George Meredith
Evan Harrington
or
He would be a Gentleman
Chapter I
Above Buttons
Long after the hours when tradesmen are in the habit of commencing business the
shutters of a certain shop in the town of LymportontheSea remained
significantly closed and it became known that death had taken Mr Melchisedec
Harrington and struck one off the list of living tailors The demise of a
respectable member of this class does not ordinarily create a profound
sensation He dies and his equals debate who is to be his successor while the
rest of them who have come in contact with him very probably hear nothing of
his great launch and final adieu till the winding up of cashaccounts on which
occasions we may augur that he is not often blessed by one or other of the two
great parties who subdivide this universe In the case of Mr Melchisedec it was
otherwise This had been a grand man despite his calling and in the teeth of
opprobrious epithets against his craft To be both generally blamed and
generally liked evinces a peculiar construction of mortal Mr Melchisedec
whom people in private called the great Mel had been at once the sad dog of
Lymport and the pride of the town He was a tailor and he kept horses he was
a tailor and he had gallant adventures he was a tailor and he shook hands
with his customers Finally he was a tradesman and he never was known to have
sent in a bill Such a personage comes but once in a generation and when he
goes men miss the man as well as their money
That he was dead there could be no doubt Kilne the publican opposite had
seen Sally one of the domestic servants come out of the house in the early
morning and rush up the street to the doctors tossing her hands and she not
disinclined to dilute her grief had on her return related that her master was
then at his last gasp and had refused in so many words to swallow the doctor
»I wont swallow the doctor he says I wont swallow the doctor« Sally
moaned »I never touched him he says and I never will«
Kilne angrily declared that in his opinion a man who rejected medicine in
extremity ought to have it forced down his throat and considering that the
invalid was pretty deeply in Kilnes debt it naturally assumed the form of a
dishonest act on his part but Sally scornfully dared any one to lay hand on her
master even for his own good »For« said she »he s got his eyes awake
though he do lie so helpless He marks ye«
»Ah ah« Kilne sniffed the air Sally then rushed back to her duties
»Now there s a man« Kilne stuck his hands in his pockets and began his
meditation which however was cut short by the approach of his neighbour
Barnes the butcher to whom he confided what he had heard and who ejaculated
professionally »Obstinate as a pig« As they stood together they beheld Sally
a figure of telegraph at one of the windows implying that all was just over
»Amen« said Barnes as to a matteroffact affair
Some minutes after the two were joined by Grossby the confectioner who
listened to the news and observed
»Just like him I d have sworn he d never take doctors stuff« and
nodding at Kilne »liked his medicine best eh«
»Had a hem good lot of it« muttered Kilne with a suddenly serious
brow
»How does he stand on your books« asked Barnes
Kilne shouldered round crying »Who the deuce is to know«
»I dont« Grossby sighed »In he comes with his Good morning Grossby
fine day for the hunt Grossby and a tenpound note Have the kindness to put
that down in my favour Grossby And just as I am going to say Look here
this wont do he has me by the collar and there s one of the regiments going
to give a supper party which he s to order or the Admirals wife wants the
receipt for that pie or in comes my wife and there s no talking of business
then though she may have been bothering about his account all the night
beforehand Something or other and so we run on«
»What I want to know« said Barnes the butcher »is where he got his
tenners from«
Kilne shook a sagacious head »No knowing«
»I suppose we shall get something out of the fire« Barnes suggested
»That depends« answered the emphatic Kilne
»But you know if the widow carries on the business« said Grossby »there
s no reason why we shouldnt get it all eh«
»There aint two that can make clothes for nothing and make a profit out of
it« said Kilne
»That young chap in Portugal« added Barnes »he wont take to tailoring
when he comes home D ye think he will«
Kilne muttered »Cant say« and Grossby a kindly creature in his way
albeit a creditor reverting to the first subject of their discourse
ejaculated »But what a one he was eh«
»Fine to look on« Kilne assented
»Well he was like a Marquis« said Barnes
Here the three regarded each other and laughed though not loudly They
instantly checked that unseemliness and Kilne as one who rises from the depths
of a calculation with the sum in his head spoke quite in a different voice
»Well what do you say gentlemen shall we adjourn No use standing here«
By the invitation to adjourn it was well understood by the committee Kilne
addressed that they were invited to pass his threshold and partake of a
morning draught Barnes the butcher had no objection whatever and if Grossby
a man of milder make entertained any the occasion and common interests to be
discussed advised him to waive them In single file these mourners entered the
publicans house where Kilne after summoning them from behind the bar on the
important question what it should be and receiving first perfect
acquiescence in his views as to what it should be and then feeble suggestions
of the drink best befitting that early hour and the speakers particular
constitution poured out a toothful to each and one to himself
»Here s to him poor fellow« said Kilne and was deliberately echoed
twice
»Now it wasnt that« Kilne pursued pointing to the bottle in the midst of
a smacking of lips »that wasnt what got him into difficulties It was
expensive luckshries It was being above his condition Horses What s a
tradesman got to do with horses Unless he s retired Then he s a gentleman
and can do as he likes It s no use trying to be a gentleman if you cant pay
for it It always ends bad Why there was he consorting with gentlefolks gay
as a lark Who has to pay for it«
Kilnes fellowvictims maintained a rather doleful tributary silence
»I m not saying anything against him now« the publican further observed
»It s too late And there I m sorry he s gone for one He was as kind a
hearted a man as ever breathed And there perhaps it was just as much my fault
I couldnt say No to him dash me if I could«
Lymport was a prosperous town and in prosperity the muchdespised British
tradesman is not a harsh he is really a welldisposed easy soul and requires
but management manner occasional instalments just to freshen the account
and a surety that he who debits is on the spot to be a right royal king of
credit Only the account must never drivel Stare aut crescere appears to be his
feeling on that point and the departed Mr Melchisedec undoubtedly understood
him there for the running on of the account looked deplorable and extraordinary
now that Mr Melchisedec was no longer in a position to run on with it and it
was precisely his doing so which had prevented it from being brought to a
summary close long before Both Barnes the butcher and Grossby the
confectioner confessed that they too found it hard ever to say »No« to him
and speaking broadly never could
»Except once« said Barnes »when he wanted me to let him have a ox to roast
whole out on the common for the Battle of Waterloo I stood out against him on
that No no says I I ll joint him for ye Mr Harrington You shall have him
in joints and eat him at home ha ha«
»Just like him« said Grossby with true enjoyment of the princely
disposition that had dictated the patriotic order
»Oh there« Kilne emphasized pushing out his arm across the bar as much
as to say that in anything of such a kind the great Mel never had a rival
»That Marquis affair changed him a bit« said Barnes
»Perhaps it did for a time« said Kilne »What s in the grain you know
He couldnt change He would be a gentleman and nothing d stop him«
»And I shouldnt wonder but what that young chap out in Portugalll want to
be one too though he didnt bid fair to be so fine a man as his father«
»More of a scholar« remarked Kilne »That I call his worst fault
shillyshallying about that young chap I mean his« Kilne stretched a finger
toward the dead mans house »First the young chaps to be sent into the Navy
then it s the Army then he s to be a judge and sit on criminals then he
goes out to his sister in Portugal and now there s nothing but a tailor open
to him as I see if we re to get our money«
»Ah and he hasnt got too much spirit to work to pay his fathers debts«
added Barnes »There s a business there to make any mans fortune properly di
rected I say But I suppose like father like son he ll be coming the
Marquis too He went to a gentlemans school and he s had foreign training I
dont know what to think about it His sisters over there they were fine
women«
»Oh a fine family every one of em and married well« exclaimed the
publican
»I never had the exact rights of that Marquis affair« said Grossby and
remembering that he had previously laughed knowingly when it was alluded to
pursued »Of course I heard of it at the time but how did he behave when he was
blown upon«
Barnes undertook to explain but Kilne who relished the narrative quite as
well and was readier said
»Look here I ll tell you I had it from his own mouth one night when he
wasnt not quite himself He was coming down King William Street where he
stabled his horse you know and I met him He d been dining out somewhere
out over Fallowfield I think it was and he sings out to me Ah Kilne my good
fellow and I wishing to be equal with him says A fine night my lord and he
draws himself up he smelt of good company says he Kilne I m not a lord
as you know and you have no excuse for mistaking me for one sir So I
pretended I had mistaken him and then he tucked his arm under mine and said
You re no worse than your betters Kilne They took me for one at Squire
Uplofts tonight but a man who wishes to pass off for more than he is Kilne
and impose upon people he says he s contemptible Kilne contemptible So
that you know set me thinking about Bath and the Marquis and I couldnt help
smiling to myself and just let slip a question whether he had enlightened them
a bit Kilne said he you re an honest man and a neighbour and I ll tell
you what happened The Squire he says likes my company and I like his table
Now the Squired never do a dirty action but the Squires nephew Mr George
Uploft he cant forget that I earn my money and once or twice I have had to
correct him And I ll wager Mel did it too Well he goes on There was
Admiral Sir Jackson Roseley and his lady at dinner Squire Foulke of Hursted
Lady Barrington Admiral Combleman our admiral that was Mr This and That I
forget their names and other ladies and gentlemen whose acquaintance I was not
honoured with You know his way of talking And there was a goose on the table
he says and looking stern at me Dont laugh yet says he like thunder Well
he goes on Mr George caught my eye across the table and said so as not to be
heard by his uncle If that bird was rampant you would see your own arms
Marquis« And Mel replied quietly for him to hear »And as that bird is
couchant Mr George you had better look to your sauce« Couchant means
squatting you know That s heraldy Well that wasnt bad sparring of Mels
But bless you he was never taken aback and the gentlefolks was glad enough to
get him to sit down amongst em So says Mr George »I know you re a
fireeater Marquis« and his dander was up for he began marquising Mel and
doing the mockpolite at such a rate that byandby one of the ladies who
didnt know Mel called him my lord and his lordship »And« says Mel »I merely
bowed to her and took no notice« So that passed off and there sits Mel
telling his anecdotes as grand as a king And byandby young Mr George who
hadnt forgiven Mel and had been pulling at the bottle pretty well he sings
out »It s Michaelmas the death of the goose and I should like to drink the
Marquiss health« and he drank it solemn But as far as I can make out the
women part of the company was a little in the dark So Mel waited till there was
a sort of a pause and then speaks rather loud to the Admiral »By the way Sir
Jackson may I ask you has the title of Marquis anything to do with tailoring«
Now Mel was a great favourite with the Admiral and with his lady too they
say and the Admiral played into his hands you see and says he »I m not
aware that it has Mr Harrington« And he begged for to know why he asked the
question called him Mister you understand So Mel said and I can see him
now right out from his chest he spoke with his head up »When I was a
younger man I had the good taste to be fond of good society and the bad taste
to wish to appear different from what I was in it« that s Mel speaking
everybody was listening so he goes on »I was in the habit of going to Bath in
the season and consorting with the gentlemen I met there on terms of equality
and for some reason that I am quite guiltless of« says Mel »the hotel people
gave out that I was a Marquis in disguise and upon my honour ladies and
gentlemen I was young then and a fool I could not help imagining I looked
the thing At all events I took upon myself to act the part and with some
success and considerable gratification for in my opinion« says Mel »no real
Marquis ever enjoyed his title so much as I did One day I was in my shop No
193 Main Street Lymport and a gentleman came in to order his outfit I
received his directions when suddenly he started back stared at me and
exclaimed My dear Marquis I trust you will pardon me for having addressed you
with so much familiarity I recognized in him one of my Bath acquaintances That
circumstance ladies and gentlemen has been a lesson to me Since that time I
have never allowed a false impression with regard to my position to exist I
desire« says Mel smiling »to have my exact measure taken everywhere and if
the Michaelmas bird is to be associated with me I am sure I have no objection
all I can say is that I cannot justify it by letters patent of nobility« That
s how Mel put it Do you think they thought worse of him I warrant you he came
out of it in flying colours Gentlefolks like straightforwardness in their
inferiors that s what they do »Ah« said Kilne meditatively »I see him
now walking across the street in the moonlight after he d told me that A
fine figure of a man and there aint many Marquises to match him«
To this Barnes and Grossby not insensible to the merits of the recital they
had just given ear to agreed And with a common voice of praise in the mouths
of his creditors the dead mans requiem was sounded
Chapter II
The Heritage of the Son
Toward evening a carriage drove up to the door of the muted house and the card
of Lady Roseley bearing a hurried line in pencil was handed to the widow
It was when you looked upon her that you began to comprehend how great was
the personal splendour of the husband who could eclipse such a woman Mrs
Harrington was a tall and a stately dame Dressed in the high waists of the
matrons of that period with a light shawl drawn close over her shoulders and
bosom she carried her head well and her pale firm features with the cast of
immediate affliction on them had much dignity dignity of an unrelenting
physical order which need not express any remarkable pride of spirit The
family gossips who on both sides were vain of this rare couple and would
always descant on their beauty even when they had occasion to slander their
characters said to distinguish them that Henrietta Maria had a Port and
Melchisedec a Presence and that the union of a Port and a Presence and such a
Port and such a Presence was so uncommon that you might search England through
and you would not find another not even in the highest ranks of society There
lies some subtle distinction here due to the minute perceptions which compel
the gossips of a family to coin phrases that shall express the nicest shades of
a domestic difference By a Port one may understand them to indicate something
unsympathetically impressive whereas a Presence would seem to be a thing that
directs the most affable appeal to our poor human weaknesses His Majesty King
George IV for instance possessed a Port Beau Brummel wielded a Presence
Many it is true take a Presence to mean no more than a shirtfrill and
interpret a Port as the art of walking erect But this is to look upon language
too narrowly
On a more intimate acquaintance with the couple you acknowledge the aptness
of the fine distinction By birth Mrs Harrington had claims to rank as a
gentlewoman That is her father was a lawyer of Lymport The lawyer however
since we must descend the genealogical tree was known to have married his cook
who was the ladys mother Now Mr Melchisedec was mysterious concerning his
origin and in his cups talked largely and wisely of a great Welsh family
issuing from a line of princes and it is certain that he knew enough of their
history to have instructed them on particular points of it He never could think
that his wife had done him any honour in espousing him nor was she the woman to
tell him so She had married him for love rejecting various suitors Squire
Uploft among them in his favour Subsequently she had committed the profound
connubial error of transferring her affections or her thoughts from him to his
business which indeed was much in want of a mate and while he squandered the
guineas she patiently picked up the pence They had not lived unhappily He was
constantly courteous to her But to see the Port at that sordid work
considerably ruffled the Presence put as it were the peculiar division
between them and to behave toward her as the same woman who had attracted his
youthful ardours was a task for his magnificent mind and may have ranked with
him as an indemnity for his general conduct if his reflections ever stretched
so far The townspeople of Lymport were correct in saying that his wife and his
wife alone had as they termed it kept him together Nevertheless now that he
was dead and could no longer be kept together they entirely forgot their
respect for her in the outburst of their secret admiration for the popular man
Such is the constitution of the inhabitants of this dear Island of Britain so
falsely accused by the Great Napoleon of being a nation of shopkeepers Here let
any one proclaim himself Above Buttons and act on the assumption his fellows
with one accord hoist him on their heads and bear him aloft sweating and
groaning and cursing but proud of him And if he can contrive or has any good
wife at home to help him to die without going to the dogs they are one may
say unanimous in crying out the same eulogistic funeral oration as that
commenced by Kilne the publican when he was interrupted by Barnes the
butcher »Now there s a man «
Mrs Harrington was sitting in her parlour with one of her married nieces Mrs
Fiske and on reading Lady Roseleys card she gave word for her to be shown up
into the drawingroom It was customary among Mrs Harringtons female
relatives who one and all abused and adored the great Mel to attribute his
shortcomings pointedly to the ladies which was as much as if their jealous
generous hearts had said that he was sinful but that it was not his fault Mrs
Fiske caught the card from her aunt read the superscription and exclaimed
»The idea At least she might have had the decency She never set her foot in
the house before and right enough too What can she want now I decidedly
would refuse to see her aunt«
The widows reply was simply »Dont be a fool Ann«
Rising she said »Here take poor Jacko and comfort him till I come back«
Jacko was a middlesized South American monkey and had been a pet of her
husbands He was supposed to be mourning now with the rest of the family Mrs
Fiske received him on a shrinking lap and had found time to correct one of his
indiscretions before she could sigh and say in the rear of her aunts
retreating figure »I certainly never would let myself down so« but Mrs
Harrington took her own counsel and Jacko was of her persuasion for he quickly
released himself from Mrs Fiskes dispassionate embrace and was slinging his
body up the balusters after his mistress
»Mrs Harrington« said Lady Roseley very sweetly swimming to meet her as
she entered the room »I have intruded upon you I fear in venturing to call
upon you at such a time«
The widow bowed to her and begged her to be seated
Lady Roseley was an exquisitely silken dame in whose face a winning smile
was cut and she was still sufficiently youthful not to be accused of wearing a
flower too artificial
»It was so sudden so sad« she continued »We esteemed him so much I
thought you might be in need of sympathy and hoped I might Dear Mrs
Harrington can you bear to speak of it«
»I can tell you anything you wish to hear my lady« the widow replied
Lady Roseley had expected to meet a woman much more like what she conceived
a tradesmans wife would be and the grave reception of her proffer of sympathy
slightly confused her She said
»I should not have come at least not so early but Sir Jackson my husband
thought and indeed I imagined You have a son Mrs Harrington I think his
name is «
»Evan my lady«
»Evan It was of him we have been speaking I imagined that is we
thought Sir Jackson might you will be writing to him and will let him know
we will use our best efforts to assist him in obtaining some position worthy of
his superior to something that will secure him from the harassing
embarrassments of an uncongenial employment«
The widow listened to this tender allusion to the shears without a smile of
gratitude She replied »I hope my son will return in time to bury his father
and he will thank you himself my lady«
»He has no taste for a for anything in the shape of trade has he Mrs
Harrington«
»I am afraid not my lady«
»Any position a situation that of a clerk even would be so much better
for him«
The widow remained impassive
»And many young gentlemen I know who are clerks and are enabled to live
comfortably and make a modest appearance in society and your son Mrs
Harrington he would find it surely an improvement upon many would think it a
step for him«
»I am bound to thank you for the interest you take in my son my lady«
»Does it not quite suit your views Mrs Harrington« Lady Roseley was
surprised at the widows manner
»If my son had only to think of himself my lady«
»Oh but of course« the lady understood her now »of course You cannot
suppose Mrs Harrington but that I should anticipate he would have you to live
with him and behave to you in every way as a dutiful son surely«
»A clerks income is not very large my lady«
»No but enough as I have said and with the management you would bring
Mrs Harrington to produce a modest respectable maintenance My respect for
your husband Mrs Harrington makes me anxious to press my services upon you«
Lady Roseley could not avoid feeling hurt at the widows want of common
gratitude
»A clerks income would not be more than 100l a year my lady«
»To begin with no certainly not more« The lady was growing brief
»If my son puts by the half of that yearly he can hardly support himself
and his mother my lady«
»Half of that yearly Mrs Harrington«
»He would have to do so and be saddled till he dies my lady«
»I really cannot see why«
Lady Roseley had a notion of some excessive niggardly thrift in the widow
which was arousing symptoms of disgust
Mrs Harrington quietly said »There are his fathers debts to pay my
lady«
»His fathers debts«
»Under 5000l but above 4000l my lady«
»Five thousand pounds Mrs Harrington« The ladys delicately gloved hand
gently rose and fell »And this poor young man « she pursued
»My son will have to pay it my lady«
For a moment the lady had not a word to instance Presently she remarked
»But Mrs Harrington he is surely under no legal obligation«
»He is only under the obligation not to cast disrespect on his fathers
memory my lady and to be honest while he can«
»But Mrs Harrington surely what can the poor young man do«
»He will pay it my lady«
»But how Mrs Harrington«
»There is his fathers business my lady«
His fathers business Then must the young man become a tradesman in order
to show respect for his father Preposterous That was the ladys natural inward
exclamation She said rather shrewdly for one who knew nothing of such things
»But a business which produces debts so enormous Mrs Harrington«
The widow replied »My son will have to conduct it in a different way It
would be a very good business conducted properly my lady«
»But if he has no taste for it Mrs Harrington If he is altogether
superior to it«
For the first time during the interview the widows inflexible countenance
was mildly moved though not to any mild expression
»My son will have not to consult his tastes« she observed and seeing the
lady after a short silence quit her seat she rose likewise and touched the
fingers of the hand held forth to her bowing
»You will pardon the interest I take in your son« said Lady Roseley »I
hope indeed that his relatives and friends will procure him the means of
satisfying the demands made upon him«
»He would still have to pay them my lady« was the widows answer
»Poor young man indeed I pity him« sighed her visitor »You have hitherto
used no efforts to persuade him to take such a step Mrs Harrington«
»I have written to Mr Goren who was my husbands fellowapprentice in
London my lady and he is willing to instruct him in cutting and measuring
and keeping accounts«
Certain words in this speech were obnoxious to the fine ear of Lady Roseley
and she relinquished the subject
»Your husband Mrs Harrington I should so much have wished he did not
pass away in in pain«
»He died very calmly my lady«
»It is so terrible so disfiguring sometimes One dreads to see one can
hardly distinguish I have known cases where death was dreadful But a peaceful
death is very beautiful There is nothing shocking to the mind It suggests
heaven It seems a fulfilment of our prayers«
»Would your ladyship like to look upon him« said the widow
Lady Roseley betrayed a sudden gleam at having her desire thus intuitively
fathomed
»For one moment Mrs Harrington We esteemed him so much May I«
The widow responded by opening the door and leading her into the chamber
where the dead man lay
At that period when threats of invasion had formerly stirred up the military
fire of us Islanders the great Mel as if to show the great Napoleon what
character of being a British shopkeeper really was had by remarkable favour
obtained a lieutenancy of militia dragoons in the uniform of which he had
revelled and perhaps for the only time in his life felt that circumstances
had suited him with a perfect fit However that may be his solemn final
commands to his wife Henrietta Maria on whom he could count for absolute
obedience in such matters had been that as soon as the breath had left his
body he should be taken from his bed washed perfumed powdered and in that
uniform dressed and laid out with directions that he should be so buried at the
expiration of three days that havoc in his features might be hidden from men
In this array Lady Roseley beheld him The curtains of the bed were drawn aside
The beams of evening fell soft through the blinds of the room and cast a
subdued light on the figure of the vanquished warrior The Presence dumb now
for evermore was sadly illumined for its last exhibition But one who looked
closely might have seen that Time had somewhat spoiled that perfect fit which
had aforetime been his pride and now that the lofty spirit had departed there
had been extreme difficulty in persuading the sullen excess of clay to conform
to the dimensions of those garments The upper part of the chest alone would
bear its buttons and across one portion of the lower limbs an ancient seam had
started recalling an incident to them who had known him in his brief hour of
glory For one night as he was riding home from Fallowfield and just entering
the gates of the town a mounted trooper spurred furiously past and slashing
out at him gashed his thigh Mrs Melchisedec found him lying at his door in a
not unwonted way carried him upstairs in her arms as she had done many a time
before and did not perceive his condition till she saw the blood on her gown
The cowardly assailant was never discovered but Mel was both gallant and had
in his military career the reputation of being a martinet Hence divers causes
were suspected The wound failed not to mend the trousers were repaired Peace
about the same time was made and the affair passed over
Looking on the fine head and face Lady Roseley saw nothing of this She had
not looked long before she found covert employment for her handkerchief The
widow standing beside her did not weep or reply to her whispered excuses at
emotion gazing down on his mortal length with a sort of benignant friendliness
aloof as one whose duties to that form of flesh were wellnigh done At the
feet of his master Jacko the monkey had jumped up and was there squatted
with his legs crossed very like a tailor The imitative wretch had got a towel
and as often as Lady Roseleys handkerchief travelled to her eyes Jackos peery
face was hidden and you saw his lithe skinny body doing griefs convulsions
till tired of this amusement he obtained possession of the warriors helmet
from a small round table on one side of the bed a casque of the barbarous
militaryGeorgian form with a huge knob of horsehair projecting over the peak
and under this trying to adapt it to his rogues head the tricksy image of
Death extinguished himself
All was very silent in the room Then the widow quietly disengaged Jacko
and taking him up went to the door and deposited him outside During her
momentary absence Lady Roseley had time to touch the dead mans forehead with
her lips unseen
Chapter III
The Daughters of the Shears
Three daughters and a son were left to the world by Mr Melchisedec Love well
endowed had already claimed to provide for the daughters first in the shape of
a lean Marine subaltern whose days of obscuration had now passed and who had
come to be a major of that corps secondly presenting his addresses as a brewer
of distinction thirdly and for a climax as a Portuguese Count no other than
the Señor Silva Diaz Conde de Saldar and this match did seem a far more
resplendent one than that of the two elder sisters with Major Strike and Mr
Andrew Cogglesby But the rays of neither fell visibly on Lymport These escaped
Eurydices never reappeared after being once fairly caught away from the gloomy
realms of Dis otherwise Trade All three persons of singular beauty a certain
refinement some Port and some Presence hereditarily combined they feared the
clutch of that fell king and performed the widest possible circles around him
Not one of them ever approached the house of her parents They were dutiful and
loving children and wrote frequently but of course they had to consider their
new position and their husbands and their husbands families and the world
and what it would say if to it the dreaded rumour should penetrate Lymport
gossips as numerous as in other parts declared that the foreign nobleman would
rave in an extraordinary manner and do things after the outlandish fashion of
his country for from him there was no doubt the shop had been most
successfully veiled and he knew not of Plutos close relationship to his lovely
spouse
The marriages had happened in this way Balls are given in country towns
where the graces of tradesmens daughters may be witnessed and admired at
leisure by other than tradesmen by occasional country gentlemen of the
neighbourhood with light minds and also by small officers subalterns wishing
to do tender execution upon mans fair enemy and to find a distraction for
their legs The classes of our social fabric have here and there slight
connecting links and provincial public balls are one of these They are
dangerous for Cupid is no respecter of classprejudice and if you are the son
of a retired teamerchant or of a village doctor or of a halfpay captain or
of anything superior and visit one of them you are as likely to receive his
shot as any shopboy Even masquerading lords at such places have been known to
be slain outright and although Society allows to its highest and dearest to
save the honour of their families and heal their anguish by indecorous
compromise you if you are a trifle below that mark must not expect it You
must absolutely give yourself for what you hope to get Dreadful as it sounds to
philosophic ears you must marry This having danced with Caroline Harrington
the gallant Lieutenant Strike determined to do Nor when he became aware of her
fathers occupation did he shrink from his resolve After a months hard
courtship he married her straight out of her fathers house That he may have
all the credit due to him it must be admitted that he did not once compare or
possibly permit himself to reflect on the dissimilarity in their respective
ranks and the step he had taken downward till they were man and wife and then
not in any great degree before Fortune had given him his majority an advance
the good soldier frankly told his wife he did not owe to her If we may be
permitted to suppose the colonel of a regiment on friendly terms with one of his
corporals we have an estimate of the domestic life of Major and Mrs Strike
Among the garrison males his comrades he passed for a disgustingly jealous
brute The ladies in their pretty language signalized him as a finick
Now having achieved so capital a marriage Caroline worthy creature was
anxious that her sisters should not be less happy and would have them to visit
her in spite of her husbands protests
»There can be no danger« she said for she was in fresh quarters far from
the nest of contagion The lieutenant himself ungrudgingly declared that
looking on the ladies no one for an instant could suspect and he saw many
young fellows ready to be as great fools as he had been another voluntary
confession he made to his wife for the candour of which she thanked him and
pointed out that it seemed to run in the family inasmuch as Mr Andrew
Cogglesby his rich relative had seen and had proposed for Harriet The
lieutenant flatly said he would never allow it In fact he had hitherto
concealed the nonpresentable portion of his folly very satisfactorily from all
save the messroom and Mr Andrews passion was a severe dilemma to him It
need scarcely be told that his wife fortified by the fervid brewer defeated
him utterly What was more she induced him to be an accomplice in deception
For though the lieutenant protested that he washed his hands of it and that it
was a fraud and a snare he certainly did not avow the condition of his wifes
parents to Mr Andrew but alluded to them in passing as »the country people«
He supposed »the country people« must be asked he said The brewer offered to
go down to them But the lieutenant drew an unpleasant picture of the country
people and his wife became so grave at the proposal that Mr Andrew said he
wanted to marry the lady and not the »country people« and if she would have
him there he was There he was behaving with a particular and sagacious
kindness to the raw lieutenant since Harriets arrival If the lieutenant sent
her away Mr Andrew would infallibly pursue her and light on a discovery
Twice cursed by Love twice the victim of tailordom our excellent Marine gave
away Harriet Harrington in marriage to Mr Andrew Cogglesby
Thus Joy clapped hands a second time and Horror deepened its shadows
From higher ground it was natural that the remaining sister should take a
bolder flight Of the loves of the fair Louisa Harrington and the foreign Count
and how she first encountered him in the brewers saloons and how she being a
humorous person laughed at his loaf for her and wore the colours that pleased
him and kindled and soothed his jealousy little is known beyond the fact that
she espoused the Count under the auspices of the affluent brewer and engaged
that her children should be brought up in the faith of the Catholic Church
which Lymport gossips called paying the Devil for her pride
The three sisters gloriously rescued by their own charms had now to think
of their one young brother How to make him a gentleman That was their problem
Preserve him from tailordom from all contact with trade they must otherwise
they would be perpetually linked to the horrid thing they hoped to outlive and
bury A cousin of Mr Melchisedecs had risen to be an Admiral and a knight for
valiant action in the old war when men could rise Him they besought to take
charge of the youth and make a distinguished seaman of him He courteously
declined They then attacked the married Marine Navy or Army being quite
indifferent to them as long as they could win for their brother the badge of one
Service »When he is a gentleman at once« they said like those who see the end
of their labours Strike basely pretended to second them It would have been
delightful to him of course to have the tailors son messing at the same
table and claiming him when he pleased with a familiar »Ah brother« and
prating of their relationship everywhere Strike had been a fool in revenge for
it he laid out for himself a masterly career of consequent wisdom The brewer
uxorious Andrew Cogglesby might and would have bought the commission Strike
laughed at the idea of giving money for what could be got for nothing He told
them to wait
In the meantime Evan a lad of seventeen spent the hours not devoted to his
positive profession that of gentleman in the offices of the brewery toying
with big books and balances which he despised with the combined zeal of the
sucking soldier and emancipated tailor
Two years passed in attendance on the astute brotherinlaw to whom Fortune
now beckoned to come to her and gather his laurels from the pigtails About the
same time the Countess sailed over from Lisbon on a visit to her sister Harriet
in reality it was whispered in the Cogglesby saloons on a diplomatic mission
from the Court of Lisbon but that could not be made ostensible The Countess
narrowly examined Evan whose steady advance in his profession both her sisters
praised
»Yes« said the Countess in a languid alien accent »He has something of
his fathers carriage something Something of his delivery his readiness«
It was a remarkable thing that these ladies thought no man on earth like
their father and always cited him as the example of a perfect gentleman and
yet they buried him with one mind and each mounted guard over his sepulchre to
secure his ghost from an airing
»He can walk my dears certainly and talk a little Têteàtête I do
not say I should think there he would be a stick All you English are But
what sort of a bow has he got I ask you How does he enter a room And then
his smile his laugh He laughs like a horse absolutely There s no music in
his smile Oh you should see a Portuguese nobleman smile O mio Deus honeyed
my dears But Evan has it not None of you English have You go so«
The Countess pressed a thumb and finger to the sides of her mouth and set
her sisters laughing
»I assure you no better not a bit I faint in your society I ask myself
Where am I Among what boors have I fallen But Evan is no worse than the rest
of you I acknowledge that If he knew how to dress his shoulders properly and
to direct his eyes Oh the eyes you should see how a Portuguese nobleman can
use his eyes Soul my dears soul Can any of you look the unutterable without
being absurd You look so«
And the Countess hung her jaw under heavily vacuous orbits something as a
sheep might yawn
»But I acknowledge that Evan is no worse than the rest of you« she
repeated »If he understood at all the management of his eyes and mouth But
that s what he cannot possibly learn in England not possibly As for your
poor husband Harriet one really has to remember his excellent qualities to
forgive him poor man And that stiff bandbox of a man of yours Caroline«
addressing the wife of the Marine »he looks as if he were all angles and
sections and were taken to pieces every night and put together in the morning
He may be a good soldier good anything you will but Diacho to be married
to that He is not civilized None of you English are You have no place in the
drawingroom You are like so many intrusive oxen absolutely One of your men
trod on my toe the other night and what do you think the creature did Jerks
back then the half of him forward I thought he was going to break in two
then grins and grunts Oh m sure beg pardon m sure I dont know whether
he didnt say MARM«
The Countess lifted her hands and fell away in laughing horror When her
humour or her feelings generally were a little excited she spoke her
vernacular as her sisters did but immediately subsided into the deliberate
delicatelysyllabled drawl
»Now that happened to me once at one of our great Balls« she pursued »I
had on one side of me the Duchesse Eugenia de Formosa de Fontandigua on the
other sat the Countess de Pel a widow And we were talking of the ices that
evening Eugenia you must know my dears was in love with the Count Belmaraña
I was her sole confidante The Countess de Pel a horrible creature Oh she
was the Duchesss determined enemy would have stabbed her for Belmaraña one
of the most beautiful men Adored by every woman So we talked ices Eugenia and
myself quite comfortably and that horrible De Pel had no idea in life Eugenia
had just said This ice sickens me I do not taste the flavour of the vanille I
answered It is here It must it cannot but be here You love the flavour of
the vanille With her exquisite smile I see her now saying Too well it is
necessary to me I live on it when up he came In his eagerness his foot
just effleuréd my robe Oh I never shall forget In an instant he was down on
one knee it was so momentary that none saw it but we three and done with
ineffable grace Pardon he said in his sweet Portuguese Pardon looking up
the handsomest man I ever beheld and when I think of that odious wretch the
other night with his Oh m sure beg pardon m sure pon my honour I
could have kicked him I could indeed«
Here the Countess laughed out but relapsed into
»Alas that Belmaraña should have betrayed that beautiful trusting creature
to De Pel Such scandal a duel the Duke was wounded For a whole year
Eugenia did not dare to appear at Court but had to remain immured in her
countryhouse where she heard that Belmaraña had married De Pel It was for her
money of course Rich as Croesus and as wicked as the black man below as dear
papa used to say By the way werent we talking of Evan Ah yes«
And so forth The Countess was immensely admired and though her sisters
said that she was »foreignized« overmuch they clung to her desperately She
seemed so entirely to have eclipsed tailordom or Demogorgon as the Countess
was pleased to call it Who could suppose this grandmannered lady with her
coroneted anecdotes and delicious breeding the daughter of that thing It was
not possible to suppose it It seemed to defy the fact itself
They congratulated her on her complete escape from Demogorgon The Countess
smiled on them with a lovely sorrow
»Safe from the whisper my dears the ceaseless dread If you knew what I
have to endure I sometimes envy you Pon my honour I sometimes wish I had
married a fishmonger Silva indeed is a most excellent husband Polished such
polish as you know not of in England He has a way a wriggle with his
shoulders in company I cannot describe it to you so slight so elegant and
he is all that a woman could desire But who could be safe in any part of the
earth my dears while papa will go about so and behave so extraordinarily I
was at dinner at your English embassy a month ago and there was Admiral
Combleman then on the station off Lisbon Sir Jackson Roseleys friend who was
the Admiral at Lymport formerly I knew him at once and thought oh what shall
I do My heart was like a lump of lead I would have given worlds that we might
one of us have smothered the other I had to sit beside him it always happens
Thank heaven he did not identify me And then he told an anecdote of Papa It
was the dreadful old Bath story I thought I should have died I could not but
fancy the Admiral suspected Was it not natural And what do you think I had the
audacity to do I asked him coolly whether the Mr Harrington he mentioned was
not the son of Sir Abraham Harrington of Torquay the gentleman who lost his
yacht in the Lisbon waters last year I brought it on myself Gentleman maam
MAAM says the horrid old creature laughing gentleman he s a I cannot
speak it I choke And then he began praising Papa Diacho what I suffered
But you know I can keep my countenance if I perish I am a Harrington as much
as any of us«
And the Countess looked superb in the pride with which she said she was what
she would have given her hand not to be But few feelings are single on this
globe and junction of sentiments need not imply unity in our yeasty
compositions
»After it was over my supplice« continued the Countess »I was questioned
by all the ladies I mean our ladies not your English They wanted to know
how I could be so civil to that intolerable man I gained a deal of credit my
dears I laid it all on Diplomacy« The Countess laughed bitterly »Diplomacy
bears the burden of it all I pretended that Combleman could be useful to Silva
Oh what hypocrites we all are mio Deus«
The ladies listening could not gainsay this favourite claim of universal
brotherhood among the select who wear masks instead of faces
With regard to Evan the Countess had far outstripped her sisters in her views
A gentleman she had discovered must have one of two things a title or money
He might have all the breeding in the world he might be as good as an angel
but without a title or money he was under eclipse almost total On a gentleman
the sun must shine Now Evan had no title no money The clouds were thick
above the youth To gain a title he would have to scale aged mountains There
was one break in his firmament through which the radiant luminary might be
assisted to cast its beams on him still young That divine portal was matrimony
If he could but make a rich marriage he would blaze transfigured all would be
well And why should not Evan marry an heiress as well as another
»I know a young creature who would exactly suit him« said the Countess
»She is related to the embassy and is in Lisbon now A charming child just
sixteen Dios how the men rave about her and she isnt a beauty there s
the wonder and she is a little too gauche too English in her habits and ways
of thinking likes to be admired of course but doesnt know yet how to set
about getting it She rather scandalizes our ladies but when you know her
She will have they say a hundred thousand pounds in her own right Rose
Jocelyn the daughter of Sir Franks and that eccentric Lady Jocelyn She is
with her uncle Melville the celebrated diplomate though to tell you the
truth we turn him round our fingers and spin him as the boys used to do the
cockchafers I cannot forget our old Fallowfield schoollife you see my dears
Well Rose Jocelyn would just suit Evan She is just of an age to receive an
impression And I would take care she did Instance me a case where I have
failed«
»Or there is the Portuguese widow the Rostral She s thirty certainly
but she possesses millions Estates all over the kingdom and the sweetest
creature But no Evan would be out of the way there certainly But our
women are very nice they have the dearest sweetest ways but I would rather
Evan did not marry one of them And then there s the religion«
This was a sore of the Countesss own and she dropped a tear in coming
across it
»No my dears it shall be Rose Jocelyn« she concluded »I will take Evan
over with me and see that he has opportunities It shall be Rose and then I
can call her mine for in verity I love the child«
It is not my part to dispute the Countesss love for Miss Jocelyn and I
have only to add that Evan unaware of the soft training he was to undergo and
the brilliant chance in store for him offered no impediment to the proposition
that he should journey to Portugal with his sister whose subtlest flattery was
to tell him that she should not be ashamed to own him there and ultimately
furnished with cash for the trip by the remonstrating brewer went
So these Parcæ daughters of the shears arranged and settled the young
mans fate His task was to learn the management of his mouth how to dress his
shoulders properly and to direct his eyes rare qualities in man or woman I
assure you the management of the mouth being especially admirable and
correspondingly difficult These achieved he was to place his battery in
position and win the heart and hand of an heiress
Our comedy opens with his return from Portugal in company with Miss Rose
the heiress the Honourable Melville Jocelyn the diplomate and the Count and
Countess de Saldar refugees out of that explosive little kingdom
Chapter IV
On Board the Jocasta
From the Tagus to the Thames the Government sloopofwar Jocasta had made a
prosperous voyage bearing that precious freight a removed diplomatist and his
family for whose uses let a sufficient vindication be found in the exercise he
affords our crews in the science of seamanship She entered our noble river
somewhat early on a fine July morning Early as it was two young people who
had nothing to do with the trimming or guiding of the vessel stood on deck and
watched the doubleshore beginning to embrace them more and more closely as
they sailed onward One a young lady very young in manner wore a black felt
hat with a floating scarlet feather and was clad about the shoulders in a
mantle of foreign style and pattern The other you might have taken for a
wandering Don were such an object ever known so simply he assumed the dusky
sombrero and dangling cloak of which one fold was flung across his breast and
drooped behind him The line of an adolescent dark moustache ran along his lip
and only at intervals could you see that his eyes were blue and of the land he
was nearing For the youth was meditative and held his head much down The
young lady on the contrary permitted an open inspection of her countenance
and seemed for the moment at least to be neither caring nor thinking of what
kind of judgement would be passed on her Her pretty nose was up sniffing the
still salt breeze with vivacious delight
»Oh« she cried clapping her hands »there goes a dear old English gull
How I have wished to see him I havent seen one for two years and seven months
When I m at home I ll leave my window open all night just to hear the rooks
when they wake in the morning There goes another«
She tossed up her nose again exclaiming
»I m sure I smell England nearer and nearer I smell the fields and the
cows in them I d have given anything to be a dairymaid for half an hour I
used to lie and pant in that stifling air among those stupid people and wonder
why anybody ever left England Arent you glad to come back«
This time the fair speaker lent her eyes to the question and shut her lips
sweet cold chaste lips she had a mouth that had not yet dreamed of kisses
and most honest eyes
The young man felt that they were not to be satisfied by his own and after
seeking to fill them with a doleful look which was immediately succeeded by one
of superhuman indifference he answered
»Yes We shall soon have to part« and commenced tapping with his foot the
cheerful martyrs march
Speech that has to be hauled from the depths usually betrays the effort
Listening an instant to catch the import of this cavernous gasp upon the brink
of sound the girl said
»Part what do you mean«
Apparently it required a yet vaster effort to pronounce an explanation The
doleful look the superhuman indifference were repeated in due order sound a
little more distinct uttered the words
»We cannot be as we have been in England« and then the cheerful martyr
took a few steps farther
»Why you dont mean to say you re going to give me up and not be friends
with me because weve come back to England« cried the girl in a rapid breath
eyeing him seriously
Most conscientiously he did not mean it but he replied with the quietest
negative
»No« she mimicked him »Why do you say No like that Why are you so
mysterious Evan Wont you promise me to come and stop with us for weeks
Havent you said we would ride and hunt and fish together and read books and
do all sorts of things«
He replied with the quietest affirmative
»Yes What does Yes mean« She lifted her chest to shake out the deadalive
monosyllable as he had done »Why are you so singular this morning Evan Have
I offended you You are so touchy«
The slur on his reputation for sensitiveness induced the young man to
attempt being more explicit
»I mean« he said hesitating »why we must part We shall not see each
other every day Nothing more than that« And away went the cheerful martyr in
sublimest mood
»Oh and that makes you sorry« A shade of archness was in her voice
The girl waited as if to collect something in her mind and was now a
patronizing woman
»Why you dear sentimental boy You dont suppose we could see each other
every day for ever«
It was perhaps the cruelest question that could have been addressed to the
sentimental boy from her mouth But he was a cheerful martyr
»You dear Don Doloroso« she resumed »I declare if you are not just like
those young Portugals this morning and over there you were such a dear English
fellow and that s why I liked you so much Do change Do please be lively
and yourself again Or mind I ll call you Don Doloroso and that shall be your
name in England See there that s that s what s the name of that
place Hoy Mr Skerne« She hailed the boatswain passing »Do tell me the name
of that place«
Mr Skerne righted about to satisfy her minutely and then coming up to
Evan he touched his hat and said
»I maynt have another opportunity we shall be busy up there of thankin
you again sir for what you did for my poor drunken brother Bill and you may
take my word I wont forget it sir if he does and I suppose he ll be
drowning his memory just as he was near drowning himself«
Evan muttered something grimaced civilly and turned away The girls
observant brows were moved to a faintly critical frown and nodding
intelligently to the boatswains remark that the young gentleman did not seem
quite himself now that he was nearing home she went up to Evan and said
»I m going to give you a lesson in manners to be quits with you Listen
sir Why did you turn away so ungraciously from Mr Skerne while he was
thanking you for having saved his brothers life Now there s where you re too
English Cant you bear to be thanked«
»I dont want to be thanked because I can swim« said Evan
»But it is not that Oh how you trifle« she cried »There s nothing vexes
me so much as that way you have Wouldnt my eyes have sparkled if anybody had
come up to me to thank me for such a thing I would let them know how glad I was
to have done such a thing Doesnt it make them happier dear Evan«
»My dear Miss Jocelyn«
»What«
The honest grey eyes fixed on him narrowed their enlarged lids She gazed
before her on the deck saying
»I m sure I cant understand you I suppose it s because I m a girl and
I never shall till I m a woman Heigho«
A youth who is engaged in the occupation of eating his heart cannot shine
to advantage and is as much a burden to himself as he is an enigma to others
Evan felt this but he could do nothing and say nothing so he retired deeper
into the folds of the Don and remained picturesque and scarcely pleasant
They were relieved by a summons to breakfast from below
She brightened and laughed »Now what will you wager me Evan that the
Countess doesnt begin Sweet child how does she this morning blooming when
she kisses me«
Her capital imitation of his sisters manner constrained him to join in her
laugh and he said
»I ll back against that I get three fingers from your uncle and Morrow
young sir«
Down they ran together laughing and sure enough the identical words of
the respective greetings were employed which they had to enjoy with all the
discretion they could muster
Rose went round the table to her little cousin Alec aged seven kissed his
reluctant cheek and sat beside him announcing a sea appetite and great
capabilities while Evan silently broke bread The Count de Saldar a diminutive
tawny man just a head and neck above the tablecloth sat sipping chocolate and
fingering dry toast which he would now and then dip in jelly and suck with
placidity in the intervals of a curt exchange of French with the wife of the
Hon Melville a ringleted English lady or of Portuguese with the Countess who
likewise sipped chocolate and fingered dry toast and was mournfully melodious
The Hon Melville as became a tall islander carved beef and ate of it like a
ruler of men Beautiful to see was the compassionate sympathy of the Countesss
face when Rose offered her plate for a portion of the worldsubjugating viand
as who should say »Sweet child thou knowest not yet of sorrows thou canst
ballast thy stomach with beef« In any other than an heiress she would probably
have thought »This is indeed a disgusting little animal and most unfeminine
conduct«
Rose unconscious of praise or blame rivalled her uncle in enjoyment of the
fare and talked of her delight in seeing England again and anything that
belonged to her native land Mrs Melville perceived that it pained the refugee
Countess and gave her the glance intelligible but the Countess never missed
glances or failed to interpret them She said
»Let her I love to hear the sweet childs prattle«
»It was fortunate« she addressed the diplomatist »that we touched at
Southampton and procured fresh provision«
»Very lucky for us« said he glaring shrewdly between a mouthful
The Count heard the word Southampton and wished to know how it was
comprised A passage of Portuguese ensued and then the Countess said
»Silva you know desired to relinquish the vessel at Southampton He does
not comprehend the word expense but« she shook a dumb Alas »I must think of
that for him now«
»Oh always avoid expense« said the Hon Melville accustomed to be paid
for by his country
»At what time shall we arrive may I ask do you think« the Countess gently
inquired
The watch of a man who had his eye on Time was pulled out and she was told
it might be two hours before dark Another reckoning keenly balanced informed
the company that the days papers could be expected on board somewhere about
three oclock in the afternoon
»And then« said the Hon Melville nodding general gratulation »we shall
know how the world wags«
How it had been wagging the Countesss straining eyes under closed eyelids
were eloquent of
»Too late I fear me to wait upon Lord Livelyston tonight« she suggested
»Tonight« The Hon Melville gazed blank astonishment at the notion »Oh
certainly too late tonight A hum I think madam you had better not be in
too great a hurry to see him Repose a little Recover your fatigue«
»Oh« exclaimed the Countess with a beam of utter confidence in him »I
shall be too happy to place myself in your hands believe me«
This was scarcely more to the taste of the diplomatist He put up his mouth
and said blandly
»I fear you know madam I must warn you beforehand I personally am
but an insignificant unit over here you know I personally cant guarantee
much assistance to you not positive What I can do of course very happy«
And he fell to again upon the beef
»Not so very insignificant« said the Countess smiling as at a softly
radiant conception of him
»Have to bob and bow like the rest of them over here« he added proof
against the flattery
»But that you will not forsake Silva I am convinced« said the Countess
and paying little heed to his brief »Oh what I can do« continued »For over
here in England we are almost friendless My relations such as are left of
them are not in high place« She turned to Mrs Melville and renewed the
confession with a proud humility »Truly I have not a distant cousin in the
Cabinet«
Mrs Melville met her sad smile and returned it as one who understood its
entire import
»My brotherinlaw my sister I think you know married a a brewer He
is rich but well such was her taste My brotherinlaw is indeed in
Parliament and he «
»Very little use seeing he votes with the opposite party« the diplomatist
interrupted her
»Ah but he will not« said the Countess serenely »I can trust with
confidence that if it is for Silvas interest he will assuredly so dispose of
his influence as to suit the desiderations of his family and not in any way
oppose his opinions to the powers that would willingly stoop to serve us«
It was impossible for the Hon Melville to withhold a slight grimace at his
beef when he heard this extremely alienized idea of the nature of a member of
the Parliament of Great Britain He allowed her to enjoy her delusion as she
pursued
»No So much we could offer in repayment It is little But this in verity
is a case Silvas wrongs have only to be known in England and I am most
assured that the English people will not permit it In the days of his
prosperity Silva was a friend to England and England should not should not
forget it now Had we money But of that arm our enemies have deprived us and
I fear without it we cannot hope to have the justice of our cause pleaded in
the English papers Mr Redner you know the correspondent in Lisbon is a
sworn foe to Silva And why but because I would not procure him an invitation to
Court The man was so horridly vulgar his gloves were never clean I had to
hold a bouquet to my nose when I talked to him That you say was my fault
Truly so But what woman can be civil to a lowbred pretentious offensive
man«
Mrs Melville again appealed to smiled perfect sympathy and said to
account for his character
»Yes He is the son of a small shopkeeper of some kind in Southampton I
hear«
»A very good fellow in his way« said her husband
»Oh I cant bear that class of people« Rose exclaimed »I always keep out
of their way You can always tell them«
The Countess smiled considerate approbation of her exclusiveness and
discernment So sweet a smile
»You were on deck early my dear« she asked Evan rather abruptly
Master Alec answered for him »Yes he was and so was Rose They made an
appointment just as they used to do under the oranges«
»Children« the Countess smiled to Mrs Melville
»They always whisper when I m by« Alec appended
»Children« the Countesss sweetened visage entreated Mrs Melville to
reecho but that lady thought it best for the moment to direct Rose to look to
her packing now that she had done breakfast
»And I will take a walk with my brother on deck« said the Countess »Silva
is too harassed for converse«
The parties were thus divided The silent Count was left to meditate on his
wrongs in the saloon and the diplomatist alone with his lady thought fit to
say to her shortly »Perhaps it would be as well to draw away from these people
a little Weve done as much as we could for them in bringing them over here
They may be trying to compromise us That womans absurd She s ashamed of the
brewer and yet she wants to sell him or wants us to buy him Ha I think she
wants us to send a couple of frigates and threaten bombardment of the capital
if they dont take her husband back and receive him with honours«
»Perhaps it would be as well« said Mrs Melville »Roses invitation to him
goes for nothing«
»Rose inviting the Count down to Hampshire« The diplomatists brows were
lifted
»No I mean the other« said the diplomatists wife
»Oh the young fellow very good young fellow Gentlemanly No harm in him«
»Perhaps not« said the diplomatists wife
»You dont suppose he expects us to keep him on or provide for him over
here eh«
The diplomatists wife informed him that such was not her thought that he
did not understand and that it did not matter and as soon as the Hon Melville
saw that she was brooding something essentially feminine and which had no
relationship to the great game of public life curiosity was extinguished in
him
On deck the Countess paced with Evan and was for a time pleasantly diverted
by the admiration she could without looking perceive that her sorrowsubdued
graces had aroused in the breast of a susceptible naval lieutenant At last she
spoke
»My dear remember this Your last word to Mr Jocelyn will be I will do
myself the honour to call upon my benefactor early To Rose you will say Be
assured Miss Jocelyn Miss Jocelyn I shall not fail in hastening to pay my
respects to your family in Hampshire You will remember to do it in the exact
form I speak it«
Evan laughed »What call him benefactor to his face I couldnt do it«
»Ah my child«
»Besides he isnt a benefactor at all His private secretary died and I
stepped in to fill the post because nobody else was handy«
»And tell me of her who pushed you forward Evan«
»My dear sister I m sure I m not ungrateful«
»No but headstrong opinionated Now these people will endeavour Oh I
have seen it in a thousand little things they wish to shake us off Now if
you will but do as I indicate Put your faith in an older head Evan It is your
only chance of society in England For your brotherinlaw I ask you what
sort of people will you meet at the Cogglesbys Now and then a nobleman very
much out of his element In short you have fed upon a diet which will make you
to distinguish and painfully to know the difference Indeed Yes you are
looking about for Rose It depends upon your behaviour now whether you are to
see her at all in England Do you forget You wished once to inform her of your
origin Think of her words at the breakfast this morning«
The Countess imagined she had produced an impression Evan said »Yes and I
should have liked to have told her this morning that I m myself nothing more
than the son of a «
»Stop« cried his sister glancing about in horror The admiring lieutenant
met her eye Blandishingly she smiled on him »Most beautiful weather for a
welcome to dear England« and passed with majesty
»Boy« she resumed »are you mad«
»I hate being such a hypocrite madam«
»Then you do not love her Evan«
This may have been dubious logic but it resulted from a clear sequence of
ideas in the ladys head Evan did not contest it
»And assuredly you will lose her Evan Think of my troubles I have to
intrigue for Silva I look to your future I smile Oh heaven how do I not
smile when things are spoken that pierce my heart This morning at the
breakfast«
Evan took her hand and patted it
»What is your pity« she sighed
»If it had not been for you my dear sister I should never have held my
tongue«
»You are not a Harrington You are a Dawley« she exclaimed indignantly
Evan received the accusation of possessing more of his mothers spirit than
his fathers in silence
»You would not have held your tongue« she said with fervid severity »and
you would have betrayed yourself and you would have said you were that and you
in that costume Why goodness gracious could you bear to appear so
ridiculous«
The poor young man involuntarily surveyed his person The pains of an
impostor seized him The deplorable image of the Don making confession became
present to his mind It was a clever stroke of this female intriguer She saw
him redden grievously and blink his eyes and not wishing to probe him so that
he would feel intolerable disgust at his imprisonment in the Don she continued
»But you have the sense to see your duties Evan You have an excellent
sense in the main No one would dream to see you You did not I must say
you did not make enough of your gallantry A Portuguese who had saved a mans
life Evan would he have been so boorish You behaved as if it was a matter of
course that you should go overboard after anybody in your clothes on a dark
night So then the Jocelyns took it I barely heard one compliment to you And
Rose what an effect it should have had on her But owing to your manner I do
believe the girl thinks it nothing but your ordinary business to go overboard
after anybody in your clothes on a dark night Pon my honour I believe she
expects to see you always dripping« The Countess uttered a burst of hysterical
humour »So you miss your credit That inebriated sailor should really have been
gold to you Be not so young and thoughtless«
The Countess then proceeded to tell him how foolishly he had let slip his
great opportunity A Portuguese would have fixed the young lady long before By
tender moonlight in captivating language beneath the umbrageous orangegroves
a Portuguese would have accurately calculated the effect of the perfume of the
blossom on her sensitive nostrils and known the exact moment when to kneel and
declare his passion sonorously
»Yes« said Evan »one of them did She told me«
»She told you And you what did you do«
»Laughed at him with her to be sure«
»Laughed at him She told you and you helped her to laugh at love Have you
no perceptions Why did she tell you«
»Because she thought him such a fool I suppose«
»You never will know a woman« said the Countess with contempt
Much of his worldly sister at a time was more than Evan could bear
Accustomed to the symptoms of restiveness she finished her discourse enjoyed a
quiet parade up and down under the gaze of the lieutenant and could find
leisure to note whether she at all struck the inferior seamen even while her
mind was absorbed by the multiform troubles and anxieties for which she took
such innocent indemnification
The appearance of the Hon Melville Jocelyn on deck and without his wife
recalled her to business It is a peculiarity of female diplomatists that they
fear none save their own sex Men they regard as their natural prey in women
they see rival hunters using their own weapons The Countess smiled a
slowlykindling smile up to him set her brother adrift and delicately linked
herself to Evans benefactor
»I have been thinking« she said »knowing your kind and most considerate
attentions that we may compromise you in England«
He at once assured her he hoped not he thought not at all
»The idea is due to my brother« she went on »for I women know so little
and most guiltlessly should we have done so My brother perhaps does not think
of us foremost but his argument I can distinguish I can see that were you
openly to plead Silvas cause you might bring yourself into odium Mr Jocelyn
and heaven knows I would not that May I then ask that in England we may be
simply upon the same footing of private friendship«
The diplomatist looked into her uplifted visage that had all the sugary
sparkles of a crystallized preserved fruit of the Portugal clime and observed
confidentially that with every willingness in the world to serve her he did
think it would possibly be better for a time to be upon that footing apart
from political considerations
»I was very sure my brother would apprehend your views« said the Countess
»He poor boy his career is closed He must sink into a different sphere He
will greatly miss the intercourse with you and your sweet family«
Further relieved the diplomatist delivered a high opinion of the young
gentleman his abilities and his conduct and trusted he should see him
frequently
By an apparent sacrifice the lady thus obtained what she wanted
Near the hour speculated on by the diplomatist the papers came on board
and he unaware how he had been manoeuvred for lack of a wife at his elbow was
quickly engaged in appeasing the great British hunger for news second only to
that for beef it seems and equally acceptable salted when it cannot be had
fresh
Leaving the devotee of statecraft with his legs crossed and his face
wearing the cognizant air of one whose head is above the waters of events to
enjoy the mighty meal of fresh and salted at discretion the Countess dived
below
Meantime the Jocasta as smoothly as before she was ignorant of how the
world wagged slipped up the river with the tide and the sun hung red behind
the forest of masts burnishing a broad length of the serpentine haven of the
nations of the earth A young Englishman returning home can hardly look on this
scene without some pride of kinship Evan stood at the fore part of the vessel
Rose in quiet English attire had escaped from her aunt to join him singing in
his ears to spur his senses »Isnt it beautiful Isnt it beautiful Dear old
England«
»What do you find so beautiful« he asked
»Oh you dull fellow Why the ships and the houses and the smoke to be
sure«
»The ships Why I thought you despised trade mademoiselle«
»And so I do That is not trade but tradesmen Of course I mean
shopkeepers«
»It s they who send the ships to and fro and make the picture that pleases
you nevertheless«
»Do they« said she indifferently and then with a sort of fervour »Why do
you always grow so cold to me whenever we get on this subject«
»I cold« Evan responded The incessant fears of his diplomatic sister had
succeeded in making him painfully jealous of this subject He turned it off
»Why our feelings are just the same Do you know what I was thinking when you
came up I was thinking that I hoped I might never disgrace the name of an
Englishman«
»Now that s noble« cried the girl »And I m sure you never will Of an
English gentleman Evan I like that better«
»Would you rather be called a true English lady than a true English woman
Rose«
»Dont think I would my dear« she answered pertly »but gentleman always
means more than man to me«
»And what s a gentleman mademoiselle«
»Cant tell you Don Doloroso Something you are sir« she added surveying
him
Evan sucked the bitter and the sweet of her explanation His sister in her
anxiety to put him on his guard had not beguiled him to forget his real state
His sister the diplomatist and his lady the refugee Count with ladies
maids servants and luggage were now on the maindeck and Master Alec who
was as good as a newspaper correspondent for private conversations put an end
to the colloquy of the young people They were all assembled in a circle when
the vessel came to her moorings The diplomatist glutted with news and
thirsting for confirmations the Count dumb courteous and quickeyed the
honourable lady complacent in the consciousness of boxes well packed the
Countess breathing mellifluous longdrawn adieux that should provoke
invitations Evan and Rose regarded each other
The boat to convey them on shore was being lowered and they were preparing
to move forward Just then the vessel was boarded by a stranger
»Is that one of the creatures of your Customs I did imagine we were safe
from them« exclaimed the Countess
The diplomatist laughingly requested her to save herself anxiety on that
score while under his wing But she had drawn attention to the intruder who
was seen addressing one of the midshipmen He was a man in a long brown coat and
loose white neckcloth spectacles on nose which he wore considerably below the
bridge and peered over as if their main use were to sight his eye a beaver
hat with broadish brim on his head A man of no station it was evident to the
ladies at once and they would have taken no further notice of him had he not
been seen stepping toward them in the rear of the young midshipman
The latter came to Evan and said »A fellow of the name of Goren wants you
Says there s something the matter at home«
Evan advanced and bowed stiffly
Mr Goren held out his hand »You dont remember me young man I cut out
your first suit for you when you were breeched though Yes ah Your poor
father wouldnt put his hand to it Goren«
Embarrassed and not quite alive to the chapter of facts this name should
have opened to him Evan bowed again
»Goren« continued the possessor of the name He had a cracked voice that
when he spoke a word of two syllables commenced with a lugubrious crow and
ended in what one might have taken for a curious question
»It is a bad business brings me young man I m not the best messenger for
such tidings It s a black suit young man It s your father«
The diplomatist and his lady gradually edged back but Rose remained beside
the Countess who breathed quick and seemed to have lost her selfcommand
Thinking he was apprehended Mr Goren said »I m going down tonight to
take care of the shop He s to be buried in his old uniform You had better
come with me by the nightcoach if you would see the last of him young man«
Breaking an odd pause that had fallen the Countess cried aloud suddenly
»In his uniform«
Mr Goren felt his arm seized and his legs hurrying him some paces into
isolation »Thanks thanks« was murmured in his ear »Not a word more Evan
cannot bear it Oh you are good to have come and we are grateful My father
my father«
She had to tighten her hand and wrist against her bosom to keep herself up
She had to reckon in a glance how much Rose had heard or divined She had to
mark whether the Count had understood a syllable She had to whisper to Evan to
hasten away with the horrible man She had to enliven his stunned senses and
calm her own And with mournful images of her father in her brain the female
Spartan had to turn to Rose and speculate on the girls reflective brows while
she said as over a distant relative sadly but without distraction »A death
in the family« and preserved herself from weeping her heart out that none
might guess the thing who did not positively know it
Evan touched the hand of Rose without meeting her eyes He was soon cast off
in Mr Gorens boat Then the Countess murmured final adieux twilight under her
lids but yet a smile stately affectionate almost genial Rose her sweet
Rose she must kiss She could have slapped Rose for appearing so reserved and
cold She hugged Rose as to hug oblivion of the last few minutes into her The
girl leant her cheek and bore the embrace looking on her with a kind of
wonder
Only when alone with the Count in the brewers carriage awaiting her on
shore did the lady give a natural course to her grief well knowing that her
Silva would attribute it to the darkness of their common exile She wept but in
the excess of her misery two words of strangely opposite signification
pronounced by Mr Goren two words that were at once poison and antidote sang
in her brain two words that painted her dead father from head to foot his
nature and his fortune these were the Shop and the Uniform
Oh what would she not have given to have seen and bestowed on her beloved
father one last kiss Oh how she hoped that her inspired echo of Uniform on
board the Jocasta had drowned the memory eclipsed the meaning of that fatal
utterance of Shop
Chapter V
The Family and the Funeral
It was the evening of the second day since the arrival of the black letter in
London from Lymport and the wife of the brewer and the wife of the Major sat
dropping tears into one anothers laps in expectation of their sister the
Countess Mr Andrew Cogglesby had not yet returned from his office The gallant
Major had gone forth to dine with General Sir George Frebuter the head of the
Marines of his time It would have been difficult for the Major he informed his
wife to send in an excuse to the General for nonattendance without entering
into particulars and that he should tell the General he could not dine with
him because of the sudden decease of a tailor was as he let his wife
understand and requested her to perceive quite out of the question So he
dressed himself carefully and though peremptory with his wife concerning his
linen and requiring natural services from her in the button department and a
casual expression of contentment as to his ultimate makeup he left her that
day without any final injunctions to occupy her mind and she was at liberty to
weep if she pleased a privilege she did not enjoy undisturbed when he was
present for the warrior hated that weakness and did not care to hide his
contempt for it
Of the three sisters the wife of the Major was oddly enough the one who
was least inveterately solicitous of concealing the fact of her parentage
Reticence of course she had to study with the rest the Major was a walking
book of reticence and the observances he professed also in company with
herself alone to have had much trouble in drilling her to mark and properly
preserve them She had no desire to speak of her birthplace But for some
reason or other she did not share her heros rather petulant anxiety to keep
the curtain nailed down on that part of her life which preceded her entry into
the ranks of the Royal Marines Some might have thought that those fair large
blue eyes of hers wandered now and then in pleasant unambitious walks behind the
curtain and toyed with little flowers of palest memory Utterly tasteless
totally wanting in discernment not to say gratitude the Major could not
presume her to be and yet his wits perceived that her answers and the conduct
she shaped in accordance with his repeated protests and longreaching
apprehensions of what he called danger betrayed acquiescent obedience more than
the connubial sympathy due to him Danger on the field the Major knew not of he
did not scruple to name the word in relation to his wife For as he told her
should he some day as in the chapter of accidents might occur sally into the
street a Knight Companion of the Bath and become known to men as Sir Maxwell
Strike it would be decidedly disagreeable for him to be blown upon by a wind
from Lymport Moreover she was the mother of a son The Major pointed out to her
the duty she owed her offspring Certainly the protecting ægis of his rank and
title would be over the lad but she might depend upon it any indiscretion of
hers would damage him in his future career the Major assured her Young Maxwell
must be considered
For all this the mother and wife when the black letter found them in the
morning at breakfast had burst into a fit of grief and faltered that she wept
for a father Mrs Andrew to whom the letter was addressed had simply held the
letter to her in a trembling hand The Major compared their behaviour with
marked encomiums of Mrs Andrew Now this lady and her husband were in obverse
relative positions The brewer had no will but his Harriets His esteem for her
combined the constitutional feelings of an insignificantlybuilt little man for
a majestic woman and those of a worthy soul for the wife of his bosom
Possessing or possessed by her the good brewer was perfectly happy She it
might be thought under these circumstances would not have minded much his
hearing what he might hear It happened however that she was as jealous of the
winds of Lymport as the Major himself as vigilant in debarring them from access
to the brewery as now the Countess could have been We are not dissecting human
nature suffice it therefore from a mere glance at the surface to say that
just as moneyed men are careful of their coin women who have all the advantages
in a conjunction are miserly in keeping them and shudder to think that one
thing remains hidden which the world they move in might put down pityingly in
favour of their spouse even though to the little man twere naught She assumed
that a revelation would diminish her moral stature and certainly it would not
increase that of her husband So no good could come of it Besides Andrew knew
his whole conduct was a tacit admission that she had condescended in giving him
her hand The features of their union might not be changed altogether by a
revelation but it would be a shock to her
Consequently Harriet tenderly rebuked Caroline for her outcry at the
breakfasttable and Caroline the elder sister who had not since marriage
grown in so free an air excused herself humbly and the two were weeping when
the Countess joined them and related what she had just undergone
Hearing of Carolines misdemeanour however Louisas eyes rolled aloft in a
paroxysm of tribulation It was nothing to Caroline it was comparatively
nothing to Harriet but the Count knew not Louisa had a father believed that
her parents had long ago been wiped out And the Count was by nature
inquisitive and if he once cherished a suspicion he was restless he was
pointed in his inquiries he was pertinacious in following out a clue there
never would be peace with him And then as they were secure in their privacy
Louisa cried aloud for her father her beloved father Harriet wept silently
Caroline alone expressed regret that she had not set eyes on him from the day
she became a wife
»How could we dear« the Countess pathetically asked under drowning lids
»Papa did not wish it« sobbed Mrs Andrew
»I never shall forgive myself« said the wife of the Major drying her
cheeks Perhaps it was not herself whom she felt she never could forgive
Ah the man their father was Incomparable Melchisedec he might well be
called So generous so lordly When the rain of tears would subside for a
moment one would relate an anecdote or childish reminiscence of him and
provoke a more violent outburst
»Never among the nobles of any land never have I seen one like him«
exclaimed the Countess and immediately requested Harriet to tell her how it
would be possible to stop Andrews tongue in Silvas presence
»At present you know my dear they may talk as much as they like they
cant understand one another one bit«
Mrs Cogglesby comforted her by the assurance that Andrew had received an
intimation of her wish for silence everywhere and toward everybody and that he
might be reckoned upon to respect it without demanding a reason for the
restriction In other days Caroline and Louisa had a little looked down on
Harriets alliance with a dumpy man a brewer and had always kind Christian
compassion for him if his name were mentioned They seemed now by their
silence to have a happier estimate of Andrews qualities
While the three sisters sat mingling their sorrows and alarms their young
brother was making his way to the house As he knocked at the door he heard his
name pronounced behind him and had no difficulty in recognizing the worthy
brewer
»What Van my boy how are you Quite a foreigner By George what a hat«
Mr Andrew bounced back two or three steps to regard the dusky sombrero
»How do you do sir« said Evan
»Sir to you« Mr Andrew briskly replied »Dont they teach you to give your
fist in Portugal eh I ll sir you Wait till I m Sir Andrew and then sir
away You do speak English still Van eh Quite jolly my boy«
Mr Andrew rubbed his hands to express that state in himself Suddenly he
stopped blinked queerly at Evan grew pensive and said »Bless my soul I
forgot«
The door opened Mr Andrew took Evans arm murmured a »hush« and trod
gently along the passage to his library
»We re safe here« he said »There there s something the matter
upstairs The women are upset about something Harriet « Mr Andrew hesitated
and branched off »Youve heard weve got a new baby«
Evan congratulated him but another inquiry was in Mr Andrews aspect and
Evans calm sad manner answered it
»Yes« Mr Andrew shook his head dolefully »a splendid little chap a
rare little chap a we cant help these things Van They will happen Sit
down my boy«
Mr Andrew again interrogated Evan with his eyes
»My father is dead« said Evan
»Yes« Mr Andrew nodded and glanced quickly at the ceiling as if to make
sure that none listened overhead »My parliamentary duties will soon be over for
the season« he added aloud pursuing in an underbreath »Going down
tonight Van«
»He is to be buried tomorrow« said Evan
»Then of course you go Yes quite right Love your father and mother
always love your father and mother Old Tom and I never knew ours Toms quite
well same as ever I ll« he rang the bell »have my chop in here with you
You must try and eat a bit Van Here we are and there we go Old Toms
wandering for one of his weeks You ll see him some day He aint like me No
dinner today I suppose Charles«
This was addressed to the footman He announced »Dinner today at halfpast
six as usual sir« bowed and retired
Mr Andrew pored on the floor and rubbed his hair back on his head »An odd
world« was his remark
Evan lifted up his face to sigh »I m almost sick of it«
»Damn appearances« cried Mr Andrew jumping on his legs
The action cooled him
»I m sorry I swore« he said »Bad habit The Majors here you know
that« and he assumed the Majors voice and strutted in imitation of the
stalwart marine »Major a Strike of the Royal Marines returned from China
covered with glory a hero Van We cant expect him to be much of a mourner
And we shant have him to dine with us today that s something« He sank his
voice »I hope the widowll bear it«
»I hope to God my mother is well« Evan groaned
»Thatll do« said Mr Andrew »Dont say any more«
As he spoke he clapped Evan kindly on the back
A message was brought from the ladies requiring Evan to wait on them He
returned after some minutes
»How do you think Harriets looking« asked Mr Andrew And not waiting for
an answer whispered »Are they going down to the funeral my boy«
Evans brow was dark as he replied »They are not decided«
»Wont Harriet go«
»She is not going she thinks not«
»And the Countess Louisas upstairs eh will she go«
»She cannot leave the Count she thinks not«
»Wont Caroline go Caroline can go She he I mean Caroline can go«
»The Major objects She wishes to«
Mr Andrew struck out his arm and uttered »the Major« a compromise for
a loud anathema But the compromise was vain for he sinned again in an
explosion against appearances
»I m a brewer Van Do you think I m ashamed of it Not while I brew good
beer my boy not while I brew good beer They dont think worse of me in the
House for it It isnt ungentlemanly to brew good beer Van But what s the use
of talking«
Mr Andrew sat down and murmured »Poor girl poor girl«
The allusion was to his wife for presently he said »I cant see why
Harriet cant go What s to prevent her«
Evan gazed at him steadily Deaths levelling influence was in Evans mind
He was ready to say why and fully
Mr Andrew arrested him with a sharp »Never mind Harriet does as she likes
I m accustomed to hem what she does is best after all She doesnt
interfere with my business nor I with hers Man and wife«
Pausing a moment or so Mr Andrew intimated that they had better be
dressing for dinner With his hand on the door which he kept closed he said
in a businesslike way »You know Van as for me I should be very willing
only too happy to go down and pay all the respect I could« He became
confused and shot his head from side to side looking anywhere but at Evan
»Happy now and tomorrow to do anything in my power if Harriet follow the
funeral one of the family anything I could do but a we d better be
dressing for dinner« And out the enigmatic little man went
Evan partly divined him then But at dinner his behaviour was perplexing He
was too cheerful He pledged the Count He would have the Portuguese for this
and that and make Anglican efforts to repeat it and laugh at his failures He
would not see that there was a father dead At a table of actors Mr Andrew
overdid his part and was the worst His wife could not help thinking him a
heartless little man
The poor show had its term The ladies fled to the boudoir sacred to grief
Evan was whispered that he was to join them when he might without seeming
mysterious to the Count Before he reached them they had talked tearfully over
the clothes he should wear at Lymport agreeing that his present foreign
apparel being black would be suitable and would serve almost as disguise to
the inhabitants at large and as Evan had no English wear and there was no time
to procure any for him that was well They arranged exactly how long he should
stay at Lymport whom he should visit the manner he should adopt toward the
different inhabitants By all means he was to avoid the approach of the gentry
For hours Evan in a trance half stupefied had to listen to the Countesss
directions how he was to comport himself in Lymport
»Show that you have descended among them dear Van but are not of them Our
beautiful noble English poet expresses it so You have come to pay the last
mortal duties which they will respect if they are not brutes and attempt no
familiarities Allow none gently but firmly Imitate Silva You remember at
Doña Risbondas ball When he met the Comte de Dartigues and knew he was to be
in disgrace with his Court on the morrow Oh the exquisite shade of difference
in Silvas behaviour towards the Comte So finely delicately perceptible to the
Comte and not a soul saw it but that wretched Frenchman He came to me Madame
he said is a question permitted I replied As many as you please M le Comte
but no answers promised He said May I ask if the Courier has yet come in Nay
M le Comte I replied this is diplomacy Inquire of me or better give me an
opinion on the new glacé silk from Paris Madame said he bowing I hope Paris
may send me aught so good or that I shall grace half so well I smiled You
shall not be single in your hopes M le Comte The gift would be base that you
did not embellish He lifted his hands Frenchfashion Madame it is that I
have received the gift Indeed M le Comte Even now from the Count de Saldar
your husband I looked most innocently From my husband M le Comte From him
Madame A portrait An Ambassador without his coat The portrait was a finished
performance I said And may one beg the permission to inspect it Mais said
he laughing were it you alone it would be a privilege to me I had to check
him Believe me M le Comte that when I look upon it my praise of the artist
will be extinguished by my pity for the subject He should have stopped there
but you cannot have the last word with a Frenchman not even a woman
Fortunately the Queen just then made her entry into the saloon and his mot on
the charity of our sex was lost We bowed mutually and were separated« The
Countess employed her handkerchief »Yes dear Van that is how you should
behave Imply things With dearest Mama of course you are the dutiful son
Alas you must stand for son and daughters Mama has so much sense She will
understand how sadly we are placed But in a week I will come to her for a day
and bring you back«
So much his sister Louisa His sister Harriet offered him her house for a
home in London thence to project his new career His sister Caroline sought a
word with him in private but only to weep bitterly in his arms and utter a
faint moan of regret at marriages in general He loved this beautiful creature
the best of his three sisters partly it may be because he despised her
superior officer and tried with a few smothered words to induce her to
accompany him but she only shook her fair locks and moaned afresh Mr Andrew
in the farewell squeeze of the hand at the streetdoor asked him if he wanted
anything He negatived the requirement of anything whatever with an air of
careless decision though he was aware that his purse barely contained more than
would take him the distance but the instincts of this amateur gentleman were
very fine and sensitive on questions of money His family had never known him
beg for a shilling or admit his necessity for a penny nor could he be made to
accept money unless it was thrust into his pocket Somehow his sisters had
forgotten this peculiarity of his Harriet only remembered it when too late
»But I dare say Andrew has supplied him« she said
Andrew being interrogated informed her what had passed between them
»And you think a Harrington would confess he wanted money« was her scornful
exclamation »Evan would walk he would die rather It was treating him like a
mendicant«
Andrew had to shrink in his brewers skin
By some fatality all who were doomed to sit and listen to the Countess de
Saldar were sure to be behindhand in an appointment
When the young man arrived at the coachoffice he was politely informed
that the vehicle in which a seat had been secured for him was in close
alliance with time and tide and being under the same rigid laws could not
possibly have waited for him albeit it had stretched a point to the extent of a
pair of minutes at the urgent solicitation of a passenger
»A gentleman who speaks so sir« said a volunteer mimic of the office
crowing and questioning from his throat in Gorens manner »Yok yok That was
how he spoke sir«
Evan reddened for it brought the scene on board the Jocasta vividly to his
mind The heavier business obliterated it He took counsel with the clerks of
the office and eventually the volunteer mimic conducted him to certain livery
stables where Evan like one accustomed to command ordered a chariot to pursue
the coach received a touch of the hat for a lordly fee and was soon rolling
out of London
Chapter VI
My Gentleman on the Road
The postillion had every reason to believe that he carried a real gentleman
behind him in other words a purse long and liberal He judged by all the
points he knew of a firm voice a brief commanding style an apparent
indifference to expense and the inexplicable minor characteristics such as
polished boots and a striking wristband and so forth which will show a
creature accustomed to step over the heads of men He had therefore no
particular anxiety to part company and jogged easily on the white highway
beneath a moon that walked high and small over marble clouds
Evan reclined in the chariot revolving his sensations In another mood he
would have called them thoughts perhaps and marvelled at their immensity The
theme was Love and Death One might have supposed from his occasional
mutterings at the pace regulated by the postillion that he was burning with
anxiety to catch the flying coach He had forgotten it forgotten that he was
giving chase to anything A pair of wondering feminine eyes pursued him and
made him fret for the miles to throw a thicker veil between him and them The
serious level brows of Rose haunted the poor youth and reflecting whither he
was tending and to what sight he had shadowy touches of the holiness there is
in death from which came a conflict between the imaged phantoms of his father
and of Rose and he sided against his love with some bitterness His sisters
weeping for their father and holding aloof from his ashes Evan swept from his
mind He called up the man his father was the kindliness the readiness the
gallant gaiety of the great Mel Youths are fascinated by the barbarian virtues
and to Evan under present influences his father was a pattern of manhood He
asked himself Was it infamous to earn ones bread and answered it very
strongly in his fathers favour The great Mels creditors were not by to show
him another feature of the case
Hitherto in passive obedience to the indoctrination of the Countess Evan
had looked on tailors as the proscribed race of modern society He had pitied
his father as a man superior to his fate but despite the fitfully honest
promptings with Rose tempting to him because of the wondrous chivalry they
argued and at bottom false probably as the hypocrisy they affected to combat
he had been by no means sorry that the world saw not the spot on himself Other
sensations beset him now Since such a man was banned by the world which was to
be despised
The clear result of Evans solitary musing was to cast a sort of halo over
Tailordom Death stood over the pale dead man his father and dared the world
to sneer at him By a singular caprice of fancy Evan had no sooner grasped this
image than it was suggested that he might as well inspect his purse and see
how much money he was master of
Are you impatient with this young man He has little character for the
moment Most youths are like Popes women they have no character at all And
indeed a character that does not wait for circumstances to shape it is of small
worth in the race that must be run To be set too early is to take the work out
of the hands of the Sculptor who fashions men Happily a youth is always at
school and if he was shut up and without mark two or three hours ago he will
have something to show you now as I have seen blooming seaflowers and other
graduated organisms when left undisturbed to their own action Where the Fates
have designed that he shall present his figure in a story this is sure to
happen
To the postillion Evan was indebted for one of his first lessons
About an hour after midnight pastoral stillness and the moon begat in the
postillion desire for a pipe Daylight prohibits the dream of it to mounted
postillions At night the question is more human and allows appeal The moon
smiles assentingly and smokers know that she really lends herself to the
enjoyment of tobacco The postillion could remember gentlemen who did not
object who had even given him cigars Turning round to see if haply the present
inmate of the chariot might be smoking he observed a head extended from the
window
»How far are we« was inquired
The postillion numbered the milestones passed
»Do you see anything of the coach«
»Cant say as I do sir«
He was commanded to stop Evan jumped out
»I dont think I ll take you any farther« he said
The postillion laughed to scorn the notion of his caring how far he went
With a pipe in his mouth he insinuatingly remarked he could jog on all night
and throw sleep to the dogs Fresh horses at Hillford fresh at Fallowfield and
the gentleman himself would reach Lymport fresh in the morning
»No no I wont take you any farther« Evan repeated
»But what do it matter sir« urged the postillion
»I d rather go on as I am I a made no arrangement to take you the
whole way«
»Oh« cried the postillion »dont you go troublin yourself about that
sir Master knows it s touchandgo about catchin the coach I m all right«
So infatuated was the fellow in the belief that he was dealing with a
perfect gentleman an easy pocket
Now you would not suppose that one who presumes he has sufficient would
find a difficulty in asking how much he has to pay With an effort
indifferently masked Evan blurted
»By the way tell me how much what is the charge for the distance weve
come«
There are gentlemenscrews there are conscientious gentlemen They
calculate and remonstrating or not they pay The postillion would rather have
had to do with the gentleman royal who is above base computation but he knew
the humanity in the class he served and with his conception of Evan only
partially dimmed he remarked
»Ohhh that wont hurt you sir Jump along in settle that byandby«
But when my gentleman stood fast and renewed the demand to know the exact
charge for the distance already traversed the postillion dismounted glanced
him over and speculated with his fingers tipping up his hat Meantime Evan drew
out his purse a long one certainly but limp Out of this drownedlooking
wretch the last spark of life was taken by the sum the postillion ventured to
name and if paying your utmost farthing without examination of the charge and
cheerfully stepping out to walk fifty miles penniless constituted a
postillions gentleman Evan would have passed the test The sight of poverty
however provokes familiar feelings in poor men if you have not had occasion to
show them you possess particular qualities The postillions eye was more on the
purse than on the sum it surrendered
»There« said Evan »I shall walk Goodnight« And he flung his cloak to
step forward
»Stop a bit sir« arrested him
The postillion rallied up sideways with an assumption of genial respect »I
didnt calclate myself in that there amount«
Were these words think you of a character to strike a young man hard on
the breast send the blood to his head and set up in his heart a derisive
chorus My gentleman could pay his money and keep his footing gallantly but to
be asked for a penny beyond what he possessed to be seen beggared and to be
claimed a debtor alack Pride was the one developed faculty of Evans nature
The Fates who mould us always work from the mainspring I will not say that
the postillion stripped off the mask for him at that instant completely but he
gave him the first true glimpse of his condition From the vague sense of being
an impostor Evan awoke to the clear fact that he was likewise a fool
It was impossible for him to deny the mans claim and he would not have
done it if he could Acceding tacitly he squeezed the ends of his purse in his
pocket and with a »Let me see« tried his waistcoat Not too impetuously for
he was careful of betraying the horrid emptiness till he was certain that the
powers who wait on gentlemen had utterly forsaken him They had not He
discovered a small coin under ordinary circumstances not contemptible but he
did not stay to reflect and was guilty of the error of offering it to the
postillion
The latter peered at it in the centre of his palm gazed queerly in the
gentlemans face and then lifting the spit of silver for the disdain of his
mistress the moon he drew a long breath of regret at the original mistake he
had committed and said
»That s what you re goin to give me for my nights work«
The powers who wait on gentlemen had only helped the pretending youth to try
him A rejection of the demand would have been infinitely wiser and better than
this paltry compromise The postillion would have fought it he would not have
despised his fare
How much it cost the poor pretender to reply »It s the last farthing I
have my man« the postillion could not know
»A scabby sixpence« The postillion continued his question
»You heard what I said« Evan remarked
The postillion drew another deep breath and holding out the coin at arms
length
»Well sir« he observed as one whom mental conflict has brought to the
philosophy of the case »now was we to change places I couldnt a done it I
couldnt a done it« he reiterated pausing emphatically
»Take it sir« he magnanimously resumed »take it You rides when you can
and you walks when you must Lord forbid I should rob such a gentleman as you«
One who feels a death is for the hour lifted above the satire of
postillions A good genius prompted Evan to avoid the silly squabble that might
have ensued and made him ridiculous He took the money quietly saying »Thank
you«
Not to lose his vantage the postillion though a little staggered by the
move rejoined »Dont mention it«
Evan then said »Good night my man I wont wish for your sake that we
changed places You would have to walk fifty miles to be in time for your
fathers funeral Good night«
»You are it to look at« was the postillions comment seeing my gentleman
depart with great strides He did not speak offensively rather it seemed to
appease his conscience for the original mistake he had committed for
subsequently came »My oath on it I dont get took in again by a squash hat in
a hurry«
Unaware of the ban he had by a sixpenny stamp put upon an unoffending
class Evan went ahead hearing the wheels of the chariot still dragging the
road in his rear The postillion was in a dissatisfied state of mind He had
asked and received more than his due But in the matter of his sweet self he
had been choused as he termed it And my gentleman had baffled him he could
not quite tell how but he had been got the better of his sarcasms had not
stuck and returned to rankle in the bosom of their author As a Jew therefore
may eye an erewhile bondsman who has paid the bill but stands out against
excess of interest on legal grounds the postillion regarded Evan of whom he
was now abreast eager for a controversy
»Fine night« said the postillion to begin and was answered by a short
assent »Lateish for a poor man to be out dont you think sir eh«
»I ought to think so« said Evan mastering the shrewd unpleasantness he
felt in the colloquy forced on him
»Oh you you re a gentleman« the postillion ejaculated
»You see I have no money«
»Feel it too sir«
»I am sorry you should be the victim«
»Victim« the postillion seized on an objectionable word »I aint no
victim unless you was up to a joke with me sir just now Was that the game«
Evan informed him that he never played jokes with money or on men
»Cause it looks like it sir to go to offer a poor chap sixpence« The
postillion laughed hollow from the end of his lungs »Sixpence for a nights
work It is a joke if you dont mean it for one Why do you know sir I could
go there I dont care where it is I could go before any magistrate livin
and he d make ye pay It s a charge as custom is and he d make ye pay Or
prhaps you re a goin on my generosity and ll say he gev back that
sixpence Well I shouldnt a thought a gentleman d make that his defence
before a magistrate But there my man if it makes ye happy keep it But you
take my advice sir When you hires a chariot see youve got the shiners And
dont you go never again offerin a sixpence to a poor man for a nights work
They dont like it It hurts their feelins Dont you forget that sir Lay
that up in your mind«
Now the postillion having thus relieved himself jeeringly asked permission
to smoke a pipe To which Evan said »Pray smoke if it pleases you« And the
postillion hardly mollified added »The baccys paid for« and smoked
As will sometimes happen the feelings of the man who had spoken out and
behaved doubtfully grew gentle and Christian whereas those of the man whose
bearing under the trial had been irreproachable were much the reverse The
postillion smoked he was a lord on his horse he beheld my gentleman trudging
in the dust Awhile he enjoyed the contrast dividing his attention between the
footfarer and moon To have had the last word is always a great thing and to
have given my gentleman a lecture because he shunned a dispute also counts
And then there was the poor young fellow trudging to his fathers funeral The
postillion chose to remember that now In reality he allowed he had not very
much to complain of and my gentlemans courteous avoidance of provocation the
apparent fact that he the postillion had humbled him and got the better of
him equally it may be acted on his fine English spirit I should not like to
leave out the tobacco in this good change that was wrought in him However he
presently astonished Evan by pulling up his horses and crying that he was on
his way to Hillford to bait and saw no reason why he should not take a lift
that part of the road at all events Evan thanked him briefly but declined
and paced on with his head bent
»It wont cost you nothing not a sixpence« the postillion sang out
pursuing him »Come sir be a man I aint a hintin at anything jump in«
Evan again declined and looked out for a side path to escape the fellow
whose bounty was worse to him than his abuse and whose mention of the sixpence
was unlucky
»Dash it« cried the postillion »you re going down to a funeral I think
you said your fathers sir you may as well try and get there respectable as
far as I go It s one to me whether you re in or out the horses wont feel
it and I do wish you d take a lift and welcome It s because you re too much
of a gentleman to be beholden to a poor man I suppose«
Evans young pride may have had a little of that base mixture in it and
certainly he would have preferred that the invitation had not been made to him
but he was capable of appreciating what the rejection of a piece of friendliness
involved and as he saw that the man was sincere he did violence to himself
and said »Very well then I ll jump in«
The postillion was off his horse in a twinkling and trotted his bandy legs
to undo the door as to a gentleman who paid This act of service Evan valued
»Suppose I were to ask you to take the sixpence now« he said turning
round with one foot on the step
»Well sir« the postillion sent his hat aside to answer »I dont want it
I d rather not have it but there I ll take it dash the sixpence and we
ll cry quits«
Evan surprised and pleased with him dropped the bit of money in his hand
saying »It will fill a pipe for you While you re smoking it think of me as
in your debt You re the only man I ever owed a penny to«
The postillion put it in a side pocket apart and observed »A sixpence
kindly meant is worth any crownpiece that s grudged that it is In you jump
sir It s a jolly night«
Thus may one not a conscious sage play the right tune on this human nature
of ours by forbearance put it in the wrong and then by not refusing the
burden of an obligation confer something better The instrument is simpler than
we are taught to fancy But it was doubtless owing to a strong emotion in his
soul as well as to the stuff he was made of that the youth behaved as he did
We are now and then above our own actions seldom on a level with them Evan I
dare say was long in learning to draw any gratification from the fact that he
had achieved without money the unparalleled conquest of a man Perhaps he never
knew what immediate influence on his fortune this episode effected
At Hillford they went their different ways The postillion wished him good
speed and Evan shook his hand He did so rather abruptly for the postillion
was fumbling at his pocket and evidently rounding about a proposal in his mind
My gentleman has now the road to himself Money is the clothing of a
gentleman he may wear it well or ill Some you will mark carry great
quantities of it gracefully some with a stinted supply present a decent
appearance very few I imagine will bear inspection who are absolutely
stripped of it All save the shameless are toiling to escape that trial My
gentleman treading the white highway across the solitary heaths that swell far
and wide to the moon is by the postillion who has seen him pronounced no
sham Nor do I think the opinion of any man worthless who has had the
postillions authority for speaking But it is I am told a finer test to
embellish much gentlemanapparel than to walk with dignity totally unadorned
This simply tries the soundness of our faculties that tempts them in erratic
directions It is the difference between active and passive excellence
As there is hardly any situation however so interesting to reflect upon as
that of a man without a penny in his pocket and a gizzard full of pride we
will leave Mr Evan Harrington to what fresh adventures may befall him walking
toward the funeral plumes of the firs under the soft midsummer flush westward
where his father lies
Chapter VII
Mother and Son
Rare as epic song is the man who is thorough in what he does And happily so
for in life he subjugates us and he makes us bondsmen to his ashes It was in
the order of things that the great Mel should be borne to his final
restingplace by a troop of creditors You have seen since the occasion demands
a pompous simile clouds that all day cling about the sun and in seeking to
obscure him are compelled to blaze in his livery at fall of night they break
from him illumined hang mournfully above him and wear his natural glories long
after he is gone Thus then these worthy fellows faithful to him to the dust
fulfilled Mels triumphant passage amongst them and closed his career
To regale them when they returned Mrs Mel whose mind was not intent on
greatness was occupied in spreading meat and wine Mrs Fiske assisted her as
well as she could seeing that one hand was entirely engaged by her
handkerchief She had already stumbled and dropped a glass which had brought
on her sharp condemnation from her aunt who bade her sit down or go upstairs
to have her cry out and then return to be serviceable
»Oh I cant help it« sobbed Mrs Fiske »That he should be carried away
and none of his children to see him the last time I can understand Louisa and
Harriet too perhaps But why could not Caroline And that they should be too
fine ladies to let their brother come and bury his father Oh it does seem «
Mrs Fiske fell into a chair and surrendered to grief
»Where is the cold tongue« said Mrs Mel to Sally the maid in a brief
undervoice
»Please mum Jacko «
»He must be whipped You are a careless slut«
»Please I cant think of everybody and everything and poor master «
Sally plumped on a seat and took sanctuary under her apron Mrs Mel
glanced at the pair continuing her labour
»Oh aunt aunt« cried Mrs Fiske »why didnt you put it off for another
day to give Evan a chance«
»Masterd have kept another two days he would« whimpered Sally
»Oh aunt to think« cried Mrs Fiske
»And his coffin not bearin of his spurs« whimpered Sally
Mrs Mel interrupted them by commanding Sally to go to the drawingroom and
ask a lady there of the name of Mrs Wishaw whether she would like to have
some lunch sent up to her Mrs Fiske was requested to put towels in Evans
bedroom
»Yes aunt if you re not infatuated« said Mrs Fiske as she prepared to
obey while Sally seeing that her public exhibition of sorrow and sympathy
could be indulged but an instant longer unwound herself for a violent paroxysm
blurting between stops
»If he d ony ve gone to his last bed comfortable If he d ony ve
