alice disregarding the remark
»She wouldnt speak for me but shes spoken for herself no fear She and her
airs«
There was silence then Mrs Mutimer said
»Ive let the top bedroom for fourandsix«
»Arrys room Whats he going to do then«
»Hell have to sleep on the chairbedstead here in the kitchen That is if
I have him in the ouse at all And I dont know yet as I shall«
»Have you got enough money to go on with« Alice asked
»Dick sent me a pound this morning I didnt want it«
»Has he been to see you yet mother«
The old woman shook her head
»Do you want him to come or dont you«
There was silence Alice looked at her mother askance The leathern mask of
a face was working with some secret emotion
»Hell come if he likes I spose« was her abrupt answer
In the renewed silence they heard some one enter the house and descend the
kitchen stairs Arry presented himself He threw his hat upon a chair and came
forward with a swagger to seat himself at the teatable
His mother did not look at him
»Anything to eat« he asked more loudly than was necessary as if he found
the silence oppressive
»Theres bread and butter« replied Alice with lofty scorn
»Hullo Is it you« exclaimed the young man affecting to recognise his
sister »I thought you was above coming here Have they turned you out of your
house«
»Thats whatll happen to you I shouldnt wonder«
Arry cast a glance towards his mother Seeing that her eyes were fixed in
another direction he began pantomimic interrogation of Alice The latter
disregarded him
Arry presented an appearance less than engaging He still bore the traces
of last nights debauch and of his sojourn in the policecell There was dry mud
on the back of his coat his shirtcuffs and collar were of a slaty hue his
hands and face filthy He began to eat bread and butter washing down each
morsel with a gulp of tea The spoon remained in the cup whilst he drank To
Arry it was a vast relief to be free from the conventionalities of Adelas
table
»That lawyer fellow Yottles been to see them today« he remarked
presently
Alice looked at him eagerly
»What about«
»There was talk about you and Rodman«
»What did they say«
»Couldnt hear I was in the other room But I heard Yottle speaking your
name«
He had in fact heard a few words through the keyhole but not enough to
gather the sense of the conversation which had been carried on in discreet
tones
»There you are« Alice exclaimed addressing her mother
»Theyre plotting against us you see«
»I dont think it ud be Dicks wish to do you harm« said Mrs Mutimer
absently
»Dickll do whatever she tells him«
»Adela eh« observed Arry »Shes a cat«
»You mind your own business« returned his sister
»So it is my business She looked at me as if I wasnt good enough to come
near her ighand Im glad to see her brought down a peg chance it«
Alice would not condescend to join her reprobate brother even in abuse of
Adela She very shortly took leave of her mother who went up to the door with
her
»Are you going to see Dick« Mrs Mutimer said in the passage
»I shant see him till he comes to my house« replied Alice sharply
The old woman stood on the doorstep till her daughter was out of sight then
sighed and returned to her kitchen
Alice returned to her more fashionable quarter by omnibus Though Rodman had
declined to make any change in their establishment he practised economy in the
matter of his wifes pinmoney Gone were the delights of shopping gone the
little lunches in confectioners shops to which Alice who ate sweet things like
a child had been much addicted Even the carriage she could seldom make use of
for Rodman had constant need of it to save cabfares he said It was chiefly
employed in taking him to and from the City where he appeared to have much
business at present
On reaching home Alice found a telegram from her husband
Shall bring three friends to dinner Be ready for us at halfpast seven
Yet he had assured her that he would dine quietly alone with her at eight
oclock Alice who was weary of the kind of men her husband constantly brought
felt it as a bitter disappointment Besides it was already after six and there
were no provisions in the house But for her life she durst not cause Rodman
annoyance by offering a late or insufficient dinner She thanked her stars that
her return had been even thus early
The men when they presented themselves were just of the kind she expected
loudtalking their interests divided between horseracing and the
moneymarket she was a cipher at her own table scarcely a remark being
addressed to her The conversation was meaningless to her it seemed indeed to
be made purposely mysterious terms of the stockexchange were eked out with
nods and winks Rodman was in far better spirits than of late whence Alice
gathered that some promising rascality was under consideration
The dinner over she was left to amuse herself as she could in the
drawingroom Rodman and his friends continued their talk round the table and
did not break up till close upon midnight Then she heard the men take their
departure Rodman presently came up to her and threw himself into a chair His
face was very red a sign with which Alice was familiar but excessive potations
apparently had not produced the usual effect for he was still in the best of
tempers
»Seen that young blackguard« he began by asking
»I went to see mother and he came while I was there«
»Hell have to look after himself in future You dont catch me helping him
again«
»He says Mr Yottle came to see them today«
»To see who«
»Dick and his wife He heard them talking about us«
Rodman laughed
»Let em go ahead I wish them luck«
»But cant they ruin us if they like«
»Its all in a life It wouldnt be the first time Ive been ruined old
girl Lets enjoy ourselves whilst we can Theres nothing like plenty of
excitement«
»Its all very well for you Willis But if you had to sit at home all day
doing nothing you wouldnt find it so pleasant«
»Get some novels«
»Im tired of novels« she replied sighing
»So Yottle was with them« Rodman said musingly a smile still on his face
»I wish I knew what terms theyve come to with Eldon«
»I wish I could do something to pay out that woman« exclaimed Alice
bitterly »Shes at the bottom of it all She hates both of us Dick ud never
have gone against you but for her«
Rodman extended in the low chair at full length fixed an amused look on
her
»Youd like to pay her out eh«
»Wouldnt I just«
»Ha ha what a vicious little puss you are Its a good thing I dont tell
you everything or you might do damage«
Alice turned to him with eagerness
»What do you mean«
He let his head fall back and laughed with a drunken mans hilarity Alice
persisted with her question
»Come and sit here« Rodman said patting his knee
Alice obeyed him
»What is it Willis What have you found out Do tell me theres a dear«
»Ill tell you one thing old girl youre losing your good looks Nothing
like what you were when I married you«
She flushed and looked miserable
»I cant help my looks I dont believe you care how I look«
»Oh dont I though Why do you think Id have stuck to you like this if I
didnt What was to prevent me from realising all the cash I could and clearing
off eh Twouldnt have been the first «
»The first what« Alice asked sharply
»Never mind You see I didnt do it Too bad to leave the Princess in the
lurch wouldnt it be«
Alice seemed to have forgotten the other secret She searched his face for a
moment deeply troubled then asked
»Willis I want to know who Clara is«
He moved his eyes slowly and regarded her with a puzzled look
»Clara What Clara«
»Somebody you know of Youve got a habit of talking in your sleep lately
You were calling out Clara last night and thats the second time Ive heard
you«
He was absent for a few seconds then laughed and shook his head
»I dont know anybody called Clara Its your mistake«
»Im quite sure it isnt« Alice murmured discontentedly
»Well then well say it is« he rejoined in a firmer voice »If I talk in
my sleep perhaps itll be better for you to pay no attention I might find it
inconvenient to live with you«
Alice looked frightened at the threat
»Youve got a great many secrets from me« she said despondently
»Of course I have It is for your good I was going to tell you one just
now only you dont seem to care to hear it«
»Yes yes I do« Alice exclaimed recollecting »Is it something about
Adela«
He nodded
»Wouldnt it delight you to go and get her into a terrible row with Dick«
»Oh do tell me Whats she been doing«
»I cant quite promise you the fun« he replied laughing »It may miss
fire What do you think of her meeting Eldon alone in the wood that Monday
afternoon the day after she found the will you know«
»You mean that«
»I saw them together«
»But she you dont mean she «
Even Alice with all her venom against her brothers wife had a difficulty
in attributing this kind of evil to Adela In spite of herself she was
incredulous
»Think what you like« said Rodman »It looks queer thats all«
It was an extraordinary instance of malice perpetrated out of sheer
goodhumour Had he not been assured by what he heard in the wood of the
perfectly innocent relations between Adela and Eldon he would naturally have
made some profitable use of his knowledge before this As long as there was a
possibility of advantage in keeping on good terms with Adela he spoke to no one
of that meeting which he had witnessed Even now he did not know but that Adela
had freely disclosed the affair to her husband But his humour was genially
mischievous If he could gratify Alice and at the same time do the Mutimers an
ill turn why not amuse himself
»Ill tell Dick the very first thing in the morning« Alice declared aglow
with spiteful anticipation
Rodman approved the purpose and went off to bed laughing uproariously
Chapter XXIX
Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs
Westlake In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in
lodgings He was away from home a good deal but his hours of return were always
uncertain and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at
unlikely times merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her
occupation Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened
the door of the room when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so
quietly he professed not to understand her On one of those occasions she was
engaged on a letter to her mother he inquired to whom she was writing and for
reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal He glanced at the
superscription and handed it back Breathing this atmosphere of suspicion she
shrank from irritating him by a mention of Stella and to go without his express
permission was impossible Stella did not write Adela began to fear lest her
illness had become more serious When she spoke at length it was in one of the
moments of indignation almost of revolt which at intervals came to her she
knew not at what impulse At Wanley her resource at such times had been to quit
the house and pace her chosen walk in the garden till she was weary In London
she had no refuge and the result of her loss of fresh air had speedily shown
itself in moods of impatience which she found it very difficult to conquer Her
husband came home one afternoon about five oclock and refusing to have any
tea sat for several hours in complete silence occasionally he pretended to
look at a pamphlet which he had brought in with him but for the most part he
sat with his legs crossed frowning at vacancy Adela grew feverish beneath the
oppression of this brooding illtemper her endeavour to read was vain the
silence was a constraint upon her moving her breathing She spoke before she
was conscious of an intention to do so
»I think I must go and see Mrs Westlake tomorrow morning«
Mutimer vouchsafed no answer gave no sign of having heard She repeated the
words
»If you must you must«
»I wish to« Adela said with an emphasis she could not help »Do you object
to my going«
He was surprised at her tone
»I dont object Ive told you I think you get no good there But go if you
like«
She said after a silence
»I have no other friend in London and if it were only on account of her
kindness to me I owe her a visit«
»All right dont talk about it any more Im thinking of something«
The evening wore on At ten oclock the servant brought up a jug of beer
which she fetched for Mutimer every night he said he could not sleep without
this sedative It was always the sign for Adela to go to bed
She visited Stella in the morning and found her still suffering They
talked for an hour then it was time for Adela to hasten homewards in order to
have dinner ready by halfpast one From Stella she had no secret save the one
which she did her best to make a secret even to herself she spoke freely of her
mode of life though without comment Stella made no comments in her replies
»And you cannot have lunch with me« she asked when her friend rose
»I cannot dear«
»May I write to you « Stella said with a meaning look
»Yes to tell me how you are«
Adela had not got far from the house when she saw her husband walking
towards her She looked at him steadily
»I happened to be near« he explained »and thought I might as well go home
with you«
»I might have been gone«
»Oh I shouldnt have waited long«
The form of his reply discovered that he had no intention of calling at the
house Adela understood that he had been in Avenue Road for some time probably
had reached it very soon after her
The next morning there arrived for Mutimer a letter from Alice She desired
to see him her husband would be from home all day and she would be found at
any hour her business was of importance underlined
Mutimer went shortly after breakfast and Alice received him very much as
she would have done in the days before the catastrophe She had arrayed herself
with special care he found her leaning on cushions her feet on a stool the
eternal novel on her lap Her brother had to stifle anger at seeing her thus in
appearance unaffected by the storm which had swept away his own happiness and
luxuries
»What is it you want« he asked at once without preliminary greeting
»You are not very polite« Alice returned »Perhaps youll take a chair«
»I havent much time so please dont waste what I can afford«
»Are you so busy Have you found something to do«
»Im likely to have enough to do with people who keep what doesnt belong to
them«
»It isnt my doing Dick« she said more seriously
»I dont suppose it is«
»Then you oughtnt to be angry with me«
»Im not angry What do you want«
»I went to see mother yesterday I think she wants you to go it looked like
it«
»Ill go some day«
»Its too bad that she should have to keep Arry in idleness«
»She hasnt to keep him I send her money«
»But how are you to afford that«
»Thats not your business«
Alice looked indignant
»I think you might speak more politely to me in my own house«
»It isnt your own house«
»It is as long as I live in it I suppose youd like to see me go back to a
workroom Its all very well for you if you live in lodgings that doesnt say
youve got no money We have to do the best we can for ourselves we havent got
your chances of making a good bargain«
It was said with much intention Alice half closed her eyes and curled her
lips in a disdainful smile
»What chances What do you mean«
»Perhaps if Id been a particular friend of Mr Eldons never mind«
He flashed a look at her
»What are you talking about Just speak plainly will you What do you mean
by particular friend Im no more a friend of Eldons than you are and Ive
made no bargain with him«
»I didnt say you«
»Who then« he exclaimed sternly
»Dont you know Some one is so very proper and such a fine lady I
shouldnt have thought shed have done things without your knowing«
He turned pale and seemed to crush the floor with his foot that he might
stand firm
»Youre talking of Adela«
Alice nodded
»What about her Say at once what youve got to say«
Inwardly she was a little frightened perhaps half wished that she had not
begun Yet it was sweet to foresee the thunderbolt that would fall on her
enemys head That her brother would suffer torments did not affect her
imagination she had never credited him with strong feeling for his wife and it
was too late to draw back
»You know that she met Mr Eldon in the wood at Wanley on the day after she
found the will«
Mutimer knitted his brows to regard her But in speaking he was more
selfgoverned than before
»Who told you that«
»My husband He saw them together«
»And heard them talking«
»Yes«
Rodman had only implied this Alices subsequent interrogation had failed to
elicit more from him than dark hints
Mutimer drew a quick breath
»He must be good at spying Next time I hope hell find out something worth
talking about«
Alice was surprised
»You know about it«
»Just as much as Rodman do you understand that«
»You dont believe«
She herself had doubts
»Its nothing to you whether I believe it or not Just be good enough in
future to mind your own business youll have plenty of it before long I
suppose thats what you brought me here for«
She made no answer she was vexed and puzzled
»Have you anything else to say«
Alice maintained a stubborn silence
»Alice have you anything more to tell me about Adela«
»No I havent«
»Then you might have spared me the trouble Tell Rodman with my compliments
that it would be as well for him to keep out of my way«
He left her
On quitting the house he walked at a great pace for a quarter of a mile
before he remembered the necessity of taking either train or omnibus The latter
was at hand but when he had ridden for ten minutes the constant stoppages so
irritated him that he jumped out and sought a hansom Even thus he did not
travel fast enough it seemed an endless time before the ascent of Pentonville
Hill began He descended a little distance from his lodgings
As he was paying the driver another hansom went by he by chance saw the
occupant and it was Hubert Eldon At least he felt convinced of it and he was
in no mind to balance the possibilities of mistake The hansom had come from the
street which Mutimer was just entering
He found Adela engaged in cooking the dinner she wore an apron and the
sleeves of her dress were pushed up As he came into the room she looked at him
with her patient smile finding that he was in one of his worst tempers she
said nothing and went on with her work A coarse cloth was thrown over the
table on it lay a bowl of vegetables which she was preparing for the saucepan
Perhaps it was the sight of her occupation of the cheerful simplicity with
which she addressed herself to work so unworthy of her he could not speak at
once as he had meant to He examined her with eyes of angry halffoiled
suspicion She had occasion to pass him he caught her arm and stayed her before
him
»What has Eldon been doing here«
She paused and shrank a little
»Mr Eldon has not been here«
He thought her face betrayed a guilty agitation
»I happen to have met him going away I think youd better tell me the
truth«
»I have told you the truth If Mr Eldon has been to the house I was not
aware of it«
He looked at her in silence for a moment then asked
»Are you the greatest hypocrite living«
Adela drew farther away She kept her eyes down Long ago she had suspected
what was in Mutimers mind but she had only been apprehensive of the results of
jealousy on his temper and on their relations to each other it had not entered
her thought that she might have to defend herself against an accusation This
violent question affected her strangely For a moment she referred it entirely
to the secrets of her heart and it seemed impossible to deny what was imputed
to her impossible even to resent his way of speaking Was she not a hypocrite
Had she not many many times concealed with look and voice an inward state which
was equivalent to infidelity Was not her whole life a pretence an affectation
of wifely virtues But the hypocrisy was involuntary her nature had no power to
extirpate its causes and put in their place the perfect dignity of uprightness
»Why do you ask me that« she said at length raising her eyes for an
instant
»Because it seems to me Ive good cause I dont know whether to believe a
word you say«
»I cant remember to have told you falsehoods« Her cheeks flushed »Yes
one that I confessed to you«
It brought to his mind the story of the wedding ring
»Theres such a thing as lying when you tell the truth Do you remember that
I met you coming back to the Manor that Monday afternoon a month ago and asked
you where youd been«
Her heart stood still
»Answer me will you«
»I remember it«
»You told me youd been for a walk in the wood You forgot to say who it was
you went to meet«
How did he know of this But that thought came to her only to pass She
understood at length the whole extent of his suspicion It was not only her
secret feelings that he called in question he accused her of actual dishonour
as it is defined by the world that clumsy world with its topsyturvydom of
moral judgments To have this certainty flashed upon her was as soon as she had
recovered from the shock a sensible assuagement of her misery In face of this
she could stand her ground Her womanhood was in arms she faced him scornfully
»Will you please to make plain your charge against me«
»I think its plain enough If a married woman makes appointments in quiet
places with a man she has no business to see anywhere whats that called I
fancy Ive seen something of that kind before now in cases before the Divorce
Court«
It angered him that she was not overwhelmed He saw that she did not mean to
deny having met Eldon and to have Alices story thus confirmed inflamed his
jealousy beyond endurance
»You must believe of me what you like« Adela replied in a slow subdued
voice »My word would be vain against that of my accuser whoever it is«
»Your accuser as you say happened not only to see you but to hear you
talking«
He waited for her surrender before this evidence Instead of that Adela
smiled
»If my words were reported to you what fault have you to find with me«
Her confidence together with his actual ignorance of what Rodman had heard
troubled him with doubt
»Answer this question« be said »Did you make an appointment with that
man«
»I did not«
»You did not Yet you met him«
»Unexpectedly«
»But you talked with him«
»How can you ask You know that I did«
He collected his thoughts
»Repeat to me what you talked about«
»That I refuse to do«
»Of course you do« he cried driven to frenzy »And you think I shall let
this rest where it is Have you forgotten that I came to the Westlakes and found
Eldon there with you And what was he doing in this street this morning if he
hadnt come to see you I begin to understand why you were so precious eager
about giving up the will That was your fine sense of honesty of course You
are full of fine senses but your mistake is to think Ive no sense at all What
do you take me for«
The thin crust of refinement was shattered the very man came to light
coarse violent whipped into fury by his passions of which injured selflove
was not the least Whether he believed his wife guilty or not he could not have
said enough that she had kept things secret from him and that he could not
overawe her Whensoever he had shown anger in conversation with her she had
made him sensible of her superiority at length he fell back upon his brute
force and resolved to bring her to his feet if need be by outrage Even his
accent deteriorated as he flung out his passionate words he spoke like any
London mechanic with defect and excess of aspirates with neglect of gs at the
end of words and so on Adela could not bear it she moved to the door But he
caught her and thrust her back it was all but a blow Her face half recalled
him to his senses
»Where are you going« he stammered
»Anywhere anywhere away from this house and from you« Adela replied
Effort to command herself was vain his heavy hand had completed the effect of
his language and she too spoke as nature impelled her »Let me pass I would
rather die than remain here«
»All the same youll stay where you are«
»Yes your strength is greater than mine You can hold me by force But you
have insulted me beyond forgiveness and we are as much strangers as if we had
never met You have broken every bond that bound me to you You can make me your
prisoner but like a prisoner my one thought will be of escape I will touch no
food whilst I remain here I have no duties to you and you no claim upon me«
»All the same you stay«
Before her sobbing vehemence he had grown calm These words were so
unimaginable on her lips that he could make no reply save stubborn repetition of
his refusal And having uttered that he went from the room changing the key to
the outside and locking her in Fear lest he might be unable to withhold himself
from laying hands upon her was the cause of his retreat The lust of cruelty was
boiling in him as once or twice before Her beauty in revolt made a savage of
him He went into the bedroom and there waited
Adela sat alone sobbing still but tearless Her highspirited nature once
thoroughly aroused it was some time before she could reason on what had come to
pass The possibility of such an end to her miseries had never presented itself
even in her darkest hours endurance was all she could ever look forward to As
her blood fell into calmer flow she found it hard to believe that she had not
dreamt this scene of agony She looked about the room There on the table were
the vegetables she had been preparing her hands bore the traces of the work she
had done this morning It seemed as though she had only to rise and go on with
her duties as usual
Her arm was painful just below the shoulder Yes that was where he had
seized her with his hard hand to push her away from the door
What had she said in her distraction She had broken away from him and
repudiated her wifehood Was it not well done If he believed her unfaithful to
him
At an earlier period of her married life such a charge would have held her
mute with horror Its effect now was not quite the same she could face the
thought interrogate herself as to its meaning with a shudder indeed but a
shudder which came of fear as well as loathing Life was no longer an untried
country its difficulties and perils to be met with the sole aid of a few
instincts and a few maxims she had sounded the depths of misery and was
invested with the woeful knowledge of what we poor mortals call the facts of
existence. And sitting here as on the desert bed of a river whose water had of
a sudden ceased to flow she could regard her own relation to truths however
desolating with the mind which had rather brave all than any longer seek to
deceive itself
Of that which he imputed to her she was incapable that such suspicion of
her could enter his mind branded him with baseness But his jealousy was
justified howsoever it had awakened in him it was sustained by truth Was it
her duty to tell him that and so to render it impossible for him to seek to
detain her
But would the confession have any such result Did he not already believe
her criminal and yet forbid her to leave him On what terms did she stand with
a man whose thought was devoid of delicacy who had again and again proved
himself without understanding of the principles of honour And could she indeed
make an admission which would compel her at the same time to guard against
revolting misconceptions
The question of how he had obtained this knowledge recurred to her It was
evident that the spy had intentionally calumniated her professing to have heard
her speak incriminating words She thought of Rodman He had troubled her by his
private request that she would appeal to Eldon on Alices behalf a request
which was almost an insult Could he have been led to make it in consequence of
his being aware of that meeting in the wood That might well be she distrusted
him and believed him capable even of a dastardly revenge
What was the troublesome thought that hung darkly in her mind and would not
come to consciousness She held it at last Mutimer had said that he met Hubert
in the street below How to explain that Hubert so near to her perhaps still
in the neighbourhood
Again she shrank with fear What might it mean if he had really come in
hope of seeing her That was unworthy of him Had she betrayed herself in her
conversation with him Then he was worse than cruel to her
It seemed to her that hours passed From time to time she heard a movement
in the next room Mutimer was still there There sounded at the house door a
loud postmans knock and in a few minutes someone came up the stairs doubtless
to bring a letter The bedroom door opened she heard her husband thank the
servant and again shut himself in
The fire which she had been about to use for cooking was all but dead She
rose and put fresh coals on There was a small oblong mirror over the
mantelpiece it showed her so ghastly a face that she turned quickly away
If she succeeded in escaping from her prison whither should she go Her
mother would receive her but it was impossible to go to Wanley to live near
the Manor Impossible too to take refuge with Stella If she fled and hid
herself in some other part of London how was life to be supported But there
were graver obstacles Openly to flee from her husband was to subject herself to
injurious suspicions it might be considering Mutimers character to involve
Hubert in some intolerable public shame Or if that worst extremity were
avoided would it not be said that she had deserted her husband because he had
suddenly become poor
That last thought brought the blood to her cheeks
But to live with him after this to smear over a deadly wound and pretend it
was healed to read hourly in his face the cowardly triumph over her weakness
to submit herself Oh what rescue from this hideous degradation She went to
the window as if it had been possible to escape by that way she turned again
and stood moaning with her hands about her head When was the worst to come in
this life so long since bereft of hope so forsaken of support from man or God
The thought of death came to her she subdued the tumult of her agony to weigh
it well Whom would she wrong by killing herself Herself it might be
perchance not even death would be sacred against outrage
She heard a neighbouring clock strike five and shortly after her husband
entered the room Had she looked at him she would have seen an inexplicable
animation in his face He paced the floor once or twice in silence then asked
in a hard voice though the tone was quite other than before
»Will you tell me what it was you talked of that day in the wood«
She did not reply
»I suppose by refusing to speak you confess that you dare not let me know«
Physical torture could not have wrung a word from her She felt her heart
surge with hatred
He went to the cupboard in which food was kept took out a loaf of bread
and cut a slice He ate it standing before the window Then he cleared the
table and sat down to write a letter it occupied him for half an hour When it
was finished he put it in his pocket and began again to pace the room
»Are you going to sit like that all night« he asked suddenly
She drew a deep sigh and rose from her seat He saw that she no longer
thought of escaping him She began to make preparations for tea As helpless in
his hands as though he had purchased her in a slave market of what avail to sit
like a perverse child The force of her hatred warned her to keep watch lest she
brought herself to his level Without defence against indignities which were
bitter as death by law his chattel as likely as not to feel the weight of his
hand if she again roused his anger what remained but to surrender all outward
things to unthinking habit and to keep her soul apart nourishing in silence
the fire of its revolt It was the most pitymoving of all tragedies a noble
nature overcome by sordid circumstances She was deficient in the strength of
character which will subdue all circumstances her strength was of the kind that
supports endurance rather than breaks a way to freedom Every day every hour
is some such tragedy played through it is the inevitable result of our social
state Adela could have wept tears of blood her shame was like a branding iron
upon her flesh
She was on the second floor of a lodginghouse in Pentonville making tea
for her husband
That husband appeared to have undergone a change since he quitted her a few
hours ago He was still venomous towards her but his countenance no longer
lowered dangerously Something distinct from his domestic troubles seemed to be
occupying him something of a pleasant nature He all but smiled now and then
the glances he cast at Adela were not wholly occupied with her He plainly
wished to speak but could not bring himself to do so
He ate and drank of what she put before him Adela took a cup of tea but
had no appetite for food When he had satisfied himself she removed the things
Another halfhour passed Mutimer was pretending to read Adela at length
broke the silence
»I think« she said »I was wrong in refusing to tell you what passed
between Mr Eldon and myself when I by chance met him Someone seems to have
misled you He began by hoping that we should not think ourselves bound to leave
the Manor until we had had full time to make the necessary arrangements I
thanked him for his kindness and then asked something further It was that if
he could by any means do so he would continue the works at New Wanley without
any change maintaining the principles on which they had been begun He said
that was impossible and explained to me what his intentions were and why he