been that decent as not for to go to his last bed with his clothes on If he
d ony ve had a comfortable sheet It makes a woman feel cold to think of
him full dressed there as if he was goin to be a soldier on the Day o
Judgement«
To let people speak was a maxim of Mrs Mels and a wise one for any form
of society when emotions are very much on the surface She continued her
arrangements quietly and having counted the number of plates and glasses and
told off the guests on her fingers she sat down to await them
The first who entered the room was her son
»You have come« said Mrs Mel flushing slightly but otherwise outwardly
calm
»You didnt suppose I should stay away from you mother«
Evan kissed her cheek
»I knew you would not«
Mrs Mel examined him with those eyes of hers that compassed objects in a
single glance She drew her finger on each side of her upper lip and half
smiled saying
»That wont do here«
»What« asked Evan and proceeded immediately to make inquiries about her
health which she satisfied with a nod
»You saw him lowered Van«
»Yes mother«
»Then go and wash yourself for you are dirty and then come and take your
place at the head of the table«
»Must I sit here mother«
»Without a doubt you must You know your room Quick«
In this manner their first interview passed
Mrs Fiske rushed in to exclaim
»So you were right aunt he has come I met him on the stairs Oh how
like dear uncle Mel he looks in the militia with that moustache I just
remember him as a child and oh what a gentleman he is«
At the end of the sentence Mrs Mels face suddenly darkened she said in a
deep voice
»Dont dare to talk that nonsense before him Ann«
Mrs Fiske looked astonished
»What have I done aunt«
»He shant be ruined by a parcel of fools« said Mrs Mel »There go Women
have no place here«
»How the wretches can force themselves to touch a morsel after this
morning« Mrs Fiske exclaimed glancing at the table
»Men must eat« said Mrs Mel
The mourners were heard gathering outside the door Mrs Fiske escaped into
the kitchen Mrs Mel admitted them into the parlour bowing much above the
level of many of the heads that passed her
Assembled were Messrs Barnes Kilne and Grossby whom we know Mr
Doubleday the ironmonger Mr Joyce the grocer Mr Perkins commonly called
Lawyer Perkins Mr Welbeck the piermaster of Lymport Bartholomew Fiske Mr
Coxwell a Fallowfield maltster brewer and farmer creditors of various
dimensions all of them Mr Goren coming last behind his spectacles
»My son will be with you directly to preside« said Mrs Mel »Accept my
thanks for the respect you have shown my husband I wish you good morning«
»Morning maam« answered several voices and Mrs Mel retired
The mourners then set to work to relieve their hats of the appendages of
crape An undertakers man took possession of the long black cloaks The gloves
were generally pocketed
»That s my second black pair this year« said Joyce »They ll last a time
to come I dont need to buy gloves while neighbours pop off«
»Undertakers gloves seem to me as if they re made for mutton fists«
remarked Welbeck upon which Kilne nudged Barnes the butcher with a sharp
»Aha« and Barnes observed
»Oh I never wear em they does for my boys on Sundays I smoke a pipe at
home«
The Fallowfield farmer held his length of crape aloft and inquired »What
shall do with this«
»Oh you keep it« said one or two
Coxwell rubbed his chin »Dont like to rob the widder«
»What s left goes to the undertaker« asked Grossby
»To be sure« said Barnes and Kilne added »It s a job« Lawyer Perkins
ejaculating confidently »Perquisites of office gentlemen perquisites of
office« which settled the dispute and appeased every conscience
A survey of the table ensued The mourners felt hunger or else thirst but
had not it appeared amalgamated the two appetites as yet Thirst was the
predominant declaration and Grossby after an examination of the decanters
unctuously deduced the fact which he announced that port and sherry were
present
»Try the port« said Kilne
»Good« Barnes inquired
A very intelligent »I ought to know« with a reserve of regret at the
extension of his intimacy with the particular vintage under that roof was
winked by Kilne
Lawyer Perkins touched the arm of a mourner about to be experimental on
Kilnes port
»I think we had better wait till young Mr Harrington takes the table dont
you see«
»Yes ah« croaked Goren »The head of the family as the saying goes«
»I suppose we shant go into business today« Joyce carelessly observed
Lawyer Perkins answered
»No You cant expect it Mr Harrington has led me to anticipate that he
will appoint a day Dont you see«
»Oh I see« returned Joyce »I aint in such a hurry What s he doing«
Doubleday whose propensities were waggish suggested »shaving« but half
ashamed of it since the joke missed fell to as if he were soaping his face
and had some trouble to contract his jaw
The delay in Evans attendance on the guests of the house was caused by the
fact that Mrs Mel had lain in wait for him descending to warn him that he must
treat them with no supercilious civility and to tell him partly the reason why
On hearing the potential relations in which they stood toward the estate of his
father Evan hastily and with the assurance of a son of fortune said they
should be paid
»That s what they would like to hear« said Mrs Mel »You may just mention
it when they re going to leave Say you will fix a day to meet them«
»Every farthing« pursued Evan on whom the tidings were beginning to
operate »What debts my poor father«
»And a thumping sum Van You will open your eyes wider«
»But it shall be paid mother it shall be paid Debts I hate them I d
slave night and day to pay them«
Mrs Mel spoke in a more positive tense »And so will I Van Now go«
It mattered little to her what sort of effect on his demeanour her
revelation produced so long as the resolve she sought to bring him to was
nailed in his mind and she was a woman to knock and knock again till it was
firmly fixed there With a strong purpose and no plans there were few who
could resist what in her circle she willed not even a youth who would gaily
have marched to the scaffold rather than stand behind a counter A purpose
wedded to plans may easily suffer shipwreck but an unfettered purpose that
moulds circumstances as they arise masters us and is terrible Character melts
to it like metal in the steady furnace The projector of plots is but a
miserable gambler and votary of chances Of a far higher quality is the will
that can subdue itself to wait and lay no petty traps for opportunity Poets
may fable of such a will that it makes the very heavens conform to it or I
may add what is almost equal thereto one who would be a gentleman to consent
to be a tailor The only person who ever held in his course against Mrs Mel
was Mel her husband but with him she was under the physical fascination of
her youth and it never left her In her heart she barely blamed him What he
did she took among other inevitable matters
The door closed upon Evan and waiting at the foot of the stairs a minute to
hear how he was received Mrs Mel went to the kitchen and called the name of
Dandy which brought out an illbuilt lowbrowed small man in a baggy suit of
black who hopped up to her with a surly salute Dandy was a bird Mrs Mel had
herself brought down and she had for him something of a sportsmans regard for
his victim Dandy was the cleaner of boots and runner of errands in the
household of Melchisedec having originally entered it on a dark night by the
cellar Mrs Mel on that occasion was sleeping in her dressinggown to be
ready to give the gallant nighthawk her husband the service he might require
on his return to the nest Hearing a suspicious noise below she rose and
deliberately loaded a pair of horsepistols weapons Mel had worn in his
holsters in the heroic days gone and with these she stepped downstairs straight
to the cellar carrying a lantern at her girdle She could not only load but
present and fire Dandy was foremost in stating that she called him forth
steadily three times before the pistol was discharged He admitted that he was
frightened and incapable of speech at the apparition of the tall terrific
woman After the third time of asking he had the ball lodged in his leg and
fell Mrs Mel was in the habit of bearing heavier weights than Dandy She made
no ado about lugging him to a chamber where with her own hands for this woman
had some slight knowledge of surgery and was great in herbs and drugs she
dressed his wound and put him to bed crying contempt ever present in Dandys
memory at such a poor creature undertaking the work of housebreaker Taught
that he really was a poor creature for the work Dandy his nursing over begged
to be allowed to stop and wait on Mrs Mel and she who had like many strong
natures a share of pity for the objects she despised did not cast him out A
jerk in his gait owing to the bit of lead Mrs Mel had dropped into him and a
little perhaps to her selfsatisfied essay in surgical science on his person
earned him the name he went by
When her neighbours remonstrated with her for housing a reprobate Mrs Mel
would say »Dandy is wellfed and wellphysicked there s no harm in Dandy« by
which she may have meant that the food won his gratitude and the physic reduced
his humours She had observed human nature At any rate Dandy was her creature
and the great Mel himself rallied her about her squire
»When were you drunk last« was Mrs Mels address to Dandy as he stood
waiting for orders
He replied to it in an altogether injured way
»There now youve been and called me away from my dinner to ask me that
Why when I had the last chance to be sure«
»And you were at dinner in your new black suit«
»Well« growled Dandy »I borrowed Sallys apron Seems I cant please ye«
Mrs Mel neither enjoined nor cared for outward forms of respect where she
was sure of complete subserviency If Dandy went beyond the limits she gave him
an extra dose Up to the limits he might talk as he pleased in accordance with
Mrs Mels maxim that it was a necessary relief to all talking creatures
»Now take off your apron« she said »and wash your hands dirty pig and
go and wait at table in there« she pointed to the parlourdoor »Come straight
to me when everybody has left«
»Well there I am with the bottles again« returned Dandy »It s your fault
this time mind I ll come as straight as I can«
Dandy turned away to perform her bidding and Mrs Mel ascended to the
drawingroom to sit with Mrs Wishaw who was as she told all who chose to
hear an old flame of Mels and was besides what Mrs Mel thought more of the
wife of Mels principal creditor a wholesale dealer in cloth resident in
London
The conviviality of the mourners did not disturb the house Still men who
are not accustomed to see the colour of wine every day will sit and enjoy it
even upon solemn occasions and the longer they sit the more they forget the
matter that has brought them together Pleading their wives and shops however
they released Evan from his miserable office late in the afternoon His mother
came down to him and saying »I see how you did the journey you walked it«
told him to follow her
»Yes mother« Evan yawned »I walked part of the way I met a fellow in a
gig about ten miles out of Fallowfield and he gave me a lift to Flatsham I
just reached Lymport in time thank Heaven I wouldnt have missed that By the
way Ive satisfied these men«
»Oh« said Mrs Mel
»They wanted one or two of them what a penance it is to have to sit
among those people an hour they wanted to ask me about the business but I
silenced them I told them to meet me here this day week«
Mrs Mel again said »Oh« and pushing into one of the upper rooms »Here s
your bedroom Van just as you left it«
»Ah so it is« muttered Evan eyeing a print »The Douglas and the Percy
he took the dead man by the hand What an age it seems since I last saw that
There s Sir Hugh Montgomery on horseback he hasnt moved Dont you remember
my father calling it the Battle of TitforTat Gallant Percy I know he wished
he had lived in those days of knights and battles«
»It does not much signify whom one has to make clothes for« observed Mrs
Mel Her son happily did not mark her
»I think we neither of us were made for the days of pence and pounds« he
continued »Now mother sit down and talk to me about him Did he mention me
Did he give me his blessing I hope he did not suffer I d have given anything
to press his hand« and looking wistfully at the Percy lifting the hand of
Douglas dead Evans eyes filled with big tears
»He suffered very little« returned Mrs Mel »and his last words were about
you«
»What were they« Evan burst out
»I will tell you another time Now undress and go to bed When I talk to
you Van I want a cool head to listen You do nothing but yawn yardmeasures«
The mouth of the weary youth instinctively snapped short the abhorred
emblem
»Here I will help you Van«
In spite of his remonstrances and petitions for talk she took off his coat
and waistcoat contemptuously criticizing the cloth of foreign tailors and their
absurd cut
»Have you heard from Louisa« asked Evan
»Yes yes about your sisters byandby Now be good and go to bed«
She still treated him like a boy whom she was going to force to the
resolution of a man
Dandys sleepingroom was on the same floor as Evans Thither when she had
quitted her son she directed her steps She had heard Dandy tumble upstairs
the moment his duties were over and knew what to expect when the bottles had
been in his way for drink made Dandy savage and a terror to himself It was
her command to him that when he happened to come across liquor he should
immediately seek his bedroom and bolt the door and Dandy had got the habit of
obeying her On this occasion he was vindictive against her seeing that she had
delivered him over to his enemy with malice prepense A good deal of knocking
and summoning of Dandy by name was required before she was admitted and the
sight of her did not delight him as he testified
»I m drunk« he bawled »Will that do for ye«
Mrs Mel stood with her two hands crossed above her apronstring noting his
sullen lurking eye with the calm of a tamer of beasts
»You go out of the room I m drunk« Dandy repeated and pitched forward on
the bedpost in the middle of an oath
She understood that it was pure kindness on Dandys part to bid her go and
be out of his reach and therefore on his becoming so abusive as to be
menacing she without a shade of anger and in the most unruffled manner
administered to him the remedy she had reserved in the shape of a smart box on
the ear which sent him flat to the floor He rose after two or three efforts
quite subdued
»Now Dandy sit on the edge of the bed«
Dandy sat on the extreme edge and Mrs Mel pursued »Now Dandy tell me
what your master said at the table«
»Talked at em like a lord he did« said Dandy stupidly consoling the
boxed ear
»What were his words«
Dandys peculiarity was that he never remembered anything save when drunk
and Mrs Mels dose had rather sobered him By degrees scratching at his head
haltingly he gave the context
»Gentlemen I hear for the first time youve claims against my poor father
Nobody shall ever say he died and any man was the worse for it I ll meet you
next week and I ll bind myself by law Here s Lawyer Perkins No Mr
Perkins I ll pay off every penny Gentlemen look upon me as your debtor and
not my father«
Delivering this with tolerable steadiness Dandy asked »Will that do«
»That will do« said Mrs Mel »I ll send you up some tea presently Lie
down Dandy«
The house was dark and silent when Evan refreshed by his rest descended to
seek his mother She was sitting alone in the parlour With a tenderness which
Mrs Mel permitted rather than encouraged Evan put his arm round her neck and
kissed her many times One of the symptoms of heavy sorrow a longing for the
signs of love made Evan fondle his mother and bend over her yearningly Mrs
Mel said once »Dear Van good boy« and quietly sat through his caresses
»Sitting up for me mother« he whispered
»Yes Van we may as well have our talk out«
»Ah« he took a chair close by her side »tell me my fathers last words«
»He said he hoped you would never be a tailor«
Evans forehead wrinkled up »There s not much fear of that then«
His mother turned her face on him and examined him with a rigorous
placidity all her features seeming to bear down on him Evan did not like the
look
»You object to trade Van«
»Yes decidedly mother hate it but that s not what I want to talk to
you about Didnt my father speak of me much«
»He desired that you should wear his militia sword if you got a
commission«
»I have rather given up hope of the Army« said Evan
Mrs Mel requested him to tell her what a colonels full pay amounted to
and again the number of years it required on a rough calculation to attain
that grade In reply to his statement she observed »A tailor might realize
twice the sum in a quarter of the time«
»What if he does double or treble« cried Evan impetuously and to avoid
the theme and cast off the bad impression it produced on him he rubbed his
hands and said »I want to talk to you about my prospects mother«
»What are they« Mrs Mel inquired
The severity of her mien and sceptical coldness of her speech caused him to
inspect them suddenly as if she had lent him her eyes He put them by till the
gold should recover its natural shine saying »By the way mother Ive written
the half of a History of Portugal«
»Have you« said Mrs Mel »For Louisa«
»No mother of course not to sell it Albuquerque what a splendid fellow
he was«
Informing him that he knew she abominated foreign names she said »And your
prospects are writing Histories of Portugal«
»No mother I was going to tell you I expect a Government appointment Mr
Jocelyn likes my work I think he likes me You know I was his private
secretary for ten months«
»You write a good hand« his mother interposed
»And I m certain I was born for diplomacy«
»For an easy chair and an inkdish before you and lacqueys behind What s
to be your income Van«
Evan carelessly remarked that he must wait and see
»A very proper thing to do« said Mrs Mel for now that she had fixed him
to some explanation of his prospects she could condescend in her stiff way to
banter
Slightly touched by it Evan pursued half laughing as men do who wish to
propitiate common sense on behalf of what seems tolerably absurd »It s not the
immediate income you know mother one thinks of ones future In the
diplomatic service as Louisa says you come to be known to Ministers
gradually I mean That is they hear of you and if you show you have some
capacity Louisa wants me to throw it up in time and stand for Parliament
Andrew she thinks would be glad to help me to his seat Once in Parliament
and known to Ministers you your career is open to you«
In justice to Mr Evan Harrington it must be said he built up this
extraordinary cardcastle to dazzle his mothers mind he had lost his right
grasp of her character for the moment because of an undefined suspicion of
something she intended and which sent him himself to take refuge in those
flimsy structures while the very altitude he reached beguiled his imagination
and made him hope to impress hers
Mrs Mel dealt it one fillip »And in the meantime how are you to live and
pay the creditors«
Though Evan answered cheerfully »Oh they will wait and I can live on
anything« he was nevertheless floundering on the ground amid the ruins of the
superb edifice and his mother upright and rigid continuing »You can live on
anything and they will wait and call your father a rogue« he started
grievously bitten by one of the serpents of earth
»Good heaven mother what are you saying«
»That they will call your father a rogue and will have a right to« said
the relentless woman
»Not while I live« Evan exclaimed
»You may stop one mouth with your fist but you wont stop a dozen Van«
Evan jumped up and walked the room
»What am I to do« he cried »I will pay everything I will bind myself to
pay every farthing What more can I possibly do«
»Make the money« said Mrs Mels deep voice
Evan faced her »My dear mother you are very unjust and inconsiderate I
have been working and doing my best I promise what do the debts amount to«
»Something like 5000l in all Van«
»Very well« Youth is not alarmed by the sound of big sums »Very well I
will pay it«
Evan looked as proud as if he had just clapped down the full amount on the
table
»Out of the History of Portugal half written and the prospect of a
Government appointment«
Mrs Mel raised her eyelids to him
»In time in time mother«
»Mention your proposal to the creditors when you meet them this day week«
she said
Neither of them spoke for several minutes Then Evan came close to her
saying
»What is it you want of me mother«
»I want nothing Van I can support myself«
»But what would you have me do mother«
»Be honest do your duty and dont be a fool about it«
»I will try« he rejoined »You tell me to make the money Where and how can
I make it I am perfectly willing to work«
»In this house« said Mrs Mel and as this was pretty clear speaking she
stood up to lend her figure to it
»Here« faltered Evan »What be a «
»Tailor« The word did not sting her tongue
»I Oh that s quite impossible« said Evan And visions of leprosy and
Rose shrinking her skirts from contact with him shadowed out and away in his
mind
»Understand your choice« Mrs Mel imperiously spoke »What are brains given
you for To be played the fool with by idiots and women You have 5000l to pay
to save your father from being called a rogue You can only make the money in
one way which is open to you This business might produce a thousand pounds
ayear and more In seven or eight years you may clear your fathers name and
live better all the time than many of your bankrupt gentlemen You have told the
creditors you will pay them Do you think they re gaping fools to be satisfied
by a History of Portugal If you refuse to take the business at once they will
sell me up and quite right too Understand your choice There s Mr Goren has
promised to have you in London a couple of months and teach you what he can He
is a kind friend Would any of your gentlemen acquaintance do the like for you
Understand your choice You will be a beggar the son of a rogue or an honest
man who has cleared his fathers name«
During this strenuously uttered allocution Mrs Mel though her chest
heaved but faintly against her crossed hands showed by the dilatation of her
eyes and the light in them that she felt her words There is that in the
aspect of a fine frame breathing hard facts which to a youth who has been
tumbled headlong from his cardcastles and airy fabrics is masterful and like
the pressure of a Fate Evan drooped his head
»Now« said Mrs Mel »you shall have some supper«
Evan told her he could not eat
»I insist upon your eating« said Mrs Mel »empty stomachs are foul
counsellors«
»Mother do you want to drive me mad« cried Evan
She looked at him to see whether the string she held him by would bear the
slight additional strain decided not to press a small point
»Then go to bed and sleep on it« she said sure of him and gave her
cheek for his kiss for she never performed the operation but kept her mouth
as she remarked for food and speech and not for slobbering mummeries
Evan returned to his solitary room He sat on the bed and tried to think
oppressed by horrible sensations of selfcontempt that caused whatever he
touched to sicken him
There were the Douglas and the Percy on the wall It was a happy and a
glorious time was it not when men lent each other blows that killed outright
when to be brave and cherish noble feelings brought honour when strength of arm
and steadiness of heart won fortune when the fair stars of earth sweet women
wakened and warmed the love of squires of low degree This legacy of the dead
mans hand Evan would have paid it with his blood but to be in bondage all his
days to it through it to lose all that was dear to him to wear the length of a
loathed existence we should pardon a young mans wretchedness at the
prospect for it was in a time before our joyful era of universal equality Yet
he never cast a shade of blame upon his father
The hours moved on and he found himself staring at his small candle which
struggled more and more faintly with the morning light like his own flickering
ambition against the facts of life
Chapter VIII
Introduces an Eccentric
At the Aurora one of those rare antiquated taverns smelling of comfortable
time and solid English fare that had sprung up in the great coffee days when
taverns were clubs and had since subsisted on the attachment of steady bachelor
Templars there had been dismay and even sorrow for a month The most
constant patron of the establishment an old gentleman who had dined there for
sevenandtwenty years four days in the week off dishes dedicated to the
particular days and had grown grey with the landlady the cook and the
headwaiter this old gentleman had abruptly withheld his presence Though his
name his residence his occupation were things only to be speculated on at the
Aurora he was very well known there and as men are best to be known that is
to say by their habits Some affection for him also was felt The landlady
looked on him as a part of the house The cook and the waiter were accustomed to
receive acceptable compliments from him monthly His precise words his regular
ancient jokes his pint of Madeira and afterpint of Port his antique bow to
the landlady passing out and in his method of spreading his tablenapkin on
his lap and looking up at the ceiling ere he fell to and how he talked to
himself during the repast and indulged in short chuckles and the one look of
perfect felicity that played over his features when he had taken his first sip
of Port these were matters it pained them at the Aurora to have to remember
For three weeks the resolution not to regard him as of the past was general
The Aurora was the old gentlemans home Men do not play truant from home at
sixty years of age He must therefore be seriously indisposed The kind heart
of the landlady fretted to think he might have no soul to nurse and care for
him but she kept his corner near the fireplace vacant and took care that his
pint of Madeira was there The belief was gaining ground that he had gone and
that nothing but his ghost would ever sit there again Still the melancholy
ceremony continued for the landlady was not without a secret hope that in
spite of his reserve and the mystery surrounding him he would have sent her a
last word The cook and headwaiter interrogated as to their dealings with the
old gentleman testified solemnly to the fact of their having performed their
duty by him They would not go against their interests so much as to forget one
of his ways they said taking oath as it were by their lower nature in
order to be credited an instinct men have of one another The landlady could
not contradict them for the old gentleman had made no complaint but then she
called to memory that fifteen years back in such and such a year Wednesdays
dish had been by shameful oversight furnished him for Tuesdays and he had
eaten it quietly but refused his Port which pathetic event had caused alarm
and inquiry when the error was discovered and apologized for the old
gentleman merely saying »Dont let it happen again« Next day he drank his
Port as usual and the wheels of the Aurora went smoothly The landlady was
thus justified in averring that something had been done by somebody albeit
unable to point to anything specific Women who are almost as deeply bound to
habit as old gentlemen possess more of its spiritual element and are warned by
dreams omens creepings of the flesh unwonted chills suicide of china and
other shadowing signs when a break is to be anticipated or has occurred The
landlady of the Aurora tavern was visited by none of these and with that
beautiful trust which habit gives and which boastful love or vainer earthly
qualities would fail in effecting she ordered that the pint of Madeira should
stand from six oclock in the evening till seven a small monument of
confidence in him who was at one instant the poor old dear at another the
naughty old gadabout further the faithless old goodfornothing and again
the blessed pet of the landladys parlour alternately and indiscriminately
apostrophized by herself her sister and daughter
On the last day of the month a step was heard coming up the long alley which
led from the riotous scrambling street to the plentiful cheerful heart of the
Aurora The landlady knew the step She checked the natural flutterings of her
ribbons toned down the strong simper that was on her lips rose pushed aside
her daughter and as the step approached curtsied composedly Old Habit lifted
his hat and passed With the same touching confidence in the Aurora that the
Aurora had in him he went straight to his corner expressed no surprise at his
welcome by the Madeira and thereby apparently indicated that his appearance
should enjoy a similar immunity
As of old he called »Jonathan« and was not to be disturbed till he did so
Seeing that Jonathan smirked and twiddled his napkin the old gentleman added
»Thursday«
But Jonathan a man had not his mistresss keen intuition of the deportment
necessitated by the case or was incapable of putting the screw upon weak
excited nature for he continued to smirk and was remarking how glad he was he
was sure and something he had dared to think and almost to fear when the old
gentleman called to him as if he were at the other end of the room »Will you
order Thursday or not sir« Whereat Jonathan flew and two or three cosy
diners glanced up from their plates or the paper smiled and pursued their
capital occupation
»Glad to see me« the old gentleman muttered querulously »Of course glad
to see a customer Why do you tell me that Talk tattle might as well have a
woman to wait just«
He wiped his forehead largely with his handkerchief as one whom Calamity
hunted a little too hard in summer weather
»No tumblingroom for the wine too«
That was his next grievance He changed the pint of Madeira from his left
side to his right and went under his handkerchief again feverishly The world
was severe with this old gentleman
»Ah clock wrong now«
He leaned back like a man who can no longer carry his burdens informing
Jonathan on his coming up to place the roll of bread and firm butter that he
was forty seconds too fast as if it were a capital offence and he deserved to
step into Eternity for outstripping Time
»But I daresay you dont understand the importance of a minute« said the
old gentleman bitterly »Not you or any of you Better if we had run a little
ahead of your minute perhaps and the rest of you Do you think you can cancel
the mischief that s done in the world in that minute sir by hurrying ahead
like that Tell me«
Rather at a loss Jonathan scanned the clock seriously and observed that it
was not quite a minute too fast
The old gentleman pulled out his watch He grunted that a lying clock was
hateful to him subsequently sinking into contemplation of his thumbs a sign
known to Jonathan as indicative of the old gentlemans system having resolved
in spite of external outrages to be fortified with calm to meet the repast
It is not fair to go behind an eccentric but the fact was this old
gentleman was slightly ashamed of his months vagrancy and cruel conduct and
cloaked his behaviour toward the Aurora in all the charges he could muster
against it He was very human albeit an odd form of the race
Happily for his digestion of Thursday the cook warned by Jonathan kept
the old gentlemans time not the Auroras and the dinner was correct the
dinner was eaten in peace he began to address his plate vigorously poured out
his Madeira and chuckled as the familiar ideas engendered by good wine were
revived in him Jonathan reported at the bar that the old gentleman was all
right again
One would like here to pause while our worthy ancient feeds and indulge in
a short essay on Habit to show what a sacred and admirable thing it is that
makes flimsy Time substantial and consolidates his triple life It is proof
that we have come to the end of dreams and Times delusions and are determined
to sit down at Lifes feast and carve for ourselves Its day is the child of
yesterday and has a claim on tomorrow Whereas those who have no such plan of
existence and sum of their wisdom to show the winds blow them as they list
Consider then mercifully the wrath of him on whom carelessness or
forgetfulness has brought a snap in the links of Habit You incline to scorn him
because his slippers misplaced or asparagus not on his table the first day of
a particular Spring month he gazes blankly and sighs as one who saw the End To
you it may appear small You call to him to be a man He is but he is also an
immortal and his confidence in unceasing orderly progression is rudely dashed
But the old gentleman has finished his dinner and his Madeira and says
»Now Jonathan thock the Port« his joke when matters have gone well meant
to express the sound of the uncorking probably The habit of making good jokes
is rare as you know old gentlemen have not yet attained to it nevertheless
Jonathan enjoys this one which has seen a generation in and out for he knows
its purport to be »My heart is open«
And now is a great time with this old gentleman He sips and in his eyes
the world grows rosy and he exchanges mute or monosyllable salutes here and
there His habit is to avoid converse but he will let a light remark season
meditation
He says to Jonathan »The bill for the month«
»Yes sir« Jonathan replies »Would you not prefer sir to have the items
added on to the month ensuing«
»I asked you for the bill of the month« said the old gentleman with an
irritated voice and a twinkle in his eye
Jonathan bowed but his aspect betrayed perplexity and that perplexity was
soon shared by the landlady for Jonathan said he was convinced the old
gentleman intended to pay for sixteen days and the landlady could not bring her
hand to charge him for more than two Here was the dilemma foreseen by the old
gentleman and it added vastly to the flavour of the Port
Pleasantly tickled he sat gazing at his glass and let the minutes fly He
knew the part he would act in his little farce If charged for the whole month
he would peruse the bill deliberately and perhaps cry out »Hulloa« and then
snap at Jonathan for the interposition of a remark But if charged for two days
he would wish to be told whether they were demented those people outside and
scornfully return the bill to Jonathan
A slap on the shoulder and a voice »Found you at last Tom« violently
shattered the excellent plot and made the old gentleman start He beheld Mr
Andrew Cogglesby
»Drinking Port Tom« said Mr Andrew »I ll join you« and he sat down
opposite to him rubbing his hands and pushing back his hair
Jonathan entering briskly with the bill fell back a step in alarm The old
gentleman whose inviolacy was thus rudely assailed sat staring at the
intruder his mouth compressed and three fingers round his glass which it was
doubtful whether he was not going to hurl at him
»Waiter« Mr Andrew carelessly hailed »a pint of this Port if you
please«
Jonathan sought the countenance of the old gentleman
»Do you hear sir« cried the latter turning his wrath on him »Another
pint« He added »Take back the bill« and away went Jonathan to relate fresh
marvels to his mistress
Mr Andrew then addressed the old gentleman in the most audacious manner
»Astonished to see me here Tom Dare say you are I knew you came somewhere
in this neighbourhood and as I wanted to speak to you very particularly and
you wouldnt be visible till Monday why I spied into two or three places and
here I am«
You might see they were brothers They had the same bushy eyebrows the same
healthy colour in their cheeks the same thick shoulders and brisk way of
speaking and clear sharp though kindly eyes only Tom was cast in larger
proportions than Andrew and had gotten the grey furniture of Time for his
natural wear Perhaps too a cross in early life had a little twisted him and
set his mouth in a rueful bunch out of which occasionally came biting things
Mr Andrew carried his head up and eyed every man living with the benevolence
of a patriarch dashed with the impudence of a London sparrow Tom had a nagging
air and a trifle of acridity on his broad features Still any one at a glance
could have sworn they were brothers and Jonathan unhesitatingly proclaimed it
at the Aurora bar
Mr Andrews hands were working together and at them and at his face the
old gentleman continued to look with a firmly interrogating air
»Want to know what brings me Tom I ll tell you presently Hot isnt
it«
»What the deuce are you taking exercise for« the old gentleman burst out
and having unlocked his mouth he began to puff and alter his posture
»There you are thawed in a minute« said Mr Andrew »What s an eccentric
a child grown grey It isnt mine I read it somewhere Ah here s the Port
good I ll warrant«
Jonathan deferentially uncorked excessive composure on his visage He
arranged the tablecloth to a nicety fixed the bottle with exactness and was
only sent scuding by the old gentlemans muttering of »Eavesdropping pie«
followed by a short »Go« and even then he must delay to sweep off a particular
crumb
»Good it is« said Mr Andrew rolling the flavour on his lips as he put
down his glass »I follow you in Port Tom Elder brother«
The old gentleman also drank and was mollified enough to reply »Shant
follow you in Parliament«
»Havent forgiven that yet Tom«
»No great harm done when you re silent«
»Capital Port« said Mr Andrew replenishing the glasses »I ought to have
inquired where they kept the best Port I might have known you d stick by it
By the way talking of Parliament there s talk of a new election for
Fallowfield You have a vote there Will you give it to Jocelyn There s talk
of his standing«
»If he ll wear petticoats I ll give him my vote«
»There you go Tom«
»I hate masquerades You re penny trumpets of the women That tattle comes
from the bedcurtains When a petticoat steps forward I give it my vote or else
I button it up in my pocket«
This was probably one of the longest speeches he had ever delivered at the
Aurora There was extra Port in it Jonathan who from his place of observation
noted the length of time it occupied though he was unable to gather the
context glanced at Mr Andrew with a sly satisfaction Mr Andrew laughing
signalled for another pint
»So youve come here for my vote have you« said Mr Tom
»Why no not exactly that« Mr Andrew answered blinking and passing it
by
Jonathan brought the fresh pint and Tom filled for himself drank and said
emphatically and with a confounding voice
»Your women have been setting you on me sir«
Andrew protested that he was entirely mistaken
»You re the puppet of your women«
»Well Tom not in this instance Here s to the bachelors and brother Tom
at their head«
It seemed to be Andrews object to help his companion to carry a certain
quantity of Port as if he knew a virtue it had to subdue him and to have fixed
on a particular measure that he should hold before he addressed him specially
Arrived at this he said
»Look here Tom I know your ways I shouldnt have bothered you here I
never have before but we couldnt very well talk it over in business hours and
besides you re never at the Brewery till Monday and the matters rather
urgent«
»Why dont you speak like that in Parliament« the old man interposed
»Because Parliament isnt my brother« replied Mr Andrew »You know Tom
you never quite took to my wifes family«
»I m not a match for fine ladies Nan«
»Well Harriet would have taken to you Tom and will now if you ll let
her Of course it s a pity if she s ashamed of hem You found it out about
the Lymport people Tom and youve kept the secret and respected her feelings
and I thank you for it Women are odd in those things you know She mustnt
imagine Ive heard a whisper I believe it would kill her«
The old gentleman shook silently
»Do you want me to travel over the kingdom hawking her for the daughter of
a marquis«
»Now dont joke Tom I m serious Are you not a Radical at heart Why do
you make such a set against the poor women What do we spring from«
»I take off my hat Nan when I see a cobblers stall«
»And I Tom dont care a rush who knows it Homo something but we never
had much schooling Weve thriven and should help those we can Weve got on in
the world «
»Wife come back from Lymport« sneered Tom
Andrew hurriedly and with some confusion explained that she had not been
able to go on account of the child
»Account of the child« his brother repeated working his chin
contemptuously »Sisters gone«
»They re stopping with us« said Andrew reddening
»So the tailor was left to the kites and the crows Ah hum« and Tom
chuckled
»You re angry with me Tom for coming here« said Andrew »I see what it
is Thought how it would be You re offended old Tom«
»Come where you like« returned Tom »the place is open It s a fool that
hopes for peace anywhere They sent a woman here to wait on me this day month«
»That s a shame« said Mr Andrew propitiatingly »Well never mind Tom
the women are sometimes in the way Evan went down to bury his father He s
there now You wouldnt see him when he was at the Brewery Tom He s upon my
honour he s a good young fellow«
»A fine young gentleman Ive no doubt Nan«
»A really good lad Tom No nonsense Ive come here to speak to you about
him«
Mr Andrew drew a letter from his pocket pursuing »Just throw aside your
prejudices and read this It s a letter I had from him this morning But first
I must tell you how the case stands«
»Know more than you can tell me Nan« said Tom turning over the flavour of
a gulp of his wine
»Well then just let me repeat it He has been capitally educated he has
always been used to good society well we mustnt sneer at it good societys
better than bad you ll allow He has refined tastes well you wouldnt like
to live among crossingsweepers Tom He s clever and accomplished can speak
and write in three languages I wish I had his abilities He has good manners
well Tom you know you like them as well as anybody And now but read for
yourself«
»Yah« went old Tom »The women have been playing the fool with him since he
was a baby I read his rigmarole No«
Mr Andrew shrugged his shoulders and opened the letter saying »Well
listen« and then he coughed and rapidly skimmed the introductory part
»Excuses himself for addressing me formally poor boy Circumstances have
altered his position towards the world found his fathers affairs in a bad
state only chance of paying off fathers debts to undertake management of
business and bind himself to so much a year But there Tom if you wont read
it you miss the poor young fellows character He says that he has forgotten
his station fancied he was superior to trade but hates debt and will not
allow anybody to throw dirt at his fathers name while he can work to clear it
and will sacrifice his pride Come Tom that s manly isnt it I call it
touching poor lad«
Manly it may have been but the touching part of it was a feature missed in
Mr Andrews hands At any rate it did not appear favourably to impress Tom
whose chin had gathered its ominous puckers as he inquired
»What s the trade he dont say«
Andrew added with a wave of the hand »Out of a sort of feeling for his
sisters I like him for it Now what I want to ask you Tom is whether we
cant assist him in some way Why couldnt we take him into our office and fix
him there eh If he works well we re both getting old and my brats are
chicks we might byandby give him a share«
»Make a brewer of him Ha thered be another mighty sacrifice for his
pride«
»Come come Tom« said Andrew »he s my wifes brother and I m yours
and there you know what women are They like to preserve appearances we
ought to consider them«
»Preserve appearances« echoed Tom »ha wholl do that for them better than
a tailor«
Andrew was an impatient little man fitter for a kind action than to plead a
cause Jeering jarred on him and from the moment his brother began it he was
of small service to Evan He flung back against the partition of the compound
rattling it to the disturbance of many a quiet digestion
»Tom« he cried »I believe you re a screw«
»Never said I wasnt« rejoined Tom as he finished his glass »I m a
bachelor and a person you re married and an object I wont have the
tailors family at my coattails«
»Do you mean to say Tom you dont like the young fellow The Countess says
he s half engaged to an heiress and he has a chance of appointments of
course nothing may come of them But do you mean to say you dont like him for
what he has done«
Tom made his jaw disagreeably prominent »Fraid I m guilty of that crime«
»And you that swear at people pretending to be above their station«
exclaimed Andrew »I shall get in a passion I cant stand this Here waiter
what have I to pay«
»Go« cried the timehonoured guest of the Aurora to Jonathan advancing
Andrew pressed the very roots of his hair back from his red forehead and
sat upright and resolute glancing at Tom And now ensued a curious scene of
family blood For no sooner did elderly Tom observe this bantamlike demeanour
of his brother than he ruffled his feathers likewise and looked down on him
agitating his wig over a prodigious frown Whereof came the following sharp
colloquy Andrew beginning
»I ll pay off the debts out of my own pocket«
»You can make a greater fool of yourself then«
»He shant be a tailor«
»He shant be a brewer«
»I say he shall live like a gentleman«
»I say he shall squat like a Turk«
Bang went Andrews hand on the table »Ive pledged my word mind«
Tom made a counter demonstration »And I ll have my way«
»Hang it I can be as eccentric as you« said Andrew
»And I as much a donkey as you if I try hard« said Tom
Something of the cobblers stall followed this till waxing furious Tom
sung out to Jonathan hovering around them in watchful timidity »More Port«
and the words immediately fell oily on the wrath of the brothers both commenced
wiping their heads with their handkerchiefs the faces of both emerged and met
with a halflaugh and severally determined to keep to what they had spoken
there was a tacit accord between them to drop the subject
Like sunshine after smart rain the Port shone on these brothers Like a
voice from the pastures after the bellowing of the thunder Andrews voice
asked »Got rid of that twinge of the gout Tom Did you rub in that ointment«
while Tom replied »Ay How about that rheumatism of yours Have you tried that
Indy oil« receiving a like assurance
The remainder of the Port ebbed in meditation and chance remarks The bit of
storm had done them both good and Tom especially the cynical carping grim
old gentleman was much improved by the nearer resemblance of his manner to
Andrews
Behind this unaffected fraternal concord however the fact that they were
pledged to a race in eccentricity was present They had been rivals before and
anterior to the date of his marriage Andrew had done odd eclipsing things But
Andrew required prompting to it he required to be put upon his mettle Whereas
it was more nature with Tom nature and the absence of a wife gave him
advantages over Andrew Besides he had his character to maintain He had said
the word and the first vanity of your born eccentric is that he shall be taken
for infallible
Presently Andrew ducked his head to mark the evening clouds flushing over
the courtyard of the Aurora
»Time to be off Tom« he said »wife at home«
»Ah« Tom answered »Well I havent got to go to bed so early«
»What an old rogue you are Tom« Andrew pushed his elbows forward on the
table amiably »Gad we havent drunk wine together since by George we ll
have another pint«
»Many as you like« said Tom
Over the succeeding pint Andrew in whose veins the Port was merry
favoured his brother with an imitation of Major Strike and indicated his
dislike to that officer Tom informed him that Major Strike was speculating
»The ass eats at my table and treats me with contempt«
»Just tell him that you re putting by the bones for him He ll want em«
Then Andrew with another glance at the clouds now violet on a grey sky
said he must really be off Upon which Tom observed »Dont come here again«
»You old rascal Tom« cried Andrew swinging over the table »it s quite
jolly for us to be hobanobbing together once more Gad no we wont
though I promised Harriet Eh What say Tom«
»Nother pint Nan«
Tom shook his head in a roguishlycosy irresistible way Andrew from a
shake of denial and resolve fell into the same and there sat the two brothers
a jolly picture
The hour was ten when Andrew Cogglesby comforted by Toms remark that he
Tom had a wig and that he Andrew would have a wigging left the Aurora and
he left it singing a song Tom Cogglesby still sat at his table holding before
him Evans letter of which he had got possession and knocking it round and
round with a stroke of the forefinger to the tune of »Tinker tailor soldier
sailor pothecary ploughboy thief« each profession being sounded as a corner
presented itself to the point of his nail After indulging in this species of
incantation for some length of time Tom Cogglesby read the letter from
beginning to end and called peremptorily for pen ink and paper
Chapter IX
The Countess in Low Society
By dint of stratagems worthy of a Court intrigue the Countess de Saldar
contrived to traverse the streets of Lymport and enter the house where she was
born unsuspected and unseen under cover of a profusion of lace and veil and
mantilla which only her heroic resolve to keep her beauties hidden from the
profane townspeople could have rendered endurable beneath the fervid summer sun
Dress in a foreign style she must as without it she lost that sense of
superiority which was the only comfort to her in her tribulations The period
of her arrival was ten days subsequent to the burial of her father She had come
in the coach like any common mortal and the coachman upon her request had
put her down at the Governors house and the guard had knocked at the door and
the servant had informed her that General Hucklebridge was not the governor of
Lymport nor did Admiral Combleman then reside in the town which tidings the
coach then being out of sight it did not disconcert the Countess to hear and
she reached her mother having at least cut off communication with the object
of conveyance
The Countess kissed her mother kissed Mrs Fiske and asked sharply for
Evan Mrs Fiske let her know that Evan was in the house
»Where« inquired the Countess »I have news of the utmost importance for
him I must see him«
»Where is he aunt« said Mrs Fiske »In the shop I think I wonder he did
not see you passing Louisa«
The Countess went bolt down into a chair
»Go to him Jane« said Mrs Mel »Tell him Louisa is here and dont
return«
Mrs Fiske departed and the Countess smiled
»Thank you Mama you know I never could bear that odious vulgar little
woman Oh the heat You talk of Portugal And oh poor dear Papa what I have
suffered«
Flapping her laces for air and wiping her eyes for sorrow the Countess
poured a flood of sympathy into her mothers ears and then said
»But you have made a great mistake Mama in allowing Evan to put his foot
into that place He beloved of an heiress Why if an enemy should hear of it
it would ruin him positively blast him for ever And that she loves him I
have proof positive Yes with all her frankness the little thing cannot
conceal that from me now She loves him And I desire you to guess Mama
whether rivals will not abound And what enemy so much to be dreaded as a rival
And what revelation so awful as that he has stood in a in a boutique«
Mrs Mel maintained her usual attitude for listening It had occurred to her
that it might do no good to tell the grand lady her daughter of Evans
resolution so she simply said »It is discipline for him« and left her to
speak a private word with the youth
Timidly the Countess inspected the furniture of the apartment taking chills
at the dingy articles she saw in the midst of her heat That she should have
sprung from this The thought was painful still she could forgive Providence so
much But should it ever be known she had sprung from this Alas she felt she
never could pardon such a dire betrayal She had come in good spirits but the
mention of Evans backsliding had troubled her extremely and though she did not
say to herself What was the benefit resulting from her fathers dying if Evan
would be so baseminded she thought the thing indefinitely and was forming the
words on her mouth One Harrington in a shop is equal to all when Evan appeared
alone
»Why goodness gracious where s your moustache« cried the Countess
»Gone the way of hair« said Evan coldly stooping to her forehead
»Such a distinction« the Countess continued reproachfully »Why mon Dieu
one could hardly tell you as you look now from the very commonest tradesman
if you were not rather handsome and something of a figure It s a disguise
Evan do you know that«
»And Ive parted with it that s all« said Evan »No more disguises for
me«
The Countess immediately took his arm and walked with him to a window His
face was certainly changed Murmuring that the air of Lymport was bad for him
and that he must leave it instantly she bade him sit and attend to what she was
about to say
»While you have been here degenerating Evan day by day as you always do
out of my sight degenerating no less a word I have been slaving in your
interests Yes I have forced the Jocelyns socially to acknowledge us I have
not slept I have eaten bare morsels Do abstinence and vigils clear the wits I
know not but indeed they have enabled me to do more in a week than would
suffice for a lifetime Hark to me I have discovered Roses secret Si It is
so Rose loves you You blush you blush like a girl She loves you and you
have let yourself be seen in a shop Contrast me the two things Oh in verity
dreadful as it is one could almost laugh But the moment I lose sight of you
my instructions vanish as quickly as that hair on your superior lip which took
such time to perfect Alas you must grow it again immediately Use any
perfumers contrivance Rowland I have great faith in Rowland Without him I
believe there would have been many bald women committing suicide You remember
the bottle I gave to the Count de Villa Flor Countess he said to me you have
saved this eggshell from a crack by helping to cover it for so he called his
head the top you know was beginning to shine like an egg And I do fear me
he would have done it Ah you do not conceive what the dread of baldness is To
a woman death death is preferable to baldness Baldness is death And a wig
a wig Oh horror total extinction is better than to rise again in a wig But
you are young and play with hair But I was saying I went to see the Jocelyns
I was introduced to Sir Franks and his lady and the wealthy grandmother And I
have an invitation for you Evan you unmannered boy that you do not bow A
gentle incline forward of the shoulders and the eyes fixed softly your upper
lids drooping triflingly as if you thanked with gentle sincerity but were
indifferent Well well if you will not An invitation for you to spend part of
the autumn at Beckley Court the ancestral domain where there will be company
the nobles of the land Consider that You say it was bold in me to face them
after that horrible man committed us on board the vessel A Harrington is
anything but a coward I did go and because I am devoted to your interests
That very morning I saw announced in the paper just beneath poor Andrews
hand as he held it up at the breakfasttable reading it I saw among the
deaths Sir Abraham Harrington of Torquay Baronet of quinsy Twice that good
man has come to my rescue Oh I welcomed him as a piece of Providence I turned
and said to Harriet I see they have put poor Papa in the paper Harriet was
staggered I took the paper from Andrew and pointed it to her She has no
readiness She has had no foreign training She could not comprehend and Andrew
stood on tiptoe and peeped He has a bad cough and coughed himself black in
the face I attribute it to excessive bad manners and his cold feelings He left
the room I reproached Harriet But oh the singularity of the excellent
fortune of such an event at such a time It showed that our Harringtonluck had
not forsaken us I hurried to the Jocelyns instantly Of course it cleared away
any suspicions aroused in them by that horrible man on board the vessel And the
tears I wept for Sir Abraham Evan in verity they were tears of deep and
sincere gratitude What is your mouth knitting the corners at Are you
laughing«
Evan hastily composed his visage to the melancholy that was no counterfeit
in him just then
»Yes« continued the Countess easily reassured »I shall ever feel a debt
to Sir Abraham Harrington of Torquay I dare say we are related to him At
least he has done us more service than many a rich and titled relative No one
supposes he would acknowledge poor Papa I can forgive him that Evan« The
Countess pointed out her finger with mournful and impressive majesty »As we
look down on that monkey people of rank and consideration in society look on
what poor dear Papa was«
This was partly true for Jacko sat on a chair in his favourite attitude
copied accurately from the workmen of the establishment at their labour with
needle and thread Growing cognizant of the infamy of his posture the Countess
begged Evan to drive him out of her sight and took a sniff at her
smellingbottle
She went on »Now dear Van you would hear of your sweet Rose«
»Not a word« Evan hastily answered
»Why what does this indicate Whims Then you do love«
»I tell you Louisa I dont want to hear a word of any of them« said Evan
with an angry gleam in his eyes »They are nothing to me nor I to them I my
walk in life is not theirs«
»Faint heart faint heart« the Countess lifted a proverbial forefinger
»Thank heaven I shall have the consolation of not going about and bowing
and smirking like an impostor« Evan exclaimed
There was a wider intelligence in the Countesss arrested gaze than she
chose to fashion into speech
»I knew« she said »I knew how the air of this horrible Lymport would act
on you But while I live Evan you shall not sink in the sludge You with all
the pains I have lavished on you and with your presence for you have a
presence so rare among young men in this England You who have been to a
Court and interchanged bows with duchesses and I know not what besides nay
I do not accuse you but if you had not been a mere boy and an English boy
poor Eugenia herself confessed to me that you had a look a tender cleaving of
the underlids that made her catch her hand to her heart sometimes it
reminded her so acutely of false Belmaraña Could you have had a greater
compliment than that You shall not stop here another day«
»True« said Evan »for I m going to London tonight«
»Not to London« the Countess returned with a conquering glance »but to
Beckley Court and with me«
»To London Louisa with Mr Goren«
Again the Countess eyed him largely but took as it were a sidepath from
her broad thought saying »Yes fortunes are made in London if you would they
should be rapid«
She meditated At that moment Dandy knocked at the door and called outside
»Please master Mr Goren says there s a gentleman in the shop wants to see
you«
»Very well« replied Evan moving He was swung violently round
The Countess had clutched him by the arm A fearful expression was on her
face
»Whither do you go« she said
»To the shop Louisa«
Too late to arrest the villanous word she pulled at him »Are you quite
insane Consent to be seen by a gentleman there What has come to you You must
be lunatic Are we all to be utterly ruined disgraced«
»Is my mother to starve« said Evan
»Absurd rejoinder No You should have sold everything here before this She
can live with Harriet she once out of this horrible element she would not
show it But Evan you are getting away from me you are not going speak«
»I am going« said Evan
The Countess clung to him exclaiming »Never while I have the power to
detain you« but as he was firm and strong she had recourse to her womans
aids and burst into a storm of sobs on his shoulder a scene of which Mrs Mel
was for some seconds a composed spectator
»What s the matter now« said Mrs Mel
Evan impatiently explained the case Mrs Mel desired her daughter to avoid
being ridiculous and making two fools in her family and at the same time that
she told Evan there was no occasion for him to go contrived with a look to
make the advice a command He in that state of mind when one takes bitter
delight in doing an abhorred duty was hardly willing to be submissive but the
despair of the Countess reduced him and for her sake he consented to forego the
sacrifice of his pride which was now his sad sole pleasure Feeling him linger
the Countess relaxed her grasp Hers were tears that dried as soon as they had
served their end and to give him the full benefit of his conduct she said »I
knew Evan would be persuaded by me«
Evan pitifully pressed her hand and sighed
»Tea is on the table downstairs« said Mrs Mel »I have cooked something
for you Louisa Do you sleep here tonight«
»Can I tell you Mama« murmured the Countess »I am dependent on our Evan«
»Oh well we will eat first« said Mrs Mel and they went to the table
below the Countess begging her mother to drop titles in designating her to the
servants which caused Mrs Mel to say
»There is but one I do the cooking« and the Countess ever disposed to
flatter and be suave even when stung by a fact or a phrase added
»And a beautiful cook you used to be dear Mama«
At the table awaiting them sat Mrs Wishaw Mrs Fiske and Mr Goren who
soon found themselves enveloped in the Countesss graciousness Mr Goren would
talk of trade and compare Lymport business with London and the Countess
loftily interested in his remarks drew him out to disgust her brother Mrs
Wishaw in whom the Countess at once discovered a frivolous pretentious woman of
the moneyed trading class she treated as one who was alive to society and
surveyed matters from a station in the world leading her to think that she
tolerated Mr Goren as a ladyChristian of the highest rank should tolerate the
insects that toil for us Mrs Fiske was not so tractable for Mrs Fiske was
hostile and armed Mrs Fiske adored the great Mel and she had never loved
Louisa Hence she scorned Louisa on account of her late behaviour toward her
dead parent The Countess saw through her and laboured to be friendly with her
while she rendered her disagreeable in the eyes of Mrs Wishaw and let Mrs
Wishaw perceive that sympathy was possible between them manoeuvring a trifle
too delicate perhaps for the people present but sufficient to blind its
keenwitted author to the something that was being concealed from herself of
which something nevertheless her senses apprehensively warned her and they
might have spoken to her wits but that mortals cannot unaided guess or will
not unless struck in the face by the fact credit what is to their minds the
last horror
»I came down in the coach quite accidental with this gentleman« said Mrs
Wishaw fanning a cheek and nodding at Mr Goren »I m an old flame of dear
Mels I knew him when he was an apprentice in London Now wasnt it odd Your
mother I suppose I must call you my lady«
The Countess breathed a tender »Spare me« with a smile that added »among
friends«
Mrs Wishaw resumed »Your mother was an old flame of this gentlemans I
found out So there were two old flames and I couldnt help thinking But I was
so glad to have seen dear Mel once more«
»Ah« sighed the Countess
»He was always a martiallooking man and laid out he was quite imposing I
declare I cried so as it reminded me of when I couldnt have him for he had
nothing but his legs and arms and I married Wishaw But it s a comfort to
think I have been of some service to dear dear Mel for Wishaws a man of
accounts and payments and I knew Mel had cloth from him and« the lady
suggested bills delayed with two or three nods »you know and I ll do my best
for his son«
»You are kind« said the Countess smiling internally at the vulgar
creatures misconception of Evans requirements
»Did he ever talk much about Mary Fence« asked Mrs Wishaw »Polly Fence
he used to say sweet Polly Fence«
»Oh I think so Frequently« observed the Countess
Mrs Fiske primmed her mouth She had never heard the great Mel allude to
the name of Fence
The Gorencroak was heard
»Painters have painted out Melchisedec this afternoon Yes ah In and out
as the saying goes«
Here was an opportunity to mortify the Countess
Mrs Fiske placidly remarked »Have we the other put up in its stead It s
shorter«
A twinge of weakness had made Evan request that the name of Evan Harrington
should not decorate the shopfront till he had turned his back on it for a
time Mrs Mel crushed her venomous niece
»What have you to do with such things Shine in your own affairs first Ann
before you meddle with others«
Relieved at hearing that Melchisedec was painted out and unsuspicious of
the announcement that should replace it the Countess asked Mrs Wishaw if she
thought Evan like her dear Papa
»So like« returned the lady »that I would not be alone with him yet for
worlds I should expect him to be making love to me for you know my dear I
must be familiar Mel never could be alone with you without It was his
nature I speak of him before marriage But if I can trust myself with him I
shall take charge of Mr Evan and show him some London society«
»That is indeed kind« said the Countess glad of a thick veil for the
utterance of her contempt »Evan though I fear will be rather engaged His
friends the Jocelyns of Beckley Court will I fear hardly dispense with
him and Lady Splenders you know her the Marchioness of Splenders No by
repute at least a most beautiful and most fascinating woman report of him
alone has induced her to say that Evan must and shall form a part of her
autumnal gathering at Splenders Castle And how he is to get out of it I cannot
tell But I am sure his multitudinous engagements will not prevent his paying
due court to Mistress Wishaw«
As the Countess intended Mistress Wishaws vanity was reproved and her
ambition excited a pretty doublestroke only possible to dexterous players
The lady rejoined that she hoped so she was sure and forthwith because
she suddenly seemed to possess him more than his son launched upon Mels
incomparable personal attractions This caused the Countess to enlarge upon
Evans vast personal prospects They talked across each other a little till the
Countess remembered her breeding allowed Mrs Wishaw to run to an end in hollow
exclamations and put a finish to the undeclared controversy by a traverse of
speech as if she were taking up the most important subject of their late
colloquy »But Evan is not in his own hands he is in the hands of a lovely
young woman I must tell you He belongs to her and not to us You have heard
of Rose Jocelyn the celebrated heiress«
»Engaged« Mrs Wishaw whispered aloud
The Countess an adept in the lie implied practised by her that she might
not subject herself to future punishment in which she was so devout a believer
that she condemned whole hosts to it deeply smiled
»Really« said Mrs Wishaw and was about to inquire why Evan with these
brilliant expectations could think of trade and tailoring when the young man
whose forehead had been growing black jumped up and quitted them thus
breaking the harmony of the table and as the Countess had said enough she
turned the conversation to the always welcome theme of low society She broached
death and corpses and became extremely interesting and very sympathetic the
only difference between the ghostly anecdotes she related and those of the
other ladies being that her ghosts were all of them titled and walked mostly
under the burden of a coronet For instance there was the Portuguese Marquis de
Col He had married a Spanish wife whose end was mysterious Undressing on the
night of the anniversary of her death and on the point of getting into bed he
beheld the dead woman lying on her back before him All night long he had to
sleep with this freezing phantom Regularly every fresh anniversary he had to
endure the same penance no matter where he might be or in what strange bed On
one occasion when he took the live for the dead a curious thing occurred
which the Countess scrupled less to relate than would men to hint at Ghosts
were the one childish enjoyment Mrs Mel allowed herself and she listened to
her daughter intently ready to cap any narrative but Mrs Fiske stopped the
flood
»You have improved on Peter Smithers Louisa« she said
The Countess turned to her mildly
»You are certainly thinking of Peter Smithers« Mrs Fiske continued
bracing her shoulders »Surely you remember poor Peter Louisa An old flame of
your own He was going to kill himself but married a Devonshire woman and they
had disagreeables and she died and he was undressing and saw her there in the
bed and wouldnt get into it and had the mattress and the curtains and the
counterpanes and everything burnt He told us it himself You must remember it
Louisa«
The Countess remembered nothing of the sort No doubt could exist of its
having been the Portuguese Marquis de Col because he had confided to her the
whole affair and indeed come to her as his habit was to ask her what he could
possibly do under the circumstances If Mrs Fiskes friend who married the
Devonshire person had seen the same thing the coincidence was yet more
extraordinary than the case Mrs Fiske said it assuredly was and glanced at
her aunt who as the Countess now rose declaring she must speak to Evan chid
Mrs Fiske and wished her and Peter Smithers at the bottom of the sea
»No no Mama« said the Countess laughing »that would hardly be proper«
and before Mrs Fiske could reply escaped to complain to Evan of the vulgarity
of those women
She was not prepared for the burst of wrath with which Evan met her
»Louisa« said he taking her wrist sternly »you have done a thing I cant
forgive I find it hard to bear disgrace myself I will not consent to bring it
upon others Why did you dare to couple Miss Jocelyns name with mine«
The Countess gave him out her arms length »Speak on Van« she said
admiring him with a bright gaze
»Answer me Louisa and dont take me for a fool any more« he pursued »You
have coupled Miss Jocelyns name with mine in company and I insist now upon
your giving me your promise to abstain from doing it anywhere before anybody«
»If she saw you at this instant Van« returned the incorrigible Countess
»would she desire it think you Oh I must make you angry before her I see
that You have your fathers frown You surpass him for your delivery is more
correct and equally fluent And if a woman is momentarily melted by softness in
a man she is for ever subdued by boldness and bravery of mien«
Evan dropped her hand »Miss Jocelyn has done me the honour to call me her
friend That was in other days« His lip quivered »I shall not see Miss Jocelyn
again Yes I would lay down my life for her but that s idle talk No such
chance will ever come to me But I can save her from being spoken of in alliance
with me and what I am and I tell you Louisa I will not have it« Saying
which and while he looked harshly at her wounded pride bled through his eyes
She was touched »Sit down dear I must explain to you and make you happy
against your will« she said in another voice and an English accent »The
mischief is done Van If you do not want Rose Jocelyn to love you you must
undo it in your own way I am not easily deceived On the morning I went to her
house in town she took me aside and spoke to me Not a confession in words
The blood in her cheeks when I mentioned you did that for her Everything
about you she must know how you bore your grief and all And not in her usual
free manner but timidly as if she feared a surprise or feared to be wakened
to the secret in her bosom she half suspects Tell him she said I hope he
will not forget me«
The Countess was interrupted by a great sob for the picture of frank Rose
Jocelyn changed and soft and as it were shadowed under a veil of bashful
regard for him so filled the young man with sorrowful tenderness that he
trembled and was as a child
Marking the impression she had produced on him and having worn off that
which he had produced on her the Countess resumed the art in her style of
speech easier to her than nature
»So the sweetest of Roses may be yours dear Van and you have her in a gold
setting to wear on your heart Are you not enviable I will not no I will
not tell you she is perfect I must fashion the sweet young creature Though I
am very ready to admit that she is much improved by this shall I call it
desired consummation«
Evan could listen no more Such a struggle was rising in his breast the
effort to quench what the Countess had so shrewdly kindled passionate desire to
look on Rose but for one lightning flash desire to look on her and muffled
sense of shame twinborn with it wild love and leaden misery mixed dead
hopelessness and vivid hope Up to the neck in Purgatory but his soul saturated
with visions of Bliss The fair orb of Love was all that was wanted to complete
his planetary state and aloft it sprang showing many faint fair tracts to
him and piling huge darknesses
As if in search of something he suddenly went from the room
»I have intoxicated the poor boy« said the Countess and consulted an
attitude by the evening light in a mirror Approving the result she rang for
her mother and sat with her till dark telling her she could not and would not
leave her dear Mama that night At the suppertable Evan did not appear and Mr
Goren after taking counsel of Mrs Mel dispersed the news that Evan was off to
London On the road again with a purse just as illfurnished and in his breast
the light that sometimes leads gentlemen as well as ladies astray
Chapter X
My Gentleman on the Road Again
Near a milestone under the moonlight crouched the figure of a woman huddled
with her head against her knees and careless hair falling to the summers dust
Evan came upon this sight within a few miles of Fallowfield At first he was
rather startled for he had inherited superstitious emotions from his mother
and the road was lone the moon full He went up to her and spoke a gentle word
which provoked no reply He ventured to put his hand on her shoulder continuing
softly to address her She was flesh and blood Evan stooped his head to catch a
whisper from her mouth but nothing save a heavier fall of the breath she took
as of one painfully waking was heard
A misery beyond our own is a wholesome picture for youth and though we may
not for the moment compare the deep with the lower deep we if we have a heart
for outer sorrows can forget ourselves in it Evan had just been accusing the
heavens of conspiracy to disgrace him Those patient heavens had listened as is
their wont They had viewed and had not been disordered by his mental frenzies
It is certainly hard that they do not come down to us and condescend to tell us
what they mean and be dumbfoundered by the perspicuity of our arguments the
argument for instance that they have not fashioned us for the science of the
shears and do yet impel us to wield them Nevertheless they to whom mortal
life has ceased to be a long matter perceive that our appeals for conviction are
answered now and then very closely upon the call When we have cast off the
scales of hope and fancy and surrender our claims on mad chance it is given us
to see that some plan is working out that the heavens icy as they are to the
pangs of our blood have been throughout speaking to our souls and according
to the strength there existing we learn to comprehend them But their language
is an element of Time whom primarily we have to know
Evan Harrington was young He wished not to clothe the generation What was
to the remainder of the exiled sons of Adam simply the brand of expulsion from
Paradise was to him hell In his agony anything less than an angel
softvoiced in his path would not have satisfied the poor boy and here was
this wretched outcast and instead of being relieved he was to act the
reliever
Striving to rouse the desolate creature he shook her slightly She now
raised her head with a slow gradual motion like that of a waxwork showing a
white young face tearless dreadfully drawn at the lips After gazing at him
she turned her head mechanically to her shoulder as to ask him why he touched
her He withdrew his hand saying
»Why are you here Pardon me I want if possible to help you«
A light sprang in her eyes She jumped from the stone and ran forward a
step or two with a gasp
»Oh my God I want to go and drown myself«
Evan lingered behind her till he saw her body sway and in a fit of
trembling she half fell on his outstretched arm He led her to the stone not
knowing what on earth to do with her There was no sign of a house near they
were quite solitary to all his questions she gave an unintelligible moan He
had not the heart to leave her so taking a sharp seat on a heap of flints
thus possibly furnishing future occupation for one of his craftsmen he waited
and amused himself by marking out diagrams with his stick in the thick dust
His thoughts were far away when he heard faintly uttered
»Why do you stop here«
»To help you«
»Please dont Let me be I cant be helped«
»My good creature« said Evan »it s quite impossible that I should leave
you in this state Tell me where you were going when your illness seized you«
»I was going« she commenced vacantly »to the sea the water« she added
with a shivering lip
The foolish youth asked her if she could be cold on such a night
»No I m not cold« she replied drawing closer over her lap the ends of a
shawl which would in that period have been thought rather gaudy for her station
»You were going to Lymport«
»Yes Lymports nearest I think«
»And why were you out travelling at this hour«
She dropped her head and began rocking to right and left
While they talked the noise of waggonwheels was heard approaching Evan
went into the middle of the road and beheld a covered waggon and a fellow whom
he advanced to meet plodding a little to the rear of the horses He proved
kindly He was a farmers man he said and was at that moment employed in
removing the furniture of the farmers son who had failed as a cornchandler in
Lymport to Hillford which he expected to reach about morn He answered Evans
request that he would afford the young woman conveyance as far as Fallowfield
»Tak her in That I will«
»She wont hurt the harses« he pursued pointing his whip at the vehicle
»there s my mate Gearge Stoakes he s in there snorin his turn Cant you
hear n asnorin thraugh the wheels I can I ve been laughin He do snore
that loud Gearge do«
Proceeding to inform Evan how George Stokes had snored in that
characteristic manner from boyhood ever since he and George had slept in a
hayloft together and how he kept wakeful and driven to distraction by George
Stokes nose had been occasionally compelled in sheer selfdefence madly to
start up and hold that pertinacious alarum in tight compression between thumb
and forefinger and how George Stokes thus severely handled had burst his hold
with a tremendous snort as big as a bull and had invariably uttered the
exclamation »Hulloa same to you my lad« and rolled over to snore as fresh
as ever all this with singular rustic comparisons racy of the soil and in
raw Hampshire dialect the waggoner came to a halt opposite the stone and
while Evan strode to assist the girl addressed himself to the great task of
arousing the sturdy sleeper and quieting his trumpet heard by all ears now that
the accompaniment of the wheels was at an end
George violently awakened complained that it was before his time to which
he was true and was for going off again with exalted contentment though his
heels had been tugged and were dangling some length out of the machine but his
comrade with a determined blow of the lungs gave another valiant pull and
George Stokes was on his legs marvelling at the world and man Evan had less
difficulty with the girl She rose to meet him put up her arms for him to clasp
her waist whispering sharply in an inward breath »What are you going to do
with me« and indifferent to his verbal response trustingly yielded her limbs
to his guidance He could see blood on her bitten underlip as with the help of
the waggoner he lifted her on the mattress backed by a portly bundle which
the sagacity of Mr Stokes had selected for his couch
The waggoner cracked his whip laughing at George Stokes who yawned and
settled into a composed ploughswing without asking questions apparently
resolved to finish his nap on his legs
»Warnt he like that Myzepper chap I see at the circus bound athert gray
mare« chuckled the waggoner »So he d a gone on had ye a let n No wulves
waddnt wake Gearge till he d slept it out Then he d say marnin to m Are
ye wake now Gearge«
The admirable sleeper preferred to be a quiet butt and the waggoner
leisurely exhausted the fun that was to be had out of him returning to it with
a persistency that evinced more concentration than variety in his mind At last
Evan said »Your pace is rather slow They ll be shut up in Fallowfield I ll
go on ahead You ll find me at one of the inns the Green Dragon«
In return for this speech the waggoner favoured him with a stare followed
by the exclamation
»Oh no dang that«
»Why what s the matter« quoth Evan
»You ent goin to be off for to leave me and Gearge in the lurch there
with that ther young woman in that ther pickle« returned the waggoner
Evan made an appeal to his reason but finding that impregnable he pulled
out his scanty purse to guarantee his sincerity with an offer of pledgemoney
The waggoner waved it aside He wanted no money he said
»Look heer« he went on »if you re for a start I tells ye plain I chucks
that ther young woman int the road«
Evan bade him not to be a brute
»Nack and crop« the waggoner doggedly ejaculated
Very much surprised that a fellow who appeared sound at heart should
threaten to behave so basely Evan asked an explanation upon which the waggoner
demanded to know what he had eyes for and as this query failed to enlighten the
youth he let him understand that he was a man of family experience and that it
was easy to tell at a glance that the complaint the young woman laboured under
was one common to the daughters of Eve He added that should an emergency
arise he though a family man would be useless that he always vacated the
premises while those incidental scenes were being enacted at home and that for
him and George Stokes to be left alone with the young woman why they would be
of no more service to her than a couple of babies newborn themselves He for
his part he assured Evan should take to his heels and relinquish waggon and
horses and all while George probably would stand and gape and the end of it
would be they would all be had up for murder He diverged from the alarming
prospect by a renewal of the foregoing alternative to the gentleman who had
constituted himself the young womans protector If he parted company with them
they would immediately part company with the young woman whose condition was
evident
»Why couldnt you tall that« said the waggoner as Evan tingling at the
ears remained silent
»I know nothing of such things« he answered hastily like one hurt
I have to repeat the statement that he was a youth and a modest one He
felt unaccountably unreasonably but horridly ashamed The thought of his
actual position swamped the sickening disgust at tailordom Worse then might
happen to us in this extraordinary world There was something more abhorrent
than sitting with ones legs crossed publicly stitching and scoffed at He
called vehemently to the waggoner to whip the horses and hurry ahead into
Fallowfield but that worthy whatever might be his dire alarms had a regular
pace that was conscious of no spur the reply of »All right« satisfied him at
least and Evans chaste sighs for the appearance of an assistant petticoat
round a turn of the road were offered up duly to the measure of the waggoners
steps
Suddenly the waggoner came to a halt and said »Blest if that Gearge baint
a snorin on his pins«
Evan lingered by him with some curiosity while the waggoner thumped his
thigh to »Yes he be no he baint« several times in eager hesitation
»It s a fellow calling from the downs« said Evan
»Ay so« responded the waggoner »Dangd if I didnt think twere that
Gearge of ourn Hark awhile«
At a repetition of the call the waggoner stopped his team After a few
minutes a man appeared panting on the bank above them down which he ran
precipitately knocked against Evan apologized with the little breath that
remained to him and then held his hand as to entreat a hearing Evan thought
him halfmad the waggoner was about to imagine him the victim of a midnight
assault He undeceived them by requesting in rather flowery terms conveyance
on the road and rest for his limbs It being explained to him that the waggon
was already occupied he comforted himself aloud with the reflection that it was
something to be on the road again for one who had been belated lost and
wandering over the downs for the last six hours
»Walcome to git in when young woman gits out« said the waggoner »I ll
gi ye my sleep on t Hillford«
»Thanks worthy friend« returned the new comer »The state of the case is
this I m happy to take from humankind whatsoever I can get If this gentleman
will accept of my company and my legs hold out all will yet be well«
Though he did not wear a petticoat Evan was not sorry to have him Next to
the interposition of the Gods we pray for human fellowship when we are in a
mess So he mumbled politely dropped with him a little to the rear and they
all stepped out to the crack of the waggoners whip
»Rather a slow pace« said Evan feeling bound to converse
»Six hours on the downs makes it extremely suitable to me« rejoined the
stranger
»You lost your way«
»I did sir Yes one does not court those desolate regions wittingly I am
for life and society The embraces of Diana do not agree with my constitution
If classics there be who differ from me I beg them to take six hours on the
downs alone with the moon and the last prospect of bread and cheese and a
chaste bed seemingly utterly extinguished I am cured of my romance Of course
when I say bread and cheese I speak figuratively Food is implied«
Evan stole a glance at his companion
»Besides« the other continued with an inflexion of grandeur »for a man
accustomed to his hunters it is you will confess unpleasant I speak
hypothetically to be reduced to his legs to that extent that it strikes him
shrewdly he will run them into stumps«
The stranger laughed
The fair lady of the night illumined his face like one who recognized a
subject Evan thought he knew the voice A curious struggle therein between
native facetiousness and an attempt at dignity appeared to Evan not unfamiliar
and the egregious failure of ambition and triumph of the instinct helped him to
join the stranger in his mirth
»Jack Raikes« he said »surely«
»The man« it was answered to him »But you and near our old school
Viscount Harrington These marvels occur you see we meet again by night«
Evan with little gratification at the meeting fell into their former
comradeship tickled by a recollection of his old schoolfellows indiarubber
mind
Mr Raikes stood about a head under him He had extremely mobile features
thick flexible eyebrows a loose voluble mouth a ridiculous figure on a
dandified foot He represented to you one who was rehearsing a part he wished to
act before the world and was not aware that he took the world into his
confidence
How he had come there his elastic tongue explained in tropes and puns and
lines of dramatic verse His patrimony spent he at once believed himself an
actor and he was hissed off the stage of a provincial theatre
»Ruined the last ignominy endured I fled from the gay vistas of the Bench
for they live who would thither lead me and determined the day before the
yesterday what thinkst thou why to go boldly and offer myself as Adlatus to
blessed old Cudford Yes a little Latin is all that remains to me and I
resolved like the man I am to turn hic hæc hoc into bread and cheese and
beer Impute nought foreign to me in the matter of pride«
»Usher in our old school poor old Jack« exclaimed Evan
»Lieutenant in the Cudford Academy« the latter rejoined »I walked the
distance from London I had my interview with the respected principal He gave
me of mutton nearest the bone which they say is sweetest and on sweet things
you should not regale in excess Endymion watched the sheep that bred that
mutton He gave me the thin beer of our boyhood that I might the more soberly
state my mission That beer my friend was brewed by one who wished to form a
study for pantomimic masks He listened with the gravity which is all his own to
the recital of my career he pleasantly compared me to Phaëthon congratulated
the river Thames at my not setting it on fire in my rapid descent and extended
to me the three fingers of affectionate farewell You an usher a rearer of
youth Mr Raikes Oh no Oh no That was all I could get out of him Gad he
might have seen that I didnt joke with the muttonbone If I winced at the beer
it was imperceptible Now a man who can do that is what I call a man in
earnest«
»You ve just come from Cudford« said Evan
»Short is the tale though long the way friend Harrington From Bodley is
ten miles to Beckley I walked them From Beckley is fifteen miles to
Fallowfield Them I was traversing when lo near sweet eventide a fair
horsewoman riding with her groom at her horses heels Lady says I addressing
her as much out of the style of the needy as possible will you condescend to
direct me to Fallowfield Are you going to the match says she I answered
boldly that I was Beckley s in says she and you ll be in time to see them
out if you cut across the downs there I lifted my hat a desperate measure
for the brim wont bear much but honour to women though we perish She bowed
I cut across the downs In fine Harrington old boy I ve been wandering among
those downs for the last seven or eight hours I was on the point of turning my
back on the road for the twentieth time I believe when I heard your welcome
vehicular music and hailed you and I ask you isnt it luck for a fellow who
hasnt got a penny in his pocket and is as hungry as five hundred hunters to
drop on an old friend like this«
Evan answered with the question
»Where was it you said you met the young lady«
»In the first place O Amadis I never said she was young You re on the
scent I see«
Nursing the fresh image of his darling in his hearts recesses Evan as
they entered Fallowfield laid the state of his purse before Jack and earned
anew the epithet of Amadis when it came to be told that the occupant of the
waggon was likewise one of its pensioners
Sleep had long held its reign in Fallowfield Nevertheless Mr Raikes
though blind windows alone looked on him and nought foreign was to be imputed
to him in the matter of pride had become exceedingly solicitous concerning his
presentation to the inhabitants of that quiet little country town and while
Evan and the waggoner consulted the former with regard to the chances of
procuring beds and supper the latter as to his prospect of beer and a
comfortable riddance of the feminine burden weighing on them all Mr Raikes
was engaged in persuading his hat to assume something of the gentlemanly polish
of its youth and might have been observed now and then furtively catching up a
leg to be dusted Ere the wheels of the waggon stopped he had gained that ease
of mind which the knowledge that you have done all a man may do and
circumstances warrant establishes Capacities conscious of their limits may
repose even proudly when they reach them and if Mr Raikes had not quite the
air of one come out of a bandbox he at least proved to the discerning
intelligence that he knew what sort of manner befitted that happy occasion and
was enabled by the pains he had taken to glance with a challenge at the sign of
the hostelry under which they were now ranked and from which though the hour
was late and Fallowfield a singularly somnolent little town there issued signs
of life approaching to festivity
Chapter XI
Doings at an Inn
What every traveller sighs to find was palatably furnished by the Green Dragon
of Fallowfield a famous inn and a constellation for wandering coachmen There
pleasant smiles seasoned plenty and the bill was gilded in a manner unknown to
our days Whoso drank of the ale of the Green Dragon kept in his memory a place
apart for it The secret that to give a warm welcome is the breath of life to
an inn was one the Green Dragon boasted even then not to share with many Red
Lions or Cocks of the Morning or Kings Heads or other fabulous monsters and
as if to show that when you are in the right track you are sure to be seconded
there was a friend of the Green Dragon who on a particular night of the year
caused its renown to enlarge to the dimensions of a miracle But that for the
moment is my secret
Evan and Jack were met in the passage by a chambermaid Before either of
them could speak she had turned and fled with the words
»More coming« which with the addition of »My goodness me« were echoed by
the hostess in her recess Hurried directions seemed to be consequent and then
the hostess sallied out and said with a curtsey
»Please to step in gentlemen This is the room tonight«
Evan lifted his hat and bowing requested to know whether they could have a
supper and beds
»Beds sir« cried the hostess »What am I to do for beds Yes beds indeed
you may have but bedrooms if you ask for them it really is more than I can
supply you with I have given up my own I sleep with my maid Jane tonight«
»Anything will do for us madam« replied Evan renewing his foreign
courtesy »But there is a poor young woman outside«
»Another« The hostess instantly smiled down her inhospitable outcry
»She« said Evan »must have a room to herself She is ill«
»Must is must sir« returned the gracious hostess »But I really havent
the means«
»You have bedrooms madam«
»Every one of them engaged sir«
»By ladies madam«
»Lord forbid sir« she exclaimed with the honest energy of a woman who knew
her sex
Evan bade Jack go and assist the waggoner to bring in the girl Jack who
had been all the time pulling at his wristbands and settling his coatcollar by
the dim reflection of a window of the bar departed after on his own
authority assuring the hostess that fever was not the young womans malady as
she protested against admitting fever into her house seeing that she had to
consider her guests
»We re open to all the world tonight except fever« said the hostess
»Yes« she rejoined to Evans order that the waggoner and his mate should be
supplied with ale »they shall have as much as they can drink« which is not a
speech usual at inns when one man gives an order for others but Evan passed it
by and politely begged to be shown in to one of the gentlemen who had engaged
bedrooms
»Oh if you can persuade any of them sir I m sure I ve nothing to say«
observed the hostess »Pray dont ask me to stand by and back it that s all«
Had Evan been familiar with the Green Dragon he would have noticed that the
landlady its presiding genius was stiffer than usual the rosy smile was more
constrained as if a great host had to be embraced and were trying it to the
utmost stretch There was however no asperity about her and when she had led
him to the door he was to enter to prefer his suit and she had asked whether
the young woman was quite common and he had replied that he had picked her up
on the road and that she was certainly poor the hostess said
»I m sure you re a very good gentleman sir and if I could spare your
asking at all I would«
With that she went back to encounter Mr Raikes and his charge and prime
the waggoner and his mate
A noise of laughter and talk was stilled gradually as Evan made his bow
into a spacious room wherein as the tops of pines are seen swimming on the
morning mist about a couple of dozen guests of divers conditions sat partially
revealed through wavy clouds of tobaccosmoke By their postures which Evans
appearance by no means disconcerted you read in a glance men who had been at
ease for so many hours that they had no troubles in the world save the two
ultimate perplexities of the British Sybarite whose bed of roses is harassed by
the pair of problems first what to do with his legs secondly how to imbibe
liquor with the slightest possible derangement of those members subordinate to
his upper structure Of old the Sybarite complained Not so our selfhelpful
islanders Since they could not now that work was done and jollity the game
take off their legs they got away from them as far as they might in fashions
original or imitative some by thrusting them out at full length some by
cramping them under their chairs while some taking refuge in a mental effort
forgot them a process to be recommended if it did not involve occasional pangs
of consciousness to the legs of their neighbours We see in our cousins West of
the great water who are said to exaggerate our peculiarities beings labouring
under the same difficulty and intent on its solution As to the second problem
that of drinking without discomposure to the subservient limbs the company
present worked out this republican principle ingeniously but in a manner
beneath the attention of the Muse Let Clio record that mugs and glasses
tobacco and pipes were strewn upon the table But if the guests had arrived at
that stage when to reach the arm or arrange the person for a sip of good
stuff causes moral debates and presents to the mind impediments equal to what
would be raised in active men by the prospect of a great excursion it is not to
be wondered at that the presence of a stranger produced no immediate commotion
Two or three heads were half turned such as faced him imperceptibly lifted
their eyelids
»Good evening sir« said one who sat as chairman with a decisive nod
»Good night aint it« a jollylooking old fellow queried of the speaker
in an undervoice
»Gad you dont expect me to be wishing the gentleman goodbye do you«
retorted the former
»Ha ha No to be sure« answered the old boy and the remark was variously
uttered that »Good night« by a caprice of our language did sound like it
»Good evenings How d ye do How are ye Good nights Be off and be
blowed to you« observed an interpreter with a positive mind and another whose
intelligence was not so clear but whose perceptions had seized the point
exclaimed »I never says it when I hails a chap but dash my buttons if I
mightnt a done one day or another Queer«
The chairman warmed by his joke added with a sharp wink »Ay it would be
queer if you hailed Good night in the middle of the day« and this among a
company soaked in ripe ale could not fail to run the electric circle and
persuaded several to change their positions in the rumble of which Evans
reply if he had made any was lost Few however were there who could think of
him and ponder on that glimpse of fun at the same time and he would have been
passed over had not the chairman said »Take a seat sir make yourself
comfortable«
»Before I have that pleasure« replied Evan »I «
»I see where tis« burst out the old boy who had previously superinduced a
diversion »he s going to ax if he cant have a bed«
A roar of laughter and »Dont you remember this day last year« followed
the cunning guess For awhile explication was impossible and Evan coloured and
smiled and waited for them
»I was going to ask «
»Said so« shouted the old boy gleefully
» one of the gentlemen who has engaged a bedroom to do me the extreme
favour to step aside with me and allow me a moments speech with him«
Long faces were drawn and odd stares were directed toward him in reply
»I see where tis« the old boy thumped his knee »Aint it now Speak up
sir There s a lady in the case«
»I may tell you thus much« answered Evan »that it is an unfortunate young
woman very ill who needs rest and quiet«
»Didnt I say so« shouted the old boy
But this time though his jolly red jowl turned all round to demand a
confirmation it was not generally considered that he had divined so correctly
Between a lady and an unfortunate young woman there seemed to be a strong
distinction in the minds of the company
The chairman was the most affected by the communication His bushy eyebrows
frowned at Evan and he began tugging at the brass buttons of his coat like one
preparing to arm for a conflict
»Speak out sir if you please« he said »Above board no asides no
taking advantages You want me to give up my bedroom for the use of your young
woman sir«
Evan replied quietly »She is a stranger to me and if you could see her
sir and know her situation I think she would move your pity«
»I dont doubt it sir I dont doubt it« returned the chairman »They all
move our pity That s how they get over us She has diddled you and she would
diddle me and diddle us all diddle the devil I dare say when her time
comes I dont doubt it sir«
To confront a vehement old gentleman sitting as president in an assembly of
satellites requires command of countenance and Evan was not browbeaten he
held him and the whole room from where he stood under a serene and serious
eye for his feelings were too deeply stirred on behalf of the girl to let him
think of himself That question of hers »What are you going to do with me«
implying such helplessness and trust was still sharp on his nerves
»Gentlemen« he said »I humbly beg your pardon for disturbing you as I do«
But with a sudden idea that a general address on behalf of a particular
demand must necessarily fail he let his eyes rest on one there whose face was
neither stupid nor repellent and who though he did not look up had an
attentive thoughtful cast about the mouth
»May I entreat a word apart with you sir«
Evan was not mistaken in the index he had perused The gentleman seemed to
feel that he was selected from the company and slightly raising his head
carelessly replied »My bed is entirely at your disposal« resuming his
contemplative pose
On the point of thanking him Evan advanced a step when up started the
irascible chairman
»I dont permit it I wont allow it« And before Evan could ask his
reasons he had rung the bell muttering »They follow us to our inns now the
baggages They must harry us at our inns We cant have peace and quiet at our
inns«
In a state of combustion he cried out to the waiter »Here Mark this
gentleman has brought in a dirty wench pack her up to my bedroom and lock her
in lock her in and bring down the key«
Agreeably deceived in the old gentlemans intentions Evan could not refrain
from joining the murmured hilarity created by the conclusion of his order The
latter glared at him and added »Now sir you ve done your worst Sit down
and be merry«
Replying that he had a friend outside and would not fail to accept the
invitation Evan retired He was met by the hostess with the reproachful
declaration on her lips that she was a widow woman wise in appearances and
that he had brought into her house that night work she did not expect or
bargain for Rather since I must speak truth of my gentleman to silence her on
the subject and save his ears than to propitiate her favour towards the girl
Evan drew out his constitutionally lean purse and dropped it in her hand
praying her to put every expense incurred to his charge She exclaimed »If Dr
Pillie has his full sleep this night I shall be astonished« and Evan hastily
led Jack into the passage to impart to him that the extent of his resources was
reduced to the smallest of sums in shillings
»I can beat my friend at that reckoning« said Mr Raikes and they entered
the room
Eyes were on him This had ever the effect of causing him to swell to
monstrous proportions in the histrionic line Asking the waiter carelessly for
some light supper dish he suggested the various French with »not that« and
the affable naming of another »Nor that Dear me we shall have to sup on
chops I believe«
Evan saw the chairman scrutinizing Raikes much as he himself might have
done and he said »Bread and cheese for me«
Raikes exclaimed »Really Well my lord you lead and your taste is mine«
A second waiter scudded past and stopped before the chairman to say »If
you please sir the gentlemen upstairs send their compliments and will be
happy to accept«
»Ha« was the answer »Thought better of it have they Lay for three more
then Five more I guess« He glanced at the pair of intruders
Among a portion of the guests there had been a return to common talk and
one had observed that he could not get that Good Evening and Good Night out of
his head which had caused a friend to explain the meaning of these terms of
salutation to him while another of a philosophic turn pursued the theme »You
see when we meets we makes a night of it So when we parts it s Good Night
natural aint it« A proposition assented to and considerably dilated on
but whether he was laughing at that or what had aroused the fit the chairman
did not say
Gentle chuckles had succeeded his laughter by the time the bread and cheese
appeared
In the rear of the provision came three young gentlemen of whom the
foremost lumped in singing to one behind him »And you shall have little
Rosey«
They were clad in cricketing costume and exhibited the health and manners
of youthful Englishmen of station Frolicsome young bulls bursting on an
assemblage of sheep they might be compared to The chairman welcomed them a
trifle snubbingly The colour mounted to the cheeks of Mr Raikes as he made
incision in the cheese under their eyes knitting his brows fearfully as if at
hard work
The chairman entreated Evan to desist from the cheese and pulling out his
watch thundered »Time«
The company generally jumped on their legs and in the midst of a hum of
talk and laughter he informed Evan and Jack that he invited them cordially to
a supper upstairs and would be pleased if they would partake of it and in a
great rage if they would not
Raikes was for condescending to accept
Evan sprang up and cried »Gladly sir« and gladly would he have cast his
cockney schoolmate to the winds in the presence of these young cricketers for
he had a prognostication
The door was open and the company of jolly yeomen tradesmen farmers and
the like had become intent on observing all the ceremonies of precedence not
one would broaden his back on the other and there was bowing and scraping and
grimacing till Farmer Broadmead was hailed aloud and the old boy stepped
forth and was summarily pushed through the chairman calling from the rear
»Hulloa no names tonight« to which was answered lustily »All right Mr
Tom« and the speaker was reproved with »There you go at it again« and out
and up they hustled
The chairman said quietly to Evan as they were ascending the stairs »We
dont have names tonight may as well drop titles« Which presented no peculiar
meaning to Evans mind and he smiled the usual smile
To Raikes at the door of the supperroom the chairman repeated the same
and with extreme affability and alacrity of abnegation the latter rejoined
»Oh certainly«
No wonder that he rubbed his hands with more delight than aristocrats and
people with gentlemanly connections are in the habit of betraying at the
prospect of refection for the release from bread and cheese was rendered
overpoweringly glorious in his eyes by the bountiful contrast exhibited on the
board before him
Chapter XII
In Which Ale Is Shown to Have One Quality of Wine
To proclaim that yon ribs of beef and yonder ruddy Britons have met is to
furnish matter for an hours comfortable meditation
Digest the fact Here the Fates have put their seal to something Nature
clearly devised It was intended and it has come to pass A thing has come to
pass which we feel to be right The machinery of the world then is not
entirely dislocated there is harmony on one point among the mysterious powers
who have to do with us
Apart from its eloquent and consoling philosophy the picture is pleasant
You see two rows of shoulders resolutely set for action heads in divers degrees
of proximity to their plates eyes variously twinkling or hypocritically
composed chaps in vigorous exercise Now leans a fellow right back with his
whole face to the firmament Ale is his adoration He sighs not till he sees the
end of the mug Now from one a laugh is sprung but as if too early tapped he
turns off the cock and primes himself anew Occupied by their own requirements
these Britons allow that their neighbours have rights no cursing at waste of
time is heard when plates have to be passed disagreeable it is still duty
FieldMarshal Duty the Britons chief star shines here If one usurps more
than his allowance of elbowroom bring your charge against them that fashioned
him work away to arrive at some compass yourself
Now the mustard ceases to travel and the salt the guests have leisure to
contemplate their achievements Laughs are more prolonged and come from the
depths
Now Ale which is to Beef what Eve was to Adam threatens to take possession
of the field Happy they who following Natures direction admitted not bright
ale into their Paradise till their manhood was strengthened with beef Some
impatient had thirsted had satisfied their thirst and the ale the light
though lovely spirit with nothing to hold it down had mounted to their heads
just as Eve will do when Adam is not mature just as she did Alas
Now the ruins of the feast being removed and a clear course left for the
flow of ale Farmer Broadmead facing the chairman rises He stands in an
attitude of midway He speaks
»Gentlemen Taint fust time you and I be met here to salbrate this here
occasion I say not fust time not by many a time taint Well gentlemen I
aint much of a speaker gentlemen as you know Howsever here I be No denyin
that I m on my legs This here s a strange enough world and a man as s a
gentleman I say we ought for to be glad when we got m You know I m coming
to it shortly I aint much of a speaker and if you wants somethin new you
must ax elsewhere but what I say is dang it here s good health and long
life to Mr Tom up there«
»No names« shouts the chairman in the midst of a tremendous clatter
Farmer Broadmead moderately disengages his breadth from the seat He humbly
axes pardon which is accorded him with a blunt nod
Ale to Beef what Eve was to Adam circulates beneath a dazzling foam fair
as the first woman
Mr Tom for the breach of the rules in mentioning whose name on a night
when identities are merged we offer sincere apologies every other minute Mr
Tom is toasted His parents who selected that day sixty years ago for his bow
to be made to the world are alluded to with encomiums and float down to
posterity on floods of liquid amber
But to see all the subtle merits that now begin to bud out from Mr Tom the
chairman and giver of the feast and also rightly to appreciate the speeches we
require to be enormously charged with Ale Mr Raikes did his best to keep his
head above the surface of the rapid flood He conceived the chairman in
brilliant colours and probably owing to the energy called for by his brain the
legs of the young man failed him twice as he tried them Attention was
demanded Mr Raikes addressed the meeting
The three young gentlemencricketers had hitherto behaved with a certain
propriety It did not offend Mr Raikes to see them conduct themselves as if
they were at a play and the rest of the company paid actors He had likewise
taken a position and had been the first to laugh aloud at a particular slip of
grammar while his shrugs at the aspirates transposed and the pronunciation
prevalent had almost established a freemasonry between him and one of the
three young gentlemencricketers a fairhaired youth with a handsome
reckless face who leaned on the table humorously eyeing the several speakers
and exchanging bywords and laughs with his friends on each side of him
But Mr Raikes had the disadvantage of having come to the table empty in
stomach thirsty exceedingly and I repeat that as without experience you
are the victim of divinelygiven Eve so with no foundation to receive it upon
are you the victim of good sound Ale He very soon lost his head He would
otherwise have seen that he must produce a wonderfullytelling speech if he was
to keep the position he had taken and had better not attempt one The three
young cricketers were hostile from the beginning All of them leant forward
calling attention loudly laughing for the fun to come
»Gentlemen« he said and said it twice The gap was wide and he said
»Gentlemen« again
This commencement of a speech proves that you have made the plunge but not
that you can swim At a repetition of »Gentlemen« expectancy resolved into
cynicism
»Gie n a help« sang out a son of the plough to a neighbour of the orator
»Dang it« murmured another »we aint such gentlemen as that comes to«
Mr Raikes was politely requested to »tune his pipe«
With a gloomy curiosity as to the results of Jacks adventurous undertaking
and a touch of anger at the three whose bearing throughout had displeased him
Evan regarded his friend He too had drunk and upon emptiness Bright ale had
mounted to his brain A hero should be held as sacred as the Grand Llama so let
no more be said than that he drank still nor marked the replenishing of his
glass
Raikes cleared his throat for a final assault he had got an image and was
dashing off but unhappily as if to make the start seem fair he was guilty of
his reiteration
Everybody knew that it was a real start this time and indeed he had made an
advance and had run straight through half a sentence It was therefore
manifestly unfair inimical contemptuous overbearing and base for one of the
three young cricketers at this period to fling back weariedly and exclaim »By
the Lord too many gentlemen here«
Evan heard him across the table Lacking the key of the speakers previous
conduct the words might have passed As it was they to the aleinvaded head
of a young hero feeling himself the worlds equal and condemned nevertheless
to bear through life the insignia of Tailordom not unnaturally struck with
peculiar offence There was arrogance too in the young man who had interposed
He was long in the body and when he was not refreshing his sight by a careless
contemplation of his fingernails looked down on his company at table as one
may do who comes from loftier studies He had what is popularly known as the
nose of our aristocracy a nose that much culture of the external graces and
affectation of suavity are required to soften Thereto were joined thin lips
and arched brows Birth it was possible he could boast hardly brains He sat to
the right of the fairhaired youth who with his remaining comrade a quiet
smiling fellow appeared to be better liked by the guests and had been hailed
once or twice under correction of the chairman as Mr Harry The three had
distinguished one there by a few friendly passages and this was he who had
offered his bed to Evan for the service of the girl The recognition they
extended to him did not affect him deeply He was called Drummond and had his
place near the chairman whose humours he seemed to relish
The ears of Mr Raikes were less keen at the moment than Evans but his
openness to ridicule was that of a man on his legs solus amid a company
sitting and his sense of the same when he saw himself the victim of it
acute His face was rather comic and under the shadow of embarrassment
twitching and working for ideas might excuse a want of steadiness and absolute
gravity in the countenances of others
The chairmans neighbour Drummond whispered him »Laxley will get up a row
with that fellow«
»It s young Jocelyn egging him on« said the chairman
»Um« added Drummond »it s the friend of that talkative rascal that s
dangerous if it comes to anything«
Mr Raikes perceived that his host desired him to conclude So lifting his
voice and swinging his arm he ended »Allow me to propose to you the Fly in
Amber In other words our excellent host embalmed in brilliant ale Drink him
and so let him live in our memories for ever«
He sat down very well contented with himself very little comprehended and
applauded loudly
»The Flyin Number« echoed Farmer Broadmead confidently and with clamour
adding to a friend when both had drunk the toast to the dregs »But what number