had formed them That was our conversation«
Mutimer observed her with a smile which affected incredulity
»Will you take your oath that that is true« he asked
»No I have told you because I now sea that the explanation was owing since
you have been deceived If you disbelieve me it is no concern of mine«
She had taken up some sewing and having spoken went on with it Mutimer
kept his eyes fixed upon her His suspicions never resisted a direct word from
Adelas lips though other feelings might exasperate him What he had just heard
he believed the more readily because it so surprised him it was one of those
revelations of his wifes superiority which abashed him without causing evil
feeling They always had the result of restoring to him for a moment something
of the reverence with which he had approached her in the early days of their
acquaintance Even now he could not escape the impression
»What was Eldon doing about here today« he asked after a pause
»I have told you that I did not even know he had been near«
»Perhaps not Now will you just tell me this Have you written to Eldon or
had any letter from him since our marriage«
Her fingers would not continue their work A deadening sensation of disgust
made her close her eyes as if to shut out the meaning of his question Her
silence revived his distrust
»You had rather not answer« he said significantly
»Cannot you see that it degrades me to answer such a question What is your
opinion of me Have I behaved so as to lead you to think that I am an abandoned
woman«
After hesitating he muttered »You dont give a plain yes or no«
»You must not expect it If you think I use arts to deceive you if you
have no faith whatever in my purity it was your duty to let me go from you
when I would have done so It is horrible for us to live together from the
moment that there is such a doubt on either side It makes me something lower
than your servant something that has no name«
She shuddered Had not that been true of her from the very morrow of their
marriage Her life was cast away upon shoals of debasement no sanctity of
womanhood remained in her Was not her indignation half a mockery She could not
even defend her honesty her honour in the vulgarest sense of the word without
involving herself in a kind of falsehood which was desolation to her spirit It
had begun in her advocacy of uprightness after her discovery of the will it was
imbuing her whole nature making her to her own conscience that which he had
called her a very hypocrite
He spoke more conciliatingly
»Well theres one thing at all events that you cant refuse to explain
Why didnt you tell me that you had met Eldon and what he meant to do«
She had not prepared herself for the question and it went to the root of
her thoughts none the less she replied instantly careless how he understood
the truth
»I kept silence because the meeting had given me pain because it distressed
me to have to speak with Mr Eldon at that place and at that time because I
knew how you regard him and was afraid to mention him to you«
Mutimer was at a loss If Adela had calculated her reply with the deepest
art she could not have chosen words better fitted to silence him
»And you have told me every word that passed between you« he asked
»That would be impossible I have told you the substance of the
conversation«
»Why did you ask him to keep the works going on my plan«
»I can tell you no more«
Her strength was spent She put aside her sewing and moved towards the door
»Where are you going«
»I dont feel well I must rest«
»Just stop a minute Ive something here I want to show you«
She turned wearily Mutimer took a letter from his pocket
»Will you read that«
She took it It was written in a very clear delicate hand and ran thus
»Dear Sir I who address you have lain for two years on a bed from
which I shall never move till I am carried to my grave My age is
threeand twenty an accident which happened to me a few days after my
twentyfirst birthday left me without the use of my limbs it often
seems to me that it would have been better if I had died but there is
no arguing with fate and the wise thing is to accept cheerfully
whatever befalls us I hoped at one time to take an active part in life
and my interest in the worlds progress is as strong as ever especially
in everything that concerns social reform I have for some time known
your name and have constantly sought information about your grand work
at New Wanley Now I venture to write by the hand of a dear friend to
express my admiration for your high endeavour and my grief at the
circumstances which have made you powerless to continue it
I am possessed of means and as you see can spend but little on
myself I ask you with much earnestness to let me be of some small use
to the cause of social justice by putting in your hands the sum of five
hundred pounds to be employed as may seem good to you I need not
affect to be ignorant of your position and it is my great fear lest you
should be unable to work for Socialism with your undivided energies
Will you accept this money and continue by means of public lecturing to
spread the gospel of emancipation That I am convinced is your first
desire If you will do me this great kindness I shall ask your
permission to arrange that the same sum be paid to you annually for the
next ten years whether I still live or not To be helping in this
indirect way would cheer me more than you can think I enclose a draft
on Messrs
As I do not know your private address I send this to the office of
the Fiery Cross Pardon me for desiring to remain anonymous many
reasons necessitate it If you grant me this favour will you advertise
the word Accepted in the Times newspaper within ten days
With heartfelt sympathy and admiration
I sign myself
A FRIEND«
Adela was unmoved she returned the letter as if it had no interest for her
»What do you think of that« said Mutimer forgetting their differences in
his exultation
»I am glad you can continue your work« Adela replied absently
She was moving away when he again stopped her
»Look here Adela« He hesitated »Are you still angry with me«
She was silent
»I am sorry I lost my temper I didnt mean all I said to you Will you try
and forget it«
Her lips spoke for her
»I will try«
»You neednt go on doing housework now« he said assuringly »Are you going
Come and say goodnight«
He approached her and laid his hand upon her shoulder Adela shrank from his
touch and for an instant gazed at him with wide eyes of fear
He dropped his hands and let her go
Chapter XXX
The valley rested On the morning of Mutimers departure from Wanley there was
no wonted clank of machinery no smoke from the chimneys no roar of
ironmelting furnaces the men and women of the colony stood idly before their
houses discussing prospects asking each other whether it was seriously Mr
Eldons intention to raze New Wanley many of them grumbling or giving vent to
revolutionary threats They had continued in work thus long since the property
in fact changed hands and to most of them it seemed unlikely in spite of
everything that they would have to go in search of new employments This
morning they would hear finally
The valley rested For several days there had been constant rain though
summer was scarcely over it had turned cold and the sky was cheerless Over
Stanbury Hill there were always heavy dripping clouds and the leaves of
Adelas favourite wood were already falling At the Manor there was once more
disorder before Mutimer and his wife took their departure the removal of
furniture had commenced Over the whole scene brooded a spirit of melancholy It
needed faith in human energy to imagine the pollutions swept away and the
seasons peacefully gliding as of old between the hillsides and amid meadows and
garden closes
Hubert Eldon drove over from Agworth and was in the Public Hall at the
appointed time His business with the men was simple and brief He had to inform
them that their employment here was at an end but that each one would receive a
months wages and permission to inhabit their present abodes for yet a
fortnight After that they had no longer right of tenancy He added that if any
man considered himself specially aggrieved by this arrangement he was prepared
to hear and judge the individual case
There was a murmur of discontent through the room but no one took upon
himself to rise and become spokesman of the community Disregarding the
manifestation Hubert described in a few words how and when this final business
would be transacted then he left the hall by the door which led from the
platform
Then followed a busy week Claims of all kinds were addressed to him some
reasonable most of them not to be entertained Mr Yottle was constantly at the
Manor there he and Hubert held a kind of court Hubert was not well fitted for
business of this nature he easily became impatient and in spite of humane
intentions often suffered from a tumult of his blood when opposed by some
dogged mechanic
»I cant help it« he exclaimed to Mr Wyvern one night after a day of
peculiar annoyance »We are all men it is true but for the brotherhood feel
it who can I am illiberal if you like but in the presence of those fellows I
feel that I am facing enemies It seems to me that I have nothing in common with
them but the animal functions Absurd Yes of course it is absurd but I speak
of how intercourse with them affects me They are our enemies yours as well as
mine they are the enemies of every man who speaks the pure English tongue and
does not earn a living with his hands When they face me I understand what
revolution means some of them look at me as they would if they had muskets in
their hands«
»You are not conciliating« remarked the vicar
»I am not and cannot be They stir the worst feelings in me I grow
arrogant autocratic As long as I have no private dealings with them I can
consider their hardships and judge their characters dispassionately but I must
not come to close quarters«
»You have special causes of prejudice«
»True If I were a philosopher I should overcome all that However my
prejudice is good in one way it enables me thoroughly to understand the
detestation with which they regard me and the like of me If I had been born one
of them I should be the most savage anarchist The moral is that I must hold
apart Perhaps I shall grow cooler in time«
The special causes of prejudice were quite as strong on the side of the
workmen Hubert might have been far less aristocratic in bearing they would
have disliked him as cordially Most of them took it as a wanton outrage that
they should be driven from the homes in which they had believed themselves
settled for life The man Redgrave he of the six feet two who had presented
the address to Mutimer was a powerful agent of illfeeling during the first
few days he was constantly gathering impromptu meetings in New Wanley and
haranguing them violently on the principles of Socialism But in less than a
week he had taken his departure and the main trouble seemed at an end
Mrs Eldon was so impatient to return to the Manor that a room was prepared
for her as soon as possible and she came from her house at Agworth before
Mutimer had been gone a week Through the summer her strength had failed
rapidly it was her own conviction that she could live but a short time longer
The extreme agitation caused by the discovery of the will had visibly enfeebled
her it was her one desire to find herself once more in her old home and there
to breathe her last The journey from Agworth cost her extreme suffering she
was prostrate almost lifeless for three days after it But her sons society
revived her Knowing him established in his family possessions she only cared
to taste for a little while this unhopedfor joy Lying on a couch in her
familiar chamber she delighted to have flowers brought to her from the garden
even leaves from the dear old trees every one of which she knew as a friend
But she had constant thought for those upon whose disaster her own happiness was
founded of Adela she spoke often
»What will become of that poor child« she asked one evening when Hubert
had been speaking of Rodmans impracticable attitude and of the proceedings
Mutimer was about to take »Do you know anything of her life Hubert«
»I met her in the wood here a few weeks ago« he replied mentioning the
incident for the first time »She wanted to make a Socialist of me«
»Was that after the will came to light«
»The day after She pleaded for New Wanley hoped I should keep it up«
»Then she has really accepted her husbands views«
»It seems so I am afraid she thought me an obstinate tyrant«
He spoke carelessly
»But she must not suffer dear How can they be helped«
»They cant fall into absolute want And I suppose his Socialist friends
will do something for him I have been as considerate as it was possible to be
I dare say he will make me a commonplace in his lectures henceforth a type of
the brutal capitalist«
He laughed when he had said it and led the conversation to another subject
About the workmen too Mrs Eldon was kindly thoughtful Hubert spared her
his prejudices and merely described what be was doing She urged him to be
rather too easy than too exacting with them It was the same in everything the
blessing which had fallen upon her made her full of gentleness and sweet
charity
The fortnights grace was at an end and it was announced to Hubert that the
last family had left New Wanley The rain still continued as evening set in
Hubert returned from an inspection of the deserted colony his spirits weighed
upon by the scene of desolation After dinner he sat as usual with his mother
for a couple of hours then went to his own room and read till eleven oclock
Just as he had thrown aside his book the silence of the night was riven by a
terrific yell a savage cry of many voices which came from the garden in the
front of the house and at the same instant there sounded a great crashing of
glass The windows behind his back were broken and a couple of heavy missiles
thundered near him upon the floor stones they proved to be He rushed from the
room All the lights in the house except his own and that in Mrs Eldons room
were extinguished He reached his mothers door Before he could open it the
yell and the shower of stones were repeated again with ruin of windows this
time on the east side of the Manor In a moment he was by his mothers bed he
saw her sitting up in terror she was speechless and unable even to stretch her
arms towards him An inner door opened and the woman who was always in
attendance rushed in half dressed At the same time there were sounds of
movement in other parts of the house Once more the furious voices and the
stonevolley Hubert put his arm about his mother and tried to calm her
»Dont be frightened its those cowardly roughs They have bad their three
shots now theyll take to their heels Mrs Winter is here mother she will
stay with you whilst I go down and see what has to be done Ill be back
directly if there is no more danger«
He hastened away The servants had collected upon the front staircase with
lamps and candles in fright and disorder unutterable Hubert repeated to them
what he had said to his mother and it seemed to be the truth for the silence
outside was unbroken
»I shouldnt wonder« he cried »if theyve made an attempt to set the house
on fire We must go about and examine«
The doorbell was rung loudly The servants rushed back up the stairs
Hubert went into the diningroom carrying no light and called through the
shattered windows asking who had rung It was the vicar the shouts had brought
him forth
»They are gone« he said in his strong deep voice in itself reassuring
»I think there were only some ten or a dozen theyve made off up the hill Is
anybody hurt«
»No they have only broken all the windows« Hubert replied »But I am
terribly afraid for the effect upon my mother We must have the doctor round at
once«
The vicar was admitted to the house and a messenger forthwith despatched
for the medical man who resided halfway between Wanley and Agworth On
returning to his mothers room Hubert found his fears only too well justified
Mrs Eldon lay motionless her eyes open but seemingly without intelligence At
intervals of five minutes a sigh was audible else she could scarcely be
perceived to breathe The attendant said that she had not spoken
It was some time before the doctor arrived After a brief examination he
came out with Hubert his opinion was that the sufferer would not see daybreak
She lived however for some twelve hours if that could be called life
which was only distinguishable from the last silence by the closest scrutiny
Hubert did not move from the bedside and from time to time Mr Wyvern came and
sat with him Neither of them spoke Hubert had no thought of food or rest the
shadow of a loss of which he only understood the meaning now that it was at
hand darkened him and all the world Behind his voiceless misery was
immeasurable hatred of those who had struck him this blow at moments a
revengeful fury all but maddened him He held his mothers hand if he could but
feel one pressure of the slight fingers before they were impotent for ever And
this much was granted him Shortly before midday the open eyes trembled to
consciousness, the lips moved in endeavour to speak To Hubert it seemed that
his intense gaze had worked a miracle effecting that which his will demanded
She saw him and understood
»Mother can you speak Do you know me dear«
She smiled and her lips tried to shape words He bent over her close
close At first the faint whisper was unintelligible then he heard
»They did not know what they were doing«
Something followed but he could not understand it The whisper ended in a
sigh the smiling features quivered He held her but was alone
A hand was laid gently upon his shoulder Through blinding tears he
discerned Mr Wyverns solemn countenance He resisted the efforts to draw him
away but was at length persuaded
Early in the evening he fell asleep lying dressed upon his bed and the
sleep lasted till midnight Then he left his room and descended the stairs for
the lower part of the house was still lighted In the hall Mr Wyvern met him
»Let us go into the library« he said to the clergyman »I want to talk to
you«
He had resumed his ordinary manner Without mention of his mother he began
at once to speak of the rioters
»They were led by that man Redgrave there can be no doubt of that I shall
go to Agworth at once and set the police at work«
»I have already done that« replied the vicar »Three fellows have been
arrested in Agworth«
»New Wanley men«
»Yes but Redgrave is not one of them«
»He shall be caught though«
Hubert appeared to have forgotten everything but his desire of revenge It
supported him through the wretched days that followed even at the funeral his
face was hardset and his eyes dry But in spite of every effort it was
impossible to adduce evidence against any but the three men who had loitered
drinking in Agworth Redgrave came forward voluntarily and proved an alibi he
was vastly indignant at the charge brought against him declared that
windowbreaking was not his business and that had he been on the spot he should
have used all his influence to prevent such contemptible doings He held a
meeting in Belwick of all the New Wanleyers he could gather together those who
came repudiated the outrage as useless and unworthy On the whole it seemed
probable that only a handful of goodfornothings had been concerned in the
affair probably men who had been loafing in the Belwick publichouses
indisposed to look for work The Fiery Cross and the Tocsin commented on the
event in their respective ways The latter organ thought that an occasional
demonstration of this kind was not amiss it was a pity that apparently innocent
individuals should suffer an allusion to the death of Mrs Eldon but after
all what member of the moneyed classes was in reality innocent An article on
the subject in the Fiery Cross was signed Richard Mutimer It breathed righteous
indignation and called upon all true Socialists to make it known that they
pursued their ends in far other ways than by the gratification of petty malice
A copy of this paper reached Wanley Manor Hubert glanced over it
It lay by him when he received a visit from Mr Wyvern the same evening
»How is it to be explained« he asked »a man like Westlake mixing himself
up with this crew«
»Do you know him personally« the vicar inquired
»I have met him But I have seen more of Mrs Westlake She is a tenth muse
the muse of lyrical Socialism From which of them the impulse came I have no
means of knowing but surely it must have been from her In her case I can
understand it she lives in an æsthetic reverie she idealises everything
Naturally she knows nothing whatever of real life She is one of the most
interesting women I ever met but I should say that her influence on Westlake
has been deplorable«
»Mrs Mutimer is greatly her friend I believe« said the vicar
»I believe so But let us speak of this paper I want if possible to
understand Westlakes position Have you ever read the thing«
»Frequently«
»Now here is an article signed by Westlake You know his books How has he
fallen to this His very style has abandoned him his English smacks of the
street corners of Radical clubs The man is ruined it is next to impossible
that he should ever again do good work such as we used to have from him The
man who wrote Daphne Oh it is monstrous«
»It is something of a problem to me« Mr Wyvern admitted »Had he been a
younger man or if his writing had been of a different kind Yet his sincerity
is beyond doubt«
»I doubt it« Hubert broke in »Not his sincerity in the beginning but he
must long since have ached to free himself It is such a common thing for a man
to commit himself to some pronounced position in public life and for very shame
shrink from withdrawing He would not realise what it meant Now in the
revolutionary societies of the Continent there is something that appeals to the
imagination A Nihilist with Siberia or death before him fighting against a
damnable tyranny the best might sacrifice everything for that But English
Socialism It is infused with the spirit of shopkeeping it appeals to the
vulgarest minds it keeps one eye on personal safety the other on the
capitalists strongbox it is stamped commonplace like everything originating
with the English lower classes How does it differ from Radicalism the most
contemptible claptrap of politics except in wanting to hurry a little the rule
of the mob Well I am too subjective Help me if you can to understand
Westlake«
Hubert was pale and sorrowstricken his movements were heavy with
weariness but he had all at once begun to speak with the old fire the old
scorn He rested his chin upon his hand and waited for his companions reply
»At your age« said Mr Wyvern smiling half sadly »I too had a habit of
vehement speaking but it was on the other side I was a badly paid curate
working in a wretched parish I lived among the vilest and poorest of the
people and my imagination was constantly at boilingpoint I can only suppose
that Westlake has been led to look below the surface of society and has been
affected as I was then He has the mind of a poet probably he was struck with
horror to find over what a pit he had been living in careless enjoyment He is
tenderhearted of a sudden he felt himself criminal to be playing with
beautiful toys whilst a whole world lived only to sweat and starve The appeal
of the miserable seemed to be to him personally It is what certain sects call
conversion in religion a truth addressing itself with unwonted and invincible
force to the individual soul«
»And you too were a Socialist«
»At that age and under those conditions it was right and good I should have
been void of feeling and imagination otherwise Such convictions are among
relative truths To be a social enthusiast is in itself neither right nor wrong
neither praiseworthy nor the opposite it is a state to be judged in relation to
the other facts of a mans life You will never know that state if you affected
it you would be purely contemptible And I myself have outgrown it«
»But you must not think that I am inhuman« said Hubert »The sight of
distress touches me deeply To the individual poor man or woman I would give my
last penny It is when they rise against me as a class that I become pitiless«
»I understand you perfectly though I have not the same prejudices My old
zeal lingers with me in the form of tolerance I can enter into the mind of a
furious proletarian as easily as into the feeling which you represent«
»But how did your zeal come to an end«
»In this way I worked under the conditions I have described to you till I
was nearly thirty Then I broke down physically At the same time it happened
that I inherited a small competency I went abroad lived in Italy for a couple
of years I left England with the firm intention of getting my health and then
returning to work harder than ever But during those two years I educated
myself When I reached England again I found that it was impossible to enter
again on the old path I should have had to force myself it would have been an
instance of the kind of thing you suggest in explanation of Westlakes
persistence Fortunately I yielded to my better sense and altogether shunned the
life of towns I was no longer of those who seek to change the world but of
those who are content that it should in substance remain as it is«
»But how can you be content if you are convinced that the majority of men
live only to suffer«
»It is you who attribute the conviction to me« said the vicar smiling
goodnaturedly »My conviction is the very opposite One of the pet theories I
have developed for myself in recent years is that happiness is very evenly
distributed among all classes and conditions It is the result of sober
reflection on my experience of life Think of it a moment The bulk of men are
neither rich nor poor taking into consideration their habits and needs they
live in much content despite social imperfections and injustices despite the
ills of nature. Above and below are classes of extreme characterisation I
believe the happiness assignable to those who are the lowest stratum of
civilisation is relatively speaking no whit less than that we may attribute to
the thin stratum of the surface using the surface to mean the excessively rich
It is a paradox but anyone capable of thinking may be assured of its truth. The
life of the very poorest is a struggle to support their bodies the richest
relieved of that one anxiety are overwhelmed with such a mass of artificial
troubles that their few moments of genuine repose do not exceed those vouchsafed
to their antipodes You would urge the sufferings of the criminal class under
punishment I balance against it the misery of the rich under the scourge of
their own excesses It is a mistake due to mere thoughtlessness or ignorance
to imagine the labouring or even the destitute population as ceaselessly
groaning beneath the burden of their existence Go along the poorest street in
the East End of London and you will hear as much laughter witness as much
gaiety as in any thoroughfare of the West Laughter and gaiety of a miserable
kind I speak of it as relative to the habits and capabilities of the people A
being of superior intelligence regarding humanity with an eye of perfect
understanding would discover that life was enjoyed every bit as much in the slum
as in the palace«
»You would consider it fair to balance excessive suffering of the body in
one class against excessive mental suffering in another«
»Undoubtedly It is a fair application of my theory But let me preach a
little longer It is my belief that though this equality of distribution
remains a fact the sum total of happiness in nations is seriously diminishing
Not only on account of the growth of population the poor have more to suffer
the rich less of true enjoyment the mass of comfortable people fall into an
everincreasing anxiety A Radical will tell you that this is a transitional
state Possibly if we accept the Radical theories of progress I held them once
in a very lighthearted way I am now far less disposed to accept them as even
imaginably true Those who are enthusiastic for the spirit of the age proceed on
the principle of countenancing evil that good may some day come of it Such a
position astonishes me Is the happiness of a man now alive of less account than
that of the man who shall live two hundred years hence Altruism is doubtless
good but only so when it gives pure enjoyment that is to say when it is
embraced instinctively Shall I frown on a man because he cannot find his bliss
in altruism and bid him perish to make room for a being more perfect What right
have we to live thus in the faroff future Thinking in this way I have a
profound dislike and distrust of this same progress Take one feature of it
universal education That I believe works most patently for the growing misery
I speak of Its results affect all classes and all for the worse I said that I
used to have a very bleeding of the heart for the halfclothed and quarterfed
hangerson to civilisation I think far less of them now than of another class
in appearance much better off It is a class created by the mania of education
and it consists of those unhappy men and women whom unspeakable cruelty endows
with intellectual needs whilst refusing them the sustenance they are taught to
crave Another generation and this class will be terribly extended its
existence blighting the whole social state Every one of these poor creatures
has a right to curse the work of those who clamour progress and pose as
benefactors of their race«
»All that strikes me as very good and true« remarked Hubert »but can it be
helped Or do you refuse to believe in the modern conception of laws ruling
social development«
»I wish I could do so No when I spoke of the right to curse I should have
said from their point of view In truth I fear we must accept progress But I
cannot rejoice in it I will even do what little I can in my own corner to
support the old order of things You may be aware that I was on very friendly
terms with the Mutimers that I even seemed to encourage them in their
Socialism Yes and because I felt that in that way I could best discharge my
duty What I really encouraged was sympathy and humanity When Mutimer came
asking me to be present at his meetings I plainly refused To have held apart
from him and his wife would have been as wrong in me as to publicly countenance
their politics«
Mr Wyvern was on the point of referring to his private reasons for
befriending Adela but checked himself
»What I made no secret of approving was their substitution of human
relations between employer and employed for the detestable nexus of cash
payment as Carlyle calls it That is only a return to the good old order and
it seems to me that it becomes more impossible every day Thus far I am with the
Socialists in that I denounce the commercial class the bourgeois the
capitalists call them what you will as the supremely maleficent They hold
us at their mercy and their mercy is nought Monstrously hypocritical they cry
for progress when they mean increased opportunities of swelling their own purses
at the expense of those they employ and of those they serve vulgar to the
core they exalt a gross ideal of well being and stink in their prosperity The
very poor and the uncommercial wealthy alike suffer from them the intellect of
the country is poisoned by their influence They it is who indeed are
oppressors they grow rich on the toil of poor girls in London garrets and of
men who perish prematurely to support their children I wont talk of these
people I should lose my calm views of things and use language too much like
this of the Fiery Cross«
Hubert was thoughtful
»What is before us« he murmured
»Evil of that I am but too firmly assured Progress will have its way and
its path will be a path of bitterness A pillar of dark cloud leads it by day
and of terrible fire by night I do not say that the promised land may not lie
ahead of its guiding but woe is me for the desert first to be traversed Two
vices are growing among us to dread proportions indifference and hatred the
one will let poverty anguish at its door the other will hound on the vassal
against his lord Papers like the Fiery Cross even though such a man as
Westlake edit them serve the cause of hatred they preach by implication at
all events the childish theory of the equality of men and seek to make
discontented a whole class which only needs regular employment on the old
conditions to be perfectly satisfied«
»Westlake says here that they have no right to be satisfied«
»I know It is one of the huge fallacies of the time it comes of the
worship of progress I am content with the fact that even in our bad day as a
class they are satisfied No these reforms address themselves to the wrong
people they begin at the wrong end Let us raise our voices if we feel
impelled to do so at all for the old simple Christian rules and do our best to
get the educated by the ears I have my opinion about the clergy I will leave
you to guess it«
»Have you any belief in the possibility of this revolution they threaten«
»None whatever Changes will come about but not of these mens making or
devising And for the simple reason that they are not sincere I put aside an
educated enthusiast such as Westlake The proletarian Socialists do not believe
what they say and therefore they are so violent in saying it They are not
themselves of pure and exalted character they cannot ennoble others If the
movement continue we shall see miserable examples of weakness led astray by
popularity of despicable qualities aping greatness«
He paused somewhat abruptly for he was thinking of Mutimer and did not
wish to make the application too obvious Hubert restrained a smile
They parted shortly after but not till Hubert had put one more question
»Do you or do you not approve of what I am doing down in the valley«
Mr Wyvern thought a moment and replied gravely
»You being yourself I approve it heartily It will gladden my eyes to see
the grass growing when spring comes round«
He shook Huberts hand affectionately and left him
Chapter XXXI
We must concern ourselves for a little with the affairs of our old acquaintance
Daniel Dabbs
Daniels disillusionment with regard to Richard Mutimer did not affect his
regularity of attendance at the Socialist lectures In most things a typical
English mechanic he was especially so in his relation to the extreme politics
of which he declared himself a supporter He became a Socialist because his
friend Dick was one when that was no longer a reason he numbered himself among
the followers of Comrade Roodhouse first as a sort of angry protest against
Mutimers private treachery then again because he had got into the habit of
listening to inflammatory discourses every Sunday night and on the whole found
it a pleasant way of passing the evening He enjoyed the oratory of Messrs
Cowes and Cullen he liked to shout »Hear hear« and to stamp when there was
general applause it affected him with an agreeable sensation much like that
which follows upon a good meal to hear himself pitied as a hardworking
illused fellow and the frequent allusion to his noble qualities sweetly
flattered him When he went home to the publichouse after a lively debate and
described the proceedings to his brother Nicholas he always ended by declaring
that it was »as good as a play«
He read the Tocsin that is to say he glanced his eye up and down the
columns and paused wherever he caught words such as villains titled scoundrels
vampires and so on The expositions of doctrine he passed over anything in the
nature of reasoning muddled him From hearing them incessantly repeated he knew
the root theories of Socialism and could himself hold forth on such texts as
the community of the means of production with considerable fluency and
vehemence but in very fact he concerned himself as little with economic reforms
as with the principles of high art and had as little genuine belief in the
promised revolution as in the immortality of his own soul Had he been called
upon to suffer in any way for the cause of the people it would speedily have
been demonstrated of what metal his enthusiasm was made
But there came a different kind of test In the winter which followed upon
Mutimers downfall Nicholas Dabbs fell ill and died He was married but had no
children and his wife had been separated from him for several years His
brother Daniel found himself in flourishing circumstances with a publichouse
which brought in profits of forty pounds a week It goes without saying that
Daniel forthwith abandoned his daily labour and installed himself behind the
bar The position suited him admirably with a barmaid and a potman at his
orders he paid them no penny more than the market rate he stood about in his
shirt sleeves and gossiped from morn to midnight with such of his friends as had
leisure and money to spend in the temple of Bacchus From the day that saw him
a licensed victualler he ceased to attend the Socialist meetings it was of
course a sufficient explanation to point to the fact that he could not be in
two places at the same time for Sunday evening is a season of brisk business in
the liquor trade At first he was reticent on the subject of his old
convictions but by degrees he found it possible to achieve the true innkeepers
art and speak freely in a way which could offend none of his customers And he
believed himself every bit as downright and sincere as he had ever been
Comfortably established on a capitalist basis his future assured because it
depended upon the signal vice of his class it one day occurred to Daniel that
he ought to take to himself a helpmeet a partner of his joys and sorrows He
had thought of it from time to time during the past year but only in a vague
way he had even directed his eyes to the woman who might perchance be the one
most suitable though with anything but assurance of his success if he seriously
endeavoured to obtain her Long ago he had ceased to trouble himself about his
first love with characteristic acceptance of the accomplished fact he never
really imagined that Alice Mutimer after she became an heiress could listen to
his wooing and to do him justice he appreciated the delicacy of his position
if he should continue to press his suit It cost him not a little suffering
altogether to abandon his hopes for the Princess had captivated him and if he
could have made her his wife he would for at least twelve months have been a
proud and exultant man But all that was over Daniel was heartfree when he
again began to occupy himself with womankind it was a very different person
towards whom he found himself attracted This was Emma Vine
After that chance meeting with Mrs Clay in the omnibus he lost sight of the
sisters for a while but one day Kate came to the publichouse and desired to
see him She was in great misery Emma had fallen ill gravely ill and Kate had
no money to pay a doctor The people in the house where she lodged were urging
her to send for the parish doctor but that was an extremity to be avoided as
long as a single hope remained She had come to borrow a few shillings in order
that she might take Emma in a cab to the hospital perhaps they would receive
her as an inpatient Daniel put his hand in his pocket He did more though on
the point of returning from breakfast to his work he sacrificed the morning to
accompany Mrs Clay and help her to get the sick girl to the hospital
Fortunately it was found possible to give her a bed Emma remained in the
hospital for seven weeks
Daniel was not hasty in forming attachments During the seven weeks he
called three or four times to inquire of Mrs Clay what progress her sister was
making but when Emma came home again and resumed her usual work he seemed to
have no further interest in her At length Kate came to the publichouse one
Saturday night and wished to pay back half the loan Daniel shook his head »All
right Mrs Clay dont you hurt yourself Let it wait till youre a bit better
off« Nicholas was behind the bar and when Kate had gone he asked his brother
if he hadnt observed something curious in Mrs Clays behaviour Daniel
certainly had the brothers agreed that she must have been drinking rather more
than was good for her
»I shouldnt wonder« said Daniel »if she started with the whole o the
money«
Which indeed was a true conjecture
Time went on and Daniel had been six months a licensed victualler It was
summer once more and thirsty weather Daniel stood behind the bar in his shirt
sleeves collarless for personal ease with a white waistcoat and trousers of
light tweed Across his stomach which already was more portly than in his
engineering days swayed a heavy gold chain on one of his fingers was a
demonstrative ring His face and neck were very red his hair cropped extremely
short gleamed with odorous oils You could see that he prided himself on the
spotlessness of his linen his cuffs were turned up to avoid alcoholic soilure
their vast links hung loose for better observance by customers Daniel was a
smiling and a happy man
It was early on Sunday evening Hoxton had shaken itself from the afternoon
slumber had taken a moderate tea and was in no two minds about the entirely
agreeable way of getting through the hours till bedtime Daniel beamed on the
good thirsty souls who sought refuge under his roof from the still warm rays of
the sun Whilst seeing that no customer lacked due attention he conversed
genially with a group of his special friends One of these had been present at a
meeting held on Clerkenwell Green that morning a meeting assembled to hear
Richard Mutimer Richard a year having passed since his temporary eclipse was
once more prominent as a popular leader He was addressing himself to the East
End especially and had a scheme to propound which whatever might be its
success or the opposite kept him well before the eyes of men
»Whats all this ere about« cried one of the group in an impatiently
contemptuous tone »I cant see nothin in it myself«
»I can see as he wants money« observed another laughing »Theres a good
many ways o gettin money without earnin it particular if youve got a tongue
as goes like a steam engine«
»I dont think so bad of him as all that« said the man who had attended the
meeting »Taint for himself as he wants the money What do you think o this
ere job Dan«
»Ill tell you more about that in a years time« replied Dabbs thrusting
his fingers into his waistcoat pockets »Cording to Mike were all goin to be
rich before we know it Lets hope itll come true«
He put his tongue in his cheek and let his eye circle round the group
»Seems to me« said the contemptuous man »hed better look after his own
people first Charity begins at ome eh mates«
»What do you mean by that« inquired a voice
»Why isnt his brother whats his name Bill Jack «
»Arry« corrected Daniel
»To be sure Arry I dont know him myself but I eard talk of him Its
him as is doin his three months ard labour«
»That aint no fault o Dick Mutimers« asserted the apologist »He always
was a bad un that Arry Why you can say so much Dan No no I dont old
with a mans bein cried down cause hes got a brother as disgraces himself It
was Dick as got him his place an a good place it was It wasnt Dick as put
him up to thievin I suppose«
»No no thats right enough« said Dabbs »Let a man be judged by his own
sayins and doins Theres queer stories about Dick Mutimer himself but was
it Scotch or Irish Mike«
Mike had planted his glass on the counter in a manner suggesting
replenishment
»Now thats what I call a cruel question« cried Mike humorously »The man
as doesnt stick to his country I dont think much of him«
The humour was not remarkable but it caused a roar of laughter to go up
»Now what I want to know« exclaimed one returning to the main subject »is
where Mutimer gets his money to live on He does no work we know that much«
»He told us all about that this mornin« replied the authority »He has
friends as keeps him goin thats all As far as I can make out its a sort o
subscription«
»Now there you are« put in Daniel with half a sneer »I dont call that
Socialism Let a man support himself by his own work then hes got a right to
say what he likes No no we know what Socialism means eh Tom«
The man appealed to answered with a laugh
»Well blest if I do Dan Theres so many kinds o Socialism nowadays
Which lot does he pretend to belong to Theres the Fiery Cross and theres
Roodhouse with his Tocsin and now I spose Dickll be startin another paper of
his own«
»No no« replied Mutimers supporter »He holds by the Fiery Cross still
so he said this mornin Ive no opinion o Roodhouse myself He makes a deal o
noise but I cant see as he does anything«
»You wont catch Dick Mutimer sidin with Roodhouse« remarked Daniel with a
wink »Thats an old story eh Tom«
Thus the talk went on and the sale of beverages kept pace with it About
eight oclock the barmaid informed Daniel that Mrs Clay wished to see him Kate
had entered the house by the private door and was sitting in the barparlour
Daniel went to her at once
She was more slovenly in appearance than ever and showed all the signs of
extreme poverty Her face was not merely harsh and sour it indicated a process
of degradation The smile with which she greeted Daniel was disagreeable through
excessive anxiety to be ingratiating Her eyes were restless and shrewd Daniel
sat down opposite to her and rested his elbows on the table
»Well hows all at ome« he began avoiding her look as he spoke
»Nothing much to boast of« Kate replied with an unpleasant giggle »We keep
alive«
»Emma all right«
»Shes all right except for her bad eadaches Shes had another of em
this week But I think its a bit better today«
»Shell have a rest tomorrow«
The following day was the August bankholiday
»No shell have no rest Shes going to do some cleaning in Goswell Road«
Daniel drummed with his fingers on the table
»She isnt fit to do it thats quite certain« Mrs Clay continued »I wish
I could get her out for an hour or two She wants fresh air thats what it is
I spose youre going somewhere tomorrow«
It was asked insinuatingly and at the same time with an air of weary
resignation
»Well I did think o gettin as far as Epping Forest Dyou think you could
persuade Emma to come you and the children as well you know Ill have the
mare out if she will«
»I can ask her and see It ud be a rare treat for us I feel myself as if I
couldnt hold up much longer its that hot«
She threw a glance towards the bar
»Will you have a bottle o lemonade« Daniel asked
»Its very kind of you Ive a sort o fainty feeling If youd just put
ever such a little drop in it Mr Dabbs«
Daniel betrayed a slight annoyance But he went to the door and gave the
order
»Still at the same place« he asked on resuming his seat
»Emma you mean Yes but its only been half a weeks work this last And
Ive as good as nothing to do Theres the children runnin about with no soles
to their feet«
The lemonade with a dash in it was brought to her and she refreshed
herself with a deep draught Perhaps the dash was not perceptible enough she
did not seem entirely satisfied though pretending to be so
»Suppose I come round tonight and ask her myself« Daniel said as the
result of a short reflection
»It ud be kind of you if you would Mr Dabbs Im afraid shell tell me
she cant afford to lose the day«
He consulted his watch then again reflected still drumming on the table
»All right well go« he said rising from his chair
His coat was hanging on a peg behind the door He drew it on and went to
tell the barmaid that he should be absent exactly twenty minutes It was
Daniels policy to lead his underlings to expect that he might return at any
moment though he would probably be away a couple of hours
The sisters were now living in a street crossing the angle between Goswell
Road and the City Road Daniel was not as a rule lavish in his expenditure
but he did not care to walk any distance and there was no line of omnibuses
available He took a hansom
It generally fell to Emmas share to put her sisters children to bed for
Mrs Clay was seldom at home in the evening But for Emma indeed the little
ones would have been sadly off for motherly care Kate had now and then a fit of
maternal zeal but it usually ended in impatience and slappings for the most
part she regarded her offspring as encumbrance and only drew attention to them
when she wished to impress people with the hardships of her lot The natural
result was that the boy and girl only knew her as mother by name they feared
her and would shrink to Emmas side when Kate began to speak crossly
All dwelt together in one room for life was harder than ever Emmas
illness had been the beginning of a dark and miserable time Whilst she was in
the hospital her sister took the first steps on the path which leads to
destruction with scanty employment much time to kill never a sufficiency of
food companions only too like herself in their distaste for home duties and in
the misery of their existence poor Kate got into the habit of straying
aimlessly about the streets and the inevitable consequence of seeking warmth
and company in the publichouse Her children lived as the children of such
mothers do they played on the stairs or on the pavements had accidents were
always dirty cried themselves to sleep in hunger and pain When Emma returned
still only fit for a convalescent home she had to walk about day after day in
search of work conciliating the employers whom Mrs Clay had neglected or
disgusted undertaking jobs to which her strength was inadequate and not
least striving her hardest to restore order in the wretched home It was agreed
that Kate should use the machine at home whilst Emma got regular employment in
a workroom
Emma never heard of that letter which her sister wrote to Mutimers wife
Kate had no expectation that help would come of it she hoped that it had done
Mutimer harm and the hope had to satisfy her She durst not let Emma suspect
that she had done such a thing
Emma heard however of the loan from Daniel Dabbs and afterwards thanked
him for his kindness but she resolutely set her face against the repetition of
such favours though Daniel would have willingly helped when she came out of the
hospital Kate of course was for accepting anything that was offered she lost
her temper and accused Emma of wishing to starve the children But she was
still greatly under her sisters influence and when Emma declared that there
must be a parting between them if she discovered that anything was secretly
accepted from Mr Dabbs Kate sullenly yielded the point
Daniel was aware of all this and it made an impression upon him
Tonight Emma was as usual left alone with the children After tea when
Kate left the house she sat down to the machine and worked for a couple of
hours for her there was small difference between Sunday and week day Whilst
working she told the children stories it was a way of beguiling them from their
desire to go and play in the street They were strange stories half recollected
from a childhood which had promised better things than a maidenhood of garret
misery half Emmas own invention They had a grace a spontaneity occasionally
an imaginative brightness which would have made them if they had been taken
down from the lips models of taletelling for children Emma had two classes of
story the one concerned itself with rich children the other with poor the one
highly fanciful the other full of a touching actuality the very essence of a
life such as that led by the listeners themselves Unlike the novel which
commends itself to the worlds grown children these narratives had by no means
necessarily a happy ending for one thing Emma saw too deeply into the facts of
life and was herself too sad to cease her music on a merry chord and
moreover it was half a matter of principle with her to make the little ones
thoughtful and sympathetic she believed that they would grow up kinder and more
selfreliant if they were in the habit of thinking that we are ever dependent on
each other for solace and strengthening under the burden of life The most
elaborate of her stories one wholly of her own invention was called Blanche
and Janey It was a double biography Blanche and Janey were born on the same
day they lived ten years and then died on the same day But Blanche was the
child of wealthy parents Janey was born in a garret Their lives were recounted
in parallel almost year by year and there was sadness in the contrast Emma
had chosen the name of the poor child in memory of her own sister her ever dear
Jane whose life had been a life of sorrow
The story ended thus
»Yes they died on the same day and they were buried on the same day But
not in the same cemetery oh no Blanches grave is far away over there« she
pointed to the west »among tombstones covered with flowers and her father and
mother go every Sunday to read her name and think and talk of her Janey was
buried far away over yonder« she pointed to the east »but there is no stone
on her grave and no one knows the exact place where she lies and no one no
one ever goes to think and talk of her«
The sweetness of the story lay in the fact that the children were both good
and both deserved to be happy it never occurred to Emma to teach her hearers to
hate little Blanche just because hers was the easier lot
Whatever might be her secret suffering with the little ones Emma was
invariably patient and tender However dirty they had made themselves during the
day however much they cried when hunger made them irritable they went to their
aunts side with the assurance of finding gentleness in reproof and sympathy
with their troubles Yet once she was really angry Bertie told her a deliberate
untruth and she at once discovered it She stood silent for a few moments
looking as Bertie had never seen her look Then she said
»Do you know Bertie that it is wrong to try and deceive«
Then she tried to make him understand why falsehood was evil and as she
spoke to the child her voice quivered her breast heaved When the little fellow
was overcome and began to sob Emma checked herself recollecting that she had
lost sight of the offenders age and was using expressions which he could not
understand But the lesson was effectual If ever the brother and sister were
tempted to hide anything by a falsehood they remembered Aunt Emmas face and
durst not incur the danger of her severity
So she told her stories to the humming of the machine and when it was
nearly the childrens bedtime she broke off to ask them if they would like some
bread and butter Among all the results of her poverty the bitterest to Emma was
when she found herself hoping that the children would not eat much If their
appetite was poor it made her anxious about their health yet it happened
sometimes that she feared to ask them if they were hungry lest the supply of
bread should fail It was so tonight The weeks earnings had been three
shillings the rent itself was four But the children were as ready to eat as if
they had had no tea It went to her heart to give them each but one halfslice
and tell them that they could have no more Gladly she would have robbed herself
of breakfast next morning on their account but that she durst not do for she
had undertaken to scrub out an office in Goswell Road and she knew that her
strength would fail if she went from home fasting
She put them to bed they slept together on a small bedstead which was a
chair during the day and then sat down to do some patching at a dress of
Kates Her face when she communed with her own thoughts was profoundly sad but
far from the weakness of self-pity Indeed she did her best not to think of
herself she knew that to do so cost her struggles with feelings she held to be
evil resentment and woe of passion and despair She tried to occupy herself
solely with her sister and the children planning how to make Kate more
homeloving and how to find the little ones more food
She had no companions The girls whom she came to know in the workroom for
the most past took life very easily she could not share in their genuine
merriment she was often revolted by their way of thinking and speaking They
thought her dull and paid no attention to her She was glad to be relieved of
the necessity of talking
Her sister thought her hard Kate believed that she was for ever brooding
over her injury This was not true but a certain hardness in her character
there certainly was For her life both of soul and body was ascetic she
taught herself to expect to hope for nothing When she was hungry she had a
sort of pleasure in enduring when weary she worked on as if by effort she could
overcome the feeling But Kates chief complaint against her was her
determination to receive no help save in the way of opportunity to earn money
This was something more than ordinary pride Emma suffered intensely in the
recollection that she had lived at Mutimers expense during the very months when
he was seeking the love of another woman and casting about for means of
abandoning herself When she thought of Alice coming with the proposal that she
and her sister should still occupy the house in Wilton Square and still receive
money the heat of shame and anger never failed to rise to her cheeks She could
never accept from anyone again a penny which she had not earned She believed
that Daniel Dabbs had been repaid otherwise she could not have rested a moment
It was her terrible misfortune to have feelings too refined for the position
in which fate had placed her Had she only been like those other girls in the
workroom But we are interesting in proportion to our capacity for suffering
and dignity comes of misery nobly borne
As she sat working on Kates dress she was surprised to hear a heavy step
approaching There came a knock at the door she answered admitting Daniel
He looked about the room partly from curiosity partly through
embarrassment Dusk was falling
»Young uns in bed« he said lowering his voice
»Yes they are asleep« Emma replied
»You dont mind me coming up«
»Oh no«
He went to the window and looked at the houses opposite then at the flushed
sky
»Bank holiday tomorrow I thought Id like to ask you whether you and Mrs
Clay and the children ud come with me to Epping Forest If its a day like
this itll be a nice drive do you good You look as if you wanted a breath of
fresh air if you dont mind me sayin it«
»Its very kind of you Mr Dabbs« Emma replied »I am very sorry I cant
come myself but my sister and the children perhaps «
She could not refuse for them likewise yet she was troubled to accept so
far
»But why cant you come« he asked goodnaturedly slapping his hat against
his leg
»I have some work thatll take me nearly all day«
»But youve no business to work on a bank holiday Im not sure as it aint
breakin the law«
He laughed and Emma did her best to show a smile But she said nothing
»But you will come now You can lose just the one day Itll do you a power
o good Youll work all the better on Tuesday now see if you dont Why it
aint worth livin never to get a holiday«
»Im very sorry It was very kind indeed of you to think of it Mr Dabbs I
really cant come«
He went again to the window and thence to the childrens bedside He bent a
little and watched them breathing
»Berties growin a fine little lad«
»Yes indeed he is«
»Hell have to go to school soon I spose Im afraid he gives you a good
deal of trouble that is I mean you know how I mean it«
»Oh he is very good« Emma said looking at the sleeping face
affectionately
»Yes yes«
Daniel had meant something different he saw that Emma would not understand
him
»We see changes in life« he resumed musingly »Now whod a thought I
should end up with having more money than I know how to use The ouse has done
well for eight years now an its likely to do well for a good many years yet
as far as I can see«
»I am glad to hear that« Emma replied constrainedly
»Miss Vine I wanted you to come to Epping Forest tomorrow because I
thought I should have a chance of a little talk I dont mean that was the only
reason its too bad you never get a holiday and I should like it to a done
you good But I thought I might a found a chance o say in something
something Ive thought of a long time and thats the honest truth I want to
help you and your sister and the young uns but you most of all I dont like
to see you livin such a hard life cause you deserve something better if ever
anyone did Now will you let me help you Theres only one way and its the way
Id like best of any The long an the short of it is I want to ask you if
youll come an live at the ouse come and bring Mrs Clay an the children«
Emma looked at him in surprise and felt uncertain of his meaning though his
speech had painfully prepared her with an answer
»Id do my right down best to make you a good usband that I would Emma«
Daniel hurried on getting flustered »Perhaps Ive been a bit too sudden
Suppose we leave it till youve had time to think over Its no good talking to
you about money an that kind o thing youd marry a poor man as soon as a
rich if only you cared in the right way for him I wont sing my own praises
but I dont think youd find much to complain of in me Id never ask you to go
into the bar cause I know you aint suited for that and whats more Id
rather you didnt Will you give it a thought«
It was modest enough and from her knowledge of the man Emma felt that he
was to be trusted for more than his word But he asked an impossible thing She
could not imagine herself consenting to marry any man but the reasons why she
could not marry Daniel Dabbs were manifold She felt them all but it was only
needful to think of one
Yet it was a temptation and the hour of it might have been chosen With a
scarcity of food for the morrow with dark fears for her sister suffering
incessantly on the childrens account Emma might have been pardoned if she had
taken the helping hand But the temptation though it unsteadied her brain for a
moment could never have overcome her She would have deemed it far less a crime
to go out and steal a loaf from the bakers shop than to marry Daniel because he
offered rescue from destitution
She refused him as gently as she could but with firmness which left him no
room for misunderstanding her Daniel was awed by her quiet sincerity
»But I can wait« he stammered »if youd take time to think it over«
Useless the answer could at no time be other
»Well Ive no call to grumble« he said »You say straight out what you
mean No woman can do fairer than that«
His thought recurred for a moment to Alice whose fault had been that she
was ever ambiguous
»Its hard to bear I dont think I shall ever care to marry any other
woman But youre doin the right thing and the honest thing I wish all women
was like you«
At the door he turned
»Thered be no harm if I take Mrs Clay and the children would there«
»I am sure they will thank yon Mr Dabbs«
It did not matter now that there was a clear understanding
At a little distance from the house door Daniel found Mrs Clay waiting
»No good« he said cheerlessly
»She wont go«
»No But Ill take you and the children if youll come«
Kate did not immediately reply A grave disappointment showed itself in her
face
»Cant be helped« Daniel replied to her look »I did my best«
Kate accepted his invitation and they arranged the hour of meeting As she
approached the house to enter now looking illtempered a woman of her
acquaintance met her After a few minutes conversation they walked away
together
Emma sat up till twelve oclock The thought on which she was brooding was
not one to make the time go lightly it was how much and how various evil can
be wrought by a single act of treachery And the instance in her mind was more
fruitful than her knowledge allowed her to perceive
Kate appeared shortly after midnight She had very red cheeks and very
bright eyes and her mood was quarrelsome She sat down on the bed and began to
talk of Daniel Dabbs as she had often done already in a maundering way Emma
kept silence she was beginning to undress
»Theres a man with money« said Kate her voice getting louder »money I
tell you and youve only to say a word And you wont even be civil to him
Youve got no feeling you dont care for nobody but yourself Ill take the
children and leave you to go your own way thats what Ill do«
It was hard to make no reply but Emma succeeded in commanding herself The
maundering talk went on for more than an hour Then came the wretched silence of
night
Emma did not sleep She was too wobegone to find a tear Life stood before
her in the darkness like a hideous spectre
In the morning she told her sister that Daniel had asked her to marry him
and that she bad refused It was best to have that understood Kate heard with
black brows But even yet she knew something of shame when she remembered her
return home the night before it kept her from giving utterance to her anger
There followed a scene such as had occurred two or three times during the
past six months Emma threw aside all her coldness and with passionate entreaty
besought her sister to draw back from the gulfs edge whilst there was yet time
For her own sake for the sake of Bertie and the little girl by the memory of
that dear dead one who lay in the waste cemetery
»Pity me too Think a little of me Kate dear You are driving me to
despair«
Kate was moved she had not else been human The children were looking up
with frightened wondering eyes She hid her face and muttered promises of
amendment
Emma kissed her and strove hard to hope
Chapter XXXII
With his five hundred pounds lodged in the bank Mutimer felt ill at ease in the
lodgings in Pentonville He began to look about for an abode more suitable to
the dignity of his position and shortly discovered a house in Holloway the
rent twentyeight pounds the situation convenient for his purpose By way of
making some amends to Adela for his less than civil behaviour he took the house
and had it modestly furnished at the cost of one hundred and ten pounds before
saying anything to her of his plans Then on the pretext of going to search for
pleasanter lodgings he one day took her to Holloway and led her into her own
dwelling Adela was startled but did her best to seem grateful
They returned to Pentonville settled their accounts packed their
belongings and by evening were able to sit down to a dinner cooked by their own
servant under Adelas supervision Mutimer purchased a couple of bottles of
claret on the way home that the first evening might be wholly cheerful Of a
sudden he had become a new man the sullenness had passed and he walked from
room to room with much the same air of lofty satisfaction as when he first
surveyed the interior of Wanley Manor He made a show of reading in the hour
before dinner but could not keep still for more than a few minutes at a time
he wanted to handle the furniture to survey the prospect from the windows to
walk out into the road and take a general view of the house When their meal had