that be or how many tis of em dishes me But that s neither here nor
there«
The chairman and host of the evening stood up to reply welcomed by thunders
»There ye be Mr Tom glad I lives to see ye« and »No names« and »Long life
to him«
This having subsided the chairman spoke first nodding
»You dont want many words and if you do you wont get em from me«
Cries of »Got something better« took up the blunt address
»You ve been true to it most of you I like men not to forget a custom«
»Good reason so to be« and »A jolly good custom« replied to both
sentences
»As to the beef I hope you didnt find it tough as to the ale I know all
about that«
»Aha good« rang the verdict
»All I can say is that this day next year it will be on the table and I
hope that every one of you will meet Tom will meet me here punctually I m
not a Parliament man so that ll do«
The chairmans breach of his own rules drowned the termination of his speech
in an uproar
Reseating himself he lifted his glass and proposed »The Antediluvians«
Farmer Broadmead echoed »The Antediloovians« appending as a private
sentiment »And dam rum chaps they were«
The Antediluvians undoubtedly the toast of the evening were
enthusiastically drunk and in an ale of treble brew
When they had quite gone down Mr Raikes ventured to ask for the reason of
their receiving such honour from a posterity they had so little to do with He
put the question mildly but was impetuously snapped at by the chairman
»You respect men for their luck sir dont you Dont be a hypocrite and
say you dont you do Very well so do I That s why I drink The
Antediluvians«
»Our worthy host here« Drummond gravely smiling undertook to elucidate
the case »has a theory that the constitutions of the Postdiluvians have been
deranged and their lives shortened by the miasmas of the Deluge I believe he
carries it so far as to say that Noah in the light of a progenitor is inferior
to Adam owing to the shaking he had to endure in the ark and which he
conceives to have damaged the patriarch and the nervous systems of his sons It
s a theory you know«
»They lived close on a thousand years hale hearty and no water« said
the chairman
»Well« exclaimed one some way down the table a young farmer red as a
cocks comb »no fools they eh master Where there s ale would you drink
water my hearty« and back he leaned to enjoy the tribute to his wit a wit not
remarkable but nevertheless sufficient in the noise it created to excite the
envy of Mr Raikes who inveterately silly when not engaged in a contest now
began to play on the names of the sons of Noah
The chairman lanced a keen light at him from beneath his bushy eyebrows
Before long he had again to call two parties to order To Raikes Laxley was
a puppy to Laxley Mr Raikes was a snob The antagonism was natural ale did
but put the match to the magazine But previous to an explosion Laxley who had
observed Evans disgust at Jacks exhibition of himself and had been led to
think by his conduct and clothes in conjunction that Evan was his own equal
a gentleman condescending to the society of a lowborn acquaintance had
sought with sundry propitiations intelligent glances light shrugs and such
like to divide Evan from Jack He did this doubtless because he partly
sympathized with Evan and to assure him that he took a separate view of him
Probably Evan was already offended or he held to Jack as a comrade should or
else it was that Tailordom and the pride of his accepted humiliation bellowed in
his ears every fresh minute »Nothing assume« I incline to think that the more
ale he drank the fiercer rebel he grew against conventional ideas of rank and
those classbarriers which we scorn so vehemently when we find ourselves kicking
at them Whatsoever the reason that prompted him he did not respond to Laxleys
advances and Laxley disregarding him dealt with Raikes alone
In a tone plainly directed at him he said »Well Harry tired of this The
agriculturals are good fun but I cant stand much of the small cockney A
blackguard who tries to make jokes out of the Scriptures ought to be kicked«
Harry rejoined with wet lips »Wopping stuff this ale Who s that you
want to kick«
»Somebody who objects to his bray I suppose« Mr Raikes struck in across
the table negligently thrusting out his elbow to support his head
»Did you allude to me sir« Laxley inquired
»I alluded to a donkey sir« Raikes lifted his eyelids to the same level as
Laxleys »a passing remark on that interesting animal«
His friend Harry now came into the ring to try a fall
»Are you an usher in a school« he asked meaning by his looks what men of
science in fisticuffs call business
Mr Raikes started in amazement He recovered as quickly
»No sir not quite but I have no doubt I should be able to instruct you
upon a point or two«
»Good manners for instance« remarked the third young cricketer without
disturbing his habitual smile
»Or what comes from not observing them« said Evan unwilling to have Jack
overmatched
»Perhaps you ll give me a lesson now« Harry indicated a readiness to rise
for either of them
At this juncture the chairman interposed
»Harmony my lads harmony tonight«
Farmer Broadmead imagining it to be the signal for a song returned
»All right Mr Mr Chair but we ant got pipes in yet Pipes before
harmony you know tonight«
The pipes were summoned forthwith System appeared to regulate the
proceedings of this particular night at the Green Dragon The pipes charged and
those of the guests who smoked well fixed behind them celestial Harmony was
invoked through the slowly curling clouds In Britain the Goddess is coy She
demands pressure to appear and great gulps of ale Vastly does she swell the
chests of her island children but with the modesty of a maid at the
commencement Precedence again disturbed the minds of the company At last the
redfaced young farmer led off with »The Rose and the Thorn« In that day Chloe
still lived nor were the amorous transports of Strephon quenched Mountainous
inflation mouselike issue characterized the young farmers first verse
Encouraged by manifest approbation he now told Chloe that he »by Heaven never
would plant in that bosom a thorn« with such a volume of sound as did indeed
show how a lovers oath should be uttered in the ear of a British damsel to
subdue her
»Good« cried Mr Raikes anxious to be convivial
Subsiding into impertinence he asked Laxley »Could you tip us a
Strephonade sir Rejoiced to listen to you I m sure Promise you my applause
beforehand«
Harry replied hotly »Will you step out of the room with me a minute«
»Have you a confession to make« quoth Jack unmoved »Have you planted a
thorn in the feminine flowergarden Make a clean breast of it at the table
Confess openly and be absolved«
While Evan spoke a word of angry reproof to Raikes Harry had to be
restrained by his two friends The rest of the company looked on with curiosity
the mouth of the chairman was bunched Drummond had his eyes on Evan who was
gazing steadily at the three Suddenly »The fellow isnt a gentleman« struck
the attention of Mr Raikes with alarming force
Raikes and it may be because he knew he could do more than Evan in this
respect vociferated »I m the son of a gentleman«
Drummond from the head of the table saw that a diversion was imperative
He leaned forward and with a look of great interest said
»Are you Pray never disgrace your origin then«
»If the choice were offered me I think I would rather have known his
father« said the smiling fellow yawning and rocking on his chair
»You would possibly have been exceedingly intimate with his right foot«
said Raikes
The other merely remarked »Oh that is the language of the son of a
gentleman«
The tumult of irony abuse and retort went on despite the efforts of
Drummond and the chairman It was odd for at Farmer Broadmeads end of the
table friendship had grown maudlin two were seen in a drowsy embrace with
crossed pipes and others were vowing deep amity and offering to fight the man
that might desire it
»Are ye a friend or are ye a foe« was heard repeatedly and consequences
to the career of the respondent on his choice of affirmatives to either of
these two interrogations emphatically detailed
It was likewise asked in reference to the row at the gentlemens end »Why
doan they stand up and have t out«
»They talks they speechifies why doan they fight for t and then be
friendly«
»Where s the yarmony Mr Chair I axes so please ye« sang out Farmer
Broadmead
»Ay ay Silence« the chairman called
Mr Raikes begged permission to pronounce his excuses but lapsed into a
lamentation for the squandering of property bequeathed to him by his respected
uncle and for which as far as he was intelligible he persisted in calling
the three offensive young cricketers opposite to account
Before he could desist Harmony no longer coy burst on the assembly from
three different sources »A Man who is given to Liquor« soared aloft with »The
Maid of sweet Seventeen« who participated in the adventures of »Young Molly and
the Kicking Cow« while the guests selected the chorus of the song that first
demanded it
Evan probably thought that Harmony was herself only when she came single or
he was wearied of his fellows and wished to gaze a moment on the skies whose
arms were over and around his young beloved He went to the window and threw it
up and feasted his sight on the moon standing on the downs He could have wept
at the bitter ignominy that severed him from Rose And again he gathered his
pride as a cloak and defied the world and gloried in the sacrifice that
degraded him The beauty of the night touched him and mixed these feelings with
a mournfulness He quite forgot the bellow and clatter behind The beauty of the
night and heaven knows what treacherous hope in the depths of his soul
coloured existence warmly
He was roused from his reverie by an altercation unmistakeably fierce
Raikes had been touched on a tender point In reply to a bantering remark of
his Laxley had hummed over bits of his oration amid the chuckles of his
comrades Unfortunately at a loss for a biting retort he was reduced to that
plain confession of a lack of wit he offered combat
»I ll tell you what« said Laxley »I never soil my hands with a
blackguard and a fellow who tries to make fun of Scripture in my opinion is
one A blackguard do you hear But if you ll give me satisfactory proofs
that you really are what I have some difficulty in believing the son of a
gentleman I ll meet you when and where you please«
»Fight him anyhow« said Harry »I ll take him myself after we finish the
match tomorrow«
Laxley rejoined that Mr Raikes must be left to him
»Then I ll take the other« said Harry »Where is he«
Evan walked round to his place
»I am here« he answered »and at your service«
»Will you fight« cried Harry
There was a disdainful smile on Evans mouth as he replied »I must first
enlighten you I have no pretensions to your blue blood or yellow If sir you
will deign to challenge a man who is not the son of a gentleman and consider
the expression of his thorough contempt for your conduct sufficient to enable
you to overlook that fact you may dispose of me My friend here has it seems
reason to be proud of his connections That you may not subsequently bring the
charge against me of having led you to soil your hands as your friend there
terms it I with all the willingness in the world to chastise you or him for
your impertinence must first give you a fair chance of escape by telling you
that my father was a tailor«
The countenance of Mr Raikes at the conclusion of this speech was a painful
picture He knocked the table passionately exclaiming
»Who d have thought it«
Yet he had known it But he could not have thought it possible for a man to
own it publicly
Indeed Evan could not have mentioned it but for hot fury and the ale It
was the ale in him expelling truth and certainly to look at him none would
have thought it
»That will do« said Laxley lacking the magnanimity to despise the
advantage given him »you have chosen the very best means of saving your skins«
»We ll come to you when our supply of clothes runs short« added Harry »A
snip«
»Pardon me« said Evan with his eyes slightly widening »but if you come to
me I shall no longer give you a choice of behaviour I wish you goodnight
gentlemen I shall be in this house and am to be found here till ten oclock
tomorrow morning Sir« he addressed the chairman »I must apologize to you for
this interruption to your kindness for which I thank you very sincerely It s
goodnight now sir« he pursued bowing and holding out his hand with a
smile
The chairman grasped it »You re a hotheaded young fool sir you re an
illtempered ferocious young ass Cant you see another young donkey without
joining company in kicks eh Sit down and dont dare to spoil the fun any
more You a tailor Who ll believe it You re a nobleman in disguise Didnt
your friend say so ha ha Sit down« He pulled out his watch and
proclaiming that he was born into this world at the hour about to strike called
for a bumper all round
While such of the company as had yet legs and eyes unvanquished by the
potency of the ale stood up to drink and cheer Mark the waiter scurried into
the room and to the immense stupefaction of the chairman and amusement of his
guests spread the news of the immediate birth of a little stranger on the
premises who was declared by Dr Pillie to be a lusty boy and for whom the
kindly landlady solicited good luck to be drunk
Chapter XIII
The Match of Fallowfield Against Beckley
The dramatic proportions to which ale will exalt the sentiments within us and
our delivery of them are apt to dwindle and shrink even below the natural
elevation when we look back on them from the hither shore of the river of sleep
in other words wake in the morning and it was with no very selfsatisfied
emotions that Evan dressing by the full light of day reviewed his share in the
events of the preceding night Why since he had accepted his fate should he
pretend to judge the conduct of people his superiors in rank And where was the
necessity for him to thrust the fact of his being that abhorred social pariah
down the throats of an assembly of worthy good fellows The answer was that he
had not accepted his fate that he considered himself as good a gentleman as any
man living and was in absolute hostility with the prejudices of society That
was the state of the case but the evaporation of ale in his brain caused him to
view his actions from the humble extreme of that delightful liquor of which the
spirit had flown and the corpse remained
Having revived his system with sodawater and finding no sign of his
antagonist below Mr Raikes to disperse the sceptical dimples on his friends
face alluded during breakfast to a determination he had formed to go forth and
show on the cricketfield
»For you know« he observed »they cant have any objection to fight me«
Evan slightly colouring answered »Why you said upstairs you thought
fighting duels disgraceful folly«
»So it is so it is everybody knows that« returned Jack »but what can a
gentleman do«
»Be a disgraceful fool I suppose« said Evan and Raikes went on with his
breakfast as if to be such occasionally was the distinguished fate of a
gentleman of which others not so happy in their birth might well be envious
He could not help betraying that he bore in mind the main incidents of the
festival overnight for when he had inquired who it might be that had reduced
his friend to wear mourning and heard that it was his father spoken by Evan
with a quiet sigh Mr Raikes tapped an egg and his flexible brows exhibited a
whole Bar of contending arguments within More than for the love of pleasure he
had spent his money to be taken for a gentleman He naturally thought highly of
the position having bought it But Raikes appreciated a capital fellow and
felt warmly to Evan who moreover was feeding him
If not born a gentleman this Harrington had the look of one and was
pleasing in female eyes as the landlady now present bore witness wishing
them good morning and hoping they had slept well She handed to Evan his purse
telling him she had taken it last night thinking it safer for the time being in
her pocket and that the chairman of the feast paid for all in the Green Dragon
up to twelve that day he having been born between the hours and liking to make
certain and that every year he did the same and was a seemingly rough old
gentleman but as softhearted as a chicken His name must positively not be
inquired she said to be thankful to him was to depart asking no questions
»And with a dart in the bosom from those eyes those eyes« cried Jack
shaking his head at the landladys resistless charms
»I hope you was not one of the gentlemen who came and disturbed us last
night sir« she turned on him sharply
Jack dallied with the imputation but denied his guilt
»No it wasnt your voice« continued the landlady »A parcel of young
puppies calling themselves gentlemen I know him It s that young Mr Laxley
and he the nephew of a Bishop and one of the Honourables and then the poor
gals get the blame I call it a shame I do There s that poor young creature
upstairs somebodys victim she is and nobody s to suffer but herself the
little fool«
»Yes« said Raikes »Ah we regret these things in after life« and he
looked as if he had many gentlemanly burdens of the kind on his conscience
»It s a wonder to my mind« remarked the landlady when she had placidly
surveyed Mr Raikes »how young gals can let some of you menfolk mislead em«
She turned from him huffily and addressed Evan »The old gentleman is gone
sir He slept on a chair breakfasted and was off before eight He left word
as the child was born on his birthnight he d provide for it and pay the
mothers bill unless you claimed the right I m afraid he suspected what I
never never no but by what I ve seen of you never will believe For you
I d say must be a gentleman whatever your company She asks one favour of
you sir for you to go and let her speak to you once before you go away for
good She s asleep now and mustnt be disturbed Will you do it byandby
Please to comfort the poor creature sir«
Evan consented I am afraid also it was the landladys flattering speech
made him without reckoning his means add that the young mother and her child
must be considered under his care and their expenses charged to him The
landlady was obliged to think him a wealthy as well as a noble youth and
admiringly curtsied
Mr John Raikes and Mr Evan Harrington then strolled into the air and
through a long courtyard with brewhouse and dairy on each side and a pleasant
smell of baking bread and dogs winking in the sun cats at the corners of
doors satisfied with life and turkeys parading and fowls strutting cocks
that overset the dignity of Mr Raikes by awakening his imitative propensities
Certain whitecapped women who were washing in a tub laughed and one
observed »He s for all the world like the little bantam cock stickin self up
in a crow against the Spaniar« And this and the landladys marked deference
to Evan induced Mr Raikes contemptuously to glance at our national blindness
to the true diamond and worship of the mere plumes in which a person is
dressed
They passed a pretty flowergarden and entering a smoothshorn meadow
beheld the downs beautifully clear under sunlight and slowlysailing images of
cloud At the foot of the downs on a plain of grass stood a white booth topped
by a flag which signalled that on that spot Fallowfield and Beckley were
contending
»A singular old gentleman A very singular old gentleman that« Raikes
observed following an idea that had been occupying him »We did wrong to miss
him We ought to have waylaid him in the morning Never miss a chance
Harrington«
»What chance« Evan inquired
»Those old gentlemen are very odd« Jack pursued »very strange He wouldnt
have judged me by my attire Admetus flocks I guard yet am a God Dress is
nothing to those old cocks He s an eccentric I know it I can see it He s a
corrective of Cudford who is abhorrent to my soul To give you an instance
now of what those old boys will do I remember my father taking me when I was
quite a youngster to a tavern he frequented and we met one night just such an
old fellow as this and the waiter told us afterwards that he noticed me
particularly He thought me a very remarkable boy predicted great things For
some reason or other my father never took me there again I remember our having
a Welsh rarebit there for supper and when the waiter last night mentioned a
rarebit gad he started up before me I gave chase into my early youth
However my father never took me to meet the old fellow again I believe it lost
me a fortune«
Evans thoughts were leaping to the cricketfield or he would have condoled
with Mr Raikes for a loss that evidently afflicted him still
Now it must be told that the ladysmaid of Mrs Andrew Cogglesby borrowed
temporarily by the Countess de Saldar for service at Beckley Court had slept in
charge of the Countesss boxes at the Green Dragon the Countess having told
her with the candour of highborn dames to their attendants that it would save
expense and that besides Admiral Combleman whom she was going to see or Sir
Perkins Ripley her fathers old friend whom she should visit if Admiral
Combleman was not at his mansion both were likely to have full houses and she
could not take them by storm An arrangement which left her upwards of twelve
hours liberty seemed highly proper to Maria Conning this ladysmaid a very
demure young person She was at her bedroom window as Evan passed up the
courtyard of the inn and recognized him immediately »Can it be him they mean
that s the low tradesman« was Marias mysterious exclamation She examined the
pair and added »Oh no It must be the tall one they mistook for the small
one But Mr Harrington ought not to demean himself by keeping company with
such and my lady should know of it«
My lady alighting from the Lymport coach did know of it within a few
minutes after Evan had quitted the Green Dragon and turned pale as high dames
naturally do when they hear of a relatives disregard of the company he keeps
»A tailor my lady« said scornful Maria and the Countess jumped and
complained of a pin
»How did you hear of this Conning« she presently asked with composure
»Oh my lady he was tipsy last night and kept swearing out loud he was a
gentleman«
»Tipsy« the Countess murmured in terror She had heard of inaccessible
truths brought to light by the magic wand of alcohol Was Evan intoxicated and
his dreadful secret unlocked last night
»And who may have told you of this Conning« she asked
Maria plunged into one of the boxes and was understood to say that nobody
in particular had told her but that among other flying matters it had come to
her ears
»My brother is Charity itself« sighed the Countess »He welcomes high or
low«
»Yes but my lady a tailor« Maria repeated and the Countess agreeing
with her scorn as she did could have killed her At least she would have liked
to run a bodkin into her and make her scream In her position she could not
always be Charity itself nor is this the required character for a highborn
dame so she rarely affected it
»Order a fly discover the direction Mr Harrington has taken spare me
further remarks« she said and Maria humbly flitted from her presence
When she was gone the Countess covered her face with her hands »Even this
creature would despise us« she exclaimed
The young lady encountered by Mr Raikes on the road to Fallowfield was
wrong in saying that Beckley would be seen out before the shades of evening
caught up the ball Not one but two men of Beckley the last two carried out
their bats cheered handsomely by both parties The wickets pitched in the
morning they carried them in again and plaudits renewed proved that their fame
had not slumbered To stand before a field thoroughly aware that every
successful stroke you make is adding to the hoards of applause in store for you
is a joy to your friends an exasperation to your foes I call this an
exciting situation and one as proud as a man may desire Then again the two
last men of an eleven are twins they hold one life between them so that he who
dies extinguishes the other Your faculties are stirred to their depths You
become engaged in the noblest of rivalries in defending your own you fight for
your comrades existence You are assured that the dread of shame if not
emulation is making him equally wary and alert
Behold then the two bold men of Beckley fighting to preserve one life
Under the shadow of the downs they stand beneath a glorious day and before a
gallant company For there are ladies in carriages here there are cavaliers
good county names may be pointed out The sons of firstrate families are in the
two elevens mingled with the yeomen and whoever can best do the business
Fallowfield and Beckley without regard to rank have drawn upon their muscle
and science One of the bold men of Beckley at the wickets is Nick Frim son of
the gamekeeper at Beckley Court the other is young Tom Copping son of Squire
Copping of Dox Hall in the parish of Beckley Last year you must know
Fallowfield beat That is why Nick Frim a renowned outhitter good to finish a
score brilliantly with a pair of threes has taken to blocking and Mr Tom cuts
with caution though he loves to steal his runs and is usually dismissed by his
remarkable cunning
The field was ringing at a stroke of Nick Frims who had lashed out in his
old familiar style at last and the heavens heard of it when Evan came into the
circle of spectators Nick and Tom were stretching from post to post might and
main A splendid four was scored The field took breath with the heroes and
presume not to doubt that heroes they are It is good to win glory for your
country it is also good to win glory for your village A Member of Parliament
Sir George Lowton notes this emphatically from the statesmans eminence to a
group of gentlemen on horseback round a carriage wherein a couple of fair ladies
reclined
»They didnt shout more at the news of the Battle of Waterloo Now this is
our peculiarity this absence of extreme centralization It must be encouraged
Local jealousies local rivalries local triumphs these are the strength of
the kingdom«
»If you mean to say that cricket s a « the old squire speaking Squire
Uploft of Fallowfield remembered the saving presences and coughed »good
thing I m one with ye Sir George Encouraged egad They dont want much of
that here Give some of your lean London straws a strip o clean grass and a bit
o liberty and you ll do em a service«
»What a beautiful hit« exclaimed one of the ladies languidly watching the
ascent of the ball
»Beautiful d ye call it« muttered the squire
The ball indeed was dropping straight into the hands of the longhitoff
Instantly a thunder rolled But it was Beckley that took the joyful treble
Fallowfield the deeplycursing bass The longhitoff he who never was known to
miss a catch butterfingered beast he has let the ball slip through his
fingers
Are there Gods in the air Fred Linnington the unfortunate of Fallowfield
with a whole year of unhappy recollection haunting him in prospect ere he can
retrieve his character Fred if he does not accuse the powers of the sky
protests that he cannot understand it which means the same Fallowfields
defeat should such be the result of the contest he knows now will be laid at
his door Five men who have bowled at the indomitable Beckleyans think the same
Albeit they are Britons it abashes them They are not the men they were Their
bowling is as the bowling of babies and see Nick who gave the catch and
pretends he did it out of commiseration for Fallowfield the ball has flown from
his bat sheer over the booth If they dont add six to the score it will be the
fault of their legs But no they rest content with a fiver Yet more they mean
to do and cherish their wind Success does not turn the heads of these Britons
as it would of your frivolous foreigners
And now small boys who represent the Press here spread out from the
markingbooth announcing foremost and in larger type as it were quite in
Press style their opinion which is that Fallowfield will get a jolly good
hiding and vociferating that Beckley is seventynine ahead and that Nick Frim
the favourite of the field has scored fiftyone to his own cheek The boys are
boys of both villages but they are British boys they adore prowess The
Fallowfield boys wish that Nick Frim would come and live on their side the boys
of Beckley rejoice in possessing him Nick is the wicketkeeper of the Beckley
eleven longlimbed wiry keen of eye His fault as a batsman is that he will
be a slashing hitter He is too sensible of the joys of a grand spanking hit A
short life and a merry one has hitherto been his motto
But there were reasons for Nicks rare display of skill That woman may have
the credit due to her and as there never was a contest of which she did not
sit at the springs so is she the source of all superhuman efforts exhibited by
men be it told that Polly Wheedle is on the field Polly one of the upper
housemaids of Beckley Court Polly eagerly courted by Fred Linnington humbly
desired by Nick Frim a pert and blooming maiden who while her suitors
combat hotly for an undivided smile improves her holiday by instilling similar
unselfish aspirations into the breasts of others
Between his enjoyment of society and the melancholy it engendered in his
mind by reflecting on him the age and decrepitude of his hat Mr John Raikes
was doubtful of his happiness for some time But as his taste for happiness was
sharp he with a great instinct amounting almost to genius in its pursuit
resolved to extinguish his suspicion by acting the perfectly happy man To do
this it was necessary that he should have listeners Evan was not enough and
was besides unsympathetic he had not responded to Jacks cordial assurances of
his friendship »in spite of anything« uttered before they came into the field
Heat and lustre were now poured from the sky on whose soft blue a fleet of
clouds sailed heavily Nick Frim was very wonderful no doubt He deserved that
the Gods should recline on those goldedged cushions above and lean over to
observe him Nevertheless the ladies were beginning to ask when Nick Frim would
be out The small boys alone preserved their enthusiasm for Nick As usual the
men took a middle position Theirs was the pleasure of critics which being
founded on the judgement lasts long and is without disappointment at the
close It was sufficient that the ladies should lend the inspiration of their
bonnets to this fine match Their presence on the field is another beautiful
instance of the generous yielding of the sex simply to grace our amusement and
their acute perception of the part they have to play
Mr Raikes was rather shy of them at first But his acting rarely failing to
deceive himself he began to feel himself the perfectly happy man he
impersonated and where there were ladies he went and talked of days when he
had creditably handled a bat and of a renown in the annals of Cricket cut short
by mysterious calamity The foolish fellow did not know that they care not a
straw for cricketing fame His gaiety presently forsook him as quickly as it had
come Instead of remonstrating at Evans restlessness it was he who now dragged
Evan from spot to spot He spoke low and nervously
»We re watched«
There was indeed a man lurking near and moving as they moved with a
speculative air Writs were out against Raikes He slipped from his friend
saying »Never mind me That old amphitryons birthday hangs on till the
meridian you understand His table invites He is not unlikely to enjoy my
conversation What maynt that lead to Seek me there«
Evan strolled on relieved by the voluntary departure of the weariful funny
friend he would not shake off but could not well link with
A long success is better when seen at a distance of time and Nick Frim was
beginning to suffer from the monotony of his luck Fallowfield could do nothing
with him He no longer blocked He lashed out at every ball and far flew every
ball that was bowled The critics saw in this return to his old practices
promise of Nicks approaching extinction The ladies were growing hot and weary
The little boys gasped on the grass but like cunning circulators of excitement
spread a report to keep it up that Nick on going to his wickets the previous
day had sworn an oath that he would not lay down his bat till he had scored a
hundred So they had still matter to agitate their youthful breasts and Nicks
gradual building up of tens and prophecies and speculations as to his chances
of completing the hundred were still vehemently confided to the field amid a
general mopping of faces
Evan did become aware that a man was following him The man had not the look
of a dreaded official His countenance was sunburnt and open and he was
dressed in a countrymans holiday suit When Evan met his eyes they showed
perplexity Evan felt he was being examined from head to heel but by one
unaccustomed to his part and without the courage to decide what he ought
consequently to do while a doubt remained though his inspection was verging
towards a certainty in his mind
At last somewhat annoyed that the man should continue to dog him wherever
he moved he turned on him and asked him what he wanted
»Be you a Muster Evvn Harrington Esquire« the man drawled out in the
rustic music of inquiry
»That is my name« said Evan
»Ay« returned the man »it s somebody lookin like a lord and has a small
friend wi shockin old hat and I see ye come out o the Green Dragn this
mornin I dont reckn there s eer a mistaak but I likes to make cock sure
Be you been to Poortigal sir«
»Yes« answered Evan »I have been to Portugal«
»What s the name o the capital o Poortigal sir« The man looked
immensely shrewd and nodding his consent at the laughing reply added
»And there you was born sir You ll excuse my boldness but I only does
what s necessary«
Evan said he was not born there
»No not born there That s good Now sir did you happen to be born
anywheres within smell o salt water«
»Yes« answered Evan »I was born by the sea«
»Not far beyond fifty mile from Fallfield here sir«
»Something less«
»All right Now I m cock sure« said the man »Now if you ll have the
kindness just to oblige me by « he sped the words and the instrument jointly at
Evan » takin that there letter I ll say goodbye sir and my works done
for the day«
Saying which he left Evan with the letter in his hands Evan turned it over
curiously It was addressed to »Evan Harrington Esquire T of Lymport«
A voice paralyzed his fingers the clear ringing voice of a young
horsewoman accompanied by a little maid on a pony who galloped up to the
carriage upon which Squire Uploft Sir George Lowton Hamilton Jocelyn and
other cavaliers were in attendance
»Here I am at last and Beckley s in still How d ye do Lady Roseley How
d ye do Sir George How d ye do everybody Your servant Squire We shall
beat you Harry says we shall soon be a hundred ahead of you Fancy those boys
they would sleep at Fallowfield last night How I wish you had made a bet with
me Squire«
»Well my lass it s not too late« said the Squire detaining her hand
»Oh but it wouldnt be fair now And I m not going to be kissed on the
field if you please Squire Here Dorry will do instead Dorry come and be
kissed by the Squire«
It was Rose living and glowing Rose who was the brilliant young Amazon
smoothing the neck of a mettlesome gray cob Evans heart bounded up to her but
his limbs were motionless
The Squire caught her smaller companion in his arms and sounded a kiss upon
both her cheeks then settled her in the saddle and she went to answer some
questions of the ladies She had the same lively eyes as Rose quick saucy lips
red and open for prattle Rolls of auburn hair fell down her back for being a
child she was allowed privileges To talk as her thoughts came as well as to
wear her hair as it grew was a special privilege of this young person on
horseback or elsewhere
»Now I know what you want to ask me Aunt Shorne Isnt it about my Papa
He s not come and he wont be able to come for a week Glad to be with
Cousin Rosey I should think I am She s the nicest girl I ever could suppose
She isnt a bit spoiled by Portugal only browned and she doesnt care for
that no more do I I rather like the sun when it doesnt freckle you I cant
bear freckles and I dont believe in milk for them People who have them are
such a figure Drummond Forth has them but he s a man and it doesnt matter
for a man to have freckles How s my uncle Mel Oh he s quite well I mean
he has the gout in one of his fingers and it s swollen so it s just like a
great fat fir cone He cant write a bit and rests his hand on a table He
wants to have me made to write with my left hand as well as my right As if I
was ever going to have the gout in one of my fingers«
Sir George Lowton observed to Hamilton Jocelyn that Melville must take to
his tongue now
»I fancy he will« said Hamilton »My father wont give up his nominee so I
fancy he ll try Fallowfield Of course we go in for the agricultural interest
but there s a cantankerous old ruffian down here a brewer or something he
s got half the votes at his bidding We shall see«
»Dorothy my dear child are you not tired« said Lady Roseley »You are
very hot«
»Yes that s because Rose would tear along the road to get here in time
after we had left those tiresome Copping people where she had to make a call
What a slow little beast your pony is Dorry she said that at least twenty
times«
»Oh you naughty puss« cried Rose »Wasnt it Rosey Rosey I m sure we
shall be too late and shant see a thing do come along as hard as you can«
»I m sure it was not« Miss Dorothy retorted with the large eyes of
innocence »You said you wanted to see Nick Frim keeping the wicket and
Ferdinand Laxley bowl And oh you know something you said about Drummond
Forth«
»Now shall I tell upon you« said Rose
»No dont« hastily replied the little woman blushing And the cavaliers
laughed out and the ladies smiled and Dorothy added »It isnt much after
all«
»Then come lets have it or I shall be jealous« said the Squire
»Shall I tell« Rose asked slily
»It s unfair to betray one of your sex Rose« remarked the sweetlysmiling
lady
»Yes Lady Roseley maynt a woman have secrets« Dorothy put it with great
natural earnestness and they all laughed aloud »But I know a secret of
Roseys« continued Miss Dorothy »and if she tells upon me I shall tell upon
her«
»They re out« cried Rose pointing her whip at the wickets »Good night to
Beckley Tom Copping s run out«
Questions as to how it was done passed from mouth to mouth Questions as to
whether it was fair sprang from Toms friends and that a doubt existed was
certain the whole field was seen converging toward the two umpires Farmer
Broadmead for Fallowfield Master Nat Hodges for Beckley
»It really is a mercy there s some change in the game« said Mrs Shorne
waving her parasol »It s a charming game but it wants variety a little
When do you return Rose«
»Not for some time« said Rose primly »I like variety very well but I
dont seek it by running away the moment I ve come«
»No but my dear« Mrs Shorne negligently fanned her face »you will have
to come with us I fear when we go Your uncle accompanies us I really think
the Squire will too and Mr Forth is no chaperon Even you understand that«
»Oh I can get an old man dont be afraid« said Rose »Or must I have an
old woman aunt«
The lady raised her eyelids slowly on Rose and thought »If you were
soundly whipped my little madam what a good thing it would be for you« And
that good thing Mrs Shorne was willing to do for Rose She turned aside and
received the salute of an unmistakeable curate on foot
»Ah Mr Parsley you lend your countenance to the game then«
The curate observed that sound Churchmen unanimously supported the game
»Bravo« cried Rose »How I like to hear you talk like that Mr Parsley I
didnt think you had so much sense You and I will have a game together single
wicket We must play for something what shall it be«
»Oh for nothing« the curate vacuously remarked
»That s for love you rogue« exclaimed the Squire »Come come none o
that sir ha ha«
»Oh very well we ll play for love« said Rose
»And I ll hold the stakes my dear eh«
»You dear old naughty Squire what do you mean« Rose laughed But she had
all the men surrounding her and Mrs Shorne talked of departing
Why did not Evan bravely march away Why he asked himself had he come on
this cricketfield to be made thus miserable What right had such as he to look
on Rose Consider however the young mans excuses He could not possibly
imagine that a damsel who rode one day to a match would return on the following
day to see it finished or absolutely know that unseen damsel to be Rose
Jocelyn And if he waited it was only to hear her sweet voice once again and
go for ever As far as he could fathom his hopes they were that Rose would not
see him but the hopes of youth are deep
Just then a toddling small rustic stopped in front of Evan and set up a
howl for his fayther Evan lifted him high to look over peoples heads and
discover his wandering parent The urchin when he had settled to his novel
position surveyed the field and shouting »Fayther fayther here I bes on top
of a gentleman« made lusty signs which attracted not his father alone Rose
sang out »Who can lend me a penny« Instantly the curate and the squire had a
race in their pockets The curate was first but Rose favoured the squire took
his money with a nod and a smile and rode at the little lad to whom she was
saying »Here bonny boy this will buy you «
She stopped and coloured
»Evan«
The child descended rapidly to the ground
A bow and a few murmured words replied to her
»Isnt this just like you my dear Evan Shouldnt I know that whenever I
met you you would be doing something kind How did you come here You were on
your way to Beckley«
»To London« said Evan
»To London and not coming over to see me us«
Here the little fellows father intervened to claim his offspring and thank
the lady and the gentleman and with his penny firmly grasped he who had
brought the lady and the gentleman together was borne off a wealthy human
creature
Before much further could be said between them the Countess de Saldar drove
up
»My dearest Rose« and »My dear Countess« and »Not Louisa then« and »I
am very glad to see you« without attempting the endearing Louisa passed
The Countess de Saldar then admitted the presence of her brother
»Think« said Rose »He talks of going on straight from here to London«
»That pretty pout will alone suffice to make him deviate then« said the
Countess with her sweetest open slyness »I am now on the point of accepting
your most kind invitation Our foreign habits allow us to visit thus early He
will come with me«
Evan tried to look firm and speak as he was trying to look Rose fell to
entreaty and from entreaty rose to command and in both was utterly fascinating
to the poor youth Luxuriously while he hesitated and dwelt on this and that
faint objection his spirit drank the delicious changes of her face To have
her face before him but one day seemed so rich a boon to deny himself that he
was beginning to wonder at his constancy in refusal and now that she spoke to
him so pressingly devoting her guileless eyes to him alone he forgot a certain
envious feeling that had possessed him while she was rattling among the other
males a doubt whether she ever cast a thought on Mr Evan Harrington
»Yes he will come« cried Rose »and he shall ride home with me and my
friend Drummond and he shall have my grooms horse if he doesnt mind Bob can
ride home in the cart with Polly my maid and he ll like that because Polly
s always good fun when they re not in love with her Then of course she
torments them«
»Naturally« said the Countess
Mr Evan Harringtons final objection based on his not having clothes and
so forth was met by his foreseeing sister
»I have your portmanteau packed in with me my dear brother Conning has
her feet on it I divined that I should overtake you«
Evan felt he was in the toils After a struggle or two he yielded and
having yielded did it with grace In a moment and with a power of
selfcompression equal to that of the adept Countess he threw off his moodiness
as easily as if it had been his Spanish mantle and assumed a gaiety that made
the Countesss eyes beam rapturously upon him and was pleasing to Rose apart
from the lead in admiration the Countess had given her not for the first time
We mortals the best of us may be silly sheep in our likes and dislikes where
there is no premeditated or instinctive antagonism we can be led into warm
acknowledgement of merits we have not sounded This the Countess de Saldar knew
right well
Rose now intimated her wish to perform the ceremony of introduction between
her aunt and uncle present and the visitors to Beckley Court The Countess
smiled and in the few paces that separated the two groups whispered to her
brother »Miss Jocelyn my dear«
The eyeglasses of the Beckley group were dropped with one accord The
ceremony was gone through The softlyshadowed differences of a grand manner
addressed to ladies and to males were exquisitely accomplished by the Countess
de Saldar
»Harrington Harrington« her quick ear caught on the mouth of Squire
Uploft scanning Evan
Her accent was very foreign as she said aloud »We are entirely strangers
to your game your creeckèt My brother and myself are scarcely English
Nothing save diplomacy are we adepts in«
»You must be excessively dangerous madam« said Sir George hat in air
»Even in that I fear we are babes and sucklings and might take many a
lesson from you Will you instruct me in your creeckèt What are they doing now
It seems very unintelligible indistinct is it not«
Inasmuch as Farmer Broadmead and Master Nat Hodges were surrounded by a
clamorous mob shouting both sides of the case as if the loudest and
longestwinded were sure to wrest a favourable judgement from those two
infallible authorities on the laws of cricket the noble game was certainly in a
state of indistinctness
The squire came forward to explain piteously entreated not to expect too
much from a womans inapprehensive wits which he plainly promised under eyes
that had melted harder men he would not His forbearance and bucolic gallantry
were needed for he had the Countesss radiant full visage alone Her senses
were dancing in her right ear which had heard the name of Lady Roseley
pronounced and a voice respond to it from the carriage
Into what a pit had she suddenly plunged You ask why she did not drive away
as fast as the horses would carry her and fly the veiled head of Demogorgon
obscuring valley and hill and the shining firmament and threatening to glare
destruction on her You do not know an intriguer She relinquishes the joys of
life for the joys of intrigue This is her element The Countess did feel that
the heavens were hard on her She resolved none the less to fight her way to her
object for where so much had conspired to favour her the decease of the
generous Sir Abraham Harrington of Torquay and the invitation to Beckley Court
could she believe the heavens in league against her Did she not nightly pray
to them in all humbleness of body for the safe issue of her cherished schemes
And in this how unlike she was to the rest of mankind She thought so she
relied on her devout observances they gave her sweet confidence and the sense
of being specially shielded even when specially menaced Moreover tell a woman
to put back when she is once clearly launched Timid as she may be her light
bark bounds to meet the tempest I speak of women who do launch they are not
numerous but to the wise the minorities are the representatives
»Indeed it is an intricate game« said the Countess at the conclusion of
the squires explanation and leaned over to Mrs Shorne to ask her if she
thoroughly understood it
»Yes I suppose I do« was the reply »it rather than the amusement they
find in it« This lady had recovered Mr Parsley from Rose but had only
succeeded in making the curate unhappy without satisfying herself
The Countess gave her the shrug of secret sympathy
»We must not say so« she observed aloud most artlessly and fixed the
squire with a bewitching smile under which her heart beat thickly As her eyes
travelled from Mrs Shorne to the squire she had marked Lady Roseley looking
singularly at Evan who was mounting the horse of Bob the groom
»Fine young fellow that« said the squire to Lady Roseley as Evan rode off
with Rose
»An extremely handsome wellbred young man« she answered Her eyes met the
Countesss and the Countess after resting on their surface with an ephemeral
pause murmured »I must not praise my brother« and smiled a smile which was
meant to mean »I think with you and thank you and love you for admiring him«
Had Lady Roseley joined the smile and spoken with animation afterwards the
Countess would have shuddered and had chills of dread As it was she was
passably content Lady Roseley slightly dimpled her cheek for courtesys sake
and then looked gravely on the ground This was no promise it was even an
indication as the Countess read her of something beyond suspicion in the
ladys mind but it was a sign of delicacy and a sign that her feelings had
been touched from which a truce might be reckoned on and no betrayal feared
She heard it said that the match was for honour and glory A match of two
days duration under a broiling sun all for honour and glory Was it not enough
to make her despise the games of men For something better she played Her game
was for one hundred thousand pounds the happiness of her brother and the
concealment of a horror To win a game like that was worth the trouble Whether
she would have continued her efforts had she known that the name of Evan
Harrington was then blazing on a shopfront in Lymport I cannot tell The
possessor of the name was in love and did not reflect
Smiling adieu to the ladies bowing to the gentlemen and apprehending all
the homage they would pour out to her condescending beauty when she had left
them the Countesss graceful hand gave the signal for Beckley
She stopped the coachman ere the wheels had rolled off the muffling turf to
enjoy one glimpse of Evan and Rose riding together with the little maid on her
pony in the rear How suitable they seemed how happy She had brought them
together after many difficulties might it not be It was surely a thing to be
hoped for
Rose galloping freshly was saying to Evan »Why did you cut off your
moustache«
He neck and neck with her replied »You complained of it in Portugal«
And she »Portugals old times now to me and I always love old times I m
sorry And oh Evan did you really do it for me«
And really just then flying through the air close to the darling of his
heart he had not the courage to spoil that delicious question but dallying
with the lie he looked in her eyes lingeringly
This picture the Countess contemplated Close to her carriage two young
gentlemencricketers were strolling while Fallowfield gained breath to decide
which men to send in first to the wickets
One of these stood suddenly on tiptoe and pointing to the pair on
horseback cried with the vivacity of astonishment
»Look there do you see that What the deuce is little Rosey doing with the
tailorfellow«
The Countess though her cheeks were blanched gazed calmly in Demogorgons
face took a mental impression of the speaker and again signalled for Beckley
Chapter XIV
The Countess Describes the Field of Action
Now to clear up a point or two You may think the Comic Muse is straining human
nature rather toughly in making the Countess de Saldar rush openeyed into the
jaws of Demogorgon dreadful to her She has seen her brother pointed out
unmistakeably as the tailorfellow There is yet time to cast him off or fly
with him Is it her extraordinary heroism impelling her onward or infatuated
rashness or is it her mere animal love of conflict
The Countess de Saldar like other adventurers has her star They who
possess nothing on earth have a right to claim a portion of the heavens In
resolute hands much may be done with a star As it has empires in its gift so
may it have heiresses The Countesss star had not blinked balefully at her
That was one reason why she went straight on to Beckley
Again the Countess was a born general With her star above with certain
advantages secured with battalions of lies disciplined and zealous and with
one clear prize in view besides other undeveloped benefits dimly shadowing
forth the Countess threw herself headlong into the enemys country
But that you may not think too highly of this lady I must add that the
trivial reason was the exciting cause as in many great enterprises This was
nothing more than the simple desire to be located if but for a day or two on
the footing of her present rank in the English countryhouse of an offshoot of
our aristocracy She who had moved in the first society of a foreign capital
who had married a Count a minister of his sovereign had enjoyed delicious
highbred badinage with refulgent ambassadors could boast the friendship of
duchesses and had been the amiable receptacle of their pardonable follies she
who moreover heartily despised things English this lady experienced thrills
of proud pleasure at the prospect of being welcomed at a thirdrate English
mansion But then that mansion was Beckley Court We return to our first
ambitions as to our first loves not that they are dearer to us quit that
delusion our ripened loves and mature ambitions are probably closest to our
hearts as they deserve to be but we return to them because our youth has a
hold on us which it asserts whenever a disappointment knocks us down Our old
loves with the bad natures I know in them are always lurking to avenge
themselves on the new by tempting us to a little retrograde infidelity A
schoolgirl in Fallowfield the tailors daughter had sighed for the bliss of
Beckley Court Beckley Court was her Elysium ere the ardent feminine brain
conceived a loftier summit Fallen from that attained eminence she sighed anew
for Beckley Court Nor was this mere spiritual longing it had its material
side At Beckley Court she could feel her foreign rank Moving with our nobility
as an equal she could feel that the short dazzling glitter of her career was
not illusory and had left her something solid not coin of the realm exactly
but yet gold She could not feel this in the Cogglesby saloons among pitiable
bourgeoises middleclass people daily soiled by the touch of tradesmen They
dragged her down Their very homage was a mockery
Let the Countess have due credit for still allowing Evan to visit Beckley
Court to follow up his chance If Demogorgon betrayed her there the Count was
her protector a woman rises to her husband But a man is what he is and must
stand upon that She was positive Evan had committed himself in some manner As
it did not suit her to think so she at once encouraged an imaginary
conversation in which she took the argument that it was quite impossible Evan
could have been so mad and others instanced his youth his wrongheaded
perversity his ungenerous disregard for his devoted sister and his known
weakness she replying that undoubtedly they were right so far but that he
could not have said he himself was that horrible thing because he was nothing
of the sort which faith in Evans stedfast adherence to facts ultimately
silenced the phantom opposition and gained the day
With admiration let us behold the Countess de Saldar alighting on the gravel
sweep of Beckley Court the footman and butler of the enemy bowing obsequious
welcome to the most potent visitor Beckley Court has ever yet embraced
The despatches of a general being usually acknowledged to be the safest sources
from which the historian of a campaign can draw I proceed to set forth a letter
of the Countess de Saldar forwarded to her sister Harriet Cogglesby three
mornings after her arrival at Beckley Court and which if it should prove false
in a few particulars does nevertheless let us into the state of the Countesss
mind and gives the result of that generals first inspection of the field of
action The Countesss epistolary English does small credit to her Fallowfield
education but it is feminine and flows more than her ordinary speech Besides
leaders of men have always notoriously been above the honours of grammar
»My Dearest Harriet
Your note awaited me No sooner my name announced than servitors in
yellow livery with powder and buckles started before me and bowing one
presented it on a salver A venerable butler most impressive led the
way In future my dear let it be de Saldar de Sancorvo That is our
title by rights and it may as well be so in England English Countess
is certainly best Always put the de But let us be systematic as my
poor Silva says He would be in the way here and had better not come
till I see something he can do Silva has great reliance upon me The
farther he is from Lymport my dear and imagine me Harriet driving
through Fallowfield to Beckley Court I gave one peep at Dubbinss as I
passed The school still goes on I saw three little girls skipping and
the old swingpole SEMINARY FOR YOUNG LADIES as bright as ever I
should have liked to have kissed the children and given them bonbons and
a holiday
How sparing you English are of your crests and arms I fully
expected to see the Jocelyns over my bed but no four posts totally
without ornament Sleep indeed must be the result of dire fatigue in
such a bed The Jocelyn crest is a hawk in jesses The Elburne arms are
Or three falcons on a field vert How heraldry reminds me of poor
Papa the evenings we used to spend with him when he stayed at home
studying it so diligently under his directions We never shall again
Sir Franks Jocelyn is the third son of Lord Elburne made a Baronet for
his patriotic support of the Ministry in a time of great trouble The
people are sometimes grateful my dear Lord Elburne is the fourteenth
of his line originally simple country squires They talk of the Roses
but we need not go so very far back as that I do not quite understand
why a Lords son should condescend to a Baronetcy Precedence of some
sort for his lady I suppose I have yet to learn whether she ranks by
his birth or his present title If so a young Baronetcy cannot
possibly be a gain One thing is certain She cares very little about
it She is most eccentric But remember what I have told you It will be
serviceable when you are speaking of the family
The dinnerhour six It would no doubt be full seven in Town I am
convinced you are half anhour too early I had the post of honour to
the right of Sir Franks Evan to the right of Lady Jocelyn Most
fortunately he was in the best of spirits quite brilliant I saw the
eyes of that sweet Rose glisten On the other side of me sat my pet
diplomatist and I gave him one or two political secrets which
astonished him Of course my dear I was wheedled out of them His
contempt for our weak intellects is ineffable But a woman must now and
then ingratiate herself at the expense of her sex This is perfectly
legitimate Tory policy at the table The Opposition as Andrew says
not represented So to show that we were human beings we differed among
ourselves and it soon became clear to me that Lady Jocelyn is the
rankest of Radicals My secret suspicion is that she is a person of no
birth whatever wherever her money came from A fine woman yes still
to be admired I suppose by some kind of men but totally wanting in
the essentially feminine attractions
There was no party so to say I will describe the people present
beginning with the insignificants
First Mr Parsley the curate of Beckley He eats everything at
table and agrees with everything A most excellent orthodox young
clergyman Except that he was nearly choked by a fishbone and could
not quite conceal his distress and really Rose should have repressed
her desire to laugh till the time for our retirement he made no
sensation I saw her eyes watering and she is not clever in turning it
off In that nobody ever equalled dear Papa I attribute the attack
almost entirely to the tightness of the white neckcloths the young
clergymen of the Established Church wear But my dear I have lived too
long away from them to wish for an instant the slightest change in
anything they think say or do The mere sight of this young man was
most refreshing to my spirit He may be the shepherd of a flock this
poor Mr Parsley but he is a sheep to one young person
Mr Drummond Forth A great favourite of Lady Jocelyns an old
friend He went with them to the East Nothing improper She is too cold
for that He is fair with regular features very selfpossessed and
ready your English notions of gentlemanly But none of your men treat
a woman as a woman We are either angels or good fellows or heaven
knows what that is bad No exquisite delicacy no insinuating softness
mixed with respect none of that hovering over the border as Papa used
to say none of that happy indefiniteness of manner which seems to
declare I would love you if I might or I do but I dare not tell even
when engaged in the most trivial attentions handing a footstool
remarking on the soup etc You none of you know how to meet a womans
smile or to engage her eyes without boldness to slide off them as it
were gracefully Evan alone can look between the eyelids of a woman I
have had to correct him for to me he quite exposes the state of his
heart towards dearest Rose She listens to Mr Forth with evident
esteem In Portugal we do not understand young ladies having male
friends
Hamilton Jocelyn all politics The stiff Englishman Not a shade
of manners He invited me to drink wine Before I had finished my bow
his glass was empty the man was telling an anecdote of Lord
Livelyston You may be sure my dear I did not say I had seen his
lordship
Seymour Jocelyn Colonel of Hussars He did nothing but sigh for the
cold weather and hunting All I envied him was his moustache for Evan
Will you believe that the ridiculous boy has shaved
Then there is Melville my dear diplomatist and here is another
instance of our Harrington luck He has the gout in his right hand he
can only just hold knife and fork and is interdicted Portwine and
penmanship The dinner was not concluded before I had arranged that Evan
should resume gratuitously you know his post of secretary to him So
here is Evan fixed at Beckley Court as long as Melville stays Talking
of him I am horrified suddenly They call him the great Mel
Sir Franks is most estimable I am sure as a man and redolent of
excellent qualities a beautiful disposition very handsome He has
just as much and no more of the English polish one ordinarily meets
When he has given me soup or fish bowed to me over wine and asked a
conventional question he has done with me I should imagine his
opinions to be extremely good for they are not a multitude
Then his lady but I have not grappled with her yet Now for the
women for I quite class her with the opposite sex
You must know that before I retired for the night I induced Conning
to think she had a bad headache and Rose lent me her ladysmaid
they call the creature Polly A terrible talker She would tell all
about the family Rose has been speaking of Evan It would have looked
better had she been quiet but then she is so English«
Here the Countess breaks off to say that from where she is writing she can see
Rose and Evan walking out to the cypress avenue and that no eyes are on them
great praise being given to the absence of suspicion in the Jocelyn nature
The communication is resumed the night of the same day
»Two days at Beckley Court are over and that strange sensation I had of
being an intruder escaped from Dubbinss and expecting every instant
the old schoolmistress to call for me and expose me and take me to the
dark room is quite vanished and I feel quite at home quite happy
Evan is behaving well Quite the young nobleman With the women I had no
fear of him he is really admirable with the men easy and talks of
sport and politics and makes the proper use of Portugal He has quite
won the heart of his sister Heaven smiles on us dearest Harriet
We must be favoured my dear for Evan is very troublesome
distressingly inconsiderate I left him for a day remaining to comfort
poor Mama and on the road he picked up an object he had known at
school and this creature in shameful garments is seen in the field
where Rose and Evan are riding in a dreadful hat Rose might well
laugh at it he is seen running away from an old apple woman whose
fruit he had consumed without means to liquidate but of course he
rushes bolt up to Evan before all his grand company and claims
acquaintance and Evan was base enough to acknowledge him He disengaged
himself so far well by tossing his purse to the wretch but if he knows
not how to cut I assure him it will be his ruin Resolutely he must
cast the dust off his shoes or he will be dragged down to their level
By the way as to hands and feet comparing him with the Jocelyn men he
has every mark of better blood Not a question about it As Papa would
say We have Natures proofs
Looking out on a beautiful lawn and the moon and all sorts of
trees I must now tell you about the ladies here
Conning undid me tonight While Conning remains unattached Conning
is likely to be serviceable If Evan would only give her a crumb she
would be his most faithful dog I fear he cannot be induced and Conning
will be snapped up by somebody else You know how susceptible she is
behind her primness she will be of no use on earth and I shall find
excuse to send her back immediately After all her appearance here was
all that was wanted
Mrs Melville and her dreadful juvenile are here as you may imagine
the complete Englishwoman I smile on her but I could laugh To see
the crowsfeet under her eyes on her white skin and those ringlets is
really too ridiculous Then there is a Miss Carrington Lady Jocelyns
cousin aged thirtytwo if she has not tampered with the register of
her birth I should think her equal to it Between dark and fair Always
in love with some man Conning tells me she hears Roses maid Polly
hinted the same She has a little money
But my sympathies have been excited by a little cripple a niece of
Lady Jocelyns and the favourite granddaughter of the rich old Mrs
Bonner also here Juliana Bonner Her age must be twenty You would
take her for ten In spite of her immense expectations the Jocelyns
hate her They can hardly be civil to her It is the poor childs
temper She has already begun to watch dear Evan certainly the
handsomest of the men here as yet though I grant you they are
wellgrown men these Jocelyns for an untravelled Englishwoman I fear
dear Harriet we have been dreadfully deceived about Rose The poor
child has not in her own right much more than a tenth part of what we
supposed I fear It was that Mrs Melville I have had occasion to
notice her quiet boasts here She said this morning when Mel is in the
Ministry he is not yet in Parliament I feel quite angry with the
woman and she is not so cordial as she might be I have her profile
very frequently while I am conversing with her
With Grandmama Bonner I am excellent good friends venerable
silver hair high caps etc More of this most interesting Juliana
Bonner by andby It is clear to me that Roses fortune is calculated
upon the dear invalids death Is not that harrowing It shocks me to
think of it
Then there is Mrs Shorne She is a Jocelyn and such a history
She married a wealthy manufacturer bartered her blood for his money
and he failed and here she resides a bankrupt widow petitioning any
man that may be willing for his love and a decent home And I say in
charity
Mrs Shorne comes here tomorrow She is at present with guess my
dear with Lady Roseley Do not be alarmed I have met Lady Roseley
She heard Evans name and by that and the likeness I saw she knew at
once and I saw a truce in her eyes She gave me a tacit assurance of it
she was engaged to dine here yesterday and put it off probably to
grant us time for composure If she comes I do not fear her Besides
has she not reasons Providence may have designed her for a staunch ally
I will not say confederate
Would that Providence had fixed this beautiful mansion five hundred
miles from L though it were in a desolate region And that reminds me
of the Madre She is in health She always will be overbearingly robust
till the day we are bereft of her There was some secret in the house
when I was there which I did not trouble to penetrate That little Jane
F was there not improved
Pray be firm about Torquay Estates mortgaged but hopes of saving
a remnant of the property Third son Dont commit yourself there We
dare not baronetize him You need not speak it imply More can be done
that way
And remember dear Harriet that you must manage Andrew so that we
may positively promise his vote to the Ministry on all questions when
Parliament next assembles I understood from Lord Livelyston that
Andrews vote would be thought much of A most amusing nobleman He
pledged himself to nothing But we are above such a thing as a
commercial transaction He must countenance Suva Women my dear have
sent out armies why not fleets Do not spare me your utmost aid in my
extremity my dearest sister
As for Strike I refuse to speak of him He is insufferable and next
to useless How can one talk with any confidence of relationship with a
Major of Marines When I reflect on what he is and his conduct to
Caroline I have inscrutable longings to slap his face Tell dear Carry
her husbands friend the chairman or something of that wonderful
company of Strikes you know the Duke of Belfield is coming here He
is a bloodrelation of the Elburnes therefore of the Jocelyns It will
not matter at all Breweries I find are quite in esteem in your
England It was highly commendable in his Grace to visit you Did he
come to see the Major of Marines Caroline is certainly the loveliest
woman I ever beheld and I forgive her now the pangs of jealousy she
used to make me feel
Andrew I hope has received the most kind invitations of the
Jocelyns He must come Melville must talk with him about the votes of
his abominable brother in Fallowfield We must elect Melville and have
the family indebted to us But pray be careful that Andrew speaks not a
word to his odious brother about our location here It would set him
dead against these hospitable Jocelyns It will perhaps be as well dear
Harriet if you do not accompany Andrew You would not be able to
account for him quite thoroughly Do as you like I do but advise and
you know I may be trusted for our sakes dear one I am working for
Carry to come with Andrew Beautiful women always welcome A prodigy
if they wish to astonish the Duke Adieu Heaven bless your babes«
The night passes and the Countess pursues
»Awakened by your fresh note from a dream of Evan on horseback and a
multitude hailing him Count Jocelyn for Fallowfield A morning dream
They might desire that he should change his name but Count is
preposterous though it may conceal something
You say Andrew will come and talk of his bringing Caroline
Anything to give our poor darling a respite from her brute You deserve
great credit for your managing of that dear little goodnatured piece of
obstinate man I will at once see to prepare dear Carolines welcome
and trust her stay may be prolonged in the interest of common humanity
They have her story here already
Conning has come in and says that young Mr Harry Jocelyn will be
here this morning from Fallowfield where he has been cricketing The
family have not spoken of him in my hearing He is not I think in good
odour at home a scapegrace Roses maid Polly quite flew out when I
happened to mention him and broke one of my laces These English maids
are domesticated savage animals
My chocolate is sent up exquisitely concocted in plate of the
purest quality lovely little silver cups I have already quite set the
fashion for the ladies to have chocolate in bed The men I hear
complain that there is no lady at the breakfasttable They have Miss
Carrington to superintend I read in the subdued satisfaction of her
eyes completely without colour how much she thanks me and the
institution of chocolate in bed Poor Miss Carrington is no match for
her opportunities One may give them to her without dread
It is ten on the Sabbath morn The sweet churchbells are ringing
It seems like a dream There is nothing but the religion attaches me to
England but that is not that everything How I used to sigh on
Sundays to hear them in Portugal
I have an idea of instituting toilette They will not please Miss
Carrington so well
Now to the peaceful village church and divine worship Adieu my
dear I kiss my fingers to Silva Make no effort to amuse him He is
always occupied Bread he asks no more Adieu Carry will be invited
with your little man You unhappily unable She the sister I
pine to see to show her worthy of my praises Expectation and
excitement
Adieu«
Filled with pleasing emotions at the thought of the service in the quiet village
church and worshipping in the principal pew under the blazonry of the Jocelyn
arms the Countess sealed her letter and addressed it and then examined the
name of Cogglesby which plebeian name it struck her would not sound well to
the menials of Beckley Court While she was deliberating what to do to conceal
it she heard through her open window the voices of some young men laughing
She beheld her brother pass these young men and bow to them She beheld them
stare at him without at all returning his salute and then one of them the
same who had filled her ears with venom at Fallowfield turned to the others
and laughed outrageously crying
»By Jove this comes it strong Fancy the snipocracy here eh«
What the others said the Countess did not wait to hear She put on her
bonnet hastily tried the effect of a peculiar smile in the mirror and lightly
ran downstairs
Chapter XV
A Capture
The three youths were standing in the portico when the Countess appeared among
them She singled out him who was specially obnoxious to her and sweetly
inquired the direction to the village post With the renowned gallantry of his
nation he offered to accompany her but presently with a different exhibition
of the same proposed that they should spare themselves the trouble by dropping
the letter she held prominently in the bag
»Thanks« murmured the Countess »I will go« Upon which his eager air
subsided and he fell into an awkward silent march at her side looking so like
the victim he was to be that the Countess could have emulated his power of
laughter
»And you are Mr Harry Jocelyn the very famous cricketer«
He answered glancing back at his friends that he was but did not know
about the famous
»Oh but I saw you I saw you hit the ball most beautifully and dearly
wished my brother had an equal ability Brought up in the Court of Portugal he
is barely English There they have no manly sports You saw him pass you«
»Him Who« asked Harry
»My brother on the lawn this moment Your sweet sisters friend Your
uncle Melvilles secretary«
»What s his name« said Harry in blunt perplexity
The Countess repeated his name which in her pronunciation was »Hawington«
adding »That was my brother I am his sister Have you heard of the Countess de
Saldar«
»Countess« muttered Harry »Dash it here s a mistake«
She continued with elegant fanlike motion of her gloved fingers »They say
there is a likeness between us The dear Queen of Portugal often remarked it
and in her it was a compliment to me for she thought my brother a model You I
should have known from your extreme resemblance to your lovely young sister«
Coarse food but then Harry was a youthful Englishman and the Countess
dieted the vanity according to the nationality With good wine to wash it down
one can swallow anything The Countess lent him her eyes for that purpose eyes
that had a liquid glow under the dovelike drooping lids It was a principle of
hers pampering our poor sex with swinish solids or the lightest ambrosia never
to let the accompanying cordial be other than of the finest quality She knew
that clowns even more than aristocrats are flattered by the inebriation of
delicate celestial liquors
»Now« she said after Harry had gulped as much of the dose as she chose to
administer direct from the founts »you must accord me the favour to tell me all
about yourself for I have heard much of you Mr Harry Jocelyn and you have
excited my womans interest Of me you know nothing«
»Havent I« cried Harry speaking to the pitch of his new warmth »My uncle
Melville goes on about you tremendously makes his wife as jealous as fire How
could I tell that was your brother«
»Your uncle has deigned to allude to me« said the Countess meditatively
»But not of him of you Mr Harry What does he say«
»Says you re so clever you ought to be a man«
»Ah generous« exclaimed the Countess »The idea I think is novel to him
Is it not«
»Well I believe from what I hear he didnt back you for much over in
Lisbon« said veracious Harry
»I fear he is deceived in me now I fear I am but a woman I am not to be
backed But you are not talking of yourself«
»Oh never mind me« was Harrys modest answer
»But I do Try to imagine me as clever as a man and talk to me of your
doings Indeed I will endeavour to comprehend you«
Thus humble the Countess bade him give her his arm He stuck it out with
abrupt eagerness
»Not against my cheek« She laughed forgivingly »And you need not start
back halfamile« she pursued with plain humour »and please do not look
irresolute and awkward It is not necessary« she added »There« and she
settled her fingers on him »I am glad I can find one or two things to instruct
you in Begin You are a great cricketer What else«
Ay what else Harry might well say he had no wish to talk of himself He
did not know even how to give his arm to a lady The first flattery and the
subsequent chiding clashed in his elated soul and caused him to deem himself
one of the blest suddenly overhauled by an inspecting angel and found wanting
or in his own more accurate style of reflection »What a rattling fine woman
this is and what a deuce of a fool she must think me«
The Countess leaned on his arm with dainty languor
»You walk well« she said
Harrys backbone straightened immediately
»No no I do not want you to be a drillsergeant Can you not be told you
are perfect without seeking to improve vain boy You can cricket and you can
walk and will very soon learn how to give your arm to a lady I have hopes of
you Of your friends from whom I have ruthlessly dragged you I have not much
Am I personally offensive to them Mr Harry I saw them let my brother pass
without returning his bow and they in no way acknowledged my presence as I
passed Are they gentlemen«
»Yes« said Harry stupefied by the question »One s Ferdinand Laxley Lord
Laxleys son heir to the title the other s William Harvey son of the Chief
Justice both friends of mine«
»But not of your manners« interposed the Countess »I have not so much
compunction as I ought to have in divorcing you from your associates for a few
minutes I think I shall make a scholar of you in one or two essentials You do
want polish Have I not a right to take you in hand I have defended you
already«
»Me« cried Harry
»None other than Mr Harry Jocelyn Will he vouchsafe to me his pardon It
has been whispered in my ears that his ambition is to be the Don Juan of a
country district and I have said for him that however grovelling his
undirected tastes he is too truly noble to plume himself upon the reputation
they have procured him Why did I defend you Women you know do not shrink
from Don Juans even provincial Don Juans as they should perhaps for their
own sakes You are all of you dangerous if a woman is not strictly on her
guard But you will respect your champion will you not«
Harry was about to reply with wonderful briskness He stopped and murmured
boorishly that he was sure he was very much obliged
Command of countenance the Countess possessed in common with her sex Those
faces on which we make them depend entirely women can entirely control Keenly
sensible to humour as the Countess was her face sidled up to his immoveably
sweet Harry looked and looked away and looked again The poor fellow was so
profoundly aware of his foolishness that he even doubted whether he was admired
The Countess trifled with his English nature quietly watched him bob
between tugging humility and airy conceit and went on
»Yes I will trust you and that is saying very much for what protection is
a brother I am alone here defenceless«
Men of course grow virtuously zealous in an instant on behalf of the
lovely dame who tells them bewitchingly she is alone and defenceless with
pitiful dimples round the dewy mouth that entreats their guardianship and mercy
The provincial Don Juan found words a sign of clearer sensations within
He said
»Upon my honour I d look after you better than fifty brothers«
The Countess eyed him softly and then allowed herself the luxury of a
laugh
»No no it is not the sheep it is the wolf I fear«
And she went through a bit of the concluding portion of the drama of Little
Red Riding Hood very prettily and tickled him so that he became somewhat less
afraid of her
»Are you truly so bad as report would have you to be Mr Harry« she asked
not at all in the voice of a censor
»Pray dont think me a anything you wouldnt have me« the youth
stumbled into an apt response
»We shall see« said the Countess and varied her admiration for the noble
creature beside her with gentle ejaculations on the beauty of the deer that
ranged the park of Beckley Court the grand old oaks and beeches the clumps of
flowering laurel and the rich air swarming Summer
She swept out her arm »And this most magnificent estate will be yours How
happy will she be who is led hither to reside by you Mr Harry«
»Mine No there s the bother« he answered with unfeigned chagrin
»Beckley isnt Elburne property you know It belongs to old Mrs Bonner Roses
grandmama«
»Oh« interjected the Countess indifferently
»I shall never get it no chance« Harry pursued »Lost my luck with the
old lady long ago« He waxed excited on a subject that drew him from his
shamefacedness »It goes to Juley Bonner or to Rosey it s a tossup which If
I d stuck up to Juley I might have had a pretty fair chance They wanted me
to that s why I scout the premises But fancy Juley Bonner«
»You couldnt upon your honour« rhymed the Countess And Harry let loose
a delighted »Ha ha« as at a fine stroke of wit »Are we enamoured of a
beautiful maiden Señor Harry«
»Not a bit« he assured her eagerly »I dont know any girl I dont care
for em I dont really«
The Countess impressively declared to him that he must be guided by her and
that she might the better act his monitress she desired to hear the pedigree of
the estate and the exact relations in which it at present stood toward the
Elburne family
Glad of any theme he could speak on Harry informed her that Beckley Court
was bought by his grandfather Bonner from the proceeds of a successful oil
speculation
»So we aint much on that side« he said
»Oil« was the Countesss weary exclamation »I imagined Beckley Court to be
your ancestral mansion Oil«
Harry deprecatingly remarked that oil was money
»Yes« she replied »but you are not one to mix oil with your Elburne blood
Let me see oil That I conceive is grocery So you are grocers on one
side«
»Oh come hang it« cried Harry turning red
»Am I leaning on the grocers side or on the lords«
Harry felt dreadfully taken down »One ranks with ones father« he said
»Yes« observed the Countess »but you should ever be careful not to expose
the grocer When I beheld my brother bow to you and that your only return was
to stare at him in that singular way I was not aware of this and could not
account for it«
»I declare I m very sorry« said Harry with a nettled air »Do just let me
tell you how it happened We were at an inn where there was an odd old fellow
gave a supper and there was your brother and another fellow as thorough an
upstart as I ever met and infernally impudent He got drinking and wanted to
fight us Now I see it Your brother to save his friends bones said he was a
tailor Of course no gentleman could fight a tailor and it blew over with my
saying we d order our clothes of him«
»Said he was a « exclaimed the Countess gazing blankly
»I dont wonder at your feeling annoyed« returned Harry »I saw him with
Rosey next day and began to smell a rat then but Laxley wont give up the
tailor He s as proud as Lucifer He wanted to order a suit of your brother
today but I said not while he s in the house however he came here«
The Countess had partially recovered They were now in the village street
and Harry pointed out the postoffice
»Your divination with regard to my brothers most eccentric behaviour was
doubtless correct« she said »He wished to succour his wretched companion
Anywhere it matters not to him what he allies himself with miserable
mortals He is the modern Samaritan You should thank him for saving you an
encounter with some low creature«
Swaying the letter to and fro she pursued archly »I can read your
thoughts You are dying to know to whom this dear letter is addressed«
Instantly Harry whose eyes had previously been quite empty of expression
glanced at the letter wistfully
»Shall I tell you«
»Yes do«
»It s to somebody I love«
»Are you in love then« was his disconcerted rejoinder
»Am I not married«
»Yes but every woman that s married isnt in love with her husband you
know«
»Oh Don Juan of the provinces« she cried holding the seal of the letter
before him in playful reproof »Fie«
»Come who is it« Harry burst out
»I am not surely obliged to confess my correspondence to you Remember«
she laughed lightly »He already assumes the airs of a lord and master You are
rapid Mr Harry«
»Wont you really tell me« he pleaded
She put a corner of the letter in the box »Must I«
All was done with the archest elegance the bewildering condescension of a
Goddess to a boor
»I dont say you must you know but I should like to see it« returned
Harry
»There« She showed him a glimpse of »Mrs« cleverly concealing plebeian
»Cogglesby« and the letter slid into darkness »Are you satisfied«
»Yes« said Harry wondering why he felt a relief at the sight of Mrs
written on a letter by a lady he had only known half an hour
»And now« said she »I shall demand a boon of you Mr Harry Will it be
accorded«
She was hurriedly told that she might count upon him for whatever she chose
to ask and after much trifling and many exaggerations of the boon in question
he heard that she had selected him as her cavalier for the day and that he was
to consent to accompany her to the village church
»Is it so great a request the desire that you should sit beside a solitary
lady for so short a space« she asked noting his rueful visage
Harry assured her he would be very happy but hinted at the bother of having
to sit and listen to that fool of a Parsley again assuring her and with real
earnestness which the lady now affected to doubt that he would be extremely
happy
»You know I havent been there for ages« he explained »I hear it« she
sighed aware of the credit his escort would bring her in Beckley and
especially with Harrys grandmama Bonner
They went together to the village church The Countess took care to be late
so that all eyes beheld her stately march up the aisle with her captive beside
her Nor was her captive less happy than he professed he would be Charming
comic sideplay at the expense of Mr Parsley she mingled with exceeding
devoutness and a serious attention to Mr Parsleys discourse In her heart
this lady really thought her confessed daily sins forgiven her by the recovery
of the lost sheep to Mr Parsleys fold
The results of this small passage of arms were that Evans disclosure at
Fallowfield was annulled in the mind of Harry Jocelyn and the latter gentleman
became the happy slave of the Countess de Saldar
Chapter XVI
Leads to a Small Skirmish Between Rose and Evan
Lady Jocelyn belonged properly to that order which the Sultans and the Roxalanas
of earth combine to exclude from their little games under the designation of
blues or strongminded women a kind if genuine the least dangerous and
staunchest of the sex as poor fellows learn when the flippant and the frail
fair have made mummies of them She had the frankness of her daughter the same
direct eyes and firm step a face without shadows though no longer bright with
youth It may be charged to her as one of the errors of her strong mind that
she believed friendship practicable between men and women young or old She
knew the world pretty well and was not amazed by extraordinary accidents but
as she herself continued to be an example of her faith we must presume it
natural that her delusion should cling to her She welcomed Evan as her
daughters friend walked halfway across the room to meet him on his
introduction to her and with the simple words »I have heard of you« let him
see that he stood upon his merits in her house The young mans spirit caught
something of hers even in their first interview and at once mounted to that
level Unconsciously he felt that she took and would take him for what he was
and he rose to his worth in the society she presided over A youth like Evan
could not perceive that in loving this ladys daughter and accepting the place
she offered him he was guilty of a breach of confidence or reflect that her
entire absence of suspicion imposed upon him a corresponding honesty toward her
He fell into a blindness Without dreaming for a moment that she designed to
encourage his passion for Rose he yet beheld himself in the light she had cast
on him and received as her daughters friend it seemed to him not so utterly
monstrous that he might be her daughters lover A haughty a grand or a too
familiar manner would have kept his eyes clearer on his true condition Lady
Jocelyn spoke to his secret nature and eclipsed in his mind the outward aspects
with which it was warring To her he was a gallant young man a fit companion
for Rose and when she and Sir Franks said and showed him that they were glad
to know him his heart swam in a flood of happiness they little suspected
This was another of the many forms of intoxication to which circumstances
subjected the poor lover In Fallowfield among impertinent young men Evans
pride proclaimed him a tailor At Beckley Court acted on by one genuine soul
he forgot it and felt elate in his manhood The shades of Tailordom dispersed
like fog before the full Southwest breeze When I say he forgot it the fact
was present enough to him but it became an outward fact he had ceased to feel
it within him It was not a portion of his being hard as Mrs Mel had struck to
fix it Consequently though he was in a far worse plight than when he parted
with Rose on board the Jocasta he felt much less of an impostor now This may
have been partly because he had endured his struggle with the Demogorgon the
Countess painted to him in such frightful colours and found him human after
all but it was mainly owing to the hearty welcome Lady Jocelyn had extended to
him as the friend of Rose
Loving Rose he nevertheless allowed his love no tender liberties The eyes
of a lover are not his own but his hands and lips are till such time as they
are claimed The sun must smile on us with peculiar warmth to woo us forth
utterly pluck our hearts out Rose smiled on many She smiled on Drummond
Forth Ferdinand Laxley William Harvey and her brother Harry and she had the
same eyes for all ages Once previous to the arrival of the latter three there
was a change in her look or Evan fancied it They were going to ride out
together and Evan coming to his horse on the gravel walk saw her talking with
Drummond Forth He mounted awaiting her and either from a slight twinge of
jealousy or to mark her dainty tread with her ridinghabit drawn above her
heels he could not help turning his head occasionally She listened to Drummond
with attention but presently broke from him crying »It s an absurdity Speak
to them yourself I shall not«
On the ride that day she began prattling of this and that with the careless
glee that became her well and then sank into a reverie Betweenwhiles her eyes
had raised tumults in Evans breast by dropping on him in a sort of questioning
way as if she wished him to speak or wished to fathom something she would
rather have unspoken Ere they had finished their ride she tossed off what
burden may have been on her mind as lightly as a stray lock from her shoulders
He thought that the singular look recurred It charmed him too much for him to
speculate on it
The Countesss opportune ally the gout which had reduced the Hon Melville
Jocelyns right hand to a state of uselessness served her with her brother
equally for having volunteered his services to the invalided diplomatist it
excused his stay at Beckley Court to himself and was a mask to his intimacy
with Rose besides earning him the thanks of the family Harry Jocelyn released
from the wing of the Countess came straight to him and in a rough kind of way
begged Evan to overlook his rudeness
»You took us all in at Fallowfield except Drummond« he said »Drummond
would have it you were joking I see it now And you re a confoundedly clever
fellow into the bargain or you wouldnt be quilldriving for Uncle Mel Dont
be uppish about it will you«
»You have nothing to fear on that point« said Evan With which promise the
peace was signed between them Drummond and William Harvey were cordial and
just laughed over the incident Laxley however held aloof His retention of
ideas once formed befitted his rank and station
Some trifling qualms attended Evans labours with the diplomatist but these
were merely occasioned by the iteration of a particular phrase Mr Goren an
enthusiastic tailor had now and then thrown out to Evan stirring hints of an
invention he claimed the discovery of a Balance in Breeches apparently the
philosophers stone of the tailor craft a secret that should ensure harmony of
outline to the person and an indubitable accommodation to the most difficult
legs
Since Adams expulsion it seemed the tailors of this wilderness had been
in search of it But like the doctors of this wilderness their science knew no
specific like the Babylonian workmen smitten with confusion of tongues they
had but one word in common and that word was cut Mr Goren contended that to
cut was not the key of the science but to find a Balance was An artistic
admirer of the frame of man Mr Goren was not wanting in veneration for the
individual who had arisen to do it justice He spoke of his Balance with supreme
selfappreciation Nor less so the Honourable Melville who professed to have
discovered the Balance of Power at home and abroad It was a capital Balance
but inferior to Mr Gorens The latter gentleman guaranteed a Balance with
motion whereas one step not only upset the Honourable Melvilles but shattered
the limbs of Europe Let us admit that it is easier to fit a mans legs than to
compress expansive empires
Evan enjoyed the doctoring of kingdoms quite as well as the diplomatist It
suited the latent grandeur of soul inherited by him from the great Mel He liked
to prop Austria and arrest the Czar and keep a watchful eye on France but the
Honourable Melvilles deepmouthed phrase conjured up to him a pair of colossal
legs imperiously demanding their Balance likewise At first the image scared
him In time he was enabled to smile it into phantom vagueness The diplomatist
diplomatically informed him it might happen that the labours he had undertaken
might be neither more nor less than education for a profession he might have to
follow Out of this an ardent imagination with the Countess de Saldar for an
interpreter might construe a promise of some sort Evan soon had high hopes
What though his name blazed on a shopfront The sun might yet illumine him to
honour
Where a young man is getting into delicate relations with a young woman the
more of his sex the better they serve as a blind and the Countess hailed
fresh arrivals warmly There was Sir John Loring Dorothys father who had
married the eldest of the daughters of Lord Elburne A widower handsome and a
flirt he capitulated to the Countess instantly and was played off against the
provincial Don Juan who had reached that point with her when youths of his
description make bashful confidences of their successes and receive delicious
chidings for their naughtiness rebukes which give immeasurable rebounds Then
came Mr Gordon Graine with his daughter Miss Jenny Graine an early friend of
Roses and numerous others For the present Miss Isabella Current need only be
chronicled among the visitors a sprightly maid fifty years old without a
wrinkle to show for it the Aunt Bel of fifty houses where there were young
women and little boys Aunt Bel had quick wit and capital anecdotes and tripped
them out aptly on a sparkling tongue with exquisite instinct for climax and when
to strike for a laugh No sooner had she entered the hall than she announced the
proximate arrival of the Duke of Belfield at her heels and it was known that
his Grace was as sure to follow as her little dog who was far better paid for
his devotion
The dinners at Beckley Court had hitherto been rather languid to those who
were not intriguing or mixing young love with the repast Miss Current was an
admirable neutral sent as the Countess fervently believed by Providence Till
now the Countess had drawn upon her own resources to amuse the company and she
had been obliged to restrain herself from doing it with that unctuous feeling
for rank which warmed her Portuguese sketches in low society and among her
sisters She retired before Miss Current and formed audience glad of a relief
to her inventive labour While Miss Current and her ephemerals lightly skimmed
the surface of human life the Countess worked in the depths Vanities
passions prejudices beneath the surface gave her full employment How
naturally poor Juliana Bonner was moved to mistake Evans compassion for a
stronger sentiment The Countess eagerly assisted Providence to shuffle the
company into their proper places Harry Jocelyn was moodily happy but good
greatly improved in the eyes of his grandmama Bonner who attributed the change
to the Countess and partly forgave her the sinful consent to the conditions of
her lovematch with the foreign Count which his penitent wife had privately
confessed to that strict Churchwoman
»Thank Heaven that you have no children« Mrs Bonner had said and the
Countess humbly replied »It is indeed my remorseful consolation«
»Who knows that it is not your punishment« added Mrs Bonner the Countess
weeping
She went and attended morning prayers in Mrs Bonners apartments alone
with the old lady »To make up for lost time in Catholic Portugal« she
explained it to the household
On the morning after Miss Current had come to shape the party most of the
inmates of Beckley Court being at breakfast Rose gave a lead to the
conversation
»Aunt Bel I want to ask you something We ve been making bets about you
Now answer honestly we re all friends Why did you refuse all your offers«
»Quite simple child« replied the unabashed exbeauty »A matter of taste
I liked twenty shillings better than a sovereign«
Rose looked puzzled but the men laughed and Rose exclaimed
»Now I see How stupid I am You mean you may have friends when you are not
married Well I think that s the wisest after all You dont lose them do
you Pray Mr Evan are you thinking Aunt Bel might still alter her mind for
somebody if she knew his value«
»I was presuming to hope there might be a place vacant among the twenty«
said Evan slightly bowing to both »Am I pardoned«
»I like you« returned Aunt Bel nodding at him »Where do you come from A
young man who ll let himself go for small coin s a jewel worth knowing«
»Where do I come from« drawled Laxley who had been tapping an egg with a
dreary expression
»Aunt Bel spoke to Mr Harrington« said Rose pettishly
»Asked him where he came from« Laxley continued his drawl »He didnt
answer so I thought it polite for another of the twenty to strike in«
»I must thank you expressly« said Evan and achieved a cordial bow
Rose gave Evan one of her bright looks and then called the attention of
Ferdinand Laxley to the fact that he had lost a particular bet made among them
»What bet« asked Laxley »About the profession«
A stream of colour shot over Roses face Her eyes flew nervously from
Laxley to Evan and then to Drummond Laxley appeared pleased as a man who has
made a witty sally Evan was outwardly calm while Drummond replied to the mute
appeal of Rose by saying
»Yes we ve all lost But who could hit it The lady admits no sovereign in
our sex«
»So you ve been betting about me« said Aunt Bel »I ll settle the
dispute Let him who guessed Latin pocket the stakes and if I guess him let
him hand them over to me«
»Excellent« cried Rose »One did guess Latin Aunt Bel Now tell us which
one it was«
»Not you my dear You guessed temper«
»No you dreadful Aunt Bel«
»Let me see« said Aunt Bel seriously »A young man would not marry a woman
with Latin but would not guess it the impediment Gentlemen moderately aged are
mad enough to slip their heads under any yoke but see the obstruction It was
a man of forty guessed Latin I request the Hon Hamilton Everard Jocelyn to
confirm it«
Amid laughter and exclamations Hamilton confessed himself the man who had
guessed Latin to be the cause of Miss Currents remaining an old maid Rose
crying »You really are too clever Aunt Bel«
A divergence to other themes ensued and then Miss Jenny Graine said »Isnt
Juley learning Latin I should like to join her while I m here«
»And so should I« responded Rose »My friend Evan is teaching her during
the intervals of his arduous diplomatic labours Will you take us into your
class Evan«
»Dont be silly girls« interposed Aunt Bel »Do you want to graduate for
my state with your eyes open«
Evan objected his poor qualifications as a tutor and Aunt Bel remarked
that if Juley learnt Latin at all she should have regular instruction
»I am quite satisfied« said Juley quietly
»Of course you are« Rose snubbed her cousin »So would anybody be But Mama
really was talking of a tutor for Juley if she could find one There s a
school at Bodley but that s too far for one of the men to come over«
A school at Bodley thought Evan and his probationary years at the Cudford
Establishment rose before him and therewith for the first time since his
residence at Beckley the figure of John Raikes
»There s a friend of mine« he said aloud »I think if Lady Jocelyn does
wish Miss Bonner to learn Latin thoroughly he would do very well for the
groundwork and would be glad of the employment He is very poor«
»If he s poor and a friend of yours Evan we ll have him« said Rose
»we ll ride and fetch him«
»Yes« added Miss Carrington »that must be quite sufficient qualification«
Juliana was not gazing gratefully at Evan for his proposal
Rose asked the name of Evans friend
»His name is Raikes« answered Evan »I dont know where he is now He may
be at Fallowfield If Lady Jocelyn pleases I will ride over today and see«
»My dear Evan« cried Rose »you dont mean that absurd figure we saw on the
cricketfield« She burst out laughing »Oh what fun it will be Let us have
him here by all means«
»I shall not bring him to be laughed at« said Evan
»I will remember he is your friend« Rose returned demurely and again
laughed as she related to Jenny Graine the comic appearance Mr Raikes had
presented
Laxley waited for a pause and then said »I have met this Mr Raikes As a
friend of the family I should protest against his admission here in any office
whatever into the upper part of the house at least He is not a gentleman«
»We dont want teachers to be gentlemen« observed Rose
»This fellow is the reverse« Laxley pronounced and desired Harry to
confirm it but Harry took a gulp of coffee
»Oblige me by recollecting that I have called him a friend of mine« said
Evan
Rose murmured to him »Pray forgive me I forgot« Laxley hummed something
about taste Aunt Bel led from the theme by a lively anecdote
After breakfast the party broke into knots and canvassed Laxleys behaviour
to Evan which was generally condemned Rose met the young men strolling on the
lawn and with her usual bluntness accused Laxley of wishing to insult her
friend
»I speak to him do I not« said Laxley »What would you have more I admit
the obligation of speaking to him when I meet him in your house Out of it
that s another matter«
»But what is the cause for your conduct to him Ferdinand«
»By Jove« cried Harry »I wonder he puts up with it I wouldnt I d have
a shot with you my boy«
»Extremely honoured« said Laxley »But neither you nor I care to fight
tailors«
»Tailors« exclaimed Rose There was a sharp twitch in her body as if she
had been stung or struck
»Look here Rose« said Laxley »I meet him he insults me and to get out
of the consequences tells me he s the son of a tailor and a tailor himself
knowing that it ties my hands Very well he puts himself hors de combat to save
his bones Let him unsay it and choose whether he ll apologize or not and I
ll treat him accordingly At present I m not bound to do more than respect the
house I find he has somehow got admission to«
»It s clear it was that other fellow« said Harry casting a sideglance up
at the Countesss window
Rose looked straight at Laxley and abruptly turned on her heel
In the afternoon Lady Jocelyn sent a message to Evan that she wished to see
him Rose was with her mother Lady Jocelyn had only to say that if he thought
his friend a suitable tutor for Miss Bonner they would be happy to give him the
office at Beckley Court Glad to befriend poor Jack Evan gave the needful
assurances and was requested to go and fetch him forthwith When he left the
room Rose marched out silently beside him
»Will you ride over with me Rose« he said though scarcely anxious that
she should see Mr Raikes immediately
The singular sharpness of her refusal astonished him none the less
»Thank you no I would rather not«
A lover is ever ready to suspect that water has been thrown on the fire that
burns for him in the bosom of his darling Sudden as the change was it was very
decided His sensitive ears were pained by the absence of his Christian name
which her lips had lavishly made sweet to him
He stopped in his walk
»You spoke of riding to Fallowfield Is it possible you dont want me to
bring my friend here There s time to prevent it«
Judged by the Countess de Saldar the behaviour of this wellborn English
maid was anything but wellbred She absolutely shrugged her shoulders and
marched ahead of him into the conservatory where she began smelling at flowers
and plucking off sere leaves
In such cases a young man always follows as her womanly instinct must have
told her for she expressed no surprise when she heard his voice two minutes
after
»Rose what have I done«
»Nothing at all« she said sweeping her eyes over his a moment and resting
them on the plants
»I must have uttered something that has displeased you«
»No«
Brief negatives are not reassuring to a lovers uneasy mind
»I beg you Be frank with me Rose«
A flame of the vanished fire shone in her face but subsided and she shook
her head darkly
»Have you any objection to my friend«
Her fingers grew petulant with an orange leaf Eyeing a spot on it she
said hesitatingly
»Any friend of yours I am sure I should like to help But but I wish you
wouldnt associate with that that kind of friend It gives people all sorts of
suspicions«
Evan drew a sharp breath
The voices of Master Alec and Miss Dorothy were heard shouting on the lawn
Alec gave Dorothy the slip and approached the conservatory on tiptoe holding
his hand out behind him to enjoin silence and secresy The pair could witness
the scene through the glass before Evan spoke
»What suspicions« he asked
Rose looked up as if the harshness of his tone pleased her
»Do you like red roses best or white« was her answer moving to a couple
of trees in pots
»Cant make up your mind« she continued and plucked both a white and red
rose saying »There choose your colour byandby and ask Juley to sew the one
you choose in your buttonhole«
She laid the roses in his hand and walked away She must have known that
there was a burden of speech on his tongue She saw him move to follow her but
this time she did not linger and it may be inferred that she wished to hear no
more
Chapter XVII
In Which Evan Writes Himself Tailor
The only philosophic method of discovering what a young woman means and what is
in her mind is that zigzag process of inquiry conducted by following her
actions for she can tell you nothing and if she does not want to know a
particular matter it must be a strong beam from the central system of facts
that shall penetrate her Clearly there was a disturbance in the bosom of Rose
Jocelyn and one might fancy that amiable mirror as being wilfully ruffled to
confuse a thing it was asked by the heavens to reflect a good fight fought by
all young people at a certain period and now and then by an old fool or two
The young it seasons and strengthens the old it happily kills off and thus
what is is made to work harmoniously with what we would have be
After quitting Evan Rose hied to her friend Jenny Graine and in the midst
of sweet millinery talk darted the odd question whether baronets or knights
ever were tradesmen to which Scottish Jenny entirely putting aside the shades
of beatified aldermen and the illustrious list of mayors that have welcomed
royalty replied that it was a thing quite impossible Rose then wished to know
if tailors were thought worse of than other tradesmen Jenny premising that she
was no authority stated she imagined she had heard that they were
»Why« said Rose no doubt because she was desirous of seeing justice dealt
to that class But Jennys bosom was a smooth reflector of facts alone
Rose pondered and said with compressed eagerness »Jenny do you think you
could ever bring yourself to consent to care at all for anybody ever talked of
as belonging to them Tell me«
Now Jenny had come to Beckley Court to meet William Harvey she was
therefore sufficiently soft to think she could care for him whatever his origin
were and composed in the knowledge that no natal stigma was upon him to try the
strength of her affection Designing to generalize as women do and seem
tempted to do most when they are secretly speaking from their own emotions she
said shyly moving her shoulders with a forefinger laying down the principle
»You know my dear if one esteemed such a person very very much and were
quite sure without any doubt that he liked you in return that is completely
liked you and was quite devoted and made no concealment I mean if he was
very superior and like other men you know what I mean and had none of the
cringing ways some of them have I mean supposing him gay and handsome taking
«
»Just like William« Rose cut her short and we may guess her to have had
some one in her head for her to conceive that Jenny must be speaking of any one
in particular
A young lady who can have male friends as well as friends of her own sex
is not usually pressing and secret in her confidences possibly because such a
young lady is not always nursing babypassions and does not require her sexs
coddling and posseting to keep them alive With Rose love will be full grown
when it is once avowed and will know where to go to be nourished
»Merely an idea I had« she said to Jenny who betrayed her mental
preoccupation by putting the question for the questions last
Her Uncle Melville next received a visit from the restless young woman To
him she spoke not a word of the inferior classes but as a special favourite of
the diplomatists begged a gift of him for her proximate birthday Pushed to
explain what it was she said »It s something I want you to do for a friend of
mine Uncle Mel«
The diplomatist instanced a few of the modest requests little maids prefer
to people they presume to have power to grant
»No it s nothing nonsensical« said Rose »I want you to get my friend
Evan an appointment You can if you like you know Uncle Mel and it s a shame
to make him lose his time when he s young and does his work so well that you
cant deny Now please be positive Uncle Mel You know I hate I have no
faith in your nous verrons Say you will and at once«
The diplomatist pretended to have his weathereye awakened
»You seem very anxious about feathering the young fellows nest Rosey«
»There« cried Rose with the maidens mature experience of us »isnt that
just like men They never can believe you can be entirely disinterested«
»Hulloa« the diplomatist sung out »I didnt say anything Rosey«
She reddened at her hastiness but retrieved it by saying
»No but you listen to your wife you know you do Uncle Mel and now there
s Aunt Shorne and the other women who make you think just what they like about
me because they hate Mama«
»Dont use strong words my dear«
»But it s abominable« cried Rose »They asked Mama yesterday what Evans
being here meant Why of course he s your secretary and my friend and Mama
very properly stopped them and so will I As for me I intend to stay at
Beckley I can tell you dear old boy« Uncle Mel had a soft arm round his neck
and was being fondled »And I m not going to be bred up to go into a harem you
may be sure«
The diplomatist whistled »You talk your mother with a vengeance Rosey«
»And she s the only sensible woman I know« said Rose »Now promise me in
earnest Dont let them mislead you for you know you re quite a child out of
your politics and I shall take you in hand myself Why now think Uncle Mel
wouldnt any girl as silly as they make me out hold her tongue not talk of
him as I do and because I really do feel for him as a friend See the
difference between me and Juley«
It was a sad sign if Rose was growing a bit of a hypocrite but this
instance of Julianas different manner of showing her feelings toward Evan would
have quieted suspicion in shrewder men for Juliana watched Evans shadow and
it was thought by two or three at Beckley Court that Evan would be conferring a
benefit on all by carrying off the romanticallyinclined but little presentable
young lady
The diplomatist with a placid »Well well« ultimately promised to do his
best for Roses friend and then Rose said »Now I leave you to the Countess«
and went and sat with her mother and Drummond Forth The latter was strange in
his conduct to Evan While blaming Laxleys unmannered behaviour he seemed to
think Laxley had grounds for it and treated Evan with a sort of cynical
deference that had for the last couple of days exasperated Rose
»Mama you must speak to Ferdinand« she burst upon the conversation
»Drummond is afraid to he can stand by and see my friend insulted Ferdinand
is insufferable with his pride he s jealous of everybody who has manners and
Drummond approves him and I will not bear it«
Lady Jocelyn hated household worries and quietly remarked that the young
men must fight it out together
»No but it s your duty to interfere Mama« said Rose »and I know you
will when I tell you that Ferdinand declares my friend Evan is a tradesman
beneath his notice Why it insults me«
Lady Jocelyn looked out from a lofty window on such veritable squabbles of
boys and girls as Rose revealed
»Cant you help them to run on smoothly while they re here« she said to
Drummond and he related the scene at the Green Dragon
»I think I heard he was the son of Sir Something Harrington Devonshire
people« said Lady Jocelyn
»Yes he is« cried Rose »or closely related I m sure I understood the
Countess that it was so She brought the paper with the death in it to us in
London and shed tears over it«
»She showed it in the paper and shed tears over it« said Drummond
repressing an inclination to laugh »Was her fathers title given in full«
»Sir Abraham Harrington« replied Rose »I think she said father if the
word wasnt too commonplace for her«
»You can ask old Tom when he comes if you are anxious to know« said
Drummond to her ladyship »His brother married one of the sisters By the way
he s coming too He ought to clear up the mystery«
»Now you re sneering Drummond« said Rose »for you know there s no
mystery to clear up«
Drummond and Lady Jocelyn began talking of old Tom Cogglesby whom it
appeared the former knew intimately and the latter had known
»The Cogglesbys are sons of a cobbler Rose« said Lady Jocelyn »You must
try and be civil to them«
»Of course I shall Mama« Rose answered seriously
»And help the poor Countess to bear their presence as well as possible«
said Drummond »The Harringtons have had to mourn a dreadful mésalliance Pity
the Countess«
»Oh the Countess the Countess« exclaimed Rose to Drummonds pathetic
shake of the head She and Drummond were fully agreed about the Countess
Drummond mimicking the lady »In verity she is most mellifluous« while Rose
sugared her lips and leaned gracefully forward with »De Saldar let me petition
you since we must endure our title since it is not to be your Louisa« and
her eyes sought the ceiling and her hand slowly melted into her drapery as the
Countess was wont to effect it
Lady Jocelyn laughed but said »You re too hard upon the Countess The
female euphuist is not to be met with every day It s a different kind from the
Précieuse She is not a Précieuse She has made a capital selection of her
vocabulary from Johnson and does not work it badly if we may judge by Harry
and Melville Euphuism in woman is the popular ideal of a Duchess She has it by
nature or she has studied it and if so you must respect her abilities«
»Yes Harry« said Rose who was angry at a loss of influence over her
rough brother »any one could manage Harry and Uncle Mels a goose You should
see what a female euphuist Dorry is getting She says in the Countesss hearing
Rose I should in verity wish to play if it were pleasing to my sweet cousin I
m ready to die with laughing I dont do it Mama«
The Countess thus being discussed was closeted with old Mrs Bonner not
idle Like Hannibal in Italy she had crossed her Alps in attaining Beckley
Court and here in the enemys country the wary general found herself under the
necessity of throwing up entrenchments to fly to in case of defeat Sir Abraham
Harrington of Torquay who had helped her to cross the Alps became a formidable
barrier against her return
Meantime Evan was riding over to Fallowfield and as he rode under black
visions between the hedgeways crowned with their hopgarlands a fragrance of
roses saluted his nostril and he called to mind the red and the white the
peerless representative of the two had given him and which he had thrust
sullenly in his breastpocket and he drew them out to look at them
reproachfully and sigh farewell to all the roses of life when in company with
them he found in his hand the forgotten letter delivered to him on the
cricketfield the day of the memorable match He smelt at the roses and turned
the letter this way and that His name was correctly worded on the outside With
an odd reluctance to open it he kept trifling over the flowers and then broke
the broad seal and these are the words that met his eyes
»Mr Evan Harrington
You have made up your mind to be a tailor instead of a Tomnoddy
You re right Not too many men in the world plenty of nincompoops
Dont be made a weathercock of by a parcel of women I want to find
a man worth something If you go on with it you shall end by riding in
your carriage and cutting it as fine as any of them I ll take care
your belly is not punished while you re about it
From the time your name is over your shop I give you 300l per
annum
Or stop There s nine of you They shall have 40l per annum
apiece 9 times 40 eh That s better than 300l if you know how to
reckon Dont you wish it was ninetynine tailors to a man I could do
that too and it would not break me so dont be a proud young ass or I
ll throw my money to the geese Lots of them in the world How many
geese to a tailor
Go on for five years and I double it
Give it up and I give you up
No question about me The first tailor can be paid his 40l in
advance by applying at the offices of Messrs Grist Grays Inn Square
Grays Inn Let him say he is tailor No 1 and show this letter signed
Agreed with your name in full at bottom This will do money will be
paid no questions one side or other So on the whole nine The end
of the year they can give a dinner to their acquaintance Send in bill
to Messrs Grist
The advice to you to take the cash according to terms mentioned is
advice of
A Friend
PS You shall have your wine Consult among yourselves and carry it by
majority what wine it s to be Five carries it Dozen and half per tailor per
annum that s the limit«
It was certainly a very hot day The pores of his skin were prickling and his
face was fiery and yet he increased his pace and broke into a wild gallop for
a mile or so then suddenly turned his horses head back for Beckley The secret
of which evolution was that he had caught the idea of a plotted insult of
Laxleys in the letter for when the blood is up we are drawn the way the tide
sets strongest and Evan was prepared to swear that Laxley had written the
letter because he was burning to chastise the man who had injured him with
Rose
Sure that he was about to confirm his suspicion he read it again gazed
upon Beckley Court in the sultry light and turned for Fallowfield once more
devising to consult Mr John Raikes on the subject
The letter had a smack of crabbed age hardly counterfeit The savour of an
old eccentrics sour generosity was there Evan fell into bitter laughter at the
idea of Rose glancing over his shoulder and asking him what nine of him to a man
meant He heard her clear voice pursuing him He could not get away from the
mocking sound of Rose beseeching him to instruct her on that point How if the
letter were genuine He began to abhor the sight and touch of the paper for it
struck division cold as death between him and his darling He saw now the
immeasurable hopes his residence at Beckley had lured him to Rose had slightly
awakened him this letter was blank day to his soul He saw the squalid shop
the good stern barrenspirited mother the changeless drudgery the existence
which seemed indeed no better than what the ninth of a man was fit for The
influence of his mother came on him once more Dared he reject the gift if true
No spark of gratitude could he feel but chained dragged at the heels of his
fate he submitted to think it true resolving the next moment that it was a
fabrication and a trap but he flung away the roses
As idle as a painted cavalier upon a painted dropscene the figure of Mr
John Raikes was to be observed leaning with crossed legs against a shady pillar
of the Green Dragon eyeing alternately with an indifference he did not care to
conceal the assiduous pecking in the dust of some cocks and hens that had
strayed from the yard of the inn and the sleepy blinking in the sun of an old
dog at his feet nor did Evans appearance discompose the sad sedateness of his
demeanour
»Yes I am here still« he answered Evans greeting with a flaccid gesture
»Dont excite me too much A little at a time I cant bear it«
»How now What is it now Jack« said Evan
Mr Raikes pointed at the dog »I ve made a bet with myself he wont wag
his tail within the next ten minutes I beg of you Harrington to remain silent
for both our sakes«
Evan was induced to look at the dog and the dog looked at him and gently
moved his tail
»I ve lost« cried Raikes in languid anguish »He s getting excited He
ll go mad We re not accustomed to this in Fallowfield«
Evan dismounted and was going to tell him the news he had for him when his
attention was distracted by the sight of Roses maid Polly Wheedle splendidly
bonneted who slipped past them into the inn after repulsing Jacks careless
attempt to caress her chin which caused him to tell Evan that he could not get
on without the society of intellectual women
Evan called a boy to hold the horse
»Have you seen her before Jack«
Jack replied »Once Your pensioner upstairs she comes to visit I do
suspect there kinship is betwixt them Ay one might swear them sisters She s
a relief to the monotony of the petrified street the old man with the
browngaitered legs and the doubledup old woman with the crutch I heard the
London horn this morning«
Evan thrust the letter in his hands telling him to read and form an opinion
on it and went in the track of Miss Wheedle
Mr Raikes resumed his station against the pillar and held the letter out
on a level with his thigh Acting as it was his nature to do off the stage he
had not exaggerated his profound melancholy Of a light soil and with a tropical
temperament he had exhausted all lively recollection of his brilliant career
and in the short time since Evan had parted with him sunk abjectly down into
the belief that he was fixed in Fallowfield for life His spirit pined for
agitation and events The horn of the London coach had sounded distant
metropolitan glories in the ears of the exile in rustic parts
Sighing heavily Raikes opened the letter in simple obedience to the wishes
of his friend for he would have preferred to stand contemplating his own state
of hopeless stagnation The sceptical expression he put on when he had read the
letter through must not deceive us John Raikes had dreamed of a beneficent
eccentric old gentleman for many years one against whom haply he had bumped
in a crowded thoroughfare and had with cordial politeness begged pardon of had
then picked up his walkingstick restored it venturing a witty remark
retired accidentally dropping his cardcase subsequently to his astonishment
and gratification receiving a pregnant missive from that old gentlemans
lawyer Or it so happened that Mr Raikes met the old gentleman at a tavern
and by the exercise of a signal dexterity relieved him from a bone in his
throat and reluctantly imparted his address on issuing from the said tavern Or
perhaps it was a lonely highway where the old gentleman walked and John Raikes
had his name in the papers for a deed of heroism nor was man ungrateful Since
he had eaten up his uncle this old gentleman of his dreams walked in town and
country only and alas Mr Raikes could never encounter him in the flesh The
muscles of his face therefore are no index to the real feelings of the youth
when he had thoroughly mastered the contents of the letter and reflected that
the dream of his luck his angelic old gentleman had gone and wantonly
bestowed himself upon Evan Harrington instead of the expectant and far worthier
John Raikes Worthier inasmuch as he gave him credence for existing long ere he
knew of him and beheld him manifest
Raikes retreated to the vacant parlour of the Green Dragon and there Evan
found him staring at the unfolded letter his head between his cramped fists
with a contraction of his mouth Evan was troubled by what he had seen
upstairs and did not speak till Jack looked up and said »Oh there you are«
»Well what do you think Jack«
»Yes it s all right« Raikes rejoined in most matterofcourse tone and
then he stepped to the window and puffed a very deep breath indeed and glanced
from the straight line of the street to the heavens with whom injured as he
was he felt more at home now that he knew them capable of miracles
»Is it a bad joke played upon me« said Evan
Raikes upset a chair »It s quite childish You re made a gentleman for
life and you ask if it s a joke played upon you It s maddening There
there goes my hat«
With a vehement kick Mr Raikes despatched his ancient headgear to the
other end of the room saying that he must have some wine and would and
disdainful was his look at Evan when the latter attempted to reason him into
economy He ordered the wine drank a glass which coloured a new mood in him
and affecting a practical manner said
»I confess I have been a little hurt with you Harrington You left me
stranded on the desert isle I thought myself abandoned I thought I should
never see anything but the lengthening of an endless bill on my landladys face
my sole planet I was resigned till I heard my friend tolootl this morning
He kindled recollection But this is a tidy Port and that was a delectable
sort of young lady you were riding with when we parted last She laughs like the
true metal I suppose you know it s the identical damsel I met the day before
and owe it to for my run on the downs I ve a compliment ready made for her«
»You think that letter written in good faith« said Evan
»Look here« Mr Raikes put on a calmness »You got up the other night and
said you were a tailor a devotee of the cabbage and the goose Why the notion
didnt strike me is extraordinary I ought to have known my man However the
old gentleman who gave the supper he s evidently one of your beastly rich old
ruffianly republicans spent part of his time in America I dare say Put two
and two together«
But as Harrington desired plain prose Mr Raikes tamed his imagination to
deliver it He pointed distinctly at the old gentleman who gave the supper as
the writer of the letter Evan in return confided to him his history and
present position and Mr Raikes without cooling to his fortunate friend
became a trifle patronizing
»You said your father I think I remember at old Cudfords was a cavalry
officer a bold dragoon«
»I did« replied Evan »I told a lie«
»We knew it but we feared your prowess Harrington«
Then they talked over the singular letter uninterruptedly and Evan weak
among his perplexities of position and sentiment wanting money for the girl
upstairs for this distasteful comrades bill at the Green Dragon and for his
own immediate requirements and with the bee buzzing of Rose in his ears »She
despises you« consented in a desperation ultimately to sign his name to it and
despatch Jack forthwith to Messrs Grist
»You ll find it s an imposition« he said beginning less to think it so
now that his name was put to the hated monstrous thing which also now fell to
pricking at curiosity For he was in the early steps of his career and if his
lady holding to pride despised him as he was tortured into the hypocrisy of
confessing she justly might why then unless he was the sport of a farceur
here seemed a gilding of the path of duty he could be serviceable to friends
His claim on fair young Roses love had grown in the short while so prodigiously
asinine that it was a minor matter to constitute himself an old eccentrics
puppet
»No more an imposition than it s 50 of Virgil« quoth the rejected usher
»It smells of a plot« said Evan
»It s the best joke that will be made in my time« said Mr Raikes rubbing
his hands
»And now listen to your luck« said Evan »I wish mine were like it« and
Jack heard of Lady Jocelyns offer He heard also that the young lady he was to
instruct was an heiress and immediately inspected his garments and showed the
sacred necessity there was for him to refit in London under the hands of
scientific tailors Evan wrote him an introduction to Mr Goren counted out the
contents of his purse which Jack had reduced in his study of the pastoral game
of skittles he confessed and calculated in a niggardly way how far it would
go to supply the fellows wants sighing as he did it to think of Jack
installed at Beckley Court while Jack comparing his luck with Evans had
discovered it to be dismally inferior
»Oh confound those bellows you keep blowing« he exclaimed »I wish to be
decently polite Harrington but you annoy me Excuse me pray but the most
unexampled case of a lucky beggar that ever was known and to hear him panting
and ready to whimper it s outrageous You ve only to put up your name and
there you are an independent gentleman By Jove this isnt such a dull world
John Raikes thou livest in times I feel warm in the sun of your prosperity
Harrington Now listen to me Propound thou no inquiries anywhere about the old
fellow who gave the supper Humour his whim he wont have it All Fallowfield
is paid to keep him secret I know it for a fact I plied my rustic friends
every night Eat you yer victuals and drink yer beer and none o yer pryins
and peerins among we That s my rebuff from Farmer Broadmead And that old boy
knows more than he will tell I saw his cunning old eye oncock Be silent
Harrington Let discretion be the seal of thy luck«
»You can reckon on my silence« said Evan »I believe in no such folly Men
dont do these things«
»Ha« went Mr Raikes contemptuously
Of the two he was the foolisher fellow but quacks have cured
incomprehensible maladies and foolish fellows have an instinct for eccentric
actions
Telling Jack to finish the wine Evan rose to go
»Did you order the horse to be fed«
»Did I order the feeding of the horse« said Jack rising and yawning »No
I forgot him Who can think of horses now«
»Poor brute« muttered Evan and went out to see to him
The ostler had required no instructions to give the horse a feed of corn
Evan mounted and rode out of the yard to where Jack was standing bareheaded
in his old posture against the pillar of which the shade had rounded and the
evening sun shone full on him over a black cloud He now looked calmly gay
»I m laughing at the agricultural Broadmead« he said »None o yer pryins
and peerins He thought my powers of amusing prodigious Dang un he do maak a
chap laugh Well Harrington that sort of homage isnt much I admit«
Raikes pursued »There s something in a pastoral life after all«
»Pastoral« muttered Evan »I was speaking of you at Beckley and hope when
you re there you wont make me regret my introduction of you Keep your mind on
old Cudfords muttonbone«
»I perfectly understood you« said Jack »I m presumed to be in luck
Ingratitude is not my fault I m afraid ambition is«
»Console yourself with it or what you can get till we meet here or in
London But the Dragon shall be the address for both of us« Evan said and
nodded trotting off
Chapter XVIII
In Which Evan Calls Himself Gentleman
The young cavalier perused that letter again in memory Genuine or a joke of
the enemy it spoke wakening facts to him He leapt from the spell Rose had
encircled him with Strange that he should have rushed into his dream with eyes
open But he was fully awake now He would speak his last farewell to her and
so end the earthly happiness he paid for in deep humiliation and depart into
that gray cold mist where his duty lay It is thus that young men occasionally
design to burst from the circle of the passions and think that they have done
it when indeed they are but making the circle more swiftly Here was Evan
mouthing his farewell to Rose using phrases so profoundly humble that a
listener would have taken them for bitter irony He said adieu to her
pronouncing it with a pathos to melt scornful princesses He tried to be honest
and was as much so as his disease permitted
The black cloud had swallowed the sun and turning off to the short cut
across the downs Evan soon rode between the wind and the storm He could see
the heavy burden breasting the beaconpoint round which curled leaden arms and
a low internal growl saluted him advancing The horse laid back his ears A last
gust from the opposing quarter shook the furzes and the clumps of long pale
grass and straight fell columns of rattling white rain and in a minute he was
closed in by a hissing ring Men thus pelted abandon without protest the hope of
retaining a dry particle of clothing on their persons Completely drenched the
track lost everything in dense gloom beyond the white enclosure that moved with
him Evan flung the reins to the horse and curiously watched him footing on
for physical discomfort balanced his mental perturbation and he who had just
been chafing was now quite calm
Was that a shepherd crouched under the thorn The place betokened a
shepherd but it really looked like a bundle of the opposite sex and it proved
to be a woman gathered up with her gown over her head Apparently Mr Evan
Harrington was destined for these encounters The thunder rolled as he stopped
by her side and called out to her She heard him for she made a movement but
without sufficiently disengaging her head of its covering to show him a part of
her face
Bellowing against the thunder Evan bade her throw back her garment and
stand and give him up her arms that he might lift her on the horse behind him
There came a muffled answer on a big sob as it seemed And as if heaven
paused to hear the storm was mute
Could he have heard correctly The words he fancied he had heard sobbed
were
»Best bonnet«
The elements hereupon crashed deep and long from end to end like a table of
Titans passing a jest
Raindrops hard as hail were spattering a pool on her head Evan stooped
his shoulder seized the soaked garment and pulled it back revealing the
features of Polly Wheedle and the splendid bonnet in ruins all limp and
stained
Polly blinked at him penitentially
»Oh Mr Harrington oh aint I punished« she whimpered
In truth the maid resembled a wellwatered poppy
Evan told her to stand up close to the horse and Polly stood up close
looking like a creature that expected a whipping She was suffering poor thing
from that abject sense of the lack of a circumference which takes the pride out
of women more than anything Note that in all material fashions as in all
moral observances women demand a circumference and enlarge it more and more as
civilization advances Respect the mighty instinct however mysterious it seem
»Oh Mr Harrington dont laugh at me« said Polly
Evan assured her that he was seriously examining her bonnet
»It s the bonnet of a draggletail« said Polly giving up her arms and
biting her underlip for the lift
With some display of strength Evan got the lean creature up behind him and
Polly settled there and squeezed him tightly with her arms excusing the
liberty she took
They mounted the beacon and rode along the ridge whence the West became
visible and a washed edge of red over Beckley Church spire and the woods of
Beckley Court
»And what have you been doing to be punished What brought you here« said
Evan
»Somebody drove me to Fallowfield to see my poor sister Susan« returned
Polly half crying
»Well did he bring you here and leave you«
»No he wasnt true to his appointment the moment I wanted to go back and
I to pay him out I determined I d walk it where he shouldnt overtake me and
on came the storm And my gown spoilt and such a bonnet«
»Who was the somebody«
»He s a Mr Nicholas Frim sir«
»Mr Nicholas Frim will be very unhappy I should think«
»Yes that s one comfort« said Polly ruefully drying her eyes
Closely surrounding a young man as a young woman must be when both are on
the same horse they as a rule talk confidentially together in a very short
time His »Are you cold« when Polly shivered and her »Oh no not very« and a
slight screwing of her body up to him as she spoke to assure him and herself
of it soon made them intimate
»I think Mr Nicholas Frim mustnt see us riding into Beckley« said Evan
»Oh my gracious Ought I to get down sir« Polly made no move however
»Is he jealous«
»Only when I make him he is«
»That s very naughty of you«
»Yes I know it is all the Wheedles are Mother says we never go right
till we ve once got in a pickle«
»You ought to go right from this hour« said Evan
»It s dizenzy does it« said Polly »And then we re ashamed to show it
My poor Susan went to stay with her aunt at Bodley and then at our cousins at
Hillford and then she was off to Lymport to drown her poor self I do believe
when you met her And all because we cant bear to be seen when we re in any of
our pickles I wish you wouldnt look at me Mr Harrington«
»You look very pretty«
»It s quite impossible I can now« said Polly with a wretched effort to
spread open her collar »I can see myself a fright like my Miss Rose did
making a face in the lookingglass when I was undressing her last night But do
you know I would much rather Nicholas saw us than somebody«
»Who s that«
»Miss Bonner She d never forgive me«
»Is she so strict«
»She only uses servants for spies« said Polly »And since my Miss Rose come
though I m up a step I m still a servant and Miss Bonner d be in a fury
to see my though I m sure we re quite respectable Mr Harrington my
having hold of you as I m obliged to and cant help myself But she d say I
ought to tumble off rather than touch her engaged with a little finger«
»Her engaged« cried Evan
»Aint you sir« quoth Polly »I understand you were going to be from my
lady the Countess We all think so at Beckley Why look how Miss Bonner looks
at you and she s sure to have plenty of money«
This was Pollys innocent way of bringing out a word about her own young
mistress
Evan controlled any denial of his pretensions to the hand of Miss Bonner He
said »Is it your mistresss habit to make faces in the lookingglass«
»I ll tell you how it happened« said Polly »But I m afraid I m in your
way sir Shall I get off now«
»Not by any means« said Evan »Make your arm tighter«
»Will that do« asked Polly
Evan looked round and met her appealing face over which the damp locks of
hair straggled The maid was fair it was fortunate that he was thinking of the
mistress
»Speak on« said Evan but Polly put the question whether her face did not
want washing and so earnestly that he had to regard it again and compromised
the case by saying that it wanted kissing by Nicholas Frim which set Pollys
lips in a pout
»I m sure it wants kissing by nobody« she said adding with a spasm of
passion »Oh I know the colours of my bonnet are all smeared over it and I m
a dreadful fright«
Evan failed to adopt the proper measures to make Miss Wheedles mind easy
with regard to her appearance and she commenced her story rather languidly
»My Miss Rose what was it I was going to tell Oh my Miss Rose You
must know Mr Harrington she s very fond of managing I can see that though
I havent known her long before she gave up short frocks and she said to Mr
Laxley who s going to marry her some day She didnt like my lady the
Countess taking Mr Harry to herself like that I cant abear to speak his
name but I suppose he s not a bit more selfish than the rest of men So Mr
Laxley said just like the jealousy of men they neednt talk of women I m
sure nobody can tell what we have to put up with We mustnt look out of this
eye or out of the other but they re up and oh dear me there s such a
todo as never was known all for nothing «
»My good girl« said Evan recalling her to the subjectmatter with all the
patience he could command
»Where was I« Polly travelled meditatively back »I do feel a little cold«
»Come closer« said Evan »Take this handkerchief it s the only dry thing
I have cover your chest with it«
»The shoulders feel wettest« Polly replied »and they cant be helped I
ll tie it round my neck if you ll stop sir There now I m warmer«
To show how concisely women can narrate when they feel warmer Polly started
off
»So you know Mr Harrington Mr Laxley said he said to Miss Rose You
have taken her brother and she has taken yours And Miss Rose said That was
her own business and nobody elses And Mr Laxley said He was glad she
thought it a fair exchange I heard it all And then Miss Rose said for she
can be in a passion about some things What do you mean Ferdinand was her
words I insist upon your speaking out Miss Rose always will call gentlemen by
their Christian names when she likes them that s always a sign with her And
he wouldnt tell her And Miss Rose got awful angry and she s clever is my
Miss Rose for what does she do Mr Harrington but begins praising you up so
that she knew it must make him mad only because men cant abide praise of
another man when it s a woman that says it meaning young lady for my Miss
Rose has my respect however familiar she lets herself be to us that she likes
The others may go and drown themselves Are you took ill sir«
»No« said Evan »I was only breathing«
»The doctors say it s bad to take such long breaths« remarked artless
Polly »Perhaps my arms are pressing you«
»It s the best thing they can do« murmured Evan dejectedly
»What sir«
»Go and drown themselves«
Polly screwed her lips as if she had a pin between them and continued
»Miss Rose was quite sensible when she praised you as her friend she meant
it every word and then sudden what does Mr Laxley do but say you was
something else besides friend worse or better and she was silent which made
him savage I could hear by his voice And he said Mr Harrington You meant it
if she did not No says she I know better he s as honest as the day Out he
flew and said such things he said Mr Harrington you wasnt fit to be Miss
Roses friend even Then she said she heard he had told lies about you to her
Mama and her aunts but her Mama my lady laughed at him and she at her
aunts Then he said you oh abominable of him«
»What did he say« asked Evan waking up
»Why if I were to tell my Miss Rose some things of him« Polly went on
»she d never so much as speak to him another instant«
»What did he say« Evan repeated
»I hate him« cried Polly »It s Mr Laxley that misleads Mr Harry who
has got his good nature and means no more harm than he can help Oh I didnt
hear what he said of you sir Only I know it was abominable because Miss Rose
was so vexed and you were her dearest friend«
»Well and about the lookingglass«
»That was at night Mr Harrington when I was undressing of her Miss Rose
has a beautiful figure and no need of lacing But I d better get down now«
»For heavens sake stay where you are«
»I tell her she stands as if she d been drilled for a soldier« Polly
quietly continued »You re squeezing my arm with your elbow Mr Harrington It
didnt hurt me So when I had her nearly undressed we were talking about this
and that and you amongst em and I you know rather like you sir if you
ll not think me too bold she started off by asking me what was the nickname
people gave to tailors It was one of her whims I told her they were called
snips I m off«
Polly gave a shriek The horse had reared as if violently stung
»Go on« said Evan »Hold hard and go on«
»Snips Oh and I told her they were called snips It is a word that seems
to make you hate the idea I shouldnt like to hear my intended called snip Oh
he s going to gallop«
And off in a gallop Polly was borne
»Well« said Evan »well«
»I cant Mr Harrington I have to press you so« cried Polly »and I m
bounced so I shall bite my tongue«
After a sharp stretch the horse fell to a canter and then trotted slowly
and allowed Polly to finish
»So Miss Rose was standing sideways to the glass and she turned her neck
and just as I d said snip I saw her saying it in the glass and you never saw
anything so funny It was enough to make anybody laugh but Miss Rose she
seemed as if she couldnt forget how ugly it had made her look She covered her
face with her hands and she shuddered It is a word snip that makes you seem
to despise yourself«
Beckley was now in sight from the edge of the downs lying in its foliage
dark under the grey sky backed by motionless mounds of vapour Miss Wheedle to
her great surprise was suddenly though safely dropped and on her return to the
ground the damsel instantly knew her place and curtseyed becoming gratitude for
his kindness but he was off in a fiery gallop the gall of Demogorgon in his
soul
What s that the leaves of the proud old trees of Beckley Court hiss as he
sweeps beneath them What has suddenly cut him short Is he diminished in
stature Are the lackeys sneering The storm that has passed has marvellously
chilled the air
His sister the Countess once explained to him what Demogorgon was in the
sensation it entailed »You are skinned alive« said the Countess Evan was
skinned alive Fly wretched young man Summon your pride and fly Fly noble
youth for whom storms specially travel to tell you that your mistress makes
faces in the lookingglass Fly where human lips and noses are not scornfully
distorted and get thee a new skin and grow and attain to thy natural height in
a more genial sphere You ladies and gentlemen who may have had a matter to
conceal and find that it is oozing out you whose skeleton is seen stalking
beside you you know what it is to be breathed upon you too are skinned
alive but this miserable youth is not only flayed he is doomed calmly to
contemplate the hideous image of himself burning on the face of her he loves
making beauty ghastly In vain for he is two hours behind the dinnerbell
Mr Burley the butler bows and offers him viands and wine How can he eat
with the phantom of Rose there covering her head shuddering loathing him But
he must appear in company he has a coat if he has not a skin Let him button
it and march boldly Our comedies are frequently youths tragedies We will
smile reservedly as we mark Mr Evan Harrington step into the midst of the fair
society of the drawingroom Rose is at the piano Near her reclines the
Countess de Saldar fanning the languors from her cheeks with a word for the
diplomatist on one side a whisper for Sir John Loring on the other and a very
quiet pair of eyes for everybody Providence she is sure is keeping watch to
shield her sensitive cuticle and she is besides exquisitely happy albeit
outwardly composed for in the room sits his Grace the Duke of Belfield newly
arrived He is talking to her sister Mrs Strike masked by Miss Current The
wife of the Major has come this afternoon and Andrew Cogglesby who brought
her chats with Lady Jocelyn like an old acquaintance
Evan shakes the hands of his relatives Who shall turn over the leaves of
the fair singers musicbook The young men are in the billiardroom Drummond
is engaged in converse with a lovely person with Giorgione hair which the
Countess intensely admires and asks the diplomatist whether he can see a
soupçon of red in it The diplomatists taste is for dark beauties the Countess
is dark
Evan must do duty by Rose And now occurred a phenomenon in him Instead of
shunning her as he had rejoiced in doing after the Jocasta scene ere she had
wounded him he had a curious desire to compare her with the phantom that had
dispossessed her in his fancy Unconsciously when he saw her he transferred the
shame that devoured him from him to her and gazed coldly at the face that
could twist to that despicable contortion
He was in love and subtle love will not be shamed and smothered Love sits
we must remember mostly in two hearts at the same time and the one that is
first stirred by any of the passions to wakefulness may know more of the other
than its owner Why had Rose covered her head and shuddered Would the girl feel
that for a friend If his pride suffered love was not so downcast but to
avenge him for the cold she had cast on him it could be critical and Evan made
his bearing to her a blank
This somehow favoured him with Rose Sheeps eyes are a dainty dish for
little maids and we know how largely they indulge in it but when they are just
a bit doubtful of the quality of the sheep let the good animal shut his lids
forthwith for a time Had she not been a little unkind to him in the morning
She had since tried to help him and that had appeased her conscience for in
truth he was a good young man Those very words she mentally pronounced while
he was thinking »Would she feel it for a friend« We dare but guess at the
puzzle young women present now and then but I should say that Evan was nearer
the mark and that the »good young man« was a sop she threw to that within her
which wanted quieting and was thereby passably quieted Perhaps the good young
man is offended Let us assure him of our disinterested graciousness
»Is your friend coming« she asked and to his reply said »I m glad« and
pitched upon a new song one that by hazard did not demand his attentions
and he surveyed the company to find a vacant seat with a neighbour Juley Bonner
was curled up on the sofa looking like a damsel who has lost the third volume
of an exciting novel and is divining the climax He chose to avoid Miss Bonner
Drummond was leaving the side of the Giorgione lady Evan passed leisurely and
Drummond said
»You know Mrs Evremonde Let me introduce you«
He was soon in conversation with the glorioushaired dame
»Excellently done my brother« thinks the Countess de Saldar
Rose sees the matter coolly What is it to her But she had finished with
song Jenny takes her place at the piano and as Rose does not care for
instrumental music she naturally talks and laughs with Drummond and Jenny does
not altogether like it even though she is not playing to the ear of William
Harvey for whom billiards have such attractions but at the close of the
performance Rose is quiet enough and the Countess observes her sitting alone
pulling the petals of a flower in her lap on which her eyes are fixed Is the
doe wounded The damsel of the disinterested graciousness is assuredly restless
She starts up and goes out upon the balcony to breathe the nightair mayhap
regard the moon and no one follows her
Had Rose been guiltless of offence Evan might have left Beckley Court the
next day to cherish his outraged selflove Love of woman is strongly
distinguished from pure egoism when it has got a wound for it will not go into
a corner complaining it will fight its duel on the field or die Did the young
lady know his origin and scorn him He resolved to stay and teach her that the
presumption she had imputed to him was her own mistake And from this Evan
graduated naturally enough the finer stages of selfdeception downward
A lover must have his delusions just as a man must have a skin But here
was another singular change in Evan After his aleprompted speech in
Fallowfield he was nerved to face the truth in the eyes of all save Rose Now
that the truth had enmeshed his beloved he turned to battle with it he was
prepared to deny it at any moment his burnt flesh was as sensitive as the
Countesss Let Rose accuse him and he would say »This is true Miss Jocelyn
what then« and behold Rose confused and dumb Let not another dare suspect it
For the fire that had scorched him was in some sort healing though horribly
painful but contact with the general air was not to be endured was death
This I believe is common in cases of injury by fire
So it befell that Evan meeting Rose the next morning was playfully asked
by her what choice he had made between the white and the red and he dropping
on her the shallow eyes of a conventional smile replied that unable to decide
and form a choice he had thrown both away at which Miss Jocelyn gave him a
look in the centre of his brows let her head slightly droop and walked off
»She can look serious as well as grimace« was all that Evan allowed himself
to think and he strolled out on the lawn with the careless serenity of lovers
when they fancy themselves heartfree
Rose whipping the piano in the drawingroom could see him go to sit by
Mrs Evremonde till they were joined by Drummond when he left her and walked
with Harry and apparently shadowed the young gentlemans unreflective face
after which Harry was drawn away by the appearance of that dark star the
Countess de Saldar whom Rose was beginning to detest Jenny glided by William
Harveys side far off Rose the young Queen of Friendship was left deserted
on her musicstool for a throne and when she ceased to hammer the notes she was
insulted by a voice that cried from below »Go on Rose it s nice in the sun
to hear you« causing her to close her performances and the instrument
vigorously
Rose was much behind her age she could not tell what was the matter with
her In these little torments young people have to pass through they gain a
rapid maturity Let a girl talk with her own heart an hour and she is almost a
woman Rose came downstairs dressed for riding Laxley was doing her the
service of smoking one of her rosetrees Evan stood disengaged prepared for
her summons She did not notice him but beckoned to Laxley drooping over a bud
while the curled smoke floated from his lips
»The very gracefullest of chimneypots is he not« says the Countess to
Harry whose immense guffaw fails not to apprise Laxley that something has been
said of him for in his dim state of consciousness absence of the power of
retort is the prominent feature and when he has the suspicion of malicious
tongues at their work all he can do is silently to resent it Probably this
explains his conduct to Evan Some youths have an acute memory for things that
have shut their mouths
The Countess observed to Harry that his dear friend Mr Laxley appeared by
the cast of his face to be biting a sour apple
»Grapes you mean« laughed Harry »Never mind she ll bite at him when he
comes in for the title«
»Anything crude will do« rejoined the Countess »Why are you not courting
Mrs Evremonde naughty Don«
»Oh she s occupied castles in possession Besides « and Harry tried
hard to look sly
»Come and tell me about her« said the Countess
Rose Laxley and Evan were standing close together
»You really are going alone Rose« said Laxley
»Didnt I say so unless you wish to join us« she turned upon Evan
»I am at your disposal« said Evan
Rose nodded briefly
»I think I ll smoke the trees« said Laxley perceptibly huffing
»You wont come Ferdinand«
»I only offered to fill up the gap One does as well as another«
Rose flicked her whip and then declared she would not ride at all and
gathering up her skirts hurried back to the house
As Laxley turned away Evan stood before him
The unhappy fellow was precipitated by the devil of his false position
»I think one of us two must quit the field if I go I will wait for you« he
said
»Oh I understand« said Laxley »But if it s what I suppose you to mean I
must decline«
»I beg to know your grounds«
»You have tied my hands«
»You would escape under cover of superior station«
»Escape You have only to unsay tell me you have a right to demand it«
The battle of the sophist victorious within him was done in a flash as Evan
measured his qualities beside this young mans and without a sense of lying
said »I have«
He spoke firmly He looked the thing he called himself now The Countess
too was a dazzling shield to her brother The beautiful Mrs Strike was a
completer vindication of him though he had queer associates and talked oddly
of his family that night in Fallowfield
»Very well sir I admit you manage to annoy me« said Laxley »I can give
you a lesson as well as another if you want it«
Presently the two youths were seen bowing in the stiff curt style of those
cavaliers who defer a passage of temper for an appointed settlement Harry
rushed off to them with a shout and they separated Laxley speaking a word to
Drummond Evan most judiciously the Countess thought joining his fair
sister Caroline whom the Duke held in converse
Drummond returned laughing to the side of Mrs Evremonde nearing whom the
Countess while one ear was being filled by Harrys eulogy of her brothers
recent handling of Laxley and while her intense gratification at the success of
her patient management of her most difficult subject made her smiles no mask
heard »Is it not impossible to suppose such a thing« A hush ensued the
Countess passed
In the afternoon the Jocelyns William Harvey and Drummond met together to
consult about arrangeing the dispute and deputations went to Laxley and to
Evan The former demanded an apology for certain expressions that day and an
equivalent to an admission that Mr Harrington had said in Fallowfield that he
was not a gentleman in order to escape the consequences All the Jocelyns
laughed at his tenacity and gentleman began to be bandied about in ridicule of
the arrogant leanheaded adolescent Evan was placable enough but dogged he
declined to make any admission though within himself he admitted that his
antagonist was not in the position of an impostor which he for one honest word
among them would be exposed as being and which a simple exercise of resolution
to fly the place would save him from being further
Lady Jocelyn enjoyed the fun and still more the serious way in which her
relatives regarded it
»This comes of Rose having friends Emily« said Mrs Shorne
There would have been a dispute to arrange between Lady Jocelyn and Mrs
Shorne had not her ladyship been so firmly established in her phlegmatic
philosophy She said »Quelle enfantillage I dare say Rose was at the bottom of
it she can settle it best Defer the encounter between the boys until they see
they are in the form of donkeys They will and then they ll run on together
as long as their goddess permits«
»Indeed Emily« said Mrs Shorne »I desire you by all possible means to
keep the occurrence secret from Rose She ought not to hear of it«
»No I dare say she ought not« returned Lady Jocelyn »but I wager you she
does You can teach her to pretend not to if you like Ecce signum«
Her ladyship pointed through the library window at Rose who was walking
with Laxley and showing him her pearly teeth in return for one of his jokes an
exchange so manifestly unfair that Lady Jocelyns womanhood indifferent as she
was could not but feel that Rose had an object in view which was true for she
was flattering Laxley into a consent to meet Evan half way
The ladies murmured and hummed of these proceedings and of Roses
familiarity with Mr Harrington and the Countess in trepidation took Evan to
herself and spoke to him seriously a thing she had not done since her
residence in Beckley She let him see that he must be on a friendly footing with
everybody in the house or go which latter alternative Evan told her he had
decided on
»Yes« said the Countess »and then you give people full warrant to say it
was jealousy drove you hence and you do but extinguish yourself to implicate
dear Rose In love Evan when you run away you dont live to fight another
day«
She was commanded not to speak of love
»Whatever it may be my dear« said the Countess »Mr Laxley has used you
ill It may be that you put yourself at his feet« and his sister looked at him
sighing a great sigh She had with violence stayed her mouth concerning what
she knew of the Fallowfield business dreading to alarm his sensitiveness but
she could not avoid giving him a little slap It was only to make him remember
by the smart that he must always suffer when he would not be guided by her
Evan professed to the Jocelyns that he was willing to apologize to Laxley
for certain expressions determining to leave the house when he had done it The
Countess heard and nodded The young men sounded on both sides were
accordingly lured to the billiardroom and pushed together and when he had
succeeded in thrusting the idea of Rose from the dispute it did seem such folly
to Evans common sense that he spoke with pleasant bonhommie about it That
done he entered into his acted part and towered in his conceit considerably
above these aristocratic boors who were speechless and graceless but tigers
for their privileges and advantages
It will not be thought that the Countess intended to permit her brothers
departure To have toiled and yet more to have lied and fretted her
conscience for nothing was as little her principle as to quit the field of
action till she is forcibly driven from it is that of any woman
»Going my dear« she said coolly »Tomorrow Oh very well You are the
judge And this creature the insolvent to the applewoman who is coming whom
you would push here will expose us without a soul to guide his conduct for I
shall not remain And Carry will not remain Carry « The Countess gave a
semisob »Carry must return to her brute « meaning the gallant Marine her
possessor
And the Countess knowing that Evan loved his sister Caroline incidentally
related to him an episode in the domestic life of Major and Mrs Strike
»Greatly redounding to the credit of the noble martinet for the discipline
he upholds« the Countess said smiling at the stunned youth
»I would advise you to give her time to recover from one bruise« she added
»You will do as it pleases you«
Evan was sent rushing from the Countess to Caroline with whom the Countess
was content to leave him
The young man was daintily managed Caroline asked him to stay as she did
not see him often and she brought it in at the close her home was not very
happy She did not entreat him but looking resigned her lovely face conjured
up the Major to Evan and he thought »Can I drive her back to her tyrant« For
so he juggled with himself to have but another day in the sunshine of Rose
Andrew too threw out genial hints about the Brewery Old Tom intended to
retire he said and then they would see what they would see He silenced every
word about Lymport called him a brewer already and made absurd jokes that
were serviceable stuff nevertheless to the Countess who deplored to this one
and to that the chance existing that Evan might by the urgent solicitations of
his brotherinlaw give up diplomacy and its honours for a brewery and lucre
Of course Evan knew that he was managed The memoirs of a managed man have
yet to be written but if he be sincere he will tell you that he knew it all the
time He longed for the sugarplum he knew it was naughty to take it he dared
not for fear of the devil and he shut his eyes while somebody else popped it
into his mouth and assumed his responsibility Being mandriven or chicaned is
different from being managed Being managed implies being led the way this other
person thinks you should go altogether for your own benefit mind you are to
see with her eyes that you may not disappoint your own appetites which does
not hurt the flesh certainly but does damage the conscience and from the
moment you have once succumbed that function ceases to perform its office of
moral strainer so well
After all was he not happier when he wrote himself tailor than when he
declared himself gentleman
So he now imagined till Rose wishing him »Good night« on the balcony and
abandoning her hand with a steady sweet voice and gaze said »How generous of
you to forgive my friend dear Evan« And the ravishing little glimpse of
womanly softness in her set his heart beating If he thought at all it was
that he would have sacrificed body and soul for her
Chapter XIX
Second Despatch of the Countess
We do not advance very far in this second despatch and it will be found chiefly
serviceable for the indications it affords of our Generals skill in mining and
addiction to that branch of military science For the moment I must beg that a
little indulgence be granted to her
»Purely business Great haste Something has happened An event I know
not but events may flow from it
A lady is here who has run away from the conjugal abode and Lady
Jocelyn shelters her and is hospitable to another who is more
concerned in this ladys sad fate than he should be This may be morals
my dear but please do not talk of Portugal now A fineish woman with a
great deal of hair worn as if her maid had given it one comb straight
down and then rolled it up in a hurry round one finger Malice would say
carrots It is called gold Mr Forth is in a glass house and is wrong
to cast his sneers at perfectly inoffensive people
Perfectly impossible we can remain at Beckley Court together if
not dangerous Any means that Providence may designate I would employ
It will be like exorcising a demon Always excuseable I only ask a
little more time for stupid Evan He might have little Bonner now I
should not object but her family is not so good
Now do attend At once obtain a copy of Strikes Company people
You understand prospectuses Tell me instantly if the Captain
Evremonde in it is Captain Lawson Evremonde Pump Strike Excuse vulgar
words Whether he is not Lord Laxleys halfbrother Strike shall be of
use to us Whether he is not mad Captain E s address Oh when I
think of Strike brute and poor beautiful uncomplaining Carry and her
shoulder But let us indeed most fervently hope that his Grace may be
balm to it We must not pray for vengeance It is sinful Providence
will inflict that Always know that Providence is quite sure to It
comforts exceedingly
Oh that Strike were altogether in the past tense No knowing what
the Duke might do a widower and completely subjugated It makes my
bosom bound The man tempts me to the wickedest Frenchy ideas There
We progress with dear venerable Mrs Bonner Truly pious
interested in your Louisa She dreads that my husband will try to
convert me to his creed I can but weep and say never
I need not say I have my circle To hear this ridiculous boy Harry
Jocelyn grunt under my nose when he has led me unsuspectingly away from
company Harriet dearest He thinks it a sigh But there is no time
for laughing
My maxim in any house is never to despise the good opinion of the
nonentities They are the majority I think they all look up to me But
then of course you must fix that by seducing the stars My diplomatist
praises my abilities Sir John Loring my style the rest follow and I
do not withhold my smiles and they are happy and I should be but that
for ungrateful Evans sake I sacrificed my peace by binding myself to a
dreadful sort of halfstory I know I did not quite say it It seems as
if Sir As ghost were going to haunt me And then I have the most
dreadful fears that what I have done has disturbed him in the other
world Can it be so It is not money or estates we took at all dearest
And these excellent young curates I almost wish it was Protestant to
speak a word behind a board to them and imbibe comfort For after all it
is nothing and a word even from this poor thin mopy Mr Parsley might
be relief to a poor soul in trouble Catholics tell you that what you do
in a good cause is redeemable if not exactly right And you know the
Catholic is the oldest Religion of the two I would listen to the Pope
staunch Protestant as I am in preference to King Henry the Eighth
Though as a woman I bear him no rancour for his wives were fools
point blank No man was ever so manageable My diplomatist is getting
liker and liker to him every day Leaner of course and does not
habitually straddle Whiskers and morals I mean We must be silent
before our prudish sister Not a prude We talk diplomacy dearest He
complains of the exclusiveness of the port of Oporto and would have
strict alliance between Portugal and England with mutual privileges I
wish the alliance and think it better to maintain the exclusiveness
Very trifling but what is life
Adieu One word to leave you laughing Imagine her situation This
stupid Miss Carrington has offended me She has tried to pump Conning
who I do not doubt gave her as much truth as I chose she should have
in her well But the quandary of the wretched creature She takes
Conning into her confidence a horrible malady just covered by
highneck dress Skin and impossible that she can tell her engaged
who is guess Mr George Up Her name is Louisa Carrington There
was a Louisa Harrington once Similarity of names perhaps Of course I
could not let him come to the house and of course Miss C is in a state
of wonderment and bad passions I fear I went straight to Lady Roseley
my dear There was nothing else for it but to go and speak She is truly
a noble woman serves us in every way As she should much affected
by sight of Evan and keeps aloof from Beckley Court The finger of
Providence is in all Adieu but do pray think of Miss Carrington It
was foolish of her to offend me Drives and walks the Duke attentive
Description of him when I embrace you I give amiable Sir Franks
Portuguese dishes Ah my dear if we had none but men to contend
against and only women for our tools But this is asking for the world
and nothing less
Open again« she pursues »Dear Carry just come in There are
fairies I think where there are dukes Where could it have come from
Could any human being have sent messengers post to London ordered and
had it despatched here within this short time You shall not be
mystified I do not think I even hinted but the afternoon walk I had
with his Grace on the first day of his arrival I did shadow it very
delicately how much it was to be feared our poor Carry could not that
she dared not betray her liege lord in an evening dress Nothing more
upon my veracity And Carry has this moment received the most beautiful
green box containing two of the most heavenly old lace shawls that you
ever beheld We divine it is to hide poor Carrys matrimonial blue mark
We know nothing Will you imagine Carry is for not accepting it
Priority of birth does not imply superior wits dear no allusion to
you I have undertaken all Arch looks but nothing pointed His Grace
will understand the exquisite expression of feminine gratitude It is so
sweet to deal with true nobility Carry has only to look as she always
does One sees Strike sitting on her Her very pliability has rescued
her from being utterly squashed long ere this The man makes one vulgar
It would have been not the slightest use asking me to be a Christian had
I wedded Strike But think of the fairy presents It has determined me
not to be expelled by Mr Forth quite Tell Silva he is not forgotten
But my dear between us alone men are so selfish that it is too
evident they do not care for private conversations to turn upon a ladys
husband not to be risked only now and then
I hear that the young ladies and the young gentlemen have been out
riding a race The poor little Bonner girl cannot ride and she says to
Carry that Rose wishes to break our brothers neck The child hardly
wishes that but she is feelingless If Evan could care for Miss Bonner
he might have BC Oh it is not so very long a shot my dear I am on
the spot remember Old Mrs Bonner is a most justminded spirit
Juliana is a cripple and her grandmother wishes to be sure that when
she departs to her Lord the poor cripple may not be chased from this
home of hers Rose cannot calculate Harry is in disgrace there is
really no knowing This is how I have reckoned 10000l extra to Rose
perhaps 1000l or nothing to H all the rest of readymoney a large
sum no use guessing to Lady Jocelyn and BC to little Bonner it
is worth 40000l Then she sells or stops permanent resident It
might be so soon for I can see worthy Mrs Bonner to be breaking
visibly But young men will not see with wiser eyes than their own Here
is Evan risking his neck for an indifferent there s some word for not
soft In short Rose is the coldblooded novice as I have always said
the most selfish of the creatures on two legs
Adieu Would you have dreamed that Major Nightmares gallantry to
his wife would have called forth a gallantry so truly touching and
delicate Can you not see Providence there Out of Evil the Catholics
again
Address If Lord Lax s halfbrother If wrong in noddle This I
know you will attend to scrupulously Ridiculous words are sometimes the
most expressive Once more may Heaven bless you all I thought of you
in church last Sunday
I may tell you this young Mr Laxley is here He but it was
Evans utter madness was the cause and I have not ventured a word to
him He compelled Evan to assert his rank and Mr Forths face has been
one concentrated sneer since THEN He must know the origin of the
Cogglesbys or something Now you will understand the importance I
cannot be more explicit Only the man must go
PS I have just ascertained that Lady Jocelyn is quite familiar
with Andrews origin She must think my poor Harriet an eccentric
woman Of course I have not pretended to rank here merely gentry It is
gentry in reality for had poor Papa been legitimized he would have
been a nobleman You know that and between the two we may certainly
claim gentry I twiddle your little good Andrew to assert it for us
twenty times a day Of all the dear little manageable men It does you
infinite credit that you respect him as you do What would have become
of me I do not know
PS I said two shawls a black and a white The black not so
costly very well And so delicate of him to think of the mourning But
the white my dear must be family must Old English point
Exquisitely chaste So different from that Brussels poor Andrew
surprised you with I know it cost money but this is a question of
taste The Duke reconciles me to England and all my troubles He is more
like poor Papa than any one of the men I have yet seen The perfect
gentleman I do praise myself for managing an invitation to our Carry
She has been a triumph«
Admire the concluding stroke The Countess calls this letter a purely business
communication Commercial men might hardly think so but perhaps ladies will
perceive it She rambles concentrically if I may so expound her Full of
luxurious enjoyment of her position her mind is active and you see her at one
moment marking a plot the next with a light exclamation appeasing her
conscience proud that she has one again she calls up rival forms of faith
that she may show the Protestant its little shortcomings and that it is
slightly in debt to her like Providence for her constancy notwithstanding
The Protestant you see does not confess and she has to absolve herself and
must be doing it internally while she is directing outer matters Hence her slap
at King Henry VIII In fact there is much more business in this letter than I
dare to indicate but as it is both impertinent and unpopular to dive for any
length of time beneath the surface especially when there are few pearls to show
for it we will discontinue our examination
The Countess when she had dropped the letter in the bag returned to her
chamber and deputed Dorothy Loring whom she met on the stairs to run and
request Rose to lend her her album to beguile the afternoon with and Dorothy
dances to Rose saying »The Countess de LispyLispy would be delighted to look
at your album all the afternoon«
»Oh what a woman that is« says Rose »Countess de LazyLazy I think«
The Countess had she been listening would have cared little for
accusations on that head Idlesse was fashionable exquisite languors were a
sign of breeding and she always had an idea that she looked more interesting at
dinner after reclining on a couch the whole of the afternoon The great Mel and
his mate had given her robust health and she was able to play the highborn
invalid without damage to her constitution Anything amused her Roses album
even and the compositions of WH EH DF and FL The initials FL were
diminutive and not unlike her own hand she thought They were appended to a
piece of facetiousness that would not have disgraced the abilities of Mr John
Raikes but we know that very stiff young gentlemen betray monkeyminds when
sweet young ladies compel them to disport On the whole it was not a lazy
afternoon that the Countess passed and it was not against her wish that others
should think it was
Chapter XX
BreakNeck Leap
The August sun was in midsky when a troop of ladies and cavaliers issued from
the gates of Beckley Court and winding through the hopgardens emerged on the
cultivated slopes bordering the downs Foremost on her grey cob was Rose
having on her right her uncle Seymour and on her left Ferdinand Laxley Behind
came Mrs Evremonde flanked by Drummond and Evan Then followed Jenny Graine
supported by Harry and William Harvey In the rear came an open carriage in
which Miss Carrington and the Countess de Saldar were borne attended by Lady
Jocelyn and Andrew Cogglesby on horseback The expedition had for its object the
selection of a run of ground for an amateur steeplechase the idea of which had
sprung from Laxleys boasts of his horsemanship and Rose quick as fire had
backed herself and Drummond and Evan to beat him The mention of the latter
was quite enough for Laxley
»If he follows me let him take care of his neck« said that youth
»Why Ferdinand he can beat you in anything« exclaimed Rose imprudently
But the truth was she was now more restless than ever She was not distant
with Evan but she had a feverish manner and seemed to thirst to make him show
his qualities and excel and shine Billiards or jumping or classical
acquirements it mattered not Evan must come first He had crossed the foils
with Laxley and disarmed him for Mel his father had seen him trained for a
military career Rose made a noise about the encounter and Laxley was eager for
his opportunity which he saw in the proposed mad gallop
Now Mr George Uploft who usually rode in buckskins whether he was after
the fox or fresh air was out on this particular morning and it happened that
as the cavalcade wound beneath the down Mr George trotted along the ridge He
was a fatfaced rotund young squire a bully where he might be and an
obedient creature enough where he must be goodhumoured when not interfered
with fond of the table and brimful of all the jokes of the county the accent
of which just seasoned his speech He had somehow plunged into a sort of
halfengagement with Miss Carrington At his age and to ladies of Miss
Carringtons age men unhappily do not plunge headforemost or Miss Carrington
would have had him long before But he was at least in for it half a leg and a
desperate maiden on the criminal side of thirty may make much of that
Previous to the visit of the Countess de Saldar Mr George had been in the
habit of trotting over to Beckley three or four times a week Miss Carrington
had a little money Mr George was heir to his uncle Miss Carrington was lean
and blueeyed Mr George blackeyed and obese By everybody except Mr George
the match was made but that exception goes for little in the country where
half the population are talked into marriage and gossips entirely devote
themselves to continuing the species Mr George was certain that he had not
been fighting shy of the fair Carrington of late nor had he been unfaithful He
had only been in an extraordinary state of occupation Messages for Lady Roseley
had to be delivered and he had become her cavalier and escort suddenly The
young squire was bewildered but as he was only one leg in love if the
sentiment may be thus spoken of figuratively his vanity in his present office
kept him from remorse or uneasiness He rode at an easy pace within sight of the
home of his treasure and his back turned to it Presently there rose a cry from
below Mr George looked about The party of horsemen hallooed Mr George
yoicked Rose set her horse to gallop up Seymour Jocelyn cried »fox« and gave
the view hearing which Mr George shouted and seemed inclined to surrender
but the fun seized him and standing up in his stirrups he gathered his
coattails in a bunch and waggled them with a jolly laugh which was taken up
below and the clamp of hoofs resounded on the turf as Mr George led off after
once more with a jocose twist in his seat showing them the brush mockingly
Away went fox and a mad chase began Seymour acted as master of the hunt Rose
Evan Drummond and Mrs Evremonde and Dorothy skirted to the right all
laughing and full of excitement Harry bellowed the direction from above The
ladies in the carriage with Lady Jocelyn and Andrew watched them till they
flowed one and all over the shoulder of the down
»And who may the poor hunted animal be« inquired the Countess
»George Uploft« said Lady Jocelyn pulling out her watch »I give him
twenty minutes«
»Providence speed him« breathed the Countess with secret fervour
»Oh he hasnt a chance« said Lady Jocelyn »The squire keeps wretched
beasts«
»Is there not an attraction that will account for his hasty capture« said
the Countess looking tenderly at Miss Carrington who sat a little straighter
and the Countess hating manifestations of stiffbackedness could not forbear
adding »I am at war with my sympathies which should be with the poor brute
flying from his persecutors«
She was in a bitter state of trepidation or she would have thought twice
before she touched a nerve of the enamoured lady as she knew she did in calling
her swain a poor brute and did again by pertinaciously pursuing »Does he then
shun his captivity«
»Touching a nerve« is one of those unforgivable small offences which in our
civilized state produce the social vendettas and dramas that with savage
nations spring from the spilling of blood Instead of an eye for an eye a
tooth for a tooth we demand a nerve for a nerve »Thou hast touched me where I
am tender thee too will I touch«
Miss Carrington had been alarmed and hurt at the strange evasion of Mr
George nor could she see the fun of his mimicry of the fox and his flight away
from instead of into her neighbourhood She had also or she now thought it
remarked that when Mr George had been spoken of casually the Countess had not
looked a natural look Perhaps it was her present inflamed fancy At any rate
the Countess was offensive now She was positively vulgar in consequence to
the mind of Miss Carrington and Miss Carrington was drawn to think of a certain
thing Ferdinand Laxley had said he had heard from the mouth of this ladys
brother when ale was in him Alas how one seed of a piece of folly will lurk
and sprout to confound us though like the cock in the eastern tale we peck up
zealously all but that one
The carriage rolled over the turf attended by Andrew and Lady Jocelyn and
the hunt was seen Mr George some forty paces ahead Seymour gaining on him
Rose next
»Who s that breasting Rose« said Lady Jocelyn lifting her glass
»My brotherinlaw Harrington« returned Andrew
»He doesnt ride badly« said Lady Jocelyn »A little too military He must
have been set up in England«
»Oh Evan can do anything« said Andrew enthusiastically »His father was a
capital horseman and taught him fencing riding and every accomplishment You
wont find such a young fellow my lady «
»The brother like him at all« asked Lady Jocelyn still eyeing the chase
»Brother He hasnt got a brother« said Andrew
Lady Jocelyn continued »I mean the present baronet«
She was occupied with her glass and did not observe the flush that took
hold of Andrews ingenuous cheeks and his hurried glance at and off the quiet
eye of the Countess Miss Carrington did observe it
Mr Andrew dashed his face under the palm of his hand and murmured
»Oh yes His brotherinlaw isnt much like him ha ha«
And then the poor little man rubbed his hands unconscious of the indignant
pity for his wretched abilities in the gaze of the Countess and he must have
been exposed there was a fear that the ghost of Sir Abraham would have
darkened this day for Miss Carrington was about to speak when Lady Jocelyn
cried »There s a purl Somebodys down«
The Countess was unaware of the nature of a purl but she could have sworn
it to be a piece of Providence
»Just by old Nat Hodges farm on Squire Coppings ground« cried Andrew
much relieved by the particular individuals misfortune »Dear me my lady how
old Tom and I used to jump the brook there to be sure and when you were no
bigger than little Miss Loring do you remember old Tom We re all fools one
time in our lives«
»Who can it be« said Lady Jocelyn spying at the discomfited horseman »I
m afraid it s poor Ferdinand«
They drove on to an eminence from which the plain was entirely laid open
»I hope my brother will enjoy his ride this day« sighed the Countess »It
will be his limit of enjoyment for a lengthened period«
She perceived that Mr Georges capture was inevitable and her heart sank
for she was sure he would recognize her and at the moment she misdoubted her
powers She dreamed of flight
»You re not going to leave us« said Lady Jocelyn »My dear Countess what
will the future member do without you We have your promise to stay till the
election is over«
»Thanks for your extreme kind courtesy Lady Jocelyn« murmured the
Countess »but my husband the Count«
»The favour is yours« returned her ladyship »And if the Count cannot come
you at least are at liberty«
»You are most kind« said the Countess
»Andrew and his wife I should not dare to separate for more than a week«
said Lady Jocelyn »He is the great British husband The proprietor My wife in
his unanswerable excuse«
»Yes« Andrew replied cheerily »I dont like division between man and wife
I must say«
The Countess dared no longer instance the Count her husband She was heard
to murmur that citizen feelings were not hers
»You suggested Fallowfield to Melville did you not« asked Lady Jocelyn
»It was the merest suggestion« said the Countess smiling
»Then you must really stay to see us through it« said her ladyship »Where
are they now They must be making straight for breakneck fence They ll have
him there George hasnt pluck for that«
»Hasnt what«
It was the Countess who requested to know the name of this other piece of
Providence Mr George Uploft was deficient in
»Pluck go« said her ladyship hastily and telling the coachman to drive
to a certain spot trotted on with Andrew saying to him »I m afraid we are
thought vulgar by the Countess«
Andrew considered it best to reassure her gravely
»The young man her brother is wellbred« said Lady Jocelyn and Andrew
was very ready to praise Evan
Lady Jocelyn herself in slimmer days a spirited horsewoman had correctly
estimated Mr Georges pluck He was captured by Harry and Evan close on the
leap in the act of shaking his head at it and many who inspected the leap
would have deemed it a sign that wisdom weighted the head that would shake long
at it for it consisted of a post and rails with a double ditch
Seymour Jocelyn Mrs Evremonde Drummond Jenny Graine and William Harvey
rode with Mr George in quest of the carriage and the captive was duly
delivered over
»But where s the brush« said Lady Jocelyn laughing and introducing him
to the Countess who dropped her head and with it her veil
»Oh they leave that on for my next run« said Mr George bowing civilly
»You are going to run again«
Miss Carrington severely asked this question and Mr George protested
»Secure him Louisa« said Lady Jocelyn »See here what s the matter with
poor Dorothy«
Dorothy came slowly trotting up to them along the green lane and thus
expressed her grief between sobs
»Isnt it a shame Rose is such a tyrant They re going to ride a race and
a jump down in the field and it s breakneck leap and Rose wont allow me to
stop and see it though she knows I m just as fond of Evan as she is and if he
s killed I declare it will be her fault and it s all for her stupid dirty
old pocket handkerchief«
»Breakneck fence« said Lady Jocelyn »that s rather mad«
»Do lets go and see it darling Aunty Jocy« pleaded the little maid
Lady Jocelyn rode on saying to herself »That girl has a great deal of
devil in her« The ladys thoughts were of Rose
»Black Lymportd take the leap« said Mr George following her with the
rest of the troop »Who s that fellow on him«
»His names Harrington« quoth Drummond
»Oh Harrington« Mr George responded but immediately laughed
»Harrington Gad if he takes the leap it ll be odd another of the name
That s where old Mel had his spill«
»Who« Drummond inquired
»Old Mel Harrington the Lymport wonder Old Marquis Mel« said Mr George
»Havent ye heard of him«
»What the gorgeous tailor« exclaimed Lady Jocelyn »How I regret never
meeting that magnificent snob that efflorescence of sublime imposture Ive
seen the Regent but ones life doesnt seem complete without having seen his
twinbrother You must give us warning when you have him down at Croftlands
again Mr George«
»Gad he ll have to come a long distance poor old Mel« said Mr George
and was going on when Seymour Jocelyn stroked his moustache to cry »Look
Roseys starting em by Jove«
The leap which did not appear formidable from where they stood was four
fields distant from the point where Rose with a handkerchief in her hand was
at that moment giving the signal to Laxley and Evan
Miss Carrington and the Countess begged Lady Jocelyn to order a shout to be
raised to arrest them but her ladyship marked her good sense by saying »Let
them go now they re about it« for she saw that to make a fuss now matters had
proceeded so far was to be uncivil to the inevitable
The start was given and off they flew Harry Jocelyn behind them was
evidently caught by the demon and clapped spurs to his horse to have his fling
as well for the fun of the thing but Rose farther down the field rode from
her post straight across him to the imminent peril of a mutual overset and the
party on the height could see Harry fuming and Rose coolly looking him down
and letting him understand what her will was and her mother and Drummond and
Seymour who beheld this had a common sentiment of admiration for the gallant
girl But away went the rivals Black Lymport was the favourite though none of
the men thought he would be put at the fence The excitement became contagious
The Countess threw up her veil Lady Jocelyn and Seymour and Drummond
galloped down the lane and Mr George was for accompanying them till the line
of Miss Carringtons back gave him her unmistakeable opinion of such a course of
conduct and he had to dally and fret by her side Andrews arm was tightly
grasped by the Countess The rivals were crossing the second field Laxley a
little ahead
»He s holding in the black mare that fellow« said Mr George »Gad it
looks like going at the fence Fancy Harrington«
They were now in the fourth field a smooth shorn meadow Laxley was two
clear lengths in advance but seemed riding as Mr George remarked more for
pace than to take the jump The ladies kept plying random queries and
suggestions the Countess wishing to know whether they could not be stopped by a
countryman before they encountered any danger In the midst of their chatter
Mr George rose in his stirrups crying »Bravo the black mare«
»Has he done it« said Andrew wiping his poll
»He No the mare« shouted Mr George and bolted off no longer to be
restrained
The Countess doubly relieved threw herself back in the carriage and
Andrew drew a breath saying »Evan has beat him I saw that The others horse
swerved right round«
»I fear« said Mrs Evremonde »Mr Harrington has had a fall Dont be
alarmed it may not be much«
»A fall« exclaimed the Countess equally divided between alarms of sisterly
affection and a keen sense of the romance of the thing
Miss Carrington ordered the carriage to be driven round They had not gone
far when they were met by Harry Jocelyn riding in hot haste and he bellowed to
the coachman to drive as hard as he could and stop opposite Brooks farm
The scene on the other side of the fence would have been a sweet one to the
central figure in it had his eyes then been open Surrounded by Lady Jocelyn
Drummond Seymour and the rest Evans duststained body was stretched along
the road and his head was lying in the lap of Rose who pale heedless of
anything spoken by those around her and with her lips set and her eyes turning
wildly from one to the other held a gory handkerchief to his temple with one
hand and with the other felt for the motion of his heart
But heroes dont die you know
Chapter XXI
Tribulations and Tactics of the Countess
»You have murdered my brother Rose Jocelyn«
»Dont say so now«
Such was the interchange between the two that loved the senseless youth as
he was being lifted into the carriage
Lady Jocelyn sat upright in her saddle giving directions about what was to
be done with Evan and the mare impartially
»Stunned and a good deal shaken I suppose Lymports knees are terribly
cut« she said to Drummond who merely nodded And Seymour remarked »Fifty
guineas knocked off her value« One added »Nothing worse I should think« and
another »A little damage inside perhaps« Difficult to say whether they spoke
of Evan or the brute
No violent outcries no reproaches cast on the coldblooded coquette no
exclamations on the heroism of her brother They could absolutely spare a
thought for the animal And Evan had risked his life for this and might die
unpitied The Countess diversified her grief with a deadly bitterness against
the heartless Jocelyns
Oh if Evan dies will it punish Rose sufficiently
Andrew expressed emotion but not of a kind the Countess liked a relative to
be seen exhibiting for in emotion worthy Andrew betrayed to her his origin
offensively
»Go away and puke if you must« she said clipping poor Andrews word about
his dear boy She could not help speaking in that way he was so vulgar A word
of sympathy from Lady Jocelyn might have saved her from the sourness into which
her many conflicting passions were resolving and might also have saved her
ladyship from the rancour she had sown in the daughter of the great Mel by her
selection of epithets to characterize him
Will it punish Rose at all if Evan dies
Rose saw that she was looked at How could the Countess tell that Rose
envied her the joy of holding Evan in the carriage there Rose to judge by her
face was as calm as glass Not so well seen through however Mrs Evremonde
rode beside her whose fingers she caught and twined her own with them tightly
once for a fleeting instant Mrs Evremonde wanted no further confession of her
state
Then Rose said to her mother »Mama may I ride to have the doctor ready«
Ordinarily Rose would have clapped heel to horse the moment the thought
came She waited for the permission and flew off at a gallop waving back
Laxley who was for joining her
»Franks will be a little rusty about the mare« the Countess heard Lady
Jocelyn say and Harry just then stooped his head to the carriage and said in
his blunt fashion »After all it wont show much«
»We are not cattle« exclaimed the frenzied Countess within her bosom
Alas it was almost a democratic outcry they made her guilty of but she was
driven past patience And as a further provocation Evan would open his eyes
She laid her handkerchief over them with loving delicacy remembering in a flash
that her own face had been all the while exposed to Mr George Uploft and then
the terrors of his presence at Beckley Court came upon her and the fact that
she had not for the last ten minutes been the serene Countess de Saldar and she
quite hated Andrew for vulgarity in others evoked vulgarity in her which was
the reason why she ranked vulgarity as the chief of the deadly sins Her
countenance for Harry and all the others save poor Andrew was soon the placid
heavenconfiding sisters again not before Lady Jocelyn had found cause to
observe to Drummond
»Your Countess doesnt ruffle well«
But a lady who is at war with two or three of the facts of Providence and
yet will have Providence for her ally can hardly ruffle well
Do not imagine that the Countesss love for her brother was hollow She was
assured when she came up to the spot where he fell that there was no danger he
had but dislocated his shoulder and bruised his head a little Hearing this
she rose out of her clamorous heart and seized the opportunity for a small
burst of melodrama Unhappily Lady Jocelyn who gave the tone to the rest was
a Spartan in matters of this sort and as she would have seen those dearest to
her bear the luck of the field she could see others When the call for active
help reached her you beheld a different woman
The demonstrativeness the Countess thirsted for was afforded her by Juley
Bonner and in a measure by her sister Caroline who loved Evan passionately
The latter was in riding attire about to mount to ride and meet them
accompanied by the Duke Caroline had hastily tied up her hair a rich golden
brown lump of it hung round her cheek her limpid eyes and anxiouslynerved
brows impressed the Countess wonderfully as she ran down the steps and bent her
fine wellfilled bust forward to ask the first hurried question
The Countess patted her shoulder »Safe dear« she said aloud as one who
would not make much of it And in a whisper »You look superb«
I must charge it to Carolines beauty under the ducal radiance that a
stream of sweet feelings entering into the Countess made her forget to tell her
sister that George Uploft was by Caroline had not been abroad and her skin was
not olivehued she was a beauty and a majestic figure little altered since
the day when the wooden marine marched her out of Lymport
The Countess stepped from the carriage to go and cherish Julianas petulant
distress for that unhealthy little body was stamping with impatience to have
the story told to her to burst into fits of pathos and while Seymour and Harry
assisted Evan to descend trying to laugh off the pain he endured Caroline
stood by soothing him with words and tender looks
Lady Jocelyn passed him and took his hand saying »Not killed this time«
»At your ladyships service tomorrow« he replied and his hand was kindly
squeezed
»My darling Evan you will not ride again« Caroline cried kissing him on
the steps and the Duke watched the operation and the Countess observed the
Duke
That Providence should select her sweetest moments to deal her wounds was
cruel but the Countess just then distinctly heard Mr George Uploft ask Miss
Carrington »Is that lady a Harrington«
»You perceive a likeness« was the answer
Mr George went »Whew tit tit tit« with the profound expression of a
very slow mind
The scene was quickly over There was barely an hour for the ladies to dress
for dinner Leaving Evan in the doctors hand and telling Caroline to dress in
her room the Countess met Rose and gratified her vindictiveness while she
furthered her projects by saying
»Not till my brother is quite convalescent will it be adviseable that you
should visit him I am compelled to think of him entirely now In his present
state he is not fit to be played with«
Rose stedfastly eyeing her seemed to swallow down something in her throat
and said
»I will obey you Countess I hoped you would allow me to nurse him«
»Quiet above all things Rose Jocelyn« returned the Countess with the
suavity of a governess who must be civil in her sourness »If you would not
complete this mornings achievement stay away«
The Countess declined to see that Roses lip quivered She saw an
unpleasantness in the bottom of her eyes and now that her brothers decease was
not even remotely to be apprehended she herself determined to punish the cold
unimpressionable coquette of a girl Before returning to Caroline she had five
minutes conversation with Juliana which fully determined her to continue the
campaign at Beckley Court commence decisive movements and not to retreat
though fifty George Uplofts menaced her Consequently having dismissed Conning
on a message to Harry Jocelyn to ask him for a list of the names of the new
people they were to meet that day at dinner she said to Caroline
»My dear I think it will be incumbent on us to depart very quickly«
Much to the Countesss chagrin and astonishment Caroline replied
»I shall hardly be sorry«
»Not sorry Why what now dear one Is it true then that a flagellated
female kisses the rod Are you so eager for a repetition of Strike«
Caroline with some hesitation related to her more than the Countess had
ventured to petition for in her prayers
»Oh how exceedingly generous« the latter exclaimed »How very refreshing
to think that there are nobles in your England as romantic as courteous as
delicate as our own foreign ones But his Grace is quite an exceptional
nobleman Are you not touched dearest Carry«
Caroline pensively glanced at the reflection of her beautiful arm in the
glass and sighed pushing back the hair from her temples
»But for mercys sake« resumed the Countess in alarm at the sigh »do not
be too too touched Do pray preserve your wits You weep Caroline
Caroline O my goodness it is just fiveandtwenty minutes to the first
dinnerbell and you are crying For Gods sake think of your face Are you
going to be a Gorgon And you show the marks twice as long as any other you
fair women Squinnying like this Caroline for your Louisas sake do not«
Hissing which half angrily and half with entreaty the Countess dropped on
her knees Carolines fit of tears subsided The eldest of the sisters she was
the kindest the fairest the weakest
»Not« said the blandishing Countess when Carolines face was clearer »not
that my best of Carrys does not look delicious in her shower Cry with your
hair down and you would subdue any male creature on two legs And that reminds
me of that most audacious Marquis de Remilla He saw a dirty drab of a
fruitgirl crying in Lisbon streets one day as he was riding in the carriage of
the Duchesse de Col da Rosta and her husband and dueña and he had a letter for
her the Duchesse They loved How deliver the letter Save me he cried to the
Duchesse catching her hand and pressing his heart as if very sick The
Duchesse felt the paper turned her hand over on her knee and he withdrew his
What does my Carry think was the excuse he tendered the Duke This and this
gives you some idea of the wonderful audacity of those dear Portuguese that he
he must precipitate himself and marry any woman he saw weep and be her slave
for the term of his natural life unless another womans hand at the same moment
restrained him There« and the Countesss eyes shone brightly
»How excessively imbecile« Caroline remarked hitherto a passive listener
to these Lusitanian contes
It was the first sign she had yet given of her late intercourse with a
positive Duke and the Countess felt it and drew back No more anecdotes for
Caroline to whom she quietly said
»You are very English dear«
»But now the Duke his Grace« she went on »how did he inaugurate«
»I spoke to him of Evans position God forgive me I said that was the
cause of my looks being sad«
»You could have thought of nothing better« interposed the Countess »Yes«
»He said if he might clear them he should be happy«
»In exquisite language Carry of course«
»No just as others talk«
»Hum« went the Countess and issued again brightly from a cloud of
reflection with the remark »It was to seem businesslike the commerciality
of the English mind To the point I know Well you perceive my sweetest
that Evans interests are in your hands You dare not quit the field In one
week I fondly trust he will be secure What more did his Grace say May we not
be the repository of such delicious secresies«
Caroline gave tremulous indications about the lips and the Countess jumped
to the bell and rang it for they were too near dinner for the trace of a single
tear to be permitted The bell and the appearance of Conning effectually checked
the flood
While speaking to her sister the Countess had hesitated to mention George
Uplofts name hoping that as he had no dinnersuit he would not stop to
dinner that day and would fall to the charge of Lady Roseley once more
Conning however brought in a sheet of paper on which the names of the guests
were written out by Harry a daily piece of service he performed for the
captivating dame and George Uplofts name was in the list
»We will do the rest Conning retire« she said and then folding Caroline
in her arms murmured the moment they were alone »Will my Carry dress her hair
plain today for the love of her Louisa«
»Goodness what a request« exclaimed Caroline throwing back her head to
see if her Louisa could be serious
»Most inexplicable is it not Will she do it«
»Flat dear It makes a fright of me«
»Possibly May I beg it«
»But why dearest why If I only knew why«
»For the love of your Louy«
»Plain along the temples«
»And a knot behind«
»And a band along the forehead«
»Gems if they meet your favour«
»But my cheekbones Louisa«
»They are not too prominent Carry«
»Curls relieve them«
»The change will relieve the curls dear one«
Caroline looked in the glass at the Countess as polished a reflector and
fell into a chair Her hair was accustomed to roll across her shoulders in heavy
curls The Duke would find a change of the sort singular She should not at all
know herself with her hair done differently and for a lovely woman to be
transformed to a fright is hard to bear in solitude or in imagination
»Really« she petitioned
»Really yes or no« added the Countess
»So unaccountable a whim« Caroline looked in the glass dolefully and
pulled up her thick locks from one cheek letting them fall on the instant
»She will« breathed the Countess
»I really cannot« said Caroline with vehemence
The Countess burst into laughter replying »My poor child it is not my
whim it is your obligation George Uploft dines here today Now do you divine
it Disguise is imperative for you«
Mrs Strike gazing in her sisters face answered slowly »George But
how will you meet him« she hurriedly asked
»I have met him« rejoined the Countess boldly »I defy him to know me I
brazen him You with your hair in my style are equally safe You see there is no
choice Pooh contemptible puppy«
»But I never« Caroline was going to say she never could face him »I will
not dine I will nurse Evan«
»You have faced him my dear« said the Countess »and you are to change
your headdress simply to throw him off his scent«
As she spoke the Countess tripped about nodding her head like a girl
Triumph in the sense of her power over all she came in contact with rather
elated the lady
Do you see why she worked her sister in this roundabout fashion She would
not tell her George Uploft was in the house till she was sure he intended to
stay for fear of frightening her When the necessity became apparent she put
it under the pretext of a whim in order to see how far Caroline whose weak
compliance she could count on and whose reticence concerning the Duke annoyed
her would submit to it to please her sister and if she rebelled positively
why to be sure it was the Duke she dreaded to shock and therefore the Duke
had a peculiar hold on her and therefore the Countess might reckon that she
would do more than she pleased to confess to remain with the Duke and was
manageable in that quarter All this she learnt without asking I need not add
that Caroline sighingly did her bidding
»We must all be victims in our turn Carry« said the Countess »Evans
prospects it may be Silvas restoration depend upon your hair being dressed
plain today Reflect on that«
Poor Caroline obeyed but she was capable of reflecting only that her face
was unnaturally lean and strange to her
The sisters tended and arranged one another taking care to push their
mourning a month or two ahead and the Countess animadverted on the vulgar mind
of Lady Jocelyn who would allow a »gentleman to sit down at a gentlewomans
table in full company in pronounced undress« and Caroline utterly miserable
would pretend that she wore a mask and kept grimacing as they do who are not
accustomed to paint on the cheeks till the Countess checked her by telling her
she should ask her for that before the Duke
After a visit to Evan the sisters sailed together into the drawingroom
»Uniformity is sometimes a gain« murmured the Countess as they were
parting in the middle of the room She saw that their fine figures and
profiles and resemblance in contrast produced an effect The Duke wore one of
those calmly intent looks by which men show they are aware of change in the
heavens they study and are too devout worshippers to presume to disapprove Mr
George was standing by Miss Carrington and he also watched Mrs Strike To
bewilder him yet more the Countess persisted in fixing her eyes upon his
heterodox apparel and Mr George became conscious and uneasy Miss Carrington
had to address her question to him twice before he heard Melville Jocelyn Sir
John Loring Sir Franks and Hamilton surrounded the Countess and told her what
they had decided on with regard to the election during the day for Melville was
warm in his assertion that they would not talk to the Countess five minutes
without getting a hint worth having
»Call to us that man who is habited like a groom« said the Countess
indicating Mr George »I presume he is in his right place up here«
»Whew take care Countess our best man He s good for a dozen« said
Hamilton
Mr George was brought over and introduced to the Countess de Saldar
»So the oldest Tory in the county is a fox« she said in allusion to the
hunt Never did Caroline Strike admire her sisters fearful genius more than at
that moment
Mr George ducked and rolled his hand over his chin with »ahum« and the
like ended by a dry laugh
»Are you our supporter Mr Uploft«
»Tory interest maum my lady«
»And are you staunch and may be trusted«
»Pon my honour I think I have that reputation«
»And you would not betray us if we give you any secrets Say Pon my honour
again You launch it out so courageously«
The men laughed though they could not see what the Countess was driving at
She had for two minutes spoken as she spoke when a girl and George entirely
off his guard and unsuspicious looked unenlightened If he knew there were
hints enough for him in her words If he remained blind they might pass as air
The appearance of the butler cut short his protestation as to his powers of
secresy
The Countess dismissed him
»You will be taken into our confidence when we require you« And she resumed
her foreign air in a most elaborate and overwhelming bow
She was now perfectly satisfied that she was safe from Mr George and as
she thoroughly detested the youthful squire she chose to propagate a laugh at
him by saying with the utmost languor and clearness of voice as they descended
the stairs
»After all a very clever fox may be a very dull dog dont you think«
Gentlemen in front of her and behind heard it and at Mr Georges expense
her reputation rose
Thus the genius of this born general prompted her to adopt the principle in
tactics boldly to strike when you are in the dark as to your enemys
movements
Chapter XXII
In which the Daughters of the Great Mel Have to Digest Him at Dinner
You must know if you would form an estimate of the Countesss heroic impudence
that a rumour was current in Lymport that the fair and welldeveloped Louisa
Harrington in her sixteenth year did advisedly and with the intention of
rendering the term indefinite entrust her guileless person to Mr George
Uplofts honourable charge The rumour unflavoured by absolute malignity was
such and it went on to say that the sublime Mel alive to the honour of his
family followed the fugitives with a pistol and with a horsewhip that he
might chastise the offender according to the degree of his offence It was
certain that he had not used the pistol it was said that he had used the whip
The details of the interview between Mel and Mr George were numerous but at
the same time various Some declared that he put a pistol to Mr Georges ear
and under pressure of that persuader got him into the presence of a clergyman
when he turned sulky and when the pistol was again produced the ceremony would
have been performed had not the outraged Church cried out for help Some vowed
that Mr George had referred all questions implying a difference between himself
and Mel to their mutual fists for decision At any rate Mr George turned up in
Fallowfield subsequently the fair Louisa unhurt and with a quiet mind in
Lymport and this amount of truth the rumours can be reduced to that Louisa
and Mr George had been acquainted Rumour and gossip know how to build they
always have some solid foundation however small
Upwards of twelve years had run since Louisa went to the wife of the brewer
a period quite long enough for Mr George to forget any one in and she was
altogether a different creature and as it was true that Mr George was a dull
one she was after the test she had put him to justified in hoping that Mels
progeny might pass unchallenged anywhere out of Lymport So with Mr George
facing her at table the Countess sat down determined to eat and be happy
A man with the education and tastes of a young country squire is not likely
to know much of the character of women and of the marvellous power they have of
throwing a veil of oblivion between themselves and what they dont want to
remember few men know much Mr George had thought when he saw Mrs Strike
leaning to Evan and heard she was a Harrington that she was rather like the
Lymport family but the reappearance of Mrs Strike the attention of the Duke
of Belfield to her and the splendid tactics of the Countess which had
extinguished every thought in the thought of himself drove Lymport out of his
mind
There were some dinner guests at the table people of Fallowfield Beckley
and Bodley The Countess had the diplomatist on one side the Duke on the other
Caroline was under the charge of Sir Franks The Countess almost revelling in
her position opposite Mr George was ambitious to lead the conversation and
commenced smiling at Melville
»We are to be spared politics today I think politics and cookery do not
assimilate«
»I m afraid you wont teach the true Briton to agree with you« said
Melville shaking his head over the sums involved by this British propensity
»No« said Seymour »Election dinners are a part of the Constitution« and
Andrew laughed »They make Radicals pay as well as Tories so it s pretty
square«
The topic was taken up flagged fell and was taken up again And then
Harry Jocelyn said
»I say have you worked the flags yet The great Mel must have his flags«
The flags were in the hands of ladies and ladies would look to the
rosettes he was told
Then a lady of the name of Barrington laughed lightly and said
»Only pray my dear Harry dont call your uncle the Great Mel at the
election«
»Oh very well« quoth Harry »why not«
»You ll get him laughed at that s all«
»Oh well then I wont« said Harry whose wits were attracted by the
Countesss visage
Mrs Barrington turned to Seymour her neighbour and resumed
»He really would be laughed at There was a tailor he was called the Great
Mel and he tried to stand for Fallowfield once I believe he had the support
of Squire Uploft Georges uncle and others They must have done it for fun
Of course he did not get so far as the hustings but I believe he had flags and
principles and all sorts of things worked ready He certainly canvassed«
»A tailor canvassed for Parliament« remarked an old Dowager the mother
of Squire Copping »My what are we coming to next«
»He deserved to get in« quoth Aunt Bel »After having his principles worked
ready to eject the man was infamous«
Amazed at the mine she had sprung the Countess sat through it lamenting
the misery of owning a notorious father Happily Evan was absent on his
peaceful blessed bed
Bowing over wine with the Duke she tried another theme while still like a
pertinacious cracker the Great Mel kept banging up and down the table
»We are to have a feast in the open air I hear What you call picnic«
The Duke believed there was a project of the sort
»How exquisitely they do those things in Portugal I suppose there would be
no scandal in my telling something now At least we are out of
Courtjurisdiction«
»Scandal of the Court« exclaimed his Grace in mock horror
»The option is yours to listen The Queen when young was sweetly pretty a
divine complexion and a habit of smiling on everybody I presume that the young
Habral son of the first magistrate of Lisbon was also smiled on Most
innocently I would swear But it operated on the wretched youth He spent all
his fortune in the purchase and decoration of a fairy villa bordering on the
Val das Rosas where the Court enjoyed its rustic festivities and one day a
storm all the ladies hurried their young mistress to the house where the young
Habral had been awaiting her for ages None so polished as he Musicians started
up the floors were ready and torches beneath them there was a feast of
exquisite wines and viands sparkling Quite enchantment The girlQueen was in
ecstasies She deigned a dance with the young Habral and then all sat down to
supper and in the middle of it came the cry of Fire The Queen shrieked the
flames were seen all around and if the arms of the young Habral were opened to
save her or perish could she cast a thought on Royalty and refuse The Queen
was saved the villa was burnt the young Habral was ruined but if I know a
Portuguese he was happy till he died and well remunerated For he had held a
Queen to his heart So that was a picnic«
The Duke slightly inclined his head
»Vrai Portughez derrendo« he said »They tell a similar story in Spain of
one of the Queens I forget her name The difference between us and your
Peninsular cavaliers is that we would do as much for uncrowned ladies«
»Ah your Grace« The Countess swam in the pleasure of a noblemans
compliment
»What s the story« interposed Aunt Bel
An outline of it was given her Thank heaven the table was now rid of the
Great Mel For how could he have any the remotest relation with Queens and
Peninsular picnics You shall hear
Lady Jocelyn happened to catch a word or two of the story
»Why« said she »that s English Franks you remember the ballet
divertissement they improvised at the Bodley raceball when the magnificent
footman fired a curtain and caught up Lady Roseley and carried her «
»Heaven knows where« cried Sir Franks »I remember it perfectly It was
said that the magnificent footman did it on purpose to have that pleasure«
»Ay of course« Hamilton took him up »They talked of prosecuting the
magnificent footman«
»Ay« followed Seymour »and nobody could tell where the magnificent footman
bolted He vanished into thin air«
»Ay of course« Melville struck in »and the magic enveloped the lady for
some time«
At this point Mr George Uploft gave a horselaugh He jerked in his seat
excitedly
»Bodley raceball« he cried and looking at Lady Jocelyn »Was your
ladyship there then Why ha ha why you have seen the Great Mel then That
tremendous footman was old Mel himself«
Lady Jocelyn struck both her hands on the table and rested her large grey
eyes full of humorous surprise on Mr George
There was a pause and then the ladies and gentlemen laughed
»Yes« Mr George went on »that was old Mel I ll swear to him«
»And that s how it began« murmured Lady Jocelyn
Mr George nodded at his plate discreetly
»Well« said Lady Jocelyn leaning back and lifting her face upward in the
discursive fulness of her fancy »I feel I am not robbed Il y a des miracles
et jen ai vu Ones life seems more perfect when one has seen what nature can
do The fellow was stupendous I conceive him present Wholl fire a house for
me Is it my deficiency of attraction or a total dearth of gallant snobs«
The Countess was drowned The muscles of her smiles were horribly stiff and
painful Caroline was getting pale Could it be accident that thus resuscitated
Mel their father and would not let the dead man die Was not malice at the
bottom of it The Countess though she hated Mr George infinitely was
clearheaded enough to see that Providence alone was trying her No glances were
exchanged between him and Laxley or Drummond
Again Mel returned to his peace and again he had to come forth
»Who was this singular man you were speaking about just now« Mrs Evremonde
asked
Lady Jocelyn answered her »The light of his age The embodied protest
against our social prejudice Combine say Mirabeau and Alcibiades and the
result is the Lymport Tailor he measures your husband in the morning in the
evening he makes love to you through a series of pantomimic transformations He
was a colossal Adonis and I m sorry he s dead«
»But did the man get into society« said Mrs Evremonde »How did he manage
that«
»Yes indeed and what sort of a society« the dowager Copping interjected
»None but bachelortables I can assure you Oh I remember him They talked of
fetching him to Dox Hall I said No thank you Tom this isnt your Vauxhall«
»A sharp retort« said Lady Jocelyn »a most conclusive rhyme but you re
mistaken Many families were glad to see him I hear And he only consented to
be treated like a footman when he dressed like one The fellow had some capital
points He fought two or three duels and behaved like a man Franks wouldnt
have him here or I would have received him I hear that as a conteur he was
inimitable In short he was a robust Brummel and the Regent of low life«
This should have been Mels final epitaph
Unhappily Mrs Melville would remark in her mincing manner that the idea
of the admission of a tailor into society seemed very unnatural and Aunt Bel
confessed that her experience did not comprehend it
»As to that« said Lady Jocelyn »phenomena are unnatural The rules of
society are lightened by the exceptions What I like in this Mel is that though
he was a snob and an impostor he could still make himself respected by his
betters He was honest so far he acknowledged his tastes which were those of
Franks Melville Seymour and George the tastes of a gentleman I prefer him
infinitely to your cowardly democrat who barks for what he cant get and is
generally beastly In fact I m not sure that I havent a secret passion for
the great tailor«
»After all old Mel wasnt so bad« Mr George Uploft chimed in »Granted a
tailor you didnt see a bit of it at table Ive known him taken for a lord
And when he once got hold of you you couldnt give him up The squire met him
first in the coach one winter He took him for a Russian nobleman didnt find
out what he was for a month or so Says Mel Yes I make clothes You find the
notion unpleasant guess how disagreeable it is to me The old squire laughed
and was glad to have him at Croftlands as often as he chose to come Old Mel and
I used to spar sometimes but he s gone and I should like to shake his fist
again«
Then Mr George told the Bath story and episodes in Mels career as
Marquis and while he held the ear of the table Rose who had not spoken a
word and had scarcely eaten a morsel during dinner studied the sisters with
serious eyes Only when she turned them from the Countess to Mrs Strike they
were softened by a shadowy drooping of the eyelids as if for some reason she
deeply pitied that lady
Next to Rose sat Drummond with a face expressive of cynical enjoyment He
devoted uncommon attention to the Countess whom he usually shunned and
overlooked He invited her to exchange bows over wine in the fashion of that
day and the Countess went through the performance with finished grace and ease
Poor Andrew had all the time been brushing back his hair and making strange
deprecatory sounds in his throat like a man who felt bound to assure everybody
at table he was perfectly happy and comfortable
»Material enough for a Sartoriad« said Drummond to Lady Jocelyn
»Excellent Pray write it forthwith Drummond« replied her ladyship and as
they exchanged talk unintelligible to the Countess this lady observed to the
Duke
»It is a relief to have buried that subject«
The Duke smiled raising an eyebrow but the persecuted Countess perceived
she had been much too hasty when Drummond added
»I ll make a journey to Lymport in a day or two and master his history«
»Do« said her ladyship and flourishing her hand »I sing the Prince of
Snobs«
»Oh if it s about old Mel I ll sing you material enough« said Mr
George »There you talk of it s being unnatural his dining out at respectable
tables Why I believe upon my honour I believe it s a fact he s supped
and thrown dice with the Regent«
Lady Jocelyn clapped her hands »A noble culmination Drummond The mans an
Epic«
»Well I think old Mel was equal to it« Mr George pursued »He gave me
pretty broad hints and this is how it was if it really happened you know Old
Mel had a friend some say he was more Well that was a fellow a great
gambler I dare say youve heard of him Burley Bennet him that won Ryelands
Park of one of the royal dukes died worth upwards of £100000 and old Mel
swore he ought to have had it and would if he hadnt somehow offended him He
left the money to Admiral Harrington and he was a relation of Mels«
»But are we then utterly mixed up with tailors« exclaimed Mrs Barrington
»Well those are the facts« said Mr George
The wine made the young squire talkative It is my belief that his supicions
were not awake at that moment and that like any other young country squire
having got a subject he could talk on he did not care to discontinue it The
Countess was past the effort to attempt to stop him She had work enough to keep
her smile in the right place
Every dinner may be said to have its special topic just as every age has
its marked reputation They are put up twice or thrice and have to contend with
minor lights and to swallow them and then they command the tongues of men and
flow uninterruptedly So it was with the great Mel upon this occasion Curiosity
was aroused about him Aunt Bel agreed with Lady Jocelyn that she would have
liked to know the mighty tailor Mrs Shorne but very imperceptibly protested
against the notion and from one to another it ran His Grace of Belfield
expressed positive approval of Mel as one of the old school
»Si ce nest pas le gentilhomme au moins cest le gentilhomme manqué«
said Lady Jocelyn »He is to be regretted Duke You are right The stuff was in
him but the Fates were unkind I stretch out my hand to the pauvre diable«
»I think one learns more from the mock magnifico than from anything else«
observed his Grace
»When the lion saw the donkey in his own royal skin« said Aunt Bel »add
the rhyme at your discretion he was a wiser lion that s all«
»And the ape that strives to copy one he s an animal of judgement« said
Lady Jocelyn »We will be tolerant to the tailor and the Countess must not set
us down as a nation of shopkeepers philosophically tolerant«
The Countess started and ran a little broken »Oh« affably out of her
throat dipped her lips to her tablenapkin and resumed her smile
»Yes« pursued her ladyship »old Mel stamps the age gone by The gallant
adventurer tied to his shop Alternate footman and marquis out of intermediate
tailor Isnt there something fine in his buffoon imitation of the real thing I
feel already that old Mel belongs to me Where is the great man buried Where
have they set the funeral brass that holds his mighty ashes«
Lady Jocelyns humour was fully entered into by the men The women smiled
vacantly and had a common thought that it was illbred of her to hold forth in
that way at table and unfeminine of any woman to speak continuously anywhere
»Oh come« cried Mr George who saw his own subject snapped away from him
by sheer cleverness »old Mel wasnt only a buffoon my lady you know Old Mel
had his qualities He was as much a nononsense fellow in his way as a
magistrate or a minister«
»Or a king or a constable« Aunt Bel helped his illustration
»Or a prince a pollparrot a Perigordpie« added Drummond whose gravity
did not prevent Mr George from seeing that he was laughed at
»Well then now listen to this« said Mr George leaning his two hands on
the table resolutely Dessert was laid and with a full glass beside him and a
pear to peel he determined to be heard
The Countesss eyes went mentally up to the vindictive heavens She stole a
glance at Caroline and was alarmed at her excessive pallor Providence had
rescued Evan from this
»Now I know this to be true« Mr George began »When old Mel was alive he
and I had plenty of sparring and that but he s dead and I ll do him
justice I spoke of Burley Bennet just now Now my lady old Burley was I
think Mels halfbrother and he came I know somewhere out of Drury Lane
one of the courts near the theatre I dont know much of London However old
Mel wouldnt have that Nothing less than being born in St Jamess Square would
content old Mel and he must have a Marquis for his father I neednt be more
particular Before ladies ahem But Burley was the shrewd hand of the two
Ohhh such a card He knew the way to get into company without false
pretences Well I told you he had lots more than 100000l some said two
and he gave up Ryelands never asked for it though he won it Consequence was
he commanded the services of somebody pretty high And it was he got Admiral
Harrington made a captain posted commodore admiral and KCB all in seven
years In the Army it d have been half the time for the HRH was stronger in
that department Now I know old Burley promised Mel to leave him his money and
called the Admiral an ungrateful dog He didnt give Mel much at a time now
and then a twentypounder or so I saw the cheques And old Mel expected the
money and looked over his daughters like a turkeycock Nobody good enough for
them Whacking handsome gals three used to be called the Three Graces of
Lymport And one day Burley comes and visits Mel and sees the girls And he
puts his finger on the eldest I can tell you She was a spanker She was the
handsomest gal I think ever I saw For the mothers a fine woman and what
with the mother and what with old Mel «
»We wont enter into the mysteries of origin« quoth Lady Jocelyn
»Exactly my lady Oh your servant of course Before ladies A Burley
Bennet I said Long and short was he wanted to take her up to London Says old
Mel Londons a sad place Place to make money says Burley That s not work
for a young gal says Mel Long and short was Burley wanted to take her and
Mel wouldnt let her go« Mr George lowered his tone and mumbled »Dont know
how to explain it very well before ladies What Burley wanted was it wasnt
quite honourable you know though there was a good deal of spangles on it and
whether a real HRH or a Marquis or a Viscount I cant say but the offer
was tempting to a tradesman No says Mel like a chap planting his flagstaff
and sticking to it I believe that to get her to go with him Burley offered to
make a will on the spot and to leave every farthing of his money and property
upon my soul I believe it to be true to Mel and his family if he d let the
gal go No says Mel I like the old bird And Burley got in a rage and said he
d leave every farthing to the sailor Says Mel I m a poor tradesman but I
have and I always will have the feelings of a gentleman and they re more to me
than hard cash and the honour of my daughter sir is dearer to me than my