begun and the servant instructed to wait at table chanced to be out of the
room he remarked
»Well begin of course to dine at the proper time again Its far better
dont you think so«
»Yes I think so«
»And bytheby youll see that Mary has a cap«
Adela smiled
»Yes Ill see she has«
Mary herself entered Some impulse she did not quite understand led Adela to
look at the girl in her yet capless condition She said something which would
require Mary to answer and found herself wondering at the submissive tone the
repeated »Mum«
»Yes« she mused with herself »she is our creature We pay her and she must
attire herself to suit our ideas of propriety She must remember her station«
»What is it« Mutimer asked noticing that she had again smiled
»Nothing«
His pipe lit his limbs reposing in the easychair Mutimer became
expansive He requested Adelas attention whilst he rendered a full account of
all the moneys he had laid out and made a computation of the cost of living on
this basis
»The start once made« he said »you see it isnt a bit dearer than the
lodgings And the fact is I couldnt have done much in that hole Now here I
feel able to go to work It isnt in reality spending money on ourselves though
it may look like it You see I must have a place where people can call to see
me wed no room before«
He mused
»Youll write and tell your mother«
»Yes«
»Dont say anything about the money You havent done yet I suppose«
»No«
»Better not Thats our own business You can just say youre more
comfortable Of course« he added »theres no secret I shall let people
understand in time that I am carrying out the wishes of a Socialist friend
Thats simple enough But theres no need to talk about it just yet I must get
fairly going first«
His face gathered light as he proceeded
»Ah now Ill do something see if I dont You see the fact of the matter
is there are some men who are cut out for leading in a movement and I have the
kind of feeling well for one thing Im readier at public speaking than most
You think so dont you«
Adela was sewing together some chintzes She kept her eyes closely on the
work
»Yes I think so«
»Now the first thing I shall get done« her husband pursued a little
disappointed that she gave no warmer assent »is that book My Work at New
Wanley The Union ll publish it It ought to have a good sale in Belwick and
round about there You see I must get my name well known thats everything
When Ive got that off hand then I shall begin on the East End I mean to make
the East End my own ground Ill see if something cant be done to stir em up
I havent quite thought it out yet There must be some way of getting them to
take an interest in Socialism Now well see what can be done in twelve months
Whatll you bet me that I dont add a thousand members to the Union in this next
year«
»I dare say you can«
»Theres no dare say about it I mean to I begin to think Ive special good
luck things always turn out right in the end When I lost my work because I was
a Socialist then came Wanley Now Ive lost Wanley and here comes five hundred
a year for ten years I wonder who that poor fellow may be I suppose hell die
soon and then no doubt we shall hear his name I only wish there were a few
more like him«
»The East End« he resumed presently »Thats my ground Ill make the East
End know me as well as they know any man in England What we want is personal
influence Its no use asking them to get excited about a movement they must
have a man Just the same in bourgeois politics It isnt Liberalism they care
for its Gladstone Wait and see«
He talked for three hours at times as if he were already on the platform
before a crowd of East Enders who were shouting »Mutimer for ever« Adela fell
into physical weariness at length she with difficulty kept her eyes open His
language was a mere buzzing in her ears her thoughts were far away
My Work at New Wanley was written and published Keene had the glory of
revising the manuscript It made a pamphlet of thirtytwo pages and was in
reality an autobiography It presented the ideal working man the author stood
as a type for ever of the noble possibilities inherent in his class Written of
course in the first person it contained passages of monumental
selfsatisfaction Adela too was mentioned to her horror she found a glowing
description of the work she had done among the women and children After reading
that page she threw the pamphlet aside and hid her face in her hands She longed
for the earth to cover her
But the publication had no sale worth speaking of A hundred copies were got
rid of at the Socialist centres and a couple of hundred more when the price was
reduced from twopence to a penny This would not satisfy Mutimer He took the
remaining three hundred off the hands of the Union and sowed them broadcast over
the East End where already he was actively at work Then he had a thousand more
struck off and at every meeting which he held gave away numerous copies Keene
wrote to suggest that in a new edition there should be a woodcut portrait of the
author on the front Mutimer was delighted with the idea and at once had it
carried out
Through this winter and the spring that followed he worked hard It had
become a necessity of his existence to hear his name on the lips of men to be
perpetually in evidence Adela saw that day by day his personal vanity grew more
absorbing When he returned from a meeting he would occupy her for hours with a
recitation of the speeches he had made with a minute account of what others had
said of him He succeeded in forming a new branch of the Union in Clerkenwell
and by contributing half the rent obtained a room for meetings In this branch
he was King Mutimer
In the meantime the suit against Rodman was carried through it could have
of course but one result Rodman was sold up but the profit accruing to Hubert
Eldon was trifling for the costs were paid out of the estate and it appeared
that Rodman making hay whilst the sun shone had spent all but the whole of his
means There remained the question whether he was making fraudulent
concealments Mutimer was morally convinced that this was the case and would
vastly have enjoyed laying his former friend by the heels for the statutable six
weeks but satisfactory proofs were not to be obtained Through Mr Yottle
Eldon expressed the desire that as far as he was concerned the matter might
rest But it was by no means with pure zeal for justice that Mutimer had
proceeded thus far He began the suit in anger and as is wont to be the case
with litigants grew more bitter as it went on The selling up of Rodmans house
was an occasion of joy to him he went about singing and whistling
Adela marvelled that he could so entirely forget the sufferings of his
sister she had had so many proofs of his affection for Alice In fact he was
far from forgetting her but he made strange distinction between her and her
husband and had a feeling that in doing his utmost to injure Rodman he was in a
manner avenging Alice His love for Alice was in no degree weakened but if
the state can be understood he was jealous of the completeness with which she
had abandoned him to espouse the cause of her husband Alice had renounced her
brother she never saw him and declared that she never would speak to him
again And Mutimer had no fear lest she should suffer want Rodman had a
position of some kind in the City he and his wife lived for a while in
lodgings then took a house at Wimbledon
One of Mutimers greatest anxieties had been lest he should have a
difficulty henceforth in supporting his mother in the old house The economical
plan would have been for Adela and himself to go and live with the old woman
but he felt that to be impossible His mother would never become reconciled to
Adela and if the truth must be told he was ashamed to make known to Adela his
mothers excessive homeliness Then again he was still estranged from the old
woman Though he often thought of what Alice had said to him on that point
month after month went by and he could not make up his mind to go to Wilton
Square Having let the greater part of her house Mrs Mutimer needed little
pecuniary aid once she returned money which he had sent to her Arry still
lived with her and Arry was a neverending difficulty After his appearance in
the police court he retired for a week or two into private life that is to
say he contented himself with loafing about the streets of Hoxton and the City
and was at home by eleven oclock nightly perfectly sober The character of
this young man was that of a distinct class comprising the sons of mechanics
who are ruined morally by being taught to consider themselves above manual
labour Had he from the first been put to a craft he would in all likelihood
have been no worse than the ordinary English artisan probably drinking too
much and loafing on Mondays but not sinking below the level of his fellows in
the workshop His positive fault was that shared by his brother and sister
personal vanity It was encouraged from the beginning by immunity from the only
kind of work for which he was fitted and the undreamtof revolution in his
prospects gave fatal momentum to all his worst tendencies Keene and Rodman
successively did their best though unintentionally to ruin him He was now
incapable of earning his living by any continuous work Since his return to
London he had greatly extended his circle of acquaintances which consisted of
idle fellows of the same type youths who hang about the lowest fringe of
clerkdom till they definitely class themselves either with the criminal
community or with those who make a living by unrecognised pursuits which at any
time may chance to bring them within the clutches of the law To use a coarse
but expressive word he was a hopeless blackguard
Let us be just Arry had like every other man his better moments He knew
that he had made himself contemptible to his mother to Richard and to Alice
and the knowledge was so far from agreeable that it often drove him to
recklessness That was his way of doing homage to the better life he had no
power of will to resist temptation but he could go to meet it doggedly out of
sheer dissatisfaction with himself Our social state ensures destruction to such
natures it has no help for them no patient encouragement Naturally he
hardened himself in vicious habits Despised by his own people he soothed his
injured vanity by winning a certain predominance among the contemptible The
fact that he had been on the point of inheriting a fortune in itself gave him
standing he told his story in publichouses and elsewhere and relished the
distinction of having such a story to tell Even as his brother Richard could
not rest unless he was prominent as an agitator so it became a necessity to
Arry to lead in the ginpalace and the musichall He made himself the
aristocrat of rowdyism
But it was impossible to live without ready money and his mother though
supplying him with board and lodging refused to give him a penny He made
efforts on his own account to obtain employment but without result At last
there was nothing for it but to humble himself before Richard
He did it with an illenough grace Early one morning he presented himself
at the house in Holloway Richard was talking with his wife in the sittingroom
breakfast being still on the table On the visitors name being brought to him
he sent Adela away and allowed the scapegrace to be admitted
Arry shuffled to a seat and sat leaning forward holding his hat between
his knees
»Well what do you want« Richard asked severely He was glad that Arry had
at length come and he enjoyed assuming the magisterial attitude
»I want to find a place« Arry replied without looking up and in a dogged
voice »Ive been trying to get one and I cant I think you might help a
feller«
»Whats the good of helping you Youll be turned out of any place in a week
or two«
»No I shant«
»What sort of a place do you want«
»A clerks of course«
He pronounced the word clerk as it is spelt it made him seem yet more
ignoble
»Have you given up drink«
No answer
»Before I try to help you« said Mutimer »youll have to take the pledge«
»All right« Arry muttered
Then a thought occurred to Richard Bidding his brother stay where he was
he went in search of Adela and found her in an upper room
»Hes come to ask me to help him to get a place« he said »I dont know
very well how to set about it but I suppose I must do something He promises to
take the pledge«
»That will be a good thing« Adela replied
»Good if he keeps it But I cant talk to him Im sick of doing so And I
dont think he even listens to me« He hesitated »Do you think you would you
mind speaking to him I believe you might do him good«
Adela did not at once reply
»I know its a nasty job« he pursued »I wouldnt ask you if I didnt
really think you might do some good I dont see why he should go to the dogs
He used to be a good enough fellow when he was a little lad«
It was one of the most humane speeches Adela had ever heard from her
husband She replied with cheerfulness
»If you really think he wont take it amiss I shall be very glad to do my
best«
»Thats right thank you«
Adela went down and was alone with Arry for halfanhour She was young to
undertake such an office but suffering had endowed her with gravity and
understanding beyond her years and her native sweetness was such that she could
altogether forget herself in pleading with another for a good end No human
being however perverse could have taken ill the words that were dictated by so
pure a mind and uttered in so musical and gentle a voice She led Arry to
speak frankly
»It seems to me a precious hard thing« he said »that theyve let Dick keep
enough money to live on comfortable and wont give me a penny My right was as
good as his«
»Perhaps it was« Adela replied kindly »But you must remember that money
was left to your brother by the will«
»But you dont go telling me that he lives on two pounds a week Everybody
knows he doesnt Where does the rest come from«
»I dont think I must talk about that I think very likely your brother will
explain if you ask him seriously But is it really such a hard thing after all
Harry I feel so sure that you will only know real happiness when you are
earning a livelihood by steady and honourable work You remember how I used to
go and see the people in New Wanley I shall never forget how happy the best of
them were those who worked their hardest all day and at night came home to rest
with their families and friends And you yourself how contented you used to be
when your time was thoroughly occupied But Im sure you feel the truth of this
You have been disappointed it has made you a little careless Now work hard for
a year and then come and tell me if I wasnt right about that being the way to
happiness Will you«
She rose and held her hand to him the hand to which he should have knelt
But he said nothing there was an obstacle in his throat Adela understood his
silence and left him
Richard went to work among his friends and in a fortnight had found his
brother employment of a new kind It was a place in an ironmongers shop in
Hoxton Arry was to serve at the counter and learn the business For three
months he was on trial and would receive no salary
Two of the three months passed and all seemed to be going well Then one
day there came to Mutimer a telegram from Arrys employer it requested that he
would go to the shop as soon as possible Foreseeing some catastrophe he
hastened to Hoxton His brother was in custody for stealing money from the till
The ironmonger was inexorable Arry passed through the judicial routine and
was sentenced to three months of hard labour
It was in connection with this wretched affair that Richard once more met
his mother He went from the shop to tell her what had happened
He found her in the kitchen occupied as he had seen her many many times
ironing newly washed linen One of the lodgers happened to come out from the
house as he ascended the steps so he was able to go down without announcing
himself The old woman had a nervous start the iron stopped in its smooth
backward and forward motion the hand with which she held it trembled She kept
her eyes on Richards face which foretold evil
»Mother I have brought you bad news«
She pushed the iron aside and stood waiting Her hard lips grew harder her
deepset eyes had a stern light Not much ill could come to pass for which she
was not prepared
He tried to break the news His mother interrupted him
»Whats he been adoin Youve no need to go round about I like
straightforwardness«
Richard told her It did not seem to affect her strongly she turned to the
table and resumed her work But she could no longer guide the iron She pushed
it aside and faced her son with such a look as one may see in the eyes of a weak
animal cruelly assailed Her tongue found its freedom and bore her whither it
would
»What did I tell you What was it I said that night you come in and told me
you was all rich Didnt I warn you that thered no good come of it Didnt I
say youd remember my words You laughed at me you got sharptempered with me
an as good as called me a fool An what has come of it Whats come of it to
me I had a ome once an children about me an now Ive neither the one nor
the other You call it a ome with strangers takin up well nigh all the ouse
Not such a ome as I thought to end my days in It fair scrapes on my heart
every time I hear their feet going up an down the stairs An where are my
children gone Two of em as ud never think to come near me if it wasnt to
bring ill news an one in prison How ud that sound in your fathers ears
think you I may have been a fool but I knew what ud come of a workin mans
children goin to live in big ouses with their servants an their carriages
What better are you Its come an its gone an theres shame an misery left
beind it«
Richard listened without irritation he was heavyhearted the shock of his
brothers disgrace had disposed him to see his life on its dark side And he
pitied his poor old mother She had never been tender in her words could not be
tender but he saw in her countenance the suffering through which she had gone
and read grievous things in the eyes that could no longer weep For once he
yielded to rebuke Her complaint that he had not come to see her touched him
for he had desired to come but could not subdue his pride Her voice was
feebler than when he last heard it raised in reproach it reminded him that
there would come a day when he might long to hear even words of upbraiding but
the voice would be mute for ever It needed a moment such as this to stir his
sluggish imagination
»What you say is true mother but we couldnt help it Its turned out
badly because we live in bad times Its the state of society thats to blame«
He was sincere in saying it that is to say he used the phrase so
constantly that it had become his natural utterance in difficulty it may be
that in his heart he believed it Who indeed shall say that he was wrong But
what made such an excuse so disagreeable in his case was that he had not
intellectually speaking the right to avail himself of it The difference
between truth and cant often lies only in the lips that give forth the words
»Yes thats what you always said« replied Mrs Mutimer impatiently »Its
always someone else as is to blame an never yourself The worlds a good
enough world if folk ud only make it so Was it the bad times as made you leave
a good honest girl when youd promised to marry her No you must have a fine
lady for your wife a plain girl as earnt her own bread an often had hard work
to get it wasnt good enough for you Dont talk to me about bad times Theres
some men as does right an some as does wrong it always was so an the worlds
no worse nor no better an not likely to be«
The poor woman could not be generous A concession only led her on to speak
the thoughts it naturally suggested to her And her very bitterness was an
outcome of her affection it soothed her to rail at her son after so long a
silence He had injured her by his holding aloof she was urged on by this
feeling quite as much as by anger with his faults And still Mutimer showed no
resentment In him too there was a pleasure which came of memories revived
Let her say to him what she liked he loved his mother and was glad to be once
more in her presence
»I wish I could have pleased you better mother« he said »Whats done
cant be helped Weve trouble to bear together and it wont be lighter for
angry words«
The old woman muttered something inaudible and after feeling her iron and
discovering that it was cold she put it down before the fire Her tongue had
eased itself, and she fell again into silent grief
Mutimer sat listening to the tick of the familiar clock That and the smell
of the fresh linen made his old life very present to him there arose in his
heart a longing for the past it seemed peaceful and fuller of genuine interests
than the life he now led He remembered how he used to sit before the kitchen
fire reading the books and papers which stirred his thought to criticism of the
order of things nothing now absorbed him in the same way Coming across a
sentence that delighted him he used to read it aloud to his mother who
perchance was ironing as now or sewing or preparing a meal and she would find
something to say against it so that there ensued a vigorous debate between her
oldfashioned ideas and the brandnew theories of the age of education Then
Alice would come in and make the dispute a subject for sprightly mockery Alice
was the Princess in those days He quarrelled with her often but only to resume
the tone of affectionate banter an hour after Alice was now Mrs Rodman and
had declared that she hated him that in her life she would never speak to him
again Would it not have been better if things had gone the natural course
Alice would no doubt have married Daniel Dabbs and would have made him a good
wife if a rather wilful one Arry would have given trouble but surely could
not have come to hopeless shame He Richard would have had Emma Vine for his
wife a true wife loving him with all her heart thinking him the best and
cleverest of working men Adela did not love him what she thought of his
qualities it was not easy to say Yes the old and natural way was better He
would have had difficulties enough because of his opinions but at least he
would have continued truly to represent his class He knew very well that he did
not represent it now he belonged to no class at all he was a professional
agitator and must remain so through his life or till the Revolution came The
Revolution
His mother was speaking to him asking what he meant to do about Arry He
raised his eyes and for a moment looked at her sadly
»Theres nothing to be done I can pay a lawyer but itll be no good«
He remained with his mother for yet an hour they talked intermittently
without in appearance coming nearer to each other though in fact the barrier
was removed She made tea for him and herself made pretence of taking some
When he went away he kissed her as he had used to He left her happier than she
had been for years in spite of the news he had brought
Thenceforward Mutimer went to Wilton Square regularly once a week He let
Adela know of this saying casually one morning that he could not do something
that day because his mother would expect him in the afternoon as usual He half
hoped that she might put some question which would lead to talk on the subject
for the reconciliation with his mother had brought about a change in his
feelings and it would now have been rather agreeable to him to exhibit his
beautiful and gentlemannered wife But Adela merely accepted the remark
He threw himself into the work of agitation with more energy than ever By
this time he had elaborated a scheme which was original enough to ensure him
notoriety if only he could advertise it sufficiently throughout the East End He
hit upon it one evening when he was smoking his pipe after dinner Adela was in
the room with him reading He took her into his confidence at once
»Ive got it at last I want something thatll attract their attention It
isnt enough to preach theories to them they wont wake up theres no getting
them to feel in earnest about Socialism Ive been racking my brain for
something to set them talking it didnt much matter what but better of course
if it was useful in itself at the same time Now I think Ive got it Its a
plan for giving them a personal interest a money interest in me and my ideas
Ill go and say to them How is it you men never save any money even when you
could Ill tell you its because the savings would be so little that they
dont seem worth while you think you might as well go and enjoy yourselves in
the publichouse while you can Whats the use of laying up a few shillings The
money comes and goes and its all in a life Very well then Ill put my plan
before them Now look here Ill say instead of spending so much on beer and
spirits come to me and let me keep your money for you Theyll burst out
laughing at me and say Catch us doing that Yes but Ill persuade them see
if I dont And in this way Suppose Ill say theres five hundred men bring
me threepence each every week Now what man of you doesnt spend threepence a
week in drink get the coppers how he may Do you know how much that comes to
five hundred threepenny bits Why its six pounds five shillings And do you
know what that comes to in a year Why no less than three hundred and
twentyfive pounds Now just listen to that and think about it Those
threepenny bits are no use to you you cant save them and you spend them in a
way that does you no good and it may be harm Now what do you think Ill do
with that money Why Ill use it as the capitalists do Ill put it out to
interest Ill get three per cent for it and perhaps more But lets say three
per cent Whats the result Why this in one year your three hundred and
twentyfive pounds has become three hundred and thirtyfour pounds fifteen I
owe each of you thirteen shillings and fourpence halfpenny and a fraction
more«
He had already jotted down calculations and read from them looking up
between times at Adela with the air of conviction which he would address to his
audience of East Enders
»Now if youd only saved the thirteen shillings which you wouldnt and
couldnt have done by yourselves it would be well worth the while but youve
got the interest as well and the point I want you to understand is that you can
only get that increase by clubbing together and investing the savings as a
whole You may say fourpence halfpenny isnt worth having Perhaps not but
those of you whove learnt arithmetic be thankful if our social state allowed
you to learn anything will remember that theres such a thing as compound
interest Its a trick the capitalists found out Interest was a good discovery
but compound interest a good deal better Leave your money with me a second
year and itll grow more still Ill see to that Youre all able Ive no
doubt to make the calculation for yourselves«
He paused to see what Adela would say
»No doubt it will be a very good thing if you can persuade them to save in
that way« she remarked
»Good yes but Im not thinking so much of the money Dont you see that
itll give me a hold over them Every man who wants to save on my plan must join
the Union Theyll come together regularly I can get at them and make them
listen to me Why its a magnificent idea Its fighting the capitalists with
their own weapons Youll see what the Tocsin ll say Of course theyll make
out that Im going against Socialist principles So I am but its for the sake
of Socialism for all that If I make Socialists it doesnt much matter how I do
it«
Adela could have contested that point but did not care to do so She said
»Are you sure you can persuade the men to trust you with their money«
»Thats the difficulty I know but see if I dont get over it Ill have a
committee holding themselves responsible for all sums paid to us Ill publish
weekly accounts just a leaflet you know And do you know what Ill promise
that as soon as theyve trusted me with a hundred pounds Ill add another
hundred of my own See if that wont fetch them«
As usual when he saw a prospect of noisy success he became excited beyond
measure and talked incessantly till midnight
»Other men dont have these ideas!« he exclaimed at one moment »Thats what
I meant when I told you I was born to be a leader And Ive the secret of
getting peoples confidence Theyll trust me see if they dont«
In spite of Adelas unbroken reserve he had seldom been other than cordial
in his behaviour to her since the recommencement of his prosperity His active
life gave him no time to brood over suspicions though his mind was not
altogether free from them He still occasionally came home at hours when he
could not be expected but Adela was always occupied either with housework or
reading and received him with the cold selfpossession which came of her
understanding his motives Her life was lonely since a visit they had received
from Alfred at the past Christmas she had seen no friend One day in spring
Mutimer asked her if she did not wish to see Mrs Westlake she replied that she
had no desire to and he said nothing more Stella did not write she had ceased
to do so since receiving a certain lengthy letter from Adela in which the
latter begged that their friendship might feed on silence for a while When the
summer came there were pressing invitations from Wanley but Adela declined
them Alfred and his wife were going again to South Wales was it impossible for
Adela to join them Letty wrote a letter full of affectionate pleading but it
was useless
In August Mutimer proposed to take his wife for a week to the Sussex coast
He wanted a brief rest himself and he saw that Adela was yet more in need of
change She never complained of illhealth but was weak and pale With no
inducement to leave the house it was much if she had an hours openair
exercise in the week often the mere exertion of rising and beginning the day
was followed by a sick languor which compelled her to lie all the afternoon on
the couch She studied much reading English and foreign books which required
mental exertion They were not works relating to the Social Question far
other The volumes she used to study were a burden and a loathing to her as
often as her eyes fell upon them
In her letters from Wanley there was never a word of what was going on in
the valley Week after week she looked eagerly for some hint yet was relieved
when she found none For it had become her habit to hand over to Mutimer every
letter she received He read them
Shortly after their return from the seaside Arrys term of imprisonment
came to an end He went to his mothers house and Richard first saw him there
Punishment had had its usual effect Arry was obstinately taciturn conscious
of his degradation inwardly at war with all his kind
»Theres only one thing I can do for you now« his brother said to him
»Ill pay your passage to Australia Then you must shift for yourself«
Arry refused the offer
»Give me the money instead« was his reply
Argument was vain Richard and the old woman passed to entreaty but with as
little result
»Give me ten pounds and let me go about my business« Arry exclaimed
irritably »I want no more from you and you wont get any good out o me by
jawin«
The money was of course refused in the hope that a week or two would change
the poor fellows mind But two days after he went out and did not return
Nothing was heard of him Mrs Mutimer sat late every night listening for a
knock at the door Sometimes she went and stood on the steps looking hither and
thither in the darkness But Arry came no more to Wilton Square
Mutimer had been pressing on his scheme for five months Every night he
addressed a meeting somewhere or other in the East End every Sunday he lectured
morning and evening at his headquarters in Clerkenwell Ostensibly he was
working on behalf of the Union but in reality he was forming a party of his
own and would have started a paper could he have commanded the means The
Tocsin was savagely hostile the Fiery Cross grew more and more academical till
it was practically an organ of what is called in Germany KathederSozialismus
Those who wrote for it were quite distinct from the agitators of the street and
of the Socialist halls men and women with a turn for advanced speculation
with anxiety for style At length the name of the paper was changed and it
appeared as the Beacon adorned with a headpiece by the wellknown artist Mr
Boscobel Mutimer glanced through the pages and flung it aside in scornful
disgust
»I knew what this was coming to« he said to Adela »A deal of good theyll
do You dont find Socialism in drawingrooms I wonder that fellow Westlake has
the impudence to call himself a Socialist at all living in the way he does
Perhaps he thinks hell be on the safe side when the Revolution comes Ha ha
We shall see«
The Revolution In the meantime the cry was Democratic Capitalism That
was the name Mutimer gave to his scheme The Fiery Cross had only noticed his
work in a brief paragraph a few words of faint and vague praise »Our comrades
noteworthy exertions in the East End The gain to temperance and
selfrespecting habits which must surely result « The Beacon however dealt
with the movement more fully and on the whole in a friendly spirit
»Damn their patronage« cried Mutimer
You should have seen him addressing a crowd collected by chance in Hackney
or Poplar The slightest encouragement even one name to inscribe in the book
which he carried about with him was enough to fire his eloquence nay it was
enough to find himself standing on his chair above the heads of the gathering
His voice had gained in timbre he grew more and more perfect in his delivery
like a conscientious actor who plays night after night in a part that he enjoys
And it was well that he had this inner support this brio of the born demagogue
for often enough he spoke under circumstances which would have damped the zeal
of any other man The listeners stood with their hands in their pockets
doubting whether to hear him to the end or to take their wonted way to the
publichouse One moment their eyes would be fixed upon him filmy
unintelligent then they would look at one another with a leer of cunning or at
best a doubtful grin Socialism forsooth They were as ready for translation to
supernal spheres Yet some of them were attracted percentage interest
compound interest after all there might be something in this And perhaps they
gave their names and their threepenny bits engaging to make the deposit
regularly on the day and at the place arranged for in Mutimers elaborate
scheme What is there a man cannot get if he asks for it boldly and persistently
enough
The year had come full circle it was time that Mutimer received another
remittance from his anonymous supporter He needed it for he had been laying
out money without regard to the future Not only did he need it for his own
support already he and his committee held sixty pounds of trust money and
before long he might be called upon to fulfil his engagement and contribute a
hundred pounds the promised hundred which had elicited more threepences than
all the rest of his eloquence A week a month six weeks and he had heard
nothing Then there came one day a communication couched in legal terms signed
by a solicitor It was to the effect that his benefactor name and address
given in full had just died The decease was sudden and though the draft of a
will had been discovered it had no signature and was consequently inoperative
But pursued the lawyer it having been the intention of the deceased to
bequeath to Mutimer an annuity of five hundred pounds for nine years the
administrators were unwilling altogether to neglect their friends wish and
begged to make an offer of the one years payment which it seemed was already
due For more than that they could not hold themselves responsible
Before speaking to Adela Mutimer made searching inquiries He went to the
Midland town where his benefactor had lived and was only too well satisfied of
the truth of what had been told him He came back with his final five hundred
pounds
Then he informed his wife of what had befallen He was not cheerful but
with five hundred pounds in his pocket he could not be altogether depressed
What might not happen in a year He was becoming prominent there had been
mention of him lately in London journals Pooh as if he would ever really want
»The great thing« he exclaimed »is that I can lay down the hundred pounds
If Id failed in that it would have been all up Come now why cant you give
me a bit of encouragement Adela I tell you what it is Theres no place where
Im thought so little of as in my own home and thats a fact«
She did not worship him she made no pretence of it Her cold pale beauty
had not so much power over him as formerly but it still chagrined him keenly as
often as he was reminded that he had no high place in his wifes judgment He
knew well enough that it was impossible for her to admire him he was conscious
of the thousand degrading things he had said and done every one of them stored
in her memory Perhaps not once since that terrible day in the Pentonville
lodgings had he looked her straight in the eyes Yes her beauty appealed to him
less than even a year ago Adela knew it and it was the one solace in her
living death Perhaps occasion could again have stung him into jealousy but
Adela was no longer a vital interest in his existence He lived in external
things his natural life Passion had been an irregularity in his development
Yet he would gladly have had his wifes sympathy He neither loved nor hated
her but she was for ever above him and however unconsciously he longed for
her regard Irreproachable reticent it might be dying Adela would no longer
affect interests she did not feel To these present words of his she replied
only with a grave not unkind look a look he could not understand yet which
humbled rather than irritated him
The servant opened the door and announced a visitor »Mr Hilary«
Mutimer seemed struck with a thought as he heard the name
»The very man« he exclaimed below his breath with a glance at Adela »Just
run off and let us have this room My luck wont desert me see it it does«
Chapter XXXIII
Mr Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town
house and of the greater part of his means but his exasperation happily did not
seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife It might very well have done so
would all but certainly had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her
zeal in espousing his cause against her brother That he could turn her round
his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on
his behalf when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him
and even abandoning him struck him as a highly comical instance of his power
over women a power on which he had always prided himself He could not even
explain it as selfinterest in her numberless things proved the contrary Alice
was still his slave though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to
preserve even her respect He had shown himself to her freely as he was
jocosely cynical on everything that women prize brutal when he chose to give
way to his temper faithless on principle selfish to the core perhaps the
secret of the fascination he exercised over her was his very ingenuousness his
boldness in defying fortune his clever grasp of circumstances She said to him
one day when he had been telling her that as likely as not she might have to
take in washing or get up a sewingmachine
»I am not afraid You can always get money Theres nothing you cant do«
He laughed
»That may be true But how if I disappear some day and leave you to take
care of yourself«
He had often threatened this in his genial way and it never failed to
blanch her cheeks
»If you do that« she said »I shall kill myself«
At which he laughed yet more loudly
In her house at Wimbledon she perished of ennui for she was as lonely as
Adela in Holloway Much lonelier she had no resources in herself Rodman was
away all day in London and very often he did not return at night when the
latter was the case Alice cried miserably in her bed for hours so that the
next morning her face was like that of a wax doll that has suffered illusage
She had an endless supply of novels and day after day bent over them till her
head ached Poor Princess She had had her own romance in its way brilliant and
strange enough but only the rags of it were left She clung to them she hoped
against hope that they would yet recover their gloss and shimmer If only he
would not so neglect her All else affected her but little now that she really
knew what it meant to see her husband utterly careless not to be held by any
pettings or entreaties She heard through him of her brother Arrys disgrace
it scarcely touched her Her brother Richard she was never tired of railing
against railed so much indeed that it showed she by no means hated him as
much as she declared But nothing would have mattered if only her husband had
cared for her
She had once said to Adela that she disliked children and hoped never to
have any It was now her despair that she remained childless Perhaps that was
why he had lost all affection
In the summer Rodman once quitted her for nearly three weeks during which
she only heard from him once He was in Ireland and he asserted on business
The famous Irish Dairy Company soon to occupy a share of public attention was
getting itself on foot It was Rodman who promoted the company and who became
its secretary though the name of that functionary in all printed matter
appeared as Robert Delancey However I only mention it for the present to
explain our friends absence in Ireland Alice often worked herself up to a
pitch of terror lest her husband had fulfilled his threat and really deserted
her He returned when it suited him to do so and tortured her with a story of a
wealthy Irish widow who had fallen desperately in love with him
»And Ive a good mind to marry her« he added with an air of serious
reflection »Of course I didnt let her know my real name I could manage it
very nicely and you would never know anything about it I should remit you all
the money you wanted you neednt be afraid«
Alice tried to assume a face of stony indignation but as usual she ended by
breaking down and shedding tears Then he told her that she was getting plainer
than ever and that it all came of her perpetual waterworks
Alice hit upon a brilliant idea What if she endeavoured to make him
jealous In spite of her entreaties he never would take her to town though he
saw that she was perishing for lack of amusement Suppose she made him believe
that she had gone on her own account and at the invitation of someone whose
name she would not divulge I believe she found the trick in one of her novels
The poor child went to work most conscientiously One morning when he came down
to breakfast she pretended to have been reading a letter crushed an old
envelope into her pocket on his entering the room and affected confusion He
observed her
»Had a letter« he asked
»Yes no Nothing of any importance«
He smiled and applied himself to the ham then left her in his ordinary way
without a word of courtesy and went to town She had asked him particularly
when he should be back that night He named the train which reached Wimbledon a
little after ten
They had only one servant Alice took the girl into her confidence said she
was going to play a trick and it must not be spoilt By ten oclock at night
she was dressed for going out and when she heard her husbands latchkey at the
front door she slipped out at the back It way her plan to walk about the roads
for half an hour then to enter and make the best of the situation
Rodman unable to find his wife summoned the servant
»Where is your mistress«
»Out sir«
He examined the girl shrewdly with his eyes and with words It was
perfectly true that women of a kind could not resist him In the end he
discovered exactly what had happened He laughed his wonted laugh of cynical
merriment
»Go to bed« he said to the servant »And if you hear anyone at the door
pay no attention«
Then he locked up the house front and back and having extinguished all
lights except a small lantern by which he could read in the sittingroom without
danger of its being discerned from outside sat down with a sense of amusement
Presently there came a ring at the bell it was repeated again and again The
month was October the night decidedly cool Rodman chuckled to himself he had
a steaming glass of whisky before him and sipped it delicately The ringing
continued for a quarter of an hour then five minutes passed and no sound came
Rodman stepped lightly to the front door listened heard nothing unlocked and
opened Alice was standing in the middle of the road her hands crossed over her
breast and holding her shoulders as though she suffered from the cold She came
forward and entered the house without speaking
In the sittingroom she found the lantern and looked at her husband in
surprise His face was stern
»Whats all this« he asked sharply
»Ive been to London« she answered her teeth chattering with cold and her
voice uncertain from fear
»Been to London And what business had you to go without telling me«
He spoke savagely Alice was sinking with dread but even yet had sufficient
resolve to keep up the comedy
»I had an invitation I dont see why I shouldnt go I dont ask you who
you go about with«
The table was laid for supper Rodman darted to it seized a carvingknife
and in an instant was holding it to her throat She shrieked and fell upon her
knees her face ghastly with mortal terror Then Rodman burst out laughing and
showed that his anger had been feigned
She had barely strength to rise but at length stood before him trembling
and sobbing unable to believe that he had not been in earnest
»You neednt explain the trick« he said with the appearance of great
goodhumour »but just tell me why you played it Did you think I should believe
you were up to something queer eh«
»You must think what you like« she sobbed utterly humiliated
He roared with laughter
»What a splendid idea The Princess getting tired of propriety and making
appointments in London Little fool do you think I should care one straw Why
shouldnt you amuse yourself«
Alice looked at him with eyes of wondering misery
»Do you mean that you dont care enough for me to to «
»Dont care one farthings worth And to think you went and walked about in
the mud and the east wind Well if that isnt the best joke I ever heard Ill
have a rare laugh over this story with some men I know tomorrow«
She crept away to her bedroom He had gone far towards killing the love that
had known no rival in her heart
He bantered her ceaselessly through breakfast next morning and for the
first time she could find no word to reply to him Her head drooped she touched
nothing on the table Before going off he asked her what the appointment was for
today and advised her not to forget her latchkey Alice scarcely heard him
she was shamestricken and wobegone
Rodman on the other hand had never been in better spirits The Irish Dairy
Company was attracting purchasers of shares It was the kind of scheme which
easily recommended itself to a host of the foolish people who are ever ready to
risk their money also to some not quite so foolish The prospectus could show
some respectable names one or two Irish lords a member of Parliament some
known capitalists The profits could not but be considerable and think of the
good to the unhappy sister country as the circular said Butter cheese eggs
of unassailable genuineness to be sold in England at absurdly low prices yet
still putting the producers on a footing of comfort and proud independence One
of the best ideas that had yet occurred to Mr Robert Delancey
He the said Mr Delancey alias Mr Willis Rodman alias certain other
names spent much of his time just now in the society of a Mr Hilary a
gentleman who like himself had seen men and manners in various quarters of the
globe and was at present making a tolerable income by the profession of
philanthropy Mr Hilarys name appeared among the directors of the company it
gave confidence to many who were familiar with it in connection with not a few
enterprises started for the benefit of this or that depressed nationality this
or the other exploited class He wrote frequently to the newspapers on the most
various subjects he was known to members of Parliament through his persistent
endeavours to obtain legislation with regard to certain manufactures proved to
be gravely deleterious to the health of those employed in them Today Mr
Delancey and Mr Hilary passed some hours together in the latters chambers
Their talk was of the company
»So you saw Mutimer about it« Rodman asked turning to a detail in which he
was specially interested
»Yes He is anxious to have shares«
Mr Hilary was a man of past middle age longbearded somewhat cadaverous
of hue His head was venerable
»You were careful not to mention me«
»I kept your caution in mind«
Their tone to each other was one of perfect gravity Mr Hilary even went
out of his way to choose becoming phrases
»He wont have anything to do with it if he gets to know who R Delancey
is«
»I was prudent believe me I laid before him the aspects of the undertaking
which would especially interest him I made it clear to him that our enterprise
is no less one of social than of commercial importance he entered into our
views very heartily The first time I saw him I merely invited him to glance
over our prospectus yesterday he was more than willing to join our association
and share our profits«
»Did he tell you how much hed got out of those poor devils over there«
»A matter of sixty pounds I gathered I am not a little astonished at his
success«
»Oh hed talk the devil himself into subscribing to a mission if it suited
him to try«
»He is clearly very anxious to get the highest interest possible for his
money His ideas on business seemed I confess rather vague I did my best to
help him with suggestions«
»Of course«
»He talked of taking some five hundred pounds worth of shares on his own
account«
The men regarded each other Rodmans lips curled Mr Hilary was as grave
as ever
»You didnt balk him«
»I commended his discretion«
Rodman could not check a laugh
»I am serious« said Mr Hilary »It may take a little time but «
»Just so Did he question you at all about what we were doing«
»A good deal He said he should go and look over the Stores in the Strand«
»By all means Hes a clever man if he distinguishes between Irish butter
and English butterine Im sure I couldnt And things really are looking up at
the Stores«
»Oh distinctly«
»Bytheby I had rather a nasty letter from Lord Mountorry yesterday Hes
beginning to ask questions wants to know when were going to conclude our
contract with that tenant of his Ive forgotten the fellows name«
»Well that must be looked into Theres perhaps no reason why the contract
should not be concluded Little by little we may come to justify our name who
knows In the meantime we at all events do a bonâ fide business«
»Strictly so«
Rodman had a good deal of business on hand besides that which arose from his
connection with Irish dairies If Alice imagined him strolling at his ease about
the fashionable lounges of the town she was much mistaken He worked hard and
enjoyed his work on the sole condition that he was engaged in overreaching
someone This flattered his humour
He could not find leisure to dine till nearly nine oclock He had made up
his mind not to return to Wimbledon but to make use of a certain piedàterre
which he had in Pimlico His days work ended in Westminster he dined at a
restaurant with a friend Afterwards billiards were proposed They entered a
house which Rodman did not know and were passing before the bar to go to the
billiardroom when a man who stood there taking refreshment called out »Hollo
Rodman« To announce a mans name in this way is a decided breach of etiquette
in the world to which Rodman belonged He looked annoyed and would have passed
on but his acquaintance who had perhaps exceeded the limits of modest
refreshment called him again and obliged him to approach the bar As he did so
Rodman happened to glance at the woman who stood ready to fulfil the expected
order The glance was followed by a short but close scrutiny after which he
turned his back and endeavoured by a sign to draw his two acquaintances away
But at the same moment the barmaid addressed him
»What is yours Mr Rodman«
He shrugged his shoulders muttered a strong expression and turned round
again The woman met his look steadily She was perhaps thirty rather tall
with features more refined than her position would have led one to expect Her
figure was good but meagre her cheeks were very thin and the expression of her
face not quite amiable at any time was at present almost fierce She seemed
about to say something further but restrained herself
Rodman recovered his good temper
»How do Clara« he said keeping his eye fixed on hers »Ill have a drop
of absinthe if you please«
Then he pursued his conversation with the two men The woman having served
them disappeared Rodman kept looking for her In a few minutes he pretended to
recollect an engagement and succeeded in going off alone As he issued on to the
pavement he found himself confronted by the barmaid who now wore a hat and
cloak
»Well« he said carelessly
»Rodmans your name is it« was the reply
»To my particular friends Lets walk on we cant chat here very well«
»What is to prevent me from calling that policeman and giving you in
charge« she asked looking into his face with a strange mixture of curiosity
and anger
»Nothing except that you have no charge to make against me The law isnt
so obliging as all that Come well take a walk«
She moved along by his side
»You coward« she exclaimed passionately but with none of the shrieking
virulence of women who like to make a scene in the street »You mean
contemptible coldblooded man I suppose you hoped I was starved to death by
this time or in the workhouse or what did you care where I was I knew I
should find you some day«
»I rather supposed you would stay on the other side of the water« Rodman
remarked glancing at her »Youre changed a good deal Now its a most
extraordinary thing Not so very long ago I was dreaming about you and you were
serving at a bar queer thing wasnt it«
They were walking towards Whitehall When they came at length into an
illlighted and quiet spot the woman stopped
»Where do you live« she asked
»Live Oh just out here in Pimlico Like to see my rooms«
»What do you mean by talking to me like that Do you make a joke of
deserting your wife and child for seven years leaving them without a penny
going about enjoying yourself when for anything you knew they were begging
their bread You always were heartless it was the blackest day of my life that
I met you and you ask me if Id like to see your rooms What thanks to you that
Im not as vile a creature as there is in London How was I to support myself
and the child What was I to do when they turned me into the streets of New York
because I couldnt pay what you owed them nor the rent of a room to sleep in
You took good care you never went hungry Id only one thing to hold me up I
was an honest woman and I made up my mind Id keep honest though I had such a
man as you for my husband Ive hungered and worked and Ive made a living for
myself and my child as best I could Im not like you Ive done nothing to
disgrace myself Now I will slave no more You wont run away from me this time
Leave me for a single night and I go to the nearest policestation and tell all
I know about you If I wasnt a fool Id do it now But Ive hungered and worked
for seven years and now its time my husband did something for me«
»You always had a head for argument Clara« he replied coolly »But I cant
get over that dream of mine Really a queer thing wasnt it Whod have thought
of you turning barmaid With your education I should have thought you could
have done something in the teaching line Never mind The queerest thing of all
is that Im really half glad to see you Hows Jack«
The extraordinary conversation went on as they walked towards the street
where Clara lived It was in a poor part of Westminster Reaching the house
Clara opened the door with a latchkey
Two women were standing in the passage
»This is my husband Mrs Rook« Clara said to one of them »Hes just got
back from abroad«
»Glad to see you Mr Williamson« said the landlady scrutinising him with
unmistakable suspicion
The pair ascended the stairs and Mrs Williamson she had always used the
name she received in marriage opened a door which disclosed a dark bedroom A
voice came from within the voice of a little lad of eight years old
»That you mother Why Ive only just put myself to bed What time is it«
»Then you ought to have gone to bed long ago« replied his mother whilst she
was striking a light
It was a very small room but decent The boy was discovered sitting up in
bed a brightfaced little fellow with black hair Clara closed the door then
turned and looked at her husband The light made a glistening appearance on her
eyes she had become silent allowing facts to speak for themselves
The child stared at the stranger in astonishment
»Who are you« he asked at length
Rodman laughed as heartily as if there had been nothing disagreeable in the
situation
»I have the honour to be your father sir« he replied »Youre a fine boy
Jack a deuced fine boy«
The child was speechless Rodman turned to the mother Her hands held the
rail at the foot of the bed and as the boy looked up at her for explanation she
let her face fall upon them and sobbed
»If youre father come back« exclaimed Jack indignantly »why do you make
mother cry«
Rodman was still mirthful
»I like you Jack« he said »Youll make a man some day Do you mind if I
smoke a cigar Clara«
To his astonishment he felt a weakness which had to be resisted tobacco
suggested itself as a resource When he had struck a light his wife forced back
her tears and seated herself with an unforgiving countenance
Rodman began to chat pleasantly as he smoked
Decidedly it was a contretemps It introduced a number of difficulties into his
life If he remained away for a night he had little doubt that his wife would
denounce him she knew of several little matters which he on the whole preferred
to be reticent about She was not a woman like Alice to be turned round his
finger It behoved him to be exceedingly cautious
He had three personalities As Mr Willis Rodman his task was comparatively
a light one at all events for the present He merely informed Alice by letter
that he was kept in town by business and would see her in the course of a week
It was very convenient that Alice had no intercourse with her relatives
Secondly as Mr Williamson his position was somewhat more difficult Not only
had he to present himself every night at the rooms he had taken in Brixton but
it was necessary to take precautions lest his abode should be discovered by
those who might make awkward use of the knowledge He had moreover to keep
Clara in the dark as to his real occupations and prevent her from knowing his
resorts in town Lastly as Mr Robert Delancey he had to deal with matters of a
very delicate nature indeed in themselves quite enough to occupy a mans mental
energy But our friend was no ordinary man If you are not as yet satisfied of
that it will ere long be made abundantly clear to you
His spirits were as high as ever When he said with an ingenious brutality
all his own that he was more than half glad to see his wife he for a wonder
told the truth But perhaps it was little Jack who gave him most pleasure and
did most to reconcile him to the difficulties of his situation In a day or two
he conquered the childs affections so completely that Jack seemed to care
little for his mother in comparison Jack could not know the hardships she had
endured for his sake Rodman so we will continue to call him for convenience
sake already began to talk of what he would make the lad who certainly gave
promise of parts. The result of this was that for a week or two our friend
became an exemplary family man His wife almost dared to believe that her
miseries were over Yet she watched him with lynx eyes
The Irish Dairy Company flourished Rodman rubbed his hands with a sinister
satisfaction when he inscribed among the shareholders the name of Richard
Mutimer who invested all the money he had collected from the EastEnders and
three hundred pounds of his own not five hundred as he had at first thought
of doing Mutimer had the consent of his committee whom he persuaded without
much difficulty the money was not theirs that by this means he would
increase his capital beyond all expectation He told Adela what he had done
»Theres not the least risk Theyve got the names of several lords And it
isnt a mere commercial undertaking the first object is to benefit the Irish
so that there can be nothing against my principles in it They promise a
dividend of thirty per cent What a glorious day it will be when I tell the
people what I have made of their money Now confess that it isnt everyone could
have hit on this idea«
Of course he made no public announcement of his speculation that would have
been to spoil the surprise But he could not refrain from talking a good deal
about the Company to his friends He explained with zeal the merit of the
scheme it was dealing directly with the producers the poor smallfarmers who
could never get fair treatment He saw a great deal of Mr Hilary who was
vastly interested in his EastEnd work A severe winter had begun Threepenny
bits came in now but slowly and Mutimer exerted himself earnestly to relieve
the growing want in what he called his parishes He began in truth to do some
really good work moving heaven and earth to find employment for those long out
of it and even bestowing money of his own At night he would return to Holloway
worn out and distress Adela with descriptions of the misery he had witnessed
»Im not sorry for it« he once exclaimed »I cannot be sorry Let things
get worse and worse the mendingll be all the nearer Why dont they march in a
body to the West End I dont mean march in a violent sense though thatll have
to come I expect But why dont they make a huge procession and go about the
streets in an orderly way just to let it be seen what their numbers are just
to give the West End a hint Ill propose that one of these days Itll be a
risky business but we cant think of that when thousands are half starving I
could lead them I feel sure I could It wants someone with authority over them
and I think Ive got that Theres no telling what I may do yet I say Adela
how would it sound Richard Mutimer First President of the English Republic«
And in the meantime Alice sat in her house at Wimbledon abandoned The
solitude seemed to be driving her mad Rodman came down very occasionally for a
few hours in the daytime but never passed a night with her He told her he had
a great affair on hand a very great affair which was to make their fortunes
ten times over She must be patient women couldnt understand business If she
resisted his coaxing and grumbled he always had his threat ready He would
realise his profits and make off leaving her in the lurch Weeks became months
In pique at the betrayal of her famous stratagem Alice had wanted to dismiss
her servant but Rodman objected to this She was driven by desperation to
swallow her pride and make a companion of the girl But she did not complain to
her of her husband partly out of self-respect partly because she was afraid
to Indeed it was a terrible time for the poor Princess She spent the greater
part of every day in a state of apathy for the rest she wept Many a time she
was on the point of writing to Richard but could not quite bring herself to
that She could not leave the house for it rained or snowed day after day the
sun seemed to have deserted the heavens as completely as joy her life She grew
feebleminded tried to amuse herself with childish games played Beggar My
Neighbour with the servant for hours at night She had fits of hysteria and
terrified her sole companion with senseless laughter or with alarming screams
Reading she was no longer equal to after a few pages she lost her understanding
of a story And her glass as well as her husband told her that she suffered
daily in her appearance Her hair was falling she one day told the servant that
she would soon have to buy a wig Poor Alice And she had not even the resource
of railing against the social state What a pity she had never studied that
subject
So the time went on till February of the new year Alices release was at
hand
Chapter XXXIV
Arry Mutimer not long after he left his mothers house for good by chance met
Rodman in the City Presuming on old acquaintance he accosted the man of
business with some familiarity it was a chance of getting muchneeded
assistance once more But Rodman was not disposed to renew the association He
looked into Arrys face with a blank stare asked contemptuously »Who are
you« and pursued his walk
Arry hoped that he might some day have a chance of being even with Mr
Rodman
As indeed he had One evening towards the end of February Arry was loafing
about Brixton He knew a certain licensed victualler in those parts a man who
had ere now given him casual employment and after a day of fasting he trudged
southwards to see if his friend would not at all events be good for a glass of
beer and a hunch of bread and cheese Perhaps he might also supply the coppers
to pay for a bed in the New Cut To his great disappointment the worthy
victualler was away from home the victuallers wife had no charitable
tendencies Arry whined to her but only got for an answer that times was as
ard with her as with anyone else The representative of unemployed labour went
his way despondently hands thrust deep in pockets head slouching forwards
shoulders high up against the night blast
He was passing a chemists shop when a customer came out He recognised
Rodman After a moments uncertainty he made up his mind to follow him
wondering how Rodman came to be in this part of London Keeping at a cautious
distance he saw him stop at a small house and enter it by aid of a latchkey
»Why he lives there« Arry exclaimed to himself »Whats the meanin o
this go«
Rodman after all had seriously come down in the world then It occurred
to Arry that he might do worse than pay his sister a visit Alice could not be
hardhearted enough to refuse him a few coppers But the call must be made at an
hour when Rodman was away Presumably that would be some time after eight in the
morning
Our unconventional friend walked many miles that night It was one way of
keeping warm and there was always a possibility of aid from one or other of the
acquaintances whom he sought The net result of the nights campaign was
halfapint of fourhalf The front of a drapers shop in Kennington tempted him