blood Out of the house cries Mel And away old Burley went and left every
penny to the sailor Admiral Harrington who never noticed em an inch Now
there«
All had listened to Mr George attentively and he had slurred the
apologetic passages and emphasized the propitiatory before ladies in a way to
make himself well understood a generation back
»Bravo old Mel« rang the voice of Lady Jocelyn and a murmur ensued in
the midst of which Rose stood up and hurried round the table to Mrs Strike who
was seen to rise from her chair and as she did so the illarranged locks fell
from their unnatural restraint down over her shoulders one great curl half
forward to the bosom and one behind her right ear Her eyes were wide her
whole face neck and fingers white as marble The faintest tremor of a frown
on her brows and her shut lips marked the continuation of some internal
struggle as if with her last conscious force she kept down a flood of tears and
a wild outcry which it was death to hold Sir Franks felt his arm touched and
looked up and caught her as Rose approached The Duke and other gentlemen went
to his aid and as the beautiful woman was borne out white and still as a
corpse the Countess had this dagger plunged in her heart from the mouth of Mr
George addressing Miss Carrington
»I swear I didnt do it on purpose She s Carry Harrington old Mels
daughter as sure as she s flesh and blood«
Chapter XXIII
Treats of a Handkerchief
Running through Beckley Park clear from the chalk a little stream gave light
and freshness to its pasturage Near where it entered a bathinghouse of white
marble had been built under which the water flowed and the dive could be taken
to a paved depth and you swam out over a pebbly bottom into sunlight screened
by the thickweeded banks loosestrife and willowherb and mint nodding over
you and in the later season longplumed yellow grasses Here at sunrise the
young men washed their limbs and here since her return home English Rose loved
to walk by night She had often spoken of the little happy stream to Evan in
Portugal and when he came to Beckley Court she arranged that he should sleep
in a bedroom overlooking it The view was sweet and pleasant to him for all
the babbling of the water was of Rose and winding in and out to East to
North it wound to embowered hopes in the lovers mind to tender dreams and
often at dawn when dressing his restless heart embarked on it and sailed into
havens the phantom joys of which coloured his life for him all the day But
most he loved to look across it when the light fell The palest solitary gleam
along its course spoke to him rich promise The faint blue beam of a star
chained all his longings charmed his sorrows to sleep Rose like a fairy had
breathed her spirit here and it was a delight to the silly luxurious youth to
lie down and fix some image of a flower bending to the stream on his brain and
in the cradle of fancies that grew round it slide down the tide of sleep
From the image of a flower bending to the stream like his own soul to the
bosom of Rose Evan built sweet fables It was she that exalted him that led
him through glittering chapters of adventure In his dream of deeds achieved for
her sake you may be sure the young man behaved worthily though he was modest
when she praised him and his limbs trembled when the land whispered of his
great reward to come The longer he stayed at Beckley the more he lived in this
world within world and if now and then the harsh outer life smote him a look
or a word from Rose encompassed him again and he became sensible only of a
distant pain
At first his hope sprang wildly to possess her to believe that after he
had done deeds that would have sent ordinary men in the condition of shattered
hulks to the hospital she might be his Then blow upon blow was struck and he
prayed to be near her till he died no more Then she herself struck him to
the ground and sitting in his chamber sick and weary on the evening of his
mishap Evans sole desire was to obtain the handkerchief he had risked his neck
for To have that and hold it to his heart and feel it as a part of her
seemed much
Over a length of the stream the red round harvestmoon was rising and the
weakened youth was this evening at the mercy of the charm that encircled him
The water curved and dimpled and flowed flat and the whole body of it rushed
into the spaces of sad splendour The clustered trees stood like temples of
darkness their shadows lengthened supernaturally and a pale gloom crept
between them on the sward He had been thinking for some time that Rose would
knock at his door and give him her voice at least but she did not come and
when he had gazed out on the stream till his eyes ached he felt that he must go
and walk by it Those little flashes of the hurrying tide spoke to him of a
secret rapture and of a joyseeking impulse the pouring onward of all the blood
of life to one illumined heart mournful from excess of love
Pardon me I beg Enamoured young men have these notions Ordinarily Evan
had sufficient common sense and was as prosaic as mankind could wish him but he
has had a terrible fall in the morning and a young woman rages in his brain
Better indeed and more manly were he to strike and raise huge bosses on his
forehead groan and so have done with it We must let him go his own way
At the door he was met by the Countess She came into the room without a
word or a kiss and when she did speak the total absence of any euphuism gave
token of repressed excitement yet more than her angry eyes and eager step Evan
had grown accustomed to her moods and if one moment she was the halcyon and
another the petrel it no longer disturbed him seeing that he was a stranger to
the influences by which she was affected The Countess rated him severely for
not seeking repose and inviting sympathy She told him that the Jocelyns had one
and all combined in an infamous plot to destroy the race of Harrington and that
Caroline had already succumbed to their assaults that the Jocelyns would repent
it and sooner than they thought for and that the only friend the Harringtons
had in the house was Miss Bonner whom Providence would liberally reward
Then the Countess changed to a dramatic posture and whispered aloud »Hush
she is here She is so anxious Be generous my brother and let her see you«
»She« said Evan faintly »May she come Louisa« He hoped for Rose
»I have consented to mask it« returned the Countess »Oh what do I not
sacrifice for you«
She turned from him and to Evans chagrin introduced Juliana Bonner
»Five minutes remember« said the Countess »I must not hear of more« And
then Evan found himself alone with Miss Bonner and very uneasy This young lady
had restless brilliant eyes and a contraction about the forehead which gave one
the idea of a creature suffering perpetual headache She said nothing and when
their eyes met she dropped hers in a manner that made silence too expressive
Feeling which Evan began
»May I tell you that I think it is I who ought to be nursing you not you
me«
Miss Bonner replied by lifting her eyes and dropping them as before
murmuring subsequently »Would you do so«
»Most certainly if you did me the honour to select me«
The fingers of the young lady commenced twisting and intertwining on her
lap Suddenly she laughed
»It would not do at all You wont be dismissed from your present service
till you re unfit for any other«
»What do you mean« said Evan thinking more of the unmusical laugh than of
the words
He received no explanation and the irksome silence caused him to look
through the window as an escape for his mind at least The waters streamed on
endlessly into the golden arms awaiting them The low moon burnt through the
foliage In the distance over a reach of the flood one tall aspen shook
against the lighted sky
»Are you in pain« Miss Bonner asked and broke his reverie
»No I am going away and perhaps I sigh involuntarily«
»You like these grounds«
»I have never been so happy in any place«
»With those cruel young men about you«
Evan now laughed »We dont call young men cruel Miss Bonner«
»But were they not To take advantage of what Rose told them it was base«
She had said more than she intended possibly for she coloured under his
inquiring look and added »I wish I could say the same as you of Beckley Do
you know I am called Roses thorn«
»Not by Miss Jocelyn herself certainly«
»How eager you are to defend her But am I not tell me do I not look
like a thorn in company with her«
»There is but the difference that ill health would make«
»Ill health Oh yes And Rose is so much better born«
»To that I am sure she does not give a thought«
»Not Rose Oh«
An exclamation properly lengthened convinces the feelings more
satisfactorily than much logic Though Evan claimed only the handkerchief he had
won his heart sank at the sound Miss Bonner watched him and springing
forward said sharply
»May I tell you something«
»You may tell me what you please«
»Then whether I offend you or not you had better leave this«
»I am going« said Evan »I am only waiting to introduce your tutor to you«
She kept her eyes on him and in her voice as well there was a depth as she
returned
»Mr Laxley Mr Forth and Harry are going to Lymport tomorrow«
Evan was looking at a figure whose shadow was thrown towards the house from
the margin of the stream
He stood up and taking the hand of Miss Bonner said
»I thank you I may perhaps start with them At any rate you have done me
a great service which I shall not forget«
The figure by the stream he knew to be that of Rose He released Miss
Bonners trembling moist hand and as he continued standing she moved to the
door after once following the line of his eyes into the moonlight
Outside the door a noise was audible Andrew had come to sit with his dear
boy and the Countess had met and engaged and driven him to the other end of the
passage where he hung remonstrating with her
»Why Van« he said as Evan came up to him »I thought you were in a
profound sleep Louisa said «
»Silly Andrew« interposed the Countess »do you not observe he is
sleepwalking now« and she left them with a light laugh to go to Juliana whom
she found in tears The Countess was quite aware of the efficacy of a little bit
of burlesque lying to cover her retreat from any petty exposure
Evan soon got free from Andrew He was under the dim stars walking to the
great fire in the East The cool air refreshed him He was simply going to ask
for his own before he went and had no cause to fear what would be thought by
any one A handkerchief A man might fairly win that and carry it out of a very
noble family without having to blush for himself
I cannot say whether he inherited his feeling for rank from Mel his father
or that the Countess had succeeded in instilling it but Evan never took
Republican ground in opposition to those who insulted him and never lashed his
manhood to assert itself nor compared the fineness of his instincts with the
behaviour of titled gentlemen Rather he seemed to admit the distinction between
his birth and that of a gentleman admitting it to his own soul as it were and
struggled simply as men struggle against a destiny The news Miss Bonner had
given him sufficed to break a spell which could not have endured another week
and Andrew besides had told him of Carolines illness He walked to meet Rose
honestly intending to ask for his own and wish her goodbye
Rose saw him approach and knew him in the distance She was sitting on a
lower branch of the aspen that shot out almost from the root and stretched
over the intervolving rays of light on the tremulous water She could not move
to meet him She was not the Rose whom we have hitherto known Love may spring
in the bosom of a young girl like Hesper in the evening sky a grey speck in a
field of grey and not be seen or known till surely as the circle advances the
faint planet gathers fire and coming nearer earth dilates and will and must
be seen and known When Evan lay like a dead man on the ground Rose turned upon
herself as the author of his death and then she felt this presence within her
and her heart all day had talked to her of it and was throbbing now and would
not be quieted She could only lift her eyes and give him her hand she could
not speak She thought him cold and he was cold enough to think that she and
her cousin were not unlike in their manner though not deep enough to reflect
that it was from the same cause
She was the first to find her wits but not before she spoke did she feel
and start to feel how long had been the silence and that her hand was still in
his
»Why did you come out Evan It was not right«
»I came to speak to you I shall leave early tomorrow and may not see you
alone«
»You are going «
She checked her voice and left the thrill of it wavering in him
»Yes Rose I am going I should have gone before«
»Evan« she grasped his hand and then timidly retained it »You have not
forgiven me I see now I did not think of any risk to you I only wanted you to
beat I wanted you to be first and best If you knew how I thank God for saving
you What my punishment would have been«
Till her eyes were full she kept them on him too deep in emotion to be
conscious of it
He could gaze on her tears coldly
»I should be happy to take the leap any day for the prize you offered I
have come for that«
»For what Evan« But while she was speaking the colour mounted in her
cheeks and she went on rapidly »Did you think it unkind of me not to come to
nurse you I must tell you to defend myself It was the Countess Evan She is
offended with me very justly I dare say She would not let me come What
could I do I had no claim to come«
Rose was not aware of the import of her speech Evan though he felt more in
it and had some secret nerves set tingling and dancing was not to be moved
from his demand
»Do you intend to withhold it Rose«
»Withhold what Evan Anything that you wish for is yours«
»The handkerchief Is not that mine«
Rose faltered a word Why did he ask for it Because he asked for nothing
else and wanted no other thing save that
Why did she hesitate Because it was so poor a gift and so unworthy of him
And why did he insist Because in honour she was bound to surrender it
And why did she hesitate still Let her answer
»Oh Evan I would give you anything but that and if you are going away I
should beg so much to keep it«
He must have been in a singular state not to see her heart in the refusal
as was she not to see his in the request But Love is blindest just when the
bandage is being removed from his forehead
»Then you will not give it me Rose Do you think I shall go about boasting
This is Miss Jocelyns handkerchief and I poor as I am have won it«
The taunt struck aslant in Roses breast with a peculiar sting She stood
up
»I will give it you Evan«
Turning from him she drew it forth and handed it to him hurriedly
It was warm It was stained with his blood He guessed where it had been
nestling and now as if by revelation he saw that large sole star in the bosom
of his darling and was blinded by it and lost his senses
»Rose beloved«
Like the flower of his nightly phantasy bending over the stream he looked
and saw in her sweet face the living wonders that encircled his image she
murmuring »No you must hate me«
»I love you Rose and dare to say it and it s unpardonable Can you
forgive me«
She raised her face to him
»Forgive you for loving me« she said
Holy to them grew the stillness the ripple suffused in golden moonlight
the dark edges of the leaves against superlative brightness Not a chirp was
heard nor anything save the cool and endless carol of the happy waters whose
voices are the spirits of silence Nature seemed consenting that their hands
should be joined their eyes intermingling And when Evan with a lovers
craving wished her lips to say what her eyes said so well Rose drew his
fingers up and with an arch smile and a blush kissed them The simple act set
his heart thumping and from the look of love she saw an expression of pain
pass through him Her fealty her guileless fearless truth which the kissing
of his hand brought vividly before him conjured its contrast as well in this
that was hidden from her or but half suspected Did she know know and love
him still He thought it might be but that fell dead on her asking
»Shall I speak to Mama tonight«
A load of lead crushed him
»Rose« he said but could get no farther
Innocently or with wellmasked design Rose branched off into little sweet
words about his bruised shoulder touching it softly as if she knew the virtue
that was in her touch and accusing her selfish self as she caressed it
»Dearest Evan you must have been sure I thought no one like you Why did you
not tell me before I can hardly believe it now Do you know« she hurried on
»they think me cold and heartless am I I must be to have made you run such
risk but yet I m sure I could not have survived you«
Dropping her voice Rose quoted Ruth As Evan listened the words were like
food from heaven poured into his spirit
»Tomorrow« he kept saying to himself »tomorrow I will tell her all Let
her think well of me a few short hours«
But the passing minutes locked them closer each had a new link in a word
or a speechless breath or a touch and to break the marriage of their eyes
there must be infinite baseness on one side or on the other disloyalty to love
The moon was a silver ball high up through the aspenleaves Evan kissed
the hand of Rose and led her back to the house He had appeased his conscience
by restraining his wild desire to kiss her lips
In the hall they parted Rose whispered »Till death« giving him her hands
Chapter XXIV
The Countess Makes Herself Felt
There is a peculiar reptile whose stroke is said to deprive men of motion On
the day after the great Mel had stalked the dinnertable of Beckley Court
several of the guests were sensible of the effect of this creatures mysterious
touch without knowing what it was that paralyzed them Drummond Forth had fully
planned to go to Lymport He had special reasons for making investigations with
regard to the great Mel Harry who was fond of Drummond offered to accompany
him and Laxley for the sake of a diversion fell into the scheme Mr George
Uploft was also to be of the party and promised them fun But when the time
came to start not one could be induced to move Laxley was pressingly engaged
by Rose Harry showed the rope the Countess held him by Mr George made a
singular face and seriously advised Drummond to give up the project
»Dont rub that woman the wrong way« he said in a private colloquy they
had »By Jingo she s a Tartar She was as a gal and she isnt changed Lou
Harrington Fancy now she knew me and she faced me out and made me think her
a stranger Gad I m glad I didnt speak to the others Lords sake keep it
quiet Dont rouse that woman now if you want to keep a whole skin«
Drummond laughed at his extreme earnestness in cautioning him and appeared
to enjoy his dread of the Countess Mr George would not tell how he had been
induced to change his mind He repeated his advice with a very emphatic shrug of
the shoulder
»You seem afraid of her« said Drummond
»I am I aint ashamed to confess it She s a regular viper my boy« said
Mr George »She and I once were pretty thick least said soonest mended you
know I offended her Wasnt quite up to her mark a tailors daughter you
know Gad if she didnt set an Irish Dragoon Captain on me I went about in
danger of my life The fellow began to twist his damned black moustaches the
moment he clapped eyes on me bullied me till upon my soul I was almost ready
to fight him Oh she was a little tripping Tartar of a bantam hen then She s
grown since she s been countessed and does it peacocky Now I give you fair
warning you know She s more than any mans match«
»I dare say I shall think the same when she has beaten me« quoth cynical
Drummond and immediately went and gave orders for his horse to be saddled
thinking that he would tread on the head of the viper
But shortly before the hour of his departure Mrs Evremonde summoned him to
her and showed him a slip of paper on which was written in an uncouth small
hand
»Madam a friend warns you that your husband is coming here Deep
interest in your welfare is the cause of an anonymous communication The
writer wishes only to warn you in time«
Mrs Evremonde told Drummond that she had received it from one of the servants
when leaving the breakfastroom Beyond the fact that a man on horseback had
handed it to a little boy who had delivered it over to the footman Drummond
could learn nothing Of course all thought of the journey to Lymport was
abandoned If but to excogitate a motive for the origin of the document
Drummond was forced to remain and now he had it and now he lost it again and
as he was wandering about in his maze the Countess met him with a »Good
morning Mr Forth Have I impeded your expedition by taking my friend Mr Harry
to cavalier me today«
Drummond smilingly assured her that she had not in any way disarranged his
projects and passed with so absorbed a brow that the Countess could afford to
turn her head and inspect him without fear that he would surprise her in the
act Knocking the pearly edge of her fan on her teeth she eyed him under her
joined black lashes and deliberately read his thoughts in the mere shape of his
back and shoulders She read him through and through and was unconscious of the
effective attitude she stood in for the space of two full minutes and even then
it required one of our unhappy sex to recall her This was Harry Jocelyn
»My friend« she said to him with a melancholy smile »my one friend here«
Harry went through the form of kissing her hand which he had been taught
and practised cunningly as the first step of the ladder
»I say you looked so handsome standing as you did just now« he remarked
and she could see how far beneath her that effective attitude had precipitated
the youth
»Ah« she sighed walking on with the step of majesty in exile
»What the deuce is the matter with everybody today« cried Harry »I m
hanged if I can make it out There s the Carrington as you call her I met her
with such a pair of eyes and old George looking as if he d been licked at her
heels and there s Drummond and his lady fair moping about the lawn and my
mother positively getting excited there s a miracle and Juleys sharpening
her nails for somebody and if Ferdinand dont look out your brotherll be
walking off with Rosey that s my opinion«
»Indeed« said the Countess »You really think so«
»Well they come it pretty strong together«
»And what constitutes the come it strong Mr Harry«
»Hold of hands you know« the young gentleman indicated
»Alas then must not we be more discreet«
»Oh but it s different With young people one knows what that means«
»Deus« exclaimed the Countess tossing her head weariedly and Harry
perceived his slip and down he went again
What wonder that a youth in such training should consent to fetch and carry
to listen and relate to play the spy and know no more of his office than that
it gave him astonishing thrills of satisfaction and now and then a secret sweet
reward
The Countess had sealed Miss Carringtons mouth by one of her most dexterous
strokes On leaving the dinnertable overnight and seeing that Carolines
attack would preclude their instant retreat the gallant Countess turned at bay
A word aside to Mr George Uploft and then the Countess took a chair by Miss
Carrington She did all the conversation and supplied all the smiles to it and
when a lady has to do that she is justified in striking and striking hard for
to abandon the pretence of sweetness is a gross insult from one woman to
another
The Countess then led circuitously but with all the ease in the world to
the story of a Portuguese lady of a marvellous beauty and who was deeply
enamoured of the Chevalier Miguel de Rasadio and engaged to be married to him
but alas for her in the insolence of her happiness she wantonly made an enemy
in the person of a most unoffending lady and she repented it While sketching
the admirable Chevalier the Countess drew a telling portrait of Mr George
Uploft and gratified her humour and her wrath at once by strong truth to nature
in the description and animated encomiums on the individual The Portuguese
lady too a little resembled Miss Carrington in spite of her marvellous
beauty And it was odd that Miss Carrington should give a sudden start and a
horrified glance at the Countess just when the Countess was pathetically
relating the proceeding taken by the revengeful lady on the beautiful betrothed
of the Chevalier Miguel de Rasadio which proceeding was nothing other than to
bring to the Chevaliers knowledge that his beauty had a defect concealed by her
apparel and that the specks in his fruit were not one or two but Oh And the
dreadful sequel to the story the Countess could not tell preferring ingeniously
to throw a tragic veil over it Miss Carrington went early to bed that night
The courage that mounteth with occasion was eminently the attribute of the
Countess de Saldar After that dreadful dinner she since the weaknesses of
great generals should not be altogether ignored did pray for flight and total
obscurity but Caroline could not be left in her hysteric state and now that
she really perceived that Evan was progressing and on the point of sealing his
chance the devoted lady resolved to hold her ground Besides there was the
picnic The Countess had one dress she had not yet appeared in and it was for
the picnic she kept it That small motives are at the bottom of many
illustrious actions is a modern discovery but I shall not adopt the modern
principle of magnifying the small motive till it overshadows my noble heroine I
remember that the small motive is only to be seen by being borne into the range
of my vision by a powerful microscope and if I do more than see if I carry on
my reflections by the aid of the glass I arrive at conclusions that must be
false Men who dwarf human nature do this The gods are juster The Countess
though she wished to remain for the picnic and felt warm in anticipation of
the homage to her new dress was still a gallant general and a devoted sister
and if she said to herself »Come what may I will stay for that picnic and
they shall not browbeat me out of it« it is that trifling pleasures are
noisiest about the heart of human nature not that they govern us absolutely
There is mobrule in minds as in communities but the Countess had her appetites
in excellent drill This picnic surrendered represented to her defeat in all
its ignominy The largest longestheaded of schemes ask occasionally for
something substantial and immediate So the Countess stipulated with Providence
for the picnic It was a point to be passed »Thorough flood thorough fire«
In vain poor Andrew Cogglesby to whom the dinner had been torture and who
was beginning to see the position they stood in at Beckley begged to be allowed
to take them away or to go alone The Countess laughed him into submission As
a consequence of her audacious spirits she grew more charming and more natural
and the humour that she possessed but which like her other faculties was
usually subordinate to her plans gave spontaneous bursts throughout the day
and delighted her courtiers Nor did the men at all dislike the difference of
her manner with them and with the ladies I may observe that a woman who shows
a marked depression in the presence of her own sex will be thought very superior
by ours that is supposing she is clever and agreeable Manhood distinguishes
what flatters it A lady approaches »We must be proper« says the Countess and
her hearty laugh dies with suddenness and is succeeded by the maturest gravity
And the Countess can look a profound merriment with perfect sedateness when
there appears to be an equivoque in company Finely secret are her glances as
if under every eyelash there lurked the shade of a meaning What she meant was
not so clear All this was going on and Lady Jocelyn was simply amused and sat
as at a play
»She seems to have stepped out of a book of French memoirs« said her
ladyship »La vie galante et dévote voilà la Comtesse«
In contradistinction to the other ladies she did not detest the Countess
because she could not like her
»Where s the harm in her« she asked »She doesnt damage the men that I
can see And a person you can laugh at and with is inexhaustible«
»And how long is she to stay here« Mrs Shorne inquired Mrs Melville
remarking »Her visit appears to be inexhaustible«
»I suppose she ll stay till the Election business is over« said Lady
Jocelyn
The Countess had just driven with Melville to Fallowfield in Carolines
black lace shawl
»Upwards of four weeks longer« Mrs Melville interjected
Lady Jocelyn chuckled
Miss Carrington was present She had been formerly sharp in her condemnation
of the Countess her affectedness her euphuism and her vulgarity Now she did
not say a word though she might have done it with impunity
»I suppose Emily you see what Rose is about« said Mrs Melville »I
should not have thought it adviseable to have that young man here myself I
think I let you know that«
»One young mans as good as another« responded her ladyship »Ive my
doubts of the one that s much better I fancy Rose is as good a judge by this
time as you or I«
Mrs Melville made an effort or two to open Lady Jocelyns eyes and then
relapsed into the confident serenity inspired by evil prognostications
»But there really does seem some infatuation about these people« exclaimed
Mrs Shorne turning to Miss Current »Can you understand it The Duke my dear
Things seem to be going on in the house that really and so openly«
»That s one virtue« said Miss Current with her imperturbable metallic
voice and face like a cold clear northern sky »Things done in secret throw on
the outsiders the onus of raising a scandal«
»You dont believe then« suggested Mrs Shorne
Miss Current replied »I always wait for a thing to happen first«
»But havent you seen my dear«
»I never see anything my dear«
»Then you must be blind my dear«
»On the contrary that s how I keep my sight my dear«
»I dont understand you« said Mrs Shorne
»It s a part of the science of optics and requires study« said Miss
Current
Neither with the worldly nor the unworldly woman could the ladies do
anything But they were soon to have their triumph
A delicious morning had followed the lovely night The stream flowed under
Evans eyes like something in a lower sphere now His passion took him up as
if a genie had lifted him into midair and showed him the world on a palm of a
hand and yet as he dressed by the window little chinks in the garden wall
and nectarines under their shiny leaves and the white walks of the garden were
stamped on his hot brain accurately and lastingly Ruth upon the lips of Rose
that voice of living constancy made music to him everywhere »Thy God shall be
my God« He had heard it all through the night He had not yet broken the tender
charm sufficiently to think that he must tell her the sacrifice she would have
to make When partly he did the first excuse he clutched at was that he had
not even kissed her on the forehead Surely he had been splendidly chivalrous
Just as surely he would have brought on himself the scorn of the chivalrous or
of the commonly balanced if he had been otherwise The grandeur of this or of
any of his proceedings then was forfeited as it must needs be when we are in
the false position we can have no glory though martyred The youth felt it
even to the seeing of why it was and he resolved in justice to the dear girl
that he would break loose from his fetters as we call our weakness Behold
Rose met him descending the stairs and taking his hand sang unabashed by
the telltale colour coming over her face a stave of a little Portuguese air
that they had both been fond of in Portugal and he listening to it and
looking in her eyes saw that his feelings in the old time had been hers
Instantly the old time gave him its breath the present drew back
Rose now that she had given her heart out had no idea of concealment She
would have denied nothing to her aunts she was ready to confide it to her
mother Was she not proud of the man she loved When Evans hand touched hers
she retained it and smiled up at him frankly as it were to make him glad in
her gladness If before others his eyes brought the blood to her cheeks she
would perhaps drop her eyelids an instant and then glance quickly level again
to reassure him And who would have thought that this boisterous boyish
creature had such depths of eye Cold did they call her Let others think her
cold The tender knowledge of her the throbbing secret they held in common
sang at his heart Rose made no confidante but she attempted no mystery Evan
should have risen to the height of the noble girl But the dearer and sweeter
her bearing became the more conscious he was of the dead weight he was
dragging in truth her behaviour stamped his false position to hard print the
more he admired her for it and he had shrinkings from the feminine part it
imposed on him to play
Chapter XXV
In which the Stream Flows Muddy and Clear
An Irish retrieverpup of the Shannon breed Pat by name was undergoing tuition
on the sward close by the kennels Roses huntingwhip being passed through his
collar to restrain erratic propensities The particular point of instruction
which now made poor Pat hang out his tongue and agitate his crisp brown curls
was the performance of the downcharge a ceremony demanding implicit obedience
from the animal in the midst of volatile gambadoes and a simulation of profound
repose when his desire to be up and bounding was mighty Pats Irish eyes were
watching Rose as he lay with his head couched between his forepaws in the
required attitude He had but half learnt his lesson and something in his
halfhumorous halfmelancholy look talked to Rose more eloquently than her
friend Ferdinand at her elbow Laxley was her assistant dogbreaker Rose would
not abandon her friends because she had accepted a lover On the contrary Rose
was very kind to Ferdinand and perhaps felt bound to be so today Today
also her face was lighted a readiness to colour and an expression of deeper
knowledge which she now had made the girl dangerous to friends This was not
Roses fault but there is no doubt among the faculty that love is a contagious
disease and we ought not to come within miles of the creatures in whom it
lodges
Pats tail kept hinting to his mistress that a change would afford him
satisfaction After a time she withdrew her wistful gaze from him and listened
entirely to Ferdinand and it struck her that he spoke particularly well today
though she did not see so much in his eyes as in Pats The subject concerned
his departure and he asked Rose if she should be sorry Rose to make him sure
of it threw a music into her voice dangerous to friends For she had given
heart and soul to Evan and had a sense therefore of being irredeemably in
debt to her old associates and wished to be doubly kind to them
Pat took advantage of the diversion to stand up quietly and have a shake He
then began to kiss his mistresss hand to show that all was right on both
sides and followed this with a playful pretence at a bite that there might be
no subsequent misunderstanding and then a bark and a whine As no attention was
paid to this amount of plainspeaking Pat made a bolt He got no farther than
the length of the whip and all he gained was to bring on himself the terrible
word of drill once more But Pat had tasted liberty Irish rebellion against
constituted authority was exhibited Pat would not his ears tossed over his
head and he jumped to right and left and looked the raggedest rapparee that
ever his ancestry trotted after Rose laughed at his fruitless efforts to get
free but Ferdinand meditatively appeared to catch a sentiment in them
»Downcharge sir will you Ah Pat Pat You ll have to obey me my boy
Now downcharge«
While Rose addressed the language of reason to Pat Ferdinand slipped in a
soft word or two Presently she saw him on one knee
»Pat wont and I will« said he
»But Pat shall and you had better not« said she »Besides my dear
Ferdinand« she added laughing »you dont know how to do it«
»Do you want me prostrate on all fours Rose«
»No I hope not Do get up Ferdinand You ll be seen from the windows«
Instead of quitting his posture he caught her hand and scared her with a
declaration
»Of all men you to be on your knees and to me Ferdinand« she cried in
discomfort
»Why shouldnt I Rose« was this youths answer
He had got the idea that foreign cavalier manners would take with her but
it was not so easy to make his speech correspond with his posture and he lost
his opportunity which was pretty However he spoke plain English The
interview ended by Rose releasing Pat from drill and running off in a hurry
Where was Evan She must have his consent to speak to her mother and prevent a
recurrence of these silly scenes
Evan was with Caroline his sister
It was contrary to the double injunction of the Countess that Caroline
should receive Evan during her absence or that he should disturb the dear
invalid with a visit These two were not unlike both in organization and
character and they had not sat together long before they found each other out
Now to further Evans lovesuit the Countess had induced Caroline to continue
yet awhile in the Purgatory Beckley Court had become to her but Evan in
speaking of Rose expressed a determination to leave her and Caroline caught at
it
»Can you will you Oh dear Van have you the courage I look at me
you know the home I go to and and I think of it here as a place to be happy
in What have our marriages done for us Better that we had married simple
stupid men who earn their bread and would not have been ashamed of us And my
dearest it is not only that None can tell what our temptations are Louisa has
strength but I feel I have none and though dear for your true interest I
would indeed sacrifice myself I would Van I would it is not good for you
to stay I know it is not For you have Papas sense of honour and oh if
you should learn to despise me my dear brother«
She kissed him her nerves were agitated by strong mental excitement He
attributed it to her recent attack of illness but could not help asking while
he caressed her
»What s that Despise you«
It may have been that Caroline felt then that to speak of something was to
forfeit something A light glimmered across the dewy blue of her beautiful eyes
Desire to breathe it to him and have his loving aid the fear of forfeiting it
evil as it was to her and at the bottom of all that doubt we choose to
encourage of the harm in a pleasant sin unaccomplished these might be read in
the rich dim gleam that swept like sunlight over seawater between breaks of
cloud
»Dear Van do you love her so much«
Caroline knew too well that she was shutting her own theme with iron clasps
when she once touched on Evans
Love her Love Rose It became an endless carol with Evan Caroline sighed
for him from her heart
»You know you understand me dont you« he said after a breathless
excursion of his fancy
»I believe you love her dear I think I have never loved any one but my one
brother«
His love for Rose he could pour out to Caroline when it came to Roses love
for him his blood thickened and his tongue felt guilty He must speak to her
he said tell her all
»Yes tell her all« echoed Caroline »Do do tell her Trust a woman
utterly if she loves you dear Go to her instantly«
»Could you bear it« said Evan He began to think it was for the sake of his
sisters that he had hesitated
»Bear it bear anything rather than perpetual imposture What have I not
borne Tell her and then if she is cold to you let us go Let us go I shall
be glad to Ah Van I love you so« Carolines voice deepened »I love you so
my dear You wont let your new love drive me out Shall you always love me«
Of that she might be sure whatever happened
»Should you love me Van if evil befel me«
Thrice as well he swore to her
»But if I if I Van Oh my life is intolerable Supposing I should ever
disgrace you in any way and not turn out all you fancied me I am very weak and
unhappy«
Evan kissed her confidently with a warm smile He said a few words of the
great faith he had in her words that were bitter comfort to Caroline This
brother who might save her to him she dared not speak Did she wish to be
saved She only knew that to wound Evans sense of honour and the high and
chivalrous veneration for her sex and pride in himself and those of his blood
would be wicked and unpardonable and that no earthly pleasure could drown it
Thinking this with her hands joined in pale dejection Caroline sat silent and
Evan left her to lay bare his heart to Rose On his way to find Rose he was
stopped by the announcement of the arrival of Mr Raikes who thrust a bundle of
notes into his hand and after speaking loudly of »his curricle« retired on
important business as he said with a mysterious air »I m beaten in many
things but not in the article Luck« he remarked »you will hear of me though
hardly as a tutor in this academy«
Scanning the bundle of notes without a reflection beyond the thought that
money was in his hand and wondering at the apparition of the curricle Evan was
joined by Harry Jocelyn and Harry linked his arm in Evans and plunged with
extraordinary spontaneity and candour into the state of his money affairs What
the deuce he was to do for money he did not know From the impressive manner in
which he put it it appeared to be one of Natures great problems that the whole
human race were bound to set their heads together to solve A hundred pounds
Harry wanted no more and he could not get it His uncles they were as poor as
rats and all the spare money they could club was going for Mels Election
expenses A hundred and fifty was what Harry really wanted but he could do with
a hundred Ferdinand who had plenty would not even lend him fifty Ferdinand
had dared to hint at a debt already unsettled and he called himself a
gentleman
»You wouldnt speak of moneymatters now would you Harrington«
»I dislike the subject I confess« said Evan
»And so do I« Harry jumped at the perfect similarity between them »You
cant think how it bothers one to have to talk about it You and I are
tremendously alike«
Evan might naturally suppose that a subject Harry detested he would not
continue but for a whole hour Harry turned it over and over with grim glances
at Jewry
»You see« he wound up »I m in a fix I want to help that poor girl and
one or two things «
»It s for that you want it« cried Evan brightening to him »Accept it
from me«
It is a thing familiar to the experience of moneyborrowers that your last
chance is the man who is to accommodate you but we are always astonished
nevertheless and Harry was when notes to the amount of the largest sum named
by him were placed in his hand by one whom he looked upon as the last to lend
»What a trump you are Harrington« was all he could say and then he was
for hurrying Evan into the house to find pen and paper and write down a
memorandum of the loan but Evan insisted upon sparing him the trouble though
Harry with the admirable scruples of an inveterate borrower begged hard to be
allowed to bind himself legally to repay the money
»Pon my soul Harrington you make me remember I once doubted whether you
were one of us rather your own fault you know« said Harry »Bury that wont
you«
»Till your doubts recur« Evan observed and Harry burst out »Gad if you
werent such a melancholy beggar you d be the jolliest fellow I know There
go after Rosey Dashed if I dont think you re ahead of Ferdinand long chalks
Your style does for girls I like women«
With a chuckle and a wink Harry swung off Evan had now to reflect that he
had just thrown away part of the price of his bondage to Tailordom the mention
of Rose filled his mind Where was she Both were seeking one another Rose was
in the cypress walk He saw the starlike figure up the length of it between
the swelling tall dark pillars and was hurrying to her resolute not to let one
minute of deception blacken further the soul that loved so true a soul She saw
him and stood smiling when the Countess issued shadowlike from a side path
and declared that she must claim her brother for a few instants Would her sweet
Rose pardon her Rose bowed coolly The hearts of the lovers were chilled not
that they perceived any malice in the Countess but their keen instincts felt an
evil fate
The Countess had but to tell Evan that she had met the insolvent in apples
and recognized him under his change of fortune and had no doubt that at least
he would amuse the company Then she asked her brother the superfluous question
whether he loved her which Evan answered satisfactorily enough as he thought
but practical ladies require proofs
»Quick« said Evan seeing Rose vanish »what do you want I ll do
anything«
»Anything Ah but this will be disagreeable to you«
»Name it at once I promise beforehand«
The Countess wanted Evan to ask Andrew to be the very best brotherinlaw in
the world and win unknown to himself her cheerful thanks by lending Evan to
lend to her the sum of one hundred pounds as she was in absolute distress for
money
»Really Louisa this is a thing you might ask him yourself« Evan
remonstrated
»It would not become me to do so dear« said the Countess demurely and
inasmuch as she had already drawn on Andrew in her own person pretty largely
her views of propriety were correct in this instance
Evan had to consent before he could be released He ran to the end of the
walk through the portal into the park Rose was not to be seen She had gone in
to dress for dinner The opportunity might recur but would his courage come
with it His courage had sunk on a sudden or it may have been that it was worse
for this young man to ask for a loan of money than to tell his beloved that he
was basely born vile and unworthy and had snared her into loving him for
when he and Andrew were together money was not alluded to Andrew however
betrayed remarkable discomposure He said plainly that he wanted to leave
Beckley Court and wondered why he didnt leave and whether he was on his head
or his feet and how he had been such a fool as to come
»Do you mean that for me« said sensitive Evan
»Oh you You re a young buck« returned Andrew evasively »We
commonplace business men we re out of our element and there s poor Carry
cant sit down to their dinners without an upset I thank God I m a Radical
Van one mans the same as another to me how he s born as long as he s
honest and agreeable But a chap like that George Uploft to look down on
anybody Gad Ive a good mind to bring in a Bill for the Abolition of the
Squirearchy«
Ultimately Andrew somehow contrived to stick a hint or two about the
terrible dinner in Evans quivering flesh He did it as delicately as possible
half begging pardon and perspiring profusely Evan grasped his hand and
thanked him Carolines illness was now explained to him
»I ll take Caroline with me tomorrow« he said »Louisa wishes to stay
there s a picnic Will you look to her and bring her with you«
»My dear Van« replied Andrew »stop with Louisa Now in confidence it s
as bad as a couple of wives no disrespect to my excellent good Harry at home
but Louisa I dont know how it is but Louisa you lose your head you re
in a whirl you re an automaton a teetotum I havent a notion of what Ive
been doing or saying since I came here My belief is Ive been lying right and
left I shall be found out to a certainty Oh if she s made her mind up for
the picnic somebody must stop I can only tell you Van it s one perpetual
vapourbath to me Therell be room for two in my trousers when I get back I
shall have to get the tailor to take them in a full half«
Here occurred an opening for one of those acrid pleasantries which console
us when there is horrid warfare within
»You must give me the work« said Evan partly pleased with his hated self
for being able to jest on the subject as a piece of preliminary selfconquest
»Aha« went Andrew as if the joke were too good to be dwelt on »Hem« and
by way of diverting from it cleverly and naturally he remarked that the weather
was fine This made Evan allude to his letter written from Lymport upon which
Andrew said »tush pish humbug nonsense wont hear a word Dont know
anything about it Van you re going to be a brewer I say you are You re
afraid you cant I tell you sir Ive got a bet on it You re not going to
make me lose are you eh I have and a stiff bet too You must and shall so
there s an end Only we cant make arrangements just yet my boy Old Tom
very good old fellow but you know must get old Tom out of the way first
Now go and dress for dinner And Lord preserve us from the Great Mel today«
Andrew mumbled as he turned away
Evan could not reach his chamber without being waylaid by the Countess Had
he remembered the sister who sacrificed so much for him »There there« cried
Evan and her hand closed on the delicious golden whispers of banknotes And
»Oh generous Andrew dear good Evan« were the exclamations of the gratified
lady
There remained nearly another hundred Evan laid out the notes and eyed
them while dressing They seemed to say to him »We have you now« He was
clutched by a beneficent or a most malignant magician The former seemed due to
him considering the cloud on his fortunes This enigma might mean that by
submitting to a temporary humiliation for a trial of him in fact by his
acknowledgement of the fact loathed though it was he won a secret
overlookers esteem gained a powerful ally Here was the proof he held the
proof He had read Arabian Tales and could believe in marvels especially could
he believe in the friendliness of a magical thing that astounded without hurting
him
He sat down in his room at night and wrote a fairly manful letter to Rose
and it is to be said of the wretch he then saw himself that he pardoned her for
turning from so vile a pretender He heard a step in the passage It was Polly
Wheedle Polly had put her young mistress to bed and was retiring to her own
slumbers He made her take the letter and promise to deliver it immediately
Would not tomorrow morning do she asked as Miss Rose was very sleepy He
seemed to hesitate he was picturing how Rose looked when very sleepy Why
should he surrender this darling And subtler question why should he make her
unhappy Why disturb her at all in her sweet sleep
»Well« said Evan »Tomorrow will do No take it tonight for Gods
sake« he cried as one who bursts the spell of an opiate »Go at once« The
temptation had almost overcome him
Polly thought his proceedings queer And what could the letter contain A
declaration of course She walked slowly along the passage meditating on love
and remotely on its slave Mr Nicholas Frim Nicholas had never written her a
letter but she was determined that he should some day She wondered what
loveletters were like Like valentines without the Cupids Practical
valentines one might say Not vapoury and wild but hot and to the point
Delightful things No harm in peeping at a loveletter if you do it with the
eye of a friend
Polly spelt just a word when a door opened at her elbow She dropped her
candle and curtsied to the Countesss voice The Countess desired her to enter
and all in a tremble Polly crept in Her air of guilt made the Countess thrill
She had merely called her in to extract daily gossip The corner of the letter
sticking up under Pollys neck attracted her strangely and beginning with the
familiar »Well child« she talked of things interesting to Polly and then
exhibited the picnic dress It was a lovely halfmourning airy sorrows gauzy
griefs you might imagine to constitute the wearer White delicately striped
exquisitely trimmed and of a stuff to make the feminine mouth water
Could Polly refuse to try it on when the flattering proposal met her ears
Blushing shamefaced adoring the lady who made her look adorable Polly tried
it on and the Countess complimented her and made a doll of her and turned her
this way and that way and intoxicated her
»A rich husband Polly child and you are a lady ready made«
Infamous poison to poor Polly but as the thunder destroys small insects
exalted schemers are to be excused for riding down their few thousands
Moreover the Countess really looked upon domestics as being only halfsouls
Dressed in her own attire again Polly felt in her pockets and at her
bosom and sang out »Oh my Oh where Oh«
The letter was lost The letter could not be found The Countess grew
extremely fatigued and had to dismiss Polly in spite of her eager petitions to
be allowed to search under the carpets and inside the bed
In the morning came Evans great trial There stood Rose She turned to him
and her eyes were happy and unclouded
»You are not changed« he said
»Changed what could change me«
The God of true hearts bless her He could hardly believe it
»You are the Rose I knew yesterday«
»Yes Evan But you you look as if you had not slept«
»You will not leave me this morning before I go Rose Oh my darling this
that you do for me is the work of an angel nothing less I have been a coward
And my beloved to feel vile is agony to me it makes me feel unworthy of the
hand I press Now all is clear between us I go I am forgiven«
Rose repeated his last words and then added hurriedly »All is clear
between us Shall I speak to Mama this morning Dear Evan it will be right that
I should«
For the moment he could not understand why but supposing a scrupulous
honesty in her said »Yes tell Lady Jocelyn all«
»And then Evan you will never need to go«
They separated The deeptoned sentence sang in Evans heart Rose and her
mother were of one stamp And Rose might speak for her mother To take the hands
of such a pair and be lifted out of the slough he thought no shame and all
through the hours of the morning the image of two angels stooping to touch a
leper pressed on his brain like a reality and went divinely through his blood
Toward midday Rose beckoned to him and led him out across the lawn into
the park and along the borders of the stream
»Evan« she said »shall I really speak to Mama«
»You have not yet« he answered
»No I have been with Juliana and with Drummond Look at this Evan« She
showed a small black speck in the palm of her hand which turned out on your
viewing it closely to be a brand of the letter L »Mama did that when I was a
little girl because I told lies I never could distinguish between truth and
falsehood and Mama set that mark on me and I have never told a lie since She
forgives anything but that She will be our friend she will never forsake us
Evan if we do not deceive her Oh Evan it never is of any use But deceive
her and she cannot forgive you It is not in her nature«
Evan paused before he replied »You have only to tell her what I have told
you You know everything«
Rose gave him a flying look of pain »Everything Evan What do I know«
»Ah Rose do you compel me to repeat it«
Bewildered Rose thought »Have I slept and forgotten it«
He saw the persistent grieved interrogation of her eyebrows
»Well« she sighed resignedly »I am yours you know that Evan«
But he was a lover and quarrelled with her sigh
»It may well make you sad now Rose«
»Sad no that does not make me sad No but my hands are tied I cannot
defend you or justify myself and induce Mama to stand by us Oh Evan you love
me why can you not open your heart to me entirely and trust me«
»More« cried Evan »Can I trust you more« He spoke of the letter Rose
caught his hand
»I never had it Evan You wrote it last night and all was written in it I
never saw it but I know all«
Their eyes fronted The gates of Roses were wide open and he saw no
hurtful beasts or lurking snakes in the happy garden within but Love like a
fixed star
»Then you know why I must leave Rose«
»Leave Leave me On the contrary you must stay by me and support me Why
Evan we have to fight a battle«
Much as he worshipped her this intrepid directness of soul startled him
almost humbled him And her eyes shone with a firm cheerful light as she
exclaimed »It makes me so happy to think you were the first to mention this
You meant to be and that s the same thing I heard it this morning you wrote
it last night It s you I love Evan Your birth and what you were obliged to
do that s nothing Of course I m sorry for it dear But I m more sorry for
the pain I must have sometimes put you to It happened through my mothers
father being a merchant and that side of the family the men and women are quite
sordid and unendurable and that s how it came that I spoke of disliking
tradesmen I little thought I should ever love one sprung from that class«
She turned to him tenderly
»And in spite of what my birth is you love me Rose«
»There s no spite in it Evan I do«
Hard for him while his heart was melting to caress her the thought that he
had snared this bird of heaven in a net Rose gave him no time for reflection
or the moony imagining of their raptures lovers love to dwell upon
»You gave the letter to Polly of course«
»Yes«
»Oh naughty Polly I must punish you« Rose apostrophized her »You might
have divided us for ever Well we shall have to fight a battle you understand
that Will you stand by me«
Would he not risk his soul for her
»Very well Evan Then but dont be sensitive Oh how sensitive you are
I see it all now This is what we shall have to do We shall have to speak to
Mama today this morning Drummond has told me he is going to speak to her
and we must be first That s decided I begged a couple of hours You must not
be offended with Drummond He does it out of pure affection for us and I can
see he s right or at least not quite wrong He ought I think to know that
he cannot change me Very well we shall win Mama by what we do My mother has
ten times my wits and yet I manage her like a feather I have only to be honest
and straightforward Then Mama will gain over Papa Papa of course wont like
it He s quiet and easy but he likes blood but he also likes peace better
and I think he loves Rosey as well as somebody almost Look dear there is
our seat where we where you would rob me of my handkerchief I cant talk any
more«
Rose had suddenly fallen from her prattle soft and shortbreathed
»Then dear« she went on »we shall have to fight the family Aunt Shorne
will be terrible My poor uncles I pity them But they will come round They
always have thought what I did was right and why should they change their minds
now I shall tell them that at their time of life a change of any kind is very
unwise and bad for them Then there is Grandmama Bonner She can hurt us really
if she pleases Oh my dear Evan if you had only been a curate Why isnt your
name Parsley Then my Grandmama the Countess of Elburne Well we have a
Countess on our side havent we And that reminds me Evan if we re to be
happy and succeed you must promise one thing you will not tell the Countess
your sister Dont confide this to her Will you promise«
Evan assured her he was not in the habit of pouring secrets into any bosom
the Countesss as little as anothers
»Very well then Evan it s unpleasant while it lasts but we shall gain
the day Uncle Melville will give you an appointment and then«
»Yes Rose« he said »I will do this though I dont think you can know
what I shall have to endure not in confessing what I am but in feeling that I
have brought you to my level«
»Does it not raise me« she cried
He shook his head
»But in reality Evan apart from mere appearances in reality it does it
does«
»Men will not think so Rose nor can I Oh my Rose how different you make
me Up to this hour I have been so weak torn two ways You give me double
strength«
Then these lovers talked of distant days compared their feelings on this
and that occasion with mutual wonder and delight Then the old hours lived anew
And did you really think that Evan And Oh Rose was that your dream And
the meaning of that bygone look was it what they fancied And such and such a
tone of voice would it bear the wished interpretation Thus does Love avenge
himself on the unsatisfactory Past and call out its essence
Could Evan do less than adore her She knew all and she loved him Since he
was too shy to allude more than once to his letter it was natural that he
should not ask her how she came to know and how much the all that she knew
comprised In his letter he had told all the condition of his parents and his
own Honestly now what with his dazzled state of mind his deep inward
happiness and loves endless delusions he abstained from touching the subject
further Honestly therefore as far as a lover can be honest
So they toyed and then Rose setting her fingers loose whispered »Are you
ready« And Evan nodded and Rose to make him think light of the matter in
hand laughed »Pluck not quite up yet«
»Quite my Rose« said Evan and they walked to the house not quite knowing
what they were going to do
On the steps they met Drummond with Mrs Evremonde Little imagining how
heart and heart the two had grown and that Evan would understand him Drummond
called to Rose playfully »Times up«
»Is it« Rose answered and to Mrs Evremonde »Give Drummond a walk Poor
Drummond is going silly«
Evan looked into his eyes calmly as he passed
»Where are you going Rose« said Mrs Evremonde
»Going to give my maid Polly a whipping for losing a letter she ought to
have delivered to me last night« said Rose in a loud voice looking at
Drummond »And then going to Mama Pleasure first duty after Isnt that the
proverb Drummond«
She kissed her fingers rather scornfully to her old friend
Chapter XXVI
Mrs Mel Makes a Bed for Herself and Family
The last person thought of by her children at this period was Mrs Mel nor had
she been thinking much of them till a letter from Mr Goren arrived one day
which caused her to pass them seriously in review Always an early bird and
with maxims of her own on the subject of rising and getting the worm she was
standing in a small perch in the corner of the shop dictating accounts to Mrs
Fiske who was copying hurriedly that she might earn sweet intervals for
gossip when Dandy limped up and delivered the letter Mrs Fiske worked hard
while her aunt was occupied in reading it for a great deal of fresh talk
follows the advent of the post and may be reckoned on Without looking up
however she could tell presently that the letter had been read through Such
being the case and no conversation coming of it her curiosity was violent Her
aunts face too was an index of something extraordinary That inflexible
woman instead of alluding to the letter in any way folded it up and renewed
her dictation It became a contest between them which should show her human
nature first Mrs Mel had to repress what she knew Mrs Fiske to control the
passion for intelligence The close neighbourhood of one anxious to receive and
one capable of giving waxed too much for both
»I think Anne you are stupid this morning« said Mrs Mel
»Well I am aunt« said Mrs Fiske pretending not to see which was the
first to unbend »I dont know what it is The figures seem all dazzled like I
shall really be glad when Evan comes to take his proper place«
»Ah« went Mrs Mel and Mrs Fiske heard her muttering Then she cried out
»Are Harriet and Caroline as great liars as Louisa«
Mrs Fiske grimaced »That would be difficult would it not aunt«
»And I have been telling everybody that my son is in town learning his
business when he s idling at a country house and trying to play his father
over again Upon my word what with liars and fools if you go to sleep a minute
you have a months work on your back«
»What is it aunt« Mrs Fiske feebly inquired
»A gentleman I suppose He wouldnt take an order if it was offered Upon
my word when tailors think of winning heiresses it s time we went back to Adam
and Eve«
»Do you mean Evan aunt« interposed Mrs Fiske who probably did not see
the turns in her aunts mind
»There read for yourself« said Mrs Mel and left her with the letter
Mrs Fiske read that Mr Goren had been astonished at Evans nonappearance
and at his total silence which he did not consider altogether gentlemanly
behaviour and certainly not such as his father would have practised Mr Goren
regretted his absence the more as he would have found him useful in a remarkable
invention he was about to patent being a peculiar red cross upon shirts a
fortune to the patentee but as Mr Goren had no natural heirs of his body he
did not care for that What affected him painfully was the news of Evans doings
at a noble house Beckley Court to wit where according to the report of a
rich young gentleman friend Mr Raikes for whose custom Mr Goren was bound to
thank Evan the youth who should have been learning the science of Tailoring
had actually passed himself off as a lord or the son of one or something of
the kind and had got engaged to a wealthy heiress and would no doubt marry
her if not found out Where the chances of detection were so numerous Mr Goren
saw much to condemn in the idea of such a marriage But »like father like son«
said Mr Goren He thanked the Lord that an honest tradesman was not looked down
upon in this country and in fact gave Mrs Mel a few quiet digs to waken her
remorse in having missed the man that he was
When Mrs Fiske met her aunt again she returned her the letter and simply
remarked »Louisa«
Mrs Mel nodded She understood the implication
The General who had schemed so successfully to gain Evan time at Beckley
Court in his own despite and against a hundred obstructions had now another
enemy in the field and one who if she could not undo her work could punish
her By the afternoon coach Mrs Mel accompanied by Dandy her squire was
journeying to Fallowfield bent upon things The faithful squire was kept by her
side rather as a security for others than for his particular services Dandys
arms were crossed and his countenance was gloomy He had been promised a
holiday that afternoon to give his mistress Sally Kilnes cook an airing and
Dandy knew in his soul that Sally when she once made up her mind to an
excursion would go and would not go alone and that her very force of will
endangered her constancy He had begged humbly to be allowed to stay but Mrs
Mel could not trust him She ought to have told him so perhaps Explanations
were not approved of by this wellintended despot and however beneficial her
resolves might turn out for all parties it was natural that in the interim the
children of her rule should revolt and Dandy picturing his Sally flaunting on
the arm of some accursed low marine haply kicked against Mrs Mels
sovereignty though all that he did was to shoot out his fist from time to time
and grunt through his set teeth »Iron« to express the character of her awful
rule
Mrs Mel alighted at the Dolphin the landlady of which was a Mrs Hawkshaw
a rival of Mrs Sockley of the Green Dragon She was welcomed by Mrs Hawkshaw
with considerable respect The great Mel had sometimes slept at the Dolphin
»Ah that black« she sighed indicating Mrs Mels dress and the story it
told
»I cant give you his room my dear Mrs Harrington wishing I could I m
sorry to say it s occupied for all I ought to be glad I dare say for he s
an old gentleman who does you a good turn if you study him But there I d
rather have had poor dear Mr Harrington in my best bed than old or young
Princes or nobodies I would he was that grand and pleasant«
Mrs Mel had her tea in Mrs Hawkshaws parlour and was entertained about
her husband up to the hour of supper when a short step and a querulous voice
were heard in the passage and an old gentleman appeared before them
»Who s to carry up my trunk maam No man here«
Mrs Hawkshaw bustled out and tried to lay her hand on a man Failing to
find the growth spontaneous she returned and begged the old gentleman to wait a
few moments and the trunk would be sent up
»Parcel o women« was his reply »Regularly bedevilled Gets worse and
worse I ll carry it up myself«
With a wheezy effort he persuaded the trunk to stand on one end and then
looked at it The exertion made him hot which may account for the rage he burst
into when Mrs Hawkshaw began flutteringly to apologize
»You re sure maam sure what are you sure of I ll tell you what I am
sure of eh This keeping clear of mens a damned pretence You dont impose
upon me Dont believe in your pothouse nunneries not a bit Just like you
when you are virtuous it s deuced inconvenient Let one of the maids try No
Dont believe in em«
Having thus relieved his spleen the old gentleman addressed himself to
further efforts and waxed hotter He managed to tilt the trunk over and thus
gained a length and by this method of progression arrived at the foot of the
stairs where he halted and wiped his face blowing lustily
Mrs Mel had been watching him with calm scorn all the while She saw him
attempt most ridiculously to impel the trunk upwards by a similar process and
thought it time to interfere
»Dont you see you must either take it on your shoulders or have a help«
The old gentleman sprang up from his peculiarly tight posture to blaze round
at her He had the words wellpeppered on his mouth but somehow he stopped and
was subsequently content to growl »Where s the help in a parcel of
petticoats«
Mrs Mel did not consider it necessary to give him an answer She went up
two or three steps and took hold of one handle of the trunk saying »There I
think it can be managed this way« and she pointed for him to seize the other
end with his hand
He was now in that unpleasant state of prickly heat when testy old gentlemen
could commit slaughter with ecstasy Had it been the maid holding a candle who
had dared to advise he would have overturned her undoubtedly and established a
fresh instance of the impertinence the uselessness and weakness of women Mrs
Mel topped him by half a head and in addition stood three steps above him
towering like a giantess The extreme gravity of her large face dispersed all
idea of an assault The old gentleman showed signs of being horribly injured
nevertheless he put his hand to the trunk it was lifted and the procession
ascended the stairs in silence
The landlady waited for Mrs Mel to return and then said
»Really Mrs Harrington you are clever That lifting that trunks as good
as a lock and bolt on him Youve as good as made him a Dolphin him that was
one o the oldest Green Dragons in Fallifield My thanks to you most sincere«
Mrs Mel sent out to hear where Dandy had got to after which she said
»Who is the man«
»I told you Mrs Harrington the oldest Green Dragon His name you mean
Do you know if I was to breathe it out I believe he d jump out of the window
He d be off that you might swear to Oh such a whimsical not illmeaning
quite the contrary Study his whims and you ll never want There s Mrs
Sockley she s took ill He wont go there that s how Ive caught him my
dear but he pays her medicine and she looks to him the same He hate a sick
house but he pity a sick woman Now if I can only please him I can always
look on him as half a Dolphin to say the least and perhaps tomorrow I ll
tell you who he is and what but not tonight for there s his supper to get
over and that they say can be as bad as the busting of one of his own vats
Awful«
»What does he eat« said Mrs Mel
»A pair o chops That seem simple now dont it And yet they chops make
my heart go pittypat«
»The commonest things are the worst done« said Mrs Mel
»It aint that but they must be done his particular way do you see Mrs
Harrington Laid close on the fire he say so as to keep in the juice But he
ups and bounces in a minute at a speck o black So one thing or the other
there you are no blacks no juices I say«
»Toast the chops« said Mrs Mel
The landlady of the Dolphin accepted this new idea with much enlightenment
but ruefully declared that she was afraid to go against his precise
instructions Mrs Mel then folded her hands and sat in quiet reserve She was
one of those numerous women who always know themselves to be right She was also
one of those very few whom Providence favours by confounding dissentients She
was positive the chops would be illcooked but what could she do She was not
in command here so she waited serenely for the certain disasters to enthrone
her Not that the matter of the chops occupied her mind particularly nor could
she dream that the pair in question were destined to form a part of her history
and divert the channel of her fortunes Her thoughts were about her own
immediate work and when the landlady rushed in with the chops under a cover
and said »Look at em dear Mrs Harrington« she had forgotten that she was
again to be proved right by the turn of events
»Oh the chops« she responded »Send them while they are hot«
»Send em Why you dont think I d have risked their cooling I have sent
em and what do he do but send em travelling back and here they be and what
objections his is I might study till I was blind and I shouldnt see em«
»No I suppose not« said Mrs Mel »He wont eat em«
»Wont eat anything but his bedroom candle immediately And whether his
sheets are aired And Mary says he sniffed at the chops and that gal really did
expect he d fling them at her I told you what he was Oh dear«
The bell was heard ringing in the midst of the landladys lamentations
»Go to him yourself« said Mrs Mel »No Christian man should go to sleep
without his supper«
»Ah but he aint a common Christian« returned Mrs Hawkshaw
The old gentleman was in a hurry to know when his bedroom candle was coming
up or whether they intended to give him one at all that night if not let them
say so as he liked plainspeaking The moment Mrs Hawkshaw touched upon the
chops he stopped her mouth
»Go about your business maam You cant cook em I never expected you
could I was a fool to try you It requires at least ten years instruction
before a man can get a woman to cook his chop as he likes it«
»But what was your complaint sir« said Mrs Hawkshaw imploringly
»That s right« and he rubbed his hands and brightened his eyes savagely
»That s the way Opportunity for gossip Things well done down it goes you
know that You cant have a word over it eh Things done fit to toss on a
dungheap aha Then there s a cackle My belief is you do it on purpose Cant
be such rank idiots You do it on purpose All done for gossip«
»Oh sir no« The landlady half curtsied
»Oh maam yes« The old gentleman bobbed his head
»No indeed sir« The landlady shook hers
»Damn it maam I swear you do«
Symptoms of wrath here accompanied the declaration and with a sigh and a
very bitter feeling Mrs Hawkshaw allowed him to have the last word Apparently
this which I must beg to call the ladys morsel comforted his irascible
system somewhat for he remained in a state of composure eight minutes by the
clock And mark how little things hang together Another word from the landlady
precipitating a retort from him and a gesture or muttering from her and from
him a snapping outburst and from her a sign that she held out still in fact
had she chosen to battle for that last word as in other cases she might have
done then would he have exploded gone to bed in the dark and insisted upon
sleeping the consequence of which would have been to change this history Now
while Mrs Hawkshaw was upstairs Mrs Mel called the servant who took her to
the kitchen where she saw a prime loin of mutton off which she cut two chops
with a cunning hand and these she toasted at a gradual distance putting a
plate beneath them and a tin behind and hanging the chops so that they would
turn without having to be pierced The bell rang twice before she could say the
chops were ready The first time the maid had to tell the old gentleman she was
taking up his water Her next excuse was that she had dropped her candle The
chops ready who was to take them
»Really Mrs Harrington you are so clever you ought if I might be so
bold as say so you ought to end it yourself« said the landlady »I cant ask
him to eat them he was all but on the busting point when I left him«
»And that there candle did for him quite« said Mary the maid
»I m afraid it s chops cooked for nothing« added the landlady
Mrs Mel saw them endangered The maid held back the landlady feared
»We can but try« she said
»Oh I wish mum you d face him stead o me« said Mary »I do dread
that old bears den«
»Here I will go« said Mrs Mel »Has he got his ale Better draw it fresh
if he drinks any«
And upstairs she marched the landlady remaining below to listen for the
commencement of the disturbance An utterance of something certainly followed
Mrs Mels entrance into the old bears den Then silence Then what might have
been question and answer Then was Mrs Mel assaulted and which was knocked
down It really was a chair being moved to the table The door opened
»Yes maam do what you like« the landlady heard Mrs Mel descended
saying »Send him up some fresh ale«
»And you have made him sit down obedient to those chops« cried the
landlady »Well might poor dear Mr Harrington pleasant man as he was say
as he used to say There s lovely women in the world Mrs Hawkshaw he d say
and there s Duchesses he d say and there s they that can sing and can
dance and some he says that can cook But he d look sly as he d stoop his
head and shake it Roll em into one he says and not any of your grand ladies
can match my wife at home And indeed Mrs Harrington he told me he thought
so many a time in the great company he frequented«
Perfect peace reigning above Mrs Hawkshaw and Mrs Mel sat down to supper
below and Mrs Hawkshaw talked much of the great one gone His relict did not
care to converse about the dead save in their practical aspect as ghosts but
she listened and that passed the time Byandby the old gentleman rang and
sent a civil message to know if the landlady had ships rum in the house
»Dear here s another trouble« cried the poor woman »No none«
»Say yes« said Mrs Mel and called Dandy and charged him to run down the
street to the square and ask for the house of Mr Coxwell the maltster and
beg of him in her name a bottle of his ships rum
»And dont you tumble down and break the bottle Dandy Accidents with
spiritbottles are not excused«
Dandy went on the errand after an energetic grunt
In due time he returned with the bottle whole and sound and Mr Coxwells
compliments Mrs Mel examined the cork to see that no process of suction had
been attempted and then said
»Carry it up to him Dandy Let him see there s a man in the house besides
himself«
»Why my dear« the landlady turned to her »it seems natural to you to be
mistress where you go I dont at all mind for aint it my profit But you do
take us off our legs«
Then the landlady warmed by gratitude told her that the old gentleman was
the great London brewer who brewed there with his brother and brewed for
himself five miles out of Fallowfield half of which and a good part of the
neighbourhood he owned and his name was Mr Tom Cogglesby
»Oh« said Mrs Mel »And his brother is Mr Andrew«
»That s it« said the landlady »And because he took it into his head to go
and to choose for himself and be married no getting his brother Mr Tom to
speak to him Why not indeed If there s to be no marrying the sooner we lay
down and give up the better I think But that s his way He do hate us women
Mrs Harrington I have heard he was crossed Some say it was the lady of
Beckley Court who was a Beauty when he was only a poor cobblers son«
Mrs Mel breathed nothing of her relationship to Mr Tom but continued from
time to time to express solicitude about Dandy They heard the door open and
old Tom laughing in a capital good temper and then Dandy came down evidently
full of ships rum
»He s pumped me« said Dandy nodding heavily at his mistress
Mrs Mel took him up to his bedroom and locked the door On her way back
she passed old Toms chamber and his chuckles were audible to her
»They finished the rum« said Mrs Hawkshaw
»I shall rate him for that tomorrow« said Mrs Mel »Giving that poor
beast liquor«
»Rate Mr Tom Oh Mrs Harrington Why he ll snap your head off for a
word«
Mrs Mel replied that her head would require a great deal of snapping to
come off
During this conversation they had both heard a singular intermittent noise
above Mrs Hawkshaw was the first to ask
»What can it be More trouble with him He s in his bedroom now«
»Mad with drink like Dandy perhaps« said Mrs Mel
»Hark« cried the landlady »Oh«
It seemed that Old Tom was bouncing about in an extraordinary manner Now
came a pause as if he had sworn to take his rest now the room shook and the
windows rattled
»Oned think really his bed was a fryingpan and him a live fish in it«
said the landlady »Oh there again My goodness have he got a flea«
The thought was alarming Mrs Mel joined in
»Or a «
»Dont dont my dear« she was cut short »Oh one o them little thingsd
be ruin to me To think o that Hark at him It must be And what s to do
Ive sent the maids to bed We havent a man If I was to go and knock at his
door and ask«
»Better try and get him to be quiet somehow«
»Ah I dare say I shall make him fire out fifty times worse«
Mrs Hawkshaw stipulated that Mrs Mel should stand by her and the two
women went upstairs and stood at Old Toms door There they could hear him
fuming and muttering imprecations and anon there was an interval of silence
and then the room was shaken and the cursings recommenced
»It must be a fight he s having with a flea« said the landlady »Oh pray
heaven it is a flea For a flea my dear gentlemen may bring that
theirselves but a b that s a stationary and born of a bed Dont you hear
The other thingd give him a minutes rest but a fleas hop hop off and on
And he sound like an old gentleman worried by a flea What are you doing«
Mrs Mel had knocked at the door The landlady waited breathlessly for the
result It appeared to have quieted Old Tom
»What s the matter« said Mrs Mel severely
The landlady implored her to speak him fair and reflect on the desperate
things he might attempt
»What s the matter Can anything be done for you«
Mr Tom Cogglesbys reply comprised an insinuation so infamous regarding
women when they have a solitary man in their power that it cannot be placed on
record
»Is anything the matter with your bed«
»Anything Yes anything is the matter maam Hope twenty live geese inside
it s enough eh Bed do you call it It s the rack It s damnation Bed
Ha«
After delivering this he was heard stamping up and down the room
»My very best bed« whispered the landlady »Would it please you sir to
change I can give you another«
»I m not a man of experiments maam specially in strange houses«
»So very very sorry«
»What the deuce« Old Tom came close to the door »You whimpering You put a
man in a beast of a bed you drive him half mad and then begin to blubber Go
away«
»I am so sorry sir«
»If you dont go away maam I shall think your intentions are improper«
»Oh my goodness« cried poor Mrs Hawkshaw »What can one do with him«
Mrs Mel put Mrs Hawkshaw behind her
»Are you dressed« she called out
In this way Mrs Mel tackled Old Tom He was told that should he consent to
cover himself decently she would come into his room and make his bed
comfortable And in a voice that dispersed armies of innuendoes she bade him
take his choice either to rest quiet or do her bidding
Had Old Tom found his master at last and in one of the hated sex
Breathlessly Mrs Hawkshaw waited his answer and she was an astonished
woman when it came
»Very well maam Wait a couple of minutes Do as you like«
On their admission to the interior of the chamber Old Tom was exhibited in
his daily garb sufficiently subdued to be civil and explain the cause of his
discomfort Lumps in his bed he was bruised by them He supposed he couldnt
ask women to judge for themselves they d be shrieking but he could assure
them he was blue all down his back
Mrs Mel and Mrs Hawkshaw turned the bed about and punched it and rolled
it
»Ha« went Old Tom »what s the good of that That s just how I found it
Moment I got into bed geese began to put up their backs«
Mrs Mel seldom indulged in a joke and then only when it had a proverbial
cast On the present occasion the truth struck her forcibly and she said
»One fool makes many and so no doubt does one goose«
Accompanied by a smile the words would have seemed impudent but spoken as a
plain fact and with a grave face it set Old Tom blinking like a small boy ten
minutes after the whip
»Now« she pursued speaking to him as to an old child »look here This is
how you manage Knead down in the middle of the bed Then jump into the hollow
Lie there and you neednt wake till morning«
Old Tom came to the side of the bed He had prepared himself for a wretched
night an uproar and eternal complaints against the house its inhabitants and
its foundations but a woman stood there who as much as told him that digging
his fist into the flock and jumping into the hole into that hole under his
eyes was all that was wanted that he had been making a noise for nothing and
because he had not the wit to hit on a simple contrivance Then too his jest
about the geese this woman had put a stop to that He inspected the hollow
cynically A man might instruct him on a point or two Old Tom was not going to
admit that a woman could
»Oh very well thank you maam that s your idea I ll try it Good
night«
»Good night« returned Mrs Mel »Dont forget to jump into the middle«
»Head foremost maam«
»As you weigh« said Mrs Mel and Old Tom crumped his lips silenced if not
beaten Beaten one might almost say for nothing more was heard of him that
night
He presented himself to Mrs Mel after breakfast next morning
»Slept well maam«
»Oh then you did as I directed you« said Mrs Mel
»Those chops too very good I got through em«
»Eating like scratching only wants a beginning« said Mrs Mel
»Ha youve got your word then as well as everybody else Where s your
Dandy this morning maam«
»Locked up You ought to be ashamed to give that poor beast liquor He wont
get fresh air today«
»Ha May I ask you where you re going today maam«
»I am going to Beckley«
»So am I maam What d ye say if we join company Care for insinuations«
»I want a conveyance of some sort« returned Mrs Mel
»Object to a donkey maam«
»Not if he s strong and will go«
»Good« said Old Tom and while he spoke a donkeycart stopped in front of
the Dolphin and a welldressed man touched his hat
»Get out of that damned bad habit will you« growled Old Tom »What do ye
mean by wearing out the brim o your hat in that way Help this woman in«
Mrs Mel helped herself to a part of the seat
»We are too much for the donkey« she said
»Ha that s right What I have maam is good I cant pretend to horses
but my donkeys the best Are you going to cry about him«
»No When he s tired I shall either walk or harness you« said Mrs Mel
This was spoken halfway down the High Street of Fallowfield Old Tom looked
full in her face and bawled out
»Deuce take it Are you a woman«
»I have borne three girls and one boy« said Mrs Mel
»What sort of a husband«
»He is dead«
»Ha that s an opening but taint an answer I m off to Beckley on a
marriage business I m the son of a cobbler so I go in a donkeycart No
damned pretences for me I m going to marry off a young tailor to a gal he s
been playing the lord to If she cares for him she ll take him if not they
re all the luckier both of em«
»What s the tailors name« said Mrs Mel
»You are a woman« returned Old Tom »Now come maam dont you feel
ashamed of being in a donkeycart«
»I m ashamed of men sometimes« said Mrs Mel »never of animals«
»Shamed o me perhaps«
»I dont know you«
»Ha well I m a man with no pretences Do you like em How have you
brought up your three girls and one boy No pretences eh«
Mrs Mel did not answer and Old Tom jogged the reins and chuckled and
asked his donkey if he wanted to be a racer
»Should you take me for a gentleman maam«
»I dare say you are sir at heart Not from your manner of speech«
»I mean appearances maam«
»I judge by the disposition«
»You do maam Then deuce take it if you are a woman you re « Old Tom
had no time to conclude
A great noise of wheels and a horn blown caused them both to turn their
heads and they beheld a curricle descending upon them vehemently and a
fashionably attired young gentleman straining with all his might at the reins
The next instant they were rolling on the bank About twenty yards ahead the
curricle was halted and turned about to see the extent of the mischief done
»Pardon a thousand times my worthy couple« cried the sonorous Mr Raikes
»What we have seen we swear not to divulge Franco and Fred your pledge«
»We swear« exclaimed this couple
But suddenly the cheeks of Mr John Raikes flushed He alighted from the
box and rushing up to Old Tom was shouting »My bene«
»Do you want my toe on your plate« Old Tom stopped him with
The mysterious words completely changed the aspect of Mr John Raikes He
bowed obsequiously and made his friend Franco step down and assist in the task
of reestablishing the donkey who fortunately had received no damage
Chapter XXVII
Exhibits Roses Generalship Evans Performance on the Second Fiddle and the
Wretchedness of the Countess
We left Rose and Evan on their way to Lady Jocelyn At the librarydoor Rose
turned to him and with her chin archly lifted sideways said
»I know what you feel you feel foolish«
Now the sense of honour and of the necessity of acting the part it imposes
on him may be very strong in a young man but certainly as a rule the sense
of ridicule is more poignant and Evan was suffering horrid pangs We none of us
like to play second fiddle To play second fiddle to a young woman is an
abomination to us all But to have to perform upon that instrument to the
darling of our hearts would we not rather die nay almost rather end the duet
precipitately and with violence Evan when he passed Drummond into the house
and quietly returned his gaze endured the first shock of this strange feeling
There could be no doubt that he was playing second fiddle to Rose And what was
he about to do Oh horror to stand like a criminal and say or worse have
said for him things to tip the ears with fire To tell the young ladys mother
that he had won her daughters love and meant what did he mean He knew not
Alas he was second fiddle he could only mean what she meant Evan loved Rose
deeply and completely but noble manhood was strong in him You may sneer at us
if you please ladies We have been educated in a theory that when you lead off
with the bow the order of Nature is reversed and it is no wonder therefore
that having stript us of one attribute our fine feathers moult and the
majestic cocklike march which distinguishes us degenerates You unsex us if I
may dare to say so Ceasing to be men what are we If we are to please you
rightly always allow us to play First
Poor Evan did feel foolish Whether Rose saw it in his walk or had a loving
feminine intuition of it and was aware of the golden rule I have just laid
down we need not inquire She hit the fact and he could only stammer and bid
her open the door
»No« she said after a slight hesitation »it will be better that I should
speak to Mama alone I see Walk out on the lawn dear and wait for me And if
you meet Drummond dont be angry with him Drummond is very fond of me and of
course I shall teach him to be fond of you He only thinks what is not true
because he does not know you I do thoroughly and there you see I give you my
hand«
Evan drew the dear hand humbly to his lips Rose then nodded meaningly and
let her eyes dwell on him and went in to her mother to open the battle
Could it be that a flame had sprung up in those grey eyes latterly Once
they were like morning before sunrise How soft and warm and tenderly
transparent they could now be Assuredly she loved him And he beloved by the
noblest girl ever fashioned why should he hang his head and shrink at the
thought of human faces like a wretch doomed to the pillory He visioned her
last glance and lightning emotions of pride and happiness flashed through his
veins The generous brave heart Yes with her hand in his he could stand at
bay meet any fate Evan accepted Rose because he believed in her love and
judged it by the strength of his own her sacrifice of her position he accepted
because in his soul he knew he should have done no less He mounted to the level
of her nobleness and losing nothing of the beauty of what she did it was not
so strange to him
Still there was the baleful reflection that he was second fiddle to his
beloved No harmony came of it in his mind How could he take an initiative He
walked forth on the lawn where a group had gathered under the shade of a maple
consisting of Drummond Forth Mrs Evremonde Mrs Shorne Mr George Uploft
Seymour Jocelyn and Ferdinand Laxley A little apart Juliana Bonner was walking
with Miss Carrington Juliana when she saw him left her companion and passing
him swiftly said »Follow me presently into the conservatory«
Evan strolled near the group and bowed to Mrs Shorne whom he had not seen
that morning
The ladys acknowledgement of his salute was constrained and but a shade on
the side of recognition They were silent till he was out of earshot He noticed
that his second approach produced the same effect In the conservatory Juliana
was awaiting him
»It is not to give you roses I called you here Mr Harrington« she said
»Not if I beg one« he responded
»Ah but you do not want them from It depends on the person«
»Pluck this« said Evan pointing to a white rose
She put her fingers to the stem
»What folly« she cried and turned from it
»Are you afraid that I shall compromise you« asked Evan
»You care for me too little for that«
»My dear Miss Bonner«
»How long did you know Rose before you called her by her Christian name«
Evan really could not remember and was beginning to wonder what he had been
called there for The little lady had feverish eyes and fingers and seemed to
be burning to speak but afraid
»I thought you had gone« she dropped her voice »without wishing me
goodbye«
»I certainly should not do that Miss Bonner«
»Formal« she exclaimed half to herself »Miss Bonner thanks you Do you
think I wish you to stay No friend of yours would wish it You do not know the
selfishness brutal of these people of birth as they call it«
»I have met with nothing but kindness here« said Evan
»Then go while you can feel that« she answered »for it cannot last another
hour Here is the rose« She broke it from the stem and handed it to him »You
may wear that and they are not so likely to call you an adventurer and names
of that sort I am hardly considered a lady by them«
An adventurer The full meaning of the phrase struck Evans senses when he
was alone Miss Bonner knew something of his condition evidently Perhaps it
was generally known and perhaps it was thought that he had come to win Rose for
his worldly advantage The idea was overwhelmingly new to him Up started
selflove in arms He would renounce her
It is no insignificant contest when love has to crush selflove utterly At
moments it can be done Love has divine moments There are times also when Love
draws part of his being from selflove and can find no support without it
But how could he renounce her when she came forth to him smiling speaking
freshly and lightly and with the colour on her cheeks which showed that she had
done her part How could he retract a step
»I have told Mama Evan That s over She heard it first from me«
»And she«
»Dear Evan if you are going to be sensitive I ll run away You that fear
no danger and are the bravest man I ever knew I think you are really
trembling She will speak to Papa and then and then I suppose they will
both ask you whether you intend to give me up or no I m afraid you ll do the
former«
»Your mother Lady Jocelyn listened to you Rose You told her all«
»Every bit«
»And what does she think of me«
»Thinks you very handsome and astonishing and me very idiotic and natural
and that there is a great deal of bother in the world and that my noble
relatives will lay the blame of it on her No dear not all that but she
talked very sensibly to me and kindly You know she is called a philosopher
nobody knows how deephearted she is though My mother is true as steel I
cant separate the kindness from the sense or I would tell you all she said
When I say kindness I dont mean any Oh my child and tears and kisses and
maundering you know You mustnt mind her thinking me a little fool You want
to know what she thinks of you She said nothing to hurt you Evan and we have
gained ground so far and now we ll go and face our enemies Uncle Mel expects
to hear about your appointment in a day or two and «
»Oh Rose« Evan burst out
»What is it«
»Why must I owe everything to you«
»Why dear Why because if you do it s very much better than your owing
it to anybody else Proud again«
Not proud only second fiddle
»You know dear Evan when two people love there is no such thing as owing
between them«
»Rose I have been thinking It is not too late I love you God knows I
did in Portugal I do now more and more But Oh my bright angel« he ended
the sentence in his breast
»Well but what«
Evan sounded down the meaning of his but Stripped of the usual heroics it
was »what will be thought of me« not a small matter to any of us He caught a
distant glimpse of the little bit of bare selfishness and shrank from it
»Too late« cried Rose »The battle has commenced now and Mr Harrington
I will lean on your arm and be led to my dear friends yonder Do they think
that I am going to put on a mask to please them Not for anybody What they are
to know they may as well know at once«
She looked in Evans face
»Do you hesitate«
He felt the contrast between his own and hers between the niggard spirit of
the beggarly receiver and the high bloom of the exalted giver Nevertheless he
loved her too well not to share much of her nature and wedding it suddenly he
said
»Rose tell me now If you were to see the place where I was born could
you love me still«
»Yes Evan«
»If you were to hear me spoken of with contempt «
»Who dares« cried Rose »Never to me«
»Contempt of what I spring from Rose Names used Names are used «
»Tush names« said Rose reddening »How cowardly that is Have you
finished Oh faint heart I suppose I m not a fair lady or you wouldnt have
won me Now come Remember Evan I conceal nothing and if anything makes you
wretched here do think how I love you«
In his own firm belief he had said everything to arrest her in her course
and been silenced by transcendent logic She thought the same
Rose made up to the conclave under the maple
The voices hushed as they approached
»Capital weather« said Rose »Does Harry come back from London tomorrow
does anybody know«
»Not aware« Laxley was heard to reply
»I want to speak a word to you Rose« said Mrs Shorne
»With the greatest pleasure my dear aunt« and Rose walked after her
»My dear Rose« Mrs Shorne commenced »your conduct requires that I should
really talk to you most seriously You are probably not aware of what you are
doing Nobody likes ease and natural familiarity more than I do I am persuaded
it is nothing but your innocence You are young to the worlds ways and perhaps
a little too headstrong and vain«
»Conceited and wilful« added Rose
»If you like the words better But I must say I do not wish to trouble
your father you know he cannot bear worry but I must say that if you do not
listen to me he must be spoken to«
»Why not Mama«
»I should naturally select my brother first No doubt you understand me«
»Any distant allusion to Mr Harrington«
»Pertness will not avail you Rose«
»So you want me to do secretly what I am doing openly«
»You must and shall remember you are a Jocelyn Rose«
»Only half my dear aunt«
»And by birth a lady Rose«
»And I ought to look under my eyes and blush and shrink whenever I come
near a gentleman aunt«
»Ah my dear No doubt you will do what is most telling Since you have
spoken of this Mr Harrington I must inform you that I have it on certain
authority from two or three sources that he is the son of a small shopkeeper at
Lymport«
Mrs Shorne watched the effect she had produced
»Indeed aunt« cried Rose »And do you know this to be true«
»So when you talk of gentlemen Rose please be careful whom you include«
»I mustnt include poor Mr Harrington Then my Grandpapa Bonner is out of
the list and such numbers of good worthy men«
Mrs Shorne understood the hit at the defunct manufacturer She said »You
must most distinctly give me your promise while this young adventurer remains
here I think it will not be long not to be compromising yourself further as
you now do Or indeed I must I shall let your parents perceive that such
conduct is ruin to a young girl in your position and certainly you will be sent
to Elburne House for the winter«
Rose lifted her hands crying »Ye Gods as Harry says But I m very much
obliged to you my dear aunt Concerning Mr Harrington wonderfully obliged
Son of a small Is it a tttailor aunt«
»It is I have heard«
»And that is much worse Cloth is viler than cotton And dont they call
these creatures snsnips Some word of that sort«
»It makes little difference what they are called«
»Well aunt I sincerely thank you As this subject seems to interest you
go and see Mama now She can tell you a great deal more and if you want her
authority come back to me«
Rose then left her aunt in a state of extreme indignation It was a clever
move to send Mrs Shorne to Lady Jocelyn They were antagonistic and rational
as Lady Jocelyn was and with her passions under control she was unlikely to
side with Mrs Shorne
Now Rose had fought against herself and had as she thought conquered In
Portugal Evans half insinuations had given her small suspicions which the
scene on board the Jocasta had half confirmed and since she came to communicate
with her own mind she bore the attack of all that rose against him bit by bit
She had not been too blind to see the unpleasantness of the fresh facts revealed
to her They did not change her on the contrary drew her to him faster and
she thought she had completely conquered whatever could rise against him But
when Juliana Bonner told her that day that Evan was not only the son of the
thing but the thing himself and that his name could be seen any day in
Lymport and that he had come from the shop to Beckley poor Rosey had a sick
feeling that almost sank her For a moment she looked back wildly to the doors
of retreat Her eyes had to feed on Evan she had to taste some of the luxury of
love before she could gain composure and then her arrogance towards those she
called her enemies did not quite return
»In that letter you told me all all all Evan«
»Yes all religiously«
»Oh why did I miss it«
»Would it give you pleasure«
She feared to speak being tender as a mother to his sensitiveness The
expressive action of her eyebrows sufficed She could not bear concealment or
doubt or a shadow of dishonesty and he gaining force of soul to join with
hers took her hands and related the contents of the letter fully She was pale
when he had finished It was some time before she was able to get free from the
trammels of prejudice but when she did she did without reserve saying »Evan
there is no man who would have done so much« These little exaltations and
generosities bind lovers tightly He accepted the credit she gave him and at
that we need not wonder It helped him further to accept herself otherwise
could he his name known to be on a shopfront have aspired to her still
But as an unexampled man princely in soul as he felt why he might kneel to
Rose Jocelyn So they listened to one another and blinded the world by putting
bandages on their eyes after the fashion of little boys and girls
Meantime the fair being who had brought these two from the ends of the
social scale into this happy tangle the beneficent Countess was wretched When
you are in the enemys country you are dependent on the activity and zeal of
your spies and scouts and the best of these Polly Wheedle to wit had
proved defective recalcitrant even And because a letter had been lost in her
room as the Countess exclaimed to herself though Polly gave her no reasons
The Countess had therefore to rely chiefly upon personal observation upon her
intuitions upon her sensations in the proximity of the people to whom she was
opposed and from these she gathered that she was to use the word which seemed
fitting to her betrayed Still to be sweet still to smile and to amuse
still to give her zealous attention to the business of the diplomatists
Election still to go through her churchservices devoutly required heroism
she was equal to it for she had remarkable courage but it was hard to feel no
longer at one with Providence Had not Providence suggested Sir Abraham to her
killed him off at the right moment in aid of her And now Providence had turned
and the assistance she had formerly received from that Power and given thanks
for so profusely was the cause of her terror It was absolutely as if she had
been borrowing from a Jew and were called upon to pay fiftyfold interest
»Evan« she writes in a gasp to Harriet »We must pack up and depart
Abandon everything He has disgraced us all and ruined himself Impossible that
we can stay for the picnic We are known dear Think of my position one day in
this house Particulars when I embrace you I dare not trust a letter here If
Evan had confided in me He is impenetrable He will be low all his life and I
refuse any more to sully myself in attempting to lift him For Silvas sake I
must positively break the connection Heaven knows what I have done for this
boy and will support me in the feeling that I have done enough My conscience
at least is safe«
Like many illustrious Generals the Countess had for the hour lost heart
We find her however the next day writing
»Oh Harriet what trials for sisterly affection Can I possibly weather
the gale as the old L sailors used to say It is dreadful I fear I am by duty
bound to stop on Little Bonner thinks Evan quite a dukes son has been
speaking to her Grandmama and today this morning the venerable old lady
quite as much as gave me to understand that an union between our brother and her
sons child would sweetly gratify her and help her to go to her rest in peace
Can I chase that spark of comfort from one so truly pious Dearest Juliana I
have anticipated Evans feeling for her and so she thinks his conduct cold
Indeed I told her point blank he loved her That you know is different from
saying dying of love which would have been an untruth But Evan of course
No getting him Should Juliana ever reproach me I can assure the child that any
man is in love with any woman which is really the case It is you dear
humdrum what the dictionary calls nascent I never liked the word but it
stands for a fact«
The Countess here exhibits the weakness of a selfeducated intelligence She
does not comprehend the joys of scholarship in her employment of Latinisms It
will be pardoned to her by those who perceive the profound piece of feminine
discernment which precedes it
»I do think I shall now have courage to stay out the picnic« she continues
»I really do not think all is known Very little can be known or I am sure I
could not feel as I do It would burn me up George Up does not dare and his
most beautiful ladylove had far better not Mr Forth may repent his whispers
But Oh what Evan may do Rose is almost detestable Manners my dear Totally
deficient
An ally has just come Evans good fortune is most miraculous His low
friend turns out to be a young Fortunatus very original sparkling and in my
hands to be made much of I do think he will for he is most zealous he will
counteract that hateful Mr Forth who may soon have work enough Mr Raikes
Evans friend met a mad captain in Fallowfield Dear Mr Raikes is ready to
say anything not from love of falsehood but because he is ready to think it
He has confessed to me that Evan told him Louisa de Saldar has changed his
opinion and much impressed this eccentric young gentleman Do you know any
young girl who wants a fortune and would be grateful
Dearest I have decided on the picnic Let your conscience be clear and
Providence cannot be against you So I feel Mr Parsley spoke very beautifully
to that purpose last Sunday in the morning service A little too much through
his nose perhaps but the poor young mans nose is a great organ and we will
not cast it in his teeth more than nature has done I said so to my diplomatist
who was amused If you are sparklingly vulgar with the English you are
aristocratic Oh what principle we women require in the thorny walk of life I
can show you a letter when we meet that will astonish humdrum Not so diplomatic
as the writer thought Mrs Melville sweet woman must continue to practise
civility for a woman who is a wife my dear in verity she lives in a glass
house and let her fling no stones Let him who is without sin How beautiful
that Christian sentiment I hope I shall be pardoned but it always seems to me
that what we have to endure is infinitely worse than any other suffering for
you find no comfort for the children of Ts in Scripture nor any defence of
their dreadful position Robbers thieves Magdalens but no the unfortunate
offspring of that class are not even mentioned at least in my most diligent
perusal of the Scriptures I never lighted upon any remote allusion and we know
the Jews did wear clothing Outcasts verily And Evan could go and write but
I have no patience with him He is the blind tool of his mother and anybodys
puppet«
The letter concludes with horrid emphasis
»The Madre in Beckley Has sent for Evan from a low publichouse I have
intercepted the messenger Evan closeted with Sir Franks Andrews
horrible old brother with Lady Jocelyn The whole house from garret to
kitchen full of whispers«
A prayer to Providence closes the communication
Chapter XXVIII
Tom Cogglesbys Proposition
The appearance of a curricle and a donkeycart within the gates of Beckley
Court produced a sensation among the men of the lower halls and a couple of
them rushed out with the left calf considerably in advance to defend the house
from violation Toward the curricle they directed what should have been a bow
but was a nod Their joint attention was then given to the donkeycart in which
old Tom Cogglesby sat alone bunchy in figure bunched in face his shrewd grey
eyes twinkling under the bush of his eyebrows
»Oy sir you my man« exclaimed the tallest of the pair resolutely
»This wont do Dont you know driving this sort of conveyance slap along the
gravel ere up to the pillars s unparliamentary Cant be allowed Now right
about«
This address accompanied by a commanding elevation of the dexter hand
seemed to excite Mr Raikes far more than Old Tom He alighted from his perch in
haste and was running up to the stalwart figure crying »Fellow« when as you
tell a dog to lie down Old Tom called out »Be quiet sir« and Raikes halted
with prompt military obedience
The sight of the curricle acting satellite to the donkeycart staggered the
two footmen
»Are you lords« sang out Old Tom
A burst of laughter from the friends of Mr Raikes in the curricle helped
to make the powdered gentlemen aware of a sarcasm and one with no little
dignity replied that they were not lords
»Oh Then come and hold my donkey«
Great irresolution was displayed at the injunction but having consulted the
face of Mr Raikes one fellow evidently half overcome by what was put upon
him with the steps of Adam into exile descended to the gravel and laid his
hand on the donkeys head
»Hold hard« cried Old Tom »Whisper in his ear He ll know your language«
»May I have the felicity of assisting you to terra firma« interposed Mr
Raikes with the bow of deferential familiarity
»Done that once too often« returned Old Tom jumping out »There What s
the fee There s a crown for you that aint afraid of a live donkey and there
s a sixpenny bit for you that are to keep up your courage and when he s
dead you shall have his skin to shave by«
»Excellent« shouted Raikes
»Thomas« he addressed a footman »hand in my card Mr John Feversham
Raikes«
»And tell my lady Tom Cogglesbys come« added the owner of that name
We will follow Tom Cogglesby as he chooses to be called
Lady Jocelyn rose on his entering the library and walking up to him
encountered him with a kindly full face
»So I see you at last Tom« she said without releasing his hand and Old
Tom mounted patches of red in his wrinkled cheeks and blinked and betrayed a
singular antiquated bashfulness which ended after a mumble of »Yes there he
was and he hoped her ladyship was well« by his seeking refuge in a chair
where he sat hard and fixed his attention on the leg of a table
»Well Tom do you find much change in me« she was woman enough to
continue
He was obliged to look up
»Cant say I do my lady«
»Dont you see the grey hairs Tom«
»Better than a wig« rejoined he
Was it true that her ladyship had behaved rather ill to Old Tom in her
youth Excellent women have been naughty girls and young Beauties will have
their train It is also very possible that Old Tom had presumed upon trifles
and found it difficult to forgive her his own folly
»Preferable to a wig Well I would rather see you with your natural thatch
You re bent too You look as if you had kept away from Beckley a little too
long«
»Told you my lady I should come when your daughter was marriageable«
»Oho that s it I thought it was the Election«
»Election be hem beg pardon my lady«
»Swear Tom if it relieves you I think it bad to check an oath or a
sneeze«
»I m come to see you on business my lady or I shouldnt have troubled
you«
»Malice«
»You ll see I dont bear any my lady«
»Ah if you had only sworn roundly twentyfive years ago what a much
younger man you would have been and a brave capital old friend whom I should
not have missed all that time«
»Come« cried Old Tom varying his eyes rapidly between her ladyships face
and the floor »you acknowledge I had reason to«
»Mais cela va sans dire«
»Cobblers sons aint scholars my lady«
»And are not all in the habit of throwing their fathers in our teeth I
hope«
Old Tom wriggled in his chair »Well my lady I m not going to make a fool
of myself at my time o life Neednt be alarmed now Youve got the bellrope
handy and a husband on the premises«
Lady Jocelyn smiled stood up and went to him »I like an honest fist« she
said taking his »We re not going to be doubtful friends and we wont snap
and snarl That s for people whore independent of wigs Tom I find for my
part that a little grey on the top of my head cools the temper amazingly I
used to be rather hot once«
»You could be peppery my lady«
»Now I m cool Tom and so must you be or if you fight it must be in my
cause as you did when you thrashed that saucy young carter Do you remember«
»If you ll sit ye down my lady I ll just tell you what I m come for«
said Old Tom who plainly showed that he did remember and was alarmingly
softened by her ladyships retention of the incident
Lady Jocelyn returned to her place
»Youve got a marriageable daughter my lady«
»I suppose we may call her so« said Lady Jocelyn with a composed glance at
the ceiling
»Gaged to be married to any young chap«
»You must put the question to her Tom«
»Ha I dont want to see her«
At this Lady Jocelyn looked slightly relieved Old Tom continued
»Happen to have got a little money not so much as many a lords got I
dare say such as tis there tis Young fellow I know wants a wife and he
shall have best part of it Will that suit ye my lady«
Lady Jocelyn folded her hands »Certainly Ive no objection What it has to
do with me I cant perceive«
»Ahem« went Old Tom »It wont hurt your daughter to be married now will
it«
»Oh my daughter is the destined bride of your young fellow« said Lady
Jocelyn »Is that how it s to be«
»She« Old Tom cleared his throat »she wont marry a lord my lady but
she hem if she dont mind that ll have a deuced sight more hard cash
than many lords sond give her and a young fellow for a husband sound in wind
and limb good bone and muscle speaks grammar and two or three languages and
«
»Stop« cried Lady Jocelyn »I hope this is not a prize young man If he
belongs at his age to the unco guid I refuse to take him for a soninlaw
and I think Rose will too«
Old Tom burst out vehemently »He s a damned good young fellow though he
isnt a lord«
»Well« said Lady Jocelyn »Ive no doubt you re in earnest Tom It s
curious for this morning Rose has come to me and given me the first chapter of
a botheration which she declares is to end in the common rash experiment What
is your young fellows name Who is he What is he«
»Wont take my guarantee my lady«