sorely he passed it many times eyeing the rolls of calico and flannel exposed
just outside the doorway But either courage failed him or there was no really
good opportunity Midnight found him still without means of retiring to that
familiar lodging in the New Cut At halfpast twelve sleet began to fall He
discovered a very dark corner of a very dark slum curled himself against the
wall and slept for a few hours in defiance of wind and weather
Arry was used to this kind of thing On the whole he deemed it preferable
to the life he would have led at his mothers
By eight oclock next morning he was back in Brixton standing just where he
could see the house which Rodman had entered without himself attracting
attention Every rag on his back was soaked he had not eaten a mouthful for
thirty hours After such a run of bad luck perhaps something was about to turn
up
But it was ten oclock before Rodman left home Arry had no feeling left in
any particle of his body Still here at length was the opportunity of seeing
Alice He waited till Rodman was out of sight then went to the door and
knocked
It was Clara who opened the door Seeing Arry she took him for a beggar
shook her head and was closing the door against him when she heard
»Is Mrs Rodman in mum«
»Mrs who«
»Mrs Rodman«
Claras eyes flashed as they searched his face
»What do you want with Mrs Rodman«
»Want to see her mum«
»Do you know her when you see her«
»Sh think I do« replied Arry with a grin But he thought it prudent to
refrain from explanation
»How do you know she lives here«
»Cause I just see her usband go out«
Clara hesitated a moment then bade him enter She introduced him to a
parlour on the ground floor He stood looking uneasily about him The habits of
his life made him at all times suspicious
»Mrs Rodman doesnt live here« Clara began lowering her voice and making
a great effort to steady it
»Oh she dont« replied Arry beginning to discern that something was
wrong
»Can you tell me what you want with her«
He looked her in the eyes and again grinned
»Dare say I could if it was made worth my while«
She took a purse from her pocket and laid halfacrown on the table Her
hand shook
»I cant afford more than that You shall have it if you tell me the truth«
Arry took counsel with himself for an instant Probably there was no more
to be got and he saw from the womans agitation that he had come upon some
mystery The chance of injuring Rodman was more to him than several halfcrowns
»I wont ask more« he said »if youll tell me who you are Thats fair on
both sides eh«
»My name is Mrs Williamson«
»Oh And might it appen that Mr Rodman calls himself Mr Williamson when
it suits him«
»I dont know what you mean« she replied hurriedly »Tell me who it is you
call Mrs Rodman«
»I dont call her so Thats her married name Shes my sister«
The door opened Both turned their heads and saw Rodman He had come back
for a letter he had forgotten to take with him to post At a glance he saw
everything including the halfcrown on the table which Arry instantly seized
He walked forward throwing a murderous look at Clara as he passed her Then he
said to Arry in a perfectly calm voice
»Theres the door«
»I see there is« the other replied grinning »Goodmornin Mr Rodman
Williamson«
Husband and wife faced each other as soon as the front door slammed Clara
was a tigress she could not be terrified as Alice might have been by scowls and
savage threats Rodman knew it and knew moreover that his position was more
perilous than any he had been in for a long time
»What do you know« he asked quietly
»Enough to send you to prison Mr Rodman You cant do quite what you like
If theres law in this country Ill see you punished«
He let her rave for a minute or two and by that time had laid his plans
»Will you let me speak Now I give you a choice Either you can do as you
say or you can be out of this country with me and Jack before tomorrow
morning In a couple of hours I can get more money than you ever set eyes on
Ill be back here with it« he looked at his watch »by one oclock No that
wouldnt be safe either that fellow might send someone here by then Ill meet
you on Westminster Bridge the north end at one Now youve a minute to choose
he may have gone straight away to the police station Punish me if you like I
dont care a curse But it seems to me the other things got more common sense
in it I havent seen that woman for a month and never care to see her again I
dont care over much for you either but I do care for Jack and for his sake
Ill take you with me and do my best for you Its no good looking at me like a
wild beast Youve sense enough to make a choice«
She clasped her hands together and moaned so dreadful was the struggle in
her between passions and temptations and fears The mothers heart bade her
trust him yet could she trust him to go and return
»You have the cunning of a devil« she groaned »and as little heart Let
you go when you only want the chance of deserting me again«
»Youll have to be quick« he replied holding his watch in his hand and
smiling at the compliment in spite of his very real anxiety »There may be no
choice in a minute or two«
»Ill go with you now Ill follow you where you go to get the money«
»No you wont Either you trust me or you refuse Youve a free choice
Clara I tell you plainly I want little Jack and Im not going to lose him if I
can help it«
»Have you any other children«
»No never had«
At least he had not been deceiving her in the matter of Jack She knew that
he had constantly come home at early hours only for the sake of playing with the
boy
»Ill go with you No one shall see that Im following you«
»Its impossible I shall have to go post haste in a cab Ive halfadozen
places to go to Meet me on Westminster Bridge at one I may be a few minutes
later but certainly not more than halfanhour«
He went to the window and looked uneasily up and down the street Clara
pressed her hands upon her head and stared at him like one distracted
»Where is she« came from her involuntarily
»Dont be a fool woman« he replied walking to the door She sprang to
hold him Instead of repulsing her he folded his arm about her waist and kissed
her lips two or three times
»I can get thousands of pounds« he whispered »Well be off before they
have a trace Its for Jacks sake and Ill be kind to you as well old woman«
She had suffered him to go the kisses made her powerless reminding her of
a longpast dream A moment after she rushed to the house door but only to see
him turning the corner of the street Then she flew to the bedroom Jack was ill
of a cold she was nursing him in bed But now she dressed him hurriedly as if
there were scarcely time to get to Westminster by the appointed hour All was
ready before eleven oclock but it was now raining and she durst not wait with
the child in the open air for longer than was necessary But all at once the
fear possessed her lest the police might come to the house and she be detained
Ignorant of the law and convinced from her husbands words that the stranger in
rags had some sinister aim she no sooner conceived the dread than she bundled
into a handbag such few articles as it would hold and led the child hastily
from the house They walked to a tramwayline and had soon reached Westminster
Bridge But it was not halfpast eleven and the rain descended heavily She
sought a small eatinghouse not far from the Abbey and by paying for some
coffee and breadandbutter which neither she nor Jack could touch obtained
leave to sit in shelter till one oclock
At five minutes to the hour she rose and hurried to the north end of the
bridge and stood there aside from the traffic shielding little Jack as much
as she could with her umbrella careless that her own clothing was getting wet
through Big Ben boomed its one stroke Minute after minute passed and her body
seemed still to quiver from the sound She was at once feverishly hot and so
deadly chill that her teeth clattered together her eyes throbbed with the
intensity of their gaze into the distance The quarterpast was chimed Jack
kept talking to her but she could hear nothing The rain drenched her the wind
was so high that she with difficulty held the umbrella above the child
Halfpast and no sign of her husband
She durst not go away from this spot Her eyes were blind with tears A
policeman spoke to her she could only chatter meaningless sounds between her
palsied lips Jack coughed incessantly begged to be taken home »Im so cold
mother so cold« »Only a few minutes more« she said He began to cry though a
brave little soul
Four oclock struck
From Brixton our unconventional friend betook himself straight to Holloway
Having as he felt sure the means of making things decidedly uncomfortable for
Mr Rodman Williamson it struck him that the eftest way would be to declare at
once to his brother Richard all he knew and expected Dick would not be slow in
bestirring himself to make Rodman smart Arry was without false shame he had
no hesitation in facing his brother But Mr Mutimer he was told was not at
home Then he would see Mrs Mutimer But the servant was indisposed to admit
him or even to trouble her mistress Arry had to request her to say that »Mr
Enery Mutimer« desired to see the lady of the house He chuckled to see the
astonishment produced by his words Thus he got admittance to Adela
She was shocked at the sight of him could find no words yet gave him her
hand He told her he wished to see his brother on very particular business But
Richard would not be back before eight oclock in the evening and it was
impossible to say where he could be found Arry would not tell Adela what
brought him only assured her that it had nothing to do with his own affairs He
would call again in the evening Adela felt inhuman in allowing him to go out
into the rain but she could not risk giving displeasure to her husband by
inviting Arry to stay
He came again at halfpast eight Mutimer had been home nearly an hour and
was expecting him Arry lost no time in coming to the point
»Hes married that other woman I could see that much Go and see for
yourself She give me alfacrown to tell all about him Im only afraid hes
got off by this time«
»Why didnt you go and give information to the police at once« Mutimer
cried in exasperation
Arry might have replied that he had a delicacy in waiting upon those
gentlemen But his brother did not stay for an answer Rushing from the room he
equipped himself instantly with hat coat and umbrella
»Show me the way to that house Come along theres no time to lose Adela«
he called »I have to go out cant say when I shall be back Dont sit up if
Im late«
A hansom bore the brothers southwards as fast as hansom could go
They found Clara in the house a haggard frenzied woman Already she had
been to the police but they were not inclined to hurry matters she had no
satisfactory evidence to give them To Mutimer when he had explained his
position she told everything of her marriage in London nine years ago her
going with her husband to America his desertion of her Richard took her at
once to the police station They would have to attend at the court next morning
to swear an information
By ten oclock Mutimer was at Waterloo taking train for Wimbledon At
Rodmans house he found darkness but a little ringing brought Alice herself to
the door She thought it was her husband and on recognising Richard all but
dropped with fear only some ill news could explain his coming thus With
difficulty he induced her to go into a room out of the hall She was in her
dressinggown her long beautiful hair in disorder her pretty face white and
distorted
»What is it Dick what is it Dick« she kept repeating mechanically with
inarticulate moanings between She had forgotten her enmity against her brother
and spoke to him as in the old days He too was all kindness
»Try and keep quiet a little Alice I want to talk to you Yes its about
your husband my poor girl but theres nothing to be frightened at Hes gone
away thats all I want you to come to London with me«
She had no more control over herself than a terrified child her words and
cries were so incoherent that Mutimer feared lest she had lost her senses She
was in truth on the borders of idiocy It was more than halfanhour before
with the servants assistance he could allay her hysterical anguish Then she
altogether refused to accompany him If she did so she would miss her husband
he would not go without coming to see her Richard was reminded by the servant
that it was too late to go by train He decided to remain in the house through
the night
He had not ventured to tell her all the truth nor did her state encourage
him to do so in the morning But he then succeeded in persuading her to come
with him Rodman he assured her must already be out of England for he had
committed a criminal offence and knew that the police were after him Alice was
got to the station more dead than alive they were at home in Holloway by half
past ten Richard then left her in Adelas hands and sped once more to Brixton
He got home again at two As he entered Adela came down the stairs to meet
him
»How is she« he asked anxiously
»The same The doctor was here an hour ago We must keep her as quiet as
possible But she cant rest for a moment«
She added
»Three gentlemen have called to see you They would leave no name and to
tell the truth were rather rude They seemed to doubt my word when I said you
were not in«
At his request she attempted to describe these callers Mutimer recognised
them as members of his committee
»Rude to you You must have mistaken What did they come here for I shall
in any case see them tonight«
They returned to the subject of Alices illness
»Ive half a mind to tell her the truth« Mutimer said »Surely shed put
the blackguard out of her head after that«
»No no you mustnt tell her« Adela interposed »I am sure it would be
very unwise«
Alice was growing worse in an hour or two delirium began to declare itself
She had resisted all efforts to put her to bed at most she would lie on a
couch Whilst Richard and his wife were debating what should be done it was
announced to them that the three gentlemen had called again Mutimer went off
angrily to see them
He was engaged for halfanhour Then Adela heard the visitors depart one
of them was speaking loudly and with irritation She waited for a moment at the
head of the stairs expecting that Mutimer would come out to her As he did not
she went into the sittingroom
Mutimer stood before the fireplace his eyes on the ground his face
discoloured with vehement emotion
»What has happened« she asked
He looked up and beckoned to her to approach
Chapter XXXV
Adela had never seen him so smitten with grave trouble She knew him in brutal
anger and in surly illtemper but his present mood had nothing of either He
seemed to stagger beneath a blow which had all but crushed him and left him full
of dread He began to address her in a voice very unlike his own thick
uncertain he used short sentences often incomplete
»Those men are on the committee One of them got a letter this morning
anonymous It said they were to be on their guard against me Said the Companys
a swindle that I knew it that Ive got money out of the people on false
pretences And Hilarys gone gone off taking all he could lay hands on The
letter says so I dont know It says Im thick with the secretary a man I
never even saw That hes a wellknown swindler Delancey his name is And
these fellows believe it demand that I shall prove Im innocent What proof
can I give They think I kept out of the way on purpose this morning«
He ceased speaking and Adela stood mute looking him in the face She was
appalled on his account She did not love him too often his presence caused her
loathing But of late she had been surprised into thinking more highly of some
of his qualities than it had hitherto been possible for her to do She could
never forget that he toiled first and foremost for his own advancement to a very
cheap reputation he would not allow her to lose sight of it had she wished But
during the present winter she had discerned in him a genuine zeal to help the
suffering a fervour in kindly works of which she had not believed him capable
Very slowly the conviction had come to her but in the end she could not resist
it One evening in telling her of the hideous misery he had been amongst his
voice failed and she saw moisture in his eyes Was his character changing Had
she wronged him in attaching too much importance to a fault which was merely on
the surface Oh but there were too many indisputable charges against him Yet a
mans moral nature may sometimes be strengthened by experience of the evil he
has wrought All this rushed through her mind as she now stood gazing at him
»But how can they credit an anonymous letter« she said »How can they
believe the worst of you before making inquiries«
»They have been to the office of the Company Everything is upside down
They say Hilary isnt to be found«
»Who can have written such a letter«
»How do I know I have enemies enough no doubt Who hasnt that makes
himself a leader«
There was the wrong note again It discouraged her she was silent
»Look here Adela« he said »do you believe this«
»Believe it«
»Do you think Im capable of doing a thing like that scraping together by
pennies the money of the poorest of the poor just to use it for my own purposes
could I do that«
»You know I do not believe it«
»But you dont speak as if you were certain Theres something But how am
I to prove Im innocent How can I make people believe I wasnt in the plot
Theyve only my word wholl think that enough Anyone can tell a lie and stick
to it if theres no positive proof against him How am I to make you believe
that I was taken in«
»But I tell you that a doubt of your innocence does not enter my mind If it
were necessary I would stand up in public before all who accused you and
declare that they were wrong I do not need your assurance I recognise that it
would be impossible for you to commit such a crime«
»Well it does me good to hear you say that« he replied with light of hope
in his eyes »I wanted to feel sure of that You might have thought that« he
sank his voice »that because I could think of destroying that will «
»Dont speak of that« she interrupted with a gesture of pain »I say that
I believe you It is enough Dont speak about me any more Think of what has to
be done«
»I have promised to be in Clerkenwell at eight oclock Therell be a
meeting I shall do my best to show that I am innocent Youll look after Alice
Its awful to have to leave her whilst shes like that«
»Trust me I will not leave her side for a moment The doctor will be here
again tonight«
A thought struck him
»Send out the girl for an evening paper There may be something in it«
The paper was obtained One of the first headings his eye fell upon was
Rumoured Collapse of a Public Company Disappearance of the Secretary He showed
it to Adela and they read together She saw that the finger with which he
followed the lines quivered like a leaf It was announced in a brief paragraph
that the Secretary of the Irish Dairy Company was missing that he seemed to
have gone off with considerable sums Moreover that there were rumours in the
City of a startling kind relative to the character of the Company itself. The
name of the secretary was Mr Robert Delancey but that was now believed to be a
mere alias The police were actively at work
»Itll be the ruin of me« Mutimer gasped »I can never prove that I knew
nothing You see nothings said about Hilary Its that fellow Delancey who has
run«
»You must find Mr Hilary« said Adela urgently »Where does he live«
»I have no idea I only had the office address Perhaps it isnt even his
real name Itll be my ruin«
Adela was astonished to see him so broken down He let himself sink upon a
chair his head and hands fell
»But I cant understand why you should despair so« she exclaimed »You will
speak to the meeting tonight If the money is lost you will restore it If you
have been imprudent that is no crime«
»It is it is when I had money of that kind entrusted to me They wont
hear me They have condemned me already What use is it to talk to them Theyll
say everything comes to smash in my hands«
She spoke to him with such words of strengthening as one of his comrades
might have used She did not feel the tenderness of a wife and had no power to
assume it But her voice was brave and true She had made his interest his
reputation her own By degrees he recovered from the blow and let her words
give him heart
»Youre right« he said »Im behaving like a fool I couldnt go on
different if I was really guilty Who wrote that letter I never saw the letter
before as far as I know I wanted to keep it but they wouldnt let me trust
them What blackguards they are Theyre jealous of me They know they cant
speak like I do that they havent the same influence I have So theyre ready
to believe the first lie thats brought against me Let them look to themselves
tonight Ill give them a piece of my mind see if I dont Whats to day
Friday On Sunday Ill have the biggest meeting ever gathered in the East End
If they shout out against me Ill tell them to their faces that theyre
meanspirited curs They havent the courage to rise and get by force what
theyll never have by asking for it and when a man does his best to help them
they throw mud at him«
»But they wont do so« Adela urged »Dont be unjust Wait and see They
will shout for not against you«
»Why didnt you keep Arry here« he asked suddenly
»He refused to stay I gave him money«
»You should have forced him to stay How can I have a brother of my own
living a life like that You did wrong to give him money Hell only use it to
make a beast of himself I must find him again I cant let him go to ruin«
Arry had come back to Holloway the previous night to inform Adela that her
husband might not return till morning As she said it had been impossible to
detain him He was too far gone in unconventionality to spend a night under a
decent roof Home sickness for the gutter possessed him
In the meantime Alice had become quieter It was halfpast six Mutimer had
to be at the meetingplace in Clerkenwell by eight Adela sat by Alice whilst
the servant hurriedly prepared a meal then the girl took her place and she
went down to her husband They were in the middle of their meal when they heard
the frontdoor slam Mutimer started up
»Whos that Whos gone out«
Adela ran to the foot of the stairs and called the servants name softly It
was a minute before the girl appeared
»Who hast just gone out Mary«
»Gone out No one mum«
»Is Mrs Rodman lying still«
The girl went to see She had left Alice for a few moments previously She
appeared again at the head of the stairs with a face of alarm
»Mrs Rodman isnt there mum«
Mutimer flew up the staircase Alice was nowhere to be found It could not
be doubted that she had fled in a delirious state Richard rushed into the
street but it was very dark and rain was falling There was no trace of the
fugitive He came back to the door where Adela stood he put out his hand and
held her arm as if she needed support
»Give me my hat Shell die in the street in the rain Ill go one way the
girl must go the other My hat«
»I will go one way myself« said Adela hurriedly »You must take an
umbrella it pours Mary my waterproof«
They ran in opposite directions It was a quiet bystreet with no shops to
cast light upon the pavement Adela encountered a constable before she had gone
very far and begged for his assistance He promised to be on the lookout but
advised her to go on a short distance to the policestation and leave a
description of the missing woman She did so then finding the search hopeless
in this quarter turned homewards Mutimer was still absent but he appeared in
five minutes as unsuccessful as herself She told him of her visit to the
station
»I must keep going about« he said »She cant be far off her strength
surely wouldnt take her far«
Adela felt for him profoundly for once he had not a thought of himself his
distress was absorbing He was on the point of leaving the house again when she
remembered the meeting at which he was expected She spoke of it
»What do I care« he replied waving his arm »Let them think what they
like I must find Alice«
Adela saw in a moment all that his absence would involve He could of course
explain subsequently but in the meantime vast harm would have been done It was
impossible to neglect the meeting altogether She ran after him and stopped him
on the pavement
»I will go to this meeting for you« she said »A cab will take me there and
bring me back I will let them know what keeps you away«
He looked at her with astonishment
»You How can you go Among those men«
»Surely I have nothing to fear from them Have you lost all your faith
suddenly You cannot go but someone must I will speak to them so that they
cannot but believe me You continue the search I will go«
They stood together in the pouring rain Mutimer caught her hand
»I never knew what a wife could be till now« he exclaimed hoarsely »And I
never knew you«
»Find me a cab and give the man the address I will be ready in an instant«
Her cheeks were on fire her nerves quivered with excitement She had made
the proposal almost involuntarily only his thanks gave her some understanding
of what she was about to do But she did not shrink a mans better still a
womans noblest courage throbbed in her If need were she too could stand
forward in a worthy cause and speak the truth undauntedly
The cab was bearing her away She looked at her watch in the moment of
passing a street lamp and just saw that it was eight oclock The meeting would
be full by this they would already be drawing ill conclusions from Mutimers
absence Faster faster Every moment lost increased the force of prejudice
against him She could scarcely have felt more zeal on behalf of the man whom
her soul loved In the fever of her brain she was conscious of a wish that even
now that love could be her husbands Ah no no But serve him she could and
loyally The lights flew by in the streets of Islington the driver was making
the utmost speed he durst A check among thronging vehicles anguished her But
it was past and here at length came the pause
A crowd of perhaps a hundred men was gathered about the illlighted entrance
to what had formerly been a low class dancingsaloon Adela saw them come
thronging about the cab heard their cries of discontent and of surprise when
she showed herself
»Wait for me« she called to the driver and straightway walked to the door
The men made way for her On the threshold she turned
»I wish to see some member of the committee I am Mrs Mutimer«
There was a coarse laugh from some fellows but others cried »Shut up
shes a lady« One stepped forward and announced himself as a committeeman He
followed her into the passage
»My husband cannot come« she said »Will you please show me where I can
speak to the meeting and tell them the reason of his absence«
Much amazed the committeeman led her into the hall It was whitewashed
furnished with plain benches lit with a few gasjets There was scarcely room
to move for the crowd Every man seemed to be talking at the pitch of his voice
The effect was an angry roar Adelas guide with difficulty made a passage for
her to the platform for it took some time before the crowd realised what was
going on At length she stood in a place whence she could survey the assembly
On the wall behind her hung a great sheet of paper on which were inscribed the
names of all who had deposited money with Mutimer Adela glanced at it and
understood Instead of being agitated she possessed an extraordinary lucidity of
mind a calmness of nerve which she afterwards remembered as something
miraculous
The committeeman roared for silence then in a few words explained Mrs
Mutimers wish to make a speech To Adelas ears there seemed something of
malice in this expression she did not like either the laugh which it
elicited But quiet was speedily restored by a few men of sturdy lungs She
stepped to the front of the platform
The scene was a singular one Adela had thrown off her waterproof in the
cab she stood in her ladylike costume of home her hat only showing that she
had come from a distance For years her cheeks had been very pale in this
moment her whole face was white as marble Her delicate beauty made strange
contrast with the faces on each side and in front of her faces of rude
intelligence faces of fathomless stupidity faces degraded into something less
than human But all were listening all straining towards her There were a few
whispers of honest admiration a few of vile jest She began to speak
»I have come here because my husband cannot come It is most unfortunate
that he cannot for he tells me that someone has been throwing doubt upon his
honesty He would be here but that a terrible misfortune has befallen him His
sister was lying ill in our house A little more than an hour ago she was by
chance left alone and being delirious out of her mind escaped from the
house My husband is now searching for her everywhere she may be dying
somewhere in the streets That is the explanation I have come to give you But I
will say a word more I do not know who has spoken ill of my husband I do not
know his reasons for doing so This however I know that Richard Mutimer has
done you no wrong and that he is incapable of the horrible thing of which he is
accused You must believe it you wrong yourselves if you refuse to Tomorrow
no doubt he will come and speak for himself Till then I beg you to take the
worthy part and credit good rather than evil«
She ceased and turning to the committeeman who still stood near her
requested him to guide her from the room As she moved down from the platform
the crowd recovered itself from the spell of her voice The majority cheered
but there were not a few dissentient howls Adela had ears for nothing a path
opened before her and she walked along it with bowed head Her heart was now
beating violently she felt that she must walk quickly or perchance her strength
would fail her before she reached the door As she disappeared there again arose
the mingled uproar of cheers and groans it came to her like the bellow of a
pursuing monster as she fled along the passage And in truth Demos was on her
track A few kept up with her the rest jammed themselves in the doorway
hustled each other fought The dozen who came out to the pavement altogether
helped her into the cab then gave a hearty cheer as she drove away
The voice of Demos not malevolent at the last but to Adela none the less
something to be fled from something which excited thoughts of horrible
possibilities in its very goodhumour and its praise of her a sound of fear
Chapter XXXVI
His search being vain Mutimer hastened from one policestation to another
leaving descriptions of his sister at each When he came home again Adela had
just arrived She was suffering too much from the reaction which followed upon
her excitement to give him more than the briefest account of what she had heard
and said but Mutimer cared little for details He drew an easychair near to
the fire and begged her to rest As she lay back for a moment with closed eyes
he took her faint hand and put it to his lips He had never done so before when
she glanced at him he averted his face in embarrassment
He would have persuaded her to go to bed but she declared that sleep was
impossible she had much rather sit up with him till news came of Alice as it
surely must do in course of the night For Mutimer there was no resting he
circled continually about the neighbouring streets returning to the house every
quarter of an hour always to find Adela in the same position Her heart would
not fall to its normal beat and the vision of those harsh faces would not pass
from her mind
At two oclock they heard that Alice was found She had been discovered
several miles from home lying unconscious in the street and was now in a
hospital Mutimer set off at once he returned with the report that she was
between life and death It was impossible to remove her
Adela slept a little between six and eight her husband took even shorter
rest When she came down to the sittingroom he was reading the morning paper
As she entered he uttered a cry of astonishment and rage
»Look here« he exclaimed to her »Read that«
»He pointed to an account of the Irish Dairy Company frauds in which it was
stated that the secretary known as Delancey appeared also to have borne the
name of Rodman«
They gazed at each other
»Then it was Rodman wrote that letter« Mutimer cried »Ill swear to it He
did it to injure me at the last moment Why havent they got him yet The police
are useless But theyve got Hilary I see yes theyve got Hilary He was
caught at Dover Ha ha He denies everything says he didnt even know of the
secretarys decamping The lying scoundrel Says he was going to Paris on
private business But theyve got him And see here again The same Rodman is at
present wanted by the police on a charge of bigamy Wanted If they werent
incompetent fools theyd have had him already Ten to one hes out of England«
It was a day of tumult for Mutimer At the hospital he found no
encouragement but he could only leave Alice in the hands of the doctors From
the hospital he went to his mothers house he had not yet had time to let her
know of anything But his main business lay in Clerkenwell and in various parts
of the East End wherever he could see his fellowagitators In hot haste he
wrote an announcement of a meeting on Clerkenwell Green for Sunday afternoon
and had thousands of copies printed on slips by evening these were scattered
throughout his parishes He found that the calumny affecting him was already
widely known several members of his committee met him with black looks Here
and there an ironical question was put to him about his sisters health With
the knowledge that Alice might be dying or dead he could scarcely find words of
reply His mood changed from fear and indignation to a grim fury within a few
hours he made many resolute enemies by his reckless vehemence and vituperation
The evening papers brought him a piece of intelligence which would have
rejoiced him but for something with which it was coupled Delancey alias
Rodman alias Williamson was arrested he had been caught in Hamburg The
telegram added that he talked freely and had implicated a number of persons
among them a certain Socialist agitator name not given As Mutimer read this he
fell for a moment into blank despair He returned at once to Holloway all but
resolved to throw up the game to abandon the effort to defend himself and
wait for what might result from the judicial investigations Adela resisted this
to the uttermost She understood that such appearance of fear would be fatal to
him With a knowledge of Demos which owed much to her last nights experience
she urged to him that behind his back calumny would thrive unchecked would grow
in a day to proportions altogether irresistible She succeeded in restoring his
courage though at the same time there revived in Mutimer the savage spirit
which could only result in harm to himself
»This is how they repay a man who works for them« he cried repeatedly »The
ungrateful brutes Let me once clear myself and Ill throw it up bid them find
someone else to fight their battles for them Its always been the same history
shows it What have I got for myself out of it all Id like to know Havent I
given them every penny I had Let them do their worst Let them bark and bray
till they are hoarse«
He would have kept away from Clerkenwell that evening but even this Adela
would not let him do She insisted that he must be seen and heard that the
force of innocence would prevail even with his enemies The couple of hours he
passed with her were spent in ceaseless encouragement on her side in violent
tirades on his He paced the room like a caged lion at one moment execrating
Rodman the next railing against the mob to whose interests he had devoted
himself Now and then his voice softened and he spoke of Alice
»The scoundrel set even her against me If she lives perhaps shell believe
Im guilty how can my word stand against her husbands Why he isnt her
husband at all Its a good thing if she dies the best thing that could
happen What will become of her What are we to call her Shes neither married
nor single Can we keep it from her do you think No that wont do she must
be free to marry an honest man Youll try and make friends with her Adela if
ever youve the chance Shell have to live with us of course unless shed
rather live with mother We mustnt tell her for a long time till shes strong
enough to bear it«
He with difficulty ate a few mouthfuls and went off to Clerkenwell In the
erstwhile dancingsaloon it was a night of tempest Mutimer had never before
addressed an unfriendly audience After the first few interruptions he lost his
temper and with it his cause as far as these present hearers were concerned
When he left them it was amid the mutterings of a storm which was not quite
only not quito ready to burst in fury
»Who knows you wont take yer ook before tomorrow« cried a voice as he
neared the door
»Wait and see« Mutimer shouted in reply with a savage laugh »Ive a word
or two to say yet to blackguards like you«
He could count on some twenty pairs of fists in the room if it came to that
point but he was allowed to depart unmolested
On the way home he called at the hospital There was no change in Alices
condition
The next day he remained at home till it was time to start for Clerkenwell
Green He was all but worn out and there was nothing of any use to be done
before the meeting assembled Adela went for him to the hospital and brought
back still the same report He ate fairly well of his midday dinner seeming
somewhat calmer Adela foreseeing his main danger begged him to address the
people without anger assured him that a dignified selfpossession would go much
farther than any amount of blustering He was induced to promise that he would
follow her advice
He purposed walking to the Green the exercise would perhaps keep his nerves
in order When it was time to start he took Adelas hand and for a second time
kissed it She made an effort over herself and held her lips to him The
goodbye was exchanged with a word of strengthening from Adela but still he
did not go He was endeavouring to speak
»I dont think Ive thanked you half enough« he said at length »for what
you did on Friday night«
»Yes more than enough« was the reply
»You make little of it but its a thing very few women would have done And
it was hard for you because youre a lady«
»No less a woman« murmured Adela her head bowed
»And a good woman I believe with all my heart I want to ask you to
forgive me for things I once said to you I was a brute Perhaps if I had been
brought up in the same kind of way that you were thats the difference between
us you see But try if you can to forget it Ill never think anything but good
of you as long as I live«
She could not reply for a great sob was choking her She pressed his hand
the tears broke from her eyes as she turned away
It being Sunday afternoon visitors were admitted to the hospital in which
Alice lay Mutimer had allowed himself time to pass five minutes by his sisters
bedside on the way to Clerkenwell Alice was still unconscious she lay
motionless but her lips muttered unintelligible words He bent over her and
spoke but she did not regard him It was perhaps the keenest pain Mutimer had
ever known to look into those eyes and meet no answering intelligence By close
listening he believed he heard her utter the name of her husband It was useless
to stay he kissed her and left the ward
On his arrival at Clerkenwell Green a large triangular space which merits
the name of Green as much as the Strand he found a considerable gathering
already assembled about the cart from which he was to speak The inner circle
consisted of his friends some fifty who remained staunch in their faith
Prominent among them was the man Redgrave he who had presented the address when
Mutimer took leave of his New Wanley workpeople He had come to London at the
same time as his leader and had done much to recommend Mutimers scheme in the
East End His muscular height made those about him look puny He was red in the
face with the excitement of abusing Mutimers enemies and looked as if nothing
would please him better than to second words with arguments more cogent He and
those about him hailed the agitators appearance with three ringing cheers A
little later came a supporter whom Richard had not expected to see Mr
Westlake Only this morning intelligence of what was going on had reached his
ears At once he had scouted the accusations as incredible he deemed it a duty
to present himself on Mutimers side Outside this small cluster was an
indefinable mob a portion of it bitterly hostile a part indifferent among the
latter a large element of mere drifting blackguardism the raff of a city
anticipating with pleasure an uproar which would give them unwonted
opportunities of violence and pillage These gentlemen would with equal zeal
declare for Mutimer or his opponents as the fortune of the day directed them
The core of the hostile party consisted of those who followed the banner of
Comrade Roodhouse the ralliers to the Tocsin For them it was a great occasion
The previous evening had seen a clamorous assembly in the room behind the Hoxton
coffeeshop Comrade Roodhouse professed to have full details of the scandal
which had just come to light According to him there was no doubt whatever that
Mutimer had known from the first the character of the bogus Company and had
wittingly used the money of the EastEnders to aid in floating a concern which
would benefit himself and a few others Roodhouse disclosed the identity of Mr
Robert Delancey and explained the relations existing between Rodman and
Mutimer ignoring the fact that a lawsuit had of late turned their friendship to
mutual animosity It was an opportunity not to be missed for paying back the
hard things Mutimer had constantly said of the Tocsin party Comrade Roodhouse
was busy in the crowd sowing calumnies and fermenting wrath In the crowd were
our old acquaintances Messrs Cowes and Cullen each haranguing as many as could
be got to form a circle and listen indulging themselves in measureless
vituperation crying shame on traitors to the noble cause Here too was Daniel
Dabbs mainly interested in the occasion as an admirable provocative of thirst
He was much disposed to believe Mutimer guilty but understood that it was none
of his business to openly take part with either side He stood well on the
limits of the throng it was not impossible that the debate might end in the
cracking of crowns in which case Mr Dabbs as a respectable licensed
victualler whose weekly profits had long since made him smile at the follies of
his youth would certainly incur no needless risk to his own valuable scalp
The throng thickened it was impossible that the speakers should be audible
to the whole assembly Hastily it was decided to arrange two centres Whilst
Mutimer was speaking at the lower end of the Green Redgrave would lift up his
voice in the opposite part and make it understood that Mutimer would repeat his
address there as soon as he had satisfied the hearers below The meeting was
announced for three oclock but it was half an hour later before Mutimer stood
up on the cart and extended his hand in appeal for silence It at first seemed
as if he could not succeed in making his voice heard at all A cluster of
Roodhouses followers under the pretence of demanding quiet made incessant
tumult But ultimately the majority those who were merely curious and such of
the angry EastEnders as really wanted to hear what Mutimer had to say for
himself imposed silence Richard began his speech
He had kept Adelas warning in mind and determined to be calmly dignified
in his refutal of the charges brought against him For five minutes he impressed
his hearers He had never spoken better In the beginning he briefly referred to
the facts of his life spoke of the use he had made of wealth when he possessed
it demanded if it was likely that he should join with swindlers to rob the very
class to which he himself was proud to belong and for which he had toiled
unceasingly He spoke of Rodman and denied that he had ever known of this mans
connection with the Company a man who was his worst enemy He it was this
Rodman who doubtless had written the letter which first directed suspicion in
the wrong quarter it was an act such as Rodman would be capable of for the
sake of gratifying his enmity And how had that enmity arisen He told the story
of the lawsuit showed how in that matter he had stood up for common honesty
though at the time Rodman was his friend Then he passed to the subject of his
stewardship Why had he put that trust money into a concern without sufficient
investigation He could make but one straightforward answer he had believed
that the Company was sound and he bought shares because the dividends promised
to be large and it was his first desire to do the very best he could for those
who had laid their hardearned savings in his hands
For some minutes he had had increasing difficulty in holding his voice above
the noise of interruptions hostile or friendly It now became impossible for
him to proceed A man who was lifted on to the shoulders of two others began to
make a counterspeech roaring so that those around could not but attend to him
He declared himself one of those whom Mutimer had robbed all his savings for
seven months were gone he was now out of work and his family would soon be
starving Richards blood boiled as he heard these words
»You lie« he bellowed in return »I know you You are the fellow who said
last night that I should run away and never come at all to this meeting I
called you a blackguard then and I call you a liar now You have put in my hand
six threepences and no more The money you might have saved you constantly got
drunk upon Your money is waiting for you you have only to come and apply for
it And I say the same to all the rest I am ready to pay all the money back
and pay it too with interest«
»Of course you are« vociferated the other »You cant steal it so you
offer to give it back We know that game«
It was the commencement of utter confusion A hundred voices were trying to
make themselves heard The great crowd swayed this way and that Mutimer looked
on a tempest of savage faces a sight which might have daunted any man in his
position Fists were shaken at him curses were roared at him from every
direction It was clear that the feeling of the mob was hopelessly against him
his explanations were ridiculed A second man was reared on others shoulders
but instead of speaking from the place where he was he demanded to be borne
forward and helped to a standing on the cart This was effected after a brief
struggle with Mutimers supporters Then all at once there was a cessation of
the hubbub that the new speaker might be heard
»Look at this man« he cried pointing at Mutimer who had drawn as far
aside as the cart would let him »Hes been atellin you what he did when
somebody died an left him a fortune Theres just one thing hes forgot an
shall I tell you what that is When he was a workin man like ourselves mates
he was agoin to marry a pore girl a workin girl When he gets his money
what does he do Why he pitches her over if you please an marries a fine
lady as took him because he was rich thats the way ladies always chooses
their husbands yunderstand«
He was interrupted by a terrific yell but by dint of vigorous pantomime
secured a hearing again
»But wait a bit maties I havent done yet He pitches over the pore girl
but he does worse afterwards He sets a tale agoin as shed disgraced herself
as she wasnt fit to be a honest mans wife An it was all a damned lie as
lots of us knows Now what dye think o that This is a friend o the People
this is This is the man as as your interests at art mates If hell do a
thing like that wont he rob you of your savins«
As soon as he knew what the man was about to speak of Mutimer felt the
blood rush back upon his heart It was as when a criminal hears delivered
against him a damning item of evidence He knew that he was pale that every
feature declared his consciousness of guilt In vain he tried to face the mob
and smile contemptuously His eyes fell he stood without the power of speech
The yell was repeated and prolonged owing to another cause than the
accusation just heard When the accuser was borne forwards to the cart a rumour
spread among those more remote that an attack was being made on Mutimer and his
friends The rumour reached that part of the Green where Redgrave was then
haranguing At once the listeners faced about in the direction of the supposed
conflict Redgrave himself leaped down and called upon all supporters of
Mutimer to follow him It was the crash between two crowds which led to the
prolonging of the yell
The meeting was over the riot had begun
Picture them the indignant champions of honesty the avengers of virtue
defamed Demos was roused was tired of listening to mere articulate speech it
was time for a good wildbeast roar for a taste of bloodshed Scarcely a face
in all the mob but distorted itself to express as much savagery as can be got
out of the human countenance Mutimer seeing what had come sprang down from
the cart He was at once carried yards away in an irresistible rush Impossible
for him and his friends to endeavour to hold their ground they were too vastly
outnumbered the most they could do was to hold together and use every
opportunity of retreat standing in the meanwhile on the defensive There was no
adequate body of police on the Green the riot would take its course unimpeded
by the hired servants of the capitalist State Redgrave little by little fought
his way to within sight of Mutimer he brought with him a small but determined
contingent On all sides was the thud of blows the indignant shouting of the
few who desired to preserve order mingled with the clamour of those who
combated Demos was having his way civilisation was blotted out and club law
proclaimed
Mutimer lost his hat in jumping from the cart in five minutes his waistcoat
and shirt were rent open whether by friends in guarding him or by foes in
assailing it was impossible to say But his bodyguard held together with
wonderful firmness only now and then an enemy got near enough to dash a fist in
his face If he fell into the hands of the mob he was done for Mutimer knew
that and was ready to fight for his life But the direction taken by the main
current of the crowd favoured him In about twenty minutes he was swept away
from the Green and into a street There were now fewer foes about him he saw
an opportunity and together with Redgrave burst away There was no shame in
taking to flight where the odds against him were so overwhelming But pursuers
were close behind him their cry gave a lead to the chase He looked for some
byway as he rushed along the pavement But an unexpected refuge offered itself
He was passing a little group of women when a voice from among them cried
loudly »In here In here« He saw that a housedoor was open saw a hand
beckon wildly and at once sprang for the retreat A woman entered immediately
behind him and slammed the door but he did not see that a stick which the
foremost of his pursuers had flung at him came with a terrible blow full upon
his preservers face
For a moment he could only lean against the wall of the passage recovering
his breath Where he stood it was almost dark for the evening was drawing in
The woman who had rescued him was standing near but he could not distinguish
her face He heard the mob assembling in the narrow street their shouts their
trampling and speedily there began a great noise at the door A beating with
sticks and fists a thundering at the knocker
»Are you the landlady« Mutimer asked turning to his silent companion
»No« was the reply »She is outside I must put up the chain They might
get her latchkey from her«
At the first syllable he started the voice was so familiar to him The
words were spoken with an entire absence of womanish consternation the voice
trembled a little but for all that there was calm courage in its sound When
she had made the door secure and turned again towards him he looked into her
face as closely as he could
»Is it Emma«
»Yes«
Both were silent Mutimer forgot all about his danger that at this moment
he should meet Emma Vine that it should be she who saved him impressed him
with awe which was stronger than all the multitude of sensations just now
battling within him For it was her name that had roused the rabble finally
against him For his wrong to her he knew that he would have suffered justly
yet her hand it was that barred the door against his brutal pursuers A sudden
weakness shook his limbs he had again to lean upon the wall for support and
scarcely conscious of what he did he sobbed three or four times
»Are you hurt« Emma asked
»No Im not hurt no«
Two children had come down the stairs and were clinging to Emma crying
with fright For the noise at the door was growing terrific
»Who is there in the house« Mutimer asked
»No one I think The landlady and two other women who live here are
outside My sister is away somewhere«
»Can I get off by the back«
»No Theres a little yard but the walls are far too high«
»Theyll break the door through If they do the devils are as likely to
kill you as me I must go upstairs to a window and speak to them I may do
something yet Sooner than put you in danger Ill go out and let them do their
worst Listen to them Thats the People that is I deserve killing fool that
I am if only for the lying good Ive said of them Let me go up into your room
if it has a window in the front«
He led up the stairs and Emma showed him the door of her room the same in
which she had received the visit of Daniel Dabbs He looked about it saw the
poverty of it Then he looked at Emma
»Good God Who has hit you«
There was a great cut on her cheek the blood was running down upon her
dress
»Somebody threw a stick« she answered trying to smile »I dont feel it
Ill tie a handkerchief on it«
Again a fit of sobbing seized him he felt as weak as a child
»The cowardly roughs Give me the handkerchief Ill tie it Emma«
»Think of your own safety« she replied hurriedly »I tell you I dont feel
any pain Do you think you can get them to listen to you«
»Ill try Theres nothing else for it You stand at the back of the room
they may throw something at me«
»Oh then dont open the window They cant break the door Some help will
come«
»They will break the door Youd be as safe among wild beasts as among those
fellows if they get into the house«
He threw up the sash though Emma would not go from his side In the street
below was a multitude which made but one ravening monster all its eyes were
directed to the upper storeys of this house Mutimer looked to the right and to
the left In the latter quarter he saw the signs of a struggle Straining his
eyes through the dusk he perceived a mounted policeofficer forcing his way
through the throng on either side were visible the helmets of constables He
drew a deep sigh of relief for the efforts of the mob against the house door
could scarcely succeed unless they used more formidable weapons for assault and
that would now be all but impossible
He drew his head back into the room and looked at Emma with a laugh of
satisfaction
»The police are making way Theres nothing to fear now«
»Come away from the window then« Emma urged »It is useless to show
yourself«
»Let them see me the blackguards Theyre so tight packed they havent a
hand among them to aim anything«
As he spoke he again leaned forward from the windowsill and stretched his
arms towards the approaching rescuers That same instant a heavy fragment of
stone hurled with deadly force and precision struck him upon the temple The
violence of the blow flung him back into the room he dropped to his knees
threw out a hand as if to save himself then sank face foremost upon the floor
Not a sound had escaped his lips
Emma with a low cry of horror bent to him and put her arm about his body
Raising his head she saw that though his eyes were staring they had no power
of sight on his lips were flecks of blood She laid her cheeks to his lips but
could discern no breath she tore apart the clothing from his breast but her
hand could not find his heart Then she rushed for a pillow placed it beneath
his head and began to bathe his face Not all the great love which leaped like
flame in her bosom could call the dead to life
The yells which had greeted Mutimers appearance at the window were followed
by a steady roar mingled with scornful laughter at his speedy retreat only a
few saw or suspected that he had been gravely hit by the missile Then the
tumult began to change its character attention was drawn from the house to the
advancing police behind whom came a band of Mutimers adherents led by
Redgrave The latter were cheering the hostile rabble met their cheers with
defiant challenges The police had now almost more than they could do to prevent
a furious collision between the two bodies but their numbers kept increasing
as detachments arrived one after another and at length the house itself was
firmly guarded whilst the rioters on both sides were being put to flight It
was not a long street the police cleared it completely and allowed no one to
enter at either end
It was all but dark when at length the door of Emmas room was opened and
six or seven women appeared searching for Mutimer The landlady was foremost
she carried a lamp It showed the dead man at full length on the floor and Emma
kneeling beside him holding his hand Near her were the two children crying
miserably Emma appeared to have lost her voice when the light flashed upon her
eyes she covered them with one hand with the other pointed downwards The women
broke into cries of fright and lamentation They clustered around the prostrate
form examined it demanded explanations One at length sped down to the street
and shortly returned with two policemen A messenger was despatched for a
doctor
Emma did not move she was not weeping but paid no attention to any words
addressed to her The room was thronged with curious neighbours there was a
hubbub of talk When at length the medical man arrived he cleared the chamber
of all except Emma After a brief examination of the body he said to her
»You are his wife«
She still kneeling looked up into his face with pained astonishment
»His wife Oh no I am a stranger«
The doctor showed surprise
»He was killed in your presence«
»He is dead really dead« she asked under her breath And as she spoke
she laid her hand upon his arm
»He must have been killed instantaneously Did the stone fall in the room
Was it a stone«
No one had searched for the missile The doctor discovered it not far away
Whilst he was weighing it in his hand there came a knock at the door It was Mr
Westlake who entered He came and looked at the dead man then introducing
himself spoke a few words with the doctor Assured that there was no shadow of
hope he withdrew having looked closely at Emma who now stood a little apart
her hands held together before her
The doctor departed a few moments later He had examined the wound on the
girls face and found that it was not serious As he was going Emma said to
him
»Will you tell them to keep away all the people in the house«
»This is your own room«
»I live here with my sister«
»I will ask them to respect your wish The body must stay here for the
present though«
»Oh yes yes I know«
»Is your sister at home«
»She will be soon Please tell them not to come here«
She was alone again with the dead It cost her great efforts of mind to
convince herself that Mutimer really had breathed his last it seemed to her but
a moment since she heard him speak heard him laugh was not a trace of the
laugh even now discernible on his countenance How was it possible for life to
vanish in this way She constantly touched him spoke to him It was incredible
that he should not be able to hear her
Her love for him was immeasurable Bitterness she had long since overcome
and she had thought that love too was gone with it She had deceived herself
Her heart incredible as it may seem had even known a kind of hope how else
could she have borne the life which fate laid upon her the hope that is one
with love that asks nothing of the reason nor yields to reasons contumely He
had been smitten dead at the moment that she loved him dearest
Her sister Kate came in She had been spending the day with friends in
another part of London When just within the door she stopped and looked at the
body nervously
»Emma« she said »Why dont you come downstairs Mrs Lakell let us have
her back room and teas waiting for you I wonder how you can stay here«
»I cant come I want to be alone Kate Tell them not to come up«
»But you cant stay here all night child«
»I cant talk I want to be alone Perhaps Ill come down before long«
Kate withdrew and went to gossip with the people who were incessantly coming
and going in the lower part of the house The opening and shutting of the front
door the sound of voices the hurrying feet upon the staircase were audible
enough to Emma She heard too the crowds that kept passing along the street
their shouts their laughter the voices of the policemen bidding them move on
It was all a nightmare from which she strove to awake
At length she was able to weep Gazing constantly at the dead face she
linked it at last with some faroff memory of tenderness and that brought her
tears She held the cold hand against her heart and eased herself with
passionate sobbing with low wails with loving utterance of his name Thus it
happened that she did not hear when someone knocked lightly at the door and
entered A shadow across the still features told her of anothers presence
Starting back she saw a lady from whose pale beautiful face a veil had just
been raised The stranger who was regarding her with tenderly compassionate
eyes said
»I am Mrs Mutimer«
Emma rose to her feet and drew a little apart Her face fell
»They told me downstairs« Adela pursued »that I should find Miss Vine in
the room Is your name Emma Vine«
Emma asked herself whether this lady his wife could know anything of her
story It seemed so from the tone of the question She only replied
»Yes it is«
Then she again ventured to look up at the woman whose beauty had made her
life barren There were no signs of tears on Adelas face to Emma she seemed
cold though so grave and gentle Adela gazed for a while at the dead man She
too felt as though it were all a dream The spectacle of Emmas passionate
grief had kept her emotion within her heart perhaps had weakened it
»You have yourself been hurt« she said turning again to the other
Emma only shook her head She suffered terribly from Adelas presence
»I will go« she said in a whisper
»This is your room I think«
»Yes«
»May I stay here«
»Of course you must«
Emma was moving towards the door
»You wish to go« Adela said uttering the words involuntarily
»Yes I must«
Adela left alone stood gazing at the dead face She did not kneel by her
husband as Emma had done but a terrible anguish came upon her as she gazed
she buried her face in her hands Her feeling was more of horror at the crime
that had been committed than of individual grief Yet grief she knew The last
words her husband had spoken to her were good and worthy in her memory they
overcame all else That parting when he left home had seemed to her like the
beginning of a new life for him Could not his faults be atoned for otherwise
than by this ghastly end She had no need to direct her thoughts to the good
that was in him Even as she had taken his part against his traducers so she
now was stirred in spirit against his murderers She felt a solemn gladness in
remembering that she had stood before that meeting in the Clerkenwell room and
served him as far as it was in a womans power to do All her long sufferings
were forgotten this supreme calamity of death outweighed them all His enemies
had murdered him would they not continue to assail his name She resolved that
his memory should be her care That had nothing to do with love simple justice
demanded it Justice and gratitude for the last words he had spoken to her
She had as yet scarcely noticed the room in which she was At length she
surveyed it its poverty brought tears to her eyes There had been a fire but
the last spark was dead She began to feel cold
Soon there was the sound of someone ascending the stairs and Emma after
knocking again entered She carried a tray with teathings which she placed
upon the table Then having glanced at the fireplace she took from a cupboard
wood and paper and was beginning to make a fire when Adela stopped her saying
»You must not do that for me I will light the fire myself if you will let
me«
Emma looked up in surprise
»It is kind of you to bring me the tea« Adela continued »But let me do the
rest«
»If you wish to yes« the other replied without understanding the thought
which prompted Adela She carefully held herself from glancing towards the dead
man and moved away
Adela approached her
»Have you a room for the night«
»Yes thank you«
»Will you will you take my hand before you leave me«
She held it forth Emma with eyes turned to the ground gave her own
»Look at me« Adela said under her breath
Their eyes met and at last Emma understood In that grave noble gaze was
far more than sympathy and tenderness it was a look that besought pardon
»May I come to you in the night to see if you need anything« Emma asked
»I shall need nothing Come only if you cant sleep«
Adela lit the fire and began her nights watching
Chapter XXXVII
A deep breath of country air It is springtime and the valley of Wanley is
bursting into green and flowery life peacefully glad as if the foot of Demos
had never come that way Incredible that the fume of furnaces ever desecrated
that fleecesown sky of tenderest blue that hammers clanged and engines roared
where now the thrush utters his song so joyously Hubert Eldon has been as good
as his word In all the valley no trace is left of what was called New Wanley
Once more we can climb to the top of Stanbury Hill and enjoy the sense of
remoteness and security when we see that dark patch on the horizon the cloud
that hangs over Belwick
Hubert and the vicar of Wanley stood there together one morning in late
April more than a year after the death of Richard Mutimer Generally there was
a strong breeze on this point but today the west was breathing its gentlest
warm upon the cheek
»Well it has gone« Hubert said »May will have free playingground«
»In one sense« replied the vicar »I fear it will never be gone Its
influence on the life of the people in Wanley and in some of the farms about has
been graver than you imagine I find discontent where it was formerly unknown
The typical case is that lad of Boltons They wanted him sadly at home by this