»Rose if she marries must have a name you know«
Old Tom hit his knee »Then there s a pill for ye to swallow for he aint
the son of a lord«
»That s swallowed Tom What is he«
»He s the son of a tradesman then my lady« And Old Tom watched her to
note the effect he had produced
»Mores the pity« was all she remarked
»And he ll have his thousand a year to start with and he s a tailor my
lady«
Her ladyship opened her eyes
»Harringtons his name my lady Dont know whether you ever heard of it«
Lady Jocelyn flung herself back in her chair »The queerest thing I ever
met« said she
»Thousand a year to start with« Old Tom went on »and if she marries I
mean if he marries her I ll settle a thousand per ann on the first baby boy
or gal«
»Hum Is this gross collusion Mr Tom« Lady Jocelyn inquired
»What does that mean«
»Have you spoken of this before to any one«
»I havent my lady Decided on it this morning Hem you got a son too He
s fond of a young gal or he ought to be I ll settle him when Ive settled
the daughter«
»Harry is strongly attached to a dozen I believe« said his mother »Well
Tom we ll think of it I may as well tell you Rose has just been here to
inform me that this Mr Harrington has turned her head and that she has given
her troth and all that sort of thing I believe such was not to be laid to my
charge in my day«
»You were open enough my lady« said Old Tom »She s fond of the young
fellow She ll have a pill to swallow poor young woman«
Old Tom visibly chuckled Lady Jocelyn had a momentary temptation to lead
him out but she did not like the subject well enough to play with it
»Apparently Rose has swallowed it« she said
»Goose shears cabbage and all« muttered Old Tom »Got a stomach she
knows he s a tailor then The young fellow told her He hasnt been playing
the lord to her«
»As far as he s concerned I think he has been tolerably honest Tom for a
man and a lover«
»And told her he was born and bound a tailor«
»Rose certainly heard it from him«
Slapping his knee Old Tom cried »Bravo« For though one part of his nature
was disappointed and the best part of his plot disarranged he liked Evans
proceeding and felt warm at what seemed to him Roses scorn of rank
»She must be a good gal my lady She couldnt have got it from t other
side Got it from you Not that you «
»No« said Lady Jocelyn apprehending him »I m afraid I have no Republican
virtues I m afraid I should have rejected the pill Dont be angry with me«
for Old Tom looked sour again »I like birth and position and worldly
advantages and notwithstanding Roses pledge of the instrument she calls her
heart and in spite of your offer I shall I tell you honestly counsel her to
have nothing to do with «
»Anything less than lords« Old Tom struck in »Very well Are you going to
lock her up my lady«
»No Nor shall I whip her with rods«
»Leave her free to her choice«
»She will have my advice That I shall give her And I shall take care that
before she makes a step she shall know exactly what it leads to Her father of
course will exercise his judgement« Lady Jocelyn said this to uphold the
honour of Sir Franks knowing at the same time perfectly well that he would be
wheedled by Rose »I confess I like this Mr Harrington But it s a great
misfortune for him to have had a notorious father A tailor should certainly
avoid fame and this young man will have to carry his father on his back He ll
never throw the great Mel off«
Tom Cogglesby listened and was really astonished at her ladyships calm
reception of his proposal
»Shameful of him shameful« he muttered perversely for it would have made
him desolate to have had to change his opinion of her ladyship after cherishing
it and consoling himself with it fiveandtwenty years Fearing the approach
of softness he prepared to take his leave
»Now your servant my lady I stick to my word mind and if your people
here are willing I Ive got a candidate up for Fallfield I ll knock him
down and you shall sneak in your Tory Servant my lady«
Old Tom rose to go Lady Jocelyn took his hand cordially though she could
not help smiling at the humility of the cobblers son in his manner of speaking
of the Tory candidate
»Wont you stop with us a few days«
»I d rather not I thank ye«
»Wont you see Rose«
»I wont Not till she s married«
»Well Tom we re friends now«
»Not aware Ive ever done you any harm my lady«
»Look me in the face«
The trial was hard for him Though she had been fiveandtwenty years a
wife she was still very handsome but he was not going to be melted and when
the perverse old fellow obeyed her it was with an aspect of resolute disgust
that would have made any other woman indignant Lady Jocelyn laughed
»Why Tom your brother Andrews here and makes himself comfortable with
us We rode by Brooks farm the other day Do you remember Coppings pond how
we dragged it that night What days we had«
Old Tom tugged once or twice at his imprisoned fist while these youthful
frolics of his too stupid self and the wild and beautiful Miss Bonner were being
recalled
»I remember« he said savagely and reaching the door hurled out »And I
remember the Bulldogs too servant my lady« With which he effected a
retreat to avoid a ringing laugh he heard in his ears
Lady Jocelyn had not laughed She had done no more than look and smile
kindly on the old boy It was at the Bulldogs a fall of water on the borders
of the park that Tom Cogglesby then a hearty young man had been guilty of his
folly had mistaken her frank friendliness for a return of his passion and his
stubborn vanity still attributed her rejection of his suit to the fact of his
descent from a cobbler or as he put it to her infernal worship of rank
»Poor old Tom« said her ladyship when alone »He s rough at the rind but
sound at the core« She had no idea of the long revenge Old Tom cherished and
had just shaped into a plot to be equal with her for the Bulldogs
Chapter XXIX
Prelude to an Engagement
Money was a strong point with the Elburne brood The Jocelyns very properly
respected blood but being as Harry their youngest representative termed
them poor as rats they were justified in considering it a marketable stuff
and when they married they married for money The Hon Miss Jocelyn had espoused
a manufacturer who failed in his contract and deserved his death The
diplomatist Melville had not stepped aside from the family traditions in his
alliance with Miss Black the daughter of a bold bankrupt educated in
affluence and if he touched nothing but 5000l and some very pretty ringlets
that was not his fault Sir Franks too mixed his pure stream with gold As
yet however the gold had done little more than shine on him and belonging to
expectancy it might be thought unsubstantial Beckley Court was in the hands of
Mrs Bonner who with the highest sense of duty toward her only living child
was the last to appreciate Lady Jocelyns entire absence of demonstrative
affection and severely reprobated her daughters philosophic handling of
certain serious subjects Sir Franks no doubt came better off than the others
her ladyship brought him twenty thousand pounds and Harry had ten in the past
tense and Rose ten in the future but living as he had done a score of years
anticipating the demise of an incurable invalid he though an excellent husband
and father could scarcely be taught to imagine that the Jocelyn object of his
bargain was attained He had the semblance of wealth without the personal glow
which absolute possession brings It was his habit to call himself a poor man
and it was his dream that Rose should marry a rich one Harry was hopeless He
had been his Grandmothers pet up to the years of adolescence he was getting
too old for any prospect of a military career he had no turn for diplomacy no
taste for any of the walks open to blood and birth and was in headlong disgrace
with the fountain of goodness at Beckley Court where he was still kept in the
tacit understanding that should Juliana inherit the place he must be at hand
to marry her instantly after the fashion of the Jocelyns They were an injured
family for what they gave was good and the commercial world had not behaved
honourably to them
Now Ferdinand Laxley was just the match for Rose Born to a title and fine
estate he was evidently fond of her and there had been a gentle hope in the
bosom of Sir Franks that the family fatality would cease and that Rose would
marry both money and blood
From this happy delusion poor Sir Franks was awakened to hear that his
daughter had plighted herself to the son of a tradesman that as the climax to
their evil fate she who had some blood and some money of her own the only
Jocelyn who had ever united the two was desirous of wasting herself on one who
had neither The idea was so utterly opposed to the principles Sir Franks had
been trained in that his intellect could not grasp it He listened to his
sister Mrs Shorne he listened to his wife he agreed with all they said
though what they said was widely diverse he consented to see and speak to Evan
and he did so and was much the most distressed For Sir Franks liked many
things in life and hated one thing alone which was bother A smooth world was
his delight Rose knew this and her instruction to Evan was »You cannot give
me up you will go but you cannot give me up while I am faithful to you tell
him that« She knew that to impress this fact at once on the mind of Sir Franks
would be a great gain for in his detestation of bother he would soon grow
reconciled to things monstrous and hearing the same on both sides the matter
would assume an inevitable shape to him Mr Second Fiddle had no difficulty in
declaring the eternity of his sentiments but he toned them with a despair Rose
did not contemplate and added also his readiness to repair in any way
possible the evil done He spoke of his birth and position Sir Franks with a
gentlemanly delicacy natural to all lovers of a smooth world begged him to see
the main and the insurmountable objection Birth was to be desired of course
and position and so forth but without money how can two young people marry
Evans heart melted at this generous way of putting it He said he saw it he
had no hope he would go and be forgotten and begged that for any annoyance his
visit might have caused Sir Franks and Lady Jocelyn they would pardon him Sir
Franks shook him by the hand and the interview ended in a dialogue on the
condition of the knees of Black Lymport and on horseflesh in Portugal and
Spain
Following Evan Rose went to her father and gave him a good hours
excitement after which the worthy gentleman hurried for consolation to Lady
Jocelyn whom he found reading a book of French memoirs in her usual attitude
with her feet stretched out and her head thrown back as in a distant survey of
the lively people screening her from a troubled world Her ladyship read him a
piquant story and Sir Franks capped it with another from memory whereupon her
ladyship held him wrong in one turn of the story and Sir Franks rose to get the
volume to verify and while he was turning over the leaves Lady Jocelyn told
him incidentally of old Tom Cogglesbys visit and proposal Sir Franks found the
passage and that her ladyship was right which it did not move her countenance
to hear
»Ah« said he finding it no use to pretend there was no bother in the
world »here s a pretty pickle Rose says she will have that fellow«
»Hum« replied her ladyship »And if she keeps her mind a couple of years
it will be a wonder«
»Very bad for her this sort of thing talked about« muttered Sir Franks
»Ferdinand was just the man«
»Well yes I suppose it s her mistake to think brains an absolute
requisite« said Lady Jocelyn opening her book again and scanning down a
column
Sir Franks being imitative adopted a similar refuge and the talk between
them was varied by quotations and choice bits from the authors they had recourse
to Both leaned back in their chairs and spoke with their eyes on their books
»Julia s going to write to her mother« said he
»Very filial and proper« said she
»Therell be a horrible hubbub you know Emily«
»Most probably I shall get the blame cela se conçoit«
»Young Harrington goes the day after tomorrow Thought it better not to
pack him off in a hurry«
»And just before the picnic no certainly I suppose it would look odd«
»How are we to get rid of the Countess«
»Eh This Bautru is amusing Franks but he s nothing to Vandy Homme
incomparable On the whole I find Ménage rather dull The Countess what an
accomplished liar that woman is She seems to have stepped out of Tallemants
Gallery Concerning the Countess I suppose you had better apply to Melville«
»Where the deuce did this young Harrington get his breeding from«
»He comes of a notable sire«
»Yes but there s no sign of the snob in him«
»And I exonerate him from the charge of adventuring after Rose George
Uploft tells me I had him in just now that the mother is a woman of mark and
strong principle She has probably corrected the too luxuriant nature of Mel in
her offspring That is to say in this one Pour les autres je ne dis pas Well
the young man will go and if Rose chooses to become a monument of constancy we
can do nothing I shall give my advice but as she has not deceived me and she
is a reasonable being I shant interfere Putting the case at the worst they
will not want money I have no doubt Tom Cogglesby means what he says and will
do it So there we will leave the matter till we hear from Elburne House«
Sir Franks groaned at the thought
»How much does he offer to settle on them« he asked
»A thousand a year on the marriage and the same amount to the first child
I daresay the end would be that they would get all«
Sir Franks nodded and remained with one eyebrow pitiably elevated above
the level of the other
»Anything but a tailor« he exclaimed presently half to himself
»There is a prejudice against that craft« her ladyship acquiesced
»Béranger let me see your favourite Frenchman Franks wasnt it his father
no his grandfather Mon pauvre et humble grandpère I think was a tailor
Hum the degrees of the thing I confess dont affect me One trade I imagine
to be no worse than another«
»Ferdinands allowance is about a thousand« said Sir Franks meditatively
»And wont be a farthing more till he comes to the title« added her
ladyship
»Well« resumed Sir Franks »it s a horrible bother«
His wife philosophically agreed with him and the subject was dropped
Lady Jocelyn felt with her husband more than she chose to let him know and
Sir Franks could have burst into anathemas against fate and circumstances more
than his love of a smooth world permitted He however was subdued by her
calmness and she with ten times the weight of brain was manoeuvred by the
wonderful dash of General Rose Jocelyn For her ladyship thinking »I shall get
the blame of all this« rather sided insensibly with the offenders against those
who condemned them jointly and seeing that Rose had been scrupulously honest
and straightforward in a very delicate matter this lady was so constituted that
she could not but applaud her daughter in her heart A worldly woman would have
acted if she had not thought differently but her ladyship was not a worldly
woman Evans bearing and character had during his residence at Beckley Court
become so thoroughly accepted as those of a gentleman and one of their own
rank that after an allusion to the origin of his breeding not a word more was
said by either of them on that topic Besides Rose had dignified him by her
decided conduct
By the time poor Sir Franks had read himself into tranquillity Mrs Shorne
who knew him well and was determined that he should not enter upon his usual
negociations with an unpleasantness that is to say to forget it joined them
in the library bringing with her Sir John Loring and Hamilton Jocelyn Her
first measure was to compel Sir Franks to put down his book Lady Jocelyn
subsequently had to do the same
»Well what have you done Franks« said Mrs Shorne
»Done« answered the poor gentleman »What is there to be done Ive spoken
to young Harrington«
»Spoken to him He deserves horsewhipping Have you not told him to quit the
house instantly«
Lady Jocelyn came to her husbands aid »It wouldnt do I think to kick
him out In the first place he hasnt deserved it«
»Not deserved it Emily the commonest low vile adventuring tradesman«
»In the second place« pursued her ladyship »it s not adviseable to do
anything that will make Rose enter into the young womans sublimities It s
better not to let a lunatic see that you think him stark mad and the same holds
with young women afflicted with the lovemania The sound of sense even if they
cant understand it flatters them so as to keep them within bounds Otherwise
you drive them into excesses best avoided«
»Really Emily« said Mrs Shorne »you speak almost one would say as an
advocate of such unions«
»You must know perfectly well that I entirely condemn them« replied her
ladyship who had once and once only delivered her opinion of the nuptials of
Mr and Mrs Shorne
In selfdefence and to show the total difference between the cases Mrs
Shorne interjected »An utterly penniless young adventurer«
»Oh no there s money« remarked Sir Franks
»Money is there« quoth Hamilton respectfully
»And there s wit« added Sir John »if he has half his sisters talent«
»Astonishing woman« Hamilton chimed in adding with a shrug »But egad«
»Well we dont want him to resemble his sister« said Lady Jocelyn »I
acknowledge she s amusing«
»Amusing Emily« Mrs Shorne never encountered her sisterinlaws calmness
without indignation »I could not rest in the house with such a person knowing
her what she is A vile adventuress as I firmly believe What does she do all
day with your mother Depend upon it you will repent her visit in more ways
than one«
»A prophecy« asked Lady Jocelyn smiling
On the grounds of common sense on the grounds of propriety and
consideration of what was due to themselves all agreed to condemn the notion of
Rose casting herself away on Evan Lady Jocelyn agreed with Mrs Shorne Sir
Franks with his brother and Sir John But as to what they were to do they were
divided Lady Jocelyn said she should not prevent Rose from writing to Evan if
she had the wish to do so
»Folly must come out« said her ladyship »It s a combustible material I
wont have her health injured She shall go into the world more She will be
presented at Court and if it s necessary to give her a dose or two to
counteract her vanity I dont object This will wear off or si cest
véritablement une grande passion eh bien we must take what Providence sends
us«
»And which we might have prevented if we had condescended to listen to the
plainest worldly wisdom« added Mrs Shorne
»Yes« said Lady Jocelyn equably »you know you and I Julia argue from
two distinct points Girls may be shut up as you propose I dont think nature
intended to have them the obverse of men I m sure their mothers never designed
that they should run away with footmen ridingmasters chance curates as they
occasionally do and wouldnt if they had points of comparison My opinion is
that Prospero was just saved by the Prince of Naples being wrecked on his
island from a shocking misalliance between his daughter and the son of
Sycorax I see it clearly Poetry conceals the extreme probability but from
what I know of my sex I should have no hesitation in turning prophet also as
to that«
What could Mrs Shorne do with a mother who talked in this manner Mrs
Melville when she arrived to take part in the conference which gradually
swelled to a family one was equally unable to make Lady Jocelyn perceive that
her plan of bringing up Rose was in the present result of it other than
unlucky
Now the two Generals Rose Jocelyn and the Countess de Saldar had brought
matters to this pass and from the two tactical extremes the former by openness
and dash the latter by subtlety and her own interpretations of the means
extended to her by Providence I will not be so bold as to state which of the
two I think right Good and evil work together in this world If the Countess
had not woven the tangle and gained Evan time Rose would never have seen his
blood never have had her spirit hurried out of all shows and forms and habits
of thought up to the gates of existence as it were where she took him simply
as God created him and her and clave to him Again had Rose been secret when
this turn in her nature came she would have forfeited the strange power she
received from it and which endowed her with decision to say what was in her
heart and stamp it lastingly there The two Generals were quite antagonistic
but no two in perfect ignorance of one anothers proceedings ever worked so
harmoniously toward the main result The Countess was the skilful engineer Rose
the General of cavalry And it did really seem that with Tom Cogglesby and his
thousands in reserve the victory was about to be gained The male Jocelyns an
easy race decided that if the worst came to the worst and Rose proved a
wonder there was money which was something
But social prejudice was about to claim its champion Hitherto there had
been no General on the opposite side Love aided by the Countess had engaged
an inert mass The champion was discovered in the person of the provincial Don
Juan Mr Harry Jocelyn Harry had gone on a mysterious business of his own to
London He returned with a green box under his arm which five minutes after
his arrival was entrusted to Conning in company with a genial present for
herself of a kind not perhaps so fit for exhibition at least they both thought
so for it was given in the shades Harry then went to pay his respects to his
mother who received him with her customary ironical tolerance His father to
whom he was an incarnation of bother likewise nodded to him and gave him a
finger Duty done Harry looked round him for pleasure and observed nothing but
glum faces Even the face of John Raikes was heavy He had been hovering about
the Duke and Miss Current for an hour hoping the Countess would come and give
him a promised introduction The Countess stirred not from above and Jack
drifted from group to group on the lawn and grew conscious that wherever he
went he brought silence with him His isolation made him humble and when Harry
shook his hand and said he remembered Fallowfield and the fun there Mr Raikes
thanked him
Harry made his way to join his friend Ferdinand and furnished him with the
latest London news not likely to appear in the papers Laxley was distant and
unamused From the fact too that Harry was known to be the Countesss slave
his presence produced the same effect in the different circles about the
grounds as did that of John Raikes Harry began to yawn and wish very ardently
for his sweet lady She however had too fine an instinct to descend
An hour before dinner Juliana sent him a message that she desired to see
him
»Jove I hope that girls not going to be blowing hot again« sighed the
conqueror
He had nothing to fear from Juliana The moment they were alone she asked
him »Have you heard of it«
Harry shook his head and shrugged
»They havent told you Rose has engaged herself to Mr Harrington a
tradesman a tailor«
»Pooh have you got hold of that story« said Harry »But I m sorry for old
Ferdy He was fond of Rosey Here s another bother«
»You dont believe me Harry«
Harry was mentally debating whether in this new posture of affairs his
friend Ferdinand would press his claim for certain moneys lent
»Oh I believe you« he said »Harrington has the knack with you women Why
you made eyes at him It was a tossup between you and Rosey once«
Juliana let this accusation pass
»He is a tradesman He has a shop in Lymport I tell you Harry and his
name on it And he came here on purpose to catch Rose And now he has caught
her he tells her And his mother is now at one of the village inns waiting to
see him Go to Mr George Uploft he knows the family Yes the Countess has
turned your head of course but she has schemed and schemed and told such
stories God forgive her«
The girl had to veil her eyes in a spasm of angry weeping
»Oh come Juley« murmured her killing cousin Harry boasted an
extraordinary weakness at the sight of feminine tears »I say Juley you know
if you begin crying I m done for and it isnt fair«
He dropped his arm on her waist to console her and generously declared to
her that he always had been very fond of her These scenes were not foreign to
the youth Her fits of crying from which she would burst in a frenzy of
contempt at him had made Harry say stronger things and the assurances of
profound affection uttered in a most languid voice will sting the hearts of
women
Harry still went on with his declarations heating them rapidly so as to
bring on himself the usual outburst and check She was longer in coming to it
this time and he had a horrid fear that instead of dismissing him fiercely
and so annulling his words the strange little person was going to be soft and
hold him to them There were her tears however which she could not stop
»Well then Juley look I do upon my honour yes there dont cry any
more I do love you«
Harry held his breath in awful suspense Juliana quietly disengaged her
waist and looking at him said »Poor Harry You need not lie any more to
please me«
Such was Harrys astonishment that he exclaimed »It isnt a lie I say I
do love you« And for an instant he thought and hoped that he did love her
»Well then Harry I dont love you« said Juliana which revealed to our
friend that he had been mistaken in his own emotions Nevertheless his vanity
was hurt when he saw she was sincere and he listened to her a moody being
This may account for his excessive wrath at Evan Harrington after Juliana had
given him proofs of the truth of what she said
But the Countess was Harringtons sister The image of the Countess swam
before him Was it possible Harry went about asking everybody he met The
initiated were discreet those who had the whispers were open A bare truth is
not so convincing as one that discretion confirms Harry found the detestable
news perfectly true
»Stop it by all means if you can« said his father
»Yes try a fall with Rose« said his mother
»And I must sit down to dinner today with a confounded fellow the son of a
tailor who s had the impudence to make love to my sister« cried Harry »I
m determined to kick him out of the house half«
»To what is the modification of your determination due« Lady Jocelyn
inquired probably suspecting the sweet and gracious person who divided Harrys
mind
Her ladyship treated her children as she did mankind generally from her
intellectual eminence Harry was compelled to fly from her cruel shafts He
found comfort with his Aunt Shorne and she as much as told Harry that he was
the head of the house and must take up the matter summarily It was expected of
him Now was the time for him to show his manhood
Harry could think of but one way to do that
»Yes and if I do all up with the old lady« he said and had to explain
that his Grandmama Bonner would never leave a penny to a fellow who had fought a
duel
»A duel« said Mrs Shorne »No there are other ways Insist upon his
renouncing her And Rose treat her with a high hand as becomes you Your
mother is incorrigible and as for your father one knows him of old This
devolves upon you Our family honour is in your hands Harry«
Considering Harrys reputation the family honour must have got low Harry
of course was not disposed to think so He discovered a great deal of unused
pride within him for which he had hitherto not found an agreeable vent Ho
vowed to his aunt that he would not suffer the disgrace and while still that
blandishing olivehued visage swam before his eyes he pledged his word to Mrs
Shorne that he would come to an understanding with Harrington that night
»Quietly« said she »No scandal pray«
»Oh never mind how I do it« returned Harry manfully »How am I to do it
then« he added suddenly remembering his debt to Evan
Mrs Shorne instructed him how to do it quietly and without fear of
scandal The miserable champion replied that it was very well for her to tell
him to say this and that but and she thought him demented he must previous
to addressing Harrington in those terms have money
»Money« echoed the lady »Money«
»Yes money« he iterated doggedly and she learnt that he had borrowed a
sum of Harrington and the amount of the sum
It was a disastrous plight for Mrs Shorne was penniless
She cited Ferdinand Laxley as a likely lender
»Oh I m deep with him already« said Harry in apparent dejection
»How dreadful are these everlasting borrowings of yours« exclaimed his
aunt unaware of a trifling incongruity in her sentiments »You must speak to
him without pay him byandby We must scrape the money together I will write
to your grandfather«
»Yes speak to him How can I when I owe him I cant tell a fellow he s a
blackguard when I owe him and I cant speak any other way I aint a
diplomatist Dashed if I know what to do«
»Juliana« murmured his aunt
»Cant ask her you know«
Mrs Shorne combated the one prominent reason for the objection but there
were two Harry believed that he had exhausted Julianas treasury Reproaching
him further for his wastefulness Mrs Shorne promised him the money should be
got by hook or by crook next day
»And you will speak to this Mr Harrington tonight Harry No allusion to
the loan till you return it Appeal to his sense of honour«
The dinnerbell assembled the inmates of the house Evan was not among them
He had gone as the Countess said aloud on a diplomatic mission to Fallowfield
with Andrew Cogglesby The truth being that he had finally taken Andrew into his
confidence concerning the letter the annuity and the bond Upon which occasion
Andrew had burst into a laugh and said he could lay his hand on the writer of
the letter
»Trust Old Tom for plots Van He ll blow you up in a twinkling the
cunning old dog He pretends to be hard he s as soft as I am if it wasnt
for his crotchets We ll hand him back the cash and that s ended And eh
what a dear girl she is Not that I m astonished My Harry might have married a
lord sit at top of any table in the land And you re as good as any man That
s my opinion But I say she s a wonderful girl to see it«
Chattering thus Andrew drove with the dear boy into Fallowfield Evan was
still in his dream To him the generous love and valiant openness of Rose
though they were matched in his own bosom seemed scarcely human Almost as
noble to him were the gentlemanly plainspeaking of Sir Franks and Lady
Jocelyns kind commonsense But the more he esteemed them the more unbounded
and miraculous appeared the prospect of his calling their daughter by the sacred
name and kneeling with her at their feet Did the dear heavens have that in
store for him The horizon edges were dimly lighted
Harry looked about under his eyelids for Evan trying at the same time to
compose himself for the martyrdom he had to endure in sitting at table with the
presumptuous fellow The Countess signalled him to come within the presence As
he was crossing the room Rose entered and moved to meet him with »Ah Harry
back again Glad to see you«
Harry gave her a blunt nod to which she was inattentive
»What« whispered the Countess after he pressed the tips of her fingers
»Have you brought back the grocer«
Now this was hard to stand Harry could forgive her her birth and pass it
utterly by if she chose to fall in love with him but to hear the grocer
mentioned when he knew of the tailor was a little too much and what Harry
felt his ingenuous countenance was accustomed to exhibit The Countess saw it
She turned her head from him to the diplomatist and he had to remain like a
sentinel at her feet He did not want to be thanked for the green box still he
thought she might have favoured him with one of her muchembracing smiles
In the evening after wine when he was warm and had almost forgotten the
insult to his family and himself the Countess snubbed him It was unwise on her
part but she had the ghastly thought that facts were oozing out and were
already half known She was therefore sensitive tenfold to appearances savage
if one failed to keep up her lie to her and was guilty of a shadow of
difference of behaviour The picnic over our General would evacuate Beckley
Court and shake the dust off her shoes and leave the harvest of what she had
sown to Providence Till then respect and the honours of war So the Countess
snubbed him and he being full of wine fell into the hands of Juliana who had
witnessed the little scene
»She has made a fool of others as well as of you« said Juliana
»How has she« he inquired
»Never mind Do you want to make her humble and crouch to you«
»I want to see Harrington« said Harry
»He will not return tonight from Fallowfield He has gone there to get Mr
Andrew Cogglesbys brother to do something for him You wont have such another
chance of humbling them both both I told you his mother is at an inn here
The Countess has sent Mr Harrington to Fallowfield to be out of the way and
she has told her mother all sorts of falsehoods«
»How do you know all that« quoth Harry »By Jove Juley talk about
plotters No keeping anything from you ever«
»Never mind The mother is here She must be a vulgar woman Oh if you
could manage Harry to get this woman to come you could do it so easily
while they are at the picnic tomorrow It would have the best effect on Rose
She would then understand And the Countess«
»I could send the old woman a message« cried Harry rushing into the
scheme inspired by Julianas fiery eyes »Send her a sort of message to say
where we all were«
»Let her know that her son is here in some way« Juley resumed
»And egad what an explosion« pursued Harry »But suppose «
»No one shall know if you leave it to me if you do just as I tell you
Harry You wont be treated as you were this evening after that if you bring
down her pride And Harry I hear you want money I can give you some«
»You re a perfect trump Juley« exclaimed her enthusiastic cousin »But
no I cant take it I must kiss you though«
He put a kiss upon her cheek Once his kisses had left a red waxen stamp
she was callous to these compliments now
»Will you do what I advise you tomorrow« she asked
After a slight hesitation during which the olivehued visage flitted
faintly in the distances of his brain Harry said
»It ll do Rose good and make Harrington cut Yes I declare I will«
Then they parted Juliana went to her bedroom and flung herself upon the
bed hysterically As the tears came thick and fast she jumped up to lock the
door for this outrageous habit of crying had made her contemptible in the eyes
of Lady Jocelyn and an object of pity to Rose Some excellent and noble natures
cannot tolerate disease and are mystified by its ebullitions It was very sad
to see the slight thin frame grasped by those wan hands to contain the violence
of the frenzy that possessed her the pale hapless face rigid above the torment
in her bosom She had prayed to be loved like other girls and her readiness to
give her heart in return had made her a byword in the house She went to the
window and leaned out on the casement looking towards Fallowfield over the
downs weeping bitterly with a hard shut mouth One brilliant star hung above
the ridge and danced on her tears
»Will he forgive me« she murmured »Oh my God I wish we were dead
together«
Her weeping ceased and she closed the window and undressed as far away
from the mirror as she could get but its force was too much for her and drew
her to it Some undefined hope had sprung in her suddenly With nervous slow
steps she approached the glass and first brushing back the masses of black hair
from her brow looked as for some new revelation Long and anxiously she perused
her features the wide bony forehead the eyes deepset and rounded with the
scarlet of recent tears the thin nose sharp as the dead the weak irritable
mouth and sunken cheeks She gazed like a spirit disconnected from what she saw
Presently a sort of forlorn negative was indicated by the motion of her head
»I can pardon him« she said and sighed »How could he love such a face«
Chapter XXX
The Battle of the BullDogs Part I
At the Southwestern extremity of the park with a view extending over wide
meadows and troubled millwaters yellow barnroofs and weathergray old
farmwalls two grassy mounds threw their slopes to the margin of the stream
Here the bulldogs held revel The hollow between the slopes was crowned by a
bending birch which rose threestemmed from the root and hung a noiseless
green shower over the basin of green it shadowed Beneath it the interminable
growl sounded pleasantly softly shot the sparkle of the twisting water and you
might dream things halffulfilled Knots of fern were about but the tops of the
mounds were firm grass evidently well rolled and with an eye to airy feet
Olympus one eminence was called Parnassus the other Olympus a little
overlooked Parnassus but Parnassus was broader and altogether better adapted
for the games of the Muses Round the edges of both there was a welltrimmed
bush of laurel obscuring only the feet of the dancers from the observing gods
For on Olympus the elders reclined Great efforts had occasionally been made to
dispossess and unseat them and their security depended mainly on a hump in the
middle of the mound which defied the dance
Watteaulike groups were already couched in the shade There were ladies of
all sorts townbred and countrybred farmers daughters and daughters of
peers for this picnic as Lady Jocelyn disgusting the Countess would call
it was in reality a fête champêtre given annually to which the fair offspring
of the superior tenants were invited the brothers and fathers coming to fetch
them in the evening It struck the eye of the Countess de Saldar that Olympus
would be a fitting throne for her and a point whence her shafts might fly
without fear of a return Like another illustrious General at Salamanca she
directed a detachment to take possession of the height Courtly Sir John Loring
ran up at once and gave the diplomatist an opportunity to thank her
flatteringly for gaining them two minutes to themselves Sir John waved his
handkerchief in triumph welcoming them under an awning where carpets and
cushions were spread and whence the Countess could eye the field She was
dressed ravishingly slightly in a foreign style the bodice being peaked at the
waist as was then the Portuguese persuasion The neck too was deliciously
veiled with fine lace and thoroughly veiled for it was a feature the Countess
did not care to expose to the vulgar daylight Off her gentle shoulders as it
were some fringe of cloud blown by the breeze this sweet lady opened her bosom
to curled a lovely black lace scarf not Carolines If she laughed the tinge
of mourning lent her laughter new charms If she sighed the exuberant array of
her apparel bade the spectator be of good cheer Was she witty men surrendered
reason and adored her Only when she entered the majestic mood and assumed the
languors of greatness and recited musky anecdotes of her intimacy with it only
then did mankind as represented at Beckley Court open an internal eye and
reflect that it was wonderful in a tailors daughter And she felt that mankind
did so reflect Her instincts did not deceive her She knew not how much was
known in the depths of her heart she kept low the fear that possibly all might
be known and succeeding in this she said to herself that probably nothing was
known after all George Uploft Miss Carrington and Rose were the three she
abhorred Partly to be out of their way and to be out of the way of chance
shots for she had heard names of people coming that reminded her of Dubbinss
where in past days there had been on one awful occasion a terrific discovery
made the Countess selected Olympus for her station It was her last day and
she determined to be happy Doubtless she was making a retreat but have not
illustrious Generals snatched victory from their pursuers Fair then sweet
and full of grace the Countess moved As the restless shifting of colours to
her motions was the constant interchange of her semisorrowful manner and ready
archness Sir John almost capered to please her and the diplomatist in talking
to her forgot his diplomacy and the craft of his tongue
It was the last day also of Caroline and the Duke The Countess clung to
Caroline and the Duke more than to Evan and Rose She could see the first couple
walking under an avenue of limes and near them that young man or monkey
Raikes as if in ambush Twice they passed him and twice he doffed his hat and
did homage
»A most singular creature« exclaimed the Countess »It is my constant
marvel where my brother discovered such a curiosity Do notice him«
»That man Raikes« said the diplomatist »Do you know he is our rival
Harry wanted an excuse for another bottle last night and proposed the Member
for Fallowfield Up got this Mr Raikes and returned thanks«
»Yes« the Countess negligently interjected in a way she had caught from
Lady Jocelyn
»Cogglesbys nominee apparently«
»I know it all« said the Countess »We need have no apprehension He is
docile My brotherinlaws brother you see is most eccentric We can manage
him best through this Mr Raikes for a personal application would be ruin He
quite detests our family and indeed all the aristocracy«
Melvilles mouth pursed and he looked very grave
Sir John remarked »He seems like a monkey just turned into a man«
»And doubtful about the tail« added the Countess
The image was tolerably correct but other causes were at the bottom of the
air worn by John Raikes The Countess had obtained an invitation for him with
instructions that he should come early and he had followed them so implicitly
that the curricle was flinging dust on the hedges between Fallowfield and
Beckley but an hour or two after the chariot of Apollo had mounted the heavens
and Mr Raikes presented himself at the breakfast table Fortunately for him the
Countess was there After the repast she introduced him to the Duke and he
bowed to the Duke and the Duke bowed to him and now to instance the peculiar
justness in the mind of Mr Raikes he though he worshipped a coronet and would
gladly have recalled the feudal times to a corrupt land could not help thinking
that his bow had beaten the Dukes and was better He would rather not have
thought so for it upset his preconceptions and threatened a revolution in his
ideas For this reason he followed the Duke and tried if possible to correct
or at least chasten the impressions he had of possessing a glaring advantage
over the nobleman The Dukes second notice of him was hardly a nod »Well« Mr
Raikes reflected »if this is your Duke why egad for figure and style my
friend Harrington beats him hollow« And Raikes thought he knew who could
conduct a conversation with superior dignity and neatness The torchlight of a
delusion was extinguished in him but he did not wander long in that gloomy
cavernous darkness of the disenchanted as many of us do and as Evan had done
when after a week at Beckley Court he began to examine of what stuff his
brilliant father the great Mel was composed On the contrary as the light of
the Duke dwindled Raikes gained in lustre »In fact« he said »there s
nothing but the title wanting« He was by this time on a level with the Duke in
his elastic mind
Olympus had been held in possession by the Countess about half an hour when
Lady Jocelyn mounted it quite unconscious that she was scaling a fortified
point The Countess herself fired off the first gun at her
»It has been so extremely delightful up alone here Lady Jocelyn to look at
everybody below I hope many will not intrude on us«
»None but the dowagers who have breath to get up« replied her ladyship
panting »By the way Countess you hardly belong to us yet You dance«
»Indeed I do not«
»Oh then you are in your right place A dowager is a woman who doesnt
dance and her male attendant is what is he We will call him a fogy«
Lady Jocelyn directed a smile at Melville and Sir John who both protested
that it was an honour to be the Countesss fogy
Rose now joined them with Laxley morally dragged in her wake
»Another dowager and fogy« cried the Countess musically »Do you not
dance my child«
»Not till the music strikes up« rejoined Rose »I suppose we shall have to
eat first«
»That is the Hamlet of the picnic play I believe« said her mother
»Of course you dance dont you Countess« Rose inquired for the sake of
amiable conversation
The Countesss head signified »Oh no quite out of the question« she held
up a little bit of her mournful draperies adding »Besides you dear child
know your company and can select I do not and cannot do so I understand we
have a most varied assembly«
Rose shut her eyes and then looked at her mother Lady Jocelyns face was
undisturbed but while her eyes were still upon the Countess she drew her head
gently back imperceptibly If anything she was admiring the lady but Rose
could be no placid philosophic spectator of what was to her a horrible
assumption and hypocrisy For the sake of him she loved she had swallowed a
nauseous cup bravely The Countess was too much for her She felt sick to think
of being allied to this person She had a shuddering desire to run into the
ranks of the world and hide her head from multitudinous hootings With a pang
of envy she saw her friend Jenny walking by the side of William Harvey happy
untried unoffending full of hope and without any bitter draughts to swallow
Aunt Bel now came tripping up gaily
»Take the alternative douairière or demoiselle« cried Lady Jocelyn »We
must have a sharp distinction or Olympus will be mobbed«
»Entre les deux sil vous plaît« responded Aunt Bel »Rose hurry down
and leaven the mass I see ten girls in a bunch It s shocking Ferdinand pray
disperse yourself Why is it Emily that we are always in excess at picnics
Is man dying out«
»From what I can see« remarked Lady Jocelyn »Harry will be lost to his
species unless some one quickly relieves him He s already half eaten up by the
Conley girls Countess isnt it your duty to rescue him«
The Countess bowed and murmured to Sir John
»A dismissal«
»I fear my fascinations Lady Jocelyn may not compete with those fresh
young persons«
»Ha ha fresh young persons« laughed Sir John for the ladies in question
were romping boisterously with Mr Harry
The Countess inquired for the names and condition of the ladies and was
told that they sprang from Farmer Conley a welltodo son of the soil who
farmed about a couple of thousand acres between Fallowfield and Beckley and
bore a good reputation at the county bank
»But I do think« observed the Countess »it must indeed be pernicious for
any youth to associate with that class of woman A deterioration of manners«
Rose looked at her mother again She thought »Those girls would scorn to
marry a tradesmans son«
The feeling grew in Rose that the Countess lowered and degraded her Her
mothers calm contemplation of the lady was more distressing than if she had
expressed the contempt Rose was certain according to her young ideas Lady
Jocelyn must hold
Now the Countess had been considering that she would like to have a word or
two with Mr Harry and kissing her fingers to the occupants of Olympus and
fixing her fancy on the diverse thoughts of the ladies and gentlemen deduced
from a rapturous or critical contemplation of her figure from behind she
descended the slope
Was it going to be a happy day The wellimagined opinions of the gentleman
on her attire and style made her lean to the affirmative but Roses demure
behaviour and something something would come across her hopes She had as
she now said to herself stopped for the picnic mainly to give Caroline a last
opportunity of binding the Duke to visit the Cogglesby saloons in London Let
Caroline cleverly contrive this as she might without any compromise and the
stay at Beckley Court would be a great gain Yes Caroline was still with the
Duke they were talking earnestly The Countess breathed a short appeal to
Providence that Caroline might not prove a fool Overnight she had said to
Caroline »Do not be so English Can one not enjoy friendship with a nobleman
without wounding ones conscience or breaking with the world My dear the Duke
visiting you you cow that infamous Strike of yours He will be utterly
obsequious I am not telling you to pass the line The contrary But we
continentals have our grievous reputation because we dare to meet as
intellectual beings and defy the imputation that ladies and gentlemen are no
better than animals«
It sounded very lofty to Caroline who accepting its sincerity replied
»I cannot do things by halves I cannot live a life of deceit A life of
misery not deceit«
Whereupon pitying her poor English nature the Countess gave her advice
and this advice she now implored her familiars to instruct or compel Caroline to
follow
The Countesss garment was plucked at She beheld little Dorothy Loring
glancing up at her with the roguish timidity of her years
»May I come with you« asked the little maid and went off into a prattle
»I spent that five shillings I bought a shillings worth of sweet stuff and
nine pennorth of twine and a shilling for small wax candles to light in my
room when I m going to bed because I like plenty of light by the lookingglass
always and they do make the room so hot My Jane declared she almost fainted
but I burnt them out Then I only had very little left for a horse to mount my
doll on and I wasnt going to get a screw so I went to Papa and he gave me
five shillings And oh do you know Rose cant bear me to be with you
Jealousy I suppose for you re very agreeable And do you know your Mama is
coming today Ive got a Papa and no Mama and youve got a Mama and no Papa
Isnt it funny But I dont think so much of it as you re grown up Oh I m
quite sure she is coming because I heard Harry telling Juley she was and Juley
said it would be so gratifying to you«
A bribe and a message relieved the Countess of Dorothys attendance on her
What did this mean Were people so base as to be guilty of hideous plots in
this house Her mother coming The Countesss blood turned deadly chill Had it
been her father she would not have feared but her mother was so vilely plain of
speech she never opened her mouth save to deliver facts which was to the
Countess the sign of atrocious vulgarity
But her mother had written to say she would wait for Evan in Fallowfield
The Countess grasped at straws Did Dorothy hear that And if Harry and Juliana
spoke of her mother what did that mean That she was hunted and must stand at
bay
»Oh Papa Papa why did you marry a Dawley« she exclaimed plunging to
what was in her idea the root of the evil
She had no time for outcries and lamentations It dawned on her that this
was to be a day of battle Where was Harry Still in the midst of the Conley
throng apparently poohpoohing something to judge by the twist of his mouth
The Countess delicately signed for him to approach her The extreme delicacy
of the signal was at least an excuse for Harry to perceive nothing It was
renewed and Harry burst into a fit of laughter at some fun of one of the Conley
girls The Countess passed on and met Juliana pacing by herself near the lower
gates of the park She wished only to see how Juliana behaved The girl looked
perfectly trustful as much so as when the Countess was pouring in her ears the
tales of Evans growing but bashful affection for her
»He will soon be here« whispered the Countess »Has he told you he will
come by this entrance«
»No« replied Juliana
»You do not look well sweet child«
»I was thinking that you did not Countess«
»Oh indeed yes With reason alas All our visitors have by this time
arrived I presume«
»They come all day«
The Countess hastened away from one who when roused could be almost as
clever as herself and again stood in meditation near the joyful Harry This
time she did not signal so discreetly Harry could not but see it and the
Conley girls accused him of cruelty to the beautiful dame which novel idea
stung Harry with delight and he held out to indulge in it a little longer His
back was half turned and as he talked noisily he could not observe the serene
and resolute march of the Countess toward him The youth gaped when he found his
arm taken prisoner by the insertion of a small deliciouslygloved and perfumed
hand through it
»I must claim you for a few moments« said the Countess and took the
startled Conley girls one and all in her beautiful smile of excuse
»Why do you compromise me thus sir«
These astounding words were spoken out of the hearing of the Conley girls
»Compromise you« muttered Harry
Masterly was the skill with which the Countess contrived to speak angrily
and as an injured woman while she wore an indifferent social countenance
»I repeat compromise me No Mr Harry Jocelyn you are not the jackanapes
you try to make people think you you understand me«
The Countess might accuse him but Harry never had the ambition to make
people think him that his natural tendency was the reverse and he objected to
the application of the word jackanapes to himself and was ready to contest the
fact of people having that opinion at all However all he did was to repeat
»Compromise«
»Is not open unkindness to me compromising me«
»How« asked Harry
»Would you dare to do it to a strange lady Would you have the impudence to
attempt it with any woman here but me No I am innocent it is my consolation
I have resisted you but you by this cowardly behaviour place me and my
reputation which is more at your mercy Noble behaviour Mr Harry Jocelyn I
shall remember my young English gentleman«
The view was totally new to Harry
»I really had no idea of compromising you« he said »Upon my honour I
cant see how I did it now«
»Oblige me by walking less in the neighbourhood of those fatfaced glaring
farmgirls« the Countess spoke under her breath »and dont look as if you were
being whipped The art of it is evident you are but carrying on the game
Listen If you permit yourself to exhibit an unkindness to me you show to any
man who is a judge and to every woman that there has been something between
us You know my innocence yes but you must punish me for having resisted you
thus long«
Harry swore he never had such an idea and was much too much of a man and a
gentleman to behave in that way And yet it seemed wonderfully clever And
here was the Countess saying
»Take your reward Mr Harry Jocelyn You have succeeded I am your humble
slave I come to you and sue for peace To save my reputation I endanger myself
This is generous of you«
»Am I such a clever fellow« thought the young gentleman »Deuced lucky with
women« he knew that still a fellow must be wonderfully miraculously clever
to be able to twist and spin about such a woman as this in that way He did not
object to conceive that he was the fellow to do it Besides here was the
Countess de Saldar worth five hundred of the Conley girls almost at his
feet
Mollified he said »Now didnt you begin it«
»Evasion« was the answer »It would be such pleasure to you to see a proud
woman weep And if yesterday persecuted as I am with dreadful falsehoods
abroad respecting me and mine if yesterday I did seem cold to your great
merits is it generous of you to take this revenge«
Harry began to scent the double meaning in her words She gave him no time
to grow cool over it She leaned half abandoned on his arm Arts feminine and
irresistible encompassed him It was a fatal mistake of Julianas to enlist
Harry Jocelyn against the Countess de Saldar He engaged still without any
direct allusion to the real business to move heaven and earth to undo all that
he had done and the Countess implied an engagement to do what more than she
intended to fulfil
Ten minutes later she was alone with Caroline
»Tie yourself to the Duke at the dinner« she said in the forcible phrase
she could use when necessary »Dont let them scheme to separate you Never mind
looks do it«
Caroline however had her reasons for desiring to maintain appearances The
Countess dashed at her hesitation
»There is a plot to humiliate us in the most abominable way The whole
family have sworn to make us blush publicly Publicly blush They have written
to Mama to come and speak out Now will you attend to me Caroline You do not
credit such atrocity I know it to be true«
»I never can believe that Rose would do such a thing« said Caroline »We
can hardly have to endure more than has befallen us already«
Her speech was pensive as of one who had matter of her own to ponder over
A swift illumination burst in the Countesss mind
»No Have you dear darling Carry not that I intend that you should but
today the Duke would be such ineffable support to us May I deem you have not
been too cruel today You dear silly English creature Duck I used to call you
when I was your little Louy All is not yet lost but I will save you from the
ignominy if I can I will«
Caroline denied nothing confirmed nothing just as the Countess had stated
nothing Yet they understood one another perfectly Women have a subtler
language than ours the veil pertains to them morally as bodily and they see
clearer through it
The Countess had no time to lose Wrath was in her heart She did not lend
all her thoughts to selfdefence
Without phrasing a word or absolutely shaping a thought in her head she
slanted across the sun to Mr Raikes who had taken refreshment and in
obedience to his instinct notwithstanding his enormous pretensions had
commenced a few preliminary antics
»Dear Mr Raikes« she said drawing him aside »not before dinner«
»I really cant contain the exuberant flow« returned that gentleman »My
animal spirits always get the better of me« he added confidentially
»Suppose you devote your animal spirits to my service for half an hour«
»Yours Countess from the os frontis to the chine« was the exuberant
rejoinder
The Countess made a wry mouth
»Your curricle is in Beckley«
»Behold« said Jack »Two juveniles not half so blest as I do from the
seat regard the festive scene oer yon parkpalings They are there even Franko
and Fred I m afraid I promised to get them in at a later period of the day
Which sadly sore my conscience doth disturb But what is to be done about the
curricle my Countess«
»Mr Raikes« said the Countess smiling on him fixedly »you are amusing
but in addressing me you must be precise and above all things accurate I am
not your Countess«
He bowed profoundly »Oh that I might say my Queen«
The Countess replied »A conviction of your lunacy would prevent my taking
offence though I might wish you enclosed and guarded«
Without any further exclamations Raikes acknowledged a superior
»And now attend to me« said the Countess »Listen You go yourself or
send your friends instantly to Fallowfield Bring with you that girl and her
child Stop there is such a person Tell her she is to be spoken to about the
prospects of the poor infant I leave that to your inventive genius Evan wishes
her here Bring her and should you see the mad captain who behaves so oddly
favour him with a ride He says he dreams his wife is here and he will not
reveal his name Suppose it should be my own beloved husband I am quite
anxious«
The Countess saw him go up to the palings and hold a communication with his
friends Franko and Fred One took the whip and after mutual flourishes drove
away
»Now« mused the Countess »if Captain Evremonde should come« It would
break up the picnic Alas the Countess had surrendered her humble hopes of a
days pleasure But if her mother came as well what a diversion that would be
If her mother came before the Captain his arrival would cover the retreat if
the Captain preceded her she would not be noticed Suppose her mother refrained
from coming In that case it was a pity but the Jocelyns had brought it on
themselves
This mapping out of consequences followed the Countesss deeds and did not
inspire them Her passions sharpened her instincts which produced her actions
The reflections ensued as in nature the consequences were all seen
subsequently Observe the difference between your male and female Generals
On reflection too the Countess praised herself for having done all that
could be done She might have written to her mother but her absence would have
been remarked her messenger might have been overhauled and lastly Mrs Mel
»Gorgon of a mother« the Countess cried out for Mrs Mel was like a Fate to
her She could remember only two occasions in her whole life when she had been
able to manage her mother and then by lying in such a way as to distress her
conscience severely
»If Mama has conceived this idea of coming nothing will impede her My
prayers will infuriate her« said the Countess and she was sure that she had
acted both rightly and with wisdom
She put on her armour of smiles she plunged into the thick of the enemy
Since they would not allow her to taste human happiness she had asked but for
the picnic a small truce since they denied her that rather than let them
triumph by seeing her wretched she took into her bosom the joy of demons She
lured Mr George Uploft away from Miss Carrington and spoke to him strange
hints of matrimonial disappointments looking from time to time at that
apprehensive lady doating on her terrors And Mr George seconded her by his
clouded face for he was ashamed not to show that he did not know Louisa
Harrington in the Countess de Saldar and had not the courage to declare that he
did The Countess spoke familiarly but without any hint of an ancient
acquaintance between them »What a post her husbands got« thought Mr George
not envying the Count He was wrong she was an admirable ally All over the
field the Countess went watching for her mother praying that if she did come
Providence might prevent her from coming while they were at dinner How clearly
Mrs Shorne and Mrs Melville saw her vulgarity now By the new light of
knowledge how certain they were that they had seen her ungentle training in a
dozen little instances
»She is not wellbred cela se voit« said Lady Jocelyn
»Bred it s the stage How could such a person be bred« said Mrs Shorne
Accept in the Countess the heroine who is combating classprejudices and
surely she is preeminently noteworthy True she fights only for her family
and is virtually the champion of the opposing institution misplaced That does
not matter the Fates may have done it purposely by conquering she establishes
a principle A Duke adores her sister the daughter of the house her brother
and for herself she has many protestations in honour of her charms nor are they
empty ones She can confound Mrs Melville if she pleases to by exposing an
adorer to lose a friend Issuing out of Tailordom she a Countess has done all
this and it were enough to make her glow did not little evils and angers and
spites and alarms so frightfully beset her
The sun of the picnic system is dinner Hence philosophers may deduce that
the picnic is a British invention There is no doubt that we do not shine at
the picnic until we reflect the face of dinner To this then all who were not
lovers began seriously to look forward and the advance of an excellent county
band specially hired to play during the entertainment gave many of the guests
quite a new taste for sweet music and indeed we all enjoy a thing infinitely
more when we see its meaning
About this time Evan entered the lower parkgates with Andrew The first
object he encountered was John Raikes in a state of great depression He
explained his case
»Just look at my frill Now upon my honour you know I m goodtempered I
pass their bucolic habits but this is beyond bearing I was near the palings
there and a fellow calls out Hi will you help the lady over Holloa thinks
I an adventure However I advised him to take her round to the gates The
beast burst out laughing Now then says he and I heard a scrambling at the
pales and up came the head of a dog Oh the dog first says I Catch by the
ears says he I did so Pull says he Gad pull indeed The beast gave a
spring and came slap on my chest with his dirty wet muzzle on my neck I felt
instantly it was the death of my frill but gallant as you know me I still
asked for the lady If you will please or an it meet your favour to extend
your hand to me I confess I did think it rather odd the idea of a lady coming
in that way over the palings but my curst love of adventure always blinds me
It always misleads my better sense Harrington Well instead of a lady I see a
fellow he may have been a lineal descendant of Cedric the Saxon Where s the
lady says I Lady says he and stares and then laughs Lady why he jumps
over and points at his beast of a dog dont you know a bitch when you see one
I was in the most ferocious rage If he hadnt been a big burly bully down he
d have gone Why didnt you say what it was I roared Why says he the word
isnt considered polite I gave him a cut there I said I rejoice to be
positively assured that you uphold the laws and forms of civilization sir My
belief is he didnt feel it«
»The thrust sinned in its shrewdness« remarked Evan ending a laugh
»Hem« went Mr Raikes more contentedly »after all what are appearances
to the man of wit and intellect Dress and women will approve you but I assure
you they much prefer the man of wit in his slouched hat and stockings down I
was introduced to the Duke this morning It is a curious thing that the
seduction of a Duchess has always been one of my dreams«
At this Andrew Cogglesby fell into a fit of laughter
»Your servant« said Mr Raikes turning to him And then he muttered
»Extraordinary likeness Good Heavens Powers«
From a state of depression Mr Raikes changed into one of bewilderment
Evan paid no attention to him and answered none of his hasty undertoned
questions Just then as they were on the skirts of the company the band struck
up a lively tune and quite unconsciously the legs of Raikes affected it may
be by supernatural reminiscences loosely hornpiped It was but a moment he
remembered himself the next but in that fatal moment eyes were on him He never
recovered his dignity in Beckley Court he was fatally mercurial
»What is the joke against this poor fellow« asked Evan of Andrew
»Never mind Van You ll roar Old Tom again We ll see byandby after
the champagne He this young Raikes ha ha but I cant tell you« And
Andrew went away to Drummond to whom he was more communicative Then he went to
Melville and one or two others and the eyes of many became concentrated on
Raikes and it was observed as a singular sign that he was constantly facing
about and flushing the fiercest red Once he made an effort to get hold of
Evans arm and drag him away as one who had an urgent confession to be
delivered of but Evan was talking to Lady Jocelyn and other ladies and
quietly disengaged his arm without even turning to notice the face of his
friend Then the dinner was announced and men saw the dinner The Countess went
to shake her brothers hand and with a very gratulatory visage said through
her halfshut teeth »If Mama appears rise up and go away with her before she
has time to speak a word« An instant after Evan found himself seated between
Mrs Evremonde and one of the Conley girls The dinner had commenced The first
half of the Battle of the Bulldogs was as peaceful as any ordinary picnic and
promised to the general company as calm a conclusion
Chapter XXXI
The Battle of the BullDogs Part II
If it be a distinct point of wisdom to hug the hour that is then does dinner
amount to a highly intellectual invitation to man for it furnishes the
occasion and Britons are the wisest of their race for more than all others
they take advantage of it In this Nature is undoubtedly our guide seeing that
he who while feasting his body allows to his soul a thought for the morrow is
in his digestion curst and becomes a house of evil humours Now though the
epicure may complain of the cold meats a dazzling table a buzzing company
blue sky and a band of music are incentives to the forgetfulness of troubles
past and imminent and produce a concentration of the faculties They may not
exactly prove that peace is established between yourself and those who object to
your carving of the world but they testify to an armistice
Aided by these observations you will understand how it was that the
Countess de Saldar afflicted and menaced was inspired on taking her seat to
give so graceful and stately a sweep to her dress that she was enabled to
conceive woman and man alike to be secretly overcome by it You will not refuse
to credit the fact that Mr Raikes threw care to the dogs heavy as was that
mysterious lump suddenly precipitated on his bosom and you will think it not
impossible that even the springers of the mine about to explode should lose
their subterranean countenances A generous abandonment to one idea prevailed
As for Evan the first glass of champagne rushed into reckless nuptials with the
music in his head bringing Rose warm almost as life on his heart Sublime are
the visions of lovers He knew he must leave her on the morrow he feared he
might never behold her again and yet he tasted bliss for it seemed within the
contemplation of the Gods that he should dance with his darling before dark
haply waltz with her Oh heaven he shuts his eyes blinded The band wheels
off meltingly in a tune all cadences and twirls and risings and sinkings and
passionate outbursts trippingly consoled Ah how sweet to waltz through life
with the right partner And what a singular thing it is to look back on the day
when we thought something like it Never mind there may be spheres where it is
so managed doubtless the planets have their Hanwell and Bedlam
I confess that the hand here writing is not insensible to the effects of
that first glass of champagne The poetry of our Countesss achievements waxes
rich in manifold colours I see her by the light of her own pleas to Providence
I doubt almost if the hand be mine which dared to make a hero play second
fiddle and to his beloved I have placed a bushel over his light certainly
Poor boy it was enough that he should have tailordom on his shoulders I ought
to have allowed him to conquer Nature and so come out of his eclipse This
shall be said of him that he can play second fiddle without looking foolish
which for my part I call a greater triumph than if he were performing the
heroics we are more accustomed to He has steady eyes can gaze at the right
level into the eyes of others and commands a tongue which is neither struck
dumb nor set in a flutter by any startling question The best instances to be
given that he does not lack merit are that the Jocelyns whom he has offended by
his birth cannot change their treatment of him and that the hostile women
whatever they may say do not think Rose utterly insane At any rate Rose is
satisfied and her selflove makes her a keen critic The moment Evan appeared
the sickness produced in her by the Countess passed and she was ready to brave
her situation With no mock humility she permitted Mrs Shorne to place her in a
seat where glances could not be interchanged She was quite composed calmly
prepared for conversation with any one Indeed her behaviour since the hour of
general explanation had been so perfectly wellcontained that Mrs Melville
said to Lady Jocelyn
»I am only thinking of the damage to her It will pass over this fancy
You can see she is not serious It is mere spirit of opposition She eats and
drinks just like other girls You can see that the fancy has not taken such very
strong hold of her«
»I cant agree with you« replied her ladyship »I would rather have her sit
and sigh by the hour and loathe roast beaf That would look nearer a cure«
»She has the notions of a silly country girl« said Mrs Shorne
»Exactly« Lady Jocelyn replied »A season in London will give her balance«
So the guests were tolerably happy or at least with scarce an exception
open to the influences of champagne and music Perhaps Juliana was the
wretchedest creature present She was about to smite on both cheeks him she
loved as well as the woman she despised and had been foiled by Still she had
the consolation that Rose seeing the vulgar mother might turn from Evan a
poor distant hope meagre and shapeless like herself Her most anxious thoughts
concerned the means of getting money to lock up Harrys tongue She could bear
to meet the Countesss wrath but not Evans offended look Hark to that
Countess
»Why do you denominate this a picnic Lady Jocelyn It is in verity a
fête«
»I suppose we ought to lie down à la Grecque to come within the term« was
the reply »On the whole I prefer plain English for such matters«
»But this is assuredly too sumptuous for a picnic Lady Jocelyn From what
I can remember picnic implies contribution from all the guests It is true I
left England a child«
Mr George Uploft could not withhold a sharp grimace The Countess had
throttled the inward monitor that tells us when we are lying so grievously had
she practised the habit in the service of her family
»Yes« said Mrs Melville »I have heard of that fashion and very stupid it
is«
»Extremely vulgar« murmured Miss Carrington
»Possibly« Lady Jocelyn observed »but good fun I have been to picnics
in my day I invariably took cold pie and claret I clashed with halfadozen
but all the harm we did was to upset the dictum that there can be too much of a
good thing I know for certain that the bottles were left empty«
»And this woman« thought the Countess »this woman with a soul so
essentially vulgar claims rank above me« The reflection generated contempt of
English society in the first place and then a passionate desire for
selfassertion
She was startled by a direct attack which aroused her momentarily lulled
energies
A lady quite a stranger a dry simpering lady caught the Countesss
benevolent passing gaze and leaning forward said »I hope her ladyship bears
her affliction as well as can be expected«
In military parlance the Countess was taken in flank Another would have
asked What ladyship To whom do you allude may I beg to inquire The Countess
knew better Rapid as light it shot through her that the relict of Sir Abraham
was meant and this she divined because she was aware that devilish malignity
was watching to trip her
A little conversation happening to buzz at the instant the Countess merely
turned her chin to an angle agitated her brows very gently and crowned the
performance with a mournful smile All that a woman must feel at the demise of
so precious a thing as a husband was therein eloquently expressed and at the
same time if explanations ensued there were numerous ladyships in the world
whom the Countess did not mind afflicting should she be hard pressed
»I knew him so well« resumed the horrid woman addressing anybody »It was
so sad so unexpected but he was so subject to affection of the throat And I
was so sorry I could not get down to him in time I had not seen him since his
marriage when I was a girl and to meet one of his children But my dear
in quinsey I have heard that there is nothing on earth like a good hearty
laugh«
Mr Raikes hearing this sucked down the flavour of a glass of champagne
and with a look of fierce jollity interposed as if specially charged by
Providence to make plain to the persecuted Countess his mission and business
there »Then our vocation is at last revealed to us Quinseydoctor I remember
when a boy wandering over the paternal mansion and envying the life of a
tinker which my mother did not think a good omen in me But the traps of a
Quinseydoctor are even lighter Say twenty good jokes and two or three of a
practical kind A man most enviable«
»It appears« he remarked aloud to one of the Conley girls »that quinsey is
needed before a joke is properly appreciated«
»I like fun« said she but had not apparently discovered it
What did that odious woman mean by perpetually talking about Sir Abraham
The Countess intercepted a glance between her and the hated Juliana She felt it
was a malignant conspiracy still the vacuous vulgar air of the woman told her
that most probably she was but an instrument not a confederate and was only
trying to push herself into acquaintance with the great a proceeding scorned
and abominated by the Countess who longed to punish her for her insolent
presumption The bitterness of her situation stung her tenfold when she
considered that she dared not
Meantime the champagne became as regular in its flow as the Bulldogs and
the monotonous bass of these latter sounded through the music like life behind
the murmur of pleasure if you will The Countess had a not unfeminine weakness
for champagne and old Mr Bonners cellar was well and choicely stocked But
was this enjoyment to the Countess this dreary station in the background
»May I emerge« she as much as implored Providence The petition was infinitely
tender She thought she might or it may be that nature was strong and she
could not restrain herself
Taking wine with Sir John she said
»This bowing Do you know how amusing it is deemed by us Portuguese Why not
embrace as the dear Queen used to say to me«
»I am decidedly of Her Majestys opinion« observed Sir John with emphasis
and the Countess drew back into a mingled laugh and blush
Her fiendish persecutor gave two or three nods »And you know the Queen«
she said
She had to repeat the remark whereupon the Countess murmured »Intimately«
»Ah we have lost a staunch old Tory in Sir Abraham« said the lady
performing lamentation
What did it mean Could design lodge in that emptylooking head with its
crisp curls button nose and diminishing simper Was this picnic to be made as
terrible to the Countess by her putative father as the dinner had been by the
great Mel The deep hard level look of Juliana met the Countesss smile from
time to time and like flimsy light horse before a solid array of infantry the
Countess fell back only to be worried afresh by her perfectly unwitting
tormentor
»His last days without pain Oh I hope so« came after a lapse of
general talk
»Arent we getting a little funereal Mrs Perkins« Lady Jocelyn asked and
then rallied her neighbours
Miss Carrington looked at her vexedly for the fiendish Perkins was checked
and the Countess in alarm about to commit herself was a pleasant sight to Miss
Carrington
»The worst of these indiscriminate meetings is that there is no
conversation« whispered the Countess thanking Providence for the relief
Just then she saw Juliana bend her brows at another person This was George
Uploft who shook his head and indicated a shrewdeyed thin middle man of a
lawyerlike cast and then Juliana nodded and George Uploft touched his arm
and glanced hurriedly behind for champagne The Countesss eyes dwelt on the
timid young squire most affectionately You never saw a fortress more unprepared
for dread assault
»Hem« was heard terrific But the proper pause had evidently not yet come
and now to prevent it the Countess strained her energies and tasked her genius
intensely Have you an idea of the difficulty of keeping up the ball among a
host of illassorted stupid country people who have no open topics and can
talk of nothing continuously but scandal of their neighbours and who moreover
feel they are not up to the people they are mixing with Darting upon Seymour
Jocelyn the Countess asked touchingly for news of the partridges It was like
the unlocking of a machine Seymour was not blythe in his reply but he was loud
and forcible and when he came to the statistics oh then you would have
admired the Countess for comparisons ensued braces were enumerated numbers
given were contested and the shooting of this one jeered at and anothers sure
mark respectfully admitted And how lay the coveys And what about the damage
done by last winters floods And was there good hope of the pheasants Outside
this clatter the Countess hovered Twice the awful »Hem« was heard She fought
on She kept them at it If it flagged she wished to know this or that and
finally thought that really she should like herself to try one shot The women
had previously been left behind This brought in the women Lady Jocelyn
proposed a female expedition for the morrow
»I believe I used to be something of a shot formerly« she said
»You peppered old Tom once my lady« remarked Andrew and her ladyship
laughed and that foolish Andrew told the story and the Countess to revive her
subject had to say »May I be enrolled to shoot« though she detested and
shrank from firearms
»Here are two« said the hearty presiding dame »Ladies apply immediately
to have your names put down«
The possibility of an expedition of ladies now struck Seymour vividly and
said he »I ll be secretary« and began applying to the ladies for permission
to put down their names Many declined with brevity muttering either aloud or
to themselves unwomanly varied by unladylike some confessed cowardice some a
horror of the noise close to their ears and there was the plea of nerves But
the names of halfadozen ladies were collected and then followed much
laughter and musical hubbub and delicate banter So the ladies and gentlemen
fell one and all into the partridge pit dug for them by the Countess and that
horrible »Hem« equal in force and terror to the roar of artillery preceding the
charge of ten thousand dragoons was silenced the pit appeared impassable Did
the Countess crow over her advantage Mark her the ladys face is entirely
given up to partridges »English sports are so much envied abroad« she says
but what she dreads is a reflection for that leads off from the point A
portion of her mind she keeps to combat them in Lady Jocelyn and others who have
the tendency the rest she divides between internal prayers for succour and
casting about for another popular subject to follow partridges Now mere
talent as critics say when they are lighting candles round a genius mere
talent would have hit upon pheasants as the natural sequitur and then diverged
to sports a great theme for it ensures a chorus of sneers at foreigners and
so on probably to a discussion of birds and beasts best adapted to enrapture the
palate of man Stories may succeed but they are doubtful and not to be
trusted coming after cookery After an exciting subject which has made the
general tongue to wag and just enough heated the brain to cause it to cry out
for spiced food then start your story taking care that it be mild for one
too marvellous stops the tide the sense of climax being strongly implanted in
all bosoms So the Countess told an anecdote one of Mels Mr George Uploft
was quite familiar with it and knew of one passage that would have abashed him
to relate »before ladies« The sylphlike ease with which the Countess floated
over this foul abysm was miraculous Mr George screwed his eyelids queerly
and closed his jaws with a report completely beaten The anecdote was of the
character of an apologue and pertained to game This was as it happened a
misfortune for Mr Raikes had felt himself left behind by the subject and the
stuff that was in this young man being naturally ebullient he lay by to trip
it and take a lead His remarks brought on him a shrewd cut from the Countess
which made matters worse for a pun may also breed puns as doth an anecdote
The Countesss stroke was so neat and perfect that it was something for the
gentlemen to think over and to punish her for giving way to her cleverness and
to petty vexation »Hem« sounded once more and then »May I ask you if the
present Baronet is in England«
Lady Jocelyn perceived that some attack was directed against her guest She
allowed the Countess to answer
»The eldest was drowned in the Lisbon waters«
And then said »But who is it that persists in serving up the funeral baked
meats to us«
Mrs Shorne spoke for her neighbour »Mr Farnleys cousin was the steward
of Sir Abraham Harringtons estates«
The Countess held up her head boldly There is a courageous exaltation of
the nerves known to heroes and great generals in action when they feel sure that
resources within themselves will spring up to the emergency and that over
simple mortals success is positive
»I had a great respect for Sir Abraham« Mr Farnley explained »very great
I heard that this lady« bowing to the Countess »was his daughter«
Lady Jocelyns face wore an angry look and Mrs Shorne gave her the shade
of a shrug and an expression implying »I didnt«
Evan was talking to Miss Jenny Graine at the moment rather earnestly With a
rapid glance at him to see that his ears were closed the Countess breathed
»Not the elder branch Cadet«
The sort of noisy silence produced by halfadozen people respirating deeply
and moving in their seats was heard The Countess watched Mr Farnleys
mystified look and whispered to Sir John »Estce quil comprenne le Français
lui«
It was the final featherlike touch to her triumph She saw safety and a
clear escape and much joyful gain and the pleasure of relating her sufferings
in days to come This vista was before her when harsh as an execution bell
telling her that she had vanquished man but that Providence opposed her »Mrs
Melchisedec Harrington« was announced to Lady Jocelyn
Perfect stillness reigned immediately as if the picnic had heard its doom
»Oh I will go to her« said her ladyship whose first thought was to spare
the family »Andrew come and give me your arm«
But when she rose Mrs Mel was no more than the length of an arm from her
elbow
In the midst of the horrible anguish she was enduring the Countess could
not help criticizing her mothers curtsey to Lady Jocelyn Fine but a shade too
humble Still it was fine all might not yet be lost
»Mama« she softly exclaimed and thanked heaven that she had not denied her
parent
Mrs Mel did not notice her or any of her children There was in her bosom a
terrible determination to cast a devil out of the one she best loved For this
purpose heedless of all pain to be given or of impropriety she had come to
speak publicly and disgrace and humiliate that she might save him from the
devils that had ruined his father
»My lady« said the terrible woman thanking her in reply to an invitation
that she should be seated »I have come for my son I hear he has been playing
the lord in your house my lady I humbly thank your ladyship for your kindness
to him but he is nothing more than a tailors son and is bound a tailor
himself that his father may be called an honest man I am come to take him
away«
Mrs Mel seemed to speak without much effort though the pale flush of her
cheeks showed that she felt what she was doing Juliana was pale as death
watching Rose Intensely bright with the gemlike light of her gallant spirit
Roses eyes fixed on Evan He met them The words of Ruth passed through his
heart But the Countess who had given Rose to Evan and the Duke to Caroline
where was her supporter The Duke was entertaining Caroline with no less
dexterity and Roses eyes said to Evan »Feel no shame that I do not feel« but
the Countess stood alone It is ever thus with genius to quote the numerous
illustrious authors who have written of it
What mattered it now that in the dead hush Lady Jocelyn should assure her
mother that she had been misinformed and that Mrs Mel was presently quieted
and made to sit with others before the fruits and wines All eyes were hateful
the very thought of Providence confused her brain Almost reduced to imbecility
the Countess imagined as a reality that Sir Abraham had borne with her till
her public announcement of relationship and that then the outraged ghost would
no longer be restrained and had struck this blow
The crushed picnic tried to get a little air and made attempts at
conversation Mrs Mel sat upon the company with the weight of all tailordom
And now a messenger came for Harry Everybody was so zealously employed in
the struggle to appear comfortable under Mrs Mel that his departure was hardly
observed The general feeling for Evan and his sisters by their superiors in
rank was one of kindly pity Laxley however did not behave well He put up
his glass and scrutinized Mrs Mel and then examined Evan and Rose thought
that in his interchange of glances with any one there was a lurking revival of
the scene gone by She signalled with her eyebrows for Drummond to correct him
but Drummond had another occupation Andrew made the diversion He whispered to
his neighbour and the whisper went round and the laugh and Mr Raikes grew
extremely uneasy in his seat and betrayed an extraordinary alarm But he also
was soon relieved A messenger had come from Harry to Mrs Evremonde bearing a
slip of paper This the lady glanced at and handed it to Drummond A straggling
pencil had traced these words
»Just running by SW gates saw the Captain coming in couldnt stop to
stop him tremendous hurry important Harry J«
Drummond sent the paper to Lady Jocelyn After her perusal of it a scout was
despatched to the summit of Olympus and his report proclaimed the advance in
the direction of the Bulldogs of a smart little figure of a man in white hat
and white trousers who kept flicking his legs with a cane
Mrs Evremonde rose and conferred with her ladyship an instant and then
Drummond took her arm quietly and passed round Olympus to the East and Lady
Jocelyn broke up the sitting
Juliana saw Rose go up to Evan and make him introduce her to his mother
She turned lividly white and went to a corner of the park by herself and cried
bitterly
Lady Jocelyn Sir Franks and Sir John remained by the tables but before
the guests were out of earshot the individual signalled from Olympus presented
himself
»There are times when one cant see what else to do but to lie« said her
ladyship to Sir Franks »and when we do lie the only way is to lie intrepidly«
Turning from her perplexed husband she exclaimed
»Ah Lawson«
Captain Evremonde lifted his hat declining an intimacy
»Where is my wife madam«
»Have you just come from the Arctic Regions«
»I have come for my wife madam«
His unsettled grey eyes wandered restlessly on Lady Jocelyns face The
Countess standing near the Duke felt some pity for the wife of that
croppedheaded tightskinned lunatic at large but deeper was the Countesss
pity for Lady Jocelyn in thinking of the account she would have to render on
the Day of Judgement when she heard her ladyship reply
»Evelyn is not here«
Captain Evremonde bowed profoundly trailing his broad white hat along the
sward
»Do me the favour to read this madam« he said and handed a letter to her
Lady Jocelyn raised her brows as she gathered the contents of the letter
»Ferdinands handwriting« she exclaimed
»I accuse no one madam I make no accusation I have every respect for
you madam you have my esteem I am sorry to intrude madam an intrusion is
regretted My wife runs away from her bed madam and I have the law madam
the law is with the husband No force« He lashed his cane sharply against his
white legs »The law madam No brute force« His cane made a furious whirl
cracking again on his legs as he reiterated »The law«
»Does the law advise you to strike at a tangent all over the country in
search for her« inquired Lady Jocelyn
Captain Evremonde became ten times more voluble and excited
Mrs Mel was heard by the Countess to say »Her ladyship does not know how
to treat madmen«
Nor did Sir Franks and Sir John They began expostulating with him
»A madman gets madder when you talk reason to him« said Mrs Mel
And now the Countess stepped forward to Lady Jocelyn and hoped she would
not be thought impertinent in offering her opinion as to how this frantic person
should be treated The case indeed looked urgent Many gentlemen considered
themselves bound to approach and be ready in case of need Presently the
Countess passed between Sir Franks and Sir John and with her hand put up as if
she feared the furious cane said
»You will not strike me«
»Strike a lady madam« The cane and hat were simultaneously lowered
»Lady Jocelyn permits me to fetch for you a gentleman of the law Or will
you accompany me to him«
In a moment Captain Evremondes manners were subdued and civilized and in
perfectly sane speech he thanked the Countess and offered her his arm The
Countess smilingly waved back Sir John who motioned to attend on her and away
she went with the Captain with all the glow of a woman who feels that she is
heaping coals of fire on the heads of her enemies
Was she not admired now
»Upon my honour« said Lady Jocelyn »they are a remarkable family« meaning
the Harringtons
What farther she thought she did not say but she was a woman who looked to
natural gifts more than the gifts of accidents and Evans chance stood high
with her then So the battle of the Bulldogs was fought and cruelly as the
Countess had been assailed and wounded she gained a victory yea though
Demogorgon aided by the vindictive ghost of Sir Abraham took tangible shape in
the ranks opposed to her True Lady Jocelyn forgetting her own recent
intrepidity condemned her as a liar but the fruits of the Countesss victory
were plentiful Drummond Forth fearful perhaps of exciting unjust suspicions in
the mind of Captain Evremonde disappeared altogether Harry was in a mess which
threw him almost upon Evans mercy as will be related And lastly Ferdinand
Laxley that insufferable young aristocrat was thus spoken to by Lady Jocelyn
»This letter addressed to Lawson telling him that his wife is here is in
your handwriting Ferdinand I dont say you wrote it I dont think you could
have written it But to tell you the truth I have an unpleasant impression
about it and I think we had better shake hands and not see each other for some
time«
Laxley after one denial of his guilt disdained to repeat it He met her
ladyships hand haughtily and bowing to Sir Franks turned on his heel
So then in glorious complete victory the battle of the Bulldogs ended
Of the close of the picnic more remains to be told
For the present I pause in observance of those rules which demand that
after an exhibition of consummate deeds time be given to the spectator to
digest what has passed before him
Chapter XXXII
In which Evans Light Begins to Twinkle Again
The dowagers were now firmly planted on Olympus Along the grass lay the warm
strong colours of the evening sun reddening the pinestems and yellowing the
idle aspenleaves For a moment it had hung in doubt whether the picnic could
survive the two rude shocks it had received Happily the youthful element was
large and when the band refreshed by chicken and sherry threw off
halfadozen bars of one of those irresistible waltzes that first catch the ear
and then curl round the heart till on a sudden they invade and will have the
legs a rush up Parnassus was seen and there were shouts and laughter and
commotion as over other great fields of battle the corn will wave gaily and
mark the reestablishment of natures reign
How fair the sight Approach the twirling couples They talk as they whirl
»Fancy the runaway tailor« is the males remark and he expects to be
admired for it and is
»That makeup Countess his sister you know didnt you see her she
turned green« says Creations second effort almost occupying the place of a
rib
»Isnt there a runaway wife too«
»Now you mustnt be naughty«
They laugh and flatter one another The power to give and take flattery to
any amount is the rare treasure of youth
Undoubtedly they are a poetical picture but some poetical pictures talk
dreary prose so we will retire
Now while the dancers carried on their business and distance lent them
enchantment Rose stood by Juliana near an alder which hid them from the rest
»I dont accuse you« she was saying »but who could have done this but you
Ah Juley you will never get what you want if you plot for it I thought once
you cared for Evan If he had loved you would I not have done all that I could
for you both I pardon you with all my heart«
»Keep your pardon« was the angry answer »I have done more for you Rose
He is an adventurer and I have tried to open your eyes and make you respect
your family You may accuse me of what you like I have my conscience«
»And the friendship of the Countess« added Rose
Julianas figure shook as if she had been stung
»Go and be happy dont stay here and taunt me« she said with a ghastly
look »I suppose he can lie like his sister and has told you all sorts of
tales«
»Not a word not a word« cried Rose »Do you think my lover could tell a
lie«
The superb assumption of the girl and the true portrait of Evans character
which it flashed upon Juliana were to the latter such intense pain that she
turned like one on the rack exclaiming
»You think so much of him You are so proud of him Then yes I love him
too ugly beastly as I am to look at Oh I know what you think I loved him
from the first and I knew all about him and spared him pain I did not wait
for him to fall from a horse I watched every chance of his being exposed I let
them imagine he cared for me Drummond would have told what he knew long before
only he knew there would not be much harm in a tradesmans son marrying me
And I have played into your hands and now you taunt me«
Rose remembered her fretful unkindness to Evan on the subject of his birth
when her feelings toward him were less warm Dwelling on that alone she put her
arms round Julianas stiffening figure and said »I dare say I am much more
selfish than you Forgive me dear«
Staring at her Juliana replied »Now you are acting«
»No« said Rose with a little effort to fondle her »I only feel that I
love you better for loving him«
Generous as her words sounded and were Juliana intuitively struck to the
root of them which was comfortless For how calm in its fortune how strong in
its love must Roses heart be when she could speak in this unwonted way
»Go and leave me pray« she said
Rose kissed her burning cheek »I will do as you wish dear Try and know me
better and be sister Juley as you used to be I know I am thoughtless and
horribly vain and disagreeable sometimes Do forgive me I will love you truly«
Half melting Juliana pressed her hand
»We are friends« said Rose »Goodbye« and her countenance lighted and
she moved away so changed by her happiness Juliana was jealous of a love
strong as she deemed her own to overcome obstacles She called to her »Rose
Rose you will not take advantage of what I have told you and repeat it to any
one«
Instantly Rose turned with a glance of full contempt over her shoulder
»To whom« she asked
»To any one«
»To him He would not love me long if I did«
Juliana burst into fresh tears but Rose walked into the sunbeams and the
circle of the music
Mounting Olympus she inquired whether Ferdinand was within hail as they
were pledged to dance the first dance together A few hints were given and then
Rose learnt that Ferdinand had been dismissed
»And where is he« she cried with her accustomed impetuosity »Mama of
course you did not accuse him but Mama could you possibly let him go with
the suspicion that you thought him guilty of writing an anonymous letter«
»Not at all« Lady Jocelyn replied »Only the handwriting was so extremely
like and he was the only person who knew the address and the circumstances and
who could have a motive though I dont quite see what it is I thought it as
well to part for a time«
»But that s sophistry« said Rose »You accuse or you exonerate Nobody can
be half guilty If you do not hold him innocent you are unjust«
Lady Jocelyn rejoined »Yes It s singular what a stock of axioms young
people have handy for their occasions«
Rose loudly announced that she would right this matter
»I cant think where Rose gets her passion for hot water« said her mother
as Rose ran down the ledge
Two or three young gentlemen tried to engage her for a dance She gave them
plenty of promises and hurried on till she met Evan and almost out of breath
told him the shameful injustice that had been done to her friend
»Mama is such an Epicurean I really think she is worse than Papa This
disgraceful letter looks like Ferdinands writing and she tells him so and
Evan will you believe that instead of being certain it s impossible any
gentleman could do such a thing she tells Ferdinand she shall feel more
comfortable if she doesnt see him for some time Poor Ferdinand He has had so
much to bear«
Too sure of his darling to be envious now of any man she pitied Evan said
»I would forfeit my hand on his innocence«
»And so would I« echoed Rose »Come to him with me dear Or no« she
added with a little womanly discretion »perhaps it would not be so well you
re not very much cast down by what happened at dinner«
»My darling I think of you«
»Of me dear Concealment is never of any service What there is to be known
people may as well know at once They ll gossip for a month and then forget
it Your mother is dreadfully outspoken certainly but she has better manners
than many ladies I mean people in a position you understand me But suppose
dear this had happened and I had said nothing to Mama and then we had to
confess Ah you ll find I m wiser than you imagine Mr Evan«
»Havent I submitted to somebodys lead«
»Yes but with a sort of under protest I saw it by the mouth Not quite
natural You have been moody ever since just a little I suppose it s our
manly pride But I m losing time Will you promise me not to brood over that
occurrence Think of me Think everything of me I am yours and dearest if I
love you need you care what anybody else thinks We will soon change their
opinion«
»I care so little« said Evan somewhat untruthfully »that till you return
I shall go and sit with my mother«
»Oh she has gone She made her dear old antiquated curtsey to Mama and the
company If my son has not been guilty of deception I will leave him to your
good pleasure my lady That s what she said Mama likes her I know But I
wish she didnt mouth her words so precisely it reminds me of « the Countess
Rose checked herself from saying »Goodbye Thank heaven the worst has
happened Do you know what I should do if I were you and felt at all
distressed I should keep repeating« Rose looked archly and deeply up under his
eyelids »I am the son of a tradesman and Rose loves me over and over and
then if you feel ashamed what is it of«
She nodded adieu laughing at her own idea of her great worth an idea very
firmly fixed in her fair bosom notwithstanding Mrs Melville said of her »I
used to think she had pride« Lady Jocelyn answered »So she has The misfortune
is that it has taken the wrong turning«
Evan watched the figure that was to him as that of an angel no less She
spoke so frankly to them as she passed or here and there went on with a light
laugh It seemed an act of graciousness that she should open her mouth to one
And indeed by virtue of a pride which raised her to the level of what she
thought it well to do Rose was veritably on higher ground than any present She
no longer envied her friend Jenny who emerging from the shades allured by the
waltz dislinked herself from Williams arm and whispered exclamations of
sorrow at the scene created by Mr Harringtons mother Rose patted her hand
and said »Thank you Jenny dear but dont be sorry I m glad It prevents a
number of private explanations«
»Still dear« Jenny suggested
»Oh of course I should like to lay my whip across the shoulders of the
person who arranged the conspiracy« said Rose »And afterwards I dont mind
returning thanks to him or her or them«
William cried out »I m always on your side Rose«
»And I ll be Jennys bridesmaid« rejoined Rose stepping blithely away
from them
Evan debated whither to turn when Rose was lost to his eyes He had no heart
for dancing Presently a servant approached and said that Mr Harry
particularly desired to see him From Harrys looks at table Evan judged that
the interview was not likely to be amicable He asked the direction he was to
take and setting out with long strides came in sight of Raikes who walked in
gloom and was evidently labouring under one of his mountains of melancholy He
affected to be quite out of the world but finding that Evan took the hint in
his usual prosy manner was reduced to call after him and finally to run and
catch him
»Havent you one single spark of curiosity« he began
»What about« said Evan
»Why about my amazing luck You havent asked a question A matter of
course«
Evan complimented him by asking a question saying that Jacks luck
certainly was wonderful
»Wonderful you call it« said Jack witheringly »And what s more
wonderful is that I d give up all for quiet quarters in the Green Dragon I
knew I was prophetic I knew I should regret that peaceful hostelry Diocletian
if you like I beg you to listen I cant walk so fast without danger«
»Well speak out man What s the matter with you« cried Evan
impatiently
Jack shook his head »I see a total absence of sympathy« he remarked »I
cant«
»Then stand out of the way«
Jack let him pass exclaiming with cold irony »I will pay homage to a
loftier Nine«
Mr Raikes could not in his soul imagine that Evan was really so little
inquisitive concerning a business of such importance as the trouble that
possessed him He watched his friend striding off incredulously and then
commenced running in pursuit
»Harrington I give in I surrender you reduce me to prose Thy nine have
conquered my nine pardon me old fellow I m immensely upset This is the
first day in my life that I ever felt what indigestion is Egad Ive got
something to derange the best digestion going
Look here Harrington What happened to you today I declare I think
nothing of You owe me your assistance you do indeed for if it hadnt been
for the fearful fascinations of your sister that divine Countess I should
have been engaged to somebody by this time and profited by the opportunity held
out to me and which is now gone I m disgraced I m known And the worst of
it is I must face people I darent turn tail Did you ever hear of such a
dilemma«
»Ay« quoth Evan »what is it«
Raikes turned pale »Then you havent heard of it«
»Not a word«
»Then it s all for me to tell I called on Messrs Grist I dined at the
Aurora afterwards Harrington we re led by a star I mean fellows with
anything in them are I recognized our Fallowfield host and thinking to draw
him out I told our mutual histories Next day I went to these Messrs Grist
They proposed the membership for Fallowfield five hundred a year and the loan
of a curricle on condition It s singular Harrington before anybody knew of
the condition I didnt care about it a bit It seemed to me childish Who would
think of minding wearing a tin plate But now the sufferings of Orestes
what are they to mine He wasnt tied to his Furies They did hover a little
above him but as for me I m scorched and I mustnt say where my mouth is
locked the social laws which forbid the employment of obsolete words arrest my
exclamations of despair What do you advise«
Evan stared a moment at the wretched object whose dream of meeting a
beneficent old gentleman had brought him to be the sport of a cynical farceur
He had shivers on his own account seeing something of himself magnified and he
loathed the fellow only to feel more acutely what a stigma may be
»It s a case I cant advise in« he said as gently as he could »I should
be off the grounds in a hurry«
»And then I m where I was before I met the horrid old brute« Raikes
moaned
»I told him over a pint of port and noble stuff is that Aurora port I
told him I amused him till he was on the point of bursting I told him I was
such a gentleman as the world hadnt seen minus money So he determined to
launch me He said I should lead the life of such a gentleman as the world had
not yet seen on that simple condition which appeared to me childish a senile
whim rather an indulgence of his«
Evan listened to the tribulations of his friend as he would to those of a
doll the sport of some experimental child By this time he knew something of
old Tom Cogglesby and was not astonished that he should have chosen John Raikes
to play one of his farces on Jack turned off abruptly the moment he saw they
were nearing human figures but soon returned to Evans side as if for
protection
»Hoy Harrington« shouted Harry beckoning to him »Come make haste I m
in a deuce of a mess«
The two Wheedles Susan and Polly were standing in front of him and
after his call to Evan he turned to continue some exhortation or appeal to the
common sense of women largely indulged in by young men when the mischief is
done
»Harrington do speak to her She looks upon you as a sort of parson I
cant make her believe I didnt send for her Of course she knows I m fond of
her My dear fellow« he whispered »I shall be ruined if my grandmother hears
of it Get her away please Promise anything«
Evan took her hand and asked for the child
»Quite well sir« faltered Susan
»You should not have come here«
Susan stared and commenced whimpering »Didnt you wish it sir«
»Oh she s always thinking of being made a lady of« cried Polly »As if
Mr Harry was going to do that It wants a gentleman to do that«
»The carriage came for me sir in the afternoon« said Susan plaintively
»with your compliments and would I come I thought «
»What carriage« asked Evan
Raikes who was ogling Polly interposed grandly »Mine«
»And you sent in my name for this girl to come here« Evan turned wrathfully
on him
»My dear Harrington when you hit you knock down The wise require but one
dose of experience The Countess wished it and I did dispatch«
»The Countess« Harry exclaimed »Jove do you mean to say that the Countess
«
»De Saldar« added Jack »In Britain none were worthy found«
Harry gave a long whistle
»Leave at once« said Evan to Susan »Whatever you may want send to me for
And when you think you can meet your parents I will take you to them Remember
that is what you must do«
»Make her give up that stupidness of hers about being made a lady of Mr
Harrington« said the inveterate Polly
Susan here fell aweeping
»I would go sir« she said »I m sure I would obey you but I cant I
cant go back to the inn They re beginning to talk about me because because
I cant cant pay them and I m ashamed«
Evan looked at Harry
»I forgot« the latter mumbled but his face was crimson He put his hands
in his pockets »Do you happen to have a note or so« he asked
Evan took him aside and gave him what he had and this amount without
inspection or reserve Harry offered to Susan She dashed his hand impetuously
from her sight
»There give it to me« said Polly »Oh Mr Harry what a young man you
are«
Whether from the rebuff or the reproach or old feelings reviving Harry
was moved to go forward and lay his hand on Susans shoulder and mutter
something in her ear that softened her
Polly thrust the notes into her bosom and with a toss of her nose as who
should say »Here s nonsense they re at again« tapped Susan on the other
shoulder and said imperiously »Come Miss«
Hurrying out a dozen sentences in one Harry ended by suddenly kissing
Susans cheek and then Polly bore her away and Harry with great solemnity
said to Evan
»Pon my honour I think I ought to I declare I think I love that girl
What s ones family Why shouldnt you button to the one that just suits you
That girl when she s dressed and in good trim by Jove nobodyd know her
from a born lady And as for grammar I d soon teach her that«
Harry began to whistle a sign in him that he was thinking his hardest
»I confess to being considerably impressed by the maid Wheedle« said
Raikes
»Would you throw yourself away on her« Evan inquired
Apparently forgetting how he stood Mr Raikes replied
»You ask perhaps a little too much of me One owes consideration to ones
position In the worlds eyes a matrimonial slip outweighs a peccadillo No To
much the maid might wheedle me but to Hymen She s decidedly fresh and pert
the most delicious little fat lips and cocky nose but cease we to dwell on her
or of us two lo one will be undone«
Harry burst into a laugh »Is this the TP for Fallowfield«
»MP I think you mean« quoth Raikes serenely but a curious glance being
directed on him and pursuing him pertinaciously it was as if the pediment of
the lofty monument he topped were smitten with violence He stammered an excuse
and retreated somewhat as it is the fashion to do from the presence of royalty
followed by Harrys roar of laughter in which Evan cruelly joined
»Gracious powers« exclaimed the victim of ambition »I m laughed at by the
son of a tailor« and he edged once more into the shade of trees
It was a strange sight for Harrys relatives to see him arminarm with the
man he should have been kicking challenging denouncing or whatever the code
prescribes to see him talking to this young man earnestly clinging to him
affectionately and when he separated from him heartily wringing his hand Well
might they think that there was something extraordinary in these Harringtons
Convicted of Tailordom these Harringtons appeared to shine with double lustre
How was it They were at a loss to say They certainly could say that the
Countess was egregiously affected and vulgar but who could be altogether
complacent and sincere that had to fight so hard a fight In this struggle with
society I see one of the instances where success is entirely to be honoured and
remains a proof of merit For however boldly antagonism may storm the ranks of
society it will certainly be repelled whereas affinity cannot be resisted and
they who against obstacles of birth claim and keep their position among the
educated and refined have that affinity It is on the whole rare so that
society is not often invaded I think it will have to front Jack Cade again
before another Old Mel and his progeny shall appear You refuse to believe in
Old Mel You know not natures cunning
Mrs Shorne Mrs Melville Miss Carrington and many of the guests who
observed Evan moving from place to place after the exposure as they called it
were amazed at his audacity There seemed such a quietly superb air about him
He would not look out of his element and this knowing what they knew was his
offence He deserved some commendation for still holding up his head but it was
love and Rose who kept the fires of his heart alive
The sun had sunk The figures on the summit of Parnassus were seen bobbing
in happy placidity against the twilight sky The sun had sunk and many of Mr
Raikes best things were unspoken Wandering about in his gloom he heard a
feminine voice
»Yes I will trust you«
»You will not repent it« was answered
Recognizing the Duke Mr Raikes cleared his throat
»Ahem your Grace This is how the days should pass I think we should
diurnally station a good London band on high and play his Majesty to bed the
sun My opinion is it would improve the crops I m not as yet a landed
proprietor «
The Duke stepped aside with him and Raikes addressed no one for the next
twenty minutes When he next came forth Parnassus was half deserted It was
known that old Mrs Bonner had been taken with a dangerous attack and under
this third blow the picnic succumbed Simultaneously with the messenger that
brought the news to Lady Jocelyn one approached Evan and informed him that the
Countess de Saldar urgently entreated him to come to the house without delay He
also wished to speak a few words to her and stepped forward briskly He had no
prophetic intimations of the change this interview would bring upon him
Chapter XXXIII
The Hero Takes His Rank in the Orchestra
The Countess was not in her dressingroom when Evan presented himself She was
in attendance on Mrs Bonner Conning said and the primness of Conning was a
thing to have been noticed by any one save a dreamy youth in love Conning
remained in the room keeping distinctly aloof Her duties absorbed her but a
presiding thought mechanically jerked back her head from time to time being the
mute form of »Well I never« in Connings rank of life and intellectual
capacity Evan remained quite still in a chair and Conning was certainly a
number of paces beyond suspicion when the Countess appeared and hurling at the
maid one of those feminine looks which contain huge quartos of meaning vented
the cold query
»Pray why did you not come to me as you were commanded«
»I was not aware my lady« Conning drew up to reply and performed with her
eyes a lofty rejection of the volume cast at her and a threat of several for
offensive operations if need were
The Countess spoke nearer to what she was implying »You know I object to
this it is not the first time«
»Would your ladyship please to say what your ladyship means«
In return for this insolent challenge to throw off the mask the Countess
felt justified in punishing her by being explicit »Your irregularities are not
of yesterday« she said kindly making use of a word of double signification
still
»Thank you my lady« Conning accepted the word in its blackest meaning »I
am obliged to you If your ladyship is to be believed my character is not worth