time he would have been helping his unfortunate father Instead of that hes the
revolutionary oracle of Belwick pothouses and appears on an average once a
fortnight before the magistrates for being drunk and disorderly«
»Yes the march of progress has been hastened a little doubtless« said
Hubert »I have to content myself with the grass and the trees Well I have
done all I could now other people must enjoy the results Ah look there is a
van of the Edgeworths furniture coming to the Manor They are happy people
Something like an ideal married couple and with nothing to do but to wander
about the valley and enjoy themselves«
»I am rather surprissed you gave them so long a lease« remarked Mr Wyvern
»Why not I shall never live here again As long as I had work to do it was
all right but to continue to live in that house was impossible And in twenty
years it would be no less impossible I should fall into a monomania and one of
a very loathsome kind«
Mr Wyvern pondered They walked on a few paces before Hubert again spoke
»There was a letter from her in the Belwick Chronicle yesterday morning
Something on the placard in Agworth station caused me to buy a copy The Tory
paper it seems had a leader a day or two ago on Socialism and took occasion
to sneer at Mutimer not by name but in an unmistakable way the old scandal
of course She wrote a letter to the editor and he courteously paid no
attention to it So she wrote to the Chronicle They print her in large type
and devote a leader to the subject party capital of course«
He ceased on a bitter tone then before his companion could reply added
violently
»It is hideous to see her name in such places«
»Let us speak freely of this« returned Mr Wyvern »You seem to me to be
very unjust Your personal feeling makes you less acute in judging than I should
have expected Surely her behaviour is very admirable«
»Oh I am not unjust in that sense I have never refused to believe in his
innocence technically«
»Excuse me that has nothing to do with the matter All we have to look at
is this She is herself convinced of his innocence and therefore makes it her
supreme duty to defend his memory It appears to me that she acts altogether
nobly In spite of all the evidence that was brought on his side the dastardly
spirit of politics has persisted in making Mutimer a sort of historical
character a type of the hypocritical demagogue to be cited whenever occasion
offers Would it be possible to attach a more evil significance to a mans name
than that which Mutimer bears and will continue to bear among certain sections
of writing and speechifying vermin It is a miserable destiny If every man who
achieves notoriety paid for his faults in this way what sort of reputations
would history consist of I wont say that it isnt a good thing speaking
generally but in the individual case it is terribly hard Would you have his
widow keep silence That would be the easier thing to do be sure of it for
her a thousand times the easier I regard her as the one entirely noble woman
it has been my lot to know And if you thought calmly you could not speak of her
with such impatience«
Hubert kept silence for a moment
»It is all true. Of course it only means that I am savagely jealous But I
cannot upon my life I cannot understand her having given her love to such a
man as that«
Mr Wyvern seemed to regard the landscape There was a sad smile on his
countenance
»Let there be an end of it« Hubert resumed »I didnt mean to say anything
to you about the letter Now well talk of other things Well I am going to
have a summer among the German galleries perhaps I shall find peace there You
have let your son know that I am coming«
The vicar nodded They continued their walk along the top of the hill
Presently Mr Wyvern stopped and faced his companion
»Are you serious in what you said just now I mean about her love for
Mutimer«
»Serious Of course I am Why should you ask such a question«
»Because I find it difficult to distinguish between the things a young man
says in jealous pique and the real belief he entertains when he is not throwing
savage words about You have convinced yourself that she loved her husband in
the true sense of the word«
»The conviction was forced upon me Why did she marry him at all What led
her to give herself heart and soul to Socialism she who under ordinary
circumstances would have shrunk from that and all other isms Why should she
make it a special entreaty to me to pursue her husbands work The zeal for his
memory is nothing unanticipated it issues naturally from her former state of
mind«
»Your vehemence« replied the vicar smiling »is sufficient proof that you
dont think it impossible for all these questions to be answered in another
sense I cant pretend to have read the facts of her life infallibly but
suppose I venture a hint or two just to give you matter for thought Why she
married him I cannot wholly explain to myself but remember that she took that
step very shortly after being brought to believe that you my good friend were
utterly unworthy of any true womans devotion Remember too her brothers
influence and well her mothers Now on the evening before she accepted
Mutimer she called at the Vicarage alone Unfortunately I was away was
walking with you in fact What she desired to say to me I can only conjecture
but it is not impossible that she was driven by the common impulse which sends
young girls to their pastor when they are in grievous trouble and without other
friends«
»Why did you never tell me of that« cried Hubert
»Because it would have been useless and to tell you the truth I felt I
was in an awkward position not far from acting indiscreetly I did go to see
her the next morning but only saw her mother and heard of the engagement
Adela never spoke to me of her visit«
»But she may have come for quite other reasons Her subsequent behaviour
remains«
»Certainly Here again I may be altogether wrong but it seems to me that to
a woman of her character there was only one course open Having become his wife
it behoved her to be loyal and especially remember this it behoved her to
put her position beyond doubt in the eyes of others in the eyes of one it may
be beyond all Does that throw no light on your meeting with her in the wood
of which you make so much«
Huberts countenance shone but only for an instant
»Ingenious« he replied goodhumouredly
»Possibly no more« Mr Wyvern rejoined »Take it as a fanciful sketch of
how a womans life might be ordered Such a life would not lack its dignity«
Neither spoke for a while
»You will call on Mrs Westlake as you pass through London« Mr Wyvern next
inquired
»Mrs Westlake« the other repeated absently »Yes I dare say I shall see
her«
»Do by all means«
They began to descend the hill
The Walthams no longer lived in Wanley A year ago the necessities of Alfred
Walthams affairs had led to a change he and his wife and their two children
together with Mrs Waltham the dowager removed to what the auctioneers call a
commodious residence on the outskirts of Belwick Alfred remarked that it was as
well not to be so far from civilisation he pointed out too that it was time
for him to have an eye to civic dignities if only a place on the Board of
Guardians to begin with Our friend was not quite so uncompromising in his
political and social opinions as formerly His wife observed that he ceased to
subscribe to Socialist papers and took in a daily of orthodox Liberal
tendencies that is to say an organ of capitalism Letty rejoiced at the
change but knew her husband far too well to make any remark upon it
To their house about three months after her husbands death came Adela
The intermediate time she had passed with Stella All were very glad to have her
at Belwick Letty in particular who though a matron with two bouncing boys
still sat at Adelas feet and deemed her the model of womanhood Adela was not
so sad as they had feared to find her She kept a great deal to her own room
but was always engaged in study and seemed to find peace in that way She was
silent in her habits scarcely ever joining in general conversation but when
Letty could steal an hour from household duties and go to Adelas room she was
always sure of hearing wise and tender words in which her heart delighted Her
pride in Adela was boundless On the day when the latter first attired herself
in modified mourning Letty walking with her in the garden could not refrain
from saying how Adelas dress became her
»You are more beautiful every day dear« she added in spite of a tremor
which almost checked her in uttering a compliment which her sister might think
too frivolous
But Adela blushed one would have thought it was with pleasure Sadness
however followed and Letty wondered whether the beautiful face was destined to
wear its pallor always
On this same spring morning when Hubert Eldon was taking leave of Wanley
Mrs Waltham and Letty were talking of a visit Adela was about to pay to Stella
in London They spoke also of a visitor of their own or perhaps rather of
Adelas who had been in the house for a fortnight and would return to London on
the morrow This was Alice Mutimer no longer to be called Mrs Rodman Alice
had lived with her mother in Wilton Square since her recovery from the illness
which for a long time had kept her in ignorance of the double calamity fallen
upon her It was Adela who at length told her that she had no husband and that
her brother Richard was dead Neither disclosure affected her gravely The
months of mental desolation followed by physical collapse seemed to have
exhausted her powers of suffering For several days she kept to herself and
cried a good deal but she exhibited no bitter grief It soon became evident
that she thought but little of the man who had so grossly wronged her he was
quite gone from her heart Even when she was summoned to give evidence against
him in court she did it without much reluctance yet also without revengeful
feeling her state was one of enfeebled vitality she was like a child in all
the concerns of life Rodman went into penal servitude but it did not distress
her and she never again uttered his name
Adela thought it would be a kindness to invite her to Belwick and Alice at
once accepted the invitation Yet she was not at her ease in the house She
appeared to have forgiven Adela overcome by the latters goodness but her
nature was not of the kind to grow in liberal feeling Mrs Waltham the elder
she avoided as much as possible Perhaps Letty best succeeded in conciliating
her for Letty was homely and had the children to help her
»I wish I had a child« Alice said one day when she sat alone with Letty
and assisted in nursery duties But at once her cheeks coloured »I suppose
youre ashamed of me for saying that Im not even a married woman«
Letty replied as she well knew how to very gently and with comfort
»I wonder where she goes to when she sets off by herself« said Mrs Waltham
this morning »She seems to object to walk with any of us«
»She always comes back in better spirits« said Letty »I think the change
is doing her good«
»But she wont be sorry to leave us my dear I can see that To be sure it
was like Adela to think of having her here but I scarcely think it would be
advisable for the visit to be repeated She is not at home with us And how can
it be expected Its in her blood of course she belongs so distinctly to an
inferior class«
»I am so very sorry for her« Letty replied »What dreadful things she has
gone through«
»Dreadful indeed my dear but after all such things dont happen to
ladies We must remember that It isnt as if you or Adela had suffered in that
way That of course would be shocking beyond all words I cant think that
persons of her class have quite the same feelings«
»Oh mother« Letty protested And she added less seriously »You mustnt
let Alfred hear you say such a thing as that«
»Im glad to say« replied Mrs Waltham »that Alfred has grown much more
sensible in his views of late«
Adela entered the room Letty was not wrong in saying that she grew more
beautiful Life had few joys for her save intellectual but you saw on her
countenance the light of freedom In her manner there was an unconscious dignity
which made her position in the house one of recognised superiority even her
mother seldom ventured to chat without reserve in her presence Alfred drew up
in the midst of a tirade if she but seemed about to speak Yet it was happiness
to live with her where she moved there breathed an air of purity and sweetness
She asked if Alice had returned from her walk Receiving a reply in the
negative, she went out into the garden
»Adela looks happy today« said Letty »That article in the paper has
pleased her very much«
»I really hope she wont do such a thing again« remarked Mrs Waltham with
dignified disapproval »It seems very unladylike to write letters to the
newspapers«
»But it was brave of her«
»To be sure we must not judge her as we should ordinary people Still I am
not sure that she is always right I shall never allow that she did right in
paying back that money to those wretches in London I am sure she wanted it far
more than they did The bloodthirsty creatures«
Letty shuddered but would not abandon defence of Adela
»Still it was very honourable of her mother She understands those things
better than we can«
»Perhaps so my dear« said Mrs Waltham meaning that her own opinion was
not likely to be inferior in justice to that of anyone else
Adela had been in the garden for a few minutes when she saw Alice coming
towards her The poor Princess had a bright look as if some joyful news had
just come to her Adela met her with a friendly smile
»There is someone you used to know« Alice said speaking with
embarrassment and pointing towards the road »You remember Mr Keene I met
him He says he wrote that in the Chronicle He would like to speak to you if
youll let him«
»I shall be glad to« Adela replied with a look of curiosity
They walked to the garden gate Mr Keene was just outside Alice beckoned
to him to enter His appearance was a great improvement on the old days he had
grown a beard and in his eye you saw the responsible editor Altogether he
seemed to have gained in moral solidity None the less his manner of
approaching Adela hat in hand awoke reminiscences of the footlights
»It is a great pleasure to me to see you Mrs Mutimer I trust that my few
comments on your admirable letter were of a nature to afford you satisfaction«
»Thank you very much Mr Keene« Adela replied »You wrote very kindly«
»I am amply rewarded« he said bowing low »And now that I have had my
desire permit me to hasten away My duty calls me into the town«
He again bowed low to Adela smiled a farewell to Alice and departed
The two walked together in the garden Adela turned to her companion
»I think you knew Mr Keene a long time ago«
»Yes a long time He once asked me to marry him«
Adela replied only with a look
»And hes asked me again this morning« Alice pursued breaking off a leaf
from an elder bush
»And you «
»I didnt refuse him this time« Alice replied with confidence
»I am very glad very glad He has been faithful to you so long that I am
sure he will make you happy«
Alice no longer concealed her joy It was almost exultation Natural enough
under the circumstances poor disinherited Princess Once more she felt able to
face people once more she would have a name She began to talk eagerly
»Of course I shall just go back to tell mother but we are going to be
married in three weeks He has already decided upon a house we went to see it
this morning I didnt like to tell you but I met him for the first time a week
ago quite by chance«
»Im afraid your mother will be lonely« Adela said
»Not she Shed far rather live alone than go anywhere else And now I shall
be able to send her money It isnt fair for you to have to find everything«
»I have wanted to ask you« Adela said presently »do you ever hear of
Harry«
Alice shook her head
»The less we hear the better« she replied »Hes gone to the bad and
theres no help for it«
It was true unfortunate victim of prosperity
Next morning Adela and Alice travelled to town together The former did not
go to Wilton Square On the occasion of Richards death she had met Mrs
Mutimer but the interview had been an extremely difficult one in spite of the
old womans endeavour to be courteous Adela felt herself to be an object of
insuperable prejudice Once again she was bidden sound the depth of the gulf
which lies between the educated and the uneducated The old woman would not give
her hand but made an oldfashioned curtsey which Adela felt to be half
ironical In speaking of her son she was hard Pride would not allow her to
exhibit the least symptom of the anguish which wrung her heart She refused to
accept any share of the income which was continued to her sons widow under the
Wanley will Alice however had felt no scruple in taking the half which Adela
offered her and by paying her mother for board and lodgings she supplemented
the income derived from letting as much of the house as possible
Once more under the roof of her dearest friend Adela was less preoccupied
with the sad past which afflicted her mind with the stress of a duty ever harder
to perform After an hour passed with Stella she could breathe freely the
atmosphere of beauty and love Elsewhere she too often suffered from a sense of
self-reproach between her and the book in which she tried to lose herself there
would come importunate visions of woe of starved faces of fierce eyes The
comfort she enjoyed the affection and respect with which she was surrounded
were often burdensome to her conscience In Stellas presence all that vanished
listening to Stellas voice she could lay firm hold on the truth that there is a
work in the cause of humanity other than that which goes on so clamorously in
lecturehalls and at street corners other than that which is silently performed
by faithful hearts and hands in dens of misery and amid the horrors of the
lazarhouse the work of those whose soul is taken captive of loveliness who
pursue the spiritual ideal apart from the worlds tumult and ever ready to
minister in gentle offices know that they serve best when nearest home She was
far from spiritual arrogance her natural mood was a profound humility she
deemed herself rather below than above the active toilers whose sweat was
sacred but life had declared that such toil was not for her and from Stella
she derived the support which enabled her to pursue her path in peace a path
not one with Stellas Before that highthroned poetsoul Adela bent in humble
reverence Between Stella and those toilers however noble and devoted there
could be no question of comparison She was of those elect whose part it is to
inspire faith and hope of those highest but for whom the world would fall into
apathy or lose itself among subordinate motives Stella never spoke of herself
Adela could not know whether she had ever stood at the severance of ways and
made deliberate choice Probably not for on her brow was visible to all eyes
the seal of election how could she ever have doubted the leading of that spirit
that used her lips for utterance
On the morning after her arrival in London Adela took a long journey by
herself to the far East End Going by omnibus it seemed to her that she was
never to reach that street off Bow Road which she had occasion to visit But at
last the conductor bade her descend and gave her a brief direction The
thoroughfare she sought was poor but not squalid she saw with pleasure that the
house of which she had the number in mind was if anything cleaner and more
homelike in appearance than its neighbours A woman replied to her knock
She asked if Miss Vine was at home
»Yes mum shes at ome Shall I tell her or will you go up«
»I will go up thank you Which room is it«
»Second floor front youll find her«
Adela ascended Standing at the door she heard the hum of a sewingmachine
It made her heart sink so clearly did it speak of incessant monotonous labour
She knocked loudly The machine did not stop but she was bidden to enter
Emma was at work one of her sisters children sitting by her writing on a
slate She had expected the appearance of the landlady seeing who the visitor
was she let her hands fall abruptly an expression of pain passed over her
features
Adela went up to her and kissed her forehead then exchanged a few words
with the child Emma placed a chair for her but without speaking The room was
much like the other in which the sisters had lived save that it had a brighter
outlook There were the two beds and the table covered with work
»Do you find it better here« Adela began by asking
»Yes it is better« Emma replied quietly »We manage to get a good deal of
work and it isnt badly paid«
The voice was not uncheerful it had that serenity which comes of duties
honestly performed and a life tolerably free from sordid anxiety More than that
could not be said of Emmas existence But such as it was it depended entirely
upon her own effort Adela on the evening when she first met her in the room
where Mutimer lay dead had read clearly Emmas character she knew that though
it was one of her strongest desires to lighten the burden of this so sorely
tried woman direct aid was not to be dreamt of She had taken counsel with
Stella Stella with her husband After much vain seeking they discovered an
opportunity of work in this part of the East End Mr Westlake made it known to
Emma she acknowledged that it would be better than the overswarmed
neighbourhood in which she was living and took the advice gratefully She had
hopes too that Kate might be got away from her evil companions And indeed the
change had not been without its effect on Mrs Clay she worked more steadily
and gave more attention to her children
»Shes just gone with the eldest to the hospital« Emma replied to a
question of Adelas »Hes got something the matter with his eyes And this one
isnt at all well He ought to be at school only hes had such a dreadful cough
were afraid to send him out just yet Theyre neither of them strong Im
afraid«
»And you isnt your health better since you have lived here« Adela asked
»I think so But I never ail much as long as I have plenty of work to do«
»I am staying with a friend in London« Adela said after a pause »I thought
I might come to see you I hoped you would still be in the same house«
»Yes we are very comfortable very« Emma replied »I hope we shant need
to move for a long time Im sure we couldnt do better«
She added without raising her eyes
»Thank you for coming«
Adela knew that constraint between them was inevitable it was enough that
Emma spoke with goodwill
»If ever you should have to move« she said »will you let me know where you
go I have written on this paper the address of my mothers house I live with
her Will you show me so much friendship«
Emma glanced at her and saw a look which recalled to her something she had
seen in those eyes before
»I will write and tell you if we do move« she said
Adela went away with a heart not altogether sad it was rather as though she
had been hearing solemn music which stirred her soul even while it touched upon
the source of tears
It was only on certain days that Stella sat to receive during visitors
hours Today was not one of them consequently when Hubert Eldon called about
halfpast four the servant came up to the drawingroom to ask if Mrs Westlake
would be at home to him Adela was in the room at the mention of the name she
rose
»I must write a letter before dinner« she said »I will go and get it done
whilst you are engaged«
»Wont you stay Do stay«
»I had much rather not I dont feel able to talk with anyone just now«
She left the room without meeting Stellas look The latter said she would
receive Mr Eldon
Adela went to the exquisitely furnished little boudoir which was now always
called her room and sat down with the resolve to write to her mother on the
subjects she had in mind But her strength of will proved unequal to the task
after writing a word or two with shaking hand she laid down her pen and rested
her face upon her hands A minute or two ago she had been untroubled by a
thought which concerned herself now her blood was hot and all her being moved
at the impulse of a passionate desire She had never known such a rebellion of
her life In her ears there rang the word Free free She was free and the man
whom she loved with the love of years with the first love of maidenhood and the
confirmed love of maturity was but a few yards from her it might be had even
come here on purpose to meet her
Oh why was he not poor Had he but been some struggling artist scarce able
to support the woman of his choice how would she have stood before him and let
him read the tenderness on her face Huberts wealth was doubly hateful
She started from her chair with difficulty suppressing a cry Someone had
knocked at her door Perhaps he was already gone she could not say how long she
had sat here It was Stella
»Mr Eldon wishes to speak to you dear«
She caught her friends hand and almost crushed it between her own
»I cant see him Stella I dare not see him«
»But he says it is purely a matter of business he wishes to speak of« said
Stella with a pained voice
Adela sank her head in anguish of shame Stella put an arm about her
fearing she would fall But in an instant pride had sprung up Adela freed
herself now deadly pale
»I will go«
She moved mechanically spoke mechanically the conventional words when she
found that somehow she was in his presence
»I hope I do not disturb you« Hubert said with equal selfcontrol »I was
about to address a letter to you before I left England I did not know that you
were here It is better perhaps to do my business by word of mouth if you
will allow me«
He was very courteous but she could not distinguish a note in his voice
that meant more than courtesy She prayed him to be seated and herself took a
place on an ottoman She was able very calmly to regard his face He leaned
forward with his hands together and spoke with his eyes on her
»It is with regard to the legacy which is due to you under Mr Mutimers
will You will remember that as trustee I have it in my power to make over to
you the capital sum which produces the annuity if there should be reason for
doing so I am about to leave England perhaps for some few years I have let
the Manor to some friends of mine on a twenty years lease I think I should
like to transfer the money to you before I go It is simpler better Will you
let me do that Mrs Mutimer«
His words chilled her His voice seemed harder as he proceeded it had the
ring of metal of hard cash counted down
What was his object He wished to have done with her to utterly abolish all
relations between them It might well be that he was about to marry and someone
abroad someone who would not care to live in an English country house Why
otherwise should he have let the Manor for so long a period She felt as she had
done long ago when she heard of that other foreign woman Cold as ice not a
spark of love in all her being
She replied
»Thank you If you are willing to make that change perhaps it will be
best«
Hubert his eyes still on her imagined he saw pleasure in her face She
might have a project for the use of the money some Socialist scheme something
perhaps to preserve the memory of her husband He rose
»In that case I will have a deed prepared at once and you shall be informed
when it is ready for signature«
He said to himself that she could not forgive his refusal of her request
that day in the wood
They shook hands Adela saying
»You are still busy with art«
»In my dilettante way« he replied smiling
Adela returned to her room and there remained till the hour of dinner At
the meal she was her ordinary self Afterwards Mr Westlake asked her to read in
proof an article about to appear in the »Beacon« she did so and commented upon
it with a clear mind In the course of the evening she told her friends of the
arrangement between Mr Eldon and herself
Two days later she had to call at the solicitors office to sign the deed of
release Incidentally she learnt that Hubert was leaving England the same
evening
Had she been at home these days would have been spent in solitude For the
first time she suffered in Stellas company All allusion to Hubert was avoided
between them Sometimes she could hardly play her part sickness of the soul
wasted her
It was morning he was now on the Continent perhaps already talking with
someone he loved
She was shamed to have so deceived herself she had feared him because she
believed he loved her and that by sympathy he might see into her heart Had it
been so he could not have gone from her in this way Forgetting her own pride
her own power of dissimulation she did not believe it possible for him so to
disguise tenderness She would listen to no argument of hope but crushed her
heart with perverse cruelty
The annual payment of money had been a link between him and her when she
signed the deed releasing him the cold sweat stood on her forehead
She would reason Of what excellence was he possessed that her life should
so abandon itself at his feet In what had he proved himself generous or capable
of the virtues that subdue Such reasoning led to selfmockery She was no
longer the girl who questioned her heart as to the significance of the vows
required in the marriage service in looking back upon those struggles she could
have wept for pity Love would submit to no analysis it was of her life as
easy to account for the power of thought Her soul was bare to her and all its
needs There was no refuge in ascetic resolve in the self-deceit of spiritual
enthusiasm She could say to herself You are free to love him then love and be
satisfied Could she when ahungered look on food and bid her hunger be
appeased by the act of sight
Thus long she had held up but despair was closing in upon her and an
anguish worse than death She must leave this house and go where she might
surrender herself to misery There was no friend whose comfort could be other
than torment and bitter vanity such woe as hers only time and weariness could
aid
She was rising with the firm purpose of taking leave of Stella when a
servant came to her door announcing that Mr Eldon desired to see her
She was incredulous required the servant to repeat the name Mr Eldon was
in the drawingroom and desired to see her
There must have been some error some oversight in the legal business Oh
it was inhuman to torture her in this way Careless of what her countenance
might indicate she hastened to the drawingroom She could feign no longer Let
him think what he would so that he spoke briefly and released her
But as soon as she entered the room she knew that he had not come to talk of
business He was pale and agitated As he did not speak at once she said
»I thought you were gone I thought you left England last night«
»I meant to do so but found it impossible I could not go till I had seen
you once more«
»What more have you to say to me«
She knew that she was speaking recklessly without a thought for dignity
Her question sounded as if it had been extorted from her by pain
»That if I go away from you now and finally I go without a hope to support
my life You are everything to me You are offended you shrink from me It is
what I expected Years ago when I loved you without knowing what my love really
meant I flung away every chance in a moment of boyish madness When I should
have consecrated every thought to the hope of winning you I made myself
contemptible in your eyes worse I made you loathe me When it was too late I
understood what I had done Then I loved you as a man loves the one woman whom
he supremely reverences as I love you and I believe shall always love you I
could not go without saying this to you I am happier in speaking the words than
I ever remember to have been in my life before«
Adelas bosom heaved but excess of joy seemed to give her power to deal
lightly with the gift that was offered her
»Why did you not say this the last time« she asked One would have said
from her tone that it was a question of the merest curiosity She did not
realise the words that passed her lips
»Because the distance between us seemed too great I began to speak of that
money in the thought that it might lead me on It had the opposite effect You
showed me how cold you could be It is natural enough Perhaps your sympathies
are too entirely remote and yet not long ago you talked with me as if your
interests could be much the same as mine I can understand that you suppress
that side of your nature You think me useless in the world And indeed my life
has but one purpose which is a vain one I can do nothing but feed my love for
you You have convictions and purposes you feel that they are opposed to mine
All that is of the intellect I only live in my passion We are different and
apart«
»Why do you say that as if you were glad of it«
»Glad I speak the words that come to my tongue I say aloud to you what I
have been repeating again and again to myself It is mere despair«
She drew one step nearer to him
»You disregard those differences which you say are only of the intellect
and still love me Can I not do the same There was a distance between us and
my ends were other than yours That is the past the present is mine to make
myself what you would have me I have no law but your desire so much I love
you«
How easily said after all And when he searched her face with eyes on fire
with their joy when he drew her to his heart in passionate triumph the untruth
of years fell from her like a veil and she had achieved her womanhood