much But I can make distinctions my lady«
Something very like an altercation was continued in a sharp brief
undertone and then Evan waking up to the affairs of the hour heard Conning
say
»I shall not ask your ladyship to give me a character«
The Countess answering with pathos »It would indeed be to give you one«
He was astonished that the Countess should burst into tears when Conning had
departed and yet more so that his effort to console her should bring a bolt of
wrath upon himself
»Now Evan now see what you have done for us do and rejoice at it The
very menials insult us You heard what that creature said She can make
distinctions Oh I could beat her They know it all the servants know it I
can see it in their faces I feel it when I pass them The insolent wretches
treat us as impostors and this Conning to defy me Oh it comes of my
devotion to you I am properly chastized I passed Roses maid on the stairs
and her reverence was barely perceptible«
Evan murmured that he was very sorry adding foolishly »Do you really
care Louisa for what servants think and say«
The Countess sighed deeply »Oh you are too thickskinned Your mother from
top to toe It is too dreadful What have I done to deserve it Oh Evan Evan«
Her head dropped in her lap There was something ludicrous to Evan in this
excess of grief on account of such a business but he was tenderhearted and
wrought upon to declare that whether or not he was to blame for his mothers
intrusion that afternoon he was ready to do what he could to make up to the
Countess for her sufferings whereat the Countess sighed again asked him what
he possibly could do and doubted his willingness to accede to the most trifling
request
»No I do in verity believe that were I to desire you to do aught for your
own good alone you would demur Van«
He assured her that she was mistaken
»We shall see« she said
»And if once or twice I have run counter to you Louisa «
»Abominable language« cried the Countess stopping her ears like a child
»Do not excruciate me so You laugh My goodness what will you come to«
Evan checked his smile and taking her hand said »I must tell you that
on the whole I see nothing to regret in what has happened today You may
notice a change in the manners of the servants and some of the country
squiresses but I find none in the bearing of the real ladies the true
gentlemen to me«
»Because the change is too fine for you to perceive it« interposed the
Countess
»Rose then and her mother and her father« Evan cried impetuously
»As for Lady Jocelyn« the Countess shrugged »And Sir Franks« her head
shook »and Rose Rose is simply selfwilled a she will or she wont sort of
little person No criterion Henceforth the world is against us We have to
struggle with it it does not rank us of it«
»Your feeling on the point is so exaggerated my dear Louisa« said Evan
»one cant bring reason to your ears The tattle we shall hear we shall outlive
I care extremely for the good opinion of men but I prefer my own and I do not
lose it because my father was in trade«
»And your own name Evan Harrington is on a shop« the Countess struck in
and watched him severely from under her brow glad to mark that he could still
blush
»Oh heaven« she wailed to increase the effect »on a shop a brother of
mine«
»Yes Louisa It may not last I did it is it not better that a son
should blush than cast dishonour on his fathers memory«
»Ridiculous boynotion«
»Rose has pardoned it Louisa cannot you I find that the naturally vulgar
and narrowheaded people and cowards who never forego mean advantages are
those only who would condemn me and my conduct in that«
»And you have joy in your fraction of the world left to you« exclaimed his
femaleelder
Changeing her manner to a winning softness she said »Let me also belong to
the very small party You have been really romantic and most generous and
noble only the shop smells But never mind promise me you will not enter it«
»I hope not« said Evan
»You do hope that you will not officiate Oh Evan the eternal
contemplation of gentlemens legs think of that Think of yourself sculptured
in that attitude« Innumerable little prickles and stings shot over Evans skin
»There there Louisa« he said impatiently »spare your ridicule We go
to London tomorrow and when there I expect to hear that I have an appointment
and that this engagement is over« He rose and walked up and down the room
»I shall not be prepared to go tomorrow« remarked the Countess drawing
her figure up stiffly
»Oh well if you can stay Andrew will take charge of you I dare say«
»No my dear Andrew will not a nonentity cannot you must«
»Impossible Louisa« said Evan as one who imagines he is uttering a thing
of little consequence »I promised Rose«
»You promised Rose that you would abdicate and retire Sweet loving girl«
Evan made no answer
»You will stay with me Evan«
»I really cant« he said in his previous careless tone
»Come and sit down« cried the Countess imperiously »The first trifle is
refused It does not astonish me I will honour you now by talking seriously to
you I have treated you hitherto as a child Or no « she stopped her mouth
»it is enough if I tell you dear that poor Mrs Bonner is dying and that she
desires my attendance on her to refresh her spirit with readings on the
Prophecies and Scriptural converse No other soul in the house can so soothe
her«
»Then stay« said Evan
»Unprotected in the midst of enemies Truly«
»I think Louisa if you can call Lady Jocelyn an enemy you must read the
Scriptures by a false light«
»The woman is an utter heathen« interjected the Countess »An infidel can
be no friend She is therefore the reverse Her opinions embitter her mothers
last days But now you will consent to remain with me dear Van«
An implacable negative responded to the urgent appeal of her eyes
»By the way« he said for a diversion »did you know of a girl stopping at
an inn in Fallowfield«
»Know a barmaid« the Countesss eyes and mouth were wide at the question
»Did you send Raikes for her today«
»Did Mr Raikes ah Evan that creature reminds me you have no sense of
contrast For a Brazilian ape he resembles if he is not truly one what
contrast is he to an English gentleman His proximity and acquaintance rich as
he may be disfigure you Study contrast«
Evan had to remind her that she had not answered him whereat she exclaimed
»One would really think you had never been abroad Have you not evaded me
rather«
The Countess commenced fanning her languid brows and then pursued »Now my
dear brother I may conclude that you will acquiesce in my moderate wishes You
remain My venerable friend cannot last three days She is on the brink of a
better world I will confide to you that it is of the utmost importance we
should be here on the spot until the sad termination That is what I summoned
you for You are now at liberty Tata as soon as you please«
She had baffled his little crossexamination with regard to Raikes but on
the other point he was firm She would listen to nothing she affected that her
mandate had gone forth and must be obeyed tapped with her foot fanned
deliberately and was a consummate queen till he turned the handle of the door
when her complexion deadened she started up trembling and tripping towards
him caught him by the arm and said »Stop After all that I have sacrificed
for you As well try to raise the dead as a Dawley from the dust he grovels in
Why did I consent to visit this place It was for you I came I heard that you
had disgraced yourself in drunkenness at Fallowfield and I toiled to eclipse
that and I did Young Jocelyn thought you were what you are I could spit the
word at you and I dazzled him to give you time to win this minx who will spin
you like a top if you get her That Mr Forth knew it as well and that vile
young Laxley They are gone Why are they gone Because they thwarted me they
crossed your interests I said they should go George Uploft is going today
The house is left to us and I believe firmly that Mrs Bonners will contains a
memento of the effect of our frequent religious conversations So you would
leave now I suspect nobody but we are all human and Wills would not have been
tampered with for the first time Besides« and the Countesss imagination
warmed till she addressed her brother as a confederate »we shall then see to
whom Beckley Court is bequeathed Either way it may be yours Yours and you
suffer their plots to drive you forth Do you not perceive that Mama was brought
here today on purpose to shame us and cast us out We are surrounded by
conspiracies but if our faith is pure who can hurt us If I had not that
consolation would that you had it too would it be endurable to me to see
those menials whispering and showing their forced respect As it is I am
fortified to forgive them I breathe another atmosphere Oh Evan you did not
attend to Mr Parsleys beautiful last sermon The Church should have been your
vocation«
From vehemence the Countess had subsided to a mournful gentleness She had
been too excited to notice any changes in her brothers face during her speech
and when he turned from the door and still eyeing her fixedly led her to a
chair she fancied from his silence that she had subdued and convinced him A
delicious sense of her power succeeded by a weary reflection that she had
constantly to employ it occupied her mind and when presently she looked up
from the shade of her hand it was to agitate her head pitifully at her brother
»All this you have done for me Louisa« he said
»Yes Evan all« she fell into his tone
»And you are the cause of Laxleys going Did you know anything of that
anonymous letter«
He was squeezing her hand with grateful affection as she was deluded to
imagine
»Perhaps dear a little« her conceit prompted her to admit
»Did you write it«
He gazed intently into her eyes and as the question shot like a javelin
she tried ineffectually to disengage her fingers her delusion waned she took
fright but it was too late he had struck the truth out of her before she could
speak Her spirit writhed like a snake in his hold Innumerable things she was
ready to say and strove to the words would not form on her lips
»I will be answered Louisa«
The stern manner he had assumed gave her no hope of eluding him With an
inward gasp and a sensation of nakedness altogether new to her dismal and
alarming she felt that she could not lie Like a creature forsaken of her
staunchest friend she could have flung herself to the floor The next instant
her natural courage restored her She jumped up and stood at bay
»Yes I did«
And now he was weak and she was strong and used her strength
»I wrote it to save you Yes Call on your Creator and be my judge if you
dare Never never will you meet a soul more utterly devoted to you Evan This
Mr Forth this Laxley I said should go because they were resolved to ruin
you and make you base They are gone The responsibility I take on myself
Nightly during the remainder of my days I will pray for pardon«
He raised his head to ask sombrely »Is your handwriting like Laxleys«
»It seems so« she answered with a pitiful sneer for one who could arrest
her exaltation to inquire about minutiæ »Right or wrong it is done and if you
choose to be my judge think whether your own conscience is clear Why did you
come here Why did you stay You have your free will do you deny that Oh I
will take the entire blame but you must not be a hypocrite Van You know you
were aware We had no confidences I was obliged to treat you like a child but
for you to pretend to suppose that roses grow in your path oh that is paltry
You are a hypocrite or an imbecile if that is your course«
Was he not something of the former The luxurious mist in which he had been
living dispersed before his sisters bitter words and as she designed he
should he felt himself her accomplice But again reason struggled to
enlighten him for surely he would never have done a thing so disproportionate
to the end to be gained It was the unconnected action of his brain that thus
advised him No thoroughlyfashioned clearspirited man conceives wickedness
impossible to him but wickedness so largely mixed with folly the best of us
may reject as not among our temptations Evan since his love had dawned had
begun to talk with his own nature and though he knew not yet how much it would
stretch or contract he knew that he was weak and could not perform moral
wonders without severe struggles The cynic may add if he likes or without
potent liquors
Could he be his sisters judge It is dangerous for young men to be too
good They are so sweeping in their condemnations so sublime in their
conceptions of excellence and the most finished Puritan cannot outdo their
demands upon frail humanity Evans momentary selfexamination saved him from
this and he told the Countess with a sort of cold compassion that he himself
dared not blame her
His tone was distinctly wanting in admiration of her but she was somewhat
overwrought and leaned her shoulder against him and became immediately his
affectionate only toozealous sister dearly to be loved to be forgiven to
be prized and on condition of inserting a special petition for pardon in her
orisons to live with a calm conscience and to be allowed to have her own way
with him during the rest of her days
It was a happy union a picture that the Countess was lured to admire in
the glass
Sad that so small a murmur should destroy it for ever
»What« cried the Countess bursting from his arm
»Go« she emphasized with the hardness of determined unbelief as if
plucking the words one by one out of her reluctant ears »Go to Lady Jocelyn
and tell her I wrote the letter«
»You can do no less I fear« said Evan eyeing the floor and breathing a
deep breath
»Then I did hear you correctly Oh you must be mad idiotic There pray
go away Evan Come in the morning You are too much for my nerves«
Evan rose putting out his hand as if to take hers and plead with her She
rejected the first motion and repeated her desire for him to leave her saying
cheerfully
»Good night dear I dare say we shant meet till the morning«
»You cant let this injustice continue a single night Louisa« said he
She was deep in the business of arrangeing a portion of her attire
»Go go please« she responded
Lingering he said »If I go it will be straight to Lady Jocelyn«
She stamped angrily
»Only go« and then she found him gone and she stooped lower to the glass
to mark if the recent agitation were observable under her eyes There looking
at herself her heart dropped heavily in her bosom She ran to the door and
hurried swiftly after Evan pulling him back speechlessly
»Where are you going Evan«
»To Lady Jocelyn«
The unhappy victim of her devotion stood panting
»If you go I I take poison«
It was for him now to be struck but he was suffering too strong an anguish
to be susceptible to mock tragedy The Countess paused to study him She began
to fear her brother »I will« she reiterated wildly without moving him at all
And the quiet inflexibility of his face forbade the ultimate hope which lies in
giving men a dose of hysterics when they are obstinate She tried by taunts and
angry vituperations to make him look fierce if but an instant to precipitate
her into an exhibition she was so well prepared for
»Evan what after all my love my confidence in you I need not have told
you to expose us Brother would you Oh«
»I will not let this last another hour« said Evan firmly at the same time
seeking to caress her She spurned his fruitless affection feeling
nevertheless how cruel was her fate for with any other save a brother she
had arts at her disposal to melt the manliest resolutions The glass showed her
that her face was pathetically pale the tones of her voice were rich and
harrowing What did they avail with a brother
»Promise me« she cried eagerly »promise me to stop here on this spot
till I return«
The promise was extracted The Countess went to fetch Caroline
Evan did not count the minutes One thought was mounting in his brain the
scorn of Rose He felt that he had lost her Lost her when he had just won her
He felt it without realizing it The first blows of an immense grief are dull
and strike the heart through wool as it were The belief of the young in their
sorrow has to be flogged into them on the good old educational principle Could
he do less than this he was about to do Rose had wedded her noble nature to
him and it was as much her spirit as his own that urged him thus to forfeit
her to be worthy of her by assuming unworthiness There he sat neither conning
over his determination nor the cause for it revolving Roses words about
Laxley and nothing else The words were so sweet and so bitter every now and
then the heavy smiting on his heart set it quivering and leaping as the whip
starts a jaded horse
Meantime the Countess was participating in a witty conversation in the
drawingroom with Sir John and the Duke Miss Current and others and it was
not till after she had displayed many graces and as one or two ladies presumed
to consider marked effrontery that she rose and drew Caroline away with her
Returning to her dressingroom she found that Evan had faithfully kept his
engagement he was on the exact spot where she had left him
Caroline came to him swiftly and put her hand to his forehead that she
might the better peruse his features saying in her mellow caressing voice
»What is this dear Van that you will do Why do you look so wretched«
»Has not Louisa told you«
»She has told me something dear but I dont know what it is That you are
going to expose us What further exposure do we need I m sure Van my pride
what I had is gone I have none left«
Evan kissed her brows warmly An explanation full of the Countesss
passionate outcries of justification necessity and innocence in higher than
fleshly eyes was given and then the three were silent
»But Van« Caroline commenced deprecatingly »my darling of what use
now Whether right or wrong why should you why should you when the thing is
done dear think«
»And you too would let another suffer under an unjust accusation« said
Evan
»But dearest it is surely your duty to think of your family first Have we
not been afflicted enough Why should you lay us under this fresh burden«
»Because it s better to bear all now than a life of remorse« answered
Evan
»But this Mr Laxley I cannot pity him he has behaved so insolently to
you throughout Let him suffer«
»Lady Jocelyn« said Evan »has been unintentionally unjust to him and
after her kindness apart from the right or wrong I will not I cant allow
her to continue so«
»After her kindness« echoed the Countess who had been fuming at Carolines
weak expostulations »Kindness Have I not done ten times for these Jocelyns
what they have done for us O mio Deus why I have bestowed on them the
membership for Fallowfield I have saved her from being a convicted liar this
very day Worse for what would have been talked of the morals of the house
supposing the scandal Oh indeed I was tempted to bring that horrid mad Captain
into the house face to face with his flighty doll of a wife as I perhaps
should have done acting by the dictates of my conscience I lied for Lady
Jocelyn and handed the man to a lawyer who withdrew him And this they owe to
me Kindness They have given us bed and board as the people say I have repaid
them for that«
»Pray be silent Louisa« said Evan getting up hastily for the sick
sensation Rose had experienced came over him His sisters plots her untruth
her coarseness clung to him and seemed part of his blood He now had a personal
desire to cut himself loose from the wretched entanglement revealed to him
whatever it cost
»Are you really truly going« Caroline exclaimed for he was near the door
»At a quarter to twelve at night« sneered the Countess still imagining
that he like herself must be partly acting
»But Van is it dearest think is it manly for a brother to go and tell
of his sister And how would it look«
Evan smiled »Is it that that makes you unhappy Louisas name will not be
mentioned be sure of that«
Caroline was stooping forward to him Her figure straightened »Good Heaven
Evan you are not going to take it on yourself Rose she will hate you«
»God help me« he cried internally
»Oh Evan darling consider reflect« She fell on her knees catching his
hand »It is worse for us that you should suffer dearest Think of the dreadful
meanness and baseness of what you will have to acknowledge«
»Yes« sighed the youth and his eyes in his extreme pain turned to the
Countess reproachfully
»Think dear« Caroline hurried on »he gains nothing for whom you do this
you lose all It is not your deed You will have to speak an untruth Your ideas
are wrong wrong I know they are You will have to lie But if you are silent
the little little blame that may attach to us will pass away and we shall be
happy in seeing our brother happy«
»You are talking to Evan as if he had religion« said the Countess with
steady sedateness And at that moment from the sublimity of his pagan virtue
the young man groaned for some pure certain light to guide him the question
whether he was about to do right made him weak He took Carolines head between
his two hands and kissed her mouth The act brought Rose to his senses
insufferably and she his Goddess of truth and his sole guiding light
spurred him afresh
»My familys dishonour is mine Caroline Say nothing more dont think of
me I go to Lady Jocelyn tonight Tomorrow we leave and there s the end
Louisa if you have any new schemes for my welfare I beg you to renounce them«
»Gratitude I never expected from a Dawley« the Countess retorted
»Oh Louisa he is going« cried Caroline »kneel to him with me stop him
Rose loves him and he is going to make her hate him«
»You cant talk reason to one who s mad« said the Countess more like the
Dawley she sprang from than it would have pleased her to know
»My darling My own Evan it will kill me« Caroline exclaimed and
passionately imploring him she looked so hopelessly beautiful that Evan was
agitated and caressed her while he said softly »Where our honour is not
involved I would submit to your smallest wish«
»It involves my life my destiny« murmured Caroline
Could he have known the double meaning in her words and what a saving this
sacrifice of his was to accomplish he would not have turned to do it feeling
abandoned of heaven and earth
The Countess stood rigidly as he went forth Caroline was on her knees
sobbing
Chapter XXXIV
A Pagan Sacrifice
Three steps from the Countesss chamber door the knot of Evans resolution
began to slacken The clear light of his simple duty grew cloudy and complex
His pride would not let him think that he was shrinking but cried out in him
»Will you be believed« and whispered that few would believe him guilty of such
an act Yet while something said that full surely Lady Jocelyn would not a
vague dread that Rose might threw him back on the luxury of her love and faith
in him He found himself hoping that his statement would be laughed at Then why
make it
No that was too blind a hope Many would take him at his word all all
save Lady Jocelyn Rose the first Because he stood so high with her now he
feared the fall Ah dazzling pinnacle our darlings shoot us up on a wondrous
jugglers pole and we talk familiarly to the stars and are so much above
everybody and try to walk like creatures with two legs forgetting that we have
but a pins point to stand on up there Probably the absence of natural motion
inspires the prophecy that we must ultimately come down our unused legs wax
morbidly restless Evan thought it good that Rose should lift her head to look
at him nevertheless he knew that Rose would turn from him the moment he
descended from his superior station Nature is wise in her young children
though they wot not of it and are always trying to rush away from her They
escape their wits sooner than their instincts
But was not Rose involved in him and part of him Had he not sworn never to
renounce her What was this but a betrayal
Go on young man fight your fight The little imps pluck at you the big
giant assails you the seductions of the softmouthed siren are not wanting
Slacken the knot an instant and they will all have play And the worst is that
you may be wrong and they may be right For is it can it be proper for you to
stain the silvery whiteness of your skin by plunging headlong into yonder
pitchbath Consider the defilement Contemplate your hideous aspect on issuing
from that black baptism
As to the honour of your family Mr Evan Harrington pray of what sort of
metal consists the honour of a tailors family
One little impertinent imp ventured upon that question on his own account
The clever beast was torn back and strangled instantaneously by his experienced
elders but not before Evans pride had answered him Exalted by Love he could
dread to abase himself and strip off his glittering garments lowered by the
world he fell back upon his innate worth
Yes he was called on to prove it he was on his way to prove it
Surrendering his dearest and his best casting aside his dreams his desires
his aspirations for this stern duty he at least would know that he made
himself doubly worthy of her who abandoned him and the world would scorn him by
reason of his absolute merit Coming to this point the knot of his resolve
tightened again he hugged it with the furious zeal of a martyr
Religion the lack of which in him the Countess deplored would have guided
him and silenced the internal strife But do not despise a virtue purely Pagan
The young who can act readily up to the Christian light are happier doubtless
but they are led they are passive I think they do not make such capital
Christians subsequently They are never in such danger we know but some in the
flock are more than sheep The heathen ideal it is not so very easy to attain
and those who mount from it to the Christian have in my humble thought a
firmer footing
So Evan fought his hard fight from the top of the stairs to the bottom A
Pagan which means our poor unsupported flesh is never certain of his victory
Now you will see him kneeling to his Gods and anon drubbing them or he makes
them fight for him and is complacent at the issue Evan had ceased to pick his
knot with one hand and pull it with the other but not finding Lady Jocelyn
below and hearing that she had retired for the night he mounted the stairs
and the strife recommenced from the bottom to the top Strange to say he was
almost unaware of any struggle going on within him The suggestion of the
foolish little imp alone was loud in the heart of his consciousness the rest
hung more in his nerves than in his brain He thought »Well I will speak it
out to her in the morning« and thought so sincerely while an ominous sigh of
relief at the reprieve rose from his overburdened bosom
Hardly had the weary deep breath taken flight when the figure of Lady
Jocelyn was seen advancing along the corridor with a lamp in her hand She trod
heavily in a kind of march as her habit was her large fullyopen grey eyes
looking straight ahead She would have passed him and he would have let her
pass but seeing the unusual pallor on her face his love for this lady moved
him to step forward and express a hope that she had no present cause for sorrow
Hearing her mothers name Lady Jocelyn was about to return a conventional
answer Recognizing Evan she said
»Ah Mr Harrington Yes I fear it s as bad as it can be She can scarcely
outlive the night«
Again he stood alone his chance was gone How could he speak to her in her
affliction Her calm sedate visage had the beauty of its youth when lighted by
the animation that attends meetings or farewells In her bow to Evan he beheld
a lovely kindness more unique if less precious than anything he had ever seen
on the face of Rose Half exultingly he reflected that no opportunity would be
allowed him now to teach that noble head and truest of human hearts to turn from
him the cleareyed morrow would come the days of the future would be bright as
other days
Wrapped in the comfort of his cowardice he started to see Lady Jocelyn
advancing to him again
»Mr Harrington« she said »Rose tells me you leave us early in the
morning I may as well shake your hand now We part very good friends I shall
always be glad to hear of you«
Evan pressed her hand and bowed »I thank you madam« was all he could
answer
»It will be better if you dont write to Rose«
Her tone was rather that of a request than an injunction
»I have no right to do so my lady«
»She considers that you have I wish her to have a fair trial«
His voice quavered The philosophic lady thought it time to leave him
»So goodbye I can trust you without extracting a promise If you ever have
need of a friend you know you are at liberty to write to me«
»You are tired my lady« He put this question more to dally with what he
ought to be saying
»Tolerably Your sister the Countess relieves me in the night I fancy my
mother finds her the better nurse of the two«
Lady Jocelyns face lighted in its gracious pleasant way as she just
inclined her head but the mention of the Countess and her attendance on Mrs
Bonner had nerved Evan the contrast of her hypocrisy and vile scheming with
this most open noble nature acted like a new force within him He begged Lady
Jocelyns permission to speak with her in private Marking his fervid
appearance she looked at him seriously
»Is it really important«
»I cannot rest madam till it is spoken«
»I mean it doesnt pertain to the delirium We may sleep upon that«
He divined her sufficiently to answer »It concerns a piece of injustice
done by you madam and which I can help you to set right«
Lady Jocelyn stared somewhat »Follow me into my dressingroom« she said
and led the way
Escape was no longer possible He was on the march to execution and into
the darkness of his brain danced John Raikes with his grotesque tribulations
It was the harsh savour of reality that conjured up this flighty being who
probably never felt a sorrow or a duty The farce Jack lived was all that Evans
tragic bitterness could revolve and seemed to be the only light in his mind
You might have seen a smile on his mouth when he was ready to ask for a bolt
from heaven to crush him
»Now« said her ladyship and he found that the four walls enclosed them
»what have I been doing«
She did not bid him be seated Her brevity influenced him to speak to the
point
»You have dismissed Mr Laxley my lady he is innocent«
»How do you know that«
»Because« a whirl of sensations beset the wretched youth »because I am
guilty«
His words had run ahead of his wits and in answer to Lady Jocelyns
singular exclamation he could but simply repeat them
Her head drew back her face was slightly raised she looked as he had seen
her sometimes look at the Countess with a sort of speculative amazement
»And why do you come to tell me«
»For the reason that I cannot allow you to be unjust madam«
»What on earth was your motive«
Evan stood silent flinching from her frank eyes
»Well well well« Her ladyship dropped into a chair and thumped her
knees
There was lawyers blood in Lady Jocelyns veins she had the judicial mind
A confession was to her a confession She tracked actions up to a motive but
one who came voluntarily to confess needed no sifting She had the habit of
treating things spoken as facts
»You absolutely wrote that letter to Mrs Evremondes husband«
Evan bowed to avoid hearing his own lie
»You discovered his address and wrote to him and imitated Mr Laxleys
handwriting to effect the purpose you may have had«
Her credulity did require his confirmation of it and he repeated »It is my
deed«
»Hum And you sent that premonitory slip of paper to her«
»To Mrs Evremonde«
»Somebody else was the author of that perhaps«
»It is all on me«
»In that case Mr Harrington I can only say that it s quite right you
should quit this house tomorrow morning«
Her ladyship commenced rocking in her chair and then added »May I ask
have you madness in your family No Because when one cant discern a motive it
s natural to ascribe certain acts to madness Had Mrs Evremonde offended you
or Ferdinand but one only hears of such practices towards fortunate rivals
and now you have come to undo what you did I must admit that taking the
monstrousness of the act and the inconsequence of your proceedings together the
whole affair becomes more incomprehensible to me than it was before Would it be
unpleasant to you to favour me with explanations«
She saw the pain her question gave him and passing it said
»Of course you need not be told that Rose must hear of this«
»Yes« said Evan »she must hear it«
»You know what that s equivalent to But if you like I will not speak to
her till you have left us«
»Instantly« cried Evan »Now tonight I would not have her live a minute
in a false estimate of me«
Had Lady Jocelyns intellect been as penetrating as it was masculine she
would have taken him and turned him inside out in a very short time for one who
would bear to see his love look coldly on him rather than endure a minutes
false estimate of his character and who could yet stoop to concoct a vile plot
must either be mad or simulating the baseness for some reason or other She
perceived no motive for the latter and she held him to be sound in the head
and what was spoken from the mouth she accepted Perhaps also she saw in the
complication thus offered an escape for Rose and was the less inclined to
elucidate it herself But if her intellect was baffled her heart was unerring
A man proved guilty of writing an anonymous letter would not have been allowed
to stand long in her room She would have shown him to the door of the house
speedily and Evan was aware in his soul that he had not fallen materially in
her esteem He had puzzled and confused her and partly because she had the
feeling that this young man was entirely trustworthy and because she never
relied on her feelings she let his own words condemn him and did not
personally discard him In fact she was a veritable philosopher She permitted
her fellows to move the world on as they would and had no other passions in the
contemplation of the show than a cultured audience will usually exhibit
»Strange most strange I thought I was getting old« she said and eyed
the culprit as judges generally are not wont to do »It will be a shock to Rose
I must tell you that I cant regret it I would not have employed force with
her but I should have given her as strong a taste of the world as it was in my
power to give Girls get their reason from society But come if you think you
can make your case out better to her you shall speak to her first yourself«
»No my lady« said Evan softly
»You would rather not«
»I could not«
»But I suppose she ll want to speak to you when she knows it«
»I can take death from her hands but I cannot slay myself«
The language was natural to his condition though the note was pitched high
Lady Jocelyn hummed till the sound of it was over and an idea striking her she
said
»Ah by the way have you any tremendous moral notions«
»I dont think I have madam«
»People act on that mania sometimes I believe Do you think it an outrage
on decency for a wife to run away from a mad husband whom they wont shut up
and take shelter with a friend Is that the cause Mr Forth is an old friend of
mine I would trust my daughter with him in a desert and stake my hand on his
honour«
»Oh Lady Jocelyn« cried Evan »Would to God you might ever have said that
of me Madam I love you I shall never see you again I shall never meet one to
treat me so generously I leave you blackened in character you cannot think
of me without contempt I can never hope that this will change But for your
kindness let me thank you«
And as speech is poor where emotion is extreme and he knew his own to be
especially so he took her hand with petitioning eyes and dropping on one
knee reverentially kissed it
Lady Jocelyn was human enough to like to be appreciated She was a veteran
Pagan and may have had the instinct that a peculiar virtue in this young one
was the spring of his conduct She stood up and said »Dont forget that you
have a friend here«
The poor youth had to turn his head from her
»You wish that I should tell Rose what you have told me at once Mr
Harrington«
»Yes my lady I beg that you will do so«
»Well«
And the queer look Lady Jocelyn had been wearing dimpled into absolute
wonder A stranger to Loves cunning she marvelled why he should desire to
witness the scorn Rose would feel for him
»If she s not asleep then she shall hear it now« said her ladyship »You
understand that it will be mentioned to no other person«
»Except to Mr Laxley madam to whom I shall offer the satisfaction he may
require But I will undertake that«
»Just as you think proper on that matter« remarked her philosophical
ladyship who held that man was a fighting animal and must not have his nature
repressed
She lighted him part of the way and then turned off to Roses chamber
Would Rose believe it of him Love combated his dismal foreboding
Strangely too now that he had plunged into his pitchbath the guilt seemed to
cling to him and instead of hoping serenely or fearing steadily his spirit
fell in a kind of abject supplication to Rose and blindly trusted that she
would still love even if she believed him base In his weakness he fell so low
as to pray that she might love that crawling reptile who could creep into a
house and shrink from no vileness to win her
Chapter XXXV
Rose Wounded
The light of morning was yet cold along the passages of the house when Polly
Wheedle hurrying to her young mistress met her loosely dressed and with a
troubled face
»What s the matter Polly I was coming to you«
»O Miss Rose and I was coming to you Miss Bonners gone back to her
convulsions again She s had them all night Her hair wont last till thirty
if she keeps on giving way to temper as I tell her and I know that from a
barber«
»Tush you stupid Polly Does she want to see me«
»You neednt suspect that Miss But you quiet her best and I thought I d
come to you But gracious«
Rose pushed past her without vouchsafing any answer to the look in her face
and turned off to Julianas chamber where she was neither welcomed nor
repelled Juliana said she was perfectly well and that Polly was foolishly
officious whereupon Rose ordered Polly out of the room and said to Juliana
kindly »You have not slept dear and I have not either I am so unhappy«
Whether Rose intended by this communication to make Juliana eagerly
attentive and to distract her from her own affair cannot be said but
something of the effect was produced
»You care for him too« cried Rose impetuously »Tell me Juley do you
think him capable of any base action Do you think he would do what any
gentleman would be ashamed to own Tell me«
Juliana looked at Rose intently but did not reply
Rose jumped up from the bed »You hesitate Juley What Could you think
so«
Young women after a common game are shrewd Juliana may have seen that Rose
was not steady on the plank she walked and required support
»I dont know« she said turning her cheek to her pillow
»What an answer« Rose exclaimed »Have you no opinion What did you say
yesterday It s silent as the grave with me but if you do care for him you
must think one thing or the other«
»I suppose not then no« said Juliana
Repeating the languid words bitterly Rose continued »What is it to love
without having faith in him you love You make my mind easier«
Juliana caught the implied taunt and said fretfully »I m ill You re so
passionate You dont tell me what it is How can I answer you«
»Never mind« said Rose moving to the door wondering why she had spoken at
all but when Juliana sprang forward and caught her by the dress to stop her
and with a most unwonted outburst of affection begged of her to tell her all
the wound in Roses breast began to bleed and she was glad to speak
»Juley do you can you believe that he wrote that letter which poor
Ferdinand was accused of writing«
Juliana appeared to muse and then responded »Why should he do such a
thing«
»O my goodness what a girl« Rose interjected
»Well then to please you Rose of course I think he is too honourable«
»You do think so Juley But if he himself confessed it what then You
would not believe him would you«
»Oh then I cant say Why should he condemn himself«
»But you would know you would know that he was a man to suffer death
rather than be guilty of the smallest baseness His birth what is that« Rose
filliped her fingers »But his acts what he is himself you would be sure of
would you not Dear Juley Oh for heavens sake speak out plainly to me«
A wily look had crept over Julianas features
»Certainly« she said in a tone that belied it and drawing Rose to her
bosom the groan she heard there was passing sweet to her
»He has confessed it to Mama« sobbed Rose »Why did he not come to me
first He has confessed it the abominable thing has come out of his own mouth
He went to her last night «
Juliana patted her shoulders regularly as they heaved When words were
intelligible between them Juliana said »At least dear you must admit that he
has redeemed it«
»Redeemed it Could he do less« Rose dried her eyes vehemently as if the
tears shamed her »A man who could have let another suffer for his crime I
could never have lifted my head again I think I would have cut off this hand
that plighted itself to him As it is I hardly dare look at myself But you
dont think it dear You know it to be false false false«
»Why should Mr Harrington confess it« said Juliana
»Oh dont speak his name« cried Rose
Her cousin smiled »So many strange things happen« she said and sighed
»Dont sigh I shall think you believe it« cried Rose
An appearance of constrained repose was assumed Rose glanced up studied
for an instant and breathlessly uttered »You do you do believe it Juley«
For answer Juliana hugged her with much warmth and recommenced the
patting
»I dare say it s a mistake« she remarked »He may have been jealous of
Ferdinand You know I have not seen the letter I have only heard of it In
love they say you ought to excuse And the want of religious education His
sister «
Rose interrupted her with a sharp shudder Might it not be possible that one
who had the same blood as the Countess would stoop to a momentary vileness
How changed was Rose from the haughty damsel of yesterday
»Do you think my lover could tell a lie« »He would not love me long if I
did«
These phrases arose and rang in Julianas ears while she pursued the task of
comforting the broken spirit that now lay prone on the bed and now impetuously
paced the room Rose had come thinking the moment Julianas name was mentioned
that here was the one to fortify her faith in Evan one who because she loved
could not doubt him She moaned in a terror of distrust loathing her cousin
not asking herself why she needed support And indeed she was too young for much
clear selfquestioning and her blood was flowing too quickly for her brain to
perceive more than one thing at a time
»Does your mother believe it« said Juliana evading a direct assault
»Mama She never doubts what you speak« answered Rose disconsolately
»She does«
»Yes«
Whereat Juliana looked most grave and Rose felt that it was hard to
breathe
She had grown very cold and calm and Juliana had to be expansive
unprovoked
»Believe nothing dear till you hear it from his own lips If he can look
in your face and say that he did it well then But of course he cannot It
must be some wonderful piece of generosity to his rival«
»So I thought Juley so I thought« cried Rose at the new light and
Juliana smiled contemptuously and the light flickered and died and all was
darker than before in the bosom of Rose She had borne so much that this new
drop was poison
»Of course it must be that if it is anything« Juliana pursued »You were
made to be happy Rose And consider if it is true people of very low birth
till they have lived long with other people and if they have no religion are
so very likely to do things You do not judge them as you do real gentlemen and
one must not be too harsh I only wish to prepare you for the worst«
A dim form of that very idea had passed through Rose giving her small
comfort
»Let him tell you with his own lips that what he has told your mother is
true and then and not till then believe him« Juliana concluded and they
kissed kindly and separated Rose had suddenly lost her firm step but no
sooner was Juliana alone than she left the bed and addressed her visage to the
glass with brightening eyes as one who saw the glimmer of young hope therein
»She love him Not if he told me so ten thousand times would I believe it
and before he has said a syllable she doubts him Asking me in that frantic way
as if I couldnt see that she wanted me to help her to her faith in him as she
calls it Not name his name Mr Harrington I may call him Evan some day«
Halfuttered halfmused the unconscious exclamations issued from her and
for many a weary day since she had dreamed of love and studied that which is
said to attract the creature she had not been so glowingly elated or looked so
much farther in the glass than its pale reflection
Chapter XXXVI
Before Breakfast
Cold through the night the darkfringed stream had whispered under Evans eyes
and the night breeze voiced »Fool fool« to him not without a distant echo in
his heart By symbols and sensations he knew that Rose was lost to him There
was no moon the water seemed aimless passing on carelessly to oblivion Now
and then the trees stirred and talked or a noise was heard from the pastures
He had slain the life that lived in them and the great glory they were to bring
forth and the end to which all things moved Had less than the loss of Rose
been involved the young man might have found himself looking out on a world
beneath notice and have been sighing for one more worthy of his clouded
excellence but the immense misery present to him in the contemplation of Roses
sad restrained contempt saved him from the silly elation which is the last and
generally successful struggle of human nature in those who can so far master it
to commit a sacrifice The loss of that brave high young soul Rose who had
lifted him out of the mire with her own white hands Rose the image of all that
he worshipped Rose so closely wedded to him that to be cut away from her was
to fall like pallid clay from the soaring spirit surely he was stunned and
senseless when he went to utter the words to her mother Now that he was awake
and could feel his selfinflicted pain he marvelled at his rashness and
foolishness as perhaps numerous mangled warriors have done for a time when the
battlefield was cool and they were weak and the uproar of their jarred nerves
has beset them lying uncherished
By degrees he grew aware of a little consolatory touch like the point of a
needle in his consciousness Laxley would certainly insult him In that case he
would not refuse to fight him The darkness broke and revealed this happy
prospect and Evan held to it an hour and could hardly reject it when better
thoughts conquered For would it not be sweet to make the strength of his arm
respected He took a stick and ran his eye musingly along the length trifling
with it grimly The great Mel had been his sons instructor in the chivalrous
science of fence and a maître darmes in Portugal had given him polish In
Mels time duels with swords had been occasionally fought and Evan looked on
the sword as the weapon of combat Face to face with his adversary what then
were birth or position Action action he sighed for it as I have done
since I came to know that his history must be morally developed A glow of
bitter pleasure exalted him when after hot passages and parryings and thrusts
he had disarmed Ferdinand Laxley and bestowing on him his life said »Accept
this worthy gift of the son of a tailor« and he wiped his sword haply bound up
his wrist and stalked off the ground the vindicator of mans natural dignity
And then he turned upon himself with laughter discovering a most wholesome
power barely to be suspected in him yet but of all the children of glittering
Mel and his solid mate Evan was the best mixed compound of his parents
He put the stick back in its corner and eyed his wrist as if he had really
just gone through the pretty scene he had just laughed at It was nigh upon
reality for it suggested the employment of a handkerchief and he went to a
place and drew forth one that had the stain of his blood on it and the name of
Rose at one end The beloved name was halfblotted by the dullred mark and at
that sight a strange tenderness took hold of Evan His passions became dead and
of old date This then would be his for ever Love for whom earth had been
too small crept exultingly into a nutshell He clasped the treasure on his
breast and saw a life beyond his parting with her
Strengthened thus he wrote by the morning light to Laxley The letter was
brief and said simply that the act of which Laxley had been accused Evan
Harrington was responsible for The latter expressed regret that Laxley should
have fallen under a false charge and at the same time indicated that if
Laxley considered himself personally aggrieved the writer was at his disposal
A messenger had now to be found to convey it to the villageinn Footmen
were stirring about the house and one meeting Evan close by his door observed
with demure grin that he could not find the gentlemans nethergarments The
gentleman it appeared was Mr John Raikes who according to report had been
furnished with a bed at the house because of a discovery made at a late period
overnight that farther the gentleman could not go Evan found him sleeping
soundly How much the poor youth wanted a friend Fortune had given him instead
a born buffoon and it is perhaps the greatest evil of a position like Evans
that with cultured feelings you are likely to meet with none to know you
Society does not mix well in moneypecking spheres Here however was John
Raikes and Evan had to make the best of him
»Eh« yawned Jack awakened »I was dreaming I was Napoleon Bonapartes
righthand man«
»I want you to be mine for halfanhour« said Evan
Without replying the distinguished officer jumped out of bed at a bound
mounted a chair and peered on tiptoe over the top from which with a glance
of selfcongratulation he pulled the missing piece of apparel sighed
dejectedly as he descended while he exclaimed
»Safe but no distinction can compensate a man for this state of intolerable
suspicion of everybody I assure you Harrington I wouldnt be Napoleon himself
and I have always been his peculiar admirer to live and be afraid of my
valet I believe it will develop cancer sooner or later in me I feel singular
pains already Last night after crowning champagne with ale which produced a
sort of French Revolution in my interior by the way that must have made me
dream of Napoleon last night with my lower members in revolt against my
head I had to sit and cogitate for hours on a hidingplace for these call
them what you will Depend upon it Harrington this world is no such funny
affair as we fancy«
»Then it is true that you could let a man play pranks on you« said Evan
»I took it for one of your jokes«
»Just as I cant believe that you re a tailor« returned Jack »It s not a
bit more extraordinary«
»But Jack if you cause yourself to be contemptible «
»Contemptible« cried Jack »This is not the tone I like Contemptible why
it s my eccentricity among my equals If I dread the profane vulgar that only
proves that I m above them Odi etc Besides Achilles had his weak point and
egad it was when he faced about By Jingo I wish I d had that idea yesterday
I should have behaved better«
Evan could see that the creature was beginning to rely desperately on his
humour
»Come« he said »be a man today Throw off your motley When I met you
that night so oddly you had been acting like a worthy fellow trying to earn
your bread in the best way you could «
»And precisely because I met you of all men Ive been going round and
round ever since« said Jack »A clown or pantaloon would have given me balance
Say no more You couldnt help it We met because we were the two extremes«
Sighing »What a jolly old inn« Raikes rolled himself over in the sheets
and gave two or three snug jolts indicative of his determination to be
comfortable while he could
»Do you intend to carry on this folly Jack«
»Say sacrifice« was the answer »I feel it as much as you possibly could
Mr Harrington Hear the facts« Jack turned round again »Why did I consent to
this absurdity Because of my ambition That old fellow whom I took to be a
clerk of Messrs Grist said You want to cut a figure in the world you re
armed now A sort of Fortunatuss joke It was his way of launching me But did
he think I intended this for more than a lift I his puppet He sir was my
tool Well I came All my efforts were strained to shorten the period of
penance I had the best linen and put on captivating manners I should
undoubtedly have won some girl of station and cast off my engagement like an
old suit but just mark now mark how Fortune tricks us After the picnic
yesterday the domestics of the house came to clear away and the band being
there I stopped them and bade them tune up and at the same time seizing the
maid Wheedle away we flew We danced we whirled we twirled Ale upon this My
head was lost Why dont it last for ever says I I wish it did says she The
naïveté enraptured me Oooo I cried hugging her and then you know there
was no course open to a man of honour but to offer marriage and make a lady of
her I proposed she accepted me and here I am eternally tied to this accurst
insignia if I m to keep my promise Isnt that a sacrifice friend H There
s no course open to me The poor girl is madly in love She called me a rattle
As a gentleman I cannot recede«
Evan got up and burst into damnable laughter at this burlesque of himself
Telling the fellow the service he required and receiving a groaning assurance
that the letter should without loss of time be delivered in proper style the
egoist as Jack heartily thought him fell behind his knitted brows and after
musing abstractedly went forth to light upon his fate
But a dread of meeting had seized both Rose and Evan She had exhausted her
first sincerity of unbelief in her interview with Juliana and he had begun to
consider what he could say to her More than the three words »I did it« would
not be possible and if she made him repeat them facing her truthful eyes
would he be man enough to strike her bared heart twice And ah the sullen
brute he must seem standing before her dumb hearing her sigh seeing her
wretched effort not to show how unwillingly her kind spirit despised him The
reason for the act she would ask for that Rose would not be so philosophic as
her mother She would grasp at every chance to excuse the deed He cried out
against his scheming sister in an agony and while he did so encountered Miss
Carrington and Miss Bonner in deep converse Juliana pinched her arm whereupon
Miss Carrington said »You look merry this morning Mr Harrington« for he was
unawares smiling at the image of himself in the mirror of John Raikes That
smile transformed to a chuckling grimace travelled to Rose before they met
Why did she not come to him
A soft voice at his elbow made his blood stop It was Caroline She kissed
him answering his greeting »Is it good morning«
»Certainly« said he »By the way dont forget that the coach leaves
early«
»My darling Evan you make me so happy For it was really a mistaken sense
of honour For what can at all excuse a falsehood you know Evan«
Caroline took his arm and led him into the sun watching his face at times
Presently she said »I want just to be assured that you thought more wisely than
when you left us last night«
»More wisely« Evan turned to her with a playful smile
»My dear brother you did not do what you said you would do«
»Have you ever known me not to do what I said I would do«
»Evan Good heaven you did it Then how can you remain here an instant Oh
no no say no darling«
»Where is Louisa« he inquired
»She is in her room She will never appear at breakfast if she knows this«
»Perhaps more solitude would do her good« said Evan
»Remember if this should prove true think how you punish her«
On that point Evan had his own opinion
»Well I shall never have to punish you in this way my love« he said
fondly and Caroline dropped her eyelids
»Dont think that I am blaming her« he added trying to feel as honestly as
he spoke »I was mad to come here I see it all now Let us keep to our place
We are all the same before God till we disgrace ourselves«
Possibly with that sense of shame which some young people have who are not
professors of sounding sentences or affected by missionary zeal when they
venture to breathe the holy name Evan blushed and walked on humbly silent
Caroline murmured »Yes yes oh brother« and her figure drew to him as if for
protection Pale she looked up
»Shall you always love me Evan«
»Whom else have I to love«
»But always always Under any circumstances«
»More and more dear I always have and shall I look to you now I have no
home but in your heart now«
She was agitated and he spoke warmly to calm her
The throb of deep emotion rang in her rich voice »I will live any life to
be worthy of your love Evan« and she wept
To him they were words and tears without a history
Nothing further passed between them Caroline went to the Countess Evan
waited for Rose The sun was getting high The face of the stream glowed like
metal Why did she not come She believed him guilty from the mouth of another
If so there was something less for him to lose And now the sacrifice he had
made did whisper a tale of mortal magnificence in his ears feelings that were
not his noblest stood up exalted He waited till the warm meadowbreath floating
past told that the day had settled into heat and then he waited no more but
quietly walked into the house with the strength of one who has conquered more
than human scorn
Chapter XXXVII
The Retreat from Beckley
Never would the Countess believe that brother of hers idiot as by nature he
might be and heir to unnumbered epithets would so far forget what she had done
for him as to drag her through the mud for nothing and so she told Caroline
again and again vehemently
It was about ten minutes before the time for descending to the
breakfasttable She was dressed and sat before the glass smoothing her hair
and applying the contents of a pot of cold cream to her forehead betweenwhiles
With perfect sincerity she repeated that she could not believe it She had only
trusted Evan once since their visit to Beckley and that this once he should
when treated as a man turn traitor to their common interests and prove himself
an utter baby was a piece of nonsense her great intelligence indignantly
rejected
»Then if true« she answered Carolines assurances finally »if true he is
not his fathers son«
By which it may be seen that she had indeed taken refuge in the Castle of
Negation against the whole army of facts
»He is acting Carry He is acting the ideas of his ridiculous empty
noddle«
»No« said Caroline mournfully »he is not I have never known Evan to
lie«
»Then you must forget the whipping he once had from his mother little
dolt little selfish pig He obtains his reputation entirely from his abominable
selfishness and then stands tall and asks us to admire him He bursts with
vanity But if you lend your credence to it Carry how in the name of
goodness are you to appear at the breakfast«
»I was going to ask you whether you would come« said Caroline coldly
»If I can get my hair to lie flat by any means at all of course « returned
the Countess »This dreadful horrid country pomade Why did we not bring a
larger stock of the Andaluçian Regenerator Upon my honour my dear you use a
most enormous quantity I must really tell you that«
Conning here entered to say that Mr Evan had given orders for the boxes to
be packed and everything got ready to depart by halfpast eleven oclock when
the fly would call for them and convey them to Fallowfield in time to meet the
coach for London
The Countess turned her head round to Caroline like an astonished automaton
»Given orders« she interjected
»I have very little to get ready« remarked Caroline
»Be so good as to wait outside the door one instant« said the Countess to
Conning with particular urbanity
Conning heard a great deal of vigorous whispering within and when summoned
to reappear a note was handed to her to convey to Mr Harrington immediately
He was on the lawn read it and wrote back three hasty lines in pencil
»Louisa You have my commands to quit this house at the hour named this
day You will go with me EH«
Conning was again requested to wait outside the Countesss door She was the
bearer of another note Evan read it likewise tore it up and said that there
was no answer
The Castle of Negation held out no longer Ruthless battalions poured over
the walls blew up the Countesss propriety made frightful ravages in her
complexion Down fell her hair
»You cannot possibly go to breakfast« said Caroline
»I must I must« cried the Countess »Why my dear if he has done it
wretched creature dont you perceive that by withholding our presences we
become implicated with him« And the Countess from a burst of frenzy put this
practical question so shrewdly that Carolines wits succumbed to her
»But he has not done it he is acting« she pursued restraining her
precious tears for higher purposes as only true heroines can »Thinks to
frighten me into submission«
»Do you not think Evan is right in wishing us to leave after after «
Caroline humbly suggested
»Say before my venerable friend has departed this life« the Countess took
her up »No I do not If he is a fool I am not No Carry I do not jump into
ditches for nothing I will have something tangible for all that I have endured
We are now tailors in this place remember If that stigma is affixed to us let
us at least be remunerated for it Come«
Carolines own hard struggle demanded all her strength yet she appeared to
hesitate »You will surely not disobey Evan Louisa«
»Disobey« The Countess amazedly dislocated the syllables »Why the boy
will be telling you next that he will not permit the Duke to visit you Just
your English order of mind that cannot brutes conceive of friendship
between highborn men and beautiful women Beautiful as you truly are Carry
five years more will tell on you But perhaps my dearest is in a hurry to return
to her Maxwell At least he thwacks well«
Carolines arm was taken The Countess loved an occasional rhyme when a
point was to be made and went off nodding and tripping till the time for
stateliness arrived near the breakfastroom door She indeed was acting At the
bottom of her heart there was a dismal rage of passions hatred of those who
would or might look tailor in her face terrors concerning the possible
revisitation of the vengeful Sir Abraham dread of Evan and the efforts to
despise him the shocks of many conflicting elements Above it all her
countenance was calmly sadly sweet even as you may behold some majestic
lighthouse glimmering over the tumult of a midnight sea
An unusual assemblage honoured the breakfast that morning The news of Mrs
Bonners health was more favourable How delighted was the Countess to hear
that Mrs Bonner was the only firm ground she stood on there and after
receiving and giving gentle salutes she talked of Mrs Bonner and her
nightwatch by the sick bed in a spirit of doleful hope This passed off the
moments till she could settle herself to study faces Decidedly every lady
present looked glum with the single exception of Miss Current Evan was by Lady
Jocelyns side Her ladyship spoke to him but the Countess observed that no one
else did To herself however the gentlemen were as attentive as ever Evan sat
three chairs distant from her
If the traitor expected his sister to share in his disgrace by noticing
him he was in error On the contrary the Countess joined the conspiracy to
exclude him and would stop a mild laugh if perchance he looked up Presently
Rose entered She said »Good morning« to one or two and glided into a seat
That Evan was under Lady Jocelyns protection soon became generally
apparent and also that her ladyship was angry an exhibition so rare with her
that it was the more remarked Rose could see that she was a culprit in her
mothers eyes She glanced from Evan to her Lady Jocelyns mouth shut hard The
girls senses then perceived the something that was afloat at the table she
thought with a pang of horror »Has Juliana told« Juliana smiled on her but
the aspect of Mrs Shorne and of Miss Carrington spoke for their knowledge of
that which must henceforth be the perpetual reproof to her headstrong youth
»At what hour do you leave us« said Lady Jocelyn to Evan
»When I leave the table my lady The fly will call for my sisters at
halfpast eleven«
»There is no necessity for you to start in advance«
»I am going over to see my mother«
Rose burned to speak to him now Oh why had she delayed Why had she
swerved from her good rule of open instant explanations But Evans heart was
stern to his love Not only had she by not coming shown her doubt of him
she had betrayed him
Between the Countess Melville Sir John and the Duke an animated dialogue
was going on over which Miss Current played like a lively iris They could not
part with the Countess Melville said he should be left stranded and numerous
pretty things were uttered by other gentlemen by the women not a word Glancing
from certain of them lingeringly to her admirers the Countess smiled her
thanks and then Andrew pressed to remain said he was willing and happy and
so forth and it seemed that her admirers had prevailed over her reluctance for
the Countess ended her little protests with a vanquished bow Then there was a
gradual rising from table Evan pressed Lady Jocelyns hand and turning from
her bent his head to Sir Franks who without offering an exchange of
cordialities said at arms length »Goodbye sir« Melville also gave him
that greeting stiffly Harry was perceived to rush to the other end of the room
in quest of a fly apparently Poor Carolines heart ached for her brother to
see him standing there in the shadow of many faces But he was not left to stand
alone Andrew quitted the circle of Sir John Seymour Jocelyn Mr George
Uploft and others and linked his arm to Evans Rose had gone While Evan
looked for her despairingly to say his last word and hear her voice once more
Sir Franks said to his wife
»See that Rose keeps upstairs«
»I want to speak to her« was her ladyships answer and she moved to the
door
Evan made way for her bowing
»You will be ready at halfpast eleven Louisa« he said with calm
distinctness and passed from that purgatory
Now honest Andrew attributed the treatment Evan met with to the exposure of
yesterday He was frantic with democratic disgust
»Why the devil dont they serve me like that eh Cause I got a few
coppers There Van I m a man of peace but if you ll call any man of em out
I ll stand your second pon my soul I will They must be cowards so there
isnt much to fear Confound the fellows I tell em every day I m the son of a
cobbler and egad they grow civiller What do they mean Are cobblers ranked
over tailors«
»Perhaps that s it« said Evan
»Hang your gentlemen« Andrew cried
»Let us have breakfast first« uttered a melancholy voice near them in the
passage
»Jack« said Evan »Where have you been«
»I didnt know the breakfastroom« Jack returned »and the fact is my
spirits are so down I couldnt muster up courage to ask one of the footmen I
delivered your letter Nothing hostile took place I bowed fiercely to let him
know what he might expect That generally stops it You see I talk prose I
shall never talk anything else«
Andrew recommenced his jests of yesterday with Jack The latter bore them
patiently as one who had endured worse
»She has rejected me« he whispered to Evan »Talk of the ingratitude of
women Ten minutes ago I met her She perked her eyebrows at me tried to run
away Miss Wheedle I said If you please I d rather not says she To cut it
short the sacrifice I made to her was the cause It s all over the house She
gave the most excruciating hint Those lowborn females are so horribly
indelicate I stood confounded«
Commending his new humour Evan persuaded him to breakfast immediately and
hunger being one of Jacks solitary incitements to a sensible course of conduct
the disconsolate gentleman followed its dictates »Go with him Andrew« said
Evan »He is here as my friend and may be made uncomfortable«
»Yes yes ha ha I ll follow the poor chap« said Andrew »But what is
it all about Louisa wont go you know Has the girl given you up because she
saw your mother Van I thought it was all right Why the deuce are you running
away«
»Because Ive just seen that I ought never to have come I suppose« Evan
replied controlling the wretched heaving of his chest
»But Louisa wont go Van«
»Understand my dear Andrew that I know it to be quite imperative Be ready
yourself with Caroline Louisa will then make her choice Pray help me in this
We must not stay a minute more than is necessary in this house«
»It s an awful duty« breathed Andrew after a pause »I see nothing but
hot water at home Why but it s no use asking questions My love to your
mother I say Van now isnt Lady Jocelyn a trump«
»God bless her« said Evan And the moisture in Andrews eyes affected his
own
»She s the staunchest piece of womangoods I ever I know a hundred cases
of her«
»I know one and that s enough« said Evan
Not a sign of Rose Can Love die without its dear farewell on which it
feeds away from the light dying by bits In Evans heart Love seemed to die
and all the pangs of a death were there as he trod along the gravel and stepped
beneath the gates of Beckley Court
Meantime the gallant Countess was not in any way disposed to retreat on
account of Evans defection The behaviour toward him at the breakfasttable
proved to her that he had absolutely committed his egregious folly and as no
General can have concert with a fool she cut him off from her affections
resolutely Her manifest disdain at his last speech said as much to everybody
present Besides the lady was in her element here and compulsion is required
to make us relinquish our element Lady Jocelyn certainly had not expressly
begged of her to remain the Countess told Melville so who said that if she
required such an invitation she should have it but that a guest to whom they
were so much indebted was bound to spare them these formalities
»What am I to do«
The Countess turned piteously to the diplomatists wife
She answered retiringly »Indeed I cannot say«
Upon this the Countess accepted Melvilles arm and had some thoughts of
punishing the woman
They were seen parading the lawn Mr George Uploft chuckled singularly
»Just the old style« he remarked but corrected the inadvertence with a
»hem« committing himself more shamefully the instant after »I ll wager she
has the old Dip down on his knee before she cuts«
»Bet cant be taken« observed Sir John Loring »It requires a spy«
Harry however had heard the remark and because he wished to speak to her
let us hope and reproach her for certain things when she chose to be
disengaged he likewise sallied out being forlorn as a youth whose sweet vanity
is much hurt
The Duke had paired off with Mrs Strike The lawn was fair in sunlight
where they walked The air was rich with harvest smells and the scent of
autumnal roses Caroline was by nature luxurious and soft The thought of that
drilled figure to which she was returning in bondage may have thrown into
bright relief the polished and gracious nobleman who walked by her side
shadowing forth the chances of a splendid freedom Two lovely tears fell from
her eyes The Duke watched them quietly
»Do you know they make me jealous« he said
Caroline answered him with a faint smile
»Reassure me my dear lady you are not going with your brother this
morning«
»Your Grace I have no choice«
»May I speak to you as your warmest friend From what I hear it appears to
be right that your brother should not stay To the best of my ability I will
provide for him but I sincerely desire to disconnect you from those who are
unworthy of you Have you not promised to trust in me Pray let me be your
guide«
Caroline replied to the heart of his words »I dare not«
»What has changed you«
»I am not changed but awakened« said Caroline
The Duke paced on in silence
»Pardon me if I comprehend nothing of such a change« he resumed »I asked
you to sacrifice much all that I could give in return I offered Is it the
world you fear«
»What is the world to such as I am«
»Can you consider it a duty to deliver yourself bound to that man again«
»Heaven pardon me my lord I think of that too little«
The Dukes next question »Then what can it be« stood in his eyes
»Oh« Carolines touch quivered on his arm »Do not suppose me frivolous
ungrateful or or cowardly For myself you have offered more happiness than I
could have hoped for To be allied to one so generous I could bear anything
Yesterday you had my word give it me back today«
Very curiously the Duke gazed on her for there was evidence of internal
torture across her forehead
»I may at least beg to know the cause for this request«
She quelled some throbbing in her bosom »Yes«
He waited and she said »There is one if I offended him I could not
live If now I followed my wishes he would lose his faith in the last creature
that loves him He is unhappy I could bear what is called disgrace my lord I
shudder to say it I could sin against heaven but I dare not do what would
make him despise me«
She was trembling violently yet the nobleman in his surprise could not
forbear from asking who this person might be whose influence on her righteous
actions was so strong
»It is my brother my lord« she said
Still more astonished »Your brother« the Duke exclaimed »My dearest lady
I would not wound you but is not this a delusion We are so placed that we must
speak plainly Your brother I have reason to feel sure is quite unworthy of
you«
»Unworthy My brother Evan Oh he is noble he is the best of men«
»And how between yesterday and today has he changed you«
»It is that yesterday I did not know him and today I do«
Her brother a common tradesman a man guilty of forgery and the utmost
baseness all but kicked out of the house The Duke was too delicate to press
her further Moreover Caroline had emphasized the yesterday and today showing
that the interval which had darkened Evan to everybody else had illumined him
to her He employed some courtly eloquence better unrecorded but if her firm
resolution perplexed him it threw a strange halo round the youth from whom it
sprang
The hour was now eleven and the Countess thought it full time to retire to
her entrenchment in Mrs Bonners chamber She had great things still to do
vast designs were in her hand awaiting the sanction of Providence Alas that
little idle promenade was soon to be repented She had joined her sister
thinking it safer to have her upstairs till they were quit of Evan The Duke and
the diplomatist loitering in the rear these two fair women sailed across the
lawn conscious doubtless over all their sorrows and schemes of the freight
of beauty they carried
What meant that gathering on the steps It was fortuitous like everything
destined to confound us There stood Lady Jocelyn with Andrew fretting his
pate Harry leant against a pillar Miss Carrington Mrs Shorne and Mrs
Melville supported by Mr George Uploft held watchfully by Juliana with
Master Alec and Miss Dorothy were in the background
Why did our General see herself cut off from her stronghold as by a hostile
band She saw it by that sombre light in Julianas eyes which had shown its
ominous gleam whenever disasters were on the point of unfolding
Turning to Caroline she said »Is there a back way«
Too late Andrew called
»Come along Louisa Just time and no more Carry are you packed«
This in reality was the first note of the retreat from Beckley and having
blown it the hideous little trumpeter burst into scarlet perspirations
mumbling to Lady Jocelyn »Now my lady mind you stand by me«
The Countess walked straight up to him
»Dear Andrew this sun is too powerful for you I beg you withdraw into the
shade of the house«
She was about to help him with all her gentleness
»Yes yes All right Louisa« rejoined Andrew »Come go and pack The
flyll be here you know too late for the coach if you dont mind my lass
Aint you packed yet«
The horrible fascination of vulgarity impelled the wretched lady to answer
»Are we herrings« And then she laughed but without any accompaniment
»I am now going to dear Mrs Bonner« she said with a tender glance at Lady
Jocelyn
»My mother is sleeping« her ladyship remarked
»Come Carry my darling« cried Andrew
Caroline looked at her sister The Countess divined Andrews shameful trap
»I was under an engagement to go and canvass this afternoon« she said
»Why my dear Louisa weve settled that in here this morning« said Andrew
»Old Tom only stuck up a puppet to play with Weve knocked him over and march
in victorious eh my lady«
»Oh« exclaimed the Countess »if Mr Raikes shall indeed have listened to
my inducements«
»Deuce a bit of inducements« returned Andrew »The fellows ashamed of
himself ha ha Now then Louisa«
While they talked Juliana had loosed Dorothy and Alec and these imps were
seen rehearsing a remarkable play in which the damsel held forth a hand and the
cavalier advanced and kissed it with a loud smack being at the same time
reproached for his lack of grace
»You are so English« cried Dorothy with perfect languor and a malicious
twitter passed between two or three Mr George spluttered indiscreetly
The Countess observed the performance Not to convert the retreat into a
total rout she with that dark flush which was her manner of blushing took
formal leave of Lady Jocelyn who in return simply said »Goodbye Countess«
Mrs Strikes hand she kindly shook
The few digs and slaps and thrusts at gloomy Harry and prim Miss Carrington
and boorish Mr George wherewith the Countess torn with wrath thought it
necessary to cover her retreat need not be told She struck the weak alone
Juliana she respected Masterly tactics for they showed her power gratified
her vengeance and left her unassailed On the road she had Andrew to tear to
pieces O delicious operation And O shameful brother to reduce her to such
joys And O Providence may a poor desperate soul betrayed through her
devotion unremunerated for her humiliation and absolute hard work accuse thee
The Countess would have liked to She felt it to be the instigation of the
devil and decided to remain on the safe side still
Happily for Evan she was not ready with her packing by halfpast eleven It
was near twelve when he pacing in front of the inn observed Polly Wheedle
followed some yards in the rear by John Raikes advancing towards him Now Polly
had been somewhat delayed by Jacks persecutions and Evan declining to attend
to the masked speech of her mission which directed him to go at once down a
certain lane in the neighbourhood of the park some minutes were lost
»Why Mr Harrington« said Polly »it s Miss Rose she s had leave from
her Ma Can you stop away when it s quite proper«
Evan hesitated Before he could conquer the dark spirit lo Rose appeared
walking up the village street Polly and her adorer fell back
Timidly unlike herself Rose neared him
»I have offended you Evan You would not come to me I have come to you«
»I am glad to be able to say goodbye to you Rose« was his pretty
response
Could she have touched his hand then the blood of these lovers rushing to
one channel must have made all clear At least he could hardly have struck her
true heart with his miserable lie But that chance was lost they were in the
street where passions have no play
»Tell me Evan it is not true«
He refining on his misery thought She would not ask it if she trusted me
and answered her »You have heard it from your mother Rose«
»But I will not believe it from any lips but yours Evan Oh speak speak«
It pleased him to think How could one who loved me believe it even then
He said »It can scarcely do good to make me repeat it Rose«
And then seeing her dear bosom heave quickly he was tempted to fall on his
knees to her with a wild outcry of love The chance was lost The inexorable
street forbade it
There they stood in silence gasping at the barrier that divided them
Suddenly a noise was heard »Stop stop« cried the voice of John Raikes
»When a lady and gentleman are talking together sir do you lean your long ears
over them ha«
Looking round Evan beheld Laxley a step behind and Jack rushing up to him
seizing his collar and instantly undergoing ignominious prostration for his
heroic defence of the privacy of lovers
»Stand aside« said Laxley imperiously »Rosey so youve come for me Take
my arm You are under my protection«
Another forlorn »Is it true« Rose cast toward Evan with her eyes He
wavered under them
»Did you receive my letter« he demanded of Laxley
»I decline to hold converse with you« said Laxley drawing Roses hand on
his arm
»You will meet me today or tomorrow«
»I am in the habit of selecting my own company«
Rose disengaged her hand Evan grasped it No word of farewell was uttered
Her mouth moved but her eyes were hard shut and nothing save her hands
strenuous pressure equalling his own told that their parting had been spoken
the link violently snapped
Mr John Raikes had been picked up and pulled away by Polly She now rushed
to Evan »Goodbye and God bless you dear Mr Harrington I ll find means of
letting you know how she is And he shant have her mind«
Rose was walking by Laxleys side but not leaning on his arm Evan blessed
her for this Ere she was out of sight the fly rolled down the street She did
not heed it did not once turn her head Ah bitter unkindness
When Love is hurt it is selflove that requires the opiate Conning gave it
him in the form of a note in a handwriting not known to him It said
»I do not believe it and nothing will ever make me
JULIANA«
Evan could not forget these words They coloured his farewell to Beckley the
dear old downs the hopgardens the long grey farms walled with clipped yew
the home of his lost love He thought of them through weary nights when the
ghostly image with the hard shut eyelids and the quivering lips would rise and
sway irresolutely in air till a shape out of the darkness extinguished it Pride
is the God of Pagans Juliana had honoured his God The spirit of Juliana seemed
to pass into the body of Rose and suffer for him as that ghostly image visibly
suffered
Chapter XXXVIII
In which We Have to See in the Dark
So ends the fourth act of our comedy
After all her heroism and extraordinary efforts after as she feared
offending Providence after facing Tailordom the Countess was rolled away in
a dingy fly unrewarded even by a penny for what she had gone through For she
possessed eminently the practical nature of her sex and though she would have
scorned and would have declined to handle coin so base its absence was
upbraidingly mentioned in her spiritual outcries Not a penny
Nor was there as in the miseries of retreat she affected indifferently to
imagine a Duke fished out of the ruins of her enterprise to wash the mud off
her garments and edge them with radiance Caroline it became clear to her had
been infected by Evans folly Caroline she subsequently learnt had likewise
been a fool Instead of marvelling at the genius that had done so much in spite
of the pair of fools that were the right and left wing of her battle array the
simpleminded lady wept She wanted success not genius Admiration she was ever
ready to forfeit for success
Nor did she say to the tailors of earth »Weep for I sought to emancipate
you from opprobrium by making one of you a gentleman I fought for a great
principle and have failed« Heroic to the end she herself shed all the tears
took all the sorrow
Where was consolation Would any Protestant clergyman administer comfort to
her Could he might he do so He might listen and quote texts but he would
demand the harsh rude English for everything and the Countesss confessional
thoughts were all innuendoish aërial too delicate to live in our shameless
tongue Confession by implication and absolution she could know this to be
what she wished for and yet not think it She could see a haven of peace in
that picture of the little brown box with the sleekly reverend figure bending
his ear to the kneeling Beauty outside thrice ravishing as she halflifts the
veil of her sins and her visage yet she started alarmed to hear it whispered
that the fair penitent was the Countess de Saldar urgently she prayed that no
disgraceful brother might ever drive her to that
Never let it be a Catholic priest she almost fashioned her petition into
words Who was to save her Alas alas in her dire distress in her sense of
miserable pennilessness she clung to Mr John Raikes of the curricle the
mysteriously rich young gentleman and on that picture with Andrew roguishly
contemplating it and Evan with feelings regarding his sister that he liked not
to own the curtain commiseratingly drops
As in the course of a stream you come upon certain dips where but here and
there a sparkle or a gloom of the full flowing water is caught through
deepening foliage so the history that concerns us wanders out of day for a
time and we must violate the post and open written leaves to mark the turn it
takes
First we have a letter from Mr Goren to Mrs Mel to inform her that her
son has arrived and paid his respects to his future instructor in the branch of
science practised by Mr Goren
»He has arrived at last« says the worthy tradesman »His appearance in the
shop will be highly gentlemanly and when he looks a little more pleasing and
grows fond of it nothing will be left to be desired The ladies his sisters
have not thought proper to call I had hopes of the custom of Mr Andrew
Cogglesby Of course you wish him to learn tailoring thoroughly«
Mrs Mel writes back thanking Mr Goren and saying that she had shown the
letter to inquiring creditors and that she does wish her son to learn his
business from the root This produces a second letter from Mr Goren which
imparts to her that at the root of the tree of tailoring the novitiate must sit
no less than six hours a day with his legs crossed and doubled under him
cheerfully plying needle and thread and that without this probation to
undergo which the son resolutely objects all hope of his climbing to the top of
the lofty tree and viewing mankind from an eminence must be surrendered
»If you do not insist my dear Mrs Harrington I tell you candidly your
son may have a shop but he will be no tailor«
Mrs Mel understands her son and his state of mind well enough not to
insist and is resigned to the melancholy consequence
Then Mr Goren discovers an extraordinary resemblance between Evan and his
father remarking merely that the youth is not the gentleman his father was in a
shop while he admits that had it been conjoined to business habits he should
have envied his departed friend
He has soon something fresh to tell and it is that young Mr Harrington is
treating him cavalierly That he should penetrate the idea or appreciate the
merits of Mr Gorens Balance was hardly to be expected at present the world
did not and Mr Goren blamed no young man for his ignorance Still a proper
attendance was requisite Mr Goren thought it very singular that young Mr
Harrington should demand all the hours of the day for his own purposes up to
halfpast four He found it difficult to speak to him as a master and begged
that Mrs Harrington would as a mother
The reply of Mrs Mel is dashed with a trifle of cajolery She has heard
from her son and seeing that her son takes all that time from his right
studies to earn money wherewith to pay debts of which Mr Goren is cognizant
she trusts that their oldest friend will overlook it
Mr Goren rejoins that he considers that he need not have been excluded from
young Mr Harringtons confidence Moreover it is a grief to him that the young
gentleman should refrain from accepting any of his suggestions as to the
propriety of requesting some at least of his rich and titled acquaintance to
confer on him the favour of their patronage
»Which they would not repent« adds Mr Goren »and might learn to be very
much obliged to him for in return for kindnesses extended to him«
Notwithstanding all my efforts you see the poor boy is thrust into the shop
There he is without a doubt He sleeps under Mr Gorens roof he since one
cannot be too positive in citing the punishment of such a Pagan stands behind a
counter he and oh choke young loves that have hovered around him shrink
from him in natural horror gentle ladies handles the shears It is not my
fault He would be a Pagan
If you can think him human enough still to care to know how he feels it I
must tell you that he feels it hardly at all After a big blow a very little
one scarcely counts What are outward forms and social ignominies to him whose
heart has been struck to the dust His Gods have fought for him and there he
is He deserves no pity
But he does not ask it of you the callous Pagan Despise him if you
please and rank with the Countess who despises him most heartily
Dipping further into the secrets of the post we discover a brisk
correspondence between Juliana Bonner and Mrs Strike
»A thousand thanks to you my dear Miss Bonner« writes the latter lady
»The unaffected interest you take in my brother touches me deeply I know him to
be worthy of your good opinion Yes I will open my heart to you dearest
Juliana and it shall as you wish be quite secret between us Not to a soul
He is quite alone My sisters Harriet and Louisa will not see him and I can
only do so by stealth His odd little friend sometimes drives me out on Sundays
to a place where I meet him and the Duke of Belfield kindly lends me his
carriage Oh that we might never part I am only happy with him
Ah do not doubt him Juliana for anything he does You say that now the
Duke has obtained for him the Secretaryship to my husbands Company he should
not stoop to that other thing and you do not understand why I will tell you
Our poor father died in debt and Evan receives money which enables him by
degrees to liquidate these debts on condition that he consents to be what I
dislike as much as you can He bears it you can have no idea of his pride He
is too proud to own to himself that it debases him too proud to complain It
is a tangle a net that drags him down to it but whatever he is outwardly he
is the noblest human being in the world to me and but for him oh what should
I be Let me beg you to forgive it if you can My darling has no friends Is
his temper as sweet as ever I can answer that Yes only he is silent and
looks when you look into his eyes colder as men look when they will not
bear much from other men
He has not mentioned her name I am sure she has not written
Pity him and pray for him«
Juliana then makes a communication which draws forth the following
»Mistress of all the Beckley property dearest dearest Juliana Oh how
sincerely I congratulate you The black on the letter alarmed me so I could
hardly open it my fingers trembled so for I esteem you all at Beckley but
when I had opened and read it I was recompensed You say you are sorry for
Rose But surely what your Grandmama has done is quite right It is just in
every sense But why am I not to tell Evan I am certain it would make him very
happy and happiness of any kind he needs so much I will obey you of course
but I cannot see why Do you know my dear child you are extremely mysterious
and puzzle me Evan takes a pleasure in speaking of you You and Lady Jocelyn
are his great themes Why is he to be kept ignorant of your good fortune The
spitting of blood is bad You must winter in a warm climate I do think that
London is far better for you in the late Autumn than Hampshire May I ask my
sister Harriet to invite you to reside with her for some weeks Nothing I know
would give her greater pleasure«
Juliana answers this
»If you love me I sometimes hope that you do but the feeling of being
loved is so strange to me that I can only believe it at times but Caroline
there I have mustered up courage to call you by your Christian name at last
Oh dear Caroline if you do love me do not tell Mr Harrington I go on my
knees to you to beg you not to tell him a word I have no reasons indeed not
any but I implore you again never even to hint that I am anything but the
person he knew at Beckley
Rose has gone to Elburne House where Ferdinand her friend is to meet her
She rides and sings the same and keeps all her colour
She may not as you imagine have much sensibility Perhaps not enough I am
afraid that Rose is turning into a very worldly woman
As to what you kindly say about inviting me to London I should like it and
I am my own mistress Do you know I think I am older than your brother I am
twentythree Pray when you write tell me if he is older than that But should
I not be a dreadful burden to you Sometimes I have to keep to my chamber whole
days and days When that happens now I think of you entirely See how I open my
heart to you You say that you do to me I wish I could really think it«
A postscript begs Caroline »not to forget about the ages«
In this fashion the two ladies open their hearts and contrive to read one
another perfectly in their mutual hypocrisies
Some letters bearing the signatures of Mr John Raikes and Miss Polly
Wheedle likewise pass Polly inquires for detailed accounts of the health and
doings of Mr Harrington Jack replies with full particulars of her own
proceedings and mild corrections of her grammar It is to be noted that Polly
grows much humbler to him on paper which being instantly perceived by the
mercurial one his caressing condescension to her is very beautiful She is
taunted with Mr Nicholas Frim and answers after the lapse of a week that the
aforesaid can be nothing to her as he »went in a passion to church last Sunday
and got married« It appears that they had quarrelled »because I danced with
you that night« To this Mr Raikes rejoins in a style that would be signified
by »ahem« in language and an arrangement of the shirt collar before the
lookingglass in action
Chapter XXXIX
In the Domain of Tailordom
There was peace in Mr Gorens shop Badgered Ministers bankrupt merchants
diplomatists with a headache any of our modern grandees under difficulties
might have envied that peace over which Mr Goren presided and he was an
enviable man He loved his craft he believed that he had not succeeded the
millions of antecedent tailors in vain and excepting that trifling coquetry
with shirtfronts viz the red crosses which a shrewd rival had very soon
eclipsed by representing nymphs triangularly posed he devoted himself to his
business from morning to night as rigid in demanding respect from those beneath
him as he was profuse in lavishing it on his patrons His public boast was
that he owed no man a farthing his secret comfort that he possessed two
thousand pounds in the Funds But Mr Goren did not stop here Behind these
external characteristics he nursed a passion Evan was astonished and pleased to
find in him an enthusiastic ferncollector Not that Mr Harrington shared the
passion but the sight of these brown roots spread out ticketed on the stained
paper after supper when the shutters were up and the house defended from the
hostile outer world the old man poring over them and naming this and that spot
where during his solitary Saturday afternoon and Sunday excursions he had
lighted on the rare samples exhibited this contrast of the quiet evening with
the sordid day humanized Mr Goren to him He began to see a spirit in the rigid
tradesman not so utterly dissimilar to his own and he fancied that he too had
a taste for ferns Round Beckley how they abounded
He told Mr Goren so and Mr Goren said
»Some day we ll jog down there together as the saying goes«
Mr Goren spoke of it as an ordinary event likely to happen in the days to
come not as an incident the mere mention of which as being probable stopped
the breath and made the pulses leap
For now Evans education taught him to feel that he was at his lowest
degree Never now could Rose stoop to him He carried the shop on his back She
saw the brand of it on his forehead Well and what was Rose to him beyond a
blissful memory a star that he had once touched Selflove kept him strong by
day but in the darkness of night came his misery wakening from tender dreams
he would find his heart sinking under a horrible pressure and then the fair
fresh face of Rose swam over him the hours of Beckley were revived with
intolerable anguish he saw that she was blameless that he alone was to blame
Yet worse was it when his closed eyelids refused to conjure up the sorrowful
lovely nightmare and he lay like one in a trance entombed wretched Pagan
feeling all that had been blindly when the Past lay beside him like a corpse
that he had slain
These nightly torments helped him to brave what the morning brought
Insensibly also as Time hardened his sufferings Evan asked himself what the
shame of his position consisted in He grew stiffnecked His Pagan virtues
stood up one by one to support him Andrew courageously evading the interdict
that forbade him to visit Evan would meet him by appointment at City taverns
and flatly offered him a place in the Brewery Evan declined it on the pretext
that having received Old Toms money for the year he must at least work out
that term according to the conditions Andrew fumed and sneered at Tailordom
Evan said that there was peace in Mr Gorens shop His sharp senses discerned
in Andrews sneer a certain sincerity and he revolted against it Mr John
Raikes too burlesqued Society so well that he had the satisfaction of
laughing at his enemy occasionally The latter gentleman was still a pensioner
flying about town with the Countess de Saldar in deadly fear lest that
fascinating lady should discover the seat of his fortune happy
notwithstanding In the mirror of Evans little world he beheld the great one
from which he was banished
Now the dusk of a winters afternoon was closing over London when a
carriage drew up in front of Mr Gorens shop out of which to Mr Gorens
chagrin a lady stepped with her veil down The lady entered and said that she
wished to speak to Mr Harrington Mr Goren made way for her to his pupil and
was amazed to see her fall into his arms and hardly gratified to hear her say
»Pardon me darling for coming to you in this place«
Evan asked permission to occupy the parlour
»My place« said Mr Goren with humble severity over his spectacles »is
very poor Such as it is it is at the ladys service«
Alone with her Evan was about to ease his own feelings by remarking to the
effect that Mr Goren was human like the rest of us but Caroline cried with
unwonted vivacity
»Yes yes I know but I thought only of you I have such news for you You
will and must pardon my coming that s my first thought sensitive darling
that you are« She kissed him fondly »Juliana Bonner is in town staying with
us«
»Is that your news« asked Evan pressing her against his breast
»No dear love but still You have no idea what her fortune Mrs Bonner
has died and left her but I mustnt tell you Oh my darling how she admires
you She she could recompense you if you would We will put that by for the
present Dear the Duke has begged you through me to accept I think it s to
be a sort of bailiff to his estates I dont know rightly It s a very
honourable post that gentlemen take and the income you are to have Evan will
be near a thousand a year Now what do I deserve for my news«
She put up her mouth for another kiss out of breath
»True« looked Evans eyes
»True« she said smiling and feasting on his bewilderment
After the bubbling in his brain had a little subsided Evan breathed as a
man on whom fresh air is blown Were not these tidings of release His
ridiculous pride must nevertheless inquire whether Caroline had been begging
this for him
»No dear indeed« Caroline asserted with more than natural vehemence »It
s something that you yourself have done that has pleased him I dont know
what Only he says he believes you are a man to be trusted with the keys of
anything and so you are You are to call on him tomorrow Will you«
While Evan was replying her face became white She had heard the Majors
voice in the shop His military step advanced and Caroline exclaiming »Dont
let me see him« bustled to a door Evan nodded and she slipped through The
next moment he was facing the stiff marine
»Well young man« the Major commenced and seating himself added »be
seated I want to talk to you seriously sir You didnt think fit to wait till
I had done with the Directors today You re devilishly out in your discipline
whatever you are at two and two I suppose there s no fear of being intruded on
here None of your acquaintances likely to be introducing themselves to me«
»There is not one that I would introduce to you« said Evan
The Major nodded a brief recognition of the compliment and then throwing
his back against the chair fired out »Come sir is this your doing«
In military phrase Evan now changed front His first thought had been that
the Major had come for his wife He perceived that he himself was the special
object of his visitation
»I must ask you what you allude to« he answered
»You are not at your office but you will speak to me as if there was some
distinction between us« said the Major »My having married your sister does not
reduce me to the ranks I hope«
The Major drummed his knuckles on the table after this impressive delivery
»Hem« he resumed »Now sir understand before you speak a word that I
can see through any number of infernal lies I see that you re prepared for
prevarication By George it shall come out of you if I get it by main force
The Duke compelled me to give you that appointment in my Company Now sir did
you or did you not go to him and deliberately state to him that you believed
the affairs of the Company to be in a bad condition infamously handled likely
to involve his honour as a gentleman I ask you sir did you do this or did
you not do it«
Evan waited till the sharp rattle of the Majors close had quieted
»If I am to answer the wording of your statement I may say that I did not«
»Very good very good that will do Are you aware that the Duke has sent in
his resignation as a Director of our Company«
»I hear of it first from you«
»Confound your familiarity« cried the irritable officer rising »Am I
always to be told that I married your sister Address me sir as becomes your
duty«
Evan heard the words »beggarly tailor« mumbled »out of the gutters« and
»cursed connection« He stood in the attitude of attention while the Major
continued
»Now young man listen to these facts You came to me this day last week
and complained that you did not comprehend some of our transactions and affairs
I explained them to your damned stupidity You went away Three days after that
you had an interview with the Duke Stop sir What the devil do you mean by
daring to speak while I am speaking You saw the Duke I say Now what took
place at that interview«
The Major tried to tower over Evan powerfully as he put this query They
were of a common height and to do so he had to rise on his toes so that the
effect was but momentary
»I think I am not bound to reply« said Evan
»Very well sir that will do« The Majors fingers were evidently itching
for an absent rattan »Confess it or not you are dismissed from your post Do
you hear You are kicked in the street A beggarly tailor you were born and a
beggarly tailor you will die«
»I must beg you to stop now« said Evan »I told you that I was not bound
to reply but I will If you will sit down Major Strike you shall hear what
you wish to know«
This being presently complied with though not before a glare of the Majors
eyes had shown his doubt whether it might not be construed into insolence Evan
pursued
»I came to you and informed you that I could not reconcile the cashaccounts
of the Company and that certain of the later proceedings appeared to me to
jeopardize its prosperity Your explanations did not satisfy me I admit that
you enjoined me to be silent But the Duke as a Director had as strong a right
to claim me as his servant and when he questioned me as to the position of the
Company I told him what I thought just as I had told you«
»You told him we were jobbers and swindlers sir«
»The Duke inquired of me whether I would under the circumstances while
proceedings were going on which I did not approve of take the responsibility of
allowing my name to remain «
»Ha ha ha« the Major burst out This was too good a joke The name of a
miserable young tailor »Go on sir go on« He swallowed his laughter like
oil on his rage
»I have said sufficient«
Jumping up the Major swore by the Lord that he had said sufficient
»Now look you here young man« He squared his finger before Evan eyeing
him under a hard frown »You have been playing your game again as you did down
at that place in Hampshire I heard of it deserved to be shot by heaven You
think you have got hold of the Duke and you throw me over You imagine I dare
say that I will allow my wife to be talked about to further your interests
you selfseeking young dog As long as he lent the Company his name I permitted
a great many things Do you think me a blind idiot sir But now she must learn
to be satisfied with people whove got no titles or carriages and who cant
give hundred guinea compliments You re all of a piece a set of «
The Major paused for half a word was on his mouth which had drawn lightning
to Evans eyes
Not to be baffled he added »But look you sir I may be ruined I dare say
the Company will go to the dogs every ass will follow a Duke But mark this
goes on no more I will be no womans cully Mind sir I take excellent care
that you dont traffic in your sister«
The Major delivered this culminating remark with a welltimed deflection of
his forefinger and slightly turned aside when he had done
You might have seen Evans figure rocking as he stood with his eyes
steadily levelled on his sisters husband
The Major who whatever he was was physically no coward did not fail to
interpret the look and challenge it
Evan walked to the door opened it and said between his teeth »You must
go at once«
»Eh sir eh what s this« exclaimed the warrior but the door was open
Mr Goren was in the shop the scandal of an assault in such a house and the
consequent possibility of his matrimonial alliance becoming bruited in the
newspapers held his arm after it had given an involuntary jerk He marched
through with becoming dignity and marched out into the street and if necks
unelastic and heads erect may be taken as the sign of a proud soul and of
nobility of mind my artist has the Major for his model
Evan displayed no such a presence He returned to the little parlour shut
and locked the door to the shop and forgetting that one was near sat down
covered his eyes and gave way to a fit of tearless sobbing With one foot in
the room Caroline hung watching him A pain that she had never known wrung her
nerves His whole manhood seemed to be shaken as if by regular pulsations of
intensest misery She stood in awe of the sight till her limbs failed her and
then staggering to him she fell on her knees clasping his passionately kissing
them
Chapter XL
In Which the Countess Still Scents Game
Mr Raikes and his friend Frank Remand surnamed Franko to suit the
requirements of metre in which they habitually conversed were walking
arminarm along the drive in Societys Park on a fine frosty Sunday afternoon
of midwinter The quips and jokes of Franko were lively and he looked into the
carriages passing as if he knew that a cheerful countenance is not without
charms for their inmates Raikes face on the contrary was barren and bleak
Being of that nature that when a pun was made he must perforce outstrip it he
fell into Frankos humour from time to time but albeit aware that what he
uttered was good and by comparison transcendent he refused to enjoy it Nor
when Franko started from his arm to declaim a passage did he do other than make
limp efforts to unite himself to Franko again A further sign of immense
depression in him was that instead of the creative it was the critical faculty
he exercised and rather than reply to Franko in his form of speech he scanned
occasional lines and objected to particular phrases He had clearly exchanged
the sanguine for the bilious temperament and was fast stranding on the rocky
shores of prose Franko bore this very well for he like Raikes in happier
days claimed all the glances of lovely woman as his own and on his right there
flowed a stream of Beauties At last he was compelled to observe »This change
is sudden wherefore so downcast With tigrine claw thou manglest my speech thy
cheeks are like Decembers pippin and thy tongue most sour«
»Then of it make a farce« said Raikes for the making of farces was
Frankos profession »Wherefore so downcast What a line There lets walk on
Let us the left foot forward stout advance I care not for the herd«
»Tis love« cried Franko
»Ay an it be« Jack gloomily returned
»For ever cruel is the sweet Saldar«
Raikes winced at this name
»A truce to banter Franko« he said sternly but the subject was opened
and the wound
»Love« he pursued mildly groaning »Suppose you adored a fascinating
woman and she knew positively knew your manly weakness and you saw her
smiling upon everybody and she told you to be happy and egad when you came to
reflect you found that after three months suit you were nothing better than
her errandboy A thing to boast of is it not quotha«
»Loves yellowfever jealousy methinks« Franko commenced in reply but
Raikes spat at the emphasized word
»Jealousy who s jealous of clergymen and that crew Not I by Pluto I
carried five messages to one fellow with a coattail straight to his heels last
week She thought I should drive my curricle I couldnt afford an omnibus I
had to run When I returned to her I was dirty She made remarks«
»Thy sufferings are severe but such is woman« said Franko »Gad it s a
good idea though« He took out a notebook and pencilled down a point or two
Raikes watched the process sardonically
»My tragedy is then thy farce« he exclaimed »Well be it so I believe I
shall come to songwriting again myself shortly beneath the shield of Catnach
I ll a nations ballads frame Ive spent my income in four months and now I
m living on my curricle I underlet it It s like trade it s as bad as poor
old Harrington by Jove But that isnt the worst Franko« Jack dropped his
voice »I believe I m furiously loved by a poor country wench«
»Morals« was Frankos most encouraging reproof
»Oh I dont think Ive even kissed her« rejoined Raikes who doubted
because his imagination was vivid »It s my intellect that dazzles her Ive
got letters she calls me clever By Jove since I gave up driving Ive had
thoughts of rushing down to her and making her mine in spite of home family
fortune friends name position everything I have indeed«
Franko looked naturally astonished at this amount of selfsacrifice »The
Countess« he shrewdly suggested
»I d rather be my Pollys prince
Than yon great ladys errandboy«
Raikes burst into song
He stretched out his hand as if to discard all the great ladies who were
passing By the strangest misfortune ever known the direction taken by his
fingers was toward a carriage wherein beautifully smiling opposite an
elaborately reverend gentleman of middle age the Countess de Saldar was
sitting This great lady is not to be blamed for deeming that her errandboy was
pointing her out vulgarly on a public promenade Ineffable disdain curled off
her sweet olive visage She turned her head
»I ll go down to that girl tonight« said Raikes with compressed passion
And then he hurried Franko along to the bridge where behold the Countess
alighted with the gentleman and walked beside him into the gardens
»Follow her« said Raikes in agitation »Do you see her by yon longtailed
ravens side Follow her Franko See if he kisses her hand anything and meet
me here in half an hour I ll have evidence«
Franko did not altogether like the office but Raikes dinners singular
luck and superiority in the encounter of puns gave him the upper hand with his
friend and so Franko went
Turning away from the last glimpse of his Countess Raikes crossed the
bridge and had not strolled far beneath the bare branches of one of the long
green walks when he perceived a gentleman with two ladies leaning on him
»Now there« moralized this youth »now what do you say to that Do you
call that fair He cant be happy and it s not in nature for them to be
satisfied And yet if I went up and attempted to please them all by taking one
away the probabilities are that he would knock me down Such is life We wont
be made comfortable«
Nevertheless he passed them with indifference for it was merely the
principle he objected to and indeed he was so wrapped in his own conceptions
that his name had to be called behind him twice before he recognized Evan
Harrington Mrs Strike and Miss Bonner The arrangement he had previously
thought good was then spontaneously adopted Mrs Strike reposed her fair hand
upon his arm and Juliana with a timid glance of pleasure walked ahead in
Evans charge Close neighbourhood between the couples was not kept The genius
of Mr Raikes was wasted in manoeuvres to lead his beautiful companion into
places where he could be seen with her and envied It was perhaps more
flattering that she should betray a marked disposition to prefer solitude in his
society But this idea illumined him only near the moment of parting Then he
saw it then he groaned in soul and besought Evan to have one more promenade
saying with characteristic cleverness in the masking of his real thoughts »It
gives us an appetite you know«
In Evans face and Julianas there was not much sign that any protraction of
their walk together would aid this beneficent process of nature He took her
hand gently and when he quitted it it dropped
»The Rose the Rose of Beckley Court« Raikes sang aloud »Why this is a
day of meetings Behold John Thomas in the rear a tower of plush and powder
Shall I rush shall I pluck her from the aged stern«
On the gravelwalk above them Rose passed with her aristocratic grandmother
muffled in furs She marched deliberately looking coldly before her Evans
face was white and Juliana whose eyes were fixed on him shuddered
»I m chilled« she murmured to Caroline »Let us go«
Caroline eyed Evan with a meaning sadness
»We will hurry to our carriage« she said
They were seen to make a little circuit so as not to approach Rose after
whom thoughtless of his cruelty Evan bent his steps slowly halting when she
reached her carriage He believed rather he knew that she had seen him There
was a consciousness in the composed outlines of her face as she passed the
indifference was too perfect Let her hate him if she pleased It recompensed
him that the air she wore should make her appearance more womanly and that
black dress and crapebonnet in some way touched him to mournful thoughts of
her that helped a partial forgetfulness of wounded self
Rose had driven off He was looking at the same spot where Carolines hand
waved from her carriage Juliana was not seen Caroline requested her to nod to
him once but she would not She leaned back hiding her eyes and moving a
petulant shoulder at Carolines hand
»Has he offended you my child«
Juliana answered harshly
»No no«
The wheels rolled on and Caroline tried other subjects knowing possibly
that they would lead Juliana back to this of her own accord
»You saw how she treated him« the latter presently said without moving her
hand from before her eyes
»Yes dear He forgives her and will forget it«
»Oh« she clenched her long thin hand »I pray that I may not die before I
have made her repent it She shall«
Juliana looked glitteringly in Carolines face and then fell aweeping and
suffered herself to be folded and caressed The storm was long subsiding
»Dearest you are better now« said Caroline
She whispered »Yes«
»My brother has only to know you dear «
»Hush That s past« Juliana stopped her and on a deep breath that
threatened to break to sobs she added in a sweeter voice than was common to
her »Ah why why did you tell him about the Beckley property«
Caroline vainly strove to deny that she had told him Julianas head shook
mournfully at her and now Caroline knew what Juliana meant when she begged so
earnestly that Evan should be kept ignorant of her change of fortune
Some days after this the cold struck Julianas chest and she sickened The
three sisters held a sitting to consider what it was best to do with her
Caroline proposed to take her to Beckley without delay Harriet was of opinion
that the least they could do was to write to her relatives and make them
instantly aware of her condition
But the Countess said »No« to both Her argument was that Juliana being
independent they were by no means bound to bundle her in her state back to a
place where she had been so shamefully maltreated that here she would live
while there she would certainly die that absence of excitement was her
medicine and that here she had it Mrs Andrew feeling herself responsible as
the young ladys hostess did not acquiesce in the Countesss views till she had
consulted Juliana and then apologies for giving trouble were breathed on the
one hand sympathy condolences and professions of esteem on the other
Juliana said she was but slightly ill would soon recover Entreated not to
leave them before she was thoroughly reestablished and to consent to be looked
on as one of the family she sighed and said it was the utmost she could hope
Of course the ladies took this compliment to themselves but Evan began to wax
in importance The Countess thought it nearly time to acknowledge him and
supported the idea by a citation of the doctrine that to forgive is Christian
It happened however that Harriet who had less art and more will than her
sisters was inflexible She living in a society but a few steps above
Tailordom however magnificent in expenditure and resources abhorred it
solemnly From motives of prudence as well as personal disgust she continued
firm in declining to receive her brother She would not relent when the Countess
pointed out a dim a dazzling prospect growing out of Evans proximity to the
heiress of Beckley Court she was not to be moved when Caroline suggested that
the specific for the frail invalid was Evans presence As to this Juliana was
sufficiently open though as she conceived her art was extreme
»Do you know why I stay to vex and trouble you« she asked Caroline »Well
then it is that I may see your brother united to you all and then I shall go
happy«
The pretext served also to make him the subject of many conversations Twice
a week a bunch of the best flowers that could be got were sorted and arranged by
her and sent namelessly to brighten Evans chamber
»I may do such a thing as this you know without incurring blame« she
said
The sight of a love so humble in its strength and affluence sent Caroline
to Evan on a fruitless errand What availed it that accused of giving lead to
his pride in refusing the heiress Evan should declare that he did not love her
He did not Caroline admitted as possible but he might He might learn to love
her and therefore he was wrong in wounding her heart She related flattering
anecdotes She drew tearful pictures of Julianas love for him and noticing how
he seemed to prize his bouquet of flowers said
»Do you love them for themselves or the hand that sent them«
Evan blushed for it had been a struggle for him to receive them as he
thought from Rose in secret The flowers lost their value the song that had
arisen out of them »Thou livest in my memory« ceased But they came still How
many degrees from love gratitude may be I have not reckoned I rather fear it
lies on the opposite shore From a youth to a girl it may yet be very tender
the more so because their ages commonly exclude such a sentiment and nature
seems willing to make a transition stage of it Evan wrote to Juliana
Incidentally he expressed a wish to see her Juliana was under doctors
interdict but she was not to be prevented from going when Evan wished her to
go They met in the park as before and he talked to her five minutes through
the carriage window
»Was it worth the risk my poor child« said Caroline pityingly
Juliana cried »Oh I would give anything to live«
A man might have thought that she made no direct answer
»Dont you think I am patient Dont you think I am very patient« she asked
Caroline winningly on their way home
Caroline could scarcely forbear from smiling at the feverish anxiety she
showed for a reply that should confirm her words and hopes
»So we must all be« she said and that commonplace remark caused Juliana
to exclaim »Prisoners have lived in a dungeon on bread and water for years«
Whereat Caroline kissed her so tenderly that Juliana tried to look
surprised and failing her thin lips quivered she breathed a soft hush and
fell on Carolines bosom
She was transparent enough in one thing but the flame which burned within
her did not light her through Others on other matters were quite as
transparent to her Caroline never knew that she had as much as told her the
moral suicide Evan had committed at Beckley so cunningly had she been probed at
intervals with little casual questions random interjections that one who loved
him could not fail to meet petty doubts requiring elucidations And the
Countess kind as her sentiments had grown toward the afflicted creature was
compelled to proclaim her densely stupid in material affairs For the Countess
had an itch of the simplest feminine curiosity to know whether the dear child
had any notion of accomplishing a certain holy duty of the perishable on this
earth who might possess worldly goods and no hints not even plain speaking
would do Juliana did not understand her at all
The Countess exhibited a mourningring on her finger Mrs Bonners bequest
to her
»How fervent is my gratitude to my excellent departed friend for this A
legacy however trifling embalms our dear lost ones in the memory«
It was of no avail Juliana continued densely stupid Was she not worse The
Countess could not »in decency« as she observed reveal to her who had
prompted Mrs Bonner so to bequeath the Beckley estates as to »ensure sweet
Julianas future« but ought not Juliana to divine it Juliana at least had
hints sufficient
Cold Spring winds were now blowing Juliana had resided no less than two months
with the Cogglesbys She was entreated still to remain and she did From Lady
Jocelyn she heard not a word of remonstrance but from Miss Carrington and Mrs
Shorne she received admonishing letters Finally Mr Harry Jocelyn presented
himself In London and without any of that needful subsistance which a young
gentleman feels the want of in London more than elsewhere Harry began to have
thoughts of his own without any instigation from his aunts about devoting
himself to business So he sent his card up to his cousin and was graciously
met in the drawingroom by the Countess who ruffled him and smoothed him and
would possibly have distracted his soul from business had his circumstances been
less straitened Juliana was declared to be too unwell to see him that day He
called a second time and enjoyed a similar greeting His third visit procured
him an audience alone with Juliana when at once despite the warnings of his
aunts the frank fellow plunged medias res Mrs Bonner had left him totally
dependent on his parents and his chances
»A desperate state of things isnt it Juley I think I shall go for a
soldier common you know«
Instead of shrieking out against such a debasement of his worth and
gentility as was to be expected Juliana said
»That s what Mr Harrington thought of doing«
»He If he d had the pluck he would«
»His duty forbade it and he did not«
»Duty a confounded tailor What fools we were to have him at Beckley«
»Has the Countess been unkind to you Harry«
»I havent seen her today and dont want to It s my little dear old
Juley I came for«
»Dear Harry« she thanked him with eyes and hands
»Come often wont you«
»Why aint you coming back to us Juley«
»Not yet They are very kind to me here How is Rose«
»Oh quite jolly She and Ferdinand are thick again Balls every night She
dances like the deuce They want me to go but I aint the sort of figure for
those places and besides I shant dance till I can lead you out«
A spur of laughter at Harrys generous nod brought on Julianas cough Harry
watched her little body shaken and her reddened eyes Some real emotion
perhaps the fear which healthy young people experience at the sight of deadly
disease made Harry touch her arm with the softness of a childs touch
»Dont be alarmed Harry« she said »It s nothing only Winter I m
determined to get well«
»That s right« quoth he recovering »I know youve got pluck or you
wouldnt have stood that operation«
»Let me see when was that« she asked slyly
Harry coloured for it related to a time when he had not behaved prettily to
her
»There Juley that s all forgotten I was a fool a scoundrel if you
like I m sorry for it now«
»Do you want money Harry«
»Oh money«
»Have you repaid Mr Harrington yet«
»There no I havent Bother it that fellows names always on your
tongue I ll tell you what Juley but it s no use He s a low vulgar
adventurer«
»Dear Harry« said Juliana softly »dont bring your aunts with you when
you come to see me«
»Well then I ll tell you Juley It s enough that he s a beastly
tailor«
»Quite enough« she responded »and he is neither a fool nor a scoundrel«
Harrys memory for his own speech was not quick When Julianas calm glance
at him called it up he jumped from his chair crying »Upon my honour I ll
tell you what Juley If I had money to pay him tomorrow I d insult him on
the spot«
Juliana meditated and said »Then all your friends must wish you to
continue poor«
This girl had once been on her knees to him She had looked up to him with
admiring love and he had given her a crumb or so occasionally thinking her
something of a fool and more of a pest but now he could not say a word to her
without being baffled in an elderlysisterly tone exasperating him so far that
he positively wished to marry her and coming to the point offered himself with
downright sincerity and was rejected Harry left in a passion Juliana confided
the secret to Caroline who suggested interested motives which Juliana would
not hear of
»Ah« said the Countess when Caroline mentioned the case to her »of course
the poor thing cherishes her first offer She would believe a curate to be
disinterested But mind that Evan has due warning when she is to meet him Mind
that he is dressed becomingly«
Caroline asked why
»Because my dear she is enamoured of his person These little unhealthy
creatures are always attracted by the person She thinks it to be Evans
qualities I know better it is his person Beckley Court may be lost by a
shabby coat«
The Countess had recovered from certain spiritual languors into which she
had fallen after her retreat Ultimate victory hung still in the balance Oh if
Evan would only marry this little sufferer who was so sure to die within a
year or if she lived for marriage has often been as a resurrection to some
poor female invalids there was Beckley Court a splendid basis for future
achievements Reflecting in this fashion the Countess pardoned her brother
Glowing hopes hung fresh lamps in her charitable breast She stepped across the
threshold of Tailordom won Mr Gorens heart by her condescension and worked
Evan into a sorrowful mood concerning the invalid Was not Juliana his only
active friend In return he said things which only required a little colouring
to be very acceptable to her The game waxed exciting again The enemy the
Jocelyn party was alert but powerless The three sisters were almost wrought
to perform a sacrifice far exceeding Evans They nearly decided to summon him
to the house but the matter being broached at table one evening Major Strike
objected to it so angrily that they abandoned it with the satisfactory
conclusion that if they did wrong it was the Majors fault
Meantime Juliana had much on her conscience She knew Evan to be innocent
and she allowed Rose to think him guilty Could she bring her heart to join
them That was not in her power but desiring to be lulled by a compromise she
devoted herself to make his relatives receive him and on days of bitter winds
she would drive out to meet him answering all expostulations with »I should
not go if he were here«
The game waxed hot It became a question whether Evan should be admitted to
the house in spite of the Major Juliana now made an extraordinary move Having
the Count with her in the carriage one day she stopped in front of Mr Gorens
shop and Evan had to come out The Count returned home extremely mystified
Once more the unhappy Countess was obliged to draw bills on the fabulous and as
she had recommenced the system which was not without its fascinations to her
Juliana who had touched the spring had the full benefit of it The Countess
had deceived her before what of that She spoke things sweet to hear Who
could be false that gave her heart food on which it lived
One night Juliana returned from her drive alarmingly ill She was watched
through the night by Caroline and the Countess alternately In the morning the
sisters met
»She has consented to let us send for a doctor« said Caroline
»Her chief desire seems to be a lawyer« said the Countess
»Yes but the doctor must be sent for first«
»Yes indeed But it behoves us to previse that the doctor does not kill her
before the lawyer comes«
Caroline looked at Louisa and said »Are you ignorant«
»No what« cried the Countess eagerly
»Evan has written to tell Lady Jocelyn the state of her health and «
»And that naturally has aggravated her malady« The Countess cramped her
long fingers »The child heard it from him yesterday Oh I could swear at that
brother«
She dropped into a chair and sat rigid and squarejawed a sculpture of
unutterable rage
In the afternoon Lady Jocelyn arrived The doctor was there the lawyer had
gone Without a word of protest Juliana accompanied her ladyship to Beckley
Court Here was a blow
But Andrew was preparing one more mighty still What if the Cogglesby
Brewery proved a basis most unsound Where must they fall then Alas on that
point whence they sprang If not to Perdition Tailordom
Chapter XLI
Reveals an Abominable Plot of the Brothers Cogglesby
A lively April day with strong gusts from the Southwest and long sweeping
clouds saluted the morning coach from London to Lymport Thither Tailordom
triumphant was bearing its victim at a rattling pace to settle him and seal
him for ever out of the ranks of gentlemen Society meantime howling exclusion
to him in the background »Out of our halls degraded youth The smiles of
turbaned matrons the sighs of delicate maids genial wit educated talk
refined scandal vice in harness dinners sentineled by stately plush these
the flavour of life are not for you though you stole a taste of them wretched
impostor Pay for it with years of remorse«
The coach went rushing against the glorious high wind It stirred his blood
freshened his cheeks gave a bright tone of zest to his eyes as he cast them on
the young green country Not banished from the breath of heaven or from
selfrespect or from the appetite for the rewards that are to follow duties
done Not banished from the help that is always reached to us when we have
fairly taken the right road and that for him is the road to Lymport Let the
kingdom of Gilt Gingerbread howl as it will We are no longer children but men
men who have bitten hard at experience and know the value of a tooth who have
had our hearts bruised and cover them with armour who live not to feed but
look to food that we may live What matters it that yonder highspiced kingdom
should excommunicate such as we are We have rubbed off the gilt and have
assumed the command of our stomachs We are men from this day
Now you would have thought Evans companions right and left of him were
the wretches under sentence to judge from appearances In contrast with his
look of insolent pleasure Andrew the moment an eye was on him exhibited the
cleverest impersonation of the dumps ever seen while Mr Raikes was from head
to foot nothing better than a moan made visible Nevertheless they both agreed
to rally Evan and bid him be of good cheer
»Dont be down Van dont be down my boy« said Andrew rubbing his hands
gloomily
»I do I look it« Evan answered laughing
»Capital acting« exclaimed Raikes »Try and keep it up«
»Well I hope you re acting too« said Evan
Raikes let his chest fall like a collapsing bellows
At the end of five minutes he remarked »Ive been sitting on it the whole
morning There s violent inflammation I m persuaded Another hour and I jump
slap from the summit of the coach«
Evan turned to Andrew
»Do you think he ll be let off«
»Mr Raikes Cant say You see Van it depends upon how Old Tom has taken
his bad luck Ahem Perhaps he ll be all the stricter and as a man of honour
Mr Raikes you see cant very well «
»By Jove I wish I wasnt a man of honour« Raikes interposed heavily
»You see Van Old Toms circumstances« Andrew ducked to smother a sort
of laughter »are now such that he d be glad of the money to let him off no
doubt but Mr Raikes has spent it I cant lend it and you havent got it and
there we all are At the end of the year he s free and he ha ha I m not a
bit the merrier for laughing I can tell you«
Catching another glimpse of Evans serious face Andrew fell into louder
laughter checking it with doleful solemnity
Up hill and down hill and past little homesteads shining with yellow
crocuses across wide brown heaths whose outlines raised in Evans mind the
night of his funeral walk and tossed up old feelings dead as the whirling dust
At last Raikes called out
»The towers of Fallowfield heigho«
And Andrew said
»Now then Van if Old Toms anywhere he s here You get down at the
Dragon and dont you talk to me but let me go in It ll be just the hour he
dines in the country Isnt it a shame of him to make me face every man of the
creditors eh«
Evan gave Andrews hand an affectionate squeeze at which Andrew had to gulp
down something reciprocal emotion doubtless
»Hark« said Raikes as the horn of the guard was heard »Once that sound
used to set me caracoling before an abject multitude I did wonders All London
looked on me It had more effect on me than champagne Now I hear it the whole
charm has vanished I cant see a single old castle Would you have thought it
possible that a small circular bit of tin on a mans person could produce such
changes in him«
»You are a donkey to wear it« said Evan
»I pledged my word as a gentleman and thought it small for the money«
said Raikes »This is the first coach I ever travelled on without making the
old whip burst with laughing I m not myself I m haunted I m somebody
else«
The three passengers having descended a controversy commenced between Evan
and Andrew as to which should pay Evan had his money out Andrew dashed it
behind him Evan remonstrated
»Well you mustnt pay for us two Andrew I would have let you do it once
but «
»Stuff« cried Andrew »I aint paying it s the creditors of the estate
my boy«
Evan looked so ingenuously surprised and hurt at his lack of principle that
Andrew chucked a sixpence at a small boy saying
»If you dont let me have my own way Van I ll shy my purse after it What
do you mean sir by treating me like a beggar«
»Our friend Harrington cant humour us« quoth Raikes »For myself I
candidly confess I prefer being paid for« and he leaned contentedly against one
of the posts of the inn till the filthy dispute was arranged to the satisfaction
of the ignobler mind There Andrew left them and went to Mrs Sockley who
recovered from her illness smiled her usual placid welcome to a guest
»You know me maam«
»Oh yes The London Mr Cogglesby«
»Now maam look here Ive come for my brother Dont be alarmed No
danger as yet But mind if you attempt to conceal him from his lawful brother
I ll summon here the myrmidons of the law«
Mrs Sockley showed a serious face
»You know his habits Mr Cogglesby and one doesnt go against any one of
his whimsies or there s consequences but the house is open to you sir I
dont wish to hide him«
Andrew accepted this intelligent evasion of Tom Cogglesbys orders as
sufficient and immediately proceeded upstairs A door shut on the first
landing Andrew went to this door and knocked No answer He tried to open it
but found that he had been forestalled After threatening to talk business
through the keyhole the door was unlocked and Old Tom appeared
»So now you re dogging me into the country Be off make an appointment
Saturdays my holiday You know that«
Andrew pushed through the doorway and by way of an emphatic reply and a
silencing one delivered a punch slap into Old Toms belt
»Confound you Nan« said Old Tom grimacing but friendly as if his
sympathies had been irresistibly assailed
»It s done Tom Ive done it Won my bet now« Andrew exclaimed »The
women poor creatures What a state they re in I pity em«
Old Tom pursed his lips and eyed his brother incredulously but with
curious eagerness
»Oh Lord what a face Ive had to wear« Andrew continued and while he
sank into a chair and rubbed his handkerchief over his crisp hair Old Tom let
loose a convinced and exulting »ha ha«
»Yes you may laugh Ive had all the bother« said Andrew
»Serve ye right marrying such cattle« Old Tom snapped at him
»They believe we re bankrupt owe fifty thousand clear Tom«
»Ha ha«
»Brewery stock and household furniture to be sold by general auction Friday
week«
»Ha ha«
»Not a place for any of us to poke our heads into I talked about pitiless
storms to my poor Harry no shelter to be had unless we go down to Lymport and
stop with their brother in shop«
Old Tom did enjoy this He took a great gulp of air for a tremendous burst
of laughter and when this was expended and reflection came his features
screwed as if the acidest of flavours had ravished his palate
»Bravo Nan Didnt think you were man enough Ha ha Nan I say eh how
did ye get on behind the curtains«
The tale to guess by Andrews face appeared to be too strongly infused
with pathos for revelation
»Will they go Nan eh d ye think they ll go«
»Where else can they go Tom They must go there or on the parish you
know«
»They ll all troop down to the young tailor eh«
»They cant sleep in the parks Tom«
»No They cant get into Buckingham Palace neither cept as housemaids
Gad they re howling like cats I d swear nuisance to the neighbourhood
ha ha«
Old Toms cruel laughter made Andrew feel for the unhappy ladies He struck
his forehead and leaned forward saying »I dont know pon my honour I
dont know cant think weve quite done right to punish em so«
This acted like cold water on Old Toms delight He pitched it back in the
shape of a doubt of what Andrew had told him Whereupon Andrew defied him to
face three miserable women on the verge of hysterics and Old Tom beginning to
chuckle again rejoined that it would bring them to their senses and emancipate
him
»You may laugh Mr Tom« said Andrew »but if poor Harry should find me
out deuce a bit more home for me«
Old Tom looked at him keenly and rapped the table »Swear you did it Nan«
»You promise you ll keep the secret« said Andrew
»Never make promises«
»Then there s a pretty life for me I did it for that poor dear boy You
were only up to one of your jokes I see that Confound you Old Tom youve
been making a fool of me«
The flattering charge was not rejected by Old Tom who now had his brother
to laugh at as well Andrew affected to be indignant and desperate
»If you d had a heart Tom you d have saved the poor fellow without any
bother at all What do you think When I told him of our smash ha ha it
isnt such a bad joke well I went to him hanging my head and he offered to
arrange our affairs that is «
»Damned meddlesome young dog« cried Old Tom quite in a rage
»There you re up in a twinkling« said Andrew »Dont you see he believed
it you stupid Old Tom Lord to hear him say how sorry he was and to see how
glad he looked at the chance of serving us«
»Serving us« Tom sneered
»Ha« went Andrew »Yes There You re a deuced deal prouder than fifty
peers You re an upsidedown old despot«
No sharper retort rising to Old Toms lips he permitted his brothers abuse
of him to pass declaring that bandying words was not his business he not being
a Parliament man
»How about the Major Nan He coming down too«
»Major« cried Andrew »Lucky if he keeps his commission Coming down No
He s off to the Continent«
»Find plenty of scamps there to keep him company« added Tom »So he s
broke eh ha ha«
»Tom« said Andrew seriously »I ll tell you all about it if you ll
swear not to split on me because it would really upset poor Harry so She d
think me such a beastly hypocrite I couldnt face her afterwards«
»Lose what pluck you have eh« Tom jerked out his hand and bade his
brother continue
Compelled to trust in him without a promise Andrew said »Well then after
we d arranged it I went back to Harry and begged her to have poor Van at the
house told her what I hoped you d do for him about getting him into the
Brewery She s very kind Tom pon my honour she is She was willing only «
»Only eh«
»Well she was so afraid it d hurt her sisters to see him there«
Old Tom saw he was in for excellent fun and wouldnt spoil it for the
world
»Yes Nan«
»So I went to Caroline She was easy enough and she went to the Countess«
»Well and she «
»She was willing too till Lady Jocelyn came and took Miss Bonner home to
Beckley and because Evan had written to my lady to fetch her the Countess
she was angry That was all Because of that you know But yet she agreed But
when Miss Bonner had gone it turned out that the Major was the obstacle They
were all willing enough to have Evan there but the Major refused I didnt hear
him I wasnt going to ask him I maynt be a match for three women but man to
man eh Tom You d back me there So Harry said the Major d make Caroline
miserable if his wishes were disrespected By George I wish I d known then
Dont you think it odd Tom now There s a Duke of Belfield the fellow had
hooked into his Company and through Evan I heard the Duke had his name
struck off After that the Major swore at the Duke once or twice and said
Caroline wasnt to go out with him Suddenly he insists that she shall go Days
the poor thing kept crying One day he makes her go She hasnt the spirit of
my Harry or the Countess By good luck Van who was hunting ferns for some
friends of his met them on Sunday in Richmond Park and Van took her away from
the Duke But Tom think of Van seeing a fellow watching her wherever she went
and hearing the Dukes coachman tell that fellow he had orders to drive his
master and a lady hard on to the sea that night I dont believe it it wasnt
Caroline But what do you think of our finding out that beast of a spy to be in
the Majors pay We did Van put a constable on his track we found him out and
he confessed it A fact Tom That decided me If it was only to get rid of a
brute I determined I d do it and I did Strike came to me to get my name for
a bill that night Gad he looked blanker than his bill when he heard of us two
bankrupt I showed him one or two documents I d got ready Says he Never mind
it ll only be a couple of hundred more in the schedule Stop Tom he s got
some of our blood I dont think he meant it He is hard pushed Well I gave
him a twentier and he was off the next night You ll soon see all about the
Company in the papers«
At the conclusion of Andrews recital Old Tom thrummed and looked on the
floor under a heavy frown His mouth worked dubiously and from moment to
moment he plucked at his waistcoat and pulled it down throwing back his head
and glaring
»Ive knocked that fellow over once« he said »Wish he hadnt got up
again«
Andrew nodded
»One good thing Nan He never boasted of our connection Much obliged to
him«
»Yes« said Andrew who was gladly watching Old Toms change of mood with a
quiescent aspect
»Um must keep it quiet from his poor old mother«
Andrew again affirmatived his seniors remarks That his treatment of Old
Tom was sound he presently had proof of The latter stood up and after
sniffing in an injured way for about a minute launched out his right leg and
vociferated that he would like to have it in his power to kick all the villains
out of the world a modest demand Andrew at once chimed in with adding that
were such a faculty extended to him he would not object to lose the leg that
could benefit mankind so infinitely and consented to its following them Then
Old Tom who was of a practical turn meditated swung his foot and gave one
grim kick at the imaginary bundle of villains discharged them headlong straight
into space Andrew naturally imitative and seeing that he had now to kick them
flying attempted to excel Old Tom in the vigour of his delivery No wonder that
the efforts of both were heating they were engaged in the task of ridding the
globe of the larger half of its inhabitants Tom perceived Andrews useless
emulation and with a sound translated by yack sent his leg out a long way Not
to be outdone Andrew immediately with a still louder yack committed himself
to an effort so violent that the alternative between his leg coming off or his
being taken off his leg was propounded by nature and decided by the laws of
gravity in a trice Joyful grunts were emitted by Old Tom at the sight of Andrew
prostrate rubbing his pate But Mrs Sockley to whom the noise of Andrews
fall had suggested awful fears of a fratricidal conflict upstairs hurried
forthwith to announce to them that the sovereign remedy for human ills the
promoter of concord the healer of feuds the central point of mans destiny in
the flesh Dinner was awaiting them
To the dinner they marched
Of this great festival be it simply told that the supply was copious and of
good quality much too good and copious for a bankrupt host that Evan and Mr
John Raikes were formally introduced to Old Tom before the repast commenced and
welcomed some three minutes after he had decided the flavour of his first glass
that Mr Raikes in due time preferred his petition for release from a dreadful
engagement and furnished vast amusement to the company under Old Toms hand
until by chance he quoted a scrap of Latin at which the brothers Cogglesby
who would have faced peers and princes without being disconcerted or performing
mental genuflexions shut their mouths and looked injured unhappy and in the
presence of a superior Mr Raikes not being the man to spare them Moreover a
surprise was afforded to Evan Andrew stated to Old Tom that the hospitality of
Main Street Lymport was open to him Strange to say Old Tom accepted it on
the spot observing »You re master of the house can do what you like if you
re man enough« and adding that he thanked him and would come in a day or two
The case of Mr Raikes was still left uncertain for as the bottle circulated
he exhibited such a faculty for apt but to the brothers totally
incomprehensible quotation that they fled from him without leaving him time to
remember what special calamity was on his mind or whether this earth was other
than an abode conceived in great jollity for his lifelong entertainment
Chapter XLII
Juliana
The sick nightlight burned steadily in Julianas chamber On a couch beside
her bed Caroline lay sleeping tired with a long watch Two sentences had been
passed on Juliana one on her heart one on her body »Thou art not loved« and
»Thou must die« The frail passion of her struggle against her destiny was over
with her Quiet as that quiet which Nature was taking her to her body reposed
Calm as the solitary nightlight before her open eyes her spirit was wasting
away »If I am not loved then let me die« In such a sense she bowed to her
fate
At an hour like this watching the round of light on the ceiling with its
narrowing inner rings a sufferer from whom pain has fled looks back to the
shores she is leaving and would be well with them who walk there It is false
to imagine that schemers and workers in the dark are destitute of the saving
gift of conscience They have it and it is perhaps made livelier in them than
with easy people and therefore they are imperatively spurred to hoodwink it
Hence their selfdelusion is deep and endures They march to their object and
gaining or losing it the voice that calls to them is the voice of a blind
creature whom any answer provided that the answer is ready will silence And
at an hour like this when finally they snatch their minute of sight on the
threshold of black night their souls may compare with yonder shining circle on
the ceiling which as the light below gasps for air contracts and extends but
to mingle with the darkness They would be nobler better boundlessly good to
all to those who have injured them to those whom they have injured Alas
for any definite deed the limit of their circle is immoveable and they must act
within it The trick they have played themselves imprisons them Beyond it they
cease to be
Lying in this utter stillness Juliana thought of Rose of her beloved by
Evan The fever that had left her blood had left it stagnant and her thoughts
were quite emotionless She looked faintly on a far picture She saw Rose
blooming with pleasures in Elburne House sliding as a boat borne by the rivers
tide to sea away from her living joy The breast of Rose was lucid to her and
in that hour of insight she had clear knowledge of her cousins heart how it
scoffed at its base love and unwittingly betrayed the power on her still by
clinging to the world and what it would give her to fill the void how
externally the lake was untroubled and a mirror to the passing day and how
within there pressed a flood against an iron dam Evan too she saw The
Countess was right in her judgement of Julianas love Juliana looked very
little to his qualities She loved him when she thought him guilty which made
her conceive that her love was of a diviner cast than Rose was capable of Guilt
did not spoil his beauty to her his gentleness and glowing manhood were
unchanged and when she knew him as he was the revelation of his high nature
simply confirmed her impression of his physical perfections She had done him a
wrong at her death news would come to him and it might be that he would bless
her name Because she sighed no longer for those dear lips and strong arms to
close about her tremulous frame it seemed to her that she had quite surrendered
him Generous to Evan she would be just to Rose Beneath her pillow she found
pencil and paper and with difficulty scarce seeing her letters in the brown
light she began to trace lines of farewell to Rose Her conscience dictated to
her thus »Tell Rose that she was too ready to accept his guilt and that in
this as in all things she acted with the precipitation of her character Tell
her that you always trusted and that now you know him innocent Give her the
proofs you have Show that he did it to shield his intriguing sister Tell her
that you write this only to make her just to him End with a prayer that Rose
may be happy«
Ere Juliana had finished one sentence she resigned the pencil Was it not
much even at the gates of death to be the instrument to send Rose into his
arms The picture swayed before her helping her weakness She found herself
dreaming that he had kissed her once Dorothy she remembered had danced up to
her one day to relate what the maids of the house said of the gentleman at
whom it is known they look with the licence of cats toward kings and
Dorothys fresh careless mouth had told how one observant maid amorously
minded proclaimed of Evan to a companion of her sex that »he was the only
gentleman who gave you an idea of how he would look when he was kissing you«
Juliana cherished that vision likewise Young ladies are not supposed to do so
if menial maids are but Juliana did cherish it and it possessed her fancy
Bear in your recollection that she was not a healthy person Diseased little
heroines may be made attractive and are now popular but strip off the cleverly
woven robe which is fashioned to cover them and you will find them in certain
matters bearing a resemblance to menial maids
While the thoughts of his kiss lasted she could do nothing but lay with
her two hands out on the bed and her eyelids closed Then waking she took the
pencil again It would not move her bloodless fingers fell from it
»If they do not meet and he never marries I may claim him in the next
world« she mused
But conscience continued uneasy She turned her wrist and trailed a letter
from beneath the pillow It was from Mrs Shorne Juliana knew the contents She
raised it unopened as high as her faltering hands permitted and read like one
whose shut eyes read syllables of fire on the darkness
»Rose has at last definitely engaged herself to Ferdinand you will be glad
to hear and we may now treat her as a woman«
Having absorbed these words Julianas hand found strength to write with
little difficulty what she had to say to Rose She conceived it to be neither
sublime nor generous not even good merely her peculiar duty When it was done
she gave a long low sigh of relief
Caroline whispered »Dearest child are you awake«
»Yes« she answered
»Sorrowful dear«
»Very quiet«
Caroline reached her hand over to her and felt the paper »What is this«
»My goodbye to Rose I want it folded now«
Caroline slipped from the couch to fulfil her wish She enclosed the
pencilled scrap of paper sealed it and asked »Is that right«
»Now unlock my desk« Juliana uttered feebly »Put it beside a letter
addressed to a lawgentleman Post both the morning I am gone«
Caroline promised to obey and coming to Juliana to mark her looks observed
a faint pleased smile dying away and had her hand gently squeezed Julianas
conscience had preceded her contentedly to its last sleep and she beneath that
round of light on the ceiling drew on her counted breaths in peace till dawn
Chapter XLIII
Rose
Have you seen a young audacious spirit smitten to the earth It is a singular
study and in the case of young women a trap for inexperienced men Rose who
had commanded and managed every one surrounding her since infancy how humble
had she now become how much more womanly in appearance and more childlike
at heart She was as wax in Lady Elburnes hands A hint of that veiled episode
the Beckley campaign made Rose pliant as if she had woven for herself a rod of
scorpions The high ground she had taken the perfect trust in one the scorn of
any judgement save her own these had vanished from her Rose the tameless
heroine who had once put her mothers philosophy in action was the easiest
filly that turbaned matron ever yet drove into the straight road of the world
It even surprised Lady Jocelyn to see how wonderfully she had been broken in by
her grandmother Her ladyship wrote to Drummond to tell him of it and Drummond
congratulated her saying however »Changes of this sort dont come of
conviction Wait till you see her at home I think they have been sticking pins
into the sore part«
Drummond knew Rose well In reality there was no change in her She was only
a suppliant to be spared from ridicule spared from the application of the
scourge she had woven for herself
And ah to one who deigned to think warmly still of such a disgraced silly
creature with what gratitude she turned He might well suppose love alone could
pour that profusion of jewels at his feet
Ferdinand now Lord Laxley understood the merits of his fingernails better
than the nature of young women but he is not to be blamed for presuming that
Rose had learnt to adore him Else why did she like his company so much He was
not mistaken in thinking she looked up to him She seemed to beg to be taken
into his noble serenity In truth she sighed to feel as he did above everybody
she that had fallen so low Above everybody born above them and therefore
superior by grace divine To this Rose Jocelyn had come she envied the mind of
Ferdinand
He you may be sure was quite prepared to accept her homage Rose he had
always known to be just the girl for him spirited fresh and with fine teeth
and once tied to you safe to be staunch They walked together rode together
danced together Her soft humility touched him to eloquence Say she was a
little hypocrite if you like when the blood came to her cheeks under his eyes
Say she was a heartless minx for allowing it to be bruited that she and
Ferdinand were betrothed I can but tell you that her blushes were blushes of
gratitude to one who could devote his time to such a disgraced silly creature
and that she in her abject state felt a secret pleasure in the protection
Ferdinands name appeared to extend over her and was hardly willing to lose it
So far Lady Elburnes tact and discipline had been highly successful One
morning in May Ferdinand strolling with Rose down the garden made a positive
appeal to her common sense and friendly feeling by which she understood that he
wanted her consent to his marriage with her
Rose answered
»Who would have me«
Ferdinand spoke pretty well and ultimately got possession of her hand She
let him keep it thinking him noble for forgetting that another had pressed it
before him
Some minutes later the letters were delivered One of them contained
Julianas dark winged missive
»Poor poor Juley« said Rose dropping her head after reading all that was
on the crumpled leaf with an inflexible face And then talking on long low
sighs lifted her bosom at intervals She gazed from time to time with a wistful
conciliatory air on Ferdinand Rushing to her chamber the first cry her soul
framed was »He did not kiss me«
The young have a superstitious sense of something incontestably true in the
final protestations of the dead Evan guiltless she could not quite take the
meaning this revelation involved That which had been dead was beginning to move
within her but blindly and now it stirred and troubled now sank Guiltless
all she had thought him Oh she knew she could not have been deceived But why
why had he hidden his sacrifice from her
»It is better for us both of course« said Rose speaking the worlds
wisdom parrotlike and bursting into tears the next minute Guiltless and
gloriously guiltless but nothing nothing to her
She tried to blame him It would not do She tried to think of that
grovelling loathsome position painted to her by Lady Elburnes graphic hand
Evan dispersed the gloomy shades like sunshine Then in a sort of terror she
rejoiced to think she was partially engaged to Ferdinand and found herself
crying again with exultation that he had not kissed her for a kiss on her
mouth was to Rose a pledge and a bond
The struggle searched her through bared her weakness probed her strength
and she seeing herself suffered grievously in her selflove Am I such a
coward inconstant cold she asked Confirmatory answers coming flung her back
under the shield of Ferdinand if for a moment her soul stood up armed and
defiant it was Evans hand she took
To whom do I belong was another terrible question In her ideas if Evan
was not chargeable with that baseness which had sundered them he might claim her
yet if he would If he did what then Must she go to him
Impossible she was in chains Besides what a din of laughter there would
be to see her led away by him Twisting her joined hands weeping for her
cousin as she thought Rose passed hours of torment over Julianas legacy to
her
»Why did I doubt him« she cried jealous that any soul should have known
and trusted him better Jealous and I am afraid that the kindling of that one
feature of love relighted the fire of her passion thus fervidly To be
outstripped in generosity was hateful to her Rose naturally could not reflect
that a young creature like herself fighting against the world as we call it
has all her faculties at the utmost stretch and is often betrayed by failing
nature when the will is still valiant
And here she sat in chains »Yes I am fit only to be the wife of an idle
brainless man with money and a title« she said in extreme selfcontempt She
caught a glimpse of her whole life in the horrid tomb of his embrace and
questions whether she could yield her hand to him whether it was right in the
eyes of heaven rushed impetuously to console her and defied anything in the
shape of satisfactory affirmations Nevertheless the end of the struggle was
that she felt that she was bound to Ferdinand
»But this I will do« said Rose standing with heatbright eyes and
deepcoloured cheeks before the glass »I will clear his character at Beckley I
will help him I will be his friend I will wipe out the injustice I did him«
And this brideelect of a lord absolutely added that she was unworthy to be
the wife of a tailor
»He how unequalled he is There is nothing he fears except shame Oh how
sad it will be for him to find no woman in his class to understand him and be
his helpmate«
Over this sad subject of which we must presume her to be accurately
cognizant Rose brooded heavily By midday she gave her Grandmother notice that
she was going home to Julianas funeral
»Well Rose if you think it necessary to join the ceremony« said Lady
Elburne »Beckley is bad quarters for you as you have learnt There was never
much love between you cousins«
»No and I dont pretend to it« Rose answered »I am sorry poor Juleys
gone«
»She s better gone for many reasons she appears to have been a little
venomous toad« said Lady Elburne and Rose thinking of a snakelike deathbite
working through her blood rejoined »Yes she isnt to be pitied she s better
off than most people«
So it was arranged that Rose should go Ferdinand and her aunt Mrs Shorne
accompanied her Mrs Shorne gave them their opportunities albeit they were all
stowed together in a carriage and Ferdinand seemed willing to profit by them
but Roses hand was dead and she sat by her future lord forming the vow on her
lips that they should never be touched by him
Arrived at Beckley she to her great delight found Caroline there waiting
for the funeral In a few minutes she got her alone and after kisses looked
penetratingly into her lovely eyes shook her head and said »Why were you
false to me«
»False« echoed Caroline
»You knew him You knew why he did that Why did you not save me«
Caroline fell upon her neck asking pardon She spared her the recital of
facts further than the broad avowal Evans present condition she plainly
stated and Rose when the bitter pangs had ceased made oath to her soul she
would rescue him from it
In addition to the task of clearing Evans character and rescuing him Rose
now conceived that her engagement to Ferdinand must stand icebound till Evan
had given her back her troth How could she obtain it from him How could she
take anything from one so noble and so poor Happily there was no hurry though
before any bond was ratified she decided conscientiously that it must be done
You see that like a lithe snake she turns on herself and must be tracked in
and out Not being a girl to solve the problem with tears or outright perfidy
she had to ease her heart to the great shock little by little sincere as far as
she knew as far as one who loves may be
The day of the funeral came and went The Jocelyns were of their mothers
opinion that for many reasons Juliana was better out of the way Mrs Bonners
bequest had been a severe blow to Sir Franks However all was now well The
estate naturally lapsed to Lady Jocelyn No one in the house dreamed of a will
signed with Julianas name attested under due legal forms being in existence
None of the members of the family imagined that at Beckley Court they were then
residing on somebody elses ground
Want of hospitable sentiments was not the cause that led to an intimation
from Sir Franks to his wife that Mrs Strike must not be pressed to remain and
that Rose must not be permitted to have her own way in this Knowing very well
that Mrs Shorne spoke through her husbands mouth Lady Jocelyn still
acquiesced and Rose who had pressed Caroline publicly to stay had to be
silent when the latter renewed her faint objections so Caroline said she would
leave on the morrow morning
Juliana with her fretfulness her hand bounties her petty egoisms and
sudden farleaping generosities and all the contradictory impulses of her
malady had now departed utterly The joys of a landed proprietor mounted into
the head of Sir Franks He was up early the next morning and he and Harry
walked over a good bit of the ground before breakfast Sir Franks meditated
making it entail and favoured Harry with a lecture on the duty of his shaping
the course of his conduct at once after the model of the landed gentry
generally
»And you may think yourself lucky to come into that catalogue the son of a
younger son« said Sir Franks tapping Mr Harrys shoulder Harry also began to
enjoy the look and smell of land At the breakfast which though early was
well attended Harry spoke of the adviseability of felling timber here planting
there and so forth after the model his father held up Sir franks nodded
approval of his interest in the estate but reserved his opinion on matters of
detail
»All I beg of you is« said Lady Jocelyn »that you wont let us have
turnips within the circuit of a mile« which was obligingly promised
The morning letters were delivered and opened with the customary calmness
»Letter from old George« Harry sings out and buzzes over a few lines
»Halloa Hum« He was going to make a communication but catching sight of
Caroline tossed the letter over to Ferdinand who read it and tossed it back
with the comment of a careless face
»Read it Rosey« says Harry smiling bluntly
Rather to his surprise Rose took the letter Study her eyes if you wish to
gauge the potency of one strong dose of ridicule on an ingenuous young heart
She read that Mr George Uploft had met »our friend Mr Snip« riding by
moonlight on the road to Beckley That great orbed night of their deep tender
love flashed luminously through her frame storming at the base epithet by which
her lover was mentioned flooding grandly over the ignominies cast on him by the
world She met the world as it were in a deathgrapple she matched the living
heroic youth she felt him to be with that dead wooden image of him which it
thrust before her Her heart stood up singing like a craven who sees the tide of
victory setting toward him But this passed beneath her eyelids When her eyes
were lifted Ferdinand could have discovered nothing in them to complain of had
his suspicions been light to raise nor could Mrs Shorne perceive that there
was the opening for a shrewd bodkinthrust Rose had got a mask at last her
colour voice expression were perfectly at command She knew it to be a
cowardice to wear any mask but she had been burnt horribly burnt how much so
you may guess from the supple dissimulation of such a bold clearvisaged girl
She conquered the sneers of the world in her soul but her sensitive skin was
yet alive to the pangs of the scorching it had been subjected to when weak
helpless and betrayed by Evan she stood with no philosophic parent to cry fair
play for her among the skilful torturers of Elburne House
Sir Franks had risen and walked to the window
»News« said Lady Jocelyn wheeling round in her chair
The one eyebrow up of the easygoing baronet signified trouble of mind He
finished his third perusal of a letter that appeared to be written in a
remarkably plain legal hand and looking as men do when their intelligences are
just equal to the comprehension or expression of an oath handed the letter to
his wife and observed that he should be found in the library Nevertheless he
waited first to mark its effect on Lady Jocelyn At one part of the document her
forehead wrinkled slightly
»Doesnt sound like a joke« he said
She answered
»No«
Sir Franks apparently quite satisfied by her ready response turned on his
heel and left the room quickly
An hour afterward it was rumoured and confirmed that Juliana Bonner had
willed all the worldly property she held in her own right comprising Beckley
Court to Mr Evan Harrington of Lymport tailor An abstract of the will was
forwarded The lawyer went on to say that he had conformed to the desire of the
testatrix in communicating the existence of the aforesaid will six days
subsequent to her death being the day after her funeral
There had been railing and jeering at the Countess de Saldar the clever
outwitted exposed adventuress at Elburne House and Beckley Court What did the
crowing cleverer aristocrats think of her now
On Rose the blow fell bitterly Was Evan also a foul schemer Was he of a
piece with his intriguing sister His close kinship with the Countess had led
her to think baseness possible to him when it was confessed by his own mouth
once She heard black names cast at him and the whole of the great Mels brood
and incapable of quite disbelieving them merited unable to challenge and rebut
them she dropped into her recent state of selfcontempt into her
latelyinstilled doubt whether it really was in Natures power unaided by
familyportraits coatsofarms ballroom practice and at least one small
phial of Essence of Society to make a Gentleman
Chapter XLIV
Contains a Warning to All Conspirators
This if you have done me the favour to read it aright has been a chronicle of
desperate heroism on the part of almost all the principal personages
represented But not the Countess de Saldar scaling the embattled fortress of
Society nor Rose tossing its keys to her lover from the shining turrettops
nor Evan keeping bright the lamp of selfrespect in his bosom against South
wind and East none excel friend Andrew Cogglesby who having fallen into Old
Toms plot to humiliate his wife and her sisters simply for Evans sake and
without any distinct notion of the terror confusion and universal upset he was
bringing on his home could yet after a scared contemplation of the scene when
he returned from his expedition to Fallowfield continue to wear his rueful
mask and persevere in treacherously outraging his lofty wife
He did it to vindicate the ties of blood against accidents of position Was
he justified I am sufficiently wise to ask my own sex alone
On the other side be it said since in our modern days every hero must have
his weak heel that now he had gone this distance it was difficult to recede
It would be no laughing matter to tell his solemn Harriet that he had been
playing her a little practical joke His temptations to give it up were
incessant and most agitating but if to advance seemed terrific there was in
stopping short an awfulness so overwhelming that Andrew abandoned himself to
the current his real dismay adding to his acting powers
The worst was that the joke was no longer his it was Old Toms He
discovered that he was in Old Toms hands completely Andrew had thought that he
would just frighten the women a bit get them down to Lymport for a week or so
and then announce that matters were not so bad with the Brewery as he had
feared concluding the farce with a few domestic fireworks Conceive his dismay
when he entered the house to find there a man in possession
Andrew flew into such a rage that he committed an assault on the man So
ungovernable was his passion that for some minutes Harriets measured voice
summoned him from over the banisters above quite in vain The miserable
Englishman refused to be taught that his house had ceased to be his castle It
was something beyond a joke this The intruder perfectly docile seeing that
by accurate calculation every shake he got involved a bottle of wine for him
and ultimate compensation probably to the amount of a couple of sovereigns
allowed himself to be lugged up stairs in default of summary ejection on the
point of Andrews toe into the street There he was faced to the lady of the
house who apologized to him and requested her husband to state what had made
him guilty of this indecent behaviour The man showed his papers They were
quite in order »At the suit of Messrs Grist«
»My own lawyers« cried Andrew smacking his forehead and Old Toms
devilry flashed on him at once He sank into a chair
»Why did you bring this person up here« said Harriet like a speaking
statue
»My dear« Andrew answered and spread out his hand and waggled his head
»My please I I dont know We all want exercise«
The man laughed which was kindly of him but offensive to Mrs Cogglesby
who gave Andrew a glance which was full payment for his imbecile pleasantry and
promised more
With a hospitable inquiry as to the condition of his appetite and a request
that he would be pleased to satisfy it to the full the man was dismissed
whereat as one delivered of noxious presences the Countess rustled into sight
Not noticing Andrew she lisped to Harriet »Misfortunes are sometimes no
curses I bless the catarrh that has confined Silva to his chamber and saved
him from a bestial exhibition«
The two ladies then swept from the room and left Andrew to perspire at
leisure
Fresh tribulations awaited him when he sat down to dinner Andrew liked his
dinner to be comfortable good and in plenty This may not seem strange The
fact is stated that I may win for him the warm sympathies of the body of his
countrymen He was greeted by a piece of cold boiled neck of mutton and a
solitary dish of steaming potatoes The blank expanse of tablecloth returned
his desolate stare
»Why what s the meaning of this« Andrew brutally exclaimed as he thumped
the table
The Countess gave a start and rolled a look as of piteous supplication to
spare a ladys nerves addressed to a ferocious brigand Harriet answered »It
means that I will have no butchers bills«
»Butchers bills butchers bills« echoed Andrew »why you must have
butchers bills why confound why you ll have a bill for this wont you
Harry eh of course«
»There will be no more bills dating from yesterday« said his wife
»What this is paid for then«
»Yes Mr Cogglesby and so will all household expenses be while my
pocketmoney lasts«
Resting his eyes full on Harriet a minute Andrew dropped them on the
savourless whiterimmed chop which looked as lonely in his plate as its parent
dish on the table The poor dear creatures pocketmoney had paid for it The
thought mingling with a rush of emotion made his ideas spin His imagination
surged deliriously He fancied himself at the Zoological Gardens exchanging
pathetic glances with a melancholy marmoset Wonderfully like one the chop
looked There was no use in his trying to eat it He seemed to be fixing his
teeth in solid tears He choked Twice he took up knife and fork put them down
again and plucking forth his handkerchief blew a tremendous trumpet that sent
the Countesss eyes rolling to the ceiling as if heaven were her sole refuge
from such vulgarity
»Damn that Old Tom« he shouted at last and pitched back in his chair
»Mr Cogglesby« and »In the presence of ladies« were the admonishing
interjections of the sisters at whom the little man frowned in turns
»Do you wish us to quit the room sir« inquired his wife
»God bless your soul you little darling« he apostrophized that stately
person »Here come along with me Harry A wifes a wife I say hang it Just
outside the room just a second or up in a corner will do«
Mrs Cogglesby was amazed to see him jump up and run round to her She was
prepared to defend her neck from his caress and refused to go but the words
»Something particular to tell you« awakened her curiosity which urged her to
compliance She rose and went with him to the door
»Well sir what is it«
No doubt he was acting under a momentary weakness he was about to betray
the plot and take his chance of forgiveness but her towering port her
commanding aspect restored his courage There may be a contrary view of the
case He enclosed her briskly in a connubial hug and remarked with mad
ecstasy »What a duck you are Harry What a likeness between you and your
mother«
Mrs Cogglesby disengaged herself imperiously Had he called her aside for
this gratuitous insult Contrite he saw his dreadful error
»Harry I declare« was all he was allowed to say Mrs Cogglesby marched
back to her chair and recommenced the repast in majestic silence
Andrew sighed he attempted to do the same He stuck his fork in the
blanched whiskerage of his marmoset and exclaimed »I cant«
He was unnoticed
»You do not object to plain diet« said Harriet to Louisa
»Oh no in verity« murmured the Countess »However plain it be Absence of
appetite dearest You are aware I partook of luncheon at midday with the
Honourable and Reverend Mr Duffian You must not look condemnation at your Louy
for that Luncheon is not conversion«
Harriet observed that this might be true but still to her mind it was a
mistake to be too intimate with dangerous people »And besides« she added »Mr
Duffian is no longer the Reverend We deprive all renegades of their spiritual
titles His worldly ones let him keep«
Her superb disdain nettled the Countess
»Dear Harriet« she said with less languor »You are utterly and totally
and entirely mistaken I tell you so positively Renegade The application of
such a word to such a man Oh and it is false Harriet quite Renegade means
one who has gone over to the Turks my dear I am most certain I saw it in
Johnsons Dictionary or an improvement upon Johnson by a more learned author
But there is the fact if Harriet can only bring her shall I say stiffnecked
prejudices to envisage it«
Harriet granted her sister permission to apply the phrases she stood in need
of without impeaching her intimacy with the most learned among lexicographers
»And is there no such thing as being too severe« the Countess resumed
»What our enemies call unchristian«
»Mr Duffian has no cause to complain of us« said Harriet
»Nor does he do so dearest Calumny may assail him you may utterly denude
him «
»Adam« interposed Andrew distractedly listening He did not disturb the
Countesss flow
»You may vilify and victimize Mr Duffian and strip him of the honours of
his birth but like the Martyrs he will still continue the perfect nobleman
Stoned I assure you that Mr Duffian would preserve his breeding In character
he is exquisite a polish to defy misfortune«
»I suppose his table is good« said Harriet almost ruffled by the
Countesss lecture
»Plate« was remarked in the cold tone of supreme indifference
»Hem good wines« Andrew asked waking up a little and not wishing to be
excluded altogether
»All is of the very best« the Countess pursued her eulogy not looking at
him
»Dont you think you could eh Harry manage a pint for me my dear«
Andrew humbly petitioned
»This cold water ha ha my stomach dont like cold bathing«
His wretched joke rebounded from the impenetrable armour of the ladies
»The winecellar is locked« said his wife »I have sealed up the key till
an inventory can be taken by some agent of the creditors«
»What creditors« roared Andrew
»You can have some of the servants beer« Mrs Cogglesby appended
Andrew studied her face to see whether she really was not hoisting him with
his own petard Perceiving that she was sincerely acting according to her sense
of principle he fumed and departed to his privacy unable to stand it any
longer
Then like a kite the Countess pounced upon his character Would the
Honourable and Reverend Mr Duffian decline to participate in the sparest
provender Would he be guilty of the discourtesy of leaving table without a bow
or an apology even if reduced to extremest poverty No indeed which showed
that under all circumstances a gentleman was a gentleman And oh how she
pitied her poor Harriet eternally tied to a most vulgar little man without
the gilding of wealth
»And a fool in his business to boot dear«
»These comparisons do no good« said Harriet »Andrew at least is not a
renegade and never shall be while I live I will do my duty by him however
poor we are And now Louisa putting my husband out of the question what are
your intentions I dont understand bankruptcy but I imagine they can do
nothing to wife and children My little ones must have a roof over their heads
and besides there is little Maxwell You decline to go down to Lymport of
course«
»Decline« cried the Countess melodiously »and do not you«
»As far as I am concerned yes But I am not to think of myself«
The Countess meditated and said »Dear Mr Duffian has offered me his
hospitality Renegades are not absolutely inhuman They may be generous I have
no moral doubt that Mr Duffian would upon my representation dare I venture«
»Sleep in his house break bread with him« exclaimed Harriet »What do you
think I am made of I would perish go to the workhouse rather«
»I see you trooping there« said the Countess intent on the vision
»And have you accepted his invitation for yourself Louisa«
The Countess was never to be daunted by threatening aspects She gave her
affirmative with calmness and a deliberate smile
»You are going to live with him«
»Live with him What expressions My husband accompanies me«
Harriet drew up
»I know nothing Louisa that could give me more pain«
The Countess patted Harriets knee »It succeeds to bankruptcy assuredly
But would you have me drag Silva to the the shop Harriet love
Alternatives«
Mrs Andrew got up and rang the bell to have the remains of their dinner
removed When this was done she said
»Louisa I dont know whether I am justified you told me today I might
keep my jewels trinkets and lace and such like To me I know they do not
belong now but I will dispose of them to procure you an asylum somewhere they
will fetch I should think 400l to prevent your going to Mr Duffian«
No exhibition of greatmindedness which the Countess could perceive ever
found her below it
»Never love never« she said
»Then will you go to Evan«
»Evan I hate him I« The olivehued visage was dark It brightened as she
added »At least as much as my religious sentiments permit me to A boy who has
thwarted me at every turn disgraced us Indeed I find it difficult to pardon
you the supposition of such a possibility as your own consent to look on him
ever again Harriet«
»You have no children« said Mrs Andrew
The Countess mournfully admitted it
»There lies your danger with Mr Duffian Louisa«
»What do you doubt my virtue« asked the Countess
»Pish I fear something different You understand me Mr Duffians moral
reputation is none of the best perhaps«
»That was before he renegaded« said the Countess
Harriet bluntly rejoined »You will leave that house a Roman Catholic«
»Now you have spoken« said the Countess pluming »Now let me explain
myself My dear I have fought worldly battles too long and too earnestly I am
rightly punished I do but quote Herbert Duffians own words he is no flatterer
though you say he has such soft fingers I am now engaged in a spiritual
contest He is very wealthy I have resolved to rescue back to our Church what
can benefit the flock of which we form a portion so exceedingly«
At this revelation of the Countesss spiritual contest Mrs Andrew shook a
worldly head
»You have no chance with men there Louisa«
»My Harriet complains of female weakness«
»Yes We are strong in our own element Louisa Dont be tempted out of it«
Sublime the Countess rose
»Element am I to be confined to one What but spiritual solaces could
assist me to live after the degradations I have had heaped on me I renounce
the world I turn my sight to realms where caste is unknown I feel no shame
there of being a tailors daughter You see I can bring my tongue to name the
thing in its actuality Once that member would have blistered Confess to me
that in spite of your children you are tempted to howl at the idea of Lymport
«
The Countess paused and like a lady about to fire off a gun appeared to
tighten her nerves crying out rapidly
»Shop Shears Geese Cabbage Snip Nine to a man«
Even as the silence after explosions of cannon that which reigned in the
room was deep and dreadful
»See« the Countess continued »you are horrified you shudder I name all
our titles and if I wish to be red in my cheeks I must rouge It is in
verity as if my senseless clay were pelted as we heard of Evan at his first
Lymport boys school You remember when he told us the story He lisped a trifle
then I m the thon of a thnip Oh it was hellfire to us then but now what
do I feel Why I avowed it to Herbert Duffian openly and he said that the
misfortune of dear Papas birth did not the less enable him to proclaim himself
in conduct a noblemans offspring «
»Which he never was« Harriet broke the rhapsody in a monotonous low tone
the Countess was not compelled to hear
» and that a large outfitter one of the very largest was in reality a
merchant whose daughters have often wedded nobles of the land and become
ancestresses Now Harriet do you see what a truly religious mind can do for us
in the way of comfort Oh I bow in gratitude to Herbert Duffian I will not
rest till I have led him back to our fold recovered from his error He was our
own preacher and pastor He quitted us from conviction He shall return to us
from conviction«
The Countess quoted texts which I respect and will not repeat She
descanted further on spiritualism and on the balm that it was to tailors and
their offspring to all outcasts from Society
Overpowered by her Harriet thus summed up her opinions »You were always
selfwilled Louisa«
»Say full of sacrifice if you would be just« added the Countess »and the
victim of basest ingratitude«
»Well you are in a dangerous path Louisa«
Harriet had the last word which usually the Countess was not disposed to
accord but now she knew herself strengthened to do so and was content to smile
pityingly on her sister
Full upon them in this frame of mind arrived Carolines great news from
Beckley
It was then that the Countesss conduct proved a memorable refutation of
cynical philosophy she rejoiced in the good fortune of him who had offended
her Though he was not crushed and annihilated as he deserved to be by the
wrong he had done the greathearted woman pardoned him
Her first remark was »Let him thank me for it or not I will lose no moment
in hastening to load him with my congratulations«
Pleasantly she joked Andrew and defended him from Harriet now
»So we are not all bankrupts you see dear brotherinlaw«
Andrew had become so demoralized by his own plot that in every turn of
events he scented a similar piece of human ingenuity Harriet was angry with his
disbelief or say the grudging credit he gave to the glorious news
Notwithstanding her calmness the thoughts of Lymport had sickened her soul and
it was only for the sake of her children and from a sense of the dishonesty of
spending a farthing of the money belonging as she conceived to the creditors
that she had consented to go
»I see your motive Mr Cogglesby« she observed »Your measures are
disconcerted I will remain here till my brother gives me shelter«
»Oh thatll do my love that s all I want« said Andrew sincerely
»Both of you fools« the Countess interjected »Know you Evan so little He
will receive us anywhere his arms are open to his kindred but to his heart the
road is through humiliation and it is to his heart we seek admittance«
»What do you mean« Harriet inquired
»Just this« the Countess answered in bold English and her eyes were
lively her figure elastic »We must all of us go down to the old shop and shake
his hand there every man Jack of us I m only quoting the sailors Harriet
and that s the way to win him«
She snapped her fingers laughing Harriet stared at her and so did Andrew
though for a different reason She seemed to be transformed Seeing him inclined
to gape she ran up to him caught up his chin between her ten fingers and
kissed him on both cheeks saying
»You neednt come if you re too proud you know little man«
And to Harriets look of disgust the cause for which she divined with her
native rapidity she said »What does it matter They will talk but they cant
look down on us now Why this is my doing«
She came tripping to her tall sister to ask plaintively »Maynt I be
glad« and bobbed a curtsey
Harriet desired Andrew to leave them Flushed and indignant she then faced
the Countess
»So unnecessary« she began »What can excuse your indiscretion Louisa«
The Countess smiled to hear her talking to her younger sister once more She
shrugged
»Oh if you will keep up the fiction do Andrew knows he isnt an idiot
and to him we can make light of it now What does anybodys birth matter who s
well off«
It was impossible for Harriet to take that view The shop if not the thing
might still have been concealed from her husband she thought
»It mattered to me when I was well off« she said sternly
»Yes and to me when I was but weve had a fall and a lesson since that my
dear Half the aristocracy of England spring from shops Shall I measure you«
Harriet never felt such a desire to inflict a slap upon mortal cheek She
marched away from her in a tiff On the other hand Andrew was half fascinated
by the Countesss sudden reassumption of girlhood and returned silly fellow
to have another look at her She had ceased on reflection to be altogether so
vivacious her stronger second nature had somewhat resumed its empire still she
was fresh and could at times be roguishly affectionate and she patted him and
petted him and made much of him slightly railed at him for his uxoriousness
and domestic subjection and proffered him her fingers to try the taste of The
truth must be told Mr Duffian not being handy she in her renewed earthly
happiness wanted to see her charms in a womans natural mirror namely the face
of man if of man on his knees all the better and though a little man is not
much of a man and a sisters husband is or should be hardly one at all still
some sort of a reflector he must be Two or three jests adapted to Andrews
palate achieved his momentary captivation
He said »Gad I never kissed you in my life Louy«
And she with a flavour of delicate Irish brogue »Why dont ye catch
opportunity by the tail then«
Perfect innocence I assure you on both sides
But mark how stupidity betrays Andrew failed to understand her and act on
the hint immediately Had he done so the affair would have been over without a
witness As it happened delay permitted Harriet to assist at the ceremony
»It wasnt your mouth Louy« said Andrew
»Oh my mouth that I keep for my chosen« was answered
»Gad you make a fellow almost wish « Andrews fingers worked over his
poll and then the spectre of righteous wrath flashed on him naughty little
man that he was He knew himself naughty for it was the only time since his
marriage that he had ever been sorry to see his wife This is a comedy and I
must not preach lessons of life here but I am obliged to remark that the
husband must be proof the sisterinlaw perfect where arrangements exist that
keep them under one roof She may be so like his wife Or from the knowledge
she has of his circumstances she may talk to him almost as his wife He may
forget that she is not his wife And then again the small beginnings which are
in reality the mighty barriers are so easily slid over But what is the use of
telling this to a pure generation My constant error is in supposing that I
write for the wicked people who begat us
Note however the difference between the woman and the man Shame confessed
Andrews naughtiness he sniggered pitiably whereas the Countess jumped up and
pointing at him asked her sister what she thought of that Her next sentence
coolly delivered related to some millinery matter If this was not innocence
what is
Nevertheless I must here state that the scene related innocent as it was
and as one would naturally imagine of puny consequence if any did no less a
thing than subsequently to precipitate the Protestant Countess de Saldar into
the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church A little bit of play
It seems barely just But if as I have heard a lady has trod on a pebble
and broken her nose tremendous results like these warn us to be careful how we
walk As for play it was never intended that we should play with flesh and
blood
And oh be charitable matrons of Britain See here Andrew Cogglesby who
loved his wife as his very soul and who almost disliked her sister in ten
minutes the latter had set his head spinning The whole of the day he went about
the house meditating frantically on the possibility of his Harriet demanding a
divorce
She was not the sort of woman to do that But one thing she resolved to do
and it was to go to Lymport with Louisa and having once got her out of her
dwellingplace never to allow her to enter it wherever it might be in the
light of a resident again Whether anything but the menace of a participation in
her conjugal possessions could have despatched her to that hateful place I
doubt She went she would not let Andrew be out of her sight Growing haughtier
toward him at every step she advanced to the strange old shop EVAN HARRINGTON
over the door There the Countess having meantime returned to her state of
womanhood shared her shudders They entered and passed in to Mrs Mel leaving
their footman apparently in the rear Evan was not visible A man in the shop
with a yard measure negligently adorning his shoulders said that Mr Harrington
was in the habit of quitting the shop at five
»Deuced good habit too« said Andrew
»Why sir« observed another stepping forward »as you truly say yes But
ah Mr Andrew Cogglesby Pleasure of meeting you once in Fallowfield
Remember Mr Perkins the lawyer not the maltster Will you do me the favour
to step out with me«
Andrew followed him into the street
»Are you aware of our young friends good fortune« said Lawyer Perkins
»Yes Ah Well Would you believe that any sane person in his condition now
nonsense apart could bring his mind wilfully to continue a beggar No Um
Well Mr Cogglesby I may tell you that I hold here in my hands a document by
which Mr Evan Harrington transfers the whole of the property bequeathed to him
to Lady Jocelyn and that I have his orders to execute it instantly and deliver
it over to her ladyship after the will is settled probate and so forth I
presume there will be an arrangement about his fathers debts Now what do you
think of that«
»Think sir think« cried Andrew cocking his head at him like an
indignant bird »I think he s a damned young idiot to do so and you re a
confounded old rascal to help him«
Leaving Mr Perkins to digest his judgement which he had solicited Andrew
bounced back into the shop
Chapter XLV
In which the Shop Becomes the Centre of Attraction
Under the first lustre of a Maynight Evan was galloping over the moonshadowed
downs toward Beckley At the ridge commanding the woods the park and the
stream his horse stopped as if from habit snorted and puffed its sides
while he gazed steadily across the long lighted vale Soon he began to wind down
the glaring chalktrack and reached grass levels Here he broke into a round
pace till gaining the first straggling cottages of the village he knocked the
head of his whip against the gardengate of one and a man came out who saluted
him and held the reins
»Animal does work sir« said the man
Evan gave directions for it to be looked to and went on to the doorway
where he was met by a young woman She uttered a respectful greeting and begged
him to enter
The door closed he flung himself into a chair and said »Well Susan how
is the child«
»Oh he s always well Mr Harrington he dont know the tricks o trouble
yet«
»Will Polly be here soon«
»At a quarter after nine she said sir«
Evan bade her sit down After examining her features quietly he said
»I m glad to see you here Susan You dont regret that you followed my
advice«
»No sir now it s over I dont Mothers kind enough and father doesnt
mention anything She s abed with bile fathers out«
»But what There s something on your mind«
»I shall cry if I begin Mr Harrington«
»See how far you can get without«
»Oh sir then« said Susan on a sharp rise of her bosom »it aint my
fault I wouldnt cause trouble to Mr Harry or any friend of yours but sir
father have got hold of his letters to me and he says there s a promise in
em least one of em and it s as good as law he says he heard it in a
publichouse and he s gone over to Fallfield to a lawgentleman there« Susan
was compelled to give way to some sobs »It aint for me father does it sir«
she pleaded »I tried to stop him knowing how it d vex you Mr Harrington
but he s heady about points though a quiet man ordinary and he says he dont
expect and I know now no gentleman d marry such as me I aint such a stupid
gaper at words as I used to be but father says it s for the childs sake and
he does it to have him provided for Please dont ye be angry with me sir«
Susans halfcontrolled spasms here got the better of her
While Evan was awaiting the return of her calmer senses the latch was
lifted and Polly appeared
»At it again« was her sneering comment after a short survey of her
apronscreened sister and then she bobbed to Evan
»It s whimper whimper and squeak squeak half their lives with some
girls After that they go wondering they cant see to thread a needle The
neighbours I suppose I should like to lift the top off some o their houses I
hope I havent kept you sir«
»No Polly« said Evan »but you must be charitable or I shall think you
want a lesson yourself Mr Raikes tells me you want to see me What is it You
seem to be correspondents«
Polly replied »Oh no Mr Harrington only accidental ones when
something particulars to be said And he danceslike on the paper so that you
cant help laughing Isnt he a very eccentric gentleman sir«
»Very« said Evan »Ive no time to lose Polly«
»Here you must go« the latter called to her sister »Now pack at once
Sue Do rout out and do leave off thinking youve got a candle at your eyes
for Goodness sake«
Susan was too well accustomed to Pollys usage to complain She murmured a
gentle »Good night sir« and retired Whereupon Polly exclaimed »Bless her
poor dear soft heart It s us hard ones that get on best in the world I m
treated better than her Mr Harrington and I know I aint worth half of her
It goes nigh to make one religious only to see how exactly like Scripture is
the way Beckley treats her whose only sin is her being so soft as to believe in
a man Oh dear Mr Harrington I wish I had good news for you«
In spite of all his selfcontrol Evan breathed quickly and looked eagerly
»Speak it out Polly«
»Oh dear I must I suppose« Polly answered »Mr Laxleys become a lord
now Mr Harrington«
Evan tasted in his soul the sweets of contrast
»Well«
»And my Miss Rose she «
»What«
Moved by the keen hunger of his eyes Polly hesitated Her face betrayed a
sudden change of mind
»Wants to see you sir« she said resolutely
»To see me«
Evan stood up so pale that Polly was frightened
»Where is she Where can I meet her«
»Please dont take it so Mr Harrington«
Evan commanded her to tell him what her mistress had said
Now up to this point Polly had spoken truth She was positive her mistress
did want to see him Polly also with a maidens tender guile desired to bring
them together for once though it were for the last time and for no good on
earth She had been about to confide to him her young mistresss position toward
Lord Laxley when his sharp interrogation stopped her Shrinking from absolute
invention she remarked that of course she could not exactly remember Miss
Roses words which seemed indeed too much to expect of her
»She will see me tonight« said Evan
»I dont know about tonight« Polly replied
»Go to her instantly Tell her I am ready I will be at the West parkgates
This is why you wrote Polly Why did you lose time Dont delay my good girl
Come«
Evan had opened the door He would not allow Polly an instant for
expostulation but drew her out saying »You will attend to the gates yourself
Or come and tell me the day if she appoints another«
Polly made a final effort to escape from the pit she was being pushed into
»Mr Harrington it wasnt to tell you this I wrote Miss Rose is engaged
sir«
»I understand« said Evan hoarsely scarcely feeling it as is the case
with men who are shot through the heart
Ten minutes later he was on horseback by the Fallowfield gates with the
tidings shrieking through his frame The night was still and stiller in the
pauses of the nightingales He sat there neither thinking of them nor
reproached in his manhood for the tears that rolled down his cheeks Presently
his horses ears pricked and the animal gave a low neigh Evans eyes fixed
harder on the length of gravel leading to the house There was no sign no
figure Out from the smooth grass of the lane a couple of horsemen issued and
came straight to the gates He heard nothing till one spoke It was a familiar
voice
»By Jove Ferdy here is the fellow and weve been all the way to Lymport«
Evan started from his trance
»It s you Harrington«
»Yes Harry«
»Sir« exclaimed that youth evidently flushed with wine »what the devil do
you mean by addressing me by my Christian name«
Laxley pushed his horses head in front of Harry In a manner apparently
somewhat improved by his new dignity he said »We have ridden to Lymport to
speak to you sir Favour me by moving a little ahead of the lodge«
Evan bowed and moved beside him a short way down the lane Harry following
»The purport of my visit sir« Laxley began »was to make known to you that
Miss Jocelyn has done me the honour to accept me as her husband I learn from
her that during the term of your residence in the house you contrived to
extract from her a promise to which she attaches certain scruples She pleases
to consider herself bound to you till you release her My object is to demand
that you will do so immediately«
There was no reply
»Should you refuse to make this reparation for the harm you have done to her
and her family« Laxley pursued »I must let you know that there are means of
compelling you to it and that those means will be employed«
Harry fuming at these postured sentences burst out »What do you talk to
the fellow in that way for A fellow who makes a fool of my cousin and then
wants to get us to buy off my sister What s he spying after here The place is
ours till we troop I tell you there s only one way of dealing with him and if
you dont do it I will«
Laxley pulled his reins with a jerk that brought him to the rear
»Miss Jocelyn has commissioned you to make this demand on me in her name«
said Evan
»I make it in my own right« returned Laxley »I demand a prompt reply«
»My lord you shall have it Miss Jocelyn is not bound to me by any
engagement Should she entertain scruples which I may have it in my power to
obliterate I shall not hesitate to do so but only to her What has passed
between us I hold sacred«
»Hark at that« shouted Harry »The damned tradesman means money You ass
Ferdinand What did we go to Lymport for Not to bandy words Here Ive got my
own quarrel with you Harrington Youve been setting that girls father on me
Can you deny that«
It was enough for Harry that Evan did not deny it The calm disdain which he
read on Evans face acted on his fury and digging his heels into his horses
flanks he rushed full at him and dealt him a sharp flick with his whip Evans
beast reared
»Accept my conditions sir or afford me satisfaction« cried Laxley
»You do me great honour my lord but I have told you I cannot« said Evan
curbing his horse
At that moment Rose came among them Evan raised his hat as did Laxley
Harry a little behind the others performed a laborious mock salute and then
ordered her back to the house A quick altercation ensued the end being that
Harry managed to give his sister the context of the previous conversation
»Now go back Rose« said Laxley »I have particular business with Mr
Harrington«
»I came to see him« said Rose in a clear voice
Laxley reddened angrily
»Then tell him at once you want to be rid of him« her brother called to
her
Rose looked at Evan Could he not see that she had no word in her soul for
him of that kind Yes but love is not always to be touched to tenderness even
at the sight of love
»Rose« he said »I hear from Lord Laxley that you fancy yourself not at
liberty and that you require me to disengage you«
He paused Did he expect her to say there that she wished nothing of the
sort Her stedfast eyes spoke as much but misery is wanton and will pull all
down to it Even Harry was checked by his tone and Laxley sat silent The fact
that something more than a tailor was speaking seemed to impress them
»Since I have to say it Rose I hold you in no way bound to me The
presumption is forced upon me May you have all the happiness I pray God to give
you Gentlemen good night«
He bowed and was gone How keenly she could have retorted on that false
prayer for her happiness Her limbs were nerveless her tongue speechless He
had thrown her off there was no barrier now between herself and Ferdinand Why
did Ferdinand speak to her with that air of gentle authority bidding her return
to the house She was incapable of seeing what the young lord acutely felt
that he had stooped very much in helping to bring about such a scene She had no
idea of having trifled with him and her own heart when she talked feebly of her
bondage to another as one who would be warmer to him were she free Swiftly she
compared the two that loved her and shivered as if she had been tossed to the
embrace of a block of ice
»You are cold Rose« said Laxley bending to lay his hand on her shoulder
»Pray never touch me« she answered and walked on hastily to the house
Entering it she remembered that Evan had dwelt there A sense of desolation
came over her She turned to Ferdinand remorsefully saying »Dear Ferdinand«
and allowed herself to be touched and taken close to him When she reached her
bedroom she had time to reflect that he had kissed her on the lips and then
she fell down and shed such tears as had never been drawn from her before
Next day she rose with an undivided mind Belonging henceforth to Ferdinand
it was necessary that she should invest him immediately with transcendent
qualities The absence of character in him rendered this easy What she had done
for Evan she did for him But now as if the Fates had been lying in watch to
entrap her and chain her that they might have her at their mercy her dreams of
Evans high nature hitherto dreams only were to be realized With the
purposeless waywardness of her sex Polly Wheedle while dressing her young
mistress and though quite aware that the parting had been spoken must needs
relate her sisters story and Evans share in it Rose praised him like one for
ever aloof from him Nay she could secretly congratulate herself on not being
deceived Upon that came a letter from Caroline
»Do not misjudge my brother He knew Julianas love for him and rejected
it You will soon have proofs of his disinterestedness Then do not
forget that he works to support us all I write this with no hope save
to make you just to him That is the utmost he will ever anticipate«
It gave no beating of the heart to Rose to hear good of Evan now but an
increased serenity of confidence in the accuracy of her judgement of persons
The arrival of Lawyer Perking supplied the key to Carolines communication
No one was less astonished than Rose at the news that Evan renounced the estate
She smiled at Harrys contrite stupefaction and her fathers incapacity of
belief in conduct so singular caused her to lift her head and look down on her
parent
»Shows he knows nothing of the world poor young fellow« said Sir Franks
»Nothing more clearly« observed Lady Jocelyn »I presume I shall cease to
be blamed for having had him here«
»Upon my honour he must have the soul of a gentleman« said the baronet
»There s nothing he can expect in return you know«
»One would think Papa you had always been dealing with tradesmen«
remarked Rose to whom her father now accorded the treatment due to a sensible
girl
Laxley was present at the family consultation What was his opinion Rose
manifested a slight anxiety to hear it
»What those sort of fellows do never surprises me« he said with a
semiyawn
Rose felt fire on her cheeks
»It s only what the young man is bound to do« said Mrs Shorne
»His duty aunt I hope we may all do it« Rose interjected
»Championing him again«
Rose quietly turned her face too sure of her cold appreciation of him to
retort But yesterday night a word from him might have made her his and here
she sat advocating the nobility of his nature with the zeal of a barrister in
full swing of practice Remember however that a kiss separates them and how
many millions of leagues that counts for in love in a pure girls thought I
leave you to guess
Now in what way was Evan to be thanked how was he to be treated Sir
Franks proposed to go down to him in person accompanied by Harry Lady Jocelyn
acquiesced But Rose said to her mother
»Will not you wound his sensitiveness by going to him there«
»Possibly« said her ladyship »Shall we write and ask him to come to us«
»No Mama Could we ask him to make a journey to receive our thanks«
»Not till we have solid ones to offer perhaps«
»He will not let us help him Mama unless we have all given him our hands«
»Probably not There s always a fund of nonsense in those who are capable
of great things I observe It shall be a family expedition if you like«
»What« exclaimed Mrs Shorne »Do you mean that you intend to allow Rose to
make one of the party Franks is that your idea«
Sir Franks looked at his wife
»What harm« Lady Jocelyn asked for Roses absence of conscious guile in
appealing to her reason had subjugated that great faculty
»Simply a sense of propriety Emily« said Mrs Shorne with a glance at
Ferdinand
»You have no objection I suppose« Lady Jocelyn addressed him
»Ferdinand will join us« said Rose
»Thank you Rose I d rather not« he replied »I thought we had done with
the fellow for good last night«
»Last night« quoth Lady Jocelyn
No one spoke The interrogation was renewed Was it Roses swift instinct
which directed her the shortest way to gain her point or that she was glad to
announce that her degrading engagement was at an end She said »Ferdinand and
Mr Harrington came to an understanding last night in my presence«
That strange as it struck on their ears appeared to be quite sufficient to
all albeit the necessity for it was not so very clear The carriage was ordered
forthwith Lady Jocelyn went to dress Rose drew Ferdinand away into the garden
Then with all her powers she entreated him to join her
»Thank you Rose« he said »I have no taste for the genus«
»For my sake I beg it Ferdinand«
»It s really too much to ask of me Rose«
»If you care for me you will«
»Pon my honour quite impossible«
»You refuse Ferdinand«
»My London tailor d find me out and never forgive me«
This pleasantry stopped her soft looks Why she wished him to be with her
she could not have said For a thousand reasons which implies no distinct one
something prophetically pressing in her blood
Chapter XLVI
A Lovers Parting
Now to suppose oneself the fashioner of such a chain of events as this which
brought the whole of the Harrington family in tender unity together once more
would have elated an ordinary mind But to the Countess de Saldar it was simply
an occasion for reflecting that she had misunderstood and could most sincerely
forgive Providence She admitted to herself that it was not entirely her work
for she never would have had their place of meeting to be the Shop Seeing
however that her end was gained she was entitled to the credit of it and
could pardon the means adopted Her brother lord of Beckley Court and all of
them assembled in the old 193 Main Street Lymport What matter for proud
humility Providence had answered her numerous petitions but in its own way
Stipulating that she must swallow this pill Providence consented to serve her
She swallowed it with her wonted courage In half an hour subsequent to her
arrival at Lymport she laid siege to the heart of Old Tom Cogglesby whom she
found installed in the parlour comfortably sipping at a tumbler of
rumandwater Old Tom was astonished to meet such an agreeable unpretentious
woman who talked of tailors and lords with equal ease appeared to comprehend a
mans habits instinctively and could amuse him while she ministered to them
»Can you cook maam« asked Old Tom
»All but that« said the Countess with a smile of sweet meaning
»Ha then you wont suit me as well as your mother«
»Take care you do not excite my emulation« she returned graciously albeit
disgusted at his tone
To Harriet Old Tom had merely nodded There he sat in the armchair
sucking the liquor with the glimpse of a sour chuckle on his cheeks Now and
then during the evening he rubbed his hands sharply but spoke little The
unbending Harriet did not conceal her disdain of him When he ventured to allude
to the bankruptcy she cut him short
»Pray excuse me I am unacquainted with affairs of business I cannot
even understand my husband«
»Lord bless my soul« Old Tom exclaimed rolling his eyes
Caroline had informed her sisters upstairs that their mother was ignorant
of Evans change of fortune and that Evan desired her to continue so for the
present Caroline appeared to be pained by the subject and was glad when Louisa
sounded his mysterious behaviour by saying »Evan has a native love of
concealment he must be humoured«
At the supper Mr Raikes made his bow He was modest and reserved It was
known that this young gentleman acted as shopman there With a tenderness for
his position worthy of all respect the Countess spared his feelings by totally
ignoring his presence whereat he unaccustomed to such greatminded treatment
retired to bed a hater of his kind Harriet and Caroline went next The
Countess said she would wait up for Evan but hearing that his hours of return
were about the chimes of matins she cried exultingly »Darling Papa all over«
and departed likewise Mrs Mel when she had mixed Old Toms third glass
wished the brothers good night and they were left to exchange what sentiments
they thought proper for the occasion The Countess had certainly disappointed
Old Toms farce in a measure and he expressed himself puzzled by her »You
aint the only one« said his brother Andrew with some effort held his tongue
concerning the news of Evan his fortune and his folly till he could talk to
the youth in person
All took their seats at the early breakfast next morning
»Has Evan not come home yet« was the Countesss first question
Mrs Mel replied »No«
»Do you know where he has gone dear Mama«
»He chooses his own way«
»And you fear that it leads somewhere« added the Countess
»I fear that it leads to knocking up the horse he rides«
»The horse Mama He is out on a horse all night But dont you see dear
old pet his morals at least are safe on horseback«
»The horse has to be paid for Louisa« said her mother sternly and then
for she had a lesson to read to the guests of her son »Ready money doesnt come
by joking What will the creditors think If he intends to be honest in earnest
he must give up fourfeet mouths«
»Fourteenfeet maam you mean« said Old Tom counting the heads at table
»Bravo Mama« cried the Countess and as she was sitting near her mother
she must show how prettily she kissed by pouting out her playful lips to her
parent »Do be economical always And mind for the sake of the wretched
animals I will intercede for you to be his inspector of stables«
This with a glance of intelligence at her sisters
»Well Mr Raikes« said Andrew »you keep good hours at all events eh«
»Up with the lark« said Old Tom »Ha fraid he wont be so early when he
gets rid of his present habits eh«
»Nec dierum numerum ut nos sed noctium computant« said Mr Raikes and
both the brothers sniffed like dogs that have put their noses to a hot coal and
the Countess who was less insensible to the aristocracy of the dead languages
than are women generally gave him the recognition that is occasionally afforded
the family tutor
About the hour of ten Evan arrived He was subjected to the hottest embrace
he had ever yet received from his sister Louisa
»Darling« she called him before them all »Oh how I suffer for this
ignominy I see you compelled for a moment to endure But it is but for a moment
They must vacate and you will soon be out of this horrid hole«
»Where he just said he was glad to give us a welcome« muttered old Tom
Evan heard him and laughed The Countess laughed too
»No we will not be impatient We are poor insignificant people« she said
and turning to her mother added »And yet I doubt not you think the smallest of
our landed gentry equal to great continental seigneurs I do not say he
contrary«
»You will fill Evans head with nonsense till you make him knock up a horse
a week and never go to his natural bed« said Mrs Mel angrily »Look at him
Is a face like that fit for business«
»Certainly certainly not« said the Countess
»Well Mother the horse is dismissed you wont have to complain any
more« said Evan touching her hand »Another history commences from today«
The Countess watched him admiringly Such powers of acting she could not
have ascribed to him
»Another history indeed« she said »By the way Van love was it out of
Glamorganshire were we Tudors according to Papa or only Powys chieftains It
s of no moment but it helps one in conversation«
»Not half so much as good ale though« was Old Toms comment
The Countess did not perceive its fitness till Evan burst into a laugh and
then she said
»Oh we shall never be ashamed of the Brewery Do not fear that Mr
Cogglesby«
Old Tom saw his farce reviving and encouraged the Countess to patronize
him She did so to an extent that called on her Mrs Mels reprobation which
was so cutting and pertinent that Harriet was compelled to defend her sister
remarking that perhaps her mother would soon learn that Louisa was justified in
not permitting herself and family to be classed too low At this Andrew coming
from a private interview with Evan threw up his hands and eyes as one who
foretold astonishment but counselled humility What with the effort of those who
knew a little to imply a great deal of those who knew all to betray nothing
and of those who were kept in ignorance to strain a fact out of the conflicting
innuendos the general mystification waxed apace and was at its height when a
name struck on Evans ear that went through his blood like a touch of the
torpedo
He had been called into the parlour to assist at a consultation over the
Brewery affairs Raikes opened the door and announced »Sir Franks and Lady
Jocelyn«
Them he could meet though it was hard for his pride to pardon their visit
to him there But when his eyes discerned Rose behind them the passions of his
lower nature stood up armed What could she have come for but to humiliate or
play with him
A very few words enabled the Countess to guess the cause for this visit Of
course it was to beg time But they thanked Evan For something generous no
doubt Sir Franks took him aside and returning remarked to his wife that she
perhaps would have greater influence with him All this while Rose sat talking
to Mrs Andrew Cogglesby Mrs Strike and Evans mother She saw by his face
the offence she had committed and acted on by one of her impulses said »Mama
I think if I were to speak to Mr Harrington «
Ere her mother could make light of the suggestion Old Tom had jumped up
and bowed out his arm
»Allow me to conduct ye to the drawingroom upstairs young lady He ll
follow safe enough«
Rose had not stipulated for that Nevertheless seeing no cloud on her
mothers face or her fathers she gave Old Tom her hand and awaited a
movement from Evan It was too late to object to it on either side Old Tom had
caught the tide at the right instant Much as if a grim old genie had planted
them together the lovers found themselves alone
»Evan you forgive me« she began looking up at him timidly
»With all my heart Rose« he answered with great cheerfulness
»No I know your heart better Oh Evan you must be sure that we respect
you too much to wound you We came to thank you for your generosity Do you
refuse to accept anything from us How can we take this that you thrust on us
unless in some way «
»Say no more« he interposed »You see me here You know me as I am now«
»Yes yes« the tears stood in her eyes »Why did I come you would ask
That is what you cannot forgive I see now how useless it was Evan why did you
betray me«
»Betray you Rose«
»You said that you loved me once«
She was weeping and all his spirit melted and his love cried out »I said
till death and till death it will be Rose«
»Then why why did you betray me Evan I know it all But if you blackened
yourself to me was it not because you loved something better than me And now
you think me false Which of us two has been false It s silly to talk of these
things now too late But be just I wish that we may be friends Can we
unless you bend a little«
The tears streamed down her cheeks and in her lovely humility he saw the
baseness of that pride of his which had hitherto held him up
»Now that you are in this house where I was born and am to live can you
regret what has come between us Rose«
Her lips quivered in pain
»Can I do anything else but regret it all my life Evan«
How was it possible for him to keep his strength
»Rose« he spoke with a passion that made her shrink »are you bound to this
man« and to the drooping of her eyes »No Impossible for you do not love him
Break it Break the engagement you cannot fulfil Break it and belong to me It
sounds ill for me to say that in such a place But Rose I will leave it I will
accept any assistance that your father that any man will give me Beloved
noble girl I see my falseness to you though I little thought it at the time
fool that I was Be my help my guide as the soul of my body Be mine«
»Oh Evan« she clasped her hands in terror at the change in him that was
hurrying her she knew not whither and trembling held them supplicatingly
»Yes Rose you have taught me what love can be You cannot marry that man«
»But my honour Evan No I do not love him for I can love but one He has
my pledge Can I break it«
The stress on the question choked him just as his heart sprang to her
»Can you face the world with me Rose«
»Oh Evan is there an escape for me Think Decide No no there is not
My mother I know looks on it so Why did she trust me to be with you here but
that she thinks me engaged to him and has such faith in me Oh help me be
my guide Think whether you would trust me hereafter I should despise myself«
»Not if you marry him« said Evan bitterly And then thinking as men will
think when they look on the figure of a fair girl marching serenely to a
sacrifice the horrors of which they insist that she ought to know
halfhating her for her calmness adoring her for her innocence he said »It
rests with you Rose The world will approve you and if your conscience does
why farewell and may heaven be your help«
She murmured »Farewell«
Did she expect more to be said by him What did she want or hope for now
And yet a light of hunger grew in her eyes brighter and brighter as it were on
a wave of yearning
»Take my hand once« she faltered
Her hand and her whole shape he took and she with closed eyes let him
strain her to his breast
Their swoon was broken by the opening of the door where Old Tom Cogglesby
and Lady Jocelyn appeared
»Gad he seems to have got his recompense eh my lady« cried Old Tom
However satisfactorily they might have explained the case it certainly did
seem so
Lady Jocelyn looked not absolutely displeased Old Tom was chuckling at her
elbow The two principal actors remained dumb
»I suppose if we leave young people to settle a thing this is how they do
it« her ladyship remarked
»Gad and they do it well« cried Old Tom
Rose with a deep blush on her cheeks stepped from Evan to her mother Not
in effrontery but earnestly and as the only way of escaping from the position
she said »I have succeeded Mama He will take what I offer«
»And what s that now« Old Tom inquired
Rose turned to Evan He bent and kissed her hand
»Call it recompense for the nonce« said Lady Jocelyn »Do you still hold to
your original proposition Tom«
»Every penny my lady I like the young fellow and she s a jolly little
lass if she means it she s a woman«
»True« said Lady Jocelyn »Considering that fact you will oblige me by
keeping the matter quiet«
»Does she want to try whether the tailors a gentleman still my lady eh«
»No I fancy she will have to see whether a certain nobleman may be one«
The Countess now joined them Sir Franks had informed her of her brothers
last fine performance After a short uneasy pause she said glancing at Evan
»You know his romantic nature I can assure you he was sincere and even if
you could not accept at least «
»But we have accepted Countess« said Rose
»The estate«
»The estate Countess And what is more to increase the effect of his
generosity he has consented to take a recompense«
»Indeed« exclaimed the Countess directing a stony look at her brother
»May I presume to ask what recompense«
Rose shook her head »Such a very poor one Countess He has no idea of
relative value«
The Countesss great mind was just then running hot on estates and
thousands or she would not have played goose to them you may be sure She
believed that Evan had been wheedled by Rose into the acceptance of a small sum
of money in return for his egregious gift With an internal groan the outward
aspect of which she had vast difficulty in masking she said »You are right
he has no head Easily cajoled«
Old Tom sat down in a chair and laughed outright Lady Jocelyn in pity for
the poor lady who always amused her thought it time to put an end to the
scene
»I hope your brother will come to us in about a week« she said »May I
expect the favour of your company as well«
The Countess felt her dignity to be far superior as she responded »Lady
Jocelyn when next I enjoy the gratification of a visit to your hospitable
mansion I must know that I am not at a disadvantage I cannot consent to be
twice pulled down to my brothers level«
Evans heart was too full of its dim young happiness to speak or care for
words The cold elegance of the Countesss curtsey to Lady Jocelyn her
ladyships kindly pressure of his hand Roses stedfast look into his eyes Old
Toms smothered exclamation that he was not such a fool as he seemed all passed
dreamlike and when he was left to the fury of the Countess he did not ask her
to spare him nor did he defend himself She bade adieu to him and their mutual
relationship that very day But her star had not forsaken her yet Chancing to
peep into the shop to intrust a commission to Mr John Raikes who was there
doing penance for his career as a gentleman she heard Old Tom and Andrew
laughing utterly unlike bankrupts
»Who d have thought the women such fools and the Countess too«
This was Andrews voice He chuckled as one emancipated The Countess had a
short interview with him before she took her departure to join her husband
under the roof of the Honourable Herbert Duffian and Andrew chuckled no more
Chapter XLVII
A Year Later the Countess de Saldar de Sancorvo to Her Sister Caroline
»Rome
Let the postmark be my reply to your letter received through the Consulate and
most courteously delivered with the Consuls compliments We shall yet have an
ambassador at Rome mark your Louisas words Yes dearest I am here body and
spirit I have at last found a haven a refuge and let those who condemn me
compare the peace of their spirits with mine You think that you have quite
conquered the dreadfulness of our origin My love I smile at you I know it to
be impossible for the Protestant heresy to offer a shade of consolation
Earthlyborn it rather encourages earthly distinctions It is the sweet
sovereign Pontiff alone who gathers all in his arms not excepting tailors
Here if they could know it is their blessed comfort
Thank Harriet for her message She need say nothing By refusing me her
hospitality when she must have known that the house was as free of creditors as
any foreigner under the rank of Count is of soap she drove me to Mr Duffian
Oh how I rejoice at her exceeding unkindness How warmly I forgive her the
unsisterly to say the least vindictiveness of her unaccountable conduct Her
sufferings will one day be terrible Good little Andrew supplies her place to
me Why do you refuse his easily afforded bounty No one need know of it I tell
you candidly I take double and the small good punch of a body is only too
delighted But then I can be discreet
Oh the gentlemanliness of these infinitely maligned Jesuits They remind me
immensely of Sir Charles Grandison and those frontispiece pictures to the
novels we read when girls I mean in manners and the ideas they impose not in
dress or length of leg of course The same winning softness the same
irresistible ascendancy over the female mind They require virtue for two I
assure you and so I told Silva who laughed
But the charms of confession my dear I will talk of Evan first I have
totally forgiven him Attaché to the Naples embassy sounds tollol In such a
position I can rejoice to see him for it permits me to acknowledge him I am
not sure that spiritually Rose will be his most fitting helpmate However it
is done and I did it and there is no more to be said The behaviour of Lord
Laxley in refusing to surrender a young lady who declared that her heart was
with another exceeds all I could have supposed One of the noble peers among
his ancestors must have been a pig Oh the Roman nobility Grace refinement
intrigue perfect comprehension of your ideas wishes the meanest trifles
Here you have every worldly charm and all crowned by Religion This is my true
delight I feel at last that whatsoever I do I cannot go far wrong while I am
within hail of my gentle priest I never could feel so before
The idea of Mr Parsley proposing for the beautiful widow Strike It was
indecent to do so so soon widowed under such circumstances But I dare say he
was as disinterested as a Protestant curate ever can be Beauty is a good dowry
to bring a poor lean worldly curate of your Church and he knows that Your
bishops and arches are quite susceptible to beautiful petitioners and we know
here how your livings and benefices are dispensed What do you intend to do
Come to me come to the bosom of the old and the only true Church and I engage
to marry you to a Roman prince the very next morning or two That is if you
have no ideas about prosecuting a certain enterprise which I should not abandon
In that case stay As Duchess of B Mr Duffian says you would be cordially
welcome to his Holiness who may see women That absurd report is all nonsense
We do not kiss his toe certainly but we have privileges equally enviable
Herbert is all charm I confess he is a little wearisome with his old ruins and
his Dante the poet He is quite of my opinion that Evan will never wash out
the trade stain on him until he comes over to the Church of Rome I adjure you
Caroline to lay this clearly before our dear brother In fact while he
continues a Protestant to me he is a tailor But here Rose is the impediment I
know her to be just one of those little dogged minds that are incapable of
receiving new impressions Was it not evident in the way she stuck to Evan after
I had once brought them together I am not at all astonished that Mr Raikes
should have married her maid It is a case of natural selection But it is
amusing to think of him carrying on the old business in 193 and with credit I
suppose his parents are to be pitied but what better is the creature fit for
Mama displeases me in consenting to act as housekeeper to old Grumpus I do not
object to the fact for it is prospective but she should have insisted on
another place of resort than Fallowfield I do not agree with you in thinking
her right in refusing a second marriage Her age does not shelter her from
scandal in your Protestant communities
I am every day expecting Harry Jocelyn to turn up He was rightly sent away
for to think of the folly Evan put into his empty head No he shall have
another wife and Protestantism shall be his forsaken mistress
See how your Louy has given up the world and its vanities You expected me
to creep up to you contrite and whimpering On the contrary I never felt
prouder And I am not going to live a lazy life I can assure you The Church
hath need of me If only for the peace it hath given me on one point I am
eternally bound to serve it
Postscript I am persuaded of this that it is utterly impossible for a man
to be a true gentleman who is not of the true Church What it is I cannot say
but it is as a convert that I appreciate my husband Love is made to me dear
for Catholics are human The other day it was a question whether a lady or a
gentleman should be compromised It required the grossest fib The gentleman did
not hesitate And why His priest was handy Fancy Lord Laxley in such a case I
shudder This shows that your religion precludes any possibility of the being
the real gentleman and whatever Evan may think of himself or Rose think of
him I know the thing
«